Thomas Jefferson Think Tank to ponder the 5th with Grant S.

See the comments for the full announcment.

Partisan project - essay - clincher. Is this something to hang your hat upon?

partisan project "... the best secret in Pittsburgh? Simple. You matter here."

Humm.
One would matter more in Somerset.
My matter around my waist would be less if I lived in Southern California and was able to take runs on the beach.
How about we use our grey matter more here in Pittsburgh than elsewhere. There is a double meaning to the "grey" -- being old and grey, like the silver fox. Or, grey matter as in the jello-like organ that fits between one's ears.
That "grey matter" connection plays well with the theme song, "Think again."

But, let's quibble with the notion that one really does matter in Pittsburgh. I always use the example of four years ago in the Dem primary for mayor when there were more than a dozen debates between Bob O'C and Tom Murphy. There were plenty of times when the other three on the ballot -- Leroy, Josh and Earl -- didn't get to debate. They didn't have a seat at the table. They didn't debate.

This time, in 2005, the UJF holds a debate, as does the PDP (Pgh Downtown Partnership) and TV 4 (WTAE) -- and the others in the race don't matter. Only the front runners matter.

I think it is a noble idea to say everyone matters. But with contract patronage, with insider deals, with instutional bias -- it just doesn't ring true to me.

We could and should be a place where everyone does matter. I like that concept. But people are put onto the Citizens Police Review Board -- and they don't show up for meetings. They are on the board to NOT count and to discount the voice of others who care.

The citizens voted against funding for the stadiums. We said, despite large advertising money from the corporate types, that we didn't want to raise money from taxes to pay for two new stadiums and a convention center. We considered it. We voted. We won. But the new stadiums were shoved down our throats. It doesn't taste good.

The voters approved the county charter and then twice stood up for a twist in the rules that make county council members RESIGN from their seats on the county charter as soon as they become a candidate for another office. Well, when candidates announce, campaign, put in for endorsements, get voted upo for endorsements and obtain ballot status -- but STILL DON'T RESIGN -- we've got another problem. The powerful say that the citizens rules don't matter. (I'm speaking directly about Wayne Fontana's late resignation from county council.)

Do our kids matter when the mayor can just pull the plug on all the rec centers and swim pools?

Do the area fitness runners matter when the Great Race is squashed just to make a crisis reach the suburbanites to kick up dust in Harrisburg? The Marathon didn't matter and we have a marathon runner in the Mayor's office.

When we hire a TOP LIBRARIAN and the qualifications deem it necessary to have a LIBRARIAN in that post -- does it matter? Pick someone else, not qualified, but have the clout to overrule the rules.

The elected leaders don't even matter when we have two sets of overlords running this town with Act 47 and the I.C.A.

Do transit riders matter when all night and weekend service was to STOP and fares increase?

Do taxpayers matter when the assessments climb through the roof without rhyme and without reason? The folly in the system, and those that cause it, are saying to people -- this is your tough luck.

I wish everyone mattered here. Some matter more than others.

When you rob Peter to pay Paul, creat a TIF, (or call it what you wish). Then Matt, Mark, Luke and John see the poor stewardship. They hold back. They leave when they can. They vote with their feet. TIF today, KOZ (Keystone Opportunity Zone), or abatement, or Homestead exemption, or 1-2-3-4 caps, -- whatever. It is corporate welfare. It means we flounder.

If everyone mattered, there would NOT be so many blasted incentives to open or keep a business here -- as that takes from one and gives to another. Government can't create jobs in an efficient way. Government that tries to be real estate agents force the developers to be the elected ones. Things are all twisted. Our democracy is frail.

We even have troubled instances of making sure everyone matters when it is time to vote. A Democratic Party vote gets all the committee people to vote -- even the dozen who died last year. That's a great way to say EVERYONE MATTERS HERE.

And I don’t mean to exclude anyone, but I think the young people of Pittsburgh best know what I mean.

I think that the young people have a grip. I think that the young people know a thing or two. However, the young people don't know best. Don't fool yourself. Do inject, entertain, engage, criticize, run spell checkers, and ponder in public. But don't claim the brass ring for the youthful. This isn't Madison Ave where hippsters rule.

Young people have a lot to learn. Some lessons come the day you hold your baby in your arms. Other lessons come on the first day of school for your oldest kid. More know best insights come as you attend some funerals, as you dance a weddings of your buddies kid, or as you are a fulltime caregiver for someone you really don't know well now -- young or old -- family or otherwise.

That buzz about the local music scene is worthy -- but fleeting.

"... that mysterious himp that always keeps getting in the way...

Perhaps that hump is bi-modal and comes like a two humped camel. One hump could be seen when you look in the mirror and notice the ego that stares back. We are always our worst enemy. The troubles from within are much worse than those from elsewhere. That is always a given, for us all. We got to get out of our own way.

In swimming, we teach and coach how to be "streamlined."

Put in another sports and kid's example -- consider a tricycle -- or big wheel. When you are whipping downhill, you take your feet off of the pedals. There are times to get into a tuck and glide and hold form. There are other times to struggle like hell.

The experienced, artful, gifted ones are able to realize when it is time to pedal and when its time to coast and get in the draft of others.

The other hump -- I agree -- has much to do with local and state government.

I'm not too sure what you mean by the push down and pop up effect. Okay with the image of the pop up, push down effect. I get that concept. For me, and for this race for PA Senate, there is now a lot of mailers hitting the street between the old party candidates. Both are attacking. The Dems mailed a hit on the Republican candidate. The Republicans hit upon the Dem candidate. These guys, like me, are popping up. And, boy, they are getting cracked for doing so.

I, however, am a bit insulated. I've not been "attacked" in a mean spirited way -- yet. Perhaps because I'm a Libertarian. Perhaps because I'm not a threat. Perhaps because I'm such an island in terms of my life's position? I don't care to figure out why -- but do intend to bask in the community among neighbors and NOT be fearful nor intimidated.

It is great that Murphy's not running. He is part of the "old guard" of sorts. But, this race in 2005 is NOT our last best chance to strike. This is a great chance to strike, no doubt, but the end of the world isn't just around the corner. We're at the brink. It is grave, serious, and the worst is yet to come. But, the opportunities for betterment are plentyful. Great opportunities are going to be presented for decades to come.

We need to do the struggle -- but -- this isn't the last great stuggle. No way. We have to learn, grow, fight hard, and live to fight again another day.

Finally, on your finally point, the web site should be made more fresh and up to date. NUKE the part about going to the D's side as that date has passed. And, I don't feel that you need to look to the history of the past 70 years and be so beholden to it if you are really about voting for someone. We should strive to make history, not be slaves of it. That 70-years Dem rule stuff is a cut right out of the old school thinking that you hate so much in your rant.

Do the right thing for the city -- by walking the talk. Everyone matters. Republicans and Indies and Libertarians matter.

Nice rant. Keep it up. See ya around town.

Secret weapons -- the first of many -- due tonight

Tonight as I go to a few meetings, I'll be joined by my sons, Grant, 7, and Erik, 10. They'll be my secret weapons that I'm keeping on the sidelines most of the time. Most of the time, they are home with my wife, while I'm out and about. But tonight, my wife is in Washington D.C. on business.

Watch out!

If the boys on in good spirits and get charged up, they can get on a roll! I might need to yeild the remainder of my time, chair, to one or both of the short gentlemen from 12th Street.

TV 11 interview slated for May 3 at 6:30 pm

WPXI, TV 11, is going to have me on as a guest in the studio on May 3, 2005, as we head to the special election on May 17. The station does a live newsmaker interview show following the evening news. I'm looking forward to it.

Tips, questions, topic area suggestions are welcomed, either via email or in advance.

I was on this show four years ago as a candidate for mayor in the contested Republican primary. Then, I was upset at the way the Democratic Mayor, Tom Murphy, was leading this town. Today, Murphy is on the way out. There is still a lot of work to do in the city and the region. We are still dropping in terms of citizens. People vote with their feet and leave.

City Paper interview delivered

Pittsburgh City Paper is doing an election voter guide edition due to hit in the first week of May. I provided an interview and photo to Marty Levine. Hope to get some decent press there. Watch for it.

Hit Parade. Negative mailers churn with counter punches between the old-party candidates.

Another hit mailer arrived in our mail box today. This one is paid for by the Republicans of Pennsylvania against my Dem opponent, Wayne Fontana. It has Fontana's photo, some hurtful remarks on property taxes, and not a mention of Diven, the Republican candidate.

The Dems did the same thing against Diven.

Turn about is fair play, perhaps.

All in all, two wrongs don't make a right. Rather, two wrongs make it favorable for thinking again. As they slug it out in the mud with hits and counter punches, I'm running free and clear.

Anyone who wants a nice button with a kwel image of Pittsburgh's landscape, come see me. I'm the only one not doing NEGATIVE direct mail, nor negative TV ads.

Today at City Council, I again mentioned the need to schedule a public hearing for Campaign Finance Reform. I was on that task force and our work there needs to come out into the public's view.

Democracy (small "d") matters greatly to me.

South Side Slopes Neighborhood Assn said Thank You

This organization was one of my favorites. 

Tales of Asia - a web home page. Gordon's site.

Gordon runs this web -- err, WORLD WIDE WEB site. Plus, he's going to be a dad soon. We'll be meeting him later this year, and bringing him a gift for the baby. This will be fun. Check out his site and wonderful photos.

Tales of Asia - Home If a picture says a thousand words I just avoided writing 50,000 of them. Have a look at the photo gallery, Angkor temples, Tonle Sap scenes, China, Myanmar, much more... and bring your Visa card!

FF Union's Joe King for Mayor?

This is Tom's posting / editorial.

It's been rumored that Joe King, head of the Firefighter's Union, will run for Mayor as an Independent.

That would be disastrous for the vast majority of the public, who are not city workers.

King is a "union only" type of guy. Which is good for his job. It's a terrible possibility for the city, as 98% of the population is not of a "special interest group." A list of the highest paid city employees recently printed in the Pittsburgh Business Times (I've heard that it was in the P-G as well) is flush with Firefighter hierarchy. Some argue that that's one of the reasons why the city's in its current financial mess.

Belt tightening, making "tough" decisions and making innovative initiatives (and having the wherewithal to pull it off) is the key to this race. I have opinions on the current field of candidates, but that's for another blog rant. However, Mr. King, while an excellent representative for his union (if the union wants him to continue in that role, that's where he's best served), has not publicly exhibited the ability to take "shots to the gut" with much aplomb.

And the next Mayor of Pittsburgh will certainly be taking shots to areas of the body lower than the waistline for many years to come.

Libertarian Reform Caucus

Thanks for the pointer H.

Libertarian Reform CaucusStatement of Purpose

We, the members of the Libertarian Reform Caucus believe that America needs a real libertarian party, a party that promotes liberty while being conscious of political reality, a party designed to win elections and begin rolling back excess government now. In particular, the party needs:

* A platform that proposes a realistic vision for the next few years, as opposed to an idealistic vision of a libertarian future. The public expects a party platform to show what a party's candidates intend to do during the next term of office. If the party wants a long term vision statement, it should be in a separate document labeled as such.

* A platform that unites libertarians rather than dividing them. Where libertarians disagree, the platform should be silent. The party should be a tool for all libertarians.

* A platform based on the realization that there are other important values in addition to the non-initiation of force. Freedom is extremely valuable, but it is not the only value.

Propel officials will outline renovation plans for school in Robinson

Propel officials will outline renovation plans for school - PittsburghLIVE.com Propel officials will outline renovation plans for school

Some comments about the article follow.

Seeing an investment into a building for adaptive reuse is great.

Commissioners Chairman Bill Blumling said his main concerns are losing taxes on the building. Well, how much has the building and property pain in taxes in the past years? Let's see a chart. And, let's also not the tax increases. And, note too as to how much in taxes go to the various sources, such as schools, county, municipal.

The worry of higher public safety costs is groundless. A school is not going to be a drain on public safety costs. If so, prove it with the numbers.

A city without any people has no worry about needing money for public safety. Nobody is there.

The cost and liability of having an empty building is greater than anything a school delivers.

Seeing that McMichael Road is already heavily traveled without the school makes good sense. You WANT to put schools are busy road. You don't want to put schools in neighborhoods on lightly used roads and wedged among homes.

In the city we have some empty school buildings. I want to take the buildings that are among the houses, in the neighborhoods, on lightly traveled roads, and turn those into senior housing or else condos. Put housing in among the other houses. Put schools into the properties that are heavy with travel and transit.

"With all the schools we have in the area, I don't know that a charter school could do anything more. Why do we need one?" Blumling said.

But that question isn't one commissioners are being asked to consider, said Propel Executive Director Jeremy Resnick.

Right on. But there is more to understand. You want this school for a number of reasons. The arrival of a charter school is going to increase the service and satisfaction among those who go to the traditional public school. Competition helps. The regular school is going to raise their levels of teaching and expectations.

Furthermore, with our educational system, we know that the square pegs don't fit well in the round holes. Some are not gonig to feel at home and thrive at some schools. Others are going to do well at other settings. We want diversity in the market place of schools. We want freedom, options, choices, and other places for those who are unhappy to move to. One size does NOT fit all in most situations.

If everyone is happy with the local public school, then there will not be any students at the charter school. Hence, the charter school will float away.

Perhaps some in Robinson will move to the charter school. Those same people might have left Robinson to move to USC, Mt. Lebo or the North Hills. With the school in Robinson, Robinson wins. The local homeowners have a choice.

Others might go to the school in Robinson from homes elsewhere in the area. A teacher hired for the school who lives in Plum or Baldwin might decide to buy a home in Robinson. Same too with a family that like the charter -- but doesn't like the drive. They might move into Robinson.

Montour School Board President Charles Snowden said he thinks Propel's purpose is a bit murky. Propel appears to be attempting to capitalize on Montour's "good name," he said.
Giggle.

Debate late night

TV 4 did a debate. I watched. I taped. I should have gone to sleep. Nothing new came from the chatter.

Bob wasn't so smooth.

Mike's close wasn't so smooth.

Slogan of interest: In Bob O'Connor's open, he said, "Do more with less." And twice in Mike Lamb's close he said, "Do more with less."

One of the questions was right on target for Les as well. The question asked about "alternative funding."

Who won? Cleveland, Columbus, Charleston, D.C., Harrisburg, Buffalo, Erie.

Who lost? Everyone in Pittsburgh.

What is killing me about this race is the total lack of "pick-up power." None of the front runners are able to absorb the ideas of any other in the race. These guys are running a race that is stuck in the first inning. Give and take is absent.

However, given a long-view, many of the buzz phrases I've posted about are being injected into some of the discussions. Bob O'Connor said Pittsburgh has been too heavy in a "bricks and mortar" mindset. The Penguins of the NHL got zippo in terms of any promises from any of the candidates. Bob O'Connor is talking about schools and school aged kids. Bill Peduto raised the point about Pittsburgh's sky high 'deed transfer tax.'

Bill and Mike are improving. Bob's fade is every so gradual. The gap for those in catch-up mode might take months or years. So, the best hope is still a series engagements with updated content and an eventual knock out landed to O'Connor in November's general election.

It is going to take teamwork and fresher content. Sadly, I don't see much of a 'dance' from the challengers. And, this is a prime reason why all the challengers needed to be present.

WTAE-TV Hosts Mayoral Debate without the full field of candidates. Another 8,000 to depart next year too!

ThePittsburghChannel.com - WTAE-TV - WTAE-TV Channel 4 To Host Mayoral Debate The debate, moderated by WTAE-TV Channel 4 Action News anchor Michelle Wright, airs April 24 at 11:35 p.m. after Channel 4 Action News at 11 p.m.

The debate will feature the 2005 Democratic primary candidates for mayor: Michael Lamb, Bob O'Connor and Bill Peduto.

This is why Pittsburgh is in a decline. Ignore real people. Think with half a brain. Close conversations. The "done deal mentality" must come to an end for Pittsburgh to thrive. Meanwhile, it lingers and another 8,000 depart on an annual basis.

Trib Whispers

Can't we all just get along? - PittsburghLIVE.com WAYNE'S WORLD WHIRLING INTO BLACK HOLE? Despite hitting the TV airwaves before his competitor, former Allegheny County Councilman Wayne Fontana's state Senate campaign seems to have hit a dry spell.

The candidate held an April 14 fund-raiser that drew only 40 people - and the two guests of honor never showed. Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Democrat U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle of Swissvale were supposed to be the headliners but neither came to the event.

That bodes well for Michael Diven, the Democrat-turned-Republican who will be Fontana's foe in the May 17 special election to fill the seat formerly held by Jack Wagner, now the state auditor general.

A fund raiser with 40? That is how many came to my event on April 7. And, our star performers were there.
But with the Dem money flowing from Harrisburg, why would Wayne even need to hold an event? He can suck down the big purse that the two old parties have built up since before gambling's arrival.
I'm not sure what big names would even go to a Diven fund raiser. Weinroth? Hillen? Pippy? Hart? Habay? Tom Murphy?
I'm sure Mike has a lot of friends. Same too with Wayne.
Colin of the TRIB, would he attend a fund raiser? Whould he return calls? Is there going to be an endorsement from the Trib?

Mark C, a Libertarian pal, wrote a P.G. LTE about the Patriot Act. His letter was in response to a Forum piece by a Pittsburgh-based US Attorney who (no surprise here) called for retaining all the powers of the Patriot Act.

Why should we trust government claims about the Patriot Act?

U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan's endorsement of the Patriot Act ("The USA Patriot Act Works," April 17 Forum) reads like a televangelist demanding money to save souls.

The assurance of "no reported abuses" of individual rights brings to mind the PG story about millionaire John Gilmore ("Grounded," by Dennis Roddy, Feb. 27).

Gilmore was denied passage on a plane because the law said he needed a government ID and he didn't even have a driver's license. When he officially asked to see the law, he was officially told that his seeing that law would violate the law.

How can we trust any "no reported abuses" claim?

Congress overwhelmingly passed the Patriot Act and did so before having an opportunity to read the bill. If they didn't read it, what makes you think they would read about its aftermath?

This is why the Patriot Act doesn't work. It must be repealed.

MARK CROWLEY, Plum

"I gave up hockey for the campaign," Peduto says. "This is my workout."

In the Sunday newspaper feature, Bill Peduto was quoted.

"I gave up hockey for the campaign," he says. "This is my workout."

Bill isn't the only city resident to give up hockey. The city has a lone, indoor ice rink that had plenty of hockey teams -- until it closed. The closed rink behind the South Side Hospital, in the area below Quarry Field, used to be home to Pitt's club hockey team, the Penguins and even a NHL All-Start practice. But, it closed a few years ago. It sits vacant, idle, and with little hope of ever getting opened again under the current administation of Tom Murphy -- and present members of city council.

Bill is a hockey player. Bill knows our lone indoor rink is closed. Bill has done nothing to reopen the rink.

The rink can and should re-open without costing the city a nickle. The rink was operated by a private individual with a long-term lease. The city still owns the land and building.

I'm not a hockey player. But I want the community asset to open again.

Bill is a hockey player. He and others on council have done nothing to open the rink and be stewards of our resources, our assets, our programs, our opportunities, our youthful experiences, our volunteer capacity venues, nor our park spaces.

This goes to the lack of 'teamwork' that Bob O'Connor harps about. Bob is able to echo the chant from my rants in the past years. "They don't play well with others."

We, as parents, as coaches, as educators, as volunteers, as concerned citizens, as taxpayers -- and as voters -- need to see our elected officials engaged in solving problems, in making efforts, and in being productive.

The outcome in terms of being a hockey player in the city is -- no ice.

The program, HOCKEY IN THE HOOD, had a great feature on WQED's OnQ TV show. There are kids who get into vans in the heart of the city, trek to the airport a few times each week, fighting evening traffic, to play hockey. They should be able to do these activities in the city.

If you're in a "hockey family" -- you're going to move out of the city. Why not go to school at B.P. and walk the length of the parking lot from school to rink? Why not do the same in Mt. Lebo. Rinks are throughout the burbs. Hence, folks into that game go to the burbs, generally, if they have the family to enable that move. It is a no brainer.

---

Bill gave up hockey for the campaign. Peduto's hockey hobby was left behind because his professional calling in politics drove him to campaign for mayor. Implied is the meaning that the youngster, Peduto, matured and settled down for serious campaign efforts and a new challenge. Bill has skated away from lesiure sports to politics.

For me, the realm of sports in the city was such that I was called into politics. I too left the day to day of sports. But my sports, team, coaching quest of high performance and reaching potential helps to drive the Elect.Rauterkus.com campaign.

I walked straight to politics and a campaign and away from sports when I had had enough. My swim coaching retirement and efforts in politics has sports-minded goal. I want to fix sports because the system around here is broken and the public treasury is broke too. Plus, we might as well fix the rest of the city and region as well by injecting more freedom, liberties and free-market expectations as well. That's real competition, accountability, competitiveness.

I helped to rescue a floundering swim team that practices at the Oliver Bath House. The team, Three Rivers Aquatics, TRA, was set to close forever. The parent volunteer booster board was pulling the plug. Hosea Holder, the head coach, and I didn't let that occur. We moved to restore the team's operation in the summer of 1998 (or was is 99). I've been fighting upstream ever since.

Hired coaches!

Coaches for the Green Tree Great White Sharks, summer of 2005. Bill Straw and Jason Miller.

I was on the board of the swim team and we conducted interviews and hired these guys.

Swim team sign-ups happen in the spring and the kids got the chance to meet and mingle with the coaches before the summer season began.

Race for Mayor: Peduto says he's unfazed by critics and doubters

Wow, my recent posts about the issue distinctions of Bill Peduoto's campaign made my heart skip a beat when I saw this at first. I got a bit of ink, and it isn't harsh to the Peduto camp, thank goodness.

The Race for Mayor: Peduto says he's unfazed by critics and doubters: "Those communities are the chief targets of his effort, quarterbacked from his crowded headquarters at the cusp of the Strip District. There, the results of his team's door-knocking and phone calls are entered into computers nightly, and charted by a geographic information system program. Peduto's Saturday foray into Beechview strayed from his focus communities. But those neighborhoods can't be ignored, because a special election for its state Senate seat contest is expected to spur an unusually high local turnout. That race, between state Rep. Michael Diven, who recently switched to the Republican Party, former county Councilman Wayne Fontana, a Democrat, and Libertarian Mark Rauterkus is a priority of both statewide political parties.

More on the overall letter tonight.
Now I'm running out to see Rebecca F of Green Building fame with a presentation at our church, Sunnyhill.org.

Allegheny County Health Department: lends good excuse for not running TV ads this week

I'm not going to air any TV ads for my campaign for PA Senate in the 42nd out of the utmost repect for this fine effort from the Allegheny County Health Department. We do need to get out more and exercise -- until our own Park District forms.

Allegheny County Health Department: The Allegheny County Health Department is asking you to pledge to participate in TV Turnoff Week!

Meanwhile, more mud tossing is expected between my loyal opponents on the boob tube this week. They gotta get their message out there. And their messages are way out there now.

County Bar Association releases judicial endorsements

County Bar Association releases judicial endorsements

Highly recommended
Kathryn M. Hens-Greco, 47, of Squirrel Hill; Jon Pushinsky, 50, of Highland Park; Jack McVay, 48, of the North Side; Dwayne Woodruff, 48, of McCandless; Edward Borkowski, 54, of Stanton Heights; Chuck Evans, 62, of Squirrel Hill; Anthony Mariani, 52, of Ross; Tony Basinski, 58, of Upper St. Clair; Beth Lazzara, 39, of the North Side; James Mahood, 57, of Richland; Roger Wise, 59, of McCandless.

Recommended
William T. Simmons, 55, of East Liberty; Jacqueline Morrow, 48, of Squirrel Hill; Michael E. McCarthy, 55, of Ross; David Joseph DeFazio, 50, of Shadyside; Frank Cecchetti, 56, of Mt. Lebanon; Patricia A. McCullough, 48, of Upper St. Clair; Dan Cusick, 56, of Mt. Lebanon; Alan Hertzberg, 48 of Crafton Heights; Wrenna Leigh Watson, 50, of the Hill District; Sumner L. Parker, 54, of Ross.

Not recommended at this time
Douglas Walgren, 64, of Mt. Lebanon; Kelly Eileen Bigley, 39, of Upper St. Clair; Tom Flaherty, 54, of Shadyside; Kathleen Miskovich, 48, of Richland.

Unqualified
Stephen Begler, 46, of Squirrel Hill; Robert Downey Jr., 51, of Penn Hills.