GOP's candidate missing in action? - PittsburghLIVE.com

GOP's candidate missing in action? - PittsburghLIVE.com Sometimes they vanish immediately after their failed campaigns, sometimes during them. The common denominator among recent Republican mayoral aspirants is that, politically speaking, the utter futility of their bids causes them to evaporate like steam.

'I'm not going to disappear,' James Carmine vowed shortly before being trounced by Mayor Tom Murphy in 2001. Has anyone outside the Carlow University classrooms where he teaches philosophy heard from him since?

Yes.

I pick up the phone. I do outreach. I know about Carmine now -- and I even put a bit on a recent blog entry about Professor Carmine. Since you asked, I provided an answer.

Carmine is going to put his energy into helping Mark Brentley, Sr. beat Sala Udin in the Dems primary in the City Council District 6 race. That race might be a three way race and there are sure to be others in the hunt too. A Republican is on the ballot and a friend is going to run as an Independent. So, there are many putting in efforts to unseat Sala.

By the way, I'm a former GOP candidate for mayor. But Eric, no sense in letting truth get in the way of a good story.

Primary challenges -- and quote that hits the nail on the head

Primary challenges - PittsburghLIVE.com 'We're not politically affiliated. We want fiscal sanity,' said James Menegazzi, head of Concerned Citizens of Mt. Lebanon. 'We also would like to see more balance with the focus of the board -- more attention to the education process and less emphasis on capital-improvement projects like pools and buildings.'

Great concept and words: Finscal sanity. My word choice, "being prudent." Same difference.

The other interesting words that I enjoy reading is the attention to process and less emphasis on capital-improvement project. Wonderful. Even in this case, the target is a swim pool. It is so true. I've been harping about too many "bricks and mortar projects." We need to think again. It isn't about building. It is about programming.

Parks make a delicate state issue

Lodges for parks a delicate state issueLodges for parks a delicate state issue

Sunday, March 13, 2005, By Bill Toland, Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau

HARRISBURG -- There are still some true outdoorsmen, the kind who could survive a week in the woods armed with a folding knife and some matches. But they are greatly outnumbered by the semi-outdoorsmen, the kind who enjoy hiking or fishing or hunting, but at the end of the day prefer a soft bed and a nice meal to a sleeping bag and a tent.

That is why Pennsylvania is thinking of building overnight lodges at some of its state parks within the next few years. The new lodges may resemble what you can already find at ski resorts or larger national parks such as Yellowstone or Yosemite -- conference rooms, restaurants and residential suites equipped with television sets, kitchenettes and other modern amenities.

But in pursuing the lodges, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources must perform a delicate balancing act, drawing new classes of visitors without offending those who think parks ought to be largely kept in their natural condition....

Parks are a state issue. This is an area I am most qualified to ponder and lead.

My sister and her family resides in a state park at a county facility. It is much like a lodge. It is a youth hostil in a beautiful setting.

Parks matter.

Programming in parks matter too.

Finally, I'm not certain that these parks should be building lodges with taxpayer money when the times are lean. Growing Greener matters too.

Election Reform Task Force meeting in Harrisburg on Thursday

The Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition, PBAC, and the chair of the Libertarian Party in Pennsylvania announced an election reform task force meeting on March 17 to focus on changes that will have a minimal impact at best on voter turnout.

We hope to bring their attention to the much larger issue of ballot access where the facts are in our favor. According to U.S. Census data, 7.7 percent of the people in our nation didn't vote in 2000 because they didn't like the candidates. Our research reveals that assuring third party candidates a place on the ballot is the best way, hands down, to improve voter participation. The PBAC has prepared and submitted a report to the coalition outlining our position.

We need your help to drive that message home to the Election Reform Task Force this Thursday. We are hoping some of you might be able to attend the meeting to support our speakers. Having a showing of support in the audience encourages our presenters and adds emphasis to our points with the task force.

The meeting is from 10 to 4 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2005, at the North Office Building, Ground Floor, Hearing Room 1, Topic - Voter Participation.

Philadelphia Inquirer - Reheating case of election fraud

Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/11/2005 | Tom Ferrick Jr. | Reheating case of election fraud... But Stack's attorney asked Jackson to reconsider her ruling. She granted them that right, briefs were filed on both sides by mid-August, and the judge told the parties she would probably rule by Labor Day.

They should have asked: Do you mean Labor Day 2004?

Because Labor Day came and went and there was no ruling by Jackson. So did Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Presidents' Day and Valentine's Day.

As of today, Stack and his codefendants have not been tried. Heck, they haven't had a preliminary hearing.

A ruling, please

This week, new Attorney General Tom Corbett sent a letter to Jackson asking her to rule on the out-of-county judge issue so the case could proceed.

'Justice delayed is justice denied,' said Kevin Harley, the AG's spokesman. 'These were serious charges brought that go to the heart of our electoral system.'

Meanwhile, the elder Stack is back in the news as one of the owners - along with his five children - of a potentially lucrative tract of land along the Delaware River, which is a potential site for one of the city's new slots parlors.

Sale of water rights on the 22-acre piece of land in Fishtown was approved by the state legislature last year for $100,000. A Las Vegas casino company has an option to buy that tract and an adjacent one for $40 million.

Talk about hitting the jackpot...

Some chatter on contributions to the world

Photos from our experience in China in 2004 are displayed on a web site at a University in Canada.

A nice note from a web reader came to say how the presentation was enjoyed and how fortunate we were. I agree fully. She came to my site on a search about China and Democracy.

An Irish-themed contribution is to come in a day or two, as some family stories are to be put online. We have a set of original kids books that feature a magical dragon, Yup. His slogan is, "Yup, let's do it." Very positive. The set of books came about over a number of years. They are read and re-read every March in this home.

Catherine (my wife) had an article in the glossy newstand magazine, Simple Living. That is now showing up on AOL screen shots as a quote, with her attribution. If you happen to see it, please talk a screen shot and forward it to me. I'm not an AOL user. The attribution is Catherine V. Palmer, Ph.D. and the content has something to do with hearing.

The word, "Netizen" is an more modern word that fits in place of "citizen." I've been called by Paul Sentner a "Citizen Candidate." Perhaps the next level is to be a "Netizen Candidate?" But, I've already been scolded by others with less vision and more sensible yet pessimistic outlooks to not invent my own words while I'm trying to win public office.

Concepts to push the envelope, for the years to come include: Moment to moment justice; Netizen Candidate; Eureka Squared; Structural Accountability; Assessment buffering; Transparent Bank Account.

For now, we'll just run on our legacy of astonishing creativity and the slogan, "Think again."

There goes my float in a parade for St. Pat's Day postings. Now off to meet the crowds.

Pitt out -- Ohio Men's Basketball Team Advance in the MAC

Ohio basketball teams head to Cleveland for the Mid-American Conference Tournament! The Ohio men's basketball team will face Miami in the MAC Tournament semifinals in Gund Arena, tonight at 7:00 p.m. The winners of the two semifinal games will meet for the MAC Tournament championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament on Saturday at 7 p.m. More: http://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/mbball

Ohio University invites you to attend a Bobcat Bash at the MAC Tournament. Sponsored by: Ohio University Alumni Association, Trustees Academy, Ohio Athletics and Green & White Club. Special appearances by the Bobcat, Cheerleaders and Marching 110

Ohio University will kick off a Bobcat Bash 90 minutes prior to each Ohio University Men’s Basketball tournament game. Bobcat Bash - Admission is FREE (snacks will be provided and a cash bar will be available).

Game tickets – Single game tickets are $28. Sit will fellow Bobcats; purchase your game ticket at the Ohio table at Will Call in Gund Arena or contact the Ohio Athletics Ticket Office at 740-593-1300 or 800-575-CATS (2287).

Gund Arena -- Upon arrival to the Gund, follow the Ohio Bobcat Bash signs or ask an usher for directions to the Ohio Bobcat Bash.

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - PittsburghLIVE.com

This isn't a hail storm, but it is more than a flurry.

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - PittsburghLIVE.com: "Lance: To Wayne Fontana. The Allegheny County Charter is clear. County Council members have to first resign before seeking other elective public office. Mr. Fontana is the Democrats' nominee in the 42nd Senatorial District special election to replace now-Auditor General Jack Wagner. He says he has 30 days and will leave the council on Thursday.

What, Fontana can't read? Any 'official' action he may take between now and his departure will be illegal. And this guy wants to be a state senator?

Letters to the editor: 3/11/05 - Wenzig nails the fumbling opponent

I don't know this person. But she gets my praise for ruffling feathers.

Letters to the editor: 3/11/05 Contorted ethics

On Feb. 20 Allegheny County Councilman Wayne Fontana received the Democratic nomination for the special election for the 42nd state Senate district. The election held on primary day will be to fill the seat due to the departure of Jack Wagner.

Despite the fact that the home rule charter passed by Allegheny County voters clearly states that no member of County Council shall be a candidate for another office unless he or she resigns from County Council, Mr. Fontana continues to hold his seat. And he intends to hold onto it until March 17 ('Fontana Not Leaving Council Just Yet,' March 9). He is banking on a technicality that he isn't 'officially' a candidate until he files formal paperwork with the state Democratic Committee; he says he has until March 28 to do that ('Fontana Resigning -- Soon,' March 5). What a contorted ethical view this man possesses! I suppose he doesn't plan to raise funds or campaign until after that time!

Is this the kind of state senator that South Hills residents want to represent us? This is the exact kind of self-serving nonsense that Rep. Michael Diven left behind when he moved to the Republican Party. Rep. Diven's independence and integrity are admirable traits which voters -- both Democratic and Republican -- respect. Mr. Fontana's first order of business as a candidate is to do an end-run around the law, and it shows that he doesn't deserve the office of state senator.

JANINE WENZIG, Dormont

Janie, I still need a press agent with the Elect.Rauterkus.com campaign. Are you interested? You've got the job. Call me. 412 298 3432.

My long-time friend, now at the Convention Center with a booth at the home show, wrote a LTE to the PG and it was pulled on Saturday, sadly. Oh well. That isn't my paper, so I understand.

My efforts to write an op-ed for the RACE FOR MAYOR series in the PG have begun. My slant these days is about the process and our democracy. We need to think again. We need viable alternatives. New regional leadership is necessary. Understanding that effective leadership isn't four years to install in a stop sign nor 30 days to resign from an office. We need to move along -- and pass beyond the old guard.

This special election for state senate is to fill a two year term. Elect me and if I don't do a good job, in two years, toss me out of office and elect someone else.

Polling activity from someone else

I'm hearing from a number of my friends in the 42nd district about some telephone polling being done, again. I'm not sure of who is doing the calls. Perhaps they are internal and from the state house or senate from one or the other old parties.

I'm being included.

Time will tell if the results are to be made known. From time to time KDKA might co-sponsor a poll.

The tone of the poll questions, so I hear from others, makes it more like a 'push poll.' They are seeking opinions and trying to sway some opinions as they ask loaded questions.

One question in the suite of interactions with callers who take this poll are presented with the fact of one of my opponents going to CUBA in the past. Then they are asked is that news make the candidate more favorable or less favorable in that person's opinion.

For the record, I've not been to Cuba. But, we spend five weeks in China in 2004 and you can see some of our photos online.

Some day people might take more interest in our travels. When they do, I'll be happy to share our "slides." Just ask and I'll point you to our photos of the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone from this fall.

I guess if you don't have much to say and you have a lot of money to burn, you can sponsor opinion polls that ask "boxer" or "briefs." Hope they can fabricate something in the weeks to come.

Lost College Grad: Why political?

Another blogger had a few interesting comments to make about the political life. These are his words at the top section and mine to follow.

Lost College Grad: Why political? Why political?

Why is everything political? I mean, why do people feel the need to push their political ideas? I look at all these blog sights and everyone is just trying to out do everyone else on their political ideas.

I look at the local Pittsburgh blogs and I see people claiming they are the greatest leaders in the world and know how to pull this city out of it's problems, yet no action. And then you try to say something nice about the city and throw out a random idea and you get a college lecture. As I remember there was sleeping involved while reading because it was that boring.

This is why I don't vote. Go ahead and hate on me. I really don't care. If all you can do is hate on other people then you must of low self-esteem.

A lot of people have opinions, but don't turn them into constant yelling, like those political shows on TV because those people don't do shit.

In summary to all the I am the greatest politico of all times. SHUT UP! Because you are not listening to what's going on around you.

I am listening. I'm with my head up and ears on. You can post what you want at the Platform.For-Pgh.org/wiki/ I dare say, none other around here is going to do anything like what I've been doing for the past years.

Peduto did instigate with CMU a Community Connections site, but it was broken. Get out the band-aids. I asked that it be turned off and archived as it fell into disrepair. Sounds familiar as our city is in neglect too.

I do try my very best to put my words into action as well. I walk the talk. I work with kids. I lend my support. I go to concerts and host musicians.

My talk isn't about being the "best" -- rather it is mostly about being a steward. I respect the process and democracy. I scratch for the creative ideas and work at the meaningful elements.

Shared services (O'Connor's words) and combined dog license sales or tax bills (Lamb's) are a yawns.

A very good associate, who runs eVote, did not vote recently. She too is so upset she can't even get to the polls. Your suggestions are noted.

Last night in the town hall meeting there were a few comments from the audience about our "post-democratic society." My will is to turn that tide to the other direction.

Bob O'Connor wants shorter board stays for the people who serve on the authority boards. This short stay on the board allows him to make more appointments. He'd churn the volunteers who serve with shorter terms.

My approch to authority boards and authority operations is much unlike that from O'Connor. In January 2004 I called for the liquidation of the Parking Authority. That shortens the board term of the authority. We don't need the board. We don't need to have the agency doing parking as that is not a core governmental operation. The phase out of the parking authority would take some years, but it should be eliminated.

We need to instigate new policies that make "retention votes" for board members who might want to stay on the board and is doing a fine job as measured by the votes of the people. Board members would be appointed. However, after their appointment and first year of service, they'd have to score well on a retention vote at the ballot box.

Retention votes are used in other places to retain or move to replace judges. Retention votes insert accountability into the process.

The Lost College Grad asked why does everyone need to push their ideas. The simple answer is because its our duty. We are American. Our society depends upon the free exchange of thought. When ideas are shared, they gain in value or are proven to be without value. As ideas are shared, relationships are forged too.

In China, talk of politics is taboo. The chatter is robust in terms of the economy, but not much happens in other conversations on other topics. Here we are free, mostly. We have a legacy of being free at least. In China, they are not.

Our freedom shows itself within our solutions. I feel that America's superior potential hinges upon its ability to handle and foster freedoms in conversations and thought transfers. We thrive as we share ideas. We all win and can have better quality lives as opinions are measured and flowing with refinement of course.

Hence, I agree that constant yelling can't work. I agree that the listening part is critical as well. Send me an email, Mark@Rauterkus.com, and I'll listen. Or, better yet, post a comment on the blog, and we'll all listen.

BTW, I tried to post a follow up at the Lost College Grad blog, but got an error. Blogger has been flakey for me too in recent days.

Free State Project Talk: Secession and Democracy

Speaker: Jason Sorens, founder of the Free State Project at 6 pm on Tuesday, March 15, 2005, at the University of Pittsburgh Law School, 3900 Forbes Ave.

More at: http://freestateproject.org/news/events.php

McKeesport Ink on my call for a resignation

The Daily News Part of the pressure was on the chairman of that committee.

Link to article, and more chatter on it below.

Comments From Left Field - Gallery - Politics/Drinking Liberally March 8, 2005 - 04

Here we are: Katrina B, (campaign manager), Robert O., (candidate for city council), Mark Rauterkus (candidate for PA Senate), Wilburn Hayden, (director of social policy and research), Tom L. (friend, still, with a role to come I hope soon, right?)

Comments From Left Field - Gallery - Politics/Drinking Liberally March 8, 2005 - 04: " http://commentsfromleftfield.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-77"

That's Dr. Hayden's beverage in front of us. Heck, it's called Drinking Liberally!

It took us four years to get that stop sign in by the park

I got to speak and take question in Wingate tonight. Great event. Best sweet potato pie I ever had too.

Bob O'Connor was speaking and said, "It took us four years to get that stop sign installed." It was one that was a problem, being near a busy interchange near a park.

So, we need to hire him as he has experienced leadership. With his experienced and effective leadership, it will take my 10 year old 80 years to hit his 60th birthday.

Nutty logic. Expert advice and rediculous rule.

Council Vice President Wayne Fontana, D-Brookline, has said he will resign after Tuesday's council meeting.

He's required to do so by county law in order to pursue a state Senate seat in a special May 17 election.

Mark Rauterkus, the Libertarian running against Fontana for the seat vacated by Auditor General Jack Wagner, wants an immediate resignation.

"Every minute of additional delay goes without an excuse and serves to break the trust with the people throughout the county," Rauterkus claimed. Fitzgerald disagreed.

"I think it's a ridiculous rule," Fitzgerald said, recalling other councilors who have had to quit, including Mike Crossey (running for state House), the Rev. James Simms (county controller) and Richard Olasz (West Mifflin council). Only Olasz was elected.

Fitzgerald wants Fontana, a real estate broker, to work with council after his resignation.

"We need his expertise, particularly in this assessment turmoil we're in again," the council president said. "I will ask him to be our expert when this committee meets in the future, and hope the chairman of the committee would utilize Wayne Fontana's expertise."

If Wayne is such a blasted expert, and he's been on council so long, why are we in an assessment turmoil again?

Meanwhile, Bob O'Connor said he'd be sure to put professional real estate people onto the URA Board. And, then he'd move them off the board to get new talent ever couple of years. But we have a this cancer called real estate speculation too. We don't need real estate people on the boards of authorities, we have them in the halls of government. We have them on County Council even -- and they are not resigning when they should.

We need real estate people doing real estate deals. Then we need governmental people doing good government. Then we need to not have the government do real estate deals. And, we don't need real estate people doing government.

We got some serious role issues here. They are all goofy.

I'm a person who knows what government should do and what it should NOT do. And, I'm one who wants to make Pittsburgh better for what it is and I'm not happy to try to turn Pittsburgh into something that it isn't.

We need to elect new regional leadership.

Election details: 107 for City Council and 1041 for Mayor

To run for City Council in District #6 as a candidate who is NOT either Democrat nor Republican, one needs 107 signatures on the papers to get onto the ballot. Those are due before the first of August, 2005. Then that person gets on the ballot for November, 2005.

Robert Oldenski is the guy I'm going to support in that quest.

I talked with my past loyal opponent, James Carmine, Ph.D. He is going to put his energy into helping another candidate, Mark Brently. Brently is running against Sala Udin and Tonya Paine. Tonya got the endorsement from the Dem party recently.

To run for Mayor, and get onto the general election ballot, one needs 1041 signatures on the papers.

PG Editorial: Fontana's fumble / The council member should have resigned by now

The editors of the Post-Gazette know how to read plain English, even if Wayne Fontana can't.

Editorial: Fontana's fumble / The council member should have resigned by now

Wayne Fontana should have resigned post in Allegheny County Council when candidate for PA Senate

Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/09/2005 | Senator owns land sought for slots

Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/09/2005 | Senator owns land sought for slots Senator owns land sought for slots

State Sen. Michael Stack 3d said he abstained from the vote to sell the property. A Las Vegas firm is interested.

By Nathan Gorenstein and John Sullivan, Inquirer Staff Writers

State Sen. Michael Stack 3d (D., Phila.) holds an interest in a company that owns land at a potential site for a slots parlor along the Delaware River north of Penn Treaty Park.

The property was purchased in 2004 from the state after the asking price for a total of 22 acres was reduced from $1.5 million to $100,000. State officials said the price was cut to offset the cost of removing pollution left on the ground by a long-defunct shipyard.

This is a great example of land speculation. Our region is full of land speculation deals and more important, policy. Land in certain areas are ignored to the benefit of that in other areas. Hence, the flux in property is where the bandits make out. The land speculators are not about sustaining life, raising families, making community. It boils down to the gamble of the profits. And, with place like The Hill District, people are okay to buy land and let it sit for a decade or more. Then the land will rebound. But, the speculators don't help it to rebound. They let it decay and are poor neighbors. They look for the one-time windfall.

For the record, I don't own land elsewhere.

The abundance of speculation and the depression/inflation cycles makes a good reason why we don't need more real estate brokers in the Senate. Too much of what has been happening in the public life is centered upon land deals and what I call, "bricks and mortar."

The powerful too over joyed in the hardware. I'm more about the software. I care about the human elments.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Elections or is this an endorsement with journalism groups?

Journalists Push for Government OpennessBy SIOBHAN McDONOUGH
Associated Press, WASHINGTON (AP) -- Seven journalism organizations and The Associated Press are joining to promote accessible, accountable and open government.

The Sunshine in Government Initiative seeks to combat what the groups see as increased government secrecy since the 2001 terrorist attacks. The coalition will lobby for legislation and seek to educate the public about First Amendment issues.

'National security depends on public trust,' AP President and CEO Tom Curley said. 'The trend toward secrecy is the greatest threat to democracy. We must be vigilant at explaining and fighting for accountable government in every jurisdiction.'

Splendid news from the news hounds.

For some strange reason, the PG put this coverage in the ELECTION Section with the online placement.

I have a degree in Journalism, BSJ, Ohio University, 1982. The new coverage is important. It is an important factor in our quality of life.

More details from this story and from the overall effort are sure to be in my platform. I want open government. I want structural accountability. I want e-gov for its transparent benefits.

Fontana not leaving Allgheny County Council just yet

Fontana not leaving Allgheny County Council just yet Mark Rauterkus, Libertarian candidate in the race, challenged Fontana last week to step down immediately from his council seat, but Fontana said he has opinions from the county solicitor and council's solicitor stating that he has 30 days from the time he was nominated to resign. The county home rule charter requires council members to resign when seeking other elective office.

The county solicitor didn't call me back. I called him a couple of days before I broke this story. I called him a second time after I broke it. His silence is telling.

The county solictor is appointed to his job by the chief executive and approved by the county council. If the county solicitor gave an unfavorable opinion to the county council members, he'd be steps closer to losing his job. He'd be sure to lose his favor among the council members.
People have asked me if I'm going to push this matter in court. That is a legit question.

I'm not going to run to the courts and judge. No thanks. I've got better things to do. I have a high threashold against litigation. Mayor Murphy has a bad habit of keeping things in the courts. He had ballot questions tossed off the ballot. The current cronies on Grant Sreet took a few cases to the PA Supreme Court -- and lost. Those cases cost the taxpayers dearly.

My approach is to present the facts and insights. Then we'll let the voters decide. That is the court of public opinion.

The next time you see Wayne Fontana, ask him to point out the part in the county charter that says 30-days after being is a candidate for another office a resignation from county council is necessary.

If Wayne wants to vote a certain way on a bill, Wayne should have been sure that that bill wasn't delayed on Council. They choose to do nothing on this matter last week.

I didn't complain in force until that meeting concluded, the Tuesday after the Sunday vote. That was the end of the grace period for my taste.

More news on this and other related topics shortly, I promise.

Michael Cooper! Tall and with brains too.

Cronyism and incompetence in the Democratic Committee (PG editorial)

This Post-Gazette editorial nicely sums up the cronyism and incompetence of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee.

Editorial: Dreary Democrats / Are Woods and Flaherty the cream of the party?

The more I learn about Pittsburgh politics, the more I believe that the Democratic establishment is an obstacle to democracy in this town.

League will keep tabs - PittsburghLIVE.com

League will keep tabs - PittsburghLIVE.com The League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh will referee this year's mayoral primary to see if candidates run a clean campaign.

Think-a-thon = my cup of tea.

The Eighth Annual Pittsburgh Public Schools Think-A-Thon will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2005 at John A. Brashear High School.

More than fifty teams of 4th through 12th grade students will compete in seven different creative events designed to test their creativity, teamwork, artistic expression, higher level thinking skills, and dramatic and communication ability.

We need judges for each event! If you like kids and love to see them think creatively and solve problems together, you will love this! We need your time (8 am - 12 noon); in exchange we'll give you a chance to work with some great kids. We will train you that day so don't worry about having to know anything in advance…. and you'll get a free breakfast, lunch and a………..

FABULOUS Think-A-Thon T-shirt.

If you want to know more, please call: Joyce Clark, Think-A-Thon Chair, at (412) 323-3958 or email me at jclark1 @ pghboe.net. I really need your help!!!!

Bigger better for Pennsylvania schools?

Bigger better for Pennsylvania schools? - PittsburghLIVE.com
'Other states have had this progressive countywide system including North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia,' Chapaloney said. 'The representative also feels we can't have true education funding reform until we actually change the source of funding and find another system. You can't keep doing what you're doing and expect change.'

Speaking to Drinking Liberally group at a North Side Pub.

Public Comment to City Council by Mark Rauterkus

Exact date uncertain.

From Mark Rauterkus

Today I come to council with good news —— and there is some good n

news in the air.

This is the time.

Good News for Modern Man —— that's the name of the New Testament.

Easter is about to be with us.

This is the time for-rebirth. This is the time for spring.

This is the time

To be biblical —— the guy on council with the other gospel-writer's name —— Luke (Ravenstahl), had good news. ‘

Mathew, Mark, Luke and John -—

I'm Mark —— He's Luke.

Luke had good news yesterday.

He took a stop watch into the neighborhoods.

Stopwatch. Time.

That is my tool. I use a stop watch all the time.

No so much as to time my talks to fit into 3 minute segments ——

But as a swim coach. ‘

Luke figured that the 4-minutes to get the fire equipment into reaches of Troy Hill was okay.

That is good news.

That's a good test.

But I wonder about the timing of this....

It is 2005. We all knew that fire houses needed to close to save money.

It took how long to close them?

Mark's good news is about music.

I'm holding a community concert.

I'm also passing around CDs. One of the songs is "Don't Put me in a Box."

If you are in a box - you won't be able to attend.

If you are in a box of party conformity, you'll be punished if you attend.

If you can't step out of the box -- we can't fix Pittsburgh.

The other song deals with CHANGE in the AIR. This is a time for rebirth and change in Pittsburgh.

But this is NOT a time for change for the sake of change.

I expect that city council will change greatly in the years to come.

But change to what?

We need changes -- but we need serious, calculated, time-honored, changes of accountability.

Modern, efficient, leadership.

Michael Diven (formerly of Pittsburgh's City Council and at the time in the PA House) changed his party. His change is for change's sake -- and not for any real benefit.

Wayne Fontana (formerly of Allegheny County Council -- then to PA Senate) changes from one job to another. But that isn't real change for Pittsburgh,

It is for Fontana —— but not for Pittsburgh.

Find out what I'm about -- at the concert. At the web site.

Hope to make my points of change known to you all.

- ASSESSMENT BUFFERING

- TRANSPORTATION

- HUMAN Development -- not corporate welfare and wrongheaded investments that are not helping.

Fontana resigning County Council seat for Senate run

The date on this resignation is still unsure. It seems as if he is going to announce the date of his intention to resign. This isn't clear to me.

Fontana resigning County Council seat for Senate run: "Fontana resigning County Council seat for Senate run

Tuesday, March 08, 2005

Wayne Fontana, the Democratic candidate for state Senate in the 42nd District, will announce today his plans to resign his Allegheny County Council seat.

Fontana said yesterday he would leave the seat before April 1, but he was still selecting a specific date.

He is running against state Rep. Michael Diven, a Republican, and Mark Rauterkus, a Libertarian, in the May 17 special election to replace Jack Wagner, who was elected state auditor general.

Fontana's seat on County Council is to be filled within 30 days of his resignation. Those on council get to select the replacement and that person needs to be in the same party as the one who has departed.
The hand-picked replacement would serve the remainder of the terms, until early January, 2006. No special election would be held, perhaps. I've heard conflicting advice on the need for the special election, or not.
Only one person filed papers for the Dem Party endorsement for the seat.
Wayne Fontana is not expected to file papers for re-election to his seat, today, at the Elections Department. The term expires this year.
We'll know shortly if there is going to be any other Dem (beyond Rich N.) or Republicans seeking that seet as well. Libertarians and other third party candidates can still seek the seat by starting to get signatures tomorrow. Those papers (not petitions) are due by August 1, 2005, and would get the candidate onto the November general election ballot.
So, my question, what date will Wayne Fontana choose to resign?

Bill Green Running For DJ

Bill Green, political gadfly, has announced that he is running for District Magistrate (formerly District Justice) in a trendy suburban district.

Green, 59, operates Bill Green and Associates, a political campaign firm that's best known for running...um, no. That was Kent Gates' campaign. Green ran...no, that was the other guy's.

Ah buggers, I don't know what Bill Green and Associates REALLY did. Bill was best known for pontificating on Jerry Bowyer's radio show, in print, and in other outlets.

If Green wins, he reportedly will be able to continue opining on races countywide, throughout the state, and around the country.

Don't think that's actually right...but best of luck to Mr. Green.

Don't know if his company will continue, as the Magistrate job is supposed to be full-time.

If he wins, Green will hold the seat for a 6-year term.

Next chat -- 10 pm Sunday

Click on over to: http://Rauterkus.com/rauterkuschat/

THE RACE FOR MAYOR: Bill Peduto / Building a new Pittsburgh for the 21st century

THE RACE FOR MAYOR: Bill Peduto / Building a new Pittsburgh for the 21st century Building a new Pittsburgh for the 21st century

What do you think? I am busy at the moment, and can't reply in an earnest way.

Get on the bus Gus. Making no plans Stan.

Have you ever seen classic concept maps? Have you developed any?

This map is posted to the Platform.For-Pgh.org wiki. Click the map to go to the wiki's transportation page.

The example is a bit large in terms of pixels. It might jam up the blog with its size. Hope not.

The map is also general. It isn't packed with cutting edge insight. Rather it is more of a lay of the land overview of what I mean by transportation for people. This map does not deal with the transportation of freight (coal, produce) and trucks.

Giggle at the WHISPERS, as it hits close to home

This article snip in the Trib is funny. And, it hits close to home as well:

Fast Eddie flunks finance - PittsburghLIVE.com: "MAN OF MANY HATS. We received a perplexing news release this week from Pittsburgh City Councilman William Peduto regarding the staffing for his mayoral campaign.

Peduto announced that his campaign communications director would be someone he's very close to: Pittsburgh City Councilman William Peduto.

'Unlike some other candidates, Bill has chosen to speak for himself during this campaign,' Peduto the candidate said in the release undoubtedly approved by Peduto the communications director. 'Bill has a reputation for thoughtfully speaking out on many issues. In addition, Bill has a lifetime of experience speaking for himself.'

But if you wanted additional information on the release, you were instructed not to turn to the candidate or his communications director. No, any follow-up questions were directed to campaign manager P.J. Lavelle.

Probably just an internal campaign miscommunication.

I too could use a campaign helper on communications, media releations, press releases and PR. Or, just pick one.

To reach my campiagn manager, email Katrinia at Manager@Rautekrus.com.

Playing music with new friends -- and doing it oh so well.

Teacher, I know the answer.

This was more than a concert. It was also an experience and educational opportunity. The teacher from New York engaged with the students from Pittsburgh.

Violin players from New York performed in Pittsburgh

Leader and his charges -- a musical gang of young people.

Editorial: Dan's world / A fantasy land of assessment caps won't last

Our ACE, Dan O, is told to get real in an editorial from the PG: Editorial: Dan's world / A fantasy land of assessment caps won't last
In Dan Onorato's world, the men are strong, the women are handsome, all children are above average and property assessments rise by no more than 4 percent. Even over three years.

The stage is being set for a three way showdown. At one point is the plan from Dan with a 4% cap. The other players are homeowners and public opinion. And the last comes the county council.

LancasterOnline.com: Bush to visit family support center in Pittsburgh

LancasterOnline.com: Bush to visit family support center in Pittsburgh President Bush and Laura Bush will visit a family support center on Monday as the first lady promotes a White House plan to steer at-risk youth away from gangs, the leader of the center said.

The Bushes will tour preschool classrooms and meet with teen program participants at the Providence Family Support Center on Pittsburgh's North Side, said Sister Maria Fest, a member of the Sisters of Divine Providence. She is also the executive director of Providence Connections Inc., which operates the center.

The center, which started in 1995, provides early childhood development, day care, after-school programs and parenting classes.

It also has a connection to the White House.

H. James Towey, the head of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, spoke at the October 2002 dedication of the center's new building. Fest also sat with Laura Bush during the president's 2003 State of the Union address.

Before she heard the news of the Bushes' visit, the office of faith-based initiatives called and asked Fest about her programs catering to teenagers, she said.

The president has budgeted $150 million over three years in Justice Department funding for anti-gang efforts.

Tonight, our family is hosting two teens from Ithica, New York. Both boys are in high school, one a junior and the other a freshmen. They are here with a group from their music school. They teemed with young musicans from the Pittsburgh Music Academy in Carnegie. Tonight we were treated to a fantastic string concert at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library in Carnegie. They were amazing, and joined with some of the Pittsburgh kids.

My boys, ages 10 and 7, are just thrilled to have the house guests.

This is one way to have an anti-gang efforts, music. Great music.

The touring musicans from Ithica play again on Sunday at the 11 am service at First Unitarian Church in Shadyside (corner of Moorwood and Elseworth). A one hour concert is set for 1 pm. The Suzuiki schools are doing some expert teacher classes. The visiting music teachers give a master's class where they teach the Pittsburgh kids and the Pittsburgh teachers watch and witness.

Another great way to keep teenagers out of gangs is to put them into a gang we want them in -- like a swim team. I think 5:45 AM swim practices three times a week makes a great gang intervention program.

Rendell, Comcast and Cable Modems still undelivered in Pittsburgh

Post Gazette: GOP turns up heat on Rendell 'Ed Rendell is on the payroll of Comcast and the state delivers a large grant for Comcast. People have a right to know who made that decision,' he said.

The city of Pittsburgh has a cable franchise agreement that has bounced around and now resides with Comcast. Used to be TCI and others. In the contract, clearly visible on the web, it says the city is to get some 80+ cable modems for use in city rec centers and senior centers. These provisions were made years ago.

Phili deals hatch skyscrapers and mega tax breaks. We in Pittsburgh, despite my attempts, can't even get some stinking cable modems to advance technology literacy.

Perhaps this will be next week's new release on the heels of the Bush visit and since a few of the Rec Centers opened again.

Tuesday -- two events on Transit

Peduto's campaign workers put this call out:

On Tuesday at 10:00 AM, Councilman Bill Peduto will be introducing a resolution calling on the SPC to support the use of flex funds to avoid PAT Transit service cuts and fare increases. We want to fill the room to show the region how important this issue is to Southwestern Pennsylvania. Please join us in support of public transportation.

RALLY TO SAVE PUBLIC TRANSIT, 10:00 AM in City Council Chambers, 5th Floor, City County Building, 414 Grant Street

The regular city council meeting is at 10 am. So, the rally must be the public comment period before the meeting. People get to speak for 3 minutes each. No need to sign up in advance. A real rally at 9:30 am on the steps of the city county building, then the 10 am meeting might have worked better. But, people might not show up to the rally at this date and time.

I'll be sure to have my transit statement at 10 am too.

At 7 pm, at an event on the North Side at Finnegan's Wake, (Drinking Liberally, no charge to enter), I'll give more details as to what to do for transit and how I plan on helping as a State Senator. Please attend if you can.

PG coverage: Fontana resigning county council seat -- soon

Fontana resigning county council seat -- soon Fontana resigning county council seat -- soon

Saturday, March 05, 2005

Wayne Fontana, the Democratic candidate for state Senate in the 42nd District, says he plans to resign his Allegheny County Council seat, just not yet.

Fontana rebuffed a call yesterday by Libertarian candidate Mark Rauterkus that he immediately resign the seat now that he has been nominated by the Democrats for the May 17 special election.

Rauterkus said the county's home-rule charter requires members of council to resign as soon as they become candidates for another office.

However, Fontana said he has opinions from the county solicitor and council's solicitor stating that he has 30 days from the time he is nominated to step down.

He also said he has been told by officials with the state Democratic Committee that he is not officially a candidate until he files formal paperwork with them. Fontana said he has until March 28 to do that.

Fontana is running against Rauterkus and state Rep. Michael Diven, a longtime Democrat who recently switched to the Republican Party, in the special election to replace Jack Wagner, who was elected state auditor general.

Another mention was made to this story on Rob Pratt's KDKA radio show. Pratt was on the air with an interview of the council chair, Rich Fitzgerald, D, about the assessments.

Council benefits from cap. That's the point: The TRUST has been broken!

Council benefits from cap - PittsburghLIVE.com Fontana, who chairs council's assessments committee, said it is unfair to think personal interest will sway the vote on Onorato's plan. 'You have to trust that your elected officials are looking after the interests of the taxpayers,' he said.

You have to, he says, That is the point! We don't. The trust is broken. The connection between the right course of action and what really gets done is absent. The "gotta trust" song has departed the political landscape of Pittsburgh.

Wheaties

The slogan for the breakfast cereal, Wheaties, is breakfast of champions. The PG reporter was right. The menu was with eggs over easy. I'm not sure if anyone broke a yoke. I'd love to talk about this race, point by point. However, it is too late and the recap would put readers to sleep.

Mayoral candidates meet over breakfast He said he was the only candidate who has managed a large public office amid budget constraints. In terms of consolidation, he said he was the only one to have 'actually walked the walk, going so far as to recommend the elimination of my own position.'

Lamb isn't walking the walk in terms of speaking about the county charter's violation. Why have row-office reform when the ones in office don't behave as they should. We don't need reform, we need to read, comply and be fluid.
Les Ludwig did do a wonderful job. He nailed home the points on creativity.

The Ludwig answer to a question about development and the role retail has in that mix was astonishing. He blew me away. I expect the leaders in the audience got the points. Others on stage didn't. This was a clever, as Les didn't use the word retail, development, nor subsidy once in his answer. He talked about the customer base that is needed to make retail work. He talked about the money and a multiplier effect when we have people of all ages living here. It was as if the word "retail" was not even worth a breath of his attention.

To the uninformed, one could listen and think he was off-target and scattered in the delivery.

Then Peduto went right into the Ludwig trap. Peduto talked about the past studies that looked at the region and the six or eight core strengths: robotics, bio-tech, eco remediation, blah, blah, blah. A study was cited, something Bill Peduto can do well. But all in all, Peduto's tight focus on the business marketplace allowed him to ignore the one factor that Pittsburgh has above all others -- seniors. Pittsburgh is what it is. Pittsburgh is a mecca for growing old. with grace. Les said that there isn't one master plan that deals with home health care for the city. Zippo.

That was a great exchange for what was said, and what wasn't said.

As soon as the others learn to chew up their food and their opponents, Ludwig will be wearing the champion's belt, as awarded from the ringside judges.

In a four, five or six way debate, given the big guys with so little to say, the soaring numbers is going to be with Ludwig. But, there is a long way to go from zero.

ARTICLE in Trib - glad to raise a chuckle out of my opponent -- all the way to April Fools Day

Candidate tells official to quit - PittsburghLIVE.com Candidate tells official to quit

By Glenn May, TRIBUNE-REVIEW, Saturday, March 5, 2005

A campaign foe of Allegheny County Councilman Wayne Fontana is accusing Fontana of violating county laws by remaining in office while seeking election as state senator.

'He has a little bit of power, and he doesn't want to relinquish it,' said Mark Rauterkus, Fontana's Libertarian opponent in the race to fill the 42nd Senate District seat vacated by Jack Wagner, now the state auditor general.

Rauterkus points to language in the county's home rule charter indicating that council members shall not be candidates for nomination or election to other offices 'without having first resigned from county council.'

Fontana and Jack Cambest, the council's solicitor, said the definition of a candidate as spelled out in the county's administrative code means Fontana has a few more weeks before he has to give up his council seat.


'I'm going to resign by April 1, no question,' said Fontana, 54, a Brookline Democrat.

Cambest said the administrative code would require a council member to resign in a regular election immediately upon filing nomination petitions, but the rules differ for special elections.

Nominations for special elections are, in effect, bestowed upon a candidate by a party rather than sought by the individual, Cambest said.

Fontana has been endorsed by the local Democratic Party to run for the Senate seat, which has the effect of giving him the party's nomination once the decision is accepted by the state Democratic Committee.

Cambest said Fontana has 30 days under party rules to reject the nomination or to accept it by filing papers with elections officials.

If he accepts it, Cambest said, Fontana must resign his council seat.

Fontana has until March 27 to file papers.

The special election will be held May 17, the same day as the primary.

The Senate district includes neighborhoods in the south and west of Pittsburgh, as well as 20 municipalities in the suburbs.

Rauterkus said Fontana owes it to voters to concentrate either on county council or on the race.

Fontana laughed off the idea that running for the Senate will shift his attention from being a council member, which is a part-time job.

'You gotta be kidding me,' Fontana said. 'I've been doing a full-time job the whole time I've been on council.'

He said Rauterkus is playing politics and he doesn't know why Rauterkus wants him to leave the council so quickly.

Council members have long complained about the resignation rule, saying it was inserted into the charter by state legislators to fend off potential challengers.

County voters twice in 2003 rejected referendums seeking to abolish the rule.

Rauterkus said the rule helps officeholders stay focused on their current posts instead of using them as steppingstones to higher office.

Two other big points didn't make the article. The election to fill the seat after the resignation might not be able to materialize between April 1 and May 17. The county suffers. We'll have a hand-picked member on county council for seven months. The un-democratic democrats theme returns.

The other point of reason is that a possible shift in candidates is possible. Wayne could step out of the special election and make way for another to enter the race.

Burnt out -- not me but many others.

This email came from a contact:Could you please remove my email from your list as I am leaving CMU. ITs not that I disagree with your observations its just that I have finally reached the age where I am so sick of County and City polotics, I can devote one more square inch of my stomach lining to them. The assessments really crown the bunch though.

But alas its too late to save the city or the county. They are done. Both have successfully put a sign up saying "Go Away" or "You'd have to be crazy to work or live here." I admire your energy. I have lost it over planning and zoning issues and crime
Its someone elses battle now. See you sometime under better circumstances like downtown slipping into a sink hole.

Sadly, these types of emails are all too normal.

People vote with their feet. Too often the feet are taking the worn away from the city.

Resignation waves, and Michael Lamb won't stand with me on the request.

I was asked by a State Rep via email:

Why not file for a declaratory judgment? You can accomplish the appropriate result and get some press.

Press is coming. (I think I can, i think I can, i think i can...) Watch for a letter by a long-time friend in the PG. I talked with a reporter from the Trib. Two days ago I gave a KQV interview. The South Pgh Reporter was going to follow-up and City Paper showed some interest.

I'm one who is NOT in favor of running to the courts to settle our issues. I'd rather keep pressing the voters.

Every hour Fontana does NOT resign he drops another 50 votes.

Let him not resign. I still win. I'm a "champion of democracy."

---

Meanwhile at a downtown event this morning, I got to direct a question to Michael Lamb. Lamb should know the county charter. Lamb is in the same county district as Wayne Fontana. Lamb is a leader among Dems. Lamb is a reform kinda-guy, so he says.

I asked Michael Lamb to stand with me and join in with the call for an immediate resignation of Fontana.

Michael Lamb said "No."

Email blast: [412] Resignation Requested and Required - (making waves and awake)

Email blast shows archived message. It is reposted as the first comment.

Wilburn, Director of Social Policy and Research reports:

The release on Fontana was very good. Your comments on WDUQ yesterday about transportation was on target as well.

At this point Fontana is running on his record as County Councilman and banking on his name recognition. Diven is trying to run on being a Republican puts him in with the majority party in Harrisburg, thus able to do more for Pittsburgh. What he forgot to consider is that this is a Democratic strong hold, bad mouthing Dems do not get many D votes. He also will be running having to deal with his switch. Switching is not one of those things that go over well in Iron City.

Notice that none of them are ready to address state issues. Right now the field is yours. Getting our top issues out there may enable you to have them playing catch up. We could set the direction of the short lived campaign and get people to take notice.

Good job, if only we had some money.

Take Care,

Wilburn Hayden, Jr.

Election's big question: Who would want to lead troubled Pittsburgh?

AP Wire | 03/03/2005 | Election's big question: Who would want to lead troubled Pittsburgh? MIKE CRISSEY, Associated Press

County wants to limit diesel engine idling. Thanks GASP! This type of wellness gets my full support.

County wants to limit diesel engine idling The Allegheny County Board of Health approved a regulation yesterday to limit unnecessary idling of diesel trucks and commercial buses that's similar to one already on the books for school buses.

I walk my kids to and from school each day. I've noticed a huge difference since the school bus idle restrictions have come into being. Thanks! This is a good next step.

County posting new property values on Web site -- Another VICTORY

County posting new property values on Web site Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato said the new market values for reassessed properties would be posted on the county's Web site after 5 p.m. today.

Dan listened. When this story broke, I wrote and even called Dan on this very issue. Then I caught him on a talk show last week. It was one week ago. Then he said that the numbers were being worked on, but hinted at it being much longer into the future until they'd be released.

Thanks Dan.

Let's read em and weap.

We need an open government approach.

Until now we were talking about a set of numbers that were unknown.

I'm going to give credit where it is due. And, I'm going to say I had a hand in pushing for the release of these numbers so soon.

Next, let's get down to brass tacks. Let's begin to renew a topic that I had raised before -- assessment buffering. I feel that a one-third assessment buffering plan would be a much better solution.

To implement assessement buffering, I'm going to to need to be elected to the PA Senate.

Simple reading of county charter reveals the details.

Wayne Fontana is in violation of this part of the
county charter (in PDF).

A County Council Member, (such as Wayne Fontana, the vice-chair no less,) shall not be a candidate for nomination or election to any elected political office other than that of County Council without having first resigned from County Council.

We are working hard on County Row Office Reform. What about the reform that is taking place now due to the rule-breaking of the charter. We need reform. But we need to not break the existing structures that are in place.

Sometimes we don't need reform.Rather we need to replace these people. We need respect. And when things don't go as they should, we need to react.

Smoke Free City

I would love to see cigarette smoking go out of style.

I recently discovered a local group, Smoke Free City, that seeks to make this happen. I especially like that they provide information about where you can go to get a meal or a drink without being choked by cigarette smoke.

Their legislative agenda is primarily focused on overturning the state's (PA's) pre-emption laws that prevent local governments from regulating smoking in their own way. I get goose-bumps every time some social reformer wants to change society by legislative fiat, but at the moment their agenda is pretty reasonable.

News Release: Candidates and County Council do NOT mix, as per the county charter.

From: Mark Rauterkus, Mark@Rauterkus.com, 412 298 3432
Candidate for PA Senate (42nd district),

Elect.Rauterkus.com
108 South 12th Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203

Date: March 3, 2005

Mark Rauterkus, a Libertarian candidate for Pennsylvania Senate, has called for the immediate resignation of an opponent, Wayne Fontana, Democrat, a member on the Allegheny County Council. Days ago, Rauterkus willingly congratulated Fontana for his weekend victory in the Democratic party nomination. Fontana joins Rauterkus and Michael Diven, R, on the ballot in the special election slated for May 17, 2005. However, the message has changed to outrage in recent days as an expected resignation from County Council has not transpired from Fontana despite the explicit mentions within the County Charter.

"Wayne Fontana needs to resign his seat on county council immediately, said Rauterkus."

Allegheny County's Charter states clearly that members of the County Council must resign as soon as they become a candidate for another office.

Rauterkus is networking with phone calls, emails and his blog mentions that request the resignation quickly for a number of reasons for the good of Allegheny County residents.

-- Tell the power-hungry official, Wayne Fontana, that his time on council is finished. Tell him and others in his party that the resignation is expected now.

-- Remind the media of this governmental issue and help to insist that want-a-be State Senators should have a keen respect for the law.

-- Tell others who reside in that county council district that good citizen candidates are needed for the special election to fill Fontana's seat.

The special election process can begin as soon as Fontana resigns. The longer Fontana squats on the power and holds onto the seat, then a rightful replacement might be delayed. Rather than getting a newly elected member of County Council in May, 2005, a hand-picked replacement might sit until January, 2006.

This provision of the charter is disliked by many on County Council. Council members tried to change it twice in the past. At the ballot box, a majority Allegheny County voters made known their desire to uphold this rule, and for good reason.

Everyone knows that Fontana has been campaigning for this Senate seat for months. He can't do his important job on County Council, such as handling the assessment mess, while he is occupied with other tasks. Furthermore, the process of being out in the community among the issues with the other candidates gets discounted too while Fontana sits on council.

Rauterkus said, "Fontana is in no-man's land -- between a future campaign and place in history. I expected him to push the ethical limits and resign Monday, March 1. I was shocked that he resumed his role on council at Tuesday's meeting, March 2. Every minute of additional delay goes without an excuse and serves to break the trust with the people throughout the county." Rauterkus said, "People don't appreciate politicians who act on self-interests and make power-grabs without accountability."

Hope in this time, or not. FAQ & A from email.

Someone wrote to me and stated: "At this point in time, I do not see third parties as a realistic option. Sorry."

At this time I don't find much hope in the Dem party when it comes to advancement of the necessary leadership for Pittsburgh and the region.

One party rule is hopeless.

If you agree that the Dems have killed this city -- and are making a heavy weight for the region -- then we should easily agree that other options are not only viable -- but mandatory.

I want to be making history -- not be a slave of it.

In the PA Senate race, we have a Dem who won't resign from county council, in spite of the county charter that requires it. And the other old party candidate was a D, now an R, due to money to cover his past debt and springboard him to tv ads.

I think I'm a viable alternative, and the only real alternative to the status quo. Both of my opponents have been making the problems we face more difficult.

With some help, the viability of the campaign increases. With help, the opportunities to make a bigger difference are more robust.

Rauterkus for PA Senate

New images are available. Image directory with photos

Call in show on PCTV to engage the superintendent of schools

Dr. Andy King is on a call in show, from 6:00 – 7:00 P.M. tonight, THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2005, at PCTV STUDIO – Channel 21.

CALL: (412) 231-2288 between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. for questions to the Superintendent as well as comments and suggestions on subjects pertaining to the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Host and Producer: Mark A. Brentley, Sr., (412) 734-1594.

Rauterkus Requests Required Resignation of Fontana for good of Allegheny County

Allegheny County's Charter calls for the resignation of county council members who are candidates for other public offices.

Wayne Fontana, D., a member of Allegheny County Council is a candidate for State Senate. Rauterkus said, "I expected Fontana to push the ethical limits and resign his council seat on Monday morning at the latest." Sunday, the prior day, Fontana got the D party endorsement, and since this is a special election that insures he'll be on the ballot. He filed his papers to officially become a candidate the prior week.

Mike Wojcik, the county controller, (voice phone: 412 350-1125), Dan Onorato, the county executive and higest ranking member of the democratic party, and Rich Fitzgerald, D, council president, should pull Fontana out of his seat and tell Fontana his time on council has concluded.

This is the third bailout. Transit bailout not a long-term solution.

Transit bailout not a long-term solution - PittsburghLIVE.com: "Transit bailout not a long-term solution

HARRISBURG -- Gov. Ed Rendell's bailout for the cash-strapped Port Authority of Allegheny County and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority in Philadelphia gives the mass transit agencies two years to solve their financial problems.

A Beaver County official on the SPA who needs to approve the bailout has said "NO." He was on KQV today. His point was that the bailout only gives those in Harrisburg some cover and allows them to get off the hook. They have a duty and responsibility that is being ignored.
I am not in favor of another bailout. I hate to see the same band-aid fix being called a solution.

My approach is to go to the roots of the problems. It's broken. Lots of things are broken. The process is broken too.

I'm running to fix matters. We can't reform our ways without replacing the same old people.

Hot Dog: Move carts to Thackeray -- and Oakland's all wet for next two days with swimmers

Talk about a raw deal. The city and Pitt are always pounding and punishing the business folks.

The Pitt News - Mayor's OK can move carts to Thackeray The fate of Pitt's food vendors now lies in the hands of Mayor Tom Murphy.

The history isn't good in terms of giving Pitt the benefit of the doubt. Pitt is a great place, inspite of itself. If Pitt ever got its act together and noise like this didn't occur, Pitt would be in another category of greatness. UPMC too. It's one of the nation's great hospitals -- so act the part, please.
Pitt has been trying to screw with the vendors for ages. The city helps. So too does the Parks weenie group.
The construction around the Cathedral is going to include a MERRY-GO-ROUND. Then the weenies in Oakland can get a ride-all-day pass to prove once and for all that they'll never get ahead if they keep acting as they do.

Trouble is, we're all in this ride together.

Mel, a visitor to the wiki, Platform.For-Pgh.org shared an email with me yesterday. He is from CMU, knows Maglev, and wrote that it was hard to find the pony in the midst of all the horsesh*t. After the Oakland roadway gets the little bend made straight, we'll not need to search far to see the ponies.

In other Oakland news, I dare predict that you won't find too many WPIAL Swimmers and Divers at the vendor's carts today -- as they'll be making waves at Trees Pool. Go fast. The next two days is their "big dance." City swimmers hit Pitt on Saturday. Good luck to all.

I've worried and have spoken about a "chilling effect" in the campaigns.

An article in the TRIB points out that a campaign volunteer was pulled before the grand jury. Murphy aide, arbitrator testify - PittsburghLIVE.com A third witness -- a volunteer in Murphy's campaign whose identity could not be determined -- also appeared before the grand jury for about 15 minutes at the end of the day.

This is another another example of how to not treat people. Drag Tom Cox, Deptuty Mayor, from here to the moon. A citizen, a voter, -- humm -- what's up with that?
The campaign finance reform measures that are still on our agenda as part of the task force efforts raise worries about chilling citizen engagement. Alarms go off in my head when I read that the city's solicitor can sue anyone in these matters. Things are still in discussion mode. To the victors go the spoils. But I don't want to see the victors getting the rights and duties to punish those who didn't win.
The best way to not be corrupted once one is in office is to not be corrupt in the way one wins the seats and runs the election.

Being free can't occur when one is beholden to big donors.

Pittsburgh just doesn't have olympic-size aspirations. My life in the fast lane here is a puzzle.

The first part of this blog entry was crafted Feb 25, 2005:

Eric H of the Trib Why isn't the IOC stopping in Pittsburgh?

Why aren't Mayor Tom Murphy, Joe DeNardo and Jenna Morasca shmoozing some IOC members at this very moment over an Artery Clogger headwich at Fatheads?

Such heady thoughts seemed possible back in September 2000. That's when the athletic complex housing administrative offices and practices fields for the Steelers and University of Pittsburgh Panthers opened on the South Side.

Murphy was among those who dared to dream that day.

He was among the people who expressed the sentiment that the city had just built magnificent new practice accommodations for a couple of football teams. How much harder could it be to construct several billion dollars of Olympic buildings.

This article is welcomed -- but such a joke.

I've been to and worked at Olympic Training Centers. I was there when the public got its first peek at the dwarf football fields on the UMPC compound.

The unbridled optimism of the past of Tom Murphy and some other out-of-touch wonks had its critics. I was among them. But sadly, all sides of the story were not reported upon.

We have a marathon runner as mayor and Pittsburgh can't even host its marathon any more. The wheels have fallen off of the mayor's agenda. His spin is in the scrap heap. But sadly, he is still in the office.

Eric is wrong about not a single architectural sketch being produced for the new athletic venues, however. But, his point is still valid. As is mine about the lack of real coverage. Drawings have been made. It is hard to talk about the building of a new pool when we were to close 32 outdoro pools.

I wish Pittsburgh had stood pat, complacent and apparently content. Pittsburgh has slid back into the late 1800s. We've been in a deep decline, hardly standing pat.


Of course Pittsburgh never made a serious attempt to land the games. Those who were talking then were clueless and those who were saying no way were not given an interview. Those people who made the unrealistic, overly optimistic utterances should not be forgotten. And those that said, "I told you so," should be held in high esteem. I'm okay with the acts to rekindle memories of what was to be explored by Pittsburgh. We can't re-write history.

A city can't host the Olympics when it can't even host the Keystone State Games. As for the Bassmaster Classic, that's another good example of how some around here fall for their spin; hook, line and sinker. Dont' forget MLB's All-Star Game too! Big deal.

---

On March 1, 2005, this story's theme gets some fresh attention.

Visitors Bureau aims to draw additional sporting events - PittsburghLIVE.com Events such as softball and volleyball tournaments are big business today, he said, and can fill hotel rooms during slow periods in the meeting and convention season.

Volleyball is a big business.

There is much to do in this area. Presently, the city and the region does little to nothing.

Street cars are wished for by O'Connor

PennLive.com: NewsFlash - PA Western Pa Briefs : "The streetcars would promote development in the city and encourage people to live downtown, O'Connor said Monday..

Pittsburgh used to be full of street cars. In the old days, one could take a street cars from Pittsburgh to Washington PA. Kennywood Park came into being because it was a destination for a company, a private company, that owned the street car line.

In the old days, we used to have inclines too. Now there are two. In the past, the South Side had a dozen or so.

We have light rail, and that is much like a modern street car line. It goes to Overbrook and the South Hills. The street car goes up and over Arlington Road and makes for a bypass of the Liberty Tunnel.

The key to the success of the city and the region is not to live in a fantasy world.

We could run select street cars on select routes in a successful way. But, we can't be going in the wrongheaded directions with light rail expansion at the same time.

A glass enclosed T-stop at Gateway Center, as is the current plan for an existing stop's re-do, is not a net gain. Let's build a new subway stop where there isn't already a subway stop.

The last new subway stop was built at PNC's Firstside. That wasn't a net gain to the system.

Excerpt: Never Eat Alone

Book quote: Fast Company | Excerpt: Never Eat Alone: "Poverty, I realized, wasn't only a lack of financial resources; it was isolation from the kind of people that could help you make more of yourself."

Thanks for the pointer, from Pittsblog.blogspot.com.

Along these same lines of "networking" -- I'm happy to report that last night we had a successful online chat at the campaign's new chat room. Tonight we do it again at 11 pm. All are invited. At 9 pm we meet in person, no food is being provided, at 1302 East Carson Street.

TechyVent for March 14, 2005 with Alpha Chimp Studios

This is on my agenda. You should try to attend as well.

TechyVent - Pittsburgh: "Graphic Facilitation for Enhancing Knowledge Capture and Communication
WHEN: March 14, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM at the Pittsburgh Technology Council Building, 2000 Technology Drive with PRESENTER(S): Peter Durand and Alicia Diane Durand, Alphachimp Studio, Inc.

Reading event in Oakland at S & S

Fraud conviction earns five years in prison - PittsburghLIVE.com Soldiers & Sailors plans reading event

Soldiers & Sailors National Military Museum & Memorial will have a Read Across America Education Program from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. Wednesday at the museum, 4141 Fifth Ave., in Oakland.
Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy will read 'Eleanor Roosevelt' by Lucille Davis, a biography of the former first lady. Other guest readers will read books by Dr. Seuss, and the event will include a celebration of what would have been the 101st birthday of Theodor Geisel, more commonly known as Dr. Seuss.
For more information, call Casey Patterson at (412) 621-4253, ext. 206.

Thanks for working to host a reading event in our community. I'd be most willing to be a participant in the reading activities.

I've been a former publisher of 100 books on sports and fitness -- and Barbara Bush, while in the White House, once wrote a forward to a comic book that I was involved in publishing.

I have a number of great stoies to share. One set is a family classic about a dragon named YUP. It is perfect for the month of March and St. Pat's Day.

Literacy is of prime importance to me. I feel that too many of our neighborhood groups are spending far to much energy on bricks and mortar projects -- acting like developers of buildings. Rather, I'd love to see them all devoted to the development of people and the human element. Too few neighborhood volunteers are meeting and teaching others to read or be more tech literate.

International news reporting meeting set

A symposium about the myths and truths of international news reporting will begin at 3 p.m. Thursday in Room 5110 of Two Mellon Center at 501 Grant St., Downtown.

Speakers will include Ted Anthony, former editor of China News; Lisa Rose Weaver, former CNN Beijing correspondent; Rick Pietro, communications lecturer at the University of Pittsburgh; and Schuyler Foerster, president of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh. Registration is required. The program is sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Asian Studies.

Registration is required. To register, call (412) 624-7370 or e-mail Michele Heryford at ferrier@ucis.pitt.edu.

Have you seen our photos of China?

Party switch creates a fight for 42nd state Senate seat

Party switch creates a fight for 42nd state Senate seat: "'I think the unity of the party is the road map to victory,'' Fontana said ...

Another element of the story is the fact that Fontana's resignation from County Council has not be reported upon. O'Toole is now not ignorant of that fact -- as found in the County Charter.
When does Fontana resign? Let me know, please.

Mayorial event in East Liberty on March 31

Join us for a lively discussion of the issues with the major candidates
running in the May Primary. It will take place at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty on Thursday, March 31 from 6:30-8 pm. The candidates will specifically be answering questions about the concerns of young professionals in the Pittsburgh community. Sponosored by PUMP, ULYP, PYP, and the PSVN.

Hold everything.

What does PUMP mean when the announcement is about "MAJOR" candidates? Don't you mean ALL the candidates?

By March 31, the ballot is set. You should have EVERY candidate on the ballot be at the debate.

A great reply just arrived. All the candidates will be invited, so I've been told by Jay.

Meet Joe Weinroth -- and bonus audio available

Jon Delano wrote in his email to PSFs:
By the way, the Republicans may have a candidate for mayor. He is real estate attorney Joe Weinroth, vice chair of the city's Republican Party and an elected state commiteeman from Squirrel Hill. Weinroth was a delegate at the Republican Convention this summer, and he is an articulate and passionate spokesman for his viewpoint. He tells me he's not 100 percent sure he will run, but his petitions are being circulated.

Joe was a speaker at an event I organized in 2001 with Josh Pollock. Josh and I had been candidates for Mayor. The event was at the Carnegie Library of Oakland Lecture Hall, but not sponsored by them. We had two days of podium talks and one day had a real live debate with an expert moderator / editor from The New Colonist.com.

Joe Weinroth, then a candidate for city council, gave a 10-minute podium talk. I have that talk in an audio file, a MP3. It is rather large. However, I'd be happy to send it out to people interested in hearing it. Send me an email and I'll send it to you via email as an attachment.

Mark@Rauterkus.com

In the weeks to come, I might put the file on my web site, if there is a demand.

Joe's comments were fine. Nothing great, nothing harmful.

We need people to plan and host real candidate forums in the weeks to come. Are you associated with an effort to do this important work for voter education? Church groups, sports groups, civic groups, library patrons, and non-political groups need to get into the fray from time to time and host pan-partisan events. Generally the political groups only want to promote their own candidates. So, it takes a village to get beyond and out of the rut for a wide range of discussions.

Ink in the Trib

O'Connor gets Democratic endorsement - PittsburghLIVE.com: "Mark Rauterkus, of the South Side, is running as a Libertarian."

Bio on the Party Site

Welcome to the Libertarian Party of Pittsburgh: "Mark Rauterkus, 45, an activist from Pittsburgh's South Side, at-large board member of the Allegheny County Libertarian Party, accepted the nomination for Pennsylvania Senate for the special election for the 42nd District expected in the spring of 2005.

The bio there is extensive.

We can turn Pittsburgh around

Turn Pittsburgh around In the coming weeks and months, you will hear me talk a lot about my plan to turn Pittsburgh around. It's a real plan, not political promises. It's a plan based on what we need to do to turn things around.

BoB is a great turn-around name as it is the same from front to back as back to front. Forward and backwards, round and round, blowing in the wind. How many times must Bob run around, before he is ....

Missing in action among Dem's options: Row-Office Reform Ballot Question

Allegheny County voters are going to vote to chang the county charter on May 17, 2005. The option before the voters deals with the reduction of row offices from today's ten to four.

This important question, however, was missing from the endorsement vote, so I assume.

Do the Democrats either endorse or reject the vote for Row-Office Reform?

I don't think that the question was put before the committee people of the party. This isn't my party, so I don't have much to gripe about. But, what's up with that? This goes to the theme of Dems not being -- oh hum -- democratic.

Another question is in limbo, so I understand from Joe King, president of the firefighters union. A petition was submitted to put a question on the ballot that concerns the national standards in terms of response times for emergency crews to arrive.

Again, for or against isn't the question. To be or not to be on the ballot for the committee people is the real question.

The firefighters' issue is going to come down to a decision on Monday, so I was told. The ICA and the city are in negotiations. The change to the city's charter might be injected within the new contract -- somehow, perhaps.

If the firefighters get their way with the contract, they'll pull the question off of the ballot. Humm. No need to get the voters opinion, again.

I'm sorta confused. How can a new union contract force a change to the city's charter?

I love democracy. I hate how the votes around here are so confusing. I think there is great insight within the ranks of the voters and from within the process of public campaigns. It is my hope and ambition to push for the inclusion of five ballot questions each election.

Dems Endorsement

A Native American proverb says, "Tell me and I'll forget,
show me and I may not remember, involve me and I'll understand."

Today was a day of involement as the Democrats from throughout the county gathered to make their endorsements. I was there most of the day.

As I walked onto the scene, I overheard a couple of gentlemen slightly ahead of me talking as we approached. "This is a real circus."

The two were in disgust. Parking was scares. Hey, welcome to the South Side. But the point was well taken. Poll workers had arrived in the early hours hand had taken parking spaces near to the IBEW Hall. Voters, and a fair share of seniors too, had to walk through a block or two parked cars to get to the line to stand befor voting. No doubt, this was an ordeal for the frail. The crowd was large.

The results, thanks to a poster, are within the comments.

Email Blast: Hi Friends with and without spell checkers!

Two volunteers who share my overall concerns about Pittsburgh and the region, (webmaster, Jeff H., and wiki operator, Adam R) have established interesting interactive services that I'd love for you to explore.

You are invited to an online chat to occur from 11 to 11:30 pm on Monday, Feb 28, and Tuesday, March 1.

http://Rauterkus.com/rauterkuschat/

The focus of the online chat is to complete the Platform.For-Pgh.org found at:

http://Platform.For-Pgh.org/wiki/

Work on the Platform.For-Pgh.org has progressed for a few months. It has plenty of content (more than 100 pages), but I dare say, its not quite ready for prime time. We need to fill in some of the holes. And, what's there needs to be given more focus and editing help.

A face-to-face meeting is slated for the Ceramics Hobby Shop at 1302 East Carson Street on the South Side for a discussion at 9 pm on Tuesday, March 1. We'll talk about messages for the campaign and the various participants.

In my last email, I mentioned I was a candidate for PA Senate in the special election on May 17, 2005. I'm on the ballot as a LIBERTARIAN.

Today the Dem's pick their candidate for the PA Senate race. If Wayne Fontana is selected, as per the county charter, he SHOULD resign his seat there. A special election for County Council might be necessary. Want to run? I could always use some additional running mates.

On Monday, tune into 1360 AM at 4 pm as I'll be on the air with Jerry Bowyer.

Thanks for your concideration.

Mark Rauterkus
Mark@Rauterkus.com

http://Elect.Rauterkus.com
412-298-3432 = cell

Campaign cash, a cause of concern. You betcha!

Andy C did a nice job with the article and I'd love to build upon its conent. Here is the story behind the story.

Campaign cash rolls in from outside city - PittsburghLIVE.com 'It's a cause for concern,' said Bill Godshall, chairman of the Pittsburgh Campaign Finance Task Force. 'Mayors are elected by the city residents to serve the residents of the city. If outside money is coming in, I question whose interests the next mayor is representing.'

I'm on the same campaign finance task force that Bill chiars. Our work is not yet complete, but it has been interesting. We'll see if the outcome is worthy of a mention or not. I am certain that the task force was necessary -- and it gave cover to the sponsor of the legislation, Bill Peduto of City Council.

The original legislation called for a $2,000 limit to donors and any donor who gave the limit was not eligible for no-bid contract. Godshall, the chairman, rightly points out that $1,999 donations would skirt the restriction that applies to $2,000 donors. A $1,999 donation would allow for the letting of no-bid contacts.

The no-bid contracts are a big problem within city business operations. This is often called, "pay to play." If you want a contract, or if you get a contract, you have to give back to the ones who gave the contract to the firm.

The way to fix no-bid contracts isn't with campaign finance reform, however. Don't do no bid contracts. End that habit. Bid everything.

Sure, putting all the work of the city out in a bid process is more work. But, that is why these folks get the jobs they have. They need to work hard. They need to be "fair."

If only one firm is capable of doing the work described in the bid, then only one firm will make a bid. Still, it is okay to bid the work. Unless, the office holders are beholden to the firms.

Two important elements of this story are not being linked to the overall saga in our election process. I stand for elements that are not easily rewarded. For example, I'm against the same-old style of leadership and their donors who crave eminent domain. For me, its no TIFs; no contract give-a-ways without a bid process; no gambling casinos; no Mon Valley toll road; no debt and the need for heavy bonds to be floated. Certain project generate the campaign donations.

Meanwhile, good governement, transparent operations, higher levels of democracy and prudent fiscal policies that invest in humans, not bricks and mortar, are not going to generate money. Kids that swim in the city's pools had a hard time paying for their summer passes, yet alone giving money to campiagns. Same too for parents who are taking their kids to the rec centers.

Face it, those in the city that have the financial means to leave the city have gone elsewhere, by and large. A crew of us die-hards remain, hunkered down. Resistance in an occupied land is best done by those who survive and don't peg themselves as part of the opposition.

In the 2001 race, Mayor Tom Murphy and O'Connor combined to raise a record $2.3 million. Without a sitting mayor, this year's race might not top that amount, but it should come close, analysts said.

I don't think the un-named analysis is "on the money" with this hunch. In 2001, Bob O'Connor and Tom Murphy each spent more than $1-million. They earned votes for $30 each. My votes were earned at a rate of $.30. Yes, that's 30-cents vs. 30-dollars.
The next mayor faces a city without any money. The public kitty is bare. There won't be extras for pay-backs. The donors know this. And, they won't be giving like in the past.

Peduto was looking to raise $200k, not $1-million. The lesser amount is more on target for what it is going to take to win.

In the fall, I talked quickly with Michael Lamb. He had the goal and aspirations of raising $1-million for his campaign for mayor. He's nuts and wrong.

Why should anyone spend $1-million to get a chance in a crap-shoot for a job that pays $90k a year?

Furthermore, why should the voters select a candidate that runs a high-stakes, high-spending, high-debt campaign to run Pittsburgh? We've been crushed by high-flying, over-spending, debt-ridden public officials on Grant Street.

Up until six months ago, Bob O'Connor, the 2nd place vote getter in 2001's Dem Primary, again, was $30,000 in debt. Debt is killing this city.

Pittsburgh has to get itself out of debt.

Michael Diven went into big debt in 2004 as he had to keep his state house seat. Some said that was the reason for his party switch from D to R. Diven took his re-election tab to the House Ds to settle as he beat the candidate funded by the House Ds. But the debt was not forgiven there and would be settled by the Senate Rs. He switched because of debt. Diven has been bought and paid for by others.

It is fun to be free. I can say and do as I please. Imagine this, I can choose to do what's right without worries of my gravy-train going away.

To vote for me cost nothing.

Finally, the money needed to prop up these candidates is to make sure that their message gets out. They have to craft a message. They need to have consultants and specialist fundraisers to cover the cost of the consultants, printers and tv ads.

My message gets to you from my head -- with my friends -- to my keyboard -- to this blog and elsewhere on the internet -- at bargain prices with depth and scope.

Some of us have messages to share, plus the necessary creativity to craft and deliver those message and a desire to run without debt in a prudent lifestyle.

In closing: All the king's men and all the king's horses couldn't put Humpty together again. We've had a great fall. And the fix for our future is not with the royalty and the few with self-interest money concerns. The future of our region can be that of prosperity as soon as we rely upon the self-reliance of the people. We need creative, new leadership for the region that can grip the problems, attack at their roots and lead a diverse commuity where interaction among people is valued and trusted.

As for campaign finance reform legislation, stay tuned. Much more is in the pipeline.

Emal blast: [412] Announcing: I'm in the PA Senate Race.

Hi Neighbors and "Generous Pace Setters,"

The Pittsburgh region needs a different representation in Harrisburg.

I'm running for Pennsylvania Senate in the special election for the
42nd district to be held on May 17, 2005.

I would welcome your donations.

Please make check payable to: Elect.Rauterkus.com

Send to: Elect.Rauterkus.com
108 South 12th Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203

412 298 3432 = my cell

My heart is here in the community with you. Together, we can make a
difference. In the past you've heard from me because of my blog and
other efforts. Now I'm appealing for you to help me in this state
senate race.

Thanks for the consideration.

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark@Rauterkus.com
http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com http://Rauterkus.com
412-298-3432 = cell

Candidate for Pennsylvania Senate, 42nd District. Vote on May 17, 2005.

http://Platform.For-Pgh.org
- - - - - -
http://Rauterkus.com/mailman/listinfo/412-public-campaign/
Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com can help with additions, subtractions and
changes for your email.

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances gives a mention

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - PittsburghLIVE.com On the 'Watch List' I: The 42nd District state Senate race. Democrat-turned-Republican state Rep. Mike Diven has won the GOP committee's nomination to fill now-state Auditor General Jack Wagner's vacant seat. Democrats will choose from among four candidates on Sunday to face Diven in May's special election. Given the relative impuissance of the Dems' candidate kitty (and Libertarian challenger Mark Rauterkus), this race is Mr. Diven's to lose.

How does one read that statement? It's Diven's race to lose and my being in the race helps to insure his victory? How do you take that statement? And, what about the race overall.
We'll know in less than 24 hours who the Dems are putting onto the ballot.