Kelly D. Summerford Enters the Race for Harrisburg City Council
by Diane F. White
Harrisburg, PA -- A Harrisburg man, known for his work with children in both the performing arts and mental health areas, has thrown his hat into the race for Harrisburg City Council as an Independent. He joins two incumbents, Susan Brown-Wilson and Gloria Martin-Roberts, as the only true "Independent" candidate vying for one of 3 seats up for grabs in November. Brad Koplinski, a relatively unknown candidate who many believe to be bought and paid for by so-called "Mayor for Life", Steven Reed will also be on the General Election ballot in November. Koplinski garnered a 3rd place win in the hotly contested May 15th Primary.
Kelly D. Summerford was born in Harrisburg and grew up on Reily Street, then moved to Holly Street, and presently lives on Market Street. He said today he will run an energetic campaign for one of the vacancies on City Council, advocating “neighborhoods that are safe from violence, crime, soul-stealing drugs and neglected properties.” In his announcement Summerford said he believes Harrisburg City leaders should embrace integrity and accountability and they should be responsive to the voices of all the people who live in Harrisburg.
Summerford said, by its nature, his campaign is a grass-roots effort to restore the vitality of the past. He pledged that voters who now feel disenfranchised will be listened to, and they will shape his run for the Council Seat he is determined to win.
Summerford is the Administrative Assistant with the PA Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP) Training and Technical Assistance Institute, serving as the Institute’s liaison to the Department of Psychology at Penn State University.
Summerford is a graduate of Harrisburg High School and earned a Certificate in Arts Management at the University of Massachusetts. He worked 12 years as a computer programmer and handled the per capita dues for the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO. He also worked as a consultant to the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. He has worked as an actor, choreographer and director, appearing in several feature films and television shows. Locally, he is known as a consultant for many Harrisburg arts projects.
Summerford is a member of the Boards of Directors of the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet Company, Pride of the Neighborhood Academy and Pen Owl Productions, among others. He is also a member of the Harrisburg Kiwanis Club.
He holds professional memberships in the Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Black Filmmakers Foundation.
Serving as chair of the Committee to Elect Kelly D. Summerford is Kay R. Spradley. Lewis L. Butts, Jr. is serving as campaign manager and Danielle Guess, treasurer. E-mail the candidate at electkellysumm@aol.com., call (717) 431-6001 or visit the website. http://www.kellysumm.com
