As Michael Nutter made his way through the crowd of 400 business and community leaders at his first public address as mayor-elect and “Bad to the Bone” played in the background (perhaps a favorite from his days as DJ Mix-Master Mike?), you really couldn’t help but feel like big things are in store for the future of Philly. I got to go to the Committee of Seventy’s The Next Mayor Speaks breakfast the morning after the election (co-sponsored by the Chamber), and I can’t tell you how many times I heard comments like “I’ve lived in Philly for my whole life and have never been so excited for the future of this city,” or “I’m so proud to be a Philadelphian during this critical time.” The ballroom at the Bellevue was buzzing in a way that I seldom experience at an early-morning event.
Lots of people spoke at the breakfast before Nutter took the stage- Chairman of the Committee of Seventy Howard Meyers, our president & CEO Mark Schweiker, IBC president & CEO and chair of our board Joe Frick, Committee of Seventy president & CEO Zack Stalberg, and Republican candidate Al Taubenberger, who declared a victory over the keystone poll, which had predicted he’d get only 8% of the vote (he got 17%).
Nutter began his address by claiming that “together we all have an opportunity to write a new chapter in the history of this great city.” He was inspirational, funny, visionary, and I think he’s my new hero. Below are few major points from his address:
– “The only thing holding us back is us; we need to get over ourselves.” Nutter challenged us to heighten our expectations of ourselves, our city and our government. He said that we need to stop thinking of Philadelphia as a second or third tiered city or comparing it to New York, Boston, DC, or any other major metropolis; we are Philadelphia and should be proud of it. The Mayor-elect pointed out Philly’s many great assets- location between the political and financial capitals of the world, the expanding convention center, transportation infrastructure, diverse and rich neighborhoods and developing waterfront.
– “This is a powerful region. If the mayor participates in the region, you won’t believe what we can accomplish.” The mayor of Philadelphia is an ambassador for not only the city, but the Greater Philadelphia region. Remaining competitive in an increasingly globalized world requires the next mayor to work closely with the business community and develop other important partnerships. Developing a sense of collective regional responsibility will be crucial to getting things done. As a regional Chamber representing 11 counties in three states, we look forward to working with Mayor-elect Nutter.
– “I want people to start thinking about changing their lives and changing their careers to come into the government of the City of Philadelphia.” I’m sure you’re all well-aware of Nutter’s call to public service by now. Quoting JFK’s famous line “no government is better than the people who compose it,” the Mayor-elect encouraged people to join his team for a year or two at this “once-in-a-lifetime moment for the city and for the region.” He’s looking for Philly’s best and brightest- everyone from ambitious young people to seasoned executives who can come over “on loan” from their companies. Working for the Nutter administration could mean serving on a paid or unpaid board or commission, or paid employment. What do you think about this? Would you consider changing your career path or putting it on hold for a couple years to work for the city government and be the change you want to see happen in Philadelphia? Click here to send in your resume or to learn more.
After hanging on every word of Nutter’s speech, I was ready to begin working for him on the spot, um or I mean I would have been if I didn’t have such a good job at the Chamber.
