Mayor-elect Michael Nutter has made it clear that he's interested in learning from other cities. He's paid visits to cities including New York, Baltimore and Pittsburgh to learn how they've tackled some of the challenges he's about to face.
So some clever students at Fels figured they'd help Nutter cut down on the traveling a little bit.
They researched 44 good ideas that he could borrow from 17 different mayors (some of whom are no longer mayors, a couple of whom are no longer alive).
Ten of these ideas were in the Daily News this morning. The rest can be found here...
None of these are gigantic reforms; most are just smart innovations that would take very little effort to replicate in Philadelphia. But each has made a difference in their city, by making government more responsive to citizens, or by helping young people, or by keeping each mayor accountable for his or her promises.
Comments (6)
No need to borrow them, just steal them fair and square.
Posted by Mark Chalupa | November 12, 2007 11:03 AM
What great ideas to borrow and steal from other cities and Mayors. And while I agree that summer jobs and truancy are critical youth issues for a mayor to focus on, I was dismayed that these were the only "great ideas" related to children and youth included in the list of 44.
So might I suggest that the Mayor also take a look at a few other child and youth initiatives and start borrowing and stealing!
My personal favorite is actually from Edmonton Canada, which created a "Child Impact Assessment Tool" described as a "lens" through which city policies, practices and investments can be viewed.
In a similar vein and closer to home, Newark, NJ's 100 Day Plan included a plan to “evaluate all policies within city government and their impact on children
and families”
Mayor Alex Penelas in Miami Dad boldly asked the entire city to "Champion our Children" with concrete strategies, and Seattle's Norman Rice embarked on an ambitious Children's INitiative.
In 2000 DC's Mayor Anthony Williams also created a multi-prong cross-agency Children's Initiative and during the same time period San Antonio's Mayor Ed Garza included early childhood priorities in his "Better Jobs INitiative" strongly articulating a link between early childhood success and the economic success of the city.
Detroit's Mayor's Time focus on AfterSchool initiatives is echoed by Boston Mayor Menino's "Partner for Student Success" initiative which I am especially partial to, not only because it was launched on my birthday but also because it represents a genuine effort to develop collaborative, comprehensive cross-systems and community wide approaches to improving outcomes for children and families via in-school, out-of--school, mental health, family support, art, music, recreation and other strategies.
Finally, San Francisco's Mayor's Policy Council for Children, Youth and Families is impressive for the wholistic focus on children in the context of families and families in the context of communities. This Council was launched by Mayor Newsome at the same time as the initial funding for the San Francisco Youth Commission, a body which served as inspiration for the Philadelphia Youth Commission which will launch in January as a result of a positive city-charter change vote last May. San Francisco clearly demonstrates how a Mayor can use an adult children's policy council (or COmmission) a Youth Commission AND a child and youth robust advocacy community to create and sustain innovative policies and practices related to child and family well-being.
These are just a few ideas to add to the list already put forward. Our city will not reach ITS greatest potential if we do not invest in ensuring that each and every one of our CHILDREN reach their greatest potential.
Posted by Sue Badeau | November 13, 2007 12:53 PM
Hey Mark :
I'm wondering what's about to happen next.
Another so called " Accuracy Commission " of sorts with imported folks and high salaries to be paid by taxpayers before the imported folks are fired in a timely manner as usual which in turn will we keep us looking to import instead of looking in our own backyards. Just a thought.
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