Public Statement by Mark Rauterkus - No Toll Road to Pittsburgh

Against the Mon Valley Toll Road

My name is Mark Rauterkus. My family and I reside at 108 South 12th Street on the South Side. I have a home on the internet, Rauterkus.Com.

My internet site has a copy of this statement and additional information about my stands on this and other transportation projects. This statement makes mention of only a few points -- other observations are on-line.

The Mon Valley Toll Road has a few different parts. Each part has its own merits and strengths. And, as a organic web of life -- the sum of the parts needs to be considered as well.

What has already been built is fine. The thrust of what I hate is what has NOT been built and what has been shown about in some of the Turnpike Plans. What is already there now is much different situation to what is present among the plans.

The treatment of the city's fabric, the brownfields, the river, and the tax burden are matters of a different color. What is NOT yet built in the plans for the Mon Valley Toll Road is a bad idea.

The Toll Road is NOT prudent and far too costly.

The thinking from the Turnpike folks needs to be extended. They need to be told, "Think Again." They need to be pulled out of their narrow focus.

West End

Recently in the West End, Pittsburghers were passing around the hat to collect money to purchase a traffic signal at a dangerous intersection. We have kids getting run over. The city is in such a way that it can't afford to buy a stop light. This toll road is going to run us over too. The steam-rolling agenda has been set in place. The disparity is wide.

The costs for the Toll Road are too great. The pricetag per mile is wreckless with our tax money and bonds. This solution is too expensive.

This solution is full of corporate welfare. I understand that there are 17 engineering companies needed to finish this project -- as there are 17 sections to be built. This is amounting to HIGHWAY Robbery.

The taxes and debt to pay for this road is going to be a burden for my kids's kids. The costs are going to prohibit us from doing other things -- as we are blowing our wads on this.

I call myself a Free Market Republican. That is much unlike the overspending Democrats and much unlike the corporate welfare Republicans. The toll road is a big subsidy. And, the subsidy is NEVER going to pay off for the region.

There are many other more prudent options. The Mon Valley Toll is NOT prudent in the slightest.

Alternatives:

Buy out the railroads.

At a public hearing in these chambers it was mentioned that there are 65 miles of rail road track and right of way that could be obtained for a price. None of the leaders are exploring that option in meaningful ways.

Rail service goes to all of the Brownfields. Meanwhile, the Toll Road misses them all.

We can run trains from Century Three Mall --- up and down the Mon Valley and into Town.

In today's landscape, the trains are NOT going to be for bringing workers into town for day jobs. Rather, what is needed is rail service so city-residents can be workers in new jobs created in the brownfield locations. This is an inverse to the trian of thought (pun intended) for existing leaders.

Case in point: Eco Star in McKeesport

At a recent job fair at Goodwill, EcoStar recruiters were present. They had hoped to hire 1,000 employees as soon as possible. The office space is in McKeesport. A friend I know who has been out of work for the past year wouldn't consider that as a viable option because of the commute to McKeesport. We need to put him, in the city, onto a train, and taken to work in McKeesport. Then he can come back again, live car-free, enjoy the city life and thrive.

The rail road rights of way can be converted (if we must) to light rail. This can connect with the right of way on the East Busway. This can be connected to the Overbrook Line in the South Hills.

Another alternative

Fix and maintain what we have.

The intersection at Bates and the Parkway East is a complete mess. The frontage road in the Second Ave area was done poorly. Fix it. Don't make it more of a mess by terminating a four-lane superhighway there.

The intersection at Streets Run has to be the worst in the world. This is getting repaired now -- on your watch. It is a massive nightmare.

The Glennwood Bridge went out for repairs -- and now the on-ramps. Perhaps they could have been better coordinated.

The McArdle Roadway bridge has been out for years. That leads to the Liberty Bridge, Liberty Tunnel -- and helps the South Side and Mt. Washington. There is no excuse for this outage.

We should not be building any new roads until these are fixed.

Fix the Birmingham Bridge. It was built with two other exit ramps at the South Side. we can't even fix the bike bath sidewalk to drop into the park behind the Libary and swim pool.

We should be building pedestrian bridges, roundabouts, and better managed elements to ease the bottle-neck trouble points.

Think Again.

News from Saturday, May 25, 2002: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/regional/s_73139.htm

Jim Ritchie of the TRIBUNE-REVIEW wrote in part:

The cost of building the state-endorsed Mon-Fayette Expressway route through Allegheny County is $788 million cheaper than the only other alternative, according to a long-awaited government document released Friday.

There are plenty of other alternatives that cost much, much less. The article is accurate when there is a total lack of imagination. Of the two alternatives, one is $1.xB. The other is $2.xB. To write as if one is a $788 M cheaper is cheap journalism.

• Statements from other citizens


• Biz Times: Report favors river's north shore for Mon/Fayette Expressway

Informational meetings hosted by PA Turnpike:

June 13, 1-8 p.m., Monroeville Expo Mart

June 18, 1-8 p.m., Braddock Volunteer Fire Department No. 2 Social Hall

June 25, 1-8 p.m., Burgwin Elementary School in Hazelwood

July 9, 1-8 p.m., West Mifflin High School Public hearings

July 16, 1-9 p.m., West Mifflin High School

July 23, 1-9 p.m., Burgwin Elementary School

July 25, 1-9 p.m., Monroeville Expo

Game vs. the Rec Center Staff

This is the end of a fast-break... Dan K took the photo. We used to have a couple events at the Market House each year with a parents and volunteers play against the Market House staff.

A softball game was played each summer as well.

Now, you can't have such games games as the staff had all be fired.

It always took a village -- staffers and volunteers to make the programs work as they did. Those were the days.

Notes for addressing PPS School Board

Speaking about CLOH.org too. 

South Side Market House -- Orange Team and trophy night

Orange team's trophy time. We had some good players on this squad. Some have moved to Castle Shannon.

Trophy time....

Market House Family Fun night -- action photo from Dan K

Parent's play against the kids in a final family fun night at the Market House. In the photo above, that's Grant with the white helmet about to push the puck near the mouth of the goal. I'm playing defense -- in case he hits is wide of the post, I guess.

Candidate list from district 9

My suprise VD card

Parenthood has its upsides. V-D painting. 

Happy Holidays 2001 from the Palmer/Rauterkus Family

108 South 12th Street, 15203
email addreeses

Advent is a time of anticipation and as long as we expect, as long as we hope, someone will light a candle against the revailing darkness -- and neigh the winds of hate nor the gales of evil will extinguish it (John A. Taylor)

In the midst of world crisis, there has been joy in the Palmer/Rauterkus household and we thought we would share a little of it with you. We hope you are finding joy in this season and hope to see all of you in the coming year.

Mark provided lots of new and interesting activities and friendships as he ran in the primary as a Republican candidate for the mayor of Pittsburgh. Although he didn't make it beyond the primary as a candidate, he transitioned this energy into being an advocate for many city related issues. Mark continues his involvement with the Unitarian Universalist church of the South Hills and currently is creating the web presence for the congregation. Mark made a new foray into being a swim parent (instead of head coach) this summer as Erik joined his first swim team -- Mark did a great job of cheering everyone on (with secret coaching of Erik during free swim).

Catherine received tenure at the University of Pittsburgh this year which was a great milestone for the whole family. Her work teaching, doing research, and directing the Audiology clinic in the medical school continues to keep her challenged and rewarded. Meetings this year included visist to Denver, San Francisco, Philadeplhia, St. Louis, and Chicago. The whole family made it out to San Diego and we combined Catherine's meeting with lots of fun visiting our friends (erik's godparents) the Bratts (from San Francisco).

Erik is a first grader at Phillips Elementary School where he seems to have a talent for math and is quickly learning to read. He continues his violin music and has performed in several concerts this past year. He also is now part of the children's choir at church and will be a singing manger animal in the upcoming pageant. Erik proved to be a terrific athlete this summer as he brought home ribbons from all of his swim meets (a ver fast six year old frestyler). He is missing both hit top front teeth this Christmas!

Grant just turned four and is enjoying a few days per week at the University Child Development Center (pre-schoo). Otherwise, he and Dad hang out during the week. Grant is well known in the political scene since he did much of Mark's campaigning with mim. Grant started violin this fall and also had a summer of terrific swimming. With a new pair of hockey skates for his birthday, Grant no is joining Mom and brother at the local ice rink (Schenley). Grant's curent passion is reading the bible; a few of his more interesting intrepretations include,

"I think Eve was just bored and wanted more ups and downs in life."

"I don't think anyone would name their son Cain."

"If Noah took tow of every animal on the ark and the first thing he did on dry land was sacrifice a lamb, hos is that we have sheep today?"

We'll cover the New Testament (or as Erik says, "the sequel") next Holiday letter.

Trips for 2002 include a visit to Maine in the spring to see Grandpa, a visit to New England in the summer to see much of the Palmer family and college friends, another great trip to Virginia to enjoy SUUSI, and a visit to California in the fall to see lots of friends. Hope to see you in our travels or here in Pittsburgh.

---

The flip side of the one page letter had a page from the past on my web site. It showed the results of the WTAE TV poll hosted at PittsburghChannel.com -- and gave my "winner's inishgts."

http://Rauterkus.com/buzz/wtae-tv-poll.html

Market House soccer squad

The black team. Erik is photoed in the bottom row on the right. I'm one of the coaches.

League of Women Voters, Carol E's reply

Dear Mark,

Thanks for contacting the League of Women Voters with your concerns regarding the "political landscape for candidates". Since our Board of Directors does not meet again for two months, may I suggest that you put into writing your thoughts and experiences as a candidate in local elections. I'm thinking of a short position or white paper kind of document. I will be pleased to review it along with our Voter Service committee which I chair, and we can go from there with the whole Board.

I'll look forward to receiving something in writing from you. It's good to hear from you again.

Sincerely,
Carol Emerson
V-P, Voter Service
LWVGP

NCSA swimming & Bob Gillett's news

The National Club Swimming Association has announced that the site of the 2002 NCSA Junior National Swimming Championships will be Belmont Olympic Plaza Pool, Long Beach, CA.

The meet, for all United States 18-year-old-and-younger swimmers, will be held March 26-30, 2002.

NCSA Founding Member, Bob Gillett announced, “The contract with the City of Long Beach has been signed and we will continue the process of preparing for this first “true” Junior National Championships for the sport of swimming in the United States. The concept of a United States Junior Championships has long been the desire of many coaches and swimmers throughout the US. This meet will offer a new level of motivation and goal direction for many great developing swimmers in our country. Most of the club programs in this country feel strongly about the benefits of a true Junior National Swimming Championships. It is a big addition for the future of club swimming in the US.

The qualifying time standards, event schedule, housing accommodations and other details will be announced in the near future.

www.ncsa-usa.org

Domains at Bluehill

• Carmine2001.com
• Deliberate.com
• Vote.Rauterkus.com
• SportSurf.net
• FreeTeam.org
• Sunnyhill.org

MASS sue for clean election laws

CONTACT: Jeff Cronin or Susan Quatrone, 202/736-5770.

CLEAN ELECTIONS COALITION TO SUE MASSACHUSETTS OVER LACK OF FUNDING FOR NEW REFORM LAW

LAWSUIT WILL SEEK IMMEDIATE REVIEW
BY THE MASSACHUSETTS SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT

PLAINTIFFS ALLEGE VIOLATION OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION

BOSTON, MA - A broad coalition of voters, candidates,
and organizations will file a lawsuit on Thursday
before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court over
the lack of funding for the Massachusetts Clean
Elections Law.

The coalition will name, as defendants, the
director of the Massachusetts Office of Campaign
and Political Finance (OCPF) and the Secretary of
the Commonwealth. The lawsuit will allege that,
by not fully implementing the Clean Elections Law,
the defendants are in violation of Article 48 of
the Massachusetts Constitution. The plaintiffs
will seek an immediate hearing before a full
panel of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

"We are unified in our desire to see the Clean
Elections Law fully funded as intended by the
voters and as required by the State Constitution,"
says David Donnelly, director of Mass Voters for
Clean Elections, a plaintiff in the case.
"As venerable institutions and as scrappy upstarts,
as participating statewide candidates and as voters
who simply want our votes to mean something, the
plaintiffs of this case have come together in
unity around one simple idea: We are asking the
state's highest court to vindicate our
constitutional rights."

The lawsuit cites Article 48, an amendment to the
state constitution, which states that if a law
approved by the voters is not repealed by the
State Legislature, the Commonwealth must appropriate
"such money as may be necessary to carry such law
into effect."

In November 1998, Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly
approved the Clean Elections Law, creating a voluntary
public financing system for candidates running for
statewide and state legislative offices. On
August 1, 2001, candidates for statewide office
seeking to qualify for the public funds began
accepting small qualifying contributions and forgoing
larger donations, as is required under the new law.
While the State Legislature had set aside $10 million
in each of the last two fiscal years, that funding is
still unavailable due to legislative inaction.
In addition, the plaintiffs argue, the amount
currently bottled up in the Clean Elections Fund
does not represent "such money as may be necessary
to carry such law into effect," as is required
by Article 48.

With no money available from the Clean Elections Fund,
statewide candidates seeking to qualify in the new
system face the prospect of withdrawing their
participation and potentially shutting down their
campaigns. State legislative candidates will be
faced with the same level of uncertainty in the
very near future.

The lawsuit seeks a court order mandating that
OCPF immediately implement the Clean Elections
Law and disburse the necessary funds to all
qualified candidates. While OCPF may claim that
it does not have any funds to disburse, the
plaintiffs will argue that such a claim is
not an excuse for a constitutional violation.

"This case is about protecting our democracy
and our state constitution," says Ken White,
executive director of Common Cause Massachusetts,
another plaintiff in the case. "When our most
basic rights are being trampled, we must seek
redress in the courts."

In addition to Mass Voters for Clean Elections,
Common Cause Massachusetts, the other plaintiffs
include: the Massachusetts Republican Party, the
Massachusetts Green Party, five statewide
candidates seeking to qualify for public funds
(Warren Tolman, Democratic candidate for
governor; Evan Slavitt, Republican candidate
for attorney general; Sarah Cannon Holden,
Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor;
Jill Stein, Green Party candidate for governor;
and James O'Keefe, Green Party candidate for
treasurer); two legislative candidates (State
Representative Doug Petersen and Stephen Spain,
a Democratic candidate for state senator);
and individual voters from across the state.

The legal team representing the plaintiffs
includes the Boston-based National Voting Rights
Institute, a prominent legal center specializing
in campaign finance litigation, the Boston law
firm of Foley Hoag & Eliot, former Massachusetts
assistant attorney general Edward Colbert, now
of Looney & Grossman; Richard L. Neumeier of
McDonough, Hacking & Neumeier, and Donald J. Simon,
general counsel to Common Cause in Washington, D.C.

To view the full text of the lawsuit, please log on to
the Common Cause website at http://commoncause.org/states/massachusetts/100401ma.htm.

Stay At Home Dad -- a book and a movement

Postcard came to me on this day.

Biz Card for Jim Carmine

Back float with Erik at the Carnegie Library of Homestead swim pool.Much of swimming is about "body position." 

McKinley Park opens a Skate Park

Today's ribbon cutting was at 4 pm. I was there with my sons.

Three kids ended up going to the hospital. One broke a bone. One was shot with a B-B gun.

On the opening skate, after hearing about how all the park's users would need to have helmets -- about half of them didn't have on helmets. They were, upon objection, given a 'time out' -- then -- before long, all were back on the boards.

The city is about ten years too late with the opening of a skate park.

I'm suprised that the skate park isn't funded by Dr. Fu -- as he could get a lot of new business from those that play there.

The kids called them, "The Funny Guys."

Not sure if this was 1999, 2000, 2001 or 2002 or even 2003.

Carnegie Library of Homestead -- swim coach for a summer.

Carnegie Library of Homestead swim lesson group. Erik, my son, is in the front on the left. These kids really enjoyed their lessons and made great improvements.


Weed and Seed is nice. But, these kids need to flourish. This was a middle group at swim lessons. I taught older ones and younger too.