Post-Gazette NOW - Local News - Early Returns

November 5, 2007 - P-G Early Returns blog had this.

Post-Gazette NOW - Local News - Early Returns
Jumping the Gun edition

A day before he faces the voters, Bruce Kraus showed up in Pittsburgh City Council chambers, to the consternation of the man he hopes to replace, Councilman Jeff Koch.

Mr. Kraus, a Democrat who faces Libertarian Mark Rauterkus in tomorrow's General Election, came to speak out against a request by Folino's Ristorante to keep a decorative fence in front of its East Carson Street location. Like a handful of other restaurants on Carson, Folino's wants its sidewalk-sitting patrons to dine within a better-defined space.

Some South Siders, though, feel the trend toward fenced-in outdoor seating threatens the street's wobbly balance between partygoers and residents.

"If you add capacity to the bars, you add to the problems they're trying to deal with right now," said businessman Tom Smith, citing public urination, noise and congestion as the potential results of a proliferation of outdoor seating areas. Mr. Smith is president of the South Side Chamber of Commerce, but stressed that the organization has taken no position on the Folino's request.

Mr. Koch argued for allowing the fence, saying it will leave 7 feet of open sidewalk for pedestrians, and noting that other Carson establishments have them. He also shot a few sidelong glances at Mr. Kraus, who was sitting in the audience.

"Mr. Kraus, if he wins, come January, he has the right to turn any [sidewalk] encroachment down that he wants," Mr. Koch told council. He said many of the opponents to the Folino's request, who are bombarding him with e-mails, don't even live in the city. "It's ridiculous. It's a witch hunt."

After the meeting, Mr. Koch said Mr. Kraus was just irked because Folino's supported the incumbent in the May primary. That incumbent, Mr. Koch, lost the race.

"There's nothing political about this whatsoever," said Mr. Kraus. "If we permit one to have a permanent encroachment, when the other 20 come [and ask for the same] ... then what do we say to them?"

Council decided to postpone voting on the Folino's fence until after an as-yet-unscheduled public hearing on sidewalk encroachments.

Here is the deal. Kraus is not in favor of property rights. Kraus will act like a socialist / communist / liberal democrat.

Furthermore, Kraus will serve up "pay back." This is a power trip for him. To the victor go the spoils in that world.

Eminent Domain -- no problem with him.

Voting For My Buddies...Early Voting Observations 2007

The poll worker showed me the electronic touch panel this morning at approximately 7:05 a.m., as I wanted to make sure I made my twice annual votes mattered before trudging off to work.

Some of the choices were easy. Mark DeSantis for Mayor. Check. Mark Rauterkus for Pittsburgh Controller. Check. There may have been one judge I needed to retain, but the others were given the proverbial heave-ho on my ballot.

There were also a number of races that were uncontested: Allegheny County Chief Executive and District Attorney among them. I almost always write myself in for something and this year it was the County Council special election in my area. Of course, the winner will be a nameless, faceless Democrat who will continue to do nothing but be invisible.

I voted my friend Lou in for Allegheny County Treasurer, as I’m certain he’d be a better bean counter than the guy we currently have. I also wrote my friend Bob in as Allegheny County District Attorney.

Now I sit, listening for nuggets of information. Mayor Luke may or may not have broken the law by glad-handing inside a polling place. Former Republican Mayoral candidate Joe Weinroth says that DeSantis won his polling place, two-to-one.

The night’s still young, but two things remain certain: I will not win County Council and Ron Paul has just as much chance to be our next President.

Schenley High School meeting

Mr. Lopez, Chief of High School Reform, is holding a meeting about the pending closing of the school at 6 pm, Thursday, Nov 8, 2007, in the Schenley auditorium.

The Tribune-Review incorrectly stated that it was a meeting for students. Please try to attend.

It is important that we show the strength of the IS/IB program and that we want to have a say in major changes to our program. Maybe (and this is a very big maybe) we will decide that the move to Reizenstein is workable but there are many questions that need to be answered. I think it is especially important that families who do not live in the East End be represented well. If there are any Phillips parents reading this, can you please spread the word at your school.

Also, keep in mind and mark it on your calendars that a special board hearing will be held on Nov. 27.

Thanks Amy!
I'll be there.

Ohligarchy: Hooma Gunna Vote Fer?

Suburban endorsement for a write-in vote. Okay.

Ohligarchy: Hooma Gunna Vote Fer? Saddam Hussein, in his last election before being deposed, won 100% of the vote. That should never happen in America, not even at the lowest level. Democrat Dan Onorato will coast to victory, which means that I have about eight hours to think of a name to write in. Perhaps Mark Rauterkus? Yeah, that's the ticket.

Doing the unthinkable -- Some South Siders go to out and vote twice

They get to vote twice, for me, legally.

I'll vote twice for me too.

This way I'm not quite the lone wolf that I used to be.

Plus, there are other buddies too. One, an ex-paratrooper, Tony Oliva, Libertarian, a former D1 (NCAA Division I) footballer. And the other candidate buddies both named Dave . Think David and Goliath. One Dave is an ex-marine and the other Dave is a 911 operator. So, I'm in good company. The third Dave, David Tessitor, is at-large and all over the map, generally. Standing next to him makes me look focused.

Let's vote. Let's keep democracy alive. Let's elect people who understand the constitution while possessing a long view so that the kids here have hope for our shared political landscape for the years to come. And there is very little hope when little ones play around in the dirt that reeks of lead poison while others in power just hunker down -- too busy to notify anyone and communicate.

Kraus, Lamb, Harris did little in this campaign. They were hunkered down. I have great faith that they'll do the same in office. Meanwhile, the kids are weaker. The future is more bleak.

Hats off to Luke Ravenstahl for coming out to debate, some. Too bad Luke is responsible for doing nothing else and lack of notifications on the dangerous playground conditions for months. Luke came out to debate, and he survived. Lucky for him.

Dave for Council in District 1 -- email on election day

Well, another election has come & gone, and the outcome is now in the hands of the voters. And while our district & the city face enormous challenges & important choices ahead, one thing our team can pride itself in is having run a clean campaign & having worked diligently in getting our message of change out to voters. Though it was somewhat challenging at times, we were met with immense interest & favorable reception when meeting directly with voters. The consensus is clear. People are now ready to move forward, & they want to hear about the ideas that will improve Pittsburgh in the long run.

As this campaign comes to a close, I would just like to take an opportunity to personally thank the great many of you who have helped over the past 12 months. Along with longing for better leadership, many of you took precious time out of your personal lives to help in this campaign, and we would not have been able to make as many great in-roads across this great district had it not been for all your help. No matter what happens tomorrow, we made our mark and laid the roots which will allow voters to choose a new & progressive course when they are ready. Thank you again for all your help, and more importantly, thank you for the opportunity to have worked so closely with many of you. Great friendships were forged, new relationships established, and it has been quite an honor.

In closing, allow me to also take this opportunity to invite you to join us as we watch the results come in at our post-election night party. The polls open at 7am, and close at 8pm, and we will be meeting afterwards at Max’s Allegheny Tavern on the lower North Side, located at 537 Suismon Street (located on the corner of Middle Street, 1 block west of East Street). If you can’t make it, we will understand. However, whatever you do, please remember to vote. As we have seen in recent years in races at all levels, every vote does count and can make all the difference.

Greatest respects & God Bless,

Dave Schuilenburg

(phone # moved to comments)

about Freedom, Prosperity and Peace

Michael Lamb for Controller blog got updated on May 10.

Michael Lamb for Controller Endorsements!!! May 10th, 2007

Check out the button!

The best prediction yet

Google Calendar Tuesday - Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain and snow showers. Highs in the lower 40s. West winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.

We're talking Steeler weather for election day after a Monday Night Football game.

Perhaps hell will begin to freeze over starting on Wednesday morning.

Secure those campaign signs, else we'll have a lot of urban tumbleweed and floppy litter on a stick.

The American Entrepreneur - Newsletter Articles - Pittsburgh's Last�Chance?

A long rant from Ron Morris about the election features a call to vote for Mark DeSantis.

The American Entrepreneur - Newsletter Articles - Pittsburgh's Last�Chance?: "This election is our one and only chance to make this all happen."

Sitting ducks: An inactive Pittsburgh is looking for trouble

Sitting ducks: An inactive Pittsburgh is looking for trouble: Living well is the best revenge.

Debate for city council, district 9: David C. Adams vs. Ricky Burgess

First 20+ minutes of the debate.

Click To Play

Bio from David C. Adams from the League of Women Voters online guide

David C Adams, 49, Pittsburgh, Ward 13

http://TheNeighborhoodAwarenessProgram.org

Education: B.S., Villanova University, 1980;
M. A., Princeton University, 1982;
University of Pittsburgh, 2005-present: Public Administration;
Giant Eagle, 2003-2005: Accelerated Management Training Program;
California University of Pennsylvania, 1985-1987: Speech Communications;
U.S.M.C., U.S.N., U.S.A.R., 1976-1985

Occupation: University of Pittsburgh, Facilities Management;
President, Conscience Newsletter, and The Conscience Group

Qualifications: Leadership Experience; Creator of Comprehensive Citywide Crime Prevention Program

Answer: 1. Alternative Funding: I would utilize the many resources of this city, and our geography to open marketing opportunities which would be exclusively directed to fund, and impact the city’s bottom line. The beauty of this idea, is the fact that corporations, small and large business, organizations, and sporting entities would help the city, as they market their products, goods or services. I believe this opportunity would also generate new business to the city. The marketing opportunities would be developed to ensure every business owner in Pittsburgh could join this opportunity, with price scales to fit every budget of business, including a payment plan.

2. Public Safety: Fire, Police, Ambulance, Emergency Services etc.

Visiting with Panther Rants and their Tailgate was a blast

Thanks everyone. I had a great time.

Panther Rants We'd also like to announce a formal eternal tailgating invitation to area Pittsburgh politician Mark Rauterkus who remained true to his word and came to the tailgate fully armed with some of his buttons and DVDs, not to mention doughnuts, bear claws and a bag of popcorn that could fill the trunk of a 1974 Cadillac. Mark was also as much fun to talk with and have around and his time and effort were rewarded with a Panther Rants limited edition collectors t-shirt. Unfortunately, none of Mark's new tailgating buddies actually live in his district, making his experience a complete waste of time, energy, and about $20 ($17 if he used his Giant Eagle Advantage card). We hope, however, that he doesn't view it as such and becomes a regular. The more the merrier.

Photos soon.

Video of Debate: Rauterkus vs. Lamb -- who can control and out-of-control, one-party town?

Click To Play

The audio from the debate between myself (Mark Rauterkus, Libertarian) and the career politician, Michael Lamb, (son of a PA Senator), is on my TalkShoe.com site. One version of the video (without subtitles) is on the web at Google Video. It is 29 minutes in length.

Playground in City reeks of lead. Poison puts brain on hold. City waits. Kids and Parents know nothing.

Our family to China three times. Once we were there while all the Recreation Centers within the City were closed. They were idle, by design. Closed for political reasons by the local Democratic Mayor. Thanks to the leadership of the Dems in Pgh, we've got more of the same to bark about.

This week Pittsburgh give itself another leg up on China, famous for its exports of cheap toys to the US that are covered with lead-based paint. Perhaps it this can be called a 'Lead Pipe Lock.'

The lack of action on these types of problems is typical. Plenty of problems concerning our kids and youth are begging for attention. Meanwhile, our city, this city, does NOTHING. That is what THEY always do. Nothing.

More talk and buzz about the parks has surfaces in recent times than ever before -- due to the killing of the geese in both North Park and Riverfront Park on the South Side. This is why we talk about parks -- dead geese. Neither the media nor the politicians are eager to engage and talk about parks. Dead geese -- not kids, not recreation, not coaching, not programming.

Now, lead-poison, toxic playground, additional inactions. Newspapers and city hall officials talk about the parks because the playground dirt is toxic. They knew about it for months. AND, they did NOTHING.

For the sake of the future and the kids -- I'd love your vote and endorsement for both city controller and city council, district 3.

I'm running against do-nothing politicians who won't rock the boat. They act like lead anchors and are sinks to sustained conversations about solutions for our region. I, at least, will scream foul! (pun intended)

Light at the end of the city's Dems? - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Light at the end of the city's Dems? - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review DeSantis, 48, a former aide to Sen. John Heinz, possesses the worldly (i.e., out-of-Pittsburgh) experience and valuable ideas that can reverse Pittsburgh's long, all-Democrat-engineered economic and civic decline.

So, the Trib vallues worldly experience.

Well, the Trib did endorse David Tessitor for Allegheny County Council At-Large. Nice.

Furthermore, for the city controller's race -- the Trib is indifferent. Printing "blindly" as a descriptive word from a Trib editor is ROTFL stuff. (Roll On The Floor Laughing)

Scroll to hear the phone messages

Clicking in this box should play the messages on your computer, without needing to leave this page. There is a drop-down box in the middle with various sound files.

Phone Calls Sound Like This

Some of my phone calls sound like this: