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The mayor of Philadelphia is hardly a man who can move around town unnoticed, but his appearance at the 17th Police District Advisory Council meeting came as a shock to the residents who packed 20th and Federal streets Tuesday night.
"Him coming alone showed me that he really cares about the community," Adib Waheed said.
During the open forum that brought out 20 residents, Nutter was asked more than 10 questions — all pertaining to the surrounding community, but ranging from summer activities for kids to neighborhood safety.
"The mayor was right to the point. He understood that our main concerns applied to the children," Sylvia, of 17th and Federal streets, said. "Once the children are impacted, the area will follow."
The discussion was loose and amiable for most of the hour, but the looming possibility of closed libraries was the hot topic. All eyes, ears and mouths were open as Nutter went back and forth with the residents on potential solutions to the possible closures. A massive budget gap of $108 million led to 11 library branches — including Fumo Family at 2437 S. Broad St. and Queen Memorial at 1201 S. 23rd St. — as well as community pools and firehouses to land on the chopping block in early November.
"All the libraries will stay open until June 30th," the mayor assured the crowd, adding it is the last day of classes for Philadelphia schools.
Nutter was adamant about not wanting to trim hours or days at branches throughout the city after his June deadline.
"It’s a give and take," he said of the changes facing the libraries.
The budget matters hitting so close to home are part of a much larger picture, one Nutter evoked through President Barack Obama’s inauguration speech, which spoke about the failing economy, among other issues facing the country.
"Painful cuts are still to come, and everyone will feel the next round of budget cuts," he said, indicating Philadelphia is not alone in the issue.
Watching ladder companies, pools and libraries take hits sparked broader concerns from the crowd, namely "Will there still be ample police protection in the city’s communities?"
"Yes," the mayor told the audience.
Though the budget cuts won’t lead to any dismissed police officers, it has had a twofold effect, he added, with money constraints allowing only 200 more officers to be hired, which is 200 short of his goal. Furthermore, overtime will not be open to everyone as it was in the past.
This was not the first time the mayor has popped in on a district meeting nor will it be the last, as he plans to seek resident input on the different situations facing the city.
