In 2011 Ceoffe was in Ravenstahl's pocket. He received the endorsement and was more than happy to be his rubber stamp on council. He was willing to do this because he was (and is) a product of the ward system. He grew up embedded in the system and has used it his whole life. His support of Ravenstahl wasn't about policy, it was about politics. If you need proof of that simply look at how his policy today compares to that of 2011. Remember in 2011 how he was talking about "unity" with the administration. About harnessing "partnerships". Now today he treats those ideas like they are toxic. He has abandoned most of his campaign ideas from that race and replaced them with ideas so fluffy no one in their right mind could disagree with them. Open Data is a prime example. It is something Peduto has supported for years and so has anyone else not directly involved in the administration. It has absolutely no negative blowback. The only stance Ceoffe has taken has been in regards to Act 47 and that had to ripped out of him at debate after debate and in my opinion he is taking the wrong stance.
The difference between this new machine and the old machine that everyone is referring to is that the new machine is built and run on ideas. By both of their own admission Bill and Deb have known each other for years. They worked together all the way through the Ravenstahl years both fighting for greater inclusion of arts and community input. There was no incentive back then to work with Peduto as at that time he was incredibly limited in power. In fact his allies were routinely punished by the Ravenstahl administration. They worked together because of the ideas. The belief that what they were doing was the right way and that in the end it would help the community and the city. Now that Peduto is getting ready to step into the mayor's office there are many reasons to want to work with him (Which is why you see Ceoffe suddenly agreeing with him).
In the Ravenstahl days people joined with him to get power, to get favors. It was a completely policy free decision. People didn't back Ravenstahl because they believed that TIFs should be an essential part of all development in the city. They backed him because they knew he would do things for them in return. Today the people Bill are supporting are being supported because he knows they share his vision of the city and want to work with him to achieve it. The fact that he knows Deb believes these things is no doubt a large reason why he decided to back her. He knows she is on his and the community's side because she was there when that wasn't the popular or convenient thing to do. Where was Ceoffe at that time? Right he was clinging to Ravenstahl with everything he had.
Supporting those who share your vision is not patronage, it's not corruption. It is just a part of fighting to make your vision reality. Peduto should back those who want to see the city move forward. Deb will not support Bill's ideas because Bill helped her get elected, Deb will support his ideas because she has the same ideas as Bill. She had those ideas long before there was any incentive to.
Recent Comments
The difference between this new machine and the old machine that everyone is referring to is that the new machine is built and run on ideas. By both of their own admission Bill and Deb have known each other for years. They worked together all the way through the Ravenstahl years both fighting for greater inclusion of arts and community input. There was no incentive back then to work with Peduto as at that time he was incredibly limited in power. In fact his allies were routinely punished by the Ravenstahl administration. They worked together because of the ideas. The belief that what they were doing was the right way and that in the end it would help the community and the city. Now that Peduto is getting ready to step into the mayor's office there are many reasons to want to work with him (Which is why you see Ceoffe suddenly agreeing with him).
In the Ravenstahl days people joined with him to get power, to get favors. It was a completely policy free decision. People didn't back Ravenstahl because they believed that TIFs should be an essential part of all development in the city. They backed him because they knew he would do things for them in return. Today the people Bill are supporting are being supported because he knows they share his vision of the city and want to work with him to achieve it. The fact that he knows Deb believes these things is no doubt a large reason why he decided to back her. He knows she is on his and the community's side because she was there when that wasn't the popular or convenient thing to do. Where was Ceoffe at that time? Right he was clinging to Ravenstahl with everything he had.
Supporting those who share your vision is not patronage, it's not corruption. It is just a part of fighting to make your vision reality. Peduto should back those who want to see the city move forward. Deb will not support Bill's ideas because Bill helped her get elected, Deb will support his ideas because she has the same ideas as Bill. She had those ideas long before there was any incentive to.