Hi,
Tomorrow is the anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling of Brown vs Board of Education in 1954, it’s the anniversary of the first Kentucky Derby (1875), first same sex marriage in US (Massachusetts 2004) and the establishment of the New York Stock Exchange (1792).
OK, I haven’t whined in awhile (I checked). 🙂 I work hard and benefit from my labors. Although I don’t really draw a salary, my asset, The Parador, had been steadily increasing value. I don’t deserve the compensation someone with more responsibility like the CEO of Ford Motor, nor do I deserve the compensation someone with more education than I deserve, like a brain surgeon. I understand that there needs to be people that earn/make more money than others. Not to disrespect a fry cook at McDonald’s, but I think I deserve higher compensation than he/she receives. But ……….. West Penn Allegheny Hospital CEO Christopher Olivia received a 40% increase in compensation from 2008 to 2009. This is while “steering” his company through difficult financial times at a consistent loss. And I’m not saying a consistent loss that keeps getting smaller either. Through his leadership, the hospital system is doing worse and he’s getting better compensated, to the tune of 40% raise in one year!!!!!!!!!
Oh no, I’m not finished. John Cavanaugh makes (notice I didn’t say earns) $27,500 Chancellor PA Higher Ed System; James Preston makes $319,999 CEO PHEAA; Scott Miller makes $290,000 Director of Federal relations; Alan Van Noord makes $269,302 Public School Retirement System Chief; David Werner makes $253,428 as Indiana U President; Greg Weinsenstein makes $241,935 as West Chester U President and Angelo Armenti makes $227,160 Cal U President. I doubt you want me to continue listing the 3,600 PA state workers making more then $100,000. I high lighted our educational system that is “broke” and need more tax dollars from me to survive.
No, I’m not finished (almost though). PA Judiciary has been whining they need more money. This is when record numbers of citizens are loosing their homes, PA Basic care has closed because of lack of funding, need I say more on this point? If you remember, these are the same scoundrels that accepted the midnight pay raise that was later revoked for the legislature and they claimed because of separation of powers, they didn’t have to give their illegal (or at least immoral) raises back. In the last six years, their payroll has increased 20 percent. Supreme Court Chief Justice Castille is the third highest paid justice in the country. Yeah, lets give him more money.
For those of you filling your summer schedules, the Three Rivers Arts Festival is scheduled from June 3 through June 12. Pride in the Streets Fest kicks off Pride Fest with a street party again on Liberty Avenue on June 11. And then it’s Pride Fest on June 12. Three Rivers Regatta is Fourth of July weekend. The Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District will be held July 15. The Pittsburgh Blues Festival is out at Hartwood Acres again on July 22-24. The Oakmont Yacht Club Regatta is being held the same weekend (July 22 – 24). Pittsburgh’s Vintage Grand Prix is again being held in Schenley Park right after (July 23 & 24). African Arts in the Park will be held August 13 in Point State Park. Pittsburgh’s Renaissance Festival is being held the end of August and beginning of September in West Newton. 18th Annual Pittsburgh Irish Festival will be held in West Homestead from September 9 – 11. A Fair in the Park will be in Mellon Park September 9 – 11, is sponsored by Craftsman’s Guild of Pittsburgh.
There’s a ton of concerts this summer. Altar Bar in the Strip has a ton of smaller events, as does Brillobox in Bloomfield, Mr Small’s in Millvale, Diesel on the Southside, the Rex Theater also on the Southside, Thunderbird Cafe in Lawrenceville, Pepsi-Cola Roadhouse in Burgettstown, Trib Total Media Amphitheater on the Southside, First Niagara Pavilion in Burgettstown, Hartwood Acres and South Park Amphitheater. Heinz Field is hosting U2, Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney. Stage AE has a ton of concerts scheduled, but they don’t seem to think they need a web site.
The James Street Gallery & Event Space is for sale, $975,000 for any of you with some pocket change and want a new venue. They have a ballroom, conference room, gallery, auditorium and dance studio with off street parking. It is very cool space, I think $1M’ s a bit high, though.
Please John, don’t encourage me. 🙂 You are so right.
Eddie, you forgot to mention the multi-million contracts for dunking basketballs, missing, missing mind you , baseballs two thirds of the time, grabbing your crotch while screaming or singing, or cursing, or finally play acting, such as we did for nothing when we were children, but with much less angst. John. P.S I enjoy your daily post, albeit I think we might be a tad far apart politically.