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Don’t look now, however there’s a fourth hopeful in search of to be Pittsburgh’s subsequent metropolis controller — a candidate with an extended historical past in authorities and a well-recognized household identify.
Mark DePasquale is one among a handful of candidates in search of to exchange outgoing controller Michael Lamb, who determined to not run for re-election this 12 months. And he stresses a collaborative strategy that focuses not simply on {dollars} and cents however on constructing connections.
“I don’t name the controller a watchdog,” DePasquale mentioned. “I name him a fiscal guardian, and a lightweight submit to transparency. You do not need to assault. It’s essential information.”
DePasquale mentioned he’s labored within the controller’s workplace earlier than, as an auditor, and that he’s held posts within the non-public sector as effectively, largely within the hospitality business. in recent times, he has labored on programming for seniors on the metropolis, the place he now works as a undertaking supervisor.
That background, he mentioned, offers him a “very well-rounded set of experiences that I believe units me aside.”
Amongst different issues, he touted his advocacy to end what has been called the “Social Security offset” — a discount in retirement advantages for non-union metropolis staff as soon as they’re eligible for Social Safety.
“It was an egregious penalty positioned on staff due to mismanagement” and town’s earlier financial hardships, mentioned DePasquale, who serves on town’s pension board. Town reversed the coverage in late 2021, and DePasquale hailed his work alongside different metropolis officers towards that finish as “one among my greatest accomplishments in my life.”
However he warns that the finances shortfalls that drove such insurance policies within the first place might not be as distant as some residents could hope.
Echoing other city officials, DePasquale cautions that town faces some bumps within the years forward. Federal coronavirus help cash has helped masks these issues, however COVID could have a long-lasting impression, he mentioned. For one factor, he warns, “The Downtown actual property market isn’t coming again” because the enterprise hub it as soon as was. “The revenues we have been relying on aren’t coming again — parking, actual property, individuals buying.”
Addressing such issues, he mentioned, requires a proactive strategy: “a stable plan to have further income coming in when revenues aren’t coming again as they have been previous to COVID.” A part of that plan would deal with bettering effectivity: DePasquale bemoans the cash spent on new digs for some metropolis departments who as soon as occupied a now-vacant annex on Ross Road, for instance. However he mentioned he’d additionally use his voice to name for broader shifts, like doing extra to welcome Spanish-speaking immigrants and convert Downtown to a extra residential group.
“The place that no person actually takes benefit of is that the controller is the second-highest election official within the metropolis,” he mentioned. “I want to use that bully pulpit to … attempt to resolve lots of the issues which are dealing with us.”
Take, for instance, a frequent concern throughout Lamb’s tenure in workplace: the truth that among the metropolis’s largest employers are tax-exempt nonprofits like UPMC.
“I consider the strategy to the nonprofits has been unsuitable, unsuitable, unsuitable,” DePasquale mentioned. Whereas different metropolis officers have taken a confrontational tack, he mentioned, “These individuals have energy, these individuals have cash. Once you threaten them, they simply say, ‘Effectively, wait ’til he’s out of workplace.’” DePasquale mentioned his strategy can be to supply naming rights offers and different partnerships in metropolis services like senior facilities.
“Give them one thing that they’ll contact, really feel, odor, and see,” he mentioned. “And do it diplomatically with class.”
DePasquale additionally mentioned the plight of metropolis faculties was a key concern. “I discuss to residents on a regular basis they usually’re annoyed,” he mentioned. “The place is our cash going? Our youngsters aren’t getting educated.”
Throughout his time in workplace, Lamb typically voiced issues in regards to the district, however mentioned the controller’s skill to supply oversight to the faculties was restricted.
DePasquale disagrees — “I simply can’t consider that an elected official doesn’t have the ability to make a distinction.” However he acknowledges it could take time to determine how greatest to proceed. “I’d take my time and work. I’d construct allies and relationships. … Then we are going to transfer ahead and begin to attempt to resolve the issues.”
DePasquale is the fourth candidate to precise curiosity within the seat. The others embrace former appearing county controller Tracy Royston, present deputy controller Rachel Heisler, and college board member Kevin Carter.
That is DePasquale’s first run for elected workplace (not together with a Democratic Social gathering committee submit) however he has a political pedigree that few office-seekers may match: He’s the son of a former metropolis council member, Eugene “Jeep” DePasquale, and the uncle of former state Auditor Common Eugene DePasquale (who’s presently mulling a run for attorney general).
Nonetheless, he mentioned that he’d be greater than content material to function controller: “I’m not going to be there to run for greater workplace. I would like my metropolis to prosper and develop, and I simply wish to be part of that.”
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