Mark Rauterkus (left) and Craig Patrick (right) after the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce meeting on January 17, 2006.

(Click image for a larger view. Scroll down for the press release delivered to the Penguins and those in attendance.)

Allegheny County Libertarians meet on Wednesday

The monthly chapter meeting for the Libertarian Party of Allegheny County will be at 7 pm on Wednesday, January 18, at Ritter's Diner on Baum Blvd. All are welcome to attend.

FAQ&Q

Question:

Do the minutes of a past meeting (was it NOVEMBER 2005) reflect the POSITIVE endorsement for me for this position in the special election for city council district 3?

Answer:

Yes, the minutes of the November meeting state that Mark was nominated as our candidate for city council district 3 by unanimous vote of the members present at the meeting. Thus, Mark is our candidate in accordance with paragraph "A" of the Bylaws section posted by Harold.

We hope to pass the paperwork to the Election Department in a matter of days.

Statement about MLK Day and Super Heros

I went to Grant Street today to speak about Martin Luther King day and Super Heros. I think I'll send this out as an email. The re-run is tonight at 7 pm and on Friday too, if you have city cable.

KQV poll on the date of the special election

January 13, 2006

Do you agree with the decision to reschedule the special council election after Spring Break?

Internet Results

Yes: 158....64%
No: 89....36%
Total: 247...100%

Phone Results
Yes: 41....32%
No: 87....68%
Total: 128...100%

Raises repaid to leaders' accounts - PittsburghLIVE.com

The meeting slated for 7:30 Tuesday at the Penn Hills Senior Center near Rodi and Jefferson Road is sure to have plenty to say about this latest move. I'll be there. So to will Russ Diamond of PACleanSweep.org.

Raises repaid to leaders' accounts - PittsburghLIVE.com: "
Stephen Miskin, spokesman for House Republicans, confirmed that repayments of so-called 'unvouchered expenses' go back into leadership accounts. An audit in April showed those accounts -- controlled by top leaders in the House and Senate -- contained about $135 million as of June 30, 2004.

Recap of the O'Connor team, building upon the P-G article

The O'Connor team is getting a lot of 'miles' (pun intended) about its media members.

New mayor assembles varied team to run the city
It's a role she's suited to, said her former boss, WQED President George Miles. Together they turned a 'dysfunctional' public television station into a winner, he said, by opting 'to focus ourselves back on Pittsburgh.'

QED sold QEX. QED does cooking. QED does do-whop. QED does debt even better than the city. QED does history as in what's not here any more and has its eyes trained onto the past and into the rear-view mirror.

The QED magazine, Pittsburgh, isn't mission critical. Its web portal is a yawn. The QED candidate debates, consumer affairs and public interest from that public statation are thin.

In terms of potential, QED's boss is standing on thin ice when he says they turned a dysfunctional station into a winner.

"Zero-based development" (stripping it back to its core mission and building from there) does NOT include more "green space downtown." Rather it means we take care of the parks we already have and let the cobblestones in Market Square stay as they are.

The other one to rest upon his laurels is PEN-DOT's past spokesperson. Yep, there was a time not long ago when the Ft. Pitt Bridge was being re-built (1-way) and the entire South Side could not get to the South Hills (West Liberty Ave) without first driving to downtown and getting onto the Blvd. of the Allies.

So, because one bridge was OUT one way, I had to cross TWO additional bridges rather than NONE. That was his to 'sell.'

With this rant, I sound like QED, looking into the rear-view mirror, just to kick up some recycled electronic dust.

Frankly, I'm glad to see some media types on Grant Street's team. I'm a media type and I'd like to go there to work as well. But jeepers, let's not give Ms. Leber credit for publishing THE BIBLE nor heap upon the credit to Skrinjar for being Moses' press agent during his term when he parted the Red Sea.

Then we have the "new idea person" -- one who did the flip-flop on the stadiums, perhaps. The guy spoke out for the increased taxes and for the building of the stadiums. Then he went to work for Ferlo, on the other side. So, perhaps he didn't flip nor flop, but he was certain to be in LEFT FIELD and far beyond the shaddow of #8.

I've talked about the "New Idea Factory" at the Platform.For-Pgh.org. We don't need new ideas as much as we need to distill old ideas. We need to think again. We don't need to churn and burn. But, this description is just what I am looking for, a person who can "think again." Perhaps he did it with the stadiums, after Ferlo got to him.

BERNIE Lynch! YES!

I saw Bernie Lynch on Bob O'Connor's first day on the job at city hall. She was very sorry she did not call me back. I had called her and left a message weeks prior to ask her if she would be my media coordinator for my campaign. I wanted Bernie to be a part of my campaign and O'Connor hired her with a real job. At the time she said something was cooking, and she didn't mean the polish sausague in the sidewalk of the city-county building tailgate.

I worked with Bernie as she helped to battle Mayor Murphy and his wrongheaded downtown redevelopment plans. We crossed paths again and again including with efforts at Mt. Washington, with the Duquesne Heights Community Center, with my campaign for State Senate and even with a debate on TV by the non-QED station.

I am an idealist. I think Bernie is that as well. I'm not sure I'd call her an alturist, but I'll go look it up and ask her next time we talk.

Finally, in the article, comes new Solicitor Susan Malie. I fear to write anything about her as she's a lawyer and I don't want to get sued. She's on the city's side in terms of "defending" police brutality -- yeah, I shouldn't have typed anything -- but on the winning side for all involved when it is reported that she is to vet city policies to prevent lawsuits. The city's margin of litigation is too low. It would be wonderful if the city had a great lawyer and never used her.

When I go to city council, I'll do my best to make sure she had the most boring job in the world. She'd be so bored, that perhaps we'll give her a second job. Perhaps she'd like to be the city's designated downtown shopper. She could be the one walking around the lone downtown department store in business hours.

Then if anyone on Grant Street wants to sue someone -- we'd have to weigh the consequences of lossing our shopper. We wouldn't want to do that.

Beaver County Times Allegheny Times - News - 01/12/2006 - Three small political parties challenging signature threshold

Democracy matters.

Beaver County Times Allegheny Times - News - 01/12/2006 - Three small political parties challenging signature threshold HARRISBURG - Third-party political candidates are complaining that Pennsylvania law is making it nearly impossible for them to get their names on ballots.

It was the Sports Illustrated JINX hitting The Bus

OMG....

Take a knee.

Make a prayer.

Lots to say about green space in downtown

New Mayor O'Connor made some statements that ran in the P-G about green space downtown. I have plenty to pine about on this topic. But I'll save it for another day.

Downtown needs more green, mayor says Downtown needs more green, mayor says
He wants to tear up Market Square, close it off to vehicle traffic

Saturday, January 14, 2006, By Ed Blazina, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

If Downtown Pittsburgh is going to have several thousand new residents, it needs more of the amenities that make residential living pleasant, Mayor Bob O'Connor said yesterday.

Headed to Butler to morn and figure out how to better the situations

Today, we were at a swim meet at Blackhawk. Good meet. Nice swimmers from both squads. We won.

But, a group of swimmers was gathering to remember Eric Namesnik in Michigan.

In Western PA, friends will be received at the Martin Funeral Home, 429 Center Ave., Butler, Monday morning from 9:00 am to 10:30 am. A funeral mass is slated for 11:00 am on Monday (MLK Day) at Saint Paul's Catholic Church, 128 North McKean St., Butler. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, 1004 North Main Street, Butler.

Memorial donations may be made to:

Snik's Kids
The Eric Namesnik Memorial Fund
United Bank and Trust
2723 South State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

---

I want to see if there is something more to do. The spring Dapper Dan or the scholar athlete YMCA banquet should be engaged. Coach Mike said, "Knock yourself out Mark." So, I've got a green light in that more could and should be done.

Where is the MLK event hosted by Pgh Public Schools

The MLK Day special event that I've attended a number of times in the past -- mostly at Westinghouse High School -- isn't on the agenda this year. Why is there no big event for MLK Day within PPS? Are the folks who were pivotal just gone? (i.e. Westinghouse has a new principal and PPS has a new superintendent). Or, was the event nixed so as to not allow for citizens to gather and compare notes about the "right-sizing" plan. ??

Hummm.....

Job posting at Bloomfield Garfield Corp

An interesting job posting is in the comments.

Eric and Tom --- swimmers ---

An article that is worthy of a read by everyone who loves sports and the race.

Mayor hesitant to pass on health costs - PittsburghLIVE.com

Six of one, half-dozen for the other?

Mayor hesitant to pass on health costs - PittsburghLIVE.com: "His attitude mirrors that of former Mayor Tom Murphy, whose $418 million 2006 budget proposal was shot down twice by the state-appointed board because he refused to saddle those workers with a $130,000 increase in health care costs this year."

When Murphy and O'Connor were and are at the helm -- the same outcomes persist. The men are different. But, in this instance, the policies are the same.

Let's see if this is a trend, or not.

Those on Grant Street need to "Think Again." The oversight board said so. A re-do is needed to please them. Some other solution has to come forth from Grant Street budget brokers.

So, the question boils down to creativity. Is Bob going to have a clever solution that protects the low-paid, hard-working employees from taking that punch in the health-care co-pay? Or, does Bob linger in the same rut, already cut by others, but without enough energy to fix a different course?

We need new perspectives to fix these ills. I can bring those long-range visions to council and to Grant Street. This is a fitness, wellness, health-care issue. This is a time for MORE creativity and prudence in the pocket-book. Think again, and we'll be watching.

Blogger: Post a Comment

The county is not ready to buy these voting machines. This deadline should be ignored. I'd not like to take the matter to court. Rather, just blow off the pork from the Feds.

Blogger: Post a Comment But under some interpretations, counties that don't do so by the May primary could forfeit the federal money.

There should be an on-going effort to look at many of the problems with electronic voting and our existing machines.

Once again, those in charge have funbled their duties. How many weeks or days or even minutes in the past year has our county executive worked on this problem? What about county council? Some, I'm sure. But we are not ready to plunk down the cash for the new machines, untested, unsupervised and under prepared.

Front page Pitt News Coverage: Advocate for inclusion of college students in city elections

We won! Election date was changed away from spring break.

Partial Schenley High renewal costs less

We should SAVE Schenley at its present location.

Partial Schenley High renewal costs less An architectural firm's preliminary report yesterday suggested that the asbestos-plagued Schenley High School building could be kept open for less work and expense than originally thought, giving new hope to school supporters.

Disclaimer: my sons are slated to attend Schenley in the future.

Second Pitt News - Spring break elections alienate student voters

Today is a two-for with The Pitt News. Great!

The Pitt News - Spring break elections alienate student voters Spring break elections alienate student voters

By JESSICA LEAR, Editor in Chief

Well, Pittsburgh, you just never learn, do you?

Here’s a hint: If you want young people to stay in the city, you need to make them feel like they matter, at least a little bit.

In true hometown fashion, City Council has decided to hold the special election to fill the District 3 seat on March 7. District 3 includes central and south Oakland.

Yep, March 7, right in the middle of Pitt’s spring break. That means most students won’t be around to vote for their representative.

I know, I know, most students don’t vote, anyway. And Pitt students have a tendency to leave the city right after graduation.

Something tells me, though, that the way to get them to vote and to hang around after college — which this aging city desperately needs — isn’t excluding them from the election.

Council President Luke Ravenstahl was out of town on business yesterday, and therefore unable to comment. So I don’t know yet why the Council tentatively chose March 7 for the election. There’s a press conference this morning to address the issue and announce a final date.

I’d really like to believe it isn’t some underhanded attempt to disenfranchise students. So, why not change the date?

There has been some pressure to make the election fair. Libertarian candidate Mark Rauterkus has been pushing Ravenstahl to move the election to Feb. 28.

He and others, including Councilman William Peduto of District 8, plan to attend a rally today in front of Hillman Library at 12:30 p.m.

Peduto ran a failed campaign last year against Bob O’Connor for the Democratic nomination in the mayoral election. The refreshing thing about his campaign was his attention to — and almost desperate plea for — the young vote.

What strikes me as odd about the District 3 special election is that Ravenstahl is a young man himself; he’s 25 and finished his undergrad degree at Washington and Jefferson just three years ago.

So maybe there is hope for Pittsburgh. Maybe the decision to hold the election while students will be away really was just an oversight.

In any case, the city’s leaders won’t know we care — we do, don’t we? — unless we tell them. So if you’re not registered to vote, register. If you are registered, vote.

And if you’re pissed off about possibly being excluded from this election, say something. Then, if that still doesn’t get them to change the election date, vote anyway. Don’t forget about absentee ballots.

One of Ravenstahl’s assistants told me yesterday that he expects a lot of phone calls about this, which seems to indicate he’s aware that holding the election during spring break is a bad idea. So let’s not let him down.

The City Council’s Web site is www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/council, and Ravenstahl’s phone number is (412) 255-2135.

E-mail Jess Lear at editor@pittnews.com.

Of big interest was the fact that Luke was "out of town" as some of this shook down. Luke went with the others, I think, to Columbus, Ohio, to check out a HOCKEY ARENA. Columbus, home of OSU.

Luke, Pitt needs a hockey arena too. Let's re-open the closed indoor ice rink on the South Side -- once Pitt's home ice. And, we can put Pitt's women's hockey team into the CIVIC Arena. Mario can build his own new arena, but we want to keep and re-open the other places too so we have a NET GAIN.

The Pitt News - Special election could be held during spring break

Good ink come from The Pitt News about this date with the special election.

The Pitt News - Special election could be held during spring break: "The city Clerk’s Office confirmed yesterday that a special election is currently planned for March 7, when many students will be on vacation.

The special election was called after District 3 representative Gene Ricciardi left his position to become a district judge. District 3 includes parts of Oakland and most of the South Side.

Pitt’s spring break is scheduled for March 5 to March 12.

Luke Ravenstahl, city council president, could not be reached for comment since he was out of town.

But according to a press release from Ravenstahl’s office, he will hold a press conference today at 10 a.m. to announce the final date for the special election.

Mark Rauterkus, a libertarian seeking the now empty seat, wrote in his blog that the city does not pay attention to the needs of students, including health care needs, and that is why many of them leave the city after graduating.

“Too many students have graduated and departed. They vote with their feet later in life because they are not welcomed and because government is not doing a good job at the basics,” Rauterkus wrote.

Rauterkus wants the city to hold the special election on Feb. 28.

Anyone want to help in putting in an application for this open-source event for the future?

It might be fun to get with some other techies and put in an application for this special event.

I've been giving out CDs on the campaign trails and with our family Christmas letter too -- and they all have the OpenOffice.org installer as well. So, when and if you get the CD, it has extra value. But, you all, blog readers, I'm sure are able to download and install your own copy of OpenOffice.org from the site, without the need of the CD.

Dear OpenOffice.org community members,

The first three OpenOffice.org conferences in Hamburg, Berlin
and Koper/Capodistria were a huge success. The highlight so
far was this year's conference which, for the first time, was
organized by a team of volunteer community members. Now we are
wondering if this outstanding event can actually be bettered.
Therefore, we are searching for the perfect location for the
OpenOffice.org Conference in 2006.

We are collecting applications from teams who are willing to
organize OOoCon 2006, just like we did last year. To give you
an idea about what we are looking for, you can take a look at
last year's proposals:

http://marketing.openoffice.org/conference/ooocon2005/proposal.html

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

Key Question
============
In 200 words or less, answer this question:

* Why is your location and the date you propose the best for
the OOoCon 2006?

Your application MUST INCLUDE:
==============================

* Location (country, city, conference center/university)
* Proposed Date(s)
* Team Lead (main contact person)
* Team Members (all members should be willing and able to
commit at least 3 hours per day to planning the conference
during the last two weeks before OOoCon 2006)
* Local events that are taking place in parallel (or right
before/after)
* Special visa or entry requirements, e.g. vaccinations

Your application COULD INCLUDE:
===============================

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

According to the OOoCon 2004 attendee survey and some feedback
about last year's conference, proposed locations should meet
the following requirements as much as possible:

* attract the largest number of community contributers
* be near enough to allow a large number of Sun's
OpenOffice.org developers, who are in Hamburg, to attend
* low accomodation costs
* cheap flight and train tickets
* the conference venue is for free
* alignment with large IT event (e.g. CeBIT, Systems, Comdex)
* strong local OpenOffice.org community
* strong sponsor support
* offer a central meeting point where people will easily
run into other people between sessions
* short walking distances between session locations
* provide simple ways to get to the conference location

The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2006. Shortly
after that date we will publish the applications on the
following page and call for votes:

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

Information about the last three OpenOffice.org Conferences
can be found at:

http://marketing.openoffice.org/ooocon2005/
http://marketing.openoffice.org/ooocon2004/
http://marketing.openoffice.org/conference/OOoCon2003.html

Thank you and best regards,
The OpenOffice.org Conference Team

Eastern Michigan University Athletics - Swimming Assistant Eric Namesnik Passes Away Following Car Accident

Eastern Michigan University Athletics - Swimming Assistant Eric Namesnik Passes Away Following Car Accident Swimming Assistant Eric Namesnik Passes Away Following Car Accident
Information regarding funeral arrangements will be forthcoming

YPSILANTI, Mich. -- Eastern Michigan University volunteer assistant swimming coach and two-time Olympic silver medalist Eric Namesnik passed away this morning (Wednesday, Jan. 11) following a traffic accident"

So sad. This guy was an inspiration.

Tonight's date with the Bishop

Tonight: concert by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in celebration of the centenary anniversary of Saint Paul Cathedral. It will feature Haydn’s “The Creation” with Maestro Gilbert Levine, Conductor. We are invited guests of The Most Reverend Donald W. Wuerl. We assume this invite came because of our service to the community and the DePaul board.

A mind that is expanded, never returns to its original size

Last night at our second debate (forum) of the day, the question was put to the nine candidate from a citizen voter. She asked about the powers of a city council person. What can be done?

The others told about how Pittsburgh has a strong mayor form of government. Council writes the laws. Council can be an "advocate." They got the basics other than the missing of any mention of the constitution.

They also had the typical mentality that to serve as a good council member you need to be able to count to five. There are nine on the council, so five votes wins the day. A council member gets his or her own vote and would need four others to join to make a majority. So, to get something done, they say, you need to be with the majority.

My answer was different.

Members of council get to be at the table. Council's members get to raise issues, concerns, and put forth various perspectives. My problem with council and our city has been the fact that we'll never get excellent solutions if the best ideas are never put onto the table. The votes are often called so there is only a choice among two bad outcomes. Pittsburgh is in a rut where it seems that they always choose the idea that is just better than the worst.

To thrive again, we'll need to inject elegant solutions. The question of building a five story parking garage for PNC Firstside -- or else a four story parking garage and a T-stop too -- needs to be joined with another option. How about if we don't build one at all. How about if we take care of parking concerns within residential neighborhoods by expanding the side-lot program. Give more people a chance to buy vacant land beyond just the next-door neighbor who can choose to pass on the property.

The point of the discussion is to welcome different perspectives to the table. The old-party democrats have eight seats there already. There might be plenty of 8-1 votes in terms of their efforts to over-spend, again and again. But, we need another voice.

Furthermore, I feel strongly that the minds of council can be adjusted after new, fresh, smarter solutions are there at the table, day-in and day-out.

One's mind isn't like a latex swim cap that can be stretched four feet wide, without ripping, and then snap back to its original size.

We need a wedge on city council so that the thinking can change. We need to "THINK AGAIN." Love the song. Embrace its message.

Furthermore, each member of Pittsburgh's city council is a chair of a certain committee. I want to be the chair of the Citiparks and Youth Policy Committee. There, I will make serious strides and have plenty of victories. I'll be able to be a leader in terms of recreation, like none other on the ballot, like none other in the district, and perhaps, like none other in the city and state.

We need a coach on council to drive the agenda of fitness, fun, family activities, inter-generational experiences, and beyond.

I want to be on council to establish a YOUTH Technology Summit -- and serve the kids, volunteers, staffers, parents, seniors, and all in the neighborhoods with the chairmanship of the committee on YOUTH and Citiparks. I'll promise victories. I'll re-start the Pittsburgh Marathon, and it will be better for the city and different as well. We won't tie-up the entire city with a route that is at odds with church-goers.

And, for the cerebral folks --- I won't rest until I put forth the best possible solutions to our ills -- by going to the roots of problems, not batting at their leaves. In these efforts, I might get out voted. But, we'll have hope for an open and honest discussion that is beholden to civility and performance.

I see little value in getting a ninth member on city council who is just a get-a-long guy that works with a wink and a smile -- or just aims to red up Pittsburgh. I see little value in getting a ninth member of city council who wants to work from 8 am to 5 pm and attend every meeting from start to finish. There is no value in counting paper clips, pushing paper or waiting for the phone to ring. There is no value to a hard-working councilmember who is banking on MURPHY-economics to come and give fruit. The high-priced (so he says) firefighters already put in the long work hours. We don't need a firefighter council member to rush salt into a salt box within two hours notice, and take care of us on the spot.

We need a council that works SMARTER, not harder, not longer -- SMARTER.

The biggest problem around is the hard-working foolishness that dug us this hole that Pittsburgh finds itself within.

We got a great convention center.They worked hard on that building. A guy died as it was being constructed. It is a green LED certified building. Lots of light, blah, blah, blah. But it costs $5-million to $6-million each year to just maintain it. Those are operational expenses. The capital costs are more. The debt is huge. And, the building will NEVER be used to its capaicity. Never. We don't have the hotel space to hold a convetion of the scope and size to match the convention center.

Mayor Murphy worked HARD to get those two stadiums built. But, it was wrongheaded.

We don't need HARDER workers on city hall. We need smarter, different, purdent members of council who think about the long-term and understand technology, liberty, freedom and family life.

Murphy was a genius at crafting TIFs (Tax Incremental Finance) and corporate welfare deals. He was really good at spending taxpayer money. The tricks of the water and sewer line sell off are that of ledgend. But, it wasn't for the little guys benefit. Those moves were not for the long-term health of the region.

We need pick a ninth councilmember to be fit, sharp, bold and quick to think again. We need to have a person with a tough love approach as a coach can deliver -- or as a parent can foster.

I hope I've explained myself as to what council can do and why I need to be there to do it -- given today's challenges.

That Christmas TREE

Remember, a tree that is still standing in your home makes a real good fire trap. Get the tree out of the house already.

The Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC), in partnership with the Union Project, Construction Junction, and the City of Pittsburgh, will be recycling Christmas trees on SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event takes place at Construction Junction, 214 N. Lexington Street in the Point Breeze section of Pittsburgh. A $1 donation is requested for each tree being recycled. Call Ginette at PRC at (412) 488-7490 or visit www.prc.org for more information.

Jason Altmire for Congress - About Jason Altmire

I attended Jason's kick-off to his campaign for Congress. It was a good event hosted by the Steamfitters. Nice to have the event in Pittsburgh, and out of Jason's actual congressional district. Interesting that folks come to our part of town to make big news.

Jason has experiences working at UPMC. He is going to be on top of the health care crisis that is getting worse and worse in America. That is a good start. I am interested in hearing about how he is going to attack the problems and build solutions there.

Jason Altmire for Congress - About Jason Altmire: "Age: 37"

While I was at the event I got to talk to a few people about various issues. DeFazio was there and I asked him to put in a word about the date of the special election and Pitt's spring break.

Jack Wagner's people were there too. I got the insights on his stance about the casino to pay for the hockey arena. His is a big corporate welfare deal through and through.

Under 12 -- Girls Fast Pitch Softball - interested?

BIG League has been approached about the possibility of organizing and administering to a new U-12 Fast Pitch League.

Is there interest in doing this? Let them know.

We will send out a flyer soon to gauge interest, but we are interested in what you think. Give Big League office a call at 412-488-4885.

Dance is a great activity for both girls and boys. However, the girls need to get into some competitive sports settings too. Sports is NOT just for the boys. One reason I love swimming is because it works for boys and girls -- together even. I am a big fan of women's sports and participation in sports by kids (boys and girls) of all ages (even into their 90s).

Council election set

A press release is about to be delivered.

The wrong date was picked. The election should be February 28. Do it early. Get it over.

Council election set: "A special election to replace former city Councilman Gene Ricciardi will be held March 7, council President Luke Ravenstahl said yesterday.

That date drew fire from Councilman William Peduto, because it falls during the University of Pittsburgh's spring break, and many of the affected district's registered voters are Pitt students. He said thousands of young people 'would be denied the opportunity to vote on the 7th' and urged that it be held March 14.

I aspire to get the college vote. Same too with getting the vote from the city residents as well. But, we need people to vote. The college students are a big part of everyone's lives.

Crowd noise --- lots to say

Lot's of talk around these parts about the noise in the dome -- of Indie when the men take the field against the Colt.

There is another type of noise the began in earnest today -- a campaign for city council. There are NINE participants in the race at this point.

Two forums were held today. I've got a lot to say about what was said. More to come.

And, I've been to the Columbus, Ohio arena. While you're there, check out the soccer stadium too. And, might as well go to the new OSU natatorium as well. Ohio State has already broke ground on a new swim pool. It will be one of the best in the world.

There was a tour some years ago to Indy, IN. The deligation from Pittsburgh went to tour their downtown shopping district. I've been to Indy too. That town's handle used to be the AMATURE Sports Capital of the World. The Pan Am Games, Sports Fesivals and many national championships and Olympic Trials events are in Circle City -- plus the Indy 500 of course.

The folks in Pittsburgh didn't see what they really needed to inspect. I asked questions. I read the reports.

Indy did a lot with its sports landscape -- to the benefits of its citizens as well as tourists.

Voter Protection -- Rally in Oakland on Thursday at 3 pm

A long-time, but young, political friend put out this email to me and the others running for city council. He is right on the mark. And, I thank him and the others for their efforts in this quest.

As as candidate you are well aware of the special election coming up in March to fill the District 3 City Council seat. The Univ. of Pittsburgh is in this district and college students make up over 20% of the population of the council district.

Today, (TUESDAY, Jan 10) Council President Ravenstahl began the process of setting a date for the special election and was fine with having it on March 14th. For some reason, there has been talk that the election may be moved up to March 7th, in the middle of spring break. This would disenfranchise thousands of Pitt Students!

On Thursday 1/12/06 @ 3 pm, Place: TBA City Councilman Bill Peduto, the League of Young Voters, The Stonewall Dems, The College Dems and other concerned groups will be holding a press conference and rally to compel the board of elections to hold the election on March 14 so UPitt students will be able to participate in choosing their next council rep.

I am reaching out to you to invite the candidates to the rally, it is important that the candidates for this office show they support student voting rights. (*No candidate speeches.)

I hope you will be able to attend this rally or for more information email pittsburgh@indyvoter.org or call 412/728/2197

More information about this will be made available on Wednesday 1/11/06, STAY TUNED!!!

K

I talked with K.M. on Grant Street asking him to help to organize some meetings in Oakland to talk about the issues. As of now, none have been scheduled.

Pittsburghers for Impeachment -- pointer to Ferlo's efforts

Oh my. Senator Jim Ferlo is entered a game of Red-State vs. Blue-State. Albert sent me an email about the site and efforts. It is done well in terms of calling upon the ghosts of Ben Franklin and Liberty.

Pittsburghers for Impeachment: "FIRST LYING...NOW SPYING!

Our nation and Iraq have been subjected to an unnecessary and illegal war based on lies, deception and cover-ups. The toll taken on life, limb, and precious resources is shocking and shameful. The Bush Administration in Washington has shattered the reputation of the United States of America in its arrogant pursuit of power and domination.

Check it out. Let me know what you think. There is a bit of an urgency to sign the petition so as to get your name into the advertisement that is slated to run in City Paper.

Special Election for a State Rep seat

Folks,

Apparently, State Rep Alan Butkovitz has resigned after something like 15
years as a state legislator. As a result, there is a special election being
held on March 14, 2006 for State Rep district 174 which I believe is in
Philadelphia. I have the paperwork that must be filed by January 23, 2006.

Please let me know if you or someone you know living within that district
would be interested in running for this office.

David Jahn, Chair, Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
610-461-7755

Going to speak to the Board of Pittsburgh Public School

Tonight I'll be speaking to the board of Pittsburgh Public Schools, again.

I'll hit upon Schenley High School's move out of Oakland as well as the looming changes to the Gifted Education program.

[412] News Release: Key Campaign Staff for Mark Rauterkus for City Council

[412] News Release: Key Campaign Staff for Mark Rauterkus for City Council [412] News Release: Key Campaign Staff for Mark Rauterkus for City Council

News Release: Immediate

Michael Cooper, Campiagn Treasurer, Announces Staffers for Mark at Rauterkus.com Campaign for City Council


Contact:
Michael Cooper, HQ = 412 904 2976, Treasurer at Rauterkus.com


Daniel Repovz, graduate student at Duquesne University, has joined the reform-minded team at Elect.Rauterkus.com to drive Mark Rauterkus' election bid onto Pittsburgh's City Council. Repovz' title is Media Coordinator. The special election is slated for the first Tuesday in March, 2006.

In May 2005, Repovz was on the ballot for Mayor of Pittsburgh in the Democratic Primary.

Repovz earned an undergraduate degree at the University of Pittsburgh in Finance. This semester at Duquesne brings Repovz's final course before he obtains a Masters Degree in Business Administration.

Rauterkus and Repovz were both on the campaign trails in 2005. While Repovz was debating Bob O'Connor, Bill Peduoto, and Michael Lamb for the Democratic endorsement for mayor, Rauterkus was seeking a State Senate seat in a campaign against Wayne Fontana, D, and Michael Diven, R.

"We saw each other many times at various community forums. I was flattered to hear from Daniel that he was greatly impressed with the way we ran our campaign for State Senate, especially with the negativity and gross expenditures from the competitors. The messages and the mission must have resonated with Daniel, thankfully," said Rauterkus.

Repovz said, "I want to be part of the driving force in a team Rauterkus victory. Mark's financial reforms and parks initiatives will win with voters and future generations of all ages: children, parents, students and seniors. These are vital quality of life issues that are very important to Pittsburgh's future as well as the region around Pittsburgh."

In the day-to-day operations of the campaign, Repovz will issue press releases and field analysis to reform Pittsburgh's financial position.

"With the advance leadership ability of Daniel and others, we will be able to offer solutions for the short-term and long-term," said Rauterkus.

Vicki Duesch, a parent and long-time South Side resident and homeowner, has been named the campaign manager for the Elect.Rauterkus.com campaign.

"Vicki brings heart and soul to the campaign. Vicki and her son bike daily on the paths around the South Side and continually access recreation resources in the third district," said Rauterkus. "Vicki is a wonderful example of a citizen leader in action. Her grassroots leadership will make a difference in Pittsburgh and our region."


###

Additional contacts and resources:

+ Daniel Repovz, HQ = 412 904 2976, Media at Rauterkus.com
+ Vicki Dusch, HQ = 412 904 2976, Manager at Rauterkus.com
+ Mark Rautekus, candidate for Pittsburgh City Council, cell = 412 298 3432, Mark at Rauterkus.com
+ Logo: http://rauterkus.com/art/06/Foil-Logo-png.png
+ Photo of Mark Rauterkus, http://rauterkus.com/art/signs/mark-470.jpg

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board

These odds are not so bad. There are 25 applications and 14 winners.

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today announced that it has received 25 application submissions for licenses to operate gaming facilities in the Commonwealth.

“This is an historic day for gaming in Pennsylvania,” said Chairman Tad Decker. “My fellow Board members and I look forward to the complex and important work that lies ahead in awarding licenses for Pennsylvania’s 14 gaming facilities.

The biggest objection I've had from the get-go on this gambling deal is that the licenses are sold once and they never terminate. The rights come at a price, $50-million. But, there is no renewal.

If I was a legislature, and I called them all as this was hatching, I would have been certain to terminate the licenses at a future date. Have some of them expire in 15 years, some in 20. Stagger their end date.

Nothing is sold "FOREVER." You don't get a license to practice your profession from the state (for example a medical doctor) and have the license last until you die. Things need to have some type of renewal. Even a drivers license is not forever. But these gambling licenses are.

State slashes anti-tobacco funding (phillyBurbs.com) | Courier Times

Don't smoke. And, don't cut the funding from the tobacco settlement to help in the process of getting more people off of the tabacco habit and addiction.

State slashes anti-tobacco funding (phillyBurbs.com) | Courier Times ... the state slashed 25 percent of its funding for Pennsylvania's tobacco prevention and cessation programs, state and county officials said.

I've looked a good deal at the stop-smoking programs of other states. We visited with many health-care groups in the state of Arizona, for example. They had nearly a dozen organizations in the state with messages about stop smoking. PA has been behind the times in terms of public outreach and education here.

It is a shame to see this tobacco money get reduced.

A friend of ours is considering a run for PA House. His entire campaign will be built upon the pledge of clean air for all workplaces. With the clean sweep efforts, a clean air twist and his history, he could have a real opportunity to make serious votes.

Chicago Tribune | Fundraising clicks over Internet

Chicago Tribune | Fundraising clicks over Internet Fundraising clicks over Internet
Politicians pick up on ease of getting campaign dollars

By Mike Dorning, Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON -- Rahm Emanuel, the Chicago congressman spearheading the Democratic effort to win control of Congress, now schedules regular conference calls with influential liberal bloggers, and the top political professional working for him maintains a presence on their sites, often posting campaign-related messages.

Save Schenley High School Petition

I signed the petition. Our kids should go to Schenley High School.

Save Schenley High School Petition To: Pittsburgh Public Schools, Superintendent Mark Roosevelt & All Board Members

To put Schenley into the "right-sized" plan is silly. It is a high performing school. This makes all performance based decisions a joke.

Democrat Chad Kluko to challenge Murphy for seat in 18th District

To run against Tim Murphy, R, is one thing. To win or even just challenge, there must be a competitive primary. The fact that there are two, or even three Dems, is going to be GOOD for the overall chances for the eventual winner of the D primary. The contested primary is needed in these situations.

Next, it would be good to get a women in the race too.

Democrat Chad Kluko to challenge Murphy for seat in 18th District: "Mr. Kluko, 44, is a graduate of Gateway High School and the Center for Media Arts in New York City. He spent most of the past two decades working in California at positions including director of national operations for Verizon Wireless and executive director of broadcast operations for the Fox Television Network.

Mr. Kluko said that family concerns had brought him back to Pittsburgh recently. Since then he has worked as CEO of the Diora-Ling Co., a small business concentrating on software development.

Mr. Kluko said he expects to make a formal declaration of his candidacy sometime in the next 10 days."

Allderdice used to host an invite swim meet

New mayor gets his shoes dirty in visit to public works shed

We don't need a unified voice coming from city hall. I like a little harmony in my songs. Perhaps we should all be singing in the same key, and perhaps the same tempo might be nice too.

The lockstep boosterism is what got Pittsburgh into its huge mess.

New mayor gets his shoes dirty in visit to public works shed The meetings did not result in big decisions. They were an effort to build toward what council President Luke Ravenstahl called 'a unified voice coming from city hall.'

He and perhaps other council members will meet weekly with the new administration, he said. That's a change from years past, when council often complained that it was left out of decisions by Mayor Tom Murphy."

This unified voice that may come from city hall will lead to the same-old-same-old. The expected outcomes will be more meetings that do not result in big decisions.

My aim is to join City Council and offer a different voice. I am sure that there are others who are very capable of going to council and offering no voice or the same voice as to what we've already got.

However, it is wonderful to see the meeting with the mayor and councilmembers. There is no way I could have survived on that body, for even a week, if Tom Murphy was mayor.

If Gene Ricciardi had quit his role in City Council and Tom Murphy was still mayor, I would NOT be running for the council seat. I would never have wanted to be on council with Tom Murphy as mayor. Heck, I could not even be in the same PARTY as Tom Murphy as he was the leader of the city's Democrats. That was not for me to join and support.

Now that Bob O'Connor is in the Mayor's office, I feel that I can make excellent contributions for the future of our city. And, because it is Bob, I'm needed on the job in Council Chambers more than ever.

Companies oppose latest North Shore casino proposal

Here is a stretch.

Companies oppose latest North Shore casino proposal He also believes the casino will enhance housing, pointing out that some of the most expensive real estate in the country is in gambling mecca Las Vegas.

Perhaps that expensive housing in Las Vegas is because it is in the middle of a desert. But, I dare say, most of Las Vegas isn't that expensive for housing. Furthermore, Las Vegas has low taxes -- so -- the housing values can rise.

It was stated on a local panel by an expert Ph.D. that local house values in the immediate area of a casino could go upwards. However, once the casino is no longer your neighbor, or within your near neighborhood, there is no bump, either up or down, from the casino.

This area under discussion, between the West End Bridge and the Carnegie Science Center, has been studied at considerable lengths by a friend. He has done models of many North Side locations.

Frankly, I don't think we are getting the highest and best use out of the very valuable land that is now occupied by the Equitable office nor Del Monte's offices.

This is a worry: He estimates that his casino, once it reaches 5,000 slot machines, will generate $230 million for the state each year at a 54 percent tax rate and $22 million for the city of Pittsburgh.

Before everyone goes off and starts to spend that $22-M per year, note the catch. That income is projected AFTER the casino reaches 5,000 machines. The proposal on the table is NOT that big. I would like to know how much is projected for the city and the state in the first year.

If Video Poker Machines were legalized and done right, they'd pull in $7 million to $13 million per year for the city.

Christmas Letter and CD hits homes around America

The Christmas letter was a bit harder to get out the door this year. It came with a CD that plays in both the computer (data) and a boom box (audio). But, it has been mailed and I got two early replies so far via email. See the comments.

At least the CDs arrived before the Wise Men!

Tip: If your computer is set up to play audio CDs automatically upon the entry of the CD in the drive -- you'll need to sidestep this act to see the photos and other data goodies. Right click with your mouse button on the CD image and then it opens on the desktop.

Is that right?

International friends ... sorry. I tossed the CDs into the mail without putting extra postage on the CDs to you all. We'll send them out on Monday.

O'Connor touts old West End police station

This is a promise that Bob O'Connor made and the folks in the west neighborhoods are going to make him stick to his word.

O'Connor touts old West End police station: "New Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O'Connor toured a former West End police station yesterday, saying he wants to increase law enforcement's presence in a part of the city that has complained about being under-served.

Mr. O'Connor said any decision would be made as part of an evaluation of 351 city-owned facilities that will determine which should be kept, merged or sold.

'This we're looking at for mainly public safety,' he said of the station, as he stood in a narrow hallway between lockers and a weight room. 'The people in the West End deserve a better police presence.'"

Bob's promise is on the line. There are a number of folks who are going to hold his feet to the fire about the re-opening of the station.

On the QED show last night, Roddey, Mystic and Moore were talking about O'Connor. All predicted that the O'Connor honeymoon might be very short. That will be the story of the month, so they pondered on the show.

To go empty on the promise on the police station for the folks in the west is going to be ugly for Bob.

I felt that the Bob O'Connor might have been behind the statement last month from the ex-Chief of Police. He said he wanted to move the station out of the South Side to Rt. 51. O'Connor didn't have any comment at the time.

That is a typical ploy. Make the scapegoat be the outgoing guy. He'd be the fall guy.

I propose that we do move the Zone 3 Police Station from its current home on 18th Street. I think it should be located at South Vo Tech High School. South should stay an important vital building for public use.

There is parking at South, more so than at the present location.

There is room at South. We own the building at South.

With the Police move there, they'd be closer to Rt. 51, the west (by a bit) and even downtown.

EMS could move back into the space in the other building on 18th.

I HATE Bloggers word verification on my own POSTINGS!

THANKS!

This is now fixed. (Jan 9, 2006, just a day or two after blogging about it.)

Blogger support -- help! Turn off the word verification already.

Anyone out there have to deal with this too? Tips on getting it noticed are welcomed.

Mayors make wager on outcome of Sunday's game - PittsburghLIVE.com

There is good and bad in this little wager.

Mayors make wager on outcome of Sunday's game - PittsburghLIVE.com The loser must travel 280 miles for a day-long tour and non-stop gloating session in the winner's city.

I don't think Bob has any extra time. To have him head to the Queen City for a day is a tragic waste of time when he is needed at home. However, it would be nice if he'd be able to pick up a few pointers on chilli and sliders to insert into the food court at some downtown mall he'll be building soon -- or casino -- or hockey arena.

We might be a nation of burgers and fries, but they are able to kick our butts at White Castle.

It wasn't too long ago when our downstream friends had their city erupt with violence for nights on end because of ugly race problems. More recently the on-edge community was at the Glass Bowl -- Toledo. Perhaps there are some valued lessons O'Connor can obtain when he visits, if he visits, those cities.

One nice mention about the bet was the stakes as contrasted to what Mayor Murphy did once. I think he put a wager together with the mayor of Boston and it had to do with a Steeler win meaning Murphy would get a bucket of Lobster. However, a Steeler loss meant that they got a flat screen TV from Sony, among other goodies that went above and beyond the average perk of a bet. Murphy couldn't even place a decent wager in terms of knowing how to cut a square deal and what he had to give up.

Go Steelers.

Today was Black & Gold day at school, and my boys opted out. They must have that, "Don't Put Me In a Box" feeling washing over them. Wonder where they get that from?

Mark C's recent Letter to Editor about dangers

Mark C reported:

I had a LTE in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review today (1/4/2006). I responded to a Sunday guest columnist who advocated a nationwide gun ban as a result of a tragic loss in her family (www.pittsburghlive.com/x/search/s_407919.html).

She was sloppy and often wrong with many of her "facts" and conclusions according to one of my most reliable contacts in Firearms Owners Against Crime. While my FOAC contact is drafting a more thorough and lengthy reply, I thought I'd try a different approach in less-than-200 words.

My angle was cars. If you blame things for tragedies, I'm pretty sure that cars have it hands down over guns in terms of deaths, serious injuries and property damage.

So what happens if we ban cars (in 200 words or less)?

Mark C.

---

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/opinion/letters/s_409943.html

Gun control's dead end, Wednesday, January 4, 2006

A tragic family-member loss ("Gun control lobby is thinking small," Opinion and Commentary, Liberal Page, Jan. 1 and TribLIVE.com) is undeniably painful, but it can confuse and mislead one toward false remedies. A nationwide handgun ban is one such false remedy.

To show this, consider that each year thousands are killed and injured in vehicle accidents. The suffering by those victims and their families is no less painful.

Imagine if some of those victims called for a nationwide ban on private vehicles and government force made it happen. Where does that road take us?

Confiscation. Honest livelihoods and industries outlawed. Hobbies and traditions now crimes. Parts regarded like drug paraphernalia. Another costly "war on something."

It also takes us to a new government agency with three functions: to transport people government-style, to relocate people where government wants them and to jail
people. Undoubtedly, it will perform these functions with FEMA-like efficiency.

Bans on cars, guns or whatever are alternate routes to the same dead end: bigger government, poorer citizens, less freedom, more intrusion, fewer choices and more helplessness.

Let's not take this wrong turn.

Mark Crowley, Plum

Team 88 is now off the sidelines and into the game!

The wide-out from USC was a bit busy in Pittsburgh. His old team was trying to hook the horns of Texas in the BCS championship game. Swann is running for Governor! Run, run, run!

We went and handed out about 200 one-page flyers as people exited the Heinz History Center. Saw some folks from the city and plenty from western PA. One gentleman was from California.

I'm glad he is in the race.

It is good to see him energize the political landscape. We need more of that.

Finally, it was G-R-E-A-T to see #88 use the CITY of Pittsburgh for the kick-off to his campaign. I'm glad he came to the city.

Activists hope to reform state government : The Morning Call Online

I hope that the push for more and more reforms does not make for an implosion. The band of reformers might be best suited for a team victory if they were nimble and light. Too much heft with the reform agenda and the wheels could begin to wobble. Time will tell.

Activists hope to reform state government : The Morning Call Online

By John L. Micek, Call Harrisburg Bureau

HARRISBURG | The loosely knit band of activists who helped derail last year's legislative pay raises plans to spend the new year pushing for reforms to state government.

''We believe that 2005 prepared 2006 to be the 'Year of Integrity' in Pennsylvania politics,'' said Tim Potts of the activist group Democracy Rising.

Potts and about a half-dozen other pay raise foes gathered in the Capitol on Tuesday to roll out their agenda for 2006.

Their playbook includes calls for lobbyist disclosure and campaign finance reform, a broader open records law and, for some, the wholesale rejection by voters of incumbents in the primary and general elections.

The activists say this year will also serve as a place-setter for a ''citizens' constitutional convention'' in 2007.

I do like to have the depth for the discussions. We can take the concepts and string them into the Platform.For-Pgh.org.

Injured Kwan must petition for Olympic spot

Skating show on New Year's Eve -- fantastic!

Speaking of ice skating, we went out for New Year's Eve and attended the party hosted at the RMU Island Sports Center. It was a family celebration. Lots of fun, people, skating and friends. B. McKain skated in the shows and it was a hoot to see her on the ice -- as well as the others. The performance was just right for the night. Other activities included curling and a RMU varsity hockey practice. Great event. See you there next year. I'll do more to advance it then.

SI.com - 2006 Winter Olympics - Injured Kwan must petition for Olympic spot - Wednesday January 4, 2006 4:27PM

Michelle Kwan struggled at an exhibition event in Boston last month, her season debut. Michelle Kwan struggled at an exhibition event in Boston last month, her season debut.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Adding an Olympic gold to her enormous collection of medals just got much tougher for Michelle Kwan.

Maybe impossible.

Now joining the campaign CD

Mark Rauterkus and Ken Waldman at a concert in Pittsburgh. Ken is both a great musician and storyteller. His cut, "Suffering Democracy" is part of the latest campaign CD. Read the poem on the wiki page.

Ravenstahl re-elected City Council president

Way to go Luke! He is a good choice for the role of City Council President.

Ravenstahl re-elected City Council president: "'The Democrats are basically the backbone of this city,' said Ms. Payne. In addition to being a Democratic committee member, she previously served as an aide to former Councilman Sala Udin, who she beat in the May Democratic primary.

'We will be able to begin bringing people, businesses and jobs back to our neighborhoods,' she said."

Newest Councilwomen, Tonya Payne, said that Democrats are the backbone of the city. She is right.

Sadly, the logic behind the rest of the statement is lacking.

To be well, a body needs more than a backbone. To be a fit city, we need a backbone and limbs, head, and two eyes for better perspectives.

Because we have an all Democrat City Council -- I see no insurance that they'll be able to begin to bring back people, business and jobs back to the city. We do want to bring more life to the city on many fronts. And, the way to do that is to have many fronts on city council -- beyond the one party.

Survey on Education and No Child Left Behind -- worthy clicks for opinion shapers

Running Mates and blog readers, give this online survey a whirl if you care about education.

Zoomerang: "Public Education Network (PEN) is soliciting views from community members on the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) through a series of state hearings, focus groups, and this online survey, which is being administered through PEN’s e-advocacy website, GiveKidsGoodSchools.org. This is your opportunity to express in your own words your opinions about NCLB.

Your opinions will help to identify the extent to which NCLB is providing adequate resources, improving teaching and learning, delivering targeted services to students and teachers, and enhancing the public’s confidence in its schools and in the nation’s system of public education.

Jan. 3, 2006 - Ask Vic: No one way to do it

From another web site in another town:

Ask Vic. Do you think the Patriots lost on purpose just to play Jacksonville instead of Pittsburgh?

Vic: The Patriots didn't play their best people against Miami and even though they can say they were trying to rest key starters and keep them healthy for the playoffs, I don't think it bothers the Patriots at all that their first-round opponent is Jacksonville. Hey, what does that drop-kick say and how about that conversion pass attempt that sailed five yards out of bounds? Let's be logical about this: Do you think Bill Belichick wanted to go into overtime six days before his team's playoff game? Brian Billick made that mistake.

Okay, okay, ... the fix is in! There, it got said.

Philadelphia Inquirer - Citizens of the Year

Hats off men!

Philadelphia Inquirer | 01/01/2006 | Editorial | Citizens of the Year The second annual Inquirer Citizen of the Year award goes to Timothy Potts, Russell Diamond and Eugene Stilp.

Thanks for all you've done. Thanks too for the runners up, all ten thousand of you. You know who you are. Take a bow now.

Mugging style....

My friend Raichle was mugged the other night at 14th and Carson. She posted this description. Be careful!

Pass around please.

White guy, long blond hair, baseball cap and black jacket in late 20's early 30's.

If he approaches you at night and asks for a cigarette be careful.

This happened to me last night and they guy knocked me over, took my purse, and ran to a car that was waiting for him around the corner. The cops say that this guy has been doing this alot and they definitely have it well planned out.

Bob O'Connor's hour in the sun

It didn't feel like a Steelers' rally. Well, it didn't feel like one until Ed Rendell turned Bob's swearing in ceremony into a Steelers' rally. Fast Edddie, call him late for lunch, went on and on with NFL chatter. Jeepers.

I wasn't sure where he was going with his speech. It seemed like he was about to say, "win one for the Gipper" -- or else strike a match to set fire to a couch, right there on Grant Street. He didn't brag about the prices of food at the stadium, but he did brag about a lot of his other "pork accomplishments." Then the Gov must have gotten a call from the booth and sat down.

Inside city hall, with all the food vendors and people -- it felt like a Roller Derby Marathon.

When I look in the mirror, I see myself. When Bob looks in a mirror, he sees Pittsburgh. Does anyone have the heart to tell him that he's really looking out a window, not a mirror?

I did wear my red tie today because I do want to 'red up' around here too.

Speaking of Steelers' pep rally.... what about Lynn Swann. His day is tomorrow. The gathering will be at the Heinz History Center in the late afternoon. See comments to catch his email today. He is up to 5,000 email subscribers. I've got 8,000 on my list. But, he is closing fast.

buskarma - Pittsburgh bus and rail schedules

buskarma - Pittsburgh bus and rail schedules

Identify your bus stop, and this website will tell you when busses arrive. Very convenient. Very user-friendly.

Mayor-elect O'Connor shakes up city's Weed and Seed program

Who are the others that got fired? I wasn't sure if the program would only loose Farley. Now it reads as if there are three gone. John T, where are you in this? I guess he's out.

Mayor-elect O'Connor shakes up city's Weed and Seed program Incoming Mayor Bob O'Connor axed project director and grant writer Dave Farley and two other staff members but said he is committed to the federally based program, which channels money to crime-plagued communities.

Letter to Tom Murphy from the Women's Sports Foundation

April 13, 1999
Mayor Tom Murphy
414 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Dear Mayor Murphy,

In considering you vote on the sale of land to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, please look carefully into whether the stadium facility will be used by members of both genders, and whether it might exacerbate a potential current Title IX compliance problem with regard to facility usage and benefits. Examing financial and participation data provided by the University of Pittsburgh in response to our request for records mandated by the Equity in Athletics Disclosrue Act, the Foundation has serious concerns about the current status of the University with regard to Title IX.

The rules and regulations concerning Title IX are often difficult to interpret, and it is not the role of the Foundation to do that. We simply have an interest in helping individuals and institutions access good information which will assist them in providing equitable opportunities and athletic progam benefits to female athletes.

The Woman's Sports Foundation promotes equal opportunity for our daughters toplay sports so they too can derive the psychological, physiological and sociological benefits of sports participation. Sport has been one of the most important socio-cultural learning experiences for boy and men for many years. Those same benefits should be afforded to our daughters. We appreciate your attention to this matter and your concern for the equitable treatments of female athletes.

Sincerely,

Donna A. Lopiano, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Women's Sports Foundation
New York Address, emails, fax numbers, etc.
(letterhead of the organization had many board members)

Letter was CCed to every member on City Council.

---

Yes, I helped to secure / generate this letter and concern from Donna.

The standard mode of operations in Title IX struggles includes the building of a facility for the men, then a protest from the women comes, after facilities are built. That standard op does nothing for the taxpayers. Futhermore, women who speak out generally put their careers on the line with their objections.

My children are boys. But I coach swimming, a co-ed sport.

Do you have a pocket full of pins?

One of the most exciting things to happen this year -- the Winter Olympics.

You're hired!

Director Ashley stays! That's good news. He is a master at making chicken soup with nothing but chicken droppings. Mr. Ashley is the Director of Citiparks. He'll be a part of the Bob O'Connor Administation.


Peeps for sale.

Next, I want to put in a computer lab at the Warrington Rec Center. And, it needs to happen soon, while the weather is still cold. How about on Thursday or Friday. We'll slip them in with Youth Places if we must.

Few are going to be happier. Many have suffered worse fates.

The sign in the window got retired a few months ago. But, the chip is still on my shoulders. The health of the city is still yet to be determined. A full recovery is going to take years, if not decades. But, Tuesday makes for a great day to celebrate.


This sign really worked wonders.

Do you think that a Rauterkus sign, but of a positive nature, would ever bring on so many smiles and gushing friendships?


Might as well have said, "Buy me a beer!" Or, "Instant friend." Or, ...


We were counting the days.

Do you realize that the teens on the streets, taking lives from one another as news played last night again, were at ages 4, 5 or 6 when the last mayor was sworn into office.

People tell me, "Mark, kids don't vote. Only the seniors vote. The average age of the Pittsburgh voter pushes in the mid 60s."

Tom Murphy and conventional wisdom says kids don't vote. But there is hope nonetheless. Every older person was a kid. Every older person has seen cousins, classmates, sons and daughters depart. Every senior wants to be free to leave their house, day or night, and not have to deal with some punks.

It is a new day in Pittsburgh. I think some of the happiest should be the youth. But, they don't always know better. They've been starved. It is hard to point to what is not there.

Hand in hand.

This needs to be the theme of Bob O'Connor's talk as new mayor. If Bob pulls out any expert mumbo-jumbo, before we go up and eat some riggitony and wings, I predict he'll go bald by 2008.

And Bob, there is no need to thank me for NOT running for Mayor, again. You've direct words to me were plenty.

Wishes for next Christmas are starting to que

Next year's Christmas wish list has started. We've got a new game room -- but we don't have one of these. Do you know what it is? Can you tell us? It is a game table, I'm sure of that. It has pieces like dominos. But, there are some mechanical elements built into the table, under the green felt. There is a mixer action to shuffle and deal out the "dominos." We saw these in Chengdu, and some models were very lavish.


Another model -- and if you click the image, you'll be able to better see the trays built into the top of the green table.

Another curse broken: Not since 1941

Doug Flute of the New England Patriots made a drop kick in the NFL. That hasn't been done since 1941.

These are the times to make history, not be a slave of it.

For Pittsburgh to soar again, we've got to be more than a one-party town. Our one-party town curse has been lingering since 1933.

Mindy's CD is here... Larry B and Wilburn, copies for you shortly

Mindy's new CD, Live from Pittsburgh, arrived in the mail.

I love the title!

Mindy's song, "One World," is on my latest CD, still. "Peace plays a part in my campaign for public office. I too worrie about the babies...."

Good cop, bad cop - PittsburghLIVE.com

Ouch.

Good cop, bad cop - PittsburghLIVE.com Twelve years ago, Murphy tapped his old friend Tom Cox to be his top aide. They knew each other well, a vital requirement of any successful partnership. Unfortunately, they shared the inability to get along with people.

Murphy and Cox may not have invented the bad cop/bad cop approach to management but they did take it to spectacular depths. Not long into the Murphy administration, the ship of state began to list -- from the helm.

Pittsburgh getting a 'can-do' mayor - PittsburghLIVE.com

Let's hope it doesn't snow.

Pittsburgh getting a 'can-do' mayor - PittsburghLIVE.com 'This isn't going to be an administration that is necessarily going to launch off in a lot of new directions,' Miller said. 'The directions have pretty much been defined by what has been done under the Act 47 recovery plan and the expectations of the oversight board.'

'I think Bob is the type of mayor that can operate in that environment,' he said."

AP Wire | 12/30/2005 | Pittsburgh's new mayor touts city despite problems

State Rep Frankle is hardly an ally of mayor-elect O'Connor. Frankle was a Mayor Murphy supporter.

AP Wire | 12/30/2005 | Pittsburgh's new mayor touts city despite problems 'The city's debt load and pension responsibilities remain intractable, and no level of downsizing and problem-solving is going to be enough,' said Democratic state Rep. Dan Frankel, an ally of the mayor-elect. 'I think he's going to have an enormous challenge in front of him.'

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - PittsburghLIVE.com

This is called, corporate welfare.

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - PittsburghLIVE.com: "Lance: To PNC Financial Services. Its 2005 stock performance was rated second-best by Standard & Poor's out of the 28 bank stocks it tracks. So, why the lance? This is wonderful news, isn't it? It is. But this is the same very well-to-do banking giant that wants to shake down taxpayers for $48 million to help build a new skyscraper Downtown. A good corporate citizen would not even dream of such larceny."

Wagner to challenge Diven

YourBaldwin.com

'I put my constituents first,' said Diven, a former Pittsburgh city councilman. 'I feel at the end of day, the people will see past politics and elect the person who stands up for them.'

Sadly, the people of the district elected a Democrat. But, they got a Republican just a month after the election.
Furthermore, I'm looking for someone to serve the constitution first. I don't need a bring-the-pork-home guy or gal in Harrisburg.

Big party set for O'Connor's mayoral inaugural

Are you going to go? I'll be there. And, it looks like I won't even need to set my VCR to capture the speech. Besides, the VCR can't eat all the cookies and other goodies.

Big party set for O'Connor's mayoral inaugural The ceremony will be held on the steps of the City-County Building's portico. And no, there will be no tent in case of rain.

While people take their seats from 11 a.m. to noon, they'll be entertained by the Perry Traditional Academy marching band, Wesley Center African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church choir, Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts High School choral ensemble, and Greater Pittsburgh Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums.

I don't expect to see any protesters, other than some food vendors who might want to kick up a food fight. Has any been left off of the list? Penny and others not in the newspaper might have been invited, but just left off of the newspaper coverage. That's what I figure.

No booze. That's good. But that does not mean that all from that sector won't be attending. I've heard that the brass of Pittsburgh Brewing will be there with a tin can to take up a collection to cover its water bill. Plus they have their hearts set on a re-do of the Save Our City web page.

"T" is for "track" -- or "T" is for "termination" -- He wants a letter. Pick "T"

I don't know if the educational character from Public Television, Big Bird, will visit Police Chief McNeilly or not. But, if he really wants a letter, I'd suggest that Bob O'Connor could sends him a "T" as that letter.

The mayoral transition: Police chief out 'All they said was they wanted to go in another direction. I asked what that meant, and they said they wanted to go in another direction. I asked that they send me a letter,' Chief McNeilly said.

As McNeilly winds down his career, he'll be able to send news articles along with his resume as he applies to other jobs. He doesn't need to get a letter.

I think it was interesting to see that he asked for a letter. I don't expect he'll get a letter of termination, but that is just my outsider's hunch.

To really toss a wrench in the Bob O'Connor transition team, McNeilly should have asked for an "email." That request could have been a show stopper, a real train wreck, a real -- off-the-track kinda communication.

Here is a golden opportunity for O'Connor's team, is it up to four now?, to deligate. Perhaps they should ask the Executive Director of the Citizens Police Review Board to ink a letter for the outgoing chief.

Others, more creative than me, might be happy to write a letter for the outgoing chief as well. Those rants in the City Paper might be a good place to find such a letter.

McNeilly will land on his feet. He is a good public servant. His work in the Pgh Police Force is done, for now. His next employer is going to be very happy to have a man of his talents and drive.

KDKA - Pittsburgh's Source for Breaking News, Weather and Sports: Murphy Remembers Time In Office Fondly

Goals and principles -- Morphed by Murph.

KDKA - Pittsburgh's Source for Breaking News, Weather and Sports: Murphy Remembers Time In Office Fondly The whole struggle of trying to keep the Pirates here, which morphed into building a new baseball park, which morphed into building two parks and then a convention center.

All along I said that it is much easier to cut a deal with the owners of a sports team, or the owners / players of a corporation than with a bunch of citizens. It was easy for Mayor Murphy to pick up the phone and wheel and deal with the Rooneys. That's one phone call. It is easy to deal with the deparment store bosses, such as Lazarus or Lord & Taylor. Same too with 'fix is in' folks like Station Square owners Forrest City or Chicago developers of downtown malls (Urban Properties whatever).

It is hard to get a handle on citizen groups. It is hard to reach a consensus with diverse populations. It is hard work.

Corporate welfare deals are easier deals. But, they don't work in the long-haul.

May I be the first to wish you all a happy Boxing Day!

We are still trying to get our Christmas letter -- side A and side B -- out the door. But, we had a great Christmas. I only wish that I'd be able to turn the clock back to December 1. I need another December.

This year, we gave the kids a ping pong table -- and a room for it to fit within. And, it was all a suprise.

Others came through with a lot of help and extras. Thanks!

Murphy looks back at his 12 rocky years

Every dog has its day in the sun. The days of Tom Murphy are just about to go to dusk -- finally. To his credit, he didn't have a "day" in the sun. Tom Murphy got more than a decade.

But the beauty of this news article is within the words of Rich Lord. He is great. I just love the angles he puts into print. And, I really love it that his words are being published in the P-G. That is as much of the magic of these times as anything else.

Make no mistake. I'm am thrilled that we're able to see Tom Murphy move to the private sector. And, I'm thrilled to know that Rich Lord is going to be on assignment with the P-G in the months to come.

Murphy looks back at his 12 rocky years There was little left in Mayor Tom Murphy's office last week but a bike leaning against a desk. That and enough attitude to fill a moving van, plus about a dust bunny's worth of regret.

The man who, at his 1994 inauguration, compared his job to Tom Sawyer, 'who got all of his friends to paint the fence,' is leaving office in a town spattered with his vision. He's unabashed about a dozen years of roller-coaster governance, featuring controversial development efforts, federal oversight of policing and a continuing struggle to fix the city's finances.

'We might have overreached,' he said of his administration. 'One's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?'

We should thank them for turning our once great city into a hell -- because when we die we'll go to heaven. Yeah, right.

The over reaching was classic. To over reach is exactly what should NOT happen now and next. We have to get centered. We have to reach within. We have to be unlike Tom Murphy if we are to have any future in this city.

Not only does Tom Murphy get to be the last mayor this might ever have -- but the same holds true for city council as well. Gene Ricciardi is gone too. Both Gene and Tom are departing Grant Street -- but we have OVERLORDS camped out there now.

This is another classic Tom Murphy thought. I say, 'think again.' He says the consent decree was unnecessary, but helpful in accelerating the changes he was already making.

Humm.... but the changes he was making didn't have room for the citizen police review board. Those were changes demanded by the people's votes. So Tom's changes were Tom's to make and his to ignore if they weren't his.

The same gutter thoughts come when Tom Murphy cheered the arrival of "distressed status." The arrival of the outside forces was something he was quick to roll out the red carpet for. Murphy wanted others to come in and do the bailout. Murphy needed those outside forces because he couldn't manage inside forces. His administration could not coordinate nor execute the right changes with the right people within this town.

How sad for him as a Mayor.

Murphy didn't send the Pirates packing. But Murphy is a marathon runner in a town that does not have a marathon. Murphy's management killed the Pittsburgh Marathon.

We'll just have to restart the Marathon. But, we'll need to do it in a much different way.

Rich Lord even tossed in the word, "lockstep" into the article. That raises another concept that we'll need to crack -- like Humpty Dumpty.

Well, I'm not going to waste any more Christmas minutes on this.

Jazz these electrons, if you please

independent solutions Blog hits upon the new downtown development

independent solutions Here we go again, and again...

Just what are our elected officials up to this time? O?Connor and Rendell are happily shaking hands as they use our money to partially finance a thirty story office tower at the initially projected cost of $170 million. That is about six million dollars per floor.

WPXI.com - News - Italian Judge Issues Arrest Warrants For 22 CIA Agents

Some were worried about roid using NHL players going to Italy for the 2006 Olympics. Now there are other worries. Seems as if the judges in Italy are going to be assertive.

WPXI.com - News - Italian Judge Issues Arrest Warrants For 22 CIA Agents ROME -- An Italian judge has issued European arrest warrants for 22 purported CIA operatives wanted for the alleged kidnapping of an Egyptian cleric, a prosecutor said Friday.

Prosecutor Armando Spataro said the warrants allowed for the arrest of the suspects in any of the 25 European Union member countries. Italy issued warrants for the arrest of the 22 suspects within its own borders earlier this month.

Schools Save with Open Source

Schools Save with Open Source

A lot of people ask about the real savings that Open Source can bring to school districts. Noxon Schools has used Open Source software for 6 years now and so I wanted to demonstrate the actual savings and philosophy of Open Source in a real life setting.

Noxon Schools is a rural school district in remote northwest Montana with a student body of about 270 students. The school uses 4 Linux Terminal Servers on separate networks to serve 125 Linux Thin Clients. In addition, the school has a Web server, DNS server, 2 Proxy Servers, Backup Server and a Samba server to provide all of the services the school needs in house. 60 computers run Windows 2000 or XP.

Philosophy
As Technology Coordinator I am provided a budget to manage each year for the school's total technology development K-12. The bad news is, the budget changes every year, often the changes are as much as 40% from one year to the next. What this means is that you really cannot plan a five year project because likely the funds will not be available. This factor was one of the primary reasons I began to exam Open Source, we need stability. The expectations of administration, students and community is that technological assets will be available to every student in increasing complexity.
The second primary reason for examining Open Source is the ability to manipulate the Open Source product to meet our needs, not someone else's needs. We need servers that are setup the way we need them to be setup with the hardware we have available. We need desktops that will do what we want, not want some corporation dictates. In other words we need freedom and options.

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances has two corporate welfare examples worth watching

When public money goes out to big corporations -- it is called corporate welfare. The Penguins' deal could be worse, but it isn't finalized. And, just because the deal is not as bad as it could be does NOT mean that I'll embrace it. To soar again as a region, we can't make goofy deals.

Why, for instance, should the new arena be given over to the sports and exibition authority? If the Pens get a new arena built for them -- then the Penguins should own it, operate it, pay taxes on it, and then decide its long-term fate.

In my neighborhood, I'd much rather have an owner-occupied building on my block -- rather than renters. Renters are fine, but owner-occupied is even better as the investment is there. And, this is a generalization. One of our blocks, if not the world's best neat freaks in terms of sidewalk trash is a long-term renter. Bless her heart. I love her devotion and how she picks up around these parts. But generally -- we've got to think about the best solutions.

If the Penguins get the handout from the developer, perhaps the Penguins should build a building to their own specs and keep it. The SEA shouldn't take ownership of it.

Furthermore, the public owns a Civic Arena. We'll just take that one back, without a main renter (The Pens). We'll program the Civic Arena, as a true civic arena. I don't want to see the Civic Arena get knocked down with the building of the new home for the Penguins.

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - PittsburghLIVE.com On the 'Watch List' I: The Penguins' development plans. The NHL franchise, partnering with a major gambling company and an Ohio developer, has put a bold proposal on the table to privately finance a new hockey arena and redevelop the lower Hill District. On first blush, it appears to be a great plan. There are, however, plenty of details we'd like to see. And it all is contingent on the developers getting one of those stand-alone slot parlor licenses. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, those involved in the Penguins' plan might want to walk down Fifth Avenue to show PNC's Jim Rohr how not to shaft the public.

On the 'Watch List' II: Jim Rohr. The CEO of PNC Financial Services Group next month becomes chairman of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. Given PNC's deal this week that dives into the public pockets for Mr. Rohr's Three PNC Plaza skyscraper, we are not encouraged that he'll offer anything in the way of meaningful reform at the long-in-the-tooth conference.

The remainder of the L&L is worthy reading too. See the comments or the link above.

City's General Services director to depart

Another bites the dust.

City's General Services director to depart Mr. Perrett, 49, is a 21-year veteran of the department. He said his accomplishments include contracting out the city's vehicle maintenance, negotiating a deal with the Pittsburgh Public Schools to have city workers televise their meetings and 'just maintaining services despite severe cuts over the decade.'

The Pgh Cable Department / General Services did do some telivision work with the Pittsburgh Public Schools. However, the broadcasting of the Pgh Public Schools Board Meetings is to end, sadly. The success of the program was short lived.

The effective outcome of the broadcasting of the meetings is questioned too. One can't listen to any meeting on the web. Getting the meetings into MP3 files and stored there, for listening, is a no-brainer that General Services could have and should have done.

The Cable TV offering from the city were stripped of a number of employees and a lot of the wind in their sails departed. They work hard to just keep their heads above water. Other efforts for more cooperation among the other institutions in town could have been championed from the upper administration managers.

The O'Connor camp is not commenting on personnel moves. It is December 23 and we've heard of one person being hired.

Perhaps the higher cost of either parking or fuel has gotten to the transition team efforts. Bob might be waiting until he gets his official parking spot before he ventures out, as he got nailed by the media for nicking extra graces in prior parking news coverage.