Saturday, October 13, 2007
You're given 3 minutes to speak and you have to follow 90 minutes of chatter from the big-party politicians. Here is what Tony said.
Thanks to Chris Potter at PghCityPaper.com, we can see the transcripts of the PUMP debate. He went and posted the message from Libertarian, Tony Oliva, too. Thanks!
Tony got to speak for 3 minutes. Meanwhile, candidates Ravenstahl and DeSantis spoke for more than an hour. Was it 60-minutes or 90-minutes?
Any way you slice it -- it wasn't fair. And, Tony did a great job to establish a relationship with the audience in this 'quickie.'
Funny chatter comes from the bigots who say that a shrinking city should have a shrinking debate stage, despite people being on the ballot. They say that Tony Oliva, the Libertarian, brings little to the discussion. They are using the exact same words that Tony said! Tony says, "I've heard it all before."
Tony is right. DeSantis and Ravenstahl are talking about different special interest tax breaks. Ravenstahl's goes to certain neighborhoods and not others. DeSantis has a plan to give tax breaks to start ups. Meanwhile, we've been living with Onorato who gives tax breaks to US Airways (new call center), and Westinghouse (move to Cranberry) and the Penguins (new arena with public funds).
I'm not against tax breaks for everyone. I'm against tax breaks for special interest groups. They offer a trifecta -- and the city goes down the drain farther and farther.
Tony got to speak for 3 minutes. Meanwhile, candidates Ravenstahl and DeSantis spoke for more than an hour. Was it 60-minutes or 90-minutes?
Any way you slice it -- it wasn't fair. And, Tony did a great job to establish a relationship with the audience in this 'quickie.'
Funny chatter comes from the bigots who say that a shrinking city should have a shrinking debate stage, despite people being on the ballot. They say that Tony Oliva, the Libertarian, brings little to the discussion. They are using the exact same words that Tony said! Tony says, "I've heard it all before."
Tony is right. DeSantis and Ravenstahl are talking about different special interest tax breaks. Ravenstahl's goes to certain neighborhoods and not others. DeSantis has a plan to give tax breaks to start ups. Meanwhile, we've been living with Onorato who gives tax breaks to US Airways (new call center), and Westinghouse (move to Cranberry) and the Penguins (new arena with public funds).
I'm not against tax breaks for everyone. I'm against tax breaks for special interest groups. They offer a trifecta -- and the city goes down the drain farther and farther.
Tony Oliva: Good evening. I'd first like to thank the outpouring of support I got to actually be here tonight. I wasn't initially invited to this debate, nor any of the upcoming debates. It's going to be pretty interesting when I actually win this election. Some people might have some egg on their face, but that's quite all right.After the debate, Tony and I mingled at a Libertarian table and had plenty of great conversations with those in the audience. A few dozen offered to check out our DVD. And more offered up their email info to us. Some were very happy to see the Ron Paul handouts as well.
Now, the way I see Pittsburgh right now -- or the way I see the two candidates to the left of me -- I see it as a choice between painting a bare room. And you have a choice right now of people who debated here tonight, between painting it eggshell-white or mother-of-pearl white. They even look like they have the same tailor. Now, maybe a splash of color is just what this city might need. I listened, I sat up there and listened to what they had to say, and I've heard things like this before. I've heard it all before. It's the same political rhetoric that Republicans and Democrats spew at each other. And I think it's time that we hear a different voice.
With me, I can safely say that the buck stops here. As mayor, if the city continues to stay in trouble, I wouldn't accept my full pay because any sane person who doesn't do the job shouldn't get 100 percent of their own benefits or a pay raise. And that would extent to city council and any appointed official. That's just a personal little quirk of mine.
Basically my idea for the city, put things back on track. Lower taxes for the working people, lower taxes for small businesses to increase the ability for small businesses to work here, or to start and have better jobs. Right now, even if you have a job in Pittsburgh, likely after coming out of college you're under-employed. You're not getting paid what you're worth, and what you paid $40,000 for that little piece of paper called the diploma for. Now, people say, "Tony, you talk about the young college graduates too often." And I do. But it's not only them that my ideas will benefit. It's also older Pennsylvanians, because if the younger people keep leaving, then the tax burden will pass on to older Pennsylvanians, people near retirement, people who are retired. People on a fixed income. And when you're on a fixed income and you're being taxed more, you have to get another job or leave the city. Now me, I'm 28 years old, and getting a second job -- no problem. I can take care of that. But when you've worked 40 years of your life, and you're enjoying the golden years and have your grandchildren you should be playing with, you shouldn't have to go be a greeter at Wal-Mart in order to cover up city government's mistakes and squandering of your money.
As a city, we need to be more inclusive, be more welcoming to new ideas, to all peoples. A big complaint I've heard about Pittsburgh is we're an old, white town. We need to offer more opportunities for more diversity in our city, and be welcoming to all peoples. Because right now, that will make us a better and stronger, and more welcoming place for everyone. We can start by including a Libertarian in the next mayoral debate. Thank you.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Bram at the Pgh Comment does NOT want you to read this post
All the candidates on the ballot should be in all the debates.
If you advocate the elimination of candidates from the debates, or if you are hosting a debate that isn't including the four candidates on the ballot, you are both:
-- a baby, and
-- helping to shrink the region deeper into its public-life despair.
Bram is wrong.
News flash: After the election on Nov 6, 2007, life will continue.
Adults have the ability to understand time. The debates are not only about November 6. Great community events and candidate debates are forums for pondering the long life we hope to lead. They are far greater than one vote. After November 6, life will continue and it might even include the arrival of a micro-credit in town, if you believe Mark DeSantis. The downside and downtime of inclusion is nothing next to wearing the shame of a lifetime of being a bigot for a moment.
The candidates on the ballot should be in the debate because the future of the region matters more than the November 6 election. The debates become bigger parts of a greater overall struggle when inclusion occurs. Without inclusion, the debates are just about the election on November 6.
News flash: Four people are on the ballot for mayor.
Not three. Not two. Not five. Just four. Not Jena Six. Four, like the four legs of a chair. A two-legged chair makes for a poor platform for building prosperity. A three-legged chair is a drastic improvement. But a robust economic engine is sure to shake, rattle and roll a great deal. Fortify the foundation by standing upon all the available legs. Every asset must be put into the mission. To choose to knock a leg or two from the chair is to choose to play only a delicate game with feather-like balance that isn't even fun to watch.
News flash: Life isn't fair.
However, the ONE place in life when fairness counts is here. Every person gets one vote. Every vote should count. Elections must be fair. Judges, courts, voting and the democratic process need to be the best place in life where fairness does count. Life isn't fair, except for this one sacred space. We go out of our way to make this ordeal fair. Fairness matters here most of all.
Corruption in our voting, democracy and public life kills. Wars occur because layers of corruption pile deep. Wars, killings, and other damages happen as other creative, constructive options dissolve.
I'd much rather have Ryan (of the Socialist Workers Party) on stage yammering as opposed to him (or others) hurling bricks and torching police cruisers.
Sunshine is the best disinfectant. And, the limelight from the sunshine has been known to melt those in 'bondage.' But, the bondage may melt too. The perception of "class" might go away, or else be bridged.
I expect Ryan would opt out and won't run for the full duration, as happened in the past with other socialist candidates. He is there to make a point. And, after it is made, life goes on. But, when he is not on the stage, the point (the system is rigged) gets made for him by others.
By excluding the socialist from the debate stage, the socialist point was trumpeted by the "boss class." Insert Forrest Gump saying here.
News flash: Elections are not like the TV show, Elim-a-date. Elections do not unfold like your college choice either.
For example, as you prepare for college, generally, the prospective university student eliminates other options and narrows the search and decision. However, the thinning of the field of options for you has no impact upon the decisions of your peers. Just because you don't want to go to IUP nor PSU does not mean that your buddies won't. If they go there, that's fine.
You are not to choose for others, even as you make up your mind.
Pennsylvania would be a more 'streamlined Commonwealth' if the state just picked ONE university to accredit and fund. Close all the others. They are expensive. NUKE the rest.
Case in point: In New Zealand, they had one engineering university, one medical school, one teachers college. If you went into that field, you went to that campus. Simple. Streamline. Efficient. What if we did the same in Pennsylvania? What if we said that there was only ONE University -- and you had to close down all the others because you didn't think that they were good enough for you and your interests.
I was glad when my best high school friends made choices to go to college in different places. They went to Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. Great, I had new places to visit. Those places were not for me -- but -- I could visit and celebrate the fit they had elsewhere.
Newsflash: This is America!
China is booming with its economy. Perhaps the USA could learn something from China's one party system. Look at the redundancy we could eliminate. Let's get away from the two-party system and just have one. Let's start by getting rid of the third party candidates and just have two.
News flash: This year's race for mayor is a special election and it isn't even for a four-year term.
We are electing a mayor for two years. Life will still go on after 2009. When you grow up and become an adult, you have a world of choices. That's part of being in a mature life.
Children are not as 'developmentally developed' and are often better when given limited choices.
Face it, Pittsburgh's political landscape needs to evolve, mature, grow-up, be open, be inclusive, be thoughtful. Perhaps the young people (PUMP) like dealing with baby choices. I don't. Grow up. Grab onto life. Grin and bear it for short periods. Adults behave with civility and patience.
Besides, Luke told us that one of his problems is that he goes too fast, as we have seen. Haste makes waste. Same too with the debate inclusion issue. Don't be so quick to rush ahead with only two on the stage because you've said so. That's acting childish. A childish mayor and a childish population could present troubles.
News flash: Pittsburgh is still shrinking.
I don't like the fact that dozens and dozens of neighborhood family friends of ours have packed up and left town. They didn't like leaving either. Uprooting is hard work and it hurts -- for all.
Our city is shrinking -- not growing -- and so goes the debate stage and the maturity of our political landscape.
I wrote about this to the Ethics Hearing Board. You don't fix ethics with unethical acts and unethical policies.
You don't fix a shrinking city by shrinking the debate stage to only those with deep pockets and labels you approve.
It is painful to listen to them all. Folks, the quality of our candidates is weak because of that whole 'crazy' thing. (footnote to Mark DeSantis saying something about being crazy for running.)
A person runs for political office and there are NO debates -- that's crazy.
A person runs for office and gets on the ballot and is excluded from a rare debate -- that is crazy.
We include everyone now, without question, because the next time we want better candidates. That is sanity and logical.
Newsflash: Schultz, I didn't run for MAYOR, because I KNOW that there are too many bigots in this town in high places.
If I would have run for mayor, or County Executive, I would have been getting very close to breaking my #1 rule of political engagement -- "Don't burn out."
Frankly, Tony Oliva did a better job at the PUMP / Duquesne Univ. forum than what I would have done had I entered that race. He went onto the stage and spoke for 3 minutes and gave the audience the best humor of the entire night. Tony Oliva was made into a minority, put in the back of the bus, but still made everyone smile. -- Mr. Bo Jangles.
I'm more like Rosa.
Shame goes to those who would choose to wear blinders. Shame squared for those who are baby enough to think they should be putting blinders on others.
This is a struggle for maturity.
Bram, you are a baby by crowing for the elimination of Tony Oliva from future debates. Grow up. Move beyond the bigoted behavior. Cope.
Tony is a intelligent, reasonable, impressive young man (as you posted) who also fought for freedom as a paratrooper. He has come to the ballot out of additional duty to community and public good so as to speak his peace.
You loose everything when you don't see the big picture. Pittsburgh is at the brink. Bigots will drive the final nail into its coffin.
What kind of fixtures should we leave for our kids?
Newsflash: I run because of my children and their peers in the city.
Frankly, I know that this city isn't good enough for my kids -- at this point. I want to give my kids "golden opportunities." Pittsburgh doesn't provide them. My kids are going to be competitive with anyone -- the world over. My kids should be free to be whatever they want. And, they should not need to settle for something inferior. Pittsburgh's landscape does not provide the liberties to be all you can be in any kind of pursuit. There are too many holes, too many sinks, too many gottchas. Most are institutional weaknesses. Many talents can't bloom here.
Too often we grow our kids and tell them, "it is time to leave." Pittsburgh's departures are painful and obvious.
Furthermore, my kids are not your typical children. No kids are 'average.' But, it is safe to say, we don't worry much about 'no child left behind' in my home. We don't leave our kids behind when we go to China (3 times), New Zealand, Canada, Chicago, California, or even to paddle on a canoe in the river. We are blessed. And, we stay in the city. And, we stay to fight the good fight.
So, when Bram calls for a departure from the debate stage -- he needs to realize that he is falling into the same rut. Pittsburgh does not need more departures. Brams wish makes it harder for our kids to stay here and shine no matter what label they choose for themselves.
Pittsburgh needs to be a place where we can explore different visions, new ideas and hear from different voices. Pittsburgh needs to garner its strength and passion by blending all its elements into a patchwork of diversity.
Everyone has roles. We need the coal miners. We need the veterans. We need the sewing machine operators. We need the pickets from time to time too. We need to listen.
In the debates, there is a lot of chatter from both Luke Ravenstahl and Mark DeSantis about how the city does not listen to residents. "Did too. No way. Yes sir. No answer, etc." Public process has come under scrutiny. United this, neighborhood that, whatever. Luke Ravenstahl snubbed the hearing with the women seeking resolution to the promotion of police officers with domestic abuse matters. Luke missed a packed house of North Side residents raising demands in advance of the slots parlor's arrival. Being heard is important. Learning to listen is this global goal for politicians. Meanwhile, DeSantis didn't even campaign in the spring primary. Go figure.
Unless, of course, it applies to them and their election and their debates.
Well, this election is "OURS" -- not "theirs."
I'd love to see each campaign (Ravenstahl's and DeSantis) issue a statement that all the candidates on the ballot should be included in all the debates. That would move Pittsburgh forward.
I'd love to see every citizen of the region issue their own statements to all the media outlets and all the neighborhood groups that debates should be held for all the races and all the candidates on the ballot should be included.
Otherwise, the shrinking continues. Otherwise, the quality withers. Otherwise, those seeking freedom depart.
Jon Delano of KDKA TV said that only 30,000 or 40,000 people will vote in the election. No wonder. KDKA needs to hold its debate and have all the people on the ballot in the studio -- else Pittsburgh's silent majority is going to continue to vote with its feet by leaving the city, leaving the county, and leaving the region.
Source:
If you advocate the elimination of candidates from the debates, or if you are hosting a debate that isn't including the four candidates on the ballot, you are both:
-- a baby, and
-- helping to shrink the region deeper into its public-life despair.
Bram is wrong.
News flash: After the election on Nov 6, 2007, life will continue.
Adults have the ability to understand time. The debates are not only about November 6. Great community events and candidate debates are forums for pondering the long life we hope to lead. They are far greater than one vote. After November 6, life will continue and it might even include the arrival of a micro-credit in town, if you believe Mark DeSantis. The downside and downtime of inclusion is nothing next to wearing the shame of a lifetime of being a bigot for a moment.
The candidates on the ballot should be in the debate because the future of the region matters more than the November 6 election. The debates become bigger parts of a greater overall struggle when inclusion occurs. Without inclusion, the debates are just about the election on November 6.
News flash: Four people are on the ballot for mayor.
Not three. Not two. Not five. Just four. Not Jena Six. Four, like the four legs of a chair. A two-legged chair makes for a poor platform for building prosperity. A three-legged chair is a drastic improvement. But a robust economic engine is sure to shake, rattle and roll a great deal. Fortify the foundation by standing upon all the available legs. Every asset must be put into the mission. To choose to knock a leg or two from the chair is to choose to play only a delicate game with feather-like balance that isn't even fun to watch.
News flash: Life isn't fair.
However, the ONE place in life when fairness counts is here. Every person gets one vote. Every vote should count. Elections must be fair. Judges, courts, voting and the democratic process need to be the best place in life where fairness does count. Life isn't fair, except for this one sacred space. We go out of our way to make this ordeal fair. Fairness matters here most of all.
I'd also like to see some fairness in blood tests, SATs, the World Series strike zone and property taxing policies. But, for now, those issues can take a back seat.As life's winds blow into and storm upon the sanctity of what should be "fair" -- it is called "crooked." Bent presentations by limited participation on the debate stage taints what follows, the election. Stop the spread of the slime here.
Corruption in our voting, democracy and public life kills. Wars occur because layers of corruption pile deep. Wars, killings, and other damages happen as other creative, constructive options dissolve.
I'd much rather have Ryan (of the Socialist Workers Party) on stage yammering as opposed to him (or others) hurling bricks and torching police cruisers.
Sunshine is the best disinfectant. And, the limelight from the sunshine has been known to melt those in 'bondage.' But, the bondage may melt too. The perception of "class" might go away, or else be bridged.
I expect Ryan would opt out and won't run for the full duration, as happened in the past with other socialist candidates. He is there to make a point. And, after it is made, life goes on. But, when he is not on the stage, the point (the system is rigged) gets made for him by others.
By excluding the socialist from the debate stage, the socialist point was trumpeted by the "boss class." Insert Forrest Gump saying here.
News flash: Elections are not like the TV show, Elim-a-date. Elections do not unfold like your college choice either.
For example, as you prepare for college, generally, the prospective university student eliminates other options and narrows the search and decision. However, the thinning of the field of options for you has no impact upon the decisions of your peers. Just because you don't want to go to IUP nor PSU does not mean that your buddies won't. If they go there, that's fine.
You are not to choose for others, even as you make up your mind.
Pennsylvania would be a more 'streamlined Commonwealth' if the state just picked ONE university to accredit and fund. Close all the others. They are expensive. NUKE the rest.
Case in point: In New Zealand, they had one engineering university, one medical school, one teachers college. If you went into that field, you went to that campus. Simple. Streamline. Efficient. What if we did the same in Pennsylvania? What if we said that there was only ONE University -- and you had to close down all the others because you didn't think that they were good enough for you and your interests.
I was glad when my best high school friends made choices to go to college in different places. They went to Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. Great, I had new places to visit. Those places were not for me -- but -- I could visit and celebrate the fit they had elsewhere.
Newsflash: This is America!
China is booming with its economy. Perhaps the USA could learn something from China's one party system. Look at the redundancy we could eliminate. Let's get away from the two-party system and just have one. Let's start by getting rid of the third party candidates and just have two.
News flash: This year's race for mayor is a special election and it isn't even for a four-year term.
We are electing a mayor for two years. Life will still go on after 2009. When you grow up and become an adult, you have a world of choices. That's part of being in a mature life.
Children are not as 'developmentally developed' and are often better when given limited choices.
Face it, Pittsburgh's political landscape needs to evolve, mature, grow-up, be open, be inclusive, be thoughtful. Perhaps the young people (PUMP) like dealing with baby choices. I don't. Grow up. Grab onto life. Grin and bear it for short periods. Adults behave with civility and patience.
Besides, Luke told us that one of his problems is that he goes too fast, as we have seen. Haste makes waste. Same too with the debate inclusion issue. Don't be so quick to rush ahead with only two on the stage because you've said so. That's acting childish. A childish mayor and a childish population could present troubles.
News flash: Pittsburgh is still shrinking.
I don't like the fact that dozens and dozens of neighborhood family friends of ours have packed up and left town. They didn't like leaving either. Uprooting is hard work and it hurts -- for all.
Our city is shrinking -- not growing -- and so goes the debate stage and the maturity of our political landscape.
I wrote about this to the Ethics Hearing Board. You don't fix ethics with unethical acts and unethical policies.
You don't fix a shrinking city by shrinking the debate stage to only those with deep pockets and labels you approve.
It is painful to listen to them all. Folks, the quality of our candidates is weak because of that whole 'crazy' thing. (footnote to Mark DeSantis saying something about being crazy for running.)
A person runs for political office and there are NO debates -- that's crazy.
A person runs for office and gets on the ballot and is excluded from a rare debate -- that is crazy.
We include everyone now, without question, because the next time we want better candidates. That is sanity and logical.
Newsflash: Schultz, I didn't run for MAYOR, because I KNOW that there are too many bigots in this town in high places.
If I would have run for mayor, or County Executive, I would have been getting very close to breaking my #1 rule of political engagement -- "Don't burn out."
Frankly, Tony Oliva did a better job at the PUMP / Duquesne Univ. forum than what I would have done had I entered that race. He went onto the stage and spoke for 3 minutes and gave the audience the best humor of the entire night. Tony Oliva was made into a minority, put in the back of the bus, but still made everyone smile. -- Mr. Bo Jangles.
I'm more like Rosa.
Shame goes to those who would choose to wear blinders. Shame squared for those who are baby enough to think they should be putting blinders on others.
This is a struggle for maturity.
Bram, you are a baby by crowing for the elimination of Tony Oliva from future debates. Grow up. Move beyond the bigoted behavior. Cope.
Tony is a intelligent, reasonable, impressive young man (as you posted) who also fought for freedom as a paratrooper. He has come to the ballot out of additional duty to community and public good so as to speak his peace.
You loose everything when you don't see the big picture. Pittsburgh is at the brink. Bigots will drive the final nail into its coffin.
What kind of fixtures should we leave for our kids?
Newsflash: I run because of my children and their peers in the city.
Frankly, I know that this city isn't good enough for my kids -- at this point. I want to give my kids "golden opportunities." Pittsburgh doesn't provide them. My kids are going to be competitive with anyone -- the world over. My kids should be free to be whatever they want. And, they should not need to settle for something inferior. Pittsburgh's landscape does not provide the liberties to be all you can be in any kind of pursuit. There are too many holes, too many sinks, too many gottchas. Most are institutional weaknesses. Many talents can't bloom here.
Too often we grow our kids and tell them, "it is time to leave." Pittsburgh's departures are painful and obvious.
Furthermore, my kids are not your typical children. No kids are 'average.' But, it is safe to say, we don't worry much about 'no child left behind' in my home. We don't leave our kids behind when we go to China (3 times), New Zealand, Canada, Chicago, California, or even to paddle on a canoe in the river. We are blessed. And, we stay in the city. And, we stay to fight the good fight.
So, when Bram calls for a departure from the debate stage -- he needs to realize that he is falling into the same rut. Pittsburgh does not need more departures. Brams wish makes it harder for our kids to stay here and shine no matter what label they choose for themselves.
Pittsburgh needs to be a place where we can explore different visions, new ideas and hear from different voices. Pittsburgh needs to garner its strength and passion by blending all its elements into a patchwork of diversity.
Everyone has roles. We need the coal miners. We need the veterans. We need the sewing machine operators. We need the pickets from time to time too. We need to listen.
In the debates, there is a lot of chatter from both Luke Ravenstahl and Mark DeSantis about how the city does not listen to residents. "Did too. No way. Yes sir. No answer, etc." Public process has come under scrutiny. United this, neighborhood that, whatever. Luke Ravenstahl snubbed the hearing with the women seeking resolution to the promotion of police officers with domestic abuse matters. Luke missed a packed house of North Side residents raising demands in advance of the slots parlor's arrival. Being heard is important. Learning to listen is this global goal for politicians. Meanwhile, DeSantis didn't even campaign in the spring primary. Go figure.
Unless, of course, it applies to them and their election and their debates.
Well, this election is "OURS" -- not "theirs."
I'd love to see each campaign (Ravenstahl's and DeSantis) issue a statement that all the candidates on the ballot should be included in all the debates. That would move Pittsburgh forward.
I'd love to see every citizen of the region issue their own statements to all the media outlets and all the neighborhood groups that debates should be held for all the races and all the candidates on the ballot should be included.
Otherwise, the shrinking continues. Otherwise, the quality withers. Otherwise, those seeking freedom depart.
Jon Delano of KDKA TV said that only 30,000 or 40,000 people will vote in the election. No wonder. KDKA needs to hold its debate and have all the people on the ballot in the studio -- else Pittsburgh's silent majority is going to continue to vote with its feet by leaving the city, leaving the county, and leaving the region.
Source:
The Pittsburgh Comet: Eliminate the Libertarian and the Socialist (pt 4) Tony Oliva (L) seemed like an intelligent, reasonable, impressive young man -- who has not a single interesting thing to say.
On or off the ballot
Once again, at last night's debate, Les Ludwig was there passing out his cards and showing his sign saying he'd deliver free college education to high school students in the city, if he is elected as a write-in candidate for mayor.
Once again, the Les Ludwig slogan was used by another of the candidates while at the podium -- "Do More with Less." If Les could have gotten a trademark on that slogan, he'd be rich.
But there is an opening I see for Les. He could move to Michigan, home of the famous college tuition program established by a billionaire in Kalamazoo, Michigan. And from his Michigan beach head he could mount a campaign for president as a Democrat.
Les is presently a Republican. And, less is humping for write-in votes as mayor. But, Les has a golden opportunity there, much better than his opportunity in Pittsburgh. In Michigan, they don't know him.
Once again, the Les Ludwig slogan was used by another of the candidates while at the podium -- "Do More with Less." If Les could have gotten a trademark on that slogan, he'd be rich.
But there is an opening I see for Les. He could move to Michigan, home of the famous college tuition program established by a billionaire in Kalamazoo, Michigan. And from his Michigan beach head he could mount a campaign for president as a Democrat.
Les is presently a Republican. And, less is humping for write-in votes as mayor. But, Les has a golden opportunity there, much better than his opportunity in Pittsburgh. In Michigan, they don't know him.
Post-Gazette NOW - Local News - Early Returns With the exception of Mrs. Clinton and Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., all of the leading Democrats have pulled their names from the ballot in Michigan, which is defying party rules by holding its primary on Jan 15.
Post-Gazette NOW - Local News - Early Returns
Post-Gazette NOW - Local News - Early Returns 'We have to look at every expense, and make sure it fits into our mission,' said Mr. Preston, who received a $113,000 bonus on top of his $218,000 salary this year. 'Our public-service mision is still very important to us, and every dollar that we can put into that is what we need to do while keeping out business going.'Heard enough. I don't trust this guy. He is being paid a $113 K bonus, with public money, and he is now talking about looking at every expense.
Vote Libertarian!
Electronic ballots change order of candidates' names
Another Dan Onorato screw up is illustrated below. The spec for the voting system is NOT able to be met by the voting machines he purchased.
Told ya.
Electronic ballots change order of candidates' names 'The system that we bought doesn't have the capacity to prevent a voter from voting for a candidate twice if they're listed twice,' he explained. With the old system, a locked lever would prevent someone from voting twice for the same candidate.The voting machines purchased by Allegheny County are going to the junk heap soon.
Told ya.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Tonight's debate: Tony Oliva, Libertarian, serves up a great opening food joke. Best line of the night.
Lots of people in Pittsburgh are going to have egg on their faces.
You had to be there.
Meanwhile in all the statements at the debate, mainly by the old-party Dem and old-party Republican, I didn't hear the word "kids" nor "freedom" nor "liberty" once.
In another blog I post:
The overlords suck. The overlords don't present anything of merit to hang one's hat upon for long term vision.
What is "progressive" and what counts as "real reform" needs to be understood, talked about and more. Sadly, when some are excluded -- not INCLUDED -- we many never hear the full story.
Harrisburg isn't going to bail out Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh must save itself. We must pull our own weight.
The R politicians who serve in Harrisburg, such as Jane Orie and Mike Turzai are not the ones who put the city in its ugly position. And, I have no faith that they will help do anything positive either. Like the overlords, the state reps and state senators are nearly worthless. There is no hope with them.
We are own our own. That is the progressive way. That is what we must do. That is real reform.
Be prudent. Be free. Pull YOUR OWN WEIGHT, Pittsburgh. Grow our way out of this mess by parenting our kids and making them the strongest generation ever -- able to compete with anyone.
You had to be there.
Meanwhile in all the statements at the debate, mainly by the old-party Dem and old-party Republican, I didn't hear the word "kids" nor "freedom" nor "liberty" once.
In another blog I post:
The overlords suck. The overlords don't present anything of merit to hang one's hat upon for long term vision.
What is "progressive" and what counts as "real reform" needs to be understood, talked about and more. Sadly, when some are excluded -- not INCLUDED -- we many never hear the full story.
Harrisburg isn't going to bail out Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh must save itself. We must pull our own weight.
The R politicians who serve in Harrisburg, such as Jane Orie and Mike Turzai are not the ones who put the city in its ugly position. And, I have no faith that they will help do anything positive either. Like the overlords, the state reps and state senators are nearly worthless. There is no hope with them.
We are own our own. That is the progressive way. That is what we must do. That is real reform.
Be prudent. Be free. Pull YOUR OWN WEIGHT, Pittsburgh. Grow our way out of this mess by parenting our kids and making them the strongest generation ever -- able to compete with anyone.
City school board incumbent moving out
City school board incumbent moving out: "Pittsburgh school board member Daniel Romaniello Sr. isn't running for re-election after all. The Brookline resident said he and his wife, Debora, plan to move to Collier in March."
Court allows Pennsylvania election code to restrict voter choices
U.S. Supreme Court ignores Pennsylvania ballot access suit
Court allows Pennsylvania election code to restrict voter choices
Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
For Immediate Release
October 11, 2007
For more information contact:
Doug Leard (Media Relations) or
Michael Robertson (Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS / chair@lppa.org
Harrisburg, PA – The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to hear Rogers v. Cortes, which was a challenge to Pennsylvania’s election code, a code which effectively restricts participation in the election process to the two old parties (Republican and Democrat).
In 2006, the entrenched party candidates needed 2,000 signatures to appear on the taxpayer-funded primary election ballot and winners needed do nothing further to appear on the ballot in the general election. All other parties and independent statewide candidates were required to collect at least 67,070 valid signatures for their names to appear on the November ballot. In addition, these parties are precluded by law from conducting primary elections.
In remarks made at a rally on the steps of the Supreme Court last week, Ken Krawchuk, former Libertarian candidate for Governor and a co-plaintiff on the suit, remarked, "The late Congressman Larry McDonald noted that our nation's freedom rests on four boxes: the jury box, the ballot box, the soap box, and the cartridge box. Long ago we lost the jury box, on the day jurors became prohibited from trying the law as well as the facts of a case. With this ruling, Pennsylvania has now lost the ballot box and the competition of ideas it fosters. We still retain the soap box, at least for now. Let us pray that it, too, is not taken away from us. There aren't many other boxes left."
John Haley, former Libertarian Party state chair, noted "The Republican and Democrat Parties are wrong to force Pennsylvania taxpayers, many of whom are NOT registered Republicans or Democrats, to pay for their primary elections. When they pass ballot access laws making it difficult and sometimes nearly impossible for other candidates to get on the ballot, they demonstrate that they do not care about free and equal elections and will do anything to keep their stranglehold on political power."
The Center for Competitive Democracy (a Washington D.C. based non-profit whose mission is to strengthen American democracy by eliminating bureaucratic barriers to electoral competition) filed the amicus brief to the court which argued that Pennsylvania’s election code “severely burdens minor party candidates by subjecting them to costs that grossly exceed fees this Court has struck down as unconstitutional” and “severely burdens minor party voters by forcing them to cast write-in votes that the State fails to count.”
The LPPA holds the position that voters in the Commonwealth deserve choices on the ballot for their representatives in government. In recent elections, there have been many cases where only a single name appears on the ballot in the general election. For example, in the 2004 general election, if restricted to the two old parties, voters would have had no choice in 27% of the Congressional races and 28% of the State Senate races.
Officials in the old parties shamelessly admit to liking it this way. Pennsylvania Democratic Chairman T.J. Rooney commented regarding Democrats’ efforts to collect an $81,102 judgment against Ralph Nader for running in 2004 “I think that’s great. You’re goddamned right he should pay, and he should go away, because he didn’t learn his lesson in 2000.”
Michael Robertson, LPPa Chair added "It seems ironic that the US military is currently engaged overseas to provide others in the world the opportunity to choose their representatives in government, often from dozens of choices, yet Pennsylvania goes to great lengths to prevent the same opportunity for its citizens."
The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in both Pennsylvania and the United States. Nationwide there are over 200,000 registered Libertarians with organizations in all 50 states. Libertarians serve in hundreds of elected offices throughout the nation. Please visit www.LP.org or www.LPPA.org for more information.
Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
3915 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109
www.lppa.org 1-800-R-RIGHTS info@lppa.org
Buy Me: 91 South 24th Street, South Side Flats -- Wilburn's old house
Our good friends are now settled in in Toronto and doing well. But they come back to town for the weekend. Visiting with them will be fun.
However, their South Side House is for sale.
http://wpn.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1380538941&s=WPN&t=WPN
However, their South Side House is for sale.
http://wpn.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1380538941&s=WPN&t=WPN
Residential 91 S 24th STREET
County: East Allegheny Directions: CARSON TO 24TH Level Dimensions Level Dimensions Levels: B = Basement 16X15 L = Lower M = Main 32X12 U = Upper 13X11 Family Room: Den: Insulation: U Game Room: Entry: Features Style: 2 Story or 2 Level Architecture: Row Construction: Brick Inclusions: Dishwasher, Electric Stove, Microwave/Convection Oven Combo, Refrigerator Taxes: $1,950 ICD: BAC: 3.0
West Penn MLS, Inc.-- MLS#: 680266 Status: Active List Price: $289,900 Address: 91 S 24th STREET Area: South Side Zip Code: 15203 Bedrooms: 4 Baths Full: 2 Baths Partial: Lot: 20.17X40.25 Acres: School Dist: Pittsburgh Zoning: School Trans: Y Public Trans: Y General Information Living Room: M Mstr: U 29X15 Dining Room: M 2 BR: U 15X9 Kitchen: M 3 BR: U 14X12 4 BR: U 29X13 Pool: N 5 BR: Remarks HISTORIC HOME W/ HRDWD FLOORS,CENTRAL AIR,LOFT SPACE WITH SKYLIGHT AND WOOD STOVE Type Property: Residence Years Old: 127 Floors: Hard Wood, Wall to Wall #Fireplace/Desc: 1 Basement: Y #Pkg / Desc: / On-Street Parking Roof: Heat Type: Gas, Forced Air Cooling: Central Water: Public Sewer: Public Show: Appt Req/Lock Box Construction Type: Existing Office Information Value: Market Value - $66,300 N Ent: CK : OFC TLC: 3.0 SAC: 3.0 Maint Condo: Owner: WILBURN HAYDEN Tour Date: Contact: JORDANA ZOBER Phone: 412-521-5500 Agent: JORDANA ZOBER Phone: 412-657-3555 Cell Phone: Email: jzober@prudentialpreferred.com Tour URL: www.visualtour.com/show.asp?T=1106095 List Office: PRUDENTIAL PREFERRED REALTY Phone: 412-521-5500 Office ID: 13220 List Date: 06/18/07 Expire Date: 06/17/08 Pending Date: Sold Date: Sold Price: Sold Terms: Selling Office ID: Office Name: Phone: Selling Agent ID: Agent Name: Phone: DOM: Buyer Name:
Citizen Observer - Alert Detail
Citizen Observer - Alert Detail Come meet your zone commander, the chief's of police and the Mayor and many other city department heads.I went to this meeting. The mayor did NOT attend. The NEW web site, citizenobserver.com, said that he would attend.
The chief of police, Nate Harper, did not attend either. Many chiefs did.
Here we go again. Another big meeting in the community. Word comes that the mayor will be there. Then the story changes. The meeting happens. The mayor doesn't attend.
All of this could be fixed with a Google Calendar.
Discussion on dates should happen on a calendar.
Another game of political chicken. This really sucks.
The blog post is great, but the overall position for the city residents sucks.
Another real problem is the issue with Jane Orie -- a regional R. This is a trend that sucks. Let me explain.
It is a cut-off-the-nose-despite-the-face ordeal.
For a 5% parking tax reduction, she'd crush the city and yank away MILLIONS.
This is also a 'political game of chicken.'
Tom Murphy played it time and time again.
The foundation folks (old money) played the same game by pulling out millions from the city's school budget because some bickering came to a boil and to help Ed Rendell look better for his flop in Philly.
In the end, the city residents and the city kids get screwed.
Behaviors like this suck.
All Ds and Rs in elected office are to blame. Their tiny views are killing the city and the urban center of the region.
This is what I mean by them batting at the leaves on the tree of suffering. Attack at the roots!
I expect that Luke, on the 9th day, will veto the bill. Then council will gather up the steam to over-ride the veto -- for a couple cycles yet to come. Huffing and puffing on the increase.
Here is a bold idea: Shut down Grant Street until after Jan 1. Throw them all out. And the rage should extend to Orie and the overlords too.
The solution -- in the end -- is to have the city pull its own weight. Same too with the county. We have to be masters of our own destiny. I want self-reliant positions.
This city shrinks its population and youth continue to leave until we are 'free' to do what we should be doing. City government needs to act with a clear purpose -- with limited government.
In terms of resolving this parking fight -- go to the Parking Authority. This 5% decrease is but a pimple when you have a better plan for the long term future -- i.e., liquidation of the Parking Authority.
Real leadership is not going to be afraid to put real solutions onto the table for full-blown discussions.
The Burgh Report: BURGH REPORT EXCLUSIVE: Orie's Letter Threatens to Withhold State Funds if Mayor Signs Parking Tax Freeze BURGH REPORT EXCLUSIVE: Orie's Letter Threatens to Withhold State FundsI made a statement within the blog's comment area. My words are reposted here:
Another real problem is the issue with Jane Orie -- a regional R. This is a trend that sucks. Let me explain.
It is a cut-off-the-nose-despite-the-face ordeal.
For a 5% parking tax reduction, she'd crush the city and yank away MILLIONS.
This is also a 'political game of chicken.'
Tom Murphy played it time and time again.
The foundation folks (old money) played the same game by pulling out millions from the city's school budget because some bickering came to a boil and to help Ed Rendell look better for his flop in Philly.
In the end, the city residents and the city kids get screwed.
Behaviors like this suck.
All Ds and Rs in elected office are to blame. Their tiny views are killing the city and the urban center of the region.
This is what I mean by them batting at the leaves on the tree of suffering. Attack at the roots!
I expect that Luke, on the 9th day, will veto the bill. Then council will gather up the steam to over-ride the veto -- for a couple cycles yet to come. Huffing and puffing on the increase.
Here is a bold idea: Shut down Grant Street until after Jan 1. Throw them all out. And the rage should extend to Orie and the overlords too.
The solution -- in the end -- is to have the city pull its own weight. Same too with the county. We have to be masters of our own destiny. I want self-reliant positions.
This city shrinks its population and youth continue to leave until we are 'free' to do what we should be doing. City government needs to act with a clear purpose -- with limited government.
In terms of resolving this parking fight -- go to the Parking Authority. This 5% decrease is but a pimple when you have a better plan for the long term future -- i.e., liquidation of the Parking Authority.
Real leadership is not going to be afraid to put real solutions onto the table for full-blown discussions.
Tonight's PUMP Mayor Forum to include a 3-minute remark and table with Libertarians
Below are the set up instructions for your table at the Debate. I spoke with a representative from the Libertarian party this morning to confirm that Tony will have the opportunity for 3 minutes of remarks at 7:30 pm.
Dear Civic Engagement Fair Exhibitor,
Thank you for agreeing to participate in PUMP’s upcoming Mayoral Debate on Thursday October 11th at Duquesne University’s A.J. Palumbo Center! Your participation in PUMP’s first ever Civic Engagement Fair is a component of the evening that we hope encourages voter participation and greater awareness of issues facing our city.
Here is the list of Exhibitors To Date
* PUMP
* Greater Pittsburgh Non profit Partnership (GPNP)
* Everybody VOTE
* Black Political Empowerment Project
* League of Young Voters
* Young Republicans & Young Democrats of Allegheny County
* PA Center for Women in Politics & Public Policy
* Coro Center for Civic Leadership
* People for the American Way
* www.influencegovernment.com
* Libertarian Party of Allegheny County
* Socialist Worker Party
Exhibitor Instructions:
Set Up – We ask that you have your table set up no later than 6:00pm. A member of PUMP’s Civic Engagement Committee will be on hand to assist you. Each Organization will have a 6 ft table with Linen.
Tear Down - The Civic Engagement Fair runs until 8:30pm. Please begin tearing down your exhibitor table at 9:00pm.
We want you to enjoy the Forum! Once you have set up your table, we encourage you to take a seat in the AJ Palumbo Center. Someone will be on hand to watch your exhibitor table until 7:30pm. Please have someone on hand to staff your table from 7:30 – 9:00 pm.
Thank you for your support! Please do not hesitate to contact me at the information below. I look forward to seeing you on October 11th!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Pittsburgh's housing blight worsens - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Pittsburgh's housing blight worsens - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today called the situation, which has worsened during his 13 months in office,"We heard last night in statements from Luke Ravenstahl that the city is in much better condition than it was 13 months ago, when Luke took office. With this quote, it seems as if the city is in worse shape. These conflicting statements are both from the same person, Luke himself.
I expect that the there is an increase in vacant and condemned homes.
Pittsburgh's housing stock isn't getting any younger. Nor are its senior citizens.
Furthermore, the city is not seeing an influx of new residents. As 10,000 people depart the city each year, thousands of other houses are going to be sitting idle and speeding towards decay.
Here we go again. The city is getting deeper and deeper into the business of knocking downs houses, destroying property, playing land lord, and erasing blight. However, the real world results prove that the reverse is happening. Blight grows. Debt grows too.
The city is in a losing battle.
The city is going overboard -- and -- we are all going to suffer.
These abandoned houses in the city are a nuisance. However, the shootings of the kids on the street are way worse.
The Redd Up Crew is now turning to WRECKING Crew. That's Tear DOWN, not Redd UP.
Purpose matters.
Look at these numbers: Police have seized 30 illegal firearms and made 31 drug seizures over SEVEN YEARS.
Who owns this house? I bet the owner is the City of Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh does a bad job at tearing down houses. And, Pittsburgh does a worse job at owning property. And, Pittsburgh owns far too much property.
Pittsbugh's Ethics Hearing Board is NOT ethical. And, it can be fixed, starting on Friday at 10 am.
My first COMPLAINT to the ETHICS HEARING BOARD - CITY OF PITTSBURGH - is posted below. It has been notarized and delivered. The next scheduled meeting of the Ethics Hearing Board is Friday at 10 am in City Council Chambers on Grant Street.
1.Identify the person you are complaining about:
Name: Ethics Hearing Board Code , and, if necessary, each member of the Ethics Hearing Board.
Office Address: City of Pittsburgh, Ethics Hearing Board, City-County Building, Grant Street, Pittsburgh
Position or Title: Ethics Hearing Board Members
Phone: Law Department is 412-255-2010
2. Explain in detail why you believe that the individual named above may have violated the City provisions. Attach additional sheets of paper if necessary.
The “complaint form,” generated by the Ethics Hearing Board, is itself unethical. A review of this form and related policies by the Ethics Hearing Board is necessary. This complaint calls for the Ethics Hearing Board to strike down the concept of imposing secrecy onto citizens who file complaints with the Ethics Hearing Board. These unconstitutional requirements expressed on the complaint form of the Ethics Board take away First Amendment Rights. Free speech is important, if not essential to give courage to those who seek to complain. Furthermore, the policy and practice of confidentiality is unproductive in its aim of improving ethical behaviors.
The best disinfectant is sunshine. This form works against the best disinfectant.
Rights need to be protected, not compromised. Free speech should not be silenced by members of the Ethics Hearing Board. The practice seeking confidentiality in Section 197.14 section (a) (2) is unethical and hinders the ultimate aim of making for a more ethical behaviors in our city and region. Leveraging an unethical tool can not yield better ethics.
The burden of “wrongful use” and resulting “liabilities” that reside within the code works to deny rights of whistle blowers. The Ethics Hearing Board should never wrongfully punish and threaten all citizens who file complaints.
Gagging citizens who file complaints undermines the operations of the Ethics Hearing Board. Citizens do not wish to file complaints and loose power themselves. The Ethics Hearing Board mandates the removal of rights of those who make a complaint yet the board has no budget to investigate and uncover incidents of bad judgment and injustice. Furthermore, efforts for discovery can't occur, nor should they be necessary, by citizens alleging violations. Digging for dirt and obtaining real evidence should fall withing the realm of real courts where damages are measured in financial amounts. Unethical charges that are put before the Ethics Hearing Board are ones with more fleeting dollar amount damages.
Sins to the soul of the city should be heard with the Ethics Hearing Board so citizens are able to gain with an increase of empowerment, not a decrease of rights. The Ethics Hearing Board exists so those with an upper hand in governmental roles can come to expect more scrutiny concerning better ethical behaviors by more empowered citizens.
Some acts of the Ethics Hearing Board could be for prevention purposes. Citizen complaints could be filed in advance of trouble as certain sticky situations loom large. This type of complaint is not going to materialize under a threat of perjury as stated on the complaint form.
Confidentiality has a role to play in society with ethics with journalists. This confidentiality protects media sources. The right of the media to keep sources from being revealed is not to be questioned. A confidentiality pact among journalist and citizens works so that government is kept at a distance. However, this code of the Ethics Hearing Board turns confidential behavior on its head. Rights are lost. The tool of confidentiality should not be for government to deploy upon citizens. As government uses its power to muzzle citizens, few will opt into that process and worse, residents will continue to move out of the city. Rather, governmental officials and public employees have a duty to be open, more transparent and ethical.
Hence, I challenge the Ethics Hearing Board to be introspective and change its own policies. And, I do so in the open for all to see. The city will be more ethical should this provision be removed. Allow people to speak freely. I will continue to speak freely even after a submission of a complaint to the Ethics Hearing Board.
Furthermore, additional complaints are being passed to the ethics hearing board to establish standing beyond this complaint. I may choose to talk and post about those matters. And, I reserve the right to make additional remarks as attachments to these specific matters.
3. Attach or make reference to any documents, materials, minutes, resolutions or other evidence which support your allegations.
The best evidence to support the removal of the confidential clause is within the entire scope of the minutes of the Ethics Hearing Board since its inception when Sophie Masloff was mayor. Obviously, the depth and scope of this entity's history is scant. Complaints are not being put to the board by citizens, in part, because of a its confidentiality clause.
Obtaining a blank “complaint form” in a digital format from the Ethics Hearing Board was difficult. It was not posted to the web site. Calls to 3-1-1 were meant with puzzled replies. Notice from the Ethics Hearing Board on how to make a complaint needs an overhaul.
The Ethics Hearing Board Complaint Form of September 2007 has been obtained via email attachment from a Law Department employee and is posted on the internet at: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=ddznxj6h_246hb9rx7&hl=en or search my blog at Rauterkus.blogspot.com.
I reserve the option of attaching additional materials to this document at a later date.
1.Identify the person you are complaining about:
Name: Ethics Hearing Board Code , and, if necessary, each member of the Ethics Hearing Board.
Office Address: City of Pittsburgh, Ethics Hearing Board, City-County Building, Grant Street, Pittsburgh
Position or Title: Ethics Hearing Board Members
Phone: Law Department is 412-255-2010
2. Explain in detail why you believe that the individual named above may have violated the City provisions. Attach additional sheets of paper if necessary.
The “complaint form,” generated by the Ethics Hearing Board, is itself unethical. A review of this form and related policies by the Ethics Hearing Board is necessary. This complaint calls for the Ethics Hearing Board to strike down the concept of imposing secrecy onto citizens who file complaints with the Ethics Hearing Board. These unconstitutional requirements expressed on the complaint form of the Ethics Board take away First Amendment Rights. Free speech is important, if not essential to give courage to those who seek to complain. Furthermore, the policy and practice of confidentiality is unproductive in its aim of improving ethical behaviors.
The best disinfectant is sunshine. This form works against the best disinfectant.
Rights need to be protected, not compromised. Free speech should not be silenced by members of the Ethics Hearing Board. The practice seeking confidentiality in Section 197.14 section (a) (2) is unethical and hinders the ultimate aim of making for a more ethical behaviors in our city and region. Leveraging an unethical tool can not yield better ethics.
The burden of “wrongful use” and resulting “liabilities” that reside within the code works to deny rights of whistle blowers. The Ethics Hearing Board should never wrongfully punish and threaten all citizens who file complaints.
Gagging citizens who file complaints undermines the operations of the Ethics Hearing Board. Citizens do not wish to file complaints and loose power themselves. The Ethics Hearing Board mandates the removal of rights of those who make a complaint yet the board has no budget to investigate and uncover incidents of bad judgment and injustice. Furthermore, efforts for discovery can't occur, nor should they be necessary, by citizens alleging violations. Digging for dirt and obtaining real evidence should fall withing the realm of real courts where damages are measured in financial amounts. Unethical charges that are put before the Ethics Hearing Board are ones with more fleeting dollar amount damages.
Sins to the soul of the city should be heard with the Ethics Hearing Board so citizens are able to gain with an increase of empowerment, not a decrease of rights. The Ethics Hearing Board exists so those with an upper hand in governmental roles can come to expect more scrutiny concerning better ethical behaviors by more empowered citizens.
Some acts of the Ethics Hearing Board could be for prevention purposes. Citizen complaints could be filed in advance of trouble as certain sticky situations loom large. This type of complaint is not going to materialize under a threat of perjury as stated on the complaint form.
Confidentiality has a role to play in society with ethics with journalists. This confidentiality protects media sources. The right of the media to keep sources from being revealed is not to be questioned. A confidentiality pact among journalist and citizens works so that government is kept at a distance. However, this code of the Ethics Hearing Board turns confidential behavior on its head. Rights are lost. The tool of confidentiality should not be for government to deploy upon citizens. As government uses its power to muzzle citizens, few will opt into that process and worse, residents will continue to move out of the city. Rather, governmental officials and public employees have a duty to be open, more transparent and ethical.
Hence, I challenge the Ethics Hearing Board to be introspective and change its own policies. And, I do so in the open for all to see. The city will be more ethical should this provision be removed. Allow people to speak freely. I will continue to speak freely even after a submission of a complaint to the Ethics Hearing Board.
Furthermore, additional complaints are being passed to the ethics hearing board to establish standing beyond this complaint. I may choose to talk and post about those matters. And, I reserve the right to make additional remarks as attachments to these specific matters.
3. Attach or make reference to any documents, materials, minutes, resolutions or other evidence which support your allegations.
The best evidence to support the removal of the confidential clause is within the entire scope of the minutes of the Ethics Hearing Board since its inception when Sophie Masloff was mayor. Obviously, the depth and scope of this entity's history is scant. Complaints are not being put to the board by citizens, in part, because of a its confidentiality clause.
Obtaining a blank “complaint form” in a digital format from the Ethics Hearing Board was difficult. It was not posted to the web site. Calls to 3-1-1 were meant with puzzled replies. Notice from the Ethics Hearing Board on how to make a complaint needs an overhaul.
The Ethics Hearing Board Complaint Form of September 2007 has been obtained via email attachment from a Law Department employee and is posted on the internet at: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=ddznxj6h_246hb9rx7&hl=en or search my blog at Rauterkus.blogspot.com.
I reserve the option of attaching additional materials to this document at a later date.
The Newshoggers: Activist Strategic Incompetence
The Newshoggers: Activist Strategic Incompetence ... "since he has been Mayor, he has been an ethical nightmare" ...Interesting quote. "Ethical nightmare."
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