Great news: A Lt. Gov debate at CMU

The Heinz School at Carnegie Mellon, is pleased to announce the Democratic Lt. Governor Primary debate, Wednesday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m., co-sponsored by the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh, the Heinz School, and the local League of Women Voters chapter. Candidates who agreed to participate: Valerie McDonald Roberts, Gene Stilp, and Bill Hall.

The debate will be held in the Hamburg Hall Auditorium, Room 1000, at 4800 Forbes Avenue, between Craig Street and Morewood Avenue, directly across the street from the large Morewood Parking Lot.

The great news of this event is the fact that the local institutions, educational institutions, are going to engage. We need that engagement in Pittsburgh and for the sake of our state.

CMU, Pitt, RMU, PPU, CCAC, DU and the Cs (Carlow and Chattam) -- you gotta engage.

Every department. Every academic organization. Every faculty senate, student government organization.

And let's not stop with these core to Pittsburgh institutions. Grove City, Slippery Rock, California, Gannon, -- you name em. We need em. We need faculty, staffers, students and parents of students to give a darn by hosting part of these discussions.

Even nonprofits -- don't be shy. If a nonprofit gets PAN-POLITICAL, by putting a seat at the table for ALL contestants -- then its okay. We can't have nonprofits give favorite treatment to some and unfavorite treatment to others. But, show respect to all, show inclusion, show it all -- under bright lights.

Benchwarmer -- Call to Action -- Voter Registration Technical Insights

Anyone (who is alive and a registered voter in the Commonwealth) can help an Independent candidate for PA Governor by signing that candidate's petition. And, anyone (it still helps to have a pulse) can circualte a petition for an independent candidate as well.

Signing is okay. Being a curculator for nomination papers is okay too.

Likewise, the same applies to a candidate who is an Independent for PA Senate. But, the only extra restriction is the border for the PA Senate district. If the person is a registered voter, lives in the district, all is fine for your help.

However, there is another level, beyond getting a signature for nomination papers from now until the end of July, and beyond getting help from fellow citizens in efforts to get those signatures. The next level is being a candidate.

Those that are now registered voters in the D and R parties MUST OPT OUT of his or her party NOW if he or she wants to get onto the ballot and BECOME A CANDIDATE for the general election in November. It isn't too late to run -- yourself -- for office in November's General Election, as an canddate (under the heading of Independent, Libertarian, Green, or even Disclosure Party) if you are registered those ways now. But, soon, that deadline passes.

For example, perhaps your state rep is a Dem, like Harry Readshaw. Harry does NOT have any D nor R opponent. So, he'll be getting onto the General Election Ballot -- without any opponent, unless someone steps up to run against him. And, that someone would need to NOT be a D or R as this deadline comes.

Well, this call for action is well put.

Attention all benchwarmers -- 04/14/2006

Tony Phyrillas , Pottstown Mercury

There's a new movie out called "The Benchwarmers." It did pretty good at the box office last week. The movie will be a distant memory a month from now when Pennsylvania voters go to the polls in the May 16 primary.

Unfortunately, many Pennsylvanian voters have chosen to be benchwarmers instead of getting into the game. Thousands of Pennsylvanians who belong to minor parties (Libertarian, Green, Constitution, Socialist) and others who have registered as independents will sit out the May 16 primary, arguably themost important election in the state's history.

All the talk we've heard since last July's outrageous pay raise about voting out the bums won't matter if voters don't follow through with threats to oust incumbents.

The best way to toss out incumbent legislators -- in many cases, the only way -- is to vote for challengers in the primary election. Incumbents have spent decades gerrymandering districts to the point where both major parties have "safe" districts, where Democrats may outnumber Republicans 2-1 or vice-versa. It's nearly impossible to vote out the incumbent unless somebody from his or her own party challenges them in the primary.

More than 60 primary challengers gunning for incumbents have survived the petition-gathering and court-challenge phase of the process. Now they need your vote to get rid of the career politicians in Harrisburg.

But third-party voters (the ones who claim they are pushing for reform) stubbornly refuse to change their voter registration to one of the two major parties, which is the only way to vote in a primary. You may be disgusted by what the Republicans and Democrats have done to this state. But until you join reform-minded Republicans and Democrats to remove the career politicians, your voice will never be heard.

March down to your county courthouse Monday and change your party affiliation for one day -- May 16 -- so you can join the people's revolution to take back Pennsylvania from the 254 self-serving career politicians (Ed Rendell and the 253 legislators).

While "benchwarmers" is a nice term I use for third-party candidates who will bury their heads in the sand on May 16, Russ Diamond is a little more blunt.

Diamond, the founder of PaCleanSweep and newly announced independent candidate for governor, issued a statement this week to Pennsylvania's "sore losers."

Pennsylvania's "sore loser" law mandates that any individual who runs as an independent or minor party candidate may not participate in the primary election as a voter or a candidate, according to Diamond.

"This is the last chance for those who are truly dedicated to changing government in Pennsylvania," Diamond said. "Once the deadline passes, registered Republicans and Democrats can't run as an independent or with a minor party affiliation. There are a lot of races across the Commonwealth where the incumbent currently has no challenger whatsoever. No one should breeze through an election cycle without a challenge. That's why we have the sorry state of affairs that brought us the pay raise and other horrible legislation."

An ongoing informal poll on the PACleanSweep Web site reveals that more than 95 percent of respondents indicate they would be willing to vote for a credible independent or minor party candidate if there is no other competition for their incumbent in November, Diamond said.

Independent and minor party candidates have until Aug. 1 to file petitions in order to get their names on November's general election ballot. Unlike the requirements for major party candidates, any registered voter may sign a petition for an independent or minor party bid.

Diamond urges those interested in changing their registration to do so by visiting their local Board of Elections by April 17.

"While we have great expectations for our Republican and Democratic candidates and we're confident they'll fair well in the primary, credible independent and minor party candidates present an opportunity for a second wave of electoral pressure on a legislature which is overdue for massive institutional change," Diamond said.

So let's review. If you live in a legislative district where the incumbent is a Democrat, you must be a registered Democrat to vote for a challenger. Otherwise, the incumbent gets a free pass to the Nov. 7 general election.

If you're not planning to run as a third-party candidate, then your best recourse is to change your voter registration for one day so you can have a say in who governs Pennsylvania. You can change your registration back the next day.

E-mail Tony Phyrillas at tphyrillas -at- pottsmerc.com

Main Page - Pittsburgh Platform

Platform.For-Pgh.org -- still going like the Energizer Bunny. Main Page - PittsburghPlatform This page has been accessed 69,077 times.

Independent Enters Pa. Governor's Race - CBS News

I'm for Diamond. Hope you consider lending your support to him too. Reform looks like this.

Independent Enters Pa. Governor's Race - CBS News Independent Enters Pa. Governor's Race

HARRISBURG, Pa., Apr. 13, 2006
(AP) Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell and his likely GOP challenger, former football star Lynn Swann, got an independent challenger on Thursday for November's gubernatorial election.

Russ Diamond, who created PACleanSweep to try to oust legislators over their botched attempt to raise their own salaries, disclosed his candidacy in an interview with The New York Times and then announced it in a statement Thursday.

He must collect signatures from 67,070 registered voters by Aug. 1 to enter the race.

Diamond said his platform includes calls to put limits on lawmakers, repeal a 2004 law that legalized slot-machine gambling and reduce property taxes.

'Let's talk about term limits ... part-time Legislature, eliminating the pensions and perks after they retire, and eliminating the career politician track,' Diamond told reporters.

The pay-raise law, which increased incimbent lawmakers' salaries by 16 percent to 54 percent, was repealed in November.

Voting machine efforts from elsewhere

I am not happy with the way the voting machine saga has come down the pike in Allegheny County as well as at the Federal level. We saw this unfold years ago. It stinks.

From the get-go, I was in favor, and still am in favor, of OPEN SOURCE Voting Machines. That is the golden key.

EVM2003: "A worldwide group of scientists, engineers, political scientists, legal scholars, and voting-rights activists are working on developing a PC based voting machines that will be easier to use, more secure, cheaper, and provide greater democratic transparency than commercially available voting machines. All EVM2003 voting stations produce a voter-verifiable paper ballot"

Plus, even without an open-source solution, I still want to have an Allegheny County Tiger Team to work over those (any and all) voting machines.

FWIW: Recruiting the Next Generation of Political Leaders

From antoher source, pgh.opinion, FYI:

The Center for Progressive Leadership is actively recruiting highly motivated leaders from a variety of backgrounds throughout Pennsylvania who will be ready within the next 3-10 years to:

Run for office - from local level to state or federal office Run an organization - political, issue, or community group Run a campaign - political, advocacy, or neighborhood effort

CPL is looking for emerging leaders - at an inflection point in their careers - who are eager to gain the skills, knowledge, and networks they will need to successfully reach a career in politics.

PA Springboards: A Key Step toward your Future in Politics CPL offers emerging leaders throughout the state a two-day intensive Springboard training on becoming an effective political leader. Expert national and local trainers will sharpen your message development and delivery, campaign strategy, volunteer recruitment, and political fundraising skills.

· Southeastern, Pa: June 24th and 25th (Application deadline: Friday, June 16)
· Southwestern, Pa: July 8th and 9th (Application deadline: Monday, July 3)



PA Fellowship: 9 Months of Intensive Political Training

The Pennsylvania Political Leaders Fellowship - the first long term political leadership development training in the nation - is 9 months of one on one coaching, group workshops, personal mentorship, and political networking.

The Pennsylvania Political Leaders Fellowship is a 9-month, part-time, comprehensive political leadership course designed to equip 40-60 future candidates, organization heads, and campaign operatives with the specific tools that will propel them through the political pipeline. Tuition is $750 per Fellow. Partial scholarships are available.

· Fellowship start: January 10, 2007 (Applications Accepted July 1-
September 15)

To apply go to www.progressleaders.org/pafellowship

WHO SHOULD APPLY:
Our task, as leaders in the progressive community, is to search out and identify new, yet untapped, emerging leaders across the state who are ready for this type of advanced political leadership development. CPL is looking to find the leaders who have never before been identified - who may not yet know if they want to run for office. We are looking specifically for emerging leaders with:

· A Vision for Personal Achievement and a Commitment to Social Change
· A History of Community, Civic, Political Involvement
· A Willingness to be Coached

Fareeda Mabry, PA Recruitment Director
(215)923-5165 #Office

PENNSYLVANIA OFFICE:
325 Chestnut Street, Suite 915
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Hoppy Easter

Hope all is well with you and yours.

A time of rebirth is here!

South Side Reporter was in bed with Bruce

Exact date uncertain. Bruce would NOT win that election. He would win later.

You don't want to start the season with new shoes.

Get em now and break them in. It is always good to have some grip under your feet in the fall, in gridiron and in politics.

HAT in the ring for PRESIDENT: Phillies 2008

You saw it here first! The Libertarian who is seeking the White House.

Phillies 2008

America is in real trouble, and most Americans know it. The great majority of Americans agree: We are on the wrong track. The things that matter are getting worse, not better.

Our budget deficit this year is over $700 billion on an accrual basis. ('accrual' means the money we owe the Social Security Trust Fund is a real debt.) The trade deficit is another $750 billion a year. We are selling our grandchildren into de facto debt slavery.

American civil liberties are in a state of collapse. The President believes he can ignore any law, so warrantless wiretaps of your phone conversations and email, and warrantless searches of your homes are now widespread conversations. The President believes that there is no longer a right to trial by jury, so Jose Padilla was thrown into a military prison for years without trial or access to lawyers.

We spend billions and billions on airline security, while ignoring the most basic precaution, namely allowing the vast numbers of former military pilots now flying airliners to carry a firearm that they all know how to use. Meanwhile, millions of people are crossing our borders illegally. If every member of Al Qaida were to cross the border illegally this year, they would be needles in a haystack.

Medical care costs are soaring via cost transfers, under which when you go to the hospital your medical insurance pays for care for anyone who lacks insurance.

Just as in the 1950s, when the Russians surprised us with the first earth satellite, American education lags other places. Particularly disturbing is the lag in college graduates in science and engineering, the fields that will eventually create the new products and services that mean jobs for the rest of us.

The Federal budget is under the control of spendthrift profligates who spend money as though there will be no tomorrow. For February and March 2005 of this year, Federal spending exceeded 3 trillion dollars at an annualized rate, while the national debt was climbing at 1.2 trillion dollars a year.

I could go on.

We're the Libertarian Party. We have the positive, people-friendly solutions to those problems. We have the solutions that America longs for.

Now all we need to do is to put our Libertarian solutions into effect and Save America.

However, those solutions are worth nothing until they are presented to the American people and put into effect.

We need effective spokespeople who will deliver our message in a way that will be heard. Those spokespeople are called candidates. Message delivery is called the campaign. Real campaigns are based on advocacy, activists, and advertising.

How do we advocate for our issues? How do we energize our friends to become active in politics? How do we justify those issue and campaign ads?

We run candidates. Lots of candidates. Candidates at every level. In particular, in every election, every American should have the chance to vote Libertarian. (For more on candidates and campaigns, read my book "Stand Up for Liberty" from Third Millennium, now available from Amazon Dot Com .)

I'm going to do my share. In 2008, I'll be 61. I have already had a long and successful professional life as a physicist and author. I've run for Federal office before, Congress in 1998. I won my debates.

I've been active in our Presidential nominating and general election campaigns at a high level. I've seen what needs to be done. In fact I wrote a book one what we did in past cycles, and how we might do it better next time. And I can see where we are in the election cycle.

It's time to get moving! If a much stronger candidate came along, I will be delighted to withdraw and turn my energies to building her or his campaign and our Party. However, I don't see that happening.

At some point, you have to stand up and be counted.

I am therefore seeking our Party's nomination for the 2008 Presidential Campaign.

My preferred Vice Presidential candidate, Karen Kwiatkowski, has agreed to be my running mate.

Please join us. Help build a Libertarian future for America.

The preliminary Phillies 2008 web site http://phillies2008.org has just been uploaded.

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - PittsburghLIVE.com

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - PittsburghLIVE.com Laurel & Lance: To Dormont. Its deteriorating public swimming pool dating from 1920 will require millions in repairs. Perhaps a patch job is possible for now. Perhaps not. Residents are setting up a grass-roots campaign to raise private money. That's great. Now politicians are falling all over themselves to find public funds. Our question: Why should providing for summertime frolic be a taxpayer duty?

Because a 50-meter swim pool -- or one that is even bigger -- can't fit under you bed like an exercise rower.

Because our children are obese -- and same too with too many of our adults. Hey, I got to shed 10-or-15 pounds too. And, I hope to do so as I'm gearing up for the Pittsburgh Triathlon -- and its river swim.

Because we don't swim in the rivers any more, as often as we did.

Because swimming, as a skill, can one day save your life.

Because swimming is a community builder and experience for learning how to play well with others.

Because a community assets such as a swim pool not only make life better for the people of all ages, but the facilities can increase home values and property demands. And, because the facility, all in all, should be able to pull its own weight as well.

Case in point: The Dormont Pool was slated to cost the municipality $37,000. I'd say that if it was run better -- it could be an asset that costs nothing to operate. The user fees should and could pay for the facility's operation, year in and year out.

But, sadly, the Trib editors are correct. The patch job for the pool and for the bath house is NOT possible for now. The expenses are too great. The time is too short. The season is lost.

That grass-roots campaign to raise private money had earned just $3,500 early in the week. That is nice, but 50-times less than what is needed.

Furthermore, don't put me in the realm of falling all over self and other politicians to find the public funds for a fix up. I'll stand tall, talk, think, share and plan. But, not fall over.

I don't think summertime frolic should be a taxpayer duty.

The brand could be, "Richer & Redded." Downtown's watch-ya-ma-call-it

"Rich and Redded" works as well -- so as to not need to use the Fifth and Forbes handle.

Redded, you know, as in the past tense of "redd up." (i.e., "Mom, I already redded-up my room.")

This week an event was held and the mayor attended -- so as to "cut the ribbon" for a new downtown concept. Downtown is a 'neighborhood' now. The event was by invitation only.

Humm... I think we've been there and done that.

Are we seeing the birth of a Duquesne Club Block Watch?

NBC Universal Underperforms For Parent GE

NBC covered and will cover the Olympics.
Lots of Olympic TV talk follows in this article.

UPDATE: NBC Universal Underperforms For Parent GE ((CBS), Coastal Bancorp Inc. (CBSA), Clear Channel Communications Inc. (CCU), Walt Disney Co. (DIS), General Electric Co. (GE), News Corp. Ltd. (NWS), (NWS.AU), (NWSA), (AU000000), (US254687), (US369604))| SmartMoney.com: "While its broadcast of the Winter Olympics gave NBC Universal a boost in first-quarter revenue, the cost of covering the Torino Games and a soft primetime TV schedule dragged on the unit's bottom line, making it the standout underperformer in parent General Electric's vast portfolio.

On Thursday, NBC Universal reported revenue of $4.5 billion in the period, a 24% bounce from year ago levels, with the Olympics contributing about $684 million. But that same event scraped about $96 million off NBC's operating profits, which fell 8% across the board. Taking out the Olympics, revenue would have been up 5% and operating profit 6%.

However, GE (GE) said that the Olympics are likely to be 'slightly profitable' for the year when all the contributions from NBC affiliates come in.

The 'Olympics performed as expected even though in the quarter it was a loss,' said Chief Financial Officer Keith Sherin in a conference call. 'That is how we had profiled the year and what we really thought we were going to have.'

The company was more bullish on the next Summer Olympics, scheduled for 2008.

'The big megillah here is Beijing,' said Chief Executive Jeff Immelt. 'We have got a funnel of about $1.2 billion. I expect us to get maybe $800 million to $1 billion out of that.'

Immelt said that Torino was 'a tough venue, a tough set of dynamics' but the next round 'is going to be a whole other story.'

GE sees the Beijing games as key from a network standpoint in terms of viewer interest, and also from an infrastructure standpoint.

'I think it is going to be highly beneficial for both NBC and the rest the company,' he said.

The segment, which accounts for just 12% of GE's total revenue has also been having some rough sledding in prime time and the company is looking for revenue to be flat in the second quarter.

Games of 2008

Everyone out of the pool! Dormont Pool to stay dry in 2006

I went to a three hour meeting earlier this week to see what was what with this swim pool situation and associated acts of government. This news release, yesterday, isn't too much of a suprise.

Dormont Pool Temporarily Out of Service

Neighboring Communities Ready to Assist in Handling Summertime Crowds

Dormont, PA – After much thought and consideration the Dormont Borough Council has decided that it will not open the Dormont Pool for the 2006 season. Meetings were held with the community the past few weeks to determine whether or not enough funding could be raised to cover the costs of major structural repairs, or at least temporary shoring, in order to keep the pool operational for one more season. However, Borough Council has decided that the best option at this stage would be to close the pool for one season and focus all efforts and future funding on making the necessary permanent repairs to make the pool and adjacent facilities safe for the public as well as operationally more efficient.

A structural engineering report by Borough Engineers provided at the March 13, 2006 public meeting indicated that the conditions of the main building support beams and columns are very bad and will only get progressively worse. The pool decking adjacent to the building is severely deteriorated due to chloride penetration and poses a serious safety threat if not repaired. Public safety concerns and the nearly $650,000 in repairs to the pump room and pool decking as well as nearly $2 million to stop the massive loss of water due to leaks in the pool, have lead to this necessary decision.

Maintenance has been conducted annually on the pool however the age of the 80-year old facility is becoming evidential and problematic requiring a more permanent solution.

"It is unfortunate that we did not discover the problems at the end of last season but fortunately these safety issues were identified before anyone was injured," cited President of Council Joe Costanzo. "At this point, closing the pool will ensure our citizens' safety while allowing us time to consider options and funding sources to get the pool operational again."

The Dormont Borough council wants to thank and will continue to support and encourage the residents of Dormont for their efforts to assist in finding the necessary funding that will be required to make all of the necessary repairs.

We are dedicated and will work diligently with our federal, state, and county representatives to obtain the funding to ensure that the Dormont Pool will be ready by Memorial Day 2007. In the mean time, it should be made clear that the Dormont Recreation Hall was deemed safe and will remain operational for use by the community for rentals to hold such events as graduation parties, showers, and most importantly fund raisers.

Note: Arrangements for Dormont residents to utilize some neighboring community’s pools are being made. Details will be provided soon. Information, as available will be posted on the Dormont Borough website: www.boro.dormont.pa.us or contact the Borough office at (412) 561-8900.
-End-

Joseph M. Costanzo, President

Linda L. Kitchen, Vice President
Chairperson, Public Safety Committee

Mary Beth Kovic, Member
Chairperson, Community Affairs Committee

John Sparvero, Member
Chairperson, Property Planning & Supplies

Tim McCoy, Member
Chairperson, Public Service Committee

Rebecca Lafferty, Member
Chairperson, Finance & Legal Committee

Ann Conlin, Member
Chairperson, Recreation Committee

At the meeting, I noticed three major 'camps' and 'issues.'

First, a great deal of frustration comes from the citizens to the board. The citizens don't trust the elected officials. The citizen leadership was very skeptical, to say the least.

Dormont has had a great deal of turnover in terms of its hired city manager. And, Dormont has elected some new board members too. So, all that are on the board now are NOT part of the long-term problem. But they are left to face the fire from the citizens who are upset. And, to a large degree they too what was due to them.

Second, some on the board are aware of the need for the pool and want to build something better there. A multi-community center, with a pool, is an option, perhaps, it seems, if we are to give them some trust. Ho humm.... time will tell. But, there isn't any money, poor us.

Third, some in the community are married to the re-creation of the Dormont Pool -- as it is. There is a historical charm to the existing pool, its configuration, its expanse of water. Some folks want to re-build the pool -- and keep it just like it was.

So, there isn't much hope of getting a real vision of what needs to be done and how to do it from that group that night. Some were angry. Everyone was frustrated.

I spoke about 'stewardship.' I said, the "stewardship stunk." But, that is looking into the rear view mirror. However we can't go forward on this problem until there is some accountability and understanding of the past. We need to agree what has happened has happened. So, I feel the dis-connect is something that needs to be resolved.

Later, some on the board took exception to the 'stewardship' remark and said that they did 're-paint the pool' -- they did make modifications in the past (I think it was a railing or something). They did make an investment in the pump room before.

Real stewardship means having a capital fund. There is no fund with money set aside to make repairs or even to use for a loan process. Real stewardship means insurance in case any physical damage happens. Real stewards would have been taking part of the deck apart each year for five years to re-do the cement, the pipes, the cracks, the leaks. A process of on-going re-building of that old pool was not done.

Of course the band-aid on an old building was mentioned again and again. And, it is fitting.

The same story was part of the Save Our Summer efforts. We had Elsie Hillman and Dr. Bill Truehart raising big money to put a band-aid on a corpse. The city's public pools (32 outdoors) all closed the year before. Some cash was obtained to get some money to open 10 or 12 pools. The others still sit and rot. And, the ones that are open are held together by band-aids to this day.

The water bill for Dormont's pool last summer was reported at $44,000. Ouch. The water dropped four-inches a day. I'm sure a good bit of that was evaoporation as well.

The pool is massive and the chemical bill is huge as well. And, same too with the number of guards that are needed to staff the facility. I think they needed 33 guards.

Parking is a problem too. You always got to talk about parking when you are talking about anything in Pittsburgh. The swim pool parking lot isn't big enough so folks spill over to the shopping center to park on busy days. So, the pool can hurt the bottom line of some businesses.

I do like it that Green Tree may and Mt. Lebo may sell pool passes to those who live in Dormont for the same rates as residents of those communities. Both Green Tree and Mt. Lebo have nice pools and both can take an influx of people -- and new pass incomes too. Seniors used to swim for free in Dormont -- and that can't happen any longer. Seniors everywhere else pay.

But the pool pass option should go for a wider group. What about deals with Allegheny County (South Park and Settlers Cabin are not too far), Sandcastle, Pittsburgh, Scott Township and even Brentwood. ???

Furthermore, Keyston Oaks High School serves Dormont students. K.O. used to have a part-time aquatics director. She was released from that job. It would be great if some of the funds that have been raised ($3400) by the citizen effort was re-deployed for pool time and instruction at the indoor pool in the high school.

Western Pa has a lot of fine indoor school pools that are wasted assets in the weeks in the summer. Some are idle too much in the fall, winter and spring as well. But, that is another matter.

One other point of mention -- Government Money. Allegheny County Exec. Director, Dan Onorato, seems to have said that he'd try to work with Allegheny County Council and come up with $75,000 if needed as a local match if another $75K could come from Ed Rendell. But Wayne Fontana, D., PA Senate in the 42nd (a guy I ran against and will run against in the future) has teamed with Tom Petrone, D., state Rep, up for re-election too, to ask Ed "slots" Rendell for $3-million.

You never know.

Rendell gave nearly 10-million to Midland for an arts center recently. I think much less could have gone to pay for the heater for the Passion Play, Veronica's Veil. But, we'll see how much money is to be tossed around.

What if Isle of Capri was able to pay $3-million on top of the new $290-million for the new ice arena for the Penguins?

Just think, we'd be able to get about 100 new swim pools all around Allegheny County, at $3-million each, if we only asked Isle of Capri to change its windfall funding away from NHL Hockey and Luxery Boxes to community swim pools.

There is more to say with more details and facts too. But, Dormont is going to be dry this summer. And, with the crisis comes and opportunity. Too bad the council did not take the crisis and form a sub-committee to tackle the problem at its meeting this week -- nor announce it in the press release yesterday.

People have a right to be skeptical.

Part 2 (a): Pittsblog pondering: Too many cooks in terms of biz development

Outside a food joint in Chengdu.

This is the first have of part 2 of 2 parts on this topic.

Pittsblog 'Pittsburgh has a 'too many cooks' problem when it comes to tech strategy.' I heard from a number of people that personal history gets in the way of forward economic progress in Pittsburgh. There are egos, and historical associations and present commitments, that are obstacles to success. I'm not sold on this idea. Can you name an economically vibrant urban area that isn't filled with big egos and complicated histories? I wonder whether the 'too many cooks' concern is an excuse more than a real obstacle.

Think of an old-fashioned barn raising. In the good old days, or in Amish Country now, there were events when everyone in the community came to lend a hand.

The men, boys, women and girls all had roles. And, everyone was needed.

Everyone, for a period, would put a shoulder into the project. Everyone had some skin in the game for that day or weekend.

When you have too many cooks, you can't rally the community to come together to do something of major importance, lasting value, significant accomplishment.

Then the ego thing is an artifact. We can't come to help you because you didn't see fit to come help us -- or him.

If everyone is cooking their own stew -- then we can not come together to have a major banquet. Having a lot of cooks isn't the real problem. Having a lot of selfish cooks is. And, having a lot of cooks who won't re-tool for other duties is a killer too. Nobody wants to go to a banquet and have 20-stews and nobody doing bread. But, we will go to a wedding and only eat cookies. :) (between beers)

Speaking of food -- I think it is time to run to the Fish Fry....

More to come... stay tuned...

Pittsblog pondering: Too many cooks in terms of biz development

This is part 1 of 2 on this topic.

Pittsblog 'Pittsburgh has a 'too many cooks' problem when it comes to tech strategy.' I heard from a number of people that personal history gets in the way of forward economic progress in Pittsburgh. There are egos, and historical associations and present commitments, that are obstacles to success. I'm not sold on this idea. Can you name an economically vibrant urban area that isn't filled with big egos and complicated histories? I wonder whether the 'too many cooks' concern is an excuse more than a real obstacle.

I think that there are too many cooks. I think that they all should be starved.

These cooks live off of lunch money from the politicians. Too many rely upon tax money, grants, soft-money, and other generous hand-outs. Too many were formed so as to build clout.

Follow the money. Look at the history of each group.

I'd say that the egos are less of an issue -- but the strings and wire-pulling that is expected from these groups from their funding buddies.

Let's make a list of community groups in the city that would hold a mayor debate in 2001 when Bob and Tom each spent $1-million in the Dem primary. Here is a hint: ZERO. NONE of the groups, and there are 40 at the top of my head, would dare to go out on limb and host such a forum. They all didn't want to bite the hand that feeds them. And, if they were fed up with Tom Murphy, they didn't want to rock the boat, just in case Bob would win anyway.

Same today with Ed Rendell. Do you think that the Digital Greenhouse would have sponsored anything but a ribbon cutting for ex-Gov Ridge? No way. Who is going to speak up against corporate welfare -- American Eagle? Does the Pgh Technology Center NOT want its parking garages?

There are too many groups because there have been too many handouts for the wrong reasons. And, the leadership in each group needs to walk on egg shells (Hoppy Easter).

And, many of these groups are just shells of an organization. They've lived on fumes. The money trail is getting dry. But, they can't put a fork in themselves. That is what the leadership needs to do -- but being honest and zapping a bit of political clout is hard to do.

Many of these groups stink and should go away. But, who is going to pull the trigger?

Stay tuned....

Casino traffic forecast faulted

An unpaid traffic engineer from one camp is tossing bricks at the report of another camp about traffic issues. The ploy is to get the South Side neiborhood all fired up to fight against the Station Square location for the casino.

Hurling the insults on the "study" won't work for a number of reasons.

Casino traffic forecast faulted An analyst for Pittsburgh's Gaming Task Force said Harrah's has 'woefully underestimated' the traffic jams its proposed Station Square casino would create along Carson Street.

Chuck Wooster, a traffic engineer working pro bono for the task force, was asked to review traffic projections submitted by the three outfits competing to win the city's lone slot machine casino license.

At the group's meeting yesterday, Mr. Wooster said Harrah's traffic projection appears to misjudge the number of cars that would visit Station Square.

'I don't buy it,' he said. 'It's woefully underestimated.'

For starters, none of these 'studies' nor plans are -- how should we say -- peer reviewed. And, the folks in the neighborhoods are not real fond of "studies" anyway.

Some of the 'weenies' who live off of government soft money might be anxious to read and react to the consultant studies -- as they are consultants too. But, those folks are reading the documents only to figure out how to get an opening so as to get themselves a subcontract. Or, they might want to go kiss-up to the firm that did one or the other report so they can get the next job. In the end, these folks are generally not going to rock the boat. They'll watch and nod and say little.

Other consultants have been hi-jacked to various other positions long ago. For example, those on the gambling task force are sitting on their hands playing roles of big cheese. They can't do anything because they are on the task force. So, they've been iced and have an excuse with a title to prove it.

Still others in the community never wanted gambling to begin with. So to pick between a plan that is hated and another that is despised is not going to happen. Rather, let's run to the fish fry today and say some more prayers.

Moreover, the South Siders have thick skin when it comes to these "studies."

Mr. Reginella came to a community meeting some years ago -- and I couldn't fathom what he said. He was in charge of traffic for the city under the last administation. He spoke about the pending closing of McArdle Roadway -- the road from the Liberty Bridge/Liberty Tunnel that crosses Warrington Ave and comes to the South Side closed. We could not use the bridge to drive to or from the South Side (12th, 10th, 9th Street) to the Liberty Bridge (to Downtown & North Hills with a right turn nor South Hills with a left). He "KNEW" without doubt that the closing of that road would NOT tie up traffic on East Carson Street.

Unreal statements like that have been around here for too long and get said too frequently.

The people see the crap -- and choose to not step in it.

Pirate and Steelers games screw up traffic on East Carson Street. Penguin games do too.

Anyone that comes here and says that traffic is going to be fine for a casino on The Hill and not for a casino at Station Square is a joke.

It just doesn't matter. Would you rather have a pimple on your cheek or your nose? Big deal. All the traffic fussing is in vain because what really matters isn't getting its due attention. And, its not like the folks who save parking spaces with a chair (myself included) can choose to widen East Carson Street to 8 lanes anyway.

A JOKE quote follows:

"The last thing we would ever do is choose a site that doesn't work,"

Should be, "The last thing we would ever do is choose a site that we didn't own..."

All gambling quotes are JOKES if the quote includes the word, "PALATABLE."

DUHHH.... "You've got a mountain on one side and a river on the other," he said. Sign us up for that geography lesson.

If you don't like our rivers and mountains -- then put the blasted casino in a desert (Las Vegas) or next to an ocean (Atlantic City) or at a waterfall and international border (Niagra) or on the edge of a historic battlefield (Gettysburg). I think the MON and Mt. Washington are but bumps in the landscape that can be bridged (pun intended).

As helpful as I try to be -- I offer my critical words, and generally try to follow-up with some solutions too. The photo that follows is from Hong Kong's Ocean Park. It is much like Kennywood, except in has two sections, because of the mountains. People are moved from one section of the park to the other in the lift.

We could build a people mover, such as these chair lifts / pods, to move people over the mountain and near the water. Stops could be in Monroeville and Robinson Town Center. (This is a joke.)

Thinking again about the Dormont Pool

We should have a water polo course within the Dormont Pool.
We should build a Kayak area within the Dormont Pool too!

Community TV producer. Watch out Disney... there is a new kid on the block.

I am now a producer at PCTV 21. Today I took the second course and payed the annual membership of $52. I've been involved with PCTV in the past in a number of ways: Art Of News, a Special on Save Our Summer, many interviews, hosted a debate, and did a 9-11 concert too. Now I'm going to be even more involved.

They got it wrong on the designation -- but called to say a fix was in (really)

The news director at TV 11 called to thank me for pointing out the distinction between city-wide and downtown in terms of a pending wi-fi discussion. So, the fix on that site is expected.

The blabbing is showing.... First off, a city-wide wi-fi isn't just downtown.

WPXI.com - News - Pittsburgh City Council Considers Citywide Wi-Fi: "Pittsburgh City Council Considers Citywide Wi-Fi
System Expected To Cost More Than $500,000

POSTED: 11:23 am EDT April 10, 2006
UPDATED: 2:41 pm EDT April 10, 2006

PITTSBURGH -- Getting on the web in downtown Pittsburgh could get a little easier.

The Pittsburgh City Council is considering a plan to create a citywide Wi-Fi network.

It would allow wireless Internet equipment to be placed on city owned utility poles downtown.

Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O'Connor hopes to have the system in place in time for July’s baseball All-Star game.

The system is expected to cost more than $500,000."

Downtown Grocery by 2007

European market? Would this fly in Pittsburgh?

Downtown grocery to open by 2007 Millcraft Industries Inc. announced yesterday that it plans to open a European-style gourmet market on Wood Street by the end of the year as part of its $40 million plus redevelopment of the former Lazarus-Macy's department store.

---

Other than getting run over by a car....

Pittsburgh Business Times: Piatts to bring European market to Pittsburgh - 2006-04-13 A recent survey of young professionals' interest in Downtown living by Carnegie Mellon University's H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management showed that nearly 95 percent of the survey's participants ranked a grocery store as the most important service in an ideal residential neighborhood -- far higher than any other amenity.

Here is my second favorite clean sweeper guy. He works on a bike and sells tools for redding up.

Russ Diamond for Governor

When I ran for city council -- I kept some of the powder dry. I should be more clear. I really kept some of the 'tea' dry.

Russ Diamond for Governor HOST a Pennsylvania Tea Party!
No, you don't have to go down to the harbor. You don't have to wear costumes like the Sons of Liberty in Boston. And you don't even have to serve tea.

All you need to do is schedule and host an event to get people together and rally them behind the Russ Diamond for Governor campaign.

It can be ten neighbors in your home, 50 patriots at a block party, or 600 people at a rented hall. Your imagination is the only limit!

Please contact us today make or get suggestions and schedule your Pennsylvania tea party!"

See that brown bag on the shelf on the far right... It is on its side and only half visible. It is full of Jasmine Tea. We carried this home from Hong Kong on our recent trip. And, another batch of another flavor of tea (Pu erh) came home as well. The tea is measured in a unit called a catties. The bag has 5 catties.

We'll be hosting plenty of Pennsylvania Tea Parties this summer and fall. How about you? I could come there and BRING along the tea for your friends and neighbors.

A Pennsylvania Spoiler Joins Race for Governor - New York Times

It seems as if this IS official.

A Pennsylvania Spoiler Joins Race for Governor - New York Times A Pennsylvania Spoiler Joins Race for Governor

By IAN URBINA Published: April 13, 2006

ALTOONA, Pa., April 11 — In what was already proving a surprisingly tight contest, the race for governor of Pennsylvania has grown more complicated with the entry of an independent candidate who helped spearhead a grass-roots insurgency last year against the state legislature.

Mark Rauterkus and Russ Diamond in December, 2005.

Cruise Control Master, Coach Dick Bower, to lead clinics in swimming

AMS SPONSORED CLINIC for “B”/“BB” SWIMMERS ages 10-14 are going to be held with Coach Dick Bower.

Allegheny Mountain Swimming will sponsor a series of clinics the week of May 8th in an effort to help promote the progression of our developmental swimmers. There is no fee for the clinic as AMS will fund the clinic. The clinics will be hosted by Coach Dick Bower.

Coach Bower has been coaching for the past 50 years throughout the United States. He has coached at all levels, 8 and under, age group, senior, High school, college and several Olympic medalists! He has coached numerous National Champions and is currently involved with numerous top ranked swimmers in the United States. Coach Bower started his coaching career in this area and is now consulting, providing coaches workshops and holding numerous clinics throughout the world.

This clinic will try to provide the B/BB swimmers with information and motivation to move on to the next level!

There are 4 clinics scheduled at this time.

Monday, May 8, 6:30-8:30 PM Bethel Park High School
Tuesday, May 9, 6:30-8:30 PM Moon High School
Wednesday, May 10, 6:00-8:00 PM North Allegheny High School
Thursday, May, 11, 6:00-8:00 PM Fox Chapel High School

Registration: B/BB swimmers age 10-14

Swimmers must e-mail Bill Kennedy to register. Include Name, Age, Swim Club, and most important - Date and Location you would like to attend!

No swimmer is permitted to register if they have an “A” time. All swimmers must be registered USS!

Registered swimmers will get an e-mail confirmation of registration with a registration number. Please bring this confirmation to the clinic. We are limited to 42 swimmers per clinic on a first come first serve basis. You may specify a second choice location in the event that the clinic you want to attend is full.

Coaches are encouraged to attend! Coach Bower will meet with you 30 minutes before the session to provide you with information on the program. He would like you to then help out with the clinic if you would like to under his direction. He will stay after the clinic for any coach that has questions or would liker further information. This type of clinic works best if coaches attend and follow-up with their swimmers. Coaches please e-mail me if you plan on attending.

Any Questions: Bill Kennedy - bk1swim -at- adelphia.net

Province Swim Pool in Chengdu. This is a 50-meter pool, all deep water, 8 wide lanes. You can't see the seperate diving well in the photo. Now the large flag has been replaced by a modern scoreboard with video. Those are temporary bulkheads on the outside 2 lanes so a 50-meter course can be swum in the middle of the pool.

Western Pennsylvania, bring it home

AP Wire | 04/12/2006 | News in brief from western Pennsylvania
AP - PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh-area leaders are supporting a campaign to bring more conferences, meetings and even family reunions to southwestern Pennsylvania in 2008.

The Reunion 2008 initiative promotes the campaign under the theme, 'Bring It Home to Pittsburgh.'

The campaign is part of the city's plans for its 250th anniversary celebrations in 2008.

'This is an opportunity to get creative and plan events that bring people back to Pittsburgh,' said James Rohr, chairman of the Pittsburgh 250 Commission and chief executive of PNC Financial Services Group.

The campaign offers a 'unique opportunity to reintroduce our region to the world,' said Andrew Masich, chief executive of the Sen. John Heinz Regional History Center.

A 'Bring it Home' campaign a few years ago generated the booking of 122 meetings in the city, according to the Greater Pittsburgh Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The bureau has created Reunion 2008 kits that contain reunion planning information.

Home -- Here is an idea. I think Pittsburgh could and should build a Time Share Building or Time Share Complex. Make them high rise apartments and sell them for week-long periods. I think that there are many people from around the world that would come to Pittsburgh for a week. I think that they'd be popular.

And, Michael Keaton might buy the first unit.

Pittsburgh getting All-Star makeover - PittsburghLIVE.com

I've had it up to here with this fixation on the All-Star Game. The wi-fi needs to be built by the All-Star Game. Eight officers get training in scuba for underwater work for the All-Star Game. New dogs and remote camera to peer on citizens are to be installed for the All Star Game. Red carpet to move ballplayers on convertables for the All-Star Game. And now, we get to shrink wrap and wall paper our empty buildings all around town for the All-Star Game. Redd up already -- but do it for something other than the Reds, White Sox, Red Sox and Royals -- as I'm getting a YANKed around feeling.

Pittsburgh getting All-Star makeover - PittsburghLIVE.com: "The city's facelift also could include wrapping abandoned buildings with the All-Star Game logo, Mayor Bob O'Connor said. Communities throughout a 10-county region will be encouraged to use the All-Star logo on shops and sidewalks.

'We don't just want Downtown,' O'Connor said.

But in a shift of the 'tone' from O'Connor, there is a great quote. This isn't just for 'downtown.' Right on Bob. Just as wi-fi should NOT be 'just for downtown.'
Obesity was less of a problem in 1944. And, look, the All-Star logo didn't JUST show downtown.

Got bikes -- but no kids. But, the roads are not safe. We don't have bike lanes. We don't have bike racks. We don't have drivers to share the road.

Number of Kids on Type 2 Diabetes Drugs Doubles

MedlinePlus: Number of Kids on Type 2 Diabetes Drugs Doubles
FRIDAY, April 7 (HealthDay News) -- In a four-year span, the number of U.S. children and teens taking prescription drugs to treat or prevent type 2 diabetes has increased two-fold, according to a new study.

'From 2002 to 2005, we found a doubling of type 2 diabetes medications,' said Emily Cox, the senior director of research at Express Scripts, a benefits management company that conducted the study.

So, this is what happens if you cut the Recreation Centers by more than half. We used to have 32 outdoor swim pools. Most of them, in the city, are vacant lots. Dormont's Pool is not going to open this year, without a miracle.

The city does not have a marathon, like it used to have. The city used to sponsor The Thrift Drug Classic -- bike race. And even the 84 Lumber PGA event is soon only to be a memory.

Participation sports have taken a big hit. We need to get fit and make fitness a part of our fabric again.

And, even in sports in this city, it is a major victory to be .500. The Penguins are the worst team in hockey (we think) and the team won't pledge to say in Pittsburgh, and there is a pep rally for the Pens next week. The Pens walked away from the only indoor ice rink in the city, other than the Civic Arena, which they want to hit with a wrecking ball anyway. The closed indoor ice rink is a dark hole in our city. And, the Pens even put Southpoint, its practice facility in Washington County, in a lurch with ownership.

How many hockey rinks came into the market in the wake of Mario's arrival here? Mt. Lebo, Plum, Bladerunners, Castle Shannon, B.Park, Island Sports, etc. And then ask how many of them are financially stable and viable?

Perhaps the Pens can hold some of the blame for that build out and resulting contractions too? Greed isn't hard to find.

Now, obesity in kids and adults is par for the course.

Interesting Questions on KQV poll in recent days

The Dormont Pool will be closed this summer because extensive renovations are needed to make it safe. Dormont is represented by State Senator Wayne Fontana and Representative Tom Petrone. They are asking Governor Rendell for help in funding the estimated 3-million dollar cost of repairing the pool, a cost they say the community can not afford.

The online voting was 51 to 49 percent. At one time, in the morning, the votes were heavy on the side of NOT funding the pool. Then I expect that the word got out to Dormont residents and they started to rack up the calls and clicks.

The other question of interest was about the payment for the expansion of new seats in the Steelers' venue, Heinz Field. The 700+ seats and new box / lounge area is going to be paid for, in part, by public money. The Steelers are getting an upgrade to what they already have and they don't need to pay the full freight of that upgrade.

That was turned into a KQV poll -- and when I tuned in, the bulk of the callers and clicks were to have the Steelers pay the entire amount.

Wayne Fontana, D., voted to have the public pay for the seat expansion at Heinz Field.

Walking in place in a park with exercise equipment.

Taking a long walk on a short -- err -- expensive pier. Go Lt. Gov Candidate Stilp

Source: Gene Stilp, Lt. Governor Reform Committee

Stilp to Protest Brightbill's Tens of Thousands of Dollars in Per Diems in
26.2-Mile Walk From the Senator's Home to His Capitol Office

Lieutenant Governor Candidate Says Brightbill Should Return Thousands in Wrongfully Pocketed Taxpayer Funds

On Wednesday, April 12 from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m., Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate and anti-pay-raise activist Gene Stilp will take a break from the statewide campaign trail to embark on yet another trail. This time, Stilp will walk from Senator David "Chip" Brightbill's home in Mt. Gretna, Lebanon County to Brightbill's Capitol office. The distance: exactly 26.2 miles.

Stilp is staging the walk to demand that Brightbill return tens of thousands of dollars to Pennsylvania taxpayers taken in the form of per diem expenses, even though the Senate Majority Leader lives well within commuting distance of the Capitol.

"While the Pennsylvania House of representatives has a rule that no legislator can receive a per diem if the member lives within 50 miles of the Capitol, the Senate, where Senator Brightbill is the Majority Leader, allows the taking of a per diem no matter how close you live or if you actually use the money on expenses," Stilp explained. The Senate per diem rate is currently $143 per day. "Obviously, the rate was lower in the past, but as Majority Leader, Senator Brightbill makes the rules," Stilp said.

In recent years, Brightbill has collected as much as $8,000 to more than $10,000 per year in extra income from the per diems. "He does not stay in hotels in Harrisburg, he merely pockets the money," Stilp said.

Stilp is also asking Brightbill for a full accounting of his per diems while in office. "No one knows what the real amount is. It may well total more than $100,000 in extra income. Only an audit of Brightbill's per diems will tell," Stilp noted. Senator Brightbill is also holding up passage of Governor Rendell's Minimum Wage Bill in the Senate.

While Stilp is not a resident of Brightbill's district, and the Senator will likely point this out, the anti-pay-raise activist notes that taxpayers across the commonwealth pay for the per diems, not just Brightbill's constituents.

"These tens of thousands of dollars Brightbill owes the taxpayers are in addition to the tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions he just returned to gambling interests. Simply put, 'Chip's dip' into the taxpayers' pocketbook for per diems has got to stop," Stilp concluded.

Mr. Stilp is currently running against Catherine Baker Knoll in the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor. The election is May 16.

Citywide Wi-Fi to get public airing

Citywide Wi-Fi to get public airing council will hold an April 24 public hearing on the possibility of citywide Wi-Fi.

Saturday - Rogues and Pitt

The Rogues meet at 9 am in Saturday, April 15, 2006, at the Holiday Inn Select across
from South Hills Village, $13.00 per person. This month, all candidates for elective office get to speak on behalf their campaigns and the issues that they see important.

RSVP to Herb Ohliger, herb138 -at- fyi.net.

That afternoon Pitt's football team plays its blue-gold game at Heinz Field. Cost is $5.

Hope you enjoy your weekend.

Blog Fest Prom and Page Six Fiction and Social Interaction

Did you hear about how the one blogger's avatar went to the Duquesne Club and fell in love with the tourist in a tuxedo?

CMU/Pitt Nursebot Project Social interaction: A huge number of elderly people are forced to live alone, deprived of social contacts. The project seeks to explore whether robots can take over certain social functions.

Humm.... A nurse bot that tells you to take your meds, and injects a bit of blogging content into your veins as well.

Taken to the next level, perhaps we can agree that we can use technology to heal and be an interaction force to help people live longer. So, we should build bridges to social events in the tech world too.

I suggest that others in the Pgh Blogging Universe put together a PROM for May or June. I'll attend. But, sadly, I won't be able to organize it.

With a prom, there might be some newsworthy mentions in the local, if not statewide newspapers -- like who wore pink and who came in sneakers. And proms are one of those last chances to have a youthful fling, before hitting the 'real world.'

A bloggers prom event could be a milestone for maturity for the medium and the messengers' confab.

Another suggestion, if folks really wanted to play around like teens (and perhaps strive to re-caputure their youth) -- perhaps the ring-leaders should instigate a no-agenda, fiction filled, fun-only, interactive, project for scribes and creative types that aims to be a HYPE MACHINE --- like Page Six!

Page Six is the gossip page for an out-of-town newspaper. Recent reports of journalists and clebs pimping for PR and profit, (imagine that), adds fuel to the pay-ol-a fire.

Scandal, intrigue, escapades and brushes with the high-rollers (from boardroom to bedroom to nursing homes) could be cooked up -- as in fabricated -- into a 'soap opera' that plays among various sites. And, so as to not slander anyone, the characters could be movie stars and divas of an online origin for this drama.

Any D&D gamers on the scene in the Pgh Blog space? I bet some of the seniors would have a lot of spare time on their hands.

Fantasy games, clues, discovery, investigations, and more could happen -- just for the hell and thrill of it -- online and off. Then buzz and coverage would come -- with elusive behaviors expected.

Seneca Valley sells stadium naming rights

Way to go Mr. Caprara. Well done.

Seneca Valley sells stadium naming rights The Seneca Valley school board last night sold the naming rights of its football stadium to NexTier Bank in what may be the first transaction of its kind in Western Pennsylvania.

Raider Stadium will now be known as NexTier Stadium under a 10-year agreement whereby NexTier will pay the Butler County school district $50,000 over 10 years plus the expense of new signs.

Signage, including a NexTier Stadium name above the stadium entrance, the NexTier logo bar across visitors' side bleachers and NexTier logo flags on light posts, could be in place before the district's June 2 graduation at the stadium.

It is believed that this is the first partnership in Western Pennsylvania in which a high school stadium takes the name of a corporate sponsor, according to Greg Caprara, athletic director for the school district.

So, the Dormont Swim Pool naming rights should be the next on the auction block.

And, I'd love to see a region wide sales effort. This was part of my position paper on parks a few years ago. Sell the naming rights to lots of assets -- but do so in a more ogananized and more profitable way.

Just as the high-end auction houses put together the big players for a bidding event -- the same could be organized for other efforts in a catalog and in person.

Heck, perhaps one of Terry Bradshaw's game-day jerseys would have been featured as a 'down-payment' to create the endowment.

FWIW, Greg Caprara, A.D., hired me as the varsity swim coach at Fox Chapel for the girls and boys teams a couple of years ago. We surfed through a transition season and this year, the (girl) Foxes got 2nd in the WPIALs. Greg is good for sports in the region as he is a 'think outside the box' leader.

Rocky Mountain News: Rocky Ride for Pirates: Tossing Rocks by Keaton

Sports and Journalism.... humm...

Rocky Mountain News: Columnists This is a pretty adept PR job by Major League Baseball, which has managed to make the question, 'If the press didn't know, how were we supposed to know?' Too bad Enron didn't think of that.

In fact, two reporters from the San Francisco Chronicle forced baseball to act, but critics point out these were not sportswriters but news-side guys.

As Mark Jurkowitz of The Phoenix in Boston wrote last week, sports have become a big seller for newspapers and other media, which are looking for sales drivers in a big way.

Nice article on the role of Journalist and Sports Coverage.

Major Leage Baseball lost me. I don't even want my kids to play baseball, sadly. I don't want to take them to PNC Park -- and I think it is way better to go to a high school baseball game. Perhaps my kids will go to PNC Park to watch high school baseball at the end of the year. I'd rather see High School Baseball every day in PNC Park -- and sidestep the Pirates. But, I'm going overboard a tad.

According to Jurkowitz, Buster Olney, formerly of The New York Times and now of ESPN, wrote this in The Times 10 days ago: "I had a role in baseball's institutional failure during what will be forever known as the Steroid Era." In my sport, swimming, we had an era of steroids. One time of serious concern was the 1976 Olympics. Time stamp that! And, we didn't ignore the issue. Baseball did.

And, now, baseball isn't welcome in the Olympic Village. Baseball has been given the boot and won't be a part of the London Olympics in 2012. It is too late to give them the cold-shoulder for 2008.

As for weightlifters and sports reporters -- well -- I've got some history there too. When I published books, we did a good bit of work on putting out some anti-doping materials.

And, I've not been publishing for more than 10 years -- so time stamp that too!

Baseball's reporters -- and the bulk (pun intended) of the mainstream reporters on sports are both naive -- and they do need to share the blame. Same too for the corporations that employ the scribes. The Post Gazette used to own part of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Other media companies (Cubs) have big interests in various teams too.

I don't care much about the 'conflict of interest' -- but I do care that the conflict was not revealed. Disney, ESPN, and the Mighty Ducks can all have stock owners with the same bank accounts. But shine a light on the news for goodness sakes.

Heads up to Lifeguard and EMS friends -- free offer for swap out

A special offer came to our attention concerning a Cervical Immobilization Device (CID). This would apply to swim pools, EMS crews, hospitals, firehouses, and such.

The company, Laerdal Medical, developed a SpeedBlocks Immobilizer. SpeedBlocks are the best device for, not only EMS field use, but for lifeguards and Water Rescue Technicians. SpeedBlocks are the very best head immobilizer system available.

Laerdal Medical is offering a Free Swap-out Program by which you can swap out your current head immobilizer for a Laerdal SpeedBlocks immobilizer. This program is available directly through the manufacturer.

Access the Laerdal Swap-out program at http://www.laerdal.com/3536/speedblocksform.htm.



For additional information on this product and skills, access the SPINAL IMMOBILIZATION SECTION of the Lifesaving Resources’ ONLINE CATALOG.

Cheer for a High School Team -- as the Pirates are, well, Mr. Mom said....

Go Langley Mustangs!

The kid from Montour had a good movie role in the past when he played the star of "Mr. Mom." .... snicker.....

Need another reason, sterioids are not such a factor in high school sports. And, when you go to a local high school baseball game, chances are, one of OUR teams is going to win. And, often, none of the kids are loosers.

HighSchoolSports.Net shows Langley HS schedule

Now that the weather has broken, you can catch a lot of the local high school teams' schedules on the web site, HighSchoolSports.net.

HighSchoolSports.Net - Listings Tuesday 04/18 Home vs. Steel Valley High School at Sheraden Field 3:30 PM

Wednesday, 04/19, Home, vs. Brashear High School, Langley Field 3 pm

Fridaym 04/21, Home vs. Allderdice High School at Langley Field at 3 PM

Monday, 04/24, Home vs. Peabody High School at Langley Field at 3 PM

Wednesday, 04/26, Away at Oliver High School at 3 pm.

Saturday, 04/29, Away vs. Beaver Falls High School at 7 PM

Monday, 05/01, Away at Perry High School at 3 PM

Wednesday, 05/03, Home vs. Sto-Rox High School at Sheraden Field at 3

Monday, 05/08, Away at Westinghouse High School at 3 PM

Thursday, 05/11, Away at Schenley High School at 3 pm.

Friday, 05/12, Away vs. Bishop Canevin HS at 8 PM

Thursday, 05/18, Home Quarter-Finals at Langley Field TBA

Tuesday, 05/23, Away, Semi-Finals, TBA

Sunday, 05/28, Away, Baseball City League Finals, To Be Announced

Statement before City Council, odds and ends and downtown wireless tip-off

My name is Mark Rauterkus.

My family and I reside at 108 South 12th Street on the South Side.
I have a home on the internet at Rauterkus.com.

I am vice chairman of the Allegheny County Libertarian Party.

Recently I was a candidate for City Council and I'm presently circulating petitions for the November election.

My voter registration is now as "independent.'

Democracy is important and at the time of elections, we need to put forth new ideas and new candidates. I feel that the one party system in the city -- and the national 2-party system -- both need drastic overhauls.

One simple, level-headed change I endorse concerns ballot access. The PA ballot access coalition has put forth pending legislation that is common-sense and should be adopted.

The new voting machines we are getting in Allegheny County raises another serious problem. Thankfully the Sequoia option has been scratched from consideration. That's out. It was junk. Frankly, the new option is NOT MUCH better.

Years ago, I called for OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE as the best method for getting our "voting machines' -- and that "feature" is still lacking from the solution -- so I'm not satisfied.

Technology is important to me and our society.

I have a rich tech background. I am a 'geek" that understands many of the implications and impacts of tech policy.

Today, my main message is about the Downtown Wireless plans and proposals.

If I was in your position, I'd NOT take the plan that is before you now.

Downtown Wireless is "downtown." You are a 'city council.'

I would INSIST upon City-Wide Wireless.

This is another example where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

One of your roles, as city council, is to lead with integrity and understand and apply a big concept -- EQUITY.

Would you ever build a POLICE FORCE and have it ONLY serve Downtown?

Would you ever deploy a FIRE Department and say -- you can't leave downtown?

The wireless downtown plan is just for downtown.

It makes no sense to embrace a downtown plan because we should have wireless city-wide -- and great firms like Earthlink can help to throw the switch on the deployment without ANYTHING from the city -- except a key ingredient.... That is "LEADERSHIP."

Furthermore, Downtown wireless for 2-hours is silly.

+ The cost after 2 hours of use per day is UNKNOWN. You should NEVER buy into an agreement until the big facts are on the table. HOW MUCH and WHEN are key questions that MUST BE ANSWERED.

Both 'consumer costs' and 'government costs' are matters that city council should represent as part of its duty.

+ Downtown businesses -- for example, Alcoa or a financial institution, or a law firm, -- are NOT going to use the public wireless infrastructure. Don't fool yourself. The firms mentioned and others with a downtown address are the kind that need security and control as well as accountability with their mission critical networks. This solution will NOT provide, especially at the outset, the necessary components for the downtown business sector. And, these firms already have networks that are beyond what this plan aspires to deliver.

+ Even pending residents of downtown, as featured in in today's newspaper, who are moving from suburban homes to return to city living, (such as Rich Trombetta, 42, a computer project manager for PNC Bank) are NOT going to reply upon 2-hours of free wireless so as to live downtown. He can afford his own line. Like I've got my own line.

City council should not be suckers for rich get richer propositions -- based on downtown neighborhood hype.

+ On the other hand, small business -- say, the South Side's Pickle Barrel and Dee's Cafe, -- could use the wireless in two hour chunks for themselves and their customers. The sector who can really use and thrive with a new wireless capacity is the small, neighborhood business throughout the city that operate beyond downtown.

+ Downtown is easy to make wireless -- without telephone polls. Ruth's Chris Steakhouse -- in PPG's business complex -- does not need a telephone poll to make the jump to wireless.

+ Downtown buildings, for decades, have been serviced with high speed, cable, fiber optics.

+ Our neighborhoods, are a different matter, unlike the landscape of downtown and the needs of those who work and conduct business downtown.

+ The school kids would be PRIME users of free wireless for daily, two-hour periods for doing their homework. That is PERFECT as I don't want my kid on the internet for longer stretches anyway. Our kids needs to be literate with technology. Doing homework at grandmas, or in a rec center before a ballgame, or elsewhere would be a great boom to our quality of life.

+ When city council sanctions sweet-heart, downtown deals, like the downtown wireless plans, it then NULLIFIES all hopes for a city-wide install. City council's act lets them "pick the cherries." Serious city-wide work needs to be done.

+ City-wide wireless isn't a breeze. But, it isn't hard to accomplish.
The entire Philly area, full of its corruption, is going wireless. Philly is going wireless, as a COUNTY. We don't need to take Allegheny County wireless, like they are doing in Philly, but we should enable the entire city to have wireless access.

Perhaps City Council is being hoodwinked.

Perhaps, city council members are ignorant -- or just dis-ingenious to the neighborhoods.

+ The PDP, Pgh Downtown Partnership, should be sent back to the drawing boards.

+ There is no rush to get wireless installed before for the 2006 All-Star Game. Give me a break.

+ Tell the PDP to co-host, a REGION WIDE, youth technology summit. After two or three days at a summit, with everyone under the same roof, we'll be able to tell city council what is our best course of action.

Wireless should be for the entire city, not just downtown. Otherwise, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. And, downtown is easy to make wireless within various buildings and hubs. The city should have been wireless years ago. But, this is the kind of absent minded services you get when you have this type of city council leadership.

Swim programs at the college level

Good news and bad news about some college swimming programs. Iowa State Univ. is going to re-start its men's swim team -- and -- UNH is going to cut its program.

Camp AK-O-Mak The University of New Hampshire is ending its men's swim team program. Let's help our alumni who swam at UNH - by helping them spread our disappointment with this decision. Swimming is a great sport - and means a lot to so many of us. So, too, does equality in sport. Swimming seems to be on the short end of the stick in the UNH case. The school needs to save money - so they're ending a program that is considered 'easy' to cut.

Here is a link to write UNH's president, if you'd like to help save men's swimming:

http://www.unh.edu/president/presemail.htm or email the UNH Athletic Director Mr. Marty Scarano at marty.scarano@unh.edu It's time to speak up for swimmers everywhere!

Thanks "running mates" for the clicks and the short note to the AD and University President.
These kids won't be going to UNH. They won't even dream about it. And, the parents of these kids won't be taking jobs as faculty and staff at UNH either. More than 100 quality students depart a campus when the men's swim team is dropped as college coaches often recruit 25 students to their campus each year. Only 10 may join the team, but more are pulled to the school for their education.

---

My note:
Message: I would say that the decision to cut mens swimming and diving would take away more than 100 quality student athletes from your school. A decent college coach recruits 25 new students to the school each year. Only 10 or so may join the team. But, others show up and become students. And, they'd not go there if swimming wasn't an option.

Pull together a water polo program and you'd get another 100 students -- quality students -- on campus.

Furthermore, my wife, Ph.D., professor at Univ. of Pittsburgh, won't ever go to work at a university such as yours because you don't have swimming programs. She won't swim -- but the benefits would be great for our family and for the greater community. So, you'll need to subtract ten possible new faculity members each year who won't even be interested in jobs at UNH.

Hope you see the big picture.

Signed, MR (contact details)
Dad of two swimmers, coach of two swim teams and a six years as a NCAA Division I swim coach (Ohio Univ., Baylor Univ., Bradley Univ.).

Revised plan would delay West End school closing

Revised plan would delay West End school closing Revised plan would delay West End school closing

This is great news and another example where people were able to "Think Again." I love it.... for many reasons.

The Gifted Center needs to move out of its present location in The Hill District. The plan was to put it over on the North Side at Ridge -- a dumb decision. That building has ONE WINDOW. And, it went up for sale and there were a number of interested parties that was thinking of buying the building. Well, the long and short of it was that The Gifted Center would NEVER fit into where the "right size plan" called for it to move. That isn't going to happen. Such a relief.

The Gifted Center is not slated to move into the West End's Greenway. GREAT. That is a funky school -- but these kids are gifted and they'll be able to fit and have a good place to learn.

Furthermore, the whole shift of the Classical Academy into Langley made no sense to me. The "right sized plan" was ONLY about elementary schools and middle schools. There was little to no thought put into the landscape of our assets and options with those in the high school grades. That is still to come. So, putting more students into a high school building -- without thinking about the overall impact of the high school educational mission and directions was foolish.

Really, in the end of the thinking process -- it might make great sense to move LANGLEY High School into Greenway. Then the gifted center might need to move again. Okay.

Hats off to Mr. Roosevelt for a much, much better decision. Way to go. Thinking again is necessary.

Open Clip Art Library :: openclipart.org :: Drawing Together.

I love community projects and public domain drop offs and pick-up points.

Open Clip Art Library - openclipart.org - Drawing Together.Drawing Together.

This project aims to create an archive of user contributed clip art that can be freely used.

Hartford is nice

Hartford suitor ready to woo Penguins - PittsburghLIVE.com First it was Kansas City, and now it's Hartford, Conn., that wants the team if it can't get a new arena in Pittsburgh.

Hartford is wailing.

What is to say that the Pens would NOT leave even IF we build them a new arena?

The lease helps ground the team in the area -- right?

Well, better than a lease to a building that the Pens would NOT own -- how about if the team has a building of its own and then that building acts as real roots to the area.

Let's not build a new arena and have the arena's ownership be anything other than the Penguins. The Penguins should own the new arena.

School buildings should be owned by the school district. Homes should be owned by homeowners. Commercial buildings should be owned by businesses. Parks should be owned by a park district. New toll roads should not be owned by Australian Investors. But, out of the list, the last one is not such a bad deal as they can't move the highway.

Mayor opens dialogue - PittsburghLIVE.com

Mayor opens dialogue - PittsburghLIVE.com Stephen Opara, 17, a senior at Taylor Allderdice High School in Squirrel Hill, told O'Connor that students need more recreation centers and summer job opportunities.

A commission that meets four to six times a year should really be called a 'pep rally.' Others might call it a photo opportunity too.

Of course we need more Rec Center engagement. Of course we need more educational enrichment. Of course we need jobs -- such as lifeguarding -- in the summer months. Those items, ranging from youth technology to dynamic aquatic programs are near and dear to my heart -- and to the soul of the future of this city.

I think probably we should listen to students more often than we do -- and I include myself in the group that should probably do that more often," said Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt, who chatted with O'Connor and students.

Right on. Think again.

But Mr. Roosevelt -- how about if you start by doing a way better job in your communication activities with the school teachers. Send them a blasted email or two -- each week. And, allow them to communicate among themselves as well.

I hate to see the boss of the schools on his knees trying to beg for student to superintendent communications when there is much more to be done among faculty and administration, administration and parents, and administration and tax payers.

kdka.com - O'Connor Puts Hold On Plans To Expand Police Force

kdka.com - O'Connor Puts Hold On Plans To Expand Police Force Right now, the city has 814 officers and 45 cadets will start field training next week.

Glass is half full -- not half empty.

The headline, O'Connor Puts HOLD on Plans to Expand Police Force, is wrong if you just read the article. When you do the math, + 45 + 814 = 859. That is a net gain -- and movement to 900.

I hate to see the twisted reporting. Move Saks (as blog says below) is media expansion and I say it is NOT a net gain. But, add 45 officers is called a a HOLD by the media, and I say it is a gain!

When the MATH is in question -- and the outcomes are at odds with the truth -- we've got some serious watchdog problems still lurking.

Another 45 officers in a month or two is going to be 'perfect.'

Heck we are already due to get more video monitors, cameras and robots. And, we've already got new river frogmen and high-speed air boats -- all in time for the All-Stars. Those acts are hardly "PUTS HOLD ON PLANS" if you ask me.

Another 'under current' (pun intended) is the fear that dangles about too many rookies hitting the streets in some tinderbox neighborhoods. The zone commanders have shifted. The city has some fragile areas that could spiral out of control if a few acts get out of hand.

Let's pray some more.

Lawsuits add to Pittsburgh's financial woes - PittsburghLIVE.com

Of course! Thanks for the notice. People do read my blog and platform.

Lawsuits add to Pittsburgh's financial woes - PittsburghLIVE.com Lawsuits have amplified the costs of guiding Pittsburgh out of its financial mess, according to preliminary budget figures from the city's state oversight board.

Much of the higher-than-anticipated costs comes from legal fights the board started or was forced into with former Mayor Tom Murphy, the city-county Sports & Exhibition Authority and the city's firefighters union.

The coutless lawsuits that the city, and even the county have engaged, in the past decades is horrid.

I've called for a major shift in the benchmark for litigation. To me it is a no brainer. These court costs have been massive. And, the city has been big-time loosers. The decisions have more often than not gone against the city's best interest. And, for good reason.

The parking lot in Panther Hollow is one example.

The seedy theater in the North Side is another fine example.

As the country song goes, "you gotta know when to fold 'em."

The city's leadership must "Lay the Shovel Down" -- and do much more to cut their losses. Snip away.

The next big case that is brewing, and I already made mention of this on the blog and on the record at city hall before city council is the Bill Peduto sponsored "Bubble Bill." The city should not waste a nickle trying to defend the "Bubble Bill."

Background: In the fall of 2005, the city, at the urging of the women's health clinic and Planned Parenthood folks, drafted a new set of laws that makes a protected area around people that moves around a protected area already designated around the entry of women's health clinics. This new 2005 law came into being because the managers within the Police Department were without strong leadership. They were fearful of backlashes from city hall politicans who flapped in the wind. And, because of police force cuts and a lack of new hires to cover needed shifts.

Make no mistake, the situation was broken because of compounded problems on compounded problems -- all caused from the ill management of Tom Murphy and his administration.

So, city council acted -- and did a classic 'over reach' so as to write new laws. The best fix would have been new directions and understood policies from the police and top brass. And, there was an enforcement issue that needed to be monitored.

The people need to feel safe and respected on the streets -- and near the health clinics. But, the police were only able to toss their hands into the air and look the other way -- if they were even around due to cutbacks, overtime headaches and thin force in general.

Now that the 'bubble bill' of 2005 is on the books it is right where we thought it would go -- into the courts.

The city might need to spend $200,000 or $400,000 on the defense of the 'bubble bill' -- OR -- a wise, prudent city council member could introduce a new bit of legislation that RECINDS the 'bubble bill' and gets the court case to be dropped. That would take about ten phone calls and save $200,000.

Then, with the $200,000 -- the city can open a few swim pools, hire a few crossing guards and get new rat bait for rodent control.

I feel strongly that there are times and places where defending principles are justified. Let's not burn money on the 'bubble bill' -- NOR another dozen fruitless court cases.

Meanwhile, the ICA (oversight board) paid $800k to a law firm -- and that must stop too.

As we settle disputes in the courts -- nobody wins. Judges are bad at finding the best solutions for the long-term health of the region.

We need a better margin of litigation!

Piatt Place plan grows

This is a red herring alert. The catfish are jumping. ...

Piatt Place plan grows - PittsburghLIVE.com Millcraft Industries Inc., of Cecil Township, Washington County, also wants to talk to officials of Saks Inc. to determine its interest in moving its Saks Fifth Avenue store Downtown to its expanded development site.

'We also will be contacting Saks to determine if it wants to use part of the site to expand its store,' said Lucas Piatt, vice president of real estate for Millcraft, which in January completed purchase of the Lazarus-Macy's building from Federated Department Stores Inc.

If you move -- you move. That isn't a guarantee of growth. Rather that is called "CHURNING." We don't need to churn. We need to grown.

And more over, we don't need to subsidize the churning.

To get Sacks to move from A to B is but a shell game. What then goes to B, an empty building?

Even the downtown residents -- they'll be moving out of other neighborhoods to go downtown. That is displacement.

Developers make money when they bribe folks to move near them -- as their land values and property values can double, triple or more. But, holes elsewhere are created, often.

This shifting is often just to allow the rich, err, the super rich to get richer and the poor to get poorer.

If I had a voice in O'Connor's office I'd say in no uncertain terms that any move to this development area that is just as described in the article -- would insure that the entire project gets $0 as a subsidy. It should NOT be accepted.

We're going to take the high road and improve our city -- with gains, real net gains. We can't toss up some smoke and mirrors and expect real progress to occur. We can't have the city be fooled into such sillyness.

O'Connor shouldn't say, Saks should stay here. He should say that he wants Saks to stay PUT. Big difference.

Even with the Penguin discussions. The Penguins should stay here (in the greater Pittsburgh area) and the arena should stay put. The Pens can build a new areana and move out of the civic arena -- but the old arena is going to stay put and be a home to the circus and Disney on Ice and Carrick High School Graduations.

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - PittsburghLIVE.com

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - PittsburghLIVE.com Lance: To Dan Onorato. Allegheny County voters twice have rejected a home rule charter amendment that would have allowed sitting County Council members to run for other offices. The idea, a good one, was to prevent the council from becoming a springboard and soapbox for those with higher political ambitions. Yet Mr. Onorato, the chief executive, is proposing a third referendum on the very topic. How many times do the people have to speak?

Lance: To Mr. Onorato. The aforementioned amendment might not pass legal muster. Why? It places before voters not a single issue but a second issue -- if voters also want quick special elections to fill vacancies to avoid the practice of the council appointing people to fill vacancies. Convoluted, 'Christmas-treed' amendments are a constitutional no-no at the state level; there's no reason to think that same rule is not applicable at the local level.

Hear, hear. I've got plenty to say about special elections and those who want to run for office other than the one they are in presently.