John Street happy being out of Philly’s political spotlight

Former Philadelphia Mayor John Street made a rare public appearance Thursday at a rally to keep the Philadelphia Gas Works under city control. 

Street took to the podium and reminded the crowd of his oratory skills with a rousing speech against selling the PGW. He said he’ll occassionally step into the public eye – when the issue is important enough.

“This issue will effect millions of people into infinity, it’s a very different issue,” Street said in an interview.

Though he was given a warm reception, Street said he has no plans to return to political life. He just wants to continue to teach at Temple University and be a normal grandfather.

“I’m going to meet my granddaughters take them out to lunch then take them on a shopping spree where I’ll buy stuff for them things their parents won’t buy,” Street said

Street is the only former mayor of recent vintage without a portrait hang in the Mayor’s reception room at City Hall. Street said the painting is complete, and he wanted it hung quietly without a reception. He said he’s now resigned to the fact that that isn’t going to happen. No date for the unveiling has been set.