Introduction from 2001

Understanding begins with a true awareness:

I'm Mark Rauterkus, son of a retired teacher from the Pittsburgh Public Schools, Leo M. Rauterkus. But, be assured from the get-go, this campaign is not about me. Sure, we need to post a candidate's bio. A face-lift to the site is past due, and it is on the way. But there is more, much more to share. The bulk of what follows isn't centered upon me. Being a South Side, internet advocate, with a German sir-name (the first letter of my name matches my party's ticket) matters little.

In the future Pittsburgh, in my more ideal Pittsburgh, we'll better concentrate upon what is being said and less upon who that person is when it is said. But now, sadly, a time for an introduction and some personal grounding is in order.

I'm a citizen. I'm a Pittsburgher. I'm with time on my hands, a chip on my shoulder, and thick skin. I've got two sons and a great, brilliant wife. I'm white, 41, and a big-brother to four sisters. A cousin party in our clan can hit 100 people, average age is 5 -- but my math and spelling skills are suspect.

I'm entering this Mayor's Race because I'm not happy with what we got nor with the options unfolding in the future. Our potential is so much better than our existing execution allows.

Many other Pittsburghers can fill these shoes. The Mayor Candidate role isn't intimidating and many others can do just as well, if not way better. We all need to shoulder the load and take the roles that need to be filled. If you want this spot, please step forward.

I'm not here to fight for you. I'm here to fight for ourselves. This is our town. This is our battle. This is our future. We want certain things and expect certain behaviors, and frankly, they are not happening to our satisfaction. Let's work to make ourselves and our outlooks and our spaces much better.

A call to this endeavor exists to a smaller degree than the call to community. I'm fortunate at this juncture to be one of the few who are more insulated than most. I'm a stay-at-home dad. I've got no assets to protect. I'm not a business owner with a payroll to cover. Ours, now, is a mission to grow equity, not protect equity. I can enter the fray in the Mayor's race, expecting some attacks. Vengefull attacks will come in vain, unless they are targeted at ideas, the platform, and things such as the budget proposals we'll be making Then, we all win when those public-policy attacks are considered and delivered.

Teacher's kid, professor's spouse, boys' father, and former swim coach are roles that now blend with candidate.

Coach's Lesson:

Sports are games of space, time and relationship.

I think like a coach. I've been a coach most of my life. Coaching and sports make a connection to who I am and to others in the community. Pittsburgh calls itself a sports town. To understand my nature and roots, witness my thoughts about sports.

I hope to govern like I coach. I consider myself a great coach. Inspring perhaps. I can manage people. I'll take folks out of their comfort zones, and we'll improve greatly.

After athletes understand the true meaning of sports, and all the details of the four components of the definition, then great focus and inner strengths can be found and mastered. The purpose blooms. Efforts are justified.

Yes, Leroy Hodge, I am not in this to "win." I told him that the other day and that just could not be understood. I'm in this campaign to do the best I can do. I'm going to try my best, and then hold my head up. It isn't if you win or not -- rather it is how you play the game. I say sportsmanship matters. Leroy says he is a coach and he is in this campaign to win.

Yep, I'm a little soft on the "fire-in-the-bellie" routine. However, I'm quite hot when you look at my soul. The fire isn't in my bellie -- it is in my soul.

Candidate's Lesson:is about space, time and relationship.

Life and sport are similar, except life is not a game. The elements of space, time and relationship matter.

Politics is part of life. Politcs has its own flow with its own space, time and sets of relationships. The talk of politics and sports is often similar. For example, the USA Swimming Core Objectives are:

• Build the Base
• Promote the Sport
• Achieve Competitive Success

A political party would do well to hold the same values dear. The promotion goes to the public policy ideals.

Holistic outlooks, global views, big-picture ponderings and just plain-old "getting it" is to be expected from our politicians and our civic leaders.

Fairness

Life isn't fair. However, there is one place where we need to insist upon fairness, justness, freedom and due process -- and that is with the actions of our government. We need moment to moment justice in Pittsburgh. That is where my campaign is going to focus for the next few weeks. Watch for the next chapters in the book, Compelling Sense.

Campaigns

Is it really possible to live our lives, moment to moment, as if life were a work of art? In sport, it is not only possible, we are called to it.

A calling to politics tugs now.

Standing in relationship to a task in space and time we must be present, radically aware and in the flow. Standing in relationship to others we must be prepared to give fully of ourselves with gratitude, respect and appreciation. Standing in relationship to ourselves we must be willing to know, accept and express ourselves in all of our varied capacities. And, in doing so, we stand in relation to the Divine, at an intersection of two flows, and become capable of creating art and cultivating soul in everything we do.

The dance continues. The process evolves.

Attentiveness

Kevin DeForrest, coach, athlete and author of The Treasure Within, provided some of the above quotes. In prior years, various insights and skills were developed by publishing titles (such as the swimmers' logbook by DeForrest), crafting ideas, and managing the content and its delivery. A spectrum of education and interactions with diverse people is understood, respected and perhaps, even mastered, with our team at Rauterkus.com. We'll be able to craft and deliver our message. Our vision and platform will take shape and get out. The people of Pittsburgh and throughout the region are going to come to understand and consider the issues and the personalities associated with our political landscape and the Mayor's Race, 2001.

My political legacy has not been established, yet, to the degree of tenure of others. Existing bureaucrats and incumbants are sure to have an edge in experience in terms of red-tape wranglings. Life experiences are another matter.

The entry into our public policy realm needs to be open. This race is made possibile by rights afforded to all citizens. Furthermore, the scope and depth of the issues at hand for our community are welcomed discussions in this campaign. Standing steadfast as a clear communicator and an artful, principled, empowering leader is our nature and duty.

Around Town

We hope to see you around town. More so, we need to get together on-line and at some political gatherings in the very near future. Find out what's happening by bookmarking our web page. Jump in and contribute. There is a place for everyone here, guaranteed.

The Man Who Would Be Mayor (InPgh news article)

Article by Charlie Deitch, ran on January 3, 2001, in the now defunct InPGH , a weekly newspaper.

Unless, he says, there's anyone else better qualified. It's fascinating to watch mark Rauterkus watch the political process. As he sits in a council meeting or in a public hearing, this stay-at-home dad and inactive swimming coach is constantly observing what is going on around him while taking care of his children -- who may have a better attendance record than some current council members. Rauterkus assists his oldest son, Erik, who is coloring a picture he just drew, while helping his youngest son, Grant, build a car out of Legos. All the while, Rauterkus listens to citizens' concerns like a man with the power to help them. But he's not that man -- at least, not yet. Republican Mark Rauterkus wants to become mayor of the city of Pittsburgh so the next time he hears someone complaining to city council about a problem, he can do something about it. "That's all I've been doing since August," says the 41-year-old between bites of a tuna sandwich at Mario's on the South Side. "I've been listening to as many people who will take a moment and talk to me." It was, in fact, the current administation's inability to listen that prompted Rauterkus, a political rookie unknown to the Grant Street contigent, to enter the upcoming mayoral race. "This city needs a new mayor, whether it's me or somone else," he says. "They need a myor who will listen to their concerns and then actually do something about them." Rauterkus was upset at Myor Tom Murphy's refusal to listen to anyone concerning Fifth and Forbes development, but something more personal prompted his decision to run: the city's refusal to allow him to serve on a new task force designed to study how best to use the city's 32 swimming pools. He says he was rebuffed despite his knowlege and ideas. In fact, Rauterkus announced his mayor candidacy at the very August city council meeting at which we was turned down for the pools committee. And since that one public forum, his candidacy has been ignored. The mainstream press, along with political watchers and insiders, has only been touting the upcoming primary clash between Murpy and Council President Bob O'Connor, the guy who fell short in the primary four years ago. "The Post-Gazette may as well just sponsor Tom Murphy's campaign," Rauterkus muses. "And the Trib?" Shortly after Rauterkus announce his candidacy, a Tribune-Review reporter intervied Rauterkus and a Trib photographer took pictures of him at home. But don't search through the paper's archives looking for the peice, because it has never run. "I don't know when or if it will ever appear, but it's been done for months," Rauterkus says. "When I asked the editors about it, all they did was offer to sell me ads. It is hard to run a campaign when the city's two major newspapers refuse to give you any coverage." But that doesn't mean he plans to stop. His campaign homepage -- www.Rauterkus.com -- is up and running and full of his views on city happenings. The site is so comrehensive that it linked to this article weeks before it existed. In the meantime, Rauterkus is still in the listening stage. There are many problems facing the city, he opines: if elected, he says, he will have a lot of ideas on how to make things better. Bu for now he is spending time in the streets, time talking to people and of course time in council chambers, addressing its members. When he does speak before the panel, he's not just sonding off, he's proposing solutions so that others can listen -- unlike, say, the recently decessed half-billion dollar Downtown plan Pittsburghers found themseves shut out of. "Nothing ever seems to be organized or planned out," he explains. "There is no political will in this city to do the best thing. We find the worst option and then do one step above that." That's why Rauterkus says it's important to pose solutions, not just to harp on problems. At a council meeting last month, for example, Rauterkus noticed tension building among several residents who had to come to address council members. Several emotional speakers were upset over what they called harassment by officers assigned to the meeetings and by a perception that council members, who constantly start meetings late, didn't respect them or care about their problems. Rauterkus took to the podium in their defense. While it may have seemed trivial to political insiders used to grandstanding, it seemed genuinely important to Rauterkus. He suggested a resolution be passed that the cable access cameras be turned on at the regularly scheduled 10 a.m. meeting time. Whether the meeting had officially started or not, to 'let the people speak for a while. I guarantee after one meeting you guys will start getting here on time." Would his idea redevelop Downtown or fix the city's multi-million dollar structural deficts? No. But by actually reacting to the will of the people, Rauterkus has shown the characteristic most lacking in many current city leaders. He is no readying his campiagn headquarters on the ground floor of his home -- an old South Side shoemaker's shop on South 12th Street. Hi snext step is deciding how he wants to run the campaign. A former Democrat, Rauterkus is trying to decide wheter to make a run under the GOP banner or to go under the flag of one of the third parties. None of these options is the ideal way to take a stab at unseating the city's Democratic machine and a two-term mayor in prosperous times. Ideally, Rauterkus says, O'Connor would defeat Murphy and become complacent about a November showdown with the Republicans, who usually aren't worth fearing in a citywide election. That's where he says he will need public support and every bit of the $100,000 he hopes to raise. O'Connor would be better than Murphy, Rauterkus says, but having any consummate politician ack in the driver's seat would just lead to more of the same in city politics. And change is what Rauterkus' campaign is all about. "I've said all along. I don't have to run for mayor," Rauterkus says. "If someone else came along who was better qualified and wanted to make a serious run, I would step aside in a minute and work diligently for them. "We need a new mayor a whole lot more than I need to be mayor."

Photo showed me holding Grant, my son, in our home/office. Caption: Mark Rauterkus' only political experience has been dealing with the lobbying of his kids, like three-year-old Grant, above. Apparently Rauterkus can handle the pressure.

Profile on Mark Rauterkus by freelance writer

Exact date, not certain.

This is our business -- city council actions

This Is Our Business

For sure and shore!

The preceived roles of the URA Board, of City Council, of the School Board of Pittsburgh Public Schools, and of the County play a large element into the outcomes of this process.

Should City Council spend its valuable time to "micro-manage" the URA on land sales and developments?

Should any of the three governmental agencies try to halt local happenings by going against the wishes of the other agencies? Stopping the TIF would slow down development that has been given the fast-track go-ahead by the Mayor's office and by the good people at the URA.

Yes! City Council should get involved and should shoulder effort in these decisions and discussions as both the outcomes and the process are highly suspect. It is the duty of City Council to show the diligence. City Council provides a true check-and-balance within this process for the people within the city.

To have City Council get its hands dirty with this decision at this time would do much long-term good. This can be a water-shed decision to deny the sale to UPMC. And this can be a way to re-direct control and set a new course for this outcome and for better policies, philosophies and long-term endeavors yet to happen.

Some of the problems need to be illuminated. But this position paper goes the next couple of steps by putting forth some additional principles of understanding. And, finally, when it comes to the specifics of the UPMC Sports compound on the LTV site, some better solutions are uncovered that make for a better fit for all parties for a much brighter future.

This Goes Beyond Micro Management

In the largest view, this position paper asks City Council to stop the sale of URA owned land to UPMC. To stop the sale is a bold move by City Council that would go counter to the administraion and it would assert City Council's authority into a contract-like issue. Here the contract is the bill of sale of land for specific payments and compensation.

We ask City Council to say: No Sale Yet!

For many reasons we ask City Council to look at the sale, the process, the policies and the philosophies. Let's make a re-evaluation and re-examination because of global sticking points and not a micro-management ones. But in any condition, the sale of land to UPMC is a bad decision.

We ask the School Board to say: No TIF on the South Side, Yet! The URA might come to the realization that the borders of the TIF zone should not include any Steelers practice facilities. The URA might re-draw the TIF and delete the 20-acres of the UPMC site. Just say no TIF unless and until the URA comes to the realization that the School District needs some financial assistance in the South Side, and one need not look any further than South High School. More discussion elsewhere.

Flavors of Christmas

Citiparks Pool Fees

Schedule of fees for swim pools for 1999 Caused Plenty of City Council Discussion

Some Points:

The no-charge options should be part of an overall policy.

No-charge admissions reasons can be for income or policy.

The City could use the revenue.

No-Charge admission to young people has some support with city council members.

The swim pools can become splendid opportunities for young people and others.

The City leaders, staff and citizens need to systematically sit down and begin collaboration to come to some findings and understood policies for swim pools.

Let's explore and find ways to make the pools more meaningful.

More programs cost, and the participants or other revenue streams need to be paid for. How is the city to pay for overhead of the new or expended programs.

New programs need to be created with the expectation that extra funds not going to be forthcoming out of the existing budget.

One of the suggested ideas is to close some city facilities. This suggestion could become a reality if the closing decisions are not made in a vacuum. The closings need to be augmented by better run facilities as an outcome of the closing. The point of engagement for the community is to beef up more regional pools can be a distortion.

Discovery Weekend at Univ of Pittsburgh

I got to mingle with the big donors. My wife led a hands-on course. This was for the kick-off for the big capital / endowment campaign.

Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinas at Three Rivers Stadium

The B.I.G. League program got a bunch of tickets to the Pirate game. All the kids and coaches went onto the field. It was fun.

We walked onto the field from the opening in the wall in Center Field. This was just prior to the start of the game. On the field there was a little award time where the winners of the Mayor's Cup for baseball and softball got trophies.

Then came the singing of the National Anthem. Then we scooted up to the stands.

As the group of players and adults from the city walked onto the field, it made for quite a sight. I imagine that there were about 300 or so of us there. And, it felt like there were more of us than there were fans in all of the stands. Hardly anyone was at the game.

We stayed for most of the game and then left before it was over as it was a school night.

This was a treat.

DU swimming coaches and changes

Snip from news by Jason Wawrzeniak

Addressing Duquesne's women's swimming program, Athletics Director Brian Colleary named Jamie Cona the new Duquesne University women's swimming coach.

Cona, a four-year swimming letterwinner for Duquesne from 1996 to 1999, helped lead the Dukes to a 32-18 record during her four seasons that included a program-best 8-3 mark as a sophomore.

The 23-year-old Cona has coached in her hometown of Cherry Hill, N.J., and served as a graduate assistant last season for both the men's and women's programs.

With the addition of Cona, the 2000-2001 season marks the first time that the men's and women's programs have had separate coaches.

---

Jamie Cona lasted for one year at the helm of the DU Womens Swim Team. Dave Sheets was hired as the next womens coach.

Zoo Camp

Announcing:

Swimmers' Zoo Camp

Monday, July 3, to Friday, July 7, 2000

Hosted and organized by the Pittsburgh Zoo and Three Rivers Aquatics

Swimmers from Western Pennsylvania are invited to reserve a spot for a new experience slated for the summer of 2000. This week-long day camp combines two popular summer-time activities: competitive swimming and zoo camp.

Splendid Neighbors

Pittsburghers are fortunate with access to two wonderful facilities right next to one another. The Pittsburgh Zoo is within a short walking distance to the Highland Park's, 10-lane, 50-meter pool. Each day the athletes and coaches start on the grounds of the park near to the pool and then spend the afternoons in the educational buildings of the zoo facility.

Zoo Camps at the Pittsburgh Zoo

Zoo Camps are wonderful, educational experiences, and have been so for many years. With professional staff, trained volunteers, and an educational building designed for camps, expect lots of hands-on activities and learning in a fun, controlled setting. Zoo Camps are stimulating times for children of all ages, but be warned, this is a special week at Zoo Camp. The afternoons at Zoo Camp are being geared to the older-age groups. Expect serious discussions, problem solving, learning and grown-up activities, suited for high-schoolers and competitive swimmers. The facilities include five different classrooms. See yourself mingling, learning and making friends among this diverse group of people who call themselves swimmers.

Hardly Alone It is not like you are not going to know anyone. Pass the word. Get a couple of your teammates involved. Carpool! The 9:00 am start time allows for commuters to get to the pool a decent hour, without much traffic. Office workers in town and Oakland might be able to drop-off and pick-up campers as part of the drive time that week.

Scheduled for the week of July 4th The camp's date fits into most summer schedules. Those with out-of-town camps in June can return home for this day-camp in July. Early July is a often a time for hard, challenging training in a long-course pool, even weeks away from tapers and championship. Area swimmers without access to long-course pools for their swim practices are going to love the benefits and the switch in the environments. Even seasonal high school swimmers can use the camp for summer training and conditioning.

Year 2000 Excitement for Swimmers and Sharks In June 2000, the Pittsburgh Zoo is expected to have the grand opening a new exhibit -- a massive, aquarium. The new shark tank will have just opened, just in time for our swimmers' zoo camp.

Swimmers in the morning practices that find themselves walking on the bottom of the pool might find themselves in the afternoon sessions at the zoo feeding the sharks. Learn about the new $15.9M Aquarium at the Pittsburgh Zoo Site

Reserve Your Space Now, without making a payment! Being a first-time offering, do submit your name and contact information as soon as possible. Put yourself on the notice list to get additional information as soon as it is available. Help to gage projected registration levels, and keep your space reserved, even at an early date.

Zoo Camps are very popular. Weeks and months in advance, zoo camps often fill to capacity with the maximum numbers of children registered. Don't delay. This special zoo-camp for swimmers has an enrollment ceiling. In the year 2000, the Swimmers' Zoo Camp will be offered for only one week. If you don't get into the Swimmers' Zoo

Camp, other half-day and full-day camps might still be available.

To find out additional information about regular zoo camps, contact the Pittsburgh Zoo directly. This site is only geared to the promotion of the special, one-week swimmers' zoo camp.

Early and Often: The Swimmers' Zoo Camp has a limited number of participants, so sign-up early. The Swimmers' Zoo Camp has a limited engagement that needs to hit certain enrollment number with participants by certain dates throughout the year, so please express your interest .

Daily Schedule:

Registration: 8:30 - 9:00 am

On the first day of camp, please arrive thirty minutes early.

Day Begins: 9:00 - 10 am

Stretching, team meeting, dry-land exercises.

Swimming Practice: 10 - noon

Warm-up, drills, conditioning sets, stroke perfection, starts-turns-finishes, water-exercises.

Lunch, Recovery: noon - 1:00 pm

Warm-down, shower, change, eat and stroll down the hill to the back-entry of the Pittsburgh Zoo.

Zoo Class/Camp: 1:00 - 4:00 pm

The educational classrooms within the zoo campus are going to be filled with swimmers in the afternoons. Air-conditioned, modern, instructional and interactive programs with a solid lesson plan for a great experience.

Dismissal: 4:05 and beyond

The formal instructional day concludes at 4:00. The participants can exit the zoo at that time, or choose to take further advantage of the facilities until the zoo closes.

Cost:

The charge for the one-week camp, Monday to Friday, including 4th of July, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, is pending. The expected price range is $115.00 to $100.00 per person. A final price is expected to be set by October, 1999.

Get on the List of Potential Campers:

Those interested in getting additional information and being put on a notice list for registration, please email, wetzoocamp@sportsurf.net, or call 412-481-2497, extension #7. Please leave a voice message in the zoo-camp department, #7.

AMS Registration Cards As of this moment, the swim-zoo day-camp is NOT a sanctioned event of the AMS. However, a proposal to the AMS to recognize the camp and help with its promotions is expected to be delivered from the camp organizers at TRA and the Pittsburgh Zoo to the executive board of the AMS in the weeks ahead. Perhaps this camp experience be an official AMS activity, perhaps not. All the participants at the camp are required to be athlete or coach members of USA Swimming, or an athlete member of US Masters Swimming. Those who are not current members of these organizations will need to pay a different rate for registration into those governing bodies. The swimmers need to provide proof of registration before entry into the camp.

Guest Coaches Welcome Swim instructors, aquatics directors, and coaches from area high school, Y, country club, USA clubs, colleges and summer teams are welcome to attend one or multiple days of the camp. Coaches can choose to observe or else engage in the camp experience with assigned/shared coaching-duties. Please email wetzoocamp@sportsurf.net, or call 412-481-2497, extension #7. For food, uniform, admission and supervision reasons, coaches are asked to register for the camp in advance, just as the swimmers must advance register. An on-line coach registration form will be provided.

Renewal for Following Years Participants who are successfully engaged with the camp community are given notice and advanced permission to reserve a spot at next year's camp, as well as other activities to be organized for the future.

Public Domain Status -- Copyrights, servicemarks and trademarks are being avoided as much as possible so that items can be put into the public domain. Statement that advocate and explain our public domain status is at http://www.FreeTeam.Org/publicdomain

Hostelling International's memo from Mark Rauterkus

Dear Fellow Pittsburghers,

I'm interested in talking, either in person or on-line, to anyone with interests in vision, mission, activities and facility of the Hostelling organization and associated politics.

I'm interested as I'm a South Side, part-time activist who has many recreational leadership experiences in other parts of the country.

Furthermore, I feel that there might be some unique solutions and program opportunities available to please various membership interests. I'd love to talk with you and begin to uncover some of these ideas in shared discussions.

Thanks for the consideration.

Please contact me if and when you so desire.

Mark Rauterkus

---

A collection of the documents delivered to the AYH Board, Marketing Committee and Jesicca, the AYH manager, are available for review.

---

These plans were talked about, sent to them, and the outcome was nothing. The board drove the organization into the ground and out of business. The board and others knew that the organization would not survive -- yet they choose to do nothing but keep the status quo.

---

Presently, (as of December 2005) the AYH building is sitting idle, sadly. It is owned, by the URA.

Swimmers' Zoo Camp

Announcing:

Swimmers' Zoo Camp

Monday, July 3, to Friday, July 7, 2000

Hosted and organized by the Pittsburgh Zoo and Three Rivers Aquatics

Swimmers from Western Pennsylvania are invited to reserve a spot for a new experience slated for the summer of 2000. This week-long day camp combines two popular summer-time activities: competitive swimming and zoo camp.

Splendid Neighbors

Pittsburghers are fortunate with access to two wonderful facilities right next to one another. The Pittsburgh Zoo is within a short walking distance to the Highland Park's, 10-lane, 50-meter pool. Each day the athletes and coaches start on the grounds of the park near to the pool and then spend the afternoons in the educational buildings of the zoo facility.

Zoo Camps at the Pittsburgh Zoo

Zoo Camps are wonderful, educational experiences, and have been so for many years. With professional staff, trained volunteers, and an educational building designed for camps, expect lots of hands-on activities and learning in a fun, controlled setting. Zoo Camps are stimulating times for children of all ages, but be warned, this is a special week at Zoo Camp. The afternoons at Zoo Camp are being geared to the older-age groups. Expect serious discussions, problem solving, learning and grown-up activities, suited for high-schoolers and competitive swimmers. The facilities include five different classrooms. See yourself mingling, learning and making friends among this diverse group of people who call themselves swimmers.

Hardly Alone It is not like you are not going to know anyone. Pass the word. Get a couple of your teammates involved. Carpool! The 9:00 am start time allows for commuters to get to the pool a decent hour, without much traffic. Office workers in town and Oakland might be able to drop-off and pick-up campers as part of the drive time that week.

Scheduled for the week of July 4th The camp's date fits into most summer schedules. Those with out-of-town camps in June can return home for this day-camp in July. Early July is a often a time for hard, challenging training in a long-course pool, even weeks away from tapers and championship. Area swimmers without access to long-course pools for their swim practices are going to love the benefits and the switch in the environments. Even seasonal high school swimmers can use the camp for summer training and conditioning.

Year 2000 Excitement for Swimmers and Sharks In June 2000, the Pittsburgh Zoo is expected to have the grand opening a new exhibit -- a massive, aquarium. The new shark tank will have just opened, just in time for our swimmers' zoo camp.

Swimmers in the morning practices that find themselves walking on the bottom of the pool might find themselves in the afternoon sessions at the zoo feeding the sharks. Learn about the new $15.9M Aquarium at the Pittsburgh Zoo Site

Reserve Your Space Now, without making a payment! Being a first-time offering, do submit your name and contact information as soon as possible. Put yourself on the notice list to get additional information as soon as it is available. Help to gage projected registration levels, and keep your space reserved, even at an early date.

Zoo Camps are very popular. Weeks and months in advance, zoo camps often fill to capacity with the maximum numbers of children registered. Don't delay. This special zoo-camp for swimmers has an enrollment ceiling. In the year 2000, the Swimmers' Zoo Camp will be offered for only one week. If you don't get into the Swimmers' Zoo

Camp, other half-day and full-day camps might still be available.

To find out additional information about regular zoo camps, contact the Pittsburgh Zoo directly. This site is only geared to the promotion of the special, one-week swimmers' zoo camp.

Early and Often: The Swimmers' Zoo Camp has a limited number of participants, so sign-up early. The Swimmers' Zoo Camp has a limited engagement that needs to hit certain enrollment number with participants by certain dates throughout the year, so please express your interest .

Daily Schedule:

Registration: 8:30 - 9:00 am

On the first day of camp, please arrive thirty minutes early.

Day Begins: 9:00 - 10 am

Stretching, team meeting, dry-land exercises.

Swimming Practice: 10 - noon

Warm-up, drills, conditioning sets, stroke perfection, starts-turns-finishes, water-exercises.

Lunch, Recovery: noon - 1:00 pm

Warm-down, shower, change, eat and stroll down the hill to the back-entry of the Pittsburgh Zoo.

Zoo Class/Camp: 1:00 - 4:00 pm

The educational classrooms within the zoo campus are going to be filled with swimmers in the afternoons. Air-conditioned, modern, instructional and interactive programs with a solid lesson plan for a great experience.

Dismissal: 4:05 and beyond

The formal instructional day concludes at 4:00. The participants can exit the zoo at that time, or choose to take further advantage of the facilities until the zoo closes.

Cost:

The charge for the one-week camp, Monday to Friday, including 4th of July, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, is pending. The expected price range is $115.00 to $100.00 per person. A final price is expected to be set by October, 1999.

Get on the List of Potential Campers:

Those interested in getting additional information and being put on a notice list for registration, please email, wetzoocamp@sportsurf.net, or call 412-481-2497, extension #7. Please leave a voice message in the zoo-camp department, #7.

AMS Registration Cards As of this moment, the swim-zoo day-camp is NOT a sanctioned event of the AMS. However, a proposal to the AMS to recognize the camp and help with its promotions is expected to be delivered from the camp organizers at TRA and the Pittsburgh Zoo to the executive board of the AMS in the weeks ahead. Perhaps this camp experience be an official AMS activity, perhaps not. All the participants at the camp are required to be athlete or coach members of USA Swimming, or an athlete member of US Masters Swimming. Those who are not current members of these organizations will need to pay a different rate for registration into those governing bodies. The swimmers need to provide proof of registration before entry into the camp.

Guest Coaches Welcome Swim instructors, aquatics directors, and coaches from area high school, Y, country club, USA clubs, colleges and summer teams are welcome to attend one or multiple days of the camp. Coaches can choose to observe or else engage in the camp experience with assigned/shared coaching-duties. Please email wetzoocamp@sportsurf.net, or call 412-481-2497, extension #7. For food, uniform, admission and supervision reasons, coaches are asked to register for the camp in advance, just as the swimmers must advance register. An on-line coach registration form will be provided.

Renewal for Following Years Participants who are successfully engaged with the camp community are given notice and advanced permission to reserve a spot at next year's camp, as well as other activities to be organized for the future.

Public Domain Status -- Copyrights, servicemarks and trademarks are being avoided as much as possible so that items can be put into the public domain. Statement that advocate and explain our public domain status is at http://www.FreeTeam.Org/publicdomain

Efforts to Save City Pools, propaganda, handout

Date, uncertain.

Handout from a friend. We passed these around the city as we could.

Bio for running for church board

Sunnyhill board bio. Didn't get picked. 

Obit for Joseph A. Rauterkus, Jr.

Printed in the newspaper. Age 77, in Allegheny General Hospital; beloved husband of Elizabeth (Scopel-Amity) and the late Claire (Erny); very proud father of David, Joeseph III, Leo, Jackie Kirby, Rock, Daniel and the late Vincent; brother of Leo, Margaretmary Zoffel and the late David; also survived by nine grandchildren; three step-children and six step-grandchildren. Joe attend St. Fidelis for six years where he was an all around athlete in baseball, basketball and tennis. While serving in WWII, he studied pre-med at Tulane and also attended the University of Nebraska. He received his Bachelor's and Master's Degree at the University of Pittsburgh. He began his teaching career at Central Catholic where he taught Science and was coach of the swimming and tennis teams. He then went on to teach in the Pittsburgh Public School System for 35 years. After retiring, he served as a substitute teacher for both the Pittsburgh and the Parochial School Systems. Joe could also be seen and heard in the stands of Three Rivers Stadium vending, and was well known by his many catchy phrases selling his product from 1979 to the present. He also enjoyed the notoriety of being the one and only vendor at Mt. Lebanon High School stadium. Many Pittsburgh's may also have learned their driving skills from Joe, as he was a Driver's Ed Instructor. Friends received 2-4 & 7-9 Sat & Sun at Anthony G. Staab Funeral Home, 900 Chartiers Ave., W.E. Pgh. Mass and Christian Burial in Guardian Angels Parish, St. Martin Church on Mon at 10 am.

Uncle Joe - words from my dad (Leo M. Rauterkus) about his big brother, Joe

Joseph A. Rauterkus, Jr. Born: June 21, 1922 Died: Feb. 3, 2000 

For Big Bro

I'm here because the one we are paying tribute to my Big Brother. But he was more. He was my mentor, my friend. 

He love me, and was great to be around. He has always been something special. Joe was a great loving father who encouraged every one at every turn. He was non-judgmental - and even though he was given much reason to -- he never raised his voice. 

Joe lived life to the fullest.

He had extreme faith in God which spread to all around him. He was a fine teacher who managed to teach even if you weren't in his classroom. I venture to say that most of you were never in his classroom but if you knew Joe very well, he taught you many of the important things about life. 

Joe loved to be involved with people, no matter what they were doing. He thoroughly enjoyed vending at the ball park. That's where the action was. And it was another opportunity to serve ... to teach ... to be on stage as when pushing ice cream as with 'The Ice Man Cometh.' Oh, sure, you could get a bag of peanuts for $.35 at the Giant Eagle, but these are "older, more mature Ball Park Peanuts -- $2.25, please. Here, enjoy this gum - on the house." 

Joe was very competitive. He loved the thrill of the game and encouraged his children to enjoy the same. Joe was a fine tennis and baseball player. He enjoyed the game for what it was. he never rubbed it in. I can remember of time Joe was in a tennis tournament down in New Orleans while he was in the Army. The top seeded player was quoted as saying, "If I had to lose, I'm glad it was to Joe." He was a worthy opponent and a true gentleman. 

Joe's life was divided into several parts. Some were constant like raising and caring for his kids. He cared and encouraged to the very end. He took care and nursed Claire though cancer. There wasn't anything that she wanted that he couldn't get for her. He said if he had know the outcome that her last breath would have been tinged with nicotine. 

Then a new chapter in his life -- Betty entered the picture. In Joe's own well organized, point-driven way of determining another suitable spouse, Betty won -- hands down. Betty told me that God gave Joe to her as a special gift, and I know that Joe thought of Betty as his special gift. And that's the way the past 5-and-a-half years went, after Father Kevin here tied the Nuptial Knot. Joe and Betty treated each other as special gifts from God. And rightly so -- they deserved each other. 

I feel in my heart that Joe wanted to teach us to treat each other as Special Gifts.

I am going to stop now. Good-bye my dear Big Brother. You'll be sorely missed by us all. 

 We love you.

A day at UCDC -- a GREAT experience, as always

Grant's update.

Steelers vs. Titans, Section 447, Row F, Seat 3

Went to the game, 3RS, #10 on the schedule. Ticket price was $44.76 and city tax was $2.24 = total $47.00.

The Pittsburgh planning process is not fair. UPMC and South Side -- go figure

Exact date unsure.

The Process of Planning Is NOT Fair, NOT Democratic and NOT Understood by Most

The South Side Forum, a facist organization, fails in the following test of political fairness.

This opinion is based upon first person observations by someone who has attended all the meetings since November.

Furthermore, the proposed plans for UPMC to build a sports performance compound is not fair, not democratic, nor understood.

Three Tests of Political Fairness

from Lani Guinier
1. Does the system mobilize or discourage participation?
2. Does the system encourage genuine debate or foster polarization?
3. Does the system promise real inclusion or only token representation?

Vibrant Democracy Action Makes Us Great!

Vibrant democracy action does not occur at the South Side Planning Forum. Other pages can discussion the merits and faults of that charter and their conscious districting, but for now, think of fascism in all mentions of seeing either the South Side Planning Forum and the LTV Steering Committee.

Fascism

A system of government characterized by rigid one-party dictaorship, forcible suppression of opposition, private economic enterprise under centralized governmental control, belligerent nationalism....

We need all voices to have a reasonable influence throughout the extended political process. There are many systems and schemes to choose among to insure that this occurs, and a strict consensus operation isn't among the suitable alternatives.

The planning process should reward and champion the highest and best use, rather than be a series of binary decisions that cause a regression to the mean or lowest-common denominator effect. With a consensus operation at the helm, our future is flat.

As is the present case, the South Side Planning Forum does not offer even a modest level of checked and balanced to the planning process. Rather, the URA, as a part of the executive structure (Mayor's Office), advances plans to the South Side Planning Forum, much like the President of the U.S. might advance plans to the Cabinet. The Cabinet is hand chosen. So too is the URA and in turn the South Side Planning Forum.

Cabinet

A body of official advisers to a president, king, governor, etc. In the U.S. comprised of the heads of the various governmental departments.

Cabinet members should agree with the executives and should work as a sounding board for fine-tuning ideas and policy decisions. Renegade cabinet members might hurt the administration, as there are times for agreement and times for democracy.

URA Official, but, but, but, but....

A URA official, Jermoe Detore, was at the table with City Council on March 17 at a discussion session that was on the city cable network. He was present for a short discussion as City Council had just given a preliminary vote for the sale of the IBEW site.

The reading of the petitions that was a call from the citizens of Pittsburgh to hold a public hearing on this matter was made. Rightly so, the members of council quickly approved the matter. And, Mr. Detore said, "I'm not sure what this is all about."

He said, "But, we've been working with the South Side community."

"You want to have a public hearing?

"There will be a public hearing before the Planning Commission."

Dan Cohen (city council) said that this was a request of the citizens and City Council did not have any choice.

Meanwhile Jim Ferlo (city council) said that there will be plenty of Public Hearings on this matter.

Yes, the URA has been working with the South Side Planning Forum. Yes, the South Side Planning Forum has a LTV Steering Committee that has held a number of special meetings on this topic. Those meetings are important to the URA and help to uncover some additional information. But do not equate an approval by the South Side Planning Forum as any type of grass-roots approval by the citizens of the South Side. Their approval comes under a cloud of facist control.

Ignorance: The Most Dangerous Assumption

City Council can not assume that the plans that advance out of the U.R.A. and are filtered by the South Side Planning Forum have any inkling of community-wide support. The Planning Forum's model of resentation is invalid and the Planning Forum's operational dignity confirms this bias.

The plans that advance out of the U.R.A. are bounced to a selected few in the neighborhood. The plans might get tweeked about, sorta like window dressings. Furthermore, the delivery of the plans to the selected few in the neighborhood gives the U.R.A., its developers and its partners ample opportunities to refine presentations and rehetoric.

The salesmanship is finly tuned, but the wolf is still under the nicly pressed sheep's clothing.

City Council can't shrug its duty to represent the people by bestowing false credtabilty on the flawed process.

The only governmental body to serve as a check to the planning process as instigated by the URA is City Council. This is a grave responsibility that needs to be realized. Do not think that the citizens of an area are in strong support or even of marginal support of what is being done by the URA because the local groups say its okay.

The local planning groups are really cabinet level supporters of the U.R.A. Nothing more.

It seems that the South Side Planning Forum can please only one entity per meeting each month. Citizens, this month is not yours. Next month isn't looking good either.

Needing a Planning Forum and a Steering Committee is like needing a parachute. If the outfit isn't there the first time its called upon, chances are people won't be needing those avenues again.

Smoothing the Harshness

To be sure, the South Side Planning Forum does serve a purpose. The purpose is to be a sounding board to the URA. The purpose of the South Side Planning Forum is not to speak for the people. The purpose is not to prop up the creditability of the URA's plans in the mind's eye of City Council, the School Board, nor the County officials.

The South Side Planning Forum should go about its ways and should not be terminated. These good people do good work. Do not be fooled into thinking that this good work is anything close to good work based upon a democratic process.

Wrongly Named Organizations

The LTV Steering Committee might want to change its name, so as to not confuse additional people, to the LTV Back-seat Committee. The steering has ended.

More Input to Come

As things progress, the sale of the properties to the respective developers from the URA is going to occur. At that time, there is ample opportunity to make sure that the design forum folks insure that colors of the curtins don't clash. That authority for after-sale conditions is questionable.

Haste Makes Waste --- Rushing!

The urgency of the sale of properties on the South Side Works looms very large for a number of reasons. Urgent deadlines seem to be self-imposed places in time that are managed by strange forces in nature.

When it comes to hiring employees, the City of Pittsburgh lets its deadlines slip. The Mayor can't seem to hire a Fire Chief, week after week goes by and nothing happens. The hiring delays are unmatched only by the seemingly strong love for deadlines on development projects.

Ya gotta love the deadline mentality, especially the whooshing sound deadlines make as they go flying by.

In early Feb 99, UPMC started to move earth with the graders, on behalf of the URA, without closing the benefit of a signed deal.

Rushing Ahead While Looking Backwards

Community members need to get smart with our presentations about the South Side Sports Performance compound. Let's get smart and tell the world, the School Board, the City Council members, and the County officials as such. The Pitt leadership won't know otherwise. To explain Pitt's disregard to urban planning and its neighbors is epic. We could tell you everthing that has happened in Oakland, but your brain would explode.

There are very few personal problems that cannot be solved through a suitable application of high incentives for community access program facilities.

To champion community access goes way beyond program decisions. Facility requirements and constraints are important issues that need to be fully explored before the foundation gets laid in steel, brick and concrete.

The line-up of community facilities in Pittsburgh has a number of serious shortcommings. Our needs are grave in some areas. The specific areas of need are covered by other sections of this paper and are subect to some additional speculation.

Realize that 90% of all of C.M.U. graduates depart the Pittsburgh area upon graduation. That type of human-resource retention is unacceptable. Needs exist, undoubtably.

So, we're working among ourselves to prioritize and express various needs and concerns. We'll tell Pitt what is needed, and Pitt will tell us how to get along without it. Pitt has done this over and over again when it comes to employee fitness, recreation opportunities and other quality of life issues with structured community play -- things that need facilities.

Nursing School Fitness Center

A new fitness certer was built in the ground floor of the Pitt Nursing School. The clamor to get that facility built lasted for years before the space was found. The need still exists for 10 additional sites, just for students on campus. The need for 10 or more additional sites is also exploding with the faculty, staff and employess.

Pitt wants the community to accept that some days we're the pigeons, and some days we're the pigeon droppings.

I don't have an attitude problem. You have a perception problem.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

In the fall of 1999, we'll take a walk along the river banks and looking up to the stars in the sky and think to ourselves, "Where in the heck are the stars?!" The flood of lights will wash-out the night sky.

In the fall of 2000, we'll be working out in the weight room, and looking up to push out some of the reps on the bench press and think to ourselves, "Where the heck is the ceiling?!"

UPMC officials boasted by saying, "Pitt turns off its lights at night. We don't run the lights in the parking lots." That comment was to sound sensative and very neighbor-friendly. Well, it might be in other places, like in Cannonsburg. Downtown goes to sleep at night too. The South Side isn't elsewhere. If UPMC comes to the South Side, there is a great chance that we'll want you to keep the lights of the parking lot ON at night. We use our spaces beyond the 9-5 business hours, as we live, play and work here. That is balance. --- My Reality Check bounced. --- On the keyboard of life, as we plan with UPMC, let's always keep one finger on the escape key. --- People in Pittsburgh don't suffer from stress, obesity, back aches, and other wellness issues. We're carriers. Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level then beat you with experience.

Dear Friends and Folks with connections to the 'burgh!

Advance Notice. Call for LOCAL (Pgh. PA) Political Action, No $ Solicitation

Seeking Sports and Fitness Advocates for a newly forming Coalition

Those with brain-power to spare with political, grass-roots, and community access interests are most welcome to join the South Side's Markethouse Athletic Association as we convene a coalition to champion ideas and issues central to sports participation opportunities.

Present: The URA (Pittsburgh, PA's Urban Renewal Authority, http://www.ura.org, and UPMC (Univ. of Pittsburgh Medical Center, http://www.upmc.edu, have begun a 90-day OPEN DISCUSSION period. A $25-30M sports-medicine / sports-performance compound is on the drawing board for a large section of the LTV site on the South Side.

Past: At the Washington's Landing development, the URA invested $3M in tennis courts and park space. Furthermore a .9 acre site is leased at nominal charge to the non-profit Three Rivers Rowing Association, http://www.threeriversrowing.org, for its boathouse, fitness center and offices. Gems like these found in other development projects are uncertain -- quote: community access issues are nebulous at best -- when it comes to the LTV site.

Future: Ideas and voices needs to be organized and shared.

Please send email to: NUKED...

Get further information and a kit geared to getting yourself, community agencies and regional businesses into this extended planning process.


Mark Rauterkus

Thanks for listening. This advance notice was posted by Mark Rauterkus, convener's chair, NUKED. The message went to a number of contacts such as yourself via BCC. Your address is part of Mark's personal email address listings. News agencies, thanks for NOT publishing, rather wait for the pending OFFICIAL Press Release. Feel free to forward this message others you know who might be keenly interested. Please do NOT post as spam or broadcast to USENET Newsgroups.