Republicans won a seat in state senate in eastern PA

A special election for the PA Senate was held on April 5 -- and the Republican won.

Elect.Rauterkus.com schedules April 7 concert and rally for South Side Venue

A Rally for Rauterkus and concert that includes the song, "Don't Put Me In a Box" by Johnsmith that is set for 7 pm on Thursday, April 7, 2005, is to be held at the Holiday Inn Express on the South Side on 10th Street. The hotel is next to the Oliver Bath House and the 10th Street Bridge.

This South Side venue is within easy walking distance of many dinning establishments and is non-smoking, handicap accessible, with parking and will also be home to the victory party on election night after the polls close for both the primary and the special election for the PA Senate 42nd district on May 17, 2005.

At the monthly meeting we had not secured the location.

Furthermore, a host of other events is going to occur that weekend. On Friday morning we'll hold a breakfast fundraiser. The fundraiser will begin at 6:30 am at a downtown location on Grant Street. On Saturday we'll hold a breakfast fundraiser at a neighborhood location. On Sunday we'll assocate with a park-based event.

That weekend in April is the same weekend that the Allegheny County League of Municipal officials gather in Seven Springs. While the cat is away, the mice will play -- big time.

Original posting was Feb 18.

Cosby: Parenting is serious stuff

Cosby: Parenting is serious stuff - PittsburghLIVE.com Cosby: Parenting is serious stuff

Of course parenting is serious. People know this. Pittsburghers know this. The media, well, they might not know the value and importance of parenting.

I've called myself a stay-at-home parent. Now, officially my role is "coach." So my at-home parent title isn't current. Nonetheless, there are few anywhere that take are more serious in parenting and advocacy for parenting.

Citizens for the Advancement of Democracy

A new blogger wrote:

Citizens for the Advancement of Democracy How about a man who gets re-elected in November as a Democrat and then in January switches to a Republican so he can run for State Senate? That's what Michael Diven did. He's an underhanded politician on every level.

Who are these folks, other than die-hard Peduto fans?

Daryl Metcalfe pushes Right To Work in PA

Daryl Metcalfe What simple change could the legislature make to Pennsylvania law that would promote a better economic atmosphere for job creation and restore an important individual liberty?

Answer: Pass House Bill 50, which would make Pennsylvania a Right to Work state.

Who is going to talk about laws that make it illegal to pay a CEO 100-times, or 1,000-times, what a person on the shop floor earns?

The right to work push is fine. But, I would want to open up the conversation on both ends of the spectrum at the same time.

Same too for a salary cap on sports teams. (The sports example is less of a threat to talk about. How about a salary cap that applies not just for the players, but for the owners as well.

The windfalls and golden parachutes and stock options are places to look for the real money.

South High School - getting a new lease on life, we hope

A requested zoning change and a conditional use application involving redevelopment plans for South Hills High School received unanimous approval March 22 from the City Planning Commission in their positive recommendation to City Council.

The now vacant high school building was built in 1916 and closed to students in 1986. Plans call for renovation for residential and limited commercial use.

A previous hearing on March 8 drew about a dozen Mount Washington residents who said the plans, if realized, would increase tax revenue, create more jobs and attract more young families to move to the area. “Most of Mount Washington seemed to support this,” Bob Reppe, zoning administrator, told the planning board at their more recent meeting.

A number of schools are sitting around, idle. We should look to turn the hardest to use properties into projects that are put at the front of the line. The easy projects should be mothballed as possible schools for the future.

Election Day -- May 17 here. Today in Eastern PA

Today is an election day in the eastern part of the state. A special election is being held to select a state senator. The race has been nasty, so I hear. There is NOT a third party candidate in the race.

I think that my arrival to the race is going to help keep the race here more on issues and more with a tone of civility.

Our state senate special election is being held on the primary day, saving the taxpayers $250,000. That is right and just. I pushed for that date to be selected.

Wonder what the turnout will be in the special election there?

Wonder what the turnout will be for our special election?

March Madness Ends. Sadly, Murphy's Madness Sustains

They cut down the nets at the end of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament last night. The Final Four became a single victor, North Carolina Tarheels.

March Madness ends, but sadly, the madness at the hand of Mayor Tom Murphy sustains itself with a new bond deal for the city. The city, already in great debt, is racking up more debt.

This time of recent unpleasantness is what we might call this era.

The Tarheels won in 2005 while all of the city lost. Some might look to the sky blue, while others think of the black heel, the tar and convert that to the asphalt plant, the pedestrians, the potholes, the destruction of stairways that this bond might help to fund.

Murphy wants to borrow money to better destroy the city. Some of the money to be used after it is taken on load, is for the removal of city steps, already in decay. These are projects from the WPA that won't ever be rebuilt. And because they are done with debt, the progress for the future is but a wish away wiht a lottery ticket in hand.

But this isn't only Murphy's trouble. It is Diven's as well. Diven would do the same thing. He'd borrow the money. Diven and Murphy would act the same. They generally have.

Here is a chance for either of my opponents to stand tall and say what they think should be done.

Councilman dislikes bond fee - "Go Doug Go"

Councilman dislikes bond fee - PittsburghLIVE.com The team of underwriters, lawyers and advisers figures to earn about $2.3 million on the deal.

Doug doesn't like this deal as he isn't in the drivers seat. And, the deal puts the next mayor, perhaps Bob O' (Doug's past mentor) into the back seat once he is mayor. The debt and bond agents are going to be in the front seat, with some others, for some time yet to come.

But the more debt that is racked up by Murphy and the present council, the more our children are going to need to pay down. And, the more the bain-drain and exodus is to occur.

How that money is to be spent is another matter, to be dealt with in additional messages.
The other concern is the intention of Peduto to really walk his talk -- or not. This is a pay-to-play concern. Insiders, cronies, are getting the deal. The payout for them is high.

I hate no-bid contracts. This is a no-bid contract.

Pittsburgh is a patronage town. Pittsburgh is in the hole because we have contract patronage -- such as this deal.

This deal hurts a number of people: children who need to pay back the debt, older people because the children are not staying around to pay off the debt, families who are sure to move in and then move out again because of the debt, the marketplace who is going to shrink and go elsewhere where things are fair, etc.

The deal helps cronies who get the windfall, Mayor Murphy, and those on city council who have driven this city into its crisis.

The money from the bond's income is going to keep a new coat of lipsitck on the pig for another year so that the riots in the street don't happen while this group is still in office. This is worse than band-aid politics, as it is a band-aid on a credit-card.

These are the ones who are worried about zoning laws for quick cash bandits and neighborhood retail zoning ordinances that prohibit preditory lending outfits.

Bond deal corruption cases litter the landscape of American politics. City by city, there are bad deals that are being done. This is a prime example of what not to do.

Doug Shields, I'll stand with you on this one. We share some of the same motivations. Sadly, I think we'll stand alone.

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A small vicotry came as the vote was delayed, for at least a day.

City residents get street cleaning schedule alert

City residents get street cleaning schedule alertCity residents take note, street cleaning began Friday and parking restrictions will be strictly enforced, says the Department of Public Works. Parking restrictions are posted on street-cleaning signs, but a grace period for ticketing cars will be in effect through April 18 to give residents a chance to adjust to the schedule.

The parking restrictions will be enforced beginning April 19 through Nov. 30.

The city needs to make up some of the income from the missed Penguins season. So, expect to see a lot of tickets and few street sweepers. Its an income thing. And, it is another way to spank the citizens.

The entire street sweeping program needs a serious evaluation. Alerts to residents should be simple, if a network was operational. But, these governmental officials don't think about customer service nor outreach nor modern communications.

Women say gender inequity not biggest issue for startups

Women say gender inequity not biggest issue for startups: "Mary Del Brady and Angela Kennedy have no time for hand-wringing over the fact that they are anomalies -- veteran female entrepreneurs in Pittsburgh's male-dominated high technology industry.

This points to the fact that we need a high-tech youth technology summit. If I was elected State Senator, I'd be able to help start such events.

http://Summit.CLOH.Org

Furthermore, a look at the number of women in the high tech field is only outpaced by the lack of women in politics. We need good candidates who are women. We need good campaign workers who are women too.

If you'd like to help, or if you want help -- ask.

I could use more women on my side as well.

Legislature expected to tweak new $52-a-year municipal tax

Legislature expected to tweak new $52-a-year municipal tax'We didn't dot the i's and cross the t's on this legislation,' said Rep. Mario Scavello, R-Monroe. 'We've opened up a Pandora's box with this thing.'

They need to "think again." Imagine that. They also includes my opponent. They should be moved to the private sector for doing such sillyness.

Venue: Holiday Inn Express, South Side on 10th Street

Johnsmith played at the Holiday Inn Express on the South Side on 10th Street. The event was organized by Mark Rauterkus.

Bill Godshall and others are to tackle campaign finance reform on the county level

Bill wrote:

To: Allegheny County Campaign Finance Advocates

At its meeting scheduled for 5PM tomorrow (Tuesday), Allegheny County
Council is scheduled to consider Doug Price's Campaign Finance legislation,
which now includes three amendments offered by Rich Fitzgerald that were
approved at last week by the Council's Committee on Campaign Finance
(see news article in the comments).

April 5th's County Council meeting agenda.

Those testifying are encouraged to:

1. Urge council to support effective campaign finance legislation.

2. Urge council to lower the limits (that were amended into the bill) for individual contributions to County candidates.

3. Remind council that Rich Fitzgerald's stated intent to amend the legislation to also apply to federal, state and municipal candidates would conflict with federal law, state law, and the City of Pittsburgh's Home Rule Charter. It's uncertain, however, whether Fitzgerald's amendments would actually apply to federal, state and muni candidates.

4. Remind council that Rich Fitzgerald's intent to amend the legislation to limit a candidate's contribution to his/her own campaign (at $5,000/year) would violate the Buckley vs Valeo decision by the US Supreme Court. Once againg, however, it's uncertain whether Fitzgerald's amendment would actually limit the amount a candidate can contribute to himself/herself.

If anyone wants a copy of the amendments that were approved at last week's committee meeting, please let me know and give me your fax number. Following is last week's Tribune Review article on the bill.

Bill Godshall
(W) 412-351-5880

I am for sensible campaign finance reform. I'm most interested in legislation that is going to work and still allow the region to soar.

Homeowners haven't shown passion for tax plan

Homeowners haven't shown passion for tax planm Sunday, April 03, 2005

One of my favorite rules in politics comes from Senate GOP political guru Mike Long:

'If you take the folks who are mildly for your candidate, and give me a smaller number that are passionate for my candidate or issue, I will beat you every time. Because passionate people show up, they work and they vote. Folks who don't have a compelling reason to vote, often don't.'

Long's 'passion wins' theory seemed particularly appropriate to me after listening to Gov. Ed Rendell stump for his property tax reduction plan Thursday night.

See the rest of his remarks in the comments.

Rendell Watch: Using Rendell's Money to Bash Rendell's Tax Increase

Giggles mount.

Rendell Watch: Using Rendell's Money to Bash Rendell's Tax Increase: ... switched parties and is the Republican nominee against Allegheny County Councilman Wayne Fontana in a special election for [Auditor General Jack] Wagner's old district of Pittsburgh and its suburbs.

'The Democrats, trailing in this one, are using funds raised by Rendell to attack Diven for voting for the governor's tax hike. What does that tell you about Rendell's popularity in the southwest?'

That's sweet, sweet irony -- using money raised by Mr. Rendell to criticize a man for supporting Mr. Rendell's tax increase. Amazing.

Blogs, Everyone? Weblogs Are Here to Stay, but Where Are They Headed? - Knowledge@Wharton

Blogs, Everyone? Weblogs Are Here to Stay, but Where Are They Headed? - Knowledge@Wharton: "Recently, blogs have been credited with everything from CBS News anchorman Dan Rather's departure, to unauthorized previews of the latest Apple Computer products, to new transparency in presidential campaigns. The big question is whether blogs, short for weblogs, have the staying power to become more than just online diaries. Will bloggers upend the mainstream media? What legal protections should bloggers have? Is there a blogger business model? While no definitive answers exist just yet, experts at Wharton advise questioners to be patient. Blogging, they note, will be around for a long time.

Riverlife Task Force plans competition to design footbridge across Ohio River

Is this a bridge or just some different treatments to the access to the West End Bridge?

Riverlife Task Force plans competition to design footbridge across Ohio River

Wired News: FEC Eyes Bloggers' Political Ties

Nice insights Mike:

Wired News: FEC Eyes Bloggers' Political Ties 'The real question is where do we go from here,' said Mike Krempasky, co-founder of conservative blog RedState.org. 'There's not a real understanding of how politics and the internet works at the Federal Election Commission.'

Too bad none of the others on the GOP slate are working on their ideas at Red State.org.

Joe Weinroth, Sam and others should have a blog at RedState.

Lamb details development plan

Lamb details development plan
Sunday, April 03, 2005 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

County Prothonotary Michael Lamb, a candidate for mayor of Pittsburgh in next month's primary, yesterday said the city can reboot itself economically if established businesses are supported, new ones developed and housing stock replenished.

Lamb said a $50 million blight-relief fund, as well as community development block grants and other economic development funds could be used to pay for such efforts.

He said women-owned businesses must be encouraged because area women are among the best educated in the state, make up 60 percent of the local workforce and are the least likely to leave Pittsburgh.

The use of the word, reboot, is interesting. To reboot gives us areas to ponder -- like the crash or frozen climate we must be in now.

Use Linux -- rather than Windows (or M$ WinDoze) -- and rebooting is so common. The open-source world provides Linux, and stability.

If established businesses are supported -- then the reboot will work. But, we've already been supporting established businesses. To some, that's called corporate welfare. We've been down that route. We supported the Pirates, the Steelers, PNC, Heinz, US Airways. We've given them what they wanted for years.

If those efforts can be paid for by the spending from the other piles of money -- then the reboot works. Blight grants!

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Lamb's star credential as a reformer, however, was his role as campaign manager of the 1998 movement to adopt the county's new home-rule charter form of government led by a chief executive and a 15-member county council.

While Lamb has lofty goals, voters will want a more concrete plan before Election Day, said Jerry Shuster, who teaches political communications at Robert Morris University and the University of Pittsburgh. "He's got to get off the ideal focus and get more specific in terms of programs that are directly related to the needs of the constituency, such as street repair," Shuster said.

Lamb contends that he's laying out a platform of what voters can expect of him through a series of position papers, including his views on consolidation of services, transportation, education and other topics.

"You'll always know where I stand on an issue," he said. "You may disagree with it, but you'll know where I am.

Objection 1: The important role of ombudsman is missing from our county's charter. It was in there, and it got lost in the get-along. The reform continues.

Objection 2: Lamb didn't see anything wrong with Fontana's lack of resignation from County Council when he was a candidate. Lamb was asked to stand with me in the call to reform -- and he didn't.

Objection 3: Lamb spoke to a group on the South Side a few months ago. I was there. When the question of the Mon-Valley Toll Road was raised, Mr. Lamb, the "you'll know where I stand on an issue" candidate, said nothing. His statement of the voters always knowing where he stands on the issues is thin, at best.