John Franklin Street (born October 15, 1943) is the 97th Mayor of the City of Philadelphia. He was first elected to a term beginning on January 3, 2000, and was re-elected to a second term beginning in 2004. He is a Democrat and became mayor after having served 19 years in the Philadelphia City Council, including seven years as its president, before resigning as required under the Philadelphia City Charter in order to run for mayor. He followed Edward G. Rendell as mayor, assuming the post on January 3, 2000. List of mayors of Philadelphia, arranged chronologically. ... Nickname: City of Brotherly Love, Philly, the Quaker City Motto: Philadelphia maneto (Let brotherly love continue) Location in Pennsylvania Coordinates: Country United States State Pennsylvania County Philadelphia Founded October 27, 1682 Incorporated October 25, 1701 Mayor John F. Street (D) Area    - City 369. ... The incumbent, in politics, is the current holder of a political office. ... December 21 is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar). ... Edward Gene Ed Rendell (born January 5, 1944) is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party. ... City Hall from postcard, c. ... December 17 is the 351st day of the year (352nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... This article needs to be wikified. ... City Hall from postcard, c. ... December 17 is the 351st day of the year (352nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Darrell L. Clarke is the Democratic Councilman representing Philadelphias Fifth City Council District. ... is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Norristown is a home rule municipality in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 17 miles (27 km) west by north of Philadelphia, on the Schuylkill River. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  Politics Portal      Further information: Politics of the United States#Organization of American political parties The Democratic... is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... List of mayors of Philadelphia, arranged chronologically. ... January 3 is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Democratic Party is one of two major political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. ... City Hall from postcard, c. ... Edward Gene Ed Rendell (born January 5, 1944) is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party. ... January 3 is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Notably, in an unusual circumstance, the City Council President at the time, Anna C. Verna, was briefly in the position of running the city before Mayor Street was sworn in, as Rendell resigned the post in December 1999 to become the head of the DNC (per Article III, Chapter 5, Section 3-500 of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter). Former Vermont Governor Dr. Howard Dean is the current Chairman of the DNC. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is the principal campaign and fund-raising organization affiliated with the United States Democratic Party. ...

Biographical details and political career

Street was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, and grew up as a member of a farming household. He graduated from Conshohocken High School, received an undergraduate degree in English from Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, and his law degree from Temple University. Following his graduation from law school, Street served clerkships with Common Pleas Court Judge Mathew W. Bullock, Jr. and with the United States Department of Justice. In his first professional job, Mayor Street taught English at an elementary school and, later, at the Philadelphia Opportunities Industrialization Center. He also practiced law privately prior to entering into public service. He is married and has four children. He is also a practicing Seventh-day Adventist. Norristown is a home rule municipality in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 17 miles (27 km) west by north of Philadelphia, on the Schuylkill River. ... Oakwood College is a historically black college located in Huntsville, Alabama. ... Nickname: Coordinates: , Country United States State Alabama County Madison, Limestone Government  - Mayor Loretta Spencer Area  - City 174. ... Temple University is a university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... The Seventh-day Adventist (abbreviated Adventist[1]) Church is a Christian denomination which is distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the seventh day of the week, as the Sabbath. ...

As the councilman from North Philadelphia and Center City, as Council President, and as Mayor, he has sought to balance the interests of Philadelphia's low income citizens, and the interests of the city's business community. First elected to City Council in 1979, he served the city's Fifth Councilmanic District for many years, distinguishing himself as a fighter for fair housing, increased spending on education/public schools, and as a champion for working people and neighborhoods. Somewhat conservative in the context of the politics of Philadelphia's African-American communities, he also became well-versed in the city's budget process.

Mayor Street was chosen unanimously by members of the council to serve as president in 1992, and again in 1996. Street, working closely with former Mayor Edward G. Rendell, was instrumental in crafting and implementing a financial plan that passed Council unanimously, and turned a $250 million deficit into the largest surplus in city history. By cutting the business and wage tax four years in a row, Street and Rendell helped reverse the 30-year loss of jobs from Philadelphia.^{[citation needed]} And, in the years since 1996, Philadelphia has actually gained jobs.^{[citation needed]}

Street is very passionate on the importance of the Democratic Party.^{[citation needed]} He once floated the possibility of being a candidate for statewide office in Pennsylvania. Since some recent corruption scandals, those prospects have diminished. Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  Politics Portal      Further information: Politics of the United States#Organization of American political parties The Democratic...

In light of recent scandals and FBI probes, his relationship with the City Council is tenuous at best. He and former councilman Michael Nutter, who on May 15, 2007 became the Democratic nominee for Mayor ^[1] when Street's term expires in 2007, have been engaged in a political sparring match. After much public criticism over his failure to support a smoking ban in Philadelphia, Street ultimately agreed to a 2005 revision of Nutter's New York-style smoking ban. Michael A. Nutter is a Democrat and councilman of the 4th Council District of Philadelphia which consists of northern parts of West Philadelphia, and all of Roxborough, Manayunk, and East Falls. ... is the 135th day of the year (136th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

The April 17, 2005 issue of Time Magazine listed him as one of the three worst big-city mayors in the United States.^[2] Mayoral spokespersons have disputed the validity of the list, claiming it simply capitalized on the recent scandal in which the mayor has not been indicted, while ignoring the mayor's recent accomplishments. Others critical of the list have pointed out that one of the best-ranked mayors, Richard M. Daley, has also been surrounded by corruption controversies. is the 107th day of the year (108th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... (Clockwise from upper left) Time magazine covers from May 7, 1945; July 25, 1969; December 31, 1999; September 14, 2001; and April 21, 2003. ... Richard Michael Daley (born April 24, 1942) is a United States politician, powerful member of the national and local Democratic Party and current mayor of Chicago, Illinois. ...

Often described as prickly, Mayor Street has frustrated citizens, City Hall insiders, and political allies with his personal style.^{[citation needed]}

Policy

Street with President Bush in Philadelphia during Independence Day in 2001

During Street's first term, much emphasis was placed on the "Neighborhood Transformation Initiative." The Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI), which was unveiled in April 2001 was an unprecedented effort to counter the history of decline in the City of Philadelphia and revitalize its neighborhoods. The program was designed to revitalize and restore communities, to develop or restore quality housing, to clean and secure streets, and to create opportunities for vibrant cultural and recreational facilities. Image File history File links George_W._Bush_and_John_Street_Philadelphia_July_4_2001. ... Image File history File links George_W._Bush_and_John_Street_Philadelphia_July_4_2001. ...

Initially, opponents raised objections to the program's emphasis on demolishing abandoned buildings rather than seeking re-use or restoration of the sometimes historic properties.^{[citation needed]} Others hailed the program for bringing much-needed investment to the city's many poor neighborhoods.^{[citation needed]} However, initial results have been positive. Since 2000, the average home in Philadelphia has appreciated by approximately 30 percent, and the population of Center City grew by 14 percent between 1990 and 2000. The housing market continues to thrive, and developers have created more than 4,880 market-rate apartments and condominiums in the past several years.^[3]

Street also made children and their welfare a focus of his first term in office. In his first inaugural address in January 2000, Street officially proclaimed the year 2000 "The Year of the Child" in Philadelphia. He sought to increase funding for after-school programs, and formed the Philadelphia Children's Commission, a diverse group of government, civic, business, and faith-based leadership, whose job it was to advise Street on policies and programs that would have a positive impact in the lives of Philadelphia's children. He also sought to fight truancy among school aged children. ^{[4] [5]}

The city's public schools were among the worst in the country when Street took office, and much of his attention early on went into difficult decisions about the schools. In November 2001, a compromise between Street and the Republican-controlled General Assembly allowed for the privatization of the Philadelphia Public Schools. Edison Schools took over day-to-day operations of some of the worst-performing city schools, while a small number were taken over by other institutions, primarily area universities. Capitol Building The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the U.S. state of Pennsylvanias legislative branch, seated at the states capital, Harrisburg. ... Edison Schools are a type of American public school which is run for profit. ...

In August of 2001, the lucrative Philadelphia Parking Authority was taken over by the Pennsylvania government in a compromise designed to help the Philadelphia School District out of its fiscal crisis. Many believed that the Parking Authority's revenues were politically insubstantial in comparison with the high-profile patronage positions on the Parking Authority's board that were transferred from Democratic to Republican hands in the move. ...

Drawing ire from skateboarders, he banned skateboarding from the internationally famous Love Park after the city had hosted the X-Games in 2001 and 2002 at the Wachovia Center. In 2004 he turned down a $1-million offer from DC Shoes to maintain and renovate the park to allow skating. Instead the city spent $800,000 on adding obstacles to prevent skaters from skating in the park. ^[6] sorry we do not have any info on this topic please try looksmart. ... JFK Plaza with the LOVE sculpture and fountain LOVE Park (JFK Plaza) is a plaza located in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... ESPN X Games logo The X Games is an annual multi-sport event with a focus on action sports. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... DC Shoes is an American based footwear company in Vista, CA founded in 1993 who specialize in producing shoes for skateboarding as well as snowboarding boots and outerwear. ...

Street created the Office of Health and Fitness after the city was named the fattest city in the nation by Men's Fitness magazine in 1999. The magazine cited the low number of athletic facilities and high number of fast-food restaurants. Street also signed into law a smoking ban on September 12, 2006.

Street has also advocated the construction of a city-wide Wi-Fi network. The network is to be run by the non-profit organization Wireless Philadelphia in partnership with the city and commercial internet service providers. Opponents of the plan suggest that government involvement will quash innovation. Supporters hope that the plan will help bring information access to poor Philadelphians and make the city more attractive to young and educated people. Official Wi-Fi logo Wi-Fi was originally a brand licensed by the Wi-Fi Alliance to describe the embedded technology of wireless local area networks (WLAN) based on the IEEE 802. ...

In a 2002 address at a convention of the NAACP, Street said that “the brothers and sisters are running the city. Oh, yes. The brothers and sisters are running this city. Running it! Don’t you let nobody fool you, we are in charge of the City of Brotherly Love. We are in charge! We are in charge!” This observation attracted some criticism and charges of racial divisiveness. ^[7] The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), is one of the oldest and most influential hate organizations in the United States. ...

The murder rate in Philadelphia hit a seven-year high during Street's tenure. In 2005 there were 380 murders, up from 330 in 2004. Forty-five percent of those murdered were 25 or younger. 2006 saw 406 murders in the city. ^[8] This murder trend continued to escalate into 2007, with 127 murders occurring by the end of April, 2007, a rate far in excess of the larger cities of New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. [[1]]. At least one commentator referred to Street as being "strangely silent" in his efforts to reduce the city's murder rate. [[2]] NY redirects here. ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... Nickname: Motto: Urbs In Horto (Latin: City in a Garden), I Will Location in the Chicago metro area and Illinois Coordinates: , Country United States State Illinois County Cook & DuPage Settled 1770s Incorporated March 4, 1837 Government  - Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Area  - City  234. ...

On July 27, 2006 John Street launched the Adolescent Violence Reduction Partnership (AVRP) as a way to prevent high risk youth (target age 10-15) from being victims of combat violence. He also expanded the Youth Violence Reduction Partnership (YVRP) into the 19th Police District in West Philadelphia. ^[9]

City Hall corruption scandal

During the re-election campaign against Sam Katz, the FBI acknowledged that it had placed listening devices in the Mayor's office as part of a sweeping investigation of municipal corruption.^{[citation needed]} The FBI's investigation uncovered a corruption scheme led by Street's friend and fund raiser Ron White, who died before going to trial.^{[citation needed]} Former city treasurer Corey Kemp, a member of Street's administration, was sentenced to 10 years in jail after being found guilty on 27 corruption-related charges in May 2005.[3] Additional prosecutions of members of Street's administration took place in the wake of the Kemp conviction.^{[citation needed]} Sam Katz (born 1950) is a perennial mayoral candidate in Philadelphia. ... The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a federal criminal investigative, intelligence agency, and the primary investigative arm of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). ...

In September 2005, a prominent Muslim clergyman, Shamsud-din Ali, in Philadelphia was sentenced to more than seven years in prison on racketeering and other charges. Prosecutors said the cleric, who was once a member of Mayor John F. Street's transition team, used his political connections to obtain dubious loans, donations and city contracts. Mr. Ali, who was sentenced to 87 months in prison, was released pending an appeal.^{[citation needed]}

Leonard Ross, a lawyer and close advisor of Mayor Street, who led a committee trying to develop a crucial piece of city-owned property, was charged with fraud and conspiracy in December 2005, and later pled guilty to the charges.^{[citation needed]}

It should be noted that Street has not as of yet been formally charged with any crime, nor has he ever been identified as having been a target of the long-standing federal investigation.^{[citation needed]}

In November 2006, federal authorities charged that T Milton Street, older brother of John F Street, traded on his last name to obtain lucrative city contracts and failed to pay taxes on more than $2 million in income.^{[citation needed]} It was alleged that soon after Mayor Street took office in 2000, Milton Street began hiring himself out as consultant to companies that thought he could help them get city contracts.^{[citation needed]} One company paid Milton Street, who is a hot dog vendor, $30,000 a month consulting fee.^{[citation needed]} Mayor Street continues to defend his brother's right to pursue city contracts.^{[citation needed]}

Boy Scout Controversy

On July 31, 2006, Mayor Street ordered the local Boy Scouts council, Cradle of Liberty Council, to admit gay scout leaders, vacate the city-owned building that it has occupied since 1928 or pay market rent.^{[citation needed]} Although the city subsidizes rental space for more than 75 community and activist organizations, including 14 other youth organizations and several religious groups that have restrictive membership policies, the Mayor took the position that the Boy Scouts were not in compliance with the city's anti-discrimination ordinance.^{[citation needed]} As the city's own 2007 "Report Card on Youth" indicates that the youth of Philadlephia suffer from obesity, poor academics and gang violence, some question whether kicking out an organization that for 97 years has helped kids become "Physically Strong, Mentally Awake and Morally Straight" is an appropriate step.^[10] The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is a United States Scouting organization, with some presence in other countries. ... Bruce S. Marks Scout Resource Center The Cradle of Liberty Council (525) is a Boy Scouts of America council created in 1996 with the merger of the former Philadelphia Area Council, covering the city and county of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the former Valley Forge Council, covering both Delaware County, Pennsylvania... Since its coinage, the word homosexuality has acquired multiple meanings. ...

The Bozo the Clown Incident

During January, 2007, the Philadelphia news media reported that the Wikipedia article on John F. Street stated that Street, for a four year period in the late 1980s, portrayed the character Bozo the Clown on a Philadelphia television station. ^[11] Representatives of Mayor Street were forced to issue denials after the story was reported in the Philadelphia Inquirer and on local sports radio station WIP. The Wikipedia article was corrected after six days. ^[12][13] Pinto Colvig, the original Bozo the Clown (circa 1948) Bozo the Clown (also known as Bozo), is the name of a clown whose widespread franchising in early television made him the best-known clown character in the United States. ... Wikipedia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Pinto Colvig, the original Bozo the Clown (circa 1948) Bozo the Clown (also known as Bozo), is the name of a clown whose widespread franchising in early television made him the best-known clown character in the United States. ... The Philadelphia Inquirer is one of a two Knight Ridder newspaper duopoly daily for the Philadelphia area. ... WIP or Wip can mean:- Computer users jargon for work in progress. An informal accounting term for works in progress -- WIP is an asset account used by some professional services firms (especially communication design and product design firms) to reflect revenues that have been earned but not yet billed. ...

Role in 2007 Democratic Mayoral Primary

On May 15, 2007, the Democratic primary for the office of Mayor was held in which voters had the opportunity to choose Street's likely successor (Street was limited to two terms by the City Charter). Philadelphia has not elected a Republican Mayor in more than sixty years. A five-way primary challenge ensued between former City Councilman Michael Nutter, U.S. Representatives Bob Brady and Chaka Fattah, State Representative Dwight Evans and political novice Tom Knox. Making no secret of his disdain for Nutter who campaigned on platform of political reform and anti-corruption which held out the Street administration as corrupt, Street contributed his time and money to the political advocacy group One Step Closer which attacked Nutter. Specifically, Street's efforts resulted in the airing of television commercials deemed racially divisive and defamatory by the Nutter campaign. ^[14] Despite Street's tactics, Nutter won the five-way election with 37% of the vote. That same day, Street's son, Sharif Street also lost his second bid for elected office, an at-large seat in the Philadelphia City Council, in which the younger Street garnered a mere 7% of the vote. Many commentators viewed the Nutter victory as a direct repudiation of Street's tenure as Mayor, with one Inquirer columnist writing: "rare is the twice-elected mayor who is as disliked, distrusted and dismissed as John Street." ^[15] Michael A. Nutter is a Democrat and councilman of the 4th Council District of Philadelphia which consists of northern parts of West Philadelphia, and all of Roxborough, Manayunk, and East Falls. ... For the economist, see Robert A. Brady (economist) Robert A. Bob Brady (b. ... Chaka Fattah, born Arthur Davenport (21 November 1956 in Philadelphia), has served as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1994, representing the 2nd Congressional district of Pennsylvania (map), which includes North Philadelphia, West Philadelphia, a very small portion of Northeast Philadelphia and Cheltenham Township in... Dwight Evans on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1988. ... Tom Knox is an American businessman and politician. ...

iPhone Controversy

On June 29th, 2007, Mayor Street was seen camping outside an AT&T Mobility store in Center City for the highly anticipated Apple iPhone, beginning at 3:30 earlier that morning. Later in the day, 22-year-old Larry West (who is running as a write-in candidate for mayor in the current election) stopped by and asked him, "How can you sit here with 200 murders in the city already?" Street replied, "I'm doing my job." West responded, "In this climate, at this time in this city, you shouldn't be waiting in line for a phone." Street had planned to stay in line for most of the day, waiting for the iPhone to go on sale at 6 p.m. but left at 11:30 a.m., shortly after exchanging comments with West. Street had said he planned to return to his spot. West returned later in the day to protest Street's actions — only to find the mayor still hadn't returned, with a member of his security detail taking his place in line. Another citizen also stopped by and exchanged displeasing remarks with Street before he left at 11:30 a.m. for a later City Hall meeting. He later came back in line, and was the third to purchase the device in line when the store reopened at 6 p.m. While many citizens have written into local television stations expressing concern over where the Mayor's priorities currently are, ^{[16] [17] [18]} the city's two major newspapers editorialized largely in favor of Street. As The Philadelphia Inquirer noted on July 4, 2007, "By camping out for an iPhone, Mayor Street put Philadelphia on the world's radar screen last week - even as he was pilloried in his own town." ^[19] At the same time, Street has earned praise from techno-giles for not using any special treatment to get an iPhone compared to DC Mayor Adrian Fenty, who had his aides cut in front of a line and buy out an entire store's stock of iPhones while disgrunted customers who camped overnight outside a AT&T store were left phoneless^[20] This article is about the wireless subsidiary of AT&T. For the defunct wireless provider that was merged into Cingular in 2004, see AT&T Wireless Services. ... Center City District, highlighted on a map of Philadelphia County. ... The correct title of this article is . ... Larry West Larry West (born January 11, 1985) is an American Illustrator/Musician. ... Elections Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      A write-in candidate is a candidate in an election whose name does not appear on the ballot, but for whom voters may vote nonetheless by writing in the persons name. ... City Hall at night, from Broad Street, 2005 Philadelphia City Hall is the seat of government for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

External links

• Official Biography
• CityMayors profile

References