Retiring Philly council members say goodbye

At their final Philadelphia City Council session, six council members were honored for their service. They spent some time reflecting on the past, looking forward to the future and saying goodbye.

 

President Anna Verna as well as Frank DiCicco, Jack Kelly, Joan Krajewski, Frank Rizzo and Donna Reed Miller are leaving the council.

 

Mayor Michael Nutter made a surprise appearance at the council meeting Thursday to salute the six, poking a bit of fun at most of them, including Krajewski.

After offering an imitation of the councilwoman’s voice, Nutter said, “There’s just no one like Joan Krajewski” who had “no time for pomp and circumstance.”

The longest serving employee of Philadelphia’s city government, Verna said Thursday’s session will not be her last visit to City Hall. She has worked for the city in various capacities for 60 years.

“One would think I’m an old lady. I’m really not,” she said. “To my extended family, all of you, and to all of the people who have worked with me in council, I really want to thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Verna said.