@SHillsAlmanac Our 48th Year
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Sept. 11, 2013
Communities make security a top priority By Deana Carpenter Staff writer dcarpenter@thealmanac.net
DEANA CARPENTER/STAFF
In their Mt. Lebanon home, Tom and Phyllis Etzel look at pictures of their niece, Katie, who perished in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America.
Ashes of 9/11
Mt. Lebanon man’s foundation fosters peace By Deana Carpenter Staff writer dcarpenter@thealmanac.net
Fostering peace among children is a main goal of the Global Peace Building Foundation (GPBF). Tom Etzel of Mt. Lebanon started the organization to “advocate peace building” after the Sept. 11 tragedy struck him personally. Etzel lost not only his niece, Katie McCloskey, but his high school friend, Ken Waldie, in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
McCloskey, 25, was working on the 97th floor of the World Trade Center that day when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower. A Bethel Park graduate, Waldie was aboard that jet. According to Etzel and his wife, Phyllis, McCloskey always wanted to live in New York City. In fact, the South Bend, Ind., resident had just started her job two months prior to the attacks. She worked three-days-a-week at the World Trade Center.
Connor Blocklin, 4, challenges his brother, Jeremy, 8, to a serious game of pinball at Bethel Park Community Day Sept. 7. The brothers and their parents, Linda and Craig, had a “fun” time. Next to pinball, the boys said the “bouncy house” was their favorite attraction.
By Terri Johnson Staff writer tjohnson@thealmanac.net
Entering any of the five Peters Township School District buildings takes a little more time, but the extra procedure is to ensure the safety of the students inside. Previously, those wishing to enter a building, from any of the elementary schools to the high school, spoke into a small box outside the entrance doors and provided a brief summary of why he or she needed to enter. The door would buzz and the visitor would enter. Beginning with the current school year, those
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©2013 Observer Publishing Company
in Boston. During the oneyear program, Etzel became close with his classmates, many of whom were from all over the world. Some are members of the GPBF’s advisory board. The foundation also has a Pittsburgh-based board of directors. While at school, Etzel said he “came up with a vision of what to do.” That was to create a grass-roots organization geared toward peace. After completing the Tufts’ program in SEE PEACE PAGE A3
Peters Twp. adds system to ensure safety in schools
Pinball wizards
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“She was a great gal and got to live her dream,” Mrs. Etzel said. After the tragedy, Etzel said he wanted to do something to help spread peace throughout the world. In 2006, he had his “Ah ha” moment to start a foundation after attending a graduation ceremony where the speaker talked about global peace. In 2009, Etzel enrolled in a mid-career master’s program at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University
This year marks the 12th anniversary since the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Although no local threat has been made, there has been heightened international “chatter” among terror groups, and in August, an Al-Queda threat closed United States embassies in the Middle East. Still, local communities are continuing to train to keep up with anything that may arise. Ken Truver, chief of police in the Borough of Castle Shannon said his department constantly reminds residents that if they see something to say something. “This is a common mantra we use to echo Homeland Security’s message, but we use it for everyday crime prevention efforts,” Truver said. Truver added that at the local level, “we are more concerned about keeping our residents safe from the criminal element. We ask our residents to call police immediately if they see suspicious people, vehicles or activity.” At least one local community has gone as far as having a police officer present at all board of commissioners meetings. “It was my call,” explained Ryan Eggleston, manager of South Fayette
Township. He said having an officer regularly attend meetings is a “smart precaution” in light of what happened in August at a municipal meeting in Ross Township near Philadelphia. In that incident, a gunman opened fire and killed three people. The assailant, who’s property was run down, had code enforcement issues with the township. Eggleston said given that incident, an officer will be present at township meetings until further notice. Truver attends most council meetings in Castle Shannon as a resource officer. Mt. Lebanon’s police chief, Coleman McDonough also attends council meetings in that municipality. In Mt. Lebanon, Lt. Aaron Lauth said the department provides security at activities like sporting events at the school district. “We normally provide security at events where there are lots of people,” he said. Local communities are also always looking to maintain the most up-todate training. “We strive to provide our personnel with the latest technology, equipment and training to keep them and our constituents safe,” Truver said. In Mt. Lebanon, “Our officers regularly go through training,” Lauth said. He added that the type of SEE PRIORITY PAGE A3
Xpressions
Australia provides summer adventure for area teen. Page B1
Across South Hills......... A2 Classifieds............ C8, D1-6 Deaths............................. A2 Deed Transfers............ C5,6 Editorial........................... A4 Entertainment................ B5 Opinion........................... A4
A visitor hits a button to access a Peters Township school building.
wishing to enter will be viewed on camera by staff members in the school office. Unlike drive-through banks, the camera works only one way. Visitors hoping to enter a building will be seen by the staff, but the visitor will be unable to see the staff, said Shelly Belcher, district spokes-
Milestones...................... B4 Real Estate................... C5,6 Religion........................... B4 Sights & Sounds........... B5 Sports........................... C1-3 Together.......................... B3 Youth............................... B1
woman. Installation of the cameras was not in response to any threat, but rather an extra step to provide as much security as possible. Buildings where the cameras are installed include the high school, middle school and Pleasant Valley, McMurray and Bower Hill elementary schools. The administration building, however, does not have the same security measures taken at buildings where students are present. District employees such as teachers and administrators have swipe cards specific to the buildings. Substitute teachers are SEE PT PAGE A3
Crowd pleaser
Tyler Perone has Seton-La Salle on the rise. Page C1