Editorial: Fontana for Senate / The County Council member is the better fit

Better fit -- as in fitness -- was an interesting choice of words for the headline. As we campaign, I feel that I am the candidate who is most concerned with fitness, wellness, kids, and better quality of life.

Editorial: Fontana for Senate / The County Council member is the better fit There's also a third candidate, a Libertarian, Mark Rauterkus, 46, of the South Side.

Other mentions from the PG editorial include:

Mr. Rauterkus, 45, a swim coach from the South Side, ran unsuccessfully in the 2001 Republican primary for mayor and offers some different perspectives, but he can't match the experience in public office of his opponents and the knowledge that it brings.
...
In this case, picking between two dedicated public officials, and one quixotic candidate, almost demands a judgment on which party will best serve the district.

See the comments for the full story.

A few other parting thoughts: This is a time when the city and suburbs need to focus on the survival of Pittsburgh. But, it is the D party that has done so much damage to Pittsburgh, especially the city proper, so that the survival is so critical.

Furthermore, the Fontana plan for Pittsburgh's survival is best presented to the voters when it hidden from everyone's sight. Fontana isn't talking about lowering the deed transfer tax, making assessment buffering a state-wide option, merging Citiparks and County Parks & Rec with a NEW Pittsburgh Park District, nor does he want to liquidate the Parking Authority so as to lower the parking tax to 15%. I do.

Schools, wellness, democracy, transportation plans and economic development efforts that make sense are needed and absent from Fontana's agenda.

What isn't absent in Fontana's agenda is atrocious. This is from Fontana's lastest direct mailer. Fontana wants to punish companies who (sic) break their word and ship jobs overseas.

Suburban voters will get to choose among three candidates, all from the city. The two others are career politicians with the experience of city-styled operations. That is a liability if you ask me. Their experience is with making TIFs, for begging for handouts, for doing wasteful capital projects. I've been injecting different ideas and making efforts to turn away from envy and greed and lead to self-reliance for a number of years. Some people in the city have different views and different values from the present leadership in the city. The opposition within the city is alive and should be supported with votes.

I will win a number of votes in the city. But this campaing's success relies upon the suburban voters to choose to go away from the machine-styled policians of the city's horrid past. Not only is there is a chance to break from the blue-state vs. red-state mentality, but there is a choice and chance to break from the same-old-same-old mentality that has driven Pittsburgh to the brink.

The PG has been a long-time supporter of "machine politicans." The endorsement was given because it rewarded experience. However the experience is troublesome.

I think that this PG editorial is something that can help me in the suburban reaches of the 42nd.

Way to go Pitt Graduates

Hats off to you all.

Graduates, go forth and do great work. Make the world better, healthier, and more open-minded. See the big picture. Act in prudent ways. Make peace -- and stay rested as the work of the peace maker takes constant energy.

May some of you be my neighbors again. May we all think of ourselves as neighbors for a long time to come, wherever regular sleep, play, worship, study and work takes you.

Lead Sunday Editorial: Post-Gazette endorsement gives respect and reveals logic

All along, I knew I would NOT be getting the endorsement of the Post-Gazette. I have been in the trenches working with others in battles, hard-fought struggles on iissues, against the lame policies of Mayor Tom Murphy. Meanwhile, the Post-Gazette had generally endorsed the Murphy agenda.

Four years ago, I didn't get the endorsement of the PG in my only other race for public office, for Mayor in a contested GOP Primary.

Four years ago, the PG editors endorsed Tom Murphy. Frankly, I was glad I didn't get the endorsement.

Times have changed. Many of my worst fears came to pass. The fallings for the city have been noted.

I have different perspectives. The PG noted that. I got some respect in the editorial meeting, and in the recap.

The PG editors had ripped Fontana just a month prior for his failure to resign from County Council. That was noted. Strike one for Fontana. But that was less of shocker.

Diven struck out. He missed on the proposal to turn downtown public buildings into loft apartments. Strike one. Strike two on the flip flopping for the wrong reasons. And strike three on the recent pro-dem stance.

I think Diven would have gotten the endorsement had his ideas made sense. His plan for Pittsburgh is a sure-fire prescription for killing this town.

I saw Wayne Fontana tonight. He leaked the news to me on the endorsement article. He thinks it is a major victory for himself. It is. Fontana gets a star by his name now.

I feel that the PG was open minded about both Diven and Fontana. Their endorsement could have gone either way. It wasn't a done deal for either old party career politican.

The PG didn't hurt me, and for that I'm okay with the coverage.

Next up, seeing what comes out of the Trib. Wayne will be on hostile ground there. Diven might be the wonder boy -- but his stock will fall faster than a Kennedy's once the Trib editors get a sniff of the new authority Diven wants to establish.

No coverage at all is still an option with the Trib's editorial board. Perhaps the Trib editors will watch the TV debate (WBGN) and then have us come into their offices. That would be wise of them. Our TV debate comes next Sunday, 7 pm. Then the Trib editors can go deeper into materials that spin out of those debate presentations.

Time will tell.

Other media interviews, beyond the Trib, today

I was on The Saturday Morning Light Brigade in its visit to our South Side Market House. Plus, I gave an interview to The History Channel, the cable TV station.

I was on the air with Bill Peduto and a the Comcast Gov. Affairs boss.

Comcast didn't endorse anyone in our race.

Nor did the Pgh Federation of Teachers.

Great to hear the Westmost Chorus.

Furthermore, my boys, Erik and Grant, were on the air with the radio and behind the camera with the TV interview.

Investigation of driveway paving under way - PittsburghLIVE.com

Smile, you're on candid camera.

Investigation of driveway paving under way - PittsburghLIVE.com: "He said he learned about the matter when a TV reporter brought a videotape from a neighbor showing a city road crew doing the paving.

Romaniello said the controversy is the latest in a series of disputes with some of his neighbors. The two sides accuse each other of calling police, animal control officers and building inspectors to lodge petty complaints.

'All they keep doing is trying to find stuff to get on me,' Romaniello said. 'I ran for office to be in a position to help my community. I don't get paid for it.'

Costa said he plans to bill Romaniello for the work, which he estimated cost the city between $700 and $800.

Humm...
A TV 11 reporter let me know of this story before it broke. The Diven camp was very worried that the news would be associated to the campaign.

My solution: Those on school board should NOT be eligible to get onto any ballot for another public office for two years from the end of their term on school board.

School board members have used the school board as a stepping stone to other offices. Barbara Burns, Valerie McDonald, and now Mark Brently. Others are in this league too.

If school board office was a "dead end job" -- then those seeking power would NOT run for school board. Then, only those who want what's best for the schools would run for school board. The grandstanding would evaporate as well.

I still want to elect board members, but I want to have a provision that they can't run for other office. And, as is the case with Mr. Fontana on County Council too long -- as is the case with those who work in the White House -- the off-limits designation needs to sustain itself well past the "resignation."

Campaign manuals on how to run for public office often provide the advice that you should start your political career at the level of school board director. That's bunk. Worse advice might have never been given and taken as such reasonable conventional wisdom.

To grow your power base while using the students as stepping stones is ugly. This is one reason why our schools are having such problems.

We need school board members who are there to serve the best interest of education while being aware of costs and taxpayers.

Capitol Notes: Pennsylvanians recycling at a record pace

The recycled electron joke is one I use -- as I'm publishing online, and not killing trees and using much paper.

Capitol Notes: Pennsylvanians recycling at a record pace THIS NEWS IS MADE OF 100 PERCENT RECYCLED MATERIAL:
Good news on the recycling front -- Pennsylvanians recycled a record 4.45 million tons of municipal waste in 2003, the most recent year for which data is available.

That's according to reports from the 67 counties, made to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

The growth of recycling is beneficial in several ways, the DEP says.

PA can do much more about efforts to recycle, reuse and restore.

Mayoral TV ads a battle of bland

Mayoral TV ads a battle of bland: "The latest television commercials by the major Pittsburgh mayoral candidates are a lot like the campaign so far. They focus on fiscal issues and are surprisingly bland.

Bland is as bland does.

Bland has been rewarded in the media in Pittsburgh throughout the years. Bland has been rewarded in the institutional circles in Pittsburgh throughout the years as well.

Bland is what career politicians seen when they look into the mirror -- and they try to use it as a benchmark of their success in this market. They have been conditioned to strive for bland.

He's a nice guy -- I know him -- Its his time -- Gotta -- Bland, bland, bland.

These guys are playing defense. Most have. They seemingly want to manage the downward spiral of the region.

To break out of the bland mold, you'd have to have something to say beyond the unified dog-license sales office, one's grandparents from Italy, and french fries sales from the days before the drive through window was invented.

Even when Bob put up an idea that wasn't too bland -- streetcar line between Oakland and downtown -- he got knocked around for it.

When Sophie put up the idea of a new baseball park -- she got knocked around by Tom Murphy for even suggesting the idea. Then Murphy went ahead and made TWO stadiums and championed the folly just months later, after being elected.

Because so little gets told in the media -- bland rules. Once you air out the story, the policies, the positions -- then bland crumbles as does the mindlessness.

I have a TV ad -- here on my desktop. It won't get onto the air. It isn't bland.

The ads should be bland, really. This is no fault of the campaigns. But, the coverage does NOT need to be bland. The coverage should be front on and raw.

Senate election expected to set spending record - PittsburghLIVE.com

Real ink for the race hits today in the Trib.

Senate election expected to set spending record - PittsburghLIVE.com Rauterkus, who is active on the campaign trail in person and via the Internet, is not expected to spend much on ads.

The only typo: My wife's name is Catherine V. Palmer, Ph.D. Her name is Palmer, not Parker. When we got married, Catherine had a long list of academic publications in her profession. She had done research and had it published in her field, and name identification in the academic world is very important -- just like it is in politics, if not more. Women who rise in the ranks of scholars have a serious burden when asked to change their name when getting married.

Presently, Catherine is the director of audiology at UPMC's Eye and Ear Institute and an Associate Professor at Pitt's School of Health and Rehab Sciences. I like to say that she is the W2 of the family.

Another round of hate mail showed up in the mailbox -- trees are moving to the city to escape slaughter.

How many times must the negative mailer be sent -- before they fall all the trees?

How many times must the insults be shared -- before the voters show that they care?

The answers my friend, are blowing in the wind. The slander is blowing like the wind.

---

I'm in a musical mood tonight. More direct mail arrived in my mail box today. Its like music to my ears. My old-party opponents, Diven (the new Republican) and Fontana (the Dem who didn't get a D-majority in his endorsement bid) are punching and counter-punching with four-color direct mailers to voters in the 42nd district. As their folly accelerates, they burn more money and kill more trees. That isn't what the melody I'm looking to hear. But their silly mailers are helping me climb in popularity.

What's more, the mailers are not even that good. My wife read the first mailer that the Dems sent out that hit against Diven -- and my wife's reaction was, "My, this is going to help Diven."

So, not only are the old-party hacks weak with their own case and merits on themselves, but they are floundering at efforts to illustrate weakness within the opposition.

In another week, both Diven and Fontana should have sealed their auditions for new roles in any future remake of the Keystone Cops. Children giggle at the slapstick comedy of the Keystone Cops, providing some redeaming value. In this situation with the Ds and Rs, the redeaming value lies elsewhere. Anyone else who runs against these critters, today and in the future, is going to be blessed.

Lecture invite: Stephen Zarlenga, author of "The Lost Science of Money: the Mythology of Money - the Story of Power"

Stephen Zarlenga, author of "The Lost Science of Money: the Mythology of Money - the Story of Power." presents a lecture with Q & A at Pitt in room 5401 of Posvar Hall, from noon to 2pm on Saturday, May 7, 2005.

The talk is, "Removing Structural Injustice from our Monetary System." He delivered much the same talk in Brunswick, Georgia, at "TOES" conference ("The Other Economic
Summit" -- a counter to the G8 summit). That lecture can be viewed on-line.

Mr. Zarlenga is a maverick who started his own institute nine years ago, called the American Monetary Institute. He is a serious student of monetary history. His book is an original contribution to the field.

Harold K posts, "I met him earlier this year, and can say that, like most mavericks, he is a thoroughly engaging fellow. He'll be passing through Pittsburgh next weekend on his way home to Chicago from an attempt at lobbying various of our Congress Critters in D.C."

Zarlenga is a main organizer of an upcoming monetary conference in Chicago this fall.

A PDF flier announcing the visit in Pittsburgh is available.

Gateway newspapers interview

Gave a phone interview with a reporter from Gateway Newspapers. Should run on Thursday, in six days.

Silencing of the Lamb, letter to the editor from Dan Sullivan

Letter

Friday, April 29, 2005

Two of the three viable candidates for mayor of Pittsburgh are up to their eyeballs in corporate welfare.

Bob O'Connor always grumbled about Mayor Murphy giving away the treasury before voting Murphy's way, and Bill Peduto, who has called himself "Mr. Development," is more like Murphy than Murphy.

Peduto's the one who got Shadyside declared blighted so poorer taxpayers could subsidize shopping for the trendiest neighborhood in the city and Giant Eagle could impose tax-subsidized dominance over smaller grocers.

As prothonotary, Michael Lamb, the other viable candidate, never had an opportunity to vote for corporate welfare. He could skyrocket in the polls by taking a strong, clear, unequivocal stand against it and pointing out the records of, and campaign contributions to, his opponents.

But the League of Women Voters got everyone to pledge not to be negative, so most voters don't know the facts that would to make them cringe when Lamb's subsidy-sucking opponents point to their "greater experience."

It's not that I care about whether this election takes Lamb to the slaughter in 2005. I'm more worried about the continued slaughter of taxpayers for another four years. Is there a positive way to say that?

Dan Sullivan
Squirrel Hill

Sullivan was treasurer of "Good Sports," which campaigned against the stadium
tax referendum.

Money and Democracy

We hear nearly everyday about the blessings of democracy and how it helps to preserve our freedoms as Americans. Yet, we increasingly hear about the negative impacts of money on political campaigns. There have been efforts made to reform this system, with so-called campaign finance reform. However, this reform has not been successful. We continue to lag in efforts of self-representation. Corruption grips tighter on the system and the players.

As a State Senate candidate, I have two solutions within a campaign-finance plan to fix a series of related problems.

The best way to insure transparency is to make the bank accounts themselves transparent. This isn't a private endeavor. This run for office is a public effort.

The creation of a new style of bank account dedicated for PACs would enable every citizen to have access to the bank accounts recoreds of willing PACs organizers. Such a policy would create greater accountability and improved transparency with a marketplace solution that would cut overhead in government, in campaigns and in media efforts of being watchdogs.

More to come shortly.

Paul's public questions and his discussion

Paul Senter sent out this email. It isn't the best in formats, but I let it rip anyway on the quick. I think a copy also went out via snail mail to candidates. I'll reply in earnest to the issues raised when I have another moment to spare.

short-version:
--- the Pa. Attorney General's office was called = referred to AG Investigative Unit;
--- the AG Investigative Unit was called = seems to be a local matter; referred to District Attorney's IU;
--- the District Attorney's IU was called = suggested sending outline
for their overworked attorney to look at;
--- material was sent to DA's IU;
--- the DA's IU called to say they weren't going to do anything; doesn't seem to be anything outright criminal;
it seems to be a State or Federal matter.
--- AG'S IU was called again, relating DA' s IU verbal response.

if no penalties written into the law, then
possibly no grounds;

seems like a court determination is necessary to establish disregard of the State law by elected officials; extortion, etc.

= anyone can file a motion for a Common Pleas Court hearing seeking "relief from bad actions of City authorities"

---

On the phone the DA's office asked if there was Federal money involved;
the AG's office has said they deal with use of State monies;
the DA's office has not yet replied in writing, as later requested;
the AG has not yet been contacted in writing.

Neither the DA's nor AG's offices seem to have any incentive to dig into the details.

---

At first, filing a "citizen motion" seemed a possible way to go;
it could be a real test of just how well "government by the people",
and democracy itself, exists in Pittsburgh and in Pennsylvania.
It seemed it might be worth the effort just to see how real everything is.

---

Progress through Common Pleas Court would surely be time-consuming and tedious, and would "they" be willing to expose their political cronies/friends (Mr. Hertzberg, City Council members, and the Mayor)?

---

I got to thinking there's possibly a more direct way to RESULTS:

Therefore, on Tuesday, April 26, I mailed a letter with an addressed envelope to the six District 2 City Council candidates, and the three Pa. District 42 State Senator Candidates, requesting a reply be put in the mail by April 30. They were alerted that the results will be posted to the general public.

The letters had a cover-letter and a YES-NO chart, but this is the content
of the chart (I will soon post the cover-letters and charts on the website) :

---

If I am elected Pittsburgh City Council District 2 Representative, I will
persist in accomplishing:

YES NO

a) within 60 days of being elected, introduction, or support of introduction and passage of
a Bill that will
-- repeal Bill 1020-2005 of February 2005
(which took $1 from the partial refund to the 4000+ owners who paid the WE-HAV tax,
so as to give $100 to the 38 or so, who paid to enroll and received a WE-HAV appraisal.)

-- REQUIRE RESTITUTION by the West Pittsburgh Partnership for
Regional Development,
Inc. Community Development Corporation, of the shortage of WE-HAV
tax funds turned over to the City, upon the September 2004 Termination of the
District 2 NID and the WE-HAV operation,
so as to provide a full $20 refund of the WE-HAV taxes
collected by the West Pittsburgh
Partnership', Inc., which as the NID Managing Authority
(NIDMA), permitted spending collected money knowing it was involved in a lawsuit that
could be lost.

b) within 60 days of being elected, introduction, or support of
introduction and passage of a Bill requiring
-- the West Pittsburgh Partnership', Inc. to produce
- a complete and fully itemized public accounting of all
WE-HAV-related funds, funds sources, and expenditures (including the $150,000 of the
Mayor's UDAG funds, accrued interest, etc.)

-- a complete and fully itemized accounting by the City Finance
Department of the "WE-HAV" funds received by the City from the West Pittsburgh
Partnership for Regional Development, Inc., upon the September 2004 Termination
of the District 2 NID and the WE-HAV operation.
- and a complete accounting of the current state of those funds.

c) within 90 days of being elected, introduction, or support of
introduction and passage of a Bill establishing and funding an elected City of Pittsburgh Ombudsman who is charged with receiving, investigating, and appropriately bringing to prosecution, grievances of citizens against the City government and its officials.

Signed _____________________
Date ___________

17 May 2005 Candidate for Pittsburgh City Council District 2 Representative

---

If I am elected Pennsylvania District 42 State Senator,
I will persist in accomplishing within the two years of this elected term:

YES NO

1) introduction of, or support of introduction and passage of Amendments
to the
State NID Act 130-2000, including

--if not deleting Residential Improvement Districts (RIDs) from
the Act, then

-- replacement of the NO_vote mechanism, with referendum of
targeted property owners;

-- specifically-clear detailing of the initial owner-support
requirement,

-- specifically-clear detailing of the complete procedures
required for bringing a NID proposal to the point of presentation to the respective
local municipal authority for approval/passage.

-- adding specific criminal offenses for not adhering to the
instructions and procedures of the amended NID Act.

2) introduction of, or support of introduction and passage of legislation establishing and funding an elected Pennsylvania State Ombudsman who
is charged with
-- receiving, investigating, and appropriately bringing to prosecution, grievances of citizens against the State government and its officials,

-- as well as receiving, investigating, and appropriately bringing
to prosecution, neglected or otherwise un-addressed grievances of citizens of any County or municipality against their respective County or municipal government and its officials.

Signed _____________________________________
Date __________
17 May 2005 Candidate for Pennsylvania District 42 State
Senator

---

This SEEMS to be a real opportunity to put concrete issues, born of our first-hand experience with the WE-HAV scheming, on the record for candidates to publicly accept responsibility for -or not.
--and then to see how whoever is elected acts, according to what they have publicly agreed to do or not do.

Persisting in the introducing and enactment (or refusing or failing to do so) of definite legislation dealing with specific matters affecting us, are specific concrete actions which we the public can see done or not done.

--In my opinion, these specific actions are much do-able and realistic than the typical campaign-rhetoric-hot-air about "jobs", "taxes", "assessments", "the budget", and so on.

It seems this might be way to provide clear instructions to those we select as REPRESENTATIVES, to make commitments, and carry through once in office --or shut up and expect to be de-elected.

I personally do not need self-proclaimed sold-out "leaders" , I want
responsible accurate representation of the electorate, which includes me.

I'd prefer the opportunity of having to decide among all fine candidates, rather than having to figure who might be the best of the worst; and I would hope that whoever of the fine who didn't get elected would join in with getting things done thereafter.

Best Regards,

Interesting interactions with media to note

Bob M of TV 4 called to ask if I was running for mayor as an Indie. As of now, I'm running for PA Senator. If I become the new state senator, I won't run for mayor. I'll make more decisions and announce them on election night as we see the results. Stay tuned.

If anyone else is running for mayor, and is not a D or an R -- that person would NEED to be not a D or an R now, due to the R.C. rule. How is Joe Rossi or Joe King registered at the county election department now?

If I would run for mayor in the general election, I'd be a Libertarian, for what that's worth.

With the Trib, I talked with Colin McN. He told me that the Trib is NOT yet sure if it is even going to talk to candidates for the special election for the PA Senate. I would love to have an opportunity to talk with the Trib's editorial review board. Time will tell if that invite comes or not.

The PG must not have thought there was anything "newsworthy" in our editorial review board meeting of a week or more ago. I don't like the fact that no news is good news. I hate the fact that Diven is calling for a NEW authority. I think that is newsworthy and should be covered -- for its madness if nothing else. So, we hurry up and wait for that ink to flow.

Answers for The Pittsburgh Catholic

What is your position on providing legal protection for unborn children from the moment of conception if Roe vs. Wade is overturned?
Comment: I support state rights. Libertarians’ views on these issues range the full spectrum. The hypothetical question defies further comment, given 30 words. I do favor efforts for the prevention of pregnancy. Generally, I am in the middle on this issue.

What is your position on public funding of abortion?

Oppose

What is your position on banning the cloning of human beings for any purpose?

Oppose

What is your position on repealing the death penalty in Pennsylvania?

Support

What is your position on government requiring that benefits be provided to same-sex partners?

Government can’t REQUIRE benefits. However, everyone has specific RIGHTS. I support PUSH discussions that will one day decouple employment from health care coverage.

What is your position on school choice legislation in the form of direct grants to students to attend the school of their choice (vouchers)?

Support with comment: I attended 10-years of Catholic school: To 8th grade at St. Barts and 9 & 10th at St. Fidelis HS Seminary.

What is your position on increasing funding for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit, which encourages businesses to donate to Pre-K-12 scholarship programs?

Oppose with comment: Schools need serious attention, but a tax credit is far from ideal.

What is your position on reform measures to make assisted living/personal care more affordable and provide more health options for the elderly so that they may choose the setting best suited to their needs (i.e., home care, assisted living/personal care, nursing home)?

Support

What is your position on legislation to impose standards to ensure that all scientific research in Pennsylvania adheres to established moral or ethical principles?

Oppose with comment: Legislators are horrible scientists. Scientists and researchers make horrible legislators. My insistence favors the “peer review legacy” over any legislation.

What will you do to address the growing number of uninsured individuals in our Commonwealth and ensure health care that works for all? Comments: Please be concise (30 words or less) to ensure that your answer may be printed in its entirety.

Wellness is prominent in my Platform.For-Pgh.org. Health care and employment must be decoupled for better medicine and our economy. As a Senator, I'd champion the arrival of PUSH (single payer health care).

Qs without As (yet) for the Pgh Catholic newspaper

How would YOU answer these questions. Or, running mates, what suggestions do you have for me.

My understanding is that both of my old-party opponents are very much right to lifers. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being max on right to life views, I'm going to guess that Diven, now a R, is a 9.9 and Fontana, now a D, is a 9.5.

Some of these questions are insteresting in just their presentation. Clever.

1.What is your position on providing legal protection for unborn children from the moment of conception if Roe vs. Wade is overturned?
__ support __oppose __ support with exceptions – list exceptions?

2.What is your position on public funding of abortion?
__ support __oppose __comments

3.What is your position on banning the cloning of human beings for any purpose?
__ support __oppose __comments

4.What is your position on repealing the death penalty in Pennsylvania?
__ support __oppose __comments

5.What is your position on government requiring that benefits be provided to same-sex partners?
__ support __oppose __comments

6.What is your position on school choice legislation in the form of direct grants to students to attend the school of their choice (vouchers)?
__ support __oppose __comments

7.What is your position on increasing funding for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit, which encourages businesses to donate to Pre-K-12 scholarship programs?
__ support __oppose __comments

8.What is your position on reform measures to make assisted living/personal care more affordable and provide more health options for the elderly so that they may choose the setting best suited to their needs (ie. home care, assisted living/personal care, nursing home)?
__ support __oppose __comments

9.What is your position on legislation to impose standards to ensure that all scientific research in Pennsylvania adheres to established moral or ethical principles?
__ support __oppose __comments

10.What will you do to address the growing number of uninsured individuals in our Commonwealth and ensure health care that works for all? Comments: Please be concise (30 words or less) to ensure that your answer may be printed in its entirety.

Comments

My answers will be posted on my web site, and perhaps this blog, soon.

Coro Fellow on the campaign. Welcome Tim! New press secretary duties to begin in earnest.

Tim Aldinger, 28, a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs has joined the campaign of Mark Rauterkus. Tim and the others on the team are in a quest to win the special election and make Rauterkus, the next PA Senator in the 42nd district.

Tim is working fulltime with the campaign, candidate and others until election day, May 17, 2005.

Tim is a graduate student within Coro's program that offers a diverse curriculum. His fellowship includes assignments on political campaigns.

Tim has been involved in public affairs in a wide variety of settings including a year of service with AmeriCorps and organizing an international conference on community building. His undergraduate degree in International Studies included a semester in the Czech Republic before graduating magna cum laude from Southern Oregon University.

Next year he will complete his master's degree in Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University.

Tim's new title: Coordinator of Media Relations.

Storm over weather service initiatives

Storm over weather service initiatives Sen. Rick Santorum has introduced legislation that would limit the information that the National Weather Service can provide to the public,...

We have a bone to pick with Santorum and the White House for the recent denial of a tour while in DC recently. Now the wind blows again.

If you're for closed, hidden information -- I'm against you. If you are for open, free information, count me as an ally.

A radio interview with PA's Junior US Senator makes it seem unlike what was first reported in the press. Santorum is trying to prevent the US Weather Service from selling its data and expanding its mission. That's a different spin.

However, the alarms ring for me when I hear of any reporting that concerns one media outlet and another. The topic of media to media coverage is always highly charged and most generally wrong. In this case, the press reported something about the National Weather Service -- something that could greatly impact radio and tv news and stations. Watch out. Some hidden agendas and twists are probable.

The media needs to do much more in terms of PEER REVIEW. If one outlet gets it wrong, they should report on that matter. There are too many taboo areas among the journalists and the business outlets that pay them.

So, the story is unfolding in my view. Dig a little deeper before making a value judgement on the issue as the first reporting might be wrong by design to sway public opinion.

I'm still for open access. But I'm not yet sure who else is for open access as well. The free flow of information needs to be protected. Free speech, free travel, free trade, free markets, free association -- all help drive prosperity in America and the world.

Oakland's transit talk recap

Rapid busways were part of the transportation discussion at a forum in Oakland. I attended part of the presentation before heading to another candidates' night.

Common ground was found in a number of elements in the early presentations, but a number of missing points were also noted.

Frankly, I don't want to hear about color coordination among the buses and the signs. Striking logos, eye candy paint jobs and other designer elements was talked about and sounded much like lipstick on a pig.

Too often, we've seen those in power in Pittsburgh try in vain to re-brand, re-market, re-position, re-hoodwink. Don't bat a the leaves on the tree of misery! Let's get serious and dig at the roots of the problems.

A bus sheleter that is built like a little gazebo is no big deal. Nobody cares beyond the pencil pushers at PAT who are in front of an audience showing off their cluelessness.

A classic moment came right at the outset of the presentation from PAT's top planning official. He began his presentation with a question. He asked, "What was happening with light rail in 1978?" He was trying to make the point that light rail was not an industry then. Light rail, in 1978, was nothing but a concept on the drawing board. In the recent decades a new mode of transportation sprung into civilization.

He is right if you IGNORE what was shouted out from the back of the room -- STREETCARS.

Lightrail of the past was called "streetcars."

Duhh. PAT's top leaders are in denial of a number of serious matters.

We had light rail in the past, called streetcars, then PAT ripped it out.

We had heavy rail in the past PAT ripped it out.

We had more than a dozen includes in the past, until PAT ripped it out.

Now we have a busway extension to Carnegie. Now we'll be getting a glass enclosed subway stop in Gateway Center.

PAT has done a lot of damage to our city's and our region's transportation infrastructure. When you take the long view of that authority, it is horrid.

So, what are we doing now? Putting Mr. Roddey in charge of a NEW authority set up by the Governor to find a dedicated funding stream for transportation. Roddey used to be on PAT's board. This is NOT a good signal.

I have other notes on the event and will attempt to post them soom.

Missing topics: Out and back routes. Hub and spoke talk. Re-looking at routes that refrain buses from making so many turns on corners within the downtown streets.

PAT needs an overhaul. It isn't about the money. It is about the oversight and the leadership. There is no accountability within the system. Those in charge -- like county council, county executive, state reps -- are to blame.

As a state senator, I'll be able to ask and insist upon frank answers to tough questions. The others are giving this authority -- and the other authorities -- a 'free pass.' I'll drive home the points of being fiscally frugal -- with both the capital and operations budget. I'll demand customer service viewpoints and priorities -- that service all the citizens.