What's tireless, nearly 30-feet in length and lives for the trash on Pittsburgh's riverfronts -- engagement tonight!

No, the riddle's answer is not a parade of rats.

What’s 28 Feet Long and Eats Trash In the Waters Around Pittsburgh?

In 2003, PA CleanWays of Allegheny County, other non-profit groups, private sponsors and volunteers got together to create "The Tireless Project" to clean up tires and other debris in the rivers running through and around Pittsburgh.

Volunteers started by retrofitting a 28-foot pontoon boat for what they called “mild-duty river cleanup” and in the first year picked up over 32 tons of debris.

Last year, thanks to the support of the Sprout Fund, Tireless Fridays were instituted as a way to build the volunteer base and create awareness about riverfront blight.

The special initiative included five after-work volunteer opportunities throughout the summer organized at illegal dumpsites within or near the city center. Volunteers cleaned a blighted area and once the work was done remained at the site to celebrate their accomplishment of restoring the riverbank’s beauty with a waterfront party complete with food, entertainment, and of course tiki torches.

Over 140 volunteers came together to clean over 12.5 tons of trash and removed 185 tires from the shores of the three rivers. In addition, crews of youth volunteers from the Student Conservation Association and Venture Outdoors Summer Youth Programs assisted in cleaning litter from the South Side Waterfront Park and an illegal dump at Duck Hollow on the Monongahela River.

Two Tireless Fridays remain! The next event is August 19th at Duck Hollow from 4:30 p.m. to approximately 10 p.m. Musical performances are being offered by John Hayes and Frets & Feet (Daphne & Charlie Anderson).

"The Tireless Project" is a collaborative effort of PA CleanWays of Allegheny County and Three Rivers Rowing Association. Supporting partners include Venture Outdoors, Friends of the Riverfront, the Student Conservation Association and Pennsylvania American Water Company.

For more information, visit The Tireless Project webpage or to volunteer, email tirelessfridays@hotmail.com or call 412-381-1301.

Courtesy www.paenviromentaldigest.com, Holston & Crisci

This sounds like a drip problem, not a spill.

The Dormont Pool was evacuated on Thursday due to a chemical spill. Hazardous materials crews were called to the scene when workers at the pool spotted a tank that appeared to be leaking hydrochloric acid. No injuries were reported, and the pool is expected to be open the next day.

Rogues meet on Saturday, Aug 20 at Holiday Inn Select near S.H. Village

Original source: Herb Ohliger, herb138 -at- fyi.net

In Chester County (population 500,000), at least two head trauma patients have died during the one-hour ride to Lancaster General Hospital. There are no full time neurosurgeons and no trauma center left in Chester County.

In Titusville, just north of here, the last orthopedic surgeon left earlier this year. Across the state, OB/GYN’s have dropped obstetrics from their practice.

And at present, only 4% of the doctors in Pennsylvania are under the age of 35.

High costs of medical malpractice insurance (and also the high probability of being sued) are driving physicians out of the state or into early retirement.

In 2003, though, the state legislature passed a reform bill which has had a positive effect. The 1,815 medical malpractice suits filed in 2004 were a 34% drop from the 2,751 average of the years 2000 to 2002.

The state representative who spearheaded that bill, Mike Turzai introduced another malpractice reform bill in June of this year and is coming to the Rogues breakfast on Saturday, August 20 to tell us about it. And to tell us how we may be able to help get it passed.

Rogues meet at 9 am, Saturday, August 20, 2005 at The Holiday Inn on Fort Couch Road in Bethel Park. Cost is $13. Please RSVP by Friday the 19th to 412 279.1222 or email me so that I can get a count for the Holiday Inn. You may still attend (PLEASE) even if you don't RSVP.

Please pass the word to people you know and invite them to join us this Saturday. This should be an informative session.

Fixing Pennsylvania’s Unconstitutional Election Code

The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania is seeking sponsors for Pennsylvania Election Code legislation.

Several sections of the Pennsylvania Election Code (Title 25) have been deemed unconstitutional in federal court. States Ken Crippen, chair of the Legislative Action Committee of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania, “The PEC needs to be updated according to judicial rulings. We cannot allow Pennsylvania statutes to contain sections that are unconstitutional.” The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania has thus drafted legislation that deals with three of the main topics at issue: filing fees, affiants for signature petitions and fusion of candidates with major political parties.

Filing Fees

Under present law, candidates are required to pay a filing fee when submitting nomination papers or petitions. In the case Belitskus et.al. v. Pizzingrilli (343 F. 3rd 632; 3rd Circuit 2003), the court ruled that the mandatory filing fee, coupled with no alternative means to gain ballot access, violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. The LPPa bill proposes that the State add alternative means, in this case community service, for candidates to gain access to the ballot.

Affiants for signature petitions

Also, under present law, nominating petition affiants in Pennsylvania must be registered voters. In the case Morrill et.al. v. Weaver (224 F. Supp. 2d 882; 2002 U.S. Dist.), the court ruled that this unconstitutionally violates citizen’s rights to free political expression and association under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. The LPPa bill proposes that the requirement that nominating petition affiants in Pennsylvania must be registered voters be repealed.

Fusion of candidates with major political parties

In addition, the present law permits major parties to fuse candidates (cross nominate candidates across party lines) for local offices but preclude minor parties from exercising the same right. In Patriot Party of Allegheny County v. Allegheny County Department of Elections (case citation 95 F. 3d 253 (3d Cir. 1996)), the court ruled that “Pennsylvania’s decision to ban cross-nominations by minor political parties and to allow cross-nomination by major parties constituted the type of ‘invidious classifications’ prohibited by the Equal Protection Clause… The court noted that the Pennsylvania statutes laws treated minor and major parties differently and placed a more severe burden on minor political parties’ rights.” The LPPa bill proposes to eliminate these additional burdens on minor political parties.

David Jahn, Chair of the Pennsylvania Libertarian Party, states “the courts have found several requirements within our election code that contradict our constitution. This bill proposes common sense remedies to alleviate those concerns. All we need now are some sponsors willing to do the right thing.”

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.

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

Clarion County reaches major milestone for political organizational goals

The Libertarian Party of Clarion County (LPCC) is pleased to announce that it has reached the membership and organizational goals necessary to merit a seat on the Executive Board of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania. The LPCC will now be able to convey the concerns of its members directly to the state level.

See comments for more.

Time to go home. Makes best sense to me.

Anti-war protester Cindy Sheehan calls her mother's stroke a "devastating blow" that has forced her to leave "Camp Casey" temporarily.

Sure, the stroke is a devastating blow. But it is well worth the exit.

People need to keep up the fight and avoid burn out. Too many times I've seen advocates get into a battle and leave it all on the battle field -- and be wiped out. You've got to fight the good fight as best you can -- and LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY.

Keep some of the forces at home. Be reasonable with yourself and your family. Be prudent. Take care of yourself and your loved ones, first.

I think it was a wise move for Sheehan to retreat. Her message got out. Her time there had concluded. Move on, even.

$7 Lawrenceville Rotary Corn Roast

Corn Roast with pulled pork sandwich, cole slaw, potato salad, baked beans and a drink are served on Saturday, August 20, 2005, from 11 am to 5 pm at the Arsenal Middle School Park at the corner of 40th and Butler Street.

Tickets available at Senator Ferlo’s office 3507 Butler (figures that there is PORK involved) and Slaughterhouse Gallery 5136 Butler.

Proceeds go to Lawrenceville Rotary scholarship funds, community fund and international fund.

Seeking candidates for County Council -- two special elections. Want to run as a Libertarian?

Two special elections are being held this November for two County Council seats.

One is County Council district 3, which contains: Aspinwall, Blawnox, Brackenridge, East Deer, Etna,
Fawn, Fox Chapel, Frazer, Harrison, Indiana, Millvale, O'Hara, Reserve, Shaler, Sharpsburg, Springdale, and Tarentum.

The other county council seat is for district 12, encompassing Dormont, Greentree, Ingram, and Pittsburgh wards 19, 20, 28, 29, 30, and 32.

We, the Libertarians, can put someone on the ballot without needing to gather signatures. As a Libertarian candidate, one would only expect that the candidate would be able to articulate reasonable libertarian positions that the county could adopt. Experts with reasonable issue positions, as well as experts with unreasonable issue opinions too, are on hand who'd be more than happy to help candidates hammer out two or three platform issues.

The Libertarians are looking through our database and contact lists to see if we can come up with one or two candidates for the ballot this November. If you're in one of these areas and want to apply for the job, please let us know!

If you know of a community leader who would be well suited for such a mission, tell us about him or her. I'll make a personal phone call to all leads provided by blogging's running mates and friends.

The filing deadline is September 12, 2005.

Just to be clear, I'm NOT running for any of these seats. I don't live in the districts.

The job of County Council Member is a part-time position that pays a nominal salary. Most members of County Council keep their regular jobs. Members of council can NOT run for another elected office while sitting on Council. And, we expect a few others on Council to migrate to other races in the near future. So, other openings in other council seats are expected.

KC's Royal Flush

It is 18 and counting.

At least our Pittsburgh flush was in the streets and not on the diamonds.

The KC Royals have lost 18 games in a row.

The ESPN news story made the KC team look worse than a Little League team.

Swim pool, one hour drive from Pittsburgh. Jay's swimmers go fast!

Somerset Area High School swim pool is where Jay O'Neil coaches. We visited, worked out, played and talked about swimming. When I coached a PLUM High School, Jay was a Junior and Senior. He has been coaching there for a few years now and is a dad to two children now. 

Who wants to be "QUEEN for a day, week, month or even longer?" -- call Bob O'Connor

You could be QUEEN for a DAY too, if you are a woman, of course.

You could be elevated with the "authority status" and lifted above the citizens you'll rule.

Increase your power and get to rain down (pun) with new water authority lines to hither and yarn. Or, help make the unthinkable possible by parking the parking tax where no other less bold city dare to linger. Or, oversee the paper corporation that pulls all the strings with Three Rivers Stadium. Or, help count up the 7K, 8K or 9K of properties owned but sans inventory with the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

Women sought for city posts - PittsburghLIVE.com O'Connor, 60, has promised that women will make up 50 percent of city boards, authorities and commissions if he becomes mayor. The Squirrel Hill resident and Democratic nominee is the overwhelming favorite against Republican Joe Weinroth. Democrats hold a 5-to-1 advantage over Republicans in registered voters in Pittsburgh, which has not elected a Republican mayor in more than 70 years.

Take your turn at the helm of a sinking ship among a fleet of dispair in a sea of fog. Make it so that the next Pirates won't get blamed for calling the land lovers "wenches" and "naysayers."

Bob O'Connor, Michael Lamb and Bill Peduto all wanted to put more women in authority roles. I don't.

Rather, I want to end all authorities.

Rather, I want to take all the appointed kings and queens of Pittsburgh's tiny, fragmented, unaccountable domains and make them "democratic." That's a small "d" for "democratic" -- as in allow for elections of the people.

You'll only be on the board, given Bob's plan, with a "term limit." Expect to share the time in the spotlight. Mayor Murphy just had his court hog up all the time and slots for themselves. The stated promise is for Bob's group to be better at playing musical chairs.

These folks need to end the authority legacy -- and they are not.

The WATER and SEWER AUTHORITY is more interested in building another mall -- and less interested in taking care of the crumbling sewer lines.

The Parking Authority is more interested in turning the North Side into an entertainment complex and getting a better Greyhound Bus Terminal -- with a T-stop -- than real parking issues. Why take your car to the city and then get onto the T? Why take your car to the city, pay high taxes, then take a Greyhound bus? The bus might save some money -- if the taxes were not so grave.

The Port Authority wants to build a tunnel under the rivers for $400 million, despite bids that are 25% greater than expected. The extension is for 1.2 miles of new track. They don't want to really make a mass transit system work as it should. They are not talking about permanent funding. They are not accountable.

If these are the jobs for you -- then I dare say -- you're not a woman.

Good luck in the recruitment drive.

When there is an effort to build authorities with accountability and real democracy, they won't be called "authorities" and you'll have the world coming to our door to figure out solutions to matters such as hunger, homelessness, recreation, child-care, education and healthcare.

Real, experienced, management, leaders in Pittsburgh who are female know what happens when one puts lipstick on a pig. It's still a pig.

In other news, it's official. Joe Weinroth's glory days are behind him. Notice the kiss of death, the "5-to-1" quote in the Republican daily. That qualifier goes around Weinroth's neck like an anchor.

The women who are demanding fair representation now are not calling for more authority posts. They are calling for an end to authorities. Representation doesn't happen with authorities, period.

My wife, my sisters, my mother-in-law -- all brilliant -- are like ten thousand other Pittsburghers in this regard. Most wouldn't even be motivated to hold their noses for the necessary ten minute return phone call to turn down an offer of consideration for the "privilage."

If Bob was smart, he'd cut the authorities and in turn make ALL THE WOMEN HAPPY, not appoint a couple more and just keep the status quo.

If Bob made an offer -- join the authority and take it apart in six months -- then he'd have a line outside his door of willing and able people.

Keep an eye on the brass ring: freedom, equality, opportunity.

When the tide rises, it lifts all boats. Meanwhile, when the downtown parking garages flood -- it soaks your car. We've got too much of the later and none of the global benefits.

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.