Mayor Street announced this morning that Pedro Ramos, the brother of incoming Philadelphia City Councilman Juan Ramos, will be the new city solicitor. Nepotism is still alive at City Hall.

__________________
Philly Chit Chat
www.PhillyChitChat.com/

Well isn't this just grand?!!

The Unhonorable StreetRat continues to thumb his nose up at everyone in this town - after everything that the election had wraught.

It's like Bush-Jr. - people end up getting what they deserve because they allow it.

__________________
[ PHILLYTIM.NET ]
ROCK AND ROLL HAS ARRIVED & THE STREET SHACKLES ON THIS CITY ARE GONE!

I, too, find this disheartening. I'd like to believe that it wasn't just handed over to him, but I can't say that I do. Do you have a link to any articles or commentary about this appointment?

Cheers,
Anam

__________________
I can dream of schemes when I'm sitting in my seat
I don't see any flaws 'til I get to my feet
-- The Police

Pedro Ramos was a well known lawyer in the city long before his brother was elected to city council. He served as School Board president, and is currently chief of staff to Rodin at Penn. Nepotism? Hardly. He is more than qualified for the job.

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/n...al/7712925.htm

Thanks for the link, Indigo. Admittedly, it's been a little hard not to be suspicious given Street's recent end-around maneuver with City Council.

It sounds like he's a good fit for the job. Do you know how he was regarded during his time on the School Board?

__________________
I can dream of schemes when I'm sitting in my seat
I don't see any flaws 'til I get to my feet
-- The Police

man, these guys have their print on everything "Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll"

That law firm is as incestuous with the City as Council members are.

Why do you think Cohen & Rendell go back and forth so easily. :-)

__________________
[ PHILLYTIM.NET ]
ROCK AND ROLL HAS ARRIVED & THE STREET SHACKLES ON THIS CITY ARE GONE!

I don't know enough about this gentleman to say whether it is or is not nepotism, but shouldn't the Mayor be wary of even the appearance of nepotism?

Why should Street care? This city wrote him a blank check when they voted him in by a landslide. Every voter knew about "pay to play", the "brutha's and sista's running the city" speech, anti-semitic remarks in the administration, and the federal corruption probe in which he is a "subject" yet the city put him right back into city hall.

We didn't hold Street accountable. What a great example we set for all our current and future law makers. Corruption, nepotism, cronyism, etc. is only going to get worse becauase thats what we have come to expect from our law makers.

Anam: I was a student in a Philly public school during his tenure, so I can’t really say that I was on top of his performance. I do believe that he is very highly regarded in the city in general, being the youngest and first Latino School Board President. He has been given numerous honors for his commitment to the City. Furthermore, as a Penn grad, I know that he is held in the highest esteem at Penn, and I don’t believe that President Rodin would hire anyone who was less than spectacular to be her Chief of Staff, as she is known to be extremely demanding.

The Mayor should always be wary of nepotism. But in this case, Pedro Ramos is probably held at a higher regard than the mayor himself. Should the Mayor be so wary of nepotism as to not hire the most qualified person for the job? I think if people were to learn about Ramos’ qualifications, this would even be a discussion.

Unfortunately, people are so distressed at the outcome of an election that occurred almost 3 months ago, that they will point to anything that gives the faintest appearance of cronyism without first looking into the issue before trying to get every body else all riled up. I have no issue with pointing out wrong when wrong is done, but at least do the least amount of investigation first.