Group rallies - PittsburghLIVE.com

Group rallies - PittsburghLIVE.com Making the city's neighborhoods safe is a matter of prioritizing, said the Rev. Lee Walls, of Calvary Baptist Church in the Hill District.

'If we can make it safe for the Fifth Avenue corridor, we ought to make it safe for Frankstown Avenue,' Walls said. 'We ought to make it safe for North Murtland Avenue. We ought to make it safe for Centre Avenue. We ought to make it safe for Warrington Avenue.'

There is much to say about this statement and the article(s) about the youth violence. But, the first assumption is the big "IF" at the top. If we can make it safe for Fifth Avenue corridor... but we can't even do that. I would contend that downtown isn't "safe." So, we can't make it safe there -- even when it is a priority.

People of Pittsburgh need to realize that we are a small town. The city isn't big enough any more to have pockets of great dispair. I feel that we are all connected.

Case in point: IF Duquesne city (not Duq University) goes down the tubes, or Wilkinsburg, or Sto Rox, -- or Arlington -- we all suffer. But it isn't "IF" -- now it is "WHEN" and it is "HERE."

We have pockets of dysfunctional systems. They need to be fixed. All of them need serious solutions. We are not able to hang-out in bedroom communities and pass the buck to those in these quagmires to pull themselves to modern, reasoned, prosperity. No way. It isn't going to happen.

For these reasons, core reasons, we can't be parochial. City council and the city school board -- and even county council has been full of pin-headed parochial agendas.

A parochial pathway is sure to lead to the city's and region's continual downward spiral.

The city school district needs to plan and evenutally take over the failed schools of Duquesne. Do it. Fix that mess. Save those kids. Resolve that problem because as that area of the Mon Valley flounders -- so too does the city. The problems there are sure to be our problems around the next bend.

We can't allow the URA to build a parking garage on Second Avenue -- because the URA is generally about the rich getting richer and the poor poorer.

Roids and a vast array

So, what else is NOT new. Who knew?

Bonds began steroids in 1998 BREAKING NEWS - PittsburghLIVE.com Barry Bonds used a vast array of performance-enhancing drugs, including steroids and human growth hormone, for at least five seasons beginning in 1998, according to a book written by two San Francisco Chronicle reporters.

An excerpt of 'Game of Shadows,' which provides details of the San Francisco slugger's extensive doping program, appears in the March 13 issue of Sports Illustrated.

The "dark side" does have a vast array of tricks in its bag. And, to defeat that -- we can't have a simple motto. We too need a vast array of substantial, principled, lifestyle elements to call upon as our assets.

We need depth and scope -- not dopes. We need long-term, education rich, strong lifestyle approaches that won't fade when the going gets tough.

Promise to Pennsylvania

Promise to Pennsylvania ... we promise to: 1) Advocate the principles upon which our Commonwealth was founded; 2) Restore trust between the citizens of Pennsylvania and their government.

Compare and Contrast: One question, 150 words.

The following comes from a voters guide that was organized by The League of Young Voters. It is being passed about in Oakland, and elsewhere, we hope. Enjoy spring break.

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Question: What specific policy initiatives will you implement to improve campus life, the quality of life in Oakland (South Oakland in particular) and make the city more student friendly?

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Jeff Koch, D
After being elected to office I would not implement any new strategies initially. I'd be willing to sit down with homeowners, landlords, students, and any Universities involved with South Oakland, to get a sense of what their biggest problems are. The Universities have set up help for student renters to combat absentee landlords, but it is not always the landlords fault that his building is run down. I see the students getting involved through programs run by Laura Halula of the Oakland Planning and Development Corporation. She had a clean up just today called Adopt-a-Block in which about 50 students cleaned up trash on the streets of South Oakland. She has formed a good student base. They are working hand in hand with the City of Pittsburgh's Public Works Department (Gregg Daley) to remove large bulk debris during the time of tenant change over. These are the in roads that I plan to take to enable students, and permanent residents to cohabitate on a productive basis.

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Neal Andrus, R
I would work with local law enforcement to better enforce state tenant-landlord laws. I believe that holding absentee landlord's responsible for poor upkeep of local housing could go a long way toward improving the quality of life in Oakland. Also I believe that it is crucial to inform students of their rights and responsibilities concerning rental properties, specifically in terms of security deposits, through once a year workshops informing students of their tenant rights. This could be done in conjunction with the local universities .

I am also a strong proponent of cutting the parking tax. This could significantly reduce parking rates around campus, as all lot and garage rates include the parking tax in the cost. These high rates pose an undue burden on students who have to commute in order to attend class.

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Mark Rauterkus, L
Focus on freedom, liberty and justice for all favors everyone, not specific cronies nor constituents from single demographics. All benefit with: Bike lanes on streets; Trust in democracy; Annual Youth Technology Summits; Day-cares and Preschools; Subsidized housing for poor (not rich); and Graduate housing at Pitt's "River Campus" in Hazelwood. In-fill-parking treatments in established neighborhoods make more sense than subsidized garages on Second Ave.

I'll deed city-owned properties to college juniors and post-grads as bonus scholarships to encourage home-ownership and roots to Pgh past graduation. Cutting taxes, (i.e., the deed-transfer-tax) helps young home buyers.

Expect kayaks in Panther Hollow, under lights, a marathon, and community fitness to give urban participants goals to shoot at and for, not each other with guns. My tech interactions push fairness, transparency, engagement and open-source solution building. Give input at Platform.For-Pgh.org/wiki.

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Jason Phillips, G
Pitt’s student population: 17,000+ young people. Young people who are either commonly over looked by the city or blamed for all mishaps that occur in a neighborhood. The first step in making Pittsburgh friendlier to students would be to have a young person (who is not out of touch with the demographic) sit at the table and have a respected voice and vote when decisions are made.

A "Renter’s Bill of Rights" should be enacted to protect all persons who rent their homes. Students should not be subjected to live in substandard housing and pay absurdly high rents just because of a location convenient to the classroom.

Efforts should be taken to provide superior public safety, adequate transportation, ample parking, reasonable shopping, exciting nightlife and abundant green-spaces in Oakland. The councilman elected on March 14th should be accessible and accountable to students. I will be that councilman representing your needs.

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Bruce Krane, ex-D
The first action I will take is the creation of a new part-time staff position to better serve the needs of the students in South Oakland. This burgeoning constituency base has been under-served for way too long. It is my assessment that student needs would be better addressed through the addition of specific student representation. This part-time position will be filled with a full-time university student who is a registered voter.

Specific particulars of the job description, further qualifications and remuneration will be developed based on a meeting with Student Government representatives and myself. There are obvious problems attendant to university life in Oakland that are not being dealt with adequately. Most of these revolve around matters of public safety. However, a list of all issues and their priority will be a major function of the “Student Liaison”.

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Bruce A. Kraus, ex-D
The best ways I believe we can improve overall quality of life for our student population in South Oakland, and to ensure our young people stay in Pittsburgh upon graduation, is to ensure that you are presented with the opportunity to be fully engaged in the process of stewarding your futures.

Your input is invaluable and immeasurable. I will advocate for your "place at the table" to ensure that you are provided with all the opportunities to work on the solutions to the problems you are facing with regards to job creation, education, creative housing, transportation, recreation, and an active social network including nightlife and the arts.

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Absent
Michael W. & Matthew B., both are Indies

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Protest and $20 lighter

I made a protest today. See Platform.For-Pgh.org and the press releases.

Treasury Dept. Moves to Avoid Debt Limit

Treasury Dept. Moves to Avoid Debt Limit Treasury Dept. Moves to Avoid Debt Limit

Anyone care about the big picture?

Philadelphia political film due soon.

Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/05/2006 | Inqlings | No fleas on these house listings: "Roll 'em..."

Hat tip to GrassrootsPA blog.

This would make for another good segment to CLOH.org's Candidate Lessons of Humility.

Editorial in the P-G.... OMG

Editorial

Mark Rauterkus, 46, is a Libertarian who opposes cronyism and sweetheart deals and who is 'running for the kids' -- to improve their safety and recreation.

Candidates for Ricciardi's City Council seat full of suggestions

The P-G covered the city council race in a news story today (Monday).

A couple of points to note follow:

Candidates for Ricciardi's City Council seat full of suggestions For instance, how about having residents dial 311 to report nonemergency problems that police would handle during lulls in the 911 calls? That idea comes from Mark Rauterkus, a swim coach from the South Side Flats who ran for mayor as a Republican but is now a Libertarian.

It is funny to see the Neville Ice Arena mention as I'll be putting out a press release on that shortly.

The lead about a "lot of interesting ideas" is on target for what I've been trying to bring to the election and campaign. Many of my ideas have even started to take root within the words of the other candidates.

For example, Krane had NOTHING to say about kids until this meeting with the P-G. He was silent on the most pressing topic within the city. Krane woke up on this, finally, and that is always a good thing. But, I think he is still clueless on how to engage kids -- because it isn't about giving the kids $100 check books.

Krane's got some of the "blue-hair" vote, so someone told me the other week. Plus, I've been making the case that the city has catered to the the seniors for so long that it is no wonder that a few of the kids are dangerous to the rest of us, throughout the city.

The other point Krane raises, starting a bid process for professional services contracts, speaks to a pimple on the face of Pittsburgh. It would end some 'corruption' as a major benefit. It would NOT save much money at all. It would hit against the donors to entrenched candidates. But Krane is way overboard in talking about how much money it would save the city and how much money came to O'Connor in kickbacks to his political campaign. It wasn't $2-million to run a campaign, by the way. That's about a million dollar error.

Mr. Krane, for instance, would focus on "reaching out to young people" with more programming involving community agencies.

That is a good example of a 'shot in the dark.'

I understand as well as anyone that nobody has a monopoly on good ideas. Granted, each of the candidates in this campaign brings various elements to the race. But, I've been frustrated with the absence of ideas from Kraus and Koch. They have a couple of things to say -- but they benefit because of the big field. With eight in the race, the lack of bandwidth is helps both Kraus and Koch. And, to a lesser degree, Krane has shown a lack of creativity as well.

Koch went way out on a limb and said he not only wants to re-pave Arlington Ave, but he has added another street to his list. It is now up to two.

Kraus got talking early in the race and floated an idea. His idea of putting the Zone 3 police station into a building that is outside of the city got let out of the bag -- and few other ideas have seen the light of day from him since. Kraus only frames the issue and then as he talks, he asks a lot of questions. What are we going to do about blight? Well, asking a string of good questions is not what I'd settle for as a solution.

The P-G endorsement editorial that has run in another part of the paper gets its own posting, later. I had hoped that the editorial board would have been able to see through the paper-thin statements that Kraus has been standing upon.

There are upsides in terms of contrasts within the race. And, I'm happy to dish out new ideas at each meeting. It is great to hear the others say "ditto." They can rip the meat off the bones at Platform.For-Pgh.org -- as it was built for that very purpose.

In about a week we'll see what converts to votes.

Envisioning Downtown - Some selfish folks keep calling for the wrong things

Let's be perfectly clear. No subsidized housing for rich people. No subsidized housing for the rich to live downtown. No subsidized parking for the rich who live subsidized housing downtown.

Envisioning Downtown - PittsburghLIVE.com Piatt, who attended the breakfast with his father, Jack Piatt -- the founder and chairman of Millcraft -- called on O'Connor to offer tax incentives to people who want to buy apartments and condos Downtown.

They also want to see the city's 50 percent parking tax drastically reduced so people will come from out of town to shop in Piatt's building, which Lucas Piatt called a 'regional destination.' The building would contain 25 luxury condos, 20 roof-top townhouses, 50,000 square feet of retail space and 180,000 square feet of office space.

O'Connor pointed out the city's parking tax is scheduled to decrease in 2007, but he was hesitant to give up any real estate tax revenues that would help financially strapped Pittsburgh.

The trend to watch and guard against is to do things so that the super rich get rich while the poor get poorer. Making the rich rich isn't what government should be about.

Rather, we should let marketplace forces come into play.

To build up downtown with housing that is subsidized is to only rob against the local tax payers in real neighborhoods who are asked to carry their load too. And, to pull people out of non-subsidized houses in other parts of the city or in other parts of downtown.

People live downtown now. That's great. I have no problem with downtown living. We can do more there, for sure. But, downtown lofts, condos, apartments and other options need to come along and pull their own weight -- without the subsidization.

Once we subsidize one project -- we bribe them to come here. And, then we'll never get another project without a tax break as well. So, don't do any tax breaks.

They want to do a Tax Break (TIF) in Mt. Lebo for a new housing project. That is wrong too.

This is what I mean by the campaign song on the campaign CD -- "Lay The Shovel Down." The first thing I'll try to do on city council is to stop digging in the hole of debt and dispair. We need to stop these wrong-headed projects.

Slideshow: The Wrestler

Finally, the P-G is doing some good with its multimedia potential.

Slideshow: The Wrestler Penn State wrestler Rohan Murphy

As a coach, and a journalist, I'm left with a number of questions, yet. What is this kid's record? What are some of his favorite moves? How does he like to train his aerobic capacity?

All in all, I'd love to see athletes like Rohan get the "Dapper Dan" rather than The Bus. But, he's got to be putting up some great numbers too. Perhaps since he is a sophomore, there might be hope for more understanding in the future.

Wampum: The Koufax Awards 2005: Best state and local blogs

A blog popularity contest that excludes candidate blogs -- so we don't qualify.

Wampum: The Koufax Awards 2005: Best state and local blogs I excluded candidate blogs (we've done this in the past as well for other categories.)

Civilizations, clash or ....

Wafa Sultan: The clash we are witnessing around the world is not a clash of religions, or a clash of civilizations. It is a clash between two opposites, between two eras. It is a clash between a mentality that belongs to the Middle Ages and another mentality that belongs to the 21st century. It is a clash between civilization and backwardness, between the civilized and the primitive, between barbarity and rationality. It is a clash between freedom and oppression, between democracy and dictatorship. It is a clash between human rights, on the one hand, and the violation of
these rights, on other hand. It is a clash between those who treat women like beasts, and those who treat them like human beings. What we see today is not a clash of civilizations. Civilizations do not clash, but compete.

There is that compete word again. Note, it wasn't the 'cooperate' word.

Political savvy and glowing praise heaped upon Mark Roosevelt

Political savvy sold Pittsburgh schools' 'right-sizing' plan: "Mr. Roosevelt recalled the meeting at which he showed Mrs. Fink how Bon Air, with about 90 students, used more than a fair share of district resources and put students at other schools at a disadvantage.

'I remember her going, 'Oh, my God,' ' Mr. Roosevelt said."

Too bad the presentation to Board Member Fink isn't a 'published' lesson. Rather, it is a back-room one. Private arm twisting, even private brain twisting is still private. It got the plan past a serious hurdle. But, the really serious hurdle is still to overcome -- that of the public.

The 'wow factor' for OMG moments need an open stage. That's the missing link in Pittsburgh. I want the boss of the schools to be a teacher and student. And, I don't think such a public institution needs a private tutor in that role.

Much of what Mr. Roosevelt did in terms of selling the plan was in person, in the old-school show-and-tells, or dog-and-pony shows. There was a top down, we'll come to your section of the city and tell you about things and field a few questions. But, you had to go to three to five meetings to really 'get it.'

To get your insights to him -- you had to mount a picket of sorts. The interaction was weak. The real golden, OMG moments, such as with Mrs. Fink, were private, too often.

He said the plan wasn't perfect but would get the job done.

This statement goes to the root of my wonders about the plan. This statement also goes to the root of why I'm running for Pittsburgh's city council and talks of the culture that we have here in politics and problem solving.

I'm not running to get the job done.

Likewise, Mr. Roosevelt didn't come to Pittsburgh to lead the floundering school system to get the job done.

Neither he nor I need a job.

But these challenges need solutions. And, the solutions are going to come from leaders. And sustainable solutions are sure to come from a team of solution builders.

The job of the 'right sizing plan' is significant change. Meanwhile, the goal of my family and that for my neighbors and their kids is an inspired educational setting within the public schools of the city. I want my kids to learn a love of knowledge and to grow smarter and more skillful each week.

I want our graduates to be competitive on a global stage.

So, my point is, the 'right-sizing-plans' still has not been able to convince me that we've got the job done, yet, in terms of making our school district's elementary education system one that is going to insure inspiring educational opportunities for all.

We are on the right track. We are making progress. But, the engine's wheel of interaction and public disclosure is still not touching the track. There is a lot of power in that element that has yet to be leveraged to the overall good.

For example, the movement to K-8 schools has some strong reasoning behind it. But, I wonder if a school that is not K-8 is going to have the K-8 benefits just because one principal is over two schools.

I don't want to be hoodwinked. I know we can't fool the kids. I know that the research isn't 'perfect.' But I do know you can fool and play politics with A+ Schools and others such as Rev. Simms who link up for gains that 'get the job done.'

A 'get the job done' attitude and destination is going to continue our outward migration in the city. The population decline will continue. The family base will evaporate further.

The 'get the job done' school system within a 'we don't have a prayer' city with one-party domination at City Hall is a formula for continual failure for the city of Pittsburgh.

In a nutshell --- I want excellence. I don't want to, as Mayor Bob O'Connor said this past week, "get the guns out of the hands of the kids." That fails my goals and my ambitions for my community. I want to give the kids much more to do and handle so guns are not even an option.

Sadly, the city school district needs to pull itself and the body of city politics into the future in terms of being an engine for creating excellent opportunities for our residents to live free and mindful lives full of opportunities based on determination and skills.

Tenacious Blogging: Pittsburgh City Council District 3--Vote for Mark Rauterkus (L)

A second great endorsement from a local blogger has come to my attention. Thanks. I'm very impressed with the kind words.

Tenacious Blogging: Pittsburgh City Council District 3--Vote for Mark Rauterkus (L): "Pittsburgh City Council District 3--Vote for Mark Rauterkus (L)
See my previous posts on this election here and here.
In my years of covering politics, and local and state elections, I learned very quickly that a candidate's party matters less than their position on the issues."

See the entire post over at that site.

Swimmers Go Fast at our championships

Our team's (C.S.C.) 10 & Under Girls Free Relay turned in a 2:00.55 time for the 200 free relay.

Both the 10 & Under Girls and 10 & Under Boys won their respective age group team high point awards. And, the CSC team was in second place after the morning session. The older kids held the team's standings. Carlynton got 2nd.

Teams in the WCPSL: Monroeville (first), Carylnton (second), Blackhawk, Hubbard, Hopewell, Slippery Rock, Grove City, Farrell, Deer Lakes, Riverside and Northgate.

I love the end of the season. It is a lot like the final week of a political campaign too -- but better.

Furthermore, in our recent candidate night, I didn't have the chance, but would have loved to have jumped upon a comment from another competitor in the race. He said that it is all about 'cooperation' and 'reaching concensus.' Wrong again. Think again.

Often, in a cooperative setting -- things don't get done. I'm not afraid to be competitive. Pittsburgh needs to be more competitive -- and less cooperative. We've been cooperative with the corporations. We've been cooperative with the downtown retail establishments such as Lord and Tayor and Lazarus. We've been cooperative with the Pirates and Steelers owners. We build them each a stadium and give them favorable leases on prime spaces. We've been cooperative with the special interest groups and neighborhood groups so we now have new townhouses in blighted areas that are NOT selling. They can't sell. They won't sell.

To compete is more in my calling -- and more in my heart.

This some guy who wants to cooperate is the one who also thinks he has a bigger heart than everyone else. He has a big bleeding heart. He has a big give-a-way mentality. He has a "make everything nice" perspective but is without the winning lottery ticket to pay for it all.

He has a big, soft heart. He'll worry and has talked all about the "perception" of Pittsburgh's problems. Pittsburgh has bad PR. Duhh....

You can't fool the kids. You can't fool the residents. You can't fool problems and hope they float away with a new motto and new image gap problem.

You can't cooperate to excellence.

At our swim meet today, there were winners and loosers. And, there were quite a few D.Q.s as well. Not Dairy Queen ice cream, by the way. But, it was a magical thing to watch event after event and the kids put it all on the line -- trying their best to win. They have hearts.

Meanwhile, our kids in the city -- they've got hearts but few who are willing to engage them and push them to greatness.

Kill this suicide pact - Colin's visit to our church last week end was welcomed

Kill this suicide pact - PittsburghLIVE.com (Editor's note: This column is adapted from a longer address scheduled to be delivered today to the fine folks of the 'Lifecraft' program of the Unitarian Church of the South Hills in Mt. Lebanon.)

We were there. Thanks for the nice presentation.

Duquesne basketball coach Danny Nee resigns

Duquesne basketball coach Danny Nee resigns coach Danny Nee resigns

Where is Edgar and Porter now, by the way?

I knew Coach Nee from the past days at Ohio University. We were both in Athens in the same years. I was the assistant mens swim coach and he was the head mens basketball coach.

DU makes a hard setting for college coaches in terms of winning records. I don't know the new athletic director, but I wish I did. Brian C, the past AD -- where is he now too?

And, finally, where will Nee end up next year?

Today, I'm making a $20 protest.

I'm making a point. I've put a line in the sand.

This is going to cost me $20.

More news on Monday.

So proud of those WPIAL swimmers. Way to go Foxes and others!

Wow. Many big-time performances were flowing in the WPIAL AA and AAA Championships yesterday and today. Impressive. Way to go.

I don't want to single anyone out -- but I feel I should.

Splendid performances.

Next, the city league championship meet is on Saturday. Go for it!

I'll be at Gateway for our club championship meet on Saturday! "Is this not a winning team?" .... :0