Philadelphia To Push Back Retirements Of Some City Managers Due To Pope's Visit
By Tim Jimenez
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A number of city officials and key employees will be pushing back planned retirements next year because of all that's needed for the Pope's visit. And the Nutter Administration hopes some police officers follow suit.
The Pope's September visit is happening around the time of the Welcome America events, Made in America festival and then later on, the Philadelphia Marathon.
It's a busy time from July to November, and Nutter Chief of Staff Everett Gillision says they need as much experience as possible in key positions. These "extraordinary circumstances," Gillision says, are the reason why the Mayor can push back retirements under the DROP program.
Gillison says they have a dozen city employees working beyond their original retirement date.
"For certain key city managers who actually help us do crowd control, events in the park, moving people all around. And also some infrastructure folks."
City managers like Parks and Rec Commish Susan Slawson are staying on, along with others in key roles. As for the police department....
"Approximately 350 people leaving between 11/15 of this year to 11/15 of next year," Gillison says, "and I wanted to offer the opportunity for them to stay in order to help us through these great times that are coming in Philadelphia next year."
Gillison says they would be happy if a third of the officers decide to stay.
