Mayor reconnects
to the Northeast

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Mayor Michael Nutter acknowledged that, in the past, city government has not always given appropriate attention to the Northeast.
Nutter, a Democrat from Wynnefield who took office in January, plans to change that attitude.
"The Northeast is back as part of the city of Philadelphia," he said.
Last week, Nutter addressed members of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce during a sold-out luncheon at Evangelical Manor, a continuing care retirement community at 8401 Roosevelt Blvd.
Nutter, who received a standing ovation, accepted the invitation of Al Taubenberger, president of the local Chamber of Commerce who was his Republican opponent in last November’s election.
The mayor joined the business group again on Sunday afternoon at Knowlton Mansion in Fox Chase for an art auction to raise money for a scholarship fund.
Before last week’s speech, he toured CORA Services and has also spent time at Cardone Industries, which remanufactures auto parts, and AgustaWestland, which makes helicopters. He also has supported Fox Chase Cancer Center’s efforts to expand into Burholme Park.
After surviving a vicious Democratic primary, Nutter was a big favorite over Taubenberger. The two met for a post-primary lunch at a Port Richmond restaurant, and they conducted a very civil campaign about issues, not personalities.
Nutter served on City Council for 14-1/2 years, representing a district in West and Northwest Philadelphia. In 2002, he sponsored a bill to create the Tax Reform Commission. Voters overwhelmingly approved the commission, and Taubenberger served as co-chairman. A final report was issued in November 2003.
The mayor believes Philadelphia will benefit from lower wage and business privilege taxes and a streamlined development process.
Philadelphia has lost a half-million people in the last 50 years. In his budget address, Nutter set a very ambitious goal of adding a net of 75,000 people to the city’s population in the next five to 10 years.
On Saturday, Nutter took the first step in trying to beautify Philadelphia, sponsoring a citywide cleanup.
"This city is on the way back," he said.
The former city councilman said he is enthusiastic and excited about having a second chance to serve in government.
As mayor, Nutter vows to strengthen the Fairmount Park system. He’s proposing a 40-percent funding increase over five years for the park system, which consists of 9,200 acres.
"They don’t make parks like that anymore," he said.
Nutter is also excited about the potential of riverfront development. Along the North Delaware Avenue riverfront, there are proposals for housing, business and recreation.
The mayor said there’s been enough talking, meeting and planning about the issue.
"Let’s get on with actual development," he said.
Nutter said Philadelphia boasts some great colleges and universities, and he has proposed in his budget a huge increase in funding for Community College of Philadelphia.
To get to college, Nutter noted, students must complete high school. He wants the Department of Recreation to offer more after-school programs — from 3 to 7 p.m. — to keep young people from becoming victims or perpetrators of crime.
Nutter linked the number of high school dropouts to the crime rate. Those arrested for violent crimes in Philadelphia are overwhelmingly dropouts.
In the city, the public high school dropout rate is 45 percent.
"That is unacceptable," Nutter said. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com