MAYOR NUTTER APPOINTS ACTING DEPUTY MAYOR FOR PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Philadelphia, June 30, 2009 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced today that Alan Greenberger will serve as Acting Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and Commerce Director. Mr. Greenberger will retain his responsibilities as Executive Director of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. Mayor Nutter also announced that Kevin Dow, Deputy Director of Commerce for Neighborhood and Business Services, will serve as Acting Chief Operating Officer of the Commerce Department.

“Alan Greenberger is the perfect person to provide stability and continuity for Philadelphia’s planning and economic development during this transitional period,” said Mayor Nutter. “Kevin Dow has provided critical leadership in the reorganization of Commerce and the creation of the new Office of Business Services.”

Greenberger will head up a team that includes Dow as Chief Operating Officer, and Duane Bumb as Senior Deputy Director of Commerce.

“Duane is a highly regarded member of this administration and retains his important leadership position working on economic development projects,” said Mayor Nutter. “Alan, Kevin, and Duane will continue the great progress that has been made on planning and economic development over the last 18 months.”

In May Mayor Nutter announced that Andrew Altman, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and Commerce Director, had accepted a position as founding CEO of the Olympic Park Legacy Company, overseeing the revitalization and redevelopment of Olympic Park in East London — the largest urban development effort in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Mr. Altman served as Chair of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation and Chair of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. Donn Scott, current Vice Chair of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, will serve as Acting Chair of the Corporation, and Joseph Syrnick, current Vice Chair of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission will serve as Acting Chair of the Planning Commission.

PHILADELPHIA PEACEFUL SURRENDER BEGINS

WHO: Everett Gillison, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, Rev. Dr. Ernest McNear, Pastor, True Gospel Church of God in Christ

WHAT: Rev. Ernest McNear, pastor, will announce the start of “PHILADELPHIA PEACEFUL SURRENDER” a collaborative strategy between the City of Philadelphia and city Faith Leaders that enables individuals within the city with outstanding criminal warrants, to surrender peacefully to local authorities with the assistance of Faith Leaders. This does not include juvenile, traffic, or child support warrant. There are 5 sites that have been selected throughout the city.

WHERE: True Gospel Church of God in Christ, 16th & Mifflin Streets

WHEN: Tuesday 30 June, 2009 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

MAYOR NUTTER, COUNCIL TO UNVEIL NEW COMMISSION ON PARKS AND RECREATION

WHO: Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, Councilman Darrell Clarke, Michael DiBerardinis, Parks and Recreation Commissioner

WHAT: Mayor Nutter, Councilwoman Reynolds Brown and Councilman Clarke will be joined by parks and recreation advocates as they announce the membership of the new Commission on Parks and Recreation. The Commission was created as part of the amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, approved by the voters on November 4, 2008, which combined the Fairmount Park Commission and the Recreation Department to create the new Department of Parks and Recreation.

The new Commission will be composed of 15 members: nine appointed by the Mayor from a list of nominations submitted by City Council and compiled from applications received; and six “ex officio” members – the Commissioners of the Departments of Parks and Recreation, Water, Streets, and Public Property; the City Council President; and the Executive Director of the City Planning Commission.

WHERE: Mander Playground, 2140 N. 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121 (33rd and Diamond)

WHEN: Thursday 2 July, 2009 2:00 pm

CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLISHES THIRD LIST OF TOP BUSINESS TAX DELINQUENTS

Publication of delinquents generates $4m in additional business tax revenue

Philadelphia, June 29, 2009 – The City of Philadelphia today added 57 businesses and 37 associated officers, against whom it has obtained judgments exceeding $5.2 million, to its published lists of business tax judgments against delinquent taxpayers. This is the third list of business tax delinquents published by the City. Overall, the delinquent taxpayer publication initiative has generated $2.4 million in revenue and the City has entered into agreements to receive an additional $1.6 million from those targeted for publication.

“Our tax delinquency efforts have generated an additional $4m in business tax revenue since we began publishing names last November,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “Collecting every last dollar that is owed to the City is especially important in these tough economic times as we ask everybody to make some sacrifice to get us through this crisis.”

Combined, the lists now consist of 190 businesses and 149 associated officers, against whom the City has a total of $53.3 million in judgments.

Courts have entered judgments against all businesses and officers appearing on the lists and they have neither made full payment nor honored any payment arrangements they previously made with the City. Before posting the lists, the City contacted the businesses and officers numerous times to collect delinquent taxes.

When Mayor Nutter launched this initiative last November, he stated that “we are publishing this list of top tax delinquents to send a strong message to those who would consider not paying their taxes: we know who you are, we know what you owe, and we are going to collect it.” The City continues to aggressively utilize every tool legally available, ranging from voluntary compliance and the tax fraud hotline up through lawsuits, collection agencies, and Sheriff’s sales, to go after those who refuse to pay taxes they owe. It is becoming more difficult for tax dodgers to hide.

Citizens who are aware of tax fraud on the part of individuals or business can call the City of Philadelphia’s Tax Fraud Hotline – 215-686-3852. The complete delinquent judgment lists are available on the Law Department’s website, www.phila.gov/law/TaxDelinquent.html, and may also be accessed from the Revenue Department’s website (www.phila.gov/revenue).

Delinquent taxpayers who appear on the lists should contact the City of Philadelphia Law Department, Tax Unit, Judgment Executions, One Parkway, 15th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102-1595, telephone 215-683-5207. The City intends to add new delinquent business tax judgment taxpayers to the lists on at least a quarterly basis, and each month will remove delinquent taxpayers who have resolved their tax liabilities.

***Notes***

Yellow highlight denotes new additions to the list. Non-highlighted names were published on the first and second lists.

MAYOR NUTTER TO ANNOUNCE NEW FREE KAYAK PROGRAM AT PENN’S LANDING

WHO: Mayor Michael Nutter, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Delaware River Waterfront Corporation

WHERE: Penn’s Landing Marina, along the quay near the docks south of the Independence Seaport Museum

WHEN: Saturday, June 27, 2009 3:00 pm

WHAT: A free kayaking program will be offered in the Penn’s Landing Marina this summer. Residents and visitors will have the opportunity to paddle around the marina under the supervision of trained kayak staff. The Mayor will make this announcement at the conclusion of the Delaware River Sojourn, a week-long paddling trip down sections of the Delaware River. Funding for the free kayak program comes from the ‘Take Me to the River’ grant program, administered by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission with funding from the William Penn Foundation.

MAYOR LAUNCHES PHILADELPHIA’S RECOVERY ACT SUMMER JOBS PROGRAM AT TEMPLE UNIVERSITY

Philadelphia Will Put 9,000 Young People to Work this Summer

Philadelphia, June 24, 2009 – Today Mayor Michael Nutter declared that Philadelphia young people are “ready, willing and able” to take full advantage of $7.4 million in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funding for youth employment available to the City, so that they can “work, learn and earn” this summer and throughout the year. Nutter made his remarks at Temple University’s TECH Center, where he addressed representatives of youth service organizations who had successfully applied to operate programs with Recovery Act funds.

Recovery Act youth employment programs are expected to serve more than 2,500 young Philadelphians this summer. By utilizing the WorkReady Philadelphia system of programs currently in place, the City is particularly well-prepared to spend these funds effectively and efficiently. In all, almost 9,000 young people are expected to participate in WorkReady programs this summer.

“These investments are not only the right thing to do for our young people – by helping them to gain invaluable workplace and academic skills, they’re also the smart thing to do – by preparing our workforce of the future,” said Mayor Nutter.

The Recovery Act, signed into law by President Obama on February 17, provided $1.2 billion nationally to support youth employment, including summer and year-round jobs. This appropriation recognized both the short-term stimulative value of providing young people with paid employment, and also the long-term benefit of helping youth develop work readiness and other 21st century skills.

The event highlighted several programs with a “green jobs” orientation. For example, event host Temple University’s summer youth employment projects will approximately 150 young people opportunities to learn about sophisticated technologies and to build skills important for success in green jobs and in the broader knowledge economy.

Kenneth Lawrence, Temple Senior Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs, welcomed the Mayor and the agency leaders, and lauded the Mayor’s commitment to promoting educational attainment for all Philadelphians. “We greatly appreciate the Mayor’s leadership on these issues,” Mr. Lawrence said, “and we are especially pleased to be able to host so many bright and talented young people this summer.”

Stacy Holland, co-President of the Philadelphia Youth Network, gave an overview of Philadelphia’s plans to spend the federal youth employment funds. “In addition to the thousands of young people who will be engaged in meaningful summer work, community service, college exposure and academic enrichment, we will also be able to provide year-round services for hundreds older out-of-school youth,” Holland stated. “Without these funds,” she said, “all these young people would have very limited access to meaningful employment and academic enrichment opportunities this summer and throughout the year.”
Young people from youth service agencies focusing on green jobs and related experiences, including Caring People Alliance, Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition and the Student Conservation Association, also spoke about their eagerness to get started in their jobs this summer. In addition, representatives of the Philadelphia Youth Network Youth Ambassadors – an organization which trains young people to provide a youth perspective in policy discussions – reported on positive findings from surveys of youth participating in previous summer jobs programs.
Recovery Act and other WorkReady programs are managed by the Philadelphia Youth Network, under contract to the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board. To learn more about summer employment opportunities, please contact the Philadelphia Youth Network at 267-502-3800.
For additional information, please contact Melissa Orner, Senior Vice President for Communications and Development, Philadelphia Youth Network, at mjorner@pyninc.org, or by phone at 267-502-3718.

MAYOR NUTTER, PHILADELPHIA YOUTH NETWORK TO ANNOUNCE SUMMER JOBS FOR YOUTH FUNDED BY RECOVERY ACT

WHO: Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Kenneth Lawrence, Temple University Senior Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs, Stacy Holland, Co-President of the Philadelphia Youth Network

WHAT: Mayor Nutter and Philadelphia Youth Network will announce $7.4 million in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funding for youth employment available to the City. These dollars will provide employment for 2,500 young people this summer. In total, Philadelphia will provide 9,000 jobs to youth this summer through the WorkReady program.

WHERE: Temple University TECH Center, 12th and Montgomery Streets

WHEN: Wednesday June 24, 2009 3:00 pm

MAYOR NUTTER LAUNCHES POOLS SEASON AND THANKS DONORS TO POOL FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN

Philadelphia, June 23- Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson launched the 2009 pool season today. Forty-six pools will open throughout the City, thanks in part to the Mayor’s innovative fund-raising campaign, the “Splash and Summer Fund”. The funds raised through the “Splash and Summer Fund” will make it possible to open an additional 10 pools, beyond the 35 paid for by the City budget.

The “Splash and Summer Fund” has been successful because a variety of people and organizations cared and got involved. They donated time, money and resources to the campaign.

The M- Agency, a Philadelphia marketing firm, created a sleek and appealing website, www.Phillysummerfund.org , which provided information about the campaign.
The Clear Channel organization helped inform the public about the campaign through public service announcements, radio interviews and electronic billboards.
The United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania volunteered to administer all the donated funds.
A third grade class from Taggart Elementary school raised money through a penny drive; they collected enough pennies to donate $100.00 to the campaign.
The corporate community has donated $597,500.00 to date. Donors who gave more than $60,000 adopted the following pools.

Philadelphia Parking Authority $110,000** Bridesburg pool
Shire Pharmaceutical $100,000** Kelly Pool
Keystone Mercy $60,000 Christy Pool
Wachovia, A Wells Fargo Company $60,000 Cecil B. Moore
Ameri-Choice $60,000 Cobbs Creek Pool
** Denotes contribution spread over 3 year period.

The “Splash & Summer Fund” is a three year campaign and welcomes contribution from individuals, community organizations, and businesses. Donation levels begin at $10.00 and those interested in helping keep the pools open can go to www.phillysummerfund.org/ to donate or call 215-665-2542. The donated funds will be collected and administered by The United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

PHILADELPHIA CELEBRATES OLYMPIC DAY WITH OLYMPIC ATHLETES

Philadelphia, June 23 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter was joined today by Olympic and Paralympic rowers to celebrate Olympic Day and declare Philadelphia’s support for the City of Chicago in its bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games.

“Philadelphia proudly supports Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games”, Mayor Nutter said. “Chicago is a world-class city that has what it takes to host a monumental event like the Olympics and all of us in Philadelphia and across the nation wish Mayor Daley, Chicago 2016 and the U.S. Olympic Committee the best of luck.”

Mayor Nutter issued a proclamation to honor Olympic and Paralympic rowing athletes from past Olympic competitions and spoke about the importance and popularity of rowing in Philadelphia. Olympic Day is an opportunity for mayors from across America to voice their collective support for Chicago’s efforts to win the bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games.

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) celebrates Olympic Day annually with events at the Olympic Training Centers and official training sites, as well as coordinating activities with affiliated sport National Governing Bodies and multi-sport organizations. This year, through a partnership with Chicago 2016, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Olympic Day celebrations have expanded to cities across the country. In each community, the program will encourage physical activity and promote the Olympic values of fair play, cooperation and respect for others. Chicago 2016 is the organization seeking the privilege to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Mayor Nutter was joined at the celebration by Caryn Davies, Anna Goodale, and Lindsay Shoop from the 2008 women’s eight; Dan Beery, Pete Cipollone and Jason Read from the 2004 men’s eight; Scott Brown who competed in the 2008 Paralympic mixed double; and John Hartigan from the 1968 and 1976 Games. The event took place at Vesper Boat Club on Boathouse Row.

MAYOR NUTTER, COMMISSIONER SLAWSON TO OPEN CITY SWIMMING POOLS

WHO: Mayor Michael A. Nutter
Commissioner Susan Slawson

WHAT: Mayor Nutter and Commissioner Slawson will open the City pools for summer. 46 pools will open in Philadelphia this year due to the fundraising efforts of the “Splash Fund.”

WHERE: Kelly Pool, 4231 N. Concourse

WHEN: Tuesday June 23, 2009 4:00 pm