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Article: `Citizen Voices `99:' A New Philadelphia Story.(citizen forums and discussions helped the people of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, participate in a mayoral election)(Brief Article)
- Article from:
- Nation's Cities Weekly
- Article date:
- December 13, 1999
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1999 National League of Cities. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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PHILADELPHIA--As 1999 dawned, there was deep concern among civic leaders of this economically battered city. They feared the campaign to succeed Mayor Ed Rendell, forced to step down by term limits, would turn into a divisive, nasty TV-ad driven season, drenched in racial overtones.
It didn't happen. Even though the winner, City Council President John Street is an African American, and the Republican businessman he barely defeated, Sam Katz, is white, the contest was remarkably free of negative attacks and tactics.
Maybe these are more laid-back times; people are resisting race-based or antagonistic campaigns. Still, some credit for the rush to civility ...