Wages of greed III - PittsburghLIVE.com

Mark Crowley, a Libertarian friend from Plum wrote, and was published as a letter to the editor:

It's commendable to see state House Speaker John Perzel delivering books and reading to the children at Beechwood Elementary School in Pittsburgh.

To further encourage reading and an appreciation for civics, perhaps we could update some popular stories for elementary school students here in Pennsylvania. A few updated titles come to mind:

The Little Limo That Could
The Lying King
Pirates of the Susquehanna
Harry Potter and the House Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Unvouchered Expense
How the Leadership Stole Christmas
And for high school students:
Get a Wonderful Life
Interview With a Legislator
253 for the Money
We Know How You Voted Last Summer

There are also two new stories that everyone should read. The first, PaBallotAccess.org, is a lesson in how people can put aside their vast differences and work together for a better tomorrow. The second, PAcleansweep.org, is a classic struggle against greed and power. These last two stories aren't finished yet. Let's hope both have happy endings.

Young Patriots Essay Contest. The deadline is nearing.

Here is a building block for a resume.

GOPUSA - Young Patriots Essay Contest In the second Young Patriots Essay Contest, GOPUSA seeks to deliver a message of patriotism through the words of America's youth. The contest will consist of an essay on the topic 'What it means to be an American' and will be open to 10th, 11th, and 12th graders across the country. The contest will run from Labor Day (September 5, 2005) to Veterans Day (November 11, 2005).

We have two judges to toss off the bench on November 8.

Vote NO to Newman and Nigro.

Ending the tenure of these two Supreme Court justices is Job #1 in the effort to take back Harrisburg. Don’t count on someone else to do it.

Paul Sentner's statements about No WEHAV make sense -- and are technical

Paul S makes some great points about the saga of WeHav and how the city has operated. The gist of the matter, from my perspective, is that the people on City Council (in the past) have not been great watchdogs. We need great watchdogs because the Mayor has been so bad. We needed a counter force to be strong and reasoned. We have had city council members who have let things slide. And, we've had council members who have been fine to turn their backs on other sections of the city because this isn't their responsibility.

The seat is up for election now. Dan D is now there with a mini-term for the rest of the year as there is a four-year election set for November. Dan D has been able to move the matter along to resolution. But, this has been a citizen action above all else and Dan needed to do this or else he would have lost all hopes of being on council. So, Dan gets some credit, but he doesn't yet get a lot of earned respect for being a champoin of the people. Time will tell.

It seems as if I always bash the mayor, and for good reason. Here is another time when we need to show how the corruption has worked. Paul makes a good point of saying that this matter is resolving but the money for the fix must be flowing from some other account. The WeHav failures cost us all. The failure's ringleaders are still on the loose.

pjs' no_wehav home page: "I Note a few things:
- Mayor Murphy did not sign the Resolution.
- There has been no mention that I know of regarding requiring a public disclosure of the West Pittsburgh Partnership's WE-HAV bookkeeping, nor any investigation thereof.
(the 'Partnership was involved in John Peth's lawsuit when it permitted the spending of approximately $15,000 of the illegitimately-collected WE-HAV tax funds.)

- There has been no mention that I know of regarding holding accountable for re-imbursement, the persons and entities responsible for the short-fall of the tax funds,

--instead, other public funds are apparently being used to make up the difference
(this seems to me like using public money to repay someone who has been swindled, while letting the swindlers off the hook.)

What kind of message does this send to those who are looking to pull a fast one on the public? try, try again?
- No City Council member that I�m aware of has ever publicly spoken to
-- the matter of the passing of Bill No.5-2002,
in defiance of the NID Act procedures, in July 2002;
-- the matter of the blatant unanimous persistence of Council through May 2005, blindly(?) following Mr. Hertzberg's lead, desires, and stubbornness in ignoring the details of the State NID Act, the opposition of the unquestionable majority of the targeted District 2 residential property owners, and outright trampling of the due process rights of those owners.

- No one that I�m aware of has ever publicly questioned the motives behind the irresponsible and reckless hell-bent-for-leather attempt by the Mayor, Mr. Hertzberg, and Council to perpetuate the exposed illegitimate WE-HAV scheme through 2002-2004.

Does the mentality of trying to get away with whatever gets past the people continue as usual until “next time”?

It is only the dense grassroots opposition of most of those District 2 owners that protected the rest of the neighborhoods of the entire City of Pittsburgh from their own WE-HAV schemes.

Bob O'Connor makes the news in Aurora, Illinois

The bloke I hear speaking about Japan is North. Our Bob is doing a Where's Waldo act it seems to me.

Konnichiwa, Aurora They also met with various city leaders, including Mayor Tom Weisner, Alderman-at-large Bob O'Connor and Director of Community Outreach Tess Wackerlin, in hope of learning from the successes and failures of local government here.

Italian senate opposes Turin doping proposal

This story is another interesting time when sports, government and media are mixing. The 2006 Winter Olympics are in Italy and the IOC (International Olympic Committee) wants the locals to relax their laws.

SI.com - Olympics - Italian senate opposes Turin doping proposal - Wednesday October 19, 2005 1:53PM

Under International Olympic Committee rules, athletes face disqualification from the Olympics for any doping offense but no legal penalties.

Mario Pescante, an IOC member and government supervisor of the games, is trying to get the Italian Parliament to adjust the law for the period of the games to comply with the host city contract signed seven years ago.

'Penal sanctions are OK for those that peddle (drugs),' Pescante said. 'For athletes, sporting sanctions are much more severe.'

Fiorello Cortiana, a senator representing the Greens Party, voiced the sharpest opposition.

'Every state determines its own penal code,' Cortiana said. 'To the contrary I believe it's the IOC that must adapt to the states where its games are held.
'We understand that as an IOC member, this could be an embarrassment for Pescante. But Pescante is also a member of the Italian government and you can't be in the Italian government if you don't support its laws.'

Will there be any Penguins on the US Olympic Team? What about the teams of other nations?

At least local hockey fans might be able to cheer for a "home team" that wins a game or two, given the recent rash of losses from the NHL team. You know, the beggers for slots.

Speaking of hockey, at last night's Libertarian Board Meeting, as a 'door prize' of sorts, there was a give-a-way of two Pens tickets to tonights game. Nice perk for being engaged and showing up for a political meeting.

Meanwhile, back in Italy, I think it is nuts to say that the Italian Police are going to be 'stormtroopers' and raid the Olympic Village looking for roids.

Dr. Chuck Pennacchio to talk at Pitt

Perhaps some Libertarians and Greens could go to this event and ask the candidate what he thinks about the Voters Choice Act.

When this race becomes real, expect to see a Libertarian in the race as well.

At the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Chuck Pennacchio will be talking to Democrats about the stakes of the upcoming election for U.S. Senate race. Come meet the candidate and here what he has to say. Chuck is a strong supporter of equal rights for GLBT Americans, including hate crime laws, and civil unions with the full federal and state benefits of marriage (i.e., adoption rights). He opposes the federal "Defense of Marriage Act".

At 5 pm on Wednesday, November 9.

University of Pittsburgh: exact location is pending.

Infighting -- How much is this costing the taxpayers of the county?

There will be winners and loosers. But I'm sure the real looser in all of this is the taxpayers. These folks are fighting among themselves. Both are Democrats. Both are costing us a lot of money. This provides three great reasons to quit the Democratic party: Wecht, Zappala and Infighting that goes to the courts.

I don't expect that this will be settled until they go to the PA Supreme Court.

Who is paying for this?

How much does it cost

?NEPA News PITTSBURGH (AP) _ The ongoing legal feud between Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. and Coroner Dr. Cyril H. Wecht found itself in front of the state Commonwealth Court.
A three-judge panel heard arguments Monday on Wecht's appeal of a lower court ruling that prohibited him from convening an open inquest into the Aug. 28, 2004, death of a 91-year-old woman at a suburban Pittsburgh nursing home.
Prosecutors argued an inquest would force investigators to discuss the case publicly and they want to preserve testimony for a pending criminal probe.
The coroner's attorney countered that any pending charges do not address the manner of death in this case. The lower court ruling halting the inquest intrudes on the coroner's powers and duties, he argued.
Zappala has accused Wecht of overstepping his authority by ordering open inquests into cases after the prosecutor ruled no criminal charges were warranted."

Gaming sparks emotions

It is good to see that these meetings have come alive.
Gaming sparks emotions - PittsburghLIVE.com A Monroeville woman suggested the board go even further. Saying her ex-husband had lost more than $50,000 gambling at horse tracks, she asked the task force to recommend setting aside money for college scholarships, baby sitters and anti-depressants for the families of addicted gamblers.

Board Nominations for 2006 for the Allegheny County Libertarian Party

At the recent chapter meeting, the following individuals were nominated for positions for the County Libertarian Board to serve in 2006.

for Chair - Dave Powell
for Vice-Chair - Mark Rauterkus, Joe Presley
for Treasurer - Rich Loether
for Secretary - Henry Haller
for at-large directors: (need up to five)
- Mark Rauterkus
- Jerry Gloekler
- Tom Gillooly
- Tim Crowley
- Joe Presley
- Rob Willis
- Dave Eckhart

Ballots will be sent to all current members within the next two weeks.

The full minutes of the meeting are to come from the secretary in a few days.

COALITION OF THIRD PARTIES PLAN MASSIVE "VOTERS' CHOICE ACT" DISTRIBUTION in Harrisburg

For more information contact: Ken Krawchuk at 267-496-3332 or David Jahn at 610-461-7755

The Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition will be holding a news conference this Wednesday morning, October 19th, at 10 AM in the Capitol Newsroom, Room 524, located at the rear of the E floor in the central wing of the Capitol building in Harrisburg. Immediately following the conference, Coalition members will hand-deliver copies of their Voters' Choice Act to all 203 State Representatives, all 50 State Senators, and Governor Rendell.

"It is our goal to bring an unintended and intolerable situation to the immediate attention of our lawmakers," said Ken Krawchuk, a Libertarian member of the Coalition. "Because of a fluke in the existing ballot access laws, third party and independent candidates will need to collect approximately 100,000 signatures in order to appear on the statewide ballot in 2006, as compared to fewer than 3,000 for candidates from the two old parties. The Coalition is seeking sponsors for their Voters' Choice Act which promises to institute a fairer process for third parties and independent candidates to appear on the ballot."

"For those legislators who believe in fair ballot access and democracy, our Voters' Choice Act will serve as their rallying point,", Krawchuk continued. "Representative Paul Clymer, Chairman of the House State Government Committee, is already talking about holding hearings, so we know there's a constituency among lawmakers for fair ballot access."

Once the White Paper distribution is complete, the Coalition plans to allow lawmakers a few days to review the Voters' Choice Act, then follow up via phone calls, letters, e-mails, and personal visits. "Every one of Pennsylvania's third parties that we could find has signed on to the Voters' Choice Act", Krawchuk said. "And all of us are mobilizing our respective forces to do whatever it takes to bring about fair ballot access. When people of such varied political backgrounds can stand shoulder-to-shoulder on a single issue, you can bet it's an idea whose time has come."

"Grassroots democracy is one of the Ten Key Values of the Green Party", said Jennaro Pullano, former state chair of the Green Party. "The Voters' Choice Act puts democracy back within reach of all of Pennsylvania citizens."

James Clymer, national chairman of the Constitution Party, asserted, "It's time we held our legislative representative's feet to the fire, insisting that they amend the election code to conform to the Constitutional mandate of free and equal elections."

Thomas McLaughlin, state treasurer of the Reform Party, stressed how the Voters' Choice Act will result in more choices for the voters on Election Day. "In many instances, without us, the voters would have NO choice!"

John Murphy of the Ralph Nader campaign pointed out, "The burdensome and archaic ballot access laws in Pennsylvania which encourage discrimination and political chicanery against third party and independent candidates must come to an end."

David Jahn, chair of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania, summed up the thinking of the Coalition. "This is a solution that is already being used in Delaware, and the result there has been higher voter turnout. If it works there, it will work here."

The Voters' Choice Act reforms Pennsylvania's draconian ballot access laws by leveling the playing field for third parties and independent candidates. Under the current law, Democrats and Republicans must collect 2,000 signatures to have their names placed on the statewide primary ballot, and none at all for the November ballot. However, to have their names placed on the November ballot in 2006, third party and independent candidates will be required to collect a minimum of 67,070 signatures, more than 33 times as many, despite a Constitutional provision that "Elections shall be free and equal".

The Voters' Choice Act would change the definition of a "minor political party" from the current district-by-district electoral formula (2% of a recent winner's vote total) to one based upon statewide voter registrations (0.05%), and allow minor parties to nominate candidates for all offices directly according to their party rules, and at their own expense, rather than by the existing, taxpayer-funded nomination papers process. Independent candidates would continue to nominate candidates for all offices via the current nomination papers process, but using the same signature requirements required of the two old parties rather than the current district-by-district electoral formula (2% of a recent winner's vote total).

A copy of the Voters' Choice Act and its accompanying White Paper can be found on the Coalition's website at www.PaBallotAccess.org.

The Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition is an association of representatives from Pennsylvania's largest political third parties and independent campaigns, including the Libertarian Party, the Green Party, the Constitution Party, the America First Party, the Reform Party, the Prohibition Party, the Socialist Party, the Unified Independent Party, the New American Independent Party, and the Ralph Nader campaign, among others.

The Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition
PO Box 309
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081
www.PaBallotAccess.org
PBAC@PaBallotAccess.org
Voice: (610) 543-8427
Fax: (215) 572-9248

Ignored.... as another rain cloud and class 4 hurrican brews.

Onorato's property assessment plan isn't about stability at all -- not like assessment buffering

The change allows county officials to put off a future reassessment until they decide one is necessary.

Freeze! This is what got us in trouble in the past decades.

Onorato's property assessment plan prevails Allegheny County Council last night approved an assessment plan that won't change values for any of the county's 550,000 properties next year and, possibly, for years to come.

One dissenting Republican, Doug Price of Carnegie, predicted a quick legal challenge.

The best stability for homeowners would come with an assessment buffering plan that has been part of my platform. I still think assessment buffering would save the day for families in Allegheny County.

"The base year plan will provide stability for homeowners by preventing wild swings in property assessments and taxes. It will also put Allegheny County on equal footing with neighboring counties and make this a viable place to own a home or business."

Stability for homeowners comes with assessment buffering. Get a tax bill and then have it buffered over a three year period.

Rea said, "They just don't like the uncertainty of their tax bill changing every year," she said. "Many people in my area have moved to Butler County." Jeepers. The concept of assessment buffering never had better words of support. The concept of calming the uncertainty of tax bills is what assessment buffering provides. Sadly, Rea isn't seeing the big picture.

Think again Onorato -- as I don't think we in Allegheny County should be put on equal footing with Butler and Beaver and other counties. How low have we gone in Allegheny County that we call it a victory to be even with them? I think we need to soar -- and Dan wants us to be equal. We should be better. We should be much better.

This plan is still not the elegant solution that I desire. Plain old survival is killing us.

I'm being ignored again, but I'm in good company as illustrated in the article. Councilman Ron Francis, R-Ben Avon, said, "Whenever a professional tells us something that's not what we want to hear, we ignore the results," he said. "Because we don't have the political will to carry through and try to get the assessments correct."

FOAC = Firearms Owners Against Crime - banquet on Saturday evening

FOAC

Firearm Owners Against Crime is holding our 8th Annual Fall Banquet on October 22nd at 6pm at Jamies Restaurant & Lounge in Dormont (just outside of Pittsburgh) and we would like to invite you to attend. There will be good food, prize giveaways and the opportunity to discuss the issues with many of the candidates running for office and elected officials. A flyer for this event is attached along with a FOAC membership application and we hope to see you there. (IF you cannot make the Banquet please try and send a donation or Chinese Auction gift as we are gearingup for next years election and it would help FOAC greatly-Thank you!). The cost is 30 per peson for members and 75 for non members. If you have any questions please call me at 412 759 0682.

Please pass this along to anyone you fell would be interested.

Jamies Restaurant & Lounge
3220 West Liberty Avenue
Dormont, PA 15216
6 PM Saturday October 22, 2005

Respectfully,

Herb Ohliger
Vice President Firearm Owners Against Crime
950 Lindsay Road
Carnegie, PA 15106
412.279.1222
412.759.0682
herb138@fyi.net

---

Dear Candidates and Elected Officials:

Once again it is time for Firearm Owners Against Crime’s Sixth Annual Fall Banquet. The festivities will be held at Jamies Restaurant and Lounge in Dormont on Saturday, October 22, 2005, beginning at 6:00 P.M. We will have a sit down dinner and a cash bar. The cost of this entertaining night is $75.00 per person. If you are able to attend, please respond by Wednesday, October 19th. If you cannot attend, any donation you make will be used in the production and distribution cost of our Fall Voter’s Guide.

We will be having another Chinese Auction this year. Anyone can donate items to be auctioned off. If you are going to donate an item, please call Herb at 412-279-1222 prior to Wednesday, October 19th, so that we can make labels for the items with the donator’s name and item description. The auction is our primary source of revenue for this event and will be used in the production and distribution cost of our Fall Voter’s Guide. We would like to thank all our past donors for their continued support over the last five years. Thank you for your time and I look forward to seeing you at Jamies Restaurant and Lounge in Dormont on Saturday, October 22, 2005, beginning at 6:00 P.M.

Respectfully,

Herb Ohliger
Vice President
412.759.0682 Cell
412.279.1222 Home
Herb138@fyi.net

Dissent growing over doping proposal for Turin Games. Now the War On Drugs goes to Italy

SI.com - Olympics - Dissent growing over doping proposal for Turin Games - Tuesday October 18, 2005 2:19PM ROME (AP) -- Italy's drug laws are so tough that two of the world's most powerful anti-doping officials are calling for a moratorium during the Turin Winter Games.

Libertarians are generally against the 'war on drugs.'

Olympic parenting is more important than the city hosting the Olympic games. We can't even take our kids to neighborhood pools in Pittsburgh.

Philly area backs Olympics bid while under Act 47 and Pgh Council wants what Phili has

Philly, the city of brotherly and sisterly love, has been the topic of many discussions in Pittsburgh recently. Both cities are under financial stress and Act 47. We're sorta new to this while they've been with that "burden" for many more years.

The Act 47 burden in Philly seems rather light to those presently on Pittsburgh's City Council. Philly's city council members have cars, (one has two assigned to him), much larger pay checks and the president there has his own slush fund for spending that exceeds $300,000. Meanwhile, Sala is still hounded by the Trib for a trip he took in a car to an unknown destination a few years ago. Gene R has been badgered for getting photos framed. Life isn't fair!

Some on Grant Street are fed up with the benchmarks being put in their faces. It seems that the Philly Controller's office gets more done per penny than what happens in Pittsburgh. Passionate replies are being waged in counter-statements now.

Personally, I don't think we in Pittsburgh can nor should worry too much about what happens in Philly. At least that worry should not be front and center. It is not a prime motivator for me, unless there is talk of hosting an Olympic Games. Now, let's talk.

SI.com - Olympics - Poll shows Philly area backs Olympics bid - Wednesday October 19, 2005 2:08AM

Poll shows Philly area backs Olympics bid
Sports Illustrated and AP report:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- More than 80 percent of area residents would favor a bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, though nearly half doubt the city would be chosen, a new poll showed.

A telephone survey of 1,000 households in 10 counties in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware was taken on behalf of a volunteer panel looking into the feasibility of bidding for the games.

About half those who supported making a bid said they thought the event would be good for the economy or create jobs, while opponents worried about the cost to the city, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Wednesday. The newspaper said it obtained a copy of the results.

These results are unusually positive, compared to the tone we've seen in other cities in other years, said Joe Goldblatt, a Temple University professor of tourism and hospitality management who has done research for the International Olympic Committee.

Joseph M. Torsella, chairman of the Philadelphia 2016 Working Group, declined to comment, citing a gag order imposed on local committees by U.S. Olympic Committee Chairman Peter Ueberroth.

Officials from the U.S. committee are expected to meet with potential bidders in the coming weeks.

The U.S. organization is expected to determine an American candidate, if there is one, by mid-2007. The International Olympic Committee won't select the 2016 host city for nearly four years.

Meanwhile, the London bid to host the 2012 Olympics has a bid budget of more than $50.8 million. London secured the games in July, defeating Paris, Madrid, New York and Moscow.

Former UK Track-star and London Bid front-official, S. Coe, expects the London games to break even, but noted that the government has promised to underwrite any losses.

Britain hopes to field a team of 720 athletes at the London Olympics -- more than twice the number from the 2004 Athens Games -- in a bid to finish fourth in the medal table behind the United States, China and Russia.

"We want to be the top nation in Europe and I think the challenge is also to beat the Australians because they have invested heavily in sport," said Craig Reedie, outgoing chairman of the British Olympic Association.

COMMUNITY FORUMS featuring Mark Roosevelt, Superintendent of Schools

Pittsburgh Public Schools Parents, Community Members and Employees are invited to attend.

October 20, 2005 – 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Allegheny Traditional Academy
810 Arch Street (North Side)
Hosted by North Parent Educational Resource Center

October 24, 2005 – 7:30–9 p.m.
St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
933 Brookline Boulevard (Brookline)
Hosted by Brookline Area Community Council

October 25, 2005 – 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Frick International Studies Academy
107 Thackeray Street (Oakland)
Hosted by Central Parent Educational Resource Center

October 27, 2005 – 7:30–8:30 p.m.
Greenway Middle School
1400 Crucible Street (Sheraden)
Hosted by Southwest Community Coalition

October 29, 2005 – 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Reizenstein Middle School
129 Denniston Avenue (East Liberty)
Hosted by East Parent Education Resource Center

October 29, 2005 – 12:30–1:30 p.m.
Weil Technology Institute
2250 Centre Avenue (Hill District)
Hosted by Central Parent Educational Resource Center

November 7, 2005 – 7:30–8:30 p.m.
Henry Kaufmann Neighborhood House
2201 Salisbury Street (Arlington)
Hosted by Arlington Civic Council

November 9, 2005 – 6:30–8 p.m.
Minadeo Elementary School
6502 Lilac Street (Squirrel Hill)
Hosted by 14th Ward Independent Democratic Club

Superintendent Roosevelt has pledged to put student needs above all other interests and to realign District resources to most effectively prepare young people for the future.

His number one priority is to improve student achievement. The forums will include opening remarks by Mr. Roosevelt, followed by a question and answer session.

For ADA accommodations, call 412-622-3619.

speaking of polling data -- how is Bob O'Connor's polling numbers? -- anywhere?

Has anyone seen any polling data on the November 2005 mayor's race? Five candidates are on the ballot. Some 50,000 votes may be cast. However, I don't think any poll has surfaced -- yet.

The next clipping comes from a wire source and has a twist. The professor sent out a letter to the media that asked them not to report on the polling data. Humm...

Pay grab: It gets better and better But Madonna advised reporters not to report on this.

Why?

'Because the survey release has some serious defects that make it impossible to draw any sensible conclusions about the findings.'

According to Madonna, the defects involved not listing the exact wording of the questions or saying who paid for the survey.

But when a Pittsburgh reporter, Dimitri Vassilaros, checked the polling company's Web site, all that information was there. All of it. You can see it at www.pollingcompany.com.

Why not report it? Are the powerful so powerful that even honest brokers are drawn into their web?

PAT CARROLL: 255-8149 or pcarroll@patriot-news.com

RCAC gives some recycled electrons in support of Weinroth

This is not an endorsement, but a pointer to a bio that is not well known.

RCAC 26 Days until the General Election!

Candidate's Corner

Meet Joe Weinroth - GOP Candidate for Mayor, City of Pittsburgh

Joseph Weinroth is a first generation American and the only member of his immediate family born in the United States. He is the son of Holocaust survivors who came to this country to live the American Dream.

Joe was born and raised in Pittsburgh. He is a graduate of Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh. He attended the University of Pittsburgh and received his undergraduate dual degree in Economics and Political Science, summa cum laude, in 1980. He received the Asher Isaacs Prize in Economics as the graduate with the highest grade point average in the field of Economics. He is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa honorary society. Joe attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and received his JD degree in 1983. He has been a practicing attorney since his admittance to the bar in 1983.

Joe is an elected member of the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania; he is the elected Vice-Chairman of the Republican Party of Pittsburgh; an elected member of the Republican Committee of Allegheny County and a member of the County Leadership Committee; He is the founder

and Director of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Republican Jewish Coalition, a national grassroots organization; Joe was proud to be elected a Delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2004 and was proud to be on the

floor of Madison Square Garden when Pennsylvania had the honor of putting our President over the top in the nomination process.

Joe has been a registered Republican since he turned 18.

To learn more about Joe's candidacy, please visit his website at www.joeweinrothformayor.com

Joe's Lever Number is 11B.

Sign Ordinance

Sign Ordinance CHAPTER 423: UNAUTHORIZED ROADSIDE AND UTILITY POLE SIGNS PROHIBITED

There is a right way and a wrong way to do campaign signs. Nice to see the Pittsburgh GOP reprinting the city of Pgh municipal code that covers signs.

KDKA - House Speaker Mum On Pay Raise Debate

Great video, thanks to KDKA TV News.

KDKA - Pittsburgh's Source for Breaking News, Weather and Sports: PA House Speaker Mum On Pay Raise Debate PA House Speaker Mum On Pay Raise Debate

Oct 12, 2005 8:02 pm US/Eastern
Beechview (KDKA) The uproar over big pay raises for state lawmakers can still be heard.

The man who spearheaded the pay raise was in Pittsburgh...

A clean sweep is needed. Thank goodness we have Operation Clean Sweep in PA, at PACleanSweep.com.

Bill Scranton, former Lieutenant Governor is to announce his bid for PA Governor's office this week

Scranton is going to make the official announcement this week, finally. He is a Republican and is a potential 2006 gubernatorial candidate against Ed Rendell, Dem.

He'll be at the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel, 107 Sixth St., in downtown Pittsburgh for a 4 pm event on Tuesday, October 18, 2005. Door open at 3:30 pm.

I don't know if it is "free" to attend, but I would expect so. The fundraisers are generally before or after those public announcments. He'll be in other parts of the state in the days ahead and after.

Personally, it is hard to think about 2006 until after the vote in 2005. I think responsible media needs to feed voters more info on the next vote -- and not news of 2006.

SI.com - Summer Olympics - Sculpture commemorates 1968 Olympic protest

SI.com - Summer Olympics - Sculpture commemorates 1968 Olympic protest - Sunday October 16, 2005 11:32PM Paying tribute
Sculpture commemorates 1968 black power salute
Posted: Sunday October 16, 2005 11:32PM; Updated: Sunday October 16, 2005 11:32PM
LONDON (Reuters) -- A near 23-foot sculpture commemorating the 1968 Mexico City Olympics black power protest by Tommie Smith and John Carlos will be unveiled in San Jose State College on Monday.

Smith, who had won the 200 meters gold medal in world record time, and third-placed Carlos bowed their heads and raised one black-gloved hand each in the black power salute on the victory podium while The Star-Spangled Banner was played.

The pair, who had been team mates at the college, will be present at Monday's ceremony along with second-placed Australian Peter Norman.
Smith and Carlos say they were influenced in 1968 by a young sociologist friend Harry Edwards who asked them and other black American athletes to boycott the Games.

Edwards said the civil rights movement had not gone far enough to eliminate the injustices faced by blacks in the United States.

Invite to some rights reserved site

See the comments.

I love the open source movement.

Xinhua - English - and I fuss about a bit of jet lag

China's space program made a major milestone with the successful flight and return of two into space.

Xinhua - EnglishShenzhou-6 lands safely, astronauts in good shape
The re-entry capsule of the Shenzhou-6 spacecraft, carrying taikonauts Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng, landed on earth safely at 4:33 a.m. Monday, marking a 'complete success' of China's second manned space mission after it put the first Chinese national in space two years ago. Both taikonauts are 'in fine conditions,' doctors said after giving them a checkup upon landing.

Pitt squares off with private developer in a battle of Oak Hill

This is one of the ways to make residents and voters meaningless in the real power plays of life in Pittsburgh: Divide and Conquer.

Another frequently repeated trend is Pitt's willingness to fight with others. It ran to the courts when the Big East broke up and tried to force a judge to make Miami Univ stay Pitt's friend.

Furthermore, Pitt's institutional worries have spilled over to all sorts of other distractions beyond its borders. Pitt would do better to worry about its core mission and not get wrapped up in follies with other assorted sideline efforts. Pitt's students and its educational mission take a back seat to merry-go-rounds, fighting food cart vendors and housing development squabbles.

Perhaps Oak Court is going to take over the title for the "backyard brawl."

Pitt, developer battle splits Oak Hill 'They intentionally wanted to divide us,' said Ms. Foster, who blames the developer. Some others blame Pitt."

It is great to see great articles such as this from the pages of the Post-Gazette. Thank goodness Pittsburgh now has Rich Lord as a reporter at the PG.

Jet lag hits. I watched the Steelers with my eyes closed today.

Pittsburgh trends the wrong way in its failed planning

Urban density looks like this.

Too often, the trend among Pittsburgh's planning efforts is to take the urban elements out of the city. Those in charge are trying to turn Pittsburgh into a suburban landscape, not an urban one. They have been trying to make Pittsburgh something that it isn't. And, they have been failing.

The URA was fine with the building of the research park on Second Avenue. But, it was a research park that could have been in any rural or beltway city. It was not built with any density in mind. It was not built with a face to the river. It was built with a need for parking garages and without any mixed uses.

We need to do much better.

Downtown has seen many of its buildings torn down. We have 'green space' where there used to be high-rises. If you thin downtown enough, we'll all be able to park on the streets -- as there won't be anyone here.

Save Gas - Grow Some of Your Own Food

by Jim McCue , composter and biotech researcher

People all over the world are discovering that large-scale corporate factory agriculture, the kind that continues to cause the bankrupty of smaller, more diversified, often family-owned farming, does not always have in mind the health and happiness of those who increasingly have no choice but to buy their food from the factory-farm system.

As in other sectors of the economy, production, processing, and distribution of food has come to be increasingly concentrated in fewer hands. Because making money in the business world so often seems to necessitate closing one's heart as to destructive effects of one's business decisions, the most "successful" (that is, the ones who have accumulated the most money) are often the most hard-hearted.

Take fossil fuels such as oil, the gasoline that's made from it, and natural gas. It's now commonly understood that these things are: in limited supply; subject to increasing demand; and have numerous environmental side effects. The agricultural system - as presently structured - needs huge amounts of water, land, and fossil fuels to make fertilizer and provide transportation. Small organic food gardens and farms need less water and space to grow a certain amount of food. But large agribusinesses have used their increased lobbying power to structure our laws so that the taxpayer subsidizes cheaper (and lower quality) food. This is why "organic" has become associated with "high-muckety-muck"; people think only elites can afford the better quality. But the fact is, we're all paying for the mass-produced food that is lower quality - through our taxes.

Now that the price of gas has hit the fan, and as the predicted drastic increase in natural gas price also looms, it's time to start taking seriously those enviro "Chicken Littles" who knew these problems were coming and who know that the price of food - being connected to the price of fossil fuels - is also going to go through the roof. There is no sane reason to ship such a large part of our food such great distances. There is a place for food transportation, but not where we can more easily grow higher -quality food right here in the Pittsburgh region. We need much more locally grown food, much more organic food, and changes in our laws that have queered the situation so dangerously that large numbers of Americans are coming to find themselves short of money for necessities - food or rent, for instance.

The belief in chemical fertilizers and pesticides has come from overly focused points-of-view which externalize the side effects. Profit at the expense of your own health or you neighbors' is not a very good long-term investment. Sure, you might get a better yield on that particular crop this year if you sock the soil with nitrogen made from natural gas and pesticides synthesized from oil. But what about next year, when your garden's predator/prey balance is weakened and you, your family, and your neighbors' health is compromised by those toxins and your food's nutrient ratios are lower. And do you really want to escalate
our increasingly violent competition with other countries for the fossil resources to grow food that way?

The soil is not a machine. It is a vast living community which is harmed when we humans go to pot-shotting at the bugs while overdosing the soil with the major nutrients - nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous - ignoring all those micro-nutrients and enzymes and tiny living things - molds, bacteria, bugs, worms, etc. - that are vital to soil fertility. And the larger life forms - frogs, toads, "weeds", "groundhogs" (formerly called woodchucks in a less competitive time), minks, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, deer, bears, cougars, snakes, newts, salamanders - are also part of the soil (and which used to be abundant in what is now the Pittsburgh region).

A food security project is gearing up in the Garfield area. Effort is being made to secure land from the increasingly predatory real estate situation which is being exacerbated by the city's budget problems. What the Healcrest Urban Community Farm is starting should be a template for what happens county-wide.
The choice will be made whether to demonize the poor - and so rationalize their abandonment and allow the system failures to treat them more and more badly - or to recognize ourselves, our own family in those without the power to avoid direct consequences of the increasingly brutal business climate that is developing. Please look into what food security advocates such as these people are doing, and see that - just as we need the lowly earthworm and so-called "ugly" bugs and critters too small to see without a microscope - we also need those who we who may be a little better off have found it easier to marginalize.

The Healcrest Urban Community Farm is devoted to sustainable urban farming, is organizing gardens and gardeners to supply farmstands, and owns 1.7 acres near Penn Ave. at the corner of Shamrock Way, Hillcrest Street, and Pacific Ave. Their events are available via 412/362-1982, mothermoonbeam@aol.com, or http://www.thomasmertoncenter.org/calendar. The next is October 20th - an exploration of types of composting around the world - 6 to 8 p.m. at the Farm. Some of their other meeting are at the most interesting used-book shop I've ever seen, owned by one of the Farm's founders - Ricardo Robinson.

He had the unique idea to either sell or lend (for free) books, and specializes in what he judges to be "good" literature. The place has the nice laid-back come-on-in-and-talk atmosphere that could do something economic-development-wise for Hazelwood. It's called Yard Sale Books, and is at 5165 Penn (near Pacific.)

Special Events at Roberta Weissburg Leathers

Roberta Weissburg Leathers is thrilled to invite you to a Grand Open House Party celebrating our newest store in the South Side Works.

Friday, October 21 thru Sunday, October 23
527 S. 27th Street ~ South Side
412.488.8008

Would be gambling hall owners pour even more cash into state PACs and candidates

I won't be getting any of this money, I promise. However, I'll be running against it again.

It is no secret that the state Dems and state Republicans are flush with cash from the racino days, the riverboat days and the rest of the past decade as gambling came calling. Diven and Fontana got lots of state party money. That is blood money from gambling interests.

Then there is the trickle down effects. Money from one goes to the next and on-and-on to even the school board and city council candidates. Many Dems give money to other Dems and this money often came from the special interest groups -- like gambling hall operators.

PennLive.com: NewsFlash - Pa. slot parlor hopefuls pour cash into PACs, candidate funds: "Pa. slot parlor hopefuls pour cash into PACs, candidate funds
10/15/2005, 12:37 p.m. ET By MARC LEVY, The Associated Press

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) � Entrepreneurs vying for licenses to run gambling halls in Pennsylvania have contributed at least $330,000 to political candidates and causes since the state legalized slot machines 14 months ago, campaign finance records show.
The recipients included the five men, Gov. Ed Rendell and the four top Republican and Democrat leaders in the Legislature, who appointed the members of the state board that will award the slots licenses.
About $171,000 was contributed to the governor and the four legislative leaders and PACs that those lawmakers control.

October: Sleepy Hollow and PG

   Here, now, the PG does NOT stand for Post-Gazette. Rather, Project Gutenberg.

Now we enjoy the month of Halloween.

Here, Pittsburgh, might be sleepy in terms of its politcal race for its top elected official. And, we might be turning into a mere Hollow rather than a big-league city -- but let's have some October fun with Project Gutenberg.

---

THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW

BY WASHINGTON IRVING

FOUND AMONG THE PAPERS OF THE LATE DIEDRICH KNICKERBOCKER.

A pleasing land of drowsy head it was,
Of dreams that wave before the half-shut eye;
And of gay castles in the clouds that pass,
Forever flushing round a summer sky.
CASTLE OF INDOLENCE.

IN the bosom of one of those spacious coves which indent the eastern shore of the Hudson, at that broad expansion of the river denominated by the ancient Dutch navigators the Tappan Zee, and where they always prudently shortened sail and implored the protection of St. Nicholas when they crossed, there lies a small market town or rural port, which by some is called Greensburgh, but which is more generally and properly known by the name of Tarry Town. This name was given, we are told, in former days, by the good housewives of the adjacent country, from the inveterate propensity of their husbands to linger about the village tavern on market days. Be that as it may, I do not vouch for the fact, but merely advert to it, for the sake of being precise and authentic. Not far from this village, perhaps about two miles, there is a little valley or rather lap of land among high hills, which is one of the quietest places in the whole world. A small brook glides through it, with just murmur enough to lull one to repose; and the occasional whistle of a quail or tapping of a woodpecker is almost the only sound that ever breaks in upon the uniform tranquillity.

I recollect that, when a stripling, my first exploit in squirrel-shooting was in a grove of tall walnut-trees that shades one side of the valley. I had wandered into it at noontime, when all nature is peculiarly quiet, and was startled by the roar of my own gun, as it broke the Sabbath stillness around and was prolonged and reverberated by the angry echoes. If ever I should wish for a retreat whither I might steal from the world and its distractions, and dream quietly away the remnant of a troubled life, I know of none more promising than this little valley.

From the listless repose of the place, and the peculiar character of its inhabitants, who are descendants from the original Dutch settlers, this sequestered glen has long been known by the name of SLEEPY HOLLOW, and its rustic lads are called the Sleepy Hollow Boys throughout all the neighboring country. A drowsy, dreamy influence seems to hang over the land, and to pervade the very atmosphere.

Go get the entire book. Find a youngster and read it to him or her. Start tonight. Here is the link to the entire work, free of charge, as part of Project Gutenberg's fine efforts.

A call to a meeting as published in the AIA newsletter

Working Together for Pittsburgh's Future

What does your neighborhood need to succeed? Please join the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development, and Southwestern PA LISC for a Town Hall Meeting for Pittsburgh's Future. The meeting will be held Thursday, October 20th from 2:30 to 8 pm at The Circuit Center, 5 Hot Metal Street in the South SIde. To RSVP, call Jennifer Fox at the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh at 412-391-4144 or email jfox@cdcp.org For more information, visit www.ppnd.org

Stan, muddy Stan

Stan was the name of the hurrican that hit Central American recently. A few emails via the Katrinia Helpers list are posted in the comments.

Class photo.

Swimming is okay at the beaches if you swim within the shark nets. No thanks. We did a lot of swimming, but it as at swim pools, not the beach. This warning is from Lamma Island. It is one of the smaller islands that make up greater Hong Kong. We hiked there on a paved pathway. We got over there and back via ferry from Central, pier 3.

Thanks for the gifts -- friendships -- and hospitality in Hong Kong

We were treated very well in our recent trip. Thanks.


Teresa, Nhicole, Elaine and Lena (faculty at HKU) at lunch.

Photos are to be posted shortly -- we're home!

Julie and Lindsey, Pitt graduate students, fellow travelers, at Ocean Park in Hong Kong.

Carlynton Swim Club -- back in the day -- 2005

City to vote on panhandling bill

Okay, let's turn downtown into Rosslyn Farms. Let's knock out all business. Let's stop all interactions. Let's take down all the signs on all the buildings. Let's end all transactions too. Make them illegal.

The Pitt News - City to vote on panhandling bill The proposed extensions include expanding the definition of panhandling to incorporate all types of solicitation, including religious groups and community service organizations that ask for money. The new bill also lists stricter regulations on when and where individuals are allowed to panhandle.

Downtown's problems are not rooted with some homeless folks.

Downtown's problem is that there are only homeless folks there. Where are all the other people? Where are the everyday hustle bustle folks?

They left when freedom departed.

People vote with their feet!

Legislators aim to put limits on uses of eminent domain

PG coverage of pending bills Headline: Legislators aim to put limits on uses of eminent domain

I've sounded off on eminent domain.

Thousands of new jobs to be created -- says out of touch congress critter

Details at the my Transportation blog, http://Ratsburgh.blogspot.com.

Gene chimes in. Point noted.

MARK, I am a friend of public education! Gene

Hi,

Perhaps Gene R., City Council President and soon to be district magistrate is a friend of public education. But, I feel that a friend of public education would NOT ask the schools to give up any money for the city's dire straights -- such as with the loss income from taxes on a Second Ave TIFF. TIFFs hurt the kids in public schools right now.

We can leave funding for crossing guards out of the 'public school' discussion, but that would enter into the fray in another chapter.

I also feel that the school board races are able to be pulled and mangled by political forces as you, Jim M and Michael Diven attempted in the not too distant past. It serves as a good example for the rant and with the state of the landscape in Pgh politics. Pulling the political wires -- of itself -- isn't so bad. No harm there. But, when there isn't suitable understanding of the candidates running for school board offices -- and then we have some serious problems. So, I rail against the lack of balance.

Put a tea party into your future plans, please

My email blast from Hong Kong....

412-archives

See ya soon, I hope.

We got the tea.

Opening of Chinese National Games and that

Just got to see the lift off of a Chinese rocket into space with two passengers. They'll orbit the earth and are geared to go to the moon, perhaps, in future years. The names of the astronauts was not even mentioned throughout most of the day. The coverage wasn't secret, but it was hardly direct and up-front. Interesting. The liftoff was reported to happen in a few days -- with a few day range of time. Weather was a factor, but so too was putting the cat out of the bag.

Then we got to see the opening ceremonies of the National Games in China. Parade, flags and teams of athletes. There are teams from various regions and provinces. Plus, there are teams from Telco Workers, Space Workers (big cheer with the liftoff today for them), Forestry, Railway workers, etc.

Chinese weightlifter breaks three world records -- Olympic champion Chen Yanqing broke all three world records in the 127-pound weightlifting class on Tuesday, one of two Chinese women to set new marks this week at China's national games. SI

Diversity is not Divine

The wrong bark goes out up the wrong tree, again.

The point is not to make the 'queen for a day' concept work better in Pittsburgh. Rather, the real goal should be the elimination of royalty, boards, overlords, queens, court honchos and better-than-thou kiss-ups.

We don't need as many authorities as we got. We have too many governmental appointees.

Councilman to introduce board diversity bill
Tuesday, October 11, 2005, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh Councilman William Peduto expects to introduce legislation today aimed at increasing the diversity of appointees to city boards, authorities and commissions.

The proposed ordinance would require that the city advertise on its Web site openings on boards, like those that guide city redevelopment, public housing, parking, water and sewerage and other functions.

People could apply via the city's Web site. Each year, the city would report on the diversity of the applicants and appointees, allowing the public to track progress, he said.

"By law, we could not create a quota," he said.

"But what we can do is create a system by which the next mayor would be persuaded to make diverse appointments."

The legislation would "encourage [officials] to look beyond their usual suspects" when making appointments, said Heather Arnet, executive director of the Women and Girls Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania, which helped craft the proposal.

Mr. Peduto said council will hold a public hearing before voting.

And now for some modern art. This was a very impressive room in the Hong Kong Museum of Art. It celebrated the book and pages flowed from the sky, along the walls and open on the floor. Furthermore, all the characters (words) were made up -- jibberish so to speak.

Good reason to put our priorities in order -- and it isn't for government groups to get into real estate

PG article:

North Side housing renewal reversed by neighborhood violence

We need to get our house in order, and I don't mean the bricks and windows. The problems of Pittsburgh are not hardware ills. Rather, we have software, performance, activity, community problems. This isn't about blight. This isn't about buildings. This isn't about shade trees. Nor is it about parking garages and stadiums.

Cardinal beat Red Storm and the other hot-shot from CMU

Stanford robot beats CMU in desert race -- so reported the PG headline.

This was a science experiement -- and a big-deal race. This was more about 'sport' than it was about toys and play. Perhaps it was a test-match, as is said in international competitions when one squad battles another.

But, CMU's problem is that it was up against Stanford. No other university in the world can hold a candle to Stanford in terms of its sporting success. Stanford owns the NCAA's President Cup for the best sports program. Stanford has won at least one national title every year for the past ten years -- in at least one sport.

CMU, meanwhile, is bush next to them -- in terms of sporting success. Different league. This isn't like the Pirates playing the Yankees.

The slow drowning of New Orleans

Ken S, a PA Libertarian, wrote with a pointer about the article:

The Washington Post ran an article Sat, 10/08, with the headline: The slow drowning of New Orleans. It is available under the "Hurricans' Aftermath" section on msnbc.com
with the same headline.

I encourage you to print it for yourselves, and safe it as a classic tale of the long-term damage caused by politicians who: a) look no further than their own relections, b) are happy to spend everyone's money except their own, and c) are arrogant and stupid enough to believe they can control the forces of nature, despite repeated evidence to the contrary.

Ludwig and Lamb put their chips on the table -- still -- while Bob and Joe slumber

The first gambling forum was held and this excellent idea was put forth by Les Ludwig.

Two of the first three speakers were unsuccessful Democratic mayoral candidates in the spring primary. Les Ludwig wanted to know whether the David L. Lawrence Convention Center could be used as a casino. Allegheny County Prothonotary Michael Lamb said he has concerns about how a Station Square casino might affect Mt. Washington, where he lives.

Neither Murphy nor either of the nominated mayoral candidates, Democrat Bob O'Connor and Republican Joe Weinroth, attended.

Perhaps I'll go to the meeing on Monday night at The Dice.

Characters, giggles really

Salina had a story (and it is more a story than news) in the Trib about Diven and his band of merry folks.

It is hard to say one is not making footprints when you spend $1-million and only get votes at $70 or so per tick. The footprints are up and down Diven's front and back sides. Diven did a deer-in-the-headlights campaign for PA Senate -- and wasted $1-million. And, he is still doing the PSAs, as mentioned in the article.

If Diven was christened by Harrisburg's elite -- we only have to remember that it was those devils who bailed out Pittsburgh, gave us gambling, can't understand schools and took the big pay raise. To me, a christening from them is more like darnation!

Even the savior had 12 others to loaf with.

I hope to see Michael Lamb running, not for Diven's seat in the state house, but for Fontana's seat in the Senate -- in the D's primary. Lamb should not have run in the race in 2001 for Mayor. And, Lamb should have switched out of the Mayor's race to enter the State Senate race, even as an Indie. Even late in the game.

My curb talk says that the present city councilman, Motznik, runs for City Controller if Tom Flaherty gets the win in his quest for a seat on the bench as a judge. Motznik can't run against Diven. No way.

The classic line of the entire article however is this: Affable, hard-working and focused, Coghill's only black mark may be a lack of knowledge of the issues.

His only black mark is a lack of knowledge of the issues. Jeepers. Seems to me that the knowledge thing is way over-blown, or not.

Then there is this typo. Nerone isn't on city council. Was that to be Motznik?

Nerone ascended to his City Council seat the easy way: It was vacated. He borders on bland and would be the weakest candidate of the lot. Aggressive door-knocking, a solid base and drive-by visits to neighborhoods are needed to win House seats like this; none is Nerone's strength.

Good news journalism -- but the missing gaps are huge

The Trib recently reported:

"Around Baltimore, their properties are going up 50 to 60 percent, so there's going to be a lot of stink raised," said Ron Brown, an assessment supervisor in Maryland, which reassesses every three years. "See, that's why we work for the state. The county uses our information ... then they blame it on the state."

But what is NOT reported is the fact that in MD, they use a measure called, "ASSESSMENT BUFFERING." That is the tool that we need here in PA. That tool isn't talked about, yet, in the mainstream media in Pittsburgh. We need to talk about Assessment Buffering. I talked on and on about it in the campaign for PA Senate.

Assessment buffering has "salvation promise potential" for the region.

The assessments in Baltimore go up 50 to 60 percent. However, what gets paid is only one third of the increase each year for the next three years. So, there is NOT a big hit to the household in one short period. Family budgets can be adjusted.

In PA, we just kick you in the teeth and don't make any measures otherwise.

In PA media circles, they take the bad news elsewhere and report upon it so that those here who have to pay the pain feel not so bad.

Witch Hunt or some good, clean, new fashioned fun to sweep PA?

More and more, the people of Hong Kong celebrate Halloween. I don't expect we'll see many in this type of constume however.

We want to keep the pay-raise issue alive in the minds of the average citizen---not just the ones who signed their names on a petition. So, we plan on having a little bit of fun by participating in as many Halloween events and fall festivals as we possibly can. When is YOUR town's parade or festival?

Our first event is the Mechanicsburg Halloween Parade, THIS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11th, and we NEED YOUR HELP. We are depending on local, Mechanicsburg-area people to lend a hand by walking with us in the parade.

We want YOU to have fun, while, at the same time, delivering the message that VOTERS ARE NOT SHEEP...not anymore, anyway!

Without letting the "cat out of the bag", so to speak, we want ALL of you to BRING A BROOM with you, and come walk in the parade as we SWEEP the scoundrels out of our lives. We have borrowed a few masks/costumes for the lead characters, if you are willing to wear one. But we also need people in regular casual clothes, too. Just BRING A BROOM, if you can.

If you can dress in either white, black, or red (our official colors), that would be great....but that's not required. If you have your own animal masks (pigs, cows, sheep, especially), wear them!

If you have extra brooms you don't need, we will accept donations of those (but we need you to fill out a form, sorry, because we are a political action committee that has to follow certain laws).

So, when and were are the Pittsburgh-based halloween events? I'll go. I'll bring a broom or two.

On the South Side, we used to host a halloween parade. But, then the event was killed by city hall due to budget cuts. The Market House folks (staffers too) helped to organize the event.

Then the cost of police overtime blew the event out of the water.

One year, the event was to be killed. I had been asking a lot about its organization in August. Yep, no more parade was the word from Grant Street. I replied through the chain of command, "Great. I'll sponsor the parade." Tell the Mayor that I'll sponsor the parade. I want to meet with him and the director of Parks to hash out the budget and we'll raise the money as a community effort that I'll organize. It was August, so we had plenty of lead time. A week later, the parade was re-scheduled as a formal city event. The next year, I was working no the Great Race Replacement.

But, there are other events in the city and area.
Clean sweep advocates need all the various tools at the ready -- from mops, to brushes, to brooms. 

This is what you get when you have a cultural district that takes its eyes off of 'culture' and goes into land development

The Pittsburgh Cultural District and might as well mention the PDP (Pgh Downtown Partnership) should be ashamed. We are killing the Pgh Ballet with this move. Protest and outrage is necessary here.

We have the folks in the cultural district -- as well as the folks in the neighborhoods -- more worried about land development deals. They have taken their eyes off the ball. They fumble their duties. They make everything we have diminish in value with their miss-placed priorities.

By Marylynne Pitz, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Outside the Benedum Center last night, a Dixieland band played "Sweet Georgia Brown," but the 150 people picketing the lack of live music at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's production of "Carmen" did not sugar-coat their messages.

One picket's sign read, "Live Ballet Plus Canned Music Equals Dirty Dancing." Another protester's sign said, "Wanted: A Ballet Management That Cares."

Among the pickets were 25 music students from Carnegie Mellon University; musicians from New York City, Toronto, and Akron; local stagehands; Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians in full dress with white ties; and T-shirt-clad members of the Service Employees International Union and Teamsters.

In an attempt to save $500,000 a year, the financially troubled PBT has decided to use recorded music during its performances instead of hiring musicians.

Laura Brownell, director of symphonic services for the American Federation of Musicians in New York City, said ballet-goers were being cheated because "they are being asked to pay the same amount for half of the experience."

Mark Tetreault, principal tuba player with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, agreed.

Shark Fin Soup --- been there, done that.

Okay, what's the buzz about shark fin soup? We had it served to us at a traditional meal two nights ago -- when Grant (7) was sleeping on the floor in the corner of the private room within the larger facility. And again, last night, while the speakers for the event gathered (only Catherine and the two Pitt grad students went), the meal's six course was shark fin soup.

This is a traditional banquet food for special occasions in Hong Kong.

Some world-wide protests forced Disney to knock it off of its menus in Hong Kong. And that is a big deal as Disney has the resorts and tries to lure (pun intended) weddings to its banquet facilities.

Other larger, Hong Kong facilities have not backed down to the protesters and have kept the dish.

Once it came in the soup with small chunks. The other time it was in grinds. But the soup is much more than the shark fin. Pork and a chicken broth dominate the bowl.

What follows is from the Pgh Zoo and Aquarium site. They are getting set for RAD days and Zoo Boo.

Fish Flap Aired at Phipps

Eat fish, live longer? Maybe, but is your catch-of-the-day safe to eat? Is there enough of it swimming that it should be fished at all? How can consumers be sure which results of scientific studies are true and which are just plain fishy? And which fish get a clean bill of health?

As the world's shrinking and increasingly toxic seafood supply places many fish off-limits for responsible and safe eating, Slow Food Pittsburgh joins forces with Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in an educational series. The message? Despite the scaremongers, fishmongers, and scary reports, many delicious and responsible options remain.

Series participants will learn as they eat. Each program offers information and guidelines along with an opportunity to sit down to a meal celebrating seafood choices that satisfy both appetite and conscience. The series opens Sunday, October 9 with a free-to-the-public panel discussion at 4 p.m. in Phipps' Outdoor Garden under tents. The debate will be followed by a seafood dinner at 6 p.m. in the same location.

The debate will mesh viewpoints of panel participants. Douglass Dick, owner and executive chef of Bona Terra restaurant in Sharpsburg will address the balancing act by chefs to make responsible seafood choices and satisfy a public that often unknowingly demands endangered fish. Seth Morrison, Seafood Team, Whole Foods Pittsburgh will discuss the pros and cons of farmed and wild-caught fish considered when buying for an eco-aware customer base. Sara Pozonsky, co-owner of her family-owned fishery will tell her insider's story of wild salmon fishing in Kenai, Alaska. David Mintz, Senior Education Specialist, Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium will put global overfishing and threats to farmed and wild fish in perspective and explain the role of the consumer. The Zoo and Aquarium is an Associate Partner in Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program, featuring regional Seafood Watch Guides that help consumers understand what fish to buy and why. Copies of the guide will be available at the program and Mintz's presentation will focus on helping consumers use the guide as an aid in wise shopping. Participants will also receive a wallet card guide detailing eco-best and eco-worst fish choices at the markets.

The buffet-style dinner menu of fresh, sustainably produced seafood will be prepared by Café Phipps and big Burrito chefs. It features a clam and oyster raw bar, steamed mussels, grilled Wild Alaskan Company Copper River salmon, smoked trout salad, herbed roasted potatoes, locally grown greens, and autumn apple desserts. Guests will sit together at long tables, Slow Food style. Dinner is $45 for Slow Food members and $55 for non-members. There is a cash bar featuring wine and beer.

Participants may opt for the lecture, dinner, or both. The lecture preceding dinner is free and open to the public, but reservations for dinner are a must. To reserve by credit card, call Karen Bracken at Phipps Garden Center at (412) 441-4442, ext. 3201. Reservations are limited.

Volleyball and the Mon Valley Facilities

We joined the local health club for the month membership, $560 HK Dollars. And, it is nice. But don't be shocked by the price tag. A can of Coke can cost $7 to $10 here, in Hong Kong Dollars, not US$.

Now I'm at the 'reading room' and it is nice. However, none under 18 are allowed. Sad for AJ and the kids. But they'll join me shortly.

Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball announces an affiliation with Court Time Sports Center for the 2006 season and beyond. The 2006 season tryouts are November 6 (Baldwin HS), and November 13, 15 (Court Time Sports Center).

For more information please call 412.215.6738.

Scott Butler, Court Time Sports Center, Executive Director
95 Enterprise Drive, Elizabeth, PA 15037
www.courttimesportscenter.com
412.754.2005 = office

MapHub: Shared Urban Storytelling

A CMU professor and his students recently unveiled a web-based, interactive map system for Pittsburgh, called "MapHub". You can think of it as Wikipedia applied to a map of Pittsburgh; users place comments and markers on top of a simple street map of Pittsburgh, developing a picture of the city that can't be found in traditional maps.

One of the first groups to join in this project is Bike Pittsburgh, which is documenting useful information for bikers, such as the location of bike racks and dangerous stretches of road. However, users aren't limited to any official" themes, and are able to create their own objects to place on maps and their own hubs to display particular types of objects placed by a particular community.

Highland Park, Zoo and Soccer fields

Where are the ULTIMATE FRISBEE folks? Remember the past promises?

Back in 2000 -- when Mayor Murphy was making promises that still were not known to be fabricated lies -- (The promise was a lie, but it wasn't known to be a lie.) -- there were some "promises" to make "frisbee fields." The ultimate frisbee crowd, "those urban young people," jumped on board with Tom Murphy. They took the story, hook, line and sinker.

How about an update on those fields, please.

Let's hear from all sides on that.

The plan, in the article below, is lame. There is much more to do that is much better than what they'll even imagine.

For starters, build a simple bike path that stretches from the zoo parking lot to the bike oval. The bike path is needed, now. It was needed years ago. People can bike to Highland Park, but can't get out of the park at the base of the hill unless they take their life into a near death zone by the end of the Highland Park Bridge. The pathway would be easy to construct. There is space among the weeds.

Murphy is such a pathway fart. He misses the main connectors all the time.

The plan in the city now is to stretch the bike path out of the bike oval on Washington Blvd UP the hill to Homewood and then to East Liberty. There is a grand plan. But the basics should be accomplished.

Then if you want to get grand -- give all of Highland Park to the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium.

You know we spend more to build and upkeep places for our fish to swim than we do for our children.

You should see how they treat the kids here in Hong Kong: Climbing walls, kids play rooms, signs on buses that say give up prime seat to parents with children, indoor swim pools, tennis courts that are not under a bubble -- but are in much greater heat than what Pittsburgh experiences. Pittsburgh puts its best tennis courts under a bubble all summer. Go figure.

By the way, I loved the article about how Clarion, PA, was a noted as a great place to raise kids. Great coverage. Great concepts. We in Pittsburgh could do much better as we'd be able to bridge that link when the kids get older and go to college and enter into the job market. But, we have to keep the family centered hopes alive.

By the way too, I loved to read that Pittsburgh is one of the most safe places in the US for kids walking on the streets. They must have looked at auto deaths and not the deaths from drive bye bullets the radiate from a few of those cars. And, they seemed to overlook how Tom Murphy took all the burden of the crossing guards out of the city budget (where it belongs). The crossing guards are important. They are part of the city's responsibilities. Murphy fumbled again.

Soccer fields, park, trails proposed for zoo parking lot
Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Mayor Tom Murphy's administration has introduced legislation that would turn the northern end of the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium parking lot into a soccer field, park land and trails.

A resolution now before City Council would steer $200,000 in city funding and $200,000 from the state to the design of a 40-acre extension of Highland Park.

The zoo is in agreement with the proposed change, said spokeswoman Rachel Capp. "Soccer fields, kids, families -- that's in line with what we do," she said.

The zoo would shift some parking southward to the site of a former asphalt dump and would have the same number of spaces it does now, she added.

The project would ultimately involve $12 million in expenditures by the city, zoo and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, said Pat Hassett, assistant director of city planning. PennDOT would reconstruct the Butler Street Bridge near the site, he said.

City Councilman Len Bodack said the project has the support of community groups and answers the need for more soccer fields in the city. Council could take a tentative vote on the design funding next Wednesday.

If all goes well, soccer fields could be ready by spring 2008.

Thoughts from the other side of the world

Ouch: New York City is raising threat alert level for subway system, CNN has learned. AP reports a "credible security threat" as reason.

Lugging Grant after a long day in Hong Kong.

Last night I carried Grant through the subway in Hong Kong and then to the pier, ferry and bus home. Trains, boats, buses and a lot of walking, of course, is filling our travel needs these days. We are living in a community that is car-free! They do have golf carts however.

Catherine's side-line gig this weekend is a presentation to 250 at a conference with many doctors and nurses. She is the keynote.

The grad students are pulling their weight. They had to get the probe microphone system out of the box and running yesterday on a couple hours notice for the class. Not much time for shopping, but we rushed through an outdoor market last night while I was lugging Grant. Some 'trip.'

We visited the swim pool at the Disney Resort Hotel yesterday, before our big tour of Widex and the banquet feast. We had six main courses, including the shark fin soup. They first course was ordered with the request to leave the pig's head off of the serving plate. So nice.

From State Rep: D. Metcalfe: As you are probably aware I am an advocate of the complete elimination of the property tax system. Humm. I'm worried about that statement in that he is also in favor of changes to the eminent domain laws too. I think the policy of changes to eminent domain (YES) and the complete elimination of property taxes (NO) is a toxic combination that is much worse than playing with fire. The two don't go together for the long haul. Rep Metcalfe did give me some props for the 'approach' the the testimony I made a the state committee hearing. Well, we've got some more thinking to do on this.

Did you know that in China, (mainland), you can't buy property. When it is sold, the maximum length of its sale is for 99 years. When property is sold for 99 years -- there is little need for eminent domain, I guess. The combination is something to ponder.

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Last Sunday, I saw the article in the Trib that quoted James C. Roddey about Joe Weinroth's chances as a Republican in the city. Roddey's opinion, from Oakmont, matters on city politics as much as his help to the city Republican efforts -- LITTLE. Roddey could NOT win the city in general elections. And Roddey could not count on building the GOP base in the city -- because he didn't try nor care. Roddey had some weaknesses. Same too with Weinroth, no doubt. However, Roddey's failures in certain elements don't need to be universal.

And, for Tom L, it was GREAT for me to read the names of the other candidates within the story. That's all I seek -- mentions. That is all that is earned, so far, perhaps. Fine. But, the journalist in me wants to see the mentions of the others. Make those mentions of the others as there is a duty to be "complete" in the overview of the coverage.

REI's grand opening in Pittsburgh: something special?

Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) is opening its first store (map) in Pittsburgh this weekend. Grand opening celebrations will run from this Friday (Oct 7) thru Sunday (Oct 9) at 412 S. 27th Street on the South Side.

During the grand opening celebrations, REI is going out of their way to attract bicyclists--they've arranged for Bike Pittsburgh volunteers to provide valet parking services to bikers in exchange for a $10 donation from REI to Bike Pittsburgh for each bike parked.

I'm happy that REI is coming to Pittsburgh. When I lived in California, I became a member of REI and often shopped at their stores. Yes, I became a member of a store. REI is a consumer co-op, meaning that for a one-time, $15 payment, anyone can become a member, which includes the right to collect "dividends" (an annual rebate on purchases) and the right to vote in elections for the Board of Directors. Another nice perk is the REI Visa card, which returns 1% of all purchases to the member in the form of the annual dividends--this is actual cash without all the gimmicks and limitations that other credit cards use.

So, does all of this make REI a "special" store? Or is REI just another big retail chain? I'm not sure yet, but I intend to shop there because the store offers a wide variety of high-quality goods. I haven't shopped around enough to know how well REI's prices compare with those of other stores because I often couldn't find REI's products at other stores; however, for the products that I did see at other stores, REI's prices were comparable, meaning that the annual dividend (up to 10%) is meaningful.

In many ways, REI does behave like any other retail chain. It started out in Seattle, but eventually opened stores all over the country, apparently without much concern for how this would affect the members in Seattle who established the store (as reported in Seattle Weekly). In the few years that I've been a member of REI, I've never voted for a board member--there just didn't seem to be any point to it. It seems that the only meaningful choice the members could make would be to transform the corporation into a network of locally owned stores; but as long as they provide good products at a reasonable price, there isn't a whole lot that I can say about the running of a nation-wide corporation.

REI does emphasize the contributions that they make to the community--they provide funds to maintain and improve trails and parks, they sponsor classes for neighbors, and they also provide support to groups like Bike Pittsburgh. The cynic in me notes that all of these activities serve to increase the market for REI's goods; however, they are honest activities and have good results--unlike, for example, how the Automobile Association of America lobbies for increased government subsidies for automobile use. The idealist (and optimist) in me thinks that REI may just be finding a good use for excess revenues since there are no capital owners expecting returns on their initial investments. Perhaps REI really does have a culture that values its customers and employees: even if Board elections don't allow the members to exert much control, perhaps the Board recognizes that the members expect it to act in a socially responsible manner and that's part of the reason that they continue to support the store.

Anyway, I suggest that you check out REI, and let me know if you have any opinions about its activities and organization.

One last note of interest is that the outdoors equipment market in Canada is dominated by a Co-op, the Mountain Equipment Co-op.

Voters guide effort just starting

Progress Pittsburgh Challenge

Q: Where can you find profiles of every candidate on the November ballot in the City of Pittsburgh?

A: Nowhere... yet!

We are calling on the entire progressive community of Pittsburgh -- all individuals and organizations who want to see better government in our region -- to pitch in and contribute to a community/volunteer driven effort to profile all of the candidates on the November ballot. Time is tight! With your help, we hope to have the basics in place by October 11. More information can be added between then and November 8, but we'd like to publish a printed guide, and for that we have a very tight deadline: October 18.

How to help:
1) View the existing voter guide in the Progress Pittsburgh Knowledge Base here: http://www.progresspittsburgh.org/DocumentPage.php?blockid=2111 -- and note that while we have pages for almost all the candidates, we're still missing a lot of information. If you see blanks, fill them in!

2) Post your interesting / relevant information on any of the candidates by editing their page. Instructions are here: http://www.progresspittsburgh.org/DocumentPage.php?blockid=145

This is a community effort, so let's get together as progressives and share our knowledge.

Questions? Email me at andrea@progresspittsburgh.org.

Thanks!

Andrea

Concert Series organized by Wilburn

Wilburn, the director of research for the Rauterkus.com campaign, is the organizer of this concert series. Here are the future dates.

Calliope Legends Concerts & The First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh Present the 2005-2006 Series

October 29 Ken Waldman with Mark Tamsula and Don Shean - www.kenwaldman.com

January 28 Lee Murdock - www.leemurdock.com

March 4 Lorna Bracewell - http://www.lornabracewell.com

March 25 Isla - http://islamusic.com

April 8 Coyote - http://www.coyotemusic.net

All concerts begin at 8 PM and are held at First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh, 605 Morewood Avenue, Shadyside (at the intersection of Morewood & Ellsworth Avenues). Admission for the Evening is $15.00 at the Door, Students only pay $5.

Workshops are from 2:00 – 4:00 PM.

Catch each performer live on the Saturday Light Brigade (SLB) 88.3 WRCT- FM, with Larry Berger morning of concert.

Cleaning up the world one city at a time...

It looks like the theme for me this week will be "Pollution and alternative transportation."

Here's another good article from the science magazine Nature: Cities offer hope for cleaner world. The article surveys the pollution reduction programs that have been implemented in several cities and discussed at a recent conference of city governments.

Representatives of more than 20 world cities have gathered in London to trade ideas on how to address climate change. The summit is the first to bring together city leaders, rather than national governments, to discuss attempts at reducing greenhouse emissions....

We should expect cities governments to be more effective at pollution reduction than national governments because..."cities have control of transport, managing waste and future planning..."

Cities are also the place where most of the world's people live. This year, the proportion of the world population living in urban areas passed 50% for the first time. And because of their dense transport and power systems, cities account for 75% of the world's energy use.

The solutions covered at this conference apply to cities ranging from London and New York to Curitiba, Brazil. With such variety, I expect that Pittsburgh could find some solutions that are applicable here.

Save Gas, Money and the Environment with Properly Inflated Tires

A student group at Carnegie Mellon University surveyed the tire pressure of a bunch of cars parked on campus and concluded that on average, the drivers of these cars could save $432 a year (by increasing fuel efficiency) just by keeping their tires properly inflated. Of course, this also includes reductions in air pollution and gasoline consumption.

I know that America could accomplish many great things if we took small steps such as this to stop wasting our resources, and then reinvested those resources in ourselves and our communities. Kudos to Carnegie Mellon's Sustainable Earth Club for identifying a simple way to make a better world.

Treehugger: Bicycle Sales Are Exploding

With Mark out of town, I'll be trying to keep some interesting content on this blog. Here's an interesting report via Treehugger: Bicycle Sales Are Exploding.

Tea time! Brewing, Delivering, Distilling. Revolutionary kick-off.

One lump or two?

Secure the flavors of your choice. Insert your ideas and requests in the comments below.

I've got a new email blast that is going to go out from Hong Kong early next week. I'm calling Pittsburgh to join together and make a new, prudent revolution based upon ideas and deeds of common-sense governmental leadership. More to come shortly. But, what kind of tea fits your fancy? Orders please. Insert them into the comments section of this blog.

CollegeSwimming.com - Pittsburgh kid moves to coach at LSU

CollegeSwimming.com David Geyer, an assistant coach at Mecklenburg Aquatics for the past three seasons, has been named an assistant coach for the LSU swimming team, head coach Adam Schmitt announced Thursday.

Geyer, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., comes to LSU with five years of coaching experience in the collegiate and club levels. He will serve as recruiting coordinator for the Tigers, a post the 28-year old has experience in.

'He brings ability, organization and direction to our recruiting efforts here at LSU,' said Schmitt. 'His enthusiastic approach is an asset that will follow through with the things needed to help this program be successful. He also displays a tremendous ability of learning and leadership, values that will help lead us to our team goals.'

While at the Mecklenburg Aquatic Club in Charlotte, N.C., Geyer worked with associate head coach Morgan Bailey. Before his three-year stint at Mecklenburg, Geyer served as an assistant at his alma mater of Shippensburg University from 1999-2001. He helped train all levels of athletes from developmental to national in his two seasons there.

A talented athlete himself, Geyer was a four-time All-American in relays at Shippensburg. He graduated from Shippensburg with a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1999 before receiving his master's degree in counseling in 2001.

'I am excited and thrilled to be a part of a school that takes so much pride and has tremendous tradition in its collegiate athletics program,' said Geyer. 'As a part of this staff, I hope to assist and take the program to a higher level of performance.'

CollegeSwimming.com

CollegeSwimming.com: "The American Swimming Association University League is an association of student-run swim clubs from colleges and universities across the United States. ASA U., the first national collegiate club swimming league, was founded in response to the elimination of so many college and university swimming teams across the country. ASA U. welcomes all swim clubs affiliated with higher-education institutions and supports them in their inception, with hosting meets, as well as offering means of pooling resources, negotiating benefits, and setting standards for collegiate clubs. For more information and to join our effort to expand opportunities for college swimmers.

NCAA - coaching job for rasslers at Clarion

NCAA - National Collegiate Athletic Association Job Description Assistant Wrestling Coach Clarion University of Pennsylvania, a Division I Institution member in wrestling and member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and ...

Weisel Hostel, Creekside Art Sale

The second annual event was from noon to 4 pm.

A group of local artists and artisans give the opportunity to browse their collections. Perfect chance to get to know local artists, sip cider, listen to good music, or hike along the beautiful Tohickon Creek. Bring the whole family.

212 536 8749

The facility resides in a state park and is operated by Bucks County Dept. of Parks & Recreation.

My sister and brother-in-law, Geri Ann and John, live there and have house responsibilities.

Amusement Parks, Octoberfest, Casinos

Some have suggested that the new Pittsburgh Gambling Parlor be put at the Parkway Center Mall -- very near to Green Tree, yet within the borders of the City of Pittsburgh.

Octoberfest in Green Tree is this weekend. While at the Octoberfest, around the booth of the Green Tree Great White Sharks, I'll ask what the locals think of that idea.

The photo is of a defunct amusement park outside of Beijing. We passed this site on the way to The Great Wall. It looks like Disney. But, we'll be going to Hong Kong Disney on Tuesday. I'll take a few snapshots. Disney is getting some bad karma as it said it intends to open another Disney in a few years in mainland China. That won't be near Beijing, but near the other mega city, Shanghai.

The Parkway Center Mall idea for gambling has a few merits as it is already built, near a highway, near some hotels and the mall is hurting presently. But, it isn't as good as putting the new gambling casino within the existing Convention Center.