Rebuilding Clairton Together
  • Home
  • Welcome
  • Updates Feed
  • About Us (RCT)
    • Mission Statement & Philosophy
    • Theme Song
  • Helpful Resources
  • DCEDD (Dept OF Community & Economic Development)
  • City Council Minutes

New Ordinances Adopted

1/29/2013

1 Comment

 
OFFICIAL NOTICE CITY OF CLAIRTON ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
At their Regular Scheduled Council meetings held by the Clairton City Council the following Ordinances were adopted:

ORDINANCE NO. 1869


AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE REGULAR AND WORKSHOP MEET­INGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR 2013.

ORDINANCE NO. 1868


AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1865 BY FIXING AND ESTABLISHING THE REAL ESTATE TAX RATE FOR 2013 AND IM­POSING DISCOUNTS, PENALTIES AND INTEREST THEREON.

ORDINANCE NO. 1867

AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR SALARIES AND WAGES OF EM­PLOYEES OF THE CITY OF CLAIRTON FOR THE PERIOD BEGIN­NING JANUARY 1, 2013 AND THEREAFTER.

ORDINANCE NO. 1866

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BE­GINNING JANUARY 1, 2013 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2013, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF CLAIRTON.

ORDINANCE NO. 1865

AN ORDINANCE FIXING AND ESTABLISHING THE REAL ESTATE TAX RATE FOR 2013 AND IMPOSING DISCOUNTS, PENALTIES AND IN­TEREST THEREON.

ORDINANCE NO. 1864

AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR REVISED SALARIES AND WAGES OF VARIOUS EMPLOYEES COMMENCING WITH THE PAY PERIOD BEGINNING OCTOBER 16, 2012 AND THEREAFTER.

ORDINANCE NO. 1863

AN ORDINANCE RELATIVE TO THE PROCUREMENT OF PROFES­SIONAL SERVICES FOR THE MUNICIPAL PENSION PLANS PUR­SUANT TO ACT 44 OF 2009, THE MUNICIPAL PENSION PLAN FUNDING STANDARD AND RECOVERY LAW.

ORDINANCE NO. 1862

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING 72 P.S., SECTION 5511.19 FOR THE COLLECTION OF TAX ON REAL PROPERTY OUT OF RENT PAY­MENTS BY TENANT(S) WITHIN THE CITY OF CLAIRTON.

ORDINANCE NO. 1861

APPROVING THE ASSESSMENT OF HOLDING CELL FEES WITHIN THE CITY OF CLAIRTON The full and complete text of the above Ordinances may be examined at the Office of the City Manager, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Clairton Municipal Building.

Howard J. Bednar City Manager 548/2106(1/28/2013)

1 Comment

Scheduled Council meetings and workshops

1/29/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
0 Comments

Clairton police emphasize outreach, proactive work

1/25/2013

0 Comments

 
BY MICHAEL DIVITTORIO

Increased patrols and more community policing by Clairton officers made a signifi­cant impact in dealing with crime in the city last year.

Clairton police’s year-end call logs recently were released, showing an emphasis on out­reach and being proactive.

Total calls for 2012 were 10,739, an increase of 1,525 calls from 2011, according to police documents.

There were 2,185 business/house checks last year, an increase of 642. Community oriented policing efforts totaled 334 cases, up by 157, and extra patrols increased from 439 to 997.

“I believe because there was a lower crimi­nal rate throughout the summer, specifically dealing with juveniles, that led (us) to be able to do dif ferent community oriented policing calls,” police Chief Rob Hoffman said. “(It was) as simple as being able to get into the stores more often.”

Mayor Rich Lattanzi said he knows officers are doing everything in their power to make the streets safe for residents, and the depart­ment incorporated multiple programs last year to boost positive relationships with the public.

“I see them being more oriented as police officers interacting with the citizens of Clairton,” Lattanzi said.

In March and April, Clairton community police officer Jeff Nolte organized the Clairton City Public Safety Academy. It provided a weekly opportunity for residents and others to learn more about the police and fire depart­ments, as well as to tour the Allegheny County Jail and Allegheny County 911 Center.

The mayor said police are doing a “bona fide job” in dealing with drug activity, keeping violent crimes to a minimum, and “taking the nonsense out of the streets.”

“We’re not going to sit back and allow some­one to take over our town,” Lattanzi said.

Last year there were 17 reported drug deal­ings, down by 14 from 2011. Drug offenses were 63, up by 43 from 2011. Burglaries totaled 123, a decrease of 19. Assaults totaled 65, down by 16. Animal complaints numbered 183, down by 49. Criminal mischiefs totaled 144, an increase of 24. Juvenile complaints totaled 169, up by 30, and loud noise complaints totaled 37, down by 30. Criminal mischief calls numbered 144, up by 24. Curfew complaints totaled five, a decrease 
of 14. Thefts numbered 243, an increase of 42.

Police arrested 583 adults, down by five, and 162 juveniles, down by 38. Officers issued 1,114 citations in 2012, an increase of 91.

“My opinion on the year is the first three quarters of the year remained the same,” Hoff­man said. “There was a feeling of less type of crimes that would suspect that you’re going to have violent crimes.”

No homicides occurred last year; 2011 saw a single fatality. However, attempted homicides went up from one to four last year.

School details were listed at 75 in 2012, an increase of 58.

“There were safety precautions made to benefit the students and staff,” Clairton City School District spokesperson Alexis Trubiani said. “They were outside to assist with dismiss­als. Any extra help is always welcome; any collaboration between the city and school’s always appreciated.”

Hoffman said officers were involved in after­school programs. The department has heard no negative feedback about those efforts.

Reports also show little to no change in other calls such as 911 hang-ups, disturbed persons, fireworks complaints, hazards, Protection From Abuse order violations, prostitution, public drunkenness, sex offenses, terroristic threats and shots fired.

Clairton police have eight full-time and 15 part-time officers, the same number as in 2011 and 2012.

“We’re looking to maintain our objective and to maintain our code of ethics and our objec­tives that we’ve always maintained,” Hoffman said. “We’re hoping for another year with even less violence and being able to work with the community to keep them safe. That’s what we’re here for.”


Michael DiVittorio is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1965 or [email protected].



0 Comments

Vacant Property and Redevelopment Meetings

1/24/2013

0 Comments

 
The following meetings/dates will be listed on RCT's community calendar for future reference: http://communitycalendar.weebly.com/

Notice is hereby given of the following 2013 meetings scheduled in the Clairton City Hall, 551 Ravensburg B...lvd., Clairton, PA
Both meetings times are prevailing time.

Vacant Property Review Committee
Third Thursday – 5:00 p.m.

Redevelopment Authority of Clairton
Fourth Thursday – 6:00 p.m.

Howard J. Bednar, City Manager
0 Comments

Clairton considers realigning 6th grade

1/24/2013

0 Comments

 
BY MICHAEL DIVITTORIO

Clairton City School Dis­trict officials are preparing to reconfigure grade levels for next school year to better align their curriculum for standardized testing.

School directors unani­mously approved at Wednes­day night’s meeting autho­rizing the administration to look into starting the process of redesignating sixth grade from the elementary level to the high school level.

“The elementary school’s still aligned to the (Penn­sylvania System of School Assessment), but they have star ted to align secondary schools to what they call a Common Core (state stan­dards),” superintendent Wayde Killmeyer said. “It’s a nationwide system of school curriculum align­ment. For those purposes, PDE aligns g rade six with the high school. We’ve con­sidered grade six part of our elementary school.

“If we reconfigure, all it’s going to do in name is put the sixth grade under the high school umbrella so that it’s on the same curriculum alignment as the rest of the high school. (There will be) no structural changes. Nobody’s going to move any classrooms. It’s almost strictly a paperwork thing.”

Killmeyer said reconfigur­ing was not mandated.

“The elementary school’s aligned their curriculum to the PSSAs,” Killmeyer said. “The state is moving away from PSSAs to the Keystone Exams. The Common Core is part of that move ... We could leave it the way it is, but then that would make things more difficult for the elementary principal, for the elementary teachers because we try to keep the same curriculum (kindergarten) through sixth (grade). Now sixth grade is going to have to be in a differ­ent alignment. We’re hoping to get that started for next school year.”

The school district recon­figured grade levels about five years ago when there was an elementary school with kindergarten through fifth grades, a separate mid­dle school with sixth, seventh and eighth grades, and a high school with ninth through 12th grades. It reconfigured to its current alignment of kindergarten through sixth grade in elementary, and seventh through 12th at the middle/high school level.

School directors were recognized at Wednesday night’s meeting as part of School Board Recognition Month.

District spokesperson Alexis Trubiani said stu­dents and staff throughout the district worked on dif­ferent projects to show their appreciation for the board.

Senior and student coun­cil representative Iyannah Grant presented school directors with gifts on behalf of her group.

Current board members are president Richard Liv­ingston, vice president Pau­lette Bradford, and school directors Robert Harrigan, Gloria James, Barbara Rob­erts, Gloria Ruffing, Roger Tachoir, Sue Wessel and Jen­nifer Williams. Livingston announced pay for substitute teachers was increased from $75 per day to $90 for the first 20 days and $105 per day after that for the remainder of the school year.

He said the pay was increased so the district would have more competitive wages for substitutes.


Michael DiVittorio is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1965, or
[email protected].
0 Comments

Developer still unsure of next step for Clairton grocery store property

1/24/2013

0 Comments

 
By Michael DiVittorio

Published: Thursday, January 24, 2013, 4:46 a.m.
Updated 8 hours ago

A developer of a proposed Save-A-Lot store in Clairton has not decided what to do with the property since backing out of the project last week.

Sierra Development LLC submitted a letter to the city, signed by Sierra’s managing principal Jeff Smith and principal Gil Berry, stating it “introspectively and thoroughly vacillated over our decision before concluding that we should not move forward with the grocery store.”

Howard Slaughter, a consultant for Sierra Development, spoke with company officials on Tuesday.

“Sierra is not in any discussions with another grocery store at this point and is presently undecided as to future options for this parcel,” Slaughter said. “However, the property is currently listed for sale, but Sierra is keeping its options open.”

The proposed Save-A-Lot was to be on the site of the former Blair Heights housing development along Maple Avenue, near Route 837 and U.S. Steel’s Clairton plant. It’s in Ward 2, which is Councilman Richard Ford’s ward.

“I’m really upset about it,” Ford said. “I wish (Sierra) would have wanted to continue on. We did not do all that we could have done to bring in a grocery store. We could have been more cooperative with the developer. The thing is we were supposed to bring in a grocery store for our citizens.”

Sierra Development, through its Cityplace Center LLC subsidiary, bought the 6.03-acre land for $100,000 from the Allegheny County Housing Authority in 2011.

The plan was to develop a 15,500-square-foot grocery store with 65 parking spaces.

Slaughter said Sierra hired The Barry L. Stein Co. to list the property for sale.

Company owner Barry Stein said his real estate agency was hired by Sierra within the last 10 days. A market study is being done, and there is no confirmed price for the lot, Stein said. The property is expected to be posted on the company’s website by the end of the week.

“If Sierra has it up for sale anybody can buy it and do whatever they want to do,” Ford said.

Sierra’s letter also highlights some financial commitments the company sought for the project, including $80,000 for geotechnical work, a $1 million loan through First Commonwealth Bank, $471,000 for new equipment, a $250,000 loan from the Redevelopment Authority of Duquesne and a $625,000 operational grant.

The operational grant had a provision that Sierra open the grocery store by February 2014.

Clairton officials prepared a letter for residents in response to Sierra’s decision. A copy of that letter — which highlights some of its financial contributions including $740,000 in Allegheny County Community Development Block Grant and state Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund monies — is available at the finance office.

Mayor Rich Lattanzi said Friday evening the city’s contribution would have been about $1.5 million with the grants, street improvements and a $600,000 tax abatement package. “We felt we couldn’t go any further than that,” he said.

Ford disagrees. “We had a great opportunity here, and this council really didn’t work as much as they made it sound like they worked. The (grant) money was being directed through the city. That’s not Clairton’s money and that cannot be counted as Clairton contributing to that (project) ... There were ways we could have helped ourselves. It’s a sad scenario. We got to go further.”

Residents at several council meetings last year urged councilors to find a way to get a grocery store into the city.

Slaughter told residents and city officials on Jan. 8 of this year there was about a $460,000 shortfall on the project. Residents and business owners at that meeting urged council not to give Sierra that money.

Lattanzi said the city was not going to fill the financial gap for the company.

The city was in negotiations last year with Paramount Development Corp. for a Bottom Dollar grocery store along St. Clair Avenue. Paramount would have had to acquire some properties and possibly a few lots along Waddell Avenue to build the store.

The city went with Sierra’s proposal and stopped negotiations with Paramount because Sierra had already acquired its property.

Michael DiVittorio is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1965, or [email protected].

Read more: http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourmckeesport/yourmckeesportmore/3341377-74/sierra-store-grocery#ixzz2Iw6MmSeK
Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook
0 Comments

Friends wanted

1/22/2013

0 Comments

 
Friends of the Clairton Public Library is looking for interested citizens who want to organize fun and educa­tional events that benefit the library and the community.

The group meets on the second Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. at 616 Miller Ave. Contact Lindy Marwood at 412-869-1640 or the library at 412-233-7966 for more information.
0 Comments

New:  Search Box

1/19/2013

0 Comments

 
Try the new search box on the top of the Home Page!  Remember seeing something on here but don't know what month...what tab it was under etc?  Well, now you can type in a keyword and find all topics on this site that include that keyword!


Try typing in Bears, or School, or pizza and see what you get.
0 Comments

Building our Minds

1/19/2013

1 Comment

 
If you haven't run across this before, its worth checking out.  The site is called Quizlet and its great for students and anyone who wants to continue learning/exercizing the brain...AND ITS FREE.

Learn languages/vocabulary, Arts & Literature, Standardize testing, Profession & Careers, Math & Science, History & Geography.

Have kids in school?  Introduce them to this.  Have them check out the SAT flash card sets.

DEFINITELY WORTH CHECKING OUT AND SHARING WITH OTHERS!

http://quizlet.com/
1 Comment

Community Involvement

1/17/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
The "Comprehensive Plan For The City Of Clairton" was adopted in March 2011.  The information in this plan was gathered by the opinions and comments of the public via public meetings/surveys.  This comprehensive plan takes you through the process of how issues were identified, what the issues are, and what the plan is to accomplish the objectives.

In Chapter 3, the plan takes you through the steps used in accomplishing the objective of assessing the needs and creating the plan itself.
Picture
Click to Enlarge
A steering committee was formed, there was City-School partnership, a Website/Blog was used to communicate, a Economic Development Focus Group was established, Surveys were utilized, Stakeholders were interviewed, Youth were involved, and Public meetings were held.  These steps were taken to accomplish developing this "Plan." 

Rebuilding Clairton Together (RCT) was formed to help bring this plan to fruition.  Through this website, our goal is to invlove the public in the process through similar steps.  Our purpose is to work together to learn, teach, and apply our knowledge to better ourselves and our community.  Through this website and our new Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/#!/RebuildingClairton), we are looking to network with others to help our city & its individuals grow and prosper.

We encourage you to take an interest in your community, volunteer your time in helping the many organizations formed to help you, and grow with us.

This Comprehensive Plan can be found in the tabs on the left of this Updates Blog. 

Check out the Community Calendar for upcoming community meetings/events and if you have one that is not listed, please let us know so we can inform the community!
0 Comments

"PROUD TO BE FROM CLAIRTON"

1/16/2013

1 Comment

 
Thursday, January 17th at 7:30 p.m. on the Pittsburgh 360 program WQED TV.

Michael Bartley spends three days in Clairton, leading up to the Clairton Bears state championship game in Hershey. Could they win a historic 63rd game in a row, and a historic 4th championship in a row. Bartley speaks with players, coaches, and Clairton residents who agree this special group of seniors and their successes transcend ...football, bringing pride back to Clairton.
1 Comment

Public Notice

1/16/2013

0 Comments

 

CITY OF CLAIRTON OFFICIAL PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given of the fol­lowing meetings to be held on Thursday, January 17th, 2013 in the Clairton City Hall, 551 Ravensburg Blvd., Clairton, PA. Both meeting times are prevailing time.

Vacant Property Review Committee - 5:00 p.m.

Redevelopment Authority of Clairton - 6:00 p.m.

0 Comments

Clairton Deadline to apply for Hadley scholarship is March 15

1/16/2013

0 Comments

 
Applications available for scholarship programs

DAILY NEWS

The Consortium for Public Education has distributed applications to area high schools for two scholarship programs it oversees — the Hope Scholarship and the Dr. Matthew R. Hadley Scholarship.

The Hope Scholarship is an award specifically for seniors in East Allegheny, Steel Valley, West Mifflin Area and Woodland Hills high schools who plan to continue their education at an accredited college, uni­versity or technical school. Two $1,000 awards will be made this year.

Mimi Falbo and her broth­ers and sisters founded the scholarship to honor their parents, Margaret and Frank Sattler. The first Hope Scholarships were awarded in 2006.

The Hadley scholarship, in the amount of $1,000, is open to seniors in Clairton, East Allegheny, McKeesport Area, Steel Valley and South Allegheny high schools who plan to continue their educa­tion at a four-year college or university. The scholarship is given in memory of Had­ley, a longtime McKeesport­ area physician who served the community for decades through his private practice and his years on staff at McKeesport Hospital.

Deadline to apply for both awards is March 15. Students should contact their guid­ance counselors for applica­tion forms.

Both applications may be printed from the Consortium website. Visit
www.tcfpe.org and follow the scholarship prompts.



0 Comments

50th Anniversary of Martin Luther King's speech.

1/16/2013

1 Comment

 
From CEC Website:  http://www.clairton.k12.pa.us/
Parent/Community Advisory Council
TITLE I Meeting
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
6:30 p.m.

(please use Elementary Entrance)
 
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of
Dr. Martin Luther King’s
I Have a Dream Speech
with special guest
Gregory Gibson Kenney
 
Every child attending will receive a free book for his or her home library!
Families will receive information to assist their students
with reading comprehension.

Please R.S.V.P. by Thursday, January 17, 2013 using the attached form.
titleimeeting20130122.pdf
File Size: 25 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

1 Comment

CEDCC MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

1/14/2013

4 Comments

 
Picture
JANUARY 2013
Picture
HELPFUL INFORMATION:

Ø  Mon Valley Bridge- offer GED preparatory classes for youth such as; high school drop outs (16-21 yrs old), receiving CYF services & close to the “aging out” point ( 16-18 yrs old), no longer receiving services due to “aging out” of system (18-20 yrs old).  This class is FREE & many incentives for completion of classes.  In addition to test preparation, they offer job readiness, training, resume preparation, college preparation, & life skills assistance.  The classroom is located at 336 Shaw Ave., McKeesport, PA.  For more information call 412-948-1800.

Ø  Greyhound Bus Company- looking for 600 bus drivers.  No previous driving experience or CDL license is needed, they will train those hired.  Applicants should be over 25 yrs old and pass a drug screening test. There are some positions for those 22-24 yrs old.  Starting salary is $25.00/hr.  If interested please contact John Hall at (773)925-1572 or (773)972-8196 or log online to
www.greyhound.com/en/drivingcareers.aspx

Ø  LIHEAP- If you need help paying your heating bills or have a heating emergency.  Call the LIHEAP Hotline to see if you are eligible at 1-866-857-7095

UNITED WAY- you may qualify for free tax preparation if your 2012 total household income was up to $40,000 or up to $20,000 if filing as an individual.
Please call United Way at 211 or 412-255-1155.

Ø  Work Link-  Heritage Work Link provides rides to work, job training, education, childcare, Port Authority routes, & other job related activities.  Please come to the CEDCC Office to pick up your application to apply.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
           
Unity Meeting

Date: Wed Jan 23, 2013

Where: Clairton Municipal Building

Time:  10:00am

CEDCC Board Meeting

Date: Thurs Feb 7th, 2013

Where:  CEDCC

Time:  6:00pm

All Are Welcome!!

First Aid & Fire Safety Class

Date: Sat Feb 2, 2013
Where:  CEDCC
282 St.Clair Ave.
Clairton, PA 15025

Time:  12:00pm

Fee:  $25.00



The CEDCC Office will be CLOSED in Honor of Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Mon Jan 21st, 2013.


4 Comments

First Aid & Fire Safety Class

1/14/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Training will be done by Red Cross & upon completion of class you will receive certification!

When:  Saturday February 2nd, 2013

Time:  12:00 p.m

Where: CEDCC Community Human Resource Center

              282 St.Clair Ave.

              Clairton, PA 15025

Fee:  $25.00

MUST Pre-Register before Friday Jaunary 25th, 2012

Please call the CEDCC office for more information or call to register at 412-226-1587.

This class can benefit anyone, but the certificate can be useful for Child Care Providers & Teachers to show they have been trained in this area.

0 Comments

THE FUTURE IS MINE

1/11/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
.An initiative of The Consortium for Public Education, TFIM empowers you to find your passion in life and discover how to build your future. ..
"So, what in the world do you want to do with your life? You mean you haven't figured it out yet"

But you're in high school, for goodness sake! You've got to start getting serious about the future now!"

"Oh, don't worry about making a career decision now. Just find a good school to get into and you'll figure the rest out from there. The important thing is that you get a college degree and you'll be guaranteed success."

Do the above quotations sound familiar to you? Sort of conflicting advice, right? Well, we all (meaning us 'know-it-all' adults) mean well by it. However, neither pieces of advice are actually empowering you to find happiness and success in your future.

Great news, though! By being involved in The Future Is Mine you are empowering yourself to find your passion in life and begin discovering how to build a future with that passion as the core. Or, perhaps you already know what your passion is and exactly the career you would like to pursue. Great! Either way,The Future Is Mine welcomes you to come along with an open-mind and explore all the options that you didn't even know existed!

The Future Is Mine (TFIM) is the Consortium for Public Education's initiative that reaches into high schools, middle schools and elementary schools to connect students to authentic career awareness experiences.

The Consortium is a unique third-party convener, broker and catalyst dedicated to making a difference in the lives of all children and their communities.

TFIM helps students focus on learning how to drive their careers, from accessing appropriate academic opportunities to packaging skills and talents to navigating the world of work. Its goal is to help all students find their passion and pursue their dreams' but in an informed way that will lead to future success.

For more information on TFIM, please visit:  http://www.thefutureismine.com/content.agent?page_name=About

0 Comments

Food chain needs funds for its store in ClairtonRead more:

1/11/2013

0 Comments

 
By Michael DiVittorio

Published: Friday, January 11, 2013, 4:06 a.m.
Updated 14 hours ago

A developer of a proposed Save-A-Lot grocery store in Clairton is requesting the city fill in a $460,000 financial gap in the project.

Howard Slaughter, a consultant for Sierra Development, told residents and city officials about the shortfall earlier this week.

“We have certain dollars in place. We have to leverage those dollars,” Slaughter said at Tuesday‘s council meeting. “We‘re about ($460,000-$500,000) away from where we need to go on this development. That‘s pretty much where we are, unless we can fill the gap, Sierra will not be able to move forward because that will be difficult to do.”

The Save-A-Lot is projected to be located on the former Blair Heights housing development along Maple Avenue, not far from Route 837 and the U.S. Steel Clairton coke plant.

Sierra Development, through its Cityplace Center LLC subsidiary, bought the 6.03-acre land for $100,000 from the Allegheny County Housing Authority in 2011.

The plan is to develop a 15,500-square-foot grocery with 65 parking spaces.

City officials have yet to say if they would grant Sierra‘s request.

“This is probably the biggest project that we‘ve worked on as council members in the city of Clairton, trying to make something happen for our city,” Councilman Richard Ford said.

“I do see that it‘s very possible (to have a grocery store),” Mayor Rich Lattanzi said.

Resident Joe Julian said he‘s opposed to the city giving any money to Sierra, noting that when he started his business, “we didn‘t get a dime from this city.”

“We should not have to pay for a grocery store,” Julian said. “I‘ve been eating without a grocery store for the last 10 years, and I don‘t think we should pay a dime of our tax money for any business to come here.”

Council voted to approve development and site control agreements between the city and Sierra Development LLC in September.

The agreements were needed to be in place prior to submitting applications for Allegheny County Community Development Block Grant and state Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund grant requests.

The city is seeking $490,000 in CDBG funds and $250,000 in CTIF monies on behalf of Sierra.

Slaughter lauded city officials for their efforts in trying to bring a grocery store to Clairton.

Councilman John Lattanzi said he hasn‘t seen enough from Sierra to have the city assist the project any further.

“I‘m against it unless they can show me they got enough money to finance this project,” Lattanzi said. “Show me the money. That‘s my story. I‘ve been telling them I wanted to see financial reports, and they never provided.”

Lattanzi also said he spoke with city solicitor J. Deron Gabriel, who informed officials the money requested cannot be a direct loan to an individual or company.

Slaughter said Sierra‘s financial commitment to the store, including cash equity, total roughly $2.5 million.

“That is the maximum that the organization can put into a grocery store,” Slaughter said.

Sierra‘ applying for a $250,000 loan through the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Duquesne. Sierra also committed $471,000 toward purchasing equipment, and seeks a $1 million loan through First Commonwealth Bank.

Slaughter said Sierra received a commitment for $625,000 in an operational grant, but the store would have to open by February 2014 to get those funds.

Slaughter declined to say where that money is coming from.

Ford said he expects the city to receive a letter from Sierra by Friday showing all the financial commitments the company received.

“We need $460,000 to fill all the gaps for the money we feel we need to make it happen,” Ford said. “I pray that the city will commit to it because it is for our city. If the county don‘t see we have our end of the commitment, they‘re not going to commit to us.”

Michael DiVittorio is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1965, or
[email protected].



Read more:
http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourmckeesport/yourmckeesportmore/3272096-74/sierra-store-clairton#ixzz2Hi8jQEun
Follow us:
@triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook
0 Comments

Clairton Residents Honored

1/10/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
BY MICHAEL DIVITTORIO Members of the Clairton community were honored for making the city a better place.
Officials handed out 21 out­standing citizenship awards at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

Each of the five council members selected citiz ens in their ward who have made a difference. Awardees included members of nonprofit groups, cleanup helpers, youth foot­ball leaders and volunteers.

“They really do stuff with kids to bring them into adult­hood to make them better citizens, but nobody would recognize them,” Councilman Richard Ford said. “They’re not recognizing people who are running down to the little league field and giving (play­ers) a ride home, and making sure they g et equipment and a ride to the football game. T hese people do that kind of stuff out of their own pockets, and out of their own interest of the kids. They don’t get paid for it. They just do it.”

The outstanding citizens are Robert Alderson, Wil­liam Bradford, Francie Scruggs, Paulette Bradford, Kathy Ulmer, Nick Nickol­ich, Domenic Virgona, Cathy White, Jeff and Robin Thomp­son, Bessie James, Janella Hamlin, May Sutton, Richard Ford, Wayde Killmeyer, Joyce Hammons, Pauline Long, Kathy Kovton, Ilene Rossi, Ross Tuttle and Rudy Sanu­telli.

“I really felt every citizen in this town should have got­ten this award,” Councilman Terry 
Julian said.

It was standing room only in the council chambers for the presentation.

“It was people supporting those people who were getting awards,” Ford said. “I said, ‘Hey, what did we do to get all these young people at the council meeting?’ It’s a good thing.”

Council approved the follow­ing appointments:



•
Nicholas Nickolich to a five-year term on the Clairton Municipal Author­ity.

• Valerie A. Pavlick-Gnazzo to a four-year term on the planning commission.

• Marjorie A. Davis to a three-year term on the zon­ing hearing board.

•
Donald Amzi Lightner to a four-year term on the vacant property review com­mittee.

•
Joseph Julian to a three­ year term on the zoning hearing board.

Council accepted propos­als from Tri Eagle Energy to purchase electric genera­tion services for various city accounts.


Michael DiVittorio is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1965, or
[email protected].



0 Comments

Clairton Prays for Peace

1/3/2013

0 Comments

 
New Years Eve Prayers Over Clairton.  Click on picture to go to story in the Daily News.
Picture
Clairton pastors and church-goers join in a chorus of 'God Bless America' during Monday's Prayers Over Clairton event at city hall. Jennifer R. Vertullo | Daily News
0 Comments

    Author

    Cathy White,
    Rebuilding Clairton Together

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2017
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012


    Categories

    All
    Community Day
    Historical Pictures
    School

    If you would like to receive an email with updates to this page (once daily), enter your email address below and confirm the email sent to you.

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    *Important:  Once you enter your address above, you need to confirm the request via the emai that is immediately sent to you from feedburner.  If its not in your email, it may be in your spam box.

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.