Citizens & Police gather for public safety council's re-birth

QUARTERLY CITYWIDE MEETING is slated, so we here, for 7 pm on MONDAY, APRIL 24 at OUR LADY OF ANGELS (ST. AUGUSTINE) at 37TH AND BUTLER Streets.

The speakers are BECKY HAZLETT, PA REGIONAL COMMUNITY POLICING INSTITUTE,
HOMELAND SECURITY (HOW IT AFFECTS YOU) WITH COMMUNITY POLICING.

Each Pittsburgh Police Zone has a Citizens Police Public Safety Council which holds Zone meetings. All Zones come together quarterly at the citywide meetings. Two Zones pair up to host, organize the program and provide refreshments. Zones 2 and 3 will host the April meeting.

A list of the Zones and their addresses.

These important meetings are a way for people in all of the Pittsburgh Zones to come together to meet Public Safety officials and other people who are working to keep their own neighborhoods safe. Many Wired Blocks Network members know one another and come together online to share information specific to their own community. The citywide meetings provide our online community with a way to meet and see one another face-to-face and to become better educated about all areas of Public Safety including Homeland Security.

http://groups.msn.com/WiredBlocksNetwork/infamy.msnw

Everyone is welcome to attend the Zone meetings and the citywides -- and to bring a friend.

Do Pittsburgh Schools Make The Grade?

Let's give credit where credit is due. The gains in school performance by the 5th graders of last year -- and recent prior years -- have NOTHING to with with Mark Roosevelt, the new guy who was just hired in the summer of 2006. Dr. John Thompson gets this credit. And, next year's test results are also a reflection of Dr. Thompson as well.

My son has been in three days of testing -- as I blog about this even. Next week there are three additional days of testing too.

WPXI.com - Education - Do Pittsburgh Schools Make The Grade?: "On the Pennsylvania System of Student Assessments, Pittsburgh fifth graders considered proficient between 2001 and 2005 increased 19 percentage points.

Pennsylvania as a whole improved 16 points in the same time frame.

'Pittsburgh is a great story. They've been making some modest gains over the years but under the leadership of Mark Roosevelt, the new superintendent they're completely overhauling the instructional system,' said Michael Casserly, Council of the Great City Schools.

When a council spokesperson says something that is so silly -- funny thing -- I loose some faith in such an organization. "Modest gains." Okay. But now we're zooming ahead. The redemption of faith comes in knowing that the media can turn the story and the quotes to serve its agenda. So, the real story might not be there on that site or in that TV news report. So, I'll now go look for the report's details.

For example, he said what?

WPXI.com - Education - PPS To Cut More Than 100 Jobs Roosevelt said, “The flattening of the central office very important part of the plan. That means there will not people working here, more people in schools directly impacts what students learn."

Who is making the grade -- or not?

Open Business

I've been pounding on the internet in the past few days, doing some reading and catch-up on various issues. I need to tinker with some business ventures, I feel.

OpenBusiness OpenBusiness is a platform to share and develop innovative Open Business ideas- entrepreneurial ideas which are built around openness, free services and free access. The two main aims of the project are to build an online resource of innovative business models, ideas and tools, and to publish an OpenBusiness Guidebook.

Blast from the past: LABOR -- Not Just for Dems Any More (Sort Of)

From Pittsburgh City Paper, March 22, 2006

One thing the March 14, 2006, special election for City Council District 3 demonstrated, again, is the rift between labor unions and the local grassroots "progressive" movement. Take the Feb 27, 2006, candidates' forum in Oakland organized by the League of Young Voters: The event's biggest applause was bestowed on Republican Neal Andrus -- who criticized frontrunner Jeffrey Koch's labor endorsements.

"We're accused all the time of not inviting enough people in," says Jack Shea, president of the Allegheny County Labor Council. "But we think of ourselves as progressives too, and we want people to talk to us."

In fact, Shea notes that the labor council, an umbrella group for county unions, will hold its endorsements for this year's primary on March 24-25, 2006. Candidate interviews will be held at Carpenters District Council Hall, located at 495 Mansvield Ave, in Green Tree.

The process, Shea stresses, is inforal: Candidates need only call the council at 412-281-7450 and pick a 15-minute time slot. "Very few of the interviews are contentious," Shea assures. But if you want labor's endorsement, you need to sway two-thirds of its representatives -- and that means taking such worker-friendly positions as supporting an increase in the minimum wage, or opposing job cuts on the city payroll.

Shea makes no apologies for that: "No one thinks of themselves as special-interest. But I'm sure college students would like to lobby officials about tutition costs." In fact, he says, "We've had issues where we've coalesced with college groups on important issues" -- though he acknowledges he "can't remember any right now."

While labor backs Democrats the vast majority of the time, Shea notes that unions have endorsed candidates from other parties as well, even Republicans. "(State Rep) John Pippy was had our support," he notes.

In Philadelphia, actually, there are rumblings that some unions are seeking to endorse the re-election of Republican Sen. Rick Santorum. Some building-trades unions there are even threatening to split with their AFL-CIO chapter over the endorsement.

Shea says he knows little about the rumors: "I've learned years ago to keep my nose out of other people's business."

-- by Chris Potter

Elections - Two-Fisted Voting Action

From Pittsburgh City Paper, March 22, 2006

The March 14, 2006, special election of a new city councilor from District 3 didn't lack for passion: Two candidates nearly got into a fistfight on Election Day.

But voters apparently felt less strongly about the contest to replace former council member Gene Ricciardi, whose district includes the South Side, adjoining hilltop communities, and portions of Oakland. According to unofficial returns, 3,349 votes were cast -- a turnout of under 14 percent. There were few surprises. The endorsed Democrat, Arlington resident and public-works employee Jeffrey Kock, trumped the eight-man field with 1,449 votes. That edged out South Side businessman, Bruce Kraus, who polled 1,271 votes.

"I was surprised by how close Kraus got," says Koch. "But I just knew more people."

And as Kraus backers had feared, Bruce Krane, another South Side businessman, drew critical votes away. Krane won 215 votes, roughly three dozen more than Kraus would have needed to win.

An altercation between Krane and Kraus was, in fact, narrowly averted on the University of Pittsburgh campus. Witnesses say the dispute, in which the candidates argued over last-minute efforts to appeal to voters, nearly came to blows.

Krane confirms a confrontation took place, and acknowledges warning Kraus to leave "before your teeth end up on the ground." Kraus declined comment on the fracas.

"Votes got split," says Khari Mosley, the local head of the League of Young Voters. All along, grassroots progressives worried that Koch was too close to the Democratic old guard. But they didn't rally behind Kraus until a Feb 12 candidates' forum held by Progress Pittsburgh and other groups. By then, "The race had gotten personal," Mosley says. "By the time people started talking about narrowing the field, it was too late."

Krane says that Kraus supporters claimed "I was put in the race by (Mayor Bob) O'Connor. ... No one who knows me has ever questioned my independence." But, he adds, "Call me a spoiler if you like; it's OK with me."

Kraus declines to do so. "Krane took some votes," he says, "but we had everything working against us. We lost the (Democratic) endorsement; we were the last name on the ballot. God knows there were enough other candidates on the ballot. ... But as a first-time candidate, we did well.

There had been hopes that Pitt students, who live on the district's Oakland outskirts, might play a decisive role. But despite a get-out-the-vote effort Mosley's organization targeted at students, only 93 votere were cast at Pitt's Posvar Hall polling place.

The League of Young Voters sought to register 1,000 students for the election; Mosely hoped 300 would vote. "It was an ambitious goal," Mosley says. But I'm disappointed we didn't reach it."

Still, Mosley observes, "Many districts had fewer votes than Pitt did." And even that, organizers contend, is a step forward.

"Students showed up in suprising numbers, given the extent to which they were ignored," says Andrea Boykowicz, an Oakland resident and member of Progress Pittsburgh. The candidates focused on issues such as litter and graffiti, which she says didn't resonate with students.

Koch will hold office only for 18 months, to fill out the rest of Ricciardi's term. His top legislative priority? "The same thing I said all along: trying to get Warrington Avenue repaved." As for the majority of voters who picked someone else, "I need to convince them that they made the wrong choice."

Neither Krane nor Kraus will say whether they plan to run again. But Boykowicz will be watching.

"Kraus made a respectable showing," she says. "He could run again, and I'll be intereted to see if he makes his platform more meaningful. If not, there are other people we can run."

-- by Chris Potter

Saturday evening concert: ISLA

Calliope Legends Concerts & The First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh present ISLA at 8 pm on March 25, 2006.

First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh is at 605 Morewood Avenue, Shadyside.

Admission is $15.00 at the Door, Students pay $5.00.

Catch ISLA live on the Saturday Light Brigade (SLB) 88.3 WRCT- FM, with Larry Berger the morning of the concert, March 25. They also will appear on the SLB Variety Show at the SLB Studio in the Children's Museum, 1:30 PM. Based in Nashville, TN, ISLA performs traditional Celtic [favoring Scottish] and American music. They will perform as a duo and have been featured on public radio, including such syndicated programs as Thistle and Shamrock, Celtic Connections, The Folk Sampler, and Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour. http://islamusic.com

---

Coyote, April 8, 2006: The songwriting duo of Marcy Brenner and Lou Castro
makes the beautiful island of Ocracoke, NC their home.
http://www.coyotemusic.net

Getting submarined

Empty plate.

Often, a strong position to take on the campaign trails is the fact that the candidate is a "business person." For sure, that statement scores some points with some folks. But, I don't give it much value at first blush. There are many other follow-up questions that I want to know beyond the business person label. What kind of business was it? What ax is there now to grind? Was it a fast-food business -- woops. Sorry Bob. I might be walking on some holy ground with that question and associated judgements.

Eric H in the Trib talks about a state rep who is going overboard -- with over-reaching from the halls of government. We don't need to get in the way of business people and too often PA's elected leaders do the wrong things.

Hmmm ... lawmaker feeling not so toasty - PittsburghLIVE.com Daley insisted his company's management was not responsible for its failing. He blamed Quiznos' rigid rules for contributing to the downfall not only of the Quiznos his company operated, but also of several others in Western Pennsylvania.

'One time, we ran out of (Quiznos) provolone cheese, so we went to Sam's Club and got some more,' he recalled.

'During our monthly inspection, Quiznos found we weren't using the right cheese and so they put us in default. You get just two defaults, they can shut you down.'

Curiously, most franchises appear to be able to avoid the second default. One of the quick-service restaurant industry's fastest-growing chains, Quiznos has more than 4,500 locations throughout the United States and 15 other countries.

Asked specifically what he wants authorities to investigate, Daley said he wants a probe of a corporate business model that 'really, in my mind, doesn't really work for a lot of franchises.'

The All Star Game is being played in Pittsburgh in the summer of 2006, as it was here in the past, in 1959. I don't remember that game, but I was alive then.

Kenneth Miller to Police Chief Costa -- in advance of the All Star Game in Pittsburgh

March 23, 2006

Dominic J Costa, Chief of Police
1203 Western Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15233
Phone 412-323-7814
Fax 412-323-7820

Chief Costa,

The Pittsburgh Anti Sweatshop Community Alliance is planning a large demonstration to take place on Roberto Clemente Bridge and around PNC Park before, during and after the July 11 Major League Sweatshop All Star Game. We are planning on approximately 5,000 Pittsburghers and several bus loads of workers from Baltimore, amongst other places, to join us in our demand that the Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Club publicly request that MLB lock its apparel licensing agreements into the factories where the apparel is being sewn now, what we call the ALL STAR MULIT FIBER FREEZE. It is very possible that the Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Club will agree to this before the Sweatshop All Star Game, in which case our demonstration will become celebration.

As a co-founder for the Pittsburgh Anti Sweatshop Community Alliance and someone who spent many game days standing next to the Roberto Clemente statue talking to Pirate Fans about sweatshops, no one is more concerned for the safety of everyone at PNC Park than I am. I do not believe that we need a permit for the Major League Sweatshop All Star demonstration and that the rules and regulations spelled out in the federal consent decree between me, Joel Woller, Michelle Gaffey and Kevin Maley (the plaintiffs) and the City of Pittsburgh (4/9/02) is adequate for our needs. Please inform us at the earliest possible opportunity if you have any reason to believe that any aspect of this Federal Consent Agreement could be changed or suspended in anyway on or before July 11, 2006.

Please also be advised that “Flying Squads” will be active throughout the city in the days immediately leading up to the Major League Sweatshop All Star Game in front of restaurants and hotels with leaflets and signs. We also plan to leaflet on the sidewalk underneath the David L Laurence Convention Center. There is some confusion on the part of the Convention Center management team as to whether this sidewalk area is indeed a public sidewalk where our free speech rights and non commercial solicitation rights are in full effect.

Finally, members of Pittsburgher’s waterfront and non-motor boating community have expressed interest in launching a Pirate Sweatshop Armada from the Waterfront Feature of the David L Laurence Convention Center and paddle across the Allegheny River to PNC Park during the Major League Sweatshop All Star Game. I will be taking this up with members of the David L Laurence Convention Center team, who I suspect will be delighted with positive attention the Convention Center will receive and members of the River Front Safety Task Force who will probably want to provide some sort of a river escort for the Pirate Sweatshop Armada. Members of the Pirate Sweatshop Armada will need to assemble their boats and safety gear some where near the Waterfront Feature and I suspect we need a permit for such a staging area.

Thank you for your attention to all of the security, permit and free speech issues that will arise in the context of the 2006 Sweatshop All Star Game at PNC Park. As a primary organizer, I will make myself available to work with you. All the members of PASCA will very much appreciate being promptly advised of any anticipated suspensions or changes to the frame work of our Federal Consent Agreement that may be requested by other parties.

Pittsburgh is an important place in the history of the world. We have a history of labor struggle and free speech struggle that we need to embrace during this period of time. A message of solidarity to workers in the global apparel industry is the message that is going to come out of Pittsburgh in the context of the 2006 Sweatshop All Star Game. This is a message we can all be truly proud of. It is certainly the hope of PASCA members that by standing up with people in other parts of the world we will learn to more effectively stand up for ourselves.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Miller

Cc: Elizabeth Pittinger, Civilian Police Review Board
Witold Walczak, Pittsburgh Chapter of the ACLU

---

All-star summers.
I love this idea of a PIRATE Sweatshop Armada. Next, we need to get the Women of RollerDerby to agree to use the right equipment and uniforms -- and lend their support to the activities of the summer.

Rink leaders bond while starting roller derby league

We should be giving the keys to the now closed, indoor ice rink to these women. They'd be able to use the facility anytime after, say, 7:30 pm. Then they'd be able to practice in the city and we'd be able to get some real planning done. And, I don't mean a weenie feasability study like they do at the SSLDC that isn't worth the paper its printed on.

Rink leaders bond while starting roller derby league Members of the Steel City Derby Demons roller derby league take off during a recent practice at the Romp 'N Roll in Shaler.

New York City Adding 800 Police Officers, Bloomberg Announces - New York Times

This is where your family and friends have moved?

Where do you get the job applications?

New York City Adding 800 Police Officers, Bloomberg Announces - New York Times Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced this morning that New York City would add 800 police officers and 400 civilians to the 36,450-officer Police Department in the largest city-financed expansion of the nation's largest police force since the Safe Streets/Safe City program began in 1993 under the Dinkins administration.

In announcing the 3 percent expansion of the Police Department, Mr. Bloomberg said the officers were needed because the city had grown by 125,000 residents since 2001, when he was elected, and was expected to add an additional 200,000 over the next five years. 'An increase that size would be like adding the entire city of Pittsburgh to the five boroughs,' he said.

CLOH = Come Live Over Here.

NYC has departed from its one-party rule death grip, by the way.

What do you think of -- or make of -- this approach: Ignore the Incumbent

A suggested "Ignore the Incumbent" campaign for the non-contested spring 2006 primary might be a good idea if there is no challenger to the incumbent in that primary. It would show the incumbent is in trouble in November.

Pitt Sports Blather -- Rantings on the Panthers

Pitt Sports Blather -- Rantings on the Panthers: "Bradley-Pitt: Media Recap, Playing Well In Peoria " Wonderful recap of Bradley's win from the Blue and Gold sidelines.

-- Its degree.

-- Trip home.

-- Hugs.

Pittsburgh League of Young Voters meeting on Tuesday

Pittsburgh League of Young Voters Office located @ the Union Project: 801 N. Negley Ave. #5

When: Tues. 3/21/06 @ 7pm

Find out how you can get involved in one of more of our many activities:

* Elections
* Lobbying
* Civic Education
* Coalition Building
* Non- Traditional Grassroots Organizing
* Media
* and more

For more info contact: pittsburgh@indyvoter.org and www.pittsburgh.indyvoter.org
.

International Studies -- Magnet Programs in Pittsburgh -- Rigor

Frick Middle School will host a meeting on Monday, April 3, 2006, at 6:30 P.M. for parents and teachers of students in the International Studies Magnet Schools.

Chess anyone?

Tournament details for a chess event for kids on April 8 are found in the comments area.

Pittsburgh Task Force disbands, cites success in fulfilling mission - Pittsburgh - MSNBC.com

Pittsburgh Task Force disbands, cites success in fulfilling mission - Pittsburgh - MSNBC.com Pittsburgh Task Force disbands, cites success in fulfilling mission

Too bad the URA, Parking Authority and Stadium Authority can't be as swift in pulling the plug on itself as this group just did.

We've got a lot of dead weight among various groups that should go away. Tops among the groups -- the OVERLORDS. Let's merge the ICA and the Act 47 Coordinators. We don't need two groups.

The Pittsburgh Gambling group got a wake up call last week from the Trib. The next day the P-G reported how they are "gearing up" for something. I doubt it.

Even in the neighborhoods, plenty of groups are but shells for padding resumes and do next to nothing. I'd say it is time for some spring cleaning.

Pulling the plug on an organization takes some courage. It is often harder to end a group and liquidate its mission and other tidbits rather than start a new group.

I'd love to see an inventory and assessment of all the various groups within the city and county. Then various filters and grades could be given to them as to their effective operation and impact into the quality of life of the people in the city.

What sparks some talented women to run for public office while legions of others stay on the sidelines

Invitations, eCards, Party Ideas, Party Themes from Evite: "GAAP, Women's Center, Office of Gender Issues, Pre-Law Society
Location: The Heinz School, Room 1000 of Hamb
4800 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA View Map
When: Friday, March 24, 5:00pm
Phone: 412-491-9938
What sparks some talented women to run for public office while legions of others stay on the sidelines?

Guys don't have a monopoly on stupidity.

Some women run for public office because they don't have a life. That makes those women just like some of the men who run for public office and don't have a life either.

Some women run for public office because they need a job. That makes them much like the men who run for public office because they need a job and don't want to grow too old and still need to drive a truck for DPW.

Some women run for public office because they've had it up to here with the folly from our present day public officials who blunder repeatedly on things that just don't matter while they ignore the things that do count greatly in the lives of everyday citizens.

Some see the glass half empty. Others see the glass half full. And still others see the grime-coated vessel as something that is due for a good scrubbing and something that we'd never want our children to handle, yet alone drink from.

Middle-class peeves cost more money than exists | The Register

Middle-class peeves cost more money than exists | The Register Now let's wrap up with the NCAA Tournament representing $3.8bn in lost productivity, the Super Bowl, which represents $821.4m in lost productivity, and the World Series, which represents $465m in lost productivity.

We come up with a grand total of $7.39 trillion - well in excess of the $6.70 trillion that actually exists. That's right, when you allow for the basic costs that we've all got to put up with, and the inevitable losses to criminals like Ken Lay and Ted Bundy, and then pile on the items that meddling little turds hate to see us enjoying, it all costs more money than there is.

Unfortunately, our little study is incomplete. We can only wonder what the social costs are from needless worry and stress brought on by the torrent of fraudulent statistics concocted by finger-wagging, middle-class farts.

Now that would be a number worth knowing.

a hundred thousand bloggers can't be wrong: when the lights go out in the arena...

How do we know that this was no marketing stunt by the Pens or someone else? HOW.

a hundred thousand bloggers can't be wrong: when the lights go out in the arena... This was no marketing stunt by the Penguins to show the need for a new arena. We all know that already. This is what happens to an arena built in 1961 that serves as the oldest arena in sports still to have teams play in. It poses some serious issues to the Penguins and the city.

First Blind Athlete finishes race

RACHAEL SCDORIS BECOMES FIRST BLIND ATHLETE TO FINISH IDITAROD

(Colorado Springs, Colo.) - USABA athlete Rachael Scdoris (Bend, Ore.) has made history as she has finished the 2006 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and has become the first legally blind athlete to accomplish this quest.

The Iditarod is the world's longest sled dog race and covers some of the most brutal terrain on earth and at 21 years-old, Rachael finished the 1,049 mile race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska in 12 days, 11 hours and 42 minutes. She drove her team into the finishing chute at the famed Burled Arch at 1:42am AKST which clocked her average speed during the race at 3.607 miles per hour. That put her in 57th place overall and 7th among the rookies. Rachael has endured freezing temperatures reaching as low as 52 degrees below zero and sleepless nights along with her visual interpreter, Tim Osmar (Ninilchik, Alaska), a veteran Iditarod racer who communicates
turns and obstacles to her via a two-way radio. Tim gave up his chances of winning the race in order to help Rachael reach the finish line.

Rachael's dream started many years ago as she grew up around mushing with her father, Jerry Scdoris who also raced. At the age of 8, Rachael got the desire to mush and announced to her parents that she was going to win the Iditarod one day. Rachael has overcome numerous obstacles and challenges in order for this day to arrive. She has put in an innumerable amount of hours of hard work and training to reach Nome, she is a true winner and hero to countless individuals.

Rachael's determination to achieve her dream has created new hope and inspiration for athletes who are blind and visually impaired. Her efforts to raise money in conjunction with The Standard, her main sponsor, will benefit the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes and will have a profound impact on changing the lives of numerous blind and visually athletes who are working to achieve their own dreams. There is still time to make a gift, please visit www.gorachaelgo.com for more information.

Outdoor Life Network will broadcast the 2006 Iditarod starting March 18th with additional episodes airing on March 25th and April 1st. Check your local listings for times or visit www.olntv.com.

The mission of the United States Association of Blind Athletes is to increase the number and quality of grassroots-through-competitive, world-class athletic opportunities for Americans who are blind or visually impaired. For more information, visit our website www.usaba.org.

Capitol Ideas Blog

Treasure chest of ideas -- and a cross-link from a podcast.

Mcall.com: Capitol Ideas Blog: "State Democratic Party officials lashed out at Republican gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann yesterday, saying the former Pittsburgh Steelers star showed 'his ignorance of policy' when he criticized Gov. Ed's plan to require lobbyists to register with the executive branch.
On Thursday, Swann said Rendell's proposal was toothless because it included no penalties for lobbyists who fail to disclose how much they spend to influence the executive branch.
That prompted a return salvo from Democratic spinmeister Abe Amoros who said the state constitution forbids Gov. Ed from penalizing people who do not work for him. The same doesn't hold true for the state Senate, which bars lobbyists for five years for failing to dislcose their activities."

Low Turnover Rate -- no joke

The Times-Tribune - AP News: "HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Like an exclusive club, the Pennsylvania General Assembly caters to its members. And once you're in, you're in.
The 253 lawmakers enjoy one of the nation's highest re-election rates, thanks to a system that makes challenges a daunting task, a high public profile that comes with legislative service and an array of image-enhancement services and other tools to help protect incumbents from losing elections.
In the past decade, no more than five legislators have been ousted in any election year - an outcome that raises questions about whether the democratic process has been undermined in Pennsylvania."

Being Braves -- and "Do more with Les"

I'm not talking about Les Ludwig. Rather, Jim Les, the Bradley University Men's Basketball Coach who guided his team past the Panthers this afternoon and is able to advance to the Sweet 16 in the tournament. The Braves are now America's Cinderella Team.

When I coached swimming in Peoria, and at Bradley, Jim Les was a player on the team.

Bradley Holds Off Pittsburgh, 72-66, In Second Round Of NCAA Tournament - Carl Krauser had 17 points for the Panthers. 'Being part of this program spanning 30 years ... to see the jubilation on the faces of those people, and getting the calls and text messages from people enjoying this run, that gives me tremendous pleasure,' said coach Jim Les, a former BU point guard. 'Bradley basketball is back on the map in a big way.'

Penn State student critically injured in fall

The War On Drugs -- even Underage Drinking -- causes some strange behaviors. Don't do this. Be safe.

Penn State student critically injured in fall A Penn State student was critically injured when he fell about five stories while trying to climb down a makeshift rope as police were busting an underage drinking party in a campus dormitory Friday night, authorities said.

Police said Ryan P. Walton, 19, of Harleysville, tied a bedspread and sheet together and tried to climb down from a sixth-story window while university police officers were questioning partygoers in another room on the State College, Centre County campus.

Mr. Walton fell about 55 feet, landing on grass, dirt and gravel. He suffered severe internal injuries, the university reported.

He was in critical condition last night at Altoona Hospital in Blair County.

We need more fitness. Perhaps this guy can help us deliver it.

Welcome to BillOgden.org My present job description involves: Improving the quality of peoples lives--Physically, Mentally, Emotionally, and sometimes Spiritually.

The kids around Pennsylvania are slated to take the PSEA tests this week and next. Good luck! For me, I'm getting set for two more field trips. One is this week and the other next week. This photo is from a field trip with the kids from a prior year. That's Grant, front and center. Erik is over his shoulder. We all scream for ice cream.

Crossing Guards are fully funded in the new budget. Bob O'Connor released the new city budget the day after the election. Throughout the campaign, I spoke and posted frequently on the needed for the city to fund crossing guards again.

The photo shows a typical crossing guard in Chengdu, China. Crossing guards there are decked out in an orange vest, hat, flag, white gloves and -- perhaps -- and umbrella. I think that there is a badge/name-tag too.

Go Russ!

Story of another coach with some political side-jobs

Coaching is big in my life, and that of others. I was a high school swim coach throughout my time as a college undergraduate too. And, I was also a college coach as well.

The Duquesne Duke: Serving Duquesne University Since 1925 Corey's down-to-earth attitude is evident in the way he talks about those who mean the most to him, his family and his team of little leaguers. In fact, one of the main reasons that Corey chose to attend Duquesne was because of his three young nieces and the 15 little league kids that he had coached.

'The little league kids were worried about me,' Corey said with a smile.

His desire to become an elementary teacher is shown through his dedication to youngsters. According to Corey, he would frequently pick up his nieces at school. 'When I studied at American, they would call me every Friday,' O'Connor recalled.

O'Connor was recently hired as the new golf coach at Central Catholic in Oakland, his alma mater. He plans to coach there in the fall, and upon completing his student teaching requirement next spring, Corey will graduate in May 2007.

If Corey is looking for free things to give out, because folks are asking for them, perhaps I should get him a big stack of my CDs and a pocket full of the artistic Pittsburgh buttons with fold foil, Platform.For-Pgh.org.

O'Connor, GOP meet - PittsburghLIVE.com

Good job Bob. Keep it up. You should have invited some city Republicans to the meeting as well. What about the city's GOP chair? What about Bob's loyal opposition -- Joe Weinroth?

O'Connor, GOP meet - PittsburghLIVE.com O'Connor is tending to Pittsburgh's ties to Harrisburg to draw a distinction between his administration and that of his predecessor Tom Murphy, who spurned such political overtures.

Republican Sens. Jane Claire Orie, of McCandless, and John Pippy, of Moon, and Reps. Michael Diven, of Brookline, Mark Mustio, of Moon, and Tom Stevenson, of Mt. Lebanon, met with O'Connor yesterday.

I wonder what was the dynamic of getting those folks together -- if there was any interesting rub, or not. I don't know. Makes me giggle a bit.

Shifting gears a bit, today I was driving and tuned into a KQV radio show, The Global Press Conference, and its sponsor, the World Affairs Council of Pgh. The guest talked about South Africa. Nelson Mandella was President for five years, and Mandella had the ability of making his worst enemy feel welcomed and included in the formation of the new government. Such a great statement and way to be. When a nation is just getting on its feet and into the realm of healing, that outreach is very important.

Perhaps Bob will be calling upon Greens and Libertarians to the office for lunch. Next Bob could host gang-bangers for mid-day tea. (I'm joking!)

Bradley University Braves - Home

Bradley University Braves - Home Bradley University

Do the Bradley Braves need to change its school's mascot? Wasn't there some new pressure to get away from Native American Indian names, such as "the Braves?" What's up with that?

varsity records at MSU and Mark Lisenby

varsity records 50 free Mark Lisenby 20.17 1990

I was just pondering a few things from my past -- and found this page showing the team record of Michigan State's men swim team. It shows Mark Lisenby's time from 1990, 20.17. He was fast. I coached him when he was a swimmer in Peoria, perhaps his 7th and 8th grade years.

MSU got bounced, I think, from the men's NCAA Basketball tournament.

But -- PEORIA's Bradley University is IN... and playing Pitt.

I was the acting head swim coach at Bradley University in the past too. Those were the days.

Bradley later dropped its swim program. The team was strong back then and full of many strong swimmers and students.

We went against Iowa, Notre Dame (and beat them and a Bradley swimmer even set a new pool record in South Bend), and other top programs from throughout the midwest.

Free Pittsburgh Press Release Centre from PittsburghSource.net

Free Pittsburgh Press Release Centre from PittsburghSource.net Our only requirement is that it is from or about a Pittsburgh based company or organization.
Since this service is FREE, we do ask that you include a link back to our site from yours, or at least tell a friend about us.

Governor calls on youth to help revitalize politics

The Times-Tribune - News - 03/17/2006 - Governor calls on youth to help revitalize politics “Young people, I find, generally ... are less cynical, less beaten down, more optimistic and more idealistic about the world. We need those voters in the system,” he (Gov. Rendell) said.

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - one given to the voters of District 3

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - PittsburghLIVE.com Lance: To voters. There are more than 24,000 registered voters in Pittsburgh City Council District 3. Fewer than 14 percent bothered to vote in Tuesday's special election to choose a successor to Gene Ricciardi, now a district justice. The winner, with about 1,500 votes, was Jeff Koch, a city public works employee. We wish Mr. Koch the best of luck. Perhaps he can figure out a way to boost voter participation.

In other news, the Trib endorsement for District 3 is .... absent with out leave.

Oak Hill housing advocates plan march tomorrow

Oak Hill housing advocates plan march tomorrow: "Some residents of the Hill District's Oak Hill section plan to march tomorrow to demand housing on a piece of land also coveted by the University of Pittsburgh.

'We're going to be demanding what was promised to us - more housing on empty public housing land,' said Oak Hill Residents Council President Eloise McDonald. 'It's now time to take it to the streets.'

The march will start at noon at Allequippa Hall and proceed to Wadsworth Hall. State Rep. Jake Wheatley, Pittsburgh Councilwoman Tonya Payne and Urban League of Pittsburgh President Esther Bush are expected to speak."

Steelers to add more seats to stadium

A $4-million expansion is slated for Heinz Field to get 700 additional club seats. So each seat is to cost $5,714 to build.

That's about the same as a cost of a crossing guard, yes?

PennLive.com: NewsFlash - Steelers plan more club seats PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers plan to add about 700 club seats at Heinz Field.

'The Steelers are pleased to be in a position to expand the seating capacity at Heinz Field. The demand for club seats has proven to be very strong since moving to Heinz Field,' Steelers president Art Rooney said Thursday.

The team submitted the plans to the Sports and Exhibition Authority, the city-county entity which owns the stadium and leases it to the team.

The additional seats would bring the stadium's capacity to 65,050. The project also includes adding about 20,000 square feet of enclosed club space. Construction is scheduled to begin in April at a cost of approximately $4 million.

The seats will be offered to those on the season ticket waiting list and some season ticket holders who want club seats."

How about if the Steelers just purchased Heinz Field. Buy it outright. Then the Steelers organization can do whatever it wants to its stadium.

This is what big government looks like

My Way News Senate Passes $2.8 Trillion 2007 Budget

Mayor reports that his unconventional approach has 'worked so far'

Mayor reports that his unconventional approach has 'worked so far' Keeping the Penguins in town is 'a big priority,' he said. 'An arena is crucial.'

Why? Because the Pens say it is so?

Why not invest in a better hockey team rather than the building that the team plays within. The building does not score any goals.

I'd like to see someone prove the facts and figures of the hockey mess and why the arena is cricial.

Philly Locals Want Green Bay Packers-Style Ownership For 2 Papers

Philly Locals Want Green Bay Packers-Style Ownership For 2 Papers Philly Locals Want Green Bay Packers-Style Ownership For 2 Papers

By Mark Fitzgerald

Published: March 15, 2006 1:55 PM ET

CHICAGO A former high-powered Philadelphia advertising executive has received commitments 'well in excess of $100 million' to buy The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Philadelphia Daily News in an ownership structure similar to the community-owned Green Bay Packers pro football team, he told E&P Wednesday.

Brian Tierney said he has lined up 20 'super-successful' Philadelphia businesspeople in an investment group ready to partner with others, including the Newspaper Guild, to buy the papers. The Inquirer and the tabloid Daily News were sold Monday by Knight Ridder to The McClatchy Co., which immediately announced they and 10 other papers were for sale.

In a telephone interview, Tierney said the group was committed to long-term ownership. 'We're looking at this as partly a good economic investment, and partly as good community involvement,' he said. 'It would be a sort of Green Bay Packers kind of ownership.'"

What about this type of ownership for the Pittsburgh Penguins? We talked about it a couple of months ago -- when I was in the election. Well, now, I've got more time on my hands.

If the Philly papers get the deal with community ownership, perhaps we could get them to start an entry into the Pittsburgh marketplace too.

Poynteronline warns of end of stock pages in newspapers

NYT Stock Pages: Buh-Bye! It makes little -- all right, no -- sense for daily newspapers (with a handful of exceptions) to print pages and pages of stock prices. Statistical research might prove me wrong, but I believe most investors go
online to check their stocks, bonds, mutual funds and so forth these days. Also, they rely on e-mail or mobile alerts about major price changes or news developments, portfolios that show the value of individual and total investments, and so forth.

My son's gifted program does not even use the newspaper to track their pretend stock investments.

War Rally this weekend and other events

A big peace rally is slated for Saturday. I can't attend. But these items caught my attention:

AFTER THE MARCH is a screening of Why We Fight at the Regent Square Theater (1035 S. Braddock Ave, Edgewood) at 9:15 pm. Why We Fight is Eugene Jarecki's new documentary about the military industrial complex.

The Iraqle Debacle Concert to Mark the 3rd Anniversary of the War in Iraq is a concert to benefit the New Orleans Musicians on
Sunday, March 19, from 7 pm to 11 pm at Brillobox, 4104 Penn Avenue (Lawrenceville) with Anne Feeney, Jack Erdie, Mark Dignam, HutchSimonProject, John Marsiglio of the Knobs, Duo Prime of Turn and Gene Collier. Suggested donation: $10.

More at http://www.PittsburghEndTheWar.org.

Tuesday, March 21: “Spy In” on Government Spying

The feds are spying on us. You've heard of sit-ins, sleep-ins and die-ins. Well, you are invited to resist government spying and join us for SPY-IN. On Tuesday, March 21, 12:00 noon at the Federal Building (Grant and Liberty, Downtown). Dress in spy gear (trench coats, black suits/fedoras (a la Abramoff), sunglasses, etc. -- try your local thrift shop). Bring cameras, toy cameras, note pads, binoculars, telescopes.

- What does the federal government know and when did they first know it?

- What are the spooks doing with all of our tax dollars?

- Why aren't the feds investigating their own -- those who lied about going into Iraq, those who say they don't need to get approval from anyone to spy on US citizens, those taking illegal campaign "contributions" from lobbyists?

- Why can't we sit in on THEIR planning meetings, THEIR discussions, take pictures of THEM going in and out of the federal building (afterall, they are paid with OUR tax dollars and are ultimately accountable to US)?

Is this action ridiculous? Sure it is. But so is the Pentagon, the NSA and the FBI spying on US citizens and groups with no history of violence or threats to anyone. Our intent is to spoof the spooks!

For more information visit www.PittsburghEndtheWar.org or email spooks@pittsburghendthewar.org or call 412-361-3022. This action is called by the Thomas Merton Center Anti-War Committee and the Pittsburgh Bill of Rights Defense Campaign.

Pgh Public Schools -- key communicator meeting for March 30

We are embarking on yet another exciting time in the lives of the Pittsburgh Public School children and you, as a Key Communicator, play a very important role.

As a Key Communicator whether you are affected by a closing school or receiving school, this is an opportunity to utilize the leadership skills you have that brought you to the table. Working collaboratively with other parents will help to make the transition process a lot smoother.

Information will be shared on how you will play a key role in the transition process that the district has been working on to make this experience a smooth and rewarding one for all involved.

The March 30th meeting will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. in Conference Room A. A light dinner will be served for those who register.

Please call Wanda Spencer @ 412-622-3617 no later than March 27th to register.

Parent Wellness Workshop - REMINDER - meeting is MONDAY (tonight)

First posted on March 16, 2006.

Calling All Parents!
You are cordially invited to a special “Health/Wellness” Information Session from 6 to 8 pm, Monday April 3, 2006, Conference Room A, first floor, 341 S. Bellefield Avenue.
Presentations:
* University of Pittsburgh Minority Health Center
* PPS Wellness Policy
* Food Services
* Step 2 Diabetes
* Panel discussions

Sponsored by the Title I DWPAC. Eat well- Stay Healthy-Keep Fit!

RSVP to Toni Corinealdi by March 31, 2006 at 412-622-3615

Light Dinner for those who Register!

Golden Dot goes to Clean Sweep site -- way to go

PACleanSweep Takes 2006 'Golden Dot' Award

ANNVILLE, PA [03.16.06] - The George Washington University's Institute for Politics, Democracy & the Internet awarded PACleanSweep the Golden Dot Award for excellence in online campaigning at its annual Politics Online Conference at The George Washington University.
Golden Dot Award Winner The 2006 Golden Dot Awards recognize outstanding achievement in the use of the Internet as a political tool between the dates of January 21, 2005 and January 20, 2006.

PACleanSweep was one of five finalists nominated for the Institute's Best PAC or Nonpartisan Internet Campaign award. PACleanSweep and winners in other categories were announced at last weekend's conference.

"The Internet is a printing press without the overhead," said PACleanSweep Chair Russ Diamond. "Like pamphleteers in revolutionary Philadelphia, Internet users have taken advantage of a very inexpensive method of transmitting information to a much wider readership."

PACleanSweep was launched on July 18, 2005. Since then, the website has logged nearly 5.5 million hits from 200,000 unique visitors. Over 675,000 pages and 4.1 million files have been requested by visitors to pacleansweep.com.

Nearly 11,000 posts by 620 members of the PACleanSweep online discussion group have kept individuals across Pennsylvania informed of the group's activities in raising 96 candidates - to date - to run for legislative seats.

"We set out to be a springboard for local grassroots activity," added Diamond, "and this award is a sign that we've accomplished that to some degree. We proudly accept it on behalf of our 5900 subscribers, volunteers and candidates. It belongs to them."

Santorum's primary challenger, ex-L, John Featherman, drops out of race

Let's talk about the flat-tax.

PennLive.com: NewsFlash - Santorum's primary challenger drops out of race Featherman got just under 48,000 votes in a race against Santorum, Democrat Ron Klink and two other candidates as the Libertarian Party's nominee in 2000. He also ran unsuccessfully for Congress in a special election in 1998.

Santorum sent a letter to ask for a debate.

Training for 2006 State Candidates and Campaign Staff

Education Issues Workshop, A Non-Partisan One-Day Program for Pennsylvania Legislative Candidates and Staff, Sponsored by The Education Policy and Leadership Center

8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Friday, March 17 – Valley Forge

Saturday, March 18 – Monroeville

Tuesday, March 21 – Harrisburg

For Voters and Candidates in Pennsylvania, Education Issues will be key topics in the 2006 Campaign.

Are you Ready?

Will you be the candidate best prepared to discuss these issues?

Will your campaign material and your statements highlight these issues?

Will you have the best ideas?

Will you be a leader?

Will you do your best in this campaign?

Learn More About These Important Education Issues:

"No Child Left Behind" (NCLB)
Governor's Proposed 06-07 Education Budget
State Academic Standards PA's Education Funding System
State Assessments for Students
Act 72 of 2004
Governance of Public Education Property Tax Relief Proposals
Local vs. State Control Local Referendum
Early Childhood Education Special Education Funding
Teacher Quality and Supply Issues Charter Schools & Cyber Schools
School Leadership Home Schooling
State Initiatives to Help Struggling Districts & Students
Higher Education Governance
State Takeovers of Districts Higher Education Funding
State Education Policy Levers Community Colleges

Only $59 for entire Workshop including lunch and the 2006 Issues Workbook. (Campaign funds may be used for tuition and travel expenses.)

Workshop Registration Form

Workshop Agenda

7:30 a.m. Registration/Coffee

8:15 a.m. Welcome

Introduction to Resource Book & Materials
8:30 a.m. K-12 Educational Governance in Pennsylvania
Federal-State-Local Roles
State-Level Education Governance
Governor, PDE, Legislature, State Board of Education
State-Level Education Policymaking Process – Statutes & Regulations
Policy Levers Available to State Policymakers
School Districts, School Boards and Superintendents

9:30 a.m. Standards-Based Reforms in Pennsylvania

Background of Standards-Based Reforms in PA
Requirements and Impact of “No Child Left Behind” Act
Assessment Issues
Accountability and Consequences
Key Issues for State Policymakers


10:30 a.m. Break

10:45 a.m. State Policies to Support Student Achievement

“What Works” and Educational Capacity at the School, District & State Level
Interventions for Failing Schools and Students
Early Care and Education
Pre-School and Kindergarten
Teachers and School Leaders - Quality and Supply
Parents and Community
High School Reform – PA Project 720
SBE Project – PAGE 1
School Choice (Vouchers, Charters, Home Schooling, etc.)
PDE Web Site resources

12:00 p.m. Lunch & Networking

12:45 p.m. Education Finance

Understanding PA Education Funding System
History, What’s Wrong, How We Got This Way
Special Issues: Special Education, Charter Schools, Construction
Principles of a Sound Education Funding System
Review of Rendell Administration Initiatives
Governor’s 2006-07 Education Budget Proposal
Act 72 of 2004
Update on Special Session on Property Tax Relief
Key Issues for State Policymakers

2:15 p.m. Break

2:30 p.m. Higher Education Issues
Governance
Funding
Student Aid
2004 National Report Card on Higher Education
2006 Report on Condition of Higher Education in Pennsylvania

3:30 p.m. Q & A with Panel of State Policy Leaders and Advocates

4:45 p.m. Other Information Resources and Wrap-Up

5:00 p.m. Adjourn

The Education Issues Workshop is sponsored by The Education Policy and Leadership Center, 800 North Third Street, Suite 408, Harrisburg, Pa. 17102 - 717-260-9900 - www.eplc.org

My next race is expected to be this...

Pittsburgh Triathlon & Adventure Race Sunday, August 6, 2006

I might do some other races between now and then. You never know.

Storm of challenges precedes May primary election

Storm of challenges precedes May primary election Oh my gosh.

VICTORY smells like this: Mayor O'Connor reveals his spending plan for Pittsburgh

Mayor O'Connor reveals his spending plan for Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O'Connor released a revised city budget yesterday that would boost spending by $28 million over last year, increase police coverage and fully fund school crossing guards and the Fire Bureau.

Read those words.... FULLY FUND SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS.

The loyal readers to this blog and the one's on the campaign trails know that I've been standing on my head to say that we need to bring back the crossing guards.

This is how WE win.

If you want to be SAFE -- then you don't move the police station out of the zone and out of the city. Clueless. That was a suggestion from Kraus at a campaign event.

The way to move in a real effort to being safe is to put the crossing guards back on the streets. And, to re-tool them with additional support.

Furthermore, one of the other candidates in the recent election worked with the OLD city councilman. He was unhappy to hear me blame the past city council for its FUMBLES in funding the crossing guards. Jason Phillips, G, worked with Gene Ricciardi, D, when those cuts came. And, the cuts came at repeated instances.

The city screwed up here. We need to fix another of Tom Murphy's messes.

If we want a safe 1,000 foot zone around the schools -- start by putting CROSSING GUARDS back into the neighborhoods. That is a budget and funding issue first. That is a duty of the city's budget, not the school budget.

Slots group silent

Perfect! Great theme to this article.

Slots group silent - PittsburghLIVE.com: "Slots group silent

By Andrew Conte, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, March 16, 2006

In the three months since Pittsburgh's Gaming Task Force last met, a new mayor has taken office and three bidders for the city's slots casino began marketing details of competitive, multimillion-dollar plans.

But no one has heard from the task force, a group charged with exploring the impact a casino could have on the city.

Right on the mark. Not only is the gaming task force silent -- but what about the blasted GRAFITTI TASK FORCE? Bruce Kraus was so quick to mention all his experience with that group -- and the group is SILENT. What about the Chamber of Commerce? Silent mostly.

What about the PARK's BLUEPRINT or whatever the SSLDC did about a "feasibilty study" of the now closed, lone indoor ice rink and "green space" in the South Side.

These groups put forth by Tom Murphy are "weenie groups" that did little to nothing except pad resumes. And those that used them to pad their resumes are 'do-little takers' from the community too.

Rick B is on that task force -- and that task force is a JOKE.

They always try to "HIRE CONSULTANTS" and make "studies." Then they don't even get the reports printed up. Nor are the reports put online. And, when you try to get your input into the reports, they are ignored.

This is the same old "mode of operation" of dozens and dozens of groups around here. Then when one group really figures out how to kick up smoke, say the WEST PITTSBURGH PARTNERSHIP, they teach the others how to do the same tricks to hoodwink.

And, on top of all of this -- the I.C.A. and Act 47 Task Force -- are absent too. And those OVERLORDS don't meet and work on the problems before us all either.

We don't want 'free rides.' We don't want dead weight.

I put other organizations into the same global category as well.

I got involved with a clean election task force in 2005 under Bill Peduto's leadership. We gathered. Many smart people were involved. But the results and outcome of those meeting is still hidden -- thanks to Bill Peduto. This stinks. I've been a squeeky wheel. Bill needs to call a blasted public hearing and allow for the task force to present its outcomes. He needs to MOVE and do SOMETHING on this issue.

I got involved with City's Aquatics Task Force. What a joke. This was an appointement that was promised under Faith Gallow -- the old Citiparks Director who has been dead for a number of years. The Aquatics Task Force met twice in five years. They all the pools were closed. And then the SOS came into being -- another do nothing group except get a 60-minute special on QED's on Q with Elsie Hillman. What pools should be opened and what pools should be closed should NOT be decided by the rich woman who writes the checks. Elsie Hillman does NOT use the city pools.

Too often we have clueless power grabs -- and spineless players who don't want to make a mention on something crucial.

Jack Shea is right. And, in this area, at least the UNIONS are day-to-day leaders on concerns near-and-dear to them.

More TV tonight - Russ Diamond and a star studded cast

PCN is showing the Libertarian Convention from two weeks ago, tonight, Thursday March 16. Please record these for future use.

8:00 – Russ Diamond, Operation Clean Sweep (and more)

9:10 – Matthew Brouillette, Commonwealth Foundation President

9:30 – Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre & Mifflin Counties

10:00 – Property Rights

11:10 – Ballot Access

12:15 (am) – Separation of Church and State

12:35 – Young Americans for Freedom

Watch PCNC's Night Talk tonight!

My wife, Catherine Palmer, Ph.D., is due to be on NightTalk tonight with Ann Devlin. I'll try to get some photos.

Council favors tax break for South Oakland garages

I did go down to city council to raise an objection on this TIF -- a tax break for a garage in a place that does NOT need a tax break, is without demand, without even an open-bid process nor RFP. It is an inside deal that takes money away from the kids in the schools.

Council favors tax break for South Oakland garages Council favors tax break for South Oakland garages

Wednesday, March 15, 2006
By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh City Council gave its initial, unanimous nod today to a tax plan that would support construction of three parking garages in South Oakland's Pittsburgh Technology Center.

The garages would serve proposed new lab and office buildings, the first of which could be under construction by the end of the year, said Urban Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Jerome Dettore.

'The goal is to really develop that a lot more densely,' said Mr. Dettore, referring to the Technology Center. The three-garage plan 'allows a little more than 1 million square feet of new, additional lab and office space.'

If we are going to turn this city around, it can't be with big give-a-ways for all the wrong reasons. This is a legacy project that was rushed to the table because others are not watching. Now that Jim Ferlo is on the URA Board, I wonder if these types of deals are going to get cut?

My next stop, the Act 47 Coordinators and the I.C.A. Board.

Koch wins City Council seat, P-G coverage

Well, here are a few other thoughtful (I hope) tidbits on the coverage of the race and reactions. The P-G's article the morning after said, in part, "FEW IDEALOGICAL CONTRASTS." It is not that I object to that statement, but rather that I hope that I injected some of those contrasts into the race. I saw some contrasts -- and I tried to pull them into focus. And, if anything, I hope that I pulled some of the other candidates into my realm of understanding as to what should be done in HOW we fix various problems.

Koch wins City Council seat After an election that produced few ideological contrasts among the candidates, his victory is not expected to have any dramatic effect on the political dynamics of council, a body whose power, particularly on budget issues, has been somewhat marginalized by the state's fiscal oversight of the city.

Mr. Kraus, running as an independent, had the support of City Councilman William Peduto. According to the latest campaign contribution reports available before the balloting, Mr. Kraus also was the spending leader in a relatively low-budget race.

The balloting followed the pattern of low turnouts for city special elections. Overall, just under 14 percent of the district's registered voters cast a ballot.

Luke Ravenstahl, the City Council president, had rescheduled the vote to yesterday instead of March 7, to accommodate college students who would have been on spring break on the earlier date. But anyone who hoped that the college vote would have a significant impact on the outcome would have to be disappointed. The two 4th Ward polling places on the University of Pittsburgh campus, the 8th district and the 14th district, produced a total of just 139 votes.

Yes, this was a LOW BUDGET race.

Some of the folks in Oakland were HAPPY with the results of just 139 votes. A tidal wave of other folks, outside of Oakland's college student population, were VERY HAPPY with the disappointment in the turnout among the students. The connect among the campus life and the city life -- in a real community -- is wide, yet.

The turnout prediction of 20-percent by the head of the election department was too high. At 13-percent -- OUCH. And, the word on the stret was that a lot of folks are worried about the electronic machines.

All along I have said, "our democracy is frail." I think that the frail statement holds true -- if it isn't counted as sheer hype to call it just frail.

Rogues meet on Saturday with Jake Haulk

Rogues Saturday, March 18, 2006, at 9:00 A.M., Holiday Inn Select across from South Hills Village, $13.00 per person. Our Speaker will be Dr. Jake Haulk of the Allegheny Institute.

Please RSVP by Friday March 17th.

So far, Governor Rendell’s only economic development plan seems to be spending $1.24 billion on corporate welfare for such projects as PNC’s new office building. That’s $50 million to PNC out of a total construction cost of $170 million paid to a company that had record profits of $1.3 billion last year.

Of course, this largess was paid for by increasing the state income tax and by rescinding scheduled business taxes, all aided by a compliant Republican controlled legislature.

Pennsylvania is 38th in the country in job growth and 43rd in population growth. However, Pennsylvania’s government has grown to the point that it costs $7, 884 per family of four. That’s $1,153 more than three years ago.

Dr. Jake Haulk of The Allegheny Institute has some other ideas on how to encourage a prosperous economy and he’ll be speaking to the Rogues this Saturday, March 18th at 9AM on Governor Rendell's failed economic development policies and tax reform.

Tonight at the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Assn meeting I gave Bob O'Connor props for his appointment of Jim Ferlo to the U.R.A. Board. Then I asked him if he was going to continue to support the large TIFs and tax breaks to big corporations and institutions -- such as PNC PLAZA's $18-million TIF for a new downtown office tower and the Second Ave. parking garage by the URA for Pgh Technology Center.

In Bob's talk about the TIF, he gave me the wrong answer, and didn't even mention the fact that the $18-million TIF from the city comes at the expense of the kids and schools nor that the city's give-a-way comes after PENNSYLVANIA already put in $50-million as a GRANT to PNC. The subsidization of that office tower is going to exceed $1-million per floor.

Today, at the polls, I invited Jeff Koch to city council chambers for its 10 AM Meeting on WEDNESDAY -- in 11 hours -- to stand with me to speak against the TIF for the parking garages on Second Ave.

I'll invite Jeff Koch to the breakfast meeting with the A.I.'s Jake Haulk too.

'Miracle' water turned into beer -- PROOF enough for ending building codes

'Miracle' water turned into beer 'We had settled down for a cozy Saturday evening, had a nice dinner, and I was just going to clean up a little,' Gundersen, 50, said Monday. 'I turned on the kitchen faucet and beer came out.'

Those crazy Norwegians.

Koch -- as in "cook" --- as in "home cooking" for a year and a half if not five-plus

With 41 out of 42 votes, via a phone call update:

D = 1408
R = 185
L = 69
G = 72
M.W. (indie) = 40
M.B. (indie) = 46
Bruce Krane = 215
Bruce A. Kraus 1257

Of course this is "unofficial" -- n at.

First reaction = home cooking rules the day! That is short for Bob O'Connor's old campaign slogan, because this is home. And, for Jeff Koch's last name, said like "cook." The mayor's guy won. The endorsed Dem won.

Second reaction: If you sum the total of the two B.K.'s (Bruce K + Bruce K), you'd have defeated the D's machine.

Third reaction: I didn't get last. This is the first election when I didn't get last. Mind you, this in ONLY my third race. I ran for Mayor in the GOP PRIMARY in 2001. I ran for PA Senate in a 3 way race. This time I'm neck and neck with the Green. The good news, is I had a nice night of sleep last night and he's running on fumes.

My goose was cooked when the Rs put in a candidate. N.A. did a nice job too. However, if the Rs would have not run anyone, then I might have been able to engage county-wide opposition, and city-wide oppostion to the machine Dems and the ultra-liberal alternative. And, of course, my goose was re-heated when our date in court had its outcome altered with the finding of the clerk of the judge. If both of those IFs break the other way, then the race takes on a MUCH, MUCH different flavor and challenge. But, those are BIG "ifs."

Fourth reaction: Wonder what would have held if this had been an "instant-run-off-election."

Final reaction.... Combinations of course are going to be the details that say what's what in the end. I consider myself a "free radical" in that I'd be willing to help in a cause with another candidate if I feel warm to that cause. I was open to a merger of efforts with others in the race. But, the merger prospects were bleak.

The three Ms, (Matthew, Michael and Mark) shoud have combined forces about a month ago. I tried. Those vote counts are NOT too much of a total -- but -- the wave of campaign energy is another matter. I think a synergy factor could have been a double the vote impact.

Kraus might have won had he been able to pull any other candidate to his side in the past two months. Kraus might have won had he even pulled the others who also lost the Ds endorsement to his side. Ed Jacob or Pat Sweeney were both at the polls, and Erin C. was in Oakland, all working for the endorsed Dem. Kraus could not get any of them on his side.

Kraus said in a few of his stump talks that it is all about cooperation. Ha, ha. Well, he didn't prove it among the field of candidates who worked against him.

Who won? Who lost?

I just got back from the polls and then a meeting with the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association. Mayor Bob O'Connor was the speaker at that meeting, that started at 7 pm. Bob and I got there around 7:30 pm. He spoke to about 8:15 pm and gave a very nice talk. John, the boss of this zone's public works was there too and he got a great round of applause, in part for snow removal of the slopes street this winter.

Now the kids are in bed wondering what about the election results. I wonder too. ....

Pa. seizes paper's computer hard disks

File this for later.... If anyone do any research on this and give me a brief, please do so.

Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/13/2006 | Pa. seizes paper's computer hard disks: "In an unusual and little-known case, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office has seized four computer hard drives from a Lancaster newspaper as part of a statewide grand-jury investigation into leaks to reporters.

The dispute pits the government's desire to solve an alleged felony - computer hacking - against the news media's fear that taking the computers circumvents the First Amendment and the state Shield Law."

KDKA - Pittsburgh's Source for Breaking News, Weather and Sports: Ricciardi's Seat To Be Filled By Special Election

KDKA - Ricciardi's Seat To Be Filled By Special Election PITTSBURGH District 3 voters will decide on former Pittsburgh City Councilman Gene Ricciardi�s successor on Tuesday.

I gave an interview at 8:30 am.

Murphy's chutzpah

Tampa and St. Pete, don't be suckered into thinking that Murphy was honest. He generally was half honest. The other half was -- how do we say -- less than the truth.

I'm not sure most citizens think it matter that Murphy gets to talk in Tampa, now that we are rid of him. Every dog has its day in the sun and people might not like to see the Trib "HOUND" the ex-Mayor now. However, this does present an opportunity to be truthful with history.

Most of the other front-runners in the race, today's race for city council, were in lock-step with Tom Murphy thourghout his career here. They were in agreement with his practices. They didn't speak out against his ways -- like I did.

I was one of the biggest Murphy nay-sayers. I ran a campaign to become mayor in 2001 -- not to be mayor myself but more to get a new mayor, because we needed to knock him out of that office.

I worry today that the others in the race are really just more of what we used to have in Tom Murphy and Gene Ricciardi. (see comments for more)

Murphy's chutzpah - PittsburghLIVE.com Former Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy lectured to about 300 people in Florida on Friday at Tampa's 10th annual Downtown Development Forum. It was a delusional presentation.

The fella who spent 12 years at the helm of government drove the city to the precipice of bankruptcy, left a socialist legacy of failed command economics and was lucky to escape Grant Street without being tarred and feathered.

Yet in Tampa, Mr. Murphy offered a big dose of revisionist history and had the chutzpah to blame others for his failings.

The media, politicians and historic preservationists who opposed his ideas made him unpopular locally, not his failures, Murphy said. And he even appeared to take a swipe at late Mayor Richard Caliguiri when he said it's 'always the people who don't make decisions that have statues built for them.'

City Council seat up for grabs

City Council seat up for grabs Libertarian swim coach Mark Rauterkus and Green Party student Jason Phillips, both of the Flats, also are running.

In addition to those neighborhoods, the district includes Allentown, Arlington Heights, Beltzhoover, Knoxville, the Mount Oliver neighborhood, South Side Slopes, St. Clair Village, and parts of Central Oakland, South Oakland and Mount Washington.

Mr. Wolosik said voters should bring identification, which is required of those who are new to the district.

The county will open 42 precincts from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and expects to bill the city $35,000 for the cost, he said. Voters can find their polling place at www.county.allegheny.pa.us/elect.

Upper St. Clair parents sue over canceled program

Perhaps the parents and families from USC could move to the city and take advantage of the I.B. program at Schenley High School?

Upper St. Clair parents sue over canceled program A group of 10 Upper St. Clair families filed suit in federal court this morning claiming five members of the school board improperly voted to terminate the International Baccalaureate program in February.

But, then again, Schenley was slated to be moved out of Oakland. That plan has been put "on hold" for now. We don't know for sure what is to come of the school's location nor the programs in the long run.

So, they had better stick around and fight for the USC I.B. program after all.

State oversight board to meet Thursday - PittsburghLIVE.com

Told ya.... The I.C.A. (overlords) is going to meet for the first time this YEAR in MID-MARCH. They are good for nothings who are choosing to fumble their duties and the opportunity to fix Pittsburgh.

Fumble!

State oversight board to meet Thursday - PittsburghLIVE.com State oversight board to meet Thursday

By Jeremy Boren, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, March 13, 2006

Pittsburgh's state oversight board is planning to meet for the first time this year to scrutinize changes Mayor Bob O'Connor will make to former Mayor Tom Murphy's 2006 budget.

The board, known as the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, has scheduled a public meeting for 12:30 p.m. Thursday on the 23rd floor of the Regional Enterprise Tower, 425 Sixth Ave., Downtown.

Designed as a five-member board, the state-run group is still missing two members after resignations in January 2006 and September 2005. State Democrats and Republicans have stalled on naming new members. State law requires that replacements be named within 30 days.

The authority must approve O'Connor's budget changes. It rejected two versions of Murphy's $418 million budget last year.


O'Connor is expected to increase the size of the $418 million 2006 budget, primarily by bolstering the Fire Bureau's allotment so it can handle anticipated overtime costs this year as the under-manned bureau struggles to meet national staffing standards. City Council members have said they expect to see their spending money cut. The most recent budget proposal would have allotted them $88,000 each for administrative assistants, supplies and other office operations.

The move could anger council members, who could get a peek at O'Connor's changes as early as tomorrow and could vote on them next week.

I've said on many instances that we should force them to meet. They need to get to work. They need a 'wake up call.'

Next, I've said that they should NOT be paid for the work they are doing now -- until after the city exits the oversight status. Let's pay them AFTER the work is done -- now while it is NOT being done. Cut off their payments. Follow the money.

The longer that they do nothing, the longer they'll get paid.

The OVERLORDS of the I.C.A. and Act 47 -- we've got two -- should merge. We can't merge the selling of dog licenses between city and county. It too 12 years to merge 911 services. Now we need to merge the Overlords. We've got two bodies that are both doing little. Let's be a good example and get them down to one entity.

District 3 Special Election Guide By Pitt News Staff

From The Pitt News, March 13, 2006

District 3 Special Election Guide By Pitt News Staff
published: Mon, 13 March, 2006

Neal Andrus (R)

Neal Andrus wants to shake things up for Pittsburgh.

"I'd like to be a voice for change on City Council," said Andrus, who is currently running on the Republican ticket for Tuesday's election.

Andrus has made a goal of "restoring fiscal sanity to city government," something that he believes should be voters' top priority when they head to the polls.

Hoping that District 3 residents will cast their votes "with an idea in their heads that they're tired of the same old thing and that they want something new," Andrus has promised to seek creative ideas in tackling the city's financial woes.

A 30-year-old who obtained degrees in political science and economics from Pitt in December 2004, Andrus has lived in the district for eight years. He said he does not seek to become a politician.

"I don't think anyone down there has any idea what needs to be done," he said of the current council.

He wants to bring up new ideas and "do something different." Shunning the idea that City Council's mission should include creating new jobs or "bribing" companies to come to Pittsburgh, Andrus believes in drawing commercial industry by working with the county and state governments to create a more attractive business environment.

He also suggested seeking unconventional moneymakers, like New York City's $166-million deal with Snapple to make the company the official city vendor of iced tea, water and chocolate milk.

-Senior Staff Writer J. Elizabeth Strohm

Bruce Krane (I)

Bruce Krane's slogan is "Building a better Pittsburgh," and he wants students involved in the process.

"I want to engage them and work with them," he said.

Krane, an independent candidate, said his administration would recognize the need for a student liaison. He said that if elected, he would hire a student to work with him part-time.

"I think we need the refreshing creativity of university students to pose some alternative ideas and hopefully solutions," he said. "Because we aren't seeing a lot of that on Grant Street right now."

Krane, who has lived in Pittsburgh for 16 years and currently resides in the South Side, is the vice president for the South Side Community Council.

"I would describe myself as a community advocate," he said.

Krane volunteers with Pittsburgh's Community Access Television Channel, where he hosts and produces programs. He credited the station with helping him make the decision to run in the special election because of his experience interviewing office holders on his programs.

Krane said he is in favor of term limits and referendums, or "putting issues on the ballot." He said he could use the pulpit and media exposure of being a councilman to go directly to the people through this process.

But according to Krane, there is no key issue that will determine which candidate people vote for.

"There's no 900-pound gorilla," he said. "It's going to be who can get their supporters out to vote."

-Staff Writer Angela Hayes

Jason Phillips (G)

Jason Phillips wants to bring a student voice to City Council.

"For the last 16 years, we've basically had zero representatives on City Council," Phillips said, adding that this election marks a "very opportune time" for students to claim their voice.

Phillips declined to single out a specific goal for his time on council, explaining that he hopes to tackle many issues. He mentioned that the city is in financial "dire straits," and that he hopes to improve Pittsburgh's transportation system, nightlife and other things that matter to students.

"This is a time when we need to elect people with college educations, people with government experience," Phillips said, noting that he is such a person.

Phillips, a 24-year-old Pitt student who plans to complete his studies of political science next year, said he has worked in the lieutenant governor's office and served as a consultant on a number of candidates' campaigns within Pennsylvania. A resident of the South Side Flats and graduate of Pittsburgh's Art Institute, he has lived in District 3 for more than two years.

"I'm the only candidate who, if elected, could walk right into the office and not need to take time to learn the ropes," Phillips said.

Emphasizing the importance of students' votes, Phillips said it is "immature" of students to not bother to show up on election day.

-Senior Staff Writer J. Elizabeth Strohm

Matthew Bartus (I)

Perhaps the city needs a new coat of paint.

Matthew Bartus, a painter for Pittsburgh's General Services department, is a candidate for the vacant District 3 seat that will be filled in Tuesday's special election. He could not be reached for comment.

He said to the Pittsburgh City Paper that he has a chance to beat Democratic candidate Jeff Koch because there are so many other candidates running in the election.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Bartus plans on relocating the South Side police station to the Neville Ice Arena. The current location is 1725 Mary St., near 18th Street.

He also said to the Post-Gazette that he wants to reduce the size of city council from nine members to five and have non-profit organizations give more to the city.

The University counts itself among Pittsburgh's non-profit organizations.

Bartus, 50, currently lives in Carrick, a neighborhood south of Downtown that is near the neighborhoods of Brookline and Mt. Oliver.

-Assistant News Editor Andy Medici

Mark Rauterkus (L)

Mark Rauterkus grew up in Penn Hills, moved out of state for a few years, and then moved back to Pittsburgh in 1990.

The South Side resident said that part of his motivation for running for council is that the city is in a big crisis, and he believes children have been ignored.

Rauterkus, who has two children, said that if elected to council, he would like to chair the Committee on Youth Policy and the Citiparks Committee.

One of the things that Rauterkus would like to accomplish is to restart the Pittsburgh Marathon.

He would also like to integrate additional programs into the city's neighborhood parks.

"There's a lot to be done there," Rauterkus said.

Rauterkus is a swim coach for the Carlynton Swim Club.

He said he would like to acquire funding to open more of the city's pools, which have been closed at times because of budget cuts.

Rauterkus added that he is dedicated to his campaign "for the long haul."

If he does not win this election, he plans to build a network of volunteers and issues.

"Whoever does win might only be there for a year and half," Rauterkus said. "They're going to have me to contend with next week."

-Senior Staff Writer Laura Jerpi

Jeffrey Koch (D)

Jeffrey Koch wants to clean up Oakland.

Koch - the Democratic candidate for City Council representing District 3, which includes Oakland - said that if elected, he would work with the Oakland Planning and Development Corporation to pick up trash in South Oakland.

One program he supports, called Adopt-a-Block, involves approximately 50 students cleaning up around South Oakland to make the area more appealing.

Koch also hopes the college vote will make a difference.

"I hope the students show," he said. "They could make a big difference in this election."

He said he would not implement immediate changes or policies but would welcome the chance to sit down with students and talk about issues concerning Oakland and Pitt.

Koch is a landscaping contractor and Department of Public Works employee. He has lived in Arlington, a section of District 3, his entire life. His parents also lived in District 3 their entire lives.

He is endorsed by Mayor Bob O'Connor, the Pittsburgh Firefighters Union and the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers.

-Staff Writer Jared Trent Stonesifer

Bruce Kraus (I)

Bruce Kraus wants to make Pittsburgh neighborhoods safe, clean and green.

The South Side resident is the chair of Pittsburgh's Graffiti Task Force, which "[assists] city officials and neighborhood groups in their efforts to combat graffiti vandalism," according to http://Bruce4council.com.

Kraus, 51, could not be reached for comment, but his Web site outlines three main tactics for bettering the city: outreach, education and enforcement.

According to Kraus's Web site, he will "work toward curtailing the criminal nuisance activities that his constituents do not want," while maintaining "the green setting" they do want.

Kraus also outlines several plans for paying for his initiatives, which include "an expansion of the tax base with increase property values" and "attention from the state and the county for special grants for beautification."

In response to a questionnaire from the League of Young Voters, Kraus wrote that he wants students to be "engaged in the process of stewarding [their] futures."

"I will advocate for your 'place at the table,'" Kraus said in the questionnaire, "to ensure that you are provided with all the opportunities to work on the solutions to the problems you are facing with regards to job creation, education, creative housing, transportation, recreation, and an active social network including nightlife and the arts."

-News Editor Adam Felming

Michael Waligorski (I)

Independent candidate Michael Waligorski must be a busy man, because he's hard to find.

Waligorski "runs a painting business, sells real estate and has been a perennial candidate," according to a March 6 editorial in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

He's known - among local journalists, at least - for being difficult to contact, despite his frequent campaigns in local politics.

"Waligorski, a frequent candidate for public office, did not return phone calls," reported the Pittsburgh City Paper on March 2.

The 56-year-old handyman, Army Reservist and South Side Flats resident is running on what he calls the Disclosure Party ticket and "wants to see more openness in government," according to the Post-Gazette.

Waligorski's phone number is unlisted, and he did not return phone calls when The Pitt News obtained his number from City Paper.

A Jan. 31 Post-Gazette article noted, "Independent candidate Michael Waligorski of the Flats could not be reached for comment."

Waligorski did not respond to a Sierra Club questionnaire regarding Tuesday's election and environmental issues, reported local activist organization Progress Pittsburgh on Feb. 23.

-Editor in Chief Jessica Lear

Open thread: Making a set of lists of first thingsTO DO after winning the election tomorrow

Okay blog readers.... Help. Here is a new "OPEN THREAD" so as to allow you to post in the comments. I'm going to try to issue a "PRESS RELEASE" later today or early on election day that outlines the top 10 things I'd do right after being elected to city council.

I think I'll make three or four lists. One list each for:

POLITICAL actions

LEGISLATIVE actions

New JOB actions

INTERACTIVE actions

I've got a number of issues buzzing in my head. I'll put them into a list on my website and then issue the press release. If you have any suggestions let me know -- NOW -- or forever hold your peace.

Poynter Online - McClatchy to Sell off Inky, Merc, 10 Other KR Papers

Is there anything to read into this? (pun intended) I didn't get the McClatchy endorsement, so I'm not too worried. :)

Poynter Online - McClatchy to Sell off Inky, Merc, 10 Other KR Papers McClatchy buys Knight Ridder, will sell 12 KR newspapers
Editor & Publisher | McClatchy press release
Knight Ridder has agreed to sell itself to McClatchy for $4.5 billion. McClatchy says in a press release that it will now sell 12 KR papers, including the two Philadelphia papers and the San Jose Mercury News. The company these papers are located in cities that 'do not fit the company's longstanding acquisition criteria, chiefly involving growing markets.' KR CEO Tony Ridder says: 'For the 12 newspapers that will be sold, the uncertainty is not over and I regret that very much.'

Radio interviews

I just gave an interview to KQV. Then I gave her the rest of the candidate's phone numbers, as she had none.

An older interview (from 3 weeks ago or so) ran today on WDUQ. I think that segment ran so as to feature only the four candidates who hail from a "PARTY" -- the D, R, L and G.

Council vacancy comes up for vote - PittsburghLIVE.com

Ink in today's TRIB has a line up of candidates too.

Council vacancy comes up for vote - PittsburghLIVE.com Rauterkus, a part-time high school swim coach, is running as a Libertarian.

This is a nice little article and a bit of a suprise.

The city would have to be hit with either a twister or a tidal wave before the Trib Editorial Section would come alive with a thoughtful endorsement on this race. I don't see them being able to chime in on the candidates, sadly. But, today's weather predictions is calling for some major storms.

This weekend I was at an event and saw a former Trib reporter who had covered me in the past, Violet Law. Five days ago she started working for the Pittsburgh City Paper. She had done a bit of freelance work in the middle as well.

Best of luck to Violet in her new venture.

I talked a lot to her in the past when she covered some city life. I was dealing with citizen efforts with the closed swim pools and recreation centers -- and Save Our Summer swung into town -- kicking up a bit of dust in a temporary way but with an urgent matter.

The Pitt News - District 3 Special Election Guide

Mini articles about all the candidates appear in The Pitt News today.

The Pitt News - District 3 Special Election Guide Mark Rauterkus (L)

Mark Rauterkus grew up in Penn Hills, moved out of state for a few years, and then moved back to Pittsburgh in 1990.

The South Side resident said that part of his motivation for running for council is that the city is in a big crisis, and he believes children have been ignored.

Rauterkus, who has two children, said that if elected to council, he would like to chair the Committee on Youth Policy and the Citiparks Committee.

One of the things that Rauterkus would like to accomplish is to restart the Pittsburgh Marathon.

He would also like to integrate additional programs into the city’s neighborhood parks.

“There’s a lot to be done there,” Rauterkus said.

Rauterkus is a swim coach for the Carlynton Swim Club.

He said he would like to acquire funding to open more of the city’s pools, which have been closed at times because of budget cuts.

Rauterkus added that he is dedicated to his campaign “for the long haul.”

If he does not win this election, he plans to build a network of volunteers and issues.

“Whoever does win might only be there for a year and half,” Rauterkus said. “They’re going to have me to contend with next week.”

Project Vote Smart - Information For Candidates

Since a city council race isn't a contest covered by Project Vote Smart, I better talk about this NOW.

Project Vote Smart - Information For Candidates Please note that Project Vote Smart does not permit the use of its name or program in any partisan activity, including advertising, debates, and speeches.

This is a weird request -- can't mention the name of the organization in a speech.

412-public-campaign blast: (follow-up)

After I send out an email to more than 8,000 contacts, I often get some nice interactions from folks. Here are some insights from the recent email (other post).

---

I don't get it. I would think a true Libertarian would be against ANY government-provided services for kids. Or is the party merely a flag of convenience for your campaign?
I'm a common-sense Libertarian. I'm not a RADICAL L.

But, there is some convenience to having a party as well. There is NO utility in having just ONE PARTY DOMINATION as is the case with Pittsburgh and the Dems.

The kids are important. So too is public education. Our kids are shooting each other on a weekly basis -- and it isn't the fault of the guns, but rather the kids have been ignored.

Even our closed indoor ice rink, the only one in the city, was run by a private operator until he fumbled his duties. The city had many offers to re-open it -- as a public facility with private operators. But the city didn't want to go into the trouble. We all loose.

---

What are your positions on abortion rights and gay marriage?

I'm fine with gay marriage. I'm a Libertarian. To each his / her own. And, I'm a U.U. (unitarian universalist) and this faith community -- http://www.sunnyhill.org often holds weddings among same sex couples with ministers. That's more of the domain for a church and not government.

As to abortion rights.... That isn't my issue -- on a whole. I'm mostly in the middle of the road. I would work to NOT change the laws.

It is a states right issue however.

To be honest... I didn't like the bubble law as it was a take away of freedom and really was just a problem with enforcement of existing laws. Sure, give a no protest zone near the health clinics -- but it is hard to have that stretch around people like a bubble. But, you'd also hear me harp about responsibilities that go along with freedom too -- so I'd never be in anyone's face -- nor would I want to see that happen to others.