In Brief: 10 Qs to Jeff Friedman, Manager of Civic Innovation and Participation - Philadelphia
Interview with Jeff Friedman, Manager of Civic Innovation and Participation
City of Philadelphia - Mayor's Office
1. What is "Civic Innovation and Participation" for the City of Philadelphia? It’s what the City and its partners are doing at the intersection of civic participation, technology and government innovation to cultivate a more open, participatory, and transparent local government.
2. Sounds utopian, give us an example. The City of Philadelphia is one of only four cities to be selected by Code for America for their inaugural, one-year Fellows program. Through a competitive application process, Code for America chose four cities that reflect a deep understanding of the potential that a citizen engagement web platform can deliver. The cities chosen for the first ever Code for America Fellows program cycle are Philadelphia, PA; Boston, MA; the District of Columbia; and Seattle, WA. Philadelphia was selected due to strong leadership, innovative concepts for more efficient, transparent and participatory web applications, and a willingness to invest in long-term change. The output of this nearly year-long project will be the creation of a powerful, interactive citizen engagement tool that will increase connectivity and the exchange of information between City government, residents, and visitors, and enable people to get things done in their communities.
3. Did you work for the City of Philadelphia right out of law school? Yes – I went directly to the Office of Fleet Management, the City’s vehicle and equipment management agency for about four years.
4. Even though you have not practiced law, did going to law school help you in your career? Yes; the research, writing, and advocacy skills I learned in law school have been helpful throughout my career. Plus, the network of friends I made has been invaluable personally and professionally.
5. What are the most important skills in lawyers you work with? Understanding the business and working to complete transactions with speed and quality.
6. What are the most important traits of a good leader/manager? Servant leadership, respect and consideration of your peers and employees.
7. You've devoted your life to the City, why?
Philadelphia and its people have given me a beautiful life. I love giving back and being part of something that is much bigger than myself.
8. What is “OpenAccessPhilly” and how will it impact the public space? OpenAccessPhilly is the movement we’ve created at the intersection of civic participation, technology, and government innovation. OpenAccessPhilly is a set of related initiatives – undertaken by the City of Philadelphia and its partners – to enhance government innovation, civic participation, openness and transparency. If anybody wants more info, drop me a line at jeff.friedman@phila.gov or follow the movement on Twitter at @OpenAccessPHL.
9. What is your favorite thing about Philadelphia? Generally, that we are a growing city and becoming more dynamic every day. Specifically, I love that I have been able to create a great life for myself and family by selecting from the great menu of options that living in a big City like Philadelphia affords. I have a great job, live in a great neighborhood (East Falls), and my son goes to a fantastic elementary school.
10. What is next for you and Philadelphia? Keep doing work in the public space, working to make Philadelphia the best it can be.
Comments (16)
Read through and enter the discussion by using the form at the endAndrew - August 16, 2011 3:55 PM
The City of Dayton has been at the forefront of citizen participation ever since it adopted the Priority Board system back in the mid-1970's. Unfortunately, the combination of population loss, increase in single-parent households, dual-income households, and general apathy toward civic engagement, it's been a challenge to maintain participation and cooperation with local government. We at the City also hope that integrating technology into citizen participation is an important next step toward providing greater access to local government for our citizens. In the end, however, nothing will ever substitute for engaging with neighbors and local officials in face-to-face conversations on topics of mutual importance.
Joseph Ferry - August 19, 2011 3:07 PM
As a native Philadelphian, I really wish I could share this Temple Alum's enthusiasm for his adopted city. Unfortunately, I have a diriment impediment that prevents me from discrediting what my eyes tell me.
The Detroit-ification of this city is well underway and irreversible. Sixty years of one-party rule will do that. Well, Democrat rule, at least.
Jeff Friedman - August 19, 2011 3:09 PM
Joe - cheer up - we're doing a lot better than that! I offer up this "magic statistic" to make you feel a bit better: in the last census, Philadelphia increased its cohort of college educated 20-30 somethings living within a 3-mile radius of Center City by 57% or over 16,000 people, numerically more than any other City besides NYC and Boston.
Here’s an article about it:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-apr-census-2010-why-the-urban-core-matters
Our population is up overall and we're gaining in this very important age cohort. That's a City on the move Joe!
Joseph Ferry - August 24, 2011 10:04 AM
Jeffs -
Let's bottle your enthusiasm and put it in every kiosk in the city. It's the only factor that can save us.
In my lifetime, the city's population has shrunk pari passu with the ascension of the Democrat Party. We were once the third largest city. By the next census, if trends continue, we won't be in the top ten.
Our vulgarian political class, which is the worst in the nation's history, has done everything in its power to destroy the tax base of this city. Bill Green has a thoroughly risible article in today's Inky. He is clueless and he may be the best of a thoroughly incompetent crew.
Have you been in City Hall lately? Or ever? Go to the Prothy's Office and see if you can get anyone's attention. Or any other office, for that matter.
The city is broken and it will take a lot more than an influx of college-educated twenty-somethings to repair it.
I hope I am wrong. Like I wish I had been wrong about Obama.
Jeff Davidson - August 24, 2011 10:06 AM
That statistical trend has been reversing, you're citing old stats. And, in many areas where the DemoCRATIC party (of which I'm not a member, but I always find it soooo petty and small when people call it the Democrat party) does not control you see great poverty. Lots of conservative run states are in very bad shape, so not really much point in trying to play politics, when real solutions and energy are needed.
Joseph Ferry - August 24, 2011 10:07 AM
Hunh? It's the Democrat Party. Not the DemocratIC Party. Why would that upset you?
Is there not massive poverty in Detroit where the Democrats are in control? Or for that matter, the entire state of Michigan? Or for that matter the United States of America where the Democrats are almost succeeding in destroying the middle class?
Jeff Davidson - August 24, 2011 10:08 AM
doesn't "upset" me- just think it's petty when I see that. Poverty in many areas of the country that are NOT in Democratic Party control. Please elevate your analysis so we can have a real discussion and not this kind of B.S.
Joseph Ferry - August 24, 2011 10:09 AM
It's the Democrat Party, not the Democratic Party. What is it that you don't understand about that? Are you a Democrat or a Democratic? And why would that be "petty"? Please advise.
Democrats have destroyed the country. That is pretty obvious to anyone with open eyes. Obama, the most unqualified individual ever to run for the most important office in the world, has turned out to be the worst President of all times. Who could have predicted that?I?!
Joseph Ferry - August 24, 2011 10:09 AM
The entire country is in Democrat control and unemployment is at record levels and at epic levels among the Democrats' most loyal constituencies, blacks, women and young people. Hello? What parallel universe are you living in?
Hayes Hunt - August 24, 2011 10:10 AM
Don't see the point of making Jeff's innovative and great work for the City of Philadelphia a political issue. Doesn't advance the points of the interview at all.
Joseph Ferry - August 24, 2011 10:10 AM
The article is a paean to the City of Philadelphia which, by any objective metric, is in decline. I want Jeff's vision to succeed but I don't live in a parallel universe. I live in a city where for the first time in my life I am glad that I have a concealed carry permit.
The city has great assets. No one is denying that. But, please, let's take the rose colored glasses off and acknowledge the declining tax base, the execrable schools, the vulgarian political class, the burned out 'hoods, the non-existent manufacturing jobs, the pandemic of single welfare moms, the list goes on. On what party's watch did all of that happen?
Take the blinders off, people.
Jay Borowsky - August 24, 2011 10:11 AM
The city has declined in population other than center city and the poverty rate was astronomical before the recession and has only gotten worse. The school system continues to poorly perform with a self inflicted $600m deficit. Yet you announce that yet another initiative will make concrete improvements.
Without structural reform, the city will continue to decline as Joe mentioned. While I too hope to be proven wrong, I have lived here long enough to witness many "promising" initiatives fizzle, not due to lack of enthusiasm but rather lack of institutional support. It isn't democrat or republican but rather ossified and venal/corrupt leadership who prefer the status quo. Hate to burst your bubble but please prove me wrong. Yet, as the popular old saying goes, "show me the beef."
Jeff Davidson - August 24, 2011 10:12 AM
You're citing old stats. The population has RISEN a bit over the last decade. I think it is a generational thing, cynicism vs new energy. Lead, follow or get out of the way.
Jay Borowsky - August 24, 2011 10:12 AM
No, I cited the actual statistics. So tell me which neighborhoods in the city grew population in the last decade besides center city. Also the downtown population gain accompanied significant office space decline as former business buildings turned condo. TheCC pop gain masked city business erosion.
Don't conflate your generational bit to avoid the facts. It is unhelpful.
Jeff Friedman - August 24, 2011 10:13 AM
Here's info on neighborhood population growth/decline:
http://www.philly.com/philly/hot_topics/117455888.html
Overall, the City population is up slightly, reversing a 60 year decline.
Further, in the last census, Philadelphia increased its cohort of college educated 20-30 somethings living within a 3-mile radius of Center City by 57% or over 16,000 people, numerically more than any other City besides NYC and Boston.
Here’s an article about it:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-apr-census-2010-why-the-urban-core-matters
Jay Borowsky - August 24, 2011 10:14 AM
Thanks for article. The chart presents a still disturbing portrait of half the city still in decline. Obviously it is good to see potential stabilization overall but so what? Compared to all counties save Delaware,Phila remains a faltering county in terms of growth let alone prosperity.
What do you attribute to the stemming of population loss? After all, without identifying thsource of the reversal, there can be no strategy to grow the city successfully.
Also, are you going to give the credit to John street because he presided over the city during the bulk of the 2000's?