Charlottesville, VA OpEd on Trash Cans – “dirty campaigns”

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is continuing to keep Pittsburgh in the national spotlight.  The Charlottesville, VA paper, The Daily Progress, has published and OpEd about the $1,000 trash cans.

By THE DAILY PROGRESS
Published: February 28, 2009

Now, some city officials may want their names associated with playgrounds, or schools, or parks, or museums.
Luke Ravenstahl wants his name linked with garbage.

The mayor of Pittsburgh is spending $250,000 to buy 250 trash cans – each and every one featuring his name.
Ah … did we mention that it’s also election season?

That’s right. Mr. Ravenstahl is up for re-election this spring.
His spokesperson says there’s nothing wrong with spending city money to spread the mayor’s name around. He wants people to know his administration is responsive to their needs.
Besides, trash politics is apparently a tradition in Pittsburgh. Three previous mayors have had their names placed on garbage cans.

Gives the phrase “dirty campaigns” a whole different meaning, doesn’t it?