Inner beauty, too
Why would any individual or business want to relocate to a city that gives priority to attracting visitors and not to the needs and likes of the people who call the city home? Even the new stadiums and the convention center do not reflect the personality or the lifestyle of the people of the city of Pittsburgh.
Both Mayor Tom Murphy and Allegheny County Chief Executive Jim Roddey need to step back into the past, when the city was dirty and smoke filled the air, to find the answer to the revitalization of the city.
The decision of corporate heads to relocate to a dirty, smoky city was not made because of the availability of government funding or big tax breaks. The deciding factor won't be found in the minutes of meetings held in boardrooms but in the hearts of those who visited dirty, smoky Pittsburgh. They left awed by the friendliness, the kindness and the generosity of the people who welcomed strangers as family.
Emerging from the Fort Pitt Tunnel, I like to believe the beauty of the city, be it day or night, was meant to be a tribute to the inner beauty of the people the corporate heads found in the Pittsburgh of yesteryear.
LOUISE T. CIONGOLI
Green Tree
Look no further
A note to the experts looking for a slogan for our beautiful city: I refer you to Page 7 of the May 18 issue of USA Weekend. In the list of the 10 most beautiful places in America, the nighttime view from Mount Washington in Pittsburgh is No. 2.
The breathtaking picture shown is a slogan in itself, and I am sure that in the accompanying article describing our city's visual beauty, livability and renaissance, the perfect "slogan" could be found.
In a final note, would it be too much to ask the local media to stop referring to Pittsburgh as the 'Burgh?
MILDRED MASSARO
Penn Hills
Beautiful Pittsburgh
The annual travel report published in the May 18 issue of USA Weekend placed Pittsburgh as No. 2 of the 10 most beautiful places in America. Being born and raised in Morningside, I was extremely happy and pleased about the report.
We have resided in Greenville, S.C., for 33 years. I have never acquired the Southern accent that is so prevalent here. When asked where I am from, to which I respond "Pittsburgh," I still get the same response I did when we moved here -- "Oh, the city with heavy smog, pollution and 'black' snow."
It has been difficult for me to convince people what a beautiful city Pittsburgh has become. Needless to say, I for one appreciate the informative report on the city I love.
I return home to Pittsburgh as much as possible and always look forward to the sight of Downtown as we emerge from the Fort Pitt Tunnel.
MARJORIE CASEY MUNSON
Greenville, S.C.
Yes, build on the past
Over the past several weeks, the media have reported on Pittsburgh's Image Gap Committee and the messages developed to label or "brand" the region.
This project has been a continuing effort of Pittsburgh's regional economic development groups for several years. Substantial time and money have been devoted to the effort.
I agree with Peter Matthews' view, as outlined in his May 4 Forum commentary "Pittsburgh Is Still a Steel Town: Build on It," that "the worthy effort to brand the region should embrace its industrial heritage." A label like "From Steel . . . To Technology" accomplishes this. The label implies the region's movement from a steel-based economy to a technology-based economy.
In addition, it implies the diversity of Pittsburgh's economy from heavy manufacturing to technology and from blue-collar workers to intellectual workers.
ROBERT J. DICKSON
McCandless
Bridging the gap
I recently learned something about Pittsburgh that was quite surprising. According to an Associated Press article, there are 1,945 bridges in Allegheny County and 377 bridges in the city of Pittsburgh itself. We have more bridges than any place in America, and are second in the world only to Venice, Italy.
We've been floundering, trying to select a proper slogan for our city; some of the suggestions have been frivolous, exaggerated, all with a focus on luring people here.
Why use a ploy when we have a distinction that cannot be overlooked. Let's call Pittsburgh "The Bridge City."
ANITA TERRANOVA
Downtown
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