Mayor O’Connor promises brighter days at inauguration

Mayor Bob O’Connor promised more economic development and streamlining of government at his… Mayor Bob O’Connor promised more economic development and streamlining of government at his inauguration yesterday.

“I promise you to be more efficient,” O’Connor told a crowd Downtown. “But we need revenues.”

O’Connor talked about building bridges with the county, state and federal governments. To that end, he thanked Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Congressman Mike Doyle for attending his inauguration.

“My greatest talent is working with people,” O’Connor said.

After passing out thanks to everyone from his campaign team to his neighbors, O’Connor began laying out his plan for the future.

He promised to have the Downtown redevelopment initiative at Fifth and Forbes finalized and underway by this summer.

He said the police force was “top heavy” and added that he wants police officers to be on the streets more, interacting with the people.

“My commitment is to make this one of the safest, cleanest cities in America,” O’Connor said.

Gov. Ed Rendell, who spoke before O’Connor’s swearing in, said that he was pleased to see O’Connor elected.

“I always knew his time would come,” Rendell said.

The governor added that since he sees Pittsburgh “from an outsider’s eyes,” he is better able to appreciate the positive changes the city has made, such as the development of the South Side.

“The good news is we’re not going to stop,” Rendell said about growth in Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania. “We will be there for you.”

Rendell said that O’Connor would be “willing to do whatever it takes to make Pittsburgh great again.”

O’Connor said that he wants to reach out to more of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods.

“Pittsburgh has many, many challenges,” he said.

O’Connor’s message was mostly positive, but he stressed that Pittsburghers would have to contribute to their own revitalization.

“We can’t just be happy on Monday mornings when the Steelers won,” O’Connor said.

He urged the crowd to get behind Downtown residential initiatives and pointed to a couple of large companies – Google and American Eagle – that are moving to Pittsburgh.

“People want to be here,” O’Connor said. “Are you starting to believe we’re on second base?”

Looking ahead, the mayor asked Pittsburghers to get excited about this year’s MLB All-Star Game coming to Pittsburgh, and the U.S. Open following suit a year from now.

He pointed out that three years from now will be the 250th birthday of Pittsburgh.

Borrowing a line from his mother, he said, “Let’s redd up, we have company coming. Let’s redd up Pittsburgh, not just Dahntahn.”

O’Connor also expressed enthusiasm for gambling coming to Pittsburgh.

“Are you starting to believe in Pittsburgh again?” O’Connor asked. “Let’s get to work.”