Eminent domain case to Supreme Court

High court to weigh eminent domain The question before the Supreme Court is whether the redevelopment of Fort Trumbull, which the city believes will invigorate the economy of New London, is a 'public use' that overrides the owners' right to hold on to their land if they choose.

Pittsburgh has used eminent domain as a hammer too. Let's see what the top court decides.

I strongly oppose the use of eminent domain. Too many properties are owned by the government now. There is no need to take more. The justification of taking property and from one and give it to another is lost to me.

Remember Pittsburgh Wool and the rip off the past?

Think about the other funny dealings -- such as National Indoor Tennis along the busway. PAT was to expand, but didn't.

Pittsburgh Independent Media Center blogs on the FBI

Pittsburgh Independent Media Center On Wednesday, January 26, Bill Parks, an agent with the Pittsburgh Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) visited the home of an intern and a staff member of the Thomas Merton Center.

An anoymous contributor notes that the FBI has also been interviewing local Muslim activists recently and asking questions related to potential divisions in the activist community, particularly on race lines.

If you are contacted by the FBI: you are advised to refuse to speak with them and ask them to contact your lawyer. In general there is no requirement that you answer their questions, but saying anything false, even if it is unrelated to an investigation, could be a federal crime.

Some of us are anxious to get extra help and interns. Then the TMC and the Pgh Indie Media Center are turning them away. At least they are not beating down their doors.

Elect.Rauterkus.com campaign crew -- our brain trust of sorts.

Race coverage -- Fontana is to resign any hour now, it seems. Who takes his place?

Fontana seeks nomination - PittsburghLIVE.com Mark Rauterkus, of the South Side, is running as a Libertarian.

With the rules of the county charter looming large, Wayne Fontana is going to resign from County Council. When that happens, any hour now, I fully expect, then a series of events is to unfold.

First, the county council gets to appoint a new member to the County Council to fill the rest of the term of Fontana. That has to happen within 30 days and that person must be of the same party of the outgoing council memeber.

So the second question is -- who gets the short term appointment.

Furthermore, who is going to announce as candidates for open county council seat? This will be a special election to occur May 17, 2005.

This is why Fontana needs to vacate his seat as soon as possible.

I'd love to have a running mate to campaign with in a shared quest.

Experts are a few bricks shy of a full load

Of course the experts in Pittsburgh, given the trends of the current administration for the past 11 years, are mostly focused on the building and the location.

Gambling in the future - PittsburghLIVE.com: "Experts say the casino's design and location largely will determine whether residents derive enough economic benefit from the business to tolerate its traffic, parking congestion and effects on the city's leisure activities.

Bricks and mortar matter greatly to those in power now. Frankly, I'm hard pressed to find much more that matters at all with them.

The location and the building of the casino have little to do with the casino's eventual success or failure.

In Las Vegas, the buildings are of all shapes and sizes. Moreover, the services are of all types too -- from upscale lavishness to gutter grit. I'd say that the success or failure of the casino hinges upon managers. The city is failing, and the managers are at fault.

Harshness on His Honor and the hell-hole harshness of negativity from the Trib editors.

Peduto lines up support for mayoral campaign - PittsburghLIVE.com Don't believe a word this man says. Anyone happen to notice Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy's shameless attempt last week to deflect blame for exorbitant city firefighter overtime costs?

So what. The Trib is known for being harsh on Tom Murphy. But, is the Trib ready to be less harsh on anyone else? We won't hold our breath. The same article, if it is one, pokes hard at Lamb.

LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER? Word on Grant Street is that a recent Lamb fund-raiser at the Omni William Penn Hotel, Downtown, didn't exactly result in a campaign windfall.

Someone who was there said there couldn't have been more than 90 people at the $250-per-person event, with many of those attending having received complimentary tickets.

Lamb is going to need to bring a lot more money to the dance if he hopes to have a chance against front-runner O'Connor.

It is always easy to name call and discount. John Thompson couldn't raise the money, or Mark Brentley didn't win at dog catcher, or Clinton's audio book is reselling at $9 used.

The management of decline is well illustrated in print there.

Feeling generous?

The PayPal account for Elect.Rauterkus.com is open. Click the button and make a donation to the campaign for the special election for PA Senate in the 42nd District. The election is on May 17, 2005. After clicking the button, you can choose the donation amount.

Some of the other guys

Edico - Political Announcements

The Diven for Senate campaign gets a big boost with the arrival of future Swann-ite and GOP consultant Ray Zaborney to oversee this potentially passionate race. Zaborney's presence shows that the State GOP and Senate Republicans are dead serious about winning this seat. A quick glimpse at the win column that Zaborney has had a hand in; Congressman Bill Shuster, Attorney General Tom Corbett, Allegheny County Judge Jill Rangos to name a few along with countless other state and local races. The big guys choice as commander in chief in this race speaks volumes. Curb talk has him playing a major role in the potential Lynn Swann campaign for Governor.

This just in on the nine’s… Allegheny County Councilman Wayne Fontana has just paid his filing fee to seek the endorsement to run for the state Senate seat vacated by Chancellor er I mean Auditor General Jack Wagner…curb talk had Chancellor sister-in-law Eileen Wagner as the heiress apparent and Allegheny County Treasurer John Weinstein as the man courted by Rendell…but at the end of the day, even with weak internal polling, Fontana becomes the candidate…which of course begs the question…When does Wayne resign his County council seat?

I dare predict that Fontana won't resign next week. Lots of the members on County Council don't like the law within the County Charter that applies to them. They might feel above the law. A change to the county charter was put before the voters twice. Both times the voters said that the law stays.

Weak internal polling means potential for strong outreach throughout the campaign. That's welcomed. Both Diven and Fontana have a struggle on their hands. Let the exercise begin. May the voters and citizens win in the end.

Steelers drop nightclub plan, look to reduce amphitheater

Steelers drop nightclub plan, look to reduce amphitheater
The amphitheater grant was criticized by some who did not believe Rendell should be awarding money to a successful private sports franchise.

The sweet smell of victory, again. The victory is not in the fact that little is happening. Rather, the victory is in the fact that the Murphy vision is more of a memory than a "done deal." The corporate welfare stinks. The real solutions to the North Side have to include a re-look at the promises offered to the ball teams. They had to put up or else. They had a timeline too. Extensions were already offered on a few instances. They can't deliver on their own.

The baseball team and the football team needs to stick to the games of their own leagues. They teams are sure to make horrid developers. They've proven that already. The teams are sure to be horrid neighbors too, for working people. But I'm sure that the teams would never see it as such.

The thought-controlled robotic arm

Engadget - www.engadget.com

Now if we had any thought control in the robotic hugs of Bob O'Connor we'd really have something to crow about.

The link goes to a Pitt connection.

I'll say nothing about lever pullers when it comes to election day and those robotic motions. Woops. Just did.

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.