Pop City - The Philadelphia Story

A BID is a "Business Improvement District." Bids are a way to raise taxes without representation. BIDs do the job that should be done by government, because government is corrupt and failing to provide services.

If Philly is doing so well, why did Comcast need PA Taxpayers to give them $300-million to build downtown?

Philly's BID zone is 120 blocks. How many blocks are in our downtown? What, about 30?

Those community service reps with radios should be crossing guards. In Pittsburgh, we've taken the radios away from the crossing guards. I'm not interested in downtown ambassadors to help direct an adult with a briefcase around a homeless person.

Rather, let's hire some algebra teachers for the kids in school who are failing then out on the streets. Rather, let's hire some coaches and motivate them to be fit, to compete, to learn about teamwork and giving an extra effort in gangs that we control. I'm fine with gangs, such as an orchestra and a swim team.

Pop City - The Philadelphia Story The 120-block district formed when city business owners agreed to create a special taxing district; extra taxes would be levied on businesses in the area to clean up graffiti, beautify streets and sidewalks with seven-day-a-week uniformed service, enhance landscaping and lighting, and increase police protection in the area.

Now, the 3-square-mile area of the 100-square mile city is Philadelphia's economic engine, Levy says. The center city tax on more than 2,000 businesses raises $14 million a year for such amenities as community service representatives with radios to notify police of problems.

'Little changes in the environment can create big psychological changes in how people think of downtown,' says Paul Levy, president of Philadelphia’s business improvement area dubbed the Center City District.

Another way to get the economic engine on overdrive without a BID is to shift back to the land-value tax. Don't reward folks who create blight. A surface parking lot in a downtown space that occupies the same footprint as a ten or twenty story building should be taxed equally as the building. When you tax the land, development skyrockets. Poor performing places are sold rather than sit idle for later spculation.

I don't stand for tax breaks for rich developers for their rich people tennants so they can move out of neighborhoods and live downtown with subsidized parking spaces.

I want a mixed community. That means kids are welcome.

Serious crime in Philly was and has always been far worse than in Pittsburgh. They need to copy what Pittsburgh does. They get crime more under control to come up to our standard -- and then we want to copy their remediation?

Computerized crime mapping would make for a great tech investment and it should be mission critical and paid for by taxes for everyone's benefit. I don't want "Pay To Play" on basics, such as crime watch.

Did the crime move from the business district to the next neighborhoods?

In Pittsburgh, they'll make a sweep and pile certain problems from one area into another. That's not progress. That's elitism. That's called a blind spot. The laws on the books in Pittsburgh do not allow for the feeding of folks in Market Square. So they eat on the Blvd. of the Allies, except in All-Star Weekends. Then they get steaks and eggs in Carnegie, I guess.

Fix the problems -- the root problems. These ventures and our history shows that the current crop of politiciians are happy to bat at the leaves of the tree of suffering, not attack at its roots.

Pittsburgh has plenty of BID experiences. Not sophisticated at the application of band-aids. We don't need that type of sophistication -- err -- governmental remediation.

Philly might have great reform schools too. That's something I don't envy because I want our kids in real schools. We should aim to do the right things at the right times in the right places -- as a normal course of operations.

Their reform complicates matters and amounts to a deformity. That's DE-FORMED. That's because they screwed up so badly over the years.

We, in Pittsburgh, have a challenge to fix what we got. We have to do better with what we have.

I don't want a 120 block B.I.D. I don't want any BIDs. Then what! We'll be the envy of cities everywhere because we govern as we should.

We should be safe everywhere. We should look without blind spots. We need to deal with problems in an honest way.

BIDs are a sign of bad government. I'm against BIDs because I'm for good governement.

BIDs are a sign of BIG Government. I'm against bigger and bigger government -- and would rather have smaller, more limited governement.

I don't want tax bills from BID liabilities to come and pile on other tax bills from the city, schools, county, state and feds.

Foundation people that want to toss money around can spend it as they wish -- in private sectors. Go nuts. Don't come asking for special services and special treatments because you are rich and buy and sell police and politicians and public service workers.

We're Pittsburgh. The worth and dignity of everyone counts in these parts, still, thankfully. Let's make sure of it.

Police chief claims cameras at red lights would help police

Police chief claims cameras at red lights would help police Pittsburgh Police Chief Nate Harper endorsed the concept of putting enforcement cameras on traffic lights yesterday, saying automated ticketing could help the bureau 'do more with the amount of officers we have.'

The problem is, I don't want the police to do more. The goal isn't do more. The goal is safe streets.

The army general or a hawk president can give the order to invade another land to 'do more' -- and that would get to that outcome. But, why?

And if the cameras are doing the work, are the police really doing MORE? Or, are the police going to be taking time to do camera work and not police work?

The doing of more is by an outside firm that installs, operates and maintains the camera -- not the police. So, our police work is being done by others who are NOT police. Privatization of enforcement needs to be examined for what it is. This is a step away from a merger of services among city police, county police, PAT Police, Housing Police, State Police, Sheriff, University Police, and now -- traffic camera police?

No doubt, the police always want the toys and expensive utility. But, this takes us down the pathway to the police state.

The alternative, crossing guards that issue tickets. I'd rather invest in a person on the corner with radios, with communication devices, with back-up, with training, with a voice and judgement.

These cameras are put in for revenues. And, with this plan, the incomes are put only into a container. We don't need new trust funds nor do we need new commissions.

I'm not dead set against this effort. But there are a number of ways it can be improved upon.

Internet becoming crucial tool for political campaigns

Internet becoming crucial tool for political campaigns Internet becoming crucial tool for political campaigns

Bar Bill plays to packed planning meeting

It was standing room only at a second public meeting this afternoon. On the South Side, there was a meeting from 10 to afternoon about PAT's service cuts. Meanwhile, South Siders jammed into the City Planning Meeting at 200 Ross Street for an afternoon session about the Bar Bill. The turnout from fellow citizens was fantastic.

I don't like the proposed bar bill. It isn't good for a lot of reasons. But, I love the fight. I love the effort. I love the spirit of citizens getting an upper hand on what is happening in the neighborhood.

The bar bill provides a new beach head for the war over our city and urban lives. That is good. We've opened another front and this will be an avenue for some to use to fight back.

One simple question, perhaps my first of many, is, "What about the upward measurement?"

The bill calls for no additional establishment (bar) to be built within a 150 foot distance of another bar, as measured from closest corner of the property to the other location's closest corner.

If, for example, the USX Tower had a pub on the first floor and then a TOP OF BUILDING nightclub wanted to open. Then what? Or, are they both within the 150 feet rule? The property lines overlap.

I want density. I want bars on the roofs and top floors of taller buiildings. I want street-level places too. If a new hotel is built -- say six or eight stories at South Side Works, then I'd love it if that building could have a club on the top floor and another on the first floor. But, the bar bill might prohibit such acts.

From china - bike ...

What do you think? How did the meeting go?

I did notice a lot of questions from the planning committee about other parts of town, not the South Side. They were more interested, it seemed, in Shadyside, Sq. Hill, and other neighborhoods -- not the South Side.

Hats fly into ring for city controller, council

Hats fly into ring for city controller, council Tom Fallon, of Morningside, a member of state Sen. Jim Ferlo's staff, said yesterday that he plans to run for the council seat held by Len Bodack. Pittsburgh School Board member Patrick Dowd is also challenging Mr. Bodack.

A New Aquatic Center for Mt. Lebanon…

This should be fun.

A New Aquatic Center for Mt. Lebanon… ... four scenarios that the consultants who conducted the feasibility study for a new aquatic center for Mt. Lebanon have recommended for consideration. The scenarios include concepts and projected costs for three outdoor aquatic centers and one indoor natatorium.

Jason Phillips has a new job and won't run for city council

Jason Phillips is working for a state-wide campaign for judge. This new role is exciting for him. So, he won't be entering the race for Pittsburgh's City Council District 3.

Jason ran in the special election as a member of the Green Party. He then re-joined the D party and is on the local D committee.

If I get the specifics as to who's campaign he is working for -- I'll be glad to post them, or he could do that in the comments himself.

I'm too angry to post about this at the moment. Interaction with a detective / PAT Police at public hearing.

A women came to me while I sat in the front row of the 3rd public hearing hosted by PAT about its looming service cuts. I had testified a few moments ago. The place was packed, but they were running ahead of the slated agenda time. I spoke quickly about the Octopus Card. These electronic bus passes would provide PAT with much better data on trip "segments." Better access to data would lead to better decisions on routes and price adjustment options. (More later.)

This women comes to my side. "I'm from Achieva," she said. "Could you come with me?"

Well, okay. I packed my coat, briefcase and camera. I had heard about 10 folks give their rants. Its is all 'rip your heart out' insights, as Steve Bland was quoted in the radio news today about yesterday's experience. As a speaker ended, I moved from my seat to the back of the room. She wants me moving faster, and then wants me to move with her out of the room and down the hall and away from everyone else.

"No way. I'm not going into some private room with you, woman. What is it you'd like from me?"

She insists, but I'm just outside the door to the main room, and I'm not moving. Then she shows me her badge attached to her belt. She idenitifies herself, now, as a police officer.

Fine. Now that I know you are a police officer, and not working for Achieva, a nonprofit agency that owns the building where the hearing is hosted and does wonderful work with special needs populations -- I'm still not going down that hallway and leaving this public gathering.

You can whisper what you'd like to tell me now.

She says, "We were talking, and my camera is making people uncomfortable."

Humm....

"Yes, I've got my I.D," I tell her. I easily offer my name, address, a peek at my check-book that was handy in my back pocket. "No, you don't need to see my drivers license. No, you don't need my social security number either, for your report."

I stay cool, but puzzled and say I'll keep my camera in my bag and go back into the meeting. Clearly, she doesn't want any video of the meeting.

I let uon the I think it must be Steve Bland, PAT's CEO, that has become uncomfortable. PAT is a public agency. The detective grunted.

I wish I had the camera running when I went back into the room for an additional 20-minutes or so. PA's Auditor General, Jack Wagner, showed up at the meeting. And, I wish I had the pep talk presentation from Ken Z, the dude who is yacking at every hearing from the transportation committee of the Allegheny Conference. Oh well.

At City Council's meeting today, also at 10 am, I had just talked about cameras. (More on this blog about that later.)

I've got another meeting on "red light cameras" to attend at 1:30 today.

For the fourth meeting today, there isn't any public coverage concerning the 2 pm meeting at 200 Ross Street about the South Side Bar Bill, in City Planning.

The PAT public forum today was packed, just like the prior two hearings. Bring your camera if you dare.

Gotta run, and do a cool down. Her name is Kerr, and she works for the PAT Police. And, I don't want to read about this in some Yapper blog in two years. For what its worth, I wasn't handcuffed.

(First posted at 1:15 pm.)

Blogger is tossing all sorts of errors. Not able to update easily.

I've got to pull the switch to get to blogger 2.0. Or, I should re-locate the blog to my own site. But now, I'm getting a lot of errors, sadly.

Form letter from Dan Onorato about the silly spending of the tunnel under the rivers

January 22, 2007

Dear Mr. Rauterkus:

Last week during my monthly radio program on KDKA-AM, Marty Griffin shared your e-mail regarding the North Shore Connector. Thank you for sharing your thoughts regarding the project.

The North Shore Connector has been in development for a decade and was supported by prior County administrations. The federal government has committed to paying for 80 percent of the project, a level of subsidy that will not be available for future transportation projects.

I requested the money to be used for another project in Allegheny County, but was told by the Federal Transit Administration, in no uncertain terms, that if we did not move forward with the twin tunnels under the Allegheny River, the $348 million in federal funding would be transferred to a transportation project in another region. Please be assured that I am also working with County Council to limit the County’s financial exposure on this project.

The North Shore Connector will be a crucial link in the regional transportation network in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The extension will serve regional assets including CCAC, Carnegie Science Center, Heinz Field, PNC Park and the new Majestic Star Casino. The project also represents the first leg of building light rail from downtown to Pittsburgh International Airport, as well as possible light rail extensions to the North Hills and Allegheny Valley.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your comments. I truly appreciate your input.

Sincerely,

Dan Onorato
Allegheny County Chief Executive

This doesn't wash with me. A decade ago Dan was on City Council -- in that part of the city. Then he became County Controller, and had the ability to audit the agency. Dan helped to make this project occur.

The airport is on the other side of the river, last I checked. If this is the first leg to the airport, then we're talking about the first blister on a million mile march.

The design of the light rail takes it to an end at the West End Bridge. The rail lines will NOT be able to navigate around the West End Bridge without another serious investment.

Furthermore, I'd not be so upset about the extension of LTR's system if the stops were placed at CCAC and Allegheny General Hospital. But these stops are for the stadiums. With some effort they could have taken the line to the business district up farther on the North Side.

Raw video of first day of PAT Hearings from Oakland event

Watch the Video Nothing special. About 13 minutes.

WAS: Russ Grimm -- still available to run for at Large Seat on Allegheny County Council -- as Libertarian

UPDATED on Jan 24, 2007: --- NEVER MIND. ---

---

Russ. Give me a call.

If you are looking for something meaningful to do in the fall, other than football, I've got a great challenge that might be perfect way to shape your future. Let's do a rush on liberty. Let's protect the constitution. Let's huddle and then call plays with the people.

Perhaps we can get Lynn Swann on the team as a policy advisor or finance guy. Swann could build his resume and distance himself from the neo-cons.

You know, Chuck Knoll got a number of write in votes in the November 2006 election. No joke.

UPDATED on Jan 24, 2007: --- NEVER MIND. ---

YouTube - Bill Peduto for Mayor ad

YouTube - Bill Peduto for Mayor ad Bill Peduto for Mayor ad

Are we still up the creek? Is Bill a paddle?

Will messages like this get more than 200 visits this time around?

Pittsblog: Sports in Perspective

Pittsblog: Sports in Perspective: "Sports in Perspective"

My comments posted at Pittsblog.

Nice article.

Thanks for the pointer.

But you know, what Mayor Tom Murphy and Tom Cox did in Pittsburgh is worse. Way worse. No joke.

The Pgh Interfaith Group had lined up free computers, free service, free install, free support, free network connectivity -- and a plan to put 4 PCs into 6 Rec Centers in the city. Tom Murphy, MAYOR, said no. The city's cost was $0.

He said the cost would be more than $200k and that if the demand was there he'd put it on the list for Citiparks to do in a year or so.

Six months later he closed all 32 outdoor swim pools and 16 rec centers. Closed. Locked down. Stayed that way for more than 6 months. Only then did we pry the keys off him to open a few centers where there was booster money and skin in the game for our kids.

From playground - usa

These were and still are -- OUR FACILITIES.

Meanwhile, Tom MURPHY promised to make Ultimate Frisbee Fields in Highland Park, near the bike oval. That was a broken promise, but Tom needed to get the support of the ignorant young people. They bought it hook, line and sinker -- until I showed them the light of day.

Then, Bob O'Connor said if he was elected mayor, he'd open ALL the swim pools. Yeah, right.

The All Star Game came and there was a red carpet from the downtown hotel to PNC Park for convertables and million-dollar ball players.

Little has been done.

Pittsburgh does not need to take a back seat to anyone in terms of the lost opportunities we steal from our kids.

No wonder people vote with their feet. No wonder the Pgh Public Schools are shrinking faster than expected. No wonder our kids shoot each other -- as there is nothing else for them to shoot for!

P.L. is a natural at this. Try it. It is hard to do.

But how do you make these images look better? They seem too fuzzy to me.

Blast from the past: T-shirt story

From S6 Concert Hall

Thanks L for the tip. At the Pgh Podcamp I asked her if she had any Libertarian t-shirts and she said, "No."

iheartpgh.com The PG is looking for your t-shirt stories
Posted on 01.20.07 by Lindsay @ 12:40 pm

I saw this little post on the website for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette today. I thought this might be of interest to some of our blog readers. I am not sure if they are only looking for Pittsburgh stories or for stories from all over. I think I might submit my story about myIheartPGH t-shirt. I am looking forward to reading this article when it comes out.

Seeking Your Help: Your favorite T-shirt
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Every favorite T-shirt usually comes a with good story on why it’s so special to you. Maybe you were wearing it when you met your future spouse. Or you got it at the best concert you ever attended. Or it’s from a special reunion. No matter how old or how tattered, you’ll never give it away. We’d like to hear your stories about your favorite T-shirts. Please send your reflections to Virginia Linn at vlinn@post-gazette.com. Include your name, home town and daytime phone number.

I made up a batch of t-shirts last year before the Steelers won the SuperBowl XL.

But there is more to this story as I was a candidate for Pittsburgh City Council in a special election on March 14, 2006, as a Libertarian. And the t-shirts went to everyone who attended our first ever house concert. Johnsmith, singer from Wisconsin, was here with his song, "Don't Put Me In a Box" (another theme of the campaign).

An opponent, Bruce Kraus, D, who didn't win -- thankfully, stood up at a community forum hosted at City Theater and said that all the different neighborhoods in the district have all sorts of different needs. What the people need in Allentown is different from what they need on the South Side Slopes. The needs in Oakland are so much different from what the people want on the South Side Flats. All this diversity presents a big range of needs to a city councilman to fill. One size does NOT fit all he claimed. Blah, blah, blah.

In the line of candidates, when it was my turn to speak, I stood up and blasted the concepts put forth by Mr. Kraus. I said, "I can't disagree more with Bruce Kraus. He is wrong because I feel strongly that one size does fit all. The Founding Fathers had it right. We need freedom, liberty and justice for all. That fits me well. That fits my neighbors well too -- regardless of the neighborhood residence. Liberty is what everyone in Pittsburgh needs, and that comes in one size. I want Extra Large Liberty, Liberty XL.

The affinity of the XL from the SuperBowl -- made the shirts popular and warm to all. One gal took the shirt to Detroit with her to wear to the game -- under the black & gold jersey, of course.

Of course the Steelers won, but I didn't win the election. But my message scored a touchdown. The t-shirt history lesson did make the goofy candidate for city council change his tune. He didn't campaign and express those silly thoughts again. Not with me around, at least.

See this image of the t-shirt:

http://picasaweb.google.com/mark.rauterkus/S6ConcertHall/photo#5023045145074368690

And look around the photo album of our S6 House Concert venue -- in our game room.

All my images are in the public domain.

Mike Tomlin - Wikipedia

Mike Tomlin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Mike Tomlin (born March 15, 1972 in Hampton, Virginia), is an American football coach and is the new head coach of the National Football League's Pittsburgh Steelers.

Mayor pledges clean campaign

Where is this 'pledge' exactly? Is it a headline, or a real promise? And, what if the promise is broken? Then what?

Ravenstahl pledges clean campaign - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

If the pledge can't be put into the news article, I'm not sure how we can expect the thing to be followed.

To promise a clean campaign is much like a redd up campaign.

The League of Women Voters is as spicy as ginger. The pledge that they offer is not that bold as they are not that bold. Expect pledge breakers to be scolded with a frownie after lunch.

I can't rant in a negative way because the pledge is a nice step, and because I'm slated to speak to the League of Women Voter's meeting this weekend on How To Run for Public Office.

I'd like a pledge with the media. I'd like a pledge with the parties. I'd like a pledge with the unions. When the fur flies, the ones on the stump can generally shrug and say that it wasn't his fault. Michael Diven and Wayne Fontana were negative as hell. They didn't sign such a pledge, but if they had, they just give an excuse that the money flowed from other political sources, not their direct campaigns.

By the way, the League of Women Voters as well as the non-partisan watchdog thingie org that came out in 2005 spring were asked to engage in elections beyond the mayor's race primary. But, they choose to stick to the knitting, go after the headline and not rock the boat in other races in our region.

What statements would you like to see in a pledge?

Can We Achieve Peace in the Middle East?

Can We Achieve Peace in the Middle East? Practically speaking, our meddling in the Middle East has only intensified strife and conflict. American tax dollars have militarized the entire region. We give Israel about $3 billion each year, but we also give Egypt $2 billion. Most other Middle East countries get money too, some of which ends up in the hands of Palestinian terrorists. Both sides have far more military weapons as a result. Talk about adding fuel to the fire! Our foolish and unconstitutional foreign aid has produced more violence, not less.

Will there be coverage or podcasts of today's events?

I'd love to have the podcast or coverage of events in the community today. Two four hour sessions with lots of citizen speakers is slated. Plus, Mr. Peduto finally tosses his skate into the ring as mayor. If things do get uploaded, please let us know.