Concerning my endorsement from Councilmember Bruce Kraus: Think moon beam or wave on the water more than "ray" of positive energy

On Facebook's South Side Secrets, I got an endorsement. Here is the play by play, without the lamination.

• Bruce A. Kraus We (I, my office, others) worked with Forest City Enterprises over a two year period to ensure that through a measured, steady approach that we would work toward the non-renewal of leases @ Whim and Saddle Ridge resulting in their closure.

  45 mins · Like · 1
• 

  Mark Rauterkus Figures. Who gets credit for closing The Cheese Cellar, Woodson's, Isaly's and the wrath of the Clark Bar? Wasn't that Jim Roddey's handywork?

  31 mins · Like · 2
• 

  Bruce A. Kraus Always such a ray of positive energy you are Mr. Rauterkus.

  26 mins · Like
• 

  Mark Rauterkus Thanks for the kind words, Bruce. For the record, I feel more comfortable taking credit for being positive energy as in a moon beam or a wave that ripples on the water and not a "ray." Rays are so STAR WARS powerful N@. Think recycled electrons instead. Now to print, laminate and cherish the endorsement.

In other news from Facebook in case you misseed it, after the baseball game....

Hey @billpeduto Let me guess... this game is my fault too.... Just like everything else right?? ‪#‎wewonlastyear‬ ‪#‎stopraisingtaxes‬

That was from Luke Ravenstahl.

Senator Fontana's News & Views: September 30, 2014 is a rancid joke of logic.

What a joke. The logic is twisted to no end.

---------- Forwarded message edited to take out the one good story about a service man.  ----------
From: "Senator Wayne Fontana" <senator.fontana@senatorfontana.com>
Date: Sep 30, 2014 10:32 AM

If you are having trouble viewing this email, click here. Please do not respond to this e-mail as it is an unmonitored account.

Pittsburgh's Budget and Nonprofits Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto recently introduced his $505.9 million budget which includes a proposed 0.5-mill real estate tax hike to help cover a $35 million shortfall projected for 2015.  The real estate tax increase, on average, will cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $40 more a year.  The mayor hopes that this increase will plug a $7.3 million revenue hole that came about after the previous administration adjusted the millage rate following preliminary numbers from the last county-wide reassessment.    I'm sure this has been a difficult decision for the mayor and in the coming months, City Council will be tasked with either approving or changing the spending proposal.  However, balancing budgets will continue to be an ongoing problem for the city and I feel as if nonprofits should no longer receive a free ride at the expense of Allegheny County homeowners.  Last year I re-introduced Senate Bill 143 (SB 143), that would require non-profit organizations that own real property to pay taxes on the assessed value of the land only (not building), with the first $200,000 of land value being exempt from taxation to protect smaller nonprofits.  The exemption would apply to all property owned by the organization, not per parcel.  The current local tax system is patently unfair, stagnates economic growth, hurts our local real estate market and is literally taxing families from their homes.  While no one is disputing the good that our city's corporate nonprofits do in terms of the jobs they provide and the economic investment they have garnered, we cannot continue to provide them a free pass when it comes to shouldering their fair share of the tax burden for funding public services. After all, corporations and companies across our state continue to make record profits while homeowners are forced to make difficult financial decisions to make ends meet.  The time is now for these organizations to start contributing to the fiscal climate many of our neighborhoods are facing.  While I support the mayor's proposal based on its transparency and fiscal necessity, there are other sources we need to tap into.  Pittsburgh and many other cities in Pennsylvania deserve a reliable and predictable nonprofit tax plan to help sustain the growth many regions are experiencing or will be in the near future.  The way to achieve this is by making these so called nonprofits more accountable to the people and the communities they are intended to benefit.  Lack of Oversight in Marcellus Shale Industry In late July, Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale released a year-and-a-half-long performance audit covering the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) regulations of the oil and gas industry from 2009 to 2012.  Overall, auditors found eight major issues and made 29 recommendations to improve their oversight.  DEP has gone from overseeing four natural gas fracking wells in 2003 to 6,225 in 2012. Although DEP employees continue to fulfill their duties of trying to protect the environment and residents, these professionals face growing challenges in properly monitoring the industry.   The audit found that the agency needs more staff, operates under a 25-year-old inspection policy, does not have a uniform policy to track the disposal of drilling waste water, keeps a disjointed record-keeping system, and uses an antiquated website that is not user-friendly to the public.    For example, eFacts is a database collection system that is used to track permits and enforcement actions by facility.  Since eFacts was intended to be used as a tracking system only, not a record retention system, a user can only tell if DEP inspectors visited a gas well, but not any details about the inspection.  DEP began using this internal system in 1994 and created a public version in 2002.  In January 2012, DEP added the Oil and Gas Compliance report, which is more accessible but based on the same flawed data.  The audit found that inspectors have been using generic codes, written prior to unconventional drilling, to enter data instead of specific violations. eFacts would need about 450 more codes to replace the existing antiquated codes to truly reflect the actual regulatory language.  This lack of a modern information technology system has resulted in inconsistent and disorganized records which made it hard for DEP to dispense timely records to the auditor general's office.  So much so that the audit was originally supposed to be released in January or February of this year and instead there was a six month delay in the release.  Another inconsistency and evidence of the lack of a reliable collection system was discovered by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette when they requested information on how many private water wells have been damaged, contaminated or have had a flow reduction related to natural gas production.  DEP released an early version of collected data in July to the PG which demonstrated 209 entries qualified under this request.  By the time DEP posted its official lists to its website on August 28th, the number had grown to 243, a number that reflected new determinations DEP had made and old determinations that had been overlooked during its first search of its files. Aside from the audit, I find it alarming that this is the first time records have been released by DEP on contaminants in private water supplies over the past seven years.  Under Act 13, which took effect January 1, 2013, the law states that DEP shall publish on its website, a list of confirmed cases of subterranean water supply contamination that result from hydraulic fracturing.  Although Act 13 does not have a time frame for when this information must be released, I think the department has had plenty of time to get the records together, especially when such records are fundamentally essential to the health of state residents.  Since every resident has the right to clean drinking water and should know as soon as possible when there is possible contamination, I introduced Senate Bill 592 (SB 592).  My bill would require DEP to provide the water test results to homeowners for all parameters that they have accurately measured using their normal procedures.  In 2012, DEP was under scrutiny in Washington County because they only revealed the results of eight possible contaminants even though DEP tested for 24 contaminants.  Many individuals feel DEP intentionally leaves out the complete set of test results.  My legislation would ensure homeowners get the complete analysis of accurate information about their water supply. SB 592 would also require DEP to post the water test results online in an aggregate method when testing for contamination due to drilling in the Marcellus Shale.  My legislation would not only make water test results more transparent across the state, but at the same time, mechanisms would be put into place so that the confidentiality of homeowners' water supply will not be compromised.  Homeowners should have the access to the most up-to-date information at their fingertips so that this generation and future generations can take steps to remain healthy.  As the audit has suggested, it does not appear that DEP is failing to protect the environment, but rather not taking the proper action and lacks resources to inform the public on how the agency is looking after the environment.  And when that occurs, the agency begins losing some of its credibility.  I feel that SB 592 would make the drilling industry more transparent and hold both the company and DEP more accountable for their actions or lack of action.  After all, water is essential for life and we must make sure there are standards in place to keep our water free from contamination.  Student Aid Guide As Vice-Chair of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Board of Directors, I want all students and families to know that PHEAA's annual Pennsylvania Student Aid Guide is available online.  The free Student Aid Guide is Pennsylvania's most complete financial aid publication and is a great resource for finding everything students and families need to know about the financial aid process and paying for higher education.  The Guide also offers in depth information on the need-based Pennsylvania State Grant Program. The online version of the Guide is available at www.pheaa.org.  It is interactive and includes links to web pages of particular interest including: How to qualify for grants and scholarships and other "free" aid that does not need to be repaid   Types of loans that are available to students and their parents to help pay for their education   Career planning tools and access to checklists, timelines, applications and forms that families will need to apply for and receive financial assistance The Guide offers tools to help students and families create a student budget that estimates annual expenses and provides helpful resources and contact information.  Anyone without internet access should contact their high school counselor who can order additional hard copies of the Guide or visit a local library with internet access. Did You Know… Did you know the average cost at a public Pennsylvania college or university in 2014-15 is $13,239? PHEAA Job Fair The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is hosting a Job Fair to fill full-time, entry-level positions for Call Center Representatives/Loan Counselors at its Parkway Center facility, located at 11 Parkway Center in Green Tree.  The Job Fair is scheduled for Wednesday, October 8th from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Suite 110.  Representatives from PHEAA's Human Resources and FedLoan Servicing departments will be available to provide information about employment opportunities, answer questions and conduct on-site interviews. As Vice-Chair of PHEAA's Board of Directors, I was pleased to announce the opening of this new Customer Service Center last fall.  With the help of skilled workers from right here in western Pennsylvania, this Customer Service Center is helping PHEAA continue to provide the best possible customer service to millions of student loan borrowers throughout the region, the Commonwealth and the nation.  These workers, and this facility, help PHEAA service its growing portfolio of federally-owned student loans for nearly six million borrowers. For more information on the Job Fair and to learn more about available positions, or to submit an application online, please visit www.PHEAA.org/jobs. Voting Registration Deadline Anyone not registered to vote who wishes to vote in the November 4th General Election must complete a voter registration application by this Monday, October 6th.  You can obtain an application at any of my district offices.  Applications can also be downloaded by visiting www.votespa.com. Completed applications can be returned by mail to the Allegheny County Division of Elections and must be postmarked by October 6th in order to be processed prior to the November 4th General Election.  You can also register by completing an application in person, no later than October 6th, at the Division of Elections office.  The location of the Allegheny County Division of Elections office is listed below.  For any questions related to registering to vote, please contact 412-350-4510.             Attn: Voter Registration Services             Allegheny County Division of Elections             542 Forbes Avenue, Room 609             Pittsburgh, PA  15219-2953 Additionally, anyone wishing to request an absentee ballot can pick up an application at any of my district offices or download one by visiting www.votespa.com.  Please note that all completed absentee ballot applications MUST BE RECEIVED in the Division of Elections office NO LATER THAN 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28th. Underage Drinking Awareness The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (LCB) recently announced its annual Alcohol Awareness Poster Contest.  The contest is a creative way for students to depict the positive alternatives to underage drinking, such as getting involved in sports, playing games or volunteering in communities to name a few.  It is open to all Pennsylvania students in kindergarten – 12th grade, including those who are home-schooled or in private or parochial schools. The designing of posters by students sends an important message to their peers.  Approximately 50 outstanding posters will be selected by a panel of judges and the LCB will contact the winning artists in early 2015.  Winners will be recognized at a ceremony in Harrisburg during Alcohol Awareness Month. Entries must be postmarked no later than November 21st.  For more information about submission dates, guidelines and prizes, please click here or visit www.lcb.state.pa.us. 8th Annual NAMI Walk TThe National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Southwestern Pennsylvania is hosting its 8th Annual NAMI Walk this Sunday, October 5th at the Waterfront in Homestead.  The festivities begin at 9 a.m. with the walk beginning promptly at 10 a.m. The family-friendly event features complimentary refreshments, music, activities for children, entertainment, and a 5K walk along the scenic Steel Valley Trail along the Great Allegheny Passage.  There is no fee to register but fundraising is encouraged.  All funds raised support NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania in its mission to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness through recovery focused support, education, and advocacy.  For more information or to register, please visit www.namiwalks.org or call 412-366-3788. Fontana Fact The Pittsburgh Pirates finished their home schedule last weekend with a 1-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers before playing games in Atlanta and Cincinnati to finish the regular season.  In addition to qualifying for the post-season for the second consecutive season, the Pirates set a single-season attendance record in 2014.  The Pirates drew 2,442,564 fans to 81 home games surpassing the mark of 2,435,867 that was established in 2001, the first year of baseball at PNC Park.  Offices of State Senator Wayne D. Fontana Brookline District 932 Brookline Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15226 Phone: 412-344-2551 Fax: 412-344-3400 Harrisburg 543 Main Capitol Box 203042 Harrisburg, PA 17120 Phone: 717-787-5300 Fax: 717-772-5484 Kennedy Township Kenmawr Plz. 524 Pine Hollow Rd Kennedy Twp, PA 15136 Phone: 412-331-1208 Fax: 412-331-2079 Beechview Satellite 1660 Broadway Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15216 Phone: 412-343-2080 Fax: 412-343-2418

This message was sent to mark@Rauterkus.com from: Senator Wayne Fontana | senator.fontana@senatorfontana.com | Senator Wayne Fontana | Brookline District Office930 Brookline Boulevard | Pittsburgh, PA 15226-2106

American Red Cross certificates for Mark Rauterkus for Lifeguarding and WSI

Just so I don't have these misplaced.

http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140930184320/aforathlete/images/c/c6/Certificate-WSI-Rauterkus_2014.pdf

http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140930184913/aforathlete/images/f/fb/Certificate_for_Lifeguarding_for_Rauterkus_2014.pdf

My latest rant in the comments at PureReform

The education blog, PureReform, has a focus on Pittsburgh Public Schools and a thread developed. I put in my two cents.

I think that the board does hold the keys to hiring and firing the superintendent. That was the question and the first reply at the top is accurate.

I also think that board presidents have more power than other board members. Squeaky wheels, no big deal.

Sure, parents have power. Most deploy that and move out of PPS, to the burbs, to private / Catholic schools or to charter schools. Some may stay and rely upon tutors and enrichment in other avenues.

Year-after-year the city's population churns and those with kids flee. That's the year-after-year story. PPS shrinks greatly every year because many parents who have the power opt to put their kids elsewhere.

Those without kids care far less than those who do raise their children here. Fact of life. Bill Peduto and Michael Lamb and Jim Ferlo and a host of yuppies living in apartments in South Side Works care a tiny bit....

Meanwhile, those who do have kids are often so close to the action that the selfish streak is going to come out first. There is forest, trees and momma bear in the woods, if you know what I mean.

IMNSHO, the next revolution -- or more to the point -- the next revolution that will gain some system-wide changes and be noted in history as a game-changer is NOT about taking down or taking out people with power, captains on a sinking ship.

Be careful for what you wish for in terms of changing principals and such. Once upon a time the people of Poland could turn to their hopes to the east and see Stalin and then to the west and see Hitler. Today's (and for generations I guess) the middle east is a quagmire with ISIS, Syria, Iraq, Iran, etc., etc. Friends are not generally found with the enemy of an enemy. We're learning that lesson, right?

The next revolution that is going to work is going to be one that HELPS THE KIDS. This is something that we can all get behind, even those YUPPIES that use the bike lanes that Peduto is happy to build and boast about. A new venture that greatly helps the educational options and outcomes with a lot of kids is going to get many people excited and make a serious impact.

That's the ticket.

I'm not inclined to pitch a protest and rail against any figure-head and repeat the mistakes of the past.

I have serious doubts that Dr. Lane's replacement would be any better than what we've already got and that is not saying much.

Body Fat 23.7 and 43 pounds of fat -- as per the Great Race Expo visit

Got my body fat examined by Allegheny Health Network at the Great Race Expo, Sept 27, 2014.

Had 23.7 percent body fat.

I had 43 pounds of fat.

This was with a hand held device.

I think my weight with clothing on was 209 or so.

Fwd: Colorado Gubernatorial Candidates Stand United for Open Debates on Sept. 30

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Free & Equal <info@freeandequal.org>
Date: Thursday, September 25, 2014
Subject: Colorado Gubernatorial Candidates Stand United for Open Debates on Sept. 30
To: mark <mark@rauterkus.com>

Please add info@freeandequal.org to your address book to avoid spam filters. View this email in your browser Dear Supporters, A press conference will be held on September 30th, 2014 at 10AM MT in Infinity Park Plaza in Glendale, CO, with Colorado Gubernatorial candidates Mike Dunafon (independent), Marcus Giavanni (independent write-in), Harry Hempy (Green), and Matthew Hess (Libertarian). The candidates will be coming together in unity to discuss the need for inclusive and open political debates, with all ballot qualified candidates, for all elections. Other speakers include attorney Rob Corry of Club 64, Free & Equal Elections Foundation chair Christina Tobin, Titus Peterson of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, Bruce Baumann of We Are Change Colorado, and more. Free & Equal Elections is hosting an Open Gubernatorial Debate at Infinity Park International Ballroom on October 8th at 7PM MT and has invited all ballot-qualified candidates, leading by example so that all debates nationwide will include all voices and choices to restore power back to the individual voter. Tickets will be going on sale soon and are limited to 400 seats! The debate is co-hosted by the Greater Glendale Chamber of Commerce and is sponsored by Rock the Vote, Mint Press News, HeadCount, Marley Coffee, Free Speech TV, Corry & Associates, Ballot Access News, We Are Change Colorado, Club 64, The Founding Family, March Against Monsanto, Hearthstone Winery, Juice Rap News, Progressive Women of Colorado, Next News Network, Green Shadow Cabinet, The Tony Stiles Show, FairVote, The Collective 360, Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle, The Anti-Media, and Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. Free samples of Nature's Path Foods Inc. organic granola bars will be distributed at the debate. Confirmed candidates include: Mike Dunafon (independent), Marcus Giavanni (independent write-in), Harry Hempy (Green), and Matthew Hess (Libertarian). Free & Equal has invited the rest of all the ballot-qualified candidates to participate in this historic event: Bob Beauprez (Republican), Paul Noel Fiorino (independent), and incumbent Gov. John Hickenlooper (Democrat). Please support our efforts by becoming a member of Free & Equal. Free & Equal will stream the debate live, for free, online at FreeAndEqual.org and will allow any news network to simulcast the raw feed at their TV or radio outlet. The Infinity Park International Ballroom is limited to the press and around 500 general admission attendees. Supporters from around the country have reached out to Free & Equal to host debates in their districts. Free & Equal plans on hosting several online debates broadcasted via live YouTube/Google Hangouts. Potential debates include the states of California, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and West Virginia. Jeff Allen, the Chief Operating Officer of the Greater Glendale Chamber of Commerce, stated, "Everyone says they want more choices rather than just the two party candidates, but the major parties make it so that no one else gets any publicity and they work to exclude anyone else in the debates," in an article the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle recently wrote about Free & Equal hosting an open debate for Governor of Colorado on the front page of one of their latest issues. Open and inclusive public debates are crucial for the political health of our nation. Click here to donate to Free & Equal's efforts to open the debates. Open debates help educate the general public about the issues that status quo candidates are unwilling to address: electoral reform, money in politics, PATRIOT Act, cannabis & drug policy reform, the militarization of police, NDAA, labeling of GMOs, the illegitimacy of the Federal Reserve, prison system, NSA surveillance, and the military industrial complex. Free and Equal hosted the 2012 Third Party Presidential Debate moderated by broadcast legend Larry King, which aired live on C-SPAN, Al Jazeera, The Free & Equal Network, Link TV, and RT America, whose channels were available to broadcast in 1.1 billion households in total worldwide. The event was top ten trending on Twitter. In solidarity, The Free & Equal Team Facebook Twitter FE Home UWSF Home YouTube Pinterest Google Plus Free & Equal Elections Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan grassroots organization, whose mission is to shift the power back to the individual voter through education. Copyright © 2014 The Free & Equal Elections Foundation, All rights reserved. unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

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--
Ta.


Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
Swimming and Water Polo Coach, Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, PA
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Mindfullness

Nice into video, 14-minutes long.

Top flight science teacher needed in Pittsburgh to fix a big weakness

http://www.topschooljobs.org/jobseekerx/viewjobrss.asp?cjid=93523&accountno=102416&utm_source=Indeed&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Indeed

Can't wait to see this movie: The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin

City Paper covering PPS education

http://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/gaining-steam-parents-teachers-pushing-for-new-curriculum-at-citys-woolslair-school/Content?oid=1778745

People are not going to move to this school from outside the city. However, people in the city might stay longer if it was in the mix. Of course some kids are going to move from school to school. So what. That's fine. That isn't the problem. Moving out of the city is the big problem and Dr. Lane might not see that.

Fwd: water polo request

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dan Sharadin <commissioner@collegiatewaterpolo.org>

Collegiate Water Polo Association

320 West 5^th Street Bridgeport, PA 19405  (610) 277-6787   Fax: 7382   commissioner@collegiatewaterpolo.org       www.collegiatewaterpolo.org

 

Date:   September 15, 2014

To:       CWPA Membership

From:   Daniel Sharadin, Commissioner

 

Team Leader,

 

It is not often I write a letter like this, but I would like to bring to your attention an opportunity to help recognize a former CWPA water polo player.

 

The Army Water Polo Club is attempting to get their pool named after John Hallett, a former water polo player at the academy that was killed in Afghanistan a few years ago when his vehicle contacted an IED. He was on his way to help a village deal with their cholera outbreak.

 

I met John during his first year at West Point when he contacted me about getting the team active once again. I was incredibly impressed with his leadership and organizational skills and with minor assistance, watched him move the club from inactivity to a competitive team. During this process he had to overcome some significant challenges, not the least of which is Army bureaucracy and his own military schedule. West Point is not your typical college environment.

 

John not only prevailed, he helped establish the team financially into the future and made them a contender to win their division before graduating. He was a perfect example of the type of individual the Academy desires, one who will see a challenge and in spite of the obstacles, figure out a solution and succeed.

 

When I hear of the loss of an athlete in the water polo community, it always saddens me. In John's case it comes much closer to home as I knew him and his family personally. I believe the sacrifice he gave for his country and the effort he gave to our sport and conference deserve some recognition and I'd love to see this happen.

 

If you agree, click on the link below and sign the petition. Likewise, feel free to forward it to others that might feel the same.

 

https://www.change.org/p/the-west-point-museum-historic-memorialization-committee-rename-the-intramural-pool-the-im-pool-at-west-point-rename-it-hallett-pool?recruiter=146139695&utm_campaign=mailto_link&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition