EXTRA CREDIT: Bush Outlines Plan for HS

From Associated Press:

"President Bush on Wednesday began his push to require high school students to take the math and reading tests now required of younger students under the No Child Left Behind law, the most ambitious item on the president's slate of second-term education proposals.

'Testing is important,' Bush said at J.E.B Stuart High School in this Washington suburb. 'Testing at high school levels will help us become more competitive as the years go by. Testing in high schools will make sure that our children are employable for the jobs of the 21st century. ...

Testing will make sure the diploma is not merely a sign of endurance, but the mark of a young person ready to succeed.'"

"In education, Bush's focus is on high schools and on expanding the No Child Left Behind Act that is designed to raise achievement among poor and minority children and penalize schools that don't make adequate yearly progress. It's part of his campaign pledge to improve high school standards and enhance the value of high school diplomas.

" 'We're not interested in mediocrity,' Bush said at the school, which was the lowest-performing among those in relatively prosperous Fairfax County, Va., in 1997, but met its academic goals under No Child Left Behind Act in the 2003-04 school year. 'We're interested in excellence so not one single child is left behind in our country,' he said.

"Bush wants to require states to test students annually in reading and math in grades three through 11. That's an expansion of the law he signed in 2002, which requires those tests in grades three through eight, and at least once during grades 10 to 12.


"The president also wants to give states $250 million to require that the 12th grade National Assessment of Educational Progress be administered in every state in reading and math every two years, just as it is in those subjects in grades four and eight. That would produce the first-ever state results for high school seniors on this national test, helping policy-makers evaluate their school standards.

Receive the NCLB Extra Credit update.

NCLB Extra Credit provides a regular look at the No Child Left Behind
Act, the education reform initiative passed with bipartisan support. For more information, contact the U.S. Department of Education at (202) 401-1576.

Kind reactions to today's meeting

Mark,

I was discussing the meeting with Terry and we feel that your assertion about getting the keys to the recreation center to let the kids in is completely correct. It is wasteful and ridiculous if these expensive buildings, that belong to the taxpayers anyway should be left idle all summer. We also discussed the possibility that in light of the financial problems with the city would the payments have been made to procure the insurance to keep the city from being sued. I don't know. I really sincerely hope that we can find a way to assist the kids this summer because to do otherwise would be unthinkable. Please if I can be of any help I'll make every effort to do so. I can't help feeling betrayed by Mayor Murphy. Just like the CEO of a company he bears the responsibility of keeping the city financially sound. I'm sure many people feel the same way I do. Thanks for what you are trying to do this family appreciates your efforts. I can't help feeling a little frustrated myself. I want to do something I just don't know what!!!

Robert E Michel

P.S. I like your version of the flyer its more eye catching.

New TV show, The E.D. Speaks, from PCTV 21

Pittsburgh Community Television is premiering a new show, The E. D. Speaks, airing on Pittsburhg's Cable Channel 21. The E.D. Speaks is hosted by Thomas Poole, PCTV's executive director, and Barry Hamlette, president of the board. The program looks at the inner workings of the organization, promotes the work of community producers, has interviews with media experts and showcases a variety of talent that is associated with PCTV.

Watch but also e-mail or call (412) 322-7579 Tom with feedback. What works and what doesn't? What types of segments and guests would you like to see? Who do you think can benefit from this show?

Air dates:

Wednesday, Jan. 12 11am-1pm

Friday, Jan 14 6pm-8pm

Saturday, Jan.15 9pm-11pm

Tuesday, Jan.18 7pm-9pm

Friday, Jan. 21 6pm-8pm

Tuesday, Jan. 25 7pm-9pm

Thursday, Jan. 27 Noon-2pm

Mr. Roberts doesn't know when city council's votes occur

Mr. Roberts told our city council president that he was against a bill that was slated to pass. Mr. Robers had thought that the final vote was the other day. Nothing from Mr. Roberts was put on paper, yet it was requested.

City Council votes to spend leftover funds despite recovery team's opposition: "Pittsburgh City Council approved some small budget changes yesterday that were opposed by the Act 47 recovery team, which may also get it in hot water with the city's fiscal oversight board."

We need to end encumbered funds for year after year spending. This is a plank in Platform.For-Pgh.Org within the finance section.

The administration and various departments have had secret passbooks that are leveraged for matters that council may not want.

Weird accounting that favors the administration has to go, even if and when I'm heading the administration. Ideal accounting principles would have ongoing, weekly reports and charts as normal operations. We need to run the city more like a household. The administration policy is twisted by design. Even members of city council don't know when or if money in various accounts from past years has been spent -- or not.

Block grants for neighborhood needs should have listings on the reports too. Not only is the budget process in need of an overhaul, but same too the general fund and various balances within the system. Income from one year should be matched with spendings that same year.

Consistent treatment for all departments is but a pipedream now.

Act 47 coordinators have an obligation to inform city council when actions violate the plan. They don't have an obligation to make statements on their likes and dislikes. The obligation stands for violations. Wants, needs and violations are all distinct.

The mayor has squirreled away money in so many different locations that it might take a year of constant searching to uncover the situations.

Another matter is the lack of any capital money. Now the West End landslide occurs and the budget impact is $600,000. But, no money is available.

Security is on everyone's minds

Tonight at a community meeting on public safety, we heard from a women who had her car stolen once, suffered two home break ins, had been robbed twice as well. She's upset. It's understandable. I'll try to meet with her to build a quick response network to warn each other of troubles and issues.

More news on that soon. Another type of warning signal came in via email from good sources.

CAR JACKERS NEW SCHEME:
Be aware of new car-jacking scheme where you walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside. Then you lock all your doors, start the engine and shift into REVERSE, and you look into the rearview mirror to back out of your parking space and you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So, you shift into PARK, unlock your doors and jump out of your car to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view... When you reach the back of your car that is when the car-jackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off!! Your engine was running, ladies would have their purse in the car) and they practically mow you down as they speed off in your car. BE AWARE.

Drive away and remove the paper that is stuck to your window later. A purse contains identification, and you certainly do NOT want someone getting your home address. They already HAVE your keys! This scheme has been reported to have occurred in the states of Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan.

He's running

Howard Dean, M.D., is running for the DNC Chairmanship. See comments for his email.

Cullen show and blogging

On the web, and in the blog landscape, there are a lot of folks to the far right and the far left. But, this blog is a centralist, populist blog. This is where most are.

Sure, there is some bad info. But free expression is welcomed.

Eastern PA sets Special Election for PA Senate to April 5, 2005 -- OMG

I'm a participant in a special election for the PA Senate in the spring of 2005. The date has been set for eastern PA, April 5, 2005.

Our opening is due to occur on January 18. So, the date should be known after that date.

Parking Authority opens its own court and privitizes the judges too

The Parking Authority is going to privatize the entire operation of court, judges, ticket collection and more.

The parking tickets given by the police are going to be put before a judge in court. But parking tickets given by Parking Authority officials are going to the parking authority court.

I'm in favor of an elimination of the Parking Authority. Take it out, over time. This is a function of public life.

Those in the Parking Authority have seen the storm clouds brewing. They are now in a land grab mode and are expanding. That is wrongheaded. They are going in the wrong direction.

I am not in favor of an additional Parking Authority court system.

Public Hearing set for Ballfield Ads in Parks

At 9:30 am, Wednesday, February 9, 2005 in City Council Chambers. Be there.

Should and how should the city sell ads for the fences of the ballfields?

The art-advertising elements in the city need to be explored and applied. There is gold in them thar hills -- if the prospectors to the job with the heavy lifting and with the heavy thinking.

Controller sues both Mayor and council because of the cuts to the department

This story is finally getting some ink. It has been brewing for a while.

One of the planks in Platform.For-Pgh.org addresses the level of litigation within city government. Too often the decisions are taken to the judges to decide. The best solutions in life are worked out among parties and don't include people in robes. But that's hard work and heavy lifting that takes a grand view -- and Pittsburgh is short in those characteristics with the officials we've had.

PG coverage 'Mayor Murphy and the Pittsburgh City Council have refused and neglected to comply with the reasonably necessary funding requirements of the controller's office and are thereby impairing and/or destroying the city of Pittsburgh's home rule government,' the lawsuit says.

Flaherty's lawsuit, filed in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, is the latest court challenge to the city's Act 47 recovery plan: Both the police and firefighter unions have cases before Commonwealth Court attempting to block its contract controls. Flaherty pledged last year to sue if the city followed through on the cuts to his office.

Pittsburgh's controller is an in-house auditor, who performs yearly financial reports, studies government services -- through so-called performance audits -- oversees bidding and contracts, and cuts checks to employees and city contractors.

Underscoring all the possible functions of his office, Flaherty's lawsuit contains 18 pages of appendices listing jobs his employees perform.

Wonder how many pages, or if anyone will ever count and report upon the length, of this blog? What about the number of pages in their platforms? Les has two pages, one sheet, front and back. How long is Lamb's platform. What about Bob's? Do they exist?

Flaherty, who has been controller since 1984, has used the performance audits as a platform to criticize government policies, often going after tax increment financing plans and other business incentives and Allegheny County's property assessment procedures.

That often gets him in hot water with other government officials, which Flaherty claims leads to politically motivated attempts to cut his office down. When then-Mayor Sophie Masloff tried to cut his spending in 1992, Flaherty also sued, and Common Pleas Judge R. Stanton Wettick ruled the controller's office should have 74 full-time workers.

Flaherty has used that 12-year-old decision to ward off other cuts, though he said his office has dwindled to 65 full-time workers currently.

Flaherty was a vocal opponent of the Act 47 recovery plan last year, and the latest cuts required by the city, the Act 47 team and the oversight board are another attempt to silence him, he said.

The controller's office is 'treated the worst in the entire city and I'm just tired of it. There was no analysis done on our office. This was punitive, arbitrary, capricious, you name it,' he said yesterday.

Asked if there was some irony in the city's fiscal watchdog trying to block spending cuts, he said, 'I'm not trying to get more money, I'm trying to keep what I have. ... I'm trying to keep the fiscal watchdog office there, or it'll be lost in no time.'

Mayoral spokesman Craig Kwiecinski had no comment on the lawsuit.

Tierd. Hard work. You name it.

We don't need a sleeping watchdog. We don't need a big watchdog office. We don't need need a watchdog without teeth that barks at the wrong things. We do need a new sense of fairness.

I'm in. Peduto invited me to join his Campaign Finance Reform task force

Today I got a call from an aid to city council member, Bill Peduto. I've been invited -- and accepted of course -- to participate on the panel that is going to study and put forth solutions to the city's campaign finance reform measures -- in 12 weeks or so.

I'm happy.

Now there is some serious responsibility and interesting challenges to navigate.

I know a few of the others who have been picked. Should be interesting. Stay tuned.

Ideas on campaign finance reform are welcomed, of course.

Groupware

Way before its time.

Lamb

The sacrificial lamb jabs are now off the radar. When I was called such, I held a gyro party for my supporters. Yep, I know. That's really goat, not lamb.

I do have a great story about the three billy-goats gruff brothers, if you care to see it performed -- just ask.

When Lamb gets edged out, I hope that he and his supporters will come to my campaigns. And, even before the primary, we'll keep him in the loop as to the run for PA Senate. He can vote for me on May 17, 2005. Because I'm a DEM, I won't vote for him. And, I'm not too sure why I would.

Tip to Mr. Lamb --- come up with a statement about the Mon Valley Toll Road. How could you not know?

Lamb officially enters race for mayor - PittsburghLIVE.com Michael Lamb, Allegheny County's prothonotary, became the first person to officially enter the race for mayor of Pittsburgh, which is trying to turn around its bleak finances with reduced spending and altered taxes.

This news is very bad news for Mr. Ludwig. This is bad news for Mr. Jones too. And, its bad news for the citizens fo Pittsburgh as well.

1 + 1 + 1 = third.

We're being told 1 + 1 + 1 = first.

These other two are not people?

These other two don't have the "rights" to run?

As Pittsburgh is in a crisis because of numbers. Those on Grant Street can't ad when it comes to budgets. And, there is a problem with balance.

Other candidates have announced for mayor but are not expected to run legit campaigns that pay for TV, radio and print ads.

Lamb could have stood up and said, in part, he's happy to enter the campaign and debate the issues with all the other participats. If I'm Lamb, I'm asking the others who are running for the same post to drop out and support me.

Finally, it was very interesting to hear the radio news blurb. Lamb spoke saying he'd "Do More with Les." Exact quote. It is right from the Les bumper stickers.

Once I run the city, we'll be sure to do events like this each month. OpenOffice.Org plug

OpenOffice.Org is a splendid open-source software package that can take the place of Microsoft's Office for $0. It works on WIN and other platforms. Go get it yourself. I use it.

As part of the Technology Summit we should be holding, we'd hold other build-up events such as this. Details posted from The OpenOffice.org Conference Team.

After Hamburg in 2003 and Berlin in 2004, we are searching for the perfect location for the OpenOffice.org Conference in 2005.

We are collecting applications from teams who are willing to organize OOoCon 2005 in locations outside Germany.

Interested teams should send their applications to the mailing list conference@marketing.openoffice.org in the following format:

Key Question: In 200 words or less, answer this question: Why is your location and the date you propose the best for the OOoCon 2005?

Your application MUST INCLUDE:
* Location (country, city, conference center/university)
* Proposed Date(s)
* Team Lead (main contact person)
* Team Members (all members should be willing and able to commit at least 3 hours per day to planning the conference during the last two weeks before OOoCon 2005)
* Local events that are taking place in parallel (or right before/after)
* Special visa or entry requirements, e.g. vaccinations

Your application COULD INCLUDE:
* Large local OpenOffice.org deployments (for user keynotes and success stories)
* Names of local OpenOffice.org developers (for developer sessions)
* Names of local OpenOffice.org vendors/partners (potential sponsors)
* Travel costs (e.g. flight costs from the following cities: London, Paris, Rome, Beijing, Sydney, New York, Hamburg, Dublin, San Francisco, South Africa, Tokyo)
* Accomodation costs (youth hostel, hotel)

According to the OOoCon 2004 attendee survey, proposed locations should meet the following requirements as much as possible (order by priority):

* attract the largest number of community contributers
* be near enough to allow a large number of Sun's OpenOffice.org
developers, who are in Hamburg, to attend
* low accomodation costs
* cheap flight and train tickets
* the conference venue is for free
* alignment with large IT event (e.g. CeBIT, Systems, Comdex)
* strong local OpenOffice.org community
* strong sponsor support

The deadline for submissions is January 23, 2005. Shortly after that date we will publish the applications at http://marketing.openoffice.org/conference/
and call for votes.

Information about the last two OpenOffice.org Conferences can be found at:
http://marketing.openoffice.org/conference/

http://marketing.openoffice.org/conference/OOoCon2003.html

Pittsburgh House Concerts Promotion

Click to join PbgHouseConcerts

City to feel pain before the gain

Trib article

"To get the city back on track financially, everyone will have to feel some pain -- both inside and outside of government," said Bill Lieberman, chairman of the city's state-appointed financial oversight board. ...

Hitting the mark, however, will be easier for some officials than others.

Hitting the mark with Mark! How's that for a slogan / button / bumper sticker?

Pain is here. Pain is going to linger. I don't see a guarantee of gain -- yet -- from them.

The gain plan is to be found in our campaign and with its successful outcome.

Deadly high drama on the rivers with workers and tons of coal

The stories, lives, heavy lifting, struggles of the rivers, industries, and event the history should be made known and shared to a much higher degree. This is our legacy and a larger share of our present day landscape. But, to most, it is unknown.

Three die in barge wreck - PittsburghLIVE.com: "The tug was pushing the barges -- each loaded with about 1,000 tons of coal -- out of the lock chamber when the intense current pushed the barges sideways into the river, dragging the tug with it.

'He was shoving out of Montgomery Lock and Dam and something happened -- we have no idea -- and the boat went over the dam,' said Don Grimm, president of Campbell Transportation, one of the region's largest river-transport firms. "

Scattered Abroad: Thousands of Pittsburghers who left yearn to return

People vote with their feet. People leave. We all know this. But, in time, people might vote with their feet again and return -- if there is a significant change.

Scattered Abroad: Many of the thousands of Pittsburghers who left yearn to return Scattered Abroad: Many of the thousands of Pittsburghers who left yearn to return

How do you spell relief?

You're going to put that where? - PittsburghLIVE.com: "Given our intense civic pride, we would never suggest that some of the more rundown parts of Downtown Pittsburgh resemble a disaster area.

But we had to chuckle when the head of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership recently resigned her post to run -- get this -- a disaster relief organization.

Mariann Geyer left her job with the partnership last month to journey out west to Utah, where she will head the Greater Salt Lake chapter of the American Red Cross.

During her more than two years on the job, Geyer watched as Mayor Murphy and other city officials failed to jump-start redevelopment in the dilapidated Fifth-Forbes corridor. She also watched as two highly touted projects expected to spur further Downtown revitalization -- new Lazarus and Lord & Taylor department stores -- went out of business.

Given the decrepit state of a good chunk of Downtown real estate, we have to wonder if Geyer's resume touted her time with the partnership as disaster leadership experience.

Another bites the dust.

Flow of emails to my wife after national ink in magazine feature

The magazine, REAL SIMPLE, subtitle: life/home/body/soul, interviewed my wife some months ago. This is a newstand magazine, glossy, NY offices, on 'simplicity' that is a shooting star as Martha's operation has floundered. See the February 2005 issue. The cover has The (no-diet) diet: healthy, easy, delicious.

The article ran and it generated 30 emails in one day from girl friends, former students and others who saw the quotes and dropped her a note. Interesting to learn who's reading what.

This is about wellness, an area within the Platform.For-Pgh.Org.

Top feature, Save it, pal!, page 35. The good things in life don't lanst forever. Strategies for consering gas, an open bottle of wine, your hearing, and more. Quarter page sections on face, wine, your soles, your brain, your ears, gas, room for dessert, a seat at a movie theater, email, the ozone layer.

Your Ears
Listen up. "the sooner you start paying attention to your ears, the longer you'll be without a hearing aid," says Catherine Palmer, Ph.D., director of the Audiology and Hearing Aid Clinic at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The key is avoiding loud noises. The burst of a nearby firecrack or prolonged exposure at a rock concert can cause permanent damage that adds up. "If you can't be heard easily by someone inthe room, or if you have decent earphones and people around you hear your music, it's too loud," says Palmer. So lower the volume (if a song's just too good to sush, turn the bass up and the treble down), and invest in good earplugs. The best ones, the custom-fitmusicians' type (sold at music stores and Etymotic Research, www.etymoticresearch.com), block out up to 25 decibels, bringing a 110-decible concert down to a safe -- for three hours, anyway -- 85. For unexpected blasts, you have two options: namely, your index fingers, which can shut out 15 20 20 decibels.

Our good friend, Mead Killion., founder and driving force to Chicago-based Etymotic, (link above), is a mentor and professor of Catherine. Mead has been to Pittsburgh a few times and takes credit for introducing the two of us while we both lived in Evanston. (Another story) Mead came to Pittsburgh to speak at the grand opening of the MUSICIANS' Hearing Clinic a few years ago.

Funny side-bar about ink like this. Catherine often can't win as this time the UPMC connection was made and that doesn't please her bosses on the academic side at Pitt's School of Health and Rehab Sciences. And, at other times it goes to the other department. She's got two jobs. More than enough for both of us.

This time the academic chair, Dr. McNeil, might give Catherine a free pass. He was just in China on some tour and went to Chengdu for a day. Catherine has a godess like stature and reputation in that part of the world -- and he now knows all about it. It is great to be praised so far from home and have others find out first-hand. We still need to meet to talk and de-brief about his trip -- and I hope that is soon. Had I known he was going to be Chengdu, I would have had him bring me back some more badminton equipment.

By the way, if anyone here is headed to Chengdo, let me know. I have an assignment for you. Simple really.

Get yours on news stands today!

The last time a good friend had ink in a national newstand magazine, I didn't get a copy. Marilyn Davis, Ph.D., prime organizer of eVote, http://evote.blogspot.com, was part of a cover story on voting technology and discussion groups, including blogs, in Linux Journal.

As I post on a Sunday afternoon, Catherine is back from her DC trip yesterday and is at DePaul giving a talk to parents of babies that have been identified with some issues with their hearing. While in DC, (some exciting news yet to be shared on that), a few of Catherine's fellow board members and staffers at the national organziation had remarked that they had seen my news on the national LP.Org web site. A couple of weeks ago I was on the front page of the Libertarian site, which goes into their magazine too.

So, from time to time, the news flows back and forth as we both are sources.

I'm sorta waiting for an article to run in the AP about Pittsburgh by Allison S. I gave a longer interview just last week on our city and its decline. Perhaps my mentions will be included in that story. If AP editors feels a similar story ran recently, perhaps she'll post it to her blog. (hint, hint)

An educational reporter from the Trib couldn't connect with me this past week. She was writting about a possible switch of time to the school day for Pgh Public Schools. I called her a handful of times but we still have not connected.

Mayoral candidates turn on, tune in

E. Heyl on PittsburghLIVE.com: "Some could accuse me of trivializing the nascent mayor's race by asking such a seemingly irrelevant and ridiculous question.

I would respond that given the restrictions now placed on the position, thanks to a dozen years of Murphy's bungling, his successor will require more than significant vision.

The new mayor also will need a significant fondness for television.

Makes no sense to waste the breath or even the recycled electrons to accuse Eric Heyl of trivializing, except to point out that I wasn't called to get MY opinions. How ironic.

Eric, feel free to call anytime, 412-298-3432.

Since the question has been asked, my reply is "Lassie." Talked about the dog in a recent post. Show was good family excitement, kid centric, inspiring, injected powers of the natural / organic nature, not some ghosts from some twilight zone.

I do like to eat big bowls of cereal and swimming pools, but that isn't enough to endear me to the Beverly Hillbillies.

As for the parades, it won't be long until the overlords nuke them from our civic landscape too. They might need to do so as the roads are just too dangerous to walk as a parade route. Potholes kill! You know, Pittsburgh only has enough money to repave four miles of roads for 2005. Our infrastructure needs more than a band-aid.

Other tv favorites, old re-runs of City Council on tape. Those were the days. Would be nice to reflect upon the old old days. I like the episode from 2003 when council approved the $250,000 for hanging plants. The tension mounted as the next week the citizens were urged to beg to Harrisburg as there wasn't any money.

Another older tv favorite of mine: The Art of News. I helped with that show. It ran on PCTV. In one episode I play an actor about dog-fighting in Fox Chapel. Funny stuff.

Computer Programming Contest at Blackhawk HS

Computer Programming Contest

Do you know of other events like this? It fits into the mission of the Youth Technology Summit, http://Summit.CLOH.Org

While at Blackhawk HS for a swim club meet, (we won), I noted a number of badminton standards and nets. Competition!

The Varsity coach at Blackhawk is a former OSU Swimmer. Great conversation about the olden days of the sport in this region and nationally. His freshmen team knocked off Spitz' I.U. squad. And, he went to Doc's house in Bloomington on a recruiting trip.

Best urban red-state writting I've seen in a long time -- once you exclude my rants

Visited a blog site and saw a document called a manifesto the other day. Weird names. 3 rivers infidel

So good, it looks too good.

I posted a few comments there as to the author(s). It is faceless blog. Hope the meet the author -- or see the author de-cloaked. This isn't some "draft bill silly puddy."

But then, poof! The interesting remarks are nuked. Gone. Dust on the information super highway.

Inspector would say, "very interesting."

Within my comments, I asked the author to give me a call. Sadly, some dozens of hours later, my phone, 412-298-3432, has not rung.

A number of hunches were hinted at in my posting on the comments. Some of my guesses, if we're playing to 20, wrote back to confirm they are NOT reponsible. If the game is 20 questions, not 20 guesses, then my first is to wonder if the content was the handiwork of a firm rather than an individual.

Anyone have any idea what I'm wondering about? Anyone have any insights?

Bloggers' White Out
White out came in a little jar with a paint brush and you'd dab a bit on the paper while in the roll of the typewritter to touch up typos en at. Today, we've got delete buttons.

A friend of mine wrote to me saying:

I read it but the Republican biases were too strong for me to agree with their analysis. It reads like most of the right-winged rhetoric that
Karl Rowe uses to justify faulty or false data. Without a doubt the
Democratic leadership can be faulted for not fixing the problems, but
they can not be blamed for creating the problems. Our problem have more
to do with the fall of large employers who had large payrolls before the
electronic aged took over; and the reality that industries need fewer
workers as well as the decline of what those industries were producing.
I do not belief the Republicans would have done much worst. From their
positions they would have assured that those who had got more, while
those with less got less.

DFA blog also mentioned the posting as Ben saw it too.

So, that's two against, and both are solid in blue-state camp.

South Side's getting hit with several violent robberies

Bad news. But, the good news comes as things are being done. The police are on their toes, I guess. And, the community is getting better organized.

A town hall meeting is to be held at City Theater on 7 pm on Tuesday, January 11 at City Theater.

City Theater is at 1300 Bingham Street. The topic will be crime prevention through cooperation between businesses, neighborhood oranizations and police.

Sponsors include the South Side Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the LDC and Zone 3 Police, City Theater and our City Council President, Gene R.

Dog suggesions from a dog kinda guy who owns a cat

Boggers are good for pet talk and cat photos. I should do more along these topics. So, here goes a letter just sent. Fellow is thinking of getting a dog for his family. They live in Little Boston.

Consider a collie -- like Lassie. Great with kids. Gentle but puts up a great game with you and can run and swim well too.

My dog was 3/4 collie and 1/4 St. Bernard. He came to me in college and would swim while I windsurfed. (Woops, as a candidate I don't want to get that windsurfer image out into the voters minds. :)

He would also run along the sidewalks as I biked. And, he was great while I was a swim coach. He'd circle the swim pool, (hearding instincts), while the kids swam practices (weekends only when no others from the public would be at the pool). Then when a kid would get out for a drink or a bathroom break -- my dog would follow the kid and watch and protect. Great way to motivate the kids to get back into the swim pool to rejoin the team at practice.

My swimmers / teams always work hard for for themselves with me as their coach -- the dog story is very effective to prove the point on the dog breed choice.

If I didn't live in the city -- no yard -- we'd be getting a dog too. Plus, we travel a bit too much for a dog or puppy now.

And, our cat is 16 years old.

Next, any tips on dealing with a cat that is going senile? She's started crying in the middle of day or night -- sorta like she is lost. Not good for sleep.

Finally, I'm a dog guy. That needs to get out there just in case I run against the guy who sells the dog licenses. :)

Diocese of Pittsburgh hosts Santorum for faithful citizenship

Diocese of Pittsburgh Press Release

U.S. SENATOR RICK SANTORUM SPEAKS ON FAITH AND POLITICAL LIFE AT LECTURE SERIES AT SAINT PAUL SEMINARY TUESDAY, JANUARY 11

PITTSBURGH – United States Senator Rick Santorum (R) PA, begins the winter 2005 segment of the annual adult lecture series sponsored by the Secretariat for Education, Diocese of Pittsburgh, with a lecture titled “Taking the Heat.” The talk will be given at Saint Paul Seminary Auditorium, 2900 Noblestown Road, Crafton, at 7:30 p.m. The theme of the lecture series is “Faithful Citizenship.” Lectures are open to the public and there is no admission fee.

A future speaker is Dan Onorato.

Draft Swann opens

draftswann@yahoo.com


SUBJECT: I really want to talk to Mr. Swann

TEXT: Hi, I ran for Mayor, 2001, City of Pgh in a contested GOP Primary. I'm running for public office again in 2005. I really would like to speak to Mr. Swann. Can you have him call me on my cell: 412-298-3432. Mark Rauterkus mark@Rauterkus.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

I was visitor 31, 34 and 36 at http://www.geocities.com/draftswann/.

Allegheny Conference spends $.5M on 300 pg plan that calls for more plans.

KQV Radio pointed out that the long awaited sewer study is out. It was sponsored by the Allegheny Conference. The 300 page docuement calls for more study. It cost half a million dollars.

Flush. Out of sight. Out of mind.

I suggest a new logo for the conference: It can incorporate an outline of the statue of "The thinker" -- you know the one with the guy who is sitting on a toilet.

My campaign tune, "Think Again," catches me some kind jabs when others say that the message that fits isn't to ask our present politicians to think again. Ask them if they have "Thought at all."

Theme: Change --- comes up again and again.

Mark Desantis / Politics of reality is path to needed changes Most of my friends in Pittsburgh believe everyone else here hates change. I used to think that too, but now I'm not so sure. I think Pittsburghers view change no differently than anyone else: a large percentage fear and therefore oppose it; an even larger percentage are ambivalent about it; and a very, very small percentage embrace it. What perhaps sets Pitts- burghers apart from the rest of the world is that most of the important, local changes have been bad, in some cases very bad.

Pittsburghers hate boneheaded changes. Pittsburghers hate change for the sake of change. That's called churning. And, Pittsburghers hate boosterism for change, hype about change, falsehoods about change.

The City's Finance Director resigned. Her resignation statement was about how Pittsburgh now has a fair and equitable tax structure is a great example. We hate the lies.

Mark D sees three change areas that begin with a complete restructuring of city government; he's hopeful about the possibilities.

Mark D writes of row office reform; he's an unabashed supporter.

Mark D and city-county consolidation; and he is currently ambivalent.

Personally, I favor a complete change within city governement in terms of the people at the helm and the the priorities of those who are going to lead. But, to call this a change in structure isn't prudent. I'd rather evolve the structural changes. But, let's make a radical switch among the elected leadership.

Personally, as to row office reform, sure. But that isn't a big deal. Ten to four, that is but a yawn to real change agents. But, that's okay too.

With the city-county consolidation -- Mark D and myself are together. I'm ambivalent too. We can't consolidate the city into the county as the city is too sick at present to allow for a great consolidation.

Thanks for asking where I stand. We do need to stare into the eyes of the Herculean task of creating an integrated, clear, and compelling picture of a whole new reality of our community. --- err ---- holistic new reality.

My personal "gut check" comes in the form of a NEW PITTSBURGH Park District. Others are going to be happy to visit that mission too, soon, in earnest. That is a win, win, win situation. Gut-check and volunteerism is bold when it comes to our kids. Plus, the New Pittsburgh Park District isn't about just saving money.

Changes like these are even more than they appear to be. If you advocate a complete restructuring of your government, which is what each of these changes represents, shoving a simplistic cost/benefit calculation in front of the community and expecting them to embrace it is at best naive. Whatever you may think of your local government, these institutions are embedded in the culture of the region; and simply advocating "cutting them out" without replacing them with a new reality of our community opens up a culture and political war that the change agents will lose. And that brings us to the messy piece of business about change.

Some people in positions or formal authority or influence will never get with the (change) program. The staunchest of them must be swept aside. Let's face it: No amount of effort, compromise or bargaining will bring them along.

Speak about a Pittsburgh that is better than anything we've known to date.

Pittsburgh doesn't need a 'populist' mayor - PittsburghLIVE.com

Pittsburgh doesn't need a 'populist' mayor - PittsburghLIVE.com: "Let's elect a 'populist,' by jove!

Not so fast. For we must first take stock of what a 'populist' really is."

On many fronts, I'm a populist. My platform logo, "We, the people" is textbook along these lines.

But, as Colin McN knows, we don't need a lover boy. At another site, there is an expression, "Everyone loves Bill." Right. I don't. And, its a darn good thing I don't love him. But that handle is going to be foreign to the descriptions of myself.

We need and I deliver what is generally called, "Tough love." Perhaps this is my coaching background. Perhaps it is my binary computer background. Perhaps it is my parenting background. Perhaps it is my holistic approach.

I've picked fights with the Trib. When the Pgh Biz Times got it wrong, I visited their office. The later fixed their untruths by zapping history re-writes from the web site. The former still is AWOL. Same too for others in the public light. I give props and give jabs as a loyal, civil player should. You'll get praise and critique from me, honestly. And, we all learn to build respect and live for another day.

... conservatives and libertarians want the government to leave Mr. and Mrs. Public alone. ... Modern-day liberals, socialists, progressives -- "new populists" -- want government to "save" them. My stance is as a Libertarian -- wanting government to leave us alone.

As in a person with a good, if not self-deprecating, personality and good social skills who understands we all have a stake in the future of the city -- sure. But we certainly cannot afford a "populist" in the historical sense. The public molestation in the name of the "public good" has gone on long enough. Many wounds remain open. The scars are deep. The carnage is widespread. The pockets remain turned out; the purse, pilfered.

Thus, we don't need a new mayor who has a degree in "urban design studies," "government dynamics," "progressive public policy" or some other fancy-schmancy elitist degree who thinks he can circumvent the fundamental laws of economics.

Amen Brother Colin!

The line, "PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS" --- like music. Said it often myself.

Homespun Bloggers Question, family vacations

What was your favorite family vacation (when you were a kid), and why? If you have children, have you taken your kids on that same vacation? If so, what did they think of it?

Our best trips were with cousins. As a family we had a drive from Pittsburgh to New York for a wedding of an older cousin. The NY clan moved out of our home town. They talked funny. Yet we all were family.

Another time was to the N.J. beach and a stay for a week at a campground, again with pseudo-cousins. Our family went with another family, and we called their dad Uncle Jack.

We didn't get out much. Hardly at all when contrasted to the travels of my family with our kids. As I type, my wife is in DC for her professional board meeting. We'll be back there in the spring for nearly a week, staying in a suite. My kids have been to China, Canada, Wyoming, California, Maine -- all in the same year. I took my first airplane trip after I graduated from high school.

Hockey's Lockout isn't only for NHL. It stretches to city kids still and again.

One of my nagging pet projects is the now closed, indoor ice rink. It's the only indoor facility in the city. it could be opened without costing the city a dime. So, real hockey isn't being played in the city, still. We've got teams and players too.

Another type of hockey we've played is indoor at the Market House. The season should start NOW. But, we're in the dark again, still.

Here is my letter to my city council member, Gene R., and city council's chair of Parks & Rec, Jim M. Just for added spice, I'm sending the email to Dan O, ACE. He's spoke at an event I hosted and talked about the rec center situation.

Guys -- we're hungry for info on the city REC stuff and the MARKET HOUSE


Hi Gene and Jim,

This is more of a personal plea of help.

The Market House on the South Side is a rec center that isn't slated to open. But, we need to get some answers as to what's what. Are the leases being changed? Are the nights available? Can the activities come under the city's insurance again?

In the fall, a handful of workers busted themselves to open the Market House for recreational use by the kids. We played indoor soccer 3 days a week. Kids 4,5,6, and 7,8,9 and 10,11,12 had a fun season. This was run by PARENT VOLUNTEERS without CITY staffers. We had the keys to the building, clean-up duties, supplied our own toilet paper. We payed a fee per hour of use. The
Association had to have its own insurance.

The kids got shirts and fund raised and our fees went up a significant amount.

But, we want to play INDOOR HOCKEY in the gym (wearing sneakers, masks, etc) in January.

As Ormbsy opens and as Phillips opens, perhaps???, then the kids might go over there. What programs are they running?

The one guy who works as our PRESIDENT is a city policeman. Another works for the city EMS. You know I've been around the block on this too over time.

Plus, we know that there are bigger things to deal with -- like the crazy taxing structure for the $52 fee. But, our kids can't wait.

We just want to do what is right and good for the kids.

The BIG LEAGUE group is gone now too. But, the rub is that the volunteers want and try to make things function, but we can't get the right insight and info from the City and those on Grant Street.

Can we run the hockey program at the Market House? Can the terms be just like they were in the fall?

My cell: 412-298-3432.

This is a GREAT example as to why we need to:

1. Form a NEW Pittsburgh Park District so we can have control of our own facilities and not be wrapped up in all the other headaches you've got to deal with on Grant Street with city government.

2. Force Tom Murphy to resign NOW. (I can still dream.)

3. Jim, if you want to call for a city-wide PARKS summit in the next few weeks, to air out what's what and what is going to happen -- let's do it. I'll organize it. Let's gather at a church or at the Market House itself. Let's get all the boosters to gather. Let's not do the same train wreck as
occurred with an AQUATICS Task Force. Jim, as chair of Parks & Rec, we crave that stand-up leadership and partnering in the community.

I understand that everyone is putting out fires and it has to be busy for you all. Reply as you can and are able. Let me know if and HOW I can help to instigate and agitate.

Idealist.org: Career Fair: Pittsburgh

Nice event always. Nonprofit folks should try to attend. This isn't for community development in terms of how Mayor Murphy looks at it as MAYOR. No worry about building facades here. Rahter as he looks at it with a Peace Corps mission. Perhaps he'll dust off his resume and come to scope out the job market. Idealist.org: Career Fair: at DU
Pittsburgh, Tue Mar 1 2005

The Idealist.org Pittsburgh Nonprofit Career Fair is generously hosted by Duquesne University Career Services and the Duquesne University Nonprofit Leadership Institute.

Students and alumni/ae from 43 colleges and universities in Western Pennsylvania are invited to attend this event as is the general public in Western PA.

The career fair will consist of: An informal networking period for nonprofit recruiters and representatives from local colleges and university Offices of Career Services.

The fair itself, where job seekers can distribute resumes and speak with organizational representatives about current and future employment and internship opportunities.

A series of information sessions offering free career advice to nonprofit job seekers.

Thanks to Maria Lupinacci for photos from gathering. Making points about change.

What was said, is still be be posted. But how I looked as I said it is here. Click the image for a larger view and to get a look of the intent listening on that second photo.

The meeting was upstairs at Marios on the South Side, just a few blocks from our office. There was standing room only -- as I'd say 55 were there.



Photos by Maria Lupinacci.

I wasn't the top bill -- as Bill and Mike were. I just got to close out the presentations with a few minutes to highlight some past questions (one was on land value tax), to introduce myself and the campaign to come, and to call notice that I'd post at my blog more insights.

Statement to County Council at the public hearing on a TIF for Deer Creek

I live in the city and county. I have a home on the internet too.

I'm against the TIF. I'm sure you'll hear a number of good reasons why from some of the others.

But tonight, on a rainy January evening, it would be great if we had this meeting put on governement telivsion. It would be great to have the speakers recorded and put on the internet. I'd love to stay at home and watch what the others say. Or, be out at swim practice with my kids or even going to a Pitt basketball game. The county could do more to open up the meetings for access of information at other times.

FYI: County council didn't support the idea of putting together a deal to save the city's cable tv department in December 2004. The county council meetings are not telivised. They should be. The members on council knew of the point I made.

FYI 2: I worked a bit of guesswork on the line-up for the speakers. I called to get my slot in the middle of the agenda as I knew of the swim practice time crunch. But, when I rushed to Grant Street, the doors to the building were locked. Then after opening, the scanner equipment was shut down. I rused to the meeting and slipped to the podium just two speakers out of order. Thanks John M and Wayne F (chair) for that extra lattitude.

I'm against the TIF as I want to see the Free Market work. And, TIFs are proven to be failures locally. Lord & Taylor and Lazarus are closed.

As a candidate for PA Senate, I'll work to go to Harrisburg and try to amend the TIF laws to prevent such deals from happening. Perhaps we can rewrite state law or just make it more clear as to what should occur.

FYI 3: This TIF isn't legal under state law. The law was made to allow TIFs for the sake of urban areas and blight. This proposed deal isn't urban and it isn't blighted in the slightest. Other speakers at the hearing drove home those points much better than myself.

If we don't change the state law, perhaps it makes good sense to issue a 10-year moratorium on all TIFs in Western Pennsylvania.

When I ran for Mayor of Pittsburgh in 2001, one of my big points that was very well received was the call for the elimination of all TIFs. I expect you'll be hearing more and more of these concepts. The people like that approach.

FYI 4: The speakers are given five minutes in County Council. I took less than two minutes.

FYI 5: I was suprised to see the number of people in the audience who were in favor of the TIF. They had signs. Someone mentioned to me that they were Walmart shoppers. After me the Texas developer of the project spoke. He was vilainized by some others.

FYI 6: Mr. Liller spoke on behalf of the poor people of the region who are getting screwed by this deal. (His words) Mr. L is always colorful. He talked about the lack of any black faces in the entire room, the union busting, the poor. Then a guy in favor of the TIF became a little heckler while Mr. L had the microphone at the podium. Bad idea. Rude too. "Stay on the topic," was shouted. Mr. L turned and said, "I am on the topic." He rattled off the three or four points he made -- all very reasonable to me in terms of the target of the discussion. Then he called anyone else to prove him wrong. Silence.

FYI 7: One other gentleman on my side, really I'm on his side, spoke well of the typical frustrations. The public hearing wasn't called with a public announcement. The public hearing was rushed onto the agenda without the plan being available. Some sections of the plan are still missing as the public hearing unfolded. The ones in power used a lot of the tricks in the book. Council members were even in and out of the meeting, talking in the hallway, working angles and advising supporters throughout.

Southwest flies into town without a nickle from a subsidy

Folks, these ideas work! Give nothing away, and we get the best possible outcomes.

I think we should end all corporate welfare. Once we end corporate welfare locally, and, once we are proven to do so -- then we'll begin to thrive.

These statements are not new to me. I've been harping on these matters since I began making public statements about public matters. These views are part of my bedrock, without doubt.

What is new to the conversation today is the fact that this approach I've been stressing for some time is being proven to work in the real world with real outcomes that we can all visualize. Before, these concepts were foreign, sadly. Now they are taking root. Let me explain in a rather long post.

We must end all TIFs. We must end all corporate welfare. We must end all boondogles. We can't spend money we don't have. We can't miss-spend the money we can muster in prudent ways.

Those who have lived on handouts are going to wilt. But, they are fly-by-night hucksters. Let them wilt. Let them close.

Those who don't want handouts will arrive and thrive. The marketplace gets a comeback to health. We'll get real prosperity and those who know how to make it here in Pittsburgh again. Some know how to judge the landscape and see how Pittsburgh's process has fouled up and even punishes the wealth builders.

We've been in one rut after another. We need to get out and "level the field." But, to do that, we do nothing by design. And, we put our intentions out in the public for all to see, know and understand.

I've been speaking harshly about corporate welfare for years. Those that have been part of the games in the past can't stand up and change their tunes now and have it carry any weight.

Trust the markets. Trust our own willingness and ambitions. Trust our inventiveness in building based on our own values, without the crutches of handouts or the need to get funny money from some development deal. To do it and be clean of extra burdens is so rewarding. And, to compete in the market and not need to bid against others who are living rent free is unjust.

When handouts are made, someone benefits at the expense of the others. And, we all pay for the handout by getting poorer products and higher taxes. That is privildege that nets us lower outcomes.

When the system is full of poisons and give-a-ways and bogus dealings -- those who want to make honest industry and honest services and quality goods pack their bags and go elsewhere. Not only do we pay for the higher taxes, get less in return -- but we drive away the bulk of the masses who want to be straight.

Most people expect the courts, the leadership, the deals from the government sector to be straight, open, honest, transparent, easily understood and accessible. When Pittsburgh's wacky weenies churn, blow smoke, inject fear, and over hype with miss-placed priorities, its noticed. People see what's going on. Note to self, "GET OUT OF TOWN." Humm, ... Austin, St. Paul, Tuscon, Chapel Hill, and other places look good next to our disjointed fussing of the managed decline and downward spirals.

When things are seen to be unfair, then people vote with their feet. People leave.

More people left Pittsburgh since Tom Murphy was Mayor than voted for him to continue being our mayor.

The population decline from the past 4 years isn't about the loss of the steel industry. That slip was news in the 1970s.

People vote with their feet. And, that voting can be away from Pittsburgh. But, what is the upside, that vote can be to Pittsburgh as well.

If we clean up, if we change, if we put new people in place, if we validate new priorities, if we hold honest and robust elections with campaigns among people, if we are open minded, if we don't do bone-headed deals, if we are prudent with governmental funds, if we make sure every person and opinion is valued, if we are inclusive, if we are principled, if we have tough-love and live that talk daily ---- THEN WE'LL FLOURISH.

We gotta want it. We gotta express it. We gotta make it happen. And, we have to go out of our way to mend, heal, and set straight the crooked. We need whistleblowers. We need to challenge ourselves and our friends and our loyal opposition.

This isn't the time to be silent and let the staus quo persist. This is change.

I want a holistic approach. That isn't about doing WHOLE deals (like taking over the entire 10-block area of Fifth and Forbes). We got the WHOLE ball of wax with two stadiums and a convention center. Except, we didn't get the hotel. We didn't get the whole package in the end as we have a big HOLE in the budget to maintain these facilities. They are about HOLES and WHOLES. I'm about being holistic, being organic, being faithful to the marketplace trends and civic duties. I'm about balance and power with the voters and people. They are about development companies, unelected boards, commissions without accountability, corporate welfare, back-room dealings.

When we have US Airways -- we've got to build them the airport they spec. We've got to give them lots of tax breaks. We've got to beg them to stay in town for ticketing, or for the new airport hanger, or whatever -- we are begging. You can't beg and prosper. Why should the taxpayers build a new hangar for US Airways? They need it, they should build it.

When we have US Airways and the capacity to make give-a-ways, we don't get Southwest. Look at what has happened with Jet Blue or others who have tried to enter the marketplace. An upstart arrives and charges much less for tickets to Florida. Bang. US Airways drops its prices and matches the fare. That's fair.

The University of Pittsburgh, meanwhile, and other corporate operations too, should choose to fly with the upstart. But, they didn't. The one's with power here insisted that they keep using the others who are here and contain the power and transactions.

When the new airlines came -- and have since gone -- (voting with feet) -- Pitt and others prohibited their people (ha) from booking tickets with the upstarts.

I'm an upstart too. Do you think the media powers or the Pennsylvania Economy League is going to be willing to put me on the air for a debate on issues? Think Again!

You've read this far -- give it a whirl. Let's have a new TV advertiser -- Southwest -- tell the station managers that it wants to see candidate debates on the air this spring. And, ask the PENNSYLVANIA ECONOMY LEAGUE to moderate the event. Ask the Airport Area Chamber of Commerce when its going to hold a forum for candidates for PA Senate. WQED should be doing more. Are those events being booked for Feb, March, April?

We'll flourish again as Pittsburgh and this region cleans up the market place.

Finally, I spoke to a group in December and the question came from the audience. "Mark, what are you going to do about US Airways and the airport?" Yes, that is part of the PA Senate District. Yes, there has been a great deal of hardship and heart wrentching times for many in this saga. Someone close to me in my family works with the company. As I type this blog entry, my wife is boarding a plane and headed to DC for a few days for meetings. We use the airport often, as travelers. I feel the pain. But, here is the answer to the question, "nothing."

I'll rush to the situations, listen, interact, understand the issues. I'll also be there with a different set of priorities and goals.

How can we make sure that the de-icers don't cause pollution and toxic run-offs?

How can we make sure that our existing capacities and capabilities are understood throughout the industry and with the passengers so the black-eyes of lost bags at Christmas in Phili wouldn't dare happen in Pittsburgh. Our workforce and intra building controls are different. We can't discount our care to serve as neighbors and workers. We'll rest peaceful at night knowing the jobs are being done well with pride -- because we are solid with honesty and a work ethic that isn't easily duplicated elsewhere.

How can we eliminate some of the County Police overtime?

Let's lighten up when you're diving around the circle and knuckle down when you go through security. There is a time and place for everything. I don't want a boot up someone's pants for giving a hug and hand to Aunt Mable as she gets to the car.

Maglev to the airport -- no thanks.

Development of the sprawling land around the airport as a priority, no thanks. Its okay to sell that land. Allow for developers to buy and build. The owners have property rights. But, I'm not going to push TIFs and subsidized development. And, I'd even work to end that bad habit.

Finally, let it be know that we are in a crisis. Let it be known nationally that our mayor and others are leaving their posts because their agenda of give-a-ways has been proven to fail. Let's broadcast our misery and our hunger for change. Old habits die hard. But, the bigger they are, the harder they fall.

The the annointed stumble and fall -- there will be a lot of thunder. That's great. Everyone will notice the bumbling, fumbling, un-coordinated, unprincipled contrasts.

As we think again, we'll come to discover great victories -- such as Southwest's arrival. We'll change the philosophy. We'll get a different NORTH STAR as a way to navigate and problem solve.

That's the news and rebirth for our region. That's the kind of place others want to embrace. When we send the signals and messages out that we are not only with fresh faces -- but with different understandings -- those who have left might return. Others will discover Pittsburgh and set up shop here. But, mostly, those that are here now will stay and start with fresh ideas of their own. We've been supressed. We've got new challenges to meet. We'll all do more for ourselves and our neighbors -- because we are able to get things done without red tape and jumping through hoops.

I want self-sufficient solutions.

I want Southwest to come with the understand of $0 in return from government. I want Southwest to know we've got open minded managers who will insist on the option of Southwest tickets for themselves and others in their organizations.

Pull Your Own Weight!

Spoke to two standing room only audiences tonight

Busy night. First double header of the season with double presentations (both short) and two power meetings with supporters as well.

The Democracy Meet Up generated the following feedback from me to the organizers. (Photos in another posting above.)

Good discipline. Good sticking to the agenda. Thanks for having all three speakers. Would not do a TV thing in the future.

I'll post my reactions to what was said in terms of the candidates' talking points at my blog -- http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com -- in the next 24 hours. There were some biggie statements made that won't fly for long if these guys (Bill Peduto and Michael Lamb) want to run with Bob O'Connor. We've got to have public discussion on these ideas and real issues debate. That would help the candidates and the community.

To be progessive is to be able to and welcome the opportunity to "THINK AGAIN."

I want change. I want real change. I hate way the city's elected politicians have let the city spiral downward so far. We'll have to rebound with not only new people, but also with the right ideas. Personally I'm scared by SOME what I heard from Peduto and Lamb. We had better have a great INDEPENDENT option in the GENERAL Election. That's what I hope to deliver, if I'm not hired as State Senator first.

The Common Man presents The Great Pennsylvania Property Tax Calamity

Another site I've got to explore. Are there any platform planks within these pages.

The Common Man presents The Great Pennsylvania Property Tax Calamity... all Pennsylvanians are not treated equally when it comes to property taxes.

Justice matters. Otherwise, people vote with their feet.

First discussion meeting of city council for 2005 spends more money from 2004

City Council has a new budget for 2005. But, it is still spending money from 2004. There has always been funds that have been spent from past years. The tangled web is typical. But, because it has always been done this way can't make it right.

The city's budget for 2005 is not balanced. There is a $6-million hole where there is no legal obilgation to get money from the non-profits.

The mayor's office, the controller's office and now the sticking point comes from the clerk's office on spending of past year's money in 2006.

BTW, Bill Peduto ABSTAINED. Some leadership. Alan and Gene voted no. The others voted yes.

Campiagn Finance Reform Bill held for 12 weeks

Bill Peduto's half-baked bill about campaign finance reform was held for 12 weeks. It seems Bill has hand picked a group of citizens to make a better plan and law. Meanwhile, three on council spoke well to the list that Bill put on the table. The list was weak -- to say the least.

The list didn't include me.

The list has some nice people. Some people I know well and work with including Evans Moore of PIIN, Celeste Taylor (a community star in many ways), the League of Women's Voters leader who gave me props at the public hearing, and Mike English of PUMP.

The list was read and not made public by Bill. I'll make it public as I pry it out into the open.

Sala U., Alan H., and Gene R., each on council, raised serious questions to Bill's move by putting that list together so as to exclude others who are on the inside of this issue and have first hand knowledge.

Bill Peduto makes another fumble on this important issue. Sure, Bill took the ball and ran like the wind -- down field for 30 zig-zaged yards. But then he fumbles. With fumbles along the way, this is no gain. Making a fumble is a worse outcome.

Thomas Jefferson Think Tank to cover Health Savings Accounts

Update: I've been invited to make a brief presentation at the FEB meeting of the Thomas Jefferson Think Tank.

These guys and gals hold fine gatherings. I think I'll be at the public hearing in the Gold Room to speak out against the TIF at Deer Creek. But, perhaps this is your cup of tea? If you go, ask them to invite me to the Feb meeting to speak about the PA Senate race and the special election.

A key feature of President Bush's 'Ownership Society' is the Health Savings Account feature of the 2003 Medicare bill. HSA's give you more choices and allow you greater control over your medical care and expenses. In addition, they also allow you to accumulate any unspent amounts in a 401k like investment vehicle. Learn all about HSA's and how they apply to you and your family. Is this more government control in your life? Or less? Is this another step to socialized medicine? Or a step away?


Come find out!

For a lively, fun, and informative discussion, bring a friend,
your questions and opinions and join us at:

SILVIONI'S RESTAURANT 2125 BABCOCK BLVD

(ONE MILE FROM THE MILLVALE EXIT OF MCKNIGHT ROAD NEXT TO THE EVERGREEN FIRE HALL)

WEDNESDAY, January 5th. 2005
***DINNER (Optional - Please arrive and order before 6:45 PM)*** DISCUSSION WILL START AT 7:15 PM

THE THOMAS JEFFERSON THINK TANK MEETS MONTHLY TO PRESENT AND DISCUSS ISSUES. WE ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY POLITICAL PARTY. EVERYONE IS WELCOME REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL PERSUASION.

Please feel free to forward this to anyone that believe
would be interested in attending.

RSVP OR QUESTIONS TO RAY HORVATH PHONE 412-630-9292 Badray531 - at - cs.com

Last night's social gathering: Drinking Liberally

Great time. Seems that the event is going to be a weekly gathering, each Tuesday at Finnigan's Wake on the North Side, near to PNC Park.

Well done John!

Got to talk with a half-dozen fellow bloggers. Got to re-meet a slew of others from all around the area.

I'd say the first gathering was a smashing success with 55 or so attending. To fix Pittsburgh, one beer at a time, well -- not since the chart room has there been such a spark. That comparison is mine, not that of the organizers. The connect was to the once popular Ground Zero meetings at the now closed pub, the Chart Room, in the Fifth & Forbes district.

Tonight's meeting: Democracy For Pittsburgh is at Mario's South Side

Perhaps I'll see you at this event. I'll be there, just after I give public comment in the County's Gold Room about my objections to the TIF at Deer Creek. We don't need subsidy retail plans in eco treasures.

I'm on the agenda, and I'll be quick. Next month I'll air out a few more items and issues.

DemocracyForPittsburgh - January 2005 Meetup

Agenda

6:00pm Happy Hour/Dinner
7:00pm Announcements
* Janis Williams, Trip to DC to demand challenge to election results
* David Tessitor, The Pittsburgh Open Government Initiative: http://www.openpgh.org/
* Matt Preston, Pittsburgh VIE: need data entry help
* Ed Dobson, Flood Aid report
* New North Pittsburgh Meetup Group (Baden, PA): http://dfa.meetup.com/731/
* New Organizing Meeting: January 12, location TBA. Please sign up if interested.
* Upcoming Event: Inaugural House Parties: January 20

7:15 pm Watch video from DFA: 'How Democrats and Progressives Can Win: Solutions from George Lakoff'
7:40 pm Discussion and exercise
8:00pm Special Guests about Pittsburgh Mayor's race:
Bill Peduto and Mike Lamb scheduled to speak. Also Mark Rauterkus, time permitting.
9:00pm?
Wrap-up (stick around as late as you like)

Steelers give slumping Pittsburgh a boost - Article in Christian Science Monitor

csmonitor.com City faces financial woes reminiscent of the 1970s, but resurgent football team offers relief. By Sara B. Miller | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

PITTSBURGH – It was the 1970s, and Pittsburgh's steel industry was on the decline. Mills would begin shutting down one by one along the city's three rivers.

Nice general story.

Sabina Deitrick, associate professor of public and urban affairs at the University of Pittsburgh gets the A+ for the day with this graph.

Already the city has shut down recreation centers and swimming pools and laid off workers. "People are going to notice it. And it's only going to get worse over time."

Exactly. It is going to get worse before it gets better.

Pittsburgh Mayoral Race: Ricciardi Bows Out Of Crowded Field

ThePittsburghChannel.com - News - Pittsburgh Mayoral Race:Councilman Alan Hertzberg won't seek re-election, but is thinking about a run for mayor.

Follow-up.

Traffic update and radio reports from the Wabash Tunnel

Yesterday was the first real rush hour for the Wabash Tunnel in outbound directions. Our drive at 4:45 pm was without another soul -- forward or back -- for the entire distance of the tunnel.

It felt like a ghost tunnel.

Rush hour is brewing all around the city, but not there.

We should be blasting traffic reports on the radio from the Wabash Tunnel.

My suggestions:

1. Drop the HOV (2 or more people needed at certain times) requirement all the time. I love car pools. But, I hate waste. If it becomes used in the future, put the HOV restrictions back into effect.

2. Make the other lane open to bikes, peds, blades and parents pushing stollers.

This makes is a nice short cut if you want to walk or jog from Brashier High School to downtown. Or, if it isn't being used, it might be nice to run in the tunnel at lunch hour if you worked in town.

The Wabssh Tunnel would make a nice TRAIL addition. It always could have been a trail facility. Tom Murphy can't even open up the HOT METAL Bridge for peds. That is another high priority that I saw years ago.

Let's think again. The Wabash Tunnel was last ueed ago some time ago -- like when this TOWN was run by REPUBLICANS. Hey, we can open the Wabash Tunnel -- and perhaps that opens up the ghost of political parties of the past and future as well.

Finally, if I'm elected mayor, or I should type, when I'm elected mayor, we'll hold the block party and gala within the Wabash Tunnel. That's the January venue and place to be for an all-night party in 2006.

We can't allow for big expenses to occur within the city and the county for things like the Wabash Tunnel. We're burning money. We're not able to do the things we need to do and are doing the wrongheadead -- and won't get ahead.

Report on sewage

Report on sewage to be released A National Academy of Sciences report scheduled for release this week will make recommendations on how hundreds of municipalities in 11 counties can cooperate to halt the sewage pollution that is fouling southwestern Pennsylvania's rivers and streams.

A major component of the report will address how that cooperation could trim millions from the estimated $10 billion cost -- $3 billion in Allegheny County alone -- of repairing aging, broken sewer systems that spill raw sewage every time it rains and threaten the region's public health, environment and image.

Pittsburgh's dance with the rivers is an often pondered issue. But, really, this river and city connection is more like a fad that comes and goes with the wind.

Mayor Murphy's claim of making riverfront development is more like a joke and less than truthful.

Okay, we've got the Convention Center. It faces the river. I has an under floor level water treatment that costs more than all the swim pools in the city -- and it broke last year. It has no functional purpose.

Okay, we've got Heinz Field -- by the river and with a city-scape view, if you can see around the massive scoreboard.

Okay, we've got a Jail Trail, but that's hardly a river's edge thing as it is squeezed between the bluff and Parkway East.

Then again, there are some blueprints for a re-do of the Mon Warf and the bypass by the parkway again. Might as well try to connect that to the Mon Valley Toll Way, but that's another story.

These efforts along the river net a letter grade of "D+" at best in my book. We can do much, much more. And, before we do the expensive things along the edge of the rivers, besides the new jail, we need to make sure our water gets to where it should and our waste doesn't mingle along the way.

We have serious infrastructure problems. The Democrats in town and in the county have been doing their best to ignore these serious problems.

Let's look for that report as it comes. Let's not ignore important elements -- such as infrascructure. Sure, it isn't sexy. But is is mandatory.

Our wants and our needs are not the same. Mature people understand those distinctions.

Study: Blog creation, readership grew in 2004

Study: AP & PittsburghLIVE.com: "'Blogs have been around for several years, but because of the coverage in the political campaign, a lot more people became aware of the idea of blogging and certainly went online to read blogs,' Rainie said."

If you want RSS feeds of this blog, we got em. You can also subscribe to the blog and its comments via an email subscription.

2005 Political Environment, Stu Rothenberg via Tim C.

Thanks for these notes by Tim C. He tunes into some C-SPAN coverage and puts up a recap. See the comments.

Nov 04 was a 'status quo' election.

Hertzberg won't seek another council term

Hertzberg won't seek another council term: "Councilman Alan Hertzberg announced yesterday that he will not seek a fourth term representing the city's western neighborhoods."

Another bites the dust.

I like Alan for a number of resons, personal and professional. He's a swimmer, triathlete, lawyer (and there are few on council), has put forth the idea of reform for the Pittsburgh Development Fund. Alan was in the the Mayor's plan and was on the URA Board. But, then he fell out of favor and was punished by the mayor. He was taken off the board and I suspect given the silent treatment for the next couple of years.

On the other hand, Alan was going the wrong way on WE-HAV. And, I can't figure out why. He didn't, to my knowledge, stand to defend the program and the entire endeavor.

The wild card in this move is his ambitions. Alan could make a decent candidate for Mayor. His name has been tossed into the discussions. Alan might need a break from office -- but he'll be back. Alan isn't like Dan Cohen or Barbara Burns, both former city council members who have worn out their times in public office and won't be back in any great capacity.

Finally, it is great to see the on-time announcement of Alan's intentions. It isn't early, nor late, just right as it should be. That resignation shows good respsonsibility and duty on his part.

Now the race can begin in earnest in the district. I love it. I want a race. I would love to see a few good people kick into high gear and awaken the area's political hunger. That area has been alive already to some degree. But, it is now okay to kick it up a notch or ten.

Bill said: We're not done -- but you've been fired! My Cable TV rant.

A C-SPAN for city governement. A nobel idea that wasn't done. Yes, we need an open governement system. I was ranting about that element within the ICA plans months ago as soon as it was in the released plan. December 31, 2004 came and a deal didn't. The city's cable TV department has been chopped. Three are out of work. Some remained.

Bill Peduto went on and on and needed to thank City Council at the end of the meeting. He mentioned that everyone got together and tried to make it happen. But Bill, it didn't happen. Mayor Murphy got personally involved.

Others in the administration, Rodney A., and Dale P., really tried to keep the department whole. Sure.

Theme: Whole not holistic.

We do need to struggle to get the cable TV department to function well and in the best interest of the residents. But, when you can't advance an agenda that makes so much sense, you all need to look in the mirror. More effort. More sweat. More heavy lifting.

Not only did I rant about the melting cable TV department months ago, but I tried to help. I nudged PCTV into the fray. On another front, I called Penn State University. I got PSU interested in the city's Request for Proposals. That was mandated by the oversight board. I talked to PSU officials and they were interested in getting a tour of the station and facilities. TV folks at PSU wanted to meet with the present employees. They had technical people that were going to come from State College. This was all on less than a week notice too.

I called dozens of others beyond PSU, from private operators to others. But, most wouldn't want to waste their time after hearing of the opportunity. Talk is cheap. But partnerships with real equity and investment with Pittsburgh's public leadership is just too risky and insane.

The city's RFP wasn't well advertised. It wasn't part of a press release. It was mentioned within the city's web site, but again, more advance PR was needed.

Here is another problem with the city-owned and operated cable TV department. KDKA TV doesn't care. The commercial broadcasters might find themselves at odds with the public / government station efforts. News at 11, I won't hold my breath. The diss-connect widens.

So, Penn State calls, wants to help, wants to do the discovery and due diligence. Guess what. PSU is denied. They are told "NO." The city officials won't grant them a tour. Can't says the mayor's crew. They really know how to apply the brakes.

That's execution. That's the shaft. That's the blame.

Furthermore, I (Mark Rauterkus) kept my nose out of the process as best I could when it came to dealing with Tom Murphy's administration. I didn't taint the dealings. I could only instigate efforts and bring people knocking to the door of the mayor's office. But, the door slamming in the face was for others who get city pay checks to do.

The act of entertaining the private bids as part of the RFP to operate the staion was nothing but a joke. The private sector didn't fail -- but -- the bosses in the city did. The employees didn't fail either. But, more could have been done. More still needs to be done.

Where are those public notes? Twanda Carlisle of City Council went to meet with Dr. John Thompson, Superintendent of Pgh Public Schools. She was flanked by three employees. They gave a great presentation that won over the support of Dr. T right away. Where is that presentation? Put it on line.

You say that the deal is off -- for now. Well, now is the time to redouble the efforts to have OPEN Government in the planning stages. There were too many things going on behind closed doors. How ironic as we need the telivision to shine the light on the meetings -- but we have to fight the fight in the darkness.

Here is an idea -- do a TV show on the TV station. Put the interview with Dr. T and the city council member and the three employees -- on TV. Let's all watch.

It took six years to merge 911 servies among the city and the county. I dare say it is going to take years to do TV and media services. And, for something complicated like EMS -- decades.

Pittsburgh is dead in the water and the ring-leader Bill Peduto is heaping praise and high tanks for jobs that are incomplete. Thanks for floundering. Folly and failures leave us empty.

My tough love suggestion to you today -- hold the next meetings in the studios with a live TV stream. Start by getting Dr. Thompson to the front of the camera. Let's here what his offer was and is. Where are those letters. Back track. Publish. Be open yourself.

This is a time for reflection. The image isn't good. To move forward, you have to be honest about where you've been.

Dan Onorato seems to be the fall guy. But, when I talked to County Council's Brenda Fraiser -- back before Labor Day -- she was a "NO." She knew what was what. She wasn't willing to support the program. Dan Onorato knows about the cable TV operation as he has been on city council. He knows how things operate. He sees the blatent self-serving, self-promotion and lack of objectivity in the extra programming that runs on the cable station.

It is a bad show to see the continual replays of Gov. Ed Rendell standing next to Tom Murphy with a three-foot cardboard check for state handouts (pork) about Frick at Sommerset. Then Rendell says he has not heard of ANYONE -- and he stresses N0BODY -- who has lost faith in Pittsburgh. Nobody is pulling up stakes he said. Nobody has tossed in the towel -- his words. He's standing on a slag dump for subsidized rich housing. He's not getting around. Gov Rendell is telling me he is out of touch.

I expect to see the miss-placed priorities from Tom Murphy. But, it rots the mission and the purpose of the cable TV division when they are run like a rented mule as a toy of the administration. Watching the state-sponsored TV in China is quite a bit like watching the staged city cable TV shows in Pittsburgh.

That, for what its worth, Bill P., is NOT what happens at C-Span. To have that C-Span vision, you'd have to leave something behind. What is trash in the present and recent past needs to be jetisoned. Call it what it is. Build up an ounce of respect and trustworthyness. Sanction the slop and NUKE it from the air. Be critical when needed -- and the needed times are frequent if not continual.

Dan Onorato does not want to play the role of a sucker and BAIL OUT the city's cable TV department. An expansion of same old same old is just more pain in the future.

To move this forward, as I hope it goes, you need to offer a self-study that is critical of where you've been. These workers might be brilliant -- but the outcome has been a lot of brilliant and trashy spin in un-objective programming.

Bounty Hunter oversight from Walko -- meanwhile we're 100 police officers light

Democratic State Represenative, Don Walko, of the North Side is pushing for new state requirements of Bounty Hunters. Jango Fett, watch out. You're not welcome here much longer.

Who are some bounty hunter characters from the movies or TV from wild west settings?

The PA Senate Judiciary Committee had a new law in committee a couple of years ago. It didn't go anywhere. Walko is in the house committee and he aims to push for the re-introduction of new measures.

The plan is to make the bounty hunters follow some extra rules set by the judges and the courts. What exactly, I'm not sure. Rep Walko, please share the details.

The matter has come to the front burner as two bounty hunters recently were in the course of their jobs in the North Side and shots were fired with rubber bullets -- and the fugitive died. Alleged. This hasn't been put to court. The DA is investigating.

One guy is dead. He jumped bail. He was in Pittsburgh hanging out and had been in trouble elsewhere.

We are to the point now where we should be empowering bounty hunters. Let's invite them to Pittsburgh, and Pennsylvania. Let's not make it more troublesome for the guys who are working against trouble makers.

Mine is a tough on crime stance. Walko's isn't.

A woman small business owner in Oakland was robbed and on the TV news the other day. She begged for more police on the streets and slammed Pgh's Chief of Police, Robert McN, by name.

The city council president, Gene R., was on KQV's live line (Jan 4, 2005) and was asked about the police force strength directly. Interview host asked, "Do you think the people of Pittsburgh should feel safe now that the police force is at 800 rather than 900?"

Gene said, "Absolutely not." Gene then went on to talk about the quick need and support for the two new classes of police recruits that are to be trained and hired this year.

There is another example of the trend: Too little and too late. Now the force is too small. The new hires are coming too late.

Meanwile, in Harrisburg, our State Rep wants to make it more difficult to get the bad guys off the streets. Putting more red tape and burdens before the small business people who are helping bring bail bond skippers before the judges is wrongheaded.

Furthermore, this situation comes without any update as to how short we are in terms of police cars. What's happening at the shop now? And, the Citizens Police Academy is gone as well. I want to restart the Citizens Police Academy, and make it pay for itself. It could be a revenue source!

We could ask Plex, #80 for the Steelers, for the first donation to restart the Citizens Police Academy. On Sunday, while he's on the road wiht the team, three alleged theives hit his home and take some $65,000 with other goodies. Thank heavens for our nebby neighborhood ways -- as they were caught.

Keep up the good work neighbors. Go out of your way to watch out, make calls, and stay aware.

Ken's LTE gets a reply -- buzz about city conditions in poltical circles

Some noise is hitting the papers in recent weeks about candidates for mayor and the opportunities and fitness of the city's Republicans.

Letters to the editor, 01/03/2005RINO watch

After reading Ken Heiss' Dec. 28 letter, 'City Republicans,' I now more than ever understand the Democrat's death grip on the city of Pittsburgh over the last 70 years. Here we have a Republican chairman in District 2 who doesn't even believe in his own party. I always thought it was socialite Elsie Hillman who ran the Republican Party of Pittsburgh into the ground. But it seems the RINO (Republican In Name Only) forces are deeply entrenched throughout the city.

I live in Butler County where we actually stand up for our party and its platform. We know we offer a better choice of government and are not afraid to stand behind it.

I grew up in Allegheny County and I am ashamed of what Pittsburgh has become under Democratic leadership. Politicians chased me as well as many others north to escape the impending fall of the city. Now that it's happened, all the Republicans can do is act like their counterparts. If you can't govern, then get out of the way and let someone else who can.

TIM HABERMAN from Prospect

I don't want to PILE ON and heap more critical remarks to Mr. Heis or the City GOPers, but something must be written.

I have to say: I tried. I joined the Republicans. I joined the fight for the city with them. I know in my heart we need to do better than what we got now and what we've had in the past.

We can't give up. We, in this regard, stands to mean those who favor dissent. Churchill said, NEVER give up. Good advice for Pittsburgh too.

But, we can change our party registration. I did. I am now fighting under the party flag of LIBERTARIAN. I hope to make more friends with this more. I hope to keep old friends with this move. I hope to be even more friendly with Dems because of the move to Libertarian too.

We got a lot to do in the city. I'll not only help others, but hope to welcome your help in this campaign and battles yet to come.

Ken's article was published and the word I heard from some others was we (GOPers) are weak because of weaklings.

I'm not weak. I can't walk in that shaddow. Nor am I able to live under the shaddow of the Dems either.

Ken's letter found in the PG:

City Republicans

The Dec. 6 editorial "The Next Mayor: Is It Time for a Republican to Lead Pittsburgh?" is on target. However, the city Republican Party is weak. We have a severe case of city non-acceptance along with an environment of political apathy.

A Republican candidate would need more than a good platform. He would need an NFL pedigree or a magic wand to capture the hearts and attention of our voters in the city of Pittsburgh. He would have to have shoulders broad enough to accept the blame that would be heaped on him from the corner into which the city government painted itself.

The candidate would have to form a much stronger bond of trust with state government and he would have to have an acceptable, honest plan for the union rank-and-file that would constitute a fair solution their leadership could accept.

So far Act 47 and its oversight panel have been a way for Pennsylvania to drag its feet and punish our city in the name of political posturing because Pittsburgh (or any other city) can't support our one-party city along with our suburban neighbors on our property-tax driven safety budget. Perhaps if the mayor's next act in this administration were to drop the keys to our city on Gov. Ed Rendell's desk, state government might then see what a difficult task we have here.

We need a Republican candidate who likes Democrats as much as he likes Republicans -- maybe even more. I don't think the average Pittsburgh voter will accept that easily.

Good candidates do not grow on trees. Perhaps Lynn Swann will loan us one of his interior lineman as a city of Pittsburgh mayoral candidate.

KEN HEISS, Mount Washington

Editor's note: The writer is the city of Pittsburgh District 2 Republican chairman.

Ken hosted a half-dozen meetings about this very topic a year or so ago. I asked for a copy of the outcome documents. Notes, minutes, position papers are nice, IMHO. Well, I was told everything is in Ken's head.

I spoke at one meeting. My message to the 20 or so gathered had to deal with each getting five new GOPers each week for the next 60 weeks. That goal was about outreach. That mission would have generated 6,000 new party registrations for the city's GOP ranks. It was do-able, affordable, and significant.

I called for that as a course of action. I had in the past generated more than 100 new GOP re-registrations in the city in a course of a month. Been there, done that -- and know what's what in terms of work and investement.

Guess how much support my comments generated?

Research requested: Could this be true? Dysan Development is who?

Carl Sutter, 412-922-5668 (his phone # published with permission of course) asks some questions and sets the stage on a puzzle. Things like this happen too frequently. Can some here, smarter than me, dig on this and get report back on the finding. Post to the comments or email or call.

Seems Dysan Development, LLC is a PA firm. How do you find out who's there? Is there DBA database somewhere with PA State? My searching at www.inventpa.com and www.state.pa.us were fruitless.

Seems that a property in the city, 60 Greenway Drive, in Sheridan section, was sold July 17, 2004. It went from one owner to the West Pittsburgh Partnership for $1. Assessed value via the County website was $560k. Then on the same day it went to the new owner for $100K. And, the new owner might be a board member at the West Pittsburgh Partnership.

Humm... I'm not saying its all true. But, who can deny it or provide details?

Thanks for your help and clarifications.

Wiki vs. Blog < Discussion < Conceptmapping

Martin, another like me who needs an editor, is in tackle mode it seems with his new wiki about concept mapping. I love concept maps and want to marry them to the Platform.For-Pgh.org. But, I'm still searching for the right inspiration and utilities.

WikiVsBlog < Discussion < ConceptmappingPersonally, an analogy I've come to like is that wikis make space to represent the complex, ever-changing ball of concepts whose definitions continually accumulate opinions and whose relationships get reconfigured as the communities' shared language explores, teases apart and agrees on what is happening in their subject matter. By definition it is incomplete: never will everyone agree.

So if wikis are conversation tool, aimed at finding agreement, then by contrast, blogs are presentation. They are authoritative, statements of fact often presented in diary form. They get presented once, and each makes an independent stand in history. Sure, many people comment on the opinion stated in a blog, but those opinions will remain forever as comments, each separated and unintegrated in a silo kept away the speaker's opinion.