Editorial for January 10, 2008 edition:


A new day for Philly

Once upon a time, a politician’s word meant something. For anybody who listened to the words in the fiery speech Michael Nutter delivered after being sworn in as Philadelphia’s 98th mayor on Monday, great expectations are in order.
Like Barack Obama, Mr. Nutter represents change. The burst of fresh air in Philadelphia government includes an impressive team of department heads and other top officials. As the new City Council begins debating the new mayor’s initiatives, it should view his 83 percent margin of victory in November as a mandate for action not limited to restoration of integrity in city government.
In honoring his campaign promise to address rampant crime with an executive order declaring Philadelphia to be in a state of emergency, the new mayor proved that his word is his bond. He should use his power and respect to issue executive orders on other matters as well. Here are a few suggestions, for starters:
• Declare a health emergency in the city of Philadelphia and immediately remove loopholes that permit smoking in some taverns and other establishments.
• Demand that the state Supreme Court remove from the bench newly installed Traffic Court "Judge" and traffic-ticket scofflaw Willie Singletary.
• Do as mayor what he couldn’t do as a councilman: Prohibit all elected officials from participating in the Deferred Retirement Option Plan. By the way, Councilwoman Joan Krajewski, who’s collecting about $300,000 in retirement benefits even though she is not retiring, claims that she has received not a single call from citizens complaining about her acceptance of the bonanza.
Readers, call Joan Krajewski’s City Hall office and instruct her not to rip you off. The phone number is 215-686-3444.
You’re her boss, remember? ••

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