Australia's Declaration of Open Government

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-----Original Message-----
From: Steven Clift <clift@e-democracy.org>
Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2010 13:39:33
To: newswire<newswire@groups.dowire.org>
Reply-To: clift@publicus.net
Subject: [DW] Australia's Declaration of Open Government

From:
http://agimo.govspace.gov.au/2010/07/16/declaration-of-open-government/

Declaration of Open Government
By Lindsay Tanner on 16 Jul 2010 11:07am, 51 comments
Gov 2.0

The central recommendation of the Government 2.0 Taskforce's report
was that the Australian Government makes a declaration of open
government. As the Minister responsible for that Taskforce, I am proud
to make that Declaration today on behalf of the Australian Government.

Declaration of Open Government

The Australian Government now declares that, in order to promote
greater participation in Australia's democracy, it is committed to
open government based on a culture of engagement, built on better
access to and use of government held information, and sustained by the
innovative use of technology.

Citizen collaboration in policy and service delivery design will
enhance the processes of government and improve the outcomes sought.
Collaboration with citizens is to be enabled and encouraged. Agencies
are to reduce barriers to online engagement, undertake social
networking, crowd sourcing and online collaboration projects and
support online engagement by employees, in accordance with the
Australian Public Service Commission Guidelines.

The possibilities for open government depend on the innovative use
of new internet-based technologies. Agencies are to develop policies
that support employee-initiated, innovative Government 2.0-based
proposals.

The Australian Government's support for openness and transparency
in Government has three key principles:

* Informing: strengthening citizen's rights of access to
information, establishing a pro-disclosure culture across Australian
Government agencies including through online innovation, and making
government information more accessible and usable;
* Engaging: collaborating with citizens on policy and service
delivery to enhance the processes of government and improve the
outcomes sought; and
* Participating: making government more consultative and participative.

Supporting Initiatives

The Australian Government's commitment to action on each of these
principles is demonstrated by:

* the passage of legislation reforming the Freedom of
Information (FOI) Act and establishing the Office of the Australian
Information Commissioner;
* the Government's announcement on 3 May 2010 of its response
to the Government 2.0 Taskforce report, Engage: Getting on with
Government 2.0; and
* Its response to the Ahead of the Game: Blueprint for the
Reform of Australian Government Administration report, in which the
Government agreed that creating more open government is a key reform
for the Australian Public Service.

Effective collaboration between citizens and government requires
timely sharing of the information held by Government. The Government's
FOI Reforms create the new statutory Office of the Australian
Information Commissioner and establish a comprehensive Information
Publication Scheme that requires agencies to publish a wide range of
information.

The Australian Government has commenced the program of initiatives
outlined in its response to the Taskforce's report in accordance with
the agreed implementation timetable.

The Department of Finance and Deregulation will report annually on
implementation progress of the recommendations of the Government 2.0
Taskforce to the Government through the Secretaries' Information and
Communications Technology Governance Board.

The Gillard Government is committed to creating a culture of public
sector openness, transparency and engagement. This Declaration is a
demonstration of that commitment.

The Declaration underpins a range of Government initiatives already
under way. The establishment of the Office of the Australian
Information Commissioner and the Government's broader freedom of
information reforms aim to restore trust and integrity in government
and drive agencies to proactively release information to the public.
The Declaration also reflects one of the key reforms of Ahead of the
Game: Blueprint for Reform of Australian Government Administration,
which called for more open government.

The Declaration encourages and affirms among Australian Government
agencies a culture of openness built on the key principles of
informing, engaging and participating with the public. And it
acknowledges that the internet holds a crucial role in realising a
more open and transparent form of government in this country.

The Declaration is about making more government information available
to the public online, and encouraging reuse of that information in
new, valuable and potentially unexpected ways. It is about giving
Australians more of a say in forming the policy and delivering the
services that have an influence on their lives. It is about enabling
government agencies and individual public servants to be more
innovative and more responsive to input and feedback, while still
maintaining the high ethical and professional standards we expect.

I believe that the Declaration lays an important foundation in
implementing our Government 2.0 agenda. In the spirit of that agenda
I urge you to read the Declaration and welcome your ongoing feedback
as the Gillard Government implements a culture of openness and works
towards a more participatory form of government.

Lindsay Tanner

Minister for Finance and Deregulation

Steven Clift - http://stevenclift.com
  Executive Director - http://E-Democracy.Org
  Follow me - http://twitter.com/democracy
  New Tel: +1.612.234.7072

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Fw: Financial Management Series: Sign up now!

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-----Original Message-----
From: "The Forbes Funds" <The_Forbes_Funds@mail.vresp.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:32:28
To: <mark@rauterkus.com>
Reply-To: "The Forbes Funds" <reply-c2e88f5b97-06504d12d0-7b49@u.cts.vresp.com>
Subject: Financial Management Series: Sign up now!

Click to view this email in a browser
http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/162031/c2e88f5b97/109002209/06504d12d0/


Dear Colleague,

The Forbes Funds invites you and your team, CEO, Board Treasurer and
day to day financial staff member, to join us for a three part
Financial Management Series scheduled for July 22, August 5 and August
19 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at The Lexus Club at PNC Park. Space
is limited to 50 agencies and is filling up fast!

For more details, including RSVP instructions and the program agenda,
visit The Forbes Funds website at
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheForbesFunds/c2e88f5b97/06504d12d0/810c603170.


Should you have any questions feel free to email us at
innovationagenda@forbesfunds.org.

Sincerely,


Diana A. Bucco
President


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Five Year Road Map for Pittsburgh Public Schools

Get out your decoder rings.

Curfew Crashes

The City of Pittsburgh Curfew Center for teens crashed. The policy called for $500,000 spending in its first year. All agree that the model is broken. The assistant police chief said that the law should be changed as it is not working.

When this budget and the law passed, months and years ago -- I pitched a fit. It was bad news at day zero IMNSHO (in my not so humble opinion). I hated it and what it stood to do.

The overnight part didn't work. The expense didn't work. The RFP didn't work. The law didn't work

Fw: [ronpaul-1834] New Meetup: Unite in Action 2010 March on DC!

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---

From: Gary <dragonflydreams2@hotmail.com>

Sender: ronpaul-1834-announce@meetup.com

Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:34:07 -0400

To: <ronpaul-1834-announce@meetup.com>

ReplyTo: ronpaul-1834@meetup.com

Subject: [ronpaul-1834] New Meetup: Unite in Action 2010 March on DC!

Announcing a new Meetup for The Ron Paul Revolution: Pittsburgh!

What: Unite in Action 2010 March on DC!

When: Saturday, September 11, 2010 10:00 AM

Where: Washington D.C.
U.S. Capitol Bldg
Washington, DC 20515

We're the People We've Been Waiting For!
~~
Unite in Action! Be a part of history and preserve Liberty for the future.
Join us September 9th through 12th, 2010 as we MARCH ON D.C.

Unite in Action would like to invite you to come join us as We the People gather from sea to shining sea and converge on our nation's capital for 4 full days patriotic events and presentations.

The 2010 March on DC is not just a rally. It is four whole days of spectacular freedom promoting events that will educate, inform and inspire all who attend.

The March on DC and associated events are truly grassroots—our leadership consists of members from some of the country's largest independent conservative-minded organizations. All those involved in the planning of this event are non-partisan volunteers who share the common goal of unifying constitutional patriots to preserve liberty and the Constitutional principles this nation was founded on.

This is an event of the people, by the people and for the people—it is We the People United in Action!

For more information: http://www.marchondc.org.

RSVP to this Meetup:
http://www.meetup.com/ronpaul-1834/calendar/14106208/




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Meetup, PO Box 4668 #37895 New York, New York 10163-4668 | support@meetup.com

Fw: Pa. Turnpike Bridge Piers -- Urgent Opportunity and Call to Action!

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---

From: "Fawcett, David" <david.fawcett@bipc.com>

Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:20:29 -0400

To: Fawcett, David<david.fawcett@bipc.com>

Subject: Pa. Turnpike Bridge Piers -- Urgent Opportunity and Call to Action!

Dear Riverfront Park Supporter:

 

As reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the steel spans of the old Pennsylvania Turnpike Bridge traversing 14 Mile Island and the Allegheny River at the Allegheny Valley/Harmarville exit were demolished yesterday, but "the turnpike is holding off on demolishing the bridge piers while Allegheny County considers whether to preserve them for a future bike trail crossing."

 

There are presently four enormous stone piers left standing:  two lead to 14 Mile Island from Harmar Township, two abut the island, and one abuts the shoreline on the Plum Township side of the river. These piers could be very valuable someday to allow for pedestrian and bike access to 14 Mile Island or as a trail connector between trails that some day may line one or both sides of the Allegheny River.  14 Mile Island is owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (DCNR), and is a tranquil island with swimming and fishing spots and sandy beaches.  It would be a great opportunity someday to provide Allegheny County residents and visitors with access to this treasure of an island. 

 

Although providing a bridge connection to the island or spanning the entire river are only possibilities at this time, these possibilities will be lost forever if the piers are destroyed!  Bridge piers like these would cost tens of millions of dollars to construct.  Initial analyses indicate that the piers would result in minimal expense to maintain and minimal risk of liability exposure, but these are concerns expressed by County officials.

 

The decision whether to dynamite the piers or preserve them for future use will be made in the next few days or weeks.  An email from you to our County Executive, Dan Onorato, would be very important to keep this opportunity alive!  If you agree that the piers should not be destroyed, please email Mr. Onorato now and let your voice be heard.  Put it in your own words or simply ask "Please keep the Turnpike Bridge piers!"  His email address is executive@alleghenycounty.us.  You may also want to send a copy to Council Members at council@alleghenycounty.us.   And forward this email along to others who share the vision!

 

You were an important supporter of the concept of the vision of a Countywide Riverfront Park -- defined as a linear park, running from county line to county line on one side or the other of all of our major rivers, with bridge connections and amenities all along the way.  Great progress has been made toward the completion of this vision -- with a comprehensive network of riverfront trails well on the way.  Our County Executive has been a great supporter of riverfront development and trail efforts, but now is the time to stand behind him to preserve this special opportunity.  He needs to hear from you!  In the meantime, please call or email me directly if you have questions or need more information.

 

Thanks!

 

Dave Fawcett

Former At-Large Member

Allegheny County Council 

 

 

______________________

David B. Fawcett

301 Grant St., 20th Floor

Pittsburgh, PA    15219

(412) 562-3931

 

 

TAX ADVICE DISCLAIMER: Any federal tax advice contained in this communication (including attachments) was not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used, by you for the purpose of (1) avoiding any penalty that may be imposed by the Internal Revenue Service or (2) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein. If you would like such advice, please contact us.

 

Above email is for intended recipient only and may be confidential and protected by attorney/client privilege.

If you are not the intended recipient, please advise the sender immediately.

Unauthorized use or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.

 

Fw: [Locals] Reminder: Tour www.GoodNeighbors.net web tool features Friday, July 16 @ 11am PDT

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

-----Original Message-----
From: "Cheryl Honey" <cheryl@communityweaving.org>
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:08:12
To: <wecare@goodneighbors.net>
Reply-To: locals@forums.e-democracy.org
Subject: [Locals] Reminder: Tour www.GoodNeighbors.net web tool features Friday, July 16 @ 11am PDT

Please forgive cross postings. Pass along this invite to those you feel
would be interested in this presentation.



I'm forwarding this invite to all community builders, NCDD members, friends
and colleagues who want to tour the features of the GoodNeighbors.net. This
web tool developed by volunteers enables neighbors to pool human and
tangible resources, self-organize activities, share great ideas, collaborate
on projects and organize community initiatives. It also offers agencies and
businesses a way to list resources such as workshops, speakers, goods and
services. We consider this the "prototype" of a more powerful tool that we
could develop together. This is an open source technology. Let's have some
fun adding some graphics, bells and whistles. We need to weave a global
grass roots safety net ASAP. We've got to work together to help and empower
our neighbors in need!



I'm giving a tour of the features of the www.GoodNeighbors.net web tool that
is a tool to advance Community Weaving neighborhoods, groups, and our whole
world on Friday, July 16 at 11am PDT. I discovered Mikogo.com, a free
screen sharing site. Please confirm your interest in participating in the
tour by sending me your email address and I'll simply add your name to the
list. We'll use FreeConference.com to connect everyone by phone and then
I'll share my screen using Mikogo. I've tested this free and user-friendly
tool with 3 colleagues and even though it requires a simple download
application, it is very safe and simple to use.



Features of http://www.goodneighbors.net include:



. Free registration to be a Good Neighbor

. Free registration for organizations to be Community Weaving Partners

. Drop down menus make it easy to pool skills, equipment and experience in
Resource Treasury

. Organizations may list programs, services and resources in the Village
Resource Directory

. Free searches to find resources based on multiple criteria selection

. Free searches to locate Good Neighbors who live nearby or share common
interests

. Create Group ID to interconnect group members.

. Post social, recreational and educational opportunities

. Locate activities on Activities Calendar

. View Community Weaver trainings schedule

. View Family Advocate training schedule

. Map assets of groups and communities*

. Publish alphabetized directory of resources*

. Publish group rosters*

. Publish email lists*

. Publish reports based on specified selection criteria*

. Compile data to measure type, frequency, levels and value of engagement*
(Able to integrate values into a time-banking system)





* Trained Community Weavers who pass background checks receive a one-year
free subscription to all the reporting features of the GNN website. This
safeguards how personal information is accessed and used for security
purposes.





At 3 pm in the afternoon, I'm offering free technical support for all those
signing up as Good Neighbors in the website. So save an hour between 3-4pm
PDT if you want to participate in this session.



Looking forward to connecting with those of you interested in weaving
community with this new web tool at GoodNeighbors.net. Hope we can
collaborate on a project that will weave a new world to save our children's
future.



Cheryl



Cheryl Honey, CPP

Family Support network, Int'l

(206) 240-2241

cheryl@communityweaving.org

www.communityweaving.org

www.familynetwork.org

www.goodneighbors.net



"The more resourceful we are among ourselves, the more valuable a resource
we become to our families, our communities and our world."








Cheryl Honey
Long Beach Peninsula, Long Beach
Info about Cheryl Honey: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/5DwhSrEaKD7p7FbmEcxYP3

View all messages on this topic at: http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/396zCjkm72YpItUVMV3OjW
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Pittsburgh to host 2013 Frozen Four

Pittsburgh to host 2013 Frozen Four: "The NCAA has selected Pittsburgh as host of the 2013 Frozen Four hockey tournament, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
The championship event, which is similar to college basketball's Final Four, will take place at the Consol Energy Center."

We were in Rochester, NY, when this happened recently -- and Rochester had its team in the Frozen Four.

Ex-Cats trying to recapture their glory days in swimming

Amanda, you go girl! Or, you go mom!

Ex-Cats trying to recapture their glory days in swimming: "It is so ironic. Beard used to be swimming's Next Big Thing, a gold medalist at 14. Now, at 28, she is attempting to qualify for her fifth Olympiad after giving birth to her son, Blaise, nine months ago.
'I'm nervous and excited,' the ex-Wildcat tweeted. 'I want to see where I am in my training. I'm crossing my fingers that my muscles remember.' Beard has not swum competitively for two years."

Report: City's liabilities shrinking, tax revenues growing - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

So, let's do the math.

Report: City's liabilities shrinking, tax revenues growing - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "The $16,000 report was paid for by a grant from the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, one of two state-picked boards overseeing the city's finances since 2004."

A 14 page report costs $16,000. That's more than $1,000 per page.

And, the report was not paid for nor done by the elected City Controller. Rather the OVERLORDS were kind enough to pay for the report. Jeepers. We've still got two sets of OVERLORDS. The state government granted the OVERLORDS the authority in Pittsburgh to watch the money -- but they that OVERLORD groups grants money to others to do the work.

Enough already.

Fire the OVERLORDS. Have the CONTROLLER do reports and audits himself.

A Badge of Dishonor: Ravenstahl's Solution to Pension Crisis - The Point

A Badge of Dishonor: Ravenstahl's Solution to Pension Crisis - The Point: "Even more absurd is that as a scare-tactic, Ravenstahl suggested that he might need to lay off four hundred police officers if we do not meet this deficit. Why are the police always seemingly the first to go? Those we need the most are apparently the most dispensable. Since apparently neither the citizens nor the police rank high on Pittsburgh’s lists of priorities, I ask again, how did this happen?"

The Police are not always the first to go. There was a time when the swim pools and rec centers got to be first and worst. Then there have been crossing guards, rodent control, bus routes, Great Race, Civic Arena, Brownfield redevelopment, traffic engineers, pedestrian walkways and stairs, capital budgets, ice rinks, G-20 protestors, a fire station even was rumored to be on the first or next list. To continue, schools, airport terminals, ...

Julian's report

See the comments.

52 take a swim in tepid Allegheny

This is fun on a number of levels.

Read more: http://post-gazette.com/pg/10193/1072155-51.stm?cmpid=newspanel1#ixzz0tWYIoMvS

Despite a dead river rat and fish, some leaves and branches, and too-warm water, conditions were nearly ideal for U.S. Master Swimming's "Search for Monongy" event -- even if few knew what the event name meant.

About midday Sunday, 52 swimmers swam a 1.2-mile loop in the Allegheny River -- some doing it twice -- from the Heinz Field boat ramp against the current to a turn-around under the Clemente Bridge. During the first-ever 1.2 and 2.4-mile open water swim, one swimmer had to be fished from the river with cramps and another couldn't complete the loop.

But the rest praised the "flawless" and "well-organized" event as one great, wet adventure.

52 take a swim in tepid Allegheny: "Jimmy Goldman, 73, of Squirrel Hill, and his son, Carl, 46, of Greenfield, rode bikes seven miles to the river before the elder Mr. Goldman swam 1.2 miles -- 1.3 miles counting a wayward detour -- and won his 70-to-75 age division. The younger Mr. Goldman finished the 2.4-mile competition at 54:14, second only to Robert Clark of Pittsburgh, who finished in 53:02."


Then the tireless Goldmans pedaled home.

"The important thing is getting fed," the elder Mr. Goldman said afterward, eating a doughnut then a sandwich. "There were leaves, one bottle and something dead, but the river was really clear and clean, and a hair on the warm side."

Actually it was a tepid 84 degrees Fahrenheit with a gentle 0.1 mph current.

Most swimmers have high-school and college swimming experience and now are members of swimming clubs, including the event sponsor, Allegheny Mountain Masters, the local chapter of U.S. Masters Swimming, an organization of amateur adult swimmers.

The U.S. Coast Guard closed the 0.6-mile segment of the river to boat traffic, with River Rescue and volunteer kayakers available to help swimmers in distress.

Two people entered the "white-knuckles" division that allows fins and floating devices, but the other 52 swimmers were buoyed only by confidence.

"There are no lines on the bottom, and it's hard to swim straight," said Matt Meade, 45, of Mt. Lebanon, after completing the 1.2-mile race. "It was inspiring going under the big [Fort Duquesne] bridge and looking side to side to see the big city. It was pretty special."

Brian Day, 50, of Canonsburg, finished second overall in the 1.2-mile race with a time of 30:01, despite going 400 yards beyond the turn-around buoy under the Clemente Bridge. Janet McDonough, 51, of Cranberry, posted the winning 1.2-mile time of 29:08.

"Once you are in, you are committed," Mr. Day said. "You can't grab the wall and rest."

Overall winners and runners-up received Dick's Sporting Goods gift certificates, while age-group winners won blue and red ribbons.

Event organizer Katherine Longwell, of Sewickley, and chairwoman of Allegheny Mountain Masters, said the "Search for Monongy" -- local river lore about a man-eating catfish named Monongy -- was so successful the so-called search will be repeated next year.

And, for sure, cheers erupted when Dave Watterson, 52, of Brentwood, was the last to emerge from the river, uneaten by Monongy, after the 2.4-mile swim. An organizer even proclaimed with sounds of surprise, "We didn't lose anybody." Drying off, Mr. Watterson said he was more than anxious to repeat the river hunt for Monongy.

"They should hold another one in January," he said.

Read more: http://post-gazette.com/pg/10193/1072155-51.stm?cmpid=newspanel1#ixzz0tWYQC1qD

Erik and I rode our bikes to the North Shore to soak in the event yesterday and check it out. So, we were there as the reporter was doing the interviews, talking to our friends, the Goldmans and Dave -- both quoted above.

Carl is in great shape these days. He is fast. He beat Erik in the open water race at Moraine State Park a few weeks ago.

This day Erik was swimming in the pool -- as there was a USA Swimming meet, a "senior curcuit meet" at Pitt's pool. It is a 'senior meet' but not a 'masters meet.' The open water swim was for 'masters.' Erik swam the 100 meter free and again did the 100 meter in the relay, otherwise I had hopes of putting in the canoe and going out on the water to help guide the swimmers. But, we just rolled there on our bikes and watched from the 'shore.'

Dave Watterson was the last out of the water -- but -- he gave everyone a 20-minute head start. There was something a tad goofy about his registration and he did choose to swim the longer distance. And, he did the first loop in time to beat the cut off, so he keep his motor on and went around the loop again. When we got to see him swimming, I told Erik, that guy looks long and strong. I wondered why he was so far 'behind.' Well, that made sense.

Last year Dave did a swim on New York's Long Island Sound that was more than 4 miles. I remember as he drove away to that meet from antoher swim meet. He coaches in the south hills at Baldwin Aqua (a club) and Brentwood HS. Plus he is a swim official too. And, most of all, he is a dad of a kid about to enter 10th grade, like me. But his daughter isn't into the swims with the natural conditions -- just yet. But Dave joked about the January swim as he is also a fellow polar bear swimmer. We were together on the morning of January 1, jumping into the Mon! Oh the memories.

I was very happy to see the event unfold yesterday in the river without any problems.

Nice kisser

"Congratulations Paula Creamer"

[CLOH-News & waterpolo] Final Day & First Days -- invites to water polo at Pgh Peabody starting Monday

[CLOH-News & waterpolo] Final Day & First Days -- invites to water polo at Pgh Peabody starting Monday: "[CLOH-News & waterpolo] Final Day & First Days -- invites to water polo at Pgh Peabody starting Monday"

---

Hi All,

Best of luck for TODAY and TOMORROW in terms of sporting happenings.

Today is the last day of the US Women's Open in golf at Oakmont as
well as the final for the FIFA 2010 in football (soccer) in South
Africa. Plus, another event happens on Sunday in Pittsburgh in the
river -- with a first time masters open water swim. Best of luck to
all as those events conclude.

Tomorrow brings a fresh start to another event. Water polo. You are
invited to participate and play some water polo with us this summer.
If nothing else, help to get the word out to others so we have a
program full of players in the city.

Starting at 10:30 am on Monday, July 12, 2010, we're re-starting our
community water polo practices with play at Pittsburgh's Peabody High
School. We'll practice every week day, Monday through Friday, from
10:30 to noon from July 12 to at least August 13, 2010.

Pittsburgh Peabody High School is located on the corner of Highland
Ave and East Liberty Blvd, It has an indoor, 6 lane pool, so we'll
play rain or shine -- and even if it gets super hot again. After you
enter the school's front door, turn to the right in the first hallway
and walk past the gym to the swim pool doors.

This water polo invite is for a drop-in program that can fit within a
busy summer-time schedule. So, just come to practices when you can
make it. There is no need nor expectation to attend every day for the
next five weeks. A RSVP email to me, Mark at Rauterkus.com, is nice, but
not needed.

We played water polo last summer at a Citiparks pool in The Hill and
had 50 kids joining us on our peek day of practice attendance. Some of
the kids got to play a bit of water polo within the school year with a
team at Pgh Schenley and even the middle school kids at Pgh Obama
participated. But this is open to anyone, boys and girls, city
residents or not. Rookies should not be intimidated.

We've found that the die-hard swimmers are generally working out with
their swim teams, so those with modest swimming abilities should
attend. So don't fear these practices as there is both deep and
shallow water.

Water polo gives a great opportunity for summer fitness for all sorts
of athletes. Baseball players, soccer players and those seeking
conditioning for other fall and winter sports can jump in and get a
nice workout, make new friends and pick up skills in a fun, team
sport.

Getting some help at the clinics from some adults is welcomed as well,
either in the pool or managing subs and the score table.

Those in the Pgh Public Schools Summer Dreamers Camps, (grades 6, 7
and 8) and others with daily conflicts who won't be able to play in
the clinics at these times are encouraged to send me an email so I can
contact you again with updates to expand practice times in evenings,
weekends and later summer sessions.



--
Ta.


Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus at gmail.com
Swimming and Water Polo Coach, Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, PA
412 298 3432 = cell


PS:

Thanks to Wireless Neighborhoods for help in hosting the water polo activities!

World Cup Travel Blog from a Pittsburgh soccer coach in South Africa:
http://www.wanderingfeffer.blogspot.com/

Volunteers at US Open mentioned Grant in a P-G article:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10189/1071293-136.stm

Pittsburgh offers plenty of refreshing water havens during the summer months

Pittsburgh offers plenty of refreshing water havens during the summer months: "Pittsburgh offers plenty of refreshing water havens during the summer months"

I'd much rather see a functional swim pool. Perhaps with a bottom that moves up and down so it can be 3 foot deep or else ZERO inches deep. Then the bottom can be made to move up and then there would be no hope of anyone going swimming when the pool is closed. These could be places to teach our kids and others with special needs to swim. How nice would it be to have a swim pool that was geared to the Special Olympics. Or else, how about a swim pool to go to with your grandparents or else a venue where everyone in the city the age of seven can go and get free swim lessons.

Fw: Call your legislators NOW about transit funding

FWIW:

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

---

From: jon@jonrobison.org

Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:22:36 -0700

To: <amandel@msworld.org>; <alanpgh@aol.com>; <alanpgh@gmail.com>; <crawfordmcdonaldgreene.com@jonrobison.org>; <dstewart@gmail.com>; <khuwe@trcil.org>; <mosqueavenger@aol.com>; <amodeirm@stvinc.com>; <bmasona@gmail.com>; <JBauer103w@aol.com>; <pghdazzler@aol.com>; <Schneider@psc.edu>; <jjCA5933@aol.com>; <druppen@ucppittsburgh.org>; <dskillings@portauthority.org>; <mrainey@otma-pgh.org>; <jennahrebecca@yahoo.com>; <gavaler@pitt.edu>; <pshell@cs.cmu.edu>; <sherrygoldman@alumni.duq.edu>; <jenniferzami@juno.com>; <meemers@surfbest.net>; <kingmary@aol.com>; <donnadonna123@yahoo.com>; <smlt16@aol.com>; <emilystricker@hotmail.com>; <kproblem2003@yahoo.com>; <mark@Rauterkus.com>; <info@indypgh.org>; <patrick.altdorfer@verizon.net>; <rayrosenblum@hotmail.com>

Subject: Call your legislators NOW

Jonathan and Mary Robison 154 N. Bellefield Av.#66, Pittsburgh 15213  jon@jonrobison.org                                                                                            

Dear Friend,

          No, this is not our usual pre-election political newsletter.  It's an emergency appeal for action.

          As you may know, public transportation has a grave funding crisis.  The Port Authority of Allegheny County needs about $50 million to avoid another fare increase and major service cuts.  The Pennsylvania Legislature had planned to fund transit with a toll on Interstate 80, but the federal government disapproved.  As a result, the state is short about a half billion dollars to fix bridges and roads as well as for the state's 36 public transit systems, including PAT.  If we don't get about $50 million in new state money very soon,  PAT will be forced to eliminate about 30% of our transit service.  Neighborhoods will suffer.  Pittsburgh will suffer.  People will suffer.  The environment will suffer.

          Please join us in telling legislators why YOU and your neighbors need the bus or T.  Contact legislators at the Capitol Building, Harrisburg, PA  17120.  For local office addresses and e-mails go to www.legis.state.pa.us or to the blue pages of your phone book.  Anyone who wants more details or wants to help can contact us.

          Why now?  The governor is calling a special session of the State Legislature for late July on transportation funding, now that we have a state budget.  That doesn't mean that he knows the solution or that they know the solution.  Over a dozen solutions have been suggested.  What is needed is for the legislative leadership to get together on a solution or a package, and enact it – this summer.

          Why can't PAT just trim costs?  PAT has already done that.

          Why your legislators?  Yes, they probably already support public transportation.  But a few calls will make them more assertive on this vital issue.

 

Please TELL LEGISLATORS WHY YOU NEED PUBLIC TRANSIT.

Please call YOUR State Senator and State Representative.

Please also call

   Joseph Markosek, Majority Chairman, House Transportation Committee  412-856-8284

   John Pippy, member, Senate Transportation Committee                            412-262-2260

Tell them why you and your neighbors need public transit

Please forward this message to all your friends – to your e-mail list.  We need to pass the word, especially outside Allegheny County.  Please contact us for any more information.  I, Jon, am president of the Allegheny County Transit Council, an all-volunteer organization representing PAT riders.

I urge you: please call your legislators.

Love and Peace,

Jonathan and Mary Robison

How to improve your golf game after watching the US Open at Oakmont

With the US Women's Open at Oakmont, near Pittsburgh, my boys (12 and 15) have been watching the play and working at the course selling programs a bit.

Erik's observation: He is now convinced that he'll make solid improvements to his game once he changes his golf wardrobe to include a sports bra and skirt.

If I was at Oakmont, I'd tail the women from Norway, Suzann Pettersen. I know how to swear in her native language as I've coached nearly ten swimmers from Norway. Then if she has a bad time of things, I'd know what she was saying.

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

Fw: Pennsylvania state budget disappoints again

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

---

From: Media-Relations@lppa.org

Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2010 15:33:40 -0500

To: <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>

Subject: Pennsylvania state budget disappoints again

Pennsylvania state budget disappoints again
 
Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania calls budget "failure" and "fantasy"
 
Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
3915 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109
www.lppa.org
 
For Immediate Release: July 9, 2010
 
Contact: Doug Leard (Media Relations) at Media-Relations@lppa.org or
Michael Robertson (Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS / chair@lppa.org
 
Harrisburg, PA - The state legislature keeps finding new ways to disappoint Pennsylvanians at budget time.  While our last budget was unconscionably late, this one is a mix of failure and fantasy.
 
This budget fails to cut spending at a time when our fiscal position is precarious.  General fund spending increased from $27.8 to over $28 billion while the state’s total operating budget jumps from $65.9 to $66.4 billion.  The budget ignores the past two years of revenue collection decreases that led to a general fund $1.2 billion gap last year and a $3 billion gap the year before.
 
The budget fails to cut pork and reintroduces "Walking Around Money" (WAM) reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review to be between $65 and $100 million.  In addition, it provides millions for the construction of the John P. Murtha Center for Public Policy and the Arlen Specter Library Project Center. It irresponsibly ignores both the coming public pension crisis that will require a $5 billion increase in annual payments in 2010 and the coming loss of federal stimulus funds in 2011-2012 fiscal year.
 
In June, The Commonwealth Foundation released “A Taxpayer's Budget 2010: Responsible Spending for Pennsylvania” which identified opportunities to cut over $4 billion in wasteful state spending in Gov. Rendell's proposed FY 2010-2011 budget.  Their report also offered a series of recommendations for resolving the current revenue shortfall and reducing the size and burden of government on Pennsylvanians.  The budget failed to take advantage of these opportunities.
 
Instead, our state legislature fantasizes in their budget calculations that Pennsylvania will see a 3.2 percent increase in revenue collections at a time when unemployment is growing and business is receeding.  An even greater fantasy is that the budget calculation assumes $850 million in Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) funds that have yet to pass Congress. According to Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, "No one, including the governor, thinks we'll receive $850 million."
 
Commented Brian Bergman, State House Candidate in the 119th district, “Yet again, Pennsylvania's government has failed to pass either a balanced budget or an on-time budget.  Where are the incentives to do either?  There is nothing currently in the PA Constitution or statutes that puts any penalty on the representatives in Harrisburg if they fail in their duties.  It's time to hold them accountable - vote them all out and elect new people that will truly work FOR the citizens of Pennsylvania and will enact consequences when the Legislature fails so completely in their duties.”

Mark Crowley, LPPa Media Relations, summarized “It's no surprise that this budget was created behind closed doors.  They suspended the rule requiring a public comment period.  The disappointing result certainly shows this lack of transparency.”
 
The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in Pennsylvania and the United States. More than 200,000 people across the country are registered Libertarians, and Libertarians serve in hundreds of elected offices. Please visit www.LP.org or www.LPPA.org for more information.
 

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Steelers host youth football camp

Steelers host youth football camp: "The Pittsburgh Steelers will host a second youth football camps in the Pittsburgh area in July. The Pittsburgh Steelers Youth Football Camp will feature instruction from some of the best high school and youth coaches in the area, as well as current and former Steelers players.

The camp is $175 and is open for children between the ages of 6-14. They will participate in non-contact drills and skills sessions to win awards and prizes including autographed items. All campers will receive two tickets to a Steelers’ preseason game, a camp T-shirt, a one-year Steelers Kids Club membership, DVD highlights from the camp and other giveaway items.

The camp will be held at West Allegheny’s DeMichela Stadium on July 19-20. The camp can hold up to 200 players, and will run from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. each day."

Texas Rangers president Nolan Ryan acknowledges possibility of group not owning club - ESPN Dallas

Texas Rangers president Nolan Ryan acknowledges possibility of group not owning club - ESPN Dallas: "Texas Rangers president Nolan Ryan acknowledged Thursday that his group, which includes Pittsburgh attorney Chuck Greenberg, might not end up owning the team. He added that he wasn't sure what he might do after this season should Houston businessman Jim Crane, who is trying to get back in the bidding, ends up owning the team."

Pittsburgh Public Schools

Good News section of Pittsburgh Public Schools has a pointer to the article in the Post-Gazette that mentioned Grant and Erik as volunteers for the US Women's Open at Oakmont.

Pittsburgh Public Schools: "District students amoung 2,900 volunteers at U.S. Women’s Open (Jul 8, 2010)

2,900 volunteers join in to help U.S. Women's Open run smoothly

Grant gets some ink in the P-G today.

2,900 volunteers join in to help U.S. Women's Open run smoothly: "Grant Rauterkus, 12, of the South Side, and his brother, Erik, 15, volunteered through The First Tee of Pittsburgh, an organization operating out of Schenley Park Golf Course.
'I'm going to be doing program sales on Friday,' said Grant, a seventh-grader at Obama Academy in East Liberty. 'I'm doing it because I really enjoy golf and I love the atmosphere.'"

Brookline man dies from injuries suffered in beating

Friends like this?

Brookline man dies from injuries suffered in beating: "Wily G. Ruiz, a friend of both men, told Pittsburgh homicide detectives that they had been together drinking, playing cards and listening to music inside an apartment, but the two had argued off and on all morning, according to a criminal complaint."

Do you think the drinking had anything to do with this as well?

Oppose REAL ID in PA

Mark C of Plum had a LTE in the Trib (7/6/2010) regarding Pennsylvania's REAL ID Nonparticipation Act. Contact your state House rep and House Transportation Committee.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/letters/s_688754.html

On June 15, 2010, the state Senate passed Senate Bill 621, the REAL ID
Nonparticipation Act, by a 50-0 vote. This legislation, introduced by Sen.
Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon County, would prohibit Pennsylvania from
participating in the federally mandated REAL ID Act.

REAL ID would turn each driver's license into a national ID card. It would
put us face-to-face with real-time federal monitoring, a devious form of
control.

While Pennsylvania struggles with budget deficits, we don't need another
underfunded mandate. PennDOT should fix roads and bridges, not herd us into a costly "Big Brother" system with a biometric database.

Many thanks to our state Senate, but we must now look to our state House.
The bill is in the House Transportation Committee, chaired by Rep. Joseph
Markosek, D-Monroeville. He needs to hear that this legislation should move from his committee to the full House and then to the governor's desk.

The federal government grows relentlessly in size and arrogance. Our best
hope to reverse this is the states; that 50-0 vote is a great start. Contact your state representative and urge rejection of REAL ID by supporting SB 621.

Mark Crowley, Plum

12 person, 24 hour race

Sam Infurchia, the assistant race director for Ragnar Relay, DC has information about a new and unique running event. It's a 12 person 24 hr relay race that starts in Cumberland, MD and ends in Washington, DC. Check out the website at http://www.facebook.com/l/e4673ORRuVVcA4lXW2m0XziwVjQ;www.ragnarrelay.com  and join our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=177416847098&index=1  .

I'm not dead yet!

Okay... So French, German and Spanish are options for language study. But, the reason to not offer them is not because they are dead. Heck, LATIN is being taught. Where in the world can you go to study LATIN other than some Roman Catholic HISTORY Catacombs?

Au revoir for study of French, German?... signs of decline are there, locally and nationally: Some of Pennsylvania's state-owned universities are seriously debating whether to offer French and German majors after current students graduate. Enrollment in French classes is shrinking in Pittsburgh's public schools, and one high school is considering phasing out its longtime German program. Shady Side Academy, a private school with campuses in Fox Chapel and the East End of Pittsburgh, is eliminating French and German from its middle school curriculum to focus on Spanish, Mandarin and Latin.

Another thing that bugs me about the article is that Spanish is winning by a mile. Really? Not three miles? Not just by 300-meters?

What is central to the American sensibility is not the language but rather the study.

If you really want to master another language that goes to the heart of sensibilities, then teach JAVA or C++ or PERL or even LISP as viable languages for study in schools.

Different strokes for different folks. Thank goodness we're speaking english and can travel to places like New Zealand and understand most of what goes on except the Haka.

Long Island man blows arm off with fireworks

Not good.

Long Island man blows arm off with fireworks | World | News | Toronto Sun As one of the explosives shot out of the launcher, it hit Smith 'in the left arm, completely severing it from his shoulder.'

I don't even like sparklers.

Old Papers - Blog Post # 10,086 at Mark Rauterkus and Running Mates

I've got a lot of old papers and records in our house and throughout the office spaces. Too many.

Today I spent some hours weeding a box in storage that has been gathering dust and a tad of mold from the year 2000. Sure, its contents graced my desk about 10 years ago, but it also marked a key time in my political life. That is when I went out on a limb. That year I gathered steam and ran for mayor of the City of Pittsburgh. The election was in the spring of 2001, but I was a candidate in August 2000.

I was so mad at what Tom Murphy and the others in City Hall were doing -- I said, "I'll run. I can do better. Our city needs to do better."

Much of what is in this box did not get into this blog. Sure, a good deal got onto the internet then -- as I was blogging before the word and utilities call blogs came into our shared awareness. But, those archives are not easy to find as web sites have come and gone.

So, it is time to re-type and re-position.

The fight against Fifth and Forbes with the URA has interesting twists with me then as I mentioned the saving of the Civic Arena in some emails and postings. Here we are 10 years later, not 2000 but 2010, and the fate of the Civic Arena is unsure.

Back then I talked about and networked with others about Hazelwood too. Nothing much has changed there, except a few fires and some other homes have been made level.

Then there was Pitt Stadium and UPMC's expansion into the South Side with the proposed building of the UPMC Sports Performace Center. Back then I said that we should have some community access to those facilities. Never really came. The Brashear Association failed us all greatly then -- and still do in this regard. And, I pushed UPMC to build the football practice fields behind UPMC South Side Hospital, not along the river in a place better devoted to flex office space and new job creation. I worred then that UPMC Hospital needed to be supported by the sports medicine and football facilities so as to not close in the years to come.

UPMC South Side Hospital is shutting down now. Told ya.

There are other gems here too. Remember Tom Murphy wanted to spend capital funds from the city's budget to tear down steps that run along the slopes of the South Side and around the city in other neighborhoods. Rather than fix the steps, he wanted to spend more to rid the city of those hazards.

Meanwhile, Bruce Kraus talked this week in council to the blue/green folks seeking new legislation about clean air and clean water. He is about being safe, clean and green. The most important thing to you -- to everyone -- so said his heart and soul in a story from another -- is the air you need to breath.

Without the breath, we die. He is thinking about the legacy he'll leave once he is gone. It all hit him 11 years ago.

Well, there are others who crave the air. But, people will die for more. People will fight to their death for their freedom. People will jump the Berlin Wall and run for their life -- and be shot of course -- for freedom. They had plenty of air where they were. The air wasn't different. But, the oppression was.

Yesterday would have been the 72nd birthday of a young man who was killed as he ran from East Germany by a sniper. He was hit and fell as he tried to dash to freedom. Nearly an hour later, after much blood had flowed from his body, he died.

Clean air and clean water are great.

Happy Independence Day!

This is blog post, so reports blogger on the dashboard, 10,086. Thanks for reading. Thanks for the history.

Liberator - The Fourth of July: More than Fireworks and Cook-Outs

Liberator Online Archive

The Fourth of July is one of the most significant holidays in American
history. It was on that day, in 1776, that the 13 American colonies
declared their independence from Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson
drafted the Declaration of Independence, one of the greatest documents
in the long struggle of mankind for freedom from oppressive
government.

The Declaration contained these words that made it more than just
another political document:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created
equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness. That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted
among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the
governed; that, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of
these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it,
and to institute a new government, laying its foundation on such
principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall
seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness."

The ideas in the Declaration were not new. Indeed, they had been
expressed by British thinkers such as John Locke, and similar
sentiments had been used in Britain to justify rebellion against King
James II in 1688. But Jefferson's words struck a chord across America,
and across the world; they still reverberate today.

Fifty-six American leaders in the Continental Congress stepped forward
to sign the final document, at enormous personal risk.

Tragically, many Americans today have no idea of the great sacrifices
that were made by the Founders to win their freedom.

The story below tells what happened to the men who signed the
Declaration of Independence. The author's name, as far as I know, is
lost.

* * *

What Happened to the Signers?

Five signers were captured by the British and brutally tortured as
traitors. Nine fought in the War for Independence and died from wounds
or from hardships they suffered. Two lost their sons in the
Continental Army. Another two had sons captured. At least a dozen of
the fifty-six had their homes pillaged and burned.

What kind of men were they? Twenty-five were lawyers or jurists.
Eleven were merchants. Nine were farmers or large plantation owners.
One was a teacher, one a musician, and one a printer. These were men
of means and education, yet they signed the Declaration of
Independence, knowing full well that the penalty could be death if
they were captured.

In the face of the advancing British Army, the Continental Congress
fled from Philadelphia to Baltimore on December 12, 1776. It was an
especially anxious time for John Hancock, the President, as his wife
had just given birth to a baby girl. Due to the complications stemming
from the trip to Baltimore, the child lived only a few months.

William Ellery's signing at the risk of his fortune proved only too
realistic. In December 1776, during three days of British occupation
of Newport, Rhode Island, Ellery's house was burned, and all his
property destroyed.

Richard Stockton, a New Jersey State Supreme Court Justice, had rushed
back to his estate near Princeton after signing the Declaration of
Independence to find that his wife and children were living like
refugees with friends. They had been betrayed by a Tory sympathizer
who also revealed Stockton's own whereabouts. British troops pulled
him from his bed one night, beat him and threw him in jail where he
almost starved to death. When he was finally released, he went home to
find his estate had been looted, his possessions burned, and his
horses stolen. Judge Stockton had been so badly treated in prison that
his health was ruined and he died before the war's end. His surviving
family had to live the remainder of their lives off charity.

Carter Braxton was a wealthy planter and trader. One by one his ships
were captured by the British navy. He loaned a large sum of money to
the American cause; it was never paid back. He was forced to sell his
plantations and mortgage his other properties to pay his debts.

Thomas McKean was so hounded by the British that he had to move his
family almost constantly. He served in the Continental Congress
without pay, and kept his family in hiding.

Vandals or soldiers or both looted the properties of Clymer, Hall,
Harrison, Hopkinson and Livingston. Seventeen lost everything they
owned.

Thomas Heyward, Jr., Edward Rutledge and Arthur Middleton, all of
South Carolina, were captured by the British during the Charleston
Campaign in 1780. They were kept in dungeons at the St. Augustine
Prison until exchanged a year later.

At the Battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr. noted that the British
General Cornwallis had taken over the family home for his
headquarters. Nelson urged General George Washington to open fire on
his own home. This was done, and the home was destroyed. Nelson later
died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis also had his home and properties destroyed. The British
jailed his wife for two months, and that and other hardships from the
war so affected her health that she died only two years later.

"Honest John" Hart, a New Jersey farmer, was driven from his wife's
bedside when she was near death. Their thirteen children fled for
their lives. Hart's fields and his grist mill were laid waste. For
over a year he eluded capture by hiding in nearby forests. He never
knew where his bed would be the next night and often slept in caves.
When he finally returned home, he found that his wife had died, his
children disappeared, and his farm and stock were completely
destroyed. Hart himself died in 1779 without ever seeing any of his
family again.

Such were the stories and sacrifices typical of those who risked
everything to sign the Declaration of Independence. These men were not
wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means
and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more.
Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged:

"For the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the
protection of the Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other,
our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

* * *

What an incredible story! Remember these men and their sacrifices as
you celebrate this Fourth of July. I know I will.

In Liberty,

Sharon Harris, President
mailto:sharon@self-gov.org

PS: Today, thanks to the Founders, and thanks to all those who have
fought to maintain and extend our freedom in the two centuries since
the American Revolution, we're not being asked to risk "our lives, our
fortunes, and our sacred honor" to win our liberty.

But the struggle for liberty still goes on today, of course. That's
why you're reading this newsletter, and that's why the Advocates for
Self-Government exists.

Are you into the Tour de Fance Bike Race? Get these updates via email

If you are into fitness and the Tour, then subscribe yourself to this newsletter. You won't be sorry. And, you can always check out later.

Carmichael Training Systems : Mailing List Signup: "Carmichael Training Systems Mail List Registration"

snip....

Today was a dramatic start to what's sure to be a dramatic and thrilling race. And now that there are some decent time gaps between the favorites already, the action should be heated right from the beginning.

Some quotes

Don't eat the seed. Sow and reap!

Teach things we don't understand. Don't teach what you understand.

Don't give to God that is nothing.

Take a leap of faith, a step of faith.

For leaders, putting your head in the sand is a fumbling of duties.

Pittsburghers care about our kids. If we knew it would help, we'd cut off our arms to help our children. But, coming to the understanding of what is best seems to be much of the problem. And, when we don't try hard enough -- we all are defeated.

---

Pittsburgh would like to be "Knowledge Town." We need places that spark our imaginations. We don't aspire to be 'Rote Memorization Town." We should be wise, full of knowledge, insightful, and full of imagination and capacity to fix.

I do not want to see all of our science crammed into the Science Center. I don't want all of the cultural aspects of our city confined to the Cultural District. I don't want the History Center to be the lone keeper of every historical artifact.

I want diversity. I want an urban, unique, mixed use place that has spaces and relationships that work to fire up our intergerational wonder.

Talking about the stars and heavens is rich. And, when we had this mentality, and capacity as part of the Buhl Science Center and its star theater, Pittsburgh was growing.

Now, Pittsburghers often leave the city.

On a number of occasions, I've spoken at the public podium and have pointed out that the former Lazarus Department store in Pittsburgh, with its downtown TIFFs (tax breaks) and Corporate Subsidies -- and because of its low sales price of the property from the URA and with hair-brained deal from the Mayor's planners -- Lazarus paid less per year than the rent for the Old Post Office on the North Side that was a reuse and home to the Children's Museum.

---

When a stadium deal or a convention center deal or a new arena deal is pondered, we as citizens, as parents, as taxpayers, are going to get beat up badly. We are going to pay the brunt of the costs.

For the kids sake, we have a serious desire to hold out the highest of hopes. We want splendid opportunities for the next generation.

We don't want to cobble together rinky-dink solutions for our kids. And, we know that it takes great perspectives to find elegant, uplifting solutions.

---

This place should not deplete you. Rather nourish.

---

A feather of an ostrich is kept in my office. The feather gives a reminder for an approach to politics from a softer approach. The feather comes from one of the biggest birds, but it can't fly a lick. The ostrich fame comes from its act of putting its head in the sand. That is not a good place to be. This is a bad habit. It is terrible for building perspectives. When your head is in the sand, it is a by-gone conclusion that you can't see the stars.

---

In youth, every event looks unique.

How do you deal with the moment? How do you look forward? How to react to the anticipation of the future?

We can choose what we bring to tomorrow. We can't know what tomorrow brings.

A tiny action is stronger than a lifetime of worry.

Expect a challenging life. Why think not?

---

As we face a troubled and puzzled world, let us not build troubled and puzzled solutions.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

Spirit of confirmation is in the air. Undeterred. Persistent.

Do not absolve the institutions for responsibility. There is institutional racism.

They've got buckets full of money. But we've got oceans full of good ideas. They do not have a monopoly on good ideas. When they think they've got a monopoly on the ideas, then we've got a de-facto monopoly on principles, because they've sold out. They are closed minded. There is nothing worse.

It is not for the slaves to talk about freedom.

---

Politics is complicated. Democracy is messy. Voting is simple.

The best we can hope for is for full knowledge of who is paying for campaigns. That's timely disclosure for direct and supplemental campaigns.

Afghanistan Water Polo's July 2010 Newsletter

Afghanistan Water Polo's July 2010 Newsletter: "It is amazing to think that my recent visit to Helmand Province, Afghanistan would result in the creation of another provincial swim and water polo team in Afghanistan. Lieutenant Joshua Pogue, a Marine who I worked with was the one who identified a pool aboard the Shorabak Garrisson. After many weeks of meetings and dissappointment, a team finally formed. What started with no water in the pool has now turned to five days a week of athletes practicing. Athletes are learning basic fundamentals of swimming and water polo,"

PA Budget insight fro EPLC Notebook of July 2, 2010

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

---

From: "Ron Cowell" <cowell@eplc.org>

Date: Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:19:12 -0400

To: <cowell@eplc.org>

Subject: EPLC Education Notebook - 2010-2011 Budget Update - #10-22 - July 2, 2010

The Education Policy and Leadership Center

         800 North Third Street, Suite 408, Harrisburg, PA  17102

     717-260-9900     -     www.eplc.org

_________________________________________________________________

 

EPLC EDUCATION NOTEBOOK

Friday, July 2, 2010

 

SPECIAL 2010-2011 BUDGET UPDATE

 

The EPLC Education Notebook (current and past editions) also is available by visiting the EPLC website at www.eplc.org/ednotebook.html.

 

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate approved a budget for 2010-2011 on Wednesday, June 30, after reaching an agreement with Governor Rendell.  However, the Governor said he would not sign the budget bill until a package of legislation related to budget issues also was approved.

 

It is being reported this Friday afternoon that the Governor and legislative leaders have now agreed to the particulars of that package of related legislation.  The Governor’s Office has announce a tentative budget signing ceremony planned for Tuesday, July 6.

 

With the budget sent to the Governor on Wednesday, school districts would receive a basic education subsidy increase of $250 million, down from the $354.8 million increase that Gov. Rendell originally proposed.  While basic education funding is not at the level proposed by the Governor, Rendell called the increase significant.  He also noted that while support for the basic subsidy is increasing, the overall education budget was not held harmless and experienced significant cuts. 

 

The new budget includes a total General Fund spending level of $28.05 billion.  It also includes an agreement to enact a gas extraction tax by October 1, and is predicated on receiving $850 million in yet-to-be approved federal FMAP funds (Medicaid reimbursement to states).  If FMAP is not extended at the federal level, additional line items in the state budget would have to be placed in reserve.  This almost undoubtedly would mean a reduction in funds for basic education.

 

The budget agreement does not include revenue from four additional sources that were part of this year’s budget debate – a tax on cigars, a tax on smokeless tobacco, ending the discount for businesses that remit sales tax receipts on time, and revenue from closing the Delaware loophole for corporations.

 

For details on the education budget, please go to the House Appropriations Committee budget link below:

http://www.hacd.net/budget/201011/documents/Updated_HB2279PN3277_063010_9am.pdf

 

We’ll be sending more detailed analysis next week.

 

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EPLC Education Notebook is published by The Education Policy and Leadership Center (EPLC).  Permission to reprint or electronically redistribute the Notebook in whole or in part is granted provided attribution to EPLC is provided.

 

The Education Policy and Leadership Center is an independent, non-partisan and not-for-profit organization. The Mission of EPLC is to encourage and support the enactment and implementation of effective state-level education policies in order to improve student learning in grades P-12, increase the effective operation of schools, and enhance educational opportunities for citizens of all ages.

 

Quote from: Way of the Peaceful Warrior

Pain is a relatively objective, physical phenomenon; suffering is our psychological resistance to what happens. Events may create physical pain, but they do not in themselves create suffering. Resistance creates suffering. Stress happens when your mind resists what is...The only problem in your life is your mind's resistance to life as it unfolds.

Dan Millman