BS no meeting was document back in September 2009

I lived with this administrative silliness and incompetence for nearly a decade.

After much struggle, we did get in a game with South Park. We also got the okay to play in a middle-school tournament at Chartiers Valley with a co-ed team while using some 9th grade rookie players. 

 These kids signed up to play water polo. They went to Schenley High School, that would then become Obama.

“Why Don’t Students Like School?” Well, Duhhhh… | Psychology Today

Interesting parenting / teaching post.

“Why Don’t Students Like School?” Well, Duhhhh… | Psychology Today: "Ask any schoolchild why they don't like school and they'll tell you. 'School is prison.' They may not use those words, because they're too polite, or maybe they've already been brainwashed to believe that school is for their own good and therefore it can't be prison. But decipher their words and the translation generally is, 'School is prison.'

Swimming was CUMPULSORY

Swimming was CUMPULSORY

Free food for kids in the evenings

Wednesday, September 02, 2009
By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Kids from kindergartners to 18-year-olds can get free meals from 5 to 7 p.m. at 10 city of Pittsburgh community centers starting on Tuesday, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's administration announced today.

Meatloaf and potatoes, hot dogs and beans, spaghetti and other meals -- plus fresh fruit -- will be served. The meals will be prepared by Nutrition, Inc., and the program is federally funded.

Allegheny County has been feeding kids through the program since 2000, but it's new to the city community centers including Ammon, Arlington, Brookline, Jefferson, Magee, Paulson, Phillips, Ormsby, Warrington and West Penn.

Read more: http://post-gazette.com/pg/09245/994941-100.stm#ixzz0PxuVmUFS

CCAC hosts a town hall of sorts with Bob Casey on Setember 1. Back to school and sick already?

On Tuesday, September 1st, one of PA's U.S. Senators, Bob Casey, ishosting a public forum to discuss the Affordable Health Choices Act, the Senate's Health Care Bill. Arrive early. Doors open an hour before the event and seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tuesday, September 1 at 10:00 am, Community College of Allegheny County, Allegheny Campus, Foerster Student Service Center, Ridge Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Doors open to the public at 9:00 am. Seating is first-come, first-served.

PA wastes money on special election - with few to vote anyway

PA Senator Scarnati (R) ordered a special election to fill Senator Wonderling's seat. It is costing the state of PA hundreds of thousands of dollars and there is a real election five weeks later, so what's the rush? It's a bogus political move by a man who ended up Lt. Gov, an elected position, without being elected himself. I called to ask why a costly special election was needed right before the real election and was given attitude about it because "no one else is calling to complain." So let's change that.

SO CALL AND COMPLAIN. TELL THEM HE IS LT. GOVERNOR BY LUCK, HE WASN'T ELECTED, AND YOU WILL NEVER VOTE FOR HIM IN THE FUTURE ELECTION UNLESS HE DOES SOMETHING.

He is Lt. Governor Scarnati, 1 (717) 787-7084. Do it now.

Blackhawk needs a swim coach

Part Time Head Coach
PENNSYLVANIA, BEAVER FALLS
Blackhawk Cougar Aquatic Team
Listed July 2, 2009

The Blackhawk Cougar Aquatic Team is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Head Swim Coach. The BCAT Swim Team, located 25 miles NW of Pittsburgh, is a year round program training the majority of the season September-June at the High School. During the summer long course season June-July they train at two local outdoor pools. The position is part-time with potential to grow to full time position with significant growth of the team. BCAT is a growing club with 50-60 year-round swimmers. Swimmers have competed and excelled at the local, district, state, sectional and national levels. The coach will have authority to develop the swim program, train assistant coaches into his or her system, and will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the team. The Head Coach is responsible for managing age group and assistant coaches while directly running the senior and national level training group. Other duties include running team practices, workout design/implementation, practice scheduling, assisting with team registration, fundraising, attending swim meets, and hosting at least 3 meets per year. The position will also require working with a dedicated and active parent volunteer booster group. Successful candidates must currently be ASCA Level 2 or 3 or be willing to obtain, USA certified, CPR/AED/First Aid certified, American Red Cross Lifeguarding certified. Applicants must have 3 years experience as head or assistant coach in a year round program, either club or college. Experience with Hy-Tec Meet/Team manager is desired. The position will be filled by August 20, 2009. Visit www.bcatswim.com. Interested candidates should submit a letter of application, resume and a list of three references with current addresses and phone numbers to Tom Marshall, President, Blackhawk Cougar Aquatic Team, PO Box 1651, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Email 5marshalls@comcast.net 724-650-4643.

Water Polo Practice -- update -- Highland Park Pool now from 10:30 am to noon, T, W, Th, F

Water polo practice is happening at Highland Park Pool, with Citiparks help, from 10:30 am to noon on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week.

New players are most welcome.

On Saturday we go to IUP for an early morning series of matches.

Get a taste of open water swimming

Outside the box promo video.

Spoke at City Council

On August 24, 2009, Erik and I went to Pittsburgh City Council and made some simple statements. Sadly, the video format from Viddler is no longer supported.

Getting ready for G-20 by watching this

Homework:

Water polo action -- not highlights, just final moments of practice

We played polo with 22 kids at the practice today. Five were from Seneca Valley and 17 were from the ones we've been playing with in the city. One new Citiparks player arrived, Goda! A few of the SV kids were in college too! One guy swimmer is slated to be a sophomore at Central Catholic.

Getting the visitor was a great boost to our play and spirits. Many of our players are young -- and that is good for the future, but seeing the strength and speed of the older kids provided a great lesson. To protect and control the ball became much more of an issue.

The video shows the final moments of more than 30-minutes of scrimmages. The players were split (not so evenly) into three sides. Games to three goals and winning team stays in the pool. One team did not win them all. About six or so games were played.

This is something you can do too.

Recap of activities:
Exercise routine: Ankle spins, wrist flex, gentle neck rolls. Full range of motion arm swings: right-arm forward, left-arm forward, right-arm backward, left-arm backward, up the side, up the fronts, horizontals, opposities, opposite-opposities, right-arm 8s, then reverse with right-arm, left-arm 8s, then reverse with left arm. Trunk twists with kick on one leg then the other. Right leg swing front and back. Left leg swing front and back. Right leg swing left and right. Left leg swing left and right. Squat. Squat jumps with one arm up. Squat jumps with 2 arms up.

Self Intoductions: Name, year in school, school.

Swim 4 lengths (25 y) with shaddow / partner. Easy warm-up.

Swim with ball / dribble to other side, 4 times.

Swim / dribble to other side, at whistle, reverse direction.

Ball up in one hand and scull / tread to other side.

Swim to goal and score. After you drive and shoot, turn to defense. Shoot to 2nd goal and then defend. Then to third goal.

Mega take-a-way game. All but 4 start with ball in the air. Defense is without the ball and swim to player and take the ball away. Then ball exits pool. Down to last couple of players with a ball in the air and work to take it away from that player. Defense attacks. Offense needs to twist with arm extended yet keep control of the ball under pressure.

Three groups: (5 minutes each group, then switch)

Group 1 with Tom to do rear-back shots on goalie.
Group 2 do drive shots on goalie with defender 5 seconds behind.
Group 3 do dry passing and shots on goalie.

Scrimmage: White, Purple and On-Deck (45 minutes)



Group photo.

Pretzel, thanks to Grant.

Coach Tom Fletcher and the SV players hope to come back to join us again, perhaps on Tuesday. But, we also learned at the practice that the last day of swimming at Ammon is slated for Sunday. Then they will drain the water out of the pool. So, we'll have to re-locate the sessions and the equipment, hopefully to Highland Park Pool. Stay tuned.

Getting Ready for School. Refresh where we last left off. Erik's Promotion Speech

On the last day of school, Frick Middle School closed. The city-wide magnet was shutting its doors and packing up for a new home, out of Oakland and its 6, 7, and 8th grade setting to the East End, Reizenstein Building and a new configuration of grades 6 to 12.

At the 'promotion celebration' held at Pitt, Erik Rauterkus gave this speech.

San Francisco launch city data website, DataSF.org

http://DataSF.org

To: Open Government

Mayor Newsom Launches DataSF.org to Improve Access to City Data

Challenges San Francisco’s technology community to create new software applications from city data

08/19/09 - Today, joined by technology leaders, Mayor Newsom announced the launch of DataSF.org, an initiative designed to improve access to government data. The new web site will provide a clearinghouse of structured, raw and machine-readable government data to the public in an easily downloadable format. For example, there will be updatedcrime incident data from the San Francisco Police Department and restaurant inspection data from the Department of Public Health.

"By bringing city data and communities together on DataSF.org, we hope to stimulate local industry, create jobs and nurture San Francisco’s creative culture," said Mayor Gavin Newsom. "We imagine developers taking apartment listings and city crime data and mashing it up to help renters find their next home or an iPhone application that shows restaurant ratings based on the highest health code ratings."

The initial version of DataSF.org includes more than 100 datasets, from a range of city departments, including the San Francisco Police Department, Department of Public Works, and the Municipal Transportation Agency.

"We’re excited to see San Francisco embrace President Obama’s call for transparency through the launch of DataSF.org," said Beth Noveck, Federal Deputy Chief Technology Officer leading President Obama’s Open Government Initiative. "We encourage other state and local governments to recognize the value of open data as Mayor Newsom has."

DataSF.org is part of a larger Open Gov Initiative for the City and County of San Francisco, which focuses on open data, open participation and open source. The City’s effort to improve access to government data has already led to the creation of new software applications. Earlier this summer, the Department of Environment released recycling data that was used by a third party to create EcoFinder, an iPhone application that helps residents recycle based on their location.

"The Department of Technology is excited by the opportunity to work more closely with the technology community to lower costs and drive innovation in government," said Chief Information Officer for the City of San Francisco, Chris Vein. "The success of civic tools like the EcoFinder iPhone app clearly demonstrate the value of opening government data."

I've been talking about open source as a platform plank for years. This key point is not yet been understood nor deployed in Pittsburgh, even with the so-called maverick, Bill Peduto.

Years ago I started a Google Calendar for public meetings held at City Hall. That's a no-brainer that has still not been deployed. Often, they don't want the public to know when the meetings are going to occur.

End the software license agreements with Microsoft and turn to Linux and OpenOffice.org and the Open Document format as a standard.

Stream the audio of the city council meetings, ethics board meetings, planning board meetings, citizens police review meetings, and such onto TalkShoe.com. I want to listen to those meetings on the telephone when I'm walking downtown, as they are happening. I want to listen to the meetings as podcasts after they occur.

Kid I coached grew up into a new job as coach

I coached this swimmer. Perhaps I was her first coach.

http://collegeswimming.com/news/2009/aug/9/nova-southeastern-hires-bonewit-cron/

Doing age group swimming can be productive for the local college teams as well.

Challenge this! Jag offs!

Ballot access is the worst sin of PA's political landscape and those that side with that cancer are clueless.

Bram, posted in another blog's comments, "I don't have the slightest problem with candidates trying to knock other candidates from the ballot."

Well, Bram, shame on you for that.

Court costs are part of the quagmire. So, when a candidate goes before the judge, rather than campaigning, to defend his/her right to challenge the status quo and appear on the ballot, the judge can slap a $1.5M fine onto the candidate as has happened in another courtroom same building when I was challenged.

Remember 2006 and the Green candidate for Governor. Remember Titus North too.

Talk about a dangerous, long walk on some very THIN ICE. That's why Pittsburgh seems to have its three choices for mayor brewing in this election. Sigh.

Most ballot challenges are UN-DEMOCRATIC. Here is an idea: Let the voters decide.

Of course this latest challenge to Dok Harris for Mayor is a "R" challenge. And, of course that doesn't matter if it is "R" or not, on the basis of the "R". But because it is from Kevin Acklin -- it sucks and smears Kevin Acklin.

Seems as if this challenge is from KEVIN ACKLIN's camp. Right? If that is the source, that is what matters. That's what sucks the most.

I did not sign anyone's nomination paper. I wasn't asked to do so.

Finally, the funding for the challenge does NOT need to be reported on campaign finance records. Court expenses are not to sway voters in a campaign. It can all be swept under the rug according to the old rules we must sadly follow.

comments to the Pittsburgh Board of Education

Public Hearing August 17, 2009 (lifted from the PureReform site)

Testimony of Kathy Fine:
Good evening to all of the dedicated school board members and district staff of the Pittsburgh Public Schools. I am here tonight to discuss the PSSA results from the 2008-09 school year. As noted by Superintendent Roosevelt, the PPS district has made AYP for the first time since No Child Left Behind mandated that our public schools meet certain benchmarks on the way to 100% proficiency in the year 2014. Congratulations go to everyone that has contributed to raising our students’ scores.

Now that the celebration of this accomplishment is done, let’s look at the scores in depth and from different perspectives in order to can get down to the task of preparing our students for the future. At the last Education Committee meeting, School Director Skip McCrea asked a very pertinent question: What are the longitudinal results of the current PSSA test scores?

In other words, instead of looking at the 3rd grade in 2005 and the 3rd grade in 2006 and the 3rd grade in 2007, etc., let’s look at the 3rd grade in 2005, then follow them to 4th, 5th, and 6th grade and see how one group of students fares over a 4 year period.

The charts that you have in front of you titled “PPS PSSA Scores Over Four Years” look at the results from this perspective. These charts represent the growth of four distinct classes from 2005-06 to 2008-09. These charts give a somewhat different picture of the 2009 PSSA results. In both Reading and Math, only the class of 2015 showed any growth from their 2005 scores. This growth was attained by the current 8th grade class whose results were very high both district wide as well as state wide. In fact, a majority of students lost ground over the four year period. Although we have been able to get certain individual groups of students to perform at the proficient level in Reading and Math at certain points in time, these gains do not follow them through the year.

Recently, the current PA secretary of Education stated that "Six years ago it appeared as though Pittsburgh schools were in an irreversible downward spiral." This comment piqued our interest and led to the compilation of the second set of charts titled “PPS PSSA Scores From 2000-09”. These charts clearly indicate that the PPS were not in an “irreversible downward spiral”, but in fact were in an upward trend on which the current administration has been able to build. We point this out because while the current scores have shown some improvement, there was already a trend toward increasing scores when the current reforms were started and that much more must go into educating our children than teaching them to perform on a particular test. Using a holistic approach to education, modeled after successful programs like the Geoffrey Canada’s “Harlem Children Zone”, creating “safe havens” at each PPS school buildings, with extended hours for the most vulnerable among us, and striving for true parent engagement are a few of the crucial reforms that will produce the sustainable educational gains that are necessary to prepare our youth for a productive future.

Testimony of Annette Werner:
PURE Reform is back from summer break, refreshed and ready to work to further our core values of transparency, effective public participation and parent engagement. Today I’ll be focusing on transparency.

Transparency is crucial for the District as a unit of government. While urging its high school students to “Be the change you want to see,” the District needs to be a strong proponent of the transparency that is necessary to make real public participation possible.

To make the discussion about transparency easier to follow we have organized the material by topic and will be posting it on our website under “Transparency Watch." Progress has been made in a number of areas, but there is still more to be done.

Outstanding items from previous public hearings include the following.
Committees- We requested previously that the formation of committees be announced in advance, that people with a wide range of perspectives be included, and that meetings be open. The district responded that every effort is made to ensure “appropriate representation” and that meetings may be open or closed depending on the nature of the work. Today we ask whether there is any reason not to announce formation of committees in advance, and what exactly is “appropriate representation”- does it include those with opposing viewpoints? What situations require a closed committee? Why for example were meetings of the Pittsburgh Peabody committee closed and when will that committee’s report be released?

EFA Goals- What is the expected date for a report on EFA goals? Since the four year period for EFA PSSA goals has now passed, will updated EFA PSSA and other goals be established and if so, when?

Pittsburgh Milliones- In response to our request for the Memorandum of Understanding between the District and the University of Pittsburgh we received a memorandum with a draft date of 7/3/08. As the school is now entering its second year, we would like to know when the arrangement with Pitt will be finalized and signed. Also, the memorandum has few programmatic details. When will the programmatic details be worked out?

Stimulus funds- The District has provided general information focusing on Title 1 funds. We are requesting that the PPS follow the example of the State and Federal governments and post all expenditures that utilize ARRA money online. Also, information is still needed regarding what the district is doing to maximize school construction funding and efforts to seek funding for the renovation of the Schenley building.

New issues this month are as follows.

Facility conditions index- The District is using the “predecisional” exception of the RTKL for its consultants to withhold information on how it has calculated the cost to renovate specific buildings. However, just because it can withhold the information doesn’t mean that it should do so. Waiting to release information until a decision has already been made prevents the public from examining and verifying information prior to the decision.

Graduation rates- Many people have expressed interest in an update on changes in graduation rates over the last four years using the RAND method rather than for example a method based on the percentage of incoming 12th graders that finish out the year. Are there plans for such an update?

PPS/ State PSSA Gap- Has the district investigated how changes in PPS PSSA scores over the past four years compare to changes in PSSA scores statewide and if so, what were the findings?

Reentry Programs- Where can a student who has dropped out of school find information on reentry programs? What outreach or publicity is in place to attract dropouts to reentry programs?

We look forward to obtaining more information on these important issues. Thank you.

Pittsburgh Public Schools - Stimulus $ - Summer Enrichment RFP for 2010

Pittsburgh Public Schools is Seeking Activities Providers to Submit Proposals to Provide Students in Grades 6-8 with unique summer activities in Summer 2010.

In summer 2010, the Pittsburgh Public Schools will launch a premier summer camp for all Pittsburgh Public Schools students in grades 6-8. The summer program will offer each student a comprehensive approach to literacy, life skills, high school and college readiness, and summer fun.

Pittsburgh Public Schools is determined to give students the ability to enhance their literacy skills and develop new and unique passions through this innovative camp. We are looking for partners with that same determination.

Seeking Activities Providers
Pittsburgh Public Schools wishes to partner with multiple organizations of varying sizes and experience in providing quality and fun extracurricular activities. Activities Providers submitting a proposal must demonstrate an outstanding commitment to students in grades 6-8 and have the interest and capacity to provide students will unique summer activities such as kayaking, ceramics, drama, debate, urban gardening, and more. Providers will be expected to provide activities to students every afternoon Monday – Friday during this exciting 5-week program.

Proposals will be accepted through October 2, 2009 at 5 p.m. Organizations will be selected based on their ability to meet the criteria outlined in the Request for Proposal and possibly interviews. Please visit our website (www.pps.k12.pa.us) for additional information.

To Learn More – Attend a Pre-Bid Conference
You are invited to attend our Pre-Bid Conference on Tuesday, August 25 from 4:30 – 6 p.m. at the Board of Education Building located at 341 S. Bellefield Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213 in Conference Room A. Please RSVP to Eddie Willson, Activities Project Manager at awillson1@pghboe.net or by calling 412-622-3985 by Friday, August 21.

Eddie Willson
Activities Project Manager
Pittsburgh Public Schools
awillson1@pghboe.net
(412) 622-3985

All these sports, trying out a new training diet

Water polo practice on Tuesday

We still have room for you and your friends.

On Wednesday, we had 40 kids playing water polo up in The Hill. I was too busy to take any photos then.

I have been coaching this squad throughout the summer at the Kingsley Association: http://tinyurl.com/mx3ddg

Been there. Done that. Welcome on Green Signs. Big Hair Hello.

How unoriginal can the city and county leaders aspire to be?

For the G-20, if we really wanted to welcome folks, we'd construct one of these out by the Parkway West from the airport:

From Water Town in East China

As as we are cleaning up around town, what about this as a redd up item.

Building used to sell tombstones. Go figure. And, it sits between Oakland and Downtown as well as between Oakland and South Side. It is next to a highway. Put a big sign to cover that!

Dear D, put me on the air

I could help you with a 20 or 30-min segment on Saturday night. We are going to play WATER POLO in the HILL DISTRICT starting on Monday at 11 am to 12:30 pm. This is a new program with the support of citiparks at Ammon Rec Center. It goes 5 days per week. Costs $0.

Plus, we'll also play in the evenings at the JCC in Monroeville. Fees apply. And, we have a game in 3 weeks with a New Jersey Prep School -- The Lawrence School (google it) at IUP.

I need players and coaches and helpers and MORE PLAYERS. We can talk about swimming and socio economic things too -- like Michael Phelps and the body suits.

My cell: 412 298 3432
Mark@Rauterkus.com

I really would like to get the news about about this new program of water polo. Plus, it will be a Schenley High School sport in September.

Plus on Sat & Sun I'm doing a Triathlon at North Park. Grass roots summertime fun expert -- Mark Rauterkus -- at your service. Summer isn't over yet!

Fishing for water polo players.

Two of my children are in the PPS IB program. I'd love to invite youand your kids to these activities.

We are trying hard to get the word out to all that a new activity isstarting on Monday at 11 am. Water Polo. And, it is going to continueas the principal at Schenley High School recently wrote a letter tothe PIAA saying that water polo will be a non varsity sport there!

I am most excited about these opportunities for fitness and fun in sports.
A one page PDF is attached.

Morning Sessions are with Citiparks support at the outdoor, 50-meter,swim pool at Ammon Rec Center, 2216 Bedford Ave. This winter thosefacilities had a $600,000 fix up. Times in the water from 11 to 12:30.Cost is $0. The successful swim coaches at Frick are both going tohelp with the program from time to time.

Evening Sessions are at the JCC Monroeville, outdoors, at their FamilyPark. There is a fee if you take part in those sessions.

We are looking for kids ages 10 and older who are with comfort in thewater. We are especially interested in high school kids too, at thistime. Both boys and girls, and even adults.

More insights:http://rauterkus.com/pipermail/412-public-campaign/2009-July/000057.html(past email blast)

http://CLOH.wikia.com

Hey IOC, We don't want the Olympics in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh can't even host the Keystone State Games.

I worry about Chicago hosting the Olympics in 2016, if that should come to pass.

We have to worry about the G-20 in September. They have yet to cancell schools for then. Nor have they even picked a slogan to put on the signs that are going to adorn the highways from the airport by September 1.

Heck the nonprofit foundation that was started two years ago by Dan Onorato, The Parks Foundation, has yet to hold a blasted meeting.

I love the Olympics at many levels. I went to Beijing in 2008 as an independent sports fan and blogger. We travel. We coach. We play hard.

Holy Cow. Let's focus on Chicago. Good job with the distance on the Pittsburgh idea.

Next big sports moment for us is The Great Race the same weekend as the G-20 in September. Then we need to change the rules of Major League Baseball so that the teams that suck are relegated to the minors.

Big dead line and anniversary

Today is the day that people from outside of the D and R political parties must complete the delivery of nomination papers to get onto the November ballot. So, the final signatures and sheets from Kevin Acklin and Dok Harris are due -- signed, sealed and delivered.

There are always a few folks we come to meet on this day. Is there going to be a candidate from the Socialist Party? Remember Frank?

Tomorrow starts the period where political operatives begin to search in earnest for the dead people who have been known to sign those papers. Challenges may or may not appear for the mayor's opponents. In general, Luke's camp is going to be happy to have two opponents so knocking one or the other out of the race would be a dangerous move. To focus the ABY (anyone but Luke) vote in one category is a tiny fear.

The real fear of politicians is not something that ever appears on the ballots in Pennsylvania and one that should be part of every election: NOTA (None of the above). All elections should have a choice called, 'none of the above.' That way the ones who are unhappy with the state of affairs in that specific race could raise their outrage without lifting a brick, fist or worse.

And, frankly, it is too much work to run for office yourself to make a point. Rather, the point of 'none of the above' should be handy for us all to make on election days.

Two years ago, an ex Division I football player, a former service man who had jumped out of airplanes, Pitt student, and Libertarian, Tony Oliva, filed papers to appear on the ballot for mayor. He had worked throughout the summer to get a bulk of the signatures.

That year, 2007, I ran for public office too -- for both city council and city controller.

Mark DeSantis got onto the ballot in 2007 with a write in campaign among Rs in the primary. In 2009, Luke Ravenstahl won the R primary, blocking any possible charge from another via that avenue.

In 2008, we were packing to head to Beijing, China, to enjoy the Olympics. It was a quiet election cycle for me as Obama was pounding on McCain and my guy was Ron Paul, R from Texas. He was out by then, just holding a counter convention in Minnesota, larger than what the GOP was able to stage.

In 2006, I filed papers to run for State Senate, district 42 against Wayne Fontana. Before the judge in Harrisburg, on the day before I went to Canada to coach a swim camp, I put into the public record the fact that my challenge of campaign nomination papers came from the office of my state senator. Political work had been done in the public office to eliminate any and all opponents from the ballot. The judge found it interesting that the fax header of papers delivered to me had both law office stationary and the faxing fingerprints of PA Senate District 42's Harrisburg name and number clearly at the top of the pages of one of the summons that called for me to appear in court.

Later, we'd see lots of folks in Harrisburg get arrested for miss-use of staffers. Bonus-gate.

At the same time, PA's Green Party candidate for Governor was racking up legal bills and court charges so he could appear on the ballot. He was hit with charges from the judges / courts for hundreds of thousands of dollars. And, the case went to the top court of Pennsylvania as well.

I knew when to fold em, as the country and western song lyrics go.

In 2009, something might happen soon. But not with me in terms of election day participation. For me, I looking to make some swimmers and water polo player and open a new front in the battle against couch potatoes and obesity.

PDF of Water Polo Handout. Feel free to post far and wide!

Play & Learn Water Polo

Practices & Game Play

Begins August 10, 2009

Day Time Practices:

M-F, 11 AM to 12:30 PM, outdoors, with Citiparks & Ammon Rec Center, 2217 Bedford.

Cost $0.

and/or

Evening Practices:

M-F, outdoors, for 3 weeks at Jewish Community Center, Monroeville.

Cost $50 for swim team kids. $75 for adults non JCC Members. $10 per day.

Attend what you can, one or both. On site registration or call or online RSVP.

Boys, Girls and Adults welcome.

Clinics geared to rookie players, but like an All-Star Team. Instruction, drills, skill development, conditioning, game situations, tactics, scrimmages, a DVD, plus a friendly test match / competition. Get new respect for this Olympic sport, team-play and friends.

Sat, Aug 29, Friendly Test Match at IUP vs. The Lawrence School, a Prep School in New Jersey.
Four expected games: Varsity boys, Varsity girls, JV boys and JV girls.

These open, community clinics, both Citiparks and JCC, are coached activities. No need to be from any specific school. A water polo team is starting at Schenley High School this fall.

Organizer: Coach Mark Rauterkus - 412 298 3432, Mark@Rauterkus.com http://CLOH.wikia.com

---

Above as a Google Document: http://docs.google.com/View?id=ddznxj6h_663hdn99xfw

Water Polo comes to Citiparks and YOU are needed as a player

This could be you starting next week at a Citiparks Pool, Ammon Rec Center, from 11 am to 12:30, Monday to Fridays.

Summer isn't over yet. You'll get into better shape for fall sports or else keep the stamina you built in the pool from the summer training.

We need players. We've got the pool, the goals and desire to have community water polo begin in earnest. This is a real outreach for engagement and the success of this summer's program can go a long ways to getting more kids fit, into productive activities and opening more opportunities at our pools elsewhere.

I'm not buying this CBA stuff. Better to Lay the Shovel Down.

Yadda, yadda, yadda.

Kevin Acklin: CBA Remarks Before City Council from Acklin for Pittsburgh on Vimeo.

Here are some of my thoughts, from Facebook and Twitter.

Pittsburgh's future has certain keys to its long-term wellness. Our public life needs to change. We must begin to Lay the Shovel Down. Change, of course. I'm for change. But, how that change unfolds is an important conversation.

I think the mayor candidate needs to think again about being a leader of free people. People of Pittsburgh do not want to choose between a devil we know and one we don't. We'll stick with the one we already know and understand by now. We'll avoid the backlashings.

Likewise Pittsburgh's citizens do not want to choose between two different flavors of dictators, as was the case in Poland in World War II. Hitler was to the west and Stalin was to the east. Having no reasonable option means people will sit it out and, if possible, vote with their feet.

At the hearing today in City Council for CBAs (Community Benefits Agreemets) remember that it is always helps to advance your cause if you are eloquent, moving and inspiring, and in a big group, err, mob. These rules apply, most of all, when you are trying to spend other people's money.

At its root, a CBA is an agreement to take. It is with less force than taxes. But, it is another type of taxation. CBAs will and do offer pause for private investors.

The pragmatic solution to all CBS rests with politicians and accountability among voters. We need elected stewarts of the public purses to have the balls to say 'no.' I don't want anyone to give bribes with government funding, ever. If that is imposible, we'll then it needs to be where we head for the next five years. We need less. We need to nuke give-a-way avenues.

The real purpose of government is to insure freedom first.

As, or if, the City of Pittsburgh was to exit itself from all handouts of public funds to developers and sports teams, then city life would get much more simple on Grant Street.

I'd have a CBA litmus test. Kevin Acklin doesn't want one. He is WRONG. My litmus test is with a focus that no public money should be given to private developers. Then, with that policy, there is no need for CBAs.

"It's tremendously bad policy for mayor to just say categorically that [the Hill District agreement] was a one-shot deal," Kevin Acklin.

Pittsburgh needs to wake up to the concepts at hand that government can not create jobs. Well, to be fair, it can create jobs with patronage. But, it can't generate wealth and sustainable living. And, with the government jobs, we get deeper into debt with those pension funds. (see below) The city needs to stop with the building of subsidized office buildings, and subsidized sports stadiums too. http://bit.ly/aKzwU But they worry that only people with subsidized housing can take the jobs in subsidized buildings. Golly. End the give-a-ways to the developers. End the churn for the builders by making sure that they pay for what they want without any of our public money.

If you want more proof (pun) that Pittsburgh politicians can't BRIBE businesses to move and stay in the city, consider Iron City Brewing. The water bill there was huge. Promises were obtained. But they went down the drain (another pun). Tough luck to Patrick Dowd. Iron City Brewing hurled on us despite a pledge to do otherwise, just as Lord & Taylor did, Lazarus, and the rest of the greedy ones that manage to take public money from more than willing politicians.

In similar news, Bill Peduto said, as quoted in the Philly paper, "We'll never dig ourselves out with the tools that we've been given," He is exactly right. But, how we go forward is where we part ways. I sing, "Lay the shovel down!" http://tinyurl.com/mxfotb Peduto sings for better tools -- as he did with the arrival of not one but two sets of Overlords. He wants more government and bigger law books. I want a purpose for our government that insures personal liberty.

The long term fix isn't a crew of bulldozers to raze worn out houses in Hazelwood either. The fix is a return to the land value tax. Government needs to tax the land, and not the buildings. As it is now with our property taxes, those that let buildings go into disrepear are given a tax break with lower taxes. Meanwhile, those who are fixing up their homes are given a punishment with higher taxes. Gov needs to end the rewards to the owners of buildings who promote dump status. When the land value tax is embraced again, the dozers are going to be paid for by private owners.

Couch surfers isn't an online dating service.

Us Now from Banyak Films on Vimeo.

Better than mom's meeting online -- is stay at home dads holding a national convention. :) Been there, done that, about 7 years ago.

Invite from Rick F and the BGC with a new space

Celebrate a new collaborative approach to creating regional change!

You are Cordially Invited…

Bloomfield Garfield Corporation Youth Development Center & The Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center
Grand Opening Celebration

Shared Space - New Management Structure

Thursday July 23, 2009
5321 Penn Avenue

Picnic Lunch - 12:00 pm

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony & Remarks
by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl - 1:00 pm

Please send your RSVP to Rick Flanagan at Rflanag@aol.com

Too bad the mayor can't share space in the parks and swim pools.

Water Polo: JCC August 09 - for Country Clubs

Play & Learn Water Polo

Practices & Game

August 10 to August 28, 2009

Evenings, M-F, outdoors, for 3 weeks at Jewish Community Center, Monroeville

Cost: $50 for swim team kids.

On site registration or call or online RSVP. Drop in fee is $10 per day.

Boys, Girls and Adults welcome.

Clinic geared to rookie players. Learn about this Olympic sport. Instruction, drills, skill development, conditioning, game situations, tactics, scrimmages, a DVD, plus a friendly test match / competition.

Get new respect for the sport, team-play and friends. Like an All-Star team, yet nearly everyone is a water polo rookie.

Organizer: Coach Mark Rauterkus - 412 298 3432, Mark@Rauterkus.com

2009 JCC Monroeville Water Polo Sessions:

Monday, August 10, 6:30 to 8 pm
Tue, Aug 11, 6:30 to 8 pm
Wed, Aug 12, 7:30 to 8:30 pm
Thur, Aug 13, 6:30 to 8 pm

Monday, August 17, 6:30 to 8 pm
Tue, Aug 18, 6:30 to 8 pm
Wed, Aug 19, 7:30 to 8:30 pm
Thur, Aug 20, 6:30 to 8 pm
Fri, Aug 21, 6:00 to 8 pm (intra squad scrimmage)

Monday, August 24, 6:30 to 8 pm
Tue, Aug 25, 6:30 to 8 pm
Wed, Aug 26, 7:30 to 8:30 pm
Thur, Aug 27, 6:30 to 8 pm
Fri, Aug 28, 6:00 to 8 pm (intra squad scrimmage)

Sat, Aug 29, Friendly Test Match at IUP vs. The Lawrence School, a Prep School in New Jersey.
Four expected games: Varsity boys, Varsity girls, JV boys and JV girls

Rain or shine.

Swimming ability expected: i.e., swim 100 yards in deep pool.

Sign up and pass the word to lifeguards and athletes.

FEES:

$50 for KIDS who are members of any Swimming or Water Polo Teams
$50 for JCC Adult Members - $75 for non members

$10 per day for drop in participants.

This open, community clinic and JCC program for members and nonmembers ages 10 and above (even with masters/adults) is a CLUB activity, not a school specific activity. But, we are starting water polo at Schenley High School this fall.

Also see: http://CLOH.wikia.com

Call for Action for Northside & PIIN

PIIN = Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network.

PIIN members, supporters & friends:

Please Join PIIN on Thursday July 23, 2009, at 5:30 pm to help us fill Calvary Methodist Church on the Northside as we stand with Northside United and other supporters to demand a Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) from Continental Development. Our message flows from the Holy Ground Campaign. The city and state are giving millions in land and money to millionaires on the Northshore while our young people are dying in Northside neighborhoods.

PIIN believes that anytime major development takes place in a community, the community should have a voice and benefit from the development. Mayor Ravenstahl has said that the Hill was an exception and there will be no more CBAs in Pittsburgh. We need to win a CBA on the Northside to set/confirm the precedent now so that when development is proposed for other neighborhoods CBAs are the norm not the exception.

Please announce this in your congregations over the weekend and ask friends, family and members of your congregation to come support the justice we are fighting for on the North Side!

Action is being taken to fight for this CBA. Now it's PIIN's turn to weigh in and act on what we believe is fair and just!

The July 23rd Event:

PIIN with Northside United will take the lead on a July 23rd Thursday evening rally at 5:30 pm at Calvary. We are asking your congregation to come out in support of the Northside which deserve some benefit from the development happening in their neighborhood. After a brief program at the church we will we will go by bus or on foot down to the hotel site just a few blocks away to symbolically claim the site as Northside.

Background and Issue

Northside United with the support of Pittsburgh United (PIIN, SEIU, Workers United, Sierra Club, League of young Voters, ACORN, NAACP, One Hill and Northside Common Ministries) has been working for more than a year to get a community benefit agreement from the Rooneys and Continental, their developers of a hotel and amphitheater near the stadiums. Continental developed and manages the Waterfront which brings no benefit to the Homestead community and is a huge collection of low paying jobs. The Rooneys and Continental received the Northside land for 1/10 of its value ($8/square foot) and then got $2.5 million from the state for the project.

Blocks away from this multi-million dollar give-away is the rest of the Northside community which puts up with the negative consequences of the ‘North shore’ development and has been consistently told by Mayor Ravenstahl that there will be no community benefit agreement for the Northside. The city conveniently changed the name of the area closest to the rivers and downtown to the ‘Northshore’, but it has always been part of Manchester and Allegheny (Northside Neighborhoods). Continental and the Rooneys have also consistently refused to even meet with the community.

The remaining leverage the community has is to too put enough pressure on the mayor and city council that they will step in and force an agreement. The community is asking for first access to the jobs at the hotel and amphitheater, that they be family sustaining jobs and for reinvestment in the rest of the community which will suffer the additional traffic, parking problems, pollution, noise and other consequences of this development and the Casino.

Banners and fliers all focus on ‘taking back the Northshore -— reclaiming it as Northside’. Northside United has asked for a meeting with the Mayor and the City Council has already scheduled a public hearing for Monday, July 27th. Northside United members blocked the doors of the DelMonte building on the Northshore which is managed by Continental. Four people sat in front of the doors and got arrested.

Please join us and help create the pressure needed to get this agreement!

More details of water polo, just approved, for August 2009 - PILOT needs your help for PR and playing

Do you want to play some water polo in August?

This new progam offers 14 practices in August in the evenings at the outdoor pool (50m x 25y) at JCC Monroeville. That final approval just arrived for this an open, community clinic and JCC program for members and nonmembers ages 10 and above (even with masters/adults).

This is a CLUB activity, not a school specific activity.

Time for me to promote the program with PR and marketing materials and get some participants.


TIMES and DATES:

2009 JCC Monroeville Schedule for JCC Water Polo Sessions: Monday, August 10, 6:30 to 8 pm
Tue, Aug 11, 6:30 to 8 pm
Wed, Aug 12, 7:30 to 8:30 pm
Thur, Aug 13, 6:30 to 8 pm

Monday, August 17, 6:30 to 8 pm
Tue, Aug 18, 6:30 to 8 pm
Wed, Aug 19, 7:30 to 8:30 pm
Thur, Aug 20, 6:30 to 8 pm
Fri, Aug 21, 6:00 to 8 pm (intra squad scrimage)

Monday, August 24, 6:30 to 8 pm
Tue, Aug 25, 6:30 to 8 pm
Wed, Aug 26, 7:30 to 8:30 pm
Thur, Aug 27, 6:30 to 8 pm
Fri, Aug 28, 6:00 to 8 pm (intra squad scrimage)

Sat, Aug 29, Friendly Test Match at IUP vs. The Lawrence School, a Prep School from New Jersey

FEES:

$50 for KIDS who are members of any Swimming or Water Polo Teams (kids fee)
$50 for JCC Members - Adults
$75 for non members
$10 per day for drop in participants

G-20 Logo for your use

The G-20 talk is heating. It will be over before you know it. Feel free to use this logo on your site and pound away at the G-20 wiki too.

Told ya. Come on people. Let's get together already.

I asked weeks ago for a decision about closing schools and the school district for the days and week of the G-20. Close the schools, throughout the district, for three days, W-Th-Fri. Let everyone know now. Get out of town.

I asked / told weeks ago that South Side's closed South Vo Tech High School be put into use for feeding the security workers. Allow all the police to go there for cafeteria food, around the clock. The G-20 folks can buy it. Overflow can go to the Market House too.

Furthermore, South Side's Stadium / Cupples Field, could be used as a detention site. Football games that week should be played on WPIAL sites.

Furthermore, it might make good sense to keep the Rodgers Middle School kids out of downtown, not only for this week -- but forever. It was always a bad idea to send dozens of yellow buses downtown twice a day to transport the middle school kids to CAPA as a 6-12 grade school.

Asked about the possibility of school closures, Mr. Berdnik said, "I don't think we have a firm answer on that yet." Ms. Fischetti said she'd heard no discussion of closing all district schools.

District officials confirmed that the first lady's office had inquired about the possibility of an event involving the district, but they declined to elaborate.

The school board Wednesday will vote on spending $10,000 to provide G-20 training to district security officers. Mr. Berdnik said the training will help the district enhance security at schools near the summit and anticipated protests.

"I would not underestimate the impact of this event," Mr. Berdnik said, noting summit planners might ask to use closed schools as dormitories for out-of-town police or for other purposes.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09197/984331-482.stm#ixzz0LQtkQlNW

Michelle Obama should speak at Schenley / Pittsburgh International High School. That's the place she is expected.

Folly of City Council

I posted at PghComet.blogspot.com this comment:

Just as Doug Shields did in his fight to pull the plug on the Curfew Center because it was NOT part of the 5 year plan and would have to cost too much, $.5M in 2009, -- so goes this chapter.

The Curfew Center should go away because the laws are discrimination. It should NEVER BE illegal to be alive and out.

Doug Shields should have moved to take the curfew laws off the books -- and then we'd have no need to have a $.5 M per year Curfew Center Boondoggle.

Likewise with the ZBA, Shade Tree Commission, Planning Goobers, and the other dozens of rubber stamps that are woven through the authorities and commissions and appointments in this town.

The Zoning Board is a huge problem. The board is stacked now. I'd move to NUKE it.

I like the older approach finally championed by Alan Hertzberg. He came around to the idea in his last seasons. ELIMINATE the URA.

But no. Bill Peduto wants to create a bigger government -- with the arrival of the stimulus overlords.

A family birthday ends in tragedy, when a little boy ends up in trouble.

Las Vegas: 4-year-old drowns during family pool party

The four-year-old ended up under the water at the Camden Bel Air apartment complex, near Gowan and Tenaya, on Saturday afternoon.

The little boy had been celebrating a sibling's birthday with family and friends, before he was found at the bottom of the complex's pool.

According to Metro, everybody had just got out of the pool for lunch, but nobody saw the 4-year-old go back into the pool.

"This is known as a silent death. We don't hear the splashes. We don't hear the screams. We don't hear the cries," said Lt. Ray Steiber, with Metro Police.

Adults by the poolside dialed 9-1-1 after the boy was found unconscious.

CPR was unsuccessful on the young child. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

"It's really sad. This has gotta stop. Enough is enough, how many kids have gotta die before things change," said Cameron Azgar, who lives near the pool where the child drowned.

The 4-year-old is not being identified at this time.

Metro spent most of Saturday afternoon interviewing witnesses who were nearby at the time of the drowning.

This marks the seventh child drowning in Las Vegas so far this year. Last year's total was seven for the entire year.

Metro says the only way to stop this startling trend is constant supervision.

Constant supervision is necessary. But, same too, instructional swimming for everyone. Boys and girls age 4 can swim. That's young. But, it is possible. And, with the swim instruction comes the lessons of being safe, of screaming for help, of respect for the water.

Learning to swim is a public safety issue. And, getting those lessons to the kids is the duty of all of us.

Lance and Robin on Tour

robinandlance.AVI -- powered by http://www.livestrong.com

Hitler chimes in on recent trades of Pittsburgh Pirates

It just never ends.

Crippling. Who is crippling whom?

"The city rolls are replete with people who've done the same thing that Paul has," said Len Sweeney, his attorney. "If they suspended every city employee who was arrested, it would have a crippling effect on the workforce."

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09193/983409-53.stm#ixzz0L4gsTYNa&C

Does the work force cripple the city? Or, would a work force without legal hangups be so thin as to cripple the city? Or, do laws that punish without victims cripple society? Or, is the city work force and the sheer size of government so massive that the economy is crippled due to government sprawl?

Mike's big story on corruption in Western PA and with the Catholic Church

http://www.examiner.com/x-12613-Pittsburgh-Independent-Examiner~y2009m7d12-Citizen-investigator-wont-be-silenced

In 1985 or 1986, Sister Dorothy ventured to diocesan headquarters to voice her concerns about Wellinger who served as assistant pastor at St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Clairton, PA. Sister Dorothy served as the principal. Sister Dorothy reported to diocesan officials that Wellinger would inappropriately touch children. Diocesan leaders did nothing. It’s important to note that Archbishop Anthony Bevilacqua, now the leader of the Philadelphia Archdiocese, was bishop of the Pittsburgh Diocese at the time of Sister Dorothy’s complaint.

M

Some Brotherly Love

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/08/pool-boots-kids-who-might_n_228013.html

WQED announces layoffs

WQED announces layoffs: "WQED announces layoffs"

QED can go into nothingness for all I care. Too much cooking. Too much Do-Whop. Too little politics.

Not a single debate in the spring for the mayor's race. Nothing for other candidates. That is part of the charter of what public telivision should be doing.

I've been slamming QED since Jim Roddey was on the board there. That's why he wouldn't sign my petition to help me get onto the ballot in 2001. QED has been a major disappointment to Pittsburgh for the past decade or more.

US Serviceman departs Afgan, but leaves big waves behind

Afghanistan Water Polo: A Coach Leaves, Big Demands, and Delays: "A Coach Leaves, Big Demands, and Delays

Pittsburgh Penguins - News: Penguins Rank #3 in Professional Sports in Fan Relations - 07/06/2009

Pittsburgh Penguins - News: Penguins Rank #3 in Professional Sports in Fan Relations - 07/06/2009 The Pittsburgh Penguins rank No. 3 out of 122 professional sports teams in fan relations and No. 4 in ownership, according to an annual survey conducted by ESPN The Magazine.

Getting new arena helps?
Tearing down old arena hurts.

Interested in hockey? http://hockey.alltop.com/

How Bad Are Auto Sales? 10 Questions and Answers -- Printout -- TIME

How Bad Are Auto Sales? 10 Questions and Answers -- Printout -- TIME: "How Bad Are Auto Sales? 10 Questions and Answers"

I'm in the market for a new or used car.

ÜberTwitter - michaelsally - Some fun in the park with @Rauterkus

ÜberTwitter - michaelsally - Some fun in the park with @Rauterkus

New G-20 Logo

This is in the public domain.

Resumes of Hopeful New School Board Members

Resumes on the web as a Google Documents. Plus, links to their wiki pages, with photos too, at FixPA.wikia.com. As more info is obtained, the wiki pages can be freely updated.

• Kathy Fine Resume
• and full URL: http://docs.google.com/View?id=ddznxj6h_659cfd9m8dw
• http://fixpa.wikia.com/wiki/Kathy_Fine
  

• Stephanie Tecza Resume
• and full URL: http://docs.google.com/View?id=ddznxj6h_660c4tsqbpd
• http://fixpa.wikia.com/wiki/Stephanie_Tecza
  

Pick one Mayor Luke

Hey Mayor -- pick one.

As you all have probably heard, Heather Arnet is resigning from the school
board. The mayor will appoint a replacement that will hold the seat until the
next municipal election in November 2011. Two members of the PURE Reform
Steering Committee, Stephanie Tecza and me, Kathy Fine have submitted our names to the Mayor to be considered for this appointment. Please find attached the resumes of both candidates and I encourage all of to call, write or email the
mayor's office to voice support for one or both of these candidates:

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Mayor’s Office
Room 512, City-County Building
414 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-255-2626
pghschoolboard@city.pittsburgh.pa.us

Pirates rank . . . last. Surprised?

ESPN the Magazine ranks all 122 pro sports franchises. The Pirates ranked last (#122) in commitment to winning, 'nuff said.

There was a time when I was a Pirate season ticket holder. I have attended only 4 games in the past five years. This season I was going to make the commitment to attend more games, buying into management's latest "Five Year Plan."

SUCKER!!

My son, who use to go to the games with me, refuses to go. We have been bobble-headed, fireworked, and concerted out. What we would like to see is a competitive BASEBALL team, ideally the home team. ESPN has only confirmed what Pirate fans have known for seventeen years; you want to see a top class organization watch the Penguins or the Steelers, you want to watch a loser go to PNC Park.

7 Teenagers Shot Near Detroit School - NYTimes.com

Ugh.

7 Teenagers Shot Near Detroit School - NYTimes.com: "Gunmen in a green minivan opened fire on a group of teenagers waiting at a bus stop near a Detroit school on Tuesday, wounding at least seven including two who were in critical condition, authorities said.
At least five of the teens, including the two in critical condition, had just gotten out of summer classes at Cody Ninth Grade Academy when they were shot at the nearby bus stop, said Detroit Public Schools Police Chief Roderick Grimes.

Worst nightmare.

WDUQ News: G20 Marketing Efforts Underway

What in the world do they have to market, exactly?

WDUQNews: G20 Marketing Efforts Underway G20 Marketing Efforts Underway

With the leadership of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development the new group “Pittsburgh G-20 Partnership” has gathered a long list of participants and nearly half a million dollars.

The marketing, so conventional wisdom says, is to rebrand Pittsburgh. OMG.

We'd do better to give each member of the 4,000 extra police a free ticket and pass to return to Pittsburgh within the next year and bring their families. They could get admissions to Kennywood, Sandcastle and perhaps a pass for The Great Race or Marathon.

How about if we market to the 3,000 journalists that come and have them all bring their family members. We could set up day-care centers and day-trips for their spouse and kids and grandparents. Bingos, trips to Falling Water, Science Center Sub Rides, Bike rides along the trail on the Yough. We could keep some of the outdoor swim pools open, say at Highland Park and have a swim and zoo day camp. "Hey Zoo Campers!"

I don't think that the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and I shares the same branding vision.

Patrick Dowd voted No on the Amended Act 47 Plan. The Amended Plan fails on a number of accounts.

The Act 47 team calls for further tax and fee increases on City residents and businesses. Despite the history of a contentious and lengthy three-year tax debate to win legislative approval for broader based taxing authority (e.g. the payroll and municipal services tax), the Plan reverts back to the narrow definition of the City’s tax base by calling for tax and fee increases on local businesses only. The Act 47 team rejected Council’s request to remove this so-called “failsafe” option, raising taxes on city residents and businesses, from the Amended Plan.

This Plan provides no mandate to cap legacy liabilities such as pension and debt. In fact, this Plan opens the door to higher cost long-term pension bonds to fill gaps created by recent market declines. This is recommended without mandates to cap rising pension expenses. To further burden our residents and business with added liabilities is senseless. I question the timing of this recommendation particularly in light of the failed debt restructuring done in 2006 for the City and in 2007 and 2008 by the PWSA.

Finally, and most importantly, this Plan fails to resolve the City’s structural imbalance: annual revenues are not sufficient to meet annual expenses. The stated purpose of this Plan is to provide the City with a “blueprint to complete its financial recovery.” The failure to achieve this blueprint is best exemplified by the City’s debt service payments, which, in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, rise once again to $87 million resulting in annual operation deficits of $24 million.

As I have stated in the past, the Amended Act 47 Plan reflects the failures of oversight. Because of a lack of diligence in implementation, one third of the new initiatives are carry-overs from the original 2004 Plan. Moreover, many of the most significant initiatives in the original 2004 Plan were in place by 2005, including the merger of the City and County’s 911 Call Centers and the privatization of fleet maintenance. Most importantly, under the auspices of the Act 47 team, $125 million in additional debt was added to years 2012 through 2017. A 2006 bond restructuring created seven additional years of high debt payments. Without it, the City’s debt payments would have declined steadily to $40 million by 2018. Instead, annual debt payments will be $90 million today until 2018.

Since Pittsburgh entered Act 47 supervision, the City has generated year-end surpluses. This in itself is positive. However, the increasing size of surplus revenue is a serious concern, particularly given that the Act 47 Plan calls for tax increases. Either the City is over-budgeting expenses or does not account for the real cost of services delivered. Regardless, City residents and business appear to be over-taxed for the services they are actually receiving. The residents and businesses of the City deserve an honest budget, one that reflects the services they are, in fact, receiving.

The Plan sets the course for our budgetary and fiscal program for the next five years. Despite Council’s amendments, the Plan continues to lack a strategic and cohesive program to tackle legacy costs, measure and contain operating costs against services tackle legacy costs, measure and contain operating costs against services required and delivered, and do so without raising taxes. Just this week, the Pew Charitable Trusts reported that the City of Pittsburgh is the worst-funded of 10 pension plans it reviewed. To throw surpluses at uncapped pension liabilities, to allow the continuation of debt restructuring to further burden the budget, and to do all this without a vision for economic growth is short-sighted and fails the intent of Pittsburgh’s entrance into Act 47. This is not a Plan to restore financial health and sovereignty to Pittsburgh. It is, rather, another 5 years – with a near-certain 5-year extension beyond that – in which financial distress is prolonged and self governance surrendered. Our current and potentially indefinite status as a distressed City will hobble our efforts at regional dialogue and intergovernmental cooperation with the county and neighboring municipalities.

I did not vote for the amended Act 47 Plan because it perpetuates the very problems that have long caused the City’s financial distress. The Plan returns to the narrow definition of the City’s tax base and calls for tax and fee increases on local residents and businesses. Simultaneously, the Plan asks them to accept service cuts and expenditure reductions. The Act 47 team misunderstands that old saying: it is “do more with less,” not “pay more for less.” The Plan also fails to cap the long-term liabilities or to mandate the rigorous use of performance measures, thereby ensuring that Pittsburgh’s future generations will face exactly these same problems. Most importantly, the Plan likely returns the City to distressed municipality status in 2014. The goal of this Plan is to give Pittsburgh an “exit strategy” for its status as a distressed municipality, but because the structural imbalances continue well beyond 2013, the Plan fails to meet that goal.

Sincerely,
Patrick Dowd

G-20 summit: City could need 4,000 police officers

New idea from me concerning this need.

G-20 summit: City could need 4,000 police officers: "Pittsburgh officials also must find a place for out-of-town officers to sleep. Chief Harper said a building with a cafeteria, such as a former school, would be ideal.

Rent the empty South Side Vo Tech High School to the police for the next year. That could be turned into a cafeteria. They could park the new segways upstairs. The sports stadium could be turned into holding area.

Arnet quits city school board

Theme, not yet complete.

Arnet quits city school board: "In December, Ms. Arnet voted with other board members for an audit of the district's compliance with Title IX, the federal law designed to increase athletic opportunities for girls. The audit is not complete.

We await the report.

G20 Protests: PC Rob Ward Given Written Warning Over Facebook Status On Bashing Hippies | UK News | Sky News

G20 Protests: PC Rob Ward Given Written Warning Over Facebook Status On Bashing Hippies UK News Sky News: "A police officer has been given a written warning after he posted on his Facebook page that he was going to 'bash' demonstrators at the G20 protests.

Oakland could host part of G-20 | TPN Evolve

Say what?

Oakland could host part of G-20 TPN Evolve: "If the White House allows it, local officials would like to hold part of the Group of 20 summit on Pitt’s campus.If the White House allows it, local officials would like to hold part of the Group of 20 summit on Pitt’s campus.

They might need to use the heli ports. That's about it.

Bill Flanagan must be nuts.

Officials can be tourists and buy a Pitt t-shirt and see the "International Rooms." But, beyond that, hit the dino road and stay downtown for the official events.

One of the best ways to highlight Oakland while the G-20 is here, is to keep all the events at the Convention Center and stay the hell away -- with official pissing events. Don't they understand that Oakland, by and large, is still reeling with the hurt from the "no couch on porche laws."

How much can one neighborhood endure?

University officials declined to comment, so I'll do it for them. "F-Off jag offs."

Meanwhile, in other news, Gov Rendell swipes all the federal stimulus money from Pitt and he might as well kisses $20-M away on gambling table games too.

There is a PRAMANIT Brothers in The Strip, for goodness sake. Walk there after the meetings. Hit the Heinz History Center. Take a water taxi to Station Square and the Science Center. Visit the blasted block house. How about if we have an open skate at the Civic Arena and a game of two day crickett at PNC PARK.

Memo to economic diplomat meeting planners, if you want to move out of Strip District, North Shore, South Side's Station Square or Lower Hill / Civic Arena, then you need a hall pass or better be bleeding with body fluids spilling. Otherwise, wait until the Great Race and do the 5K or 10K.

NCAA:Career Center with cool job at CMU

NCAA:Career Center: "Asst. Ath. Director, Univ. Programs & Intramurals"

Obama as Sports Czar, give me a break

Obama as Sports Czar? Mostly Good -- NCAA Basketball FanHouse: "We chatted in the back room of an ESPN studio in southern California this spring, when Robinson said of his sister's husband, 'What people slept on with Barack is how really smart he is. When he's reading through the paper, he's not just reading the business section or the political section. He's reading the sports section, and he retains everything, because he's such a big fan.'

Tribute to the Moon Walk

Proposal: Seeking Water Polo Players in Pittsburgh in August

This is a proposal yet.

2009 JCC Monroeville Schedule for JCC Water Polo Sessions:

Monday, August 10 - swim closes at 7 pm - Water polo session #1 from 6:30 to 8 pm
Tue, Aug 11, swim closes at 7 pm - Water polo session #2 from 6:30 to 8 pm
Wed, Aug 12, swim closes at 8 pm - Water polo session #3 from 7:30 to 8:30 pm
Thur, Aug 13, swim closes at 7 pm - Water polo session #4 from 6:30 to 8 pm
Friday - Aug 14 - closed

Monday, August 17 - swim closes at 7 pm - Water polo session #5 from 6:30 to 8 pm
Tue, Aug 18, swim closes at 7 pm - Water polo session #6 from 6:30 to 8 pm
Wed, Aug 19, swim closes at 8 pm - Water polo session #7 from 7:30 to 8:30 pm
Thur, Aug 20, swim closes at 7 pm - Water polo session #8 from 6:30 to 8 pm
Friday - Aug 21 - closes at 6 pm - Water polo session #9 from 6:00 to 8 pm

Monday, August 24 - swim closes at 7 pm - Water polo session #10 from 6:30 to 8 pm
Tue, Aug 25, swim closes at 7 pm - Water polo session #11 from 6:30 to 8 pm
Wed, Aug 26, swim closes at 8 pm - Water polo session #12 from 7:30 to 8:30 pm
Thur, Aug 27, swim closes at 7 pm - Water polo session #13 from 6:30 to 8 pm
Friday - Aug 28 - closes at 6 pm - Water polo session #14 from 6:00 to 8 pm

Interested? Give me a call. 412 298 3432.

Won't be free.

There can't be school on the days of the G-20 event in Pittsburgh, can there?

What is the deal with school days on and around the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh. I'm wondering. Is anyone going to give any insights?

Will it be off for the entire week of the G-20?

Will it be off for only the two days, Thursday and Friday?

Last year as China hosted the Beijing Olympics and the Paralympics -- all school was off for more than a month. The schools didn't meet. However, the universities were open for dorm space for the students so that they could be doing informal studies and working as 'volunteers.'

A day or two after the Olympics ended, the Para Games and Athletes were in town too. So, it was a double header for them as well.

Pittsburgh Public School officials should make the decisions NOW and get the word out so schedules can be understood.

Secret Service will lead security for G-20 summit

So here is the third set of OVERLORDS that the city was looking for.

Secret Service will lead security for G-20 summit: "The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has named Pittsburgh's G-20 summit in September a 'National Special Security Event,' meaning the Secret Service will take the lead role in security planning for the gathering of world leaders.

So, we'll have the gambling vice in August. The SS in September.

Thank goodness it is a draft day! That's the only good news.

Our dear friend, Meg, from South Carolina, visits Pittsburgh for concert, July 8, in Mt. Lebo

National Public Radio commentator and acoustic singer-songwriter Meg Barnhouse (www.megbarnhouse.com), with Kiya Heartwood of Wishing Chair, will present songs, stories, and illumination at 7 pm on Wednesday, July 8, at 1240 Washington Road, the Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills, Mt. Lebanon (15228). $10. One Pittsburgh-area gig only, seating limited; e-mail amy4bruce8@verizon.net for reservations.

NZ born, but Italian bred - rugby - sport | Stuff.co.nz

Blowouts. NZ born, but Italian bred - rugby - sport | Stuff.co.nz 'One hundred and thirty [points] to about 20,' he quipped as he recalled, painfully, Italy's 59-10 defeat in Rome in 2004 and a 76-14 pounding in pool play at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in Marseilles.

Flagship Niagara Launches Erie’s First “Independence Day Parade of Boats” | ErieBlogs

Perhaps they are going to practice for G-20.

Flagship Niagara Launches Erie’s First “Independence Day Parade of Boats” | ErieBlogs: "“The Boom Over the Bay” fireworks show is from 9:45pm until 10:00pm and will for the first time ever, include a cannon-fire demonstration by the Flagship Niagara! Niagara will be located about a quarter mile north of the Bayfront Convention Center, and will fire guns toward Liberty Park and Dobbin’s Landing."

Pittsburgh had better prep its submarine.

Convicted judge to keep his pension

Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh have serious pension problems.

Convicted judge to keep his pensionConvicted judge to keep his pension

The first thing to do when you need a real fix to a problem is to, "Lay The Shovel Down." Stop digging in the same hole.

These problems need to be fixed. The judge and all the others that screwed up should be without any pension. PERIOD.

Fix it.

I am so mad at my city right now, I'll only post this. Do listen. Blast from the past.

In 2001 I ran for Mayor, City of Pittsburgh, in a contested GOP Primary. KDKA TV did a profile on me and my loyal opponent, Professor James Carmine. Here is the audio in an mp3 file for history's sake.

http://blip.tv/file/443401/

Click To Play

The key to understanding my mood is the swimming part. This is the start of summer. The city's ways have not changed. But, the murders have. The outward migration continues.

I seek some cooperation and permission to coach city kids.

Ravenstahl seeks more money from nonprofits, commuters

Ravenstahl seeks more money from nonprofits, commuters: "Ravenstahl seeks more money from nonprofits, commuters"

Don't go after more money from the nonprofits. That approach is wrong, in my not so humble opinion.

Rather, the next step is to stop the bleeding. The city is being overtaken by the nonprofit sector. On an inch by inch basis, the footprint of nonprofit land is growing. And, that growth is going to kill the city. That growth, outward growth, needs to stop. Rather, all nonprofit growth should be upward. Or, nonprofit growth can occur in rented spaces from for-profit buildings.

The nonprofits are such because of the good work they do -- be it religious, educational or health, mostly. Fine. The rub comes as the nonprofit don't need to pay taxes. And, the best tax to keep is the land tax. That's really all that city should focus upon as the land of Pittsburgh is all that sets it apart from other places.

Jobs can move and jobs are moving. More work is being done, for instance, at UPMC in locations outside of the city -- even in Ireland and other countries.

But the land can't move. Focus on the land.

The nonprofit land expansion should be studied, inch-by-inch, block by block, year by year, entity by entity with purpose and investment money being fully documented and understood. Google maps, layers, GIS data and all should be published in open formats for all to see and manipulate.

It would be realistic to take the gross land held by the nonprofit sector and insist that it be reduced over time. There are wasted nonprofit spaces that would then be more valued. Net changes are fine as well. If one site of 3,000 square yards is sold and made into taxable property again, then another site can be purchased and put into the hands of nonprofit ownership. But, net increases have to end.

Focus on the dirt. Focus on the land. Insist upon a reduction in the overall size of the nonprofit footprint.

Pittsburgh's Nonprofit Executives should study this and make a counter-offer to the mayor and county executive.

200 give ideas for G-20 at Downtown brainstorm session

200 give ideas for G-20 at Downtown brainstorm session

Citiparks letter to Mark

Assistant Director of Citiparks, Mike Radley, wrote to say "no thanks."

Citiparks Swim Meet should have swimmers who live in the city.

How would The Great Race go if only those in the race were the ones that ran at the Citiparks Rec Centers, and not elsewhere?

Mother fought off cougar to save toddler from attack

Mother fought off cougar to save toddler from attack: "'She [Maya] was on her back and he had his paws in her head, and I just knew I had to react quick, so I just jumped in there and wedged myself between the cougar and her on the ground, and I just got up and threw it off my back and grabbed her and booked it,' she said.

I have no problem with selling the Parking Garages now owned by the Parking Authority

Part of my thinking taken from a thread on another blog, where I posted:

The parking garages should be sold. Heck, the pension funds or the unions could entertain a bid to buy them and have a stream of money for the future.

Sell the garages if a good price is obtained. Don't sell them if the price isn't above and beyond the debt that is retired.

Sold, the garages represent parking -- plus other opportunities for other buildings in the future. The next owners might one year put up other buildings there -- with internal garages, housing, zip lines, whatever. The market can begin to come alive again if the city gets out of the parking business.

The city is the 900-pound gorilla in parking now. When PNC Firstside was built - or URA on 2nd Ave expansion, they all used PARKING as a leverage that the city residents paid dearly for. Same too for Lazarus. They won't build here unless parking is used as sweetener. Screw that. Then we (citizens / taxpayers) get double trouble.

Once the city won't build garages for development deals (hey, remember the sign that was not a sign at bus station) then private owners might build their own garages again.

The bribe chip is taken off the table -- for a while.