Countdown to 2010: Andy's Least Favorite Philadelphians of 2009

As in years past, Phillyist will counting down to 2010 every workday of December, presenting you with our highlights from the past year and our predictions for the next. If you have a list you'd like to submit, let us know!

Photo by Flickr user Happy Little Nomad

To kick off Phillyist's Countdown to 2010, I am listing the worst Philadelphians of 2009. Now, those on this list do not need to be individuals, as you will see. They can be groups of people. They also do not necessarily need to reside in Philadelphia. They can come from suburbs, as you will see. So, basically, this is really my countdown of my Least Favorite Residents of the Greater Philadelphia Region. Without further ado, onto the list:

#5 Michael Nutter, Mayor, Philadelphia
Mayor Nutter is all about setting lofty goals. He is also about not fulfilling those goals. He is also about cutting the budget and blaming it on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's budget crisis. No new police cadets hired in a crime-ridden city. Hours cut in the "24-hour" 311 call center. Not to mention that closing the city's libraries and some fire companies remains an imminent threat. Some of the blame resides with the state's lawmakers, but a lot of it also resides with Nutter. First and foremost, the mayor of a city is directly responsible for his/her city's budget—not the state in which that city resides. Get your house in order and then start telling people to clean up their messes.

#4 Vincent J. Fumo, former State Senator of Pennsylvania, Incarcerated
Fumo was found guilty of 137 counts of various forms of corruption, fraud, and generally filthy acts. Chief among them was bamboozling PECO into giving $17 million to Citizens Alliance for Better Neighborhoods, Fumo's charity organization. From there, Fumo abused the power he had as an elected official by misusing state funds, encouraging state employees to conduct business on his behalf while on the taxpayer's dollar, and to even act as his spies due to his insecurities. Vince Fumo, you're scum, man!

#3 Perpetrators of Animal Cruelty, Philadelphia
The leaders in the clubhouse for abusing animals are Bill Mitchell, Rishawn Morrison, and James Davis.

Mitchell, you may recall, tossed three kittens from the bus he drove for the Philadelphia School District. You read that right: the man who may have been driving your children to school has no concern for defenseless animals.

Davis wrapped a cat in duct tape. It is said that the violence was a result of the death of his father and brother in street-related crime. I say that no matter what circumstances you find in your life, abusing an animal is inexcusable.

Finally, we arrive at James Davis. Davis began by throwing stones at six-week-old kitten "Cuddles." His fit of rage did not stop there; once he was finished with that abuse, he set the cat on fire. That's right. He burned a six-week-old kitten alive.

These three men are more than worthy of being listed as some of my least favorite Philadelphians. But, let me take a broad stroke to #3 on my list: anyone who perpetrates such crimes is an unapologetic asshole.

#2 The Valley Swim Club, Huntingdon Valley
The Valley Swim Club received $1,900 from The Creative Steps Day Camp for the use of its pool by the campers. Once the campers arrived, though, the swim club's members were surprised by the complexion of the campers. The Valley Swim Club, which advertises open membership, was aghast that black children were treading the same water as their white children and suspended the camp's membership and refunded its money. In addition to that, John Duesler, the swim club's President, released a statement in which he said, "There was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion…and the atmosphere of the club." Guess what, John, you and the rest of your elite swim club's membership are asshats.

#1 Willie Brown, President, Transit Workers' Union Local 234
Philadelphia's public transportation system (save for the Regional Rail) was crippled for nearly six full days after Brown approved a strike at 3 a.m. on November 9th. Did I also mention that when commuters woke up the next morning to go to work they were left unawares, many standing at a bus stop or subway station waiting for their only ride to work? That earned the union, with Brown as principal, "Asshole of the Week" honors. Brown defiantly stood his ground, however shaky many believed it to be. He held an entire city hostage so that his union could pursue its greedy contract. There are times when being the bigger person means to cut your losses and accept a great deal, even if it's not what you want. After all, that is what makes a good compromise—both sides leaving the table unsatisfied—not with Philadelphia and not with a union. The only thing that made Brown the bigger man in this deal is that he was—well—the bigger man.