Philly area backs Olympics bid while under Act 47 and Pgh Council wants what Phili has

Philly, the city of brotherly and sisterly love, has been the topic of many discussions in Pittsburgh recently. Both cities are under financial stress and Act 47. We're sorta new to this while they've been with that "burden" for many more years.

The Act 47 burden in Philly seems rather light to those presently on Pittsburgh's City Council. Philly's city council members have cars, (one has two assigned to him), much larger pay checks and the president there has his own slush fund for spending that exceeds $300,000. Meanwhile, Sala is still hounded by the Trib for a trip he took in a car to an unknown destination a few years ago. Gene R has been badgered for getting photos framed. Life isn't fair!

Some on Grant Street are fed up with the benchmarks being put in their faces. It seems that the Philly Controller's office gets more done per penny than what happens in Pittsburgh. Passionate replies are being waged in counter-statements now.

Personally, I don't think we in Pittsburgh can nor should worry too much about what happens in Philly. At least that worry should not be front and center. It is not a prime motivator for me, unless there is talk of hosting an Olympic Games. Now, let's talk.

SI.com - Olympics - Poll shows Philly area backs Olympics bid - Wednesday October 19, 2005 2:08AM

Poll shows Philly area backs Olympics bid
Sports Illustrated and AP report:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- More than 80 percent of area residents would favor a bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, though nearly half doubt the city would be chosen, a new poll showed.

A telephone survey of 1,000 households in 10 counties in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware was taken on behalf of a volunteer panel looking into the feasibility of bidding for the games.

About half those who supported making a bid said they thought the event would be good for the economy or create jobs, while opponents worried about the cost to the city, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Wednesday. The newspaper said it obtained a copy of the results.

These results are unusually positive, compared to the tone we've seen in other cities in other years, said Joe Goldblatt, a Temple University professor of tourism and hospitality management who has done research for the International Olympic Committee.

Joseph M. Torsella, chairman of the Philadelphia 2016 Working Group, declined to comment, citing a gag order imposed on local committees by U.S. Olympic Committee Chairman Peter Ueberroth.

Officials from the U.S. committee are expected to meet with potential bidders in the coming weeks.

The U.S. organization is expected to determine an American candidate, if there is one, by mid-2007. The International Olympic Committee won't select the 2016 host city for nearly four years.

Meanwhile, the London bid to host the 2012 Olympics has a bid budget of more than $50.8 million. London secured the games in July, defeating Paris, Madrid, New York and Moscow.

Former UK Track-star and London Bid front-official, S. Coe, expects the London games to break even, but noted that the government has promised to underwrite any losses.

Britain hopes to field a team of 720 athletes at the London Olympics -- more than twice the number from the 2004 Athens Games -- in a bid to finish fourth in the medal table behind the United States, China and Russia.

"We want to be the top nation in Europe and I think the challenge is also to beat the Australians because they have invested heavily in sport," said Craig Reedie, outgoing chairman of the British Olympic Association.