Fire commish pays back taxes

FIRE COMMISSIONER Lloyd Ayers was a tax scofflaw - until a televised report Monday prompted him to square up with the city on property taxes he owed.

Ayers owed back taxes from last year on two houses in North Philadelphia, city tax records show. He owed more than $1,100 in back taxes on a property on 25th Street near Clearfield, including a city lien for $676.46 for unpaid taxes. He had an unpaid tax bill of $352.55 on a home on 35th Street near Indiana Avenue, including a city lien for $59.50.

But Ayers acted quickly, satisfying the bill Monday, after a report was aired by Fox 29. City officials said that Ayers' wife had forgotten to pay the taxes but then did so by credit card. Ayers did not respond to requests for comment yesterday.

"Mayor Nutter has made it clear to all city officials and city employees that it is their obligation to pay their taxes," said mayoral spokesman Mark McDonald. "The commissioner regrets the oversight. The mayor's position is that city employees, and particularly senior officials, should be positive role models for all Philadelphians."

Relatives of Ayers live in the house on 35th Street and do not pay rent, McDonald said. As for the other property, Ayers was fixing it up for his daughter, McDonald said.