Philadelphia City Council not voting, but don’t call it a vacation

They celebrate Memorial Day this week but say they are very busy

Philadelphia City Council is not holding a session this week, and in a few weeks will adjourn for the summer. Council members do not see the time as a vacation.

Members of City Council say their budget work is done and they are ready for a legislative break, which includes no session this week and a two month recess coming in a few weeks.

Ask a councilmember what they do during the summer and you won’t hear them say they are headed to the beach for two months. Councilman James Kenney is almost offended when you call the recess a vacation.

“If they want to meet all summer long I’d be happy to do it. It doesn’t matter to me because I’d be happy to do it. Saying it’s vacation is misleading the public.”

Fellow Councilman Darrell Clarke says it’s a time for him to reconnect with the people in his district.

“One of the difficulties associated with being a councilperson in a legislative capacity obviously is your inability during the course of the day to be in neighborhoods when most people are out and about.”

Other members say they are tethered to their jobs by their Blackberries and iPhones.