Happy Software Freedom Day Today

Hope you have enjoyed a GREAT day as it is Software Freedom Day.

We need more open source models within our governmental solutions. If elected, we'll celebrate this day to a higher degree. Plus, I'll do everything possible to leverage open source and free software in all public and governmental efforts. For example, the security cameras that the mayor wants to put all around town should be 'open sourced.' Furthermore, the voting machines should be open source.

To celebrate the day, or the week, or the new era, go get and install and use OpenOffice.org, a replacement to Microsoft Office.



Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) can run on top of Windows providing extra user choice. The Firefox web browser and Open Office suite are popular examples. Firefox has over a quarter of the desktop browser market alone, to which other browsers such as Apple's add to make big competition for Microsoft's Internet Explorer. But the playing field is not level, hence the need for Software Freedom Day, user support, and publicity.

"The main issue is standards," says Richard Tindall, Software Freedom Day's Christchurch team leader. "Monopoly tactics in the PC software market undermine user choice by breaking standards," he says. "The end result is information blockage through proprietary formats and vendor lock-in." Working around these obstacles requires assistance, for less technical users. That kind of work is done on Software Freedom Day.

"But the situation is improving," says Tindall. He cites the New Zealand Government Web Standards and Recommendations of March 2007. These require crown and public agency adherence to the W3C Web Accessibility Initiatives, from 1 January 2008. "The FOSS user community is eager for inclusion via information presentation standards and browser compatibility," Tindall says.

A good example of the service neglect FOSS users suffer is to be found locally, at Environment Canterbury (Ecan). Ecan's online Metro Real Time Bus Info is not readable without MS Explorer. This means bus stop numbers cannot be extracted and therefore the bus locations can remain hidden to FOSS users, without their going to view the stops.

From signs

"Shutting out such a big proportion of potential bus use is no help to the environment," says Tindall. "The problem is sourced to Adobe not sticking to its own standard, for Scalable Vector Graphics" (SVG). "Adobe is discontinuing SVG support from 1 January 2008 too, coincidentally. So Ecan has a major upgrade of its web service ahead. We do recommend Ecan explore standards compliant software, and they could start by accepting this invitation to visit Software Freedom Day this weekend," Tindall concludes.

October 14th is World Standards Day, and New Zealand participation in that too is expected. Pittsburgh should be a leader in hosting efforts that call attention to World Standards Day too!

The American Entrepreneur - Newsletter Articles - AN OPEN LETTER TO BILL PEDUTO

My rant, blog posting and open letter to Bill Peduto that sprouted from last Saturday's AM radio talk show with Ron Morris was re-published within the TAE newsletter.

The American Entrepreneur - Newsletter Articles - AN OPEN LETTER TO BILL PEDUTO: "AN OPEN LETTER TO BILL PEDUTO When I was on the September 8 edition of TAE, Ron asked me, on the air, if I knew who was behind (supporting) Mark DeSantis? I said, 'Mr. Roddey.' He said, 'Bill Peduto.' Humm... 'If Bill Peduto is behind or supporting Mark DeSantis in the race for mayor in November 6, 2007, then it must be below the radar.'"

You can also read it on my blog:

http://rauterkus.blogspot.com/2007/09/open-letter-to-bill-peduto-as-result-of.html

Camp Wellstone -- high quality campaign info

A three day camp for candidates and workers in the realm of politics kicked off this afternoon and evening at the D.U. campus. Folks from all around the nation are in Pittsburgh to learn about the Wellstone way of political action and organization.

I'm loving it.

Local participants include: Pat Clark, Tonya Payne, Tonya's sister, some Payne office and campaign crew, some Acorn folks, and David Tessitor. Others are from throughout the state: Erie, Harrisburg, Scranton and Philly.

People are here from Texas, Virginia, Maine, West Virginia, DC, Ohio, New Mexico, Minnestota (of course) and Indiana. I'm just going off the top of my head based on some of the people I've been able to chat with.

Stump speeches come into focus in the morning sessions.

This is a 'progressive' school and 'progressive approach.' I'll blog more with details and highlights as time allows -- and I don't expect it to be so generous.

Last night: ACLU docket review. Today starts the 3 day campaign course

Last night I attended a wonderful small group meeting in Shandyside to get an update from local ACLU leaders. The docket there has many interesting cases. Plus, I was able to stretch the conversation to cover the new push for cameras. Cameras to fight crime is sure to be a hot issue in Pittsburgh.

The same event happens next week at my church, Sunnyhill.org, in Mt. Lebo. See the Google calendar.

I encourage the ACLU to host more town-hall meetings. And, I'd love those meetings to happen on TalkShoe.com.

Today starts a three day campaign course at Duquesne University. This should be fun. Thanks Paul Wellstone. I'll blog about this experience as I'm able.

Dave Schuilenburg For Council - New Blog opened today for Leadership and True Change

New blog opens today: Dave 4 Council -- Dave Schuilenburg -- candidate for city council district 1.

Dave Schuilenburg For Council - New Leadership For True Change! Your tax dollars hard at work! Friday, September 14th, 2007.

It just opened. Help him whip it into shape fellow bloggers and political thinkers!

Pick one for a road trip

Baku, Azerbaijan;
Chicago, US;
Doha, Qatar;
Madrid, Spain;
Prague, Czech Republic;
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;
Tokyo, Japan

Those are the cities that have put into the IOC to host the Olympic Games in 2016.

I've been to Japan, for a few hours. Nagano was more than okay as a host city, but recent. We nixed a trip to Brazil for next month. The airport scene there isn't good. But, there is some hope that the runways will be in order in a couple of years. We went to Prague -- a city that should be spelled Praha, as it is really called. Praha has a wonderful velvet revolution story to tell the world. And, for many periods it was a battle ground of civilizations. Qatar is not with much interest to me, except I think CMU has a branch campus there, right? Chicago is always a great place for a road trip. I met my wife when we both lived there. But the debt with the Olympics is too much for any American city to bear, sadly. So, I'm torn about that vote. Baku?

Where would your vote go for an Olympic road trip, and why?

I'm still on the fence, (photo above).

Special Headstone Placed On Late Mayor's Grave

kdka.com - Special Headstone Placed On Late Mayor's Grave: While their grief is private, the O'Connors say the gravesite has now become a public memorial.

Policy Brief from A.I. says: Let Pittsburgh Voters Decide City’s Financial Future

Policy Brief

An electronic publication of

The Allegheny Institute for Public Policy

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September 14, 2007 Volume 7, Number 49

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Let Pittsburgh Voters Decide City’s Financial Future

Very soon the City of Pittsburgh will be submitting preliminary budget numbers for 2008 and the years beyond to the oversight board. Based on its 2007 submission to the board, the City’s projections likely will show average growth of 3 percent in the budget every year. Thus, in 2011 the City is projected to spend $470.8 million, up from the $410.6 million in 2006. Holding the City’s population constant at 312,000, per capita expenditures will increase by nearly $200 to $1,510. In all reality, population will not stay at that level and will experience a net decrease, meaning per capita expenditure will stand even higher.

Given the fact that there have been no dramatic changes coming out of the recovery/oversight era to date, it is clearly time for a radical departure from the status quo. In that regard, it would be heartening to see a spending limit article adopted into the Home Rule Charter that will check spending growth and provide some relief to the City’s crushing tax burden.

In 2003 (Policy Brief Volume 3, Number 35) we documented how a spending cap would have affected the spectacular growth in public safety spending by the City which rose from $76 million in 1984 to $199 million in 2002 (162%). If the City had a spending cap tied to the change in the Consumer Price Index (66%), the 2002 level of expenditure would have been $123 million instead of $199 million, an enormous annual savings of $76 million. The savings would have been even greater if the spending cap included an adjustment for population change, which recorded a 19% decrease during the period.

Placing spending cap language on the ballot to amend the City’s Home Rule Charter could be done either by a petition of City voters (about 10,000 based on the 2006 gubernatorial election) or by an ordinance of City Council. While it is questionable whether any Council member would initiate such a measure, an analysis of potential benefits might change some minds.

Here is the trajectory of the City budget based on the 2007 data submitted to the oversight board:

Year	Expenditures (000s)	% Change
2008	$431,005
2009	$444,267	3
2010	$457,283	3
2011	$470,882	3

Since Pittsburgh’s per capita spending remains so far out of line in comparison to spending in other cities across the country ( $1,347 in Pittsburgh compared to $1,000 for our Benchmark City), it is crucial that Pittsburgh begin a trend of substantially reducing per capita outlays. If the City is to have any hope of providing room for tax rollbacks and becoming economically competitive, it simply must get per resident spending down to levels more in line with cities that are strong economic performers.

The spending cap should be set at no more than 2 percent per year plus the annual change in population. More generous cap limits will not bring spending per capita down in any reasonable time frame. Because population change has been negative year-to-year (it fell 1.1 percent from July 2005 to July 2006 according to the Census), spending increases would be quite small.

Now compare the projected out year expenditures, starting with the 2008 baseline, with expenditures capped at 0.9 percent per year (under the assumption that population continues to fall at its recent rate of decline).

Year	Estimated Population	Projected Expenditures (000s)	Per Capita	Expenditures Under Spending Cap (000s)	Per Capita Under Cap	Reduced Spending (000s)	Cumulative Savings
2008	312,000	$431,005	$1,381	$431,005	$1,381	n/a	n/a
2009	308,568	$444,267	$1,442	$434,884	$1,411	$9,383	$9,383
2010	305,173	$457,283	$1,499	$438,798	$1,438	$18,485	$27,868
2011	301,816	$470,882	$1,564	$442,747	$1,470	$28,135	$56,003

The spending growth differences are quite significant. By holding expenditures to a 0.9 percent annual increase, the City could achieve cumulative savings of $56 million through 2011, providing some opportunity to reduce taxes. Lowering taxes and strict adherence to the cap by Council would send a message to other cities and regions that Pittsburgh is on the right track.

As the table above shows, the savings really start to build in future years. In 2014, the reduced spending achieved by sticking to the proposed cap as opposed to 3 percent yearly increases would produce a yearly savings year of $60 million and a cumulative savings since 2008 of more than $200 million.

Further, the reduction in inflation/population adjusted spending would create the very positive additional benefit of forcing reductions in employment over time, which in turn will slow growth in pension and retiree health liabilities. This may be the single most important step the City can take toward addressing its unfunded liabilities.

All told, by trending in the direction of lower per capita spending and being able to cut taxes, Pittsburgh could well start to reverse its long slide in terms of population loss and begin to attract businesses and jobs in a much more robust fashion.

Of course, there will be resistance from powerful interest groups and there will be claims that the City’s hands will be tied, or that vital services would be cut. Clearly, a spending cap would force hard decisions and require the setting of priorities. That has to happen. If the City wants to continue to provide everything, there will never be enough revenues. To be sure, the City would have to look at cost saving methods such as competitive contracting. Maybe they could emulate Charlotte’s ongoing privatization effort that constantly looks for ways to save taxpayer dollars.

The question for the Council is very simple. Is it not time to allow residents and taxpayers of Pittsburgh to decide whether or not they want the City government to be put on a fiscal diet? After all, it is they who will pay the price in one way or another if the City does not get a firm grip on its long term financial problems. Whichever way the vote goes, it should be their prerogative to make the decision about something so vital to the City’s future. Moreover, the outcome of the vote will send an unmistakable signal to the world about where Pittsburgh is headed.

If Council will not do the right thing and set up the referendum, then concerned citizens will have to launch a difficult petition campaign.

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Jake Haulk, Ph.D., President Eric Montarti, Policy Analyst

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Note: Please visit our website to view the latest additions to the "Issue Summaries". The new issues review attendance levels for the Pittsburgh Pirates in their taxpayer funded stadium, as well as the comparison of Pittsburgh's financial situation with that of our benchmark city. To read these summaries, please visit our website: http://www.alleghenyinstitute.org/summaries.php

Please visit our blog at alleghenyinstitute.org/blog.

If you have enjoyed reading this Policy Brief and would like to send it to a friend, please feel free to forward it to them.

For more information on this and other topics, please visit our website: www.alleghenyinstitute.org

If you wish to support our efforts please consider becoming a donor to the Allegheny Institute. The Allegheny Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all contributions are tax deductible. Please mail your contribution to:

The Allegheny Institute

305 Mt. Lebanon Boulevard

Suite 208

Pittsburgh, PA 15234

Laurel: To Matt Drozd.

He's likely spitting in the wind but we commend the Allegheny County councilman for proposing a voter referendum to allow the public to decide if new taxes should be adopted or existing ones modified. And should Mr. Drozd's proposal be defeated, we suggest he regularly introduce it as a matter of principle.

What the heck is happening with the DIRCTOR of the City Law Department

Is George S, the acting director of the city's law department, still on the job?

Did he get hired? Is he still an acting director?

How is the search for that position progressing.

Did he submit his resignation -- call it what you wish -- perhaps a 'soft resignation.

Out of all the guys who were managers who were asked to resign -- he was one who should have been fired months ago. I asked, in public, for him to be terminated.

Well, what's up????

Given his track record, I don't think he is fit for the job. Catherine McN is proof positive. Nothing else needs to be said.

[412] Did you see the news and quote in Pittsburgh City Paper? Reporter called me a 'fixture.'

I posted to my 412-public-campaign email blast list:

[412] Did you see the news and quote in Pittsburgh City Paper? Reporter called me a 'fixture.'


If you are not on my email blast list, I'd love to get your email address. And, if you know of others, especially if they live within the city, send those contacts along to me.

E-mail users bringing home the bacn

E-mail users bringing home the bacn: To me, it's a bit tastier than spam. It's relevant e-mail you've opted to receive either by signing up for a service, joining a Web site or subscribing to content,' said Andrew Foote, head of the digital marketing division of Peppercom, a New York-based public relations firm.

The term bacn is a relatively new expression first brought to life on Aug. 20 at a blog conference at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh -- PodCamp Pittsburgh 2. Almost instantly, the term spread across the Web and claimed a place in Internet lingo.

Go figure. The first coverage of BACN from the P-G and it is ALL NEGATIVE. I'm not saying that bacn is the new granola, but come on P-G.

Bacn is theft just as "word of mouth" is theft to Madison Avenue.

Bacn is buzz. Bacn is sizzle. Bacn is how influence builds.

I made some bacn today with a posting to nearly 100 people on my Linked in network. I'm asking them how to put the heat on the mainstream media for the sake of political debate.

The P-G makes me giggle, as does most of the coverage from the Pittsburgh marketplace. It is sooooo negative.

Question: How do we get political debates for city-wide elections? And, can the media help at all?

I'm frustrated that there are NO scheduled debates for Pittsburgh's city controller race. Zippo. The Pittsburgh mayor's race might have three debates. We should have 30. Can we get some pressure for media sponsorship so we have debates -- or is this just a lost cause for 2007 local races?

Citizens and the mainstream media have shown some interest in hosting debates for 2008 presidential races. What works in other regions or are candidate debates rare (if not extinct) elsewhere too?

View question as posted at Linked in. (That is my first question with that service.)

Ex-Policeman sells a DVD -- and gives an interview

I don't like the "WAR ON DRUGS" and all the associated problems that unfold from there.

Ravenstahl fires two directors - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Ravenstahl fires two directors - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Humm...

Personal story. We had a building inspector at our house today -- just about the same time of day as when Luke was swinging his ax or waving his light saber.

Luke has been trying to 'streamline' the process for business owners in the city. It is fine to want to cut red tape. However, the neighborhood groups are going to be out in the cold.

If you want to keep a nightclub in a residential area, and the neighborhood residents don't want it to re-open -- then what side is the mayor going to take? I expect that the mayor, in his pro business mode, is going to try to streamline the process. That also means citizens get tossed under the steamroller.

Ravenstahl shakes up staff, P-G A new Mayor's Office position, director of operations, will be filled by Art Victor, a veteran of Allegheny County Commissioner Bob Cranmer's staff who is now with Green Tree-based correctional medical firm Wexford Health Services.

Where is the posting for the job called "director of operations?"

Alecia Sirk, a former reporter and communications professional who is also Mr. Ford's wife, will be press secretary.

That move worries me. Why was Matt H overlooked? Could they not come to terms in the last 90 days? Is that why there was such a delay?

Neighborhood branch libraries are to close -- if they have their way

The City of Pittsburgh has a library system that includes many neighborhood branch libraries that are great community assets. The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh runs the operation, but the buildings had all been owned by the city.

Efforts throughout the system have been sour for years, in my opinion. A few libraries got physical overhauls and are now more modern and are looking great. But some of the decisions have been poor.

The library building in Hazelwood has been abandoned. It is a great building that is now in a serious state of decline and the library leadership and stewardship fails in my book.

Recently, running mate of the stars, Glenn Walsh, spoke to Pittsburgh City Council to warn them of a looming storm. In the grant application made by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh to the RAD Board (Regional Asset District), Library Administrators made mentions of their intentions to close neighborhood branches.

City Council has a big role in the library system. Most of all, the buildings that are home to these facilities are owned by the city and city council is responsible for them.

As a city councilman, and as a city controller, I'd be sure to fully investigate and report upon the efforts by the library administrators and board. These new leaders of the library system are often put in these roles despite them NOT being professional librarians.