Francis Lazzaro Rizzo is remembered in Philadelphia as a politician and a police officer. He also was the mayor of the city from 1972 to 1980. It is worth noting that during this time Francis managed to become the hero of many scandals. Thus, his political decisions and views often became the reason for this. Philadelphiayes.com tells you more.
Talking about the evaluation of Rizzo as mayor by locals, they were not very satisfied. During the entire period of his leadership, Francis managed to acquire a large number of opponents and critics.
However, his tenure became an integral part of Philadelphia history.
In this article, you may learn more about the leadership of Francis Rizzo and his mayoral achievements.
Early years
Our hero was born in Philadelphia in the family of a policeman.
Francis spent his entire childhood in South Philadelphia. He did not graduate from high school and instead took a course at the Institute of Public Administration.
Later, our hero began serving in the US Navy. For nineteen months, he was an employee of the USS Houston Cruiser. Then he was demobilized due to diabetes.
When Francis returned to his native Philadelphia, he began working at an enterprise that produced naval weapons.
The start of the political career
The political career of our hero began immediately after he finished his service in the police in 1971.
However, no one elected Francis as mayor. He simply performed these functions after mayor James Tate announced his resignation. Actually, the former mayor appointed Francis as Philadelphia mayor.
Later, our hero was still able to run for the mayor position. He was lucky to win the election.
Scandals
It is worth noting that immediately after the election, Francis had opponents and critics. Thus, former mayor Richardson Dilworth said that Rizzo involved the police in political espionage.
In addition, the first term of our hero was remembered for his scandals with the mass media.
Achievement of the second tenure
After being elected for the second time, Francis actively engaged in the protection of black citizens. For this, he approved the Philadelphia Plan. According to it, such persons should have been freely admitted to public service.
Rizzo also created an anti-defamation agency. Its purpose was to combat the disparaging remarks about Philadelphia.
Another achievement of Francis during his second tenure as mayor was the suburban tunnel. Due to it, the connection and consolidation of the old and historically independent railway systems of Philadelphia were achieved.
In addition, Rizzo initiated the process of transferring the Philadelphia gas plant to communal ownership.
Action that caused fury
When our hero was elected mayor for the second time, he decided to conduct a tax campaign. It meant increasing the payroll tax by a percent. At that time, this indicator was the highest in the country.
Such an action drove many opponents of Francis crazy.
The unaccepted idea
After his second tenure as mayor came to an end, Rizzo began to persuade the Philadelphia City Council to change the provisions of local legislation. The latter contained norms that a person cannot be elected mayor for more than two terms in a row.
However, such changes were not approved so Rizzo was unable to run for a third tenure.