Bob Brady is the first candidate to commit to the 28 reforms outlined in 70's ethics agenda, the Committee reports. Read 70s statement after the jump...
STATEMENT FROM THE COMMITTEE OF SEVENTY:
Wednesday, January 3, 2007: The Committee of Seventy was informed today that potential 2007 Philadelphia mayoral candidate U.S. Congressman Robert A. Brady has committed to 28 specific reforms contained in an Ethics Agenda released by Seventy this morning. Congressman Brady, who has not yet declared his candidacy, becomes the first of the candidates or possible candidates to respond to the Ethics Agenda, a copy of which is attached.
“Congressman Brady’s swift endorsement of Seventy’s Ethics Agenda is a major step forward–especially because people have tended to pigeon-hole him as a representative of old-school politics in Philadelphia,” said Seventy’s President and CEO Zachary Stalberg. ”His commitment raises the bar for other candidates to state their resolve to change the way government operates in this town.”
In a statement sent to Seventy, Congressman Brady said: “If I run and am elected Mayor, I pledge to bring people together to create genuine ethics and campaign finance reform that will pass any constitutional test, including all of those spelled out in the Committee of Seventy’s well conceived ethics agenda.” He acknowledged the “fading confidence Philadelphians have in their government.”
In a cover letter (copy attached), Seventy also urged the candidates to commit to three overarching principles representing the 28 ethics reforms:
“As Mayor, I will make hiring, contracting and appointing decisions based
on the proven performance and untainted character of the contract recipient
or the appointee – not on their connections or contributions.”
“As Mayor, I will promote complete transparency in order to improve
accountability and increase public participation in local government.”
“As Mayor, I will insist upon a culture of fair and impartial decision-making
and reduce the reality and perception of conflicts of interest and
pay-to-play.”
Stalberg called on the candidates to conduct clean campaigns to demonstrate their credibility in following through on their commitment to Seventy’s Ethics Agenda if elected.
In his statement to Seventy, Congressman Brady cited his compliance with, and support of, “every reform and campaign finance bill that has come before me” in the U.S. House of Representatives where he has served since 1998. “If we can do it in Washington, we can do it in Philadelphia,” he said.
According to Stalberg, the Committee of Seventy intends to hold the successful candidate’s feet to the fire following the November 2007 election. “We take Bob at his word. If he wins the election, he will be reminded of his commitment to all of the reforms in the Ethics Agenda,” he said. “I look forward to hearing what the other candidates have to say.”
Comments (5)
good for Bob Brady - that's leadership. I know he's an insider, but he always seems to be a stand up guy. That's not a bad combination.
Posted by Robert Mission | January 3, 2007 7:07 PM
Bob Brady and ethics? Tee-hee, tee-hee. He's the dirtiest of the dirty!
Posted by Truthteller | January 3, 2007 7:46 PM
I'm glad he signed on, but isn't this the same guy who spoke out in favor of patronage (and nepotism?) in a recent radio interview? It was covered on this blog:
http://blogs.phillynews.com/dailynews/nextmayor/2006/09/what_about_bob.html
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January 3, 2007 8:32 PM
The Next Mayor: Make Brady work a little bit on this one; it's fine for the leader of the City's corrupt democratic machine to say that he's for "ethics reform", but what exactly has he done to move it forward? Wasn't he the guy "spinning shit" when the Fed's latched on to John Street? Also check out the activities of his staffer - Robert Subio I think it is. If the press does it's job, it's doubtful that Brady would be able to withstand the scrutiny that entry into the Mayor's race would bring.
Posted by Truthteller | January 4, 2007 6:56 AM
I'm glad he signed on, I was surprised but I think he knows what his rep is amongst the progressive residents of the city and wants to improve his chances. He knows running as a defender of the status quo would be dangerous. The only problem is his record doesnt make one believe he would be a legit reformer.
Posted by sj | January 4, 2007 11:38 AM