I know you understand the power of ideas. But good ideas are not worth anything if they are not put into action. I know you believe this, or you would not be a member of Campaign for Liberty. In order to help their members put their ideas into action, Campaign for Liberty supports training activists to be effective spokespeople and leaders. A political insider observed that, “Political success is determined by the number and effectiveness of the political activists on either side.” Therefore, you really do owe it to your ideas and principles to learn how to become the most effective activist you can be. To help you become more effective, I want to let you know there will be a One-Day Political Leadership School held in your area soon. (The details are listed below.) I hope you will sacrifice a little of your weekend to be part of this exciting class. I understand it is intense and even fun. I know that if you put just a few of the ideas you will learn into practice, you will help advance the cause of liberty. I sincerely hope you can attend. In Liberty, Rand Paul U.S. Senator, Kentucky P.S. I know you care about principles, limiting the scope and power of government, and the power of liberty. Here is your chance to convert our shared passion into action. I hope you will attend the upcoming Political Leadership School in Maryland. Dear Mark, Do you know how to work the legislature, or are you going to be worked over by the legislature... again? I am confident you understand the power of ideas. But good ideas are not worth anything if they are not put into action. If you and I are going to spend our time and treasure trying to reclaim the Republic, then let’s do it to win. The Maryland Campaign for Liberty is hosting a One-Day Political Leadership School on Saturday, April 5, 2014. Over the last 3 years, this school has trained over 4,000 activists in more than 35 states. Every one of our instructors have years of experience running and winning campaigns and legislative projects in multiple state legislatures. They will share their stories of what works (and what doesn’t) during this information-packed school. Click here to purchase your ticket. At this school, you will learn how to create meaningful change and what you must do to be respected and feared by politicians. You must be at this school! This intense one-day training covers:
• The Real Nature of Politics – why just “educating” people alone won’t result in change
• The Biggest Lie in Politics – and how the political class uses your convictions against you
• How to Work effectively at the Capitol – getting a bill sponsor and a roll call vote despite the leadership
• How to Build a Group – putting pressure on legislators
This class will teach you how to turn your passion into action. I sincerely hope you can attend.
One-Day Political Leadership School Details:
Saturday, April 5, 2014 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Country Inn & Suites 17612 Valley Mall Road Hagerstown, MD 21740 *Registration begins at 8:15 AM Click here to purchase your ticket today. You owe it to your ideas and principles to learn how to become the most effective activist you can be. In Liberty, Theodore Patterson Maryland Campaign for Liberty P.S. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the solution! Click here to get your ticket today! P.P.S. Check out what others have said about this class:
|
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Fwd: You Owe It to Yourself to Learn How to Win
Monday, March 10, 2014
Fwd: The Eagle covers the SAT changes
From: "The Eagle" <schoolnewspapersonline@gmail.com>
Date: Mar 10, 2014 4:21 AM
Subject: The Eagle
To: <mark@rauterkus.com>
Cc:
The Eagle |
College Board changes the SAT for 2016 causing controversy Posted: 09 Mar 2014 12:08 PM PDT College Board, the corporation in charge of several standardized tests Changes to the SAT will include the following: The essay will be In explaining the reasoning behind the changes, David Coleman, Relevance is one important theme to the changes. “No longer will the Mr. Coleman’s impressive rhetoric may be obscuring the real reason for Whatever the motivation, College Board seems to have it right that “There are different types of genius,” says Olivia Perfetti of Obama Sidony Ridge, also in eleventh grade, points out that the current Students also need to keep in mind what is not changing. First, the Second, the amount that colleges count the SAT for will not be changed Third, standardized testing has an inherent bias that is impossible to This student’s situation is not, of course, unique. Because the On the other hand, the changes that College Board is making seem The first class to be affected by the changes is the class of 2017, or However, many Obama students are optimistic that the new system will The changes to the SAT may mark the beginning of an important shift in |
You are subscribed to email updates from The Eagle To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 |
Thursday, March 06, 2014
Fwd: New flash... Swimming coverage in the Obama Eagle
Subject: New flash...
Yoka’s coach, Mr. Rauterkus, was proud of him, too. “Yoka has always been a valuable team contributor,” says Coach Rauterkus, “but this year, with the extra year of maturity, we got to see what I call, ‘senior speed.’ He is fast, strong and a gifted athlete. Besides swimming he was a starting defensive player on the soccer team, a lifeguard and ran the Great Race.”
Yoka's appearance at Bucknell University's pool marks the fifth consecutive appearance of an Obama or Schenley swimmer at the PIAA CHampionships, says swim coach Mark Rauterkus.
Describing his experience, Yoka says that “The first one, I knew I was going to destroy because the other swimmers in my heat had lower qualifying times than I did. So I just went all out and didn’t breathe the whole time. That was a 50 free. On the 100 breast, I was aiming for 1:03. I beat that, beating my best time by almost two seconds. I was really happy to place.”
Yoka competed in four events, getting ninth place in all four of them. He was somewhat disappointed not to get any medals, which are awarded to the top eight swimmers in each event, so goal is to get a medal at States.
Yoka says that he has not decided yet whether or not he’ll swim in college. Coach Rauterkus says that “Yoka went fast enough at the WPIAL meet to be strongly considered for college swim scholarships. College coaches are approaching me wanting Yoka to visit their schools.” Yoka sees swimming scholarships as a big draw. But he is also a talented and successful soccer player, so he’s trying to leave his options open at this point.
The PIAA state competition will take place on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15. Best of wishes to Yoka.
-- Given his performances, I think Yoka is the best athlete in the school.
-- Yoka beat Tait Williams time in the 50 free from STATES a few years ago when Obama was in the City League.-- Our boys 200 medley relay, 1:47.49, school record, had Yoka doing the Breastroke. It had three seniors and a sophomore: Ben Friedman, back; Yoka, breast; Grant Rauterkus, fly; and Tommy Brewton, free. We will miss those three gentlemen for next year's team.-- Going to the state meet in two events is a huge accomplishment especially with the huge struggles we must navigate with aquatics in the school, with his other sports, activities and jobs. Yoka's appearance at Bucknell University's pool marks the fifth consecutive appearance of an Obama or Schenley swimmer at the PIAA Championships.
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
Fwd: Baran James Special Update: Russia and the Ukraine
From: The Baran James Company
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Subject: Baran James Special Update: Russia and the Ukraine
| ||||||||
The Baran James Company • Manor Oak One Suite 545
1910 Cochran Road • Pittsburgh, PA 15220 |
Monday, March 03, 2014
FisicaLab's funding campaign
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Germán Arias <germanandre@gmx.es>
Date: Monday, March 3, 2014
Subject: [school-discuss] FisicaLab's funding campaign
To: SchoolForge <schoolforge-discuss@seul.org>
Hi everyone. I started a campaign to support GNU FisicaLab, the educational
free software for physics. GNU FisicaLab is an educational application for
solving physics problems. This allows students focus in physics concepts when
solving problems, leaving aside the mathematical details. FisicaLab has an
extensive documentation, with a lot of examples, to help the student to
familiarize quickly with the application. See:
http://www.gnu.org/software/fisicalab/campaign.html
Free software is important for education, to not enchain the students in
using privative software packages. Using free software, schools and
universities save money. But, most important, free software gives users the
freedom to control their own computers. And encourages students to learn and
share. They can make copies of the software to take home and to share with
his friends. Read "Why Schools Should Exclusively Use Free Software":
http://www.gnu.org/education/edu-schools.en.html
With your support, you will help to expand the range of problems to solve in
FisicaLab, in adding new features, in the availability in other languages and
in many other things. So help FisicaLab to reach 7k at March 31, to give
students a chance of get an ethical education with free software.
Spread the word of FisicaLab’s campaign with your friends, blogs or social
networks. Lets education become free (as in freedom).
Regards.
Germán.
###
From the schoolforge-discuss mailing list.
Sunday, March 02, 2014
Friday, February 28, 2014
Summer Dreamers 2014, here we come!
Camp Site
|
Grade Level(s)
|
Number of Kids Served
| |
Carmalt
|
4th Grade
|
30
|
Hope to go to Carrick, Brashear or PCA
|
5th Grade
|
30
| ||
6th Grade
|
5
| ||
7th Grade
|
5
| ||
Faison
|
5th Grade
|
20
| Team 1 - Hope to go to Westinghouse |
6th Grade
|
20
| Team 2 - Hope to go to Highland Park Pool | |
7th Grade
|
20
| Team 3 - Hope to go to Obama | |
Langley
|
3rd Grade
|
40
|
Two teams of 20 each. All can swim in Langley's pool.
|
Total:
|
170
|
This is my puzzle and it is what I'm good at dealing with and love to do.
The best case is we get to use more PPS pools. Want to go to Carrick, Brashear and/or PCA, plus Westinghouse, Obama in addition to Langley. Kids would move to different sites with their coaches as per a schedule.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Fwd: The Eagle reports with Ivy and Lunch Issues
The Eagle |
Posted: 26 Feb 2014 06:25 PM PST
Ivy Ryan, a junior at our school had the amazing opportunity to go to Washington D.C where she met several different political figures and gave a presentation on the issue of school lunches and how they need to be improved.
This all started this summer when Ivy, with about ten other students who participated in the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild art programs, were chosen to go on a trip to Yellow Stone with an organization called Park Journeys. “During the trip we talked about having a voice because as teenagers we’re usually disregarded in the world,” says Ivy. At the end of her trip they each chose an issue that they felt was prominent in their community and presented it to the group. Ivy chose the issue of school lunches saying, “Providing students with healthier meal choices will result in them being physically and mentally healthier.” After the presentations, the trip leaders, Joanna and Michelle, chose three students to present their issue in front of representatives so that actions could be taken to resolve them. Ivy was one of the three chosen. “During the next few months we met up with Michelle multiple times to talk about our issue, gather evidence, and create a proposal,” Ivy says. Due to the weather we had however the trip was delayed and when rescheduled the other two girls were not able to attend. Ivy and her trip leaders Joanna and Michelle headed up to D.C. on February 12th. The day started off with breakfast with Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz’s Chief of Staff and those invested in her campaign. The chief of staff talked about her campaign and the prominent issues she was planning on tackling. “It was fascinating hearing about what she wanted to get done as governor and how she was going to try and get support from her constituents,” Ivy said. Later that day Ivy had meetings with Senator Casey’s staffer, Senator Toomey’s Staffer, and Congressman Doyle’s Staffer. In the meetings Michelle introduced Ivy, Parks Journeys, and the project; then Ivy would explain the issue of school lunches and make an appeal to them on how they needed to be changed at the federal level. “Every staffer was extremely polite to me, they understood where I was coming from and agreed that it was an important issue to fix, and that it affected education and America as a whole. It was amazing to be a part of the actual government for a day and to see how everything works. These people had to take time out of their extremely busy day to talk to me, and it makes you realize that they really do care about your opinions.” |
You are subscribed to email updates from The Eagle |
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Fwd: Olympians in Pittsburgh Water Polo Camp April 12/13th
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Nikola Malezanov <malezanov@gmail.com>
Date: Monday, February 24, 2014
Subject: Olympians in Pittsburgh Water Polo Camp April 12/13th
To: Nikola Malezanov <malezanov@gmail.com>
12:00pm start on Saturday, April 12th. Program ends by 2:30pm on Sunday
Two training sessions each day
Program Fee of $250 includes:
- Water/snacks during training
- Saturday lunch for the athletes
- Meet/greet, photo and autograph session prior to Saturday’s first session (parents welcome!)
- Special parent meeting with Coach Krikorian
To register, please click here
Fwd: News Release - Ken Krawchuk Wins Libertarian Gubernatorial Nomination
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ken Krawchuk, Libertarian for Pennsylvania Governor <KenK@kenk.org>
Date: Monday, February 24, 2014
Subject: News Release - Ken Krawchuk Wins Libertarian Gubernatorial Nomination
To: Recipient List Suppressed <KenK@kenk.org>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2014
For more information, please contact:
Ken Krawchuk at Campaign@KenK.org or 224-Krawchuk (224-572-9248)
KEN KRAWCHUK WINS LIBERTARIAN GUBERNATORIAL NOMINATION
In a unanimous vote, Ken Krawchuk was chosen as the Libertarian Party's 2014 gubernatorial candidate, and Henry Haller of Pittsburgh as lieutenant governor at the party’s annual convention on Saturday. Krawchuk and Haller were also the Libertarian nominees for the same offices in the 1998 and 2002 gubernatorial races.
“This is a great day for Pennsylvania taxpayers”, said Krawchuk, a 60-year-old entrepreneur who hails from Abington Township in Montgomery County. “The two old parties want to continue to expand a government that’s already too large, too expensive, and too intrusive. Libertarians are the only ones you can trust to defend the interests of the taxpayer.”
In an acceptance speech to be broadcast statewide to three million homes by the Pennsylvania Cable Network, Krawchuk pledged to focus on those goals that the governor can achieve unilaterally, without assistance from either the Legislature or the courts. This includes introducing budgets that eliminate the need for the personal income tax over four years, vetoing all tax increases and any unwarranted expansion of government, aggressively cutting waste and excessive spending via the line-item veto, eliminating parole for violent criminals, pardoning “victimless criminals”, and ending asset forfeiture, among many, many others unilateral powers granted to the Governor by the Pennsylvania Constitution.
Among his top legislative priorities are cutting taxes and spending via the Separation of Society and State, eliminating the government monopoly on public education, defusing the abortion debate, and reforming unfair ballot access laws that have erected huge barriers for independent candidates and third parties.
Lieutenant governor nominee Henry Haller, a 66-year-old small businessman from Pittsburgh, was a former Libertarian candidate for US Senate and state Senate before teaming with Krawchuk in 1998 and 2002. "It is an honor to again be on the ticket with Ken Krawchuk,” Haller said after being unanimously nominated. “I look forward to assisting him in spreading the message of liberty across Pennsylvania."
Founded in 1971, the Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the state and the nation, with over 150 elected and appointed officials currently serving in office nationwide, and 40 in Pennsylvania. Like the Founding Fathers, Libertarians believe that you have the inalienable right to conduct your life as you see fit, without interference, so long as you respect the rights and property of others. As a result, Libertarians favor a small, responsible government.
For more information about the Libertarian Party, the public is invited to contact the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania at www.LpPa.org or (800) R-RIGHTS, or the National Libertarian Party at Lp.org or (202) 333-0008.
For more information about the Krawchuk campaign, please visit the campaign website at www.KenK.org. The campaign can be contacted at Campaign@KenK.org, or 224-Krawchuk (224-572-9248).
- End -
--
--
Ta.
Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim and Water Polo Camp Head Coach
Pittsburgh Combined Water Polo Team
http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://FixPA.wikia.com
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell
Fwd: Free Training for Afterschool Program Staff: Making Action Plans That Improve Student Behavior
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Shayna Willis <willis@wireless-neighborhoods.org>
Date: Monday, February 24, 2014
Subject: Free Training for Afterschool Program Staff: Making Action Plans That Improve Student Behavior
To: Shayna Willis <willis@wireless-neighborhoods.org>
--
Free Training!
Friday, March 7th from 9:00am-11:00am at the BGC Activity Center (map)
Need some help to get you through the rest of the year? Coaching and mentoring sessions focus on sharing best practices and brainstorming solutions to common problems. This week's focus is on creating action plans for challenging students.
Come and learn about the root causes of challenging behaviors, how to address them when they crop up and practical ways to advocate for your students. Participants in this session will learn from each other and from our expert trainers, Twila Simmons-Walker and Shayna Willis, about what works and what doesn't in working with at risk youth. Bring us your most challenging cases and leave with an action plan ready for use.
Twila Simmons-Walker is the Manager of Scholastic Outreach and Education for the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN), where she has worked as an informal educator for the past 12 years. Twila has worked with students as a mentor, environmental educator, and workplace supervisor. She is a certified elementary and secondary school counselor, and in her free time enjoys working with families as a special education advocate, and on behalf of students with challenging behavior. Twila’s passion for inclusive education is complimented by her experiences as the parent of a child with a pervasive developmental disorder.
Register here for this event.
--
--
Ta.
Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim and Water Polo Camp Head Coach
Pittsburgh Combined Water Polo Team
http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://FixPA.wikia.com
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell
Monday, February 24, 2014
More Coverage about future sports issues in Pittsburgh Public Schools
Headline: Sports are saved! (for now?)
by Lucy Newman, high school junior, Obama Academy
Good news, Pittsburgh. You may remember the Eagle and the Post-Gazette reporting that Superintendent Linda Lane proposed in her State of the District to cut the sports program here at the Pittsburgh Public Schools. This could include middle school swimming, volleyball, and wrestling; high school tennis, swimming, and golf; and all intramural sports. Dr. Lane recently announced that the Administration and School Board do not plan to make any cuts to PPS sports for next year.“There will be no changes for the 2014-15 school year,” declares Ebony Pugh, the PPS Public Information Officer.
Okay, here’s the bad news, as you might have guessed: PPS sports are still on the chopping block for the 2015-2016 school year. So, sophomore swimmers, you may or may not have a team your senior year.
Yet if we students work together with teachers, the Board, and the Administration on this issue, it is possible to find a solution that solves the financial problems related to PPS athletics while keeping a strong sports program available to students.
The move to defer any decision surrounding sports cuts to a later date is not altogether surprising. As the Post-Gazette points out, Dr. Lane had never said when the cuts would come into effect. “We’re not planning to rush through a process to make a decision,” Dr. Lane says, as quoted in the Post-Gazette.
“The District needs to allow for more [time] to engage the Board and Community around any decisions related to athletics,” Ms. Pugh explains. “ Since we are required to make commitments to WPIAL related to next year’s season it was decided to delay any athletic related decisions. We will be engaging the Board and community over the coming months related to recommendations to the Whole Child, Whole Community plan.”
The plan to which Ms. Pugh is referring is called Whole Child, Whole Community: Building a Bridge to the Pittsburgh Promise. Many of the ideas in Whole Child, Whole Community are also discussed in Dr. Lane’s State of the District address. Both can be found on the PPS website. The plan addresses the District’s vision for the future of PPS. Due the district’s financial challenges, a large portion of the document is dedicated to “living within our means.” To do this, the district is considering both increasing revenue and decreasing expenditures.
Cutting the amount of money dedicated to sports is one of the many cost-cutting measures presented in Whole Child, Whole Community. The document presents two options as to how to do this. The first option would reduce the budgetary allocations to be more in line with actual spending, according to Ms. Pugh. The Whole Child, Whole Community document explains that “By reducing the athletics budget for purchased services, which includes funds used to pay sports officials, transport students to competitions and purchase uniforms and equipment, we could reduce spending by up to $400,000 per year. This change is not expected to have a significant impact on students, as the department has not been spending the full budgeted amount in this area.”
The second option would save more money, but would have a much more severe impact on services available. “Eliminating intramural sports; middle school volleyball, swimming and wrestling; and high school golf, swimming and tennis would reduce spending by an additional $600,000 per year,” according to Whole Child, Whole Community.
However, these are not the only two options. Mark Rauterkus, the Obama Boys swim coach, hopes that the district will be open to changes to its sports program. He writes in a detailed position paper several suggestions for ways in which PPS could possibly improve its sports program. Mr. Rauterkus advocates for expanding PPS sports offerings, by implementing a program called PPS H2O. This program could be financially self-sustaining, Mr. Rauterkus believes, because it could raise revenue through community lessons and events. With PPS H2O, the Pittsburgh Public Schools could have water polo, uderwater hockey, kayaking, triathalons, and more, as well as swimming. Further, components of the program would be available to people of all ages.
The delay in making a decision on sports cuts allows students and the community more time to participate in the decision-making process. Any changes will be voted on by the School Board, and there will be multiple opportunities for students and community members to have a say before they vote. Possibilities for community engagement are posted on the district’s website, Facebook, and Twitter. “We’ve got to keep asking a lot of questions,” says Mr. Rauterkus. Only by doing so can we influence the decision-making process to encompass our needs as students.
So, email your Board representative. Speak at a Board meeting. The district’s financial problems can be solved. We need to make sure that we don’t sacrifice too much of what makes our district great in the process.
Same article above but in a one page PDF.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Fwd: News Release - Libertarian Ken Krawchuk to Seek Gubernatorial Nomination This Weekend
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ken Krawchuk
Subject: News Release - Libertarian Ken Krawchuk to Seek Gubernatorial Nomination This Weekend
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2014
For more information, please contact:
Ken Krawchuk at Campaign@KenK.org or 224-Krawchuk (224-572-9248)
LIBERTARIAN KEN KRAWCHUK TO SEEK GUBERNATORIAL NOMINATION THIS WEEKEND
Ken Krawchuk, the Libertarian Party candidate for Pennsylvania
Governor in 1998 and 2002, will be seeking the party's 2014 gubernatorial
nomination this Saturday, February 22, 2014, at their annual convention
being held at the Best Western Lehigh Valley Hotel & Conference Center, 300
Gateway Drive, Bethlehem, PA (www.lehighvalleyhotel.com). Detailed
information about the convention schedule, speakers, and complimentary media
admission is available at www.LpPaConvention.org.
Krawchuk believes his chances of receiving the nomination are
excellent. "I've been campaigning around the state since early November
when I announced my intent to form an exploratory committee, and the
response among Libertarians has been overwhelmingly supportive. The
long-time party members recall my performance in the debates and on the
campaign trail in 2002, and would love to see an encore. The newer members
are excited by the idea of a Libertarian Governor candidate, which is
something most of them have never known." Because of Pennsylvania's onerous
ballot access laws and the anticompetitive antics of the two old parties,
Krawchuk stands as the last third party or independent gubernatorial
candidate to appear on the ballot for more than a decade.
Krawchuk notes how the political landscape has tilted strongly
toward Libertarian principles since his last campaign. "When I talked in
2002 about decriminalizing marijuana, legalizing gay marriage, or nullifying
bad federal laws, it was all cutting edge politics. But today these are all
mainstream ideas that have gained broad public acceptance. I'm eagerly
looking forward to continuing the discussion of other cutting-edge issues,
including defusing the abortion debate, eliminating the state's monopoly on
public education, and reforming over-regulation and welfare through the
Separation of Society and State, among many other issues. It's becoming a
very Libertarian world out there, and it's my goal to accelerate that trend,
just as I did in 2002"
Krawchuk is upbeat about his chances for victory in 2014.
"Historically, voter turnout for gubernatorial elections is less than 40%.
So when you crunch the numbers, you'll find that in a competitive 3-way
race--which it's definitely going to be this year--all it would take for a
Libertarian victory is for us to attract the vote of one out of eight voting
age Pennsylvanians. One out of eight is all it takes."
Among the challenges facing not only Krawchuk's campaign, but also
that of any independent or third party candidate, are Pennsylvania's onerous
ballot access laws. Where the two old parties only need 1,000 or 2,000
signatures to get their candidates on the statewide ballot, Krawchuk
calculates that the Libertarian gubernatorial ticket will need a minimum of
16,639 signatures - eight to sixteen times as many - even though the
Pennsylvania Constitution mandates that "All elections shall be free and
equal." Adding to that signature burden, in every one of the last five
statewide elections some or all independent and third party candidates have
had their petitions challenged in court, and most candidates were either
intimidated into dropping out of the race or were thrown off the ballot for
specious reasons Two candidates were also fined over $80,000 each.
"Experience is a harsh schoolmistress," Krawchuk noted, "but we've learned
quite a lot about the system. We emerged victorious after the Republican's
2012 challenge, and I fully expect we'll weather any challenge in 2014. But
for the longer term, we're lobbying to have the Voters Choice Act (SB 195)
passed, and that will level the playing field for challenger candidates
across the board regardless of party, and lead to greater competition at the
ballot box and more choices for Pennsylvanians."
Ken Krawchuk, 60, has been a registered Libertarian since 1993. He
was born and raised in the Feltonville section of Philadelphia, graduated
with honors from Cardinal Dougherty High School in 1971, and in 1975
received a B.S. in Physics from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. He
and his wife Roberta have lived in Abington since 1981, a Philadelphia
suburb, and have three daughters and two grandchildren (with a third on the
way). Mr. Krawchuk is also an avid whitewater canoeist, year-round
backpacker, and railroad enthusiast.
Professionally, Mr. Krawchuk is an information technology
entrepreneur serving as a business architect for the pharmaceutical,
insurance, and financial markets. He is also the lead inventor of three
U.S. Patents related to database theory.
Mr. Krawchuk is an award-winning Distinguished Toastmaster and a
professional public speaker. He is also a freelance writer and author of
Atlas Snubbed, a pastiche parody sequel to Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged. He
refers to Atlas Snubbed as his "platform novel" because it describes as
fiction many of the issues highlighted in his campaign, most notably the
Separation of Society and State.
Founded in 1971, the Libertarian Party is the third largest
political party in the state and the nation, with over 150 elected and
appointed officials currently serving in office nationwide, and 40 in
Pennsylvania. Like the Founding Fathers, Libertarians believe that you have
the inalienable right to conduct your life as you see fit, without
interference, so long as you respect the rights and property of others. As
a result, Libertarians favor a small, responsible government.
For more information about the Libertarian Party, the public is
invited to contact the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania at www.LpPa.org or
(800) R-RIGHTS, or the National Libertarian Party at Lp.org or (202)
333-0008.
For more information about the Krawchuk campaign, please visit the
campaign website at www.KenK.org. The campaign can be contacted at
Campaign@KenK.org, or 224-Krawchuk (224-572-9248).
--
--
Ta.
Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim and Water Polo Camp Head Coach
Pittsburgh Combined Water Polo Team
http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://FixPA.wikia.com
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell
FUD = Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt. FUD stinks. These days, we have PPS FUD
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2014/02/19/City-school-finances-attract-much-interest/stories/201402190078
In the little break-out sessions, I spoke a bit, taking my turn. First, read the article.
Pittsburgh school finances attract much interest Three more sessions are slated
February 18, 2014 11:56 PM, By Eleanor Chute / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Caleb Coleman, a program manager for a social service agency, understands the financial challenges facing Pittsburgh Public Schools are serious enough that the public can't get the whole cake.
But he wants a slice.
"You need to give us something," said the graduate of Pittsburgh Peabody High School who works for YouthPlaces, which offers after-school programs to high-risk youth.
Mr. Coleman was among about two dozen people -- some from community service agencies, others from the general public -- who participated Tuesday in the first public community conversations around the "Whole Child, Whole Community: Building a Bridge to the Pittsburgh Promise" report issued by the Pittsburgh Public Schools in December.
The report, part of the district's $2.4 million envisioning process, suggested cuts that could yield savings of $17 million to $44 million a year by 2016, depending on which options the board chooses.
The report also suggested new initiatives that combined could have a one-time cost of $3.8 million to $8.7 million and annual recurring costs of $4 million to $9.9 million.
Tuesday's conversations with superintendent Linda Lane and other administrators were hosted by YouthPlaces and the Hill House Association at Blakey Program Center in the Hill District.
Three other sessions, all from 6 to 8:30 p.m., are scheduled:
• Thursday, Trinity AME Zion Church, 3105 Allendale St., Sheraden, hosted by Trinity.
• March 17, East End Cooperative Ministry Community House, Penn Circle North, East Liberty, hosted by Pittsburgh Area Jewish Committee, Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition and Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.
• March 18, Institutional Church of God in Christ, 302 W. North Ave., North Side, hosted by Christians Investing in Education.
At Tuesday's session, administrators presented portions of the plan dealing with living within the district's budget, investing in student performance and investing in people. Those attending were encouraged to offer their own ideas.
Mark Rauterkus of the South Side, a parent and swimming coach at Pittsburgh Obama 6-12, noted the "Whole Child" report's suggestion that five to 10 schools be closed, consolidated or reconfigured in fall 2015 but did not name them.
Mr. Rauterkus said this has created uncertainty, fear and doubt that can lead to families leaving schools in case they might close.
Mr. Rauterkus is among those who have issued their own reports making suggestions, in his case, about sports. His report can be found at http://CLOH.wikia.com/wiki/Fewer_Sports_Alternatives.
A coalition called Great Public Schools- Pittsburgh recently issued a wide-ranging report that can be found at www.gpspgh.com.
The "Whole Child, Whole Community" report can be found at pps.k12.pa.us/wholechild.
Education writer Eleanor Chute: echute@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1955.