Monday, June 25, 2007

An Open Letter To Mark DeSantis

Dear Mark,

We don’t know each other. But I hear that you’re running for Mayor as a Republican in our city. Good luck, as you are up against remarkable odds.

Pittsburgh is a city that tolerates a lot out of its elected leaders. Our current Mayor, Luke Ravenstahl, is only there because Pittsburgh City Council couldn’t pick a City Council President out of a roster of slightly more qualified candidates. Almost every “veteran” member of City Council thought that the job of President should be his or hers.

How embarrassing would it have been had Council selected spendy Twanda Carlisle as its consensus leader, instead of Ravenstahl? When Bob O’Connor died tragically, the then 26-year-old Ravenstahl (plunked down as North Side's representative by his politically-connected parents) was ushered in as Mayor.

Ravenstahl has led with an under-the-radar, unspectacular style. There have been a few youth-enhancing flubs (admitting to David Letterman that the city fixed Ben Roethlisberger's tickets in that near fatal motorcycle crash of last year and something about crashing a Tiger Woods party), but nothing that would make the city’s underground power hierarchy flip the termination switch.

Mr. DeSantis, you are up against an incumbent (without actually being elected in a citywide race) with virtually no kinks in his political armor. It’s time you hit the grass roots campaign trail running.

I’ve heard that your official citywide campaign kicks off tomorrow, Tuesday, June 26. I have yet to get a phone call or mailer concerning this announcement. I fear that you’ll be standing in front of a podium with no one behind you, responding to your every positive statement. There should be dozens, nay thousands, of warm bodies at this announcement. If there isn't, you should just stay home.

I don’t know when the fundraisers are set to begin, but I should have already been called and asked for a donation in any amount. Asked if I could host a weenie roast on your behalf.

Tomorrow when you kick off the campaign, I’m not sure what local celebrity you’ll have behind you, but there had better be someone, even if it’s that Pirate and Steeler vendor who jumps into the Mon with all the other Polar Bear club members on January 1st. Have you been on America's Morning Show with Pittsburgh-based Quinn and Rose? Have you lined up the rest of your radio talk show appearances yet?

There better be an exciting website and telephone campaigns. Mailers should be showing up in my mailbox all the time.


I offer an opportunity to chat on TalkShoe; I’ll host. Let’s do it often if you’d like. Closer to Election Day, let’s have a regularly-scheduled once-a-month talk show. If you want, we can do it daily as we near the big day.

What have you done to post on YouTube, MySpace and other exciting sites? Some of these venues don’t cost a dime. Assuredly, you’re going to be spending some cash, or a man of your accomplishments wouldn’t be in the race.

I look forward to an exciting summer with Mark DeSantis, Republican candidate for Mayor, city of Pittsburgh, charging against the unstoppable Chosen One. Joe Weinroth ran a decent campaign last time out, but Bob O’Connor was “tapped” by the unseen powers that be.

Mr. DeSantis, do something to keep the name out there and float new ideas. I’d hate to see another Republican candidate not catch on, especially when there’s the possibility for an exciting campaign.

Luke Ravenstahl, a nice young guy, hasn’t done anything that merits leading our fine city for the next 10-12 years.

Your pal,

T

4 comments:

Mark Rauterkus said...

Good letter and nice, prudent warnings for the future. I'm not sure what to think, yet, of a Mark DeSantis campaign. Time will tell. And, the one of the first telling times comes by design tomorrow. This is a staged event.

"Trapper" Tom Leturgey said...

Thanks. We'll see how well-staged it is. I think it has to make a statement. Not just Mark and one or two people. He needs LOTS of people...kids...the whole she-bang.

We will see.

Anonymous said...

Doesnt it make sense, all arguments aside, to vote for a individual that can really bring a fresh approach to city government with out the normal crew of cronies and grant street cow trough feeders?

WAKE up Pittsburgh...

Anonymous said...

Please review ReleaseCare program. Please forward to Mark Desantis. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has not commented or replied yet. Any input would be appreciated. Thank You.ReleaseCare, LLC
711 Wood Street
Wilkinsburg, PA 15221
Fax (412) 242-5585


Ronald Garland, Sr. Originator (412) 292-7418
E-mail: releasecare@sprint.blackberry.net

Steven Addlespurger Procurement Department (412) 805-4934

Tony Taylor Political Liaison (515) 401-8630

Mathew B. Banks Dadbuilt, Plant Coordinator

John Fiorita Dadbuild, Training Coordinator




ReleaseCare, LLC Objective:

1. To be an Allegheny County non-profit Limited Liability Corporation.

2. To be a healthy orientated veteran family organization.

3. To be Smoke, Drug and Alcohol free.


Goals:

1. To assist Allegheny County, the State of Pennsylvania and the United States Government by creating a program that is family oriented with Jobs & Growth and Children.

2. We will provide a supportive environment for dads and veterans. We will offer an aggressive path to becoming a productive American citizen. We would be available when a Protection From Abuse (PFA) is ordered. We will offer housing and employment before incarceration and/or homelessness. This will keep families together and will lighten the financial burden placed on the Federal Social Programs and the Justice System.



3. Prior to a contempt hearing for child support, ReleaseCare program will be available to offer jobs at the skill level of the individual. Our qualified professional team will determine the skill level.


We will not be a primary education provider or substance abuse rehabilitation facility


ReleaseCare, LLC Fundamentals:

Housing; 41 Career Fields; Nextel Communication System; Secure Safe Communications Twenty Four, (SSC24); Transportation Group; Health Care/UPMC; Healthy Food Services; Family-Community-Social Economic Training Initiatives; ReleaseCare Counseling Teams.


ReleaseCare, Partnerships

Dadbuilt Structural Modular Systems, LLC; Secure Safe Communications Twenty Four, (SSC24); Hi Transportation Group, Inc; NIA NIA Foundation; Wood Capital Group, LLC; Association of African American Construction. To Your Level (TYL) Elevator
Group, LLC;


ReleaseCare Anticipated Supporters:

Allegheny County Child Advocacy Groups; Allegheny County Family Division; Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS); Allegheny County Bar Association (ACBA); Allegheny County Bureau of Corrections; Allegheny County Health Department; Allegheny County Council; Allegheny County Sheriffs; Moving Towards Non-Violence; Women’s Center; Crisis Center; Neighborhood Legal Services; Salvation Army – Family Crisis; United Way; Victims Outreach (Voice); Women’s Place; Young Men Christian Association (YMCA); Light of Life; Salvation Army – Harbor Light Center; Alle-Kiski Hope Center, Inc.; Parental Stress; Father’s For Justice (F4J); Office of Child Support Enforcement, (OCSE); Child Support Enforcement Network (CSENet) 2000; Department of Public Welfare (DPW); Children Youth Services(CYS),(CYF); Pennsylvania Unified Justice System; Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET); Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA); Pennsylvania Governor’s Task Force; Pennsylvania State Representatives; Pennsylvania State Senators; Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Pittsburgh Steelers; Pittsburgh Pirates; Pittsburgh Penguins; Pittsburgh Post Gazette; Pittsburgh Tribune Review; Pittsburgh Courier: Pittsburgh City Paper; Pittsburgh Channel 2 News; Pittsburgh Channel 4 News; Pittsburgh Channel 11 News; Pittsburgh KDKA Radio; Pittsburgh KQV Radio; Pittsburgh Mayor; Pittsburgh Child Guidance Foundation (PCGF); Pittsburgh Police Department; Home Depot; Lowes; 84 Lumber; Wal-Mart; Target; Walgreens; Three Rivers Work Force Investment Group; Southwestern Pennsylvania Corporations; Pittsburgh Foundations; Pittsburgh Transportation Group; Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; African American Chamber of Commerce; Strength Incorporated; Hosanna House Inc.; Community Empowerment Association; Renewal Inc; Goodwill Industries; Pennsylvania State Police; Urban League of Pittsburgh; United States Congressional Committees; National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA); Veterans Administration; Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS); United States Social Security Administration; American Bar Association (ABA).


ReleaseCare Mission:

1. ReleaseCare is an initiative for Social Security, to create supportive caring partnerships for families within Allegheny County and the probability of future expansions in additional counties and states.

2. ReleaseCare will provide emotional and monetary support for individuals in Allegheny County by empowering the parents with career employment initiatives, community based family programs and resolution/solution counseling teams.

3. ReleaseCare program will have housing available to the individuals that are willing and able participants.

4. ReleaseCare participants will build housing for additional participants.

5. ReleaseCare will have opportunities for participants to build homes for their children.

6. ReleaseCare will produce inexpensive homes for families that will create tax revenues for Allegheny County the State of Pennsylvania and Social Security.

7. ReleaseCare will have Dads building homes for families.


ReleaseCare Projected Funding:

1. 28 million dollars is our estimated group-funding goal for our initial 3-year pilot program. The anticipated initial cost is $250,000, which will be operational, research and procurement cost. With additional funding sources, which will include community based and privatized funding. The end result is expected to be our own self-funding program.

2. ReleaseCare program will be an asset to the State of Pennsylvania.

3. ReleaseCare will produce modular structures that are multipurpose. (i.e. offices, storage units, garages)


ReleaseCare Projected Facilities:

ReleaseCare facilities will be three newly constructed Greenbuilt building projects.

1. ReleaseCare Corporate Complex will be constructed at 711 Wood Street site. ReleaseCare has site control. The existing structure at 711 Wood Street is currently under demolition. This will make way for a 6 story commercial building. ReleaseCare Corporate Complex will house the ReleaseCare Partnerships.

2 Dadbuilt, Structural Modular systems. (A metal built; solar powered; structural modular building plant/zero waste facility)

3 Dadbuild, 80 unit housing (capacity 320) and training campus.


Dadbuild and Dadbuilt Facilities will be constructed on one site.





ReleaseCare Structure:

Introduction of a 3-year Living Wage Package that will include yearly increases of income as well as benefits. ReleaseCare and partnerships will create 836 career employment positions with expansion expected.

ReleaseCare Initial Operational Plan:

There will be a 3 month minimum to a 6 month maximum in house residency for dads and veterans when applicable.

ReleaseCare Group consists of the following:

1. ReleaseCare, LLC, non-profit

2. Dadbuilt, LLC Structural Modular Systems
Dadbuild, Training, Career & Employment Services

3. NIA NIA Foundation
“Building Families”


SUMMARY:

ReleaseCare is an integration program for families and children that will reduce the financial liabilities of the taxpayers within Allegheny County, the State of Pennsylvania and the Federal Government. This program will produce tax-paying citizens, which will be economical for all. Our answer to Social Security is Jobs & Growth with Children.



Veterans are American Citizens
“… you shall be governed by laws of our own making, and live a free, and, if you will, a sober and industrious people. I shall not usurp the right of any, or oppress his person; God has furnished me with a better resolution, and has given me his grace to keep it.” - - William Penn