State tries to quiet conflict over city oversight

State tries to quiet conflict over city oversight: "City Councilman Sala Udin yesterday called for abolishing the state-appointed board altogether."

If the state was interested, folks like John Pippy, Jane Orie, Jeff Habay, (hope I didn't just swear), and others who are elected to both houses (i.e., state reps and state senators), would be around here once in a while. We are a wasteland to these people.

Where are these people? Not to be found or seen or heard of.

The best way to quiet the conflict, so it seems all to often, is to ignore it. That is the standard mode of operation for them. The plan is to ignore and it will go away. Well, the city is going away. The city has been ignored.

If we just take away some of the downtown office buildings and put in a few subsidized apartments, then the urban core will be a suburban homestead. Then those who want to ignore will get their way.

On the other hand, when there is someone who does pitch a fit -- it comes from the wrong perspectives. A tootless watchdog barking up the wrong tree isn't helpful, Sala.

Sala ignores the gross overspending that has been a part of the deals cut by the administration. Sweetheart deals that aid others and pound the taxpayers are ignored. Face the facts -- on all sides.

To me, here is how it works. The oversight board is a lot like those faceless folks who are behind the cameras behind the tinted domed ceiling fixtures in a Las Vegas casino. Trouble points include the fact that Roddey and the others on the ICA have not been "faceless." The cameras need to be everwhere. They need to watch everything. But the time to be noticed most of all is when the culprits are being taken away in handcuffs. That's when the guys behind the cameras should come out for a statement.

We need oversight inside of city government. For 21 years our controller has been Tom Flaherty. So, it is a real joke to see his arch rival, Jim Roddey, pulled into that job on the ICA Board. And, it is a double gas to see Flaherrty gear up to run for the position of mayor.

I welcome those cameras (like in the casinos) within the halls of government. I don't like the casinos or slots parlors coming to town, but do like the oversight.

The ICA staff (and board) and Act 47 team need to be fiscal watchdogs that INSURE that the city stays on the straight and narrow. Watch the payments, contracts, spending and budgets. Watch the incomes, taxes, collections and under utilized assets. When things break down, despite repeated pushes to walk the line -- get out the handcuffs. Toss the uncooperative out of there.

Pittsburgh is in a big pickle because we've had far to many elected politicians who can't play well with others. As Sala calls for the abolishing of the state-appointed board altogether -- he proves the point that he can't play well with others too.

It is time to toss him out too.

This is a great time to clean house. The oversight boards and Act 47 team is on the job, we hope. I crave the opportunity to work with them. With the overlords around, the next mayor gets on board a city and helpers are to either side.

Leading Pittsburgh in 2006 is going to be much like riding a bicycle with training wheels.

Sadly, the biggest trouble won't be the bike, its training wheels nor the energy level of the participants. I see the real trouble in the road ahead -- full of potholes. The city has enough money to repave only four miles of roads in 2006. Our city's surfaces are about to crumble.

We'll need nimble leadership and helpers.

Global Warming Debate at DU Law School, 6 pm, Jan 27

Should the United States continue to reject the Kyoto Protocol on Global Warming now that Russia has ratified?

Patrick Michaels, author of The Satanic Gases, Clearing the Air About Global Warming says Yes!

Donald Brown, author of American Heat says No!

Decide for yourself!

Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 6 pm, Duquesne University Law School, Room 204

Our Hockey Lock-out To Resolve Soon

The South Side Market House is a city-owned Recreation Center that should be home to kids playing hockey on the gym floor three times a week from 4 to 7:30 pm. The season has not started -- but the delay is about to end.

If you are looking for news about the city's only indoor ice-hockey facility and the saga of the now three year old lock out -- sorry. Nothing to report.

If you are looking for news of the Penguins of the NHL -- sorry.

Summary: There have been three hockey lockouts. One is about to resolve.

A meeting was held at the end of last week at the Market House. The hockey season's registration will occur on Feb. 11. The season will start soon after. Details shortly. Days are slated for Monday, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

This fall we played indoor soccer at the Market House on a M-W-Th schedule with three age groups and parent/volunteers running ths show. The ten week season was a great success. We had our own insurance, banquet, jerseys, officials, and visit from the head coach of the Riverhounds too.

The city is now in the process of a 'call back' for the former Citipark employees. Some are gone, moved, retired, while others are waiting to see if they'll get their job back. Some of the Rec Centers are to open. The state of flux, I imagine, was caused, in part, by the staffing and employment issues.

The Market Housse is NOT one of the rec centers that is going to open. But, the city will make a new partnership the the Market House Childrens' Athletic Association, a booster group. I'm on the board there -- but I don't speak for the board or the organization. I just speak for myself, as an engaged dad and citizen who is happy that the facilities are going to be opened for the kids.

Official news to come shortly. We'll be getting the one-page handout to the local schools shortly. Calls are going out to those who have signed up in advance based on the fall season too.

Furthermore, additional adult volunteers are welcome. Parents are expected to help with fundraising and the program's operation from coaching to clean up to organizational help.

Crime alert program to aid South Side residents, businesses

Crime alert program to aid South Side residents, businesses: "'NAN should be a reference tool -- a repository of information,' Evankovich said."

This is my type of organization and organizational thinking. I've been excited to be a part of these efforts so far. I've got more to inject. We need to work together, and these folks understand that and what's at stake otherwise.

Good article. We've got a lot of heavy lifting to do, throughout the city. Hope you have the energy to do your part, where ever that may be.

Chess match: Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda -- playing chess

Got the ball inside the five, 14-points down and fourth down.

Time to play chess.

See comments for more insights.

Pittsburgh mayor likes Valley bar

Pittsburgh mayor likes Valley bar: "The mayor of Pittsburgh apparently is a Cave Creek fan.

Researchers: Help.

Is there a list of Steeler bars on the net? Or, can it be emailed to me? Pointers are welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Whispters shout back

Will John Kerry run again? The ball is in Teresa's hands - PittsburghLIVE.com: "Diven likely would face one of three Democrats if he won the Republican nomination: Allegheny County Treasurer John Weinstein, county Councilman Wayne Fontana or Pittsburgh Councilman Jim Motznik."

Diven, if he gets the nod, he'll be certain to face me, Mark Rauterkus. Certainty should be part of the discussion in the real world. It can be absent in the whispers realm.

Diven switch won't make opponent pull the plug - PittsburghLIVE.com

Diven switch won't make opponent pull the plug - PittsburghLIVE.com: "Mark Rauterkus, of the South Side, is running for the seat as a Libertarian."

Snow: Calliope concert off but Tsunami Relief Event is on.

The Calliope concert was nuked. But that was yesterday and not snow related.

Our swim meet was also called off, but that was 24 hours ago as folks were smart and looking ahead.

Update as to the benefit concert follows:

All;

As my dad the pilot used to say, we're having some weather. As of right this minute (10ish Saturday morning) South Side is strangely quiet, not even quiet but more kind of.... muffled?... but there are still cars and people and buses, so the city does not seem to have shut completely down yet.

As far as tonigh, do what you can. If you cannot get to the theater, it's understood completely. If you can get to the theater, I don't know what kind of audience, if any, to expect. We just have to see what happens. We have ten cases of beer, so maybe we'll just sit around drinking with each other until I decide it's a good time to unearth my old burlesque routines and demonstrate that "In The Hall Of The Mountain King" from Grieg's PEER GYNT is, indeed, a good song to strip to.

I'm en route to the theater now and will be there through the early afternoon. If anything changes I'll send another e-mail. Hopefully I’ll see all y'all tonight. I mean, it’s just snow.

Lissa

Major blunder. Sorry. Source crashes. Bill didn't say he's out. Correction.

Bill Peduto's message from the 14th Ward meeting on Tuesday was presented wrongly on this blog yesterday. Sorry.

Peduto is still considering a run for the mayor's office.

Sorry again.

I got a de-brief on the meeting from someone who attended. The translation from source to this blog broke down. After seeing the mention at the DFA blog (thanks)-- I called the office and got the straight story.

Bill will decide and make an announcement in mid-Feb. He'll have to run for his city council office and the mayor's office at the same time.

Song: One World by Mindy Simmons

This song is the first to be put out as part of the campaign. It is owned and written by Mindy Simmons. We have permission to pass along the song as part of our efforts.

Mindy is performing again in Pittsburgh on Saturday, January 29. She'll do a radio show with SLB (see below) and then a concert at 8 pm at First Unitarian in Shadyside as part of the Legends series with Caliopie. Mindy's concerts in Pittsburgh this past summer were great. She played at the Green Tree Swim Pool as part of the Rotary Community Picnic, delivered a Sunday Service concert / performance, and played at Club Cafe too.

The way I feel, well it makes me scared, When I think about what’s going on over there,
I find myself thinking of the babies, see they don’t know that the whole world is going crazy
They don’t know of their father’s anger, but they’ll soon be witness to their mother’s sorrow
And they’ll grow up in the same oppression, and we’ll find their lives reflect their brother’s aggression
One World, when will we see?


Now I can say, each and every day, I’m learning more and more about the need to pray
I find myself thinking of the families, as their whole world crumbled with the steel and concrete
Yes they well know what can come of anger, and we all are witness to their pain and sorrow
But we must grow and we must be strong, and we’ve got to find a way to right this wrong


One World, when will we see? If we will have our Peace we must accept diversity.
And we must agree to be able to disagree,
without the bombs, without the fear, without suppression of idea,
Without the greed, without the need to snuff out the tallest, or victimize the smallest,
we must foresee, One World in Unity.
One World, One World


Now If I could reach into the hearts of those who hate me and whose views are worlds apart.
Well I’d try to show my own philosophy, to be one in which each point of view is free to be.
And, they would know, of my strong conviction, that each human life has every right to freedom.
And that I’ll go to every length and no matter what it takes this world will be that vision.


One World, what can we do? If we will have our Peace it’s up to me and you.
And we must agree to be able to disagree, without the bombs, without the fear, without suppression of idea,
Without the greed, without the need to snuff out the tallest, or victimize the smallest,
we must foresee, One World in Unity.

One world,

same earth, same sky, same mountain ranges, same water supply,
same God, same love, One Love, one world, one world, one world

To listen to the song or get a copy for yourself, there are a number of ways to make this happen. The best way -- attend the benefit concert on Saturday night.

Oversight board accuses city of pursuing fat deals with police, fire unions

Here is another reason why it is so dangerous and unhealthy to allow Tom Murphy and his cast to remain in office. We need to get them into the private sector. Waiting for 2006 is going to really hurt. And the real hurt isn't felt yet.

The healing for this city and the region happens when we get new people in office and these people have new priorities.

Tough love counts here. And, the unions need to know that the people are worthy of playing well with others. The city has begged for the move to arbitration. That gives the elected, do-nothings, the cover and smoke to pass the responsibility. But on the other hand -- the union leaders have no respect for the elected officials. That respect has been squandered. Spoiled. Rotten. And they have seen their ways unfold in many instances.

Trust is gone.

Jim Roddey should be sending out these memos. But, he needs to be doing more to right the situations. He should be outraged at other issues too. Some issues are not just for tears -- but are for actions that mend, fix and heal.

Oversight board accuses city of pursuing fat deals with police, fire unions The contract actions -- which could not be independently confirmed yesterday -- show a 'total lack of cooperation' and a 'total disregard for what we understood to be the common goal of determining the best interest of the city,' the letter from the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority said.

'We believe that the citizens of the City as well as the hundreds of thousands of non-residents who come to the City each day including the workers who now pay a $52 annual occupation tax deserve better,' the board told lawmakers.

'Most important, under these circumstances, we must inform you that the ICA can no longer provide you with the assurance of financial stability for the City of Pittsburgh.'

Mayoral spokesman Craig Kwiecinski said the city has not entered into a contract with the Fraternal Order of Police. Rather, an arbitration panel handed down a contract award last month that is still under review by city officials.

LAVISH EVENING, PARTY, AS TSUNAMI RELIEF

Come on out for a great time among community. Many artists and performers are joining together.

In the Wings: 1/21/05A partial list of acts: Ruth Draper monologue by Kyle Wagner; musical selections from Doug Levine and Karen Dryer; short play by Chance D. Muehlick, LIVE Theater Company; short play by Jason Planitzer, the Summer Company; short play 'Twist & Lout,' with Brennan and Daniel Krell; reading of Walt Whitman by Martin Giles; excerpt from 'Mrs. Shakespeare' with Yvonne Hudson; excerpt from 'Daddy's Girl' with Kendra McLaughlin; Shakespearean sonnets, by Unseam'd Shakespeare, with Elena Alexandratos, John Shepard, Mark Staley; performance monologue by The Tortured Genius; spoken word by Nathan James; poetry by Bob Scott and The Dirty Poet; multimedia installation by Mark Rauterkus; storyteller Alan Irvine; reading by Kevin Clark Forsythe; sword solo from Olivia Kissel, Zafira Dance Company. Whew!

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - Trib

Pittsburgh PittsburghLIVE.com "Here's to an independent thinker."

OMG.

Yes, Here, here!

Did someone say something about a big snow job today?

We did it. May 17 is the official date of the special election.

Today's PG is reporting:

Special election set for Wagner's Senate seat

Special election set for Wagner's Senate seat: "Special election set for Wagner's Senate seat

Friday, January 21, 2005

Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll has set May 17, the day of the primary election, as the day when a special election will be held to fill the now-vacant seat of former state Sen. Jack Wagner, D-Beechview.

The Democratic and Republican committees in Allegheny County will meet soon to choose a candidate to run in the special election in the 42nd Senate District, which includes parts of Pittsburgh and some of its western suburbs.

State Rep. Michael Diven, who is currently a Democratic House member from Brookline, is thinking about switching to the Republican Party and running for the open seat.

At least two Democrats have been mentioned as potential candidates, county Treasurer John Weinstein and county Councilman Wayne Fontana.

Mark Rauterkus of the South Side is running for the seat as a Libertarian.

The district has more Democrats than Republicans, but some Republican officials in Harrisburg are optimistic that Diven's name recognition would give the GOP a chance.

Not being mentioned on the D side is Frank G., Jr. Missing from the GOP side is David J of Scott. Humm.

Thanks to all who have helped put forth the message so as to set the proper election date.

Pitts - burra an at so says the Queen.

NOTICE OF REVOCATION OF INDEPENDENCE by John Cleese has been sent to me by Ken. See the comments. (humor)

While DC danced, we pulled nails in Carnegie.

Today the nation watched as the oath was given at noon, as per the Constitional instructions. Meanwhile, I was in Carnegie along Sixth and Fifth Ave. Yanking nails, preping for more drywall, putting buckets under a leaking roof, moving household belongings -- just lending some hands.

Lots of residents were on the edge of the creek just a few days ago. It was within four feet of an exit from the banks, again. It is way down again, perhaps 15-20 feet.

For fifty years or so, the creek was left to its own. One neighbor has common sense by saying it is the duty of Carnegie to keep the waterway clean. After the Corps of Army Engineers worked the channel -- nothing has ever been done. Decades of neglect.

Many are going bankrupt now. Others who have lost their life's savings from cars to homes to furnishings to rental incomes are on the edge. The fortunate have been able to bunk with family in other neighborhoods around the region.

But the question still that remains unsolved -- will it happen again? What can be done to dredge, clear and streamline the water's path to insure that the water flows rather than floods?

Aid to Asia, the concerns for the ones in Florida -- some hit twice within months -- and our Carnegie and Millvale (plus others) -- makes me numb. The celeb balls and DC parties don't even interest me. I didn't watch a second of it today. Not even the evening news. There is a lot of heavy lifting to do -- and it can't get done without getting some mud on the tires.

Next year, January 2006, we'll have a new mayor. If I'm in that role -- we'll hold a modest event in City Council Chambers. Then with a mass transit re-schedule, we'll hold a ten hour block party within the Wabash Tunnel. No fireworks. No Convention Center. No beer. No parade. Just Station Square, Tunnel, tunes, talk, and neighborhood reunions. And for the kids, we'll have some age-group parties that.... Hold the phone. Time will tell.

Musings from POP! Public Relations -- The Silece on Ketchum is Deafening

Musings from POP! Public Relations: "The Silence on Ketchum is Deafening

'I have raised points that I thought should be picked up by other PR bloggers, where we would all raise a red flag ... and silence.'

That was my quote last June for PR Week's article on PR bloggers push forth the medium.

What happened? Nothing has really changed - I blog about issues that I see as wrong in public relations ... and it's not picked up anywhere.

Why don't PR bloggers raise the red flag on issues within PR? Why have we stayed silent on the Ketchum debacle, and not raised our voice. While this is a PR issue - and we are all about how blogs are the new communications tools, change the world, blah blah - Ketchum has barely been brought up in the PR blogosphere.

When the story broke in the mainstream press, a local radio host, Lynn Cullen, (she leans way to the left), ranted about the story. My call to her and her guest, who was not then on the air, was about Ketchum. The PR firm and the ad agency are not the same. I understand. However, there was a Pittsburgh connection. I think Lynn should have pulled others into the discussion. It is her show. I tried to do so.

Larry Berger of Saturday Light Brigade -- getting set to rock the Burgh!

Larry has made a new studio and put it within the North Side's Childrens' Museum. I've yet to be there, however, in two weeks, our dear friend, Mindy Simmons, is booked for the show. We'll be there then. So should you.

Larry writes (with editor's insert of URL links) in his recent email newsletter:

We always dreamed that a well-designed studio with room for guests, performers and a live audience would allow us to better serve our community. And this week’s show is a great example of what can happen!

We’ll have our usual mix of acoustic music and puzzles for kids, adults and everyone in between as well as some very special guests:

At 8:20, Carol Rasco, President and CEO of Reading is Fundamental (RIF). and Cindy Krappweis, Executive Director of RIF Pittsburgh, will preview “Read With Me: The 2005 RIF Community Reading Challenge”, a national RIF event for which Pittsburgh is the official launch city! The kickoff celebration is January 26th, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and SLB will be on-hand along with other people, organizations and celebrities who care about literacy and reading. Following Pittsburgh’s kickoff, over 1,100 schools from around the country will participate by taking part in two weeks of creative reading activities between January and March. For details, visit http://www.rifpittsburgh.org or http://www.rif.org.

At 8:30, Susan Orr and Jackie Keiner-Szwarc from Girl Scouts Trillium Council join us to preview this year's Cookie Sale.

At 10, we’ll celebrate the City Theatre Young Playwrights Festival, showcasing plays by middle-school and high-school students and running from January 22nd through February 6th. Tune in to hear excerpts from the plays, meet the student playwrights and hear alumni discuss how the festival has impacted their lives.

At 11, oldtime banjo player, storyteller, and novelist Sheila Kaye Adams peviews her Saturday night concert at Carnegie Lecture Hall that also features Hutch and Dave (Bob Hutchinson and fiddling Dave McLaughlin). Tickets are still available via ProArts (412) 394-3353 or at the door.

At 11:30, Calliope School teachers Martin Destin (guitar) and Ceinwen King-Smith (voice) join us along with Donna Isaac (fiddle) to discuss upcoming classes and how folk music is part of their lives. They also will play and sing a tune or two. Registration is underway.

Remember, kids and adults can be part of our live studio audience between 10 and noon -- this week and every week, no reservation required. Our studios have comfortable seating, great sightlines and a rare chance to be part of a live radio program. There’s no admission fee and you also can sample the Children's Museum's grand hall, museum store, and cafe. After our broadcast, stick around to learn more about our radio studio and visit behind the scenes or consider touring the rest of the museum with purchase of admission wristband at the front desk.

The Saturday Light Brigade is more then just a radio program -- we're a place where people of all ages can get together and enjoy each other’s company as a community. We hope you’ll tune in or be part of our studio audience. As always, thanks for being part of SLB.

Diven mulls joining GOP for Senate race

Diven mulls joining GOP for Senate race: "Diven mulls joining GOP for Senate race State representative may switch parties to vie for Wagner's vacated seat.

Told ya. Oh well, time will tell.