Open Senate seats here and there

AP -- open Senate seats The outcomes of the elections won't change the balance of power in the Senate, currently controlled by the Republicans, 28-19...

... The parties expect a closely contested and expensive race in a district where voter registration is evenly split.

Democrat strategists expect Democratic Rep. Jennifer Mann and Republican Rep. Patrick Browne to spend around $2 million campaigning for the April 5 special election.

'If that's what its going to take to win, then obviously we're committed to doing it,' Mann said.

So, the outcome matters little. But, the spending is big. If you need to be committed -- wonder when and if the insanity is not so distant in the future.

With local news, I had the chance to talk with City Councilman James Motznik, Dem. Jim worked in the office of Michael Diven when Diven was in City Council. Then Jim won the special election and has since defended his seat -- and is running again for another term as well.

Some think and feel that Motznik is a potential candidate for Diven's present state house seat should Diven depart the house. But Jim made it clear to me on the phone that he would NOT run for the seat as a Republican. He is staying a Democrat.

City Paper Article, page 12, GOP Honchos Back Newcomer Over Old Soldier

Nice coverage of the news in the City Paper, http://www.PghCityPaper.com. I'm not sure who is going to win the GOP nomination. I have my opinions, but you'll have to see them at the bottom of the article. Read and scroll.

Writer: RICH LORD
A father of five, owner of a swimming pool-maintenance business, Bellevue Council member and Air National Guard reservist, Joe Scioscia didn't need to add to his to-do list. As a lifelong Republican, though, he couldn't sit still when he heard that Michael Diven -- a Democrat until last month -- was likely to represent the GOP in a state Senate race. "I'm not convinced he has a Republican bone in his body," says Scioscia.

Now Scioscia is in the race, and his entrance has sparked a Republican insurgency, pitting party faithful against county and state leaders.

After former Sen. Jack Wagner ascended to the auditor general’s post in January, Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll scheduled a May 17 special election to fill out his term. In special elections, party committee members from the district choose nominees. Five Democrats hope to win their party's nod on Feb. 27, and Libertarian Mark Rauterkus is running. Republican committee members will choose their candidate Feb. 22.

Initially, local Republicans coalesced around Scott Township Commissioner David Jayson. Then state Rep. Diven, of Brookline, switched parties and announced his intention to run. Senate Republican leadership embraced him. "It's a very difficult seat [for a Republican to win], but with Michael Diven, it's a winnable seat," says Senate Republican spokesman Michael Long, claiming Diven beats likely Democratic candidates in polls.

Diven has long been at odds with his old party's leadership, calling House Democratic leaders "cowards and thugs" in a 2001 e-mail blast, suing the county Democratic Committee over voting procedures, and twice voting against Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell’s budgets. "There's been a lot of differences I've had with the ultra-liberal side of the Democratic Party," says Diven, who describes himself as a pro-life, pro-gun "moderate Republican."

"He just changed dance partners. That doesn't make you a Republican," says Scioscia, who carried his party’s banner in a 2003 bid for county controller. When Jayson dropped out of the race, Scioscia figured the fix was in. But the self-described "fiscally and morally conservative" Scioscia didn't want to see the local party "add another RINO [Republican In Name Only] to the Harrisburg herd." He boasts significant support among committee members -- a claim other party insiders echo.

Scioscia has had a tough time, though, figuring out exactly who the district’s 102 committee members are. He says that when he asked for a list, GOP leaders gave him the runaround, then insisted on sending it by snail mail.

"Mr. Scioscia has absolutely no problem at all getting committee lists," says county Republican Committee Chairman Bob Glancy. "He needs to do things in a civil and procedural way." Glancy calls Diven "an interesting young man who has a great deal of support" in the district.

Scioscia knows he’s monkeying with Senate Republican leadership's plan to ensure a 10-seat majority in their chamber. He says those plans were made "assuming that Republican Committee people are patsies" -- an assumption he hopes to disprove.

If Diven wins out over Scioscia, then I'll be psyched to deal with a giant. He'll be in fits and be understood for what he's been. The hand-holding with Tom Murphy is a sure reason that the voters will have for voting against Diven in the general election. Diven won't win the state senate seat in the general election. And, he could get third in the race.

If Scioscia wins, the sizzle in the race is sure to be softer -- but the steak is sure to arrive. Scioscia and myself, and Scioscia's people and my people, are willing, capable, and eager to debate each other, in the city and out of the city, on 30, 40 or perhaps 50 opportunities. We'll debate in the bakery section of Giant Eagle. We'll hit every PTO and scout meeting and church group from Avalon to the Zambonie in Castle Shannon and Island Sports. The candidate that advances from the Democratic party is sure to be invited -- and sure to be idle. That candidate is the expected the heir apparent.

Can't wait. Time to make a difference! Time to prove our distinctions as well.

Open Source Model: Release those new assessment numbers, now

My call in to Jerry Bowyer show about Dan O's position with the new county property assessments included these thoughts.

The tax bills were snatched away from the jaws of defeat before the bills went to the postmaster for mailing. So presently, the talk of any solution is about the devil we don't know against the devil we still don't know.

Let's release the numbers on the web site. Generate some data now. Put out the spreadsheets. The county has the numbers. Don't ponder them in private. Ponder them after they've been released.

With an open-source model, one would release the numbers. That's the raw source code. Then allow the brain power of the people to enter the discussions with keen awareness.

Assessment cap plan seen as 'regressive,' 'pandering'

Assessment cap plan seen as 'regressive,' 'pandering'State and former county officials yesterday sharply criticized county Chief Executive Dan Onorato's proposal to cap Allegheny County's 2006 property assessment increases at 4 percent, calling it 'regressive' and 'pandering.'

Onorato wants to cap increases at 4 percent.

I have many opinions on this matter. But, one of the worst things that have been done is that the people are being left in the dark, again. The reason to put out an order to NOT mail the new tax statements that show the homeowners new assessed value is to prevent outrage. Confusion stinks. But, worse, is in-action and a dense, dark fog.

At the last minute, Dan Onorato choose to go with the FUD option. FUD is Feat, uncertainty, doubt.

If I'm in charge, we would have done this in a different way. I would have released the new assessments on the web. We'd use technology. Don't pay the printers and postmaster and have to re-send these bills. The bills are going to be in dispute. But if we knew what the county executive knew as he knew it, we'd be able to see what's what.

Upload some new tables. Put some new fields on the county database. Release the insights now. Then lets all ponder what to do next.

I don't want to hear that the average home incrase is 22% in some area and another percentage -- on average -- elsewhere. Give the numbers on the web and then we'll all see for ourselves.

City Paper on candidates

News Briefs ARCHIVES
2/17/2005
GOP Honchos Back Newcomer Over Old Soldier
Writer: RICH LORD

A father of five, owner of a swimming pool-maintenance business, Bellevue Council member and Air National Guard reservist, Joe Scioscia didn’t need to add to his to-do list. As a lifelong Republican, though, he couldn’t sit still when he heard that Michael Diven -- a Democrat until last month -- was likely to represent the GOP in a state Senate race. “I’m not convinced he has a Republican bone in his body,” says Scioscia.
 
Now Scioscia is in the race, and his entrance has sparked a Republican insurgency, pitting party faithful against county and state leaders.
 
After former Sen. Jack Wagner ascended to the auditor general’s post in January, Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll scheduled a May 17 special election to fill out his term. In special elections, party committee members from the district choose nominees. Five Democrats hope to win their party’s nod on Feb. 27, and Libertarian Mark Rauterkus is running. Republican committee members will choose their candidate Feb. 22.
 
Initially, local Republicans coalesced around Scott Township Commissioner David Jayson. Then state Rep. Diven, of Brookline, switched parties and announced his intention to run. Senate Republican leadership embraced him. “It’s a very difficult seat [for a Republican to win], but with Michael Diven, it’s a winnable seat,” says Senate Republican spokesman Michael Long, claiming Diven beats likely Democratic candidates in polls.
 
Diven has long been at odds with his old party’s leadership, calling House Democratic leaders “cowards and thugs” in a 2001 e-mail blast, suing the county Democratic Committee over voting procedures, and twice voting against Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell’s budgets. “There’s been a lot of differences I’ve had with the ultra-liberal side of the Democratic Party,” says Diven, who describes himself as a pro-life, pro-gun “moderate Republican.”
 
“He just changed dance partners. That doesn’t make you a Republican,” says Scioscia, who carried his party’s banner in a 2003 bid for county controller. When Jayson dropped out of the race, Scioscia figured the fix was in. But the self-described “fiscally and morally conservative” Scioscia didn’t want to see the local party “add another RINO [Republican In Name Only] to the Harrisburg herd.” He boasts significant support among committee members -- a claim other party insiders echo.
 
Scioscia has had a tough time, though, figuring out exactly who the district’s 102 committee members are. He says that when he asked for a list, GOP leaders gave him the runaround, then insisted on sending it by snail mail.
 
“Mr. Scioscia has absolutely no problem at all getting committee lists,” says county Republican Committee Chairman Bob Glancy. “He needs to do things in a civil and procedural way.” Glancy calls Diven “an interesting young man who has a great deal of support” in the district.
 
Scioscia knows he’s monkeying with Senate Republican leadership’s plan to ensure a 10-seat majority in their chamber. He says those plans were made “assuming that Republican Committee people are patsies” -- an assumption he hopes to disprove.

Any friends within the banking and/or credit union business with an extra 20-hours or even five hours in the next two weeks?

Request: A project just hatched. It needs some attention right away. This is a call for a volunteer or a few volunteers to help. The project is more for the benefit of the community and not for Elect.Rauterkus.com. So, anyone could be welcomed to participate.

If you are willing to work with and among those in the banking industry, please send me an email and note your contact information. Tasks include, writting, outreach, a few phone calls for advance research, follow-ups, presentation crafting, emailing (of course), assisting, and an eventual media release.

From start to finish, this should be a project that takes two weeks. Then it ends.

Here is an opportunity to play a role in the ongoing efforts for reform and new ideas within our political landscape. Participate! Life isn't a spectator sport. This is strictly volunteer efforts.

Email me at: Mark@Rauterkus.com.

Thanks for the consideration. My cell: 412 298 3432.

U.S. women's soccer coach, Heinrichs, resigns

If I was mayor, or if I was a front-running democrat seeking the mayor's office, such as Bob, I'd offer a letter of praise to this coach. Furthermore, I'd tender an offer for employment. Individuals with high-level performances in sports and elsewhere, should consider Pittsburgh as a possible home town.

SI.com - Soccer - �U.S. women's soccer coach Heinrichs resigns - Tuesday February 15, 2005 10:23PM April Heinrichs is resigning as the United States women's soccer coach, six months after leading the team to an Olympic gold medal.

Since I'm only a candidate, the best I can do is put out a call to include Coach Heinrichs as a speaker at a sports lecture series, S6.

Miss conduct in final motions in council on the We-Hav shut-down

The city was treated to another experience of total disregard the by City Council members. They collectively displayed a wipe to the people of District 2, and thereby all City residents.

Without any discussion or comment WHATSOEVER the vote was 8-0 in favor of passing Hertzberg's Bill 1020-2005. Sala Udin was conveniently not in the room.

Paul Sentner, an At-Large member of the committee, Elect.Rauterkus.com, wrote a blast email that incuded:

I have lightly mulled this event over, and at first I felt I /we should have spoken during the pre-meeting public comment period..

BUT -hey, they had the information via my e-mail document Thursday morning;
-their staff member had the phone conversation with me, AND the
information Friday afternoon;
-and a few others that I know of contacted some Council members;

Should not elected officials be expected to do the correct thing when
presented with the appropriate information?

--I concluded, as I decided to get this e-mail out, that if anyone of the Opposition had spoken this morning, and if speaking would have somehow embarrassed the vote into defeat of the Bill, we would still not know where the Council members are each coming from.

NOW we do; in my opinion, not one of them is worthy of elected office; not one stood up for the principle of the matter; except for a few owners who supported the tax, but weren't interested in enrolling, and those 40-some who did enroll, that money was -stolen- via -extortion- .

..that money is not Hertzberg's or Council's or anyone else's to do anything with but refund it (because it was illegitimately gotten, no matter what the NID Act says about funds reverting to the municipality.)

--and restitution should be made for the money spent because as I have noted before:
they knew what they were doing was illegitimate, and they went on with the rip-off anyway.

..don't kick sleeping dogs... and don't stir up the hornets...

This whole matter should be investigated by the proper authorities. Any ideas who the proper authorities are?

FYI: This "We-Hav" program was started in the city in certain neighborhoods. It was terminated due to a massive outcry among the citizens. The termination happened a number of months ago. Now as a final insult, the money that should be refunded to the citizens is getting shifted. Some of the money is going to go to those who purchased a home assessment. The assesment was a service that was provided. It came as a discouted price. The services were offered and rendered. But, the tax -- and artificial collected fee by an organization that had in its bylaws that citizens were NOT permitted to attend board meetings -- is getting less of a pay back.

I was against the We-Hav program. I was for its termination. I salute the citizens who mobalized and won the struggle in the end.

QED's series, Back To Prosperity begins to air

The report that the tv series is based upon is online, Back to Prosperity can be downloaded at: http://www.brookings.edu/metro/publications/pa.htm

Economic Club of Pgh gathers on Feb 23

Ken Cuccinelli, President & CEO of Quest Fore Inc. sent along this info. I'm happy to say, I'll be there. Consider it yourself.

Timken President and CEO James Griffith to Headline February Meeting of The Economic Club of Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH - James W. Griffith, president and CEO of The Timken Company, will be the featured speaker at this month's luncheon meeting of The Economic Club of Pittsburgh. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the Omni William Penn Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh.

Griffith will discuss how a Midwestern-based manufacturing company can be globally competitive in a rapidly changing marketplace. He also will provide an economic outlook for Timken and the manufacturing sector for 2005.

The Timken Company is a leading global manufacturer of highly engineered bearings and alloy steels and a provider of related products and services. With some 26,000 employees and operations in 29 countries, Cleveland-based Timken reported record sales of $4.5 billion in 2004.
Forbes recently named Timken one of its best-managed companies, and Business Ethics selected the company as one of its 100 Best Corporate Citizens for 2004.

Griffith has had extensive experience in manufacturing, international business and strategic planning during his two decades with Timken. Since joining the company in 1984, he has managed Timken's rail business and North American automotive business, as well as its regional activities in Asia, Australia and Latin America. He was named president of Timken in 1999 and CEO in 2002.

Luncheon reservations can be made via e-mail to, reservations@econclubpgh.org. The cost is $25 for members, $35 for non-members and $15 for students.

Founded in 1910, The Economic Club of Pittsburgh is a local chapter of the National Association for Business Economics. The club provides a forum for informed discussion on regional, national and global economic policy issues, as well as a vehicle for exchanging insight and developing solutions to today's economic challenges.

Pitt News - O'Conner enters third race for mayor

The Pitt News - O'Conner enters third race for mayor: "We're headed in the wrong direction," O'Connor said, citing the city's precarious financial situation and untended relationships with county and state government. "We need to put Pittsburgh on the right track."

The right track. What is the right track, Bob?

Four years ago, as Bob and I were on the campaign trails, I had the opportunity to hear Bob speak often. Perhaps more than 100 times. And, I've watched Bob operate as a member of City Council as well. I have a good memory. I observe like a lifeguard should.

My suggestion four years ago to Tom Murphy, one of Bob's opponents, was to brand the expression: "When you don't know where you want to go, any road will take you there."

Pittsburgh needs to be put onto the right track. No doubt. But, what track should we pick? Why? How do we get there?

The quality of our directions is what is needed. We can't say, any longer, go to where the Roy Rodgers was, turn left. Then turn at the bend where the Isley's was, and go past the former factory site, blah, blah, blah.

We need a compass that isn't mired in mud. We need roads that are not with ruts and potholes. We need maps -- with fresh concepts and excellent leadership that know and understand the region.

Time will tell if Bob's campaign is but another re-tred or not.

Meet: Katrina Brabham, Campaign Manager

Katrina comes to us from the San Francisco Bay Area by way of New York City and Washington, DC. A graduate of Columbia College, she lived in the Bay Area for 11 years where she worked primarily in the biotech industry. Katrina moved to Pittsburgh in 1998 with the hopes of working in the nascent tissue engineering industry. Currently, she works in a local company's R&D facility as a laboratory technician. She is also working towards a B.S. in Chemistry, Bioscience Option, at the University of Pittsburgh with the hopes of graduating in December 2006. Her ambitions include an eventual Masters Degree in Bioengineering.

Katrina's Pittsburgh home has always been on the North Side. First, she resided in the Mexican War Streets and now lives in Observatory Hill. Her home is in the city but not within the borders of the PA Senate 42nd District.

In the past two years, Katrina has become more and more politically and socially active. She is a member of the Urban League Young Professionals, the Green Party, and Observatory Hill, Inc. Last year she worked on the the campaign of a Green Party member in the General Assembly, District 21 election.

Call for new business network by Herb for GOPers

Herb and Ron are putting out a call for a new business network. See the comments for details.

Libertarians gather for the monthly meeting this week. Join us if you wish.

The February meeting of the Libertarian Party of Allegheny County is starts at 7 pm on this coming Wednesday, February 16, at Ritters Diner on Baum Blvd.

All are welcome to attend.

Wiki coverage. We do this at Platform.For-Pgh.org

New tools ease collaboration and publishing online The idea is to make it easy to quickly post and remove stuff from digital bulletin boards where the online communities of the future will gather to catch up and trade ideas, images and work.

'We're turning the Web into a conversation,' said Glenn Reid, chief executive and founder of Five Across Inc.

Link goes to a nice article. But, that isn't new, really.

Blogs can get you fired ... she started a 'Bloggers Rights Movement,' calling on other bloggers to sign a petition demanding that companies let employees know their blog policies."

Meanwhile, the backlash is nasy for some who are not insulated.

What I'm doing, running for public office, isn't for everyone. I realize that I'm one of the very few who are fortunate enough to have the built-in protections with job safety. I'm not an island. But, I don't have a the normal sets of worries that 98% of the rest of the population.

I'm thrilled to study, endorse and greatly extend sensible bills of rights for bloggers and whistleblowers.

As we clean house and put fresh insights into office, piles of dirt are going to surface. Everything won't be fixed with one victory on the polls on election day. In time, as others see that we are strongly committed to open, direct, accountable, responsible, problem solving -- a flood discussions will emerge.

Server Re-tooling and upgrades

The servers we deploy within our efforts are being upgraded. More capacity, more utility, more focus. Hence, some of the pages won't be accessible for a few days, perhaps.

Thanks for your understanding.

It is okay to email me at: Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com.
Call: 412 298 3432.

Parties set to make picks for Wagner's Senate seat

Today's ink in the Post-Gazette:

Parties set to make picks for Wagner's Senate seat: "Besides the Democratic and Republican candidates, there will be a third hopeful in the race -- Libertarian Party candidate Mark Rauterkus, a South Side community activitist.

This is a solid article on the race as it looks today.

Yesterday I went to the Election Department and obtained the list of all the county's committee members for both of the old-parties. The list is a little old in that the open spaces can be filled with appointments. Those appointments are not always reported with frequency to the Election Department.

I could fax a copy of the public list to anyone who might be interested.

These lists should be open and revealed to the public, in my opinion. I like open and transparent representation. Both of the old parties try to guard their lists to a degree. Prove me wrong if you can. I'd be happy if it were not so.

Some stonewalling treatment would be expected if you tried to seek the list yourself.

Zappala must be busy.

Zappala probing payment to Wecht Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. has launched a criminal investigation of county Coroner Dr. Cyril H. Wecht for possible violations of state and federal law.
...
the DA's investigation is being handled by Assistant District Attorney Lawrence Claus, who oversees the office's public corruption section. He also is in charge of an inquiry into whether Mayor Tom Murphy and city firefighters union President Joseph King broke state law in connection with the 2001 mayoral primary.

I can't begin to figure out what's up with all of these cases. I dare not go there but only to say that, at times, it takes a new broom to sweep clean. We need to clean house. We need to pull ourselves up and out of the mud, the court cases and corruption.

Part of the Platform.For-Pgh.org looks at the trend to run quickly and often to court. If elected, I'll try to raise our margin of litigation.

Song: Don't Put Me In a box by Johnsmith

I grew up in a big clan, small town in the heartland.
Was the third of ten kids, good Irish Catholic.
We went to school down at ol' St Joe's, we had catechism with the nums in the robes.
They took their chalk and drew our souls, boxes full of sins on the big blackboard.

Chorus:
Sometimes, some people try so hard.
To put us in a box, and tell us that's who we are.
Well I'm not, no no I'm not.
I am more than what they see. I am one more mystery.
Oh please, don't put me in a box.

I'm a whole lot more than these arms and legs, hands or feet or whiskered face.
A while lot more than my family tree, or where I'm from or the friends I keep.
I went down to the bank to ge me a loan. The man at the desk said to fill out the form.
Your name, your age, your job, your pay, your whole life story on one small page.

Chorus.

Bridge:
Will I dreamt myself a dream last night. I dreamt the gates of heaven were open wide.
Ol' St. Peter was holdin' a sign. He said there aint no boxes allowed inside.
So when I got up, I got to thinkin'. Maybe ol' St. Peter, he wasn't kidin'. Maybe it's time I lit a match. Burn my boxes, and never look back.

Sometimes, some of us try so hard, to hold onto our boxes that tell us that's who we are.
Well I'm not, no, no, I'm not.
I am more than what they see. I am one big mystery.
Oh please, please, don't put me in a box.

Don't put me in a white box.
Don't put me in a black box.
Don't put me in a straight box.
Dont' put me in some gay box.
Don't put me in a rich box, poor box, young box, old box.
Smart box, stupid box, left box, right box.
Red, white, and blue box.
Please don't put me in a box.

Rarely Pure and Never Simple: A Local Rant

This comes from another site. Talks about the battles among Ds and Rs.

Rarely Pure and Never Simple: A Local Rant: "One more reason why I hate republicans is because they buy democrats.