Young Philly Politics: Why was turnout so low?:

..one reason turnout was low that we all have some control over: Our voting system sucks.

. Read the whole piece for some ideas to move things forward.

via my personal blog:

Following Refresh Philly May have been some great discussions in its related Google Group.

Technically Philly posted two followups: City CIO's $100 million Digital Philadelphia vision and Editorial: City government calls for tech support

Jonny Goldstein, on his blog, envizualize, had literally, visualized the discussion with some art live at the discussion that is just terrific, you got to take a look: Visual Notes From Philly CIO Allan Frank at Refresh Philly

Two efforts to collect what people want from Philly governments online efforts and the data it makes available have been launched by participants in the discussion:

Wikispaces: phillydata

Google Moderator: Philadelphai - What can we do for you?

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/44.president/inauguration/map/

President-elect Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States on January 20. Millions were in Washington D.C. to witness the historic moment.
CNN wants bloggers and writers to upload their footage and photos to ireport@cnn.com.

The best footage is being featured online. The Photosynth is awesome!!!

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/44.president/inauguration/themoment/

Inquirer: True melting pot helped save libraries:

Stirred by Mayor Nutter's proposal to close 11 branch libraries, the opponents came tumbling off the shelves of Philadelphia society - rich, poor, black, white, homeschoolers from the Northeast, young anarchists from West Philly.

With President-elect Barack Obama's campaign as both inspiration and field guide, they organized, demonstrated and sued, then packed the courtroom for hearings and showered the mayor with boos at his own news conference.

Then, astoundingly, they won. At least for now.

A judge's ruling Tuesday forced Nutter to get City Council approval or a court order to implement his plan to save $36 million by 2013 through closing the branches. Nutter called the ruling an assault on the City Charter's strong-mayor form of government and said he would appeal.

Others called it a crucial victory for communities, even a model for civic participation in public policy.

Tom Ferrick at It's Our City wonders if the outrage Mayor Nutter has earned over this issue is worth it and offers an alternative:

Here’s an alternative: Back off on the library issue, Develop a comprehensive plan for meet the economic crisis that involves sacrifice by everyone –taxpayers, vendors, city employees, the mayor and his top staff — and use the upcoming budget address (for fiscal 2010) to begin the process of selling it to the public.

If people feel that everyone is feeling some pain, they won’t resent as much swallowing their piece of it. If people think the administration has really, actually listened to them and their concerns – and taken them into account – then maybe they will go along with the plan.

In other words, admit you made a mistake and go back to the drawing board.

Brendan Calling: Saturday Brimstone

It's Our City: City controller Alan Butkovitz says he has a plan to save the city almost half a billion dollars. City officials called his report more of a publicity stunt than a blueprint for success.

Library Journal.com: Philadelphia Judge Stops Mayor’s Plan To Close 11 Libraries:

In response to two lawsuits—filed by three City Council Members, seven library patrons, and the library staff union—Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Idee Fox today put the brakes on Mayor Michael Nutter’s plan to permanently close 11 branch libraries at the end of the day tomorrow, saying that City Council approval is required.

Coalition to Save the Libraries Statement on Court Victory:

BREAKING NEWS: Judge Idee Fox rules against Mayor Nutter's decision to close branch libraries without the approval of City Council.

Contact: Katrina Clarke misskatrina@mac.com (215) 272-7091
Milena Velis milena.velis@gmail.com (215) 200-3876

The Coalition will sponsor a New Year's Eve celebration of the past, present and future of Philadelphia's libraries at the Kingsessing branch, 51st and Kingsessing, beginning at 3:30 pm, Wednesday, December 31st.

We would like to commend Judge Fox on her decision to issue an injunction halting the library closings. We would also like to congratulate the lawyers and plaintiffs whose hard work helped to bring about this important victory. Most importantly, we recognize the efforts of every resident who spoke at a Town Hall meeting, attended a rally at their library, and was active in their community on this issue. Because of everyone's passion and hard work, we will ring in the New Year with all our beloved libraries open!

This is a victory for every child, senior, and community member who needs the basic services that our Free Libraries provide every day. We look forward to working together with Mayor Nutter and City Council to continue to improve our library services and to ensure that all Philadelphians have access to the education and opportunities that they deserve.

Follow the news over at Young Philly Politics

Library Journal.com: New Twist: Philadelphia Branches Slated for Closing Are De Facto School Libraries

Philadelphia Weekly: City on Skwire: A Southwest Philly Blogger lights a fire under Nutter's ass.

Bookmark Brendan Calling

IS DHS GETTING ANY BETTER?
ON WHYY’S NEXT IT’S OUR CITY TV12 PROGRAM DECEMBER 19:
AN UPDATE FROM COMMISSIONER ON REFORMS
SINCE DANIEAL KELLY DEATH IN 2006 TRIGGERED INDICTMENTS

PHILADELPHIA, December 16, 2008 — The next installment of WHYY’s It’s Our City will feature an interview with the commissioner of Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services (DHS), Anne Marie Ambrose, and conducted by Dave Davies, senior writer for the Philadelphia Daily News, on WHYY TV12 on December 19 at 10:00 p.m.

In the interview, Ambrose addresses the status of DHS’s reform plan in the aftermath of the death of Danieal Kelly, a 14-year-old suffering from cerebral palsy. Kelly’s death in 2006 while under the department’s care led to nine indictments, including two DHS caseworkers. Ambrose discusses DHS’s efforts to improve supervision, first identified as a problem more than 20 years ago. She also discusses a performance management and accountability unit, which is being established. Finally, Ambrose talks about DHS’s efforts to recapture control over the disciplinary process from the union that represents DHS employees.

The episode will also be accessible on the It’s Our City Web site, www.whyy.org/city, on December 20 at noon.

It’s Our City is a multiplatform civic engagement project produced by the award-winning News and Information Service of WHYY, Greater Philadelphia’s leading public broadcasting station, in partnership with the Philadelphia Daily News. Davies regularly fills in for Terry Gross as host of WHYY’s renowned national radio program, Fresh Air, and on WHYY’s regional public affairs call-in show, Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane.

Longtime WHYY producer Alan Tu serves as managing editor of It’s Our City, which premiered in June. Wendy Daughenbaugh is the producer of the TV series.

Funded by The William Penn Foundation, It’s Our City evolved from WHYY’s award-winning The Next Mayor project, which, Philadelphia Magazine said, “managed a neat trick, creating a place where local political junkies can get a fix and the rest of us can get a clue.”

The Marina Kats Freak show is at it again.

I have from a good source that Marina Kats is going to capitalize on her recent "success" as a congressional candidate in order to open up a lobbying firm. Anyone familiar with Marina Kats knows that she often creates businesses utilizing oportunities opened by her law practice so this seems just an extension of her MO.

She is going to be doing this with Tom Harari who was her defacto campaign manager after the five previous holders all had resigned due to conflict with her. Harari inherited the position despite his admitted lack of experience through sheer attrition. Harari was the mastermind behind the "attack Montegomery County GOP" strategy that occured late in the campaign.

It's Our City: Tom Ferrick: Fishtown Blues:

To recap: Population growth is good. Reviving neighborhoods is good. Attracting young families is good.
So why is Mayor Nutter picking on Fishtown?

It sure seems that way from the ground level - from the 1200-block of E. Montgomery Ave, in Fishtown. There sits the neighborhood’s library - scheduled to be closed as part of budget cuts ordered by the mayor. Across the street is the neighborhood’s public pool - also scheduled to be shut down. A few blocks up is the fire station for Engine Co. 6, scheduled to be downsized.

“It’s a perfect storm,” said neighborhood activist A.J. Thomson. “Why would you remove something that young families see as an asset from one of the few neighborhoods that is gaining in young family population?”

Good question.

Local netroots activist, and PA State Democratic Committeeman, Chris Bowers was on MSNBC's Hardball last night. He was asked the question of whether President-elect Obama's cabinet picks have the left feeling betrayed:

It's always good to see a Philly Skyline on the networks.