Communication 080002

..Title 1 2 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA 3 - - - INVESTITURE OF CITY COUNCIL 4 ORGANIZATION OF CITY COUNCIL - - - 5 INAUGURATION OF HONORABLE MICHAEL A. NUTTER, MAYOR, INVESTITURE OF MEMBERS OF THE 6 JUDICIARY, CLERK OF QUARTER SESSIONS COURT, CITY COMMISSIONERS, REGISTER OF WILLS, SHERIFF 7 AND JUDGES OF TRAFFIC COURT - - - 8 Academy of Music Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 9 Monday, January 7, 2008 10:00 a.m. 10 - - - 11 PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA 12 COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE 13 COUNCILMAN FRANK DiCICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. 14 COUNCILMAN WILLIAM GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM GREENLEE 15 COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN JACK KELLY 16 COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI 17 COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL 18 COUNCILWOMAN MARIA QUINONES SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN 19 COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO 20 PATRICIA RAFFERTY, CHIEF CLERK 21 - - - 22 V A R A L L O Incorporated 23 Litigation Support Services Eleven Penn Center 24 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 25 215.561.2220 215.567.2670 2 1 2 THE ANNOUNCER: Ladies and 3 gentlemen, welcome to the investiture of 4 members of Council, the organization of 5 City Council, the inauguration of the 6 Honorable Michael A. Nutter as Mayor and 7 the investiture of members of the 8 judiciary, Clerk of Quarter Sessions 9 Court, City Commissioners, Register of 10 Wills, Sheriff and judges of Traffic 11 Court. 12 We ask that you now please 13 either silence or turn off all pagers and 14 cellular phones for the remainder of the 15 ceremony. Thank you. 16 Ladies and gentlemen, please 17 rise and bow your heads for the 18 invocation given by His Eminence Justin 19 Cardinal Rigali, Archbishop of 20 Philadelphia. 21 CARDINAL RIGALI: Almighty and 22 Eternal God, you have revealed your glory 23 to the nations. God of Wisdom and 24 Justice, through you authority is rightly 25 administered. 3 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 Help us to recognize your 3 primacy in our lives. May the desire to 4 be faithful to your commands direct our 5 thoughts and actions. 6 Bless our Mayor, Michael 7 Nutter, the members of City Council and 8 all elected officials of the City of 9 Philadelphia. Grant them the wisdom and 10 strength to strive to do your will in all 11 things for the greater honor and glory of 12 your name and for the good of all the 13 citizens of this City. 14 May this Administration be 15 marked by a profound respect for the 16 dignity of every person. Sustain its 17 efforts to bring about justice for every 18 man, woman and child. May it continually 19 work towards an end to the violence that 20 plagues the streets of our City. 21 Amidst the challenges and 22 trials that we face each day, help us 23 with your grace to be people of hope, to 24 persevere with confidence in the task you 25 have entrusted to us so that one day we 4 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 may enjoy the gift of your presence and 3 the joy of heaven, you who live and reign 4 forever and ever. 5 Amen. 6 (Amen.) 7 THE ANNOUNCER: Ladies and 8 gentlemen, please remain standing as the 9 Philadelphia Police, Fire Departments and 10 Prison Systems present the colors and the 11 Philadelphia Boys' Choir leads us in 12 singing the National Anthem. 13 (Colors are presented.) 14 (Boys' Choir sings National 15 Anthem.) 16 (Applause.) 17 THE ANNOUNCER: And now please 18 be seated, as we call to the podium City 19 Council President Anna C. Verna. 20 (Applause.) 21 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Thank 22 you very much, and good morning. It is 23 my pleasure to welcome you to the 24 inaugural proceedings for the investiture 25 of City Council members, the inauguration 5 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 of the Mayor and the induction of the 3 judiciary and elected officials. 4 Special guests joining us on 5 stage today are His Eminence Justice 6 Cardinal Rigali. Welcome. Reverend 7 Dr. Albert Campbell; Rabbi Henry Cohen; 8 Senator Arlen Specter; Senator Bob Casey; 9 Congressman Brady; Congressman Chaka 10 Fattah; Governor Rendell and his wife, 11 the Honorable Marjorie Rendell; 12 Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker 13 Knoll; Attorney General Tom Corbett; 14 Auditor General Jack Wagner; Mayor Luke 15 Ravenstahl of Pittsburgh; New York State 16 Senator John Sampson; District Attorney 17 Lynne Abraham; City Controller Alan 18 Butkovitz; Mayor John Street; former 19 Mayor William Green; former Mayor Wilson 20 Goode, Sr.; the Honorable C. Darnell 21 Jones, II; the Honorable Louis J. 22 Presenza; the Honorable Thomasine Tynes; 23 and members of the Inaugural Committee. 24 Please join me in welcoming 25 them. Thank you. 6 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 (Applause.) 3 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: I 4 wish to acknowledge the new First Lady of 5 our City, Lisa Nutter, and their very -- 6 (Applause.) 7 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: And, 8 of course, we have all seen before and 9 practically feel as though we know her, 10 their very, very lovely daughter, Olivia. 11 (Applause.) 12 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: And 13 son, Christian. 14 (Applause.) 15 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Would 16 Councilwoman Krajewski please make a 17 presentation of flowers to Mrs. Nutter 18 and Olivia. 19 (Flowers presented to 20 Mrs. Nutter and Olivia.) 21 (Applause.) 22 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: This 23 being the day fixed by the Philadelphia 24 Home Rule Charter for the organization of 25 the Council of the City of Philadelphia, 7 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 the hour has arrived, and we will now 3 proceed with the organization of Council 4 and the investiture of Council members. 5 The first order of business 6 will be the election of a temporary 7 chairperson. Nominations are now in 8 order, and the Chair recognizes 9 Councilman Kenney. 10 COUNCILMAN KENNEY: Thank you, 11 Madam President. I nominate Councilwoman 12 Tasco. 13 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 14 Chair thanks the gentleman. 15 The Chair recognizes 16 Councilwoman Miller. 17 COUNCILWOMAN MILLER: Madam 18 President, I second that nomination. 19 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Are 20 there any further nominations? 21 (No response.) 22 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: 23 Hearing none, the Chair recognizes 24 Councilman Goode. 25 COUNCILMAN GOODE: Thank you, 8 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 Madam President. I move the nominations 3 be closed. 4 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 5 Chair thanks the gentleman, and the Chair 6 now recognizes Councilwoman Brown. 7 COUNCILWOMAN BROWN: Thank you, 8 Madam President. I second the motion. 9 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: All 10 in favor of the motion please indicate by 11 saying "aye." 12 (Aye.) 13 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Those 14 opposed will say "nay." 15 (No response.) 16 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 17 ayes have it, and the nominations are 18 closed. 19 There being no further 20 nominations, all in favor of the election 21 of Councilwoman Tasco will say "aye." 22 (Aye.) 23 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Those 24 opposed? 25 (No response.) 9 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 3 ayes have it, and Councilwoman Tasco has 4 been duly elected temporary Chair, and to 5 her I relinquish this gavel. 6 (Applause.) 7 COUNCILWOMAN TASCO: Thank you, 8 Madam President. 9 As the first order of business, 10 I appoint Mrs. Patricia Rafferty 11 temporary Clerk. The next order of 12 business is the filing of the 13 certificates of election. The Clerk will 14 call the roll. I direct the Clerk to 15 call the roll, beginning with the 16 Councilpersons-at-large in alphabetical 17 order, and then to proceed with the 18 district Councilpersons in order of their 19 district, beginning with the First 20 District. 21 THE CLERK: Mr. W. Wilson 22 Goode, Jr.? 23 COUNCILMAN GOODE: Present. 24 THE CLERK: Mr. William Green? 25 COUNCILMAN GREEN: Present. 10 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 THE CLERK: Mr. William 3 Greenlee? 4 COUNCILMAN GREENLEE: Present. 5 THE CLERK: Mr. Jack Kelly? 6 COUNCILMAN KELLY: Present. 7 THE CLERK: Mr. James F. 8 Kenney? 9 COUNCILMAN KENNEY: Present. 10 THE CLERK: Mrs. Blondell 11 Reynolds Brown? 12 COUNCILWOMAN BROWN: Present. 13 THE CLERK: Mr. Frank Rizzo? 14 COUNCILMAN RIZZO: Present. 15 THE CLERK: Mr. Frank DiCicco? 16 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Present. 17 THE CLERK: Mrs. Anna C. Verna? 18 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: 19 Present. 20 THE CLERK: Mrs. Jannie 21 Blackwell? 22 COUNCILWOMAN BLACKWELL: 23 Present. 24 THE CLERK: Mr. Curtis Jones, 25 Jr.? 11 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 COUNCILMAN JONES: Present. 3 THE CLERK: Mr. Darrell Clarke? 4 COUNCILMAN CLARKE: Present. 5 THE CLERK: Mrs. Joan 6 Krajewski? 7 COUNCILWOMAN KRAJEWSKI: 8 Present. 9 THE CLERK: Mrs. Maria Quinones 10 Sanchez? 11 COUNCILWOMAN SANCHEZ: Present. 12 THE CLERK: Mrs. Donna Reed 13 Miller? 14 COUNCILWOMAN MILLER: Present. 15 THE CLERK: Mrs. Marian B. 16 Tasco? 17 COUNCILWOMAN TASCO: Present. 18 THE CLERK: Mr. Brian O'Neill? 19 COUNCILMAN O'NEILL: Present. 20 THE CLERK: Councilwoman Tasco, 21 a quorum of the members-elect is present, 22 and I have in my possession certificates 23 of election signed by Edgar Howard, City 24 Commissioner; Honorable Pamela Pryor 25 Dembe, Acting Commissioner; and Honorable 12 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 Chris Wogan, Acting Commissioner, acting 3 as the County Board of Elections in 4 Philadelphia, indicating their election 5 of November 6, 2007, for a term of four 6 years, commencing the first Monday of 7 January, AD 2008. 8 COUNCILWOMAN TASCO: The 9 investiture of members of Council will 10 now proceed. The members-elect will rise 11 to take the oath of office, which will be 12 administered by the Honorable C. Darnell 13 Jones, II, President Judge of the Court 14 of Common Pleas. 15 JUDGE JONES: Good morning. 16 (Good morning.) 17 JUDGE JONES: Thank you, 18 Ms. Tasco. 19 Would the members of Council 20 please place your hands on your Bible and 21 raise your right hands, repeat after 22 me... 23 (Oath of office administered to 24 members of Council.) 25 JUDGE JONES: Congratulations. 13 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 (Applause.) 3 COUNCILWOMAN TASCO: The next 4 order of business is the election of 5 President of City Council for the City of 6 Philadelphia to serve for four years, 7 commencing January 7, 2008. Nominations 8 are now in order. 9 The Chair recognizes 10 Councilwoman Blackwell. 11 COUNCILWOMAN BLACKWELL: Thank 12 you. I proudly and with great honor 13 nominate Anna C. Verna. 14 COUNCILWOMAN TASCO: Thank you. 15 (Applause.) 16 COUNCILWOMAN TASCO: At this 17 time, the Chair recognizes Councilman 18 DiCicco. 19 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, 20 Madam Acting President. I second the 21 nomination. 22 COUNCILWOMAN TASCO: Are there 23 any further nominations? 24 (No response.) 25 COUNCILWOMAN TASCO: Hearing 14 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 none, the Chair recognizes Councilman 3 O'Neill. 4 COUNCILMAN O'NEILL: Madam 5 Chair, I move the nominations be closed. 6 COUNCILWOMAN TASCO: The Chair 7 recognizes Councilwoman Miller. 8 COUNCILWOMAN MILLER: Madam 9 President, I second the motion. 10 COUNCILWOMAN TASCO: All in 11 favor will say "aye." 12 (Aye.) 13 COUNCILWOMAN TASCO: Those 14 opposed? 15 (No response.) 16 COUNCILWOMAN TASCO: There 17 being no further nominations, all those 18 in favor of the election of the Honorable 19 Anna C. Verna as President of City 20 Council will say "aye." 21 (Aye.) 22 COUNCILWOMAN TASCO: Those 23 opposed, "nay." 24 (No response.) 25 COUNCILWOMAN TASCO: The ayes 15 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 have it. However, the temporary Clerk 3 will call the roll. 4 THE CLERK: Councilwoman 5 Blackwell? 6 COUNCILWOMAN BLACKWELL: Aye. 7 THE CLERK: Councilman Clarke? 8 COUNCILMAN CLARKE: Aye. 9 THE CLERK: Councilman DiCicco? 10 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Aye. 11 THE CLERK: Councilman Goode? 12 COUNCILMAN GOODE: Aye. 13 THE CLERK: Councilman Green? 14 COUNCILMAN GREEN: Aye. 15 THE CLERK: Councilman 16 Greenlee? 17 COUNCILMAN GREENLEE: Aye. 18 THE CLERK: Councilman Jones? 19 COUNCILMAN JONES: Aye. 20 THE CLERK: Councilman Kelly? 21 COUNCILMAN KELLY: Aye. 22 THE CLERK: Councilman Kenney? 23 COUNCILMAN KENNEY: Aye. 24 THE CLERK: Councilwoman 25 Krajewski? 16 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 COUNCILWOMAN KRAJEWSKI: Aye. 3 THE CLERK: Councilwoman 4 Miller? 5 COUNCILWOMAN MILLER: Aye. 6 THE CLERK: Councilman O'Neill? 7 COUNCILMAN O'NEILL: Aye. 8 THE CLERK: Councilwoman 9 Reynolds Brown? 10 COUNCILWOMAN BROWN: Aye. 11 THE CLERK: Councilman Rizzo? 12 COUNCILMAN RIZZO: Aye. 13 THE CLERK: Councilwoman 14 Sanchez? 15 COUNCILWOMAN SANCHEZ: Aye. 16 THE CLERK: Councilwoman Tasco? 17 COUNCILWOMAN TASCO: Aye. 18 THE CLERK: Council President 19 Verna? 20 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Aye. 21 COUNCILWOMAN TASCO: The ayes 22 are 17; the nays are zero. Councilwoman 23 Verna having been unanimously chosen by 24 the members of Council, I declare that 25 Councilwoman Verna is the duly elected 17 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 President of this body. 3 (Standing ovation.) 4 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Thank 5 you all so very much. Thank you. Thank 6 you. 7 I am truly honored to be here 8 today with the citizens of Philadelphia 9 and the region, other elected officials, 10 my family, friends and colleagues, as 11 together we continue and we will continue 12 our efforts to move Philadelphia forward 13 through the 21st century. 14 It was in Philadelphia just 15 eight blocks from here that the very 16 foundations of American democracy, the 17 Declaration of Independence and the 18 United States Constitution, had their 19 beginning. Carpenters Hall and the new 20 National Constitution Center are powerful 21 symbols of our City's rich history, but 22 they also represent our future. My 23 friends, I assure you the best days of 24 William Penn's "green country town" are 25 yet to come. 18 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 (Applause.) 3 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: When 4 I stood before you four years ago, I told 5 you that we in City government have a 6 responsibility to improve our public 7 schools, our City's neighborhoods and our 8 City's economy. Today, through a lot of 9 hard work, much has been accomplished 10 toward these goals. Neighborhoods are 11 improving. Our economy continues to 12 stabilize, and more funding has been 13 provided for our public schools. New 14 schools are being built for the first 15 time in decades in a number of our areas. 16 These include the recently completed 17 Microsoft School of the Future, funded by 18 the Gates Foundation, and a new Audenreid 19 High School. 20 We must continue to focus 21 resources on our schools, since they 22 provide the groundwork for our students 23 to move on to the innumerable choices of 24 colleges and universities available to 25 them in Philadelphia. 19 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 (Applause.) 3 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: I 4 cannot possibly name all of these 5 colleges and universities, but I feel 6 compelled to highlight a few. 7 Representing the Ivy League is 8 the University of Pennsylvania, which was 9 founded by the first great American 10 citizen, Philadelphia's own Benjamin 11 Franklin. 12 Last fall, Drexel University 13 hosted one of the Democratic Presidential 14 Debates. Drexel was chosen because of a 15 can-do attitude with respect to 16 technology. 17 The Community College of 18 Philadelphia provides a path to 19 possibilities, whether people are 20 starting their college career or starting 21 over. 22 In addition to these numerous 23 other institutions of higher learning, 24 Philadelphia has many incredible 25 resources. We have a world-class Art 20 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 Museum and amazing restaurants with 3 cuisines from virtually every country in 4 the world. We are home to the musical 5 and theatrical venues that meet every 6 taste, ranging from this very historic 7 Academy of Music to the new 8 state-of-the-art Suzanne Roberts Theatre 9 just a few blocks from here. 10 We certainly are indeed blessed 11 to be a major source of medical research, 12 and our hospitals save lives every day. 13 All of these resources are the 14 keystones upon which we place our hopes 15 and dreams for the future. 16 We owe our thanks to departing 17 Mayor John Street for his commitment to 18 the City's neighborhoods. 19 (Applause.) 20 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: 21 Philadelphia's renaissance happened in 22 part because Mayor Street, along with 23 City Council, invested in neighborhoods, 24 and because individuals and employers 25 believed enough in the City to invest in 21 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 its future. It happened because people 3 committed to exercising civic leadership. 4 Philadelphia has the talent, 5 the ability and the assets needed to 6 flourish. Today you have before you a 7 new Mayor and a new City Council, filled 8 with both experienced veterans and 9 newcomers. All of us are eager to serve. 10 The trust that the electorate has placed 11 in my friend, our new Mayor, Michael 12 Nutter, and my Council colleagues is hard 13 earned, is hard earned and well deserved. 14 The people of Philadelphia have 15 our pledge that we will work together. 16 Politics at its best is about making good 17 choices and making these choices 18 together. We must build alliances by 19 seeking what unites us, not what divides 20 us. 21 City Council is mandated by the 22 Home Rule Charter to exercise its 23 independence from the executive branch. 24 Needless to say, sometimes there will be 25 disagreements between the Mayor and City 22 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 Council, but our focus must always be on 3 the common good, which is to make our 4 City a better place. 5 I want to take this opportunity 6 to thank my colleagues for entrusting the 7 Council presidency to me. Your trust 8 will be justified by my complete 9 dedication to the important work of this 10 Council. We must be responsible and 11 responsive to the people we represent. 12 To make our City a better 13 place, we must stop violent crime. I 14 will repeat, we must stop violent crime. 15 (Applause.) 16 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Our 17 crime-fighting efforts must include 18 sensible gun laws. 19 (Applause.) 20 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Once 21 again, I beg, plead and implore the State 22 Legislature to understand what our 23 Philadelphia representatives already 24 know. You must act now or give us the 25 authority to act, but something has to be 23 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 done. 3 (Applause.) 4 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: It is 5 simply unconscionable that our children 6 can buy guns almost as easily as they can 7 buy a piece of candy. That is truly sad. 8 As we make our streets safer, 9 we must continue to rebuild neighborhoods 10 across the City. Rebuilding requires a 11 full partnership between government and 12 neighborhoods. It requires listening to 13 communities about what they want and what 14 they need, because redevelopment is not a 15 one-size-fits-all effort. 16 I call upon all Philadelphians 17 to take pride in their neighborhoods and 18 become active participants in every way 19 they can. Progress comes not by sitting 20 casually on the sidelines, but working 21 together. 22 Over the course of my tenure in 23 Council -- and, Jim, don't you say a 24 word -- I have seen much change. Change 25 is natural and normal. As we begin 2008, 24 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 we must continue to adjust to the 3 changing needs of our City, build upon 4 what works and discard what doesn't work. 5 In that process, we must all treat each 6 other with dignity and respect. Every 7 person on this stage wants to serve the 8 citizens of Philadelphia in the best way 9 he or she can. 10 Debate marked by meaningful 11 criticism and helpful solutions, not by 12 bullying or belittling, is a much, much 13 more effective way to seek change. Our 14 City will be a better place if citizens, 15 advocates, activists and elected 16 officials alike follow such a positive 17 course of action. 18 If I could choose the buzz word 19 for today, it would be "optimism," the 20 optimism I hear in the streets about our 21 new Mayor, about Philadelphia's progress 22 and Philadelphia's future. That optimism 23 is accompanied by my pledge to work with 24 all these people, individuals and 25 neighborhoods across the City and with 25 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 governments, businesses and civic leaders 3 throughout the region to make 4 Philadelphia grow. 5 Finally, I would be remiss if I 6 did not publicly thank and acknowledge my 7 dear husband, Sevy, who is unable to join 8 us today. Without him I would not be 9 standing before you. 10 And, Sevy, I want you to know I 11 thank you from the bottom of my heart. 12 Thank you. 13 (Applause.) 14 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: I 15 also want to thank my brother for coming 16 in from Florida to join me today, and 17 he'll be holding my Bible, which was used 18 by my father many years ago when he was 19 first elected as a magistrate. 20 So to all of you, I say thanks. 21 May God bless you and your families in 22 the coming year. And we will now again 23 proceed with the ceremony. 24 Thank you all very much. 25 (Applause.) 26 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 COUNCILWOMAN TASCO: Madam 3 President, you have to have the oath of 4 office administered to you. So I now 5 call on Judge Darnell Jones. 6 I also appoint Councilman 7 Kenney, Councilman Goode, Councilman 8 Rizzo, Councilwoman Brown to escort the 9 President to the rostrum so that she can 10 have the oath of office administered to 11 her. Joining her will be her brother, 12 Angelo Cibotti. 13 JUDGE JONES: Please raise your 14 right hand and repeat after me... 15 (Oath of office administered to 16 Anna C. Verna.) 17 JUDGE JONES: Congratulations, 18 Madam President. 19 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Thank 20 you. 21 (Standing ovation.) 22 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Thank 23 you very much. 24 The next order of business is 25 the election of the Chief Clerk of the 27 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 Council of the City of Philadelphia. 3 Nominations are now in order, and the 4 Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee. 5 COUNCILMAN GREENLEE: Thank 6 you, Madam President. I nominate 7 Mrs. Patricia Rafferty. 8 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 9 Chair thanks the gentleman. 10 The Chair recognizes Councilman 11 Clarke. 12 COUNCILMAN CLARKE: Thank you, 13 Madam Chair. I second the nomination. 14 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Are 15 there any further nominations? 16 (No response.) 17 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: 18 Hearing none, the Chair recognizes 19 Councilwoman Krajewski. 20 COUNCILWOMAN KRAJEWSKI: Thank 21 you, Madam President. I move that the 22 nominations be closed. 23 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 24 Chair again recognizes Councilman Kenney. 25 COUNCILMAN KENNEY: Thank you, 28 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 Madam President. I second that motion. 3 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: It 4 has been moved and properly seconded that 5 the nominations be closed. 6 All in favor will indicate by 7 saying "aye." 8 (Aye.) 9 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Those 10 opposed? 11 (No response.) 12 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 13 ayes have it and the motion carries. 14 There being no further 15 nominations, all in favor of the election 16 of Mrs. Patricia Rafferty as Chief Clerk 17 will please say "aye." 18 (Aye.) 19 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Those 20 opposed? 21 (No response.) 22 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 23 ayes have it. However, the Clerk will 24 call the roll. 25 THE CLERK: Councilwoman 29 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 Blackwell? 3 COUNCILWOMAN BLACKWELL: Aye. 4 THE CLERK: Councilman Clarke? 5 COUNCILMAN CLARKE: Aye. 6 THE CLERK: Councilman DiCicco? 7 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Aye. 8 THE CLERK: Councilman Goode? 9 COUNCILMAN GOODE: Aye. 10 THE CLERK: Councilman Green? 11 COUNCILMAN GREEN: Aye. 12 THE CLERK: Councilman 13 Greenlee? 14 COUNCILMAN GREENLEE: Aye. 15 THE CLERK: Councilman Jones? 16 COUNCILMAN JONES: Aye. 17 THE CLERK: Councilman Kelly? 18 COUNCILMAN KELLY: Aye. 19 THE CLERK: Councilman Kenney? 20 COUNCILMAN KENNEY: Aye. 21 THE CLERK: Councilwoman 22 Krajewski? 23 COUNCILWOMAN KRAJEWSKI: Aye. 24 THE CLERK: Councilwoman 25 Miller? 30 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 COUNCILWOMAN MILLER: Aye. 3 THE CLERK: Councilman O'Neill? 4 COUNCILMAN O'NEILL: Aye. 5 THE CLERK: Councilwoman 6 Reynolds Brown? 7 COUNCILWOMAN BROWN: Aye. 8 THE CLERK: Councilman Rizzo? 9 COUNCILMAN RIZZO: Aye. 10 THE CLERK: Councilwoman 11 Sanchez? 12 COUNCILWOMAN SANCHEZ: Aye. 13 THE CLERK: Councilwoman Tasco? 14 COUNCILWOMAN TASCO: Aye. 15 THE CLERK: Council President 16 Verna? 17 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Aye. 18 THE CLERK: The ayes are 17; 19 the nays -- I'm sorry. 20 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: 21 That's my line. 22 We're a little anxious up here. 23 The ayes are 17; the nays are 24 zero. Mrs. Rafferty having received a 25 unanimous vote by the members of Council, 31 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 I now declare Mrs. Patricia Rafferty duly 3 elected Chief Clerk of the City of 4 Philadelphia. 5 (Applause.) 6 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: 7 Councilmembers DiCicco, Kenney and Kelly 8 will escort Mrs. Rafferty to the rostrum. 9 Judge Jones will administer the oath of 10 office to Mrs. Rafferty. 11 JUDGE JONES: Please raise your 12 right hand and repeat after me... 13 (Oath of office administered to 14 Mrs. Patricia Rafferty.) 15 JUDGE JONES: Congratulations. 16 CHIEF CLERK: Thank you so 17 much. 18 (Applause.) 19 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: At 20 this time, I will name the officers of 21 City Council. Please be advised that at 22 a meeting of the democratic members of 23 Council the Honorable Marian B. Tasco was 24 elected Majority Leader and the 25 Honorable -- 32 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 (Applause.) 3 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: And 4 the Honorable Darrell L. Clarke was 5 elected Majority Whip of the City Council 6 of Philadelphia. 7 (Applause.) 8 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Also 9 be advised that at a meeting of the 10 republican members of Council, the 11 Honorable Brian J. O'Neill was elected 12 Minority Leader and the Honorable Frank 13 Rizzo was elected Minority Whip. 14 (Applause.) 15 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 16 next order of business is the 17 introduction of a resolution concerning 18 the rules of government of the Council of 19 the City of Philadelphia. 20 The Chair recognizes 21 Councilwoman Tasco. 22 COUNCILWOMAN TASCO: Thank you, 23 Madam President. I offer the following 24 resolution. 25 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: I 33 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 would ask the Chief Clerk to please read 3 the title of the resolution. 4 CHIEF CLERK: A resolution to 5 provide rules for the government of the 6 Council of the City of Philadelphia. 7 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 8 Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco. 9 COUNCILWOMAN TASCO: Madam 10 President, I move for the adoption of the 11 resolution. 12 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 13 Chair thanks the Councilwoman. 14 The Chair recognizes Councilman 15 DiCicco. 16 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Madam 17 President, I move for the adoption -- I 18 second the motion. 19 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: All 20 in favor will please indicate by saying 21 "aye." 22 (Aye.) 23 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Those 24 opposed, "nay." 25 (No response.) 34 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 3 ayes have it, and the resolution is 4 adopted. 5 The organization of the Council 6 of the City of Philadelphia and the 7 investiture of the City Council members 8 are complete, in accordance with the 9 provisions of the Home Rule Charter. 10 The Council is honored by the 11 presence of Reverend Dr. Albert Campbell. 12 I ask you all please to rise as I invite 13 Reverend Campbell to lead us in prayer. 14 REVEREND CAMPBELL: Let us be 15 reverent as we pray. 16 Almighty God, our creator, who 17 having made each of us in your image and 18 after your likeness and has, therefore, 19 bestowed upon each of us a worth and 20 value above everything else you have 21 made, we are pleased to pause to pay 22 homage to you as the supreme ruler of the 23 universe. 24 Not only have you created the 25 earth and the world and all that is 35 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 therein, but also you have made us 3 stewards of all that you have committed 4 to our trust. So that even while we 5 glory and magnify our own importance as 6 controllers and possessors of things over 7 which you have given us but which we do 8 not ultimately own, we are ashamed and 9 embarrassed that we have not always used 10 wisely and well that over which we have 11 been made stewards. 12 Forgive us, we pray, and help 13 us to be ever more determined to depart 14 from a selfish, wasteful misuse of that 15 which you've committed to us, and move to 16 a new level of responsible stewardship in 17 which we shall make the best and proper 18 use of all that you have made us 19 overseers of, sharers and users and not 20 careless abusers of your creation. Not 21 ultimately do we own this, but, Lord, we 22 know that you are the ultimate owner. 23 And so as we engage in these 24 important proceedings, we pray for this 25 new Administration as it begins the hard 36 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 choices and decisions, as well as the 3 hard work also now begun. 4 We pray especially, therefore, 5 for Mayor-elect Michael A. Nutter that he 6 will be equal to the task of the awesome 7 servant leadership role he assumes this 8 day. May he be divinely endowed with the 9 wisdom and the courage to make the hard 10 and difficult choices and decisions, 11 knowing that leadership can sometimes be 12 a very lonely business. May his 13 appointments be well informed, and may 14 the appointees prove themselves worthy of 15 the confidence and trust placed in them. 16 Keep Michael A. Nutter well and 17 healthy mentally, emotionally and 18 spiritually. Bless his family, his wife, 19 his children, his immediate support 20 group. 21 May the rest of us fully 22 understand that all of us have a stake, 23 an important stake, in the future of this 24 City, this nation and this world and, 25 therefore, must we work together to bring 37 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 help about good and positive change; that 3 reform can happen; that peace and justice 4 can reign; that hatred and violence, 5 murderer and mayhem can be reduced; that 6 all of our children can be educated; that 7 health and human services can be made 8 available; that jobs can be created; that 9 people can live together in decency and 10 harmony and unity of purpose. And may 11 this day and this history-making 12 inaugural event be the starting point for 13 a bright and promising new beginning. 14 In thy holy name, we pray. 15 Amen. 16 (Amen.) 17 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Thank 18 you, Reverend Campbell. 19 Will everyone please be seated. 20 At this time, I invite Tracie 21 Luck to perform the "Ave Maria." 22 Mrs. Luck's accompanist is Blanche Burton 23 Lyles. 24 (Tracie Luck sings "Ave 25 Maria.") 38 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 (Standing ovation.) 3 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: That 4 was absolutely beautiful. I could feel 5 tears coming to my eyes. 6 We will now proceed with the 7 induction of the Mayor of the City of 8 Philadelphia. 9 The Chair appoints Councilwoman 10 Miller, Councilman Kenney, Councilman 11 DiCicco, Councilman O'Neill and 12 Councilman Goode to escort the Honorable 13 Michael A. Nutter, Mayor-elect of the 14 City of Philadelphia, to the rostrum. 15 (Standing ovation.) 16 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: 17 Joining Mayor-elect Nutter are his wife, 18 Lisa, his lovely daughter, Olivia, and 19 their son, Christian. They will now join 20 Mr. Nutter at the podium. Thank you. 21 (Applause.) 22 JUDGE McKEE: Place your left 23 hand on the Bible and raise your right 24 hand, please, and repeat after me... 25 (Oath of office administered to 39 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 Michael A. Nutter.) 3 JUDGE McKEE: Congratulations, 4 Mr. Mayor. 5 (Standing ovation.) 6 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: 7 Members of City Council, reverend clergy, 8 elected officials, distinguished guests, 9 ladies and gentlemen, I have the distinct 10 honor to present to you His Honor, the 11 Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, the 12 Honorable Michael Nutter. 13 (Standing ovation.) 14 (Audience member yelling "it's 15 a new day.") 16 MAYOR NUTTER: I was thinking 17 about that myself. 18 Madam President Verna, the 19 members of Philadelphia City Council, 20 Judge McKee, thank you, Judge C. Darnell 21 Jones, the many elected officials who are 22 here today assembled on this stage, some 23 may be in the audience, members of the 24 judiciary, Governor Rendell, former Mayor 25 of the City of Philadelphia -- 40 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 (Applause.) 3 MAYOR NUTTER: -- Mayor W. 4 Wilson Goode -- 5 (Applause.) 6 MAYOR NUTTER: -- Mayor 7 Green -- 8 (Applause.) 9 MAYOR NUTTER: -- and, ladies 10 and gentlemen, in grand Philadelphia 11 style, Mayor John F. Street -- 12 (Standing ovation.) 13 MAYOR NUTTER: -- Cardinal 14 Rigali, Reverend Campbell, Rabbi Cohen. 15 My life, of course, has been a 16 multi-phased experience. Many of you 17 know that I attended the Transfiguration 18 of Our Lord grade school and St. Joe's 19 Prep High School. 20 (Applause.) 21 MAYOR NUTTER: You may also 22 know that I'm a member of the Mt. Carmel 23 Baptist Church, where Reverend Campbell 24 is the Pastor. 25 (Applause.) 41 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 MAYOR NUTTER: And you may or 3 may not know that when I moved to our 4 home in Wynnefield, for ten years Henry 5 Cohen, Rabbi Henry Cohen, and Edna Cohen 6 were our next-door neighbors. 7 (Applause.) 8 MAYOR NUTTER: Yes, it's been a 9 multi-phased experience. 10 We have some company here with 11 us today. I attended about three weeks 12 ago the installation of Mayor Luke 13 Ravenstahl. He returned the favor and 14 came here to Philadelphia. We are 15 creating a new east-west partnership, and 16 I want to recognize Mayor Ravenstahl, the 17 youngest Mayor in the country. 18 (Applause.) 19 MAYOR NUTTER: We also have the 20 Allegheny County Executive, Dan Onorato. 21 I couldn't make his installation. I was 22 appointing new people to the government, 23 but he came today, and I want to 24 recognize him as well. Thank you. 25 (Applause.) 42 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 MAYOR NUTTER: Our District 3 Attorney, Lynne Abraham; our City 4 Controller, Alan Butkovitz; and our 5 Attorney General, Tom Corbett, thank you 6 all for coming as well. 7 (Applause.) 8 MAYOR NUTTER: There are a 9 couple of other elected officials over on 10 the side. I'm going to say something 11 about them in a second. 12 All of us in public life have a 13 connection, regardless of where we serve 14 and what our level of service. Our 15 Philadelphia family suffered a tragedy 16 just a few days ago. Three or four weeks 17 ago I asked Camille Barnett to come to 18 Philadelphia to be our new Managing 19 Director. She accepted immediately. She 20 is the epitome of public service. 21 Thursday night into Friday 22 morning tragedy struck and her husband 23 was killed coming to Philadelphia to 24 bring family items. Camille, of course, 25 cannot be with us today, as there is a 43 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 wake for Jim Barnett later this 3 afternoon. There's a funeral tomorrow, 4 which I'll be attending. But I would ask 5 if we would bow our heads for a few 6 moments and keep Camille and Jim in our 7 prayers. 8 (Moment of silence.) 9 MAYOR NUTTER: Thank you. 10 To all the employees in the 11 City of Philadelphia government, I say 12 thank you for this wonderful opportunity 13 to serve with you, those I've asked to 14 come into government, those who have 15 responded to the call to public service. 16 We have the finest array of public 17 officials anywhere of any city in the 18 United States of America, and it is my 19 honor to serve with you and provide the 20 highest quality service to the citizens 21 of this City, who deserve it. 22 To Congressman Brady, 23 Representative Evans, Congressman Fattah, 24 Tom Knox and Al Taubenberger, the six of 25 us had a unique experience. This 44 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 developed an even deeper relationship for 3 all of us. I believe that we made 4 Philadelphia proud. 5 And I'd ask that you recognize 6 all of the candidates from last year's 7 mayor's race. 8 We did a good job. Thank you. 9 (Applause.) 10 MAYOR NUTTER: I want to thank 11 my former staff members from when I was 12 in City Council. 13 And, by the way, Madam 14 President, old habits die hard. You may 15 not have heard, but as we were sitting 16 here on the stage -- and I'll say to my 17 former colleagues -- I voted in three of 18 the votes this morning, because I'm so 19 used to hearing -- old habits die hard. 20 I voted three times. And I voted for all 21 of you. I just want you to know. 22 To a great and incredible 23 campaign staff and transition 24 organization and the incredible thousands 25 and thousands of volunteers throughout 45 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 Philadelphia and this region who helped 3 to get us to where we are today, all I 4 can say for the moment is thank you so 5 much for your hard work and your effort 6 and your dedication and commitment day 7 after day, hour after hour, month after 8 month. And I understand that at the 9 beginning, it may not have been looking 10 too promising, but you hung in there with 11 us and that's why we're here where we are 12 today. 13 To my family sitting over on 14 the side -- my mother; my father; my 15 sister; my wife, Lisa; Olivia; Christian; 16 Karen Robinson, Christian's mother -- to 17 all of you, I say thank you very much. 18 You've been the rock upon which I've 19 stood for a long period of time, and I 20 just want to say thanks. 21 (Applause.) 22 MAYOR NUTTER: There are 23 unfortunately a few who could not be with 24 us. Some of you heard me talk about 25 during the campaign I grew up, my 46 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 mother's mother, my grandmother, in our 3 house and my father's mother just a few 4 blocks down the street. This would be a 5 very proud moment for them. 6 My political mentor, the late 7 Councilman John C. Anderson, got me into 8 this crazy business of politics in the 9 first place. To him I've dedicated all 10 of my public service. 11 Obra S. Kernodle. 12 (Applause.) 13 MAYOR NUTTER: And my wife's 14 mother, Pat Johnson. 15 (Applause.) 16 MAYOR NUTTER: Today marks a 17 new beginning, a beginning of hope, a 18 sense of optimism and renewal for the 19 City of Philadelphia, the opportunity to 20 turn our great potential into astounding 21 reality. 22 For some time I've been talking 23 about the great things that this City 24 could do, but the time for talk has come 25 to an end. The time for talk has come to 47 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 an end. Now we need to turn our good 3 intentions into positive outcomes. 4 Today we begin to take action. 5 Today we begin to write -- 6 (Applause.) 7 MAYOR NUTTER: Today we begin 8 to write a new chapter in the history of 9 the City of Philadelphia. For too long 10 we have allowed other people to tell our 11 story. It is now time for us to talk 12 about and act upon the true Philadelphia 13 that we know. 14 We now find ourselves on the 15 brink of greatness and the great 16 opportunity to demonstrate to the rest of 17 the City, the region, the country and the 18 world that Philadelphia is on the way 19 back. We can -- 20 (Applause.) 21 MAYOR NUTTER: See, out on the 22 campaign trail, I wasn't getting all 23 these breaks for applause, so... 24 We can choose to challenge the 25 status quo that's been holding us back 48 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 for much too long. We can choose to try 3 new ideas and new approaches and a new 4 way of getting things done. We can 5 choose to make a shared commitment to 6 returning this City to be one of the 7 greatest cities in the United States of 8 America. 9 The next chapter in this City's 10 history is yet to be written, because we 11 now have an opportunity to write it 12 ourselves. 13 (Applause.) 14 MAYOR NUTTER: And we are only 15 limited by our capacity for hope, our 16 capability to transform ourselves, our 17 commitment and resolve to each other. 18 This renewal for great change 19 will take great and bold action, and it's 20 in the spirit of bold action that 21 beginning today I will confront the great 22 challenge, the great issue that plagues 23 this City on a daily basis. 24 There is nothing more 25 devastating to the soul of Philadelphia 49 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 than the killings and shootings that take 3 place day after day after day on our 4 streets. 5 (Applause.) 6 MAYOR NUTTER: In 2007, we had 7 392 homicides. Fortunately for us, that 8 number is a little lower than it was last 9 year, but nowhere near acceptable. 10 An hour to the north there's a 11 little city called New York. Ten years 12 ago, New York City had over 2,200 13 homicides, 2,200, but last year they had 14 494. There is no reason in the world why 15 this City should not set its sights on 16 attaining those kinds of goals over the 17 next three to five years, that we will 18 cut our homicide rate by 30 to 50 19 percent. No reason in the world why we 20 can't do that. None. 21 (Applause.) 22 MAYOR NUTTER: We are going to 23 change the mentality of those who think 24 that it is okay to run our streets with 25 illegal weapons and use them at random 50 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 whenever they want. Today, today enough 3 is enough. Enough is enough. 4 (Applause.) 5 MAYOR NUTTER: To the 6 law-abiding citizens of Philadelphia, I 7 say that we are the great majority, and 8 to the law breakers, you are in the small 9 minority. This is our city and we're 10 taking it back, every day, every block, 11 every neighborhood, everywhere in 12 Philadelphia, because I've had enough, 13 and I'm not playing around about it. 14 (Standing ovation.) 15 MAYOR NUTTER: So I've asked 16 our new Police Commissioner, Chuck 17 Ramsey, to develop a new community 18 policing strategy for the City of 19 Philadelphia to confront this daily 20 deadly activity on our streets. We need 21 our police officers back walking a beat 22 or out on bicycles, engaged in community 23 policing at its finest. 24 (Applause.) 25 MAYOR NUTTER: They need to get 51 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 to better know the community, and the 3 community has to know who is guarding and 4 protecting them every day, active 5 participants engaged in issues that have 6 been talked about for many, many years of 7 community policing and quality of life 8 patrol. We're talking about 9 re-establishing a quality of life in 10 Philadelphia that all of us deserve. We 11 deserve it, and you're going to get it. 12 (Applause.) 13 MAYOR NUTTER: At the same 14 time -- I'm speaking out to all 15 Philadelphians -- we need to respect and 16 protect the professionals of the 17 Philadelphia Police Department, who risk 18 their lives every day to make all of us 19 safe. Respect and protect our 20 Philadelphia police officers every day. 21 (Applause.) 22 MAYOR NUTTER: Our streets 23 should be safe enough for our children to 24 go out to play. People should be able to 25 go to work without fear. And our senior 52 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 citizens, our senior citizens should be 3 able to go to the store or go to the 4 doctor or go to church whenever they 5 want. We all deserve that. You're going 6 to get that. 7 (Applause.) 8 MAYOR NUTTER: But in order to 9 make this City safe, it's not just about 10 policing. It's not just about policing. 11 It really is about respect. It's about 12 mutual respect, that we understand that 13 we are connected to each other, that we 14 have a responsibility to look out for 15 each other, whether you know that person 16 at the end of your block or not. We are 17 connected to each other in a way that we 18 have to look out for each other day after 19 day after day. That's what citizenship 20 is all about. 21 (Applause.) 22 MAYOR NUTTER: Robert Kennedy 23 once said that each time a man stands up 24 for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot 25 of others, or strikes out against 53 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 injustice, he sends a tiny ripple of 3 hope, and crossing each other from a 4 million different centers of energy and 5 daring, those ripples build a current 6 that can sweep down the mightiest walls 7 of oppression and resistance. 8 I want every one of you to 9 stand up for what you believe in. I want 10 every one of you to take personal 11 responsibility for looking out for 12 someone else in our community. Mentor a 13 child. Volunteer at a rec center. Go to 14 a homeless center. Work with a town 15 watch in the neighborhood. Or how about 16 this? How about just say "hello" to 17 someone you see walking down the street? 18 How about that? 19 (Applause.) 20 MAYOR NUTTER: These individual 21 ripples of hope ultimately create waves, 22 and those waves of hope are what will 23 carry us through the reform and the 24 change that this City has called for, 25 that this City needs, that this City 54 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 deserves. 3 Each of us has a role to play. 4 Government cannot mandate that we act 5 nice, that we're good citizens, that 6 we're good parents. That responsibility 7 is for each and every one of us 8 individually. That's personal 9 responsibility, and we need more of it 10 here in Philadelphia. The government 11 cannot solve every person's problem every 12 day of the week. 13 (Applause.) 14 MAYOR NUTTER: But our 15 government can lead by example. 16 I talked a great deal about 17 ethics reform during the course of the 18 campaign, and I want to reaffirm that 19 ethics will be a centerpiece of this 20 government. You know that I've made a 21 series of announcements or appointments 22 of some of the finest people to come into 23 the government as ethics and integrity 24 officers. There is nothing that 25 government does that cannot be done 55 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 ethically and transparently. Nothing. 3 Nothing. Nothing. 4 (Applause.) 5 MAYOR NUTTER: I plan to 6 continue to open up our government to all 7 of us. This will be a government that 8 serves all of us, not a select few, not a 9 select few. 10 (Applause.) 11 MAYOR NUTTER: It's in that 12 spirit that you may have heard I plan to 13 host an open house tomorrow from 4:00 to 14 8:00 in the afternoon. I'm reopening 15 City Hall. It's your City Hall. Please 16 come by. It's your City Hall. 17 (Applause.) 18 MAYOR NUTTER: There will be 19 entertainment and activities out in the 20 courtyard, and please come into the hall. 21 I'd like to meet every person that comes 22 through. I want you to know that your 23 government welcomes you into the 24 building, because all of us have a role 25 to play in turning this city around. It 56 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 will be a great occasion. The building 3 looks great. Come on by. I look forward 4 to seeing you. 5 (Applause.) 6 MAYOR NUTTER: In addition to 7 the shared responsibility that each of us 8 have to each other here within the City, 9 you know that it is impossible for us to 10 make true progress without help and 11 partnership from the five counties around 12 us, from the Commonwealth of 13 Pennsylvania, from the federal government 14 and all of our many partners, some of 15 whom are on the stage with us today. 16 Think about it. Think about 17 the power and talent and relationships 18 that are on this stage and out in the 19 audience. Look around you. Look around 20 you. 21 I would put this political team 22 up against any other city or region 23 anywhere in the United States of America. 24 We have a team that can win when we work 25 together in partnership, when we 57 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 recognize that there are many things that 3 pull us together, there are few things 4 that pull us apart; that we could 5 actually establish an east-west 6 partnership; that we can have a 7 five-county region; a metropolitan 8 mayors' caucus where all of the region, 9 Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware 10 and Montgomery Counties, working in 11 partnership. 12 Think about the relationships 13 in Harrisburg and in Washington and in 14 the five-county region. It is time for 15 us to work together, and I extend my hand 16 to every elected official, every 17 businessperson, every citizen all across 18 Pennsylvania. 19 (Applause.) 20 MAYOR NUTTER: Of course, there 21 are hurdles in our paths. Of course, 22 there are challenges that need to be 23 overcome, but there is no obstacle so 24 large, no task so difficult, no challenge 25 so great that we cannot succeed in 58 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 working together. None. 3 Martin Luther King once said 4 that the ultimate measure of a man is not 5 where he stands in moments of comfort and 6 convenience, but where he stands at times 7 of challenge and controversy. 8 We have many challenges, but 9 Philadelphians are more than up to any 10 challenge that we have faced, because 11 we've overcome them in the past and we 12 have an incredible opportunity to do 13 better in the future. It is a new day 14 for Philadelphia. 15 (Applause.) 16 MAYOR NUTTER: And we know what 17 the solutions are to many of our 18 problems. If we want to cut the crime 19 rate in this City, then we need to put 20 ex-offenders to work and give people an 21 opportunity to get back in civil society. 22 (Applause.) 23 MAYOR NUTTER: And if we're 24 going to have jobs in Philadelphia, then 25 we need more businesses to feel 59 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 comfortable investing in our great City. 3 And we need to make it easier for people 4 to do business in Philadelphia. All of 5 these things are inextricably tied 6 together. 7 You know, it shouldn't be that 8 difficult to keep and attract businesses 9 in this great City. Think about who we 10 are. We're perfectly situated between 11 the financial capital of the world and 12 the government capital of the world. 13 Forty percent of the country's population 14 lives within a day's drive of 15 Philadelphia. 16 We have one of the largest park 17 systems anywhere in the country. We have 18 more outdoor public art than any other 19 city in the country. We have a 20 waterfront yet to be developed, two 21 rivers, incredible neighborhoods, and a 22 business sector that continues to grow. 23 If we utilize these assets to 24 our advantage, if we work in a 25 cooperative spirit, there's nothing that 60 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 can prevent us from putting this City and 3 this region back on the map, other than 4 our ability to cooperate and understand 5 that everyone shares in the credit 6 whenever anyone is successful. 7 (Applause.) 8 MAYOR NUTTER: Now, of course, 9 there are a few things that we do need to 10 change. We need fundamental change of 11 our Zoning Code and our process of 12 getting business done in Philadelphia. 13 (Applause.) 14 MAYOR NUTTER: We must reduce 15 our taxes, simplify our tax code and make 16 it easier for development to take place 17 with community involvement and 18 engagement, but our process takes too 19 long. 20 (Applause.) 21 MAYOR NUTTER: We must protect 22 the fiscal health of this City, control 23 our government costs, come to grips with 24 a pension fund that's underfunded, 25 healthcare costs with double-digit 61 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 increases. We have to manage our 3 finances well. We owe our public 4 employees a fair and reasonable contract. 5 That's what they deserve. 6 (Applause.) 7 MAYOR NUTTER: But those 8 contracts must also be fair and 9 reasonable for the taxpayers of this City 10 who pay the tab. 11 (Applause.) 12 MAYOR NUTTER: We should honor 13 Billy Penn, who gave us this "green 14 country town," by setting a standard for 15 ourselves to be the number one "green" 16 city in the United States of America. 17 (Applause.) 18 MAYOR NUTTER: We must 19 highlight and support our growing art and 20 culture community that people all across 21 the country have figured out that 22 Philadelphia increasingly is the place to 23 be for art and culture and entertainment 24 and nightlife. 25 (Applause.) 62 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 MAYOR NUTTER: We have these 3 many things to do and there is more, but 4 there is nothing more important than 5 growing and developing a skilled and 6 educated workforce. That is the task for 7 the future. That is the task. That is 8 the work that will define who we are and 9 what we're about. 10 Unfortunately, here in 11 Philadelphia, only 18 percent of our City 12 residents have a four-year Bachelor's 13 degree. That ranks us 92nd on the list 14 of the 100 top cities in the country. 15 And so I challenge us to set 16 another goal for this City: To double, 17 to double our resident four-year 18 Bachelor's degree attainment rate over 19 the next five to seven years. That's 20 what we need to be working on. That's 21 where we need to invest our money. 22 That's what we should be doing, and 23 collectively commit ourselves to doing 24 that. 25 (Applause.) 63 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 MAYOR NUTTER: Because if 3 Portland and Seattle and Oakland and a 4 dozen other cities across the United 5 States of America all easily have over a 6 third of their residents with that same 7 level of education, there is no reason 8 why Philadelphia and this region 9 shouldn't be able to do the same thing. 10 We are the education mecca of the United 11 States. We have 83 of the finest 12 colleges and universities you will find 13 in any region in this country. Education 14 is our business. It is our business. 15 (Applause.) 16 MAYOR NUTTER: One of the first 17 areas we can capitalize on is the fact 18 that 73,000 Philadelphians are in the 19 workforce today. They started college 20 and didn't finish. 21 I'm calling on our business 22 community to partner with the City, our 23 colleges and universities and their 24 employees to make it our goal, to make it 25 our mission to make a commitment to 64 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 encourage those workers to go back to 3 school, complete your education and lift 4 yourself above the current status that 5 you are and enjoy all the opportunity 6 that exists right here in Philadelphia. 7 (Applause.) 8 MAYOR NUTTER: And for our 9 young people, and for our young people, 10 if they are to ever have the opportunity 11 to go to college, let alone get a degree, 12 the first thing we have to help them do 13 is stay in school. Stay in school. 14 (Applause.) 15 MAYOR NUTTER: Here in this 16 City we have a 45 percent dropout rate, a 17 45 percent dropout rate. 18 Governor Rendell and I have 19 talked about education on a number of 20 occasions. We share a mutual commitment 21 to make sure that the children of 22 Philadelphia receive the best education 23 they can possibly receive. 24 The relationship among the 25 City, the State and the School District 65 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 of Philadelphia must improve. And from 3 this day forward, Governor, I can assure 4 you, you have a partner in education 5 right here in Philadelphia. 6 (Applause.) 7 MAYOR NUTTER: But more than a 8 partnership, let us again set a goal. 9 People who have confidence in the future 10 make big plans. They set goals. They 11 drive agendas. And I have great 12 confidence in this City. I have great 13 confidence in the Governor and the 14 General Assembly and the members of City 15 Council. And so with that 45 percent 16 high school dropout rate, let us set a 17 goal for ourselves that over the next 18 five to seven years, we will cut the 19 dropout rate in Philadelphia in half. We 20 can do this. We can do this. We must do 21 this. We must do this. 22 (Applause.) 23 MAYOR NUTTER: This goal, this 24 goal is an economic imperative. It is an 25 educational imperative. It is a moral 66 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 imperative. We must give our young 3 people the opportunity to grow and 4 develop and to be successful. If you 5 want to lower the dropout rate, if we 6 want to have great schools, if we want to 7 have a thriving business community, we 8 must have an educated workforce. That's 9 the kind of Philadelphia all of us should 10 aspire to. 11 So these are the kind of 12 challenges that face us, but these are 13 alsothe goals that we can accomplish. 14 We can make this a safer city. We can 15 educate our young people. We can grow 16 our economy. 17 I'm talking about the kind of 18 hope and commitment and sacrifice and 19 investment that will allow us to attain 20 these goals to create the new 21 Philadelphia that I've been talking 22 about. Now is the time, and this is the 23 place. A new Philadelphia, a 24 Philadelphia where young people can grow 25 and work and be safe and go to school; a 67 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 new Philadelphia where business can 3 invest and tourists can come and enjoy 4 themselves; a new Philadelphia where 5 people no longer see handguns as the 6 first or last or only option to resolve a 7 conflict; a new Philadelphia that 8 attracts many new residents to our City, 9 some born in this country, some not born 10 in this country, because Philadelphia 11 must be a more friendly place for 12 everyone to come and celebrate the great 13 liberties that are enjoyable right here 14 in Philadelphia. 15 (Applause.) 16 MAYOR NUTTER: A new 17 Philadelphia where we respect ourselves 18 enough to keep our own City streets 19 clean. That's the new Philadelphia that 20 we're talking about. 21 (Applause.) 22 MAYOR NUTTER: And a new 23 Philadelphia where everyone, everyone, 24 everyone gets to participate in economic 25 opportunity. 68 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 (Applause.) 3 MAYOR NUTTER: Well, that's my 4 vision for a new Philadelphia, and I'm 5 asking all of you to embrace it and make 6 it happen. 7 (Applause.) 8 MAYOR NUTTER: Today we make 9 change and reform real. Today. Today. 10 Today. Ladies and gentlemen, the 11 renaissance period of Philadelphia got 12 started about a half hour ago. 13 (Applause.) 14 MAYOR NUTTER: I'm asking you 15 to join me in the greatest American city 16 turnaround that anyone has seen in the 17 last 50 years. Ladies and gentlemen, 18 I've laid out for you this is the new 19 Philadelphia. 20 God bless you. God bless 21 America. God bless all of you. Thank 22 you very much. Bye, bye. 23 (Standing ovation.) 24 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: 25 Again, congratulations, Mr. Mayor. 69 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 To celebrate the inauguration 3 of Mayor Michael Nutter, Evelyn Fordham 4 Goodman sings "Ordinary People," 5 accompanied by Keith Goodman. 6 (Evelyn Fordham Goodman sings 7 "Ordinary People.") 8 (Applause.) 9 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Thank 10 you so much for sharing your beautiful 11 voice with us and that lovely song. 12 At this time, the Chair invites 13 the newly elected officials to take the 14 oath of office in the presence of 15 Council, the Mayor and other dignitaries. 16 Would the retention judges of 17 the Common Pleas Court please rise and 18 take the oath of office. 19 The Clerk will read the 20 certificates of election for the 21 retention judges of the Court of Common 22 Pleas. 23 THE CLERK: Philadelphia, 24 November 6, 2007, Office of the Judge of 25 the Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia: 70 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 Mark Bernstein, Rosalyn Robinson, Peter 3 Rogers, Edward Summers, you are duly 4 retained in the Office of Judge of the 5 Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia 6 County for a ten-year term, commencing 7 the first Monday of January, AD 2008. 8 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Thank 9 you. 10 Judge Jones will administer the 11 oath of office. 12 JUDGE JONES: I'm getting good 13 at this. 14 Please raise your right hands, 15 with your left hands on your Bibles, and 16 repeat after me... 17 (Oath of office administered to 18 Mark Bernstein, Rosalyn Robinson, Peter 19 Rogers and Edward Summers.) 20 JUDGE JONES: Congratulations. 21 (Applause.) 22 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 23 Chair now invites the retention judges of 24 the Municipal Court of Philadelphia to 25 stand and take the oath of office. 71 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 The Chief Clerk will please 3 read the certificates of election for the 4 retention judges of the Municipal Court 5 of Philadelphia. 6 CHIEF CLERK: Deborah Griffin, 7 at an election held November 6, 2007, you 8 were duly retained in the Office of the 9 Judge of the Court of the Municipal Court 10 of Philadelphia County. 11 (Applause.) 12 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: 13 President Judge of Municipal Court, the 14 Honorable Louis J. Presenza, will 15 administer the oath of office. 16 JUDGE PRESENZA: Please repeat 17 after me... 18 (Oath of office administered to 19 Deborah Griffin.) 20 JUDGE PRESENZA: 21 Congratulations. 22 (Applause.) 23 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 24 Chair now invites the newly elected 25 judges of the Traffic Court of 72 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 Philadelphia County to rise and take the 3 oath of office. 4 The Chief Clerk will please 5 read the certificates of election for the 6 judges of Traffic Court. 7 THE CLERK: Mike Lowry, Robert 8 Mulgrew and Willie Singletary. 9 (Applause.) 10 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 11 oath of office will be administered by 12 the Honorable Thomasine Tynes, President 13 Judge of Traffic Court. 14 JUDGE TYNES: Please hold your 15 Bible in your left hand and with your 16 right hand, repeat after me... 17 (Oath of office administered to 18 Mike Lowry, Robert Mulgrew and Willie 19 Singletary.) 20 JUDGE TYNES: Congratulations. 21 (Applause.) 22 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 23 Chair now invites the City Commissioners 24 to stand as their names are called. They 25 are Margaret Tartaglione, Anthony Clark 73 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 and Joe Duda. 3 (Applause.) 4 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 5 Chief Clerk will please read the 6 certificates of election for the City 7 Commissioners. 8 CHIEF CLERK: Margaret 9 Tartaglione, Anthony Clark and Joseph J. 10 Duda, at an election held November 6, 11 2007, you were duly elected City 12 Commissioners for the City and County of 13 Philadelphia for a term of four years, 14 commencing the first Monday of January, 15 AD 2008. 16 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 17 Honorable Darnell Jones, II will 18 administer the oath of office. 19 JUDGE JONES: Please raise your 20 right hands and repeat after me... 21 (Oath of office administered to 22 Margaret Tartaglione, Anthony Clark and 23 Joseph J. Duda.) 24 JUDGE JONES: Congratulations. 25 (Applause.) 74 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 3 Chair now invites the Sheriff of 4 Philadelphia, John D. Green, to stand and 5 take the oath of office. 6 (Applause.) 7 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 8 Chief Clerk will please read the 9 certificate of election for the Sheriff 10 of Philadelphia. 11 CHIEF CLERK: John Green, at an 12 election held November 6, 2007, you were 13 duly elected Sheriff of the City and 14 County of Philadelphia for a term of four 15 years, commencing the first Monday of 16 January, 2008. 17 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 18 Honorable Darnell Jones, II will 19 administer the oath of office. 20 JUDGE JONES: Please raise your 21 right hand and repeat after me... 22 (Oath of office administered to 23 John D. Green.) 24 JUDGE JONES: Congratulations. 25 (Applause.) 75 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 3 Chair now invites Ronald R. Donatucci, 4 Register of Wills, to stand to take the 5 oath of office. 6 (Applause.) 7 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 8 Chief Clerk will please read the 9 certificate of election for the Register 10 of Wills. 11 CHIEF CLERK: At an election 12 held November 6, 2007, you were duly 13 elected Register of Wills for the City 14 and County of Philadelphia for a term of 15 four years, commencing the first Monday 16 of January, AD 2008. 17 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 18 Honorable Louis J. Presenza will 19 administer the oath of office. 20 JUDGE PRESENZA: Place your 21 right hand on the Bible, please, raise 22 your left hand, repeat after me... 23 (Oath of office administered to 24 Ronald R. Donatucci.) 25 JUDGE PRESENZA: 76 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 Congratulations. 3 (Applause.) 4 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 5 Chair now invites Vivian T. Miller, Clerk 6 of Quarter Sessions of Philadelphia, to 7 stand to take the oath of office. 8 The Clerk will please read the 9 certificate of election for the Clerk of 10 Quarter Sessions. 11 CHIEF CLERK: Vivian T. Miller, 12 at an election held November 6, 2007, you 13 were duly elected Clerk of Quarter 14 Sessions for Philadelphia County for a 15 term of four years, commencing the first 16 Monday of January, AD 2008. 17 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 18 Honorable Darnell Jones will administer 19 the oath of office. 20 JUDGE JONES: Please raise your 21 right hand and repeat after me... 22 (Oath of office administered to 23 Vivian T. Miller. 24 JUDGE JONES: Congratulations. 25 (Applause.) 77 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: For 3 our final musical selection today, the 4 Philadelphia Boys' Choir will perform 5 "America the Beautiful." 6 (Philadelphia Boys' Choir sings 7 "America the Beautiful.") 8 (Standing ovation.) 9 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: That 10 was truly beautiful. 11 As we conclude the ceremony, I 12 want to thank the Inaugural Committee for 13 their hard work for today's ceremony. I 14 also want to thank our clergy members for 15 being with us and offering their prayers 16 for us and for our City. 17 At this time, I would ask that 18 you all stand in prayer to be delivered 19 by Rabbi Henry Cohen. Following the 20 benediction, I ask that you please be 21 seated for the conclusion of the session. 22 Rabbi? 23 RABBI COHEN: God of All 24 Humanity, we've come together to ask your 25 blessing on the City of Philadelphia. We 78 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 thank you that you have blessed Mayor 3 Michael Nutter with rare gifts of mind, 4 heart and spirit. You have blessed him 5 with a mind that understands the roots of 6 violence, poverty and school dropouts. 7 You have blessed him with a heart that 8 has the courage to reach out to people of 9 every race and creed, to greatly reduce 10 the violence, poverty and ignorance that 11 stifle too many lives. 12 Mayor Nutter is blessed with 13 members of City Council, with judges and 14 other officials, all of whom have their 15 own gifts of mind, heart and spirit, who 16 will work with him for a better tomorrow. 17 He is blessed with a loving and 18 supporting family, who will be there for 19 him in times of fulfillment and of 20 frustration. 21 And, finally, Michael Nutter 22 has been blessed with faith. May his 23 faith continue to grow with the spirit of 24 hope that gives us all the expectation 25 that he and we together will find for 79 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 Philadelphia and its surroundings, the 3 ways that are pleasantness and the paths 4 that are peace. 5 Amen. 6 (Amen.) 7 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Thank 8 you, Rabbi Cohen, for your inspiring 9 words. 10 Again, I would ask all of you 11 to please be seated. 12 At this time, the Chair 13 recognizes Councilman Clarke. 14 COUNCILMAN CLARKE: Thank you, 15 Madam President. 16 Madam President, I move that 17 the Council stand adjourned until 18 Thursday, January the 24th, 2008. 19 (Duly seconded.) 20 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: It 21 has been moved and properly seconded that 22 the Council stand adjourned until 23 Thursday, January 24, 2008. 24 All in favor let be it known by 25 saying "aye." 80 1 CITY COUNCIL - 1/7/08 2 (Aye.) 3 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: Those 4 opposed? 5 (No response.) 6 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA: The 7 ayes have it, and Council stands 8 adjourned until Thursday, January 24, 9 2008. 10 Thank you all so very much. 11 Thank you. 12 (Applause.) 13 (Ceremony adjourned at 11:50 14 a.m.) 15 - - - 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 81 1 2 CERTIFICATE 3 I HEREBY CERTIFY that the 4 proceedings, evidence and objections are 5 contained fully and accurately in the 6 stenographic notes taken by me upon the 7 foregoing matter on January 7, 2008, and that 8 this is a true and correct transcript of same. 9 10 11 12 13 14 ______________________________ 15 MICHELE L. MURPHY 16 RPR-Notary Public 17 18 19 (The foregoing certification of this 20 transcript does not apply to any reproduction 21 of the same by any means, unless under the 22 direct control and/or supervision of the 23 certifying reporter.) 24 25 ..End