As fit citizens, neighbors and running mates, we are tyranny fighters, water-game professionals, WPIAL and PIAA bound, wiki instigators, sports fans, liberty lovers, world travelers, non-credentialed Olympic photographers, UU netizens, church goers, open source boosters, school advocates, South Siders, retired and not, swim coaches, water polo players, ex-publishers and polar bear swimmers, N@.
People in Pittsburgh are both blessed and cursed with some school choices. And, these choices come to a much younger kid than in the past. And, there are a lot of choices to consider.
The BGC, Bloomfield - Garfield Corporation is a group that has worked to watch what our schools are doing. They have services for kids and families in the communities. But this event is special as it takes a more global view with charter schools, public schools and private schools too.
When the Pgh Public Schools holds its 'magnet fair' -- another great event -- only the choices of PPS are presented. Naturally. There are plenty of choices just within the PPS line up. But there is a bigger world too.
I like this as it is going to be a way for our those in the public schools to consider 'recruitment' for the family to a wider level.
School Choice Fair - Helping Parents Pick the Best School
Parents/Guardians who are seeking information that will aid in the selection of the best school for their child for the upcoming 2010/2011 school year should attend the School Choice Fair. Representatives from 35 public, charter, cyber, and parochial schools will be attendance. The schools will share information on each educational institution's mission, academic levels, classroom sizes, school safety record, after-school programming, transportation, financial aid. etc. Information on how to apply along with application deadlines will be shared.
The School Choice Fair will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the St. Lawrence O'Toole Activity Center, 140 N. Atlantic Avenue (Garfield).
Please share this information with all that could benefit. Please post the flyer, forward the email, and hand out info to your friends and neighbors.
You might want to print out a few copies of the brochure and put them into your bag, purse or pockets to pass around to those you see around town.
This is very important for those now in 4th and 8th greades. But, it is also for others as well.
If you want great peeks at schools -- I like to go to some sporting events and chat with the fans in the stands. Visit with some high school parents tonight at the girls volleyball championship game at Brashear High School this afternoon. Or, join us at the soccer championship games on Wednesday night. Girls play at 5:30 or so and boys after. Both games are Allderdice vs. Schenley.
Friends of the Beechview Library, Customer Appreciation Day & Book Sale
author event with special guest
Saturday, Nov 7th- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1910 Broadway Ave.
Stop for refreshments & to browse the books.
At 1 p.m. Brian O’Neill, award-winning columnist for the Post-Gazette will sign copies of his new book, “The Paris of Appalachia: Pittsburgh in the 21st Century, being released November 15th.
Cost of books will be $17.00 including tax. Brian will donate $5.00 for each book sold to help save Beechview Library.
Please stop by to purchase a book, say hello & thank him for suporting our cause.
Members Perks: embers only may preview and shop the book sale at 9:30 a.m. before the doors open for the regular book sale hours.
Members may also purchase 2010 book lover’s page-a-day calendars which retail for $12.99 for $5.00 each (special friends members price).
Donations of “gently used” books will be accepted at the library until November 5th.
Was fun watching Schenley High School's girls volleyball squad win the city league title last night. Won in 3rd game over Allderdice by 2 points. Very close. Tonight Schenley's football team plays the 2nd game at Cupples. Final 4. Victors of early and late game play at Heinz Field next Thursday night for city title. Wednesday is another double header for finals of soccer. Both Schenley's girls and boys soccer teams are in championship games (vs. Dice in both as well). So, Schenley could get 4 fall sports championships (Girls VB= check; Girls Soccer; Boys Soccer; Football). Guess Schenley can claim boys, girls and co-ed water polo title too. I'll try to be at Cupples (South Side Stadium) by the 2nd half tonight for football game.
The library system is a great asset. However, the people who have managed it in the past years are not. Plenty of serious mistakes have been made by upper management.
I would love to see heads roll -- then the library system can be saved.
Those who are not good stewards should not be rewarded for their serious screw ups.
A friend of mine told me in 2000, "Mark, don't pick fights with those that buy ink by the barrel."
That is good advice for those that want to win elections and get jobs. But, it isn't what I was out to do. I'd rather work and save the region.
I have an education and background in journalism and publishing. I've been upset at the local media for decades. And, I let them and others know about many of their fumbles.
But the worst of the worst is QED. So much for needing a commercial station. We should have 2 noncommercial public stations that are doing the work that needs to be done and we get do-whop. They suck. They are the root of many ills.
Jim Roddey would NOT sign my petition to get allow me onto the ballot in 2001 because I was pounding on QED -- and he was on the board there.
As for fun news: Ever see "The Art of News" -- a PCTV21 show? Great stuff. We held writters meetings at my home/office. I miss that and them. So much fun. Very worthy pursuits.
Don't go to the the foundation folks -- as they saw to it that QED got to its state. Unless you go to them and ask for heads now -- not a year from now (i.e. George Miles). Jagoffs.
Talkshoe.com works. You gotta get your own podcast(s). That should be the next step for many with ambitions.
Press a CD / DVD -- cost about $.25 each. Do that five times and then attach your resume to it.
Ron Morris would be a good stop after that work has been completed.
Nuts. I didn't see this email. So, I didn't go. So sad for me. Anyone else have some info and insights?
You are cordially invited to a meeting hosted by the Pittsburgh Public Schools
Working Together: How Pittsburgh Public Schools and After School Programs Can Support Children on The Pathway to the Promise.TM Tuesday, October 27, 2009 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Education Building 341 S. Bellefield AvenueConference Room A
To attend this meeting, please R.S.V.P. to Janene Smith at jsmith5@pghboe.net or 412-622-3951 by Thursday, October 22nd. If you cannot attend, please send another person from your agency. Presenters: - Mark Roosevelt, Superintendent, Pittsburgh Public Schools - Holly O’Donnell, After School Manager, Pittsburgh Public Schools
Again, I posted at Bram's blog, something like this.
The rental ordinance as well as the abandoned building law passed by Pittsburgh City Council are crap bills. Over-reaching again. Worthless in the real world.
If they (anyone on Grant Street) wanted to streamline city government (that's what Pat Ford was to be doing) -- they'd prune all the stuff that they can't enforce and shouldn't enforce.
Examples like these (resignation of BBI's top person, again; inside baseball on management of city's employees) are not going to resonate (have great traction with more than 100 voters) with the voters / challengers (Dok Harris and Kevin Acklin).
If more noise was made then the members on city council would need to be engaged in railing against the mayor too. As the council members would need to start to campaign against the mayor because he didn't enforce -- then their twisted laws would be put front and center. The end result is that members of council would really be campaigning against what evil they have planted throughout the city's code and in the city's neighborhoods.
Going to knock on that door together isn't going to bring much but bloody knuckles. Nobody is home. House is empty. Demolition pending.
The entire Point State Park re-do is a giant waste of money. Here is another branch in this sad chapter -- and shows of double talk.
Point State Park to lose 27 trees: "Not only are the trees on top of water and sewer lines, Ms. Novak said, they sit on ground that is scheduled to be reshaped to allow water to drain more easily after flooding.
First we are told that the trees are over water and sewage lines. But then we aer told that the trees are not able to be there due to the incline for water run-off after flooding.
There are not 27 trees over water lines in the park. No way. And, why do the water lines need to be replaced? For funnel cake vendors?
The Riverlife Task Force stinks, still. Where are they -- running the chain saws?
Why not auction the lumber? Is there a kick back with that that value? Sniff. Something smells.
By all means, they had better re-plant trees that are native to the area, for goodness sakes. Why not plant corn instead? Pumpkins would be nice too. Make some food and open a composte park for all those living in the new downtown condos.
My #1 bit of advice to all local advocates, bloggers and otherwise, has always been: "Don't burn out."
Think fixture.
To that note, the trend these days is twitter and facebook has been on the rise too.
I've got my main account, @Rauterkus, where I follow= 2,001 (limit at 2K) and 1,172 follow me; and I've made 4,133 tweets.
My MR & Running Mates blog is at 9,375 visible posts. A slew of other blogs and wikis are out there to other levels of input.
Presently my main www sites, Rauterkus.com, & elect.Rauterkus have been down for a couple of months, getting a re-tooling of sorts. The one day peak was >7000 visitors, years ago. Even my blast list is down from >10,000 contacts -- but it still lives and bucked recently to twist the arm of WTAE TV to post the entire debate #2 onto the web.
Sending tweets is easier. Go with the flow of the time. Carry your weight.
Pittsburgh has had a rash of lightweight retirements and too many crow about un-engaged voters. Heavy. so don't go to the dark side of being un-engaged, as in retirement. Just lighten up. Tweet into the sunset.
I was able to attend the community meeting hosted by Pittsburgh Public Schools this past week at Perry Traditional High School. Called, Excellence for All. Mark Roosevelt, superintendent, spoke about the new push for teacher effectiveness and the as yet un-official Gates Foundation Grant.
At the outset of the meeting, I had a brief moment with Mr. Roosevelt and told him congratulations on his new contract.
After the meeting, I sent along an email to Mr. Roosevelt and Mark Conner, Parent Engagment Coordinator. Stay tuned / scroll down.
Some of the points in the presentation make great conversation starters. I'll try to comment and wedge some of my opinions and obserations into the text of the blog.
Before the video camera ran, a testimonial from a recent PPS Graduate now getting Pittsburgh Promise scholarship money as he attends Penn State Allegheny (McKeesport) for engineering was shown. That first person account was from a recent meeting at Perry hosted by the head of the Pittsburgh Promise. The district has been hosting Pittsburgh Promise outreach meetings at all of the schools. Interesting. Those meetings are part of the PPS monthly calendars -- see the web site, http://www.PghBOE.Net.
Part 1 via Viddler: (Exact same file as above, just different server.)
Part 2 via YouTube:
Part 2 via Viddler:
Part 3 via YouTube:
Part 3 via Viddler:
Part 4, via YouTube:
Part 4, via Viddler:
Thanks for the grub and a few comments from last night
Hi Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Conner,
Thanks for the food and presentation last night at Perry. Sorry I had to leave the meeting as questions began. I had to get my son at the JCC after his swim practice. I'll get to and post the video today.
QUESTION: Is that "Cold Play" video on the web? It should be on YouTube.
QUESTION: Is that interview about the Promise Testimonial from the Oliver HS grad now at PSU Allegheny on the web? That should be on YouTube too.
The student in the video fell between the cracks in 9th grade (booted from Schenley) and 10th (at Oliver). If you do put the video onto the web, make sure all who watch understand that the standards for the Pgh Promise have been made more difficult. The 9th and 10th graders of today (and the future) can't slack off and still be 'promise ready.' That has been stressed to the kids at our school -- but it is a very important change and update that impacts the on-going telling of that testimonial for the sake of clarity going forward. So, I'd suggest an extra footnote on that video as it goes out to YouTube.
My reaction for discussion concerning that student as to why/how he was able to slip so much in 9th and 10th grade goes to his 'afterschool sports.'
Was he an athlete? What sports did he play? He would have been NOT ELIGIBLE, perhaps, due to grades. And, a sports coach (as I know them to be in healthy situations) COULD HAVE and SHOULD HAVE been on his back and able to monitor / coach / develop that student so as to keep him / get him back to the straight and narrow (Pgh Promise Pathway).
I'll bet he wasn't an athlete with one or more coaches who were hawks that were looking out for that kid's total student life.
The effort to make 'clusters' of adults in the school to monitor the kids -- home room teachers, guidance, etc -- is what great coaches do all the time.
More than 75% of the boys and aprox 55% of the girls should be in scholastic sports. The national numbers are not being reached in Pittsburgh. And, our coaches are fumbling, by and large.
Plus, that's a story that gets repeated in all urban districts. For example, Philly wasn't a part of the PIAA. Pittsburgh isn't a part of the WPIAL.
Pittsburgh does not have a massive cadre of caring adults watching out for a sizable majority of our middle school and younger high school aged students as our sports landscape in our schools in Pittsburgh stinks.
The push to master teachers (rock stars even), mentoring, monitoring and performance standards are nothing new to me -- as this is what we do all the time in swimming and sports.
The platform, goals and increased expectations you are embracing are splendid. I am in full support of that. But I fear that the sports / coaching support is missing, still, in the PPS execution. It is like a 3-leg stool with teachers + principals/administrators + COACHES / SPORTS / AFTERSCHOOL. You are getting there with the principals and data and now the teacher elements. Great. That's 2 of the 3 legs that are getting attention and fortified. But the easiest element and the one that will have massive returns is still getting ignored.
Furthermore, what I talk of is getting worse with all the school mergers.
I'd be most happy to talk about this with you or others.
SUGGESTION: Go to Eddie Wilson (PPS) and ask to peek at the 4 different binders I delivered to him in early October: That round of the RFP imploded, I guess, due to a stimulus funds snafu. Nonetheless, those binders make a work packet and hit upon vision / benefits. They are packed with opportunities and potential to get our kids performing. Check em out. (Swim & Water Polo Camp, Lifeguard Camp, Olympic Sports Camp, Sport Manager and Entrepreneur Camp). That's a first step. There is plenty to do for this leg of student support, and it needs to start with the superintendent.
Keep up the good work in those other areas. My request: The sports efforts should begin now too. And, frankly, Gates can get the credit. But for a fraction of the costs and a much smaller investment of time at the Board Levels -- an overhaul of sports would make a much bigger impact for our students. I'd love to make it so and prove it to you.
-- Ta.
Reply from Mark Roosevelt to me
Mark - I agree with you about sports and much that you say below. I will make more of an effort to push this forward in the coming weeks. Cheers, Mark
GREAT QUESTION: What is the status on the Title IX report on sports? Is it out? Have you seen it? Is it worthy of a discussion?
I don't think it is out yet. I'm putting in a call now to ex-PPS Board Member, Heather A.
What percent of our kids (boys / girls) are in scholastic sports in Pittsburgh High Schools?
PPS does not have that number, so I hear from the Athletic Director of PPS.
I think it makes sense to do an overhaul of sports in Pittsburgh while that Gates Foundation Grant is about to roll out. The coaching and teaching parts can overlap a great deal. We need to spotlight our city's mentor coaches. We need to have a coaching center of excellence, and so on. Most of all, sports participation can help to keep the kids on the straight-and-narrow through high school. So sports coaches can address a chunk of the mentoring and overall evaluation of the kids so as to insure that they are 'Promise Ready.' I'd much rather have sports coaches play a bigger role in the lives of the kids than home room teachers and security guards. The coaching staffs can be that year-in-and-year-out glue to the kids. But, we'll need coaches to be invited to the table and be more robust with greater numbers of kids.
Advocate style: I'm trying to connect the dots -- for the benefit of the kids and athletics. Ride the wave, so to speak.
> 4. We are currently reviewing the Athletic Program however, the Gates money is not earmarked for anything related to Athletics at this time.
I understand that the Gates money isn't for athletics. But, some of the efforts of the work at the board / administration could dove tail into athletics as it is going into the realm of teaching and CARE for the students.
-- We need to show the ability of teachers (and coaches) to move students to more advanced levels.
-- The whole issue of TENURE with coaches needs to be dealt with.
-- And, this plan creates the opportunity for highly effective teachers -- as it should also go to highly effective coaches.
-- Coaches can move the students to high levels. Are the athletes the ones in the district that are doing better than the non-athletes? (Duhh. What about data there! They are going to follow kids according to teachers they had in 9-12th grade. What about coaches too? What about college performance in sports too? Would they be shocked to learn that certain sports players in certain sports teams with certain coaches are GENERALLY far more accomplished in college success because of their fitness and discipline and X-FACTOR with being an accomplished athlete / exposed to accomplished coaching.)
-- And, coaches need to be included with the cadre of school professionals as each student is evaluated to be on the pathway to the promise.
-- Mentoring is a new push with PPS -- and we need to hook the mentors with athletics / middle school sports too.
The Gates Foundation money as well as the mindset now being embraced by PPS Board / Administrators because of the new goals -- SHOULD have a tie in with Athletics.
-- They are talking about WIDER recruitment of teachers -- highly effective teachers. New teachers we hire need to be spot on 80% of the time. We need new teachers hired into the district who are excellent teachers. And, hiring non-traditional teachers is now a possibility too. So, a great coach could be -- to use Mark Roosevelt's term -- a ROCK STAR coach and TEACHER. Let's use that wider net of the recruitment of teachers to also include the recruitment of coaches. Then these folks can get to the new teacher academy to sharpen up the academic skills that already have been proven in the coaching ranks.
Frankly, I'd love to see half of the new teachers within PPS being accomplished coaches before hired by PPS. Then they'd get the support of the intern year.
Furthermore, the others who are in the teacher academy need to be given coaching expertise too -- so that when they are placed in new school settings, they are able to coach sports teams there.
I'll talk with John Tarka next.
No need to reply. Perhaps I'll see you at a soccer or football game or volleyball championships in the next week or so.
Dok would be running on his father's name if he was a candidate for a job with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dok isn't trying out for a position with the football team.
Ebert G. Beeman's words hit David Mitchell, a retired librarian and 12-year veteran of Erie County Council, like a body blow.
Beeman, a Waterford Township resident who had won the Republican Party's nomination to fill the council post soon to be vacated by Mitchell, was standing before a group of Corry voters over the summer.
Beeman was talking about how if he were elected, he'd ax the Erie County Public Library's BookMobile.
"Those are fighting words," Mitchell said.
Mitchell, 65, a Republican, had planned on stepping down from Erie County government at the end of his term this year to pursue public service on the state level.
He saw in the ranks of young Republicans in the 6th District at least three viable candidates with local government experience whom he believed would serve the district and the county well.
But in the May primary, those candidates -- Frank Stefano Jr. and Greg Lucas, of the Edinboro area, and Edward DiMattio, of Waterford -- split the primary vote three ways with more than 500 votes each.
Beeman, a Waterford Township auditor and relative political newcomer, emerged victorious, with 573 votes.
Mitchell, a former Corry mayor who has represented the 6th District since 1996, said he met Beeman briefly before the start of a program in Corry over the summer. The meeting went well, Mitchell said.
Then he said he heard Beeman get up and casually talk about getting rid of the BookMobile. In a recent interview, Beeman said he wants to eliminate the entire county library system.
"He basically said he does not like politics or politicians," Mitchell said.
"When you see someone coming out and blasting things in such a partisan way, they are doing it for their own benefit, not the people's," Mitchell said.
Mitchell decided then that he might seek a write-in campaign because he feared Beeman might disrupt county government. Council in the next term will be working with a new county executive and will face very difficult budget planning, he said.
The Republican Party leadership began calling Mitchell, asking him to run because of their own concerns with Beeman's agenda, he said.
Of his decision to mount a comeback, Mitchell said, "I decided if Brett Favre could do it, I could do it," referring to the NFL quarterback.
Mitchell said everyone has a right to their own views and that, like Beeman, he has no love of taxes or excessive government.
But Mitchell said those who protest taxes most loudly tend also to forget that taxes fund what many people consider essential services.
"They simplify a very complicated system, and they get very angry," he said.
He said that because there are seven members of County Council, they must work together, for the good of the county and their respective districts.
"If the other council members isolate him, he won't suffer," Mitchell said. "The district will suffer."
Guy K, a tech guru, tweeted about a blog article that covers the top ten thinking mistakes. Number two on the list was about the status quo, a topic that I love to battle in my (quixotic to some) efforts of life.
The Status Quo Trap: Keeping on Keeping On In one experiment a group of people were randomly given one of two gifts — half received a decorated mug, the other half a large Swiss chocolate bar. They were then told that they could effortlessly exchange one gift for the other. Logic tells us that about half of people would not get the gift they preferred and would hence exchange it, but in fact only 10% did!
We tend to repeat established behaviors, unless we are given the right incentives to entice us to change them. The status quo automatically has an advantage over every other alternative.
What can you do about it?
•Consider the status quo as just another alternative. Don’t get caught in the ‘current vs. others’ mindset. Ask yourself if you would choose your current situation if it weren’t the status quo.
•Know your objectives. Be explicit about them and evaluate objectively if the current state of affairs serves them well.
•Avoid exaggerating switching costs. They frequently are not as bad as we tend to assume.
The objectives for a city election are important. Lots of people vote out of duty to democracy (little "d" -- not party "D"). Use it or lose it. Well, when we vote if we always know who is going to win because of the party associated with their name on the voting machines, then we are not really voting, we are anointing. Kings get anointed to the thrones. In America, we elect.
An objective of voting, an election and sustaining our democracy -- and keeping that status quo alive -- is reaching a popular decision by ballot. The objective is to insure democracy so as to insure freedom as it is much better to change rulers at the ballot box than with violence and blood.
I'd say, from time to time, we need to toss out the ones in elected office just so we don't make our elections meaningless and rusty of a done-deal mentality. To the fit, it is use it or lose it. Well, Pittsburgh has to pull for the underdog from time to time in the elections or all elections will be lost in terms of relevance.
But here comes the kicker question of this blog ramble:
What would be the costs to Pittsburgh if it got a new mayor now?
Bram, do not go overboard yourself. You wrote in part:
"Luke is lying, and everyone is giving him a pass because they'd rather see him prosecuted than bother calling him a liar again. For goodness sakes, people,..."
The EVERYONE part above is a lie too. First, don't discount yourself. You care. You are not giving out a free pass. You are part of everyone.
But, please do not lecture to the masses so as to think and know what they (we) think. That's just a little trap that I'd hate to see you step in so as to discount everything else.
Moving along, frankly, I do NOT want to see Luke prosecuted. That isn't a 'wish' of mine. We have elections. I want to see elections count far more than the actions of DAs and Attorney Generals and Ethics Boards. Being prosecuted is one of my last concerns and it should be in the back seat to plain old elections. Elections are where these things should be settled, not with the courts nor with violence. I'm a big fan of democracy, messy as it is.
Furthermore, it isn't good form to call anyone, yet alone the mayor of the city you reside within, a 'liar.'
I'm all for taking people out of their comfot zone. Sometimes a poke with a sharp or blunt stick is what is most effective. But, wow. To call names -- scum is a favorite of mine -- makes a big risk. No threat. Just, be careful. The conversation is on thin ice already. It won't take much to have the discussion implode.
Being honest is one of my valued principals (Caring, Loving, Open, Honest) -- but at the same time it would be foolish to go around telling people that they are 'fat.' Being honest personally -- and being an overt enforcer with a scaret letter of honesty -- are two different matters. There are two sides to the sword of honesty and people don't like to swing it nor be around much when it gets serious use.
Lots may run for cover. We want lots to get more engaged.
Countless things encircle us where we, as individuals and as a society, are not honest in addressing. Honest talk -- really honest -- becomes crushing.
So, tag it. Then advance to the other driving points. Tip to KA and Dok. In your administration (because we all know some less than honest dealings are going to get spun), who will be calling the shots? Developers? Developers did call many shots when Tom Murphy and Bob O'Connor were at the helm too.
My point: Distinctions beyond honesty and liar are necessary for a campaign to be effective.
He isn't honest. But that is not news. All politicians are less than honest to some degree.
And by all means, don't over-sell it -- because EVERYONE isn't giving a pass to those who are at odds with the truth.
Tim McAteer, Digital Executive Producer, WTAE-TV Channel 4 Action News, ThePittsburghChannel.com
Prior post from earlier today:
I just got this email sent from a friend -- and I'm now dancing in the streets.
You will be able to watch the debate on ThePittsburghChannel.com later today.
Tim McAteer Digital Executive Producer WTAE-TV Channel 4 Action News ThePittsburghChannel.com
YES. WTAE TV is going to post the full debate on the web. Getting a debate is hard enough. Doing one and not show it all is -- well -- it isn't going to happen.
Now we'll need to go watch it all and remember what gets said on Nov 3 -- and beyond.
Then we can get past #2 and get geared up for #3 of the series of debate in the days to come.
Here is the deal: When those on Grant Street, (or in other places, City Hall) do "development" and "play the role of developers" then it is no wonder that the one who should be doing the development are going to go in and start to take the helm of those who should govern.
The roles are flipped.
The wires are crossed.
The purpose is all wrong.
I long for the day when the mayor and county executive and even the governor and president govern and stick to their jobs and duties. To me, that is uphold the constitution and insure that liberties are protected for all. That's the 'and justice for all' part and that takes a great deal of work. That's 24-7 work.
Meanwhile, those with ambitions for building buildings, designing spaces and opportunities for capital investments are encouraged to get it on. Go for it. Go for it here in our town -- a place where capital investments are not risky business. Go for it here where you are free to operate without kickback, tear downs, red tape, greese for the wheel and central authority road blocks. Yes, you are free and with each ounce of freedom comes a pound of responsibility. But be free. Create wealth. Build and sustain!
For years Pittsburgh has had it wrong.
Tom Murphy wanted to build a Disney-land-ish North Shore.
Bob Cramner wanted to make a Dino Park. He was a county councilman and got dinged out of office and he has the blueprints for a 'first day attraction' that would blow your socks off. Except he is clueless and shouldn't be the developer.
Sophie was the one that propsed a baseball only stadium and was jeered at -- until Tom Murphy and Tom Cox could claim it for themselves.
The Steelers' owners have political sway -- as do the Pens -- and they RENT space in public buildings. And, they even get the landlords to bring out the wrecking balls on places that they don't own.
The URA should be liquidated.
Then we can focus upon what really matters.
There was a time, back in the day, when the one's in public office worried about PARKs. Imagine that. We worry more about the killing of geese than the kids in our parks. Where is that non-profit parks booster group, Governor Candidate Onorato?
Now our politicians are caught with their pants down when it comes out that the library system needs to shut a handful of branches. Even the executives at the library turned into development agents by moving branches from historic, functional, majestic buildings (North Side, Hazelwood) to business corridors. Jeepers, if they only fixed up what they had already and spent what money was available, then they'd have a sustainable system.
The examples are numerous.
Now we've got the sizzle and noise about Luke Ravenstahl and corruption as well as miss-statements to direct questions. It is a matter of leadership. But, it is a matter of direction and purpose.
None of the three are talking about the real proplem and the real solution.
There is no room in municipal government for the likes of Pat Ford. He got a big buyout for shutting up. He isn't the lone villan -- but in times of campaigns it is time to look at leadership and purpose.
Kick the developer mentality (and those who value such) out of local government. Then we'll have a chance of transparent, open, honest, caring government for a free society.
When the mayor plays the role of 'developer' then the developers are going to be one in the same as the mayor.
It stinks that WTAT TV is choosing to NOT post the entire debate among the candidates for mayor held in the WTAE studios on Wednesday, October 21, 2009.
Some say that you all are just too lazy.
Others are saying that WTAE is just too fearful of non-D candidates.
I say that watchdogs need to do their jobs, in full. It is hard enough to get the debates, so that when they do arrive, they need to reach as many as possible. KDKA TV posted the entire debate that was hosted there before it was even on the TV. WTAE can do the same. If you need some help, let me know. I can take the DVD (a copy) and put it onto the web.
For some strange reason, unknown exactly to me, the powers that be in the mainstream media do NOT want the world to see the whole debate among three candidates for mayor of Pittsburgh.
Your help is greatly appreciated, in the name of 'transparency' and 'democracy.' Thank for the click to the link above and short note saying,
The Feds (FBI) do NOT vote. That is the role of the citizens.
If benefits were or were not 'beholden' is a matter for voters at one level and investigators at another.
Kevin Acklin does NOT need to prove Ravenstahl guilty. He only needs to say he'll be better than what we've got.
And, you are so right in one repeated assertion you've been making, -- You don't see it.
Why in the world would WTAE choose to NOT put more of the debate on the web? I want to see the entire debate. They only do 2 clips. None really from Dok either. I'm pissed at WTAE.
Perhaps those at WQED can get a copy of the WTAE show and re-run it on 13 and put it live on the OnQ web site, for goodness sake.
He's back: Eddie Wilson and team of PPS Administrators are back to the drawing board and release another RFP.
Provide 6th-8th Grade Students Unique Afternoon Activities for the 2010 Summer Middle-Grades Camp
As you know, when the State budget was recently passed the ARRA Title 1 stimulus dollars were approved for the literacy portion of the PPS Summer Middle-Grades Camp, but the ARRA State Fiscal Stabilization Funds (SFSF) funds that would have been used for the afternoon activities did not come through. The proposals we received in the initial RFP process cannot be accepted under the Title 1 regulations. Because of the change in our funding, PPS is issuing two (2) new RFPs[1] for literacy and activities providers.
The “Title 1” RFP (attached) is seeking partners to teach PPS middle-grade students literacy by infusing instruction with activities that generate excitement in a new area of interest. Winning Title I proposals will be funded utilizing the ARRA Title 1 stimulus funds. · The “Revised Activities” RFP (attached) is seeking providers to teach PPS middle-grade students a unique and creative hobby and generate excitement in a new area of interest that ignites a passion both during the five-week summer camp and for the rest of their lives. Funding for proposals accepted through the “Activities” RFP process are not currently available. We are in the process of pursuing alternative funding through private sources. Both RFPs are open for any organization or individual to submit proposals regardless of whether or not a proposal was submitted in response to the original RFP.
This is an exciting time in Pittsburgh Public Schools, and this camp is an amazing opportunity for the school district, local organizations, parents, and especially for students! Please consider submitting a proposal as outlined in one of the new Request For Proposal to be a part of this summer experience. We are looking for outstanding proposals to make this a premier summer camp.
Pittsburgh Public Schools South Hills Chapter Male/Father Involvement Program
Be in the picture
My wife recently told me about a boy who drew a family picture with himself, his mother and brothers and sisters, but his father was not in the drawing. When asked, the boy responded, "My dad's at work where he always is." That describes too many of us. Do you struggle with work/family life tension? You're not alone.
About Us
All Pro Dad is A Family First's innovative program helping men to become better fathers. All Pro Dad has 54 NFL spokesmen, including our own Mike Tomlin, multiple events with NFL teams, over 1,000 All Pro Dad's Day chapters, and Play of the Day daily emails that reach 40,000 fathers each day.
You Don’t Have To Be a Dad
You can be a grandfather, uncle, or a big brother. What’s important is male involvement. All children need a strong male role model in their life. We want to know If you have any questions or would like to get involved but can’t attend this meeting contact Chris Waraks/Team Captain at PPSProDad@msn.com or 412-720-2051.
Join us Monday Oct. 26th for Brashear’s and South Hills Middle’s combined meeting at Pittsburgh South Hills Middle School Library from 6:30 to 8:00
Refreshments will be served so please RSVP to Tammy Waraks at PPSProDad@msn.com or call at 412-720-2051.
The outrage is not felt with me. So what. Chairman Mao has plenty of witty comments. Ever read a fortune cookie or two. I like them too, but I don't want to say your diet should be full of em. A favorite perhaps -- not an idol nor a way of life for me. Life, like China, is big, complicated and not for the faint of heart nor for knee jerk reactions. And, perhaps we should learn from mistakes, not repeat them (i.e., Lott example).
I posted at Bram's blog some additional reactions of the first mayor candidate debate that was hosted by KDKA TV and is now on the web site there.
As for big box development, Franco Dok Harris said he was against it - then okay with it too.
Kevin Acklin wants to take half of the URA assets and turn the focus to neighborhoods.
Luke Ravenstahl's reply was that the URA already did focus on neighborhoods and small businesess. With the URA question, Luke won that inning.
Challengers needed to score big -- and that could have happened by striving to liquidate the entire URA and turning all of its assets into debt reduction, or more police, or whatever.
The challengers were not really so different.
Likewise, if asked, would you, (as mayor) accept another invite to host a future G-20. All 3 said yes. No difference.
Of course I would NOT choose to host a G-20 so as to have these world bankers meet in secret while our city became a ghost town. I'd offer them a closed wing of the airport at the very best.
The aim and a central purpose of government is to protect freedom. With the G-20, many freedoms were lost. That's progress in the wrong direction.
I'm looking for bold constrasts among the candidates in a debate. Perhaps that will be more evident in the second and third meeting.
Natalia Rudiak received this eloquent essay and research from a soon-to-be Beechview constituent. She did not yet verified this information, but the citations are listed below. Please feel free to share with your networks.
"I and my neighbors are dismayed by the apparent inequity of closing our library and those in other less affluent neighborhoods. In my correspondence with the RAD Board I questioned the rationale and criteria used to determine which branches were to close. It seems as though community libraries like Squirrel Hill's were never in any danger even though they are so very close to the Main Library and have ample and direct bus service to and from that location. Their library is also open 7 days a week compared to Beechview's 5 days. The Squirrel Hill branch is also open 52 hours per week compared to Beechview's 37 hours. When I expanded my research to include some of the other locations earmarked for closure, the number of hours and days per week are very similar. In addition, the number of available hours on evenings and weekends is similarly lopsided. Squirrel Hill's library has 45-60% more evening and weekend hours than those libraries due to close. This is especially important if overall library usage was used as one of the criterion for closures. With such a disparity of hours of operation and especially those on evenings and weekends, is it any wonder that a branch such as Squirrel Hills has more usage?
"Their square footage is also larger and the additional resources within also impact usage. The Carnegie Library has recently added an outdoor scrolling message board to the Squirrel Hill branch. In the face of impending funding shortfalls and economic troubles, it seems extravagant to be adding a sign yet completely closing branches in other communities.
"With the announcement of branch closings, the Carnegie Library mentioned that neighborhoods losing their branches were close to other branches -- like Brookline's branch to Beechview (1.5 to 2 miles away with no direct public transportation). If proximity to other branches was another primary criterium, then why, with Squirrel Hill about a half a mile away from the Main Library, were they not more strongly considered? It appears as though CONVENIENCE is an option for communities like Squirrel Hill, but not for smaller and less wealthy neighborhoods.
"I have nothing against Squirrel Hill, their residents or library users, but I don't feel like the playing ground is a level one. Looking back over the last few years on the tens of millions of dollars that the Carnegie Library Board has spent on expansions and renovations on many of its branches, it appears like these closings may have been planned for quite some time. I don't know whether or not any of the libraries planning to be closed were those receiving renovations or expansion, though it wouldn't be hard to find out.
“With the Board's acknowledgment of funding shortfalls that they knew and admit were coming about -- these multimillion dollar expenditures are in hindsight foolish and irresponsible. The Carnegie Library Board is made up of well-compensated smart people who now appear to be shrugging their shoulders and acting like these events were totally unforeseen. This is a stretch at best.
"One of Andrew Carnegie's primary goals when establishing the libraries was for the "improvement of the poorer classes." If this is an ongoing importance to the Carnegie Library, then these closures make no sense whatsoever. It seems that the values and goals which were once so vital to the heart of the library mission are no longer an issue. Communities like Beechview, Hazelwood, West End, Lawrenceville and Carrick are exactly the type of areas public libraries are intended. No one would argue that more affluent communities like Squirrel Hill have more options and resources available to them when compared to these other neighborhoods, yet it is the very communities that need this resource the most and have fewer options which are asked to do without. Somehow, the Carnegie Board has lost its clarity of purpose and direction.
"This is yet another devastating blow to Beechview residents. Having endured the many losses of businesses and the URA debacle with Bernardo Katz, Beechview needs some true support and not the loss of another community resource. It seems as though our tax dollars rarely, if ever, find their way back as reinvestments in our community. However, it feels as though whenever the city needs to make cuts or look for cost-savings, then Beechview magically appears at the top of the list.
"Here are the library hours information that I paraphrased. When you look at these numbers, it isn't hard to see how usage numbers can be easily skewed or slanted to damn some libraries and protect others. I'm starting to think that Beechview residents should petition for a reduced tax rate given that city, county and state funds seem to be concentrated elsewhere. If the mayor would ever respond to any questions, I would like to ask him to name just one thing that he's done to 'specifically' help Beechview. What it boils down to is; in these difficult economic times, what are more affluent neighborhoods like Squirrel Hill losing when it seems as though other neighborhoods like Beechview and Hazelwood are losing so much?
“Please note that I revised my distance numbers for the distance from Squirrel Hill to the Main Branch, as I was using the 'half-mile' distance I read from a Post-Gazette article and I wanted to verify.
Beechview Library Branch: Open 5 days/week (closed Fri. & Sun.) 37 total hrs/week (9 hrs evenings & weekend) 1.35 miles from Brookline Branch(Library to library location)(No public transportation between neighborhoods and must cross major/dangerous W. Liberty Ave. intersection)
Hazelwood Library Branch: Open 5 days/week (closed Mon. & Sun.), 36 total hours/week (10 hrs evenings & weekend) 2.7 miles from Squirrel Hill Branch or 2.69 miles from South Side Branch
Carrick Library Branch: Open 5 days/week (closed Mon. & Sun.) 37 total hours/week (8 hrs evenings & weekend) 1.22 miles from Knoxville Branch(Bus service available - 51C)
Lawrenceville Library Branch: Open 5 days/week (closed Fri. & Sun.) 39 total hrs/week (only 7 hrs evenings & weekend) 1.94 miles to East Liberty Branch(Bus service available - 86B or 91A w/transfer to 500)
West End Library Branch: Open 4 days/week (closed Mon., Fri. & Sun.) 26 total hours/week (only 8 hrs evenings & weekend) 2.01 miles from Sheraden Branch (Bus service available - 26A, 26D)
Squirrel Hill Library Branch: Open 7 days/week, 52 total hours/week (14 hours evenings & weekend) 1.67 miles to Main Branch(14 blocks)(Library to Library location) (Bus service available - 59U, 61A, 61B, 61C)
“This hours of operation information is based upon information posted on www.clpgh.org and distances from mapquest.com. I've defined evening hours as 6:00 p.m. and beyond. The bus routes are from calls to PAT Transit's Customer Service Phoneline.
"You may definitely use this information in anyway that you feel will help the cause. It is not necessary to be credited at all. My benefit will be when we save our library and that's all I'm interested in."
This came from N.R.'s Facebook page. The author is unknown to me now. I'll ask.
I'm wondering where Glenn Walsh is on this issue? Did he just give up on the city?
You mean to say that these folks don't know what went on? Of course they do. Three phone calls and you know what is what.
The fan should be unwelcome at all sports games at that school for the rest of the year, at the least. He should volunteer that as a self-punishment and hope that civil and criminal charges are not put against him.
The debate is on the TV on Saturday at noon. Must be in tv studio today. A three way with Kevin, Dok and Luke.
I wonder, if the debates will matter to the Pittsburgh voters?
I will try to live blog them.
Anticipation..... Or, Apathy...
I often hold that the excercise of a candidate debate is much more than about winning a vote or two from the small percentage of undecided voters. Really, this is about policy promises, about cred, about watchdogs and finally, about public process.
Most of all, shame on WQED, Pittsburgh's public TV outlet. That outfit is unfit and its charter calls upon candidate debates as part of its mix for operations. Nothing. QED is one of the larges drags of the region.
State Budget Lacks Funding for Summer Camp Activities
Thank you for submitting a proposal to partner with the 2010 Pittsburgh Public Schools Summer Middle-Grades Camp. Our team is thrilled to have received many proposals from a wide range of individuals and organizations in Pittsburgh. The quality and quantity of the responses to the Request For Proposal (RFP) continues to inspire us to create the largest and most unique camp for middle-grade students ever offered by the Pittsburgh Public Schools.
As you know, this one-of-a-kind camp is being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus dollars. We have been anxiously waiting for the state to pass a budget to determine the final amount the District will receive to allocate towards the summer middle-grades camp. Unfortunately, the state fiscal stabilization funds needed to operate the afternoon activities portion of the camp did not come through when the budget passed. The good news is we will still have Title I stimulus funds to operate the Summer Middle-Grades Camp. While the Title I funds make up less than the original anticipated amount of total funds, we believe strongly that we will be able to facilitate a robust and innovative summer camp nonetheless.
Title I funding is more restrictive than the anticipated state fiscal stabilization funds, and any activity that takes place during the summer camp must meet the Title I mandate of providing a clear, research-based literacy curriculum and/or model proven to be effective in raising student achievement, have a student to teacher ratio of 15:1 or less, and be delivered by “highly qualified” staff[1]. In order to continue to offer an afternoon activities component facilitated by community organizations and individuals, we must ensure the activities align with this Title I mandate.
The District is committed to offering our students the opportunity to experience unique afternoon activities as a part of this camp. Through an initial review of the submitted proposals, it is clear that some proposals already integrate and infuse literacy in the proposed activity. However, all proposals must now have the direct focus of increasing academic achievement in literacy or math.
New RFP Issued October 21, 2009
We are requesting every organization that submitted an initial proposal to consider submitting a new proposal based on one of the following options:
1. Make revisions to expand and/or clarify the direct literacy connection for the proposed activity, this revision option is only for proposals already directly tied to literacy and should include links to state standards, daily objectives, and lesson plans. However, you must submit a new proposal that incorporates the revisions.
2. Re-write a proposal to focus on literacy with the integration of an engaging activity. The new proposal would need to include links to state standards, daily objectives, and lesson plans.
3. Choose to not re-submit a proposal with a written confirmation of such inaction to Eddie Willson with the knowledge that your organization will no longer be considered for partnership in the Summer Middle-Grades Camp.
A new Request For Proposal document will be issued on Wednesday, October 21 that clearly outlines the new criteria providers must include in a new proposal. This new Request For Proposal will be open to providers who submitted an initial proposal as well as individuals and organizations who are interested in submitting for the first time. New proposals that are literacy-focused are due to Eddie Willson by 5 p.m, on Friday, November 6, 2009.
To discuss the funding situation and proposal resubmission process further, we are requesting every organization who submitted an initial proposal to attend a meeting on Wednesday, October 21 from 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. The meeting will take place in conference room A in the board of Education building located at 341 S. Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Please RSVP to Eddie Willson at awillson1@pghboe.net by Tuesday, October 20 at noon to attend.
We anticipate there will be questions about the funding situation and proposal resubmission. We ask that you please bring your questions to the meeting on Friday and we will do our best to answer them at that time. You are also welcome to send your questions to Eddie in advance via e-mail and we can prepare the answers and share more information at the meeting.
Thank you for your understanding. We are looking forward to continuing to work towards our goal of creating the largest and most unique camp for middle-grade students ever offered by the Pittsburgh Public Schools.
Sincerely,
Eddie Willson, Activities Project Manager, Summer Middle-Grades Camp Team (412) 622-3985
[1] “Highly Qualified” is a term defined by NCLB as either a teacher with state certification, a bachelors degree, and proven competency in his/her subject or a paraprofessional with at least two (2) years of college.
Yesterday I was referred to on air as "scum " by Rush Limbaugh. Limbaugh called me out by name on his radio show because, along with Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press , I challenged Limbaugh's efforts to own a NFL team, saying that his history of racial bombast should count against him.
Limbaugh said of us:
They are the ones with prejudice and bigotry coursing through their vanes [sic], through their hearts, and through their souls. They are consumed with jealousy and rage. They are all liberals--and make no mistake: That's what this is about. It is about ideology. It isn't about race. It's about their being jealous and attempting to discredit me, and they've now sunk to the low of repeating fabricated quotes that they cannot source.... These people are scum.”
What we all did was carry a quote from Limbaugh that he absolutely insists he did not say. The quote is:
We didn't have slavery in this country for over 100 years because it was a bad thing. Quite the opposite: slavery built the South. I'm not saying we should bring it back; I'm just saying it had its merits. For one thing, the streets were safer after dark.”
For all the dittoheads out there, here is how we came up with the quote: it was in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch , the Detroit Free Press , the Washington Post , and in the book 101 People Who Are Really Screwing America by Jack Huberman. It has been out in the ether for years. Now that it is endangering his chances to become an NFL owner, Limbaugh is serving up a full heaping of indignation.. As Jason Whitlock, with whom I have had every manner of political disagreement over the years, writes :
Limbaugh claimed on his radio show Monday that his staff could not find any proof that he ever joked about slavery. I'm sorry. Limbaugh doesn't get the benefit of the doubt on racial matters.... You can argue the comments are presented out of context and were meant as jokes. Then I'd argue that Limbaugh needs to get on the comedy-club circuit and out of the business of attempting to influence presidential politics. Limbaugh wants to be taken seriously.”
But let's take Limbaugh at his word, for now, that he didn't say it. We should also look at the myriad of quotes on record he makes no effort to dispute. We can only assume that he is proud to have said , "The NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons."
Or these other gems :
The NAACP should have riot rehearsal . They should get a liquor store and practice robberies.”
Have you ever noticed how all composite pictures of wanted criminals resemble Jesse Jackson?”
To an African-American caller: Take that bone out of your nose and call me back.”
Or upon hearing that Spike Lee said that black schoolchildren should take off from school to see the movie Malcolm X: Spike, if you're going to do that, let's complete the education experience. You should tell them that they should loot the theater and then blow it up on their way out.
” Or calling Barack Obama "Halfrican-American " and saying: In Obama's America , the white kids now get beat up with the black kids cheering, ‘Yay, right on, right on, right on, right on’.... We need segregated buses--it was invading space and stuff. This is Obama's America.”
The real reason Rush is doing a slow-burn on his show and setting loose his army of Internet flame throwers is that his dream of owning an NFL franchise is going up in smoke. After seven players and the union went public and stood up to Rush getting his mitts around the most powerful cultural and athletic brand in America, commissioner Roger Goodell finally spoke out. Goodell said on Tuesday that Limbaugh's "divisive comments " had no place in the NFL. "I have said many times before, we're all held to a higher standard here," Goodell said to reporters. "I would not want to see those kinds of comments coming from people who are in a responsible position in the NFL. No. Absolutely not."
Goodell's statement was complemented by Colts owner Jim Irsay, who told ESPN, "I, myself, couldn't even think of voting for him.... I'm very sensitive to know there are scars out there. I think as a nation we need to stop it. Our words do damage, and it's something that we don't need. We need to get to a higher level of humanity, and we have." Other owners issued decidedly lukewarm comments about the possibility of sharing space with Rush.
Some are surprised that ownership isn't welcoming Limbaugh with a passionate embrace because most owners are to the right of Attila the Hun. They are billionaires who have feasted at the public trough of corporate welfare while basking in tax breaks for the rich. In other words, they constitute Limbaugh's base. But his membership in this exclusive fraternity of billionaires would violate the first rule of ownership: protect the bottom line.
The inconvenient truth is that no matter how much he rants and raves, no matter how often he calls columnists like Burwell, Sharp and me "state-run-media scum," it's the commissioner and the owners who believe that his history of ugly vitriol would be just too harmful to the NFL brand. You reap what you sow, and Rush Limbaugh has reaped a whirlwind.
[Dave Zirin is the author of “A People’s History of Sports in the United States” (The New Press) Receive his column every week by emailing dave@edgeofsports.com. Contact him at edgeofsports@gmail.com
For Pittsburgh Mayor, we are supporting Franco Dok Harris running as an independent on his own party label. He is a graduate of Princeton and graduated from the joint law-business degree program at the Pitt Law School and CMU’s Tepper School of Business. He is articulate, independent-minded, and progressive. He also is endorsed by the Gertrude Stein Political Club and Planned Parenthood. He is 30 and is the son of Franco Harris, star of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is biracial, like our president – ‘Dok” is short for his mother’s maiden name, Dokmanovich.
The Democratic incumbent is Luke Ravenstahl. His programs are better than his politics. He has been strong on accessibility for persons like me – Jon – who use a power wheelchair to get around. We applaud Ravenstahl for creating an advisory council to work with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. We are told that his Department of City Planning is working creatively with the neighborhoods and neighborhood organizations. We don’t know why Ravenstahl is refusing to proceed with the asphalt recycling paving machine which will save time and money fixing streets and was approved by City Council. And why is Ravenstahl backing Dan Onorato’s bizarre proposal to merge the city into Allegheny County? Does he hope Dan Onorato will succeed Ed Rendell as Governor, and he will run the whole city/county government?
In politics, Luke Ravenstahl is the nation’s youngest “good old boy.” He supports the old guard. He is anti-choice and negative to campaign finance reform. His enormous political treasury both exemplifies and worsens the problem. Big money is a disease in American politics. You or I might give $50 to a candidate we thought good for the public. That’s a contribution. But when a candidate has a $200-a-plate fundraising dinner, and someone buys a table – that’s an investment.
It's time for a little political day dreaming. Pretend for a minute that Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato wins the gubernatorial race and vacates his current post.
Winning the race might be considered a nightmare for some, as Onorato has proven himself to be a dandy tax raiser. “Dan, Dan the Tax Man,” will be a nifty limerick to overcome over the next election cycle.
Democrat Onorato bested Allegheny County's first Chief Executive, Republican Jim Roddey, by running to the fiscal right of the moderate businessman. Roddey, a successful advertising executive and philanthropist, laid the proverbial goose egg once in office and fared only one term.
Onorato skated to an easy re-election and has not-so-secretly been priming the pump for a gubernatorial run ever since. Current Governor Ed Rendell, thankfully, cannot run for re-election. Rendell's ineptitude over the last eight years promises that not even a Turnpike rest stop can be named “in his honor.” Rendell's tour of duty as the Commonwealth's top general has been an utter and complete failure. And that legacy was cemented before the Democratic political machine propelled him to a second, more dismal turn.
If Onorato could surge past the competition and take residence in Harrisburg, suddenly, the state's second-most-prestigious post becomes available, with almost no sure-fire candidate ready for the seat.
Now, don't get me wrong. There's a certain boyish, big city Mayor who thinks that he would be the first-in-line for the post, but there's significant thought that the rather lightweight figurehead might not transcend from the inner city to the suburbs.
Add to that a certain moderate-to-conservative voting block in the northern-most region of the county that doesn't enjoy having taxes raised at every conceivable turn.
Finding that fiscal steward could be, would be difficult. But you've read it here first: no one in Pittsburgh or Allegheny County politics is better suited for the job than Pittsburgh City Councilman Bill Peduto.
A “Reform Democrat,” Peduto is decidedly not of the ACORN crowd. Recently, the long-time Pittsburgh pol attended a Jewish Women's dinner. And instead of using wheels provided by the Department of Homeland Security for a concert tailgate party, Peduto, in his early 40's, plays sports on the weekend. Most notably, he can be found checking opponents into the boards of a Pittsburgh-area Celebrity Hockey Team. Peduto also recently spoke at the eagerly-anticipated PodCamp Pittsburgh event and the 2009 Mahatma Gandhi Birthday Celebration. There isn't another politician in Allegheny County who would effortlessly make those activities work. There may not be another politician in the state who wouldn't look like a kook at one of those events.
In the last election cycle for Pittsburgh Mayor, Peduto was expected to participate. He didn't. That perplexed some, intrigued others. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette called him a “coward” for not running. Pittsburgh's true revolutionary thinker, and doer, was on the sidelines. Hosting urban bike rides, doing more substantial “ground work” than any candidate, and he wasn't even running. He's keeping his name out there, perhaps in a more positive way than any other local politician. Surely, Pittsburgh's Mayor took kudos for dodging the bullet that was G-20. Most of the “action” took place in Peduto's Bloomfield and Oakland. Peduto laid quiet and his neighborhoods did not burn. Onorato will also use the success that was the G-20, but his opponents are smart. They will drive home the fact that Onorato pushed through a drink tax to fund public transportation.
Smart people in and around Pittsburgh wondered why Peduto was passed over for Pittsburgh's current Mayor, but it clearly wasn't “his turn.” Remember, long-time Councilman Bob O'Connor was an also-ran for two mayoral races before finally winning when controversial Mayor Tom Murphy stepped aside after the 2005 election. Only then did O'Connor become a beloved, fatherly figure. Tragically, just as O'Connor earned his goal, he was diagnosed with cancer and died in 2006. If Onorato wins, and there is no certainty in that (a continual liberal swing toward fiscal socialism hopefully will awaken a slumbering Pennsylvania electorate that appreciates financial responsibility), he will need to be replaced.
The current Pittsburgh Mayor appears to provincial, too limited in intellectual scope. Onorato is an attorney. Roddey before him an executive who became a multi-millionaire through decades of business ventures. It took him awhile, but Peduto did earn a BA from Penn State University just a few years ago.
The current mayor earned his position on Pittsburgh City Council almost right out of college because of his parent's political ties. Shortly after that, he was appointed Council President as a compromise candidate, nothing more. Twanda Carlisle, a councilwoman who was later busted for giving tens of thousands of public dollars to friends, and buying fur coats with city funds, nearly was that compromise candidate.
The current mayor cannot, or should not be ignored politically. Chances are his pal President Barack Obama might cast some influence his way should the Allegheny County Executive position crop up. By that time, Obama's popularity (see a base-less Noble Peace Prize as proof) might, hopefully, be on the wane. Again, a moderate-to-conservative block might enter the fray. That would benefit Peduto, who earnestly seems to look beyond his constituents' wallets for an easy fix. Let's be honest: there isn't a Republican, or an Independent who would electrify the voters. Roddey's term as ACE might be the last for a Republican in Allegheny County. A vibrant, intelligent, viable Democrat could be the answer. There isn't a single person on Allegheny County Council with the name recognition or resume to make a charge.
That only answer is Bill Peduto. I would suffer those sleepless nights, knowing I changed my voter's registration card to Democrat to help Bill Peduto. I've done it before.
Citizens of PA waited for 101 days to get a budget from those in Harrisburg. But, we really just wasted the time and opportunity to make 'real change.'
For years, I've asked that we replace before we reform. So, I am not suprised. We can't get reform with the ones that are there now. They don't have the capacity.
Ticking Time Bomb PA headed for fiscal 'perfect storm'
By Lowman S. Henry
Finally, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a new state budget. The 101-day budget crisis ended with a new spending plan of $27.8 billion, a mere $500 million less than the previous year's budget which ran up a $3.2 billion deficit. Given that the new budget projects a zero percent growth in revenues, it would be logical to assume another multi-billion dollar budget deficit will ensue.
Some in the legislature understand what has happened. House Republican Leader Sam Smith summed it up well: "With more than a billion dollars in new or increased taxes, billions in federal stimulus dollars, and now by draining the Rainy Day Fund and the Health Care Provider Retention Account and raiding the Tobacco Endowment Fund, we are positioned on a giant funding cliff if the economy doesn't swing back strongly in a year."
The situation, in fact, is even more dire than Representative Smith portrays. According to state Representative Sam Rohrer, House Republican Finance Chairman, it is unwise to use fiscal year 2008-2009 as a revenue benchmark because September of 2009 marked the 17th consecutive month where revenue collections were below estimates. In fact, revenue for the 1st quarter of the new fiscal year (July, August and September) fell $140 million below estimates.
Using historic fiscal data, Representative Rohrer says a more realistic revenue projection during the current fiscal year would be $24.3 billion in tax collections. That is $3.5 billion less than the spending contained in the recently approved state budget. Much, but not all, of the deficit will be plugged by stimulus money and one time revenue sources. But, even with that, a massive budget deficit again looms for next year. Given these figures, it would have been more responsible for the General Assembly to have pared spending in the current fiscal year to the $24.3 billion level.
It would be bad enough if that were the only fiscal problem facing the commonwealth. But, it is only the tip of the iceberg. A looming melt-down in the state's pension system threatens to make the general fund deficit look like chump change.
The Commonwealth Foundation has been conducting a series of public meetings across the state to raise the profile of the pension problem, an arcane issue that fails to attract much media coverage but will soon have a profound effect upon taxpayers.
A policy brief issued by the Commonwealth Foundation puts the problem in perspective: "The looming crisis in the long-term commitments made by policymakers on behalf of taxpayers is reflected in the rapid 615% increase in expected taxpayer pension contributions from $584 million in FY 2004-05 to more than $4.2 billion in FY 2012-13." The foundation concludes that "without significant action affecting plan design, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will likely be facing unaffordable costs." In other words, when the two funds become insolvent billions of taxpayer dollars will be needed to finance the bail-outs.
Making matters worse, the state Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, facing a $1 billion deficit, is now borrowing money from the federal government to provide benefits to the unemployed. Given that unemployment continues to tick upward, there is every reason to believe the situation is going to get worse before it gets better.
Warren Hudak, a member of the Unemployment Advisory Council, said during a Lincoln Radio Journal interview that the system has a "structural problem" and that only three other states in the nation are now paying out more in benefits than Pennsylvania. Hudak says that under the most optimistic scenario the fund will remain insolvent for a "minimum of seven to eight years."
At the moment, federal stimulus dollars are being used to plug the holes in Pennsylvania's leaky fiscal ship. But, stimulus spending does nothing to change the underlying dynamics that point to major deficits when that temporary funding stream ends. When it does, Pennsylvania will be hit with a perfect storm unless spending is quickly reduced to more realistic levels. Unfortunately, as the recent budget crisis has proven, the political will does not exist in Harrisburg to take that responsible course of action. And so, the fiscal storm continues to brew.
(Lowman S. Henry is Chairman & CEO of the Lincoln Institute and host of the weekly Lincoln Radio Journal. His e-mail address is lhenry@lincolninstitute.org)
Permission to reprint is granted provided author and affiliation are cited.
I do have my eyes on a slice of the 'stimulus funds' that are going to be spent here in Pittsburgh with the school district. In those plans, I did try to make significant changes with the proposal so as to make serious changes to the long-term landscape of the community with public health and fitness levels of the students -- and others.
Arena goodbye idea - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "I propose that before Mellon Arena is torn down, we have a massive concert that headlines local musicians. Joe Grushecky, Donnie Iris, The Clarks, Bill Toms, Bill Deasy, Tom Breiding, Good Brother Earl and so many more could play. We could even open the roof. Hate to lose you, Mellon Arena. Wilson Kondrich Swisshelm Park
The Civic Arena does NOT need to be torn down.
Good idea about a local concert. I'd call it more of a music festival, not just a concert. And, there was some talk about the opening of the roof again on the RAD Day. So, that is NOT out of the question.
The Civic Arena is a great place for open air hockey too. And, turn back the clock nights as well. It can stay for video screens of home games for overflow crowds.
The Civic Arena played an important role in the G-20 events too. It is a handy building to work in harmony with the Convention Center and the new Consol Arena.
Interesting. The police called the athletic department, then they made the bust together.
Five swimmers suspended after party | dailytarheel.com Officer Mitch McKinney of the Chapel Hill Police Department was present and said Chapel Hill Police called Student-Athlete Services that night when they determined the party involved team members.
“If it’s a UNC student-athlete, we have agreed to make the athletic department aware of it also,” McKinney said. “Normally we’ve only done that after the fact. But we received a lot of resistance from everyone involved in that call.”
Once the athletics department was notified, senior associate athletic directors Larry Gallo and John Blanchard went to the house and helped break up the party, athletic director Dick Baddour said.
“They went to try to bring some calmness to the residents of the house, and that’s what they did,” Baddour said. “And they actually got cooperation from some of the swimmers who were there.
“To my knowledge, we’ve never been called out before."
Luke took a page out of the Michael Lamb playbook. Did he borrow the book? Did he check it out? What is the Dewey Decimal Number for the Michael Lamb Playbook?
Pittsburgh Phillips K-5 invites parents and community members for a tour of the elementary school, located at 1901 Sarah Street, on Wednesday, October 14th at 6:00 p.m. This event is a great opportunity to learn more about the school¹s students, programs, and achievements.
"Whether their child is starting Kindergarten next year or in future years, we hope that parents and families will stop by to learn more about our school," said Mr. Rodney Necciai, Principal, Pittsburgh Phillips K-5. He added, "We are also eager to share information about the Pittsburgh Promise and what we are doing as a school to provide the necessary "Pathways to the Promise" steps that we are taking so that all of our kids have the right foundation from which to someday take advantage of this unique opportunity." (The Pittsburgh Promise is now in place to help our students to "Dream Big and Work Hard" by providing scholarship monies for post-secondary education that is available to all of our students, regardless of income.)
During the event, guests will tour the school and learn about the curriculum, including the Spanish language emphasis of the school. Guests will have an opportunity to ask questions of Mr. Necciai and several parents of students who currently attend the school. Cate Reed, Project Manager, Office of Strategic Initiative, Pittsburgh Public Schools, will attend to answer questions about the Pittsburgh Public School district magnet program and the Pittsburgh Promise. A+ Schools will also provide information.
"We are a very lucky to have Phillips Elementary in the South Side, and impressed with our daughter¹s education at the school," said Michele Margittai, parent of a Phillips student. "This tour offers parents and others a chance to learn about this wonderful resource in our community."
Pittsburgh Phillips K-5 is a neighborhood school located in Pittsburgh's South Side community. Pittsburgh Phillips also includes a Spanish magnet program, open to all students by application. Parents must apply during Preferred or General Registration periods.
Pittsburgh Phillips K-5 is a neighborhood school located in Pittsburgh's South Side community. Magnet Program registration for the 20010-11 school year ends on December 12, 2009.
No RSVP is necessary. For more information about the tour, please call the school at 412-488-5190.
Michael Moore knows what capitalism is after all! | Young Americans for Liberty: "Chad Swarthout of GWU Liberty Society gets Michael Moore to admit that we do not live in a capitalist society today. Wish he would have included that in the movie! Now Americans who have no understanding of a true free- market economy are lead to think that today's economic system is capitalism. When in fact it is not. Even Michael Moore knows this. Why would he not include this into the movie? Is it perhaps that he is so obsessed with a utopian society where everyone is taken care of?"
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