Saturday, May 17, 2025, 7:17PM |  74°
MENU
Advertisement

Mayor asks for resignations

Mayor asks for resignations

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 in

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

RELATED
Comments Disabled For This Story
Partners
Advertisement
Toronto Blue Jays' Spencer Horwitz, right, walks to the dugout after striking out as Texas Rangers' Jonah Heim celebrates the team's win in a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024.
1
sports
Off The Bat: A look into the potentially unfavorable situation that awaits Pirates' Spencer Horwitz
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, shown in an appearance last month, on Thursday called for support of a bill that would let the state attorney general intervene in health system transactions involving private equity owners. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
2
news
Gov. Shapiro wants Pa. attorney general to have power to stop private-equity 'havoc' with hospitals
Jimmy Stewart, a bomber pilot during World War II, with the P-51 Mustang he bought after the war to fly for pleasure.
3
life
Jimmy Stewart's P-51C Mustang is landing in his hometown before heading to the Smithsonian
Eddie Vedder, the lead singer of Pearl Jam, plays to the crowd as the band performs on their Dark Matter Tour at PPG Paints Arena, Friday, May 16, 2025.
4
a&e
Review: Pearl Jam turns up for the ‘City of Champions’ at PPG Paints Arena
The Downtown Pittsburgh skyline in May 2024.
5
local
Pittsburgh sees population increase after years of decline
Advertisement
LATEST breaking
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story