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From YouTube: Meet The People: Corey O'Connor
Description
On this episode of Meet The People, brand-new County Controller Corey O'Connor talks about his time representing District 5 on Pittsburgh City Council, explains the differences between his last job and the current job, and shares his personal survival predictions for impending zombie apocalypse.
A
A
Hello
again,
everyone
welcome
to
another
edition
of
meet
the
people.
My
name
is
david
finer,
I'm
the
communication,
technology
manager
in
the
city
of
pittsburgh's,
department
of
innovation
and
performance
for
the
first
time
in
the
history
of
the
show,
we're
going
to
talk
to
somebody
who
is
not
a
city
employee,
and
I
don't
know
how
I
got
so
lucky
to
have
the
world
famous
internationally
acclaimed
corey
o'connor
corey,
welcome.
B
B
It's
different,
I
mean.
Obviously
you
know
going
from
one
government.
Job
to
another
is
different
because
you're
taking
on
a
whole
different
system
over
at
the
county,
I'm
now
being
controller.
We
have
you
know,
70
plus
employees,
that
we're
responsible
for
we're
responsible
for
a
billion
dollar
plus
budget.
So
it's
it's
a
lot,
it's
a
whirlwind,
but
I'm
excited.
When
the
opportunity
came
up.
I
jumped
right
on
it.
I
thought
it
was
a
good
opportunity,
we're.
A
A
B
B
Around
figured
out
what
everybody
complains
about
parking
in
downtown
pittsburgh,
so
I
did
figure
out
where
county
employees
park.
Finally,
but
yeah,
it
was
different.
I
mean
your.
Your
brain
tells
you
to
walk
in
here,
because
I've
been
doing
it,
for
you
know
almost
12
years
and
growing
up
in
the
council
chambers
and
the
mayor's
office.
It
was
something
very
special,
but
it's
also
nice
to
branch
out
and
help
more
people
county-wide
now.
So
it's
good.
It's
again,
it's
a
transition,
but
I
like
it
so.
A
B
Yeah,
I
mean
there's
a
lot,
I
think
you
know
when
it
comes
to
economic
development,
hazelwood
green,
you
know
a
site
that
nothing
was
really
happening,
put
in
80
million
dollars
from
a
tiff.
I
think
it
was
my
second
year
here
and
now
you
see
that
development
going
crazy.
I
mean
it's
a
worldwide
development.
There's
people
coming,
I
mean
presidents
have
spoken
there
multiple
times,
but
it's
not
only
that
it's
that
we
didn't
leave
the
people
of
hazelwood
out.
B
So
you
see
development
throughout
the
community,
which
I
think
is
very
important
to
me,
because
our
whole
goal
was
look.
We
don't
care
who
comes
in
as
long
as
our
residents
are
part
of
it
and
they
have
been
and
we've
started.
New
companies
we've
ensured
that
if
you
live
in
hazelwood
now
you
can
live
there
20
years
from
now,
so
we've
done
rental
assistance,
we've
done
home
ownership
programs.
So
that
was
a
huge
thing.
When
it
came
to
economic
development,
also
squirrel
hill,
we
did
our
first
two
affordable
housing
properties.
B
A
B
B
So
I
think
things
like
that
always
throw
you
for
a
loop,
but
it
also
taught
me
that
you
you're
you
can
prepare
as
much
as
you
think
you
are
for
a
meeting
and
it
turns
on
a
dime
and
in
this
job
that
I
have
now
or
even
on
council
you're,
not
always
the
expert.
But
when
you
go
out
and
talk
to
residents,
you
have
to
know
hey.
This
pothole
on
this
street
is
planned
to
be
fixed.
Oh
wait.
B
We
didn't
report
that
yet,
and
I
think
that
was
the
challenge,
but
the
fun
part
of
the
job,
wherever
you
are
you're
going
to
be
asked
a
question
that
you
may
or
may
not
know,
but
it
shows
the
residents
that
you're
prepared
because
you
know
who
to
call
to
assist
them
as
best
you
can,
and
we
tried
to
do
that
as
much
as
we
could.
I
mean
you're,
never
always
going
to
get
somebody
street
paved.
A
B
Never
always
going
to
get
a
playground
each
and
every
year
in
the
budget,
but
you
put
out
good
requests
and
hope
that
those
things
happen.
I
will
say,
legislative
wise,
I
think
you
know
paid
sick
leave
was
probably
the
biggest
one
went
to
the
pa
supreme
court
and
won
so
every
resident
in
the
city
of
pittsburgh
has
a
right
to
sick
leave.
Then
the
county
copied
our
legislation
and
now
it's
countywide
so
bills
like
that
really
go
a
long
way
in
making
a
difference.
A
A
A
B
Yeah,
I
mean,
I
think
you
know
growing
up
in
my
family.
We've
always
done
that.
You
know
my
mom's
house
and
I
probably
shouldn't
say
this,
but
I
said
it
on
national
tv
once
it
was
like
the
door's
always
open.
Everybody
knows
where
the
key
is.
You
know,
that's
what
we're
all
about
I've
always
been
that
way.
Even
you
know
the
new
job.
We
are
separated
on
three
different
floors.
A
B
I
think,
and
my
degree
is
in
elementary
ed,
so
I
loved
when
kids
would
come
to
city
council.
As
you
mentioned,
let
them
sit
in
your
chair.
Let
them
talk
on
the
microphone.
I
actually,
the
fun
part
was
when
kids
would
walk
the
hall.
I'd
bring
them
into
the
office.
Have
them
sit
in
my
official
council
chair
and
we
would
prank
call
grandma
or
grandpa.
B
Say:
hey,
you
know,
mrs
smith,
whatever
her
name
would
be,
your
grandson
here
is
causing
a
ruckus.
We
have
to
call
security
and
they
would
some
of
the
parents
would
be
like.
Oh,
my
goodness,
should
I
call
his
parents,
I'm
like
no,
it's
okay
and
you
would
get
a
laugh
out
of
it,
but
I
think
that's
our
job.
I
mean
we
represent
the
people
and,
if
you're,
not
approachable
in
this
job,
you're
doing
something
wrong,
and
I
I
don't
mind:
if
people
come
up
and
say
hey
look,
I
had
a
difference
of
opinion
with
you.
B
That's
fine,
hey
we're
allowed
to
do
that.
That's
politics,
that's
life.
We
get
it,
but
at
least
they
know
that
they
can
approach
me,
and
I
like
that,
like
I
like
walking
to
the
farmer's
market
in
squirrel
hill
on
a
sunday,
and
it
might
be
the
same
five
people
that
asked
me
the
same
five
questions
but
you're
at
least
out
there
talking
and
you're
visible.
I
think
too
many
times
people
spend
behind
the
desk
and
I
never
got
the
sense
that
you
actually
solve
problems
behind
the
desk.
You
solve
it
in
talking
to
people.
B
So,
even
when
I
introduce
legislation
or
at
the
new
job,
we're
gonna,
do
you
know
performance
audit
on
something
I
will
ask
four
or
five
friends
I'll
ask
the
office
I'll
ask
people
hey.
What
do
you
think
of
this?
Is
this
a
good
idea?
Is
this
a
bad
idea?
Do
some
people
take
your
ideas
because
you
say
it
so
much
yeah,
but
so
what
something
got
accomplished
and
I
think
I
was
never
big
on
the
glory
of
I
did
it.
B
I
did
it
and
whenever
I
talk
it's
always
we
did
it
or
you
know
I'm
working
with
them
and
I
think
it's
not
the
individual
that
gets
it
accomplished.
It's
the
coalition
that
does
and
I
like
being
able
to
be
out
in
front
of
everybody.
You
know
I
think
on
city
council
it
was,
it
was
fun
for
me
a
lot
of
the
times.
You
know
public
comment:
did
you
get
yelled
at
every
once
in
a
while
yeah,
but.
A
B
Part
of
it,
I
think
it
was
good
that
I
I
did
like
being
the
first
one
there,
because
you
got
to
meet
people
in
the
audience
and
they
think
it's
great
just
to
have
that
connection,
whether
they
remember
it
or
they
know
who
you
are
at
the
end
of
the
day.
At
least,
you
went
out
of
your
way
to
say
hi
to
somebody.
B
B
Yes,
yes,
that's
probably
true.
Yes,
there
is
just
so
you
know
I
because
I
know
you're
going
to
probably
make
this
joke
the
seat
that
I
got
at
the
controller's
office.
I
actually
didn't
take
the
actual
office
because
the
desk
was
too
high,
so
I
sat
with
the
interns
in
the
middle.
They
have
a
lower
desk,
so
I
feel
feel
a
little
taller.
A
B
But
it's
fine,
I
think
if
you
don't
have
fun
in
this
job.
You
know
I
mean
when
I
was
at
alka-san.
You
know
we
came
up
with
an
idea
to
put
somebody
in
a
dunk
tank.
Oh
okay,
of
course
it's
me
you
know,
but
that's
what
you
have
to
do.
You
have
to
be
normal.
I
mean
we're
regular
people.
If
you
don't
act
that
way.
A
B
Yeah
right
yeah,
it's
fun,
I
I
think
that's
the
fun
part
of
it.
You
know
whether
it's
doing
like
ice
bucket
challenges,
like
I
said,
dunk
tanks
trying
to
do
spin-offs.
I
actually
like
some
political
organizations,
do
like
comedy
nights
and
I
like
to
host
them,
because
you
know
you
make
a
lot
of
jokes
and
if
people
can't
make
fun
of
themselves
again
you're
in
the
wrong
business.
B
Fun
of
multiple
times
with
memes
and
all
those
that
stuff,
but
you
know
at
the
end
of
the
day
you
just
laugh
it
off
and
say:
hey
somebody
was
paying
attention
to
what
I
said,
whether
I
said
the
right
thing
or
wrong
thing
and
it
turned
into
a
meme
hey.
They
saw
me
and
they
know
that
I'm
here
to
help
whether
I'm
right
or
wrong.
B
A
B
Yeah,
so
there
was
an
opening
at
the
controller's
office
for
the
county.
Chelsea
wagner
won
race
for
judge
was
sworn
in
in
january,
then
the
governor
has
the
ability
to
nominate
has
to
go
through
the
pa
senate,
and
you
know
my
name
was
floated
around
there
and
a
couple
people
said
you
know
you
should
submit
a
letter.
I
said:
okay,
fine,
a
couple.
Other
people
submitted
letters
submitted
a
letter
on
why
I
thought
I
was
the
best
for
it.
B
11
years
experience
working
on
budgets
here,
doing
a
bunch
of
legislation,
doing
oversight,
especially
working
with
the
controller's
office
on
a
number
of
our
legislative
bills.
Just
so
that
there's
a
checks
and
balances,
and
we
thought
that
that
background
gave
me
the
ability
to
apply
obviously
honored
the
governor
nominated
me.
Then
you
were
sitting
in
this
sort
of
limbo
of
will
the
senate
vote?
Will
they
not
vote
you're
tied
into
other
bills
at
the
state
senate?
It
was
a
very
confusing
time,
but
we
still
you
know,
attended.
Council
did
all
our
work.
B
We
were
submitting
budget
requests.
We
actually
did
submit
all
the
budget
requests,
so
it
wasn't
like
it
was
like
a
50
50,
whether
it
was
gonna
happen
or
not,
and
I
told
people
they
said,
and
I
remember
when
we
got
closer
to
where
we
heard
the
vote
was
happening
in
june.
They
said
well
what
if
it
doesn't
happen,
I
said:
well,
then
it
doesn't
happen
like
I'm
still
serving
people
either
way,
and
I
think
once
I
got
to
that
mentality
when
it
happened,
it
was
actually
funny.
B
I
was
watching
the
pa
senate
all
morning
because
I
had
heard
okay,
it's
going
to
happen,
and
this
was
monday
morning.
Okay,
it
didn't
happen
monday,
all
right.
Well,
they
went
to
a
session
late
tuesday
night.
Let
me
tune
in
got
to
be
11
30.
I
was
like
okay,
I'm
going
to
bed,
nothing
happened,
then
we
got
to
friday
and
you
know
people
up.
There
were
like
today's
definitely
the
day.
We
see
it.
On
the
I
said:
okay,
I
started
watching
at
9
00
a.m.
B
They
did
a
vote,
went
to
recess
vote
recess,
it
was
all
day
and
then
I
said
you
know
what
I'm
picking
my
daughter
up
from
school.
I
can't
watch
this
anymore.
This
is
too
nerve-wracking
as
soon
as
I
picked
her
up
got
her
in
the
car.
My
phone
just
went
crazy,
so
I
missed
the
entire
vote,
but
it
was
fine.
B
B
But
I
think
that
was
the
fun
part
of
it
is
you
know
you
had
the
opportunity
it
came
up
and
now
you
can
help.
You
know
a
lot
of
people
in
the
county.
So
it's
not
like
I.
The
fun
thing
I
do
like
is.
I
still
represent
my
district
and
I
represent
the
whole
city
now
and
now
the
whole
county,
so
I
can
still
be
reached
if
somebody
needs
some
assistance.
A
B
So
we
in
the
fall
have
already
kicked
off
assessment
appeal
process,
so
the
people
there's
supposed
to
be
a
court
ruling
coming
out
soon.
If
you
want
to
fight
your
appeal,
how
do
you
do
that
and
who
can
offer
you
that
assistance
so
we're
bringing
experts
to
the
table
to
get
them
to
the
individuals?
It's
the
same
as
on
city
council.
A
B
B
Everybody
if
you're
awarded
a
proclamation,
it's
a
tremendous
honor,
but
I
I
actually
said
we
should
go
to
a
bar
and
then
my
colleagues,
we
can
all
roast
each
other,
because
a
lot
of
people
don't
realize
we
are-
or
I
was
at
one
point,
one
of
nine
people
in
the
whole
city.
You
know
the
mayor's
one
of
you
know:
350
plus
thousand.
B
We
are
one
of
nine
that
make
these
life-changing
decisions
for
a
lot
of
people,
so
you
experience
a
lot
with
each
other
that
other
people
will
never
understand
that
experience
and
that's
why
I
thought
like
you
know
it
was
fun
to
go
through
the
proclamation,
but
I
also
thought
it'd
be
more
fun
to
go
to
somebody's
house,
have
some
drinks
and
tell
funny
stories
because
we
have
a
lot
of
them.
Are
you.
A
B
B
A
B
It's
been
good,
I
mean
I've
been
to
at
this
point:
we've
been
to
35
boroughs
for
either
community
events
or
the
borough
council
meetings.
We've
done,
I
want
to
say
maybe
15
at
least
city
neighborhoods
that
I
didn't
represent
before
so
we're
trying
to
be
out
there
be
visible
know
that
if
you
need
something
call
the
controller's
office,
I
do
like
you
know,
meeting
the
individuals
that
work
there.
We
have
a
good
group
talking
to
them
just
being
up
front,
and
you
know
one
of
the
employees
has
an
issue.
B
Come
talk
to
me
and
that's
why
I
do
like
sitting
in
the
middle
and
being
around
everybody.
Is
I'm
accessible
and
I
think
that's
better.
I
I
would
go
and
you
could
ask
my
staff.
You
probably
know
this.
I
would
be
crazy
if
I
sat
in
a
room
by
myself.
You
know
if
I'm
on
the
phone,
that's
one
thing,
but
I
have
to
be
around
the
action
of
what's
going
on.
So
that's
been
good.
We
did
some
juvenile
justice
reform,
we're
doing
audits
on
learners
and
tiffs,
making
sure
prevailing
wage
is
being
paid.
B
A
B
Yell
and
scream-
I
think
you
know
somebody
like
that.
Are
they
fit
for
any
role
yeah
they
are,
but
do
they
actually
accomplish
a
lot,
and
I
think
for
me
the
controller's
office
is
oh.
I
found
a
problem
go
to
whatever
that
department
is
hey.
How
do
we
solve
this?
Okay,
you
have
your
suggestions.
I
have
mine,
what's
the
middle,
so.
A
B
We
can
save
taxpayers
money
and
that's.
The
ultimate
goal
is
where
we
can
achieve
a
balance
for
the
taxpayers,
but
also
where
we
can
all
work
hand
in
hand
where
I'm
not
going
to
stand
on
grant
street
and
yell
and
scream
about
something.
If
I
find
a
report,
that's
bad
will
we
release
it
yeah
but
we'll
also
say
we're
working
to
solve
it,
and
I
think
that's
that's
a
good
role
for
me
and
that's
why,
when
this
opportunity
came
up,
was
a
good
opportunity
do.
A
B
B
So
for
me
it's
obviously
fighting
to
get
re-elected
next
may,
but
even
when
I
do
I'm
not
going
to
stop
or
hopefully
I
do-
I'm
not
going
to
stop
going
to
these
events,
because
that's
the
fun
part
of
the
job
I
every
saturday
and
sunday.
I
don't
know
if
my
wife
and
baby
like
it,
but
we
go
to
seven
events
we
get
in
and
out
of
the
car
three
or
four
times
you
know
we
try
to
do
community
events
like
one
was
goat
fest,
so
baby
got
to
see
some
goats.
B
B
I
I've
learned
that
if
I'm
in
this
job
for
20
years
great
because
that
means
I
was
successful
and
I
helped
a
lot
of
people
if
I'm
here
for
eight
and
something
else
opens-
and
I
can
help
somebody
else
great,
but
I
don't
have
these
goals
and
I
mean
everybody's
ambitious.
But
if
I
said
to
you
tomorrow,
I
want
to
be
this.
It's
going
to
change
20
times,
not
even
based
on
my
ability.
It's
the
world
around
you.
A
B
Plan,
well,
I
think
it
was
funny
when
you
get
there
everybody's,
like
oh,
what's
the
next
thing
and
I'm
like
well
wait.
Let
me
do
this
one
first
and
I
think
a
lot
of
people
push
you
which
I
think
is
a
compliment
to
me
and
I
and
I
respect
that
I
like
everybody's
opinion,
but
I
think
the
more
you
do
your
job
and
if
you
do
it
well,
then
opportunities
open
up,
and
I
think
that's
something
that
if
I
do
this
job
well
will
something
else
open
up.
Hopefully,.
B
Are
you
staying
in
the
neighborhood?
I
am
in
the
neighborhood,
the
law.
There
is
a
long-term
plan,
so
my
mom
grew
up
in
her
house,
okay,
so
she
was
born
and
raised.
So
it
has
to
be
a
family
house,
my
sister.
Obviously
she
lives
she
lives
in
swissvale,
but
she
has
a
home
and
she
has
three
daughters
that
are
in
their
20s.
Now,
my
brother,
being
a
priest,
has
a
parish.
So
he
comes
home
a
couple
days
a
week.
So
eventually
the
plan
will
be
that
we
would
take
over
my
mom's
house.
B
B
B
B
A
B
B
A
B
A
B
B
B
A
A
A
B
A
A
B
B
B
A
A
B
A
B
So
we're
there
so
early
still
that
I
do
not
have
my
email
set
up
yet,
but
there
is
allegheny
controller,
allegheny
county
controller.
You
can
find
us
on
on
the
internet.
There's
there's
a
number
of
ways
that
they
can
communicate
with
us
via
telephone
emails.
Again
we
have
social
media.
I
still
have
my
twitter
and
facebook
accounts.
Things
like
that
that
we're
not
getting
rid
of
a
bunch
of
people
have
reached
me
through
that
already,
okay,.
A
A
B
No
thank
you
guys.
I
would
say
you
know
you
guys.
Once
you
got
in
charge,
it's
really
changed
because
there's
programming
that
we
don't
have
like
this
conversation
is
great.
You
know,
I
think
more
and
more
of
these
things
go
a
long
way.
You
know
your
social
media
presence
retweeting,
the
the
apps,
not
only
the
apps,
but
the
meeting
times.
I
think,
actually
what
you
guys
were
able
to
accomplish
through
covid
was
great.
I
mean
it
for
me
where
I
was
obviously
everybody
said:
put
your
camera
on
a
lot
more.
I'm
like!