Duquesne Light and Downtown Living Initiative to Illuminate Building Facades Along Penn Avenue Corridor

This story and project is a glowing example of our wrongheaded embace of bricks and mortar solutions. Putting a bath of new lights onto a block or two of downtown buildings is all about the hardware end of the spectrum -- not the software side of life. I think we need to get away from the focus on the buildings and instead give a priority to the programming, the software, the network, the human elements and the thoughtful components.

Furthermore, this solution is costly. How much? How much to install? How much to maintain? Where is the mention of money? I have no problems with making an investment. And, I have no problem with allowing the foolish to burn their own money and keep control of their own property rights. I'm just flexing my right to speak up and call em as I see em.

But, then again, who voted on this effort? Who owns the public company? Who pays the rates to this power company? Who has to deal with the economic and enviro waves it is to make? Who benefits?

This isn't the first time I'm called into question the efforts of Duquesne Light. A couple of years ago the company thought it a top priority to light up the bridge over the Allegheny River. I made light of the fact that the same money might be better spent if it was invested into math teachers for our 9th graders who were failing algebra. I'd rather have a dozen teaching specialist to tudor, give night classes, assign and check homework, and advance scholorship rather than light a rusting steel expanse in the night sky.

Don't you take great pride in those lighted bridges? I'm sure many hear the claim that their new neighbors have moved to the city despite the 65% failure rate in 9th grade algebra just to soak in the post-card landscapes of our bridges built in the 1930s and 40s.

Since Duquesne Light does lights, and not math tudors, perhaps they would find it more to their mission for the funding of a Vo Tech program. Or, if you gotta have illumination, why not light some ballfields, if not PNC Park for local kid's to use. The bill to hold the city's little league championship games at PNC Park is $7k per year. That's paid out of the Citipark budget.

Duquesne Light and Downtown Living Initiative to Illuminate Building Facades Along Penn Avenue Corridor: "The premier begins with remarks from Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy at 7 p.m. in front of 940 Penn Avenue. J. Kevin McMahon, president and chief executive officer of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, which hosts the First Night celebration, and Morgan K. O'Brien, president and chief executive officer of Duquesne Light, will join him to inaugurate the facade lighting program. Their remarks will be followed by a spectacular laser-light show, which will course up and down the two-block area of Penn Avenue.

'This is just one in a series of public lighting projects Duquesne Light has initiated to help foster a strong, safe and vibrant downtown,' said O'Brien. 'We believe that a healthy downtown is critical to the overall economic well-being of the region, and we are proud to be a part of such a unique project.'"

(More of the press clip is reposted in the comments section.)

City paper ink

"Perennial candidate Mark Rauterkus already owns his dot-com.

The City Paper, alternative, gratis, news weekly, did an article (page 10, Dec. 29, 2004) with the headline, For Stronger Elections -- Mayor candidate haven't declared, but they're snagging Web sites.

You can watch, as I'll open up Elect.Rauterkus.com in the future. Of course I'll yap about it here first.

What's more interesting is Julie M's New Year's Eve party. Perhaps I'll try to bring something there.

I also think some of the comments at some of the other blogs are very telling, IMNSHO. I'll post them in the comments section, FYI, FWIW.

Home fix up. Hired the pros and are very happy.

The new tub and walls are so white. They make the rest of the house look very old, as it is. 

This old house meets BATH FITTERS

Our old bathroom walls had some leaks. They were removed and made ready for a new tub liner. The old tub stayed, but it was covered with a new form-fitted outside cover. 

PG Letters to the editor hits solid points

Love it when two letters in the same day hit home splendid points. Better to use the words of others for extra leverage when I can:

PG Letters: 12/29/04 Thank Mayor Murphy? He brought down the city I thought I'd seen everything in the PG's opinion section, but Elsie Hillman's praise of Mayor Tom Murphy on Friday was nothing short of bizarre ('Thank You, Tom Murphy: Despite Some Painful Years, This Mayor Has Served Our City Well,' Dec. 24 Perspectives)! Mrs. Hillman (pseudo-Republican that she is) must have had a bit too much Christmas cheer, or she has been secluded for so long (except for appearances in the Seen column) that a primer/re-education is needed regarding Pittsburgh's desperate situation.

My former hometown has gone into freefall mainly due to Mayor Murphy's totally inept leadership. I agree with Mrs. Hillman that Mayor Murphy is an honest man -- but without a clue.

Since a Democrat has the only chance of being mayor for the next 30 years or so, here's my plan: Mrs. Hillman should throw some of her vast fortune into helping bail out Pittsburgh, and Dan Onorato (the only Democrat in Allegheny County government with any sense) deserves a chance to go up against the entrenched policies of the ruling party.

Good luck, Mr. Onorato; you're going to need it!

CAL KANE Butler

Mayor Tom Murphy's recent announcement that he will not run for re-election ('Murphy Won't Seek 4th Term,' Dec. 22) should signal Pittsburgh residents to take a stronger role in local politics.

Pittsburgh is best known for its institutions, and it goes unrecognized that rugged individualism has been obliterated through lost jobs, lost family-owned business and lost representation for the unaffiliated person. The relationships among big business and local politics have resulted in socio-economic disaster.

The best strategy for economic and cultural growth in Pittsburgh is to re-introduce manufacturing to the region in the form of independent tradesmanship.

BRUCE REISNER, North Side

Mrs. Hillman being called a pseudo-Republican fits. Cluelessness is also on the mark.

Rich Lord of City Paper asked, off line, so I answer.

Here is a telegraph, pals:

For planning purposes, can you tell me whether you're leaning toward running for mayor, or state Senate ... or something else? And if you're not planning to run for mayor, do you know who anyone in your former party who is?

RICHARD LORD, Pittsburgh City Paper

Hi Rich,

I'm running for the State Senate -- now. I'm on the ballot. Tonight I'll be going to the DU at RMU hoops game. While at the game, a theme is to seek others to run for office too. Both DU and RMU are in the PA Senate 42nd District, FWIW.

I want the State Senate election to be May 17 to save $200k. But, if it was held in March or April, as is the custom, 60-75 days, (Jan 18 start), then I'd be able to be more visible and more active for the May 17 primary as the State Senate race would have concluded.

If I win the state senate seat -- I don't expect I'll run for Mayor.

Should I win the special election, I'd be the lone Libertarian in either chamber. That would be an important role and would mean I'd pull out of the Mayor's race general election.

I'm asking GOPers to NOT put anyone on the ballot. A candidate for mayor can backfire. Run good races for other posts. Rather, they can vote for me as a write-in in the primary (that message comes later). Then my network can join with theirs. We win in the community by addition.

I'll be making calls to the city voters shortly.

Other moves on ballot access for Nov are being considered. To appear on three slots (Indie, Libertarian and GOPer) would be an eye opener.

The Platform.For-Pgh.Org is getting more attention and will be suitable for others to use as well -- from State Senate to Mayor to city council and such.

By the way, as a look ahead, I'll be helping my wife, still a GOPer, help Gene Ricciardi get onto the ballot for District Magistrate on the GOP side. That will be action to take root in early January.

Call me if you want more insights or quotes.

Pittsburgh's embattled mayor keeps quiet, wins support for recovery plan

PG review / coverage The mayor would have to shut up.

'Every day [aides] would remind me not to put my foot in my mouth,' Murphy said recently, laughing at the memory. 'The effort was to stay on message and not have me get people mad.'

The strategy worked when the state Legislature approved the Pittsburgh budget package Nov. 21. It was great news for city government, which was facing bankruptcy in early 2005, but there wasn't exactly a victory parade down Fifth Avenue at the news.

To say the strategy worked is to say Pittsburgh is business friendly -- or -- why not say the Penguins are in first place and we're a city of champions again.

The effort from those aids should have been leveraged to get Murphy to resign. We don't need a leader to zip up for top performances.

In life all moves are either to protect equity or to gain equity. It is offense or defense. So, our city is going down the drain, we are running out of money, we are full of outward migration, our kids are shooting each other --- and the best we can do is sit with a buttoned trap.

Murphy isn't good at playing defense. He isn't good at playing offense either, as his agenda has been a proven failure. And, when he can't play well in either role, the best we can hope for is for him to remove himself and take it to the sideline. That is what should have and still needs to occur.

This is no memory to laugh about and reflect upon as history. This year, 2005, we stay in neutral and keep the back slide in high gear.

Then, what is this bit about Murphy was bluffing? I assume you are talking about his actions in 2000, 2001, 2002. The swim pool closed -- many for good. The kids didn't play baseball. The rec centers still are NOT open. What bluff is that? Is he still pulling the wool over your eyes? Let's not be at odds with the truth. Let's not re-write history so soon and with such absurd stances.

The mayor is still bluffing every second he sits in the Mayor's office. So, perhaps the bluffing from Murphy still in high gear. He isn't leading this city. He hasn't done so in years.

It is one thing to be the one to bluff. It is another to be the one to fall for the bluffing and promote it as reality. Murphy can't be blamed for bluffing as that is all he has left in his inventory. But, those who churn the ink and paper and subscribers with tall tales of the new wardrobe of the old emperor are hardly selling soap.

Pennsylvania's big-city mayors have trouble with the law

Pennsylvania's big-city mayors have trouble with the law: "'It's their method of governing,' Saidel said, lumping ethical shortcomings, prickly personality and other factors under the umbrella of governing style.

'I think old habits die hard,' he said.

This is a hoot, IMNSHO.

Bill Green is looking for a mayor like Rendell. He wants man to meet city to meet job. He wants to see a certain personna and bank-roll justifications. Duhh.

Rendell isn't in trouble in Phili as they have term limits. Same too for Murphy. He should have taken a hike after eight years. The writting was on the wall. I saw it then. Green didn't.

The media --- like Bill Green --- help by sustaining the agony of these situations. John Wayne types are sure to find a sniffling Bill Green in a puckering position.

I heard Lynn Swann might be at the mall next week, sickem Bill sickem. Atta boy.

And, what is sure to reverse this "amazing coincidence" trend is either ego-centric politicians who agree to serve one term and run elsewhere. Or, a new breed of gentlemen, scholar, servants who can dance among the people. And, please, let me be complete and qualify this second half by one more major distinction. The gentlemen part needs few other modifiers if it began with a woman.

How many jag-offs in office in trouble are female?

A women wouldn't make those same mistakes. But moreover, most are smart enough to not step into these messy situations at the outset.

Next mayor must run with ball

PittsburghLIVE.com: "Al Neri, editor of The Insider, a statewide political newsletter, said the perfect candidate will have to persuade voters that he or she is 'a different animal from Murphy and an agent of change for the better.'

An 'anti-Murphy,' Neri said.

Bingo! That fits me.

Knocking on doors, being able to be reached, holding and going to lots of community meetings --- are descriptions of what I'm about too.

'Mayor Murphy developed this whole administrative blockade so the average person in the community could not go to the mayor,' said Mary Ellen Hayden, lead organizer for the local chapter of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. 'It totally lifted the mayor up and away from the people, made him inaccessible.'

Murphy put up walls to protect himself as he couldn't rumble. He knew democracy was messy and he wanted to take the easy pathway with corporate welfare. It is easy to pick up the phone and talk to Rooney or talk to the Alcoa executive. It is hard to talk with the congregation of a church or twenty merchants along Fifth & Forbes.

Voters next year are going to want someone more like them to lead their city, political analysts say. -- Well, that's me in most instances. While I don't have season tickets, I do it one better. I've been know to be a vendor at the games and get in for free. I helped my Uncle Joe for a season or two, "Get your official, game day, souvenier, programs."

Hello: Voters still want a brainy leader, but one with the common touch. A Pittsburgh populist, in other words.

Have you been introduced to the campaign slogan, "We the people?"

Voters are saying: "Let's modernize Pittsburgh, but do it like a Pittsburgher does it," said John Verbanac, chairman of NeriVerbanac Public Affairs, which specializes in political issues. "They want a person who is a Pittsburgher, who understands our uniqueness and who can apply modern solutions and changes to who we are."

Right on.

Because the next mayor will need to answer to the oversight boards, and will have fewer resources, we can choose to pick a leader who has no intention of doing corporate welfare deals (there is no money anyway). I won't need to be sorry and make excuses to those seeking handouts. Plus, we'll be able to have the experienced oversight lords to lean upon on making the budget and finances tick. They'll be calling the shots anyway. And, we'll want someone who can get into the parks, get into play with the kids, get into volunteerism, get into sports and cheerleading and coaching and literacy.

We have toys here to play with among ourselves. We can make this place fun -- without building a downtown mall. I want to work with coaches, leagues, fields and families. That's the type of cheerleading we need.

A candidate will have to show he or she can deal with all that without being consumed by it. A viable candidate will be upbeat, a cheerleader who will lay out a program that excites residents about getting more involved in improving neighborhoods and solving problems.

Problem solving is about being creative and then being able to communicate. Plus, the communication goes in mini-cycles, not one-way.

"We could use a nice person with brain power," said Joseph Sabino Mistick....

I think that the "being nice" part is a little out of focus yet with JSM's comments. Murphy was too nice when it came to management of the city's contracts. He was too sweet with the corporate welfare. He was soft when he needed to be hard and hard when he needed to be soft. Personally, I'm not "nice" all the time. I'm hard in some instances. I'll be nice when I tell you -- you are off the team or your job is going to go to this other person because you're not doing what needs to be done. But, that isn't so nice. We need boldness. We need respect. We need tough-love. We need a coach -- Ditka like. We can cheer, but we can be down in the pit too and riding your back for another 10 reps or another set or more attention to detail.

When I expect this level of intensity, fair play, kindness, scholarship and effort from myself and my friends, then the same can be demanded from others that work with the system, operate in the neighborhoods and choose to live here and engage with our services.

It is about sincere respect. I treasure the worth and dignity of everyone. This includes the kids. Yes, kids, as in non-voters. And, those in the suburban reaches -- another non-voter population. Mayor Murphy has little respect for dissent and for the real treasures of Pittsburgh -- its people and its network of relationships.

Happy Boxing Day

American Gridiron takes center stage on Boxing Day in Pittsburgh. Our gang is also going to the see The Nutcracker.

Letters to the sports editor: 12/25/04

Double yoi and merry good cheer to both letters.

Letters to the sports editor: 12/25/04 Pitt needs atmosphere adjustment

The decline of the Pitt football program starts in its own back yard. Pitt needs to get away from Heinz field. The college atmosphere does not exist there and most students have no interest in traveling on a bus or cab to or from a home game. College football is all about students tailgating and giving their team an added advantage of the 12th man. Therefore, recruiting a high school superstar becomes a difficult sale. Find a way to bring football back to Oakland.

GLENN HERNON, Shaler

Bring back script 'Pitt'

Now that Walt Harris' departure is confirmed, the door has closed on the rebuilding era of former athletic director Steve Peterson. Maybe Pitt can look back to its glorious roots and return something Pitt faithful have missed for a long time (No, not Pitt Stadium): the script 'Pitt' logo on the side of the helmets. It was in place for many years, and it's time for the heritage of Tony Dorsett, Bill Fralic and Dan Marino to return to Pitt's helmets.

FRANCESCO ROSATO, Brookline

Welcome Home Dave!

Hi Coach! Welcome home.

We'll have to get you and your wife new voter's registration forms soon. If you are going to return to Baldwin, you'll be able to vote for me in the special election for State Senate.

Merry Christmas

Hope you and yours have had been having a wonderful time at Christmas. Things are great in our home, but a bit slow on the blog. That's good news.

At our Christmas service lots of folks were asking me what I was going to do with myself now that Tom Murphy has said he wasn't going to run.

The short answer is to make sure that the next mayor isn't worse than the one we've had. And, frankly, that is a real concern. Twice in the past the Pittsburgh voters picked Tom Murphy over Bob O'Connor. Ever consider the option that Bob could have been worse?

Oh well, there will be plenty to do in 2005. And, it can wait for a few days.

Peace. Hope. Charity. And, stay warm.

Cleveland.com is kicking our high tech tails

cleveland.com: Weblogs
1. Taipei, Tawain
2. Spokane, Washington, USA
3. Toronto, Canada
4. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
5. Mitaka, Japan
6. Pirai, Brazil
7. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
8. Tianjin, China
9. Singapore (1999 Intelligent Community of the Year)
10. Sunderland, U.K.
11. Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk Counties), NY, USA
12. Province of Ontario, Canada
13. Greater Cleveland and NE Ohio, USA
14. Calgary, Alberta, Canada (2002 Co-Recipient of the Intelligent Community of the Year)
15. Dublin, Ireland
16. Spanish Fork, Utah, USA
17. London, England, U.K.
18. Issy-les-Molineaux, France

Brief - Ink in the Trib about candidate for 42nd

PittsburghLIVE.com: South Side

Rauterkus seeking Wagner's empty post

Mark Rauterkus, 45, of the South Side, will run as a Libertarian Party candidate for the state Senate seat being vacated by Jack Wagner.

Rauterkus, a swimming coach, was nominated last week by the Allegheny County Libertarian Party as its candidate in the race to complete Wagner's term in the 42nd Senate District. Rauterkus ran unsuccessfully for Pittsburgh mayor as a Republican in 2001.

Wagner, a Democrat from Beechview, was elected state auditor general on Nov. 2 and is scheduled to be sworn in Jan. 18. A successor will be chosen in a special election to fill the nearly two years remaining on Wagner's term, which expires at the end of 2006. The date of the special election will be set after Wagner resigns from the Senate post.

What's Tom Cox saying here?

Can someone please translate this for me?

Murphy's out - PittsburghLIVE.com: "'Over time, people will come to understand what happened here,' said Tom Cox, Murphy's top lieutenant. 'There is brick and mortar, if anybody will see it. The objective legacy is palpable.'"

Editorial: Board and coverage was hitched to Murphy

Editorial: Murphy's limit / Pittsburgh's mayor decides to call it a career: "In the city's hour of desperation, it was hard to find any good will toward Tom Murphy from suburban lawmakers, some Democrats included.

That, if nothing else, was a sign that Pittsburgh needed a new mayor.

Two weeks ago, this editorial board said as much and we also said that candidates with fresh perspective, even from the Republican Party in a city dominated by Democrats, should step forward with their plans for the future. Now that the incumbent has decided not to run, those ideas will get a more thorough airing."

My expression, said thousands of times has been: "Pittsburgh needs a new mayor more than I need to be mayor." Finally, the sign of needing a new mayor get home to those at the PG.

We'll see how the treatment goes to candidates with fresh perspectives. The double talk is obvious in the mention above. Why not just say that the editorial board will be open minded to candidates and don't rub the readers in the nose with the city dominated by Rebublicans swipe?

Thomas Baker for School Board

Tom is a candidate for school board. Site just launched. Go get em!

Thomas Baker for School Board: "I will provide parents and students within District 5 with electronic newsletters monthly so that they can remain in touch with what is taking place in the school district and provide direct feedback to their school board representative"

The Middlebury Declaration

Middlebury is very near and dear to our family. Our Cameron is there as a sophomore. And, the Palmer family has many ties to the school and community.
http://www.vermontrepublic.org/writings/middleburydeclaration.html

The Second Republic, Journal of Vermont Independence

Naylor on Vermont, George Bush and Secession, from the Vermont Cynic.

Vermont Independence Day Petition.

New Hampshire Free State Project

South Side Summer Street Spectacular STOPS

Local news is reporting the death of the SSSSS.

I thought we all knew that this event was toast.

Last year the event organizers were tickled because their event rose in the standings. The event became the third largest annual gathering in the city, up from forth. I think. The pulling the plug on the Regatta lifted the ranking. Big deal.

A possible replacement is the South Side Spring Sports Saturday! Pitt's spring football game could be played on a Saturday at South Vo Tech with a parade from the UPMC Sports Complex to the staduim, tailgates, and a big blending of campus and community.