SI.com - 2006 Winter Olympics - U.S. wins first curling medal - Friday February 24, 2006 10:06AM U.S. wins first curling medalDid you get a peek at the Curling Calendar?
The Curling News Blog They even got a photo of the streaker on the blog.
Friday, February 24, 2006
U.S. wins first curling medal
Another excuse to drive around town beeping your car horn is here! Curling rocks!
Libertarian Party Convention in State College, next weekend
The 2006 Libertarian Party of PA Convention gathers in State College, March 4 and 5, 2006
Statewide Candidate Selection and Speakers from PA Clean Sweep, Commonwealth Foundation and PA State Legislature
The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPA) released PR and details on the agenda for its 2006 convention in State College. Pennsylvania.
At the convention, the party will nominate its 2006 candidates for statewide office.
This year’s convention is also filled with prominent speakers including Russ Diamond, founder and chair of Operation PA Clean Sweep, Matthew Brouillette, president of the Commonwealth Foundation, and the Honorable Kerry Benninghoff PA House, District 171 (Centre and Mifflin Counties.)
Convention organizer, Barry Dively, said, "I am very excited about the upcoming convention. Our opening reception on Friday evening (March 3rd) provides a fun opportunity for people who care about liberty to gather and share ideas. Our business meetings provide a great way for attendees to contribute to the direction of the LPPA and to learn more about being active in the political process. And this year’s speakers are emerging players in Pennsylvania politics."
Banquet speaker, Russ Diamond, was a key voice in bringing about the repeal of the legislature's massive and unconstitutional pay raise. His organization is working to restore responsible government to the citizens of Pennsylvania.
Matthew Brouilette leads a free-market think tank, the Commonwealth Foundation. The foundation is well known for publishing the Liberty Index which informs Pennsylvanians how well (or how poorly) members of the state legislature and governor’s office defend our liberty.
Kerry Benninghoff is a five term member of the PA state House who has been a strong voice against additional government spending and against tax increases. He serves on the Professional Licensure, Finance and Health and Human Services committees, and chairs the Subcommittee on Human Services.
Members of the Pennsylvania Ballot Access Commission will be attending to conduct a panel discussion on the Voters’ Choice Act as will members of Toastmasters International to conduct a meeting.
David Jahn, Chair of the party, added, "I invite all who are interested in restoring common sense, economic freedom and social tolerance in Pennsylvania to join us in State College." Additional information about the convention can be found at www.lppa.org.
The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the United States with more than 600 officials serving in office throughout the nation. Visit www.lp.org for more information on the party.
Statewide Candidate Selection and Speakers from PA Clean Sweep, Commonwealth Foundation and PA State Legislature
The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPA) released PR and details on the agenda for its 2006 convention in State College. Pennsylvania.
At the convention, the party will nominate its 2006 candidates for statewide office.
This year’s convention is also filled with prominent speakers including Russ Diamond, founder and chair of Operation PA Clean Sweep, Matthew Brouillette, president of the Commonwealth Foundation, and the Honorable Kerry Benninghoff PA House, District 171 (Centre and Mifflin Counties.)
Convention organizer, Barry Dively, said, "I am very excited about the upcoming convention. Our opening reception on Friday evening (March 3rd) provides a fun opportunity for people who care about liberty to gather and share ideas. Our business meetings provide a great way for attendees to contribute to the direction of the LPPA and to learn more about being active in the political process. And this year’s speakers are emerging players in Pennsylvania politics."
Banquet speaker, Russ Diamond, was a key voice in bringing about the repeal of the legislature's massive and unconstitutional pay raise. His organization is working to restore responsible government to the citizens of Pennsylvania.
Matthew Brouilette leads a free-market think tank, the Commonwealth Foundation. The foundation is well known for publishing the Liberty Index which informs Pennsylvanians how well (or how poorly) members of the state legislature and governor’s office defend our liberty.
Kerry Benninghoff is a five term member of the PA state House who has been a strong voice against additional government spending and against tax increases. He serves on the Professional Licensure, Finance and Health and Human Services committees, and chairs the Subcommittee on Human Services.
Members of the Pennsylvania Ballot Access Commission will be attending to conduct a panel discussion on the Voters’ Choice Act as will members of Toastmasters International to conduct a meeting.
David Jahn, Chair of the party, added, "I invite all who are interested in restoring common sense, economic freedom and social tolerance in Pennsylvania to join us in State College." Additional information about the convention can be found at www.lppa.org.
The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the United States with more than 600 officials serving in office throughout the nation. Visit www.lp.org for more information on the party.
Expectations especially high for Beijing in '08
SI.com - Olympics - Expectations especially high for Beijing in '08 - Wednesday February 22, 2006 11:41PM: "Even before they're over, the Winter Games in Turin are being overshadowed by Beijing, with expectations soaring that the 2008 Summer Olympics will be like none other.
Beijing Games organizers can be found at venues all over Turin, videotaping security procedures and working in ticketing offices, methodically adjusting the playbook for 2008."
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Candidate meeting update - 30th ward
I gave a talk at Knoxville Block Watch - and talked in part about the girls high school basketball game. I gave the game score, 71 to 31, and someone spoke up saying -- it was 71 to 30-something-else. I said, "Where you there?"
Carrick HS is just over the hill from where we were presenting. So, I wasn't certain if a parent of a player or uncle might have been at both events. It was just a remark from the sidelines.
The big news of the night, besides the presence of the City Paper photographer, was the appearance of the 30-year-old Republican -- his first event in public. He mentioned support to avoid TIFs, as M.B. and I generally do, but didn't know -- or miss-spoke -- on the actual meaning of the TIF word. TIF stands for, "Tax Incremental Finance."
Yes, we need to end TIFs. We need to end tax-breaks for corporations. TIFs are a way to have the super rich get richer and the poor get poorer. TIFs make for bad policy. TIFs are not fair. TIFs are confusing and come without an open accounting of their progress and performance.
I've campaigned in the past that TIF laws in Harrisburg should be changed. Futhermore, and most important, we need to elect people who are AGAINST ALL TIFs. The city, under Murphy's rule, and with his fellow Dems, has gone overboard on TIFs.
When TIFs are used, they become a "BRIBE" to get a business to open up here. Often after the tax break fades, so too does the company. They close. Rather, we want sustainable business development.
When TIFs are used, the hurt all the honest business operations who need to compete with the business that gets to pay less in taxes. So, when Lazarus had a TIF and didn't have to pay much in taxes, an established clothing store, perhaps that sold mens' suits, had to compete against Lazarus. The market place gets poison with the TIF as then you need to give a tax-break to be 'fair' to the other store owner too. That can't work.
So, the one's without a TIF vote with their feet -- they leave. They close. And, the one's we want to move to the area to open -- won't. They see how things work here and go elsewhere.
When US Airways went down the tubes and the message was sent out from the US Senators and others in the top elected offices that there would be NO MORE GIVE-A-Ways to US Airways (no new hangars, no new rebates, etc.) -- then Southwest had an opening to move here.
US Airways had LOCKED up all the gates at Pittsburgh's airport. As another firm would start up service -- US Airways would undercut them. As a result, all passengers from Pittsburgh paid more. The lack of competition hurt us.
Playing favorites is a bad way to govern.
Carrick HS is just over the hill from where we were presenting. So, I wasn't certain if a parent of a player or uncle might have been at both events. It was just a remark from the sidelines.
The big news of the night, besides the presence of the City Paper photographer, was the appearance of the 30-year-old Republican -- his first event in public. He mentioned support to avoid TIFs, as M.B. and I generally do, but didn't know -- or miss-spoke -- on the actual meaning of the TIF word. TIF stands for, "Tax Incremental Finance."
Yes, we need to end TIFs. We need to end tax-breaks for corporations. TIFs are a way to have the super rich get richer and the poor get poorer. TIFs make for bad policy. TIFs are not fair. TIFs are confusing and come without an open accounting of their progress and performance.
I've campaigned in the past that TIF laws in Harrisburg should be changed. Futhermore, and most important, we need to elect people who are AGAINST ALL TIFs. The city, under Murphy's rule, and with his fellow Dems, has gone overboard on TIFs.
When TIFs are used, they become a "BRIBE" to get a business to open up here. Often after the tax break fades, so too does the company. They close. Rather, we want sustainable business development.
When TIFs are used, the hurt all the honest business operations who need to compete with the business that gets to pay less in taxes. So, when Lazarus had a TIF and didn't have to pay much in taxes, an established clothing store, perhaps that sold mens' suits, had to compete against Lazarus. The market place gets poison with the TIF as then you need to give a tax-break to be 'fair' to the other store owner too. That can't work.
So, the one's without a TIF vote with their feet -- they leave. They close. And, the one's we want to move to the area to open -- won't. They see how things work here and go elsewhere.
When US Airways went down the tubes and the message was sent out from the US Senators and others in the top elected offices that there would be NO MORE GIVE-A-Ways to US Airways (no new hangars, no new rebates, etc.) -- then Southwest had an opening to move here.
US Airways had LOCKED up all the gates at Pittsburgh's airport. As another firm would start up service -- US Airways would undercut them. As a result, all passengers from Pittsburgh paid more. The lack of competition hurt us.
Playing favorites is a bad way to govern.
Knocked off ballot in Ohio -- for Congress
See the comments for another story about a Careless Congress Critter Want-a-Be.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
School kids in China -- wearing uniforms and taking their bikes to school.
State Senator Jim Ferlo was in City Council Chambers today, with a deligation of people from Tiawan. The ambassador and I had a brief chat. He said that I'd been to two of the three Chinas. He's right.
I hope they have a fruitful experience in Pittsburgh.
A+ Schools Brown Bag
I went to the Regional Enterprise Tower to a brown-bag discussion led by A+ Schools as they are rolling out their school report that sums up many academic performance results in a nice book, school by school.
I got my copy of the report last night at a meeting hosted at Pgh Public Schools. It is a nice tool.
Again, my first bit of critical advice is to not pit the city schools against each other. Rather, a family that is going to move out of the city because of schools wants to know how Pgh Public School stack up against suburban schools.
Case in point: The I.B. program at USC just got canned. I.B. = International Baccalaureate program. USC = Upper St. Clair (not St. Clair Village). Pittsburgh has a great I.B. program at Schenley High School.
Presently we're not fighting for the I.B. program, we're fighting for the entire Schenley H.S. experience and location.
People in suburban areas, and I know a lot of them, are green with envy with the way we handle our 'gifted education.' So, the Gifted Center is moving -- to Ridge on the North Side. We might be breaking something that is working.
The move to Ridge is going to be a one-year program. That has to be adjusted right away.
The other strong suit for the city in terms of educational offerings is the magnet program and the languages that are taught at many schools starting in kindergarden. That's wonderful and we're far ahead of most other school districts.
But one of the short-falls of the nice book by A+ Schools is that there are few other markers in the entire book that compare and contrast the academic performance of city kids against that of the kids in the state and suburban districts.
People at one school shouldn't be trying to be as good as another city school -- when the real prize is to be the best in the region -- or the best in the world.
I got my copy of the report last night at a meeting hosted at Pgh Public Schools. It is a nice tool.
Again, my first bit of critical advice is to not pit the city schools against each other. Rather, a family that is going to move out of the city because of schools wants to know how Pgh Public School stack up against suburban schools.
Case in point: The I.B. program at USC just got canned. I.B. = International Baccalaureate program. USC = Upper St. Clair (not St. Clair Village). Pittsburgh has a great I.B. program at Schenley High School.
Presently we're not fighting for the I.B. program, we're fighting for the entire Schenley H.S. experience and location.
People in suburban areas, and I know a lot of them, are green with envy with the way we handle our 'gifted education.' So, the Gifted Center is moving -- to Ridge on the North Side. We might be breaking something that is working.
The move to Ridge is going to be a one-year program. That has to be adjusted right away.
The other strong suit for the city in terms of educational offerings is the magnet program and the languages that are taught at many schools starting in kindergarden. That's wonderful and we're far ahead of most other school districts.
But one of the short-falls of the nice book by A+ Schools is that there are few other markers in the entire book that compare and contrast the academic performance of city kids against that of the kids in the state and suburban districts.
People at one school shouldn't be trying to be as good as another city school -- when the real prize is to be the best in the region -- or the best in the world.
Bob O'Connor agrees.... put the city kids into the WPIAL
A long-standing proposal of mine got the attention of Mayor Bob O'Connor today. He was giving an interview to KDKA about the shootings among our youth in downtown yesterday and at Westinghouse in the morning yesterday too.
Bob went into the school and attended a girls basketball game. I told him the final score and said that we should get our kids into the WPIAL.
He said, "You're right."
I'm ready to make this happen in the first weeks of joining city council.
Say what???? Some readers might not understand what I'm ranting about. Let me explain.
The city schools have a city league. They play against each other day-in-and-day-out. The game yesterday was Westinghouse vs. Carrick, for example, 71-31, final score. That's no fun. Nobody wins.
We have an "iron-curtin" of sorts that rings the city so that the city kids play against city school competition -- and the suburban kids play against other suburban schools. The suburban schools, by and large, are part of the WPIAL (Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League).
Some pre-season, exhibition, post-season, tournament games happen between schools from the city to those from around the region. But, those competitions don't happen as they should, day-to-day.
We need to get our kids to compete in the global marketplace but can't even get them to compete with Shaler Area, Baldwin or Keystone Oaks.
To rally the citizens for the sake of the schools and performance in academics -- we need to hold a rally and celebrate competition from the outside.
Bob went into the school and attended a girls basketball game. I told him the final score and said that we should get our kids into the WPIAL.
He said, "You're right."
I'm ready to make this happen in the first weeks of joining city council.
Say what???? Some readers might not understand what I'm ranting about. Let me explain.
The city schools have a city league. They play against each other day-in-and-day-out. The game yesterday was Westinghouse vs. Carrick, for example, 71-31, final score. That's no fun. Nobody wins.
We have an "iron-curtin" of sorts that rings the city so that the city kids play against city school competition -- and the suburban kids play against other suburban schools. The suburban schools, by and large, are part of the WPIAL (Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League).
Some pre-season, exhibition, post-season, tournament games happen between schools from the city to those from around the region. But, those competitions don't happen as they should, day-to-day.
We need to get our kids to compete in the global marketplace but can't even get them to compete with Shaler Area, Baldwin or Keystone Oaks.
To rally the citizens for the sake of the schools and performance in academics -- we need to hold a rally and celebrate competition from the outside.
Pittsburgh League of Young Voters Education Fund Presents a date on Monday night at 8:30 pm
The District 3 Pittsburgh City Council Candidates Forum
Monday 2/27/06: 8:30 pm
Kurtzman Room, Main Floor University of Pittsburgh’s William Pitt Union
* On March 14th, an election will be held to fill the vacant seat on City Council that represents Central Oakland, South Oakland and parts of the South Side.
* Students make up almost 25% of the 30,000 residents in City Council District 3; your issues deserve to be heard in City Hall.
* Come and meet the 8 candidates who are running to represent YOU on Pittsburgh City Council.
* Find out where the candidates stand on issues such as nightlife, culture, diversity and job/intern opportunities for students.
* Live DJ: Enjoy the sounds of Omar-Abdul (Phonograffiti) on the wheels of steel.
* FREE FOOD: provided by the Pittsburgh League of Young Voters Education Fund.
* For more information contact: The Pittsburgh League of Young Voters Education Fund at 412-728-2197 or pittsburgh@indyvoter.org
This project is supported by the following organizations: The Sprout Fund, The Pitt College Democrats, Just Harvest, Pennsylvania Hip-Hop Political Convention, Everybody Vote, Pittsburgh VIE, Progress Pittsburgh and The Pittsburgh League of Young Voters Education Fund.
"This project supported in part by a Seed Award from The Sprout Fund.”
Great to see Bob O'Connor at a high school girls basketball game
The mayor went to a high school girls basketball game. That's great. I've been to a lot of high school sports events -- this year and in the past.
He saw a quarter final game. Just as today, the USA Hockey team plays Finland for a quarter final. There are eight teams in the mix.
The score.... 71 to 37.
Ask yourself why do the kids shoot at each other -- as they have hardly a thing to shoot for in the sporting life within the city league.
Tue., Dec. 6 Greensburg C.C. L 46 - 42 (good game - vs. WPIAL team)
Fri., Dec. 9 at Schenley W 41 - 34
Tue., Dec. 13 Brashear W 48 - 21 POINT PROVEN!
Fri., Dec. 16 Allderdice W 59 - 56 good game!
Sat., Dec. 17 at Clairton W 68 - 42 WPIAL game
Tue., Dec. 20 at Langley W 58 - 31
Fri., Dec. 23 Carrick W 58 - 28
Westinghouse Tournament
Tue., Dec. 27 Peabody W 56 - 30
Westinghouse Tournament
Wed., Dec. 28 Brashear W 59 - 33
Tue., Jan. 3 at Peabody W 62 - 33
Fri., Jan. 6 Oliver W 63 - 24
Tue., Jan. 10 Perry L 47 - 43
Fri., Jan. 13 Clairton W 65 - 30
Tue., Jan. 17 Schenley W 60 - 29
Thu., Jan. 19 Vincentian W 52 - 35
Fri., Jan. 20 at Brashear W 70 - 35
Tue., Jan. 24 at Perry W 49 - 44
Mon., Jan. 30 at Duquesne W 54 - 51
Fri., Feb. 3 at Allderdice W 48 - 40
Tue., Feb. 7 Langley W 54 - 10
Fri., Feb. 10 at Carrick W 55 - 11
Sat., Feb. 11 at Wilkinsburg L 55 - 50
Tue., Feb. 14 Peabody W 66 - 42
Thu., Feb. 16 at Oliver W 62 - 13
City League - Quarterfinals
Tue., Feb. 21 Carrick W 71 - 37
The city league is at the root of the problems as to what we need to fix. I'll fix this.
There was a game in past years when LANGLEY scored but 4 points in a girls HS playoff game.
Nobody wins then.
He saw a quarter final game. Just as today, the USA Hockey team plays Finland for a quarter final. There are eight teams in the mix.
The score.... 71 to 37.
Ask yourself why do the kids shoot at each other -- as they have hardly a thing to shoot for in the sporting life within the city league.
Tue., Dec. 6 Greensburg C.C. L 46 - 42 (good game - vs. WPIAL team)
Fri., Dec. 9 at Schenley W 41 - 34
Tue., Dec. 13 Brashear W 48 - 21 POINT PROVEN!
Fri., Dec. 16 Allderdice W 59 - 56 good game!
Sat., Dec. 17 at Clairton W 68 - 42 WPIAL game
Tue., Dec. 20 at Langley W 58 - 31
Fri., Dec. 23 Carrick W 58 - 28
Westinghouse Tournament
Tue., Dec. 27 Peabody W 56 - 30
Westinghouse Tournament
Wed., Dec. 28 Brashear W 59 - 33
Tue., Jan. 3 at Peabody W 62 - 33
Fri., Jan. 6 Oliver W 63 - 24
Tue., Jan. 10 Perry L 47 - 43
Fri., Jan. 13 Clairton W 65 - 30
Tue., Jan. 17 Schenley W 60 - 29
Thu., Jan. 19 Vincentian W 52 - 35
Fri., Jan. 20 at Brashear W 70 - 35
Tue., Jan. 24 at Perry W 49 - 44
Mon., Jan. 30 at Duquesne W 54 - 51
Fri., Feb. 3 at Allderdice W 48 - 40
Tue., Feb. 7 Langley W 54 - 10
Fri., Feb. 10 at Carrick W 55 - 11
Sat., Feb. 11 at Wilkinsburg L 55 - 50
Tue., Feb. 14 Peabody W 66 - 42
Thu., Feb. 16 at Oliver W 62 - 13
City League - Quarterfinals
Tue., Feb. 21 Carrick W 71 - 37
The city league is at the root of the problems as to what we need to fix. I'll fix this.
There was a game in past years when LANGLEY scored but 4 points in a girls HS playoff game.
Nobody wins then.
The 1,000 foot zone.... sounds like the line around a casino too
There is going to be a clear line at a certain distance around our casino too. I'm not yet sure of the distance -- but it will be dramatic. There are lines like those around the casinos in Atlantic City.
On one side, things are very elegant. On the the other -- the pawn shops can begin.
One one side, the private security enforcement works. On the other -- who knows.
This "favorite here" -- vs. -- "unfavorite there" is what is at the core of what I do NOT like. Liberty has to wash over everything with the same light. To thrive, we can't have these division lines here and there.
We need to favor 'no favorites.' One size fits all. Everyone wins when it all works.
On one side, things are very elegant. On the the other -- the pawn shops can begin.
One one side, the private security enforcement works. On the other -- who knows.
This "favorite here" -- vs. -- "unfavorite there" is what is at the core of what I do NOT like. Liberty has to wash over everything with the same light. To thrive, we can't have these division lines here and there.
We need to favor 'no favorites.' One size fits all. Everyone wins when it all works.
Westinghouse Tragedy Spotlights O'Connor's Safety Plan
The irony of this is not good. They form a "safety partnership" and three kids get shot its first week. The shooting downtown wasn't within the 1,000 foot zone.
The bus routes and the flow of traffic in Pittsburgh is NOT like that in Philly. In a flat mega city like Philly, the kids can better use the buses to get to where they need to go.
In Pittsburgh, we've got some High Schools, and even Middle Schools, that are put in far-flung corners -- such as Brashier. You can't walk along Rt. 51 to get to Brashier. Buses don't really go along that stretch of Rt. 51 to pass by Brashier.
We do have a school that sits at a big junction of many buses -- on South Side -- and that school is up for sale. That is wrong. South Vo Tech sits at a good location for a school building. We need to keep those locations in public control for valued uses -- like for our kids.
The School District should NOT sell off South Vo Tech High School. Not now.
I'm very happy that the kids who are causing some of these problems are getting caught. The kids in the school at Perry last week with a gun got nabbed -- right away -- perfect actions by the school security folks.
Great to see the police swarm and then catch the kids running around by Gateway Center. A citizen saw the one ditch a gun -- he spoke up and that's what we need. Great.
Let's hope that the shooters outside of Westinghouse in the morning violence get caught.
I'm less worried about a 1,000 foot radius -- and do worry about the holistic plan for the entire city and an entire generation (or two) of young people. But, you need to put a line in the sand somewhere.
... We need dogs in our schools to check for drugs and guns," said O'Connor. Dogs are okay at checking for bombs, right. Are they any good finding a hand gun? Dogs might do a good service in the lunch rooms too -- to pick up spilled food from the floor.
Dogs.... I've got a better idea. I think we should have a school or department that is geared to the bio-sciences. The students in that department, say all the juniors, should train from a puppy a work-dog. That would be a valuable life and educational lesson. There are many types of working dogs: assist dogs, etc.
Here is another major need -- and it has been something I've said HUNDREDS of times. We need to re-hire crossing guards. The city used to have crossing guards. The crossing guards are few and far between. The crossing guards were often closer to schools, as well as bus stops. The crossing guards were city employees with a badge and reported to the police chain of command.
The past mayor fired all the crossing guards.
The burden of paying for the crossing guards went upon the schools. That was wrong. I want the schools to pay for teachers, reading coaches, text books --- not public safety.
Crossing guards work the streets, make cars go slower, become hired eyes and ears on all sorts of matters.
Crossing guards are affordable. But, they are also more, much, much more, than a volunteer.
As a city council member -- I'll work to retore and enhance the program for crossing-guards.
Even when the crisis with the guns end -- crossing-guards have a long-term benefit. More people get run down with autos than anything else. The cars are part of the real problems in life. Traffic accidents are a big threat.
A crossing guards can have a car towed that is illegal in an intersection. A crossing-guards can be the eyes and ears -- getting the drug dealing motor home yanked out of the lot next to the school. The crossing guards should be able to write a speeding ticket. The crossing guards can be with radios.
The crossing guards can make things much safer -- without being in riot gear.
ThePittsburghChannel.com - News - Westinghouse Tragedy Spotlights O'Connor's Safety Plan PITTSBURGH -- Tuesday morning's tragedy appears to be providing some momentum for Mayor Bob O'Connor's Safety Zone Partnership plan that he announced last week. O'Connor wants a comprehensive plan for creating 1,000-foot safety Zones around all city schools.I think it is bad public policy to be dumping our kids downtown to get bus transfers. I think the kids in the schools need to be on school buses more than on public PAT buses. I've talked about this before.
The bus routes and the flow of traffic in Pittsburgh is NOT like that in Philly. In a flat mega city like Philly, the kids can better use the buses to get to where they need to go.
In Pittsburgh, we've got some High Schools, and even Middle Schools, that are put in far-flung corners -- such as Brashier. You can't walk along Rt. 51 to get to Brashier. Buses don't really go along that stretch of Rt. 51 to pass by Brashier.
We do have a school that sits at a big junction of many buses -- on South Side -- and that school is up for sale. That is wrong. South Vo Tech sits at a good location for a school building. We need to keep those locations in public control for valued uses -- like for our kids.
The School District should NOT sell off South Vo Tech High School. Not now.
I'm very happy that the kids who are causing some of these problems are getting caught. The kids in the school at Perry last week with a gun got nabbed -- right away -- perfect actions by the school security folks.
Great to see the police swarm and then catch the kids running around by Gateway Center. A citizen saw the one ditch a gun -- he spoke up and that's what we need. Great.
Let's hope that the shooters outside of Westinghouse in the morning violence get caught.
I'm less worried about a 1,000 foot radius -- and do worry about the holistic plan for the entire city and an entire generation (or two) of young people. But, you need to put a line in the sand somewhere.
... We need dogs in our schools to check for drugs and guns," said O'Connor. Dogs are okay at checking for bombs, right. Are they any good finding a hand gun? Dogs might do a good service in the lunch rooms too -- to pick up spilled food from the floor.
Dogs.... I've got a better idea. I think we should have a school or department that is geared to the bio-sciences. The students in that department, say all the juniors, should train from a puppy a work-dog. That would be a valuable life and educational lesson. There are many types of working dogs: assist dogs, etc.
Here is another major need -- and it has been something I've said HUNDREDS of times. We need to re-hire crossing guards. The city used to have crossing guards. The crossing guards are few and far between. The crossing guards were often closer to schools, as well as bus stops. The crossing guards were city employees with a badge and reported to the police chain of command.
The past mayor fired all the crossing guards.
The burden of paying for the crossing guards went upon the schools. That was wrong. I want the schools to pay for teachers, reading coaches, text books --- not public safety.
Crossing guards work the streets, make cars go slower, become hired eyes and ears on all sorts of matters.
Crossing guards are affordable. But, they are also more, much, much more, than a volunteer.
As a city council member -- I'll work to retore and enhance the program for crossing-guards.
Even when the crisis with the guns end -- crossing-guards have a long-term benefit. More people get run down with autos than anything else. The cars are part of the real problems in life. Traffic accidents are a big threat.
A crossing guards can have a car towed that is illegal in an intersection. A crossing-guards can be the eyes and ears -- getting the drug dealing motor home yanked out of the lot next to the school. The crossing guards should be able to write a speeding ticket. The crossing guards can be with radios.
The crossing guards can make things much safer -- without being in riot gear.
Planners approve expansion at Squirrel Hill school
Planners approve expansion at Squirrel Hill school city planning commission decided yesterday to endorse a proposed expansion of Colfax Elementary School rather than wait for results of a traffic study.The property values of living in a school district with bad schools is way worse than living near a school with an expanded gym.
We need to cut red-tape. When the public speaks, as it did, and with the jam now before the school district, we've got to move.
In terms of the school plans, we always need to be thinking again -- but -- with 'red tape' -- INMSHO (in my not so humble opinion) we (as a city) need to put the 'pedal to the medal and go straight ahead.'
I'm happy to see a K-8 school really house in one building a full range of K-8 students. I'm happy to know of a K-8 plan that evolves into a K-8 by growing the students too.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Editorial: Hold OPEN Primaries
Okay. We are getting some chatter about how we pick our elected officials. Splendid.
The only fair way would be to hold open primaries South Pittsburgh Reporter
The local paper ran a letter to the editor about our election law and the special election process. Click to see the contents.
However, the article has a few technical elements that are not really right on the mark. There are plenty of ways to hold better elections than what we have now. There isn't ONLY one way.
Plus, with a special election, the OPEN PRIMARY would not work. The endorsement was the primary, so to speak. And, because some were able to gather signatures to enter the ballot as a memeber of a political body, while still being a member of a political party -- we have what is very near to an open primary anyway.
Instant run-off elections would be way better than what we have now.
For the record, I'm a member of a political party. I'm a Libertarian. I'll be listed as the third one on the election day ballot. Mark Rauterkus, Libertarian, goes after the Republican and before the Green.
Generally, I like to find real-world solutions to problems and this one was put forth from a friend who is a Democratic Committee Member. He suggested that those who go before the Dem Party Committee to seek an endorsement from the Dem Committee who don't get the endorsement should be banned for the next five years from ever going back to the committee for anything else.
Really, what we've got now is a party problem. The problems are folks who claim to be one thing but are really just being two things at the same time. So, this new, proposed Dem rule, far from me to introduce it, by the way, would raise the stakes so if one does NOT get the Dem endorsement and runs anyway -- they'd not win again. So, real Dem candidates would need to be and stay in the Dem party.
Pat S and Eileen C both ran for the seat -- and then had the grace to get out. Same too with Ed J. Meanwhile, Matt and Mike ran for the seat and had the grace to get out of the Dem party too -- before the endorsement. Nothing wrong there either.
I'd like the Dem party to be more strict with its housekeeping as it would make the alternative party choices more viable. When you can be this one day and then be something else the next day -- while still being that the day prior too -- its double trouble for the voters and confusion sets in.
Clear rules help. Rules within the party and within the election generally.
Let's talk democracy and how to fix it. Ever hear or proportional voting? Ranked voting works wonders too. If there are eight choices, rank candidates 1, 2, 3, and so on.
Now we are in a race where people are voting for the anti-whatever -- and that gets to be really, really goofy when eight are in the race.
The lesser of two evils is still evil.
In a big field, with one vote, you got to choose who you want and you got to hope and understand that there are many others out there that think the same way you do.
Everyone wins when Liberty wins. Everyone understands that. And, everyone who has been a kid is sure to vote for me too. So, (wink, wink), I think I'm the most viable. So, if you're not happy with the way things have been and want to put up a vote that is more anti-establishement than the others, vote for me again.
Ringing endorsement to my Penguin Plan comes on various fronts
I've said all along that the new arena could come, fine, but it should NOT be given to a public agency. Build it and keep it. Thanks Professor Shuster for mentions of the same concepts.
I also said that it is mandatory that we should "THINK AGAIN." The Pens don't want to think again. If you don't think again -- you gotta wonder if they are even capable of thinking at all.
Sure, it takes two to tango, so, perhaps after the Penguins move we'll be able to turn the Civic Arena into a dance hall. Or, today the folks from the Civic Light Opera marked their 60th -- and made mention of the good old days when they used to perform in the Civic Arena -- under the stars. We could always fix the roof and make the venue a home to cultural events again.
I also said that it is mandatory that we should "THINK AGAIN." The Pens don't want to think again. If you don't think again -- you gotta wonder if they are even capable of thinking at all.
Sure, it takes two to tango, so, perhaps after the Penguins move we'll be able to turn the Civic Arena into a dance hall. Or, today the folks from the Civic Light Opera marked their 60th -- and made mention of the good old days when they used to perform in the Civic Arena -- under the stars. We could always fix the roof and make the venue a home to cultural events again.
Plan B for arena in works - PittsburghLIVE.com Although the region had a 'pretty positive' experience with building PNC Park and Heinz Field, it's almost always better for the private sector to handle such deals, rather than the government or its authorities, said Jerry Shuster, a University of Pittsburgh political communications professor.
'I would much prefer to see the arena not only owned and constructed but operated by the private sector,' Shuster said. 'That takes it totally out of the government's hands, and it would be much better promoted. That, in itself, brings dividends to the city. That's the economic payoff to the city.'
Statement about rich getting richer while poor grows poorer -- before City Council
The following notes were used as I delivered a message to City Council on Feb 21, 2006.
I'm Mark Rauterkus. My family and I live in the historic South Side at 108 South 12th Street. I'm a candidate in the special election for City Council slated for March 14, 2006.Before my children were born, I published books.
I edited, designed, crafted, marketed and sold books and other titles. I never published a “cook book” but I did resell some. Nutritional guide books and eating for cutting-edge athletes who were my customers was part of our mix.Recently, I've been working on a new book, an online wiki. This book covers good government.
The book, Platform.For-Pgh.org, examines what's cooking in city hall. The voters and citizens should have an understanding of what's being fed to them in terms of public policy. Pittsburgh would be healthier if it more of our diet came from my suggestions.
Books give instructions on what to do – and what to avoid. The Warning Chapter gets a new page today.Pittsburgh is going to continue along a pathway of despair if council continually helps the super rich in get richer and the poor get poorer. That is no way to govern.
With eight Democrats now on council, you don't see it as I do. As a Libertarian, I know and understand that freedom, liberty, and justice for ALL – must be applied to everyone – cronies or not.
I think it is wrong to hatch deals on City Council and with the URA (Urban Redevelopment Authority) that create subsidized housing for rich people. Especially subsidized housing for rich people in downtown locations.
I think it is even worse – double wrong – to do deals in council that subsidizes the parking of the rich people who live downtown in subsidized housing.
Even worse, -- triple wrong -- is to do deals in council with downtown developers who are sitting on tax delinquent properties in the neighborhoods, such as Brighton Heights. Big properties that don't get the attention that they deserve depress the values of hundreds of other homes of average citizens and become open sores that spew nasty quality of life issues.
Thanks Rich Lord, for the wonderful P-G article on Sunday.The Trib editors get public thanks for slamming PNC Plaza and its $30-million grant from Pennsylvania plus $18-million TIF (a tax break).
These big ticket public subsidies allow the rich to get richer. School children loose and cronies win.
I want to come on council and say, Lay the Shovel Down. Stop already. Enough is enough.
I would rather do deals that address real needs – such as subsidized housing for poorer families within neighborhoods so that the supply is increased and everyone wins with more affordable housing.
Along Second Avenue, I don't want to give a tax break for parking garages in what amounts to a suburban office park. Serious parking problems happen in established neighborhoods. Some “in-fill parking treatments” would increase home values for everyday citizens rather than corporate interests and institutions.
If you wanted to subsidize a day care, then let's talk. The 30-new jobs in a much needed day care and pre-school could guard our most precious assets, our kids. A day-care makes our workforce more productive and keeps people in the city.
The city's school district is about to close 20 schools. A waiting list of nearly 200 kids exist as families want to get into the city operated PRE-Schools. But schools are closing and the wait list for pre-schoolers is sure to grow too.
The reasoning behind the city's continual population decline is clear.
I want to set policy and make prudent investments in the lives of children and the young families in our neighborhoods. Get away from corporate give-a-ways that cost the rest of the taxpayers more money and don't help the overall health of the city – except for the cronies.
Student shot outside Westinghouse High
Student shot outside Westinghouse High Police were looking for a silver Dodge Intrepid with a plate possibly beginning with GCC. Anyone who spots such a vehicle should call 911.
Monday, February 20, 2006
PNC obscenity - editorial from TRIB hits what I'm talking about on the trails
I've been talking about the give-a-ways on the campaign trails. I've been standing up against TIFs. We should "Lay The Shovel Down." This PNC Plaza project is a rip-off to citizens -- in Allentown, in St. Clair, in the South Side Slopes, in South Oakland -- and everywhere in the state too.
We need to stop doing wrongheaded deals. As a member of city council -- I'll do my best to prevent these deals from happening. We need to go in this direction. We need to stop all TIFs.
We need to stop doing wrongheaded deals. As a member of city council -- I'll do my best to prevent these deals from happening. We need to go in this direction. We need to stop all TIFs.
The PNC obscenity - PittsburghLIVE.com: "With public subsidies of nearly $50 million for its new $170 million Downtown skyscraper, PNC fits willingly and snugly in Gov. Ed Rendell's policy of corporate welfare for the rich.
PNC Chairman Jim Rohr says Three PNC Plaza was not feasible without pumping the taxpayers. First, that's baloney. Second, don't build it.
In the dark, duplicitous world of corporate/government 'partnerships' this money is a political tool, not a public 'investment.' Once Three PNC Plaza is built, it will have a value of only $103 million.
The intended return on this investment is the goodwill Mr. Rendell can buy in this election year with money not his own -- from corporate sycophants and stupid voters.
PNC is quite eager to be on the right side of the ruling elite, which has great power to reward or punish. Humbly, we have only the power of the written word."
Hot Metal pedestrian bridge funding presented
Hot Metal pedestrian bridge funding presented Sen. Rick Santorum today delivered a ceremonial check for $500,000, representing the final piece of funding for the second half of the Hot Metal Bridge linking South Oakland and South Side.
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