PIIN = Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network

PIIN is an interesting organization. I was greatly involved at PIIN's first public action as we put a demand forward from the Youth & Recreation task force.

Trib: .... Wheatley was not booed. That treatment was reserved for Mayor Tom Murphy after Nancy Fitzgerald, a PIIN executive committee member, told the crowd Murphy had not agreed to meet with the group and did not send a representative to the event. ....

Trib: Coalition wins pledges from officials

PG coverage Notice the smirk on Tim V's face as he watches the PAT Exec. Director.

In many ways I've got mixed feelings about the group and the meeting on Oct 17, 2004.

I feel very good about the efforts we put forth in PIIN's frst public action. The demand we made was a failure -- due of course -- as you might guess, to Mayor Murphy's fumbles. We wanted to put a bunch of computers into some of the rec centers in the city. But, the city didn't want that to occur. Mayor Murphy would move to close the rec centers some months later. We knew it was coming.

A big salute to Jack M and the others from Sunnyhill and the UU Churches in the area who helped with yesterday's PIIN meeting. The UUs are now, seemingly, not only the driving force to PIIN, (we've always been that), but a bigger bulk. I still think a Pgh UU Network, PUUN, would and could be a far more effective force for change in the region. Oh well.

Raising a racket over city spending

PittsburghLIVE.comHorgan might have been concerned that if word got out, this tennis fiasco might prompt even city residents who don't play the sport to raise a racket.

The tennis courts and bubble were paid for with an American Express card. And, there is a decent return on the investment. And, the bubble went up nearly 5 months late and snow and slush was on the bubble as there was snow and slush on the ground at the time. So, the new bubble needed to be washed, before its opening. And, this last summer, they didn't even take it down. To much work. In the summer it is way to hot to play in there. So, air-conditioning is hoped for in the future.

This all makes some sense -- but no sense for Citiparks. We should have a park district and we could spin Citiparks out of the City of Pittsburgh. Then managment and oversight of park things can occur with democracy and real leadership that does not have to worry about the ghosts of the city creeping into every move.

Tennis, without a tennis pro, happens here too. I don't just want the courts. I want coaching of the kids. I want an overall program. That is where the real benefits resdide. Parks are not just a bricks, mortar and bubble experience. I think that they should be much more.

Another article at a later date: More topspin on tennis facility - PittsburghLIVE.com