More at City Planning on Bar Bill -- and Video Taping of Meetings

A number of weeks ago, I went to a city planning meeting at 200 Ross Street, Downtown. There was a packed house as they were talking about the Bar Bill. The planning committee took a vote and the bar bill went down in flames. But, while I was there, I pulled out my video camera and took a few moments of tape.

After I walked out of the room to be sure to get my kid as he exited from school that day, the meeting came to a stop. Announcements were made and signs were posted on the door. NO Recording of Meetings Allowed!

Calls were made. Freedoms are funny. You don't need to ask permission to flex one's rights.

Well, the new video policy is now on the pending agenda and will be talked about on Tuesday at the 1:30 meeting. I don't think they'll get to this topic until 2:30 or so. My child walks out the school's doors at 2:35 pm.

I don't really want to get arrested. But Anne Feeney is singing at a house concert on Sunday at 4 pm, and she has a wonderful tune about going to jail for justice. Perhaps if there are others with a video camera -- they could serve as a body double.

It would be nice if a fellow blogger, such as The Busman, could set up their video cameras around 2 pm and see what unfolds.

An update from the director about the bar bill is also on the agenda. They all got an ear full from residents last Wednesday night.

PLANNING COMMISSION March 6, 2007

Briefing

1:30 p.m.
a. FLDP #0707 – Bridgeside 2, Smith
b. PDP#0712 - 521 Shady Avenue, Shady Avenue Apartments, Smith

AGENDA
2:00 p.m.

A. Approval of February 20, 2007 Commission Minutes
B. Correspondence
C. Plan of Lots, Tymoczko
1. Subdivision – Mellon Street Plan of Lots No. 3, Mellon Street and Livery Way, 11 th Ward
2. Consolidation – Museum Park Hotel Plan of Lots – Forbes Avenue east of South Craig Street, 4th Ward
D. Hearing and Action
4. ZCP #739 – CUA C-689, Becks Run Road, Tymoczko

E. Director’s Report
Green Building Task Force
Bar Task Force
Staff Recommendation on Video Taping
Downtown Investment Report

F. Adjourn
Division of Development Administration and Review
City of Pittsburgh, Department of City Planning
200 Ross Street, Third Floor
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219

Refresher Training... and travels and our military movie escapes

From family - travels

My blogging has been busy. I'll blame it on the Admiral's departure. The People's Republic of Pittsburgh: Refresher Training...

Meanwhile, my sweetheart and her mom have departed to Pheonix for five days. The boys and I are gearing up for some war films on DVD. Recent gems we've enjoyed, beyond The Guardian, include Fly Boys and Annapolis. The movie, The Marine, came into the house and left again without being watched because the snow days ended.

Suggestions of DVDs welcomed.

Extra photo, just because I can. From family - travels,

Pittsburgh Comet's retraction of a historical fact

From texture - misc.

The Pittsburgh Comet Bill Peduto's Blog: Sucks

Councilman Bill Peduto is the first major party candidate for mayor in Pittsburgh's history to have launched a weblog.

Not really.

I think it is fair to say that Peduto's blog is lacking. The Luke Ravenstahl site isn't even worth the recycled electrons to complain about.

It also sucks to re-write history with information that isn't accurate.

I don't need to my name inserted into the Comet's blog as the first major party candidate for mayor in Pittsburgh to have a weblog. However, Bill's name should NOT get those honors of being first, even though it sucks.

---

Update 1:

B.R. of the Comet wrote to me via email on Friday afternoon, after I informed him of the facts:

That is different. I will make an immediate correction to the article, and I will run a full, separate correction after the weekend.

Good.

---

Update 2:
The Comet blog has been updated, thankfully.

Councilman Bill Peduto is the first major party mayoral candidate to have launched a weblog in a while. (Rauterkus & Carmine both had blogs as Republicans in 2001).

This thread was first published on 3-2-07 at 1:03 pm.

When it rains it pours -- what's that about an ounce of prevention next to a pound of cure

From texture - misc.

N.O. asks whopping $77 billion in claim to corps Submitting a claim for a staggering $77 billion, the city of New Orleans joined tens of thousands of would-be plaintiffs who rushed to beat a Thursday deadline to alert the Army Corps of Engineers that they may sue for losses resulting from the levee breaches after Hurricane Katrina.

Also joining the queue were Entergy New Orleans, the city's bankrupt electrical utility, which is seeking $655 million, and the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board, which put in a claim of about $460 million, spokesmen for the agencies said.

On page four of the article:

Nagin's press office e-mailed the news release about 20 minutes before Air Force One lifted off from Louis Armstrong International Airport, concluding President Bush's visit to the city Thursday, the 18-month anniversary of Katrina. During the trip, Bush visited a Central City charter school and sat shoulder-to-shoulder with Nagin during lunch at a Treme restaurant.

WPIAL swim update: 5 school records broken at Carlynton

Coach Mike has pink hair. I need to bring a camera to the swim pool on Monday.

The Carlynton High School kids swam very fast at WPIALS and made great time drops and established five school records!

Today's big time award: Wilburn Hayden, Ph.D. getting honored as PA's Social Worker of the Year!

From people & vips

We're proud of you Wilburn! Way to go.

He and his family are in Harrisburg today for a big banquet as he's getting honored as Pennsylvania's Social Worker of the Year.

Wilburn's been the boss of the Univ. of California PA's academic program for those seeking a Masters Degree in Social Work. He is the expert about all things concerning blacks in Appalachia. He was been working with Molly Rush and others to advance PUSH, a single-payer health coverage plan for Pennsylvania that is much unlike the one championed by Governor Ridge. He is on many boards, locally from the musical Calliope to the First Unitarian Church and the eco nonprofit on the South Side.

Finally, he, his wife, and son have been great friends. Plus, he has been on the Elect.Rauterkus.com committee as director of policy research for recent campaigns.

Now we've got to plan for more trips to Canada. He's taken a new role as the head of the school of social work in Toronto at York University. They are very lucky. Today I'm kicking myself again for sending him that job posting.

Jack Wagner, AG To Release Scathing Report On Port Authority

kdka.com - AG To Release Scathing Report On Port Authority

Way to go Jack!

Google moves ahead with plan to open up federal Web sites (2/21/07) Government Executive

Google moves ahead with plan to open up federal Web sites (2/21/07) Government Executive Google is making strides on an initiative to make information stored on public government Web sites more accessible to people looking for it, but challenges remain, officials with the search engine company said Wednesday.

From texture - misc.

Challenges remain in state, county and city government as well.

If and when I'm elected, I'll insure that all documents and data are on the web and structured within a site so the content is accessible for all Internet searches. Furthermore, I'd insist upon Plain Language so as to eliminate jargon in government communications.

I'd use open source tools, creative commons licenses if not plain old public domain, and other goodies such as Sitemaps.org tools so as to remove technical hindrances to search engine Web crawlers.

It took Google months of meeting with officials at many agencies in DC to make progress. Still, Google faces misconceptions. "Literacy about search engines is lower in the federal government than in the private sector." No joke. Literacy about technology and the free exchange of information, yet alone literacy itself, might be low in some corners of governement.

Yesterday I got an answer to my request of last week seeking an electronic file of the nomination papers so I can get onto the ballot. I'll need more than 3,000 signatures on legal sized paper forms. I asked for an electronic version of the form from the election department and was told I can't get one.

Eighty percent of visitors to government Web sites arrive through search engines rather than the home page "front door." Only about 5 percent come directly to the sites, he said, and because about half of all government Web pages remain inaccessible through search engines, a substantial percentage of people are passing up information they would otherwise find.

A part-time Web manager was able to implement the Sitemaps tool in eight hours. Jeepers, in turn that utility simply opened 3 million documents to common search engines. That's bang for the buck. That's effiency.

I want to put every element of the lists of lists into Google Maps, for the city and the county. If we can map Mars and Moon -- why not Brookline and Beechview.

National Nuttyness

Hersh: Bush Funneling Money to al Qaeda-Related Groups



Some quotes: America, my country, is ... running covert operations. ... He was seen as too ethical. ... Went through Iran-Contra in the 80s.

City schools: tutoring program cut & parents to pow-wow

City schools' tutoring program cut despite success: "City schools' tutoring program cut despite success
Program was lifting math achievement, helping blacks catch up, study shows

Reorganization of the Pittsburgh Public Schools last summer largely did away with an after-school tutoring program that a Rand Corp. study showed was boosting math achievement and helping black students catch up to white peers in that subject."

Go Theresa Smith: Where is the meeting, exactly?

Parents seeking more input in Pittsburgh schools

QuickTime: See how the WashingtonPost.com harnesses the net

How To via Washington Post & Apple

And as evidence of cutting-edge reporting.

The Bobblehead Politician - washingtonpost.com

The Bobblehead Politician - washingtonpost.com If America had a Crooked Pol Hall of Fame, Vincent J. Fumo would deserve a room in it.

Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, we've got an upgrade from the PG, Early Returns.

Colorado Cowboy Professor's stadium and arena re-cap

ColoradoCowboyProfessor:: Now Back in Old Wyoming...with that wind ever blowin'...: Major League Facilities/Stadiums Report Major League Facilities/Stadiums Report

The Pittsburgh Comet shoots foot with a poor use of the Libertarian tag

The Pgh Comet is making another mistake. This one can't go past without me taking a public swat at it.

The posting on Speculation 2007 was very good up to this point. Then a nerve was hit.

The Pittsburgh Comet Real Answer: Peduto certainly seeks to fashion our Democratic party into a left-center coalition -- with a Libertarian streak, actually, on tax breaks and subsidies. The 'Libertarian Left' is totally in right now. If Peduto puts that together, that is potent stuff. But he still needs to add a couple of wagons to his wagon-train.

There is NO LIBERTARIAN STREAK within William Peduto. None. Zippo.

There is a lot of good within Bill Peduto. There are some nice ideas within his plans. But, those items don't have LIBERTARIAN roots. No way.

There is an expression I use from time to time. When you go WEST long enough, you end up in the EAST. But this doesn't apply to Peduto at this stage in the game.

I think Bill Peduto could mature into a Libertarian in another decade or two. But, he isn't there now.

Bill Peduto came from Dan Cohen's office. These guys hate the people in that they will work against referendums. They will always put trust into bigger government. They think that they, (in office, in government) know better.

The best case use of "Libertarian Streak" in association with Peduto would be, "Peduto takes office and Libertarians streak for New Hampshire to join the Free State Project." Perhaps Libertarians could shriek at Peduto's proposals if they choose to stand their ground and don't vote with their feet.

There is nothing Libertarian about Peduto's use of tax breaks and subsidies. That is big government, Republican. You could fix the posting by calling it a Roddey-like streak. Or, a Allegheny Conference-ish streak. Or, a URA-streak.

I agree that the "Libertarian-anything" is totally in right now. But, that isn't what Peudto puts on the table. Libertarians are hip. Libertarians are like the South Side. The South Side has pockets that are very Libertarian.

A Libertarian tax cut is universal. It is for everyone. It is for any kind of building. It is for every kind of use. It is driven by market place demands -- not some weenie in government who needs to see an artistic credit coupled with a re-use credit coupled with energy efficient red tape.

The REAL ANSWER of the LEFT LIBERTARIAN is a tax on the land. The simple, elegant, proven Libertarian solution -- or streak -- isn't part of Bill Peduto's pitch.

Peduto's plan and Ravenstahl's plan are very similar when contrasted with a real Libertarian plan. Those two have put forth Democratic Plan(s).

In no way, shape or form do I want Bill Peduto to be the one to carry the water for the Libertarian-streakers.

Your advice to Bill is with mixed feelings too: But he (PEDUTO) still needs to add a couple of wagons to his wagon-train. That's so Democratic and not Libertarian. For Peduto to get closer to the Libertarian wagon-train of policy points he isn't going to need to add. Rather, he'd need to subtract.

The Libertarian way is small, lean, nimble, simple. Think Johnny Appleseed as a Libertarian. That's not a wagon-train. Think Daniel Boone. Think Green Mountain Men.

In your post, to make your point, call it the "Gore-Roddey LEFT", not the "Libertarian Left."

As for "maverik Mike Dawida" -- Oh My Gosh. John McCain, at age 70, isn't a maverick any more. Dawida is ... well ... I won't even waste the time to type what I think and then need to defend it.

Think again about your descriptions. A couple of the concepts fail, much like a beam in the convention center. But, I did giggle at the nuts and bolts joke on the blog.

Who's The Boss? Ravenstahl Video Making Rounds On YouTube - News

Who's The Boss? Ravenstahl Video Making Rounds On YouTube - News Ha, ha, ha.

Let's continue the joke.

If it is in the city's and region's best interest to have Luke and Dan work together, one taking the lead on city issues, the other on county issues, then, perhaps, the logic holds that I might have a leg up on them. Since I'm bucking for both positions, plus four others, I'd never have to stand before an audience and pass the buck and say, "Ask the boss."

If you want tight integration between the mayor and the chief executive -- then it makes great sense to vote for the same person for both. Then, the blending of one to the other is a complete overlap.

The buck stops here, with me, as long as multiple personalities don't emerge.

Think of the time we'd all save. There would be no waiting around to see what the other is going to say, think or do.

Think of the money we'd all save. There would be no need to have extra benefits with health insurance, auto perks, retirement and wardrobe expenses. I wouldn't need to wear six suits, say, all at the same time. No way. I promise, I'll only wear one suit -- and to "sweeten the deal" -- I'll pay for it.

Once the "who's the boss" issue gets traction in the MSM beyond the Bussman, I'll take-off in the polls.

Should the Grant Street Politicans want to upgrade their web site, look here

If Luke, Bill or Jim want ideas for an upgrade to their web sites in the days to come, perhaps they should play copycat and nick from with this guy's site.

ClickPress | Nigerian politician Jimi Agbaje Launches Web 2.0 Campaign Site

Nigerian politician Jimi Agbaje has commissioned the first Web 2.0 social networking political site in Africa, jimiagbaje.com, for his political campaign.

Who said anything about Pittsburgh's government elite being backwards?

Real ID Act Deadline Pushed Back to 2009 - Mar 01, 2007

They blinked.

Real ID Act Deadline Pushed Back to 2009 - Mar 01, 2007 Real ID Act Deadline Pushed Back to 2009
March 1, 2007 By Gina M. Scott
According to a statement released today by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), states will now have until December 31, 2009 to implement the regulations of the Real ID act.

I'm against Real ID. Many states have already said "No Thanks" to the Real ID concept. Real ID is not going to work as some of the states are not going to do it. Put a fork in it.

Check back on Feb 12, in ten days

I've been promised things before. We'll see if Luke can stick to this one.

Mayor, Peduto trade jabs over tax-break plan The mayor's plan would waive the first $2,700 in city property taxes, for 10 years, on units of new housing built Downtown and in 21 other neighborhoods. The neighborhoods were chosen based on a formula involving dozens of factors, including stagnant development, population loss, low education levels, single-parent families, tax delinquency and violent crime.

He said the full data would be released within 10 days.

I'll read the report -- then react. Until then....

Collegians too special for their own good

Collegians too special for their own good Collegians too special for their own good
Mister Rogers saw it coming: Today's students self-centered

This is another reason why I love the sport of swimming. Swimming has time standards. Records are good. You can't cheat the clock, easily.

The strange thing about this article is the discussion with the ghost of Fred Rogers. Fred Rogers saw it coming and knew it could be a problem -- but -- he's gone. A dead man tells no lies.

Will Mr. Rogers re-runs be able to predict other trends for the future? Wonder what the C.Smoke Ball is going to post about this?

Isn't there anyone alive who care to give the quote about spoiled rotten brats? I don't.

China and the stock market roller coaster ride this week

From family - travels

Jerry Bowyer - BuzzChart: Red Tuesday, Part Deux On Tuesday the Chinese government was talking about interest-rate hikes and taxes on capital gains. In an instant, almost 10 percent of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) Composite Index was gone. The following day, the government reversed course, and almost half the index's value returned...

Personal endorsements from Jonathan and Mary Robison

Jonathan Robison, an Oakland attorney and long-time activist and D committee person, has a personal newsletter. I've hired J.R. in the past in a court case about ballot access. Anyway, he has some interesting insights. I've kept most of the content and cut out some other bigger chunks. See him for the entire posting or look at my Google Documents folder, but the blasted link isn't working.

RICK SWARTZ FOR ALLEGHENY COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Richard Swartz, D., executive director of the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation, is running for Allegheny County Executive against incumbent Dan Onorato.

Of course, he doesn’t have a chance, and he knows it. But his candidacy is important, and I hope that you’ll help him. Why is he running? He was asked to run by several people who were unhappy with some of Dan’s positions and with his attitude. (Rick’s decision to run was made too late to apply for the Democratic party endorsement.)

For me, the big issue is public transportation. At first, Onorato said that we would have to make a disastrous 24% cut in PAT bus and trolley service if we didn’t get additional funding from the State Legislature before PAT’s fiscal year ends June 30. (Please see the ‘Save Our Transit’ article below.) This, sadly, may be true. Then he said that he would make these cuts even if we got the money from Harrisburg. He said that he would “right-size” the system. This is cruel and stupid.

That the cuts would be cruel was made clear by people, thousands of people, at meetings, in letters and e-mails, and at PAT’s own public hearings.

The plan to cut service regardless is also stupid because it undermines years of our efforts to get the funding the state’s transit systems all need – dedicated, predictable, inflation-sensitive and adequate. The bipartisan Transportation Reform and Funding Commission has proposed funding for transit, and to fix our dilapidated bridges. Governor Rendell has his plan for funding transportation. But why should any legislator risk the voters’ wrath by supporting any taxes or any expenses when Onorato says that he intends that the transit riders will be devastated regardless?

This transit issue is crucial for our region and its people. It is easily an adequate reason to make me vote against Dan Onorato. But there are other issues. For example, there is the freeze on assessments, which hurts both the elderly homeowners and the municipalities and the school districts, while it subsidizes real estate speculators.

Underlying the issues are is a larger problem: Dan Onorato doesn’t listen.

Besides, it’s not good when a candidate is unopposed for an office this important.

Please help Rick Swartz. Call Joy Sabl, campaign coordinator pro tem, 731-7020, and leave a message.

MAYOR

The race May 15 with the highest visibility is the primary to nominate a Democratic candidate for mayor of the City Of Pittsburgh. I’m glad we’re getting a special primary as well as a special election in November for the two years remaining in the term of the late Bob O’Connor. Usually, in special elections there is no primary, and the parties’ nominees are chosen under the rules of each party.

I support Bill Peduto. Both candidates have strengths and weaknesses.

Bill is bright, dedicated, and independent-minded. He has many good ideas. He has supporters who will help him carry out new ideas. His supporters include many of the activists whose work brought victory last November. For example, Bill has been endorsed by the Sierra Club Allegheny Group, based on the work that he has done for the environment, including his opposition to mining in the woods overlooking the Hays neighborhood and opposition to the Mon-Fayette Turnpike. This is Bill’s best opportunity. If his opponent serves a couple of terms, Bill will be ‘no longer young.’ Believe me, at 64, I personally can relate to his situation. I hope that Bill has learned to listen better, especially to people who don’t share his ideas and to city employees, some of whom are very dedicated.

Luke means well. He is off to a good start, including his buy-back of the city liens. The city sale of tax liens provided money in the short run but later proved to be a hindrance to neighborhood development. Both Peduto and Ravenstahl have proposed tax breaks to draw new residents to targeted city neighborhoods. But, as a Post-Gazette editorial Feb. 25 said, one is “a thoroughly researched and analyzed 64-page proposal from Councilman Bill Peduto. The other is a thin and speculative concept from Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.”

Despite his youth, Luke’s support seems to be based on the old guard, such as Dennis Regan, who was his director of public safety until Commander Catherine Mitchell blew the whistle on his interference in a police personnel problem. And Luke is continuing to pursue disciplinary action against Catherine Mitchell, in the face of the unusual preliminary injunction won on her behalf by the ACLU.

There is also reproductive rights, which is not an issue one expects in a mayoral race. Luke opposed the “bubble zone” ordinance championed by Bill Peduto to prevent harassment of women going to health clinics that provide abortions. He did not propose an alternative, but merely said that he was “pro-life.”

City Controller – Several Excellent Candidates

I’m still having personal difficulties with this race.

Michael Lamb is certainly well qualified, not just well-known and well-funded. He continued to do an excellent job as Allegheny County Prothonotary after the County Charter was amended to change to position from one of the elected Allegheny County “row officers” to an appointed position. He has done a good job of computerizing the office, saving money and making the office more user-friendly to both attorneys and the public. He has been progressive on social issues, and I consider him a personal friend.

On the other hand, Tony Pokora, who was deputy city controller when Tom Flaherty was elected to a judgeship, has done a good job. He is also an old friend – in fact, I got him started in politics. In 1972 I was George McGovern’s legislative district coordinator. We had an office on East Carson Street. I asked Tony Pokora, who was still in high school, to help run the office. He got the politics bug, and the rest is history.

On the third hand, Doug Shields is also well qualified, a good progressive, has good ideas, and is a friend. The only problem is that he is running for two offices – city controller and his seat on City Council. I personally advised him against that, and like Bill Peduto two years ago, he didn’t take my advice on that subject. It hurts to not support him because he is doing such a good job where he is. But I told him that he can make more difference for Pittsburgh as President of Pittsburgh City Council.

If the person running who ran in 2005 against Bill Peduto for City Council hadn’t been a total twink, Bill might have lost both races, and been in a weaker position to run for Mayor. Doug Shields, on the other hand, has a strong opponent for his City Council seat, Pittsburgh School Board member Theresa Colaizzi.

There is a fourth candidate, former County Commissioner Mike Dawida. I also like him, but I’ve run out of hands.

Patrick Dowd for City Council

The 7th City Council District runs from Highland Park to Bloomfield and Lawrenceville. I support Patrick Dowd, another School Board member, who is running against the incumbent Len Bodack.

Pat is bright and has done a good job on the School Board. He has a young activist base. He has good ideas, including housing utilizing our 15,000 vacant units, and plans to improve our public transit/ Len Bodack is one of the brighter of the old guard, and better than his father, former party boss and former State Senator Len Bodack Sr. Still, we need Pat Dowd on City Council.

Patrick Dowd’s campaign office is 4326 Butler St, 403-9295, www.dowdforpittsburgh.org

Bruce Kraus for City Council

Another challenger I support is Bruce Kraus.

Bruce ran before and narrowly lost the special election in the 3rd District to Jeff Koch. Kraus was endorsed by the Gertrude Stein Political Club, the multi-partisan electoral politics organization for lesbian and gay rights and reproductive rights, of which Mary and I are charter members. Since his election, Jeff Koch has been a steady member of the old guard. He did do one very good thing – he put our ward chair, Eileen Conroy, on his staff

We Need Doug Shields – on City Council

In the 5th District, Doug Shields has done an excellent job. His colleagues have elected him president of City Council. But he is running for two offices this May – City Controller as well as his City Council seat – please see above. I can’t support him for City Controller, but I strongly support him for re-election to City Council. He has a well-qualified opponent, School Board member Theresa Colaizzi.

9th City Council District

There is a crowd of candidates in the 9th Council District against Twanda Carlisle, who made some questionable uses of her Community Development Block Grant funds. It is not clear who among the nine or more challengers will emerge as the stronger candidates.

County Council – Re-Elect Joan Cleary

In the County Council – 9 of the 15 essentially unpaid seats are up this May. There has been a progressive majority, led by County Council President Fitzgerald from the 14th Ward and At Large County Councilman John DeFazio, who is a district director of the United Steel Workers. Both are running this year on strong records, and may be unopposed. John is a strong supporter of funding for our transit service. I wish I could say the same about Rich Fitzgerald. (Please see the ‘Save Our Transit’ article below.)

In this year’s primary, we may be seeing an attempted revenge of the old guard.

Joan Cleary, one of the best of the newcomers, was elected in the 6th District with the strong support of the Service Employees International Union, is being challenged by John Palmieri of Baldwin Township.

In the 13th, Brenda Frazier is being challenged by Matt Arena. She is an independent-minded and active African-American, even though I am still unhappy with her vote on the proposed Living Wage ordinance. Matt Arena appears to be one of the old guard candidates. Nonetheless, I would consider him an old friend from my work with him against an unnecessary highway when he lived in Frazer Township. I guess that shows my age.

Several Good Judge Candidates

There are perhaps a dozen candidates for the four positions to be elected to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. All are well qualified, and they seem to vary from good to excellent. In addition, more than half the candidates are women. It’s about time. We would like to mention a couple of favorites.

One is Wrenna Watson. She was appointed by Governor Rendell, along with Joseph K. Williams III. Both are African-American, both are highly qualified, and neither is likely to be confirmed by the Republican-controlled State Senate. Wrenna Watson serves on the Pittsburgh Zoning Board of Adjustment and the City Planning Commission. She also has extensive experience actually adjudicating cases as a hearing officer in mental health commitments and for the state Liquor Control Board.

Another outstanding candidate is Cathy Bubash. She is a district magistrate on the North Side. We are impressed by her judicial deportment and diligence as a district magistrate. I was particularly impressed when I appeared before her as an attorney. Lots of magistrates treat us attorneys with respect. But she treated everyone with respect and consideration, whether they came from the county bar or Joe’s bar.

Hugh McGough is a proven worker and a proven leader. As assistant city solicitor, he defended the Constitutionality of Pittsburgh’s Human Relations Ordinance, including sexual orientation. He also served as President of the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force.

Shirley Novak, a twenty-year legal veteran, is almost a sentimental favorite for me. I worked with her, her sister Gloria, and her mother Thelma Novak, along with Dr. Marty Krauss and others in HEART, in the fight to save the East Street neighborhood from I-279, in the successful fight from better compensation for those displaced, and in the successful fight to save St. Boniface Church from demolition. She is part of the reason why “A home for a home and a business for a business” is a standard in eminent domain.

Another good candidate is Laura Ditka. She is a single woman who adopted a child. That takes fortitude.

Judge Anne Lazarus for Pennsylvania Superior Court

We’re also electing two members of the state Supreme Court and two members of the state Superior Court. Anne Lazarus is well regarded as a Common Pleas judge in Philadelphia, well regarded by the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and a good feminist.

For the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, there are two well-regarded candidates, both incumbent judges, Debra Todd and C. Darnell Jones. Judge Jones is African-American and is President Judge in Philadelphia.


Referendum on an Appointed Sheriff

County Council has voted to have a referendum to further amend our County Charter to make the County Sheriff an appointive office. It will be at the top of the machine. Especially in the wake of all the troubles in the Sheriff’s office, there seems to be no organized opposition.

Who will be President (... cut ...) Same to with Iraq section.

SAVE OUR TRANSIT

This fall, we must fight again to save our transit system. Pennsylvania’s assistance for operating funds is simply inadequate. Years of interim action and inaction have caught up with us. PAT’s budget for fiscal 2006-2007 requires $31 million in additional operating funds. Without new state sources of money, PAT (and ACCESS) would need fare increases. PAT is now planning elimination of about a quarter of their service, including elimination of over half of the bus routes. PAT needs a balanced budget for the 2007-2008 fiscal year, which starts July 1. The PAT Board meets on the fourth Friday of the month, and currently plans to vote March 23 on a plan to cut service AND raise the fare, probably to $2.00. Originally County Executive Dan Onorato supported a horrible plan to cut service if the State Legislature failed to provide essential statewide transit funding. Then he said he supported 24% service cuts regardless, to “right-size” the system. (Please see above.) Now he is talking again about supporting the efforts to get the state money. What next?

Governor Rendell saved the system two years ago by “flexing” federal highway funds, but he can’t do that again. The Governor’s bipartisan Transit Funding and Reform Commission issued a report, spelling out the need for $659 million to keep the state’s transit systems going – and $1.013 billion needed to repair and maintain our bridges and roads. (The $1 billion would fund NO significant new capacity highways.)

Please take action. Call, write, or e-mail your legislators, especially in the State Senate, and urge them to approve a solution for providing funding both for public transportation and for maintaining and fixing our bridges and roads – funding that is dedicated, predictable, inflation-sensitive, and adequate. And tell Dan Onorato – people depend on our buses and trolleys. Don’t betray us.

I am tired of talking or writing about this issue.

JOIN ME ON THE M.S. WALK SUNDAY APR. 22

There will be an M.S. Walk Sunday morning, April 22, to raise money for MS research.

I will be on the walk -- not walking, of course, but on a new power wheelchair. We have a Power Team on the five-mile route – power chairs, scooters, and friends who just walk. You are invited to join us. We gather at 8 am at Heinz Field and start at 9. Please join me, or join by making a contribution to the National MS Society for medical research into a cure for MS. Tell us you’ll walk, or send a check to the National MS Society, 1501 Reedsdale St. #105, Pittsburgh 15233. Please mention the Power Team.

This cause is personal. My MS – multiple sclerosis – got worse this fall, and I switched to a new medication, Tysabri. I’m glad to say it’s working, and I’m better. Please join me on the MS Walk, Apr. 22.

Love and Peace,

Jonathan and Mary Robison
(with some snips)

All in all, the biggest problems with the above endorsment letter resides with his selection of Bruce Kraus over Jeff Koch. But, I understand that he'd have an impossible time giving an endorsement to Koch. I can't endorse either -- but it isn't my place to say much, yet.

I'm with Jonathan in that an endorsement is not a prediction as to who will win. Finally, I'm sure that most of you out there are clueless to the fact that Dan Onorato is going to have an opponent in the D primary in May. That will be interesting to watch.