Thank you. 

Thank you for listening, for getting involved, and for supporting my efforts. 
 
Election night was a frustrating one, but it concluded a remarkable campaign through which we engaged our neighbors in a conversation about building a better Philadelphia.  We leave behind a legacy that includes much more than recycling bins of bulldog-logo material; it includes the forward-thinking example set by the bulldog budget, which shows that we can have more information and better information about city spending.
 
Being a political candidate is a heckuva thing.  The scrutiny and anxiety that come with a run for office is taxing, but the ability to connect with citizens is affirming and uplifting.  Most of all, being in the "asking" business -- constantly seeking and receiving contributions of time and money from so many -- is inspiring.  I cannot thank you enough for the time and funds and faith that you placed in my candidacy.  I only wish I could have rewarded those contributions with four years of service as City Controller.
 
I'm sure friends and foes will put forth reasons why we fell short and at some point we'll all look closer at the data but the morning-after analysis seems pretty straightforward -- our voters did not vote.  Just six months ago, more than 600,000 Philadelphians participated in the presidential election, but just more than 60,000 voted in the Controller's race this week.
 
When we turn around and regard the sorry state of so much in this could-be-great city, we have to acknowledge that when we do not participate in the races that choose our leaders, we leave it up to others to chose them.  Let's together aspire to do so much better in the future.
 
As to my future, it is time for me to put personal concerns ahead of public service.  I am looking forward to being a much-more-time husband and father and friend.  I am excited to get out to the ballpark to root for the Phillies and back onto the ballfield to play ball with my teammates.  And, I am happy that the next time you and I connect, we can do so without the pressure of a campaign to distract us.
 
Thank you...for EVERYTHING!
 

Most recently, I wrote...

School Budget Cuts - A Played-Out Tune

The news of devastating cuts to necessary Philadelphia School District programs is as hard to listen to as an oboe played by a novice.  I know all too well because my young public schooler took up the oboe last year and squeaked and squawked her way through hours of (painful) practice until she began to make lovely music.  Now, with music programs threatened by the school funding crisis, she practices for what may be the final performance for her school orchestra and I fear that the public school-budget end game will certainly not be music to our ears.  Even worse, I know that this latest financial fight will do nothing to improve public schools in Philadelphia.

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