Nutter ousts head of minority business council

As a likely first step toward transforming the city's minority business program, Mayor Nutter has asked its leader, Carolyn Nichols, to resign on Thursday.

Nichols was named director of the Minority Business Enterprise Council more than two years ago by Mayor John F. Street. Nutter reappointed her in January, but only in an acting capacity.

Today, Nutter spokesman Doug Oliver declined to provide details of the mayor's plan for building "a reorganized, reconstituted MBEC." That information will be made public next month, he said.

Nutter promised during last year's mayoral campaign to create an "economic opportunity cabinet" in his first term to enhance and monitor minority participation in city contracts. He also vowed to double city contracts awarded to businesses with minority, female or disabled owners.

In fiscal 2007, such firms received 18 percent, or $139 million, of $786 million in city contracts, compared with 21 percent, or $115 million of $539 million, in fiscal 2006.

"I gave it my all," Nichols said today. A former lawyer in the city Solicitor's Office and a past general counsel at the Philadelphia Parking Authority, she said: "It was honorable work, but the level of resources provided were not enough to bring it where it needs to be."

She complained about antiquated computer databases and a lack of staff. "I'm looking forward to moving forward and making a difference," Nichols said.