The Art of News: Flashback. RIP Richard J. Walters

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Next G-20 Summit To Be Held In Pittsburgh - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

Might as well NOT fix the broken front window until after this event.

Next G-20 Summit To Be Held In Pittsburgh - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh: "Next G-20 Summit To Be Held In Pittsburgh

New Swim Pool. Not just a sprinkler

Nice new pool, with 4-lanes of lap swimming.

The Black Hills Pioneer | BHPioneer.com | News for Spearfish, South Dakota > Archives > News > Northern Hills > Water park slides into Spearfish: "“We want everyone to be able to come here and relax. But we also want everyone to be safe,” Brett Rauterkus a Spearfish Recreation and Aquatics specialist said. “I really want to commend our lifeguard staff. They have been putting in a lot of extra time and work to make sure we have all our bases covered to ensure a safe summer. I really appreciate all the hard work they have done.”

Kickoff Season! Not football, exactly

Please join us next Wednesday evening, June 3rd, at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts in Shadyside (on the corner of Fifth & Shady), as Kevin officially kicks off his Independent campaign for Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh.

Doors open at 5:30pm, and a short program -- including a brief bio film, and an announcement speech in which Kevin will tell his own Pittsburgh story and introduce the main themes of his campaign -- begins at 6:45.

We'll have free food, drinks, and entertainment throughout the evening, and Kevin will be available after the program to talk, to answer your questions, and to discuss how we can all work together to help Pittsburgh reach its full potential.

Check out the Facebook Event page here:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=85206126908

Please RSVP via email at kickoff@acklinforpittsburgh.com, or by phone at http://www.facebook.com/l/;412.481.3150.

We'll look forward to seeing you there.

The Acklin for Pittsburgh Campaign Team

To reply to this message, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?inbox/readmessage.php&t=1004919021878&mid=87c9dcG28e36034G1abdcfaG0

PA Democratic State Committee meeting, June 5th and 6th, to be held at the Westin Hotel in Pittsburgh.

Friday evening Governor Rendell and Chairman Rooney will headline a celebration of the life and times of Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll.

Where does our senior senator fit in?

American Water Polo

American Water Polo™: "Welcome to American Water Polo!"

Nice guys.

Swim Star: Cullen Jones promotes water safety

The Associated Press: Jones promotes water safety: "The group of elementary-age children got a treat Wednesday as the Olympic gold medalist gave them a swim lesson to launch a six-city event called 'Make a Splash with Cullen Jones.'
The initiative, which is sponsored by the USA Swimming Foundation and ConocoPhillips, is aimed at reducing drownings among minority youth by promoting the availability of low or no-cost swimming lessons.
Jones is the perfect spokesman for the program after becoming the first African American to break a world record in swimming in an Olympic contested event in 2006. His success continued last summer in Beijing when he won a gold medal with the U.S. 400-meter freestyle relay team.

Wow. Teaching kids to swim! Way to go.

In Pittsburgh I've been punching up a rushed budget for a weed and seed grant to do some aquatics at Greenway Middle School, also known as Pittsburgh Classical Academy and the Pittsburgh Gifted Center.

I think I'll call it "Weed and Seed and Water."

There isn't a Rec Center in the western end of town. There isn't a lot of capacity in that section of town either in terms of nonprofit organizations. Historically, that part of town has not had those institutional players and they've not been needed. So, it does present some interesting challenges.

If you want to see the budget, send me an email.

Just heard from the principal at the school that the charges to use the indoor swim pool are $41.50 per hour in the times we had hoped for due to the cost of the janitors. We wanted to have sessions on some weekdays from 4 pm to 9 pm and also on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm.

Well, there are other work arounds. Perhaps we'll swim when the janitors are on the clock.

Weed and Seed money runs until the end of September, so fall dates are possible as well. And, volunteers too.

Isn't this cool with images from the sky?

From Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events

You can see this chess board from the sky in Google.

I had not realized that Picasa for Mac had been released. It is still in beta. But, Picasa is much better than iPhoto, IMHO. But, now my Mac is broken.

Excessive Cola Consumption Can Lead To Super-sized Muscle Problems, Warn Doctors

Cut that pop.

Excessive Cola Consumption Can Lead To Super-sized Muscle Problems, Warn Doctors The authors argue that in an era when portion sizes are becoming bigger and bigger, the excessive consumption of cola products has real public health implications.

My drug had been the boxed iced tea. I drank a lot of that and did serious damage to myself. Now I can't take any of it or I get sick. Not good.

From Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events

Peduto proposes panel to oversee city's stimulus spending - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Peduto proposes panel to oversee city's stimulus spending - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Peduto proposes panel to oversee city's stimulus spending

Bill wants another group to do his job perhaps.

Bill wants bigger government perhaps.

Newsflash: Bill Peduto, you are on city council. YOU are the one that should be in the role to oversee the city's stimulus spending. That is YOUR job.

Get it done yourself.

There is a nine-member panel of Pittsburgh citizens already -- called -- CITY COUNCIL. And, city council controls the purse strings.

I don't want another group to give thumbs up or thumbs down to decision makers. The decisions should be open and occur on council.

More sets of eyes are more distractions. That is a way to deflect accountability. I want the decision makers to be voted upon. We already vote for city council members. That's all we need.

I don't want OVERLORDS. I want self determination.

If the URA wants to spend millions on stimulus money on a amphitheater -- then city council members need to say "No way." And, city council members need to tell the URA that their lame proposals, while easy to do with developers, are NOT going to pass. Send them back to the drawing board with a city council vote.

A new, thinking, fitness place of beauty on the river

This Friday evening, June 12, 2009, Lorraine's gift to the region opens. It is the Homestead Labyrinth and gives respect to the regional's industrial past.

Fitness and Schools

Frick Middle School, in Pgh Public Schools, is part of the HEALTHY Research grant and mentioned in the article in the P-G today. My kid goes to Frick. And, he has been in the program for the past 3 years.

If anyone, even Marty Griffin, wants to hold a real discussion about this topic, call me, 412 298 3432, my cell.

Middle schools targeted in obesity fight: "Middle schools targeted in obesity fight
Grants available to help kids maintain daily physical activity"

From Beijing - sports play

Schenley Musical Awards

Way to go.

Congratulations to Ms. McKrell, cast, crew, pit, parents, and all personnel who participated in this year's musical on winning the Kelly award for Best Musical in Budget I, best ensemble, and best all-student orchestra. The show was amazing!

The boys volleyball team at Schenley didn't pull an upset over Penn Hills.

Curfews Suck

Public Hearing: Pittsburgh City Council: Friday, May 29, 2009 - 10:00 A.M.
Public Hearing - Bill No. 2009-1133 - Resolution providing for a professional services agreement or agreements with The Three Rivers Youth Shelter for the purpose of ongoing professional services related to the Youth Curfew Center and providing for the cost thereof. Cost not to exceed $500,000.00.

Pittsburgh shrinks some more with this.

Volleyball, Baseball -- High School Sports dates

Schenley Boys Volleyball plays Penn Hills at Allderdice at 6 pm on Tuesday. This is round 1 of the PIAA playoffs. Schenley won the city league title.

For the record, I played volleyball at Penn Hills my senior year and we won WPIALs and got 2nd in states. Dan Brown was the coach and is still at the helm of the team. The PH squad got 2nd at WPIALs to NA recently. PH could still win states, but, Schenley comes first!

Baseball at PNC Park on Wednesday has Allderdice playing Brashear at 4 pm. This is a great time to go to the North Side stadium and see a winning team, or two.

Go kids go!

Ed is looking for 15 to 20 football players

Looking for 15-20 Football Players/Athletes....June 6th and 7th

I need 15-20 High school (Jr/Sr), NCAA Players or area football coaches for a camp June 6th and 7th at Robert Morris University. You will be assisting NFL coaches and players from Football University. You will be considered a "Football Operations Assistant" and it is ALL volunteer. Sorry. Free lunch though. Good stuff.

You will be assistants to the likes of Ed McCaffery, Andre Rison, Blair Thomas, Lorenzo White, Levon Kirkland, Lavar Arrington, Mike Kruczek, Greg Briner, Perry Williams, Shawen Moore, Jeff Burress, Irv Eating and man more NFL position coaches and players.....This is a nice opportunity to be on the field helping these guys and you can use it on your CV when you need it if you want.

Please email me at EThompson@FootballUniveristy.Org to let me know if you are interested. I need to know this week. If you have friends, reach out to them. But I need 100% committments. I will be also reaching out to other folks I know too. Thanks and hope to hear from you!!!

Ed

Roddey kicks can at Onorato

Weird headline, Kicking the can down the road, but with an important message of honesty.

Onorato promised to fix assessments; he's done nothing but stall

Monday, May 25, 2009

By Jim Roddey

Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato appeared recently on "KD/PG Sunday Edition" on KDKA-TV. The subject was property assessments and the dilemma facing Allegheny County as a result of the state Supreme Court's ruling that the county must reassess. Dan's response to that ruling was to ask the state Legislature to declare a moratorium on court-ordered reassessments. It seems to me that such action would violate the provisions of separation of powers in the constitution of the commonwealth.

Dan's defiance of this most recent court order continues a disturbing pattern by the current county administration of repeated efforts to circumvent the court's decisions regarding assessments. All such attempts have so far failed. While Dan's actions may be politically advantageous, it is not a proper way to govern.

During the TV interview Dan stated that he never pledged to "fix the assessment system." During the campaign for county executive in 2003, Dan and I participated in 26 debates. I recall quite clearly that in all those debates Dan said: "I will fix the assessment system." Dan's solution was to freeze tax assessments at the 2002 rate. A majority of the county commissioners did the same thing in 1996 and, like Dan, saw the courts order a reassessment.

Dan and I have a fundamental disagreement about assessments. I believe that assessments should reflect the true value of property and should be kept reasonably current. Taxing bodies should be required to adjust millage so that property taxes will not be raised more than the consumer price index. Seniors on low, fixed incomes should be exempt from any increases and there should be mandated control of school district spending. (Forty-nine states regulate either expenditures or millage for public schools. Only Pennsylvania allows uncontrolled spending.)

I do agree that the county executive's call for the state to administer the assessment system is the best solution. Forty-eight states now control all state property assessments. Only Pennsylvania and Delaware (with just three counties) give this responsibility to the counties.

The consequences of Dan's assessment freeze have been: the already mentioned lawsuits; a significant shortfall of revenues for the county, the city of Pittsburgh and other municipalities; and increased tax rates in most school districts. However, the most egregious result has been the budget deficits incurred by the county.

In 2007, Dan was forced to take $20 million of gaming funds dedicated to airport debt service to balance his budget. (The airport recently had to borrow $20 million to defray high landing fees caused by their debt service obligations.) In 2008, the county deficit was covered by a new drink and car rental tax of $44 million, the highest annual tax increase in the history of the county. This flies in the face of Dan's often repeated statement that he has "held the line on taxes."

By now it should be obvious to everyone that Dan intends to kick the assessment can down the road as long as possible or at least until the issue no longer interferes with his quest for the governor's office. Dan's delaying tactics may or may not benefit his political career, but they undoubtedly will leave the property owners of Allegheny County in a very difficult situation.

Jim Roddey, chairman of the Republican Committee of Allegheny County, was Allegheny County chief executive between 2000 and 2003.

Trouble is, Onorato didn't think anyone watched the KDKA TV Show on Sunday mornings. And, the TV hosts are not going to challenge what Onorato says anyway. So, Onorato feels he is entitled to re-write history. And, none really expect him to tell the truth, really.

Death in the water in Yough

Boy drowns in Yough River
Monday, May 25, 2009 By Michael A. Fuoco, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Authorities late last night recovered the body of a 13-year-old youth who apparently drowned while swimming in the Youghiogheny River near Port Vue.

The Allegheny County medical examiner's office identified the victim as August Berg Jr. of Versailles. He was pronounced dead at 11:58 p.m. after divers pulled his body from the river. An autopsy was scheduled for later today.

August was swimming with an 11-year-old girl in an area known as Birdie's Landing. Occupants of a passing boat spotted the girl struggling and pulled her aboard. She told authorities that August had gone under the waves but didn't surface, according to The Associated Press.

White Oak police were investigating the incident. They were not available for comment this morning.

While in Beijing, my wife had a chance meeting with LaBron

Did you ever hear that story?



Nice bucket!

They next time the two meet and talk, she'll know who she is talking to.

Take a Father To School Day is ON -- but not all of it is being delivered it seems

Updated with link to a draft of the survey.

Hi Fellow Parents and Fans of Public Education:

Have a GREAT DAY for the Take a Father To School celebration.

The presentation yesterday in the chambers of Pittsburgh City Council and outside on the patio was wonderful.

However, there is a sad note and hence the reason for this email.

The SURVEY has been nixed, it seems. This is the survey that we all worked on in the steering committee. It seems to have been printed and sent along to all the schools in anticipation for today. I even spoke about it in public comment yesterday to Pgh City Council / cable TV audence. But, someone at some level killed it. What's up with that?

What happened with the survey at the schools you visited? Any signs of them?

If this above is true, what can the district and those responsible do to fix it?

I think the survey, as is, as printed, should be delivered via postal mail to every household in the district with a return postage envelope. I'd have no problem if the costs of the postage was absorbed by the person or people that are accountable for the lost opportunity.

Hope you are having or had a good day with the students.