Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Tuesday: It's On The Streets

People are most likely to buy newspapers when sports teams win championships, when politicians get elected, or when one's own name is in the paper.

Today's news falls short on those counts -- for most of us -- but all the same I have the feeling that for some political junkies, today's edition of the Post-Gazette in particular offers a unique glimpse at a quietly pivotal moment in Pittsburgh history.

Pivotal enough that in years ahead you may get a kick out of rediscovering it in a trunk, hauling it out, smelling it, and exclaiming, "Ah .... the Liquor Control Board was under fire back then, too! Do you remember the Liquor Control Board, Brittney?"

So that's all I'll mention about the Post-Gazette today. Buy one.

##

The Regional Equity Monitoring Project needs volunteers to monitor governmental activities (meetings, etc) whose charters operate with a stated commitment to providing equal opportunity. That's most of them. Join them at the Phase 2 Monitor Training Session on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m (see website).

Phase 2 appears to be about encouraging the federal stimulus money to make it where it's truly needed, and about holding our leaders' feet to the fire. I notice that REMP is also getting on board with the Public Square Project for obvious reasons.

##

NullSpace likens the Water Authority bond situation here in Pittsburgh to something that blew up in Jefferson County, Alabama. And has some thoughts on same. For a little more background into the Alabama situation, revisit our Sciortino dossier.

##

The Pittsburgh Hoagie clearly has great instincts for when it's time to hit the Google. That or he maintains files on everybody interesting.

##

Don't let my Michael Lamb piece totally get buried.

##

And now, gaze upon the face of destiny:



NEW CUMBERLAND - A new executive director of the Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle (BDC) was introduced at Thursday's Hancock County Commission meeting.

Patrick Ford, who hails from Hardy County in West Virginia's eastern panhandle, stated that he is looking forward to his new position as executive director. (The Review, Jen Matsick; h/t ADB)

Excellent that he's back to doing what he does best. Hopefully the BDC (h/t NS), like any responsible regional development organization, will send Mr. Ford to execute only the very highest-quality of missions.

Excellent that he's still sort-of around here -- but considering the circumstances, excellent that he's not really around here. I can't imagine how one could live in the same city or county as the Ravenstahl administration and be contractually compelled not to disparage it.

Excellent that he's earning again -- but it's worth pointing out that although Ford hasn't worked for the City or the URA since April of last year, we are continuing to pay him his old salary through June of this year, because he is titanic. So for spring and early summer, he's going to be cashing two paychecks.

Knock on wood. For the first time in what seems like a long while, our former URA director / Department of City Planning superdirector / Parking Authority chairman / Housing Authority chairman appears to be accountable to somebody!

19 comments:

  1. Matt thinks Pat Ford is a great guy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Matt is not the brightest light bulb in the pack. I think that's pretty clear to anyone who has read what he writes.


    Jim R.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Hoagie blog is great.

    you cant deny it

    people just keep coming back to his blog over and over again and it is held in high regard in the local political community.

    he started the blog from nothing and it is now one of the best in the city.

    ReplyDelete
  4. He's like Howard Stern. People hate him and keep coming back. Don't confuse the number of hits with how many agree with his positions.

    From the beginning he has been a squirrel and a liar. I don't see a whole lot that has changed.

    ReplyDelete
  5. looks like alecia sirk was commenting on his blog today...

    thought she moved on.

    who wants to bet that Zober & Lukey are behind what he posts?

    ReplyDelete
  6. "who wants to bet that Zober & Lukey are behind what he posts?"

    How much?

    Jim R.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh - Come on, gang! This is Pat Ford we're talking here! Go do your Matt H. Business somewhere else!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Matt thinks Dennis Regan is a good guy also.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love Dennis Regan.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You will likely end up just like him when they have used you all up. Isn't he patrolling a casino parking lot in a golf cart?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Actually, I had heard he was made the Director of Operations or something for the whole of Wheeling Downs. Must be something about West Virginia.

    Background: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/rss/s_474829.html

    ReplyDelete
  12. That Matt H blog post on Dok Harris is total garbage.

    Check out this link on the monkey story he claims was written by Dok.

    That kid has ZERO credibility. Clearly, he will go to any extreme to get a job in city government.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I can't wait for Matt to get a job for the city. That way we can tie all the nutzo stuff he says right back to Luke.

    ReplyDelete
  14. who said he is getting a city job?

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm sure that's what he is bucking for. Since he has no real skills he is perfectly suited for a position in the Mayor's organization. I hope they make him press secretary. That would prove me wrong as I said there is no one worse then AS.

    ReplyDelete
  16. all of our wonderful politians from Bob's short time are ending up in west virginia, must be something there

    ReplyDelete
  17. I think Pittsburgh must be to West Virginia what New York City is to Jersey, that's all.

    ReplyDelete