Rendell outlines challenges

After gaining unlimited access to Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell for 5 1/2 years and writing a book on his first term, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Buzz Bissinger has determined that the city is frightened of life without Rendell at the helm in 2000. "Ed, we're scared to death of what life in Philadelphia would be like without you," Bissinger told a crowd of 1,600 members of the business community who gathered Friday for Rendell's annual address to the business community. Rendell and Bissinger, a Penn graduate and the author of the recently released book A Prayer for the City, spoke at the event, which took place at the Philadelphia Marriott at 12th and Market streets. The event was sponsored by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. Bissinger introduced Rendell, also a Penn graduate, to a standing ovation. After the mayor ascended the stage, he proceeded to map out where he believes Philadelphia needs to go in the next two years, highlighting fiscal security, economic development, crime and education as the major issues facing the city. The mayor stressed that the city's continued financial security is his top priority for the coming years. "Fiscal stability is the foundation on which everything else has come from," he said. Rendell also noted the need to continue Philadelphia's recent surge in economic development. He marked 1997 as the "best year the city's had in decades" in that area. The mayor emphasized four projects he would like to see completed or on schedule by the end of his term: the regional performing arts center on South Broad Street, the renovations and construction on Independence Mall, the plans for a National Constitution Center and the urban entertainment center at Penn's Landing. Also, Rendell said he is concerned about Philadelphia's crime rate, which has risen in the last few years at the same time that crime in other major cities has fallen. Although the city recently added nearly 800 new police officers to its force, Rendell said he is "not satisfied where we are." "It's an issue for neighborhoods, it's an issue for downtown and it's an issue for the tourist district," he said. Rendell also stressed the need for an effective public education system in Philadelphia, adding that his administration has often been criticized for failing to sufficiently tackle educational reform. "Nothing is more important than the public education system as we enter into the 21st century," said Rendell, praising controversial Superintendent David Hornbeck for "doing a lot for education." All the guests at Friday's event received copies of Bissinger's book, which the author volunteered to autograph for those interested. Bissinger's long-awaited book chronicles Rendell and then-Chief of Staff David Cohen from the time they began to manage the city in 1992. Although most people did not expect Rendell to rescue the city from near-bankruptcy, Bissinger's book tells the story of how they proved skeptics wrong and generally praises the mayor for his work. "Ed Rendell did something I didn't think was possible," Bissinger said. "He made us believe in ourselves." Rendell admitted that he never thought Bissinger's book would sell, since it is difficult to cover "moving history." But he described A Prayer for the City as a "great book and a great statement about American cities." He added that when his term comes to a close at the end of 1999, he will still remain dedicated to the city's success even though he will be ineligible to run for re-election.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.