Varsity Foxes

I got to coach these kids.  (private link page)

Weirdness was that the club team and the high school teams were coached by different people. I went to help with the high school. The club coach didn't step up to take the lead with the varsity teams. So, one decent job took a turn into two bad jobs, among other things. 

Hired some good assistant coaches who would do so if I was the head. 

 

When was the last South Side Halloween Parade?

Bonkers over an email signature, cluelessness

Market House Childrens Athletic Assn was jumping

Cameron got ink for high scores in exams in CT

Naugatuck student get high scores

Republican-American
Naugatuck High School Principal Bill Collins said he know last year's seniors would do well on their Advanced Placement program exams.

He just didn't expect their scores would be as high as they are. "I'm proud of the kids, and I'm proud of the teachers," he said. "I'm very pleased. The kids have really taken it seriously."

Seniors who participate in the program take college-level courses and can generally receive college credit of they score a three or higher on the exam, said guidance counselor and program coordinator, Joseph DiStasio. The exams are graded on a scale of one to five.

Last year in Naugatuck, 92 seniors took 131 AP exams in biology, calculus, English, psychology and U.S. history.

In calculus, all 15 students who took the test scored a three or higher.

In English, 76 percent got 3,4 or 5. In history, 64 percent.

Cameron Palmer, a senior last year who currently attends Middlebury College in Vermont, qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award. he took all five exams and scored a five on all of them.

Jumping to reform on early days of being hired at FC

Upon getting the nod to be the next head varsity coach at Fox Chapel, I reached out to a couple of coaching friends to see if we might be able to mix up some reform ideas for WPIAL / PIAA swimming. Oh well. 

Handout at a fall picnic

News from Mark Rauterkus
for the GOP Faithful on Sept. 27, 2003
412-298-3432 Mark@Rauterkus.com http://Rauterkus.com

1. The “Community Unity” event of Sept. 11 is being released for TV and WEB. Jim Roddey spoke as well as a minister and great music. If you have interests in any web site, multi-media content or live in a Community with CABLE Access TV -- please speak to me if interested in helping.

2. Ken Heiss hosted a meeting on Sept. 10 concerning the Mayor’s office in the City of Pittsburgh. I’ve got copies of my open letter that was delivered there. As meeting’s notes are made available, I’ll post them.

3. For personal reasons -- please see me if you live and have any connection to school board members or top administrators in: Fox Chapel, or Baldwin, or Mt. Lebanon.

4. A new, bold effort is about to begin with an internet utility called eVote. We’ll do far reaching opinion polls on many matters. I’d love to be certain that all sectors of our community is a part of this endeavor. My email blast list has 6,000 contacts. This can double by the end of the year. Help by attracting REGIONAL email contacts for like-minded people.

5. The Mayor’s Commission on Public Education report that hit this week is being call -- by me -- “POND SCUM.”

Those that agree or think otherwise, we are going to make a public reactions as citizens, taxpayers, voters and parents. Meeting are about to be called to coordinate public reactions. See me if you are interested.

6. FreeTeam.Org has Personal Computers for “gratis loan” to any candidate in the county of any party who desires. Web and internet consulting is included.

7. The Great Replacement RACE is Sunday. A Hash event -- for free -- is to happen after for those beer drinkers with a running problem.

8. A YOUTH Technology Summit is in being planned. This is a long-range plan that will take years to occur. Nearly 10 idea sessions have been hosted and 20 are expected for round one. We need “board members” or better expressed, “faculty members.” If interested in a role for yourself or your company -- please email. We also want to have “idea planning meetings” around the county in various settings with diverse groups.

9. Personally, I’d love to entertain invites to speak to (and with) suburban GOP Committees. I’d love to attend one of your meetings so as to look at issues and concerns shared between the city and suburban political leaders.

Letter to Key Communicators from Mark Rauterkus

Mark Rauterkus
Mark@Rauterkus.com
108 South 12th Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203-1226

412-298-3432 = cell

Open Letter
Key Communicators with the PPS

Dear Fellow Key Communicators and Concerned Citizens,

The Mayor’s Commission on Public Education issued a report this week -- something I’ve called ‘pond scum.’ In my not so humble opinion -- we, the citizens and parents, need to organize quickly and make a measured reply and response to the commission and the media.

The kids and volunteers (as well as others watching this madness now and for the years to come) need to witness and come to know that we are not happy. They need to know that we will work to not only set the record straight -- but work to uphold quality of life issues.

A measured response is necessary in the days ahead -- not weeks or month to come. We need to act quickly.

This media response needs to be much more than a few ‘letters to the editors’ or ‘talk-show rants.’ The put news throughout the Post-Gazette - and on the front page. The media is waiting for our reply and will allow for this story to turn into a healthy debate.

I think the best response from Dr. Thompson, the elected board, principals and staff is “NOTHING.” The scrap that is yet to come can be with the Key Communicators. I want to carry the burden and headaches of a tangle to ourselves so the school people can keep about their business in the care for our children and educational missions.


Perhaps the best way to proceed it to have three planning meetings. If you can attend any one meeting, then you’d be able to have a spot on the agenda for the press event. Then we’d have a reply in the middle of next week with a press event. All meetings could be held at Connelley, perhaps, or else another PERC. Or, perhaps South High School’s cafeteria might be available.

I’d love to get a bit of a boost from the School officials -- in getting the initial call out to the various schools, getting the building permits, and opening up a back-channel email flow of info for those who are willing to contribute ideas.

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus
mark@Rauterkus.com

Notes from PERC planning

The PERCs came out of the reorganization from the Title 5 resources. Parents of special needs kids had been having meetings and services from the district for many years.

To work on behalf of all children,

All parents of PPS,

Leaders, support, advocate, role, citizens, wide-community, lifelong learning, community discussions, help-centers, circullum based, focus, emphasis, holistic, assist parents in developing the skills needed to promote the development of all students / training, structure, partnerships, who are you, raise academic standards for students, equip parents, to become involved in the child's school experience, attend school, commitment, collaborate, intervention, gather parents.

Ken's meeting to find a candidate for mayor in 2005

I sent the following letter to Mt. Washington and Ken Heiss' home! Ken began to gather people together to talk about the mayor's race in 2005. Sad to say, the results of these meetings were fruitless. The meetings didn't generate much excitement, some, but not nearly enough.

---

An Open Letter

Dear GOP Faithful Ones,

My reaction to this endeavor is nothing but “splendid.” Thanks Ken and all the others for launching this discussion. Let’s sustain it on many fronts and in many dimensions.

Tonight I’m at UPMC’s Eye and Ear Institute to introduce a friend from California who is playing at the Grand Opening of the Musician’s Hearing Center. Perhaps I’ll arrive at the end of the meeting to get a copy of the notes from this discussion. On 9-11, tomorrow night, I strongly encourage you to get to Club Cafe by 7:30 pm. The music will be perhaps the best you’ll ever hear. Plus, Jim Roddey is confirmed for 8 pm and Dan at 9 and PCTV 21 will be filming for a rebroadcast.

My thoughts and perspectives the Mayor’s office and candidates are extensive. I’d be happy to sit down with anyone to talk in length and depth about matters. Or, ask via email and the rants and ramblings can be made visible for all to see and ponder.

Nutshell:

1. We need an open-source mentality which is a new type of process for leadership and problem solving. We can’t do what Mayor Murphy has done in his closed door meetings and bingo -- 731 are fired off. We can’t be a smoky city where Lawrence and Mellon run the town. When it comes to knowledge, more is always more. We need solution ideas and suggestions to come from citizens of every neighborhood -- from around the world. All the King’s horses and King’s men can’t put Pittsburgh together again -- but all the citizens, with the king’s engagement and leadership can sure try.

Those of us who have been hitting our heads on the wall are going to be in a much different situation after Murphy and the cronies leave. Too many have voted with their feet or just don’t care to waste their time any longer with leaders who can’t and don’t listen. The choice of willing ignorance is going to end -- and we must not field another candidate like what they’ve done.

I don’t want Pittsburgh to be like those in Poland in WWII -- where there was Hitler to the west and Stalin to the east. The citizens will not rush to new leaders unless there is a team that has a process of inclusion and distinction.

Stories, payables and even a book, Compelling Sense, have been crafted to express these fundamental shifts that need to occur in our government’s style and operations. We don’t need to shift the street. No, it is much more. We need to alter our philosophy and then chart new courses and directions.

To win this office from a non-Dem, we’ll need someone who is here to make history and not be a slave of it. We can’t run a person with a program that is like the Ds but better.

2. We need a communicator. Accountants, legal advisors, and bond experts can be obtained. We need a person who writes, speaks, and plays in every setting and every instance. We’ll be talking about modern thoughts with digital friendly attitudes. I’ll go to block parties -- and the high tech council -- and the messages will be understood by the audiences.

3. We need a team player and a team builder. And, the team is with the left, right, and center. We need to go to the faith based community as well as every other community. This web of life in Pittsburgh is still working -- and it needs respect. .

Ken will want a leader who operated a corporation with large budgets. Frankly, I think it is more difficult to coach a swim team with 200 kids and get them to state records and championship levels. Management is hard work and has been ignored. Being direct is not always the most welcomed and flower-filled way. Being brutally honest is a turn off in many situations. But, it is what is called for here. If managers are not doing their jobs -- they need to be written up, benched and / or fired.

This is parenting. We need the mayor to be at our side -- and then on the case of those who stumble in their production. The Ds have lock-step boosterism at work here and reward the ones who follow the predetermined pathway. Rather we need to have managers who grade on another scale that is about service to the customers -- the citizens -- and consider the economics of our time. I’m a tough love manager, parent and coach. Respect will be given to others -- and earned as well in return. The duty of stewardship is hard work and the easy pathways can’t lead us to success any longer.

Of course part of this is coaching, but another part is a regional attitude. We need the next leaders to be in the burbs, in the city, in the state house and in the various sectors of our greater community. Murphy doesn’t play well with others. We need a team that plays well with everyone. And, we need to walk this talk in bold ways.


Prediction and assertions:

I do consider myself as a front runner for the job of Mayor. I’m not campaigning now nor do I have a PAC open. But, I’ll have a role -- and it might be that of pace setter. I’m very ready.

Should the election proceed as the calendar goes, given four year terms and no resignation, then I’m thinking I’d love to be in a five way race in the GOP Primary. I’d want viable opponents. I’d want a hard campaign. I’d want the GOPers to do different things than ever before in terms of heavy lifting in the campaign with issues, platforms, debates, and such.

Furthermore, I think I could not only win the GOP primary -- but I’ll try to be the victor in the Dem’s primary as well as a write in candidate. My goal will be to sweep both primary elections.

For Pittsburgh to soar again, we’ll have to fly with both wings -- (left and right) -- plus the tail feathers, body and head. This GOP focus on the Mayor’s race, to me, given the soaring destination, is much like the strong beak that is capable of cracking the nuts of our yet hidden nourishment. Our opportunity is growing. The tide in the city has now shifted.

Thanks for listening --and let’s continue the open, community wide conversation. Reactions welcomed.

Think again!

Mark Rauterkus
mark@Rauterkus.com

Market House Childrens' Athletic Assn, handout

Year uncertain.

Peter Michael Buter and Melissa Cameron Butler get hitched

Wedding!

412-public email blast from August 22, 2003

August 22, 2003

Hi All,

Things are hot in and around Pittsburgh in many ways. This blast points to invites and actions, plus a grand opening party, and three community events on 9-11. Thanks for the consideration and surfing of the various sites. I hope to see you around town in meaningful ways.

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus mark@Rauterkus.com http://Rauterkus.com

- - -


Resign

Impeachment Petition in PDF format (6 kb)

http://9x9.cloh.org/departments/politics/impeach.pdf

Impeachment ideas:

http://9x9.cloh.org/departments/politics/impeach-Tom.html

For the good of Pittsburgh's long-term health, Mayor Murphy needs to resign. With the bailout of the Crossing Guards, two school-issues need attention:

1. The Mayor's office should allow the lighting of the sign at CAPA, the new high school for performance arts. The Mayor finds many ways to suppress news and highlights of the efforts of our kids. Putting a candle under a basket is something that most understand as sinful.

2. The Mayor's Commission on Public Education still hasn't issued its plan, more than a year and a half late. That group needs to go away. The Commission's report should be released directly to a toilet as "pond scum." The process and outcomes are cloaked corruption.

Mayor Murphy is playing a high stakes game of "political chicken" with our children packed into the front seat. We can't tolerate his actions. His moves make dangers that justify the call for impeachment. Mayor Murphy's stay on Grant Street needs to end as he is hurting us all, especially the kids.

Now it is time for the parents, and the regular folks to demand his resignation.


- - -

Keep on eye on the dealings with the "alternative" to the Great Race. Can volunteers coordinate and operate a function to show vitality in the city? The Boston Marathon occurs as an all volunteer endeavor. Will the Mayor's Administration put up road blocks or simply get out of the way?

- - -

Tonight, Friday:

West End Elliott Citizens Council Meeting and Candle Light Vigil on Friday August 22 at 7 pm at the Emmanuel United Methodist Church, intersection of Lorenz and Crucible Streets in Elliott.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss ways to save our Zone Four, and all of the Public Safety Personnel (Crossing Guards, EMT, and Police) and to show City Government our disapproval in a peaceful manner.


Monday:

Pittsburgh Zone 4 Public Safety Council's Emergency Meeting is at 7 pm on Monday, August 25. The meeting is at St Marks Lutheran Church, 933 Brookline Blvd in Brookline.

The purpose is to discuss the closing of one or more Police Stations, and the Public Safety, Public Works, and Parks & Recreation Personnel layoffs. We hope to develop a plan of action, concerning this matter.

Contact Bob Hillen, 412-571-1126, President of Zone 4 Public Safety Council, bobhillengop@hotmail.com.

Tuesday: Public Hearing in City Council Chambers at 6 pm on Tuesday, Aug 26, for the closing of police stations due to a petition from the citizens of Pittsburgh. You can go and speak. Or, call Kim in the City Clerk's office in advance to get onto the agenda, 412-255-2138.


Wed: Pgh Public School's board meeting at 7:30 pm. The bailout of 202 crossing guard jobs makes a tax shift away from Mayor Tom Murphy's responsibility. The continuation of this type of leadership means failures. Stand up for the kids. Fight for the kids. Parents and crossing guards need to toss Mayor Murphy out of office.

- - -

Candidate news:

Former Democrat Dan Cohen is running for City Council District 5 seat. The City of Pittsburgh Republican party substituted former Democrat Dan Cohen to run against Doug Shields for the City Council District 5 seat formerly held by Bob O'Connor. Dan Cohen is a real estate agent living in Squirrel Hill who recently changed to the Republican Party over concerns with the City finances, among other things.

http://who.CLOH.Org/all/c/daniel-cohen.html

Council President, Gene Ricciardi has introducing Shields to protest audiences in council chambers as "Councilman Elect." Woops.

Ricciardi, currently the president of city council, is up for re-election and faces TWO challengers on the ballot. Gene's plans to raise taxes got a "Thanks but no thanks" reply from Mayor Murphy recently. His lifeline to save the jobs of 202 crossing guards by shifting the tax burden to the Pgh Public Schools is a shell game solution.

Another Dem, Len Bodack, now on council filling Jim Ferlo's seat, may have a challenger, (NN), for the election for the 4-year term.

This isn't just outrage about the Mayor's dealings as seven on city council voted for the 2003 budget. Time will tell.


- - -

THREE Special Event(s) are slated for 9-11

A YOUTH Technology Idea Session, #07, is slated for 10-noon on Thursday, Sept. 11 at Wilkinsburg's Hosanna House. http://summit.CLOH.Org.

The Youth Tech discussion is in advance the Warrior Fatherhood event hosted by the National Fatherhood Initiative.

http://9x9.CLOH.Org/departments/parenting/warrior-father.html

They have a four-day schedule.


An after school event geared to those ages 10 to 30 is slated for 3 pm to 4:30 pm on Thursday, September 11, at Mt. Washington's Duquesne Heights Community Center. We'll have activities and focus on self-expression.

Please save the date and register online for the concert and presentations to begin at 8 pm on Thursday, September 11 at South Side's Club Cafe. http://S6.CLOH.Org

Invited speakers include:

James Roddey, Dan Onorado and Rev. Lynn Brodie. Musical performance by songwriter of the year, Dave Nachmanoff.

Pass out a brochures, please: http://s6.cloh.org/911/handout-2up.pdf


- - -

On Sept. 10, UPMC's Eye and Ear Institute is calling for all musicians and music lovers to join their grand opening for the Musician's Hearing Center.

http://cloh.org/hot/musicians-hearing.html

- - -

Rauterkus.com's motherload of thoughts is open with an outbox archive: outbox: http://Rauterkus.com/pipermail/postings-by-markrauterkus/

We can't heal ourselves and soar with "closed door approaches." Rather, in the case of knowledge, more is always more. To divide and scatter is a ploy for those with fleeting power.


- - -

If you are getting multiple copies via various contact points, sorry. Please let me delete duplicates by providing specific email addresses to NUKE. The pending eVote efforts make multiple messages as multiple ballots. This network has more than 5,500 regional readers. To opt out or in (provide awareness to your friends), just email Mark@Rauterkus.com. Thanks for your understanding.


Ta.


Mark Rauterkus

mark@Rauterkus.com http://Rauterkus.com

http://CLOH.Org http://Sunnyhill.org http://www.Deliberate.com

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

412-Public-Remarks community news and insights

http://Rauterkus.Com/mailman/listinfo/412-public-remarks

City Paper article about kids and protests

News Briefs ARCHIVES, 8/21/2003

So Many Anti-Murphy Protests, So Much Time
Now it's the children's turn

Writer: MARTY LEVINE

"I'm not personally excited about getting all these jobs back," says Mark Rauterkus about the 731 recent layoffs in the city. "As volunteers, we can do things."

The one-time mayoral candidate and perpetual South Side organizer led two public venting and protest prep sessions last week attended by a total of about 70 city people.

"I think this is huge," Rauterkus says. "You add a whole new layer of citizenship. There are some people who are upset and furious and engaged who haven't been there before. I heard, 'We just need to take our kids out and march them on Grant Street.' And I said, 'Well, we've got to talk about this.'"

While the group chose Aug. 18 at 5 p.m. to let the children lead them to the steps of the City-County Building (see photo), a member of city council President Gene Ricciardi's office pointed out that no one would be there to see them. So the group added Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. so they could take their protest to council.

"So now we've got dueling protests for kids," Rauterkus laments. "It's building [but it's] going all which ways." Massing children just as police and emergency medical personnel have gathered may not be the best protest strategy, he says. "We should have a chalk coloring protest on the steps of the City-County Building. We ought to hang 'Extinction: Murphy' signs on the dinosaurs in town. If Murphy says our kids are human pawns in a game with Harrisburg, we ought to play a game of human chess" with them.

The group's evolving plans for a revived Great Race are meeting with a mixed reaction from city officials and the remaining employees, Rauterkus reports. Unionized and longtime city workers may not relish seeing someone else take over their tasks for free, Rauterkus theorizes: "If volunteers can run the Great Race, why the hell do we need these employees anyway?"

He dismisses the city's worries about liability (private recreation programs have long acquired insurance) and public safety. "We're closing facilities and putting kids out on the streets and then we're taking away police officers," he says.

Rauterkus has long been involved in an effort to reopen the South Side's closed Neville Ice Rink on the South Side, which is city-owned. "I offered years ago to run the Oliver Bath House," he adds. "There's going to be a big struggle and tug of war to allow other entities to use these facilities. We've got to be a little more creative now." He suggests the city partner with local colleges, for instance, whose pools are perhaps little used in the summer. He suggests City Paper print the dos and don'ts for being a volunteer crossing guard -- and print an orange flag for them to cut out. "I would like to see the whole [Urban Redevelopment Authority] office move to Mellon Park and run the tennis bubble," he says.

Evoking the rhetoric of his mayoral campaign, Rauterkus concludes: "Humpty isn't going to look the same. And I don't think re-building and healing can occur with Mayor [Tom] Murphy in office."

Editorial -- I love a challenge

> i think we should stay away from strictly opinion articles. i think getting the editoral collective to agree on any one opinion would be quite a feat
> :).

Hi All,

Okay, I love a challenge. I'll bite.

Editorial theme: The Mayor's Administration needs to resign.

Pittsburgh's healing can not occur until after Tom Murphy and his cronies move themselves to the private sector.

Many in the rank-and-file of both the police and EMS forces are talking of resignation. The Firefighters hold a lynch-pin too. However, this option is only getting mimimal play in the press.

The unions can't back the incumbants any longer. The same-old methods are history. It is going to take all of this city, working together, to make significant changes.

As soon as the upheaval occurs, then folks in Harrisburg will spare some relief for the city's crisis. But, the real cruching is yet to occur. The city leaders on Grant Street have NOT tightened the belt to spending in 2003 as hundreds of thousands in the budget were spent in June on such things as "decorative lighting."

The Tom Murphy ploy for saving $6.5 million on the day he shed a tear and went to the Springstein concert at PNC was just the first drop in the bucket. The necessary amount is $60 million. In 2004 the amount of the gap is $80 million.

- - -
Could I work on an editorial article such as the one hinted above?
- - -

Urgent Meetings & Community Unity & Calling ALL Musicians

> thanks mark.
> i think you should have the names, addresses and phone numbers of all
> Allegheny county state representatives and senators available for those
> attending so that they can write to them urging that the house/senate
> adopt the state budget with provisions that will provide the City with
> additional funds.
>
> i really think the focus ought to be on our state legislators who have
> taken a backseat position on the city's fiscal problems. i would be more
> than happy to draft a "sample letter" if you like.
> thanks again.
> john burke

Better yet.... Can you draft the letter and then bring 40 copies? Can you get the list of contacts as well?

I'm swimming upstream at the moment and could use the involvement of some others. I'll be sure to give you the floor to make some statements.

But personally, I don't feel that the state should bail out Pittsburgh until AFTER Mayor Tom Murphy and his administration resigns. We can't fix Pittsburgh with him at the helm. Too, too many closed door meetings and lies. His policies are wrongheaded too.

If URA officials came out to the neighborhoods now -- it won't be smooth sailing. In a few more weeks, it will be worse if nothing is done on your part as far as measured responses to grass roots folks.

The URA is going to need to get out of its comfort zone. We'll need to privatize the facilities and you'll need to scrap things and shine a light on other issues that are more essential. When we change directions -- and that might need to occur a number of times -- the URA is going to be nimble or else tossed overboard.

How many properties did the URA purchase around the now closed indoor city ice rink on the South Side behind S.S. Hospital. What ones?

The folks in the URA office are going to need to do more. For example: re-install the brand new bubble at the tennis courts in Mellon Park this October -- and run those courts at a profit. Your desks can shift to the trailer out there.

Re: great article on political courage

Thanks for your note. I forwarded your email to my editors.

You are welcome. But, Brad, you are going to have to take some 'ownership' of this if it is to work.

Jon Delano can't do it. Mr. Scaife can't, nor can Paul O'Neill, IMHO. We need a trusted media voice to come into town on a white horse -- or a pipped pipper -- or an angel -- whatever.

Perhaps a guy such as Mark Single could help and partner with you and State Senator Jane Earll. You three, together with a CMU Professor and myself -- and we've got a full house of LEADERS to CALL for an ALL-SECTOR, Sustainable, SUMMIT about PITTSBURGH.

As per the CMU prof, leave out Richard Florida for now, please. How about Peter Shane? Or, the guy who co-lead the Pgh 21 task force was in my home last week? He was the COO of Heinz. He might be that bench strength we need as a sixth man.

Give Mark Single my cell phone #, 412-298-3432.

Too bad Joe Paterno didn't retire last year. He'd be perfect for fixing Pittsburgh's ills. :)

(but really..... I'm serious.)

I'll leave you alone now -- but look below for my latest EMAIL Blast that went out to 5,000 + contacts.

Dear Lynn -- I'd love to have you speak at a special event on Sept. 11

I'd love for you to come and speak at a special event I'm organizing on Sept. 11. It's a COMMUNITY Unity gathering, with a concert, and with some very important public speakers. It will be put onto TV with PCTV, our community cable access station (not live).

I've invited yourself plus James C. Roddey, the Chief Executive of Allegheny County. Mt. Lebo is in the county -- as Pittsburgh is the city within the county. And, Dan Onorado, presently the County Controller, is invited. Both Roddey and Onorado's folks have expressed an interest in attending and speaking.

I'd love for you to speak for up to 15 minutes. We can talk about the content in a phone conversation if you desire -- but really, that conversation is just as a helper and I'll really want you to be free to say whatever you desire.

The headline entertainment for the night is a musical genius who you will love as well, Dave Nachmanoff, http://www.DaveNach.com. He has attended a few UU events (we meet at SUUSI) and even leads some UU services.

The event is now slated for 8 pm to midnight. I don't know exactly when you'd speak -- but -- I'd love for you to be flexible as both Roddey and Onorado are in a regional race for the county executive office and are very, very, very busy. I want to work around their schedules.

Neither of the elected leaders will use the night as a "campaign event." They are smarter than that. So, it is interesting to see them work with the theme 'community unity.'

If you desire, I'd love for you to ask each of the other speakers one of the five questions that they'll be fielding after their presentation. So, you'll be an integrated part of the overall evening.

By all means, a chace for reflection, story, and spiritual mentions are welcomed.

This overall concept is the first in a series of events that I want to do in our region. Later, we'll stive to get a portion of the sponsorship to be sanctioned by our church -- Sunnyhill -- as well as the other UU churces in the area. I want to have this event so we can talk about doing others with a real-live example. It is my hope that the overall vision of "outreach" and "connections to the greater community in meaningful interaction" can be realized by our faith's leaders.

Recently, I went to a Sunnyhill Faith In Action committee meeting -- I'm a member there --- and asked them to approve a statement of support that "encourages" you to attend this 9-11 event. After some discussion -- everyone there (6?) was in agreement to do so.

I'm sending this note to Karen Z -- a board person for her awareness.

- - -

On another matter, SHIM (South Hills Interfaith Ministry) is hosting an event on 9-11 as well. I think that the invite for you is to go on stage all night but speak only 2 lines and offer a Budhist's perspective. I think others can fill that role that ROLE at SHIM that night. We'll be giving a UU
perspectives (not Budist) with longer exposure (15-min talk, not 2 lines) and critically important guests (County Exec.) and wider reach (TV) happening on the South Side. I also feel strongly that this event can set the stage for many great things yet to come with cooperation among the UUs in the area, a shared coffee house kick-off, a way to reach PIIN folks after their meeting and more.

Sunnyhill folks are NOT on the steering committee for the SHIM event. But, I tried. I wasn't allowed to meet with the SHIM steering committee for their 9-11 event as I asked the exec. director that question directly. I mentioned a willingness to work with him and SHIM in mid-summer phone call as soon as I heard of the SHIM event via the grapevine. SHIM's exec. director didn't even know that the UUCSH was a member of SHIM -- yet alone who was the contact. For this time, I really reached out to SHIM and was denied. It is funny that they would now offer in invite -- as I find that hollow.

Oh well. Sunnyhill should have a spokesperson there, on stage, saying two lines. Dean Hazelton might be perfect for that role.

I am going to send an note to The Drummer about the 9-11 event. I'll make it clear that this is a COMMUNITY UNITY event hosted by Mark Rauterkus. It isn't an event sponsored by UUCSH, nor PIIN, nor the Faith In Action Committee. I'd like it to be such, but perhaps next time. Yet, all of these populations, and many more, can come to this gathering.

Furthermore, it is going to be "newsworthy" to have you attend a central gathering where we can stage a "media event." I would expect, should I get your okay, that I could have the TV stations cover the event for the 5, 6 and 11 pm news on Sept. 11. I have working relationships with many of the news directors and reporters. If I ask them to attend -- because a new minister has moved to town -- I think we can get coverage BEYOND the religious editor(s). However, any other week, the news value is gone. So, as part of the evening, should you desire, I'd be willing to stage a NEWS EVENT.

Case in point: Today's Tribune Review had me as a "newsmaker." That could be done for you too.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/search/s_149054.html

Re: Cutbacks will affect all aspects of city life

Nice post Russ.

c) continue to pay employees with little responsibility

Right. It's called "management" and "supervision." There is little of that going on. Performance evaluations. Honesty is nice to have on hand too. Frankly, there is a good deal of dead weight. Furthermore, the system is so ridgid that the deadness can be covered and protected. Plus, there is no sense of ownership so as to be free to fix things and rock the boat a bit.

People who raise issues are tossed out.

I think we need a whistle-blower achievement attitude. We don't need to do silly kickbacks and bonus money to employees who SAVE money -- up to 10% -- as per Gene R's absurd measure (now tabled). But, we need to set new attitudes.

There is a time to make lemon-aid -- so to speak. That time could be now in terms of Recreation and Aquatics. These are areas I LOVE and understand with professional experiences.

The majority of the swim pools are closed and the others may close forever too. However, we can re-open them when we are good and ready and when we have a real viable plan that includes some being privatized, all being overhauled with programming. We have to pull our own weight. But, we can do so, so, so much better than what was being done.

Get this: The AQUATICS TASK FORCE was a JOKE -- like everything else this administration has tried to do and failed, (Fifth & Forbes Downtown Collaborative, etc.)

Frankly a few others are fired up about this. I hope to get others joining in the cause.

Planning meeting: Monday, August 11 at 6 pm.
Community meeting: Tuesday, Aug. 12, at 6:30 pm.

Pittsburgh - PA -- holding a community unity event
Mark Rauterkus

Hi Project Rebirth Staffers,

In Pittsburgh, PA, USA -- I'm hosting a 9-11 special event for "community unity." If you had something that was presentable -- I'd love to have it as part of the showcase we are organizing.

Case in point: Do you have a slide show that could be run from various computers throughout the night?

Do you have any give-a-way info on the project that we could make available?

I'd love to get you some extra exposure -- but we don't have any organizational money for a purchase. But, we'd be happy to solicit for you.

I apologize for the delay in responding to your e-mail!

Thank you very much for your interest in Project Rebirth and thank you for your 9/11 presentation. I hope everything is going well.

Unfortunately, we do not have anything to give you right now. Although we have footage from the rebuilding we are not releasing it in any public capacity for a while, most likely, not until the World Trade Center is rebuilt.

We are in the process of upgrading our website and hope to have a short edited piece of time-lapse footage on the website. The new site is due to launch in early 2004.

I'm sorry I cannot be of further assistance. Thank you, again, for your interest and I wish you success in all your endeavors.

Kind regards,

Croi McNamara Line Producer Project Rebirth Inc.