District 8 dilemma
Both Finn and Strassburger would serve city well
It’s too bad that Sonja Finn and Erika Strassburger live in the same city council district. Both are excellent ambassadors of the new Pittsburgh. Both bring impressive resumes and sensible platforms to Tuesday’s special election in council District 8, which takes in Shadyside and parts of Oakland, Point Breeze and Squirrel Hill. Pittsburgh would be stronger — and council more productive — if Ms. Finn and Ms. Strassburger occupied two of the nine seats.
Ms. Finn, who founded Dinette in East Liberty 10 years ago, and Ms. Strassburger, who was chief of staff to former District 8 councilman Dan Gilman, are far better prepared for council than the two other candidates, Rennick Remley, manager of corporate relations for the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and Marty Healey, chief financial officer for a real estate and construction company and an LGBT activist.
Because District 8 and the city would benefit if either wins, the PostGazette recommends a vote for Ms. Finn or Ms. Strassburger. Having two candidates of such quality in one district is a reminder of the value of at-large seats, which the city lacks.
The District 8 seat is vacant because Mr. Gilman resigned in January, just as his second term began, to become Mayor Bill Peduto’s chief of staff. Because of the short run-up to a special election, the two major political parties chose their nominees. Mr. Remley, 35, of Squirrel Hill, received the Republican nod. Ms. Finn, 38, of Point Breeze, received the Democratic nod, which Ms. Strassburger, 35, of Squirrel Hill and Mr. Healey, 54, of Shadyside, also sought before deciding to run as independents. Ms. Strassburger has the support of the popular Mr. Gilman and of Mr. Peduto, who held the District 8 seat before his election as mayor.
As its economy continues to grow, Pittsburgh has an urgent need to attract talent from other parts of the country and retain what it is already here. Ms. Strassburger, a San Francisco Bay Area native who arrived in Pittsburgh via New Hampshire, and Ms. Finn, who went to Pittsburgh public schools before leaving and returning, via San Francisco, represent what is possible on these fronts. Either could contribute valuable insights to population and workforce development needs.
While it can be unhealthy for a seat to pass from a council member to a subordinate — there is a long history of such transference in District 8 — Ms. Strassburger has won high marks for handling constituent service and other matters for Mr. Gilman for four years. She knows the issues and the players. If elected, she will hit the ground running. Asked whether she would be a sure vote for Mr. Gilman and Mr. Peduto, she said her activist streak — she previously worked as an environmental activist at PennFuture — will forestall any line-toeing. We take her at her word.
Ms. Finn more than compensates for her lack of government experience. While cuttingher teeth in San Francisco’s food scene, she crossed paths with some of the profession’s luminaries: Judy Rodgers of Zuni Cafe and Alice Waters of Chez Panisse. She returned to Pittsburgh on a mission to leverage her culinary creativity for a neighborhood’s comeback efforts, and she succeeded admirably. Dinette was one of East Liberty’s standout restaurants, and she noted — with pride rather than petulance — that it shares the stage with many high-end eateries that popped up in more recent years. She’s made payroll and navigated the industry’s slim margins while living out her values; she champions sustainability and pays her employees above-standard wages and provides guaranteed work hours. Sadly, she won’t guarantee Dinette’s existence if she’s elected to council.
Ms. Strassburger and Ms. Finn both understand the importance of paving streets, improving infrastructure and providing other basic services in the district. Ms. Strassburger is the more practical of the two and Ms. Finn the more idealistic.
Mr. Remley is a bright spot in the race if only because the Republican Party seldom ventures into city politics, but he’s run an all-but-invisible campaign. Mr. Healey’s business background could help the city as it enters a new financial frontier after Act 47 and his commitment to social justice is commendable. However, Sonja Finn and Erika Strassburger are the strongest all-around candidates, and District 8 is in line for excellent leadership if either prevails Tuesday. Pittsburgh needs them both.