We stood where Andy Warhol walked

At Tiananmen Square.

In honor of the 2008 spring edition of the Carnegie magazine cover photo of Andy Wharhol.

Cover blurb: Andy loved to travel. So he'd have to love how his art is now circling the globe.

Marty Griffin drools over administration and spits on council

He asks callers to name one thing that city council has done. Matt H called and said that Dan D helped to re-open the Zone 4 police station. That got half a point, as the measure was also championed by the mayor's office.

The phones were not ringing, so I pondered what to say and finally gave Marty a call. But, the time had expired. Marty was whistling the scarecrow song from Wizard of Oz, "If I only had a brain."

What has city council done?

Humm... I have my own theme song. "Think Again." (My wife asks if they 'think at all?')

Accomplishments:

Only one is presently in jail (Twanda C.)

Council invited OVERLORDS into Pittsburgh. We now have two sets of overlords and neither are getting kicked out of town.

There was the "Bubble Bill." (I hated it.) But, the bubble bill did withstand a recent court challenge.

I favor campaign finance reform measures -- but Peduto has kept that on back burner. And his wishes are not exactly what I desire.

Nonetheless, we need a balance of power in gov. So, council does NEED to get on its feet for city to have any hope of a revival.

Earlier in the hour, Jim Motznik was a guest on the program to talk about the billboards. We can't outlaw or put a moratorium on billboards.

City Controller sends warning signals to pals in other city departments

The city controller, Michael Lamb, is setting himself and his department for doing the baseline of what's called for in the job. He will do audits. This is more than what has happened in the past. But, it comes with big warning signals to other deparments. Get your books in order now.

Pittsburgh City Controller to audit City Council, other agencies - Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh City Controller Michael Lamb said Wednesday he will audit City Council and eight other city departments before the end of the year.

Future audits will cover the Allegheny Regional Asset District Trust Fund, employee worker's compensation procedures, the city housing authority and earned income tax. The city controller's office is currently auditing the city's police property room, Office of Municipal Investigations, Bureau of Building Inspection and emergency medical services.

The city charter requires performance audits of all city agencies, trusts council and units of government at least every four years. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl endorsed the audit schedule, according to a statement.

I'd love to see the controller do 'surprise audits.' Don't give a warning.

And, do some 'spot' audits too. Look for system audits. Turn records over to electronic systems. Have open access for the public on transactions within all the departments of the city and authorities.

There are about a thousand things to do -- and with this news, we find out that the bare basics are expected.

City school career, technical courses to get major changes

City school career, technical courses to get major changes Saying the district's career and technical programs have been poorly operated, Pittsburgh Public Schools officials last night proposed a sweeping overhaul that would organize revitalized programs into eight 'academies of excellence' and provide more central-office oversight.

The poor operation of Pgh's career and technical programs is the blame of the present administration and the board.

The root of the poor operations is the loss of South Vo Tech High School.

When South Vo Tech closed, there was a promise to do something else -- something better.

Well, nearly a generation of students have been lost. The thing to have done was evolve South. To put something else in place before South was closed.

There are so many jobs going out of the region -- and worse -- out of the country. There are some jobs that can't move like others. Plumbers are needed here -- on these pipes in our buildings.

Heating and Air Conditioning workers are needed here. We can't export that like we can 'robotics.'

If cosmetology leads to state certification -- then ask how many have been state certified? Hint: Often the fingers on one hand can reveal the answer.

If the district cared about drop out rates, they would NOT have closed South Vo Tech in such a rapid and unthoughtful way.

Many of the students that were at South were in their second or third high school. South wasn't perfect. But, it was a school that kept kids motivated. It helped get kids to graduation -- and into the workplace.

Everyone isn't cut out for college at age 16 or 17. And, the PPS had a top administrator who forced college on everyone. The trades were discounted. Hence, drop outs became the only option.

Floswimmr - Profiles - Garrett McCaffrey Blog

Floswimmr - Profiles - Garrett McCaffrey Blog: "monopolizing USA Swimming coverage is not a productive step towards
building the sport's exposure."

NCAA Grants Division III Waiver

CollegeSwimming.com::NCAA Grants Division III Waiver

Today the NCAA Division III Administrative Review Subcommittee (ARS) granted colleges and universities a blanket waiver to provide Division III swimmers one last opportunity to qualify for the Olympic Trials. The waiver will enable Division III coaches to continue coaching their student-athletes up through a long course meet during the 2007-08 season.

The waiver essentially allows coaches, institutions and athletes to bypass NCAA Division III bylaws covering outside competition, athletically related activities, involvement of coaching staff, maximum dates of competition, and out-of-season athletically related activities through the Summer 2008 term. An incredibly broad waiver, it does not give Division III programs carte blanche to begin training year-round.

A Pittsburgh Education Success Story: Extra Mile Schools / vouchers

Policy Brief
An electronic publication of
The Allegheny Institute for Public Policy

March 11, 2008 Volume 8, Number 18

So much concern is focused on public education in the City with its low test scores and high costs that a local education success story goes largely overlooked. The Extra Mile Education Foundation, with the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese, has quietly been providing a quality education for many of Pittsburgh’s disadvantaged youth at its elementary schools, three in Pittsburgh and one in Wilkinsburg. About 800 students, predominantly African-American and non-Catholic with more than 70 percent economically disadvantaged are being educated in the Extra Mile supported schools. All families pay a nominal tuition. Extra Mile’s support enables the schools to charge tuition that is affordable to urban families.

A study of the schools for the year 2005-2006, prepared by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, reports that Extra Mile schools have had considerable success in educating students. Success is especially pronounced for students who have spent several years in the Extra Mile program. The latest Pitt study found an improving trend in test scores compared to the findings of their 2001-2002 study. Achievement levels had improved in all grades and subject areas between the 2001-2002 school year and the 2005-2006 school year.

Students who enrolled by third grade and continued through to the eighth grade scored at or above national norms for eighth grade. The researchers found that students who enter the schools late—in the fifth or sixth grades — often have below norm scores upon entry but improved their scores substantially by eighth grade, although some might not catch up completely.

Graduating Extra Mile elementary school students have demonstrated they are prepared for success in high school. For example, the most recent eighth grade graduates to complete high school (Extra Mile classes of 2001 and 2002) recorded a 94 percent graduation rate. By comparison, a RAND study showed Pittsburgh Public Schools have a graduation rate of 64 percent—placing Pittsburgh schools in the middle of graduation rates among large urban school districts across the country. It is also noteworthy that, thanks to assistance from the Crossroads Foundation, Extra Mile eighth grade graduates are able to attend a Catholic high school of their choosing if they so desire.

The success of students at the Extra Mile schools and their impressive high school graduation rate demonstrate that kids from any background can do well academically if placed in the appropriate school environment with caring, qualified education professionals. Extra Mile schools are doing a commendable job with kids who are, on average, more disadvantaged than the elementary school population in Pittsburgh as whole. And yet the students are doing quite well.

Tuition charged to parents was $1,580 per child in 2005. Parents are required to pay at least a portion of the nominal tuition fee. More importantly, the $1,580 parental charge represents only 30 percent of the $5,300 average per pupil expense incurred by the extra Mile schools. The difference is made up by Extra Mile through donations from those who are concerned about the quality of education of Pittsburgh’s children, especially the most economically disadvantaged.

The achievements of the Extra Mile schools prove that disadvantaged students can receive a good education and be prepared for success in life. Unfortunately, most of the City’s children are not being afforded this opportunity. While donors to the Extra Mile Foundation are very generous, more money could open up educational opportunities for many more students. UPMC has offered $100 million ($10 million per year if matching funds are forthcoming) to the Pittsburgh Promise scholarship program for Pittsburgh high school graduates. Ten million dollars per year could provide enough to send 2,000 or more students to Extra Mile schools or other non-public schools that are producing good academic results.

Or better yet, the Pittsburgh School District could follow in the footsteps of Milwaukee, Cleveland, or Washington DC and begin a voucher program to provide the City’s students an option of attending an Extra Mile school or any other school parents might choose. The District could provide $8,000 per year per child currently enrolled in the public schools for all parents who would like a non-public school option. And since the District currently is spending $18,000 per student, the Pittsburgh schools would be able to save taxpayers a lot of money as more and more students took the vouchers.

Extra Mile schools are showing what can be done. Why is Pittsburgh still so unwilling to acknowledge that it could greatly assist its own children by allowing them real education choice through a publicly funded scholarship or voucher program? Why not try being a leader for real improvement for a change?
Frank Gamrat, Ph.D., Sr. Research Assoc. Jake Haulk, Ph.D., President

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For more information on this and other topics, please visit our website: alleghenyinstitute.org

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College Basketball Tournament Pick'em - Yahoo! Sports

Are you ready for those brackets?

College Basketball Tournament Pick'em - Yahoo! Sports Tournament Coverage

I never bet. But, I know a few who do like to fill out the brackets.

Generally, I pull for the underdogs. So, this year, if Pitt gets in, I might have them in the final four.

Meadville faces tough task in undefeated Pine-Richland

High School at Mellon Arena, tonight!

GoErie.com: Meadville faces tough task in undefeated Pine-Richland Meadville's hockey team travels to Pittsburgh today to face Pine-Richland in the PIHL Penguin Cup semifinals at 5 p.m. at Mellon Arena.

The Mellon Arena should be the venue for high school hockey for the next 20 years. Games could be played there every weekend, if it is NOT destroyed. These high school games do NOT need luxery boxes.

The Bishop Canevin High School Blog: "Hockey: Notes for tomorrow's game at Mellon Arena
*Mellon Arena will be a charging for parking this year. The charge for each car will be $5.00. There will be no charge for buses. This is not a PIHL charge.

*ALL fans MUST enter through gate one and admission is $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for student admission and fans that are age 11 and under are admitted free. Game tickets can be purchased at the Mellon Arena box office at Gate #1."

An Open Source Tax Credit

An Open Source Tax Credit An open source tax credit is proposed which would allow individuals who develop open source software to receive a tax credit worth 20 percent of their out-of-pocket costs. Corporations and self-employed individuals may already take a deduction for their development expenses for both open source and proprietary commercial software. The open source tax credit provides a similar incentive for individuals who currently have no means to deduct these expenses.

Wow!

OUR MEN AND WOMEN ARE DYING IN IRAQ TO CREATE A DEMOCRACY

James Babb rants on another list:

... Obviously you are angry. You should be. Everyone should be. However, the problem is not a lack of D or R candidates. It's much worse.

First of all, nobody is dying in Iraq for democracy. They are dying for the wallets of the rulers and their friends.

As for the lack of opposition candidates, even with candidates from both government approved parties, our democracy is seriously flawed. In fact, it's a total sham that has mutated our "free and equal" system beyond recognition. The only remaining purpose of our electoral system is to give the masses the feeling of participation and perpetuate the illusion of legitimacy for the plunderers.

The courts and legislature successfully collude to block any outsiders from the ballot. They won't even count write-in votes. The only choices they allow are big-nasty-government-A or big-nasty-government-B. That is not a choice. Independents and new parties are forbidden.

The laziness of parties A & B has further removed voters from the process. Take a look at a map of the districts for state reps and US Congress. Each district looks like a rorschach test because the rulers have been carefully gerrymandered them to avoid any real competition. They don't even want to bother competing against each other. The livestock has been divvied up.

For national offices, Pennsylvanians have even less say. How many republicans know that their vote for President means zilch? Delegates choose the nominee, not voters. The delegates themselves are mostly hand-picked by party leadership. Besides, the candidates are coroneted, long before our primary.

The only wasted vote is one you cast!

Go figure where Tom Murphy has been spending time -- N.O., Louisiana

Worst to First in Louisiana
At least one other state is determined to compete for the title of "best in America" in public integrity. Louisiana, long the state that defenders of corruption have pointed to as even worse than PA, has a new governor who has declared the goal of giving Louisiana the "most ethical" government in America.

Gov. Bobby Jindal, a conservative Republican son of immigrants from India, last week pushed a series of reforms through a legislature that didn't like it a bit. But because of public pressure and gubernatorial leadership, they began to pull LA out of the corruption swamp.

According to a New York Times story, a new law on financial disclosure for lawmakers rivals the previous best-in-America law in Washington State, which also has the best-in-America lobbying control law, according to the Better Government Association. CLICK HERE for the full story, which tells why Jindal thinks integrity is so important to Louisiana's economy.

This blog post and the one that follows is from the great email newsletter of Democracy Rising! Keep up the great work!

This is yet another a "no-no" Mr. (or Ms.) Bozo Representative

Taxes Fund Incumbent Campaigns, again!

For more than a year, Attorney General Tom Corbett has been investigating allegations that millions of tax dollars were used illegally in 2006 to subsidize the campaigns of incumbent lawmakers and reward staffers who worked on the campaigns. So you might expect a more ethical approach to this year's campaigns. But many lawmakers didn't get the message.

Preparing to mail a questionnaire to candidates for the legislature, DR got a copy of the candidate database from the state's Bureau of Commissions, Elections & Legislation (BCEL). We then called all 460 candidates to get email addresses. In the process, we found that 21 lawmakers listed tax-paid office phone or fax numbers on the candidate affidavits that were filed with their nominating petitions. These are the numbers they want the BCEL and others to use if there are questions about the lawmakers' campaigns.

It may be a small thing. Or it may not. Here are the incumbents who are leaning on the taxpayers for their campaigns with their years of service in parentheses.

Representatives:
Thomas Blackwell, D-Philadelphia (4)
Frank Dermody, D- Allegheny (18)
Robert Donatucci, D-Philadelphia (28)
Rick Geist, R-Blair (30)
Robert Godshall, R-Montgomery (26)
Neal Goodman, D-Schuylkill (6)
Babette Josephs, D-Philadelphia (24)
Nick Kotik, D-Allegheny (4)
David Levdansky, D-Allegheny (24)
Jennifer Mann, D-Lehigh (10)
Phyllis Mundy, D-Luzerne (18)
Michael O'Brien, D-Philadelphia (2)
Joe Petrarca, D-Westmoreland (24)
Todd Rock, R-Franklin (2)
Chris Ross, R-Chester (12)
Stan Saylor, R-York (26)
John Siptroth, D-Monroe (4)
James Wansacz, D-Lackawanna (8)

Senators:
Michael O'Pake, D-Berks (40)
President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati, R-Jefferson (8)

Also, the Chair of the House Ethics Committee, Rep. Ron Buxton, D-Dauphin (16), listed his tax-paid fax number. And Rep. Garth Everett, R-Lycoming (2), told DR to send the questionnaire to his official email.

Questions:

* Why are these incumbents telling BCEL or anyone else to call them about their campaigns on a tax-paid phone answered by a tax-paid staffer in a tax-paid office? For how many elections have they been doing this? What will the House and Senate Ethics Committees do about it?

* What does this mean to their challengers' ability to compete fairly?

* Is this evidence of a deeper problem that the attorney general should investigate?

* What numbers do reporters use to call incumbents about their election campaigns? Are other numbers available?

A local PA Senator, Wayne Fontana, D, 42nd (Allegheny County) has been known to use the taxpayer funded fax number / machine in his PA Senate state office for paperwork with attorneys to harass opponents with bogus ballot challenges.

Burgh Diaspora: Knowledge Economy Geography for New Pittsburgh

What is this world coming to?

Burgh Diaspora: Knowledge Economy Geography for New Pittsburgh: "On Top of the Political World: Polish Hill

LIFEGUARDING

Youth Works of Pittsburgh is offering a free lifeguard, CPR and First aid course. Upon completion of the course you will have the opportunity to take the city parks lifeguard test, and be employed as a city lifeguard. Those interested call (412) 281-6629 x 207.

Jon R's newsletter

See the comments.

Strings, QED and tonight's TV show: Bowfire

Our kids play violin at CAPA on Saturday mornings with Steven Vance. He sent this message.

Tonight at 6:30 pm, Sunday March 9, 2008, on PBS Station WQED-TV (Channel 13) airs the exciting new "Bowfire" special. This amazing 10 violin band does an incredible range of music from "Zigeunerweisen," Jazz, fiddle, Chinese erhu, and Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir". All with full lights, staging, backup band, choreography, electronic instruments, and clogging. This group is one of the prototypes for our program.

It's a pledge special so members of the Extreme Strings Orchestra family will be there to answer phones, I'll have the chance to talk about our program a little bit, and we may even get a chance to play a tune or two.

While you are watching make sure you pledge to support the station and make us look good. Of course, you can watch even if you can't make a pledge tonight. The show is great all by itself.

You can see and hear more about our Extreme Strings program on our web site http://www.extremestrings.com/Site/Home.html

Bowfire will appear live in concert at Heinz Hall on Monday April 28. Tickets are still available. We are hoping to have a table and do a little playing in the lobby before and after the show. Look for us. See you there.

Lost or stolen gun? Doug Shields has something to say

Google Documents of the 'will of council' statement that is due for press on Monday at 1 pm.

Onorato wants moratorium on cabin work in county parks - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The places are falling down. There has been 30 years of neglect in our parks.

Onorato wants moratorium on cabin work in county parks - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato today called for a moratorium on moving or tearing down any building in county parks after residents objected to the move of Settler's Cabin and the razing of a nearby historic house in Settler's Cabin Park.

These buildings are still standing, but are on their last legs. But the things that have fallen, long ago, are the programs.

There was a historical association that wanted to rehab the building and KEEP its staff there to do historical tours. However, the county would only give them a year-to-year lease. They would have put in $60,000. But, that doesn't happen with short-term thinking. So, in the long term, we (Allegheny County) get zippo.

Most of the meeting and Onorato's remarks are on video. My video.

I went to the other most recent town hall meeting in White Oak too. There, I asked a question. I wanted to know who Onorato has hand-picked to be on the nonprofit parks board group that is just starting. He said that the names would be on the internet by the end of the week.

Well, after searching the Allegheny County Parks site again this morning, before going to the meeting today, I still could NOT find the name.

Before the meeting we talked. When asked if I was going to go to all the meetings, I said I was only going to attend until I had the answer to my question(s). I asked last week and still don't have a reply.

So, in the first part of today's presentation, the names of the board members were read to the public.

I also said that it would just make better sense to appoint me to the new nonprofit parks board and then I'd be sure to make the dealings of that organization open and transparent.

Onorato was not so keen to that suggestion. But, he suggested I get onto a "Friends" body with one of the parks -- as a way to 'start.' Well, I'm already on one of those and have been for years. But, that park group does NOT meet.

Some of the friends groups operate and some do not. I got appointed to the Friends of Deer Lake Park.

Stay tuned. There is much more to come on parks from me in the weeks to come.

Ravenstahl Writes Check For Use Of Homeland Security Vehicle - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

Ravenstahl Writes Check For Use Of Homeland Security Vehicle - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl wrote a check Friday for $145.50 to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) for his 2007 use of a Homeland Security vehicle.

Ron Paul got some free media

A few different people told me today that Ron Paul had dropped out of the race for President. I said -- 'No way.'

Ron Paul won't drop out. There is no 'upside' for Ron Paul to drop out. Ron Paul isn't bucking to be John McCain's running mate.

The hunt for the R-party nomination started with more than a dozen candidates. Now there are two. And, with more states to visit and more brains to infect with the radical ideals of freedom - Go Ron Go.

Plus, Ron Paul has grandkids and books to sell.

Jefferson County Misses $184 Million Payment - News - NBC13.com

Jefferson County Misses $184 Million Payment - News - NBC13.com County commissioners have confirmed that Jefferson County has defaulted on a $184 million debt due to creditors today.

The payment was tied to the county's floundering sewer program.

Attorneys and financial advisors continue negotiations with credit companies to rewrite the terms of the county's debt in hopes of making future payments more manageable while avoiding the need to file for bankruptcy.

One UAB finance professor says the renegotiations are the county's best option.

“Jefferson County is in a good bargaining position because they can say ‘if we don’t renegotiate, we’ll file for bankruptcy,’ and while bankruptcy isn’t good for anyone, it is worse for creditors than it is for Jefferson County,” Professor Andreas Rauterkus said.

GeoCommunity SpatialNews gets Tom Murphy

GeoCommunity SpatialNews: "The Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA) is pleased to announce that Tom Murphy, former Pittsburgh Mayor and senior resident fellow, Urban Land Institute (ULI)/Klingbeil Family chair for urban development, will keynote at GITA�s Geospatial Infrastructure Solutions Conference, scheduled for March 9-12, 2008, in Seattle, Washington."

Tom Murphy stinks at transporation infrasturcture. He got us the big dig for the boondoggle that take light rail to the North Side Stadiums.

Tom Murphy stinks at retail/urban entertainment. He could NOT land a cinema. His administration did little -- except increase sprawl.

Dad on Fire Blues

http://www.stop-losscongress.org

Singer friends, Emma's Revolution, is singing a couple of songs at the world premier of "Dad on Fire Blues," by documentary film maker Scott Haman. It is a 20 minute short which begins when "Marines came to the home of Carlos Arredondo on his birthday with news that his oldest son, Alex, was killed in Iraq. In his outpouring of grief turned into rage, Carlos lit the Marine's vehicle on fire. Accidentally, he burned 76% of his body. He survived and has gone across America in a traveling memorial to his son. At rallies, marches and crowded intersections, Carlos and his wife, Melida, are dedicated to making people understand the cost of war." http://www.stop-losscongress.org

PIAA Girls' Basketball: PIAA title the standard for Mt. Lebanon coach

PIAA Girls' Basketball: PIAA title the standard for Mt. Lebanon coach An ultimate goal that the Blue Devils (26-3) and Schenley Spartans (24-4) are a few steps away from heading into a showdown at 6 p.m. today in the PIAA Class AAAA quarterfinals at Chartiers Valley.

A+ Schools meets about IB situations -- after decisions are made

Amy sent this report. I didn't attend the meeting. I'm sorta busy with the kids.

Just got back from the A+schools sponsored meeting on the IB program. It was nice to see so many familiar faces from Schenley, Frick, and even Linden. I am not a good judge of numbers so you will have to wait for the official report in the newspaper (if there is one) but I will say that the room was filled and they had to find extra chairs.

Designated speakers: Mr. Lopez, Ms. Reed, Mr. Huber, Mr. Casilli, and Ms. Smith. They gave a brief overview of the current IB diploma and the hopefully soon-to-be certified middle years program and then opened the floor for questions. We were told that we were not to discuss anything related to the building situation. After 3 or 4 questions were asked and answered (somewhat) they tried to close off questioning and break into groups for discussion. A large number of people protested and said that they would prefer having a longer question/answer session. By way of compromise, those who wanted the small group session went to one side of the room and those who wanted to keep asking questions went to the other. You can probably guess which side I was on!

I am sure Jen will have a more complete report of the meeting and the questions asked; she was writing furiously.

When the school becomes full IB, will there be any mainstream kids? What happens to the kids who are now called IS? Don't think that was answered. Some confusion with current grouping of PSP. As it currently stands, acceptance into Schenley's magnet has been dependent upon acceptable grades.

What happens to kids who can't keep up with the rigorous program?(They will have better support systems so that kids don't fail. Nice thought but not realistic!

Will the high standards of the program be maintained? (the high numbers in Theory of Knowledge were mentioned)

Is there any flexibility or will all kids be taking high level IB classes?

I managed to get in my question about the world language teachers considering the problems that Frick has had with hiring. Mr. Lopez said that they were just discussing the problems of hiring and that he will be going to Michigan to recruit and teachers will be offered contracts in April not August!!!!!

Cate Reed said that they have 125 kids signed up for 9th grade which came as a surprise to those of us who have been talking with Frick parents. this is one area where I hope that I am wrong. I hope that there will be a strong freshman class. They again assured us that the 9th graders will be able to participate in sports with the rest of the high school.

In closing, the small groups gave brief reports emphasizing the need for rigor and strong leadership.

Just some quick thoughts; I will probably remember more later. If anyone who was at the meeting wants to add anything, I will be happy to pass it along to the group.

amy moore

A+ Schools meets about IB situations -- after decisions are made

Amy sent this report. I didn't attend the meeting. I'm sorta busy with the kids.

Just got back from the A+schools sponsored meeting on the IB program. It was nice to see so many familiar faces from Schenley, Frick, and even Linden. I am not a good judge of numbers so you will have to wait for the official report in the newspaper (if there is one) but I will say that the room was filled and they had to find extra chairs.

Designated speakers: Mr. Lopez, Ms. Reed, Mr. Huber, Mr. Casilli, and Ms. Smith. They gave a brief overview of the current IB diploma and the hopefully soon-to-be certified middle years program and then opened the floor for questions. We were told that we were not to discuss anything related to the building situation. After 3 or 4 questions were asked and answered (somewhat) they tried to close off questioning and break into groups for discussion. A large number of people protested and said that they would prefer having a longer question/answer session. By way of compromise, those who wanted the small group session went to one side of the room and those who wanted to keep asking questions went to the other. You can probably guess which side I was on!

I am sure Jen will have a more complete report of the meeting and the questions asked; she was writing furiously.

When the school becomes full IB, will there be any mainstream kids? What happens to the kids who are now called IS? Don't think that was answered. Some confusion with current grouping of PSP. As it currently stands, acceptance into Schenley's magnet has been dependent upon acceptable grades.

What happens to kids who can't keep up with the rigorous program?(They will have better support systems so that kids don't fail. Nice thought but not realistic!

Will the high standards of the program be maintained? (the high numbers in Theory of Knowledge were mentioned)

Is there any flexibility or will all kids be taking high level IB classes?

I managed to get in my question about the world language teachers considering the problems that Frick has had with hiring. Mr. Lopez said that they were just discussing the problems of hiring and that he will be going to Michigan to recruit and teachers will be offered contracts in April not August!!!!!

Cate Reed said that they have 125 kids signed up for 9th grade which came as a surprise to those of us who have been talking with Frick parents. this is one area where I hope that I am wrong. I hope that there will be a strong freshman class. They again assured us that the 9th graders will be able to participate in sports with the rest of the high school.

In closing, the small groups gave brief reports emphasizing the need for rigor and strong leadership.

Just some quick thoughts; I will probably remember more later. If anyone who was at the meeting wants to add anything, I will be happy to pass it along to the group.

amy moore

House Rep. calls for Olympic ban - Thursday March 6, 2008 2:47PM

Ouch. I might need to place a few thousand phone calls to the voters in Virginia.

SI.com - More Sports - House Rep. calls for Olympic ban - Thursday March 6, 2008 2:47PM A House Republican -- chafing over President Bush's plan to attend this year's Beijing Olympics -- wants to legally prohibit U.S. government officials from using federal money to go.

Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., cited concerns about China's record on human rights during a congressional hearing on Thursday and said Bush's presence would be akin to President Franklin D. Roosevelt sitting in the same stands as Germany's Adolf Hitler in 1936.

Wonder if Wolf ever heard of Adolph Kiefer or Jessie Owens?

I know Adolph Kiefer, an American hero and great man and business innovator -- plus Olympian in 1936. His life story includes a trip to the Olympic Games in German and many since then too.

Pittsburgh should raise parade fee cap, controller says - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh should raise parade fee cap, controller says - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The 22-page audit says the 2006 St. Patrick's Day Parade put on by the Irish Society for Education & Charity cost the city $11,970 for public safety and public works services, but city policy caps repayment at $3,000.

Wow. We are on the road to prosperity now.

Pittsburgh Underwater Hockey | We Puck Underwater

Pittsburgh Underwater Hockey | We Puck Underwater: "We play underwater hockey at Pine-Richland High School (19 miles N of Pittsburgh).

When: Tuesday, 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM except August
Try it free the first time, $3 per week, or $80 for the season (September - July)

Contact: Deb at

Underwater Hockey Links
http://underwater-society.org/

Texas sized problem in calling election for Hillary

Consortiumnews.com Clinton had a big win in Ohio, and a substantial victory in Rhode Island. But imagine the narrative had the press noted that she appeared to be losing Texas.

Penn Hills now has two football coaches

Penn Hills now has two football coaches Penn Hills now has two football coaches

Looks like Coach Gordon is finished with Penn Hills after the spring lifting ends.

The article says he did not get an interview. A date was set, but no make-up was given.

Ravenstahl hasn't picked a candidate - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Ravenstahl hasn't picked a candidate - Pittsburgh Tribune-ReviewRavenstahl hasn't picked a candidate

Hey Luke, who are you going to pick for the empty seat on the Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board?

Who gets Luke vote for the D primary on April 22 is meaningless next to the important selection he gets to make for the now meaningless Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board. The Hearing Board has an open seat -- and I'm available for the non-paid position.

TONY PHYRILLAS: Gov. Ed 'Pay to Play' Rendell

No bid contracts stink. That is the solution we need. That is what goes down in instances like the LED on the Parking Authority Building on Grant Street.

I want an end to all "NO BID CONTRACTS."

Competition works wonders. Be open. Be transparent. Make competitive bids.

TONY PHYRILLAS: Gov. Ed 'Pay to Play' Rendell: "Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Gov. Ed 'Pay to Play' Rendell

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review is reporting that the Rendell administration has awarded more than $800 million in no-bid contracts to companies that have political ties with Gov. Ed Rendell.

If this was a Republican governor, you'd have all sorts of investigations going on.

But this Ed 'Pay to Play' Rendell we're dealing with here. He gets a free pass.

The no-bid contracts were awarded Unisys of Montgomery County to run the state's data center for the next five years at $400 million, and $414 million in contracts over the past five years to Deloitte, a New York City-based company with ties to Rendell's administration, according to the newspaper."

Millvale: Run to Read 5K slated for April 12

Reading and Sports blending with community. Sounds like an event that fits with my mission and that of the Running Mates Blog! Millvale -- hope the water passes and doesn't stand!

Run to Read to support the Millvale Library Project!

The University of Pittsburgh's chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, an international honor society for accounting, finance, and information systems students, is hosting a charity race to raise funds toward the establishment of a community library in Millvale.

Join the Pittsburgh community as they Run to Read in support of the Millvale Library Project. Held at the Millvale Riverfront Park, Run to Read is a 5k run/walk fundraising event to be held on April 12th, 2008. All proceeds from the race will support the Millvale Library Project as they seek to establish a community library in Millvale. Run to Read will also kick-off the Millvale Library Project Summer Reading Program, which invites children to get excited about reading and get involved with the Library Project.

In addition to the 5k run and family fun walk, local Millvale restaurants will show their support with donations of food and drinks for the participants. This 'Taste of Millvale' showcases local culinary specialties for donors and participants unfamiliar with the Millvale community. With prizes for age group winners, reading circles for children, and a 'Taste of Millvale', this is a Saturday morning suited for the entire family. Run to Read is sponsored by Beta Alpha Psi of the University of Pittsburgh and Deloitte and Touche.

The event is in my public calendar. And, a Google Document has more details.

Olympic Village: Cramped, costly - Wednesday March 5, 2008 5:07PM

SI.com - More Sports - Olympic Village: Cramped, costly - Wednesday March 5, 2008 5:07PM: "those interested in buying one of the units after the Olympics, be prepared to spend between $500,000 and $1 million."

Swimmer wants Rogge to speak out - Wednesday March 5, 2008 12:52PM

This is a bad idea.

SI.com - More Sports - Swimmer wants Rogge to speak out - Wednesday March 5, 2008 12:52PM Three-time Olympic swimming gold medalist Pieter van den Hoogenband wants IOC president Jacques Rogge to speak out on human rights in China ahead of the Beijing Games.

Do not encourage others to speak on behalf of all the others.

Plenty was done, for the behalf of all the people in China, by those who could speak and act. What was done, and what is still being done, some might say, isn't always "nice."

Count on your own voice.

Now I'll need to go read the article.

Then I'll book the tickets to Netherlands and have a chat with this top athlete.

Today is the day that we are booking our trip there.

Raw Video: One Hill's opening remarks at public hearing seeking a CBA with new arena

This presentation is what it is. Lots of speakers came after this opening. Many of the speakers had much more to say. And, they said it better as well.

This public hearing was on Monday at 10 am and NOT on CABLE TV.

Could a Constitutional Convention be in PA's future?

If there is a Constitutional Convention in Pennsylvania, I want to be there.

Folmer Introduces Constitutional Convention Act

... Senator Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon) has introduced a bill (SB1290) to call a constitutional convention. SB1290's language is identical to that of the Citizens' Constitutional Convention Act that has been posted on the PACleanSweep website for over a year and was submitted to the Senate State Government Committee last Spring.

The bill would create a convention with a delegation of regular citizens (not legislators or lobbyists) who would then discuss the issues that Pennsylvanians want to discuss - the size of the legislature, term limits, a part-time legislature, redistricting and other structural changes. Such a convention could also discuss reforms to the executive and judicial branches.

The convention would be prohibited from discussing or altering Article I, the Declaration of Rights. Any other changes to the constitution would require passage by two-thirds majority of the delegates. These two measures would prevent the convention from getting bogged down in partisan issues and would ensure that only the best reforms are created. Delegates to the convention would be selected in non-partisan elections where no party affiliation is noted on the ballot.

Article I Section 2 of the Constitution states: "All power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority and instituted for their peace, safety and happiness. For the advancement of these ends they have at all times an inalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform or abolish their government in such manner as they may think proper."

Despite this noble and proper ideal, the Constitution itself specifies no method for the people to actually act on it. SB1290 creates the vehicle to do so. This bill needs the support of all Pennsylvanians!

Please, call your Senator TODAY, and ask why they haven't co-sponsored SB1290 yet. If your Senator refuses to co-sponsor it, ask whether he/she believes in the language contained within Article I Section 2. Call your Representative as well, and ask him/her to sponsor a version of SB1290 in the House of Representatives.

While you're at it, call your legislators' OPPONENTS in the primary election and ask if THEY would support SB1290! If you make this an election issue RIGHT NOW, legislators will be FLOCKING to sign on as co-sponsors!

Three cheers to Senator Folmer for doing the right thing. Three more to Senators Piccola and Wonderling for being first in line to sign on as co-sponsors.

Find & Contact Your Local Legislators

SB1290 Online

Constitutional Convention Q & A

About PACleanSweep

PACleanSweep is a non-partisan effort dedicated to reforming state government in Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.PACleanSweep.com.

ACTION does NOT equal HOLD

Over at Char's blog, I left this posting in a thread about the sign.

To be sure, the 'non-action' was from Kraus, not Dowd. Kraus introduced a measure that was then in the next breath put into limbo with a 'hold.'

Kraus put in a measure that asks the one in the private marketplace to shoot oneself in the foot and fix an ill caused by the city. The city needs to get its act in order -- first.

The solution from Kraus is a joke -- without a punch line -- as it is on 'hold.'

Meanwhile, Patrick Dowd is being prudent as he might need to sit as 'judge' in a zoning case. That is a role of city council. So, if he puts his cards on the table -- he would disqualify himself from the looming role.

Regardless, there are dozens of ethical complaints that should be filed on this. It is way too long for the legal advice to appear, for starters.

Diamond Appeals Gingrich Forgery Decision to PA Supreme Court

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2008

Republican state House candidate Russ Diamond today filed notice of intent to appeal a recent Commonwealth Court decision to allow Mauree Gingrich’s name to appear on the April 22 primary ballot in the 101st legislative district, despite evidence that dozens of signatures on a petition she signed as circulator under oath were forged. The notice was filed in Philadelphia by Diamond’s attorney, Lawrence Otter of Bucks County.

At issue is whether Gingrich intended to deceive the electorate by signing a false circulator’s affidavit and subsequently filing a false candidate’s affidavit in which she swore to “not knowingly violate any election law.” The Commonwealth Court decision was issued by visiting senior Judge Keith Quigley, who ruled that Gingrich’s story about collecting the signatures in question at a “nacho party” at her home was credible.

Quigley seemed to overlook the obvious problem of two groupings of signatures from residents of Oak Street in Palmyra and Shady Lane in North Londonderry Township, which appear in numerical sequence and suggest the use of a street list by the circulator. Gingrich testified that her nacho party invitation went to Republican committee members. The twelve voters identified in the challenge were not committee members. Gingrich could not name the Republican committee members for her hometown of Palmyra.

“A false circulator’s affidavit is inherently deceptive,” said Diamond. “Mrs. Gingrich knew she didn’t collect those 25 signatures legitimately and we believe she knew that some, if not all of them, were outright forgeries. As such, her candidate’s affidavit is also false and her name should not appear on the ballot.”

“Had we been able to present our case, we would have been able to show that the testimony of Gingrich was not credible, but incredible,” added Otter. “We had twelve witnesses in court under subpoena to testify, but the judge only allowed one person other than Gingrich to take the stand. Although that person was alleged to be a close friend of Gingrich’s whose name appears on line 37 of the petition, even she testified she never signed it.”

During the Commonwealth Court hearing, Gingrich’s counsel allowed that the entire petition page 2 signed and sworn by Gingrich could be tossed due to the irregularities.

The case bears a striking resemblance to that of former Democratic state representative Linda Bebko-Jones, who was charged last week by Attorney General Tom Corbett with forgery and conspiracy in connection with her 2006 filing for re-election.

Ironically, both Diamond and Otter were involved in the Bebko-Jones case. Diamond assisted the late Dennis Iaquinta, a PACleanSweep-backed opponent to Bebko-Jones in the 2006 primary, in discovering the alleged forgeries. Otter represented Iaquinta in a subsequent petition challenge. Bebko-Jones withdrew from the race the day before a hearing on the matter was scheduled to be held in Commonwealth Court.

Corbett launched his criminal investigation after receiving a complaint from former state Senator Anthony "Buzz" Andrezeski, whose mother’s name was allegedly forged on Bebko-Jones’ petition. “State legislators are responsible for protecting the public trust and ensuring that they uphold the law and abide by it,” Corbett said in a press release regarding the Bebko-Jones case. “Nobody is above the law in Pennsylvania, and that includes our elected officials.”

The schedule for Diamond’s appeal will be set by the Supreme Court.

###

For more information: 717.383.3025 http://www.russdiamond.org/030508.html
win@russdiamond.org

My sole reason on the sign is for the peeps.

Will of Council - Sign at Grant St. Transportation Center

WHEREAS, following a recent fact finding meeting held by City Council on the issue of an LED Sign for the new Transportation Center, City Council believes the Zoning Department, in consultation with the Urban Redevelopment Authority, acted in error regarding its interpretation of the language and regulations contained in the Pittsburgh Code; and

WHEREAS, while language is often subject to legal interpretation, it is clear that the authors of the Home Rule Charter and the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances clearly intended to ensure that the right of the people to participate in major decisions, particularly land use matters, was the foundation for the very existence of the Regulations; and

WHEREAS, given the current controversy over the zoning process, and the fact that the Mayor and all Members of City Council recently signed a formal pledge that prioritized “excellence in service, increased access to and confidence in all City services by ensuring equity for all Pittsburghers;” and also committed to “improve the quality of life for future generations by identifying current land use opportunities and challenges facing the City” and “ensure the ethical operation of the offices,” it is only appropriate that the matter of the LED Sign be rescinded at this juncture.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby requests that the Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh direct the City Zoning Administrator to take the necessary steps to rescind the current permit issued to Lamar Advertising for approval of an LED Sign on the Transportation Center, and direct that a new application be filed and processed under the guidelines of a Conditional Use Application as outlined in the City Code; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh also requests that the Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Parking Authority rescind the Lease Agreement between Lamar Advertising and the Pittsburgh Parking Authority.

SPONSORED BY COUNCILMAN BRUCE A. KRAUS

That is the buzz, above. Kraus did make a minor change, as he left something out.

I watched the end of city council today and took some notes as Mr. Kraus entered his plea about the sign that is NOT a sign to some. He put the above statement into play, and then in the next breath said he'd hold it. Here we go again -- much to do about nothing, yet.

His sole (only) goal is to protect the people and the process. It is never about politics.

Kraus says Grant Street is everybody's Main Street. We all share the communality. All the people of Pgh have the right to have their voices heard. To Kraus, the only reason to bring this forward at this time is to protect the peeps. Then other non-reasons are stated. Plus, the other other aim is to protect the taxpayer from litigation.

Kraus double talk: "The process is so flawed at this time that the only remedy is litigation." But, he puts in a statement that isn't litigation.

As soon as he gets onto the soapbox, he says, "I am willing to hold this."

He does NOT mean, "hold this dear." He means -- not act. He says a bunch of stuff and then does NOT want to have it come for a vote. He acts to hold. He takes two steps forward where no others want to tread and then he takes other steps to retreat. It is both a move and a non-move. It is a leap without any new height. It is a government official begging the private business entity to fix the problem before council.

Last week I said that the six hour council meeting looked a lot like a dog chasing its tail. This week, the Kraus measure has the circle running of folly going around and around -- but in a different direction.

Kaus is asking for his own statement to be held at this time. The self-censure comes after the speaking. If Lamar (the corporation) would voluntarily pull the obtained city permits, then, Kraus thinks, a transparent process can begin.

Then, Kruas feels, "this should be put out to a RFP. (RFP = Request for proposals) There are a number of other companies that are interested, as revealed in the P-G. It is good that Kraus is reading the newspapers. By the way, a RFP is better than a no-bid contract. But, the aim of a competitive bid process would be best.

Tonya Payne had other reactions. She is happy that Kraus is going to hold rather than rush to a vote. She passed out literature to other members of city council about what the LED sign(s) will look like. Then she went onto to connect the new LED sign to the blight that runs through the rest of the district.

This new LED sign does not take away blight. But, the arrival of the LED sign comes with a side-deal that other paper billboards will be removed from other parts of the city. Billboards = blight, so it must be.

Payne said that she doesn't know if people know how hard of a job it is to do community development. It is a tough, tough job. People in Ms. Payne's district are in favor of the sign. They have engaged people in town and in The Strip.

"We're elected officials. We are to protect every street and every person. They call councilperson Payne. They ask me to advocate for this sign."

Payne continued: "Is it legal for the city and the mayor to ask for the rescinding of the sign? You can always file a protest at the zoning board of adjustment. If you are so into 'process' you can file a protest with the zoning board.

"We also need to understand the whole intent of the sign. It is to remove blight." Lawrenceville people call to remind her to take down the paper billboard. They want signs removed. They want to get the LED signs. "You can use the LED signs in a number of ways -- like an Amber Alert. You can't do that on a paper sign," said Payne.

"To change an electronic LED sign is just as easy as sitting at a computer -- and boom. It appears. We have to be cautious to ask Lamar to rescind," said Payne.

How many paper billboards are going to be removed if Lamar pulls out? At the end of the day I'm going to advocate for the people in my district she said.

Rev. Burgess:

He pats councilperson Payne's advocate efforts. But then he said his concern is not for the merit of the sign. Burgess is concerned with Lamar Advertising. The court case with Monroeville is on his mind. In the interest of open government, Lamar would stop from all activities with the construction of signs." They should go through the appropriate city process he said.

This open, transparent process would strengthen all the citizens faith in the institution and the city. Lamar is a huge company. They do a lot of business with the city. That their concern of the city would get them to withdrawal. They go through the process. That transparency would be good for their business.

Some on City Council want to ask Lamar to cease and dismiss. Go figure. Both Burgess and Kraus have hopes that Lamar is going to act in ways that are counter to its best interest. Things have been paid for, delivered and are about to be installed. They think Lamar will want to offer up for bid something that they already jumped through city hoops to acquire.

Kraus again: The merits are not on the sign. Sole concern is the voice of the people, in all matters with zoning. We are locking out the people. I only want them to have a voice. They have been shut out. Now we are going to ask the people to write the check for the legal fees. Kraus is still willing to hold the measure and not push it ahead. Otherwise, Kraus said, "We will let the legal process sort this out."

Ms. Payne: The people in her (downtown) district were not left out of this process.

Mr. Kraus: The people in the rest of the city were left out.

Mr. Motznik turn. He is against the measure too. "Voice my objection to the resolution. It has been read into the record. Facts: We have differences of opinion. I'm not going to fight anyone on it. Within the resolution, I do not agree that anyone acted in error. There is some confusion on interpretation. Some council members interpret other ways."

"Whether or not Lamar should rescind, I feel they went through the process that we have and they have a legal permit. Lamar has been going through a process since '03. To eliminate a number of billboards to eliminate blight. We are opening up ourselves up for a law suit.

"Strongly disagree that this is the first LED on Grant Street. Packet shows what Lamar has done -- exactly. See what is going on. See what's been done. Photos show on Grant Street that LED came up. First time with photos 3 outdoor ad signs. Lamar removed them, eliminated 282 sq. feet. Invested in the building: Before / After photos. Shows that the city is viable and open for business. $200,000 investment wasn't required.

Next, Saw Mill Run Blvd. Two outdoor signs on concrete silos. Ugly billboards. Lamar spent $150,000 to remove the eye sores. I grew up playing in the woods behind this area. There is a private partnerships that we form with the city and Lamar. These are good neighbors we are dealing with.

Next is Saw Mill Run and Rt. 88. Four outdoor signs eliminated and replaced with one LED. Before and after pictures presented.

It is not for or against billboards. I'm thrilled that they are eliminating them. The befor and after photos are astonishing. Intersection of Broadway and ??, some $30,000 was spent in landscaping to properties because I asked them to.

Beechview, again. Clean up.

Motznik is a big supporter for props to show exactly what is going on.

These are examples of how Lamar is helping with community advertisements. Beechview Centenial Celebration at no cost, etc.

I don't think things were done in error. The administration used that process to eliminate blight.

A lit sign shows life (like downtown Manhattan) that the city is open.

I'm sure Lamar has done the same thing (clean up of older signs) in other districts.

Mr. Shields:

I don't take issue with the elimination of blight.

Mr. Peduto:

I had a deal that I would not speak if Mr. Motznik would not speak. I want to add my name to Rev. Burgess in support. We are not going to agree. That is good.

My issue is nothing about a billboard. My issue is about the same set of rules for everyone. The expansion of non-conforming use is Zoning 101. A conditional use application is required to come to city council for approval. There has to be a public hearing. Any exterior changes greater than $50,000 has to come to city council. With a $7M sign, it has to go before the planning commission.

It is about fair and equal application of the law for everyone. We have a responsibility in writing the laws and insuring that they are carried out.

Not even getting into the bids -- open -- or whatever. We ...

There is a time that the laws that city council places are not being fallowed. I have a legal and moral obligation to speak my mind. I don't know if I can find that in the city code.

I'll wait a week.

I'm in your (Kraus/Burgess/Shields) corner on this one.

Mr. Deasey:
It would be appropriate to hold until after Mr. Specter gives us a legal opinion.

Mr. Dowd:
Thanks Mr. Kraus. I'm still not clear that it is an appropriate time to speak on this matter. I had heated words with Mr. Peduto. I'd like to keep myself at bay until we start down that road. I have some real questions as to our role as council. As individuals, we are citizens. We can speak. After we come together as five, we are a body. As a council I'm not clear what actions we are permitted. As individual we can speak out. We can stand before the cameras. As a body there is a different point here. Not sure where responsibility ends and beings. I'm not saying anything on the sign. There is an appropriate moment and we are not there yet.

The resolution is asking the chief executive of the city to command a regulator to make a specific action. I am not clear yet. Where in the code are we authorized (as a body) to command / to direct a regulator to make s specific decision?

I am deeply concerned about process.

We need to understand what our role is in this process.

No one has rendered a decision -- which is unconscionable. That is reprehensible. We pay people to do that work.

Or, until we can point to a specific point in the charter.

So I urge us to think very carefully about what our role is.

Not that we 'feel' that we have a right to do certain things. We are after clarity and we are after rule of law.

Mr. Kraus:

Thanks Mr. Motznik. I suppose that the litigation process will determine the validity. The golden triangle area district may not apply.

Lamar has been a great neighbor in many ways. I come from a background in business. I often take the high road to insure that my customers come back to me.

Lamar can volunteer to pull their license.

There is nothing that speaks to blame in the resolution. I'll reserve blame. Why we don't have a legal opinion on this -- (hat tip to Patrick).

They are only required to be at the table to write the checks to go to litigation.

Also there was some insert into the resolution (above) for the expansion of Non-conforming use -- put onto the record.

Mrs. Payne:

I'm hearing that the majority says that the process is flawed. Then we need to change the process. Maybe you should change the whole process.

Mr. Kraus:

Our process is pure and good. The process was not followed. That is the arguement.

Mr. Burgess:

Planning and zoning is the committee I chair. That is a secondary discussion. Later. I intend for us to have that discussion.

Shields:

In the words of Mr. Ford. 'Then we must agree to disagree.' That can not be the outcome. There must be resolution. I do not think that the mayor has any authority to recind anything. The mayor can NOT recind a parking ticket. The mayor can not help in getting your car out of the tow pound.

Football has guys in striped shirts. Our biz has guys sitting in robes. Then we find a fact finder. Just like they did in the Monroeville case.

Agree to disagree is not the ultimate decision.

Courts are a wonderful thing. That is part of our government. When we get into a pickle -- we need a court.

The photo (from Ms. Payne) is the first time that this is in public.

Sunshine act worries with newspaper in the Parking Authority.

Due concern. We are not here to stick sticks in people's eyes.

We all have serious issues. After six hours, I think we hit the limit. Blah, blah, blah other issues and other work to do. We have perspectives here. We have debate. We have positions. We don't hide. This is a lesser issue with human life (shootings, etc.) He is proud to be with all of you today. We will move to get this resolved.

Move to tragic death of ex employee, with a gun. ... discussion ends.

If I have any of the words wrong -- and wrong to the core meaning -- I'd be happy to edit the statements above. I know that these are notes taken quickly. They are NOT an exact transcription. Send me your notes and I'll edit. Or, just post in the comments on this posting.

Hat tip to the other bloggers too. 2PJ had the text at the top in a google document.

New Jersey and Pennsylvania Libertarian Parties Join for Convention

Malvern, Pa., March 14 - 16, 2008

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania

3915 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109
www.lppa.org

For Immediate Release: March 4, 2008

Contact: Doug Leard (Media Relations) or
Michael Robertson (Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS / chair@lppa.org

Harrisburg, Pa. – The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania and the New Jersey Libertarian Party will, for the first time, hold a joint convention March 14-16 at the Desmond Hotel & Conference Center in Malvern, PA.

The convention will feature presentations by our presidential candidates, workshops, special guest speakers and the LPPA’s annual awards ceremony.

On March 14, 2004 LP Presidential candidate Michael Badnarik will teach a full-day class on the Constitution.

The next day, eight 2008 Libertarian presidential hopefuls will participate in an exciting debate. “This will be excellent opportunity to evaluate these presidential hopefuls prior to the national convention in Denver,” said LPPA Convention Chairman James Babb.

An assortment of political activists, Badnarik, LP National Chairman Bill Redpath, Free State Project PorcFest organizer Rich Goldman, and author and self-described “tax heretic” Larken Rose will speak at different times throughout the weekend. Libertarian Party Co-founder Don Ernsberger, who currently serves as Chief of Staff for U.S. Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-California), will be Saturday night’s keynote speaker.

The convention will close Sunday after delegate credentialing and completion of state business.

Babb said the joint convention promises to be one of the best conventions ever.

“This unique two-state convention will provide great opportunities to collaborate,” he said. “Don’t miss it.”

James Burns, Libertarian, visits Pittsburgh's Thomas Jefferson Think Tank -- WED night

Last month, as part of our series on the proper role of government, former Congresswoman Melissa Hart joined us (Thomas Jefferson Think Tank) to give her thoughts on the subject and her observations from her years in Congress.

Ms. Hart advised a slow incremental approach to moving the Left/Right – Liberal/ Conservative needle of the American Political scene more toward the right side. The Constitutionalists advised a more hard line approach. They wanted a legislator to use a “Just Say NO” approach, to just vote down any legislation that in any way doesn't meet their criteria of what the Constitution says.

This month, we will have another guest speaker. James “Libertarian” Burns, one of the front-running contenders for the Libertarian Party Presidential nomination, will join us. The format will be the same as last month, with Jim giving a short talk and then participating in a question and answer session. We look forward to meeting Jim and hearing his thoughts on the Libertarian approach to government and how it will address and hopefully solve the many problems facing us in the 21^st Century.

Come join us to see how Libertarian ideas survive the “Ray” test. Are Libertarians the true “Agents of Change”?

Come early to enjoy the food, drink, and bring a friend. We will see you Wednesday, March 5, 2008 located at Silvioni’s, 2125 Babcock Boulevard. Dinner will be served until 7:00 pm. The meeting will start at approximately 7:15 pm.

Meeting reminder about schools

Don't forget the A+ Schools forum on IB:

International Baccalaureate (IB) 6-12 will be held on Thursday, March 6, 2008, 5:30 PM on the 31st floor of the Regional Enterprise Tower, 425 Sixth Avenue, Downtown (formerly known as the Alcoa Building). Hear about the IB and Middle Years programs and plans for the new school from teachers and administrators from Frick International Studies Academy and Schenley High School. You will have the opportunity to offer your input about important features of the International Baccalaureate School.
CLICK HERE TO RSVP

Don’t let parking keep you from coming Downtown. A+ Schools will validate parking tickets for the Mellon Square Garage!

I think it would be great if we had a huge turnout to express our thoughts on the proposed program/changes. I know that I have a few concerns about the anticipated move to expansion. Mr. Roosevelt has said that he would like to see more students taking the Diploma Program. What he hasn't said is how he is going to maintain a quality program with the high standards that have been important in the past. I have spoken with several parents of junior IB students who are currently (and one who dropped) Theory of Knowledge. For those of you familiar with the full IB program, TOK is a required course and extremely important. (check out the IB web site: http://www.ibo.org/). The class is offered over two semesters and currently begins during spring of junior year and continues to fall of senior year. One section of this class began with more than 40 students. Students were encouraged to switch to the other class, if possible, or drop it. It seems to me that the school and Roosevelt are at cross-purposes on this. They need to know that a few bad experiences will have a ripple effect; bad word-of-mouth will destroy the program. The program at Schenley has been very successful with some excellent teachers. We need to make sure that in the rush to expand, they don't lower the standards of the program.

Other Upcoming Events:
Parents of Schenley 9th and 10th graders have been invited to a general information meeting scheduled for 6:30 pm., Tuesday, March 11 in the Schenley auditorium. Another meeting will be held later for students who receive a letter of candidacy after GPAs etc. are reviewed.

Regularly scheduled PSCC is March 19, 6 pm in the Schenley library. Topic for the meeting is World Languages/ IB/IS.

amy moore

Edge of Sports calls PA's Senator Specter domain = Comcast's

Edge of Sports: "The story begins with the righteous anger of the cancer-surviving, 78-year-old Senator from Pennsylvania, Arlen Specter. He has presented himself to the sports world as the populist of pigskin, pushing back against the big, bad NFL in what has become known as SpyGate.

Love this line: Yet, a closer look at Specter's incentives reveals what some say is a most unpleasant stench.

"the Senator from the great state of Comcast." Is this fair?

Comcast is the No. 2 source of campaign funds for the Senator. Comcast execs and employees have given a reported $153,600 in contributions, going back to 1989. The No. 1 contributor since '89 is Blank Rome LLC, a lobbying firm that has dumped $358,483 into Specter's coffers. A chief client of Blank Rome is .... wait for it .... Comcast.

Hill District advocates take case to council - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

I was there. I spoke. I favor a CBA (Community Benefits Agreement) as there is so much public money in the deal.

Hill District advocates take case to council - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "More than 30 Hill District activists asked Pittsburgh City Council members today to hasten sluggish negotiations for a community benefits agreement tied to a $290 million hockey arena to be built Uptown.

Pens say things not as perceived...Committed to helping Hill

Hold the phone.

Pens say things not as perceived...Committed to helping Hill: "He said the team plans to have a practice rink at the new arena which youth hockey teams like those in its Hockey in the Hood program can use.

If the Pens want to help the local youth, then they should be building a facility that is NOT within the same complex as the arena.



The Penguins built an indoor ice rink in the city. That property is locked now. Nobody can use that park. The building is abandoned. The Penguins left us "high and dry."

The Penguins are the bad guys.

The Penguins need to right the past wrongs -- to the city youth.

The Pens should re-build a new ice complex on the South Side.

If the Pens want to build a gondola from the one facility to the next -- fine. We could use an air-elevator from the South Side, behind the hospital, to the Giant Eagle, and to the Hill District and the new arena.

Members of the OpenOffice.org Community have selected Beijing, China as host

Members of the OpenOffice.org Community have selected Beijing, China as the venue for their 2008 Annual Conference (OOoC0n), which will be held between October 15th and 17th (provisional dates). The result of the on-line ballot of Community members was as follows:

Beijing (China) 597
Orvieto (Italy) 126
Amsterdam (The Netherlands) 62
Bratislava (Slovakia) 56
Budapest (Hungary) 50
Dundalk (Ireland) 22

This marks a milestone in the development of the OpenOffice.org Community, as it will be the first time that OOoCon will be held outside Europe. The voting also shows the continuing growth of the Community, with the number of votes cast over 50% up on last year.

Peter Junge, joint leader of the successful bid, was delighted with the result: "The Beijing OOoCon team is really honoured to be the Community's choice to organize and host this years OpenOffice.org Conference. We are looking forward to welcome a large number of OpenOffice.org contributors from all over the world. Let's celebrate the globally grown community for the first time outside of Europe. Now, it's our job to face the big challenge, to land OpenOffice.org at a new shore."

Every year, a completely new team stages OOoCon. The result is a conference which has a lot of fresh energy every year, guarantees surprises, but which is also reliably interesting. Many attendees consider it to be one of the most informative and friendliest open-source events to be found anywhere in the world.

The Conference website is here:
http://marketing.openoffice.org/conference
People interested in attending are invited to subscribe to the Conference mailing list by sending a blank email to mailto:ooocon2008_discuss-subscribe@marketing.openoffice.org

The OpenOffice.org Conference Team

Peters Township to play Schenley in girls hoops playoff game on Tuesday at C-M

O-R Online Peters Township, which plays City League representative Schenley in the second round Tuesday at Canon-McMillan High School, has only one loss outside of section play. The Indians are a staggering 14-1 in non-league action.

This is like a home game for Peters.
In the boys playoffs, the first round knock out of Schenley is covered here:

The Daily News - McKeesport cruises past Schenley in state opener: "Alexander and Marshall combined for 34 points as McKeesport upset Schenley 59-49 before an overflowing crowd at Allderdice."

Speaking of Waco -- did you see the post, Keep your eye on the target?

Rom Paul's message is in the comments.

Sunday, new month, so settle in for some Chris Chandler time

First, a true story from me. When I went to graduate school, I hitch-hiked to get there. I had graduated from Ohio University in Athens. Next, I took a 'graduate assistantship' at Bayor University in Waco, Texas. Waco is 100-mhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifiles north of Austin. I had never been there. I was moving after a couple of months at home in Pittsburgh. I had a dog. The dog didn't come at first.

So... I picked up a local writing assignment in August, covering the USA Diving National Championships. It was head at Settler's Cabin, an Allegheny County Wave Pool. filed an article to Swimming World Magazine and then headed to Texas.

So, this article from the newsletter of Chris Chandler, T.H.E. .M.U.S.E. .A.N.D. .W.H.I.R.L.E.D. .R.E.T.O.R.T. takes me back. Chris reports that the piece is part of a monologue from the play he is working on. When he comes to Pittsburgh, I'd love to have him perform a 'house concert' (again) with us.

By Chris Chandler http://www.chrischandler.org


From "…And I Ain't Gonna Be Treated this A-Way."
A new one man play in progress

By Chris Chandler

In this scene I am driving and have just picked up a hitch-hiker.

So, where ya headed?

"Austin." Of course… Dunno why I asked. I mean you're standing on the side of the road with your thumb in the air holding a sign that tells me exactly where your headed. "Austin." And I have to ask.

Sometimes I wish we all walked through this life holding a sign that announces where we are headed.

I guess now that I think about it, we do kinda carry one that announces where we've been – ya just gotta know how to read it. But that’s a different story,

The Female voice of the GPS: "Continue on Texas Farm Road 3721 for 437 miles."

Yea, it’s a GPS. Whoda thunk that ten years ago? A global positioning satellite in my car. Heh, I like its like carrying a sign that announces where I am.

The Female voice of the GPS: "Then prepare to turn left on US 290."

So, now that we know where we are, and where we're headed I guess the only remaining question is: Where ya coming from?

Oh yea?

I like it out in New Mexico. That’s where they filmed The Road Runner Cartoons.

The ambient music changes

Huh? The music? Oh, its satellite radio. I like it out here in the middle of nowhere. Though, I think its funny…. They call it Sirius. Named after The Dog Star – Sirius. The brightest star in the sky -- 'Least it used to be.

Now the brightest star in the sky is the Nortel Satellite.

The very thing that the "Sirius" Satellite is named from has been given second class status by… well, The Sirius Satellite itself. One of nature's greatest feats has been replaced by something manmade. Like a ski lift to the top of Mt Everest or Barry Bonds beating Hank Aaron's homerun record.

Oh sure they named the company "Sirius" after its -- casualty -- to "honor" it I suppose -- but it kinda feels like naming your sports team "The Washington Redskins," or your subdivision "Nez Perce Estates," or your town "Taos," or your state "Dakota," or your method of traveling across the high plains in search of Buffalo Wings a "Winnebago," or the bank you financed it all with "Shawmut."

The only thing I know about that is there aren’t too many Redskins that could afford to go to a Redskins game or drive a brand new Jeep Cherokee.

Next to the Sun and the Moon - nothing in the sky has been written about more than that star. The Egyptians based their calendar on when it. They used it to predict if it would be a hot dry summer or cold winter or if the Nile would reward her with her fertile flooding.

Funny thing is I do too. I use it for the weather channel.

I like this channel here. The show's called "Disorder." They play the best of everything regardless of what genre it is – as long as it's good. Like you might hear Rachmaninoff played next to The Cramps, or Pubic Enemy played next to David Allen Coe.

'Cos if its good – it lasts. Like… like evolution. If you’re a bug, or a bird or a jelly fish, or an ape and you are good at being an ape or a jelly fish – odds are you're still here. There is no "order" to it.

You can't look at the stars and see a pattern like when you can look at the wallpaper in a Cracker Barrel where you see nothing but one big pattern that blurs in to general lack of wonder.

The stars are indeed wallpaper – but they are God's wallpaper, and God doesn't shop at Home Depot.

Although he does occasionally hire Mexicans out of the Home Depot parking lot just to piss off John McCain.

The Radio plays Butch Hancock:
You can drive all day and never leave Texas
You can drive all night and never leave home
Everything's real but not everything mixes
There's somethings even love leaves alone."


Well, yea - you're right about part of that… Texas is big, but I don't think its ugly, In fact - I think it's beautiful – in its ummm… ugly perfection. It has so wholly achieved the zenith of ugliness – that it is in-fact flawless. It is perfect – even if it is perfectly ugly – and you can't argue that perfection in and of it self – is not beautiful. It's just kind of an acquired taste – like gin and tonic or the poetry of Rilke or the later films of Mel Brooks.

But I always say – you can't comment on the scenery unless take the trip.

Its like if you take a picture of any one place out here in the middle of nowhere – its ugly. Tumble weeds and dust. Cacti and cattle. But when you drive across it something cathartic starts to happen. It's hypnotizing. You see shit that’s not really there. Or is it there all the time and you have to drive for 14 hours straight to find it?

You drive from El Paso to Orange your whole perspective starts to shift. You see her as both vast… and tiny.

You see the barren bluffs and they seem to go on for ever – like this highway. But then the moon rises, and some bug hits your windshield – just below the belt of Orion And you look to Orion and you see the vastness of this landscape – our lives - as tiny.

Its like Horton hears a Hoo – only in reverse – and the elephant is traipsing around the universe trying to get everyone in the galaxy to shout at once "We are here! We are here!" So that we -- here on earth -- will know that heaven is out there too.

But the people here are too busy to notice.

She is so big. And How could they? They are surround by "big" every day of their lives. People just can't imagine anything bigger. So they like to brag about it, cos people will brag about anything. It may be the one constant in the universe. While Orion stands up there looking down on you - and me -snickering beneath his celestial breath.

"You can drive all night and never leave home."

'Cos Orion knows all about that one constant in the universe. People will brag about anything… When the state of Alaska was applying to get in the Union the people down here were complaining that Texas would no longer be the biggest state in the union. The people of Alaska said, "Oh quit your whining or we'll cut ourselves in half and you'll be the third largest state."

So, what kind of music do you play? That’s why I picked you up – the guitar case.

Really?

That’s brilliant. You just use the guitar case as a suit case 'cos people are more willing to pick up a guy with a guitar. I guess it's true. It worked for me.

I once bought a VW micro Bus in Nashville, only I was in Atlanta at the time and I had to get up there somehow. So I went down to the thrift store and bought silly costume cowboy hat – gigant-toe – ten gallons hell! It was 10 oceans – and I stuffed my cowboy boots into my jeans – then I found this ridiculous white blazer with wide lapels – 70s type -- and I got a roll of electrical tape and made a big musical note on the lapel. I carried an old beat up guitar and a card board sign that read "Nashville." And stuck my thumb in the air…

Le me tell ya – I got to Nashville faster than I could drive the microbus back to Atlanta.

I think I made it there in three rides, and I played the part for each one. But I wasn't lying to them. I mean, I wasn’t headed to Nashville to get on the Grand Ol Opery or anything. But they wanted to believe that. I just let them. It was easier for them to accept than I am a traveling performance artist. Too hard to explain. "Acclaimed by the crowded heads of Europe."

No, it's easier to fake some Hank Williams song in the front seat of a Bonneville for a stranger – and tell em I am a musician then try to explain me sittin of a stage with a video projector, pretending to drive while talking about being in the front seat of a Bonneville playing Hank Williams songs while truckling for some audience's approval in the same manner that I did when I was a child and I dipped my fingers into some mildly toxic Crayola brand soup and smeared it on a piece of news-print hoping my mother would scotch tape it to the turquoise refrigerator from which came the life giving forces of food.

But Hell, that’s the reason most of us do anything – so we can consider ourselves as important as the grocery list or the phone number of the milk man. Oh, to be held in place by a magnetic bottle opener on the Metropolitan Refrigerator of Art just ONE MORE TIME! Dunno why I am so ashamed of it that I have to lie about my own motivations.

What's that?

Your not really headed to Austin? Now, that’s what I am talking about. It is easier to just tell the passing traffic that your headed to Austin. People can relate to that. Who wants to pick someone up whose headed to Dripping Springs? No ones ever heard of that – and Austin is close enough to what they need to know.

One time I was flying to a gig, and I had on this preacher outfit – so sure, I played the part. The whole flight. I had to switch flights in Detroit. They asked me at the ticket counter, "Mr Chandler, what is your final destination."

I answered, "Well, heaven I hope."

My dog joined me in Texas around November after I had the house situation resolved.

My ride to Texas was in a van with a few divers from the meet.

Another Austin singing star was in Pittsburgh today doing a house concert. I missed it. Stephanie Corby rocks.