About a dozen people who are out in the LGBT community or strong allies have been appointed to the transition team for Philadelphia Mayor-elect Jim Kenney.
Kenney introduced 17 of the 171 people on the team at a news conference Nov. 6 in the University City Science Center.
The transition team expects to spend the next two months creating a public report, which will help guide the policy and personnel of Kenney’s new administration.
“It’s always important that not only are we inclusive of every community and every neighborhood in the city, but that we listen to what people have to say,” Kenney said. “We want to make sure their issues are included in our final report and in the administration going forward.”
Alba Martinez, a married lesbian who co-chairs the transition team, said she’s amazed by Kenney’s deep commitment to include others in his thinking. She said his strength is in coalition governing.
“That’s a recipe for success,” she added.
Martinez, who formerly served as the commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Human Services under Mayor John Street, will lead Kenney’s transition team alongside state Rep. Dwight Evans, who covers part of North Philadelphia. Jessie
Bradley, who worked on Mayor Michael Nutter’s 2008 campaign, serves as transition director.
Bradley is the only paid staffer, and Kenney said that money is being raised in-house without taxpayer funds.
“This is about one thing and one thing only,” Martinez said, “which is to get the best and brightest people that want to work with government to rally around a common mission. That mission is to help Philadelphia thrive.”
In addition to the transition committee leadership, the team includes a steering committee and 11 others for education; commerce and economic development; public safety; city administrative services; community, culture and recreation; environment and sustainability; housing, planning and development; human services; immigrant and multicultural affairs; infrastructure and transportation; and Democratic National Convention preparation.
The immigration committee has the most members, closely followed by public safety and city administration.
After the introduction, Martinez commended Kenney for appointing diverse representatives of the LGBT community. She said she also brings a Latina voice to the table.
“First and foremost, Jim is highly networked in the LGBT community,” she said. “He taps into the diversity of the community. He sees there’s talent to be offered on a whole host of issues.”
Several members of the Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club are part of the team, including Renee Gillinger, Lauren Vidas and Sara Jacobson, the co-chair. They will focus on commerce and economic development, city administrative services and public safety, respectively.
Gillinger, executive director of the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District, will particularly work on policy recommendations for commercial opportunities in the city. She previously served on transition teams for Gov. Tom Wolf and Mayor Street.
“It’s a good opportunity to get a lot of insight from folks with diverse backgrounds,” Gillinger said.
Jeff Guaracino, who led the nation’s first tourism campaign aimed at the LGBT market, will work on DNC preparations.
Dr. Marla Gold will co-chair the human services committee. She helped create a certificate in LGBT health at the Drexel University School of Public Health.
Sister Mary Scullion also works on human services. She directs Project HOME and has worked on advocacy for several LGBT people, including Margie Winters, the Catholic educator who was fired for being gay. Scullion told PGN her duties will cover personnel recommendations to help Kenney’s administration “end and prevent homelessness for our most vulnerable citizens.”
“I think it’s a great thing to have diverse voices to speak for the common good,” Scullion said.
Marcus Iannozzi, an LGBT business advocate, will work on commerce and economic development.
Maureen Rush will co-chair public safety. She testified with state Rep. Brian Sims to add LGBT protections to the state hate-crimes law.
Two representatives from Philadelphia FIGHT, a comprehensive AIDS service organization, are on the team: executive director Jane Shull will work on human services and deputy director Mike Marsico will serve on city administrative services.
Martinez’s wife, Roberta Trombetta, who formerly served as chief of operations for Philadelphia Family Court, will co-chair the human services committee.
For more information, visit www.kenneyforphiladelphia.com/transition-team.