Brett Mandel
In order to be a good person in charge of spending for a government or for a company, one would have to be a Brett Mandel. As former Executive Director of Philadelphia Forward, a citizens’ organization promoting tax, government, and ethics reform, Mandel attempted to affect change in Philadelphia public policy to improve tax fairness, reduce wage and business taxes, and enact ethics reforms. But that’s not the main reason why I suggest that anyone interested in being a controller should follow the example of Brett.
I have been following Brett Mandel for at least the last 2 years. And it seems to me that he clearly understands the leadership and the politics of the budget. Controllers must be strong people who most often seek to secure more money as the route to affect program change. Interestingly, Mandel feels that money for programs comes from budgets, and regardless of whether the change sought is on the federal, state, or local level, the complexities of turning a budget are similar. Brett spent quality time helping Philadelphians and others to gain an understanding of the realities of the budget process, plus insight as to how and why they work as they do. But let's take a closer look at the young man who could help open the possibilities for changing Philly budget directions and the net effect of such changes. Chances are you will be satisfied with Mandel.
After completing Philadelphia Public School, Mandel became an author. He wrote a book on Philadelphia government. "Philadelphia: A New Urban Direction" (Saint Joseph's University Press, 1999). Mandel’s nonfiction is his vision of Philadelphia's likely future without change and a comprehensive plan designed to make Philadelphia a preferred place to live, work, and visit. The book received the National Association of Local Government Auditors Special Project Award for 1999. So, it would seem that Mandel understands that a huge determining factor of the size and content of this year’s Philly budget is last year’s budget. Most of Philly’s budget is a product of old decisions. And as for Mandel, he is known for his fascination of new positive decisions.
With new good decisions and style, Brett eventually landed himself in a position to serve on the Tax Reform Commission in 2003. Brett, who has a wife and three young children, was director of financial and policy analysis under former City Controller Jonathan Saidel. Until five years ago, Brett served as the director of the Financial and Policy Analysis Unit in the City Controller's Office. The timely reports and thoughtful analysis he published helped the public, the media, and the City's elected officials confront the City's fiscal challenges. While in the Controller's Office, he created the Employee Incentive Program that tapped into the good ideas of City and School District employees and highlighted many ways to make government more effective and efficient.
Today, Mandel serves as Commissioner of the Greater Philadelphia Men’s Adult Baseball League, is a Board Member (Finance Chair) for the Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse, and is active in numerous community organizations. And since there is a squeeze of flexibility in Philly’s budget because of any number of commitments that have been made for years ahead I think that Philadelphia’s best choice for City Controller in the May ’09 Primary is Brett Mandel. He can give tips for decreases over the previous years.
Speaking of tips, the fastest way to change the climate problem in the U.S. is for us to really consider using green energy in our households. Taking a glance at green energy in the U.S. I come to find out that 0.1% percent of homes use solar energy for heat or hot water. And only 47% percent of households in suburban areas use solar energy. I think that readers would like to know why 24.4% percent of households in rural areas use solar energy and a measly 28.6% percent of households in central cities like Philly use solar energy. Well, I’ll tell you this, Mother Nature is not gonna do all the work for us.
If you live in the city and you want to help reduce the greenhouse air problem why not use the computer and the cell phone when making transactions instead of the bus or even the car. Both the computer and cell phone work without the need of as much gases that hurt.
