Pitt News - O'Conner enters third race for mayor

The Pitt News - O'Conner enters third race for mayor: "We're headed in the wrong direction," O'Connor said, citing the city's precarious financial situation and untended relationships with county and state government. "We need to put Pittsburgh on the right track."

The right track. What is the right track, Bob?

Four years ago, as Bob and I were on the campaign trails, I had the opportunity to hear Bob speak often. Perhaps more than 100 times. And, I've watched Bob operate as a member of City Council as well. I have a good memory. I observe like a lifeguard should.

My suggestion four years ago to Tom Murphy, one of Bob's opponents, was to brand the expression: "When you don't know where you want to go, any road will take you there."

Pittsburgh needs to be put onto the right track. No doubt. But, what track should we pick? Why? How do we get there?

The quality of our directions is what is needed. We can't say, any longer, go to where the Roy Rodgers was, turn left. Then turn at the bend where the Isley's was, and go past the former factory site, blah, blah, blah.

We need a compass that isn't mired in mud. We need roads that are not with ruts and potholes. We need maps -- with fresh concepts and excellent leadership that know and understand the region.

Time will tell if Bob's campaign is but another re-tred or not.

Meet: Katrina Brabham, Campaign Manager

Katrina comes to us from the San Francisco Bay Area by way of New York City and Washington, DC. A graduate of Columbia College, she lived in the Bay Area for 11 years where she worked primarily in the biotech industry. Katrina moved to Pittsburgh in 1998 with the hopes of working in the nascent tissue engineering industry. Currently, she works in a local company's R&D facility as a laboratory technician. She is also working towards a B.S. in Chemistry, Bioscience Option, at the University of Pittsburgh with the hopes of graduating in December 2006. Her ambitions include an eventual Masters Degree in Bioengineering.

Katrina's Pittsburgh home has always been on the North Side. First, she resided in the Mexican War Streets and now lives in Observatory Hill. Her home is in the city but not within the borders of the PA Senate 42nd District.

In the past two years, Katrina has become more and more politically and socially active. She is a member of the Urban League Young Professionals, the Green Party, and Observatory Hill, Inc. Last year she worked on the the campaign of a Green Party member in the General Assembly, District 21 election.