As fit citizens, neighbors and running mates, we are tyranny fighters, water-game professionals, WPIAL and PIAA bound, wiki instigators, sports fans, liberty lovers, world travelers, non-credentialed Olympic photographers, UU netizens, church goers, open source boosters, school advocates, South Siders, retired and not, swim coaches, water polo players, ex-publishers and polar bear swimmers, N@.
My #1 bit of advice to all local advocates, bloggers and otherwise, has always been: "Don't burn out."
Think fixture.
To that note, the trend these days is twitter and facebook has been on the rise too.
I've got my main account, @Rauterkus, where I follow= 2,001 (limit at 2K) and 1,172 follow me; and I've made 4,133 tweets.
My MR & Running Mates blog is at 9,375 visible posts. A slew of other blogs and wikis are out there to other levels of input.
Presently my main www sites, Rauterkus.com, & elect.Rauterkus have been down for a couple of months, getting a re-tooling of sorts. The one day peak was >7000 visitors, years ago. Even my blast list is down from >10,000 contacts -- but it still lives and bucked recently to twist the arm of WTAE TV to post the entire debate #2 onto the web.
Sending tweets is easier. Go with the flow of the time. Carry your weight.
Pittsburgh has had a rash of lightweight retirements and too many crow about un-engaged voters. Heavy. so don't go to the dark side of being un-engaged, as in retirement. Just lighten up. Tweet into the sunset.
I was able to attend the community meeting hosted by Pittsburgh Public Schools this past week at Perry Traditional High School. Called, Excellence for All. Mark Roosevelt, superintendent, spoke about the new push for teacher effectiveness and the as yet un-official Gates Foundation Grant.
At the outset of the meeting, I had a brief moment with Mr. Roosevelt and told him congratulations on his new contract.
After the meeting, I sent along an email to Mr. Roosevelt and Mark Conner, Parent Engagment Coordinator. Stay tuned / scroll down.
Some of the points in the presentation make great conversation starters. I'll try to comment and wedge some of my opinions and obserations into the text of the blog.
Before the video camera ran, a testimonial from a recent PPS Graduate now getting Pittsburgh Promise scholarship money as he attends Penn State Allegheny (McKeesport) for engineering was shown. That first person account was from a recent meeting at Perry hosted by the head of the Pittsburgh Promise. The district has been hosting Pittsburgh Promise outreach meetings at all of the schools. Interesting. Those meetings are part of the PPS monthly calendars -- see the web site, http://www.PghBOE.Net.
Part 1 via Viddler: (Exact same file as above, just different server.)
Part 2 via YouTube:
Part 2 via Viddler:
Part 3 via YouTube:
Part 3 via Viddler:
Part 4, via YouTube:
Part 4, via Viddler:
Thanks for the grub and a few comments from last night
Hi Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Conner,
Thanks for the food and presentation last night at Perry. Sorry I had to leave the meeting as questions began. I had to get my son at the JCC after his swim practice. I'll get to and post the video today.
QUESTION: Is that "Cold Play" video on the web? It should be on YouTube.
QUESTION: Is that interview about the Promise Testimonial from the Oliver HS grad now at PSU Allegheny on the web? That should be on YouTube too.
The student in the video fell between the cracks in 9th grade (booted from Schenley) and 10th (at Oliver). If you do put the video onto the web, make sure all who watch understand that the standards for the Pgh Promise have been made more difficult. The 9th and 10th graders of today (and the future) can't slack off and still be 'promise ready.' That has been stressed to the kids at our school -- but it is a very important change and update that impacts the on-going telling of that testimonial for the sake of clarity going forward. So, I'd suggest an extra footnote on that video as it goes out to YouTube.
My reaction for discussion concerning that student as to why/how he was able to slip so much in 9th and 10th grade goes to his 'afterschool sports.'
Was he an athlete? What sports did he play? He would have been NOT ELIGIBLE, perhaps, due to grades. And, a sports coach (as I know them to be in healthy situations) COULD HAVE and SHOULD HAVE been on his back and able to monitor / coach / develop that student so as to keep him / get him back to the straight and narrow (Pgh Promise Pathway).
I'll bet he wasn't an athlete with one or more coaches who were hawks that were looking out for that kid's total student life.
The effort to make 'clusters' of adults in the school to monitor the kids -- home room teachers, guidance, etc -- is what great coaches do all the time.
More than 75% of the boys and aprox 55% of the girls should be in scholastic sports. The national numbers are not being reached in Pittsburgh. And, our coaches are fumbling, by and large.
Plus, that's a story that gets repeated in all urban districts. For example, Philly wasn't a part of the PIAA. Pittsburgh isn't a part of the WPIAL.
Pittsburgh does not have a massive cadre of caring adults watching out for a sizable majority of our middle school and younger high school aged students as our sports landscape in our schools in Pittsburgh stinks.
The push to master teachers (rock stars even), mentoring, monitoring and performance standards are nothing new to me -- as this is what we do all the time in swimming and sports.
The platform, goals and increased expectations you are embracing are splendid. I am in full support of that. But I fear that the sports / coaching support is missing, still, in the PPS execution. It is like a 3-leg stool with teachers + principals/administrators + COACHES / SPORTS / AFTERSCHOOL. You are getting there with the principals and data and now the teacher elements. Great. That's 2 of the 3 legs that are getting attention and fortified. But the easiest element and the one that will have massive returns is still getting ignored.
Furthermore, what I talk of is getting worse with all the school mergers.
I'd be most happy to talk about this with you or others.
SUGGESTION: Go to Eddie Wilson (PPS) and ask to peek at the 4 different binders I delivered to him in early October: That round of the RFP imploded, I guess, due to a stimulus funds snafu. Nonetheless, those binders make a work packet and hit upon vision / benefits. They are packed with opportunities and potential to get our kids performing. Check em out. (Swim & Water Polo Camp, Lifeguard Camp, Olympic Sports Camp, Sport Manager and Entrepreneur Camp). That's a first step. There is plenty to do for this leg of student support, and it needs to start with the superintendent.
Keep up the good work in those other areas. My request: The sports efforts should begin now too. And, frankly, Gates can get the credit. But for a fraction of the costs and a much smaller investment of time at the Board Levels -- an overhaul of sports would make a much bigger impact for our students. I'd love to make it so and prove it to you.
-- Ta.
Reply from Mark Roosevelt to me
Mark - I agree with you about sports and much that you say below. I will make more of an effort to push this forward in the coming weeks. Cheers, Mark
GREAT QUESTION: What is the status on the Title IX report on sports? Is it out? Have you seen it? Is it worthy of a discussion?
I don't think it is out yet. I'm putting in a call now to ex-PPS Board Member, Heather A.
What percent of our kids (boys / girls) are in scholastic sports in Pittsburgh High Schools?
PPS does not have that number, so I hear from the Athletic Director of PPS.
I think it makes sense to do an overhaul of sports in Pittsburgh while that Gates Foundation Grant is about to roll out. The coaching and teaching parts can overlap a great deal. We need to spotlight our city's mentor coaches. We need to have a coaching center of excellence, and so on. Most of all, sports participation can help to keep the kids on the straight-and-narrow through high school. So sports coaches can address a chunk of the mentoring and overall evaluation of the kids so as to insure that they are 'Promise Ready.' I'd much rather have sports coaches play a bigger role in the lives of the kids than home room teachers and security guards. The coaching staffs can be that year-in-and-year-out glue to the kids. But, we'll need coaches to be invited to the table and be more robust with greater numbers of kids.
Advocate style: I'm trying to connect the dots -- for the benefit of the kids and athletics. Ride the wave, so to speak.
> 4. We are currently reviewing the Athletic Program however, the Gates money is not earmarked for anything related to Athletics at this time.
I understand that the Gates money isn't for athletics. But, some of the efforts of the work at the board / administration could dove tail into athletics as it is going into the realm of teaching and CARE for the students.
-- We need to show the ability of teachers (and coaches) to move students to more advanced levels.
-- The whole issue of TENURE with coaches needs to be dealt with.
-- And, this plan creates the opportunity for highly effective teachers -- as it should also go to highly effective coaches.
-- Coaches can move the students to high levels. Are the athletes the ones in the district that are doing better than the non-athletes? (Duhh. What about data there! They are going to follow kids according to teachers they had in 9-12th grade. What about coaches too? What about college performance in sports too? Would they be shocked to learn that certain sports players in certain sports teams with certain coaches are GENERALLY far more accomplished in college success because of their fitness and discipline and X-FACTOR with being an accomplished athlete / exposed to accomplished coaching.)
-- And, coaches need to be included with the cadre of school professionals as each student is evaluated to be on the pathway to the promise.
-- Mentoring is a new push with PPS -- and we need to hook the mentors with athletics / middle school sports too.
The Gates Foundation money as well as the mindset now being embraced by PPS Board / Administrators because of the new goals -- SHOULD have a tie in with Athletics.
-- They are talking about WIDER recruitment of teachers -- highly effective teachers. New teachers we hire need to be spot on 80% of the time. We need new teachers hired into the district who are excellent teachers. And, hiring non-traditional teachers is now a possibility too. So, a great coach could be -- to use Mark Roosevelt's term -- a ROCK STAR coach and TEACHER. Let's use that wider net of the recruitment of teachers to also include the recruitment of coaches. Then these folks can get to the new teacher academy to sharpen up the academic skills that already have been proven in the coaching ranks.
Frankly, I'd love to see half of the new teachers within PPS being accomplished coaches before hired by PPS. Then they'd get the support of the intern year.
Furthermore, the others who are in the teacher academy need to be given coaching expertise too -- so that when they are placed in new school settings, they are able to coach sports teams there.
I'll talk with John Tarka next.
No need to reply. Perhaps I'll see you at a soccer or football game or volleyball championships in the next week or so.
Dok would be running on his father's name if he was a candidate for a job with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dok isn't trying out for a position with the football team.
Ebert G. Beeman's words hit David Mitchell, a retired librarian and 12-year veteran of Erie County Council, like a body blow.
Beeman, a Waterford Township resident who had won the Republican Party's nomination to fill the council post soon to be vacated by Mitchell, was standing before a group of Corry voters over the summer.
Beeman was talking about how if he were elected, he'd ax the Erie County Public Library's BookMobile.
"Those are fighting words," Mitchell said.
Mitchell, 65, a Republican, had planned on stepping down from Erie County government at the end of his term this year to pursue public service on the state level.
He saw in the ranks of young Republicans in the 6th District at least three viable candidates with local government experience whom he believed would serve the district and the county well.
But in the May primary, those candidates -- Frank Stefano Jr. and Greg Lucas, of the Edinboro area, and Edward DiMattio, of Waterford -- split the primary vote three ways with more than 500 votes each.
Beeman, a Waterford Township auditor and relative political newcomer, emerged victorious, with 573 votes.
Mitchell, a former Corry mayor who has represented the 6th District since 1996, said he met Beeman briefly before the start of a program in Corry over the summer. The meeting went well, Mitchell said.
Then he said he heard Beeman get up and casually talk about getting rid of the BookMobile. In a recent interview, Beeman said he wants to eliminate the entire county library system.
"He basically said he does not like politics or politicians," Mitchell said.
"When you see someone coming out and blasting things in such a partisan way, they are doing it for their own benefit, not the people's," Mitchell said.
Mitchell decided then that he might seek a write-in campaign because he feared Beeman might disrupt county government. Council in the next term will be working with a new county executive and will face very difficult budget planning, he said.
The Republican Party leadership began calling Mitchell, asking him to run because of their own concerns with Beeman's agenda, he said.
Of his decision to mount a comeback, Mitchell said, "I decided if Brett Favre could do it, I could do it," referring to the NFL quarterback.
Mitchell said everyone has a right to their own views and that, like Beeman, he has no love of taxes or excessive government.
But Mitchell said those who protest taxes most loudly tend also to forget that taxes fund what many people consider essential services.
"They simplify a very complicated system, and they get very angry," he said.
He said that because there are seven members of County Council, they must work together, for the good of the county and their respective districts.
"If the other council members isolate him, he won't suffer," Mitchell said. "The district will suffer."
Guy K, a tech guru, tweeted about a blog article that covers the top ten thinking mistakes. Number two on the list was about the status quo, a topic that I love to battle in my (quixotic to some) efforts of life.
The Status Quo Trap: Keeping on Keeping On In one experiment a group of people were randomly given one of two gifts — half received a decorated mug, the other half a large Swiss chocolate bar. They were then told that they could effortlessly exchange one gift for the other. Logic tells us that about half of people would not get the gift they preferred and would hence exchange it, but in fact only 10% did!
We tend to repeat established behaviors, unless we are given the right incentives to entice us to change them. The status quo automatically has an advantage over every other alternative.
What can you do about it?
•Consider the status quo as just another alternative. Don’t get caught in the ‘current vs. others’ mindset. Ask yourself if you would choose your current situation if it weren’t the status quo.
•Know your objectives. Be explicit about them and evaluate objectively if the current state of affairs serves them well.
•Avoid exaggerating switching costs. They frequently are not as bad as we tend to assume.
The objectives for a city election are important. Lots of people vote out of duty to democracy (little "d" -- not party "D"). Use it or lose it. Well, when we vote if we always know who is going to win because of the party associated with their name on the voting machines, then we are not really voting, we are anointing. Kings get anointed to the thrones. In America, we elect.
An objective of voting, an election and sustaining our democracy -- and keeping that status quo alive -- is reaching a popular decision by ballot. The objective is to insure democracy so as to insure freedom as it is much better to change rulers at the ballot box than with violence and blood.
I'd say, from time to time, we need to toss out the ones in elected office just so we don't make our elections meaningless and rusty of a done-deal mentality. To the fit, it is use it or lose it. Well, Pittsburgh has to pull for the underdog from time to time in the elections or all elections will be lost in terms of relevance.
But here comes the kicker question of this blog ramble:
What would be the costs to Pittsburgh if it got a new mayor now?
Bram, do not go overboard yourself. You wrote in part:
"Luke is lying, and everyone is giving him a pass because they'd rather see him prosecuted than bother calling him a liar again. For goodness sakes, people,..."
The EVERYONE part above is a lie too. First, don't discount yourself. You care. You are not giving out a free pass. You are part of everyone.
But, please do not lecture to the masses so as to think and know what they (we) think. That's just a little trap that I'd hate to see you step in so as to discount everything else.
Moving along, frankly, I do NOT want to see Luke prosecuted. That isn't a 'wish' of mine. We have elections. I want to see elections count far more than the actions of DAs and Attorney Generals and Ethics Boards. Being prosecuted is one of my last concerns and it should be in the back seat to plain old elections. Elections are where these things should be settled, not with the courts nor with violence. I'm a big fan of democracy, messy as it is.
Furthermore, it isn't good form to call anyone, yet alone the mayor of the city you reside within, a 'liar.'
I'm all for taking people out of their comfot zone. Sometimes a poke with a sharp or blunt stick is what is most effective. But, wow. To call names -- scum is a favorite of mine -- makes a big risk. No threat. Just, be careful. The conversation is on thin ice already. It won't take much to have the discussion implode.
Being honest is one of my valued principals (Caring, Loving, Open, Honest) -- but at the same time it would be foolish to go around telling people that they are 'fat.' Being honest personally -- and being an overt enforcer with a scaret letter of honesty -- are two different matters. There are two sides to the sword of honesty and people don't like to swing it nor be around much when it gets serious use.
Lots may run for cover. We want lots to get more engaged.
Countless things encircle us where we, as individuals and as a society, are not honest in addressing. Honest talk -- really honest -- becomes crushing.
So, tag it. Then advance to the other driving points. Tip to KA and Dok. In your administration (because we all know some less than honest dealings are going to get spun), who will be calling the shots? Developers? Developers did call many shots when Tom Murphy and Bob O'Connor were at the helm too.
My point: Distinctions beyond honesty and liar are necessary for a campaign to be effective.
He isn't honest. But that is not news. All politicians are less than honest to some degree.
And by all means, don't over-sell it -- because EVERYONE isn't giving a pass to those who are at odds with the truth.
Tim McAteer, Digital Executive Producer, WTAE-TV Channel 4 Action News, ThePittsburghChannel.com
Prior post from earlier today:
I just got this email sent from a friend -- and I'm now dancing in the streets.
You will be able to watch the debate on ThePittsburghChannel.com later today.
Tim McAteer Digital Executive Producer WTAE-TV Channel 4 Action News ThePittsburghChannel.com
YES. WTAE TV is going to post the full debate on the web. Getting a debate is hard enough. Doing one and not show it all is -- well -- it isn't going to happen.
Now we'll need to go watch it all and remember what gets said on Nov 3 -- and beyond.
Then we can get past #2 and get geared up for #3 of the series of debate in the days to come.
Here is the deal: When those on Grant Street, (or in other places, City Hall) do "development" and "play the role of developers" then it is no wonder that the one who should be doing the development are going to go in and start to take the helm of those who should govern.
The roles are flipped.
The wires are crossed.
The purpose is all wrong.
I long for the day when the mayor and county executive and even the governor and president govern and stick to their jobs and duties. To me, that is uphold the constitution and insure that liberties are protected for all. That's the 'and justice for all' part and that takes a great deal of work. That's 24-7 work.
Meanwhile, those with ambitions for building buildings, designing spaces and opportunities for capital investments are encouraged to get it on. Go for it. Go for it here in our town -- a place where capital investments are not risky business. Go for it here where you are free to operate without kickback, tear downs, red tape, greese for the wheel and central authority road blocks. Yes, you are free and with each ounce of freedom comes a pound of responsibility. But be free. Create wealth. Build and sustain!
For years Pittsburgh has had it wrong.
Tom Murphy wanted to build a Disney-land-ish North Shore.
Bob Cramner wanted to make a Dino Park. He was a county councilman and got dinged out of office and he has the blueprints for a 'first day attraction' that would blow your socks off. Except he is clueless and shouldn't be the developer.
Sophie was the one that propsed a baseball only stadium and was jeered at -- until Tom Murphy and Tom Cox could claim it for themselves.
The Steelers' owners have political sway -- as do the Pens -- and they RENT space in public buildings. And, they even get the landlords to bring out the wrecking balls on places that they don't own.
The URA should be liquidated.
Then we can focus upon what really matters.
There was a time, back in the day, when the one's in public office worried about PARKs. Imagine that. We worry more about the killing of geese than the kids in our parks. Where is that non-profit parks booster group, Governor Candidate Onorato?
Now our politicians are caught with their pants down when it comes out that the library system needs to shut a handful of branches. Even the executives at the library turned into development agents by moving branches from historic, functional, majestic buildings (North Side, Hazelwood) to business corridors. Jeepers, if they only fixed up what they had already and spent what money was available, then they'd have a sustainable system.
The examples are numerous.
Now we've got the sizzle and noise about Luke Ravenstahl and corruption as well as miss-statements to direct questions. It is a matter of leadership. But, it is a matter of direction and purpose.
None of the three are talking about the real proplem and the real solution.
There is no room in municipal government for the likes of Pat Ford. He got a big buyout for shutting up. He isn't the lone villan -- but in times of campaigns it is time to look at leadership and purpose.
Kick the developer mentality (and those who value such) out of local government. Then we'll have a chance of transparent, open, honest, caring government for a free society.
When the mayor plays the role of 'developer' then the developers are going to be one in the same as the mayor.
It stinks that WTAT TV is choosing to NOT post the entire debate among the candidates for mayor held in the WTAE studios on Wednesday, October 21, 2009.
Some say that you all are just too lazy.
Others are saying that WTAE is just too fearful of non-D candidates.
I say that watchdogs need to do their jobs, in full. It is hard enough to get the debates, so that when they do arrive, they need to reach as many as possible. KDKA TV posted the entire debate that was hosted there before it was even on the TV. WTAE can do the same. If you need some help, let me know. I can take the DVD (a copy) and put it onto the web.
For some strange reason, unknown exactly to me, the powers that be in the mainstream media do NOT want the world to see the whole debate among three candidates for mayor of Pittsburgh.
Your help is greatly appreciated, in the name of 'transparency' and 'democracy.' Thank for the click to the link above and short note saying,
The Feds (FBI) do NOT vote. That is the role of the citizens.
If benefits were or were not 'beholden' is a matter for voters at one level and investigators at another.
Kevin Acklin does NOT need to prove Ravenstahl guilty. He only needs to say he'll be better than what we've got.
And, you are so right in one repeated assertion you've been making, -- You don't see it.
Why in the world would WTAE choose to NOT put more of the debate on the web? I want to see the entire debate. They only do 2 clips. None really from Dok either. I'm pissed at WTAE.
Perhaps those at WQED can get a copy of the WTAE show and re-run it on 13 and put it live on the OnQ web site, for goodness sake.
He's back: Eddie Wilson and team of PPS Administrators are back to the drawing board and release another RFP.
Provide 6th-8th Grade Students Unique Afternoon Activities for the 2010 Summer Middle-Grades Camp
As you know, when the State budget was recently passed the ARRA Title 1 stimulus dollars were approved for the literacy portion of the PPS Summer Middle-Grades Camp, but the ARRA State Fiscal Stabilization Funds (SFSF) funds that would have been used for the afternoon activities did not come through. The proposals we received in the initial RFP process cannot be accepted under the Title 1 regulations. Because of the change in our funding, PPS is issuing two (2) new RFPs[1] for literacy and activities providers.
The “Title 1” RFP (attached) is seeking partners to teach PPS middle-grade students literacy by infusing instruction with activities that generate excitement in a new area of interest. Winning Title I proposals will be funded utilizing the ARRA Title 1 stimulus funds. · The “Revised Activities” RFP (attached) is seeking providers to teach PPS middle-grade students a unique and creative hobby and generate excitement in a new area of interest that ignites a passion both during the five-week summer camp and for the rest of their lives. Funding for proposals accepted through the “Activities” RFP process are not currently available. We are in the process of pursuing alternative funding through private sources. Both RFPs are open for any organization or individual to submit proposals regardless of whether or not a proposal was submitted in response to the original RFP.
This is an exciting time in Pittsburgh Public Schools, and this camp is an amazing opportunity for the school district, local organizations, parents, and especially for students! Please consider submitting a proposal as outlined in one of the new Request For Proposal to be a part of this summer experience. We are looking for outstanding proposals to make this a premier summer camp.
Pittsburgh Public Schools South Hills Chapter Male/Father Involvement Program
Be in the picture
My wife recently told me about a boy who drew a family picture with himself, his mother and brothers and sisters, but his father was not in the drawing. When asked, the boy responded, "My dad's at work where he always is." That describes too many of us. Do you struggle with work/family life tension? You're not alone.
About Us
All Pro Dad is A Family First's innovative program helping men to become better fathers. All Pro Dad has 54 NFL spokesmen, including our own Mike Tomlin, multiple events with NFL teams, over 1,000 All Pro Dad's Day chapters, and Play of the Day daily emails that reach 40,000 fathers each day.
You Don’t Have To Be a Dad
You can be a grandfather, uncle, or a big brother. What’s important is male involvement. All children need a strong male role model in their life. We want to know If you have any questions or would like to get involved but can’t attend this meeting contact Chris Waraks/Team Captain at PPSProDad@msn.com or 412-720-2051.
Join us Monday Oct. 26th for Brashear’s and South Hills Middle’s combined meeting at Pittsburgh South Hills Middle School Library from 6:30 to 8:00
Refreshments will be served so please RSVP to Tammy Waraks at PPSProDad@msn.com or call at 412-720-2051.
The outrage is not felt with me. So what. Chairman Mao has plenty of witty comments. Ever read a fortune cookie or two. I like them too, but I don't want to say your diet should be full of em. A favorite perhaps -- not an idol nor a way of life for me. Life, like China, is big, complicated and not for the faint of heart nor for knee jerk reactions. And, perhaps we should learn from mistakes, not repeat them (i.e., Lott example).
I posted at Bram's blog some additional reactions of the first mayor candidate debate that was hosted by KDKA TV and is now on the web site there.
As for big box development, Franco Dok Harris said he was against it - then okay with it too.
Kevin Acklin wants to take half of the URA assets and turn the focus to neighborhoods.
Luke Ravenstahl's reply was that the URA already did focus on neighborhoods and small businesess. With the URA question, Luke won that inning.
Challengers needed to score big -- and that could have happened by striving to liquidate the entire URA and turning all of its assets into debt reduction, or more police, or whatever.
The challengers were not really so different.
Likewise, if asked, would you, (as mayor) accept another invite to host a future G-20. All 3 said yes. No difference.
Of course I would NOT choose to host a G-20 so as to have these world bankers meet in secret while our city became a ghost town. I'd offer them a closed wing of the airport at the very best.
The aim and a central purpose of government is to protect freedom. With the G-20, many freedoms were lost. That's progress in the wrong direction.
I'm looking for bold constrasts among the candidates in a debate. Perhaps that will be more evident in the second and third meeting.
Natalia Rudiak received this eloquent essay and research from a soon-to-be Beechview constituent. She did not yet verified this information, but the citations are listed below. Please feel free to share with your networks.
"I and my neighbors are dismayed by the apparent inequity of closing our library and those in other less affluent neighborhoods. In my correspondence with the RAD Board I questioned the rationale and criteria used to determine which branches were to close. It seems as though community libraries like Squirrel Hill's were never in any danger even though they are so very close to the Main Library and have ample and direct bus service to and from that location. Their library is also open 7 days a week compared to Beechview's 5 days. The Squirrel Hill branch is also open 52 hours per week compared to Beechview's 37 hours. When I expanded my research to include some of the other locations earmarked for closure, the number of hours and days per week are very similar. In addition, the number of available hours on evenings and weekends is similarly lopsided. Squirrel Hill's library has 45-60% more evening and weekend hours than those libraries due to close. This is especially important if overall library usage was used as one of the criterion for closures. With such a disparity of hours of operation and especially those on evenings and weekends, is it any wonder that a branch such as Squirrel Hills has more usage?
"Their square footage is also larger and the additional resources within also impact usage. The Carnegie Library has recently added an outdoor scrolling message board to the Squirrel Hill branch. In the face of impending funding shortfalls and economic troubles, it seems extravagant to be adding a sign yet completely closing branches in other communities.
"With the announcement of branch closings, the Carnegie Library mentioned that neighborhoods losing their branches were close to other branches -- like Brookline's branch to Beechview (1.5 to 2 miles away with no direct public transportation). If proximity to other branches was another primary criterium, then why, with Squirrel Hill about a half a mile away from the Main Library, were they not more strongly considered? It appears as though CONVENIENCE is an option for communities like Squirrel Hill, but not for smaller and less wealthy neighborhoods.
"I have nothing against Squirrel Hill, their residents or library users, but I don't feel like the playing ground is a level one. Looking back over the last few years on the tens of millions of dollars that the Carnegie Library Board has spent on expansions and renovations on many of its branches, it appears like these closings may have been planned for quite some time. I don't know whether or not any of the libraries planning to be closed were those receiving renovations or expansion, though it wouldn't be hard to find out.
“With the Board's acknowledgment of funding shortfalls that they knew and admit were coming about -- these multimillion dollar expenditures are in hindsight foolish and irresponsible. The Carnegie Library Board is made up of well-compensated smart people who now appear to be shrugging their shoulders and acting like these events were totally unforeseen. This is a stretch at best.
"One of Andrew Carnegie's primary goals when establishing the libraries was for the "improvement of the poorer classes." If this is an ongoing importance to the Carnegie Library, then these closures make no sense whatsoever. It seems that the values and goals which were once so vital to the heart of the library mission are no longer an issue. Communities like Beechview, Hazelwood, West End, Lawrenceville and Carrick are exactly the type of areas public libraries are intended. No one would argue that more affluent communities like Squirrel Hill have more options and resources available to them when compared to these other neighborhoods, yet it is the very communities that need this resource the most and have fewer options which are asked to do without. Somehow, the Carnegie Board has lost its clarity of purpose and direction.
"This is yet another devastating blow to Beechview residents. Having endured the many losses of businesses and the URA debacle with Bernardo Katz, Beechview needs some true support and not the loss of another community resource. It seems as though our tax dollars rarely, if ever, find their way back as reinvestments in our community. However, it feels as though whenever the city needs to make cuts or look for cost-savings, then Beechview magically appears at the top of the list.
"Here are the library hours information that I paraphrased. When you look at these numbers, it isn't hard to see how usage numbers can be easily skewed or slanted to damn some libraries and protect others. I'm starting to think that Beechview residents should petition for a reduced tax rate given that city, county and state funds seem to be concentrated elsewhere. If the mayor would ever respond to any questions, I would like to ask him to name just one thing that he's done to 'specifically' help Beechview. What it boils down to is; in these difficult economic times, what are more affluent neighborhoods like Squirrel Hill losing when it seems as though other neighborhoods like Beechview and Hazelwood are losing so much?
“Please note that I revised my distance numbers for the distance from Squirrel Hill to the Main Branch, as I was using the 'half-mile' distance I read from a Post-Gazette article and I wanted to verify.
Beechview Library Branch: Open 5 days/week (closed Fri. & Sun.) 37 total hrs/week (9 hrs evenings & weekend) 1.35 miles from Brookline Branch(Library to library location)(No public transportation between neighborhoods and must cross major/dangerous W. Liberty Ave. intersection)
Hazelwood Library Branch: Open 5 days/week (closed Mon. & Sun.), 36 total hours/week (10 hrs evenings & weekend) 2.7 miles from Squirrel Hill Branch or 2.69 miles from South Side Branch
Carrick Library Branch: Open 5 days/week (closed Mon. & Sun.) 37 total hours/week (8 hrs evenings & weekend) 1.22 miles from Knoxville Branch(Bus service available - 51C)
Lawrenceville Library Branch: Open 5 days/week (closed Fri. & Sun.) 39 total hrs/week (only 7 hrs evenings & weekend) 1.94 miles to East Liberty Branch(Bus service available - 86B or 91A w/transfer to 500)
West End Library Branch: Open 4 days/week (closed Mon., Fri. & Sun.) 26 total hours/week (only 8 hrs evenings & weekend) 2.01 miles from Sheraden Branch (Bus service available - 26A, 26D)
Squirrel Hill Library Branch: Open 7 days/week, 52 total hours/week (14 hours evenings & weekend) 1.67 miles to Main Branch(14 blocks)(Library to Library location) (Bus service available - 59U, 61A, 61B, 61C)
“This hours of operation information is based upon information posted on www.clpgh.org and distances from mapquest.com. I've defined evening hours as 6:00 p.m. and beyond. The bus routes are from calls to PAT Transit's Customer Service Phoneline.
"You may definitely use this information in anyway that you feel will help the cause. It is not necessary to be credited at all. My benefit will be when we save our library and that's all I'm interested in."
This came from N.R.'s Facebook page. The author is unknown to me now. I'll ask.
I'm wondering where Glenn Walsh is on this issue? Did he just give up on the city?
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