Blogger: Allegheny Institute Blog - Post a Comment... It is time for the Governor to share with the Legislature the letters of interest (concerning the PA Turnpike) he received last December (2006). There is no need for secrecy about this. That only breeds distrust and animosity toward moving forward with the lease plan.Being open and honest is the way to be in government.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Allegheny Institute and PA Turnpike -- asking Gov to be open
Up in smoke!
Allegheny Institute Blog This is no way to run a government. Passing ordinances that violate state law in hopes they can win in court does no credit to the Council.Amen!
The Conversation and school funding
The Conversation An inconvenient truth
The Trib addresses what Ross Perot might call Pennsylvania's crazy aunt in the basement: an inequitable system for funding public schools. This is the reason why cutting property taxes is so difficult. Without reforming the school funding system--which puts the onus for funding schools on local districts, and thus local property owners--not only will you be unable to offer significant local property tax cuts, but you will continue to have vast inequalities among school districts.
The Trib addresses what Ross Perot might call Pennsylvania's crazy aunt in the basement: an inequitable system for funding public schools. This is the reason why cutting property taxes is so difficult. Without reforming the school funding system--which puts the onus for funding schools on local districts, and thus local property owners--not only will you be unable to offer significant local property tax cuts, but you will continue to have vast inequalities among school districts.
Consent decree 'best deal' possible, Alcosan says
Consent decree 'best deal' possible, Alcosan says: The Allegheny County Sanitary Authority will pay a civil fine of $1.2 million for decades of illegal sewage discharges into Pittsburgh area rivers and creeks. That's much less than the $275 million fine it was threatened with in 1997.
The best deal possible would have been to fix these meag problems years ago. They didn't choose to engage and do the heavy lifting that was necessary. Lazy jerks would rather piss in the rivers for decades. And, then they'd rather run around and help to finance crack-pot development deals.
Lots and lots of sewer money has been piped into new development deals -- far beyond the cost of infrastructure. They've been off mission critical tasks. They've been passing on the hard jobs. They've been too quick to run to the courts and do nothing else.
Infrastructure isn't sexy. Infrasturcture doesn't get voters and politicians who are motivated by the handouts excited.
We went to the beach the other day.
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| From family - travels |
We went to the beach yesterday. New Brighton, Christchurch, New Zealand. More photos, less leg, will be posted later.
It is 'off season' and the only ones in the water were us -- silly Americans. After a dip in the Pacific, we headed to an indoor swim pool with hydro slides. That was fun too.
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| From NZ - QEII |
CRAFTON CROCODILE SUMMER SWIM TEAM - info about the team's 41st season
2007 Summer Swimming at ITS best
The Crafton Crocodile Swim Team is an instructional swim team and takes pride in developing and enhancing the children’s competitive swimming skills while having fun during the summer season.
REGISTRATION WILL BE HELD AT THE CRAFTON PARK OR POOL AS FOLLOWS:
Saturday, June 2, 2007 from 9 am to noon and
Wednesday, June 6, 2007 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
** DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS JUNE 14TH 9:00a.m. – 11:00 a.m. **
Registrations will only be accepted during one of the above times. We expect parental involvement to help our program run productively. A Parent/Guardian must be present at registration and also sign up to work three (3) swim meets and a fundraising events (Busy Beaver Car Wash, Flick ‘n Float or Froggy Folic – team party)
FEES PAYABLE AT REGISTRATION: Registration fee covers insurance, team t-shirt, banquet, swimmer gifts and meet ribbons: $30.0 per child ($90.00 limit 3 or more children) + Pool Pass + $25.00 Raffle Tickets*
OR
$30.00 per child ($90.00 limit 3 or more children) + $25.00 Raffle Ticket + $35.00 per child
Borough fee **(non-pool pass holders – bring a separate check)
* Raffle ticket fund raising requirements (raffle tickets must be pre-paid at registration) $25.00 for raffle tickets for 1 swimmer, MAXIMUM of $35.00 for 2 or more swimmers.
(NOTE: **You do not need to be a Crafton resident to join the team, but swimmers are required to be pool pass holders or pay the additional $35.00 swim team only fee to Crafton Borough. Anyone eligible to purchase a Crafton pool pass, resident or non-resident, must purchase a pass as determined by Crafton Borough Council at the Borough Building during regular business hours. Swim Team only fee must be paid to us and we will forward to the Borough.
PLEASE NOTE A SEPARATE CHECK (payable to “Crafton Borough) WILL BE REQUIRED. Two checks will be asked for at registration unless a pool pass is shown. The swimmer has until July 1st to show the pool pass or the check will be turned over to the borough. Otherwise, the check will be returned to the swimmer No exceptions.
There is no official team suit this summer. Our team color is blue. Feel free to purchase a suit of your choice.
New swimmers must bring a copy of their birth certificate. Health information will be required for the swimmer’s safety.
Swim Team experiences are NOT the same as swim lessons. All swimmers must be 18 or under and be able to swim 25 yards. Over the years, many of our swimmers have found great success on their winter, h high school and college teams.
Daily practice will begin June 12, 2007 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Coaches Mike Schneiderlochner, Mark Rauterkus and Jenn Sweeney.
The Crafton Crocodile Swim Team is an instructional swim team and takes pride in developing and enhancing the children’s competitive swimming skills while having fun during the summer season.
REGISTRATION WILL BE HELD AT THE CRAFTON PARK OR POOL AS FOLLOWS:
Saturday, June 2, 2007 from 9 am to noon and
Wednesday, June 6, 2007 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
** DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS JUNE 14TH 9:00a.m. – 11:00 a.m. **
Registrations will only be accepted during one of the above times. We expect parental involvement to help our program run productively. A Parent/Guardian must be present at registration and also sign up to work three (3) swim meets and a fundraising events (Busy Beaver Car Wash, Flick ‘n Float or Froggy Folic – team party)
FEES PAYABLE AT REGISTRATION: Registration fee covers insurance, team t-shirt, banquet, swimmer gifts and meet ribbons: $30.0 per child ($90.00 limit 3 or more children) + Pool Pass + $25.00 Raffle Tickets*
OR
$30.00 per child ($90.00 limit 3 or more children) + $25.00 Raffle Ticket + $35.00 per child
Borough fee **(non-pool pass holders – bring a separate check)
* Raffle ticket fund raising requirements (raffle tickets must be pre-paid at registration) $25.00 for raffle tickets for 1 swimmer, MAXIMUM of $35.00 for 2 or more swimmers.
(NOTE: **You do not need to be a Crafton resident to join the team, but swimmers are required to be pool pass holders or pay the additional $35.00 swim team only fee to Crafton Borough. Anyone eligible to purchase a Crafton pool pass, resident or non-resident, must purchase a pass as determined by Crafton Borough Council at the Borough Building during regular business hours. Swim Team only fee must be paid to us and we will forward to the Borough.
PLEASE NOTE A SEPARATE CHECK (payable to “Crafton Borough) WILL BE REQUIRED. Two checks will be asked for at registration unless a pool pass is shown. The swimmer has until July 1st to show the pool pass or the check will be turned over to the borough. Otherwise, the check will be returned to the swimmer No exceptions.
There is no official team suit this summer. Our team color is blue. Feel free to purchase a suit of your choice.
New swimmers must bring a copy of their birth certificate. Health information will be required for the swimmer’s safety.
Swim Team experiences are NOT the same as swim lessons. All swimmers must be 18 or under and be able to swim 25 yards. Over the years, many of our swimmers have found great success on their winter, h high school and college teams.
Daily practice will begin June 12, 2007 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Coaches Mike Schneiderlochner, Mark Rauterkus and Jenn Sweeney.
Unfair loopholes
kdka.com - Court Rules Against Allegheny County Smoking Ban They also claimed the ban would cause irreparable harm to their businesses and contains unfair loopholes for small bars.The landscape in Pittsburgh is full of unfair loopholes. They are often seen as potholes. And, in far too many other areas of life, these unfair loopholes are taken for granted.
When people see unfair loopholes they take note -- and vote with their feet. They leave when the opportunity is presented.
Dan Onorato's central theme to his re-election campaign could be simply, "Unfair loopholes. Onorato delivers."
Pgh Public Schools HAD a firm to sell South Vo Tech
Firm to help sell vacated Pittsburgh schools: The Pittsburgh Public Schools tonight would move a step closer to selling 24 surplus buildings with a vote to hire a real estate company to market the properties and vet prospective buyers.This is a big problem that is festering and I would have been on it years ago.
There used to be a firm that was hired to sell South Vo Tech. They had signs up a year ago.
The approach by the Pgh Public Schools and the city is all wrong on this.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Ron Paul got an endorsement from a California organization
The United Republicans of California (UROC) have unanimously endorsed Congressman Ron Paul for president of the United States.
In their official statement endorsing Dr. Paul, UROC called him "the leading advocate for freedom in our nation’s capital" and recognized that:
Ron Paul's voting record demonstrates that he has voted against:
raising taxes
unbalanced budgets
a federal restriction on gun ownership;
raising congressional pay; or
increasing the power of the executive branch.
His voting record demonstrates further that he voted against:
the USA Patriot Act;
regulating the Internet; and
the war in Iraq.
Dr. Paul is the only candidate with a record that matches the UROC’s platform.
The group's leaders said others from "across the country should support Ron Paul for president."
In their official statement endorsing Dr. Paul, UROC called him "the leading advocate for freedom in our nation’s capital" and recognized that:
Ron Paul's voting record demonstrates that he has voted against:
His voting record demonstrates further that he voted against:
Dr. Paul is the only candidate with a record that matches the UROC’s platform.
The group's leaders said others from "across the country should support Ron Paul for president."
XM Satellite Host Talks GOP
XM Satellite Radio host Ron Bennington of Ron and Fez today talked about Rudy Guliani's appearance on "The Late Show" with David Letterman. A caller phoned in to tout Ron Paul. To which Bennington replied, "RuPaul has more of a chance to be President than Ron Paul."
Solid.
St. Barts: Nun to lead Penn Hills parish
Nun to lead Penn Hills parish In response to a shrinking number of priests, the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh has appointed a Penn Hills nun to be its first 'parish life collaborator,' a person who will oversee parish obligations that do not have to be performed by a priest.My roots go to St. Barts. I attended 8 grades of school there.
Isn't there still a shortage in the realm of Bishop too?
Homeownership gap called matter of gender -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY
Homeownership gap called matter of gender -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY Single men, meanwhile, account for just 9 percent of home buyers, the same percentage as 20 years ago.
Quiz: Why (or how) is this a 10-lane swim pool
Quiz time: We went to a different swim facility the other day -- and made a return trip today. We had a great time at QEII swim pool. QEII is, of course, short for Queen Elizabeth the second. But the quiz question asks, why (or how) is this a 10-lane swim pool. The block clearly shows the end (block at the start) of the pool and the side of the pool. The number on the block is 9. Humm.
You can post your answer / guess in the comments area.
Uptown garage closed for good after beam cracks
Uptown garage closed for good after beam cracks The garage, at 1200 Centre Ave., is slated for demolition later this year in conjunction with construction of the new arena. The structure was closed Friday night after a construction worker discovered the defective beam on the third level.Organized crime?
Monday, May 21, 2007
Alex Peak - Thought Piece
Alex Peak - Thought Piece - �Paul: 1, Giuliani: 0� - � 2007 by Alexander S. Peak Paul: 1, Giuliani: 0
Alexander S. Peak
Fla. governor signs law requiring P.E. in elementary schools - CNN.com
Fla. governor signs law requiring P.E. in elementary schools - CNN.com Fla. governor signs law requiring P.E. in elementary schools
The bill will require at least 2.5 hours of physical education each week (30-minutes a day) for k-5. Middle and high schools are encouraged to provide up to 3.75 hours of gym class weekly.
"We're trying to create a culture of activity in our elementary schools," said state Republican Rep. Will Weatherford, the bill's sponsor.
FL leaders hope to have gym class required through 12th grade by 2012, along with money from the state to help schools purchase necessary exercise equipment.
All the on-going efforts on health care issues goes to nothingness when school nutrition and physical education, in particular at the elementary level, get ignored. America can't shove unhealthy children into our schools and expect to get ahead of the process. Unhealthy children grow into unhealthy adolescents and unhealthy adults. That overwhelms society and all health care efforts.
In New Zealand, we've been impressed with the overall health of the kids and adults. They play sports. I understood this for decades and was most excited to see this devotion in practice for myself.
However, New Zealand doesn't have P.E. teachers in most elementary schools. Same for art and music. The homeroom teacher runs these classes. Furthermore there are a lot of schools that do take-out for physical education. They'll subscribe the school to an outside agency / swim school for on-going services / contract. Then the kids get instruction from certified, qualified teachers in swimming at the swim school in the community -- not in the school.
In Western PA, we've got plenty of swim pools in our schools. Here in New Zealand, the pools are not in the schools. But, there are still lots (if not more) of school kids in swim classes -- outside the school buildings.
Rendell launching an effort to battle chronic diseases Gov. Ed Rendell plans to move forward today on his statewide health proposal by creating a commission aimed at improving care for patients with diabetes and other chronic diseases.This is nothing new or original. And, it is typical -- too little and too late.
Wellness is a great thing. So, I dare not laugh too much at the lame ideas Gov. Rendell attempts next. But he is clueless as to fitness. And, I feel strongly that fitness is a major concern of ours for the present and the future.
The missing link isn't government handouts and extended services from government to make everyone work out. No way.
We need to begin this trek to fitness with an attitude adjustment. We need fit and responsible approaches with our lifestyles. Our philosophy, mentality, thinking, priorities and our grip on the challenges of today's society need honest reflections. We need to be nimble, healthy and see the big picture. That means, in part, blind spots are not tolerated.
Fitsburgh!
Giving tired, closed-minded, and in-flexible fits.
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