Council picks new head amid scandal

After weeks of political bickering, City Council came together yesterday and voted unanimously to make Council member Anna Verna its new president. Verna -- a representative from Northeast Philadelphia -- replaces longtime Council President John Street, who stepped down last month to pursue a mayoral bid. A 23-year Council veteran, Verna initially faced opposition from fellow Democrat Marian Tasco. Though the 12 Democrats on the city body were originally split down the middle, Verna secured her victory when all three Council Republicans decided to support her. "In the end, we came together," said Council member Angel Ortiz, one of those who at first supported Tasco. "We voted unanimously, as it should be done," Ortiz added, saying he was optimistic that members would overcome the infighting of the past month. One bone of contention was Verna's intention to appoint Council member Jannie Blackwell, whose district includes West Philadelphia, as chairperson of the powerful Finance Committee, which would put her third in line for the mayorship. But despite opposition by Tasco and the Democrats supporting her, Verna hasn't wavered from her position. According to Ortiz, Verna officially named Blackwell to the post yesterday. Neither Blackwell nor Verna was available for comment following the vote. Blackwell had been serving in the shadow of controversy since earlier this month when one of her top aides, 41-year-old Michael Youngblood, was charged with 36 counts of extortion, bank fraud and tax offenses in connection with a city-funded homeless shelter construction project. Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell spoke with Council members this week to help alleviate the conflict. His chief spokesperson, Kevin Feeley, was quick to defend Blackwell. "Anyone who knows Jannie Blackwell does not believe that the Youngblood situation has any sort of lasting impact," Feeley said. "I don't think there's a hint that Jannie Blackwell's character should be called into question." Following the election, Council held its first meeting with Verna at the helm, a heated discussion over the controversial bill to implement a cost-of-living increase for city pensions. Council had approved the bill last month, only to have it vetoed by Rendell. The lawmaking body could not muster the necessary 12 votes to override the mayor's thumbs-down yesterday. Verna earned praise for her hectic first day in office. "[Verna] performed admirably," Feeley said. "She took control of a potentially chaotic situation." Council member Michael Nutter --Ewho was Tasco's choice to lead the Finance Committee -- echoed Feeley's words. "Today demonstrates that the Council wants to continue to work in general harmony," Nutter said. "It was one tough day to start as president of the City Council. Verna received a baptism by fire, but she is up to the job." Although Feeley attributed the Council's recent growing pains to the nature of an election year, Nutter sounded optimistic as the day drew to a close. "As long as we stay focused, we have a way of working things out."