Jannie L. Blackwell
Encyclopedia
Jannie L. Blackwell is a Democratic
Councilwoman representing the Third District on the City Council
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, USA. She has served since 1991. Blackwell's district covers much of West Philadelphia
and Southwest Philadelphia
, including University City.http://www.phila.gov/citycouncil/maps/dist3map.html
reform bills proposed by then-Councilman Michael Nutter. During a 2005 hearing she stated that minority
contractors would be at a disadvantage in bidding for city work if required to disclose campaign contributions. As the lone councilmember to vote against the ethics reform package she noted that placing onerous restrictions on political contributions from firms seeking work would benefit political candidates that are independently wealthy, and that people should be able to contribute to whomever they choose. Blackwell also initially opposed banning smoking in public places in the city.
s, rather than having the process controlled by the City's Historical Commission. She has also at times challenged the role of the University City District
in represent citizens' interests over those of the University of Pennsylvania
.
Blackwell is a member of the Philadelphia Housing Authority
board. In 2010, Blackwell was the lone member of the PHA board to vote against terminating the contract of PHA Executive Director Carl R. Greene
for his alleged sexual harassment of four female subordinates.
was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Councilwoman representing the Third District on the City Council
Philadelphia City Council
The Philadelphia City Council, the legislative body of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, consists of ten members elected by district and seven members elected at-large. The council president is elected by the members from among their number...
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, USA. She has served since 1991. Blackwell's district covers much of West Philadelphia
West Philadelphia
West Philadelphia, nicknamed West Philly, is a section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Though there is no official definition of its boundaries, it is generally considered to reach from the western shore of the Schuylkill River, to City Line Avenue to the northwest, Cobbs Creek to the southwest, and...
and Southwest Philadelphia
Southwest Philadelphia
Southwest Philadelphia is a section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The section can be described as extending from the western side of the Schuylkill River to the city line, with the SEPTA Media/Elwyn Line serving as the northern border...
, including University City.http://www.phila.gov/citycouncil/maps/dist3map.html
Opposition to Nutter legislation
Blackwell is notable for opposing certain provisions of pay-to-play and ethicsEthics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
reform bills proposed by then-Councilman Michael Nutter. During a 2005 hearing she stated that minority
Minority group
A minority is a sociological group within a demographic. The demographic could be based on many factors from ethnicity, gender, wealth, power, etc. The term extends to numerous situations, and civilizations within history, despite the misnomer of minorities associated with a numerical statistic...
contractors would be at a disadvantage in bidding for city work if required to disclose campaign contributions. As the lone councilmember to vote against the ethics reform package she noted that placing onerous restrictions on political contributions from firms seeking work would benefit political candidates that are independently wealthy, and that people should be able to contribute to whomever they choose. Blackwell also initially opposed banning smoking in public places in the city.
Other political positions
In 2004, in order to increase her control over West Philadelphia, Blackwell introduced two bills that would give City Council the power to designate local historic districtHistoric district
A historic district or heritage district is a section of a city which contains older buildings considered valuable for historical or architectural reasons. In some countries, historic districts receive legal protection from development....
s, rather than having the process controlled by the City's Historical Commission. She has also at times challenged the role of the University City District
University City District
The University City District is a non-profit 5013 special services district created in 1997 to improve the University City section of West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
in represent citizens' interests over those of the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
.
Blackwell is a member of the Philadelphia Housing Authority
Philadelphia Housing Authority
The Philadelphia Housing Authority is a municipal authority providing Public housing services in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.It is the 4th largest housing authority in the United States and is the largest landlord in Pennsylvania.-Board of Commissioners:...
board. In 2010, Blackwell was the lone member of the PHA board to vote against terminating the contract of PHA Executive Director Carl R. Greene
Carl R. Greene
Carl R. Greene was the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Housing Authority , the fourth largest public housing authority in the nation. On his departure, PHA provided approximately 14,000 units of affordable housing for 80,000 Philadelphia residents and managed the city’s Housing Choice...
for his alleged sexual harassment of four female subordinates.
Background
Ms. Blackwell is the widow of former U.S. Representative, State Representative, and City Councilman Lucien Blackwell. She grew up in Philadelphia and worked as a public school teacher before her career in politics. Her son Thomas W. BlackwellThomas W. Blackwell
Thomas W. Blackwell was a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 190th District since 2005. He and his wife live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and have 4 children. He lost the 2008 primary election and was succeeded by fellow Democrat Vanessa Brown...
was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
.
Ward leader
Blackwell is Ward Leader of the 46th Ward Democratic Executive Committee.External links
- http://www.phila.gov/citycouncil/JannieBlackwell.html