Gino Piroli – 3/19/07

This page was last updated on March 23, 2007.

It’s good thing Pens won’t move; Gino Piroli; Beaver County Times; March 19, 2007.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject column.

“The Medicare prescription program is projected to be $7 trillion in debt in a few years, Social Security also has financial issues, and it appears that the global terrorism threats will be a long, ongoing problem.

“In light of those major issues that confront us, I’m almost apologetic in taking heart with one positive event in the future that many of us might not be here to see, but will be beneficial to our area: the knowledge that the Pittsburgh Penguins will still be here long after our exit from the scene.

“I watched hockey in Pittsburgh when the minor-league Hornets played their games at the old Duquesne Gardens in Oakland. Our pediatrician, Dr. Clair Merriman of Beaver, and my brother, Dr. Dewey Piroli, had season tickets, and we attended some of those games. So it makes me smile when I hear that someone has been a fan since the Civic Arena was built or when Mario Lemieux came on the scene.

“I was pleased to read the article by Chris Bradford in The Times that everyone winds up a winner with the hockey agreement. His line that Gov. Ed Rendell or any of the other political leaders wouldn’t allow the team to leave reflected my thoughts from the beginning.”

[RWC] How does “everyone wind up a winner?” Both Messrs. Bradford and Piroli seem to ignore the $235.5 million we taxpayers are providing to enrich a private enterprise – the Penguins.

“I also agree with his calling Rendell ‘the ultimate politician (that’s a good thing and a bad thing.)’ I believe it describes Rendell well, and it was a good thing because the deal didn’t require any taxpayer money.”

[RWC] “The deal didn’t require any taxpayer money?” What’s Mr. Piroli talking about? Of the total estimated arena cost of $598.5 million over 30 years, taxpayers are on the hook for at least $235.5 million.

“I read many years ago that politics is a noble profession; the problem is that most politicians aren’t noble people. The true politicians know that the better they serve their constituents, the greater chance they have to be re-elected. Those who did this best, in my opinion, were the late former County Commissioner and state Sen. Jim Ross, and the late state Rep. Charley Laughlin of Ambridge.

“Former state Rep. Mike Veon of West Mayfield was as good at this process as anyone, but he let one issue - the 2005 legislative pay raise attempt - cloud his image and take him down.”

[RWC] First, the payjacking was a pretty big “one issue.” Second, Mr. Piroli appears to forget the political slush fund known otherwise as BIG.

“Our problems are that most elected office holders have one goal when elected: not serving the needs of their citizens, but getting re-elected.”

[RWC] Are we to believe Messrs. Rendell, Veon, et al aren’t/weren’t in the “getting re-elected” category?