C-Span -- LIVE -- NOW -- Libertarian Party Convention

Tune into the C-SPAN coverage of the . Our guys from Pittsburgh are there too.http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

The first round vote count is happening now. Real democracy at work.

PA Voted as follows:

6 Bob Barr

5 George Phillies

7 Mike Gravel

1 Mike Jingozian

2 Dr. Mary Ruwart

1 Steve Kubby

3 write ins

0 Wayne Allen Root

0 Christine Smith (given an anti Barr speech on her way off the podium.)

---

First vote totals and candidates for the second vote:

• Barr, 153, = 25%
• Mary Ruwart, 152, = 25%
• Root, 123
  
• Gravell, 71
  
• Phillies, 49
  
• Kubby, = 41, = 7%

  ---

  2nd vote:
  

• Barr, 188
• Rwart, 162
• Root, 138
• Gravel, 73
• Phillies, 36
• S.Kubby = 32

---

Updated:

PA's final vote: 15 for Bob Barr, 8 for Mary Ruwart, 2 for None of the above.

The Libertarian nomination for US President goes to Bob Barr.

Next up, the running mate.

I'll help him pack his home and office

Talk about the future of this guy's career is not welcomed because I'd rather work on fixing the schools. Sure, he his breaking them as fast as possible. But that isn't the real problem. However, if he needs some boxes, tape or a hand when it comes to moving -- let me know. I'll be glad to volunteer.

The final solution to $8-a-gallon gas - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: ".

ROOSEVELT WILL NOT RUN. Besides facing a firestorm of criticism over his plan to close Schenley High School, city schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt has also been the target of rumors about job opportunities elsewhere.

Roosevelt told Whispers he wants to dispel the gossip once and for all.

'I've been approached about a lot of jobs,' he said. 'I'm not interviewing with anybody. There was one job I got into deep discussion about, but it was not a superintendency.'

Roosevelt declined to specify what that job -- or any of the others -- was about or where it might have taken him."

Earthquake lessons?

Earthquake lessons? - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Somebody better tell President Bush to send his FEMA director to China.

Looks to me like its government can handle a disaster far better than ours.

Lynn Ford, Gibsonia

Let's do all we can to pull our troops out of bases in foreign land and have them here, state-side. Then if there is an earthquake in the United States, we'll be able to deploy the people here to save ourselves, re-open the roads, check on the dams, fix the bridges, clear rubble, mend crushed bodies and bring relief where it is urgently needed.

Told ya. If you missed it -- too bad for you. Schenley's musical claims top prize

Kelly Awards.... and the envelope please.... (drum roll) ....

It will be in tomorrow's paper but I couldn't wait to break the news: Schenley's musical All Shook Up won best musical in the low budget category. Schenley student, Teressa LaGamba, won best supporting actress at the Kelly Awards presented last night. It is nice to have others recognize what the Schenley family has always known: Schenley musicals are magic!

Thanks for the news from our regular network of insiders!

2008 Gene Kelly Awards announced: "The Benedum Center was packed Saturday night as Pittsburgh CLO and the University of Pittsburgh honored Allegheny County high schools with the 18th annual Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater."

See the article on the show:

---

Award winning Kelly Critic review: "All Shook Up," Schenley, April 24-May 3: "It was this evident sense of community that allowed Schenley to take what would otherwise be written off as a testing situation and turn it into something truly magical. Whether in the moments of surprisingly-well-executed dramatic and choreographic teamwork (for a group of over 40 performers), or in the unmistakable passion shining through the smiles of each cast member, Schenley managed to prove, as their program so wholeheartedly attests, 'They can take the kids out of Schenley, but they can't take the Schenley MAGIC out of the kids!'"

Platters - 16 Tons - lyrics from LyricWiki

Platters - 16 Tons - lyrics from LyricWiki: "You load 16 tons,
And what do you get?
Another day older,
And deeper in debt.

New punctuation guidlines to make sentences more exciting!!! - Uncyclopedia, the content-free encyclopedia

Because of the high price of oil, these changes to the English language are being embraced. This should go a long way in keeping people happy this summer.

UnNews:New punctuation guidlines to make sentences more exciting!!! - Uncyclopedia, the content-free encyclopediaNew punctuation guidlines to make sentences more exciting!!!

More on Schenley and talk on Schools

The first part is from Jill Weiss. I'm not 100% certain where the second part came from. These were part of an email blast from concerned taxpayers and parents.

From Jill Weiss:

Mark Roosevelt's recommendation that Schenley be closed as a PPS and that the district could not afford to renovate it came as a surprise, because the last conversation I'd had led me to believe that the recommendation would be to not officially close it; as he said, "this would give us time to continue to look at options." Last night, he stated that he is living in the "real world" and that requires hard choices.

Important questions were raised by some of the board members. Heather Arnet asked if there was anyone on staff who had been actively looking for funding on every level, and after hesitation, the answer was "yes," a response that was clearly not the case. She also requested that the board be shown a comprehensive high school reform plan before any vote be taken in June, so the board would know what expenditures they would be voting on in the near future, and Roosevelt denied that this would be able to be available. Sherry Hazuda also asked that the board be informed more completely of a comprehensive high school reform plan, if one exists. Randall Taylor reiterated that there is so much spending going on at other buildings which could be put into Schenley.

What has become clear is that the numbers for Schenley have been examined so much more thoroughly than those for the options that the district wants to take. Numbers have also been manipulated to fit the reform options. The Schenley numbers continue to be inflated by increasing construction costs, but the district project numbers do not. Roosevelt appears willing to accept the high number from MCF Architects, and all of their recommendations about Schenley (increasing costs, occupancy, and construction schedules), but he dismisses their numbers for Reizenstein, going with the lower district numbers.

The plan for the students of the new IB school is to stay at a minimally renovated Reizenstein for 4 years and during that time a permanent home will be found for them. Derek Lopez (head of high school reform) stated by that time the "Schenley students will have faded away." A committee will be formed to look for a permanent home for the IB school. What was not made clear was that this new home will also require money for renovation which could be approaching the cost of Schenley, depending on the state of the building.

I am asking others to write letters to the editor and letters to board members asking these same questions (or at least making a request to table the vote until there is a comprehensive reform plan.) Testifying publicly on June 16 is also effective. Please keep in mind the veracity of the district numbers for other reform projects as compared with the "real" costs of Schenley.

I am willing to keep working for the building, at least until the June vote, if not longer, as much for the process of letting the public know all of the facts, and but also to continue to show why the public has been so engaged with this issue.

*************************************

More details from A+ IB meeting on Tuesday night:

There is a list for the committee to find a new site for the IB building, by this November (although they are planning on a 4 year commitment to Reizenstein). If you'd like to see the members (or proposed members) give me a holler. Two parents are to be chosen by principals of Frick and "Schenley" to be on this committee.

Mr. Roosevelt confirmed that the University Prep program is aimed at "below proficient" (PSSA terms) students. Also that as the new high schools (IB, but particularly University Prep and Science - Technology) are opened, there will be, over the course of several years be a decrease in comprehensive high schools in the district to "3, maybe 4."

He also made the interesting point that while there is still a trend toward population decreases in the city, there may also be an increase seen as the casino (and associated businesses like hotels) open. These could lead to increases in populations (at least in areas) of the city schools.

*************************************

Components of a comprehensive High School reform plan would seem to include:

A report on all buildings in the district (including suitability for different ages, location, long-term costs for renovation, re-use, short and long-term maintenance costs) -- parts of this were done by A+ schools, but more with an eye toward selling closed schools.

More information about Science-Technology (is it also aimed at low-performing students?) The planning for this school (opening 2009-2010 school year) is said to be nearly complete. However, it doesn't yet have a building.

Vocational education given a high priority.

Three stranded planning -- what will the district look like if

• enrollment declines continue indefinitely
• enrollment levels off at or near current levels
• enrollment increases either due to programming or new families moving in to the city

Reflection -- Mourn -- Pray -- China slideshow

I took these photos while visiting a temple in China. They are all in the public domain and can be used by anyone for any purpose.



If you can furnish additional insight as to what the various names and purpose of the elements in these photos, please type away and explain. Input can occur within the comments of this blog. Also, each photo in this album has a spot that allows input.

Civic Arena could OPEN for all HOME GAMES after the building of the new arean

Wouldn't it be nice to have the existing Mellon Arena, the original Civic Arena, be open for all Pens games -- home and away -- in future years even after the new arena is built.

They are going to build a new arena. They could keep the existing one.

Rather than watching the game in the parking lot -- invite the excess fans to a game-day festival within the existing arena. Furthermore, ticket holders to the Pens Game could swing by the older, historic, civic arena before and after games.

The combination of the Civic Arena next to the new arena would provide for a "net gain" in development for the city and the region. We'd be able to host bigger event. Have flexibility to have scholastic, college and club hockey on many more dates -- not with a conflict with the pop concerts.

The tractor pulls can be at the existing Civic Arena -- while the latest rock concerts can be at the new venue.

The existing arena can be set up with lots of smaller spaces, push-carts, vendors, mini-stands selling funnel cakes, etc.

 
The Civic Arena has always been a great place to gather as a community -- and be 'civic.'

Safe Summer & Lifeguarding

Have a safe summer. Perhaps you should get your "lifeguarding certification."

I'm going to take a recertification course from noon to 5 pm on June 13 at the Monroeville JCC Family Park, $75.

The full lifeguarding course is slated for 9 am to 6 pm on Wed. June 11, Thurs. 12, and Friday June 13 with the cost of $175 for JCC members and $200 non members.

For more insights, call 412 278-1975 and talk to the instructor, Earleen Birkner, aquatics at the South Hills JCC.

Hill District housing development gets $1.3 million in tax credits - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Hill District housing development gets $1.3 million in tax credits - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The Pennsylvania Housing and Finance Agency has awarded $1.3 million in tax credits to the Oak Hill mixed-income housing development in the Hill District, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said Thursday.

The credits will be put toward the construction of the Wadsworth Hall activity and office center, which is part of the latest $90 million development phase.

Boston-based developer Beacon/Corcoran Jennison will start construction on Wadsworth this fall. The developer will begin working on 40 homes for low-income residents and 50 homes that will be sold at market rate. When Oak Hill is finished, it will have 450 new homes, parks, office and retail space.

Humm. This story is short on details. Meanwhile, the Oak Hill saga hasn't been brief.

Residents Demand Immediate Action In Repairing The Hill District
WPXI.com - Pittsburgh,PA,USA
Representatives from Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s office toured the problematic areas. Many residents said their continuous requests to repair street curbs, ...

Pittsburgh Laurels - who is green now?

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review If Pittsburgh truly is serious about historic preservation, shouldn't a campaign be on in earnest to raise the necessary dollars to rehabilitate Schenley High School in the heart of Oakland? The district says it can't afford the $76.2 million price tag for repairs. But an architect says given the exquisite nature of the building, it's worth fixing. Sounds like the Pittsburgh Promise needs a subsidiary.

3 WVU profs cite M.B.A. scandal in deciding to leave

3 WVU profs cite M.B.A. scandal in deciding to leave

How many are NOT moving into Pittsburgh and how many are going to still be departing because of the goofy leadership of the Pittsburgh Public Schools?

Take Your Father to School Day -- on Friday

We gathered to promote the 10th annual, Take Your Father to School Day, this week on Grant Street.

I'll be going into my son's school to visit a bit in the classroom and have lunch with the kids.

Days and time to mourn and pray -- lighting a fire

China is ending its three days of national mourning. This began one week after the original earthquake that was northwest of Chengdu. Flags were lowered. The Olympic Torch took a break from its country-wide tour leading up to the 8-8-08 event when the world gathers in Beijing.

Meanwhile, some people are still coming to the light after being crushed for more than a week. And, after shocks are nothing to sneeze at either.

I propose that the United States, or perhaps, just Pennsylvania, or perhaps, just Pittsburgh -- hold its own time to mourn, reflect, pray, and adjust perspectives about natural disasters that have hit in China and Burmma.

Should Pittsburgh and perhaps the rest of the world, hold a two-day period so as to mourn with those on the other side of the world in their terrible time of grief?

Let's begin this one MONTH after the quake.

Until then, keep digging, drying and cleaning. And may the offerings bring you comfort.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Sichuan_earthquake

The earthquake happened on May 12, 2008. A ONE MONTH rememberance would begin at 2 pm, or so, local time, June 12 through the 13th and end mid-day on the 14th.

Politicians are like rats.

Politicians are like rats. What they steal for themselves is minuscule compared to what they destroy getting it.

Luke, Dan: Go have a good time in Detroit. Tip: Beware of these.

Comcast fires Barry Nolan over Bill O’Reilly protest - BostonHerald.com

Comcast fires Barry Nolan over Bill O’Reilly protest - BostonHerald.com “He’s delusional,” Nolan said of O’Reilly, a former Boston TV anchor. “He’s a man that mangles the facts.”

At the awards, Nolan said he quietly put fliers on tables that “simply had” quotes from O’Reilly as well as three pages from the sexual harassment lawsuit O’Reilly settled that was brought by his former producer.

Comcast might not like whistleblowers too much.

Ideas from a citizen consultant to the PPS Board and Administration

Leslie V. Horne

NNACP Pittsburgh Branch

PPS Public Hearing Testimony

May 12, 2008

There is a crisis in the Accelerated Learning Academies. You recall that these were advertised as a giant step forward in eliminating the racial and socio-economic achievement gaps that are the shame of the Pittsburgh Public Schools. I am especially concerned about the state of the ALA’s because the vast majority of students in these schools are poor and/or African American.

My calling is to speak for those children.

The following are facts garnered from first hand sources in the ALA’s. The original posting for ALA administrators required a 3 year contract.

Proposed: Principals would be able to choose staff from a pool of candidates who wanted to work in an ALA. The difference in pay scale would attract the best and brightest. Principals were told that they would be able to staff their entire buildings without fear of cuts and that seniority and union issues would not be a concern because it was "new" model.

Reality: Principals were unable to hire clerical and custodial staff and many first choice staff selections were cut or bumped out of their positions by senior district employees who in most cases did not want to work in ALAs. Principals in most cases were left with third round choices or no choice at all. At one point, principals were meeting with human resources simply picking from a list of teachers that simply did not have positions anywhere in the district. These people only had to stay for one year (despite the promise that teachers had to commit to a three year contracts) and most of them transferred at the beginning of this year. Teachers can make more money attending a few workshops and working after-school programs.

Proposed: The original model had each ALA with a foreign language and some had Home Ec or computer classes.

Reality: These classes were cut due to either staffing and/or financial problems.

Proposed: Dr. Spampinato told the ALA principals that their budgets would not be cut during the first year.

Reality: She lost her position and budgets were cut when the other district schools made cuts. Proposed: Teachers would receive extensive in-service training on America’s Choice.

Reality: Most ALA staff did not receive adequate training on America's Choice. There were two full day sessions held in Oakland for staff. However, when the training took place, buildings were not completely staffed and in other cases people who went to the training were cut later in the year. Schools received improvement funds and money for "at risk" students but as all district schools get a portion of this funding it was not additional.

Proposed: ALAs receive money to buy classroom libraries.

Reality: This money was only available for the first year and it did not include enough copies for each student or adequate classroom sets.

Proposed: Instructional resources will be plentiful and available when needed.

Reality: The Ramp-up curriculum materials did not arrive to ALAs in a prompt manner. In several cases the books were weeks late and schools had to xerox them. This was true for some teacher materials too. When these materials arrived coaches and teachers found computational and editing errors.

Other problems that impacted the ALAs successful implementation: The America’s Choice Cluster Leader who was responsible for providing technical assistance to ALA math teachers resigned and ALAs went several weeks without a replacement. Principals had to make staffing changes to accommodate this program which proved to be inadequate for students that were in certain ability levels. Most of the ALAs decreased the number of these classes significantly this year. The America’s Choice support is provided by two cluster leaders who provide support one day a month to each of the Academies. This is inadequate.

Most ALAs are not air conditioned and start school in August. In some schools, rooms reach temps exceed 100 degrees during August and September.

The parent engagement piece is lacking because of the low pay scale and lack of qualifications required by this position. Parents of ALA students are not required to participate any more than other schools and do not have increased accountability.

Three ALA principals have either taken medical leaves or sabbaticals during the 2007-08 school year. A significant number of these principals are relatively new administrators. They feel threatened, not supported. And, the district may lose some of them who are dedicated and caring but frustrated and unappreciated. They are penalized for poor performance even when they have teachers who are on improvement plans and do not want to work in ALAs. The burden of the PA tenure law allows a bad teacher to stay in a classroom for TWO YEARS before firing. The ALAs have a lack of adequate support staff.

These schools are set up for failure. The NAACP will not accept inadequate education for our children. This is a promise.

Digital Summer Camp, a spin out of PodCamp

Background statement about critical issues leading to the CLOH.org efforts for the summer of 2008.

The Bruce Kraus authored "moratorium" is working like a charm

The Bruce Kraus authored "moratorium" is working like a charm. It is such a relief to see that sins of the city are getting resolved with extra time to deliberate and comprehend the "progress" that has been occurring at "breakneck speeds."

Don't you think? April 1, 2008 -- such a milestone.

Mr. Kraus has a knack of injecting more rust into a system that is already overflowing with fear, uncertainty and doubt.

From what I heard, Jim Motznik did NOT talk on the air to Marty G about the Pens' sign situation. Motznik didn't fuel that conversation one bit, as described in another blog thread. Marty G did try to bring up the subject and Motznik didn't bite, but passed on discussing it.

Bram, the Reebok logo does NOT make the sign advertising. Even without the sponsored logo, the sign is still advertising. The Pens and NHL are not charities.

Bram may have posted in another thread on another blog, http://burghreport.blogspot.com: "This sign could have gone up like that (snaps fingers) if Reebok or Nike or whomever was not advertising on them, but they were."

Isn't the Bruce Kraus authored "moratorium" is working like a charm????

Banners For Penguins Hit Grant Street Snag
KDKA - Pittsburgh,PA,USA
Councilman Bill Peduto says the moratorium was never the issue - it was the size of the 40ft by 85ft banners. "The sign is over the maximum amount of ...

Mayor of Pittsburgh, city council in hockey fight over banners, ethics
Detroit Free Press - United States
"There were no ultimate decisions made," said Councilman Bruce Kraus. Council drafted the holiday legislation, and he was ready to introduce it -- until he ...

Pittsburgh Plans To Get Tough on Graffiti Vandals - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Plans To Get Tough on Graffiti Vandals - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh 'I want to see the complete eradication of graffiti, every piece of graffiti in this city,' said Pittsburgh Councilman Bruce Kraus.

One's "wants" and "needs" are not the same, Bruce. What you "want" is up for review.

I don't want my kid, nor his peers, to have his driver's license taken from him for years because he has a magic marker in his pocket.

I don't want the Pittsburgh Police running sting operations against local merchants. Merchants are not guilty of making the graffiti.

Over-reaching sucks. There are problems that are sure to unfold.

A 'conspiracy' has often become a 'code word' for lynching innocent people by those who are badge empowered.

I do not favor the taking of property by the police for their own use. Asset forfeiture stinks. Ever hear of the successes of the 'war on drugs?'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asset_forfeiture

"I'm absolutely convinced that abatement is the answer," said Kraus.

Well then, why the talk about punishments? If abatement is the answer, do abatement in spades.

I agree. Abatement empowerment is a worthy direction. Go there. Going elsewhere is sure to be counter-productive on many fronts.

Man vs. Che = SuperBowl of football (in Moscow with UK teams)

ESPN2, live.

Score was: 1 to 1 at halftime.

Ended in a shoot out.

I wonder, with all the international publicity (for both Manchester, UK; and Chelsa, UK) will there will be many headed there for vacations and/or business opportunities.

BTW, Peter's Pub on East Carson Street was jumping!

Downtown banners for Penguins put on ice - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Downtown banners for Penguins put on ice - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Two giant Downtown banners heralding the Pittsburgh Penguins quest for the Stanley Cup have been put on ice thanks to a quarrel between City Council and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's administration.

Humm....

Where oh where can the banners be hung?

How about in the shape of a "M" and put on the top of the US Steel Building?

From signs

How about from the upper deck at PNC Park?

How about if the are used as a patch on the roof at the Convention Center?

From Convention Ce...

How about as a wind-break on the construction site of the new slots parlor on the North Side?

How about within Century III Mall?

How about as a massive slip and slide on Rt. 28 or Kilbuck Township?

From playground - usa

How about from the broken bridge on the upriver side of the Birmingham Bridge, still in one lane status?

Or, what about on the closed lower McArdle Roadway?

From playground - usa

How about on a stand right behind the still closed Point State Park bandstand? Why in the hell is that place still closed? Work has not been done for months within Point State Park.

How about if the banner goes into the Pittsburgh International Airport to close off the empty wing that is now vacant due to the shrinkage of US Airways over the years.

Perhaps a banner could be floated on the surface of the river tied to one of the many sets of locks and dams that are in frail conditions throughout the region?

A banner could be hung within the Civic Arena -- as that building is going to be torn down shortly.

Why not in the new cafatorium at Reisenstein School? It is both a cafeteria and an auditorium. Might as well be a banner-torium too. There are NO WINDOWS within Reisenstein, so you won't be able to peek in from the outside and see it. But, fear not, in a few years it will take $50-million, or more, to fix up Reisenstein into a decent school. Some zealots (Mark Roosevelt) want to move out of Schenley to save $30-million and pay $20-million additional to 'save money.' Might as well give the banner to them as the might need to use it as a tent to teach under given all the sky-is-falling fears of asbestos that is throughout all the schools in the district.

Let's fold the banner into a door sized package. Then put the banner on the office doorway of Bruce Krause in city hall to cover up the other sign that shows how much money they are raising to cover legal bills that were not approved for fighting a sign that had ethical implications.

Perhaps the banner could be used to cover up the abandoned building that the Penguins left in the heart of the city in the middle of a park -- also known as the Neville Ice Rink -- closed for many years now.

From playground - usa

Red Tide Report: Kiefer Commits to Carthage Class of 2031

Great grandson of gold medalist, Adolph Kiefer.

Red Tide Report: Kiefer Commits to Carthage Class of 2031: "Kiefer Commits to Carthage Class of 2031

Somers, WI - Carthage College men's swimming coach Greg Earhart today announced the signing of River Jeremy Kiefer to swim for Carthage beginning in 2027.

Harris and Kraus pimping animals at city council before more serious business

Two members of city council feel it is good public policy to delay the start of city council meetings to pet cute cats and dogs and promote efforts of the animal shelter. The meeting didn't start until after 10:25 am -- a full 25 minutes late.

There is no problem with promotions of valid causes. That is what the 3-minutes of public comment is designed to provide. Give the people at the animal shelter a chance to go to the microphone and train the cameras on the animals then. That is public comment.

Furthermore, there is a fix that I proposed for getting the meetings to start on time.

At 10 am sharp, turn on the microphone and cameras. Point them at the podium where citizens give public comment. Open the cable broadcasts from 10 am until the chair of the council hits the gavel. Citizens, including animal lovers, could talk and promote as they wish, self organizing, until the meeting begins.

For example, today's meeting started at 10:25 AM, not 10. There could have been 25 minutes of extra citizen comment until the council members arrived at their seats to do their jobs and conduct the meeting.

There would be NO extra charges if the cameras were turned ON at the correct time. The camera operators are there. The signal is being piped to the cable and to the various TVs around the city. The resources are being wasted.

What will really happen -- however -- will be much different. They will start the meetings at 10 am. Otherwise, they'd have to face the wrath of the citizens for extended remarks at the podium.

Meanwhile, Bruce Kraus and Darlene Harris should work on something of greater merit while on city council. The city's population is half of what it was. The city's debt is massive. Get to work. Give the animal shelter folks a golden invite to join the citizens at the podium within public comment.

---

Animal Friends: Animal Friends: Home Page Click on one of the faces above to meet a homeless animal who needs your help.

Allegheny Institute Blog: Time out Chief Executive

Allegheny Institute Blog: Time out Chief Executive: "Time out Chief Executive
Following a meeting between state legislators, Mayor Ravenstahl and Chief Executive Onorato regarding the proposed City-County merger, the Chief Executive was quoted as saying, “They (the legislators) agreed that if the two of us want to push this, they shouldn’t block it.”

Well how generous of the legislators. Perhaps they might want to consider the views of County Council, City Council, elected municipal officials and citizens groups before yielding the field to the Mayor and Chief Executive. There are a lot of reasons to slow this train down. Not least of which is there is no real plan for people to debate or discuss. No structure, no talk of potential savings, no estimate of job reductions, nothing."

Banners for Pens

Marty G asked:

Banners UP -- IF -- they pay.

Banners can go up on private property. That should be 'legal' in libertarian world. If damages occur, they'd be on the hook, of course.

On public property -- no banners unless they pay -- and cover the fix up costs of Schenley High School -- for example.

Read the Cappy Complaint from the League of Women Voters

Now online at http://www.pacleansweep.com/cappy.pdf.

Russ Diamond says:

Pretty interesting stuff, some of it eye-popping; certainly lends credence to all our efforts over the last few years. And gives more weight to the argument for a constitutional convention to undo some things that were done in 1968.

Another asked:

Who is the "Senator" and "House Member A"

Shades of "Deep Throat" and Watergate.

Lets keep hammering them - eventually the truth will come out.

Schenley High School worth fixing, architect says - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The price tag: $10-million. That is it. And, the students do NOT need to be out of the building. Roosevelt is way out of bounds.



It is cheaper to fix the building and not move the school and make such radical and rushed changes. It is better for Pittsburgh's taxpayers to fix the building and keep Schenley operational in Oakland.

Schenley High School worth fixing, architect says - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "In recommending the closure of Schenley High School, city schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt stressed an architect's cost estimate of $76.2 million for renovations.

He left out one thing.

The Downtown firm, MacLachlan Cornelius & Filoni, said the 92-year-old building is worth fixing.

'Despite its high cost, it is our opinion that the building is worth the investment,' Albert L. Filoni, president of the firm, wrote in a report Thursday to Paul Gill, chief of operations for the Pittsburgh Public Schools."

This is the headline:

Filoni's firm, which designed Schenley, estimates it would cost $10.5 million to remove the asbestos. The firm suggests that the work not be done while students, faculty and staff are in the building.

The inflation of the fix-up is being reported upon as $77-million. The early reports to the board were $44-million. But those reports had done LOTS more than just the asbestos removal. The price tag is NOT what we have been shown.

There are much better ways to manage the overall situation.

1. Move Schenley to Milliones on a temporary basis until the work in Schenley is done. Keep Schenley's sports facilites open for after-school efforts. Kids can walk to Schenley from Milliones. The newer sports wing of Schenley isn't in the rage of asbestos. Or, at worst, do that section in the summers.

2. Do NOT open the University Prep in its own building. Instead, put the University Prep into Schenley. The University Prep should be a city-wide magnet for grades 9, 10, 11 and 12.

3. Keep Rodgers Middle School right where it is for now; grades 6, 7 and 8.

4. Keep Frick Middle School right where it is for now; grades 6, 7 and 8.

These moves, I and others have suggested, ends the fabricated crisis from the zealot, Mark Roosevelt. Lots of money is saved. Performing schools are not crushed. More time is allowed for Mark Roosevelt to do his homework for the whole of high school reform for the district.

Nothing should be done in such a rush. And, nothing should be done until the entire scope of the district and associated costs are fully understood.

For instance: The Pgh Public School district should sell its Board of Education building in Oakland. That is valuable. The windfall from the sale of that building can fetch the necessary money to pay for the fix-up at Schenley.

Furthermore, the Reizenstein building at the eastern edge of the city, a building that was always an inferior school, should be sold. That building is valued for development, as it sits next to the new Baker's Square new development. Land circles the building. It is also next to a park, offering a benefit for housing. The Reizenstein building is a poor excuse for a school as it has no windows. The fix up for the Reizenstein building into a school again is going to cost $50-million or more. Sell it. It could make for a nice office park.

Provide a plan for Vo Tech right away. It is already four years late!

Do your homework school administration!

We want to know more about the proposed Sci-Tech educational plan. Where is that building going to be located. Reveal it to us -- and consult with us.

EarthLink to pull the plug on Wi-Fi in Philadelphia

If I lived in Philly, I would be starting a new ISP business.

EarthLink to pull the plug on Wi-Fi in Philadelphia: "EarthLink, which will give current customers until June 12 to switch to another provider, said it even offered to donate the Wi-Fi equipment to someone and give them an additional $1 million.

Too bad they didn't come to Pittsburgh.

I wonder if there is a list of other assets from Earthlink in other metro areas that are going away at better than fireside prices?

Fighting for Schenley: Gathering set for planning

Save the date:

Tim just called to let me know that he made the reservation for June 5th at 6pm at the Hill House so that we can continue strategical discussions around Schenely and overall High School reform.

Root, root, root for this guy! He is running for President

Comments from others (Pittsburgh Libertarians):

HK:

If you have a few moments, view some of the YouTube videos listed here -- Wayne Allan Root is truly a great performer (in one of them, he billed himself as "Ron Paul on steroids"):

I've watched a half-dozen or so of them, and he has yet to say anything I disagree with, and pushes all the right buttons. What's really cool about it, besides him being a great communicator, is he says he's in it for the long haul, and plans to run every 4 years, getting more recognition and votes all the time, until he wins in 2020.

Catch some of the Fox News debate between him and Mike Gravel. Gravel comes across in places as an angry old man who's losing it, while Root is everywhere positive, in control, and incisive in his answers. (I disagreed, though, with his characterization of the sub-prime mortgage fiasco as caused by government regulations forcing banks to make loans to people who shouldn't own homes. I heard some interviews on NPR last weekend with bankers who were being flooded with dollars from foreign investors who couldn't get enough of U.S. investments, and they couldn't create these mortgage package investment opportunities fast enough to supply the market, and so their bosses, simply out of blind greed, instructed them to keep relaxing the standards until having a pulse was all that was required.)

---

Henry Haller remarked:

During the Presidential debate at the Pa. state convention, in one of the "lightning rounds," Ken asked the candidates - by a show of hands - who could envision the future need to launch a war against Iran. Wayne Root was the only candidate to raise his hand.

Therefore, I will not vote for Wayne Root.

---

HK again:

Yes, his initials are WAR, he did support Iraq 2 initially, and he supposedly has some hawkish tendencies, perhaps because he's Jewish and has pro-Israel sentiments/loyalties. But he doesn't push it, when he talks about foreign policy he sounds like Ron Paul (no wars without a declaration by congress, no spreading democracy by force, closing many of the bases around the world, etc.), and he's far and away the best libertarian communicator for the common man I've seen. Harry Browne was good for intellectuals, but Root can reach the blue-collar working people much better, I think.

Close Schenley, Roosevelt urges - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

I got some ink in today's Tribune Review concerning Schenley:

Close Schenley, Roosevelt urges - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Mark Rauterkus, 49, of the South Side had hoped that his two sons, Erik and Grant, would someday attend Schenley.

'You don't break the best schools,' he said. 'You replicate them, and you fix the other schools.'

I was also shown in two TV interviews on the 11 pm news: TV 11 and KDKA TV 2.

kdka.com - Superintendent Mark Roosevelt Recommends Closing Schenley High School Roosevelt Recommends Closing Schenley High School

The point of the interview was to say that Pittsburgh Schenley is home to the I.B. program AND other programs as well with neighborhood students and robotics. The blending of the urban fabric happens at Schenley, in a safe and successful school. Schenley is sending students, again, to Stanford. It works! It should not be taken apart. Rather, it should be replicated. Fix the schools that are failing. There are too many 'drop out factories' in the district. Those schools with unrealized potential and excess capacity need to be address. What about Vo Tech Education? What about the other places?

Updated:

A summary from another parent, Jen Lakin, came in email.

Well, you read or saw the big news already. Basically, the exact same thing we heard in the fall, only with bigger numbers. Lots of reassurance that they've really worked hard to not have to do this, but not a single thing fell into place despite their 6 months of looking.

However there were several interesting tidbits that came out during the meeting:

It's a 4 year commitment to Reizenstein -- they'll put in under $5M to the building and make sure that next year's 9th graders graduate from that building. Then they'll probably move again. Or not.

Several members pushed for some sort of comprehensive/district-wide/long-range plan. This was answered in various ways, none of which was yes. Randall Taylor pushed on the idea that there would be another 1050 student building in the district available in 4 years that wouldn't also require $$ to make suitable. When he asked a second time (it wasn't answered) and pointed out that the only buildings fitting that description meant that other students would be displaced or merged. There were other questions about what reform has been or will be for the failing, underenrolled schools. Both of these threads were finally answered in that as kids are sucked toward the new schools, it'll be a slow death for the bad schools. Rather than getting direct reform, those kids and their parents just better jump ship to a new school. Anyone left, well...they'll be moved when one of the new schools needs the building. Obviously, that's a paraphrase, but that's the gist of the plan.

There were several highlights (learning that mature people living in the real world support these plans, for instance) but I did like as well when Mark Roosevelt assured the board that they'd spent time when he got here talking to a lot of parents, especially those who had left the district, and they were answering their stated needs for "more high school choices." Of course, it's a bit of a leap from that to 6-12 themed schools, but hey! And we also know where those of us who've stuck through good and bad stand in their eyes.

If you get a chance watch the meeting -- I think they're on cable at some point (I don't have cable so I'm clueless there) and available on the PPS website, maybe?

I'll send out more later, but basically, it's time to support the board members in not acting on Schenley or ANY other building spending until they have an idea of what we're aiming toward as a district. It's also time to get it out in the media that this isn't about just Schenley, it's the start of a huge structural change in the district. Changes are long overdue, but people need to be informed and a part of the change before it's already happened! Honestly, before all this happened, I understood the meaning of the word 'transparency' but now, I get it, I really get it. There is such a chokehold on information from the administration, such a lack of ability for parents to have their voices heard before plans are made, and a near total disregard for the knowledge and expertise of the really excellent teachers and principals who are still out there.

Here's an email I received earlier in the week, sent out with permission (and some names removed):

I just wanted you to know that as a parent [and retired teacher...] I've been sending you moral support and good vibrations for the past months of this.....fight?

It seems weird to refer to it as that. Why must one fight for one's children with an institution whose very existence is for the welfare of those same children? One of my reasons for choosing to retire when I did was that I became very weary of fighting for what is right for children in all aspects of Pittsburgh public education. I needed to be so much more than a disseminator of information; children need adult role models, parent figures, and, indeed, friends. The system increasingly allows teachers to be NONE of those. Our days became filled with shoveling the information for tests down the throats of students and worrying about our own jobs and family security in the face of poor fiscal management, bad decision making, deaf ears in Harrisburg, a lack of clear moral standards for an orderly environment, and overworked principals and administrators who must become spin masters and middle managers rather than educational leaders. ... Early on, [a current teacher] invited me to become a part of your cause. I declined due to weariness, and yet I find myself increasingly unable to stay quiet in the face of the unbelievably botched (even for our Board and administration) attempt at "improving" our high schools at the cost of its one true gem. (Allderdice seems to get that title; however, if I knew then what I know now [...] All one would have to do is to attend the musicals of both schools and allow him/herself to feel the vibes.)

(parent of a Schenley 2003 grad and Allderdice 2009 student)



More later --

Jen Lakin

Today's message theme: Pompus Folly. Stay tuned and headed to city council

We're just back from Amsterdam where they have a clever t-shirt:

Amsterdam: since 1275

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is headed into a big 250 celebration. Wow!

Frankly, I'm getting sick of the "Pompus Folly" that is filling our city, county, state, federal and school board governance.

More to come.

Tom Sumpter cried. He realized Schenley High School is about to die. He killed it.

Pgh Public School Board Member, Tom Sumpter, chair of the education committee, spilled a tear or two at the very end of the meeting tonight.

He said, "My grandmother graduated from Schenley. My mother graduated from Schenley. I graduated from Schenley. And my kids graduated from Schenley." He said, "We are Schenley."

This weekend, Mr. Sumpter is to attend his 40th class reunion.

Sumpter is Schenley. And, Sumpter and all that have gone before are in the past. Schenley is now just a memory. Schenley is about to die.

Next year, Schenley gets ripped apart. The final chapter on Schnley is not written. But, there is certainty that the evil forces are sure to have the upper hand in the next battle and section of history.

Schenley has its I.B. students going to "I.B. High" -- or -- I.B. World.

Schenley has 90 students being forced to attend a new University Prep School that was once a middle school. It will be in Milliones.

This is a royal mess. The district didn't do its homework. And, they admit as much. A full high school reform agenda was asked for by a board member in the questions but Mark Roosevelt said that it would not be delivered in the next months.

Tom Sumpter is going to kill Schenley High School. Let the tears of its funeral flow farther and wider.

There are four on the board who are NOT in favor of this. Sumpter can cast the vote that swings the tide. Or, he can move ahead on a half-baked plan that re-segregates the district and drives more families with the capability to move to depart.

Fathers urged to attend council meeting

Fathers urged to attend council meeting: "Fathers urged to attend council meeting

Yes, I expect to be there.

The Economy: Another Casualty of War

The Economy: Another Casualty of War ... Even though the House failed to pass the war spending bill, opponents of the war should not be fooled into believing this vote signals a long term change in policy. At the end of the day, those favoring continued military occupation of Iraq will receive every penny they are requesting and more as long as they agree to dramatically increase domestic and international welfare spending as well.

Jen Lakin has something to say about Schenley High School

It took until your vote in February, 2008, for me to really crystallize what I find wrong with dividing up Schenley, both the building and the kids. Your plan not only breaks the kids apart, it will, by design it seems, pit the new schools against each other.

We chose the magnet program because we believed in the idea that different kinds of kids could and do learn things from each other. I chose it because when I asked for changes or better choices, I wasn't asking just for my kid(s), but for all of the kids.

Now, I'm in a position where fighting for the best interests of my child (in particular, my 8th grader) pits me against the same kids who would have been his peers at Schenley.

To demand the best teachers at Frick’s 9th grade next year is to lessen the possibility of the kids at University Prep having those same teachers. The division guarantees that the good and great teachers have to make choices about where to be -- and I can't see how they can be fairly split in the future, either.

To demand a range of classes (CAS, PSP, mainstream, electives) at Frick is to ask for resources that will take away from the kids at University Prep and Reizenstein. Elective choices in the three locations for next year are obviously going to be far more limited than they are at Schenley. Sharing programs like Youth and Government, the musical, band, chorus, and sports for a year or two by busing kids around every day only puts off the problem that the two new smaller schools will never be able to offer the choices available now at Schenley.

You are tearing apart a family, a working community. I’m not saying it’s perfect nor that it can’t be improved – ask us! The parents have lots of suggestions.

I’ve attached several charts, showing that Schenley’s population (which is 71% African-American, 24% white, 6% other):

* Outperforms the district averages (the only majority AA school to do so)
* Has the highest performing AA students
* Has the highest percentage of college bound seniors – the most males and females, black and white

Even when the district pulls out only the lowest performing scorers at Schenley and not at any other school? Those kids still outperform 5 schools’ averages for all students, not just the lowest scorers. A cynic might suggest that the University Prep planners specifically chose a traditionally high-scoring population for its experiment, rather than the more difficult task of fixing a failing school.

Soon, if these reforms go ahead as planned problems will be faced by the whole district. Where do you think the students for these new themed schools will come from? IF the new schools populate most of the kids will be coming from the current high schools – which will then be faced with underenrollment, leading to cuts in staffing and cuts in programs. Some kids for the University Prep middle school program starting in 2009 will be coming from Arsenal’s feeder pattern. What will that do to Arsenal? You are going be faced with this same situation over and over again if you don’t stop and look at the big picture soon.

As a board you need to make sure that you aren’t receiving cherry-picked and incomplete information that leaves out both comparisons and context for the information you’re given. This district needs comprehensive, well-planned reform created with public input and supported by public buy-in.

Save Arizona State University Swimming

Save ASU Swimming: "ASU Men's swimming is in crisis mode after the ASU Athletic
department disbanded the Men's swimming team. The ASU Swimming
foundation has been created to reinstate Men's swimming and
Protect the future of both Men's and Women's swimming at ASU.
The ASU Swimming foundations primary mission is to generate
money to fund the ASU Men's and Women's Swimming team.

Go Sun Devils.

Statement from Nick Lardos to the Pgh Public School Board

05/19/08

Good evening everyone. My name is Nick Lardas. I am a resident of Oakland and am here to speak again as a concerned parent, taxpayer and voter.

I am here today to ask you for two things:

1) Stop the current High School Reform Plans now and take the time to plan fully for meaningful improvement not change for the sake of change.

2) Leave the current programs and students that are in Schenley HS in Schenley HS and make phased plans for improvements to the building and the programs.

Over the past year I have made a good attempt to keep up with the plans for High School Reform and Schenley HS. And the only thing I know for sure is that I am totally confused. Each day there are new rumors as to what the renovations of different buildings will cost where programs will be moved and then possibly moved again, what programs will be dropped what will be added, the district is in even worse financial condition than previously thought, taxes will have to be raised and on and on. The latest rumor is that Mr. Roosevelt is abandoning us and interviewing for jobs.

The end result is that parents are voting with their feet and leaving the district. Your latest projections show enrollment for September down over 10% from last year.

The excuse often given that the sudden deterioration of Schenley HS forced the district to begin implementing their incomplete reform plans is false. If Schenley were unsafe the students should not have been let back into the building for the 2007-08 school year. Your own documents and a tour of Schenley show that there is no imminent danger. Classes can continue in the building this year and next year and the year after while thoughtful planning takes place. The last time I testified before this group I offered to meet with you to tour Schenley and review your Architect’s reports with you. No one took me up on my offer so I am making it again.

The current confusing HS reform plans call for scrapping the second best middle school and third best high school in the city and tearing them apart to create two maybe three new themed 6-12 high schools. There has been no statistical information nor any educational theory presented that either the 6-12 concept or the themed high school concept have any merit. There have been no cost benefit studies done to show that these concepts and the massive facilities changes they entail will financially or educationally benefit the district and our students. There are no plans for the high schools and middle schools that are totally failing in our district. None of this makes sense from a fiscal or educational point of view.

Stop the current reform plans keep Schenley and its students intact. Take the time to work with the parents, teachers and students. Find out what works and what doesn’t. Look at what is working at the private and suburban schools that are taking our students. Then come up with a comprehensive plan for the entire school district and begin to implement it slowly and methodically.

Respectfully Submitted by:

Nicholas D. Lardas

3434 Parkview Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Phone: 1-412-(NUKED by BLOGMASTER)

Email: (NUKED by Blogmaster too)

Re-sent letter to PPS about Schools and Schenley

B-PEP

THE BLACK POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT PROJECT

c/o Hill House Association, 1835 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

412-758-7898

Superintendent Mark Roosevelt and Board President, Bill Isler

Board Members: Heather Arnet, Mark Brentley, Theresa Colaizzi, Jean Fink,

Sherry Hazuda, Bill Isler, Floyd McCrea, Thomas Sumpter, Randall Taylor

Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Education

341 South Bellefield Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Dear Superintendent Roosevelt, and Board President Isler, Members: Heather Arnet, Mark Brentley, Theresa Colaizzi ,Jean Fink, Sherry Hazuda, Bill Isler, Floyd McCrea, Thomas Sumpter, Randall Taylor:

For many years, B-PEP, the Black Political Empowerment Project has been very concerned about and involved in the issues of reforming Pittsburgh Public Schools so that all of our children, in particular African American children receive a high quality education. Our involvement in school reform became even more heightened as a result of the announcement on October 31, 2007 that called for the closing of Schenley due to students and staff being exposed to asbestos where conditions had deteriorated and the cost to remediate was prohibitive. Also on October 31, 2007 we learned of other dramatic high school reforms that didn’t come with as much details or a good public process that should have occurred for such an enormous undertaking to be successful.

Our informed position of today, February 26, 2008 has been influenced by attending meetings, public hearings, information provided from the Superintendent, his staff and administration, Board members, PA Department of Education, principals, teachers, students, parents, news media, concerned community members, in addition to independent building engineers, legal and finance experts. Weighing all of this, we respectfully ask that in order to "completely assure the safety of the students and faculty, that the Schenley High School building be remediated this summer by removing the ceiling plaster. This would give the district time to develop the further needed renovations and updates, many which would be on an "as needed" basis. It would allow the students to remain in the building, instead of letting it sit vacant, unnecessarily. It would also give the district the time to completely and effectively develop the programming and the implementation aspects of the high school reform initiatives.

Understanding the fierce urgency of now to make ensure that ALL of our children are receiving a high quality education is something that we all agree on. Can we please focus on figuring out a way to teach and reach them where they are at NOW and have some good results to show for it and NOT use the excuse that we were not able to this because we spent so much time discussing not so well laid out plans?

Thank you.

Respectfully submitted,

Tim Stevens, Chairman and Celeste Taylor, Vice-Chairperson

Web page www.b-pep.net

Will Schenley stay or close? Recommendation due Monday - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The reporting on this is so wrong. Still.

Will Schenley stay or close? Recommendation due Monday - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Roosevelt previously has suggested closing Schenley, citing the $64 million cost to fix asbestos problems and update the school's mechanical systems. But students, parents, alumni and other residents have opposed him because of the school's listing on the National Registry of Historic Places, its revered architecture and storied history. The school has produced such illustrious graduates as pop artist Andy Warhol and Clifford Shull, a Nobel Prize winner in physics.

Roosevelt is closing Schenley because he wants to leave his mark on the district. That's it.

The money is a lie.

The asbestos is a lie.

As a dog walks down the street, it lifts its leg to piss on the post -- leaving a mark. That's Mark Roosevelt's motivation. The other reasons don't hold water.

The reporters have let Roosevelt get a pass, mostly.

The $64-million dollar amount has been discounted dozens of ways at dozens of meetings. It isn't even being used by those within Pittsburgh Public Schools -- since about December 2007. But the media still uses it.

To install air conditioning is not an update of the school's mechanical system.

Here is an idea. Fix the windows that were just installed five years ago. And, do these repairs under the terms of the warranty from the manufacturers. The windows don't work as they should. Windows can't open. They screwed them shut as a bastard fix. They (school administrators) didn't do the job they needed to do to keep the building running because they wanted to suck the blood from the building and use that as an excuse to sell it.

The $64-Million is inflated from about $30-M real price tag. And, they are now running up the tab to move programs (successful programs) to other buildings (crap buildings) at prices that are far greater than the $30-Million to fix up Schenley.

* The cost of Milliones is NOT being reported.

* The cost of a fix up to a once failed middle school, Reisenstein, (no windows now, valued property that is an easy sell) is in the dozens of millions. It was pitched at a cost of $300,000. Now the costs are 10-times greater and still rising.

* The cost of CAPA's expansion is not being factored in to the formula. Plus, those two successful schools are going to crash.

* The cost of moving robotics to Peabody is not being considered.

* The cost of moving the professional development from Reisenstein to West End's PCA/Gifted/Greenway is not in the mix.

* The cost of busing from the Hill to the east edge of town is not in the mix.

* The changes to Frick Middle School.

* The loss of student confidence.

* The acceleration of outward migration.

Fix Schenley.

Think again.

Think it through.

In the near future, the school boards of tomorrow will re-open Schenley anyway. The political promises have been made and this will occur. Mark Roosevelt has the helm for the short term, with the help of board president Issler, but that will end shortly. This entire move and crisis is a fabrication that won't wash in the long term and with the truth.

When everything is understood, looking at the forest and not the trees, it becomes clear that their reform moves are killing the school district and must be corrected.

Roosevelt had a hand-picked group spend more than a year on 'high school reform.' The entire body of work on that policy advising group went out the window in one meeting. Those that objected by asking questions were NEVER INVITED BACK to attend another meeting. The discussion for them ended. Roosevelt's own game of divide and conquest failed within the ranks of his own generals.

Tax-increment financing successful -- in creation a divide between rich and poor while killing city

Tax-increment financing successful, city data indicate - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "An often criticized financing tool used by local governments to spur private development appears to be working well in Pittsburgh, according to data provided by the city's redevelopment agency.

Sure, tax breaks work for the URA and for the special interests. Tax breaks and TIFs suck for the city as a whole and for the little guys. TIFs suck for the poor. TIFs suck for the one's who already invested here. TIFs suck for the home owners. TIFs suck for the school children. TIFs suck for the urban fabric of the city.

TIFs are great for churn. TIFs are great tools to strip away the authentic characteristics of a once great city.

TIFs are great for the old guard trying to keep its power.

TIFs are great at driving the overall decline of the region to new speeds of depression.

Rainmakers

The Trib reported:

Pittsburgh City councilman Bruce Kraus taped a novelty-sized fundraising thermometer to his office door last week in hopes of raising cash to cover $10,706 in legal bills he's splitting with colleagues Bill Peduto, the Rev. Ricky Burgess and council President Doug Shields.

The councilmen racked up the legal charges in a zoning appeal and lawsuit against an electronic billboard Lamar Advertising built Downtown.

The four abstained from a vote Tuesday that would have made city taxpayers pick up the tab for the legal services.

City lawyers had warned the four that they were dangerously close to committing a conflict of interest because paying the bill would be the same as forcing taxpayers to cover a "personal debt."

The councilmen haven't exactly turned out to be major rainmakers. The council members this week will try to build on initial donations of $3.99 - a mere 0.03 percent of their goal.

What's wrong here?

Lamar Advertising started this whole messs. Lamar got dinged for putting up a sign for private use / profit on public property without the advance clearances and proper proceedures.

So lets review what Bruce Kraus does in his efforts to keep the folly sustained.

Bruce uses public property, a door in city hall, to place advertising messages that are NOT allowed. Kraus posts a sign for personal profit in city hall. The procedure and ethics battle grounds extend.

Clueless.

May 27, 2008 OPEN HOUSE special "Potential WORLD CHAMPION SPEAKER guest"

May 27, 2008, OPEN HOUSE with special "Potential WORLD CHAMPION SPEAKER guest"

Go to the Toastmasters meeting from 6:30 to 8 pm on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 and enjoy an OPEN HOUSE with a special guest. POTENTIAL WORLD CHAMPION SPEAKER Charlie Wilson will come and run through his excellent potential winning speech.

He delivered it on Sunday 5-18-2008 at http://achievers902.freetoasthost.net/ at the May Achievers 902-13 Toastmasters gathering. This has the possibility of being up there with Darren LaCroix, Craig Valentine, Vikas Jhingran and others who've won the WORLD CHAMPION OF PUBLIC SPEAKING over the years. Spread the word and come see this excellent performance. Then, you'll be able to say, I KNEW CHARLIE WHEN.

Directions to the meeting also obtained from http://edgewood.freetoasthost.com/ or our Club's web page.

From Monroeville: Take 376 west, towards downtown. Get off at the Edgewood/Swissvale exit.
At the bottom of the ramp move into the right lane and turn right at the traffic light. (this will put you onto S.Braddock)
Almost immediately, you will pass the on-ramp to the Parkway. Immediately passed that is Greendale Avenue. Turn right onto Greendale.
Follow 3 stops signs. At the third stop sign you want to vear right and go up the hill. This becomes Race Street.
At the traffic light, turn right and follow to stop sign. The Edgewood Club will be directly in front of you.


Rick Hayes will be Toastmaster and emcee that evening.

Rick Hays ATM-B, CL
Edgewood Toastmasters Club President
Rick Hays (Richard M. Hays, Jr. and 'Rick from Mt. Washington')
hays7@verizon.net home email
http://edgewood.freetoasthost.com/ Edgewood Toastmasters on web
http://www.d13tm.com/ District 13 Toastmasters web site

Back in the saddle with School Reform

Jen posted:

Mr. Roosevelt is supposed to make his recommendation regarding Schenley at the Education Committee meeting on Monday, 19th at 7 pm (I think it was originally scheduled at 6 pm but has been bumped back an hour for a closed door executive committee session, I have no idea what that means, if anything!) This isn't a public hearing, just a meeting you can watch. But, show up if you can, maybe wear a little red/black to show your support. You might be able to chat with your board member afterward too. Of course, you can always call, email or write, too. The recommendation will be voted on in June, though we don't know a date yet.

It's taken me a while to get around to writing up Monday's public hearing, but here it is. I'm putting one testimony below my signature -- it's great, be sure to at least read that part of this email! I'll try to mail around my testimony (the updated version is on another computer, if I go get it now, this will never be sent) and anyone else who sends theirs in the next email.

There were 31 speakers listed, with 5 no shows. The basic breakdown was 2 speakers about Miller's criteria for a new principal, several more speaking about high school reform more generally including Carey Harris from A+ schools giving feedback (I missed this three minutes, if anyone sends me a summary, I'll pass it along) and 3 spoke about the need to plan for special education in the new (and/or reformed) high schools from the beginning, not as an afterthought.

Other concerns about reform were expressed including someone sharing accounts of problems in ALA schools and the number of promises made for these schools that weren't kept. About 14 speakers spoke specifically in opposition to the plans for Schenley, and a couple of other more general reform speakers also supported Schenley. A Montessori parent thanked the board for money that made possible a new science teacher and noted the changes that a new teacher and a committed principal can make. (Amazing how well that bottom up, money to teachers and kids in response to stated needs works so well, isn't it?)

Points made about Schenley included:


• little or no effort (that we've heard about, at least) to looking at alternative plans for Schenley, including just removing the plaster which could fall, and continuing to use the building while plans for renovation are made. It was pointed out again that Schenley is particularly well-suited for doing some renovation work while students are in the building -- meaning that a plan renovations could continue over a long-term schedule after any "safety issues" are addressed.


• the loss of ESL (those students are not moving with the current 9th-11th graders) and how that removes an additional international piece that has been part of Schenley/IB


• the number of changes that have been made in the district over the last 20 years that were then regretted and reversed and often reversed again. The need to listen to parental and community input before making plans, rather than after to avoid this sort of waste.


• the buildings which have been renovated and had additions added, in a district with falling population, with far less support than this Schenley has.


• the lack of knowledge in the district (and even in those affected by this change) about the reform plans, both current and future.


• the diversity at Schenley, the interaction among kids at Schenley (despite administration reports otherwise), the fact that Schenley looks like the district in its racial make-up (it felt very odd to be asking to have different kinds of kids together, not only for the direct benefits of that, but also because it links their needs together -- I kept wondering if we are really in 2008).


• statistics about Schenley (I don't count CAPA, it has entrance requirements and can remove kids):

One of three high schools with PSSA scores above the district average and the only majority African-American (70%) school that is above the average
the highest scoring African-American students in the district (white kids tie for highest),
highest %age college bound seniors for every group broken out (black/white x male/female)

(you can look for yourself at http://www.aplusschools.org/ -- the 2007 Report on School Progress: A Closer Look (right hand column) there are more stats there, too)

Let me know if you're hearing anything -- I was asked by two different reporters what our "strategy" was now. I was a little flummoxed by that, I admit. Our strategy is trying to inform people, trying to get the whole story out there, and trying to get answers and be heard...sort of the same thing it's always been! But, if you've got a more exciting strategy than that, PLEASE let me know and I'll pass it around!

Jen Lakin

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Good evening. My name is Michele Feingold. I am a Schenley and Frick parent who graduated from Allderdice long ago, before I knew Schenley was worth fighting for and preserving.

I currently work in clinical research. Our clinic often chafes at the limits imposed by our Institutional Review Board, or IRB. We sometimes wait for months before we can start enrolling subjects in a study. This is because our IRB requires us to answer every possible question about study protocol, design, safety and documentation to their complete satisfaction.

Perhaps our IRB really has the right idea and their caution is justified. After all, we are talking about human subjects. And don’t you think, truly, this is the approach a school board ought to take? I’m not talking about endless in-depth inquiries, just careful, well thought out and fully vetted plans that consider as many alternatives as possible and examine the real and potential shortcomings rather than just making rosy predictions. For example, when weighing the cost of renovating historic Schenley in the heart of the university district, consider the costs of renovating Reizenstein and Milliones and Frick and Peabody, versus the possible benefits of selling the Reizenstein property. What about the issue of IB students who find themselves unable to fulfill the requirements of the program – would they actually have to leave their school as well as their classes? What about that? What about the meta-message given to mainstream students by sending them to Milliones, away from their supposedly smarter peers and into a more racially segregated environment? What are we telling them about themselves? And what about the inevitable refusal of many white mainstream families to send their children there? Let’s be idealistic, but not naive.

Honestly, did the community ever get an invitation to brainstorm alternative options before the high school reform plan was handed down? Why not let CAPA be the pilot program for six through twelve before we commit ourselves to the master plan? Consider hiring Nick Lardis to plan a renovation of Schenley without having to close it down. Bring University Prep into the building. Institute a school-wide program of diversity training and consciousness-raising that will make Schenley a regional and national model of class and racial integration. (That could even reduce hostilities at board meetings.) Let loose the energy of parents and alumni who are chafing at the bit to be meaningfully involved in their community and their children’s education, and they might dazzle you with their ability to raise money and support the board.

It’s fine to dream big, but let’s dream smart. Grandiose visions have a way of crumbling and leaving a lifetime of bitterness. Slow down, listen to and partner with the stakeholders, and your time spent on the board could be an overwhelmingly positive experience.

Too much to say -- and lots of ORANGE

Internet cafes are great. I'm paying 1 Eurp for an hour. In the hotel, it is 25 Euros for wifi for the day. The biz center at the hotel is too much too.

Amsterdam's weater was great, but might turn on us tomorrow. Biked about 15k. Went 'off the map' for most of it. Got a better map.

It is easy to get lost on the roads here. They have this pie grid system, but the canals don't really always go as they should.

I've rented a bike with coaster breaks and no gears. Don't need em. No helmet either. The guy at Mac Bike told me to just 'pray.'

Swam at an outdoor swim pool today, 50-meter course. Lots of grassy areas all around. But it seems as if that could have been a pool complex with 10 different pools or so. Wonder where they swam in 1928?

That venue will host an international water polo match in September. Got a book in Dutch about it.

We fell in love with Fish & Chips while in Christchurch. Here, they've got the chips. No catcup -- but mayo. Served in a paper cone from street vendors. The fish -- well -- herring. Different vendor.

ORANGE cowboy hats. Anyone want one as a NL gift? Saw a bunch on sale. Let me know ASAP.

Google NL bikes and basket bikes.

Marty G. on the fearless four

Remember, this started at an ask of $80,000.

Even in the final moment at the table last week, Doug Shields wanted to bump the total from $11,000 to $12,000.

Jim Motznik was on the air with Marty Griffin.

Ask Hugh McG if he'd drop his fee!

Four Pittsburgh council members told to not vote - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Heavy or Not? -- Kraus says "not."

Four Pittsburgh council members told to not vote - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "The only penalty is to 'forfeit their office,' which DeSimone called draconian.

'I don't think that it holds any weight at all,' Kraus said of DeSimone's opinion.

Perhaps Kraus will be like Tucker S. He served on council for only a few months.

Go ahead and vote. We dare ya. You can be replaced. Real reform minded people can fill the spaces.

The P-G reports:

Council members in conflict of interest over legal billsThe response, from Ms. DeSimone, bluntly said: 'We caution that a conflict of interest has already occurred in this matter. The course urged here will not eradicate the conflict, but it may lessen the likelihood that someone will file an action seeking to invoke the forfeiture provision.'

I want to see that 13-page opinion.

Furthermore, I could see it go down like this.

Hugh McGough does NOT adjust hill bill downward, south of $400.

Then today, a member of council ask to 'table' the bill. The motion dies for a lack of a second.

Then a vote is taken. Shields and Peduto, by luck of the alphabet and seniority vote AFTER Burgess and Kraus. So, the rookies, Burgess and Kraus each vote to pay the bill, putting themselves deeper into the ethics violation. When it is the turn of Peduto and Shields, both abstain. Suprise, suprise!

The 'doesn't mean anything' nor 'have any weight' comment goes down in history as a way to sum up their careers as an elected politicians on Grant Street. Burgess and Kraus have their seats removed.

Shields and Peduto survive.

The size of city council goes to seven and never returns to nine as a special ballot question is rushed onto the November election.

Pyrite Age: Put a santa hat on the Chengdu Panda and 'gone fishing ' with wooden shoes

Loose ends:

The land was moving in the land of the pandas with the earthquake. Pandas, pyrite, vacation. Oh my.

Wow. The death count is at 10,000 now. But, the roads are bad. Getting a grip on the damages and loss of life is sure to take some time. I'm expecting a few eco issues to gush about as well.

By the way, my internet access might be less than normal in the days to come. I'm going to hang the 'gone fishing' sign and head to the land with the wooden shoes.

If you can, check out the middle school musical at Pittsburgh Frick, ISA (International Studies Academy). The school is in Oakland -- near Childrens Hospital and just across from the Pitt Towers. The play is at 7 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Pay $3. at the door. The musical is called, "Gone With the Breeze." My son, Erik, has a part. Singing, dancing, acting about Hollywood and a casting call for a show that is bigger and better than "Gone With the Wind."

Hope the show goes well. We'll be missing it, sadly. Reviews most welcome. Photos too.

The UPMC sign on the Steel Building is still missing the "M". Is it crumpled on the sidewalk?

I spoke at tonight's school board meeting. Erik also presented a written statement, but he didn't go.

The line-up of speakers was strong for the preservation of Schenley High School in its current location. The asbestos problem is really just a lie.

After I spoke, the school board president let me know that he didn't agree with my positions.

On technology, I feel that the developed software should be put into the public domain with an open source license. The school board is moving to a new dashboard like system and that code base -- not the data from each student -- has no commercial value and could be released to the public. Other districts and other developers might give it a peek, offer improvements and it could be of greater value.

When the news reporter talked about the injured penguin last week, it took a moment to realize this 'news' wasn't about either a zoo nor from anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere. How's the guy who stopped the puck with his face? If the Pens clinch with two more wins there will NOT be a conflict with the weekend swim meet at the JCC on Sunday afternoon.

On the Expresso exercise bike today, Erik and I had another battle. We can both start a course and ride our bikes along virtual pathways, up and down hills, around turns, etc, and RACE. He won by a wheel length. Our times were identical. But, at the finish, he just passed me by. This was the 4th race and my first stage loss. I should not have shown him how to tighten the toe clips nor adjust the seat to an optimum level. He had his pulse up to 210. My max was 150ish.

Pittsburgh gets $1.35 million for new docks on Mon River | AP | 05/12/2008

Pittsburgh gets $1.35 million for new docks on Mon River | AP | 05/12/2008: "Pittsburgh gets $1.35 million for new docks on Mon River

The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh will be getting new docks on the Monongahela River for as many as 17 recreational watercraft.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl says the permanent tie-up facility will be built with a $1.35 million grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The docks will stretch four blocks in the city's South Side and will be part of a $10.5 million park. Work on the docks is scheduled to begin next year and they will be in use in 2011 or 2012.

Construction of the South Shore Riverfront Park is expected to begin in the summer. The park will include historical trail markers, continuing the Three Rivers Heritage Trail system and Greater Allegheny Passage."

Serious, Super Serious: Lawyer says 4 council members have conflict of interest

Lawyer says 4 council members have conflict of interest Assistant City Solicitor Kate DeSimone submitted a legal opinion to City Council today saying that four members should not vote on approving payment of a $10,706 legal expense because there is a conflict of interest.

If they do, they 'shall immediately forfeit their office,' Ms. DeSimone wrote.

Ms. DeSimone said the four -- President Doug Shields and members Bruce Kraus, William Peduto and Ricky Burgess -- already were in conflict by taking part in a discussion and preliminary vote on paying the bill.

Really, I care to know what Tonya Payne is going to do.

I'm uploading a video of the meeting last week. Watch for it at Rauterkus.blip.tv.

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I I said last week, worth repeating, the best way out of this is to have Hugh McG, to make his bill drop to ZERO, or perhaps $.04 or perhaps $400. At $400, each of the guys would only have to pay $100.

If Hugh's work became "gratis," then the matter goes away. Poof. Mr. Kraus suggested a similar pathway for Lamar, weeks ago. Kraus asked Lamar to act in a way that was counter to its own 'commercial interest.' Lamar had received a permit to build the sign. Kraus wanted them to decline that permit out of 'good faith.' Kraus ranted (and this was weeks ago, around when he called for a moratorium on all billboards for six months) that a voluntary solution from Lamar was the right thing to do. That gesture, sweet as it was, didn't play out then. Well, same need for a voluntary move holds today for the lawyers who worked with the renegade four.

This video is from the meeting. It lasts about an hour.

Do not merge Rodgers Middle into downtown's CAPA High School

Watch this video by clicking on the link and hear from three high school students in Pittsburgh who want a great education. They know the situation and are not afraid to speak as they went to the middle school too.

Click to play

The video is being converted to FLASH now, and a new like will come shortly. Or, go to my blip show site.

Section 8 Housing gets some chatter with KDKA Radio

Marty Griffin thinks Section 8 housing is a problem everywhere.

My solution:

"Section 8" landlords should be required to live within 1-mile of their residence. That would tighten ownership and neighborhoods. People are getting rich building slum housing who do NOT live there.

I'm not certain of the 1-mile distance, but there can be some metrics associated with distance to investments and primary residence. Likewise, a phase in policy can be leveraged into the forumla. Plus, we should get rid of the 'deed transfer tax' to make the marketplace more fluid for the transfer of ownership among home owners.

Suburban landlords are wonderful for urban neighborhoods. But, the landlords who want public subsidization should only go to those who are near.

Commentary: CNN owes China an apology for slandering

Don't think CNN will rush reporters, including Jack Cafferty, to the region to cover the story.

Commentary: CNN owes China an apology for slandering So annoyed by Cafferty's despicable and shameless attack on an American national TV, American Chinese have launched an online petition, requesting an apology from CNN. The petition has got more than 40,000 signatures and the number of signatures is growing by the minute. China's Foreign Ministry, on April 15, also strongly condemned Cafferty's weird remarks, demanding CNN and the anchor himself take back the malicious remarks, and apologize to all Chinese people.

Chengdu Rocked at 2:28 pm

Not good.

Bloomberg.com: Worldwide: "China Is Hit by 7.8-Magnitude Earthquake Near Chengdu

Two years ago, on this day, we were at our 'second home of sorts' in Chengdu, China.

The major earthquake was 90k west-northwest of Chengdu.

China takes home 7 medals from USA Diving Grand Prix

China did not reign supreme Sunday at the USA Diving Grand Prix, giving hope to the other nationhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifs preparing for the Beijing Olympics.

News.