Latest news with #CherelleL.Parker
Miami Herald
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
‘Self-promotion' or informing the public? Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and Council use taxpayer money to sell their wins
Philadelphia politicians want you to know more about their accomplishments. They also want taxpayers to pay for the privilege. In recent months, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, members of City Council, and other Philadelphia elected officials collectively spent at least $2 million on contracts for outside communications firms, campaign-style billboards, magazine-like mailers and various digital, television, newspaper or radio ads - all with the stated goal of elevating their work to everyday Philadelphians. Mayor Parker's office finalized a $120,000 contract last month with a Erie-based public relations firm that aims to promote "Mayor Parker's initiatives and their successes," according to a request for proposals issued in February. In April and May, Council spent nearly $83,000 on a glossy 48-page mailer that promoted legislators' work last year. Another $102,000 went toward ad buys and a series of billboards featuring members' names and likenesses, timed to promote four budget town halls - meaning each event had an average advertising cost of over $25,000. "Many people don't even know who their elected officials are," said Vincent Thompson, communications director to City Council President Kenyatta Johnson. "What the Council President wants to do is expose the citizens to City Council and let them know who their elected officials are." Some of the advertising appears geared toward constituents who are already in the know. Council sent its 48-page mailer exclusively to super voters, the most civically engaged voters who tend to cast ballots in every election. Lauren Cristella, president and CEO of government watchdog Committee of Seventy, said that these efforts could create the impression of self-promotion on the public's dime. "We're all for promoting city services and opportunities for residents to engage with their government," she said. "Anything that is promoting an individual, rather than City programs, services, and opportunities, should definitely be handled on the political side." Susan Thompson, an 80-year-old retired special education teacher who lives in Councilmember Jeffery Young's district, said she and her neighbors in the Art Museum area were baffled by the mailer, which features numerous photos of smiling council members. She said the money could have been spent on other more pressing needs, noting news reports on maintenance lapses in Philly public schools. "There are public schools that don't even have working sinks or toilets," she said. "I think $80,000 could have paid for some plumbing." City Hall's booming PR fleet City Hall, meanwhile, is seeking to grow its flank of contracted public relations officials despite already spending millions on in-house communications. The mayor, City Council, and other city agencies employ nearly 70 different communications, media or PR staffers, with combined salaries of $5.3 million annually, according to payroll records. The Mayor's office alone is budgeted for a nine-person, $1.1 million communications office, roughly 20% more than Parker's predecessor, former Mayor Jim Kenney. For comparison, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro employs the same number of communications staffers despite helming a much larger government body - and operates without help from outside PR firms. The Parker administration said it needs help spreading the word about the mayor's agenda. To that end, it contracted Kate Philips & Co., an Erie marketing firm founded by Kate Phillips, a former spokesperson to Gov. Ed Rendell, to "garner positive coverage of successes," write op-eds, book media appearances, post on social media and do "crisis communications support." Two of Phillips' local staffers will also work on the contract. One is Kristi Del Grande, a former Rendell press secretary. The other, Daniela Snyder, is the daughter of Democratic political consultant (and former Rendell staffer) Ken Snyder. Parker's spokesperson, Joe Grace - who himself once worked for Rendell as deputy campaign manager - defended the contract. "As year two of the administration unfolds, we want to do even more," he said. "Tell more stories, and inform the public even better on all of the dynamic and positive work of the Parker administration." Kenney brought in an outside firm to handle crisis communications in 2022 in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. However, that contract was issued toward the end of his second term, as staffers were departing. Parker's in-house press office, meanwhile, is in the process of hiring for several unfilled staff jobs, including a $110,000 a year press secretary to assist Grace, who earns $180,000. Other city agencies have also aided Parker's promotional efforts, with the sanitation department paying $107,000 to wrap 20 garbage trucks and 80 Big Belly trashcans with the mayor's "One Philly, United City" slogan - next to her name. Her press office is also notable for a controversial citywide communications policy after taking office in January 2024 that requires the dozens of spokespersons at other city departments to route media requests, social media posts, and any other public statements through the mayor's office for approval. That policy appears to have resulted in a bottle-necking of media requests that used to be handled by city agencies. Grace and his team have frequently struggled to respond in a timely manner to media inquiries, including requests for basic information, during Parker's first 16 months in office. The RFP states that Kate & Co will be expected to assist "in the coordination of multiple departments" to craft "unified" city messaging. Grace denied any connection between the contract and the policy. Council hits the billboards Parker is not alone in using tax dollars to trumpet her accomplishments. Under Johnson, Council has embarked on annual multi-media ad blitzes. Thompson, Johnson's communications director, said the $185,000 spend on billboards and other ads is mostly aimed at promoting a series of town halls about the city budget. "The Council president wants to make sure we are very aggressive at letting the public know what we're doing with their tax dollars," he said. The 13 billboards - one featuring each district Council member and three of Johnson himself - cost taxpayers $18,500. For about one month, Councilmember Mark Squilla, who represents parts of Center City and South Philadelphia, gazed serenely from a digital billboard over motorists on Interstate 95, with his name and a slogan reading, "Your city, your budget." Those tuned to the right radio station or digital stream can also hear Council members promoting the budget town halls. Airtime cost: $50,000. Readers of Philly's dozen or so neighborhood newspapers, like the Sunday Sun or the South Philly Review, will also see ads featuring their local district council member, courtesy of another $34,000 ad expense. Thompson said the outreach efforts helped soften public criticism of the legislative body. "One of the things [Johnson] noticed during his tenure was that a lot of Philadelphians had a negative impression of Council. But when they found out what Council does, their impression became more positive," Thompson said. Last year was one of Council's least productive sessions in recent history, in terms of the number of bills introduced and adopted. The most high-profile issue lawmakers tackled - a December vote to approve the 76ers' proposal to build an arena in Center City - fizzled out weeks later when the team walked away from the plan. Council's 48-page brochure mailed to voters recently is titled "An Incredible Year In Council." It primarily depicts lawmakers engaging in decisive activities - attending ribbon-cuttings or authoring resolutions - with mention of the arena relegated to a back page, near a chart showing the seating order of each member inside the chamber. Thompson says these expenses are small in the grand scheme of Council's $20 million annual budget, and that the legislative body is only following an example set by other elected officials. "This isn't any different from getting a newsletter from a state representative or state senator," he said. Politicians spending on publicly paid-for promotion does appear to be contagious. Both Controller Christy Brady and Councilmember Mike Driscoll both contract Ceisler Media at a cost of $84,000 and $35,000, respectively - although neither employs in-house media staff. In February, City Council also inked a $40,000 contract with TML Communications to "enhance brand awareness" and "secure positive coverage" for Councilmember Cindy Bass, according to a proposal request. This role is in addition to her 12 office staffers, which includes a community outreach director. TML was also contracted in 2021 at a cost of $144,000 annually to place advertising notices for the Philadelphia Sheriff's Office - and, in practice, serves as a spokesperson for Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, despite the office budgeting for an $75,000-a-year public information officer. The sheriff has also poured public money into a podcast, newsletter and other promotion materials using public dollars. And five months before the 2024 presidential election, the Philadelphia City Commissioners - an elected board that oversees local elections - issued $1.4 million worth of contracts to firms Maven Communications and Berlin Rosen to handle media relations, communications, and engagement. These contracts - about $900,000 of which has been spent to date - helped disseminate information about voting in the election, but also featured ads and billboards prominently, much of which also featured names and photos of the commissioners themselves. Susan Thompson, the retired teacher, said she doesn't buy that all the spending is just to better educate the public. "It's self-promotion," she said. "So when they run again, maybe people have flipped through something and remember them...I think it's an embarrassment." Staff writer Max Marin contributed to this article. An earlier version of this article stated that TML's contract with Councilmember Cindy Bass was not competitively bid. It was. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Technical.ly
17-04-2025
- Business
- Technical.ly
Philly has big dreams for its small businesses. Here's how you can spotlight your own.
Small business may not yet be considered the backbone of Philadelphia's economy, but it's surely central to the city's culture and famously vibrant neighborhoods. That's why is setting out to highlight entrepreneurs from all 48 neighborhood zip codes and dig into what it means to build a business here. The project is part of the Grow Philly strategic priority outlined by the Philadelphia Department of Commerce. If you're a Philly-based small business owner, we want your perspective. Fill out our Grow Philly interest form by June 30 for a chance to be featured. Why small business matters Cities everywhere are rethinking their economic development strategies. Instead of throwing all their resources at landing giant corporations, many have found that investing in local entrepreneurship pays off in more sustainable growth. If you're proud of what you've built in Philly and want to inspire others, take a moment to complete the Grow Philly interest form As of 2023, the number of small businesses operating in the city stands at about 90% of pre-pandemic levels, according to a Pew Trusts Business Recovery Dashboard. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker's administration in February announced a $5 million Small Business Catalyst Fund, aimed at helping local ventures finish rebounding from the pandemic and scale up when they're ready. In Philadelphia, more than 80% of businesses employ fewer than 20 people, according to a 2017 report by the Economy League. The Chamber of Commerce initiative called Select Greater Philadelphia is all about making small and mid-sized companies a key driver of job creation across the region. Rather than luring big brands that might leave as soon as they can wrangle a more favorable deal, supporting homegrown founders keeps economic benefits closer to the communities that need them most. It's an approach that lines up with broader civic goals, including inclusive growth and equitable access to resources. The highs and lows of doing business here Ask around and you'll hear about the tough side of Philly's small business scene. Complex regulations and tight profit margins can feel like constant hurdles. And not every entrepreneur has equal access to capital or mentorship — especially those operating outside more recognized corridors like Center City or University City. The Commerce Department has tried to address these gaps with its Mayor's Business Action Team, offering hands-on assistance to help entrepreneurs navigate permits and approvals. On the flip side, Philadelphia's distinct neighborhood culture can be a major asset. Loyal customer bases, strong local pride and an ever-growing network of incubators and accelerators help many founders build momentum. Word of mouth travels fast, and tapping into the right community or alumni network can open doors in unexpected ways. With new development happening in all corners of the city, and a wealth of potential partners looking to collaborate, small business owners who connect can find a highly receptive market. Grow Philly: Storytelling that connects At we've seen firsthand how putting a spotlight on local business owners can jumpstart conversations, attract new customers and spark ideas for policymakers. Throughout the year, we'll be traveling across the city to interview and photograph the founders behind everything from beloved mom-and-pop shops to rapidly scaling startups. The result? A series of in-depth features that capture the everyday realities of running a business in Philadelphia: the joys, the headaches and the unpredictable twists. It's not just about the founders, though. These stories can also help neighbors discover hidden treasures in their own backyard and remind officials which challenges need the most urgent attention. How to be part of it If you're proud of what you've built in Philly and want to inspire others, take a moment to fill out the Grow Philly interest form by June 30. Share your business details, tell us how long you've been at it, and let us know if you'd be open to a photo or video session. We'll keep you updated as coverage rolls out throughout the rest of the year. And while you're at it, subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Philly's entrepreneurial world. We'll be spotlighting not just the founding stories, but also the lessons that can help other local visionaries get ahead. After all, Philadelphia's future doesn't just belong to major corporations — it belongs to the corner restaurants, the creative pop-ups, the civic historians and the scrappy upstarts that make each neighborhood its own patch in the living, breathing fabric of the city.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wells Fargo NeighborhoodLIFT Returns to Philadelphia
$5 million philanthropy effort to help families buy a home PHILADELPHIA, PA / / February 24, 2025 / Wells Fargo & Co. ("Wells Fargo") is donating $5 million to HomeFree-USA to help families buy their first home, bringing the NeighborhoodLIFT® program back to Philadelphia. In collaboration with the City of Philadelphia, Affordable Housing Center of Pennsylvania (AHCOPA), and RiseUp Fund, the NeighborhoodLIFT program will offer up to $15,000 in homebuyer assistance to eligible participants and provide homebuyer education, financial coaching, and more to help put people on a pathway to homeownership. The NeighborhoodLIFT program is redesigned to address more of the barriers to owning a home. Eligible homebuyers will have the option to use the funds for downpayment assistance, or toward paying down debt, lowering their interest rate and monthly payments, or towards closing costs. This effort is expected to help an estimated 260 eligible first-time homebuyers in Philadelphia. "We need to keep giving people opportunities so they can rise," said Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. "Thank you to Wells Fargo for helping Philadelphia in a very meaningful way so that our residents will be able to see more investment in their daily lives, and to give them a real opportunity to buy their own home." "Making homeownership more affordable will help hard-working people create generational wealth and strengthen Philadelphia neighborhoods," said Darlene Goins, head of Philanthropy and Community Impact at Wells Fargo. "NeighborhoodLIFT has helped thousands of people across the purchase their first home and, alongside Mayor Parker and our nonprofit leaders, we look forward to helping more Philadelphia residents achieve the dream of homeownership." "HomeFree-USA is honored to be a part of this outstanding homebuying strategy. NeighborhoodLIFT provides the downpayment support, preparation and long-term post-closing guidance needed to ensure borrowers keep their homes for life," said Marcia Griffin, founder and CEO of HomeFree-USA. "NeighborhoodLIFT aims to 'lift' more individuals and families into homeownership and our nonprofit partners in Philadelphia - AHCOPA and RiseUp Fund - will help homebuyers to make their journey home a success." About Wells Fargo Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 34 on Fortune's 2024 rankings of America's largest corporations. In the communities we serve, the company focuses its social impact on building a sustainable, inclusive future for all by supporting housing affordability, small business growth, financial health, and a low-carbon economy. News, insights, and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories. Additional information may be found at LinkedIn: From right: Stephen Briggs, Wells Fargo Philanthropy and Community Impact; Wells Fargo Head of Housing Access and Affordability Philanthropy Stacy Spann; Wells Fargo Head of Philanthropy and Community Impact Darlene Goins; Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker; David Thomas, City of Philadelphia; Philadelphia Councilmember Jamie Gauthier; Angela Brooks, City of Philadelphia; and HomeFree-USA CEO Marcia Griffin during a homebuyer event on February 19, 2025 at the Enterprise Center. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Wells Fargo & Company on Contact Info:Spokesperson: Wells Fargo & CompanyWebsite: Email: info@ SOURCE: Wells Fargo & Company View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
$5M will help provide grants to first-time home buyers in Philly; Mayor Parker launches H.O.M.E. initiative
The Brief Mayor Cherelle L. Parker signed an order to launch the Philadelphia Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) Initiative to preview areas that need investments for housing. Wells Fargo Bank issued a $5 million check in its plan to return the NeighborhoodLIFT program to Philadelphia. The money will be cut into $15 thousand grants that will go to first-time home buyers. PHILADELPHIA - It was housing day for the Parker administration as the mayor moved on her pledge to build tens of thousands of affordable housing units for city residents. What we know It was smiles all around in Philadelphia Wednesday as Mayor Parker posed with a 5-million dollar check from Wells Fargo Bank. It's a down payment of sorts on the mayor's pet project, affordable housing. Speaking to residents seeking to buy their first homes, Parker said, "you attach a 5-million-dollar, substantive investment and that's Wells Fargo not just talking the talk but walking the walk." The big check comes tied to the bank's plan to return its NeighborhoodLIFT program to Philadelphia, an effort to help residents buy their first homes. The $5 million will be chopped into $15,000 grants to help first time buyers turn the key on their homes as housing prices soar and housing stock is limited. Housing is high stakes for Cherelle Parker. She campaigned on a pledge to build 30,000 units of affordable housing in her first term. She's since tweaked the plan to include "restore and rehabilitate" to that 30,000. On Wednesday, Parker moved in that direction as she formed an advisory group to offer ideas on streamlining housing plans through government approval. She also introduced Angela Brooks, recently of Illinois, as her new housing czar as the mayor works on her big promise. What they're saying Darlene Goins leads the Wells Fargo Foundation. She spoke to the gathering at The Enterprise Center. "We're all here today because we want to help people get access to homeownership, to build generational wealth and to help the neighborhoods of Philadelphia," said Goins. "We want a streamlined approach so we can get shovels in the ground and the workforce development and apprentice training programs trained by the building trades," said Parker The Source The information i this story is from the city of Philadelphia and its officials.
Fox News
14-02-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
City of Philadelphia asks Eagles fans to 'celebrate responsibly' at parade after slew of chaotic turns
The Philadelphia Eagles will travel throughout downtown Philly on Friday to celebrate their Super Bowl win with their fans, and over a million people are expected to attend. However, there appears to be cause for concern from city officials amid the chaos that has occurred in the city throughout the team's recent victories. Numerous arrests have been made after both the Super Bowl and NFC championship victories in the Broad Street area. It Is the second parade for the Birds in the last seven years, and the city issued a message to the Eagles fans earlier this week. "The parade route has been thoughtfully planned for the safety and security of all attendees. With large crowds expected, we ask everyone to celebrate responsibly and respectfully, making this a moment Philadelphia can be proud of," a press release read. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker added, "While City offices and buildings will be closed to allow everyone to join the festivities, our focus will remain on keeping all Philadelphians safe." A shooting left one dead at last year's Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl rally. Scenes of chaos erupted in Philadelphia on Sunday night following the Eagles' Super Bowl win, with fans in team colors seen setting fires, smashing light poles and chanting, "F--- the Chiefs!" Footage captured by FreedomNewsTV purportedly showed a crowd looting a laundry truck and tossing towels into the air. Police then were seen responding to a fire as a pile of the laundry was set ablaze. In another clip, two individuals were seen toppling a light pole. Once it hit the ground, a crowd rushed around it and started smashing it with their feet. Then members of the crowd picked the pole up and started carrying it through the city's downtown area. Videos also showed fans climbing on top of light poles, street signs, bus stops, trucks and trees. In one scene, fans re-enacted the Eagles' signature "tush push" play. The Philadelphia Police Department told Fox News Digital that it arrested 47 people during the demonstrations, including on charges of vandalism and assaulting a police officer. After the NFC title game, an 18-year-old fan died days after falling from a lamp post. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
