Recording an album with our friend, Mindy Simmons, in Pittsburgh!

Mindy Simmons in Pittsburgh. The CD / Album is due.  

AP -- Dem close to joining GOP

AP Wire | 01/28/2005 | Allegheny County Dem close to joining GOP: "Senate Democratic aides said Diven this week asked them for $54,000 in campaign funds to pay off debt in exchange for him remaining a Democrat. Diven, who reported a $35,000 debt in December, said he never made such a request and that he would not base his party affiliation on it.

I'll meet with anyone. Mike called me yesterday and we got together this AM for a civil conversation as the 2-hour delay unfolded.

Understanding that I'm a realist and not in a fantasy land, here are some highlights from my vantage point: One: I'm in the race. Diven isn't. There is a great chance that he'll get second among Republicans and not make it to the special election.

Two: I've got my ideas and platform out there now. People have a clue as to what I stand for and what I care about. I'm in this for ideas, principles, values that are dear to me and to our community. Without a platform from him, its hard to have much of a conversation. Should I see ten press releases and position papers that deal with technology with the youth (he did start a computer lab that closed the minute he left city council) and recreation -- then I can begin to lift a smile. The formation of a Park District shouldn't be a foreign to the solution line-up in the months to come.

Presently, I've never heard Diven tell Mayor Murphy to resign. He still needs to go from Grant Street. Diven likes Murphy, alot. (gulp)

Presently there is a Deer Creek TIF in the process at Allegheny County Council. I hate TIFs. I've spoken against that one at its public hearing. Wayne Fontana, Dem, possible race participant as well, is in FAVOR of the TIF. He'll have to take some heat on that sprawl position, even for infrastructure. We need infrastructure redevelopment too. Diven who voted against a TIF or two back in the day needs to put out the word that the TIF is bad. Will he?

There is more that should be left for future postings. And, its time for the family meal.

Elsewhere mentions of mine in other blogs.

See the comments area:

One is to Grassroots PA: "PoliticsPA."

TV 11 says Tom F. won't run for Mayor: No Bob vs. Tom rematch.

Four years ago as I was a candidate, it was generally Bob vs. Tom. A dozen debats had ONLY Bob and Tom. Bob and Tom each spent $1M. Frick and Frack. Machine politicians. Then Tom Murphy is out but inject a different Tom! Oh no!

Now we hear that TOM Flaherty won't run for Mayor, so says the report on TV 11.

Humm.... Months ago I would have never expected him to be a candidate. Then I was more convinced that it was possible. Tom has some capacity to get fired up. But, he'd have the potential to overheat and melt-down too. And, perhaps, there might be others out there that might try to make his road more trouble than it is worth.

The other alliance to watch is between Tom F and Bob O. Will Tom stay neutral as he is the chair of the Dem party? I can't see him being "above the fray" in terms of the back-room dealings.

Thanks for your feedback.

Radio shows - Here I come Homespun!

Called into the Bowyer show today. Talked a moment about the race for state senate. Tonight at a school meeting, "key communicators," one of the fellow parents came up to me and said she heard the call. She had a lot to say about the players involved.

Furthermore, I hope I was able to get Doug of Homespun Bloggers the content for the radio show he's been coordinating. Should be fun. I'm just getting some elbow room to do more with those elements in the production aspects.

Yesterday I was on hold for 20-minutes to the Boywer show and had to bolt. Spoke to the producer and just couldn't wait any longer. Not fun being behind a caller who is a real bible technical debater as those calls can eat up the minutes.

The theme then was about Pittsburgh and hitting bottom. One prior caller gave a recap of the Sala Udin rant about how he wanted to abolish the I.C.A. -- or ask that the state do that. Then the comment was, wrongly, that no others were standing up against such foolishness. Well, there is some opposition to Sala on council. I heard Alan H. say that Sala has as much chance of getting rid of the I.C.A. as they did in getting a $144 Occupation / Commutter tax. Some do have cooler heads, but then again Alan H. is about to leave city council as he is NOT seeking re-election this year.

In a nutshell, Pittsburgh has yet to hit bottom. And, I'm optimistic.

Obituary: William J. Schofield III

I will miss, as will countless others, Mr. Schofield. He was a giant in many ways. I was always warm to talk with him. Open, candid, and such a dad. He was a swimming parent -- for sure. His son, no pup now, is a coach. Mr. Schofield, we'll miss you.

Obituary: William J. Schofield III / Insurance executive with knack for politics and community service: "William J. Schofield III, a successful Shaler insurance executive with a booming voice who was involved in local Republican politics, died Monday of an apparent heart attack. He was 78."

...

In 1984, Mr. Schofield was defeated by Larry Dunn for the position of county Republican Party chairman. Mr. Schofield had campaigned on a pledge to shake up the GOP establishment from the top down.

He contended that the party apparatus had neglected local campaigns, siphoned local funds into state and national races and generally was responsible for a decline in the number of GOP elected officials, morale and achievement in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.

Saturday morning's concert details - North Side - tune in or be there

Our friend, Mindy Simmons, performs two concerts this Saturday. Please turn out or tune in. The Saturday morning event is on the radio and open to all to come for free, at the North Side's Children's Museum.

I've been providing CDs of the song, One World, written and sung by Mindy, in our activities about town in the past weeks. She is very talented and has offered a lot to the campaign with her song.

The following comes from the radio host on Saturday. He plays another role too as he is also going to be at the concert Saturday night, 8 pm, First Unitarian Church, Shadyside, on Morewood Ave.

Other great things happened this week. SLB was featured in AIRSPACE, a national publication showcasing best practices in public radio (see http://www.slbradio.com). Also, thanks to flagship station WRCT (http://www.wrct.org) you can now listen to SLB live via streaming MP3 (as before) or Ogg Vorbis, a new technology said to offer higher quality at lower bandwidth.

On this week’s radio program, ... we’ll have special guests:

At 8:20, Jeffrey Dorsey previews Unblurred, the monthly arts event put on by the Penn Avenue Arts Initiative (PAAI) as part of its efforts to revitalize the Penn Avenue Corridor between Negley and Mathilda avenues through the arts.

At 11, we’ll feature live music with Mindy Simmons, a Sarasota-based musician whose performances have been described as Peggy Lee meets Carol Burnett! In addition to her joining us on air, we’ll join Mindy to emcee her 1/29/05 performance at 8 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, Morewood and Ellsworth Avenues, Shadyside.

As always, we hope you'll tune in on the radio or be part of our studio audience. Doors open at 10. There is no admission fee, you can hear great live music, and watch how a radio program comes together as well as 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.

Thanks for being part of The Saturday Light Brigade, a public radio tradition from Pittsburgh, PA.

-- Larry Berger

Dan O wanted an opportunity to counter offer. Counter zero.

County Executive Dan Onorato wanted an opportunity to give a counter offer to US Airways before the news dropped as to the job losses. Dan is mad. Dan is bad that the past state, county and government money has evaporated (my word).

My approach is different.

You can't be mad at the market place. Life is too short to be mad at things like gravity. We have to deal with the facts. I do.

I would have given zero to US Airways. That's a counter offer that makes the most sense. We got burnt. Lots of money went away to them and the relationships for corporate welfare didn't have the weight to keep them here.

My plan for keeping US Airways in Pittsburgh is to rush and give away $0.

On other fronts, I'm all in favor of turning up the heat for CCAC and job training. That is an effort that gives to everyone, not to corporate welfare. I would strongly support CCAC efforts, technology efforts, lower tax efforts.

Allegheny County to US Airways: Take our spaces at $10 a square foot put on the table. Gov. Rendell offers $1.25 M for relocation and $1.2 M tech transfer. Ten day response in writting. Our offer appears to be much better. But, it needed to be ten times better. Dan thinks that the deal was a win-win for the taxpayers. Perhaps it will be a win-win that they didn't take it.

Odd way to interact: US Airways broke the leases at the airport. Didn't bargain in good faith with Jim Roddey. Don't deal in good faith with the unions.

Lynn Swan, good to meet you

I got to talk for a few minutes with Lynn Swann today. He is now aware of some of the political landscape from my perspectives. Being aware is good.

Indie, musical, South Side, launching, fundraising, community, gives voice

The common ground between myself and WYEP are so visible and pronounced.

I love and utilize music.

I love and insist upon giving voice to others.

I love and cherish all concepts that swirl around community.

WYEP is launching a new frontier with its new studio and performance space, as I am with new campaigns for public office.

We both are in the South Side. It's new office is on the same street as mine. Welcome.

A new effort to increase donations is brewing there, as about $2-million or more are needed to complete the building and move. I'm gearing up a fund-raising campaign too, but I'm not seeking that much.

Volunteerism is critical, and we both embrace them.

WYEP is a wonderful cause and voice for the commnity. We'll be happy to have them in our neighborhood. Happier still if everyone comes on the bus and dosn't park in front of our garages.

Sala to try to shred First Amendment Rights and limit Public Comment

As an introduction, when I spoke before city council yesterday, I did NOT mention that I was a candidate for State Senate. I had too much else to say. My name, email and an audio snip was part of the CDs I passed to all on council, but that was hardly spoken about in the talk at the podium.

Yesterday, at the end of the meeting, Sala Udin ranted about a few matters including the public comment elements of the meetings. He has introduced new legislation that is to more tightly define what can be spoken from the citizens. I've asked the city's clerk for a copy of the pending bill. When it arrives, I'll post it.

The citizens have three days to submit a petition to call for a public hearing on the bill. That might occur. Perhaps Sala should have called for a public hearing himself.

Twanda C. wants to co-sponsor the legislation too.

On the flip side, Councilman Alan H. said that the public comment should not be vulgar, but anything else needs to be protected.

This matter is coming to a boil, in part, because of some cruel attacks. For example, one citizen noted how Sala was missing at a meeting a few weeks ago and asked if he was at another "funeral." The next day Sala's brother died.

No doubt, trash talk and personal attacks are not welcomed in any realm. Hurtful elements are to be avoided, and I do my best to do so myself. Furthermore, I do my best to fix, right, or touch up when things go nutty on the part of others as I can.

Public officials need a thick skin.

Public comment needs a wide latitudes.

Free speech needs to be free.

Sala hopes to end political campaign mentions at the podium. It can't happen in the real world. And, it should NOT happen.

The crying shame of this all is the fact that Sala can rant on cable tv for minutes and replay some of the slogans first spoken by Tom Murphy. Sala called for ICA (oversight board) to be abolished. Then in the next breath he won't allow for others to make political mentions.

It is time for those who can't play well -- and work well -- with others to quit. QUIT.

All in all, this makes another great example of how we drive people away from Pittsburgh. The people who come before council should be embraced. The people who take the time to give their comments are the ones who have not quit. We care. We are the fighters.

If I was in council, I'd invite everyone who speaks before that body to a monthly or seasonal picnic. Let's all go out and break bread together. Make it dutch. I'd offer a banquet for the friends of Pittsburgh to come and sit among those who you may or may not have had agreement with in the past.

Even as mayor, that would be a great idea and nobel act.

How about a thank you note or email or follow-up phone call to say, "good point, thanks for your input."

Contributors should not be mistreated. Idea contributors are the best kind.

In an on-going matter, another council member, Len B., ranted about the topics of public comment a couple of weeks ago. Len also talked with a great innuendo in his rant. I called his office to seek clarification three or four times. I emailed his office twice. Never a reply. I asked him if he thought any of my comments before city council had ever been out of bounds. I can assume that his lack of reply means of course not. ??? It was a serious question, placed off line, until now.

I don't want to be hailed as a champion of public comment, always sticking to the bills before council and never giving out my web address. But, I do want to point out how the goofyness continues on Grant Street. And, this is another instance when I'll be on the victor's side.

It made sense to set the special election date to May 17, and that was talked about by me in prior weeks. That was on-topic, as it saved the taxpayers $200,000. It makes sense to hit the "mute button" to catch four-letter words. But that's it.

"QUIT" is a four letter word that should be tolerated. Quit trying to shred The Constitution. Quit trying to block the Sunshine Law. Quit ranting yourself while trying to stop others from a small opportunity to share views. Quit walking within the shaddow of Tom Murphy. And, perhaps it is time to quit and move to the private sector Sala. Otherwise, I worry about people voting with their feet and choosing to quit living in Pittsburgh.

My three mentions to city council on Jan 25, 05

I spoke before city council today.

1) Council gave props to two other groups who are doing fine work in terms of benefits for Asia Tsanami. Another concert is planned. It runs from 4 to midnight in the east on the 30th. I spoke quickly about the benefit on Saturday and said I had some extra CDs. I gave a few away to others in the audience and to council, the clerk and the council budget office.

Mindy Simmons is featured on the CD with her song, One World. Mindy performs on Saturday at 8 pm at First Unitarian.

The CDs have 400 images of our trip in 04 to Asia. The next round, version 2.1, is packed with even more.

2) I mentioned that the hockey lock-out was about to end. Games and activities for the Market House are due to start in mid month. More news soon, finally.

3) As for the Mt. Washington outrage and developer struggles, this is proof positive that folks on Grant Street don't generally play well with others. This whole mess should have been settled well before it hit city council. Who is doing the heavy lifting? Who is making cooperation a must-have element in our public life?

Perhaps the zoning board and the commissions should just flake into nothingness. They are not doing their jobs. Take everything to city council for a 5-4 vote.

AP: Pittsburgh oversight boards squabble

Speaking of not playing well with others, here comes another sucker punch.

AP Wire | 01/25/2005 | Pittsburgh oversight boards squabble over police, fire contracts: "The controversy marks the latest squabble between the authority, whose members were appointed by the governor and legislative leaders, and the Act 47 team, which was created after the state declared Pittsburgh a distressed city in December 2003.

Here is the fix. If and when I'm in charge, we fix the problems with a few simple moves. First of all, we need to shine a very bright light on these matters. We need to have open government. We need to have these meetings put on the cable, radio, internet and with open access to all the meeting minutes.

The oversight board, meanwhile, holds a meeting without telling anyone. They've rushed to quick meetings in the past. That blows trust.

Then we are in ugly positions of not having faith in any party.

Jim Roddey was on the radio today, 1360 AM, with Bowyer. I heard some of the conversation. Roddey is worried, and for good reason. The ICA did a report on the firefighter situation. But, where is that report? It was given to the mayor and the Act 47 team. But, was it released to the internet?

We need folks to play well with others. And, we all win when these actions occur out in the open. That is where we have to put our faith. Let's toss the bumbs out. Let's set a new course with new leaders.

Party switch reported in Trib

We saw this coming for some time.

Diven plans party switch - PittsburghLIVE.com: "...has told Senate Republican leaders he will switch to the GOP to run for the Senate seat formerly held by Jack Wagner.

Those in Harrisburg have been of no help to the city. Now they send us this headache.

New hotel doesn't guarantee guests

Don't count me among those who think another downtown hotel is going to be Pittsburgh's salvation either.

PG coverage of pending deal.
If recent experiences in other cities are any indication, the new $104 million hotel to be built next to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center may not be the tourism magnet its boosters proclaim it to be.

'I can find no real empirical evidence that the new bunch of hotels has made any difference in the convention center business that we can document,' said Sanders, who has made a career of challenging cherished assumptions of those in the tourism industry.

Rather than boost business, such hotels, particularly in less than robust markets, have the potential to drive down occupancy and room rates citywide, said Sanders, a professor of public administration at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

His latest findings come as the city-county Sports & Exhibition Authority tries to finalize an agreement with Cleveland developer Forest City Enterprises to build a 500-room 'headquarters' hotel next to the convention center.

The Greater Pittsburgh Convention & Visitors Bureau sees the lack of such a hotel as an impediment in its efforts to attract business to the architecturally-acclaimed convention center.

The impediment in our efforts to rebound as a city and as a region goes far deeper than the lack of a hotel. The closing of the old convention center and the re-building of the larger facility without the hotel was foolish.

Of course the groups that have come need more hotel space near the convention center. That isn't a doubt. But, the convention center is too big. The convention center won't ever be used to its full potential. The convention center's annual costs are going to sink the rest of the region's projects too.

But Sanders found that new hotels in St. Louis, Sacramento, and Myrtle Beach, S.C., all of which opened in recent years amid promises of increasing tourism, have not lived up to expectations.

In St. Louis, convention and visitors commission officials predicted that a new $265 million, 1,081-room headquarters hotel would boost convention center bookings from 30 a year to 50 or more and would nearly double the number of annual room nights to about 800,000.

But in the two years the new hotel has been opened, that has not happened, according to Sanders.

Twenty-five events were booked for 2003 and 23 were expected in 2004. Convention attendance was 155,700 in 2003, only slightly higher than the 154,800 the previous year. For 2004, it was estimated at 115,300.

Pittsburgh's elected politicians are and have been chasing the wrong goals. The established priorities are wrong.

Consider that the only time our newest, biggest, best building is used by the kids is when they go to attend a college fair. We take bus loads of our high school students to the convention center. There they meet scores and rows of college recruiters. These recruiters are attempting to lure our high school students to their colleges and universities. In effect, the recuitment fair is about leaving the area. In a sense, we've used our best resource as a tool to catapult our best and brightest to far off places.

Pittsburgh and the region has a brain drain. We have a problem when it comes to the retention of our youth.

When we have successful college fairs for our youth -- we won't have anyone at home. The system is working in the wrong ways.

I have a different plan.

At the outset, the biggest annual event that should occur at the new convention center should be a multi-day Youth Technology Summit. The Youth Technology Summit would be a world-wide event where our people are in the spotlight, and the youth from elsewhere come here to mingle with our brains, businesses, academics, and residents. We don't need to fill the hotels when we have busloads of local kids coming with band directors, coaches, church group leaders, rec advisors, grandparents, artists, mentors, retirees, neighborhood advocates, teachers and more.

There are plenty of splendid opportunities for our entire community to get into the actions of technology literacy.

Earl Jones opts out of Mayor's Race, official news

Earl Jones, Dem, leader of a peace on Earth campaign, retired, candidate for public office in many races in the past, told me HIMSELF, he is NOT going to run for mayor in 2005.

This news means Dave Copeland, http://www.DaveCopeland.com, a former Trib reporter and editor, is now back in play. Dave made mention in past blog postings elsewhere that he was one who was leaning toward tossing his support to Mr. Jones. I'm not sure if Earl's pull for Dave was because of his 'family values' stance or his full head of grey hair, despite being in his 70s.

I'm sure Earl is NOT going to run. Last week I broke bad news on the blog about another fence sitting candidate who is skating around these days.

Earl feels can can do more for everyone's benefit if he stayed out of the race and kept all his options open.

Once Earl ran a race against Tom Flaherty and nearly won the Sq. Hill neighborhoods, while getting 26% of the vote. (Earl told me that too.) Go to work fact checkers, please.

Earl's wife, bless her heart, passed away last year.

The one to wear the biggest smile on this news has to be County Councilman, Rich Fitzgerald. Earl seldom speaks without getting in a slam or dig against him.

Movies at Pitt

One student group I'm hopeful of working with is holding some special event movies on campus. Here is another if you see the comments. Its tonight.

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.