In Chad Hermann's Feb. 3 Forum piece "Opinion 250: The View From On High," he writes how "For too long now ... we've talked too much, asked too much of others and worked too little ourselves." I couldn't agree more, which is why I'm compelled to ask -- isn't Chad doing the very same thing? Although Chad writes a very thoughtful piece, it seems that he too is just talking and waiting for someone else to come to the rescue. I understand he wants to make a point, but his point would be better made if he offered something more than a simple recitation of Pittsburgh's challenges.

Like so many Pittsburghers, I love our city. I love the rich diversity that our neighborhoods boast. I love our parks. I love our sports teams -- even during the losing years. I respect our sense of tradition and I admire the strong work ethic that makes us Pittsburghers. And like so many, I too am a little disenchanted with the direction of our city. However, I don't believe writing about how bleak the future looks is the right approach.

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OPINION 250:

To commemorate Pittsburgh's 250th anniversary, the Post-Gazette Forum section will run articles every other week this year that explore how the region can build on its past to make a better future. Unsolicited viewpoints also are welcome for possible publication in the newspaper or at post-gazette.com. Send e-mail to: opinion@post-gazette.com (Please include Opinion 250 in the subject line.)

• • • Post-Gazette coverage of the city's birthday

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It has been said that the world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who won't do anything about it. It occurs to me that a better use of our energies would be to offer up some ideas on how to make Pittsburgh look as good on Grant Street as it does high up on Mount Washington.

Here are a few suggestions to give us something to think about.

It is well known that Pittsburgh's pension fund doesn't match our pension liabilities, so why don't we band together and storm the halls in Harrisburg and demand a fair solution? When my father was mayor, that's exactly what he did. It's time to demand sensible, progressive reform out of Harrisburg that will help Pittsburgh solve its pension crisis. It is not too much to ask Harrisburg to give us the tools to address this problem.

The inefficiency of the Port Authority is a problem that must be addressed, but we should also consider what other cities and states already seem to know -- that a strong public transit system can boost your economy. Let's now plan how to extend our light-rail system to Oakland and the airport and how to pay for it. It's not too much to ask, we just need to come together and make our demands heard by those that we elect.

Our outdated tax structure needs to be reformed to increase the livability for our residents and the economic competitiveness for our businesses. Why don't we begin by creating a practical approach to what regional governance might look like? And while we're at it, let's cut the state corporate taxes that drive away our jobs and explore every efficiency possible so that more of our limited resources are put to making every neighborhood more livable. It's not too much to believe that we can create jobs here in Pittsburgh and improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods.

We all love our city and want to reclaim our stake as truly the most livable city in America. Remember, Theodore Roosevelt said that Pittsburgh gave a lesson to the rest of the United State because our actions spoke louder than our words. I believe that our time has come when we can once again teach the rest of America how to rebuild a city. I am confident that this same desire compelled Mayor David Lawrence to see Pittsburgh through Renaissance I and guided my father's vision for Renaissance II. But now it's our turn, so what do we do?

Perhaps the real answer is that it is up to all of us, collectively, to lead Pittsburgh to our next Renaissance. I know that our best days are still in front of us; the only question that remains is who among us has the courage to take action and lead the way. I don't think that's too much to ask.