Tube City Almanac

June 01, 2005

This Train is Bound for Dravosburg

Category: default || By jt3y

As promised, I added more information about the B&O crossing plan last night to Tube City Online. That takes the place of today's Almanac, except to ask whether there's something in the water over in Dravosburg.

In short, the mayor is being lambasted because he told the producers of a reality TV show to contact two families in the borough. The show pits two rival families against one another a la the Hatfields and McCoys, and it's called "Loser Leaves Town." After a series of competitions (I suppose the families have to eat bugs or mud wrestle or something), the losing family has to move away.

This is what passes for entertainment in 21st Century America. It also goes a long way toward explaining why my TV has scuff marks all over it; I keep throwing my shoes at the screen.

Anyway, one of the families that was contacted is irate, naturally: Would you want to be contacted for a show called "Loser Leaves Town"? They went to a council meeting last month to complain that their personal information was given out without their consent.

The mayor told Jennifer Vertullo of the News on May 19 that he doesn't care: "I have never seen a more bickering set of neighbors that want to blame my police department and my office as mayor for their childish problems. ... And by them taking it public, it shows how childish that situation up there is."

Several correspondents have pointed out that Eric Heyl also had a very funny take on the same topic in the Tribune-Review a few days later, and Vertullo has since followed up the story.

As I've said before, I love the Mon Valley, but we're in no danger of getting our own chapter of Mensa any time soon.






Your Comments are Welcome!

The most interesting thing I’ve noticed about Dravosburg (other than your story) is that there once was a place along the main drag, a furrier, or drycleaner, or some such business (the mind is hazy), and now, it’s a pizza place.
L. K. Bong (shirts only 50 cents, no starch) - June 02, 2005



Don’t sell Dravosburg short. They’ve got one kickin’ square dance club that cuts the rug regularly in Dravosburg Fire Hall (#2, I think).
That old crew would wear your butt out, if you had the guts to dance with them.
Sorry, no drunks allowed.
Jonathan Barnes - June 02, 2005



I have a low tolerance for plaid shirts and straw hats, so I’ll pass on the square dancing.

As for the pizza joint, L.K., you’re thinking of Clearfield Furs, which was located on that corner for many years. I haven’t been into the pizza place lately, but under the previous ownership, it was fairly good.
Webmaster (URL) - June 02, 2005



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