Paul Shelly

Just reporting the news:

McKeesport schools hire construction management firm
Thursday, October 22, 2009
By Moriah Balingit, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The McKeesport Area school board voted last night to hire Pennsylvania Project Managers, Inc. to hand the district’s $50 million plan to construct two new schools, one that’s been delayed by at least a year by the termination of the last architect and construction manager.

School directors Joseph Chiaverini, Steven Kondrosky, Joe Lopretto, Wayne Washowich, James Brown and Christopher Halaszynski voted to hire PPM, Inc. Board members Dave Donato and Barbara Stevenson and board president Lori Spando voted against the hiring.

Mr. Donato pointed out that former board member Gerald Tedesco owns PPM, INC., and that Mr. Tedesco had failed to provide certain pieces of information outlined in the request for proposals.

Ms. Spando called the company’s request for an upfront fee of around $250,000 “outrageous.”

“We’re giving a quarter of a million dollars to a former board member,” she said. “It’s preposterous.”

Board secretary Dave Seropian said it was “not typical” for companies to request a fee before they’ve actually done work.

But Mr. Kondrosky called hiring Mr. Tedesco’s firm good business and pointed out that he’s a well-known member of the community.

“I feel that this guy can do a pretty good job for us,” Mr. Kondrosky said. “He’s sure as heck not going to want to make himself look bad in front of all his neighbors. “

Reprinted from the Post Gazette Online:

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Reward offered in McKeesport homicide
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for help in solving a McKeesport homicide.

On Sept. 1, Richard Herring, 23, was found shot in the 1500 block of Versailles Avenue. He died Sept. 16.

A reward of up to $1,000 is offered for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of a suspect. Tipsters can call 412-255-8477. Callers may remain anonymous.

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If you know anything, please help get the killer off of our streets.

-Paul

“Hoodwinked and Bamboozled”

This is Part II of my response to the September 28th Editorial in the McKeesport Daily News. I agree that the first new school in the MASD should be built in the Seventh Ward of McKeesport, but I disagree that a new school should also be built in White Oak. The taxpayers of McKeesport deserve a new school in the Seventh Ward. As taxpayers we have been hoodwinked and bamboozled because the School Board’s decision making process has not been transparent. They commissioned a report and then added another new possible site. There have been discussions about tearing down Centennial, Cornell and George Washington Schools but in the meantime, the School Board is still discussing the White Oak and Palkovitz sites, even though the School District doesn’t even own the latter site. Exploring that site is costing McKeesport taxpayers money when we already own property that is located where the students live.

The Francis McClure School was built in the 1960’s at a cost of approximately $20,000,000, with another $18,000,000 spent on renovation. If that site is chosen, we will spend another $8-10,000,000 on a new school there. I’m leery about comments that have been noted in the McKeesport Daily News, that White Oak would like to secede from the MASD. McKeesport taxpayers are responsible for 55% of the MASD budget; we have been good to White Oak—it’s time McKeesport should take care of McKeesporters. No more hoodwinked and bamboozled!

Not only 600 Petition Signers, the Mayor McKeesport, and the McKeesport Daily News Editorial, but also on October 7, 2009, all seven City of McKeesport Councilpersons, now signed the Petition to build the first new school in McKeesport’s Seventh Ward. Morally and logically, the first school to be built should be in the Seventh Ward of McKeesport.

Major A. Mason III

I don’t typically give much credit to Trib Media Editorialists but Brad Bumstead wrote a good piece on the “end” of the Harrisburg budget fiasco:

Shame on Harrisburg

I’m sure that there is enough blame to go around in Harrisburg. Perhaps it is time we start thinking of dramatic changes to the way things are done there.

Paul

In a week where it was difficult to find much positive going on in McKeesport….

Sluggo: PROPEL MCKEESPORT

McKeesport Propel, as school where about 85% of children qualify for reduced lunches, outperformed ALL Western Pa School Districts on the math PSSA’s.

Propel Leads the Pack in Math

Sluggo: PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE for winning their OPEN RECORDS SUIT against the City for failing to release public documents concerning the Police Court Overtime Case.

Sluggo: Citizen, activist, educator and McKeesport Area School District Hall of Famer DR. MAJOR MASON III for keeping up the good fight to build MASD’s first new school in McKeesport’s 7th Ward, where it belongs. Doctor Mason is looking out for our children’s interest firsts. Others should follow suit.

Nancy: CITY OF MCKEESPORT ADMINISTRATION - for having to be forced to produce public records by the PA Office of Open Records. It is also very troubling that the original story, that monies were misappropriated and recovered has been mysteriously changed to no monies were ever misappropriated. It is getting harder and harder to get a straight story from this administration and apparently, the public only needs to know when the city comes under threat of the law. It also appears that the “audit” the Mayor hired an outside consultant to do was nothing more than compiling a paper list of court overtime paid in 2008. That doesn’t sound anything like an audit to me. Those figures should have been captured electronically from our payroll software no? This is all coming from an adminstration that ran on “Transparency” back in 2003…..

Nancy: Proponents of building a new school on a former dump that allegedly housed gas wells in a place called Snake Hollow.

The MASD Board majority decided to go away with a plan for that site (that still hasne’t been geologically tested) this week along with a plan for expanding Francis McClure in White Oak, despite the public outcry (and the Mayor and Council’s urging) to build in the 7th Ward first. It seems the 7th Ward School will be last on their list. This is disheartening. I am still waiting for a single person to make one logical argument as to what the love affair is with Snake Hollow.

At this week’s Council meeting, the Mayor mentioned that when the district was looking for a place for a campus setting, that is was HE who suggested that location at some “meeting”…. Hmmmmmmm…..

I bet you, like me, finds that interesting and would like him to elaborate more.

-Paul

The Mayor and Council made a truly genius political move last year while I was off sick.

If you remember correctly, Council agreed to sell of the remaining sewage interceptors and infrastructure to the Sewage Authority for a few million dollars. They also agreed to pass on the responsibility for sewage billing to the authority.

What I and the Public did not catch was that this apparently gave the Municipal Authority (MACM), who in essence is just an agent of the city, the ability to raise sewage rates WITHOUT Council approval.

The Trib and WTAE are this morning reporting that rates have been raised for ALL of the municipalities that the authority serves. The outlying communities will get an increase of $0.86 per thousand gallons. In McKeesport, the impact is much worse. The rates will go up better than 25%! The minimum charge will rise from $18 per two thousand gallons to $25 and the cost per thousand over that will rise from $7 to $9.75!

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_646992.html

These announcements come the morning after the Mayor takes credit, once more, for not raising taxes in McKeesport….

The bottom line is that it once again has become more expensive to live in the City of McKeesport.

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I have to roll for now. Later this evening, I will post on the discussion about the new schools which was prompted by some fine work by Doctor Mason last night.

Have a good day, be safe, and don’t flush if you don’t have to…

-Paul

I will not attempt a Write-In campaign for McKeesport City Council this Fall.

Winning such an Election would be a difficult task, at the least, and I do not have the time or the money to put forth the effort that would be needed to make a competitive run.

The last year has been a difficult one for my family and I and it is imperative that I devote my time and attention to matters other than city business for the time being.

I thank my friends and family who really have our best interest at heart who have advised me against the run. I likewise thank those who offered their encouragement to run. I appreciate you all.

I believe that the three Council winners ran better campaigns than I did in May and have earned their seats. Despite the fact that I lost, I am glad to see two new Councilors take office and hope they will bring new ideas and new enthusiasm to the Council.

Paul

Just yesterday evening a North Side family was stricken with carbon monoxide poisoning:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09280/1003585-100.stm

Fortunately for this family, it appears that all will survive. Many won’t be so lucky this year.

As the weather dips and we fire up the furnaces for the first time, it is a good idea to have your furnace serviced and checked. What you don’t know, can hurt you.

While we are on the subject of in home dangers, lead is a serious hazard in many of the homes in McKeesport and the Mon Valley. Most of our housing stock is pre 1978 when tougher lead standards went into effect. If you have young ones in your house or often baby sit in your home, it is wise to have your home assessed for lead hazards. The effects of lead poisoning on young minds is no joke.

Landlords should also consider these assessments. If a child contracts lead poisoning in your home, you are liable.

The McKeesport Housing Corporation has programs and funding available to help homeowners and landlords in McKeesport, Duquesne and Clairton. You can contact MHC about the program at 412-664-7003.

Togyer ran a good piece on the program in the Almanac:

http://www.tubecityonline.com/almanac/entry_1342.php

High wind advisory today folks.

As always, be safe.

Paul

Other than the Jon and Kate thing, Letterman and Tom Delay’s stress fractures, nothing interesting is going on in the world…..

Two Shockers just in:

1) Still no budget in Harrisburg
2) Dan Onorato is “officially” announcing his Gubernatorial run today.

See what I mean…..

There’s a Council Work Session tonight and our Regular Meeting tomorrow. Maybe that will liven things up around here.

-Paul

Sluggo: The Post Gazette for insisting to see the records hid from Council and the Public by the McKeesport administration concerning the Police Overtime case. Kudos to our candidate, Paul Shelly, for being the only council person who demanded a special session of Council so that our governing body could be brought up to date on all the facts uncovered to that point.

Nancy: Mayor Brewster for the secrecy shrouding the Police Overtime investigation and their failing to meet the requirements of the Pennsylvania Open Records Law. This entire issue could have long been resolved had the Mayor acted appropriately since the day it was brought to his attention by Chief Pero. His failure to disclose public information has given the city yet another black eye.

Nancy: Local media for not demanding more information of this case.

-Editorial Staff at PaulShelly.com

I was just on Topix and found out the following information released by the Post Gazette Online this evening.

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State: McKeesport must open officer records

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Post-Gazette

The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records ruled Sept. 21 that the City of McKeesport is required to provide the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette with documents and information surrounding an investigation into allegations of officers stealing money from the police department.The ruling followed a right-to-know request filed by the newspaper in early July.

In March, seven McKeesport police officers were suspended after Chief Joe Pero said they logged overtime hours they never worked.

After meeting with the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office, the city agreed to have an outside auditor take a closer look at the department’s overtime records to make sure all funds that were stolen were accounted for.

In an official request July 8, the Post-Gazette asked for correspondence between McKeesport and Edward Datemasch, who was hired to perform an audit of police department overtime records.

The Post-Gazette also requested a copy of results of the audit. The city replied that it needed more time to respond to the request. But when the city failed to respond within 30 days, as required by the state, the Post-Gazette filed an appeal with the Office of Open Records, again asking for the records.

The ruling states that the city is required to provide the records requested by the Post-Gazette or provide justification for withholding those records.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09274/1002088-56.stm#ixzz0Sjt2veFe

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For the record, Council has never been provided with this very same information requested by the Post-Gazette.

The Mayor’s handling of the entire situation has been secretive at best.

Taxpayers (and Council) have the right to know just how many dollars were misappropriated.

I have nothing but the Mayor’s word that restitution has been made and adequate discipline assessed. Council has never seen a single printed financial detail concerning the matter.

I understand, through a source outside of the administration, that the DA’s investigation is still ongoing.

By violating the PA Open Records law, the Mayor has given the city yet another black eye.

Paul