Mayor's Election Must Take Place In 2007

Soon the city of Pittsburgh will be back to normal on Grant Street. The tragic death of Bob O'Connor will continue to cast a shadow over our city for some time; however, we must move forward.

New interim Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is a "transitional" leader: a compromise canidate from Pittsburgh City Council, undoubtedly scared out of his wits. He's probably a good guy, but no 26-year-old on the planet can successfully run a major metropolitan city with no experience.

When he was appointed city council President, the city was being led by a healthy, robust Mayor who was easily expected to serve two terms.

Bill Peduto should have been council president, but he ran against O'Connor and the "powers that be" weren't going to allow him to be in the city's second-most-valuable position.

Jim Motznik thought the position was going to be his, but the Overbrook resident's only claim to governmental claim is publicly running away from a television news reporter. He's now President of City Council.

Tawanda Carlisle reportedly wanted the city council president post at the beginning of the year. Can you imagine if she had been the original "compromise" canidate? She grabbed headlines earlier this year for allocated untold thousands of public dollars to personal friends.

Bob O'Connor's former chief of staff, now councilman Doug Shields, reportedly also wanted the city council presidency, but he didn't have the votes.

That allowed Ravenstahl, a former college placekicker and council's only four-year college graduate, to be given what was perceived to be a largely ceremonious tip of the hat.

There is already differences of opinion how long Ravenstahl can serve as interim Mayor. Common sense says that a special election will be held next year; however, there is arcane verbiage in the city charter that states a city controller and Mayor's race cannot be held in the same year. And you guessed it, that row office election is in 2007.

Ravenstahl has just started to represent his north side constituency; only those with a pure personal agenda can believe that the interim Mayor can serve until 2009, which is the next year of municipal elections.

Ravenstahl has not been elected Mayor. He was not even a decisive choice as city council President, as O'Connor had been years ago. It can be successfully argued that Ravenstahl shouldn't be an interim Mayor at all.

IF the smartest and most civic-minded heads prevail, there will be a special election for Pittsburgh's 60th Mayor in 2007. Don't count on it, however, as this issue will surely bog down our system for some time to come.

R.I.P. Mayor Bob O'Connor

Bob O'Connor was a good man who worked for 12 years to become Pittsburgh's top guy on Grant Street. He ran for Mayor in 1997 and 2001 but barely lost to Tom Murphy both times.

The third time was the charm as it was clearly "Bob's Turn" to become Mayor. He was clearly the nicest guy in a crowded pack of mostly Democrats. He would make eye contact with you from across the room and it made you feel like the only person in the room. He was that type of guy.

He quickly took charge of Pittsburgh and his "Redd Up" campaign was a successful clean up project to make the city sparkle for the Major League Baseball All-Star game and festivities.

When he was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer the same day the city shined for the Home Run Derby at PNC Park, the news sounded incomprehensible. Not Bob. Not the healthy, robust 61-year-old who had more energy than a man half his age.

At first, news came that he was taking the cancer treatments well. Then those positive news reports suddenly stopped. Somewhere along the line it just seemed that Bob wasn't doing well.

People prayed. People prayed A LOT. Prayer serves were held that brought hundreds of people from all faiths together downtown.

Secular radio hosts began having DAILY PRAYERS for him. Bob released an appreciative statement, thanking people for their overwhelming prayers and concerns.

It might have been those prayers and concerns that helped him hang for all those weeks.

His entire family were class acts throughout the whole ordeal, especially his wife, Judy, who attended the prayer services downtown.

Bob O'Connor did more in six months as Mayor than his predecessor, Tom Murphy did in 12 years.

The city has lost a great man on Friday, September 1. Rest in peace, Bob O'Connor.