What is your opinion of Braddock mayor John Fetterman?

Outside of Braddock, Mayor John Fetterman is frequently lauded as a post-industrial inspiration. But inside the town's borders, he's regarded by some members of the community with resentment and suspicion. What is your opinion of Mayor Fetterman? [Read PG story.] 

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John Fetterman has a clear idea as to what the future will hold. He came to Braddock to build a future for the region and his family. He could have chosen another town and state to give his time, effort and vision to. The resentment and suspicion are childish acts of incompetents wanting control of Braddock for their own ego and pockets.

John Fetterman deserves all the media credit he can get and if the city of Braddock receives a bit also, the deed is done.

I am not from Braddock but I sometimes follow the news about it.  I generally like what the Mayor is trying to do.  Getting publicity I think is a net benefit for the community.  If he is publicly pointing out problems with the community, that is because there are problems that need to be worked on.  There is no sense trying to hide these negative facts.

Some things I do not like:

I did not like how he characterzed the mon valley expressway as some sort of racism.  He should have been trying to get exits and entrances to the highway designed to help bring business to the community.  Moot point though - it will probably never be built.

The carbon caps thing is totally asinine.  I agree that we should not waste energy.  I like cap and trade for other pollutants, but not carbon dioxide.  It will just be another tax that we don't need right now.  Other countrys like Norway? are way ahead of us in building windmills - we will not be competitive with them any time soon.

I wonder with that steel mill working in braddock - don't they pay enough taxes to fix the place up a bit?

I hope he can get everyone pulling in the right direction and help Braddock prosper.

I was born in Braddock and have watched the deterioration over many years, with the decline of the town and loss of residents.   I watched Mayor Fetterman on national tv, giving intelligent, hopeful and encouraging statements about the town that he has adopted as his own.   It is really too bad, that hes had to face such resentment, jealousy and small minded people in the community, that want to "keep the deteriorated town a little secret-all the while they would prefer to see it fall into further demise".    They want to play petty games while they desparage Mayor Fetterman who seems to have tried to make a difference.   Some people "never like any changes" and that is sad, when there has been so little good that hasn't occurred for years" and when someone like Fetterman comes along with visions for the town, he is met by skepticism from the likes of council President Jesse Brown, resident Lemuel Howell who set out with a two page pamphlet filled with criticism and accusations of the Mayor, and feels Braddock doesn't need New and Improved Ideas, but rather, needs to stay like 'Mayberry', whether or not it is good for Braddock.   Then there's Jayme Cox, an opponent with a criminal record, that he equates as a  "personal issue"....really?   Is HE really someone that would be good for Braddock, with a past record?   It wouldn't seem so to me, nor are the residents(3,000?) who have NO vision for the future, and continue to disparage someone like  Mayor  Fetterman, who has had a national forum to try to attract business/money/new lifelines for Braddock.   Some people, just sit by, and 'second guess' this mayor, when they have Nothing to offer themselves - Except,  "Business as Usual, while they see their town falling apart, residents leaving, with those left, committing crimes on a per usual basis"

By the way.   Didn't these same whinners have an opportunity to "make a difference BEFORE this man became mayor, but DID NOT"?

 Mr. Fetterman has used his education and private wealth to locate a town that he could transform into "Fettermanville" He would have the whole town believe that he is it's "savior" and that they are to ignorant and uneducated to advance on their own. What most people don't know is that many have tried to do most of the same things that Mr. Fetterman is doing but where turned away at every stop by those who would rather continue to deceive and victimize those less informed and previlaged.  Mr. Fetterman was hand picked and is a part of the old "pay to play" politics that has plaged this region for years. Fetterman has not created one single job or done anything eles for anyone who has deep roots in the community. Instead he has sent for his relatives and friends from around the country to help advance his personal agenda. I pray that the people of the community will wake up on the 19th and stop allowing this man to abuse everyones' intelligence. The community can not continue to sit at the table and watch Mr. Fetterman and his band of gypsies eat with nothing on it's plate.  With all due respect, if Mr. Fetterman loves the community so much I feel that he should still do all the things he wants to do as "Private Citizen" John Fetterman. I don't think you'll hear much from him though if that were the case. Such as was the fate of "joe the plumber" 

With due respect to you,  HAS the town advanced on their own?  If Mayor Fetterman is truly trying to do something admirable, why do you have such an ill attitude towards someone according to you, that is using his education and wealth?  Is this not what anyone else could or would do to try to lift a community up as well?   If again, according to you, 'many tried to do the same things that Fetterman is doing, but were turned away at every stop by those who would rather continue to deceive and victimize those less informed or privledged', why are you berating him for trying, and possibly succeeding where 'those others failed'?  Frankly, you sound like sour grapes.   If those in the community had 'dirty politics' going on for years, then why is this not their own fault, and not the "outsider, as you portray Fetterman"?  It sounded as though he did try to help people, by the two properties that he got stuck for as well.  If he asked others to come into a "deadzone community" to try to create some buzz, how are you making this into "his advancing his personal agenda".   Granted, I do not know the man, but I do know how "closed minds and community people" can sometimes NOT be open to new ideas, new people coming in(even though they may have helped-run out the people that used to live in the community by their blase' attitudes and blind eye to crimes being committed, etc.   Wasn't the entire Police Dept. turned over to the County Sheriff's Dept. at one time, as the P.D.couldn't even handle the community?   Why, also, if this man was elected as Mayor by Braddock, do you begrudgingly state:  If Mr.F.loves the community so much I feel that he should Still do all the things he wants to do as "Private Citizen" J.Fetterman.   If you love the community so much poster, what ARE YOU doing to make things better-and, are you doing it "for free" for the good of the community?   If NOT, then I don't think you can show your ignorance towards someone who is at least trying as it's Mayor.   At least, he has brought national attention to the situation, with the possibility of outside help(though most of you don't seem like you THINK you need that either-so you need to decide if YOU and your ilk, have what it takes to make a difference in Braddock, or are you still just hating the Mayor?   BTW: Joe the Plumber, didn't ask for the spotlight, the Messiah Obama asked him a question, and when he answered, 'The One' didn't like the answer, so he sicced the IRS, DOJ on him, making his life a living hell.   You sound quite envious sir/madam of this Mayor, who got national coverage-though you probably couldn't do the same thing to at least try to lift a community up from the ashes, of the truly "great little town that it used to be".   I have a long history as does my family in that community, so you can't 'gloss things over with me', and put down someone who is actually trying.

ITS JO: With three posts on this site, I hardly think its a coincidence you came out of the woodworks for this one topic.

Are you a friend of the Mayor of Braddock? Or his Chief of Staff? Or is the Mayor really behind this online user name?

Well, I guess its better than signing on as the mayor of Braddock especially when he was so condescending of the general public, then. As the writer of this diatribe does today (strikingly similar).

I previously read his comments on this forum, and found him to speak the predictable rhetoric. I was surprised that normal citizens were able to evoke such an emotional response from him.

People say his is articulate, creative, but I wasn't impressed.

I think the people who think he is so wonderful should get out of Western PA once in awhile.

 As a councilmember of a neighboring borough and someone that has worked in homes in Braddock I have seen what has been accomplished in the term of Mayor Fetterman.  I also give him credit for the surrounding development of the Carrie Furnace and construction improvements of the Rankin Bridge.  Mayor John has created a buzz.  He recieves attention both for his commitment and because he has a "unique" look.  That buzz has politicians coming to help because they do not want to be left out.  Thats great.  The people of Braddock should be proud of what they have accomplished with John as Mayor.  I have never once heard him take personal credit for any of the projects.  Frankly, I think he is too busy doing the hard work of carrying, shoveling, and lifting.  He leads by example and shows that he cares.

Braddock would be wise to elect him to another term.

 Now to those like "it's jo" that feel like the dream of "Fettermanville" is slipping away I say to you. I'm not here to disrespect Mr.Fetterman. Nor do I speak with  envious ill will or sour grapes at heart. I have nothing vested in this that would pain my soul such. I'm not trying to delude anyone. I am being frank. I find it very strange and disturbing that "it's jo" would refer to Mr. Obama as the "Messiah" when his "Savior" Mr. Fetterman has posted huge photo shop, computer enhanced posters depicting he and Mr. Obama standing side by side. Personally I find it very offensive and disgusting. It's just one of the many deceptive concepts that Mr. Fetterman has used to continue to exploit those who he would hope would continue to be his ignorant subjects and blind brick layers. Paving the street to create "Fettermanville"  Mr. Fetterman has done nothing admirable to anyone but to those like "its jo" who, deep down  in his soul,would love to continue to victimize and take advantage of those with less power. Why not? "it jo" would have a much beter chance to live free in "Fettermanville" as a leader if those who were asleep would continue to sleep. Those who 'its jo" thinks Mr. Fetterman tried to help were victims of Mr. Fettermans deceptive actions. Mr. Fetterman didn't need the police because he had a more deceptive plan. Mr. Fetterman is known to smokes drugs and drink with the youth of the community to captivate and corupt thier minds. Then after he has gained enough inside information, alot of it developed with his own inpute, he sends them to jail. As for the buzz. The only buzz Mr. Fetterman is creating is for himself. Mr. Fetterman is an "I" man. As I have stated before Mr. Fetterman has no new ideals, he dosen't care for those who actually live and in some cases has generations of kin in the community, he's a part of the old pay to play dirty politics that the county still lives in.  The only outside help Mr. Fetterman has bought in to the community are his relatives and friends with the promises of being leaders in "Fettermanville" As defensive and desperate as "it jo" sounds it wouldn't surprise me that he/she would have much invested inf this fase hope. As for my part in this! What I'm doing to improve the conditions of the community! I only want the youth and those of age in the community to take a stand and stop allowing this exploitation to continue. I want the community to understand that THEY, Not Mr. Fetterman can develop the avenues for OUR own success. We need to foster institutions and organizations that will seek to serve OUR COLLECTIVE agendas on our long road to redeveloping and maintaining OUR community. WE need to be responsible for obtaining the education WE need to control OUR own fate in this society. WE, not Mr. Fetterman and his rag tag team of artist should control the fate of OUR community. In defense of those who have tried in the past I can only say that they were living in the day when OLD Money and pay to play thrived. They weren't politicians. They were hard working people who saw injustice being inflickted upoun them and wanted true change for all. They surley can't be held held responsible for not reaching thier goals.

OneChuck:  I did NOT come out of the woodwork in posting on the subject first off.  I read the Post EACH day online, and I commented because Braddock(my birthplace-going way, way back) is near and dear to my heart.   Though you seem quite skeptical OneChuck, I will tell you this.  I am NOT a friend to the Mayor-I do not know him personally, NOR am I his Chief of Staff, and your skepticism about ME being the Mayor is way off base.   It is very telling that YOU, seem to continue spewing out rhetoric that shows your personal bias, towards someone who ACTUALLY is trying to make a difference to the town of Braddock-the Mayor.   You should perhaps quit your own diatribe and try to learn something instead of your personal jealousy, that are obvious when you stated that people say "he is articulate and creative".....but not you, OneChuck, huh?   Perhaps because he has gained National attention, and shown that as Mayor, he certainly has "gotten out of Western Pa. once in a while", in trying to attract attention on the National scale that he has, and Perhaps, OneC. YOU should try the same.  Get out of your usual bias and rhetoric and try to "see things from a more positive view, rather than your small mindedness and envy".   It may be that some citizens respond to the Mayor, as they see that he is trying to make a difference and they have hope.   You seem to have "your own agenda(possibly you ARE the opposition, or are trying to come to bat for his opposition) and it shows, as you give NO credit to someone who actually "DID NOT HAVE TO COME TO LIVE IN BRADDOCK, BUT DID, AND IS TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE".   As I stated before, "where were ALL of you, BEFORE this Mayor was voted into office-WERE YOU ACTUALLY MAKING BRADDOCK BETTER"?   My guess......YOU WERE NOT. 

Eclips09:  As you continue to drone on and one, trying to convince these posters that You, do NOT have anything to gain, and are NOT here to disparage Mayor Fetterman and mean him no ill will......well, you could have fooled me.   But your writings show otherwise.  You continued calling him, "Savior" and imply that he is posturing when shown w/Obama, in order to continue to exploit ignorant subjects and blind brick layers???  THIS, IS WHAT YOU REFER TO THE CITIZENS OF BRADDOCK, AS IGNORANT AND BLIND, BECAUSE THEY SUPPORTED A MAYOR THEY BELIEVE IN, THOUGH YOU DO NOT???  That, must make the readers here feel very angry to be depicted by you in this manner...it would me.   Ecl. you think "I have a vested interest in Braddock, by waiting for it to become Fettermanville?  You sound demented and you also sound like you are the Mayor's Opposition or close to them.   I can assure you, I am merely writing(as I do nationally on various sites) as I have a sentimental attachment to my birthplace and remember it when the town was a bustle of activity as I was growing up.  HOW FAR BACK TO BRADDOCK DO YOU GO ECLIPS?    Any person with half a brain Ecl. would understand, that a Mayor can set the tone for a town, and bring in outside developers, federal monies(guess that's why he appeared in posters w/Obama) and business people that see his vision for a newly developing Braddock.....NOT, the same old tired politicos and people,(like you) that would have another agenda.    You can  rest assured Ecl. I am neither defensive, nor desparate as you may think, but you, seem to be "running for something in trying to convince people that you have Their best interest at heart, when in fact, I doubt it since you seem so full of yourself and "Our Collective Agenda and In Control of OUR Community" as you stated.  

You clearly sound like some opposition force, that does not respect  a Mayor that obviously was elected by "at least some of the people", but YOU think YOU are clearly the ONE who should be making drastic changes that Braddock needs, right?  Well again, WHERE WERE YOU "BEFORE" THIS MAYOR WAS ELECTED TO DO A JOB, THAT OBVIOUSLY YOU AND OTHER 'DEAD BEATS OF BRADDOCK' WERE NOT CAPABLE OF?   Your "past control seems like a dismal failure that did not work, as I personally have seen Braddock continue to deteriorate and fall into ruin.   

Elcips09(does your name mean that you want to Eclips in 09? w/your political agenda)?

Perhaps you need to read the above post, by the nearby council member that KNOWS this Mayor, giving him credit for what he has/is trying to accomplish for Braddock.   Your droning on and on, with the same speil, is btw, tiresome, and you are 'way off base when you think that I have something to gain by writing on the subject at hand'....

Mayor Fetterman's Big New Idea is, quite simply, that Braddock isn't so bad. Revolutionary, isn't it? The saddest thing about Braddock is that Council President Jesse Brown, angry pamphleteer Lemuel Howell and other long-term residents wonder why Mayor Fetterman, myself and other newer residents have moved there. Mr. Cox suggests that the mayor is somehow out of touch because he likes the town - warts and all. Mr. Howell states, "If you'd have gone to Harvard why would you stop in Braddock? It ain't like we got a pretty sunset." Actually, Mr. Howell, Braddock has beautiful sunsets and even better sunrises! I gladly traded the skies of Portland, Oregon for Braddock and don't regret it one bit. Braddock has warm-hearted neighbors and quiet neighborhoods with amazing, but neglected, architecture. It has golden mornings and calm nights lit by the fires of the steel works. It's a town of hard-working people who don't mind if I walk around in dirty work-clothes myself. But best of all, Braddock has promise whispering through its streets. Please note that I said Braddock, not Fettermanville. The first is the historic and noble borough I now call home. The latter is a paranoid delusion used to explain why we want to live in a place you obviously don't love like I do. As for the press, get over it everybody! Every single article that has come out has misquoted me or mislabeled me. Rolling Stone just called me a "homesteader from Montana". I'm a furniture maker from Oregon.  Irritating? Sure. But if those articles help my new home town in any way, they can call me a rhinoceros with my blessing. The question isn't why do Mayor John and people like me want to live in Braddock. The question is, if you hate it so much, why don't you leave? Or, perhaps the real question is, why don't we all pitch in together this saturday and clean up one of Braddock's overgrown vacant lots together?

Sincerely,

Joel M. Rice

 I wish that I lived in Braddock and could vote for Fetterman. Politicking is such an ugly form of jealousy and hatred.