Day at Ft. Lauderdale

I put a few photos to Flickr from our day in Ft. Lauderdale with Aunt Debbie.



We started the day with a morning workout, on our own, in the ISHOF pool. The swim pool, 50-meters, is owned by the city. So, it is a public pool. But, it is home to a world-class swim and dive program. We paid $10 to enter. The pool complex was set up with 50-meter course, the other 50-meter pool was with warmer water and set up with 25-yard lanes. A dive pool, 25-yards, and a covered swim-lesson pool is part of the mix too. The team, FLA, had practice at 4 pm, but we'd not be done with the days activities to join them. And, Erik is in a mini-taper of sorts. His school championship meet is Wed -- and we were visited on Monday, MLK Day.

Girl shot during high school basketball game in Erie

This sucks.

Girl shot during high school basketball game in Erie: "Girl shot during high school basketball game in Erie
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The Associated Press

ERIE, Pa. -- A girl is injured from gunfire at a northwestern Pennsylvania high school basketball game.

Erie police say the girl was shot once in the left hip last night at East High School. The Erie Times-News reports that she appeared conscious and alert as she was wheeled out of the school on a gurney.

Police say witnesses saw several males run out the back door of the gym just after the shooting. No arrests were immediately made.

The gunfire came during a boys basketball game against Harbor Creek. The game was called off and the visiting team immediately left."

Deadline for Dems -- come and gone

Death often comes in stages.

Deadline approaching for candidates who want Democrats' endorsement: ".

Mayoral contenders have to pay the Allegheny County Democratic Committee $3,500 to seek the party's endorsement at its vote March 8. Common Pleas Court candidates have to pay $2,500, county row office contenders $2,750 and City Council hopefuls $1,500. The charges are greater than they have been previously.

'That's a pretty hefty sum of money,' said city Councilman Patrick Dowd, who is considering a mayoral bid. 'One could ask if that's a sort of barrier to entry, at least as far as endorsement goes.'

The best reasons for being of a third party are often delivered by the leadership of the ruling party.

These fees are expensive. The fees are not equal to the value delivered.

I don't want government to be run like a business.
"It is a business and we have to run it that way...

The purpose of a political party is NOT to be a business.

Curfew center

Pittsburgh seeks organization to provide, run curfew center: "The city today posted a request for proposals from firms on its Web site. Responses are due at the Police Bureau's headquarters on Feb. 9.

First things first.

If the city was serious about getting bids for operators to a new curfew center, today would be more of a presentation as to the pending request for proposals. The mayor should talk about philosophy and vision first. Then the mayor and his team should listen. Then the draft proposal for the RFP would be released and adjusted, if necessary.

Tell the citizens and the pending partners what is going to happen. Then make it happen, more or less, based upon feedback. Be open for adjustments, minor or major. Then release the final RFP (request for proposals).

Once the RFP is put out into the open, allow for 60 days, at the least, for such a project. This RFP hits on Jan 20 and is due by Feb 9. That's not enough time. That's a rush. That's a key to an insider job. That's how done deals are floated -- in haste.

This is not a traditional request for bids -- like getting toilet paper or rock salt. This is a specialized package with specific skills, careful duties and a change in regular operations.

Furthermore, the controller should have a role in the bid process. How these projects are awarded and even if they are awarded, is subject to a whole mess of subjectivity. There isn't always a logical clear winner.

Rather than the controller's office -- it would be a good job for an ombudsman's duty, but Pittsburgh doesn't have one of those, sadly.

Frankly, I'd rather not be in a position of sweeping people off the streets and putting them into curfew centers, nor jails. People should be free to move about the city, any time of day or night.

If a kid is in a bad situation, and he needs to come home from a sleep-over or party at 4 AM, I'd rather not have him worry about an escape from the police as well as the problems on his heels.

If a young person works a night shift, he or she should not be 'jumped by the police' just because they are walking, biking or driving home -- or to a friends house -- or whatever.

If a kid is departing his or her house at 5 am for a morning swim practice -- strange as it may be -- travel should be without excuses and extra worries.

The police need to fight crime. It is no crime to be out at strange times of day. If there is probable cause -- then fine. The police have enough power and authorities already to grab a person making trouble.

The operation hours differ from Sunday to Thursday nights. And the hours of the center end at 6 am? So, is it okay to be out on the streets at 6? Who is up and ready to deal with issues then, other than those headed to morning swim practice. Weird.

I'm not in favor of a curfew. And, I'm not in favor of allowing my kids out late either.

rootscamppittsburgh2009 / Session Topics

rootscamppittsburgh2009 / Session Topics: "RootsCamp 2009 Session Topics"

Parking Lease Plan from Mayor -- close to my suggestion. Better yet: LIQUIDATE

Darn it. He tried. But, he didn't finish the thought.

Hey Luke. Don't try to 'lease' those parking garages. Rather, liquidate the Parking Authority.

I've been calling for the liquidation of the parking authorty for years. The parking spaces should already be leased.

Sell the buildings. Sell the land. Have the buildings become tax assets for the long-haul. When the parking decks are sold, there will be some up-front money that can go into the pension fund, if that is where you want to put it. And futhermore, the annual tax on the property will come to the city. If the buildings are leased, fewer dollars would arrive to the city.

If the real aim is to raise money, then sell.

Mayor: City to explore leasing parking facilities to pay pensions
Thursday, January 15, 2009

By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said today that he has asked the Parking Authority to explore the possibility of leasing its network of garages to a private operator, with the aim of raising money to shore up the city's pension fund.

Mr. Ravenstahl said the leasing of parking garages and meters raised $1.7 billion in Chicago, and that Harrisburg is working on a plan to bring in $215 million that way. He said that given those results, it's something he has "a fiduciary responsibility to explore."

"This is another piece of the ultimate, I believe, plan for the long-term legacy costs of the city of Pittsburgh," he said. "Clearly, in order to have a fully funded pension fund -- we're going to need some sort of influx of cash."

He said it could result in some increase in parking rates, and said he would try to structure any deal so that it would limit the effect on people who use the lots.

At the end of November, the pension fund contained $261 million, which is 29 percent of what it should hold to cover the payments due to retirees and current employees when they retire. The city must now put 11 percent of its operating budget into the fund.

If the city does nothing new to address the problem, the fund will be just 19 percent funded in 20 years, and will devour 20 percent of the city's operating budget.

City leaders have long viewed the authority's garages as an asset that could potentially be converted into cash, but none has gone so far as to study it, he said.

Next Thursday, he wants the Parking Authority board to vote to solicit proposals from consulting firms that would advise the authority on how it might lease the garages for, perhaps, 75 or 99 years. The chosen firm would then craft a second request for proposals to companies that would actually lease the garages.

Both processes, like all city-related contracts going forward, should be competitive, he said.

Mr. Ravenstahl said he wouldn't pull the trigger on a deal unless it would pay off the authority's $108 million debt, plus yield "hundreds of millions of dollars" for the pension fund.

If the city can pump $200 million into the fund, projections are that it would be 61 percent funded in 20 years. A $300 million infusion would bring it to an 87 percent funding level, which is considered to be healthy.

Why have the Parking Authority get proposals for consulting for the future of the Parking Authority? That creative thinking and vision efforts are why we have boards and parking authority administrators. And, the work of the city is for the mayor and the mayor's office too. You can do the report with administration folks -- not outside contractors.

After you all write the report, then you can put it onto a web page or wiki and then the citizes can go at it. Citizens from anywhere in the world should be able to look at the plan, offer improvements and debate it on its merits. We'll make projections and hold you all to the high standard of being open, honest and prudent with these resources for the sake of the future.

Or, the mayor could let out some consulting contracts to beef up his campaign war chest. This is the ugly side of pay-to-play, more consultants.

As the process unfolds, we'd expect to see open bids -- perhaps a couple on eBay event. Sell the buildings to the highest bidders.

Furthermore, it is not wise to talk about the incomes being attached from one project to the expenses of another. The sell off of the parking authority should not be linked, as you have done, to the pensio fund. Sure, pension cash issues present a big problem. Sure, it should be talked about. But that's for another discussion.

After we liquidate the Parking Authority, over time, in a prudent and open way -- then we can talk about breaking up the Port Authority into a bus line. Then we can spin off PAT's RAIL into its own agency or private business. Same too for the tunnel and bridge and bike (err) busways.

If you followed me on TWITTER, you'd know of the "bird strike"

Some wild thoughts fit on blogs. Some fit elsewhere -- as in a twit via Twitter. http://www.Twitter.com. I'm @Rauterkus.

The Hudson River crash and rescue was about a bird strike. Those words, "bird strike," were used in some news reports today.

Bird strike. Humm.... Omen? 3 of 4 squads in NFL games have birds as mascot: Eagles, Cardinals, Ravens. (Seahawks = out) Everyone survives.

That's one of the last things we want to see this weekend. First, I'm flying to Florida on Friday. So, let's keep the safety streak alive. And second, we've got some football to watch as well.

Many are talking about the 'Turnpike SuperBowl.' Let's just insure that the men of Steel make is a game where the feathers fly from only one team, not two.

Yes, birds may have been the cause of the downing of the US Airways flight today on the Hudson. But, everyone lived. What could that 'signify?'

Coincidence?

Were the football gods sending a message?

Well, as stated above -- some things are best left for twitter -- and not well suited for blogs. This is one perfect example.

How did the Mighty Ducks do on the ice today?

Is the Jets QB going to return for next year?

Pass it on email about texting and crime

My mother sent me this one.

A woman has changed her habit of how she lists her names on her mobile phone after her handbag was stolen. Her handbag, which contained her cell phone, credit card, wallet, etc...was stolen.

Twenty minutes later when she called her hubby, from a pay phone telling him what had happened, hubby says 'I received your text asking about our Pin number and I replied a little while ago.'

When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The thief had actually used the stolen cell phone to text 'hubby' in the contact list and got hold of the pin number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from their bank account.

Moral of the lesson: do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in your contact list. Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, Sweetheart, Dad, Mom, etc.... an d very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked through texts, CONFIRM by calling back. Also, when you're being texted by friends or family to meet them somewhere, be sure to call back to confirm that the message cam e from them. If you don't reach them, be very careful about going places to meet 'family and friends' who text you.

PLEASE PASS THIS ON. I never thought about THAT! As of right now, I no longer have 'home' named on my cell phone.

Another moral of the story is to not put PIN numbers into a text message, even to your spouse.

Less rain this summer

The weather is looking better for the end of spring / early summer in 2009 in Pittsburgh as a week has been cut from Arts Festival schedule. It always rains -- and rains hard -- at the time of the Arts Festival.

Week cut from Arts Festival schedule: "The Three Rivers Arts Festival announced today that the 50th anniversary edition will take place June 5 to 14, running a week less than the 17-day norm of recent years. But short doesn't mean lean."

ISHOF points out problems with being safe and being black

I'll be going to the International Swimming Hall of Fame soon. s

ISHOF News/Awards"Blacks in America are nearly 15 times more likely to drown than whites. But, Wigo added, it wasn't always that way, and with Irvington native Cullen Jones winning a gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, barriers that had prevented blacks from learning to swim are swiftly disappearing.

Wigo's presentation at the private school for children with behavioral problems came at the invitation of Windsor's principal, Sherrif Upton. A former college swimmer and water polo player, Upton was coaching water polo at St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark when he met Wigo.

The two maintained a relationship over the years, and when Wigo contacted Upton about a program he had researched about the history of black swimmers, Upton arranged for Wigo to appear in the school's gymnasium.

In a multimedia slide show called "Black Splash," Wigo tracked the history of black swimmers from the days when African fishermen were renowned for their aquatic abilities to the years after the Civil War, when blacks were prohibited from setting foot in public beaches and swimming pools.

Many of the clashes during the Civil Rights movement, Wigo said, occurred over unequal access to swimming pools, and the Black Panthers even started a swimming initiative.

Urban access to pools remains an obstacle to teaching black children to swim. A 2008 study of 1,800 children between the ages of 6 and 16 by the University of Memphis determined that more than half of the black and Latino children were swimmers of low ability and at risk of drowning. Only 31 percent of white children fell into that category.

Still, Wigo implored his audience to head to a local YMCA or Boys and Girls Club. With Jones' summer victory in China now a part of history, he said, "the last walls have fallen."

Upton, who presented Wigo with a Speedo swim brief as a token of the school's appreciation, said the staff and students were impressed by the presentation.

"A couple of students made jokes, but everyone seemed to have an upbeat attitude (about it)," Upton said. "I have had very positive feedback."

What's in a name? If it's 'Steelerstahl,' some idiocy - San Jose Mercury News

What's in a name? If it's 'Steelerstahl,' some idiocy - San Jose Mercury News: "What's in a name? If it's 'Steelerstahl,' some idiocy

Attorneys for the Promotion and Defense of Swimming

There is an old joke and new organization forming.

"What do you call 10,000 lawyers at the bottom of the ocean?"

Answer.... "A good start."

Well, this guy is an attorney and it seems he had a great start in his day as a competitor, Olympian and Yale scholar. His group is now formed and it arrives in time to make some waves -- if more can get on-board.

Yale Olympian to Head Swimming Defense Fund
Phoenix, AZ , January 15th, 2009

Steve Clark, former world record-holder in the 100-meter freestyle and a triple gold medalist at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, has agreed to serve as chairman of the newly formed Attorneys for the Promotion and Defense of Swimming (APDS). Clark is an attorney in San Francisco.

The announcement was made this morning in Phoenix by Phil Whitten, Executive Director of the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA).

A former Yale NCAA Champion, Clark is charged with recruiting a network of practicing attorneys and legal scholars – most likely, former competitive swimmers, themselves -- willing to devote time, pro bono, for the defense of intercollegiate and interscholastic swimming. “We would like to have members of this group in every major metropolitan area in the USA,” he said.

As outlined by Whitten, depending on their strengths and specialties, these attorneys will be asked to:

* Provide legal advice to programs that are threatened;
* Litigate or help litigate on behalf of programs that have been cut and that have a reasonable chance of success in the legal arena;
* Provide advice on Title IX-related issues
* Write legal and popular articles on the above topics
* Be interviewed by local and national media on the above topics
* Provide advice on endowments to ensure that endowment money is only used for purposes consistent with the benefactor’s wishes;
* Share relevant legal input and information with other attorneys in the CSCAA legal pool; and
* Work with the College Sports Council, Equity in Athletics, the Pacific Legal Group and other legal allies in behalf of issues of mutual concern;

“Steve is perfect for this position,” Whitten commented, “and we are privileged to have him in our corner. As one of the greatest swimmers in history and a well-known and highly respected San Francisco attorney, he has the stature to attract other outstanding attorneys to the defense of one of America’s most popular sports and by far, our most successful Olympic sport. He won’t litigate, but he will help choose cases to pursue and take a major role in developing strategy.

“I am delighted to take this position and work with Phil and the CSCAA to defend the sport of swimming at the collegiate and high school levels,” said Clark, a five-time individual NCAA champion.

Eric Pearson, head of the College Sports Council, offered his support for the newly-formed network. “This is a major development,” he said, and we wish Phil and Steve good luck in making it a reality. Over the years, other groups have talked about similar projects, but this is the first time anyone has actually tried to make the idea a reality. We would be pleased to assist Phil in any way he asks.”

More on Steve Clark now at the AforAthlete wiki, http://AforAthlete.wikia.com/Steve_Clark

Attorneys interested in becoming part of the legal defense network can contact Clark by phone at (415) 421-0535 or by e-mail at seclark -at- csicapital -dot- com.

We need lawyers in Pittsburgh and this region to contact him to get into the program too.

Pittsburgh is facing an interesting time with sports and swimming. A Title IX survey has been started to look at the number of girl participants in sports, as well as other resources, at the Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Poll results: More want Pitt to win NCAA Hoops title than Steelers to get SuperBowl win

More people in Pittsburgh are more hungry for a win in the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament by Pitt than a Steelers victory in this year's SuperBowl. Furthermore, nearly as many are wishing for a successful run as a participant in the Pittsburgh Marathon than are wishing for the Steelers sixth SuperBowl trophy.

March Madness could grip this town to a much stronger degree than the SuperBowl frenzy from Steelers Nation.

But stay tuned -- as May 3, 2009, brings the return of the Pittsburgh Marathon. Many friends, neighbors and running mates are gearing up for the challege now -- so as to complete the race around town -- 26.2 miles. The marathon will be a big event for the city. But, the build up in training, conditioning and overall fitness for the runners is an on-going struggle now underway.

I'd love to see all three: A SuperBowl win plus a great run in the NCAA tournament for Pitt plus a mega field of local runners for a splendid day in early May. I might gear up for the half-marathon, but I'm not going to go to the brink in that quest.

If I had one wish in 2009 for the sports sector, as framed, I'd have to go with a personal one -- running the marathon. My time: 2:59.10.

Today is a good day to hit the treadmill and not eat a loaf of 9-grain bread.

First Q to County Executive at the first town hall

subject:

have not heard anything from the nonprofit group to be working on the parks

Q for Dan:

What about that nonprofit group you named to work on the Parks. Are
they doing anything?

Well, my question got asked. Dan hit it out of the park with a lot of hype and he sustained the uncertainty.

His answer in a nut shell: Yes. Lots is happening. Wait and see.

We've been waiting.

Dan Onorato held meetings in the parks. It was great, a year ago. But those meetings had little to nothing to do with the Parks Foundation. The Parks Foundation wasn't at those meetings. There have been no people named to the parks foundation. Who is on that board? When do they meet? Where are the minutes? What is the plan that we've been told about? Does the Parks Foundation have a web site? Does it have an email?

Dan said that interviews were being conducted for the Executive Director of the Parks Foundation, but where was the position posting for that position? Were ads posted?

The draining and dredge of the North Park Lake is not a project from the Park's Foundation. There won't be any coaching involved with kids in terms of the work at lake in North Park.

Mr. Onorato, I'm not satisfied.

Parks are important. We all realize that. Likewise, actions in parks are what is needed.

My second question to Dan Onorato at the cyber town hall is about schools

Pgh Public Schools is slated to open a new high school or two. One is with a focus on I.B. It comes in the aftermath of Schenley.

Will you stand with us in our request to name the new school Barack Obama High School and Jr. High?

The school will spand from grades 6 to 12.

Furthermore, we'd love to have one year of I.B. education as an option that is made available to all graduates (in good standing) from any Pgh Public School. Hence the I.B. High (Obama High) should be established as not only a high school, but also as a "prep school" so as to give the students an option of a 13th year if they choose. Then the students can get additional academic challenges before going to college. A few I.B. classes would better prep some students before going on to college. And, the I.B. classes, if you do well on the tests -- are often applied as college credit.

Presently, we're told, 20% of the graduates at Pgh Public Schools who do go to college are able to stay in college. The others don't finish.

With such a few finishing high school, fewer going to college, and even fewer making it out of college, we've got some problems. Hence, the prep option becomes an important bridge for long-term success for many of the students.

Road Trip - Chatham swim team captures Smart Women Sweat Swim Invitational in Georgia

Media Contact: Paul A. Kovach
Vice President for Public and Community Relations
(412) 365-1140 (pkovach@chatham.edu)

PITTSBURGH (January 13, 2009) . The snow-filled skies of Pittsburgh didn't cool down the Chatham University Cougars as the swimming team visited Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Ga. to participate in the Smart Women Sweat Swim Invitational January 10-11. Competing against teams from other U.S. women's colleges - Agnes Scott College, Hollins University, Salem College and Sweet Briar College - the Cougars won the invitational with 1,157 points and registered first-place finishes in 13 of 17 events, including all four relays.

Chatham was paced by junior Amy Kuuskoski (Wilmington, NC/home school) who accounted for three individual wins in the 50, 200 and 100 freestyle as well as being a part of four winning relays. First-year Emily Price (Owego, NY/Owego) also had three individual wins in the 1500 freestyle, 400 individual medley and 200 individual medley. Sophomore Chelsea Mummert (York, Pa./Central York) added wins in the 100 and 200 backstroke and Sarah Sindler (Cañon City, Colo./Cañon City) won the 200 butterfly.

Chatham returns to action on Saturday, January 17 when they travel to Penn State Erie, The Behrend College for a 1:00 p.m. dual meet. The Chatham University Cougars next Presidents' Athletic Conference meet will be at Bethany College on Saturday, January 24 at 1:00 p.m.

Chatham University prepares students from around the world to develop solutions to some of the world's biggest challenges. Every Chatham student - women in Chatham's historic women's residential college, and men and women in Chatham's graduate programs - receives a highly individualized, experiential educational experience that is informed by Chatham's strong institutional commitment to globalism, the environment and citizen leadership. Founded in 1869, Chatham University includes the Shadyside Campus, with Chatham Eastside and the historic 39-acre Woodland Road arboretum; and the 388-acre Eden Hall Farm Campus north of Pittsburgh. For more information call 800-837-1290 or visit www.chatham.edu.

Carmen Robinson: Should Be Pittsburgh's Next Mayor

If I lived in the city any more, and someone gave me $500,000 cash under the table to switch parties to Democrat, I'd vote for Carmen Robinson for Mayor.

Consider this the first endorsement of the new election cycle.

According to her website, Carmen was born and raised in the City of Pittsburgh, by blue collar parents Alfred and Linda Robinson. Carmen’s father was drafted during Vietnam, worked at J & L Steel and last employed by the Pittsburgh Fire Department for 31 years. Unfortunately, he has passed on. Carmen’s Mother, a laborer, is retired from H. J. Heinz.

Carmen is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a specialization in the Administration of Criminal Justice.

Carmen was a police officer, who was promoted to sergeant in 1995. She later became an attorney. She met Pope John Paul II when she was in Vatican City studying Canon and Roman law.

Carmen is a member of NOW, attends Baptist Church and is a loving and devoted family woman.
Credentials scare the crap out of Democrats in the city of Pittsburgh. This is clearly the most decorated woman the city has run for any position in decades. Oh yea, she's African American and gorgeous.

She doesn't stand a chance. That's why I support her. Go Carmen!

Tax cut for teacherss

OPINION January 11, 2009 Op-Ed Columnist: Tax Cuts for Teachers By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN There's simply no shortcut for a stimulus that stimulates minds, not just salaries.

"Little Stevie" Luncinski of Chiller Theater, A Pittsburgh Original, Dies

Sad news today. "Stephen the Castle Prankster" is dead.

I said, "What?" when my 14-year-old son told me the news about an hour ago, at 8:00 p.m. I was dusting off the "new to me" Saturn I bought last weekend, directly because of "Stevie."

I spoke to my friend Steve Luncinski just last week. I needed a bunch of work on my vehicle. He, his son, brother and staff at Pinnacle Auto Sales in Carrick did their best to help me, but it was time for a new ride.

I called Steve a few days later and he said he didn't have any vehicles, but told me to go see "Mike T." I did, used Steve's name, and got a fairly decent deal.

The last time I saw Steve face to face, I asked him, "So, how did you like 'Chicks with Dicks'?" His always surprised brother Victor sprang from his nearby seat. "Did I hear that correctly?"

Steve was one of the most handsome and charming men I've ever seen, despite being well south of five feet tall. He always had one of the most gorgeous women you'd ever seen on his arm. The day I saw Steve at the downtown performance of "Chicks With Dicks," he was with another one. I still remember the brunette from about 15 years ago. Breath-taking. The play, part Russ Meyer, part Quinten Tarantino, all goofball right-up-my-alley nonsense, didn't entertain Steve as much. He and his blond date left halfway through. He said his date had to get up early.

We had a good chuckle about that one at the garage.

I can't remember the first time I met Steve, but we hit it off right away. In fact, I can divulge it now...I wrote press releases and speeches for him when he ran for state Senator years ago. In return I got a car battery for the Jeep I drove at the time and various other automotive services. I was a cheap scribe.

When we were at the play, he told me that his mother kept a scrap book of his local celebrity clippings, a good many of which had my byline. I was always proud of that.

Steve of course received his claim to fame on the old Chiller Theater program with Chilly Billy Cardille. I was even interviewed once on the radio, as "President of the Chiller Theater Fan Club," promoting a then-brand new Gateway Clipper Fleet Halloween event. In all actuality, I was the "President of the Stephen the Castle Prankster Fan Club." I got to ride the boat with another friend...Terminal Stare. I guess Bill Cardille just tolerated me, as I never received much more than a cursory glance.

Steve got me on the Labor Day Telethon once as a "behind Billy Cardilly" phone back guy. That was a highlight for a young community newspaper editor. Bill looked at me once and said, "move three seats over there." I think he put Miss Pennsylvania in my seat. Why wouldn't he?

Steve never had a cross word for anyone. His father, also named Victor, wouldn't expect anything else.

Steve's two sons...Steve (all near six foot of him) and Zachary (another small of stature charisma machine) are excellent men. Both remain active in the family auto business. They tried their hands at two dollar stores, but ultimately closed up the retail shop.

On at least one occasion, I've pointed out the family auto establishment to female companions and identified the celebrity that was most likely inside. Steve was quintessential Pittsburgh.

I already miss my friend Steve. God bless his family.

Rate Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's performace

When people ask me about politicians, I try to give a reply in a scale that ranges from PLUS ten to MINUS ten. Zero is in the middle.

10 (11%)
8 (2%)
7 (2%)
6 (2%)
5 (2%)
4 (5%)
3 (2%)
2 (5%)
-2 (2%)
-3 (5%)
-4 (2%)
-5 (11%)
-6 (0%)
-7 (2%)
-8 (2%)
-9 (2%)
-10 (29%)