Capitol Ideas Blog

Treasure chest of ideas -- and a cross-link from a podcast.

Mcall.com: Capitol Ideas Blog: "State Democratic Party officials lashed out at Republican gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann yesterday, saying the former Pittsburgh Steelers star showed 'his ignorance of policy' when he criticized Gov. Ed's plan to require lobbyists to register with the executive branch.
On Thursday, Swann said Rendell's proposal was toothless because it included no penalties for lobbyists who fail to disclose how much they spend to influence the executive branch.
That prompted a return salvo from Democratic spinmeister Abe Amoros who said the state constitution forbids Gov. Ed from penalizing people who do not work for him. The same doesn't hold true for the state Senate, which bars lobbyists for five years for failing to dislcose their activities."

Low Turnover Rate -- no joke

The Times-Tribune - AP News: "HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Like an exclusive club, the Pennsylvania General Assembly caters to its members. And once you're in, you're in.
The 253 lawmakers enjoy one of the nation's highest re-election rates, thanks to a system that makes challenges a daunting task, a high public profile that comes with legislative service and an array of image-enhancement services and other tools to help protect incumbents from losing elections.
In the past decade, no more than five legislators have been ousted in any election year - an outcome that raises questions about whether the democratic process has been undermined in Pennsylvania."

Being Braves -- and "Do more with Les"

I'm not talking about Les Ludwig. Rather, Jim Les, the Bradley University Men's Basketball Coach who guided his team past the Panthers this afternoon and is able to advance to the Sweet 16 in the tournament. The Braves are now America's Cinderella Team.

When I coached swimming in Peoria, and at Bradley, Jim Les was a player on the team.

Bradley Holds Off Pittsburgh, 72-66, In Second Round Of NCAA Tournament - Carl Krauser had 17 points for the Panthers. 'Being part of this program spanning 30 years ... to see the jubilation on the faces of those people, and getting the calls and text messages from people enjoying this run, that gives me tremendous pleasure,' said coach Jim Les, a former BU point guard. 'Bradley basketball is back on the map in a big way.'

Penn State student critically injured in fall

The War On Drugs -- even Underage Drinking -- causes some strange behaviors. Don't do this. Be safe.

Penn State student critically injured in fall A Penn State student was critically injured when he fell about five stories while trying to climb down a makeshift rope as police were busting an underage drinking party in a campus dormitory Friday night, authorities said.

Police said Ryan P. Walton, 19, of Harleysville, tied a bedspread and sheet together and tried to climb down from a sixth-story window while university police officers were questioning partygoers in another room on the State College, Centre County campus.

Mr. Walton fell about 55 feet, landing on grass, dirt and gravel. He suffered severe internal injuries, the university reported.

He was in critical condition last night at Altoona Hospital in Blair County.

We need more fitness. Perhaps this guy can help us deliver it.

Welcome to BillOgden.org My present job description involves: Improving the quality of peoples lives--Physically, Mentally, Emotionally, and sometimes Spiritually.

The kids around Pennsylvania are slated to take the PSEA tests this week and next. Good luck! For me, I'm getting set for two more field trips. One is this week and the other next week. This photo is from a field trip with the kids from a prior year. That's Grant, front and center. Erik is over his shoulder. We all scream for ice cream.

Crossing Guards are fully funded in the new budget. Bob O'Connor released the new city budget the day after the election. Throughout the campaign, I spoke and posted frequently on the needed for the city to fund crossing guards again.

The photo shows a typical crossing guard in Chengdu, China. Crossing guards there are decked out in an orange vest, hat, flag, white gloves and -- perhaps -- and umbrella. I think that there is a badge/name-tag too.

Go Russ!

Story of another coach with some political side-jobs

Coaching is big in my life, and that of others. I was a high school swim coach throughout my time as a college undergraduate too. And, I was also a college coach as well.

The Duquesne Duke: Serving Duquesne University Since 1925 Corey's down-to-earth attitude is evident in the way he talks about those who mean the most to him, his family and his team of little leaguers. In fact, one of the main reasons that Corey chose to attend Duquesne was because of his three young nieces and the 15 little league kids that he had coached.

'The little league kids were worried about me,' Corey said with a smile.

His desire to become an elementary teacher is shown through his dedication to youngsters. According to Corey, he would frequently pick up his nieces at school. 'When I studied at American, they would call me every Friday,' O'Connor recalled.

O'Connor was recently hired as the new golf coach at Central Catholic in Oakland, his alma mater. He plans to coach there in the fall, and upon completing his student teaching requirement next spring, Corey will graduate in May 2007.

If Corey is looking for free things to give out, because folks are asking for them, perhaps I should get him a big stack of my CDs and a pocket full of the artistic Pittsburgh buttons with fold foil, Platform.For-Pgh.org.

O'Connor, GOP meet - PittsburghLIVE.com

Good job Bob. Keep it up. You should have invited some city Republicans to the meeting as well. What about the city's GOP chair? What about Bob's loyal opposition -- Joe Weinroth?

O'Connor, GOP meet - PittsburghLIVE.com O'Connor is tending to Pittsburgh's ties to Harrisburg to draw a distinction between his administration and that of his predecessor Tom Murphy, who spurned such political overtures.

Republican Sens. Jane Claire Orie, of McCandless, and John Pippy, of Moon, and Reps. Michael Diven, of Brookline, Mark Mustio, of Moon, and Tom Stevenson, of Mt. Lebanon, met with O'Connor yesterday.

I wonder what was the dynamic of getting those folks together -- if there was any interesting rub, or not. I don't know. Makes me giggle a bit.

Shifting gears a bit, today I was driving and tuned into a KQV radio show, The Global Press Conference, and its sponsor, the World Affairs Council of Pgh. The guest talked about South Africa. Nelson Mandella was President for five years, and Mandella had the ability of making his worst enemy feel welcomed and included in the formation of the new government. Such a great statement and way to be. When a nation is just getting on its feet and into the realm of healing, that outreach is very important.

Perhaps Bob will be calling upon Greens and Libertarians to the office for lunch. Next Bob could host gang-bangers for mid-day tea. (I'm joking!)

Bradley University Braves - Home

Bradley University Braves - Home Bradley University

Do the Bradley Braves need to change its school's mascot? Wasn't there some new pressure to get away from Native American Indian names, such as "the Braves?" What's up with that?

varsity records at MSU and Mark Lisenby

varsity records 50 free Mark Lisenby 20.17 1990

I was just pondering a few things from my past -- and found this page showing the team record of Michigan State's men swim team. It shows Mark Lisenby's time from 1990, 20.17. He was fast. I coached him when he was a swimmer in Peoria, perhaps his 7th and 8th grade years.

MSU got bounced, I think, from the men's NCAA Basketball tournament.

But -- PEORIA's Bradley University is IN... and playing Pitt.

I was the acting head swim coach at Bradley University in the past too. Those were the days.

Bradley later dropped its swim program. The team was strong back then and full of many strong swimmers and students.

We went against Iowa, Notre Dame (and beat them and a Bradley swimmer even set a new pool record in South Bend), and other top programs from throughout the midwest.

Free Pittsburgh Press Release Centre from PittsburghSource.net

Free Pittsburgh Press Release Centre from PittsburghSource.net Our only requirement is that it is from or about a Pittsburgh based company or organization.
Since this service is FREE, we do ask that you include a link back to our site from yours, or at least tell a friend about us.

Governor calls on youth to help revitalize politics

The Times-Tribune - News - 03/17/2006 - Governor calls on youth to help revitalize politics “Young people, I find, generally ... are less cynical, less beaten down, more optimistic and more idealistic about the world. We need those voters in the system,” he (Gov. Rendell) said.

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - one given to the voters of District 3

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - PittsburghLIVE.com Lance: To voters. There are more than 24,000 registered voters in Pittsburgh City Council District 3. Fewer than 14 percent bothered to vote in Tuesday's special election to choose a successor to Gene Ricciardi, now a district justice. The winner, with about 1,500 votes, was Jeff Koch, a city public works employee. We wish Mr. Koch the best of luck. Perhaps he can figure out a way to boost voter participation.

In other news, the Trib endorsement for District 3 is .... absent with out leave.

Oak Hill housing advocates plan march tomorrow

Oak Hill housing advocates plan march tomorrow: "Some residents of the Hill District's Oak Hill section plan to march tomorrow to demand housing on a piece of land also coveted by the University of Pittsburgh.

'We're going to be demanding what was promised to us - more housing on empty public housing land,' said Oak Hill Residents Council President Eloise McDonald. 'It's now time to take it to the streets.'

The march will start at noon at Allequippa Hall and proceed to Wadsworth Hall. State Rep. Jake Wheatley, Pittsburgh Councilwoman Tonya Payne and Urban League of Pittsburgh President Esther Bush are expected to speak."

Steelers to add more seats to stadium

A $4-million expansion is slated for Heinz Field to get 700 additional club seats. So each seat is to cost $5,714 to build.

That's about the same as a cost of a crossing guard, yes?

PennLive.com: NewsFlash - Steelers plan more club seats PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers plan to add about 700 club seats at Heinz Field.

'The Steelers are pleased to be in a position to expand the seating capacity at Heinz Field. The demand for club seats has proven to be very strong since moving to Heinz Field,' Steelers president Art Rooney said Thursday.

The team submitted the plans to the Sports and Exhibition Authority, the city-county entity which owns the stadium and leases it to the team.

The additional seats would bring the stadium's capacity to 65,050. The project also includes adding about 20,000 square feet of enclosed club space. Construction is scheduled to begin in April at a cost of approximately $4 million.

The seats will be offered to those on the season ticket waiting list and some season ticket holders who want club seats."

How about if the Steelers just purchased Heinz Field. Buy it outright. Then the Steelers organization can do whatever it wants to its stadium.

This is what big government looks like

My Way News Senate Passes $2.8 Trillion 2007 Budget

Mayor reports that his unconventional approach has 'worked so far'

Mayor reports that his unconventional approach has 'worked so far' Keeping the Penguins in town is 'a big priority,' he said. 'An arena is crucial.'

Why? Because the Pens say it is so?

Why not invest in a better hockey team rather than the building that the team plays within. The building does not score any goals.

I'd like to see someone prove the facts and figures of the hockey mess and why the arena is cricial.

Philly Locals Want Green Bay Packers-Style Ownership For 2 Papers

Philly Locals Want Green Bay Packers-Style Ownership For 2 Papers Philly Locals Want Green Bay Packers-Style Ownership For 2 Papers

By Mark Fitzgerald

Published: March 15, 2006 1:55 PM ET

CHICAGO A former high-powered Philadelphia advertising executive has received commitments 'well in excess of $100 million' to buy The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Philadelphia Daily News in an ownership structure similar to the community-owned Green Bay Packers pro football team, he told E&P Wednesday.

Brian Tierney said he has lined up 20 'super-successful' Philadelphia businesspeople in an investment group ready to partner with others, including the Newspaper Guild, to buy the papers. The Inquirer and the tabloid Daily News were sold Monday by Knight Ridder to The McClatchy Co., which immediately announced they and 10 other papers were for sale.

In a telephone interview, Tierney said the group was committed to long-term ownership. 'We're looking at this as partly a good economic investment, and partly as good community involvement,' he said. 'It would be a sort of Green Bay Packers kind of ownership.'"

What about this type of ownership for the Pittsburgh Penguins? We talked about it a couple of months ago -- when I was in the election. Well, now, I've got more time on my hands.

If the Philly papers get the deal with community ownership, perhaps we could get them to start an entry into the Pittsburgh marketplace too.