A City That Works

You can help make it happen. How? Attend one of the neighborhood forums. Mayor Nutter attended the first session, held April 29 in South Philly.

The mayor and his top aides promise to use your input at these forums to help shape performance standards and customer-service expectations. Top officials will explain the city’s goals for public safety, education, jobs, healthy communities, ethics and customer service. Sign up now to attend.

Find out what citizens are talking about from discussion-group reports and from our citizen bloggers.

The "City That Works" page provides complete coverage, including the city's presentation and helpful links.

"Talking with Tom"

Listen in as Tom Ferrick Jr. sits down with Robert O'Donnell, the principal author of legislation that set up PICA, the state's financial oversight board for Philadelphia. In Part 1, they focus on how PICA came to be. In Part 2, they discuss the financial challenges that the city now faces. (You can also listen in on Ferrick's other podcasts with leaders in the region.) 

On the blog

In the last year, the blog has featured entries on  issues and events ranging from the elections to the forum for civic leaders to the Citizens Convention. Take a look back through the archives to see what you might have missed, or what comments have been added since you last looked. Then, add to the dialogue with your own.  

The "Hopes and Fears" film contest:

Great Expectations challenged area filmmakers to tell us their hopes and fears for Philadelphia. Watch the entries by the seven finalists and let us know your favorite via our online poll.

The winner as chosen by the judges was "A prayer for Philadelphia" by Richard Power Hoffmann.  

Kudos for Great Expectations 

The Great Expectations project and The Philadelphia Inquirer's Editorial Board have been recognized by the National Headliner Awards.

The project took second place in the "Journalistic Innovation" category.

Civics: "Deal them out"

No backroom shenanigans. No cozy insider arrangements. City civic leaders want government to be efficient, responsive and transparent. Read Tom Ferrick Jr.'s column, "Deal them out." Also, learn more about how the city's civic organizations are coming together.