This week I would like to present a very close friend for Rhino of the Week! He has accomplished so many amazing things in the past few years and he recently just shared some big news with the world.  I am talking about Scranton Mayor, Chris Doherty.

In the world of gazers and chargers, Mayor Doherty is a 100% pure rhino.  Rhinos see opportunities and charge at them; and that is exactly what he has done as mayor of Scranton, I have seen it and dealt with it first hand, doing business in Scranton and expanding my businesses there.   Mayor Doherty naturally achieves success and charges at his goals which is why I choose him for Rhino of the Week.  He just makes it happen.

Prior to serving in office, the mayor and his brother had a successful small business helping churches and religious organizations with their development campaigns.  But when Mayor Doherty saw that his hometown was struggling, he didn’t stand in the pasture and watch; he jumped in full steam ahead despite all the challenges in his path.

When he was first elected mayor in 2001, things in Scranton were pretty bleak.  His first day in office, the city got socked with a 15-inch snowfall.  When he called the public works department into action, he discovered the city only had two working snowplows!  Meanwhile, the city’s computer systems were completely obsolete and there was no money available to put things back on track because they city couldn’t even get a bond rating. The city of Scranton was broken and felt that “good enough” was okay with them.  Mayor Doherty knew that would never work, but he didn’t complain—he took action!

He took some calculated risks and then he charged.  He refinanced the city’s debt and borrowed some money.  He’ll be the first to admit that he took some gambles, but that’s what Rhinos do.  They identify the right course, consider the risks, and then take the right actions to accomplish their goals. With the money he borrowed, the city built a new police headquarters, filled potholes, invested in parks and green spaces, and built a new Department of Public Works with new equipment - including snowplows.  He also developed an innovative loan program that provided entrepreneurs with low-interest loans to develop and grow businesses in Scranton.

By refusing to let “good enough” be good enough, Mayor Doherty has helped create thousands of new jobs in Scranton, he’s spurred more than $500 million in new economic investment and growth, and he’s made the tough decisions without letting partisan politics get in the way. I have experienced this first hand. Mayor Doherty helped us open a restaurant in Scranton and he helped us navigate state and local red tape, he helped us open on time and he helped us employ 75 people and contribute a $3 million dollar business to the local economy.  He helped us charge through a maze of bureaucracy, and was always focused on helping us get people to work.  

Today, BusinessWeek.com calls Scranton the best place in the state to raise a family. I can personally say that I can see and feel the change in Scranton.  As a result, we are set to open our second location in downtown Scranton next month because it is a city on the rise and the local government is about creating jobs and opportunities. Every time I have needed Mayor Doherty’s advice, help or support, he has taken the time to be there for my company, my employees and me.  He is 100% Rhino, and he is making a difference everyday.

The most exciting part of the story is that Mayor Doherty continues to charge towards new goals.  He just announced that he is running for GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA!  Imagine a Rhino focused on creating jobs, creating opportunity and focused on making Pennsylvania a success!  I am truly happy to watch one of us, one of the thousands of Rhinos across the country jump up and create change.  Imagine if the whole world was led by Rhinos! It would be a different place!  This is not about politics or which party is better; there are Rhinos on both sides of the aisle.  I just know from personal experience that Mayor Chris Doherty is one of us and he will charge every single day to help people live their dreams!

Check out his link to see more of a Rhino in action creating change everyday and doing it rhino style!  www.chrisdoherty.com  Keep charging forward, Rhinos!

Charge!

Dave

Dave Magrogan

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