Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances gives a mention

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - PittsburghLIVE.com On the 'Watch List' I: The 42nd District state Senate race. Democrat-turned-Republican state Rep. Mike Diven has won the GOP committee's nomination to fill now-state Auditor General Jack Wagner's vacant seat. Democrats will choose from among four candidates on Sunday to face Diven in May's special election. Given the relative impuissance of the Dems' candidate kitty (and Libertarian challenger Mark Rauterkus), this race is Mr. Diven's to lose.

How does one read that statement? It's Diven's race to lose and my being in the race helps to insure his victory? How do you take that statement? And, what about the race overall.
We'll know in less than 24 hours who the Dems are putting onto the ballot.

School Sell Off puts "Z" at the front of the class.

PPS is starting the process for the eventual selling of four of its now empty schools. My reaction to this news is that they are taking the easy road. They want to sell of the best schools at first bush. That is exactly the wrong way to proceed. The hardest schools to sell should be the first to be put onto the market.

The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

I hate to see our neighborhood groups do "slam dunk projects." Rather, the non-profits around here should be doing the heavy lifting to help in our hardest challenges.

Invited to a radio interview on Monday at 4 pm at 1360 AM

I've been invited, and I'm expecting to be on the air for an interview on Monday at 4 pm, 1360 AM radio, with Jerry Bowyer.

Note the time change.

Nonprofits joining to make payments to city

Here comes the formation of another hand-picked, non-elected board for oversight. Charters and consitutions -- not needed. Rules of operation only get in the way to those who are with power. Elections are not welcomed either.

When the city is in the role of begger -- the city can't expect anything else other than crumbs from the willing. This is not a healthy position for the city. The downward spiral continues.

Nonprofits joining to make payments to city The city's nonprofits stepped closer to collecting the $6 million in voluntary payments included in Pittsburgh's 2005 city budget today with the naming of a 12-member board to oversee the funding.

I'd love to be proven wrong, but it's my opinion that the formation of a board is but one step in a journey that would span 10,000 miles. Most people can get into the airplane, some can fly a plane, and few can land it in a safe way. The journey's destination is a long way into the future.

However, I feel that the journey picks up speed after the present mayor departs and again after the next mayor is in office.

This fine group of people have their own jobs to do with their own institutions. Fixing the city isn't their prime motivations in life. They may plod along and suprise us -- but I'm not expecting greatness nor leadership for the city's mess. They'll lend a hand. But, the best way for them to help is to have new city leadership. Then the next mayor can pull them along quickly.

Schenley, 73 - 50 and winners on girls side too

The Schenley hoops teams won the city league basketball games tonight at The Pete.

Last night I was part of a meeting that concerned our students at Schenley and the other schools that are part of the International Studies program. My children are in the Spanish Magnet at Phillips on the South Side. We walk to school. Phillips is part neighborhood school and part Spanish Magnet.

There are a number of other elem. schools around the Pgh Public Schools District that are devoted to foreign languages.

I'm not happy to see a 23-point spread in a championship game. Nor am I happy to learn of the gap in the perceptions of the programs from the present to the past. And, some schools are working hard at the languages in their daily lessons. Others don't.

When the kids merge at the Middle School, Frick, the wide range of knowledge and preperations make a strain.

The common theme: We need to raise standards. We need to have higher expectations. We are not satisfied. We want the kids to graduate and be bi-lingual.

Porkers on the Federal Level

Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) has named New York Senators Hillary Clinton (D) and Charles Schumer (D) Co-Porkers of the Month for pledging to fight the President's reforms of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Sens. Clinton and Schumer lashed out at the President, with Sen. Clinton describing the federal economic development grants as "a lifeline" for New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet. Yet past grants in New York have included $25,000 for construction of the Music Conservatory of Westchester (one of the wealthiest counties in the nation) and $500,000 for "streetscape improvements," also in Westchester. For resisting much-need reforms in a wasteful program, for exaggerating the supposed benefits of CDBGs, and for leaning on federal grants to cover up local problems, CAGW names New York Sens. Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer its February Porkers of the Month.

Public transit: No more band-aids.

State funding dedicated to public transportation obviously is a problem. I (and for those who depend on public transit) hope we see our State Senate and Governor, act responsibly. Pass permanent legislation to provide permanent, dedicated funding to public transit. Public transportation is vital to a thriving, growing area.

Given the population demise in Pittsburgh, along with the rising tax structures in Allegheny County, related municipalities and school district, why did the management of the Port Authority of Allegheny County not take earlier steps to tighten its own belt?

Several years ago after a rate increase, as an employee of a downtown company, I took the personal steps on my own. My former bus commute became a 3o minute walk. I made the decision to walk from home to work and back. I was lucky that I had the choice, the good health and the modest distance for a daily hike. Unfortunately, many others are dependent on public transporation and can't take the same simple steps.

The importance of public transportation is noted at www.publictransportation.org. Summary: "Public transportation provides greater freedom, access, opportunity and choice for Americans. It also strengthens America's communities by stimulating the economy, reducing traffic congestion, decreasing dependency on foreign oil, preserving a healthy, safe environment and creating jobs…"

Slopes Town Meeting on Monday night

A TOWN MEETING TO DISCUSS DRUG ACTIVITY SURROUNDING THE VICINITY OF
ST. PAUL MONASTERY is slated for St. Paul Retreat Center, Main Lounge Area, 148 Monastery Avenue at 7 pm on Monday, February 28, 2005.

Expect Commander William Joyce, Zone 3 and Commander William Valenta, Narcotics and Vice Unit. Come with your questions and concerns.

Peduto a hockey player

Peduto officially enters mayoral race Peduto, a hockey player, noted that the United States Olympic hockey team won a gold medal 25 years ago today, two days after beating the favored Soviet Union team in the so-called 'Miracle on Ice.'

Pittsburgh has a marathon runner in the mayor's office now and the city doesn't even have a marathon any longer. The marathon ended on Murphy's watch. But, he's on the way out.

Peduto, a hockey player, has been on city council while the lone indoor ice rink in the city has stayed closed. So our next mayor could be like our last. A hockey guy with no hockey venue just as a marathon runner without a home-town race.

If Bill wants to run as a miracle hockey player -- he'd better think a bit about the now closed indoor ice rink. I've done everything I can do. But, I'm not holding elected office.

Furthermore, Bill comes over to the South Side to announce his campaign's start. Welcome to the neighborhood. He wanted to stand on the roof of an old building and look out over the city's skyline. Sounds like my house. But, he went to Terminal Way, a building that's crawling with a lot of non-profits now. That site used to be for commerce and wealth creation.

Bill's arrival into the race is welcomed. His winning the office, that is another matter to be sure. Time will tell.

Last night Bill came over to a meeting I was attending, "Drinking Liberally." Good to hear from him there. He said that a number of his views in the last three years had changed. I've noticed. I expect that the transformation will continue in the next three years as well.

Bill and I agree in most places as to the problems. So, as he talks, he is about 75% right on with my perspectives too. However, that last bit as to how to fix things -- he turns to a solution of a super authority, an authority over all other authories, as in transit. Ouch.

But, there is something to be said for talking it out.

In an email his office needs lamps, folders, computer monitors, furnature. Send that to him if you have it. I don't need any of that for my office. We're covered. However, I'm in the market for 6,000 blank CDs, jewel cases optional.

My wish list: CDs. Pointers and blank media welcomed.

Heads up for St. Louis, the other gateway city

I submitted a letter to the editor for publishing in the St. Louis newspaper as Dr. John Thompson is a finalist for the Superintendent's job there. See the comment area.

Campaign Finance Reform - my solution - as Peduto's plan was put in play

Vendors, Shade, Advertisements

The citizens are pushing at City Council on a few matters.

I stand for the free markets! If I was in charge, we'd expand and loosen the vendor restrictions.

Meanwhile, the city is going in the wrong directions. The city is kicking out the vendors in Oakland. The vendors provide valued services.

The shade tree commission is about to see its stream of income diverted into the general fund. The income to the city from the bus shelter ads is to go directly to the commission now. However, some on council want to change the existing policy.

The best solution would be the creation of a Pittsburgh Park District that would include the revenue stream and the responsibility of the existing shade tree commission. We need to work on quality of life matters and not be bogged down with other city business matters such as roads and police.

A new Pittsburgh Park District, using the model that operates in Illinois, would be a perfect setting for these discussions and deliberations and decisions.

As to the ads in the ballfields --- same solution different problem. The parks people should make park decisions. And all the citizens should be part of the public park process. An open entity, operating with the sunshine laws, devote to the green, healthy, web of life elements is so important to our mission as a region.

We need a Pittsburgh Park District. As a state senator, I'd insure its arrival. Then all these matters can flow into that body for us to discuss and act upon.

Race field narrows

Diven gets GOP nod - PittsburghLIVE.com Mark Rauterkus, of the South Side, is running as a Libertarian.

Dave Brown, thanks for listing us all.

Diven gets GOP nod for state Senate seat: "Diven, the hand-picked candidate of the GOP leadership in Harrisburg, ..."

Campaign Finance Reform memo from Mark Rauterkus

Memo:

From: Mark Rauterkus, Mark@Rauterkus.com

Present roles: Candidate for PA Senate (42nd dist) in the special election on May 17, 2005 Task force member of Bill Peuduto's campaign finance reform legislation.

To: Task Force, and Public

Date: Feb. 23, 2005

Our work on the campaign finance reform task force is coming to a close and now it is time to make the next push, out into the community at large. We have had some good discussions so far. Now we will see what can take root and help in our shared landscape in our political world.

I have major points to stress. I will take these points far and wide in efforts to get them approved and blended into our future solutions. I hope to get the approval of the task force on two of these matters. Points #3, # 4 and # 5 don't fit into the task force mission.

#1. The banks need to be asked to form a new type of account for PAC that is fully transparent.

#2. The enforcement needs to include a no-contract “scarlet letter” designation for guilty parties that prohibits all city contracts from such people, organizations and corporation for the duration of the candidate's term in office.

#3. The city can offer a suite of interactions among candidates and citizens that cost little or nothing so as to have better educated voters.

#4. Candidate debates should include all candidates on the ballot. Otherwise, serious measures of accommodation should be enacted.

#5. An ethics program and task force of sorts should be instigated. I'd be willing to participate in those discussions.

Heavy Or Not

ACLU Pizza video is clever. It is at AdCritic.com.
http://www.adcritic.com/interactive/view.php?id=5927

Thanks for the pointer Bob.

Grassroots PA reports on the first old party selection that ended today

Grassroots PA
...
27 -Scoscia
2 - Jason

I posted there, in the comments, in closing: "Now to pick up and polish some pebbles so as to better arm the sling shot. (Hint: Think David and Goliath.)"

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Hempfield sacks coach

PittsburghLIVE.com Hempfield Area football players went all out in defense of their coach Monday night, but their last-ditch attempt to persuade the school board to reinstate Robert 'Bo' Ruffner Jr. was to no avail.

My heart goes out to these kids and the coaches in this saga. These stories occur around here every year, sadly. Paul Seneca, girls varsity basketball coach at North Allegheny, didn't get his contract renewed last year.

In a few weeks or months, I'd love to interview Bo in the TV studios.

One of my sideline sites is CLOH.Org. It can come to mean Coaching Legacy Of Honor. Seems to me, from being from afar, that coach is taking the high road with the situation -- as all great educators generally do. That's honorable.

Some who's who listing -- hardly a lesson as to what's what however

State Rep. Kotik joins race for Wagner's state Senate seat: "
Two incumbent council members, Peduto and Sala Udin, face challengers Sunday. Harlan Stone, a lawyer, has filed in the 8th District, opposing Peduto, who is seeking the council endorsement in addition to his mayoral quest. Udin is challenged by Tonya Payne, the Democratic chairwoman of the 1st Ward.

The 2nd District council seat is open due to Councilman Alan Hertzberg's decision to run for judge. It has attracted six Democratic candidates: Melissa A. Rossiter, Michael Galovich, Paul F. Renne, Daniel Deasey, Paul Mastandrea and William Urbanic.

Do you believe in miracles?

I do.

Twenty-five years ago, I was coaching swimming as an assistant with the Ohio University men's team. We were at a swim meet at Bowling Green State Univ. BG had a player or two on the USA Squad, so the place was really buzzing.

Today, just hours after plugging in the PayPal account, we're able to report that the donation pipeline is "open and flowing."

Perhaps that's another miracle to some. To me, its not.

To mark a milestone, the Elect.Rauterkus.com campaign has already exceeded the total amount of contributions in cash from my past camapign four years ago. I ran for Mayor, City of Pittsburgh, in 2001. I was in a contested Republican Primary. Back then, I and others knew the city was in serious trouble. We needed to do something about our town before we drained the public treasury. Well, I ran for Mayor. I got 46% of the GOP vote, a percentage that was higher than my age. In that quest, I got votes city-wide for $.30 each when looking at the $ spent and #s of votes earned.

Mayor Tom Murphy and then City Council President Bob O'Connor got votes for $30 each. Do the math.

My efforts in 2001 was a "paper campaign" so I've come to discover. That's political jargon. As a rookie, I raised $600, then. Today, within a day of opening the new PayPal account -- this campaign has exceeded the amount raised from the entire duration of the last campaign.

The Elect.Rauterkus.com campaign is my second ever. It is the first that I'll be on the ballot in the "general election." To date, no Democrat has ever had the opportunity to vote for me. It is safe to say, I'm NOT running a "paper campaign" in 2005.

No online donations have yet been deposited within the Politics Online process / utility. That just got approval some hours ago. If you'd like to be the first -- please be my guest. The links follow below on this blog.

I'm here to join with others who want to shape the future. We want to make history -- not be a slave of it.

Thanks for your support and consideration.