As Mayor Nutter distributed large wrapped, framed tributes, departing Frank DiCicco joked, "Are those blowups of our DROP checks?"
Council President Anna Verna received three standing ovations on her retirement. She's city employee No. 1 of 27,000, with the longest service in government, six decades. Verna, now 80, began her career - the Bulletin then noted - "a pretty working girl" employed as secretary to District Attorney Richardson Dilworth, an icon of reform.
But progress has come at a sluglike pace. Last week, Council approved a desperately needed new zoning code that required more than four years of work, replacing regulations enacted a half century ago during, ironically, the Dilworth-Clark reform era.
DiCicco spent much of his tenure dealing with casinos, particularly the unbuilt Foxwoods, which during countless legal challenges enriched only lawyers.
Our Council has the longest summer recess of any major city's legislative body and the nation's longest average tenure (15.5 years), the former ensuring the latter.
Representatives deliver constituent service during their three-month break from legislating, guaranteeing reelection. Krajewski has handled half a million constituent calls, while Brian O'Neill has attended thousands of zoning meetings.
Which, alone, might drive an elected official into retirement, especially with such munificent pensions.
Silent Jack Kelly, Councilman Critter, who advocated more frequently for the webbed and pawed than the voting bipeds, will enjoy an almost $8,000 monthly pension, on top of nearly $400,000 in DROP tidings of comfort and joy. 'Tis the season!
Donna Reed Miller, who makes Kelly appear verbose, was absent from Council's ornate marble chambers when she was called to be honored. If that isn't a metaphor for her four terms in Council, what is?
