Mayor Nutter has abolished the position of Managing Director. On Thursday (June 3), he
named Richard Negrin to replace Camille Barnett in the job, but dropped the old title. Instead, Negrin will become deputy mayor for administration and coordination. He will be the fifth deputy mayor reporting to Nutter. When the City Charter was adopted, the framers created the position of Managing Director to be at the top of the government pyramid, just one step under the mayor -- and responsible for operation of all city departments. But, Nutter favors an organization that resembles a wheel -- with him as the hub and deputies as spokes. Critics says it leads to analysis paralysis in City Hall, with deputies vying for the mayor's attention and jockeying for power. One thing about the change: it probably is illegal, if anyone wants to challenge it. It amounts to undoing the Charter without voter approval.
