Ravenstahl expresses his confidence. (P-G, Timothy McNulty)There is also policy. There are intriguing notes on his posture towards non-profits and foundations, to say nothing of intergovernmental cooperation.
On consolidating the city and Allegheny County governments, the mayor said he would only be supportive if a merger saved money and improved government services. So far, information suggests, if anything, that consolidation may trigger duplicative police, planning, garbage collection and other municipal services, he said.
"I'm willing to have any discussion that makes sense. I'm willing to talk about city-county consolidation. I have not said 'no' to that but I have not had any blueprint put in front of me that makes sense. It just doesn't," he said.
We are operating one of the most Byzantine, massively overbuilt regional government models on the planet. It is a constant drain on our region's resources and growth. It has been studied unto death for millenia.
That doesn't make it easy -- but there are surely ways of doing this right. There is only so much low-hanging fruit in Wilkinsburg.
You are waiting for someone to hand you a "blueprint?" How about putting together a plan of your own? At least Mark DeSantis has a vision.
##
Mixed bag from the Trib columnist Eric Heyl today.
DeSantis campaign manager Mike Bauer quickly emerged. He talked to me long enough to tell me he didn't have time to talk to me.
Then he rapidly loaded the signs into the vehicle and sped off to distribute them to DeSantis supporters.
This is an accurate slice of life. There are an eerie number of Mark DeSantis for Mayor signs out there -- and they are cropping up in peculiar locations.
Ravenstahl's ongoing lurch toward Belushiism certainly has played a pivotal role in keeping the DeSantis campaign afloat.
Here and elsewhere, the author falls prey to the worst kind of Lupinacciistic Potterism.
My plan begins, with the next step, at parks. We should form a Pgh Park District. This is like the model they use in Illinois.
ReplyDeleteWe start with the RAD TAX.
Sell the stadiums to the teams. Merge the facilities, if they are owned by public, in to the Park District too.
Elected trustees, open meetings, off-of Grant Street.
It took me about a full minute to understand what on earth you were talking about, Mark. Tell you what: it's not the worst idea in the world.
ReplyDelete"Lupinacciistic Potterism."
ReplyDeleteBWA-HAHAHAHA!
uuhm.
ReplyDelete300 volunteers and this guy is out delivering signs.
I hope DeSantis's chief of staff has better time management and delegating skills than this guy.
DUHHHHH...anon 1048..obviously you ain't never been on a campaign...i've had signs and literature delivered to my door by candidates
ReplyDeleteI'm with Smitty. This is my first time working on a campaign. Everyone has to wear multiple hats, especially when working for the underdog. That means delivering signs, knocking on doors, dropping literature, stuffing envelopes, you name it.
ReplyDeleteAnon 10:48,
ReplyDeleteUnlike the Ravenstahl campaign, DeSantis doesn't have Public Works crews at his disposal to deliver yard signs.
Nor does DeSantis' campaign have $700,000+ in donations from a gazillion developers to hire a large staff.
If you've ever worked/volunteered for a local, grassroots campaign you'll know that staff members typically do whatever's required.
So your accusing public works employees of delivering signs on city time?
ReplyDeleteEarly Returns reported KQ traveling about with candidate signs on May 15th, during what would ordinarily have seemed to be city time. I'm guessing nobody pressed that because we were all pretty exhausted with everything by then.
ReplyDeleteI have good information that Luke was out door knocking in Lawrenceville last weekend trying to get his signs up somewhere, anywhere, between the rivers.
ReplyDelete