Queens -- or Princess Population Promises -- plus slimeballs at the UJF and elsewhere

PennLive.com: NewsFlash - Pennsylvania business news in brief PITTSBURGH (AP) — The city's mayoral candidates pledged to a group of women business leaders that at least half of the people they appoint to city board and commissions will be women.

The candidates spoke Thursday to members of the Executive Women's Council.

'It's very important to the economic future of this region that we are able to point to the leaders and chairwomen of various organizations and tell our daughters and women who want to move here from other regions that, 'Yes, there is a possibility of success for you,'' said Sara Davis Buss, an attorney and former member of the county's Sports & Exhibition Authority.

The promises came from Democrats Bob O'Connor, Michael Lamb, Bill Peduto and Hop Kendrick and Republican Joseph Weinroth.

We could get more women into the mix, no doubt. I wish a women was running for Mayor. I wish a woman was running for PA Senate. But,the field is without.

We need more women on City Council. When was the last women governor from Pennsylvania?

But, really, we need better people everywhere in public office. We need better men and women.

And futhermore, we need better actions out of everyone in leadership roles -- from every man and woman.

The next logical step on this pathway -- and a mandatory hurdle that we need to review at this moment -- is a long-standing pet peev of mine. In my not so humble opinion, the best way to get better people into our public life is to insure that ALL the people on the ballot get to speak at ALL the candidate events. Everyone on the ballot is qualified to speak at all the events where two or more are gathered. This is something we need to insist upon.

Otherwise, we play favorites. Otherwise, we tell women, they are not welcomed. We tell men that they are not welcomed -- so the message is loud, clear and repeated too frequently.

The UJF (United Jewish Federation) is hosting a debate on Sunday morning. They are holding the event without inclusion. All the candidates are NOT able to participate. All the would-be women candidates see the lock out. All the would-be superstar candidates see the lock out. And the city and county loose another 8,000 residents who vote with their feet -- yet alone stand up to be a candidate.

The UJF is putting a turd into our shared well of democracy. Foul. Shame on them.

Comcast is helping.

And equally guilty are the other candidates: Peduto, Lamb, O'Connor, Weinroth -- shame on you.

They promise women in service roles. But, they don't act with equality in their steps. They think it is okay to exclude. They think it is their right to be hand-picked and be favorites.

I'll make a better promise than what those fellows have done. I'll never allow a women candidate to be excluded from a debate opportunity without pitching a fit. And, to prove it, I'll not let a man be excluded either. This goes to races I'm in and races I'm not in. This is my town too. This town is shrinking due to the egos of guys and the departure of the senisble, just and community-minded.

I'll make another promise. Rather than appoint more females to authority positions -- I'll eliminate authorities. One women doesn't feel better because another women is her overlord. Let's end the overlords. Let's end the authorities. Let's be democratic. Let's vote for our leaders. Let's give the power in the ballot box and then take it away if needed. But, let's be certain that the choices are not made for us in advance -- by some guys at the TV stations who set up the debate stage or at the UJF, or the Pgh Downtown Partnership, or even Just Harvest.

Holding closed door debates creates an artificial ceiling. Those who are keen to the ways of the world can see it. Hence, they don't get themselves in those kind of situations.

I have a mother, wife, mother-in-law, and four younger sisters. All are talented and exceptional women in many ways. All of them would rather suffer years of torture than run for public office -- such as what I've done and am doing. Running for mayor or state senate would be the last thing in the world for each of them. I'm certain that the same holds true for another 100,000 women who live in Pittsburgh.

If we as a community decided to respect all candidates, give all candidates full entry into forums, debates, and media, we'd be on the right track.

Bob O'Connor is NOT our mayor today because he didn't follow my advice in 2001.

Bill Peduto won't be our mayor in 2006 because he didn't follow my advice in 2005.

Our city's worst days are still ahead of us because of these fundamental flaws in our ethos.

Pittsburgh can't flourish when we hold onto the rich getting richer mentality.

Pittsburgh can flourish when everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Putting more women onto the boards of authorities isn't good enough. Rather, we need to rid our landscape of authorities.

We need to go to the roots of the problems. Then we need to dig and contend with the challenges.

Washington goes down with a parking authority choke hold

PennLive.com: NewsFlash - Pennsylvania business news in brief WASHINGTON, Pa. (AP) — City officials voted to sell a downtown parking garage that is in need of about $2 million worth of repairs.

The garage has lost money because two businesses who leased a lot of spaces in the garage have left the city and there is no money to fix it, officials said. Of the 480 parking spaces in the building, only about 130 are now leased.

'It's really been an albatross,' said Mayor Kenneth J. Westcott.

To save money, the city two years ago dissolved the Washington Parking Authority and took over operation of the garage. Plans are currently under way for a new parking garage.

Officials expect to establish a new parking authority to oversee the new garage.

Meanwhile in Pittsburgh, we created a new parking garage and T-shot for PNC Firstside....

Mayoral hopefuls reveal their wackiest ideas for the city

What's wacky about volunteerism?

Mayoral hopefuls reveal their wackiest ideas for the city Michael Lamb, the county's prothonotary, said he would urge firefighters in the 29 stations citywide to get more involved in neighborhood groups.

Could it be that Lamb isn't capable of being wacky? No creativity?

More than a year ago, I went to the Firefighters and asked them for some help in terms of being an advisor and clearing house for sports organizations in their quest for insurance coverage. Insurance is always one of the early hurdles that need to be navigated by organizers.

No help from the firefighters was ever forthcoming.

Email blast: 412 -- Tax Day, April 15. Going from BAD to WORSE

Hi Neighbors and Fellow Friends of (small "d") democracy,

Income taxes are due today. Libertarians push for lower income taxes. We can lower taxes by being prudent with government spending.

My D-party opponent in the PA Senate race, special election, wants to eliminate property taxes, and that means an increase in income taxes. Almost all homeowners will pay more over their lifetimes under that situation.

Furthermore, his assessment cap is illegal and will be struck down in court. Let's hope this occurs quickly so the damage and uncertainty to the county is less troublesome.

Today's property tax mess comes from various corruptions. The property tax situation was NOT supervised by governmental officials as keenly as we would expect.

In the past, wage taxs hurt Pittsburgh and drove people away more than property taxes. The best tax solution is the land value tax. The land value tax saves money for home owners and creates an environment for economic prosperity.

Perhaps my opponent's disdain to property taxes explains why he voted to give away tax discounts to corporations to build strip malls on green-field developments. Those special tax breaks for corporations (called TIFs) help create sprawl and increase taxes to everyone else.

I'm pushing for four serious changes to the property tax crisis. I'm not satisfied.

#1) I would eliminate TIFs throughout Pennsylvania. Both of my opponents are for them and have voted for them in the past.

#2) I would begin ASSESSMENT BUFFERING. Maryland does assessment buffering. I need to be a STATE SENATOR to champion this policy so as to bring sanity into the process. The average voter does not care about municipality caps and municipal windfalls. Rather, assessment buffering allows for the typical voter to focus on their own
household. Assessment buffering gives stability through the years, without drastic changes, legally.

#3) I would rely more upon the LAND VALUE TAX. This policy does not penalize home owners for fixing up their homes. Our region's affordable housing legacy is ending, due to taxing matters and bad mistakes such as the building tax hike put in by Bob O'Connor. A renewal to the Land Value Tax can reverse the outward migration within our downtown office buildings.

#4) I would work to abolish the deed transfer tax. Pressures mount in Harrisburg to increase this tax, state-wide, from 1 to 3 percent. This is a 200% increase. The city made a similar increase last year. I raised objections to huge increases to the deed transfer tax -- not my opponents. The deed transfer tax puts a FREEZE on the marketplace and makes a penalty for moving.

I welcome questions about taxing policy during the campaign.

I hope you got you income taxes done without too many headaches.

PCTV Broadcast Dates and Times of PUMP's Mayor's Race Debate

Wednesday, 4/20/05 from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Saturday, 4/23/05 from 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Wednesday, 4/27/05 from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Saturday, 4/30/05 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Tuesday, 5/3/05 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

PCTV airs on Comcast's cable system on channel 21 in the city limits of
Pittsburgh.

China's Web Censors Find Success

No joke.

WPXI.com - Technology - China's Web Censors Find Success: "There's word that the Chinese government is quite adept at controlling the Internet.

A study by OpenNet Initiative found that filters used by the Chinese government can block specific references to Tibetan independence without blocking all references to Tibet.

Everyone in China can use the state-run ISP. Use the regular phone line attached to a modem on the computer. Use a special number -- only 3 or 4 digits. Log in and password is also very short and sweet, as it is the same short digits as the phone number just dialed. Bingo. Universal access.

Bingo again -- everyone gets to pass their email with the router by the authorities.

Same worries are to be considered with Phili's wireless city concept. Who is to say what goes out and in is not noticed and reviewed by others?

Authorities have their advantages -- and disadvantages.

When in China, I'm careful as to what gets sent on the wires. I use carrier pigeons for the most sensative messages. And, same too in the states, where smoke signals seem to work best, as we've had many clear days of late. Be aware. Be smart. And, if you lead a life that isn't exciting, then you'll have nothing to fear. Just don't overthrow the government.

Now, back to scheduled programing, the PA state senate race.

Coro Fellows to jump into the races

This is interesting. It opens a number of questions. I'll hold off for now on how or what to say about the associated opportunities.

As you may be aware, the Coro Fellows in Public Affairs do a placement in electoral politics for one month. We do require that host organizations have professional campaign staff to act as Field Faculty for the placement, a campaign office, access to computer/on-site space, and will complete an evaluation of the Fellow's work. We do ask campaigns to make a voluntary contribution of $500 - 1000 to help cover the cost of the Fellows' stipends.

Fellows are available full-time from April 19th through May 17th with the exception of April 26th, Tuesday evenings after 5 pm, and Fridays from 8am until 8pm. The Fellows are an exceptional group of young professionals selected in a highly competitive national process. The 15 Fellows in Pittsburgh are highly skilled professionals from 22 to 30. They are completing their final month as a Coro Fellow, and should be expected to be dynamic self-starters that will make a significant impact on your campaign. Fellows are restricted from collecting/asking for campaign contributions and from phone banking, although they may help organize/plan/attend/or manage fundraisers and phone banks. Coro's strict confidentiality code enables us to request host organizations to allow Fellows to have access at the highest possible levels.

If you would like to be considered as a host for a Coro Fellow(s), please respond no later than Friday, April 15th, at noon with the following information:

Fellow(s) Supervisor:
Supervisor email address:
Name of host organization:
Campaign Office address:
Campaign Phone Number:
Name(s) of professional campaign staff:
Opportunities for the Fellow(s) on your campaign:
Amount of voluntary contribution for Fellows' Stipend match:

Thank you. We will let you know no later than 4:30 pm the name(s) of the Fellow(s) who will be assigned to your campaign if you are selected. Please call with any additional questions.

Throwback Script Pitt -- still out but not taboo

Throwback Script Pitt Royal T- Shirt by adidasThrowback Script Pitt logo short sleeve Royal Blue T-Shirt by Adidas.

To nuke the script Pitt was wrong. Steve P did a lot of damage.

The tooth logo is fine. Today I got a tooth pulled, so it is especially near and dear to me as I type. The tooth logo as a trim item seemed to make the dental school connection come back in vogue. The old Pitt student athletes and gridiron players had an great dental school connection. But, the head of the animal -- called a pit bull by others -- never worked for me.

It is nice to see the use of the word and the letters, PITT, return.

Change is fine, if it makes sense. Some of the changes in the past didn't make any sense. This move is a good evolution and makes more sense than what we've seen in some time.

NAN CRIME WATCH BULLETIN -- Attention Residents: Possible Burglary Pattern

Thursday, 4/14/05

TO: SOUTH SIDE FLATS RESIDENTS
FROM: NAN Neighborhood Awareness Network

A burglary was reported on 4-13-05 at 2200 hours by a resident of the 100 block of S. 15th Street. The victim returned home to find a burglar inside her home. When she walked in the front door, he was standing about 10 feet in front of her. He turned and fled out the window that he had entered through. The victim has pets in the home and left the window partially opened. The window is not visible from the street. You must enter her yard to view the window. The actor stole some items and other items that he had gathered were left behind. The man is described as a white male wearing a "puffy ghetto coat" that was either dark blue or black.

This is the third burglary that occurred in the past few weeks that resembled this one. This burglar is scaling walls and fences, entering unlocked windows. He is doing this in the evening when it gets dark, but before 1:00am.

Zone 3 Police hope that we get the word out to the citizens to please be sure to lock their windows and to be aware of anyone suspicious in the area.

CALL 9-1-1!!!

Organizers' Collaborative, a display of community and technology

As a state senator, we'd be able to launch a Youth Technology Summit and build upon other endeavors elsewhere, such as this.

(Boston, MA, April 6, 2005) This year, the Grassroots Use Of Technology Conference on April 15-16 in Cambridge, MA will for the first time offer a free "community day" – so that any nonprofit organization in MA can obtain free assistance in overcoming the digital divide. Friday's events will take place on April 15 starting at 1pm in Bldg. E25, at 45 Carleton St. in Kendall Square.

The annual Conference, organized by the Boston-based Organizers' Collaborative, has brought hundreds of nonprofits together from all over New England since 2000. This year the Conference is co-hosted with MIT's Center for Reflective Community Practice. This year's theme, Building Bridges, focuses on the importance of making new and proven technology more accessible to community organizations and advocacy groups, helping them move their work into the 21st century. Sponsors include the Democracy Project of the Gill Foundation, and Wainwright Bank.

The "Community Day" program on Friday will bring speakers from a dozen Massachusetts-based nonprofits. These include Susan O'Connor, coordinator of the Timothy Smith Network, Bliss Austin Spooner of the Massachusetts ACLU, and Jason Pramas of the Mass. Global Action Network. Topics covered Friday include online fundraising, affordable content management systems for nonprofits, online advocacy, community technology centers, and using weblogs. In addition, nonprofit tech "experts" will be on hand to offer organizations one-on-one advice.

"Community Day will enable the smallest nonprofits in Boston, with limited technical background, to learn to move their organization forward without breaking the bank," said Rich Cowan, OC founder.

Saturday's program has a similar focus, with fifteen different workshops on related topics. It also includes a keynote address by political analyst Micah L. Sifry on "The End of Top-Down Politics", focusing on the impact of blogs and other Internet technologies on democratizing the U.S. political system. Mr. Sifry runs PersonalDemocracy.com, and frequently comments on politics and technology issues for CBS, MSNBC, C-SPAN, the Washington Post, the New York Times, The Nation and NPR.

Conference cost is $25 for students/limited income, $40 for Organizers' Collaborative
members and $45 for the general public.

Organizers' Collaborative (OC) is a Boston based nonprofit organization that promotes technology as a tool for social change. The Center for Reflective Community Practice at MIT implements projects that strive to improve the lives of those least served by our society.

Chinese take a closer look at UPMC concussion software

Nice article. But I get into a tizzy about the negative leads. The opening of too many articles is about who would ever want to run 26.2 miles, blah, blah, gloom, doom, oddity.

Chinese take a closer look at UPMC concussion software Preparations for the 2008 Olympics in China might seem a world away from the banks of the Monongahela River.

We often tinker and ponder with Olympic and China element in advance of 2008.

Tony Tye, Post-Gazette, Dr. Yu Changlong, a key Chinese sports medicine official, visits the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine yesterday.

But Dr. Yu Changlong, a key sports medicine official in China, was thinking about the games yesterday during his visit to the on the South Side....

11 drug sweeps, little dirt. (Trib article) Sending in 30 officers to a school

As a Libertarian, as an educator, as a state senator, acts like this would need to stop. Here is a great example of going overboard.

11 drug sweeps, little dirt - PittsburghLIVE.com About 30 police cars pulled up in front of Sto-Rox High School within minutes of each other Tuesday morning. The school was locked down while officers and drug-sniffing dogs searched lockers and classrooms for about 90 minutes.

The drug sweep coordinated by the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office and involving 10 police departments netted no arrests and no contraband. In fact, police have arrested only one person as a result of 11 such searches at area schools this school year.

Where is the accountability?

If this is going to occur, results are needed. But the operations are being foiled. The invasion is heavy handed. So, where are the justifications?

The Homeschooling option looks more and more viable for a greater number of children and families when these instances occur.

"S" is for "snake" so says Havens

Police union head upset, Trib The president of Pittsburgh's police union called Mayor Tom Murphy a 'snake' ...

Hypocritical.

Business as usual.

"Murphy's sitting there saying the ICA board is wasting the taxpayers' money for trying to challenge the firefighters contract. Now he's wasting taxpayer money trying to appeal language in the police contract that was given to the firefighters."

My long-standing position has been announced and repeated often. Mayor Murphy needs to move to the private sector as soon as possible. The longer the city has the same crew within the Mayor's office, the steeper and quicker the decline. Holding out until the end of 2005 is going to make the recovery much more painful and worse.

Rather than name calling, I listen for a new tune. Many would do, such as:

Hit the road Jack.

Step on the bus, Gus.

These boots were made for walking.

Leaving, on a jet plane. Don't know when I'll be back again.

Where is the FOP Chorus Leader on those tunes?

Get him out. Fill his parking space away with a broken police cruiser, garbage truck and public works van, -- hour by hour, day by day.

TV news on 11 at 11 -- got in some quotes

I was interviewed by TV 11 at the school meeting. The segment ran as the lead story in the 11 pm news.

"All the king's men and king's horses can't put Humpty together again. But, we can flourish when and if all get involved."

I have the story on tape. We'll see what TV 11's web site posts in the AM.

Health care industry leads state lobbying

Health care industry leads state lobbying The health care industry accounted for one-fourth of all lobbyist spending reported in the state Senate during the last two-year legislative session, more than any other category, according to an unofficial tally.

State subsidies of doctors' malpractice insurance rates, which were approved in both years, and proposed caps on pain and suffering awards in malpractice lawsuits, which were rejected, were the top issues for health-care lobbyists, industry officials said.

Learning, feedback, two events

Greenway Middle School hosted a Pgh Public Schools feedback forum. I participated. A consulting firm has been hired to get comments from citizens. The meeting was with butcher paper on the walls and people with markers. It was much like a walk-in suggestion box opportunity.

My sons were in tow, and with their arrival another page went up on the side for kids' comments. The giggles there included the expected, "too much homework, not enough play time, and more music and recess." Then my youngest asked for healthier lunches -- meanwhile 95% of his fruit intake is from strawberries. The older wants larger portions at lunch. Both kids eat lunches we pack at home.

My rants on the posters included a blurb under technology, "Sad about Elbie." Within minutes, another scribe wrote a reply with an arrow pointing to my comment, "Glad Elbie is gone." Oh well.

I was rushed and didn't get a good chance to read all the other comments. I hope the materials flow out into the public in due time.

TechSoup.org's International event on Online Learning and Collaboration is slated for April 18-22, 2005, at www.techsoup.org/onlinelearning.

What are the issues and challenges involved in using online learning? What does it mean to collaborate and learn online? How can you and your organization use online learning and collaboration to achieve your organizational mission? This week-long event will answer those questions and demystify online collaboration tools. Join us as we discuss collaborative approaches for online learning communities, conferences, as well as classes and workshops. We will introduce you to the free tools available on the Web for online collaboration. We will also examine (and demonstrate) software and platforms in addition to best practice examples from the Tutor/Mentor Connection and Knowplace. The Tutor/Mentor Connection (T/MC), based in Chicago , uses the Internet as a resource library and meeting place for people interested in helping inner city youth. Knowplace is a customized International learning community that helps organizations and individuals move into the online world quickly and efficiently.

* An overview of ideas and practices integral to online learning and collaboration.

* Best-practice examples of learning community meetings and conferences.

* A live demo of a synchronous session.

* Free or inexpensive tools for teaching, training , and building an online learning community.

* The steps it takes to go from in-person to online learning.

No show

The first three way debate opportunity tonight at the Hilton Hotel downtown turned into a two way give-and-take between Wayne Fontana, D., and myself. The new "R" was absent, unexpectedly. We even switched around the program waiting for him to show. The Mayor's race candidates went first, then came city council candidates.

Oh well.

Post debate polling score:

Mark Rauterkus = 8 out of 10.

Wayne Fontana = 7 out of 10.

Michael Diven = 0 out of 0.

Others, with names, are free to recap in the comment section. I took plenty of notes and will try to post them in a day or two.

O'Connor exudes endorsements from 7 out of 9 -- but we have 8 now.

Tip to Bob O'Connor. We now have eight members of city council. Change your numbers. Reprogram your poise.

O'Connor exudes poise - PittsburghLIVE.com: "During much of the campaign, O'Connor has relied on repeating a few sayings to convey how he would operate. He is less likely to offer detailed plans, unlike his opponents.

O'Connor frequently promises to become the CEO of Pittsburgh, which he describes as 'a $417 million operation with 3,500 employees.' The campaign promise harkens back to his days as operations manager for Pappan's Restaurants, a job he last held 13 years ago before his election to City Council. He simplified how he would scrutinize city spending by way of example. At the Pappan's restaurants, 'I could always see at how much money was coming in and how much money was going out,' he said.

O'Connor's gregarious nature is on regular display. At the debate, he arrived late, prepared to steal the show.

'Seven of the nine City Council members are supporting me,' he told a crowd of roughly 200 in East Liberty. 'I'm still working on Bill,' glancing at one of his challengers, City Councilman Bill Peduto, who slowly shook his head as the laughter quieted.

If Bob had all that support on City Council -- why is it that the Mayor is still getting his way with things around here? Why is it that the mayor got over for so long?

Bob has the support because Bob has been one of the supporters. The whole gang is suspect.

If I don't get the endorsement of Onorato, that is a feather in my cap. Onorato would have to do a lot of fancy footwork to endorse O'Connor for Mayor and endorse Rauterkus for PA Senate. That would be a challenge for him. Onorato isn't going to expend that type of energy.

If Jim Roddey doesn't sign my petition to allow me to get onto the ballot, as was the case in 2001, that is a victory for me. Roddey is part of the establishment. Roddey was part of the problem as well. A small part -- but a part nonetheless. Roddey is tickled with Diven's switch. Roddey, in 2001, talked every day with Tom Murphy. The Roddey - Murphy relationship went cool, but later.

Real reformers are hard to find within the ranks of the powerful.

The voters, however, know what's what.

A recent poll, conducted by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, put O'Connor well ahead of his two top rivals, Allegheny County Prothonotary Michael Lamb, 42, of Mt. Washington and Peduto, 44, of Point Breeze.

That poll isn't so recent any more.

The polling data is interesting. The media does the polls when the race is hot to drive up ad spending among the candidates. Bob and Tom went at it in 2001. They held a dozen debates with only Bob and Tom and there were an similar amount of polls taken.

We need polls to be fair. We need the reporting on the polls to make sense.

A poll from a month ago isn't recent.

Finally, it is the hope of many that city council one day goes to five, not nine.

What we really need to hear is a candidate say that one day, as mayor, five out of the five on council will be supportive of the mayor's efforts of debt reduction and reforms. AND, all five on the council then will not be from the council of today. That dream is about new Pittsburgh leadership, new regional voices that overcome the same-old same-old.

Calendar: 4/10/05 -- I'll be there too. Hilton at 6:30 pm on Monday.

Business calendar: 4/10/05 Pittsburgh Downtown Neighbors Association, candidates forum, 6:30 p.m., Hilton Pittsburgh, Downtown. Participants include Michael Lamb, Bob O'Connor, William Peduto, Joe Weinroth, Sala Udin, Michael Diven and Wayne Fontana. Call John Valentine at 412-281-1160.

This event, Monday evening, is the first where all three candidates for PA Senate, 42nd district, share the same podium. Jon Delano of KDKA is going to be the moderator.

I am confirmed for the event. Come on out if you can.

Newsday.com: Hey, Mom, I'm famous (On the Internet)!

Interesting article about blogs and fame -- an at.

A fellow stay-at-home dad, but this bloke is from NY, has fun with his kid and photos. Don't worry, it's all clean.

Newsday.com: Hey, Mom, I'm famous (On the Internet)!: "
Others stumbled on cash for fame, including Jeremy Zorek, now 3 years old, whose fame may fund his college education.

His father, Michael Zorek, 44, a stay-at-home dad in Manhattan, snapped a photo of Jeremy when he was 4 months old, posing with the Barber brothers, Tiki and Ronde, twins and pro football players. Then Zorek snapped a photo of Jeremy with actress Jamie Lee Curtis.

A friend who received the photos via e-mail suggested posting them online. WhoIs ThatWithJeremy.com now has 119 photos of Jeremy with celebrities, including Madonna, Billy Joel and Ringo Starr. The Web site lists nearly a dozen shows that featured Jeremy. 'Not bad for 2 1/2!' the site says.

Jeremy has achieved fame 'to a certain extent,' Zorek said, but added, 'He has absolutely no idea what any of this means.'

But he will in 15 years, when income generated from the site will help pay for Jeremy's college costs, as Zorek usually charges for permission to publish photographs, bringing in several thousand dollars last year. (Zorek won't disclose the exact income figure.)

'We looked for a way to sort of make this something that could help him in the future,' Zorek said. 'And college, of course, is no cheap thing.'

Does he have a photo of his kid on The Great Wall?

What about with the Harlem Globetrotters? He's from NY after all.

What about with a panda bear on his lap?

How about on a boat in S.F. Bay with the Blue Angles about 50-yards over his head?

I don't go for the celeb shots. Rather, I'm more into the experiece.

Next mayor will face safety issues

My comments within the article:

Peduto: The COP program (Community Oriented Police) has a nice ring to it. However, I'm not convinced of its honest effectiveness. It might sound better than it performed. Putting officers into dinky mini-stations was not the same as putting them onto the street. Why did we need the mini-stations? Where the mini-stations a place to hang out? Were the mini-stations really a place to hang a big sign and not really serve much of any purpose?

I'm not going to lend support to the COPs program. At this time, I'd nix that as a position plank.

Next mayor will face safety issues Lamb would ask the Legislature for tighter gun restrictions within the city limits and work with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency on drug prevention programs.

Tighter gun restrictions, and begging to Harrisburg some more. No thanks on both matters. We don't need to change the rules. We don't need to be in a begging position seeking changes to the rules. Furthermore, changes to the rules won't really help in the end.

Lamb: "... placing civilians in administrative Police Bureau jobs can get more uniforms on the streets."

Better use of technology could get more information out the the neighborhor and others on the street.

Better use of traffic police, or a traffic division -- like crossing guards, could get more help out on the street. Crossing guards were paid and part of the police force. They gave us a big bang for the buck. They could have been doing some more enforcement, but that could be part of the program when they are put back into serious operation.

Better use of civilians throughout the city and region can get more assistance and understanding for the police and the struggles we all face. The civilian police academy was cut by Mayor Murphy. Bad move. The Civilian Police Academy could have been made into a stand-alone department that pulled its own weight financially. Creative management lags in Pittsburgh.

The end of the drug wars, especially against grass, could help get a lot more done in terms of overall safety.

High marks for Lamb to Lamb encourage participation with the Citizens Police Review Board, which has been largely ineffective without city government's support. My stance is along the same lines, but much more advanced. I'd not only encourage participation, it would be demanded.

The voters put the citizens police review board to Pittsburgh. It has been a joke -- due to the miss-management of the administration and others. The city council appointment to the board has done nothing in the past 16 month (or more). Nothing.

The citizens police review board isn't perfect. But, it needs to operate as it could and should for the first few years. Then it can evolve into the tool we all need and voted to create.

In 2001, both Carmine and I took the citizens police review board seriously. Murphy and O'Connor didn't lift a wimper on this topic.

Strong nods to Lamb too for his mention of technology with the building inspection duties. An overhaul of all tech components of government is needed. These efforts need to be rooted in the realm of open-source solutions.

Mt. Oliver is kicking Pittsburgh's tail in terms of building inspection, enforcement, and governmental cooperation among all parties. Great for Mt. Oliver -- as they are trying. Pittsburgh doesn't even care.

There is a lot to do in terms of inspection and enforcement in the city. Things go to hell around here and there isn't any way to get anyone to even care. The iron curtin in the city is alive and well in this area with a contrast to what occurs in suburban Pittsburgh.

The color and geneder of the police force. Murphy hired a few classes of recruits and they were mostly white guys. I'm a white guy too. Come on. This city's diversity among its workforce needs some attention.

This is a point, (diversity among police force recruits) to Bob O'Connor's credit, that he yapped about four years ago. It isn't getting much attention now because it was only a gottcha with O'Connor in 2001. Murphy's policy and performace was so bad that it was painfully obvious. Furthermore, in recent years, the police force has been shrinking, not expanding with new hires. A couple of new classes have been in the works. What are those numbers Bob? Do you care? Continue that conversation.

Is the diversity among the men and women in blue a point that served its purpose, like the citizens review board? Time to move on? Time to let it rest?

Don Walko, D., North Side, State Rep, wants to change the rules, making it more difficult for bounty hunters. Peduto wants to put parole enforcement into police cars. Perhaps the two can be talked about in the same discussion. Peduto should issue a release saying he does NOT like the Walko suggested rules.

The college credit elements for the job application process for the police was not talked about. Jim Motznik has some strong opinions on that topic.

I have great respect to the professionals working in Pittsburgh with Fire, Police and EMS. I am not close to any service group. All have been dumped upon by the present mayor. I think that each group could do more to remove him from office sooner and help with the discussions among our public landscape. But, they all are jaded. All are burnt out. All are pushed past the max -- mostly.

One of the biggest jokes is the concpet of a merger among EMS and the hospitals. Dream on. It took a major miracle to get 911 services to merge in nine years. There is no way they are going to be able to even start the conversation with EMS and hospitals, yet alone Fire.

Wellness is very important to me and our region. We need to allow these topics to be our strengths in the future. Now they all are liabilities.

I'm a lifeguad at heart and in my history. I understand that these endeavors are important and time based. Support needs to be present. Too many are running on empty. The interactions among managers, performers, citizens, customers and even things like BILLING are disjointed.

New relationships and understandings need to be forged. This is going to take time and lots of effort.

I'd rather have a mayor care more about the public service elements and less about the convention center hotel, retaining the Pirates, knocking down the Civic Arena, new condos in town, or making a re-do of the Gateway Center T-stop.

Candidate survey from Pittsburgh Catholic

Not sure if this went via fax or was idle in the office and never sent.

Tom Murphy boasts of sandbagging the Legislature

Murphy didn't blink. I'll give him credit for not blinking. His head was in a hole, and still hasn't moved. But if he says he didn't blink, I'll not challenge that self-assessment.

No blink. Did stink.

Tom Murphy boasts of sandbagging the Legislature - PittsburghLIVE.com Recalling his conversation with Bloomberg, Murphy said in an interview, 'We had this conversation and he said, 'How did you win?' I said, 'Because I was willing to take the city into bankruptcy.' If I were (New York) mayor, I would probably have shut down the bridges coming in from Long Island. ... We just didn't blink and the Legislature blinked.'

Univ of Pittsburgh's School of Health and Rehab Sciences

Happy Anniversary. Its 35 years old. We're celebrating.

Supporting a loser. Onorato takes a LTE hit from Beechview

This is a letter to the editor from another person (Emily), just reposted here.

Supporting a loser - PittsburghLIVE.com Supporting a loser - Friday, April 8, 2005

I think Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato is making a huge mistake by endorsing Bob O'Connor for mayor of Pittsburgh (O'Connor picks up Onorato's support,' April 1).

Onorato is supposed to be a reform-minded politician, yet he's supporting someone who has been a key player in creating the problems that our city government is currently facing.

O'Connor is a politician of the old school, having supported Mayor Murphy's costly spending until it became convenient for him to do otherwise in election years. He's a two-time loser in the mayor's race for obvious reasons -- where was he all those years that the city was being irresponsible with our money?

I'm greatly disappointed by Onorato's decision. We have a chance to move this city forward by electing a new mayor, but he wants us to choose someone who represents everything we should be getting away from.

I guess he's not the kind of leader I thought he was.
Emily Waschak, Beechview

I'm not exactly sure what Onorato will do in the PA Senaate race, nor when. Dan has some political strength, of course. However, political strength isn't something that I'd put as his ace in the hole. What does Dan's Onorado blog tell us as to what he's projecting and thinking about? Then we'd know and he'd have more sway.

Lt. Governor Long List... 2006 from Politics PA

The site, PoliticsPA, has message boards that are vile harbors, and forced to disclose data to authorities for investigations.

Lt. Governor Long List... 2006

Auditor General Jack Wagner:  Fresh off an impressive victory, Jack Wagner provides an impressive resume, geographic balance and a good shot at 2010 Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

Wagner's former seat is still empty, and others are putting him on a list as a possible replacement for Lt. Governor.

Property Taxes Got You in a Pinch? Get a tent.

Eyes changes for appointments -- with a wink and a lobby group

Yesterday while walking on East Carson Street a young women walked by with a black t-shirt that displayed the words on the front, "Question authority."

We need shirts like that and on the sleves we'd be able to put Elect.Rauterkus.com and Platform.For-Pgh.org.

Peduto eyes changes for city appointments Democratic mayoral candidate William Peduto said yesterday that he wants to 'professionalize' appointments to city agencies such as the Urban Redevelopment Authority or the zoning board by choosing candidates from a list developed by a third-party panel.

The two other major mayoral candidates, Michael Lamb and Bob O'Connor, have also talked about the mayor's appointment powers on the campaign trail, saying they would use them to add more minorities and women to boards.

Peduto, a city councilman from Point Breeze, said if he were mayor, anyone could apply to be on the city agencies, and a third-party panel would study the candidates and issue recommendations on appointees to the mayor.

My solution is more democratic, more elegant, more effective.

Retention votes should be a regular part of our politcal landscape in terms of boards, authorities and voter participation.

Board members should face retention votes to remain in their positions.

Furthermore, term limits make sense in most situations.

The proposed measures insert accountability into the process and inject election opportunities. These are short and mid-term steps as overall evaluations occur for each and every authority. The best long-term solution is the outright elimination of all the authorities.

With the proposed plan, the appointment powers of council, mayor, county executive (and such) would continue. However, to stay in the job, the voters would need to certify the board members with positive votes for retention.

Peduto wants to appoint a new, third party pannel to pick the appointments. Who picks the pickers? Is the third-party pannel really made from those of a third party? (joke)

Peduto could be on to something if the Green Party and Libertarian Party got to pick all the people to the various authority boards. That is an idea that could energize this city. Sadly, I suspect, Bill's idea of third-party is really just more of the same hand-picked sillyness that chokes the region.

When the elected official makes appointments to boards, then the elected official is accountable. When the boards are picked by a picking authority, then nobody is accountable.

City council gets to pick a member to the Citizen Police Academy. That person, so goes the press reports, has NOT been to a meeting of the Citizen Police Acadmey for the past year-and-a-half. That board appointment is the responsibility of the city council. City council is fumbling. The others on the board have asked for a resignation. The city council members should toss out the culprit as soon as possible.

It is time to toss the bumbs out and make accountability a real part of our public landscape.

Tom G's Letter to Editor about the Pope's passing

The letter ran in the Trib but noticed online in the Libertarian discussion email list.

Friday, April 8, 2005

There is much in Pope John Paul II's thought, as expressed in both his writings and his life, for libertarians to admire:

a.. By his words and his example, he affirmed the dignity and rights of every person, regardless of country or creed.

b.. He did much to inspire the peaceful resistance that ended decades of Soviet tyranny in Eastern Europe.

c.. He spoke for peace and mutual respect among nations, and against aggressive wars, including the U.S. war against Iraq.

d.. He had a qualified but very real appreciation for the free market, proclaiming it morally as well as economically superior to socialism.

e.. He was skeptical of government attempts to solve social problems, preferring that they be addressed by the voluntary associations of civil society.
Pope John Paul II didn't propose a political blueprint, and his social thought can't be tagged with any ideological label. But he was a true friend of freedom, and he'll be badly missed.

Thomas Gillooly
Forest Hills

I owe, I owe, Its off to work I go.

Tip to those on Grant Street: Lay the Shovel Down!

You've dug a hole for the city. We are in over our heads with debt. Stop digging. Lay the shovel down.

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - PittsburghLIVE.com: "Lance: To Pittsburgh City Council. This week it adopted Mayor Tom Murphy's plan to refinance $200 million worth of bond debt in a usurious deal that will cost taxpayers about $3 million to net about $6.5 million. Worse, the only alternative offered was a plan proffered by Councilman Doug Shields that actually would have increased the city's already crushing debt load. And Mr. Murphy and these councilors wonder why the public has so little faith in their 'leadership.'

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - Trib editors catch on to "Don't Put Me in a Box" tune

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - PittsburghLIVE.com But it represents fresh thinking that's outside the normally closed 'Burgh box. In the least, it's worth exploring.

You don't even need to read between the lines to see the message that springs from this song.
If you have my campaign CD -- you'll hear Johnsmith's tune, "Don't Put Me in a Box."

Arts and Culture Observator

Arts and Culture Observatory Transcript: Intellectual Property Law and its Effect on the Creation and Presentation of Art

Last night, a night and time among many, we made music and media.

Your comments on the postion paper and panel are welcomed.

Stakes grow for state Senate seat

Stakes grow for state Senate seat PG article that stands like a two-legged stool.

Steaks?
Meat?
Fat Cats?
Gambling?

What is growing, really?

What is up for question, for goodness sakes, is clarity, honesty, democracy, stewardship, and the status quo.

Ohligarchy: Signs of the Season -- and the links keep flowing

Another blogger posted:

Ohligarchy: Signs of the Season The special election for the vacant 42nd District Pennsylvania Senate seat is scheduled for May 19, Primary Election Day in PA. Diven has a worthy opponent facing him in this race, Libertarian Mark Rauterkus.

See Stupid Statement #2 -- from another blog

By the way, I was at another board meeting. We're interviewing coaching candidates for a summer swim team. Sorry I was late. Since I had already spoken at two prior meetings, I didn't expect to address the audience.

Jeebas -- Music, Politics, and Other Jounx: "OK onto crazy stupid statement #2, someone said this regarding the PA Senate 42 race when the discussion of whether to endorse Mark Rauterkus (Lib.) or Wayne Fontana (Dem.) came up:

'Mark has a lot a great ideas, but that seat needs to stay Democratic'

It seemed like the point he was trying to get at was to only vote for a third party candidate when a seat is safe for a Democrat. That's about the most un-Democratic thing I have witnessed since PA state legislators filed suit against Ralph Nader petition gatherers in the summer of 2004 to force him off of the PA ballot. People should vote for who they agree with most on issues, not because it might screw up other people's shot. Anyone who discourages people to vote for who they believe in is despicable.

Thanks. Nice recap.

Time not ripe for merger - PittsburghLIVE.com

Nice general article.

Time not ripe for merger - PittsburghLIVE.com 'Everybody here is saying we're at the crossroads. I'm a mile up the road,' said Peduto, touting his work on City Council to map out feasible consolidations in the city, county and region.

Bill is a mile up the road -- and -- sadly -- he is alone.

To go the next step with this story, consider a bulk of the other candidates at the crossroads. The Peduto is a mile up the road. Meanwhile, I'm out of traffic resting in the park, playing with the kids, talking with the other citizens, kicking a stone.

Peduto is elected. He is up the road, and others are not following. A leader, as he is, needs to guide and lead policy. We're going to go to Bill for leadership and guidance. However, he is riding his ideas into the sunset and they zoomed beyond clear sight.

Bill is okay with consolidation. He would work hard to take the city apart by design.

Meanwhile, Tom Murphy took the city apart by default.

My plan for consolidation goes to the parks for the next step. We need to talk about a NEW PITTSBURGH PARK District. Peduto could come back home, slide over into the parks, and then sound off on what he wants to do with this position paper on the park district concept.

Then he should do something with it -- such as call a meeting, host a post-agenda, introduce a bill for a task force. Do something that elected people do -- beyond running for office.

Start reading the position paper at DSL.CLOH.Org/v1/

The dog wags back!: The Last Mayor

The dog wags back!: The Last Mayor Les has high entertainment value. If you only hear one candidate before the primary, be sure to give him a listen.

Nice review of the race. No mention of HOP.

Les does have a web page, Do More With Les dot com.

Great event last night at the community concert and rally for Rauterkus

Thanks!

We had a great gathering last night at a community concert and Rally for Rauterkus. It was our best ever. It is followed by our best bank depost ever as well.

Last night's event featured, among other things, great music from Johnsmith.

Plus, the event allowed for the "birthing of our buttons."

The campaign, Elect.Rauterkus.com, has campaign buttons now. If you missed the event and want one, and each is unique and special, we can deliver.

As an introductory special, this week only, for a $25. campaign donation you'll get five assorted buttons. Payments in person at our headquarters with a personal check or else via Pay Pay at Elect.Rauterkus.com.

You'll want five as you'll be able to give a couple away. And, you'll want more than one for yourself.

Concert with Johnsmith for Elect.Rauterkus.com

Johnsmith entertained with pointed messages in Pittsburgh.
Photo by Mark Rauterkus. Click image for enlarged view.

Songs included:
Kicking the Stone,
Don't Put Me in a Box,
Rooks in the Castle,
Put the Pedal to the Medal and Go Straight Ahead.

Stakes grow for state Senate seat

Stakes grow for state Senate seat 'The stakes are very high in this race. It would be a significant defeat for the Democrats if they can't hold onto Wagner's seat,' said pollster G. Terry Madonna, director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster.

Froth Slosh B'Gosh: Cafeteria Libertarian?

Froth Slosh B'Gosh: Cafeteria Libertarian?: "Cafeteria Libertarian?

I didn't catch this posting until now. My reply, posted here and at Froth's site. Thanks for the positive mentions too.

What if, 35 years ago, the then private transportation operators went bankrupt? What if they were not merged into the PAT?

Or, what if the 2005 band-aid recently applied to the public transit situation hit a snag and was NOT delivered at all? Plus, the recently saved PAT is presently with a two-year extension. PAT's long-term health is still set to expire.

Some 35-years ago we were moments away from a total system shutdown. Today the region is still just months away from a possible (if not probable) tansit melt down. Some were calling for ongoing operations until $0 was left. They wanted no service changes until gasoline and payroll could not be covered. No nights and weekend service was a build up to NO SERVICE at all.

The crisis 35 years ago was avoided, perhaps, but replaced with a bigger crisis that is knocking at our doorsteps.

For the past 35 years, we've given a lot of $ to transit and transportation. This just makes the real bust a crisis that is millions of times worse.

I don't want a total privitazation of the system of mass transit. I do think an evolution is necessary -- and it has to happen. We need to let it happen.

The brink of failure is still here. It is time to diversify in measured steps. And, as with the sell off of the schools -- I think the public has a place for doing the harder to handle jobs we confront in our communities.

DFA Endorsement

A progressive Pittsburgh group held an endorsement meeting. I had spoken to the group in the past and showed up tonight to plug the community concert I'm hosting tomorrow. Plus, I mentioned that I'm strong on democracy (small "d") skills and perspectives.

My Dem opponent spoke at the outset of the meeting, and I missed his pitch.

Then a ballot was taken -- among a number of races and a number of candidates.

Neither I nor Fontana got the endorsement. No endorsement is being made by the group for the race in the PA Senate 42nd district.

I'm fine with the outcome.

The one discussion point that seemed to resonate with everyone among the audience was the displeasure with the "Rs."

I'll leave the results for the other races to the DFA blog. The leaders there hosted another well run meeting.

62% Say Union Not Helpful With Bad Bosses

62% Say Union Not Helpful With Bad Bosses

Pittsburgh firm gets ink with BadBossology.com.

Republicans won a seat in state senate in eastern PA

A special election for the PA Senate was held on April 5 -- and the Republican won.

Elect.Rauterkus.com schedules April 7 concert and rally for South Side Venue

A Rally for Rauterkus and concert that includes the song, "Don't Put Me In a Box" by Johnsmith that is set for 7 pm on Thursday, April 7, 2005, is to be held at the Holiday Inn Express on the South Side on 10th Street. The hotel is next to the Oliver Bath House and the 10th Street Bridge.

This South Side venue is within easy walking distance of many dinning establishments and is non-smoking, handicap accessible, with parking and will also be home to the victory party on election night after the polls close for both the primary and the special election for the PA Senate 42nd district on May 17, 2005.

At the monthly meeting we had not secured the location.

Furthermore, a host of other events is going to occur that weekend. On Friday morning we'll hold a breakfast fundraiser. The fundraiser will begin at 6:30 am at a downtown location on Grant Street. On Saturday we'll hold a breakfast fundraiser at a neighborhood location. On Sunday we'll assocate with a park-based event.

That weekend in April is the same weekend that the Allegheny County League of Municipal officials gather in Seven Springs. While the cat is away, the mice will play -- big time.

Original posting was Feb 18.

Cosby: Parenting is serious stuff

Cosby: Parenting is serious stuff - PittsburghLIVE.com Cosby: Parenting is serious stuff

Of course parenting is serious. People know this. Pittsburghers know this. The media, well, they might not know the value and importance of parenting.

I've called myself a stay-at-home parent. Now, officially my role is "coach." So my at-home parent title isn't current. Nonetheless, there are few anywhere that take are more serious in parenting and advocacy for parenting.

Citizens for the Advancement of Democracy

A new blogger wrote:

Citizens for the Advancement of Democracy How about a man who gets re-elected in November as a Democrat and then in January switches to a Republican so he can run for State Senate? That's what Michael Diven did. He's an underhanded politician on every level.

Who are these folks, other than die-hard Peduto fans?

Daryl Metcalfe pushes Right To Work in PA

Daryl Metcalfe What simple change could the legislature make to Pennsylvania law that would promote a better economic atmosphere for job creation and restore an important individual liberty?

Answer: Pass House Bill 50, which would make Pennsylvania a Right to Work state.

Who is going to talk about laws that make it illegal to pay a CEO 100-times, or 1,000-times, what a person on the shop floor earns?

The right to work push is fine. But, I would want to open up the conversation on both ends of the spectrum at the same time.

Same too for a salary cap on sports teams. (The sports example is less of a threat to talk about. How about a salary cap that applies not just for the players, but for the owners as well.

The windfalls and golden parachutes and stock options are places to look for the real money.

South High School - getting a new lease on life, we hope

A requested zoning change and a conditional use application involving redevelopment plans for South Hills High School received unanimous approval March 22 from the City Planning Commission in their positive recommendation to City Council.

The now vacant high school building was built in 1916 and closed to students in 1986. Plans call for renovation for residential and limited commercial use.

A previous hearing on March 8 drew about a dozen Mount Washington residents who said the plans, if realized, would increase tax revenue, create more jobs and attract more young families to move to the area. “Most of Mount Washington seemed to support this,” Bob Reppe, zoning administrator, told the planning board at their more recent meeting.

A number of schools are sitting around, idle. We should look to turn the hardest to use properties into projects that are put at the front of the line. The easy projects should be mothballed as possible schools for the future.

Election Day -- May 17 here. Today in Eastern PA

Today is an election day in the eastern part of the state. A special election is being held to select a state senator. The race has been nasty, so I hear. There is NOT a third party candidate in the race.

I think that my arrival to the race is going to help keep the race here more on issues and more with a tone of civility.

Our state senate special election is being held on the primary day, saving the taxpayers $250,000. That is right and just. I pushed for that date to be selected.

Wonder what the turnout will be in the special election there?

Wonder what the turnout will be for our special election?

March Madness Ends. Sadly, Murphy's Madness Sustains

They cut down the nets at the end of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament last night. The Final Four became a single victor, North Carolina Tarheels.

March Madness ends, but sadly, the madness at the hand of Mayor Tom Murphy sustains itself with a new bond deal for the city. The city, already in great debt, is racking up more debt.

This time of recent unpleasantness is what we might call this era.

The Tarheels won in 2005 while all of the city lost. Some might look to the sky blue, while others think of the black heel, the tar and convert that to the asphalt plant, the pedestrians, the potholes, the destruction of stairways that this bond might help to fund.

Murphy wants to borrow money to better destroy the city. Some of the money to be used after it is taken on load, is for the removal of city steps, already in decay. These are projects from the WPA that won't ever be rebuilt. And because they are done with debt, the progress for the future is but a wish away wiht a lottery ticket in hand.

But this isn't only Murphy's trouble. It is Diven's as well. Diven would do the same thing. He'd borrow the money. Diven and Murphy would act the same. They generally have.

Here is a chance for either of my opponents to stand tall and say what they think should be done.

Councilman dislikes bond fee - "Go Doug Go"

Councilman dislikes bond fee - PittsburghLIVE.com The team of underwriters, lawyers and advisers figures to earn about $2.3 million on the deal.

Doug doesn't like this deal as he isn't in the drivers seat. And, the deal puts the next mayor, perhaps Bob O' (Doug's past mentor) into the back seat once he is mayor. The debt and bond agents are going to be in the front seat, with some others, for some time yet to come.

But the more debt that is racked up by Murphy and the present council, the more our children are going to need to pay down. And, the more the bain-drain and exodus is to occur.

How that money is to be spent is another matter, to be dealt with in additional messages.
The other concern is the intention of Peduto to really walk his talk -- or not. This is a pay-to-play concern. Insiders, cronies, are getting the deal. The payout for them is high.

I hate no-bid contracts. This is a no-bid contract.

Pittsburgh is a patronage town. Pittsburgh is in the hole because we have contract patronage -- such as this deal.

This deal hurts a number of people: children who need to pay back the debt, older people because the children are not staying around to pay off the debt, families who are sure to move in and then move out again because of the debt, the marketplace who is going to shrink and go elsewhere where things are fair, etc.

The deal helps cronies who get the windfall, Mayor Murphy, and those on city council who have driven this city into its crisis.

The money from the bond's income is going to keep a new coat of lipsitck on the pig for another year so that the riots in the street don't happen while this group is still in office. This is worse than band-aid politics, as it is a band-aid on a credit-card.

These are the ones who are worried about zoning laws for quick cash bandits and neighborhood retail zoning ordinances that prohibit preditory lending outfits.

Bond deal corruption cases litter the landscape of American politics. City by city, there are bad deals that are being done. This is a prime example of what not to do.

Doug Shields, I'll stand with you on this one. We share some of the same motivations. Sadly, I think we'll stand alone.

---

A small vicotry came as the vote was delayed, for at least a day.

City residents get street cleaning schedule alert

City residents get street cleaning schedule alertCity residents take note, street cleaning began Friday and parking restrictions will be strictly enforced, says the Department of Public Works. Parking restrictions are posted on street-cleaning signs, but a grace period for ticketing cars will be in effect through April 18 to give residents a chance to adjust to the schedule.

The parking restrictions will be enforced beginning April 19 through Nov. 30.

The city needs to make up some of the income from the missed Penguins season. So, expect to see a lot of tickets and few street sweepers. Its an income thing. And, it is another way to spank the citizens.

The entire street sweeping program needs a serious evaluation. Alerts to residents should be simple, if a network was operational. But, these governmental officials don't think about customer service nor outreach nor modern communications.

Women say gender inequity not biggest issue for startups

Women say gender inequity not biggest issue for startups: "Mary Del Brady and Angela Kennedy have no time for hand-wringing over the fact that they are anomalies -- veteran female entrepreneurs in Pittsburgh's male-dominated high technology industry.

This points to the fact that we need a high-tech youth technology summit. If I was elected State Senator, I'd be able to help start such events.

http://Summit.CLOH.Org

Furthermore, a look at the number of women in the high tech field is only outpaced by the lack of women in politics. We need good candidates who are women. We need good campaign workers who are women too.

If you'd like to help, or if you want help -- ask.

I could use more women on my side as well.

Legislature expected to tweak new $52-a-year municipal tax

Legislature expected to tweak new $52-a-year municipal tax'We didn't dot the i's and cross the t's on this legislation,' said Rep. Mario Scavello, R-Monroe. 'We've opened up a Pandora's box with this thing.'

They need to "think again." Imagine that. They also includes my opponent. They should be moved to the private sector for doing such sillyness.

Venue: Holiday Inn Express, South Side on 10th Street

Johnsmith played at the Holiday Inn Express on the South Side on 10th Street. The event was organized by Mark Rauterkus.

Bill Godshall and others are to tackle campaign finance reform on the county level

Bill wrote:

To: Allegheny County Campaign Finance Advocates

At its meeting scheduled for 5PM tomorrow (Tuesday), Allegheny County
Council is scheduled to consider Doug Price's Campaign Finance legislation,
which now includes three amendments offered by Rich Fitzgerald that were
approved at last week by the Council's Committee on Campaign Finance
(see news article in the comments).

April 5th's County Council meeting agenda.

Those testifying are encouraged to:

1. Urge council to support effective campaign finance legislation.

2. Urge council to lower the limits (that were amended into the bill) for individual contributions to County candidates.

3. Remind council that Rich Fitzgerald's stated intent to amend the legislation to also apply to federal, state and municipal candidates would conflict with federal law, state law, and the City of Pittsburgh's Home Rule Charter. It's uncertain, however, whether Fitzgerald's amendments would actually apply to federal, state and muni candidates.

4. Remind council that Rich Fitzgerald's intent to amend the legislation to limit a candidate's contribution to his/her own campaign (at $5,000/year) would violate the Buckley vs Valeo decision by the US Supreme Court. Once againg, however, it's uncertain whether Fitzgerald's amendment would actually limit the amount a candidate can contribute to himself/herself.

If anyone wants a copy of the amendments that were approved at last week's committee meeting, please let me know and give me your fax number. Following is last week's Tribune Review article on the bill.

Bill Godshall
(W) 412-351-5880

I am for sensible campaign finance reform. I'm most interested in legislation that is going to work and still allow the region to soar.

Homeowners haven't shown passion for tax plan

Homeowners haven't shown passion for tax planm Sunday, April 03, 2005

One of my favorite rules in politics comes from Senate GOP political guru Mike Long:

'If you take the folks who are mildly for your candidate, and give me a smaller number that are passionate for my candidate or issue, I will beat you every time. Because passionate people show up, they work and they vote. Folks who don't have a compelling reason to vote, often don't.'

Long's 'passion wins' theory seemed particularly appropriate to me after listening to Gov. Ed Rendell stump for his property tax reduction plan Thursday night.

See the rest of his remarks in the comments.

Rendell Watch: Using Rendell's Money to Bash Rendell's Tax Increase

Giggles mount.

Rendell Watch: Using Rendell's Money to Bash Rendell's Tax Increase: ... switched parties and is the Republican nominee against Allegheny County Councilman Wayne Fontana in a special election for [Auditor General Jack] Wagner's old district of Pittsburgh and its suburbs.

'The Democrats, trailing in this one, are using funds raised by Rendell to attack Diven for voting for the governor's tax hike. What does that tell you about Rendell's popularity in the southwest?'

That's sweet, sweet irony -- using money raised by Mr. Rendell to criticize a man for supporting Mr. Rendell's tax increase. Amazing.

Blogs, Everyone? Weblogs Are Here to Stay, but Where Are They Headed? - Knowledge@Wharton

Blogs, Everyone? Weblogs Are Here to Stay, but Where Are They Headed? - Knowledge@Wharton: "Recently, blogs have been credited with everything from CBS News anchorman Dan Rather's departure, to unauthorized previews of the latest Apple Computer products, to new transparency in presidential campaigns. The big question is whether blogs, short for weblogs, have the staying power to become more than just online diaries. Will bloggers upend the mainstream media? What legal protections should bloggers have? Is there a blogger business model? While no definitive answers exist just yet, experts at Wharton advise questioners to be patient. Blogging, they note, will be around for a long time.

Riverlife Task Force plans competition to design footbridge across Ohio River

Is this a bridge or just some different treatments to the access to the West End Bridge?

Riverlife Task Force plans competition to design footbridge across Ohio River

Wired News: FEC Eyes Bloggers' Political Ties

Nice insights Mike:

Wired News: FEC Eyes Bloggers' Political Ties 'The real question is where do we go from here,' said Mike Krempasky, co-founder of conservative blog RedState.org. 'There's not a real understanding of how politics and the internet works at the Federal Election Commission.'

Too bad none of the others on the GOP slate are working on their ideas at Red State.org.

Joe Weinroth, Sam and others should have a blog at RedState.

Lamb details development plan

Lamb details development plan
Sunday, April 03, 2005 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

County Prothonotary Michael Lamb, a candidate for mayor of Pittsburgh in next month's primary, yesterday said the city can reboot itself economically if established businesses are supported, new ones developed and housing stock replenished.

Lamb said a $50 million blight-relief fund, as well as community development block grants and other economic development funds could be used to pay for such efforts.

He said women-owned businesses must be encouraged because area women are among the best educated in the state, make up 60 percent of the local workforce and are the least likely to leave Pittsburgh.

The use of the word, reboot, is interesting. To reboot gives us areas to ponder -- like the crash or frozen climate we must be in now.

Use Linux -- rather than Windows (or M$ WinDoze) -- and rebooting is so common. The open-source world provides Linux, and stability.

If established businesses are supported -- then the reboot will work. But, we've already been supporting established businesses. To some, that's called corporate welfare. We've been down that route. We supported the Pirates, the Steelers, PNC, Heinz, US Airways. We've given them what they wanted for years.

If those efforts can be paid for by the spending from the other piles of money -- then the reboot works. Blight grants!

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Lamb's star credential as a reformer, however, was his role as campaign manager of the 1998 movement to adopt the county's new home-rule charter form of government led by a chief executive and a 15-member county council.

While Lamb has lofty goals, voters will want a more concrete plan before Election Day, said Jerry Shuster, who teaches political communications at Robert Morris University and the University of Pittsburgh. "He's got to get off the ideal focus and get more specific in terms of programs that are directly related to the needs of the constituency, such as street repair," Shuster said.

Lamb contends that he's laying out a platform of what voters can expect of him through a series of position papers, including his views on consolidation of services, transportation, education and other topics.

"You'll always know where I stand on an issue," he said. "You may disagree with it, but you'll know where I am.

Objection 1: The important role of ombudsman is missing from our county's charter. It was in there, and it got lost in the get-along. The reform continues.

Objection 2: Lamb didn't see anything wrong with Fontana's lack of resignation from County Council when he was a candidate. Lamb was asked to stand with me in the call to reform -- and he didn't.

Objection 3: Lamb spoke to a group on the South Side a few months ago. I was there. When the question of the Mon-Valley Toll Road was raised, Mr. Lamb, the "you'll know where I stand on an issue" candidate, said nothing. His statement of the voters always knowing where he stands on the issues is thin, at best.

Slate will revitalize city

Great to see a sate of GOPers. Great to read of a few of these issues. Great to see some press coverage too.

Not so great to see such hype.

Yes, the URA shoud be liquidated. Yes, the development fund should be nuked. No, this isn't gonig to be easy. The work to unravel the URA is going to take a decade or more. Heavy lifting will be necessary.

Slate will revitalize city - PittsburghLIVE.com ... the candidate promised to sell all assets held by the city's Urban Redevelopment Authority and liquidate its development fund.

'When I say I'll make the change,' said Weinroth, of Squirrel Hill, 'you can count on it being done.'

The candidate proposed cutting city spending, slashing the nine-member City Council to five and eliminating the city's parking and stadium authorities.

In 2001, Weinroth lost the race for the District 8 City Council seat to Democrat William Peduto.

Peduto, Allegheny County Prothonotary Michael Lamb and former council president Bob O'Connor are the leaders among seven candidates seeking the Democratic nomination in the mayor's race.

Pittsburgh, where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by about 5 to 1, hasn't produced a Republican mayor since the early 1930s.

The GOP is also fielding candidates for three City Council slots and a seat on the city's school board:

# Sam Berninger, 28, an information technology professional from Sheraden, will run for the District 2 seat, vacated by Alan Hertzberg last month after he was confirmed by the state Senate to fill a seat on the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.

# Bob Hillen, 47, of Beechview, chairman of the city's Republican committee, will run -- for the third time -- for the District 4 seat. This time, he will face Councilman Jim Motznik, an Overbrook Democrat seeking a second term.

# If Councilman Sala Udin, the Hill District incumbent, survives a primary challenge from Tonya Payne of the Hill District and city school board member Mark Brentley Sr. of the North Side, he will face Republican Alan Perry, 59, of Manchester, founder and owner of an insurance company.

# Tom Baker, of Squirrel Hill, a career counselor at Carnegie Mellon University, will seek to unseat Pittsburgh Public Schools board member Theresa Colaizzi.

Violet Law can be reached at vlaw@tribweb.com or (412) 320-7884.

Great to see Violet covering politics as well.

The oversight lawsuit: Account, please - PittsburghLIVE.com

The oversight lawsuit: Account, please - PittsburghLIVE.com Isn't it time that Gov. Rendell, Mayor Murphy and a subservient City Council account for themselves in the light of day and against the objective standards of the law?

Onorato spars with critic over assessments

Onorato barks for state help - PG article Onorato repeated his plans to lobby the state Legislature in Harrisburg to make assessments revenue neutral.

Onorato needs the help of the state. So much for self-reliance.

The barking from Onorato should switch away from the stance of being "revenue neutral" and to "assessment buffering." To the home owner and tax-payer -- being revenue neutral throughout the entire county is meaningless. To the taxpayers, having assessment buffering means the world.

BUILD YOUR OWN POLITICAL POWER from Jonathan Robison

Jonathan is ramping up some new activist-classes, it seems. I post it here without an endorsement. J.R. is a staunch Dem.

J. R. is at 154 N. Bellefield Ave. # 66, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-683-0237, jonmary1@juno.com

Here’s how you can build your own personal political power.

Many people are active politically for various candidates and for causes such as peace, the environment, economic justice, lesbian and gay rights, reproductive rights, and civil liberties. Especially in the wake of the extreme right victory last year, there are many new people.

People want to do politics effectively. If you are in it for the long haul want to increase your own personal political power so that they can better help their candidates and their causes. Building you own political power can help accomplish personal goals for you and your community, and also can be fun

How? There will be a series of seminars to discuss various tactics and techniques.

The first session will be Monday, May 2, at 8 p.m., at St. Andrews Lutheran Church 304 Morewood Ave., corner of Centre Ave.

We will discuss how you can use your involvement in the upcoming May 17 primary to increase your own political power. The session will NOT discuss and recruit you for any individual candidates. We assume that by May 2 you will already have a candidate in whom you are interested. We will discuss how you can help that candidate in ways that do the most for that candidate and also build your own political power. The session will be right after the MoveOn May meetup, which is at that church at 7. However, you are welcome regardless of whether you are associated with MoveOn, DFAPittsburgh, the Sierra Club, the Thomas Merton Center, or anyone or no one.

There will be more sessions later. Possible topics include: the Democratic Party Structure, Duties and Responsibilities of Committeepeople, Circulating Nomination Petitions, Turnout - “Pulling” Voters, The Structure of a Winning Campaign, Electoral Politics and/or Direct Action?, Third Party or First?, Anarchism - the Third Thread in Progressive Politics Today, the Internet and Electoral Politics, Absentee Ballots/Provisional Ballots, and From Paper Ballots to Touch Screens. The seminars will be planned to be especially useful to new committeepeople and people considering running for the Democratic Committee next year. Please share any ideas for topics.

The “Build Your Own Personal Political Power” seminars will be led by Jonathan Robison. Jon is a long-time activist in politics, the peace movement, and the community. He has worked in over a hundred campaigns, going back to Gene McCarthy in ’68, and ran three times for Pittsburgh City Council. He is an attorney and vice-chairperson of the 4th Ward Democratic Committee in Oakland.

The sessions may be on a regular monthly basis, structured so that people can attend ones that interest them. Interested groups will be consulted on the schedule, and those at the May 2 seminar will be asked about dates and a place.

We might have to ask for a contribution of $10, possibly to the Thomas Merton Center, primarily to make people’s RSVP’s meaningful. The introductory session May 2 will be free. There will be no charge of materials distributed at the sessions.

Please pass this on to anyone interested. For further information or comments, contact Jon at 412-683-0237 or jonmary1@juno.com.

NAN tip

NAN is the neighborhood awareness network. The group is building an "amber alert" type of rapid response chain to get messages around the South Side Flats.

WARNING TO BUSINESSES
Zone 3 officers were dispatched to the Beechview area for a man standing in the back of a pick up truck going through garbage that he retrieved from a drug store. The actor told police that he was going through the garbage to get receipts to give to another person. He refused to give the name of the person he was doing this for. LET'S GET THE WORD OUT TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITIES OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SHREDDING PAPER AND RECEIPTS THAT NEED DISPOSED OF. THE CRIME OF IDENTITY THEFT IS ESCALATING ACROSS THE COUNTRY. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU!

Ramblings #12 - Why Am I A Libertarian? Rambling views of The Common Libertarian:

A small snipt from a site called The Common Libertarian.Ramblings #12, elsewhere

I love this country. But this country is not the government in Washington, or in Arkansas, or in Jonesboro. This country is the people that live here, work here, no matter where they were born. All are included in the first words of the Constitution: We the people.... This document sets forth the form of government we should have. A limited, small government whose only duty is to protect my God-given rights of life, liberty, and property from infringement by others...including the government itself! This country became great and prosperous because the people worked hard with little or no government interference in a free market that allowed any single person to be rewarded for his hard labor, ingenuity, and persistence. It wasn't perfect, but it worked. Now, starting with the beginning of the 20th Century and continuing today, the government has taken powers for itself that We The People never gave it. The government run by the Demopublican duopoly is taking away our very God-given rights of which a few were enumerated in the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the Constitution (which for all intents and purposes should be considered a part of the original document). I want to see this country returned to the principles that made it great, preferably in my lifetime, but if not in mine, in the lifetime of my children. I was raised with the belief that we were put on this Earth to steward it and pass it on to our children as good as or better than when we received it from our parents. This is not happening and I want to change that.

Can I do this on my own? No, of course not. But if all of us band together with a common purpose, we become an army that can take back our country from those who have usurped the power of We The People. That is why I am a Libertarian.

Here we go again: Murphy rebuffs oversight board's threats

Murphy rebuffs oversight board's threats Tom Murphy yesterday sent the city's fiscal oversight board a missive with a message about the firefighters new contract: Back off or we will beat you in court.

In a strongly worded letter to the board, Murphy defended the cost cuts in the contract and vowed the city will win any court battles with the oversight board, which criticized the plan and voted to sue the city.

In the most simple terms, Murphy does not play well with others. On another level, he is happy to fight it out in court.

We don't need to go to court like he has done. And, we need to work much harder at working it out.

I'm willing to deal well with others that are not willing to deal well with me.

I'm not a push over that is full of agreement, just to make nice. I can stand fast in my resolve in matters where I justifications. However, throughout, I stay with an open mind.

I can be proven wrong. I can listen to those that are in disagreement. And, I don't give up.

Prosperity report, given big air at QED, draws scorn

See the comments section for the press release from another outlet.

Up & Down - and finger pointing on a vile message board system

PoliticsPA.com has a web site and the site has some message boards. This was noticed in an article there:

Up & Down Bad news for the users of the PoliticsPA Scranton/ Wilkes Barre anonymous message board, as a court order will force us to reveal the identities of all users.

The Pittsburgher in me says, "Get-out!"

Jeepers, creepers.

Some bad boys are going to be decloaked -- perhaps.

I wonder what Mike from Pittsblog has to say about this?

FYI, I don't think I've even peeked at the message board in question.

April First -- and I'm not fooling around. I'm serious about public endeavors that lay ahead.

Happy April 1. I'm not fooling. Providing serious concerns for public endeavors. (Concert: 7 pm on 7th)

I sent out the following email today. The letter went into the message body, and it went as a PDF attachement as well. This is the first I've sent along a PDF. The letter prints on two pages and could make for a simple pass along note to others who you come in contact with throught the next weeks.

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Open letter to residents of Western Pennsylvania
From Mark Rauterkus, Libertarian Nominee,

Citizen Candidate for Jack Wagner’s vacated State Senate seat in the Special Election on Primary Day, May 17, 2005


April 1, 2005

Dear voters,

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

I have coached state-record breakers in four states.

I’ve edited, published and marketed more than 100 books for athletes participating in cutting-edge competitive sports. I can write, communicate in technical terms, and interact among a broad spectrum of citizens. Anyone can offer their own opinions on numerous issues at my website: Platform.For-Pgh.org.

I believe my abilities and acquired skills would stand me in good stead as a legislator in our modern, crisis-driven times. I can provide a strong voice for new regional leadership. I understand that our system of local and state government is broken -- and, financially “broke”, as well.

Career politicians have put the Pittsburgh region in a tailspin.

As necessary, I will buck established authorities and demand personal and fiscal accountability, sacking the practice of “done deals,” promoting fair and competitive bidding, and encouraging the participation of a fully-informed public in government affairs.

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

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

Misuse and abuse of state laws in schemes such as the attempted WE-HAV tax on Southwest Pittsburgh neighborhoods, and the practice of TIFs such as Deer Creek Crossing in northern Allegheny County do not advance the prosperity of all.
Public funds should be applied to maintaining existing public roads, pedestrian walkways and trails. Public funds should provide affordable and efficient mass transit, not be squandered on things such as the Mon Valley Tollway, which will wreak havoc throughout neighborhoods.

I've actively struggled for preservation and re-use of our historic sites and valuable local resources, including St. Nicholas on the North Side, the Pittsburgh Public Libraries, WQEX 16, the now-closed and lone indoor ice rink in the city (Neville), city recreation centers, and some swimming pools.

I battled against corporate give-a-ways that loomed in Fifth & Forbes (plans A, B, and C) and pushed for pedestrian-accommodating design, reliable transit funding, and internet-accessible property assessment listings.

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

I questioned UPMC's expansion to the South Side Works by calling a public hearing in city council and releasing my first position paper. I fought eminent domain with emails to the Institute for Justice and in public testimony. I fought the loss of Pitt Stadium with former Pitt players and networked with the Women’s Sports Foundation to raise Title IX concerns. I fought the stadium tax.

I raised alarms with the red-carpet arrival of dual Oversight Boards. I want self-reliance from elected officials, not bailouts.

I say no to wrongheaded spending on a merry-go-round in Oakland that is to replace a parking-area and vendors. Yes, a real merry-go-round is in the works; it’s not a figure of speech.

My critical editorial ran in the Pgh Park’s Conservancy newsletter and my objections are know from public hearings and my direct communications. As the city administration, planning officials and the community gathered for the proud release of the park’s master plan, I simply objected to the document's title. Their document should not have been called a master plan. A more fitting name would be lesser plan. Other concerned citizens shared in the process and were also in disbelief.

Wasteful spending, in my opinion, includes the glass-enclosed subway station re-do in Gateway Center, the one-way HOV-ish Wabash Tunnel, and the under-the-river route of light-rail T-expansion to the North Side.

I fought the elimination of the City's two rodent control workers who hunt and trap rats from empty lots and work to keep rats from our homes.

Downsizing the City’s lone traffic engineer was more folly. Likewise, the Citizens' Police Academy got my support as I helped in the crafting of a plan that could have moved the program to into a money making entity.

I spoke to the Pittsburgh Public Schools' board and to community meetings about saving vo-tech opportunities. I suggested new courses and methods for increasing outreach to Community College of Allegheny County departments.

At the end of 2004, when public comment at City Council was under attack, I called a public hearing and the sponsoring member took the bill off the table.

In my opinion, lawful efforts of bounty hunters shouldn't be hindered when we have a police shortage and an abundance of criminals that need to be captured.

We should liquidate the parking authority, then lower the parking tax to 15%. Let's create a yearly Youth Technology Summit. Let's organize a new Pittsburgh Park District and have it come with a replacement of a portion of the RAD tax and RAD Board so as to spur cooperation among volunteers and operate under the sunshine laws and with democratic participation.

As a member of a 12-week task force established by a city council memeber, I'm supporting campaign finance reform that has a prayer of working as intended. I support "political debates" that include ALL candidates.

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

With respect,


Mark Rauterkus, Candidate, Mark@Rauterkus.com

Please make an informed vote on May 17.
Resident of South Side, Pittsburgh http://Elect.Rauterkus.com 412 298 3432

What did you think of the debate?

What did you think of the debate? I'd love to get your written reactions in the comment section here.