Clarke's bill would have shifted the power of appointing Fairmount Park commissioners from city judges to the mayor and Council. It was cosponsored by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown and was backed by the Philadelphia Parks Alliance.
Nutter has avoided inserting himself publicly in Council business. Although he is considered a prohibitive favorite in November against Republican Al Taubenberger because of the city's huge Democratic majority, allies say he wants to respect the electoral process.
Two Council members, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Nutter wanted more input on both the Fairmount Park bill and Councilwoman Carol Ann Campbell's bill to expand the powers of the Inspector General's Office.
Through a spokesman, Nutter yesterday said only: "I am supportive of efforts to reform the Fairmount Park Commission and to create an independent inspector general. I look forward to working with Council on both of these issues next year if I am elected mayor."
Neither ballot question is dead, and each could appear on the primary ballot in the spring.
Either may have failed without Nutter's input, and some suggested that his influence was overstated - Campbell had been fielding concerns about the inspector-general bill from a number of sources.
Alexander L. "Pete" Hoskins, president of the Parks Alliance, said there appeared to be little disagreement about the substance of the Fairmount Park bill.
"It's all about timing," he said.
Councilwoman Marian Tasco summed up a sentiment apparently shared by several colleagues when she said "a new mayor will have to have some input" on those questions.
Councilman W. Wilson Goode Jr. said Nutter was a presence whether or not he lobbied Council.
