U. alum Burrell running for City Hall

Mayoral candidate George Burrell's office looks like a traditional family's Fourth of July party. Red, white and blue stars hang from the ceiling and hundreds of pamphlets proclaiming "Victory '91" adorn the walls of the Democratic candidate's office. A serious image of the 42-year-old University graduate stares out from posters on the wall. (Section omitted) Politicians can take several years to become accustomed to a new situation. "[The crisis] is not going to be solved by someone who has to figure out what it means to be a politicians in a political arena," he said. The University, Burrell has said, will have to be somewhat responsible for helping Philadelphia out with the financial problems. Asking non-profit, tax-exempt institutions for user fees is one of the four measures he has said he would use to solve the city's financial problems. The other three things Burrell said he will propose are cutting $30 to $40 million, improving labor relations and negotiations, asking for more state aid and adding a city sales tax. Burrell's ideas would obviously be for naught, though, if he is sharply hampered by continuing bad press as he has recently received. Local media reported last month that he defaulted on several school loans, but has since repaid them. And Burrell said the fact that he has repaid the loans is the key point. He emphasized that people get into difficult situations sometimes and said he feels sure the voters will understand his plight when they go to the polls in the May 21 primary. Burrell, a 1969 Wharton alum and a 1974 Law School graduate, said the University drew him from his home state of New Jersey to the city, and has kept him here since. At the University, Burrell was active as a football player and in several honor societies. (CUT LINE) Please see BURRELL, page 5 BURRELL, from page 1

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