KQV AM 1410

KQV Editorial Archive

Independence Day 2005 "Lest We Forget"

On July 4th, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, resolving to sever the ties of the 13 United Colonies from Great Britain.
7/1/2008
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Steve Lohle…Rest in Peace!

How do you say goodbye to a friend and fellow worker who has just passed away? Where are the words…the phrases that sufficiently define and embody the hurtful sorrow of the loss?
6/20/2008
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The Glories of Pittsburgh Sports…The Penguins and Rocco Mediate!

Two exciting – really exciting – sports events happened in recent weeks that once again placed the spotlight directly on Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania.
6/19/2008
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The Controversial Transit Talks!

Once again we the public – we the taxpayers – are caught in the middle and are being squeezed in the labor negotiations between the Port Authority of Allegheny County and the Amalgamated Transit Union.
6/13/2008
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The High Cost of Senseless Crimes!

One of the most serious problems confronting the country today is the growth of senseless crimes that have no rhyme or reason. Those are mostly crimes of vandalism, arson, random violence, and revenge.
5/29/2008
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Memorial Day, 2008

For most Americans, this Memorial Day weekend is primarily the first long three day holiday of the coming summer season; a time for summer pleasures…golf, tennis, family reunions, outdoor barbeques and picnics.
5/22/2008
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Time for the Candidates to Fuss ‘n Fume for Your Vote on their Road to the White House!

While most people turn to the theater, television and the movies to fulfill their need for drama and suspense, probably the most fascinating story is being unveiled on the national stage in the form of the 2008 race for the Presidency,
5/15/2008
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The Case of Mary Conturo…Handmaiden for Pittsburgh’s Sports Bosses!

You may have noticed that the name – Mary Conturo – has popped up on a number of controversial issues here in Pittsburgh.
5/8/2008
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The Doomed North Shore Connector!

There’s an old saying in possibly even older news rooms that if it weren’t for the bad new, we wouldn’t have any news at all! Well, that’s exactly what’s going on with that infamous and ill-conceived North Shore Connector project!
5/1/2008
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The 2008 Pennsylvania Primary…Some Post Election Postscripts

Now that the dust has settled and the seemingly never ending Presidential Primary in Pennsylvania has come and gone, the big question is – what did we learn?
4/25/2008
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The Pennsylvania Primary…Time to Plow and Plant!

Next Tuesday, April 22nd is an important day in America; it’s Earth Day, annual event when some climatologists warn us about the cause and effects of global warming and its possible dire consequences on this and future generations.
4/17/2008
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After a 41 Count Jury Impasse…Has this Become a Wecht Witch Hunt?

Pittsburgh’s long running soap opera – The Case of Dr. Cyril Wecht – came to a conclusion and a likely new beginning with decisions made these past few days.
4/10/2008
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Time for Political Term Limits!

It goes without saying that our political systems…local, state and national are seriously flawed in a number of ways. Two of the most serious flaws are the absence of term limitations and pork barrel spending, also referred to as “earmarks.”
4/3/2008
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It’s Time to Derail…The Public Authority Gravy Train!

In a recent editorial we analyzed the almost unfathomable wage structure of city and county personnel. It was very revealing. It showed that the ten highest paid city employees in 2007 were paramedics, firemen, and policemen, whose take home pay, with overtime, was in six figures, while the mayor is paid $96,000.
3/27/2008
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Pittsburgh is Plagued with Holes…Potholes, That Is!

While not meaning to sound facetious or irreverent, we are again bearing witness to Pittsburgh’s annual virtually biblical plague of springtime holes; potholes, that is!
3/20/2008
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Allegheny County’s Employee Overtime Pay…Penny Wise…Pound Foolish!

Forgive us for being cynical, but it occurs to us that there is something basically wrong with the way wages are structured among city, county and public authority employees.
3/13/2008
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The Pennsylvania Primary…From Frivolous to Fabulous!

What a difference a month or so makes…it was just a few weeks ago that we thought the Pennsylvania Primary scheduled for April 22nd would be an afterthought in determining the Republican and Democratic Party 2008 Presidential nominees.
3/6/2008
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To Myron Cope – Shalom…Rest in Peace!

One of the growing number of downside distresses inherent to growing older is the increasing frequency of coming to grips with the loss of family members and friends to the certainty of death. Such is the case with our sense of vacuousness upon hearing of the death of Myron Cope.
2/28/2008
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More Disconnects with The North Shore Connector!

One of the most controversial public projects in Pittsburgh over the past many years is that ill-conceived North Shore Connector; the twin tunnels being built underneath the Allegheny River to connect the Golden Triangle to the near North Side.
2/22/2008
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Ed Rendell’s 2008/2009 Budget Beneficence!

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell unveiled his 2008-2009 state budget proposals this week which can be best described as a smorgasbord menu of goodies for one and all; some of them warmed over from his last year’s bill of fare…to be paid for by us taxpayers, of course.
2/8/2008
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What’s Happening with the Penguins New Arena?

Yet another important happening in Pittsburgh concerns plans to build a new arena, primarily for the Penguins. There have been serious concerns that the Hill District community will again get the short end of the stick, much like it got back in 1960 when the Civic Arena was built.
1/31/2008
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Pittsburgh News Happening at Taxpayers’ Expense!

One of the important news happenings developing here is a happening that will affect all of us who live in Pittsburgh and pay taxes here.
1/23/2008
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A Likely Voter Malady…Presidential Primary Fatigue!

Thursday, January 3rd marked the first official step in the long and seemingly endless process of the 2008 presidential election campaign – the caucuses in Iowa. A few days later, we were again inundated hour-by-hour with cable TV nitpicking punditry coverage of the primary election in New Hampshire.
1/11/2008
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UPMC’s Promise To…Pittsburgh Promise!!

Earlier this month, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center pledged $10 Million in 2008 and up to $90 Million over the following nine year period to help fund the Pittsburgh Promise, a program to help Pittsburgh Public School students fund their higher education. How wonderfully timely…and how generous…so close to our gift giving holiday season!
12/21/2007
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Onorato And County Council Have A Tiger By The Tail!

There are two expressions that apply to County Executive Dan Onorato and the Allegheny County council. They are…he’s got a tiger by the tail – and – there’s an elephant in the living room!
12/13/2007
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New Taxes for Allegheny County!

Once again, the predictable happened. The Allegheny County council passed legislation, instituting more taxation – this time on poured alcoholic beverages in bars and restaurants and on car rentals. Both of these entities mounted an organized opposition campaign, claiming the tax is discriminatory and unnecessary.
12/6/2007
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Some Post 2007 Election Postscripts!

In the 2007 election for mayor of Pittsburgh, the Republican Party – for the first time since the 1930s – did all the right things – they had a formidable candidate – an excellent campaign strategy – sufficient financial support – a hard-working campaign organization – and high hopes for a victory.
11/8/2007
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You Have A Lot Of Reasons To Vote Next Tuesday!

It should come as no surprise to KQV Listeners that the Tuesday, November 6th election looms large in the future of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and even the state of Pennsylvania. This election – with all its many races – will play an important role in the future of government – and that, of course, affects all of us!
11/1/2007
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Traffic Scofflaws – Time to Pay Up!

A recent local news item came as somewhat of a shock and what it reveals is unconscionable. According to the story, some 37,000 offenders have received 52,626 traffic tickets since 2004 which they have never paid. That’s right…52,626 tickets!
10/18/2007
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Time to Put the Port Authority on The Right Track!

There are five words on which most politicians agree – “when in doubt, raise taxes!” Local politicians are no exceptions. For example, in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County – County Executive Dan Onorato and County Council are considering a proposal to boost taxes 10% on alcoholic drinks and $2 a day on car rentals to help bail out our Port Authority mass transit system.
10/11/2007
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This Time – A Real Choice for Mayor of Pittsburgh!

One of our major complaints through the past several years has been the way the City of Pittsburgh has evolved into a one-party entity. We believed – based on history – that the people of a city suffer when they have one-party rule too long.
9/27/2007
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Last Week’s Massive Traffic Jam… Lessons to Be Learned…Now!

Thursday morning of last week, thousand of motorists were stranded for hours in massive traffic jams on access highways leading to downtown Pittsburgh from the North Hills and East End. The reason? A handful of city workers were assigned repaving duties on the Bigelow Boulevard Bridge near the Mellon Arena on a weekday. And apparently, only two off duty cops were assigned to the project, and that, in part, is what caused the problem!
9/20/2007
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The PHEAA Management Bonuses…A Cancer That Must Be Excised!

Those of us who live, work, and pay taxes in Pennsylvania are accustomed to getting our pockets picked by our light-fingered politicians and by influential self-serving public figures and institutions. It seems they are always figuring out ways to line their pockets at our expense!
9/7/2007
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Remembering Mayor Bob O’Connor…The “Redd Up” Man Who Personified Pittsburgh

A year ago at this time those of us who lived in Pittsburgh were shocked to learn of the death of Bob O’Connor, mayor of the city and one of the most popular political figures in the history of Pittsburgh. His death left a void in the city – a void that has been difficult to fill.
8/30/2007
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It’s Time to Ban Teachers’ Strikes in Pennsylvania!

With Labor Day just a week and a half away, it’s back to school time for most families with kids. Unfortunately, it’s also the occasion for the prospect of teacher strikes. From 2000 to 2007 a hundred and thirty seven teachers’ strikes occurred nationally. During that period, Pennsylvania had 82 teacher strikes – sixty percent of the nation’s total walkouts.
8/23/2007
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Charity Begins at Home…Except for Pittsburgh Area Taxpayers!

It goes without saying that we taxpayers are constantly abused and taken down the primrose path…or, as one observer said, "taxpayers are accustomed to being taken to the cleaners…every day."
8/17/2007
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The Minneapolis Bridge Tragedy...Lessons to be Learned

The country is in a state of shock and horror with news of the collapse Wednesday of Interstate Bridge 35W that connects Minneapolis and St. Paul Minnesota. One of the main arteries between these two major cities, it had been determined to be structurally deficient four years ago. The collapse of the bridge has been termed "a catastrophe of monumental proportions".
8/9/2007
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Superintendent Mark Roosevelt's Awesome Public School Challenges!

A few weeks ago we took exception to the action of Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt and members of the Pittsburgh School board for their ill-advised proposal to delete the word "Public" from the name of the city's taxpayer funded schools.
7/27/2007
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Finally, the State Budget Passes!

There is cheering and backslapping in Harrisburg - emanating from Governor Rendell and members of the legislature -all as a result of the Senate and House passing the $27.2 billion state budget for the next fiscal year.
7/20/2007
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What Are the Polls Telling Us

If you want confirmation of the low esteem in which the political leaders in this country are held, all you have to do is look at the latest polls where there is evidence aplenty to prove the point.
7/13/2007
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The Larimer House Fire Tragedy...Who Should be Held Responsible?

One of the most heartrending news events that has transpired thus far in 2007 was the tragic Larimer house fire in the early morning of June 12th which took the lives of 5 small children; left unattended by their two mothers, who allegedly were drinking in a neighborhood bar.
6/27/2007
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The U.S. Open at Oakmont...Where Everyone's a Winner!

The 2007 U.S. Open Golf Tournament at Oakmont Country Club is now history. Angel Cabrera, a 36 year old native of Argentina, bested the best of the golf world Sunday to win the trophy and more than one million dollars for his victory.
6/19/2007
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The Smoking Ban Smoke Screens!

Pardon the bad puns, but the proposed smoking ban in Allegheny County has become a red hot butt-on issue! The ban, directed primarily at bars and restaurants, fell by the wayside when Commonwealth Court ruled that the county had exceeded its authority and reaffirmed that only the state legislature has the authority over indoor air quality.
6/15/2007
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Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's Battle Against Neighborhood Violence!

The Administration of Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is faced with a number of serious problems and challenges. But none are more pressing than the violence and unrelenting shootings in a growing number of neighborhoods, including Homewood, Brushton, and the Hill District, that have become virtually uncontrolled.
6/1/2007
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The 2007 Pennsylvania Primary...Some Post-Election Postscripts!

The May 15th Pennsylvania Primary election is now history and, while the dust is settling, one thing is certain - the seeds of discontent continue to grow rapidly among voters. Or, to put it another way - the voters are showing signs that they are unhappy and that they refuse to be patsies to machine politics.
5/18/2007
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The Pittsburgh May 15th Primary Ballot...Verifies That It's a One-Party Town!

One of the saddest commentaries on our city of Pittsburgh is a review of the upcoming May 15th Primary Elections on a number of offices. If you want confirmation that it's a one-party town, just take a look at the offices that are in the mix.
5/11/2007
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Pittsburgh's Shrinking Population!

The newest census estimates are in and it's the same old story; Pittsburgh and Allegheny County are continuing to suffer a population loss - and that affects all of us. Unfortunately, the effect is negative and has serious consequences.
4/20/2007
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The Metamorphosis of Governor Ed Rendell...

There are many questions floating around Harrisburg these days...questions like...can you teach an old dog new tricks? Or can Democratic Governor Ed Rendell try to pass himself off as a white knight trying to save the Commonwealth. Or...what's behind his startling metamorphosis by, belatedly in our opinion, calling for a comprehensive package of major reforms in state government?
4/13/2007
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The Pittsburgh Mayoral Election...a Time When Your Vote Won't Count!

The state of politics in Pittsburgh reached a sorry depth Wednesday when City Councilman Bill Peduto announced that he is withdrawing from the Mayoralty campaign, leaving the incumbent Mayor Luke Ravenstahl to run unopposed on the Democratic ticket in the May 15th Primary.
3/23/2007
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The Penguins/Arena Agreement...Some Metaphoric Reminders!!!

Well, after a seeming interminable period of talks, threats, taunts, title-tattle, and tirades, it appears the negotiators...Governor Ed Rendell, County Executive Dan Onorato, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, and the Lemieux Group L.P. have finally reached an agreement that will build a new arena to keep Penguin Hockey here in Pittsburgh for the next 30 years or so.
3/16/2007
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When Public Authorities Run Amok...Who Pay?...We Do!

Last month, the David L. Lawrence Convention Center was closed down after a 30 by 60 foot concrete section of the Center's loading dock floor collapsed to the street and walkway below. Fortunately, there were no injuries!
3/9/2007
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The David L. Lawrence Convention Center...One of Pittsburgh's Major Miscalculations!

The David L. Lawrence Convention Center has been a white elephant since the time it was originally conceived and built years ago. Owned and managed by the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh, we were told by its optimistic promoters at the time that...after lengthy studies and planning...the Convention Center to be built would attract large national conventions which would be a financial boon to the city!
3/2/2007
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Governor Rendell's 2007/2008 Budget...Something for Everyone...Mostly More Taxes!

Earlier this month, newly re-elected Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell delivered his 2007/2008 $27.3 billion budget message to the 190th Legislature; an increase of $948 million...3.6% over the current budget.
2/23/2007
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The Plague of Vacant and Blighted Pittsburgh Properties!

In 1950 the population of the City of Pittsburgh was nearly 700,000, according to the U.S. census. Today, it is estimated to be less than half that...about 320,000. Meanwhile, the nation's population has doubled, from about 151,000,000 in 1950...to now nearly 300,000,000!
2/2/2007
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Is the Penguin Franchise on Thin Ice at Mellon Arena?

By now, you, like us, probably have had it up to here with the morass of philosophical and strategic nostrums being offered up by the minion of politicians we elect to allegedly serve our needs who are tripping all over each other to save the Pittsburgh Penguins for future generations of local hockey fans and of course get credit for it from a grateful community!
1/26/2007
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It's Time to Retire the Port Authority!

Those of us who live in the Pittsburgh area are reaping the bitter vetch harvest of years and years of mismanagement and bad decisions by the Port Authority of Allegheny County.
1/12/2007
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Some 2007 Political Weight Loss Resolutions for Grant Street and Harrisburg!

Among the New Year's resolutions - two that are high on our list are the reduction in size of the Pennsylvania State Legislature and Pittsburgh City Council - both long overdue!
1/5/2007
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