Pittsburgh City Council Dishonesty

The following letter was sent to Pittsburgh
City Councilman Bruce Kraus on October 14, 2021.

Councilman Bruce Kraus,

Re: Development in Oakland by Walnut Capital

Here is an article by Ryan Deto in the October 13 Pittsburgh City Paper: https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/factions-in-oakland-are-fighting-to-determine-the-future-of-the-neighborhoods-development/Content?oid=20360179

Here is a quote from that article about the City Council hearing on October 5:

"I hope we don't throw the baby out with the water," said Kraus on Oct. 5 after announcing that council will take a bit more time to review the proposal before voting.

"But we have time to do that, to work through what it is, and find the best solution that interests the community."

Here is an article by Mark Belko in the October 13 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/10/13/council-Oakland-Walnut-Capital-Kraus-Peduto-Oakland-Planning-and-Development-Corporation-Isaly-s/stories/202110130161

Here is a quote from that article about the City Council hearing on October 13:

"Council voted 8-0, with one abstention, to send the legislation — amended to address concerns about building heights and other issues — to the city planning commission for a hearing and recommendation."

The October 13 hearing occurred without any consultation with residents of Oakland, or the Registered Community Organization, Oakland Planning and Development Corporation.

You were deliberately dishonest with the Oakland community at the October 5 hearing. The 8 council members who voted to pass the legislation on October 13, also share with you that shameful dishonesty.

Carlino Giampolo

Note: Councilman Bruce Kraus did not respond.

Note: Here are two additional statements that council members made at the October 5 hearing:

Councilman Bruce Kraus said he forgot to have the amended bill (which he helped Walnut Capital write) posted to the council website for the public to review before the vote.

Was this another deliberate act of dishonesty by Bruce Kraus?

Councilman Reverend Ricky Burgess stated his intent to vote to pass the bill, regardless of the Planning Commission's findings.

This position by Reverend Burgess is one more example of the Pittsburgh City Council employing this corrupt and destructive practice: To label, then love or hate the label.

The Walnut Capital project is labeled as a benefit for the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and Walnut Capital. He loves the label. He has no interest in understanding the pain of Oakland residents.

What makes his position more egregious is that, as a black man, he has been labeled by others as such. He knows the pain that black men and women have suffered simply because of being labeled as black. People hate the label with no interest in understanding the person being labeled.

The concept of understanding requires a comprehensive gathering of information, interpretation, discernment, assessment, inference, appreciation, and valuation.

Time for city government officials to end their corrupt and destructive practice: To label, then love or hate the label.