tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post8511268037071629781..comments2023-12-24T05:26:48.861-05:00Comments on The Pittsburgh Comet: Harris' Criticism Draws Criticism ... from LambBram Reichbaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-48798825540182951632010-08-08T22:32:34.358-04:002010-08-08T22:32:34.358-04:00Talk to guys who really understand, like Briem. I...Talk to guys who really understand, like Briem. I think he made a compelling argument in his noting of Vallejo, CA's issues with bankruptcy that is by no means very likely that we would allowed to go into bankruptcy. Moreover, as an Act 47 municipality, the state gets to decide whether or not we can even file for bankruptcy, before we even get a taste of a federal bankruptcy judge thinks of it.<br /><br />Bankruptcy is not an option.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-84351185991598605002010-08-07T22:50:14.195-04:002010-08-07T22:50:14.195-04:00If I recall correctly, most of the people who didn...If I recall correctly, most of the people who didn't like the bombers were also not so big on police forces.MHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-55217000344625514812010-08-07T22:14:15.141-04:002010-08-07T22:14:15.141-04:00Joke? I'm thinking about making it my banner ...Joke? I'm thinking about making it my banner sub-header.Bram Reichbaumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-31380395721957521182010-08-07T21:13:43.591-04:002010-08-07T21:13:43.591-04:00I'm tempted to put the same joke on Pittsblog....I'm tempted to put the same joke on Pittsblog. It would work better there and I may as well get more from my knowledge of 80s bumper stickers.MHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-23471118060970094582010-08-07T19:44:39.920-04:002010-08-07T19:44:39.920-04:00It will be a great day when our police forces get ...It will be a great day when our police forces get all the money they need and the non-profits have to hold a bake sale to put their name on a tall building in giant-ass letters.MHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-92157132045853612432010-08-07T18:57:45.706-04:002010-08-07T18:57:45.706-04:00Anon 8:55 said: "To even suggest that police...<b>Anon 8:55</b> said: "<i>To even suggest that police will be reduced by 400 or taxes will go up 44% is disingenuous at best.</i>"<br /><br />I agree that measuring currency in units of Police Officers, always, is tiresome and silly. Apparently someone in the Mayor's office long ago must have decided that this actually works, but I'd love to see the evidence.<br /><br />Even still, the idea cutting evenly "across all segments of the workforce" -- haven't we all been in agreement that we've cut to the marrow since Act 47? Would you suggest getting rid of a few more attorneys? Another half of City Planners? Our last building inspector? How about laborers? All of which is to say I think "44 police officers!" is a more easily tuned-out argument than, "Act 47 already slashed us down to a skeleton crew or worse at every battle station."Bram Reichbaumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-17527948247634249162010-08-07T18:51:44.943-04:002010-08-07T18:51:44.943-04:00Rather than void the pension liability, just pay t...Rather than void the pension liability, just pay those who get the pensions in $10 bills once a month from a window downtown in the City-County Building. If they fail to show up, hold the cash for the next time they are in town. <br /><br />At least we'll get some parking meters some action as they flood to town to pick up their money. <br /><br />It will be good for the economy. And, some of the money might come back to us via the casino as well.<br /><br />Seriously, the City of Pgh could sell off its interest in Heinz Field. Have the Steelers chip in $200-Million or more.Mark Rauterkushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17157914569686528007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-21538753094403053332010-08-07T17:58:25.471-04:002010-08-07T17:58:25.471-04:00$200M only gets them to 50%. Think about that for ...$200M only gets them to 50%. Think about that for a moment. Yes, think.<br /><br />No matter what is done, serious more work is needed.<br /><br />Here's my suggestion - Start over. Void any and all pension promises. Declare bankruptcy if it's the only way. It's high-time ALL public-sector employees realize what we private sector employers/employees have been through.<br /><br />A serious divide is happening in this Country concerning public-sector employee pensions and the taxpayer's repsonsibility for such.<br /><br />Personally, I am almost on the side of 'who cares?'. I'm leaving the Pittsburgh area in 1-2 years, or less, to move South once daughter finishes College.Conservative Mountaineerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00682687892115059220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-12320174562099212812010-08-06T20:55:49.146-04:002010-08-06T20:55:49.146-04:00Ravenstahl has said doing nothing would force the ...<i>Ravenstahl has said doing nothing would force the city to pay $30 million more per year into its pension fund, which would equate to a 24 percent property-tax hike; a 44 percent wage-tax increase; or the layoffs of 400 police officers.</i><br /><br />Why does Ravenstahl insist on using extreme scenarios to push his foolish plan? The fact that he has resorted to scare tactics only reinforces the idea that the guy has a vested interest in the lease. <br /><br />First of all, nobody suggested that we are going to nothing. There are alternatives. <br /><br />Even in the highly unlikely event that we "do nothing": the city would increase parking rates, increase the property and/or wage tax and save money across all segments of the workforce. To even suggest that police will be reduced by 400 or taxes will go up 44% is disingenuous at best.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-20226862360674284702010-08-06T13:53:23.645-04:002010-08-06T13:53:23.645-04:00Maybe this has been determined already, but I was ...Maybe this has been determined already, but I was left wondering a couple of days ago why Harris was weighing in. Now it seems obvious. He's living Larryville now and is likely planning to run against Dowd. And this, from Potter's parking article, along with Lamb's immediate push back, makes it more apparent:<br /><br />"City Councilor Patrick Dowd says he and city controller Michael Lamb have been exploring alternatives [to the parking lease] of their own ..."Paige Turnernoreply@blogger.com