Propel officials will outline renovation plans for school in Robinson

Propel officials will outline renovation plans for school - PittsburghLIVE.com Propel officials will outline renovation plans for school

Some comments about the article follow.

Seeing an investment into a building for adaptive reuse is great.

Commissioners Chairman Bill Blumling said his main concerns are losing taxes on the building. Well, how much has the building and property pain in taxes in the past years? Let's see a chart. And, let's also not the tax increases. And, note too as to how much in taxes go to the various sources, such as schools, county, municipal.

The worry of higher public safety costs is groundless. A school is not going to be a drain on public safety costs. If so, prove it with the numbers.

A city without any people has no worry about needing money for public safety. Nobody is there.

The cost and liability of having an empty building is greater than anything a school delivers.

Seeing that McMichael Road is already heavily traveled without the school makes good sense. You WANT to put schools are busy road. You don't want to put schools in neighborhoods on lightly used roads and wedged among homes.

In the city we have some empty school buildings. I want to take the buildings that are among the houses, in the neighborhoods, on lightly traveled roads, and turn those into senior housing or else condos. Put housing in among the other houses. Put schools into the properties that are heavy with travel and transit.

"With all the schools we have in the area, I don't know that a charter school could do anything more. Why do we need one?" Blumling said.

But that question isn't one commissioners are being asked to consider, said Propel Executive Director Jeremy Resnick.

Right on. But there is more to understand. You want this school for a number of reasons. The arrival of a charter school is going to increase the service and satisfaction among those who go to the traditional public school. Competition helps. The regular school is going to raise their levels of teaching and expectations.

Furthermore, with our educational system, we know that the square pegs don't fit well in the round holes. Some are not gonig to feel at home and thrive at some schools. Others are going to do well at other settings. We want diversity in the market place of schools. We want freedom, options, choices, and other places for those who are unhappy to move to. One size does NOT fit all in most situations.

If everyone is happy with the local public school, then there will not be any students at the charter school. Hence, the charter school will float away.

Perhaps some in Robinson will move to the charter school. Those same people might have left Robinson to move to USC, Mt. Lebo or the North Hills. With the school in Robinson, Robinson wins. The local homeowners have a choice.

Others might go to the school in Robinson from homes elsewhere in the area. A teacher hired for the school who lives in Plum or Baldwin might decide to buy a home in Robinson. Same too with a family that like the charter -- but doesn't like the drive. They might move into Robinson.

Montour School Board President Charles Snowden said he thinks Propel's purpose is a bit murky. Propel appears to be attempting to capitalize on Montour's "good name," he said.
Giggle.

Debate late night

TV 4 did a debate. I watched. I taped. I should have gone to sleep. Nothing new came from the chatter.

Bob wasn't so smooth.

Mike's close wasn't so smooth.

Slogan of interest: In Bob O'Connor's open, he said, "Do more with less." And twice in Mike Lamb's close he said, "Do more with less."

One of the questions was right on target for Les as well. The question asked about "alternative funding."

Who won? Cleveland, Columbus, Charleston, D.C., Harrisburg, Buffalo, Erie.

Who lost? Everyone in Pittsburgh.

What is killing me about this race is the total lack of "pick-up power." None of the front runners are able to absorb the ideas of any other in the race. These guys are running a race that is stuck in the first inning. Give and take is absent.

However, given a long-view, many of the buzz phrases I've posted about are being injected into some of the discussions. Bob O'Connor said Pittsburgh has been too heavy in a "bricks and mortar" mindset. The Penguins of the NHL got zippo in terms of any promises from any of the candidates. Bob O'Connor is talking about schools and school aged kids. Bill Peduto raised the point about Pittsburgh's sky high 'deed transfer tax.'

Bill and Mike are improving. Bob's fade is every so gradual. The gap for those in catch-up mode might take months or years. So, the best hope is still a series engagements with updated content and an eventual knock out landed to O'Connor in November's general election.

It is going to take teamwork and fresher content. Sadly, I don't see much of a 'dance' from the challengers. And, this is a prime reason why all the challengers needed to be present.

WTAE-TV Hosts Mayoral Debate without the full field of candidates. Another 8,000 to depart next year too!

ThePittsburghChannel.com - WTAE-TV - WTAE-TV Channel 4 To Host Mayoral Debate The debate, moderated by WTAE-TV Channel 4 Action News anchor Michelle Wright, airs April 24 at 11:35 p.m. after Channel 4 Action News at 11 p.m.

The debate will feature the 2005 Democratic primary candidates for mayor: Michael Lamb, Bob O'Connor and Bill Peduto.

This is why Pittsburgh is in a decline. Ignore real people. Think with half a brain. Close conversations. The "done deal mentality" must come to an end for Pittsburgh to thrive. Meanwhile, it lingers and another 8,000 depart on an annual basis.

Trib Whispers

Can't we all just get along? - PittsburghLIVE.com WAYNE'S WORLD WHIRLING INTO BLACK HOLE? Despite hitting the TV airwaves before his competitor, former Allegheny County Councilman Wayne Fontana's state Senate campaign seems to have hit a dry spell.

The candidate held an April 14 fund-raiser that drew only 40 people - and the two guests of honor never showed. Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Democrat U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle of Swissvale were supposed to be the headliners but neither came to the event.

That bodes well for Michael Diven, the Democrat-turned-Republican who will be Fontana's foe in the May 17 special election to fill the seat formerly held by Jack Wagner, now the state auditor general.

A fund raiser with 40? That is how many came to my event on April 7. And, our star performers were there.
But with the Dem money flowing from Harrisburg, why would Wayne even need to hold an event? He can suck down the big purse that the two old parties have built up since before gambling's arrival.
I'm not sure what big names would even go to a Diven fund raiser. Weinroth? Hillen? Pippy? Hart? Habay? Tom Murphy?
I'm sure Mike has a lot of friends. Same too with Wayne.
Colin of the TRIB, would he attend a fund raiser? Whould he return calls? Is there going to be an endorsement from the Trib?

Mark C, a Libertarian pal, wrote a P.G. LTE about the Patriot Act. His letter was in response to a Forum piece by a Pittsburgh-based US Attorney who (no surprise here) called for retaining all the powers of the Patriot Act.

Why should we trust government claims about the Patriot Act?

U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan's endorsement of the Patriot Act ("The USA Patriot Act Works," April 17 Forum) reads like a televangelist demanding money to save souls.

The assurance of "no reported abuses" of individual rights brings to mind the PG story about millionaire John Gilmore ("Grounded," by Dennis Roddy, Feb. 27).

Gilmore was denied passage on a plane because the law said he needed a government ID and he didn't even have a driver's license. When he officially asked to see the law, he was officially told that his seeing that law would violate the law.

How can we trust any "no reported abuses" claim?

Congress overwhelmingly passed the Patriot Act and did so before having an opportunity to read the bill. If they didn't read it, what makes you think they would read about its aftermath?

This is why the Patriot Act doesn't work. It must be repealed.

MARK CROWLEY, Plum

"I gave up hockey for the campaign," Peduto says. "This is my workout."

In the Sunday newspaper feature, Bill Peduto was quoted.

"I gave up hockey for the campaign," he says. "This is my workout."

Bill isn't the only city resident to give up hockey. The city has a lone, indoor ice rink that had plenty of hockey teams -- until it closed. The closed rink behind the South Side Hospital, in the area below Quarry Field, used to be home to Pitt's club hockey team, the Penguins and even a NHL All-Start practice. But, it closed a few years ago. It sits vacant, idle, and with little hope of ever getting opened again under the current administation of Tom Murphy -- and present members of city council.

Bill is a hockey player. Bill knows our lone indoor rink is closed. Bill has done nothing to reopen the rink.

The rink can and should re-open without costing the city a nickle. The rink was operated by a private individual with a long-term lease. The city still owns the land and building.

I'm not a hockey player. But I want the community asset to open again.

Bill is a hockey player. He and others on council have done nothing to open the rink and be stewards of our resources, our assets, our programs, our opportunities, our youthful experiences, our volunteer capacity venues, nor our park spaces.

This goes to the lack of 'teamwork' that Bob O'Connor harps about. Bob is able to echo the chant from my rants in the past years. "They don't play well with others."

We, as parents, as coaches, as educators, as volunteers, as concerned citizens, as taxpayers -- and as voters -- need to see our elected officials engaged in solving problems, in making efforts, and in being productive.

The outcome in terms of being a hockey player in the city is -- no ice.

The program, HOCKEY IN THE HOOD, had a great feature on WQED's OnQ TV show. There are kids who get into vans in the heart of the city, trek to the airport a few times each week, fighting evening traffic, to play hockey. They should be able to do these activities in the city.

If you're in a "hockey family" -- you're going to move out of the city. Why not go to school at B.P. and walk the length of the parking lot from school to rink? Why not do the same in Mt. Lebo. Rinks are throughout the burbs. Hence, folks into that game go to the burbs, generally, if they have the family to enable that move. It is a no brainer.

---

Bill gave up hockey for the campaign. Peduto's hockey hobby was left behind because his professional calling in politics drove him to campaign for mayor. Implied is the meaning that the youngster, Peduto, matured and settled down for serious campaign efforts and a new challenge. Bill has skated away from lesiure sports to politics.

For me, the realm of sports in the city was such that I was called into politics. I too left the day to day of sports. But my sports, team, coaching quest of high performance and reaching potential helps to drive the Elect.Rauterkus.com campaign.

I walked straight to politics and a campaign and away from sports when I had had enough. My swim coaching retirement and efforts in politics has sports-minded goal. I want to fix sports because the system around here is broken and the public treasury is broke too. Plus, we might as well fix the rest of the city and region as well by injecting more freedom, liberties and free-market expectations as well. That's real competition, accountability, competitiveness.

I helped to rescue a floundering swim team that practices at the Oliver Bath House. The team, Three Rivers Aquatics, TRA, was set to close forever. The parent volunteer booster board was pulling the plug. Hosea Holder, the head coach, and I didn't let that occur. We moved to restore the team's operation in the summer of 1998 (or was is 99). I've been fighting upstream ever since.

Hired coaches!

Coaches for the Green Tree Great White Sharks, summer of 2005. Bill Straw and Jason Miller.

I was on the board of the swim team and we conducted interviews and hired these guys.

Swim team sign-ups happen in the spring and the kids got the chance to meet and mingle with the coaches before the summer season began.

Race for Mayor: Peduto says he's unfazed by critics and doubters

Wow, my recent posts about the issue distinctions of Bill Peduoto's campaign made my heart skip a beat when I saw this at first. I got a bit of ink, and it isn't harsh to the Peduto camp, thank goodness.

The Race for Mayor: Peduto says he's unfazed by critics and doubters: "Those communities are the chief targets of his effort, quarterbacked from his crowded headquarters at the cusp of the Strip District. There, the results of his team's door-knocking and phone calls are entered into computers nightly, and charted by a geographic information system program. Peduto's Saturday foray into Beechview strayed from his focus communities. But those neighborhoods can't be ignored, because a special election for its state Senate seat contest is expected to spur an unusually high local turnout. That race, between state Rep. Michael Diven, who recently switched to the Republican Party, former county Councilman Wayne Fontana, a Democrat, and Libertarian Mark Rauterkus is a priority of both statewide political parties.

More on the overall letter tonight.
Now I'm running out to see Rebecca F of Green Building fame with a presentation at our church, Sunnyhill.org.

Allegheny County Health Department: lends good excuse for not running TV ads this week

I'm not going to air any TV ads for my campaign for PA Senate in the 42nd out of the utmost repect for this fine effort from the Allegheny County Health Department. We do need to get out more and exercise -- until our own Park District forms.

Allegheny County Health Department: The Allegheny County Health Department is asking you to pledge to participate in TV Turnoff Week!

Meanwhile, more mud tossing is expected between my loyal opponents on the boob tube this week. They gotta get their message out there. And their messages are way out there now.

County Bar Association releases judicial endorsements

County Bar Association releases judicial endorsements

Highly recommended
Kathryn M. Hens-Greco, 47, of Squirrel Hill; Jon Pushinsky, 50, of Highland Park; Jack McVay, 48, of the North Side; Dwayne Woodruff, 48, of McCandless; Edward Borkowski, 54, of Stanton Heights; Chuck Evans, 62, of Squirrel Hill; Anthony Mariani, 52, of Ross; Tony Basinski, 58, of Upper St. Clair; Beth Lazzara, 39, of the North Side; James Mahood, 57, of Richland; Roger Wise, 59, of McCandless.

Recommended
William T. Simmons, 55, of East Liberty; Jacqueline Morrow, 48, of Squirrel Hill; Michael E. McCarthy, 55, of Ross; David Joseph DeFazio, 50, of Shadyside; Frank Cecchetti, 56, of Mt. Lebanon; Patricia A. McCullough, 48, of Upper St. Clair; Dan Cusick, 56, of Mt. Lebanon; Alan Hertzberg, 48 of Crafton Heights; Wrenna Leigh Watson, 50, of the Hill District; Sumner L. Parker, 54, of Ross.

Not recommended at this time
Douglas Walgren, 64, of Mt. Lebanon; Kelly Eileen Bigley, 39, of Upper St. Clair; Tom Flaherty, 54, of Shadyside; Kathleen Miskovich, 48, of Richland.

Unqualified
Stephen Begler, 46, of Squirrel Hill; Robert Downey Jr., 51, of Penn Hills.

Mayoral hopefuls debate police review board - Anybody But Bob comes between the lines

This issue was a big issue four years ago. It has not gone away.

Mayoral hopefuls debate police review board 'If you have a mayor who coddles the police, they're going to continue to run amok. Bob O'Connor's in bed with the [Fraternal Order of Police] -- he's not going to challenge the FOP,' Kendrick said.

James Carmine and I were both in strong agreement with the Citizens Police Review Board in 2001. Meanwhile, the front-running Dems were not.

In 2005, Bob O'C has not chaged his tune. Now Bob is the only one still out of touch on this important issue.

But, as a small note, where is the City Council member to the Citzen Police Review Board? A seat designated for appointment by that body has been empty for a year. So, what's up with that?

Peduto pushed for the Citizens Police Review Board at the start -- but what about the follow-up? I worry and wonder.

Continual execution of the plan and continual outrage of its stumbles are needed from council's members -- and other leaders who might like to one day be mayor.

We don't need Bob to build new bridges here and there as much as we need hi to walk all around the pavement that is already in place. We don't need new bridges. We just need the right people to be forced to show up -- or go work elsewhere.

And I don't take too much comfort in the answer from Bob about how he'll "follow the law." If a lawyer told me to do xomething -- then that's what I'll do. Yeah, right. The lawyers you pay often have a way of giving you the answers you want to hear. Mayor's have a good pool of lawyers to leverage on their behalf.

The citizens voted to enable the citizens police review board. The citizens want it still. The review board has never worked well. The city has an opportunity to recraft energy for the board and get it rolling.

In two or three years, then we can look to retool the CPRB, if needed. Let's get it moving as it should in 2006.

African Americans in the arts honored in youth essay contest - Not this year Erik!

Last year, my older son, Erik, won first place in this contest in his age group. He and a school mate were pictured in the PG's coverage.

This year, he didn't enter the contest. However, something much better arrived at our house this week. The cash prize from last year's win was very, very nice, but we'll take his report card grades over a win in the city essay contest. The big milestone, Erik got a "B" in his handwritting grade. Grandma had to come up with $10.

Students who entered the event -- and to the winners -- way to go. My hat is off to your scholarship and self expression, as well as research.

African Americans in the arts honored in youth essay contest This year's essay asked writers to look at contributions of African Americans in the arts.

Writting has become another hot area in schools in recent times. Some are taking handwritting classes, while in high school even. There has been a shift to a hand-written component in the standardized college entrance exams -- such as the SAT (or is the ACT?).

In China, there is a great bit of empahasis on penmanship, and brush strokes too. They use ink and paper in traditional forms. At parks there are often art salons areas for kids to do paint by numbers, coloring, brush work.

On our next trip, I hope we can get the boys some lessons.

In schools today, the pressure to do more writting is hard on the teachers. If you have 30 students, and need to correct spelling tests -- that is one thing. But, try to handle a three page paper and the challenge increased by 20 or more times.

I think that there could be more volunteers to work at the schools in reading and grading duties.

I think we could have more essay contests, more poetry contests, more public grading challenges, more community interaction on written elements. The volunteers would NOT even need to come into the buildings nor ever meet the children.

Just as peer review works in the research and higher academic settings, some style of group feedback among volunteers in the public would serve plenty of benefits among the overall educational missions and outcomes.

Do you think the teachers' union would care?

Definitely doable. Kwel. CMU's student web site, unofficial, to hack PSP for surfing

Two tech articles, both with local connections, shows the range of the topic area. First I love. Second not so much. You'll need to snoop into the comments to get the full force of the other story, from Freedom.

At the outset is a how-to for getting the most out of a new piece of high tech hardware. A CMU student is mentioned, but not by name. Who is this bloke? Tell him or her to keep up the good work. We'd love to have him stay in the area upon graduation.

This is another great reason why we need to have an annual, YOUTH TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT. We need to get folks like this on stage, among community, sharing insights, being problem solvers, crafting relationships. If nothing else, it is a no-brainer workforce development gold mind.

Quad-City Times Newspaper Online - the Quad-Cities Home Page: "Start browsing: First, start “Wipeout Pure,” and head over to the Download section. Once there, select the name of the connection you just created. This will take you to an unofficial PSP Web site created by a student at Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Mellon University. Then, use the PSP’s buttons to type in a URL or enter a search query into Google, which is a link on this site. Because there is no keyboard or touch screen, it can be a little tricky to navigate the Web or check your e-mail, but if you have patience, it’s definitely doable.

Peduto is getting to resemble Al Gore

Al Gore invented the internet. Yeah, right.

Bill Peduto seems to have invented everything Al didn't. -- OMG.

PITTSBLOG: I wanted to be the first democratic mayoral candidate to recognize the importance of local blogs, and I hope the other campaigns will follow suit.

The pioneer is generally the one with the arrow in his back.

Being first is always a great claim if you want to get in serious trouble, especially on the internet. The hype is moving past the brim.

Bill did write that he wanted to be the first "democratic" mayoral candidate... But, I don't even care. Be right. Be truthful. Be straight. To peak early isn't always such a good thing. And, peaking earlist is nothing to brag about.

I feel frustrated as I think that less time spent patting oneself on the back for being the early bird could be replaced with more time wrestling with the issues.

In our office now we have three words: Message, Media and Matterials. The message isn't the media nor the matterials. But, I need the media and the materials to get out the message.

In every box of Cracker Jacks there is a suprise.

Here is another sports jargon story -- to put me over the top. When I hear a sports reporter say that the team's game plan is to get on the scoreboard early, I giggle. Think again. The game is won by those who score more points as the game concludes. The rabbit does not win the race. The winners are those that stick to it and perservere.

More twisted statements: Because it is true. Because its absent on Grant Street. Those are the reasons to be optimisitic!

How depressing.

Here comes another authority. The overloard jumps ship into a new vessile

I don't like overlords. I don't like authorities. I want real democracy. This is a major problem for the city and the Pittsburgh region.

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - PittsburghLIVE.com: "Laurel: To Robert Jubelirer. The Republican president pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate has named former Allegheny County Executive Jim Roddey to Gov. Ed Rendell's new statewide transit advisory panel. It's a deft move given the nine-member commission was shaping up as a rubber stamp for diving into taxpayers' pockets. Mr. Roddey says 'reform' is the key. And reform we expect to see. Perhaps Messrs. Roddey and Onorato can forge a wonderful working relationship.

Lances for attempts to defend the indefensible

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - PittsburghLIVE.com: "Lance: To Mr. Onorato. The ACE says he's 'extremely disappointed' that the Sto-Rox School District and a Franklin Park homeowner have contested his cap on property tax assessments. Well, what did he expect? The cap is a blatant violation of the Pennsylvania Constitution's tax uniformity clause. Instead of calling on Stowe and McKees Rocks residents to express their displeasure with the school board, he should be planning on how he's going to justify the expense of defending the indefensible.

Wayne Fontana helped in this parade of misery. Fontana sponsored the bill.

Let's hope that the courts step in quickly before that tax bill goes out. Then Allegheny County won't spin its wheels too much.

Would be nice to get a court verdict before May 17 as well.

Dan should not be the only one to have his neck on the line.

This vote, for the 0-1-2-3-4 plan, came down to a 1-vote margin. There were plenty on council then that wanted to delay the entire process. To wait was an option. But, with Fontana on the council then, as he should have left by then already, the vote to table for a year was NOT passed.

A friend suggested that the ethics group be called. Perhaps the vote to table could be put into question because Fontana was on the council when he should have been off.

Then, the chief executive, Dan O, does not need to pay out the money to defend the indefensible. Rather, the indefensible isn't made part of the laws of the land -- until more study has occured.

Would-a, could-a, should-a!

I would have never gone for a 0-1-2-3-4 plan.

Fontana could have fixed the mess while he was on council.

Fontana should have resigned sooner and taken himself out of the urgent re-do of the mess in property taxes. Fontana was the chair of that committee.

PennFuture Joins Pittsburgh Mayoral Candidates, and Other Local, State and National Leaders to Launch Statewide Campaign to Keep PA GREENER

My Earth Day activities included this press event. My expression is, "Referendums Rock."

PennFuture Joins Governor, Pittsburgh Mayoral Candidates, Other Local, State and National Leaders to Launch Statewide Campaign to Keep Pennsylvania Growing Greener The ballot question will simply ask Pennsylvanians whether they approve of the Commonwealth borrowing up to $625 million for the 'maintenance and protection of the environment, open space and farmland preservation, watershed protection, abandoned mine reclamation, acid mine drainage remediation and other initiatives.' Anyone who is registered to vote in Pennsylvania may vote on the ballot question, even if she/he is a registered independent or belongs to a political party that is not holding a primary.

It is great to have this question go before the voters. Even more splendid is the fact that the question comes on the same day as my special election. This gives those outside the two old parties another reason to go to the polls on Tuesday, May 17, 2005. One is to vote for me. Another is for Row-Office Reform, a county government structure issue. The third is this bond for $625 million.

The bond comes with a few questions from my point of view. In a way this is much like a new credit card arriving at your door. You get to borrow more money, and it has a high capacity. However, you are not sure how you are going to pay for the spending once it occurs. And, as is always the case, there are a number of items that are WANTED.

One's needs and one's wants might not be one in the same. In PA with our politics, it is generally safe to assume that the ones in power now want to spend the money. They want more power. They want to be putting programs in place. They want to spend.

Plenty of worry comes with this question.

Art All Night - Perhaps I'll see you there.

Art All Night The Annual Lawrenceville Art All Night event is a Free Show, No Fees, No Jury, No Censorship. It is slated for April 23-24, 2005 from 6 pm Saturday to 2 pm Sunday

Think again: Fester wrote about impressions of Fontana a while ago

Fester blogged and wrote, in part, a week or so ago:

I was most impressed by both his willingness to say "I don't know" and a general reluctance to criticize his opponent either by name or by innuendo.

This impression must now be blown to bits. The hit mailing against Diven showed up in my mailbox yesterday. Same too with the TV ads, so I hear.

The race tactics of of the Democrats in having any reluctance to criticize DIVEN is now only a fleeting memory. The smack down has started. Its paid for by the Dems.

I don't really want to republish the text of the mailer. I had it with me last night at the debate, but I didn't use it. Diven gave it a short mention.

Fester -- a retraction of sorts might be in order now. Or, at least you should re-set your levels for being impressed.

Smith for Mayor Campaign Begins Guerilla War

Smith for Mayor Campaign Begins Guerilla War 'This was not a good week for Steve Reed's morale,' said Smith. 'My opponent can outspend our campaign 100 to 1 and he can illegally use cable Channel 20 as his political house organ, but our Mayor for Life cannot beat the commitment, creativity, and passion of my volunteers. We have a plan for the future of Harrisburg, and my volunteers have the drive to win this election, against any hardship.'

Good police work, off the beaten path.

A NAN report. NAN = Neighborhood Awareness Network.

Thursday, April 21 at 11:30 PM, a foot patrol officer coming through an alley near 12th Street observed a man breaking into a car window using a tool pulled from his belt. He observed the man entering the car and releasing the trunk from inside, then going through the trunk and removing items from the car. He apprehended the man and placed him under arrest. The owner of the car was located at a bar on East Carson Street.

Several items were found in the man's possession including a radar detector. The man is described as a 45 year old male who resides in Swissvale. He is currently being held at the Allegheny County Jail. Police Detectives will question the man regarding other car break-ins in the area.

This report is a summary of a conversation with Officer Christine Luffey of Zone 3.

J.R.'s program, BUILD YOUR OWN POLITICAL POWER

I'm not going to endorse the program, with the details that follow. But, it is worthy of your consideration. If you go, let us know what you think.

Monday, May 2, 8 p.m. at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 304 Morewood Ave., corner of Centre Ave.

You're already involved in the May 17 primary. You've got a candidate or a couple of candidates who you're working, a campaign that matters.

Why not work for yourself, too?

Many jobs you can do for your candidate can also build your own political power.

In fact, much of the most important volunteer work in a campaign helps you build a base for the future - especially when the volunteer work in the campaign is done well.

How to use your involvement in the upcoming May 17 primary to increase your own political power will be discussed Monday, May 2, at 8 p.m., at St. Andrews Lutheran Church 304 Morewood Ave., corner of Centre Ave.

We will NOT discuss and recruit you for any individual candidates. You probably already have a candidate in whom you are interested. We will discuss how you can help your candidate in ways that do the most for that candidate and also build your own political power

You want to make a difference for your candidates and your causes. This means increasing your own personal political power. Building your own political power can help accomplish personal goals for you and your community, and also can be fun

We will discuss various strategies, tactics and techniques.

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, Democracy For Pittsburgh, the Sierra Club, the Thomas Merton Center, or anyone or no one. (You don't have to attend the MoveOn meetup, although of course you're welcome.)

There will be more sessions later on how to build your own political power. Possible topics include: the Democratic Party Structure, Duties and Responsibilities of Committeepeople, Circulating Nomination Petitions (and how to challenge them), Turnout - How to "Pull" Voters, The Structure of a Winning Campaign, Electoral Politics and/or Direct Action?, Third Party or First?, The place of Anarchism in Progressive Politics, 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.

The "Build Your Own 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.

Contact: Jonathan Robison, 154 N. Bellefield Ave. # 66, Pittsburgh 15213, 412-683-0237 jonmary1@juno.com

New York's West Side stadium could be on hold until after Olympics vote

Bob O'Connor talks about walking out of his hotel, recently, in New York City, and seeing a merchant with a hose that was washing down his sidewalk. He was suprised. He said that act isn't done here in Pittsburgh any longer.

Bob makes the point that they are trying to clean up New York. New Yorkers are trying to do it for themselves. He wants to inject the same kind of pride or self-serving spirit in Pittsburgh to make the same occur in Pittsburgh. When he's mayor, he'll work on it.

Yeah, right.

Think again.

First, New York now has its SECOND REPUBLICAN Mayor.

Perhaps that can do spirit is washed away with a one-party mentality. If the election for the mayor's race is over on May 17. Then, it seems, the duty for sweeping up the mess is always going to reside on the backs of the city.

I love the self reliance part a great deal. But the leap of faith that this is going to change because it is Bob's time is a bit of a stretch.

I hate B.I.D.s. BIDs = Business Improvement Districts. BID areas get to charge an extra tax on the merchants in the district to do things like street sweeping. BIDs are one reason people don't care to care for the space right out their door as payments have already been made to others to take care of those spaces.

Here is another NYC story where some with more prudent approaches are advancing with caution.

SI.com - Olympics - West Side stadium could be on hold until after Olympics vote - Friday April 22, 2005 2:30PM NEW YORK (AP) -- Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says it's unlikely a key state panel will give final approval to a West Side stadium in Manhattan before Olympics officials decide who will host the 2012 Games.

'I don't see the necessity,' Silver told NY1 News. 'Senator (Joseph) Bruno has indicated he doesn't see the necessity, and we may not have it before July.'

New York's West Side stadium could be on hold until after Olympics vote

Bob O'Connor talks about walking out of his hotel, recently, in New York City, and seeing a merchant with a hose that was washing down his sidewalk. He was suprised. He said that act isn't done here in Pittsburgh any longer.

Bob makes the point that they are trying to clean up New York. New Yorkers are trying to do it for themselves. He wants to inject the same kind of pride or self-serving spirit in Pittsburgh to make the same occur in Pittsburgh. When he's mayor, he'll work on it.

Yeah, right.

Think again.

First, New York now has its SECOND REPUBLICAN Mayor.

Perhaps that can do spirit is washed away with a one-party mentality. If the election for the mayor's race is over on May 17. Then, it seems, the duty for sweeping up the mess is always going to reside on the backs of the city.

I love the self reliance part a great deal. But the leap of faith that this is going to change because it is Bob's time is a bit of a stretch.

I hate B.I.D.s. BIDs = Business Improvement Districts. BID areas get to charge an extra tax on the merchants in the district to do things like street sweeping. BIDs are one reason people don't care to care for the space right out their door as payments have already been made to others to take care of those spaces.

Here is another NYC story where some with more prudent approaches are advancing with caution.

SI.com - Olympics - West Side stadium could be on hold until after Olympics vote - Friday April 22, 2005 2:30PM NEW YORK (AP) -- Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says it's unlikely a key state panel will give final approval to a West Side stadium in Manhattan before Olympics officials decide who will host the 2012 Games.

'I don't see the necessity,' Silver told NY1 News. 'Senator (Joseph) Bruno has indicated he doesn't see the necessity, and we may not have it before July.'

TV invite, WPXI TV 11 -- doubt there was any debate. Wish we did more of this in recent times.

Sam's Club Good Old Fashion Cook Out

Landslide Victims Engineering Study Fundraiser at Sam's Club Mountainview Drive West Mifflin, Friday, April 22 - - 10 am til 4 pm.

See comments for additional details.

KDKA and Carnegie events

I really, really, really wanted to attend the special event at the Carnegie Fire Hall last night -- and the KDKA radio broadcast this morning. But other campaign, community and family conflicts prevented a visit.

If you have some time and are willing to work another community event on our behalf -- I need the coverage. We now have the micro-lawn signs, literature, cool art buttons, and the CDs are next.

First TV debate in the can

We had two community encounters with the various candidates for PA Senate tonight including a TV debate in a packed Senior Center in Mt. Washington.

The score on a ten point system, from the perspective of one involved community member:

Rauterkus = 8
Diven = 7
Fontana = 5

After the event, I talked to a number of people. Some were clearly of the impression that I was the "winner." Others thought that it was a bit close to call. None said that I was third.

I've got a good portion of the comments on my recorder. I'll try to fiddle with the playback in the days to come. But, the entire one hour event was recorded and will be on cable TV in the future.

At the end of the event, I gave a closing remark that went back to a prior question. I made the point that there is a distinction and that the job of a state senator was not about bringing back pork to the community. I was less concerned about answering to the people back home. I am about living in a lawful society, giving full consideration to the constitution, about freedoms, justice, liberty.

Three women at the back of the room were being watched by one of my silent supporters. The session ended, and they all stood up to talk among themselves and were heard to say, "Isn't it great to have such an intelligent young man running for office. I think he was great."

My feedback was, "Mark, you clearly won. You wiped them up pretty good."

This is how a Libertarian thinks was okay. Don't say it too often, being that the city is so full of Democrats. But you did it just enough to make it clear and understood.

Sure, not many in the city might know and relate to the term, "WIKI" -- but being able to say that I can and do interact with other citizens on the web site was obvious. People must have thought he it going. My whole campaign is structured to citizens -- and can still appeal to the consitution.

The room was packed from the 7-8 pm slot with candidates for city council. The feedback from that session wasn't too positive. I only was able to watch about five minutes as we had another event. I was told that most of their (city council candidates) "responses were so typical. YEAH, integrate some services. That was dull. Totally dull."

We also scored a few bonus points for working the crowd afterward. Diven left right away.

One knock, I covered too much in the realm of sports. But another said it kinda wove together for his understandings.

My more official supporters LOVED my reply about TIFs. They thought that was my brightest moments, hitting it out of the park.

Nag me for the transcripts. Others can post comments.

Mico Lawn Signs are here

We have a supply of 1,000 new micro lawn signs! These are micro signs that give an artisitic style to the message of Elect.Rauterkus.com while linked to our vibrant Pittsburgh background.

Typical lawn signs were called, "Litter on a stick," by former city councilman and present PA Senator, Jim Ferlo. There is a statement by Ferlo that is easy to have total agreement with. These signs in the campaign are not typical.

The south and west neighborhoods of the 42nd district are now being flooded with lawn signs by the old-party candidates.

Les Ludwig, candidate for Mayor, Pittsburgh, raised a post-card he was sent by an political advertising company at a meeting this week. He said the lawn signs cost $1.50 each and he'd not be investing any cash into them.

Four years ago, as a candidate in the Republican primary for Mayor, I didn't invest in any lawn signs either. Such a waste of materials and such a clutter for our neighborhoods.

P.G.'s Editorial Review Meeting, recap by new press secretary

Tim's recap of the PG Meeting. On his first hours on the new job, Tim and I went to the Blvd and into the PG's main conference room.

On Tuesday, April 19, 2005, State Senate hopeful, Mark Rauterkus, 45, Libertarian, participated in the Pittsurgh Post-Gazette's Editorial Board meeting with competing candidates, Republican Michael Diven and Democratic Wayne Fontana.

The meeting was the first instance that all three up for PA Senate joined in the same meeting. Jack Wagner vacated the seat to serve in another office, PA Auditor General, so a special election is slated on May 17, 2005, the same day as the primary election.

In the one-hour meeting, covered by a news reporter and photographer as well as attended by more than five from the PG, every candidate was given an opportunity to present his background, his reasons for being qualified for the job and describe two important issues that would be addressed during service to the state as a senator.

Rauterkus spoke on his dedication to community issues and the leadership he has gained from diverse experiences such as coaching swimming and publishing books.

Rauterkus distinguished himself on two different issues: the elimination of authorities and merging the city and county with parks as the next logical area for effective govermental and citizen actions.

Rauterkus noted that authorities are undemocratic institutions often governed by those who may not be most suited for the job, but are there due to some political favor. “Across Pennsylvania, government authorities try to solve problems, but usually make things wrose and serve the well-connected. Those that can’t be eliminated must be made more open and accountable to those they serve and to the taxpayer.”

Rauterkus also spoke on his progressive idea of merging the city and county park system, plus dealing with afterschool activities in facilities owned by school districts. This merger would be patterned on the state of Illinois’ acclaimed system which includes citizen service in the management of the parks. Such a merger would “put democracy at the forefront” and help the system improve. The state of Illinois currently has more than 2,100 elected citizens serving without compensation on governing boards.

Fontana began and discussed his background as a county council member and his focus on property taxes, mass transit and medical costs. All of the candidates gave comments on each topic.

Diven spoke on his experience in Harrisburg and his ideas about a downtown office building that would consolidate city, county and school district administration offices. Diven's program calls for the creation of another authority, and a $300-million finance deal ($50-M for Pittsburgh). Rauterkus raised strong objection to the new Diven plan calling it a potential final nail in the coffin for Pittsburgh. Diven's program for blighted properties within the city caught the distain from Rauterkus with the clincher that properties would be sold for $1 each to insiders based on highest and best use -- not competitive bidding.

Allegheny County Libertarian Meeting

Tim, the new media relations campaign worker, wrote the following. He'll be posting to the blog shortly.

On Wednesday, April 20, 42nd State Senate Candidate Mark Rauterkus spoke to the Allegheny County Libertarians at Carnegie Mellon University.

Rauterkus gave a joint interview with Libertarian Party Chair, Tim Crowley, on third party politics. Rauterkus agreed with Mr. Crowley’s assertion that new parties are important for citizens, particularly because they expand the opportunities and choices of voters. Strengthening democracy is a priority for Rauterkus, demonstrated by his position on the elimination of the undemocratic institution of authorities and the merger of the city and county park system to ultimately allow for more citizen participation in their management.

Rauterkus presented an update on the campaign for the open seat in the PA Senate. Coro Fellow, Tim Aldinger, 29, joined the campaign this past week on a fulltime basis. Coro fellows are working on various electoral elements within the fellowship curriculum. Tim’s first campaign experience presents interesting insights for learning the unique pressures of third party candidates. Furthermore, joining Rauterkus given his past professional background as a journalist and publisher of a small-press imprint, gives other rich advantages for real-world learning and experiences. Aldinger is to focus on media outreach.

Rauterkus also spoke on the material development of the campaign, in the form of buttons, sticker-signs and CDs (both audio and multimedia). Hands to help create of these materials is greatly appreciated. Mark's slogan to invite others is, "Some assembly required."

New flyers for the campaign were distributed by campaign supporters and Libertarian party members. Both four-panel and a six-panel handouts are hitting the streets. Rauterkus departed early to attend a community meeting in East Carnegie.

Campaign Manager Katrina Brabham was in attendance at the event and briefly spoke on the finances of the campaign and the need for financial contributions. The meeting members then decided to donate some party money to the PAC in order to further help Libertarian candidates in the area.

Inner Harbor developer shows interest in North Shore - PittsburghLIVE.com

Inner Harbor developer shows interest in North Shore - PittsburghLIVE.com: "Inner Harbor developer shows interest in North Shore

By Sam Spatter, Thursday, April 21, 2005

A Baltimore-based company that helped to turn the Inner Harbor in that city into a tourist attraction may bring nightclubs, restaurants and other entertainment businesses to Pittsburgh's North Shore.

Workshop presention blurb for Pgh Public Schools event

Mark Rauterkus was a stay-at-home dad and has been an advocate with other dads in similar roles around the country. The founder of a group, Proud Dads, Hogan Hilling, visited Pittsburgh to speak at Lamaz International's Convention. Dad's are wired in different ways and Mark's presentation, with an AUDIO CD to all who attend, highlight some of these distinctions. Wellness factors throughout the development cycle are pointed out from a dad's perspective too.

Workshop presention blurb for Pgh Public Schools event

Mark Rauterkus was a stay-at-home dad and has been an advocate with other dads in similar roles around the country. The founder of a group, Proud Dads, Hogan Hilling, visited Pittsburgh to speak at Lamaz International's Convention. Dad's are wired in different ways and Mark's presentation, with an AUDIO CD to all who attend, highlight some of these distinctions. Wellness factors throughout the development cycle are pointed out from a dad's perspective too.

Move afoot to amend state's slot machine law

They now want to "think again."

Great. I'm all in favor of this.

Move afoot to amend state's slot machine law Rep. Paul Clymer, R-Bucks, is proposing an amendment to the slots law that would require those monthly statements. He is one of the House Republicans who fought against the gambling law that finally passed last summer, after a decade of starts and stops.

Measures can be made to "buffer" actions so that they are less harmful. Other actions can occur to build in more accountability and open ways.

Candidates Night.pdf at South Side Slopes

2005 Candidates Night.pdf

Tuesday, April 19, come out to hear candidates for the State Senate and Mayor's race. Meeting starts at 7 pm at St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center.

We have a busy week with lots of meetings.

The PG editorial review meeting was today. I'll recap later.

The President of Ohio University is in Pittsburgh today. I'll be at a reception with fellow Bobcats early this evening.

When we see each other, ask for a button.

Voter Guide Bio of Mark Rauterkus

Education:
BS-Journalism, '82, Ohio Univ.
Grad school, Baylor Univ (TX). 82-83,

Current occupation: community activist, swim coach.

Qualifications:
GOP candidate for Mayor of Pittsburgh, 2001.
May, 2004, released 150-page parks merger position paper.
Coached 30-years, proving leadership and teamwork.
Published 100 how-to books proving abilities of handling technical content, similar to skills necessary for the crafting of legislation.

I'm a common-sense Libertarian who operates with straight, respectful insights in every setting. I care. I'm serious, confident and the best choice for filling this unexpired term of Jack Wagner.

Reside on South Side. Sons, 7 and 10, attend Pgh Public Schools and my wife is Director of Audiology at UPMC's Eye and Ear Institute and Prof at Pitt's School of Health & Rehab Sciences.

Voter Guide question (part 2)

What changes in state law would you support to provide incentives for more efficient and cost effective local government operations?

I'd launch a youth technology summit. I'd establish a regional Park District. I'd end TIFs, lower deed-transfer tax, fund transportation, and squash horrid big-ticket spending.

I'd halt sprawl to boost our urban fabric. Supporting schools and neighborhoods makes common sense. Career politicians put the region in a tailspin. My opponents' display experienced leadership of folly. Serious opposition must counter their give-a-ways.

Elect.Rauterkus.com is about performance, kids, wellness, accountability, communication, openness, open-source technology, freedoms, personal responsibility, taxing land, prudent spending, real democracy, and respect of the marketplace.

My Platform.For-Pgh.org comes on CD and exceeds 125 pages. Sensible short-term goals, especially as a Libertarian, gives everyone opportunities. Step beyond and vote for the citizen candidate with a tighter grip on issues, superior communication skills, clever solutions, and methods for achievement.

May 10 -- 2RA.ORG "Defending progressive ideals through non-violent, civic action."

This May 10th event is out of my district. My mention of an event being out of my district is an insiders joke in this case. One purpose of the event is to esablish a corner of the world anew and take it OUT OF the United States, yet alone be out of my 42nd district.

[2RA.ORG] "Defending progressive ideals through non-violent, civic action." Wightman School Community Building [Directions]
Conference Room, Second Floor (Room 206)
5604 Solway Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15217

At the May Gathering, we will be drafting a Declaration of Independence for Free America. We encourage all who wish to participate in the formation of this new nation to attend and contribute to the process.

So join the Revolution and help change the hearts and minds of those who would see this country's clock turned backwards instead of moving forward.

Refreshments provided. Socialize, network, get involved!

RSVP (or ask questions) by emailing info@2ra.org (RSVP not required, but it does help us get an idea of who's coming).

Perhaps if the 2RA gets moving in 2006, then Tom Murphy could visit that nation as a PEACE CORPS volunteer? Sorry. I shouldn't wish that curse on others.

The Race for Mayor: Get regional, or die -- BUT -- Michael LAMB's camp IS doing just that.

The Race for Mayor: Get regional, or die The city generates $6.6 billion in earnings for suburban workers who commute into the city. While the city's population has been shrinking, these earnings still account for more than one-third of all commuter earnings in Allegheny County. It is time, now or never, to not only think like a region, but to act like a region.

There is an iron curtin around the city on many different levels. I hate the one that keeps the school sports teams in an isolated league and not within the W.P.I.A.L. But, there are others.

Generally, there is a huge gulf -- not golf (but that's a different difference) -- between city resident as a voter and the suburban voter. People in the burbs need to care more about politics in the city. People in general need to care more about politics as well.

However, in this primary, I've been most impressed by Mike Lamb's ability to galvanize a group of supporters to help him in the city in the mayor's race. When I encounter a Lamb for Mayor supporter, I always ask, "Where do you live?"

Lamb friends turned out at the Dem Party Endorsment Sunday at the IBEW Hall, at the St. Pat's Parade, at some of the debates / forum, and elsewhere.

They live in Plum, Mt. Lebo, Dormont, Ross, etc. Some are from the city too. Generally, four out of five Lamb supporters are from the suburban sectors. That number is my guess. I've not done REAL data collection. More as a hunch. But, the upside is that I have been most impressed by the LAMB suburban outreach.

Lamb's county wide play, I guess, comes from his row office past. Those campaigns have been wider than the city's borders. Perhaps Lamb's reach comes from his father's past political career that stretched into the burbs too. Plus, Lamb has Catholic school buddies and law connections too.

Perhaps some of the reach generates from the people that cruise GRANDVIEW Ave, Lamb's street in Mt. Washington. Who knows? How do you explain it?

Years ago I pondered a "way-out-there formula" that would have changed the city's charter. It called for some type of representation from those who don't live in the city. Many who don't live and vote in the city pay dearly to the city. Fines, fees (parking tax, tickets, property taxes, wage taxes), RAD tax and other streams come to the city, despite what Mayor Murphy harps about. Taxation without representation is wrong. But we got it throughout the city.

I don't think it is wise to give everyone in the county a vote in the city's mayor election. But, it might make some sense to allow the suburban folks to have a vote for an at-large member of city council.

How about if a suburban interest candidate would be elected county wide to sit on city council?

Too bad the County Controller didn't do more to monitor the city's condition over the years. The County Controller could help a great deal in these efforts in the city. Too bad the city's own controller was not forceful and effective enough to keep the city away from its crisis state.

Nonetheless, there are many ways those in the burbs can help with the city's political landscape. And, those efforts are generally new efforts, not done already.

One of the big reasons I'm running for the PA Senate, 42nd district, is to answer the call to take down the iron curtin that splits the city and the burbs. The state senate race has given me opportunities to bridge connections with those in Green Tree, Carnegie, and Castle Shannon -- among other venues.

People listen -- new site for Tom, a school board candidate.

A few months ago I was able to present to the League of Women Voters meeting on how to run for public office. Yesterday I had the opporutnity to meet one of the folks in the class and get some nice feedback. He followed my advice.

http://sumpterforschoolboard.blogspot.com

I didn't say get a L-O-N-G URL. But I did say, open an blog at blogspot. The price is right.

Tom seems like a nice guy. He is in a race for an open seat on the board. He has lots of family who have worked in the district. He has good experiences being in the public sector in West Virginia. He is level headed. And, I've not gone to read the content of his blog -- yet. But I said I'd give him some feedback.

Introducing: Pennsylvania BALLOT ACCESS COALITION

Pennyslvania BALLOT ACCESS COALITION
PO Box 309
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081
Voice: (610) 543-8427
Fax: (215) 572-9248
PBAC@PaBallotAccess.org
www.PaBallotAccess.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 12, 2005

For more information contact:
Ken Krawchuk at 267-496-3332 or John Murphy at 610-384-4460

THIRD PARTIES FORM NEW COALITION TO TESTIFY BEFORE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION

Leaders of Pennsylvania's largest third parties announced the
formation of the Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition. Members of the
Coalition include the Libertarian Party, the Green Party, the Constitutional Party, the Ralph Nader Campaign, the Reform Party, and the America First Party, with other political parties expected to join. The goal of the Coalition is to work for reform of Pennsylvania's draconian ballot access laws to help encourage greater participation in the electoral process. Details about the Coalition can be found on their website at www.PaBallotAccess.org.

Members of the Coalition went before the Governor's Election Reform Task Force on April 14, 2005. The details of their testimony are at www.PaBallotAccess.org/Presentation_Final.pdf.

"To get on the ballot, third party candidates and independents currently must collect more than twelve times as many signatures as the two old parties, and that number is poised to go even higher", explained David Jahn, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania. "It can only hurt the electoral process when the voters' chosen candidates face such enormous hurdles to get their names on the ballot. It's long past time to bring fairness to Pennsylvania's antiquated ballot laws, and the formation of this historic coalition is the first step. Our next step will be to
present our case to the Governor's Task Force this Thursday, and they've
already demonstrated that they are more than willing to listen."

The members of the Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition believe that the right of citizens to run for political office is supreme in a free society, as is their right to support and vote for the candidates of their choice. Toward that end, the mission of the Coalition is threefold:

1) To equalize the number of signatures required by any citizen to stand
for election, regardless of political affiliation;

2) To define minor party status in terms of voter registrations (0.05%),
also known as the "Delaware Model", rather than by current electoral
formulas (2% of the winner's vote total) and;

3) To otherwise reform Pennsylvania's laws to make the ballot more
equitable and accessible to all citizens.

The goal of the PBAC is to implement these changes effective with the
2006 gubernatorial election.

Never again

Four years ago, as I was a candidate for Mayor in a contested GOP Primary. I was invited to speak at a candidate function at the Jewish Community Center. Both of the Republican candidates were invited. However, everyone on the the Dem's slate wasn't so fortunate. Josh Pollock, a 17 year old candidate who had grown up in the neighborhood and spent countless hours at the JCC was excluded. He could not give his presentation. Josh and I raised the questions in advance and then began to make a fuss.

Last year's event wasn't televised. This year's event is to be on TV.

At the event in 2001, I stood up and devoted more than half of my alloted time at the podium to the facts of the discrimination at hand with the organization and the operation of this event. I scolded in no uncertain terms.

I remember the event clearly. Sophie was there. Johnathan R was there. As were about 60 others, including my parents. Josh didn't picket. Josh didn't come as my guest. Josh got a serious blow-back after making a good amount of waves with his Temple's youth director and others.

By the way, Josh would then move OUT of the city into some suburban location. Then he has since moved out of state to school. Josh voted with his feet.

The stance I made then was clear. Today is is just as strong and clear. The lessons were not learned. The evil deeds of history are being repeated.

You'd think that certain minority groups and cultures would appreciate the overall situation with a more soulful response and associated actions.

On Sunday morning, April 17, 2005, the same mistakes are to happen again. But, this time, the stage is being set for TV coverage fo the event. It will replay in the evening and then "on demand" with Comcast.

Jeff Cohen is now head of the UJF. He knows me from his time at the Post-Gazette. We talked a couple of weeks ago as I heard of this folly. The UJF called me seeking Joe Weinroth's phone number. Weinroth is also Jewish. He is the lone Republican in the Mayor's race this year. He was invited to the candidate forum -- but the organizers could not reach him without some help from me.

Weinroth should NOT appear at the forum without being escorted by Les Ludwig.

Mr. Ludwig, a former men's club president at a nearby Temple, has been excluded from the forum on Sunday.

Jeff Cohen of the UJF gave me some whopper ideas as to why his organization was justified to put the cart before the horse and exclude people from the event. One reason was because the PDP did it. Yes, the Pgh Downtown Partnership also ran a country club event a few weeks prior. The PDP even excluded a black women from the Hill District who wanted to go to the event as a spector. The PDP invited who they wanted to speak -- and who they wanted to be in the audience. And the UJF feels justified in its actions by following them. Shame has seldom been more clear.

The UJF boss didn't want to turn his event into a campaign event for everyone -- only for the front runners.

The UJF doesn't think that being on the ballot is worthy of any extra merit. He said he doesn't need to invite EVERYONE in to speak. Everyone shouldn't speak -- but only those on the ballot should.

The UJF won't do a similar event leading up the the November election, so the Republican was included. But any Indie, Libertarian, Green and others still not needing to get onto the old-party ballot are to be excluded then.

I'm not certain as to the list of the other excluded candidates. Hop K, a black man, is NOT invited.

Four years ago, Leroy Hodge, the only black man in the Dem primary, was excluded from the UJF event, and many other forum and debates. I protested that exclusion too.

Then came an opportunity for me to appear on the evening interview show at TV 11 with David Johnson. An extra news camera man was on the set that night as a sting was on. A trap was set. One line from a protest email was taken out of context and twisted from here to the moon and made into a gottcha question. It didn't work.

Democracy is messy. Those who are absurd are obvious. Those who want fairness can join in the outcry. This is a collective treasure worthy of a few well placed mentions and letters.

United Jewish Federation = 412 681 8000

Anti-Defamation League of a specific temple = 412 521 0661

H. = 412 421 8919

National Council Jewish Women = 412 421 6118

Women ?? = 412 244 8660

Naa Matt (sp?) = 412 521 5252

American Jewish Committee = 412 421 7027

Extra, Extra, Read all about it -- Pittsburgh City Paper - Main Feature - WILD WEST

Carl Sutter thrust a copy of the City Paper to Bob O'Connor as the candidates exited the debate stage at CCAC. Carl asked Bob what he had to say about the cover story in the newspaper. This is a passion for Carl. This is Carl's neighborhood. Carl's concerns were dealt with.

Bob O'Connor's people said that the city paper is full of lies. Bob didn't have the time to read the article.

Pittsburgh City Paper - Main Feature 4/14/2005 How the West Wasn?t Won

A West Pittsburgh development group?s closed-door dealings have cost it the trust of some needy neighbors

The debate was a paid entry invite. On the stage was Hop, Bob, Michael Lamb and Bill Peduto. I asked Les, another candidate for mayor but who was in the audience and not on stage, who won? He said "Hop."

I agree. Hop did a fine job. Hop put a lot of the responsibility upon us all -- the community -- the parents.

Allegheny County reports $140,000 surplus in 2004 - Outlandish reporting calls that an erase of debt

This reporting raises red flags. In 2003 -- the County's annual budget was down $29.7 Million. In 2004 -- the County's budget was $140,000 up.

So, the PG reports an ERASED $29.7 million deficit.

Why not report that the county ERASED a $100-billion deficit?

Another example. Say a family has a year, 2003, where it must go into new debt to the tune of $29K (not $29M.) Then in 2004, the family gets over the hump and is able to earn enough to get by and end the year with $100 left over. It seems to me that the family's debt of $29K from 2003 is still going to be rather large. By breaking even, perhaps payments were maintained, but the debt isn't ERASED.

Did I miss read the facts of the matter. Did Allegheny County really ERASE $29M by making up the debt from the prior year and paying that and still ending up with an extra $140K?

Sure, the finances came back to where they should be. Perhaps that can be called a great turnaround. But, let's not forget that debt from the prior years.

From the front page of the PG: Allegheny County erased $29.7 million deficit in '04 -- Allegheny County's finances saw a significant turnaround in 2004, finishing the year with a $140,000 surplus after a $29.7 million deficit the previous year, Controller Mark Patrick Flaherty said yesterday. The elimination of the shortfall was done through jobs cuts, attrition and a $16.2 million increase in revenue.

Allegheny County reports $140,000 surplus in 2004: "Layoffs, rise in revenue help erase $29.7 million in red ink.

Words to a new song by Dan Sullivan about Bob O'Connor

Dan is crafting the release of a parody to the tune of "I'm Just a Girl Who Cain't Say No," from *Oklahoma!* The words capture O'Connor's irresponsible behavior. He writes that he expects to record it and put it online. Maybe he'll sing it at public events.

If you want to help, he is looking for O'Connor images (photos, etc.) and he is gathering data to substantiate O'Connor's giveaway mentality. It's common knowledge, but it is more powerful if documented.

I pointed Dan to the recent article in the City Paper about Keith T's efforts to gather various "commercials" and air them in a show of some sort. Keith and I were workers in the PCTV show, The Art of News.

I too hope to get an ad to Keith shortly.

FYI, the "POL" in this case is politician.

I'm Just a Pol Who Cain't Say No
© 2005 Dan Sullivan
(412) OUR-LAND (412) 687-5263

It ain't so much a question of not knowing what to do.
I know'd what's right and wrong since I been ten.
I heard a lot of stories and I reckon they are true
About how city councils overspend.
I know I mustn't fall into the pit,
But when I'm in campaign mode I fergit.

I'm just a pol who cain't say no,
Spendin's my favorite game.
When I control some public dough,
I hand it out without shame.
When a big shot wants a subsidy,
I know I orta tell him, "that's to bad."
But whenever someone pressures me,
I always get afraid to make him mad.

I'm just a tool when lights are low.
I cain't be frugal and tight.
I ain't the type that can fight.
I cain't insist on what's right.
I cain't say no.

What'cha gonna do when a feller wants money
And starts to talk funny, what'cha gonna do?
Supposin' 'at he says he's so good for your city,
Appeals to your pity, what'cha gonna do?
Supposin' 'at he says things you shouldn't believe,
Like if his team leaves you'll die?
I know what to do when he talks that way,
Slice up the pie!

I'm just a pol who cain't say no.
Cain't seem to say it at all.
Lobbyists get me all aglow,
When they are payin' a call.

For the press I talk of budget bloat,
A-blaiming all our problems on the mayor.
But when it comes time to cast my vote,
Good sense evaporates into thin air.

I shouldn't cave right in I know,
Our city's plight is no joke,
But saying no makes me choke,
That's why the treasury's broke,
I cain't say no.

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.