Thursday, May 17, 2012
Council also hired firm to create economic development plan and approved paving projects.
At Monday’s meeting, Canonsburg Council voted unanimously to appoint Ken McWilliams and Leon Strimel to the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) Board. Another motion was created and passed awarding 4Ward Planning of Pittsburgh the contract to create an economic development plan for Canonsburg. ProTech of New Castle will be hired for the paving of Woodland Road, Alpine Drive and Crosby Drive with a bid of $68,078.90, pending proper bonds and insurance. The budgeted amount left approximately $20,000 and council will be looking into doing road work on College Ave. between Greenside and Central in front of the middle school. Several citizens voiced a variety of concerns One resident provided information and photos indicating that hired landscapers…
State Sen. Jesse White joined his colleagues in filing legal brief supporting Act 13 constitutionality challenge.
The House Democratic Caucus, which includes State Rep. Jesse White (D-Cecil), has filed a special legal brief known as an "amicus curiae," to support arguments in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the elimination of local zoning ordinances for oil and gas operations under Act 13, the Marcellus Shale law passed earlier this year. White was named on the brief as one of 30 House Democrats who provided support of the case that charge Act 13 is an unconstitutional "special law that creates a class of one industry with substantially more rights than any other industry, citizen or business in the Commonwealth in violation of Article III, Section 32 of the Pennsylvania Constitution." Several municipalities, including Cecil, Peters, Mt…
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
State Rep. Jesse White says no area of Pennsylvania's state budget 'reflects poor priorities more than the continued slashing of education funding.'
Sometime within the next six weeks or so, the State Legislature will pass a state budget for the upcoming year. With the Republican party holding a 30-20 majority in the Senate, a whopping 111-90 majority in the House, plus Tom Corbett in the governor’s mansion, the state budget has become a strictly one-party affair. Democratic House and Senate members have virtually no input whatsoever in how Pennsylvania spends its money; we aren’t even in the room while the discussions are being held. Remember that unlike Congress at the federal level, the Pennsylvania Constitution clearly requires balanced budgets every year, which is why you never hear me talking about a debt ceiling or deficit spending problems. So all this talk about “needing to …
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Ashley Lynn Price and Thomas Emmanuel O’Rourke, a new part-time patrolman, took the oath of office at Monday's council meeting where police were also commended for their handling of the South Central Avenue home invasion.
At the regular Canonsburg council meeting last night, two newly hired, part-time police officers were sworn in by Mayor David T. Rhome and police Chief R.T. Bell. Thomas Emmanuel O’Rourke and Ashley Lynn Price took the oath of office, solemnly swearing to “perform their duties in a dedicated and honorable manner” as well as “protect and defend the Constitution of this Commonwealth and that of the United States of America”. Price is the first female officer to be hired in the borough. She is from Canonsburg and a recent graduate of the Police Academy. O’Rourke is a veteran of the Air Force and also serves as an officer for Baldwin Township and Oakdale Borough Police. He is from Cecil Township. The newly sworn in officers were welcomed by a …
Officer John Dryer was honored on annual Law Enforcement Day. Summer jobs for teens also discussed.
The family of the East Washington police officer who was killed along I-70 last December visited Harrisburg last Monday for the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service. I was proud to host John and JoAnn Dryer, parents of Officer John David Dryer, their grandson Ben, and other family members for the memorial event and an introduction on the Senate floor. I reminded my colleagues in the Senate that every family of a law enforcement officer knows how difficult it is to say goodbye every day and hope and pray that the person they love, who happens to carry a badge, will return home at the end of their shift. Officer Dryer was killed by gunfire during a traffic stop near the Beau Street Interchange six days before Christmas. His service to …
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Constituents from Congressman Tim Murphy's district—mainly local moms—protest a budget they say could only hurt parents and children.
If you saw a crowd gathered outside Congressman Tim Murphy's Mt. Lebanon office on Wednesday afternoon, you were witness to a protest against a budget some say is unfair. Members of the organization PA Working Families, as well as other constituents from around Murphy's district, gathered outside his office to protest the Republican 2012 Budget proposal, which they believe to be unfair to mothers and children in particular. The budget was proposed by the office of Republican Representative Paul Ryan. The budget calls for cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, government spending and repealing 2010 health care legislation. Chants of "How much is enough? How much is fair?" rang out over West Liberty Avenue on Wednesday. Julie Blust of PA Working …
Friday, May 11, 2012
Intersection of highway and Route 136 will be Officer John David Dryer Memorial Interchange.
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Friday, May 11
The state House this week unanimously passed legislation H.B. 2215, which would designate the interchange at the intersection of Route 136 and Interstate 70 in Washington County as the Officer John David Dryer Memorial Interchange. The bill was introduced by Rep. Brandon Neuman to honor the life of East Washington Borough police officer, John David Dryer, who was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 19, 2011. "There is nothing we can do to replace an extraordinary man like Officer Dryer; all we can do is try to remember his courage and dedication to our community," said Neuman, D-North Strabane. "This would give his name a prominent spot in the community so he is always remembered. I thank the House for its support of legislation that is so …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Opponents of Pennsylvania's Act 13 continue legal challenges, citing erosion of local jurisdiction.
The flurry of legal activity surrounding Pennsylvania’s new drilling law continues. On Wednesday, attorneys representing seven municipalities and other entities opposing state Act 13 filed further motions with Commonwealth Court in attempts to strike down portions of the legislation. At issue is the diminished ability of local government to regulate oil and gas activities. Opponents contend that the law “deprives municipal officials of carrying out their legally binding duty to protect air, water and natural environmental values,” according to a lawsuit filed in March by seven municipalities and other entities. Cecil Township attorney John Smith, who represents the suit’s petitioners, said Wednesday’s actions seek to prevent …
Superintendent Helen McCracken files discrimination complaint.
Canon-McMillan School District has released the details of the settlement agreement between Canon-McMillan High School Principal David Helinski and the defendants—Canon-McMillan School District and Superintendent Helen McCracken—after Patch filed a Right to Know request. The settlement, approved by the school board on Monday night, was made available Wednesday, the same day Patch filed the Right to Know request. The original claims were filed against defendants by Helinski before the EEOC and U.S. District Court of Western Pennsylvania. The defendants denied any alleged claims under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. Pursuant to the agreement, Helinski agreed to release …
Economic development on the rise with Washington Hospital moving into former All Pro Auto Mall location.
At the Canonsburg Council meeting on Monday night, borough Manager Terry Hazlett reported that the municipality has put in extra effort in the last few weeks to clean up the downtown area, including street cleaning, brush trimming, planting flowers and replacing the glass from bus stop on Adams Avenue. The Jefferson Avenue lights will be replaced within the next few weeks as well. “Downtown looks pretty nice and we hope to keep it that way all summer,” Hazlett said. In economic development, Hazlett confirmed that Washington Hospital will be taking over the former All Pro Auto Mall location. Permits are in process and specific details on how the property will be used are not known at this time. Two new stores also opened in Canonsburg in …
Mana
8:50 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
As much as people may hate them, vouchers are the answer. First, given a voucher makes you think about how you want your child educated. Maybe one school would hit hard on science and math. Another fine arts. This would also challenge teachers to be the best or they will be out of a job. Take a look at the success stories coming out of Pa cyber. ... So many examples of children pursuing what the … more ›