After getting the mayoral candidates to sign on to an ethics agenda -- a feat in and of itself -- the Committee of Seventy has moved on to City Council candidates.
Seventy's asking for them to declare exactly where they stand on issues including the attempt to weaken campaign finance laws, the practice of "councilmanic privilege" -- whereby any district councilperson can stymie development in his or her district, just because they want to -- and hiring their friends and relations.
I won't be cynical, and say something like: "Putting 'City Council' and 'ethics' in the same sentence is a first." Because that's not fair or true. There are councilpeople who take their jobs very seriously, who believe in better government, and who are willing to buck the machine when needed.
However, for those who aren't like that, there are also a host of challengers waiting in the wings to take their jobs.
And one thing we know, thus far in the election: Voters are angry and ready to demand change.
So this is the perfect time to find out just where the Council incumbents and challengers stand on ethics. You can read Seventy's agenda here; we'll be updating that site and the blog through the coming days with responses to the challenge.
Comments (2)
I think it's great that Seventy's doing this. The council elections are very often overlooked in the midst of the mayoral election, even though they're extremely important.
Personally, I probably won't be voting for any incumbents in city council, unless Councilman Kenney somehow redeems himself after that campaign finance bill.
Posted by Dave![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://blogs.phillynews.com/dailynews/nextmayor/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 13, 2007 9:36 AM
Have any of the candidates for council endorsed the 70 agenda yet?
Posted by Outlaw | February 14, 2007 8:18 AM