Curb appeal: Pittsburgh mayor's name on trash cans

[February 19, 2009]  PITTSBURGH (AP) -- When Pittsburgh residents think of trash, the city's mayor wants them to think of him. With the May primary looming, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's administration is spending more than $250,000 to buy 250 new trash cans -- all with his name on them.

The new cans will be placed in 30 neighborhoods as part of a program which aims to help revitalize neighborhoods.

The mayor's head of neighborhood programs defends putting his name on trash cans. Kim Graziani says Ravenstahl wants people to know his administration is responsive to their needs.

Besides, mayor-branded trash cans are practically a civic tradition. Three former mayors also put their names on waste receptacles.

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Information from: KDKA-TV, http://www.kdka.com/

[Associated Press]

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