Pick one Mayor Luke

Hey Mayor -- pick one.

As you all have probably heard, Heather Arnet is resigning from the school
board. The mayor will appoint a replacement that will hold the seat until the
next municipal election in November 2011. Two members of the PURE Reform
Steering Committee, Stephanie Tecza and me, Kathy Fine have submitted our names to the Mayor to be considered for this appointment. Please find attached the resumes of both candidates and I encourage all of to call, write or email the
mayor's office to voice support for one or both of these candidates:

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Mayor’s Office
Room 512, City-County Building
414 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-255-2626
pghschoolboard@city.pittsburgh.pa.us

Pirates rank . . . last. Surprised?

ESPN the Magazine ranks all 122 pro sports franchises. The Pirates ranked last (#122) in commitment to winning, 'nuff said.

There was a time when I was a Pirate season ticket holder. I have attended only 4 games in the past five years. This season I was going to make the commitment to attend more games, buying into management's latest "Five Year Plan."

SUCKER!!

My son, who use to go to the games with me, refuses to go. We have been bobble-headed, fireworked, and concerted out. What we would like to see is a competitive BASEBALL team, ideally the home team. ESPN has only confirmed what Pirate fans have known for seventeen years; you want to see a top class organization watch the Penguins or the Steelers, you want to watch a loser go to PNC Park.

7 Teenagers Shot Near Detroit School - NYTimes.com

Ugh.

7 Teenagers Shot Near Detroit School - NYTimes.com: "Gunmen in a green minivan opened fire on a group of teenagers waiting at a bus stop near a Detroit school on Tuesday, wounding at least seven including two who were in critical condition, authorities said.
At least five of the teens, including the two in critical condition, had just gotten out of summer classes at Cody Ninth Grade Academy when they were shot at the nearby bus stop, said Detroit Public Schools Police Chief Roderick Grimes.

Worst nightmare.

WDUQ News: G20 Marketing Efforts Underway

What in the world do they have to market, exactly?

WDUQNews: G20 Marketing Efforts Underway G20 Marketing Efforts Underway

With the leadership of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development the new group “Pittsburgh G-20 Partnership” has gathered a long list of participants and nearly half a million dollars.

The marketing, so conventional wisdom says, is to rebrand Pittsburgh. OMG.

We'd do better to give each member of the 4,000 extra police a free ticket and pass to return to Pittsburgh within the next year and bring their families. They could get admissions to Kennywood, Sandcastle and perhaps a pass for The Great Race or Marathon.

How about if we market to the 3,000 journalists that come and have them all bring their family members. We could set up day-care centers and day-trips for their spouse and kids and grandparents. Bingos, trips to Falling Water, Science Center Sub Rides, Bike rides along the trail on the Yough. We could keep some of the outdoor swim pools open, say at Highland Park and have a swim and zoo day camp. "Hey Zoo Campers!"

I don't think that the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and I shares the same branding vision.

Patrick Dowd voted No on the Amended Act 47 Plan. The Amended Plan fails on a number of accounts.

The Act 47 team calls for further tax and fee increases on City residents and businesses. Despite the history of a contentious and lengthy three-year tax debate to win legislative approval for broader based taxing authority (e.g. the payroll and municipal services tax), the Plan reverts back to the narrow definition of the City’s tax base by calling for tax and fee increases on local businesses only. The Act 47 team rejected Council’s request to remove this so-called “failsafe” option, raising taxes on city residents and businesses, from the Amended Plan.

This Plan provides no mandate to cap legacy liabilities such as pension and debt. In fact, this Plan opens the door to higher cost long-term pension bonds to fill gaps created by recent market declines. This is recommended without mandates to cap rising pension expenses. To further burden our residents and business with added liabilities is senseless. I question the timing of this recommendation particularly in light of the failed debt restructuring done in 2006 for the City and in 2007 and 2008 by the PWSA.

Finally, and most importantly, this Plan fails to resolve the City’s structural imbalance: annual revenues are not sufficient to meet annual expenses. The stated purpose of this Plan is to provide the City with a “blueprint to complete its financial recovery.” The failure to achieve this blueprint is best exemplified by the City’s debt service payments, which, in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, rise once again to $87 million resulting in annual operation deficits of $24 million.

As I have stated in the past, the Amended Act 47 Plan reflects the failures of oversight. Because of a lack of diligence in implementation, one third of the new initiatives are carry-overs from the original 2004 Plan. Moreover, many of the most significant initiatives in the original 2004 Plan were in place by 2005, including the merger of the City and County’s 911 Call Centers and the privatization of fleet maintenance. Most importantly, under the auspices of the Act 47 team, $125 million in additional debt was added to years 2012 through 2017. A 2006 bond restructuring created seven additional years of high debt payments. Without it, the City’s debt payments would have declined steadily to $40 million by 2018. Instead, annual debt payments will be $90 million today until 2018.

Since Pittsburgh entered Act 47 supervision, the City has generated year-end surpluses. This in itself is positive. However, the increasing size of surplus revenue is a serious concern, particularly given that the Act 47 Plan calls for tax increases. Either the City is over-budgeting expenses or does not account for the real cost of services delivered. Regardless, City residents and business appear to be over-taxed for the services they are actually receiving. The residents and businesses of the City deserve an honest budget, one that reflects the services they are, in fact, receiving.

The Plan sets the course for our budgetary and fiscal program for the next five years. Despite Council’s amendments, the Plan continues to lack a strategic and cohesive program to tackle legacy costs, measure and contain operating costs against services tackle legacy costs, measure and contain operating costs against services required and delivered, and do so without raising taxes. Just this week, the Pew Charitable Trusts reported that the City of Pittsburgh is the worst-funded of 10 pension plans it reviewed. To throw surpluses at uncapped pension liabilities, to allow the continuation of debt restructuring to further burden the budget, and to do all this without a vision for economic growth is short-sighted and fails the intent of Pittsburgh’s entrance into Act 47. This is not a Plan to restore financial health and sovereignty to Pittsburgh. It is, rather, another 5 years – with a near-certain 5-year extension beyond that – in which financial distress is prolonged and self governance surrendered. Our current and potentially indefinite status as a distressed City will hobble our efforts at regional dialogue and intergovernmental cooperation with the county and neighboring municipalities.

I did not vote for the amended Act 47 Plan because it perpetuates the very problems that have long caused the City’s financial distress. The Plan returns to the narrow definition of the City’s tax base and calls for tax and fee increases on local residents and businesses. Simultaneously, the Plan asks them to accept service cuts and expenditure reductions. The Act 47 team misunderstands that old saying: it is “do more with less,” not “pay more for less.” The Plan also fails to cap the long-term liabilities or to mandate the rigorous use of performance measures, thereby ensuring that Pittsburgh’s future generations will face exactly these same problems. Most importantly, the Plan likely returns the City to distressed municipality status in 2014. The goal of this Plan is to give Pittsburgh an “exit strategy” for its status as a distressed municipality, but because the structural imbalances continue well beyond 2013, the Plan fails to meet that goal.

Sincerely,
Patrick Dowd

G-20 summit: City could need 4,000 police officers

New idea from me concerning this need.

G-20 summit: City could need 4,000 police officers: "Pittsburgh officials also must find a place for out-of-town officers to sleep. Chief Harper said a building with a cafeteria, such as a former school, would be ideal.

Rent the empty South Side Vo Tech High School to the police for the next year. That could be turned into a cafeteria. They could park the new segways upstairs. The sports stadium could be turned into holding area.

Arnet quits city school board

Theme, not yet complete.

Arnet quits city school board: "In December, Ms. Arnet voted with other board members for an audit of the district's compliance with Title IX, the federal law designed to increase athletic opportunities for girls. The audit is not complete.

We await the report.

G20 Protests: PC Rob Ward Given Written Warning Over Facebook Status On Bashing Hippies | UK News | Sky News

G20 Protests: PC Rob Ward Given Written Warning Over Facebook Status On Bashing Hippies UK News Sky News: "A police officer has been given a written warning after he posted on his Facebook page that he was going to 'bash' demonstrators at the G20 protests.

Oakland could host part of G-20 | TPN Evolve

Say what?

Oakland could host part of G-20 TPN Evolve: "If the White House allows it, local officials would like to hold part of the Group of 20 summit on Pitt’s campus.If the White House allows it, local officials would like to hold part of the Group of 20 summit on Pitt’s campus.

They might need to use the heli ports. That's about it.

Bill Flanagan must be nuts.

Officials can be tourists and buy a Pitt t-shirt and see the "International Rooms." But, beyond that, hit the dino road and stay downtown for the official events.

One of the best ways to highlight Oakland while the G-20 is here, is to keep all the events at the Convention Center and stay the hell away -- with official pissing events. Don't they understand that Oakland, by and large, is still reeling with the hurt from the "no couch on porche laws."

How much can one neighborhood endure?

University officials declined to comment, so I'll do it for them. "F-Off jag offs."

Meanwhile, in other news, Gov Rendell swipes all the federal stimulus money from Pitt and he might as well kisses $20-M away on gambling table games too.

There is a PRAMANIT Brothers in The Strip, for goodness sake. Walk there after the meetings. Hit the Heinz History Center. Take a water taxi to Station Square and the Science Center. Visit the blasted block house. How about if we have an open skate at the Civic Arena and a game of two day crickett at PNC PARK.

Memo to economic diplomat meeting planners, if you want to move out of Strip District, North Shore, South Side's Station Square or Lower Hill / Civic Arena, then you need a hall pass or better be bleeding with body fluids spilling. Otherwise, wait until the Great Race and do the 5K or 10K.

NCAA:Career Center with cool job at CMU

NCAA:Career Center: "Asst. Ath. Director, Univ. Programs & Intramurals"

Obama as Sports Czar, give me a break

Obama as Sports Czar? Mostly Good -- NCAA Basketball FanHouse: "We chatted in the back room of an ESPN studio in southern California this spring, when Robinson said of his sister's husband, 'What people slept on with Barack is how really smart he is. When he's reading through the paper, he's not just reading the business section or the political section. He's reading the sports section, and he retains everything, because he's such a big fan.'

Tribute to the Moon Walk

Proposal: Seeking Water Polo Players in Pittsburgh in August

This is a proposal yet.

2009 JCC Monroeville Schedule for JCC Water Polo Sessions:

Monday, August 10 - swim closes at 7 pm - Water polo session #1 from 6:30 to 8 pm
Tue, Aug 11, swim closes at 7 pm - Water polo session #2 from 6:30 to 8 pm
Wed, Aug 12, swim closes at 8 pm - Water polo session #3 from 7:30 to 8:30 pm
Thur, Aug 13, swim closes at 7 pm - Water polo session #4 from 6:30 to 8 pm
Friday - Aug 14 - closed

Monday, August 17 - swim closes at 7 pm - Water polo session #5 from 6:30 to 8 pm
Tue, Aug 18, swim closes at 7 pm - Water polo session #6 from 6:30 to 8 pm
Wed, Aug 19, swim closes at 8 pm - Water polo session #7 from 7:30 to 8:30 pm
Thur, Aug 20, swim closes at 7 pm - Water polo session #8 from 6:30 to 8 pm
Friday - Aug 21 - closes at 6 pm - Water polo session #9 from 6:00 to 8 pm

Monday, August 24 - swim closes at 7 pm - Water polo session #10 from 6:30 to 8 pm
Tue, Aug 25, swim closes at 7 pm - Water polo session #11 from 6:30 to 8 pm
Wed, Aug 26, swim closes at 8 pm - Water polo session #12 from 7:30 to 8:30 pm
Thur, Aug 27, swim closes at 7 pm - Water polo session #13 from 6:30 to 8 pm
Friday - Aug 28 - closes at 6 pm - Water polo session #14 from 6:00 to 8 pm

Interested? Give me a call. 412 298 3432.

Won't be free.

There can't be school on the days of the G-20 event in Pittsburgh, can there?

What is the deal with school days on and around the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh. I'm wondering. Is anyone going to give any insights?

Will it be off for the entire week of the G-20?

Will it be off for only the two days, Thursday and Friday?

Last year as China hosted the Beijing Olympics and the Paralympics -- all school was off for more than a month. The schools didn't meet. However, the universities were open for dorm space for the students so that they could be doing informal studies and working as 'volunteers.'

A day or two after the Olympics ended, the Para Games and Athletes were in town too. So, it was a double header for them as well.

Pittsburgh Public School officials should make the decisions NOW and get the word out so schedules can be understood.

Secret Service will lead security for G-20 summit

So here is the third set of OVERLORDS that the city was looking for.

Secret Service will lead security for G-20 summit: "The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has named Pittsburgh's G-20 summit in September a 'National Special Security Event,' meaning the Secret Service will take the lead role in security planning for the gathering of world leaders.

So, we'll have the gambling vice in August. The SS in September.

Thank goodness it is a draft day! That's the only good news.

Our dear friend, Meg, from South Carolina, visits Pittsburgh for concert, July 8, in Mt. Lebo

National Public Radio commentator and acoustic singer-songwriter Meg Barnhouse (www.megbarnhouse.com), with Kiya Heartwood of Wishing Chair, will present songs, stories, and illumination at 7 pm on Wednesday, July 8, at 1240 Washington Road, the Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills, Mt. Lebanon (15228). $10. One Pittsburgh-area gig only, seating limited; e-mail amy4bruce8@verizon.net for reservations.

NZ born, but Italian bred - rugby - sport | Stuff.co.nz

Blowouts. NZ born, but Italian bred - rugby - sport | Stuff.co.nz 'One hundred and thirty [points] to about 20,' he quipped as he recalled, painfully, Italy's 59-10 defeat in Rome in 2004 and a 76-14 pounding in pool play at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in Marseilles.

Flagship Niagara Launches Erie’s First “Independence Day Parade of Boats” | ErieBlogs

Perhaps they are going to practice for G-20.

Flagship Niagara Launches Erie’s First “Independence Day Parade of Boats” | ErieBlogs: "“The Boom Over the Bay” fireworks show is from 9:45pm until 10:00pm and will for the first time ever, include a cannon-fire demonstration by the Flagship Niagara! Niagara will be located about a quarter mile north of the Bayfront Convention Center, and will fire guns toward Liberty Park and Dobbin’s Landing."

Pittsburgh had better prep its submarine.

Convicted judge to keep his pension

Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh have serious pension problems.

Convicted judge to keep his pensionConvicted judge to keep his pension

The first thing to do when you need a real fix to a problem is to, "Lay The Shovel Down." Stop digging in the same hole.

These problems need to be fixed. The judge and all the others that screwed up should be without any pension. PERIOD.

Fix it.

I am so mad at my city right now, I'll only post this. Do listen. Blast from the past.

In 2001 I ran for Mayor, City of Pittsburgh, in a contested GOP Primary. KDKA TV did a profile on me and my loyal opponent, Professor James Carmine. Here is the audio in an mp3 file for history's sake.

http://blip.tv/file/443401/

Click To Play

The key to understanding my mood is the swimming part. This is the start of summer. The city's ways have not changed. But, the murders have. The outward migration continues.

I seek some cooperation and permission to coach city kids.