Battle for Braddock

There is a near showdown happening in Braddock around the mayor’s race.  The current Mayor John Fetterman is facing a challenge from a candidate who is supported by some of the Braddock council members.

Here is the Post-Gazette article on the race: Braddock Mayor Has His Critics

Here is a letter to the editor froma  Forest Hill’s resident in support of John Fetterman: 

Your Monday piece about Braddock Mayor John Fetterman was timely considering the upcoming primary (“Braddock Mayor Has His Critics,” May 4). As a council member of a neighboring municipality I would like to report on some changes I have noticed in Braddock since Mayor Fetterman’s arrival.

Obvious aesthetic changes include: basketball courts, murals, re-paved roads, trees, an urban garden, UPMC additions, new housing and several revitalized buildings on historic Library Street. Practical additions have included a stronger youth program, a jobs center, a vegetable-based fuel business, a district art show, a farmer’s market, creative artists space and the return of the annual street fair.

While it is true that many people have worked to keep Braddock viable since the loss of the steel industry and no one disputes that, Mayor Fetterman’s unique character and dedication have created a buzz that has generated grants for the town, politicians’ attention and movement on the much-delayed neighboring Carrie Furnace development and Rankin bridge repairs next to the popular Waterfront.

The residents of Braddock would be well-served to embrace the change that their mayor has helped them realize and work with him to continue to move their neighborhood forward.

STEVE KARAS
Forest Hills

Some more blog reading about Braddock…

• Rebuilding America’s Ghost Towns (oxdown.firedoglake.com)
• Artists from University of Wisconsin and Beyond Light Up Braddock this Weekend (iheartpgh.com)
• Revitalizing A Rusty Old Town (cbsnews.com)
• Steel town trying to rebound from bottom (cnn.com)
• a view of a grim economic future: Braddock (bripblap.com)