Clairton board, secretaries reach accord 
4-year settlement includes additional $1,200 each year  

BY MICHAEL DIVITTORIO

Clairton City School Dis­trict has a new contract with the Clairton Secretarial Association. 
 
The school board approved the agreement, effective July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2016, by a 6-2 vote on Wednesday night.
 
Directors Robert Harri­gan and Sue Wessel were opposed. Board vice presi­dent Paulette Bradford was absent.

“It gives us labor peace with all our bargaining units for at least the next year,” board president Rich Livingston said. “We can plan our budgets because we have knowledge of what our employees are going to make. Everything’s been settled.”

The contract impacts six secretaries — one for the elementary school, guidance counselor, special education and high school, and two at the business office.

Livingston said the con­tract gives each secretary an additional $1,200 each year across the board, and includes a starting salary wage freeze for all four years.

School directors approved contracts for paraprofes­sionals last year, and for teachers in September 2011. They
expire in June 2015 and June 2014, respectively.

The paraprofessional con­tract was the first in district history.

The teachers contract included a wage freeze for a year, and no raises for the first and second years of service to the district. The previous teachers contract expired in 2010. 
 
School directors approved a change to this year’s calen­dar, scheduling Wednesday as a make-up day for Feb. 28, when a sewage prob­lem caused cancellation of classes.

Directors approved Josh Geletko as a volunteer coach for the boys basketball team, and Ted Ulmer, Dean Brad­ley and Dennis Gullasky as volunteer assistant baseball coaches for the 2013 season. 
 
District officials met with state Sen. James Brewster, D-McKeesport, prior to the board meeting.

Livingston said they wanted to show Brewster the district’s budget.

“He’s been very support­ive of the district,” Livings­ton said. “We want to make sure that when he goes up to Harrisburg, he has all our information to show what the state budget is doing to us. I want
to thank him for coming.”

The board expelled two students on Wednesday.  
 
Michael DiVittorio is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1965, or mdivittorio@ tribweb.com.

“It gives us labor peace with all our bargaining units for at least the next year.”  
 
RICH LIVINGSTON
SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT

Judge gives councilor 2 more days to answer primary challenger  
BY PATRICK CLOONAN

Clairton’s Democratic con­test for mayor remains a four­way race, at least for six more days.

On Wednesday, Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Joseph M. James gave Coun­cilman Richard Ford III two days to resubmit his state­ment of financial interest.
 
Mayor Richard Lattanzi’s attorney Glenn A. Smith will have two days to respond and then Lattanzi’s challenge of Ford’s candidacy will be aired before James April 3 at 1:50 p.m.

James considered chal­lenges to municipal ballot positions for the May 21 pri­mary. 
 
Smith contends that Ford failed to disclose all sources of income and names and addresses of creditors to whom he owed $6,500 or more.

“He’s hiding tax debt owed to the city,” Smith said.

“My client reasonably believed payment was made in good faith,” Ford’s attorney Burrell Brown said. 
 
Ford and Lattanzi share the ballot with Councilman Terry Lee Julian and former council candidate Kenneth Barna.

Julian is running for re­election to council in Ward 3. He is challenged by legal sec­retary Levina B. Lasich,
who is seeking to remove Julian from the ballot for mayor and council, claiming that Julian owes more than $34,000 to the city and Clairton City School District.

James tossed that challenge because Lasich did not file it in a timely matter.

Julian said he may take legal action, because docu­ments attached to Lasich’s petition gave incorrect infor­mation
about what he still owes from a venture that went out of business in 1996.


He said the documents should have come through a right-to-know process, not from tax collectors for the city and school district.

Liberty’s Democratic coun­cil contest remains a five-way race, but may prompt a rare plaintiff’s appeal to Common­wealth Court. “My understanding is that we are going to appeal,” attor­ney J. Jason Elash said after James upheld the candidacy of incumbent S. Larry Sikor­ski.

Debbie Helderlein testified.

Elash, a former Liberty solicitor, had borough solici­tor George Gobel as his co­counsel, while attorney Mat­thew D. Racunas and his associate Kristin Mackulin represented Sikorski.

“We have a lot of hot-shot lawyers here,” James joked.

James told Sikorski to sub­mit an amended ethics state­ment to the borough by Friday.
  
“I have to thank Mr. Racu­nas for his excellent work,” Sikorski said.  “He did a tre­mendous job against the whole borough.”

A Dravosburg challenge was averted when Democrat Debo­rah Poppell withdrew her can­didacy for council.

She and former police chief Kenneth Holland quit the race prior to a Wednesday deadline for withdrawals.

Incumbent William J. Snod­grass Jr. challenged Poppell’s Democratic Party registra­tion.

Snodgrass remains on the May 21 primary ballot with fellow incumbents Barbara J. Stevenson and Jay McKelvey and former borough postmas­ter John Palcsey.

Patrick Cloonan is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1967, or [email protected].

Positions for vote in May 21st primary election are:

Mayor
Council positions for Wards 2 & 3
School Board positions for Wards 2, 3, 4 & At large

The Candidates in this primary election are:

Running for Mayor:
Democrats: Kenneth Barna, Richard L. Ford III, Terry Lee Julian, Richard Lattanzi
... Republicans: No candidates

Council – Ward 2:
Democrats: Richard L. Ford
Republicans: No candidates

Council – Ward 3:
Democrats: Terry Lee Julian, Lee (Levina) B. Lasich
Republicans: No candidates

School Board:
At- Large: Cross- filed Republican and Democrat: Gloria E. Bostick Ruffing
Democrat only: Tonya A. Payne

Ward/Region 2:
Democrat only: Gloria L. James.
Republican: No candidates

Ward/Region 3:
Cross-filed Republican and Democrat: Richard Livingston
Democrat only: Barbara Ann Roberts.

Ward/Region 4:
Democrat only: Paulette A. Bradford
Republican: No candidates

These are the people who seek to represent you. It is your duty to know what these positions control and what the candidates can and will do for our city/school. If you haven't taken an interest in this in the past, perhaps you can start now as it is important on the local level to choose the leadership wisely. Remember to look at the bigger picture and how each of these candidates will benefit the community as a whole..

Monday - Night of Clairton HIstory 7:00 p.m. Municipal building - For the public

Tuesday - Clairton Lions Club Meeting - New members welcome 6:00 p.m. WAC Club

Wednesday - School Board Workshop Meeting - 6:00 p.m.  High School Board Room (#225)

Thursday - Clairton Municipal Authority Meeting - 4:00 p.m.  Municipal Authority (Sewage plant)
Thursday - Vacant Property Review Committee - 5:00 p.m.  Municipal Building

This is just a weekly reminder that the recycling pickup is this week. 
Recycables will be picked up on the same day as your trash pickup.

First Recycling Bin for the place of residence is free and can be picked up anytime from 9:00am to 5:00pm in the Engineer's office at the city municipal building. Additional Bins are available for $6.00 each. 

Recycling Calenders can be picked up in the Engineering Office.  


Recyclable Items:
 
Clear Glass : Food and Beverage Only

All Cans: Aluminum, Bi-Metal, Steel (Tin)

Newspaper: Black and White Only/Minimum Color is Acceptable

Designated Plastics: HDPE, PETE and PVC Look on bottom of container for the Recyclable Symbol  

Program will focus on Clairton’s history
By Michael DiVittorio

Published: Friday, March 15, 2013, 3:51 a.m.
Updated 13  hours ago

Those who would like to learn more about the history of Clairton will have an opportunity to do so through an interactive program at the municipal building. 

A “Night of Clairton History” is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. at 551 Ravensburg Blvd. 

Guest speaker Joyce Schmidt will discuss the city's humble beginnings. 

“I'm going to start from the beginning of the Ice Age clear into the Industrial Revolution as Clairton was a steel town, and when it was part of Jefferson Township,” Schmidt said. 

Once known as the coke capital of the world, Clairton was incorporated in April 1903, before Wilson, Coal Valley and Peters Creek were part of the municipality. Clairton became a city in 1922 when it merged with sister boroughs North Clairton, also known as Blair, and Wilson.  

Schmidt, a local historian and president of the West Jefferson Hills Historical Society, is a fifth-generation Clairtonian. She's a former Jefferson Hills Public Library librarian. 

Schmidt said Clairton's first settlers were the Mound Indians, a nomad tribe following food. The Iroquois nation also traveled through the area for their powwows, she said. 

Various artifacts such as clothing from the 19th century, arrowheads and replica pottery and instruments will be part of the program. Other materials include research records such as the 1920 Census.  

Schmidt encourages audience participation and input. 
 
“I want people to bring up facts that I don't know so then we'll all know them,” she said. “I'm not sure we ever learn from (history), but we can build on our history.” 

West Jefferson Hills Historical Society is a nonprofit organization founded in 2000 with the goal of locating, documenting, chronicling and preserving, when possible, the sites and artifacts of historical significance from this region. Members accomplish this through the preservation of barns and houses that remain from the old farmsteads, along with buildings which housed companies throughout the years. 

Other artifacts and research from Clairton and surrounding areas can be found at the Jefferson Hills Public Library, 925 Old Clairton Road. 

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

Clairton officials OK claim for 2011 police incident

BY MICHAEL DIVITTORIO

Clairton officials approved a consent-to-settle offer at Tuesday night’s meeting in the case of Robert Ruffing
vs. the city and its insurance provider National Casualty Co.

Council also authorized city manager Howard Bednar to execute any and all necessary forms involving the claim
filed by the 77-year-old Clairton resident.

City solicitor J. Deron Gabriel declined to comment on the offer, noting all parties have not signed a settlement agreement.

The insurance claim stems from a traffic stop on Dec. 16, 2011, in which Ruffing was arrested for hindering apprehension of prosecution, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and fleeing or attempting to elude police officers.

After the incident, Ruffing’s attorney, John Zagari, said his client underwent emergency brain surgery in January 2012 as a result of head injuries sustained during his arrest.

The FBI and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office reviewed the case, including the actions of Officer Jeff Nolte, and neither agency charged the patrolman.
 
According to the complaint written by Nolte, a traffic stop was initiated near Waddell and Miller avenues when he spotted a man in the passenger seat of a vehicle driven by Ruffing. That man, identified as Wesley Neal, 55 at the time, of Clairton, was sought in connection with the assault of two people with a brick earlier that day.

Ruffing was ordered to exit the vehicle, swore at Nolte, moved his hands and “turned his body and swung his right elbow at (Nolte) towards (his) chest and head,” the complaint read.

Nolte reported Ruffing was placed into cus­tody by “using an armbar,” and the officer said he “used the least force that I could in placing him on the ground, and placed him into handcuffs.”

Charges of fleeing or attempting to elude officers and hindering apprehension were dis­missed at a preliminary hearing in May before Glassport Magisterial District Judge Armand A. Martin.

Ruffing is scheduled for a non-jury trial on the remaining charges on April 8 in Allegh­eny County Common Pleas Judge Edward J. Borkowski’s chambers.

Councilors approved:

• A $200 donation to the Clairton Athletic Champions Club for the high school baseball team. 
  
• Taking a $75 full-page ad in the installation souvenir book for the installation of the Rev. Willie J. Thompson Jr. as the senior pastor of Morningstar Baptist Church.

• Changes to the police department policy manual regarding procedures for dealing with domestic violence cases. 
 
  • Authorizing the city’s participation and pro­rated cost sharing in the real estate appraisal of the U.S. Steel Clairton Works property by the firm of Barone, Murtha, Shonberg & Associates.

• Exoneration of Bednar for  2012 unpaid municipal real estate taxes in the amount of $315,389.37 and transfer of the collections to Keystone Municipal Collections.

Resident Kathy Ulmer urged city officials to do something about people who take their dogs to the parks and other parts of the city and do not clean up after them.

Mayor Rich Lattanzi said those individuals will be cited for the ordinance violation.

Bednar said people who see those incidents would be required to testify at a hearing if they want the pet owners to be held responsible.

Residents thanked Ulmer for her efforts in cleaning up litter.

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

The Clairton Volunteer Fire Department has begun its subscription campaign. Cost is $40 for an individual and $60 for a family.
Funds are used to purchase new and upgraded medical equipment.

Participants receive discounts on ambulance invoices for any balances
left unpaid by insurance companies. Informational packets will be mailed to city residents.


Call the EMS of fice at 412-233-8113, ext. 3021, for more information or to request a packet. 

By Michael  DiVittorio

Published:  Wednesday, March 13, 2013, 3:01 a.m.
Clairton officials adopted two ordinances on Tuesday that mandate that any person or company wanting to do business with the city be in good financial standing regarding real estate taxes and fees. 

Both passed with 3-1 votes, with Mayor Rich Lattanzi, Councilwoman Kathy Tachoir and Councilman John Lattanzi in favor. Councilman Richard Ford dissented. Councilman Terry Julian was absent. 

According to one of the ordinances, “certain individuals and entities doing business with the city have been delinquent on accounts such as business privilege, mercantile, sewage, garbage, wage, real estate and any and all taxes. The city cannot sustain this kind of financial delinquency.” 

Ford said the city should consider charging delinquent fees, but legislation was not necessary. 

“What if the business or the person (is) not from Clairton?” Ford asked. “Would that give them a first shot at doing business with Clairton because they don't owe Clairton anything? I don't think enough consideration has been given to this.” 

“We want to get everyone as current as possible,” Rich Lattanzi said. “We just felt that if you want to be an effective leader,  you have to hold yourself in high regard.” 

“Too many people were being delinquent on too many things,” Tachoir said. “We have to start making sure we collect what's owed to the city. If they would go and buy more land, they may not pay the taxes on that land. We feel this is a good way to try to get the city taxes and delinquencies caught up and not create more.” 

The mayor declined to say if the city has received  bids or proposals from people or companies that were delinquent.

City manager Howard Bednar said the city can consider outside bids, and there's always options. “We always put in that the city may reject any and all bids, basically without reason,” Bednar said.  “We may not be able to hold the ordinance against them, but from a moral standpoint the same rules apply,” the mayor said. “We'll know if they're in good standings or not.” 

The city's vacant property program already requires anyone wishing to acquire property to be up-to-date on fees owed to the city. 

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

Kids ages 12 and under...Bring your Easter baskets to Clairton Park on Saturday, March 30th at 10:00 a.m. for Clairton's Annual Easter Egg Hunt!

Students in Grades 5 & 8 will be taking PSSA tests this week on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday.  The testing this week will be to score their writing skills.   
 
What parents can do to help:

1. Encourage your child to do his/her best!  Thi...s test is important to our school. 
2. Make sure your child is in school during the testing schedules.
3. Make sure your child eats a good breakfast on the testing days.
4. See that your child gets an adequate amount of sleep before the test.
5.  Encourage your child to listen carefully to all of the directions and to take his/her time.

All are welcome to attend the regularly scheduled monthly Council Meeting which is held every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

Agenda items for Tuesday's meeting is attached.

City Council meeting at the municipal building Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.
Garden Workshop at the municipal building Wednesday 6:00 p.m.

For the kids in school:  PSSA testing on Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday

If you have young kids at home, please read this! 
 
The Friends of the Library is hosting a Spring Party for the Children at the Clairton Public library. 
Its from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., tomorrow (Saturday, March 9th, 2013).

Please take this opportunity to visit the Library and learn of the activities they provide for you and your kids. 

If you or your kids don't have a library card, this would be a good opportunity to get one!

March 9th – Free Stroke Screening at the City Bldg. sponsored by Jefferson Regional Medical Center.

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Clairton Municipal Bldg
18 and over welcome, no insurance required
Registration is preferred, call 412-469-7100       

Screening includes:
                               
Stroke risk survey                             
Total Cholesterol and HDL                            
Blood sugar level
Blood pressure check
Carbon Monoxide testing for smokers
Body fat analysis
Counseling on risk factors

FREE parking, Educational materials, light refreshments and giveaways provided.

This is always a good time to change your batteries in your clocks and safety devices such as smoke/carbon monoxide detectors! 

CLAIRTON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Immediate Openings Paraprofessionals - Associates Degree or at least 60 credits at an accredited college or university re­quired. $9.50/hr (may become per­manent position).

Substitute Teachers -$90.00/day first 20days, $105.00/day thereafter.

Please send resume, letter of interest and clearances by Friday, March 15, 2013 to: Dr. Wayde Killmeyer, Superintendent Clairton City School District 502 Mitchell Avenue Clairton, PA 15025 [email protected]