Election Reform Task Force meeting in Harrisburg on Thursday

The Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition, PBAC, and the chair of the Libertarian Party in Pennsylvania announced an election reform task force meeting on March 17 to focus on changes that will have a minimal impact at best on voter turnout.

We hope to bring their attention to the much larger issue of ballot access where the facts are in our favor. According to U.S. Census data, 7.7 percent of the people in our nation didn't vote in 2000 because they didn't like the candidates. Our research reveals that assuring third party candidates a place on the ballot is the best way, hands down, to improve voter participation. The PBAC has prepared and submitted a report to the coalition outlining our position.

We need your help to drive that message home to the Election Reform Task Force this Thursday. We are hoping some of you might be able to attend the meeting to support our speakers. Having a showing of support in the audience encourages our presenters and adds emphasis to our points with the task force.

The meeting is from 10 to 4 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2005, at the North Office Building, Ground Floor, Hearing Room 1, Topic - Voter Participation.

Philadelphia Inquirer - Reheating case of election fraud

Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/11/2005 | Tom Ferrick Jr. | Reheating case of election fraud... But Stack's attorney asked Jackson to reconsider her ruling. She granted them that right, briefs were filed on both sides by mid-August, and the judge told the parties she would probably rule by Labor Day.

They should have asked: Do you mean Labor Day 2004?

Because Labor Day came and went and there was no ruling by Jackson. So did Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Presidents' Day and Valentine's Day.

As of today, Stack and his codefendants have not been tried. Heck, they haven't had a preliminary hearing.

A ruling, please

This week, new Attorney General Tom Corbett sent a letter to Jackson asking her to rule on the out-of-county judge issue so the case could proceed.

'Justice delayed is justice denied,' said Kevin Harley, the AG's spokesman. 'These were serious charges brought that go to the heart of our electoral system.'

Meanwhile, the elder Stack is back in the news as one of the owners - along with his five children - of a potentially lucrative tract of land along the Delaware River, which is a potential site for one of the city's new slots parlors.

Sale of water rights on the 22-acre piece of land in Fishtown was approved by the state legislature last year for $100,000. A Las Vegas casino company has an option to buy that tract and an adjacent one for $40 million.

Talk about hitting the jackpot...

Some chatter on contributions to the world

Photos from our experience in China in 2004 are displayed on a web site at a University in Canada.

A nice note from a web reader came to say how the presentation was enjoyed and how fortunate we were. I agree fully. She came to my site on a search about China and Democracy.

An Irish-themed contribution is to come in a day or two, as some family stories are to be put online. We have a set of original kids books that feature a magical dragon, Yup. His slogan is, "Yup, let's do it." Very positive. The set of books came about over a number of years. They are read and re-read every March in this home.

Catherine (my wife) had an article in the glossy newstand magazine, Simple Living. That is now showing up on AOL screen shots as a quote, with her attribution. If you happen to see it, please talk a screen shot and forward it to me. I'm not an AOL user. The attribution is Catherine V. Palmer, Ph.D. and the content has something to do with hearing.

The word, "Netizen" is an more modern word that fits in place of "citizen." I've been called by Paul Sentner a "Citizen Candidate." Perhaps the next level is to be a "Netizen Candidate?" But, I've already been scolded by others with less vision and more sensible yet pessimistic outlooks to not invent my own words while I'm trying to win public office.

Concepts to push the envelope, for the years to come include: Moment to moment justice; Netizen Candidate; Eureka Squared; Structural Accountability; Assessment buffering; Transparent Bank Account.

For now, we'll just run on our legacy of astonishing creativity and the slogan, "Think again."

There goes my float in a parade for St. Pat's Day postings. Now off to meet the crowds.

Pitt out -- Ohio Men's Basketball Team Advance in the MAC

Ohio basketball teams head to Cleveland for the Mid-American Conference Tournament! The Ohio men's basketball team will face Miami in the MAC Tournament semifinals in Gund Arena, tonight at 7:00 p.m. The winners of the two semifinal games will meet for the MAC Tournament championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament on Saturday at 7 p.m. More: http://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/mbball

Ohio University invites you to attend a Bobcat Bash at the MAC Tournament. Sponsored by: Ohio University Alumni Association, Trustees Academy, Ohio Athletics and Green & White Club. Special appearances by the Bobcat, Cheerleaders and Marching 110

Ohio University will kick off a Bobcat Bash 90 minutes prior to each Ohio University Men’s Basketball tournament game. Bobcat Bash - Admission is FREE (snacks will be provided and a cash bar will be available).

Game tickets – Single game tickets are $28. Sit will fellow Bobcats; purchase your game ticket at the Ohio table at Will Call in Gund Arena or contact the Ohio Athletics Ticket Office at 740-593-1300 or 800-575-CATS (2287).

Gund Arena -- Upon arrival to the Gund, follow the Ohio Bobcat Bash signs or ask an usher for directions to the Ohio Bobcat Bash.

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - PittsburghLIVE.com

This isn't a hail storm, but it is more than a flurry.

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - PittsburghLIVE.com: "Lance: To Wayne Fontana. The Allegheny County Charter is clear. County Council members have to first resign before seeking other elective public office. Mr. Fontana is the Democrats' nominee in the 42nd Senatorial District special election to replace now-Auditor General Jack Wagner. He says he has 30 days and will leave the council on Thursday.

What, Fontana can't read? Any 'official' action he may take between now and his departure will be illegal. And this guy wants to be a state senator?

Letters to the editor: 3/11/05 - Wenzig nails the fumbling opponent

I don't know this person. But she gets my praise for ruffling feathers.

Letters to the editor: 3/11/05 Contorted ethics

On Feb. 20 Allegheny County Councilman Wayne Fontana received the Democratic nomination for the special election for the 42nd state Senate district. The election held on primary day will be to fill the seat due to the departure of Jack Wagner.

Despite the fact that the home rule charter passed by Allegheny County voters clearly states that no member of County Council shall be a candidate for another office unless he or she resigns from County Council, Mr. Fontana continues to hold his seat. And he intends to hold onto it until March 17 ('Fontana Not Leaving Council Just Yet,' March 9). He is banking on a technicality that he isn't 'officially' a candidate until he files formal paperwork with the state Democratic Committee; he says he has until March 28 to do that ('Fontana Resigning -- Soon,' March 5). What a contorted ethical view this man possesses! I suppose he doesn't plan to raise funds or campaign until after that time!

Is this the kind of state senator that South Hills residents want to represent us? This is the exact kind of self-serving nonsense that Rep. Michael Diven left behind when he moved to the Republican Party. Rep. Diven's independence and integrity are admirable traits which voters -- both Democratic and Republican -- respect. Mr. Fontana's first order of business as a candidate is to do an end-run around the law, and it shows that he doesn't deserve the office of state senator.

JANINE WENZIG, Dormont

Janie, I still need a press agent with the Elect.Rauterkus.com campaign. Are you interested? You've got the job. Call me. 412 298 3432.

My long-time friend, now at the Convention Center with a booth at the home show, wrote a LTE to the PG and it was pulled on Saturday, sadly. Oh well. That isn't my paper, so I understand.

My efforts to write an op-ed for the RACE FOR MAYOR series in the PG have begun. My slant these days is about the process and our democracy. We need to think again. We need viable alternatives. New regional leadership is necessary. Understanding that effective leadership isn't four years to install in a stop sign nor 30 days to resign from an office. We need to move along -- and pass beyond the old guard.

This special election for state senate is to fill a two year term. Elect me and if I don't do a good job, in two years, toss me out of office and elect someone else.

Polling activity from someone else

I'm hearing from a number of my friends in the 42nd district about some telephone polling being done, again. I'm not sure of who is doing the calls. Perhaps they are internal and from the state house or senate from one or the other old parties.

I'm being included.

Time will tell if the results are to be made known. From time to time KDKA might co-sponsor a poll.

The tone of the poll questions, so I hear from others, makes it more like a 'push poll.' They are seeking opinions and trying to sway some opinions as they ask loaded questions.

One question in the suite of interactions with callers who take this poll are presented with the fact of one of my opponents going to CUBA in the past. Then they are asked is that news make the candidate more favorable or less favorable in that person's opinion.

For the record, I've not been to Cuba. But, we spend five weeks in China in 2004 and you can see some of our photos online.

Some day people might take more interest in our travels. When they do, I'll be happy to share our "slides." Just ask and I'll point you to our photos of the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone from this fall.

I guess if you don't have much to say and you have a lot of money to burn, you can sponsor opinion polls that ask "boxer" or "briefs." Hope they can fabricate something in the weeks to come.

Lost College Grad: Why political?

Another blogger had a few interesting comments to make about the political life. These are his words at the top section and mine to follow.

Lost College Grad: Why political? Why political?

Why is everything political? I mean, why do people feel the need to push their political ideas? I look at all these blog sights and everyone is just trying to out do everyone else on their political ideas.

I look at the local Pittsburgh blogs and I see people claiming they are the greatest leaders in the world and know how to pull this city out of it's problems, yet no action. And then you try to say something nice about the city and throw out a random idea and you get a college lecture. As I remember there was sleeping involved while reading because it was that boring.

This is why I don't vote. Go ahead and hate on me. I really don't care. If all you can do is hate on other people then you must of low self-esteem.

A lot of people have opinions, but don't turn them into constant yelling, like those political shows on TV because those people don't do shit.

In summary to all the I am the greatest politico of all times. SHUT UP! Because you are not listening to what's going on around you.

I am listening. I'm with my head up and ears on. You can post what you want at the Platform.For-Pgh.org/wiki/ I dare say, none other around here is going to do anything like what I've been doing for the past years.

Peduto did instigate with CMU a Community Connections site, but it was broken. Get out the band-aids. I asked that it be turned off and archived as it fell into disrepair. Sounds familiar as our city is in neglect too.

I do try my very best to put my words into action as well. I walk the talk. I work with kids. I lend my support. I go to concerts and host musicians.

My talk isn't about being the "best" -- rather it is mostly about being a steward. I respect the process and democracy. I scratch for the creative ideas and work at the meaningful elements.

Shared services (O'Connor's words) and combined dog license sales or tax bills (Lamb's) are a yawns.

A very good associate, who runs eVote, did not vote recently. She too is so upset she can't even get to the polls. Your suggestions are noted.

Last night in the town hall meeting there were a few comments from the audience about our "post-democratic society." My will is to turn that tide to the other direction.

Bob O'Connor wants shorter board stays for the people who serve on the authority boards. This short stay on the board allows him to make more appointments. He'd churn the volunteers who serve with shorter terms.

My approch to authority boards and authority operations is much unlike that from O'Connor. In January 2004 I called for the liquidation of the Parking Authority. That shortens the board term of the authority. We don't need the board. We don't need to have the agency doing parking as that is not a core governmental operation. The phase out of the parking authority would take some years, but it should be eliminated.

We need to instigate new policies that make "retention votes" for board members who might want to stay on the board and is doing a fine job as measured by the votes of the people. Board members would be appointed. However, after their appointment and first year of service, they'd have to score well on a retention vote at the ballot box.

Retention votes are used in other places to retain or move to replace judges. Retention votes insert accountability into the process.

The Lost College Grad asked why does everyone need to push their ideas. The simple answer is because its our duty. We are American. Our society depends upon the free exchange of thought. When ideas are shared, they gain in value or are proven to be without value. As ideas are shared, relationships are forged too.

In China, talk of politics is taboo. The chatter is robust in terms of the economy, but not much happens in other conversations on other topics. Here we are free, mostly. We have a legacy of being free at least. In China, they are not.

Our freedom shows itself within our solutions. I feel that America's superior potential hinges upon its ability to handle and foster freedoms in conversations and thought transfers. We thrive as we share ideas. We all win and can have better quality lives as opinions are measured and flowing with refinement of course.

Hence, I agree that constant yelling can't work. I agree that the listening part is critical as well. Send me an email, Mark@Rauterkus.com, and I'll listen. Or, better yet, post a comment on the blog, and we'll all listen.

BTW, I tried to post a follow up at the Lost College Grad blog, but got an error. Blogger has been flakey for me too in recent days.

Free State Project Talk: Secession and Democracy

Speaker: Jason Sorens, founder of the Free State Project at 6 pm on Tuesday, March 15, 2005, at the University of Pittsburgh Law School, 3900 Forbes Ave.

More at: http://freestateproject.org/news/events.php

McKeesport Ink on my call for a resignation

The Daily News Part of the pressure was on the chairman of that committee.

Link to article, and more chatter on it below.

Comments From Left Field - Gallery - Politics/Drinking Liberally March 8, 2005 - 04

Here we are: Katrina B, (campaign manager), Robert O., (candidate for city council), Mark Rauterkus (candidate for PA Senate), Wilburn Hayden, (director of social policy and research), Tom L. (friend, still, with a role to come I hope soon, right?)

Comments From Left Field - Gallery - Politics/Drinking Liberally March 8, 2005 - 04: " http://commentsfromleftfield.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-77"

That's Dr. Hayden's beverage in front of us. Heck, it's called Drinking Liberally!

It took us four years to get that stop sign in by the park

I got to speak and take question in Wingate tonight. Great event. Best sweet potato pie I ever had too.

Bob O'Connor was speaking and said, "It took us four years to get that stop sign installed." It was one that was a problem, being near a busy interchange near a park.

So, we need to hire him as he has experienced leadership. With his experienced and effective leadership, it will take my 10 year old 80 years to hit his 60th birthday.

Nutty logic. Expert advice and rediculous rule.

Council Vice President Wayne Fontana, D-Brookline, has said he will resign after Tuesday's council meeting.

He's required to do so by county law in order to pursue a state Senate seat in a special May 17 election.

Mark Rauterkus, the Libertarian running against Fontana for the seat vacated by Auditor General Jack Wagner, wants an immediate resignation.

"Every minute of additional delay goes without an excuse and serves to break the trust with the people throughout the county," Rauterkus claimed. Fitzgerald disagreed.

"I think it's a ridiculous rule," Fitzgerald said, recalling other councilors who have had to quit, including Mike Crossey (running for state House), the Rev. James Simms (county controller) and Richard Olasz (West Mifflin council). Only Olasz was elected.

Fitzgerald wants Fontana, a real estate broker, to work with council after his resignation.

"We need his expertise, particularly in this assessment turmoil we're in again," the council president said. "I will ask him to be our expert when this committee meets in the future, and hope the chairman of the committee would utilize Wayne Fontana's expertise."

If Wayne is such a blasted expert, and he's been on council so long, why are we in an assessment turmoil again?

Meanwhile, Bob O'Connor said he'd be sure to put professional real estate people onto the URA Board. And, then he'd move them off the board to get new talent ever couple of years. But we have a this cancer called real estate speculation too. We don't need real estate people on the boards of authorities, we have them in the halls of government. We have them on County Council even -- and they are not resigning when they should.

We need real estate people doing real estate deals. Then we need governmental people doing good government. Then we need to not have the government do real estate deals. And, we don't need real estate people doing government.

We got some serious role issues here. They are all goofy.

I'm a person who knows what government should do and what it should NOT do. And, I'm one who wants to make Pittsburgh better for what it is and I'm not happy to try to turn Pittsburgh into something that it isn't.

We need to elect new regional leadership.

Election details: 107 for City Council and 1041 for Mayor

To run for City Council in District #6 as a candidate who is NOT either Democrat nor Republican, one needs 107 signatures on the papers to get onto the ballot. Those are due before the first of August, 2005. Then that person gets on the ballot for November, 2005.

Robert Oldenski is the guy I'm going to support in that quest.

I talked with my past loyal opponent, James Carmine, Ph.D. He is going to put his energy into helping another candidate, Mark Brently. Brently is running against Sala Udin and Tonya Paine. Tonya got the endorsement from the Dem party recently.

To run for Mayor, and get onto the general election ballot, one needs 1041 signatures on the papers.

PG Editorial: Fontana's fumble / The council member should have resigned by now

The editors of the Post-Gazette know how to read plain English, even if Wayne Fontana can't.

Editorial: Fontana's fumble / The council member should have resigned by now

Wayne Fontana should have resigned post in Allegheny County Council when candidate for PA Senate

Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/09/2005 | Senator owns land sought for slots

Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/09/2005 | Senator owns land sought for slots Senator owns land sought for slots

State Sen. Michael Stack 3d said he abstained from the vote to sell the property. A Las Vegas firm is interested.

By Nathan Gorenstein and John Sullivan, Inquirer Staff Writers

State Sen. Michael Stack 3d (D., Phila.) holds an interest in a company that owns land at a potential site for a slots parlor along the Delaware River north of Penn Treaty Park.

The property was purchased in 2004 from the state after the asking price for a total of 22 acres was reduced from $1.5 million to $100,000. State officials said the price was cut to offset the cost of removing pollution left on the ground by a long-defunct shipyard.

This is a great example of land speculation. Our region is full of land speculation deals and more important, policy. Land in certain areas are ignored to the benefit of that in other areas. Hence, the flux in property is where the bandits make out. The land speculators are not about sustaining life, raising families, making community. It boils down to the gamble of the profits. And, with place like The Hill District, people are okay to buy land and let it sit for a decade or more. Then the land will rebound. But, the speculators don't help it to rebound. They let it decay and are poor neighbors. They look for the one-time windfall.

For the record, I don't own land elsewhere.

The abundance of speculation and the depression/inflation cycles makes a good reason why we don't need more real estate brokers in the Senate. Too much of what has been happening in the public life is centered upon land deals and what I call, "bricks and mortar."

The powerful too over joyed in the hardware. I'm more about the software. I care about the human elments.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Elections or is this an endorsement with journalism groups?

Journalists Push for Government OpennessBy SIOBHAN McDONOUGH
Associated Press, WASHINGTON (AP) -- Seven journalism organizations and The Associated Press are joining to promote accessible, accountable and open government.

The Sunshine in Government Initiative seeks to combat what the groups see as increased government secrecy since the 2001 terrorist attacks. The coalition will lobby for legislation and seek to educate the public about First Amendment issues.

'National security depends on public trust,' AP President and CEO Tom Curley said. 'The trend toward secrecy is the greatest threat to democracy. We must be vigilant at explaining and fighting for accountable government in every jurisdiction.'

Splendid news from the news hounds.

For some strange reason, the PG put this coverage in the ELECTION Section with the online placement.

I have a degree in Journalism, BSJ, Ohio University, 1982. The new coverage is important. It is an important factor in our quality of life.

More details from this story and from the overall effort are sure to be in my platform. I want open government. I want structural accountability. I want e-gov for its transparent benefits.

Fontana not leaving Allgheny County Council just yet

Fontana not leaving Allgheny County Council just yet Mark Rauterkus, Libertarian candidate in the race, challenged Fontana last week to step down immediately from his council seat, but Fontana said he has opinions from the county solicitor and council's solicitor stating that he has 30 days from the time he was nominated to resign. The county home rule charter requires council members to resign when seeking other elective office.

The county solicitor didn't call me back. I called him a couple of days before I broke this story. I called him a second time after I broke it. His silence is telling.

The county solictor is appointed to his job by the chief executive and approved by the county council. If the county solicitor gave an unfavorable opinion to the county council members, he'd be steps closer to losing his job. He'd be sure to lose his favor among the council members.
People have asked me if I'm going to push this matter in court. That is a legit question.

I'm not going to run to the courts and judge. No thanks. I've got better things to do. I have a high threashold against litigation. Mayor Murphy has a bad habit of keeping things in the courts. He had ballot questions tossed off the ballot. The current cronies on Grant Sreet took a few cases to the PA Supreme Court -- and lost. Those cases cost the taxpayers dearly.

My approach is to present the facts and insights. Then we'll let the voters decide. That is the court of public opinion.

The next time you see Wayne Fontana, ask him to point out the part in the county charter that says 30-days after being is a candidate for another office a resignation from county council is necessary.

If Wayne wants to vote a certain way on a bill, Wayne should have been sure that that bill wasn't delayed on Council. They choose to do nothing on this matter last week.

I didn't complain in force until that meeting concluded, the Tuesday after the Sunday vote. That was the end of the grace period for my taste.

More news on this and other related topics shortly, I promise.

Michael Cooper! Tall and with brains too.