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Nutter reshuffles some senior personnel

PHILADELPHIA Mayor Nutter unveiled some shuffling among his senior personnel Friday, notably announcing that Thomas Knudsen, who was named to the newly created post of chief revenue officer in April, would be leaving the administration.

PHILADELPHIA Mayor Nutter unveiled some shuffling among his senior personnel Friday, notably announcing that Thomas Knudsen, who was named to the newly created post of chief revenue officer in April, would be leaving the administration.

Knudsen, lauded for saving the Philadelphia Gas Works from the brink of bankruptcy during his decadelong tenure there, was appointed to the new post amid the rancor over the city's effort to create a new property-tax system.

He was given authority over all city departments that collect taxes, fees, fines, or any other form of payment, and tasked with improving the city's traditionally dismal collection rates.

His responsibilities will pass to Revenue Commissioner Clarena I.W. Tolson, who was named commissioner when Knudsen came aboard.

At the time, some Council members questioned the need for Knudsen's position, since the revenue commissioner is responsible for collecting most of the city's taxes.

Nutter also solidified two other high-level appointments Friday, naming acting Streets Commissioner David Perri as the permanent commissioner and Brian Abernathy, the interim executive director of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, as the permanent head of that body.