by Frank Dialogue: 'Philadelphia Speaks Out'
Recently an article in the Philadelphia Daily News talked of how Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter may have 'guaranteed his re-election' with his 'handling' of the two major snowstorms that have hit Philadelphia over the past two months. Here is the article in question:
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/20100213_Observers__Snow_cleanup_may_have_helped_clear_Nutter_s_path_to_re-election.html
From the article, one can get a picture that Michael Nutter did an exemplary job in 'leadership' and 'taking command of the situation' during the major snowstorms we had here in the city in December and this month, in February.
This is highly debatable, to say the least.
The December storm, which laid about two feet of snow on us, certainly seemed to catch the City leadership by surprise. Major streets/arteries were not plowed at al for at least 48 hours. I live deep in SW Philadelphia, and I remember travelling home on the trolley that night. There were NO plows out, and the journey down Elmwood Avenue was interrupted by low visibility, blizzard conditions and generally impassable streets. Twice, the trolley had to stop and passengers and the driver got off the trolley to move stranded vehicles. This was understandable as the snow had just started. But 48 hours later, there was still no ploughing of main thoroughfares.
Of course, my neighborhood in SW Philly, Elmwood, cannot even get the City of Philadelphia to put a trash can on any major intersection.
Now the handling of the recent storm was slightly better. We were hit with about 18 inches on a Saturday, and another 12-14 inches three days later. This time major arterial streets were ploughed, although neighborhood main streets and side streets were untouched. My small street was completely snowed under, but neighbors did what they could to dig out. Ironically, although the City of Philadelphia was again lacking in the basic tasks of clean up, I was issued a ticket by the Philadelphia Department of Streets for 'unsatisfactory removal of snow' on my front pavement: this even though the payment was shovelled AND salted. It seems the City never lacks the manpower to pick the pockets of the people, or attempt a 'purse snatching', yet city workers are 'unavailable' to handle major jobs concerning the basic welfare of the City.
Of course Mayor Nutter, a shameless political PR hound, had some local TV news people videotaping him 'helping his neighbors' by shoveling some snow. Oh, what a tireless and generous leader he is! And it was all recorded for posterity on video.
I urge all to read the Daily News article posted above, and get a full sense of the shamelessness our leaders have in trying to exploit anything possible for 'political capital'. Some would just say 'Business as usual'. I would echo the old Brooklyn baseball fan's cry: 'Throw the bum out!'
Grade D- also given to SEPTA for numerous delays & detours, but mostly FOR NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE RIDING PUBLIC ON STORM RELATED ISSUES. What SEPTA administrators and employees fail to realize is that we, the riding public and taxpayers, enable them to have their various jobs w' excellent benefits and pensions. THEY WORK FOR US AS DOES MAYOR NUTTER.
SEPTA's favorite answer to any rider question about operating procedures or interuptions is always the famous 'I DON'T KNOW!'
Needless to say, trash was not picked up this week either. Good way to 'build political capital'.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/20100213_Observers__Snow_cleanup_may_have_helped_clear_Nutter_s_path_to_re-election.html
From the article, one can get a picture that Michael Nutter did an exemplary job in 'leadership' and 'taking command of the situation' during the major snowstorms we had here in the city in December and this month, in February.
This is highly debatable, to say the least.
The December storm, which laid about two feet of snow on us, certainly seemed to catch the City leadership by surprise. Major streets/arteries were not plowed at al for at least 48 hours. I live deep in SW Philadelphia, and I remember travelling home on the trolley that night. There were NO plows out, and the journey down Elmwood Avenue was interrupted by low visibility, blizzard conditions and generally impassable streets. Twice, the trolley had to stop and passengers and the driver got off the trolley to move stranded vehicles. This was understandable as the snow had just started. But 48 hours later, there was still no ploughing of main thoroughfares.
Of course, my neighborhood in SW Philly, Elmwood, cannot even get the City of Philadelphia to put a trash can on any major intersection.
Now the handling of the recent storm was slightly better. We were hit with about 18 inches on a Saturday, and another 12-14 inches three days later. This time major arterial streets were ploughed, although neighborhood main streets and side streets were untouched. My small street was completely snowed under, but neighbors did what they could to dig out. Ironically, although the City of Philadelphia was again lacking in the basic tasks of clean up, I was issued a ticket by the Philadelphia Department of Streets for 'unsatisfactory removal of snow' on my front pavement: this even though the payment was shovelled AND salted. It seems the City never lacks the manpower to pick the pockets of the people, or attempt a 'purse snatching', yet city workers are 'unavailable' to handle major jobs concerning the basic welfare of the City.
Of course Mayor Nutter, a shameless political PR hound, had some local TV news people videotaping him 'helping his neighbors' by shoveling some snow. Oh, what a tireless and generous leader he is! And it was all recorded for posterity on video.
I urge all to read the Daily News article posted above, and get a full sense of the shamelessness our leaders have in trying to exploit anything possible for 'political capital'. Some would just say 'Business as usual'. I would echo the old Brooklyn baseball fan's cry: 'Throw the bum out!'
Grade D- also given to SEPTA for numerous delays & detours, but mostly FOR NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE RIDING PUBLIC ON STORM RELATED ISSUES. What SEPTA administrators and employees fail to realize is that we, the riding public and taxpayers, enable them to have their various jobs w' excellent benefits and pensions. THEY WORK FOR US AS DOES MAYOR NUTTER.
SEPTA's favorite answer to any rider question about operating procedures or interuptions is always the famous 'I DON'T KNOW!'
Needless to say, trash was not picked up this week either. Good way to 'build political capital'.
