Pgh Public Schools' Key Communicator Meeting Schedule

Representatives of Key Communicators, Head Start Policy Council and Title I District Wide Advisory Council are welcome to attend these meetings.

All meetings are from 6:30 to 8 pm at the Board of Education Building in Oakland in Conference Room A.

On Thursday. September 29, 2005, to Meet & Greet the new PPS Boss.

November 17, 2005, Discussion

January 26, 2006, Discussion

March 30, 2006, Discussion

May 25, 2006, Discussion

Please mark these dates and times for the Key Communicators’ Meetings. You are asked to RSVP if you plan on attending. This will assist in the planning of refreshments, materials and in the event of a cancellation, we will know who to contact! Either call Wanda Spencer, 412-622-3617; or e-mail Donna Vlassich at dvlassich1 -at- pghboe.net.

Coalition criticizes cultural district proposal - in Milwaukee

JS Online: Coalition criticizes cultural district proposal" ... The Center for Housing Policy in Washington, D.C., reported that housing prices rose 10 times faster than average wages over the previous 18 months.

Get a raise in recent times?

Get a bump in home equity in recent times?

We've got weirdness with our Cultural District. Our Cultural District is getting into housing, but not low-cost homes. Rather, expensive housing. And, the Pgh Ballet is going to play recorded music. It lays off the musicians. So, we'll have a cultural district that is void of culture and becomes a place that musicans and actors can't afford to reside within.

Philadelphia - Report weighs sites for. slots parlors

In Philly, they've already got a 300-plus page report. While in Pittsburgh our appointed report writers have just asked Sala Udin for directions to the restrooms, obtained their parking spots in scab free garages, ordered their new town cars with burgandy interiors and lots of trunk space, and floated on the rivers from the Station Square docks.

Why rush into anything that lasts forever. Besides, in 2006 we'll be focused on the All-Star Game and won't want to read anything like a 300 page report before then.

Mayor Street did hit upon a point that I stressed in the past when those in Harrisburg wrote the legislation: The new license are sold at a fixed price and they go forever. We need to put "expiration dates" on these protected, state-granted limited opportunities that amount to monopoly status.

Philadelphia Inquirer | 08/17/2005 | Report weighs sites for Phila. slots parlors

'We only get one chance to do this,' Street said. 'They will be here forever.'

The city could make the most money, the report said, if it places a slots parlor along the Delaware River near South Columbus Boulevard and another near the Schuylkill Expressway and Route 1.
Under the state gambling law, the city gets 4 percent of a casino's gross revenue, which, under this combination, could be as much as $34 million. The city could also gain about 9,500 jobs, said Bernard E. Anderson, a professor at the Wharton School and cochair of the task force.
Among the financial benefits to the city would be a clause in the gambling law that calls for the casinos to help pay the operating costs of the Convention Center. That formula would save the city about $18 million a year. And the city is expected to gain $10 million to $15 million a year in city taxes on the casinos and their workers.

For example, why not sell a 15-year license to develop the Hays site with gambling. But, make it a stipulation that there will be NO GAMBLING within 5 miles of HAYES for the next 50 years. The "limited engagement" wrinkle is often known as a "sunset" in legislative speak. For the citizens, it can be powerful leverage. The ownership dynamics would change. Homeownership would rise. People would be okay with a buy-in on the coat-tails of gambling in the neighborhood if there was a guarantee that gambling would depart at a certain period.

Show us what Hayes is like today, with construction of a gambling site, as a gambling site, then as a non-gambling site. Then take a wider view and show the general area around Hays in all of these instances.

1. Presently, the Hays site is wooded hillsides. The area around Hays is suburban homes.

2. Construction brings bulldozers and natural resources extraction. Meanwhile the houses rattle.

3. Gambling casino enters. Another strip mall might come in the area, up from the Waterfront. Houses survive, we expect.

4. Gambling departs, new townhouses emerge, or a par-3 golf course, etc. The homeowners thrive.

The real estate investment prospects for present owners would be greater in the long-term if the gambling term had a limit in years. They are going to take a beating in the short-term given the truck traffic, the uncertain prospects, and the new jams sure to await.

Philly is also trying to pin some of the new gambling incomes to cover the costs of the Convention Center operations. The same formula is being considered in Pittsburgh too as the Stadium Authority is going deeper into debt and they await some windfall from gambling to cover the bills at the new Pittsburgh Convention Center.

I don't want to see the new gambling profits go in an ongoing basis to prop up the white elephant also known as the Pittsburgh Convention Center. The best way to solve all these ills at once is to force the new gambling casino to take ownership of the new Convention Center.

The citizens would then MAKE money off of the Convention Center and keep more of the money from the the ongoing gambling windfalls for other projects -- not the Convention Center.

Pittsburgh should insist upon the selling of the new Convention Center to the gambling license holders.

The best place to build a new Gambling Casino is within the Convention Center. That is a perfect location. The gambling operators would love the location.

City owned hotels. Views from Baltimore and SC

Interesting industry article. See comments.

Dennis McKee, Indie Candidate from N. Sewickley Township

Letter to the Editor - Independents can run, too

Printed in the Beaver County Times.

In reference to the editorial "Point of attack" advising us that "heads must roll" but that it is not a practical goal to remove all the legislators.

I disagree. It doesn't have to be just the two parties removing them. Independent candidates have won elections all the way up to the governorship of some states, and some have even made some strong runs at the presidency.

The public has proven time and time again that if Independent candidates reflect their view, they will elect them. The truth is most people support some Republican ideas and some Democratic ones. An Independent candidate who provides the public with the proper mix of both parties' best ideas would be a formidable opponent irrespective of being an Independent.

And being an Independent is the only way to do this honestly. It is my intention to be an Independent candidate against state Rep. Mike Veon when he is again up for reelection. If elected, the first two things I will do is introduce a bill that makes it a mandate for the public to approve by referendum any increase in taxes with no exceptions and, to return these outrageous raises to the taxpayers.

Dennis McKee, North Sewickley Township

The legislative pay raise – how Pennsylvania compare to other states

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

For more information contact:
Doug Leard (Media Relations) or David Jahn (Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS

With their recent pay increase, the Pennsylvania legislature is now arguably the largest and most expensive in the country. Salaries range from a minimum of $81,000 to a top salary of over $145,000 with base pay ranking second only to California legislators. Pennsylvania also has the largest number of legislators in the nation except for New Hampshire (a “citizen legislature” where legislators are paid $200 per two year term). As a result, the Pennsylvania legislature now ranks first in total amount of salaries paid to legislators, 22% higher than second place New York.

In addition to their hefty salaries, legislators' support staff was the second largest in the country in 2003 (the last year 50-state figures are available). Legislators also receive generous reimbursements and are entitled to a defined-benefit pension (whose cost is driven by salaries). According to the Pennsylvania Economy League, the 2005-2006 budget for the state legislature will cost Pennsylvanians over $460 million.

How do we compare with other states in terms of benefits?

Do we have low taxes? No - the Census Bureau ranked the states for 2004 on taxation. Pennsylvania is the sixth highest state in total taxes and the 20th in per capita tax.

Do our legislators control spending? No – Governing Magazine ranks Pennsylvania number four in terms of total state spending. Our legislators just passed a 6.1% increase in spending for next year.

Do we have a top notch school system? No - Pennsylvania ranks in the bottom 20% of states in SAT scores according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Are Pennsylvanians happy with their state legislators? The Pennsylvania Economy League published a 2003 survey in which over 70% of Pennsylvanians ranked state government’s overall job performance as poor or fair.

The bottom line is that compared to other states, Pennsylvania underperforms while legislators in Harrisburg pay themselves far too much!

The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the United States with over 600 officials serving in office throughout the nation. Please visit www.LP.org or www.LPPA.org for more information on the Libertarian Party.

The dry look. I'm on board with Grant and Alex.  

Mama Spell @ the Pittsburgh CLO's Late Night Cabaret!

CLO Cabaret Theater
655 Penn Avenue,, Saturday, September 3, 9:30 pm

412-456-6666

Momma Spell got back from performing three shows at the Knitting Factory NYC, as well one show at a new East Village venue called Scenic.

She has been busy with the Mofones and Hostessing events, this is the first offical Mama Show in Pittsburgh in a couple of years.

Did my best to remember everyone's email addresses for this evite. If I've overlooked an invitation to anyone for this event, please send the info along. And also, please do respond to this evite, but your official reservations for this show can only be made when you call 412-456-6666.

It's after hours in the Cultural District, and the Cabaret at Theater Square is the place to be! You can eat, drink and be entertained!

This is the Mama Spell spectacular you've been waiting for! Bring out your white shoes for their last hoorah this season!

CLO Cabaret Theater
655 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Tickets: 412-456-6666
$10 at the door, $8 in advance

When the under river tunnels to the North Shore turn out to be a total waste -- will we be able to squeeze a casino in there instead?

Most of my transportation chatter happens at another blog called, "Ratsburgh."

The bids open today for the tunnels.

What type of guarantee do we get that we won't get our own version of Boston's Big Dig?

But most of all, I want to have the tunnels to have a re-use after it is proven that they are a total waste. Can we squeeze a casino into them?

One T-stop by Heinz Field could be for food and drinks. The T-stop by PNC Park could be for table games and serve as a pawn shop for jewels and tokens. One tunnel works as the smokers' section and the other for non-smoking. Then the Gateway Center stop is for security, strip searches, and for renting bikes.

Arts Alive - Yes, Bob O'Connor is alive. There was a sighting of Bobby O' .

O'Connor, the local blogger, has better search engine rankings in Pittsburgh than our Dem candidate for mayor. But, there is an official sighting. Whale watching tours, submarine races and looking for Mayor candidates in Pittsburgh all net the same outcomes: Long on search, little on sizzle, lonesome on steak. Arts Alive - PittsburghLIVE.com Birthday Bon Voyage: Nearly 50 years ago, savvy skipper John Connelly launched a river renaissance when he set sail on the Mon, Allegheny and Ohio with his Gateway Clipper Fleet. This past Saturday, some 200 family members and friends wished him a happy 80th birthday on a three-hour cruise that brought together well wishers such as grandson Terry Wirginis and Pam with great grandkids Alex, Nic and Hannah; Lt. Guv Catherine Baker Knoll; Anita and Ross Dacal; mayor apparent Bob O'Connor; Kamie Schoonhoven and Duquesne U. music dean Dr. Ed Kocher; Sophie Masloff; Dr. Ralph Affinito; and judge Alan Hertzberg.
Les Ludwig, 73, retired Sq. Hill biz man, and former candidate for mayor in the Dem primary, and I were chatting on the phone today. He too has seen Bob O'Connor, at least twice this summer.

Les is still pushing for "art advertising" solutions for Pittsburgh so as to raise some money for the empty public treasury. Les also visited with two County Council Members. The county did move on the issue and did put in a formal motion that passed with all in favor to do a serious look at art-advertising and sponsorships. The city's lack of ambition on this area is an ongoing frustration.

O'Connor isn't going to do anything, so the report comes from Les, until he is elected.

Well, Les is still upset with the political machine. But I begged him to NOT run for mayor again in the general election as a write in candidate. No Les. Move on. Get with the others who are ON the Ballot. Leverage those 500-votes he got and try to help someone else.

I told Les he'd be much less than 25 votes as a write in in November. But, he could take the 500+ votes and turn them into 5,000 if he would start now and work to unseat Dan Frankle, D, state rep. The D primary for that race is in the spring of 2006.

We need to throw the bumbs out. People like Les are decent candidate options as he'd not be in Harrisburg for much more than a term given his age.

In another conversation today, I spoke with Lynn Cullen, 1360 AM and PCNC TV. The first hour of her radio show is going onto the air as a TV show too, each night, and with a replay at NOON the next day. My call to her was at the start of the second hour of the show.

Lynn's rant against the pay raise was an hour long. But, she did meet with two callers who put cold water onto the issue. A women from the Mon Valley and a guy from Cannosburg were both NOT willing to vote against their existing state reps.

To bring home the bacon is very important to the Mon Valley. I say nuts to that. And, I said it well as a final statement in a debate this spring at Mt. Washington. We have a bigger duty to the consitution, justice, freedom and being AMERICAN than being a rain-maker for neighborhoods of the district.

Another caller did say that the action needs to rests in the primary season for unseating the money grabbers. True, some heat needs to come there. But there are other burners on the stove that all need to fire up and work as well. The primary and general elections are both important parts of the process.

This is the time to recruit candidates, consider options, build teams and organize in the open.

Education Innovations is looking for teachers, students, Pittsburgh

Education Innovations is looking for teachers, students, Pittsburgh
community members, and parents who would be willing to give their two cents worth on the ideal education experience for children. We are hosting a series of focus groups in mid to late September.

We are looking for specific feedback with each focus group so read the description before getting involved. All focus groups will take place at the Education Innovations, Inc. offices in the Kingsley Association at 6435 Frankstown Avenue, at the intersection of Frankstown Avenue and East Liberty Blvd.

Community Focus Group
*When: Wednesday September 14, 2005
*Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
*Location: Kingsley Association 6435 Frankstown Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
*Working Title/question: How does a school fit into the life of the community? What we are going for here is for your input on how a school goes beyond being located in a community, or how a school can be another friend in the community.
*Who we are looking for: Pittsburgh community members at large, parents, students, businesses, etc.

Critical Thinking/Workforce Forum
*Date: Wednesday September 21
*Time 6:30pm – 8:30pm
*Location: Kingsley Association 6435 Frankstown Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
*Working Title: "Critical Thinking: the foundation for a creative and productive workforce." What we are going for here is to gather expert opinion on the role of primary and secondary education in preparing students for the workforce. Further, we are looking for expert opinion on the role of scientific principles (inquiry, creative problem solving) in the creative workforce.
*Who we are looking for: workforce leaders, heads of science related companies, foundations who fund science/critical thinking initiatives

Teacher Focus Group
*Date: Wednesday September 28, 2005
*Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
*Location: Kingsley Association 6435 Frankstown Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
*Working Questions: What makes you /would make an innovative and creative teacher?
Who we are looking for: Teachers who teach in a school environment, whether charter school/public school, or private school, who would like to share their thoughts on how school systems (i.e., teaching, assessment, training systems etc.) make them./would make them innovative and creative teachers. If your child has had an innovative/creative teacher, feel free to nominate him/her by sending us their contact information. We will discreetly invite them to the forum.

If you are interested in participating in any of these focus groups, would like to be involved in the planning process, would like to receive an informational brochure on the Education InnovationsLAB Charter School, or would like to add to the list of potential, students, send email to:

info@educationinnovations.org or call 412.661.8751 xt. 150.

Source: Salvador Wilcox, CEO, Education Innovations, Inc., 914 Heberton Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412.363.7707

Backlash rolls against POLITICIANS in Harrisburg

Here is a nice effort. They have a fiddle MP3 knock off radio ad too. Critique follows.

YCOP Announces Multi-Media Campaign Targeting State Legislators Who Voted for Unconstitutional Pay Increase

HARRISBURG (Aug. 15, 2005)If the state legislators who voted themselves an unconstitutional pay raise thought the summer heat would evaporate the matter from the collective conscience of the taxpayers, they thought wrong.

Young Conservatives of Pennsylvania (YCOP) is producing a multi-media campaign comprising a web site, radio ads, billboards and bumper stickers to fan the flames of a grassroots brushfire across the Commonwealth and encourage repeal of the unconstitutional measure.

The first leg of the campaign begins this week with the launch of InformedPA.com and radio ads that will air on stations in the portion of the state represented by State Senate President Pro Tempore Bob Jubelirer, who voted himself a whopping 34% pay increase.

Visitors to InformedPA.com can hear the radio ads, view the billboards that YCOP will begin popping up later this summer, make a contribution for a "Remember The Pay Raise!" bumper sticker, or even sponsor another InformedPA billboard.

"Instead of defending the unconstitutional pay raise and ignoring the growing public outrage, legislative leaders should rush forward to repeal the measure," said State Chairman Chris Lilik.

For more information on this project please visit www.InformedPA.com.

For starters, I love the bumper sticker, "Remember the Pay Raise." Perfect. Get one if you wish. That's classic and gets two thumbs up.

A negative ad is a negative ad. I'm not fully against negative ads as I often rail against negative ads -- being negative myself.

The bluegrass fiddle music that plays in the background of the radio ad is over the top and hits me as "elitist." Stuffy republicans want to talk down to the people about a 30-year state senator and play hick music to score points is out of whack.

Background music is needed, for sure. But make it blend into the background. Make it pop, a solo rif or more like an orchestra.

Putting a photo on a billboard is POSITIVE -- even if it is a hit. The hit isn't strong enough. I think, in the end, it is going to be a help, not a hit.

I have questions about the motivation of the overall goal, but perhaps that remains to be proven and waits for another wave of postings.

For example, the voting record for the state politicians, with a listing of all their names, only goes an inch deep. No elected politician in Harrisburg raised a voice on the floor of either chamber to object to the middle of the night legislation. I think that the list is presented to give a lot of cover for a lot of people who need the cover.

Compendium Institute and its software: Anyone else in Pittsburgh fiddle with this?

Are there others in Pittsburgh doing anything with this open-source software utility? MeetUp, huddle, whatever?

Compendium Institute Compendium has three key elements: a shared visual space where ideas can be generated and analyzed, a methodology that allows the exploration of different points of view, and a set of tools for quickly and easily sharing data both within and beyond the boundaries of the group. The process enables people to negotiate collective understanding 'on the fly,' capture the discussions, and share representations of their knowledge digitally across communities of practice -- an approach crucial in keeping collaborative efforts on track and on time. More...

Happy Life without a law degree

Pittsblog has a thread and reactions to life in Pittsburgh as a lawyer. Sorry to take this out of context, but anyway... My $.02 posted over there includes:

The low risk mindset in business means tiny action in new/emerging business, and coldness to the entrepreneur spirit.

Hence, the upside is more like a rolling hill and less like a mountain peak.

Plus, we've got a FORTUNE 500 culture too. Heavy rewards are associated with staying within the box, protecting what you've got.

Finally, the fortunes around here came with a tightness to the goods, the carbon-based products and the raw materials.

Bankers were eager to give millions to six-color, perfecting, waterless, plateless printing press -- but wouldn't give a nickle for a book idea, brand building, or knowledge content delivery unless a dozen patents and a Fortune 500 sponsor was to co-sign.

Lawyers in Pgh are asked to play DEFENSE all the time. That ain't as much fun just for variety's sake.

Yet we are wired to work hard, build, make things -- and the lawyers have their noses to the other grindstone with lower satisfaction, frankly.

Jeepers, it sucks to be you. But it is fun to talk about your quagmire of gloom. =;0

The only thing worse than being a lawyer in a town with a Fortune 500 mindset is being a lawyer in the political realm in a town without an ounce of common sense in how to govern and budget.

Insights from Operation Clean Sweep on repealing the Pay Raise in Harrisburg

The latest news from Operation Clean Sweep, an effort to kick-out greedy politicians from public office brings this insight.

The proposed bill in Harrisburg to repeal the "unvouchered expenses" portion of the pay raise is sponsored by Rep. Will Gabig of PA's 199th District. Although it may seem like a good idea on the surface, we say to Rep. Gabig: "Not good enough!"

We demand a FULL repeal of HB 1521, the pay raise bill, including the salary increases for the executive and judicial branches. The wording could be very simple; something like "HB 1521 is hereby repealed andt his repeal goes into effect immediately. All unvouchered expense reimbursements already received by legislators shall be turned over to the General Fund within ten days."

What's curious is Rep. Gabig's reasoning that the unvouchered expenses are unconstitutional. We absolutely agree and have argued this point since July 7. But Rep. Gabig voted YES on the pay raise and initially stated he would accept the unvouchered expenses. Is Rep. Gabig admitting that he just wasn't sure what the PA
Constitution says and has personally violated it by voting for an unconstitutional bill?

That would be a severe offense for a member of the General assembly, as their oath of office swears them to defending and upholding the Constitution. We believe Rep. Gabig's actions are a clear violation of his oath of office. We also view his sponsorship of this bill as nothing more than disingenuous backpedaling.

We're going to see a lot of this kind of backpedaling over the coming months. We'll also have to withstand the incumbents' usual ploy of delivering those oversized novelty checks to try to buy our support. We say ignore them. We can't be bought. We have principles. If they `stick it to us' once, they'll surely do it again if they get the chance.

The Sunday PG had a story on the pay grab on its front page.

The Sunday PG also devoted a good chunk of its front page on the lack of news from the British tabloids. So, our front page news is about their lack of decent front page news? That's worthy and par for the course in Pittsburgh.

Blog Fest III coverage

My only quibble with the article and photo rests in perception of civility among the blog readers and comments at "political blogs."

My impression is that the folks in the real world as well as those online have been respectful on all most all instances.

City's bloggers actually get together face-to-face: Many of the roughly 30 bloggers at Thursday's 'Blogfest' at Finnigan's Wake bar said they have steered clear of politics lately -- writing about it often provokes a burst of brutally negative responses from one side or another, which are no fun to get.

'I never write about politics -- the conflict gets a little too hot,' said Robert, who did not want his last name used. Rather, on his new blog 'Gclectic,' he writes a lot about engineering and geek culture.

Central Park Bench: Skateboard park petition

Don't do it!

Central Park Bench: Skateboard park petition: "Skateboard park petition

Don't.

There are a few other, much, much better ideas. I'd strongly suggest you DON'T do the skateboard park. Give me a call or email -- and I'll be happy to explain, in person, in detail.

I was at the opening of the skateboard park in Pittsburgh at McKinley -- just behind the Liberty Tubes. On opening day THREE kids went to the E.R. THREE on the first day.

Ranting on Republicans. Wanting urban votes for suburban candidates with D history. No thanks.

Letter sent to a Trib reporter and CCed as a LTE:

RE: http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/westmoreland/s_363299.html

Harrisburg Republicans have serious problems. Money flows to NEW Republicans. They don't do anything to grow their own.

Hence, W.PA witnesses money to the former Dem to defeatt Alan K. and money to the turncoat Dem, Michael Diven, to loose to Wayne Fontana in MY State Senate special election.

I was in the Diven, Fontana race. That fact was failed to be printed in your article. Both the D and R out-spent me about 500 to one. Yet Diven only out-voted me five to one.

It would be best if you mentioned my name as part of the race on May 17, 2005. As a Libertarian, I got 2,542 votes from a base of 250 registered Ls on a PRIMARY election day. Those great numbers, and more than 7% in a three way race, can't be ignored.

I'll be back.

Would you like me to mail you a copy of my campaign audio CD?

Thanks for the article and for telling the whole story. Not a single Libertarian voted for the outlandish pay raise. I would HAVE not only voted with the people, but would have been objecting in the open all along.

KDKA: Pittsburgh Task Force Not Firm on Slots Money for Arena

Does anyone care to inform KDKA TV that Tom Murphy is NOT one of the two most powerful politicians in Pittsburgh. Mayor Murphy is a lame duck who was a marathon runner and he couldn't even keep the Pittsburgh Marathon alive.

If Murphy wants money from slots to go to the new hockey arena, then that is good enough reason to object to the concept.

KDKA: Pittsburgh Task Force Not Firm on Slots Money for Arena The two most powerful politicians in Pittsburgh agree that some revenue from a slot machine parlor to be located in the city should be used to build a new arena for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

But the task force charged with studying the idea says there's no consensus on how the money should be used.

Mayor Tom Murphy and Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato are both pushing the new arena proposal.

But the Pittsburgh Gaming Task Force, which is studying the impact of the standalone slots parlor to be built in the city, says there are too many options on how to use the city's share of those revenues to commit to arena funding.

The group is supposed to issue its recommendations on the project -- and how to use the local revenues -- by November.

The standalone slots parlor should NOT be built in the city. Rather we should have the new parlor operators purchase the Pittsburgh Convention Center. Then the slots income could begin in earnest at the close of the 2006 MLB (Major League Baseball) All-Star Game.

It makes no sense to wait while a new casino is built. We have a suitable building that is sitting empty that can be a great site for the casino in the short-and-long term.

County Council Candidate website: Jim Burn, D

Link, not an endorsement, follows. Jim Burn I am running for Allegheny County Council in District Three because I see many issues that are similar to what we have been facing in Millvale, where I have been Mayor for the past 12 years.
I don't see much if anything at all in terms of a "platform" at the nice looking site.