Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Cat-Licensing is the new Immigration Reform, and other Editorial Heckling

Council splits 4-4 on legislation to require pet owners to secure $7-$12 licenses for cats. Jeff Koch will spend the next week parlaying his abstention into benefits for South Side residents.

From the P-G's Rich Lord:

Council President Shields countered that there's "a much lower level of concern" about cats than dogs, because the latter can cause injury.

Ms. Carlisle said that's an outdated perception. "That was yesteryear," she said. "In 2007, cats are more aggressive than they used to be."

Councilwoman Twanda Carlisle is, first and foremost, a scientist.

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Bad news from the P-G's Linda Wilson Fuoco:

Allegheny County and federal officials last weekend rounded up and killed 272 of the Canada geese that live and breed in North Park where they enchant some picnic-goers and outrage others, largely because they produce a lot of droppings.

The geese were loaded into the back of a truck calmly and humanely (using a laser). County Parks Director Andy Baechle was unaware what methods were employed to exterminate the geese, but assures us it was also humane.

The Comet fears we have awoken a sleeping giant.

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Also from Rich Lord, slid underneath a story about some golfing non-issue:

Just back from a trip to Louisville, Ky., with Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and members of a city-county committee on efficiency, Mr. Ravenstahl wouldn't cite any measures taken by that region that he would like to implement here.

"There's no quick fix, or no blueprint" in Louisville that would apply to Pittsburgh, he said.

Then why did you go? Didn't you already feel that way? Did Dan Onorato make you go? Did you have another bitter row with him over consolidation, like the ones we've heard about in Newsweek?

UPDATE: In a conversation with KDKA's Fred Honsberger [much rejoicing], Luke said he "learned a lot" in Louisville, alluding to Dan-O having his opinions on mergers, and Luke having his own. He also said that he did not limit the number of mayoral debates to be scheduled, and that he is waiting on a phone call from the DeSantis campaign.

3 comments:

  1. Council members Len Bodack, Twanda Carlisle, Tonya Payne and licensing bill sponsor Jim Motznik supported the bill. Members Dan Deasy, Darlene Harris, William Peduto and Doug Shields voted against.

    That vote just about sums up who belongs on council and who doesn't. Twanda's quote was priceless. Agressive Cats? You have got to be kidding me. Why is this woman still on council?

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  2. Len & Twanda are out. Tonya & Motznik need to watch their backs, as they're up for re-election & challengers are already sharpening their knives.

    What's amazing is that Darlene voted with Peduto & Shields on this & not with Bodack. Will wonders never cease?

    Where was Koch?

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  3. Wow. Cat-licensing as the litmus test for competence. We'll keep an open mind.

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