Public Hearing: 11 am on Thursday, Feb 10, 2005

The citizens of Pittsburgh called for a public hearing about Sala's and Twanda's bill to limit and refine public comment before city council.

I think that the bill was attempting to split hairs. It is hard to say you can talk on issues that come before the city but you can't do an "self promotion" or can't address any "politics."

Come to the public hearing if you value the Sunshine Laws and the First Amendment.

Sala Udin has stated that the bill he introduced originally is changing. Great. He also made a mention at the end of today's meeting (Feb 9) that caused me to send him this email.

Dear Sala,

I heard your comment at the end of today's city council meeting about the
public hearing I helped to call for tomorrow. By the way, that public
hearing isn't going to be on tv, so it seems. Fine.

You have a suite of changes to make to the proposed bill before city council
now about limits to public hearings.

I would like to know what's to come.

Can you send me an email of what you are going to do with amendments?

I asked for the update last week. You sent me to the City Clerk's office. I
know what's in the city clerk's office now. I know that there have been
suggestions from the city's lawyers. I'd love to see those too.

I think it is silly to hold a public hearing on something that isn't going
to happen. Let's not talk about something that is dead.

If you hold back substantial changes until after the public hearing, your
choosing our city, our citizens' voices, our hope of getting a better law
crafted.

Post the changes on your own blog, if you want. If you don't have a blog,
I'll do it. Or, better yet, post the possible changes on my blog after this
mention. My blog allows comments from anyone. Same too with the wiki. Post
changes (pending) at the Platform.For-Pgh.org/wiki.

---

Sala's reply via email:

There is no "suite" of changes anticipated at this time. The only change
I intend to make, so far, is the modification or deletion of "personal
attacks." I will await the input from public hearing and feedback from
colleagues, to determine if there are additional changes.

Caring Habits to gets some deserved props -- and a challenge for the proclaimation!

Tracy reported in an email about an interesting project. Great idea. Great outreach effort.

To achieve the message of February that "EVERYONE COUNTS" we have created a challange for ourselves. We have an application to the Guiness Book of Records to acquire the most signatures on one proclaimation.

On Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 9:15 am, Alan Hertzberg will initiate this proclaimation at City Council. EVERYONE, and ANYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND THIS SIGNING! But I need to know asap by Thursday AM, latest on whom will be in attendence at this initiation. We will then open it to our community throughout MW/DH and encourage signatures of all students and residents. We would like to acquire as many as we can by February 28.

I thank you for your support, hope to see you there.

RSVP by Thursday Feb 10, Noon to 412-481-3220 (Mt.Washington CDC), 412-922-6121 (Tracy's phone).

A number of populations are on edge with the neighborhoods, and this one is like the others. The mayor issued a veto to deny the request for a zoning change -- supporting lots of people, fighting the local council member, and hurting the proposed builder who was behind in his taxes at one point. An economic boycot was considered by some. Council had a 5-4 vote.

The Duquesne Heights Community Center is functional, but they need to have an armed guard at all their events now.

The city council seat is open, so a number of others are starting to line up for the job.

Others are doing some negative campaign work to make sure that the county knows the background of a candidate for the judge race.

The best part of the new effort with the Caring Habits effort is the healing. Tracy is very keen to the soft-side of life endeavors.

Wagner to elbow out Fontana, perhaps?

Grassroots PA: "BRING IN THE WAGNERS! In 42nd, Eileen To Defend Brother-In-Law's Dem Seat Against Diven and Rauterkus?

The story here is not the possible arrival of Eileen Wagner, sister-in-law to the new PA Auditor General, Jack Wagner, former PA Senator in the 42nd. Nope.

The real story is the slide of County Councilman Wayne Fontana, D. Fontana is in favor of TIFs. I'm against the concept of TIFs. I went to the County Council meetings, spoke against TIFs. The corporate welfare in TIFs are not popular with the citizens of the 42nd. Fontana is NAILED on this issue. Deer Creek Crossing is all that is needed to explain why I should get every vote from all the Democrats.

Meanwhile, Eileen Wagner is silent on the issue.

The other important part of the Fontana slide it the fact that I'm raising the question of his resignation, as per the rules of the Charter of Allegheny County. This charter rule was put before the voters of the county on two recent occasions. The voters like the rule. The politicians hate the rule. The politicians don't want to follow it, even after being an endorsed candidate.

If Fontana was serious about the State Senate race, he would hav e already resigned his county council seat.

Wayne Fontana might be toast at this time. He has a long career ahead of him, but, the smart Dems see the writting on this blog.

Again, my personal view is that I'd love to be in a race with Diven and Fontana. That would be good for my personal career. The Libertarian party could see a ten-fold increase in its ranks, for the two weeks leading up to the election. People are not going to be happy to switch out of the old parties before the deadline for the primary switch. But, after that deadline passes, we'll be making registration switches like hotcakes.

PITY, no more. Letters to the editor, 05/31/02

Letters to the editor, 05/31/02: "Feudal and futile

I'm totally bored with all the editorials, letters to the editor and pseudo-political babble concerning the cost of operating our schools. So long as this area continues to live in the Dark Ages and maintains all the various fiefdoms -- with separate school systems, separate police and fire departments, and all its various political positions -- our county will never achieve 'megalopolis status.' It will remain the 'one-horse town' image it reflects. When I lived in the Far East 50 years ago, if I had a dollar for every time I was asked about the magnificent city called Pittsburgh, I'd be a millionaire. Pity, no more.

CHUCK NOGAL
South Side

Pippy hails Playbook for Progress

(My $.02 below.)

Plan helps state government respond to needs of families, communities

Calling it a “good framework” for the 2005-06 Session, State Senator John Pippy lauded the detailed legislative agenda for Pennsylvania General Assembly recently unveiled by Republican leaders.

Senator Pippy said the “Playbook for Progress” provides a good plan for developing legislative action to cut taxes, control state spending and improve the state’s economic climate as a way to foster job growth.

“This is a comprehensive proposal that addresses many areas of concern in the Commonwealth,” Senator Pippy said. “Through the proposed tax cuts and spending controls we will reshape Pennsylvania’s government to better respond to the needs of families, communities and job creators.”

The Playbook for Progress calls for:

· Election reforms designed to ensure that Pennsylvanians serving overseas in the military are allowed to vote, improve Election Day operations, and complete the implementation of a statewide voter registration system.

· Reforms to the state’s gambling law, including addressing the controversial ownership provisions that would allow an elected official to have an ownership interest in gambling-related companies, along with RICO provisions and giving the attorney general greater oversight powers.

· An emphasis on access to quality health care by encouraging use of Health Savings Accounts, developing a health care tax credit program for small businesses, and developing a collaborative approach in determining how to best utilize and direct any excess funds that may be held by the Blue Cross plans as they meet their social mission in Pennsylvania.

· A plan to make college more affordable for Pennsylvania families and working to build a program that would enable high school students to earn college credits while still in high school.

· The Keystone Manufacturing Initiative and a renewed commitment to cutting taxes on job creators -- both designed to create a better atmosphere for good jobs in Pennsylvania.

· Improvements to public safety, including increasing the state police complement – which the governor agreed to as he signed the budget but has since refused to implement – homeland security issues, and how Pennsylvania is spending money earmarked to fight bioterrorism.

· Protecting the environment by enhancing Growing Greener, the successful Republican-led environmental initiative, ensuring that Pennsylvania remains a leader in farmland preservation, securing a stream of funding for the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund, and improving flood mitigation efforts.

Reaction from Mark Rauterkus:

Where can I get a full copy, online, of the playbook for progress?

Where are there discussions about the crafting of the playbook?

What parts of the playbook did the Pippy office champion?

What kind of progress does Pippy find in the move to put Michael Diven, recent dem, up for election on the GOP side for a seat in the PA Senate?

Okay to call or leave comments below. I would have loved to have seen some URLs in the message sent out by the Senator's staffers.

Edico - Political Announcements

Edico - Political Announcements

…Bob O’Connor will make his formal dive into the Pittsburgh Mayoral Race this Sunday at the brand spanking new South Side Works IBEW facility located by the Hot Metal Bridge…the event is set to take place between 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm, which when you think about it, is one heck of a long announcement for a guy that is going for his third attempt at the same office… surely that two hour window must be for allotting time so that everyone can get thru the cookie line and not for a 120 minute speech.  Look for O’Connor to distance himself from his voting record in City Council, Tom Murphy, Joe King, Stadiums, Boomer Baker Knoll, Act 47 and a partridge in a pear tree.  Don’t look for a quick endorsement from all of the City unions…in his reign as a card carrying member of the city council there are some less than favorable votes that he cast that do not endear him to all of the boys in blue…this is the do or die race for O’Connor he either finally pulls it off or goes down in Grant Street history as the man who achieved the only hat trick in failed mayoral attempts…makes you wonder if Sam Katz is taking notes… 

Meet Chuck Nogal, At-Large Member for the Committee for Elect.Rauterkus.com

Mr. Chuck Nogal is an veteran of the US Army and served in Japan for five years, from 1952 to 1956. Then he served as a citizen for an additional two years. Upon his return, he worked for Gimble's in management for 18 years. His stint included the role of operational manager at the South Hills Village store.

On a lark, he opened a store on the South Side when the South Side looked like death warmed over. From the day he opened, with his partner, in 1972, the could not contain all the classes. They have classes in ceramics every Monday to Friday from 7 to 9 pm.

The Glazing Pot has always had an interesting storefront. Now it shows a message about the campaign, and flags of course.

Chuck once had five letters to the editor published in the same day: They ran in the Press, PG, PG sports, Pgh Catholic and one was read on TV.

For a stretch, everthing he wrote was published in the South Pittsburgh Reporter. Once when he didn't submit a letter, the publisher got a few calls asking what was wrong with Chuck's column.

Photos and testimonial to come.

Bill 999 has not been updated for the public view

The citizens of Pittsburgh, led in part by me, have called for a public hearing on bill 999 about new limits to be put on public comment before city council.

The law has had some changes, but the changes are not yet with the city's clerk.

Frustration boiled at council chambers on many fronts today. The bickering and disgust is spilling in all areas of our life on Grant Street. Now the fighting is not about money, as the money had gone away. However, the fighting among people and positions is still going on hot and heavy.

Mark Brentley unloaded about Dr. Thompson's early departure. Dr. T was let go without an evaluation from the board.

Mr. Liller annouced he'll be running for mayor. His passion is noted.

A mom spoke about the Sunshine Law and the treatment of council members and let it be known that her 11th grade daughter who works part time at the Martin Luther King Library was brought to tears when she got her recent pay check and noticed the loss of $52.

A mayor veto was sustained in another 5-4 vote. Rats.

Rats and rodents were talked of again.

This afternoon they huddle about the contracts with the police and firefighters.

Meet candidate and loyal opposition: Joe Scioscia

Flipped out of the race: David Jayson.

Flopped into the race: Joe Scioscia, Republican, Bellevue Boro Councilman.

I've just sent him a copy of my open letter.

Since I published Diven's cell phone in the past, here is Scioscia's info too: Ravensight@comcast.net, cell = 412 812 1354.

The cell for myself, Mark Rauterkus, is 412-298-3432. My email, of course, is Mark@Rauterkus.com.

An Open Letter to the voters in Allegheny County, and more

To:
Voters in Allegheny County,
Politicians in Harrisburg, and
Loyal Opponents in the race for Pennsylvania Senate (42nd District)


From:
Mark Rauterkus, Libertarian,
Mark@Rauterkus.com, 412 298 3432

Tuesday, February 8, 2005

The party switch of state rep, Michael Diven, from Democrat to Republican provided glee for some party hacks. Before David Jayson, (*) Republican from Scott Township, is elbowed out of the race, allow some time to think again.

* See comments as this is a fluid story.

I'm biased. I'm a participant in the race for the senator's office. I'd love to be the one to replace Jack Wagner, D., who is now PA's Auditor General. My perspectives are not rooted in selfishness. Already, a victory came by requesting the special election date as May 17, 2005. My hopes in a “dual election” (same day for both primary as special election) are curtailed. Nonetheless, this schedule saves $200,000 and nets thousands of hours of productivity for citizens of the region.

I aim to trumpet the best interests of the region's, not my own. So please, Republican friends, consider these points:

Diven, pushed away from the Democrats, figured he couldn't win as an Independent. Diven's attraction to Republican ideals and being a Republican is only an afterthought.

I watched Diven while he was on city council. Diven was my state rep. Plus, I have been a city Republican and experienced races for office from the R's camp. The new party for Diven comes because of his past campaign debt, his ambitions and a risk-free position. If Diven tanks in the state senate race, he still has his job and is flush with state Republican money in his campaign chest.

Diven's party switch gives city Republicans, as reported, a “toehold” in the legislature. Keep the gain. Don't dance away from the new responsibility with a senate campaign.

A Diven campaign in the spring takes him out of the power loop in Harrisburg. The gain is worthless. Diven has been on the back-bench among the Democrats in the house. He shouldn't be ejected from the realm of state affairs now. Lost time is gone forever.

Should Diven get lucky and win the senate seat for himself, that's good for Diven. He'd benefit and depart the House. But, no other Republican has much of an opportunity to reclaim the house seat.

Democrats are determined to drive Diven out of office and fill the races in the future with capable candidates. Diven can't lead as he bounces among offices and parties. Consider the void Diven could create. Diven might switch back after learning he can't play well with others in the senate.

Diven needs to do his part to hold the seat for his new party. Diven can educate other Republicans that aspire to that role. Diven's time to produce, not campaign, comes now. Diven's been a back-bench player in Harrisburg and in city council.

Perhaps Diven could lead a flawless race for senate if he was afforded two years to prepare. Extra time is needed to allow Diven to split from Tom Murphy and the backlash that brews in 2005. Diven and Murphy have been hand-in-hand throughout the past decade. Both are abrasive and with a list of detractors in Harrisburg. A Diven race in 2005 is sure to cement Diven connection to Murphy and land Diven in the private sector. The Diven and Murphy public records and issues are similar.

Diven's party change is but a fluke and not the tip of a romanticize red-state shift for Pittsburgh. The next politician won't run as a Democrat, win, and then switch to Republican too.

If locals choose to keep Diven in the house as a Republican, greatness could emerge. Diven, the R, could win the PA senate seat in two years as it comes open again if Diven does a great job in the house throughout 2005 and 2006. In two years, the Rs could have a great candidate ready to run and fill Diven's present seat. Diven needs local Rs on his house staff.

From his house position, Diven needs to be a player in the 2005 Mayor's race -- on behalf of Independent challengers sure to emerge.

My hope is that the local republicans give the nomination for the special election to David Jayson so he can learn, build contacts, and be an asset in the future. I'll teach Jayson about the city while campaigning. Jayson brings new money and energy to the landscape while Diven was just in debt.

The guarantee of support of Diven's Democratic voters of the past for a Republican Diven is a false assumption. Many Democrats in Diven's district were already against him. The expected clan war between the old-party candidates could get ugly rather quickly. Reform minded voters looking for depth and scope are going to break with me and newer, positive Libertarian perspectives.

Diven is not going to energize new supporters on the R side. Dismay could turn to outrage as Diven's record comes to light.

No glee would occur within the city's Republican ranks if Tom Murphy switched from Democrat to Republican and ran for the state senate. Murphy's high name identification can't overcome his acts in public office. Likewise with Diven.

As a Libertarian candidate, my chances of victory are much better if I face Diven. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Diven brings attention to the race. Diven's unmistakable past, his stance on downtown development and his buddy-buddy ways with Tom Murphy are golden opportunities for cast him as Goliath. However, for the sake of the greater community, I'd rather have David Jayson as the GOP contestant.

Harrisburg gave Pittsburgh two oversight boards, a bogus bailout, gambling, fleeting transit funding and budget madness. Harrisburg's half-baked plan with Diven's switch and senate run is sure to terminate Diven's new toehold. Michael Diven, please serve in the the house on the R's side and work for those who elected you.

Meanwhile, another wrinkle in the race comes from the other old party. Wayne Fontana, Democrat, is seeking his party's endorsement. However, a county council rule calls for its members to resign as one becomes a candidate for another office. That section of the charter was validated twice in recent years at the polls. When is Fontana going to step down?

I'm not in favor of restrictions on freedom for citizens. But, in the case of a public official, I think rules that limit powers are necessary.

Veto political

Councilman: Plan veto political - PittsburghLIVE.com: "the mayor's decision was unduly influenced by his longtime supporter, Paul Renne, who announced plans to run for Hertzberg's District 2 seat.

This issue has been a monumental pain.

Open Letter is pending.....

I've crafted an open letter. It's due on the blog shortly.

On the brink.... Brink of what?

O'Connor on brink of announcing another run for mayor Lamb, who announced his mayoral run Jan. 10, has said many of the same things.

He has also painted himself as a progressive who supports making local government smaller, including merging the prothonotary's office into other court-related county row offices, and has said he supports the cost cuts in the city's Act 47 recovery plan.

Peduto, if he runs, largely supports the same cost-cutting initiatives.

We are big Patriots and Pats fans too.

Pennsylvania business news in brief

AP WireWarner Centre, site of failed downtown revitalization efforts, was sold Monday at the Allegheny County sheriff's sale for $2.7 million to a Washington, D.C., investment company.

Allied Capital will do 'the normal things any developer would do' to attract new tenants, including renovations if necessary, said Alex J. Guggenheim, company vice president.

Allied hadn't spoken with Mayor Tom Murphy's office regarding Warner Centre's role in Murphy's most recent proposal for downtown redevelopment, Guggenheim said.

Perhaps Allied Capital didn't speak to Tom Murphy's office about the investment and the pending plan because it would have been a waste of time? Those who are working with Murphy are on the way out. Those plans that have the Murphy seal of approval are about to end in the trash can.

The center is at the location of the Warner Theatre, which was built as an opera house in 1871 and was later renovated as a movie theater.

---"

We-Hav's new wrinkle from Paul

Paul S who has worked with a network of citizens to fight the We-Hav program notes that the Councilman wants to give people less, and use it refund money to those who bought the appraisal.

Send your opinions in an e-mail to Council members at the City website, call or do both. He wrote, "The other members are probably the ones to communicate to, as our Rep
seems to live in another mind-zone."
www.pauljsentner.com/no_wehav

By the way, Paul Sentner, D., is on the Elect.Rauterkus.com committee as a Member-At-Large. Paul is interested in community interactions.

GASP and those heavy-duty diesel vehicles that are on idle

GASP has been working with the Allegheny County Health Department to develop anti-idling regulations for heavy-duty diesel vehicles. The school bus idling regulation GASP pushed for is now an enforceable law, so now we must push forward to prohibit the needless idling of other heavy duty diesel vehicles, including delivery trucks, garbage trucks, tractor trailer trucks, PAT buses, and tour buses.

Diesel exhaust consists of the black smoke that we see and also particulate matter(PM), invisible specks of solid or liquid matter, including dust, ash and soot. Particulate matter, especially with particles of 2.5 microns or smaller, has been linked to such health problems as asthma attacks, coughing and difficulty in breathing, chronic bronchitis, decreased lung capacity, lowered resistance to infection, and premature death. Children, the elderly and people with existing respiratory ailments are especially sensitive to particulate matter.

Please review the proposed regulation and sign up to speak at the public hearing Feb. 14. If you can't attend, please send in comments to help make the regulation even stronger or just to voice your support for the regulation. If needless diesel or gasoline powered vehicle idling is of concern to you, GASP can use your help.

To learn more or become involved in anti-idling efforts, send a message to gasp@gasp-pgh.org

WHAT: Notice of Public Hearing for proposed amendments to Allegheny County Health Department Rules and Regulations, Article XXI, Air Pollution Control. To add section 2105.92 "Diesel Powered Motor Vehicle Idling." The proposed addition is to prevent unnecessary idling by heavy-duty diesel powered motor vehicles.

WHEN: Monday, February 14th, 2005 at 10 am

WHERE: Building #7, First Floor Conference Room, Clack Health Center, 301 39th St. Pittsburgh, PA 15201

Copies of the proposed amendment may be examined beginning January 14, 2005, at the Allegheny County Law Library, Room 921 City-County Building, Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM; at the Allegheny County Health Department Library, Building 7, Clack Health Center, from 8:30 AM until 3:30 PM Monday thru Friday; on the Allegheny County Health Department web site: www.achd.net; or by calling 412-578-8120 to request a mailed printed copy. It can also be viewed at GASP's website
http://www.gasp-pgh.org/action/dieselreg.pdf

Oral testimony must be pre-scheduled by calling 412-578-8008 no less than 24 hours in advance of the public hearing. Speakers will be limited to five minutes and should bring a written copy of their comments.

The Board will accept written testimony beginning Friday, January 14, 2005, and concluding Monday February 14, 2005, by mail to:

Board of Health
3333 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

By email to BOH@achd.net

By Fax to 412-578-8325

toehold

Diven Senate win would give GOP a toehold in city - PittsburghLIVE.comGOP a toehold.

Think again.

More words and insights into Dave Hines

Dave and I have been talking. Here is more from him. If you want to help filter what can and should be included within the platform, please lend your remarks.

David Hines column Born in a mill town, David Hines has seen work as a furniture mover, computer programmer/analyst, and professional musician. Observation of politics began as a toddler, since the polls were in his parents' store. He developed a keen interest in history when permitted some independent study time in junior high school.

With a wide range of interests, he is accused by friends of possessing more useless information than any other of their acquaintance. He has officially studied music and psychology, and unofficially nearly everything else. Like many a Mensa member, he can usually be found hip deep in books. Detractors can blame the thin air of the Rockies, where he once lived, for the dearth of brain cells.

Song: Quantum Uncertainty by Dave Hines

Quarks are runnin' round my brain.
Their politics are quite insane.
I need a dose of Ritalin
So I won't be a kid again.

A dropout has explained to me
the shape of relativity.
He's in need of close restraint
'Cause normalcy's not his complaint.

Quantum Uncertainty...

A pigeonhole, a cookie there
we standardize our children's care.
Assimilate and don't be deaf
or answer to the ATF.
(Resistance is futile!)

Two million plus in prison camps
pushing papers, licking stamps
working for the master race
selling stuff in cyberspace

Checkers spell 'cause humans don't.
If it takes effort, then we won't.
The best is what they say it is
in magazines about the Biz.

Tonal centers shift around
to make a most obnoxious sound.
But sometimes chaos has a place
in speaking to the human race.

Quantum Uncertainty...