Saidel hopes the book will help shape the debate in the upcoming mayor's race. Saidel has invited all the mayoral candidates to the book release party on Wednesday morning at St. Joe's. More than two years in the making, the book probes a variety of key issues that confront the city, from reforming schools, reducing taxes, fighting crime, improving housing and creating jobs. The book attempts to link issues to show how each affects the other. For example, lousy schools hurt housing as residents flee to the suburbs.
High crime increases the cost of doing business here, which impacts jobs and economic development.
One recommendation is to lengthen the school day, which Saidel says will reduce crime. Studies show many crimes are committed after school by kids who have nothing to do, he said. Other recommendations include creating a rainy day fund to maintain the city infrastructure, and adding a box on state tax returns that would allow taxpayers to donate money to maintain historic Philadelphia buildings. The small changes in and of themselves will not save the city. But improving services around the margin boosts public opinion about the city, and goes a long way toward attracting and retaining businesses and residents, Saidel said.