Six Pittsburgh City Council members have sponsored legislation that would direct the city to join Allegheny County's comprehensive financial management system--a move favored by state overseers, the county, the city controller—everybody except the mayor. There will be a public, televised meeting attended by all the parties tomorrow at 1:30.
Councilman Bill Peduto says work has been going on for five years to improve the city's current, antiquated system, and the mayor’s preference for a cheaper system with the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority is "crazy" because nowhere in the country is a water and sewer authority in charge of the finances of a city.
The nine million dollar cost to join the county is what a modern system costs, according to Peduto, and will enable savings in such areas as the cutting of payroll checks, which now cost $1.5 million a year to outsource.
Peduto says City Council has the votes to override a mayoral veto.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Orie Jury Hears Closing Arguments
Defense lawyers in the case of PA Senator Jane Orie and her sister Janine Orie took shots and prosecution witnesses and the prosecutors this morning as they presented their closing arguments. Testimony in the corruption trial lasted nearly three weeks.
In his closing arguments, Sen. Orie’s lawyer William Costopoulos told the jury that the case against his client was nothing more than a “smoke screen.” He says they brought in witness after witness and binder after binder of “billowing smoke.” “Just when I thought I had the room cleared they brought in more…,” says Costopoulos. He says the prosecution never did anything to rid the jury of its reasonable doubt.
Costopoulos went on to hammer at the testimony of key prosecution witness Jamie Pavlot. Pavlot was Sen. Orie’s office manager. She was given immunity for her testimony. Costopoulos argued that Pavlot was the one running the office in McCandless and if anything illegal was going on it was her fault, not the fault of the senator. He says Orie put Pavlot in charge of the office so she could carry out her duties as a senator. Costopoulos says Pavlot’s testimony amounted to lies, “back home where I come from we call it perjury.” He wrapped up by saying, “[Sen. Orie] committed no theft, did not alter or destroy anything, her only fault was misplacing her trust.”
Janine Orie’s lawyer James DePasquale then stood before the jury and wondered aloud why his client was there. He posted a list of all of the prosecution’s 22 witness. He then went one by one noting that most of them did not even mention his client’s name, and if they did, they could not tie her to any criminal activity. He told the jury that he did not have his client take the stand because, “there are times in the system when the charges are so insulting and ridiculous that they do not deserve a response.”
DePasquale says the only reason why his client was on trial is because the state needs a person to sit next to the Senator to charge her with conspiracy. DePasquale asked the prosecution table, “What in the world are you doing to a good human being trying to ruin her life with no evidence and no good reason.” He called Janine Orie a patsy. He says too many of the other’ individuals involved in the case were either too sympathetic to charge or had already been given immunity. He told the jury to “speak truth to power,” and if they did that Janine Orie would have nothing to fear.
Assistant District Attorney Lawrence Claus launched his closing arguments by echoing the words of the defense. He agreed that there was a lot of smoke. However, he says the smoke was hiding the fire in Sen. Orie’s North Hills office, “that showed a blatant misuse of staff and equipment.” He says that fire has been smoldering since 2001.
Like James DePasquale. Claus asked the jury to “speak truth to power.” However, he says they need to speak that truth to the power that allows a state senator to use her staff for an extended period of time for her own benefit. “Think about what [Sen. Orie] could garner having a staff and her beck and call,” without costing her, “one dime.”
Claus then launched into a nearly two-hour recap of the evidence, presenting a slew of emails and text messages that he says show Jane Orie knew what was going on in her office and took an active roll in directing the staff to perform campaign work while on the state’s payroll. He called Orie a micro-manager of a, “political machine, that was working quite well thank you, at the expense of the taxpayer.” Those same emails, Claus contends, show that Janine Orie directed her sister’s staff to do work for Joan Orie Melvin’s PA Supreme Court campaign while on the state’s payroll and while using state assets.
Jane Orie faces 10 counts including multiple counts of Diversion (theft) of Services, violations of the PA Ethics laws and Tampering with or fabricating evidence. Janine is charged with conspiracy to commit a felony.
In his closing arguments, Sen. Orie’s lawyer William Costopoulos told the jury that the case against his client was nothing more than a “smoke screen.” He says they brought in witness after witness and binder after binder of “billowing smoke.” “Just when I thought I had the room cleared they brought in more…,” says Costopoulos. He says the prosecution never did anything to rid the jury of its reasonable doubt.
Costopoulos went on to hammer at the testimony of key prosecution witness Jamie Pavlot. Pavlot was Sen. Orie’s office manager. She was given immunity for her testimony. Costopoulos argued that Pavlot was the one running the office in McCandless and if anything illegal was going on it was her fault, not the fault of the senator. He says Orie put Pavlot in charge of the office so she could carry out her duties as a senator. Costopoulos says Pavlot’s testimony amounted to lies, “back home where I come from we call it perjury.” He wrapped up by saying, “[Sen. Orie] committed no theft, did not alter or destroy anything, her only fault was misplacing her trust.”
Janine Orie’s lawyer James DePasquale then stood before the jury and wondered aloud why his client was there. He posted a list of all of the prosecution’s 22 witness. He then went one by one noting that most of them did not even mention his client’s name, and if they did, they could not tie her to any criminal activity. He told the jury that he did not have his client take the stand because, “there are times in the system when the charges are so insulting and ridiculous that they do not deserve a response.”
DePasquale says the only reason why his client was on trial is because the state needs a person to sit next to the Senator to charge her with conspiracy. DePasquale asked the prosecution table, “What in the world are you doing to a good human being trying to ruin her life with no evidence and no good reason.” He called Janine Orie a patsy. He says too many of the other’ individuals involved in the case were either too sympathetic to charge or had already been given immunity. He told the jury to “speak truth to power,” and if they did that Janine Orie would have nothing to fear.
Assistant District Attorney Lawrence Claus launched his closing arguments by echoing the words of the defense. He agreed that there was a lot of smoke. However, he says the smoke was hiding the fire in Sen. Orie’s North Hills office, “that showed a blatant misuse of staff and equipment.” He says that fire has been smoldering since 2001.
Like James DePasquale. Claus asked the jury to “speak truth to power.” However, he says they need to speak that truth to the power that allows a state senator to use her staff for an extended period of time for her own benefit. “Think about what [Sen. Orie] could garner having a staff and her beck and call,” without costing her, “one dime.”
Claus then launched into a nearly two-hour recap of the evidence, presenting a slew of emails and text messages that he says show Jane Orie knew what was going on in her office and took an active roll in directing the staff to perform campaign work while on the state’s payroll. He called Orie a micro-manager of a, “political machine, that was working quite well thank you, at the expense of the taxpayer.” Those same emails, Claus contends, show that Janine Orie directed her sister’s staff to do work for Joan Orie Melvin’s PA Supreme Court campaign while on the state’s payroll and while using state assets.
Jane Orie faces 10 counts including multiple counts of Diversion (theft) of Services, violations of the PA Ethics laws and Tampering with or fabricating evidence. Janine is charged with conspiracy to commit a felony.
Carnegie Science Center Wants Pictures
If you think you have an eye for photography and a grasp of science, the Carnegie Science Center wants to give you $500 dollars. The Science Center has launched “The Art of Science” photo contest. Spokesperson Susan Zimecki says they are looking for photos that show the beautiful side of anything science related. “We are looking for images that could capture weather or stars or it could be something manmade. It could be a piece of machinery or it could be something illustrating robotics, it could be something from biology,“ says Zimecki. “We are looking for something scientific that is also aesthetically pleasing.”
Amateur photographers can submit up to two photos through Thursday, March 31. The contest is open to all ages and the submissions will be divided into age groups before they are judged. First-place for the 12 and under group will be $100. For the 13 through 17 group the top photographer will take home $250. The 18 and up group offers a $500. A panel of judges will select the winners. A “People’s Choice” will also be picked through online voting at the Trib Total Media’s Contest webpage. Those winners will be awarded a one-year, family membership to Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. Online voting begins on Friday, April 1, and ends on Friday, April 15.
Zimecki says the winning pictures will eventually be displayed at the Science Center. We are looking for something “scientific that is also aesthetically pleasing.”
Amateur photographers can submit up to two photos through Thursday, March 31. The contest is open to all ages and the submissions will be divided into age groups before they are judged. First-place for the 12 and under group will be $100. For the 13 through 17 group the top photographer will take home $250. The 18 and up group offers a $500. A panel of judges will select the winners. A “People’s Choice” will also be picked through online voting at the Trib Total Media’s Contest webpage. Those winners will be awarded a one-year, family membership to Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. Online voting begins on Friday, April 1, and ends on Friday, April 15.
Zimecki says the winning pictures will eventually be displayed at the Science Center. We are looking for something “scientific that is also aesthetically pleasing.”
How Pittsburgh Rates Versus 14 Other Cities
The Pittsburgh region is doing better than most others in cost of living, unemployment and job growth. That's according to a new benchmarking study by the Regional Indicators at Pitsburghtoday.org. The study, Pittsburgh Today and Tomorrow," measures a 22 county Pittsburgh region that includes some of eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia against 14 other cities: Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Richmond and St. Louis....in 10 categories: demographics, arts, education, economy, environment, housing, health, public safety, government and transportation.
The study looks at how the region rebounded since the early 1980's when unemployment topped 17%. Now the jobless rate remains well below the national average.
Listen to Part 1 of an interview between DUQ's Kevin Gavin and Douglas Heuck, director of the Regional Indicators at Pittsburghtoday.org
Listen to Part 2 of interview with Douglas Heuck
The study looks at how the region rebounded since the early 1980's when unemployment topped 17%. Now the jobless rate remains well below the national average.
Listen to Part 1 of an interview between DUQ's Kevin Gavin and Douglas Heuck, director of the Regional Indicators at Pittsburghtoday.org
Listen to Part 2 of interview with Douglas Heuck
Controversial Sprinkler Law Closer to Repeal
A Pennsylvania House panel has voted to end a mandate requiring all new homes built in the state to have a sprinkler system. The Labor and Industry Committee took the vote yesterday on the initiative that took effect January 1st. In an effort to pacify supporters of the sprinkler requirement, the repeal would include language requiring builders to educate consumers about sprinkler system options. "It would be offered as an option. The consumer would be given the information...you know....here's the information. It's up to you to decide, but you've been educated,” says Melissa Etshied with the Pennsylvania Builders Association (PBA). Etshied supports the measure saying consumers weren't happy with the new code. "The most common thing is...you know...it should be my choice. I should be able to decide if I'm going to spend the extra money on this,” says Etshied. Adding a sprinkler system to a new home adds $5,000 to $7,000 to the construction cost.
But, Maria Figueroa of the National Fire Protection Association says the change will cost lives. “We're not losing people in hotels because they've had sprinklers. We're not losing people in high rises. They've had sprinklers. It’s in the home, where people feel the safest, where people are dying,” says Figueroa. She says this should not be a choice, “Consumers do not get to pick any other safety feature in any product that they buy, including their homes. Why does a single issue get removed from the minimum codes? It's not very smart. We don't know where this is going to lead. We know that lives will be lost.”
A final House vote on the plan could happen as early as this week.
But, Maria Figueroa of the National Fire Protection Association says the change will cost lives. “We're not losing people in hotels because they've had sprinklers. We're not losing people in high rises. They've had sprinklers. It’s in the home, where people feel the safest, where people are dying,” says Figueroa. She says this should not be a choice, “Consumers do not get to pick any other safety feature in any product that they buy, including their homes. Why does a single issue get removed from the minimum codes? It's not very smart. We don't know where this is going to lead. We know that lives will be lost.”
A final House vote on the plan could happen as early as this week.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Mistick to Head Wilson College
Outgoing Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh President Barbara has been named the President of Wilson College. She will take over the post at the Chambersburg-based women’s college July 1. She will become the 19th president in the 142-year history of the Presbyterian-related college. Wilson Board of Trustees Chair Trudi Blair says college sought a president who could lead the school through the next critical stage in its history.
“We have certainly been successful in finding a person with the skills to meet that challenge in Barbara Mistick,” says Blair.
“I am excited to become a part of the wonderful tradition of Wilson College, and I look forward to getting to know the entire community and building on the solid foundation that exists at the college,” says Mistick.
Mistick announced she was leaving the library in December.
“We have certainly been successful in finding a person with the skills to meet that challenge in Barbara Mistick,” says Blair.
“I am excited to become a part of the wonderful tradition of Wilson College, and I look forward to getting to know the entire community and building on the solid foundation that exists at the college,” says Mistick.
Mistick announced she was leaving the library in December.
PGH Council goes to Harrisburg
Five of the nine members of the Pittsburgh City Council are in Harrisburg today talking to lawmakers about matching the state’s priorities with the city’s priorities. Among the delegation is Councilman Doug Shields. He says meetings have been held with members of all four caucuses but not the governor.
Most of the discussion has center on the state’s budget. Shields says the members of the legislature have yet to see Governor Tom Corbett’s budget blueprint but it is clear that funding for cities and municipalities will be tight. He says the only bright spot is that state revenues seem to be slowly climbing as the economy begins to recover. The city’s delegation is also trying to point out to the state how much has improved financially for the city in the last few years.
Shields says he has also spent some time talking to lawmakers about statewide pension reform. He says for now, the issue is on the back burner and will not come up for debate in the first half of the year. Shields also spent some time talking about Marcellus Shale issues but says he has remained focused mostly on budget priorities.
Shields says in general the trip has been productive. He says if nothing else it has been successful in allowing city and state leaders to build relationships. “It is very difficult to have to grapple with what we have to do, in good times and in bad, even with people you known,” says Shields, “there are a lot of new faces on the council in the past three years and also a lot of new faces in Harrisburg so I think it is incredibly important that we meet and get to know one another a little bit.”
Also on the trip was Council President Darlene Harris, council members Bruce Kraus, Daniel Lavelle, and Natalia Rudiak, and Council Budget Director Bill Urbanic. Council’s regular Tuesday meeting was postponed until Wednesday and the Wednesday meeting was moved to Wednesday afternoon.
Most of the discussion has center on the state’s budget. Shields says the members of the legislature have yet to see Governor Tom Corbett’s budget blueprint but it is clear that funding for cities and municipalities will be tight. He says the only bright spot is that state revenues seem to be slowly climbing as the economy begins to recover. The city’s delegation is also trying to point out to the state how much has improved financially for the city in the last few years.
Shields says he has also spent some time talking to lawmakers about statewide pension reform. He says for now, the issue is on the back burner and will not come up for debate in the first half of the year. Shields also spent some time talking about Marcellus Shale issues but says he has remained focused mostly on budget priorities.
Shields says in general the trip has been productive. He says if nothing else it has been successful in allowing city and state leaders to build relationships. “It is very difficult to have to grapple with what we have to do, in good times and in bad, even with people you known,” says Shields, “there are a lot of new faces on the council in the past three years and also a lot of new faces in Harrisburg so I think it is incredibly important that we meet and get to know one another a little bit.”
Also on the trip was Council President Darlene Harris, council members Bruce Kraus, Daniel Lavelle, and Natalia Rudiak, and Council Budget Director Bill Urbanic. Council’s regular Tuesday meeting was postponed until Wednesday and the Wednesday meeting was moved to Wednesday afternoon.
Marcellus Gas Tanks Catch Fire
A malfunctioning heater in a gas collection tank caused the 400-barrel tank in Washington County to catch fire this morning. The MarkWest Liberty Midstream Resources compressor station in Mount Pleasant caught fire around 5:15 this morning. The fire caused the hatch of an adjacent tank to blow off due to the heat. A worker used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire about 40 minutes after it started. Both tanks were essentially empty with only residual gas remaining inside. A third tank about 10-percent full of flowback water did not ignite.
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection spokesperson Katy Gresh says an inspector was on the scene shortly after the accident was called into 911. He left the compressor station after determining there was no release of contaminated water and there was no ongoing threat to the environment.
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection spokesperson Katy Gresh says an inspector was on the scene shortly after the accident was called into 911. He left the compressor station after determining there was no release of contaminated water and there was no ongoing threat to the environment.
Vets Court Gets Boost
A joint effort between the commonwealth and the U-S Department of Veterans Affairs to provide vets with access to a court system and health services when they get into legal trouble is set to expanding statewide.
Like the mental health and drug courts, the Pennsylvania Veterans Justice Program will find veterans in trouble with the law and provide them with social services. Tony Coppola is a Vietnam War vet from Pittsburgh who has benefited from the program in Allegheny County. When he was arrested for drunk driving, he was put on probation and treated for drinking problem. He says without the program he may not be alive now. “They teach you things and being with all veterans, it helped me out quite a bit,” says Coppola.
State Supreme Court Justice Seamus McCaffery was instrumental in bringing the alternative to jail time to Pennsylvania. He says it's also a cost saving measure for local governments because it takes veterans off their court dockets. “They take these people, they're diverted out of the court, given over to the VA. Whatever their needs may be, the Veterans Administration comes in with federal dollars and takes care of that individual to allow him to get back into society,” says McCaffery.
More than 650 vets have gone through the program since its inception in 2009. It's currently up and running in Allegheny, Lackawanna and Philadelphia counties. The Pennsylvania Justice Program is a joint effort between the state and the federal government.
Listen to a story produced by WDUQ as the Veterans Court was launching in Allegheny County.
Like the mental health and drug courts, the Pennsylvania Veterans Justice Program will find veterans in trouble with the law and provide them with social services. Tony Coppola is a Vietnam War vet from Pittsburgh who has benefited from the program in Allegheny County. When he was arrested for drunk driving, he was put on probation and treated for drinking problem. He says without the program he may not be alive now. “They teach you things and being with all veterans, it helped me out quite a bit,” says Coppola.
State Supreme Court Justice Seamus McCaffery was instrumental in bringing the alternative to jail time to Pennsylvania. He says it's also a cost saving measure for local governments because it takes veterans off their court dockets. “They take these people, they're diverted out of the court, given over to the VA. Whatever their needs may be, the Veterans Administration comes in with federal dollars and takes care of that individual to allow him to get back into society,” says McCaffery.
More than 650 vets have gone through the program since its inception in 2009. It's currently up and running in Allegheny, Lackawanna and Philadelphia counties. The Pennsylvania Justice Program is a joint effort between the state and the federal government.
Listen to a story produced by WDUQ as the Veterans Court was launching in Allegheny County.
PA Rep: Teens Need More Drive Time
State Rep. Kathy Watson of Bucks County says the bill she introduced this week would help to save the lives of young drivers. Her bill carries three main changes to the state’s driving laws. The first would extend the number of behind-the-wheel hours a permit holder needs before moving on to a driver’s licenses, from the current 50 hours to 65 hours. Watson says ten of the additional hours would have to be logged at night and the other five during “inclement weather.” “We have found in reviewing crashes for this age group, these are factors that occur, that often young people are not prepared to handle,” says Watson. She says she hopes parents will abide by the rules and not just sign off on the specialized hours. “If your child is really good at sports you get them out there to practice soccer or baseball, or if you’ve got the concert pianist in the family, or whatever it is, you work with them because you get better with practice,” says Watson, “this is the same thing and this has really deadly consequences if they don’t get that experience.”
The bill would also force anyone from birth to age 18 to wear a seatbelt while seated anywhere in the car and it would make that law a primary offense, which means a police officer could pull over a car based solely on that violation. Watson says more than 50-percent of all automobile accident fatalities among 16 to 18 year olds can be traced back to not wearing seatbelts.
Finally, the bill calls for the number of teens that can be in the car with a young driver to be limited to just one. “They can not text or they can put the cell phone away but they can’t tune out the others who are in the car with them talking, laughing, asking questions,” says Watson, “that is very difficult for a new driver to deal with and process all that is going on on the road around them.” Exceptions would be made for family members.
Watson says she will work hard to make sure the bill is not bogged down with amendments. She says while, issues such as texting while driving and the use of hand held cell phones are important, they should not be added to this bill. She says those items are better handled in stand-alone bills that impact all drivers, not just teens.
The bill would also force anyone from birth to age 18 to wear a seatbelt while seated anywhere in the car and it would make that law a primary offense, which means a police officer could pull over a car based solely on that violation. Watson says more than 50-percent of all automobile accident fatalities among 16 to 18 year olds can be traced back to not wearing seatbelts.
Finally, the bill calls for the number of teens that can be in the car with a young driver to be limited to just one. “They can not text or they can put the cell phone away but they can’t tune out the others who are in the car with them talking, laughing, asking questions,” says Watson, “that is very difficult for a new driver to deal with and process all that is going on on the road around them.” Exceptions would be made for family members.
Watson says she will work hard to make sure the bill is not bogged down with amendments. She says while, issues such as texting while driving and the use of hand held cell phones are important, they should not be added to this bill. She says those items are better handled in stand-alone bills that impact all drivers, not just teens.
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