John Fetterman (politician)
Encyclopedia
John Fetterman is an American
politician who is mayor
of Braddock
, Pennsylvania
. Fetterman is a native of York, Pennsylvania
. He attended Harvard University
where he earned a master's degree
in Public Policy. He moved to Braddock in 2001 to work for AmeriCorps
, won the mayoral election in 2005, and was re-elected in May 2009. As mayor, Fetterman has drawn international attention in trying to revitalize the economy in Braddock. While the town had over 20,000 residents in the first half of the 20th century due to its proximity to Andrew Carnegie
's steel mills, the population and economy collapsed beginning in the 1970s with the decline of the steel industry.
's first steel mill
, the Edgar Thomson Steel Works
in 1873, as well as the first Carnegie library
, and developed with the local steel industry. In the 1920s, the town was more densely-populated than Brooklyn
, New York City
. In the mid-1940s the town had around 20,000 residents. With the decline of the steel industry in the 1970s, many of the residents moved elsewhere in search of work, and other businesses failed. In the impoverished urban environment, street gangs such as the Crips
became popular. The population dropped to below 3,000 in 2009. In 2008, the average house value was $6,200, and 300 within the borough were vacant. The town had just two operating stores. While the steel mill still operates 24 hours a day, it employed just 560 people in 2010, compared to more than 5,000 at one point.
in 1999 with a Master of Public Policy
degree. He moved to Braddock in 2001 to work for AmeriCorps
, helping local youth who had left school earn their GED
. After living in Braddock for four years, attracted by what he called the town's "malignant beauty", Fetterman ran against the incumbent mayor in 2005 and won by a single vote. As the part-time mayor, Fetterman earned $110.22 a month in 2007. His full-time job, still as the director of the out of school youth program, paid around $30,000 annually. In addition to his work with the program, Fetterman established strong relationships with the 16- to 24-year-old population, helping many in finding employment, and working with them with issues involving family, social agencies, and police. He also founded the 501(c)(3), Braddock Redux.
Following his election, Fetterman initiated youth and art programs, created a community center, and has tried to initiate development of the town's mostly ruined buildings and poor economy. With family money, Fetterman purchased the town's First Presbyterian Church before demolition for $50,000, living in the basement for several months. He later purchased an adjacent warehouse for $2,000, placed two shipping containers
on the roof for "extra living space" and moved in. He has since purchased and renovated many additional houses and offered cheap, even free rent. Fetterman has attracted many young artists to the town through cheap rent and starting various art exhibition
s. The town's "renaissance
" has attracted individuals from cities such as Chicago
and Portland, Oregon
, drawn by the potential for development and growth. Other programs include a two-acre organic urban farm
, worked by teenagers of the Braddock Youth Project.
Fetterman's commitment to the community of Braddock is shown with various tattoos. On his left arm are the numbers 15104 - Braddock's zip code
, and on the right, five dates of murders that occurred in the town.
Fetterman has also been involved in the Environmental Defense Fund's advocacy for carbon caps
and green technology, believing development of green energy industries can revitalize the region's economy.
In order to help fund programs, Fetterman has established relationships with local non-profits, Allegheny County's economic development program, and county executive Dan Onorato
. Opposition to Fetterman's activities while mayor has come from borough council president Jesse Brown. In March 2009, Brown ordered the borough's code enforcement officer to cite Fetterman for an occupancy permit violation for a building owned by Fetterman's non-profit organization. Brown also asked the judge to move the hearing to before the May mayoral election so that the people could be aware of the situation. The judge later dismissed the complaint.
In 2009, Fetterman was re-elected as mayor after winning the Democratic primary against Jayme Cox by a vote of 294 to 103.
. An article about him, describing him as "America's coolest mayor", appeared on July 15, 2009 in The Guardian
in the United Kingdom
.
Fetterman was the guest on the Colbert Report on February 25, 2009, discussing the economic difficulties his town faced due to a decreasing population, plummeting real estate values, and bankruptcy. He also questioned why funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
could not be used to support projects such as those in Braddock.
He appeared again on August 16, 2010, discussing what he had been doing and the town's partnership with Levi Strauss.
In 2010, Levi Strauss & Company
donated money to the Braddock's revitalization and features the town in an advertising campaign and documentary produced by Sundance Channel.
On November 29, 2010 Fetterman was arrested and immediately released in Pittsburgh. Fetterman had refused to leave the property of the U.S. Steel Tower
where he was protesting the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
(UPMC). UPMC had recently closed its Braddock Hospital
despite objections by Fetterman and the local community.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician who is mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Braddock
Braddock, Pennsylvania
Braddock is a borough located in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, 10 miles upstream from the mouth of the Monongahela River. The population was 2,159 at the 2010 census...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. Fetterman is a native of York, Pennsylvania
York, Pennsylvania
York, known as the White Rose City , is a city located in York County, Pennsylvania, United States which is in the South Central region of the state. The population within the city limits was 43,718 at the 2010 census, which was a 7.0% increase from the 2000 count of 40,862...
. He attended Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
where he earned a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in Public Policy. He moved to Braddock in 2001 to work for AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is a U.S. federal government program that was created under President Bill Clinton by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 and later expanded by 50 percent under President George W. Bush...
, won the mayoral election in 2005, and was re-elected in May 2009. As mayor, Fetterman has drawn international attention in trying to revitalize the economy in Braddock. While the town had over 20,000 residents in the first half of the 20th century due to its proximity to Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, and entrepreneur who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century...
's steel mills, the population and economy collapsed beginning in the 1970s with the decline of the steel industry.
Braddock
The town of Braddock, a suburb of Pittsburgh, was founded around the site of Andrew CarnegieAndrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, and entrepreneur who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century...
's first steel mill
Steel mill
A steel mill or steelworks is an industrial plant for the manufacture of steel.Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. It is produced in a two-stage process. First, iron ore is reduced or smelted with coke and limestone in a blast furnace, producing molten iron which is either cast into pig iron or...
, the Edgar Thomson Steel Works
Edgar Thomson Steel Works
The Edgar Thomson Steel Works is a steel mill in North Braddock, Pennsylvania. It is active since 1872.-History :The mill occupies the historic site of Braddock's Field, on the banks of the Monongahela River east of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
in 1873, as well as the first Carnegie library
Carnegie library
A Carnegie library is a library built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929, including some belonging to public and university library systems...
, and developed with the local steel industry. In the 1920s, the town was more densely-populated than Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. In the mid-1940s the town had around 20,000 residents. With the decline of the steel industry in the 1970s, many of the residents moved elsewhere in search of work, and other businesses failed. In the impoverished urban environment, street gangs such as the Crips
Crips
The Crips are a primarily, but not exclusively, African American gang. They were founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1969 mainly by Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams...
became popular. The population dropped to below 3,000 in 2009. In 2008, the average house value was $6,200, and 300 within the borough were vacant. The town had just two operating stores. While the steel mill still operates 24 hours a day, it employed just 560 people in 2010, compared to more than 5,000 at one point.
Work in Braddock
Fetterman, who is 6 in 8 in (203.2 cm) tall and weighs 350 lb (158.8 kg), graduated from Harvard UniversityHarvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1999 with a Master of Public Policy
Master of Public Policy
The Master of Public Policy , one of several public policy degrees, is a master's level professional degree that provides training in policy analysis and program evaluation at public policy schools. The MPP program places a focus on the systematic analysis of issues related to public policy and the...
degree. He moved to Braddock in 2001 to work for AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is a U.S. federal government program that was created under President Bill Clinton by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 and later expanded by 50 percent under President George W. Bush...
, helping local youth who had left school earn their GED
GED
General Educational Development tests are a group of five subject tests which, when passed, certify that the taker has American or Canadian high school-level academic skills...
. After living in Braddock for four years, attracted by what he called the town's "malignant beauty", Fetterman ran against the incumbent mayor in 2005 and won by a single vote. As the part-time mayor, Fetterman earned $110.22 a month in 2007. His full-time job, still as the director of the out of school youth program, paid around $30,000 annually. In addition to his work with the program, Fetterman established strong relationships with the 16- to 24-year-old population, helping many in finding employment, and working with them with issues involving family, social agencies, and police. He also founded the 501(c)(3), Braddock Redux.
Following his election, Fetterman initiated youth and art programs, created a community center, and has tried to initiate development of the town's mostly ruined buildings and poor economy. With family money, Fetterman purchased the town's First Presbyterian Church before demolition for $50,000, living in the basement for several months. He later purchased an adjacent warehouse for $2,000, placed two shipping containers
Intermodal container
An intermodal container is a standardized reusable steel box used for the safe, efficient and secure storage and movement of materials and products within a global containerized intermodal freight transport system...
on the roof for "extra living space" and moved in. He has since purchased and renovated many additional houses and offered cheap, even free rent. Fetterman has attracted many young artists to the town through cheap rent and starting various art exhibition
Art exhibition
Art exhibitions are traditionally the space in which art objects meet an audience. The exhibit is universally understood to be for some temporary period unless, as is rarely true, it is stated to be a "permanent exhibition". In American English, they may be called "exhibit", "exposition" or...
s. The town's "renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
" has attracted individuals from cities such as Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, drawn by the potential for development and growth. Other programs include a two-acre organic urban farm
Urban agriculture
Urban agriculture is the practice of cultivating, processing and distributing food in, or around, a village, town or city. Urban agriculture in addition can also involve animal husbandry, aquaculture, agro-forestry and horticulture...
, worked by teenagers of the Braddock Youth Project.
Fetterman's commitment to the community of Braddock is shown with various tattoos. On his left arm are the numbers 15104 - Braddock's zip code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
, and on the right, five dates of murders that occurred in the town.
Fetterman has also been involved in the Environmental Defense Fund's advocacy for carbon caps
United States Carbon Cap and Trade Program
The United States Carbon Cap-and-Trade Plan is a policy being proposed by President Barack Obama that would essentially put a price on carbon dioxide emissions by auctioning off permits to emit the gas...
and green technology, believing development of green energy industries can revitalize the region's economy.
In order to help fund programs, Fetterman has established relationships with local non-profits, Allegheny County's economic development program, and county executive Dan Onorato
Dan Onorato
Daniel "Dan" Onorato is the current Chief Executive of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. On Tuesday, May 18, 2010, Onorato won a crowded four-way primary to become the Democratic nominee for governor...
. Opposition to Fetterman's activities while mayor has come from borough council president Jesse Brown. In March 2009, Brown ordered the borough's code enforcement officer to cite Fetterman for an occupancy permit violation for a building owned by Fetterman's non-profit organization. Brown also asked the judge to move the hearing to before the May mayoral election so that the people could be aware of the situation. The judge later dismissed the complaint.
In 2009, Fetterman was re-elected as mayor after winning the Democratic primary against Jayme Cox by a vote of 294 to 103.
Recognition
Fetterman's efforts to create youth-oriented programs, revitalize his town, and attract artists and other "creatives" to his community were featured in The New York TimesThe New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
. An article about him, describing him as "America's coolest mayor", appeared on July 15, 2009 in The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Fetterman was the guest on the Colbert Report on February 25, 2009, discussing the economic difficulties his town faced due to a decreasing population, plummeting real estate values, and bankruptcy. He also questioned why funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, abbreviated ARRA and commonly referred to as the Stimulus or The Recovery Act, is an economic stimulus package enacted by the 111th United States Congress in February 2009 and signed into law on February 17, 2009, by President Barack Obama.To...
could not be used to support projects such as those in Braddock.
He appeared again on August 16, 2010, discussing what he had been doing and the town's partnership with Levi Strauss.
In 2010, Levi Strauss & Company
Levi Strauss & Co.
Levi Strauss & Co. is a privately held American clothing company known worldwide for its Levi's brand of denim jeans. It was founded in 1853 when Levi Strauss came from Buttenheim, Franconia, to San Francisco, California to open a west coast branch of his brothers' New York dry goods business...
donated money to the Braddock's revitalization and features the town in an advertising campaign and documentary produced by Sundance Channel.
On November 29, 2010 Fetterman was arrested and immediately released in Pittsburgh. Fetterman had refused to leave the property of the U.S. Steel Tower
U.S. Steel Tower
U.S. Steel Tower, also known as the Steel Building , is the tallest skyscraper in Pittsburgh, the fourth tallest building in Pennsylvania, and the 37th tallest in the United States. Completed in 1970, the tower has 64 floors to and has of leasable space. Its original name was the U.S. Steel...
where he was protesting the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is an $9 billion integrated global nonprofit health enterprise that has 54,000 employees, 20 hospitals, 4,200 licensed beds, 400 outpatient sites and doctors’ offices, a 1.5 million-member health insurance division, as well as commercial and...
(UPMC). UPMC had recently closed its Braddock Hospital
UPMC Braddock
UPMC Braddock Hospital, formerly located at 400 Holland Avenue, Braddock, Pennsylvania, United States, was a full-service hospital that had served over 25 Monongahela Valley communities as a primary care facility for the Steel Valley and areas part of the Woodland Hills School District...
despite objections by Fetterman and the local community.
External links
- Braddock's website, run by Fetterman
- Profile of Fetterman and Braddock, PA on the show NOW on PBS
- Levi's “We Are All Workers” ad campaign focuses on Braddock, PA rebuild - Radio & Television Business Report PR Newswire (press release) - MediaPost Publications
- Braddock Redux, Fettermans's non-profit's website.
- Presenting at Cusp Conference 2010 (video)