Live chat of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s press conference

This is news staffer Lauren Daley manning the livechat. We have @CharlieDee71 live at Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s press conference.

The press conference begins at 11 a.m. Both of the mayor’s parents have arrived

While we wait, here’s some background that has brought us to this point: The Pittsburgh Post uncovered multiple, mysterious bank accounts being tracked by the FBI, http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/investigators-tracking-multiple-pittsburgh-police-accounts-676099/; Ravenstahl, for days, stood by police chief Nate Harper. After meeting with federal investigators last week, however, Ravenstahl reversed his support and asked for Harper’s resignation: https://cp.nicholas.industries/Blogh/archives/2013/02/20/reversing-previous-support-ravenstahl-announces-harpers-departure-as-police-chief

Meanwhile, questions began to swirl regarding these bank accounts, and it came out that Ravenstahl’s own bodyguards had debit cards tied to these accounts. Then, a former bodyguard, Fred Crawford, tells the PG that Ravenstahl knew of the debit cards, as well as asked them to lie on their time sheets to conceal late-night partying. http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/ex-bodyguard-mayor-knew-of-credit-union-debit-cards-676387/

Ravenstahl formally launched his re-election campaign 11 days ago. At the age of 26, he became Mayor in 2006 after the death of Mayor Bob O’Connor. He’s currently running against Democratic mayoral candidates city controller Michael Lamb and city councilor Bill Peduto.

The mayor has been absent at several campaign and public events in the last week.

Mayor entering with his parents

“10 years go this month i began the journey that has lead me to where I stand today. I was an ambitious and energized 23 year old determined to make his neighborhood and city better.”

“I’m proud of my role in making this city was it is today. I’m proud we’re no longer bankrupt. I’m proud we employ more people in Pittsburgh today then ever before. I’m proud we have turned a corner and now see our population increasing for the first time in my lifetime. I’m proud that the dream that was the Pittsburgh Promise is now a reality touching more than over 3800 kids already. I’m proud of the Renainssance we’ve advanced in our neighborhoods and most notably in our core downtown.”

“I’m proud of things i was able to achieve. … This success however comes at a cost. the grueling demands of this office are difficult to describe, the sacrifice significant. those that pay the greatest price are those who are closest to me.”

“After a careful and considerable amount of thought I have decided that that price has become too great to endure. As a result … hear to announce I’m dropping my bid for re-election. I do so without any reservation and with a clear mind.”

Mayor says recent events, and nasty allegations, have lead him to this decision. “Many will speculate about my motives and conclude that the investigation is my reason for today. It’s not. I’ve done nothing wrong. That will be proven over time.”

“Politics for me have never been about winning….I’m not dropping from this race because I’m worried about losing. In fact I can say I’m more confident today” then he ever has.

Says grateful for his supporters. As you can say ” my mom is great…hope she looks half as good she does…she does have medical issue she’s dealing with but I have no doubt she will overcome and defeat them.”

Ravenstahl says honored to hold position. Says he’ll continue to do the “best job i possibly can’ in the next 10 months.

Cites Bill Cowher retirement speech. “Just like Bill Cowher I have been extremely blessed….I can proudly say that this North Side boy has lived his dream.”

Says next job will be coaching his son’s t-ball team

Said he took time with the decision. says he does so without a clear mind and without reservation

“We’re not going anywhere. We’ll be here next 10 months.”

“It’s been a great ride.”

“When you’re spending more time doing things or responding to things that are simply false they’re harmful and hurtful and cause you to have to deal with and therefore take your eye off the ball. It’s something that’s the nature of the business but something I clearly enjoy least about the business.”

“I’ve assumed we’ve cooperated with any inquiries [feds] have made with the city. ..” says he hasn’t talked to anyone about the fed investigation into police this week.

being televised here: http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/live-video/

“I along with my family was no longer willing to bear that cost and pay that price. I don’t nkow if I can put my finger specifically on what “it” was or what “it” is in order to move forward I had to make a decision, and I did.”

He’s encouraging others to get involved in race, has a candidate in mind. Won’t say who.

Says he’ll speak with hsi donors and decide what best course of action is with those dollars.

@Ben which blogger?

Says he respects the media but says it’s changed in his time in politics, and for future candidates to be prepared.

Thanks, Ben. There will be lots of speculation, observation, analysis next few days. Power of social discourse!

Which, coincidentally, is something he just cited about running. “I don’t know that I’m burnt out. … It was simply the toll that it’s taken on me personally and my family personally. It’s difficult to describe unless you live it. It’s difficult for me to explain to my closest friends, even my parents.”

“It’s not really something I anticipated and contemplated until Mayor O’Connor got sick and passed away. I’ve been very fortunate to be here for 7 years.”

BMA, earlier in the press conference he was asked about a similar accusation from former body guard and responded “it’s simply not true.”

Says his proudest moment is the Pittsburgh Promise. “I’m not going to get into regrets. e all have regrets in our life. That’s just the nature of life.”

Says he’s going to make invoices from his security guards available to media today to show there was no wrong-doing on their part. “I know without a doubt I did nothing wrong and that is not why this decision was made. I know folks won’t believe that. Maybe you guys don’t even believe it. But over time the truth will prevail, and it will come out. Not as quickly as I would like to it, but it will. All these allegations and things being suggested simply aren’t true.”

Mayoral challenger, city councilor Bill Peduto, released this statement: “I understand how difficult of a decision this was and would like to extend our sincere best wishes to Luke Ravenstahl and his family. My campaign will continue to focus on taking Pittsburgh in a better direction and making the city the most livable for all of our residents.”

Ravenstahl’s campaign account is now retweeting messages of support from followers. It’s been silent since yesterday morning.

Ravenstahl says “my age is something folks always talk about and I guess probably always will.”

Ravenstahl says no pressure from inside the party. “Quite the opposite.” “I was not encouraged by anyone to do what I’m doing right now.”

Mayor says he’s disappointed in former bodyguard Fred Crawford “He’s disappointed a lot of people. He’s disappointed me.. .. He’ll have to answer for it someday.”

“I feel really good. … This is not a somber day. THis is a day I’m excited about. I feel really good. I’m at peace with my decision. It’s been a tough couple of days because there have been a lot of people who have invested a lot of time to me and committed a whole hell of a lot to me that I’ve had to tell no and it wasn’t easy. … All of those people that may have not agreed with this decision are either standing in this room or will be standing with me in the future. That’s, to me, what true friendship and love is all about and I’m just blessed to have a tremendous amount of love around me and tremendous amount of support.”

“It wasn’t an easy decision, but I’m, I’m happy.”

To media. “I respect what you do. Doesn’t mean we always agree, that I’m always polite to you. … I know that you have a job to do sometimes I wish you were a little more understanding of the job we have to do including my press staff. … I’m not angry at any of you. I don’t blame the media for anything. That’s the nature of this job.”

Says he doesn’t plan on doing Chief Regina McDonald’s job for her, that he’ll think she do a good job. Thinks rank and file officers “will respond to her leadership.”

Identifies Chuck Porter as personal attorney. says “I’m not a target, a subject. I don’t know what all the words are I know folks were using creative words to suggest I was trouble. … I didn’t receive a letter. I was told point blank I wasn’t a target and I know I’m not a target because I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Says Sgt. Gauntner didn’t use debit card.

Mayor: “We’ll start to prove Fred wrong today.” From mayor’s office: The total amount in 2012 allocated for the mayor’s security detail is: $140,085
Dom Sciulli – full time security detail for mayor – Salary of $67330.22; over time for mayor’s detail, $34699.64. Sgt. Matt Gauntner – works full time as a police sergeant and fills in for Sciulli, part time at a total cost of $38,055.74

Ravenstahl says he probably should have made this decision three months ago.

Mayor says he’s uncomfortable with the public life. Something he’s uncomfortable with. “I disliked the ability of folks to say and do whatever they wanted to say or do… I dislike the politics of it in terms of the folks that are, you know, in it to win and will do so at any cost. I’m just not that person.”

Says he disliked the nastiness of politics. “and quite honestly sick of” it.

“Ability to make decisions now without having to run for re-election…is a good feeling. It may allow us to do some things that are perhaps bolder than what somebody who has to run for re-election might consider … I’m not going to promise you anything.”

He’s getting a little choked up, talking about his employees. “They dedicate their life and put up with that same scrutiny. When somebody comes after me, they take it as them personally being attacked— their commitment is incredible.”

Some reax coming in from City Hall: City councilor Bruce Kraus: “I’m supportive of the mayor’s decision. I think it took a lot of courage to do it. I think it’s in the best interest of Pittsburgh as a whole.”

From city controller and Mayoral challenger Michael Lamb: “I understand this was a difficult decision for Mayor Ravenstahl to make today. I respect the choice he has made, and wish the best for the Ravenstahl family. As our city continues to face serious challenges, I hope to work with the Mayor, his Administration, and City Council for the remainder of his term toward our common goal of improving Pittsburgh and the lives of the people who call it home.”

We’re going to sign off for now. @CharlieDee71 is still covering this unfolding story and we’ll have follow up and analysis on Blogh and in print. Thanks for participating in today’s livechat!