PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia City Council once again has a full complement of members. The newest councilmember was sworn in on Friday. Mike Driscoll will represent the sixth district after getting 98% of the vote in a special election, last month, to replace Bobby Henon, who resigned after a federal bribery conviction.
“I’m thankful for the valued opportunity to now serve in this city council with gratitude, humility and respect going forward,” Driscoll said.
City Committee Chair Bob Brady emceed, and 14 of Driscoll’s 16 new colleagues — including both Republicans — attended along with several members of the state General Assembly, where Driscoll served until this week.
“Isn’t it wonderful to have a joyous occasion every now and then?” said Mayor Jim Kenney, who hosted the event in the mayor’s reception room.
Kenney gave a rundown of Driscoll’s career and efforts in Harrisburg. Notably, as a state representative, Driscoll introduced gun control legislation and championed early childhood education funding.
But Kenney ended with this: “The most important thing I can say about Mike, the most significant thing, I’ve never met a more decent person in my life.”
A decent person may be just what Council needs, after Henon’s trial revealed a trail of back-door dealing, self-serving use of power, ethical violations, marital cheating and ultimately, the jury’s finding that he was guilty of accepting bribes from long-time labor leader John Dougherty.
But Driscoll said in his remarks he hopes to be more than just decent.
“My message at today’s swearing in is one of a shared commitment to the larger betterment of this city,” he said.
It was a uniquely Philadelphia quirk that Dougherty’s brother, state Supreme Court Justice Kevin Dougherty, was the one to administer Driscoll’s oath of office.