A Berks County assistant district attorney has announced that he is running for City Council.
Raymond Baker, 32, is seeking the District 4 seat.
He will enter the May 20 primary on the Democratic ticket.
Baker holds a juris doctorate degree from Pennsylvania State University’s Dickinson School of Law and has worked as an assistant DA for nearly eight years.
He has been involved in city government as a former member of the City Charter Review Commission and is active with the Berks County Democratic committee.
Baker said he has a heart for public service.
“It’s driven my whole life; I grew up with it,” he said, noting a passion for social responsibility, civic duty and civil service were exemplified by his police officer father and school teacher mother.
He has taken part in community service projects, such as city cleanups, he said, and volunteers with other members of the Berks County Bar Association to read books to city children.
With his experience, talents and drive, Baker believes he has what is needed for the job. And he is willing to put in the time and work needed to support, promote and defend the district and city at large, he said.
“I’m the kind of guy that when something needs to be done, I’m willing to fight for it,” he said.
Reading is unfairly criticized by some, he said, and has earned an undeserved poor reputation.
“I know Reading is a good town,” he said, “and I think it could be better.”
Though he loves the city he calls home, Baker said, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have concerns.
“I look at Reading, and I get so frustrated,” he said. “Not at the city or the people, but that we’re sitting here seemingly stuck.”
Other nearby cities with equally diverse populations seem to be recovering from the decline in industry and suburban flight and growing economically in a way Reading is not, he noted.
The recent designation of Reading as a city revitalization and improvement zone, or CRIZ, is a crucial tool, he said, that has the potential to spur development, particularly of vacant and underutilized parcels, thereby helping to create jobs, revive the local economy and improve the lives of city residents.
But Reading needs to become more developer friendly, he noted.
“I’m a proud Democrat,” Baker said, “but I think sometimes we put up too many barriers. I want to work with people. There are some commonsense things I think we could do.”
For example, reducing bureaucratic barriers and streamlining the permitting process would encourage development and downtown revitalization, he said, noting he also has ideas for promoting the city and drawing people downtown for shopping, dining and events.
Baker said he was motivated to run for the District 4 seat when he learned the current district representative, Wesley Butler, does not plan on seeking reelection.
“Wes has done a great job,” Baker said. “And I wouldn’t feel the need to challenge him and try to take him out as our Democratic nominee, but he doesn’t want to run again. I respect his decision. It’s a lot of work. I know it is. I’m gearing up for that. But, you know, we need somebody who’s going to fight for the whole district, who’s going to fight for this whole city. I know I can fight — with what I’ve seen and what I’ve experienced — to make Reading a better city, the best city.”
Meet the candidate
Candidate: Raymond Baker, 32, Reading.
Position sought: Reading City Council District 4 representative.
Website: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572104473238
Background: Baker is a Berks County assistant district attorney. He holds a juris doctorate degree from Pennsylvania State University’s Dickinson School of Law.
Term: Four years.
Compensation: City Council members are paid an annual salary of $6,250.
Source: Berkshire mont
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