Bail out hits hardest at --- take a guess --- those who don't vote.

The kids are getting crushed again. This time the blow comes from Harrisburg. The new bailout for the city, still in the wind, is going to hit hardest against the school district and the kids of our city.

The RAD tax has been an on-going source of $4-million to the PPS (Pgh Public Schools). Gone. Send that money to Mayor Murphy and the city.

The tax rates are shifting. For the consumer / citizens / taxpayers the rates are not shifting. Rather the shifts come in that the percentage given to the schools is less and the amount to the city and Mayor Murphy is more. This is a one-two body blow too as it hits in two different flavors. It's all in the mix.

Then comes the crossing guards. Mayor Murphy ran away from that duty. He fumbled to the school board. In the past this had been a 50-50 deal. Murphy went to zero as per the budget a year ago. Now the crossing guards are fully the responsibility of the schools. Wrongheaded.

Crossing guards need to work for the police department. They can write tickets. Or, they used to be able to have law-enforcement capabilities.

We just build a new school in Homewood and there are people pulling out of that place as it isn't safe getting there. The last thing we need are fewer police and crossing guards.

By the way, the Mayor's Commission on Public Education was shameful. The A+ Schools effort is still a joke.

Next we'll see a reverse on the reversal. Dr. John Thompson had expected to raise taxes. Then he took a reading of the board and got the message. He said this week that there won't be any new taxes in his 2005 budget. Now Harrisburg is smacking the schools on repeated fronts.

The Homeland Security grant for $3-million should be made to $8-million and given to the Pgh Public Schools. Is there some under-handed state money due to arrive to PPS's budget?

Then there are the foundation folks. They used to provide $4-million to the schools. The mayor pulled their chain and ended that to great fanfare three years ago. Well that money crept back to the schools recently. But, now they are being dragged in part ty Dr. Trueheart of the Pittsburgh Foundation to the table to pony up $6-million a year.

Everyone around here needs to get back the their knitting. The foundations need to do foundation work in nonprofit ways without a threat of taxes. They need to help in the schools and not run the city swim pools. The mayor needs to stop stealing from others (foundations, schools, Homeland Security, Harrisburg, parkers, suburban residents). The schools need to do their thing without getting yanked around.

This is a total mess. And, the fix is so easy. But we can't heal with these dunderheads.

Stevens out and time to join the NAAC

Trib coverage of NAACP election. New leader said, "My No. 1 (priority) is to build the membership base."

Moss is the director of Naomi's Place, a transitional housing affiliate of the Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church in East Liberty. Naomi's Place assists single mothers suffering from drug and alcohol addiction and mental illness.

Moss said she also will focus on job training and education.

'Our people are gravely unemployed,' she said. 'We're going to form new partnerships with the government and CEOs of companies that pull the purse strings in this community for economic development.'

Where is that NAACP membership form?

THE USO CHRISTMAS SHOW

Producer Jude Pohl is pleased to announce the opening of his latest
production, THE USO CHRISTMAS SHOW, at the Perry Como Dinner Theatre in
Canonsburg, Pa. The show will open on Friday, November 26 for eight
performances only. Dates are: Friday & Saturday, Nov. 26 & 27; Friday,
Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 3, 4 & 5; and Friday, Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 10, 11
& 12.

THE USO CHRISTMAS SHOW provides a trip back in time to the 40's and World
War II when Hollywood stars went overseas to entertain the troops, with old
favorite songs like: "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree," "Boogie Woogie Bugle
Boy," "Paper Moon" and "I'll Be Seeing You."

Starring in THE USO CHRISTMAS SHOW are Gary Baughman, Karen Hanes, Lisa
Weiss and Leigh-Anne Yost. Musical Director and accompanist is Carol Karl
with percussion by Roger Dimit.

Because of the nature of the show (similar to The Bob Hope Christmas Shows),
Pohl is inviting all military personnel, Active Duty or Reserves, to come IN
UNIFORM for free. He will also offer a special discount if they choose to
bring their families. He does ask that they make reservations since seating
is limited.

The Perry Como Dinner Theatre is located in the Canonsburg Elks Ballroom,
diagonally across the street from the famous singing statue of Perry Como.
On Fridays and Saturdays, dinner is served at 6:30 with the show starting at
7:30. On Sundays, the dinner will be served at 2:30 with the show at 3:30.
Price of the dinner theatre package is $32 and is all-inclusive.

Reservations are absolutely required and several performances are already
filling up. For additonal information and/or reservations, please call JUDE
POHL PRODUCTIONS at (724) 746-1178.

Dr. John Thompson, another prediction comes true

Looks as if Dr. John Thompson, Pgh Public School's Superintendent, is going to get a new contract and sustain his position.

I'm fine with an offer of a contract extension. And, I was fine with the lack of action a number of months ago as well. Be calm. Be patient.

A number of months ago a few including Rev. John Monroe, pitched a fit and folly about the position and the person.

I had good expectations then, and told many that Dr. Thompson was going to stay and would be offered another contract, all in due time.

Furthermore, it is great to hear that the school budget is NOT going to raise taxes. It is of interest to see how that news of no new taxes is tied with such closeness to the news of contract extention talks. Humm. I see direct links.

Photo content for the PennFuture's e-calendar and screensaver

A collection of beautiful scenes from around Pennsylvania, urban, suburb, rural and wild are welcomed. See www.pennfuture.org for this year's version.

If you have beautiful Pennsylvania photos that you would like to donate to this project, please submit.

Preferred image size is 1600 x 1200 at 72 dpi, saved as a .TIF file.

Submissions should be sent to taylor@pennfuture.org

Deadline for photo submissions is Monday, November 29th.

Troma's Lloyd Kaufman at Pitt this Friday

Lloyd Kaufman, Troma President (TOXIC AVENGER) and author of MAKE YOUR OWN DAMN MOVIE is coming this Friday, November 19th, 2004, at 5:30 PM at Room 501 of the Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Forbes Ave, University of Pittsburgh.

FREE and open to the public!

Lloyd Kaufman: "Make Your Own Damn Movie!"

Entertaining and informative advice from the producer/director/actor who has
done it himself (Toxic Avenger, Tromeo & Juliet), and runs Troma, the oldest independent production company in the world!

Troma has a loyal fan base and gave stars such as Kevin Costner, Billy Bob
Thornton, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert DeNiro, Dennis Hopper, Dustin Hoffman
and the South Park creators the chance to get a start!

With 30 years of experience with independent films, Lloyd can show you how
to make a movie, even if your funds are tight. Don't miss this FREE
interactive event that already taken campuses across the country by storm!

Everyone is welcome, so spread the word!

Don't just dream about making movies, do it!

www.pittinhollywood.org

We just talked about this last night

Trib covers special election for PA Senate listing some possible Dem candidates.

I expect to enter that race as a Libertarian.

Official announcement(s) expected December 15, 2004.

Click the map to see a full sized image that is more readable. Thanks Chris.

Homespun Ponderings about Electorial College

The first Homespun Symposium question: Is it time for the U.S. to end the Electoral College? If so, in favor of what alternative system? If not, why is it still relevant and beneficial to the nation?

I'm a huge fan of expanding our democracy and making a much more open public sector process. We need large measures of accountability. Our system is frail and ill. But, I don't want to mess with the electorial college. I'd say keep it as it is for the next 10 years or so as there are many more important things to tackle first.

I don't care about the pimple known as the electroial college. Rather, I care about the cancer that strickens our overall wellness in terms of (small 'd') democracy.

We should insist upon ballot access changes. In my city, the old parties get to put candidates onto the ballot with a fraction of the signatures on the petition vs. those in minor parties or as indies. Ballot access is a big, worthy issue in Pennsylvania.

We should insist upon a new entry on all elections of individuals: None Of The Above. NOTA! If candidates had to race against each other, and outscore NOTA, then we'd be much better along in terms of our public service. The 'lesser of two evils' dilemma goes out the window.

I'd be a strong supporter of the removal of the single-party lever. Yep, we still got them. And, lever-puller data should be made public at each polling place. I'd like to know how many people in each polling place voted with one action. I think that reporting could be very insightful, until those levers are removed.

Plenty of other great ideas exist as well. They are all going to be blended into my Platform.For-Pgh.org as I build a case for elected office in 2005. Referendums, percentage votes, and retention votes for authority appointees make great sense and should be enacted before the E.C. is scratched.

Another reason for keeping the E.C. -- Iowa and New Hampsire. A campaign is a dance. We've got voters in those areas, and others, that take their added responsibilities with great seriousness. Retail politics can thrive with today's system at certain, early periods. Without the E.C., candidates wouldn't hit the other areas much. The overall dance would change greatly. Meltdowns like that of Howard Dean might not unfold. Candidates could just set up in studios in major media cities.


Back in Pennsylvania, I am NOT in favor of moving our election day to a sooner period in the presidential primary time line. We shouldn't vote in a snow storm.

If anyone wants to inject democracy into their everyday email discussion groups, check out one of the other projects I'm engaged with: eVote, http://Deliberate.com/ and the eVote blog.

Pay raises

Pledge 1:
I won't ever vote for a pay raise.

We don't need to pay our state reps more money. Sorry Harry Readshaw, Mike Diven, Jim Ferlo and you others that represent us. I'm sorry too that you'd put the pay raise matters into effect in a lame-duck session that has so many more important things to occur.

Pledge 2:
Upon leaving office, my golden parachute would constitute nothing but a swim coaching position.

Pledge 3: If I become mayor, and if I ever want a pay raise, I'll put the question to the people of Pittsburgh in a referendum. The voters can decide.

Beating up on Murphy

Murphy might go down in this election. Another "punching ballots" story is unfolding. It's a mayor's race too, but in California.

See the post here from Oct 1, 2004, Maverick Enters Mayor's Race.

The campaign of Donna Frey was challenged in Superior Court. They say the city charter does not allow for write-in candidates in general elections. They wanted an injunction to halt vote counting.

Frye scored 35 percent of the vote to incumbent Dick Murphy's 34 and a county supervisor, Ron Roberts' 31 percent.

A crowd chanted, "Count our vote!" The lawsuit amounted to a pathetic attempt to stop the democratic process. "I will fight any attempt to undermine the will of the voters."

The vote needs to be certified by November 30. For more info, just google it. New comments welcomed.

Today's a great day to kick the habits.

One habit that should stop.... Smoking. Today is the Great American Smoke Out.

Too many young people are smoking. Kids ages 8, 10, 12 are starting their smoking careers. We need some focus on wellness. I've got some wellness planks being built at the Platform For Pgh.

Another habit to kick, one-party lever pulling.

Four or more meeting nights

Tonight was one of those nights, too much to do.

The RED team in Market House soccer (middle ages) played in the championship game. Missed it. Same too with the older kids. Was covering swim practice at the kids there went on the road to watch a college meet at W&J. Plus, won a 2nd election in as many weeks. More news on that later.

The Market House's Family Fun Night is tomorrow -- and I'm not missing it. South Side's light up night is a bit earlier. Harry Readshaw is to be there to throw the switch on the snowflakes. See the South Pgh Reporter for more details.

Flick: Grass

Catch the movie called 'Grass' on Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 9 pm in 104 David Lawrence Hall. Venue holds 75 people. It is either about lawn care of marijuana.

Communications In The Arts, seminar with Andrew W. Thornhill

This series of seminars and discussions is designed to help arts
organizations, artists, media outlets and local businesses gain greater
advantage from their communications planning and implementation.

Begins, Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 9:00 to 2:00 pm.

Details in the comment section.

Hosted with PCTV21.

Ho, ho, ho.

Easy info on downtown Pgh

The PDP, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, is making it very easy to find out everything to do this year. It's so streamlined...... thin..... concise...... don't blink......

Fireworks at midnight. Weee!

Last one to leave, please turn out the lights.

Mapping the city for serious, smart campaign

The map is small, to fit the blog. Click the map to go to the directory to see a few others, all larger. The city's vote areas are mapped. Vote totals from Rauterkus 2001 are being matched with others, such as Libertarian candidate for US Senate, Betsy Summers, in 2004.

Other maps you'l be able to see show my votes vs. Carmine in 2001. I got creamed in Shadyside, and those areas show as white.

Too shady and oh so rich

Golden parachute for Mt. Lebo's School boss. gets good blog mentions at Pittsblog.

I wonder if part of this is from a fallout with the botched swim pool deal? The school and the township should have pulled their resources and made a great aqutics facility that would have been a regional asset. But it didn't happen, sadly. The plan wasn't held together with enough duct tape or vision or something.

With her $500k, she could make a nice swim pool benefactor.

NY, Paris, London, Madrid or Moscow

"New York offers the Olympic movement an outstanding combination of marketing, financial and media power that can help the games achieve a new level of global prominence," Ueberroth, chairman of the U.S. Olympic Committee, wrote in The New York Times on Sunday.

New York's plan is for a stadium on Manhattan's West Side that would be home to the NFL's Jets. The uncertainty surrounding the estimated $1.4 billion project may complicate the city's Olympic hopes.

New facilities would be built for cycling, rowing, sailing and swimming. Multiuse arenas would be added for fencing, badminton, judo and wrestling.

"New York's bid is superb in every area," Ueberroth wrote. "[It] will add to the quality of life for future generations of New Yorkers and leave one of the most impressive legacies of any Olympic host."

I'm torn between NYC and Moscow. Going to Russia would help in many ways. But I've got a place to stay close to NYC.
As for the new Jets stadium, hold onto your wallets.

Sweet Catherine to WJAS

WJAS with "Chilly Billie" made radio today from the DePaul Institute in Shadyside and interviewed my sweetheart, Catherine. He jagged with her on the air calling her "Sweet Catherine" and the Neil Diamond song, Sweet Caroline, was in the playlist,

.

I'll post the sound files of the interview some day, I hope.