Some notes for today's primary election

The ADB has a press release from Councilwoman Smith.

Slag Heap considers what a Zappala Peck win would mean.

Infinonymous notes that Ravenstahl can't even be trusted with taking care of the beer.

The Pittsburgh Comet finds that Tony Ceoffe ♥ scofflaws.

I will be voting for Patrick Dowd for mayor and Hugh McGough for Court of Common Pleas and cribbing from Progress Pittsburgh's Big Endorsement List (among other lists) for judicial votes (Barbara Behrend Ernsberger, Joe Williams, Susan Evanshavik DiLucente, Alex Bicket, Philip Igneizi, Anne Lazarus).

If I was in District 2 I'd vote for Georgia Blotzer, if I was in district 4 I'd vote for Natalia Rudiak, if I was in District 8 I'd vote for Bill Peduto, if I was in Wards 9 & 6 I'd vote for Susan Banahasky, and if I had to choose between Motznik and Diven I'd get a really big hammer and a really big steel spike and drive it into my own head.

I'll be poll watching all day, so no more posts from me today until fairly late (if any), so I'll say it now:

GET OUT THERE AND VOTE!
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Ceoffe/Deutsch Whisper Shout Campaign Against Banahasky

Loyal readers of the Pittsburgh City Paper already know that the race to replace retiring magistrate Eugene Zielmanski in Lawrenceville's 6th and 9th wards has already garnered more than the normal amount of attention for this office.

Loyal readers of this blog already know that we have a lot of ugliness happening this election cycle.

The latest nastiness is accusations that Tony Ceoffe ally and Ward 9 Chair, Ronald Deutsch, has been going around Lawrenceville intimidating people displaying Susan Banahasky yard signs and telling voters in the district that she's -- horrors of horrors -- a Jew! (See here and here.) Ceoffe and Banahasky are running for Zielmanski's office.

For the record, she's Catholic (click here to see that her mother was honored by Diocese of Pittsburgh for her service to the Catholic Church). And, yes, I feel almost dirty having to prove that she's not a Jew -- as if there actually was something wrong if she were -- but obviously people are playing to the bigotry (perceived or real) of some in the community.

Deutsch and Banahasky have a history. He challenged her election petitions:

Bodack is a Ceoffe ally, and he owns the building that houses Lawrenceville United. (Bodack's father, a former state senator, owns the building containing the magistrate's office where Ceoffe hopes to work.) Meanwhile, an attorney for Dowd's 2007 council campaign, Isobel Storch, represented Banahasky in response to an aborted attempt to challenge her election petitions. And who originally filed that challenge? Ward 9 chair Ronald Deutsch, who sits on the neighborhood fireworks committee -- for which LU handles the money.

And, as Pittsburgh is a small town when it comes to politics, it's easy to play Six Degrees of Ronnie Deutsch:

Deutsch was an aide to ousted Councilman Len Bodack.

Patrick Dowd, who won Bodack's seat, had questions about Deutsch seemingly performing campaign duties on City payroll time (again over ballot issues) during his City Council race.

The Post-Gazette lumped Deutsch together with former Councilman Jeff Koch and other ousted politicians who landed jobs in the Ravenstahl Administration after being turned out by the public.

So here's my nearly annual plea when it comes to Pittsburgh primaries:

Don't reward bad behavior!
Vote for Susan Banahasky, http://susanformagistrate.com
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Around the Burgosphere

The Reformation is making a comeback with the re-launch of City Councilman Bill Peduto's Reform Pittsburgh Now site (he even nails his theses to the virtual door).

Progress Pittsburgh notes a need for election workers in Pittsburgh's 7th and 8th Wards for the May 19th primary.

Progress Pittsburgh (again) and The Pittsburgh Women's Blogging Society report on yard sign thuggery against Natalia Rudiak and Susan Banahasky (I also hear that Georgia Blotzer supporters are facing intimidation when putting up her signs in their own yards and it sure as hell is not coming from the Rob Frank camp).

Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents gives a queer perspective on the City Council District 6 race.

The Pittsburgh Comet "Will Make You Talk About Pat Ford If It's The Last Thing This Blog Does," dammit! (You go, Bram!)

The Busman's Holiday's April 22nd post is relevant anew as Lil Mayor Luke dodged the making his schedule public question one mo' time at this week's mayoral debate. Bonus points to Lukey for blaming it all on Dowd instead of Mayo asking the question. Meanwhile, Early Returns gets all hairy over the debates.

The City Paper interviewed local bloggers Bram and Matt H on print vs. blogs and agendas (which we blogged on here).

The Angry Drunk Bureaucrat provides a sneak peak at web-based permitting.

View from the BurghChair interviews, uh, everyone!

And, A Spork in the Drawer takes on Pooh.
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This Just In (Part II), Progress Pittsburgh PAC Endorsments

Progress Pittsburgh PAC (P2PAC) announced their endorsements for the May 19th primary. This is the first time that P2PAC has endorsed candidates.

As they put it:

P2PAC develops, supports, and helps to elect candidates who demonstrate vision, progressive values, and electability. It considers candidates whose districts touch the City of Pittsburgh, and supports candidates that will make good, progressive leaders at higher levels of government.

[snip]

These endorsements represent four races where a group of dedicated citizens can make a MAJOR impact on the race. While there are other candidates that support the progressive ideals of social and economic justice (Amanda Green, Bill Peduto, and Patrick Dowd are three who met with us that come to mind), we are confident that your money and your time will be invested wisely, should you choose to support the candidates below.

Their endorsements:

Natalia Rudiak, City Council District 4, http://www.nataliarudiak.com/

Robert Daniel Lavelle, City Council District 6, http://www.lavelleforcouncil.com/

Susan Banahasky, Magisterial District Judge 5-3-10, http://www.susanformagistrate.com/

Hugh McGough, Court of Common Pleas, http://www.mcgough4judge.com/

P2PAC will have a Happy Hour this Tuesday, April 21, 6-8pm, 900 Cafe & Lounge, 900 Western Ave, North Side to celebrate their endorsed candidates and to talk about how you can make a difference in these races.

You can contribute to P2PAC here.
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EVENTS!

April 16, 2009

Susan Banahasky for Magistrate Benefit
Host: Banahasky for District Magistrate
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2009
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Location: Coca Cafe
Street: 3811 Butler Street
City/Town: Pittsburgh, PA 15201

Description:
Lawrenceville, Polish Hill & Bloomfield for Banahasky. Please join us in support of Susan Banahasky Candidate for District Magistrate. Suggested Contribution: $25, $50, $100. Please join us for drinks and appetizers @ Coca Café. Please RSVP to Aaron Sukenik at aaron@susanformagistrate.com or (412) 452-8823. Checks Made Payable to: Friends for Susan Banahasky. This is Susan's only fundraising event. If you can't make it, please contribute @ http://susanformagistrate.com/donate


April 17th, 2009

Carmen Robinson Appearance
Date: Friday, April 17, 2009
Time: 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Sisters Beauty Supply
Street: 100 5th Ave
City/Town: Downtown Pittsburgh, PA

Description:
Carmen Robinson for Mayor. Public Appearance. http://carmenformayor.com/


April 19, 2009

McGough4Judge "30 Day Rally to Win" with Lenora Nemetz & Billy Price
Host: Hugh McGough
Date: Sunday, April 19, 2009
Time: 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Pgh Center for the Arts (Shadyside)
Street: 5th & Shady Aves
City/Town: Pittsburgh, PA

Description:
The McGough for Judge Committee Invites You To A "30 Day Rally to Win" @ Pittsburgh Center for the Arts in Shadyside. Special Musical Appearances by Lenora Nemetz & Billy Price. RSVP: Campaign@mcgough4judge.com or 412-441-7677. In this last month, we need to hit the streets, get on the phones and help Hugh spread his message of integrity, ability, experience and excellence to the voters of Allegheny County. But before we put on our running shoes, we want to gather together, celebrate and show our support for Hugh. There will be refreshments, incredible music, and of course, the best candidate for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Hugh Fitzpatrick McGough. http://www.mcgough4judge.com/


April 20, 2009

Steel-City Stonewall Democrats Mayoral Debate Party
Host: Steel-City Stonewall Democrats
Date: Monday, April 20, 2009
Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: There Video Lounge
Street: 931 Liberty Ave.
City/Town: Pittsburgh, PA

Description:
The April 15th KDKA Mayoral Debate has been canceled. So, we will be moving the Debate Party to the 20th of April when the local ABC affiliate WTAE has scheduled a debate to be aired between 7 PM & 8 PM. All 3 candidates (City Councilman Patrick Dowd, Mayor Ravenstahl, & Carmen Robinson) will be participating in the debate. Free food & pizza. RSVP: lance@steel-city.org or 412-728-5262.


April 21, 2009

P2 Happy Hour: Endorsement Excitement!
Host: P2pac
Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: 900 Cafe & Lounge
Street: 900 Western Avenue
City/Town: Pittsburgh, PA

Description:
Please join P2pac as it unveils its first group of endorsed candidates ever! The evening at 900 Cafe & Lounge will include P2tini's, good conversation, and the annoucement of who the P2pac has chosen to endorse for the May 19th primary election. Come and bring your friends for some politics and cocktails on the Northside. A $10 contribution is suggested; all funds raised at this event will go directly to support endorsed candidates. 900 Cafe & Lounge is a non-smoking establishment. It is accessible by the following buses: 16A, 16D, and 500. Phone: 412-586-7794


April 27, 2009

A Taste of Thailand: Fundraiser for Patrick Dowd
A delicious way to bring leadership now to Pittsburgh
Host: Patrick Dowd for Mayor of Pittsburgh
Date: Monday, April 27, 2009
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: Silk Elephant
Street: 1710 Murray Ave
City/Town: Pittsburgh, PA

Description:
Join us as we support Patrick Dowd and enjoy Thai Music & Dancing, Thai Cooking Demonstration and Thai Food (Tapas, Noodles and Salad Stations). Tickets: Adults $35, Students $20, Children (3-14 years old) $10. Please reserve tickets at:
https://co.clickandpledge.com/sp/d1/default.aspx?wid=25673 Instructions:
Enter your total ticket amount in Step 1 in the "Other" Box. In Step 3, complete contact information and enter "SILK" as event code. Please contact Anne McCafferty at 412-760-5337 with any questions.


May 2, 2009

An Evening with Braddock Mayor John Fetterman and Patrick Dowd
Host: John Fetterman, Chris Schultz, and the rest of the Host Committee
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2009
Time: 8:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: Braddock’s Elks Lodge 883
Street: 420 Library Street
City/Town: Braddock, PA

Description:
John Fetterman, Mayor of Braddock, invites you to a party to benefit the Patrick Dowd for Pittsburgh campaign. Join the current mayor of Braddock and future mayor of Pittsburgh for a fun night of music by Zombo, food and more. Suggested donation is $20 per person. Checks are payable to Citizens for Patrick Dowd. You can also donate online at http://dowdformayor.com/ Please include code “fetterman” on the check or on-line donation event code field. Host Committee: Regina Anderson, Randy Francisco, Robert Hampshire, Jodi Hirsh, Kevin Gannon, Dutch MacDonald, Betsy Magley, Christian Manders, Nathan Martin, Lindsay Patross, Eve Picker, Kathy Risko, Chris Schultz, Justin Strong, Hon. Chelsa Wagner, Abby Wilson. Email: eve@nowall.com


Other Candidates who can use your $ & shoe leather:

Georgia Blotzer, Pittsburgh City Council District 2
http://www.georgiaforcouncil.com/

Natalia Rudiak, Pittsburgh City Council District 4
http://nataliarudiak.com/
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