Interesting opinion about the Nutter speech. The citty planning commission has the same problem that Andrew and I reported with the Philadelphia historic Commission. They do not keep transcripts of proceedings. A staff member creates a synopsis rather than a transcript. If Nutter actually intends to bring accountability to this city government, this failure to keep public records of important proceedings needs to stop. I don't know if the PCPC would refuse to allow a citizen to make a recording. List readers will remember Andrew's report about the PHC. Not only does PHC make the only public record, a cassette tape, very dificult to access, they refused Andrew's request to make an independent citizen recording. They offer the secretary's synopsis as a public record.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20080620_Nutter_speech_inspires_city_planners.html "Over the years, as developers became a major source of campaign contributions, they were increasingly able to dictate their will to city planners. Major policy decisions were made ad hoc by the Zoning Board of Adjustment, which knew little of the larger issues. Meanwhile, neighborhood groups had to hire private planners to defend their interests. The city paid the price for this laissez-faire approach as more overscaled, automobile-oriented buildings were inserted into Philadelphia's gentle, walkable streets. Nutter vowed to overhaul that system. From now on, he said, all major development projects must be submitted first to city planners for a thorough review."
