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Program: 2005 Road to Excellence Conference: Form Follows Function
Date: November 10, 2005
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM (Registration at 8:30 AM)
Friday, October 21, 2005
When it rains, it pours. No school to day at Chartiers Valley - but what about Bill's talk?
No school on Friday, today, at CV. But, Bill is slated to speak. Sorry.
Perhaps it is time for Bill to start speaking again about campaign finance reform, now that the election cycle is about to end. We ended our work on the campaign finance reform task force -- but nothing was done about it -- yet. Leadership is expected, welcomed and the holding pattern is nothing but a delay.
Speaking of delays, this weeks city council meeting must have had nearly a dozen instances where those at the table said, "Hold for one week." They have been holding many bits of legislation. Humm. Some might say that the delays and do nothingness is better policy than what we've been getting. At least they are not putting additional hurts on the city.
Let's see if this trend continues. We'll be holding for the next mayor soon enough. And then he'll be holding for the next thought to enter the scene. Then we'll hold until we get the blessings of the overloards.
Before you know it, our kids will grow up and leave the area, for another with less water main breaks.
Chartiers Valley High School graduate and Pittsburgh City Councilman Bill Peduto will be feature presenter today at the eighth annual Business Information and Government Career Cluster, featuring 300 students from his alma mater and seven neighboring high schools.
These alumni will be featured presenters: Bill Diffenderfer, crim inal attorney; Herb Higginbotham, vice president of Michael Baker Corp. and former director of Pittsburgh International Airport; and Alan Hertzberg, Allegheny County Common Pleas judge and former city councilman.
Clusters are offered throughout the year to provide students with information about career opportunities.
Conference attendees will be from Chartiers Valley, Bethel Park, Canon-McMillan, Mt. Lebanon, Peters Township, South Fayette, South Park and Upper St. Clair high schools.
The districts will host career clusters on a rotating basis. Chartiers Valley and South Park share the hosting duties for the business information and government career cluster. Other clusters held throughout the year are engineering, industrial systems and trades; arts and humanities; and health and human services.
The career cluster program is primarily for sophomores and juniors.
Perhaps it is time for Bill to start speaking again about campaign finance reform, now that the election cycle is about to end. We ended our work on the campaign finance reform task force -- but nothing was done about it -- yet. Leadership is expected, welcomed and the holding pattern is nothing but a delay.
Speaking of delays, this weeks city council meeting must have had nearly a dozen instances where those at the table said, "Hold for one week." They have been holding many bits of legislation. Humm. Some might say that the delays and do nothingness is better policy than what we've been getting. At least they are not putting additional hurts on the city.
Let's see if this trend continues. We'll be holding for the next mayor soon enough. And then he'll be holding for the next thought to enter the scene. Then we'll hold until we get the blessings of the overloards.
Before you know it, our kids will grow up and leave the area, for another with less water main breaks.
The Pitt News - Ludwig refuses to leave race
Les got some nice ink in the Pitt News. Great article.
To be fair with the slant in the article, Les has updated his wardrobe. I knocked him a bit for his fleece jacket in the past. In the past months, Less has been wearing some suits and looks like a million bucks these days -- along with his car that I've shown in this blog in the past. But, here is another look at his new wheels.
Les updated with new wheels to go with new threads.
The Pitt News - Ludwig refuses to leave race Ludwig refuses to leave raceFurthermore, the one article about Tuesday's debate says that all six candidates will be attending. That must mean that Les has been invited too. Only five are on the official ballot. Ludwig is running as a write-in candidate.
Les Ludwig has become a "household look" for those in attendance at Pittsburgh City Council meetings.
The 2005 mayoral candidate's signature yellow shirt, black pants and consistent attendance can't be missed, said friend and Editor in Chief of Conscience newsletter, David Adams.
To be fair with the slant in the article, Les has updated his wardrobe. I knocked him a bit for his fleece jacket in the past. In the past months, Less has been wearing some suits and looks like a million bucks these days -- along with his car that I've shown in this blog in the past. But, here is another look at his new wheels.
Les updated with new wheels to go with new threads.
What are you giving out for your trick-or-treaters this year? I'm doing CDs with OpenOffice
Trick-or-treat fun is right around the corner.Come to trick or treat at our house, 108 South 12th Street, on the historic South Side, and you'll get a CD with OpenOffice 2.0.
OpenOffice.org 2.0 Is Here
20 October, 2005
OpenOffice.org 2.0 is the productivity suite that individuals, governments, and corporations around the world have been expecting for the last two years. Easy to use and fluidly interoperable with every major office suite, OpenOffice.org 2.0 realises the potential of open source. Besides a powerful new database module and advanced XML capabilities, OpenOffice.org natively supports the internationally standardised OpenDocument format, which several countries, as well as the U.S. state of Massachusetts, have established as the default for office documents. More than any other suite, OpenOffice.org 2.0 gives users around the globe the tools to be engaged and productive members of their society.
Available in 36 languages, with more on the way, and able to run natively on Windows, Linux, Solaris, Mac OS X (X11) and several other platforms, OpenOffice.org banishes software segregation and isolation and dramatically levels the playing field. And, with its support for the OASIS standard OpenDocument format, OpenOffice.org eliminates the fear of vendor lock in or format obsolescence. The OpenDocument format can be used by any office application, ensuring that documents can be viewed, edited and printed for generations to come. OpenOffice.org 2.0 is a breath of hope for small economies that can now have a local language office suite well adapted to their needs and to their economical possibilities, reducing their dependency on the interests of proprietary software vendors.
"OpenOffice.org is on a path toward being the most popular office suite the world has ever seen and is providing users with safety, choice, and an opportunity to participate in one of the broadest community efforts the Internet has ever seen. As a member of that community, I'd like to offer my heartiest congratulations." - Jonathan Schwartz - President and CEO of Sun Microsystems.
Built by a community including Sun Microsystems, its primary sponsor and contributor, Novell, Red Hat, Debian, Propylon, Intel, as well as independent programmers, translators, writers, and marketers; OpenOffice.org 2.0 demonstrates the success, dedication and proficiency of the open source software community.
That community now includes the City of Vienna, which recently started deploying OpenOffice.org throughout. "We are very happy about the functionality and quality of the OpenOffice.org software. We are confident that OpenOffice.org will be made available to all of our 18,000 workstation users." - Brigitte Lutz, City of Vienna.
Louis Suárez-Potts, OpenOffice.org Community Manager, commented that "OpenOffice.org 2.0 is the culmination of a collaborative process involving thousands working in dozens of languages everywhere in the world. It shows that open source can produce software of the highest quality and assure the robustness, usability and security that users expect in their office suite."
In addition to the OpenDocument format, the redesigned user interface and a new database module, OpenOffice.org 2.0 also adds improved PDF support, a superior spreadsheet module, enhanced desktop integration and several other features that take advantage of its advanced XML capabilities, such as the ability to easily create, edit and use XForms.
For more detailed information regarding OpenOffice.org 2.0, please refer to the Press Kit at http://www.openoffice.org/press/2.0/index.html .
Congratulations All,
The OpenOffice.org Community
Debate gets all participants in Mayor's race. See ya on Tuesday night.
To organize a debate is a lot of work. Hats off to the these fine citizens for the opportunities to improve our discussions and make smarter voter decisions. We need debates more frequently. Come out and support this event if you can.
Debate organizer and recent campaign manager, K.B.
One of the debate organizers is a green party activist, Katrina B, recent campaign manager at Elect.Rauterkus.com.
Urban League Young Professionals -- Pittsburgh and PUMP are sponsoring a Mayoral Candidate Debate on Tuesday, October 25 from 6:00 - 8:00pm at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Avenue in East Liberty. Six mayoral candidates have confirmed attendance. Duquesne University Law Professor, Joseph Sabino Mistick will moderate the debate.
Come and hear the candidates debate issues important to our community such as: urban development, transportation, public education, community relations with law enforcement, municipal consolidation, and fiscal issues.
Local candidates are encouraged to bring their campaign literature.
Debate organizer and recent campaign manager, K.B.
One of the debate organizers is a green party activist, Katrina B, recent campaign manager at Elect.Rauterkus.com.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Western PA Linux Users Group
Western PA Linux Users Group will be hosting a Special Event - Double Header were we will feature two talks: "Soap" and "Linux for Non-profits."
Meeting: Saturday October 22, 2005 from 10 am to 3 pm at Carnegie Mellon University, Newell Simon Hall 1507. This meeting is free and open to the general public. No RSVP required.
Maps and Directions page
Please note that our phone number is currently 412 268 7564. If you've never been here before make sure you print out the directions!
"Soap" Speaker: Bill Moran
"Linux for Non-profits" Speaker: Mike O'Connor
Host: Beth Lynn Eicher
Soap Talk Abstract:
"SOAP, commonly referred to as "web services", is one of the current buzzwords right now. I'll cut through the buzz and give a overview of what SOAP really is and what can be done with it. In the second half I'll present some example of how SOAP can be used to allow different systems to inter operate."
Linux for Non-Profits:
Mike will discuss how to sell Linux to a small non-profit such as a church.
Schedule:
* Doors will open at 10am to NSH 1507
* Coffee and Donut Hour 10am-11am
* Soap talk, part 1 11am-Noon
* Geeks Eating Pizza Noon-ish - 12:30pm
* Soap talk, part 2 12:30-1pm
* Break 1pm-1:15pm
* Linux for Non-profits 1:15pm-1:45pm
* General Socialization 1:45pm-2:45pm
* Cleanup and adjournment 2:45pm-3pm
Upcoming Events:
Saturday November 5 10am-2pm Annual Membership Meeting CMU NSH 1507
Saturday November 12 10am-5pm Installfest CMU NSH 1507
wplug.org
Good governement from Philly -- use of GPS 'an at
Envy.
I was at the ICA meeting the other day and Dr. Murray, the ICA Chair, was talking a bit about IT (information technology) and the lack of progress among city and county mergers. We all know that IT is one of the best places to start the merger process as other systems rely upon the computers talking to one another.
However, Doug Shields was there to represent city council. Doug made the point that the investment to merge the computer operations was reported to be $23-million. And, the city has $0 in its capital budget. To be fair, there is no capital budget. None. So, upgrades to systems are impossible.
The ICA Chair was clueless. If you just merge it, with a target, a goal, it will just happen. You're spending money already. Just start spending it on this instead -- or some other sillyness in a reply.
I want to spend a lot of money on OPEN SOURCE software. It is free. But, it costs something in terms of effort and money.
That ICA meeting was one of the most frustrating sights I've ever seen. It is so bad, I still can hardly bring myself to blog about it.
I expect the ICA to reject Mayor Murphy's budget. But, it will be done as a pass-the-buck-kinda way without any real hope of real solutions.
The line, "told you so" was mentioned a few times at the meeting. I too was think of that mention. I told you we should not have taken our city in the Act 47 situation. I told you so. We knew that the state was going to muck up the bail out. We don't need a bail out as much as we need to fix our own mess. And, those that made the mess are not qualified to resolve it.
Atwater Kent Museum Information How Philly Works, a four-part series about how city departments use the Geographical Imaging System (GIS) to provide city services in the 21st century.
A four-part series in partnership with the City Records Department
October 20 and 27, November 10 and 17
Free and open to the public
How does Philadelphia provide complex city services to citizens for every neighborhood every day? How does the Water Department find the right-sized pipe to fix a break? How does the Police Department spot crime patterns? How does the Department of Streets know where to send crews to close ditches or coordinate all the work within the street? How does the Department of Public Health track disease outbreaks and find kids who need immunizations?
I was at the ICA meeting the other day and Dr. Murray, the ICA Chair, was talking a bit about IT (information technology) and the lack of progress among city and county mergers. We all know that IT is one of the best places to start the merger process as other systems rely upon the computers talking to one another.
However, Doug Shields was there to represent city council. Doug made the point that the investment to merge the computer operations was reported to be $23-million. And, the city has $0 in its capital budget. To be fair, there is no capital budget. None. So, upgrades to systems are impossible.
The ICA Chair was clueless. If you just merge it, with a target, a goal, it will just happen. You're spending money already. Just start spending it on this instead -- or some other sillyness in a reply.
I want to spend a lot of money on OPEN SOURCE software. It is free. But, it costs something in terms of effort and money.
That ICA meeting was one of the most frustrating sights I've ever seen. It is so bad, I still can hardly bring myself to blog about it.
I expect the ICA to reject Mayor Murphy's budget. But, it will be done as a pass-the-buck-kinda way without any real hope of real solutions.
The line, "told you so" was mentioned a few times at the meeting. I too was think of that mention. I told you we should not have taken our city in the Act 47 situation. I told you so. We knew that the state was going to muck up the bail out. We don't need a bail out as much as we need to fix our own mess. And, those that made the mess are not qualified to resolve it.
Angry Drunk Bureaucracy quote of note
Former DC Insider Lashes Out
In Pittsburgh, we have a lot of feuding elements in our bureaucracy. Controller's office just settled. DA and Coroner are at appeals court. Not one, but two oversight boards. Worse than a Red State vs. Blue State fight is a bunch of blue staters in childish fights because there isn't any balance in the system.
'When you cut the bureaucracy out of your decisions and then foist your decisions on us out of the blue on that bureaucracy, you can't expect that bureaucracy to carry your decision out very well and, furthermore, if you're not prepared to stop the feuding elements in that bureaucracy, as they carry out your decision, you're courting disaster,' Wilkerson said.
In Pittsburgh, we have a lot of feuding elements in our bureaucracy. Controller's office just settled. DA and Coroner are at appeals court. Not one, but two oversight boards. Worse than a Red State vs. Blue State fight is a bunch of blue staters in childish fights because there isn't any balance in the system.
Rulings Are for Officials, Not Reporters
Rulings Are for Officials, Not Reporters Back in Journalism 101, among the first principles ever driven into our young and fertile minds was the concept that reporters should never become part of the story. We're there to report and write about what we witnessed, but not inject ourselves into the action or contribute to altering the basic facts of what we've just seen or heard....
... governing bodies of golf that allow television viewers to call in and report possible rules violations also ought to cease and desist in permitting such nonsense.
Soffer Organization to Make Important SouthSide Works Announcement
Soffer Organization to Make Important SouthSide Works Announcement: "Soffer Organization to Make Important SouthSide Works Announcement
PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 20, 2005--Soffer Organization
MEDIA ADVISORY
Soffer Organization, a leader in commercial real estate and developer
of Pittsburgh's SouthSide Works, invites local media to attend an
important news announcement regarding their development on the South
Side.
WHO: Soffer Organization Executives, Governor Edward Rendell and
other State Officials, Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy,
Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato, and other
local leaders.
WHAT: A Significant SouthSide Works Announcement from Soffer
Organization
WHEN: Friday, October 21, 2005
Remarks begin at 11 a.m.
WHERE: SouthSide Works' Town Square
Corner of S. 27th and Sidney Streets
Pittsburgh's South Side"
PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 20, 2005--Soffer Organization
MEDIA ADVISORY
Soffer Organization, a leader in commercial real estate and developer
of Pittsburgh's SouthSide Works, invites local media to attend an
important news announcement regarding their development on the South
Side.
WHO: Soffer Organization Executives, Governor Edward Rendell and
other State Officials, Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy,
Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato, and other
local leaders.
WHAT: A Significant SouthSide Works Announcement from Soffer
Organization
WHEN: Friday, October 21, 2005
Remarks begin at 11 a.m.
WHERE: SouthSide Works' Town Square
Corner of S. 27th and Sidney Streets
Pittsburgh's South Side"
Study Reveals Pittsburgh Unprepared For Full-Scale Zombie Attack | The Onion - America's Finest News Source
Spooky stuff.
Study Reveals Pittsburgh Unprepared For Full-Scale Zombie Attack | The Onion - America's Finest News Source: "Study Reveals Pittsburgh Unprepared For Full-Scale Zombie Attack
October 19, 2005
PITTSBURGH -- A zombie-preparedness study, commissioned by Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy and released Monday, indicates that the city could easily succumb to a devastating zombie attack. Insufficient emergency-management-personnel training and poorly conceived undead-defense measures have left the city at great risk for all-out destruction at the hands of the living dead, according to the Zombie Preparedness Institute....
Go and read the whole article.
Another pointer
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
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 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
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.
"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."
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.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.
One dissenting Republican, Doug Price of Carnegie, predicted a quick legal challenge.
"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.'
Libertarians are generally against the 'war on drugs.'
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:
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
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.
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.
Monday, October 17, 2005
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...
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.
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.
A clean sweep is needed. Thank goodness we have Operation Clean Sweep in PA, at PACleanSweep.com.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
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
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.
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.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Friday, October 14, 2005
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.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Good reason to put our priorities in order -- and it isn't for government groups to get into real estate
PG article:
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.
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.
Monday, October 10, 2005
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.
Perhaps I'll go to the meeing on Monday night at The Dice.
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?
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.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Good news journalism -- but the missing gaps are huge
The Trib recently reported:
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.
"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.
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.
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.
Friday, October 07, 2005
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
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.
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.
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