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| From Pens Village |
I've got ideas that ... oh well, ...
Penguins declare impasse in arena talks Penguins declare impasse in arena talks
Will pursue other offers aggressively, letter says
Monday, March 05, 2007
Bye, bye birdie -- Pens seeming to flee.
Humm....
No deal yet.
I've got ideas that ... oh well, ...
I've got ideas that ... oh well, ...
Draft Resolution Regarding Dr. Ron Paul and his Exploratory Committee for President in 2008
From fellow Libertarian Running Mate, Mark C.
WHEREAS the growth of government continues unabated with big-government bureaucrats and politicians of both major parties in complete control;
WHEREAS accelerating rates of uncontrolled, constitutionally-unauthorized, government spending and the inflationary monetary policies of the Federal Reserve have put our country at grave economic risk;
WHEREAS growing restrictions on personal and economic freedom, along with intrusive federal mandates into state and local affairs, continue without pause;
WHEREAS global deployment of the U.S. military has entangled our country with foreign governments and with foreign leaders that Americans wouldn't want living in their own
neighborhoods; therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania enthusiastically supports efforts by Dr. Ron Paul to thrust libertarian viewpoints into national debate during the 2008
election season by way of his possible presidential candidacy; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania encourages everyone to demand a national debate of these viewpoints and not to accept restriction by establishment politicians and silence by a complicit media.
You do the math. Count me out when it comes to robbing from our kids.
Do the math.
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| From family - travels |
The official national debt figure, now approaching $9 trillion, reflects only what the federal government owes in current debts on money already borrowed. It does not reflect what the federal government has promised to pay millions of Americans in entitlement benefits down the road. Those future obligations put our real debt figure at roughly fifty trillion dollars - a staggering sum that is about as large as the total household net worth of the entire United States. Your share of this fifty trillion amounts to about $175,000.The Coming Entitlement Meltdown also gives props to David Walker, scroll down.
Opportunity China 2007: Breakfast Seminar - PittsburghLIVE.com
This would be fun to crash.
If you want to attend, on my behalf, let me know.
Quiz: What does this photo show?
Opportunity China 2007: Breakfast Seminar - PittsburghLIVE.comWhat does Dan Onorato know about CHINA?
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| From clean-sweep |
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| From texture - misc. |
City Council President wants Temporary Slots Parlor. Okay -- do it in the Convention Center
Doug Shields, D, president of Pgh City Council and candidate for Allegheny County Controller's post (against Michael Lamb, D, and Tony Pakora, D, and Joe Weinroth, R) said that the budget for the City of Pittsburgh is going to have a $10-million hole.
This $10-million amount is what Doug Shields and his fellow big-spenders on City Council counted upon as income from the slots parlor.
In the radio interview, Doug Shields called it a "casino" but it is really just a slots parlor.
The winning slots parlor outfit was granted a license by a state gambling board. However, two challenges to the granting of the license have been made. So, the green light for the building of the slots parlor for the river's edge on the North Side, next to the Carnegie Science Center, has been delayed.
The city's budget expected money in 2007 from this gambling operation. City council sets the budget and has done so in the past with phantom incomes. Gambling incomes were a part of Mayor Tom Murphy's budget in 2006. Money won't come to 2008, at the soonest.
The Majestic Star Slots Parlor on the North Side considered but nixed the idea of building a temporary slots parlor, like in a circus tent. Temporary casinos are still operational in other parts of the country. The risk is that a real building with decent design standards won't ever be completed should a temporary site become operational. The goal isn't to put a new gem onto the river's edge that looks like the I.C. Light Amphitheater.
Now that the Convention Center is empty, it makes great sense to build the temporary slots parlor as well as the permanent slots parlor within the David M. Lawrence Convention Center.
A series of poor thinking is revealing itself in many instances in Pittsburgh.
If I was in office, like Dan Onorato, Luke Ravenstahl, or even on City Council like Doug Shields or Bill Peduto, I'd be making a hard pitch to Don Barden to insist that he move the slots license, short term and long term, into the Convention Center. Sell the Convention Center to Don Barden.
This $10-million amount is what Doug Shields and his fellow big-spenders on City Council counted upon as income from the slots parlor.
In the radio interview, Doug Shields called it a "casino" but it is really just a slots parlor.
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| From Convention Ce... |
The winning slots parlor outfit was granted a license by a state gambling board. However, two challenges to the granting of the license have been made. So, the green light for the building of the slots parlor for the river's edge on the North Side, next to the Carnegie Science Center, has been delayed.
The city's budget expected money in 2007 from this gambling operation. City council sets the budget and has done so in the past with phantom incomes. Gambling incomes were a part of Mayor Tom Murphy's budget in 2006. Money won't come to 2008, at the soonest.
The Majestic Star Slots Parlor on the North Side considered but nixed the idea of building a temporary slots parlor, like in a circus tent. Temporary casinos are still operational in other parts of the country. The risk is that a real building with decent design standards won't ever be completed should a temporary site become operational. The goal isn't to put a new gem onto the river's edge that looks like the I.C. Light Amphitheater.
Now that the Convention Center is empty, it makes great sense to build the temporary slots parlor as well as the permanent slots parlor within the David M. Lawrence Convention Center.
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| From Convention Ce... |
A series of poor thinking is revealing itself in many instances in Pittsburgh.
If I was in office, like Dan Onorato, Luke Ravenstahl, or even on City Council like Doug Shields or Bill Peduto, I'd be making a hard pitch to Don Barden to insist that he move the slots license, short term and long term, into the Convention Center. Sell the Convention Center to Don Barden.
Two big words hit the airwaves at KDKA Radio: "Eliminate Authorities"
Marty Griffin was talking with Allegheny County Councilman, Vince Gasteb, R, and the words and concepts of the elimination of authorities was spoken.
I've been barking about these steps for years. Elimination, liquidation and votes of retention for authority board members have been central themes to my platform and campaign statements.
Authorities are not accountable as they should be. They've got to go away. They've gone nuts and over stepped in a zillion ways.
Furthermore, those that made and sustained this mess with authorities are the ones who are least able to clean it up.
I've been barking about these steps for years. Elimination, liquidation and votes of retention for authority board members have been central themes to my platform and campaign statements.
Authorities are not accountable as they should be. They've got to go away. They've gone nuts and over stepped in a zillion ways.
Furthermore, those that made and sustained this mess with authorities are the ones who are least able to clean it up.
Spring Swimming: Lessons, Team, Lifeguarding and More
Join the fun --- become a Wildcat!
Wildcat Swimming at Carlynton Swim Club
Swim Club at Carlynton H.S. Pool
Registration for the competitive swim team for summer begins March 26, 2007, at 4:30 PM. Swimming is a healthy, fun-for-life, family sport and one that ALL team members are guaranteed to participate in at every meet. The only benchwarmers on our team are waiting to swim their next event! ALL age groups and swimming abilities are welcome. We have swimmers aged 5 to 18 ranging from beginners to state champions.
* We are a competitive swim club belonging to the Western Central Pennsylvania Swim League (WCPSL) and Allegheny Mountain Swimming (AMS - United States Swimming league).
* Spring/Summer Season runs March 26 thru July 27, 2007
* Special Summer price $30/family
* You can start practice anytime
* Practice is held at Carlynton High School pool
Competitive swimming questions - Coach Mike Schneiderlochner, 412-215-2766.
Registration questions/information - Carol Matt.
Swimming Lessons
Instruction: Red Cross Levels 1 – 2 – 3 & 4; 10 - 40 min. or 9 – 45 min. classes
Cost: $30 for 1st swimmer; $25 for each additional swimmer in the family
Registration is Thursday, March 22, 2007; 5 – 6:30 pm at Carlynton HS Pool
Session 3: Class Dates: March 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, April 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Times: 6:00 – 6:45 PM
Session 4: Class Dates: April 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, and 19
Times: 6:00 – 6:45 PM
Session 5: Class Dates: April 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, May 1, 2, 3, and 4
Times: 6:00 – 6:40 PM
Session 6: Class Dates: May 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18
Times: 6:00 – 6:40 PM
Email registrations will be accepted AFTER the registration date and based on class availability. Send to amy@carlyntonswim.com.
Lifeguarding Classes
Register by calling Mike Schneiderlochner before May 11, 2007 at 412-215-2766 (cell) or via email at michael.schneiderlochner@comcast.net. Please request confirmation on email transmission.
Dates: May 14, 16, 18, 21, 22, 23, 2007
Times: 7-10 PM
Cost: Full class $185; recertification $95; CPR recertification $45
CPR May 19 – Recerts 9-11:30 AM & Full Class Noon-4 PM
Lifeguard recerts must attend on May 14th to determine dates for attendance. CPR training and recert will be May 19.
Recreational Swimming
Rec/Family Swims occurs now through the end of March.
Time: Tuesdays & Thursdays 7 – 8:00 pm
Cost: Adults $2; Children $1
Must see TV. The US top accountant on an education tour. Fiscal Wake Up Tour
The sky is falling. David Walker is providing an enormous public service.
Fiscal cancer.
Catastrophic consequences.
This proves why we need to end the twin tunnel project under the Allegheny River for light rail extension.
Tsunami of spending that will swamp our ship of state.
Can't do anything else but pay money on the debt.
Eliminate all waste and fraud, entire Pentagon Budget -- and still have nothing left.
The real problem is health care costs.
Video even shows snip of some open water swimmers!
The proscription drug bill was the most damaging bill since the 1960s.
Most people in Washington knows. It is always easier not to do something. You get in trouble in politics when you make choices. We need to be tough on spending. And, they have no faith that there is a consensus on doing the right things.
The last 40 seconds of the segment are the best.
If you tell them the truth, give them the facts, if you explain this in not just numbers but do it in terms of values, they will empower their politicians.
Ds and Rs are on a course that doesn't add up.
The nation's top accountant. Put a cap on federal spending. The longer we wait, the more we risk.
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=2534935nWatch this segment from 60 Minutes. Don't do anything else until you see this.
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| From people & vips |
Fiscal cancer.
Catastrophic consequences.
This proves why we need to end the twin tunnel project under the Allegheny River for light rail extension.
Tsunami of spending that will swamp our ship of state.
Can't do anything else but pay money on the debt.
Eliminate all waste and fraud, entire Pentagon Budget -- and still have nothing left.
The real problem is health care costs.
Video even shows snip of some open water swimmers!
The proscription drug bill was the most damaging bill since the 1960s.
Most people in Washington knows. It is always easier not to do something. You get in trouble in politics when you make choices. We need to be tough on spending. And, they have no faith that there is a consensus on doing the right things.
The last 40 seconds of the segment are the best.
If you tell them the truth, give them the facts, if you explain this in not just numbers but do it in terms of values, they will empower their politicians.
Ds and Rs are on a course that doesn't add up.
The nation's top accountant. Put a cap on federal spending. The longer we wait, the more we risk.
MacYapper: FIGHT TO THE FINISH EDITION
MacYapper's now is not present. He posted on his blog:
Even when May 15 arrives, the city's voters are going to be on the sidelines. May 15 is ONLY for the registered, big-party voters. And then, the Luke and Bill choice is only for some of them.
The "done deal mentality" has killed this city and region. Falling into this trap does nobody any good.
MacYapper: FIGHT TO THE FINISH EDITION Now it's up to the actual city voters.Not so fast. The city voters get their day with the arrival of November 6, 2007. Today is March 5.
Even when May 15 arrives, the city's voters are going to be on the sidelines. May 15 is ONLY for the registered, big-party voters. And then, the Luke and Bill choice is only for some of them.
The "done deal mentality" has killed this city and region. Falling into this trap does nobody any good.
When will the D-party endorsement conclude?
The endorsement process for the Dems might not be over for a while. The vote happened yesterday, but some of the players are now headed to court.
A silly sports slogan says, "It isn't over until the fat lady sings." When will we hear, 'Elvis has just left the building.' -- Or, 'We had em alllllll the way.'
On one hand, the more uncertainty and doubt within the local D party, the better. But on the other hand, I really want to restore confidence in our elected, democratic process. More legal challenges with more exposure of lies drives a bigger wedge between the people and the institutions that SHOULD be a source of faith and trust. Otherwise, people settle differences in other ways.
Pittsburgh is famous for the number of people that just vote with their feet.
This is another good instance to listen to the song -- Be Careful Punching Ballots If You Can't See the Hole -- by Amy Carol Webb. It has been on my CD.
A silly sports slogan says, "It isn't over until the fat lady sings." When will we hear, 'Elvis has just left the building.' -- Or, 'We had em alllllll the way.'
On one hand, the more uncertainty and doubt within the local D party, the better. But on the other hand, I really want to restore confidence in our elected, democratic process. More legal challenges with more exposure of lies drives a bigger wedge between the people and the institutions that SHOULD be a source of faith and trust. Otherwise, people settle differences in other ways.
Pittsburgh is famous for the number of people that just vote with their feet.
This is another good instance to listen to the song -- Be Careful Punching Ballots If You Can't See the Hole -- by Amy Carol Webb. It has been on my CD.
Ravenstahl easily tops Peduto for party nod - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Pokora plans to challenge the results in court this week.
He said the committee's bylaws don't address the use of provisional ballots used by those who could not show proof they were eligible to participate yesterday. Pokora has said he would not run without the committee's endorsement, but he was unsure yesterday if he would stick to that pledge given the close vote.
City Councilman Doug Shields, who received the endorsement in his council race, placed a distant third in the controller's race.
In a separate challenge, Andrea Boykowycz, a Peduto supporter, has contested the voting eligibility of 20 committee members.
Committee Chairman Jim Burn said she challenged the members' voter registration and residency. Committee members must be registered Democrats living in Allegheny County.
Burn said the committee members will be given 30 days to prove their eligibility. The results could affect some of the close races."
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Lamb's one vote margin -- Joe Weinroth to Controller's Race
Joe Weinroth, former GOP candidate for Mayor, 2005, may enter the City Controller's Race. We'll know Tuesday.
That could be a great move by Weinroth, in my humble opinion.
Next, Mike Lamb needs a web site or blog. There has been some smoke in the controller's race. It may continue. But it would be nice to see one of them enter the digital realm. Who is going to bring the race to the people?
I asked on another blog about Mike Dawida. He didn't go for the D endorsement. But is he still in the race?
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| From texture - misc. |
That could be a great move by Weinroth, in my humble opinion.
Next, Mike Lamb needs a web site or blog. There has been some smoke in the controller's race. It may continue. But it would be nice to see one of them enter the digital realm. Who is going to bring the race to the people?
I asked on another blog about Mike Dawida. He didn't go for the D endorsement. But is he still in the race?
Judge blasts ban at county Democratic Committee meeting - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Un-democratic democrats are the worst. 
I talked to about 100 people today, give or take. I didn't give anything but my business card. I didn't take anything either, but observations, of course. This is America and freedom still happens here -- on sidewalks, generally. One woman did share a grumble to me about my being present. That's okay. It is her right to air her thoughts as well.
What was the verdict for Judge C.D.Jones II today. Did you see him? Did he search out MacYapper? IMHO, he would have had better luck getting votes if he would have attended the Pens Flyers game.
Judge blasts ban at county Democratic Committee meeting - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 'This is America. I issue rulings on the same Constitution that guarantees us all freedom of speech and access to information.'I worry about the First Amendement a bit too. However, I also realize that it was cold outside the IBEW HALL today and the wind was blowing hard. I'm on the outside. I stayed on the outside.
I talked to about 100 people today, give or take. I didn't give anything but my business card. I didn't take anything either, but observations, of course. This is America and freedom still happens here -- on sidewalks, generally. One woman did share a grumble to me about my being present. That's okay. It is her right to air her thoughts as well.
What was the verdict for Judge C.D.Jones II today. Did you see him? Did he search out MacYapper? IMHO, he would have had better luck getting votes if he would have attended the Pens Flyers game.
Thirsty?????
Democrats Back Ravenstahl For Mayor - Politics ... another step hopefully in the right direction ...This drinking game never goes away.
Anyone know who "invented" it? Who should be nominated for inventing it? Or, who endorses the drinking game to this day?
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| From china - foods |
Pennsylvania Politburo: Skyrocketing Costs and Secrecy
The Three Rivers Post & Standard -- The Pennsylvania Politburo: Skyrocketing Costs and Secrecy (ok… so officially it is called the General Assembly) is being further exposed being the bloated mess that it really is.
Ravenstahl wins county Dem mayoral nod over Peduto
Hot News:
I'm not saying, like I keep telling my son, that I want one or the other, Bill or Luke. Neither are what I think Pittsburgh needs. But, I think the jury is still out about 2009 -- and I want it to stay out until 2009. Others don't.
As for the upsets, there were a lot of them. That's wonderful.
Update: I've seen some numbers, and Doug Shields did okay in the three-way race for City Controller. I am retracting what I posted above after seeing the numbers. He must make a decision -- but Shields staying in the race might make good sense.
P-G In two races for the Pittsburgh Public School board, Stephanie Tecza won the endorsement over Heather Arnet and incumbent Dan Romaniello lost decisively to challenger Sherry Hazuda.To the Peduto fans, as I said to his campaign manager on the sidewalk, and posted elsewhere: 2009 and win by addition.
I'm not saying, like I keep telling my son, that I want one or the other, Bill or Luke. Neither are what I think Pittsburgh needs. But, I think the jury is still out about 2009 -- and I want it to stay out until 2009. Others don't.
As for the upsets, there were a lot of them. That's wonderful.
Ravenstahl wins county Dem mayoral nod over Peduto In county council's contested endorsement votes, three incumbents lost endorsements to challengers. This included a loss by Councilwoman Brenda Frazier of Stanton Heights to Matt Arena.Lamb's one vote margin is interesting. Doug Shields should pull out of the race and just run for his seat. How far back was T.C. in the numbers for the City Council seat? Sheilds could be a deal maker for either Mike or Tony.
...
In the crowded race for Twanda Carlisle's city council seat, the incumbent lost the endorsement to Rachel Cooper, daughter of District Justice Kevin Cooper.
Update: I've seen some numbers, and Doug Shields did okay in the three-way race for City Controller. I am retracting what I posted above after seeing the numbers. He must make a decision -- but Shields staying in the race might make good sense.
Democrat Endorsement News and Notes
I arrived at the Democratic Endorsement venue on Pittsburgh's South Side early in the afternoon because I was asked to come down and support my friend Bill Peduto.
There's no question he SHOULD be our next mayor.
There were a lot of "incumbent" Luke Ravenstahl signs. Why everyone got out of the habit of referring to him as "interim," I'll never know. As of today, our interim mayor hasn't won anything other than a race of name recognition in his own back yard.
There were too many for a just-turned 27-year-old with virtually no leadership record. That's what you get when you have a disasterous, yet big money governor and a well-connected, seemingly hardworking Allegheny County executive shutting down every usual artery of campaign funding. Qualified leaders be damned, the funding fix is in.
Anyhoo, I ran into a number of friends from the neighborhood. There was one candidate who I will not name who REPEATEDLY called me an entirely different FIRST AND LAST name, despite being in earshot of me re-introducing myself to another colleague.
Embattled city councilwoman Twanda Carlisle's group had a table riddled with presumably her own campaign-funded fancy mugs inside the voting room...why she was allowed inside and everyone else was reduced to handing out pens, writing pads and other trinkets out in the hall, or outside for that matter is anyone's guess. Let's hope her mugs were not someone else's work, and she was presenting them as her own (you may remember her mother's boyfriend was paid a year's worth of city-taxpayer salary to write an essay about her constituency. It turns out the paper featured reams of "borrowed" statistics and observations from a legitimate scholarly study).
I noticed dozens of familiar faces and friends. Let me start by saying Bill Peduto has lost considerable weight and looks 32 instead of 42. Somehow his morning treadmill routines help him lose weight, while my own treadmill and weight lifting routine has only increased my size and weight.
It'll be interesting to see how this vote turns out. When a guy like Governor Tony Soprano is involved, I'm always a little worried.
There's no question he SHOULD be our next mayor.
There were a lot of "incumbent" Luke Ravenstahl signs. Why everyone got out of the habit of referring to him as "interim," I'll never know. As of today, our interim mayor hasn't won anything other than a race of name recognition in his own back yard.
There were too many for a just-turned 27-year-old with virtually no leadership record. That's what you get when you have a disasterous, yet big money governor and a well-connected, seemingly hardworking Allegheny County executive shutting down every usual artery of campaign funding. Qualified leaders be damned, the funding fix is in.
Anyhoo, I ran into a number of friends from the neighborhood. There was one candidate who I will not name who REPEATEDLY called me an entirely different FIRST AND LAST name, despite being in earshot of me re-introducing myself to another colleague.
Embattled city councilwoman Twanda Carlisle's group had a table riddled with presumably her own campaign-funded fancy mugs inside the voting room...why she was allowed inside and everyone else was reduced to handing out pens, writing pads and other trinkets out in the hall, or outside for that matter is anyone's guess. Let's hope her mugs were not someone else's work, and she was presenting them as her own (you may remember her mother's boyfriend was paid a year's worth of city-taxpayer salary to write an essay about her constituency. It turns out the paper featured reams of "borrowed" statistics and observations from a legitimate scholarly study).
I noticed dozens of familiar faces and friends. Let me start by saying Bill Peduto has lost considerable weight and looks 32 instead of 42. Somehow his morning treadmill routines help him lose weight, while my own treadmill and weight lifting routine has only increased my size and weight.
It'll be interesting to see how this vote turns out. When a guy like Governor Tony Soprano is involved, I'm always a little worried.
If history holds true, Pittsburgh mayoralty winner could serve a long time = pure hog wash!
Status quo, hog-wash thinking hits the P-G again today concerning the Dem party primary.
Tom Murphy is still eligible to be our mayor, but he had the wheels come off of his agenda. A mayor that becomes 'dead in the water' sinks and won't run again.
I think that Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has an easy time winning the primary election in 2007 and all the other times it is going to grow to be more and more difficult.
Even if William Peduto wins the primary, and then somehow wins the general election, he could be a one-time, two-year mayor.
Even if Luke becomes 'golden' and reverses his ways in terms of performance, I expect that Luke won't be mayor for a long period. Life would be a hell of a lot easier if Luke was a State Senator or a worked an administrative job for a bigger deal state or national figure.
Finally, the mayor's job in Pittsburgh needs to be put under a term limit. I'm in favor of a term limit for a city's top administrator.
If Peduto wins the office of mayor, I have a fleeting vision that he'd be happy being Pittsburgh's last mayor. He'd look to a metropolitan model and the city would just blow away in a water-main break in a season or two.
Sure, the process hits a milestone today. But Rich Lord, I'm sad at your article's lead. Did John Craig edit it?
Mayor Murphy could NOT come to any neighborhood for public meetings. He wasn't welcome. Mayor Murphy, a marathon runner, could NOT even keep a marathon in this city.
You should have a better grip on history. I hate to see it when others try to re-write history.
With Tom Murphy, even the ultimate Frisbee players in town came to see Tom Murphy for what he was. He lied to them back in 2000, 2001 -- to get votes. He fooled them for a spell. But, that was the last gasp for Murphy. He could NOT even hold together the URA any longer.
If a mayor does a poor job or even an average job -- he or she will be gone, driven from office.
Bill Peduto and Luke Ravenstahl are like two peas in the same pod. Peduto is running a cautious campaign. On the net folks have asked, "What are you waiting for?" Even the P-G quote that Peduto 'seems ready to' -- that's not very aggressive. Peduto's camp has been sheltering some of his older, finished campaign position papers. They could snow Luke under 20-feet if they just opened the floodgates in Wonkville, rather than seeming to be ready to about to one day try.
Both candidates have a similar vision in that they want to to turn Pittsburgh into something that it isn't. Peduto's Goden Quadrangle is like Luke's 'significantly different place.' Same pod, different peas.
They both call to more 'experts.' They both have ideas, BUT choose to hold back. The sad thing is the P-G gives them a free pass to do so.
Opposition comes from both to the Pgh leg of the Mon Valley Toll Road, but for Luke it is after an "IF".
Both want to expand government. Luke wants government to help pay for a wet lab. Hell, we can't even get voting machines that work well. What is government's role? Peduto's government owned building seem to need diapers. It is a spit rag for one and a diaper for the other. Two peas, same pod.
Guys -- how about if the city cared a bit for the babies, the children, the kids and the PEOPLE of this city. I want to put attention onto the people, not bricks and mortar projects. They are so Murphy like. They will fail. The city's tax base isn't capable of paying for a new arena for the Pens yet alone a building that bleeds us empty.
Enough for now. (First posted at 7:40 AM)
If history holds true, Pittsburgh mayoralty winner could serve a long time With two young candidates running in a one-party town that usually re-elects mayors, voters in the May 15 Democratic primary could be picking Pittsburgh's leader for a decade.Throw the bums out votes happen in these parts, now. Sala Udin isn't in office. Barbara Burns isn't in office. Michael Diven isn't in office. Lots of state reps are not in office.
Tom Murphy is still eligible to be our mayor, but he had the wheels come off of his agenda. A mayor that becomes 'dead in the water' sinks and won't run again.
I think that Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has an easy time winning the primary election in 2007 and all the other times it is going to grow to be more and more difficult.
Even if William Peduto wins the primary, and then somehow wins the general election, he could be a one-time, two-year mayor.
Even if Luke becomes 'golden' and reverses his ways in terms of performance, I expect that Luke won't be mayor for a long period. Life would be a hell of a lot easier if Luke was a State Senator or a worked an administrative job for a bigger deal state or national figure.
Finally, the mayor's job in Pittsburgh needs to be put under a term limit. I'm in favor of a term limit for a city's top administrator.
If Peduto wins the office of mayor, I have a fleeting vision that he'd be happy being Pittsburgh's last mayor. He'd look to a metropolitan model and the city would just blow away in a water-main break in a season or two.
Sure, the process hits a milestone today. But Rich Lord, I'm sad at your article's lead. Did John Craig edit it?
No, no, no. We drove Tom Murphy out of office. Tom Murphy won in 2001 by spending $1-million and getting 30,000 votes in the spring. Murphy won by the skin of his teeth and was wounded politically. Tom Murphy could not have won in 2005 because he was driven from office.
In a city that hasn't driven a mayor from office since 1936, that person could be mulling whether to run again in 2013 and 2017.
Mayor Murphy could NOT come to any neighborhood for public meetings. He wasn't welcome. Mayor Murphy, a marathon runner, could NOT even keep a marathon in this city.
You should have a better grip on history. I hate to see it when others try to re-write history.
With Tom Murphy, even the ultimate Frisbee players in town came to see Tom Murphy for what he was. He lied to them back in 2000, 2001 -- to get votes. He fooled them for a spell. But, that was the last gasp for Murphy. He could NOT even hold together the URA any longer.
If a mayor does a poor job or even an average job -- he or she will be gone, driven from office.
Bill Peduto and Luke Ravenstahl are like two peas in the same pod. Peduto is running a cautious campaign. On the net folks have asked, "What are you waiting for?" Even the P-G quote that Peduto 'seems ready to' -- that's not very aggressive. Peduto's camp has been sheltering some of his older, finished campaign position papers. They could snow Luke under 20-feet if they just opened the floodgates in Wonkville, rather than seeming to be ready to about to one day try.
Both candidates have a similar vision in that they want to to turn Pittsburgh into something that it isn't. Peduto's Goden Quadrangle is like Luke's 'significantly different place.' Same pod, different peas.
They both call to more 'experts.' They both have ideas, BUT choose to hold back. The sad thing is the P-G gives them a free pass to do so.
Opposition comes from both to the Pgh leg of the Mon Valley Toll Road, but for Luke it is after an "IF".
Both want to expand government. Luke wants government to help pay for a wet lab. Hell, we can't even get voting machines that work well. What is government's role? Peduto's government owned building seem to need diapers. It is a spit rag for one and a diaper for the other. Two peas, same pod.
Guys -- how about if the city cared a bit for the babies, the children, the kids and the PEOPLE of this city. I want to put attention onto the people, not bricks and mortar projects. They are so Murphy like. They will fail. The city's tax base isn't capable of paying for a new arena for the Pens yet alone a building that bleeds us empty.
Enough for now. (First posted at 7:40 AM)
Saturday, March 03, 2007
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.
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
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| From family - travels |
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.
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| Extra photo, just because I can. From family - travels, |
Pittsburgh Comet's retraction of a historical fact
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| From texture - misc. |
The Pittsburgh Comet Bill Peduto's Blog: SucksNot really.
Councilman Bill Peduto is the first major party candidate for mayor in Pittsburgh's history to have launched a weblog.
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.
This thread was first published on 3-2-07 at 1:03 pm.
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).
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