Anne Jordan was a contributing editor to GOVERNING.
E-mail: mailbox@governing.comTwitter: @governing
Rubber Stamp
When I saw the newspaper headline "To Market a City Condom, Make It Catchy but Tasteful", I knew immediately that the city was New York and the impetus came from Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, commissioner of the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
That's because the profile of Frieden (third item) in the November issue of Governing, which honored him as a 2005 Public Official of the Year, mentioned that he keeps a bowl of condoms on his desk for the taking. One can't help wondering if it was emptied out on Valentine's Day. But I digress...slightly.
On Monday, the department announced it is "currently developing a condom with unique packaging, to be released in coming months." DOHMH currently distributes 1 million condoms per month to community and social service organizations through a web-based Free Condom Initiative that began in June 2005.
Madison Avenue is already weighing in with ideas about how to brand this newest municipal product. The best suggestion so far: City Planner.
Twitter: @governing
Written and compiled by staff writers and editors, GOVERNING View is an on-the-ground, and sometimes behind-the-scenes, look at the topics we're covering in print and online. From notes on what's up in statehouses, county courthouses and city halls, to encounters with people, places and things, GOVERNING View is a window into the side of state and local government you don't always see.
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