Plane and simple: Thanks!

Ta.

Plane, because we're getting on a plane to Chicago at 9:30 am. I've got to pack for China. The recap is going to come from the other side of the world. We're out of here for four weeks.

Just so everyone knows, our house sitters move in while we're out of town.

The most at any POLL -- was seven

The turnout was soft. But, the turnout among the non Ds and non Rs was very, very, very thin. I went to 20 or 30 polling places throughout the day. Not a single one had more than seven voters from the ranks of the Indies.

Often there are 40 or so voters in the polling place who are NON-Ds and NON-Rs. Generally there were four or so voters who had voted.

We saved $200,000 by insisting that the vote was held on the primary date. But, that blew the Indies out of the water in terms of getting out the vote.

PennLive.com: NewsFlash - Special elections fill two Senate seats

PennLive.com: NewsFlash - Special elections fill two Senate seats Special elections fill two Senate seats
5/17/2005, 1:11 p.m. ET The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A pair of special elections Tuesday were expected to restore the Pennsylvania Senate to its full 50-member complement.

Republicans currently outnumber Democrats in the Senate 30-18, with two vacancies left by former Democratic senators who were elected to higher offices in November.

In the 4th District, which takes in parts of Philadelphia and Montgomery counties, LeAnna Washington, a sixth-term Democratic state representative from Philadelphia, was opposed by Republican Ronald Holt, an accountant from Abington.

The winner of that race will replace former Sen. Allyson Y. Schwartz, who was elected to the U.S. House.

In Pittsburgh's 42nd District, state Rep. Michael Diven, a Democrat who switched to the Republican Party in January, faced Democratic former Allegheny County councilman Wayne Fontana and Libertarian Mark Rauterkus.

The winner will succeed Jack Wagner, who was elected state auditor general.

KDKA: Polls Open for PA's Primary

KDKA: Polls Open for PA's Primary In Wagner's former Pittsburgh district, former Allegheny County councilman Wayne Fontana, a Democrat, is competing with Democrat-turned-Republican Rep. Michael Diven and Libertarian Mark Rauterkus.

Voters in Allegheny County will also decide today whether or not they want to eliminate some of the row offices.

But if political anaylsts are correct, voter turnout for this primary will only be around 20-percent of the 9.6 million Pennsylvanians who are 18 or older.

The Allegheny County Elections Department projects that only one-third of the county's Democrats and a quarter of the republicans will show up at the polls today. If those projections are correct, it would be one of the lowest turnouts involving a city mayoral election in recent years.

Election Day Buzz, so far

The poll workers are out in force. Perhaps with too much force.

At one poll, near my house, the turnout climbed all the way to 10 (ten) voters by 11 am. Right, one short of eleven. Perhaps their goal should have been 11 by 11. The gent there said, "We are leading the way in voter apathy. And we're proud of it."

Charge!

People were just waiting for me to post my mini-signs there before rushing to the polls.

He also pondered that the nasty weather might be keeping people away.

It is a great day for a baseball game.

In other places, turn out is much better. I'd call it "light." When it comes to the INDEPENDENT VOTERS, the most critical to my winning in a landslide, I'm not holding my breath. Zippo is the most fitting description.

Meanwhile I hear things are going very well in suburban .... LOCATION DELETED .... I don't want to tell you, as I don't want Diven and Fontana rushing to that beachhead. Things are going well there, and they don't need a food fight to break out.

Putting Mike Turzai and Dr. C. Wecht onto KQV Radio is sure to get a lot of people to watch the TV tonight as the results arrive.

Speaking of numbers, 10 to 4 bundle to drop elected row offices has some opposition. Posters even. Same with "vote yes." And, I've not said it yet, but the 9 to 5 posters for Anthony C are clever. I saw a dozen or so of them, weeks ago, and didn't know what he was driving at. But, they do make sense. He'll put in motion a drop in city council, if elected to five members, not its existing nine.

I must admit, voting as a Libertarian isn't rewarding at all. There were all of those pink and blue judge candidates, and I didn't get to do much else other than the two ballot questions.

Perhaps the masses of Indie voters will head to the polls later in the day.

Press Release for Election Day

Elect.Rauterkus.com
May 17, 2005

Contact: Timothy Aldinger, Coro Fellow in Public Affairs &
Media Releations Elect.Rauterkus.com
Tim's cell = xxx-xxx-xxxx @coro.org
Mark's cell = 412 298 3432 Mark@Rauterkus.com

Mark Rauterkus, Libertarian candidate for PA Senate in the Special
Election, Releases Regional Regrets

A public statement from a candidate for PA Senate (42nd) in today's special election is due in the middle of voting activities. But this candidate won't be at the polls, rather he and his sons are headed to a scholastic baseball playoff game.

Mark Rauterkus, 46, Libertarian, is running for Pennsylvania Senate. Throughout the campaign, Rauterkus has promoted a new statewide solution that also addresses city-county consolidation. Rauterkus, a professional swim coach and advocate for wellness and other types of recreational activities, wants to launch a new Pittsburgh Park District.

The state of Illinois uses a different governmental model that leverages Park Districts. These bodies with more than 2,100 elected trustees throughout the state operate under sunshine laws are distinct from city, county and state government. With elected leaders, volunteers and community involvement, the Park Districts work to root citizens in their communities with better programming opportunities and care for facilities and resources.

Rauterkus said, "A Park District is NOT an authority. I desire elections, accountability and teamwork among professionals, such as coaches, community leaders, volunteers and participants."

The WPIAL playoff game between two teams within the PA Senate 42nd district allows the Rauterkus and his two sons, ages 7 and 10, city residents, to enjoy an afternoon at a suburban sandlot, between our visits to polls.

"An iron curtain exists between the city and suburban programs that includes programs and opportunities. We can't keep splitting the cooperation among the region and thrive again," said Rauterkus.

The game is slated for 1 pm at Burkett Field, behind Burkett Elementary School, part of the Montour School District. Beaver Falls and Carlynton meet in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs. Another game is at 3 pm with Brentwood and Northgate at Herb Field in Norht Hills. Gate is $5. Full brackets for AA baseball is at WPIAL.org.

A year ago, Rauterkus released a 100-plus page position paper that called for the formation of park district. He presented the paper to a number of agencies and individuals as well as the ICA Board, Act 47 Coordinators, County, City and School officials. See http://DSL.CLOH.Org/v1/

Rauterkus feels that a position in the PA Senate would empower him to push from within state government to enable Park Districts in Pennsylvania helping everyone's quality of life.

For years, Rauterkus has been a vibrant voice for change in terms of effective government.

In the 1980s Rauterkus was employed as an aquatic manager and head coach of a 200-member community team that operated by the Peoria Park District, the second largest park district in Illinois. Rauterkus understands the advantages of administrative stability with the park district model and regrets that such a system is not in place in Pennsylvania.

Other regrets are expected around the grandstands of today's game and election.

Rauterkus is sorry his participation in the three-way race was not able to quell the negative campaign waged by the heavyweight candidates, Wayne Fontana, Democrat and Michael Diven, Republican. The absurd insults and falsehoods were expected given the mentality from Harrisburg operatives and the individual candidates stances on positions. A third candidate's entry can often have a calming effect on the nasty presentations and mudslinging.

"Civility did not prevail from them, sadly," says Rauterkus. "I wanted to discuss priorities, issues and real solutions for the region. These opponents were most interested in making noise. Power politics and personality attacks are for bullies and don't have a place on the playgrounds, nor chambers of government."

Recap of Rauterkus regrets:
+ Lack of Park District,
+ Lack of Issues-centered campaigns,
+ Overboard negativity from the Democrats and Republican camps.
+ Lack of Assessment Buffering for property tax,
+ Lack of City-County cooperation in sports and park programming.

Rauterkus public campaign efforts are to continue with an open-source wiki, Platform.For-Pgh.org.

As the polls close, Rauterkus is going to claim a victory on various
dimensions. The opponents and their political parties each spent
upwards of $1-million on the campaign. Meanwhile, the
Elect.Rauterkus.com campaign was a frugal operation spending less than
$10,000. If 10,000 votes are obtained, that is less than $1 per vote
as far as expenses and results. The Ds and Rs might be spending at a
rate of $100 to secure each vote.

If Rauterkus is not elected to the PA Senate, Rauterkus is expected to
announce intentions to run again. The next ballot opportunity might be
Pittsburgh's City Council. Rauterkus lives on the South Side in a
district represented by City Council President, Gene Ricciardi.
Ricciardi is a candidate on today as well. Ricciardy is hoping to
leave city council for a new role as District Magistrate.

Rauterkus could mount a campaign for city council soon, getting a head
start on others. Rauterkus could be an Independent or a Libertarian in
that race.

Rauterkus is not expected to enter the City of Pittsburgh mayor's race in 2005. Rauterkus ran for mayor in 2001 in a contested Republican primary.

On the morning of May 18, the day after the election, Rauterkus, his sons and his wife, Catherine V. Palmer, Ph.D., along with two graduate students, are going abroad for four weeks. Palmer, a professor at Pitt and Director of Audiology at UPMC's Eye and Ear Institute, is to teach a course at the second largest medical center in China, in Chengdu, in a southwest provence.

Rauterkus said, "The trip to China is a great experience for all. We'll be playing violin, badminton, swimming, doing art and visiting parks. Meanwhile, the two grad students and my wife teach an intense course to doctors and medical students. The cultural exchange is wonderful, but the medical and healthcare benefits are priceless."

Updates are at Mark Rauterkus and Running Mates blog, http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

Primary 2005: Will voters pull plug on Allegheny County row offices?

Bad headline -- great article. This is MUCH MORE than a PRIMARY 2005. Oh well, you all know that. But, does everyone else know it too?

Primary 2005: Will voters pull plug on Allegheny County row offices?: "all voters living in the state Senate's 42nd District, which covers parts of the South Hills, North Side, Downtown and western suburbs, can participate in the hotly contested special election to fill the seat vacated by Auditor General Jack Wagner. Republican Michael Diven, a state representative from Brookline, Democrat Wayne Fontana, a former county councilman from Brookline, and Libertarian Mark Rauterkus of the South Side are running.

'Independents should not stay home,' said Pat Clark, head organizer for the nonpartisan group Everybody Vote. 'This is your electoral process, too.'

Forest Grove at opening of polls -- Burkett Elem for baseball game

I'll be watching a baseball game, a WPIAL playoff game, today in mid-day at Burkett Elem School. Brentwood is playing the Wildcats of Carlynton.

While there, I'll be seeking to start to advance the revolution for a new Pittsburgh Park District.

Burkett Elem is part of the Montour School District.

Muse You Can Use -- City Paper Cover Story

City Paper's cover story was called, Muse You Can Use. Why the arts must make the case for their continued existence by Bill O'Driscoll.

My son, Grant, 7, had his photo within the story. it is in the print edition, not online. He is the one holding the book at the center of attention. I had taken our boys to a class to learn about the OPERA. They both went to the opera a week or so later.

Erik, my oldest son, loves the opera. Grant fell asleep at the opera. Erik did too, for a spell.

We support the arts.

Another Letter to the Editor that won't get seen in Pgh Papers.

Send to: letters@post-gazette.com
Subject: Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor:

I take exception to the unstated assertion in the PG's endorsement for State Senate District 42 ("Fontana for Senate", 5/1/2005).

The editorial states that Libertarian candidate and community activist Mark Rauterkus can't match his opponents' knowledge of Harrisburg. Turn that coin over and it follows that career-oriented Harrisburg politicians can't match the community-oriented knowledge of local activists like Mark Rauterkus.

The mess in Harrisburg is made worse when well-intentioned media unknowingly promote the unspoken assertion that public service must be considered in strictly career terms that value titles and out-of-town mailing addresses over local activities and accessibility.

Volunteers from all walks of life become citizen soldiers and make our military the world's best. Volunteers from all walks of life, not career politicians, should be able to do the same for Pennsylvania's legislature.

That's why we should never dismiss a swim coach and community activist from consideration for the position of citizen legislator.

Growing Greener -- or Growing Greedier

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/opinion/letters/s_331385.html

Growing greedier, Friday, May 6, 2005

Just a reminder. The May 17 primary includes the following Growing Greener bond question:

"Do you favor authorizing the Commonwealth to borrow up to $625,000,000, for the maintenance and protection of the environment, open space and farmland preservation, watershed protection, abandoned mine reclamation, acid mine drainage remediation and other environmental initiatives?"

Is it just me, or does anyone else get suspicious when such nonspecific words as "maintenance," "protection," "open space," "preservation" and "initiatives" appear in the same sentence with "$625,000,000"?

Here's my specific answer to that bond question: "No!"

Mark Crowley
Plum

Letter to editor you'll never see -- except here about endorsement of PG

Dear Editor -

A few notes on the PA 42nd Senatorial election:

* Thank you for noting that there is a third candidate in this Special Election. (Fontana, Diven trading punches, May 7, 2005). This is more than some organizations, such as the AARP, are willing to acknowledge. Elaboration below.

* Michael Diven denies that a mailer's front-page photograph of his fiancee and nephews is misleading? Please. Then he further justifies this deceit by comparing this photo of his unidentified "family" to seniors with whom he has posed and brings in his deceased grandparents? What am I missing here?

Mr. Diven's denial of deceit should ring alarm bells as to his representation.

*The Post-Gazette's endorsement of Mr. Fontana (Fontana for Senate, May 1, 2005) notes that "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.."

Really? Does it demand that? Based on the publications, advertising and attitudes of the "two dedicated public officials" who are "trading punches," and by your own admission that, "two things are certain about the state Senate race featuring Republican Michael Diven and Democrat Wayne Fontana -- it's expensive and it's nasty" - I would feel compelled to demand an alternate candidate, not a "judgement" on which *party* will serve the district. That simply serves to continue a broken system.

But that's right, we *DO* have a third candidate - Mark Rauterkus, Libertarian.

Would that the voters had the opportunity to know this. But the money stream does not drip into any non-celebrity, third tributary. And money drives recognition. Unless the public has the opportunity to see all of the candidates. Such as in public debates.

But organizations sponsoring these debates, such as the AARP noted above, rely on out-of-date, discriminatory rules which define participation in electoral debates by the past performance of party affiliation.

Perhaps that makes sense in a 16-horse race. By why impose it on a three-horse race if not to perpetuate a two-party system?

The voters of the Western PA region need to accept the fact that our electoral system is broken ... and that campaign finance reform is simply the first step.

Why should third party candidates (a definition in-and-unto itself) be penalized by past performance of affiliated party members?

Big week -- and today's my birthday!

Big week.

Today, Monday, May 16 -- its my birthday. Born in the Year of the Rooster. And this year is also the Year of the Rooster!

Tomorrow, May 17 -- Election Day! Vote for the third option in the Senate Special Election.

May 18 -- My wife, kids and I get on a plane with passports! Housesitters move in -- by the way.

May 19 -- The new Star Wars Movie!

FYI, my blogging is going to slow a great deal in the next four weeks. Feel free to chat among yourselves. Drop me a note if to alert me of important happenings.

On Q sends good messages my way

The OnQ show had a call in segment with Chris Moore, Jim Roddey and a Dem. They talked about my "clean campaign" in a very positive way -- so I hear from a loyal caller to me. I'll tape it tonight after midnight. It runs again at 12:30 -- mid-day election day as well.

Predictions: Go ahead and leave a comment. Any race, any vote total, any percentage.

Okay wise guys. Time to leave a prediction or three. Use the comment form. And, don't do it namelessly.

Victory Parties!

I just called to wish "good luck" to my opponents, Fontana and Diven.

Diven's victory party is on The Boardwalk in the strip. Fontana's is at the Dormont Recreation Center.

My victory party -- 108 South 12th Street, South Side. My home office is where I'm gathering with others.

I hope to bounce to some other events on election night. Something is cooking with the media too. Gene R is having a party at Goodwill on the South Side. Sam is meeting at his home in Sheridan.

It's never too late. Never give up. Nice note from a citizen -- Encouragement like this is priceless.

Tonight's email included this gem. Thanks!

Hello Mr. Rauterkus, my name is Clement Ferguson and I wanted to thank you for running for Senate. I'm a young voter disenfrachised with the two-party system. I voted for Badnarik last year but my disillusionment had become so great since then that I unfortunately stopped following up on politics. Lately I noticed the various signs in people's yards and didn't think that there'd be a Libertarian candidate (although I did search lp.org and I don't recall finding anything about you). A friend of mine is working for Diven's campaign, so I decided to look into the elections a bit more. I had read through Fontana's and Diven's web sites and they had nothing to say but the usual vague, empty promises designed to secure their careers. I don't watch television often, but the ads that I saw on there were absurd. I really felt that I had no real person to vote for.

However, at work I saw a flyer that a student had received from you earlier today. I was blown away by your wiki and the huge platform that you had made available (with more real content on a single page than on the whole websites of the other guys), along with your blog -- and equally impressed by your use and advocation of open source software. While there are probably some points that I don't agree with you on, I have tremendous respect for you as a person of integrity who really cares about the future of Pittsburgh, and as someone who seems to be very open to discussion in the political process.

There's a great amount of people discontent with the situation in Pittsburgh, and many of them either 1) simply aren't going to vote or 2) are voting for one guy because they don't realize that there is a third who has something authentic and important to say. I know that there's probably not much that I can do at this point, but including myself I may have gotten you seven or more votes from talking with my friends and family tonight. I really wish that I could do more for you, and I regret not getting involved earlier in the process. I guess the best tool of those in power to stay in power is to make those beneath them think that there's no viable alternative, and I'm ashamed that I bought into that. I wish you the best of luck in the special election! I myself am going to reconsider my involvement in the political process and see if I can help out with local Libertarians. Reading about your accomplishments and initiatives has inspired me to do what I can for our community. If ever you need volunteers in the future, please let me know and I will assist you as best as I can.

Respectfully yours,
Clement

KDKA's Delano, a staunch Dem, gives tingling endorsmen to the "L"

Diven v. Fontana v. Rauterkus:

I never knew that Michael Diven and Wayne Fontana were such horrible human beings until the Harrisburg aparatchiks for both political parties descended on this region to tell us all their faults. Voters in the 42nd senatorial district have been flooded with reams of ugly literature and all of us have been subjected to negative TV ads that depict these two nice guys (yes, they are both nice gentlemen) as the devil incarnate. It's the battle for a Senate seat between Diven, the Republican, and Fontana, the Democrat (and Mark Rauterkus, the Libertarian), and both political parties are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to win.

Fontana should win tomorrow, but Diven is the kind of Republican who can pull an upset. The Rs think their man is up by two points, while the Dems think Fontana is ahead by double digits. Sadly, the race has come down to trivial accusations that sometimes border on the laughable. Diven shows a picture with his fiancee and some kids (not his own), and somehow he's committed some campaign fraud. Fontana, one of 15 members of county council and the most outspoken against reassessments and former Allegheny County chief executive Jim Roddey (R), is somehow the author of every action in the county that raised property assessments. It's almost enough to make you vote Libertarian!

Behind the scenes, the battle is between Republican and Democratic state operatives. Having won a special state senate election back in Allentown on April 5, the GOP would like nothing better than to pick up another one, especially in a city-suburban district like this one. The Dems are throwing everything at it to keep that from happening. And one guy who has a lot riding on this race is Allegheny County chief executive Dan Onorato, the Democrat who does not need a political loss in his own neighborhood. Onorato has raised more than a $100,000 for the Fontana camp and tossed in some dollars of his own. If nothing else, after the rather bland mayor's race, this battle has been entertaining.

Jon Delano, always the gentlemen, tip toes around the race coverage in his email blast today. I could never hope for anything better than the above posting from Delano. To me, that is like hitting a grand-slam in the bottom of the ninth, with the other team ahead.

The entire posting, PSF, is in the comment section.

Yes, Delano is right in that there has been a lot of "operative" action in the race with Diven and Fontana. The opponents are close to puppet status, sadly. There are a lot of issues that I still don't understand, (like why the Ds would put so much money into a guy like Fontana who is so anti-choice), but I'm not going to air them out on the eve of the election. I'll get to the head-scratching elements later.

Finally, to the last word of his post, "entertaining." I wish that this race of ours was entertaining. We had ONE debate that was put on TV. One. I needed five, then the race would have been entertaining, really.

I was the clear victor in the lone TV debate. If we had a handful of public opportunities, such as should have happened with PUMP, AIA, Urban League, PIIN, within the Trib, Courier, The Front, CMU/Pitt/Carlow/Point Park/RMU, UJF, and on with WPTT, KDKA, TV 11, QED, DUQ, WTAE, PCTV and KQV -- then -- we'd ALL would be buying advertising. Furthermore, the race would be a three-way deadlock.

I know. I know. I shouldn't pick battles with those who buy ink by the barrel, nor with those who have big bandwidth, like Comcast. But, the journalist in me is again frustrated with the global efforts of voter education and media play in certain times in certain races.

This time, globally, I have little but praise for the Mayor's race coverage. Les, Hop, and Dan got enough buzz and got their message out. People and instituions went out of their way to be much more inclusive than in 2001 when I saw Josh, Leroy and Earl get skunked.

In the PA Senate race, I didn't get skunked everwhere. But, our race (and coverage from all three of us) did get zippo in certain quarters.

Finally, it is not like I'd never be satisfied. I am easy to please. I live in the city afterall. My driving theme, I want things to be better. They have improved in some sectors. More improvement is welcomed.

BALLOT ACCESS COALITION LAUDS RECOMMENDATIONS OF ELECTION TASK FORCE

3863 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109
1-800-774-4487
www.lppa.org

For Immediate Release:
Date: 5/15/2005
For more information contact:
Ken Krawchuk (Past Chair) at 267-496-3332
David Jahn (Chair) at 610-461-7755

BALLOT ACCESS COALITION LAUDS RECOMMENDATIONS OF ELECTION TASK FORCE

The Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition praised the Governor's Election Reform Task Force for their final report which was released today. Among the recommendations made by the 13-member Task Force was the proposal that the election laws "should be amended to provide greater access to the ballot for minor political parties and political bodies." The final vote on the recommendation was twelve in favor and none against, with one abstention.

"The members of the Governor's Election Reform Task Force are to be commended for their fine work", said Ken Krawchuk, a Libertarian member of the Coalition. "Their recommendations validate a sad fact that we Libertarians have known for many years: that our current ballot access laws are horrendous. But with their final report now in hand, we can immediately begin to focus on the next phase of our historic Coalition's mission, which is to line up sponsors in the Legislature and follow
through to finally enact fair and honest ballot access laws in Pennsylvania which are equitable to all citizens."

"The Green Party applauds the Governor's Election Reform Task Force for voting 12-0 to recommend making it easier for independent and minor party candidates to get on the ballot in Pennsylvania", said Kevin Murphy, a Green Party member of the Coalition. "The Green Party agrees with this balanced panel of experts from across the political spectrum that the current ballot access laws do injury to the voters by depriving them of choice on Election Day and reducing the electoral competition
that is crucial to a healthy democracy. When the Pennsylvania Legislature puts this recommendation into action, it will benefit all voters by giving independent and minor party candidates the same fair and equal access to the ballot that only major party candidates currently enjoy."

"Governor Rendell's Task Force on Election Reform is to be congratulated for its swift and decisive action in voting overwhelmingly to amend the ballot access laws in Pennsylvania", said John Murphy, a Coalition member representing the Ralph Nader campaign. "Their recommendation will make running for office more equitable for independent and minor party candidates and expand the democratic process for the citizens of the commonwealth."

The members of the Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition believe that the right of citizens to run for political office is supreme in a free society, as is their right to support and vote for the candidates of their choice. Toward that end, the mission of the PBAC is fourfold:

1) To define a minor political party based upon statewide voter registrations (0.05%) rather than based upon the current district-by-district electoral formula (2% of the winner's vote total);

2) To allow minor political parties to nominate candidates for all offices directly according to their party rules, and at their own expense, rather than by the existing nomination papers process;

3) To allow independents and political bodies to nominate candidates for all offices via the current nomination papers process, but using the signature requirements outlined in 25 C.S. 2872.1 rather than the current district-by-district electoral formula (2% of the winner's vote total); and;

4) To otherwise reform Pennsylvania's laws to make the ballot more equitable and accessible to all citizens.

The goal of the PBAC is to implement these changes effective with the 2006 gubernatorial election. More information about the PBAC can be found on the Web at www.PaBallotAccess.org.

Another Endorsement: This in from Paul Sentner from his blast list.

Paul sends out his email blasts and it includes a plug on me in the middle. He displays his logic on various matters voters are to face at the polls.

Within the Platform.For-Pgh.org there is mention and support of the creation of ombudsman positions in local, county and state government. That role is one that is absent in our political landscape. I think we'll hear more about the ombudsman in the seasons to come and it would make for a great voter driven ballot question, perhaps as soon as this fall.

15 May 2005
My personal perspective on the upcoming elections.

I expect there may be confusion regarding the District 2 City Council elections, because there are two elections, and all the mailings I've seen have made no clear effort to inform voters of the distinctions:

A. The Special Election to complete the term until November 2005, for the seat vacated by Mr. Hertzberg when he was appointed a judge by Gov.Rendell.

There are only two candidates, each selected by the committees of the recognized political parties:

Samuel Berninger of Sheraden = the Republican committee candidate

Daniel Deasy of Westwood = the Democratic committee candidate

---

B. The Primary Election to select candidates for the November General Election
6 Democratic candidates
1 Republican candidate (Samuel Berninger)

---

Samuel Berninger of Sheraden is the only one of the six City Council District 2 Candidates and the three District 42 State Senate Candidate who responded to my request for written commitments for the few simple concrete actions noted on the website at www.pauljsentner.com/no_wehav

Additionally, Samuel Berninger of Sheraden also indicated YES to all three commitments should he be elected in the Special Election.

Thererfore he is my choice in Tuesday's City Council Special Election.

In no way do I support the national Republican agenda, nor the gang of nazis in Washington, but if ethical behavior is to ever become inherent in our political parties, those individuals who seem to be so, should be given the chance to participate, and perhaps change the Parties from within, while others may work to establish additional national USA political parties as alternatives to the two major parties which now seem to be far too often mirror-images of each other.

My reasoning is to give Samuel the chance to keep to his stated intentions, if he's elected and does so, then I will vote for him again in November.

---

The others had the same opportunity to accept the challenge to go on the public record with these few specific actions; there has been much braying of generalities, none of which a candidate can be held to. Because of their non-response and absence of specific accountable-for commitments, I'm not going for anyone in the Democratic Primary. Too bad we don't have open primaries.

---

Incidentally, I do not support cutting Council members to 5 - heck, why not 3? -- or how about none, and then we can designate the Mayor to be Feudal Lord?

I'm for MORE representation, not less;
-- guess who would be under-represented if there were only 5 Council members?
-- there's too much of a buddy-system going on among the present members of Council, let alone cutting the club down to 5;
-- and that's too much power to concentrate, rather than expand.

I do think that some Districts might be re-configured, decided by referendum of the residents.

For instance, -- it seems to me that Mt.Washington (with the possible exception of Duquesne Heights?), Arlington and Mt. Oliver might have more in common than Mt. Washington has with the present southwestern neighborhoods;

-- and that Banksville might have more in common with Beechview?

I believe the area encompassed by Mt. Washington-Banksville-East Carnegie-Esplen-Temperanceville is -- too vast an area to be responsibly and knowledgeably represented by one person,
-- too easy for one representative to be unaccountable to the residents,
-- too vast to permit residents to exert their cohesive influence upon a
representative.

I have friends and relatives in Mt. Washington, but local community-wise, Mt. Washington may as well be on the Northside.

---

Given the deluge of bad-mouthing political junk-mail from the Parties, the absence of any assistance with the WE-HAV scheme, and conversations with Mark Ruterkus, I am going for Rauterkus for State Senator, I'd like to give him a chance and see how he does for two years.

---

As for the Mayoral Primary, their WE-HAV actions render it impossible for me to accept O'Connor or Peduto, and so I am going for Lamb; to see how he might do, given the chance.

---

I prefer to have some public control via election of officials, rather than patronage-ridden appointed officials, and thus I do not support the Row-Office reform question.

I do accept the "Greening" question for State funding of environmental matters, etc.

Best Regards,