tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post6415289856302885926..comments2023-12-24T05:26:48.861-05:00Comments on The Pittsburgh Comet: Peduto Claims Early Fundraising RecordBram Reichbaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-36306310694029421832013-01-17T00:32:55.067-05:002013-01-17T00:32:55.067-05:00Clearly that $ advantage has been left in th dust ...Clearly that $ advantage has been left in th dust by the Mayor. Dopeduto will have a hard time catching up!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-42304195458754896152013-01-15T18:18:56.901-05:002013-01-15T18:18:56.901-05:00I didn't address the parenthetical to you Shaw...I didn't address the parenthetical to you Shawn, only to "people"... and I respect your decision not to contest my characterization of those specified policies as "objectively stupid."Bram Reichbaumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-49635045611255536442013-01-15T18:04:50.922-05:002013-01-15T18:04:50.922-05:00Bram,
I never invoked hypocrisy... I merely dre...Bram, <br /><br />I never invoked hypocrisy... I merely drew a comparison as a case in point.<br /><br />Mitinger's term expired December 31, 2008.<br /><br />Her replacement was confirmed in like, July of 2009.<br /><br />Regardless of what happened with GSTC, she would likely have been replaced anyway. <br /><br />Shawn Carterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02199246577083781115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-75842265777033811552013-01-15T18:01:49.481-05:002013-01-15T18:01:49.481-05:00I didn't say a thing about Toal or the CPRB. E...I didn't say a thing about Toal or the CPRB. Expired terms or no, the timing in each case I mentioned was flagrantly in direct response to those board members' failure to implement objectively stupid policy. Board members should be there to help save you from yourself in those hopefully rare situations.<br /><br />(By the way people, contrary to apparently popular opinion I "hammered" Fitzgerald very soundly on reassessments and on the shale e-mail. So do us a favor and drop the hypocrisy complaints and the transparent distraction attempts. We'll deal with Fitz when he's up for reelection, Rave is up for reelection now.)Bram Reichbaumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-79837935630410676572013-01-15T17:17:08.002-05:002013-01-15T17:17:08.002-05:00Oh, and Anon 9:11, about "replacing people on...<i>Oh, and Anon 9:11, about "replacing people on boards and commissions" -- this is actually a subtle point I've been trying to illustrate to Shawn lately without apparent effect.</i><br /><br />Well, since you called me out, I guess I'll dignify the screed with a response. LOL<br /><br />I guess Mayor Ravenstahl needs to adopt the policy of one of his contemporaries, which is to demand a signed resignation letter as a prerequisite to nomination.<br /><br />Except he didn't need to do so. Unlike the Board of Health, where an appointee, once confirmed, can only be removed for cause, the appointees of the Stadium Authority serve "at-will", at the pleasure of the Mayor.<br /><br />As for Alice Mitinger and David Toal, their terms had expired. Same with the CPRB. Same with Peduto's term on the Stadium Authority. They were all appointed by Luke's predecessors, although I do faintly remember Lestitian having first been reappointed by Ravenstahl and then subsequently removed. Are you suggesting he had no right to appoint new representatives, that he was obligated to reappoint his predecessor's choices?<br /><br />Regardless of the preceding unpleasantness, he was entitled to go in a different direction. If we follow logic to a reasonable conclusion, the reason the GSTC sign was approved as an "Administrator Exception" was precisely to avoid a trip to the Zoning Board.<br /><br />So the ZBA ruling came as no surprise to anyone. Are you suggesting that David Toal was replaced as punishment for abstaining in that matter?<br /><br />We should just kill our Authorities, Boards and Commissions and reintegrate them all back into City departments. But that doesn't address what your primary concern is -- independence.<br /><br />Afraid that our system of government sucks in that respect.Shawn Carterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02199246577083781115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-58544005124760518812013-01-14T23:00:58.202-05:002013-01-14T23:00:58.202-05:00Oh, and Anon 9:11, about "replacing people on...Oh, and Anon 9:11, about "replacing people on boards and commissions" -- this is actually a subtle point I've been trying to illustrate to Shawn lately without apparent effect.<br /><br />The issue for example was not that Mayor Ravenstahl replaced Debbie Lestitian on the Stadium Authority with somebody else he preferred or knew better. The issue was that he replaced her because she pointed out that the land we sold the Steelers on the North Shore was worth <b>many many scores of times</b> what we sold it to them for, and insisted only that a land appraisal might not be a bad idea before a land sale. Shocking.<br /><br />And the issue wasn't that Mayor Ravenstahl replaced Alice Mitinger on the ZBA. The issue was that he replaced her punitively after she issued an <b>obviously factually correct, inevitable</b> ruling that the digital billboard on the parking building was impossible to approve under the code even as a variance or special exception for no less than four separate reasons, none of which were ever disputed -- instead of delivering a mini-opinion which said, "Eh, it's okay, I like it" and that surely would have gotten thrown out of court on appeal anyway, wasting money and time.<br /><br />So I can see how from a 1000 yard vantage and with no further knowledge, one might believe it's only about "replacing people" and being a normal politician. It's actually about forcing his boards to make horrible, strange, counterproductive, sometimes illegal decisions that make his friends wealthy at the City's expense. It's a substantive issue, it's a legitimate issue, it's his own record of choices, and yes people can judge him on it without being hypocritical or "political".Bram Reichbaumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-21480203231999086162013-01-14T22:01:58.412-05:002013-01-14T22:01:58.412-05:00LUKE RAVENSTAHL: "We must be doing something ...LUKE RAVENSTAHL: <i>"We must be doing something right."</i><br /><br />Pittsburgh is a rock star. We invested in it, we innovated in it, we took great prudent care of it over 30 years and we believe in it. Of course it's doing well. How will the next 30 years go? What do we have left to accomplish?Bram Reichbaumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-81445586070868787022013-01-14T21:11:36.169-05:002013-01-14T21:11:36.169-05:00Um, how about "Luke Ravenstahl - because our ...Um, how about "Luke Ravenstahl - because our city is doing really freaggin well and lots of cool things are happening here and people are moving back in like the first time ever and....." But, since my opponents can't attack me on anything to do with, um, how the City is performing, which is my number one job, they will attack me on lots of fringe issues and whether or not I reappoint certain people to boards and commissions. And, I can prove this by the fact that those enemies don't criticize others for the exact same stuff and give those people a pass.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-88056034944524134412013-01-14T14:27:05.616-05:002013-01-14T14:27:05.616-05:00Anon 8:29 - Thanks for the link. Rich's lawyer...Anon 8:29 - Thanks for the link. Rich's lawyer was correct, that was indeed "unseemly" of Rich. I bet it had something to do with the upcoming battle over Alcosan. Hey, wonder how THAT's going...?<br /><br />Anon 10:48 - I guess some people can't take okay for an answer. But a few of those attacks are pretty questionable: "raiding" RAD for public transit was a good and very popular move as compared to more service cuts in the face of unprecedented state cuts for example. Where is the Mayor's advocacy on public transit, by the way? Shouldn't he be leading rallies, using the bully pulpit, making economic arguments, criticizing Republicans?<br /><br />What's the new campaign slogan? LUKE RAVENSTAHL: "Because all the other politicians are just as corrupt." Or maybe LUKE RAVENSTAHL: "Lower your expectations and you won't be disappointed." Or wait, how about LUKE RAVENSTAHL: "Wah! I'm being unfairly hammered! I hate the spotlight! People don't like me 'cause they're jealous or out for themselves, those are the only possible reasons! Wah!"Bram Reichbaumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-12360373046145974972013-01-14T14:13:12.744-05:002013-01-14T14:13:12.744-05:00Fitz pushed biggest recording fee increase in Coun...Fitz pushed biggest recording fee increase in County History.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-44321895228883741422013-01-14T10:48:53.923-05:002013-01-14T10:48:53.923-05:00Not that anyones paying attention, but heres the s...Not that anyones paying attention, but heres the scoop on Fitzgerald first year in office. Still confused about whether or not Fitzgerald has failed in his first year, breaking campaign promises, failing to work cooperatively with others, and doing all the stuff anybody else would be hammered for- you decide (with citations) <br /><br />Fotzgerald on Jailtime Before Reassessments<br />http://m.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/blogs/Post?basename=fitzgerald-without-statewide-tax-reform-ill-go-to-jail-before-sending-out-tax-reassessments&day=22&id=SlagHeap&month=02&year=2011<br /><br />Firzgerald supported county tax hikes<br />http://northhills.patch.com/articles/fitzgerald-backs-tax-hike-what-do-you-think<br /><br />Air service continues to drop under Fitzgerald<br />http://nullspace2.blogspot.com/2012/12/number-of-day-7.html?m=1<br /><br />Fitzgerald supports Marcellus drilling with a questionable contract, to boot<br />http://triblive.com/mobile/m/3137475-96/authority-consol-bid<br /><br />Fitzgerald raids RAD for Port Authorty, first county leader to do it, putting arts and small non profits at risk<br />http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/perspectives/the-end-of-rad-as-we-know-it-transit-is-important-but-the-county-sales-tax-is-for-other-assets-650695/<br /><br />Fitzgerald strong arms health department to reduce air quality standards behind closed doors<br />http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/editorials/retreat-on-air-closed-door-talks-weaken-new-county-guidelines-670338/<br /><br />Homicides up in Fotzerald led County<br />http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/region/homicide-rate-baffles-suburban-police-670280/<br /><br />Fitzgerald fights with other elected leaders- Chelsea Wagner, Luke Ravrnstahl<br /><br />What else!?!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-30601680322361326832013-01-14T08:29:52.892-05:002013-01-14T08:29:52.892-05:00Source on Fitz reqiring resignation letters to be ...Source on Fitz reqiring resignation letters to be appointed<br /><br />http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/region/bruce-dixon-lawyer-fitzgerald-endangered-public-health-by-firing-him-658708/<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-45854023012895231742013-01-13T17:42:45.500-05:002013-01-13T17:42:45.500-05:00Anon 4:41 - Well that sounds weird. Is that source...Anon 4:41 - Well that sounds weird. Is that sourced yet or do I have to ask?Bram Reichbaumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-16276619520961688912013-01-13T16:41:35.805-05:002013-01-13T16:41:35.805-05:00Bram, You've written about Ravenstahl and the ...Bram, You've written about Ravenstahl and the way he controls the city authorities as a bad thing. Fitzgerald refuses to appoint people to the county authorities unless they sign a resignation letter that he keeps in case he needs it. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-79533593936121912752013-01-13T16:03:34.022-05:002013-01-13T16:03:34.022-05:00Bram - the answer to one of your questions is a re...Bram - the answer to one of your questions is a resounding "yes." Yes - if you parade around as a progressive "un-shackler" then you do need to be as pure as arctic snow. Otherwise, isn't it just a matter of subjective degree on how much corruption we are willing to tolerate? Doesn't that then lead to nothing more than rationalizing that ones own champion is doing the same stuff as the enemy for some justified reason? Doesn't that just perpetuate the same old same old? If you are truly different then be different. If you truly believe that being politically pure is necessary for real change - then do it. The reason why people are willing give Billy a pass and make excuses is because they know that his donors aren't upset because of the way government is run, they are upset because they aren't in control. There are very powerful people in the E. End that want control of Grant Street and are very angry they don't have it. Lets get real. That is what this election is about, not the "machine versus good government." Give me a break. You are losing lots of street cred here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-88833143269928084602013-01-13T15:18:31.014-05:002013-01-13T15:18:31.014-05:00The thing is, Bram, that Bill is the same old pers...The thing is, Bram, that Bill is the same old persona that he has maintained since he decided to run for public office (champion of/panderer to the progressive east end types, pro gay rights, pro choice on abortion, pro gun control...you know, all those cultural issues in which City has absolutely no policy role). <br /><br />What is supposedly different NOW is how much money Peduto raised. If the difference amounts to Fitz's ham-fisted attempts to strong arm county venders, then it IS a key issue. Dudenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-31964522938199556062013-01-13T10:11:55.545-05:002013-01-13T10:11:55.545-05:00I remember that when I was lukewarm-to-cool toward...I remember that when I was lukewarm-to-cool towards Fitzgerald's candidacy against Flaherty, Peduto took the stump to say that Fitz had "one foot planted in old Pittsburgh and one foot planted in new Pittsburgh." It could be that's rather like saying somebody loves one of their parents and murdered the other one. For the purposes of that election, and moving forward in the County, however, half a loaf is probably a worthwhile step up.<br /><br />I think Bill Peduto is his own centerpiece. I view these comments I'm receiving as a worthy indication of that a course-correction (or course-addition) is needed. However progressives have a bum deal when it comes to expectations; claiming to stand for better government, their opponents get to demand they be as pure as the Arctic snow and run with no institutional support, no money, and no concessions to a business community which comprises a lot of votes. Meanwhile we have an issue in the Mayor's office, Lamb I don't doubt has his own ties here and there (Murphy's machine?), Wagner is a one-family tie, Jesus has yet to return and if he does now it's too late to establish city residency, and I'll joyously trade shackles for a mere tether. Or imperfect metaphors for a legitimate demonstration of progress.<br /><br />I can and will pledge no unnecessary free rides for Fitzgerald, though.Bram Reichbaumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-24024723556243822172013-01-13T09:08:41.332-05:002013-01-13T09:08:41.332-05:00Bram, let me attempt to answer your questions. Of...Bram, let me attempt to answer your questions. Of course Bill and Fitz are different people. I interpret the previous anon comment this way. The comment is two fold. One, it is a direct jab at Fitz. The lefty media and bloggers in the region are still all gaga eyes over Fitz and refuse to criticize him. This is despite the fact that he plays the same "shackled machine" game better than anyone. He leans on big business (cough, gas companies) for donations and threatens people if they don't write him a check. He fires people hired by previous administrations and replaces board members. He now leans on board members to weaken air quality rules that those same members voted to approve. Now, he leans on county vendors and unions to support Bill. Fitz fires people and you say that maybe they aren't tied to the notion that they are the only person that can do the job. But, when Luke or Corbett fires people, do they get the same treatment? Fitz is an old time, old machine, party politics, scratch my back i'll scratch yours politician. We have lots of them. What we need is just a little honesty about this instead of the muzzle that has been placed on the press and bloggers from criticizing Fitz and acting like he is the great progressive savior. That leads into the issue with Bill. It isn't a secret that Fitz is very public and vocal about his support of Bill. More importantly Bill is very public and vocal about the fact that he has Fitz's support. The two are tied together because if Bill was so progressive and really seeking to "unshackle" the City, why would he make as the centerpiece of that effort one the best "shacklers" around? These comments are just meant to illustrate the hypocrisy circling the progressive toilet. Bill is out rounding up money, aligning himself with "shacklers" and making promises to reward contributors. If Bill wins and cleans house on boards and commissions and department heads will he get a free pass or will he get criticized for playing politics? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-23067614807066789062013-01-12T20:56:54.949-05:002013-01-12T20:56:54.949-05:00Can anyone here provide some hard scientific evide...Can anyone here provide some hard scientific evidence of Pushmi-Pullyus or Fitzdedutos roaming around outside of Dr. Dolittle's zoology textbook?<br /><br />http://thebestpictureproject.wordpress.com/2011/04/14/doctor-dolittle/<br /><br /> <br /><br />Helen Gerhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07010369817073080001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-33499296881507888962013-01-12T17:37:02.286-05:002013-01-12T17:37:02.286-05:00Only reason I didn't post the air quality stor...Only reason I didn't post the air quality story is 'cause I didn't post period. That needs fixing. But I could have sworn this sorry change represents not much of a change at all, as we've been riddled with County "Screw air quality standards!" stories for the past three years. But even if its a reversion to the mean it's no good.<br /><br />I can't credit the "firing people for political reasons" argument much however, because when it comes to at-will employees every executive is entitled to their own team. I don't have any prejudice that Onoroto's lieutenants were irreplaceable professionals.<br /><br />I don't suppose anyone's that interested that Bill and Fitz are different people? Some are acting like Fitz invented Bill in his garage. I keep thinking of Bill as the full-time City councilman leading a political movement, and Fitz as the part-time County councilman totally subservient to Dan who only recently inherited a day in the sun almost by default. If pending what happens soon at Alcosan I should have to evolve into a "Like Bill, Cool on Fitz" position, will people take that as inconsistent or impossible?Bram Reichbaumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-55974906798639067252013-01-12T08:36:26.231-05:002013-01-12T08:36:26.231-05:00Thank you Helen. I was wondering why the Comet an...Thank you Helen. I was wondering why the Comet and other Billy supporters weren't posting Fitz's latest arm twisting to hurt the residents of our region. Bram, i think first you look no further than Fitz's arm twisting of the frackers to give him money. Then, all the people he fired for political reasons. And now, an entire board that was set to vote on new air quality rules CHANGES COURSE and weakens those rules AFTER MEETING WITH FITZ. Seriously, can we at least admit that if this was Luke and the same situation applied you guys would be blowing your top? Can we please just at least have some dignity and admit that? If you don't care about this simply because you want Luke gone, then fine, just admit it. We all get the government we deserve.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-89082136877342067152013-01-12T03:08:51.454-05:002013-01-12T03:08:51.454-05:00Really disturbing to me:
http://www.post-gazette...Really disturbing to me: <br /><br />http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/weather/allegheny-county-health-panel-oks-weaker-air-rules-669688/<br /><br /> Helen Gerhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07010369817073080001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-15051593269901736482013-01-11T22:59:15.263-05:002013-01-11T22:59:15.263-05:00I appreciate the feedback, and considering what hi...I appreciate the feedback, and considering what his Republican opponent called the "Shale Shakedown", what you say about Fitz is not out of the realm of possibility. But I think you have to forgive me for being skeptical until the complaints are non-anonymous and more specific.<br /><br />I'm not at all positive a mere "You won't be forgotten" coming from a Luke campaign staffer would send me into rage and apoplexy. And I'm sure Team Bill has a very different opinion as to whether I've spent much time "fawning" over him. I know that goes also for Infy. People tend to confuse criticizing Luke with fawning over Bill. Maybe if I saw an example.Bram Reichbaumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-35003500924371857172013-01-11T18:35:12.887-05:002013-01-11T18:35:12.887-05:00Bram, full disclosure (or as full as possible whil...Bram, full disclosure (or as full as possible while remaining anonymous) I am a Luke contributor and have business with the city. I will probably write Mike Lamb a check as well because his office has been good about getting me paid quickly. <br />What you have defined as inelegant is one thing but when it comes to elegance, Rich Fitzgerald makes this Eric look like Audrey Hepburn. I have never seen a shake down act like the one he goes through in raising money for Bill Peduto. It is old school hard ball stuff and I think will end up hurting them both. I'm glad I don't do county business any more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-14482272216254931562013-01-11T10:15:17.321-05:002013-01-11T10:15:17.321-05:00The last Anon is right Bram. Your fawning over Pe...The last Anon is right Bram. Your fawning over Peduto Colors your judgement. Even with that shameful, Fitz-like email - a darkly foreboding promise that "you won't be forgotten" - you fail to interact with the last anon's substantial point. If Ravenstahl sent out the same email, youd employ the dame amount of shame, mockery and ridicule that you, PittGirl, 2junkies, and Infy have for years. Pathetic. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com