GARFIELD COMMUNITY-WIDE MEETING at ST. LAWRENCE O'TOOLE COMMUNITY CENTER on THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2007 at 6:30 P.M.
Brief Overview of Garfield Comprehensive Housing Strategy Joann Monroe, Executive Director
Garfield Jubilee Association, Inc.
Accomplishments To Date Aggie Brose, Deputy Director
Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation, Where we are Today Richard Swartz, Executive Director, Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation
Overview of Strategy for Garfield Heights Replacement Housing
HACP Vision (A. Fulton Meachem, Executive Director of HACP)
-Nature of Housing Authority Participation
-Funding Availability for Phases I, II, and III
Garfield Development Plan (Keith B. Key, President of KBK Enterprises)
-Financing Plan Overview
-Management Plan
Support Services, Section 3,and MBE Plan (Richard Morris, HACP)
Project Overview (Tisha Germany, KBK Enterprises)
-Timeline for Phase 1 Development
-Project Amenities
-Rent Structure and Qualifications for Units
Review of Site Plan for Phase I (Alexandra Laporte-Snediker, HACP)
-Site Plan
-Unit Elevations and Community Bldg
Questions and Answers
Next Steps – Quarterly Up-Date Community Meetings & Adjournment
Thursday, March 22, 2007
AGENDA FOR TONIGHT'S meeting in Garfield
Open Letter to Bill Peduto from Mark Rauterkus:
Now it the time to re-open prior discussions on campaign finance reform.
Dear City Council Member Peduto,
A few years ago, as a citizen and former candidate for mayor, I reviewed your legislation about campaign finance reform. I called for the public hearing about your bill. We talked about some of the fatal flaws in council chambers. The bill was tabled.
Furthermore, I was part of a committee that was established in the aftermath of the failed legislation offering. I was happy to be included in that effort. My begging plus some insistence from other members on council at the time helped to get me into those meetings.
Some of us were willing to deal with a wide range of issues concerning Pittsburgh's campaign finance reform. The committee was stacked with excellent people. Some of the best and brightest organizations in the region were represented and concerned. We came together to work in hopes of advancing solutions. All cared a great deal about our shared democracy. And, we kept true to the wishes of the bill's prime sponsor.
To this day, the work product of that committee has not been revealed. I've been disturbed, as you know, by the lack of action and silence for so many months. Our committee, in my opinion, offered some fine outcomes. These have been kept under wraps.
Now is the time to unleash those discussion about democracy in Pittsburgh, in advance of the 2009 campaign season. Let's re-kindle and begin to reclaim the discussion about campaigns in Pittsburgh.
You said yesterday, "The campaign to reform Pittsburgh continues." Well, that's good news. But, it is clear to me, the next step on this process of reform should include a new look at campaign finance reform. We've done plenty of work. The group was ready to make some suggestions. Plus, I have two specific side-line suggestions that go beyond what was offered by the committee.
In the days to come, I'd love to see you put the ordinance back onto the table with an attached call for an official public hearing in council chambers. Let's address the materials developed by the committee in the past and allow for additional citizen comment.
I feel certain that if some of the solutions I proposed back in those discussions would have been implemented, yesterday's news could have been avoided. Serious, system-wide reform can be accomplished. But, action is necessary.
Introduce a "place holder bill" called "campaign finance reform" so that we can quickly proceed to a public hearing.
Thanks for all you have done and are yet to accomplish in these regards.
Finally, for scheduling, in May and early June I'll be in New Zealand.
A few years ago, as a citizen and former candidate for mayor, I reviewed your legislation about campaign finance reform. I called for the public hearing about your bill. We talked about some of the fatal flaws in council chambers. The bill was tabled.
Furthermore, I was part of a committee that was established in the aftermath of the failed legislation offering. I was happy to be included in that effort. My begging plus some insistence from other members on council at the time helped to get me into those meetings.
Some of us were willing to deal with a wide range of issues concerning Pittsburgh's campaign finance reform. The committee was stacked with excellent people. Some of the best and brightest organizations in the region were represented and concerned. We came together to work in hopes of advancing solutions. All cared a great deal about our shared democracy. And, we kept true to the wishes of the bill's prime sponsor.
To this day, the work product of that committee has not been revealed. I've been disturbed, as you know, by the lack of action and silence for so many months. Our committee, in my opinion, offered some fine outcomes. These have been kept under wraps.
Now is the time to unleash those discussion about democracy in Pittsburgh, in advance of the 2009 campaign season. Let's re-kindle and begin to reclaim the discussion about campaigns in Pittsburgh.
You said yesterday, "The campaign to reform Pittsburgh continues." Well, that's good news. But, it is clear to me, the next step on this process of reform should include a new look at campaign finance reform. We've done plenty of work. The group was ready to make some suggestions. Plus, I have two specific side-line suggestions that go beyond what was offered by the committee.
In the days to come, I'd love to see you put the ordinance back onto the table with an attached call for an official public hearing in council chambers. Let's address the materials developed by the committee in the past and allow for additional citizen comment.
I feel certain that if some of the solutions I proposed back in those discussions would have been implemented, yesterday's news could have been avoided. Serious, system-wide reform can be accomplished. But, action is necessary.
Introduce a "place holder bill" called "campaign finance reform" so that we can quickly proceed to a public hearing.
Thanks for all you have done and are yet to accomplish in these regards.
Finally, for scheduling, in May and early June I'll be in New Zealand.
We had a wonderful Libertarian Meeting last night. On my way with OnQ call too.
Last night was our monthly meeting of the Allegheny County Libertarian Party. It was a success. We meet most months in the back room of Ritter's Diner.
On the way to the meeting, a running mate and I were talking on the phone. He gave me the head's up that the OnQ TV show had Joe S. M. and Jim R. talking politics. I called in and was able to get on the air with my observations.
I talked about the "candidate's affidavit" that would prevent Bill Peduto from entering the race as an Indie. And the law professor was kind with his remarks to me about my races. Meanwhile Jim Roddey said something about being embarrassed about the lack of showing from the Allegheny Republicans. Then I was clicked off the air.
I think it replays at noon today. I'll try to tape it.
On the way to the meeting, a running mate and I were talking on the phone. He gave me the head's up that the OnQ TV show had Joe S. M. and Jim R. talking politics. I called in and was able to get on the air with my observations.
I talked about the "candidate's affidavit" that would prevent Bill Peduto from entering the race as an Indie. And the law professor was kind with his remarks to me about my races. Meanwhile Jim Roddey said something about being embarrassed about the lack of showing from the Allegheny Republicans. Then I was clicked off the air.
I think it replays at noon today. I'll try to tape it.
Will Peduto's folks head to Dowd and what's his name in District 3
Bill Peduto can play a role in the race for city council on the South Side and for the seat presently held by Len.
What's your take there?
What's Bill's position?
Play hockey or help to unseat some other peers on council. Talk about a divide of Pittsburgh. Humm.
It is one thing to go negative. It is another to go alone.
What's your take there?
What's Bill's position?
Play hockey or help to unseat some other peers on council. Talk about a divide of Pittsburgh. Humm.
It is one thing to go negative. It is another to go alone.
The Burgh Report: The Breaking of a New Dawn
Splendid post from another blogger.
The Burgh Report: The Breaking of a New Dawn
Fandom and Peduto and More
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| From china - sculp... |
Wise words to ponder today:
Fandom often involves collective hostility towards stars, rather than unalloyed worship and approval. Pianist Glenn Gould, who gave up concertizing, described the audience as a hostile force whose "primal instinct was for gladiatorial combat."Source: Tyler Cowen's Personal Web Page. What Price Fame. The first chapter of his book, prior to copy editing and footnotes. The book was published by Harvard University Press.
Presidents, athletes, movie stars, singers, and members of the British royal family are criticized by millions every day. Joey West published an *I Hate Madonna Joke Book*. *The Washington Post* ran a contest which encouraged readers to come up with humorous and elegant insults of celebrities. The Internet has led to a proliferation of celebrity "death pools," such as the Ghoul Pool, where people bet which famous individuals will die next. Fred and Judy Vermoral, in their study of fandom, noted: "we were astonished by the degree of hostility and aggression, spoken and unspoken, shown by fans towards stars. Later we realized this was one necessary consequence of such unconsummated, unconsumable passion."
Fans take pleasure in judging presidents, leaders, and famous entertainers by especially harsh and oversimplified standards. Stars provide a realm in which prejudice is given free reign to rule opinion. Fans can let off critical steam, or vicarious love, without fear of repercussions, and without having to confront the complexity of the moral issues involved...
Thanks to City Council President for the hat tip at another blog
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| From china - sculp... |
Doug Shields, President of Pittsburgh City Council was reported to have said, yesterday:
2 Political Junkies 'You do these things, you learn.' He said. 'I tip my hat to anyone who gets into a mayoral race.'Thanks Doug.
Not that the glowing words are behind us, let's get to the meat of the matter. Shields said that there wasn't a dragon to slay.
So, Peduto is out because he isn't quixotic. That's twisted logic.
I've been called idealistic and quixotic. I'm one to try to slay dragons with recycled electrons. I'm fine with the struggle to out-think and out-flank the evils that lurk in our political environment.
Of course Peduto's withdrawal yesterday will serve him well for a better run in the future.
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But, I beg to differ with Shields on the concept that the city went down the drain in 2003. The sky was falling in 1999, in 2000, in 2001. We knew it. We talked about it. They might have been ignorant. But, the city was taking a big fall
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Fan (above, click to see larger image of any image here) shows both dragon and phoenix. Same characters are on the tapestry below. They are telling characters. Bill Peduto will 'rise again.' Furthermore, the dragon to slay is in my sights.
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2 Political Junkies: Oh Puhleeze!
Maria, a neighbor, and one who isn't always in my corner, gets on a roll with a rant about the P-G. She gives blistering observations.
But furthermore, his 'analysis' is exactly what I've been saying for months. I feel that a renewed Peduto challenge comes in 2009.
But there are other wrinkles. I dare not toss insults about being clever and calculating. When it is a hardship to 'think again' -- we've got serious problems. When being smart as a leader is a 'turn off' -- we've got global problems.
"The mind leads, the body follows."
Duty is a good thing to mention in all posts about the Post-Gazette. I love that theme.
Do you think the P-G has a duty to list all the candidates who are running for office, or just the ones that they want to list?
New point: The city's "give a chance attitude" isn't so "unfathomable." Bob O'Connor got in line. Bob got a chance. It was Bob's turn when he won.
Thanks for lashing out at the P-G's complicity.
2 Political Junkies: Oh Puhleeze! Our City needs a tough, independent paper that asks the hard questions from day one and not one that only decides to pile on when everyone else decides it's OK to do so. Just maybe that 'cowardice and failed responsibility' that you speak of is your own staring you back in the mirror.The news analysis piece the was published today came from a guy that I talked to on the phone this week. He knows I'm in the race. He doesn't write it.
But furthermore, his 'analysis' is exactly what I've been saying for months. I feel that a renewed Peduto challenge comes in 2009.
But there are other wrinkles. I dare not toss insults about being clever and calculating. When it is a hardship to 'think again' -- we've got serious problems. When being smart as a leader is a 'turn off' -- we've got global problems.
"The mind leads, the body follows."
Duty is a good thing to mention in all posts about the Post-Gazette. I love that theme.
Do you think the P-G has a duty to list all the candidates who are running for office, or just the ones that they want to list?
New point: The city's "give a chance attitude" isn't so "unfathomable." Bob O'Connor got in line. Bob got a chance. It was Bob's turn when he won.
Thanks for lashing out at the P-G's complicity.
City prepares to host architectural historians
I should go to this. I'd love to sit in on the panel. Who can get me an invite? What time of day is this session?
City prepares to host architectural historians The conference begins with a Preservation Colloquium exploring Pittsburgh's 'Fifth and Forbes Debate,' which began in 1996 when Mayor Tom Murphy proposed the demolition of several Downtown blocks in and around Market Square to create a new retail and entertainment district. Panelists will explore the historical evolution of Market Square, the Murphy plan and competing preservation-based plans as well as current and proposed developments.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Peduto Drops Out; Mayor Ravenstahl Has No Challengers - News
Peduto Drops Out; Mayor Ravenstahl Has No Challengers - News Ravenstahl will be the lone Democratic name on the May ballot -- and it seems the path is clear for him to take the general election in November as well.Hello WTAE!
Don't tell us who ISN'T running, i.e., the Republicans. The Republicans have not been elected in the mayor's office for 70-plus years -- for goodness pete.
Told ya. Peduto wants out of the mayor's race
Folks, I told you. Bill Peduto has a better chance to win the mayor's office in 2009. Bill can't turn negative. Bill can't depart the D party. Bill can't be nasty and divide.
Bill Peduto has to win by addition. He has a long career ahead of him. Bill can't burn out and be worthless as a nag.
I can nag. I'm an outsider.
I'm not happy that Bill pulled out of the race. But, it is a great decision for Bill Peduto and a bitter one for Pittsburgh. It isn't good for Pittsburgh. I'd rather have a real campaign in the spring and another real campaign in the fall. When we think with half our brain, the outcomes are poor. We've been getting poorer for decades.
Bill Peduto would have been better served had he not promised to raise $800,000 for this race. He should have said that he would run on a $80,000 budget.
Bill Peduto would have been better served had he released all of his position papers at the get-go. Bill has been waiting on the tip off for some of the topic discussions. He had materials from the past election that has still been kept under a lid. Bill can't run a sustained discussion by himself. But, he can begin and try.
The only thing we can do is try.
The other big hurdle for Bill Peduto -- the institutions. Bill needed to have a couple of debates even if Luke didn't show. The debate host wouldn't proceed. Bill talked about the local environment. That is part of the cancer. WTAE, KQV, KDKA, QED, -- and many others -- are on the hook. Responsibility rests, in part, with them. We crave debates. And, we need one-person debates if the other is chicken or too busy to show up.
I hope Bill Peduto has a long, productive career. I think he will.
I hope Pittsburgh can become a place where we all can prosper and live without labels that hold us down.
We need to make progress. I hope that the "progressive" folks who would have voted for Bill Peduto will "Come With Me" -- or at least vote for me. Don't vote for me because of who I am. Vote for hope for the sake of our kids.
Honz Man (KDKA Radio) has a working theory that Peduto is going to get out of the D primary and into the general election. I called the show, waited on hold for 30-minutes, and tried to debunk some of his thinking.
And, the Caliguri saga is not like what Peduto's fate. But, that's for another thread.
Bill Peduto has to win by addition. He has a long career ahead of him. Bill can't burn out and be worthless as a nag.
I can nag. I'm an outsider.
I'm not happy that Bill pulled out of the race. But, it is a great decision for Bill Peduto and a bitter one for Pittsburgh. It isn't good for Pittsburgh. I'd rather have a real campaign in the spring and another real campaign in the fall. When we think with half our brain, the outcomes are poor. We've been getting poorer for decades.
Bill Peduto would have been better served had he not promised to raise $800,000 for this race. He should have said that he would run on a $80,000 budget.
Bill Peduto would have been better served had he released all of his position papers at the get-go. Bill has been waiting on the tip off for some of the topic discussions. He had materials from the past election that has still been kept under a lid. Bill can't run a sustained discussion by himself. But, he can begin and try.
The only thing we can do is try.
The other big hurdle for Bill Peduto -- the institutions. Bill needed to have a couple of debates even if Luke didn't show. The debate host wouldn't proceed. Bill talked about the local environment. That is part of the cancer. WTAE, KQV, KDKA, QED, -- and many others -- are on the hook. Responsibility rests, in part, with them. We crave debates. And, we need one-person debates if the other is chicken or too busy to show up.
I hope Bill Peduto has a long, productive career. I think he will.
I hope Pittsburgh can become a place where we all can prosper and live without labels that hold us down.
We need to make progress. I hope that the "progressive" folks who would have voted for Bill Peduto will "Come With Me" -- or at least vote for me. Don't vote for me because of who I am. Vote for hope for the sake of our kids.
Honz Man (KDKA Radio) has a working theory that Peduto is going to get out of the D primary and into the general election. I called the show, waited on hold for 30-minutes, and tried to debunk some of his thinking.
And, the Caliguri saga is not like what Peduto's fate. But, that's for another thread.
City of Pittsburgh issues the RFP for the closed ice rink. Finally. Victory
Yes. Victory looks like this. Finally, a RFP (Request For Proposal) came out from the city about the closed indoor ice rink on the South Side. It is the city's lone rink, other than Mellon Arena.
I've been pushing for this for years.
I've been pushing for this for years.
City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Pghgov.com Neville Ice Arena RFP - Proposals will be accepted until 05/21/07 for the reuse or redevelopment of the Neville Ice ArenaI'm happy. Now to go read the PDF.
Dollars and Sense
Press Release March 20, 2007
Liberty Dollar Group Seeks Permanent Injunction against US Government
Says second most-popular currency is not violating any law
EVANSVILLE , INDIANA - Liberty Dollar filed suit against the U.S. Mint on Tuesday, March 20 in U.S. District Court in Evansville Indiana. The organization - which promotes and distributes the new gold and silver currency - asked the court to declare that the use of the Liberty Dollar is not a 'federal crime,' as claimed by the U.S. Mint. And the organization further asked the court to enter a permanent injunction against the U.S. Mint requiring it to remove any reference that the use of Liberty Dollars is a federal crime from its website.
The Liberty Dollar organization denies that its more than 100,000 proponents are federal outlaws. It identifies them as law-abiding citizens who "legally have made the inflation-proof Liberty Dollar America's second most-popular currency". And the organization demands that the federal government cease and desist from threatening them.
The Liberty Dollar group maintains it is protecting the right of every American to use or barter any "money" they may voluntarily agree to utilize. They point out that anybody can lawfully barter a dozen eggs for five pounds of sugar without fear of government interference, as an example. The group even quotes Andrew Williams, a spokesman for the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C., as saying, "There is no law that says goods and services must be paid for with Federal Reserve notes. Parties entering into a transaction can establish any medium of exchange that is agreed upon."
Bernard von NotHaus, the monetary architect of the Liberty Dollar, labels the U.S. government/U.S. Mint's allegation that the use of the Liberty Dollar is criminal as completely misguided. "The Liberty Dollar organization has never claimed that its new gold and silver currency was a 'coin' or 'legal tender.' For more than eight years, the Liberty Dollar has prospered from the fact that people could use any 'private voluntary currency' they chose. The Liberty Dollar organization has simply benefited from the differences between the debt-based U.S. dollar and a value-based currency." Von NotHaus concludes, "There is absolutely no violation of U.S. law."
Von NotHaus points out that the government forced the lawsuit upon itself. "We had to sue the U.S. Mint, because this unfair and illegal warning was killing the Liberty Dollar and the ideals it represents. We're a relatively small group that can't afford to be smeared by the umpteen billion US dollars of the federal government. It has seriously impacted our business"
Von NotHaus finds hope in the fates of other companies who withstood attacks from the federal government and won. "Just like FedEx, I expect the Liberty Dollar to win this suit, re-establish sound money, and have the U.S. government as its biggest customer."
BERNARD VON NOTHAUS - 888.LIB.DOLLAR / 888.421.6181
ESPN.com - SWIMMING - Chinese dominate diving podium at swim worlds
ESPN.com - SWIMMING - Chinese dominate diving podium at swim worlds With China on the boards, everyone else was diving for bronze.
Party on Friday with Dave Copeland to celebrate the release of his book
Invitations, eCards, Party Ideas, Party Themes from Evite: "Blood & Volume Pittsburgh Book Release Party
Mark Rauterkus you're invited! Print Invitation Details
David Copeland
Location: moxieDaDa @ the firehouse
1416 Arch Street, Pittsburgh, PA View Map
When: Friday, March 23, 7 pm
These events are open to the public. The evite is being used solely to guesstimate attendance. Feel free to invite your friends.
Please join Barricade Books in celebrating the release of Dave Copeland's Blood & Volume: Inside New York's Israeli Mafia with the first of two events scheduled for Pittsburgh on the weekend of March 23.
Went to the movie, Pride. Saw pre-screening. Opens on Friday. South Side Works coupon for Sunday
If you want to get a coupon for the movie for Sunday, any showing of the movie, Pride, for $5, at South Side Works Cinema, print it here.
Print as many coupons as you have in your party.
About 50 Running Mates went to the movie last night, March 20. Another 50 or so went to the movie in West Homestead on March 1. So, the buzz has been established. The movie opens to the public on Friday.
Mayor Ravenstahl Q-and-A On The New York Trip
The Busman's Holiday: Mayor Ravenstahl Q-and-A On The New York Trip Nothing that I did cost the city taxpayers a dime.To bad the Pens deal didn't cost the taxpayers a dime. The deal cost the taxpayers, even those in the city, as we are taxpayers for the state as well, much, much more.
The cost of the trip come in matters that are off the financial charts. The cost are going to be against Luke Ravenstahl. Luke will pay. Luke will be poorer. He didn't spend money, he zapped himself in terms of political capital and goodwill.
Once you are on the low-road, it is very hard, if not impossible, to take the high road again.
Luke said, "... The trip was appropriate." Okay. But, the answer to the trip when asked was not appropriate.
Luke said, "I wish I would have just volunteered the information. But understand. You know. I have a job to do. You folks (journalists) have a job to do. I have to protect, sometimes, private conversations which took place. Had this been city business, it's something that I would have volunteered when the question was asked. It wasn't asked that way. So, in hindsight, certainly I do wish I had the opportunity to just tell the story right then and there, but it didn't work out that way.
Oh my... It didn't work out that way because Luke didn't do it that way.
But the job he has to do has little if anything to do with the protection of private conversations. That is a miss-placed priority.
Furthermore, the deal with the Penguins was city business. And, when that city business was being talked about, Luke was silent. Dan Onorato was silent. The chose to avoid the media with city business. They felt that was the best way to proceed. They (Luke and Dan) don't volunteer info on questions of city business when asked.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Ravenstahl later admits jetting to New York - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Ravenstahl admits jetting to New York - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Ravenstahl admits jetting to New YorkJeepers creepers. "Not sharing. So there."
I have a theme song that is titled, "Come With Me."
Meanwhile Luke's theme song is titled, "Going, not telling. Went, denied. Caught, woops."
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