Progress Pittsburgh

If you have been folowing some of the reactions to the snow in Pittsburgh – Luke Ravenstahl’s name is mentioned in response to the snow clean up.  But today there is another question being asked about the mayor – Where’s Luke?

It seems to have started with JanePitt around 11:30 this morning…

JanePitt

(Virginia Montanez)

Has anyone seen Luke Ravenstahl in the city today? Anyone? Anyone? Zober? On 10:36 AM Feb 16th 2010 from web

At 12:30 @andybotpgh posted a link to this Post-Gazette article

andybotpgh

(Andy Mulkerin)

"Mayoral spokeswoman Joanna Doven said she did not know the Mr. Ravenstahl's whereabouts today." http://bit.ly/92TWIk On 11:35 AM Feb 16th 2010 from web

City Council Member Bill Peduto noted that Luke has not been seen at the City County building today

billpeduto

(bill peduto)

Despite rumors, no confirmation that Mayor left town. His city car has not been here yesterday or today - cancelled mtg with Pres. Harris On 12:03 PM Feb 16th 2010 from web

At 1:30 JanePitt tweets Luke was not at Murtha’s Funeral – create the hashtag #whereisluke

JanePitt

(Virginia Montanez)

Places Lukey was NOT today: His office, the funeral of Rep. John Murtha, council offices. #whereisLuke On 12:17 PM Feb 16th 2010 from web

Bram (aka the Pittsburgh Comet) notes that the mayor’s newest hire is in New Orleans

Bram_R

(Bram Reichbaum)

Via Facebook: Luke's campaign manager / brand new Government Affairs Manager Paul McKrell departed for New Orleans yesterday. On 12:48 PM Feb 16th 2010 from web

Here are the latest tweets with the #whereisluke

From Chris Potter:

You’ve probably heard of the “Anybody But Luke” crowd, right? Well, I can tell you where everybody who is anybody will be on the night of Dec. 3.

They’ll be hanging out with city councilor Bill Peduto.

Here’s the details on that party, from billpeduto.com:

Here is how you can show your support for Bill – and build a better Pittsburgh! We need you to help us to make this event even more special.
Please join us and bring your friends.

For more information or to RSVP, please call 412-414-1430 or email Mike Devanney at Mike.Devanney@gmail.com.

Host Committee
Co-Chairs

Over at Slag Heap, Chris Potter wrote a piece about Tonya Payne’s quixotic write-in campaign and the resulting challenge to her status as chair of the City Democratic Committee.  (Readers may recall that voters in city council district 6 chose to replace her with P2PAC-endorsed candidate Daniel Lavelle.)

In the Spring, Tonya Payne (illegally) used a fake political committee, “Sensible Constituents of District 6,” to distribute some negative materials.  This Fall, she was at it again.  See below for a flyer that she passed out (again, illegally using another fake political committee — “Neighbors Against Dirty Politics”).

She also had the flyers below–which accuse City Councilmember Bill Peduto of racism–distributed in his district.

The Neighbors Against Dirty Politics also sent around the following email:

From: neighbors against dirty politics 2
Date: Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Subject: IS TRUMP FINANCING LAVELLE?

IS TRUMP FINANCING LAVELLE?

Is Trump financing Robert Daniel Lavelle’s campaign in District 6? No, not really,  but I am confused where Lavelle received his money to add “extra” bonuses to his campaign workers.  I know if I truly believe in a candidate I do not have to be paid!  Why would he have to pay 130 workers $100.00 each?  Why would he have to pay workers breakfast, lunch, and dinner?  Who paid for his Rent A Cars? Who paid for his color brochures?  Who paid for his postage?  Who paid for his color postcards? Who paid for his t-shirts? Who paid for his parties? Why did he not put these expenses on his campaign report? Why did he drop his first name and change his campaign name now to Daniel instead of Robert.  Wasn’t his father, Robert,  fired from The Dwelling House Bank and under FBI investigation?

The Post Gazette’s article stated

the following about the bank;

“it suffered a severe blow to its stability late last year when federal auditors discovered that about $3 million had been drained out of its capital account and the bank..  Pittsburgh police and FBI agents are investigating the case.”

“Former Dwelling House president and CEO Robert M. Lavelle, who was fired in November by order of the OTS, also was fined $5,000 last week for his role in the gross negligence that ultimately brought down the bank.”

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09227/991047-28.stm

Where is this money? Robert “Daniel” now flip flops his name so people will not put two and two together. Call him Daniel now, not Robert .Does he think we are stupid?  Is this where the money comes from for his campaign?   The apple does not fall far from the tree.  I would “write in” TonyaPayne, her workers do not have to be paid to campaign for her!

She does not change her name to hide. Our group Neighbors Against Dirty Politics are starting an official “write in” campaign for Tonya Payne!  When you go to the polls just go to the “write in”section and write her name in the spot.

ON NOVEMBER 3, 2009

ELECTION DAY

“Write In”
Tonya Payne
Don’t Write Her Off!

District 6 City Councilwoman

“Let justice remain in your district!”

“Keep her REAL name in your decisions.”

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
NEIGHBORS AGAINST DIRTY POLITICS

Finally, if you still have any question about who the “Neighbors Against Dirty Politics” actually are, there’s a facebook group called “URGENT!! WRITE IN Tonya Payne for City Council District 6″.  The administrator and creator of the page?  Tonya Payne.

Of course, this election is history.  So why does it matter?  Two reasons:

1. To date, Jim Burn, chair of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, is turning a blind eye to the City Chair staging a campaign against the duly nominated Democratic nominee for office.
2. It’s really not clear what Tonya Payne was hoping to gain from these hijinks, but she is rumored to be preparing for a run against Jake Wheatley for State Representative next year.  Even her most staunch supporters must be turned off by her embarrassing behavior.

Well alot has happened in the past few days… from President Clinton to Shepard Fairey – bloggers and guest speakers visited Pittsburgh and discussed all sorts of things.

Here is some of the blog andmedia coverage of the Netroots Nation:

• Pittsburgh Business Times
• 2 Political Junkies – Quoted by the AP, Photos from Day 1
• Pg Early Returns
• City Paper – Specter and Sestak
• Pittsblog - What Pittsburgh can learn from Netroots, What Netroots Nation can learn from Pittsburgh

More »

In an email today and on his blog at BillPeduto.com – City Councilman Bill Peduto is encouraging Pittsburghers to call/email their city council members to support his reform package. 

This package will end “pay-to-play” politics in our city through several different reforms to our current system.  If passed on Wednesday, this package will:

• Cap contributions by individuals at $2,000 for Mayoral and City Controller Races, and $1,000 for City Council races
• Mandate the creation of an online, searchable database of all campaign contributions and city contracts
• Ban all no-bid contracts over $30,000
• Create the Lobbyist Disclosure Act, which would require all lobbyists to register annually with the city
• Create the Lobbyist Registration Act, which would require all contract bidders to disclose any payments to lobbyists and consultants
• Strengthen the city’s ethics code to greatly limit gifts to government officials

What do you think about this reform package – does it go to far? Not far enough? Are other members of council supporting this package?  

Do you support the Peduto Reform Package?

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The press release from Luke Ravenstahl’s office that was posted here yesterday caught my eye.  I have been following the idea of LED street lights since I first read about New York City switching to LED street lights in the November 2008 issue of Wired Magazine.

Given the discussion this week around Luke’s decision to spend $250k on trash cans – any talk of spending from the mayor’s office seems to stick out more than usual.

But wait – there is more…

A couple of blog posts point out that Luke’s took too much credit for Bob O’connors Market Square ideas. the post What about Bob, from the PG’s Early Returns links to both Matt H and Chris Schultz’s posts on who really championed Market Square.

Do Luke and Yarone really not read the blogs?  They are at it again with the LED lights.  Why is there no mention of Peduto in this press release?  After reading this post on the PG – it is really starting to look like Team Luke is getting defensive.

On December 15, 2008 the Post-Gazette ran this article – Peduto proposes LED street lights

The city should convert its 40,000 old-fashioned street-light bulbs to green-friendly LED lights, Councilman William Peduto announced today. The conversion would cost $24 million, but yearly cost savings of $2.7 million could be used to pay for the upgrade, as well as a state-funded energy program.

LED lights use less power than old bulbs and last years longer, which would account for the annual savings, according to Mr. Peduto’s office. He is urging the city to apply for funding through the state’s Guaranteed Energy Savings Agreement and issue a Request for Proposals from interested lighting companies to perform a six-month test run of the bulbs. The lights have already been tested along Walnut Street in Shadyside, which Mr. Peduto represents.

If you are a Facebook user, you know that it was hard to avoid Obamamania on Facebook in the past year.  And you certainly can’t avoid Steelers super bowl fever on Facebook – there are hundreds of Steelers fan groups on Facebook.

Can Facebook play a roll in the Primary elections here in Pittsburgh?

Lets look at some of the candidates and rumored candidates for mayor and their Facebook groups:

Mayor

• Students for Ravenstahl - 256 members
• Young Republicans that Support Luke Ravenstahl – 90 members, doesn’t look like it has been updated since 2007
• I Like Luke: Re-elect Luke Ravenstahl, Pittsburgh’s Mayor – 92 members
• Is Mayor Luke Ravenstahl stupid, corrupt or both? – 9 members
• Patrick Dowd for Mayor of Pittsburgh - 366 members (On Jan 20, the group had 81 members)
• Students for Patrick Dowd – 132 members
• The UNOFFICIAL Doug Shield for Mayor of Pittsburgh Group – 222 members

City Council

• Brendan Schubert – 52 supporters
• Recall Tonya Payne from Pittsburgh City Council – 2 members
• Bill Peduto – 149 Supporters

Other Races

• Hugh McGough – 252 Supporters

Other Elected Officials on Facebook

• Don Walko – 17 Supporters
• Mike Doyle – 299 Supporters
• Bring Back Mike Veon – 7 members

Are there any others that we are missing?  Who would you like to see on Facebook? Do you support your favorite candidates by joining their facebook groups?

From Bill Peduto’s latest newsletter…

Back in the 80s, I used to DJ.  Now, I will be hosting a monthly YouTube night. Each month, we will be raising money for a charity around a holiday.  This month we celebrate MLK day by helping the Union Project, where they continue Dr. King’s dream every day.  Please join me as I host YouTube Night at Cappy’s Cafe on Walnut Street on Saturday, January 24th at 10 PM.

Well we have had a nice, little break from the Presidential campaign season.  But it looks like the Pittsburgh 2009 campaigns are gearing up for the spring elections.  Here is another fund raising event to attend …

Councilman William Peduto’s Re-Election Campaign Kickoff Reception

Thursday, December 11th, 2008, 7:00-9:30pm

Bobby Rahal Mercedes-Benz, 4709 Baum Boulevard, Pittsburgh PA 15213, (Baum at S. Millvale)

Featuring Live Music by The Metropolitans and DJ Zombo
Food From Many of The East End’s Best Restaurants,Martini Bar and Valet Parking

Suggested Contribution $250 per person,Business Attire

RSVP mike.devanney@gmail.com

In case you haven’t had a chance to read up on this in the local blogosphere (GrassrootsPA, Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents, Draft Chelsa 2009, Mark Rauterkus) Bill Peduto and Chelsa Wagner are hosting a joint Halloween Party at the Priory for some Northside Charity.

“The Life of the Party” Halloween Party
featuring live music by: The Old E Allstars, DJ Omar Abdul
Friday, October 31st from 8 to 11pm
The Grand Hall at the Priory,614 Pressley Street, Northside
Cost is $10 with costume; $20 without
All proceeds benefit Northside charity

We have heard a lot of people, including the Trib ask about what this party is all about.

So are you going to go?

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Last week, Council Members Kraus, Peduto, and Shields introduced an ordinance to require reporting of lost or stolen firearms.

This is an issue that has been raised at the state level but House Bill 29 did not make it out of Judiciary Committee this session. It was voted down, reconsidered, and tabled.

A City ordinance would not only protect citizens of Pittsburgh by helping to prevent illegal gun sales, but it would send a message to the PA General Assembly that we need state-wide legislation. The City ordinance states:

No person who is the owner of a firearm that is lost or stolen shall fail to report the loss or theft to an appropriate local law enforcement official within 24 hours after discovery of the loss or theft.

This legislation will be up for discussion at the City Council meeting this Wednesday, October 22nd at 10:00 a.m. in Council Chambers (5th Floor, City-County Building).

As you may have heard, Bill Peduto has sworn off running for mayor again in 2009. With this tried and true progressive leader off the radar, who should be the progressive candidate for mayor? Who can bring a strong challenge to the current mayor and strong policy ideas to really change our city for the better? Some names that have been thrown around for this race are: David Caliguiri, Patrick Dowd, Michael Lamb, and Chelsa Wagner. Do any of these people qualify as progressive and competitive? Who else is out there? What do YOU think?

In less that a year Pittsburgh will have the opportunity to vote for a new mayor.  I have been thinking about the mayors race since I read Brian O’Neill’s article “Mayor’s Race, 2009: What’s the Obama Effect.“  In this article O’Neill compares the results of the 2007 mayors race with the results of the 2008 Presidential Primary results in the city of Pittsburgh.

But as the city’s political junkies look toward yet another mayoral race in the spring of 2009, this map has intriguing brush strokes. Consider:

• Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s home turf, the North Side, did not go for his favored candidate, Mrs. Clinton. About 62 percent of North Side voters went for Mr. Obama, slightly greater than his 59 percent slice in the city as a whole.

• In the November 2007 mayoral election, Mr. Ravenstahl’s greatest support came in largely black wards. Those places had little interest in Republican challenger Mark DeSantis, but those same wards lined up Tuesday with the prosperous East End, about the only area Mr. DeSantis carried last fall.

• It seems every prominent mayoral critic and/or potential challenger is an Obama supporter: Councilmen Bill Peduto, Doug Shields, Ricky Burgess and Patrick Dowd and City Controller Michael Lamb, to name a few. Being on Mr. Obama’s side this year may be helpful in the city’s black wards during next year’s Democratic primary.

The Burgher asks the same question in his blog post today.  In at least the past 2 mayoral elections, it has none be successful to start campaigning 3 months before the election day.

• 2005 Primary – Bob O’Connor have been campaigning for almost 10 years, Lamb got into the race in January and Peduto didn’t get serious about running until the end of February
• 2007 Primary – Ravenstahl had the upperhand by being the incumbent, Peduto didn’t start his campaign until January
• 2007 General – DeSantis didn’t kick into high gear until September

So if we are going to have a serious competition in 2009 – who is going to run and when are they going to get started?  Do you think anyone will be able to mount a serious campaign for mayor in 2009?  Who should run?  What should they be doing now?  Should someone run as an independent and challenge the democratic nominee in the general election.

Pittsburgh City Councilmembers need to hear from YOU!

Next TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH, at 2 PM, City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed campaign finance reform legislation recently introduced by Councilman Bill Peduto that aims to limit individual and PAC contributions to local politicians in election and non-election years.

As observed in Philadelphia and other cities that have already implemented similar rules, passing this legislation would help to further reform the local government process by limiting the impact of large-scale donors and reducing their access to decision-makers, while also enabling less well-funded candidates to run for office.

To help convince undecided members of Council, please consider attending the hearing.

The details of the meeting are:
Tuesday, February 26th at 2 PM
in City-Council Chambers (5th Floor, 414 Grant Street

If you would like to make a public comment, please call Linda Johnson-Wassler in advance at 412-255-2138 to sign up.

If you have other questions about the meeting, please call Dan Gilman at 412-255-2133.

Links:

Post-Gazette article announcing the introduction of this legislation:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08007/847284-53.stm

Recent City Paper article with quotes from both sides of the debate:
http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A42016

To date, this legislation is endorsed by the following organizations/individuals:

AARP
Common Cause PA
League of Women Voters
League of Young Voters
Progress Pittsburgh
PUMP

URA Executive Director Pat Ford might be in trouble for his approval of the Zoning Administrator’s decision to allow a giant electronic billboard on Downtown’s new transit center. Beyond the question of why the URA director has any say on a City zoning issue, is the question of how he is held accountable for what consensus dictates was a bad decision.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) is a quasi-public entity. It is only quasi-public because while it serves the public purpose of coordinating redevelopment for the City of Pittsburgh, it has no direct accountability mechanism. A creation of the state (Act 385 of 1945), the URA is governed by members (i.e. a board) appointed by the mayor and led by an executive director appointed by those members. Even though funds pass back and forth between them, the URA is a legally distinct government entity from the City. Even though the mayor appoints the leadership, the URA serves a purpose defined by the Commonwealth. More »