Darlene Harris wins council presidency
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Newly elected City Council President Darlene Harris turns after hugging Councilman Bruce Kraus yesterday. To the left are Councilmen Patrick Dowd and Ricky Burgess.
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In the grand tradition of down-to-the-wire contests for Pittsburgh City Council's presidency, Darlene Harris emerged yesterday as the person who leads the city's legislative meetings and who succeeds the mayor if he doesn't complete his term.
Ms. Harris was not one of the two early candidates for the presidency, and she said the arrangement that put her on the dais wasn't settled until late Sunday night. Even then, her victory came only after a 5-4 vote on the all-Democratic but bitterly divided council, as some members swung behind reluctant candidate Theresa Smith.
"I didn't mind who it was -- Theresa, or myself," said Ms. Harris. She said she spoke with Ms. Smith and both "believed that there hasn't been a woman president since Mayor [Sophie] Masloff, who I love dearly, and it's time again for a woman to lead."
Ms. Masloff became council president in 1988, then ascended later that year upon the death of Mayor Richard Caliguiri.
Early on, William Peduto and Ricky Burgess were the most public contestants for the job, but neither could get the needed five votes. Mr. Peduto appeared to have the support of prior President Doug Shields, Bruce Kraus and newcomer Natalia Rudiak. Mr. Peduto said yesterday that as of Thanksgiving he also had a pledge of support from council's other newcomer, R. Daniel Lavelle, but "that commitment faded away around Christmas.
"I feel hurt," Mr. Peduto said. "I feel disappointed. But it's time to move on."
Mr. Lavelle, of the Hill District, would not say whether he had ever promised to vote for Mr. Peduto.
While Mr. Peduto could not get five votes, neither could Mr. Burgess. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's administration got involved, seeking an alternative to Mr. Peduto and Mr. Shields, who have been vocal critics of the mayor.
First Published January 5, 2010 12:00 am
