Monday, March 18, 2013

C'mon yinzers, let's find a Mayor! Debate Notes.



These notes from yesterday's mayoral debate at Obama Academy were originally taken with fat fingers on a touch-screen phone with Autocorrect, so I only entered what seemed like the unique or interesting bits. Since there wasn't much back-and-forth, I here rearrange them by candidate in alphabetical order, since this is a legitimate establishment.

DARLENE HARRIS would work with the unions to help Pittsburgh graduates get jobs in the skilled trades, and work with the corporate community to find them internships. She would look to emulate Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia, who is up in Harrsiburg a lot lobbying for aid. In terms of public safety she has worked to install security cameras in her neighborhoods and get police more and better technology, and has also instituted block watches. The North Side Leadership Conference has helped make the North Side become and feel safer, and she'd like more help from a better staffed Department of City Planning. In response to the corruption question, Harris says as a public official "everyone's trying to give you money and buy you," but claims people who rely on such "are afraid" if she gets elected Mayor. To encourage higher wages she has worked to pass "living wage" legislation at the Council level.

MICHAEL LAMB Helping to start A+ Schools shows his commitment to "leadership that listens" and that is open and transparent. He is "not going to pat himself or anyone else on the back because some qualify for the Promise," but rather continue to "cheer lead and advocate" for better schools and pursue the Summer Dreamers Program. Lamb came out hard to expand the payroll preparation tax to all employers including the nonprofits, justifiable because low wages lead to low wage tax receipts. He would put more police on the streets instead of behind desks, and would diversify the police force using federal funds. In response to the corruption question, Lamb says under his stewardship the Controllers' office became "the most open, honest, transparent office in government," and hinted there are overlaps noticeable on Open Book Pittsburgh between contributors and contract recipients. He would use "incentives" and "access to capital" such as TIFs to lure jobs, but not just for big developers but small businesses -- particularly women-owned. He says he's been out there agitating with UPMC workers for higher wages and suggested Rivers Casino needs it too.

BILL PEDUTO wants to "turn the paradigm upside down" with community leadership, instead of making decisions based on "who wrote the biggest check." Says that fostering a Promise-ready student "starts at five years old," so would seek to use Promise funding to provide "wrap-around services" like mentoring, tutoring, and meals at seniors centers. Supports Rep. Roebuck's charter and cyber school reform bill. Nonprofits need to be made accountable to the community, their clients and their own workers. Looking to models of urban policing in other cities, and would decentralize policing powers out to Commanders, appropriate to each area and level of community involvement. In response to the corruption question, Peduto pointed back to bills "ending no bid contracts, strengthening the Ethics Code, campaign finance reform," mentioned Public Safety Director nominee Dennis Regan, a billboard based on "graft," and the need for a Redd Up Crew in City Hall. Touted $2 billion in grassroots development experience in his district, pointing out South Highland and East Liberty weren't particularly affluent beforehand. Touted prevailing wage bill, and says "it's not about brick and mortar or retail," but investing in things like new "green" housing and mass transit.

JACK WAGNER says we need more partnerships with and within City government, that "we don't need Council fighting with Council." He also would seek more aid from Harrisburg to address dropout rate, and would "keep Schenley open." Back in City Council he passed an assault weapons ban, and "would enforce lost & stolen." In response to the corruption question, Wagner cited his audit exposing the PHEAA and cyber & charter schools and alleged "no one is addressing problems in City Hall." Says the US Steel lease is up soon Downtown and we need to address that to keep jobs here, but also "Pittsburgh needs to be an incubator kind of city." Joins calls to increase the minimum wage on the federal level. Would like to expand Pittsburgh Promise to include a "Pittsburgh Partnership", focused on keeping graduates here.

JAKE WHEATLEY says that "guns and violence isn't just a law enforcement issue, it's a communal issue." In response to the corruption question, Wheatley called for "more transparency, monitoring and accountability measures." He stressed that real economic growth occurs "when all are welcomed" and would focus not just on the supply-side, but "retraining human capital." He notes an uptick in our population and quality of life.

SCORECARD / EDITORIAL: With his willingness once again to identify for us corrupt patterns at the City so that we might recognize such practices early next time, his ability to cite multiple concrete steps he has taken to inhibit that corruption in the past, the specifics with which he proposed expanding Pittsburgh Promise efforts, the depth of substance when it comes to talking community economic development, and his as-yet unique recognition that public mass transit is like education a mammoth part of the equation in achieving desirability as a city and region, it is hard for this blog not to conclude that present front-runner Bill Peduto gave the strongest performance in this first debate.

NEWS: While the papers had it correct that all candidates agreed UPMC et al needs to start paying a fair share to the City, the County and school district, special adviser to the governor Dennis Roddy decided to throw some icy cold water on that proposition, even though last were all led to believe this was also the Governor's policy and a grim, hard-won bipartisan consensus.

20 comments:

  1. Bram - There actually was another mayoral forum/debate, at the end of January in Squirrel Hill.

    http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/politics-local/mayor-hopefuls-address-throng-at-pittsburgh-forum-672267/

    The whole thing is up on YouTube, too. I'd say Peduto is 2 for 2.

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  2. I guess I reset the debate tally now that questions like "Is it wise to have more than one good candidate running against Luke?" are no longer applicable, but thank you for that link and reminder.

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  3. Thanks for your notes--I was not able to make it. This is the first I heard from the candidates on Education issues. I agree with your scorecard on the Pittsburgh Promise efforts--Peduto has the right idea. Did anyone touched on the idea of mayoral control for schools instead of an elected school board? I'd worry about Michael Lamb being mayor if that ever happens (and it should not).

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  4. Anon 5:28 - I don't believe anyone floated mayoral control of schools, unless it was so quick and quiet and/or coded that I missed it.

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  5. Candidate Lamb hinted at being a cheerleader for PPS and that would be at odds with being "in control" of schools from the mayor's office.

    Few to none in PPS as workers or consumers desire school control at City Hall. Getting local politicians to send a wake up call to the PPS now and then, such as when a valued asset is departing without due compensation, as was the case with Schenley, is a different matter fully.

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  6. Can't get by the first impression of Peduto --- an air of arrogance. Not a quality I want in my next mayor.

    Plus, I do not want a mayor that is beholden to Fitzgerald --- his judgment on the whole Port Authority mess is an embarrassment to the County. We do not need that carry over to the City.

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  7. @ bram the franktuary endorsement hadda be the owner of either the Mardi Gras or Cappys

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  8. Politics is one thing, but why get all insulting about something as important as a bar.

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  9. I can't get past Peduto's tweet and pic with Fitz at the Empty Bowls event . . . referencing city county consolidation. Does Fitz have Peduto's resignation letter in his drawer when Peduto tries to act independently????

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  10. I believe that mayoral control of the schools was touched on at the first mayoral forum. Video specifically about schools from that debate is here

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USp4GC2Z2mg

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  11. Regarding Mr. Peduto referencing "wrap around services" and giving examples of "mentoring, tutoring, and meals at seniors centers"---huh? He needs to get someone to help him with his terms and definitions. Early education needs a boost but one from the Pittsbugh Promise? If he wants to sink his teeth into something maybe he should address the issue of income limitations and space that result in some families having to pay tuition for early ed. in pps.

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  12. Anon @ 10:24AM very true. What a putz Peduto looks like with his apron on and Fitz standing behind him like he was prodding him to serve the destitute. First he dogs the endorsement, then he allows himself to be photographed like some school kid with his mentor urging him on.. Stand on your own Bill, quit parading around with "Oh its Guy Costa " and Father Fitzgerald

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  13. Anon 12:28 - Just in terms of Fitzgerald as being Peduto's mentor or father figure -- didn't Fitz win his election from part-time councilor to full-time tyrant with significant support from Peduto and the Pedutoistas? Isn't Fitz's support for Peduto simply evening out the scales? Who's really the senior partner? Unless the entire premise is hogwash, which is more likely.

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    1. while not anon 12:28,I can say that Peduto or his "following" don't have anywhere bear the clout to influence the outcome of a Countywide race!IMHO

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  14. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IBbxwFZ8Z2w

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBbxwFZ8Z2w

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  15. Can you imagine if Luke made people sign resignation letters? The PG, Peduto, Lamb and everyone else would be on a total frontal assault until the practice ended. Gotta love how the leftists look the other way when it is "their guy." Anyone want a fracking rig to buy?

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  16. Don't wanna focus too much on details, but Dennis' last name is Roddy not Roddey.

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  17. Anon 8:08 - Once again I am duly chastened. Expect a post tomorrow about bad authority shenanigans on the county and city level.

    Dayvoe - Thanks. Embarrassing. I could have sworn I double checked that.

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  18. And as long as your checking, exactly how did Wagner plan to "keep Schenley open" when it is already sold???

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