Letters to the editor

Another perspective on 14th Ward politics
As a longtime Jewish Democratic Committee member in the 14th Ward, I would like to add some context to the opinion piece published in the April 3 issue (“Jews need — and deserve — more seats at the table in local politics”). Bryna Siegel Finer and Aviva Lubowsky state that Corey O’Connor’s four-vote endorsement victory was out of proportion to the 2-to-1 support O’Connor enjoyed in our ward. The vote total of 274 to 270 included all Pittsburgh city wards, not just the 14th Ward. With 42 precincts, the 14th Ward can contribute 84 endorsement votes. As endorsement votes are secret, it is not possible to know how 14th Ward committee folks voted. Therefore, we cannot extrapolate that 14th Ward committee members are “disconnected” from their community.

I believe, as my friend the late Barbara Daly Danko said, that competition is good for the democratic process. I did not realize how much I wanted to be a committeewoman until I was challenged years back. Anyone who supports the mission of supporting Democratic candidates and is helping to build Democratic engagement and participation is welcome to the process.

I do not know what percentage of the 14th Ward Committee is Jewish, but I do know that we do not vote as a monolith. In fact, my husband ( who is the committeeman in our precinct and a mohel) and I do not always agree. This makes for spirited dinner conversation. So I am perplexed when the authors state that the committee is insular, as that has not been my experience at home or at meetings.

I would also like to respond to the authors’ assertion that Liz Healey, chair of the14th Ward, “circulated a list of largely Jewish ACDC candidates she urged the party to oppose.” The authors suggest that Ms. Healey is going after Jewish opponents and insinuate antisemitism, a portrayal that misrepresents who Liz Healey is. She has tirelessly worked to support Democratic candidates both Jewish and non-Jewish.

Terri Klein
Pittsburgh

Participation strengthens, not threatens, democracy
My name is Catherine Blauvelt, and I am running for Democratic Committee member in the 14th Ward, 11th District. After reading “14th Ward Democratic Committee controversy envelops upcoming elections” (April 3), I am concerned that some readers may come away with the impression that I was recruited to run.

I chose to run for the open committee member seat of my own accord. I believe in the power of local government because it’s where real change happens in people’s everyday lives. For years, I’ve knocked on doors, made phone calls, driven voters to the polls and collected signatures. I’m a mom of three fourth-generation Pittsburghers, a member of the Historic Review Commission, and a proud neighbor on Kinsman Road. I want to listen to my neighbors and address their concerns, for us and for the next generation.

I also want to say plainly that I reject antisemitism. I am involved in the Jewish community and raising my children to be Jewish. Jewish residents of our ward deserve the same respect, safety and participation in civic life as anyone else.

Local Democratic politics should welcome participation, not treat it as suspect. More people getting involved in these races is not a threat to democracy; it is democracy. I hope voters will evaluate every candidate, including me, based on character, judgment and commitment to the community.

Catherine Blauvelt
Pittsburgh

Talk to your candidates before you vote
Regarding “14th Ward Democratic Committee controversy envelops upcoming elections” (April 3), it behooves every voter to hold at least a brief conversation with any candidate for any office, as much as possible. That begins with committee members (for the coming election in May) and goes through legislators, judges and executives, as high as they are accessible to meet.

Organizations which vet candidates in terms of their positions on certain issues are not new. Certainly the (late, lamented) Gertrude Stein Political Club was one longstanding such organization, similar to the Beacon Coalition. The candidates are only endorsed based upon those certain issues and each candidate’s eagerness and ability to learn. It is incumbent upon voters to discuss any other issues that they deem important — and by the way not to be single-issue voters.

Your committee candidates are right there, in your eight-block district! They are in your stores, walking their dogs, sitting on their porches. Some run as husband and wife for the male and female positions, and you should consider whether that is the best representation for your interests. Talk with them all, and find someone who represents you best. And by all means, always vote!

Audrey N. Glickman
Greenfield

Quoting controversial voices
The Torah column “*Click.* *Tap.* *Scroll*” (March 27) on Parshat Tzav by Rabbi Mark Asher Goodman was problematic as the rabbi uses The Smiths’ verse “There is a light and it never goes out” to refer to the fire of the Torah given to Moses.

Couldn’t the rabbi find any other poem, saying, quote, verse or song to compare to the fire of the Torah?
The former lead singer of The Smiths, Morrissey, has spewed views that have garnered accusations of racism and fascism.

I like The Smiths’ music. I own several of their releases, as well as a Morrissey solo CD (The Smiths broke up decades ago) titled “Viva Hate.” However if I were a DJ on a local indie radio station, I would not choose to play them .

Leni Riefenstahl was Hitler’s Nazi propaganda filmmaker. She instituted many innovative techniques and was an influential artist. Her work is still studied and admired for its skill and creativity. This is the Leni dilemma. How do we — can we — separate the great work of an artist from their personal life or public proclamations without becoming censors and totalitarian? I don’t know the answer. I listen to Morrissey in my own house, up loud. But I would not quote, promote or cite his work when there is a world of choices.

Harriet Stein
Pittsburgh