Rt. 51 Study and Recommendations for Improvement

Many of you likely travel Route 51 or Saw Mill Run Blvd on a daily basis. If you do, or even if you simply listen to a traffic report, you know that traffic is a problem. Demand has far outgrown Rt. 51’s aging infrastructure, and longtime disinvestment along the corridor has resulted in an area that doesn’t adequately reflect the beauty of adjacent neighborhoods like Overbrook, Bon Air, and Brookline. In hopes of solving these (very big) issues, I participate in a Rt. 51 Steering Committee, which is a cooperative effort of seven municipalities, the county, and several state and economic development agencies.  Many of us may cynically remember Route 51 committees going all the way back to the 1960s, but this effort is very different.  Now we have a full-time staff person dedicated to overseeing our work on  traffic congestion and disinvestment– as well as public transportation & pedestrian needs, flooding, and sewer overflows along a 13 mile stretch of Rt. 51, including the portion in District 4. The Steering Committee produced a concrete set of recommendations, which will serve as a vision for future projects and investment. You can find the full report here: http://www.economicdevelopmentsouth.org/AIA%20Plan%20-%2051%20Corridor.pdf

Among the many worthy ideas in this report, I am most interested in working to develop a park & ride station somewhere along the corridor. Personally, it drives me nuts that I live within a half mile of the light rail and bus line, but I can’t park anywhere to use it; I know many of you feel the same way. A convenient park & ride station can take many drivers off the road and alleviate traffic. More than that, a good transportation station can attract new private investment, like the construction of new retail and residential along the corridor. I have had several meetings with local agencies to talk about potential funding sources and how this would fit into other plans that the Port Authority, City, and PennDOT may have for the area. Just last week I took a tour of Rt. 51 with the Port Authority, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission and Economic Development South. I have a lot of hope for this project, and will pass along details to you as they become available.

Improvements to the Accammando Center in Overbrook

If you drive Rt. 51, you may pass by Overbrook’s Accammando Center without even noticing. The Accammando Center is the community’s old brick fire station, at the intersection of Rt. 51 and Maytide Street. The fire station relocated and the building has since been repurposed into a much-needed community space, used by the Carrick Boxing Academy, the Overbrook Community Council, and the Carrick-Overbrook Historical Society. It’s a wonderful resource for youth involved in the boxing program, and folks who want to become civically engaged…or are just interested in the history of our community! The building has been in need of some basic maintenance and improvements for a number of years– things like paint and roof repairs, that if left unchecked can cost more to repair in the long run. I put money in the Capital Budget to make those improvements, so that our community groups have a better place to do business, and commuters take notice of this beautiful, historic structure.

But this is not all – there are other South Pittsburgh projects in the 2012 Capital Budget and I look forward to discussing them in future newsletters!

This article is from the monthly newsletter from Councilwoman Rudiak’s office. Click here for archived issues.

Good Government Legislation- Speaking Limits and Franking

As an elected government body, it is oh so important that City Council remain accessible and accountable to the residents of Pittsburgh. That is why, this past Fall, I introduced two pieces of Good Government legislation.

The first piece, known as the Speaking Limits Bill, sought to bring order to our Council meetings, and respect the time of residents, experts, and city leaders who observe and participate in them. With debate left unchecked, our meetings often stretch to six hours and beyond, making it difficult for people to schedule time to be engaged, as well as limiting the time of councilmembers themselves to address neighborhood-specific issues. It is difficult to think of any other profession where a continuous 7 hour meeting is considered effective and efficient. In researching this issue, my staff found that many government bodies at the City, State or Federal levels have implemented limits on the amount of time any one member is able to speak on any one issue. In fact, it is common everywhere across the country … except in Pittsburgh.  My bill, co-sponsored by Councilmembers Kraus, Peduto, and Smith, would have amended the rules of Council to limit each member to three rounds of speaking per agenda item, with five to two minutes on each round. The bill was passed by Council on December 30th, 2011, but the mayor did not sign the legislation, and it was never made official.  It is unfortunate that this bill is not on our books … but here’s to hoping that 2012 will bring civility to our meetings and more time for me to meet with and address the concerns of residents, business owners, and civic leaders in South Pittsburgh.

Another important tenet of good government is the responsible use of public money. In this world of e-mail and social networking, paper snail mail is still a considerable expenditure in our Council offices. It remains the best way to get in touch with many constituents who may not have access to or interest in digital communication. However, I soon realized that our offices were not held to any specific budget, or limit in the amount that we could spend on such mailings. This is an oversight that could lead to abuse and overspending. Mass mailings costing tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars could be used in the final days leading up to important elections, blurring clear legal lines that prohibit the use of public money or resources for political campaigns.  I introduced a bill modeled upon federal code that would define mailing budgets for each office and restrict members from sending mass mailings within 60 days prior to any election. This measure was co-sponsored by Councilmen Peduto and Shields, and was passed by Council. Unfortunately, Mayor Ravenstahl vetoed the legislation soon after its passage.

Debt Management Policy & Budget Transparency

Fiscal transparency doesn’t just apply to Council mail. This past December, I partnered with Councilman Peduto in support of a city-wide Debt Management Policy. The goal of this legislation was to put in place some common-sense guidelines for managing our City’s current and future debt. It was a policy that created flexibility to borrow, so that we could fulfill our capital needs, like paving and building improvements, while putting limits on the amount of debt the City can take on at any one time. The policy also outlined a preference for only taking on predictable, fixed-rate debt, rather than risky variable rates. Fortunately, Council and the Mayor agreed. The measure was passed by Council and was signed by the Mayor in December.

In addition to this specific legislation, I worked for better transparency throughout the Capital Budget process. The Capital Budget is a spending plan for fixed things like purchasing equipment, or upgrades to buildings or parks that go beyond routine maintenance. It is complimentary to the Operating Budget, which pays for things like fuel for vehicles and routine maintenance of buildings, vehicles and parks. Each year, the Mayor’s administration submits a Capital Budget to Council, and members have the opportunity to propose changes (amendments) and vote to pass or reject the budget. Typically, as was the case this year, the budget speaks in broad terms, such as “park improvements,” and does not go into details of projects and project locations. Without those details, it’s difficult to hold the administration accountable to spending funds across the City. Having lived in Carrick all my life, I know how important it is to ensure that South Pittsburgh gets our fair share. To that end, in 2010, I partnered with Councilman Burgess on a piece of legislation that required more specificity from the administration in the budget process. The measure passed and was not vetoed, but it was not implemented by the Mayor’s administration. However, I was able to persuade a majority of Council that projects in District 4 are important to the City as a whole, and Council voted to include budget items specific to our communities. We will continue to work throughout the year for equitable capital investment in District 4.

This article is from the monthly newsletter from Councilwoman Rudiak’s office. Click here for archived issues.

Property Tax Assessment Info

On January 12, 2012, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald released a statement regarding the 2012 property tax reassessments. That day, Judge Wettick permitted the Pittsburgh School District, the City of Pittsburgh, and Mt. Oliver Borough to use the 2011 assessment values for the purpose of setting their budgets and levying taxes in 2012. The new 2012 values that you received in the mail are to be used in the 2013 tax year. What this means for you: if you are not satisfied with your 2012 reassessment values, you should move forward with the appeal process. The form to request a formal appeal is due on February 10, 2012.

You can download and print the form here: http://www.alleghenycounty.us/opa/2012NewAppealForm_Pgh_MtOliver11.pdf

After submitting that form, you can learn more about what it takes for a successful appeal by attending this informative session:

Mr. Kenneth Behrend, senior partner at Behrend & Ernsberger, P.C will discuss and review the steps required for a successful appeal of real estate assessments. This presentation will be held at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh 612 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 on Thursday, February 23 at 12:15 pm.

If you have any questions about your reassessment appeal, feel free to call my office:412-255-2131.

Tree Survey


Tree Pittsburgh is leading an effort to create Pittsburgh’s very-first Urban Forest Master Plan to give recommendations to manage our trees and wooded areas. One of the most important components of an Urban Forest Master plan is public involvement and input. They need to hear from as many people as possible (including you and your friends and neighbors and relatives and coworkers) to protect and maintain our trees for generations to come.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF PITTSBURGH’S TREES?
Be a part of the plan – tell them what you like and what you don’t like about trees in this short survey and be entered to win Giant Eagle gift cards

http://www.surveybuilder.com/s/LaaSCle5oAA?source_id=3&source_type=web

This article is from the monthly newsletter from Councilwoman Rudiak’s office. Click here for archived issues.

Pennsylvania American Water is accepting applications for its 2012 Stream of Learning Scholarship Program to provide college scholarship assistance to students who are planning to pursue careers in the water and wastewater industry. The program is designed to support outstanding students living in Pennsylvania American Water’s service territories who are charting a course of study in specific fields, ranging from engineering to environmental science, which are crucial to the water and wastewater business. 

The company will award scholarships of $2,000 each to 10 students who are selected through the program’s application process. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
Students must currently live in one of Pennsylvania American Water’s service areas. (Students can attend college outside of the company’s service territory.)
Students must plan to attend a two- or four-year college or technical school.
Students must plan to study environmental science, environmental engineering, biology or chemistry.
Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and will receive their awards in May. Family members of Pennsylvania American Water employees are not eligible.

Applications can be downloaded from the company’s Web site at www.pennsylvaniaamwater.com and must be postmarked by February 29, 2012.

Carpenters Apprenticeship

The Greater Pennsylvania Heavy Highway and Railroad Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program will be accepting applications for Carpenter Apprentices in their 2012 Apprenticeship Program.

Applications will be available every Wednesday, 8 AM to 3:30 PM from December 7, 2011 through March 28, 2012 at the Carpenters Training Center, 652 Ridge Rd., Pittsburgh 15205.

More information is available on their website: http://www.greaterpacarpenters.org/ct5.html

City of Pittsburgh Job Postings: https://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/employmentcenter/JobListings.aspx

Allegheny County Job Postings: http://www.alleghenycounty.us/jobs/index.aspx

Dewey and Kaye Jobswatch (nonprofit careers): http://www.deweykaye.com/jobswatch/

This article is from the monthly newsletter from Councilwoman Rudiak’s office. Click here for archived issues.

It will be held in the basement fellowship hall. All ages and abilities are welcome. Please come join your friends and neighbors and make some new friends on Sunday evenings. Please park in the parking lot and enter through the lower door directly into the basement. For questions please call Deacon Rich at 412-881-6282.

Overbrook Community Council
Tuesday, January 24th , 7 PM at the Accamando Center (fire house at Rt. 51 and Maytide)

Carrick-Overbrook Block Watch
Monday, January 30th, 7 PM at Concord Elementary School (2350 Brownsville Road)
Come and learn about issues in the neighborhoods and how important it is to be involved.

Beechview Area Concerned Citizens and Beechview Blockwatch
Thursday, February 2, 7PM @ Beechview United Presbyterian Church

“Red Hot Valentine” Pepper Party

Saturday, February 11th – 11a.m. – 2 p.m.
IGA Market on Broadway, 1616 Broadway Avenue | Beechview



Looking for a spicy Valentine’s Day event? Stop by on Saturday,
 February 11th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the newly opened IGA Market on
Broadway to experience a selection of hot pepper products, test your
taste buds with a hot pepper tasting, and more. Are you known for a
delicious hot pepper dish? Bring the prepared version of your
specialty along with a printed recipe to enter IGA’s Hot Pepper Recipe
Challenge.
Event will also include hot pepper recipes, hints and preparation
tips, and a selection of cookbooks from local libraries. For more
information on this event, please visit IGA’s website at
http://www.marketbroadway.iga.com/ or call 412-388-5018. This event
is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Beechview Library.

Brookline Chamber of Commerce
Monday, February 13th, 5:45 PM @ the Brookline branch of the Carnegie Library

Anyone interested in protecting, fostering and developing the business area are welcomed.

Carrick High School Community Workshops– for adults!
Monday, February 13th, 5 – 7pm at Pittsburgh Carrick High School.

Seating is limited, so RSVP quickly! You may RSVP by mailing to Amberleigh Miller 125 Parkfield Street Pittsburgh, PA 15210, calling 412-885-7710, or emailing
amiller3@pghboe.net. When you RSVP, please include name(s) of attendee(s), the title of the workshop(s) and a phone number.

* Creative Writing – Just in time for Valentine’s Day. Try expressing some of that
creative energy in a new way. Who know? Maybe you’ll leave with the perfect
handwritten gift for that someone special. Limited to 25 seats

* Learn Spanish – Habla Espanol? No worries. Learn common phrases in Spanish and
show off your language skills to your friends. This is also a great way to help your child
as they venture into learning new languages. Limited to 20 seats

Brookline Block Watch
Tuesday, February 14th, 7 PM @ Judge Jim Motznik’s Office (736 Brookline Blvd)

Zone 3 Public Safety Meeting
Wednesday, February 15th, 6 PM @ the Zone 3 Police Station (830 East Warrington Avenue)

South Pittsburgh Development Corporation (SPDC)
Monday, February 20th, 7 PM, @ Brookline United Presbyterian Church
More information: http://www.brookline-pgh.org

Today, I was named to lead a task force convened by Council President Darlene Harris to look into the City’s performance during the current snow emergency. The task force will be tasked with investigating, reporting key findings, and making recommendations on how the City can better administer its emergency operation systems in the future, with a specific eye toward snow emergencies.

The task force will initially convene later this week to begin its review. Until then, City Council will focus on helping the Mayor’s Emergency Operation Center with constituent calls. Once the snow emergency is over, the task force will begin a full review.

We want to make sure we can dig out of this storm before we start getting too academic because we are in an emergency and we need to be focused on that right now. But once the snow stops falling, a full review will begin.

Additionally, as today’s snow storm moves into the region, there are several things to keep in mind to protect your safety. Click over to my website to read more about how you can better protect yourself in the coming days.

Please continue to submit your 311 requests online through my office, we have passed on all of your comments and concerns, often times directly to the relevant department and bureau heads, and we working as hard as can to make sure your streets are plowed sooner rather than later.

First, while it is evident that the City needs to change its emergency management system given the slow response over the last four days, our public works employees have been working 12 hour shifts, plowing more than 1,000 miles of City streets. I know how frustrating this storm has been, I was without power and my car is still banked in snow. But the men and woman who are working on the ground have been working very long and very hard hours to try to get the City up and running again and I applaud their efforts.

Tomorrow starting at 10:00 AM, a winter storm warning will go into effect for the entire region and stay in effect until 7:00 PM Wednesday evening. We are expected to receive at least 6 to 10 inches of additional snow in that time. As of this e-mail the Pittsburgh Public Schools, as well as all major colleges and universities are closed tomorrow at the request of the City’s Public Safety Director.

Starting this morning, all City plows were rerouted off of the City’s main roads and on to neighborhood streets (so-called “secondary” and “tertiary”streets). The Department of Public Works has stated that they will be able to plow most neighborhood streets by the time snow starts falling again tomorrow.

Once the storm starts tomorrow, plows will be re-routed again to emergency roads and primary neighborhood roads. Once those roads are all clear, they will move back into the neighborhoods.

When the second storm starts tomorrow, there are some key safety measures that will help the City plow the roads and minimize the number of emergency calls it is receiving:

• Try to stay off the roads until they are plowed. One of the reasons plows have had a hard time getting into the neighborhoods is the number of vehicles that got stuck in the road Friday night and blocked a plow or emergency vehicle. It helps everyone to stay home when it snows.
• Try not to walk in the roads. While often times it is easier to walk on a driven-over or plowed street, it is not safe. If it is possible, please try to walk on sidewalks.
• Try not to shovel additional snow into the street and try not to block any fire hydrants. Try to shovel it into your yard, when it goes into the street it can slow the plows down even more.
• Call 911 for emergencies, and 311 for service requests. If you are not sure if your call is an emergency, call 911 anyway, they will be able to route your call. For your information, garbage pick-up and recycling have been suspended until further notice.
• The National Guard will be able to reach you. The National Guard responded to over 60 EMS calls last night, most of them for non-emergency medical needs. If you have a medical emergency, we will be able to reach you either with our EMS teams or with the National Guard.
• Keep fire hydrants free of snow. When you are shoveling your walk, it would help emergency crews if you were also able to shovel some space around any fire hydrants that are near your house.
• And last, please check on your neighbors, especially senior citizens. Being a good neighbor is what Pittsburgh is all about, so while you are outside, check on your neighbors to make sure they are ok.

Please continue to submit your 311 requests online through my office, we have passed on all of your comments and concerns, often times directly to the relevant department and bureau heads, and we are working as hard as can to make sure your streets are plowed sooner rather than later.

]]> http://nataliarudiak.com/snow-emergency-update/feed/ 3 http://nataliarudiak.com/natalia-takes-office/ http://nataliarudiak.com/natalia-takes-office/#comments Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:35:37 +0000 John Fournier http://nataliarudiak.com/?p=303 Pittsburgh City Councilmember Natalia Rudiak was officially sworn in today at a ceremony in Council Chambers. In an uplifting inaugural address, she called for a civic re-awakening in Pittsburgh to aide revitalization in the neighborhoods.

Citing the tough economic times that have gripped the nation and her campaign commitment to bring more investments to Pittsburgh’s Southern neighborhoods, Rudiak asked her fellow Councilmembers to, “tackle these issues with a zeal that is unmatched and a vigor that is unparalleled.”

Councilmember Rudiak, drawing on her own experience as a community leader in district 4, also called on Pittsburghers to get more involved by “[interfacing] with City government, so we all can take ownership of it and start organizing for our communities.”

She continued:

All across this country, big cities are hurting too, just like Pittsburgh. Cuts in state revenue, crumbling infrastructure, neighborhood de-stabilization—these are national problems. But the City who solves them first will become America’s next great urban center—our nation’s next great story of renewal, of change, and of hope. And so, we must tackle these issues with a zeal that is unmatched and a vigor that is unparalleled.

Councilmember Rudiak was elected after capturing more than 98% of the vote in the November general election. In May, the Carrick Democrat won a three way primary to secure her party’s nomination. A graduate of George Washington University, Councilmember Rudiak holds a masters degree in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University. Prior to her election, she was an active community leader and business owner in the Pittsburgh’s southern neighborhoods.




Full Text of Inaugural Remarks:

A Call to Action: Councilmember Natalia Rudiak Inaugural Remarks

Today, the City of Pittsburgh, as it does every two years, begins a new journey with new leadership on deck and a new course for our future. For me, this journey began more than a year and a half ago, with an empty campaign account, a few volunteers, and a lot of determination.

But it really began with my family. My parents, Helena and John, my Aunt Barbara Rudiak and my Uncle Mike Rudiak. You have always supported me, but your commitment to me, to the campaign, and to the City of Pittsburgh blew everyone away and I cannot imagine having done this without you. Thank you so much.

I also want to thank the members of my family who couldn’t be here today. For those of you who don’t know, my mother is from Poland, she was born there. My grandmother, who is 79 years old today, barely finished second grade before our family’s village was occupied by the Nazis and she was forced to drop out of school. She could never imagine, and still cannot fathom, that her granddaughter is standing here, as the first woman elected to represent Pittsburgh City Council District 4. And although my family is an ocean away, I know that they are with us in spirit.

In many ways, my family embodies the essential Pittsburgh story—we came from far away, looking for a new life and new opportunities. We struggled to work and save and make ends meet, toiled in the steel mills and the coal mines of Pennsylvania, and built this city from the ground up, always thinking of our children, and our children’s children.

My loved ones, and the experiences and values they have instilled in me are my compass, they are my guide through tough times, and they have given me the incredible foundation and support that have brought me here today.

I love you all, and I thank you so very much. I am blessed.

I also want to thank my staff for their hard work over the last year, and all of those who supported me including the SEIU, UFCW, Laborers, PFT, the Sierra Club, Stonewall Democrats, Young Democrats and many more…you know who you are and I thank you!

I want to thank all of the members of Council for your gracious advice and support during my transition. I have spoken with each one of you, and your guidance has been invaluable to me and my staff during this time. It has been support that I will not soon forget, and I thank you.

To Mayor Ravenstahl, the local delegation to the Pennsylvania Legislature, our County wide elected officials, and the invaluable City workers—from department directors all the way to road crews—I have enjoyed working with you through my time as a community leader and councilmember in transition and I look forward to working closely with you in the future.

On the campaign, we started small, but dreamt big. From our tiny office in Brookline, we knocked on doors for hours every day, through the bitter Pittsburgh winter and into the rainy spring. I met thousands of my neighbors, and I learned so much about the communities where I grew up, and where I call home.

The gift that my neighbors gave me was the peace of mind and clarity of purpose to help lead Pittsburgh into a new future, filled with opportunities for every Pittsburgher to grow and succeed.

I will carry this gift with me every day as your District 4 Council Member. And in return, I promise to continue the conversations that begin on the front porch to the Fifth Floor here on Grant Street. I will try to inspire YOU. I will ask you to be involved—to pick up a broom and work in your neighborhood, to organize your neighbors, and come down to this very chamber and hold our feet to the fire.

I ask you to BE INSPIRED and to build a better Pittsburgh with me!

There are countless stories from the campaign of people who stepped up and decided to make a difference for our communities. But one in particular stands out. One day, a man walked in to the campaign office and just wanted some information on my candidacy. His name was Jack. I talked to him for a little while, and he told me that while he no longer lives in Pittsburgh, he ran a community-oriented non-profit. So I asked if he wanted to volunteer with us—and after talking to me, he did. And he came back, again and again, especially in the closing weeks of the campaign.

What I said to Jack is what I have said to so many of my friends and neighbors over the last two years: I asked him to be a partner with our City, to be a Pittsburgher once again, and to be inspired to ask more of our political leadership and of our community.

I had coffee with Jack a few weeks ago, and I was surprised to learn that he was so inspired by that message, and by our campaign, that he mounted a grassroots campaign of his own. And I am pleased to say that on November 5th, the Borough of Carnegie elected a great new Mayor in Jack Kobistek, and the City of Pittsburgh gained a great new partner in the effort for regional cooperation.

I am asking people like Mayor Kobistek to be inspired to ask more of our leadership and our communities. And now is the time to step up and be heard—we are coming off of elections where only a small fraction of Pittsburghers showed up to vote. It’s unfortunate, but we have no one to blame but ourselves. By keeping their votes in their pockets, the people of Pittsburgh have sent us a powerful message—that we must do better.

We must do a better job of attracting new businesses and new opportunities. We must do a better job of tearing down abandoned housing and protecting our neighborhoods from crime and neglect. We must do a better job of showing people how to interface with City government, so we all can take ownership of it and start organizing for our communities.

This is our challenge: To build a better Pittsburgh house by house, street by street, and block by block. It will not be easy…this hard work will not be done in one week, or one year, or one term in office, but it must be done for our City and for our future.

We have received lavish praise from the national media for the progress we have made, there is no doubt about it. But people are still voting with their feet and moving out of our City, and we must fight this epidemic with every ounce of our spirit. We must be a city that is not just praised by Forbes Magazine, but is cherished by the sons and daughters of the great men and women who built this city with their bare hands and wrought determination.

All across this nation, Americans are struggling. The job losses have been staggering, and foreclosures unbearable. It’s important to remember that this economic climate has beat down so many American workers. How many families have been displaced? How many parents have lost their jobs? What were the holidays like this year for our neighbors … or even ourselves?

All across this country, big cities are hurting too, just like Pittsburgh. Cuts in state revenue, crumbling infrastructure, neighborhood de-stabilization—these are national problems. But the City who solves them first will become America’s next great urban center—our nation’s next great story of renewal, of change, and of hope. And so, we must tackle these issues with a zeal that is unmatched and a vigor that is unparalleled.

Pittsburgh needs a re-awakening—and all of us here today must lead it!

So when we talk about bringing investment to our neighborhoods, let us not forget the Pittsburgh families who will benefit. Because it’s Pittsburghers who will build the buildings and pave the roads — it’s Pittsburghers who will clean the offices and provide service to our guests – it’s Pittsburghers who will come home from a hard days’ work with food to put on the table and a heated house in which to tuck their children in at night.

When we talk about public safety, we aren’t just talking about abstract statistics and pie charts. We are talking about building healthy and attractive neighborhoods where families can settle and grow. Places that will offer stability and safety so children can navigate the challenging adolescent worlds of school and social life without also having to navigate the cultures of gang violence and drugs.

When we talk about our parks, we aren’t just talking about patches of grass, but real investments that make our neighborhoods fun destinations for young families. These are investments that will increase our tax revenue and give children a safe place to play.

When we talk about transparency, it’s not some pawn in a gotcha game of politics. It’s a way to give Pittsburghers information about how our government works, so we can take ownership of our communities and work to bring investments and change on our own.

Let us move forward with this new council, with this charge to build a better Pittsburgh house by house, street by street, and block by block. Let us work to inspire our friends and our neighbors to build this City up and make it America’s next great story of renewal and hope. But above all, let us work together, as a united council, to bring the investments to our neighborhoods that we deserve.

Thank you.

]]> http://nataliarudiak.com/natalia-takes-office/feed/ 10 http://nataliarudiak.com/now-hiring-constituent-services-manager/ http://nataliarudiak.com/now-hiring-constituent-services-manager/#comments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:41:28 +0000 John Fournier http://nataliarudiak.com/?p=291 ***This posting has closed. Thank you to all who applied.***

***Posting Close Date has been extended to December 31, 2009***

The Office of Pittsburgh Council Member Elect Natalia Rudiak is seeking applicants for the position of Constituent Services Manager. Council Member Elect Rudiak will represent Council District 4 in the City of Pittsburgh, which includes the communities of Beechview, Bon Air, Brookline, Overbrook, most of Carrick, and a small portion of Mt. Washington. She will take office upon her swearing in on January 4th 2010.

Application
To apply, please send your resume, a brief letter explaining your interest in the position, and a writing sample no longer than two pages to:

John Fournier
Rudiak Transition Coordinator
john@nataliarudiak.com.

Please, no phone calls. All applications will receive follow-up communication when relevant action is taken on the position. Applications are due no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, December 31, 2009.

Position Overview
The Constituent Services Manager is primarily responsible for working with the Chief of Staff to develop a strategy for the constituent services program and to administer its implementation. Council District 4’s constituent services program includes a traditional government office at the City-County Building, as well as a field based community oriented problem solving component. All constituent service operations are consolidated in an online database, tracking our internal activities and producing a wide-scale picture of our constituents’ needs and concerns.

The constituent services program will track and monitor constituent communication, provide necessary follow-up, and help maintain Council Member Elect Rudiak’s visible presence in the neighborhoods of District 4. This position will be based in downtown Pittsburgh, with occasional travel to Pittsburgh City Council District 4.

Major Responsibilities

• Developing effective, innovative strategies for providing quality constituent service.
• Maintaining an online database of all constituent-related contact, and translating that data into relevant reports and benchmarks for improving constituent service.
• Supervising constituent service work-flow and ensuring that all staff members have the resources to respond to service requests. This includes monitoring emerging issues, identifying appropriate responses or solutions, and advising all staff accordingly.
• In conjunction with other staff, responding effectively to constituent comments and requests for service via many types of communication, including phone, letter, email, and in person.
• In conjunction with other staff, maintaining contact and relationships with community groups and major institutions in the district.
• Seeking out and evaluating additional outreach opportunities.

Additional Tasks

• Opportunities to pursue independent research on policy issues.
• Contributions to written communications: district newsletters, office website, press releases.
• Support to the Council Member and Chief of Staff.
• General office support: answering phones, greeting visitors, office maintenance.

Other Requirements

• This position is full time and requires a commitment of at least 40 hours per week.
• Occasional attendance at meetings outside regular office hours will be required.
• Some local travel in the district will be required.
• Projected starting date is Monday, January 18, 2010.
• Maintaining residency in the City of Pittsburgh is required.

Qualifications
Applicants should hold a degree in public affairs, social work, communication, or a related field. Customer service experience is preferred, and social service experience is a plus. Applicants must have the ability to build consensus and communicate effectively (written and oral). Applicants should have an avid interest in public service. Familiarity with customer relationship management (CRM) databases and basic data analysis are highly desirable. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Residency in District 4 is preferred but not required.

Workplace Culture
The staff of Council District 4 is committed to maintaining a culture of collaboration, teamwork, and openness. The staff will hold themselves and each other accountable to the highest standards of integrity and public service. The office of Council District 4 will be a friendly and fast-paced work environment, and we support the professional development of our staff.

Compensation & Benefits
Full-time City employees receive a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental and vision benefits; pension; voluntary deferred compensation plan; paid holidays; paid vacation; and personal days. The annual starting salary range for this position is $30,000 – $32,000, commensurate with education and experience.

Application
To apply, please send your resume, a brief letter explaining your interest in the position, and a writing sample no longer than two pages to:

John Fournier
Rudiak Transition Coordinator
john@nataliarudiak.com.

Please, no phone calls. All applications will receive follow-up communication when relevant action is taken on the position. Applications are due no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, December 31, 2009.

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]]> http://nataliarudiak.com/now-hiring-constituent-services-manager/feed/ 0 http://nataliarudiak.com/please-join-us-at-a-reception-in-honor-of-natalia-rudiak/ http://nataliarudiak.com/please-join-us-at-a-reception-in-honor-of-natalia-rudiak/#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:16:36 +0000 matt http://nataliarudiak.com/?p=285 You are cordially invited
to attend a reception in honor of

Natalia Rudiak
Democrat for Pittsburgh City Council, District 4

Tuesday, September 15, 2009
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Cafe Euro
US Steel Tower, Lower Level
600 Grant Street
Downtown, Pittsburgh, PA

Complimentary Hors d’Oeuvres and Beverages

Contribution Levels:
$250 – Supporter Level
$100 – Suggested Individual Level

Click here to RSVP and to make a contribution online

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