Dan Onorato: In the News

County chief Dan Onorato says RAD money is "off the table" to help the Port Authority (P-G). This will be a relief to some cultural and arts organizations who depend on these funds.

Meanwhile, the P-G editorial board delivers one hell of an endorsement for Onorato's reelection.

Not only do they dismiss his opponent Rick Swartz as a well-intentioned lightweight, but they hail Onorato as a capable leader who knows when to build community consensus, when to hammer out back-room deals, and when to go it alone.

Still not convinced? There is a debate tonight at the Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church in the Hill District from 6 to 7 PM. Call 412-758-7898.

Speaking of community consensus and/or/if/but back-room deals, we caught Dan Onorato on WQED's OnQ a few nights ago. He was joined by the Rev. Johnny Monroe and Marimba Milliones, and it was just fascinating.

A lot seems to hinge on development outside a certain key 28 blocks of real estate -- and whether or not Mayor Ravenstahl and the Sports & Exhibition Authority are going to be on board with that.

The Rev. Monroe was extremely frank about his community getting "a piece of the action." Onorato fully supported that sentiment, comparing it to what he did for the North Side as a councilman during stadium development. Reflecting on the Civic Arena, Onorato said, "You don't often get a second bite at the apple ... we can actually do this right this time."

Two-Hit Monday

The P-G's Rich Lord reports on city EMS minority recruitment.

[EMS Chief Robert McCaughan] said he doesn't yet know when the impending minority recruitment drive will start, nor who the training provider will be. He said the push will look something like a 1991 effort in which the city recruited 15 African-Americans and women, and provided free paramedic training, plus a modest salary. Most finished the training and went on to become city paramedics.

-snip-

He said the problem with the 1991 effort was that it was a one-time thing that only temporarily boosted diversity. He said the bureau should ensure that this time, it's a sustained program. "That way the numbers would even out."

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"Let's start these conversations today. Let's Save our Transit."

Thus concludes Joan Ellenbogen, board member and finance chair of the Port Authority, in her P-G Op-Ed.

She identifies unions, the business community, and state and local government as three groups that "need to step up to the plate." Unions in particular have been "obtaining the best of everything for their members."

What I would do as soon as possible after today, if I were a union leader, would be to follow the lead of our new CEO, Steve Bland. In an unprecedented move and at great personal cost, he voluntarily gave back present and future benefits that were part of the contract he negotiated before moving here last year. Steve Bland is a true leader.

Editorial Aside: Is Steve Bland pressuring the rest of management, past and present, for benefit cuts?