the citizens report
TRANSCRIPT
The Citizens RepoRtVolume 41 Issue 3
May/June 2011
In This IssueHearts in the Park…………1Walker Entry Form………..2HGTV here, in Pgh………..2Flower Planting……………3CPR at Risen Lord………...3Meeting Minutes………...4,5President’s Message……….6Great Pa Cleanup………….6House Tour 2011………….7Agriculture, Noise, Billboards and Lights, Darlene Harris, President, City Council …..8
Day at PNC Park…….……9Spring Cleaning and Greening Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.…10Anti-blight Bill Advances Rep. Jake Wheatley………10Medicare Expenses, JimFerlo, Senator, 38th Dist….11May Meeting Notice….…..11Memorial Day in BH….….11Corbett's Budget Cuts, State Rep. Adam Ravenstahl…...12Columbia Gas Grant……...13Spring Cleaning List…...…13Church Listings……….…..13Membership Form………..14 1
Event Location:
Join a Family Team: No FeesJoin an Existing Family Team - Limited to 5 Members for $75.00 Registration
Individual Walker: $20.00
Start a Family Team: 75.00Maximum of 5 Registrations for $75
Event Schedule:
Allegheny Commons Park (across the street from AGH main entrance)
5/14/2011 8:00 am - 9:00 am5/14/2011 8:30 am - 8:45 am5/14/2011 9:00 am - 9:05 am
5/14/2011 10:00 am - 10:15 am
Fees:
RegistrationTeam PhotosAnnouncements and
Event Kick-OffAwards and Raffle
Drawing
The Hearts in the Park Walk is held in memory of James A. Magovern, MD, a renowned cardiac surgeon and researcher who spent his career at Allegheny General Hospital. You can help support his memory and the conduct of clinical research and education by joining us for the 8th annual event. This fun walk through Allegheny Commons Park, the “heart”of Pittsburgh’s historic North Side, is open to everyone.
For more information, call 412-359-5026
Hearts In The Park Walker Entry Form
Complete one form for each walker. Registration deadline: May 6, 2011. Photocopy for additional entry forms or print more at: www.brightonheights.org
Mail to: Allegheny General Hospital
c/o Dinean Miller
14th floor, South Tower
320 East North Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Name: _____________________
Address: ________________________
City: ___________________________
State: _______ Zip: _______________
Phone Number: __________________
E-mail: _________________________
If walking with a team please include:
Team Name: _____________________
Team Captain: ___________________
T-Shirt size (circle one) Medium
Large X-Large XX-Large
Enclose $20 pre-registration fee per
walker or $75 family registration fee
(limit five per family) payable by
Check to: Allegheny General Hospital
Circle to register your dog for a $5
donation and they receive a doggie
giveaway.
Additional donations welcome.
Amount enclosed $______________
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BUYING YOUR FIRST PLACE?Then HGTV is looking for you!
MY FIRST PLACE, HGTV’s hit series, is coming back for a tenth season and we’re looking for first-time homebuyers (and their agents!) in the Pittsburgh area RIGHT NOW!
We are looking for fun, high-energy people who are just starting the home-buying process for their first place and would like to share their story with HGTV! Our goal is to capture all the trials and tribulations of looking for, bidding on and buying your first place.
Taping takes place this spring. Ideal candidates will be enthusiastic buyers with a crazy, unique story to tell and a desire to share their experiences! Singles, couples and families are all invited to apply!
Candidates who complete taping will receive a monetary gift as part of the show and also a DVD copy of their episode to document their first home buying experience for all time!
Request an application by emailing:[email protected]
Or call Marybeth Brush at (303) 872-8575
July 2011 Calendar. This year, July has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5
Sundays. This happens once every 823 years. This is called money bags.
[BHT] Brighton Heights Trivia
How many Brighton Heights streets can you name that are paved with Red Bricks?
The answer is on on page 12…
Brighton Heights Citizens FederationFlower Planting May 14, 2011
Time to think Spring! Bring your garden gloves and knee pads if you like, and join us for the annual spring flower planting on Saturday, May 14th at 8:30 AM on the corners of California and Termon Avenues. We like to have the gardens in before the house tour which is on Sunday, June 12th this year, so this should work out well. We will also be working on the area beneath the Grenada Wall if the trees have been planted by then.
Volunteers are needed to help with the planting. Since our neighborhood flower garden is no longer funded by the City of Pittsburgh and the West Penn Conservancy, donations for this project are welcome.
BHCF Flower Planting - Saturday May 14, 2011
Donation for purchase of flowers: $_____________
Name: ____________________________________
Street: ____________________________________
City: ______________________________________
Phone: _________________ Email: _______________________
Make Checks payable to: Brighton Heights Citizens FederationAnd mail to: BHCF Flower PlantingPlease do not send cash PO Box 99696
Pittsburgh, Pa 15233
If you would be able to help with the planting on that day, return this form, call our answer line at: 412-734-0233 or email us at: [email protected].
Or just show up with your digging outfit on!
Name: __________________________________Phone: _____________________________________
Donations can also be made on line at www.brightonheights.org Click on “Flower Donations” to
use a credit card or Pay Pal!
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Certified CPR Training
The City of Pittsburgh Emergency Medical Service is offering Certified Cardio-Pulmonary-Resuscitation (CPR) training. It will be at the Risen Lord Education Center on California Avenue in Brighton Heights.
There will be two sessions to choose from: May 4th and May 11th , 2011. Each will run for three hours from 6 to 9 PM. There are only 25 slots in each class. They will teach the new method of CPR.
You never know when you might need this valuable life-saving skill. Take the class for the first time or update your certification. You must be registered ahead of time to be in the class. Reserve a seat soon by calling Donna Kramer at 412-766-6546 or emailing us at [email protected]. Leave your name, address and phone number. There is no charge for the class.
Brighton Heights Citizens’ Federation General Membership Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 10th
Guests:Representatives from Columbia Gas were contacted by Darlene Harris to attend this meeting.
Rachel Ford spoke about how Columbia Gas will be doing maintenance throughout the year. This will involve tearing up many streets and sidewalks in Brighton Heights. This is a $3 million pipeline investment including both a main line and service line to the community. Columbia Gas will be going around to affected houses and moving the gas meters to the outside of houses. This will include an automatic meter reading system. The new meter installation takes only 20 minutes and will be done at no cost to the homeowner.
Anyone affected by these updates should have already received notice by mail, but this will interrupt service while the work is being done. Anyone who parks on the street will not be able to do so from 7 AM to 5 PM while work is being done. Any damage done to any properties will be fixed at no charge. The maintenance for Brighton Heights is only part of a greater than $100 million of infrastructure upgrades all over Pittsburgh.
Holy Family Institute also attended this meeting. Representatives spoke about their plans to start a group home in Brighton Heights. They would like to re-zone 3570 Brighton Road from a personal-care home to a group home for dependant kids.
Spiritual Director David DeMichael spoke about why he felt this was important for these children'sdevelopment. There are many activities for the kids who are part of Holy Family, to help keep them active and in structured environments. They are creating positive childhood memories including encouraging them to get involved in art, music and sports. He stressed that a Christian community should cherish this opportunity and their organization has been teaching the children about God. These children have no one else in their lives to help them.
Sister Linda spoke about their vision at Holy Family. They have been in Pittsburgh since 1900. Why come to Brighton Heights? She stresses that their goal is to help the children become productive members of society and that the best way to do this is to help them feel a part of a community. They do not stay at Holy Family for their entire childhood. The goal is to clean up their home life and get them home. The kids are always supervised during their stay. They attend school and are supervised with individual attention when at the group home. They believe in both discipline and love as tools to lead these kids down the right path.
Citizens questions for Holy Family:How will this group home affect property values?
There will be no immediate difference compared to the current assisted-living home. They will use the four already available parking spots.
How old are the children in the home?Mostly ages 10 to 12, though they can range from ages 8 to 18. They only keep kidstogether in a group home who are within four years of each other.
Will the children in this group home be kids who are receptive to being part of a community?Yes, the more troubled youth will not be at this home.
What sort of lease will you be signing?The lease will be for a one-year variance for a group home. This will prevent it frombeing transferred to a different group home without BHCF approval.
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Meeting Minutes continued…
Report of Officers:Pete Bellisario, President:
The old BP gas station on California Avenue is now an auto repair business.
There was a brief discussion about adding a Board member who is not a homeowner, but owns a business in Brighton Heights.
The Education Committee is working with the superintendent of schools to get a K-8 school back in Brighton Heights. Right now high school kids go to Oliver High School even though it is not in the neighborhood. There is a desire to start a nursing program in the high school in collaboration with Community College of Allegheny County and the North Side Leadership Committee.
The flag pole and monument in Legion Park were damaged by a reckless driver. The City is in the process of repairing them with reimbursement likely to come from the driver’s insurance.
Brighton Heights community night at PNC park will be on June 5th. Tickets will be $22 each which will include a free shuttle to take you from Riverview Manor to the stadium and back.
The House Tour has been moved to Sunday, June 12th. We need more houses! Please let the Board know if you are interested, especially if you have a house near the upper end ofTermon near the Shadeland Avenue area. We are also looking for more volunteers to help that day and for cleanup the day before.Great Pennsylvania CleanUp: April 16th
Flower Planting: May 14th
We also need volunteers to help water and weed the West Penn Conservancy area near the entrance to Brighton Heights off of route 65.
Janice Johns-Engelman is now running the Welcoming Committee. Please let her know if you know of any new neighbors and we'll get them welcome bags.
Meet the candidates night at the Emanuel Christian Church on April 27th.Crime and Safety Report, Donna Kramer:
There was a big drug bust recently throughout the North Side and it is far from finished. The Police have been busy and havearrested 25 people so far. This has been with the help of the FBI and should yield good results.
The Block Watch will start again in either May or June. More details to be given once a date is set.
The next General Membership meeting will be on May 12th.Respectfully submitted by Joe Shields.
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In Pittsburgh there are:
27 denominations of churches36 churches inside zip code 1521210 churches in Brighton Heights5 of the 10 are on California Ave.
Source: www.usachurch.com
All Saints Episcopal Church3577 McClure Ave
412-766-8112
Avery Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church3404 California Ave
Brighton Heights Lutheran Church3830 California Ave
Christ Hope Church1301 Davis Avenue
412-443-7898www.christhope.com
Emmanuel Christian Church1427 Davis Ave412-766-9243
www.emmanuelchristianchurch.com
Greater Allen A.M.E. Church3600 California Ave
412-732-2775
Hosanna Church1615 Termon Ave
412-732-0900
Risen Lord Catholic Church3250 California Ave
St Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church3854 Brighton Rd
St George Ukranian Catholic Church3455 California Ave
President’s Message – May 2011Pete Bellisario
The Saint John’s Site. Morrow School. Flowers, Trees and More.
Spring has finally sprung. It feels great putting the snow shovels away and seeing flowers and trees blooming. There are some items that we have shared in the past concerning which we have updates.
We continue to work with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) of the City of Pittsburgh on the redevelopment of the former Saint John’s Hospital property. The URA controls this property and has been working with the Federation on what to do with this area. They have hired a contractor who will provide plans for a developer who will build single family houses on Fleming and McClure Avenues. The URA has provided a grant and the Federation received a $75,000 grant from the casino monies provided to the Northside Leadership Conference (NSLC). The Conference negotiated with the casino ownership for $3,000,000 spread over three years to be used for housing and commercial development. The Board is grateful for the support of the Conference and the Rivers Casino for their continued support in this effort.
The Northside Education Committee has met twice in the past two months to discuss a comprehensive plan for K through 8 schooling on the North Side. This committee is chaired by the Executive Director of the NSLC. The most important part for Brighton Heights is that Pittsburgh Morrow will remain in place until plans for a potential K through 8 discussions are complete. Arthur Rooney Middle School building will remain in a mothball condition for the time being.
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy asked the federation to sponsor the last flower bed at the intersection of Ohio River and Brighton Heights Boulevards. The Conservancy contractor will prepare the site and we will plant and water the flowers. In return, the Conservancy will remove the weeds that cover the area around the "Brighton Heights Trees" on Ohio River Boulevard and plant
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grasses and trees. Thanks to Linda Ceoffe of the City of Pittsburgh, we will have trees that will run along the Granada Street wall. Linda planned for the new trees in Legion Park, on Brighton Road, and in several other sites that folks requested trees in the past.It is important that you support the efforts of the Federation for your neighborhood. We plan things we hope you will enjoy, so go to the game at PNC Park on June 5th and on the house tour on June 12th. See the details in the rest of the newsletter.As always, please get out and vote. It is our right and our privilege!
The Great PA Clean Up 2011 StyleHow blessed can we be? The morning of our
neighborhood cleanup, it was pouring rain at 6:30 AM. Should we cancel it? Let’s see how it goes. At 8:15, the rain had stopped. It didn’t start raining again until 11 AM, when the cleanup was finished! Twenty-three volunteers, including the following individuals, showed up prepared to brave the rain, and collected about 40 bags of garbage and three tires! We cleaned up California Avenue, Termon Avenue, Brighton Road, Kleber Street, Shadeland Avenue, Brighton Heights Boulevard, and the Grenada steps. If you’d like to see your street on this list next time, join us for the fun!
We thank the following benefactors. Darlene Harris stopped by to bring water for the volunteers. All Saints Episcopal Church had free soup at noon, Hosanna Church provided coffee and muffins, and Emmanuel Christian Church sent volunteers..
Kristen JohnsonCathy KautTom KaylorRay Meyer
Colin MurphyBev OliverEd OliverBen RyanKari Seats
Joyce SheererPeggy Urzua
Angela - Hosanna ChurchJohn Belch
Pete BellisarioJoan BellisarioJudy Bendtsen
Susan BennEd BorgenTom Fodi
Ed GergerichDaryl Hartman Peg Hartman
Annual House Tour
The annual Brighton Heights House Tour will take place on Sunday, June 12th this year with expanded hours from noon to 5 PM. The focus of this tour will be houses on Shadeland Avenue and the surrounding area. The tour will begin at All Saints Episcopal Church on the corner of Davis and McClure Avenues and will once again feature a chocolate theme.
Tickets for the tour are $10 each if reservations are made before June 11th. The day of the tour, tickets will be $15. So get your friends together and come on the tour.
You can make reservations by sending in the attached reservation form. Also by going on-line to www.brightonheights.org and completing the form using a credit card or PayPal. Click on “House Tour Tickets”.
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BRIGHTON HEIGHTS CITIZENS FEDERATION2011 HOUSE TOUR RESERVATION FORM
Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011Time: 12 - 5 PMCost: $10 (non-refundable) if received before 5-21-11
$15 day of tour
Tour Starts at - All Saints Episcopal Church ………..………3577 McClure AvePittsburgh, Pa 15212
Your Name: ___________________________________Address: _____________________________________
_____________________________________Phone: _______________________________________Email: ________________________________________
Would you like to receive our free “E-Newsletter”? Y __ N __
Number of Tickets: ___________ Amount enclosed: ___________
No cash, please –send check to: BHCF, Inc
2011 House TourPO Box 99696Pittsburgh, Pa 15233
Tickets are also available on our website at:
www.brightonheights.org Click on “House Tour Tickets”
Agriculture, Noise, Billboards and LightsDarlene Harris, President, City Council of Pittsburgh
As your City Councilperson, I like to keep you up to date on actions of City Council. Right now, among numerous pieces of legislation, City Council is addressing quality-of-life matters: urban farming, noise, billboards and lighting.Urban Agriculture
We recently passed legislation concerning Urban Agriculture. Bill 2010-0985 amended parts of our Zoning Code to address smaller agricultural buildings such as chicken coops and beehives, permitting agriculture on smaller plots of land than previously permitted, and distinctly defining setbacks of agricultural buildings from neighboring properties, among other things.
I hope that this legislation serves to permit more urban agriculture, and I made sure to amend it to provide for a report back to City Council at the end of one year, as to how implementation has progressed. What should occur is more citizens will be legally engaging in urban farming, and we want to be sure that District 1 can continue a legacy of agriculture that goes back to old Allegheny City. I hope you will keep me posted as the ordinance is implemented. Please note that if you already have your occupancy certificate as a farm or ranch, you are grandfathered in.Noise Task Force
A few weeks ago, I put together a Noise Task Force, because several Councilpersons had been independently looking at noise in the City. We found our current noise ordinance to be a bit antiquated and somewhat difficult to enforce.
There are many types of noise in the city – some we live with, such as buses, because the noise generator improves our quality of life. Others we do not have to live with, such as truckers using jakebrakes within our neighborhoods. There is the noise of bars and outdoor concerts, and there is the noise of industrial equipment within a neighborhood.
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The task force will be looking at all sides of the issue, studying best practices in other locations, and coming up with the best legislation possible for our City. Please let me know of your concerns and your ideas, and we will be sure they are included as the Noise Task Force works on the issue.Billboards
Soon to be introduced to City Council by the City’s Planning Department is legislation addressing advertising signs and billboards and other such structures in the City of Pittsburgh. City Planning has done a study with nationally recognized experts, and has held at least two public hearings. Many constituents have already expressed to me many opinions as to signage in the City, and I have kept track of your thoughts. As this legislation progresses, I hope you will continue to let me know your feelings and ideas.Lighting Legislation
Currently before City Council is an ordinance concerning lighting in the City of Pittsburgh. Bill 2010-0962 would create a Lighting Code at Chapter 1201 of the City Code.
My office has been working with the sponsor of the legislation to make certain that the character of our various neighborhoods is taken into account, in addition to the various environmental and energy-saving concerns that the legislation addresses. Again, please call or email my office with any comments or questions you have about this legislation.
Any legislation that has been introduced to City Council may be viewed at Council’s website, www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/council. Click on the "Legislative Information Center" on the right. You can track the bills through to passage. You can watch video segments of Council discussing them. You can read the full pieces of legislation.
I always welcome your input on anything you consider appropriate. It is an honor to serve as your Councilperson.
If you have any questions about this or any other legislation, please always feel free to call my office at 412-255-2135
Community Day at PNC Park
After a lapse of a couple years, the Federation is once again going to sponsor a Community Day at PNC Park. As part of the festivities this year, we have arranged for a bus to take the participants from our meeting point at Emmanuel Christian Church to PNC Park at 12:30 PM. After the game, the bus will pick the fans up at PNC Park and transport them back to Emmanuel Christian Church for a cookout. Also included in the price is a Roberto Clemente T-shirt for everyone in attendance and Pirate souvenir raffles forparticipating children. Children under 14 will also receive a Pedro Alvarez practice shirt.
Hope to see you there!
BRIGHTON HEIGHTS CITIZENS FEDERATION PRESENTS:
COMMUNITY NIGHT 2011 AT PNC Park
Pirates versus The Philadelphia Phillies - Sunday June 5th at 1:35 PM
Use this form to order your tickets… or order them on-line at www.brightonheights.org
Tickets can also be purchased on line at www.brightonheights.org Click on “Pirate
Tickets” to use a credit card or Pay Pal!
BRIGHTON HEIGHTS CITIZENS FEDERATION PRESENTS:COMMUNITY DAY 2011 AT PNC PARK
Pirates versus The Philadelphia Phillies – Sunday June 5th at 1:35 PM
Name: ______________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Telephone: _____________________________________________________
_________ Tickets X $21 each $________ + $1. handling / order = $_______ enclosed
_________ Attendees will ride the bus _________ attendees will go to the cook out
Make checks payable to:
BHCF
c/o Andy McLaren
PO Box 99696
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15233
Reservation Deadline: May 20, 2011 Questions: Cal (412) 761 - 0760
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Driven to & from the game, Roberto Clemente T-shirt, free cook out! That’s a Home Run!!!
Spring Cleaning and Greeningin the CityMayor Luke Ravenstahl
Dear Neighbors,With the warmer weather upon us, we will
have an opportunity to spend more time outdoors. As you begin to plan for your own gardens, my administration is the overall landscape of our City, and is focused on doing major spring cleaning, greening and volunteering.
Redd Up is a great example of Pittsburgh’s strong tradition of neighbors-helping-neighbors. Every year, dedicated residents volunteer their time and show their community pride by cleaning and greening their neighborhood. This year, we encourage you to continue to volunteer and support these upcoming events:Annual Spring Redd Up Events:Green Up Pittsburgh ProgramThis spring, together with the City’s Green Team and the community stewards, we will continue to transfer vacant lots into urban farms, rain gardens, green palettes and community gardens. Keep a look out this spring for a community planting day in your area atpittsburghpa.gov/neighborhoodinitiatives/greenup
Throughout our City’s history, volunteers have played a critical role in providing essential services to residents and building leadership and capacity among citizens to address community concerns. We have long known that the answers to Pittsburgh’s most pressing challenges cannot come from government alone. Building on this belief, I launched servePGH on March 22nd, a high-impact, Citywide blueprint for engaging citizens to solve local challenges. WithinservePGH are a number of service initiatives that were created to meaningfully impact Pittsburgh neighborhoods and the lives of Pittsburgh youths. There are opportunities for everyone. To learn more about servePGH and
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Wheatley Anti-blightBill Advances Representative Jake Wheatley
The House Urban Affairs Committee has approved a bill I introduced that is designed to help reduce the number of abandoned properties in Pennsylvania communities. I am pleased the Committee vote was unanimous, and I believe this is a good sign for action in the full House of Representatives.There are property owners in this state who lose interest, and this bill would help the neighbors and communities who have to deal with the results of that.
My bill (H.B. 1022) passed the House 181 to 19 in the last session but expired in the Senate. It would change state law on "adverse possession," a process that allows a person who lives in a home that's considered legally abandoned to take ownership of the property.Current law imposes a 21-year waiting period for that process. This bill would reduce that to 10 years for single-family homes on properties of one-half acre or less. The owner would have one year to dispute the claim. The bill would not apply to property that is part of a common interest ownership community, such as a condominium development, a real estate cooperative or a planned community.As always, if you have a state-related concern or question, please contact my office: 412-471-7760 or http://www.pahouse.com/wheatley
to get involved please check outservepgh.pittsburghpa.gov or contact RebeccaKottler-Wein, Chief Service Officer, at 412-255-4765 or [email protected] look forward to seeing you out at one of these events to celebrate and show your neighborhood pride.
Visit www.brightonheights.org
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Senator Ferlo Urges Eligible Applicants to Seek "Extra Help“with Medicare Expenses
Jim Ferlo, Pennsylvania State Senator, 38th District
My office fields many inquiries daily in helping our constituents to access beneficial government programs. One program our staff consistently gets questions on is the Medicare Low Income Subsidy/Extra Help Program. Some states previously referred to this as the Medicare Buy-In program.
In the past, the program’s application and available information was confusing to many older adults and individuals with disabilities. Some were led to believe they would need to change their primary healthcare provider or that it might take away their PACE prescription benefits - nothing could be further from the truth. This program complements both your Medicare health coverage and PACE, and the only change to you will be more savings in your pocket.
Federal legislation mandated that the program’s application be simplified and the program be made uniform so that more individuals would be able to access it readily. Kathleen Burk, Medicare Outreach Coordinator of Allegheny County Department of Human Services and The Allegheny Link, was kind enough to share details with us on how the program works.
Depending upon income and assets, many older adults and people with disabilities can save money on their Medicare insurance premiums and co-payments. There are now two separate government programs that can help.
The Medicare Savings Program:
It can cover the cost of the Part B premium, and possibly co-payments and deductibles, depending upon the applicant’s level of income. To qualify, an individual’s monthly income must be no greater than $1218 with resources no greater than $6680. (For a married couple, the combined monthly income should be no greater than $1639 with resources no greater than $10,020.)
The resources that are counted include money in the bank, stocks, bonds or other types of investment. The lower the amount of income and resources the applicant has, the greater the level of assistance available.
The "Extra Help" Program:
It provides assistance with Medicare Part D (prescription drug) premiums and co-payments, and keeps people out of the coverage gap known as "the donut hole."
In order to qualify, an individual’s income must be no greater than $1353 per month with resources no greater than $12,640. (For a married couple, the combined monthly income should be no greater than $1821 with resources no greater than $25,620.)
For more information and to apply, you can contact Allegheny County Medicare Outreach Coordinator Kathleen Burk at 412-350-7079. We also have applications in my office and would be happy to assist you in this process. If there’s anything I can help you with, please contact my office at 412-621-3006 or visit my website at www.senatorferlo.com
Memorial Day Ceremony
The Brighton Heights Citizens Federation, along with American Legion Post #261, will once again sponsor a Memorial Day ceremony in Legion Park on Monday, May 30th at 10 AM. Bring your lawn chairs, view an inspiring ceremony and participate in a patriotic sing-along to commemorate the day honoring those who have served in the military and those who have given their lives for their country.
May General Membership Meeting
Mark your calendar and join us for the May General Membership Meeting of the Brighton Heights Citizens Federation on Thursday, May 12th. We will once again be meeting at the Pittsburgh Morrow auditorium on the corner of Davis and Fleming Avenues at 7 PM.
Representative Ravenstahl Concerned About Corbett's Budget CutsAdam RavenstahlPennsylvania State Representative
State Representative Adam Ravenstahl said the budget proposed in March by Governor Tom Corbett would result in higher property taxes and skyrocketing tuition bills for Allegheny County residents and could hurt the economy of the Pittsburgh area.
The proposed budget would cut funding to the Pittsburgh School District by $34.1 million, including an $18.85 million reduction in basic education. It also would eliminate a $2.5 million grant the district uses to fund an after-school program for children struggling with reading and math, a $5.4 million grant for early childhood education and a $9.3 million reimbursement to offset losses to charter schools.The Shaler School District stands to lose $927,000 and the North Hills School District will lose $463,000 in basic education funding.
"Our local school districts will have no choice but to raise property taxes, increase class sizes and cut early childhood education programs that have been proven to prepare our children, particularly our at-risk children, for success in school," Ravenstahl said. "The education budget should be an investment in our future."
Ravenstahl said he also was troubled by the governor's plan to slash higher education funding for state-related universities, including the University of Pittsburgh.
The budget would cut Pitt's general appropriation in half from $160 million to $80 million and eliminate a $17 million appropriation that supports University programs in health sciences, including the School of Medicine, Dental Clinic and Center for Public Health Practice. Pitt also stands to lose $9 million a year from the tobacco settlement fund, which it uses for biomedical research support.
"The reduction in Pitt's general appropriation will lead to higher tuition bills, and I'm worried it will put a degree out of reach for children from working-class families," Ravenstahl said. "How does this help our state’s efforts to compete in the world economy? How does this convince our best and brightest to stay here in Pennsylvania to go to school, or to stay here and contribute once they graduate?"
Ravenstahl added that the University is an important part of the region's economy through direct employment and spin-off jobs created by businesses that rely on the University. He said the budget cuts could hurt the University's role in the regional economy, which has become more important during the economic slowdown.
Ravenstahl also said cuts Corbett proposed to health care, including $113 million to hospitals, would be shifted to the hospitals and insurance ratepayers.
"This budget should not be balanced on the backs of hardworking Pennsylvanians," Ravenstahl said.The 20th Legislative District includes the North Side, Lawrenceville, Polish Hill, Strip District and Stanton Heights neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, as well as West View borough and parts of Reserve and Ross townships.
Representative Adam Ravenstahl’s constituent office is at 3689 California Avenue, Pittsburgh. It is open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday to Friday. Ravenstahl also invites residents to visit his website --www.pahouse.com/Ravenstahl -- which has links to information on state services and includes a "Contact Me" form that allows constituents to e-mail him.
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From page 2 - [BHT] Brighton Heights Trivia Answer: Streets with Red Bricks? Seven…
Chellis, Cornell, Harbison, Kleeber, Penock, Wittmer, Brighton Heights Boulevard
Columbia Gas Grant and YouThe Columbia Gas Company has given
the Federation a grant for $3000 to thank the neighborhood for its patience while they put in new lines and meters. In order to pass the thanks on to you, our neighbors, the Board of Directors is offering grants to residents for fixing up the exteriors of their houses. The first phase of the grants will be to enhance the neighborhood in time for the annual House Tour in 2011.
This is how it will work:
• Any improvement you make to your house between March 1, 2011 and May 31, 2011 is eligible for the grant.
• The time period of the grant may be extended.
• You will receive 25% of what you spend to beautify the exterior of your house, be it planting flowers, painting, siding, windows, et cetera, up to a maximum of $100 per house per year (as long as the grant lasts.)
• You must submit receipts for the expenses and before and after pictures.
• Labor costs are not included, only supplies.
• Anyone can participate, owners or renters, but the structure must be in Brighton Heights.
• The improvement must be visible from the street.
• The improvements will be inspected before checks are issued. We will publish the grant recipients online on our website.
So start spiffying up your digs now and help Brighton Heights shine!
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Use the following list as a general guideline. Schedule several full days to attend to more involved projects, such as washing windows, shampooing carpets, or cleaning out closets.Kitchen
Vacuum refrigerator grill & coilWipe the inside of the freezer
Living RoomRotate heavy curtains, rugs, & throws for lightweight ones
BedroomsReplace cool weather bedding with warm weather beddingLaunder or dry clean blankets
Home OfficeClean out filesReview & update insurance policies, contracts, &household inventories
ClosetsReorganize closets, giving away unwanted itemsReplace cool weather clothing with warm weather
clothingUtility Spaces
Remove lint from the hose attached to your clothes dryerClean the attic & basement, giving away unwanted itemsVacuum & mop attic & basement floors
Outdoor SpacesScrub porch ceilings & wallsScrub porch floors, decks, patios, driveway & walkwayScrub outdoor furniture, umbrellas, & awningsWash light fixture coversClean gutters
Throughout the HouseVacuum & wipe walls & ceilingsShampoo wall-to-wall carpets & area rugs with backingsSend area rugs without backings out for pro cleaningSteam clean upholsteryDust radiatorsReseal stone surfacesReseal groutLaunder machine washable window treatmentsDry clean non- machine washable window treatmentsTake books off shelves, dust shelves & booksPolish metal door & window hardwareOil window & door hingesWax wood furnitureWax wood, stone, concrete, brick, & unglazed tile floorsStrip & rewax vinyl & linoleum floorsWash windows & window screensRemove, wash, & store storm windows
Spring CleaningThis is a good time to attack those cleaning
jobs you have been putting off because the task is usually daunting. Here are a few tips from our neighborhood cleaning company, Tim Maloney the Dirt Doctor, to help you get started and do a thorough job.
Coming to a computer near you! The Brighton Heights website is being
redesigned to better serve and involve our residents. The unveiling will coincide with
the next issue of the Citizens Report.
Brighton Heights Citizens Federation
Box 99696 * Pittsburgh, Pa. 15212
Nonprofit Organization US Postage
PAID Pittsburgh, PaPermit #2804
The next general membership meeting will be held at 7 PM on May 12th, 2011 at the Pittsburgh Morrow Auditorium on the corner of Davis and Fleming Avenues.
This newsletter is printed for us by Allegheny General Hospital and we appreciate their generosity!
Membership is also available on-line at www.brightonheights.org - Click on “Membership”