Guest Commentary from a Local Contributor

When the President visited Granite City in 2018, toured the steel plant, and got the employees back to work, the mayor at that time was Ed Hagnauer. Mayor Hagnauer was a no-show. Whether for personal reasons or a scheduling conflict, he was absent.

Regardless of political affiliation or a packed calendar, when the President of the United States comes for a visit, you adjust your schedule. You represent the city you lead. You meet and greet the President. You show respect.

Current Mayor Parkinson, during an interview today, said the President needs to step into this situation and remember his promises to the steelworkers and union representatives.
But does he? Should he? Would you, if you were in his shoes?

After the President’s visit to the city and steel plant, after the steelworkers returned to their jobs, and after the snub from the sitting mayor at that time, let’s move forward to the election of 2020.

The United Steelworkers (USW) Union officially endorsed Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential election. Every Democrat, local and otherwise was joyous over this decision, never pausing to consider the long-term impact it might have.

During the Obama years, Americans were told there was no “magic wand” that could ever bring manufacturing back to the United States. That narrative didn’t hold true. Yet Democrats didn’t pause. They stayed the course and, according to many locals, “bit the hand that fed them.”

President Trump visited. His promise to reopen the plant and get employees back to work was kept. But how much should we expect from that promise made in 2018, when, seven years later the actions (or inaction) of the sitting mayor at that time, compounded by the 2020 USW endorsement, still linger?

Is it realistic to expect him to step up to the plate again over this situation? What do you think?