Former City Councilmember Donna Reed Miller dies at 77

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Former Philadelphia City Councilmember Donna Reed Miller, who represented parts of Northwest Philadelphia for more than a decade, has died. She was 77.

Mayor Cherelle Parker announced her death in a statement Friday. No cause of death was given but Miller suffered from diabetes-related problems while in office.

Miller represented the 8th District, including Germantown, Mount Airy and Chestnut Hill, from 1996 until 2012.

In her statement, Parker noted that Miller worked on criminal justice reform, such as ban-the-box laws that prevent employers from asking current and prospective employees about arrests or convictions. She was also a champion of gun violence prevention.

Miller weathered controversy during her time in council when her chief of staff was convicted of fraud in 2005 over an illegal tax collection scheme, and two years later when a former staffer pleaded guilty to extortion.

Miller did not seek a sixth term in office, saying it was time to give someone else a chance to represent the district.

“I will miss her deeply and a grateful city acknowledges her service to the people of Philadelphia,” Parker said.