Dad's funeral

Speaker outline for Rotary in Kittanning

Outline: Rotary in Kittanning
- Introduction
    - Mark Rauterkus
- Swim cap
    - Mind's that have been expanded do not return to their original size and shape
    - Eagles
        - Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Broward County Public School District, Parkland, Florida
        - #MSDStrong
    - School sports are in a terrible place today
    - Interactive discussion points, test questions.
- Pittsburgh
    - Our authentic touchstone  include
        - Ideas?
        - A standard or criteria by which something is judged or recognized.
        - A fundamental or quintessential part or feature
        - Historic importance
    - Mine
        - Sports town
        - River town
        - Parenting Mecca
    - Favorite sports?
    - Favorite team(s)?
    - Concept maps of sports
        - Concept map advantages
            - Examples:
                - Review ecology of San Francisco Bay
                - Map all the members
                - Map all the guests and topics
                - Map all the interests and energy
    - Sports ... Definition?
        - Games of time, space and relationship.
            - Games
                - Rules
                - Leagues
                - Records
                - Standards
                - Play, fitness, recreation, sports, athletics.
                - Games of chance
                - Gambling
            - Time
                - Races timed
                - Basketball, buzzer beater
                - Baseball
            - Space
                - Strike zone
                - End zone
                - Course boundaries
            - Relationships
                - Self
                - Rules
                - Team
                - Officials
                - Fan
                - Coach
                - School
                - Sponsors
                - Opponents
                - Equipment
                -
            - Athletes, masters of managing their time, space and relationships
                - Wellness matters
                - Being responsible
                - Being an adult
                - Make better decisions
                - Grip on sportsmanship, teamwork
                - Goal setting
                    - Next time*
        - Life.
            - MMA
            - Boxing
        - Entertainment
            - Movie of Rocky
            - Super Bowl replay
            - America Ninja Warrior tv show
            - Emotion, time shifts.
    - Bad sports
        - Hurtful?
        - Football concussions
    - My sport, swimming
        - Aquatics
        - Concept map
- Coach Mark's Mission
    - Lesson helpers
        - 1 word, T
        - 2 words, TA
        - 3 words, CYL
        - 4 words, FLAB
            - Much of sports coaching is body position.
                - Planks
                - Core
                - Court awareness
                - Footwork
    - You miss a foul shot, no big deal.
        - Death. Lots of paperwork.
        - Drowning stats.
    - Listening
        - Communication nightmare.
        - Learning lab for the discovery of personal and group excellence.
    - Jobs
        - Lifeguard
    - Whole community
        - Boy / girl
    - Whole body
        - Steve Lunquist
    - Fins
        - Prize
- Literate
    - Course, Get Your Feet Wet
    - Quizzes, SKWIM Levels 1, 2, 3, 4
- Swimming has a downfall
    - 33% of adults can swim.
    - We might be able to change the world if we teach everyone to swim. But I am not going to hold my breath waiting for that to happen.
    - We will change the world, playing SKWIM.
        - Water Polo
        - SKWIM
- Rotary challenge, invite
    - Visit Saturday Swim School, on your own
    - Clinic at Saturday Swim School with a group trip
    - Sponsor a SKWIM SYSTEM at a local pool
        - Buy disks for members / rotary promotions
        - Buy 3-10 disks for lifeguards
        - Hold a one day clinic and learn the game
        - Play pick up all summer long
        - Upgrade with some pool fins
        - Upgrade to a sport and play another team. Come to or host a squad from Pittsburgh
    - Get a couple of existing swim teams to extend their summer programs with August SKWIM
- Wish, we need more keels.

Thanks for speaking to the PPS Board - from Anthony Hamlet

Great being with the Buckeye Swim Club in a long-course meet at Kenyon

Wonderful team. A merger should have happened. Oh well. 

Invoices for swimming club fees, Wharenui

Staff schedule for coaching

Publc Statement to PPS Board

Op-Ed to the Post-Gazette about candidates Rauterkus and Fontana

Dear Editor:

I take exception to the unstated assertion in the PG's endorsement for State Senate District 42 ("Fontana for Senate", 5/1/2005).

The editorial states that Libertarian candidate and community activist Mark Rauterkus can't match his opponents' knowledge of Harrisburg. Turn that coin over and it follows that career-oriented Harrisburg politicians can't match the community-oriented knowledge of local activists like Mark Rauterkus.

The mess in Harrisburg is made worse when well-intentioned media unknowingly promote the unspoken assertion that public service must be considered in strictly career terms that value titles and out-of-town mailing addresses over local activities and accessibility.

Volunteers from all walks of life become citizen soldiers and make our military the world's best. Volunteers from all walks of life, not career politicians, should be able to do the same for Pennsylvania's legislature.

That's why we should never dismiss a swim coach and community activist from consideration for the position of citizen legislator.

Open Letter from Candidate Mark Rauterkus

Open letter To residents of the Western Pennsylvania, especially the PA Senate 42nd district

From Mark Rauterkus

Libertarian Nominee

Citizen Candidate for Jack Wagner's vacated State Senate seat

in the Special Election on Primary Day, May 17, 2005

March 30, 2005

Dear voters,

As a parent, community activist, professional swim coach, and former publisher, my career life has been dedicated to performance and meaningful improvements.

I have coached state-record breakers in four states.

I've edited, published and marketed more than 100 books for athletes participating cutting-edge competitive sports.

I can write, communicate in technical terms, and interact among the broad spectrum of citizens.

I get along well with others. Anyone can discover and provide their own opinions on numerous issues at my website: Platform. For-Pgh.org.

I believe my abilities and acquired skills are important qualities suited to any legislator's responsibilities in our modern, crisis-driven times.

My candidacy for community service and elected office is a call for the emergence of a strong voice for new regional leadership. I understand that our system of local and state government is broken --and, financially "broke”, as well.

Career politicians have put the Pittsburgh region in a tailspin.

As necessary, I will buck established authorities and will demand personal and fiscal accountability, sacking the practice of "done deals," promoting fair competitiveness, and encouraging participation of a fully-informed public in the affairs of their governing.

Winning, in sports and life, entails being prepared, showing up, and scoring more points. We should aim to thrive, not merely survive.

As a citizen candidate, and not a political-machine player, I intend to represent the broad social-economic diversity of the multi-generation, multi-cultural population of the entire 42nd district, ranging from the city neighborhoods to the suburban municipality boundaries.

Mis-use and abuse of state laws in schemes such as the attempted WE-HAV tax on Southwest Pittsburgh neighborhoods, and the practice of TIFs such as Deer Creek Crossing in northern Allegheny County have no place in the prosperity of all. Public funds should be applied to maintaining existing public roads and pedestrian-ways and trails; and providing affordable efficient mass transit; not squandered on the Mon Valley Tollway which wreck havoc through our neighborhoods.

page 2 

 I've actively struggled for preservation and re-use of our historic sites and valuable local resources, including St. Nicholas on the north side, the Pittsburgh Public Libraries, WQEX 16, the now-closed and lone indoor ice rink in the city (Neville), city recreation centers, and some swimming pools.
I battled against corporate give-a-ways that loomed in Fifth & Forbes (plan A, B, and C) and pushed for pedestrian accommodating design, reliable transit funding, and internet-accessible property assessment listings.

Assessment-buffering and land-taxes work for the benefit of regular taxpayers, while the unified-tax-plan, taxing freezes, and the deed-transfer-tax cripple the economy and work against the benefit of the region.

I questioned UPMC'S expansion to the South Side Works. I fought eminent domain, the loss of Pitt Stadium, and the stadium tax. I raised alarms with the redcarpet arrival of dual oversight boards.
I want self-reliance; and I say no to wrongheaded spending on an Oakland merrygo-round in place of parking-area and vendors. Yes, a real merry-go-round is in the works. Its not a figure of speech.
Wasteful spending, in my opinions include the glass-enclosed subway station re-do in Gateway Center, the one-way HOV-ish Wabash Tunnel, and the under-the-river route of T-expansion to the North Side.

I demanded rodent control, a traffic engineer, Vo-tech opportunities, citizens' police academy, Community College of Allegheny County outreach, public comment at public meetings,
In my opinion, lawful efforts of bounty hunters shouldn't be hindered when we have a police shortage and an abundance of criminals that need to be captured.

Liquidate the parking authority, then lower the tax to 15%. Create a yearly Youth Technology Summit and a Pittsburgh Park District replacing a portion of the RAD tax and forcing cooperation among volunteers with sunshine laws and democratic participation by citizens.

I'm supporting campaign finance reform that has a prayer of working as intended. Political debates should include ALL candidates.

Pittsburgh's greatest treasure is the people. I always support human investments and shy away from governmental investments to corporations. I'll struggle hard to better the environment, health care and wellness efforts for all.

With respect,

Mark Rauterkus, Candidate

vote as you see fit on May 17.

Resident of South Side, Pittsburgh http://Elect. Rauterkus.com Mark@Rauterkus.com 412 xxx-xxxx

Campaign Finance Reform memo from Mark Rauterkus

Memo:

From: Mark Rauterkus, Mark@Rauterkus.com

Present roles: Candidate for PA Senate (42nd dist) in the special election on May 17, 2005 Task force member of Bill Peuduto's campaign finance reform legislation.

To: Task Force, and Public

Date: Feb. 23, 2005

Our work on the campaign finance reform task force is coming to a close and now it is time to make the next push, out into the community at large. We have had some good discussions so far. Now we will see what can take root and help in our shared landscape in our political world.

I have major points to stress. I will take these points far and wide in efforts to get them approved and blended into our future solutions. I hope to get the approval of the task force on two of these matters. Points #3, # 4 and # 5 don't fit into the task force mission.

#1. The banks need to be asked to form a new type of account for PAC that is fully transparent.

#2. The enforcement needs to include a no-contract “scarlet letter” designation for guilty parties that prohibits all city contracts from such people, organizations and corporation for the duration of the candidate's term in office.

#3. The city can offer a suite of interactions among candidates and citizens that cost little or nothing so as to have better educated voters.

#4. Candidate debates should include all candidates on the ballot. Otherwise, serious measures of accommodation should be enacted.

#5. An ethics program and task force of sorts should be instigated. I'd be willing to participate in those discussions.

Was doing groupware before its time

We used Groupware, a utility to keep track of friends and events. Others were invited to join in by just picking a username and password and then they were added to the server too.

CP to MR

Year, uncertain. 

Applied for the swim coaching post at West Mifflin

October 9, 2002

Athletic Director 

High School

West Mifflin School District 

Pittsburgh, PA

 

Dear Mr. Relich,

Please consider this letter, resume and associated information as an application for the open position of Varsity Swim Coach for the Swimming and Diving Teams.

I am excited about the possibilities of becoming a member of the Titans Athletic Department. I believe my qualifications and goals match the position.

A few weeks ago I met Steve at the pool in an informal setting and passed him my resume. I was impressed with the activities at the pool and the number of assistants he has engaged with the overall programs. Plus, of course, the new facility is wonderful.

Steve wants to do some special things with the overall programs and I believe that I can bring such excitement and pursuits to the studentathletes. I look forward to talking with you about such plans and the overall vision.

Thanks for your consideration.

Sincerely Yours,

Duquesne Univ Swim Coach Interview

This sage, in 2002, was the second time I sat for an interview at Duquesne University. The first was interesting, but our Peoria relay with a 7th grader, two eighth graders and one ninth grader was about 5 seconds faster than the DU women's school record at the time. 

The 2002 sage would end with the head women's coach taking the men's duties too. Soon after, the men's team would be cut.

Notes and bits of my resume.

Ebook Discussion List Contributor

Contributions to the e-book discussion list

1. eBook-List Archive

---------------------

Due to popular demand, and because it is a good thing to do, I spent the

weekend cleaning up and uploading the entire archive of eBook-List to

Exemplary's server.  The archive files are currently downloadable via

anonymous ftp at:

     ftp://ftp.exemplary.net/pub/ebook-list/

The file 'archive.info' gives complete information on the archive, including

a strong copyright statement.

It is hoped in a few weeks to a few months to implement a Web-based archive

search engine for the entire eBook-List archive, but it is intended that the

ftp-based archive will still be maintained.

2. eBook-List Daily Digest

--------------------------

Several people have asked for a digest to eBook-List, and I have been working

hard on this the last few days.

Since:

1) eBook-List may move servers in a few weeks to a few months, and

2) Implementing digest-mode in Majordomo may be problematic on the current

   server,

I decided to take Bowerbird's advice and setup the eBook-List digest at a Web

mailing list service, specifically, OneList.  This digest is intended to only

be a temporary solution (for a few weeks to a few months).

For various reasons, including the need to keep list administration simple,

the daily digest is accessible ONLY by the Web -- it will not be mailed out.

It is not possible to post or subscribe to this digest apart from eBook-List.

The URL to access the daily digest is:

     http://www.onelist.com/viewarchive.cgi?listname=ebook-list-daily

(The list at OneList is called 'ebook-list-daily', and so named to reflect

that it is a daily digest.)

Note that you do not need to be a "member" of OneList to access the daily

digest.

Also note that I have turned off subscribing and posting to ebook-list-daily

at OneList -- it is strictly a "mirror" of eBook-List.  If you wish to post

to eBook-List, you still have to do it as currently done, *and* of course you

have to be a subscriber of eBook-List to post.  But if you do not intend to

post to eBook-List, and only wish to read daily digests of all the posts made

to eBook-List, then this should work for you.

3. Charter

----------

I have updated the Charter to mention the new archive and temporary daily

digest, and to amplify on posting etiquette.  Since the "etiquette" changes

are only amplifications and clarifications on the current Charter terms, I

felt no need to ask the subscribership for prior feedback.  The new Charter

will soon be posted to eBook-List.

4. Miscellaneous

----------------

On the fun side, while cleaning up the archive, I had a few moments to answer

a question which has interested me for a while:  "Who is the most prolific

poster to eBook-List since it started?"

To answer this pressing question of great importance, I did a simple 'grep'

of the archive files, and out of the first 5600 posts in the archive, here's

all those who have made approximately 50 or more posts:

562  Bowerbird

449  Jon Noring 

267  Michael Hart

206  Eric Eldred

162  Roy Johnson

137  Laura Kecherson

130  Don Kafrissen

 97  Charles Demas

 94  Ron Gustavson

 92  Lee Harrison

 91  Chet Novicki

 88  Daniel Munyan

 85  Paula Mader

 78  Bennett Kobb

 62  Tony O'Seland

 60  Michael Ward

 60  Ben Trafford

 58  Jean Lorrah

 53  Julie Petersen

 53  James (N. Post?)

 51  Mark Rauterkus

 50  Art Pollard 

My congratulations to Bowerbird for his posting stamina.  Of course, I came

in a close second, and Michael Hart came in third.  The only excuse for my

high numbers is that some of my posts are administrative-related.  :^)

Anyway, here ends the latest administrative news for eBook-List-Land.

Jon Noring

eBook-List Admin

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Pondering some ideas for the neighborhood

From the website of:
Mark Rauterkus
Mayor's Race Candidate
http://Rauterkus.com Mark@Rauterkus.com
108 South 12th Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203

April 3, 2001

Some Ideas to Ponder

Dear Neighbors of the South Side and Citizens with Interests in Phillips School,

Tonight, I'd love to start the process rolling where we could plan serious quality time together in the near future. In this Mayor's Race, very few opportunities have been afforded to the citizen-candidates. Our messages are not being covered by the watchdog journalists in town. And, on-the-trails conversations are getting trampled by heavyweight opponents who refuse to "debate."

If the process of the campaign is only that of a personality contest -- then we all are going to suffer into the future. Nobody wins. Our democratic landscape suffers. The success of democracy depends upon the reaction of the people to the opportunities presented.

This formal request goes beyond the School Board vote, also a very important matter. There is much to do in that endeavor as well, and I'll help there as well. But, my burden now centers upon the Mayor's Race.

Requested Action Items

Let's sponsor a serious, in-depth, forum for a full-fashioned policy address about education and public policy. I would love to have the podium to give a 45-minute address about what we as a community should do and focus upon.

The Republican opponent could also be involved to give his policy address too. It could be the same night, or afternoon, or else at a second night. So, I'd like to be "fair" in this treatment of the topic as there are plenty of great ideas that would flow between my opponent and myself.

The School-Board Members, as well as others in government, as well as others who are candidates could be engaged in this event as well. We could have minor roles for them to play in the event. They could ask questions. They could give shorter emphasis talks. They could meet and mingle with the audience. They could provide campaign literature.

The Republican Party in Pittsburgh, and this is more than 8,000 members, as well as the Republican Party in the County, could also be invited and play a role as to filling the audience, creating excitement. This would allow the school and the neighborhood to showcase itself to plenty of visitors.

A various media outlet, perhaps a Radio or TV station, perhaps a newspaper, could use the event as a way to promote and be engage in the community. This is possible, but we'd have to get the process started quickly. Perhaps PCNC Nightalk would be able to tape the event and play the highlights for others to see later. Perhaps there is a PC21 show that would want to have an exclusive access to the broadcast rights?

The school administrators, teachers and union workers from around the district should have more access and opportunity to get in-depth awareness from the various candidates and ideas.

The home-schooled population, the private school parents and teachers, as well as the other minor groups that exist in the greater community -- such as the charter school advocates -- should all have an opportunity to gather and mingle with neighbors and share ideas on various educational issues.

An event(s) that is visional, if done well, can be a joy to organize. Most of all, the event can be a dress-rehearsal for the next season's general election cycle. And, given the resources of who is in the area, our central locations, and the buzz of local politics starting to re-energize the city -- these events can become long-term opportunities for Phillips to make meaningful contributions with the ideas and nonprofit cash flow. Yes, these events can make money.

Let's set in motion a sponsorship for serious, in-depth, forums for full-fashioned public policy talks and gatherings for the general election cycle. I would love to be sure that the winners of the Primary Election Cycle (as well as any Indies) have plenty of opportunities to cover the issues of the day in the General Election Cycle as well. Presently, that opportunity is wide open.

The other party members need opportunities. I'd like to be "fair" in this treatment of the topics as there are plenty of great ideas that would flow between my opponent and myself.

Thanks for your interest and feedback.

Sincerely yours,
Mark Rauterkus

Compelling Sense -- opening of a book -- draft version .03

Compelling Sense

Crafting a Philosophy of Performance Through Politics Pittsburgh's People, Public Policy and Passions

Perspectives Linking Our Past, Present and Future

Prime Contributor: Mark Rauterkus, Republican Candidate in the Mayor's Race, City of Pittsburgh, 2001 

Latest edition posted at: http://www.Rauterkus.com/communications/compelling-sense/

Mark+@Rauterkus.Com

Version .03 alpha, April 2, 2001 Copyright, 2001 with the Digital Science License and Public Domain

Draft Introduction (giving a peek into the book)

Pittsburgh is distinctive. Pittsburgh is someplace special. Yet, Pittsburgh is still in the making, or depending upon your vantage point, Pittsburgh is still in the breaking. Either way, Pittsburgh is a living space. As life marches, time tugs at Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh moves into the future with grace — or with rust and gridlock. A struggle between the old and the new is unfolding.

The mission of Compelling Sense is a shared one. The task at hand is to create the foundation for a community-wide, sustainable discussion. Pittsburgh's civic wellness is to come into focus.

To introduce some unity into life, some harmony into thought, action and feeling, is a central achievement. To realize one's relation to others and guide one's own life thereby, is life's noblest rule.

To find vent for the capacities of feeling, of emotion, of thought, of action, is to find oneself. The result is not anarchy. The self so found has as the pivot of its life the power of control.

Concerning power, control and the delivery of messages, the mayor's race presents a ripe opportunity. Organized ideas coupled with organized people can garner power. Being fresh counts for getting media buzz. Having depth and scope counts more for getting the citizen activist to join our camp.

If the traditional Mayor's race campaigns linger in the mode of sound-bite and personality/popularity contest, we all lose. We can do better. Pittsburgh deserves such. Let’s interact and make it so.

The keys to Pittsburgh's success have got to include at least one plan that aims for success. This is a pursuit for excellence. These ideas start to map a collective vision for improving our civic landscape. Let's come to understand and ponder potential.

To thrive and to survive are not similar. Pittsburgh's overall condition is in serious decline. Our population base is dwindling. Debt runs high. Taxes have increased again. Our collective health is on the brink. The downward spiral continues. A public-policy noose binds us to an anchor of excessive corporate welfare.

Pittsburgh's present leadership seems to dwell upon various band-aid approaches. Too often our choices amount to selecting outcomes that are just slightly better than worse. Grant Street movements are not proactive and arrive in doses that are too little and too late. (Examples: the flood in Hays, the unified taxes, closing schools and budget deficits.)

Desired pathways for exceptional government can't be stumbled upon by continually pressing legal proceedings and waiting for the judges' decisions. Pittsburgh can't tolerate additional court-orders, consent decrees, city hall lawsuits, investigations, more independent reviews of the auditor's independent reviews. The negative tension on Grant Street is reason enough to cleanse and vote against the incumbents.

Our process of dealing with each other and with various community issues seems flawed. Our language is convoluted. We can't hope to thrive when we can't come together in the same space. Our aim is off the mark.

The hope for a reverse of the downward spiral arrives here, on the backs of the citizens with a 

grassroots movement.

Pass the word. Mention: Freedom, liberties, justice, democracy, inclusion, the free marketplace, quality of life, infrastructure, respect, duty, shared interactions.

Vote for new leadership that blends the passions of Pittsburgh with its wonderful people.

We need to accentuate our character to a higher degree. Mindful actions that push and pull our distinctive edge can provide short-term benefits and fabulous new opportunities for thriving in the future.

To accentuate is to heighten for effect. To accentuate is to pronounce or mark with an accent or stress. To emphasize matters is critical. Stay bold, distinctive, determined and pleasant.

As parents, we raise our children to be proud, to communicate well (to use their words and express their ideas), and our boys are asked to be gentlemen. This campaign is partly about parenting, stewardship and trust. This is about sacred responsibilities. This is about governance.

Insights and ideas matter. Expressed inclinations on issues are on the internet. But this is more so about inclusion. A Free Market Republican values interactions. Interactions are idea transactions. Just as the free market itself values transactions, sustainable development and energy that springs from liberty, a free-market politician can enliven everyone's inclusion.

Imagine inclusion. Meanwhile, let's ignore corporations seeking subsidies. A free market approach is at the opposite end of the spectrum from a corporate-welfare approach. The heavyweight opponents include two corporate-welfare Democrats. I'm more with Libertarian views.

Great change is not caused by ideas alone. But changes can not happen without the ideas. Pittsburgh needs organized ideas and organized people. But at this juncture, Pittsburgh does not have either the organized ideas in a blueprint, nor are the people in ranks for movement.

We to need to build on two fronts. Pittsburgh needs an in-depth conversation of merit that goes far beyond the sound-bites and campaign promises. As we dive deeply into the Pittsburgh web of life and come to better understand the scope and magnitude of our surroundings, Pittsburgh needs to gather in ranks.

Knowledge of how the system works today takes a back seat to imagination of how the system of the future can be built for everyone's benefit.

On-the-job experience can be made into handicaps when we agree on the ideals in our aspirations. Solutions are not to be found, rather they are to be lived.

The dogmatic statements made here begin a shared foundation. This is a bottom-up and not top-down effort. To advance, our basic elements should be tightly described. The groundwork centers on heavy issues, truths, values and ideals. Meanwhile, the delivery of the specific steps that address the typical polarized issues are for later, in due time. Rather than giving nitty-gritty details about whether or not to renew the contract for the Chief of Police, let's explore and come to some understanding on the global situations.

Those who must jump ahead to look at a specific element, check for replies with inclinations via the internet and ask questions from the campaign trails.

As a candidate for mayor, I'm inclined to enact a Living Wage ordinance, turn heavily to land-value taxes, eliminate the deed-transfer tax and institute an immediate hiring freeze so as to begin to contain costs. These details are on the campaign's website (http://Rauterkus.com).

Cookbook approaches make for a hollow base of understanding principles, ideals, and philosophies. The essence of Pittsburgh and our struggles for success in our shared spaces and relationships are much more telling. Let’s think again and then go into action on how to disassemble the Urban Redevelopment Authority, or not.

Thanks in advance for your attention, patient attitudes, feedback and involvement. Your reactions matter, and the success of our democracy depends upon your reactions.

A deep-rooted personal hope is to be known as the most inclusive candidate you will ever have the opportunity to vote for. My background and my ambitions drive me to become the ultimate team builder in this race. My team building is going to extend beyond this race as well.

Winning the Republican primary on May 15 is an obvious goal. And, in doing so, moving to the November general election provides opportunities and time to reduce skepticism for both long-term and short term gains.

As a Republican emerges from the primary season, there will be an inspired option. In the fall, no voters will feel that they are being asked to pick between the lesser of two evils. The November 2001 ballot will include a performance centric choice in the Mayor's Race, at least on the Republican ticket.

In the next seasons, volumes of issues and ideas are going into the public domain. We are going to gather ourselves. We are going to put forth a sustainable discussion. We are going to express visions. We are going to increase hopes and extend the conversations. We are going to decide to make choices so we can all THRIVE.

To keep our unique nature is easier to say than to accomplish. We need to understand Pittsburgh and the qualities that we value. Our distinctive Pittsburgh is a product of our unique civilization.

Pittsburgh and our government makes a combination product which is still in the making. Ways of being and historical ruts work upon Pittsburgh's character. To understand the new, which is our main purpose, we must glance at the old.

The thoughts within this pamphlet, it is to be called, Compelling Sense, aim to link Pittsburgh's past with the future. We are here to make history, not be a slave of it. To do so, we'll build bridges of perspectives.

At the time of the American Revolution, one immigrant patriot, Thomas Paine, produced a small book called Common Sense. That work, published in 1776, had a tremendous reach. In the colonies, one-out-of-five had come to know that book, by reading it, or having it read to them. Common Sense, just as is the hope with Compelling Sense, set the stage for independence. Reading stirred emotions and feelings. That book helped to motivate a society to choose a huge change. Paine's writings were actually read to the troops of George Washington on the eve of some expecting battles.

The Revolutionary War pitted an underdog, grassroots force against the Red Coats and the King of England. This campaign that we're in now has some common threads besides a similar sounding title to a book.

Incredible odds, “one-million-to-one” so it was said on KDKA by City Council President, Bob O'Connor on March 30, favor the heavyweights.

Rising taxes without earnest representation press upon the thoughts of the people.

The battle-ground of issues includes increased independence, enhanced democracy, accountability in government, and authoritarian rule:

Authorities and top-down attitudes in leadership cripple Pittsburgh: Does the URA, Parking Authority, Port Authority, Stadium Authority and Water-and-Sewer Authority help or harm? To a smaller extent, the neighborhood groups that live upon the handouts from the Mayor's office need to be questioned too. The corporate-elite (PNC, Mellon, Heinz, Alcoa, Lazarus and TIFs) sway office-holding, Democrat, leaders causing even greater harm to our civic-governmental landscape. Our attitudes in government have encouraged an endless parade of lawyers and consultants employed by a bloated government.

Many Pittsburghers call themselves, “liberal democrats.” The liberal legacy matters in who we are and what we've created for ourselves. But mostly, it isn't understood. The tag of “liberal,” just as the tag “conservative” — as well as the hundreds of other labels tossed about in our conversations are as clear as river-bottom mud. Our language gets twisted and does more to confuse than to soothe. We need a common base of understanding for our shared foundation in dealing with the future. Let's go back to common sense. And, as we get back to the basics, let's reflect and explain both the landscape and principles. Then we can move into better decisions with various campaigns. Let’s think again and not be so quick to assume all the terms, tags and labels are universally understood by all of our people in all of our converstations.

Pittsburgh's legacy of “liberalism” is going to change. We are going to concentrate upon the fabric of our civic place. Let's look at the big picture and appreciate our interdependent web of life.

Shouting, “The emperor has no clothes!" isn't becoming a lone voice. Heckling can't work when the goal is the advancement of the greater good. Rather, much more is needed. We'll wage our battle with scope and depth based on true meaning and dialog. We'll draw illustrations from within and without history. If descriptions fit and can prove a point, then let's dress the heavyweight incumbents in matching red coats -- just as the opponents wore in the late 1770s. 

Summary:

All-the-king's horses and all-the-king's men couldn't put Humpty Dumpty together again. In Pittsburgh we need the people plus the king, plus the king's horses, plus the king's men to put Humpty together again. Humpty isn't going to look the same. Yet Humpty can still evolve and remain distinctly Pittsburgh. But, the truth of the matter is, we are all going to come together and put our efforts into fixing our places. And, by all means, this is going to be a lot of fun trying.

Mark Rauterkus, candidate questionnaire, 2001 to the Gertrude Stein Political Club of Greater Pittsburgh

Note: I did not get that organization's endorsement. Not sure if there was much thought in the discussion and decision at all.

Candidate FAQ&A 

Gertrude Stein Political Club's FAQs

3 / 30 / 2001

FAQs and Replies from Mark Rauterkus Gertrude Stein Political Club of Greater Pittsburgh

PO Box 8108 Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412-521-7061

Candidate Questionnaire 2001

This questionnaire will be used by the members of GSPCGP in deciding our endorsements. Please send your response by e-mail (if possible) and fax or send the hard copy. You are also welcomed to enclose any campaign materials you wish, and to comment on other issues. We use the term "sexual minorities" to mean lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgendered people. Responses to the questionnaire may be publicized; let us know if you want GSPCGP to keep your specific responses confidential.

1. Give your name, office sought, address, phone, fax, and e-mail address.

Mark Rauterkus, Mayor in the City of Pittsburgh 108 South 12th Street Pittsburgh, (South Side) PA 15203-1226 headquarters phone: 412-481-2497 no fax Mark@Rauterkus.com

2. What is your experience in government, politics, and public issues?

My personal experiences are limited when it comes to holding an elected office. My political party experiences are very modest as well. However, as a consumer, lifelong voter, activist, advocate, citizen and member of society at large -- I've been vigilant throughout my entire life.

I have a journalism background, and that has much to do about public issues. Freedom-of-information, ethical behaviors by choice, balanced treatments and public dialog are all things where I have had great experiences.

I've worked in all sorts of settings: private-university, public/state university, religious university, public school district (K-12) (9-12), city government, park-government, small business, self-employed, non-profits, private consulting, and even with zero-earnings in recent years.

Public issues present a large spectrum with my past actions and interests. Some examples include: Public hearings (I've organized for City Council), public demonstrations (spoke at some, attended many), public domain advocate (often contributed and helped to protect and advance in high-tech sectors), public health champion (book publishing), and many other flavors of the public life are understood and respected. Some of what we deal with needs to be re-tooled. The infrastructure of what should be and what is our public realm is sadly worn. Case in point, public broadcasting and public tv issues. I think it is wrong for QED to sell off the air-rights of Channel 16 (WQEX) to a commercial owner. Likewise, it is wrong for QED to squander their responsibilities to the public by doing a simulcast for far to many months.

Most of the big issues of our day boil down to public understandings of the public process concerning public outcomes. I'm a generalist who sees the whole picture and has some hands-on experiences with a fabulous array of small-picture elements as well. In a nutshell, I'm a Free Market Republican, and that comes to mean that we should not be doing public subsidies for corporations with city government actions/resources. Our free market is being choked and our freedoms and liberties dwindle under the hyper-active legislations and policies.

What is more of a shame, in my view, is the realization that most of the people's policy, good-intended measures are not enforced nor executed well by city leadership (i.e., Mayor's policy and will for true improvements). We need to change the existing leadership as they are not doing a good job for the public sector. And, we need to enliven the public will to new insights and energy by getting new leaders who are sensitive and keen to the real issues that matter to the wellness of our global public health. So, I think we can make a strong case for new leadership with new directions that steer us more to freedoms.

3. What is your position on affirmative action to combat racism and sexism?

Racism and sexism are not to be tolerated at all from me. I push and pull people to the Nth degree as I become aware of bad behaviors. I'm so proactive that affirmative action is made into a worthless, historical benchmark.

The combat word in the above question opens up a can of worms that I'd love to cover in another setting. I'm a peacemaker. And, it takes lots of pressure and proactive communications to bring about peace. When I come in from the fringe (so to speak) I blur the traditional notion of "sides" and this tends to topple the polarized ruts we often find ourselves stuck within. So, let me say that my style of "combat" is of a multidimensional one that is unlike what most others would do. Hence, the old battles are often declared finished as we move on to more root problems.

Affirmative action, in the traditional sense, is not something I'm so keen upon. I do feel that the best person for the job should get the job. And, the best person may or may not be the most qualified in terms of only years of experience. On-the-job training can be good training or bad training. I'm not so quick to be judgmental as to what decisions a manager should be forced to make. Case in point: I feel that I could make for a splendid Mayor, as I'm able to leverage my personal insights and skills into a new role. People can rise to the challenges. And, likewise, people who are floundering in those positions need to be moved.

I'd predict that we'd have a much more fluid work force in the city under my leadership as Mayor. I'd hold extensive interviews, staff-meetings, department meetings and even provide good opportunities for thoughts to be communicated on paper and in on-line writings. That oversight and first-hand witnessing would turn up the heat in many quarters. I'd challenge others to justify decisions and listen to what is being advised and has been done in the past. I'd get into the awareness zone and do some nudging as I saw fit. I'm not scared to be bold when it comes to doing the best things for the right reasons.

My oversight as Mayor would empower others to retool our habits and priorities as needed. But, it in no way is my style meant to be a hint at micro-managing. Rather, I am the type to dig in on principle and with person placement matters. I base my justifications and judgements upon what I see as ideal in both performance and philosophy.

I call my framework "proactive" and not "progressive." My work is going to be out in the open, in the field, so to speak with the citizens and employees. I'll have the town-hall meetings, and the video cameras and streaming content will be there. We'll be accessible and we'll make history together. We'll hear from the right people and perhaps see the open-blunders all in the course of our actions, as clear as can be. Our bosses are going to have public accountability and we'll gather in earnest to instigate and agitate for the ideal solutions. Good leadership as well as great execution needs to be more evident in the city, and this is going to happen with my proactive style that creates great public discussions.

I assume that much of the day-to-day talk of our city now happens now behind closed doors, if these folks are at all on-the-ball within themselves. But, sadly, I don't have much evidence of it as a very engaged citizen who watches for it. In turn, the customer or citizen appreciation of this city is at an all-time low. This needs to be reversed by being more open and "proactive."

Pittsburgh needs to crack apart the pervasive done-deal, top-down mentality. Too much happens behind closed doors. The citizens are left to only assume things about certain actions. Rather, as Mayor, I'd move discussions out into the open. I'd be inclusive in our ponderings. We'd encourage people to "think again" within our public spaces. We'd be proactive, and that is not going to be "neat" -- but it is going to make sure that awareness flows. Our values need to be put into perspective and some new priorities need to be charted for all to witness if they so desire. The jaded attitude of the power elite is a turnoff for many of our people -- and too many have already voted in the past decades by leaving the area. People have been and are still ready to vote with their feet and migrate out of Pittsburgh because they are kept in the dark by a design and intent from the power-elite.

When it is all said and done, and sorry for the long answer, affirmative action is going to take a back-seat to proactive action. I hope to have the opportunity to prove this to be so.

4. What is your position on pay equity and comparable worth?

Of course.

5. In approving appointments and/or staff hiring, do you support a policy of

nondiscrimination toward sexual minorities?

Of course.

6. Are there any areas of employment where you feel sexual minority people

should not be hired? If so, what areas?

No.

7. Do you favor government support for AIDS prevention programs,

including needle exchange?

I think it is wrong that the current laws of Pittsburgh do not allow for a needle exchange program. The needle-exchange program is legal in the City of Brotherly Love, our cross-state City of Philadelphia.

However, in the long-run, I think it is wrong to have a city-sponsored/subsidized needle-exchange program.

As a Free Market Republican, I'd be proactive in handling this issue as Mayor. Let me explain. From time to time, I think it makes sense to ensure that the right things come about -- and by all means, I think that the issue of needle exchange is one such cause. But, here is what I would do, and why.

While it is right to obey the laws, we can work to change the laws. Then, we obey the new, better, more laws.

In this case, the might and awareness of city government should stir and come awake from a slumber. A new Mayor (with the clout of the city) could fix this wrong that exists today.

After the fix, the next step would be to end the sanctions of the subsidies. Overall, I'd advocate a multiple-step approach that takes us closer to the ideal. At times it is hard to go from bad performance to the ideal without an evolution and migration over time. I want progress and evolutionary changes to take root. I'd want to turn up our listening, inclusion, discussions and passion on these ideas.

So, I think it would be okay for the city departments to begin to set into motion -- or else to set up a functional needle exchange program where there is none now -- and where it is illegal to do so even. These actions would come from the city-government so as to break the gridlock for the non-profits agencies who dare not take those risks and tangle with the power of government. To obey one's heart and do what is right (for the non-profit activists) is hard to do when it is more necessary to do what the strongest say must be obeyed. Justice without might is helpless. The might of city government is coming down on ways that hinder justice in global ways -- giving our options to be far more tyrannical than ideal.

In the end, it would be my strong advice that the city program for a needle exchange program have its plug pulled. But, we should plug in a program to insure that it can be done and be legal for others to do so. Then the city can plug out and allow the non-profits or the activists or the private sector to enter into the market.

The cost to our overall society is great when it comes to HIV, drug abuse, and many other serious ills. Often, society is in a rut when it comes to our options in dealing with the greater good and patching up some of our serious sticking points. I want to move to solutions that are for smaller government, stronger people, expanded freedoms that build in harmony with individual responsibilities. We've got too many laws and restrictions that have not gotten in our own way. There are certain areas where city government needs to be fluid, move in and sooth a trouble, and then evaporate. Government can reply and then exit situations. I feel that a drive to the Free Market solutions are going to get us to greater total wellness in the long run.

There are a few areas where this proactive process could be applied in our city. The issue of the needle-exchange is one. So, I'd start a city-backed needle-exchange program, and then, in due time, I'd be sure to end it as well. The ending of the program comes as the non-profits and activists enter. We would use the strength of the city to make the needle-exchange a legal act. Then, we'd stop the city-funded program. But, then, others, should they so decide, could resume the program or have it evolve in other ways.

Perhaps this is much like the "Sunshine" type acts that end. Making endings is good. We need more exit strategies for our governmental programs. Closure is much like a graduation then.

My four-year term as Mayor would end and the city would have expanded and contracted in many different ways. We'll learn to be more fluid. We'll flex muscles and then relax muscles too. In the end, the city will be much more lean and healthy. In the end, the scope of government and its boundaries will be much more defined and trust on all parts will increase.

Deeds from our history: 

1. Activist who want to provide a needle exchange should not do so with a threat of arrest.

2. More so, volunteers who aim to feed the hungry should not do so with a threat of arrest. The delivery of food to the homeless can't happen in Market Square today as the Mayor has made serious threats and has been hostile beyond reason. The volunteers who help the homeless in Pittsburgh are perhaps the most generous of all among us. Yet sadly, the Mayor's office kicks dirt in their faces as thanks.

3. And too, the advocate with the pamphlets who aims to nourish hungry minds of willing citizen readers can't even begin to cause a spark in our public spaces without the heavy threat of the police and the administration. The delivery of any handouts, from prayer books to campaign handouts to petition gathering is not permitted in downtown's Market Square. Similar actions are not permitted at the city-run farmers markets.

Exceptions/footnote: Guy Costa, a Mayor's chief assistant, does allow a table to be set up in Market Square by the Steelworkers Union to hand out VIP passes to Al Gore's rally held at Point State Park at the end of a Labor Day Parade. But, that is another example of the injustice from the power elite.

The Democratic Mayor, the Administration, with the willing consent of the Democratic City Council too, along with the backing of the Police and Citiparks has made it clear that they all will strike out in harsh ways against all handouts to citizens. The powers that be in Pittsburgh want and work hard to facilitate handouts for the Steelers, the Pirates, Lazarus, Alcoa, Heinz, PNC, Mellon, USAirways and Nordstrum. The big corporations are getting big amounts of corporate welfare. The unified tax in the City of Pittsburgh gave the LTV Corporation a $60,000 per year tax break for its under-utilized land in Hazelwood. The reassessment increases in taxes is landing on the backs of the home-owners and renters. Meanwhile, the homeless, the hungry, the citizen activist and even the most desperate who are perhaps addicts of drugs and risking of getting AIDS get crushed further by our elected leaders.

How in the heck can you expect our city's leaders who are in office today to mount a campaign for a needle exchange when we can't even allow for ways for the children of this city to freely visit and splash about the 32 existing public swim pools in the heat of the summer?

The needle exchange program would be a wonderful flag to raise as a candidate as it can come to tell a story of so much more that is under the scope of awareness for the average Joe on the street. But, we need to tell the entire story and give the reasonings that make it all come together. We need to make it a process-based agenda that isn't just about addicts. The true addicts are the corporations and the heavyweight politicians that drunken themselves with corporate welfare deals at the expense of the citizens, time and time again.

Another illustration

Consider Pittsburgh and the story of the caterpillar. It is my great hope that we can all agree that Pittsburgh should be at the twilight of its time as a corporate-welfare, Democrat, liberal, caterpillar. Overall our city acts like a caterpillar with high consumption and mobility full of creep.

My arrival as Mayor would provide three steps: 

1. The caterpillar's ending 

2. The cocoon's transitional period of slumber and shock

3. The butterfly's emergence 

My campaign for Mayor needs to inject the hope and imagination of turning Pittsburgh into a thriving city and region again -- much like the transformation of the caterpillar to the butterfly. The evolution in nature of the caterpillar can happen in Pittsburgh too should the people have the willing perceptions and desire to make it occur.

The campaign endeavors happening in part at Rauterkus.com need to move our city to both a transitional phase (offering a huge shock) and then to a graduation phase (offering a huge new outlook). Should I become Mayor, Pittsburgh as a caterpillar would end its ways, go into a cocoon, and then emerge as a butterfly.

In the general election cycle, we need to take the time to gather as a city. This should begin to happen in larger amounts in the later months of the fall election campaign. The transition period would shock our system and then shock us into a season where we go, by choice, into a cocoon. We'd look within ourselves for answers. We'd internalize our struggles and issues. Perhaps the slumber happens in earnest after the election day and throughout the first winter after the new office holders arrive.

Then in the months to follow, Pittsburgh would emerge as a butterfly -- say in March, 2002.

We don't need Bob O'Connor to win the election as Mayor so we can run to Harrisburg for more handouts. Should O'Connor win the election, and to carry this illustration to the next chapter, it would amount to the caterpillar moving to another tree so it can continue to devour all the leaves over there because the one we are in now has been picked bare. I hope that the voters of Pittsburgh and the endorsement bodies that are part of our political landscape choose to end our consumption-driven mode of operations.

Should Tom Murphy win his third re-election, the caterpillar's life would be extended too. In this case, Murphy would be less welcomed to move to another tree for more food (as per trips to Harrisburg for O'Connor), rather Murphy's administration is smart. It would figure out ways to grow teeth and devour the existing leafless tree's bark, branches, trunk and roots. The Murphy caterpillar has an appetite and can grow teeth.

My advice is for a system-wide change that would be a big shock to the caterpillar. Sure, we'd cast our web tightly around ourselves. We'll be frozen in time for a while even. But, my win would present a wonderful new rebirth. To flourish, we need to grow massive wings. The caterpillar's death is but a renewal for the hope of the butterfly that Pittsburgh can become.

8. What is your position on a woman's right to choose a safe and legal abortion?

As mayor, it would be my duty to uphold the law.

9. Do you support the enactment of laws amending anti-discrimination

statutes to protect the rights of sexual minority people? If so, what specifically would you be willing to do to secure their passage, implementation, and enforcement?

All discrimination is bad. I don't tolerate discrimination in my actions. I despise it. I think everyone has rights and I understand that rights are different from power. We all suffer when one among us has his or her rights trampled. But, being proactive in my approach to life, I'd rather not legislate morality and good behavior. Rather, I'd make it happen to the best of my powers and abilities as a willingness to do the just deeds.

10. Do you support the enactment of laws amending Hate Crime laws to

protect the rights of sexual minority people? If so, what specifically would you be willing to do to secure their passage, implementation, and enforcement?

Hate crimes are very ugly indeed. Last night the news had a story about a home in Hazelwood that had a torching of a Tom Murphy sign in its front yard. Many signs had been stolen from there in the days preceding the torching. A series of crimes have been done, perhaps by thugs from the other heavyweight's camp. That stinks. But, was that a "hate crime?" If that person is caught, should he or she go away to prison for 10-time the punishment?

For me, hate crimes are crimes. I think that the police and the authorities can pursue, can press and be more keen to crimes of a gross violation -- but we don't need to make a new category of crime to see that happen. Perhaps we need better management and people of principle to be bold and proactive in such matters. I do not support the creation of more laws such as hate crime presents. But, I'd go far to protect the rights of sexual minority people.

11. What will you do to reduce the number of sexual violent acts committed?

I think that all sexual crimes are violent acts. The best way to reduce the numbers of violent acts committed is to empower the people. Being educated, self-assured, connected, and empowered can be a huge strength in terms of wellness and general health. Being dependent, ignored, weak and alone is a sure way to increase the chances for bad things happening.

I've been a coach. I've organized activities that have greatly empowered young people. We need more programs and more opportunities for our younger, middle-aged and senior people to build their strengths from within. These programs need to challenge and stimulate. These are not easy to accomplish, but we need to try in these areas to a much more determined degree.

I think that the Citiparks programs are mostly lame. They are nice, but there is so much more that we can do to go closer to our potential with these programs and with the participants. The recreation -- or should I stress, Re-Creation needs to be re-tooled in a proactive way so we have greater opportunities for brushes with excellence.

With our new Convention center, I think that it is important to stage events that are citizen driven/focused. Sure, the corporate auto-shows and robotics shows are nice and needed. However, I went to Chicago with my son to speak and enjoy a national convention for Stay-At-Home-Dads. The empowering, understanding, kinship and ready-made resources for ourselves made for an ultimate uplifting.

We are at a time when the news is full of dads (and moms too) who have set fire to their home with their kids inside, drowning others, crushings the little bones of flesh and blood offspring. That hopelessness is so ugly that it makes sense to me to do something different with our society and culture.

Showcasing a new car is great for TV ads and perhaps it is needed for convention center bookings. But, in my perspective, I could do with much less of the sexy, Madison Ave., new-car glitz -- and more with the humanistic help that might flow from a celebration of grandparents. We can teach ourselves how to be better parents. We can teach ourselves how to be better voters/citizens. But, we need to put ourselves first, and then put those among us on stage and let it flow.

Furthermore, these grass-roots participation interactions that celebrate the human spirit should NOT be subsidized from the city's budget. We can build these plans at little or no cost, launch them into the free marketplace of ideas, and reap the rewards with stronger people and break-even programming. If we had the right leadership, Pittsburgh could be a meca for visitors and wellness. Our outcomes would pay huge dividends.

12. What is your position on the right of sexual minority people to be considered on their individual merits in custody and adoption matters?

Of course.

13. What is your position on civil marriage for same-sex couples?

Sure.

Perhaps the pressing issue that looms behind this question has to do with employment and health insurance coverage. Public health can be a massive, long-term discussion that I can lead artfully in the years ahead. This should be a huge strength for us, and I ask what has UPMC done for us recently?

That system is one of American's greatest hospitals -- and I would only wish that they would act like it more often.

I think city employees would be better employees if they were on the job and understood that their loved ones were being insured. This could also come to extend to other generations as well. We could extend health-care coverage in many ways. We need to put our minds into that quagmire and take the lead nation-wide in doing.

14. Do you support access to insured medical care for HIV positive persons?

Yes. I think every person should have the opportunity to be insured. I don't want to be the one not covered. Nor do I want my loved one's not covered.

15. Do you support access to insured medical care for transgendered persons?

Yes.

DATE AND SIGN YOUR RESPONSE BEFORE SENDING IT TO US.

Delivered in person on March 30, 2001 by the candidate. Delivered via email too. This document won't change. However, an updated version might be posted to the net as we have more time to proof read our replies.