On today’s episode of The Confluence:
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald is entering his final year in the position
(0:00 - 22:30)
In May 1998, Allegheny County voters decided to change the structure of county government from three commissioners to a 15-member, part-time council and one county executive. The first elections for those offices were held the next year.
Rich Fitzgerald has been part of that restructured government from day one: He was elected to three four-year terms on County Council, and now he’s begun his 12th and final year as county executive.
Fitzgerald said he always hoped to serve three terms.
“I wanted to really make some big improvements in Allegheny County, particularly around keeping our young people growing jobs and growing our population,” said Fitzgerald. “And we've done that for the first time in 60 years.”
County jail
Last summer, the county put out a request for proposals for a firm to recommend ideas for a significant overhaul of the county jail that could include a redesign or even greater changes.
When WESA host Kevin Gavin asked Fitzgerald about what changes he'd like to see in how the county houses and treats incarcerated people, he responded: “We'll wait to see what the experts make in that recommendation."
When asked for further thoughts or suggestions about the jail, Fitzgerald repeated a version of that answer three more times.
When asked if he was happy with the work of Warden Orlando Harper, Fitzgerald said, "Well, I'm not going into personnel issues right now."
Editor's note: During the exchange, Fitzgerald said, “I didn't see this, Kevin, in the things that we were, that you had sent to me ahead of time. This was something that, you had said you were going to stay with these questions.”
As a policy, WESA does not send guests questions ahead of interviews. If requested, we may provide some discussion topics in advance.
The future
Fitzgerald says he doesn’t see himself running for another elected position, but he is interested in working with an organization on economic development after his tenure ends.
The primary to choose nominees for the next county executive is scheduled for May. Announced candidates include county Councilor Liv Bennett, attorney and former county Councilor Dave Fawcett, state Rep. Sara Innamorato, Pittsburgh City Controller Michael Lamb, and County Department of Human Services consultant Erin McClelland.
Fitzgerald said he wasn't ready to offer an endorsement for any candidate at this point.
The Confluence, where the news comes together, is 90.5 WESA’s daily news program. Tune in Monday to Thursday at 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. to hear newsmakers and innovators take an in-depth look at stories important to the Pittsburgh region. Find more episodes of The Confluence here or wherever you get your podcasts.
