Qutoe: That's why he's the mayor.

Cute quote from the black and gold dressing room: Big Ben said, "That's why he's the mayor." He's speaking of The Bus.

Ox on Fox: "Jerome Bettis, Mayor of Roethlisnberger."

Mayor's Office Budget -- print to PDF, please

Again!
On Monday, November 8, 2004, the Mayor is to give his budget address. The budget is not online.

Meanwhile, the budget was approved by the Oversight Board on Friday, November 5, 2004. The budget could have been posted as it went to them.

On Oct 4, an online version of the city's budget became available.
That budget was rejected by the oversight board. But, it was made available to the media with a press release on September 23, 2004.

We should not need to wait for two or three weeks to see a current snapshot of the budget. Print it to PDF. That's not hard.

Mayor's Office Press Releases
NOTE: Members of the media can obtain a copy of the Mayor's budget submission at the reception desk of the Mayor's Office on the 5th Floor of the City-County Building.

We waited since Sept. 23 for the release of the massive budget in a PDF. Print to PDF takes minutes if open-source software was utilized.

What if the choice was, for mayor: either Murphy or O'Connor or G.W. Bush

This blog gets plenty of page views and few comments. Let's turn the tide with this posting / question.

Who would you vote for?
Who would win in the city?

I don't think G.W.Bush has done many financial moves, if any, that knowingly, intend to cripple and/or inflict pain. On the other hand, Tom Murphy has.

Murphy has closed pools, closed rec centers, jacked taxes on property by 34%, put parking up to 50%, cut the Great Race that made money, etc.

The nexus of this posting comes from a conversation with a true Kerry supporter who admitted to me that Bush's vote would be a lock if he were in a race with either Tom Murphy or Bob O'Connor.

Perhaps this is a question to get Lynn Cullen thinking.

Sadly, this week's knee jerk seems to be a puzzle to me. Many are starting to rally and begin to gun (pun intended) for PA's Junior US Senator, Rick Santorum. They want him out. They'll start working now to get him out. Anybody but Bush has seemingly morphed to anyone but Rick. Oh my gosh. Don't let the wheels fall off. The rubber hits the road right here in Pittsburgh, our home town. We need folks to care about Grant Street. It is time to refocus -- and not upon the US Senate, please!

Deed Transfer Tax -- going up 33%

The Deed Transfer Tax is going up from 1.5 percent to 2 percent of the total sale of the house. That's an increase of 33%. Please don't fall into the trap of thinking that this half-of-a-percent is no small matter. For example, a house for $100,000 used to be hit with a $1,500 tax burden as it is purchased. Now it is going to be saddled with a $2,000 payment to the city.

Out of all the taxes, the deed transfer tax should be eliminated. That is the first I'd remove as mayor.

Put this code into your blog. Freely comment too.

Super Bowl Saturday

Today is Super Bowl Saturday for the South Side Sabres, a youth football program in my neighborhood. They have three teams in "super bowl games." What a feat. Way to go Mike D and all the other volunteers, coaches, players, cheerleaders and officials. Way to go to all the teams in the league and fans too.

At least two of the games are to be played at Steel Valley High School. One is against a North Hills team.

Here is a program that is flourishing, despite the city.

Yes, there are stories about how the city has given this program its share of headaches. The field was to be re-seeded. The city wanted to stop the team from playing on the field for an entire season. No joke. Talk about fumbles.

There are stories of how the city can't play well with others that never see the light of day on this blog. The road-blocks put up by the city are massive.

Furthermore, I do understand that there are lots of other places with lots of other challenges as well. Pittsburgh does not own the patent on headaches. But, we do seem to push the limit in frustrations. And, as with the Sabres, we overcome and soar, in spite of the submarines from Grant Street.

Ron Morris and being serious

A blog comment elsewhere about a "a serious candidate" has gotten under my skin and here is my vent.

Consider the business world and what Ron Morris mentioned on his Saturday radio talk show. A fellow asked him for some angel investment money to work on a new-business plan. In turn, that plan would then be able to be shopped to venture capitalists. In this early stage of the business, the principal would be collecting a six-figure salary. Hence, some of the need for angle investment. Plus, the principal was not putting his house on the line.

Ron's point was that he wanted to see more skin in the game from the individual involved. He wanted the owner to work with the start-up for nothing. He likes to make investments when the owner is hungry. He likes to see married folks who put their house on the line and then wake up with a watchdog, often in a cold-sweat.

He said it was better to write the business plan on the weekends, nights and while working for someone else.

Humm....

I know what it is like to write and pitch business plans. Before the kids were born, I worked in a start-up, my own small-press. I tried to move SportSurf.Net to the AOL Greenhouse, before Netscape went public. I had a relationship with a California client and furnished them with a modem so they could email me orders, well before Amazon.com ever opened. After we moved to Pittsburgh, I could see the business climate.

As a candidate, I feel at times like I'm in a start-up. I've got some skin in the game. I work for nothing. I scratch with others on evenings and weekends, to mine for ideas and plant seeds for a better community.

Meanwhile, those in the ivory towers of old-school thinking need have a measure of being 'serious' that is about something else. Theirs has little to do with civics, with freedom and with community. Perhaps the insulting remarks can be tempered. Perhaps the goal-posts can be moved, again.

What we have is serious miss-management. We have serious miss-spending of public money. We have serious breaks in democracy and accountability. We have serious instances of corruption. We have serious efforts to posture and back-pat with false praise for doing next to nothing.

So J.P., does a serious candidate for public office need to be serious in those realms?

Chief Robert McN -- enrages audience in West End

Our Chief of Police went before a citizens meeting in the West End at the end of October. Folks there are really hacked off at the loss of their zone's police station. Furthermore, the streets have been filling with shootings (even outside of schools), drugs, 3-AM outdoor parties, and lots of open bad-boy actors.

The chief's talk and his Q&A made matters worse. The people became more upset.

People are doing what has been asked. They are reporting the car's license plate numbers as drug deals go down. They have been holding their turf. They have been getting the threats and turning the details over to police.

However, no dective has called back. The follow-up is abset. One women's story was documented in detail -- but nothing from the good guys. Not even a phone call for an interview.

The chief is oblivious to it all. He thinks that things are fine. There is much more going on other than a group of citizens who are whinners.

The chief can't tak sides in elections, by law. It still has been know to happen.

Citizens groups, call a big meeting and get the Chief to come for a presentation. See for yourself.

On election day another dad shared a story about how he has seen, since September, 14 drug deals in front of his house. He reported everything on each. This dad, also a committee man, faced down a kid with a gun on his front step. This citizen / dad told the punk in so many words that that gun will be up his butt the next time he comes here with a threat.

It seems as if the police are hoping these troublemakers overdose. That is the frustration of how they are fighting crime.

Chief, it is time to "Think Again."

Murphy and McNeily need to exit at the same time. Let's make it soon.

Sales Job in Harrisburg

PG: ..."further cuts mean the city will need smaller amounts of new tax revenue to bridge its budget shortfalls, possibly making tax reform an easier, but still difficult, sell in Harrisburg."

The folks in Harrisburg understand that it is more prudent to replace, re-direct and then, thirdly, reform. To get tax reform and put it into the same messy hands that made this crisis is going to insure that the city stay in its hard-luck status for another decade.

Mayor Murphy needs to resign, for the good of the city. Then we begin to heal.

Once that offer is put on the table, and people other than Murphy need to put it there, then we have a new ray of hope and begin a day to remember.

Murphy needs to get out of the way. Democrats, Democrat-party leaders, and state-wide party leaders need to make this demand known and put it to Mayor Murphy and the media. Barbara H., Dan O., Tom R., Ed R., Bob C., Jack W., Dan F., Sala U., Brenda F., Johnny D., Mark N. (of Pitt), and a team of others need to say the obvious.

Praise be

AP Wire | 11/05/2004 | Recovery plan for fiscally troubled Pittsburgh approved "State officials praised the city and the oversight board for reaching consensus after long and sometimes contentious negotiations.

Understatement, "sometimes contentious."
Wait until these guys talk. Hope it isn't in a year from now.

Slots May Fund Pittsburgh Arena

Casino City Times: "Regardless of where a slots casino ends up in Pittsburgh, Mayor Tom Murphy said yesterday he would like to see a portion of the revenue used to finance the construction of a new arena. "

Same old tricks.

We also learned that the casino money is going to help bridge the $100-million gap in the budget for the next seven years.

PA Secretary Masch Comments on Pittsburgh Recovery Plan Consensus

PA PR The plan approved by the ICA today represents the consensus solution we have been working toward for many months,' Secretary Masch said. 'I want to thank Mayor Murphy, the members of the Act 47 Recovery Team and the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority for their willingness to labor long and hard to make this happen.

Yes, Tom Murphy is due plenty of thanks for the on-going decline of the city. The city's leaders pushed the city to the brink of extinction after years of hard work, long labors and bone-headed moves. They made it happen. Now checks might bounce next month. Stay tuned.

This plan not only restores Pittsburgh to fiscal stability, it preserves the City's vibrant quality of life and enhances the City's ability to compete economically.

Next we'll learn that 60,000 black-and-gold tailgate fans get fed at Hooters on three loafs and some fish sticks.

Quick and decisive action is now required on the part of the City and the Commonwealth to implement this plan so that a cash crisis does not engulf the City and undo all of the difficult and important work that has been accomplished to date to restore Pittsburgh to financial stability.

The quickest and most decisive course of action is resignation of all involved.

'The 2005-2009 Financial Plan for the City of Pittsburgh includes a balanced mix of cuts in city expenditures and new fees and taxes designed to ensure that both sacrifices and benefits are shared among businesses, residents and commuters. The new plan incorporates all of the key provisions of the original Act 47 Recovery Plan approved last June and improves on that plan by making responsible, measured additional spending cuts.

What about the formation of the Pittsburgh Park Distict?

'Tax reform is a key component of the plan. These reforms include the elimination of the Business Privilege Tax and Mercantile Tax, which have been detrimental to Pittsburgh's economic development. These would be replaced by new and more balanced revenue sources including a new Payroll Tax and an increase in the Occupation Privilege Tax. The Plan also provides for a badly needed, phased reduction in the City's current parking tax. And the plan also recognizes that Pittsburgh's finances will be significantly aided by the new state gaming legislation enacted last July, which will provide the City with a minimum of $10 million in annual gaming revenue beginning in 2007.

Unreal.

City officials, the Act 47 Recovery Team and the ICA have all done their part to restore Pittsburgh to fiscal and economic health. Now the Commonwealth must do its part. For this carefully crafted financial plan to succeed, the state government must grant the City of Pittsburgh the necessary taxing powers it needs to reform its tax structure and restore itself to fiscal stability. Those powers must be authorized before the General Assembly adjourns for the year on Nov. 30. Unless that happens, the outlook for one of the Commonwealth's finest cities will be bleak indeed.'"

Unreal squared.
How can these jokers say that they have done their part. The plan is so magical, yet it will go poof at midnight, like Cinderella.

False Claims by State Rep try to oust citizen from public meeting

State Rep. Petrone, Democrat, of the West End, tried to get a citizen removed from today's public meeting held at the Convention Center. Petrone claimed that the citizen, Carl Sutter, was under court order to not be near Petrone, a member of the PA's House Urban Affairs Committee.

There is no court order. The citizen stood his ground. He was able to return to the meeting.

The meeting was but a dog-and-pony show.

Anne

A friend, Bob Lee, is playing the role of Daddy Warbucks in Anne on November 5-7, 12-14, 19-20 2004. Friday, Saturday Curtain is at 8 PM - Sunday 2 PM. Shows at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie.

Tickets: Adults $15 ; Seniors & Students $10 ; Children under 6 $5

Bring a cushion for your chair. These seats are beautiful but were crafted in the 1800s.

Grown ups can accept a loss and live on

One of the deals that I made with my wife when I ran for mayor, and an easy to do, was that I'd not call for any recount. I lost. We lived with the decision of the voters.

Novak calls on Eisenhower to concede

Harrisburg -- Three days after Pennsylvanians elected Republican Tom Corbett as their next Attorney General, Democratic opponent Jim Eisenhower refuses to concede. Pennsylvania State Republican Chairman Alan Novak today called on Eisenhower to join the rest of Pennsylvania in supporting Corbett.

"I'm disappointed that Jim is ignoring the will of his fellow Pennsylvanians," said Novak. "Tom Corbett's victory was convincing. The election is over, and Pennsylvanians are moving forward together. It's time for Jim to do the right thing and concede this race."

FWIW, Corbett's signs were the only ones that I posted in my windows and at the polls this cycle. He's a Shaler guy. Seems sensible.

Some post election advice

US Congressman, Tim Murphy, R, (South Hills) beat another Doctor, Mark Boles, in 2004's general election to re-capture his seat in the US Congress. The district stretches from South Hills to Westmorland County.

Here is some of my advice that was posted to the Boles email discussion list:

Post election, there are a number of worthy efforts that need some attention.

First, where is the Mark Boles platform? The platform should be archived in public view. Any plans, goals, solution ideas need to be preserved -- and put in clear public view.

I think it is best to put them into the public domain as well.

If there are some original ideas and some original organization of those ideas, then the ideas should take on a life of their own. Give them wings. Set them free. The ideas can outlive the campaign by being picked up by others for the fights yet to come.

Second, on the heels of making the platform as something that is preserved, opened, visible, public, it needs to be evaluated.

What worked. What resonated?
What was a hinderance?
What delivery was effective?
Where were things too complicated, too simple, too miss-understood?

So, take some time and do a critical evaluation of the ideas (not the candidate) and how they played in the campaign, with the public, with the opposition, with the friends, with the party, with the running mates, etc.

Third, do a historical log and put that out in the open for public view and for others yet to come. Who helped organize the debate? Who came to a rally or worked hard on a rally. Why? What communities are out there that show concern over what issues?

Too often the collective well of knowledge runs dry. People come and go in the challenger's role, churning. Hence the ones in power get stonger. Sitting on things and insights and contacts is a sure way to give the others another win or three.

We have to have people take the extra steps after the election to make clear sailing for the next to come and then thrive. Where were beach-heads established? Those same areas should not be ignored nor should they be given back the next time without a fight. Too often the challenger is ignorant due to fault of the ones who ran the last three times in the past.

Case in point: The East Suburban UU Church played a pivotal role in the debate. They wanted to have a US Senate debate. Had to settle for US Congress race. But, ten debates are needed for the next race. And if the opponent only shows up for one, so be it. Who would host those other debates? Chamber, other churches, school groups, etc.

Third, crunch the numbers. Evaluate by ward and neighborhood. Find out the trends, the percentages. Make observations and talk about them to see if others agree or not. Look to see how Bush did in 2000 vs. 2004 vs. Congressional races vs. best districts and worst.
Case in point: GWB flew from Texas to DC on election day after he voted.
It was no mistake that his plane stopped in Ohio.

Be smart. Have details. Know the facts and have strong reasoning to support those facts.

Where did you do literature drops? Where were there victories, and why? How much did it cost to win certain districts? How did the candidate do in his own ward vs. how did the candidate do in the opponents?

Finally, I think it makes little sense to keep the lights on in a campaign here for 2006 when there are races in 2005. To say, I'm working for Boles -- or against Santorum -- is to say County Council is not going to get the attention it needs. What about school board races? What about municipal
races? You all should help two or three candidates in those efforts as dozens are running -- or thinking about it.

When relationships are built among communities and among the political junkies -- they pay off in the future. Often folks just need to show up. Mingle. Show up again.

"R" as in "Reform"

re form n. 1 A change for the better as a result of correcting abuses. 2. A campaign aimed to correct abuses or malpractices.

The red team at Market House soccer, fall 2004. Grant Rauterkus is bottom row on the left. I'm the coach.

Downtown shoppers

Sparkle Season plans are out and the city is going to horse-drawn coaches.

Thanks Pittsburgh Downtown Partnerships!

Asking for a break

Asking for a break - PittsburghLIVE.comPittsburgh is asking the state to forgive a $1.2 million penalty...

The city is now in the role of begging. Forgive this. Forgive that.

To forgive is one thing. To forget is another. We can't forget. We can't beg forever.

The headline, asking for a break is a gross under statement. We are asking for too much. And, we are not even asking with an understanding.

Members of city council are headed to Harrisburgh next week. They go blindly. That was a concern they expressed themselves. They don't have a plan. They don't have a clue. They don't have much to agree upon themselves. They are going leaderless. The mayor is absent. The consultant / lobby leader is a baby sitter.

Going to discover is fine. Going to beg is about all they can do. That's all the creativity they can muster.

Summer scores a two-point safety

PA Department of State Election Returns reported that PA's US Senate candiate, Betsy Summer, Libertarian, scored 77,282 votes. That vote total is significant as her party can maintain minor-party status. She needed two percent of the top statewide vote getter, which was Bob Casey (PA State Treasurer race), at 3.29 million votes. Her 77,282 votes is 2.35% of Casey's total.

How about those Stillers?

Wow, the Steelers play the Eagles this weekend. Ruffle feathers! Sack the Eagles!

I'll walk around Heinz Field tailgates, in my friendly way, this Sunday, with the sign, "Fire Mayor Murphy." The pick-up message: its time to Ruffle Feathers and Sack the Eagles.

Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. We need to push onto 2005 races and put a local focus on the political talk and our shared concentration.

Today might not be the perfect time for logical talk, nor spiritual talk -- but rather emotional reflection. Sure, a prayer of thankfulness comes as we've figured out the presidential outcome well before Christmas Eve. Yes.

Emotionally, we can cheer for the Steelers and begin to ramp up for 2005 and a local attention.

UPMC Sportsworks, Fastbreak for Families

On November 14, 2004, from 5 to 8 pm, join us at the North Side's Science Center / UPMC Sportsworks for Fastbreak for Families. Gratis entry, complimentary parking, but you have to pre-register, 412-308-6043 or eHines - at - Fatherhood dot org.

Election Day, 2004

Jon Delano rambled that I'll let you see his words in the comments and pass myself. Otherwise, I'm working and walking polls to meet and greet and generate awareness for 2005 when I'll be a candidate.

Election Night Parties

Got a party, let me know. Or, list them here yourself.

Want to roam to various parties, let's go together. Send an email to Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com. Or, list your mentions here yourself.

I don't expect that we'll know the winner of the Presidential race by 11 pm or Thanksgiving. But, we'll know if Jack Wagner, Tom Corbitt, Melissa Heart and Tim Murphy won.

Has Many Faces

A Pittsburgh friend, Judith Rubin, Ph.D., has made a new film, Art Therapy Has Many Faces. She did the 51-minute production on her desktop. Wonderful outcome.

I've uploaded fresh cover artwork in PDFs, one for the VHS and another for the DVD. Cover Artwork Directory I don't have a color printer.

Next, efforts on a new web site and blog.

Turnout

PG reported on October 21, 2004: According to nearly final figures, Democrats registered 30,354 new voters after the April 27 primary to 15,792 for the Republicans, a ratio of 1.92 to 1. The total number of new registration, including those from third-party members and independents, came to 60,447, a figure that reflects the high level of interest in this year's presidential race.

So let's review the math:

Total new voters = 60,447.

New Dems = 30,354.

New GOPers = 15,792.

New Third party = 14,301 = (60,447 - 30,354 - 15,792)

The PG fails to say that the sum of the Indies, Libertarians, Greens, Constitutional, Socialist, and whatever else is nearly equal to the Republicans. When you put together the third party block and the GOPers, you exceed the Dems.

The Indie and third party numbers are charging, I dare say.

Trib & AP story on Track Star, Congressal Stars from Kansas

Nice story in the Sunday paper about track star, KS, Jim Ryun. This is an AP story and I couldn't find it in the archives of the Trib. Ryun was a brief part of a book I published, Time Out! I Didn't Hear You. And, he and his wife have been active in the hearing health world. Ryun took part in an online chat at the offices of the News Center. (searching Google) When will Pittsburgh candidates and politicians be invited to online chats?

Wilburn's concert invite for folk

I invite you to our opening of the Calliope Legends Concert 2004-2005 Season.

Kate Long & Robin Kissinger performs, Friday, November 5, at 8 pm at the First Unitarian Church in Shadyside, the intersection of Morewood and Ellsworth. They lead workshops in Story Telling and Flat Pick guitar on Saturday, November 6 from 2-5 pm at the church. http://www.southernohiostoryfest.com; http://www.fiddletunes.com/pages/robin.htm; http://www.fiddletunes.com/pages/katel.htm; www.katelong.com

Future dates:

Mindy Simmons, January 29, 2005 http://www.MindySimmons.com

Kreg Viesselman, February 19, 2005

Mojo Collins, March 19, 2005 with Workshop: Folk and Blues Roots

Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen, April 23. 2005

Rachael Allen, May 14, 2005

Calliope Legends Concert is our small venue concerts. Wilburn, a true running mate, chairs the committee and takes complete responsibility if you are not pleased with each performance. So mark your calendars. Don't forget that Calliope main concert series is bring Doc Watson, a fellow North Carolinian, to Pittsburgh, November 19 at the Carnegie Lecture Hall in Oakland. There are a few single tickets left: Proartstickets.oro or 412-394-3353.

Answer sought on parks

How would it feel if you went on a trick-or-treat voyage and knocked on 25 doors and nobody was home. I can live with 1 in 5 being home. But, to have a complete shut out sorta stinks.

Trib story: "They also complain that they get only vague answers or no answers at all from Onorato on what progress has been made. "

Folks, the parks budget for 2006, according to one oversight board, is set to $0. Zippo. We need to jump start this parks and recreation discussion ASAP. How about November third?

The non-profit is a bad idea. Moving parks to a new, public entity is a fine idea. Chatter is welcomed.

Wishing for Gov and PCTV 21 coverage

Rob Owens, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - A & E - TV/Radio, I really wish you'd look into the story unfolding about the RFP for the city cable television breau.

I had called Penn State University and tried to coax them into putting a proposal together for the RFP. They considered it at many levels. However, when they got their techie invovled, as they should, a tour request was made and denied by the city. The PSU folks asked to see the TV facilities and equipment. They missed the one tour date as the RFP was hardly visible.

The worse part, the city said it would be showing "favortism" if they gave a tour to a possible RFP participant. Get out!

When you are going down the tubes -- anyone who comes to save you is welcomed.

Dale, Rodney, Tom.... Thanks for proving again just how well you don't play with others.

Bogged down for Bloggers Touchdown

Sorry I could not make the recent bloggers function.

I asked for a copy of the "minutes" and got this reply... via email ... if you peek at the comments.

Net movie with political impacts

Some trusted friends aquired the rights to freely distribute Stolen Honor on the internet, www.unitedtruth.com.

There are no ads, no banners, no sign-ups. It's a 100% gratis download. Bandwidth should not be an issue. Back-up site

Any techies out there willing to be "mapmaster?"

We've got blogs, a Wiki, web server (just upgrading), mailing list, fax on demand, OpenOffice.org, a parks position paper, campaign song, and an ambition of a book or two. But, what I really want, besides the database management part (right Bob), is a concpet mapping tool such as Cmap Tools, http://cmap.ihmc.us/

See the comments to learn more and see their latest news release.

Interested, email me. We've got the server space.

Do hit all the blogs

Transportation

eVote

Sunnyhill

This is my main blog, but there are others, listed above and along the blog roll to the left side.

A weakness of Blogspot and Blogger (same company) is the lack of a feature that tags each article with different topic areas. When you have a lot going on, it doesn't all fit into one blog.

I think that the eVote effort could explode with election day. We knew this wasn't going to be resolved. The fix was in and it wasn't what we wanted to see. Marilyn Davis, Ph.D., a net friend and from Northern California was there at ground zero. She saw the people from the US Senator's office. See could see what was what.

I won't tell you what you are missing if you don't go there too -- just do it.

Mom's rally and Saturday's walk in the park

I've done a good job at staying OUT of the national race. For myself, I've been putting a focus on local issues and staying neutral otherwise. However, my oldest boy is gung-ho for Kerry. Perhaps I'll satisfy his political fix by taking him to this event this week end.

MOMS FOR KERRY RALLY THIS SATURDAY

Mothers across the country will gather in a demonstration of unity and support for John Kerry and our children. Special guest: Geraldine Ferraro. It is slated for Saturday, Oct. 30, 2004, at 3:00 pm at Frick Park, Braddock & Forbes.

By the way, Erik's mom, my wife, is in DC working and will be home late Saturday. Perhaps my wife has more in common with Geraldine. I might connect better with the moms and kids.

I do like the park setting too. I bet not many of the moms or dads there will be aware that the Citiparks budget for 2006 is slated to be $0.

Come to think of it, if we have great weather, perhaps we could go early and set up some badminton. We could "ruffle feathers" and collect email contacts.

Liquidation Signals Lord & Taylor's Final Days

ThePittsburghChannel.com - News: "PITTSBURGH -- Four years ago, hopes were high when Lord & Taylor announced it was moving into the old Mellon Bank building on Smithfield Street.

Today, the shelves are being cleared and a liquidation sale has begun at the latest major department store to leave Downtown and take taxpayer dollars with it.

Indeed, the times have changed in terms of hopes and perceptions being put forward by the media. The mayor was on a high in 2000 and 2001, in some circles. The new stores, the big roof at the convention center, and all the other corporate welfare deals. The city was flush with building jobs too, earning support from the construction trade unions too. Jobs were being filled by out of state workers.

But to the ones who were watching with more attention to detail and better senses of forcasting, things were not so good. Some knew that these projects were going to flounder and fail.

The African-American Workers Union picked for the first weeks of construction at PNC Park. PNC Park would open just weeks before the 2001 primary.

Heinz Field was to be home to the Pitt Panthers, but the lease to use the pro stadium was not signed until after Pitt's home stadium was demolished. Some knew it wasn't smart to take college football off of the campus every day of the year. Pitt would turn into a J.V. program to the Steelers. Heinz Field's first season was the same fall season of Mayor Murphy's re-election.

The Convention Center would open too, but someone forgot to build the darn hotel. So, we've got an expensive white elephant that can't ever be put to use at capacity as we can't accomidate the convention goers. Then came the pass-throughs.

Shop to you drop has new meaning in downtown these days. Four years ago, the media got drunk on the Mayor's costly bricks and mortar efforts. But for those of us who cared to stay involved, we knew big-time trouble was at our doorstep.

City's credit rating dips below a rock, at bottom of river

PG: S&P rates city's credit as 'watch' While supporting the nonbinding plan, Councilman Sala Udin still voiced worry about it, saying defaulting on the pension payment could have 'very serious consequences.

Duhh!

The curse of one party rule is next

Boston had its woes vanquished with the 2004 World Series. Poof.
Thanks to Dave's dad. See his blog post from Oct. 27.
Pittsburgh has its woes too, from nearly the same era. Our problem is one-party rule. The trend is starting. Pittsburgh, too, can vanquish its prime hang-up.
Who else among us are here to make history, and not be a slave of it.
Artwork above occurs on a t-shirt, for sale with the link that follows.

As the Sun, Earth and Moon align

City Council Overrides Mayor's Tax Discount Veto

ThePittsburghChannel.com - News - City Council Overrides Mayor's Tax Discount Veto October 27, 2004 -- Pittsburgh City Council voted to override Mayor Tom Murphy's veto of a plan to offer an additional one percent discount to those who pay property taxes during the first week of January...
Council President Gene Ricciardi's early tax payment plan is designed to increase the city's income in the first part of the year, which would reduce the amount of money the city would need to borrow to pay bills.

Craig Kwiecinski, the mayor's spokesman, isn't saying if Murphy will implement Ricciardi's plan.

Ricciardi and Councilman William Peduto said they're willing to withdraw the discount plan if Murphy offers better strategies for funding the city budget next year.

Flip-flopping at City Council had another highlight. First, the early bird plan gets passed. (Votes were 8-1.) Second, the mayor gives the plan a veto. Third, the veto is overcome (6-3). But, the mayor says he won't actually do the plan. Or, I should point out, the mayor says he won't follow the law.

City council sets the laws. City council is the legislative branch. Meanwhile, the mayor is the administrator and he chooses to NOT follow the law.

Furthermore, City Council President won't insist that the Mayor follow the plan. The early-bird plan won the hour, came into being, but it won't happen. It's official. But, it's to be ignored.

The plan's prime sponsor, City Council President, Gene Ricciardi, won't hold the mayor's feet to the fire on this. Rather, Gene said he won't be an obstructionalist and press for its enactment.

There is some question if this new bit of legislation is something that would be trumphed by the oversight bodies, such as the Act 47 Coordinators. However, much can be said that a discount period is not really another form of lowering taxes.

So, the Mayor gets off the hook as none are going to hold his feet to the fire. And, should there be a real plan from the administration, those that passed the law would issue a flip-flop.

Impacts on home owners

City home owners are still facing a real threat of a 34% increase in property taxes. Even if the budget gets a final hour switch (another flip flop) the expected tax increase on property is set for 5%. Other taxes are going up too, of course.
If you have your mortgage with a holding company, by law, so I understand, the company needs to take advantage of any discounts. Taxes are often a portion of the payments home-owners to be make as part of their home payment, interest, and such. If the bank holds the note to the house, and if the bank pays the taxes as well, the banks are forced to take advantage of the savings for the extra discounts.

Blame game

From time to time, I think it is fine to fix blame on certain problems and people. As an outsider, I should play the blame game more often and with greater intensity.

See the comments to find out who is being blamed for the national debt.

Elizabeth, come on home now, please

A 16 year old Carrick High School Student she is missing. This is Veronica Norman's (active parent at the South PERC) niece. A police report was filed last evening. Elizabeth is known to frequent the Allentown, Mt. Oliver, South Side Slopes, Arlington, and Carrick area's of Pittsburgh.

If you see her please contact the police immediately or Veronica Norman at 412-488-1423.

The full name of the kid isn't on the blog, and her last name it isn't the same as above. Let me know when this is resolved and I'll take down the posting.

Look Up

Today's blog has mentions to look ahead, as in the political future, but also to look within (see the prostate cancer detection post) and to look up.

Clouds might obscure tonight's lunar eclipse. The moon will be covered entirely by the Earth's shadow. It starts at 8:05 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time, Wednesday, through 2:03 a.m. Thursday morning. The total portion of the eclipse will be from 10:23 to 11:45 p.m.
Some predict that the moon will look like a glowing pumpkin during the event, just days before Halloween.

Glenn's news release

The eclipse of the moon will be enjoyed by most of the people in the Western Hemisphere. Wonder what its ratings will be? Wonder if TV executives are ever asked to flash a ticker on the bottom of the TV sets -- go look outside as you'll see an eclipse of the moon -- right now. Do it. Get off your lazy bottom and walk outside and look up.

Now I just need to stop blogging at those times.

Big St. Louis fans....

St. Louis and Pittsburgh have a few things in common. Both are with rivers, are gateway cities, and top Medical Centers with universities. My wife is at UPMC and a friend is in St. Louis. He is suffering the wrath of the Bo-Sox 3 game lead in the World Series, but also has shared some insights into his health and makes some strong, first-person suggestions on having more aggressive wellness.

See the comments of this post for Hints on Diagnosing Prostate Cancer, by Michael Valente. He is glad it might help someone else. He also writes to say he looks forward to seeing the end of my misery with my beloved Cardinals!

What's preventable and what's inevitable -- humm. Life, science and shifting borders.

A step toward a commuter tax, a step toward victory

PG coverage: A step toward a commuter tax City Council voted yesterday to lay the groundwork for a commuter wage tax.

The victory, in this headline, is NOT with the pending arrival of the commuter tax. I feel that the commuter tax is wrong. It isn't prudent. There are many other ways to solve these problems and the commuter tax is not anything near an ideal solution.

The victory goes to the fact that every Pittsburgher, except those in Bethel Park and Penn Hills, (see below), now has some skin in this fight.

In the past, it has always been the conventional thinking that those in the city are on their own. Those in the suburban areas are on their own. An iron-curtin has kept the city and the suburban folks away from each other.

The people in the burbs have had a "hands-off attitude" about the political life in the city. This is about to end now that the city's hands are reaching into their wallets.

A few people on city council want to tax the suburban workers. They want a bail out, and the tab for the bail out, in their opinion, should be the responsibility of those who live beyond the reaches of the city's borders.

Wake up suburban Pittsburgh. What happens in the city, its folly and all, is now your business.

If you live in Penn Hills or B.P., have no fear. You're not going to pay the city anything. The taxes in those suburban locations are already at the limit.

If you live elsewhere, your taxes are about to shift. The income tax is going to go up in your neck of the woods so that the money doesn't flow into the city. You might expect a slight dip in the property tax to offset the new funds from the other source.

Meanwhile, the city is going to be a grand looser in one instance, and a grand victor in another. In time, say two or three years, the suburban municipal governments are going to do the tax shifting and the city is going to be left without any viable revenue stream from the commuter tax. It will be worthless.

On the upside, the city is going to win big as the suburban folks have grounds to entertain, study, donate, politic and energize the political landscape in the city.

For example, four years ago I was on the agenda as an invited speaker to a candidate's night in a suburban location. I understood clearly that none of the people in the audience would get to vote for me. However, I wanted to go and speak to that audience. Even three minutes would be worth the trip and the evening I told the organizers. At first, they said fine. Then they called and took me off of the agenda a day before the meeting. "We don't talk about city politics here," I was told.
Guess what. I'm back. And, now you will.

If you are associated with any suburban political group, of any party, I'm willing, able and eager to get invites to come to speak to your groups. The city needs you to care and be aware. And, the city is about to start taking your money.

City snubs retail suitors

Great lead.

Trib's Erik Heyl: Nature abhors a vacuum, but city officials are embracing one ...

Meanwhile, my goals are to embrace the "free markets." I'm a "free market" candidate.

To be really honest, we don't need to embrace the free markets, as that will take years if not a generation to occur. However, we need to turn to the free market approach and apply it everywhere. Its embrace of Pittsburgh will come soon enough, after we've changed the mindset and made bold moves in those directions.

This embrace is much like being married. One can't be a little married. It would be great to at least flirt with the Free Market Ways from time to time. Meanwhile, Murphy is married to doing nothing.

Murphy says developers put off by ban on slots Downtown

Murphy oversteps again and injects burdens on property ownership to soil deals for downtown "Samuel Jemal, president of J.J. Operating Corp., said, 'We had a different philosophical approach on the future use of the building and did not wish to dispute it with the city.'"

The anchor of Tom Murphy and his administration is getting heavier.

Mayor Vetoes Early-Bird Discount To Taxpayers

WPXI.com - News - Mayor Vetoes Early-Bird Discount To Taxpayers Mayor Tom Murphy has vetoed a plan to offer an early-bird discount to taxpayers next year.

Hurry up and wait. Do nothing. Let's chase our tails. We are only running out of money next month. Here we go again, doing too little, too late.

If the early bird gets the worm, then that explains the Tom Murphy veto. The mayor is in vulture mode. The city is still crashing into a deeper decay.

Trib quote for Ricciardi:"'If we implement my plan, we will be on the road to picking ourselves up by the bootstraps.' "

Hardly. This early bird is but a worm of a plan. This isn't even a caterpillar.

The early-bird tax discount for an extra 1% discount is worthy. However, it is more like a cup of warm tea on a cold winter day while at the hospice. To sooth is sweet. But to say this plan and overrive of the veto puts us on the road to recovery is foolishness.

Simply put, the plan keep us on the road of malingering. The city is floundering and bumbling. We all know that the Mayor's agenda can't be advanced. Now is another test to see if the agenda of City Council President can be advanced. And if it does squeek by, this isn't a cause for celebration. It is a worm of a plan.

Coming Post-Election Chaos

FindLaw's Writ - Dean The Coming Post-Election Chaos:A Storm Warning of Things to Come If the Vote Is as Close as Expected By JOHN W. DEAN

This next presidential election, on November 2, may be followed by post-election chaos unlike any we've ever known....

Not Howard Dean.

Amy Carol Webb, our dear friend and singer from Florida, also predicts that the election won't end on November 3.

The Storm Warning concept is fitting. In 2000 I called for international observers to our elections. Roll eyes. Shrug. This was posted before we came to understand "hanging chads."

Another friend said it could be Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve before we know the real outcome of the election. Provisional ballots are bad. Furthermore, voter fraud might be such that the court system could set back for months trying to bring trials against those who vote while dead or vote more than once.

The RUNNEL -- chunnel -- Pgh big dig -- and cranks

I've been speaking for months and months about the sillyness of the under river tunnels for a light-rail extension to the stadiums on the North Side. The idea needs to be taken off the tracks and stopped. Some editorial folks at the Trib, especially Bill S., agrees. Link.

... railed on about how pitifully few people the 1.2 mile boondoggle would carry. How badly its construction would tear up both banks of the river. How the idea would never even be considered if it weren't for that "free" 80 percent federal contribution.

And how, except for a few cranks and free-market ideologues at the Trib, everyone was so gung-ho to build it - including Specter and his allegedly conservative comrade, Rick Santorum.

Great news, except the part about the "few cranks." I could resemble that remark. And, what good does it do?

The cranks, the "naysayers," -- we citizens -- are the ones who know best.

Why would he do this?

To me, the Trib and this friend of the "free market" is p*ssing in his own breakfast cereal.

Comments about the treatment are welcomed here. Comments about the meat of the transportation elements should flow into the transportation blog.

Talented Women

Mark Rauterkus, (Union Maiden) Anne Feeney, and Amy Carol Webb at our South Side home.

On the radio for an hour.

Amy Carol Webb and the gentleman from Oklahoma, Chris Moore, while in KDKA radio studios.

KDKA Radio, 5 to 6 pm on Sunday

Amy Carol Webb and I are slated for the Chris Moore radio show for 5 pm this Sunday. Please tune in. I won't do any singing.

Rather, a broken record might be more fitting

Trib whispers "... see Mayor Tom Murphy come dressed as the Invisible Man. Given the mayor's increasing reclusiveness, he won't even need to buy a costume."

Yard Sign: "This is campaign trickery," said Hoeffel

Another reason to avoid yard signs comes from the brotherly love folks to the east:

Birds of a feather? Well, they only have left wings - PittsburghLIVE.com

Those "Kerry & Specter for Working Families" signs that began popping up in eastern Pennsylvania last week were not disingenuous attempts by the senator to link himself with Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, the Democrat presidential nominee.

Actually, it was a disingenuous attempt by Republican political consultant Roger Stone to link Specter to Kerry.

Suburban Republicans do their best to kill city

Suburban Republicans do their best to kill city

My letter to Brian

Hi Brian,

I saw the news of the 18-page letter in the Trib on 10-20-04 --- and that same day I went to the election office and changed out of the GOP party.

Amy Carol Webb, a singer/songwriter and friend from Florida, and I are to be
on KDKA Radio's Chris Moore show, 1020 AM, from 5 to 6 pm today - Sunday.

I'll share some news for you and the listeners then.

For fun, here is one of here songs:
"Be careful punching ballots if you can't find the hole."

http://65.254.51.42/~player/history/audio/AmyCarolWebb/CantFindTheHole.mp2

Give a listen.

She has a new verse about electronic voting machines, paper trail and voting
UNPLUGED.

Very clever.

But I'm also prepared to cover some ground about local politics too.

As for the money points --- you're too old school and too media centered in hopes of selling soap. Why spend $1-million to get a risk in the chance to get a $90K job as captain of a sinking ship? We don't really want a mayor's race with those costs as the debt is an anchor and the candidate is beholden to others then.

This week's event pointers

Films

Western Westmoreland Republican Club invites you to a showing of a film by by Dick Morris, Fahrenhype 9/11, a rebuttal to Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 at 7 pm on Thursday, October 28 at Lincoln Hills Country Club. Join us for an evening of truth, unity and a tribute to the American Soldier past, present and future! The Public is Welcome! Admission is Free. http://www.farenhype911.com.

Michael Moore was headed to Penn State University as well.

HAUNTED HALLOWEEN BIKE RIDE

Friday, October 29, starting at Washington's Landing at 6 pm to 9 pm, Cost: $20 Bike Pittsburgh & Venture Outdoors Members, $25 others. Sign up: (412) 255-0564.

This easy-paced ride and fundraiser will take us all over Pittsburgh to various haunted buildings. We'll be making plenty of stops to tell stories and give local haunted history. A fully supported ride with treats and drinks provided along the way, participants are encouraged to ride in costume, but please make sure that you wear something that will not get caught in your wheels or chain, and that does not impair your normal field of vision. Helmets are required, but you can decorate them! Benefits Bike Pittsburgh.

Trying to keep the streets from getting too "scary" when it's not Halloween. Come out and enjoy a pleasant evening of stories and legend while helping to support an important local cause. Please bring a bike light if you have it; loaners available with advance notice.

More
If you have an event, send it me, Mark -at- Rauterkus -dot- com. I'll give it a mention in this blog.

World Series

Boston (think Tea Party) vs. St. Louis (hometown of the famous Anheuser-Busch Brewery).

Boston (J.F. Kerry's home) Red Sox win. Triumph bring tragic death to student shot by police while in a mob. Now the Boston Mayor sabre rattles about a prohibition. The overly rash reaction by the Mayor to a tragic death following the game gives an opportunity to make a point to the blog world.

"If you shut down the bars, the problem will get worse," said Alan Eisner, executive director of the Massachusetts Hospitality Association. "At least in a licensed premise you have supervision."

Another decent quote from a blog in Pittsburgh, "Unless the cop was drunk, alcohol had nothing to do with her death."

Presidential candidate, Libertarian, Michael Badnarik could put out a call to create web ads for sports blogs. With a press release, some eye candy and computer code, sober baseball fans and political junkies who crave a free world and an end to the war on druges would be able to inject messages in alternative avenues to drive home some points and buzz for the final innings of the campaign.

Yard sign: Politics is compliated. Democracy is messy. Voting is simple.

Bush vs. Kerry: Candidates more alike than different on tech issues

PG: Bush vs. Kerry: Candidates more alike than different on tech issues

I am going to offer strong distinctions next to my opponents on tech issues in 2005. Sadly, some on Grant Street today have been there long enough that I'm not sure that they can even spell email. And for me to point to spelling as a strong suit is fiberglasting. Many on Grant Street need to move to the private sector for a while so the city can retool.

On copyright policy:

Most of my content is put into the public domain. I was one of a few who helped to push Netscape to the Eureka Squared! concept for putting its web browser code (remember the browser wars) into a tar ball into the public domain and to release under a more liberal Mozilla public license. Later, Mozilla changed its license policy. I also pushed for the DSL (Design Science License) years before there was any Stanford based Creative Commons. Now the CC is moving too far back into the corporate sphere with too many options and restrictions.

While the trade group will not comment on either candidate's platform, at least one high-powered member has expressed annoyance with the candidates' silence on tech issues.

Intel Chief Executive Officer Craig Barrett told a crowd of tech workers earlier this week that the country is losing its global competitive edge and that Bush and Kerry, in their debates, virtually ignored the country's declining tech infrastructure.

Pittsburgh has lost its tech advantage. We should have 80 wired senior centers, rec centers and community outlets with cable modems. These factors are part of the city's cable franchise agreement that are now being squandered by Tom Murphy's administration.

We should have the parental dashboard functional for all the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Then parents can check on real-time matters at schools -- like if the kids are in class or not.

Wiki kick-off this week

A fantastic evening with Amy Carol Webb and political presentations

The 2004 Voter Education and Concert Showcase with Amy Carol Webb was held on Thursday, October 21, 2004, at Sunnyhill.
Order of events in PDF. Archives to be posted at S6.CLOH.Org.

The Sunnyhill blog links to two of Amy's songs.
If You Can't Find the Hole
Be careful punching ballots
If you can't find the hole
Or you could see your civil rights
Jerked out of your control
You could find your chad left dangling
In some partisan unknown
So be careful punching ballots
If you can't find the hole

The early concert features Amy Carol Webb from Florida, and a new verse to the song that included touch-screen voting machines and the desire for a paper trail. The other two songs were, Oh Abraham and my favorite, Think Again.

When does the curse vanish?

Red Sox ... how sweet it is. The Sox are, after all, one of the big-league teams that employ Pittsburgh Pirates. Wish we could send Boston a new toll-taker for the Mass Pike, i.e., Tom Murphy.

We lost our soccer game tonight by the score of 11-1. So, in a small way, ever so small, I share the same feelings of the Yankees. Isn't it great how sports can unite?

But music has the power to unite as well, perhaps more so than sports. We are really excited about the visit from Amy Carol Webb. She is so good. Hope to see many of you there. Don't miss it.

State court tosses fire union's referendum

AP Wire | 10/20/2004 | State court tosses fire union's referendum Commonwealth Court Judge Joseph McCloskey rejected the referendum on Wednesday - less than two weeks before the Nov. 2 election - saying that the petitions that 24,000 city residents signed were unclear.

This judgement is another golden invitation to 24,000 citizens to pack up and leave town. The judge and the mayor are telling the world that they know better than the rest. The voice of the citizens has become meaningless in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh nears meaningless status too.

Earn $100 on Nov 2

Details on the recruting of poll watchers follows. Pick up some cash, insure democracy.

Dan Schwartzbauer:
Randy Vulakovich:
Jason Davidek:

The Republican State Committee is recruiting individuals to assist at the Polls on Election Day.

Requirements:

Be a registered voter in Allegheny County

Work at a designated polling location from 7 am to 8 pm

Watch to make sure votes are cast by legal, registered voters only

Attend one of the 1-hour training sessions

You will receive: $100, meals, an invitation to the Victory Party that evening in Downtown Pittsburgh, satisfaction that you made a difference for your country this election day.

Assignments will be handed out at the mandatory training session you attend.

Training Session Locations and Dates

Only attend one session.

Thursday, October 21, Holiday Inn, Oakland, University Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 from
4 to 5 pm.

Thursday, October 21, Moon Township, for location information email mwalters@pagop.org from 7 to 8 pm.

Monday, October 25, The Great Hall, Ross Township, 1001 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
7 to 8 pm.

Anyone interested, please email NAME, PHONE NUMBER and E-MAIL ADDRESS to
voterintegrity@hotmail.com. Okay to pass this message on to others. Use the link that looks like an envelope to send to friends.

(FYI, I'm not involved with this effort. I'm just passing along the info. You are free to decide.)

That could leave a mark

Ball goes over the wall in Yankee stadium, hits a fan standing in the front row right in the tummy. The fan is wearing a black pull-over hoodie. Not a flinch. Umps, at first, think the ball hit the top of the wall and the batter only got a double. That guy or gal is going to be on the AM shows. The score went to 4-0 for the Sox after a huddle with the men in blue.

Kwel. Teamwork. Doing the right thing.

At least the fans in NY know how to keep their hands in the pockets. Such poise and discipline. That's a great example of how culture becomes progressive.

Chicago's lesson was understood. Going under cover and fearing for your life for days is a poor artifact of going to a playoff baseball game.

Let's get to game seven.....

Well, it's time to re-blog at 11:42 pm as the riot geared police empty onto the field and line its edges. One more inning. My little Sox fan has been sawing logs since the 6th inning.

New book: Good to be King

Author: Michael Badnarik The book has just been released on Oct. 19, 2004.

One of my standard slogans and stories is, "All the king's men and all the king's horses can't put this city together again." So, I like the title, Good to be King. For Pittsburgh, a slant would be, "Good to have Authorities."

CNN.com - Cities find Wi-Fi future

CNN.com - Cities find Wi-Fi future - Oct 18, 2004: "Jumping on the Wi-Fi bandwagon?"

I've been jumping on the tech bandwagon, and that includes wi-fi, for some time. This is a major campaign plank. I'm not sure many on Grant Street today even know how to spell email.

Present mission, saving the city's cable television services.

Check out the WORD file is on this page, down a screen or so.
http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/gs/html/contract_bids.html It details a RFP (Request For Proposals) for a firm / operator to handle the duties of putting the two city council meetings onto cable.

Yesterday at the PIIN public action, County councilwoman, Brenda F., told me that she was not going to vote for the county to spend money to put their meetings onto a cablecast.

Heavy Or Not

More political events this week

Voter Education

No charge entry, great music, Mt. Lebo Church, pan-partisan, 7 pm, Oct 21. See article elsewhere in this blog.

Debate

Candidate debate for US Congress hosted at CCAC - Boyce Campus, with East Suburban UU Church, Debate. Sadly, this event falls on the same date and time as our event at Sunnyhill. Otherwise, I would have done my best to attend. Their event is a real debate, and it seems to be the only one that features the two candidates.

Rally

-- John Kerry and some special musical guest will be at CMU on Wednesday. You have to have tickets but they were being passed out at the PIIN meeting.

IMNSHO (In my not so humble opinion), the special musical guest, Bon Jovi, won't be as good as the music you'll be able to take in on Thursday night with Amy Carol Webb.

-- General Wesley Clark, (did you know he is a swimmer, besides a frequent CNN guest), is coming to town on Thursday too. I think he's slated for the VFW post 5008, East Pittsburgh, 401 Drapper St, 412-829-1377. at 1:15 pm. Please try to be there by 12:30 pm so we can get settled. Contact: uz2bface - at - comcast - dot - net

Fundraisers

A Attorney General, Allegheny County native, Tom Corbitt, is holding a special event for $100 on Thursday, Oct 21 from 5 to 7 pm. Happy Hour with A.G. candidate

The Republican Committees hosts a council for a Fall Candidates Sunday Brunch at the Wildwood Country Club (McCandless) from 10 am to 12:30 pm on Sunday, October 24. Meet many of your local elected officials and candidates. All Republican federal and state candidates have been invited and many are expected. The brunch is $25. To join, contact Cindy Kirk at 724-935-0596, cptkirkb - at - stargate -dot - net.

Media meeting

TV 4 Town Hall Meeting

Tax plan for city in a haze as Nov. 30 deadline looms

Pittsburgh is dead in the water as long as Mayor Tom Murphy is at the helm. Not only are people not willing to help, but people are not willing to meet, nor are people not clear as to what to do. With Murphy on the scene, Pittsburgh's lack of trust, phony budgets, and numbness just creeps into more facets of life.

Murphy is going to need to quit for the good of the city.

House Democratic Leader H. William DeWeese of Waynesburg is going to need to ask Murphy to resign.

State Senator Shean Logan, D, is going to need to ask Murphy to resign.

Tax plan for city in a haze as Nov. 30 deadline looms: "'At this point I'd say it's only 50-50 at best'' that the Legislature will aid Pittsburgh before the session ends, said Sen. Sean Logan, D-Monroeville."

PIIN = Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network

PIIN is an interesting organization. I was greatly involved at PIIN's first public action as we put a demand forward from the Youth & Recreation task force.

Trib: .... Wheatley was not booed. That treatment was reserved for Mayor Tom Murphy after Nancy Fitzgerald, a PIIN executive committee member, told the crowd Murphy had not agreed to meet with the group and did not send a representative to the event. ....

Trib: Coalition wins pledges from officials

PG coverage Notice the smirk on Tim V's face as he watches the PAT Exec. Director.

In many ways I've got mixed feelings about the group and the meeting on Oct 17, 2004.

I feel very good about the efforts we put forth in PIIN's frst public action. The demand we made was a failure -- due of course -- as you might guess, to Mayor Murphy's fumbles. We wanted to put a bunch of computers into some of the rec centers in the city. But, the city didn't want that to occur. Mayor Murphy would move to close the rec centers some months later. We knew it was coming.

A big salute to Jack M and the others from Sunnyhill and the UU Churches in the area who helped with yesterday's PIIN meeting. The UUs are now, seemingly, not only the driving force to PIIN, (we've always been that), but a bigger bulk. I still think a Pgh UU Network, PUUN, would and could be a far more effective force for change in the region. Oh well.

Raising a racket over city spending

PittsburghLIVE.comHorgan might have been concerned that if word got out, this tennis fiasco might prompt even city residents who don't play the sport to raise a racket.

The tennis courts and bubble were paid for with an American Express card. And, there is a decent return on the investment. And, the bubble went up nearly 5 months late and snow and slush was on the bubble as there was snow and slush on the ground at the time. So, the new bubble needed to be washed, before its opening. And, this last summer, they didn't even take it down. To much work. In the summer it is way to hot to play in there. So, air-conditioning is hoped for in the future.

This all makes some sense -- but no sense for Citiparks. We should have a park district and we could spin Citiparks out of the City of Pittsburgh. Then managment and oversight of park things can occur with democracy and real leadership that does not have to worry about the ghosts of the city creeping into every move.

Tennis, without a tennis pro, happens here too. I don't just want the courts. I want coaching of the kids. I want an overall program. That is where the real benefits resdide. Parks are not just a bricks, mortar and bubble experience. I think that they should be much more.

Another article at a later date: More topspin on tennis facility - PittsburghLIVE.com

Spotlight on Jack Wagner

Observer-Reporter: "If elected auditor general, Democrat Jack Wagner says an analysis of the state's economic stimulus programs will be among his first projects.

Jack is a State Senator who should be able to champion a analysis of the state's economic stimulus programs. He didn't. He should have. He is waiting until he gets his next job. He is all "indie" but what does he have to say now about these spending plans.

Let me sum it up:Jack has said little or nothing.

Gov Ed Rendell is spending a lot of money. Jack's been doing too little and too late. Leaders do their best from the positions they hold. Leaders can aspire to other positions, but that is no excuse for a lack of action now.

I have asked for Jack Wagner's help on matters about Pittsburgh, as he is my state senator. But he is always too busy running for an office other than the one he is holding now. He ran for 'Lt. Gov.' He runs now for Auditor General. But he can't come to grips with being a State Senator so as to help the citizens now. Run. But run and chew gum at the same time. Do both.

I want it all. I want Jack to run for another office. And, I want Jack to do the heavy lifting for the office he is in now too.

Being a watchdog as in the role of being auditor general is hard work. Jack is going to have good perspectives as he's been around the state. But, his watching and barking and actions are in a slumber. His yard sign placement skills are sharp, no doubt. But so what.

Tell me, what does Jack Wagner say about Pittsburgh's conditions? What does he say about a merger of Citiparks and County Parks & Rec into a new Park District? Would Jack support the liquidation of the Park Authority -- or -- was he here when it was created?

Say mate, and "Momma Spell" -- get well soon

It's not fun once your wheels go. Note and fan mail in comments.

Tony Norman tells all his true colors

PG writer, Nader may be right, but the time is wrong ... would I be a Democratic stooge?

Not only does Tony paint himself as a stooge but also a liar. Ouch.

Another lesson: two wrongs still don't make a right.

Politics is complicated. Democracy is messy. However, voting is simple, and same too should be the process of getting onto the ballot.

email blast for 412-Public-Remarks

The 412-Public-Remarks 2004 Archive by date

My email contact list is at 8,270. I don't want to "pester" but do want to stay in touch. And, mostly, my announces are invites. The link above shows illustrates the other types of blasts I've sent in the past.

[412] Concert and Pan-Political Gathering -- Thurs, Oct 21, 7 pm in Mt. Lebo at our church

Hi Friends,

The greatest singer, songwriter, performer I have ever heard -- no joke --
is slated to play at our Voter Education event at 7 pm on Thursday, Oct. 21,
2004 at the UU Church of the South Hills, http://Sunnyhill.org.

You're invited. Please attend.

Our casual, friendly venue makes a splendid setting. You'll enjoy and
remember this night for years to come. Amy Carol Webb is a dear friend from
Florida. She's recorded seven or more CDs in recent years. I've begged her
to come to Pittsburgh and this is the night.

Her song about the hanging chads from the Florida vote for the last
presidential election is a hoot and a half. "Be careful punching ballots if
you can't find the hold..."

More at http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

Voter registration has ended. Now it is time to gather and celebrate in a
diverse setting. Amy will make us all laugh as she can spread joy like few
others.

I can't say enough about her and the concert she'll provide. Get a baby
sitter. Do whatever it takes to be there. Save this time and be there for
yourself. She is a star.

Thursday, October 21, 2004 -- 7 pm sharp.
UU Church of the South Hills, 1240 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon
http://Sunnyhill.Org

The price is right as well. Because it's a 'pan-political voter education
effort' there is NO GATE CHARGE. It's free to those who can behave as you
should at an inspiring concert.

My favorite of her original songs: "Think Again." You gotta hear it. It
makes so much sense, especially for the City of Pittsburgh.

As always, thanks for the consideration. And, of course, thanks for voting
and all that you do for our shared community.




Ta.

Mark Rauterkus xCoach at Rauterkus.com
http://Rauterkus.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
412-298-3432 = cell

Free Linux Basics Tutorial October 16, 2004

[wplug-announce] Geeks, pizza, PCs, CMU setting

Hurry up and wait

PG Council rejects plans for commuter taxMembers choose to wait for support from Legislature

In some parts of city life and goverment we need to rush to do nothing. We should tell the world that this city isn't going to do any more bone-headed deals that give millions of dollars away to downtown department stores. The city has been hyper-active in terms of putting poison into the well of the marketplace. Heavy handed interventions in the market need to end -- quickly.

Case in point: We rushed to give the land control of the North Shore to the Steelers and Pirates. But, their time expired. And, we rushed to be Johnny on the Spot and give away another $4-million from the state to build an auditorium for the Rooneys.

But on the other hand, there are many places where we need to be hyper-active and work to help heal this city. We need to gather people about swim pools and rec centers. We need to explore options with public safety and citizens in honest, frank, open discussions.

We need to make sure we have a budget that makes sense, rather than being phony and filled with massive taxes that have no intentions of being enacted. This administration rushes to fake and push deceptions.

An honest discussion about the commuter tax should happen now. I'm glad that some are not okay in waiting around. The city's funds are going to go below zero in a few short weeks. Waiting isn't prudent.

Everyone should go and get version 1.1.3

Open Office has 4th Birthday, Oct 13, 2004

OpenOffice.org is the most important open-source project in the world. These words, spoken by founder of GNOME and Novell Ximian CTO, Miguel de Icaza, on the occasion of the first anniversary of OpenOffice.org, are more true now than ever before. Today, four years after Sun Microsystems released the source code of its popular StarOffice to the open-source community, OpenOffice.org is widely seen as the future of open-source development and the key to its future.

As an international and multilingual project, OpenOffice.org gives everyone the freedom to participate in, learn about, and contribute to the project. And as a product, OpenOffice.org runs natively on Windows, Linux or Solaris, as well as every other major platform, and is available in over 44 supported languages. Usable by all, it is the invaluable tool in the modern office.

Tens of millions use the application daily; millions visit the project website monthly; thousands contribute to the project. There have been at least 31 million downloads since the project began. That volume does not count the millions registered by Red Hat, SuSE, or Mandrake Linux, which include OpenOffice.org in their distributions.

In the last year, city governments, such as that of Munich, Germany, to name but one of many, and federal administration offices, such as the French Ministère de l'Economie, des Finances et de l'Industrie (MINEFI), chose OpenOffice.org for its technology, flexibility, and future, not
because it is free (gratis). Is the ministry happy with their decision? Representatives gave a keynote at the recent OOoCon, where they advocated OpenOffice.org and looked to a future with open-source software.

And what is that future? An application that bridges not just the closed- and open-source world but that also bridges the digital divide from Amsterdam to Zanzibar. An application that uses an internationally standardized file format and an open production process to give users perpetual right over their property.

The file format, an XML based implementation, is the open standard recently approved by the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS). By using the format, vendor lock in is impossible. People will choose OpenOffice.org or its commercial
derivations, such as StarOffice, on the basis of value, not because they have no choice.

That value is extensive, and it is set to grow. This spring, OpenOffice.org 2.0 will leap over every other office suite. For those users clamoring for an Access equivalent, it will have it. It will be more interoperable. And for those developers wanting more modularity and more responsiveness, 2.0 has that, too.

This coming year will be remarkable, and our door is open.

OpenOffice.org is both a open-source project and product. It is free. As one of the leading open-source projects, OpenOffice.org combines the worldwide efforts of developers and endusers to produce a complete office productivity suite that runs on all major platforms and in over 30 supported languages while being compatible with Microsoft Office. OpenOffice.org is sponsored by Sun Microsystems, Inc., and hosted by CollabNet.

Dismal Democrats

PG Letter to editor Wake up, Cleveland and, for that matter, Pittsburgh too. This political philosophy has seen its day. If you don't take this opportunity to change, by supporting a Republican administration, then you are destined to more poverty while the rest of the country prospers.

The gentleman from Moon, Benjamin Bonham, is on the mark that we can't have one-party domination.

To maintain fire safety in the city, vote YES on this referendum

Letters to the editor, 10/13/04

Letter in the comments....

Editorial: City tale / Romance novels, photo frames and other frivolities

PG Editorial A man with a broom swept up the mess and presented Mr. Ricciardi with the bill. 'Don't give it to me,' the councilman said. 'Send it to the taxpayer.

Hilton El Conquistador

Tucson AZ One of the top resorts in Tucson, Arizona, the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort is set at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountain range in Northwest Tucson, AZ.

I'm staying home this weekend.

Boycott Sinclair Broadcast Group

Boycott Sinclair Broadcast GroupThe Sinclair Broadcast Group (Nasdaq: SBGI) will interrupt its normal schedule days before the election to air an anti-Kerry propaganda film. Truly the only way to make ourselves heard is by hitting SBG where it hurts -- in the pocketbook. The means to accomplish this is through staged letter writing to both SBG and their advertisers.

No brainer -- of course -- and count on it with me

Mark A. Nordenberg, chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, and Jared L. Cohon, president of Carnegie Mellon University, rant about effective partnerships.

Perspectives: Partnering for Pittsburgh: "One key to this continuing success story is our shared institutional commitment to forging effective partnerships. Neither of our universities, as strong as they are, could have attracted support for these national centers alone. But as each of these examples so clearly demonstrates, when we join forces, we can compete with anyone.

This kind of cooperation is essentially unique in the world of higher education. Unfortunately, it also is all too rare in southwestern Pennsylvania. However, if this region is going to advance, we must increasingly view our neighbors as potential collaborators and not as competitors. If we can overcome a long tradition of fragmentation and begin to work more effectively with each other, there is no reason that we cannot move this great region forward together.

All the king's men and all the king's horses can't put Pittsburgh back together again. This revival is going to take open teamwork and effective partnerships. We've got to play well with each other. We don't now -- because -- the mayor is in the way. Nor can we play well among all of our friends and neighbors when all of the leadership is of the same party.

One day, soon I hope, the leaders at Pitt and CMU are going to wake up to the fact that they have a serious role in the stewardship of our democracy. The governmental outreach at these institutions have been old-school. So, to take the conversation out of the elementary grades and move it to middle-school or high-school discussions, we need academic leaders to advance themselves and the overall discussions.

We've got some of the greatest minds around the world. But they are specialized and clueless, by in large, in terms of civics 101 in Pittsburgh in 2004. Pitt's School of Public Health is a cancer to local democracy.

The faculty senate at Pitt would not approve of the plan to put a merry-go-round between the two libraries, removing parking, and spending millions. The folly that happens here does so behind some serious smoke agents, such as the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. There is little or no partnership for execllence in these neighborhood ways. Many strive to cloak the truth and short-change accountability.

On a department by department basis, those at the universities need to wake up, for the sake of the city.

But, on the upside, that potential is there and waiting and willing. Once we make Grant Street in tune with the rest of the city institutions, we'll be able to soar. That's, to use George W. Bush's words, "hard work." We'll have to come in on Saturdays. Hard, difficult, talking with professors, it's confusing, hearing big words, headaches and a challenge.

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Shut down: Idle minds and idling buses

The Allegheny County Health Department announced enactment of a new air quality regulations to reduce emissions from school bus idling. Buses can't unnecessarily idle longer than five minutes, with some exemptions.

Idling is okay when the temperature is less than 40 degrees, above 75 degrees, and to operate a lift or other equipment designed to ensure the safe loading or unloading.

Report suspected school bus idling violations at 412-687-2243.

On Thursday, Oct. 14 at 9:30 am (301 39th St., Building # 7, Pittsburgh 15201) ACHD will present new, proposed anti-idling regulations for diesel powered motor vehicles and diesel powered locomotives at its Regulation Subcommittee meeting. Your attendance and input at this or future subcommittee meetings could have significant impact on how anti-idling regulations in Allegheny County look. To learn more or become involved in anti-idling efforts, contact GASP.

Planners sack North Side parking plan

PG coverage "During yesterday's meeting, City Councilman Jim Motznik detailed his proposal to allow advertising on fences at city-owned ballfields to help raise money for the cash-strapped city. The Riverlife Task Force spoke in opposition, saying parks would become venues for advertising."

Once again, I'm feeling like a dead-skunk in the middle of the road. Motznik's plan for ads at baseball fields is lame. I call it a turnip. However, to have the Riverlife Task Force show up to be against the plan is even worse.

The Riverlife Task Force, started by Tom Murphy, is a booster group for Tom Murphy. The group has gone way out of bounds on matters that it should not concern itself with. Meanwhile, the Riverlife Task Force has fumbled on matters where it should be most focused upon.

The Riverlife Task Force is bad news and unjust. That group needs to be put in its place.

In recent months the Riverlife Task Force came to speak strongly about the Route 28 plans. That's highways, hillsides and not riverlife.

Former Alcoa boss, Paul O'N., was a co-head of the Riverlife Task Force. When he was with the group, the group was in the back pocket of certain interests as well.

The other big deal leader from Riverlife, John Craig, former boss of the PG. I don't expect the PG readers to ever seen a story about the Park's Position Paper, released in May, 2004. Craig and I email one another after the paper's release and I urged him to read the position paper and assign it or editorialize about it himself. And, advertising in the parks is part of the plan. We had better not hold our breath.

Proud Dads

A fellow stay-at-home dad, Hogan Hilling, visited Pittsburgh a while ago. He spoke at a national convention held at the Hilton. Hogan is from San Diego and wrote a great little giftbook as well.

part 1 - 31 megs

part 2 - 29 megs

I've never relased these audio files as there has been a pinch for web server disk space. I'm with a little elbow room now, so enjoy. However, this isn't going to last. I'm looking for some audio data warehouse that would accept these audio files for long-term storage. Pointers and ideas welcome. in past years I might have used Mark Cuban's Audio Net, but that sorta dates me.

Audio blast from the past

In 2001 I ran for Mayor, City of Pittsburgh, in a contested GOP Primary. KDKA TV did a profile on me and my loyal opponent, Professor James Carmine. Here is the audio in an mp3 file for history's sake.

A 1.5 meg file, audio of KDKA TV profile with Ken Rice on Mark Rauterkus from May, 2001.

Replies Elsewhere

I'll post some of my comments put onto other blogs in the comment section below. I do put my $.02 into the comments on the blogs of others.

Major Buhl Planetarium Artifacts Unaffected by flood

CONDITION OF OTHER PLANETARIUM ARTIFACTS UNKNOWN

Three major historic artifacts of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science were unaffected by the major flood of September 17 and 18, according to a September 24 letter from The Carnegie Science Center to Pittsburgh General Services Director Dale Perrett. However, the letter did not indicate the condition of other City-owned Buhl Planetarium artifacts, which were moved to The Carnegie Science Center in 1991 or 1994.

Among the other artifacts are eleven paintings including "The Old Astronomer" by Pennsylvania artist and architect Daniel Owen Stephens, which has been published in Astronomy textbooks and in a 1961 filmstrip for schools called The Race for Space, and portraits of Astronomer Nicholas Copernicus (commissioned by the Polish Arts League of Pittsburgh) and Henry Buhl, Jr. and his wife Louise.

Entire news release

List of city-owned Buhl Planetarium artifacts stored at the Carnegie Science Center

Letter to CITY COUNCILMAN Peduto

Greater scrutiny

Plan gets legal OK - PittsburghLIVE.com: "Bob Strauss, a professor of economics and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University in Oakland, said missing the payment to the pension fund could draw greater scrutiny from lending institutions and the bond market. "

Greater scrutiny, as in scrutiny squared!

Bring on the greater scrutiny. Let's welcome exposure to this situation from the likes of USA Today, WSJ, Phili, NYT, Newsweek, etc.

Newsgroups and Blogs

In the past, I had periods as an active participant in various newsgroups. In recent seasons, I've not been there at all. But since the Olympics, via a new service, "groups.google.com" I gave them a peek again.

Presently, I can't seem to post. Techie issues elsewhere. Time to take plenty of fluids and check again in the morning.

The newsgroups are more vile than the blogs. Flamewars, ... those were the days. And, they still seem to occur.

Over at Pgh.General it is nice to see that one reader would think I'd win the mayor's race, even spending $1 per voter. That's just $20 K to $30 K.

Are there others here that lurk or post in newsgroups still? Are the audiences split? Did bloggers cut their teeth in the newsgroup realm? What are your favorites?

Who controls the city? Asking and telling in next breath

Trib ANALYSIS "But that's not really the issue. Pittsburgh voters will be answering a much more fundamental question: Do they want to break the grip unionized employees have had on the city's government for decades?

I love Jake Haulk's perspectives and work, most of the time. He is strongly against corporate welfare. He was timid a bit on the parking situations when I would instead move to remove the entire authority over time. But on this matter of democracy and the November referendum, he seems to be flat out wrong.

Some want us to think that the The Nov. 2 ballot question is about getting a fire truck to the flames in four minutes. Others think it is about Pittsburgh's future.

"We are speaking for the 88 communities" in Pittsburgh, King said. "If you're concerned about fire safety, about your children, about your home, about your property, this is the way to voice your opinion."

Exactly. Democracy is what is really at stake here. This is rather simple. Politics is complicated and full of weirdness. However, democracy is rather straight. Some people think that they know what's best for all the other people. Other people think that the general population, in America, gets to have a right to decide important issues for themselves at the polls.

I hate to see the Tom Murphy's administration take a legal ballot question to the judge to get it ruled invalid. Tom Murphy does not want real democracy. Tom Murphy is scared of the people's collective choice.

I hate to see other people twist democracy into something that it isn't. This isn't a complicated question about some control of the city. That's smoke of the highest order. Fear, uncertainty, doubt works for the analysis pushers.

David Miller's quote about people voting based on who they think their friends are is lame. The vote in a ballot question avoids a personality as it is a question, not a candidate.

This weekend I talked to a gentleman on the street who said he loves our city council president and wished he had him as a son-in-law. But, he also said that this politician was terrible and had to go. He is wrecking the city. There is no way that guy is ever going to vote for this councilman again. But, he'd call him a friend.

David Miller, perhaps the newspaper got the quote wrong. Otherwise, I'm red-faced for you.

Moreover, the firefighters union does not have an organized adversary, said Joseph Sabino Mistick, a Duquesne University law professor who worked in the administrations of mayors Richard Caliguiri and Sophie Masloff.

Wrong! The organized adversary is Tom Murphy and his administration. Other organized opponents might be the Act 47 coordinators, the I.C.A. (oversight board) and analysis writers such as the Trib's Andrew Conte, PG editors and Jake Haulk. That sounds like a potent team of loyal opponents. They buy ink by the barrel and control the purse strings.

"We know the firefighters are in a position to wage an effective public relations campaign," Mistick said. "Will the forces that support these cuts be in a position to do the same? Where do they get their money? They don't have any real constituency."

Joe. I know that the mayor doesn't have any real constituency left, but, he does have those oversight pals and Gov. Ed Rendell. And, he'll be calling up KDKA TV and others to get his message out as he so desires. Presently he is doing his best to hide in a hole with the "no comment comment." But, that will pass.

Head's up: Overcoming poverty is a religious and moral issue that must be addressed in this election year.

Call to Renewal's Rolling to Overcome Poverty Bus Tour will be coming to Pittsburgh Friday, October 15 and McKeesport, Saturday, October 16, 2004. See the comments for details.

Mrs. Edwards visited the South Side Market House

We caught a bit of the presentation. Photos to come.