Bob O'Connor: 1944-2006

Taking a break from the stupidity for a moment...

Although I didn't know Mayor O'Connor personally, like all of Pittsburgh, I was saddened by the news of his passing.

The phrase "man of the people" is often overused, but in Mr. O'Connor's case, it seems appropriate. He looked like, spoke like, and put his nose to the grindstone like a Pittsburgher.

When I think back on his short time in office, one of the first things I remember was the "sniper scare" that turned out to be nothing more than someone shooting at pigeons from a downtown rooftop. After it was all over, everyone got a good chuckle from the way the Mayor took action... donning a bullet proof vest, scurrying through the streets, white hair breezing back from his head. But I can't imagine many politicians today personally employing such a take charge course of action and heading directly to the "front lines" of what, at the moment, appeared to be a bad situation. That's the kind of person you hope to have in charge when times are tough.

Rest in peace, Mr. O'Connor.