It's the spending - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The underlying problem isn't taxation -- it's spending. Unless big government and its programs of welfare, warfare, regulation and intrusion are drastically limited to constitutionally authorized functions, then we'll become a little country with a debt problem plaguing generations to come.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
It's the spending
New Web site urges reform in Pittsburgh politics
New Web site urges reform in Pittsburgh politics Mr. Kownacki, who has been producing Web video for four years, said 'a lot of folks just do it for their own personal gain, or to have their own voices heard by the masses. What you don't see a lot of is actual pro-active video, or social media in general that tries to rally people to a cause, get them to actually effect change.'Perhaps Justin does not see a lot of pro-active video nor social media that aims to get people to effect changes for causes. But, it is out there. And, it has been for some time.
Remember Ground Zero and Ground Zero's Art of News?
There have been plenty of social calendar sites in Pittsburgh.
People that have nothing to do with politics as reformers should be interesting. I won't be watching. No, I'll be an uninvited participant.
My first question: Will you need a username and password to view the blog, like the last time Peduto ran a blog?
My next question: Will spoofing be possible. If so, it will be a problem.
My last question now: Can I call for a vote?
Friday, August 17, 2007
The blog is on -- and so is my seminar on Saturday at Podcamp
The blog is on - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review'Pittsburgh was kind of at the forefront of blogging, before it became mainstream,' said Mike Woycheck, administrator of the Web site Pittsburgh Bloggers. The site started in 2004, and now has a directory of 600 blogs in greater Pittsburgh. 'We've been very open and embracing of this new medium.' The city's changing political climate fuels a lot of its blogs, said Woycheck, 32, of Ignomar. 'Pittsburghers use blogging to vent ideas and complaints. It's a way to make creative responses to all the issues we're facing. This medium is really on the pulse of people's concerns.' The demographic of bloggers in Pittsburgh runs the gamut, Woycheck said. 'We have 20-somethings to 50-somethings; blogs about every day life and issues. Sometimes it's bitter, sometimes it's humorous, sometimes it's snarky, but it's always lively discussion.'
ESPN Page 2 - Jackson: Looking for heroes
ESPN Page 2 - Jackson: Looking for heroes It's called 'Books 'N Hoops.' Emphasis on books. A camp where both girls and guys play ball in T-shirts with 'The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall' on their backs. Mandela has their backs.Splendid.
City Council's Shields lived a double life as Stevie Steeler - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
City Council's Shields lived a double life as Stevie Steeler - Pittsburgh Tribune-ReviewIt was the hardest day of work in my life.'No kidding.
Festival highlights region’s diversity
Nice insights from the Pgh Courier on the events downtown -- now in session.
Festival highlights region’s diversity The four-day DiverseCITY Pittsburgh Festival seeks to encourage diversity in every aspect of life—in the workplace and in the community.
Parents are voting with their feet. Pittsburgh's brightest depart. Schools and Recreation issues matter greatly.
Allegheny Institute, a local think tank, has issued a position paper on the population decline. The links between the city's population drop and the school district's population sink are clear.
This is a topic area that I've been pressing for years. People vote with their feet. Plus, the biggest motivator isn't yourself. It isn't even your job. Rather, people of Pittsburgh are driven by their children. Their kids are the top priority.
If people were told that they're kids would get an advantage if a parent lost an arm -- we'd see a lot of one-arm parents in Pittsburgh. People in our city would cut off their arm and give it to their child if they knew it would help the kid.
How we treat our kids, our recreational opportunities, our schools, our teachers, our young people and our engagement with them is huge. Few on Grant Street know this, value it, nor seem to get it.
When the consultants arrive on the South Side to ponder what is going on in the business district, they gave a report that didn't mention any of the following words: "babies, children, kids, families." Empty. I asked. Then they had something to say.
The future of our city also depends upon how we handle liberty and freedom.
The combination of those two important concepts, with a touch of technology, diversity, open ways, smart policies and democracy can lead to Pittsburgh's revival.
This is a topic area that I've been pressing for years. People vote with their feet. Plus, the biggest motivator isn't yourself. It isn't even your job. Rather, people of Pittsburgh are driven by their children. Their kids are the top priority.
If people were told that they're kids would get an advantage if a parent lost an arm -- we'd see a lot of one-arm parents in Pittsburgh. People in our city would cut off their arm and give it to their child if they knew it would help the kid. How we treat our kids, our recreational opportunities, our schools, our teachers, our young people and our engagement with them is huge. Few on Grant Street know this, value it, nor seem to get it.
When the consultants arrive on the South Side to ponder what is going on in the business district, they gave a report that didn't mention any of the following words: "babies, children, kids, families." Empty. I asked. Then they had something to say.
The Ongoing Abandonment of Pittsburgh Public SchoolsThe future of our city depends upon how we deal with our kids.
Like Pittsburgh’s population, the enrollment in City schools continues to slide dramatically. Census figures show the City losing 3,480 people from July 2005 to July 2006 to stand at 312,819. That represents a total drop of 21,700 (6.5 percent) since the 2000 census. Among comparably sized or larger cities only four had bigger percentage declines since 2005 and one of those is New Orleans whose loss was propelled by Katrina.
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh school district (which includes Mt. Oliver) has seen enrollment fall from 38,560 in 2000 to 29,445 last year and is projected by the district to slide another 1,521 to 27,924 for the school year about to get underway. Thus, the total enrollment falloff has reached 10,636, marking a 27.6 percent plunge since the decade began. Some of the enrollment decrease can be attributed to the shifting of students to non-public schools. However, much of it reflects the departure from the City by families with school age children.
The future of our city also depends upon how we handle liberty and freedom.
The combination of those two important concepts, with a touch of technology, diversity, open ways, smart policies and democracy can lead to Pittsburgh's revival.
 |
| From ormsby-serpents |
Ron Paul wins Iowa exit poll � disinter
Ron Paul wins Iowa exit poll � disinter: Ron Paul wins Iowa exit poll August 14th, 2007 Vote In Sunshine conducted an exit poll at the Iowa straw poll, here is what they found: Ron Paul 332
Libertarian runs for mayor in Pittsburgh, a political novice to the ballot
by Harold Kyriazi with slight edits by the webmaster
On July 23rd, eight days before the ballot access petitioning deadline, Allegheny County LP officials were contacted by an unknown fellow wishing to run for mayor as a Libertarian, named Tony Oliva. (Older baseball fans may recognize that name as an all-star player from the 1960s and 1970s, but alas, there’s no connection.) His introductory letter to us indicated that he was naïve (27 years old, a political unknown, and imagining an upset victory), but someone with potential. He wrote that he was a military veteran, a University of Pittsburgh graduate with a degree in Political Science, a Pittsburgh resident with extensive community ties, currently employed in the city’s Office of Public Safety, and a member of the Libertarian Party.
After thus reassuring ourselves that he wasn’t crazy or mentally incompetent (for years I’ve felt badly that none of us activists here wished to embark upon that particular quixotic quest), we tried to find out more about him. Coincidentally, at the same time a co-worker of mine (who of course knows I’m a libertarian) mentioned to me that one of his former rock climbing students was running for mayor and had hit him up for a petition signature. They both happened to be paratroopers in the Army, and my coworker said he was a good guy and intelligent. It was thus nice to get some independent verification, and also to know that he was already out collecting signatures.
Within two hours of Tony emailing his letter expressing an intention to run for mayor, Tony was handed several clipboards and forms (third party nomination papers) from Allegheny County's highly energetic vice-chair, Mark Rauterkus. For months similar papers had been circulating with political body, Libertarian, and with Rauterkus occupying spots, including that of mayor, as a place-holder candidate.
That’s one of the new and exciting trends about libertarianism these days: we don’t have to go out and find people, and educate them about libertarianism – now young people find us via the internet. We don’t have to teach them much of the philosophy – they’re usually already thoroughly grounded by their readings on the web. A new day is dawning and there is hope. (Go Ron Paul!)
I corresponded by e-mail with Mr. Oliva during that final week, and despite my vow a few years ago to limit my libertarian activities, I spent a few hours collecting signatures, solicited another few from my brother. Tony and I badgered neighbors, and put some energy into the last days. “It’s harder than I thought it’d be!” expressed a few friends who turned up empty.
Mr. Oliva worked hard for sis days, collecting about 115 signatures each day and getting 700. More than 805 were needed. With his total and what everyone else collected, the Libertarians turned in plenty of signatures to clear the hurdle for the election department and challenges.
After the horrendous experience of minor parties statewide last year, I was very worried that the Republican would challenge. But for whatever reason, he didn’t. Subsequently Mark and Tony filed the necessary papers to conduct the switch of their names.
I’m happy to report that we now have three spots on the city ballot: Tony Oliva for mayor, and Mark Rauterkus for both city council and city controller.
My impression of Mr. Oliva, starting from e-mail exchanges, is clear. I can confidently state that he is a competent writer. We also spoke by phone, and then face-to-face. Based on those encounters and positive reports after a WDUQ radio interview, I can also state that he’s a competent speaker.
Some did question why the Libertarians should run someone for mayor. It is entirely possible that the Republican was already fairly libertarian and he could have a better chance of winning than we did. We could thus be hurting ourselves by splitting our vote.
Mark Rauterkus informed me on the Republican candidate, Mark DeSantis. We checked out his website. Nick spoke with someone in his office. It turns out that DeSantis is a serious candidate with typical Republican economic concerns, such as lowering taxes and increasing government efficiency, but one whose position on social issues is difficult to gauge.
We discussed the obvious -- how a libertarian mayor could instruct the city police to make consensual crimes their lowest priority, but we didn’t know Mr. Oliva’s thoughts on that score. Assuming the best, Mark Rauterkus suggested that if vote-splitting turned out to be a legitimate concern, we could always make a splash by withdrawing a few weeks before the election and asking our supporters to vote for DeSantis. That was enough to drive to do the last-minute petitioning for signatures.
Tony and I sat down to lunch last in order for me to get to know him better for this article, to discuss some of these issues, and also to give him any benefit of my political experience.
Mr. Oliva is a handsome, athletic-looking young man, with the attentive and easy, straight-forward manner that seems appropriate for someone with military experience. He still serves with the Pennsylvania National Guard.
Interesting to me as a former diehard Pitt football fan, Tony came to Pittsburgh from New York City (the Bronx) on a football scholarship from Pitt’s legendary coach Johnny Majors. Fortunately, he left any New York accent behind. In fact, Tony was Majors’ last recruit at Pitt, being recruited in 1996, shortly before Majors was fired. Oliva started at Pitt in 1997 under new head coach Walt Harris, as a 175-pound defensive back with 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash. That’s considered a fast time. He was red-shirted his freshman year, and expected to bulk up.
In the off-season, unfortunately, while crossing the street he got hit by a car, and received career-ending damage to a knee. Being the thoughtful, independent-minded young man that he is, he refused surgery that he felt might predispose him to premature arthritis, and opted instead for rehab and more natural, alternative medical approaches.
He stayed on at Pitt, getting a degree in Political Science, and rehabilitated his knee enough to play Ultimate Frisbee for the Pitt men’s team, making nationals for three years.
After graduating, he joined the military. As a paratrooper, he suffered another severe injury, being accidentally “sharked” by a fellow jumper. That’s where another jumper cuts under you as you’re approaching the ground, taking away your air and collapsing your chute, whereupon you fall rapidly, as though a shark has just attacked and pulled you under the water. That fall resulted in a severe shoulder dislocation and accompanying nerve trauma, and left him unable to raise his left arm above shoulder level.
He’s still able to enjoy tennis and other sports, though, and comes from a very athletic family. His brother played football and baseball in college, and his sister was a standout basketball and softball player in high school. His brother is also into NY politics, having been a speech writer for George Pataki, district chief of staff for a U.S. congressmen, and director of communications for a state minority leader.
Mr. Oliva is personable and has many friends here who have offered to help him in various ways with his campaign. Unfortunately perhaps, he is naïve enough to think he has a chance to defeat Luke Ravenstahl, the incumbent democrat and another 27-year-old. Ravenstahl won an election to city council before taking over as mayor when the recently elected then-mayor Bob O’Connor died last year.
Mr. Oliva may be correct in thinking he has the advantage of his libertarian philosophy and exceptional interpersonal skills, but being a political unknown, all the money in the world can’t buy him the trust of Pittsburgh voters, 80% of whom are registered Democrat.
The best he can hope for, in my view, is to run a positive, issue-oriented campaign, impress the people he interacts with, inject some libertarian solutions into the debate (and into the minds of Ravenstahl and his aides and advisors), and pave the way for a run for another race down the road.
Some will suggest that he switch parties to Democrat and starting off as a ward committeeman, rather than thinking he can leapfrog all the way into the Mayor’s office.
Libertarians can certainly win office when they live in small communities where they can personally meet all the voters, effectively negating the negative connotations of a minor party label. But people with a strong desire to actually serve in office in a large district, where they simply cannot personally contact a significant fraction of voters, need to be real, and follow the example of people like Ron Paul. The rest of us can work within the Libertarian Party to educate the electorate, and possibly level the playing field a bit by getting more people to register as Libertarians, so that eventually we’ll have a reasonable chance at winning a major city election.
The baseball Tony Oliva was the 1964 rookie of the year in the American League. Let’s try to see to it that our Tony Oliva develops into a Libertarian Party All-Star.
On July 23rd, eight days before the ballot access petitioning deadline, Allegheny County LP officials were contacted by an unknown fellow wishing to run for mayor as a Libertarian, named Tony Oliva. (Older baseball fans may recognize that name as an all-star player from the 1960s and 1970s, but alas, there’s no connection.) His introductory letter to us indicated that he was naïve (27 years old, a political unknown, and imagining an upset victory), but someone with potential. He wrote that he was a military veteran, a University of Pittsburgh graduate with a degree in Political Science, a Pittsburgh resident with extensive community ties, currently employed in the city’s Office of Public Safety, and a member of the Libertarian Party.
After thus reassuring ourselves that he wasn’t crazy or mentally incompetent (for years I’ve felt badly that none of us activists here wished to embark upon that particular quixotic quest), we tried to find out more about him. Coincidentally, at the same time a co-worker of mine (who of course knows I’m a libertarian) mentioned to me that one of his former rock climbing students was running for mayor and had hit him up for a petition signature. They both happened to be paratroopers in the Army, and my coworker said he was a good guy and intelligent. It was thus nice to get some independent verification, and also to know that he was already out collecting signatures.
Within two hours of Tony emailing his letter expressing an intention to run for mayor, Tony was handed several clipboards and forms (third party nomination papers) from Allegheny County's highly energetic vice-chair, Mark Rauterkus. For months similar papers had been circulating with political body, Libertarian, and with Rauterkus occupying spots, including that of mayor, as a place-holder candidate.
That’s one of the new and exciting trends about libertarianism these days: we don’t have to go out and find people, and educate them about libertarianism – now young people find us via the internet. We don’t have to teach them much of the philosophy – they’re usually already thoroughly grounded by their readings on the web. A new day is dawning and there is hope. (Go Ron Paul!)
I corresponded by e-mail with Mr. Oliva during that final week, and despite my vow a few years ago to limit my libertarian activities, I spent a few hours collecting signatures, solicited another few from my brother. Tony and I badgered neighbors, and put some energy into the last days. “It’s harder than I thought it’d be!” expressed a few friends who turned up empty.
Mr. Oliva worked hard for sis days, collecting about 115 signatures each day and getting 700. More than 805 were needed. With his total and what everyone else collected, the Libertarians turned in plenty of signatures to clear the hurdle for the election department and challenges.
After the horrendous experience of minor parties statewide last year, I was very worried that the Republican would challenge. But for whatever reason, he didn’t. Subsequently Mark and Tony filed the necessary papers to conduct the switch of their names.
I’m happy to report that we now have three spots on the city ballot: Tony Oliva for mayor, and Mark Rauterkus for both city council and city controller.
My impression of Mr. Oliva, starting from e-mail exchanges, is clear. I can confidently state that he is a competent writer. We also spoke by phone, and then face-to-face. Based on those encounters and positive reports after a WDUQ radio interview, I can also state that he’s a competent speaker.
 |
| From people & vips |
Some did question why the Libertarians should run someone for mayor. It is entirely possible that the Republican was already fairly libertarian and he could have a better chance of winning than we did. We could thus be hurting ourselves by splitting our vote.
Mark Rauterkus informed me on the Republican candidate, Mark DeSantis. We checked out his website. Nick spoke with someone in his office. It turns out that DeSantis is a serious candidate with typical Republican economic concerns, such as lowering taxes and increasing government efficiency, but one whose position on social issues is difficult to gauge.
We discussed the obvious -- how a libertarian mayor could instruct the city police to make consensual crimes their lowest priority, but we didn’t know Mr. Oliva’s thoughts on that score. Assuming the best, Mark Rauterkus suggested that if vote-splitting turned out to be a legitimate concern, we could always make a splash by withdrawing a few weeks before the election and asking our supporters to vote for DeSantis. That was enough to drive to do the last-minute petitioning for signatures.
Tony and I sat down to lunch last in order for me to get to know him better for this article, to discuss some of these issues, and also to give him any benefit of my political experience.
Mr. Oliva is a handsome, athletic-looking young man, with the attentive and easy, straight-forward manner that seems appropriate for someone with military experience. He still serves with the Pennsylvania National Guard.
Interesting to me as a former diehard Pitt football fan, Tony came to Pittsburgh from New York City (the Bronx) on a football scholarship from Pitt’s legendary coach Johnny Majors. Fortunately, he left any New York accent behind. In fact, Tony was Majors’ last recruit at Pitt, being recruited in 1996, shortly before Majors was fired. Oliva started at Pitt in 1997 under new head coach Walt Harris, as a 175-pound defensive back with 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash. That’s considered a fast time. He was red-shirted his freshman year, and expected to bulk up.
In the off-season, unfortunately, while crossing the street he got hit by a car, and received career-ending damage to a knee. Being the thoughtful, independent-minded young man that he is, he refused surgery that he felt might predispose him to premature arthritis, and opted instead for rehab and more natural, alternative medical approaches.
He stayed on at Pitt, getting a degree in Political Science, and rehabilitated his knee enough to play Ultimate Frisbee for the Pitt men’s team, making nationals for three years.
After graduating, he joined the military. As a paratrooper, he suffered another severe injury, being accidentally “sharked” by a fellow jumper. That’s where another jumper cuts under you as you’re approaching the ground, taking away your air and collapsing your chute, whereupon you fall rapidly, as though a shark has just attacked and pulled you under the water. That fall resulted in a severe shoulder dislocation and accompanying nerve trauma, and left him unable to raise his left arm above shoulder level.
He’s still able to enjoy tennis and other sports, though, and comes from a very athletic family. His brother played football and baseball in college, and his sister was a standout basketball and softball player in high school. His brother is also into NY politics, having been a speech writer for George Pataki, district chief of staff for a U.S. congressmen, and director of communications for a state minority leader.
Mr. Oliva is personable and has many friends here who have offered to help him in various ways with his campaign. Unfortunately perhaps, he is naïve enough to think he has a chance to defeat Luke Ravenstahl, the incumbent democrat and another 27-year-old. Ravenstahl won an election to city council before taking over as mayor when the recently elected then-mayor Bob O’Connor died last year.
Mr. Oliva may be correct in thinking he has the advantage of his libertarian philosophy and exceptional interpersonal skills, but being a political unknown, all the money in the world can’t buy him the trust of Pittsburgh voters, 80% of whom are registered Democrat.
The best he can hope for, in my view, is to run a positive, issue-oriented campaign, impress the people he interacts with, inject some libertarian solutions into the debate (and into the minds of Ravenstahl and his aides and advisors), and pave the way for a run for another race down the road.
Some will suggest that he switch parties to Democrat and starting off as a ward committeeman, rather than thinking he can leapfrog all the way into the Mayor’s office.
Libertarians can certainly win office when they live in small communities where they can personally meet all the voters, effectively negating the negative connotations of a minor party label. But people with a strong desire to actually serve in office in a large district, where they simply cannot personally contact a significant fraction of voters, need to be real, and follow the example of people like Ron Paul. The rest of us can work within the Libertarian Party to educate the electorate, and possibly level the playing field a bit by getting more people to register as Libertarians, so that eventually we’ll have a reasonable chance at winning a major city election.
The baseball Tony Oliva was the 1964 rookie of the year in the American League. Let’s try to see to it that our Tony Oliva develops into a Libertarian Party All-Star.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Grass isn't greener for Bloomfield football team - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
This isn't right.
City Planning played around with the residents with plenty of half-baked plans and studies over the years. Often the studies are ways to get consultants cash -- much like kick-backs. These come from hand-picked groups, generally. Or better, when there is a bid process -- all the groups know that they have to 'pay to play.' They all are on the line and hook for political donations.
Just last night I was at another city-wide meeting and there was talk about the 'pedestrian plan' of the city. My only question was, 'When is the next meeting?' The answer, after some delay, was "DECEMBER, we think."
City planning has a meeting about a city-wide plan process in August 2007 and the next meeting four months into the future. Glaciers move faster.
I dare anyone to go to the City's Planning Department to get a copy of the city's field study of 2002. I doubt that they will give it to you. I doubt you'll be able to find it online. I doubt you'll be able to read it and have it make sense. I know that the people who put it together did NOT consider the kids and traditions of the sports organizations in the city.
A few years ago the city told the South Side Sabers that they would NOT be able to use that team's field for a year. The city wanted to plant grass. So the city thought it would be okay to tell the team to go away. Growing grass is a higher priority than coaching kids.
The team, rightfully so, said no way. They had the season.
The Park's Master Plan presents another major study effort that is nothing but bunk. I went to the meeting where that was revealed and offered one suggestion. I told them that they had a document with the wrong title. They could have satisfied my objections by calling it the "Parks' LESSER Plan" as it wasn't 'comprehensive.' That document talked about the vegitation and plant life in the parks. The word "coach" was not in the docuement at all. Zippo.
Thousands of hours were invested. Perhaps $200,000 in city taxpayer money was spent. Teams of consultants were engaged too.
The big bang outcome for the city was to be, get this, a park pavilion upgrade to include running water. That's right, indoor plumbing. Another park was going to get a new garden that was similar to the one they used to have in the 1920s.
Any moron knows that there is a major shortage of ballfields in the city. So the city's angle of attack is to take the fields and devote / convert them to single sport venues. That is the wrong way.
We need more play on the fields, not less.
We need to use the parks and the fields so we can teach our kids how to play nice with one another.
We need to put the management and organization of our parks, public parks, into the hands of those who are working with the kids on a day to day basis.
Screw the consultants.
Screw the Grant Street Politicians who are clueless on how to care for our kids. They don't even want to try.
Here is what we need to do, as a city.
First, we need to get all parks programming off the hands of the City of Pittsburgh. Citiparks should be spun off of Grant Street. Furthermore, the Allegheny County Parks and Rec Department has its issues too. They don't care either. So, the County Parks need to be cut out from the County.
Think of the last time County Parks were a topic of discussion. It was about the killing of the Canadian Geese. Before that, perhaps the drivers on roads in the parks when Jim Roddey was ACE. Or, perhaps the shallow water in North Park's lake. We can do better, much better.
Merge Citiparks and County Parks & Rec into a new entity -- the Pittsburgh Park District.
This new entity is NOT an authority. It is NOT like the Pgh Parks Conservancy. It is NOT run by consultants. It is NOT run by women with big hats. It is NOT run by Elsie Hillman nor Bill Trueheart nor other foundation weenies.
The new Pgh Park District needs to be run in an open, democratic way. People who run the programs need to control the parks. Meetings need to be open, on tv, with lots of voting among lots of citizens, parents, coaches, park players, swimmers, footballers, and even Ultimate Frisbee yuppies.
Footnote: Bram of the Pgh Comment blog fell (hook, line and sinker) into a past ploy of Mayor Murphy to get support for a broken promise.
Fields and permits and sports teams should not come under crony considerations. Fields should not be treated like the system used for repaving roads. It is all crooked. Corruption rules.
Every once in a while this comes into focus with a story in the newspaper. But it is a daily event on Grant Street. It needs to be fixed. The way to fix it is to elect people who are NOT Democrats. We need to break the back of one-party rule. Then we can get new people who are loyal to principles of good behavior for the sake of doing the right things.
The Dem politicians do what they do now because they are looking out for their jobs. They take their clues from others in high places who are needed to keep their jobs.
Now the football players in Bloomfield need to rush Grant Street -- blitz if you will -- to raise a stink. Luke has to save the day because he and the others that have come before him and who are on council now have fumbled. They screwed up. They have made dozens of mess ups on top of dozens of other mess ups.
It is time to put some new perspectives on Grant Street so we can get new reform that makes sense.
And I don't want to reform Pittsburgh now because that implies that the people that are on Grant Street now will do the reforming.
I've said that if I'm elected to city council, I want to be the one who is the chairman of the Citiparks committee. I want that job.
Furthermore, if I'm elected to the post of 'controller' I'll be sure to review each of the past master plans and call them bogus by pointing out their weaknesses.
It is obvious to me that bad decisions are being made -- constantly -- because they rely upon bad data. The priorities are messed up. The benchmarks are a joke. And they don't have the perspectives nor creativity to clean up the mess.
The ones who made the mess are the ones who are least capable of cleaning it up.
Grass isn't greener for Bloomfield football team - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The city has committed $300,000 to $350,000 to tear out the turf, plant grass, install dugouts and irrigate the land. That's most of the $450,000 available in the yearly public works budget earmarked for 'park reconstruction.' The work could begin by September -- once a contractor is chosen -- and could take six to eight months to complete. Gable said Mayor Luke Ravenstahl approved the project. As for the one-sport restriction. Gable said the decision conforms to a 2002 study of the city's fields by North Side-based Pashek Associates that recommended limiting each field to baseball, softball, soccer or football to give the grass time to grow between seasons.First of all, the 2002 field study is a joke. It is nothing to pin any hopes and policy upon. It is crap. I have and have had big problems with the field study. I followed the work of the field study. I care about kids and recreation. The field study is not worth the paper it is printed on. And, it is printed on paper so large that it can't be put on a simple photo copy machine. And, the field study wasn't even made into a PDF nor put online.
City Planning played around with the residents with plenty of half-baked plans and studies over the years. Often the studies are ways to get consultants cash -- much like kick-backs. These come from hand-picked groups, generally. Or better, when there is a bid process -- all the groups know that they have to 'pay to play.' They all are on the line and hook for political donations.
Just last night I was at another city-wide meeting and there was talk about the 'pedestrian plan' of the city. My only question was, 'When is the next meeting?' The answer, after some delay, was "DECEMBER, we think."
City planning has a meeting about a city-wide plan process in August 2007 and the next meeting four months into the future. Glaciers move faster.
I dare anyone to go to the City's Planning Department to get a copy of the city's field study of 2002. I doubt that they will give it to you. I doubt you'll be able to find it online. I doubt you'll be able to read it and have it make sense. I know that the people who put it together did NOT consider the kids and traditions of the sports organizations in the city.
A few years ago the city told the South Side Sabers that they would NOT be able to use that team's field for a year. The city wanted to plant grass. So the city thought it would be okay to tell the team to go away. Growing grass is a higher priority than coaching kids.
The team, rightfully so, said no way. They had the season.
The Park's Master Plan presents another major study effort that is nothing but bunk. I went to the meeting where that was revealed and offered one suggestion. I told them that they had a document with the wrong title. They could have satisfied my objections by calling it the "Parks' LESSER Plan" as it wasn't 'comprehensive.' That document talked about the vegitation and plant life in the parks. The word "coach" was not in the docuement at all. Zippo.
Thousands of hours were invested. Perhaps $200,000 in city taxpayer money was spent. Teams of consultants were engaged too.
The big bang outcome for the city was to be, get this, a park pavilion upgrade to include running water. That's right, indoor plumbing. Another park was going to get a new garden that was similar to the one they used to have in the 1920s.
Any moron knows that there is a major shortage of ballfields in the city. So the city's angle of attack is to take the fields and devote / convert them to single sport venues. That is the wrong way.
We need more play on the fields, not less.
We need to use the parks and the fields so we can teach our kids how to play nice with one another.
We need to put the management and organization of our parks, public parks, into the hands of those who are working with the kids on a day to day basis.
Screw the consultants.
Screw the Grant Street Politicians who are clueless on how to care for our kids. They don't even want to try.
Here is what we need to do, as a city.
First, we need to get all parks programming off the hands of the City of Pittsburgh. Citiparks should be spun off of Grant Street. Furthermore, the Allegheny County Parks and Rec Department has its issues too. They don't care either. So, the County Parks need to be cut out from the County.
Think of the last time County Parks were a topic of discussion. It was about the killing of the Canadian Geese. Before that, perhaps the drivers on roads in the parks when Jim Roddey was ACE. Or, perhaps the shallow water in North Park's lake. We can do better, much better.
Merge Citiparks and County Parks & Rec into a new entity -- the Pittsburgh Park District.
This new entity is NOT an authority. It is NOT like the Pgh Parks Conservancy. It is NOT run by consultants. It is NOT run by women with big hats. It is NOT run by Elsie Hillman nor Bill Trueheart nor other foundation weenies.
The new Pgh Park District needs to be run in an open, democratic way. People who run the programs need to control the parks. Meetings need to be open, on tv, with lots of voting among lots of citizens, parents, coaches, park players, swimmers, footballers, and even Ultimate Frisbee yuppies.
Footnote: Bram of the Pgh Comment blog fell (hook, line and sinker) into a past ploy of Mayor Murphy to get support for a broken promise.
Fields and permits and sports teams should not come under crony considerations. Fields should not be treated like the system used for repaving roads. It is all crooked. Corruption rules.
Every once in a while this comes into focus with a story in the newspaper. But it is a daily event on Grant Street. It needs to be fixed. The way to fix it is to elect people who are NOT Democrats. We need to break the back of one-party rule. Then we can get new people who are loyal to principles of good behavior for the sake of doing the right things.
The Dem politicians do what they do now because they are looking out for their jobs. They take their clues from others in high places who are needed to keep their jobs.
Now the football players in Bloomfield need to rush Grant Street -- blitz if you will -- to raise a stink. Luke has to save the day because he and the others that have come before him and who are on council now have fumbled. They screwed up. They have made dozens of mess ups on top of dozens of other mess ups.
It is time to put some new perspectives on Grant Street so we can get new reform that makes sense.
And I don't want to reform Pittsburgh now because that implies that the people that are on Grant Street now will do the reforming.
I've said that if I'm elected to city council, I want to be the one who is the chairman of the Citiparks committee. I want that job.
Furthermore, if I'm elected to the post of 'controller' I'll be sure to review each of the past master plans and call them bogus by pointing out their weaknesses.
It is obvious to me that bad decisions are being made -- constantly -- because they rely upon bad data. The priorities are messed up. The benchmarks are a joke. And they don't have the perspectives nor creativity to clean up the mess.
The ones who made the mess are the ones who are least capable of cleaning it up.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Mayoral Opponent Upset Over Youth Program Shirts Sporting 'Ravenstahl' Name - News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh
Mayoral Opponent Upset Over Youth Program Shirts Sporting 'Ravenstahl' Name - News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh About 232 children taking part in Pittsburgh's summer youth employment program are wearing city-issued T-shirts with Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's name appearing on them.
The shirts have Republican mayoral candidate Mark DeSantis upset.
"It's not the mayor's program," DeSantis said. "It's the city of Pittsburgh's program. It's not the mayor's money. It's taxpayers' dollars. It's not the mayor's government. It's city government. There's really no reason to promote his name with a city program.
Hot news from Bangkok's swim meet - World Univeristy Games has Pittsburgh connection wearing gold
AMS Home Page: "World University Games, August 12-18, Bangkok, Thailand ..."Check out the news.
The photos are from our trip to Thailand. Does this guy look like a 400 IMer?
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| From thai mix |
Christine Smith, Libertarian Candidate for President, 2008
Christine Smith, Libertarian Candidate for President, 2008 Christine Smith, Libertarian Candidate for President, 2008A women in the race, besides Hillary.
I am happy to share my campaign is progressing very well!
I take this opportunity to invite everyone of you to my campaign website:
http://www.LibertarianForPresident.com
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Ravenstahl makes his own case for being clueless
Esquire.
Luke on Luke --- "Look at me. No hands. No clue either!"
Chew your food. Take your time. Don't eat on the run.
Luke, you need to speak about the duty you have, not the opportunity. Luke, you need to talk of the service you hope to fill, not the perks that float your way. Luke, you need to dodge the hits you inflict on yourself because of the running around in circles. Get a grip. Be hit. Hit back. Stand your ground. Be aware.
Talk of the responsibility, the stewardship, the management efforts.
Luke, it is NOT so important that you tell "Pittsburgh's story" to mayors from around the nation. Those folks are NOT going to move here. What is important in telling that story -- except for you as the teller.
I'm not here to be a slave of history -- or even H I S -- S T O R Y. Pittsburgh's story is something that is unfolding. Let's make history. Let's craft a better story.
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| From texture - misc. |
Ravenstahl makes cameo in new Esquire - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The magazine ran a quote from each mayor with his photo. Ravenstahl told the magazine the 'best perk' of being mayor: 'I don't have the political relationships yet, so I think that's an advantage. But because things move so quickly, I haven't had the chance to sit down and digest it. To this day, quite honestly, it hasn't hit me -- the opportunity I have.'Digest it. Barf!
Chew your food. Take your time. Don't eat on the run.
Luke, you need to speak about the duty you have, not the opportunity. Luke, you need to talk of the service you hope to fill, not the perks that float your way. Luke, you need to dodge the hits you inflict on yourself because of the running around in circles. Get a grip. Be hit. Hit back. Stand your ground. Be aware.
Talk of the responsibility, the stewardship, the management efforts.
Luke, it is NOT so important that you tell "Pittsburgh's story" to mayors from around the nation. Those folks are NOT going to move here. What is important in telling that story -- except for you as the teller.
I'm not here to be a slave of history -- or even H I S -- S T O R Y. Pittsburgh's story is something that is unfolding. Let's make history. Let's craft a better story.
Libertarian Party opposes proposed smoking ban on private businesses
Harrisburg latest intrusion tabled till fall
Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
Harrisburg - Although legislators have tabled a state-wide smoking ban until fall, the issue is far from dead. Governor Rendell has expressed his disappointment in the delay and indicated that "I believe a statewide ban would be good, and I'd be willing to sign it."
Today, the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPa) announced their opposition to this ban and re-affirmed their advocacy of the principles of individual responsibility and individual liberty. The Party holds that it is outside the role of government to prohibit legal behavior on private property.
Per Doug Leard, LPPa Media Relations Chair, "We, the citizens of Pennsylvania, do not want or need to be treated as children. We are responsible adults. We can decide whether to attend a restaurant or other privately owned enterprise which allows or does not allow smoking."
Libertarian candidate, Jim Babb, added, "If the governor has his way, his next step could be a ban on unhealthy foods, carrying scissors or mandating hats when it's cold. Free people don't need governmental parents. To assume that Pennsylvanians are too childish to make their own health choices is arrogant and insulting. To assume the politicians can make adult choices is downright foolish and dangerous."
The Senate and House versions would ban smoking in places such as arenas, private stores, private restaurants, and convention halls. The Senate and House bills differ in their list of special-interest exceptions and the ability of local governments to establish more restrictive bans.
Mark Crowley, a Libertarian Party activist from Allegheny County, asked, "What's next? Will Harrisburg bureaucrats target happy-hour promotions because lower-cost foods and drinks lead to bad health decisions? Appetizers and smoking should be personal choices, not government mandates. Let customers choose by voting with their feet and taking the demand for wait staff with them."
The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in both Pennsylvania and the United States. Nationwide there are over 200,000 registered Libertarians with organizations in all 50 states. Libertarians serve in hundreds of elected offices throughout the nation. Please visit www.LP.org or www.LPPA.org for more information.
Assure Schenley's future
What is up with this?
Three Rivers Stadium had a flood. Remember that?
Mellon Arena's lights went out. Remember that?
Schenley High School's ceiling fell -- in time for summer school.
Upkeep. Maintain. Modernize.
Well, Pitt Stadium was modernized. It had great facilities for the players, coaches, trainers and athletes. But, that didn't help much. Pitt Stadium still went away.
Assure Schenley's future 'I'd like to go to Schenley, but I don't know if it is going to stay open. You know, the ceiling fell down.'Funny how things seem to happen, like the sky falling, or floor flooding, when the powers that be want to churn.
Three Rivers Stadium had a flood. Remember that?
Mellon Arena's lights went out. Remember that?
Schenley High School's ceiling fell -- in time for summer school.
Upkeep. Maintain. Modernize.
Well, Pitt Stadium was modernized. It had great facilities for the players, coaches, trainers and athletes. But, that didn't help much. Pitt Stadium still went away.
Pop City - Councilman Bill Peduto launches revolutionary PAC web site
This makes me chuckle on a number of levels. But first, the POP news:
So Peduto, a divisive, mean-spirited politician who has been embroiled in hard-hitting Grant Street politics his entire career is going to turn a new leaf and become the leader of a harmonious enclave of like-mindedness.
Hippies were individuals who wanted to effect change too.
Furthermore, I contend that Grant Street is filled with like-mindedness. Every elected city official is of a like-mind and with a "D" next to his or her name.
The "whole idea" is to strip away all-for-one attitudes. Pittsburgh has been marching with lock-step like-mindedness for decades. They march to the same tune and have created a massive rut as well.
Peduto's leadership hatches a “whole idea." He says the aim is 'to strip away the divisive mean-spiritedness which I was embroiled in and create a new environment that is more harmonious, that will bring about a gathering of like-minded individuals to effect change in Pittsburgh."
Jeepers. Let's put the recovering CRACK DEALER on stage as a model citizen at our kid's school to say, "Don't grow up like me." What is Peduto to stand up and say? "I was bad. Now I'm good. Play nice. Do what I say, not as I've done."
There is plenty of twisted thinking in these statements.
First off, Peduto's 'mean-spiritedness' is autobiographical. He said it himself. Those are his words.
I don't think Peduto was that mean spirited. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. I don't think he has been that gracious and open either. His camp isn't known for singing "We are the world" and other peace and love songs.
Second, I don't shy away from a good battle. I find diversity as a sign of health. I like to see folks split on issues of merit. There is nothing wrong with 5-4 votes, except when they are cast about cat licenses and other meaningless measures.
Bill Peduto must intend on using the Podcamp event as a back drop for the new site launch.
Pop City - Councilman Bill Peduto launches revolutionary PAC web site Reformpittsburghnow.com will officially launch this Saturday. Among the unique features will be videos of people and places in Pittsburgh--what’s working and what’s not; a call to action that includes a library on issues and a single-click contact your legislator; a social network for feedback; a monthly Talk to Peduto forum, and a personal blog by Peduto. “The whole idea,' he says,'is to strip away the divisive mean-spiritedness which I was embroiled in and create a new environment that is more harmonious, that will bring about a gathering of like-minded individuals to effect change in Pittsburgh.”Good to see Peduto found the internet to be his number one source of information. Personally, TV departed as my number one source of news and information after NBC pulled the plug on the Red, White, and Blue cable stations established for 24-hour coverage of the summer Olympics in 1992.
So Peduto, a divisive, mean-spirited politician who has been embroiled in hard-hitting Grant Street politics his entire career is going to turn a new leaf and become the leader of a harmonious enclave of like-mindedness.
Hippies were individuals who wanted to effect change too.
Furthermore, I contend that Grant Street is filled with like-mindedness. Every elected city official is of a like-mind and with a "D" next to his or her name.
The "whole idea" is to strip away all-for-one attitudes. Pittsburgh has been marching with lock-step like-mindedness for decades. They march to the same tune and have created a massive rut as well.
Peduto's leadership hatches a “whole idea." He says the aim is 'to strip away the divisive mean-spiritedness which I was embroiled in and create a new environment that is more harmonious, that will bring about a gathering of like-minded individuals to effect change in Pittsburgh."
Jeepers. Let's put the recovering CRACK DEALER on stage as a model citizen at our kid's school to say, "Don't grow up like me." What is Peduto to stand up and say? "I was bad. Now I'm good. Play nice. Do what I say, not as I've done."
There is plenty of twisted thinking in these statements.
First off, Peduto's 'mean-spiritedness' is autobiographical. He said it himself. Those are his words.
I don't think Peduto was that mean spirited. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. I don't think he has been that gracious and open either. His camp isn't known for singing "We are the world" and other peace and love songs.
Second, I don't shy away from a good battle. I find diversity as a sign of health. I like to see folks split on issues of merit. There is nothing wrong with 5-4 votes, except when they are cast about cat licenses and other meaningless measures.
Bill Peduto must intend on using the Podcamp event as a back drop for the new site launch.
Pittsburgh airport expands enclave for private jets
Luke might be able to hang out at this hangar to collect his autographs.
Of course FedEx and Bayer are going to be more interested in the western area runway. But the teams headed to and from Oakland and Mellon Arena could use the Allegheny County Airport.
Otherwise, I'm worried about the long-term health of the County Airport. How much does that cost a year to operate?
Furthermore, what about that airport under construction in the near north, up by Deer Lakes and Fox Chapel? What has become of that pork spending?
I'd love to see an audit of all our airports.
If the private jets that fly into the airport are a key to the region's economic development efforts, we are in sad, sad shape. Let's subsidize the corporations that need a place to house their jets. Let's give them easy access to their private planes.
Dan Onorato says "you NEED these types of facilities." Rather, he means, he needs to get these types of facilities so he can take care of his campaign donors.
The key to remaining competitive isn't found in high flying CEOs who are paid hundreds more than the average worker in the company. That's bunk.
Here we go, again, bending over backwards to service those who come into town for the US Open and the All-Star Game. Rather, I'd love to have services for those that live here. I'd rather devote attention to our kids that grow up here. I'd rather make sure our parks are open, clean, safe, -- and with coaches and equipment.
What we need -- NEED -- are flights abroad. We need to get to Europe. How about flights to London, Germany, Central/South America, and more locations in Canada.
Pittsburgh airport expands enclave for private jets There aren't many places in Western Pennsylvania that can boast about playing host to Tiger Woods, Ben Roethlisberger, Sidney Crosby, Al Gore and a host of other athletes, politicians and celebrities. Atlantic Aviation Service's Business Aviation Center at Pittsburgh International Airport is one of them. And the company is looking to add to its growing customer base. Atlantic Aviation Services, joined by local politicians and Allegheny County Airport Authority officials, opened a new 30,000-square-foot jet hangar and 7,250-square-foot charter terminal and office center at the airport yesterday.I would be keen to expand these types of private services at the Allegheny County Airport, not the Greater Pittsburgh airport.
Of course FedEx and Bayer are going to be more interested in the western area runway. But the teams headed to and from Oakland and Mellon Arena could use the Allegheny County Airport.
Otherwise, I'm worried about the long-term health of the County Airport. How much does that cost a year to operate?
Furthermore, what about that airport under construction in the near north, up by Deer Lakes and Fox Chapel? What has become of that pork spending?
I'd love to see an audit of all our airports.
If the private jets that fly into the airport are a key to the region's economic development efforts, we are in sad, sad shape. Let's subsidize the corporations that need a place to house their jets. Let's give them easy access to their private planes.
Dan Onorato says "you NEED these types of facilities." Rather, he means, he needs to get these types of facilities so he can take care of his campaign donors.
The key to remaining competitive isn't found in high flying CEOs who are paid hundreds more than the average worker in the company. That's bunk.
Here we go, again, bending over backwards to service those who come into town for the US Open and the All-Star Game. Rather, I'd love to have services for those that live here. I'd rather devote attention to our kids that grow up here. I'd rather make sure our parks are open, clean, safe, -- and with coaches and equipment.
What we need -- NEED -- are flights abroad. We need to get to Europe. How about flights to London, Germany, Central/South America, and more locations in Canada.
LewRockwell.com Blog: The Revolution
Check out the image on this site.
LewRockwell.com Blog: The Revolution The strength of the Ron Paul campaign is the incredible number of self-starting volunteers who organize and work for him entirely on their own. And they show competence as well as heart.
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