Honoring and Congratulating Scott M. Wilds.

WHEREAS, The Council of the City of Philadelphia is pleased and proud to join the Office of Housing and Community Development in honoring Scott M. Wilds on the occasion of his retirement following 27 years of dedicated and meritorious service to the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Scott began his service to the citizens of Philadelphia in 1984 as a legislative assistant to Councilman Edward A. Schwartz, and in that capacity worked with community groups to improve transit service in Northeast Philadelphia, and coordinated development and passage of a comprehensive animal control ordinance; and

WHEREAS, Scott began his career with the City of Philadelphia's Office of Housing and Community Development as Executive Assistant to the Housing Director in 1987 and rose to the position of Deputy Director in 2001. As head of OHCD's Policy and Planning unit, Scott directs the preparation and production of the City's annual

Consolidated Plan

, which strategically allocates more than $150 million each year in federal, state and local funding to the City's housing and community development needs. These funds result in housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income families, people with disabilities, veterans, the homeless and persons with AIDS, and in business and employment opportunities throughout the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia has been a leading recipient in stimulus funding from the federal government, creating thousands of job opportunities and making dozens of community improvements, due to successful grant applications prepared under Scott's direction; and

WHEREAS, For nearly 24 years the citizens of Philadelphia, especially those citizens of low- and moderate-income or who are living in blighted communities, have benefited from Scott's analysis of legislation and regulations, and the working relationships he has developed with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Pennsylvania Department of Commerce and Economic Development, the Pennsylvania Housing Mortgage Finance Agency, numerous City boards and commissions, and community development corporations and private developers and contractors in every neighborhood of the City; and

WHEREAS, Scott's commitment to the City has extended beyond his professional career through his personal service with community organizations, including Philadelphia FIGHT, St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Hamilton Village, Bread and Roses Community Fund, Spruce Hill Community Association, and City Combined Campaign Advisory Committee; and

WHEREAS, Scott's dedication, integrity, and good humor will be missed by his colleagues at OHCD and around the City and the Commonwealth; now therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That by virtue of this resolution, the Council of the City of Philadelphia hereby honors Scott M. Wilds following 27 years of outstanding service and for his contributions to our City. We wish him a retirement filled with good health, personal fulfillment and happiness with family and friends. We thank him for all he has done and extend to him the respect and admiration of this legislative body. Congratulations!

End