Petition to revoke the PA House & Senate pay raise is online

To sign a petition to revoke the pay grab, click on the link below. Feel free
to leave your comments too.



I think Ray H set it up. I was the 21st on the list.

Worst of the worst is behind us -- and way out of my view

These guys and gals are so excited -- more so than a large-mouth bass in our rivers. More so than the Marlins who host the Pirates. More so than a married white guy with two kids.

Pittsburgh is out of the basement when it comes to lifestyles for the single.

PSVN, PUMP, Venture Outdoors and the Coro Center (and a coalition of other organizations yet to be announced) invite you to celebrate Pittsburgh's success!

We know it is short notice, but join us anyhow!

Tomorrow, Thursday, July 28th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM - brought to you by Bossa Nova, Pittsburgh's Cool Downtown Bar for Singles and Young Professionals (providing $1.00 off drinks and free chips and salsa!)

It's official! Pittsburgh is moving up in the world of best cities for singles and young professionals. As noted by the Post Gazette and the Pittsburgh Trib, Forbes has re-ranked Pittsburgh by moving us up 11 spots towards the top! We are being recognized for, among other things, our great nightlife and cultural opportunities!

This brings us to the other half, we got hammered on "Coolness" which we totally disagree with and know that the leaders of Pittsburgh's Business, Non-profit, Education and Political Institutions can do something about it for next year. So, in addition to celebrating we are inviting you to strategize with us on launching a city-wide campaign on how to get everyone else to realize what we already know, that Pittsburgh IS Cool.

We look forward to seeing you at Bossa Nova!

I'm not sold on the fact that Pittsburgh IS kwel. And, I'm certain that being with a label that says "I'm kwel!" should be far from a top priority.

I'd rather say I'm free. Or, I'm educated. Or, I'm prosperous. Or, I'm stable among others in a sustainable community. Or, I'm rooted. Or, I'm among trusted peers. Or, I'm happily engaged in a wide-family landscape.

By the way, the best way to be cool is to live it. Deeds and acts matter, not hype nor hot-air.

Be merry!

Wanted: More Running Mates and Writting Style Partners

I'm looking to get a few more Running Mates to help with this blog. If interested, send me an email, Mark@Rauterkus.com. It takes a village, or a family, or a cadre -- to get ideas in order and ready for prime time. More helpers and perspectives are welcomed.

Poynter Online - By Way of Advice: Seven Style and Voice Tips Find a writing style partner.
'Don't give each other notes about whether your writing 'works,' whether your themes are valid, your characters believable, or even whether your voice is mellifluous. Those things are all important, and it's undoubtedly helpful to get feedback about them -- but when style is the issue, they change the subject. Instead, when looking at the other person's stuff, focus in on sentences, or phrases, or words. Where the writing seems tired or cliched, where the word used means something other than what was intended, where the phrasing is awkward, wordy or grammatically questionable, mark it, and suggest an alternative.'

And, if you need a Gmail account, let me know too. I'll send you an invite.

Mon-Fayette Expressway walk - and Braddock ponderings with Christine

Christine and Jon, splending community thinkers, along with Ground Zero (a network of friends and mostly vibrant people who care about the region) make this call. It is worthy of your full consideration.

Pre-Enactment: Mon-Fayette Expressway Walk & Community Planning Dialogue Saturday, August 6th, 2005 (August 13th rain date for Mon-Fayette Expressway Walk only)

Pre-Enactment is a two-part performance/dialogue event focusing on Braddock’s future. Braddock citizens, politicians, organization leaders, the media, and the general public are invited to spend the day with us, not to plan Braddock, but to help think about and advocate for Braddock’s future. Pre-Enactment is the public culmination of Looking for Braddock’s Fields, a project of the GroundZero Action Network.

1. Mon-Fayette Expressway Walk (9:30 am – 11:30 am)
Meet between 6th and 7th Streets in the parking lot on Woodlawn Street, parallel to Braddock Avenue and one block closer to the Monongahela River.

2. Community Planning Dialogue (12:30 pm – 3:00 pm)
Braddock Carnegie Library, 419 Library Street, Braddock .

To RSVP, or for more information, please contact: christine.brill@gmail.com or 412-443-4210.

1. Pre-Enactment: Mon-Fayette Expressway Walk
The first part of the event is about understanding and experiencing the impact of the proposed Mon-Fayette Expressway through Braddock. Participants will walk through the central part of the proposed right-of-way, while two groups of volunteers mark the edges of its directly impacted area with large banners. During the walk, the proposed highway design will be discussed, along with its impact on Braddock and the potential treatment of land/space along its path.

2. Pre-Enactment: Community Planning Dialogue
The second part of the event will take place at the Braddock Carnegie Library where a dialogue about Braddock’s future will be facilitated. A large-scale model of Braddock and surrounding hillsides will be the centerpiece for the discussion, illustrating the Borough’s existing physical conditions. A removable overlay will model the proposed expressway and its impact on the surrounding community. Braddock’s richly layered potential for change includes consideration of: the proposed highway, the re-emergent green spaces, the river, development forces, etc. The goal is to integrate ecological, cultural and social values into future plans for Braddock, and to help strengthen the community in the process.

Project Background
Looking for Braddock’s Fields is a project led by Christine Brill and Jonathan Kline of the GroundZero Action Network. The project began with a month long residency in June 2004 sponsored by the Monongahela Conference on Post-Industrial Community Development based at Carnegie Mellon University. We are working in Braddock as artists who have skills and expertise in architecture, urban design, planning and landscape ecology. We came to Braddock to look, listen and initiate a public conversation about Braddock’s past, present and future. Our project is not a plan or a proposal for Braddock; instead our work is about understanding and exploring Braddock’s potential through maps, models, pictures, and most importantly, conversations with its citizens. Our goal is to collaboratively expand the horizons for what Braddock can become.

Outcomes
The intended outcomes are increased awareness and discussion of the proposed highway design and the possibilities for Braddock’s future particularly along its riverfront. The dialogue will explore ways in which potentially incompatible visions can be reconciled. The results will be documented and distributed to key participants in Braddock to use as a tool for thinking about and advocating for the Borough’s future. An installation documenting the project will be exhibited in a show called Groundworks: Environmental Collaboration in Contemporary Art at the Regina Gouger Miller Gallery at Carnegie Mellon University from October 14 to November 11, 2005. The work will also be presented in an exhibition catalog and a two day symposium on October 15-16, 2005.

Sept 10 event - Celebrating Diversity

Here is an invite that might catch your fancy.

Saturday, September 10: Join Celebrating Diversity to share your Dream
for America in song, poetry, or just words. Bring and share international snack and finger foods, enough for 8 to 10 persons. Drinks/plates/silverware provided.

Southminister Presbyterian Church, 799 Washington Road, using entrance on Castle Shannon Blvd., 12:30pm. to 2:30pm.

Alternate activities planned for children.

To participate in the program and for setup purposes, please RSVP Elizabeth
at 412/344-2469.

Allegheny Land Trust gets second state grant - August 16 hike

This makes me worry. In the central part of the state, these property purchases are known as evil. Here in the city, they are mostly a mystery.

At least this comes with a block party and free hike. If you know how to get there, post directions, please.

Allegheny Land Trust gets second state grant To stir interest in the effort, the trust is planning a property previewfrom 6 p.m. to sunset Aug. 16. The public is invited to a section of the property on Magee Road for a hike and nature viewing.

Kraynyck said the trust hopes to acquire the property within the next six to 12 months.

Celebration of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA)

If you can attend this event and are inclined to pass around some CDs, please let me know. I've got a CD that can be prepared for this event and would love to have someone there to hand them out to people. A small donation would be nice to prime the pump in this effort.

The CD has a book in PDF format, Time Out, I Didn't Hear You.The book helps those with hearing issues join their scholastic sports teams.

Disability Pride Day

Disability Pride Day fund-raising award dinner and silent auction, July 27, 5:30 to 10 p.m. The Rivers Club, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Cost: $100

Three Rivers Center for Independent Living is holding its second Disability Pride Day Fundraising Dinner on July 27th at the Rivers Club at One Oxford Centre. The dinner commemorates the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) enacted in 1990. This year TRCIL will recognize the recipient of the Disability Pride Award and will honor youth with disabilities as they transition into adulthood. The evening will be a celebration of all the work done by, and for, people with disabilities. Donations are currently being accepted for the silent auction.

Please contact Amana at (412) 371-7700 x175 or adaum@trcil.org for more information about the dinner.

Rally for Disability Pride, July 28, Courtyard of the Allegheny County Courthouse
12 – 1 p.m.

Speakers will discuss the power of youth with disabilities. There will also be a proclamation ceremony. All are invited to attend.

For more information, call 412-371-7700 or visit www.trcil.org

Southern Beltway I-79 to the Mon/Fayette Expressway Open House Public Meetings

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
August 1, 4-8 pm at Canon-McMillan High School, Elm Street Extension
Canonsburg, PA

August 2, 4-8 pm at Finley Middle School
6023 Route 88, Finleyville, PA 15332

These public meetings are being held to present all the alternatives under consideration for the Southern Beltway Transportation Project, the impacts associated with each of the alternatives and to obtain input on the alternatives before the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)/Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation /Section 404 Permit Application for the Southern Beltway Transportation Project from Interstate 79 to the Mon/Fayette Expressway is completed.

Information regarding effects on historic and archaeological resources will also be provided. Right-of Way specialists will be available to answer any questions on property acquisition. Information received from the public will assist the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission in evaluating the alternatives and will be considered in future development of the project.

For more information about this meeting or to arrange for the attendance of persons with disabilities, requiring special assistance, please contact: (724) 755-5261, (800) 585-2996 or via email at: lyackovi@paturnpike,com

Letter to editor: Down right pathetic ... about the pay raise and suggestion to fix it.

It's down right pathetic that politicians from both parties conspired to give themselves an undeserved 16% pay raise when they've failed to tackle the major problems facing our state. The latest pay raise fiasco is an excellent example of the current mindset of both grand old parties..live large at the taxpayers expense.

Many people are extremely upset by these recent events and are at a loss as to what to do. I would suggest that if you want to send them a signal they won't soon forget, then change your voter registration to Libertarian. It's easy to pick up a voter registration form at any Drivers License Center or the local post office and use it to take a stand. Unless people abandon the old parties they will continue to think they have your vote in their hip pocket.

I made the change and it feels great to be part of the growing libertarian movement towards personal responsibility and constitutionally limited small government.

Sincerely,
Ronald L. Goodman, Carlisle, PA

The sleaze capital - from Trib and Ralph R. Reiland

When I was about to run for public office, my sister let her opinions known to me. She hated the idea because of the political landscape. She knows that the politicians are so dirty and she worried that I'd be put into that same ugly mess, right along with them. She feared for me, her big brother. I asked her to worry less and that all would be fine. I promised to do my best to stay pure and prove her wrong. So far, so good for me. But the sleaze factor still remains as high as ever.

The sleaze capital - PittsburghLIVE.comHarrisburg is one of the sleaziest state capitals in the country,' said Jake Tapper, Washington correspondent for Salon, and that was before he saw the sleaze that oozed from under the closed doors of the state Legislature at 2 a.m. one recent night after the politicians voted themselves an illegal pay hike.

Open House for First Vehicle Services, outsourced company that manages the city's fleet

The open house is at 6 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2005 at 29th and A.V.R.R. Streets in the Strip District. Contact 412 255 2770, Jake Harvey or Tim Booth.

Ads have been on the radio and in the newspaper.

Lame-duck mayor should "Lay the Shovel Down!" Rather he says next 5 months to be 'very active'

Lame-duck mayor says next 5 months to be 'very active'Murphy isn't slowing down

Perhaps because he's wielded so many ceremonial shovels, Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy took the lead at last week's groundbreaking ceremony for a new parking garage near PNC Park.

The message is clear: It is time to lay the shovel down.

Murphy and the others on Grant Street have dug a huge hole for the city. The city is in a massive mess. More digging isn't going to fix our debt, our community, nor our spirits.

The most important things in life are not things. Murphy's dirt and shovels have proven to be a big burden. That burden is going to be around for generations to come.

The parking garage to be built is too big and won't allow for easy entry and exit. We need to have the parking garages be with a mixed use. Are there apartments on top? Are there vegitative roofs?

Years ago I asked that the Steelers and UPMC Sports Medicine move back to the North Side, in the areas around the stadiums. They could have built a set of parking garages that serviced the city and also had tops that included medical offices and practice fields.

In Georgetown, the DC campus has a football field that is on the top of a parking garage. The team practices on the rooftop.

Consider the setting should the team be able to practice on the roof, with one or two fields as grass and a couple others as artificial turf. Some could have a bubble for the colder months. The team would be visible from Mt. Washington.

UPMC's rehab patients would be able to hobble to the North side facility, park in the garages and take elevators to the right floor. UPMC would have great visibility from the blimps on game days too.

Hey Tom, "Lay the shovel down."

Fumbled Forever: Two named to city police review board - Finally!

Mayor Murphy and City Council -- both -- have been in fumble mode, seemingly forever, when dealing with the citizens police review board. The board was approved by the voters. However, it has never been able to operate as it should. One member has not been to meetings in more than a year. He's on a continual boycott -- just to play the role of a laggard. Other appointments have not be forthcoming in earnest from those who have a duty to appoint.

2 named to city police review board Mayor Tom Murphy has nominated Deborah Walker of Allentown and Mary Jo Guercio of Lincoln Place to four-year terms on the city's Citizen Police Review Board.

If the two are approved by City Council, the board will be at its full seven-member strength for the first time since 2002, said board Executive Director Elizabeth Pittinger.

There is some question as to the scope and power of the citizens police review board. However, there is no question as to the way it was starved for years on end by both city council and the mayor.

We need to get the board to operate in a regular and normal way for a few years and then make another evaluation of that process.

Mayor Murphy is moving out of city hall. When it comes to some matters he'll leave the office dry. In other matters, he'll get the suds building before he bolts. Mayor Murphy is going to try to stick it to those that follow him. And, this is one way to make that occur -- finally load up on the citizens police review board. Only a slime ball politician would put in people now -- at the end of his term.

The article should have had statements from O'Connor and others in the November Mayor's race. They should have been interviewed for the story -- and should have had an opportunity to interview the appointments.

Those who are now seated on the review board should be standing up to say that they will offer their resignations to the next mayor in the first days of the next term. Perhaps the next mayor would not accept the resignations. Time will tell. These appointments may or may not stick. But what needs to happen, above all else, is a new leaf with a functional citizens police review board.

Neighbors at odds over rules in city park. I've been at odds with the park's master plans for years.

Here is another great reason why we need to have a new, Pittsburgh Park District. The problems in the parks can be settled by those most interested in the parks. The coaches, neighbors, professionals and volunteers need places to go to work out their concerns.

Neighbors at odds over rules in city park: "Neighbors at odds over rules in city park
Westinghouse Park signs add to confusion over what is permitted

Monday, July 25, 2005
By Diana Nelson Jones, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Playing football is not allowed in Westinghouse Park, but you'd never know that from the posted signs. They read, in part: 'Permit is required for sporting activities and organized sports.' That would imply you can get such a permit.

My knee jerk reactions are as follows:

The park can't be trashed. The kids, parents, coaches and organizers of the sports teams need to leave the fields and areas in conditions that are better than then they arrived. The teams need to not only clean up after themselves, but they need to help sustain the park setting in other ways. This upkeep needs to happen every hour, if not ever minute.

I'm going to assume that the park gets trashed. When an event and practice happens, trash is bound to pile and gather. Work needs to occur.

The city could provide some large cans. Perhaps the city could provide a dumpster if necessary. But, the city does not need to have a litter crew hit the park every day. That should be the role and responsibilities of those that use the park.

Enforcement is a seldom used concept in the city behavior efforts.

But most of all, I want to use the parks for programming. I want to see the kids in the parks with coaching, supervision, conditioning, practices, workouts, drills, and play. I want teaching, learning, striving and teamwork to be a bigger part of the lives of our kids, coaches, volunteers and communities.

If the kids need a place to practice -- let them practice in the park.

Finally, the park's master plan for ball fields is a joke. The process was lame. The outcome documents are little more than a way to pay off some consultants. There is little, if nothing, good that I can talk about to support the overall planning for our park's usage and understandings.

We need a Pittsburgh Park District.

We also need a city council representative to work in the parks and offer a dedicated vision of engagement.

City has agreement with nonprofits on contributions -- Right On -- In Our Dreams!

This is a great example of Tom Murphy management and spin. The city has built a budget based upon $6-million from non-profits. These non-profits don't pay taxes as they are tax exempt.

The first trick is to get blood from a rock.

The second trick is to measure how much or how little blood can be sucked from the non-profits. They article says that the crisis is over. But, the amount is unknown. We can all sleep easily now.

City has agreement with nonprofits on contributions The contract, currently under final review by the city solicitor, does not include a dollar amount that the nonprofit institutions would contribute.

This isn't news. Rather it is fabrication of fiction.

Commonwealth Foundation : Research Library

Commonwealth Foundation : Research Library: ... Job creation, personal income and population growth continue to stagnate in Pennsylvania relative to the rest of the nation, the legislative “bonus checks” and pay hikes for governors and judges lack merit in the minds of most taxpaying citizens.

I'm for getting a new governor. Rendell has worn out his welcome. Some of the reasons why we need a new top politician in Pennsylvania are woven into that article.

Dense Comcast phone operator (S)

This conversation is being recorded for customer accuracy. Today was the day that a Comcast service guy was to set up two new phone lines. But, he only had orders to do one. His information on the unreadable computer printout was wrong information. I ordered two new lines, not one.

I want two lines, like ordered, or none. I don't want one. Most of all, I don't want TWO service charges.

Time will tell if a service manager at the call center calls me back.

The service guy who came into the house was nice, kind and understanding. He said that the second line could be activated from afar without a need to come back into the house.

I'll be paying $39.82 a month for the service. I don't want to pay two fees to turn on the service.

Possibility Thinking

A freind sent me this email, quoted below, that hits upon a theme of faith, change and timing. It strikes me as our family just returned from a week in Virginia (Va Tech) with an annual church camp. It is easy to call this a week of study and community.

Exercising Faith by Dr. Robert Schuller

The core of Possibility Thinking is the mental activity we call "positive assuming." Even though the idea may have been unsuccessfully tried before, you should do the following:

• Assume that the times may have changed.

• Assume that nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come.

• Assume that there are solutions to the problems that have defeated the dream before.

• Assume that there are solutions to the money problems.

• Assume that costs can be cut, revenue can be increased, or the project can be refinanced over a longer period of time.

• Assume that smarter people can be either hired or invited as partners to make this challenging idea possible.

• Assume that obstructionists can be bypassed, isolated, or invited to join as partners in prosperity in a new joint venture.

• Assume that instead of a collision you could form a coalition!

Now you're exercising what religious people call faith. Faith is sometimes spelled A-S-S-U-M-E.

I've got faith that views are changing, and changes are for the better in some ways.

Case in point: My city council represenative, Gene Ricciardi, ran into my wife at the local Giant Eagle the other week. They had a nice chat and he was good to point out to her how, "Mark was right all along" when speaking about "programming" within the Citiparks programming. Gene mentioned he has seen the light, now, that the big issue is "programming" and that the kids need things to do to challenge them in meaningful ways.

Yeah! My wife couldn't do much but nod and wonder what is being done on these themes NOW?

Case in point 2: See the Lynn Cullen talk show interview posting (above) about the Land-Value Taxation conversation.

China punctuates diving dominance at worlds

I too have seen a slice of the diving program in China.

SI.com - More Sports - China punctuates diving dominance at worlds - Sunday July 24, 2005 9:30PM Taylor has visited China and seen the country's diving programs.

'They've got a great system,' he said. 'They have everything you could possibly want -- good funding and good support.'

Sure, they do have a great program. Sure, there is plenty of motivation. Excellent coaching is present. However, to say they have everything you could possibly want -- might be a bit of a stretch. However, they can stretch to the water -- at all ages and in all the corners of the vast country. The divers in China are the tops in the world. They'll stay that way for some years into the future.

I'm an uncle -- again. Welcome to the world Joey Leo

Today we got to visit with my littlest sister, her husband and their newest baby. He is so sweet. All is well. Baby time is great.