Cross posted at thenextmayor.com blog. I'm trying to spread the word for the good folks at the Economy League and this seems like it could be an audience who would be interested in this event.

Ok, so you think Michael Nutter or Al Taubenberger will have a tough job rehabilitating the image of city government and the mayor's office after what it's gone through with federal probes, tower-climbing councilmen, and media relations that rival those of the Phillies front office?

Imagine you're the mayor taking over after your predecessor was caught on videotape in a hotel room, smoking crack with a prostitute. Now you've got to rebuild your city government's reputation in a city that at certain points has been known as the nation's murder capital (that is, until Philly took the title). (edited to add)(And, oh yeah, the city's finances were in such terrible shape that the federal government stripped your predecessor of the power to city funds for city projects.) Impossible?

Not for Anthony Williams - former mayor of the District of Columbia. Yep, he's the guy who had to clean up after Marion Barry.

Mr. Williams served two terms as the fourth Mayor of the District of Columbia from January 1999 through December 2006. While in office, Mayor Williams was elected president of the Washington, DC-based National League of Cities in December 2004. He was elected Vice Chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) in January, 2005. Anthony Williams served as the District of Columbia Chief Financial Officer (CFO) from October 1995 through June 1998. As CFO and Mayor, he led the District to financial recovery. Williams restored fiscal accountability for District agencies and balanced the city's budget. His work put the city on track for the return to self-government—two years earlier than projected—and delivered a surplus of $185 million in fiscal year 1997. Under his leadership as CFO and Mayor, the District achieved a remarkable financial recovery, moving from a substantial cumulative deficit to a substantial surplus; from sub-standard debt to investment grade debt; and from a period of disinvestment to a period of substantial influx of investment and citizens to the nation’s capital.

You can see him tonight, here in Philly at the Loews Hotel, and you may get a chance to ask him a question of your own. What can he teach our next mayor? Are the improvements he made in D.C. sustainable over the long haul? How did he restore confidence in his city's government? How the heck was Marion Barry elected to anything, let alone City Council, after he served his sentence? (Maybe there's hope for Rick Mariano.)

Click here for details. Registration and a small fee ($15) is required but walk-ins are very welcome. Or you can register on-line here.

The America's Great Mayors Series, which has already welcomed Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, is sponsored by the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia.

Check it out, if it's anything like the Hickenlooper visit, it's sure to be a very interesting and enlightening event.