Philadelphia City Councilman, Jim Kenney, who resigned from his position after 23 years to run for Mayor, is regarded for his wit and “institutional knowledge.”
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Former Philadelphia City Councilman, Jim Kenney, is man who has spoken out publicly on really important issues like immigration, marijuana decriminalization and the civil rights of those who identify with the LGBTQ community.
Not so public, however, is Mr. Kenney’s sense of humor, which his colleagues all agree will be missed from City Council chambers.
“He’s a practical joker… always cracks a lot of jokes,” said Councilman Kenyatta Johnson of his former adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government.
“Witty comedy,” said Councilman Bobby Hennan, of the man he used to work for decades ago as an apprentice with union local 98.
“He’s a very funny guy… I’ll miss his wit,” remarks City Council President, Darrell Clarke, who told Techbook Online exclusively that Mr. Kenney will add a “significant level of conversation to the mayor’s race”
The councilman added:
“He’ll run an extremely credible campaign; I look forward to hearing his vision for Philadelphia.”
Besides his unique brand of comedy – which was on display during his final remarks, when he did an imitation of former mayor, John F. Street – Mr. Kenney’s colleagues boasted about his “significant institutional knowledge.”
“His institutional knowledge is something that I will always be grateful for… it prepared me for my first term in council,” said Councilman Mark Squilla, who called Mr. Kenney his “next door neighbor” in City Hall.
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The book about immigration sitting on his desk – and the stream of comments on the subject by his colleagues – indicates that a significant portion of Mr. Kenney’s platform will focus on how we care for those who are coming to America for a better life.
“He’s always been so eloquent in reminding people that everyone came here on some sort of boat,” said Councilwoman Maria Quinones- Sanchez.
“Jim has done so much in immigration… he who sits high and looks low will bless him,” said Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, who made sure to point out that “Jim and I started together in 1992…over the years we’ve grown together.”
When Mr. Kenney started out as a freshman in Philadelphia City Council “he thought he knew everything… he had some strange ideas,” said Councilwoman Marian Tasco, who acknowledged that over time – and with much work – he groomed himself into a tremendous leader who has supported all of her legislations – particularly the one on predatory lending.
The kind words weren’t lost on the resigning councilman. When it was his turn to speak from the President’s podium, his first words were: “It’s very nice to attend your funeral when you’re still alive!”
Mr. Kenney thanked Mayor Nutter for his government reforms – and pledged to keep them intact if elected chief executive – spoke briefly about his parents –mom was a homemaker who also worked in ad sales for the Philadelphia Inquirer and dad was a firefighter who also worked as an usher at the Spectrum – touted that arrests for marijuana possession is down 90 percent since his bill went into law, and made it clear that though he doesn’t know how to fix public education, he won’t be waiting for superman to “fly in from Harrisburg.”
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