Super Bowl Saturday

Today is Super Bowl Saturday for the South Side Sabres, a youth football program in my neighborhood. They have three teams in "super bowl games." What a feat. Way to go Mike D and all the other volunteers, coaches, players, cheerleaders and officials. Way to go to all the teams in the league and fans too.

At least two of the games are to be played at Steel Valley High School. One is against a North Hills team.

Here is a program that is flourishing, despite the city.

Yes, there are stories about how the city has given this program its share of headaches. The field was to be re-seeded. The city wanted to stop the team from playing on the field for an entire season. No joke. Talk about fumbles.

There are stories of how the city can't play well with others that never see the light of day on this blog. The road-blocks put up by the city are massive.

Furthermore, I do understand that there are lots of other places with lots of other challenges as well. Pittsburgh does not own the patent on headaches. But, we do seem to push the limit in frustrations. And, as with the Sabres, we overcome and soar, in spite of the submarines from Grant Street.

Ron Morris and being serious

A blog comment elsewhere about a "a serious candidate" has gotten under my skin and here is my vent.

Consider the business world and what Ron Morris mentioned on his Saturday radio talk show. A fellow asked him for some angel investment money to work on a new-business plan. In turn, that plan would then be able to be shopped to venture capitalists. In this early stage of the business, the principal would be collecting a six-figure salary. Hence, some of the need for angle investment. Plus, the principal was not putting his house on the line.

Ron's point was that he wanted to see more skin in the game from the individual involved. He wanted the owner to work with the start-up for nothing. He likes to make investments when the owner is hungry. He likes to see married folks who put their house on the line and then wake up with a watchdog, often in a cold-sweat.

He said it was better to write the business plan on the weekends, nights and while working for someone else.

Humm....

I know what it is like to write and pitch business plans. Before the kids were born, I worked in a start-up, my own small-press. I tried to move SportSurf.Net to the AOL Greenhouse, before Netscape went public. I had a relationship with a California client and furnished them with a modem so they could email me orders, well before Amazon.com ever opened. After we moved to Pittsburgh, I could see the business climate.

As a candidate, I feel at times like I'm in a start-up. I've got some skin in the game. I work for nothing. I scratch with others on evenings and weekends, to mine for ideas and plant seeds for a better community.

Meanwhile, those in the ivory towers of old-school thinking need have a measure of being 'serious' that is about something else. Theirs has little to do with civics, with freedom and with community. Perhaps the insulting remarks can be tempered. Perhaps the goal-posts can be moved, again.

What we have is serious miss-management. We have serious miss-spending of public money. We have serious breaks in democracy and accountability. We have serious instances of corruption. We have serious efforts to posture and back-pat with false praise for doing next to nothing.

So J.P., does a serious candidate for public office need to be serious in those realms?

Chief Robert McN -- enrages audience in West End

Our Chief of Police went before a citizens meeting in the West End at the end of October. Folks there are really hacked off at the loss of their zone's police station. Furthermore, the streets have been filling with shootings (even outside of schools), drugs, 3-AM outdoor parties, and lots of open bad-boy actors.

The chief's talk and his Q&A made matters worse. The people became more upset.

People are doing what has been asked. They are reporting the car's license plate numbers as drug deals go down. They have been holding their turf. They have been getting the threats and turning the details over to police.

However, no dective has called back. The follow-up is abset. One women's story was documented in detail -- but nothing from the good guys. Not even a phone call for an interview.

The chief is oblivious to it all. He thinks that things are fine. There is much more going on other than a group of citizens who are whinners.

The chief can't tak sides in elections, by law. It still has been know to happen.

Citizens groups, call a big meeting and get the Chief to come for a presentation. See for yourself.

On election day another dad shared a story about how he has seen, since September, 14 drug deals in front of his house. He reported everything on each. This dad, also a committee man, faced down a kid with a gun on his front step. This citizen / dad told the punk in so many words that that gun will be up his butt the next time he comes here with a threat.

It seems as if the police are hoping these troublemakers overdose. That is the frustration of how they are fighting crime.

Chief, it is time to "Think Again."

Murphy and McNeily need to exit at the same time. Let's make it soon.

Sales Job in Harrisburg

PG: ..."further cuts mean the city will need smaller amounts of new tax revenue to bridge its budget shortfalls, possibly making tax reform an easier, but still difficult, sell in Harrisburg."

The folks in Harrisburg understand that it is more prudent to replace, re-direct and then, thirdly, reform. To get tax reform and put it into the same messy hands that made this crisis is going to insure that the city stay in its hard-luck status for another decade.

Mayor Murphy needs to resign, for the good of the city. Then we begin to heal.

Once that offer is put on the table, and people other than Murphy need to put it there, then we have a new ray of hope and begin a day to remember.

Murphy needs to get out of the way. Democrats, Democrat-party leaders, and state-wide party leaders need to make this demand known and put it to Mayor Murphy and the media. Barbara H., Dan O., Tom R., Ed R., Bob C., Jack W., Dan F., Sala U., Brenda F., Johnny D., Mark N. (of Pitt), and a team of others need to say the obvious.

Praise be

AP Wire | 11/05/2004 | Recovery plan for fiscally troubled Pittsburgh approved "State officials praised the city and the oversight board for reaching consensus after long and sometimes contentious negotiations.

Understatement, "sometimes contentious."
Wait until these guys talk. Hope it isn't in a year from now.

Slots May Fund Pittsburgh Arena

Casino City Times: "Regardless of where a slots casino ends up in Pittsburgh, Mayor Tom Murphy said yesterday he would like to see a portion of the revenue used to finance the construction of a new arena. "

Same old tricks.

We also learned that the casino money is going to help bridge the $100-million gap in the budget for the next seven years.

PA Secretary Masch Comments on Pittsburgh Recovery Plan Consensus

PA PR The plan approved by the ICA today represents the consensus solution we have been working toward for many months,' Secretary Masch said. 'I want to thank Mayor Murphy, the members of the Act 47 Recovery Team and the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority for their willingness to labor long and hard to make this happen.

Yes, Tom Murphy is due plenty of thanks for the on-going decline of the city. The city's leaders pushed the city to the brink of extinction after years of hard work, long labors and bone-headed moves. They made it happen. Now checks might bounce next month. Stay tuned.

This plan not only restores Pittsburgh to fiscal stability, it preserves the City's vibrant quality of life and enhances the City's ability to compete economically.

Next we'll learn that 60,000 black-and-gold tailgate fans get fed at Hooters on three loafs and some fish sticks.

Quick and decisive action is now required on the part of the City and the Commonwealth to implement this plan so that a cash crisis does not engulf the City and undo all of the difficult and important work that has been accomplished to date to restore Pittsburgh to financial stability.

The quickest and most decisive course of action is resignation of all involved.

'The 2005-2009 Financial Plan for the City of Pittsburgh includes a balanced mix of cuts in city expenditures and new fees and taxes designed to ensure that both sacrifices and benefits are shared among businesses, residents and commuters. The new plan incorporates all of the key provisions of the original Act 47 Recovery Plan approved last June and improves on that plan by making responsible, measured additional spending cuts.

What about the formation of the Pittsburgh Park Distict?

'Tax reform is a key component of the plan. These reforms include the elimination of the Business Privilege Tax and Mercantile Tax, which have been detrimental to Pittsburgh's economic development. These would be replaced by new and more balanced revenue sources including a new Payroll Tax and an increase in the Occupation Privilege Tax. The Plan also provides for a badly needed, phased reduction in the City's current parking tax. And the plan also recognizes that Pittsburgh's finances will be significantly aided by the new state gaming legislation enacted last July, which will provide the City with a minimum of $10 million in annual gaming revenue beginning in 2007.

Unreal.

City officials, the Act 47 Recovery Team and the ICA have all done their part to restore Pittsburgh to fiscal and economic health. Now the Commonwealth must do its part. For this carefully crafted financial plan to succeed, the state government must grant the City of Pittsburgh the necessary taxing powers it needs to reform its tax structure and restore itself to fiscal stability. Those powers must be authorized before the General Assembly adjourns for the year on Nov. 30. Unless that happens, the outlook for one of the Commonwealth's finest cities will be bleak indeed.'"

Unreal squared.
How can these jokers say that they have done their part. The plan is so magical, yet it will go poof at midnight, like Cinderella.

False Claims by State Rep try to oust citizen from public meeting

State Rep. Petrone, Democrat, of the West End, tried to get a citizen removed from today's public meeting held at the Convention Center. Petrone claimed that the citizen, Carl Sutter, was under court order to not be near Petrone, a member of the PA's House Urban Affairs Committee.

There is no court order. The citizen stood his ground. He was able to return to the meeting.

The meeting was but a dog-and-pony show.

Anne

A friend, Bob Lee, is playing the role of Daddy Warbucks in Anne on November 5-7, 12-14, 19-20 2004. Friday, Saturday Curtain is at 8 PM - Sunday 2 PM. Shows at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie.

Tickets: Adults $15 ; Seniors & Students $10 ; Children under 6 $5

Bring a cushion for your chair. These seats are beautiful but were crafted in the 1800s.

Grown ups can accept a loss and live on

One of the deals that I made with my wife when I ran for mayor, and an easy to do, was that I'd not call for any recount. I lost. We lived with the decision of the voters.

Novak calls on Eisenhower to concede

Harrisburg -- Three days after Pennsylvanians elected Republican Tom Corbett as their next Attorney General, Democratic opponent Jim Eisenhower refuses to concede. Pennsylvania State Republican Chairman Alan Novak today called on Eisenhower to join the rest of Pennsylvania in supporting Corbett.

"I'm disappointed that Jim is ignoring the will of his fellow Pennsylvanians," said Novak. "Tom Corbett's victory was convincing. The election is over, and Pennsylvanians are moving forward together. It's time for Jim to do the right thing and concede this race."

FWIW, Corbett's signs were the only ones that I posted in my windows and at the polls this cycle. He's a Shaler guy. Seems sensible.

Some post election advice

US Congressman, Tim Murphy, R, (South Hills) beat another Doctor, Mark Boles, in 2004's general election to re-capture his seat in the US Congress. The district stretches from South Hills to Westmorland County.

Here is some of my advice that was posted to the Boles email discussion list:

Post election, there are a number of worthy efforts that need some attention.

First, where is the Mark Boles platform? The platform should be archived in public view. Any plans, goals, solution ideas need to be preserved -- and put in clear public view.

I think it is best to put them into the public domain as well.

If there are some original ideas and some original organization of those ideas, then the ideas should take on a life of their own. Give them wings. Set them free. The ideas can outlive the campaign by being picked up by others for the fights yet to come.

Second, on the heels of making the platform as something that is preserved, opened, visible, public, it needs to be evaluated.

What worked. What resonated?
What was a hinderance?
What delivery was effective?
Where were things too complicated, too simple, too miss-understood?

So, take some time and do a critical evaluation of the ideas (not the candidate) and how they played in the campaign, with the public, with the opposition, with the friends, with the party, with the running mates, etc.

Third, do a historical log and put that out in the open for public view and for others yet to come. Who helped organize the debate? Who came to a rally or worked hard on a rally. Why? What communities are out there that show concern over what issues?

Too often the collective well of knowledge runs dry. People come and go in the challenger's role, churning. Hence the ones in power get stonger. Sitting on things and insights and contacts is a sure way to give the others another win or three.

We have to have people take the extra steps after the election to make clear sailing for the next to come and then thrive. Where were beach-heads established? Those same areas should not be ignored nor should they be given back the next time without a fight. Too often the challenger is ignorant due to fault of the ones who ran the last three times in the past.

Case in point: The East Suburban UU Church played a pivotal role in the debate. They wanted to have a US Senate debate. Had to settle for US Congress race. But, ten debates are needed for the next race. And if the opponent only shows up for one, so be it. Who would host those other debates? Chamber, other churches, school groups, etc.

Third, crunch the numbers. Evaluate by ward and neighborhood. Find out the trends, the percentages. Make observations and talk about them to see if others agree or not. Look to see how Bush did in 2000 vs. 2004 vs. Congressional races vs. best districts and worst.
Case in point: GWB flew from Texas to DC on election day after he voted.
It was no mistake that his plane stopped in Ohio.

Be smart. Have details. Know the facts and have strong reasoning to support those facts.

Where did you do literature drops? Where were there victories, and why? How much did it cost to win certain districts? How did the candidate do in his own ward vs. how did the candidate do in the opponents?

Finally, I think it makes little sense to keep the lights on in a campaign here for 2006 when there are races in 2005. To say, I'm working for Boles -- or against Santorum -- is to say County Council is not going to get the attention it needs. What about school board races? What about municipal
races? You all should help two or three candidates in those efforts as dozens are running -- or thinking about it.

When relationships are built among communities and among the political junkies -- they pay off in the future. Often folks just need to show up. Mingle. Show up again.

"R" as in "Reform"

re form n. 1 A change for the better as a result of correcting abuses. 2. A campaign aimed to correct abuses or malpractices.

The red team at Market House soccer, fall 2004. Grant Rauterkus is bottom row on the left. I'm the coach.

Downtown shoppers

Sparkle Season plans are out and the city is going to horse-drawn coaches.

Thanks Pittsburgh Downtown Partnerships!

Asking for a break

Asking for a break - PittsburghLIVE.comPittsburgh is asking the state to forgive a $1.2 million penalty...

The city is now in the role of begging. Forgive this. Forgive that.

To forgive is one thing. To forget is another. We can't forget. We can't beg forever.

The headline, asking for a break is a gross under statement. We are asking for too much. And, we are not even asking with an understanding.

Members of city council are headed to Harrisburgh next week. They go blindly. That was a concern they expressed themselves. They don't have a plan. They don't have a clue. They don't have much to agree upon themselves. They are going leaderless. The mayor is absent. The consultant / lobby leader is a baby sitter.

Going to discover is fine. Going to beg is about all they can do. That's all the creativity they can muster.

Summer scores a two-point safety

PA Department of State Election Returns reported that PA's US Senate candiate, Betsy Summer, Libertarian, scored 77,282 votes. That vote total is significant as her party can maintain minor-party status. She needed two percent of the top statewide vote getter, which was Bob Casey (PA State Treasurer race), at 3.29 million votes. Her 77,282 votes is 2.35% of Casey's total.

How about those Stillers?

Wow, the Steelers play the Eagles this weekend. Ruffle feathers! Sack the Eagles!

I'll walk around Heinz Field tailgates, in my friendly way, this Sunday, with the sign, "Fire Mayor Murphy." The pick-up message: its time to Ruffle Feathers and Sack the Eagles.

Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. We need to push onto 2005 races and put a local focus on the political talk and our shared concentration.

Today might not be the perfect time for logical talk, nor spiritual talk -- but rather emotional reflection. Sure, a prayer of thankfulness comes as we've figured out the presidential outcome well before Christmas Eve. Yes.

Emotionally, we can cheer for the Steelers and begin to ramp up for 2005 and a local attention.

UPMC Sportsworks, Fastbreak for Families

On November 14, 2004, from 5 to 8 pm, join us at the North Side's Science Center / UPMC Sportsworks for Fastbreak for Families. Gratis entry, complimentary parking, but you have to pre-register, 412-308-6043 or eHines - at - Fatherhood dot org.

Election Day, 2004

Jon Delano rambled that I'll let you see his words in the comments and pass myself. Otherwise, I'm working and walking polls to meet and greet and generate awareness for 2005 when I'll be a candidate.

Election Night Parties

Got a party, let me know. Or, list them here yourself.

Want to roam to various parties, let's go together. Send an email to Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com. Or, list your mentions here yourself.

I don't expect that we'll know the winner of the Presidential race by 11 pm or Thanksgiving. But, we'll know if Jack Wagner, Tom Corbitt, Melissa Heart and Tim Murphy won.

Has Many Faces

A Pittsburgh friend, Judith Rubin, Ph.D., has made a new film, Art Therapy Has Many Faces. She did the 51-minute production on her desktop. Wonderful outcome.

I've uploaded fresh cover artwork in PDFs, one for the VHS and another for the DVD. Cover Artwork Directory I don't have a color printer.

Next, efforts on a new web site and blog.

Turnout

PG reported on October 21, 2004: According to nearly final figures, Democrats registered 30,354 new voters after the April 27 primary to 15,792 for the Republicans, a ratio of 1.92 to 1. The total number of new registration, including those from third-party members and independents, came to 60,447, a figure that reflects the high level of interest in this year's presidential race.

So let's review the math:

Total new voters = 60,447.

New Dems = 30,354.

New GOPers = 15,792.

New Third party = 14,301 = (60,447 - 30,354 - 15,792)

The PG fails to say that the sum of the Indies, Libertarians, Greens, Constitutional, Socialist, and whatever else is nearly equal to the Republicans. When you put together the third party block and the GOPers, you exceed the Dems.

The Indie and third party numbers are charging, I dare say.

Trib & AP story on Track Star, Congressal Stars from Kansas

Nice story in the Sunday paper about track star, KS, Jim Ryun. This is an AP story and I couldn't find it in the archives of the Trib. Ryun was a brief part of a book I published, Time Out! I Didn't Hear You. And, he and his wife have been active in the hearing health world. Ryun took part in an online chat at the offices of the News Center. (searching Google) When will Pittsburgh candidates and politicians be invited to online chats?

Wilburn's concert invite for folk

I invite you to our opening of the Calliope Legends Concert 2004-2005 Season.

Kate Long & Robin Kissinger performs, Friday, November 5, at 8 pm at the First Unitarian Church in Shadyside, the intersection of Morewood and Ellsworth. They lead workshops in Story Telling and Flat Pick guitar on Saturday, November 6 from 2-5 pm at the church. http://www.southernohiostoryfest.com; http://www.fiddletunes.com/pages/robin.htm; http://www.fiddletunes.com/pages/katel.htm; www.katelong.com

Future dates:

Mindy Simmons, January 29, 2005 http://www.MindySimmons.com

Kreg Viesselman, February 19, 2005

Mojo Collins, March 19, 2005 with Workshop: Folk and Blues Roots

Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen, April 23. 2005

Rachael Allen, May 14, 2005

Calliope Legends Concert is our small venue concerts. Wilburn, a true running mate, chairs the committee and takes complete responsibility if you are not pleased with each performance. So mark your calendars. Don't forget that Calliope main concert series is bring Doc Watson, a fellow North Carolinian, to Pittsburgh, November 19 at the Carnegie Lecture Hall in Oakland. There are a few single tickets left: Proartstickets.oro or 412-394-3353.

Answer sought on parks

How would it feel if you went on a trick-or-treat voyage and knocked on 25 doors and nobody was home. I can live with 1 in 5 being home. But, to have a complete shut out sorta stinks.

Trib story: "They also complain that they get only vague answers or no answers at all from Onorato on what progress has been made. "

Folks, the parks budget for 2006, according to one oversight board, is set to $0. Zippo. We need to jump start this parks and recreation discussion ASAP. How about November third?

The non-profit is a bad idea. Moving parks to a new, public entity is a fine idea. Chatter is welcomed.

Wishing for Gov and PCTV 21 coverage

Rob Owens, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - A & E - TV/Radio, I really wish you'd look into the story unfolding about the RFP for the city cable television breau.

I had called Penn State University and tried to coax them into putting a proposal together for the RFP. They considered it at many levels. However, when they got their techie invovled, as they should, a tour request was made and denied by the city. The PSU folks asked to see the TV facilities and equipment. They missed the one tour date as the RFP was hardly visible.

The worse part, the city said it would be showing "favortism" if they gave a tour to a possible RFP participant. Get out!

When you are going down the tubes -- anyone who comes to save you is welcomed.

Dale, Rodney, Tom.... Thanks for proving again just how well you don't play with others.

Bogged down for Bloggers Touchdown

Sorry I could not make the recent bloggers function.

I asked for a copy of the "minutes" and got this reply... via email ... if you peek at the comments.

Net movie with political impacts

Some trusted friends aquired the rights to freely distribute Stolen Honor on the internet, www.unitedtruth.com.

There are no ads, no banners, no sign-ups. It's a 100% gratis download. Bandwidth should not be an issue. Back-up site

Any techies out there willing to be "mapmaster?"

We've got blogs, a Wiki, web server (just upgrading), mailing list, fax on demand, OpenOffice.org, a parks position paper, campaign song, and an ambition of a book or two. But, what I really want, besides the database management part (right Bob), is a concpet mapping tool such as Cmap Tools, http://cmap.ihmc.us/

See the comments to learn more and see their latest news release.

Interested, email me. We've got the server space.

Do hit all the blogs

Transportation

eVote

Sunnyhill

This is my main blog, but there are others, listed above and along the blog roll to the left side.

A weakness of Blogspot and Blogger (same company) is the lack of a feature that tags each article with different topic areas. When you have a lot going on, it doesn't all fit into one blog.

I think that the eVote effort could explode with election day. We knew this wasn't going to be resolved. The fix was in and it wasn't what we wanted to see. Marilyn Davis, Ph.D., a net friend and from Northern California was there at ground zero. She saw the people from the US Senator's office. See could see what was what.

I won't tell you what you are missing if you don't go there too -- just do it.

Mom's rally and Saturday's walk in the park

I've done a good job at staying OUT of the national race. For myself, I've been putting a focus on local issues and staying neutral otherwise. However, my oldest boy is gung-ho for Kerry. Perhaps I'll satisfy his political fix by taking him to this event this week end.

MOMS FOR KERRY RALLY THIS SATURDAY

Mothers across the country will gather in a demonstration of unity and support for John Kerry and our children. Special guest: Geraldine Ferraro. It is slated for Saturday, Oct. 30, 2004, at 3:00 pm at Frick Park, Braddock & Forbes.

By the way, Erik's mom, my wife, is in DC working and will be home late Saturday. Perhaps my wife has more in common with Geraldine. I might connect better with the moms and kids.

I do like the park setting too. I bet not many of the moms or dads there will be aware that the Citiparks budget for 2006 is slated to be $0.

Come to think of it, if we have great weather, perhaps we could go early and set up some badminton. We could "ruffle feathers" and collect email contacts.

Liquidation Signals Lord & Taylor's Final Days

ThePittsburghChannel.com - News: "PITTSBURGH -- Four years ago, hopes were high when Lord & Taylor announced it was moving into the old Mellon Bank building on Smithfield Street.

Today, the shelves are being cleared and a liquidation sale has begun at the latest major department store to leave Downtown and take taxpayer dollars with it.

Indeed, the times have changed in terms of hopes and perceptions being put forward by the media. The mayor was on a high in 2000 and 2001, in some circles. The new stores, the big roof at the convention center, and all the other corporate welfare deals. The city was flush with building jobs too, earning support from the construction trade unions too. Jobs were being filled by out of state workers.

But to the ones who were watching with more attention to detail and better senses of forcasting, things were not so good. Some knew that these projects were going to flounder and fail.

The African-American Workers Union picked for the first weeks of construction at PNC Park. PNC Park would open just weeks before the 2001 primary.

Heinz Field was to be home to the Pitt Panthers, but the lease to use the pro stadium was not signed until after Pitt's home stadium was demolished. Some knew it wasn't smart to take college football off of the campus every day of the year. Pitt would turn into a J.V. program to the Steelers. Heinz Field's first season was the same fall season of Mayor Murphy's re-election.

The Convention Center would open too, but someone forgot to build the darn hotel. So, we've got an expensive white elephant that can't ever be put to use at capacity as we can't accomidate the convention goers. Then came the pass-throughs.

Shop to you drop has new meaning in downtown these days. Four years ago, the media got drunk on the Mayor's costly bricks and mortar efforts. But for those of us who cared to stay involved, we knew big-time trouble was at our doorstep.

City's credit rating dips below a rock, at bottom of river

PG: S&P rates city's credit as 'watch' While supporting the nonbinding plan, Councilman Sala Udin still voiced worry about it, saying defaulting on the pension payment could have 'very serious consequences.

Duhh!

The curse of one party rule is next

Boston had its woes vanquished with the 2004 World Series. Poof.
Thanks to Dave's dad. See his blog post from Oct. 27.
Pittsburgh has its woes too, from nearly the same era. Our problem is one-party rule. The trend is starting. Pittsburgh, too, can vanquish its prime hang-up.
Who else among us are here to make history, and not be a slave of it.
Artwork above occurs on a t-shirt, for sale with the link that follows.

As the Sun, Earth and Moon align

City Council Overrides Mayor's Tax Discount Veto

ThePittsburghChannel.com - News - City Council Overrides Mayor's Tax Discount Veto October 27, 2004 -- Pittsburgh City Council voted to override Mayor Tom Murphy's veto of a plan to offer an additional one percent discount to those who pay property taxes during the first week of January...
Council President Gene Ricciardi's early tax payment plan is designed to increase the city's income in the first part of the year, which would reduce the amount of money the city would need to borrow to pay bills.

Craig Kwiecinski, the mayor's spokesman, isn't saying if Murphy will implement Ricciardi's plan.

Ricciardi and Councilman William Peduto said they're willing to withdraw the discount plan if Murphy offers better strategies for funding the city budget next year.

Flip-flopping at City Council had another highlight. First, the early bird plan gets passed. (Votes were 8-1.) Second, the mayor gives the plan a veto. Third, the veto is overcome (6-3). But, the mayor says he won't actually do the plan. Or, I should point out, the mayor says he won't follow the law.

City council sets the laws. City council is the legislative branch. Meanwhile, the mayor is the administrator and he chooses to NOT follow the law.

Furthermore, City Council President won't insist that the Mayor follow the plan. The early-bird plan won the hour, came into being, but it won't happen. It's official. But, it's to be ignored.

The plan's prime sponsor, City Council President, Gene Ricciardi, won't hold the mayor's feet to the fire on this. Rather, Gene said he won't be an obstructionalist and press for its enactment.

There is some question if this new bit of legislation is something that would be trumphed by the oversight bodies, such as the Act 47 Coordinators. However, much can be said that a discount period is not really another form of lowering taxes.

So, the Mayor gets off the hook as none are going to hold his feet to the fire. And, should there be a real plan from the administration, those that passed the law would issue a flip-flop.

Impacts on home owners

City home owners are still facing a real threat of a 34% increase in property taxes. Even if the budget gets a final hour switch (another flip flop) the expected tax increase on property is set for 5%. Other taxes are going up too, of course.
If you have your mortgage with a holding company, by law, so I understand, the company needs to take advantage of any discounts. Taxes are often a portion of the payments home-owners to be make as part of their home payment, interest, and such. If the bank holds the note to the house, and if the bank pays the taxes as well, the banks are forced to take advantage of the savings for the extra discounts.

Blame game

From time to time, I think it is fine to fix blame on certain problems and people. As an outsider, I should play the blame game more often and with greater intensity.

See the comments to find out who is being blamed for the national debt.

Elizabeth, come on home now, please

A 16 year old Carrick High School Student she is missing. This is Veronica Norman's (active parent at the South PERC) niece. A police report was filed last evening. Elizabeth is known to frequent the Allentown, Mt. Oliver, South Side Slopes, Arlington, and Carrick area's of Pittsburgh.

If you see her please contact the police immediately or Veronica Norman at 412-488-1423.

The full name of the kid isn't on the blog, and her last name it isn't the same as above. Let me know when this is resolved and I'll take down the posting.

Look Up

Today's blog has mentions to look ahead, as in the political future, but also to look within (see the prostate cancer detection post) and to look up.

Clouds might obscure tonight's lunar eclipse. The moon will be covered entirely by the Earth's shadow. It starts at 8:05 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time, Wednesday, through 2:03 a.m. Thursday morning. The total portion of the eclipse will be from 10:23 to 11:45 p.m.
Some predict that the moon will look like a glowing pumpkin during the event, just days before Halloween.

Glenn's news release

The eclipse of the moon will be enjoyed by most of the people in the Western Hemisphere. Wonder what its ratings will be? Wonder if TV executives are ever asked to flash a ticker on the bottom of the TV sets -- go look outside as you'll see an eclipse of the moon -- right now. Do it. Get off your lazy bottom and walk outside and look up.

Now I just need to stop blogging at those times.

Big St. Louis fans....

St. Louis and Pittsburgh have a few things in common. Both are with rivers, are gateway cities, and top Medical Centers with universities. My wife is at UPMC and a friend is in St. Louis. He is suffering the wrath of the Bo-Sox 3 game lead in the World Series, but also has shared some insights into his health and makes some strong, first-person suggestions on having more aggressive wellness.

See the comments of this post for Hints on Diagnosing Prostate Cancer, by Michael Valente. He is glad it might help someone else. He also writes to say he looks forward to seeing the end of my misery with my beloved Cardinals!

What's preventable and what's inevitable -- humm. Life, science and shifting borders.

A step toward a commuter tax, a step toward victory

PG coverage: A step toward a commuter tax City Council voted yesterday to lay the groundwork for a commuter wage tax.

The victory, in this headline, is NOT with the pending arrival of the commuter tax. I feel that the commuter tax is wrong. It isn't prudent. There are many other ways to solve these problems and the commuter tax is not anything near an ideal solution.

The victory goes to the fact that every Pittsburgher, except those in Bethel Park and Penn Hills, (see below), now has some skin in this fight.

In the past, it has always been the conventional thinking that those in the city are on their own. Those in the suburban areas are on their own. An iron-curtin has kept the city and the suburban folks away from each other.

The people in the burbs have had a "hands-off attitude" about the political life in the city. This is about to end now that the city's hands are reaching into their wallets.

A few people on city council want to tax the suburban workers. They want a bail out, and the tab for the bail out, in their opinion, should be the responsibility of those who live beyond the reaches of the city's borders.

Wake up suburban Pittsburgh. What happens in the city, its folly and all, is now your business.

If you live in Penn Hills or B.P., have no fear. You're not going to pay the city anything. The taxes in those suburban locations are already at the limit.

If you live elsewhere, your taxes are about to shift. The income tax is going to go up in your neck of the woods so that the money doesn't flow into the city. You might expect a slight dip in the property tax to offset the new funds from the other source.

Meanwhile, the city is going to be a grand looser in one instance, and a grand victor in another. In time, say two or three years, the suburban municipal governments are going to do the tax shifting and the city is going to be left without any viable revenue stream from the commuter tax. It will be worthless.

On the upside, the city is going to win big as the suburban folks have grounds to entertain, study, donate, politic and energize the political landscape in the city.

For example, four years ago I was on the agenda as an invited speaker to a candidate's night in a suburban location. I understood clearly that none of the people in the audience would get to vote for me. However, I wanted to go and speak to that audience. Even three minutes would be worth the trip and the evening I told the organizers. At first, they said fine. Then they called and took me off of the agenda a day before the meeting. "We don't talk about city politics here," I was told.
Guess what. I'm back. And, now you will.

If you are associated with any suburban political group, of any party, I'm willing, able and eager to get invites to come to speak to your groups. The city needs you to care and be aware. And, the city is about to start taking your money.