USOC's Oly revenue share disputed - Thursday April 10, 2008 9:56AM

In related stories:

SI.com - More Sports - USOC's Oly revenue share disputed - Thursday April 10, 2008 9:56AM: "The fight over the U.S. Olympic Committee's share of global Olympic revenues is getting ugly.

Have we got a guy for you. "Our Hero" should get hired by the US Olympic Committee.

Other than the puffing on cigars, a banned substance, perhaps, he just needs to curl dumbbells.

And the press secretary: She can get a gig doing PR for the remainder of the Olympic Torch Relay.

ANOC backs off statement to get China, Tibet to reconcile

SI.com - More Sports - ANOC backs off statement to get China, Tibet to reconcile - Wednesday April 9, 2008 12:01PM: "ANOC backs off urge to reconcile
Earlier, Oly body said China should settle with Tibet

Another article:

SI.com - Writers - Frank Deford: Yesterday's party - Wednesday April 9, 2008 12:31PMThere is something wonderfully ironic about the Olympic torch, which is making its journey around the world with what appears to be, a big 'KICK ME' sign on it for China.

Merger chatter: Dan is on with Marty

My instant message:

Louisville prohibits ALL mentions of political parties for All candidates in city and county. NO "Ds" and NO "Rs" for local races.

That's the fix that is missing in Dan's plan.

By the way, going to the polls is suspect as the voting machines can't count with necessary confidence.

Second update:

Voters decide: We VOTED to NOT fund the STADIUMs.

Meanwhile, the DEBT of CITY won't be "SHARED."

Go figure.

15211.org 911 vs. 311 | 15211.org

15211.org 911 vs. 311 | 15211.org: "Also, if you live in District 3 you can do a little more than just call 311 or email a picture.

After calling 311 and receiving a reference number District 3 residents should contact city Councilman Bruce A. Kraus’ office with the complaint and reference number. The office will follow up on the call.

We all know there is nothing like a three-pronged approach to dealing with a nuisance. We should all take this info and start calling 311 any and every time you see or hear something that brings our neighborhood down. Just remember, if it’s serious enough for a police officer, call 911!"

My reply on that blog:

Calling Bruce Kraus is a sure fire way to insure that political paving continues. Kruas wants to be a litter getter. But, that role is NOT what he should be doing. He is over-reaching. In turn, he is compounding the folly.

Kraus and others on city council are not to be air-traffic controllers for 3-1-1 operations. That is what Luke Ravenstahl has called "micro-management." The separation of powers needs to be realized by him -- and by citizens.

This bad advice will get Kraus sued again. And, I think it would be the 3rd time in his first 100 days. And, it is unethical advice for Kraus to spew and perhaps -- for the blog to advocate -- unless it is as a watchdog.

The acts like this in the past decades have sent the city into its financial despair. It is time to break the evil pattern of the wrong people trying (in vain) to do the wrong functions. It only leads to frustrations, a broken budget and patronage.

Call 3-1-1. Send the photo. Tell Kraus to get out of the way and do his job. He does NOT need the distractions as he battles cluelessness in his proper capacity.

Mayor's spokeswoman resigns; URA head placed on leave

Great news.

Mayor's spokeswoman resigns; URA head placed on leave Mayor's spokeswoman resigns; URA head placed on leave

Time to celebrate.

Bad news has just left the building.

The URA Board, going to the state ethics commission, as reported in the news is interesting -- because -- once reports are put to the state ethics commission you can't talk about them. There is a cloak of secrecy involved.

Go figure.

The Pittsburgh Comet reports that Kraus wants a 'do-over.'

But wait, wait, wait....

The Pittsburgh Comet: Wednesday: Other News 'Has this been politicized to such a point that some are willing to jeopardize public safety?' asked Bruce Kraus. He recommends again voting to override the veto on the original legislation, to send it back with guidelines for vehicle eligibility.

The veto from the mayor arrived to city council. So, city council voted yesterday. The votes in council were FIVE. Six are needed to over come the veto. Kraus lost. So, today, Kraus wants to it again. He wants to vote again.

This is exactly what happens when a dog runs around in a circle and chases its tail. Over and over again.

Kraus is good at spinning in the same place.

Meanwhile in other news, from yesterday, Penny Folino, owner of a diner on East Carson Street, had to deal with the 'do over mentality' again from Kraus.



The spring is here. The outdoor cafe is set to open for the season -- and with a new schedule of operation -- 24 hours a day. But, the railing that was used and approved last year by city council is now NOT PERMITTED.

Kraus revisited that bit of legislation. He got a re-do done again.

But, I have a feeling that this saga is not finished yet. The lawyer for Falino's was in council chambers as well.

Boycotts, partial or otherwise, won't have the desired effect - Olympics

ESPN - Boycotts, partial or otherwise, won't have the desired effect - Olympics The San Franciscan torchbearer received a 4.5 for dropping the torch and failing to pass it to the next runner after he was attacked by Gluten Free Tibet vegan monks, but scored an 8.0 for style points when he set the security van on fire before driving it off the Golden Gate Bridge in a spectacular plunge into the Bay.

Well, I sorta agree with the general article.

Boycotts do have some purpose, and boycotts are better than streakers that run nude through the pitch or go jumping off of the diving board with some URL for a casino in black marker on his chest.

The torch relay began as a six continent circus and turned into a three ringed one.

Libertarians kicking the merger matters

The Libertarian Party of Pittsburgh is chatting and pondering an official position on the city/county merger issue. Some basics follow:

We're in favor of any increase in government efficiency and decrease in size -- as long as it's an integral part of the process, not a hopefully-some-day projection.

For example, if a consolidation plan were to reduce taxes (as part of the enabling legislation) or reduce the number of government employees (again, as part of the
enabling legislation) that might be encouraging. But we do not support consolidation plans which would rewrite the relationship between Allegheny County governments which would not include any actual mechanisms for improving efficiency and reducing size.

One example would be an explicit cap on the number of government employees as a fraction of population.

Given the unfortunate history of the region, for example the involuntary annexation of Allegheny City by Pittsburgh, and the subsequent decline of the annexed area, we strongly oppose any involuntary annexations or changes in government.

Given the degree of detail available so far from proponents of consolidation, we do not believe the plans are clear enough to warrant a referendum in November of 2008.

Advocates of the merger are not proposing to put the question on the November 2008 ballot, but to continue promoting the idea for at least a year and a half, and to put it on the ballot only when they think they have enough support to pass it.

Who are the experts on the merger with the city and former Allegheny City? Who can speak with authority on how it was an improper merger and bad for Allegheny City? Leave a note in the comments if you are that person or can point us to an expert.

The gist of the controversy is that the state had quietly passed a law allowing the merger if a majority of residents in the combined municipalities had allowed it. Before that (and again after that), separate majorities in each jurisdiction were required. (Birmingham had merged with the city prior to this, and several other southern municipalities had merged afterward. I believe that none of these
other mergers were "forced.")

For an overview of the Allegheny City question, see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegheny,_Pennsylvania

The Allegheny City Society would be a good place to start, but with some caution, as it appears to be populated by pro-development establishment types who might be friendly to the proposal.

http://www.alleghenycity.org/
The issue of consolidation can be talked about in the context of the stadium referendum in which the voters were ignored. It is part of a pattern of conquest, not only of the city and county over smaller municipalities, but of subsidy-sucking corporate elites over the taxpayer.

Consolidation: Law Department Software Upgrade

Patrick Dowd was able to advance a couple of strong point while the Law Department's director was at the seat.

Tip: The software upgrade for the law department should be for "open source software."

Do not do maintence and upgrades of systems from the past unless that system is open source.

The Gospel, According to Luke - washingtonpost.com

DC ink.

The Gospel, According to Luke - washingtonpost.com: "YOUTH VOTE
The Gospel, According to Luke
Pittsburgh's Young Mayor Wants City to Line Up Behind Clinton

In other news, last night, as the hearing on the OVERLORDS was unfolding, I was at W&J, Luke's last college. W&J hosted the Water Polo team from Chatham University in a scrimmage / clinic. I've been helping with the new water polo club in recent weeks. (video to come)

Lamar sues 5 councilmen for challenging electronic billboard

Woops.

Lamar sues 5 councilmen for challenging electronic billboard: "Lamar Advertising filed a civil lawsuit today against five members of Pittsburgh City Council, alleging that they have 'developed a plot, under the auspices of their elected office' to try to have a permit revoked for a 1,200-square-foot digital billboard slated for the Grant Street Transportation Center."

The plot thickens.

When the dog chases its tail and catches it, then bites -- it must feel similar.

Lamar already paid for the blinking lights on the billboard.

Perhaps Lamar should bring suit against the folks in the planning department that issued the illegal (sorta) permit. And, they can file against the employee that opened the door so that the four members of council could pile on after the desk had closed.

I guess Lamar didn't heed the foolish advice from Bruce Kraus who asked them to revoke their own permit.

IOC to review Beijing torch problems - Tuesday April 8, 2008 11:13AM

SI.com - More Sports - IOC to review Beijing torch problems - Tuesday April 8, 2008 11:13AM The IOC will review plans for the remainder of the Beijing Olympic torch relay and consider scrapping the international portion of the event for future games.

Everything is always subject for review. That's what it means to be alive, be open minded, and being 'free.'

The torch relay is not for sports. It is for 'promotion.' The torch relay is a magnet for those who want to self promote, raise a stink, draw attention to issues.

Petition | Vote Both!

Pointer from techPresident.com:

Petition | Vote Both!Paid For By Clinton/Obama 08

Vote Both is calling for an unity ticket with Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton (no word on who comes first). It’s a nice idea. I’d also like to ride a flying pig across the Atlantic Ocean some day.

Shopping Spree with Tour Bus to Wilkinsburg

Get on the bus, Gus. Call Tonya's office if you live in the Hill District and want a tour of the grocery store.

Mayor's veto on 2008-0154 hits council and the take home cars are ...

Rev. Burgess, on city council, pushed to nix the take home cars. The veto vote came after a letter from the councilman to the mayor was put into the record.

It would be good to have that letter published. Pointers welcome.

Existence of 'unofficial' take-home cars could complicate stricter city rules: "A city of Pittsburgh public works vehicle is parked nightly on Salisbury Street in Arlington, across from the home of Streets Program Supervisor Jeff Koch, a former city councilman.

A city-owned 2002 Chevy pickup rests behind the Stanton Heights fire station, a block from the home of the construction supervisor to whom it's assigned. A 2007 pickup and a 1999 GMC Jimmy settle every evening in the Moore Park parking lot in Brookline, the home neighborhood of the public works supervisors who use them daily.

They're unofficial take-home cars, or take-almost-home cars, not included on the lists of vehicles City Council and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl have wrestled over for weeks. Their existence may complicate a move toward firm rules on the use of city cars, an issue that is the subject of a veto override vote set for today's council meeting.

Yesterday's broken leg of Darlene Harris' mother kept her out of council chambers. Go figure. Her vote would have been necessary to over-ride the veto.

The mayor won that round with a veto proof margin.

Another fruitless tail chaser from Kraus

Tom's Diner is going to be open 24-hours a day and they still want to keep their decorative fence bolted into the sidewalk for the outdoor tables for patrons.

Beyond the expansion of hours, Penny (owner) and her business is finishing the move into three storefronts.

Last year this sillyness hit council when Jeff Koch was on council. Well, this didn't sit well with the challenger, Bruce Kraus. Kraus got the seat. To the victor's go the spoils -- so it seems with him. The present aim is to heap hassle upon local business and cause a fuss about little of merit.

Folly looks like this.

It flows from some more than others.

So, Kraus wants the rope to be pulled off of the sidewalk at the close of business. But, now that the place is going to be 24-hours.

Another law department opinion is needed. Perhaps the opinion will come before this volcano of an issue comes to a head.

We need railings to corral sillyness that spews from council chambers.

Doug Shields mentioned that the Pgh Downtown Partnership is pushing for standards.

Tonya Payne said she'd abstain, breaking a personal preference. When asked by Kraus if he could resolve any questions she has, she said it would take too much time.

Kraus won the vote. The business owners get the shaft from the city, again.

Dan Onorato now backing Barack Obama - Change We Can Believe In - Berks County Democratic Committee Spring Fling

Barack Obama : : Change We Can Believe In | Event | Berks County Democratic Committee Spring Fling Berks County Democratic Committee Spring Fling (Meeting)
Join Berks for Obama in showing support for our candidate at the Berks County Democratiic Committee Spring Fling

Featuring Guest Speaker: Allegheny County Executive Don Onorato
6:00pm, April 18, 2008 Social Hour
7:00pm, April 18, 2008 Dinner
Riveredge Restaurant 2017 Bernville Road, Reading, PA 19601

Tickets are $40

So, Dan Onorato is speaking at a spring fling in eastern PA at an event that is PRO Obama.

Everyone in the eastern part of PA needs to know that Dan Onorato is on the same side as Gov. Rendell and Onorato is supporting Hillary Clinton.

Camp appeals ruling keeping rafts off Yough

Camp appeals ruling keeping rafts off Yough A Christian camp booted off the Youghiogheny River now is making waves in Commonwealth Court.

This is nuts. I hope that the camp gets to access our river.

Jury "Deadlocked" -- fitting end to case for the Dr. C. Wecht

KDKA Radio reports that the jury is 'dead locked.'

How fitting.

http://post-gazette.com/pg/08099/871436-100.stm

City school board warned to cut budget

City school board warned to cut budget: "More budget cuts are coming to the Pittsburgh Public Schools, officials warned last night, raising new questions about what the district will do about under-used high schools and capital projects.

The sky is falling.

Clarification needed: What is a "utility cost?"

I'm sending an email to the P-G reporter, Joe S.

Is that the overall cost of the building? Is it the cost of heat, light, water? Is it the cost of capital elements within the budget? Are teachers, administrators, building support people part of this 'utility cost?' Or are just some of those expenses included?

The district in recent years has closed 22 schools and eliminated hundreds of positions, many through attrition. But to put the district on solid financial footing for the long term, Mr. Berdnik proposed a 10 percent spending cut in 2009, another 10 percent cut in 2010 and 3 percent cuts in years after that.

"Part of our challenge continues to be to right-size district staff to enrollment," Mr. Berdnik said, meaning the district still has more employees than needed.

Mr. Berdnik also repeated an earlier warning that capital projects are straining the district coffers.

The latest alert comes as parents lobby for a renovation of Pittsburgh Schenley, which Mr. Roosevelt proposed closing at the end of the school year because he said the district could not afford $64 million in needed renovations to the Oakland building. Mr. Roosevelt said the remarks about capital projects were not directed at Schenley supporters but were intended to urge board members to be "cautious" about spending.

Pgh Public Schools needs to cut staff because so many families are cutting out of the city. The population decline happens because parents are NOT happy with the life in the city, and at the city schools.

The value of the city education while living in a city home is fleeting. Hence, the families with the ability to depart often do.

Cuts are needed because QUALITY has been cut.

The fix is not more cuts. The real fix has to do with doing a better job with the kids and with the families and with the volunteers so people stay in the city, learn, feel safe, have solid expectations that life can be trusted and people can thrive.

Just as the Brimingham Bridge failure was known 20 years ago and nothing was done about it -- same to with this school saga. The inspectors knew that the bridge had troubles. Yet nothing was done. Recently, life came to a crawl -- making a living hell for everyone from miles around when the bridge was closed. Today the bridge is only at one lane in both directions.

They ignore problems.

Staffing isn't the real problem of Pgh Public Schools. The real problem is what happens in and around our schools in the school day and beyond. The problem is the 10,000 students that are NOT there because they departed in recent times.

The closing of Schenley High School is another signal that 500 families are going to depart the city. Schenley's closing is stupid and Mark Roosevelt's fault.