Friday, January 13, 2012

What Will the Reassessments Fiasco Reveal?


This appears in today's Tribune-Review:

Laurel: To Chris Briem. Numbers crunched by the Pitt researcher suggest what Allegheny County's panderers of populist anti-reassessment pap don't want you to know: Sixty-five percent of residential properties in the City of Pittsburgh would see their real estate taxes drop. Fewer than 25 percent would see property tax bills rise by 10 percent or more. Here's to the truth trumping the political tricksters. (Trib, Edit Board)


Even more tellingly, this appears in today's Null Space:

So it's been an interesting couple of days. Sincere thanks for all the notes of support and sympatico along the way. (Null Space)


With:

Can we all at least agree on the issue being data transparency, openness and why we don't even know what is known. So the very first question is will the new assessment numbers reappear on the county web site anytime soon? Has anyone asked that question? Not there as I write this is all I know. Will they release a full data set or will we all have to become a county of hackers to scrape it over and over again? (ibid)


All of a sudden I recognize a sort of distinct, woodsy aroma, with hints of ozone. The bloggers are now entering the Heinz Red Zone. Stop by your local Giant Eagle for great deals on thick and rich Heinz Ketchup.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Guy Fawkeseses Day: Our Day In Court!


Symbolically that is, as one among 99 Jane Does and John Does.

"Is that called rickrolling?" asked Daniel I. Booker, an attorney for BNY Mellon, which is asking the court for a preliminary injunction to have the protesters removed.

"Yes," Mr. Lawson said, prompting court spectators to roar with laughter. (P-G, Moriah Balingit)

I still think that's hysterical. Mad solidarity with the Internet.

SEE ALSO: Trib, Bill Vidonic