City Controller Saidel talks on new book

In a move intended to bring the issues of municipal government closer to the people of Philadelphia, City Controller Jonathan Saidel appeared at the University Bookstore last Thursday, speaking briefly and signing copies of his recently released book, Philadelphia: A New Urban Direction. As controller, Saidel is the city's chief financial officer, overseeing the auditing of Philadelphia's fiscal records and monitoring its investments in an attempt to run the government in a cost-efficient manner. The presentation, which lasted only 15 minutes, focused on the various issues highlighted in the book, including financial responsibility, fiscal policy and long-term planning designed to develop the city's economic well-being. Afterwards, the small crowd of only 15 was invited to purchase copies of the book for the author to sign. Saidel wrote the book along with several other members of the controller's office to help Philadelphians understand the various financial matters affecting their city and develop the local economy for the future. Proceeds from the book will go to the City of Philadelphia and St. Joseph's University Press, the publisher. "This book has been a collaborative effort for me and everyone around me," Saidel said. "I'm very proud of everyone who worked on it and very proud of the book." A professor at St. Joseph's and Drexel universities and a lecturer at Penn's Fels Center of Government, Saidel focused primarily on the steps necessary to enhance the city's financial attractiveness in the year's to come. "We have to accept who we are and what we are about [in order] to maximize the situation of being here in the City of Philadelphia," he said. Reaction from attendees, several of whom were Saidel's staff members and associates, was primarily positive. "I thought it was a great presentation," second-year Penn Law student Steven Ebert said. "What's great about the book and the controller is that they both take a long-term vision -- we know where we're coming from and we know where we're going to go."