Pittsburgh Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak is trying to keep seniors a bit safer in an emergency. She has been visiting senior centers and high rises for the last few weeks handing out “Envelopes of Life.” In the envelope is a form that includes lines for the senior’s name, age, medical conditions, medications, doctors and more. “In those moments when you may be in an emergency, every single second counts and when a medic or other first responder is searching around in your purse or in the vicinity for any medications that might be causing a problem, that is vital time that is lost,” says Rudiak.
The envelope comes with a sticker to go on your door to alert emergency crews to look for the envelope and a magnet to use to hang the envelope on the refrigerator. City emergency response crews are trained to look for the data and some suburban crews take part in the same training. Rudiak suggests the envelopes are not just for seniors. She has one on her fridge and thinks anyone taking medication or with a medical condition, should have one as well.
You can get an envelope by contacting Rudiak’s office (412-255-2131) or the Emergency Medical Services Headquarters (412-622-6930.) You can also download one of the forms and make your own envelope.
Rudiak will be handing out envelopes and talking about the program at the Carrick Regency at 4pm today and at Gualtieri Manor in Beechview at 2pm Thursday the 10th.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Signature "Fraud" Probe? D-A Won't Say
A legal expert is predicting charges will be filed in connection to allegedly forged documents presented as evidence in state Senator Jane Orie’s corruption trial.
A jury was in its first full day of deliberations, when prosecutors brought the possibly phony signatures to Judge Jeffrey Manning’s attention. The Allegheny County judge declared a mistrial, telling jurors a “fraud [had] been perpetrated.” The signature of former Orie Chief of Staff Jamie Pavlot was apparently cut and pasted onto memos detailing standards for travel reimbursement, comp time, and the barring of campaign work within the office. When cross-examined, Pavlot testified she had never seen the documents; Orie’s lawyer, Bill Costopoulos, ridiculed her for that during his closing argument.
University of Pittsburgh law professor John Burkoff, who’s been following the case, said he’s confident the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office will investigate. “There are lots of possibilities with respect to fraud, or tampering of evidence, or other kinds of obstruction of justice,” he said. “What they need to know, if they can, is to find out two things: 1) who did this? And 2) who else knew about it?”
A spokesman for the DA’s office declined to comment, citing a gag order surrounding the case. Burkoff went on to call the alleged forgeries “stunning,” saying, “Not only do you have something that looks like it is criminal. But it looks like it is stupid criminality, as well. This is pretty amazing. It’s like it’s out of the movies.”
Orie’s re-trial has been rescheduled for April 11. That date will likely be pushed back, since Costopoulos is already promising to appeal the decision, on the grounds of double jeopardy laws.
A jury was in its first full day of deliberations, when prosecutors brought the possibly phony signatures to Judge Jeffrey Manning’s attention. The Allegheny County judge declared a mistrial, telling jurors a “fraud [had] been perpetrated.” The signature of former Orie Chief of Staff Jamie Pavlot was apparently cut and pasted onto memos detailing standards for travel reimbursement, comp time, and the barring of campaign work within the office. When cross-examined, Pavlot testified she had never seen the documents; Orie’s lawyer, Bill Costopoulos, ridiculed her for that during his closing argument.
University of Pittsburgh law professor John Burkoff, who’s been following the case, said he’s confident the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office will investigate. “There are lots of possibilities with respect to fraud, or tampering of evidence, or other kinds of obstruction of justice,” he said. “What they need to know, if they can, is to find out two things: 1) who did this? And 2) who else knew about it?”
A spokesman for the DA’s office declined to comment, citing a gag order surrounding the case. Burkoff went on to call the alleged forgeries “stunning,” saying, “Not only do you have something that looks like it is criminal. But it looks like it is stupid criminality, as well. This is pretty amazing. It’s like it’s out of the movies.”
Orie’s re-trial has been rescheduled for April 11. That date will likely be pushed back, since Costopoulos is already promising to appeal the decision, on the grounds of double jeopardy laws.
2nd Trial for Orie, Defense Claims Double Jeopardy
April 11 is the date for a new trial in the public corruption case against Republican State Senator Jane Orie but that is expected to be postponed because of defense appeals. Allegheny County Judge Jeffrey Manning also gave the defense until March 25 to file appeals. Orie's attorney William Costopoulos has already promised to appeal claiming a second trial would amount to double jeopardy.
Costopoulos disagrees with Manning's decision Thursday to declare a mistrial after ruling the defense introduced two forged documents to undercut the credibility of the key witness, Orie's former chief of staff, Jamie Pavlot. The judge halted jury deliberations when the prosecution called his attention to the signatures on the defense documents. Manning called it "deceitful, dishonest, despicable, and it's a crime." Manning told Costopoulos that he was not accusing him of anything but "I think you ought to look in your own house for the culprit."
Orie is charged with using her state paid staff to do campaign work and with conspiring with her sister, Janine Orie, to have the staff also work on the 2009 campaign of a third sister, state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin, who is not charged.
Costopoulos disagrees with Manning's decision Thursday to declare a mistrial after ruling the defense introduced two forged documents to undercut the credibility of the key witness, Orie's former chief of staff, Jamie Pavlot. The judge halted jury deliberations when the prosecution called his attention to the signatures on the defense documents. Manning called it "deceitful, dishonest, despicable, and it's a crime." Manning told Costopoulos that he was not accusing him of anything but "I think you ought to look in your own house for the culprit."
Orie is charged with using her state paid staff to do campaign work and with conspiring with her sister, Janine Orie, to have the staff also work on the 2009 campaign of a third sister, state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin, who is not charged.
60% of Pensions In Allegheny County in Good Shape
Much attention was paid over the last year to the city of Pittsburgh's pension plan and efforts to get it to at least 50% funded to avoid a takeover by the state. But there are nearly 300 separate pension plans in Allegheny County.
Pittsburgh has until September 1 to provide the actuarial numbers to the Pennsylvania Public Employee Retirement Commission which will determine if the city's plan does boost the value to at least 50% of obligations.
A new study of all the plans in county by the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy shows that nearly 60% of the plans are in good shape with a funded ratio of assets versus liabilities of 90% or higher. Senior Policy Analyst Eric Montarti says the nearly 300 pension plans cover workers employed by the county, the city of Pittsburgh, numerous boroughs and townships, plus authorities and associations ranging from "the 7,000 plus members of the Allegheny County system to a handful with just one employee." Teachers are covered by a separate, state-run pension plan.
The report by the conservative think tank indicates 8 of the plans, including 3 administered by the city of Pittsburgh, are less than 50% funded.
According to Montarti there are lots good plans that are in good shape, "the key is to look at what an Allegheny County retirement system (merging the plans) would look like versus the way it is now. Are we better off keeping them separate, or if there is some consolidation, how would that look?"
Montarti says that more than 80% of the plans in the county are defined benefit which is a guaranteed amount at retirement based on rate of pay and years of service.
Many pension reformers want to switch to a defined contribution plan where the employee and employer each contribute a certain percentage and the total value is determined by market performance.
Pittsburgh has until September 1 to provide the actuarial numbers to the Pennsylvania Public Employee Retirement Commission which will determine if the city's plan does boost the value to at least 50% of obligations.
A new study of all the plans in county by the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy shows that nearly 60% of the plans are in good shape with a funded ratio of assets versus liabilities of 90% or higher. Senior Policy Analyst Eric Montarti says the nearly 300 pension plans cover workers employed by the county, the city of Pittsburgh, numerous boroughs and townships, plus authorities and associations ranging from "the 7,000 plus members of the Allegheny County system to a handful with just one employee." Teachers are covered by a separate, state-run pension plan.
The report by the conservative think tank indicates 8 of the plans, including 3 administered by the city of Pittsburgh, are less than 50% funded.
According to Montarti there are lots good plans that are in good shape, "the key is to look at what an Allegheny County retirement system (merging the plans) would look like versus the way it is now. Are we better off keeping them separate, or if there is some consolidation, how would that look?"
Montarti says that more than 80% of the plans in the county are defined benefit which is a guaranteed amount at retirement based on rate of pay and years of service.
Many pension reformers want to switch to a defined contribution plan where the employee and employer each contribute a certain percentage and the total value is determined by market performance.
PA Legislators Push Affirmative Action Set Asides
A short list of Pennsylvania House members including Rep. Jake Wheatley of the Hill District gathered a panel of minority, women and veteran owned business advocates this week to urge fellow lawmakers to pass a bill that would create set aside goals for under represented businesses. H.B. 2149 died last session without coming up for a vote. It would have set affirmative action goals for state contracts. Wheatley hopes to offer similar legislation in the current session.
Western Pennsylvania Minority Supplier Development Council President Lawrence Nichols was among those on the panel. He says the only department in the state that seems to be doing a good job of contracting with minority owned firms is the Department of Welfare. He says there are other states that Pennsylvania can turn to as a model. He says at this time no one seems to know how well minority owned firms do in state contracts. “I’ve never done a survey of my organizations… to see how many of them have active contracts with the state,” says Nichols.
The Western Pennsylvania Minority Supplier Development Council represents about 120 minority owned businesses. Nichols says that includes businesses owned by African Americans, Asians, Hispanics and Indians. Groups representing women owned business and veteran owned business were also on the panel. Some argue that there are not enough minority, women and veteran owned businesses in the state to support set asides. Others argue that without the set asides there will never be enough of those businesses.
Nichols says he plans to return to Harrisburg several times in the coming months to promote the pending legislation. He says one of the first tasks will be making sure the new governor is on board.
Western Pennsylvania Minority Supplier Development Council President Lawrence Nichols was among those on the panel. He says the only department in the state that seems to be doing a good job of contracting with minority owned firms is the Department of Welfare. He says there are other states that Pennsylvania can turn to as a model. He says at this time no one seems to know how well minority owned firms do in state contracts. “I’ve never done a survey of my organizations… to see how many of them have active contracts with the state,” says Nichols.
The Western Pennsylvania Minority Supplier Development Council represents about 120 minority owned businesses. Nichols says that includes businesses owned by African Americans, Asians, Hispanics and Indians. Groups representing women owned business and veteran owned business were also on the panel. Some argue that there are not enough minority, women and veteran owned businesses in the state to support set asides. Others argue that without the set asides there will never be enough of those businesses.
Nichols says he plans to return to Harrisburg several times in the coming months to promote the pending legislation. He says one of the first tasks will be making sure the new governor is on board.
"Empty Bowls" Fundraiser to Fight Hunger
As the demand continues to rise for food assistance in the region, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Just Harvest will host their 16th Annual Empty Bowls Dinner this Sunday. Over the course of the last 15 years, this fundraiser has brought in $428,000 to help fight hunger in the Pittsburgh area.
The fundraiser is a meager meal of soup and bread but Joyce Rothermel, CEO of the Food Bank, says 30 restaurants and caterers have donated more than 300 gallons of soup ranging from exotic selections including Maryland Crab and Butternut Bisque to standards like vegetable and chicken noodle.
Rothermel says the most notable feature of the event is the handmade bowls donated by local amateur and professional potters...."Over 1,000 wonderfully crafted pottery bowls that will be available for people who come to choose the one that matches who they are as a reminder of people who are hungry."
In addition, there will be an auction on bowls signed by celebrities including Paul McCartney, Sidney Crosby, Mike Tomlin and Bon Jovi.
Rothermel says more and more people in the Pittsburgh community have need for food assistance and 1 in every 7 Americans receives food stamps.
The event is Sunday, March 6 from 2-6 p.m. at Rodef Shalom Congregation in Oakland. Tickets are $20.
The fundraiser is a meager meal of soup and bread but Joyce Rothermel, CEO of the Food Bank, says 30 restaurants and caterers have donated more than 300 gallons of soup ranging from exotic selections including Maryland Crab and Butternut Bisque to standards like vegetable and chicken noodle.
Rothermel says the most notable feature of the event is the handmade bowls donated by local amateur and professional potters...."Over 1,000 wonderfully crafted pottery bowls that will be available for people who come to choose the one that matches who they are as a reminder of people who are hungry."
In addition, there will be an auction on bowls signed by celebrities including Paul McCartney, Sidney Crosby, Mike Tomlin and Bon Jovi.
Rothermel says more and more people in the Pittsburgh community have need for food assistance and 1 in every 7 Americans receives food stamps.
The event is Sunday, March 6 from 2-6 p.m. at Rodef Shalom Congregation in Oakland. Tickets are $20.
Airport Authority Reports on "State of Aviation"
The head of the Allegheny County Airport Authority gave an upbeat address to the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce this morning. Even though the airport is under-utilized since it was designed as a hub for US Airways and 32 million passengers a year, Executive Director/CEO Brad Penrod says the airport operates on a self-sufficient basis without taxpayer funds and will pay off its debt by May, 2018. As a result, its bond rating is better than it’s ever been.
Penrod says the airline industry today has moved toward point-to-point flights, with hubs only in major population centers, which Pittsburgh is not. Should that change, e.g., because of congestion in the East, the airport aggressively markets its availability to all airlines.
Penrod says passenger growth is above the national average and ticket prices below.
Pittsburgh is a strong “origin and destination” market, says Penrod, with 37 non-stop cities, and he encourages people to use the direct flights to Paris so Delta Airlines will continue the international service.
Marcellus Shale activity brings passengers into and out of the airport and may lead to revenue from drilling on the property since technology allows the equipment to remain well away from airport operations.
Penrod says the airline industry today has moved toward point-to-point flights, with hubs only in major population centers, which Pittsburgh is not. Should that change, e.g., because of congestion in the East, the airport aggressively markets its availability to all airlines.
Penrod says passenger growth is above the national average and ticket prices below.
Pittsburgh is a strong “origin and destination” market, says Penrod, with 37 non-stop cities, and he encourages people to use the direct flights to Paris so Delta Airlines will continue the international service.
Marcellus Shale activity brings passengers into and out of the airport and may lead to revenue from drilling on the property since technology allows the equipment to remain well away from airport operations.
Bill Would Allow Economic Furloughs of Teachers
The Pennsylania House and Senate are considering legislation that would make it easier for school districts to furlough teachers. Currently, school districts can lay off teachers only if there is a drop in enrollment over multiple years or if educational programs are eliminated, or if there is a merger of districts.
Lebanon County Republican State Senator Mike Folmer is sponsoring legislation that would allow districts to lay off teachers for economic reasons. The House Education Committee held a hearing on the legislation this week and their Senate counterparts are expected to do so soon.
Folmer says school districts need to be run more like businesses. But Jerry Oleksiak, treasurer of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) told the committee schools are not businesses......"Schools cannot shut their doors when revenue is insufficient, nor can they turn away any student, regardless of the individual challenges they may present."
However, school boards are looking to balance budgets and their authority to raise taxes was diminished by approval of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 2006 which offset some property tax reductions with revenues from gambling.
Wythe Keever, spokesman for the PSEA, says the union is very aware of the problems the recession has caused for school districts.....
"What we're saying is if you're going to look at this type of legislation, then look at it the right way and create some clear and hard criteria under which a school might do an economic furlough" rather than allow school boards to determine when economic conditions justify layoffs based on subjective criteria. Keever says class sizes could go up.
Lebanon County Republican State Senator Mike Folmer is sponsoring legislation that would allow districts to lay off teachers for economic reasons. The House Education Committee held a hearing on the legislation this week and their Senate counterparts are expected to do so soon.
Folmer says school districts need to be run more like businesses. But Jerry Oleksiak, treasurer of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) told the committee schools are not businesses......"Schools cannot shut their doors when revenue is insufficient, nor can they turn away any student, regardless of the individual challenges they may present."
However, school boards are looking to balance budgets and their authority to raise taxes was diminished by approval of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 2006 which offset some property tax reductions with revenues from gambling.
Wythe Keever, spokesman for the PSEA, says the union is very aware of the problems the recession has caused for school districts.....
"What we're saying is if you're going to look at this type of legislation, then look at it the right way and create some clear and hard criteria under which a school might do an economic furlough" rather than allow school boards to determine when economic conditions justify layoffs based on subjective criteria. Keever says class sizes could go up.
PA Jobless Rate Lowest in 20 Months
Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate is down. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 8.2 percent in January – that’s the lowest level since June 2009. The rate had held at 8.5% for four straight months.
The Commonwealth gained more than six-thousand nonfarm jobs.
Mark Price, a labor economist with the Keystone Research Center, says he’s encouraged by the news.
"It’s a good number, and it’s a clear sign that the economy is on the path that we’re all expecting it to be, which is recovery. The one downside, of course, though, is that because the recession was so deep, it’s going to take a long time to get back to full employment."
Still, Price is worried the economy could turn south again.
"One: we see rising gas prices. Which is a threat to the overall state of the economy, if that continues for another few months that could slow things. And on top of that, in addition to the federal cuts that are being discussed, we also have rounds of cutbacks in state and local governments. Not just here in Pennsylvania, but also throughout the country."
The unemployment figures were released a few days after February’s state revenue report. Taxes came in under projections last month, but Pennsylvania is still 243 million dollars in the black.That’s about the same size as the deficit the state was facing at this point last year.
The Commonwealth gained more than six-thousand nonfarm jobs.
Mark Price, a labor economist with the Keystone Research Center, says he’s encouraged by the news.
"It’s a good number, and it’s a clear sign that the economy is on the path that we’re all expecting it to be, which is recovery. The one downside, of course, though, is that because the recession was so deep, it’s going to take a long time to get back to full employment."
Still, Price is worried the economy could turn south again.
"One: we see rising gas prices. Which is a threat to the overall state of the economy, if that continues for another few months that could slow things. And on top of that, in addition to the federal cuts that are being discussed, we also have rounds of cutbacks in state and local governments. Not just here in Pennsylvania, but also throughout the country."
The unemployment figures were released a few days after February’s state revenue report. Taxes came in under projections last month, but Pennsylvania is still 243 million dollars in the black.That’s about the same size as the deficit the state was facing at this point last year.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Council, Mayor Debate Action on Financial System
City officials debated the future of Pittsburgh’s outdated financial data system in Council Chambers today, with much of the discussion hinging on the receipt of state funds.
Everyone agrees that Pittsburgh’s PeopleSoft financial system has been outdated for as long as ten years, but there is no consensus on how to replace that system.
One option is for the city to merge its system with Allegheny County’s. Controller Michael Lamb says that deal would cost about $5 million up front, but the administration estimates an immediate $8 million plus $4 million in annual fees.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl says Pittsburgh should pursue a less expensive choice if the city doesn’t receive $9 million from the state, which has been pending since the 2008 sale of the Municipal Courts Building.
Ravenstahl says if the city doesn’t receive that money, he’d prefer to issue a request for cheaper proposals.
“Is that going to take longer? Of course it is. The other alternative would be to identify the $8 million needed now, the additional $4 million over the next 5 years in annual costs, and identify that $12-13 million in the budget, and move along, paying for this out of city taxpayers’ pockets,” says Ravenstahl.
Councilwoman Theresa Smith says regardless of state funding, the city should pursue the cheapest option it can, rather than the county deal.
Lamb says he signed a 2008 contract with the County to merge systems, but also that it was contingent on the receipt of $9 million from the state, which hasn’t happened yet.
“There’s obviously been a change in administrations in Harrisburg, and they’re examining everything. I’ve yet to hear anything other than that money is coming through, but I do have the same concerns that the mayor and his administration have, in that ‘Why don’t we have it yet?’ because it’s been years,” says Lamb.
The mayor urged council to join him in requesting the $9 million from state government.
Everyone agrees that Pittsburgh’s PeopleSoft financial system has been outdated for as long as ten years, but there is no consensus on how to replace that system.
One option is for the city to merge its system with Allegheny County’s. Controller Michael Lamb says that deal would cost about $5 million up front, but the administration estimates an immediate $8 million plus $4 million in annual fees.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl says Pittsburgh should pursue a less expensive choice if the city doesn’t receive $9 million from the state, which has been pending since the 2008 sale of the Municipal Courts Building.
Ravenstahl says if the city doesn’t receive that money, he’d prefer to issue a request for cheaper proposals.
“Is that going to take longer? Of course it is. The other alternative would be to identify the $8 million needed now, the additional $4 million over the next 5 years in annual costs, and identify that $12-13 million in the budget, and move along, paying for this out of city taxpayers’ pockets,” says Ravenstahl.
Councilwoman Theresa Smith says regardless of state funding, the city should pursue the cheapest option it can, rather than the county deal.
Lamb says he signed a 2008 contract with the County to merge systems, but also that it was contingent on the receipt of $9 million from the state, which hasn’t happened yet.
“There’s obviously been a change in administrations in Harrisburg, and they’re examining everything. I’ve yet to hear anything other than that money is coming through, but I do have the same concerns that the mayor and his administration have, in that ‘Why don’t we have it yet?’ because it’s been years,” says Lamb.
The mayor urged council to join him in requesting the $9 million from state government.
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