The URA has chosen a dedicated, gifted leader

I thank the Urban Redevelopment Authority board for offering the executive director position to Rob Stephany, and I would like to thank Rob for accepting this position ("City URA Settles With Ford, Hires Stephany as New Director," Sept. 11).

The Bloomfield-Garfield Corp. was one of the first community organizations to work with Rob Stephany, and our neighborhood was one of the first to reap the rewards of this talented and gifted young man. As one of the first to sit down and discuss neighborhood development strategies with Rob, I knew right away that his vision and boundless energy would take our neighborhood to great heights. Everything Rob touched became a success and he didn't quit a job or project until it was done and done the right way. He achieved great success in Garfield and later in East Liberty by bringing large and small development to those neighborhoods. He changed the perception of neighborhoods that some had written off for good.

Rob doesn't think in terms of neighborhood boundaries and barriers, but in terms of a whole city with assets and vulnerabilities. He knows how to work with both to create positive change. He challenges those with whom he works by helping community leaders and residents to understand that although Pittsburgh has a rich history, we need to look ahead.

Bricks and mortar development cannot save our city neighborhoods. Rob knows what development strategies will bring transformative change, the change that so many of us work hard to create daily. As a resident and community leader, I feel very fortunate to have Rob Stephany as the executive director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

AGGIE BROSE
Stanton Heights

The writer is deputy director of the Bloomfield-Garfield Corp.

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One-sided analysis

I read the Sept. 16 editorial "Let Them Vote: Transit Workers May Want the Fact-Finder's Deal" with interest. I wonder if your editorial board read the opinion piece the previous week by Amalgamated Transit Union lawyer Joseph J. Pass ("Don't Punish Transit Workers," Sept. 10 "In Rebuttal").

Mr. Pass wrote, "[Ken] Zapinski [of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development] extols the benefits of the retiree health-care trust put in place for the employees of the Chicago Transit Authority. Having drafted and fought to have that trust implemented, I would point out that Local 85 proposed the same type of trust for the Port Authority."

If Local 85 proposed to take on a retiree health-care trust, as was done in Chicago, why is that not being talked about? The PG appears to be recycling wholesale the talking points put out by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and the Port Authority, rather than doing any considered analysis of both sides of the story.

There are many supporters of public transit in this city and county who would like to hear the complete story and not be subjected over and over to rote (and uninspiring) union bashing. Some of us are thankful that there are still some effective unions out there fighting for the quality of life for the families of workers in Allegheny County.

I also think that those of you in government and the media who have made a talking point about "allowing the membership to vote" on the fact-finder report should be careful what you wish for. I don't think it's smart to assume that Pat McMahon's membership does not support its leadership on that decision.

JENNIE CANNING
North Side

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Decisive issue

The Catholic Church has always maintained that abortion is inherently evil. So-called Catholic politicians who try to convince us otherwise are dangerously fooling themselves and possibly others. It's no secret that the presidential campaigns are pressing hard for the Catholic vote ("Catholic Vote Key," Sept. 14).

Given the unchangeable doctrine of the Catholic Church regarding abortion, it's insulting to Catholics that the extreme pro-abortion ticket of Obama-Biden would try and get Catholics to betray their faith, and ultimately millions of pre-born babies, in order to get elected. Given the choices this election, Catholics cannot justify voting for Barack Obama.

There is no other issue as important as abortion: not war, not health care, not the economy. As John Paul II wrote: without a defense of the right to life, the outcry for other rights is false and illusory. A pro-choice position is an absolute deal-breaker.

Who would vote for a candidate who had a great economic plan but supported a return to legalized slavery? No one would question that candidate's disqualification. To Catholics considering voting for Mr. Obama: You know the truth about the evil of abortion, so how are you going to stand before Christ and justify your decision to vote for the pro-abortion candidate? Do you really want to try?

CINDY NORTHON
North Side

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He's no Democrat

In my opinion, letter writers Robert C. DeWitt ("We Need More Leaders Willing to Cross Party Lines," Sept. 11) and Anne O'Brien ("Tired of Squabbling," Sept. 11) are confusing Sen. Joe Lieberman speaking at the Republican convention with acting in a bipartisan manner for the creation of meaningful legislation.

Joe Lieberman is as much a Democrat as I'm a corned beef sandwich. How does this "Republican in independent clothing who pretends to be a Democrat" standing in front of all these other Republicans, saying the same things all the other Republicans are saying, have a single thing to do with promoting bipartisanship? PUH-leeeeze.

That said, I certainly do hope that, should the Democrats win a solid working majority in Congress, they "reach out" to the other side and include them in the process, unlike the previous 16 years of Gingrich-Frist-DeLay-et al. The "freeze out" of the Democrats in the legislative process by that gang has left wounds that may well take decades to heal.

ED MISKE
Plum

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Dems' identity crisis

The Sept. 16 letters to the editor taken together paint an accurate synthesis of the problems with the Democratic Party and the modern liberal (not to be confused with classical liberalism) movement in general.

How ironic it is that liberals can demand unquestioned loyalty to a fundamentally flawed "right to choose," yet in the same breath complain that "John McCain will have people find their own health care ... I can't imagine doing that myself." So which is it? I'm sorry to tell you, but if you are too afraid to make decisions for yourself, then you never are truly free.

I suppose "choices" are only acceptable if the government makes them for us, but I was under the impression that the government was of the people and by the people. John F. Kennedy (a Democrat) said a famous quote along those lines, but either modern Democrats have conveniently forgotten it, or the Democratic Party has a different identity today. I am willing to bet on the latter.

JOE FEDUSKA
Shadyside

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Why go for 'average'?

So, Sarah Palin is "just your average hockey mom"? Well, I don't think that "average" should qualify someone for the White House. We're talking about the presidency, folks.

Potential presidents (including potential VPs) ought to be way, way above-average. I want the next president and vice president to be the smartest, most informed and most multitalented individuals we can get. We've spent the past eight years with Mr. Average Joe, and look where that got us. As for her comment about a hockey mom being a pit bull with lipstick -- this country could use a little more diplomacy and international smarts, and a little less of the "pit-bull" attitude that's gotten us into this absurd war.

Watch out! If John McCain wins in November, people will be asking, "What's the difference between Sarah Palin and Dick Cheney? Lipstick."

SUSY MORAN
Arlington

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Enough of the campaigning and pandering for our votes

I have a novel idea. Let's end the presidential campaign and go to the polls one week from today to vote for the next president of the United States. Let's take those millions of campaign dollars and use them to feed the hungry, house the homeless, care for our veterans, treat the ill and serve those who have been discarded by the current and past administrations.

Let's also say no to personal smears, distortions of achievements and pandering to special interests, including my demographic (women over age 50). Snappy as some of the sound bites may be at the moment, let each voter remain grounded on the issues. Women vote on the issues that are important to them and their families and to the country: the economy, international peace and security, energy, equal rights, accessible health care, education, community and family safety.

I believe that women will not vote based on divisive, shameful and mean-spirited attacks or on hypocritical positioning to secure our votes. We are smart, well-informed, know real change when we see it and know full well what is at stake if we vote otherwise.

J.O. JENKINS
Ben Avon

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