Results tagged “citycouncil”

In yet another stunning display of blatant disregard for the economic plight of his constituents, the City of Philadelphia, and the state of Pennsylvania, Republican Minority Whip Frank Rizzo, Jr. (son of the ex-mayor depicted in the statue at right) is the lone City Council member intending to accept his cost of living raise this year. Other members—wiser, more informed, more considerate members—are planning to give the money back to the general fund, or to various city charities. They're primarily doing so in order to show solidarity with union workers who are shit out of luck being asked to decline pay raises for 4 years.

The Inquirer reports today that legislation (Bill #090380) has been introduced in City Council that would amend uses permitted in Recreational Districts (parks, for instance), thereby opening the park up to private development and construction of such things as catering facilities and single family homes on park grounds.

Freshness: we has it, in the form of neighborhood food co-ops.

City Solicitor Shelley Smith told the Committee of Seventy that she agrees with her predecessor that the ordinance that enacted the Deferred Retirement Option Plan for employees of city government does not disqualify elected officials.

The Philadelphia Business Journal is reporting that, because the ten-day timeline for a veto from Mayor Nutter has passed, the unanimously-approved City Council bill banning the use of handheld cell phones while operating a vehicle is now officially enforceable. The bill applies to cars, bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates and even scooters (but does "scooter" include Rascals?). Moreover, state legislation that has gone from the PA House to the Senate chimes in on the distracted drivers issue. Pennsylvania would consider distracted driving offenses like those regulated by Philly's law 'secondary', meaning that cops couldn't pull you over just because you're screaming into your handset while you're screaming down the highway. The state law also penalizes local governments for having their own take on it. In Philadelphia's case, that may mean over $250M in lost infrastructure funding over the next three years.

Little Girl Lost is based on a real-life incident that involves a row house fire, the disappearance of newborn Delimar Vera, and a mother's six-year nightmare, spent believing her daughter had died in the blaze, as city officials told her. The all-star cast includes actors from Scrubs, The Shield, 24 and General Hospital, not to mention Ugly Betty star (and daughter of a former Philadelphia City Councilman) Ana Ortiz. This Lifetime Original Movie premieres Sunday, August 17th, at 8:00PM.

It’s only right to pick up a hard copy of this one: City Paper presents the Comics Issue! How subversive. Or not.

Three Philadelphia Tour Guides are up-in-arms due to a City Council bill that says all guides must be certified by obtaining a license. The license is given after the guides pass an exam that tests their knowledge of Philadelphia history. They feel this is in violation of their rights and have filed a lawsuit against the city.

Phillyist reader Adrian Holovaty tipped us off to EveryBlock Philadelphia. They aggregate City Council actions, restaurant inspections, crimes and other useful data and make it searchable by address, ZIP, neighborhood or even Council District. It's a great resource for those of us looking to move elsewhere in the city limits or just trying to stay informed about our surroundings. The media coverage and photos sections can be especially interesting, depending, of course, on where exactly you live in the city.

Hello. I’m former Mayor of Philadelphia John F. Street for the new Apple 3G iPhone.