What do you think about URA boss Pat Ford's resignation?

Pat Ford, executive director of the Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority, angrily resigned from his job Wednesday with a strongly worded letter alleging a "culture of deception and corruption" [ read story, read letter ].

What's your reaction to the latest developments?

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Hmm, Took gifts from a "friend" who happens to get a sweet deal from his dept. and he feels Luke has trouble with honesty.  Seems "Our Hero" needs to look into the concept of reality.

 I agree 100% there is a culture of decetion and corruption.  Just as I believe Pat Ford was part of that culture and took part in the deception and corruption.  He should just shut up...he's already enjoying an 8 month paycheck via the taxpayers of Pittsburgh for sitting home and doing squat.  Talk about injustice.

IBBG

This is fantastic news for the city. I have my doubts about Mayor Ravenstahl, but no doubt whatsoever about Pat Ford. The man is frankly corrupt - remember "I like scotch and cigars"? - and has nothing but contempt for public process. He single-handedly destroyed the City's Planning Department - a department with a national reputation for professionalism and capability - driving out any planner with the experience and standing to stand up for neighborhoods against Ford's developer buddies.

I only hope that Mayor Ravenstahl will take this news as a wakeup call that he needs to clean up his administration before it's too late.

I couldnt agree with the previous posters more.  Pat's resignation is a boon to our city, public process can once again resume, citizens can once again have a voice in development projects.

While there does exist a culture of coruption at the highest levels of the URA and our city's executive branch, Pat was most certianly a huge part in it.  Unfortunatly our city's slimiest politico seems to have come through this fiasco unscathed: Yarone Zober.

On the bright side, I beleive Rob Stefany has been doing a great job at the URA in Pat's absence.  He has kept an open line of communication with the CDCs and is pushing great projects through the pipeline, while ensuring adequate public input.

Lets move on! Hopefully with Rob at the helm of the URA!

Good riddance...he can now take his"sirkus" back on the road. Powerhungry,megalomaniacal,and apparently much dumber than perceived, Ford and his blogger/videographer/wife Alicia Sirk should head to New Orleans,the land of opportunity.. winkwink

 I think that Mary Beth Buchanon should be interviewing Mr. Ford right now. Or the City law departmenr should be preparing a lawsuit for slander (or whatever would apply). But alas, nothing will happen.

I believe that it is such a blessing that this man has finally stepped aside so that the city can continue it's steady assention, which began just a few years ago. I find it reprehensible that Mr. Ford would attempt to create a smoke screen by making unfounded accusations about the Mayor's administration merely for personal benefit, although I suppose we should expect it from his past actions. I cannot even fathom the audacity that it takes to fault an administration for not having your back after you have been proven corrupt. I applaud the Mayor for standing up against the back room politics of the past, and ousting those like Ford who use public service for personal gain.

At least Rob Stephany is a known quantity. PF is known for hiring/appointing/bringing folks to positions - often of his own creation - without benefit of advertising or interviewing.  He got his wife jobs that way, too. Whatever will his followers do without his hand up their backs?  And that includes Luke.  Now what?  As was stated earlier, those with local planning experience AND integrity are gone.  Maybe there should be another oh so successful nation-wide search like there was when all the department heads were asked to submit letters of resignation. 

The City of Pittsburgh lost a year of development work while Pat Ford dallied over resigning for trade in inappropriate gifts. This is called letting the ass hit you in the door. Good riddance, although it would be better if you didn't take our money. 

This is why I left Pittsburgh and probably never will return.  The whole country laughs at this place and I am out of excuses to make on its behalf.

 Today I took a good look at the new transportation center.

The electronic sign that is partially hung on that building  WAS NOT a last second decision.

Ford may or may not have taken a gift. But there certainly was and is co-conspirators on that back door OK for the permit.

That sign took months to design and fit into the design of that building.

To think that Lamar and Ford are the only two to have inside information is absurd.

Fess up Sir Luke.

Your city continues to go down the drain with your inept administration.

And quit patronizing the Hill district!

 In GOD I trust, and only in God do I trust!

(And my daughter and son)

We hold these TRUTHS to be self evident!

Councilman William Peduto has called for a City Controller's Office audit of URA contracting policies. Today he e-mailed from Norway, where he is studying city government, writing that the issue "goes much further than Pat Ford. Pittsburgh is no longer a city that is open for business, Pittsburgh is a city for sale."

One contract recently questioned was a URA contract recently awarded for construction management to McTish, Kunkel & Associates, despite the fact that it was not initially the lowest bidder. That type of contract does not need to go to the lowest bidder, and URA spokeswoman Megan Stearman said in a statement that after "understanding the actual requirements, [McTish, Kunkel] submitted a bid lower than the other responsive bidder."

Matthew McTish, president of the firm, gave Mr. Ravenstahl's campaign a $10,000 contribution in December 2006.

Let us get down to just how pathetically weak the mayors administration is.

Am I the only soul to wonder why the city has workers who go out at RUSH hour to empty garbage cans and hold up rush hour traffic?

Is that, no, THAT ADMINISTRATION IS that pathetically weak that now the masses can say,

"look at the city, busy as bees keeping it clean! The mayor must be doing a good job!"

What do those workers do the rest of the day?

You never see them, and you never see the police!

PGH garbage collectors and Port Authority drivers are the hardest working people in the county, city and local governments!

 Are you kidding me? Injustice. This kind of stuff - collecting a paycheck and not doing a thing - happens ALL the time in the working world. And to a much greater extent than what Pat Ford will make. It's standard practice. Some employees are paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to resign from their position. Employees are 'paid off' all the time - do some investigation on the drug companies and you will certainly be in shock. Pat signed a contract and that contract has to be fulfilled - that's what contracts are all about. Maybe it's the whole 'negotiating a contract' world that is unjust - not just Pat Ford.

I feel some sympathy towards Pat because I really don't believe that he is the only culprit in this mess. People can put on a smooth and honest-looking front and we never really know what lies underneath that shiny exterior. That can be said about most people. It takes two to tango - we just need to know who's leading who around the dance floor.

What do you expect from a person when you call him a Czar?  I'm glad that Alicia just had to tell someone about that great gift, and all the moving and shaking that "our Hero" was doing.  Good bye Pat!  Thanks for the 4 months of amusing news articles and blog stories.