Mayor Nutter names Carlton Williams new Commissioner of L&I

Mayor Michael Nutter announced this afternoon that Deputy Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams will become the new Commissioner of the Department of Licenses and Inspections when Fran Burns steps down this summer to head up the Philadelphia Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority.

“Though a great innovator is stepping down, another one will replace her,” Nutter said. Williams currently oversees the Streets Department’s spring cleanups, helped institute the city’s anti-litter campaign and played an instrumental role in expanding recycling. “His commitment to the city of Philadelphia is unwavering and commendable.”

Williams said he plans to continue Burns’ “precedent of integrity and accountability” and will make public safety and code enforcements two chief priorities. “There can be no compromise when it comes to building codes,” he said.

“We’ve come a long way under this administration and there’s a ways to go from here as well,” Burns said of the department. “But I know they will continue the good work and that the department will be in good hands.”

Nutter said that she will formally turn over the reigns to Williams sometime in early June.