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@SHillsAlmanac Our 48th Year
www.thealmanac.net
December 18, 2013
BETHEL PARK
Council looking to fill vacancy By Susan Schmeichel For The Almanac writer@thealmanac.net
ELEANOR BAILEY / STAFF
Sensational seniors
Since they have been in “diapers,” Grant Fetchet (holding the trophy) said his senior teammates have dreamed of winning a state championship in football. On Dec. 15, South Fayette accomplished that feat when the Lions blanked Imhotep Charter, 41-0, in the PIAA Class AA final played at Hersheypark Stadium. “When you play with your heart, and play with these
kinds of seniors, it’s something special,” said head coach Joe Rossi of his elder players. Pictured with Fetchet from left to right are: (front) Bryce Christoff, Ian Shrensky, Justin Watson and Rory Hegarty. Back: Darrell Williams, Spencer Girman, Ben Berkovitz, Fetchet, Hayden Orler, Zach Walker and Conner Beck. For more on the game, turn to page B1.
Psychiatric facility eyes move to N. Strabane By Emily Petsko For The Almanac epetsko@observer-reporter.com
A Bridgeville-based psychiatric facility is planning a move to North Strabane Township, which has some residents worrying about the clientele that could be housed in their neighborhood. Southwood Psychiatric Hospital, which has facilities for children and adolescents in Pittsburgh and Bridgeville, has entered a sales agreement to purchase the former Bradley Center on Linden Creek Road. At a non-voting township supervisors meeting Dec. 10, about 50 residents attended to express their concerns about the psychi-
JIM MCNUTT/OBSERVER-REPORTER
The exterior of Bradley Center in North Strabane Township, where Southwood Psychiatric hopes to operate a facility.
atric facility, said township manager Frank Siffrinn. “There was a perception, based upon the (South-
wood) website, that … youth that were violent offenders and that had drug addiction, alcohol addiction
problems, were going to go in there,” Siffrinn said. “I think that was the concern that basically motivated the
number of people that were in attendance at the meeting.” Southwood Psychiatric Hospital lists on its website the services it provides, which include acute inpatient service, an intellectual disability disorders/ autism spectrum disorder program, sexually maladaptive behaviors program and family-based mental health services. Siffrinn said that while some residents expressed concern that violent individuals would be housed in the Southwood facility, township officials would take measures to ensure that would not occur. He said that according to Southwood representatives, the facility in North Strabane SEE MOVE PAGE A5
Making Christmas bright Geno Levi Salon in McMurray recently participated in a toy collection sponsored by Compassion Connection in Bethel Park. Pastor Kay Stepp, executive director of the faith-based, nonprofit ministry of South Hills Assembly, said this is the sixth year for the toy drive. Toys will be distributed through Toy Treasures, which Stepp also oversees. Through Toy Treasures, economically disadvantaged parents are able to purchase new toys at 10 percent of retail cost. “This allows parents to keep their dignity because it’s them giving toys to their child, not an organization,” Stepp said. After filling out a confidential financial form to become qualified shoppers, parents make an appointment to browse through thousands of toys at the Compassion Connection office and with the help of volunteers, are able to choose three toys. Toys are wrapped on-site, saving parents the cost of wrapping supplies. South Hills Assembly is Geno and Cindy Levi’s home church, and Cindy said their daughters have always volunteered to wrap presents for Toy Treasures. Each year, the Levi’s offer their salon as a collection site. “We feel blessed and just want to give back,” Geno said. Filling the entryway at the salon were gigantic stuffed animals, games, a bike and even a guitar, which Stepp said is donated each year by the same gentleman. Toys were collected through Dec. 7 at various sites throughout the South Hills. The organization also collected monetary donations, which will help to purchase more toys if needed.
INDEX ©2013 Observer Publishing Company
Helping out at USC
Sports teams turn points into charitable donations. Page B4
Across South Hills......... A9
Opinion........................... A5
Classifieds.................B7-14
Real Estate...................... B5
Deaths............................. A2
Religion........................ A7,8
Deed Transfers............... B5
Sights & Sounds......... A12
Editorial........................... A5
Sports........................... B1-3
Entertainment.............. A12
Together.......................... A6
Bethel Park municipal officials are seeking resumes from residents wishing to fill the seat left empty by Jack Allen’s mayoral victory. On Dec. 9, council accepted Allen’s resignation, so that the councilman can begin his term as mayor beginning in January. Allen, who served as the council representative from Ward 2 for 16 years, was elected mayor in November. He is taking the position vacated by Cliff Morton, who served as mayor for 16 years. Interested residents who must reside in Ward 2 should submit a letter of interest, resume and qualifications to the municipal offices by Jan. 17. Morton, attending his last meeting as mayor, was recognized by council for his service. In addition, Allegheny County District 5 Councilwoman Susan Means presented him with a county council proclamation recognizing his accomplishments as Bethel Park’s longest serving mayor. In other business, council approved the ordinance authorizing the transfer of seven properties from the Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Company to the municipality. Council members also approved the agreement between the municipality and the fire company. The agreement is a result of the voter referendum authorizing a .34 mill dedicated fire tax, which was approved during the November election. The municipality will now be the fire company’s “landlord,” collecting the tax and paying the fire company’s operating expenses, explained council president Tim Moury. “The way it is set up, they will only have to worry about one thing, the thing that they do best, fighting fires,” Moury said. The fire company membership voted to approve the agreement at its meeting, which was held at the same time as the council meeting. Municipal officials reminded residents that Jan. 1 is the beginning of the new garbage contract, which was approved last month. Starting next month, residents will see blue and red Republic Inc. trucks instead of the green Waste Management trucks in their neighborhoods, but should see no difference in their service as routes and pickup days will remain the same. However, the contract with Republic includes a feature not offered by the previous hauler. Republic will pick up yard waste, in large brown paper bags, on the third Saturday of each month from April through September.
Roamin’ the South Hills Feline friends care for the homeless. Page A6