Sunday, February 04, 2007

Early screening review of Pride

Early screening review - Lionsgate Forums I viewed a Feb. 2 screening of PRIDE in Kansas City. Jim Ellis attended and spoke briefly about his history on which PRIDE is based. Ellis makes a cameo appearance in the early part of the film itself.

Best Commercial: Pride, (the movie)

Movie site, http://www.pridefilm.com/site.php

Take your marks, on March 23, 2007...

Amber Alert UPDATE: --- alert is off --- Sounds bad.

The call has ended.

UPDATE: Wishing for that 2-hour delay call, before kick-off

UPDATE 2: School is OFF. The Two Hour Delay came and then it was changed to NO SCHOOL for STUDENTS on MONDAY AM.

How about a 2-hour delay for Monday morning school, to be called before kickoff.

It's cold. The buses are going to need time to warm up.

We're wanting to watch football and not have grumpy guys all week.

New bullet on my resume: Poet Laureate of Pennsylvania

We had a wonderful presenter at church today, author and poet, Sam Hazo. He had been the poet of Pennsylvania, until the arrival of Gov. Ed Rendell.

He told the story that Ed Rendell, who had been friendly to the arts, nixed the no-pay role of state poet. He got a letter saying that his services were no longer needed. Asking why, he was informed that Ed Rendell thought that every poet in Pennsylvania was a Pennsylvania Poet Laureate.

There was a women from Nantucket...

You too can be a poet laureate of the commonwealth.

A heaping helping of handouts

Good feature article, also blogged about at AntiRust.
A heaping helping of handouts from the P-G by Bill T.... Politicians are willing to do just about anything to create or preserve jobs.
Right. They will steal from neighbors. They will undercut. They will lie.

It is no wonder that they use slush funds so well. They are great at giving bonus pay to staffers in Harrisburg -- and hiding it.
"Once you get in the subsidy game, everybody else gets in line," said Edward Lotterman, a Minnesota economist. "And some of the people in line would be building that project anyway."
Some would call this OPM -- or Other Peoples Money. OPM is easy to spend.

My favorite reason for not doing give-a-ways is its toxic nature. The subsidy puts poison into the well of the free market place. A gift, bonus, grant or enhancement to one is sure to halt the development from those who would do so otherwise, without the aid.

Furthermore, the people vote with their feet. They will invest elsewhere, in a market that is NOT so crooked, so slanted, so full of favorites.

I've seen this in coaching plenty of times. When a coach plays favorites, the team is going to crumble. People won't buy into the system when some are being rewarded and others are not. When bribes are needed to jump start anything -- then nothing will happen without a bribe. Game over.

A business person that makes an investment into an area wants to protect that equity. High risk investments are not worthy. Capital should not be leveraged in areas where others don't do the same and where capital isn't even valued.

Questions from within the article:

  • Are these or any businesses worth such enormous public investments?

  • No.

  • If not, is it OK to sometimes make bad investments on behalf of the taxpayers if those same taxpayers also derive tangential benefit from the overpriced product?

  • No.

  • Is it even possible these days to get something built without offering a big carrot first?

  • No in Pittsburgh, these days. However, it could be not only possible but certain that a windfall of development would return to the city and the region as soon as we made a drastic change of course.

    Once we say, 'enough is enough' and mark a new day -- and tell the world in no uncertain terms that all TIFs and tax-breaks for the favorites have ended, then we'll see a new dawn of prosperity.

    When we respect the marketplace and prove it -- then the marketplace will respect us, again.

    This is more than a politician, union, business leader (ha, ha) and campaign donor issue. The voters need to be a part of this chain of command. They are the citizens, the ones with the most money, and the ones that are hardest to mobilize -- but with the best clout.

    The voters are going to need to speak with their votes -- and not just once. The voters are going to need to awaken -- like never before. Or else, the special interest groups will dominate into the future.

    Condos are an option now in Downtown because Downtown is so poor, depressed and poisoned. Building condos in a downtown business area isn't a sign of prosperity.

    Just as the arrival of flowers at a funeral home should not signal anything but death, so too goes condos for our downtown.

    Downtown wasn't meant for subsidized condos, yet we're getting condos because downtown is dead. Downtown should have a density of economic activity, commerce, business. Wealth should be created and calculated in Downtown spaces. Widgets should have places to rest on balance sheets, in downtown offices -- not empty nesters.

    It is fitting that 'empty nesters' are the ones flocking to occupy Downtown spaces now.

  • And if it's hard to prove public subsidies are ever a really good deal, then why do politicians keep forking over millions?

  • The proof of the value of subsidies is hard to get a handle upon because we've had controllers like Tom Flaherty and Dan Onorato. They are players in the rat race where spending government money is a career enhancement.

    Think again! The economic theory of opportunity cost means money spent on one thing means opportunities foregone on other things. That is a lesson that is lost on many. I'd rather give money and provide services to veterans who have had limbs blown off in the war than build two tunnels under the Allegheny River for a modest expansion of light rail. But then again, I'd rather not send our loved ones into war, especially after the evil dictator of Iraq has been removed, stood trial and executed.

    Sports venues are the biggest drain of all, most economists agree. Come on. The cost of war exceeds the cost of sports venues.

    Here is another goofy comment in the article: And unlike skyscrapers that may be underwritten with public subsidies, public arenas and stadiums almost never go on the tax rolls, meaning the city or county won't recover the costs over time. I've called upon the Steelers, Pirates and even the Penguins to own their own venues. Even the Steelers practice field should be owned by the Steelers. And tax should be collected there.

    I've also called for a net reduction in the amount of land that is owned and controlled by nonprofits, including the city, county and state. I'd build a plan where the region would shrink the overall property holdings held in non-tax deeds. That long-term evolution would allow for institutional growth upwards -- as in taller buildings.

    However, the skyscraper buildings that, for example, sit upon three acres of land, should pay the same tax as the surface parking lot that also sits on three acres of land in an adjacent lot. If we got back to the point where we just tax the land, not the building's value above the dirt, then we'd be rewarding the developers who bring investment into the region.

    Presently, we reward those who let property values drop. We give tax breaks to those who rip down affordable housing. We punish those that fix up their properties.

    Skyscrapers should not be underwritten with public subsidies because we should only worry about the footprint of the land. Then everyone gets a tax break for fixing up their holdings. Market pressures would insure that those with blight and surface parking lots either sell or upgrade to get more value to their capital and the community's gain as well.

    The value of being a 'big league city' is little next to the hurt of being a place of bigots, racists, special interests, complex corruption and machine politics. On the other hand, if Pittsburgh, as a region, was known the world over for being fair, square, direct, open, healthy, caring and honest -- then the world would notice. There are plenty of other traits that should go on either side of this formula: smart, inventive, hard-working, enterprising, just, trustworthy, creative, etc., etc.

    When we pin our hopes of showing the passion of Pittsburgh on a few guys with pro-sports contracts, we fail.

    The public good that the Penguins own needs to be matched with the public good that the citizens, fans and world. I would hope that the governmental leaders would dance with the Penguins owners, but in much different ways than what is unfolding here. Rendell, Onorato, Ravenstahl and even S&EA members Fontana and Koch are clueless. With a bigger vision, I feel that the Penguin Village concept could flourish in Pittsburgh. The new arena could come, with private money with new, long-term income streams to the team based upon the value that they bring to a new development -- where land is cheap and available.

    I do not agree that the Pittsburgh's population is not too small for its residents to make up a new arena -- from private sources. Government is too frail to carry the weight of that type of investment, I dare insist. But, the private investors could make the deal occur to everyone's satisfaction. With the Penguins Village, people would receive enough "tangible" value from the team. And, they'd like a part of that action. The public buy in for a new public arena, new housing, new village and new lifestyle opportunities would be amazing.

    Public transit is almost always a losing venture -- given the way it is a monopoly, managed, priced and held accountable. However, public transit could do more in a bottom line justification if there were new system-wide checks and trust. PAT does offer an incalculable societal value to providing subsidized transportation for the people who need it.

    Then sewers are mentioned. The past Dem leaders in this town sold off the most necessary public assets for a quick cash fix. The sewer lines should be public. Meanwhile, the hockey venue should be private.

    "You don't have places to park your construction vehicles," ... Humm. But we've given up many roads for construction vehicles. Jeepers.

    I'm flat out against more incentives for Downtown. I do not favor the Downtown historic-zone tax credits. They want to steal from the kids. I say 'no.'

    The status quo politicians love it when incentives are so, so tricky. My trick is to make them simple -- by not doing any of them. No tricks. They are like tricky-dicky Nixon. The other way is without smoke and mirrors -- without a trick -- without being a whore.

    All subsidies end up being good deals for the special interests. These are good deals for some. "No matter how much forecasting you do, there's no way to know the end benefit unless you take the leap." Unless, of course, you stand firm and don't leap at all.

    Take the South Side Works. My biggest objection to that project was the UPMC owned football facility. Those 40 acres proved to deliver a net gain of 2 jobs. That sucks. That can't be overlooked.

    The bar bill is something that I'm not going to defend as it isn't going to come into being.

    Rick Belloli, the executive director of the South Side Local Development Company, can't even get the neighborhood business district with ADA accessibility and handicapped ramps. The SSLDC is worthless and that is just the way I like it.

    The project may not have created a net job gain for the state or even the region. PEROID. You said it. That's something to emulate?

    "It isn't a subsidy," Mr. Belloli argued. "It's balancing the cost [of development] so that it's competitive" with cheaper-to-develop land in, say, Butler County. What about Pittsburgh Mills. Cheap land. Expensive to get customers there -- and to sustain itself.

    I'm a critic and I understand that subsidies aren't distributed in an economic vacuum. Duhh. The spokesman for the Department of Community and Economic Development can save his breath. They don't want to compete. They want to grow their power. They want to be deal makers instead of guardians of freedom and justice.

    Westinghouse Electric's nuclear expansion comes in-state so we can build NUKES for CHINA and our kids get less funding for our schools. China finances our bonds. China gets its needed electricity. China gets next generation technology. Meanwhile, American kids and schools get less. The Westinghouse was not a competition between North Carolina and Pennsylvania. In another generation, we'll see who has the upper hand, in a vast majority of categories.
    "It's what in game theory is called 'the prisoner's dilemma'," said Mr. Lotterman, the economist. "If you think the other guy is going to do it, and if you're a Pittsburgh and you are desperate for some jobs and some development, you have to do it, too."
    Good name, prisoner's dilemma. Count me among those that choose to be free.

    Ending a never- ending probe

    Police behavior and this lingering investigation was a point of discussion at the Summit Against Racism in January.
    Ending a never- ending probe - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

    Freedom Fest event in Las Vegas in July

    Details

    Saturday, February 03, 2007

    Video: Chillin' with the Pitts-Burrrrrgh Drowned Hogs

    Dang. I missed an open water swimming opportunity. Remind me of this next year, before the fact.
    Video: Chillin' with the Pitts-Burrrrrgh Drowned Hogs About 25 people jumped into the cold Monongahela River on Pittsburgh's South Side yesterday to echo Punxsutawney Phil's prognostication that spring is just around the corner.
    Great clip from the P-G. Well done.

    FLOCKing TO MELLON ARENA

    Official Home of the Pittsburgh Penguins: PENGUINS FANS CONTINUE TO FLOCK TO MELLON ARENA
    Team says it doesn't need a new arena. Asks city for decade worth of five annual parades instead.

    The city's Labor, Veterans, St. Pats, First Night and the Great Race events are all on the table for possible name changes and possible sponsorship windfalls to the Penguins.

    From Pens Village

    Development rights to land around the Civic Arena isn't nearly as attractive to the Pens management and owners. The team has more confidence of getting cooperation and cash by collecting tolls from both participants and parade marchers at the big annual events.



    Projections of five parades for ten years gives the Pens 50 events to capitalize upon. If each event nets the team $3-million, they'll be able to bankroll a savings account with compounded interest, seeing its nest egg grow for a future down-payment on a new parking garage and escalators. Plus the team will still be able to splurge in the expected purchases of refrigerators to chill beer at Mellon Arena by the face-off of next season, despite the extended warranty of the present units.

    Should the Pens make the NHL playoffs, all post-season games for the next 10 years are to be played in Kansas City. This clause, negotiated by Luke Ravenstahl, will save the city of costly overtime expenses.

    In related news, Don Barden, owner of Majestic Star slots parlor, pledges his $350-million investment to the Hill District to go into a new trolly line. "We'll build on the idea first floated by the late mayor, Bob O'Connor, as he launched his successful 2005 mayor campaign." The line will connect the edge of Oakland, to Oak Hill, and the rest of the Hill District to a turn-around at the edge of Downtown.


    The back and forth line will be built in the street along with stops, bike path and lighted sidewalks. All homeowners and students who live in the city can obtain a lifetime pass to ride the new trolly without charge after paying for a one-time $100 fee and getting its assocated retina scan.

    New trolly will provide a new backbone for increased development to the Hill and core of the city.
    From Pens Village

    Guy takes fall in Highland Park. So sorry. South Side's next BAR BILL for pedestrian quality of life.

    A posting to the neighborhood email discussion list in Highland Park:
    I slipped on the packed snow/ice on your sidewalk while walking the dog this morning. It's nothing serious, but my ankle is sore. Unfortunately, it's not the first time this has happened on your sidewalk.

    You take great care of your home and your yard, so I'm asking you to extend that care to the sidewalk around your house.

    Did you know that it's a city ordinance to remove snow and ice within 24 hours of a snowfall? (see the code below) Granted, the chances of actually getting a ticket are slim, but there are other ways your bank account could take a hit. Imagine how your insurance company might react if I were injured enough to file a claim for medical treatment.

    Forget the legalities and cash costs, though. Cleaning the sidewalk should be something you do as a courtesy to the kids going to/from school, your neighbors walking to/from the bus stop, folks walking their dogs, or someone just enjoying a walk in the evening.

    Am I asking you to clean the snow as it hits the concrete? Of course not! But it has been a couple days since the snow fell and your sidewalk is still covered with it, all of it now packed down and slick.

    Maybe you're thinking "Did you slip in front of my house?" If you have to ask that question, then the answer is "yes!"

    So why not shovel the snow today. And maybe toss down some salt or other de-icer. It's the neighborly, safe and legal thing to do.

    City of Pittsburgh Code #419.03 REMOVAL OF SNOW AND ICE.
    Every tenant, occupant or owner having the care or charge of any land or building fronting on any street in the city, where there is a sidewalk paved with concrete, brick, stone or other material shall, within twenty-four (24) hours after the fall of any snow or sleet, or the accumulation of ice caused by freezing rainfall, cause the same to be removed from the sidewalk.
    Those of us that live on the South Side see folks fall on the sidewalk every weekend, generally between the hours of 1 and 3:30 am. They are drunk, of course.

    The first snowfalls of the year generally don't stick to our sidewalks due to the Ph values of the pavement -- thanks to a year's worth of urine build-up.

    Furthermore, if a guy falls around here, he has to pick his spot with care to avoid the vomit. Vomit is very slippery in and of it self. Folks have been seen doing cartwheels just to avoid stepping in vomit -- making graceful dodges risky.

    Our neighbors with dogs, like the guy who wrote this post, are always great at keeping a tidy neighborhood, so no need to mention poop.

    I'd like to make a new city ordinance about those that would leave human waste on our sidewalks and private property. We don't really need, nor are we going to get, an ordinance that limits the number of bars in commercial business districts. We need to curb the bad boy behaviors from the patrons of these bars. It isn't the bar that comes and drops its pants or leaves its lunch. Those without the respect are the half-brained drunks.

    If you puke on the sidewalk, and don't clean up the mess within 30 minutes, pay $500. And, the friends in your party each pay $100. And, the place that served you that night, recently or prior, pays $200.

    Furthermore, none of the money collected from the fines goes to the city. It goes to the property owner who files the complaint. And, that money goes as a tax free grant to be used only on on property upgrades and property enhancements.

    Paint your house. Buy a refrigerator. Install a new video camera.

    This would be a citizen vs. citizen case in front of the district magistrate.

    Grant S has started a new blog

    http://grantsstreetreport.blogspot.com/
    Friends, if you are going to start a new blog, it might be much easier and better to just "Come With Me" and join my blog as a Running Mate.

    Of course you can form a new blog. Even Jim Motznik can do it twice in one week. And I encourage you to form you own new blog if you are going to go out to the bleeding edge in terms of nameless or wreckless content.

    However, if you want to think, ponder, react, and offer solutions of our shared spaces, there is plenty of room for more running mates here, on the front page of this blog.

    Friday, February 02, 2007

    Community news roundup gets ink for M. Lamb

    Community news roundup for Palm Beach County: South Florida Sun-Sentinel Michael Lamb wrote a letter chastising the mayor and the City Council for considering 'the wholesale slaughter of these creatures.'
    At least this Michael Lamb is doing something -- and it is colorful.

    Reporter shared recording

    Say what?
    MiamiHerald.com | 02/01/2007 | Reporter shared recording ``My recorder was on the table in front of Coach Saban, in plain view, and he knew the conversation was being recorded. However, I never initially reported the material because he indicated to the three reporters present that it was not intended for print.''
    Whistleblowers, slurs, emailed comments, and nothing to do with players on Grant Street. Just football coaches.

    Life saving tip for Marty Griffin

    Weather drama is hitting the airwaves.

    Marty G on KDKA-Radio had some fun with the hype.

    From family - travels

    Councilman Peduto wants ethics board activated - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

    Exactly.
    Councilman Peduto wants ethics board activated - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Former Mayor Sophie Masloff created the board in the early 1990s.
    This board never met for the duration of Bill Peduto's entire career on Grant Street. Now we have two meetings next week because there is a campaign.

    We should cut the length of term of each elected office in half as long as there are overlords running the city. The term of the Mayor's office, and the term of the city council members, as well as controller, should be two years, not four, as long as the I.C.A. and Act 47 team is in town.

    Port Authority urged to move to less-expensive office space

    Jack opens up a new front in the war against PAT.
    Port Authority urged to move to less-expensive office space The Port Authority could save money by moving out of rented office space in the Heinz 57 Center, Downtown, and going back to its partly vacant former administration building in Manchester, state Auditor General Jack Wagner said.

    Jon Delano news flash: JD admits: "Truth is, you have to think!"

    Jon Delano opened a blog. But it wasn't too long ago, see link below, when Jon said Pittsburgh political bloggers were a dime a dozen.
    Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events: Jon Delano news flash: JD admits: "Truth is, you have to think!" My message to 'Dime a Dozen Delano:' Pittsburgh should be so lucky to have political bloggers at dime a dozen rates.
    If we are a dime a dozen, and he has one blog posting, what does that make him?

    Jon, what became of the PSF e-mail newsletters and talkshoe conversations?

    Thursday, February 01, 2007

    WQED Multimedia offers turn back the clock specials


    WQED Multimedia The WQED Multimedia Board of Directors is a volunteer group of people from the community who set the mission and strategic direction of WQED.
    Due to demand and budget constraints, WQED's board meetings in 2007 will be re-runs of past meetings of the 2005 and 2006 season.

    With luck, James C. Roddey and Elsie Hillman will narrate in sweeps week.

    Still scratching my head on the decision of our neighbor to the west: Don't ax Ohio's men swimming!

    Ohio State got blitzed in footballs big bowl game in January 2007. The OSU band got creative with its on-field message, so goes the joke.



    I'm still feeling the same with the news that the other Ohio University, my O.U. Bobcats. The bad news: Ohio University's President wants to drop men's swimming. "Oh shit!"

    Now I know I'm not to lash out. So, I won't. But I really want to.