Two Snapshots From The Video
A reader of 2 Political Junkies turned up this YouTube video from the day of the encounter between Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Tiger Woods. Above are the two fleeting glimpses of the mayor in the crowd following Woods. They last for only seconds.
The Trib's 'Whispers' first reported on this back on May and Jon Delano gave the story new life with fresh details this week.
PG's Dulac Says Mayor Had Invite To Tiger Event?
Here's another version to check out. The Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac said in a PG online chat in May that "Mayor Luke did not crash the party, as you suggest, but he was there -- with an invitation. And the party was getting to walk the fairways when Tiger played a practice round. I know, I saw him there and walked a couple holes with him. He's a big golf fan." It's the fourth question-and-answer down from the top.
The Burghosphere is hopping with discussions about this.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Mayor Luke & Tiger: The Video. An Invitation?
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Crouching Lawyer, Hidden Attorney
U.S. Attorney Buchanan & Doctor Wecht(Prologue: Following the Wecht case is like watching a martial arts film. As you read the court papers, you'll witness gleams of razor-sharp prose and rhetoric from lawyers on both sides. I'm highlighting some quotes here today but later I may post some of the court filings themselves, as I did in the McNeilly case. E-mail me if you're interested, and watch for a new post when Wecht's lawyers file their response in court.)
There are major developments in the battle between federal prosecutors and lawyers for former Coroner Doctor Cyril Wecht. U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan has filed a court motion seeking sanctions and suggesting Wecht's lawyers deserve to be jailed or banned from practicing law in federal court.
She's accusing Wecht's lawyers of having:
• "repeatedly lied to the court, lied to the media, breached their ethical obligations as lawyers, violated the rules of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and flaunted the orders of this Court."
The motion charges that:
• "On or before June 6, 2007, Mr. Rush and Mr. McDevitt committed their latest, and perhaps most egregious, act of professional misconduct, displayed on the front page of the June 7, 2007, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette... In one fell swoop, Mr. Rush and Mr. McDevitt made improper extrajudicial statements about plea discussions and the merits of the case that were both knowingly false and substantially likely to prejudice the case, all the while violating some of the most basic and fundamental principles of professionalism."
At issue are statements by Wecht's lawyers Mark Rush and Jerry McDevitt, who are defending Wecht against public corruption charges. Wecht's lawyers claim the prosecution is political. In the latest court papers, Buchanan argues that the attorneys falsely told the Post-Gazette that her office was trying to reach a deal in the case because Buchanan was facing questioning by Congress.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Stallings signed and filed a sworn affidavit with the motion in which he not only rebuts the claims by Wecht's attorneys, but pledges "If I ever came to believe that this prosecution, or any prosecution I was involved in, was motivated by political considerations rather than justice considerations, I would resign from my post as Assistant United States Attorney."
(Click image to enlarge)Wecht's attorneys tell me:
Mark Rush & Jerry McDevitt• "We deny the allegations and look forward to putting forth the true set of facts before a tribunal about their conduct in this case."
They quote from a 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in the Wecht case that strikes down local federal court rules limiting the speech of attorneys. That opinion says:
• "Here, it is undisputed that Wecht’s attorneys are willing to speak about the case and that Local Rule 83.1 limits their ability to do so. To the extent that an occasion arises in the future where defense counsel desires to make public statements about the case, we believe the media and public have a legitimate interest in those comments not being inhibited by overly restrictive limitations."
Wecht's attorneys also say:
"The very first time we speak, they run into court and ask the judge to throw us into jail and suspend our licenses to practice law in federal court."
Redd Up Around The World
Pittsburgh's not alone in redding up. File this under things found while googling other things.
The Da Voar Redd Up is a spring cleanup that's been around for 20 years in Shetland.
Where's Shetland? Well, let's check the Shetlopedia. A link there tells us "Shetland is the most northerly Island group of Scotland."
What's The Ethics Board Up To?
Pittsburgh's Ethics Hearing Board has plenty on its "to do" list.
Friday was the board's second meeting. During that session:
• It made public a letter it received from Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. In that letter, the mayor calls on the panel to examine the case of Redd-Up Crew members who wore campaign t-shirts backing Councilman Jeff Koch while on city time. Board members decided to seek more information on the Public Works Department dress code, as well as a definition of the "political activity" prohibited by law for city employees during work hours.
• Councilman Bill Peduto urged the board to come up with ways to strengthen Pittsburgh's ethics code. Peduto addressed the board during its public comment period. He told the members "there is a great need for this board. You serve as the watchdog to keep ethical behavior within city government--as long as you use the power." Peduto pledged to introduce legislation to strengthen the city's ethics law, based on the board members recommendations.
• The ethics board went into executive session to privately discuss a citizen complaint against a city employee. It's been previously reported that Jason Phillips intended to file a complaint against Koch staffer Eileen Conroy for allegedly making a campaign call from the councilman's government office.
Some ethics board members said once again that they want to emphasize ethics education in addition to enforcement. When questioned by reporters, board chair Sister Patrice Hughes insisted that doesn't mean a de-emphasis of the panel's enforcement duties. "We can subpoena people, we can investigate. No, I don't mean to infer in any way that we are watering down the responsibilities that we have, and our commitment to be very credible servants of this city", said Hughes.
This meeting of the ethics board was moved from City Council Chamber to a room at 200 Ross Street. A check with council's office revealed no conflicting event to explain the move, however. Peduto urged the ethics board to use Council Chamber for future meetings, so they can be cablecast.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Newsweek Online: "...Learn Something From Luke Ravenstahl"
Snapshot of Newsweek's online look at the mayorNewsweek's Howard Fineman--a former 'burgher--has posted a more than 13-hundred word web exclusive column on Pittsburgh and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. I came across it while checking my Google News bookmarks this morning.
It's headlined "The Politics of Pittsburgh: A city down on its luck has an optimistic young leader. The scene there mirrors our national situation. Maybe we can all learn something from Luke Ravenstahl."
Here's the link, along with some breakout quotes to whet your appetite:
• "The mayor is an interesting accident: 27-year-old Luke Ravenstahl, who ascended from the city council after the death of the elected mayor. Master Luke is the youngest mayor of a major city in modern history. Hey, if nothing else, it got him on "Letterman."
• "Ravenstahl’s challenge, and Pittsburgh’s, are emblematic of our national situation at this key moment. Politically, America also is glorious but beleaguered, maxed out on credit, despised in the world..."
• "A merger of city and county—a move made by many other regions—would extinguish Pittsburgh’s 'voice,' Ravenstahl told me. 'No one would pay attention to urban issues.'"
• "Interviewing him in the vast conference room is a little disconcerting. The walls are decorated with portraits of past mayors of the city, which was founded in 1758. Beneath portraits of men in powdered wigs sits Ravenstahl, with gel in his close-cropped hair. He speaks forcefully, but his words are carefully chosen."
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Ethics Board Meets Friday (Update)
Pittsburgh's Ethics Hearing Board still plans to meet Friday morning at 10, but it won't be using the City Council chamber this time.
The law department says the meeting's location has been shifted to the large conference room on the first floor of the building at 200 Ross Street.
The ethics hearing board web page hasn't been updated yet.
At last word (Early Returns, third story) , the panel--created 17 years ago--wasn't accepting complaints from the public because it hadn't come up with a complaint form. Allegheny County's complaint form is online at this link, and the state provides its complaint form here.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
DeSantis Q&A Podcast
I've posted a podcast of my interview earlier this week with Republican mayoral candidate Mark DeSantis.
My Channel 4 Action News report based on the interview is now also online. (A quick note: let me know if you have any problem listening to the podcast. Because of a temporary tech issue, I had to save it in a different format than I usually use. )
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