Following a genteel debate with longshot GOP mayoral nominee Al Taubenberger this afternoon, Michael Nutter was asked why he seemed so sanguine about Governor Rendell's recent moves to assert state control over the convention center.
"Because I live in the real world," was Nutter's answer.
"The name of the building is the Pennsylvania Convention Center. It’s not the Philadelphia Convention Center. It’s not just about power and control, it’s about responsibility and who ultimately has the responsibility. If the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is ultimately going to have the fiscal responsibility for any operating deficits over at the center then of course they have to have more control. They’re paying for the expansion. Of course they’re going to have more control."
Nutter went on to list what the city gets out of the deal, such as a cap on its annual payments and a major economic development engine.
Nutter didn't say so, but by acquiescing, he also avoids irritating a popular and powerful governor. And you can bet that a Mayor Nutter will need plenty of favors from Rendell.
Comments (1)
I don't get why the paper feels it has to drum up this opposition between Philly and PA. What is it that the paper can't see about the benefits of working together?
If Nutter doesn't oppose the expansion, maybe it's because there isn't this need to be oppositionally defiant on issues that PA and Philly have much in common to see through. He obviously doesn't suffer from Street's personality disorder. Or perhaps it was just Street's bread and butter, to oppose, oppose, oppose, oppose, and be the retro-Afro black pol and gave the paper's libbies the feeling of solidarity in something that was essentially meaningless.
Street opposes Harrisburg! So what! But pump your fist! Being obfuscationist is what makes us Democrats first! Let it go, philly.com.
Nutter has a winner-doer mentality.
This is going to bring the Dems into the 21st century in Philly and usher in a new era of cooperation that rivals NYC and Chicago with their state governments and regional entities.
Posted by Anonymous | October 3, 2007 4:14 PM
Posted on October 3, 2007 16:14