Fw: The Premiere Blogarama Newsletter

Reposted in full below. Scrqp the horiscope. But burnout in Pgh has been huge.

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

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From: Blogarama <news@blogarama.com>

Date: 12 Apr 2010 16:55:47 -0700

To: <mark@rauterkus.com>

Subject: The Premiere Blogarama Newsletter

Welcome to the premiere issue of the Blogarama Newsletter! No matter what part of the world you live in, you are about to be moving into the changing of the seasons. For those of you who will soon be welcoming spring, you may be finding a place outdoors where you can sit with your laptop and blog away the day. If you are about to move into autumn, you may start planning some chilly days blogging by the fireplace. Wherever you are, things are going to change. Whether the month of April means spring or autumn for you, it will be a time for moving ahead and revving your blogs up to reflect the changes. The Blogarama Newsletter hopes to offer you guidance as well as a bit of fun thrown in. Our newsletter hopes to bring you some guidance as well as a bit of fun thrown in. Regular monthly sections will be "Blogging 101" and your monthly "Horoscopes". In Blogging 101, you will find tips for the new blogger. Although it is centered on someone who is new at blogging, often there will be tips that veteran bloggers will also find helpful. So be sure to give it a glance each month! There will also be a special featured article each month regarding something that bloggers will find interesting, and perhaps, helpful. This month Tips to Avoid Blogging Burnout is featured. Everyone needs a bit of fuel to keep those creative blogging juices flowing. To that end, you will find a recipe for an easy to make, delicious AND nutritious snack to keep you going while you blog! It is sincerely hoped that you will enjoy what you find within this newsletter. In addition, please feel free to offer comments and suggestions as to what you would like to see included in future issues of the Blogarama Newsletter. Blogging 101 Use your Passion The very first thing to do as a new, or beginning, blogger is to create your blog around something you are PASSIONATE about. This may also be the most important thing you do with regards to your blog's success. Everyone has something that stirs and excites them in ways that nothing else does. Find out what that is for you and base your blog around it. Chances are great that if you truly love a subject, you will know quite a bit about it just from being involved with it so avidly. Your blog is going to be about the knowledge you have gained and can share with others on your chosen topic. It will also be where you state your opinion on said topic and invite others to agree or disagree with you. When you sit down to write a blog post, you want to feel eager and excited about doing it. Again, your passion makes this possible. Stay away from things that you have heard others say is "popular" right now. Suppose new technology is what a large number of readers are flocking to read about. However, you have no interest in or knowledge of modern technology. Should you blog about it anyway just to ensure that more people visit your blog? NO, no, a thousand times NO! Consider that if something is boring to you, what you write about it will come across as boring. People will not enjoy reading something that presents itself as painfully disinteresting. Your writing is a reflection of your thoughts and feelings. If you couldn't care less about what the latest cell phone is capable of, no one reading your blog will, either. What you are going to aim for instead of writing about what "everyone wants to read about," is to create enthusiasm for YOUR topic. For example, suppose you LOVE doing a particular craft. It may not be something that others would think to search for in a blog, but you are going to write about this craft with such passion and enthusiasm, that people will find you and get caught up in your craft. Soon, people will be actively trying to LEARN your craft just because your blog is so filled with joy about it. Yes, you CAN do this! Everyone had to start somewhere. It is completely possible to create a blog about something you love and draw readers to it. Find your passion and be ready to write about it to share with others. Next month: How to Set Up Your Blog Tips to Avoid Blogging Burnout Burnout is something that all writers experience from time to time. This is true no matter how much you adore writing and blogging. It can come about due to having a schedule you want to adhere to, or a deadline you are definite about meeting. Whatever the reason is, you may have just set yourself up to develop a serious case of blogger's burnout. This can be a very limiting "disorder" because you will suddenly not have any idea what to write. Even if you are the most passionate person in the world about your particular blog topic, you will not be able to think of a single thing to write about. Though this can be very disheartening for the normally enthusiastic blogger, there is hope to move past it and be happily blogging away again. Have a look at these tips to keep your brain feeling fresh and alert: Don't set yourself up to develop blogging burnout. Make a realistic schedule. This should be one that you can stick to easily without being over worked. On occasion when you feel that you have more to say on a particular week, you can certainly sit down and write it. Just don't force yourself to stay on a schedule that stresses you. On a day when you are feeling particularly creative and the words seem to be just flowing, write until your heart's content. Then stockpile these blog posts. For many bloggers this is something that works quite well. They choose one or two days a week and write all their posts at once. This can work whether or not you are doing daily or weekly posts. Then you will have some to choose from when you're busy or when you just can't seem to find the words to write. Don't be too rigid with your schedule. Leave some flexibility for yourself to get enough rest, spend time with your family, relax, and have fun. Believe it or not, these are the very things that keep your mind working and ready to produce your thoughts when it is time. When you find yourself out of ideas to use for posting, look around for a related subject to give your thoughts on. If you have a decent following, encourage them to participate in the discussion. You may even hold a contest of some sort for your readers. If you start to feel overwhelmed with your workload, take a break. Don't let your joy become a burden. A lot of times it only takes a short break from writing to get your creative juices flowing again. Invite a guest blogger to post on your blog. This will give you some time to go on vacation or even just take a long weekend. Many times this will offer your readers a fresh take on your blogging topic. Take your laptop and work in different places. If the weather is nice, go outside to enjoy the weather. Visit your favorite coffee shop and use their Internet access to write your blog. Sometimes, just being in a new and inviting environment can work wonders. A lot of bloggers find that their favorite music keeps them feeling upbeat, relaxed, and able to write their blogs more effectively. Think about other things. Do some research on another topic that interests you. In this way, you are able to move your mind away from where it was stuck and let it open up again through something fresh and new. Last, but not least, try just getting up and doing some form of exercise. Go for a walk. Hop on the treadmill. Ride your road bike or exercise bike. A lot of people feel that this helps them clear the cobwebs from their brains and opens up more portals of information to write. So the next time that you start to feel that blogger's burnout creeping into your life, try following some of the above tips. You just might be amazed at how quickly your burnout can be cured so that you can start to write again. As time goes on, you may come up with your very own individual tips to add to the list. Keep Up Your Energy with Healthy Snacks What could be more energizing than a tasty as well as healthy snack of a Fun Snack Mix? It is easy to make, delicious, good for you, and can be placed in a bowl right by your computer to munch on as you work. Fun Snack Mix This is the perfect snack to nibble on while you work. Ingredients: 1 Cup of Diced Dried Apricots ½ Cup of Dried Cherries or Cranberries ½ Cup of Unsalted or Lightly Salted Sunflower Seeds or Roasted Almonds 1 ½ Cup of Unsalted or lightly Salted Roasted Peanuts ½ Teaspoon of Pumpkin Pie Spice 1/3 Cup of White Chocolate Chips (if desired) Put all the ingredients into a 1 gallon size plastic bag. Seal it. Then shake the bag well to mix the ingredients thoroughly. This makes 3 ½ cups or 10 1/3 cup servings, or 4 cups if white chocolate chips were added. See? It's one of the easiest recipes you will be able to find. You can whip it up in no time but spend hours enjoying it. Signs of the Times Have a look at your personal Zodiac sign below to find out what lies ahead of you this month! AQUARIUS (January 21st – February 19th): The month of April brings not only flowers and sunshine but also a new wealth of creative ideas. Use this month to catch up on procrastinations that you just should not put off any longer. Love may not be all you want it to be but you will have your moments. PISCES (February 20th – March 20th): You want to spend a lot of time with your head in the clouds this month but that is really not the best idea. New projects have a great chance for getting off the ground especially if you are considering an independent business deal. Your emotions tend to be on a roller coaster so hold on tight. ARIES (March 21st – April 20th): Understand that everything does not revolve around you. Other people have their own responsibilities as well. This month you need to pay attention to some little small voices telling you there is something you are missing. If you really focus, you will find where you are most needed. TAURUS (April 21st – May 21st): No one is more loyal than you and you will get the chance to prove that this month. Things are heading in a great direction for you in April and you need to take advantage of all opportunities that present themselves. Someone you thought had forgotten you finally makes contact. GEMINI (May 22nd – June 21st): Your communication skills are in high demand this month along with your creativity. The ideas you come up with tend to astound others. Too many new thoughts run through your head in April and it's hard to choose which ones are the best. Go with your amazing intuition. You won't be wrong. CANCER (June 22nd – July 22nd): Do what you can to curb those temperamental impulses in April. If you can't do it, you may lose out on a really important and lucrative opportunity just because you were in a bad mood. There will be many things this month to put a small smile on your face. Some of them may even make you laugh out loud. LEO (July 23rd – August 22nd): There's a lot to be said about your charisma for April. Basically, if you want it, you can have it. You are a bit like the Pied Piper as so many people tend to follow where you lead right now. Use your ability to be a people magnet to draw in those who can help you meet some personal goals more quickly. VIRGO (August 23rd – September 23rd): You have the ability to create order out of chaos when you are in the mood for it. No one is more organized than you are and others realize this. If you aren't careful, you will find yourself doing your work and that of others, too. Pay attention and don't let that happen. Focus on your own goals. LIBRA (September 24th – October 23rd): Nothing is ever just black and white. Believe it or not, there ARE shades of gray. Keep this in mind this month when you are approached by someone who wants you to think outside of the box for a new project. Listen to all of the facts and details before making your decision. SCORPIO (October 24th – November 22nd): Your magnetism is amazing during the month of April. If you want to sway someone to your way of thinking, just train those hypnotic eyes on them and there's no way they will say no. A good friend seems to need your advice on something. However, you've already warned this friend. There's nothing else you can do. SAGITTARIUS (November 23nd – December 21st): Burning the candle at both ends is not the way to move successfully through April. Even though you may feel the need to get a lot done, becoming overwhelmed is not the way to do it. Ease up on yourself a bit and you will be amazed at everything you will get accomplished. CAPRICORN (December 22nd – January 20th): April promises to be a rather productive month for you if you have your goals set. Be ready to jump on a new idea that hits you about the middle of the month. It will open some major doors for you. Friends tend to be a bit needy this month but remember that you will be rewarded for your help. Ok, that's it for this month, Bloggers! We hope that you have picked up a bit of knowledge as well as had a little fun while reading this month's newsletter. Don't forget that we welcome your comments and suggestions. Until next month, Happy Blogging!

Wishing Chair played Here!

House concert: hosts and talent!

Inspired Church Music for today folks. Join us.

Special music at 10;30 am service at Allegheney UU Church on Sunday (today). Our friends, Wishing Chair, are playing. Later is our house concert. We have a full house now -- and then as well, 51 fit.
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$34 million debt approved for IUP center

Love the Lay the Shovel Down statement!

$34 million debt approved for IUP center: "But some on campus, noting the bonds may have to be paid off with university operating funds, questioned why officials let a project with at least 40 percent of its funding not yet identified break ground in November 2008 amid a worsening economy.
'Folks, to quote a friend of mine, to get out of a hole, the first rule is to stop digging,' Robert Mutchnick, an IUP professor and president of the faculty union's campus chapter, wrote in a campus e-mail."

Heads should roll. The IUP President should be fired over this. Others as well. They should go back to the private sector.

Have you ever been to Guam? If we go, let's not all rush to the port side at once.

Congress Critters have been wiser, I think.

Today's Meetings at Univ of Pittsburgh in advance of the visit from Bangladesh

I took the second photo so I had a hard time getting in the shot itself.

Title IX audit report - chatter from Pure Reform blog

Title IX audit report

One of my comments in a thread there:

Ther is no talk in the Title IX audit about the new PPS theme schools that I'm aware of.

The sooner that the audit is just a distant dot in the rear view mirror in our discussions the better. The sooner the audit consultant is a distant memory the better as well.

We need to look forward, not backward.

We need to make progress with those here now, not with some template issued audit advice that makes for more exposure than anything that hints of a single solution.

The audit dodged the hard questions fully.

The audit was a sink and a delay ploy. If it lingers, we sustain the sinking.

Lay the shovel down.

Now let's demand progress and let's talk about what really needs to occur.

To publicly spank booster groups that are NOT even created yet is to say sports are hard work so let's not even have them.

What about the 6-12 school sports? Great question. Let's talk. But above all, let's not go to the audit for solid answers to pressing questions as we won't find meaningful insights there.

The audit is more like a jolt of caffine needed to get us (PPS Administration) going after a long, deep slumber.

PoliticsPA: Debate questions trip Onorato | Politics PA

PoliticsPA: Debate questions trip Onorato | Politics PA: "Debate questions trip Onorato"

Pittsburgh, suburban public schools listed high in quality study

Pittsburgh, suburban public schools listed high in quality study The Pittsburgh area ranks No. 7 in the nation for its public schools among cities with populations above 300,000, according to GreatSchools, a nonprofit organization that compiles school data nationwide.
GreatSchools, located in San Francisco, included 160 schools with Pittsburgh addresses in its results, said Pamela Ardizzone, spokeswoman for GreatSchools.
The list includes Pittsburgh Public Schools, which has 66 schools, as well as some suburban schools and charter schools.

Activist calls for Justice Melvin to resign

Activist calls for Justice Melvin to resign: "Mr. Stilp claimed that Justice Melvin 'had to be deaf, dumb and blind not to know what was going on in her campaign' for the high court last year. He said the conduct board should ask 'what did she know and when did she know it?'"

I wish people would be more politically correct and not slander the deaf, dumb and blind so easily.

Resign. Defend oneself. Then if you are found not guilty, run again. Same too for Senator Orie.

Here is an update to the Census

Respected City Residents and Community Members;

Although the City’s numbers are up; our projected returned census questionnaires are still below the National, State and County rates. As of this morning, the census response rates are as follows:


National returned rate is - 63%


State – 68%


County – 69%; and the


City at 61%. (The City of Pittsburgh’s return rate for Yr 2000 was at 69%)


You can continue to monitor the census returned rate progress at the web-site link provided below:


http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/


By April 10, 2010, USPS will deliver 2010 Census replacement questionnaires to those who have not returned their forms. As the City, we are nearing the end of that final push and that we need to strategically position ourselves; in reiterating the importance of completing the census forms and why this is important for the City. Please also refer to the attached flier on how you assist with this initiative.
Relatively low response rates are noted in the identified neighborhoods; and again if we could all work together in targeting these neighborhoods, it would be much appreciated. The identified neighborhoods are as follows:


- Arlington- Northside - Perrysville Avenue- Homewood North- Hill District- East Liberty- Hazelwood
4. This is our one last push in ascertaining that everyone is counted. Your time and attention to this matter is greatly appreciated


Noor Ismail, AICPDirector of City Planning, City of Pittsburgh

Former Chartiers Valley superintendent named to interim post

Less is seldom best.

Former Chartiers Valley superintendent named to interim post: "Director Patti Frey said that a recent school conference in Phoenix convinced her that conducting a national search for a new superintendent is not in the district's best interests.
School laws vary widely, making out-of-state appointments potentially difficult, she said. Mrs. Frey further noted that finding the best superintendent is especially crucial to Chartiers Valley because the district does not have a permanent assistant superintendent."

Win by addition.

Sure, the laws of one state won't exactly match that of another state. Fine. But people of one state can step into another state and be effective. The laws of one's prior state are not a burden with the arrival to the new location. Come now.

Athletics in city high schools is a losing proposition

Let the Games Begin! In this case, the games are really not about play -- but rather discussions.

Athletics in city high schools is a losing proposition Athletics in city high schools is a losing proposition
By Karamagi Rujumba, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Athletes in the Pittsburgh Public Schools generally have low self esteem because of a lack of high-quality programs and resources.

The Board of Education, or really just a sub group of the board, the Education Committee, talked about athletics and opportunities for girls for 90 minutes at last night's meeting. But most of the talking was from a consultant who has been marked tardy with the report in the past on this blog. A litany of interactions occurred with the process including the use of some crude and shallow tools that netted passionate replies.

I do not think that the following key statement was ever talked about at the table, "Athletes in the Pittsburgh Public Schools generally have low self esteem because of a lack of high-quality programs and resources." Much of what was in the report was not said. Rather, the spoken direct points to the PPS was fairy tale and dream-world pats-on-the-back about being a model for the rest of the nation. Say what?

The unspoken theme from the consultant was "Rehire me! I'll still give you all a gold star for effort in hiring me."

My global point: It does not take a women rocket scientist to reveal "pervasive and severe" inequities in the PPS athletic opportunities. And, these are so pervasive that boys and girls suffer greatly. To bring the girls games to an equal position of that enjoyed by the PPS boys is a perfect formula for getting nobody to win much of anything of value. As a system, the boys opportunities are very, very poor and the girls opportunities are very, very, very poor. Getting them all to just double poor would be a world-class fumble. The gender disparities among athletes is tiny when contrasted to the generally low emphasis on student sports.

"The interscholastic athletic program overall appears to suffer from poor self-esteem," said Ms. Pennepacker of High School Title IX Consulting Services.

I am not paid $10,000 for my comments. And, I'm not two years late in making them, just prompt, present and polite.

The consultant, who signed a $10,000 contract with the district said that her survey of student athletes and coaching staff found that they have a "general notion of apathy, hopelessness and anger regarding the quality and perceived lack of importance that the school district in general places on interscholastic athletics."

Mark Rauterkus, a swimming and water polo coach at Schenley High School said he was not surprised by the report's conclusions.

"We have known this all along. I haven't seen any types of reforms in student athletics in a long time," Mr. Rauterkus said.

Dr. John Thompson, prior PPS Superintendent, didn't do much with the sports and athletics efforts in the PPS either.

Even Mr. Lopez talked about how sports in the city have "De-Volved." That is from a Tenn Vol, too. (pun alert) We've been standing still or getting worse in many regards -- so he said at the all coaches meeting.

School administrators "have been focused on other things for a while now, and yet we know that student athletes can be even better students when they are given the support they need," he added.

Mr. Rauterkus said the school district "now knows that this is something they need to pay more attention to and the fact that we are talking about it shows they understand that we have a problem."

The 140-page audit report, which assessed all aspects of student athletics -- including practice and training facilities, the number of experienced coaches and staff and availability of sports uniforms -- at the nine city high schools found that, compared to the national average, far fewer city high school girls participate in sports.

Despite the district's shortcomings, Ms. Pennepacker commended it for opening itself to public scrutiny on the question of gender disparity in sports.She did deliver some wild assertions that put the district in an inflated place.

Heather Arnet, executive director of the Women and Girls Foundation of Southwest Pennsylvania, and a former school board member who pushed for the audit, agreed.

"This took courage on the part of the school board because they knew it would shine a light on the district," she said. "But you can't fix the problem until you quantify it and now we know the disparity."

Another key finding of the report was that city schools have not taken steps in recent years to significantly expand sports programs for female students.

And because female athletes in the district remain significantly under-represented in interscholastic athletics, Ms. Pennepacker recommended that the district develop a strategic action plan to expand female athletics and create a timetable for implementation.

In 2009, as a volunteer coach, I began a new sports team -- well -- three really. We started a non-varsity water polo program for girls, boys and even a 'co-ed' team. I've expanded female athletic opportunities in PPS with fall water polo. I want that to continue in the spring and the summer.

Water polo, like swimming, is for both boys and girls. And, we've got slightly more girls on the teams than boys, but for the most part it is sorta even. The boys do show up for practices a little more than the girls did this past year. But, we've had more scholastic swim practices at Schenley this year than any other program in the city -- perhaps twice as many.

Part of that plan, she added, should explore the idea of creating some oversight over high school sports booster clubs, which can create a disparity because of their fundraising for certain sports.

This booster mention makes me chuckle. I often talk about boosters as a way to put forth improvements, not only in sports but in other areas of the PPS. I'm part of a 'booster group' for male engagement in PPS. We help with Take a Father to School Day. I suggested that the PPS Afterschool Czar (coordinator) form a booster group. Often I talk with others at PPS about booster groups and hear, "What's that?"

Where are there strong booster groups in PPS now?

Schenley Volleyball has a booster group. We'll have a Schenley swim banquet this weekend organized by parents, a swim booster function. Carrick's hockey team had a booster group in the past. I had meetings with them when we still had a closed indoor ice rink in the South Side. There are tons of booster activities associated with the South Side Sabers, a youth football team. But that isn't PPS.

Marching Band Boosters are often the most organized examples in the WPIAL.

PPS does not need Booster Oversight as there is little to inspect. We do need Booster Incubators. However, boosters are a big deal in most sports settings elsewhere.

Among her recommendations, Ms. Pennepacker said the district ought to create a Title IX compliance officer position, specifically to oversee what would be the implementation of the school system's Title IX action plan.

I'm going to suggest that the Schenley Principal, Ms. Sophia Facaros, be pegged as the one to be the PPS Title IX compliance officer.

Derrick Lopez, assistant superintendent for secondary schools said the district is already taking steps to implement such a plan.

The girls swimmers at Perry High School were talked about by the consultant. Perry added the team the year before while the consultant was doing some the early work. This year, Schenley swam Perry in our first city league meet and again in the second meet. The girls squad at Perry had less than 4 swimmers in the first meet. Schenley had 25 or so. In the second meet, at Perry, none of the girls showed up. Oh well. Frankly, I am a 'fix it kinda guy.' The wiki I began is called "Fix PA." It isn't titled, "QUANTIFY THE SINS." Of course fixes can be made before losses are racked up and quantified. A coach does not conduct a season or TWO, and watch how the ball moves while keeping stats. Then, after the seasons have ended, go to the players and say that the stats reveal basement-level performances. It must be some wacky lawyer/bureaucrat speak to feel accomplished so as to only conclude that there is sufficient reason to believe that improvements will be taught to those on the teams in the future. As for courage, think again. No doubt, the district has courage like a bull. However, getting that bull to take a jog in the realm of sports and athletics is still unseen. So, I'll continue to wave colorful flags and try to garner attention. But, I'm not really wishing for the courage so as to make a rush of a bull in a china shop. Courage and confidence comes with doing the right things, day to day, moment to moment. My long-time comment was said in a context of multiple superintendents. Mr. Roosevelt told me in past years that sports issues were on the "back burner." The PPS Administrators had other challenges that were more pressing. Then around the first of the year (January 2010), he emailed me to say that sports is moving to the front burner, finally.

Fw: LibertarianList Returns

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-----Original Message-----
From: LibertarianList <info@libertarianlists.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 03:24:45
To: <mark04@rauterkus.com>
Subject: LibertarianList Returns



LibertarianLists is Back! We have a new website that is finally taking
shape and we will be gaining new features in days to come. Though we
are registered on "white lists" it is always a good idea to recognize
our emails as such in your email client.

For our inaugural allert, we would like to discuss a campaign shaping
up down in Texas.

Tip O'Neill once said that "all politics is local."

Let's look at an example: Everyone knows the 14th Congressional
District of Texas - Ron Paul's district. Are you aware that many
high ranking GOP members within this district actually work against
Dr. Paul? While Dr. Paul carries a message of liberty to not only his
constituents, but to the whole nation, there are those who would
prefer that this icon of freedom was silenced. Indeed, a portion of
his district hosts many within the neoconservative ranks. They control
virtually every portion of government except for Dr. Paul's seat. In
doing so, they utilize tax dollars as a revenue basis to fund his
opponents time and time again.

These 'neoconservatives' are absolutely opposed to free markets and
competition. They establish political "machines" which serve to
insure their interests are served in government above all others and
at the expense of the taxpayers. They obtain government "no bid"
contracts, receive special tax breaks and use their ill-gotten gains
to perpetuate ever more oppressive burdens on the communities they
afflict. Perhaps calling them corporatists, crony capitalists or
corporate welfare queens would be more fitting.

So if the 'local' folks are working against someone like Dr. Paul, how
can anyone else outside of that area try to make a difference and
help?

There is hope.

Former Texas LP Vice-Chairman Kevin Tunstall has battled these same
forces for years. Running for City Council in Missouri City
(population 70000) in 2007, Tunstall garnered 46% of the vote on a
very modest budget, despite an opponent who received significant
financial backing from these nefarious political interests.

During his campaign, he discovered many activities by the local
government that were deemed illegal by the state, but carried no
enforcement provisions or criminal penalties. Additionally, he
uncovered a cottage industry of lawyers and property managers
contracted with certain neighborhood associations whose purpose was to
prey on elderly homeowners by initiating foreclosures for trivial
purposes. Even when homeowners decided against such practices and
voted out their association boards, they fall victim to the very same
lawyers who then support the board members who refuse to vacate their
positions upon removal. This is of course illegal, but again there is
no enforcement of the law.

We've been informed that Tunstall is running once more. At the
urging of two sitting council persons and a former council
representative, he has tossed his hat into the ring and caused a stir.

When we spoke with Tunstall, he stated: "Missouri City is a
"closed" city for general development. There is a monopoly of
developers and vendors who receive all permits and outsiders are not
welcome. This cartel of businesses then drain the government coffers
by obtaining all of the contracts outside of the bidding process and
virtually all of the contracts available for bidding while inflating
the costs of projects. They will then fund their candidates,
regardless of whether they are Democrat or Republican, who will help
protect their monopoly. It is a 'pay to play' system."

"Whenever we see a grass-roots movement to unseat or defeat one of the
vendor network candidates, the political operatives crawl out of the
shadows and begin denigrating and marginalizing the concerns of
sincere and honest citizens while they attempt to destroy the
candidates who promote open and honest government."

What is the strategy?

"How does this affect the Liberty Movement, Kevin? Why should folks
from around the country help your local campaign?" we asked. Tunstall
replied "We all have to focus on one city at a time. One race at a
time. You can choose where to give your pro-liberty support, and
hopefully you'll spend them locally, at the town and city levels, if
there is a worthwhile race there. But what if there isn't? Where
should you give then?"

Being specific, he added "Missouri City has a 5 to 2 split on the
council right now. Should we be successful , we will
have a majority and the city will be lost to the cartel. We can then
refocus our efforts on Sugar Land, Richmond and Rosenberg, and
continue our campaign to rid our government institutions from those
who oppose the interests of the taxpayers, and stop them from spending
our money against our interests."

"We need successful races. We must start at the local level and work
our way up to the county, state and national levels. As we build a
cadre of representatives who promote our interests, we will be force
to be reckoned with" he concluded.

It sounds pretty ambitious until you realize that the liberty
candidates running in the Missouri City race not only look viable, but
the Mayoral challenger is currently a sitting council person. Kevin's
picked a race that he can win and he isn't running a paper candidacy
like so many other races that ask for your funds. Considering that
Tunstall has not only lead a good race in the past, he's served the LP
at the county and state levels, and managed other high-profile
campaigns, we believe he knows what he is talking about here.

We can think of no better candidate to lead our efforts to revitalize
the Libertarian List. Our primary goal: reach pro-liberty folks all
over, and ask them to help where and when it really counts, where
their dollars might make a real difference this time. We know it's
tight all over, but if everyone who gets this email gave just a few
dollars, Kevin's campaign chest will be filled and ready for action.

We know his opponents are funded by the very people who oppose Dr.
Paul. Let us show them that we too, the Pro-Liberty forces can mount
viable campaigns.

We ask that you give, and give generously, to Tunstall's campaign
efforts. Click the link below and let's get this guy elected and get
that ball rolling.

Additionally, forward this email and get every liberty minded person
you know to sign up for Libertarian Lists. As we grow, so does the
power of our message.

As an added bonus, The "Liberty Campaign for Texas PAC" has just
endorsed Tunstall. If you contribute as a result of this email,
Liberty Campaign for Texas PAC will match your contribution. This is
an exciting way to bring local (Texas) dollars into play while
assisting a high profile, pro-liberty candidate.

Donate to the Tunstall Campaign at
http://libertarianlists.com/lists/lt.php?id=NxpWVQBVWE9cS1UDBwY%3D

If you wish to leave our list, we understand, and we'll be sorry to
see you go.

Best Regards,

Seth Cohn

Director

LibertarianList.com



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Fw: [Carlynton Happenings] The Feasibility Study and the Future ofCarlynton

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

---

From: Aria <fmodugno@gmail.com>

Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 05:03:26 -0700 (PDT)

To: <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>

Subject: [Carlynton Happenings] The Feasibility Study and the Future of Carlynton

The informatin below is posted at the request of a member of the community. I do not personally agree with this movement nor with building new facilities at this time.

In my opinion, the first step before taking either of those paths should be to conduct a study on whether it would be more beneficial for the education of the students to consider merger with another school district or to consider disbanding Carlynton and merging the 3 communities into different school districts. The school board has chosen to ignore this possibility, although their own data show declining enrollment in the district.

There are several adjoining school districts with declining enrollment, just like Carlynton. Rather than undertake new construction or an update of existing structures, both of which will put the district back into debt and likely lead to an increase in taxes, merger with another district or districts will likely lead to a decrease in taxes and and possibly an increase in student performance. As well, ALL the adjacent districts provide more academic and enrichment programs than Carlynton. There will be more opportunities for our children.

The school district and parents should first assess the feasibility of the long term viability of Carlynton, one of the smallest school district in the county but with one of the highest tax rates. Only after that is done should the district determine its next move.

The following is information that I was asked to post:

IMPORTANT INFO:

If you are a current Carlynton resident and you do not want Crafton and Carnegie Elementary schools closed, Please use one of the links below (or all) to make your voice heard!

Carlynton SOS Website
Sign the Petition
Facebook page

--
Posted By Aria to Carlynton Happenings at 4/08/2010 07:53:00 AM

Thanks for the post agenda still to come in April.

Dear Council President,

Thanks for setting up the post agenda to listen to the visitors from Bangladesh. Wow. This will be a fun challenge and could be a magical moment for us in Pittsburgh and for many around the world in a human rights battle.

Thanks again.

Mark Rauterkus
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Fw: MSNBC & NTU discover property tax issue

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

---

From: "Bob Logue" <ucblogue@verizon.net>

Date: Wed, 07 Apr 2010 20:05:56 -0400

To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;><Invalid address>

Subject: MSNBC & NTU discover property tax issue

MSNBC and the National Taxpayers Union have discovered just one small aspect of how corrupt and inaccurate the property tax on residences is.  It's great that more people are demanding the values of their homes be reduced because of the current economic problems in our country. 

   In Pennsylvania you have the right to file an appeal every year.  You need not wait for a reassessment.  Problem is they county may increase instead of decrease your property assessment.

    In reading this story you will note there is now an industry forming of lawyers filing property tax appeals for 50% of the savings for the first year. 

     Lastly, note the wealthy home owner and how much he got his taxes reduced.  He could afford to hire an attorney and an appraiser...but unless one can find an attorney willing to take the 50% deal mentioned above, the cost for most attorneys is around $350.  Appraiser perhaps $500.  Most lower and fixed income citizens can't take the risk of spending that kind of money and perhaps not getting a tax reduction at all.  An appeal of an unfavorable decision at the county level can be filed in common pleas court.  Filing fee $63.  Attorney representation at the court hearing, maybe $500.  Appraiser testifying...who knows...let's say $300.  It's worth the crap shoot for wealthy homeowners...but the lower income folks can't afford all of that. 

   NOTE:  We have sent a wealth of information to the National Taxpayers Union and they did not appear interested in the corrupt property tax issue.  So, it is encouraging to see them starting to show interest.  Bob Logue, STOP     Primary Residence Protection Plan.  Learn more at

www.undercoverclub.net and www.grandoldusa.com  

 

By Kristina Dell

msnbc.com

updated 7:32 a.m. ET, Wed., April 7, 2010

Now that the housing bubble has burst, up to 60 percent of the nation's taxable property may be overassessed, meaning owners are paying thousands of dollars more in taxes than they need to, experts say.

That is leading to a flood of appeals in many markets from homeowners eager to cut their taxes and speed the process of aligning tax valuations with reality.

While home prices have fallen by 30 percent on average since their 2007 peak, according to the Case-Shiller Home Price Index, many counties only reassess every three to five years and have little incentive to move faster considering how important property taxes are to funding local government operations.

 So homeowners are increasingly appealing the valuations, although the number is still a tiny fraction of the total — 2 to 4 percent, according to the National Taxpayers Union.

"People forget they need to appeal," said Barbara Payne, executive director of the Fulton County Taxpayers Foundation in Georgia. "Everyone should have appealed more than once in the last five years or you're paying too much."

Those who appeal are getting mixed results. Only 20 to 40 percent of those who challenge their assessment walk away with a victory, the NTU said.

"Appeals have become more difficult in the last two years now that municipalities are fighting tooth and nail for everything," said Anthony Sarro, president of eTaxReductions.com, a company that represents people on property tax appeals.

A success story
Stuart Sendell, a retired mortgage banker living in Morristown, N.J., was ultimately successful but said the process took 14 months to complete.

After reading a report that found the average assessed value of real estate in his town had increased by 5 percent, Sendell paid a visit to his local assessor's office to examine the calculations.

"Everyone knew housing values were dropping like a brick," he said, remembering that he thought the report "couldn't be right."

Stuart Sendell's home was estimated by the township to be worth $1.6 million, but his appraiser concluded his home was worth only $970,000. After appealing his property assessment, he accepted a 25 percent reduction after a lawyer for the township asked to strike a deal.

Sendell was onto something. He found that the local government included in its calculation a sample of lower-priced homes that dropped in price less severely than his house, which the office estimated was worth $1.6 million. He decided to appeal after hiring an appraiser who concluded his home was only worth $970,000.

Two months before his court date the lawyer for the township asked to strike a deal. Since New Jersey law gives assessors a 15 percent margin of error for assessments, Sendell accepted a 25 percent reduction, which showed up in his taxes. He was awarded a $5,400 tax refund — a savings he now banks each year.

Sendell's experience isn't unique. "There has been a ramp-up in requests that began well over a year ago," said Peter Sepp, vice president for policy and communications at the NTU. "People are getting sticker shock over assessments that have yet to be adjusted to the realities of the depressed real estate market."

Filing an appeal
Attorney Arthur Semetis, a resident of Westchester County, N.Y., used a law firm to file his tax grievance two years ago. "They know what the courts are looking for," he said, referring to the law firm, "and work with the judges all the time."

His lawyer was initially unsuccessful in negotiating with the tax authority but knew to stick with the process. The firm ended up winning him a tax reduction of 12 percent on the second go around in the judicial hearing.

An industry has cropped up around the process, with companies filing appeals on behalf of residents in exchange for a cut of the winnings. Most firms work on a contingency basis, taking about 50 percent of the savings for the first year.

Linux in Community

WPLUG is hosting a general user meeting on Saturday, April 10th from
10:30a until 12:30p to be held at the Wilkins School Community Center.

Kristopher "Piki" Gamrat will be speaking on the topic of The
Advantages of Linux in the Community. Do you think free software
would be a good choice at work? Would the people at your favorite
non-profit use Linux? How about the members of your family? This
presentation will challenge you to consider Linux beyond the typical.
The result would be the people you care about using the best software
available!

Further details available at: http://www.wplug.org/wiki/Meeting-20100410

Dave

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

False gods peeked into PPS Meeting tonight.

Some of Title IX is like a plague that has caused and continues to cause much anguish. You never win by subtraction. Put that as part of the law. Judges and Legislators seldom make elegant solutions. Getting to the "sweet spot" isn't through them.

I was far more interested in the risk management statements from the consultant / AD.

Video in a day or two.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Fw: DR News: Orie Sisters Charged

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

---

From: Tim Potts Democracy Rising PA <tim@democracyrisingpa.com>

Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2010 17:55:48 -0400 (EDT)

To: <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>

Subject: DR News: Orie Sisters Charged

Democracy Rising Pennsylvania

UNSUBSCRIBE HERE Orie Sisters Charged Senate Republican Whip Jane Orie, R-Allegheny, and her sister Janine Orie, an aide to another sister Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin, have been arraigned on charges of orchestrating illegal campaign work using tax-funded resources in the senator's district office. The accusation covers election campaigns from 2001 through 2009, including last year's election of Justice Melvin, who was not charged today. Sen. Orie has resigned from her leadership position. Click here for today's story by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dennis Roddy. Click here for the grand jury's presentment. The 66-page presentment involves the same kind of illegal campaigning at taxpayer expense that has resulted in the conviction of 10 House Democrats and the pending trials of 10 House Republicans, whose preliminary hearing is now scheduled for April 21. The presentment accuses Orie of 10 counts of theft of services, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, criminal conspiracy and ethics violations. Specifically, Orie is charged with directing tax-funded Senate staff, using tax-funded time and equipment to: Draft letters, make phone calls and keep a database of past and future campaign contributors Create campaign-related materials Drive Orie to politic al events Delivering campaign-related materials Get campaign contributions from a campaign-related post office box and record campaign contributions According to the presentment, political activity in Orie's office, on behalf of Justice Melvin, was such a focus that staff were reprimanded for failing to complete their official duties timely. The case has had an interesting provenance. Last October 30 an intern in Orie's district office, Jennifer Rioja, resigned her internship, explaining to Orie's chief of staff, Jamie Pavlot, that Rioja was uncomfortable with the political work occurring in the state office and on state time. The next day, Rioja called Attorney General Tom Corbett's office, which referred her to Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala, Jr. From the beginning, Orie's attorneys have cast the investigation as a political vendetta of the Zappala family against the Orie family. However, Zappala became involved only after Corbett's office directed Rioja to Zappala. When Rioja resigned her internship, Pavlot testified, Orie immediately began a cover-up that included creating phony documents to serve as a cover for campaign documents and posting a sign to indicate that Orie's campaign office was somewhere else, even though there was no other campaign office. Orie also tried to discredit Rioja with the University of Pittsburgh. In a letter to Rioja, with copies to the faculty supervising internships and to Chancellor Mark Nordenberg, Orie accused Rioja of having a political agenda. Pavlot also telephoned the internship faculty, at Orie's direction, and threatened to discontinue placing interns from Pitt. Rioja was not the only staffer who testified against Orie. As the investigation proceeded, 15 staffers testified to their knowledge of illegal campaigning or their participation in it, at the direction of Orie, Pavlot and sister Janine during the 2009 campaign and before. One former intern described working, during tax-funded time, at a phone bank on behalf of former President George W. Bush's 2004 re-election campaign. He testified that he was instructed how to block the source of the call and to use the fictitious name "Austin." Others testified that campaign work would consume as much as 50% of the work day and include making as many as 1,000 copies at a time on tax-funded copiers. Questions: How much of the cost for the most staff-heavy and nearly the most expensive legislature in America is the result of having the capacity for political work, such as making 1,000 copies at a time? Why does the Supreme Court continue to permit nepotism anywhere in the court system, much less in the Supreme Court itself? A New Reality We don't have to settle for whatever government lawmakers, judges and governors want to give us. 1. Click here to sign the petition for a referendum on a Constitution convention. 2. Forward this edition of DR News to others and ask them to sign the petition. 3. Donate to keep the pressure on. A new reality is up to us, because only we can keep democracy rising! Democracy Rising Pennsylvania abides by strict NO-SPAM rules. Please read our Privacy Policy for more details. We can be reached at: P.O. Box 618, Carlisle, PA 17013  © Democracy Rising Pennsylvania 2001-2010. All Rights Reserved. Powered by the Action Potential Nonprofit Web Toolkit

Title IX report: Hold onto your hat and sox too

We might be blown away by the Title IX report, due today. Part of it was read to me on the phone. Good golly Miss Molly.

I can't wait.

Stay tuned.

Constitutional experts seem all the rage

Wrong!

Constitutional experts seem all the rage Constitutional experts seem all the rage
By Reg Henry, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
One of my colleagues -- herself both an editor and a member of the bar (the legal bar and not the type of bar other journalists have been known to prop up) -- remarked the other day that suddenly every Joe in the country has become an authority on the Constitution.
It is true. Oddly, the people who now care passionately about the Constitution didn't seem to think much about it previously, excepting, of course, the Second Amendment, which they considered the whole constitutional shooting match.

This is such BS.
Many of us have cared a great deal about the Constitution for a long, long time.

Meanwhile, Tonya Payne doesn't care for the Constitution. She said so. Bruce Kraus didn't even know that candidates who win elected office are there to uphold the constitutions (Federal, State and City Charter). So, there are plenty out there who are NOT fans of the constitution too. Sadly, those in the dark about the importance of the constitution and justice have been winning too many elections in Pittsburgh for far too long.

To say everyone, as Reg does, is prue BS.

And to say those who care about the bedrock law of the land only care about the 2nd amendment is a joke too.

We Libertarians didn't slept the sleep of the innocent in the Bush times. Far from it.

Watchdogs have been in a slumber for many years, locally, Reg. I've stated that countless times, Reg.

I hate eminent domain -- but the PG digs it. We don't need to go over all the times you got it wrong.

Okay, let me hold your hand. The Constitution, of course, does not specifically mention a federal role in health care. How could it? With another amendment. If health care should become a "right" -- then it should be put into the Constitution. The Constitution is a living document. If it needs to be changed, let's bring on that discussion. That's how, Reg.

Reg, even the logic in your article misses the mark. Congress is given the power "to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes." But big business is not a foreign nation, nor several states nor a Indian tribe. Reg, think again.

Kraus seeks audit on delayed Pittsburgh anti-gang program

Kraus seeks audit on delayed Pittsburgh anti-gang program: "Kraus seeks audit on delayed Pittsburgh anti-gang program"

Finally!

He seeks an audit. Meanwhile, I was against it ever getting any money. The other on council, Theresa Smith, spoke today too. She said she was sad to have voted for the curfew center at the outset. Too late now. I wanted her and the others to never fund it from the get go. I am glad that they are coming around to my side on this -- finally.

Pittsburgh City Council does the right thing!

Great news. Thanks President Burns.

When a visitor to Pittsburgh from Bangladesh arrives later this month to share insights of work in the apparel factories, Pittsburgh City Council will host a post-agenda meeting to receive the testomony. This is wonderful and just what was hoped for as the next step.

In Pittsburgh, we've pushed to have our purchasing departments go out of its way to obtain items with public dollars that are sure to be supplied from factories where the workers have human rights upheld. We don't want to buy from sweatshops.

But, this isn't happening as promised.

Humm.....

Grand jury accuses state Sen. Jane Orie

Busted.

Grand jury accuses state Sen. Jane Orie: "Grand jury accuses state Sen. Jane Orie
Says Republican state senator misused office, staff

My adivce to Jane Orie: Resign from public office and move to the private sector. Then spend what you must ot fight the charges so you don't go to jail for too long of a stay.

Libertarian Party of PA has candidates in 2010

At the Libertarian Party Convention on March 27, 2010, the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPA) approved the following statewide candidates to run in the 2010 election:

All of Pennsylvania:

Marakay Rogers, Governor, Attorney from York, York County

Douglas M. Jamison, U.S. Senate, Engineer from Nottingham Township, Washington County

While most Libertarian Party district candidates are nominated at the county level and the nomination process has not been completed, the following candidates have been confirmed:

U.S. Congress:

Bill Beeman, 3rd District

Eric Wisener, 8th District

Demo Agoris, 12th District (Western PA)

Scott Pigeon, 18th District (Western PA)

Senator in the General Assembly:

Betsy Summers, 14th District

Representative in the General Assembly:

Michael J. Robertson, 63rd District

Erik Viker, 85th District

Brian Bergman, 119th District

Tim Mullen, 120th District

Commenting on the election:
Candidate for Governor Marakay Rogers said, "Pennsylvanians are angry, and they're not going to take it any more. For many people, the legislature's hijacking of the state budget for half a year was the last straw. They want an alternative to what's been happening in Harrisburg, and that's what the Libertarian Party is offering them."

United States Senate nominee Douglas Jamison observed "James Madison said 'The powers delegated … to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite.' Liberty was founded in this state, and I plan to begin restoring the people’s liberties by adhering to the constitution as their Senator."

LPPA Election Committee Chair Susan Haythornthwaite noted "In order for Libertarian Party candidates to appear on the November ballot, Pennsylvania election law requires that Libertarian statewide candidates obtain about ten times the number of signatures on nomination papers from registered voters in Pennsylvania than Democratic or Republican candidates need for their publicly funded nomination. I encourage citizens to support democracy in Pennsylvania and America by signing nomination petitions for Libertarian Party candidates who are willing and able to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania."

The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in Pennsylvania and the United States. More than 200,000 people across the country are registered Libertarians, and Libertarians serve in hundreds of elected offices. Please visit www.lp.org or www.lppa.org for more information.

So sad. Really sad. The cloud of Title IX used as a delay tactic.

The Women's Law Project sent this out via email:

The results are in! This Wednesday, April 7, at 5:30 PM, the auditor who conducted the Title IX audit of the Pittsburgh Public Schools' high school athletics programs will present her findings and recommendations to the board's Education Committee members. After her presentation, the school district will present their plan for implementing her recommendations and ensuring gender equity in their sports programs.
History of the Title IX Audit

This audit was undertaken by PPS after the Women's Law Project met with school board members and counsel to advocate on behalf of female athletes in the school district. At that meeting, the WLP also discussed preliminary findings from Right to Know requests of several PPS high schools, which indicated that girls were not receiving equitable athletic opportunities in their school athletics programs.
Title IX Audit, Recommendations, and Implementation

At this Wednesday's Education Committee meeting, the athletic director and consultant who conducted the audit, Peg Pennepacker, will present her findings. After her presentation, the school district will reveal their plan to implement her recommendations throughout the district.

This meeting is open to the public. We hope you will join us to hear the results of this important audit and hold the school district accountable for providing equal athletic opportunities to all students, regardless of sex.

Education Committee Meeting Details

Where: Board Committee Room, Administration Building, 341 S. Bellefield Avenue (Oakland)
When: 5:30 PM
For further information: Contact the WLP at infopitt@womenslawproject.org

Police asked to look at questionable petitions

Police asked to look at questionable petitions The Allegheny County Elections Division has referred to police questions about ballot petitions circulated on behalf of state Rep. Jake Wheatley.
The referral by Elections Division Manager Mark Wolosik comes after Democratic primary challenger Tonya Payne alleged forgeries on petitions circulated for Mr. Wheatley by city Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle, of the Hill District.
Ms. Payne wrote to Mr. Wolosik calling for an investigation, as did Carla Duncan, a Hill District resident whose name appears on the petitions, and who said she never signed them. The Post-Gazette contacted several other people whose names appeared on the petitions, and some of them, too, claimed they had not signed.
'We referred it to the county police,' said Mr. Wolosik, who has no investigators on his staff. Neither police nor Mr. Wheatley could be immediately reached for comment.

This is why we need "NONE OF THE ABOVE" as an option on every ballot in the city and county -- if not the state too.

Parking wars - reactions

Bill Peduto used Facebook to link to this article in the Trib. Now it is a 'war.' OMG. Well, the first injury in war is often the truth. So, let's read and react.

Parking wars - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:If Pittsburgh sells its parking system as Ravenstahl has proposed, you can forget about free parking on Sundays or after hours, since any profit-making entity will maximize its revenue from our garages, lots and street meters. It will be a 24/7 operation that will ignore the interests of residents and local and central business districts in the name of profit.

To be certain, Pittsburgh's mayor is not affering to sell the parking system. He wants to lease it, not sell it. I want to sell certain assets. The system is nothing that can be sold unless one wants to sell the whole Parking Authority. That would be well worth the discussion. However, in the plans put forth by the Pittsburgh politicians, the Parking Authority and its system still remains.

As to the 24/7 statement, think again.

I have suggested that the parking meters on East Carson Street be enforced in the evening and night hours. That would be a blessing for the residents and neighborhood too. Cars that are parked in illegal ways would get a ticket and towed, perhaps. As it is now, the city collects NO money from those that park along the busy streets when the bars are booming. Zippo. The meters are not enforced beyond 5 pm. And there are some parking lots where there is some late night enforcement -- but we should do the enforcement at all times. The extra money could go to clean up, for example.

I think that the free parking in 'sparkle season' or on nights or whenever the politicians pass the ordinance to make it free for some political favors that need to be returned -- has done plenty to prevent private developers from building parking in their buildings. Don't put parking in a new department store (i.e. Lazarus) -- let the city build it for you. Don't put parking next to a new office development (PNC First Side) -- rather insist that the city build it for you. Private money never wants to enter the marketplace and compete with government money. That's a risk that won't happen. So, government keeps its monopoly. Hence, Pittsburgh does not fix the problem of downtown parking.

The interests of the residents would include parking enforcement on East Carson Street on the South Side with around the clock enforcement of the meters.

What you don't want to do is create a situation where it's too expensive for people to park. You can actually price people out of coming into the city," Hairston says.

When it is too expensive to park, the people are priced out of their cars -- and put into mass transit. They might not be taken out of the city -- but just out of their car as a way to get to the city. People can walk, bike, bus, or not come if parking is too expensive.

Thousands of unwarranted tickets can be really bad. Who passes out the tickets? Is the government agent there to collect fees for the private operators?

This is one reason why it is important to NOT lease the city streets to anyone other than the city owner / operators. I think it makes sense to keep the city streets and parking on the streets and enforcement of the parking on the streets and at the meters in the hands of the public sector. Sell the garages. Don't sell the street parking. City control of the city streets makes good sense and better government. Priavte parking is a much different matter and should be done within the realm of private ownership and enforcement.

It is always good government to keep local what is local. The local pension funds should be controlled locally. I don't want the state to take over things that the state had no business starting. The folly of the locals needs to stay where it began and where it must end. As a state citizen, I don't want to see the state pick up the city's debt from the pension fund and make a take over.

Behind Ravenstahl's pitch to sell off this valuable asset is his misguided desire to keep the commonwealth from taking over Pittsburgh's defunct pension fund.

Wrong.

The state will find a solution. It will jack up our taxes. The state needs to deal with state matters -- like doing a budget on time for once in a decade.

The pinstripe patronage is not only a matter of local concern, but also of state and federal concern. Just to shift the burden to another segment does not elminate pinstripe patronage. Pinstripers contribue to many campaigns -- locally and beyond. Think again.

And the pension fund is something that he wants to keep so as not to lose all the pinstripe patronage that comes with the appointment of bankers and lawyers to service that fund. Those pinstripers, in turn, contribute heavily to the campaigns of those who feather their nests.

It is really that simple, since previous city administrations would have thrown a party for the Legislature if it had offered to take over the city's pension fund. By turning his back on good management, such as cutting and consolidating and downsizing, Ravenstahl has had to follow one bad decision with another: keep the pension fund and propose a divisive tuition tax or keep the pension fund and sell the parking facilities.

Selling the parking facilities puts an end to the folly. To lease them, as is the real plan, only sustains the folly into the future for generations to come.

Tax-exempt garages and lots will suddenly become taxable and parkers will be required to absorb the taxes on facilities that they have already paid to construct. And the ability of government to use the development of a parking facility to spark neighborhood development or partner with a library or community center to make those projects affordable will be gone forever.

Why in the world do we want to pay more taxes on our homes and less taxes or no taxes on land that is devoted to a surface parking lot. Foolishness in this article is HUGE.

The garages of the Parking Authority are not taxable. We have too many properties in the city that are tax exempt. We want to increase the burden of taxes on all the non taxable locations so that those who do pay taxes, such as home owners, can pay less. So, if the Parking Authority garages are sold, the land will be taxed. We win. That is great. This is exactly what should occur.

What will be gone forever is the need for homeowners to pay more taxes to the city treasury so that suburban parking garage users don't have to pay.

Not only should the tax exempt status for parking garages go away, but as the property changes hands a deed-tranfer tax can be collected too. We win again.

Building a parking garage with pubic funds has sparked neighborhood development -- like with Lazarus Department Store. It had a public parking garage right under the store. Some spark. That was a melt down.

Once the parking garages are sold, private developers can spark neighborhood development. That is where the real spark comes -- from private money, not governement money. Governement money is taken from the taxpayers and presented to others for their profits. That's wrong. Then they leave anyway.

But, regardless, if the city leaders want to build a parking garage in 2012 to spark development, say in Hazelwood, (yeah right), then there is NOTHING stopping them even if the parking garages were sold to private owners in 2010. Under Luke's plan, there would be a moratorium that prevented the building of any new parking structures in the city. That's just stupid to the Nth degree. Scrap that. The city should be free to enter into any deal it wants in the future without being sold down the river by Luke's plan of 2010 and a dumb lease contract.

I don't want to diminish the freedom of the city's residents, the city governement, nor the city's business sector either. Sell the garages. Be done with them. Let the new owners do what they wish. And, let the next administration do what it wishes. And likewise for the next generation.

As for the $200 million Ravenstahl hopes to raise, Chicago provides a cautionary note there as well. The Chicago inspector general said that the 75-year lease of parking facilities there, which netted $1.15 billion, was a lousy deal for the city since Chicago could have netted at least $2.13 billion by keeping and operating the parking over that same term.

So what. The job of city governement is to protect the freedom of its citizens, operate the courts, curb mass outbreaks of disease, maintain the roads.

And the stakes could not be higher.

BS again.

Planning in Pittsburgh

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100405153917/fixpa/images/6/67/PRESERVEPGH_Flyer.pdf

Post-Gazette.com

Post-Gazette.com South Africa's white supremacist leader Eugene Terreblanche was bludgeoned to death by two of his farm workers Saturday in an apparent dispute over wages, police said, amid growing racial tensions in the once white-led country.
Terreblanche, 69, was leader of the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging movement, better known as the AWB, that wanted to create three all-white republics within South Africa in which blacks would be allowed only as guest workers.
The opposition Democratic Alliance party blamed increasing racial tensions for the killing.

Leonard Pitts Jr.: Den of anonymity

Leonard Pitts Jr.: Den of anonymity: "It must have seemed like a great idea at the time.
There was this new medium, the Internet, and newspapers were posting stories on it, and someone decided to create a forum where readers could discuss and debate what they just read. It must have seemed an inspiration kissed by the spirit of Jefferson: a free public space where each of us could have his or her say.

There is a big crock of crap in the den of the watch dog. No joke.

Fw: PMA Newsflash!

------Original Message------
From: pma1996@aol.com
To: pma1996@aol.com
Subject: PMA Newsflash!
Sent: Apr 3, 2010 8:54 AM

FREE MUSIC TOGETHER CLASSES THIS WEEK!

If you have a child age birth to 5 years old, or if you know someone in
that age group who would enjoy 45 minutes of musical fun, please come
to one of our free classes this coming week at our school in Carnegie.

Monday, April 5, 6:30 - 7:15pm

Wednesday, April 7, 11 - 11:45am

The classes are a prelude to the new Music Together session which
begins on April 12.



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Polling and school leadership in Rocheser, NY

Okay to publish as letter to editor.

Mayor control of the public schools does not happen with board appointments by the mayor. A board still has the policy role. That board still gives the mayor cover. If the mayor wants to control schools, ask about all the past policy suggestions already offered. Pressure and especially solution suggestions are never silenced even from "outsiders."

To be a real school leader then resign as mayor and get hired as superintendent. Or, win a seat on the elected school board by being voted into that position.

Our democracy is fragile. We need more voting and less hand picked authority appointments without accountability.

And the bickering about the polling is trash. Real polling in the USA happens at the ballot box. Do a couple of non-binding referendums on the next election day.

The mayor could put questions to the voters if he really cared about teaching a civics lesson.

Mark Rauterkus
Rochester visitor from Pittsburgh.

412 298 3432

PS. We enjoyed the Webster Aquatic Center and all the locals.
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52.47 for 100 by Erik

Nice.
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Quiz - Sweepstakes - smart sportsfolks??

Here in Rochester, the buzz is about the Final Four. Why? I bet you can't guess. Enen on the front page of todays paper that I picked up at hotel before we headed back for last day of Zone Swim Meet. Hint: Trivia answer has nothing to do with swimming. Final Four???

The first one to reply with the correct answer does not get an iPad.
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Envy over Dippy puts Big Boy in Schenley Plaza. Carnegie Library to turn into parking lot for cook and wait staff.

A 14 foot tall statue of Big Boy is going to grace the historic Schenley Plaza in Oakland so as to be on scale with Dippy the Dino statue that has sat outside the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

In other news, in a bold cost saving measure and to provide the necessary number og parking places for the short order cooks, smile cookie bakers and waitress staffers -- yet alone customers seeking the early bird senior discounts -- the existing Library will be made into a parking lot. Books will be put in many of the booths and at the counters rather than the wooden triangle golf tee game now sold exclusively at Perkins.
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Day 1 with one best time and another to not talk about.

Erik finished day 1 of swimming at Zones. His 100 breast was 1:11. That is way better that seed of 1:17 or his HS best of 1:14. The 200 was 15 min later and he was dead from the prior event. sorta stunk in last 100. On Fri is his 50 and then much later the 500.
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PPS and new afterschool efforts -- FAQ w As

At each of the regional meetings, there were questions, ideas and concerns raised by staff and board members of after school programs. Below is a summary of these questions, ideas and concerns grouped by topic.
APPLICATION

Q: Is the application form on the PPS website?
A: No, it is not on the website right now, but it will be posted when it is released.

Q: Is there a deadline for applications?
A: Yes, but it has not been determined. It depends on the release of the application. Groups will have approximately 3 weeks to complete the application.

Q: Is there an application for each site or each agency?
A: There is an application for each agency, but the agency will need to indicate all the sites.

Q: Where is the SPARC database?
A: http://www.swpaafterschool.org/

Q: What about programs that serve PPS students in the same group at non-PPS students?
A: If the program is serving PPS students, the organization should apply.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Q: How long will the partnership last?
A: The partnership will be one year – approximately August 2010 to July 2011.

Q: Are you trying to create a shopping list of programs?
A: PPS is creating a "shopping list of programs" that are willing to go to any school in the city for principals to select from (examples could include groups like Girls Scouts and Boy Scouts), but programs that are neighborhood based or work with one school will not be included in the "shopping list."

Q: How many groups do you see applying?
A: Turn out at the meetings has been very high. There are between 45-50 organizations that operate in PPS building that are required to apply and there are about 150+ off-site organizations that could apply as well.

Q: Is this only for organizations providing services in schools?
A: No, it includes organizations that operate off-site as well.

Q: If I have a new program that wants to target specific schools or students, should I apply?
A: Yes. If you expect the program to launch in School Year 2010-11, you should apply even if it doesn't start at the beginning of the school year.

Q: Do we need to provide after school programs daily to be partner?
A: No.

Q: Can the MOU process include a letter of support from the Superintendent for organizations that receive EITC funding?
A: This is something that PPS will look into.

Q: What could cause a group to be declined?
A: There is a rubric and applications will be evaluated based on the rubric. Specific examples could be groups that do not do clearances for staff; groups that do not have annual audits, groups that do not evaluate their program with rigor or groups that do not use curricula.

Q: What about programs that do not provide direct service, but that partner with organizations?
A: This is an important issue and there will be another meeting with these "non-traditional" after school programs think through how the application process applies to them.

Q: Can we partner with another organization?
A: Yes, but details on who would be the approved provider will need to be discussed further.

Q: Can you differentiate how this is different from what we are already doing?
A: We want to formalize the partnerships with after school programs through an MOU. Currently there are some programs have MOU's based on funding (i.e. SES or 21st Century), some have building permits and PPS wants to incorporate the entire agency. Also, groups that don't receive funding from SES or 21st Century do not have a way of officially partnering with PPS.

FUNDING

Q: Will there be funds to support this initiative?
A: No, not initially. This is a non-monetary partnership.

RELATIONSHIP WITH SCHOOLS & PARENTS

Q: Will principals be the group to approve the programs?
A: No. The applications will be reviewed by an internal team and then will be matched with the schools where the principals indicate that they want the program and/or a service (e.g. an arts program).

Q: Does this benefit after school programs for elementary aged students in any specific ways?
A: This is targeted for students attending after school programs at all grade levels. One of the goals of this process is to make sure that more students, including elementary aged students, have more after school opportunities.

Q: What if the principal says "no" to a program?
A: The principals will be able to decide what programs they want to operate in their school buildings. There are a lot of factors that a principal will consider such as the needs of the student population, transportation, number of PPS programs such as sports, EAP and school clubs. By having a "menu" of programs willing to operate in any school for principals to select from, PPS is hopeful that the matching process will ensure that programs are located in schools with supportive principals.

Q: Will this process help with the buy-in from principals?
A: Yes. There are a lot of principals that want additional after school resources for their schools and this will definitely help. As for an overall understanding about the importance of after school, it will be a lot easier to talk about after school and its importance when we have numbers of students enrolled, opportunities available, needs to fill, etc.

Q: Are you embracing the teachers in this process?
A: Teachers are very important, but at this stage we are working with principals and counselors, as we want teachers to focus on classroom instruction and their other obligations through the end of the school year. Teachers will be a part of this process over the long term.

Q: What type of initiatives are planned to reach parents?
A: There are a lot of plans to reach parents with this information. The "menu" of options will be available on the PPS website on the community resources link for each school. It will also be a part of the community resources guide. Mark Conner, Director of Family Engagement, has already heard the after school needs from parents and is developing a strategy to inform them about the after school options once the partnerships are in place.

Q: Is PPS addressing the issues with teachers and principals about homework?
A: Yes. PPS has a new homework policy that was approved by the Board in September 2009. The policy outlines the requirements for each grade level. PPS knows that there is a lot of work to improve homework assignments and it's a key part of the Pathways work.

CLEARANCES

Q: Which clearances are required?
A: All providers and any employees of providers who will have direct contact with children must complete three required clearances:  the Act 34 (Criminal Record Check), the Act 151 (Child Abuse History), and the Act 114 of 2006 (FBI Federal Criminal History). The fees to complete the clearances are to be paid by the provider.  

Q: How often will clearances need to be submitted? How long are clearances "fresh"?
A: This question has been sent to the legal department for an answer.

Q: There are two FBI clearances – DPW and Dept. of Education. Which one does PPS accept?
A: At this point PPS accepts both.

DATA COLLECTION & DATA SHARING

Q: In terms of data sharing, is there going to be a form that needs to be signed by the program or parents?
A: The parents will need to sign a FERPA form created by PPS. The organizations will be held to confidentiality standards that will be outlined in the MOU.

Q: Would there be anyway that we could have a FERPA release form that we could insert into our application, rather than a separate form?
A: No, we will need the PPS FERPA form. We will try to get it to organizations as soon as applications are approved so they can be distributed with registration information.

Q: Will assessment information be included in the data exchange, not just the scores?
A: We are still working on the details on information and format of the data-sharing. Please attend any of the data committee meetings held by APOST/United Way if you have specific ideas and needs.

Q: Will you have small working groups to help develop data sharing reports?
A: Yes. There is a question on the application that allows groups to volunteer for a committee.

Q: Will you be tracking if students are in more than one program?
A: Yes, we will have a program code for every program so that students can be matched with the program(s) they are participating in.

Q: Will parents need to fill out a FERPA Form for each program?
A: Yes.

Q: How will organizations feed data to PPS?
A: This has not been determined yet because we do not want to add a burdensome process. Until we have an IT system, everyone will need to be patient and flexible.

Q: Will there be a standard format to report attendance?
A: Yes.

Q: Will PPS require that programs submit names of participants at the beginning of the year?
A: Yes.

PATHWAYS TO THE PROMISE

Q: When does "getting ready" for college start?
A: PPS is focused on 4 primary check points for Pathways to the Promise – K, 3rd, 6th and 9th Grades. PPS is striving to create a robust "college-going" culture and needs the support of the entire community in this effort.

Q: Are the principles of Pathways to the Promise built into the application? Will there be professional development on these principles?
A: Yes, there is an opportunity in the application for groups to indicate in general terms the ways that their organization / program supports Pathways. For example, there are questions about homework and college preparation. In terms of professional development, PPS will assess the needs of the CBO's/FBO's. PPS is in the beginning stages of developing Pathways and we expect to have professional development opportunities in the future.

FUTURE PLANS

Q: Are you looking at partners with MOU's to give them training or access to software?
A: There is no doubt that a city-wide software system and / or a PPS software system for after school would have a lot of benefits. PPS is in the early stages of overhauling its IT system and there is discussion about how to incorporate sports, after school programs into the type of system that is developed. This will not happen in year 1, but it is expected soon.

Q: Will there be some dialogue around CBO's capacity? For example, they only serve X students, but with X valued added, they could increased by Y.
A: Yes, and this application process is the first step in understanding capacity.

Q: Will PPS share citywide best practices on recruiting students and serving schools?
A: Yes, this is a great idea and we will do this. There will be quarterly meetings where we can start to gather this information.

Q: Could this become a volunteer clearing house for programs?
A: Need more information, but yes, it could be a recruitment tool.

Q: Do you expect over time to help programs find where their particular program would be more impactful?
A: Yes. This is a first step in that process.

Ideas, Comments & Concerns:

▪ This seems like a great opportunity so that principals will know what is happening and what is available.

▪ All providers face the same issues – transportation, getting data, etc. – hopefully, this process will be a stepping stone to a better partnership with PPS.

▪ Providers need 3-4 weeks to complete the application.

▪ Many programs need approval from their boards to proceed. A one-pager, a copy of the application and an outline of the requirements would be enough information to approach boards.

▪ Submitting monthly attendance without providing funds will be an extra burden

▪ There are a lot of deliverables (attendance reports, meetings) and benefits are not as clear.

▪ The county requires that programs submit attendance.

▪ Let's hope this helps with transportation.

▪ Autonomy as a cultural institution with academic requirements (NOTE: at this point there are not any academic requirements)

▪ Concern that PPS is trying to make all programs into the same type of program, which has happened in Pittsburgh before, not with PPS, however. (RESPONSE: PPS is not trying to make all programs the same. PPS does want a level of quality across all partner organizations.)

▪ Some programs have relationships with schools, but need permission slips from parents, which are difficult to obtain. (RESPONSE: A lot of programs have an application that parents fill out at the beginning of the year that has blanket parent permission.)

▪ SPARC database is difficult and it doesn't allow partners to remove information that is outdated or incorrect. (RESPONSE: 3rc has made the form easier. 3rc will delete or correct any information that is outdated, but programs need to contact 3rc directly.)

▪ Once we get families engaged, there needs to be additional incentives for parent involvement.

▪ There is a need for after school "booster" groups to interface with the community. Perhaps via conference calls.

▪ PPS needs to visit programs. There is a huge variety of quality and it's a concern – especially for parents.

▪ The formal partnership gives parents confidence about programs that are approved.

▪ Career exploration and employment programs can provide valuable data to help PPS improve its goals around 11th grade PA Academic Standards for Career Education and Work

▪ We need to figure out a way to incorporate a feedback loop for students' interests beyond principals' input and decisions.

▪ There is not a plan for student voice and choice

▪ This is anther data report and multiple are already being filled out.

▪ Link approved programs in PPS parent handbooks

▪ Create an on-line survey to get input on program they want or want to learn more about.

▪ This is exciting and we are glad that after school is being addressed by PPS

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