Braddock Mayor (Homestead, Atlantic: 2009, homes, live)

[juliegt]

I haven't been checking this forum much recently so I apologize if this has already been mentioned.

The mayor of Braddock is on the cover of this month's Atlantic magazine. He's profiled in an article on innovative thinkers.

[groar]

i don't know if that atlantic article has been mentioned, but he's definitely been talked about a lot.

i'm glad he's getting so much attention - it brings people to braddock, and i can see that some members of local government in other depressed areas (like wilkinsburg, where i live) are starting to take notice and think about doing similar things, trying to attract artists, etc.

[Tiger Beer]

Yeah, I saw a link of him somewhere else on here a long time ago.

He looks/seems like a really cool guy, like the kind of guy who would be an 'awesome' mayor.

Kind of bald, cool, tough guy look to him... and very down-to-earth, wearing simple basic clothes like joe anyone on the street. Very great speech style too...just intelligent and no non-sense.

I was really impressed with the guy, if I'm thinking of the same one, and I think I am.

[Tinare]

Here's a link --

Brave Thinkers - The Atlantic (November 2009)

[BrianTH]

In general I have very mixed feelings about personifying local development issues, but I guess if all this attention on Fetterman does help stimulate other local leaders to be more creative, open-minded, and ambitious for their areas, then it is probably a good thing overall.

[Fiddlehead]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

In general I have very mixed feelings about personifying local development issues, but I guess if all this attention on Fetterman does help stimulate other local leaders to be more creative, open-minded, and ambitious for their areas, then it is probably a good thing overall.

I think I agree. While I think the dude is cool, and seemingly earnest, something about a single individual reversing a huge economic situation seems unlikely. Or, even if he can do something, it may not be generalizable. That said, it is heartening to see leadership, and even more so to see it recognized.

[dugdogmaster]

What is a little bit sad, and frustrating, to me about the situation in Braddock, is that the city council is still full of a lot of old timers/old boys network. And they fight tooth and nail with Fetterman on not just development issues, but everything.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

In general I have very mixed feelings about personifying local development issues, but I guess if all this attention on Fetterman does help stimulate other local leaders to be more creative, open-minded, and ambitious for their areas, then it is probably a good thing overall.

Originally Posted by Fiddlehead

I think I agree. While I think the dude is cool, and seemingly earnest, something about a single individual reversing a huge economic situation seems unlikely. Or, even if he can do something, it may not be generalizable. That said, it is heartening to see leadership, and even more so to see it recognized.

Publicity is important for attracting interest in any cause. Sadly, Braddock's plight isn't story enough for the attention of journalists. I applaud the Mayor's efforts.

Originally Posted by dugdogmaster

What is a little bit sad, and frustrating, to me about the situation in Braddock, is that the city council is still full of a lot of old timers/old boys network. And they fight tooth and nail with Fetterman on not just development issues, but everything.

This is a common problem in many towns in Allegheny County. I've worked with quite a few of them. When you show them a successful town as an example of how things could be, they say they don't want their town to change. It's important to appeal to them, but sometimes it's next to impossible because they can be very narrow minded and stubborn.

It sounds like Braddock's council members have dug in their heals permanently. As a result, I think the only real solution for Braddock is for younger residents to run against them. The old people need to be replaced. Fetterman won because young people registered to vote just to elect him. That tells me that other residents with fresh ideas and motivation have a chance at winning in a council election.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Publicity is important for attracting interest in any cause. Sadly, Braddock's plight isn't story enough for the attention of journalists. I applaud the Mayor's efforts.

I guess part of the problem I have is that a lot of the publicity is focused on Fetterman--who admittedly is a very interesting character--and not Braddock itself, and so I am somewhat skeptical about that publicity translating into much action with respect to the city's actual needs.

Which is not to say I think Fetterman himself is doing anything wrong.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I guess part of the problem I have is that a lot of the publicity is focused on Fetterman--who admittedly is a very interesting character--and not Braddock itself, and so I am somewhat skeptical about that publicity translating into much action with respect to the city's actual needs.

Then you haven't been paying attention to what's happening in Braddock. He has attracted artists and small business owners from out of state. A huge riverfront park development has been approved for an old industrial area that will be better for Braddock than the Waterfront was for Homestead because the development will tie the park to the actual town of Braddock, not isolate Braddock like Homestead was from the Waterfront. I have no doubt that he will attract someone to do something with the hospital. He has already gotten UPMC to agree to donate the building to any organization that will make use of it. I doubt these things would have happened without the publicity his charismatic character attracts. Think about it. Anyone who invests in Braddock is guaranteed top publicity. That alone is a desirable draw.