Also this issue: The Law Won Two former narcotics agents win big in a lawsuit against Pa. Attorney General Mike Fisher. -Howard Altman Right to Know Ed Goppelt is suing City Hall to get access to info that's rightfully his -- and ours, too. -Daniel Brook Gender, Studies Students say a sexist atmosphere permeates Temple Law. -Deborah Bolling The Race to Restore Belmont -Mary F. Patel The Bell Curve City Paper's weekly gauge of Philly's Quality of Life

February 13-19, 2003

hall monitor

Center Gets A Nutter Chance

by Daniel Brook

Last week City Councilman Michael Nutter dove headfirst into a quagmire by accepting the position of chairman of the board of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The appointment is steeped in controversy, partly because Nutter was recommended for the position by Sam Katz, the odds-on favorite to be Street's Republican challenger in the fall. The mayor's supporters are dismissing the appointment as political hackery designed to embarrass Street at the beginning of his re-election campaign.

For his part, Nutter seems to be holding up well under the criticism. His appointment was openly praised in Council chambers last week by colleagues David Cohen and Frank DiCicco, and he's taken to the local radio talk show circuit to take his case directly to the voters. Also, in what he hopes will be a new spirit of cooperation at the center, Nutter has asked anyone with a stake in the Convention Center to the next board meeting Feb. 19 to brainstorm ideas for moving the facility forward. Contacted by cell phone earlier this week, Nutter cracks up when asked if taking the job makes him the bravest man in Philadelphia politics or the dumbest.

"Probably a little of both," he laughs, then takes on the serious subject of why he would do such a thing.

"The focus here should be on the Convention Center and its future, not the political maneuvering," Nutter says. "It's vitally important that the unions, the contractors, the elected officials and the taxpayers get on the same page here. That's why I've invited them all to the board meeting. We have to move the Convention Center forward, and we can't be distracted by partisan political commentary."

Despite a week of dodging slings and arrows, Nutter says he's still looking forward to working in close cooperation with Mayor Street and his supporters on Convention Center matters. For a while though, he may not want to sit with his back to the door.