RANTS that we didn't have snow on Orthodox Christmas either. Merry Christmas to all. (7 Jan 12)
RAVES -- and a necessary revisit to a previous mention -- to Pittsburgh musician Bill Toms, whose latest CD, "Memphis," was added last month to this site's Record Of The Year. Many songwriters seem to hit a wall sometimes and go through periods when they can't write. Not Bill. He is a tremendous talent who is the whole package. A great writer, a great musician and arranger. Plus, except for Springsteen, I don't know anyone else who seems so comfortable on a stage. "Memphis" is a collection of different kinds of songs, but they really do fit together on one record nicely. A few songs even brought slow dancing back to some holiday parties -- and the rest are pure guitar, keys, drum, sax rock/blues/soul that he and his band do so well. (9 Jan 12)
RAVES that it's 2012 and three county commissioners are working productively on budgets and interviewing residents interested in providing community service by serving on county boards. RAVES that the county's two Democrat commissioners raised taxes only by twice as many mills as the third commissioner said we need -- you know, one mill, as opposed to more than one. (13 Jan 12)
Neither a RANT nor a RAVE, but mention that former Fayete County Commissioner Vince Vicites still has his website online. No problem with that, of course, except that he still refers to himself as a commissioner, not "former commissioner," on the homepage, giving the impression that he is still in office. While it has been only 16 days since he left the courthouse, he did have 8 months to prepare the type in and insert the word "former" to the page, no? (16 Jan 12)
RAVES to someone in Brownsville Borough government for posting a highly visible sidewalk sign in front of the borough building to announce that a council meeting is scheduled on Monday at 7 PM. This meeting was scheduled since council's regular meeting earlier this month was cancelled due to a lack of a quorum. In the meantime, the borough lost its long-time tax collector, Bob Petriello, who passed away last week at the age of 90. In addition to holding its regular meeting, council is accepting letters of interest from residents wishing to fill its tax collector vacancy. (20 Jan 12)
RANTS that one hand did not seem to know what the other hand was doing at the Fayette County Courthouse this week and that the confusion was noted today in the Pittsburgh media. This is not the first time -- and won't be the last time -- that county employees did not receive their annual raises in their first January pay checks or first two checks of a new year. RANTS that County Commission Chairman Al Ambrosini was unaware that the raises were not included in yesterday's paychecks and that a one mill county tax increase -- and a prospect of a county surplus of funds -- seems to have edged on the labor unions to threaten grievances and unfair labor charges against the county for withholding the raises. RANTS to the SEIU heads who acted as though they were never through this process before and never heard the term "retro-active raise" before. RANTS that unions likely now will not agree to a raise reduction to avoid layoffs, since the one-mill tax increase assures that funds will be available to cover the full raise costs. Union staff were guaranteed 3% raises in their last contracts, while non-union county staff were scheduled to receive 2% raises. RANTS that nobody from human resources, the county row offices and commissioners' office seemed to be on the same page -- i.e., except for the same page of today's daily newspaper, for being so out of the loop. (21 Jan 12)
RANTS, in a way, that the political corruption trial of Bill DeWeese is ongoing 6 counties away, waaay in Dauphin County, as it would be a most interesting court case to witness first hand. DeWeese, former House Speaker from the 50th district, is charged with theft, conflict of interest and and conspiracy, by using his staff to work on his political re-election campaigns on the taxpayers' dime. The 60-year-old DeWeese carried Fayette in his last election, held after he was shown in the news in handcuffs, being charged in 2010. Testifying against him are his former staff members, previously charged for misusing public funds as well. With both those from the Attorney General's office and DeWeese's attorney sounding equally confident that, yes, there is and, no, there is not a case against him, yes, this case unfolding across the state really is Hot Local Political History 101 in the making. (23 Jan 12)
RANTS to the 42-year-old Einstein from Lemont Furnace, who -- by his own admission in police reports -- allowed a 14-year-old to drive his vehicle to Uniontown to visit the lad's girlfriend. Uniontown city police reportedly chased the teen driver for blocks, and then on foot to capture him after the teen abandoned the vehicle. RANTS, too, to the Hopwood man who never reported a hand gun missing once upon a time, only for the loaded gun to wind up in the teen's jean pocket at capture. So far, the 42-year-old vehicle owner has not been charged for permitting the teen the unlawful right to joyride. He should be. (25 Jan 12)
RAAAAAVES to the 11 Albert Gallatin High School computer whiz kids, who missed capturing the top award by one mere point in a most impressive international robotics design program sponsored by NASA. The 11 students this week traveled to MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology ) to compete in the finals of the 2011 Zero Robotic SPHERES Challenge, that linked the students to live access to the International Space Station astronauts. RAVES to the students and teacher who brought home the second place award and much attention to the bright, creative, homegrown computer robotic designers and Fayette County. They certainly deserve a proclamation and day of recognition from county leaders for their achievement. RAVES to WTAE Channel 4 news for airing the story and sharing the news with those of us on the other side of the county and beyond. (25 Jan 12)
RANTS that the Uniontown School District for 3 years has ignored an $89,600 bill to the city of Uniontown for sewer tap in fees for the district's $50 million school construction projects at 3 schools, and that city council might have to sue the school district to be paid. This morning's Trib reports that the district has a month to pay the bill or will face court action. So far, the city has not charged the customary $1,000 daily fine to the school district's tab. RANTS that the school district has had no contact with the city except for an initial request in 2009 to lower the charge... and RANTS, too, that the city took 3 years to break the silence and bring up the matter. (2 Feb 12)
RANTS that one of the first comments that Bill DeWeese made to the media, after the Dauphin County jury found him guilty on all but one of six charges of theft of public funds -- for having state workers perform campaign re-election work on the state's dime -- was that a jury from Greene, Fayette or Washington County, certainly, would have exonerated him. RANTS, you know, because it's probably true. The former speaker of the state House of Representatives, DeWeese -- strange coincidence -- will be sentenced on Election Day. He vows that he will run in the election and appeal today's conviction. Political insiders, who believe that DeWeese will serve prison time, also believe that he will win the primary election as well. (6 Feb 12)
Neither a RANT nor a RAVE, but an update that Fayette County Commissioner Vince Zapotosky seems to have missed the 31Jan12 deadline and still has not filed his political campaign finance report for the period of 29Nov11 through 31Dec11. Nor did he ever file the missing campaign expense report that he promised on 9Dec11 in an attachment to the report for the period of 25Oct11 through 28Nov11. A request was sent to Zapotosky, to clarify if he did not file this information or if his campaign expenses exceeded $50K after 25Oct11 and he filed his expenses directly with the state.
Both of the other two commissioners and loser commissioner candidate Dave Lohr made the 31Jan12 filing deadline. As per the 12-page report, filed on behalf of the Friends of Al Ambrosini, $900 in contributions were received ($200 on 13Dec11 from the Teamsters Joint Council 40 of Mars, PA; $100 from Charles Moore of Ruffsdale and Charlie Datz of Greensburg; and $500 on 8Dec11 from Donald D'Amico). Expenditures included $496 to Pechin's Fire House Restaurant and $75 to a poll worker. Unpaid debts include $7,181, owed to PRS Data Systems of Pittsburgh, for advertising. Meanwhile, Lohr lists no contributions for the reporting period of 29Nov11 through 31Dec11. Lohr's expenses are listed at $4,158.24 on the cover/first page, but his 2-page report had no formal ''expense" page. Lohr lists $50 for notary services, $678.75 to the Prothonotary of Fayette County and $3,419.99 for legal services from attorney Dave Montgomery on an "unpaid debt" report page. On his cover/first page of his report, Lohr lists a grand total of $14,884.85 in unpaid debts, but does not list what he owes to whom. So we assume that the $11, 018.34 in items/expenses/services that Lohr disclosed in his 9Dec11 report as being unpaid debts are carried over onto the 31Jan12 report. Zimmerlink's report lists no contributions and no expenses for the period of 29Nov through 31Dec12. (7 Feb 12)
RANTS that the county of Fayette has not negotiated a rate to pay Dave Lohr's attorney for representing Lohr during the ballot challenges. County workers did not get the mail, the county's election board wrongly approved some ballots... so nobody who challenged ballots/votes should have to pay for making those challenges. (8 Feb 12)
Neither a RANT nor a RAVE, but a mention that Fayette County Commissioner Vince Zapotosky has confirmed that he has not yet filed the last two re-election campaign expense reports from 8Dec11 and 31Jan12. "My report will be filed I assure you," he said today. Zapotosky's expenses exceeded $30K prior to the November general election, during his last declared reporting period that ended 24Oct11. Sixty-three days late now reporting some of his expenses, Zapotosky likely will be charged the $20 daily late fee penalty starting 1Feb12, since he filed no report by the 31Jan12 deadline. It will be interesting to see if he volunteers to pay the full penalty for not declaring expenses for the past 63 days. (9 Feb 12)
RANTS that politicians can sometimes disappoint voters by appearing to forget campaign promises. Fayette County Commission Chairman Al Ambrosini received lots of votes because he vowed to restore professionalism and ethics to the county office. It hasn't been that long ago since the general election and his first place finish. Not that long ago since the promise was made, in other words. It should still be fresh in his mind, and it's disappointing that he needs reminded. None of his fellow commissioners should walk into an agenda or regular meeting not knowing that a county solicitor's resignation was made or that the resignation took effect immediately, without notice. RANTS that the commission chair did not share key information with his peers. We thought we were so done hearing that kind of talk. RANTS, too, that the county, reportedly, did not meet for a formal county election board reorganizational meeting in 2012, as required by state law. Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink states in this link to her website that Ambrosini called a meeting earlier this month "to discuss the primary and general elections," but she says that no formal board meeting notice announcing a public meeting was advertised. Imagine that! Lastly, RANTS that two of three commissioners did not appear to know the difference between work session and executive session meetings, either, as Zimmerlink also notes on that same link given above to her webpage. We kid not! (17 Feb 12)
Neither a RANT nor a RAVE, but a note while reviewing the list of persons who filed nominating petitions for upcoming elections. Of note is that Tim Mahoney faces no Democratic challenger in the April primary to maintain his seat in the 51st legislative district. However, Republican Gary Gearing, a Uniontown city councilman and business owner, will run against Michael Cavanagh of Uniontown for their party's spot on the primary ballot to face Mahoney in the next general election. Apparently, Cavanagh isn't discouraged by the fact that he was unable to run for office or hold office in his last campaign. That previous failed attempt to run for office followed his arrest and conviction for insurance fraud. Gearing, meanwhile, does not -- at least at this time -- seem to pose a serious threat to the incumbent to be ousted. (18 Feb 12)
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