Before I even get into any official statements about the responsibilities of the job of Mayor for a major city like Philadelphia, I want to give you my take on what I think a mayor should be doing, as we continue to explore civics and understanding our nation and how it operates, from the ground, up.
To me, a mayor for a city such as Philadelphia should be someone who is of course of the proper age to run for Mayor. They should be well educated. By that, I mean–I think it is better to have someone in the top leadership role for your city who is college educated and who has had some life experiences, perhaps working at various jobs. I also think that it could be a good thing for a candidate for Mayor to have some political experience.
At the same time, some people believe that it can also be a good thing if candidates come in fresh, with no strong political ties, and who is a political neophyte. I like the idea of having a Mayor who is actually from Philadelphia or who has lived here for at least (10) years. I don’t like the type of move Dr. Oz did in his race for the U.S. Senate, moving from New Jersey to Pennsylvania just to run for political office.
To me, a Mayor should be someone who definitely understands how to cross the political isles, so to speak, to get things done. They should be very up to speed on all the critical issues facing our city and have some ideas, plans, and solutions for how to address some of our high-level critical concerns, such as the violence on our streets. I also think it is the responsibility of the Mayor to be reachable by regular, everyday citizens. Just because you’re the Mayor in my head, doesn’t mean you can’t find time to meet with some of the citizens of Philadelphia. I know that mayors are very busy people, but they should find the time to sit with some everyday citizens one on one every month, just to keep grounded and not forget the little people. Our Mayor has to be someone who can think fast on their feet in an emergency, understand how to balance their power, and utilize their cabinet to help carry the weight of running a city as large as Philadelphia. We need a Mayor who is a God-fearing individual and who knows how to pray. (Seriously). We need a Mayor who will stay cool under fire and not wear their emotions on their sleeve. That’s a tall order, but I honestly think when leaders show they’re cool and calm even under fire, that can help calm down the masses.
Now, here’s the official wording on the responsibilities of the Mayor of Philadelphia:
The role of a Mayor is a political office held through a municipal election. Voters choose who will make important decisions that affect those who live in the city. A Mayor typically works with municipal officials and other leaders to oversee the day-to-day operations of the local government and the city. Currently, Mayor Jim Kenney makes $218,000 a year.
The mayor of Philadelphia is the chief executive of the government of Philadelphia, as stipulated by the Charter of the City of Philadelphia.
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