lawmakers: boost tourism, delay education

So lawmakers are trying (TV news blurb) to push back the start of the school year to favor tourism. So, they don't want to educate our kids. And, they are preventing schools and communities to think for themselves. What's up with that?

Next they'll be moving to shut down schools because we're not gambling enough.

Eminent domain's community champion, Kathleen Walsh, gets good ink on good move from state house. Next we'll see what the PA senate does

This seems to be a great next step. I hate eminent domain. It is used poorly locally. So, we should NOT use it at all.

Eminent domain passes - PittsburghLIVE.com: "HARRISBURG -- The state House voted Tuesday night to curb local governments' power to take private property and give it to another private owner, a controversial practice that has been used several times in Pittsburgh and was deemed legal by the U.S. Supreme Court in June.

'That's one of the big problems, that developers are simply using the government to take private property for their own use,' said Kathleen Walsh, 62, of Ridgemont in Pittsburgh's West End.

Five years ago, the Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority considered labeling part of her verdant hillside neighborhood 'blighted,' the first step in condemning the homes and making way for a Home Depot adjacent to the Parkway Center Mall, Walsh said."

One of the ironic twists to this story is how they wanted to use eminent domain to expand the Parkway Center Mall. Now the Parkway Center Mall has plenty of spaces as it is nearly empty. Not much is there.

Furthermore, the ones who crave eminent domain might point to the long term slow down at the Parkway Center Mall as a reason why eminent domain was needed. Ha, ha, ha. They'll say, "If only we put a Home Depot in the Parkway Center Mall, then we'd have thriving businesses."

Meanwhile, the traffic jams on the Parkway West (if that is what it can be called now) happen after you depart the city, not in the city. The traffic and the shoppers and the residents and the businesses and the churches and the recreation and the better quality of life has sprawled to make jams elsewhere -- because they leave the city with a great exodus daily.

Thankfully we still have some havens and stronger neighborhoods such as Ridgemont.

The Conversation props. Thanks. Back at ya...

The Conversation So first let me commend Mark Rauterkus for calling out Mayor Murphy on his hypocrisy in claiming the process for awarding slots licenses is corrupt.

Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Launches Downtown Pittsburgh - A Holiday Tradition 2005, 10 am on Thusday

Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Launches Downtown Pittsburgh - A Holiday Tradition 2005 The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership What: Join us for a preview of the Downtown holiday season, including Light Up Night and Saturdays in the City!

Fifteen thousand covered parking spaces, 181 shops, 212 eateries, a dynamic Cultural District with four world-class theaters, Saturday street entertainment and holiday lights...all in Downtown Pittsburgh for the holiday season! When: Thursday, November 3, 10 a.m. Where: Six Penn Kitchen, 545 Penn Ave.

Scheduled Speakers: J. Kevin McMahon, President, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Mayor Tom Murphy Morgan O'Brien, President & CEO, Duquesne Light County Chief Executive Dan Onorato Doug Sansom, Sr. VP, Comcast Joseph B. Smith, Sr. VP, Dollar Bank Aaron A. Walton, Sr. VP, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

A PERSONAL LETTER FROM BOB SURRICK TO THE DOCTORS OF PENNSYLVANIA

In August, 2004, I received a call from a group of Pennsylvania doctors asking me to consult with them over the building medical malpractice/health care delivery crisis. I came out of retirement in Florida to see what was happening.

What I saw when I arrived back in Pennsylvania was a disaster.

SB9, the constitutional amendment which would have allowed caps on non-economic damages, had just been tabled by the Senate Judiciary Committee, thereby putting off substantive medical liability reform until 2007. The trial lawyers were firmly in control of the legislature.

I agreed to go to work. I traveled the state, speaking to hospital staffs, doing radio and TV shows and writing op-ed pieces. It was rewarding and at the same time, very frustrating. The rewards came from the interaction with the many decent, hardworking and committed doctors I met. The frustration came from my inability to keep the medical community focused and working on the goal of tort reform and the knowledge that our lawmakers do not always act in the best interests of our citizens.

Medical liability reform is a political issue that will only be settled in the political arena. But what could prompt enough of Pennsylvania’s 12 million citizens, all of whom require access to quality medical care, to care enough to get involved?

The break I was looking for came at 2 AM on July 7th when the legislators, in cahoots with the Supreme Court, without debate or public input, voted themselves and the judges a massive pay increase and violated the Constitution by giving themselves the pay raise during their present term by calling it an “unvouchered expense account."

The public was and still is furious and the media carried the issue. I know that this issue has “legs”. Every legislator up for election in 2006 will have to answer to a very irate citizenry. Even legislators who go to Harrisburg with idealistic intentions eventually shift their focus to one overriding goal--to get re-elected. Election Day 2005 is the time to scare the pants off of them. This is how to do it and make medical liability reform a huge issue in 2006.

On Tuesday, November 8th, a week from now, there is an off-year election in Pennsylvania, which many people will simply ignore because there are no major statewide or national offices at stake.

But at the TOP of the ballot, two Supreme Court Justices are seeking another ten year term, in what’s known as a “retention” vote. There are no opponents. It is a simple “YES” or “NO” vote. Political analysts will confirm that there is a built in 33% “NO” vote in every judicial retention election. With the beleagured doctors of Pennsylvania leading the charge, we can get the other 18% and send a message that cannot be ignored by legislators seeking reelection in 2006 – that Pennsylvania’s doctors are a political force to be reckoned with.

I ask you to help yourselves, and those working for you to put medical liability reform front and center, by not only going to the polls yourself, but also by getting your family, friends and colleagues to go to the polls and vote “NO” on Justices Nigro and Newman. Turnout is historically low for these off-year elections, so it won’t take a lot to affect the results.

Please do not let this opportunity slip by. VOTE “NO” on November 8th!

Mars High School meeting about PA Tax Policy and property tax cuts

PSBA/Local Policy Tax Caucus Meeting at Mars High School

WHO: The Pennsylvania School Boards Association and Tax Policy Caucus of Harrisburg

WHAT: A public meeting on for all school districts and communities in Western Pennsylvania to discuss property tax relief Vs reforms and school funding for education in Pennsylvania's schools

WHERE: Mars High School Cafeteria

WHEN: Thursday, November 3rd from 7 pm - 9 pm

CONTACT: Ms. Diana Mastovich @ 724-625-1518 or dmastovich@mars.k12.org.

This will be the only meeting held in Western Pennsylvania.

We hope to see you there! All are welcome to attend!

Dem candidate to run against Tom Stevenson, R, for PA House

PRESS RELEASE: DEMOCRAT "CITIZEN LEGISLATOR" ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR THE 42ND DISTRICT

DEMOCRAT "CITIZEN LEGISLATOR" ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR THE 42ND DISTRICT
William F. Sargent will announce tomorrow his candidacy for the 42nd Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, pledging to bring integrity, honesty and accountability to Harrisburg.

Sargent, 29, a Democrat, is a native of Mt. Lebanon and a United States Air Force Veteran, completing his active duty tour last week and has resumed Traditional Reservist status. He returned to the United States in August, 2005 after two deployments to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. William has been a life-long resident of the 42nd District, and he represents the fourth generation of his family to be born and raised in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania. He will run against incumbent Tom Stevenson for the seat.

"The citizens of the 42nd District, as well as the citizens of Pennsylvania, deserve responsible, effective leadership in Harrisburg that will directly impact and mprove the lives of every Pennsylvanian," Sargent said. "Professional politicians have run Harrisburg for far too long, and the time has come to make a change. As an Air Force Reservist I represented the United States as a citizen soldier, and when elected I will serve my district as a citizen legislator, not a politician. As Pennsylvanians, we are in the midst of a crippling economic crisis stemming from ever-increasing property taxes, stagnant local and national economies, a decline in manufacturing jobs, and the rising cost of energy. We can no longer afford ineffectual leadership in Harrisburg."

"We must require accountability from our legislators for their actions as our representative leaders. Some legislators in Harrisburg have failed to put their constituents' needs first. Legislators should address issues that are important to their constituents' day to day well being. As Representative for the 42nd District, I will work hard to provide residents with outstanding elementary, middle and high schools, world-class yet affordable public universities, safe streets, and reasonable property taxes."

William Sargent resides in Rosslyn Farms, Pennsylvania, with his wife and daughter. He recently returned from his second tour of duty in the Middle East as a United States Air Force Reservist for the 911th Air Wing in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. Mr. Sargent invites citizens to find further information about his platform and his campaign at his website, WilliamSargent.com.

email@WilliamSargent.com

Open efforts to make sure the folly of Katrinia recovery never happens again.

Heard the Word of Blog?

The other League: Voter Guides

The Voter Guides State Supreme Court
Candidate/Issue: Judge Sandra Shultz Newman
Endorsed Vote: No
She allowed the Constitution to be trampled by politicians who award themselves a huge pay increase, paving a culture of arrogance and greed to take control of our state government.

State Supreme Court
Candidate/Issue: Judge Russell M. Nigro
Endorsed Vote: No
He did the same things as Judge Newman, above.
Join the Pittsburgh League of Young Voters as we celebrate the release of our 2005 Fall Voter Guide and Endorsement Slate! Party at 7 pm on Thursday November 3, 2005, at Firehouse Lounge, 2216 Penn Avenue, in the Strip District.

Resigned my board position at the Market House Childrens Athletic Assn.

I recently sent in a letter (see comments) to resign from the board of a local youth sports organization.

Come to our house for trick or treat and get the latest CD that features OpenOffice.org 2.0 installer for Windows

Loaded for trick-or-treaters.

We've got a few hundred CDs ready. The CD has music and a scary message. Plus, it has open source software install of OpenOffice.org 2.0 for Windows PCs.

Script for the CD's audio portions.

---

This Haloween message is for you – a splendid neighbor and someone with an open mind.

Something that is scary to me is a city that is on the brink of a disaster. And we don't need a hurricane to put us over the edge.

I'm not talking about any city – but out city, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

We used to be our nation's fourth largest city. We used to have more than 600,000 residents – and now we are half the size of what we were in terms of population.

And the cast of characters for this scarry story includes some elected politicians who are not willing or are not capable of making the necessary changes so we can thrive again.

I'm Mark Rauterkus, a concerned citizen from the South Side who is going to run for City Council. I want you to be safe and enjoy this song, think again.

At the end of the song, I'll further explain what's on this CD and how it can play in your computer as well.

---

Song

---

My friend, Amy Carol Webb, sang that song. Let's work together to help our city by getting everyone to 'think again' – especially at the voting polls on election day.

My name is Mark Rauterkus. I used this song and prouced some CD when I ran for State Senate in May 2005. A lot of people were excited about the music and message – and gave me their trust with their votes. My opponents spent nearly $1-million each. They were a Democrat and Republican and could get lots of money from Harrisburg for their campaigns. Most of that money came from special interests – like those who wanted to put gambling in Pennsylvania.

My campaign perked along on $3,400.

I was out-spent 500 to 1 by both of them.

But, in the minds of the voters, I was out voted by 5 to 1 from the Republican and 7-and-a-half to one by the Democrat.

I got 2,542 votes – and was encouraged with the outcome – and didn't do any negative campaigning.

The next time – the goal is to win. We need serious help on city council and I have the principles, awareness and expressed solutions to make sense out of these scary times for Pittsburgh.

We'll I'm going to steal a line from a character in a scary movie, JASON. -- “I'm back.” But fear not. I'm going to run a positive campaign that talks about real solutions – again. And this time, with the help of the local voters, we'll win in a landslide.

Oh no, landslides are scary too.

Here is what is going to happen. Before you pass along this CD to a friend, and introduce him to myself, Mark Rauterkus, feel free to pop this disk it into your computer. There you'll find a free and open source software installer for OpenOffice.org. OpenOffice.org is version 2.0 and it runs on a modern Windows PC. It has a word processor, spreadsheet, database, drawing program and presentation program called IMPRESS. OpenOffice is a lot like Microsoft Office – but better – and FREE.

In the weeks to come, I'll have other CDs available with other types of messages, music and high-tech content and tools.

For now, see my website at Rauterkus.com, and be sure to frequent my blog, Mark Rauterkus and Running Mates at Rauterkus.blogspot.com – my platform – Platform.For-Pgh.org – and my campaign headquarters at 108 South 12th Street on the South Side.

We can visit and have a cup of tea – and I'll get you a copy of the next CD. Some will have pictures of our trips to China and illustration tools. Another CD is going to have another of Amy Carol Webb's song – the campaign theme song called, Lay the Shovel Down. You gotta hear that one.

You see, those guys on Grant Street have dug a hole for our great city. In Pittsburgh's political circles it is important that we stop digging in that hole. We are getting deeper and deeper into a stickey, messy and scary situation. We need to lay the shovel down and use common sense. Time to think again. And, let's hear that song one more time.

Thomas Jefferson Think Tank bring in Hop K

The Thomas Jefferson Think Tank (TJTT) meets at 7 pm on Wed, Nov. 2, 2005 at Silvioni's, 2125 Babcock Boulevard in the near North Hills. Dinner will be served until 7:00 pm. The meeting will start at approximately 7:15 pm.

This months topic is Solutions to Poverty and the Family and the speaker is Hop Kendrick. Expect a lively discussion of the problems within the black community. For directions or RSVP, kathleenstewart -at- comcast -dot- net

TWO POOKS - Cricket and Samantha

TWO POOKS - Cricket and Samantha

Our Boston-based extended family has a blog that features their twins.

This comes from a 'stay-at-home dad.' I've been a 'stay-at-home dad.' Plus, this month is the 10th Annual Stay-At-Home Dads Convention in Chicago. They'll be holding a big celebration there. I've been to the event in the past. It is at a Community College.

At-Home Dad Conventions Oakton Community College, Saturday, November 19, 2005, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016

I'll celebrate here by getting more aggressive in my give-a-way efforts of Hogan's CD on Parenting. Hogan Hilling of the San Diego area was in Pittsburgh to speak to the International Lamaze Organiztion. He gave a great talk on the 'dad's perspective.' He offers great advice to moms and dads who are starting a new chapter in their lives with younglings.

Ask me for a copy of this CD if you or your loved ones are expecting or with a baby in the home.

He works to put Pittsburgh on high-tech map

I'm interested in hearing Bob O'Connor say anything at all. He works to put Pittsburgh on high-tech map 'To help create these industries, leaders in the city have to say, 'This is our vision for the future.'
First, let's look at that statement in terms of leader in the city. The mayor's office is one place you'd expect to find a city leader.

The mayor has ducked leadership. Last week he didn't choose to be transparent with leading a charge against the fix in the pending gambling sale. The mayor stepped to the courts to lead efforts in many cases that cost the city dearly. The mayor even stepped to Harrisburg for leadership in bailouts. Plus, the mayor rolled out the red carpet to bring in the Act 47 team and the ICA (two overlords).

So, let's look at the next leader of the city, as we all expect that next mayor, Bob O'Connor. Oh boy. I'm ranting to get Bob to say anything. His vision is self-preservation and defense. Getting on the right track isn't going to impress the high-tech sector.

Furthermore, I'm not sure Bob O'Connor knows how to spell email. I know I can't spell well, but I do know how to hit the blog's 'publish' and email's 'send' buttons.

The classic line.... "The beauty of high-tech law is that it's not pigeon-holed." Have you heard the campaign song from my CD, "Don't Put Me In a Box?"

That pigeon-holed approach is a killer for Pittsburgh. We need to 'think again.' We need to have wide perspectives. We need to speak and build relationships. We need to go beyond labels.

Costume trend: Winging it in a fantasy.

Winging it.

I always look for trends and this Haloween season has one. I share the insight with you today, so you can test the theory tonight as the kids parade around the neighborhoods. And, be super safe on foot and while behind the wheel today and tonight, please!

I've seen a bunch of wings this season. We don't want any of them to show up on the front of your windshield, like a squashed bug.

Wings are 'in' for sure.

I live on the South Side and we saw a lot of tall winged figures this weekend along the streets in the wee hours too. So, it isn't just a tyke or kiddie thing. The grown ups are getting into the fantasy.

It would be nice to have wings -- just as it would be nice to see pigs fly and the city have a budget that made sense. Oh well, I better stop now. Just don't eat too much candy -- or you'll never get off the ground with those tiny wings. Lift-off.

Youth Football winds down for the season.

Our friends who have kids playing youth football are just about finished with their seasons. Sounds like a good time was had by all -- consider just how that football bounces. :)
Great season South Side Sabers.

Etymotic Research had a booth at the art educators event in Pittsburgh this past weekend. Our kids in bands, and their teachers, need to wear hearing protection, just as those who work in the Chem Labs need to wear eye protection and the football players need to wear helmets.

Fighting privatization - Quiet please.... we are straining to listen for a heartbeat

Fighting privatization - PittsburghLIVE.com For a man who would inherit a city with mounting debt and sinking revenues, Bob O'Connor is oddly calm and quiet about the specifics of what he'd do if elected mayor.

Speaking of playing defense. Bob O'Connor is playing defense. Has been throughout the primary and general election cycles.

Ballots & access: Party crashers - ringing endorssement from Trib

Ballots & access: Party crashers - PittsburghLIVE.com

There would be no need for the Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition, composed of political 'third parties' like the Libertarians and Greens, if the General Assembly respected the commonwealth's Constitution.

Article 1, Section 5, states clearly, emphatically -- and yet ironically -- that 'Elections shall be free and equal; and no power, civil or military, shall at any time interfere to prevent the free exercise of the right of suffrage.'

The Constitution's framers would be appalled to see how the state's two-party monopoly, a duopoly of Republicans and Democrats, has rigged election laws to guarantee that no one can crash their party by being competitive.

Republican and Democrat statewide candidates typically can gain ballot access by collecting about 1,000 or 2,000 signatures on their petitions. But other parties and independent candidates need obscene multiples of those numbers.

In 2002, third parties needed roughly 21,000 signatures. In 2004, 26,000. And in 2006, 67,070. And since each must be valid, third parties might need more than 100,000 to withstand the inevitable court challenges from the Gang of Two.

The Ballot Access Coalition only wants a level playing field. And for the duopoly controlling this Keystone Kleptocracy -- and milking it dry by giving itself unconscionable pay raises in the dead of night -- to obey the law.

Thank you Tribune Review.

Getting access to the ballot is one serious hurdle that needs to be fixed, locally, and statewide. PA is in the dark ages.

I've got a number of "democratic" planks in my agenda, and this is right at the top. Sure, the democratic planks, often ignored by big "D" Democrats are not that "sexy" -- but they are important. One reason we don't have better politicians is because we make it nearly impossible to run for office. Too often the Democrats are playing DE-FENCE. Scream Deeee-Fence at Heinz Field. Don't push defence as a way to advance our region and have it be pervasive in the approach to our political avenues with candidates and voting.

These laws can be fixed. We must do it together. Think again about ballot access.

AntiRust: Questioning the Unquestionable: Pittsburgh Redevelopment

Love it. And the rant takes a shot at Point State Park too.

AntiRust: Questioning the Unquestionable: Pittsburgh RedevelopmentQuestioning the Unquestionable: Pittsburgh Redevelopment

There was some conference types who were trying to do a re-do of Point State Park. It failed to get me jazzed. The real heavy lifting will need to come about after we change the system a good bit -- say with the creation of a PARK DISTRICT. Then we'd get real engagement and volunteerism. Plus, we'd have a connect that matters among citizens and our RAD money, state park, and parenting concerns.

Thanks for the plug and pointer -- back at ya.