Noted in the Northwest

A brief look at news in Chestnut Hill and surrounding neighborhoods

Rendell appoints Eisenhower to PICA board

Gov. Rendell appointed longtime Chestnut Hill resident and former White House Fellow Jim Eisenhower last week to the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, the state agency that oversees Philadelphia’s annual budget.

Eisenhower, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney who prosecuted organized crime in the city, was the Democratic nominee for state attorney general in both 2000 and 2004, losing the latter election by about 2 percentage points.

“Jim has shown a strong commitment to all levels of public service throughout his career,” Rendell said in a statement. “His background in law as well as his expertise in the fields of government relations have made him an ideal appointment to the PICA board.”

Beyond experience, Eisenhower has close ties to the governor. In 2002, he served as a chief advisor to Rendell during the gubernatorial campaign. Eisenhower’s wife, Nora Dowd, is Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.

Eisenhower is one of five voting PICA board members serving two-year terms.

— Michael J. Mishak