Yesterday, I was honored to be a presenter at the League of Women Voters annual seminar on how to run for office. I spoke about some third party perspectives and about the media. Within the context of my talk, I gave serious praise and endorsements to the sites and services of PghBloggers.org as well as Blogger.com.
No candidate should be without a blog these days. If you don't have a blog, you shouldn't be on the ballot. The cost is $0. The impact is huge. Blogs are more functional and easier to create than ever. Blogs should be a higher priority for a candidate than the building of a static web page.
One avenue beats blogging, but I'll save the details for another entry.
Furthermore, I'm nominating the organizers of PghBloggers.org for a civic leadership award from by The League of Women Voters. I announced my intentions from the podium to an audience of more than 50 people.
The mostly faceless organizers at the hub site, PghBloggers.org, put out a call to help a week or so ago. They have some heavy lifting to keep the site going and growing. Here is my reply to them, sent in just a moment ago.
Hi Mike and others:
I'd be happy to help you with the site, but I'm only interested in itching my own itches. That is the way of the world in open-source, collaborative projects. Perhaps you've realized this fact of life by now.
I'm interested in putting an eVote interface onto this venture. True democracy. It is going to be a wild ride, if you choose to step out of the box.
We could meet and talk about this. We could meet at my office on the South Side or at an associate's office in Carrick -- as he has a high-tech firm. You'll be impressed either way. Or, you can give me the green-light and I'll just dive in with gusto. That calls for "trust."
Mike and I talked a bit about the ideas at the second blog fest. I was there when there were about ten others.
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Letter to the Editor - welcome in the GOP
Beaver County Times Allegheny Times
Democratic Allegheny County state Rep. Mike Diven announced he was switching his voter registration to the Republican Party last week.
Diven stated that state House Democrats have consistently chosen to pursue political soap operas and personal agendas over the concerns of hard-working, law-abiding citizens.
Diven went on to say that he has learned how the legislative process works, and, sadly, how out of touch the leaders of the Democratic Party have become with the very real needs of workers, small businesses, retirees and young people.
House Democrats departing their own caucus have become quite commonplace under the leadership of House Minority Leader DeWeese and House Minority Whip Mike Veon.
Diven joins a long list of departing Democrats to the GOP in recent years. These include former representatives Pat Carone (Butler), Ed Krebs (Lebanon), John Lawless (Montgomery) Thomas Stish (Luzerne), and now-state Sen. John Gordner (Columbia).
As a Republican, I welcome Diven to the Republican Party and embrace his call for putting people above politics. Perhaps following the sixth departure under their caucus leadership, DeWeese and Veon finally get the message.
Dennis Pittser Jr., Bridgewater
Democratic Allegheny County state Rep. Mike Diven announced he was switching his voter registration to the Republican Party last week.
Diven stated that state House Democrats have consistently chosen to pursue political soap operas and personal agendas over the concerns of hard-working, law-abiding citizens.
Diven went on to say that he has learned how the legislative process works, and, sadly, how out of touch the leaders of the Democratic Party have become with the very real needs of workers, small businesses, retirees and young people.
House Democrats departing their own caucus have become quite commonplace under the leadership of House Minority Leader DeWeese and House Minority Whip Mike Veon.
Diven joins a long list of departing Democrats to the GOP in recent years. These include former representatives Pat Carone (Butler), Ed Krebs (Lebanon), John Lawless (Montgomery) Thomas Stish (Luzerne), and now-state Sen. John Gordner (Columbia).
As a Republican, I welcome Diven to the Republican Party and embrace his call for putting people above politics. Perhaps following the sixth departure under their caucus leadership, DeWeese and Veon finally get the message.
Dennis Pittser Jr., Bridgewater
New site: South Hills Sports.com
There is some potential here. Welcome to the digital landscape. Good luck with the venture.
southhillssports.com - Your Homefield Advantage!: "What is SouthHillsSports.Com?"
southhillssports.com - Your Homefield Advantage!: "What is SouthHillsSports.Com?"
Maps of PA 42nd, for PA Senate race
Look at these twists and turns within these maps.
I'm in the race for PA Senate 42nd.
Allegheny insert PA Senate map:
http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bcel/LIB/bcel/20/9/allegheny_region_senate.pdf
Pittsburgh insert PA Senate map:
http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bcel/LIB/bcel/20/9/pgh_city_senate.pdf
I'm in the race for PA Senate 42nd.
Allegheny insert PA Senate map:
http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bcel/LIB/bcel/20/9/allegheny_region_senate.pdf
Pittsburgh insert PA Senate map:
http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bcel/LIB/bcel/20/9/pgh_city_senate.pdf
Call Out for Stories of Preschoolers
Nice lead:
New friend is publishing a book --- well --- perhaps I shouldn't leak the topic.
Family matters are important to me. We've got a lot of great stories about our kids. Trouble is, we have to ask our friends to tell them to us as we have to re-write over those parts of our brains to keep room for the more recent chapters in the saga.
Isn't it wonderful how parents have this built in partitition in their hard-drives (brains) that often exceeds the disk quota and re-writes the stuff that should be zapped.
Recently. Grant (1st grade) was asked about his teacher. Do you like Ms. Moore. He said, "Yes. She gets most of my jokes." His K teacher got all of his jokes.
Grant raised his hand in class, just after the student teacher's evaluation teacher from the campus departed the room. Grant's in a school where there are a lot of teacher education opportunities throughout the week. There is a dynamic flow of mentoring and student-teacher activities. Grant's question to the student teacher," Can we miss-behave now?"
Today in LifeCraft at our church, Erik, 10, got to sing his song called "Family."
If you happen to remember any of the stories from our kids -- plug em in here and we'll go for the $200 bills.
Our best outcome -- no pullups. They never came into our house. Both boys did potty training on their own. Both came to the realization and asked, "Why are you putting a diaper on me?" I use the toilet now. Sure. Okay. Done.
I guess we'll get our struggles in other matters.
Sticky Notes: Call Out for Stories of Preschoolers: "Call Out for Stories of Preschoolers
The Chicken Soup for the Soul publishers are now accepting submissions for Chicken Soup for the Mother's of Preschoolers Soul. Deadline is April 29, 2005. Payment is $200.
New friend is publishing a book --- well --- perhaps I shouldn't leak the topic.
Family matters are important to me. We've got a lot of great stories about our kids. Trouble is, we have to ask our friends to tell them to us as we have to re-write over those parts of our brains to keep room for the more recent chapters in the saga.
Isn't it wonderful how parents have this built in partitition in their hard-drives (brains) that often exceeds the disk quota and re-writes the stuff that should be zapped.
Recently. Grant (1st grade) was asked about his teacher. Do you like Ms. Moore. He said, "Yes. She gets most of my jokes." His K teacher got all of his jokes.
Grant raised his hand in class, just after the student teacher's evaluation teacher from the campus departed the room. Grant's in a school where there are a lot of teacher education opportunities throughout the week. There is a dynamic flow of mentoring and student-teacher activities. Grant's question to the student teacher," Can we miss-behave now?"
Today in LifeCraft at our church, Erik, 10, got to sing his song called "Family."
If you happen to remember any of the stories from our kids -- plug em in here and we'll go for the $200 bills.
Our best outcome -- no pullups. They never came into our house. Both boys did potty training on their own. Both came to the realization and asked, "Why are you putting a diaper on me?" I use the toilet now. Sure. Okay. Done.
I guess we'll get our struggles in other matters.
Leturgey News and Views covers Bowyer in The PULP
Leturgey News and Views: Media Maverick Jerry Bowyer Uses Intelligence To Surge In Radio
Tom used his blog to post this article. Great read. Thanks.
I was on the Jerry Bowyer show this past Thursday to talk a bit about my race for the PA Senate.
Where Christians Meet -- gives recycled electrons to Rauterkus campaign
Check it out. It is Sunday!
As we go to church today, my big wonder is how many "candy bars" are going to be wagered by my son on today's game. He is a big Patriots fan. :)
The Conservative Voice - News: "Rauterkus is a swimming coach and community activist who has spoken out in opposition on many issues.
As we go to church today, my big wonder is how many "candy bars" are going to be wagered by my son on today's game. He is a big Patriots fan. :)
Perfect summary with one small exception: the big words McNickle's rant fuels the outrage.
A headline for the oversight board - PittsburghLIVE.com Their message was clear: The public is getting screwed.
The message IS clear in the line above.
I could get worked up about the writting and word choice. Or, I could wonder about the long-term credit worthyness. But mostly, those would distract from the essence of what we are facing and have been dealing with for more than a decade with the Murphy Administration.
No cahoots!
Rotten cahoots!
Super cahoots!
Rauterkus, Libertarian now after departing GOP, runs for State Senate
Rauterkus, Libertarian now after departing GOP, runs for State Senate Mark Rauterkus, a 2001 Repubican candidate in a contested GOP Primary in the City of Pittsburgh, has joined the Libertarian party, been elected to the party’s county board, and has accepted the nomination to run in the special election for Pennsylvania Senate slated to be held on May 17, 2005.
Saturday, February 05, 2005
Is the Democratic Party crumbling?
With the complete failure of the Democratic Party in the Federal government, I have to wonder if the Democratic coalition is breaking up. Does the party just need new leadership and a new message, or is there something at the core of the DP that keeps it from winning elections? Perhaps the party contains a diverse group of voters who simply don't have the same interests anymore, and no candidate can create a national majority with that group.
A study conducted by the Washington Post provides some insight into the various viewpoints that make up the Democrats and Republicans. As you might be aware, not all Democrats are stereotypical "liberals". Many Democrats (social conservatives and libertarians) have much more in common with certain segments of the Republican Party than they do with other parts of the Democratic Party-- but overall, they agree with the Democrats more than the Republicans.
So does the Democratic Party still have anything to offer it's voters, or is it just draining their energy by running hopeless candidates at the Federal level and maintaining corrupt machines on the local level?
A study conducted by the Washington Post provides some insight into the various viewpoints that make up the Democrats and Republicans. As you might be aware, not all Democrats are stereotypical "liberals". Many Democrats (social conservatives and libertarians) have much more in common with certain segments of the Republican Party than they do with other parts of the Democratic Party-- but overall, they agree with the Democrats more than the Republicans.
So does the Democratic Party still have anything to offer it's voters, or is it just draining their energy by running hopeless candidates at the Federal level and maintaining corrupt machines on the local level?
Friday, February 04, 2005
Jim Schiedler at Big Brothers Big Sisters needs some computer helpers.
URGENT REQUEST FOR HELP from jscheidler@bbbspgh.org writes:
I am really in need of volunteers w/ computer knowledge--building, fixing, cleaning drives, memories for a program at Rizedstein Middle school...the program is from 3:30-4:30 on Thursdays...other times may also be available...I think from 12:00-1:00 is also a good time...please contact me if you could help out or know someone w/ that type of computer knowledge...thanks...Jim
Hockey in North America
Who else is happy that we don't have a brand new hockey arena now? The Pens Arena was a campaign issue four years ago for some. We engaged in that fight then. The Pens Arena surfaces as an issue from time to time. A few of us voice opposition as we can.
The stadium issue, perhaps because it was in a county wide vote and on the polls, was an opportunity to build a team and set a sustained conversation among those who didn't want to provide the corporate welfare. The civic arena and hockey is now a below the radar discussion on most fronts.
Some of the play of the discussion is beholden to the new concepts that the news must cover. If one has a bunch of charts and blueprints, a vision of sorts, then that gets lots of air-time and ink. But, if one just has an empty building, a paid-for building, an asset that isn't being leveraged to its potential -- then it is hard to capture the element of the NEW within its presentation.
But what is worse is the fact that the elements of the new must come from the old, the established, the power-brokers. I don't mind the fact that when they have something new to say it gets covered. But I do mind when others come to the conclusion that they have a monopoly on NEW CONCEPTS and NEWS.
This expression is very much alive in our local news coverage: "It is not what you say that matters, it is who you are when you say it."
Think again.
With hockey, it was strange hearing how there were meetings in Canada a couple of weeks ago. Mario, because he was both a player and an owner, sat out of the meetings. He didn't go. He was in the same city and worked the back channels, perhaps. Strange indeed to me. Some would say he had a conflict of interest and should be excluded, being in both roles. I say, rather, he had a great deal of interest and should be included.
But more importantly, anyone with a good idea should be able to include that idea. The person can be divorced from the idea, at times. But the idea needs to win the day and get the light it deserves.
Hockey's sticking point is the players' cap. Should it be $35-million per team, as the owners seemingly want. Or, can the cap be at $45-50-55-million per team, as desired by the players?
The cap should be not only on the players and the team pay -- but also on the owners and the league.
The players should only make a certain amount -- and live with a cap. But the owners should also live with a cap. Then the windfall should not go to the LEAGUE, (that's controlled by the owners), but to the fans, the sport, the community.
The season is gone. This is time to put on the thinking caps -- and not the helmets.
The stadium issue, perhaps because it was in a county wide vote and on the polls, was an opportunity to build a team and set a sustained conversation among those who didn't want to provide the corporate welfare. The civic arena and hockey is now a below the radar discussion on most fronts.
Some of the play of the discussion is beholden to the new concepts that the news must cover. If one has a bunch of charts and blueprints, a vision of sorts, then that gets lots of air-time and ink. But, if one just has an empty building, a paid-for building, an asset that isn't being leveraged to its potential -- then it is hard to capture the element of the NEW within its presentation.
But what is worse is the fact that the elements of the new must come from the old, the established, the power-brokers. I don't mind the fact that when they have something new to say it gets covered. But I do mind when others come to the conclusion that they have a monopoly on NEW CONCEPTS and NEWS.
This expression is very much alive in our local news coverage: "It is not what you say that matters, it is who you are when you say it."
Think again.
With hockey, it was strange hearing how there were meetings in Canada a couple of weeks ago. Mario, because he was both a player and an owner, sat out of the meetings. He didn't go. He was in the same city and worked the back channels, perhaps. Strange indeed to me. Some would say he had a conflict of interest and should be excluded, being in both roles. I say, rather, he had a great deal of interest and should be included.
But more importantly, anyone with a good idea should be able to include that idea. The person can be divorced from the idea, at times. But the idea needs to win the day and get the light it deserves.
Hockey's sticking point is the players' cap. Should it be $35-million per team, as the owners seemingly want. Or, can the cap be at $45-50-55-million per team, as desired by the players?
The cap should be not only on the players and the team pay -- but also on the owners and the league.
The players should only make a certain amount -- and live with a cap. But the owners should also live with a cap. Then the windfall should not go to the LEAGUE, (that's controlled by the owners), but to the fans, the sport, the community.
The season is gone. This is time to put on the thinking caps -- and not the helmets.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Pirate Fest and the Gulf Building, dangling questions still unresolved.
What ever came of the Gulf Tower's "salute" with the Pittsburgh Pirates by lighting the 44-story building's dome red during games? Visible from PNC Park, the tower was to salute Pirate homeruns and winning games with cascading white strobe lights.
Did major league baseball cracks down on this illegal activity?
Are more fans bring lawn chairs to watch the tower than attend games. And, the lawn-chair viewers can bring water bottles that are larger than 20-ounces.
The cascading white strobe lights are actually because of a short in the wire and happen when a guy gets out of his seat or uses bathroom. And the cascading white lights are hall-light on, bathroom light on, bathroom light off, hall light off.
Did major league baseball cracks down on this illegal activity?
Are more fans bring lawn chairs to watch the tower than attend games. And, the lawn-chair viewers can bring water bottles that are larger than 20-ounces.
The cascading white strobe lights are actually because of a short in the wire and happen when a guy gets out of his seat or uses bathroom. And the cascading white lights are hall-light on, bathroom light on, bathroom light off, hall light off.
Meeting update
My wife is out of town for two days, in DC. So yesterday was on the wild side. Plus, I had to cover swim practice too. Right after school my sons and I went to the second meeting for the task force on campaign finance reform organized by Bill Peduto's office. Then swimming and then to a late night burger with fries (more on that later) at Mario's upstairs for a short presentation.
Click image to go to the blog for Democracy for Pittsburgh and then to see more photos there or at the MeetUp site. The photos were taken by one of the 2 Political Junkies.
I was able to give away 30 CDs, the last in my stockpile of version 2.1, my half-page no TIF handout, a posting about hiring campaign folks (text below), the All-Star handout that gears up for no-sweatshops (new from C.T.), and a plug for the event on Saturday with League of Women Voters.
Questions were asked. Hope I did okay with the replies. What's a TIF? Libertarian with kids and strong support of public school? School vouchers? Abortion? Cutting the size of state house and reps.
In the talking parts, I plugged a few items about "democaracy" in my platform. Making some authorities go away while making all of them accountable with retention votes. Thumbs down for Mon Valley Toll Road, Tunnel under the River for T expansion, glass-enclosed subway station in Gateway Center. Thumbs up for land-value tax, neighborhoods with swim pools, rec centers, wellness plans including clinic opportunities, youth technology at the convention center to ground the kids and give deeper roots.
The CD with the song, One World, from Mindy should be a great final statement to the audience. Hope they listen and catch the message.
About 35 in the house and I think I must have had the spotlight for about 10-15 minutes. I tried to be brief but the questions kept flowing, thankfully. The Platform.For-Pgh.org is open and all are invited there for more facts, positions and input.
Click image to go to the blog for Democracy for Pittsburgh and then to see more photos there or at the MeetUp site. The photos were taken by one of the 2 Political Junkies.
I was able to give away 30 CDs, the last in my stockpile of version 2.1, my half-page no TIF handout, a posting about hiring campaign folks (text below), the All-Star handout that gears up for no-sweatshops (new from C.T.), and a plug for the event on Saturday with League of Women Voters.
Questions were asked. Hope I did okay with the replies. What's a TIF? Libertarian with kids and strong support of public school? School vouchers? Abortion? Cutting the size of state house and reps.
In the talking parts, I plugged a few items about "democaracy" in my platform. Making some authorities go away while making all of them accountable with retention votes. Thumbs down for Mon Valley Toll Road, Tunnel under the River for T expansion, glass-enclosed subway station in Gateway Center. Thumbs up for land-value tax, neighborhoods with swim pools, rec centers, wellness plans including clinic opportunities, youth technology at the convention center to ground the kids and give deeper roots.
The CD with the song, One World, from Mindy should be a great final statement to the audience. Hope they listen and catch the message.
About 35 in the house and I think I must have had the spotlight for about 10-15 minutes. I tried to be brief but the questions kept flowing, thankfully. The Platform.For-Pgh.org is open and all are invited there for more facts, positions and input.
Candid, Closed, "C-R-A-P" - 2.5 hour overlord huddle without sunshine
KQV Radio is reporting about a closed door, two-and-half-hour meeting among the ICA (Oversight Board), Act 47 stewarts (another oversight board) and the mayor (toast).
What's up with that?
Who voted for them?
I was going to make a new logo for the campaign anong the LIFESAVER theme. Perhaps it should be a miner's helmet with a built in light.
Sadly, the canary croaked and our supply has done run dry.
Then Commonwealth Court says that the meeting can be closed. They deny a request by the news media to witness the huddle. What's up with that squared?
Attitudes set altitudes. Their approaches are in serious ruts. It's no wonder that Pittsburgh is in the toilet.
Closed door meetings stink.
Now that I've taken a walk and cooled a bit, here is my take on these matters.
Fact: the Chair of the ICA didn't show to the meeting. IMHO, he would have known full well that the meeting was illegal and shameful. Perhaps this is why Roddey is moving off of the board too. People with good credit to their names don't want to be associated with loosers and their trivial games.
As a sidebar, that thinking is the prime reason one of my sisters gives me for not being so supportive of my past or present runs for public office. She doesn't want to see her brother associated with that hopeless slime. That isn't her direct quote.
Can you say "flip-flop?" Commonwealth Court Senior Judge James R. Kelley denied the motion, saying the meeting was being held to 'develop an organizational strategy' regarding government business, which is allowed to be private under the Sunshine Act. In a footnote, the judge said the oversight board could be cited for contempt if it is proven later that the Sunshine Act was violated.
I've got to get the ruling of the judge. Perhaps the PG will post it to its site?
Note how the oversight board lawyer is referring questions to his attorney. It is a bad sign when one attorney calls another and they start passing the buck downstream. Mahone, the oversight board's lawyer, would not discuss the meeting, which was held at the offices of his Downtown law firm, Reed Smith. He referred questions to his attorney, Ed Diggs of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, who also would not comment, but instead watched over reporters as they stood outside the Reed Smith offices, waiting for meeting participants to emerge. It is another bad sign when attorneys are babysitting reporters. Do they need a lifeguard? Do they need a rescue tube?
In the next graph two people are saying the same thing, but it differs with what was said by another. But, neither are quoted directly.
This week's gold star for reporting goes to Tim McNulty. Hats off to the PG watchdogs and organizational efforts to file something to the judge in advance. That must have taken quick action. I'm pleased at the efforts there. Thanks so much.
What's up with that?
Who voted for them?
I was going to make a new logo for the campaign anong the LIFESAVER theme. Perhaps it should be a miner's helmet with a built in light.
Sadly, the canary croaked and our supply has done run dry.
Then Commonwealth Court says that the meeting can be closed. They deny a request by the news media to witness the huddle. What's up with that squared?
Attitudes set altitudes. Their approaches are in serious ruts. It's no wonder that Pittsburgh is in the toilet.
Closed door meetings stink.
Squabbling city fiscal boards meet The state's top economic development official, Dennis Yablonsky, told reporters after the 2 1/2-hour session that officials from the city's fiscal oversight board, the Act 47 recovery team and the Murphy administration all agreed to communicate better in the future.
Now that I've taken a walk and cooled a bit, here is my take on these matters.
Fact: the Chair of the ICA didn't show to the meeting. IMHO, he would have known full well that the meeting was illegal and shameful. Perhaps this is why Roddey is moving off of the board too. People with good credit to their names don't want to be associated with loosers and their trivial games.
As a sidebar, that thinking is the prime reason one of my sisters gives me for not being so supportive of my past or present runs for public office. She doesn't want to see her brother associated with that hopeless slime. That isn't her direct quote.
Can you say "flip-flop?" Commonwealth Court Senior Judge James R. Kelley denied the motion, saying the meeting was being held to 'develop an organizational strategy' regarding government business, which is allowed to be private under the Sunshine Act. In a footnote, the judge said the oversight board could be cited for contempt if it is proven later that the Sunshine Act was violated.
I've got to get the ruling of the judge. Perhaps the PG will post it to its site?
Note how the oversight board lawyer is referring questions to his attorney. It is a bad sign when one attorney calls another and they start passing the buck downstream. Mahone, the oversight board's lawyer, would not discuss the meeting, which was held at the offices of his Downtown law firm, Reed Smith. He referred questions to his attorney, Ed Diggs of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, who also would not comment, but instead watched over reporters as they stood outside the Reed Smith offices, waiting for meeting participants to emerge. It is another bad sign when attorneys are babysitting reporters. Do they need a lifeguard? Do they need a rescue tube?
In the next graph two people are saying the same thing, but it differs with what was said by another. But, neither are quoted directly.
Yablonsky and oversight board vice chairman John Murray, the Duquesne University chancellor and law professor, also said the meeting was not subject to the Sunshine Act, not because it was a strategy session, but rather because it regarded legal and contract matters exempted by the open meetings law.
This week's gold star for reporting goes to Tim McNulty. Hats off to the PG watchdogs and organizational efforts to file something to the judge in advance. That must have taken quick action. I'm pleased at the efforts there. Thanks so much.
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Pitt Sports Blather -- Rantings on the Pitt's building woes
Pitt Sports Blather -- Rantings on the Panthers: "Apostolou/Rosser made the allegations in response to a lawsuit that Pitt and General Services filed in December in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. The architects claim that Pitt filed its lawsuit 'as a means of redirecting criticism on this project' that was raised by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in a series of stories published in April.
My headlong involvement in politics came in the fight about Pitt Stadium. Closing the stadium and moving to the dwarf fields on the South Side was such a blunder. Seems to me that 'state of the art' should at least be regulation sized.
This adds insult to injury with the building of The Pete on the same space.
Big City Blues - CFO Magazine - February Issue 2005 - CFO.com
Thanks for the pointer to Pittsblog.blogspot.com.
Sadly, the city's image in the article does not match mine in the slightest. The pools and rec centers are a mess. The kids are shooting each other. The flight is mounting. The ruts in our political landscape are hard to ignore.
There is much more to say within the article's content. Later.
Big City Blues - CFO Magazine - February Issue 2005 - CFO.com Pittsburgh doesn't look like a city that almost didn't pay its bills last year. Its streets are clean. Crime rates are low.
Sadly, the city's image in the article does not match mine in the slightest. The pools and rec centers are a mess. The kids are shooting each other. The flight is mounting. The ruts in our political landscape are hard to ignore.
There is much more to say within the article's content. Later.
Good grief and blog bye-ways
Nice PG article on the digital life and times some of us choose to lead. An online chronicle of grief Reading some of these blogs is like rubbernecking at the scene of a car accident -- it's difficult to watch but impossible to turn away.
But with their rising popularity, these journals may become the next big thing, said Amanda Lenhart, a research associate at the Pew Internet & American Life Project. During the recent presidential campaign season, political blogs were widely read as insider scoops. Online journals may serve both as ways for those going through a health crisis to talk about it and to promote awareness about various illnesses and conditions.
As I'm out and about more and more each week, I'm meeting more of the regular readers to this blog. Often it is just a passing nod to me. In a hurry tonight, one paced by me as he left the Gold Room and a County Council meeting saying, "I read your blog every day."
My reply, "Leave a comment."
I don't think so, he said. The he allowed how he's surfing from a public building. Yep. Makes sense. Keep a lid on the feedback. Thanks too for the words of encouragement and winks of appreciation.
Beautiful children too.
But with their rising popularity, these journals may become the next big thing, said Amanda Lenhart, a research associate at the Pew Internet & American Life Project. During the recent presidential campaign season, political blogs were widely read as insider scoops. Online journals may serve both as ways for those going through a health crisis to talk about it and to promote awareness about various illnesses and conditions.
As I'm out and about more and more each week, I'm meeting more of the regular readers to this blog. Often it is just a passing nod to me. In a hurry tonight, one paced by me as he left the Gold Room and a County Council meeting saying, "I read your blog every day."
My reply, "Leave a comment."
I don't think so, he said. The he allowed how he's surfing from a public building. Yep. Makes sense. Keep a lid on the feedback. Thanks too for the words of encouragement and winks of appreciation.
Beautiful children too.
The issue of race in the mayor's race, again looms under the surface.
The PG reported in a line in the paper that Mark Brentley, a Pgh Public School board member, is a possible candidate for mayor. I called Mark as soon as I noticed the mention. It was yesterday, so no reply yet.
A comment from another via email:
I would say that there is a feeling that race is an important issue in this race and that someone must addresss it. If someone other than an African American trys to address the issue then it will hurt his chance of winning.
Humm... Race matters might be akin to the third rail for politics in Pittsburgh, so goes conventional wisdom. James Carmine and I talked a good deal about race issues in Pittsburgh four years ago. LeRoy Hodge was in the race on the Dem's side. Boy do I wish he was still with us.
Then comes the big can of worms when one starts to talk about our outgoing school boss, Dr. Thompson. I think Dr. T will do well in his future endeavors. I hope that they are local.
There are many that are left wondering about the well being of our district. The leadership from the professional educator matters greatly. The school board did not evaluate Dr. Thompson in any of the past three years. The board had not set any goals and objectives. To be fair, the board as a body has to have a majority to make actions occur. Board members learn how to count to five rather quickly, and often as on-the-job training, as there are nine on the board.
Board members said Dr. T is not the person to lead us in the future. Frankly, it might be hard to obtain a good superintendent when it is general knowledge that the board treats its supers in the manner it treated Dr. Thompson.
I agree with the notion that Dr. T was good for this district in many ways. None of us are 100% ideal. I can't see why this board would do what it did with an early buy out. Transition, evolve, and don't renew the contract, but don't dump on the person, the relationship with the role and the budget hit.
Even if the board had reason not to renew the contract, there seems to be no reason for not letting him finish out the term of his contract. The board members refuse to answer that question except to say that it is best for him and the district.
A comment from another via email:
I would say that there is a feeling that race is an important issue in this race and that someone must addresss it. If someone other than an African American trys to address the issue then it will hurt his chance of winning.
Humm... Race matters might be akin to the third rail for politics in Pittsburgh, so goes conventional wisdom. James Carmine and I talked a good deal about race issues in Pittsburgh four years ago. LeRoy Hodge was in the race on the Dem's side. Boy do I wish he was still with us.
Then comes the big can of worms when one starts to talk about our outgoing school boss, Dr. Thompson. I think Dr. T will do well in his future endeavors. I hope that they are local.
There are many that are left wondering about the well being of our district. The leadership from the professional educator matters greatly. The school board did not evaluate Dr. Thompson in any of the past three years. The board had not set any goals and objectives. To be fair, the board as a body has to have a majority to make actions occur. Board members learn how to count to five rather quickly, and often as on-the-job training, as there are nine on the board.
Board members said Dr. T is not the person to lead us in the future. Frankly, it might be hard to obtain a good superintendent when it is general knowledge that the board treats its supers in the manner it treated Dr. Thompson.
I agree with the notion that Dr. T was good for this district in many ways. None of us are 100% ideal. I can't see why this board would do what it did with an early buy out. Transition, evolve, and don't renew the contract, but don't dump on the person, the relationship with the role and the budget hit.
Even if the board had reason not to renew the contract, there seems to be no reason for not letting him finish out the term of his contract. The board members refuse to answer that question except to say that it is best for him and the district.
No TIFs
The Allegheny County Council voted to approve the TIF at Deer Creek last night. I was there to wintess it. Last month I spoke before council at the public hearing.
Cheers to David Fawcett, R, and Rich Fitzgerald, D, for the votes against the TIFs.
Wayne Fontana, Dem, and possible candidate for PA Senate, in the race I'm already in, voted in favor of the TIF, providing the corporate welfare deal for infrastructure.
Another worry, unspoken, includes the view that as the politicians become developers then the developers become the ones that govern. A role reversal occurs that isn't healthy. I want to see the elected politicians govern and the investors, developers, business people do their work in the economy. As they merge into the council meetings, and council worries about levels to the marketplace or profits -- then real trouble looms larger.
For example, the new strip mall is going to now include two clasrooms. A slice of the school is going to be among the stores and food court. Why in the world would we put two classrooms in a mall?
Most knew that the TIF was going to be approved. I'll fight another day. But it was interesting to see the TIF evolve to include various other treatments to the project from the outset, years ago. The opposition got a pound of flesh, so to speak.
I made a handout and passed it around to those there. It will also go to others such as Democracy for America crew as they don't want to see corporate welfare expand, as will happen if either of the old party candidates get elected to the PA Senate. The county chair of the Republican party, Bob G, was at the meeting to insure the TIF passed.
My statements are simple:
Too many TIFs are failures.
TIFs represent poor economic policies.
TIFs hurt our market place.
TIFs for sprawl are the worst.
My opponents support TIFs while I have been and will continue to fight TIFs.
Cheers to David Fawcett, R, and Rich Fitzgerald, D, for the votes against the TIFs.
Wayne Fontana, Dem, and possible candidate for PA Senate, in the race I'm already in, voted in favor of the TIF, providing the corporate welfare deal for infrastructure.
Another worry, unspoken, includes the view that as the politicians become developers then the developers become the ones that govern. A role reversal occurs that isn't healthy. I want to see the elected politicians govern and the investors, developers, business people do their work in the economy. As they merge into the council meetings, and council worries about levels to the marketplace or profits -- then real trouble looms larger.
For example, the new strip mall is going to now include two clasrooms. A slice of the school is going to be among the stores and food court. Why in the world would we put two classrooms in a mall?
Most knew that the TIF was going to be approved. I'll fight another day. But it was interesting to see the TIF evolve to include various other treatments to the project from the outset, years ago. The opposition got a pound of flesh, so to speak.
I made a handout and passed it around to those there. It will also go to others such as Democracy for America crew as they don't want to see corporate welfare expand, as will happen if either of the old party candidates get elected to the PA Senate. The county chair of the Republican party, Bob G, was at the meeting to insure the TIF passed.
My statements are simple:
Too many TIFs are failures.
TIFs represent poor economic policies.
TIFs hurt our market place.
TIFs for sprawl are the worst.
My opponents support TIFs while I have been and will continue to fight TIFs.
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