Progress Pittsburgh

Here are some blog posts, article and links that you may have missed.

• Another Jet/Golf Scandle? – from one of the comments at the Burgh Report
• Pa. ranked 38th most bike-friendly state – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review – The Washington-based League of American Bicyclists has been designating individual communities as bike-friendly since 2003, but this is the first time they have ranked the 50 states based on such criteria as legislation, policies and programs, infrastructure, education, planning and enforcement.

  While Pennsylvania was praised for its "exemplary route network," the League faulted its lack of a safe-passing distance law and a complete streets policy.

  "About a dozen states have safe-passing distance laws stating that cars must maintain a certain distance to pass a cyclist," said Elizabeth Preston, director of communications for the League. "The other is a statewide policy saying that when roads or facilities are built, all users are considered. Not just motorists, but pedestrians, people in wheelchairs and bicyclists."

• Doug Shields Asks U.S. Attorney and the state Attorney General to investigate city development affairs – calls Fords Settlement Hush Money – Pittsburgh Council President Doug Shields formally asked the U.S. Attorney and the state Attorney General to investigate city development affairs today, in the wake of yesterday's settlement between the Urban Redevelopment Authority and its former executive director, Pat Ford.

  "The time for wringing of hands is over," Mr. Shields said. "It's time for action. … Where there's smoke, there's fire."

  The URA board voted yesterday to pay Mr. Ford through June, though his $117,875-a-year contract runs only through December, in return for an agreement that he won't sue or disparage the agency or city government. The deal amounts to $93,000, plus the value of health benefits through June.

  Mr. Shields called that "hush money. … We have a board, the URA board, led by the mayor, at the mayor's direction, at [URA board Chair Yarone] Zober's direction, entering into an agreement that buys his silence."

• New Organizing Institute – Pittsburgh Training at the Union Project Sept. 19, 2008 – If you attend 1 training this fall – this should be it. Free for college students and recent graduates.
  The New Organizing Institute is excited to announce a one-day "Organizers Summit" training on online organizing and political technology on September 19 in Pittsburgh, PA! This training will help nonprofit staff build on a core set of skills that are fundamental in a new, more technology-focused world — including organizing, communications, field, and evaluation — for both civic engagement and electoral work.
• League of Young Voters speaks to the Allegheny County Council – Terry Griffin, the League's Western PA Field Coordinator, joins with our neighbors to urge the County Council to audit our voting machines so accuracy is assured.

Image via Wikipedia Chris Briem wonders if the Pat Ford settlement will mean the end of the Burghosphere – “I mean, will there be enough fodder for people to write about going forward. It’s debatable.”  But Doug Sheilds has already called for an investigation and thus the saga of what can only be labeled Pat-Fordgate continues.  Here is what the bloggers are saying…

• Dear Pat Ford and Alicia Sirk @ The Burgh Blog
  
  • “So let me shout it out right now.  You are a disgrace to this city and the people.  You are a disgrace to honesty.  You are a disgrace to what it means to be a public servant.  You are both egotistical, unethical, narcissistic thieves and when the karma boomerang hits you upside the head, I hope it circles around again to give it to you twice.”
• Adventures in Urban Redevelopment Land @ The Angry Drunk Bureaucrat
  • To answer questions elsewhere, my guess is that the URA would have had to hire specialized outside counsel in order to defend itself and the City against whatever allegations they may throw at them.  Not sure what Ford could have done to them, but the nuances of employment law escapes me (and it’s probably not the specialty of the URA legal team either) and there seems to be enough of a pretense of a challenge to warrant concern.
• Anthony’s Pie Chart Shakedown @ Tunesmith & Anthony
  • Public opinion of Pat Ford – 50% think he is creepy, 50% think he is weird
• Kraus on Radio – Pat Ford owes us an explanation @ Mark Rauterkus and Running Mates
  • Bruce Kraus of Pgh’s City Council was just interviewed on KDKA radio by Marty Griffin about the Pat Ford matter.

    Bruce said, “Pat Ford owes us an explanation.” “Those (letter of more than a week ago by Mr. Ford about corruption) are very serious allegations.”

    Others in city hall won’t give an interview to Marty for the show. Mayor Ravenstahl took the day off. Doug Shields nor Jim Motznik won’t do it either. Michael Lamb, city controller is talking.

Image by Steve Rhodes via Flickr  P208 - Click here to see other events around the 2008 Elections in Western PA. Know of an election event in town? Please leave the a comment with the event details here. Click here to see the Progress Pittsburgh Calendar.

What: Talk to voters about Obama
Where: 213 Smithfield St (in Pittsburgh)
Phone: (412) 867-6673
When: Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:00 PM

RSVP to let the campaign know you’re coming:

http://pol.moveon.org/obama/teams/training.html?office_id=348&id=13809-4250098-h.4gp8x&t=4

Watching the talking heads on TV endlessly repeating false charges about lipstick and patriotism, it’s easy to feel powerless about the election. But the race is still close, and there are over 3.5 million MoveOn members. If each one of us talks to ten or twenty voters, that could make all the difference. More »