I have to fully concede that Frank Rizzo's statue in front of the Municipal Services Building across from City Hall is there for another 25 years til the last of us Boomers goes to our eternal reward. As we all know premature plans to send the statue south to Marconi Plaza in South Philly is Fake News.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Rizzo
One of Philly's greatest patron's and French immigrants (from the French Revolution period) Stephen Girard 1850-1831 - His statue has migrated over the centuries 19th, 20th and 21st centuries from City Hall to Reyburn Plaza to out behind the Museum in the Park, as his fame and memory from Philly's consciousness fades. Or did they send old Stevey, has he finally made it to Manayunk? LOL
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Girard
In any case, Frank's statue is safe for the moment. Examination of a sampling of news data, lots and lots it btw, suggests to me that Frank might have been a narcissist if he were born rich. But more likely he recognized the importance of publicity all through his police career. That or he had John Travolta's publicist out of college to help him along. Or a couple of news reporters always in need of filler on a back page in return for other favors etc. later on etc. Wink. Nod.
The earliest clip suggests an early connection to State Rep James H. J. Tate's home neighborhood around W Hunting Park Ave near Simon Gratz High which I bet got good police response and protection with Frank as a foot soldier in that station house. And Frank's rise seems to parallel old Jimmy Tate's blessings from the fates etc.
Nothing Frank in his day didn't do that the old Irish Micks like my great great grandad did on the old Police force in its day, did not do or would not do in terms of serving and stabilizing the community.
Grandfathered into the fabric of 20th century history is old hiz honor Mayor Frank Rizzo.
Inquirer 5 June 1945
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