The Philadelphia City Paper chronicles unprecedented enthusiasm for filling the lowest level elected positions in the city, answering questions about how the upcoming election could have a big impact on local politics.
"There's a big push on to get Philadelphians to run for committee seats, the lowest-level elected positions in the city. There are 6,724 of these unpaid slots (two Democrat and two Republican in each 'division'), and at any given time, many are vacant.
The efforts to get people like you to run are really part of an initiative to transform the city's political landscape. And it's not entirely a pipe dream. To get on the ballot for the May primary, all you need to do is turn in a petition with 10 signatures before Tuesday. Interested? Well, Mr. Candidate, here are the answers to all your questions..."
"Committeepeople elect and communicate with ward leaders, who form the political parties' City Committees. The committees endorse candidates and, in the case of the Democratic City Committee, effectively decide who will serve as judges and councilmembers in Philadelphia."
Read the full story: Ward Cleaving
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Move over, LA: St. Louis gears up for Olympics, invests millions in downtown redevelopment
The Missouri city will host the 2028 Olympic soccer group stage and knockout matches.
Mass. votes against statewide minimum lot size for single-family homes
Over 2 million residents voted on Question 7; it was decided by just over 30,000 votes.
Maryland’s $15 billion bridge project gains key approval
The Maryland Transit Authority said the project will create over 60,000 jobs and add $23 billion to the local economy.
‘No clear next steps’ for Chicago's permanent festival grounds
Eleventh Ward Ald. Nicole Lee has suggested Soldier Field as a possible location for the permanent event space.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello