Mayor Luke Ravenstahl yesterday asked for resignation letters from all department directors and authority heads that he did not appoint in an effort to re-evaluate their performance.
Listen to excerpts of Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's comments about asking for department head resignations.
In a statement, the mayor said he was "not satisfied with the condition of city government" and will conduct a nationwide search for the best candidates to run departments.
He asked for resignation letters from the directors and asked that they continue to serve the city in an acting capacity. He encouraged them to reapply for the position "in order to prove they are the best person for the job."
These are the people asked to resign: Gregory Tutsock, executive director of the Water and Sewer Authority; David Onorato, head of the Pittsburgh Parking Authority; Jerry Dettore, executive director of the city Urban Redevelopment Authority; acting city solicitor George Specter; Public Works Director Guy Costa; Emergency Medical Services Chief Robert McCaughan; Bureau of Building Inspection Chief Ron Graziano; City Parks Director Duane Ashley; Equal Opportunity Review Commission Director Phillipe R. Petite; and city Information Systems Director Howard A. Stern.
The request does not include the directors the mayor appointed: Planning Director Noor Ismail, Fire Chief Michael Huss, Police Chief Nate Harper, Personnel Director Barbara Trant and Budget Director Scott Kunka.
Speaking with reporters this afternoon before a graduation ceremony for city firefighters at Peabody High School, the mayor said he felt it was time to put his mark on his administration by making his own selections for department heads. All of those asked to resign were holdovers from the late Mayor Bob O'Connor.
Although he could have waited until after the November election to make changes, Mr. Ravenstahl said he felt it was important to make changes now. He said he hasn't been happy with the quality of services in some areas.
Mr. Ravenstahl said some of the department heads may be asked to stay and he refused to discuss any specific individuals. He said he may use a professional head-hunting firm to find candidates for some positions.
Under the city's home rule charter, Mr. Ravenstahl has 90 days to fill the positions.
More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
First Published: June 15, 2007, 1:00 p.m.
