New York Sun discusses Pittsburgh

Last week the New York Sun published an editorial, The Next Philadelphia?, that basically says the future of Pittsburgh hinges on this mayorial election.

Pittsburgh is a cautionary tale for many American cities. It can either go the way of Detroit or become a comeback city like Philadelphia and Baltimore. Its future, as defined by either Mr. Ravenstahl or Mr. DeSantis, could provide a roadmap for how economically depressed cities can recover.

This article was also published in the Tribune review so local readers may not be aware that this converation about Pittsburgh is occurring on the national level.

There is also a letter to the editor of the New York Sun, that points out Ravenstahl’s “pattern of deception.”

I do not fault the mayor so much for doing these things, but for the pattern of deception in which he has engaged when questions have been raised about his whereabouts.

In the New York incident, press questions about whether the mayor took such a trip were initially met with stonewalling.

He responded to a reporter’s question by stating that he had not taken this trip, only owning up to it after it became evident that the press had the goods. He also stated that he did not recall where he had dined or where he had spent the night.

In an instance in which the mayor was golfing during an important meeting, reporters were told that the mayor was engaging in “important city business.”

Later, to the mayor’s embarrassment, this “important city business” was disclosed to be a golf outing.

The mayor has demonstrated a pattern of deception when he is cornered. This is what I find most troubling about him.

Pittsburgh’s many problems have been brought about by corrupt one-party rule, which has extended from the 1930s through the present.

This is not they type of publicity Pittsburgh needs.  The mayor can do what he wants on his own time.  But his “pattern of deception” is creating a very bad public picture for the city of Pittsburgh.