Why is this week so significant for Pittsburghers? Well, it has almost been 10 years since Pittsburgh’s beloved mayor, Robert E. O’Connor, has died. What inspired me to write this article? When I was a high school senior, I decided to submit an essay for the JFK Profiles in Courage scholarship. You had to write about, “An act of political courage by a U.S. elected official that occurred during or after 1956. The act of political courage must follow the definition as described in John F. Kennedy’s novel, Profiles in Courage.” I decided to write about Mr. O’Connor since I have always heard what a great man and mayor he was. For example, several Pittsburghers applauded the way he handled the Fifth and Forbes plan with valor. Not to mention that I wanted to learn more about my city’s late mayor.
To add substance to the story, I contacted many people for information on O’Connor. Unfortunately, I received a letter informing me that I did not win the contest. However, they did commend me for my well-written essay. I was disappointed, but that does not mean I will not continue to share memories of Mr. O'Connor.
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Determined to continue spreading the word about his legacy, I decided to contact Mr. Rich Lord. He is a diligent, credible, and intelligent Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter and writer. Mr. Lord wrote a well-written article about the mayor’s death, which you can read in the link below. Also, Rich has helped me gather and compile additional information.
City mourns the death of Mayor Bob O'Connor at age 61
1. “What was Mayor O'Connor's working experience and political background? How did that help him as Mayor of Pittsburgh?"
Rich: “Bob came from a business background. He rose through the restaurant management ranks. He really approached public service as a customer-focused enterprise, with city residents as his customers."
2. “How was he like as a person?”
Rich: “He was a listener. When I accompanied him on inspections or walks through city neighborhoods, it would usually be a half-day event because he would listen to anyone who approached him with a problem. He was not always quick to offer detailed answers or solutions to problems, but his understanding of people was impressive."
3. “How was he like as Mayor of Pittsburgh. What did he do?"
Rich: “He was only in office, and healthy, for six months, so he was really just getting started when cancer curtailed his efforts. He was involved in starting some residential development around Market Square, beginning a shared-services agreement with Wilkinsburg and creating a Downtown Wi-Fi network. Mainly, though, he was focused on pushing his customer service orientation through the city bureaucracy."
4. "What were his strengths and weaknesses as a politician?"
Rich: "Strengths: Personable, great listener, good instincts. Weaknesses: Not always good grasp of details, sometimes too trusting."
5. "What is the most memorable thing he did for the city of Pittsburgh?"
Rich: “When he was on Pittsburgh City Council, Bob led the charge against Mayor Tom Murphy's so-called Fifth and Forbes plan, which would have meant major demolitions Downtown and redevelopment by an out-of-town firm called Urban Retail Properties. The Fifth and Forbes plan eventually collapsed. As mayor, Bob then made arrangements with the Piatt family to jump start residential construction in that area, and started the revamp of Market Square, which was going to be part of Murphy's plan."
6. “What can we learn from Bob O'Connor in terms of his personal life and political career?"
Rich: “I think we can learn that in a city like Pittsburgh, which has a high quality of life, a focus on serving the people and businesses who have stayed -- rather than attracting new people and businesses -- has great appeal."
7. “What is Bob O'Connor's legacy?"
Rich: "I hate to be repetitive, but it was that return to customer service and getting the basics right -- paving streets, removing abandoned cars, tearing down derelict buildings, proceeding one-development-at-a-time, installing good chiefs and department heads. That philosophy informed much of the administration of Luke Ravenstahl, who followed Bob."
All of us can learn something from the late Mayor O’Connor. So, this week, please do a random act of kindness in memory of the late Pittsburgh mayor. If someone seeks you out for advice, listen to them. If someone wants to befriend you, be friendly and engage in conversation with them. If we can follow his example, we will continue his legacy and improve Pittsburgh.
