Dear Neighbors -- pondering losses, firefighters, community spaces

Today was a hard day for all in Pittsburgh with a double funeral. The losses and time to mourn and pay respects are about giving and receiving care and love. The families, the firefighters, and the grief was open and honest.

Our messages of "thanks for the duty, and thanks for the jobs done well" are sent to all of the men and women who serve others in unselfish ways.

Thanks too for the vigilance and the kindness paid to our public lives. As we mourn, we think and reflect. Let's allow the concept of "duty" to linger long in many corners of our shared spaces.

Our personal lives are to be private. But it seems that the quality of life for each individual is made from a foundation that has one foot firmly upon the ground that is "common."

The public heros rushed to a church, of all places. The embers and tears meet and blend. Perhaps a different spirit is to come with the next dawn?

- - - -

There are many issues to yap about these days - but for the sake of respect let me just say:

1. Thanks for reading my messages.

2. Thanks for ongoing feedback and the sharing of your thoughts and concerns with me. Mark04@Rauterkus.com

3. Thanks for furnishing me with your valid email contact(s).

4. You're invited to these three functions if you are willing and able:


6 pm, Wed., March 24, Mt. Washington's Duquense Heights Community Center:
http://Play.CLOH.Org.
http://Play.CLOH.Org/hot/Get-Involved-2.pdf
A candidate for PRESIDENT of the United States is expected!
No charge - open discussions.


6 pm, Sat., March 20, Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network's banquet
http://piin.cloh.org


10 am, Sat., March 20, East Liberty Branch of Carnegie Library to talk about
sports opportunities in Pgh Public Schools.
http://dorm.CLOH.Org

in other news: Ripped from the recent Pgh Business Times

Headline: GOP sets sights on mayor's post

Sub-Head: Lawyer John Pierce among possible candidates

Reporters: Patty Tascarella and Suzanne Elliott

DOWNTOWN -- Wanted: Republicans to lead Pittsburgh. Seriously.

Even though the city's next mayoral election isn't until 2005 and the GOP hasn't fielded a candidate since 1993 or won in more than 60 years, Pittsburgh's staggering fiscal problems have party officials eagerly talking about opportunity.

There were TWO GOP candidates for Mayor in 2001! And, we both predicted this pathway to bankrupt status. Furthermore, the wrongheaded actions of the city continue, such as yesterday's announced closings of all 32 outdoor swim pools, 19 recreation centers and our only indoor ice rink.

To close, let's talk again about the firefighters. Did you know that Joe King, union boss of Pgh Breau of Firefighters, worked with his rank-and-file and went to the Mayor and a city council member a few months ago with a plan? Their offer was to put two-percent of their pay into a trust fund so as to allow for the re-opening of Recreation Centers for the kids and the
layed off employees. Their solution included an offer that exceeded $800 K per year to help in this crisis.

Mayor Murphy sent them away and chooses to maintain the crisis. The fruit of this is a "financial crisis." But the roots of our problems are really a "cooperation crisis."

I said tonight on WTAT TV News -- 'We teach our kids how to play well with others at the parks, pools and rec centers.'

Thanks for the offer Joe King and Firefighters of Pittsburgh. Sorry it was snatched from the 'jaws of victory.' We'll fix ourselves and all our problems after we get serious about cooperation.

PS:
Pgh Business Times = 412-481-6397 x 203 Fax: 412-481-9956
Editor, LLawley@bizjournals.com
http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2004/03/15/story1.html

Go Penguins

Ticket stubs

Pittsburgh should have a park district

call for meetings with PLAY.CLOH.Org

Schedule for Various Community Meetings with Mark Rauterkus presentations

6 pm on Feb. 27, 2004, at Duquesne Heights Community Center, Mt. Washington
5:30 pm on March 9, 2004, at the South Side Planning Forum
6 pm on March 24, 2004, at Duquesne Heights Community Center, Mt. Washington

Let's Play Well Together
Editorial by Mark Rauterkus -- (okay to pass about and provide reactions)

The saga known as "Pittsburgh's budget crisis" contains two lessons. First, "If we don't do anything, then nothing will get done." We, in this case of parks and caretakers, means volunteers, parents, coaches, neighbors, teachers and citizens. We can fix this. And, we must act to do so.

The city's fumbles with closed outdoor pools and Rec Centers provides plenty of opportunities for others to rise and meet the challenge. The Great Race had an alternative flavor. The marathon is off, but our shared marathon of life for providing care for our youngest citizens never ends. We can't permit a "lost generation" to simply grow on their own without opportunities and direction. We all need to work together. Buck up Pittsburgh, as I expect this endeavor to proceed without the support of city employees.

The second lesson digs to the root of the problem. "At the parks, playgrounds, rec centers and pools we teach our kids how to play well with others." Parks and crossing guards were the first to go and the hardest hit. Grant Street leaders fail to understand and display a willingness of "playing well with others."

Playing well with the public and other agencies is the key to fixing our future. Pittsburgh deserves its "oversight board" as our elected leadership hasn't played well -- even among themselves. The oversight board might straighten the budget and mend its bond status. But sadly, the oversight board will overlook the tykes and teens.

We must work among ourselves to care for the youth. The city's distressed status is not so much as a pimple for those of distressing teen-age years. Act 47 may work for the Governor, but for tykes, we need other actions. How about Actions for 4 to 7s?

Grass-roots efforts to better handle the places and programs where we all come to play are starting. All are welcome to open community meetings on these issues. Contact Mark Rauterkus, Mark04@Rauterkus.com, http://Play.CLOH.Org,
412-298-3432 = cell.

News of Resignation at Fox Chapel HS

Sillyness from flexing, nebby, moms

CP to MR

Year, uncertain. 

Lib Party

I did not attend this event.

2003 Libertarian Party of Pittsburgh Holiday Party
Del's Bar and Restaurant, 4428 Liberty Ave., next to Bloomfield Bridge (412-683-1448)

$35 at the door; $30 in advance if received by Dec. 10th

7:00 PM - 7:30 PM - Hors d'oeuvres & soft drinks (cash bar)
7:30 PM - 8:15 PM - Dinner
8:15 PM - 8:30 PM - Dimitri Vassilaros introduces Gary Nolan
8:30 PM - 9:30 PM - Gary Nolan speech, Q&A session
9:30 PM - 11:00 PM - Party time!

Article on a swimmer

Film: Fathers Missing In Action

An American Journey of Broken Dreams and Unpaid Debt was at Showcase Cinemas East. The National Fatherhood initiative was one of the sponsors. Same too with Youthworks, Citizens Bank, Healthy Starts, Hill House, Juvenile Court Project, Twanda Carlisle.

Mr. Mario mcLoid, Mentoring Partnership of SW PA; Mr. Fedor Hernandez, PA Fatherhood Initiative; Mark Edwards, Juvenile Court Project; Eric Vecere, Fatherhood initiative; Mr. Hugh Mitchell Bouvier, writer and director.

Pitt's Athletic Slogan, branding, Commitment, Teamwork, Pride

Pitt's Athletic Slogan: Commitment, Teamwork, Pride

Commitment is needed to the spaces of Oakland. Commitment to listening is necessary. The athletic director needs a commitment to his role as a keeper of Pitt's sacred releationships.

Teamwork is needed between Pitt and our Pittsburgh citizens. Pitt has a poor record in teamwork.

Pitt is one of Pittsburgh's biggest players. If we were to make an illustration with a deck of cards and the card-game of bridge, Pitt and UPMC would be much like the Ace and King of Spades when it comes to our assets these days. There is no doubt that Pitt's star is burning brightly in these times, now overshaddowing the rest. In the game of baseball, the power-hitter of the line-up bats fourth and is affectionatly called the "clean-up hitter."

Without naming names, Pitt is pulling a Barry Bonds. Pitt is being a spoiled player who chokes in the big-games and cranks in the glory and successes when the game is already in the bag. Pitt's TEAMWORK, to use its own slogan against itself, sucks when it comes to the larger picture items in our community.

In the case of the LTV site and the building of the football practice compound, Pitt isn't needed. The developments at the LTV site is, as a basketball player might put it, a "slam dunk." The LTV site is going to be developed in seven years, says the URA Executive Director at a City Council meeting. Pitt can ride the bench at this game and Pittsburgh can still pull out a mighty victory. The LTV site can be a lock.

An official from UPMC, T.D., said at a South Side Steering Committee Meeting in January 1999 that other developers for the site are not going to be found. That miss-information can not be allowed.

What other players did not get to develop at the LTV site because of UPMC's and Oxford's arrival? The URA isn't going to case back-up plans and court developers for places already being developed. The URA puts all its eggs into one basket and gives the cold shoulder to others who might be interested in the site.

If asked, the URA won't have a clue as to who else might be possible developers and tenants for the LTV site, as in their mind the first best bet already got axed too, and that was River Boat Gambling. Well, if River Boat Gambling went sour, UPMC became part of the next best option. The trend is from sour to bland -- and we must go back to the drawing board and get what works and what was ordered.

At the initial news event, UPMC was to take nearly 30-acres of land at the LTV site. Now UPMC is going to get nearly 20 acres. The early projection can be called a speculative land-grab.

UPMC downsided the space plans by casting off the chaft. UPMC only needs to buy the most valuable spaces. The skinny, odd-shaped parcels of land that no developer would acquire are now worthless. No developer would want a tiny, odd-shaped spec of land that sits right next to UPMC as UPMC would be an overbearing neighbor.

At a public meeting, the developer of another portion of the LTV site, said something very interesting. His off-hand comments that came in the question/answer period of his presentation was at odds to what UPMC and the URA seem to say. The residental builder said that it would have rather have had a larger portion of the site to develop. He hinted at the fact that if more of the site was made available to his company, then they would certainly want to develop those sections as well.

An obvious alternative to the sale of land to UPMC for a football practice compound is a second sale of space to Contential. Perhaps more apartments can be built on the site, or perhaps a condo development can be built by the same company, and rather than all rental units, these units can be made available on a for-sale basis.

Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs hit the ball and played a great teamwork game. is an ace in our is he greater good of Pittsburgh by tacking the bigger problems in our society. Teamwork isn't selfishness, and moving a football practice site to that prime river location is total selfishness displayed at its best. Pitt should not cash into a prime spot (such as is the case with the LTV site). Pitt wants to run the final yard and score the touchdown. Pitt can score big-time with a new complex on the river's edge of the Mon at the LTV site.

Pride is won and earned from respect, not acquired by bullies.

The past victories that served to buid Pitt Pride are feelings. Feelings can't be easily bulldozed into a new facility, such as the Steeler's New Three Rivers Stadium. As Pitt Stadium closes, so too goes the intangibles of Pitt Pride.

---

Tweaking a development to placate special monied interests is the pathway to ruin.

Pittsburgh ACLU Chief Legal Counsel Walczak To Debate National Patriot Act

Televised Duquesne Law Discussion

Pittsburgh, PA- Does the Patriot Act protect our civil liberties or infringe upon them? On Tuesday, November 11th, at 6:00, Pittsburgh ACLU Chief Legal Counsel Vic Walczak and Heritage Foundation Fellow Paul Rosenzweig will debate this highly contentious question at the Duquesne University School of Law. PCTV-21 will broadcast the event.

THE PATRIOT ACT: A CIVIL WAR OVER CIVIL LIBERTIES is sponsored by the law school's Federalist Society Chapter and will be moderated by former Night Talk host John McIntire. The debate, which will raise money for Habitat for Humanity via each attendee's suggested $3 donation, will take place in room 204 of the Law School before an audience of at least 120. The debate will include legal questions from law professors Margaret Krasik, Robert Barker, and Thomas Lizzi, as well as audience members.

"I want to congratulate our Federalist Society for organizing this debate on such an important topic to our nation," said Law School Dean Nicholas Cafardi, who will welcome attendees. "I am looking forward to a stimulating discussion."

"How we respond to the threat of terrorism while continuing to respect cherished civil liberties is the single most important domestic legal question facing America today," said Rosenzweig, who is flying in from Washington, DC. "Public engagement in answering that question and the Duquesne debate are vital in making sure we get the answer right."

"The ACLU appreciates the opportunity to participate in what will likely be an illuminating discussion of these important issues," added Walczak.

"If John Ashcroft is covering up nipples on statues, who knows what else he's hiding?" pondered McIntire. "There's a lot of propaganda by both sides on this issue. I'm very excited about having enough time to sort out the spin."

"We are honored that the Duquesne Law School Chapter of the Federalist Society has associated Pittsburgh Habitat with this program," said Habitat for Humanity's Maggie Withrow. "Habitat never has to debate the overwhelming need for affordable housing."

"The Patriot Act radically alters America's ideological landscape with strange bedfellows and unlikely alliances," said Duquesne Law Federalist Society President Chris Lilik. "We are pleased to provide Pittsburgh with such a stimulating and informative discussion."

Vic Walczak, ACLU Chief Legal Counsel: 412-681-7864 x21, vwalczak@aclupgh.org

Paul Rosenzweig, Heritage Foundation: 202-329-9650, paul.rosenzweig@heritage.org

John McIntire, former Night Talk Host: 412-322-1967 MacYapper@aol.com

Maggie Withrow, Habitat for Humanity: 412-466-6716 mwithrow@pittsburghhabitat.org

Dean Nicholas Cafardi, Duquesne Law Dean: 412-396-6280, zagrocki@duq.edu

Chris Lilik, Duq Law Federalist Society President: 412-261-1666, Lilik714@duq.edu

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