Transportation blog needs a dozen worthy volunteers and contributors

This current events blog outsources chatter on transportation to a sister blog, http://Ratsburgh.blogspot.com. The issue of transportation stretches from roads, potholes, river-traffic, light-rail extension, PAT's doomsday budgets, Mon Valley Toll Road and bikeways, to name a few.

We need a number of others willing to chime in on these matters, posting pointers and insights, at that blog. Interested? Willing?

Seems as if the special session to the legislature called for by both Jake Wheatly and Don Walko isn't happening in 2004. Snip from the New Pgh Courier:

Steve Mishkin, spokesman for House leader Sam Smith, R-Punxutawney, said the session is over and the governor is to blame.

“The administration would not do a supplemental, they wanted permanent taxes and fees as a temporary fix,” he said. “The governor can use surplus Intergovernmental Transfer Funds to tide PAT and SEPTA over. There’s $250 million right there and he doesn’t need legislative approval.”

In a letter sent to Rendell Nov. 12, Smith noted the legislature held off on discussing transit funding at Rendell’s request until an audit of SEPTA and PAT was completed. “Having just indicated (Nov. 22) that you received the final audit report Nov. 12, I am concerned that it has not been shared with either the House or Senate Transportation committees, or leadership as far as I know,” said Smith. “This information may have been helpful as we sought to reach an agreement on temporary funding for public transportation.”

Smith said he remains committed to working on further dedicated funding for mass transit early in the next session and urged Rendell to use the funds at his disposal, which he would have to do anyway since his proposed taxes would not yet be available.

“If using any of these funds truly creates a secondary problem, I propose we consider any transfer as a loan, which can be subsequently addressed during the general budget process,” he said.

PAT spokesperson Judy McNeil said the staff is assembling its public comment report for the board of directors and has put the process in motion to increase fares, cut service and layoff 500 employees by March.

“With nothing happening in Harrisburg, there is not enough we can do administratively to close a $30 million budget deficit,” she said. “On (Nov. 21) SEPTA sent out 1,400 pink slips. So it’s pretty gloomy around here.”

Too many secrets, closed door meetings and double-dealings

Rendell's double-dealing by the Trib's Brad Bumsted: It was one more public relations nightmare for Gov. Ed Rendell. ... Rendell had a secret plan for a commuter income tax.

Only with the legislature's blessing could a commuter income tax be pursued. But the legislature won't bless anything Tom Murphy champions. This plan wasn't solid for the city nor the region. But even if Murphy had figured out how to cure cancer, The Murphy/Rendell/O'Connor plan would not get a reception in Harrisburg.

It's obvious that Rendell and/or the Murphy administration were angling for a loophole in the law. These guys try to wiggle past the letter of the law. And, at the other end of the spectrum are others who would rather value the spirit of the law and do the best things on the basis of a higher calling.

House members insisted on the provision because they don't trust Rendell. (And Tom Murphy too.)

A disaster for Rendell is that his credibility - and his top staff's - was already damaged in negotiations with legislative leaders during the final weekend of the session. Senate Republicans aren't sure how they can deal with Rendell in the future based on how he botched things with what they say was a disorganized agenda with shifting priorities.

Rendell and Tom Murphy are good together. They broke campaign laws together. They spin each other's lies together. A special on the city cable tv shows Rendell giving a big check to the city and Rendell says how he is unaware of anyone in the city raising the white flag and leaving. None. I don't know how he can say that with a straight face.
Stephen MacNett, counsel for Senate Republicans, said he hadn't seen such a poor effort since the tail end of Democrat Gov. Milton Shapp's administration (1971-79.) He called it "a shameful performance by the front office."

Speaking of Comcast, Rendell was demanding a huge annual tax break for cable giant Comcast in Philadelphia.

The flap over the conference call was an example of "what we've been dealing with. He (Rendell) says one thing, then he's running around doing something else.

Does this slogan work for you?

Could it be more clear? Comments welcomed.

Senior Showcase Night -- a western PA tradition

Seniors talk here is not about blue-hair bingo players. Rather high school seniors who want to scramble for a football scholarship for college.

This outfit, www.akrecruiting.com, of which I know nothing, is holding a Senior Showcase Night on December 7 at the Pittsburgh Indoor Sports Arena (up Rt. 28). More info contact AK at 724-826+1331 or email - akrect at salsgiver dot com.

Swimming is so simple next to football.

Saw DU's head football coach at the All-Star game at Cupples today. By the way, the city kids scored 44 points and the north team (mostly from the burbs but also included North Catholic) had zero. I don't think that the scoreboard was broken, but it is very old. (Snicker as to the scoreboard's age.)

South Side's football stadium -- move Pitt's spring game here!

The PG's education reporter covered some of the fix ups at the South Side's football stadium, owned and operated by Pgh Public Schools. The article gives some depth, but sadly, was only put into the public eye after most of the construction has been completed. Too late. I knew this was to occur and happen, but the general public didn't. Wonder what would have been the story had this news hit when the news of school closings hit?

For example, the K.O. (Keystone Oaks) coverage on its stadium happened before the building. It has had plenty of buzz and coverage.

Article: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04332/418120.stm

"With all these changes you've done, what have you done for the facilities players actually use?" Tokarski said. "And there are things they could be fixing in the athletic program that don't cost a dime."

At the most recent school board meeting there was a conversation about the overtime pay that also got a lot of ink -- after the fact. Some janitors make more than $100k as they work a bunch of overtime. The board member, Randall Taylor, said that there are lots of things that we as board members can't get to. He made the point that there are things that go on that he can't see or or hidden by design, and its his job to set policy and be aware. As the district is so big that board members have troubles, then we all have troubles.

There are many things that occur in a big district that don't get attention. Both good and bad things happen. Part of our problem is the fact that the district is so large. I think we'd be better served as citizens and taxpayers if we split up the PPS into a few other districts. And, I'd love to see one of the splits be horizontal -- cutting the 9-12th grade education into one highschool district.

I have a lot to say about the stadium, but let me only sping one bigger item today. The Pitt's SPRING Football game should be played at South's Cupples Stadium. I would like to see a "spring sports sepectacular on the South Side." Parade from the practice facility, block parties, all sports getting a bit of a showcase in the neighborhoods, street festival, tailgates, graduate activities, game on a Saturday afternoon in the spring.

Pitt has played its game in a high school venue in the past, in the burbs. Pitt has been kicked out of Heinz Field in the past too. Pitt's spring game crowd is thin, not like the sell out at PSU. And, Pitt needs to do more with an open house at its sports performce place and community efforts in the neighborhoods of Oakland and South Side.

Finally, two other points about the PG article. I called the writer and left her a voice message of thanks plus:

A) The story behind the story is the fact that the Pgh Public School's Athletic League should dissolve and the schools should merge with the WPIAL.

B)What's going to become of South Vo Tech High School? I'd love for that faciltiy, with its fixed-up stadium, be the home of the new Pittsburgh Park District. Take all the offices of County Parks and Rec, Citiparks and School Athletics and Afterschool, and put them under one roof -- ASAP. Then bring in the offices for other rec associations as well. We need to use South as a hub for community. More.

I'll be at the stadium shortly, with the sign, Fire Mayor Murphy, to mingle. Was there last week for Perry's playoff game too.

Doug Shields and Shield Laws --- psst --- wire taps?

The boys on Grant Street have their nose bent out of shape as some of their secrets came into the PG with Tim McNulty's lead story.

Just a few days ago I wrote an obscure position plank that concerned this topic. Funny how it was pulled into the limelight so quickly. Platform.For-Pgh.Org's plank on journalist and shield laws.

I graduated from Ohio University with a Journalism degree. I'd never make the threats I heard from City Council President Gene Ricciardi today. Unreal. He's "going to keep this on the front burner." Murphy too came out to rant about an investigation.

If I'm elected mayor, I'll help the folks in the media do their jobs. They have a duty. We need them to stay awake and alert. The Fourth Estate has a most important job.

Furthermore, there should be no secrets. I don't want any secrets. These guys are working in the public sector and they are talking smack about trust.

PG Editorial, Rendell on the line. A reporter does the public a favor by listening in.

Rendell: "If he was going to unethically eavesdrop, he should have eavesdropped on the whole conversation."

Not to be outdone in the annals of folly, Council President Gene Ricciardi, Mayor Tom Murphy and other council members then called for an investigation into how the call came to be overheard by the reporter.

Creating a community task force focused on African-American Achievement.

At 6 pm on December 2, a consortium of parents, teacher, staff, community leaders and members are gathering at the Kingsley Association, 6435 Frankstown Ave., for the Greater Pgh Alliance of Black School Educators' informational community forum, Collective Voices: A Call to Action for Addressing African American Achievement.

Followin a reception, the community forum will explore the gap in African-American achievement. The goal is to create a community task force focused on improving African-American achievement.

Parents, prepresentatives from community, schools and faith-based groups as well as local political leaders are invited to attend.

RSVP to 412-665-3980. Hope to see you there.

David at the Public Hearing about Act 47 changes

Comments of David Tessitor at City Council Hearing
on the PA Legislature's Act 47 requirements on Monday, November 22, 2005

Council members: You honor me today … by proving me right as you have brought to fruition my most dire predictions over the past decade. This Council, the Mayor, and the Allegheny Conference, a.k.a. Pennsylvania Economy League, have doggedly pursued one subsidy after another for real estate speculation. Now with the City on its knees, you are hellbent upon continuing real estate speculation subsidies while placing the burden for you ways upon the average citizen.

I have watched as you have overseen the dismantling of the City. I have heard Councilman Peduto express his desire to see the City eliminated and it looks as though he and the Allegheny Conference will get their way.

In reviewing the proposal before you, I see you removing much that makes the City a unique urban community. In doing so, you make it harder for the City to compete, not easier.

Let us look at the purchasing provisions. First, surrendering to the County is not any step forward — the County is actually worse off than the City, it just hasn't hit the fan yet. Second, deleting anti-sweat shop provisions is a clear statement that you are inviting sweat shop competition with our fair practice American businesses, some right here in Pittsburgh. Maybe you should turn our purchasing over to Wal-mart instead of Allegheny County.

But you are going to do what you are going to do. So, let me argue in the alternative that if, in the face of the crisis you have precipitated, you implement onerous changes that undermine the urban product, then, at the bare minimum, you must protect the City by predicating the changes upon them existing only as long as the City remains in its fiscal crisis and placing in your legislation a sunsetting provision that returns the present requirements and arrangements to full force upon the City regaining solvency.

In the meantime, I implore you to stop subsidizing the real estate speculation. The Allegheny Conference will undoubtedly argue otherwise, but they have not been elected to run the City. The only time it stood for election as the initiator and proponent of the Stadium Tax, they were defeated 2 to 1 in the city and 8 to 1 in the surrounding counties.

Thank you

Nameth, Dorsett, Cash

Joe Nameth, Tony Dorsett, and Swin Cash (US Olympic / US Post Office) all gathered at the Macey's Thanksgiving Parade.

I've started a VIP page at Platform.For-Pgh.Org to chart celeb endorsements and efforts to secure those statements. This has gotta be fun.

Bob The Builder held up the Lincoln Tunnel on his trip to the city last night as he had to be folded to fit. Seems he had left his ''Easy Pass Card'' in his pocket. (Matt L's (Ohio U) joke).

Musical tunes were generally fitting and well done.

The spirit of America is alive indeed. This great country, great land.
Another tune: Free to dream, million hues of color.

Don't like the recorded music however. It is interesting to watch to see what is "live" and what is not. That's tension I could deal without. Early songs were more about America and later about Christmas. <;/

Floats: Clifford, the big red dog, follows the city's leash laws. Nice political statement.

Maps matter from a Go Blue state big M state.

University of Michigan site on maps of election: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/election/

In addition to that traditional red-blue map of states, these political scientists give you a more realistic way to look at the election based on population vote, along
with some other options.

Sprawl's Ugly Side on a day to feast

Farmer harvested corn; neighbor sowed anger. Interesting story in the PG. Plus, the reporter covered it as a story. Even the headline does not give away the outcome.

Hats off again to great law enforcement efforts. Fantasic! Good news on prevention.

The story behind the story is about sprawl. Live in the city. Stay away from the pesky, loud farmers. Nothing like the din of growing corn to drive you up the wall.

In other matters, the story of the Shaler couple in an apparent murder-suicide shows how things unfolded without the necessary protections. We need to have a watch list that works. This is part of the state's role and duties -- protection. One's home needs to be safe from intrusion.

Shaler couple found dead in apparent murder-suicide When police arrived, they discovered the front door had been kicked in, and found the body of Sheryl Burkhart, 33, and her husband, Barry Burkhart, 46, in an upstairs bedroom. Both had been killed by gunshots.

Except for forced entry at the front door, Morton said there didn't appear to be a struggle.

Chauncy's closing

Eight indicted in drug scheme at Chauncy's: "
'It is apparent that the operators of Chauncy's bar-nightclub cannot and will not control the patrons and the persons attracted to the vicinity of the bar to the extent that they terrorize, ruin its peace and safety and good order, making it a miserable, fearful and dangerous place to visit,' wrote Zappala's staff."

A Station Square night club, ripe with fights, weapon violations, LCB complaints, and other headaches, was with a pad-lock. Closed.

I don't have any problems with taking people to jail. If there is an unsafe area, that should be closed, of course. But, there is a right way and a wrong way to do things.

The flip side of the coin to the closure is the thugs, drunk drivers, drug pushers are now in the neighborhood bars. Having the rowdies in Station Square is fine with me.

I live on the South Side, just 12 blocks from Station Square. Now I'm a half block away from those itching for a fight, flashing weapons, pushing drugs and causing other headaches.

I tried to illustrate the right way to handle matters in Pittsburgh a few years ago with another matter. Recall the wake of a fire in R.I. when indoor fireworks caught a stage curtin with a band's show. That caused many deaths at an over-crowded venue. You don't have BBI (Breau of Building Inspection) storm the place with the police and close the place, kicking everyone out in one swoop.

Rather, no others get to enter. Plus, you turn off the music, turn up the lights, stop the sale of alchohol. Keep the joint stay open the rest of the night, selling coffee. Don't dump a mob of drunks needing bathrooms, yanked off about a spoiled night trashing the entire vacinity.

Plus, a big shake down takes a dozen or more officers and empties the streets of the force.

Chauncy's should have to stay open, selling nothing but soda and coffee. Punish them, not us. Well, seems that two of the managers are in jail too. That doesn't mean that the place can't keep its doors open. Perhaps 10 or 30 others lost their jobs with this total shut down. I hope some were clean.

Furthermore, hat's off for being proactive. Let's choose to run with preventative measures. We need more undercover cops in these places. Take the drug pushers to jail. If we have bullies, any given night, pick em up and have them cool off in a jail cell for 12 hours.

Citiline Apartments on DU's campus

Duquesne Univ. wants to purchase Citiline Apartments. The mayor stood up to the sale. Coverage in the PG.

Mayor Tom Murphy testified that a Duquesne University apartment building should stay on the tax rolls and not be ruled exempt from Pittsburgh ...

I got into politics years ago as the sale of 35 acres of the South Side Works site was about to be sold to UPMC for a sports performance complex that had 4-new jobs, $100k bargain basement price per acre, and smaller-than regulation football fields that broke the NCAA rulebook about shared facilities among college and professional teams.

The plans for the South Side called for flex office space.

The mayor pushed for the UPMC site and its rental agreement to the Steelers. Then he goes around and cries the blues that the non-profits are taking so much land. That's two-faced, at best.

The biggest problem with the non-profit land grab isn't our fine educational institutions. The big problem is the URA.

Should DU buy that property. Sure. Should it be taken off the tax rolls. No. Do DU folks care about 10 new city police officers? Heck no. They've got their own police force.

The big nut to watch about Citiline is the deed transfer tax.

Turnpike Tolls and a travel story with toll workers.

My sister and her family from the eastern part of the state are in their mini-van heading over the hills to Grandmothers house for our Thanksgiving. When I see her I'll ask for the $12.00 saved in tolls.

The toll takers are on strike today. Everyone gets a free pass. Another free skate is expected again on Sunday for her trip home. Might as well hit her up for $24. I'll keep four quarters in my pocket just to be prepared to make change from her $25 bill.

Would be nice to see our nine members on city council working the toll gates today. Think of today as a way to replenish the 'rainy-day fund' as the PA Turnpike Commission is out $1-million that would have been generated.

How long does the strike need to last before new employees are hired. Or, before we start to slide into the hole regardless of the pay raise? Feel free to do the math and post it here. Or, post it elsewhere and give a pointer here.

Speaking of grandmothers, when mine died about 15 years ago, her childhood neighbors from Dunkirk, NY, came to town for the funeral. Margaret Rauterkus was in her late 80s. She lived as a child in NY and my dad as a boy would often go there in summers. The nice family in NY had heard of her passing, got into the car and drove to Pittsburgh. They drove up to the PA turnpike gate in Monroeville and said, "We're here for the funeral of Margaret Rauterkus."

The PA toll worker knew exactly what to say. She gave the visitors turn by turn instructions of how to get to the funeral home. The toll worker, my little sisters friend, had been to the funeral home the prior night.

What ever became of Pitt's Enviromental Law Center?

At one time, say 5 years ago, a lawyer with a connection to Pitt opened up an enviornmental law clinic. One of their first issues was to help with the citizens' defence in the fight to halt the Mon Valley Expressway (Tollway).

What happened to that clinic / center?

Didn't someone get into some hot water about those conditions?

Web URL, names, email pointers, phone numbers ware welcomed, either in the comments or directly: Mark.Rauterkus at Gmail dot Com.

I need to learn more about trespass laws and environmental cases with the Platform.For-Pgh.Org.

Building Neighborhoods By Bulldozing Blight

As a licensed Realtor in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, "building neighborhoods" is one of my responsibilities. And as a city Realtor with great pride for my adopted hometown, I try to do whatever I can to improve the "quality of life" in and around our fair city.

That said, I was interviewed by a prominent TV Reporter, KDKA's Paul Martino, for a piece concerning the demolition of some blighted properties, so people can invest in nice homes in improving neighborhoods.

With assistance from city Councilman Gene Ricciardi's office, one long-vacated home in the Allentown neighborhood was razed. Another, next door to the first, is slated for demolition in the first quarter of 2005.

With luck and more than a little diligence, those active in their communities can help improve their neighborhoods by communication and good will.

Look for the report on Channel 2, KDKA TV, sometime soon. There's a chance that they may want to return to film a "speed boat full of garbage" near another of my listings.

My comments before City Council in OPPOSITION to Act 47's wrath of ordinance changes

Today, Nov. 22, City Council hosted a public hearing at 3 pm that was NOT put onto the city's cable television station, for some unknown reason. The meeting should have been on the government station as it was very important.

Jack Shea spoke just prior to my statement. He finished his statement with a comment about wanting a 9-0 vote, against the Act 47 package.

My name is Mark Rauterkus. My family and I reside at 108 South 12th Street. Pittsburgh's South Side. My home on the internet is at Rauterkus.com.

I have to take exception to Jack Shea's mention of wanting to see a 9-0 vote. The lock-step boosterism is a mentality that got us into this situation. These guys are all of the same party. We need someone around here to break ranks. We need to value dissent.

We need people like Jack and Tom Flaherty, our city controller and leader of the county's Democratic Party, to say Tom Murphy is a big part of the problem and that he should resign.

We don't need a 9-0 vote. Rather, we need to value some disent.

Today I speak more from a parent's perspective. We, the people, are baffled, confused, betrayed and angry. Our public sector is a heavy burden, an anchor, that is pulling us down. We are sinking in our hopes, faith, dreams, and aspirations. We must tell another generation of our kids, and mine are here with me today, that they can't get to where they want to go in life by living here.

We, the people, want to see and need self reliance.

As a parent, an at-home parent, I'm going to take care of my kids. I'm not going to farm out my children's welfare. As an engaged parent, I am not going to choose to stay in a city with absentee elected leaders. I want you to step to do the job and be self-reliant too.

I spoke here a number of months ago and gave away four badminton shuttlecocks as a prop to encourage the ones to vote "no" then and "ruffle feathers."

I spoke four years ago and said "All the king's men and all the king's horses won't be able to put our city together again." We've had a massive fall. Those others have proven that they can't do it on their own. The city needs all the people working together. This plan stinks.

The crossing guards -- they need to write tickets.
The RAD Tax shift -- that antiquated RAD Tax (sarcastic point) is wrong.
The mix tax shift away from schools is bad.
The worst is the deed transfer tax hike.

Ten minutes ago we stepped out of the chambers and I took my son to the bathroom. I told him something that applies here too. You're old enough now. I don't need to wipe. Clean up after yourself.

We teach our kids this. City council is expected to do the same for itself.

We, the people, need to see our city council become more self reliant.

24% of businesses in the state can't find enough qualified workers.

Insights from a friend's email and associated article in mainstream media.

Among the 50 states, Pennsylvania ranks 46th in the percentage of its
labor force with education levels beyond high school. Currently, only 3% of working-age Pennsylvanians are enrolled in part-time, postsecondary education, compared with 6% for the country as a whole.

What are the 47th, and 48th states? Obvious MS, and AR are at the bottom.

Labor Pains: Closing the 'Skills Gap'
November 22, 2004; Page A2

PITTSBURGH -- One conundrum that continues to vex the U.S. job market is this: Workers can't find jobs, and companies can't find workers.

A Labor Department report released Friday on employment trends by state showed that .... (see the comments) ....

Oversight with or without malice?

This blog, Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events, is one of the most vibrant in the blog-landscape. It was part of the PghBloggers.Org site, until this weekend.

Wonder why the blog got zapped?

Another area where the light needs to shine, but the switch is to "off" is the city's cable television department. I was looking forward to seeing the public hearing, on cable. It didn't get done. Funny business. Non-open ways.

Wonder why the public hearing wasn't on the city's government tv station?

So, I had to go there and testify with my kids in tow.

Toss the poor fellow something, but don't make eye contact

An opinion cartoon has the above caption being stated by an older white guy in a suit with briefcase and "non-profits" -- talking with a pear wearing older white women. Then is the City County Bldg in the background with a wire leading to a two crate desk and the mayor sitting there reading budget and a big bucket with "GIVE" sign. The city skyline is in the background.

BTW, a web search on the PG site by Tim Menees doesn't lead quickly to this image. ??

The only problem with the cartoon is that Mayor Murphy is sitting on the sidewalk. Rather, Murphy isn't in the public eye. He isn't on the front lines. He isn't doing 'retail politics.' The Mayor is in a hole. He is accessible.