Heard in the Hall

City cars to shrink in number

Philadelphia City Hall and political coverage from the Philadelphia Inquirer City Hall bureau.

10 comments

City cars to shrink in number

POSTED: Wednesday, March 11, 2009, 4:47 PM

Marcia Gelbart

Here it comes: The Big Fleet Reduction press conference.

In prior weeks, Mayor Nutter has made it a practice at budget meetings to ask department heads how many vehicles they have and how many they could lose. This followed weeks of complaints from residents about the size of the city's fleet. "Why do city workers need cars?"

So tomorrow, the mayor responds.

At 11:30 a.m., he will stand in front of a parking lot on Richmond Street where 100 city vehicles have already been returned and are soon ready to be auctioned. He will announce how many total vehicles will be removed from the city fleet, thanks to the latest round of budget cutting.

Here's a preview of what's to come: At a briefing this afternoon attended by public safety officials, Police Commisisoner Charles Ramsey said he eliminated 51 take-home vehicles; Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers got rid of 10; and Prisons Commissioner Louis Giorla eliminated six.

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10 comments

Comments (10)

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0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 6:27 PM, 03/11/2009

Though I agree with you about City Council cars - the Mayor has no more power to take away their cars than they do his.

— SoundGround

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 3:28 AM, 03/12/2009

Frank Rizzo Jr. also has a chauffeur, will he be given another job?

— FJG JR

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 6:36 AM, 03/12/2009

Mayor, please stop turning your police lights on at every NEIGHBORHOOD corner/stop sign you come to when you are dropping your daughter off at Mastermann. We all have kids to get to school and places to be in the morning.

— Earl J

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:09 AM, 03/12/2009

Do you ever notice that the most reckless and careless drivers who blow stop signs and don't stop for pedestrians have Muni plates? Take them all away! Mr. Mayor, take the bus to work!!

— Sillimish

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 9:07 AM, 03/12/2009

With six figure salaries, they can all afford their own cars, gas, and insurance. Don't tell us we can not afford libraries and swimming pools, while all these hogs continue to get free perks on us. Take the cars back !!!

— hammer 60