The statement as part of the wiki: To PPS on 2-13-06 - Platform.For-Pgh.org
Or, as a one-page PDF: Statement to the Board and Administrators of Pittsburgh Public Schools is available in a PDF format, one-page. This can be printed and handed out to school teachers, PTOs and others with an interest in the schools.
Original posting was 2-13.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Councilman urges diligence to avoid TIF max-out
Diligent. To lay the shovel down, that is diligent.
We should want sustainable business ventures here. We should not need to bribe others to move and open here. If they come in with a TIF, then we'll never get the real expansion here that is needed.
We don't have any more money to be tossing it around as we used to do. We're broke.
And, we don't want to be doing what we should NOT be doing. Government needs to govern and get out of the development business. Then, we get developers who want to govern.
Councilman urges diligence to avoid TIF max-out 'We have to be very diligent about prioritizing what projects get [TIFs],' said Mr. Peduto.NONE is diligent. Enough is enough. NO to ALL TIFs.
We should want sustainable business ventures here. We should not need to bribe others to move and open here. If they come in with a TIF, then we'll never get the real expansion here that is needed.
We don't have any more money to be tossing it around as we used to do. We're broke.
And, we don't want to be doing what we should NOT be doing. Government needs to govern and get out of the development business. Then, we get developers who want to govern.
Urban League forum tonight targets safety in, around city schools
Urban League forum tonight targets safety in, around city schools ... Residents have called for more crossing guards to watch over children in the Hill District and other neighborhoods. Salaries for about 140 guards have been a matter of contention between the city and district in past years, with the city paying for them so far this year.Crossing guards.... They matter too.
City maxing out tax breaks - PittsburghLIVE.com
TIFs, explained well in this article, stink. The tax break goes to the corporations. The corporation pays less and the bills are increases for the little guys.
TIFs are very clever. They were master-minded and perfected by Tom Murphy. People from around the world have come here to see how it has been done - and they've done a decent job in duplication of the desired effects -- ripping off taxpayers who pay their fair share.
TIFs take away from school kids who are in schools today.
TIFs take away from police presence, garbage collection, rodent control and traffic engineers who need to keep our streets and sidewalks operational.
TIFs take away from home owners who then have to pay more because a downtown skyscrapper pays $18-million less than it should. And, PNC Plaza already got a $30-million GRANT from Harrisburg's Rendell anyway. The $18-million goes on top of the $30-million. The subsidization of that building is greater than $1-million per floor.
City maxing out tax breaks - PittsburghLIVE.com Pittsburgh is preparing to save PNC Financial Group $18 million on a new $170 million skyscraper with a special tax-financing offer, and that plan -- almost guaranteed approval by local taxing bodies -- would edge the city closer to a state-mandated limit on such deals.I've been against TIFs for years. Back in 2000 I ran on a platform that said, "NO MORE TIFs." In 2005, I said we should change the laws for TIFs in Harrisburg. In 2006, I still say -- NO MORE TIFs. None.
TIFs are very clever. They were master-minded and perfected by Tom Murphy. People from around the world have come here to see how it has been done - and they've done a decent job in duplication of the desired effects -- ripping off taxpayers who pay their fair share.
TIFs take away from school kids who are in schools today.
TIFs take away from police presence, garbage collection, rodent control and traffic engineers who need to keep our streets and sidewalks operational.
TIFs take away from home owners who then have to pay more because a downtown skyscrapper pays $18-million less than it should. And, PNC Plaza already got a $30-million GRANT from Harrisburg's Rendell anyway. The $18-million goes on top of the $30-million. The subsidization of that building is greater than $1-million per floor.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Q & A with the PFT
I'd love to get the endorsement, and some campaign funds, from the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers. 412 431 5900
My dad is a retired Pittsburgh Public School teacher of many years.
More insights.
My dad is a retired Pittsburgh Public School teacher of many years.
More insights.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Medal Contest
The top nations in terms of total medals so far:
Noreway = 11
RUSSIA = 9
USA = 7
Those who have entered the contest I promoted last week are all going to get a gift from me in the mail. Deadline has passed.
Noreway = 11
RUSSIA = 9
USA = 7
Those who have entered the contest I promoted last week are all going to get a gift from me in the mail. Deadline has passed.
SI.com - 2006 Winter Olympics - Russians continue domination in pairs skating - Monday February 13, 2006 9:40PM
SI.com - 2006 Winter Olympics - Russians dominate in pairs skating - if you ignore 2nd, 3rd and 4th.In Pairs Figure Skating, there wasn't a scoring flap as there was at the last Olympics. The Russians won with room to spare. But how about those skaters from China: 2nd, 3rd and 4th.
The top pair from the USA got 7th.
What does that do to the skating show that tours the states after the Olympics end? Isn't there generally a "Champions On Ice" show that comes to the Civic Arena? Do you think that the pairs from China are going to be as big as an attraction for the masses of spectators? I don't know.
When we were in China, we did go to a skating facility -- but it wasn't for "ice" but rather "roller skating." We were in the southwest part, much like Florida weather, so ice skating wasn't to be expected.
This skating rink was rather interesting however. It was right on the landing within the large, central sports (soccer) stadium. A roller rink was on the cement within the second level of the stadium. No wasted space.
At another edge within the stadium there was a ballroom dancing studio -- where space was used for dance. The space was not enclosed by glass or anything special, but more like a fence or larger metal gates that could have been locked to keep folks from entering into the areas of the seats in the stadium, but you could easily see the field and such.
Other places around town were used for community dance and more group exercises -- but this dance studio within the stadium was more of a formal ballroom set up with more limited use and coaching, it seemed.
Generally, the Chinees are not only world class at diving and syncro swimming -- they are OUT OF THIS WORLD. So, it goes to reason that they'll be tops in the figure skating too. The sports of diving (springboard, platform, syncro) have a similar artistic yet athletic constitution.
Meanwhile, we Americans, and even my 2nd son, is all RAD about the half-pipe and the snowboarders. Yesterday, he got a hand-me-down board and boots from a bigger kid we have known from school. They share the same birthday. But he is four years older. So, of course, my guy is pumped to hit the slopes and try out the new gear.
Today's P-G reported upon the Pittsburgh connection with the guy skater representing the US. His mom and some other family is local. That's 'neat.'
Too good to be true -- exciting sports news.
Sure, we won the Super Bowl -- but take a seat if you didn't already hear the news that follows. Get out! I was so psyched to hear this...
SI.com - 2006 Winter Olympics - U.S. curling team beats defending champs - Monday February 13, 2006 11:30AM The U.S. men routed the defending Olympic champions 11-5 in the opening game of the curling tournament on Monday, scoring a whopping five points in the eighth end and forcing Norway to concede with two frames to go.Just when you said, 'pinch me, its too good to be true,' then can the next shocker.
... The Americans followed up by losing 4-3 to Finland when skip -- or captain -- Pete Fenson missed with the final rock of the night.Pete! What's up with that?
Thursday night's agenda -- hosted in part by Senator Fontana
Beltzhoover to host senator, candidates for meeting night
The Greater Beltzhoover Inter-Agency Network will host an evening with State Senator Wayne Fontana and the candidates running for the District 3 City Council seat on Thursday, Feb. 16.
There will also be information about Medicaid and PaceNet provided during the course of the evening.
The meeting at the St. Paul AME Church,400 Orchard Ave., will begin at 6 p.m. with a reception immediately preceeding the meeting at 5 p.m.
This week's ink in the South Pgh Reporter
I had to cover swim practice -- as the varsity team was at an away swim meet and the back-up coach was sick. Oh well... The coverage worked otherwise.
: The final candidate at the Candidates Night at Arlington was Mark Rauterkus who showed up a few minutes late for the session. The reason he was not there on time was due to a commitment he had with a youth organization he is involved with.
A South Side resident, Mr. Rauterkus has been a tireless worker when it comes to organizing youth activities. He is a strong proponent in making sure that young people play an active role in the neighborhood, noting that is the only way the city can stop its downward trend in the neighborhoods. He feels that if the city budget focuses more on the needs of the young people, rather than catering to corporations that do nothing for the neighborhoods, the city will begin to flourish again.
�People vote at the polls, but they also vote with their feet [moving out of the city] which they have been doing for a long time,� said Mr. Rauterkus, noting the city�s population has dwindled by the hundreds of thousands in the past 30 years.
Mr. Rauterkus said he wants the city to stop giving tax breaks to the wealthy and start focusing more on the neighborhoods because if this trend continues, there will not longer be a base of middle-class residents which is the backbone of the city.
�Our endeavor is about performance, the kids, wellness, accountability, communication, openness, open-source technology, freedoms, personal responsibility, taxing land, prudent spending, real democracy and respect of the marketplace,� Mr. Rauterkus said.
Parking authority rehiring angers union
When you don't have much in terms of campaign cash, it is easy to not over-promise jobs to campaign supporters. So this is a headache I've been able to avoid, by design or by sheer bad luck.
I also devote a lot of my time talking about kids and talking about freedom. Both of those pursuits are low-budget items and not what could be called, "cash businesses" like "parking meters." The meat that goes with meters doesn't meet when talking about kids and freedom. My "meat" of my message looks to be vegan in terms of kickbacks and "pork."
I do talk a good deal about the parking authority, as in its liquidation.
At least I get a lead on a local voter.
I also devote a lot of my time talking about kids and talking about freedom. Both of those pursuits are low-budget items and not what could be called, "cash businesses" like "parking meters." The meat that goes with meters doesn't meet when talking about kids and freedom. My "meat" of my message looks to be vegan in terms of kickbacks and "pork."
Parking authority rehiring angers union Mr. Stenger and his wife own two houses, one in Brentwood, and one on the South Side Flats. The Brentwood house, which they bought in 1990 for $78,000, has a county property tax break available only to owner-occupied homes. The South Side home, which they bought in 2004 for $5,000, does not have a homestead exemption, and is rented out.
Since 2004, Mr. Stenger has been registered to vote at a second Flats address, owned by a family member.
'[H]e lives in South Side. That's the address that's on his driver's license,' Mr. Onorato said. 'If [Mr. Stenger] didn't qualify, we wouldn't have hired him.'
I do talk a good deal about the parking authority, as in its liquidation.
At least I get a lead on a local voter.
Run, Baby, Run, Reform Initiative Launches Campaign to Elect Women Candidates to Reform State Legislature: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
Finally, another politician (or group of politicians) in the local landscape who are able to use MUSIC as part of their message. I wish that this wasn't such a sexists group however, as I would have attended.
Run, Baby, Run, Reform Initiative Launches Campaign to Elect Women Candidates to Reform State Legislature: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance The political satire program included skits and spoofs of songs such as 'There is Nothing for Us Dames', a take off of 'There is Nothing Like a Dame' from SOUTH PACIFIC; 'Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better' and 'Pay Raise', a take off of 'Memories', from CATS.when they had a meeting some months ago, I passed out my CDs to those who attended. Now I've got a new CD that has a new song, "Lay The Shovel Down."
Monday, February 13, 2006
Statement to PPS Board of Education
Statement to the Board and Administrators of Pittsburgh Public Schools
From Mark Rauterkus, candidate for city council, district 3, special election on March 14, 2006; Vice-chair of Allegheny County's Libertarian Party; parent students who attend PPS (2nd & 4th graders) 412 298 3432 Mark@Rauterkus.com
Feb 13, 2006
Schools need to be woven into the fabric of our communities. Likewise, school planning and communicating must be woven into community.
The "Smoky City Image" sticks to Pittsburgh because smoke still swirls around as deals get hatched behind the scenes.
The new Right Sized Plan is pretty good. It has been pretty good at keeping others at bay. It has been pretty good generating smoke. The Right Sized plan has been pretty good at taking a pretty good district into the future where we'll be pretty darn good.
Pretty good isn't good enough when smoke fills the landscape. Pretty good isn't good enough when our most precious, our kids, face large impacts.
The parent hot line is pretty good. I wanted a robust, open-source, time-saving, interactive communication infrastructure. I suggested this at the November hearing.
Mr. Roosevelt marveled about Pittsburgh's rumor mill. Starve that problem - and don't feed it. Pull the plug on pretty good and make excellence the standard. Justifications and reasonings are necessary. An open defense is necessary, not negotiations. Adjustments are expected.ve Put changes and challenges into the open. Then confidence can take root.
1. Pre-school needs and numbers seem to be ab- sent from the Right-Sized Plans. Are you going to kick out the pre-school kids from Roosevelt because they've occupied four classrooms, to make room for Bon Air's students, and in-turn open Bon Air for Pre-School?
2. What about the failing Duquesne School System? The region is too small to turn a blind eye to any pocket of despair. We can't ignore. We need everyone's talents to thrive. Let's absorb Duquesne. To sloup of Hazelwood.
3. Bergwin in Hazelwood seems necessary. The Hazelwood site is never going to come back as a thriving, riverfront community if we don't have a school. Regionally, we need Hazelwood to function. With Bergwin closed, the past closure of Gladstone (middle and HS), Duquesne's proximity, the idle land on the site, it doesn't add up to me.
4. South Vo Tech should remain under the ownership of the PPS district. I'm a free market guy, through and through. But there are some public assets that we should not sell off.
The principal at Schenley HS mentioned a possibility of moving students to South for a year while Schenley's rehab occurred. The flexibility of the facility for South for the future is needed -- should new urban high-rise flats be built five block away on the east side of Station Square. If we put 4,000 to 5,000 new residents along the rivers just four blocks away, we'll need a school there. Don't sell South now.
5. Closing Knoxville is a devastating blow to that hilltop community. Perhaps a second middle school for creative and performing arts could fit there. Everyone wants Rodgers to move to their neighborhood, let's repeat the success.
6. When is a K-8 school not a K-8 school? As a parent, if my kids are all in K-8 grades, and they go to a K-8 school, they need to be in the same school. The research for the K-8 model won't hold true if the model isn't K-8. Call two schools with one principal two schools with one principal, not a K-8 school.
7. Thanks for thinking again about Schenley. Join the WPIAL. Organize school newspapers, district wide. Insist student governments operate in all schools. And, may I join the High School task force, because there is more work to be done.
Wipe out!
Neither the Olympics nor Politics is always fun and games.
SI.com - 2006 Winter Olympics - U.S. luger Retrosi crashes out of Olympics - Monday February 13, 2006 4:41PM And, that the Olympics aren't always fun and games.Get well soon.
'It was a bad crash. ... But the bottom line is that she's going to be OK,' U.S. team leader Fred Zimny said.
Fontana is a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 1085 for Health Care Reform
Way to go.
Let's get this discussion moving in the right direction.
I'm at an event on Thursday with Senator Fontana. I'll do my best to give him props for this leadership on a very big problem that faces Pennsylvania.
Let's get this discussion moving in the right direction.
I'm at an event on Thursday with Senator Fontana. I'll do my best to give him props for this leadership on a very big problem that faces Pennsylvania.
One-Man Think Tank: Pa. Gambling Expansion -- Unintended Consequences
New podcasts from Bill Bostic covers gambling in the first show.
One-Man Think Tank: Pa. Gambling Expansion -- Unintended Consequences
Pedal Pittsburgh is looking for helpers for this year's event in May
On Sunday, May 21, 2006 the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh (CDCP) will host Pedal Pittsburgh 2006. Last year, the event was before the May election and I attended to meet and greet riders.This does NOT happen at the Pedal Pittsburgh event.
Pedal Pittsburgh is the region’s premier cycling event celebrating design, health, fitness, and urban lifestyles. A ride, not a race, Pedal Pittsburgh offers a variety of course options ranging from 15 to 60 miles to accommodate everyone from recreational riders to hard-core fitness enthusiasts. This fun, educational bicycle ride draws more than 2,000 riders, and highlights the neighborhoods and design landmarks that make Pittsburgh unique.
This set of wheels won't cut it for the Pedal Pittsburgh event.
Volunteers are needed for the following tasks:
* Event Registration - Help us get people registered and ready to ride! (Pre-registration and day-of registration opportunities available)
* Pedal Pittsburgh Course Marshals - Help keep our riders safe as they ride the course!
* Ride Guides - Teach our riders about the design highlights of Pittsburgh by giving guided tours!
* Rest Stop Attendents - Keep our riders energized and healthy by handing out snacks and beverages!
* Lunch Set-up - Help serve lunch to our riders as they return!
* Post Event Clean-up - Help us clean-up after a great day of cycling, site-seeing, and fun!
If you would like to volunteer, or if you would like more information on Pedal Pittsburgh 2006, contact 412.391.4144 or e-mail at vwilson@cdcp.org, or www.pedalpittsburgh.org.We won't be in our three wheeled bike at the Pedal Pittsburgh event, sadly. When we left China, we sold this dashing red bick with the back bench.
Veronica Wilson, administrative coordinator, community design center of pittsburgh,
the bruno building, 945 liberty avenue, loft #2, pittsburgh, pa 15222
Proceeds from Pedal Pittsburgh 2006 benefit the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh, a non-profit organization that improves the quality of life in the Pittsburgh region by encouraging good design of the built environment. The CDCP does this by investing in strategic projects, helping individuals and communities access architecture and planning resources, and educating the public about the impact of design.
Fifth-Forbes developer put on hold by O'Connor
Mayor O'Connor says, "We'll think again." Way to go Bob!
Fifth-Forbes developer put on hold by O'Connor 'I'm not going to take letters of intent from anybody until I see all the proposals,' he said. 'I want to have ongoing discussions with them and other potential investors in our city. We want to evaluate who has the best scenario for the people of Pittsburgh.'Keep the options open. Keep an open mind. Haste makes waste.
Getting to the starting line isn't an easy feat.
SI.com - 2006 Winter Olympics - Tim Layden: Mancuso, USOC in flap over RV - Saturday February 11, 2006 5:15PM Sometimes the most difficult part of winning an Olympic medal is navigating the inconveniences that accompany the Games to arrive at the starting line whole.Same too with politics.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Pro se - Wikipedia's definition. This is a new word I've been exposed to.
Can you dig it, "pro se."
Pro se - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Pro se is a Latin adjective meaning 'for self', that is applied to someone who represents himself (or herself) without a lawyer in a court proceeding, whether as a defendant or a plaintiff and whether the matter is civil or criminal. Most courts allow people to appear in court and submit legal documents pro se, but some prohibit legal 'persons' such as corporations from appearing without representation. Pro se litigants are usually able to obtain assistance from a pro se clerk, or in very limited circumstances, the judge may even give certain advice from the bench on how to navigate the law.
The decision to appear pro se may sometimes be one of necessity, given the cost of legal representation.
Turning back the clock on past stances.
I wrote in one of my recent statements, "It was the Pittsburgh Public School's Board of Education (nine elected members) that ended the COKE OVEN threat in Hazelwood. I was there with GASP saying no.
Then a person emailed me to say:
I like jobs. I like industry. I like it when folks build things here. But, come and work and earn a profit and pay your share of taxes. Don't ask for a handout so that the kids get robbed. The plant was seeking to pay less to the school district, pay less to the city, pay less to the county. That's the nature of the tax break. That is what the TIF was about.
Recently, a lot of second guessing has been made of two other bigger deals in Western PA. The Sony plant that made flat screen TVs down the Mon Valley and the auto plant where they used to make VWs. In both instances, big tax breaks were given and jobs were produced. But, as the tax breaks come to an end -- the plants shut down.
We've been played for suckers time and time again. Industry or even executive buildings want to build here -- if there is a tax break. We need to bribe them to build. PNC Firstide needed a T-stop and a Parking Garage. PNC Plaza needs $30-million grant from the state and a $18-million TIF from the city, school and county.
Enough is enough.
Our schools can't give anything any more. The kids are not learning as they should. Some of our buildings are old and many need major renovations. Other districts are failing much worse -- like Duquesne -- that may need to merge with Pgh. Public Schools.
We can't give anyone a free pass.
When we give away this to one corporation, then we are expected to give away something else to everyone else that enters the scene. Then we give away all this to new arrivals -- and the ones who have to pay are the one's who have been here all along. That just isn't fair.
And, it isn't wise to give tax breaks to a firm like American Eagle Outfitters. They move to the South Side from Warrendale. How smart is it to give them money just to move from 724 to 412? That is our money. That can't be good economics.
We need to be insisting upon sustaining jobs that pull their own weight in terms of taxes and market place successes.
To give something away to firm Z -- you have to take in more from firm X. That isn't fair. That isn't how the marketplace needs to work. That is why we are NOT free. The real growth jobs and growth industries are the ones that are going to make their own marks and profits and do so without handouts and bailouts and tax breaks. Those are the ones we need to move here.
Same too with US Airways and the airport. While US Airways had a lock on the airport we built for them, they provided plenty of jobs. But there was a cost to that in terms of higher tickets we had to pay to fly out of Pittsburgh. We had to create a lot of debt that we still deal with for building the airport. And, when other airlines came in -- US Airways would cut prices to those routes. They had a bit of a monopoly -- and had a lot of perks coming from government.
US Senators and even James Roddey, as were others, were keen on building US Airways its hangars and meeting other demands. Those perks soiled the marketplace and couldn't last forever.
Now we have more airlines into and out of the airport and prices for travel has gone down. Southwest would have never come into the market given the dominance of US Airways and the deals it was cutting with our elected politicians.
We need to shoot for honest, viable business partners who provide value -- without the handouts. I feel that type of business operation is a different breed. And, those folks don't want any part of a landscape that has favorites woven into the pockets of government politicians.
We need a new day where we stick to the basics. Everyone needs to pay what they should. That's the fairness that I crave for Pittsburgh and Southwestern PA for my kids.
Freedoms, Liberty and Justice for ALL -- everyone paying their fair share -- that works for me. That is what I mean when I say, "Liberty XL, One size fits all."
Call me bull-headed -- but call me fair. Extras for friends, wink, wink, -- no thanks.
Thanks for the email.
Then a person emailed me to say:
The School Board was able to kill the deal because SUN OIL wanted a tax break. The School Board could NOT have stopped the building of the plant. But, the building of the plant, without them paying what they should have paid in terms of taxes was what did them in.
I have to say, I was for that project. Sun Oil's emission standards surpassed the EPA's. That plant was eventually built in Ohio and cost $1 billion dollars. The very kind of jobs we need in Pgh/AC.
I like jobs. I like industry. I like it when folks build things here. But, come and work and earn a profit and pay your share of taxes. Don't ask for a handout so that the kids get robbed. The plant was seeking to pay less to the school district, pay less to the city, pay less to the county. That's the nature of the tax break. That is what the TIF was about.
Recently, a lot of second guessing has been made of two other bigger deals in Western PA. The Sony plant that made flat screen TVs down the Mon Valley and the auto plant where they used to make VWs. In both instances, big tax breaks were given and jobs were produced. But, as the tax breaks come to an end -- the plants shut down.
We've been played for suckers time and time again. Industry or even executive buildings want to build here -- if there is a tax break. We need to bribe them to build. PNC Firstide needed a T-stop and a Parking Garage. PNC Plaza needs $30-million grant from the state and a $18-million TIF from the city, school and county.
Enough is enough.
Our schools can't give anything any more. The kids are not learning as they should. Some of our buildings are old and many need major renovations. Other districts are failing much worse -- like Duquesne -- that may need to merge with Pgh. Public Schools.
We can't give anyone a free pass.
When we give away this to one corporation, then we are expected to give away something else to everyone else that enters the scene. Then we give away all this to new arrivals -- and the ones who have to pay are the one's who have been here all along. That just isn't fair.
And, it isn't wise to give tax breaks to a firm like American Eagle Outfitters. They move to the South Side from Warrendale. How smart is it to give them money just to move from 724 to 412? That is our money. That can't be good economics.
We need to be insisting upon sustaining jobs that pull their own weight in terms of taxes and market place successes.
To give something away to firm Z -- you have to take in more from firm X. That isn't fair. That isn't how the marketplace needs to work. That is why we are NOT free. The real growth jobs and growth industries are the ones that are going to make their own marks and profits and do so without handouts and bailouts and tax breaks. Those are the ones we need to move here.
Same too with US Airways and the airport. While US Airways had a lock on the airport we built for them, they provided plenty of jobs. But there was a cost to that in terms of higher tickets we had to pay to fly out of Pittsburgh. We had to create a lot of debt that we still deal with for building the airport. And, when other airlines came in -- US Airways would cut prices to those routes. They had a bit of a monopoly -- and had a lot of perks coming from government.
US Senators and even James Roddey, as were others, were keen on building US Airways its hangars and meeting other demands. Those perks soiled the marketplace and couldn't last forever.
Now we have more airlines into and out of the airport and prices for travel has gone down. Southwest would have never come into the market given the dominance of US Airways and the deals it was cutting with our elected politicians.
We need to shoot for honest, viable business partners who provide value -- without the handouts. I feel that type of business operation is a different breed. And, those folks don't want any part of a landscape that has favorites woven into the pockets of government politicians.
We need a new day where we stick to the basics. Everyone needs to pay what they should. That's the fairness that I crave for Pittsburgh and Southwestern PA for my kids.
Freedoms, Liberty and Justice for ALL -- everyone paying their fair share -- that works for me. That is what I mean when I say, "Liberty XL, One size fits all."
Call me bull-headed -- but call me fair. Extras for friends, wink, wink, -- no thanks.
Thanks for the email.
10 Qs and As for delivery on Feb 12, 2006 - Snips from Platform.For-Pgh.org
Link to my recent answers. First link goes to my speaker's notes. This is the full text of the replies. In the 10-minutes, I didn't get to say everything I had hoped to deliver. The second link goes to the actual transcript of what I did say at the event. My talk was recorded and re-typed.
Original post was from 4:30 pm. Updated with transcripts at 9:30 pm.
1) 10Qs and As for delivery on Feb 12, 2006 - Platform.For-Pgh.org Full length text replies to the ten questions from from The League of Young Voters. (Speaker notes.)
2) Transcript of what was said to the group. Transcripts of talk on 2-12-06 - Platform.For-Pgh.org.
Original post was from 4:30 pm. Updated with transcripts at 9:30 pm.
Out of the sound proof booth....
The League of Young Voters and a bunch of other "progressive" organizations, with the help of City Councilman Bill Peduto, hosted a meeting today at Club Cafe, on 12th Street, on the South Side.
The opening speaker was Congressman Doyle. He gave a general view of matters from his perspective in D.C. He welcomes the challengers to his seat in the months to come, both within his party and from elsewhere.
The rules were such that candidates were not allowed to listen to the other candidates. So, I slipped home for a moment to see the wife and kids. My wife said, "I'm so happy to know that you all (the candidates) are working in a vacume and not able to share good ideas."
In case anyone cares, I'm running for PUBLIC OFFICE. And, I'm a voter in the district too. And, the worst thing we can do is run campaigns that are insulated to the rest of the field and world.
I want to know what the others in the race are saying, not JUST so I can blog about it. But because I want to unravel the falsehoods quickly. And, should I not win the seat, I want to make sure that what gets said does not get forgotten for the future.
False promises are everywhere when candidates are hungry for election wins -- with the other guys.
My replies to the ten questions are on the Platform.For-Pgh.org.
I'll try to get my exact words to be posted shortly, as I made a tape of myself.
The opening speaker was Congressman Doyle. He gave a general view of matters from his perspective in D.C. He welcomes the challengers to his seat in the months to come, both within his party and from elsewhere.
The rules were such that candidates were not allowed to listen to the other candidates. So, I slipped home for a moment to see the wife and kids. My wife said, "I'm so happy to know that you all (the candidates) are working in a vacume and not able to share good ideas."
In case anyone cares, I'm running for PUBLIC OFFICE. And, I'm a voter in the district too. And, the worst thing we can do is run campaigns that are insulated to the rest of the field and world.
I want to know what the others in the race are saying, not JUST so I can blog about it. But because I want to unravel the falsehoods quickly. And, should I not win the seat, I want to make sure that what gets said does not get forgotten for the future.
False promises are everywhere when candidates are hungry for election wins -- with the other guys.
My replies to the ten questions are on the Platform.For-Pgh.org.
I'll try to get my exact words to be posted shortly, as I made a tape of myself.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
More state funding for needier schools in Rendell's proposed budget
More state funding for needier schools in Rendell's proposed budget Mr. Rendell said the proposed change in basic education funding would lift 132 districts above $9,030 per pupil but still would leave 21 below that target.
Pittsburgh isn't one of them.
The city schools already spend $15,173 per student. The district would benefit from the governor's basic education funding plan, anyway, because it calls for an increase of at least 2 percent for all school districts.
Pittsburgh's basic education funding would increase from $127.8 million to $130.3 million, not including special education, busing, food service and other separately funded programs. Almost a quarter of the school district's $533.6 million budget comes from state basic education funding.
Ed Gainey, once removed from ballot -- trys again
Ed Gainey to enter state House race: "Ed Gainey to enter state House race
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Ed Gainey, a former assistant to former Mayor Tom Murphy, today will formally announce his second bid to unseat state Rep. Joseph Preston, D-East Liberty.
Mr. Gainey, 35, will announce his candidacy at 11 a.m. at the Kingsley Association on Frankstown Avenue, Larimer.
Mr. Gainey won the party's endorsement over Mr. Preston two years ago, but he was removed from the ballot by court order due to problems with his nominating petitions.
Mr. Preston has held the office since 1983.
Perception is reality with police station closure
No major effects from station closing - PittsburghLIVE.com By Karen Roebuck and Mark HouserHere there is a story, and a story behind the story. Or, stories that dangle after the story.
The closing of the West End police station has not significantly affected crime in the area.
On face value, the crime stats might be such that the loss of the police station was not a big deal in terms of crime prevention. That is understood. The police have said many times that they don't just hang out in the police station and wait for a call from 911 and then rush out to the neighborhood from the police station. The police cruise the neighborhoods (or zones) and are not going to the scenes from the police station. So, the police coverage in each zone is about the same even without a physical police station around the corner.
That part of the discussion is given and is where the news article goes. But there is more to think about.
First, the crime statistics are now being questioned. This was blogged about a while ago here. A candidate question was put out about rummor reports being more accurate than police reports. Then on the night of the AFC Championship Game, ZERO arrests were reported, from the police. That was questioned as good "spin" and not what really happened. The police might not have made an arrest, and released those people, but there were linger questions. What happens on the paper reports and what happens on the streets is hard to justify.
"It follows the trend of the city," said Pittsburgh police Deputy Chief William Mullen. "The crime rate hasn't been this low since 1996."Well, when the paperwork isn't trusted, that's bad.
Residents, community activists and some politicians have called for reopening the station ever since it closed. The 17 neighborhoods it once served now are covered by the Zone 3 station in the South Side.The big voice here in question is that of Mayor Bob O'Connor. Bob made a campaign promise. We're wondering if the promise is to come true or not.
Theresa Smith, founder of the Southwest Community Coalition, which is fighting for the reopening of the station, questioned the validity of the statistics.Exactly.
"The bottom line for us is, we want our police station open," she said. "I don't think these statistics bear any weight on whether we feel safe in the community."
Elliott and Mt. Washington are the only two neighborhoods once served by the old Zone 4 station that have endured significant increases in major crime from 2003-05. I guess if you are in those neighborhoods, or if crime happened to you, that's significant enough.
Residents are moving out of the area as a result, she said. YES, this is where we need to put our larger focus. What about home sales? What about the population loss? What about home values? What about school-aged children in local schools?
This brain-drain and population loss in Pittsburgh has been such a big story, from time to time. But, the links between police station and schools to the overall exodus of our citizens, (our families and friends), is seldom made in the media.
For example, the city council raised parking taxes. The parking tax generated more money for the city. But, in turn, how many companies moved out of the city? How many more are getting ready to leave as the next opportunity presents itself? In the first six months, or the first two years, a higher tax is going to generally make more money -- but -- it is going to kill us in the long run.
Later, we'll lower the tax and it won't really help in the inverse. If the tax dropps later, as I have proposed in my policy planks, it might only be enough to get more of today's workers to drive to work rather than take the bus. The later tax drop won't be with enough sizzle to get new workers or expanded workers employed in real jobs town.
The police brass review neighborhood crime statistics -- and those statistics are NOT open enough to the citizens.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Right Sized School Plans -- it is getting better
The Right-Sized plans from Mr. Roosevelt are online at PghBOE.Net. Many great changes are within the new edition of the plan.
I'm glad that they are going to 'think again' about Schenley High School.
It is good that Friendship gets a school.
It is fine to get the K-5 kids out of Greenway Middle School.
I'm glad that the Rodgers Middle School move could still happen -- perhaps next year -- to a more central location. Thinking again on that school move is welcomed.
I'm sad that there isn't anything in there about the pre-k programs.
I'm sad that Knoxville is slated to close. But, perhaps that school can be a home to the Creative and Performing Arts Middle School a year from now.
I'm not happy that the school on the western edge of the city, already with a rehab, isn't going to re-open.
Bergwin is still slated to close and that is WRONG. The district needs to make a move to expand with Duquesne (not university). Bergwin is important for that flexibility. Hazelwood can make a comeback -- but without Bergwin, it will be nearly impossible. And, the numbers used to justify the closing of Bergwin were not accurate, so I hear.
The folks of Hazelwood didn't put up a big stink when Gladstone was lost, first as a high school around the time of the closing of Fifth Avenue HS. And later as a Middle School. But the conventional wisdom and promises that were give with the shut down was to spare Bergwin. That was a great compromise -- and a deal -- that just shattered. Another broken promise, I guess.
Bergwin's test scores, attendance and pre-school were making serious strides upward.
I'm glad that they are going to 'think again' about Schenley High School.
It is good that Friendship gets a school.
It is fine to get the K-5 kids out of Greenway Middle School.
I'm glad that the Rodgers Middle School move could still happen -- perhaps next year -- to a more central location. Thinking again on that school move is welcomed.
I'm sad that there isn't anything in there about the pre-k programs.
I'm sad that Knoxville is slated to close. But, perhaps that school can be a home to the Creative and Performing Arts Middle School a year from now.
I'm not happy that the school on the western edge of the city, already with a rehab, isn't going to re-open.
Bergwin is still slated to close and that is WRONG. The district needs to make a move to expand with Duquesne (not university). Bergwin is important for that flexibility. Hazelwood can make a comeback -- but without Bergwin, it will be nearly impossible. And, the numbers used to justify the closing of Bergwin were not accurate, so I hear.
The folks of Hazelwood didn't put up a big stink when Gladstone was lost, first as a high school around the time of the closing of Fifth Avenue HS. And later as a Middle School. But the conventional wisdom and promises that were give with the shut down was to spare Bergwin. That was a great compromise -- and a deal -- that just shattered. Another broken promise, I guess.
Bergwin's test scores, attendance and pre-school were making serious strides upward.
When is a K-8 school not a K-8 school
I've been trying to get my head around this concept in the Pittsburgh Public School's plan to "Right Size" -- but -- how right is it to claim a school is K-8 when it isn't K-8?
Is the plan to right size and wrong name?
It seems to me that a new agenda for getting schools that educate students from grades K to 8 should have classes of each of those grades. And, if there is research that shows that there is an educational benefit to these schools that are K-8 -- but we only call them K-8 and really have two schools, one K-4 and the other 5-8, (or whatever ), then can we expect that the educational advantages might be absent too?
I sorta like K-8 schools and the concept that they bring to a city and family. But, if I send my kids to a K-8 school and one child is in grade 2 and the other is in grade 5, and they are in different buildings, then this is not a K-8 school.
The trap that the school district falls into -- as well as with other public organizations -- is to look at the world from their perspective. It is more about the kids, the families, the tax-payers, the general community. If one principal covers two buildngs, fine. But don't expect to sell the idea that those two buildings make one K-8 school. For a parent who drops off and picks up kids at two buildings, it isn't one K-8 school.
So, my question within this post deals with the coupled schools. Where are they in releation to each other?
Next we'll be snookered into a notion that PNC Park and Heinz Field are really one stadium. Yeah, right.
Is the plan to right size and wrong name?
It seems to me that a new agenda for getting schools that educate students from grades K to 8 should have classes of each of those grades. And, if there is research that shows that there is an educational benefit to these schools that are K-8 -- but we only call them K-8 and really have two schools, one K-4 and the other 5-8, (or whatever ), then can we expect that the educational advantages might be absent too?
I sorta like K-8 schools and the concept that they bring to a city and family. But, if I send my kids to a K-8 school and one child is in grade 2 and the other is in grade 5, and they are in different buildings, then this is not a K-8 school.
The trap that the school district falls into -- as well as with other public organizations -- is to look at the world from their perspective. It is more about the kids, the families, the tax-payers, the general community. If one principal covers two buildngs, fine. But don't expect to sell the idea that those two buildings make one K-8 school. For a parent who drops off and picks up kids at two buildings, it isn't one K-8 school.
So, my question within this post deals with the coupled schools. Where are they in releation to each other?
Next we'll be snookered into a notion that PNC Park and Heinz Field are really one stadium. Yeah, right.
Yank, yank
The magnet program at Schenley High School is again open for registration. This program is the Robotics Technology program. Parents need to sign up at Schenley and the school officials fax the magnet applications to Pgh Public School's central administration offices.
Parents who withdrew their children from Schenley for the 2006-07 school year, because of their concern that Schenley's Oakland facility might close, should reapply now while the window is open.
Parents who withdrew their children from Schenley for the 2006-07 school year, because of their concern that Schenley's Oakland facility might close, should reapply now while the window is open.
Eight CC Skiers -- two from USA -- have rich blood and must sit
The Daily News Online Eight Olympic cross-country skiers, including two Americans and one former gold medalist, were suspended for five days after they were found to have excessive hemoglobin levels -- the first hint of scandal at the Turin Games.When you work hard, and screw up, that's a shame. But, people do it, sadly.
The suspensions, announced Thursday by the International Ski Federation, last five days from the day the tests were administered. The U.S. Ski Association said the tests were taken Wednesday, meaning the athletes will be barred from competition until at least Monday.
This is hard news to understand. We'll be dealing with this a church this Sunday.
A 13-year-old boy is dead after playing a choking game, where young people try to get a quick high by being choked with ropes or belts. The parents of the Mount Lebanon boy warned others of the dangers of the game, which has been deadly for other young people throughout the country in recent weeks.Our kids are precious. And, our kids come to us without much of anything. They grow, and they have energy -- but they need so much. It is such a blessing to give.
In times like these, our priorities get a wake-up call.
Image Gap -- going south of the border
The Loft - Blog Archive - Policy, Not PR, Key to Better Image for Mexico Suffering what officials describe as “Mexico bashing,” the government has hired a Dallas-based public relations firm to fix its image. Unfortunately, the fix to the problem has nothing to do with PR and everything to do with policy.
According to a story in the Washington Times, the PR firm Allyn & Co. has been hired by the Mexican government "to polish its image amid rising concerns in the United States over illegal immigration and a growing sentiment in Congress to better secure the border with Mexico."
“I can’t think of a worse time of Mexico bashing in recent history than now,” embassy spokesman Rafael Laveaga told The Washington Times. “Unfortunately, we don’t find any positive viewpoints."
The Fox administration has criticized efforts in Congress to upgrade the government’s control of the U.S.-Mexico border, including pending legislation that would authorize the construction of nearly 700 miles of high-security fencing and designate illegal entry as a felony."
Has Tom Murphy left New Orleans?
My call to Double Ms sports talk show - ESPN Radio
Mark Madden, back from the hospital, is on the radio again. He really ripped upon Dan Onorato(Allegheny County's Chief Executive) and Bob O'Connor (mayor). Double M love hockey and really wants to keep the Penguins in town. He isn't alone in those desires.
KDKA radio had an interview with the politician earlier -- and a recap was delivered to the listeners via the show host. It is hard to do a recount of the conversations on the air in a civil way -- as he ripped, as he generally does.
I called the show. I had four or five serious questions to put to him, but after the first I got clicked off the air.
I said something like this, "I think it would be great if the Penguins got a new arena. But, I want Mario to keep it. Don't give it to the city. Keep it in private hands. Mario should operate it."
He said, "Why don't you want a free gift."
I said, "We are just able to keep our head above water as it is. The new arena is like an anchor that the city doesn't need at this time."
But it is a gift, he said. And the incomes it makes.
I said that the incomes are still going to be flowing to the city regardless of who owns the building. (more type but not on the air...) The city really only makes the taxes. And the taxes come from a building the city owns or from a building the Penguins or another private operator would own. That wasn't on the air.
I said that the public ownership of the new arena would take away valuable attention that goes beyond the scope of what government should be doing. Mario could do a better job of running and programming the building anyway.
I also said it would be great if the Steelers owned Heinz Field and the Pirates, or some other organization, not some authority madness, owned PNC Park too. The city doesn't need to own these facilities.
... click ...
I was off the air. I lost the cell reception and didn't know how he followed my conversation with additional comments.
Look at the long view of this, Penguin fans. If Mario and the Penguins own the building, then it is much harder for them to move the team. Owning the building puts roots into the community that isn't as fluid as owning a franchise in the NHL.
Furthermore, as a city resident, and city recreational leader, I want to have the city own facilities that we all can use and have access too. Our city's priorities have to be about raising our families here. I'd rather put energy and effort into recreation centers and kids rather than corporate boxes and season-ticket holders.
The Isle of Capri plan needs some major adjustments. And the first one -- IMHO -- is that the windfall for the building of the new arena should not end up with the building going to public ownership. Build it. Keep it.
KDKA radio had an interview with the politician earlier -- and a recap was delivered to the listeners via the show host. It is hard to do a recount of the conversations on the air in a civil way -- as he ripped, as he generally does.
I called the show. I had four or five serious questions to put to him, but after the first I got clicked off the air.
I said something like this, "I think it would be great if the Penguins got a new arena. But, I want Mario to keep it. Don't give it to the city. Keep it in private hands. Mario should operate it."
He said, "Why don't you want a free gift."
I said, "We are just able to keep our head above water as it is. The new arena is like an anchor that the city doesn't need at this time."
But it is a gift, he said. And the incomes it makes.
I said that the incomes are still going to be flowing to the city regardless of who owns the building. (more type but not on the air...) The city really only makes the taxes. And the taxes come from a building the city owns or from a building the Penguins or another private operator would own. That wasn't on the air.
I said that the public ownership of the new arena would take away valuable attention that goes beyond the scope of what government should be doing. Mario could do a better job of running and programming the building anyway.
I also said it would be great if the Steelers owned Heinz Field and the Pirates, or some other organization, not some authority madness, owned PNC Park too. The city doesn't need to own these facilities.
... click ...
I was off the air. I lost the cell reception and didn't know how he followed my conversation with additional comments.
Look at the long view of this, Penguin fans. If Mario and the Penguins own the building, then it is much harder for them to move the team. Owning the building puts roots into the community that isn't as fluid as owning a franchise in the NHL.
Furthermore, as a city resident, and city recreational leader, I want to have the city own facilities that we all can use and have access too. Our city's priorities have to be about raising our families here. I'd rather put energy and effort into recreation centers and kids rather than corporate boxes and season-ticket holders.
The Isle of Capri plan needs some major adjustments. And the first one -- IMHO -- is that the windfall for the building of the new arena should not end up with the building going to public ownership. Build it. Keep it.
Philadelphia Inquirer | 02/09/2006 | Philadelphia named Olympic 'partner'
We are worried about a hockey areana and a casino -- while at the other end of the state some are bucking for the Olympics in 2016.
Philadelphia Inquirer | 02/09/2006 | Philadelphia named Olympic 'partner': "On the eve of the start of the Winter Games in Italy, the U.S. Olympic Committee announced yesterday that it had chosen the Philadelphia region to be one of its community partners.
No, this does not mean that the 2016 Summer Games are coming here. But in the view of the man heading the effort to make that happen, such a designation can't hurt.
'We're glad to have the beginning of an official relationship with the USOC,' said Joseph M. Torsella, who, as head of the city's informal organizing committee, has been working behind the scenes for months. 'We hope this is the start of a long and beautiful friendship.'
It remains unclear whether any U.S. city will be allowed to bid for 2016. The USOC is promising to address the matter after the close of the Paralympic Games on March 19 in Turin.
But becoming a community partner indicates that Philadelphia is ready to mount a serious bid if and when the competition starts.
Casino details hidden - PittsburghLIVE.com
All the king's horses and all the king's men, won't be able to fix Pittsburgh again. The secrecy stinks and it is why Pittsburgh still has its "smokey city" image. The smoke isn't from mills full of hard-working men making products for the rest of the world. Today's smoke is from status quo politicians who work hard to hold onto what little power they have for all the wrong reasons.
Casino details hidden - PittsburghLIVE.com: "n Pittsburgh, however, the slots application process is still shrouded in secrecy. The applicants have talked about their proposals, but the state and city refuse to make the details public."
URA approves sale of property for library - PittsburghLIVE.com
Over-reaching stinks. We have had enough of the broken promises. Cut the chatter. Putting up a library is fine. But don't go and claim that the library, moving from one corner to another, makes a "significant economic generator" and a "resource and beacon" for the economically depressed Hill District. Give us a break.
Perhaps this is why Hazelwood is thriving now, because the library moved to the main street above a laundry. How many new jobs moved there? -- Zippo? --
Now that the Library owns the space for $1, does that mean it can knock down how much it gets in RAD funding?
Furthermore, this is still the sale of a bit of property that won't turn into tax-payer land. I would rather give a lease for 99 years and now sell the property.
I would rather see a net shrinkage of all land owned and controlled by nonprofits. If they take that land, then twice or four-times the land should be made commercial again.
The URA owns a ton of land. The URA has way to much land. That land needs to be liquidated, in due measure. But to give the URA, a holding company, the mission to liquidate but only have the land be owned by nonprofits is even worse than what we need.
I love libraries. I really do. But, I'm not going to look at these transactions with blind spots to our city's overall health and fitness.
I'm against all TIFs. I would not approve this TIF to PNC.
Nearly all of our town is designated as "blighted." We need to end blight -- by stopping the use and designation of the term, blight. Blight is a paperwork term that leads to more give-a-ways from the government, more eminent domain, more taxes for the home owners. Blight allows the politically connected to get theirs and the rest of the people to pay for it. And, the blight never goes away, it only gets worse.
This game of musical chairs, with a focus on blight, is just another way to confuse the public.
Perhaps this is why Hazelwood is thriving now, because the library moved to the main street above a laundry. How many new jobs moved there? -- Zippo? --
Now that the Library owns the space for $1, does that mean it can knock down how much it gets in RAD funding?
Furthermore, this is still the sale of a bit of property that won't turn into tax-payer land. I would rather give a lease for 99 years and now sell the property.
I would rather see a net shrinkage of all land owned and controlled by nonprofits. If they take that land, then twice or four-times the land should be made commercial again.
The URA owns a ton of land. The URA has way to much land. That land needs to be liquidated, in due measure. But to give the URA, a holding company, the mission to liquidate but only have the land be owned by nonprofits is even worse than what we need.
I love libraries. I really do. But, I'm not going to look at these transactions with blind spots to our city's overall health and fitness.
URA approves sale of property for library - PittsburghLIVE.com... the five-member URA board approved an $18 million tax-increment financing plan for the $170 million Three PNC Plaza project Downtown. Such plans allow cities to use money generated by increased property taxes to redevelop blighted areas.
The plan must have a public hearing and go before the city and county councils for consideration at the end of this month before it's approved. The Pittsburgh Public Schools board won't review the proposal until March and final approval might not happen until May.
I'm against all TIFs. I would not approve this TIF to PNC.
Nearly all of our town is designated as "blighted." We need to end blight -- by stopping the use and designation of the term, blight. Blight is a paperwork term that leads to more give-a-ways from the government, more eminent domain, more taxes for the home owners. Blight allows the politically connected to get theirs and the rest of the people to pay for it. And, the blight never goes away, it only gets worse.
This game of musical chairs, with a focus on blight, is just another way to confuse the public.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Linux Basics Tutorial on Saturday
Western PA Linux Users Group gathers to help new people to Linux on Saturday, February 11, 2006, from 10 am to 2:30 pm at Newell Simon Hall 3002. This meeting is FREE and open to the general public. Please invite your friends and coworkers so that they can see Linux.
Newell Simon Hall 3002, http://www.wplug.org/pages/wplugmap/
412 268 4998
Distribute fliers to promote this tutorial,
http://www.wplug.org/files/linuxbasicsho.pdf
Speaker: Beth Lynn Eicher
Host: Patrick Wagstrom
ABOUT THE TUTORIAL- LINUX BASICS
The tutorial will be a brief yet thorough overview of the Linux operating system. If you would like to get started and you would like a cram course in the basics, this class is for you. Maybe you just started using Linux however you feel like you are drowning in a sea of information. Fear not, we are here to help.
You may bring a computer along, but one is not required. We will be demonstrating a version of Linux called KNOPPIX with allows you to boot directly from the cdrom into a fully-functional Linux operating system without affecting the current contents of your hard drive. You can follow along with your own system to enhance the experience or just sit back and watch. If you do choose to bring your system, make sure to bring
everything (monitor, keyboard, mouse, power cords, power strips, etc.). We do have carts available to help you move your stuff into Newell Simon Hall 3002. Please be considerate and arrive before 11am with your computer so that we can get started at 11am sharp.
We encourage all to RSVP, especially if you are bringing your computer. However, if you did not RSVP, please come anyhow. Those who RSVP to rsvp@wplug.org will receive a free Knoppix CD.
If you have any questions about the event, special needs, or any topics you would like the tutorial to cover, please email rsvp@wplug.org
TOPICS WE WILL COVER
* Why use Linux
* Choosing a distribution
* Using the command line
* Installing programs - rpms and tars
* Security suggestions
* How not to get into trouble
* Basic desktop usage
* Using Knoppix as a rescue disk or as your main Linux desktop
SCHEDULE
* Doors will open at 10 am to NSH 3002
* Coffee and Doughnut Hour 10 am-11 am
* Linux Basics tutorial part I 11 am - Noon
* Geeks Eating Pizza Noon-ish - 1pm
($5 is suggested for pizza contribution)
* Linux Basics tutorial part II 1pm-2:30pm
* General Socialization 2:30pm-3pm
Other events: Saturday March 4, Installfest 10 am-5 pm Newell Simon Hall Atrium (3rd floor commons).
If you have any questions about this event or wplug in general, please
send mail to info@wplug.org
Newell Simon Hall 3002, http://www.wplug.org/pages/wplugmap/
412 268 4998
Distribute fliers to promote this tutorial,
http://www.wplug.org/files/linuxbasicsho.pdf
Speaker: Beth Lynn Eicher
Host: Patrick Wagstrom
ABOUT THE TUTORIAL- LINUX BASICS
The tutorial will be a brief yet thorough overview of the Linux operating system. If you would like to get started and you would like a cram course in the basics, this class is for you. Maybe you just started using Linux however you feel like you are drowning in a sea of information. Fear not, we are here to help.
You may bring a computer along, but one is not required. We will be demonstrating a version of Linux called KNOPPIX with allows you to boot directly from the cdrom into a fully-functional Linux operating system without affecting the current contents of your hard drive. You can follow along with your own system to enhance the experience or just sit back and watch. If you do choose to bring your system, make sure to bring
everything (monitor, keyboard, mouse, power cords, power strips, etc.). We do have carts available to help you move your stuff into Newell Simon Hall 3002. Please be considerate and arrive before 11am with your computer so that we can get started at 11am sharp.
We encourage all to RSVP, especially if you are bringing your computer. However, if you did not RSVP, please come anyhow. Those who RSVP to rsvp@wplug.org will receive a free Knoppix CD.
If you have any questions about the event, special needs, or any topics you would like the tutorial to cover, please email rsvp@wplug.org
TOPICS WE WILL COVER
* Why use Linux
* Choosing a distribution
* Using the command line
* Installing programs - rpms and tars
* Security suggestions
* How not to get into trouble
* Basic desktop usage
* Using Knoppix as a rescue disk or as your main Linux desktop
SCHEDULE
* Doors will open at 10 am to NSH 3002
* Coffee and Doughnut Hour 10 am-11 am
* Linux Basics tutorial part I 11 am - Noon
* Geeks Eating Pizza Noon-ish - 1pm
($5 is suggested for pizza contribution)
* Linux Basics tutorial part II 1pm-2:30pm
* General Socialization 2:30pm-3pm
Other events: Saturday March 4, Installfest 10 am-5 pm Newell Simon Hall Atrium (3rd floor commons).
If you have any questions about this event or wplug in general, please
send mail to info@wplug.org
Questions I'll be giving answers to shortly
1) The City is expected to have a budget deficit in future years; do you support further cuts or an increase in taxes to resolve this issue?
2) How would you have voted on Act 47?
3) Tax Increment Financing is a very controversial issue because it is not being used as the legislation intended it to be used (i.e. redevelopment of brownfields). What will you do to prevent the misuse of TIF’s?
4) Which slots application do you support?
5) How will you implement community based development plans for each neighborhood in the District?
6) District 3 is home to the 2nd highest percentage of 18-24 year olds. How will you improve the vibrancy of the District to keep young people in Pittsburgh? Do you support an active night life, such as live performances and other arts?
7) Domestic partner rights are being threatened by state lawmakers. How will you protect same sex benefits for City employees?
8) City Council recently imposed a buffer zone around health care clinics. Will you work to enforce local laws that protect a woman’s right to choose?
9) What is your position on the Mon-Fayette Expressway? What forms of alternative transportation do you support to provide a solution to the region’s transportation problems?
10) What is your position on the strip mining of the Hays site for a racetrack/casino? What should the City do to proactively protect Hillsides and green space?
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Nice guy finishes first | UGA | ajc.com
Steeler Nation, down south juking -- with them junk yard dawgs.
Nice guy finishes first | UGA | ajc.com: "Nice guy finishes first
By Chip Towers, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Really enjoyed watching the Super Bowl this past Sunday. I went in not sure who I was rooting for but it quickly became apparent that I wanted Pittsburgh to win. Why? Mainly because of Hines Ward.
I had the pleasure of covering Ward when he came to Georgia in 1994. I�d like to say I was the first who tabbed greatness for him but that wouldn�t be the truth. His high school coach at Forest Park, Mike Parris, told me while Ward was still being recruited that I�d see him flourish in the NFL some day. Now I�ve known Parris since we both attended Redan High School in the late 1970s but, impressive stats aside, I couldn�t see the type of world-class athleticism in Ward that my friend described, not in this slightly undersized but extremely versatile teenager. But I would get a first-hand look over the next four years as Ward played tailback, quarterback and wide receiver for the Dogs. Parris had said Ward could play virtually any position and, to this day, believes he would have been one of the best safeties in the game. I don�t doubt it now.
But what truly separated Ward was the type of person he was/is."
ThePittsburghChannel.com - News - Team 4: 'All-Out Assault' Planned On Media, Lawmaker Says
A sales tax on advertising. Give me a break.
ThePittsburghChannel.com - News - Team 4: 'All-Out Assault' Planned On Media, Lawmaker Says Team 4: 'All-Out Assault' Planned On Media, Lawmaker Says
SI.com - 2006 Winter Olympics - Scott Niedermayer to miss Games for Canada - Wednesday February 8, 2006 7:21PM
Closer -- but still no Penguin is headed to the Olympics.
SI.com - 2006 Winter Olympics - Scott Niedermayer to miss Games for Canada - Wednesday February 8, 2006 7:21PM Florida Panthers defenseman Jay Bouwmeester was added to the Canadian roster to take Niedermayer's place.
A special election will be held April 11 to replace Habay.
Humm.... What's up with this? Insights welcomed.
Nonprofits are leading the charge....
Charge -- as in credit card charges?
OnQ Presents: Our Region's Next RenaissanceThe nonprofits have a place in Pittsburgh. However, that place needs to be contained. I've called for a complete moratorium on all nonprofit land expansion within the city limits. If the nonprofits want to expand, they should do it upward, not outward.
Tune in Thurs., Feb. 9 starting at 7:30 p.m. on WQED tv13
The Pittsburgh region's next renaissance is underway, and local nonprofits are leading the charge. In this installment, "OnQ" correspondent Tonia Caruso begins the coverage with a trip to Waynesburg, Greene County, where residents take an active role in non-profit revitalization projects.
Stay tuned after "OnQ" for another half-hour devoted to civic engagement. It's a live Town Hall meeting hosted by Chris Moore, who will take questions from viewers and a studio audience. Chris will be joined by Gregg Behr (The Forbes Funds), Aradhna Dhanda (Leadership Pittsburgh) and Gregory Crowley (Coro Center for Civic Leadership) to talk about how Pittsburgh's nonprofits are leading our region's next renaissance. We'll look at success stories and critical issues that need to be addressed. And we'll also talk about how nonprofits are working together to make a difference. If you can't join us in the studio, pick up the phone and call in with a question or comment. This program is the fourth of five town hall meetings to be held each month through March 2006.
412-email blast: Winter Games Medal Count Contest generates first participants!
Hi Everyone!
See the 412-public-campaign archives to see the message that was sent to my blast list.
Connected rings.
See the 412-public-campaign archives to see the message that was sent to my blast list.
[412] Olympic contests: Predict the USA Medal Haul and Predict the Top 5 Nations at Winter Games in total medalsThe entries are starting to flow. Two in the first 40 minutes. Here is one comment:
no prob..i dont even know how i got on this mailing list, but i
couldnt help it..i play fantasy sports every year (everything except
olympics), but i just LOVE this kinda stuff..
steelers..woohooo!
Connected rings.
Calling All Citizens.... Events for Elect.Rauterkus.com this week include:
Community Candidate for Pgh's City Council, Mark Rauterkus, hosts two events to discuss policies of our neighborhood and Pittsburgh this week:
You're invited. Bring your questions. Free and open to to the public.
8 pm on Wednesday, Feb 8 at South Side Athletic Club 2026 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 412.488.1120
6:30 pm on Thursday, Feb 9 at Three Rivers Fitness & Sports Medicine Center
3216 Fifth Avenue, Oakland, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412.621 8380
When you attend, you'll be able to get, for free, a copy of the Elect.Rautekrus.com campaign CD featuring messages from Mark Rauterkus coupled with recorded songs, perfect for our city these days:
Lay The Shovel Down,
Think Again,
Don't Put Me In a Box,
A Nation of Burgers and Fries
Story: Diamonds (about baseball),
Poem: Suffering Democracy.
For further info, Mark@Rauterkus.com, 412 298 3432
Election day: March 14, 2006.
Framework for Mark Rauterkus: Freedom, Future, Fitness and Flow
You're invited. Bring your questions. Free and open to to the public.
8 pm on Wednesday, Feb 8 at South Side Athletic Club 2026 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 412.488.1120
6:30 pm on Thursday, Feb 9 at Three Rivers Fitness & Sports Medicine Center
3216 Fifth Avenue, Oakland, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412.621 8380
When you attend, you'll be able to get, for free, a copy of the Elect.Rautekrus.com campaign CD featuring messages from Mark Rauterkus coupled with recorded songs, perfect for our city these days:
Lay The Shovel Down,
Think Again,
Don't Put Me In a Box,
A Nation of Burgers and Fries
Story: Diamonds (about baseball),
Poem: Suffering Democracy.
For further info, Mark@Rauterkus.com, 412 298 3432
Election day: March 14, 2006.
Framework for Mark Rauterkus: Freedom, Future, Fitness and Flow
Olympic Contests Launched
Let's have some fun with the start of the Olympics. I'm helping to promote a little contest. You too can promote it was well. It is simple.
Make a guess (or prediction) of the NUMBER of Gold, Silver and Bronze medals that are going to be won by the USA at the Winter Olympics in 2006.
Make a guess (or prediction) by ranking the top five nations in terms of total medals won at the Olympics in 2006:
Submit your answers with name, age, address, and email to Mark@Rauterkus.com, or post them on the blog, http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com, or put them on paper and submit them to Three Rivers Fitness and Sports Medicine Clinic in Oakland, 3216 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. (Call 412.621 8380 for directions.)
Note, all answers are due on or before Feb 13, 2006. Entries on the 14th or later are not eligible for a prizes.
Cost nothing to enter. Prizes for the winners are pending, but will include a number of good things -- we promise. I'm sure winners can will get a new Liberty XL t-shirt, an artistic Pittsburgh button and a free CD of great music that includes the tune, "Lay the Shovel Down," and "Think Again."
Entries can be posted on the blog, here. Or, via email to Mark@Rauterkus.com, or handed over to the front desk workers at Three Rivers Fitness and Sports Medicine Center in Oakland. No official entry form is necessary. Please, one entry per person, per contest.
The aim of the contest is to make the Olympics more enjoyable for the kids of all ages. This might give more motivation to watch, research and read about in the events in newspapers and on the web. The contest can be an exercise among families and friends in terms of global and sporting literacy.
Additional prize donations are being accepted. If you'd like to print up your own entry forms, go for it. Then you'd be able to hand them out to your classroom or school children.
USA, USA, USA --- and Hockey fame! This is a photo of the recent movie, Miracle on Ice, taken in China outside a cinema there.
Make a guess (or prediction) of the NUMBER of Gold, Silver and Bronze medals that are going to be won by the USA at the Winter Olympics in 2006.
Gold = ____
Silver = ____
Bronze = ____
Make a guess (or prediction) by ranking the top five nations in terms of total medals won at the Olympics in 2006:
Country with the most total medals = ___________
Country getting 2nd most in total medal count = ___________
Country getting 3rd most in total medal count = ___________
Country getting 4th most in total medal count = ___________
Country getting 5th most in total medal count = ___________
Submit your answers with name, age, address, and email to Mark@Rauterkus.com, or post them on the blog, http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com, or put them on paper and submit them to Three Rivers Fitness and Sports Medicine Clinic in Oakland, 3216 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. (Call 412.621 8380 for directions.)
Note, all answers are due on or before Feb 13, 2006. Entries on the 14th or later are not eligible for a prizes.
Cost nothing to enter. Prizes for the winners are pending, but will include a number of good things -- we promise. I'm sure winners can will get a new Liberty XL t-shirt, an artistic Pittsburgh button and a free CD of great music that includes the tune, "Lay the Shovel Down," and "Think Again."
Entries can be posted on the blog, here. Or, via email to Mark@Rauterkus.com, or handed over to the front desk workers at Three Rivers Fitness and Sports Medicine Center in Oakland. No official entry form is necessary. Please, one entry per person, per contest.
The aim of the contest is to make the Olympics more enjoyable for the kids of all ages. This might give more motivation to watch, research and read about in the events in newspapers and on the web. The contest can be an exercise among families and friends in terms of global and sporting literacy.
Additional prize donations are being accepted. If you'd like to print up your own entry forms, go for it. Then you'd be able to hand them out to your classroom or school children.
Are you ready for some football -- errr --- Olympics!
The Winter Olympics are about to begin. I'm not sure this town is ready -- as most are hung-over from the black-and-gold victory. But, the world awaits.
We are gathering this week to talk about sports and recreation at two health clubs. Come on out.
Do iPod earbuds cause problems? - My wife got ink today in the P-G.
My wife got some ink in today's P-G.
My wife and sweetheart (Feb 14 is almost here), is Catherine V. Palmer, Ph.D., Director of Audiology at UPMC's Eye and Ear Institute -- and -- she has a joint appointement with the Univ. of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehab Sciences.
Taking care of your health is a good thing.
Using common sense is a good thing too.
And, going out of our way to take care of the kids, with special hand holding is also a good thing as well.
So, rock on, with fidelity, and within normal limits.
Do iPod earbuds cause problems?: "Dr. Catherine Palmer, director of audiology at the Eye and Ear Institute at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, said the personal responsibility defense breaks down, however, when talking about children.
'People often don't know when they're doing damage to their ears because your ears don't just start bleeding. It's an insidious kind of slow process,' she said.
'We don't limit the sales of any of these devices by age in this country, so we kind of expect kids to be responsible.'
Dr. Palmer and others still said common sense is the best policy, especially for parents. If they can hear music from a child's earphones more than a yard away, it is too loud. Children should also be warned about turning up their iPods -- and other music devices -- to overcome ambient noise in buses or other commonly loud places.
To be absolutely safe, UPMC will make a mold of a patient's ears and make headphones that cancel out most outside noise, allowing music to be played more quietly. They cost between $70 and $120. The hospital will also check decibel outputs of music devices."
My wife and sweetheart (Feb 14 is almost here), is Catherine V. Palmer, Ph.D., Director of Audiology at UPMC's Eye and Ear Institute -- and -- she has a joint appointement with the Univ. of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehab Sciences.
Taking care of your health is a good thing.
Using common sense is a good thing too.
And, going out of our way to take care of the kids, with special hand holding is also a good thing as well.
So, rock on, with fidelity, and within normal limits.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
I want to chat on Gmail -- and give this a whirl. Interested?
The Gmail email service has a new CHAT feature that is rolling out to different users in the weeks to come. I'm a big fan of chats. So, anyone want to give this a whirl? Let me know.
My Gmail handle is Mark.Rauterkus -at- Gmail dot com.
My Gmail handle is Mark.Rauterkus -at- Gmail dot com.
Scranton is out of race for PA Governor. Lynn Swann is too much -- with the Super Bowl en 'at.
Scranton's campaign for change goes poof and he is wise to call it quits. He challenged the status quo by standing with the people for clean government and honest reform. We do believe Pennsylvania deserves a government that does its business openly, and in the clear light of day. Public service is the highest calling and it is the first duty of elected leaders to conduct the people’s business with integrity.
Scranton's campaign for governor has been about renewing Pennsylvania and calling on the leaders to return to our historic platform of limited government and personal responsibility. Without these changes, Republicans risk losing the confidence of the people and Pennsylvania’s stalled return to greatness may never occur.
Pennsylvania’s Republican establishment was opposed to Scranton's call for an open primary.
Scranton was sure to wish his best to both Lynn Swann and Jim Panyard. He is going to extend full, unequivocal support to the nominee that emerges in May.
Lynn Swann on Bill Scranton Exiting the Race
Scranton's campaign for governor has been about renewing Pennsylvania and calling on the leaders to return to our historic platform of limited government and personal responsibility. Without these changes, Republicans risk losing the confidence of the people and Pennsylvania’s stalled return to greatness may never occur.
Pennsylvania’s Republican establishment was opposed to Scranton's call for an open primary.
Scranton was sure to wish his best to both Lynn Swann and Jim Panyard. He is going to extend full, unequivocal support to the nominee that emerges in May.
Lynn Swann on Bill Scranton Exiting the Race
Bill Scranton made a difficult decision today. I applaud him for his leadership, both in the past as Lt. Governor and today as someone with an interest in seeing the Republican Party unified as we move towards our ultimate goal - defeating Ed Rendell. I look forward to working with Bill and his supporters.
Bill's competition for this nomination has contributed a great deal to the debate about making the Commonwealth a better place for all Pennsylvanians. We all agree on one thing, Pennsylvania must do better.
Our current governor thinks Pennsylvania is as good as it can be. I know we can do better, and I look forward to a spirited campaign revolving around the issues important to Pennsylvania families.
Champion Steelers parade through clogged Downtown
Champion Steelers parade through clogged Downtown Several people reported feet or ankles were run over.
My heart does NOT bleed for these big footed, foolish fans. I don't think that the cars ran up and onto the sidewalks.
Heck, when #36, went past, where I was standing to watch, I could not even see what type of car he was ridding upon. It could have been a skateboard for all I could see. The women next to me didn't see The Bus at all -- until he was a block down the street. There, that's his brown coat. She did get a peek at the S.B. trophy when he raised it into the air however.
Why didn't The Bus ride upon a PAT Bus? Or, why not even a school bus?
I spoke today at City Council Chambers -- and gave the police a letter grade of "A" for their efforts after the game on Sunday night. (See the post yet to come.) At the parade today, they grade isn't as high.
Seemed like the players and parade participants needed a good blocking back. Where is Rockey, #20, when you need him. They did squeeze through the crowd -- but #7 had more room to spare in his Super Bowl Touch Down than was provided today along the route.
Allegheny County Council member Eileen Watt resigning
This is how a campion of the people operates. Three cheers for Ms. Watt. You should have been in the parade today.
Allegheny County Council member Eileen Watt resigning: Allegheny County Council member Eileen Watt announced this afternoon that she would step down at the end of council's meeting this evening.The others -- you only have time against you. Do the right thing and GET OUT NOW.
Ms. Watt, who has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the seat in the state House now held by Frank Dermody, D-Oakmont, said she was resigning from council 'due to a restriction on candidates for other office who would also serve on County Council.'
I am a member of the Libertarian party -- but -- there is more.
Sure, I'm a member of the Libertarian Party. However, I'm the vice-chair of the Allegheny County Libertarian Party. That's an elected postion. Last year, 2005, I was an elected board member. This year, I'm the second highest official in the party. This isn't just for District 3, nor for the city, but for Allegheny County.
So, "Mark Rauterkus, Libertarian," works fine.
Or, if space permits, "Mark Rauterkus, vice-chair of the Libertarian Party of Allegheny County" is accurate. More concise, "Mark Rauterkus, vice-chair of Allegheny County Libertarians."
There is a Republican in the race for city council, on paper. He has yet to appear at any candidate function. He was a no-show again last night when the community gathered in Arlington. These events are on my calendar -- and -- I've offered to share my calendar with him. I don't like it when there is a candidate night and everyone isn't invited. But, I can't do much more than offer to be staight-forward and honest with the dates to him and to others.
Five years ago, I wasn't happy with the way the city was being led. We were on the wrong track. I had had enough. So, I joined the opposition and tried my best to oust the top guy in town -- mayor Tom Murphy, D. I ran around town, networking with citizens and building solutions where I could.
So, I think it is important to put up an opposition. It is important to fight the give-a-ways. It is important to preserve and sustain our rights -- week in and week out.
I want to be certain that we include others and go away from our one-party town legacy. But, for this to occur, other viable alternatives are necessary.
A Republican that is going to skip candidate functions -- all of them so far -- and not work to make Pittsburgh better, in the slightest, isn't to be counted upon as a helper in our general struggle for survival. I have no problem with people sitting on the sidelines, being busy with their life's work, giving family time, whatever. Fine. But a candidate that is a continual no-show has to be questioned.
So, "Mark Rauterkus, Libertarian," works fine.
Or, if space permits, "Mark Rauterkus, vice-chair of the Libertarian Party of Allegheny County" is accurate. More concise, "Mark Rauterkus, vice-chair of Allegheny County Libertarians."
There is a Republican in the race for city council, on paper. He has yet to appear at any candidate function. He was a no-show again last night when the community gathered in Arlington. These events are on my calendar -- and -- I've offered to share my calendar with him. I don't like it when there is a candidate night and everyone isn't invited. But, I can't do much more than offer to be staight-forward and honest with the dates to him and to others.
Five years ago, I wasn't happy with the way the city was being led. We were on the wrong track. I had had enough. So, I joined the opposition and tried my best to oust the top guy in town -- mayor Tom Murphy, D. I ran around town, networking with citizens and building solutions where I could.
So, I think it is important to put up an opposition. It is important to fight the give-a-ways. It is important to preserve and sustain our rights -- week in and week out.
I want to be certain that we include others and go away from our one-party town legacy. But, for this to occur, other viable alternatives are necessary.
A Republican that is going to skip candidate functions -- all of them so far -- and not work to make Pittsburgh better, in the slightest, isn't to be counted upon as a helper in our general struggle for survival. I have no problem with people sitting on the sidelines, being busy with their life's work, giving family time, whatever. Fine. But a candidate that is a continual no-show has to be questioned.
Ink 1 in So Pgh Reporter
Mr. Rauterkus said he is 'well-equipped' to handle the issues facing the district which includes protecting the freedoms of all citizens in the community. He cited the parking permit program as an example.
He believes this is just a 'backdoor way to a tax increase' and believes agencies such as the URA inhibit the city from growing properly. He opposes any sort of parking-permit program. Most of the other candidates believe permit-parking is a necessity for some urban residents who lose their parking spaces for eight to 10 hours at a time due to suburban commuters who park their cars on the South Side Flats en route to their jobs downtown or in Oakland. Most candidates believe permit-parking is okay if there is a clear consensus within the neighborhood.
Mr. Rauterkus is also upset about a system that allows those who do not pay their taxes to get away with it while "punishing" hard-working citizens who maintain their homes and pay their taxes. He said the tax burden is falling more and more on the shoulders of the law-abiders. He believes if something is not done about correcting this imbalance of leniency for the law-breakers (while putting more of a burden on lawful citizens), the good residents are going to continue to flee the city for the suburbs."
Here is another quote within the article.
Mr. Rauterkus said he is not in favor of privatizing city services such as garbage collection and public works. However, he favors privatizing "a new arena, the convention center and downtown department stores like Lazarus" which should not be given public funding and tax breaks for aiding the private businesses.BTW, my last name was spelled wrong throughout the article.
Ink in the South Pgh Reporter - 2 articles
Monday, February 06, 2006
The south side does not disappoint | pittsburgh bloggers
The south side does not disappoint | pittsburgh bloggers: "And it seriously reminded me of heaven. Because you saw all these social groups unified in the strangest of ways. Punks were hugging yuppies. Jocks were high-fivin� goths. Everyone was unified under the black and gold."Almost heaven, West Virginia -- sang John Denver. Woops, wrong decade.
Nice post. Good times on the street too.
I'd not be too liberal with your boasting about taking cash for a lift to Crafton -- as the city might charge you a EMS Tax. That $56 would take a bit out of your enjoyment and it comes right off the top, before you get paid.
Those EMS taxes are hitting hard with January pay checks now.
What campaign headquarters has its own concert hall?
Take a peek at our venue for hosting concerts.
http://S6.CLOH.Org/art/concert-hall.avi
This is a small movie without any music, yet. And, it is still uploading so it might not work for the next few minutes.
http://S6.CLOH.Org/art/concert-hall.avi
This is a small movie without any music, yet. And, it is still uploading so it might not work for the next few minutes.
Neighborhood groups begin to collect information on proposed casinos
I'll be at the Feb 14 meeting. Hope you can make it too.
So, Belloli is the exec director of the SSLDC, and a member of the gaming task force and his organization is getting handouts for major programs with Forrest City. Humm... And, the South Side option, where "the fix is in" (so said Tom Murphy at a prior meeting I attended) ... is getting the least opposition.
These guys won't be for nor against. But, rather than help run a scout troup, they'll re-use the scout's motto -- Be Prepared. So, the lesson delivered is it is okay to be a skunk in the middle of the road as long as you're a nimble one.
Carson Street might resemble a parking lot -- after a Steelers game, so he said. Well, it looks like one today, and last night too. There used to be a street sweep program. But, the organization couldn't make that work in a sustainable way for the long haul. They moved along to the bus program, Free Ride. And that was on the heels of the Ultra Violet Loop bus program.
These guys want a clean city -- but they have to push a broom to get it that way. Or, we might need a new broom.
The vision I fear is that East Carson Street is going to become a parking lot for tour buses.
As for residential parking -- we need to stop the TIF on the other side of the MON at Second Avenue. There they want to build new parking garages. Well, it seems to me that we have a parking problem in the established neighborhoods that should get the attention before parking resources are squandered on the other side of the river at some office park.
Zoning isn't going to allow neighborhood groups to "PRESERVE" the strip of South Side up to Sixth Street. Monitor the types of businesses.... give me a break. So far so good as to monitoring the tatoo shops too, or the bars, or the absentee landlords, or the afterhours clubs or the grafitti, etc.
As for D.U., "The school, he (DU's President) said, had "an obligation to our students to stake out a position on this matter."
Right, DU's boss is the salt of the earth. He takes a stand, because of an obligation.
Furthermore, the plan to put the casino on the South Side is not two blocks away from 10,000 students. But it would be 10 blocks away from 5,000 DU students. And, it would be 5 blocks away from another 5,000 downtown students who don't attend DU. Be it 2 blocks or 10 blocks -- I guess that is a long walk or short bike ride vs just a short walk.
The word, "obligation" is good to see in any news coverage of this sort. It isn't a value that is high on many agendas around here.
Meanwhile, what the heck are these groups waiting for?
Neighborhood groups begin to collect information on proposed casinos On the South Side, where Harrah's and Forest City Enterprises want to build a Station Square casino, the South Side Planning Forum has scheduled a Feb. 14 meeting to discuss the impact of a casino, which would lie about a mile to the west of the South Side's main business district. Officials from Forest City have been invited to the meeting.Did anyone ever see a report on the ridership of the "Free Ride Bus" that was provided last summer on the South Side? I'd like to see that summary report. What accountability is there?
'That's sort of the first step in organizing a community discussion about this,' said Rick Belloli, executive director of the South Side Local Development Co.
Mr. Belloli also sits on the Pittsburgh Gaming Task Force, the organization charged with studying the various casino plans and gauging their potential social and economic effects.
The development group has worked with Forest City previously -- last summer, Forest City, which owns Station Square, ran a shuttle from Station Square through the South Side, at the behest of the organization. Mr. Belloli hopes the two groups can work together again if Forest City is awarded a casino license."
So, Belloli is the exec director of the SSLDC, and a member of the gaming task force and his organization is getting handouts for major programs with Forrest City. Humm... And, the South Side option, where "the fix is in" (so said Tom Murphy at a prior meeting I attended) ... is getting the least opposition.
These guys won't be for nor against. But, rather than help run a scout troup, they'll re-use the scout's motto -- Be Prepared. So, the lesson delivered is it is okay to be a skunk in the middle of the road as long as you're a nimble one.
Carson Street might resemble a parking lot -- after a Steelers game, so he said. Well, it looks like one today, and last night too. There used to be a street sweep program. But, the organization couldn't make that work in a sustainable way for the long haul. They moved along to the bus program, Free Ride. And that was on the heels of the Ultra Violet Loop bus program.
These guys want a clean city -- but they have to push a broom to get it that way. Or, we might need a new broom.
The vision I fear is that East Carson Street is going to become a parking lot for tour buses.
As for residential parking -- we need to stop the TIF on the other side of the MON at Second Avenue. There they want to build new parking garages. Well, it seems to me that we have a parking problem in the established neighborhoods that should get the attention before parking resources are squandered on the other side of the river at some office park.
Zoning isn't going to allow neighborhood groups to "PRESERVE" the strip of South Side up to Sixth Street. Monitor the types of businesses.... give me a break. So far so good as to monitoring the tatoo shops too, or the bars, or the absentee landlords, or the afterhours clubs or the grafitti, etc.
As for D.U., "The school, he (DU's President) said, had "an obligation to our students to stake out a position on this matter."
Right, DU's boss is the salt of the earth. He takes a stand, because of an obligation.
Furthermore, the plan to put the casino on the South Side is not two blocks away from 10,000 students. But it would be 10 blocks away from 5,000 DU students. And, it would be 5 blocks away from another 5,000 downtown students who don't attend DU. Be it 2 blocks or 10 blocks -- I guess that is a long walk or short bike ride vs just a short walk.
The word, "obligation" is good to see in any news coverage of this sort. It isn't a value that is high on many agendas around here.
Meanwhile, what the heck are these groups waiting for?
On the North Shore, where Detroit businessman Don Barden hopes to build a casino near the Carnegie Science Center, community groups have yet to weigh in. The North Side Chamber of Commerce plans to poll board members, said board president Debbie Caplan, while the North Side Leadership Conference is searching for a new executive director and in the midst of revamping its business plan, said interim director Dana Jaros.Let's start a "leadership" group and then give a quote, "after that happens, we'll probably talk with business owners small and large." Let's give them a new name, The North Side Leaderless Conference. So retro and totally reactionary.
Hundreds of Steelers celebrants pour into the cold Oakland, South Side night
This was noticed. It would have been very nice to have had the trash cans emptied on East Carson Street. And, perhaps more put up along the street. But, those paper cans would not have been able to cut it.
The bigger nights of trouble, with a few broken windows, was on Friday and Saturday nights. The streets needed to be "red-up" before the game began. But, that would have been more "overtime."
The officers I encountered had their game faces on, throughout the night. They were "on the job" and were not anything other than serious, as they should have been.
The bigger nights of trouble, with a few broken windows, was on Friday and Saturday nights. The streets needed to be "red-up" before the game began. But, that would have been more "overtime."
Hundreds of Steelers celebrants pour into the cold Oakland, South Side night He also said two trash bins near Carson were set on fire, and around midnight, police in riot gear began advancing east on Carson toward 18th, clearing fans from the streets. Some officers reported that they were being pelted with bottles near 21st Street.
The officers I encountered had their game faces on, throughout the night. They were "on the job" and were not anything other than serious, as they should have been.
For an hour after the game officers for the most part let the revelers enjoy themselves. Some were chuckling at the spectacle, no doubt glad themselves that the Steelers were bringing a fifth world-championship trophy back to Pittsburgh.
Hundreds of Steelers celebrants pour into the cold Oakland, South Side night
Hummm.... I didn't see this fire. Must have been while the kids were getting to bed. That two-hour delay was welcome relief today. My guys slept right to 9 am, giving them two extra hours of sleep.
Hundreds of Steelers celebrants pour into the cold Oakland, South Side night: About 11 p.m., at 12th and East Carson streets on the South Side, a large fight erupted and several arrests were made, said Deputy Police Chief William Mullen. Another person was arrested near 18th and Carson after trying to punch a police officer.
Officials comments for a Steelers victory party
Very clever story by P-G's Gary Rotstein in today's newspaper. It is a must read for the humor.
Officials comments for a Steelers victory party This script of official comments planned for the Steelers victory celebration was found in a booth at the McDonald's on Stanwix Street. What, you thought these things were all off-the-cuff? Someone might say something outlandish. Here's what to expect.
South Side post-game -- Super Bowl
I didn't see any couches on the street in an inferno, thankfull. The choppers are still overhead at 1:22 am.
I'm sure the officers are going to get ready to go home soon. They mobalized a bit around 12:30, and I wanted to end my walk as a neighborhood nebster, but I was past by the Birmingham Bridge.
There were plenty of police on the South Side. I'm going to guess that there were 200 from Station Square to the other end of the Flats and a dozen or two along the hillsides. ??
Everyone seemed to be doing a nice job. The night was filled with a lot of hooting of fans, talking on cell phones and taking of photos and video.
I'm sure the officers are going to get ready to go home soon. They mobalized a bit around 12:30, and I wanted to end my walk as a neighborhood nebster, but I was past by the Birmingham Bridge.
There were plenty of police on the South Side. I'm going to guess that there were 200 from Station Square to the other end of the Flats and a dozen or two along the hillsides. ??
Everyone seemed to be doing a nice job. The night was filled with a lot of hooting of fans, talking on cell phones and taking of photos and video.
The predicted score -- 3 to 14 -- held for a long time
Okay, if only we didn't have the Neil O'D flashback -- we would have been fine taking a 4th down turn over deep into the Seahawks territory. My game prediction was kinda close.
It was a low scoring game. And, it was an 11 point margin.
I do have a good sense about forecasting.
It was a low scoring game. And, it was an 11 point margin.
I do have a good sense about forecasting.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Faces fit for radio -- and commentary suitable for a city with a future too!
On the Air -- Here we are after our 30-minute radio show on Pitt's radio station. The show is available for your review, from start to end, in the /audio/ directory of the site. Go to http://Elect.Rauterkus.com/audio/ and hear what we had to say.
While we were on the air...
New T-shirts. This is Running Mate Rich Johnson!
New T-shirts: Liberty XL, One size fits all. Pittsburgh, 2006.
The back says, Elect.Rauterkus.com, 3.14. That's the date of the election, March 14.
You can get your own t-shirt too, for a small donation. Call me to place your order: 412 298 3432.
Don't Put Me In a Box -- from the recent campaign concert with Johnsmith at HQ on the South Side
You can hear a song by Johnsmith, as performed at our campaign concert recent Rally for Rauterkus at our brand-new venue at our South Side H.Q. We had more than 50 people attend the festivities on Feb. 2, and a good, meaningful time was had by all.
Quicktime, high bandwidth:
http://Elect.Rauterkus.com/sounds/DPMIABhigh.mov
Quicktime, low bandwidth:
http://Elect.Rauterkus.com/sounds/DPMIABlow.mov
Johnsmith sang, among other things, "Kicking The Stone" -- over the 10th Street Bridge, up 12th Street and all the way to the Super Bowl.
Quicktime, high bandwidth:
http://Elect.Rauterkus.com/sounds/DPMIABhigh.mov
Quicktime, low bandwidth:
http://Elect.Rauterkus.com/sounds/DPMIABlow.mov
Johnsmith sang, among other things, "Kicking The Stone" -- over the 10th Street Bridge, up 12th Street and all the way to the Super Bowl.
Prediction: Steelers win with a score of 3-14. And NO overtime.
Prediction: Seahawks 3 - Steelers 14. That's 3-14. The statement, 3-14 is more than a football score, as it is a date, March 14, of the special election for district 3, city council, city of Pittsburgh.
Frankly, I'm worried about OVERTIME. I don't want any overtime in the SuperBowl.
Likewise, I don't want to see so much overtime in the payroll of city workers so as to drain the city's annual budget. Nearly ten percent of the city's payroll budget is being sucked up in overtime charges including public safety workers: Emergency Medical Service, Firefighters and Police. They've had a flock of retirements and a shortage of new employees hired. The miss-management hurts in the day-to-day lives of these workers, their families and productivity. Plus, the second bit of pain comes from the inflated salaries that lead to higher pensions for years to come as these folks retire.
Most of all, we can't have any OVERTIME tonight, past the game. Outside my door and up-and-down the South Side the police have deployed road blocks and barracades. Stores are boarded up, like a hurricane is expected. Nobody should be tackled or sacked on the streets of the city AFTER the game ends. Leave the trash talking to Joey Porter too. Let lawlessness reside in Detroit (if it must reside anywhere). Lawlessness isn't welcomed in Pittsburgh and elsewhere throughout our region.
Super Bowl XL = can come to mean, Extra Liberty = Everyone Wins!
Around the South Side today, I hope to post mini, 4-color, artistice Pittsburgh signs that say:
Liberty
XL
Everyone wins!
Frankly, I'm worried about OVERTIME. I don't want any overtime in the SuperBowl.
Likewise, I don't want to see so much overtime in the payroll of city workers so as to drain the city's annual budget. Nearly ten percent of the city's payroll budget is being sucked up in overtime charges including public safety workers: Emergency Medical Service, Firefighters and Police. They've had a flock of retirements and a shortage of new employees hired. The miss-management hurts in the day-to-day lives of these workers, their families and productivity. Plus, the second bit of pain comes from the inflated salaries that lead to higher pensions for years to come as these folks retire.
Most of all, we can't have any OVERTIME tonight, past the game. Outside my door and up-and-down the South Side the police have deployed road blocks and barracades. Stores are boarded up, like a hurricane is expected. Nobody should be tackled or sacked on the streets of the city AFTER the game ends. Leave the trash talking to Joey Porter too. Let lawlessness reside in Detroit (if it must reside anywhere). Lawlessness isn't welcomed in Pittsburgh and elsewhere throughout our region.
Super Bowl XL = can come to mean, Extra Liberty = Everyone Wins!
Around the South Side today, I hope to post mini, 4-color, artistice Pittsburgh signs that say:
Liberty
XL
Everyone wins!
Meeting with folks on the North Side -- to talk about big issues -- Health Care Reform.
Wilburn Hayden, Ph.D., briefs a group of people from various chuches around the county on the efforts of Health Care Reform in PA. The measure has a bill number in the PA Senate. Wilburn is the director of social policy and research for the Elect.Rauterkus.com campaign.
I took the photo.
500 show support for Penguins' new arena-casino proposal
500 show support for Penguins' new arena-casino proposal Ms. Harris, 17, of Carmichaels, Greene County, was holding a sign that read, 'Rendell ... No Arena, No Vote!'For starters, a 17-year-old does not vote. Now, that is a shame, but it is a fact. Plus, the payment for the arena does NOT generally fall upon the backs of the people in Greene County -- but rather upon the people of the city of Pittsburgh.
The sign should read: "No Arena, No Vote, No Smarts." Logic is absent. Think again.
I was NOT asked to be a speaker at this event, by the way.
If the Civic Arena was BAD URBAN DEVELOPMENT -- why hasn't Peduto fixed it already? Why have the Dems not fixed the urban development of Three Rivers Stadium -- nor Heinz Field's urban development project too. I say the North Side is bad urban development too. Deadlines have passed and the only thing that is really happening is the shifting of jobs from other offices downtown to the North Side, leaving big holes in the downtown market. And, we get a massive parking garage that is going to be empty most of the time.
It is bad urban development to churn. The civic arena is a historical site now. It can be better blended into the fabric of the city. I think I know how to make that occur. Heck, the civic arena is the only indoor ice rink in the city.
Worse urban development -- far worse than the civic arena -- is the closing of an indoor ice rink on the South Side behind UPMC's South Side Hospital within a park. That is a dark hole that has been ignored by the likes of Bill Peduto and others on City Council. Gene Ricciardi, our former city council person, was the Chairman of the Citiparks when that was closed and NOT re-opened. He didn't care nor did he do much at all.
These guys are quick to stand up and grab a new shovel and want to re-do everything. They want big projects. They want big-ticket spending. But, they also drive up the debt. They also make earth move and nothing else moves -- not the economy, the the jobs, not the quality of life for ALL the city's, county's and region's citizens.
The Pens should stay, of course. The Pens should build a new arena, of course. But, they should do it on their own land with their own money.
The windfalls from gambling need to be diverted to more pressing needs, not a new hockey arena in a league that is about to die and didn't play a game last season.
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Carmine's audio still rings true in most instances
Index of /~player/history/audio/carmine Another audio directory with many strong statements from years ago that still hold today.
The War on T-Shirts - Yahoo! News
My new t-shirt, by the way, came out for the first time on Thursday, for our campaign concert with singer/songwritter, Johnsmith. I had talked about it and shown the artwork to the audience at the candidate forum on Monday night. Its buzz began, right on this blog.
Furthermore, one of my t-shirts is already in Detroit -- on the back of a Steeler fan. She doesn't have a ticket -- but she has the kwel Liberty XL shirt!
In other t-shirt news....
Furthermore, one of my t-shirts is already in Detroit -- on the back of a Steeler fan. She doesn't have a ticket -- but she has the kwel Liberty XL shirt!
In other t-shirt news....
The War on T-Shirts - Yahoo! News Minutes before the President of the United States would tell the Congress how much he appreciates 'responsible criticism and counsel,' the mother of a soldier killed in Iraq was dragged from a gallery overlooking the House chamber where Bush would speak, handcuffed and arrested for the 'crime' of wearing a T-shirt that read: '2245 Dead. How many more?'Dissent -- a fine concept. Another word for a person who causes dissent in Pittsburgh is nay-sayer. I've been a 'nay-sayer' to the N-th degree.
Cindy Sheehan, who had been invited to attend George Bush's State of the Union address by Representative Lynn Woolsey (news, bio, voting record), the California Democrat who co-chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus, did not put the 'dangerous' shirt on for the event. The woman whose protest last summer outside the President's ranchette in Crawford, Texas, drew international attention to the antiwar movement, had been wearing it at events earlier in the day.
Indeed, as Sheehan, who had passed through Capitol security monitors without incident, noted, 'I knew that I couldn't disrupt the address because Lynn had given me the ticket and I didn't want to be disruptive out of respect for her.'
No one has suggested that Sheehan was in any way disruptive.
So why was she arrested?
Because, as Sheehan recounts, she was identified as a dissident.
Casino plan criticized - PittsburghLIVE.com
Casino plan criticized - PittsburghLIVE.com With at least 3,000 slot machines, Pittsburgh's casino will be too big and could end up looking like a 'shed,' Anne Swager, co-chair of the Pittsburgh Gaming Task Force, said in a recent magazine interview.EXACTLY. But, the blasted casino can't look like a stinking shed if we INSIST upon the placement of the casino within the nice looking CONVENTION CENTER. Make it go there and no where else.
That's assuming the state ever awards the casino licenses. Swager also said lawmakers have impeded a casino selection process marked by 'politics as usual.'
Convention Center isn't an ugly box. It is the place to make the casino work for Pittsburgh.
Green building, big arches, sky lights -- and all at a cost of about $6-million per year in regular operational COSTS, not counting the debt for building the cool building. The $300 million to build and the annual subsidization of the building -- makes it a weight around the necks of the taxpayers. Here is an opportunity to sell the building to a casino operator. Let's get rid of it now, before the casino operator needs to build another building.
Major software upgrade for concept maps: CmapTools v4
CmapTools v4 has been released and is now available for download from http://cmap.ihmc.us/
Version 4 adds a lot of new features and functionality. See the comments for the notes.
The next round of CDs that are to be provided with the campaign is to include this software.
Version 4 adds a lot of new features and functionality. See the comments for the notes.
The next round of CDs that are to be provided with the campaign is to include this software.
Welcome to Pittsburgh Public Schools
Welcome to Pittsburgh Public Schools Monday, February 6, 2006
Two-hour delay. No AM half-day programs.
Staff is to report on time.
Two-hour delay. No AM half-day programs.
Staff is to report on time.
Road Delays and School Delays
Roads around town are going to be closing at certain times. The horses are out already, and one is in front of our home / headquarters.
The Pgh Public Schools is going to have a two-hour delay on Monday, to allow for the hangovers I guess.
The Pgh Public Schools is going to have a two-hour delay on Monday, to allow for the hangovers I guess.
Super Bowl Party
Still don't have anything to do for the Superbowl?
Then get a life. And, you're in luck. We've got a few extras to spare if you so desire.
At Station Square, the Junior US Senator from PA will be hosting a party as well.
If you really need a life, perhaps you could go to Station Square and protest outside their Superbowl party.
Then get a life. And, you're in luck. We've got a few extras to spare if you so desire.
Go to the Rex Theatre on the South Side. As you may already know, many of the bars on the South Side have decided to close for the Superbowl. Not the Rex Theatre! The game will be shown on the movie screen with full surround sound. There will be food provided and a cash bar. Admission is $10 in advance or $15 at the door as a donation to the Isaac for Congress Campaign. If you are interested, reply to Stacy Kletter, Volunteer Coordinator, Stacy@isaacforcongress.org and they'll hold tickets at will call for you. This is a wonderful opportunity to support a local candidate, and watch the Steelers win the Superbowl.
The Rex Theatre
1602 East Carson Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Mike Isaac for Congress
311 East Carson Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
412.670.2940
At Station Square, the Junior US Senator from PA will be hosting a party as well.
If you really need a life, perhaps you could go to Station Square and protest outside their Superbowl party.
Hey Jack: Haste makes waste. Think again.
Wagner urges fast action on arena Southwestern Pennsylvania must come together as a community to demand that slot machine profits fund a new arena, Auditor General Jack Wagner said yesterday during the taping of KD/PG Sunday Edition.This is another attempt by Jack Wagner to get the Penguins a new arena. He is charging along with this same tune.
The Penguins who are not able to think again as the organization is wed to the Isle of Capri gambling proposal. They won't think again. It is turning into a game of chicken -- do or die -- winner take all.
If Jack wants to be a promoter for the Penguins, I'd wish he'd go do that because I'm not sure what is happening in terms of him being an Auditor General. Is the Auditor General turning into a partisan fanatic for a team in a floundering league?
It is okay to prode and poke the do-nothing mentality of other leaders. But frankly, I think Dan Onorato should do nothing with the Penguins. The Penguins didn't do anything last year -- remember. The NHL didn't play any games for goodness sake. How trustworthy are they?
If you want to talk about doing nothing -- then lets talk about how the Penguins didn't do jack for a year. They went into nothingness. And, they've come back to life -- and could still toss the switch to off in a heartbeat.
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