Great being with the Buckeye Swim Club in a long-course meet at Kenyon

Wonderful team. A merger should have happened. Oh well. 

Ravenstahl Could Lock Up Potential "Interesting" Race With Strong Post-Flood Showing

Let’s be honest. Interim Mayor Luke Ravenstahl doesn’t have much to worry about when it comes to the November election. Mark DeSantis, the Republican who should have a decent showing if he had any kind of money, is really the Republican’s best chance in years (by the way, it doesn’t matter if the Socialist gets on any TV debates, I have more of a chance than winning than he does, and I’m not on the ballot).

DeSantis’ only hope for a respectable showing now rests on how the Interim Mayor responds to the flooding and weather situation (which may or may not include a tornado in downtown Pittsburgh).

So far, Ravenstahl has looked good and done what he needs to do. There was a significant population in the community that was put off by his sometimes childish antics. Everyone knows the story about him golfing in a celebrity tournament when a controversial action was taking place downtown. There was the attempt to get in Tiger Woods’ face during the U.S. Open that was taking place in suburban Pittsburgh, presumably for a picture to put on his office wall, or perhaps a billboard.

Ravenstahl says he declared a state of an emergency for the city. County Executive Dan Onorato did the same for the county. There’s damage to the Carnegie Science Center and a building the Uptown community. Specifically a minority-run barbershop partially collapsed.

Now if Luke can put on a good “leadership” face and make people believe he’s more than a political puppet, albeit a very young and conceivably an immature one at that, this could be a landslide victory of "mandate" proportions.

This election will have more to say about our next 12-20 years in this city than any since I’ve lived here (I still am convenienced that if Luke wins, it's his until he decides to give it up). You can line up all the Costas, Wagners and Murphys you want; if Luke looks good after the flood, he's in until the Pirates are competitive again.

Thankfully, our last "made" Mayor Tom Murphy is gone and disappeared into the vapors. Who even knows if he lives here anymore, there’s never any word on the street about the former “leader?”

Here comes the rain again. It most assuredly could wash away any hopes of an interesting mayoral race.

Pittsburgh agency might offer new business breaks - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh agency might offer new business breaks - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The Urban Redevelopment Authority is poised to clear the way for new tax breaks to businesses by revising old incentives drafted during Mayor Tom Murphy's administration.

No new TIFs. No old TIFs. No TIFs at all. I am not in favor of any TIFs. Pittsburgh needs some time to heal from all of the goofy deals it has hatched. Most have never paid off as promised.

Pittsburgh's 1st public art manager begins soon - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh's 1st public art manager begins soon - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review If Pittsburgh wants to attract more young people -- and convince them to stay here -- the city must become more attractive, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said.

Enter Kim Baker, 30, formerly of Seattle. The new Lawrenceville resident starts Aug. 20 as Pittsburgh's first-ever public art manager.

Welcome to town Kim. Now, if you please, duck.

I do not agree with the concepts stated in the quote above by Luke Ravenstahl.

First, it begins with a big "if." If Pittsburgh wants to attract more people. So, Pittsburgh might not give a flying "IF" to attract immigrants.

Then there is the whole 'young people' focus. Should Pittsburgh put the 'young people' as a priority? Do the young people follow the trends? Are the young people flocking to the South Side in the nights and weekends and being a negative for the city's image -- as we heard early this week from consultants with the SSLDC.

The city "MUST" be more attractive. Wait. Didn't the city already clean up its smoky city image. Isn't the city blessed with one of the most attractive views anywhere in North America?

Are looks that important? Isn't it superficial to only want to be pretty -- attractive -- as flash that is only skin deep and nothing else.

What about Pittsburgh's personality, moxie, attitude, smarts, and fitness? Are those all meaningless to Luke.

And then there is the part about an 'investment into the city.' Really, this is an expense. This is a salary.

We NEED public art. Humm. Don't we already have public art? Do we want to be dynamic, or attractive?

Do we 'want' public art -- or do we 'need' public art.

I don't think Luke has a good grip upon what we 'want' and what we 'need.' The two are not the same.

The Heinz Endowments are going to pay for the $52k salary. But, she will be an employee. Pension, healthcare, overhead -- who's counting.

Great art draws people to the cities, so they think. Sigh.

Here is a clincher of a quote. She must have used this line in the interview to get hired: "I like public art, in particular, because access is available to everyone." (get out)

We've got a real, how do you say, 'hum dinger' there.

Did you know that Pittsburgh has this thingie -- but enforcement has been a problem. It hasn't been enforced for years. E-N-F-O-R-C-E-M-E-N-T

Enforcement in Pittsburgh is a joke. What is to be enforced is often a giggle.

But a new dawn is about to break. She hopes that in three to five years the city will commission artists to produce.

Public relations talk about three to five years might as well be talk of 30 to 50 years. The public treasury will still be in litigation with the the former executive from PAT who is seeking his back pension three years from now.

NoDrinkTax.com web site -- cheers to one round messages.

NoDrinkTax.comPoliticians in Allegheny County are trying to raise taxes on adult beverages (beer, wine, and spirits) by as much as an additional 10%. Increasing the already burdensome drink tax will cost jobs, hurt local businesses, and deal a major blow to the local economy.

Wasted away again in Allegheny-ville. They do not know how to create jobs -- but they are great at the creation of new taxes.

Gay support could cost candidates - Peter A. Brown - Politico.com

Gay support could cost candidates - Peter A. Brown - Politico.com Quinnipiac University polls of voters in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania -- the big three Electoral College swing states -- found voters by large margins more likely to see the endorsement of a gay rights group as a reason to vote against, rather than for, a candidate.

That is especially the case among independent voters -- often the key to winning these critical states -- and much more so among men than women and Republicans than Democrats.

Libertarian withdraws from mayor's race; stays in 2 others

Libertarian withdraws from mayor's race; stays in 2 others: "Libertarian withdraws from mayor's race; stays in 2 others"

Ravenstahl putts for Chicago expo - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

How ironic.

The mayor is in the promotion mode, again, with golf as a back-drop. Meanwhile, for the past year the only public golf course in the city, at Schenley Park, recently named for the late Bob O'Connor, is on the brink of closing. The course is bankrupt. The course does not make money. The course does not pull its own weight. The course is a drain on the city's budget. The nonprofit group that runs the course can't get the job done.

Pittsburgh has plenty of golf course around the region. We have some nice public venues. But, we are also known for plenty of 'country clubs.'

The other ironic mention, putting. Might as well say put-put. Puttering, floundering.

The word, putter, as in puttered and puttering:
To occupy oneself in an aimless or ineffective manner.
v.tr.
To waste (time) in idling:

The city has wasted plenty of time by not looking at, thinking about and doing acts that tackle the countless list of problems in the city and the region. The Bob O'Connor golf course is a prime example of how nothing has been done to insure that it can survive without another last minute bailout.

End the puttering.

Ravenstahl putts for Chicago expo - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said a marketing campaign showing a cartoon of him chipping a golf ball onto a putting green is a hole-in-one.

'Meet our Mayor: And putt your way to Pittsburgh,' says a headline above the cartoon of a rolling golf course and wedge-toting golfer. Beneath the drawing, the ad touts Pittsburgh's 'eco-friendly convention center, #1 airport in the U.S., unique meeting venues, world-class hotels, 212 Downtown eateries and walkable city.'"

West End gets federal money to fight crime - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

West End gets federal money to fight crime - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today that eight West End neighborhoods will be eligible for up to $1 million to combat gangs, drugs and other crimes that have plagued those neighborhoods.

The money comes from the U.S. Department of Justice's Weed and Seed Program, which is a joint community and law enforcement effort to improve neighborhood safety.

'These funds are not going to be used just to weed the bad elements from your communities, they'll be used to revitalize,' Buchanan said.

Eighty Percent say "YES" to the inclusion of 3rd party candidates in debates for Pgh Mayor's Race

Today's Trib newspaper (printed edition) has news of yesterday's KQV Radio Poll. Yes, Trib Editor, I am a subscriber. After the poll closed is the first I am blogging about this question. And, I did NOT call in to record a vote on this matter myself.

WEDNESDAY'S QUESTION

Several debates with Pittsburgh mayoral candidate are planned by the local broadcast media. Republican Mark DeSantis will debate incumbent Democrat Luke Ravenstahl. Broadcast executive must now decide whether to include two so-called third-party ballot-qualified candidates, Libertarian Mark Rauterkus and Socialst Workers Party member Ryan Scott.

Do you think those third party candidates whose names will be on the Nov 6 ballot for Pittsburgh mayor should be included in the debates?

YES = 80 percent (191 votes)
NO = 20 percent (47 votes)

Of course citizens and voters of the region are open minded. Of course the crony mentality to label others and discount opportunities for others thrives among Grant Street among politicians. The majority want to hear from all voices.

But, what will the executives of the mainstream media outlets want?

Will the ones who control the airwaves want to side with the people or choose to play it safe?

Libertarian candidates in Pennsylvania for 2007's general election

Candidates in 2007 from Pennsylvania:

D. Michael Blackie for Philadelphia City Council

James Babb for Council of Censors, Montgomery County

James Babb for Montgomery County Sheriff

Erik Viker for Selinsgrove Borough Council, Snyder County – ON BALLOT

Mik Robertson for Clarion County Commissioner – ON BALLOT

Berlie Etzel for Clarion County Register and Recorder – ON BALLOT

Myron Deitrick for Mayor of Avis Borough, Clinton County – ON BALLOT & incumbent

Vance Mays for Venango County Commissioner – ON BALLOT

Mary Lea Lucas for Strattenville Borough Council, Clarion County – ON BALLOT

Tony Oliva for Mayor of Pittsburgh – ON BALLOT

Mark Rauterkus for Controller, Pittsburgh, – ON BALLOT

Mark Rauterkus for Pittsburgh City Council, 3rd District – ON BALLOT

---

The Libertarians did have some candidates not get onto the ballot. These individuals either did not request assistance and/or did not respond to contacts. There were also a couple of late candidate inquiries. One late candidate effort was Chris Bectloff in Lancaster County. The PA Chair was not able to get an update, yet.

Tony Oliva in Pittsburgh worked with the Allegheny County organization. They responded incredibly well to support Tony when they became aware of his desire to be a candidate. The Libertarians throughout Pennsylvania need to find a way to consistently help candidates along and make sure they can submit the paperwork needed to get on the ballot. Local organizations are key to making this work.

Current rushes around me

Thumbs up. All systems go. Things look good. (Click on the photo above to zoom in for a closer look.)

I'm out of the mayor's race. It's washing over me -- down the drain. Refreshing.

Jamendo : Open your ears

Jamendo : Open your ears On jamendo, artists allow everyone to download and share their music. It's free, legal and unlimited.

An inspiration - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

An inspiration - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "After attending Friday's rally in Marshall for presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, with approximately 1,000 others, I eagerly awaited reading about the event in Saturday's Trib. I must say that I was very disappointed to find no mention of it in the paper."

Speaking of no mention in the papers. The Trib ran a small blurb on the my putting in for three offices (the article only listed two) along with the Howard Dean article. However, it had not been listed in the Trib's search engine. Talked to the editor of the Trib. He wrote that he'll look into it for me.

Proposal to strengthen open records law produces some disagreements on details

This is a hot subject.

Proposal to strengthen open records law produces some disagreements on details Proposal to strengthen open records law produces some disagreements on details

Wednesday, August 08, 2007
By Tracie Mauriello, Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau

HARRISBURG -- Everyone agreed that government records should be open to public inspection, but when it came to the details, speakers at a public hearing yesterday were divided.

This subject is so hot, it could be, how do you say, 'smoking.'

Remember the no smoking policy for city council offices? Then there was the expensive smoke eater put into the ceiling of a city council member. She said one thing and then changed her tune.

It seems that a request for the purchase order and work order for that 'smoke eater' has not been delivered, as asked. So, a court case was filed.

The city tried to squash the case and a number of attorneys from near and far have offered to take on the case, gratis. Open records are a big deal to many people.

I'll save the thunder for another blog. Stay tuned, again.

This is a great time to quit. Quit smoking. Quit telling lies. Quit pass in the blame. Quit voting for all those Democrats. Quit hiding records. Quit the folly of over-spending of public money.

Libertarian withdraws from mayoral race

The paperwork to pull out of the mayor's race was turned into the Election Department. It has been one of my stated intentions to serve in the role as a placeholder because the election laws are so ugly in terms of getting third party candidates onto the ballot.

Libertarian withdraws from mayoral race: "Libertarian Party standard-bearer Mark Rauterkus said today that he will withdraw from the mayor's race and seek to pass his position on the ballot to Tony Oliva, 27, of Oakland.

Mr. Rauterkus said he will continue to run for city controller and council."

I just gave an interview to KQV radio (aired at 1:30 pm) and WDUQ radio.

2010 governor's race gets early start

2010 governor's race gets early start: The May 2010 Democratic gubernatorial primary is more than 21/2 years away, but that isn't stopping some potential Democratic candidates from telling people about their interest in the state's top job.

Hearing candidates talk about possible races in the future is fine. Reading about it in the newspapers -- only because these are folks who are in power now -- is what hurts.

All Blacks and the Rugby World Cup -- let the games begin

08/09/2007 - New Zealand vs. Italy in Marseille, France. That's September 8, 2007. Can't wait!

New Zealand's All Blacks play in Pool C which consists of:
New Zealand
Scotland
Italy
Romania
Portugal

Match 1: September 8, 2007, New Zealand v Italy in Marseille, France

Match 2: September 15, New Zealand v Portugal in Lyon, France

Match 3: September 23, New Zealand v Scotland in Edinburgh, Scotland

Match 4: September 29, New Zealand v Romania in Toulouse, France

Ding, dong. The witch is dead. South Side Local Development Corp given firm advice.

http://www.wpxi.com/video/13843788/index.html#

A meeting was held today at 1:30 pm on the South Side. Outside consultants were in town for a few days and delivered an initial report concerning the South Side and its various community groups. Plenty of neighborhood views were gathered, sorted and filtered. They even used PowerPoint!

Remember in the classic movie, The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy picked up the bucket. She tosses the water and it hits the wicked witch -- and then she melts.

The same anticipation from that moment is now in the air here in the South Side.

The consultants gave firm advice. In no uncertain terms, the message to the SSLDC (South Side Local Development Corp) was to 'think again.' A re-focus and re-birth with new priorities is needed and called for.

I will be very happy to see the SSLDC go away. The organization has run its course. It operates without a clear direction and vision.

We'll need to get a copy of the overall presentation. I hope it comes online in the days ahead. We asked for it. It has some meat.

At the end of the presentation, questions and comments came from the audience of locals who are all very involved in the neighborhood and city.

My point was: Balance is beautiful. But not once did I hear the words 'babies, children, kids and families.' The term 'residents' was used fleetingly and the word 'school' was used as a possible venue for a future meeting. You can't have balance if only certain age groups are part of the fabric. I asked if those populations were part of the discussions and just overlooked in the presentation.

The replies from the consultants were nothing to get excited about. They did talk about Seattle and how they faced this challenge. People who value more than being only a 'yuppie' village do many things with the community to insure that the wee ones are part of the scene.

The elements that I seek to inject go way beyond being 'safe' and 'clean.'

Update: Another nonprofit that is in the throws of a refocus is the Cool Space Locator.

Cool Spaces reorganizes duties - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Cool Space Locator, a real estate organization started seven years ago to help businesses locate in Pittsburgh's urban neighborhoods, is reorganizing and could see some of its operations taken over by a nonprofit architects' group.

South Side addresses 'party' image - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

South Side addresses 'party' image - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "East Carson Street has an image problem.

South Side residents feel their neighborhood is slowly being choked by bars, rowdy patrons and nuisance crimes. Local development leaders fear businesses are being scared away by the party scene stigma."