21st century environmental talk

CENTER CITY. On a night where Web 2.0 met traditional politics, mayoral candidates Michael Nutter and Al Taubenberger fielded questions last night from YouTube users concerning environmental sustainability.

Both candidates laid out plans to make Philadelphia a œgreener city during the debate at the Academy of Natural Sciences. In what appears to be a running theme in their forums and debates, Taubenberger and Nutter appeared to agree on most things, mostly about where Philadelphia needs to improve its environmental services.

œWe can achieve $17 [million] to $24 million in savings with a legitimate recycling program, said Nutter, referring to a recent study done by the city controller's office. The study said those savings are achievable if the city improves its recycling rates to 34 percent from its current 7 percent rate.

Taubenberger focused greatly on his desire to beautify the city, partly through improving the Fairmount Park system. According to former Fairmount Park director Pete Hoskins, Taubenberger said the parks system needs only a $30 million budget to improve it dramatically. Fairmount Park currently has a $14 million budget compared to Chicago's much-smaller park system, which has a budget of $400 million.

As for the leadership of Fairmount Park, a current topic of debate in City Council, Nutter noted the need for a selection process involving citizens.

œ[We need to be] asking in a public fashion, ˜Why do you want to serve on the Fairmount Parks commission?' Nutter said. œAnd the answer should be slightly above, ˜I played in parks when I was a kid, therefore I know something about parks.'