Water Taxi -- might as well paddle

A new water taxi service just opened and is serving Pittsburgh. One of the features mentioned in today's news account is the city's skyline. It is all about the service, not skyline. The service is slim.

With all the chatter about swift boats, too bad the taxi service can't move in a like manner. Everything is fast at the Olympics, I guess. And, sadly, does everything need to be so slow in Pittsburgh, hence making the skyline enjoyment some consolation.

On one hand, the service will cost nothing from the city's budget. But, we pay via the Feds to subsidize the service.

Moreover, the taxi service is starting as a boost to the Convention Center. They want to get tourist. They want another feather for out-of-towners.

Why not build the service for residents? Why not start the service early in the morning rather than at 10 am. Who can go to work at 10 or 11 am? One can't even get to City Council meetings that late.

We need to use the rivers. But, we need to have real use. We need sustainable projects.


Folks, who wants to go from the Mon Warf to the Convention Center? Other stops are going to include PNC Park, Heinz Field, Point State Park, and the Cultural District. Nobody lives at any of these stops.

Run the service from 10th Street Bridge. Run the service from 18th Street on the South Side. Run the service from the new South Side Works -- where there will be lots of housing and some is already there.

Run the service from the West End, from Hazelwood, from Highland Park even.

The scope of service is too small. And, the time of service is too short. This will flop. And, I really want it to work.

That big sucking sound is coming from the big white building -- the convention center. The debt is high. It is still not finished. The hotel space is too slim. And we are even now going to move the light rail T-Stop to its back doors, near the dumpsters. A stop is just a short two blocks away that could be used.

Update: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04261/380708.stm

Libertarian Doubleheader Hits Pittsburgh

Libertarian Doubleheader Hits Pittsburgh: "will visit Pittsburgh on Sunday, September 26th" -- check em out.

A 'grand' groundbreaking

A 'grand' groundbreaking - PittsburghLIVE.com:

#1) ... Mayor Tom Murphy expressed satisfaction with the project, saying the city 'would not settle for anything that was not grand.'

Rauterkus Replies

Pittsburgh needs to settle for things as they are. We don't need "everything to be grand." Murphy's wants exceed his needs. Murphy's wants are so grand that the budget can't pay for them. When Murphy said he won't settle for anything that isn't grand, he sends the wrong message of being prudent. That is typical Murphy, the poor leader, the over spender.

When only the grand can get his attention, then the others don't rate. The homeless problem -- just use a grand broom and sweep the problems away.

The little things are the keys to making a great manager and a great city.

#2) ... nearly $4 million from the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and $1.3 million in equity from the Cultural Trust.

Who's money is that of the Cultural Trust? And, we'll see less than truthful statements that not a penny of city money went into this project. At least there isn't $10-million from the water authority under a cloak here -- or is there?

#3) ... a half-dozen other projects are in the pipeline.

Sure, the pipeline is primed now. Always is. Pittsburgh's population was going to explode, some 6, 5, 4, 3 years ago too. Things have been on hold since Tom Murphy has been in the Mayor's office.

#4) 'I think more (people) living Downtown encourages more retailers and restaurants,' said Murphy, who envisions more living options working in partnership with retail development.

Retail, gambling, and Hard Rock --- tickets to salvation for Tom Murphy's vision. False hopes all.

#5) Tom Cox, chairman of the Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority, said 'the URA is here to stay in developing Downtown.'

Tom Cox makes more complicated deals that are going to be harder to untangle to insure that the URA can't go away. Tom -- take your golden parachute and beg for a job in Detroit.

#6) 'But I've been wrong in my predictions in the past on who will live in other new housing developments, such as Washington Landing and Summerset,' he said.

Murphy's past predictions have always been wrong. He has poor forecasting skills. He can't understand that Nordstoms isn't exactly what Pittsburgh needs. And, here we go opening a new cinema, this time in South Side -- while others are closing in Monroeville (Wilkins) and Mt. Lebo. Tom would have had us build the big complex as part of Fifth and Forbes. It was another looser of an idea.

#7) For example, Murphy said he did not believe Summerset at Frick Park, a massive new housing development under way at the former Nine Mile Run slag dump site between Squirrel Hill and Swisshelm Park, would attract families with children. 'At least half the families that purchased houses in Summerset have children,' he said. "

Developing the slag dump pulled homeowners out of their other city neighborhoods and into another. And, it took money that didn't go to the frail neighborhoods and made for new upscale homes. All the work on the stream, green goals, creek run off and such was necessary and should have been the priority. In Murphy's way, elements of the environment were an afterthought that needed attention.

Cultural District Apartments for upscale

First, we don't need to have a super-tight focus and only build in the downtown sector. There are lots of fringe areas within an easy walk that should be better suited for the new residential buildings. Sure, some can go downtown. But, 10 to 20 times the potential and upside is just a short walk beyond downtown.

Lower bluff, West End, North Side of the West End Bridge, both sides of Station Square, bottom of Bates. Then go a tiny bit farther and the real gem is Hazelwood.

I don't think it makes sense to make subsidized housing for rich folks. Frick at Sommerset is not prudent in terms of priorities for the public dollars.

Why is the URA putting money into quarter-million dollar apts in the Cultural District? Its $4-M that I'd strongly object.

If you put housing in downtown that families would use -- then you'd have places that empty nesters, college kids and young urban types would use as well. Why build temporary housing just so folks move in and move out?

If we make places that people are not going to leave -- then we'll have real demand. A marketplace will form that will be sustainable.

Aim low, don't miss. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh slips some more.

However, I do think we need some student housing in downtown. That is a no brainer. And, I would also love to see a large time share complex as well. Think of all the Pittsburghers who are not living here any longer. My we all love to come home. But how we hate to stay with aunts and uncles or older parents, should they still be around. But, a week at a time, once a year. They'd sell like hotcakes, even without the fries.

More at Fester's blog. See his downtown housing post.

Who is mentioning parents rights in the presidential campaign

Parental rights opens a big can of worms. It is both a local and national issue. I'm not hearing much about this topic in the race for president.

Grassroots, Jewish, Gratis Training

A Grassroots Training Seminar is slated for Sunday, September 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel, 300 W. Station Square, Pittsburgh for the Jewish Republican leaders from Pittsburgh.

Learn effective ways to reach out to potential supporters of President Bush's policies

Receive special training in heightening grassroots awareness and activity

Work with grassroots, Jewish, and political experts on ways to "deliver the message"

Listen to experts from Washington and New York discuss 'the message” and “how to deliver it."

This one-time training seminar will provide you with the tools, language and skills to reach out to the general Jewish community and reach the hidden, potential supporters of President Bush's policies on Israel, Jewish security, economic security, and other issues of concern.

A 70 page Briefing Book on the issues of the day will also be distributed to participants.

RSVP Is Required. Please respond to: Marc Radasky, 202-638-2909 x 107, Email: MRadasky @ RJCHQ.org, NOTE: SALOMON DINNER WILL BE SERVED.

Yes, the training is free. All that is required is an email address at the door. Please mention it to others. Explain to people that they will have to give their email addresses.

If you attend, I'd love to hear how it went. Please share your observations with the comment section or offline in a direct email.

Transportation

Transportation: "Federal funds could revive Maglev project
"
Slide over to my other budding blog, dedicated to transportation rants.

Stadium authority worker accused of taking $200,000

Stadium authority worker accused of taking $200,000: "Writing numerous checks for small amounts -- but also once taking a bank bag containing $20,000 of the Stadium Authority's money -- authority accountant Jeffrey S. Harmon managed to elude detection for more three years while embezzling nearly $200,000, "

What are these folks thinking? The Pgh Parks Conservancy had an employee steal some serious money as well.

In China, folks who got caught steeling get shot. When the public trust gets shaken over and over, it is little wonder that the public trust is stretched so thin around here.

Furthermore, it is one thing to steal for yourself. It is another matter to steal from the public purse and pay others for outright deeds of little public value. The shame patrol needs to out both types.

For the later, we've got a legacy of miss-deeds such as the paving of streets, the lowering of property values, handouts of consulting contracts, the buying of bogus PR campaigns, etc., etc.

County hires consultants for minority outreach

County hires consultants for minority outreach: "The Rev. James Simms, former president of the county council, will assist faith-based and community groups in identifying county and other government resources to develop social service, housing and public works efforts."

Sounds like re-treads. Perhaps Sala Udin will be getting jobs like this with the state or county after he is booted from office in the city.

Those guys are both with big respect and big scorn. I've never crossed either, personally.

I wish they would care a lot more about parks and opportunities for our kids -- within the city especially -- and less about minority contracts that have lead mostly to pass throughs and scandal.

The concept of "faith-based outreach" is fine with me. But, the hook and attractiveness of that effort is to save money and get things done. It isn't about more pork, more red tape, more consultants.

Time will tell if these folks are productive or not -- but -- time has told us something already. Both have been around the block, or should I say the around the downward spiral.

I wonder why Dan O, our county executive, wasn't quoted in the new article? I assume he hire them personally. Where is a quote from him on these hirings?

Airport to step up wooing

Pittsburgh's airport, with its hub and spoke model, is about as modern as the wheel in the image. Pittsburgh overspent on the airport. It is mostly idle, too large, with huge debt. The airport isn't the type of economic engine Pittsburgh needs. The building project is going to saddle our kids with debt for years to come. Sadly, same goes the Convention Center. And, even worse, same goes the underwater tunnels to the lower north side to service the stadiums and alter the light rail. Wrongheaded.

Airport to step up wooing of all fliers: "The authority has launched a $272,000 advertising campaign designed to generate more local traffic"...

FWIW (for what its worth), its easy for Tom Murphy to catch a flight out of Cleveland from his home in Butler County.
Here is more "boosterism" to make our load of image-gap all that more of an uphill challenge. The airport authority shouldn't be running a quarter-million-dollar PR campaign. The authorities are way out of bounds around here. And, it is money like this that goes to the media outlets that then allows the watchdogs to fall to sleep. They can't bite the hands that feed them.

Meanwhile, we are building a new airport in the northern edge of the county. More corporate welfare.

PIAA District 8 - draft handbook

A number of volunteers have reviewed and edited a new handbook put forth by the Pittsburgh Public Schools for its coaches. A PDF version, unofficial, 36-page copy has been posted at http://Dorm.CLOH.Org/hot/AthleticHandbook(Sept04)R.pdf.

The Pgh Public School District serves the City of Pittsburgh and is much like an island only unto itself in terms of scholastic sports. The suburban schools have a different sporting landscape than what occurs in the city. In a sense, there is an "iron curtin" around the city in terms of many issues, including the way we play our most organized games among communities.

I think the handbook is a great first step in the process to benefit the students and overall community with PPS. However, the real solution rests with the merger of the city schools to the W.P.I.A.L. (The WPIAL is also known as PIAA District 7.)

My position paper on parks calls for the gradual elimination of the "city league" on a sport-by-sport basis with a gradual flow among various schools as well.

WPXI.com - Money - City Council President Wants Commuter Tax

WPXI.com - Money - City Council President Wants Commuter Tax: "Ricciardi will call on the mayor to immediately petition the common pleas court to impose a commuter tax.

Ricciardi said 25 years of lobbying the state for tax reform has not worked. He also called Murphy's proposed 40 percent hike in property taxes for 2005 unfair."

Gene Ricciardi, City Council President, should be pushing anyone and everyone to make a removal of Tom Murphy from the Mayor's office. Gene, push to impeach Tom -- now. The key to that process is with city council.

Otherwise, put in public and private calls to John Kerry. Demand that Kerry announce, upon his election, that Kerry would appoint Murphy as an ambassador to Ireland, or New Zealand, or Greece, etc. If Kerry pledged to get Murphy out of town, he'd get a ton of votes from western PA's swing voters.

Tom Murphy's been playing chicken with those in the state house and state senate for a few years now. He put our children into the front seat -- and it still hurts. Next he'll be putting the homeowners into a mission impossible ramble to misery. Murphy can't move the agenda to a "commuter tax" because he can't move any agenda. He must burden those who are stuck here who have yet to be drained in full. Murphy can't even stick it to seniors -- as you can't get blood from a rock.

Pittsburgh is in a hopeless place with this mayor. And, the hopelessness increases as the leadership of city council is so lame.

Wyoming

Give us a home, where the buffalo roam. The city kids did well in the west. We loved the visit to the Diamond Cross Ranch.

China's guys and gals

Interesting article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5953508&&CM=EmailThis&CE=1

An American demographer, who has been closely following China's population program and who spoke on condition of anonymity, lauded China's "coming to grips" with the problem.

"Still, they are in a deep dilemma -- emotional and policy dilemma -- because the solution to the problem will conflict with other parts of their population strategy to reduce birth rate or some of the measures could perhaps make the problem even worse," warned the demographer.

$5-million for Merry-go-round in parking spaces in Oakland

The merry-go-round in Schenley Plaza was given the green light in city council. A state grant of $5-million has come from the PA Governor. The $5-million can't be used for street paving, because it is being spent in the removal of valued parking spaces.

There was no public hearing on the park expansion. Yes, there was a post-agenda. I did rush to the meeting and got to speak. The process was trash. The process is a great example of what is wrong with Pittsburgh today and the outcome is going to be another elitist boondogle.

The grant for $5-million should have been applied to the formation of a new Pittsburgh Park District.

Who died so as to make the leader of the Pittsburgh Park Conservancy the queen of our town?

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy should be eliminated as it makes a serious a drag on the region. Its mission is with blinders by design. Its goals are of bricks and mortar, sadly.

Doug said, like a coward, "In the future I will look with great disfavor on projects such as these." Doug, there is no time like the present. You should have voted "NO" today. You should have acted like the leader you were hired to become.

The Heinz History center grant didn't take over public spaces, such as Phipps and the Carnegie Museum. Bill Peduto has it wrong.

The only councilmember to vote with courage to deny the elitist plan was Jim Motznik. Yeah Jim.

Grandview building heights

Background:

The uproar in Mt. Washington has been about the height of buildings. A zoning law has wiggled to city council that aims to cap the height of buildings along Grandview Ave, the senic roadway that sits atop of Mt. Washington and provides a splendid view of the rivers and downtown.

First of all, the folks in Mt. Washington have been energized on a number of different matters in the recent years. They had fights to save the school (Whittier), incline, library, ball-fields, rec center, swim pool, rehab of the long vacant South Hills High and still manage to program the DHCC -- a community center in the shell of a former grocery store. South Siders have some of that same spit, but, perhaps, Mt. Washington residents have been more on the cutting edge since the WE-HAV toils were nipping at their heels.

So, its been time to keep in the sadle and go again from Mt. Washington to city hall. Keep up the good work.

The clash comes with:
1) zoning laws,
2) the bulk of the people (desire a hight limit on buildings)and the grassroots want limits and are fighting "developers / speculators."
3) Meanwhile, elected leaders need to lead. And, if they can't sway the masses with their points of view, then it is time to "represent" the people's wishes.
When one is silent on the issue for 15 months, as was the city council member from that district, then it is hard to lead. And, pushing for a new amendment might soil the process.

However, Sala, "going all the way back to zero" is okay. That is a call to "think again." When a new law gets to the council, the law makers, it is fine to take it out at the knees if there are better possible outcomes. Sala is all to often quick to embrace lockstep decisions.

Bigger solutions

Pittsburgh is blessed with places all around the central ring where we should be building tall housing. The edge of the west end, near station square's west entry, at the north side of the west end bridge, near the east end of station square, at the bottom of the bluff east of the jail over from the 10th Street Bridge.

We can't turn Pittsburgh into Hong Kong -- but we could try for the higher residentail buildings at wasted corners that are now vacant or without much community merit. Point being: we need to fix the broken areas. We don't need to trample the thriving areas.

Furthermore, we need to use our political capital into allowing the marketplace to strive. I'd be quicker to think again on zoning and put all zoning laws into the trash and allow property rights to reside with the property owners.

Standards that are not standards is favortism. Our government needs heavy measures of justice and fairness -- not favorites and exceptions.

Doug: You don't need stability to move forward. To move forward you have to leave where you sit.
Your town, your neighborhood, your city. WRONG. What about your property?

However, the real bottom line comes with this awareness: The city's planning department is a complete failure. One of the first actions for the new mayor -- eliminate the planning department. When you fail to plan, you plan to fail. However, when you follow poor plans, the results are sure to be poor.

Jerry Bowyer going to the 3 to 6 pm slot

Jerry Bowyer and "Uncle Douggie" (Hoerth) are switching time slots on WPTT, 1360 AM. Jerry Bowyer goes to 3-6.

Hoerth hates the morning, as he has said on the air. My radio won't play much of Uncle Dougie as his conversations are best suited for adults. I don't care to hear about the legs of TV newscasters, nor do I want my kids have that type of nonesense pushed into their airwaves.

Bowyer is a Pittsburgh media gem. He thinks. He gets great guests. He has knocked the system on multiple instances and with multiple campaigns. He is a worthy counter-weight to Lynn Cullen too.

All in all, I still really miss Chicago's radio talent. I'm a "Kev Head." I'd really like to hear daily sports reports from Jim Shorts. Listen yourself: http://www.kevhead.com/archives.asp

Open Debates Await

Let the George W. Bush and John Kerry campaigns know that the American people want real, democratic and engaging presidential debates hosted by the Citizens' Debate Commission, with all the candidates.

Both Kerry and Bush are campaigning to be your public servants, and you should not hesitate to remind them of your wishes, this week.

Kerry campaign: 202-712-3000

Bush campaign: 703-647-2700

The major party campaigns have assembled their high-profile debate negotiating teams, and they will soon begin debate negotiations.

Letters to the editor seeking open debates have been published in dozens of newspapers: Buffalo News, Baltimore Sun, Deseret Morning News, Tulsa World, Bellingham Herald, etc.

The Open Debates' Executive Director, George Farah, appears on ABC World News Now tonight (sometime between 1am and 3am EST, for those of you still awake), and on ABC News Now Thursday morning at 6am EST.

In Pittsburgh, we will have a voter education event on October 21, 2004. Save the date. Details to follow. All candidates on the ballot are being invited and strongly encouraged to attend or to send a spokesperson.

Holding Press Meetings

It's been a month now since John Kerry last talked to the news media. At that time he took eight questions. A week earlier, on Aug. 2, he held a news conference at which he took two questions. None of the ten questions had anything to do with his service in Vietnam.

Do not look for Kerry to hold a press conference any time soon.

Kerry's reluctance, though understandable, is beginning to draw complains from members -- at least conservative members -- of the news media, which is also understandable.

Chuck Muth, campaigndoctor.com, wrote and explained, (perhaps the only time he'll be on Kerry's side):

The purpose of a political campaign is to win an election; it is not to kowtow to the wishes of the press. That being the case there is only one reason for a candidate to hold a press conference, that being to help him win the election. If a press conference doesn't meet that criterion don't hold it.

Clearly then, as far as Kerry is concerned, holding a press conference today is not in his best interests. There are reporters, usually liberals, who will demand them, whining about their right to know. There is, however, no such right. You won't find it anywhere in the constitution.

Reporters, of course, have a right to ask questions. They have no right to an answer. The right of free speech also includes the right to be silent.

The fact that Kerry is not holding press conferences in itself speaks volumes. It tells reporters and, through them, the people, that there are questions he does not want to answer or for which he has no answers.

There probably are three lines of possible questioning which are making him nervous. One, the charges concerning the validity of his combat medals; two, the validity of his post-service testimony before a senate committee, and three, his penchant for taking stands on both sides of issues.

Until he can devise satisfactory answers to questions in these areas it is not likely he will be holding full-fledged press conferences.

Tom Murphy does NOT hold many press events. He dodges issues all too frequently as well. We need the press to act as "watchdogs." We need open, direct and honest leadership. I crave both in our community landscapes.

Pitt's International Week, Sept. 18-24, 2004

Requested to lead badminton activities on Sept. 20 from noon to 2 pm for International Week were nixed today. Permission wasn't secured as there is some eight week lead time to get a "permit" to use the lawn at Pitt's Cathedral or Student Union. My, they are worried about protests. Plus, a 'student group' was also needed as a co-sponsor. Pitt web site with more insights on International Week.

They're hosting a Soccer Tournament too, on the Cathedral lawn. Nice use of space.

Pitt's glossy magazine is expected to do a story on our trip to China. We're providing some photos and Catherine gave an interview.

Perhaps we'll get to do it next year, as the coordinator of the event was very excited. But, red tape prevails.