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From YouTube: CityTalk with John McIntire: Mike Gable
Description
On this episode of CityTalk, John interviews Mike Gable from the Department of Public Works.
A
Welcome
to
another
zoom
edition
of
city
talk,
I'm
John
McIntyre.
We
are
continuing
to
broadcast
from
remote
locations
due
to
the
global
pandemic.
Obviously
say
hello
to
our
guests.
For
this
edition,
the
department
of
public
works
director,
Mike,
Gable
Mike,
welcome
to
the
program,
hi
John.
Thank
you.
So
the
Department
of
Public,
Works
I,
think
most
people
know
street
paving
and
the
millions
of
things
that
you
do
are
some
of
them
at
least,
but
give
me
the
rundown
on
everything
you
do
and
I'll
start
asking
you
about
what
you've
been
doing
during
the
pandemic.
Well,.
B
You're
right,
we
got
well,
we
haven't
had
street
paving
for
a
while,
we
like
to
have
a
back,
but
we
we
still
take
care
of
the
right
away:
emptying
rubbish
cans,
litter
cans,
both
parks
and
streets,
gut
and
grass.
You
know
a
lot
of
things
you're
doing
this
summer
and
then,
of
course,
seasonal
work,
leaf
removal,
snow
and
ice
control,
pothole
patching,
which
is
getting
better
every
day,
that's
sort
of
the
river
Isle
environmental
services.
A
A
B
In
some
ways,
things
have
been
a
little
bit
easier
to
get
around
with,
but
you
know
we
started
out
when
it's
all
first
started.
We
had
skeleton
crews
in
all
the
divisions
we
have
about
18
divisions
out
there,
both
the
parks,
streets
and
facilities,
the
only
one
that
was
really
working
full
scale
was
Environmental
Services.
B
They
basically
were
full
capacity
since
this
thing
started
and
as
the
weeks
have
gone
on,
obviously
coming
from
early
spring,
it's
a
little
bit
later
into
April
May
yeah,
the
grass
started
growing
and
things
started
happening,
so
we
had
to
bring
more
staff
on
to
start
cutting
some
of
the
grass,
not
all
of
it.
There
were
certain
places
we
didn't
want
to.
B
We
didn't
have
to
manicure
every
piece
of
grass
out
there,
but
we
certainly
want
to
keep
things
he's
presentable
and
then,
when
the
day
comes
which
has
come
now,
we
didn't
want
it
to
be
four-foot
high
and
have
to
knock
it
down
over
a
period
of
day.
So
you
know
we've
been.
We
are
now
today.
Ramped
up
we
have
our
division
personnel
back.
B
We've
not
had
to
go
into
shift
work.
Yet
we're
gonna
see
how
that
works
in
terms
of
spacing
everybody
wearing
their
masks.
Maybe
only
a
couple
people
in
the
truck,
but
it's
been,
you
know
it's
been
a
step
by
step
and
we're
actually
very
happy
to
get
back
to
a
daily
routine.
There's
a
lot
of
work
out
there
for
us
to
catch
up
on
are.
B
We
have
to
cover
the
city
24/7,
so
most
of
the
workers
were
on
6
to
2:30
shift,
but
we
do
have
coverage
from
2
to
10
and
10
to
6
overnight
7
days
a
week.
So
you
know
we'll
still
maintain
that
we
don't
have
a
lot
of
people
in
there.
We
just
have
emergency
crews,
so
most
of
the
people
have
been
brought
back
are
on
daylight.
So
we
like
I,
said
we've
got
a
lot
of
work
to
do
and.
B
There
were
a
couple
people
that
did
have
the
curve
at
19,
but
you
know
thinking
about
a
day
to
day,
for
the
eight
weeks
nine
10
weeks
we've
been
Donis,
that's
been
about
it.
It
was
early
in
a
game
and
they've
actually
had
good
numbers.
I've
had
good
numbers
in
all
my
staff.
We
have
637
employees
work
for
us.
Obviously,
not
all
of
them
were
working
all
at
the
same
time,
but
you
know
when
they
did
come
in.
We
weren't
having
any
real
effect
from
the
coven.
So
that's
a
blessing
I
think,
but.
A
B
We
augmented
environmental
services
with
some
PJ
CBC
employees
to
help
pick
up
the
crowd,
the
the
numbers
down
there
to
help
to
get
the
solid
waste
and
recycling
in
bulk,
and,
although
because
of
today,
being
going
back
to
full
staffing
and
divisions,
those
employees
have
now
returned
back
to
each
of
the
maintenance
divisions.
They
did
a
great
job
down
there,
helping
out
environmental.
A
B
Everybody's
happy
I,
you
know
I
mean
they've,
been
they've,
been
at
home,
sometimes
weeks
on
end,
because
of
the
way
we've
rotated
the
schedule.
You
know
I
think
most
people
want
to
be
active.
Most
people
want
to
be
working,
they
want
to
get
back
to
the
normal
routine
of
things,
and
you
know
they
know,
there's
a
lot
of
work
to
be
done
out
there
and
there's
well,
especially
now
we're
gonna,
you
know,
be
opening
up
a
lot
of
things
that
haven't
been
open
for
a
few
weeks.
B
We're
gonna
be
I
mean
if
you
go
to
any
of
the
playgrounds,
if
they're
still
up
you'll
see
the
do
not
enter
tape
around
them
or
some
fencing.
The
playgrounds
are
going
to
open
up
we're
going
to
open
up
our
courts.
You
know
the
tennis
courts
have
been
open
up
for
a
few
weeks
now
with
singles,
so
we'll
open
those
up
for
more
doubles
and
more
active
play.
Their
basketball
courts
that
hockey
courts
will
be
opening
we're
not
going
into
the
organized
leagues.
B
Yet,
obviously
we
want
to
make
sure
we
create
guidelines
that
they're
going
to
make
sure
they
follow
when
using
those
facilities.
Our
shelters
are
going
to
start
to
permit
the
open
air
shelters,
but
not
the
larger
buildings,
simply
because
the
numbers,
the
the
larger
facilities,
can
accommodate
more
than
the
250
people.
So
we
got
to
be
a
little
cautious
with
those
right
now,
but
ball
fields,
grass
is
going
to
get
cut,
fields
will
get
dragged
spray
parks
are
going
to
open.
B
A
And
then
I'm,
not
maybe
your
department
or
others
in
conjunction
with
yours,
who
decides
how
it
unfolds,
because
the
NBA
and
the
National
Hockey
League
and
Major
League
Baseball
and
pro
football
have
been
able
to
decide
all
this
easily.
So
you
guys
have
got
the
same
conundrum
only
on
a
more
localized
basis.
Yeah.
B
And
they
draw
bigger
crowds
too.
So
if
we
had
their
same
problem,
that
would
be
a
problem
for
us,
but
you
know
we're
where
we
feel
we're
doing
the
right
thing
we're.
You
know.
You
know
ball
fields,
you
know
it's
not
the
kids
on
the
field,
it's
more
the
spectators
on
the
bleachers.
You
nuts,
though
I
think
leagues
and
organizations,
know
what's
expected
and
everybody's
coming
up
with
low
plans,
and
you
know
maybe,
on
the
bleachers,
everybody
I'll
put
a
marking,
keeping
everybody
six
feet
apart.
B
I
like
I,
said
I,
don't
think,
there's
an
issue
with
kids
on
the
field,
but
there
is
behind,
say
the
plate
with
the
out
prior,
the
catcher
and
the
batter.
So
everybody
there's
not
one
size
fits
all.
There's
going
to
be
kind
of
a
unique
thing
for
each
sport,
but
generally
everybody
needs
to
follow
the
guidelines
until
we
get
out
of
this
situation.
A
B
Offense
to
my
wife,
but
she
knows
I
just
can't
be
at
home
24
hours
a
day.
It
just
drives
me
crazy,
I,
come
into
work
to
you,
know,
I'm,
getting
things
done,
not
everything
I
want
to
get
back,
there's
a
lot
of
things
that
are
building
on
my
plate
too,
but
it
was
just
good
to
get
into
work.
On
the
days
like
the
weekend,
I
was
running
out
of
the
house.
B
B
A
A
B
I'm
from
I've
lived
in
Pittsburgh
my
whole
life
I've
worked
for
the
city
for
over
45
years,
I
started
up
in
Island
Park
as
a
laborer
and
progressed
through
the
years
to
through
the
system
and
finally
ended
up.
As
the
director
of
public
works.
I
was
a
Parks
and
Rec
person
up
until
1993
and
since
then,
I've
been
in
public
work.
So
I've
learned
on
both
sides
of
the
equation.
I've
learned
a
lot
on
both
sides
and
I'm
still
learning
a
lot
of
things
so
I
enjoy
my
job.
B
A
B
Would
echo
that
they
know
a
lot
of
people?
Don't
realize
that
we
are
actually
the
support
behind
a
lot
of
departments?
You
know
when
there's
a
fire,
they
need
us
to
bring
barricades
and
help.
You
know
with
stuff
when
there's
a
water
break,
we
got
to
provide
flushers
to
for
for
the
fire
trucks.
I
mean
we're
behind
the
scenes.
A
lot
of
things
but
I
think
I,
like
that.
Sometimes
behind
the
scenes
and
being
maybe
second
fiddle
was
maybe
a
better
place
to
be
sometimes
ain't.
B
Know
it
was
it
used
to
be
but
I.
You
know,
I
really
think
that
with
the
funding
that
has
been
made
over
the
last
four
or
five
years
by
both
the
mayor
and
city
council
that
we're
paving
more
mileage-
and
that
is
to
me-
has
had
a
an
effect
on
a
number
of
pothole
complaints,
they're
still
out
there.
But
there's
not
the
thousands
and
thousands
that
we
used
to
have
in
the
past.
B
A
B
I
think
we're
using
the
same
material,
at
least
up
until
the
winter
months,
that
they
would
use
on
the
current
paving
program
when
you
get
into
the
winter
you're
using
a
cold
patch,
and
that's
only
a
temporary
fix.
It's
it's
not
intended
to
be
a
permanent
fix
and
we've
also
used
the
product.
I
don't
want
to
use
the
name,
but
we've
used
a
product.
That
is
it's
kind
of
cool
that
even
if
it's
a
pothole
filled
with
water,
you
can
just
throw
this
material
in
its
act.
B
A
B
I
mean
it's
things
like
meaning
so
I
mean
obviously
like
today
we're
on
virtual
talk
and
through
the
through
the
computer,
but
I
think
a
lot
of
us
like
to
have
that
face-to-face
meeting.
Sometimes
you
talk
over
each
other
and
so
it
gets.
It
can
get
a
little
complicated
but
yeah.
It's
a
lot
of
meetings,
there's
a
lot
of
stuff
that
that
needs
to
be
done
out
in
the
field
through
projects
to
be
done.
Contractor
work.
You
know
we're
building
we're
rebuilding
playgrounds
were
renovating
rec
centers
and
things
like
that.
B
A
B
So
we
had
our
crews
do
that,
but
it's
not
normally
in
our
fold
to
do
that.
We
don't
just
go
out
and
do
it
we
obviously
it's.
It
comes
a
request
from
Public
Safety
I
think
it
was
two
places
that
we're
prone
to
be
looted,
and
so
they
wanted
to
get.
They
wanted
to
get
it
closed
up
as
best
they
could
and.
A
B
B
Talked
to
a
lot
of
the
staff
I
mean
I've
made.
You
know
mainly
stayed
in
contact
with
my
senior
managers
and
them-
and
you
know,
like
I,
said
I
think
people
are
wanting
to
be
cautious,
but
I
also
think
they
want
to
be
working
and
I.
Think
today
is
a
good
day.
I
think
it's
just
another
step
in
the
sign
of
getting
back
to
back
to
normal,
whatever
normal,
whatever
the
new
normal
is
going
to
be
for
us.
A
B
B
When
we
talked
a
few
weeks
ago,
I've
been
thinking
about
the
word
challenge
and
for
me
up
until
recently
it's
probably
been
more
frustrating.
But
today,
from
today
on
is
to
me
I
see
more
challenges
that
you
know.
We
have
a
lot
of
assets
that,
like
I,
said
earlier,
that
people
want
us
to
get
open.
You
know
Fields
cut
and
dragged
and
open
the
playgrounds
and
the
tennis
courts
and
putting
the
nets
back
up
and
putting
the
basketball
hoops
back
up.
It
isn't
just
about
opening
gates
for
taking
chains
and
locks
down.
B
We've
got
to
assemble
a
lot
of
things,
and
so
there's
a
lot
to
do
out
there,
a
lot
that
hasn't
gotten
done
and
the
you
know
the
expectations
from
the
public.
You
know
they.
They
don't
know
that
it
took
several
days
or
weeks
to
close
those
facilities,
but
they're
gonna
expect
them
to
be
opened
in
a
day
or
two.
B
So
we've
got
some
challenges
ahead
of
us,
but
I
think
once
we
get
over
that
it's
like
I,
said
it's
just
another
step
in
getting
to
back
to
a
normal
I,
just
hope
some
day
that
we
can
abandon
the
mask
and
can
never
quit
sanitizing.
You
should
always
do
that.
So
I'm,
an
advocate
for
the
hand
sanitizers,
but
I
sure
hope
we
can
give
up
the
mask
were.
B
Say
I
was
a
freak,
but
I'd
say
that
I
was
very
cautious
of
you
know,
maybe
going
down
the
steps
afterwards
putting
the
hand
sanitizer
on,
because
you
never
realized.
You
know
what
you're
touching
and
what
you're
coming
in
contact
with
and
I
also
credit
by
not
being
very
sick.
The
last
six
seven
years
when
I
used
to
be
sick,
all
the
time
catching
a
flu
or
getting
to
getting
the
flu
or
getting
a
cold
I've
been
relatively
healthy.
B
A
B
B
I
do
my
own
individual
thing:
I
mean
I've
from
before.
When
my
gym
closed,
I
had
to
find
a
new
one
and
I
did
find
one,
and
as
long
as
they
have
a
couple
of
units
in
there
that
I
like
it
works
me
I'm
not
wait.
I'm,
not
lifting
weights
I'm
on
treadmill
stairs
the
circuit
things
like
that.
There's
a
lot
of
people
when
they're
doing
bodybuilding
with
the
weights
and
things,
but
that's
not
for
me.
B
I
just
like
to
treadmill
I
like
to
walk
I'm,
not
a
runner,
I,
just
think
running,
running
eventually
you're
a
candidate
for
knee
surgery,
pounding
on
the
knee.
So
do
a
lot
of
walking
and
a
lot
of
stair
climbing
try
to
stay
in
shape
because
I
put
on
10
pounds.
Since
this
all
started.
That's
the
thing
that's
been
most
discouraging.
A
B
B
Would
I
have
I've
enjoyed
my
time
here?
I'm
not
gonna,
sit
here
and
say:
everything's
been
great
perfect,
but
you
know
for
the
45
years
we've
worked
here
and
working
in
parks
and
Public
Works
were
serving
the
residents
of
the
city.
There's
something
happening
in
public
works
all
the
time
and
it's
a
good
place.
If
you
want
to
stay
busy.
This
is
a
good
place
to
be
and.