Controller and Philly mayor square off on L&I Commissioner

Philadelphia’s controller is calling for the removal of the city’s Licenses and Inspections commissioner.

But Mayor Michael Nutter calls it nothing more than an attempt to grab some attention.  

The war of words started when Philadelphia Controller Alan Butkovitz called for firing Licenses and Inspections Commissioner Carlton Williams.  Butkovitz says the department is not addressing major problems, including an antiquated computer system.

“Who’s got a system where employees can create four hour blocks of overtime at will, even in situations where they are claiming they are doing exactly the same thing, they were in the same auto accidents or they were at two locations at one time,” Butkovitz said.

Mayor Nutter says commissioner Williams isn’t going anywhere.

“We’re not going to get distracted by that kind of nonsense or ego or narcissistic personality disorder that seems to compel the need for constant public attention,” Nutter said.

While Nutter says reforms are on-going, Butkovitz says problems need to be addressed immediately.