Mayor O'Connor Taken Off Life SupportCity Government bracing for the worst

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Mayor's condition deteriorates, now 'hour by hour'

Friday, September 01, 2006

While Mayor Bob O'Connor's battle with brain cancer continued at UPMC Shadyside, city government officials late last night were braced for the worst.

City Council President Luke Ravenstahl, who would succeed Mr. O'Connor as mayor, remained in the City-County Building awaiting reports from the hospital. Throughout the night, city officials came and went.

City staff members were on call, in case word came that a late-night swearing in ceremony would be necessary.

About 10:30 last night, mayoral spokesman Dick Skrinjar told reporters at the City-County Building that Mr. O'Connor's condition was deteriorating.

"The mayor has gone from day-to-day to hour-by-hour," Mr. Skrinjar said. He added that Mr. O'Connor was surrounded by family members and friends and that he was not on any life support.

WTAE is reporting that a judge is on standby should Ravenstahl need to be sworn in.

Some Pittsburghers called yesterday evening for a public gesture of support for the Mayor to be held today:

Pittsburgh Porchlight and Prayers for Mayor Bob O'Connor

"So I propose that we let the Mayor know he is in our hearts and prayers, by asking all Pittsburghers to turn on their Porch lights beginning at 8 pm and ending at 10 pm on Friday September 1, 2006 as part of "PIttsburgh Porchlight and Prayers for Mayor Bob O'Connor."

This gesture is something that all Pittsburghers can do to express our prayers and Best Wishes to Mayor O'Connor and his family.

Please pass this through your email list of friends and family from throughout the City of Pittsburgh and let's let him know we care! I am not sure we can do this in 24 hours but Let's try. Keep those emails going."

The above was suggested by Rob Frank (South End Active Democrats & Democratic State Committee). While his email went out before the latest news on O'Connor's condition was made public, I think that it's a lovely gesture no matter how the day's events go...