Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
Bakery Square...everyone knows where it is, but just in case you don't, it's a sprawling community of apartments in East Liberty off Penn Avenue, across the street from the old Nabisco (National Biscuit Company) factory, and near where the old Reizenstein Middle School used to stand.
On its website, it invites people to live at Bakery Square. "Make Yourself at Home," is the slogan. Well, to "make yourself at home," it will cost at least $1,742 per month for a 510-square-foot studio apartment, according to shown figures on its website, Dec. 2. Have a few kids? A two-bedroom apartment at Bakery Square for 1,095 square feet will run you at least $3,127 per month, according to shown figures on its website, Dec. 2.
Talk about making yourself at home. That is, if you can afford it. According to data compiled by PublicSource from 20122016, the median income for African Americans in Pittsburgh was $26,108, and that 34 percent of
African
by
Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
Compare Pittsburgh to places like Atlanta, Raleigh, Columbus, Washington, D.C., or Houston, and there’s really no comparison. African Americans, as a whole, seem to desire living in those cities rather than the Pittsburgh area. Now, there’s a survey out that African Americans currently in Pittsburgh, as well as Black Pittsburghers who have left the region, are being encouraged to complete. It’s all in an effort to answer the million-dollar question: “Why do you live (or no longer live) in Pittsburgh?”
The survey’s official name is the “Black Pittsburgh Satisfaction and Retention Survey,” spearheaded by the Black Political Empowerment Project’s Corporate Equity and Inclusion Roundtable, along with the University of Pittsburgh School
Black residents lived be-
low the poverty line.
For most market-rate apartments like Bakery Square, Walnut on Highland, Coda on Centre and other newer locations in East Liberty and Shadyside, expect to bring an annual salary of at least $54,000 to the table to even be considered for a studio or one bedroom apartment. The lack of affordable housing in Pittsburgh does nothing but drive primarily African American residents out of the city proper, or to apartments that may not be desirable, such as the Mon View Heights Apartments (in West Mifflin), condemned in October by District Attorney Stephen Zappala as unkept and literally uninhabitable. He charged the owners of the apartment complex with causing or risking a catastrophe, a felony, as many Black residents have been fed up with the place.
Housing is a complex topic. Most real estate developers want to maximize their profits by building an inviting
Americans encouraged to take the new survey
of Social Work’s Center for Race and Social Problems. The survey is up and running now at blackpittsburghsurvey.org, or one can call 412-624-2883 during business hours to complete the survey over the phone. While technically anyone can take the survey, it’s geared towards Black adults, who either live in or used to live in Pittsburgh.
“For Black and brown residents, there are significant challenges and barriers that create real issues to long-term residence here,” voiced Dr. Kyaien O. Conner, Director of the University of Pittsburgh Center of Race and Social Problems, at a news conference at the Kingsley Association in Larimer, Dec. 2. At the same time, however, the strengths of the region can be highlighted by survey
This Week In Black History A Courier Staple
•DECEMBER 4
1783—General George Washington gives his famous farewell address to troops at Fraunces Tavern in New York City. The tavern was owned by a prominent Black businessman of French and West Indian descent named Samuel “Black Sam” Fraunces, who had aided the Americans in their bid to gain independence from England. After he became president, Washington hired Fraunces as his chief steward.
1807—Prince Hall dies. His was one of the most prominent Black names in colonial America. Hall was born (circa 1748) in Barbados in the West Indies and migrated to Boston. He became one of the leaders of the city’s Black community. He also became an abolitionist and a Mason. In fact, he is considered the “father of Black Masons.” He also fought in the American war for independence from England.
the information to Northern generals.
1870—Joseph H. Rainey (1832-1887) is sworn in as the first Black to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. He represented South Carolina—the state in which he was born a slave. But his father—a barber—managed to raise the money to purchase his family’s freedom. Earlier this year, the portrait of Rainey was finally hung in the House of Representatives.
1949—Blues legend Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter dies. Ledbetter was born in 1885 near Mooringsport, La. But he had a quick temper and a violent streak. Thus, he stayed in trouble with the law. Indeed, his musical genius was discovered in jail by a visiting White folklorist. Upon release from prison, he moved north and became a sensation performing in the U.S. and Europe.
by Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Correspondent
On November 23, President-Elect Donald Trump announced the nomination of Scott Turner for the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
of many African Americans.
For months, Florida
Congressman Byron Donalds has been seen on cable news defending Donald Trump. There have even been times when Rep. Donalds has been called out for misrepresenting or glossing
Turner is the first African American selected by Trump for his cabinet or any other high-level Administration position. The former NFL player has also previously worked in government. Turner was the executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council. He also is a former Texas state representative.
Though it is becoming increasingly clear that Trump’s Administration is guided by the goals as published in Project 2025, Turner could lead an agency that is responsible for policy that impacts the lives
over many of Trump’s assertions that “crime is on the rise in the United States and increasing because of illegal immigration.
“You’re lying. You’re lying, Congressman,” exclaimed CNN political analyst Keith Boykin during an episode of Abby Phillip’s show News Night on Oct. 1 on the question of crime.
“It’s true, I’m not lying,” Donald shot back. The moment was just one of many times the top Trump surrogate defended the President.
Surprisingly, Donalds has yet to be chosen for a cabinet-level position
in Trump’s Administration.
Another dedicated Black surrogate, U.S. Senator Tim Scott, has yet to be selected by Trump to join the Administration.
Both Donalds and Scott may be looking at other positions. Rep. Donalds is said to be weighing the possibility of running for governor of Florida as current governor Ron DeSantis’ term is limited. Senator Scott would have to resign from the U.S. Senate to serve in Trump’s Administration. If his history is a guide, Scott would likely be aware that the level of turnover during Trump’s first four-year term from 2017 to 2021 was filled with cabinet departures and short stints marked by controversy and, at times, chaos.
“Guess y’all were on the campaign trail betraying your people for NOTHING…Not even an opportunity Byron Donalds and Tim Scott. Y’all are the WEAKEST LINKS in the Black community,” wrote Nikki Barnes on the situation.
But it’s not just that Donalds and Scott have been so far passed over. Trump has only chosen three Black or Hispanic nominees for his cabinet or senior staff: Former Texas state lawmaker and motivational speaker Scott Turner, who is Black, for Housing and Urban Development; Rep. Lori ChavezDeRemer (R-Ore.), who is Hispanic, for Labor and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who is likely to be confirmed as the first-ever Hispanic secretary of State.
1906-Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is the oldest intercollegiate historically African American fraternity. It was initially a literary and social studies club organized in the 1905–1906 school year at Cornell University but later evolved into a fraternity with a founding date of December 4, 1906.
•DECEMBER 5
1775—A memorial is dedicated to Salem Poor in Cambridge, Mass. Poor was a slave who had bought his freedom and became a hero fighting in the American Revolutionary War for independence from England. He so distinguished himself in battle, including at Bunker Hill, that he won the praise of 14 officers.
1784—The amazing poet Phyllis Wheatley dies in Boston, Mass. Wheatley was kidnapped in Africa at age 7 and sold to a prosperous Boston family, which placed a high value on education. By age 12, she was reading Greek and Latin classics. In the 1770s she became a sensation in the city because of her amazing ability to write poetry. A London company published her first book of poetry. Sadly, she died in poverty before she could find a publisher for her second book. That second volume has never been found. Although some letters she wrote during this period were recently discovered and sold at auction.
1870—Legendary Black cowboy William “Bill” Pickett is born in Travis County, Texas. Standing only 5’7” and weighing 145 pounds, he is considered one of the toughest men every to be called a cowboy. He became famous in the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Shows where he performed dare devil feats and invented the rodeo sport of “bulldogging.” He is thought to have been of Black and Indian descent. He died at age 70 in Ponca City, Okla.
1870—Alexandre Dumas (pere) dies in France. Dumas, one of the most famous French writers of the 1800s, was a Black man born to a French marquis and a slave woman on the island of St. Domingue (now Haiti). Dumas wrote such noted works as “The Three Musketeers” and “The Count De Monte Cristo.”
1932—The “King of Gospel” Rev. James Cleveland is born in Chicago, Ill.
1932—Flamboyant singer-performer “Little Richard” is born and raised in Macon, Ga. He becomes one of the founding fathers of rock-and-roll. His dynamic stage performance and homosexuality often landed him in trouble. But he remained a major force in the music field.
1955—The historic bus boycott begins in Montgomery, Ala. The Black boycott of city buses was set in motion when civil rights heroine Rosa Parks refused to surrender her seat on the bus to a White man. The law at that time required her to give up the seat. A young minister named Martin Luther King Jr. was called upon to lead the boycott launching his career as the national civil rights leader.
1957—New York becomes the first city to pass a law banning racial or religious discrimination in housing with the Fair Housing Practices law.
• DECEMBER 6
1849—Harriet (Ross) Tubman escapes slavery in Maryland. But she becomes perhaps the greatest “conductor” on the Underground Rail Road returning to the South 19 times and helping an estimated 300 slaves escape. Despite a serious head injury received from an angry slave master when she refused to beat another slave, Tubman was one of Black America’s greatest examples of courage and determination. During the Civil War she also spied on the South and relayed
1961—Revolutionary psychiatrist and writer Frantz Fanon dies in Washington, D.C., where he had gone for medical treatment. In his writings, the Martinique-born Fanon explored the psychological aspects of racial oppression and Black liberation. His most famous works were “Black Skins, White Masks” and “Wretched of the Earth,” which was considered by many “the handbook for Black revolution.”
• DECEMBER 7
1931—Comer Cottrell is born. Cottrell founds the Pro-Line hair care products company. He also becomes the first Black to own part of a professional baseball team when he buys into the Texas Rangers in 1989.
1941—Dorie Miller shoots down three or four Japanese war planes during the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Miller was a kitchen worker on the USS Arizona who had learned to operate the ship’s weapons. After his death he was awarded the Navy Cross.
• DECEMBER 8
1850—Lucy Ann Stanton graduates from Oberlin College in Ohio. She is believed to be the first Black female college graduate in America.
1936—The Gibbs v. Board of Education in Montgomery County, Md., decision is rendered. It was the first of a series of court rulings, which eliminated the practice of paying White teachers more than Black teachers.
• DECEMBER 9
1872—P.B.S. Pinchback begins serving as the first Black governor of Louisiana. He served for a little more than a month. Pinchback, son of a White plantation owner and a former Macon, Ga., slave, was a major force in Louisiana politics after the civil war and during Reconstruction. He was also instrumental in the 1879 establishment of Southern University.
1875—Carter G. Woodson is born in New Canton, Va. In 1926, Woodson started the first Negro History Week which grew to become Black History Month.
• DECEMBER 10
1846—Norbert Rillieux invents the “multiple effect pan evaporator” which revolutionizes the sugar industry and makes the work much less hazardous for the workers. Rillieux was born “quadroon libre” in New Orleans, La. His father was a wealthy French plantation owner and his mother a former slave. He was sent to Paris, France, to be educated in engineering. He also researched Egyptian hieroglyphics. There is no record that he ever returned to the U.S. after the 1850s. He died in Paris in 1894.
1854—Edwin C. Berry is born in Oberlin, Ohio. In Athens, Ohio, he cofounds the City Restaurant and builds the Hotel Berry which was to become one of the most elegant hotels in the entire state. By the time he retired in 1921, he was one of the most successful Black businessmen in America. He dies in 1931.
1950—Ralph Bunche becomes the first African American awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Bunch was born in Detroit, Mich. But his family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and then Los Angeles, Calif., where he showed academic genius and won a scholarship to Harvard. His fame came when he worked out a temporary settlement between the Palestinians and the Jews after the state of Israel was established in 1948 on Palestinian lands. It was that work which won him the Nobel Peace Prize.
from Left to right:)
Byron Donalds official photo/United States Congress. U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) / Photo: U.S. Senate Photographic Studio-Renee Bouchard. Former Executive Director of the White House Opportunity & Revitalization Council Scott Turner/Official White House Photo. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), US Senator Marco Rubio of Florida/ Photo: US Senate.
HUD NOMINEE SCOTT TURNER
HILLS. DONTAE AND IMARI, ENJOYING LIGHT UP NIGHT. THEY’RE FROM MCKEES ROCKS.
Thursday, December 12, 2024 Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown Hotel
600 Commonwealth Place - Pittsburgh, PA 15222
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $125 (Individual) / $1500 (VIP Table)
Dr. Alaine M. Allen
Associate Dean, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Distinguished Service Professor, Engineering and Public Policy
College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University
Tyneshia “Ty” Allen
Founder & Broker Owner Unity Concord Real Estate
Ariell Antonio
Counsel-Privacy, Cybersecurity and Data Protection Highmark Health
Dr. Jocelyn V. Artinger
Principal, Markham Elementary School Mt. Lebanon School District
Danica S. Cato
Senior Vice President, Business Experience Planning & Administration Group Manager
PNC Financial Services
Dr. Danielle Davis
President & CEO Davis Consulting Solutions
Anita L. Drummond
Founder & Executive Director Pittsburgh Positive Young People Association
Rhonda Fischer Chief Operating Officer
Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University
Dr. Lisa Franklin-Robinson
Executive Director, Mon Metro Chamber of Commerce; President, North Braddock Borough Council
Dr. Shannah Tharp Gilliam
Director
Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Area Agency on Aging
Keysha Gomez
Co-Founder & CEO, Kulture Dance Academy; Co-Founder & Executive Director, H.O.P.E. For Tomorrow, Inc.
Dr. Sherlyn Harrison
Chief Program Officer
Pittsburgh Scholar House
Mary Hester
Founder LifeVenture Real Estate Solutions
Terina J. Hicks, MPM
Owner & Chief Baker Officer CobblerWorld LLC
Margo Hinton
Educator, North Allegheny School District
Founder, Heads Up Sports Training LLC
Myah Moore Irick
Founder & Senior Vice President
The Irick Group-Merrill Private Wealth Management
Keisha Che’re Jimmerson
Dean of Students and Diversity Officer
Seton Hill University
Chaplain
Grane Hospice Care and South Pittsburgh Coalition for Peace
China Nicole Lee, Esq.
Lead Counsel, Commercial Transactions Federal Express Corporation
Dina Lee
Customer Service Representative, Duquesne Light Company; IBEW Local 29 Union Steward
Juanita Lomax
Founder & CEO Hit Like A Girl
Janine Macklin
Associate Director of Government Affairs Duquesne University
Margo Marshall
Co-Producer, WPA Juneteenth & Pittsburgh Soul Food Festival Stop the Violence Pittsburgh
Yvette R. Moore
Director of Equity & Inclusion of Undergraduate Initiatives University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering
Ayisha A. Morgan-Lee, EdD
Founder, CEO & Artistic Director
Hill Dance Academy Theatre
Sabrina Saunders Mosby President & CEO Vibrant Pittsburgh
Kimberly Huddleston Neely
Senior Vice President, Solution Train Engineer BNY Mellon
Debbie Norrell Owner A Look Not A Label LLC
Bonita B. Pannell, MSW, MBA Director of Community Outreach
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
Marissa Park
Manager, Client Services Readiness, NRG Energy; Executive Board, Urban Pathways Charter Schools
Pamela Parks
Principal, Pittsburgh Lincoln PreK-5
Pittsburgh Public Schools
Det. Artie H. Patterson
Homicide Detective Pittsburgh Bureau of Police
Montia Robinson
Owner & Operator, The M Robinson Group; Co-Owner, CKV Suites
Dr. Crystal Rose-Eddens
Director of Workforce Development and Capacity Building
Early Excellence Project
Reception Sponsor:
Yvette Renee Royal
Owner
Anastasia’s Crown Esthetic Services
Alexis T. Russell, B.S. Arch, MSL Co-Owner
Russell General Contracting
Keesha A. Sheffey
Colleague Relations Manager
Pittsburgh Mercy
Jill A. Smallwood
Owner J KoKo Hauling LLC
Doris A. Smith
Preload Operations Manager
United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS)
Felicia E. Snead, MD, FASTRO
Associate Professor, University of Pittsburgh; Medical Director, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, St. Clair Health Cancer Center
Dena Stanley
Executive Director
Trans YOUniting
nA’ Stubbs
Founder & Artistic Director
uNiqu’ Arts
Dr. Aja Thompson, EdD
Supervisor Court Liaison Unit
Fifth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, Allegheny County Adult Probation
Dr. Tamara Thornhill, LPC, MBA
Clinical Director
Melanin Mommies PGH Inc. and The Community Mental Health Collective
Dr. Shannon K. Watson
Senior Program Manager
Healthy Start, Inc.
Sarah D. White
Executive Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion/ Chief Diversity Officer La Roche University
Alice Williams
Executive Director
Women Empowered for Entrepreneurial Excellence
Quaila Wilson-White
Owner
STEAM Beauty & Wellness Spa
Adrienne Young
Executive Director
Tree of Hope
Dr. Julianne Zeigler
Chief Financial Officer
Tadiso Incorporated
Rev. Justine E. Jones
Doris Carson Williams CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania LEGACY AWARD HONOREE
FashionAFRICANA 2024
KENDRA WHITLOCK-INGRAM AND KENNY LEON WITH AN AWARD.
DEMEATRIA BOCCELLA AND DARNELL MCLAUDIN, RIGHT, FOUNDERS
LAFALAISE DION (PHOTOS BY J.L. MARTELLO)
LISA SMITH OF KDKA-TV
participants, too. “If we understand what those hooks are for different cohorts of people, we can use that information to continue to bring people back...and continue the important work of diversifying our amazing city.” Across the country, Pittsburgh isn’t exactly known as a Black mecca. And it didn’t help when a 2019 Gender Equity Commission Report produced by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that Pittsburgh was the worst place for Black women to live according to most livability indicators. Overall, Pittsburgh’s Black population is less than 24 percent these days, and only 17 percent of the Black population in the city limits has at least a four-year college degree, according to data produced by PublicSource between 2012 and 2016. Whites with at least a four-year college degree in Pittsburgh totaled 46 percent, according to the PublicSource data. Pittsburgh’s Black educated population pales in comparison to places like D.C., where 32 percent of Blacks there hold at least a four-year college degree, according to data from the National Equity Atlas, reported by The Atlantic in 2015. The same data found that 28 percent of Blacks in Atlanta and Raleigh, N.C., hold at least a four-year
degree, and one in four (25 percent) Blacks hold at least a four-year degree in Nashville. Each of those cities, in addition to Columbus, Ohio, Charlotte, and Houston, have significantly larger Black populations in the city proper than Pittsburgh, which sports just under 70,000. The rumor mill has forever churned about why some Black people
decide to leave Pittsburgh. But Tim Stevens, Chairman and CEO of B-PEP, along with Godfrey Bethea Jr., VP, Equity, People & Culture for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Kellie Ware, Esq., Executive Director, Professional Development Office, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and Dr. Conner all want to let the data
Our
from the survey do the talking.
“This is the kind of study that we need,” added Majestic Lane, Chief Equity Officer for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. “This is talking to people, listening to people, getting data that can be used across the region to really talk about the challenges and successes.”
Reverend Dr. Dale B. Snyder, pastor of Bethel AME Church, in the Hill District, said at the news conference that the survey is important in getting “the actual facts behind the stories.”
The online or via-telephone survey should take an individual about 10 minutes to complete. A New Pittsburgh Courier analysis
of the survey found that two of the questions are:
“How would you rate the support ecosystem (funding, networking, mentorship) for Black entrepreneurs in the Pittsburgh region?” and, “What improvements do you feel would improve your satisfaction of life in the Pittsburgh region?” The survey has plenty of room for participants to freely elab -
orate on issues and answers, too.
Dr. Conner said the first 1,000 people who complete the survey are eligible to receive a $10 gift card. Dr. Conner also said she hopes more than 1,000 people will take the survey.
The survey leaders have partnered with outside organizations like 1 Hood Media, 100 Black Men, Kingsley Association, Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, Vibrant Pittsburgh, Pitt African American Alumni Council and YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh to get the word out to more African American adults to complete the survey.
The survey closes on March 31, 2025. Dr. Conner, Ware and Bethea said there would be some data reveals from the surveys in the summer of 2025. Stevens said the information from the surveys will be “valuable information for the corporate community to analyze, those who wish to keep Black people in Pittsburgh.”
“We know we can’t be a thriving region if everyone isn’t thriving,” Lane added. “It’s very simple.”
ROB TAYLOR JR.)
Gainey speaks to city residents, touts improvements on affordable housing
Without affordable housing, city's Black population will continue to lessen
apartment complex and then charging as much as possible for each unit. It actually makes sense, until one realizes that when the, say, 200-unit desirable apartment building is comprised of primarily White residents, it comes at the cost of Blacks being pushed out of Pittsburgh’s communities.
That's where complicated deals between non-profit real estate developers or private developers that specialize in subsidized housing must step in and partner with cities, redevelopment authorities and other entities to build housing for people who cannot pay market-rate. There are plenty of state and federal programs and grants that help offset the cost of building these apartments or townhomes, since the monthly rent the developers receive will most likely be based on a person or family's annual income.
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey is well aware of the affordable housing problem in Pittsburgh.
With all eyes trained on him during his State of the City Address to City Council on Nov. 12, he reiterated that increasing the supply of affordable housing has been a top priority of his administration "since day one."
The mayor said his administration worked with City Council and the Urban Redevelopment Authority to secure the city's first-ever affordable housing bond, which is enabling the city to invest "more than $30 million in affordable housing construction and preservation projects."
Mayor Gainey said the $30 million equals 1,000
units of affordable housing, either to be constructed or preserved, over the next three years, and that some of those units are already in the process of being constructed or preserved in Homewood and Allentown.
"This is all on top of the 890 units completed or in construction and more than 1,000 units approved by the URA Board and in the pipeline over the past three years," Mayor Gainey said.
Each time a ribbon is cut, or the shovel digs dirt, or the keys are handed to a family pertaining to affordable housing in Pittsburgh, it's a win for African Americans.
In East Liberty and Larimer, the Cornerstone Village apartment complex is a bright spot in the affordable housing fight. Cornerstone Village sits across from the Target store in East Liberty, but what's new are the additional Cornerstone Village apartments that were built this year that sit at the corner of Meadow Street and Larimer Avenue, in Larimer. Some residents have already moved in. Those new apartments are paired with 35 affordable housing units that are nearby in the former Larimer Elementary School, on Winslow Street.
Mayor Gainey was there in June for the ribbon-cutting, along with representatives from developer McCormick Baron Salazar. Seventy-five percent of the units inside the school and on Larimer Avenue are reserved for families making 20 to 60 percent of the city's AMI (Area Median Income).
In the Hill District, the Courier reported in 2023 how $50 million in feder-
al grant dollars would be used to help overhaul the Bedford Dwellings housing community, which is the city's oldest public housing community. The complex would transform over the next eight years into more of a mixed-income community and about 400 more units would be added.
The Courier reported in September 2024 that the URA was preserving townhomes in the 2700 block of Bedford Avenue for first-time homebuyers making at or below 80 percent of the AMI.
Mayor Gainey has also discussed the creation of a seven-story building called “City’s Edge,” where the vast majority of the 110 units would be marked for those making up to 60 percent of the AMI. Some of the residents currently living in Bedford Dwellings would be placed in City's Edge. City's Edge, to be located on Colwell Street in the Hill, will also feature commercial space, an ATM
banking center, a parking garage, community room, fitness center, and green space.
Mayor Gainey has also celebrated wins in affordable housing on the West End, with Cedarwood Homes' opening this past summer. Cedarwood is a 46-unit senior affordable housing community in Fairywood, which has a community building that's home to financial literacy, nutrition and exercise programs, and health screenings. For Cedarwood to come to fruition, private developer Tryko Partners teamed with the URA. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh also chipped in with $2.1 million in gap financing and Section 8 vouchers.
During Mayor Gainey's State of the City Address, he touted the city's OwnPGH program, which he said has put "150 low- and moderate-income Pittsburghers on the path to generational wealth all across our city by helping them purchase homes for
the first time."
And the mayor also proposed again the idea of city-wide inclusionary zoning; it would force any new housing project of 20 or more rental units to have at least 10 percent of the units be made affordable to households at or below 50 percent of the AMI. It's something that began in Lawrenceville and some East End areas, but it's not a city-wide implementation. It's a bit of a touchy subject, with advocates saying it will include more people who, otherwise, wouldn't have access to the housing development and its amenities, and others saying it will come at too high of a cost to private developers, thus actually lessening housing units in the city.
"Taken together," Mayor Gainey said, "our affordable housing zoning package is a pro-housing and pro-tenant approach to building a city that everyone can call home."
Bankrupt North Side Comfort Inn won’t become affordable housing
by Eric Jankiewicz PublicSource
A Gettysburg-based company with multiple hotels won an auction to buy a bankrupt hotel on East Ohio Street that had sparked impassioned community discussions.NM Hospitality made the winning bid of $8,775,000 on Nov. 22, beating out a Canadian development team that intended to turn the Comfort Inn & Suites into an affordable housing site, according to a filing in bankruptcy court Wednesday. The auction was the result of the hotel’s current owners, Arrakis LLC, filing for bankruptcy on Sept. 20. Sapan Mehta, president and owner of NM Hospitality, said that he intends to keep the space as a Comfort Inn. A hearing to
finalize the sale is scheduled for Dec. 13 in the Bankruptcy Court of the Western District of Pennsylvania.
The auction results allow East Allegheny neighbors to sidestep a debate that was brewing over alternate plans to turn the hotel into affordable housing. NM Hospitality was one of three bidders, according to court documents. One of the other bidders, Hullett Properties, told residents during a Nov. 11 community meeting that they intended to turn the hotel into housing for tenants with housing vouchers. Residents were split over the affordable housing proposal, though most agreed that the number of people experiencing homelessness had become more visible.
thou shalt PRESERVE ME from TROUBLE; you shall compass me about with song of DELIVERANCE. I will INSTRUCT you and TEACH you in the way which you shall GO: I will GUIDE YOU with MINE EYE.” - Psalm 32:7-8
PITTSBURGH MAYOR ED GAINEY (PHOTO COURTESY PUBLICSOURCE)
Russell Wilson has the Steelers rolling towards the playoffs!
:10—Well, well, well...to all the naysayers and flyby-night fans who were ready to wave the white flag after the Steelers' loss at the Cleveland Browns, "How Ya Like Me Now?" Our Pittsburgh Steelers went into Cincinnati and put up 44 on the Bengals' woeful defense and came away with a victory over the tremendous Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase offense, 44-38, Dec. 1. This was without a doubt a total team victory so let's go to the highlight reel.
:09—As always, we gotta start at the top and the passing show Russell Wilson put on, shades of the 2015-2020 Wilson on display. First off, Russell was 29-38 for 414 yards and seemingly whenever he needed a completion to keep a drive going, he was right on the money. He hit Calvin Austin III, George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth for touchdowns and his ability to move in and out of the pocket and complete passes downfield was just spectacular. Wilson has been exactly what we all wanted and expected from him when he was signed and the sky is the limit as they continue to let him matriculate
George
the ball downfield without playing it safe. Yeah, I stole "matriculate the ball downfield" from Hank Stram, but you didn't know that. And I applaud the use of Justin Fields running the ball on third down for the first down one time. Not five or six times, just once. And did ya ever think the Steelers would pass for over 400 yards this season? Me either.
:08—Continuing with the offense, although Wilson had 414 yards passing, no receiver had 100 yards receiving, George Pickens and his glue fingers topping the team with 74 yards on just 3 receptions and a TD for an average of 24.7 yards per catch. The man is outstanding and I would throw him the ball 15 times a game if I was the OC. I'm just saying. But back to my main point. By spreading out
the ball to 10, that's right, 10 different receivers, the Bengals had no clue who was going to get the ball next and this completely befuddled their lackluster defense even more. Wilson hit Freiermuth 6 times for receptions and a TD and the same for Najee Harris, 6 receptions and a TD. Watching the defensive backfield cringe whenever Najee pulled in a pass and headed their way was particularly satisfying for this old lineman from Slippery Rock. A well-balanced receiving corps matches up well with any team in the NFL right now and bodes well for the playoffs. Yeah, I said it, deal with it and quit your bellyaching.
:07—Najee Harris left, Najee Harris right, Najee up the middle, Najee on a pass play outta the backfield, Najee, Najee, Najee. Sixteen carries for 74 yards, a 4.7 yards-per-carry average and a nice TD run all add up to a stellar performance for Najee, 824 yards rushing for the season, 250 yards receiving and the total package we've come to expect from out running back. Now, can we get this man under contract for the next three or four seasons?
:06—Shifting over to defense, it's time to say T.J. Watt is once again the front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year. Against the Bengals all T.J. did was sack Joe Burrow twice, once a strip sack that caused a fumble we recovered, three tackles for loss and a disruptive force on every snapped ball. Whether it's batting down a ball or stuffing a runner at the line of scrimmage, T.J. is head and shoulders above any other defensive player in the NFL. The intimidation factor alone when he steps on the field is worth every plaudit he receives. 'Nuff said.
:05—We'd be remiss if we didn't mention Cam Heyward, the #1 rated defensive interior lineman in the NFL and well on his way to All-Pro status again. Cam had a sack, 5 tackles and 2 tackles for loss against the Bengals including a piledrive for a 3 yard loss on Chase Brown. Cam is the heart and soul of this team and his example of playing 100 percent on every down is something for all the Steelers to emulate. Start making that Hall of Fame bust right about now.
:04—Donte Jackson now has 5 interceptions on the season and has played exceptionally all season. Diontae Johnson for the Ravens game this week had zero receptions for zero yards and zero TDs on zero targets. I'd say that's a win for the Steelers, wouldn't you? And wasn't it nice to see Nick Herbig strip sack Joe Burrow and have Peyton Wilson pick up the fumble and run it in for a TD? Great having both these young talents on the field at the same time. More of this, please.
:03—Changing it up a minute; how about your Pitt Panthers beating Ohio State in hoops 9190 on a last-second, buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Zack Austin from the top of the key, an incredible shot and a statement win beating Ohio State on their home court and solidifying Pitt's rise in the ranks of the NCAA and the ACC. It's early yet but Pitt is rolling in the right direction and Jeff Capel seems to be pushing all the right buttons on the Pitt Panthers.
:02—If Penn State beats #1 Oregon Saturday, Dec. 7, in the Big Ten title game, Penn State should
ascend to #1 and be the top seed in the 12-team College Football Playoff. They would have one of the four byes in the tourney and wouldn't play 'til New Year's Day in the Rose Bowl. Let all that sink in while thinking about how every national media member had them buried after the Ohio State loss. Yeah, good times. :01—The great Sidney Crosby scored his 600th goal last week, Nov. 23, becoming the 21st player in NHL history to achieve that illustrious number. With a little luck he should move into 17th place by the end of the season and as his numbers increase and his legend grows it's been our great fortune to watch this tremendous man and athlete for his entire career and all praise he is receiving is well-deserved. He is a Top 5 All-Time player and we've been honored to watch him for the past 20 years. Thanks, Sid, for all the great times, we've enjoyed watching you bring us three Stanley Cup championships. :00—GAME OVER.
'Pickens' and choosing
Pickens'
act called unsportsmanlike; but then many NFL fans say, 'Protect the Second Amendment'
The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson mesmerized, hypnotized and declawed the lowly Cincinnati Bengals by the score of 44-38, Dec. 1. Pittsburgh and Cincy slugged it out for four quarters with the Steelers finally scoring a TKO while answering the question of “Who Dey?”
What was strange and funny was that the Steelers were three-point underdogs or somewhere in that vicinity, depending on what gambling website folks wanted to take their money first. Hey
get this, there was some chatter coming out of the Bengals locker room guaranteeing that the Bengals were going to defeat the Steelers. As the late James Brown would say, “Please, please. please,” keep a few of these players away from the CBD and THC gummies as well as the double chocolate brownies laced with potent Hawaiian “herbs and spices” you digggg, for their own good, simply because they may be over-indulging and suffering from delusions. Remember the Russell Wilson who passed for 414 yards in defeating the Bengals is the same Russell Wilson who was proclaimed by the majority of the media, the fans and many coaches to be washed up and rapidly approaching the twilight of his illustrious career. This is the same Russell Wilson, the ex-Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos QB, whose Broncos Head Coach berated him in public, just to feed his power-hungry ego. This is the same quarterback that the Seattle Seahawks allowed to walk
away with a Super Bowl victory in tow, with Seattle appearing to be unfazed and unscathed by their franchise committing such an egregious and unforced error. This is the same QB that ex-Steelers QB Kenny Pickett refused to back up or even compete against for the starting QB job of the Pittsburgh Steelers and subsequently demanded to be traded.
Let’s switch gears for a few minutes. Less than a year ago, when Kenny “the wicked” Pickett was under center, the Steelers’ number one wide receiver, George Pickens, was one phone call from being shipped out into the great blue yonder of oblivion simply because he wanted a quarterback, any quarterback to throw him the football. At that point in Kenny Pickett’s career, he seemed to be comfortable with and exercising the following game plan: 1. Hand the ball off to running back Najee Harris. 2. Find Pat Freiermuth, his first and last option to throw the ball to. 3. Overthrow or underthrow the receiver, 4. Throw a pick. 5. Hold the ball for dear life and take a well-deserved sack. 6. Oops, I meant to say, take a well-deserved rest.
Russell Wilson was shunned, stunned and bummed out because his head coach at the Denver Broncos, Sean Payton, did not feel that Russell Wilson was intellectually capable or compatible to fit in with him and his system.
Mark “the mouthpiece” Madden recently posted this postgame gem online after the Steelers defeated the Bengals. “T.J. Watt has the odd spectacular game. Witness two sacks, a forced fumble, and three tackles for loss at Cincinnati. But Cam Heyward is the MVP on that defense. His consistency dictates. Heyward had a sack, two tackles for loss and deflected a
pass that got intercepted. He can be spectacular too.”
T.J. Watt has been my annual favorite for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year for at least the past five years, so I wholeheartedly agree that Watt is usually spectacular, but during the Steelers recent loss to the Cleveland Browns, Watt was less than stellar because of multiple blocking schemes that were implemented to prevent him from disrupting the Browns’ offensive game plan. However, as far as Mark Madden’s opinion of Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is concerned, I am not going to dignify his words by defining those words as a legitimate analysis because I am certain that Madden continues to be infected with the “Django” disease. Sure signs of the “Django” disease are: saying anything and everything about young
Black athletes, their culture, their background and their intellect or lack of. Madden says the following about George Pickens. “Wideout George Pickens isn’t very bright and lacks accountability. He had 74 yards receiving at Cincinnati but gave back 30 via unsportsmanlike conduct flags. The Steelers need to draft a receiver, find another in free agency and ditch Pickens in the offseason. His contract expires after the 2025 campaign, but extending him for big money would be stupid. Pickens’ idiocy too often undoes his ability. Pickens can’t be a lame duck on an expiring contract next season. He’d go totally cuckoo.”
Why haven’t they ditched Mark Madden and his editors? Could Pickens be as cuckoo as ex-Steelers QB Kenny Pickett by refusing to dress for a game and demanding a trade because he felt entitled enough
to feel that he did not have to compete for the number one QB position?
George Pickens isn’t very bright and lacks accountability. George Pickens is supposedly stupid. The idiocy of George Pickens. George Pickens is at risk of going cuckoo. Well, Madden has been cuckoo for decades with no therapist in sight. So far, the only viola
tion that George Pickens may have committed was wanting the football thrown his way.
George Pickens has had multiple targets placed on his back by the officiating crews of the NFL as well as the media and fans, at times both deserved and undeserved.
George Pickens was allegedly penalized for allegedly displaying gun signs during the Steelers/Bengals clash. However, why haven’t the ultra-conservative members of the NRA been flagged, penalized and fined for pushing lacka-
daisical and ineffective gun laws that are shielded under the perverted and corrupt umbrella of the so-called Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America that permits certain individuals with questionable backgrounds to purchase firearms that may be used to commit numerous firearms violations? Some players may exhibit symbolic gun signs on the playing field, but realistically, many individuals throughout society, including some NFL fans, don’t just display gun signs, they use real guns. As long as society permits the NFL or any other sports organization to create and maintain “control methods” shielded by autonomous pseudo-laws disguised as “discipline,” those methods will never be administered fairly and equitably.
A GREAT MOVE BY THE STEELERS’ NAJEE HARRIS, EN ROUTE TO PITTSBURGH’s 44-38 WIN OVER CINCINNATI, DEC. 1. (PHOTO BY MIKE PATTON)
by Alonzo Kittrels Tribune Correspondent
If you are working in an office environment today and were in the workplace during the ‘50s and ‘60s, then you certainly realize how much things have changed. Rules in the workplace are different, but most notably much of the office equipment has changed significantly, or even disappeared. Even home offices have instituted major differences. So, what memories do you have of office equipment and supplies that were prevalent in offices, back in the day?
This idea came to mind last week when I received an email that contained a form to be completed. Wanting to be as neat as possible and reluctant to fill it out by hand, I thought about how we turned to completing such forms using an item that was routinely found in most offices in the past. How many of you still have access to
a typewriter? I believe many did in the past. It was not only useful in completing forms in the past, but was also useful in typing information on an envelope. You might have memories of every desk in an office having a typewriter. Today, however, you will be lucky to locate one in your company’s storage area.
A mimeograph machine invariably comes to mind whenever I think of office equipment of the past. It was also known as a stencil duplicator. For those of you around during the days of the mimeograph, you will recall that it was often a messy process. Its use involved cutting a stencil on carbon paper with the use of a typewriter and then placing the stencil on a cylinder to allow the ink contained in the cylinder to past through the letters or impressions and onto the paper that was fed into the mimeograph machine. If you remember this, you must recall the need to use sealing fluid to make corrections. The mention of carbon must bring to mind onion skin paper. This was a thin, translucent paper that was ideal for making duplicate copies with carbon paper. It could disintegrate in your hands if you pressed down too hard, yet was widely used in offices, back in the day. Do you recall the days of Pneumatic tubes? When it was necessary to get an important document to another floor and you did not have time to carry it there, the document was placed in a cylindrical container and popped into a pneumatic tube that would propel it, like a rocket, to its destination. These go back many years and I never worked in an environment where they were used. A fax machine, basic in offices a few years ago, is now gone. Now, here are a few additional items that were before my days of work and probably predated your workdays. Many of you may have little understanding or no idea of these additional things that I will reference. Are you familiar with handheld devices that were called PDSs or personal digital assistances? Some referred to them as Palm Pilots, a name that may ring a bell. I understand that they were the “must-have” accessory of any ambi-
by Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
In 2020, following the global Black Lives Matter protests, Walmart pledged to foster a culture of inclusion and belonging. Its “Belonging” program promised associates they would “feel seen, supported, and connected” and highlighted that diversity would drive engagement and business success. Four years later, Walmart is reversing course, dismantling many of those commitments as the incoming Trump administration advances policies critics argue will deepen racial divisions in America.
Once vocal about promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the retailer announced it would no longer consider race or gender when awarding supplier contracts or collecting demographic data for financing eligibility and grants. Walmart will also review its financial support for “Pride” events and restrict the sale of products such as chest binders for minors, which were previously marketed as part of gender-affirming care.
In a statement, Walmart pointed to its corporate purpose: “Our purpose, to help people save money and live better, has been at our core since our founding 62 years ago and continues to guide us today. We’ve been on a journey and know we
aren’t perfect, but every decision comes from a place of wanting to foster a sense of belonging, to open doors to opportunities for all our associates, customers, and suppliers and to be a Walmart for everyone.”
The changes follow efforts by conservative activists, including commentator Robby Starbuck, who has targeted major corporations for their diversity initiatives. Starbuck said his
The reversals align with the broader push from the incoming Trump administration to dismantle diversity programs nationwide. Trump has promised to eliminate federal DEI programs, dismantle protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, and penalize companies that prioritize diversity in hiring and promotions. His administration plans to enforce stricter oversight of corporate diversity efforts
grams and repeal Bidenera protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Proponents of DEI argue that such initiatives help companies hire and retain diverse talent and foster innovation. Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase and other business leaders have repeatedly emphasized that diversity benefits both the workplace and the bottom line. Despite this, corporations like Bud Light, Target, and Ford have scaled back or abandoned diversity efforts following boycotts and conservative pressure campaigns.
Can you believe it’s December already? Christmas decorations are everywhere, holiday music fills the air, and retailers are rolling out extended hours and irresistible sales to tempt you into spending. Every charitable organization is asking for donations, co-workers are pooling money for office gifts, and family members are dropping not-so-subtle hints about what they want under the tree. Even your church might be passing the plate for a gift for the pastor. You believe in your heart that “it’s better to give than to receive,” but let’s be honest—your wallet is screaming, “Give me a break!” Mortgage, car payments, student loans, utility bills, and Uncle Sam are all vying for your attention. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and tempted to overspend just to keep up with the spirit of giving. As a financial advisor, I’ve heard it all. You want to make ends meet without falling into the debt trap. You dream of starting a Christmas savings fund in January, but let’s face it—life happens. By the time December rolls around, you’re scrambling to figure out how to make it all work without skipping bills or swiping credit cards you can’t afford to pay off. But here’s the good news: you can enjoy the holiday season without financial stress or piling on debt. Here’s how:
Tips to Enjoy a Debt-Free Christmas
1. Set a Spending Limit and Stick to It
If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. Before you even think about shopping, decide how much you can afford to spend on Christmas this year. Be realistic—this number should fit comfortably within your budget without sacrificing essential bills or savings goals. Once you have your spending limit, stick to it! Use cash or debit cards instead of credit to avoid the temptation to overspend. Seeing your money physically leave your wallet can help you stay accountable. 2. Make a Thoughtful List Channel your inner Santa: make a list and check it twice—or even three times. Write down the names of everyone you plan to shop for and assign a spending limit to each person. Be intentional about the people you include on your list. As you review your list, ask yourself:
discussions with Walmart led to these changes and described the retailer’s decision as “the biggest win yet for our movement to end wokeness in corporate America.” Walmart has also discontinued racial equity training, ended participation in the Human Rights Coalition’s Corporate Equality Index, and removed terms like “Latinx” and “DEI” from its corporate lexicon.
through the Department of Justice, targeting practices that allegedly violate laws barring racial and gender-based discrimination.
A Trump spokesperson, Steven Cheung, said the incoming president has made it clear that ending DEI policies is a top priority and that Americans have voted to favor these changes. Vice President-elect JD Vance has also supported efforts to abolish federal DEI pro-
“Does everyone on this list need a gift?” For example, consider trimming down your list by excluding co-workers, extended family, or adult friends. A heartfelt card or thoughtful gesture may suffice for these relationships instead.
3. Shop Smart and Early
One of the best ways to avoid overspending is to start shopping early. Last-minute shopping often leads to impulse purchases and higher prices. By planning ahead, you can take advantage of sales, discounts and promotions. Use tools like price-comparison apps, coupon websites, and cashback offers to stretch your dollars further. Make it a game to see how much you can save on each item. And remember, a thoughtful gift doesn’t have to be expensive. Sometimes, it’s the small, personalized gestures that mean the most.
4. Avoid Holiday Debt Traps
The holiday season is filled with financial pitfalls designed to lure you into spending more than you can afford. For example:
The rollback of diversity efforts comes as data reveals significant racial inequities in corporate leadership. USA Today reported that its investigation found that White men hold seven out of 10 executive officer positions at the nation’s largest companies, with one in seven of those companies having all-White executive teams. The lack of representation underscores the stakes for employees of color and marginalized communities as diversity programs face increasing opposition. Experts warn that the rollback of corporate diversity efforts, combined with the Trump administration’s aggressive stance, could deepen racial and social divides in the United
• Deferred Payment Offers: Retailers may offer “buy now, pay later” deals, but these often come with high-interest rates or hidden fees if you miss a payment.
• Store Credit Card Discounts: Signing up for a store credit card at checkout might save you 10-20 percent on your purchase,
Credit card swipe fees are financial inequities for Black America
by Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.
America’s financial system is quietly reinforcing old inequities. Black American communities —historically denied access to wealth-building tools due to practices like redlining and restrictive banking—now face a new predatory financial hurdle: credit card swipe fees.
For Black Americans, swipe fees—which credit card companies use to fund luxury points programs—act as yet another layer of systemic discrimination, forcing many to pay more while receiving less in return.
Consider how credit card swipe fees work. Every time someone uses a credit card, the merchant is charged a fee—usually between 2 percent and 4 percent—which is
often passed on to consumers through higher prices. Wealthier cardholders benefit from this system, recouping costs through rewards like fancy hotel stays and airline miles. But a legacy of discrimination has left Black families with fewer wealth-building opportunities, resulting in lower homeownership rates, lower credit scores, and higher debt burdens— putting those premium credit card and their luxury rewards out of reach for many.
In simple terms, Black Americans and other communities of color are left to foot the bill for the flights and perks of those who are considerably more affluent.
Black Americans are less likely to hold credit cards—72 percent ownership compared to 88 per-
Walmart ends diversity
States. Franklin Turner, a corporate attorney specializing in federal contracts, said that while companies dependent on federal funding may adjust their policies under pressure, most are unlikely to abandon diversity efforts entirely. David Glasgow, executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at NYU School of Law, told reporters that the
work would continue. “It may need a rebranding, but there is no universe where even the most hostile presidency is going to be able to completely eliminate an entire field of work because there are too many people out there who care about creating organizations that are respectful, that are inclusive, and where people have equal opportunity,” Glasgow remarked.
HALL OF FAME HONORS
PUB-
LISHER ROD DOSS receives a Hall of Fame award from Pennsylvania Newsmedia Association President & CEO Bill Cotter and PNA Board of Directors Chairwoman Jennifer Bertetto, Nov. 14, in Hershey, Pa.
cent for White Americans —and often face higher interest rates. 58 percent of Black Americans have more credit card debt than emergency savings, compared to 30 percent of White Americans. Black college graduates carry $25,000 more in student loan debt than their White counterparts, which can further harm their credit scores and financial stability.
It’s a painful irony: Black Americans, who are systematically excluded from wealth-building tools, end up paying more to access the same basic financial services. These financial pressures make it hard to escape revolving debt, and harder still to enjoy the rewards that banks offer. The promise of “free” rewards from swipe fees is an illusion for those who can barely afford to pay
down their balance every month. While swipe fees aren’t solely responsible for racial wealth disparities, they compound existing financial burdens, making it even harder for Black families to build savings and financial security.
Black Americans are far from the only group that would benefit from comprehensive swipe fees reform: Small business owners and advocates across the country have been sounding the alarm and leading the calls. For small merchants, swipe fees are often their second-highest
monthly cost after labor. These businesses—which operate on razor-thin profit margins —are forced to raise prices to stay afloat. The average American family pays more than $1,100 a year in high-
It’s
er prices due to these fees. The current swipe fee structure exists because the Visa-Mastercard duopoly controls 90 percent of the U.S. credit card processing market, allowing them to set and increase rates for merchants while blocking out compet-
itors.
Swipe fee reform isn’t radical; it’s about fair competition and a level playing field. The Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) —a bipartisan bill being considered in Congress — aims to introduce competition into this marketplace by requiring at least two competing processing networks on each credit card. This could save American consumers and businesses an estimated $15 billion annually. The CCCA won’t end re-
wards programs—only the banks that offer them can decide that. In fact, a recent study found that the CCCA would have little to no impact on rewards. What the bill would do is end a broken system that preys on those with the least and benefits those with the most.
Reducing swipe fees through pro-competition reform won’t undo generations of economic inequality, but it’s a step toward dismantling one of the structures that reinforce it. A fairer financial landscape benefits everyone, not just those most impacted—and Black Americans have paid more to receive less for too long. It’s time for that to change. An inequality anywhere is a threat to equality everywhere.
Do you remember these obsolete
tious office worker but they became obsolete and disappeared some 25 years ago.
What about the Telex Machine? Before the fax-machine, many offices used a telecopier machine to deliver important documents. This machine had to be attached to a regular telephone and then a call was made to the person to whom you were transmitting. A newspaper advertisement described it as mail that could be accessed over the telephone.
Now here is something that I suspect was not found in many offices and I doubt seriously that one was found in offices where any of us worked. So, what could it be? Brace yourself; it was a bar. Believe it or not, there were some companies that did not believe that a man should be ex-
pected to make it through a workday without his mid-day scotch break. If any of you know of a company that provided this to employees in the past, please let me know. So, what other items or equipment was found in most offices, back in the day, but is unlikely to be found in offices today? Look around your office to see if there is a pencil sharpener. Does anyone use a Rolodex today? Are things that were as basic as dictionaries, rulers, envelope openers, paper clips, staplers and staples easily located? When was the last time you saw anyone using a steno pad or a Dictaphone? Are desk trays, pen tray holders, overhead projectors, easel flip boards, swinging arm desk lamps, time clocks, chalkboards and laser pointers items that are no longer around
and have been left to the past? It was during my first job after college that I recall seeing a secretary pool. You must recall secretaries being grouped in a large area to provide secretarial duties to various offices.
Secretary pools have been phased out and are now non-existent. You may also remember switchboard operators. Telephone technology has made these jobs unnecessary. Another item that’s foreign now is the dot matrix printer. These machines were similar to typewriters, but instead of the impression being made by a letter, number, or punctuation, the impressions are made out of the pins on the print head.
items?
Does anyone still use airmail envelops? Who still uses interoffice envelops to send mail from one office to another? While not limited to offices and the business environment, ashtrays were generally found in offices. Ashtrays were a workplace staple, back in the day. I have no doubt that many workers today appreciate the innovations that have significantly improved and increased proficiency in what and how thing are done in the office environment. But, in spite of advancements, I suspect that many that have the need to complete certain specific tasks long for a typewriter that was dependable for completing many assignments, back in the day. (Alonzo Kittrels can be reached at backintheday@phillytrib. com or The Philadelphia Tribune, Back In The Day, 520 South 16th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146)
How to avoid debt while Christmas shopping this year
busy parent, shovel snow for an elderly neighbor, or cook a homemade meal for a friend. These acts of kindness cost little but mean a lot.
You could also create coupons for your loved ones. For example: “Redeem this coupon for a free night of babysitting” or “Good for one car wash.” These thoughtful, service-based gifts can be fun to make and even more enjoyable to give.
7. Cut Back on Discretionary Spending
If your budget is tight, consider temporarily cutting back on non-essential expenses like dining out, streaming services, or entertainment. Redirect the money you save toward holiday expenses. For example, if you usually spend $100 a month on eating out, consider preparing meals at home during December and using that money for Christmas gifts. Small sacrifices now can prevent financial regret later.
8. Consider a Holiday Side Hustle If you’re still short on cash,
Once this holiday season is behind you, start planning for the next one. Open a dedicat-
and start the
footing. Remember:
on
and
is about
ty of spirit—not expensive gifts or over-the-top celebrations. This year, give yourself the gift of financial peace by sticking to your budget and focusing on what truly matters. After all, the best things in life aren’t things.
WALMART FROM B1
Guest Editorial
Some of Trump’s picks show ties to Project 2025
President-elect Donald Trump spent months on the campaign trail saying he has no connection to Project 2025, a radical right-wing policy plan put together by the Heritage Foundation that seeks to be a road map for a second Trump term.
“I have no idea who is behind it,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. “I disagree with some of the things they’re saying and some of the things they’re saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal. Anything they do, I wish them luck, but I have nothing to do with them.”
Trump has sought to disown the 900page report because of the negative publicity that it has received.
The more voters heard about Project 2025, the more they disliked it.
Despite Trump’s efforts to distance himself from the plan, Project 2025 features several officials and proposals from Trump’s first term in office.
The Washington Post reports that “Trump has named at least four other nominees who are credited by name in Project 2025, a product of the conservative Heritage Foundation: Tom Homan, Trump’s pick for ‘border czar’; John Ratcliffe, Trump’s planned nominee for CIA director; Brendan Carr, his selection to head the Federal Communications Commission; and Pete Hoekstra, Trump’s selection for ambassador to Canada. Homan, Hoekstra and Ratcliffe were listed as contributors to Project 2025’s 900-plus-page manifesto. Carr wrote an entire chapter on the agency that Trump now wants him to run.
“One of the groups that advised Project 2025, America First Legal, is led by Stephen Miller, a former top Trump aide whom Trump has now picked to return to the White House as assistant to the president, deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser.”
The former president has selected Russ Vought to lead the White House budget office, a role he held in the first Trump administration. Vought, one of the key authors of Project 2025, wrote a chapter on the executive office that advocates that the next president wield his power more aggressively.
In addition to increasing the power of the president, Trump opponents should prepare now for Trump’s vow to make wide-scale changes to the federal workforce, cutting jobs and replacing career civil servants with political appointees.
Replacing federal workers with loyalists to the president is proposed in Project 2025. Other proposals outlined in the plan that could potentially be part of Trump’s second term agenda include eliminating administrative tools to address discrimination, disbanding all federal diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and abolishing the Department of Education.
As Trump prepares for his second term, it is crucial that our elected officials, civil rights groups and others take a close look at Project 2025, the policies that could be implemented in a second Trump term and how to stop their implementation.
(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)
No Kings Act
(Trice EdneyWire.com)—I know it’s been a long time since I studied law, but all of my life I heard the phrase, “No one is above the law.” During the Civil Rights Movement, such as the time when The Atty. Thurgood Marshall, Medgar Evers, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Atty. Fred Gray, Rosa Parks, Mayor Charles Evers, Dick Gregory, Ella Baker, Malcolm X, Bayard Rustin, Diane Nash, Fannie Lou Hamer, A. Philip Randolph and others were with us, when something about race didn’t seem to be fair, our leaders would say, “We’ll take it to the Supreme Court!”
We haven’t heard that statement in recent times as we’re looking for justice. I know we can rely on Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson (the three justice warrior women on the U.S. Supreme Court.) but they’re not in the majority. They can argue for justice and we’re grateful they’re there. President Barack Obama tried to even the playing field a bit by putting someone on the Supreme Court. Senator Mitch McConnell put an end to that when President Obama had the right to make Atty. General Merrick Garland a candidate.
Republicans, led by Mitch McConnell, immediately announced they would not consider or vote on any replacement nominees from President Obama. They deferred the appoint-
ment to the next President who it just happened was Donald Trump. Even though doing so was not the law or the practice at the time, what McConnell did was set up a situation that a Democrat may not have the opportunity to select a Supreme Court Justice in our lifetime—giving a convicted criminal by the name of Trump the right to make decisions on who will be able to become a Supreme Court Justice for years to come!
Now Trump will have the power of kings! He can do whatever he wishes to do and will have no guardrails because something strange happened in the 2024 Presidential Election. The best candidate did not get credit for the victory. I say “did not get credit” because in my book, Vice-President Kamala Harris won the hearts and minds of so many voters and would have been able to straighten out more of the mess Trump made the last time he was President, and in the next four years the horrors he’s already putting in place for so many of us. If you don’t know what I mean, and you
haven’t read his promises, please read PROJECT 2025, and take a look at who Trump and Musk have chosen to lead Trump’s plans for those of us who are not among their wealthy buddies who preferred to be led by a criminal than to vote for a brilliant and highly qualified Black /Asian woman who ran circles around Trump! Those who didn’t vote, or didn’t vote for the woman who was by far the best candidate to save our democracy, I pray they won’t come crying and trying to join those who will remain working for the good of the country on the picket lines or in court as our rights are being taken away and as we are trying to get back what we’ve lost. Our ancestors taught us to never give up the fight. When you see those MAGA caps, ask yourself, “Was America ever great for Black people, and did they expect that any of their children or children’s children would betray their efforts by supporting an uncaring criminal who cares about nothing other than himself?”
Trump told us November 5th might be the last time we would ever have to vote! Those of us who believed him, will still be working for everybody to exercise that right. You might want to begin supporting those working to pass the “No Kings Act”!
(Dr. E. Faye Williams, President of The Dick Gregory Society.)
Doss Editor & Publisher
Stephan
John. H. Sengstacke
(1912-1997)
(TriceEdneyWire.com)—For those of us concerned about the re-election of Donald Trump as the 47th POTUS, of which there are many, as the President-elect he has officially announced the nomination of anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services.
This nomination has many stating they believe Kennedy to be dangerous. Washington State Senator Patty Murray said Kennedy was “nothing short of a disaster for the health of millions of families.” On October 25, 2024, Kennedy posted on X: “…If you work for the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and are part of this corrupt system, I have two messages for you: 1. Preserve your records, and 2. Pack your bags.”
According to Richard Besser, former acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “If we were to come in and wholesale remove departments of public health and areas in public health, everyone in our country would be at risk.”
On July 20, 2023, Kennedy testified before a congressional committee regarding censorship of Americans’ free speech on social media and said, “I have never been anti-vaxx. I have never told the public to avoid vaccination.” That was a lie, and for the record, his soon to be boss lied when he said he didn’t lose the 2020 Presidential election.
Either the folks in congress didn’t remember or just didn’t know what he said in a 2021 podcast. I clearly remember him saying to the listening audience to “resist” CDC guidelines on when children ought to get
(TriceEdneyWire.com)—What is one thing—just one—you can agree on with someone on the opposite side of the political divide? The late General Colin Powell once told me, “Figure that out and you can get a lot done. And as you win one victory together, you might just discover along the way that there’s something else you agree on.”
Our nation seems utterly divided. Many of the wounds that have been torn open in these last few election cycles are real and painful. But too much focus has been placed on further tearing open those wounds rather than healing them. One way we can heal them is simply by rolling up our sleeves and getting to work on the things we can agree on.
One thing Dr. Martin Luther King taught his lieutenants, several of whom trained me when I was a young organizer, is that if you are comfortable in your coalition, your coalition is too small.
We need unlikely allies and uncomfortably large coalitions. Coalitions of what can seem like strange bedfellows get things done. When I served as national president of the NAACP, we brought together prison guard unions, conservative governors, and Democratic legislators to dramatically shrink prison systems and allow people who served their sentences to regain their right to vote.
Bipartisanship itself can be a powerful tool and vehicle for progress. Here are a few examples, just from recent or ongoing environmental fights for legislation at the federal, state, and local levels.
We know that Donald Trump and his allies in Congress are close friends of the fossil fuel and other extractive industries. As such, one might assume Republican support for conservation efforts would be hard,
vaccinated. Then he doubled down saying, “I see somebody on a hiking trail carrying a little baby and I say to him, better not get them vaccinated.” If a picture is worth a thousand words, what do you think the video is worth showing him standing next to a sticker that read: “If you’re not an anti-vaxxer you aren’t paying attention.”
I wish congress was paying attention after he was sworn in under oath to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Never mind. What does the Truth and Rule of Law mean to Kennedy and Trump? It’s clear to me that congress missed the mark, or simply ignored it. I need us to be “paying attention.”
There should be no doubt he is an anti-vaxxer, and there is no doubt he’s spread false and reckless information to the Black community. His credibility was in-part established by reminding us of the horrific Tuskegee Experiment conducted between 1932 and 1972 by the U.S. Public Health Service and the CDC. The two organizations injected nearly 400 Black men with syphilis and left them untreated to study the effects of the disease. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Kennedy told all who would listen that the virus was aimed at Caucasians and Blacks. He went on to say the Chinese scientist were making
if not impossible, to find. But one of the green movement’s great victories at the federal level during the first Trump administration was passage of the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act. The bill provided permanent funding for important conservation and public recreation projects across the country and addressed a multi-billion-dollar maintenance backlog in national parks and other public lands. At the time, then executive director of the Sierra Club, Michael Brune, called it “one of the most important conservation bills in a generation.” It passed in a closely divided US Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support, by a vote of 73-25. We now hope to replicate that success with passage of the bipartisan EXPLORE Act during the current lame duck session or in the next Congress. That bill is a wide-ranging package of popular policies including the Outdoors for All Act and expansion of the Every Kid Outdoors program to make national parks and public lands accessible to more of America’s youth. One of my favorite current examples of a powerful multi-partisan, common ground-finding coalition at the state level is in the fight to stop a dangerous carbon capture pipeline in Iowa. A bill supported by that coalition to slow approval of land seizures for the project passed the Republican-majority Iowa House in March by a whopping 86-7 vote. That bill was unfortunately killed in the state Senate, by
“ethnic bioweapons” and collecting data on people of various races so that they can specifically target their desired group. His history is clear: Kennedy is full of these types of conspiracies, and very academically empty on science. There has not been one credible scientific organization that has validated his conspiracies.
Men lie, women lie, but numbers don’t lie. In 1912, measles was placed on the list of to be reported nationally. Prior to the vaccine in 1963, nearly every child got measles by age 15. The estimate of those infected was between 3-4 million/year. Hundreds died and thousands were hospitalized each year. In 2000, the United States declared measles a non-issue. Since then, there have been only 1,577 cases of measles reported in the country (1,300 in 2019, and 277 in 2024). Why? Because of science and the application of a very effective vaccination program. Given his rhetoric, Kennedy could Make Measles Great Again.
Was the COVID-19 vaccine perfect, absolutely not; however, I don’t know of any medicine or vaccine that is perfect. What I do know is that science has proven to save far more lives than conspiracies. What our community ought to be telling Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is just one thing: PACK YOUR BAGS!
(Carl B. Mack is former president of the Seattle King County NAACP and former executive director of the National Society of Black Engineers. He holds an honorary doctor of science degree from Clarkson University, a private research institution, based in Potsdam, New York.)
just a handful of powerful senators, before it could receive a floor vote. But coalition organizers are still fighting, and they believe the bill—or one similar to it—has the support to pass once they can get it to the Senate floor.
At the local level, I heard a story just this month that illustrates how, even when things seem bleak, there are still plenty of opportunities for progress. A Sierra Club volunteer leader receiving a lifetime achievement award for her work spoke to a crowd that was no doubt devastated by the results of the recent election. She told them she had, just the day prior, attended a board of supervisors meeting in her community where she and other community members convinced the body—composed entirely of Republicans except for one Democrat—to ban gasoline-powered leaf blowers. It was a reminder of how often straightforward local community organizing transcends politics. This is just a small sampling of countless examples across the country of Americans who are not letting partisanship stand in their way as they work to make things better for their families and communities. The common ground is there if we bother to look for it. And look we must if we care about getting things done. We do not have to agree on much for us to thrive together, in our families and communities, and as a country. For those of us fighting to get something done, we must remember: coalitions that include a variety of viewpoints are coalitions that ultimately win. General Powell’s words still ring true.
(Ben Jealous is the Executive Director of the Sierra Club and a Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.)
The Department of Education under attack
(TriceEdneyWire.com)—U. S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) recently introduced legislation to abolish the U.S. Department of Education in a not-surprising move since it was part of Project 2025. It also aligns directly with President-elect Donald Trump’s repeated pledge to dismantle the federal agency. During the campaign, Trump called for the agency’s elimination, arguing it’s an “abuse of your taxpayer dollars” that allows schools to “indoctrinate America’s youth.” Since its inception, efforts to abolish the department date back to the Reagan administration in 1981. Those early efforts were found not to be an easy endeavor and never materialized. Many of the suggestions in Project 2025 concerning the Department of Education came from a memo written by then-President Ronald Reagan’s education secretary just one year after it became a Cabinet-level agency under the Carter administration.
Despite confusion on the agency’s role—it doesn’t set policy on what schools can or can’t teach—a major function of the department deals with higher education. It issues student loans and oversees the Federal Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA), which helps students with “exceptional financial needs.” Under the proposed legislation, key programs and funding streams would be moved to other federal agencies.
“Do people know anything about the Department of Education?” Maybe not. But have they ever heard of the Pell Grant? Probably so,” said former Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, who served under former President George W. Bush. If the Department of Education is eliminated, the Treasury Department would oversee student loans for millions of college students and graduates.
“It’s going to be very costly and very complicated, and it’s not clear that even people who favor
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this are going to think benefits justify the cost and aggravation,” said Michael Feuer, dean of the Graduate School of Education and Human Development and a professor of education policy at George Washington University. This illustrates the importance of voter education, awareness, and engagement before and after elections. The proposed legislation by Sen. Rounds shows there will always be a never-ending attempt to dissolve the 45-year agency while weakening public education in favor of private schools. A key component missing from the initial bill text is Title I funds, the federal government’s largest annual funding stream for K-12 education.
The funding is distributed to districts with larger populations of children from low-income families. The bill fails to mention smaller department funding streams such as Title II, which funds teacher training and recruitment initiatives, and Title III, which funds services for English learners. The bill would send block grants to the states that they could use for “any purpose” related to early childhood, elementary, or secondary education. Under the measure, the allocation would be driven by the number of students enrolled in each state’s public, private, and home schools without consideration of other factors, such as how many children live in poverty or have different specific needs. “They’re trying to set it up that way so states can funnel some of that money to private schools, to home schools,” said Nathan Favero, a professor of public administration and policy at American University. With alternate goals in mind, how does any dismantling of the Department of Education impact families and students within the Black community, considering the number of Black students who depend on Pell Grants? How does it impact low-income families regardless of race? While Republican lawmakers may be in favor of using taxpayer dollars for private and home school, what about their MAGA constituents living in red states that are considered the least-educated states in the nation? These states include West Virginia, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Other states at the bottom of the list include Arkansas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Nevada, Kentucky, New Mexico, and Texas. Some of these least-educated states are also the nation’s poorest. Do MAGA voters in favor of the closure fully realize the Project 2025 proposal could jeopardize the public school funding in low-income areas with White residents? Is their understanding of the Department of Education based heavily on the ideas of youth being indoctrinated or in Project 2025 promoting the rejection of Martin Luther King’s idea of a colorblind society in favor of reinstating a color-conscious society? In reality, can the full elimination of the agency be implemented? “Right now, when we have the Department of Education, we have an entire agency where the leadership is thinking 100 percent about education because that their whole mandate,” said Favero. “Whereas if they slice and dice this up and it goes to different agencies…now education is just going to be a very small part of the portfolio that the organization does, and I don’t think their leadership is going to have the same attentiveness to steer new initiatives.” With conservatives about to control all three branches of the federal government—executive, judicial, and legislative— parents who depend on long-term public school funding may need to take a greater interest in the school priorities of their state and local governments.
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The once and future Democratic Party
“Donald J. Trump is the President of the United States. His unexpected win has finally electrified American liberals and leftists. They are busily planning what they term a ‘resistance’ to what he represents.”
That may sound like a mission statement from a progressive activist organization, written the day after Democratic nominee Kamala Harris was defeated in the 2024 presidential election, but it is not.
It was the introduction to Mark Lilla’s book The Once and Future Liberal: After Identity Politics, which came out the year after Republican nominee Donald Trump defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for the presidency in 2016.
Clinton detailed her defeat in a memoir simply titled What Happened.
Clinton stated she made a series of mistakes and confessed that she did not fully understand the American electorate.
Following Harris’ 2024 loss to Trump, Democrats were once again wondering what happened, as to why their candidate came up short against the same Republican who had lost to the Biden/Harris ticket in 2020.
Evidently, the Democrats disregarded Lilla’s book, as Lilla clarified the issues the Democrats are currently grappling with.
The book begins with this 1985 quote from Democratic Senator Edward M. Kennedy. “We must see the distinction between being a party that cares about labor and being a labor party. Being a party that cares about women is not the same as being the women’s party. And we can and must be the party that values minorities without becoming a minority party. We are citizens first.”
Since 1985, the United States has gotten more diverse, with the Democratic Party using identity politics to win elections. The Democratic Party evolved into a coalition of minorities and White women, outnumbering White, heterosexual, Christian men in voter turnout. The Democratic Party was a coalition against conservatism, republicanism, capitalism, racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, Islamophobia, and so on, but it was inevitable that each faction in the coalition would prioritize its identity group or ideological faction over their American citizenship.
The 2016 presidential campaign slogans emphasized the Democratic Party’s inward emphasis, while the Republican Party conveyed a sense of American unity.
J. Pharoah Doss Check It Out
Clinton had three slogans. 1). Hillary for America—insisting that her ideological faction was best for America. 2). Fighting for us—but “us” referred to the democratic coalition she represented, not all Americans. 3). I’m with her—which prioritizes a specific identity. Trump campaigned around two slogans: “America First” and “Make America Great Again.” Trump copied and reworded Republican John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign slogan “Country First” as well as Democrat John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign slogan “Let America be America again.” Trump’s slogans inadvertently countered identity politics by appealing to civic nationalism.
However, Trump’s rhetoric was divisive. As a result, every faction of the Democratic Party saw Trump as the embodiment of racism, misogyny, homophobia, and fascism. They ridiculed the notion of civic nationalism, claiming that it was counterproductive in a nation whose diversity continues to increase, bolstering their devotion to identity politics. (The term “identity politics” was coined in 1977 by a Black feminist socialist group in the following statement: We realize the only people who care enough about us to work consistently for our liberation are us … This focusing upon our own oppression is embodied in the concept of identity politics.)
In contrast, Lilla’s book argued it was the Democratic Party’s obsession with identity politics that was counterproductive because the “politics of identity,” as Lilla put it, lost sight of what we share as citizens and what binds us as a nation.
Lilla compared identity politics to retreating into caves carved out for identity groups on the side of a once-great mountain. Lilla pointed to the Democratic Party’s webpage as proof of this retreat.
First, he observed that the Republican webpage prominently showcases a document named ‘Principles for American Renewal,’ a declaration of beliefs on
eleven distinct broad political themes. The list begins with the Constitution (“We should preserve, value, and honor it”) and ends with immigration (“We need an immigration system that secures our borders, upholds the laws, and boosts our economy”).
Lilla emphasized that the Democrats’ homepage does not contain such a document. Instead, if one scrolled to the bottom, they would discover a list of links titled ‘People.’ Each link takes you to a page that focuses on a certain identity group, such as women, Hispanics, “ethnic Americans,” the LGBT community, Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders. There were seventeen identity groupings and seventeen different messages. The problem here is that each identity group has turned inward rather than turning outward to the larger world. The politics of identity have rendered each group incapable of considering the common good and devising practical measures to safeguard it. Every advance in identity consciousness has signaled a retreat in liberal political consciousness, which is essential for envisioning America’s future. Lilla asserted, “There can be no liberal politics without a sense of we—of who we are as citizens and what we owe one another. If Democrats ever expect to reclaim America’s imagination and become a dominant force in the country, beating Republicans at pleasing the vanity of the fictional Joe Sixpack will not suffice. They must provide a picture of our shared future based on one thing that all Americans, regardless of background, have in common. That is citizenship. We must learn to talk to individuals as citizens and to frame our pleas, especially those to benefit specific groups, in terms of universally accepted ideals. Ours must become civic liberalism.”
Lilla continued by underlining that citizens are not born but created. Sometimes historical forces do the work, but most of the time parents and educators must do the hard work of raising citizens. Only until we have citizens can we hope that they will become liberal. Only when we have liberal citizens can we hope to steer the country in the right direction. If you want to resist Donald Trump and everything he stands for, start here.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) yield to White, Entitled and Inept (WEI)
During her November 27, 2024 Sirius XM Talk Show, the host Lurie Daniel Favors introduced the anacronym WEI. WEI is used herein to refer to White, Entitled, and Inept with an emphasis on Inept as defined by Merriam-Webster, i.e., “[1] generally incompetent, bungling; [2] lacking in fitness; [3] not suitable to the time, place or occasion, inappropriate often to an absurd degree; and lacking sense or reason.” Herein, WEI is used to examine things such as the Walmart retreat from DEI and Donald Trump’s Cabinet choices.
Within an October 13, 2020 New Pittsburgh Courier article, Stacy Johnson and I wrote, “In response to the violent abuse that sparked the recent urban insurrections, there has been considerable governmental, corporate and educational executive level ‘clanging’ regarding equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice, but it remains to be seen whether we are in the midst of a sea change in race relations or, once again, the language and actions of appeasement—whether, after a year from now, systemic racism will continue to run rampant…”
Four years after the above was written, WEI grows like topsy and the death knell rings loudly for DEI. For example, Walmart, the largest private employer, announced that it was cutting back on DEI initiatives, thereby joining forces with other companies such as Harley Davidson, Ford Motor Company, Toyota and Starbucks. Legislators have attacked
DEI in states such as Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. Increasingly, senior administrators don’t wish to learn how to be an “anti-racist” and be “inclusive.”
Meanwhile, Trump put WEI on full display with his Cabinet choices, e.g., [1] Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, notwithstanding the fact that he is being investigated for sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old girl as well as other crimes, and the fact that he never worked as a prosecutor. [2] Regarding Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services, one commentator stated, “He doesn’t understand how science is done. He doesn’t understand how the federal government evaluates various studies. He can’t actually look at a research paper and look at the data and draw conclusions.” (See article by Ron Southwick November 20, 2024). Consider also the fact that Kennedy once was addicted to heroin. [3] As reported by CNN on November 21, 2024, “A recent lawsuit alleges Linda McMahon, who
President-elect Donald Trump tapped to lead the Department of Education, knowingly enabled the sexual exploitation of children by a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) employee as early as the 1980s…”
To put DEI in bold relief, consider the juxtaposition of [1] Trump’s Cabinet picks’ gross lack of qualifications and [2] the extraordinarily qualified Kamala Harris. Kamala Harris served as California’s Attorney General, a member of the US Senate, Vice President, and “As President of the Senate, Vice President Harris set a new record for the most tie-breaking votes cast by a Vice President in history —surpassing a record that had stood for nearly 200 years… This includes casting the decisive vote to secure passage of the landmark Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment ever in tackling the climate crisis...” (See https://www. whitehouse.gov/administration/vice-president-harris/)
To combat WEI, we can’t be gaslighted by things such as “Taco Tuesdays,” “Soul Food Sundays,” and “Land Acknowledgement Statements.” Now is the time to organize for the purpose of closing the opportunity gaps that contribute significantly to educational, health, wealth, and home ownership gaps.
(Jack L. Daniel is Vice Provost and Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh)
Trump’s people, and plans, and how we respond
So far we have seen President Elect Donald Trump nominate a host of unqualified people for key positions in an effort to ensure this time that he has full control of government from day one. We have also seen some push back and we can expect more as Mr. Trump learns that being king is a lot more difficult than being President.
Before we go into collective fear mode from anticipating Project 2025 and the dismantling of our democracy, let us remember that we the people remain the ultimate safeguard to keeping our system of government with its checks and balances. First, beyond Cabinet Appointments, we have a Civil Service Merit System with built in rights and appeals for employees covered under this Act. The Court challenges that will come with such an effort to remove so many people will be overwhelming to the legal system even before the Supreme Court is reached. To dismantle programs and departments will require public notice of such proposed changes with a 45 day comment period. Every American has a right
to write their comments about any and all proposed changes and there is a required period for review of such comments.
Next, the Executive Orders that the President will sign must be published in the Federal Register. This means that Trump, who would be King, still does not have freedom to act without transparency. We the people must pay attention to all Executive Orders that are issued and be prepared to challenge where necessary as an act of not giving up control of our lives and our government.
Third, we must remember why there is such a rush to accomplish all these things during the first 100 days. While Trump won the Electoral College Vote, a review of the recent election will reveal that
not every Republican running for office got elected along with Donald Trump. We must make sure that his control of the House of Representatives ends with the Mid-Term Elections in 24 months. We must not react in fear to such ideas as abolishing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Those elements were never about Black People but rather keeping our struggle diluted with other ethnic causes so as to weaken our focus. We the people, and We as Black People, still have the ability to neutralize “King Trump” and his plans to rule America. We have a Constitution to stand on that can be only as strong as our support of it. We have the collective ability to put pressure on those who would bow to Trump and kiss the ring rather than stand up as our forefathers did before us, against even greater odds. Ultimately, it’s not what happens to us as much as it is how we react and what we do next. Where do you stand?
(Dr. John E. Warren is Publisher, San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper)
Marshall Commentary
John E. Warren Commentary
Jack L. Daniel Commentary
JOB OPPORTUNITIES Help Wanted
BOROUGH MANAGER
Rankin Borough is seeking a qualified Borough Manager to share our vision and match our commitment to a resilient and sustainable future. Working closely in a collaborative style with the 7-member Borough Council, the Manager will lead the administration of the Borough including oversight of all services with the exception of police, all budgetary activities, community development, citizen communication and intergovernmental relationships.The Borough Manager will be expected to lead a variety of special projects Borough; provide leadership in policy formulation and implementation; manage all staff and contractual employees. The successful candidate will possess five years of responsible experience in municipal government. A Master’s degree in public administration from an accredited college or university is preferred, however candidates with significant municipal experience and education in a closely related field are encouraged to apply. Salary commensurate with education and experience plus excellent benefits. This position is open until filled. Applications may be submitted through our website (http://www.rankinborough.com/).
In addition to the application, a resume, cover letter and contact information for three work-related references must be submitted.
Rankin Borough is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).
SENIOR FINANCIAL ANALYST
Advanced Robotics for Manufacturng
d/b/a ARM Institute (Pittsburgh, PA) to be rspnsble for drvng biz value thru effctve dsgn, tstng, implmnttn, & review of cmplx manual & automtd fnncl & accountng systms & prcsses, incl forcstng tools, bdgtng modls, NetSuite & Salesfrce. Spcfc job dties incl: coordntng prpsl bdgtry cycl w/ CFO & Cntrllr & assistng w/ cmplnce & rprtng reqs; spprtng & enhncng biz modls, forcstng, & bdgtng tools to mntr key mtrcs, optmzng fnncl & orgnztnl prfrmnce whle cnfrmng to GAAP; maintnng Salesfrce piplne; reviewng intrnl cntrls & scrty of automtd accountng applctns to ensre cnfrmty to fed gov’t audtng stndrds & cost accountng stndrds; cllbrtng w/ Cntrllr to gthr inpt & fdbck cncrnng data modls, forcstng systms, & accountng needs; & apply undrstndng of GAAP & gnrlly accptd audtng stndrds, & mthds of systms anlyss & prncples, dsgn, & prcdrl mthds usd in modlng & forcstng. Bchelor’s in Accountng or Fnnce. CPA or eqvlnt. Resumes to HR@arminstutute.org.
SEC REPORTING SPECIALIST
Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA) to be rspns. for all aspcts of preprng & filng our annl & qrtrly SEC filngs. Spcfc job dties incl: preprng wrkpaprs to spprt Form 10-Q & 10-K filngs; reviewng & taggng XBRL info assoc w/ SEC filngs; preprng cash flw sttmnt incl wrkpapr spprt; preprng Gnrlly Accptd Accntng Prncpls & SEC financl sttmnt dsclsre chcklst; reviewng & anlyzng schdles for SEC dcmnttn spprt, & wrkng w/ othr depts to gthr & anlyze info; actvly prfrms SEC Reprtng fnctns insde of Workiva; intractng w/ othr depts to idntfy chngs tht impct SEC filngs; actng as liason to Entrprse Risk Mngmnt dept for Finance dept rcrd retentn reqs; & wrkng w/ Accountng Polcy & Legl in researchng accountng iss & ensrng crrnt accountng prctices are in accrdnce w/ GAAP, SEC & othr regltry gdnce. Master’s in Accntng or Finance. CPA license. Mst knw (thru acdmc trnng or wrk exp) prvdng guidnce in implmnttn of SEC rules, regltns, & financl rprtng; wrkng w/ U.S. GAAP, U.S. GAAS, & PCAOB prcdres & stndrds; & applyng tchncl accountng & financl rprtng stndrds. May WFH w/in same metroplitan statstcal area 2 dys/wk. Cvr lttr & resume w/ salary reqs & refrnces to: HR Dept, FHLBank Pittsburgh, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices
of ALLEN H. WHITE, Deceased of 7724 Evans Street, Swissvale, PA 15218, No.: 02-24-07085, Margaret Randolpgh Caruso, 8250 Bramble Lane, Pittsburgh, PA 15237, Executrix, or to William C. Price, Jr., Price & Associates, P.C., 2005 Noble Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15218
Estate of MR. GREGOR J. STEIN, Deceased, 295 Logan Road, Imperial, PA 15126. Estate No. 02-24-07166, Mr. Craig Stein, Executor, c/o Max C. Feldman, Esquire and the Law Office of Max C. Feldman, 1322 Fifth Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108
of PATRICK MICHAEL FLANIGAN
of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania.
No. 02-24-07527, Ryan Flanigan,
Oakwood Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15234 or to AUBREY H. GLOVER, Atty; BRENLOVE & FULLER, LLC. 401 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Help Wanted
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION SPECIALIST
Pittsburgh Regional Transit is seeking a Workers’ Compensation Specialist to investigates workrelated injuries/disabilities by collecting and compiling information gathered from internal and external sources for Port Authority of Allegheny County d/b/a Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT). Review factual evidence and prepare information necessary to determine the acceptance, denial, termination, modification, or suspension of workers’ compensation benefits; provide case management from the initial filing of a claim through return to gainful employment or settlement. Reviews claim information to identify compliance conditions for acceptance, denial, termination, modification, or suspension of workers’ compensation benefits; corresponds with employee to explain determination and claim status.
Essential Functions:
• Investigates facts and information regarding employee work-related injuries and disabilities by interviewing employees through a telephone conversation, at the employee’s home, or in the Workers’ Compensation office; interviewing witnesses, medical providers, attorneys, and others to determine nature and degree of injury and/or disability; completes required forms and investigation reports. (Such work requires operation of company vehicle and qualification on PRT Right-of-Way.)
• Reviews claim information to identify compliance conditions for acceptance, denial, termination, modification, or suspension of workers’ compensation benefits; corresponds with employee to explain determination and claim status.
• Provides case management services; assumes responsibility for managing the claims to closure, including determining the need for medical management, vocational rehabilitation, surveillance, etc., as needed, and tracking cases on a timely basis.
Job requirements include:
• High school diploma or GED.
• Associate’s degree or 2 years of college in business or related field from an accredited college or university. Related experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in handling claims and investigations in either workers compensation or general liability in the last 10 years and compiling and reviewing medical records. No required certifications or licenses.
• Valid PA driver’s license.
• Professional and effective communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability in the use of Windows and Microsoft Word.
Preferred attributes:
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, human resource management or related field from an accredited college or university.
• Interviewing skills.
• Accident investigation experience.
• Demonstrated ability to use Excel, Access, and Claims Management Software.
We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Interested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to:
Holly A. Jenkins
Employment Department 345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 HJenkins@RidePRT.org EOE
ANNOUNCEMENTS Meetings
PUBLIC NOTICE ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY
The Professional Services Committee of the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority will hold a special meeting for general purposes on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. prevailing time, in the Trefz Board Room at its offices located at 3300 Preble Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15233. Official action on the Committee’s recommendations will take place at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors at a later date. The public may view the meeting via livestream by visiting www.alcosan.org.
LEGAL AD NOTICE IS HEREBY given the Emsworth Zoning Hearing Board has scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 7 p.m., prevailing time, at the Emsworth Borough Building, 171 Center Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15202, regarding the application from Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth-USA, Inc. for property at 8235 Ohio River Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15202, for an Appeal from Borough Action related to construction of a new gymnasium. All those interested in the above hearing should be present at the above time and place and you will have an opportunity to be heard.
JONES
CATHY
Borough Secretary
BOROUGH OF EMSWORTH
The Council of the Borough of Emsworth will meet at its regularly scheduled public meeting on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at the Borough Office, 171 Center Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202, to consider adoption of an ordinance, the title and a brief summary of which are set forth below.
TITLE
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF EMSWORTH, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE BOROUGH’S SANITARY
SEWER RATE STRUCTURE TO INCREASE THE ADDITIONAL FEE TO $5.85 FOR EACH 1,000 GALLONS OF WATER USED FOR CHARGES ASSESSED BY THE BOROUGH, WHICH SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE FOR WATER USAGE BEGINNING ON JANUARY 1, 2025
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE
The proposed ordinance would amend the Borough’s sanitary sewer fee to $5.85 for each 1,000 gallons of water used for charges assessed by the Borough. The fee is currently $5.60 as established by Ordinance No. 1009, enacted on November 10, 2021. Therefore, this proposed ordinance would increase this fee by $0.25. The increased fee will become effective for water usage beginning on January 1, 2025. All water usage before January 1, 2025 will be billed at the prior rate of $5.60.
EXAMINATION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE
A copy of the full text of the proposed ordinance is available for examination at the Borough Office, 171 Center Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202, on Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m.
Cathy Jones
Borough Secretary
The Borough of Ben Avon shall hold its Council meetings for the year 2025, on the third Tuesday of the month on the dates shown below beginning in January, both virtually via Microsoft Teams and in the Borough of Ben Avon Municipal Building at 7101 Church Avenue, Ben Avon, PA 15202 at 7:00 p.m. on the following dates:
ANNOUNCEMENTS Meetings
ROSS TOWNSHIP ********************************************************** DECEMBER 2024 12: LEGISLATIVE MEETING, 6:15 P.M.
JANUARY 2025 23: COMMITTEE MEETING W/ACTION, 6:15 P.M.
FEBRUARY 6: COMMITTEE MEETING W/ACTION AT A.W. BEATTIE, 6:15 P.M. 20: LEGISLATIVE MEETING, 6:15 P.M. MARCH 6: COMMITTEE MEETING WITH ACTION, 6:15 P.M.
COMMITTEE MEETING W/ACTION, 6:15 P.M. 15: LEGISLATIVE MEETING, 6:15 P.M.
JUNE 5: COMMITTEE MEETING W/ACTION, 6:15 P.M. 12: LEGISLATIVE MEETING, 6:15 P.M. JULY 31: COMMITTEE MEETING W/ACTION, 6:15 P.M.
AUGUST 7: LEGISLATIVE MEETING, 6:15 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 4: COMMITTEE MEETING W/ACTION, 6:15 P.M. 18: LEGISLATIVE MEETING, 6:15 P.M. OCTOBER 2: COMMITTEE MEETING W/ACTION, 6:15 P.M. 16: LEGISLATIVE MEETING, 6:15 P.M.
DECEMBER 2: REORGANIZATION MEETING AND COMMITTEE W/ACTION, 6:15 P.M.
ANNOUNCEMENTS Public Notice
BOROUGH OF BEN AVON
AVAILABILITY OF PROPOSED BUDGET
Notice is hereby given that the 2025 proposed budget is available for Public inspection by contacting the office of the Borough Secretary At 412.766.7704, Monday and Wednesday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and Tuesday between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Action will be taken on the proposed budget at the December 17, 2024.
Regular meeting of the Ben Avon Borough Council at 7:00 p.m. both Via Microsoft Teams and at the Ben Avon Municipal Building, 7101 Church Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202
Terrie Patsch
Borough Secretary
BOROUGH OF BEN AVON
NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT
The Council of the Borough of Ben Avon will take action on the proposed ordinance at their regular Council Meeting to be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., at the Ben Avon Borough Municipal Building, 7101 Church Avenue, Ben Avon, PA 15202, and via Microsoft Teams a summary of which follows:
Ordinance No. 799
ANNOUNCEMENTS Public Notice
PUBLIC NOTICE BOROUGH OF AVALON 2025 BUDGET Notice is hereby given that the Borough of Avalon proposed 2025 Budget is currently available for public inspection in the Administration Office of the Avalon Borough Building, 640 California Ave, Avalon, PA 15202, during normal business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The proposed budget will also be available on the Borough website, www.boroughofavalon.org. The Borough of Avalon Council intends to adopt the 2025 Budget on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at the regular Council meeting.
Lorraine Makatura Avalon Borough Secretary
Estate of MICHAEL KY PHO A/K/A MY KY PHO, Deceased of the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, No.: 02-24-05548, Kim Chau Nguyen, Administratrix, or to Gregory W. Bevington, Esq., 310 Grant Street, Ste. 1102, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices
January 21, 2025
February 18, 2025
Estate of WILLIAM J. HUGHES, Deceased of the Township of Kennedy, Pennsylvania, No.: 02-24-07175, Glenn Lijewski, or to Gregory W. Bevington, Esq., 310 Grant Street, Ste. 1102, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
March 18, 2025
April 15, 2025
May 20, 2025
June 17, 2025
July 15, 2025
August 19, 2025
September 16, 2025
October 21, 2025
November 18, 2025
December 16, 2025
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF BEN AVON, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, LEVYING AN AD VALORUM REAL ESTATE TAX AND FIXING THE TAX RATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025.
A full text of this Ordinance may be viewed by contacting the office of the Borough Secretary at 412.766.7704 Monday and Wednesday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and Tuesday between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Terrie Patsch Borough Secretary
PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING CABLE FRANCHISE RENEWAL FOR THE BOROUGH OF AVALON Notice is hereby given that the Borough of Avalon will hold a public hearing regarding cable franchise renewal. The public hearing will take place on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. at the Avalon Borough Administration Building located at 640 California Avenue, Avalon, PA 15202. Citizens are invited to testify. The purpose of the public hearing is to review the past performance of the cable operator, Comcast, and to identify the future cable-related community needs of the Borough. Questions may be directed to Lorraine Makatura, Borough Manager, at (412) 7615820.
NOTICE A copy of the proposed 2025 budget for the Township of Kilbuck, Allegheny County, will be made available for public inspection at the Kilbuck Township Municipal Building, 343 Eicher Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237, during normal business hours beginning November 27, 2024. The Kilbuck Township Board of Supervisors will consider adoption at their regularly scheduled meeting on December 17, 2024 at the Kilbuck Township Municipal Building. The public may attend and be heard. TOWNSHIP OF KILBUCK Andrew Wright, Secretary
Housing portfolio on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
A Public Hearing to receive public comments on the revised 2025 HACP Flat Rent Schedule will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. via Zoom: 11:00 a.m.
Web: https://hacp-org.zoom.us/ j/81710790873?pwd=HaZemI3o O5YJs4dqQNBatzmJ4yrPV4.1
Meeting ID: 817 1079 0873, Passcode: 8LLz4Y Phone: 1 646-931-3860, Passcode: 646119
6:00 p.m.
Web: https://hacp-org.zoom.us/ j/89654640328?pwd=t0qpxrLUS iadQotkT1SQY5dlpqPJFu.1
Meeting ID: 896 5464 0328, Passcode: 8LLz4Y Phone: 1 309-205-3325, Passcode: 230315
A public comment period will be held beginning Monday, Dec 2, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. until Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Written comments regarding the HACP Flat Rent Schedule must be submitted by mail and addressed to: HACP Asset Management, 412 Blvd of the Allies, 7th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, or by email sent to the following address: anthony.ceoffe@hacp.org.
Comments may also be submitted by calling the HACP Asset Management Office at 412-643-2737.
Persons with disabilities requiring assistance or alternative formats, or wishing to submit comments in alternative formats, can contact the HACP ADA/504 Coordinator at 412-456-5020, Ext. 2504; TTY 412-201-5384. All other questions should be addressed to the Asset Management Office at 412-6432737.
CITY OF PITTSBURGH, PA CDBG, HOME, ESG, AND HOPWA PROGRAMS FY 2023 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER)
Notice is hereby given that the City of Pittsburgh intends to submit the FY 2023 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on or before December 29, 2024. In accordance with Title I of the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, as amended, the City of Pittsburgh has prepared its Fiscal Year 2023 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Programs. This report describes the level of housing assistance and other community development activities through grants from various Federal funding programs during Fiscal Year 2023 (October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024).
Copies of the FY 2023 CAPER for the City of Pittsburgh are available for public inspection at the City of Pittsburgh website at https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/ City-Government/Finances/ Management-Budget/Community -Development/CommunityDevelopment-Documents, beginning Thursday, December 5, 2024 through Thursday, December 19, 2024. All interested persons are encouraged to review the FY 2023 CAPER. Written comments should be addressed to the City of Pittsburgh’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Community Development Division, attention Mr. Kelly L. Russell, Assistant Director/Labor Compliance Officer, City County Building, 414 Grant Street, Room 501, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Oral comments may also be made by contacting Mr. Russell at (412) 255-2667, his email is community.development@ pittsburghpa.gov, and the TDD number is (412) 255-2222. Written comments on the CAPER will be considered up to and including December 19, 2024.
Mr. Kelly L. Russell Assistant Director/Labor Compliance Officer Community Development Division, OMB
BOROUGH OF EMSWORTH
AVAILABILITY OF PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET LEGAL AD
Notice is hereby given the Council of the Borough of Emsworth has made available for public inspection the proposed Emsworth Borough Budget for the Year 2025
The proposed budget is available at the Office of the Borough Secretary, 171 Center Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202, and may be viewed during regular business hours of Monday -Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The proposed budget will be considered for adoption at the business meeting of Emsworth Borough Council to be held Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 6:30 p.m., prevailing time.
CATHY JONES Borough Secretary
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
ADVERTISEMENT
The Public Parking Authority of Pittsburgh (Authority) is soliciting proposals from qualified respondents to provide Structural Engineering Consultant Services for the Repairs and Preventative Maintenance at the First Avenue Garage and Station as more fully described in the formal RFP document. The RFP document will be available Tuesday, December 10, 2024, after 10:00 a.m. EST on the Authority website at www.pittsburghparking.com on the homepage (Doing Business with the PPA)
A mandatory pre-proposal meeting will be held virtually via Teams on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. EST. Meeting information will be provided with the RFP documents and on the Authority website.
Submitted proposals are required to be in the Authority’s possession, in the form of five (5) hard copies and one (1) electronic copy, clearly marked and sealed by 3:00 p.m. EST on Monday, December 30, 2024.
LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals
OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH
Sealed proposals shall be deposited at the Administration Building, Bellefield Entrance Lobby, 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15213, on Tuesday, January 07, 2025, until 2:00 P.M., local prevailing time for:
Pittsburgh Chartiers Early Childhood Center
Electrical Service Replacement Electrical and General Primes
Pittsburgh Various Locations Fire Alarm System Repairs Electrical Primes
Pittsburgh Westinghouse High School Lighting Replacement for Carpentry Shop and Cosmetology
Electrical Primes
Project Manual and Drawings will be available for purchase on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at Modern Reproductions (412488-7700), 127 McKean Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15219 between 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. The cost of the Project Manual Documents is non-refundable. Project details and dates are described in each project manual.
LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals
ARTICLE 1 ADVERTISEMENT
PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY ADVERTISEMENT
Separate sealed Bids for the Work as listed hereinafter will be received at the Purchasing and Materials Management Department of Port Authority of Allegheny County (Authority) Heinz 57 Center, 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222-2527 until 1:30 p.m. on January 9, 2025, and will be opened and read at 2:00pm. Each Bidder shall be solely responsible for assuring that its Bid is both received and time stamped by a representative of the Purchasing and Materials Management Department at or before the advertised time for submission of Bids. Bidders submitting bids via FedEx, UPS, USPS or other carrier must immediately provide tracking information to the assigned contract specialist via e-mail. Upon delivery, bidder will notify the assigned contract specialist with an e-mailed receipt. Bids received or time stamped in the Purchasing and Materials Management Department after the advertised time for the submission of Bids shall be non-responsive and therefore ineligible for Award.
CASTLE SHANNON PARK AND RIDE REHABILITATION CONTRACT NO. PNR-24-05
The Work of this Project includes, but is not limited to, the furnishing of all supervision, labor, material, tools, equipment, and incidentals necessary to: rehabilitate the Castle Shannon Park and Ride in phased construction, including asphalt paving, concrete stair repairs, concrete island, curb and sidewalks, including accessible ramps, lighting fixtures, light pile foundation repair, pavement marking and signage, and temporary traffic control during construction. This Project may be funded, in part, by, and subject to certain requirements of, the County of Allegheny and/or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Authority, in compliance with 74 Pa.C.S. §303, as may be amended, require that certified Diverse Businesses have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts for this Project. In this regard, all Bidders shall make good faith efforts in accordance with 74 Pa.C.S. §303, to ensure that DBs have the maximum opportunity to compete for and perform contracts. Bidders shall also not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, disability, national origin, sexual origin, gender identity or status as a parent in the award and performance of contracts for this Project. If aid is required to involve DBs in the Work, Bidders are to contact Authority DBE Representative, Susanna Broadus at (412) 566-5257.
The Bidder’s attention is directed to the following contacts for Bidder’s questions:
Procedural Questions Regarding Bidding: Renee Mauro – Authority (412) 566-5368 rmauro@rideprt.org
All other questions relating to the Bid Documents must be submitted by mail or email to:
Port Authority of Allegheny County Procurement Office – Construction Division 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527
Attn: Renee Mauro (412) 566-5368 rmauro@rideprt.org
In addition, the Bidder’s attention is directed to the following schedule of activities for preparation of its Bid:
Pre-Bid Conference
9:00 AM Tuesday
December 17, 2024 will be conducted via Microsoft Teams at: Teams Meeting ID: 243 346 018 099 Passcode: Jm54YM Call in (audio only): 1-412-927-0245 Phone Conference ID: 305 982 553# Attendance is not mandatory but strongly recommended. Pre-Bid Site Tour Project site open to public. No guided site tour will be provided.
1:30 PM Thursday Bids Due
January 9, 2024
Port Authority of Allegheny County Procurement Office 345 Sixth Avenue – Third Floor –Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Please print, fill out, place in envelope with identifying label, seal and deliver by the time and date indicated. Bids submitted via Fed Ex, UPS, USPS or other carrier are subject to the notification requirements indicated above. Please call Renee Mauro at (412) 566-5368 prior to arriving.
2:00 PM Thursday Bid Opening January 9, 2024 will be conducted via Microsoft Teams at: Teams Meeting ID: 275 855 412 573 Pass code: 2bqozz Call in (audio only): 1-412-927-0245 Phone Conference ID: 243 042 173#
Authority reserves the right to reject any or all Bids.
ARTICLE 2 PRE-BID CONFERENCE
A Pre-Bid Conference may be held with prospective Bidders to review the Bid Documents and generally discuss the Project. The time and place will be specified in the Advertisement. All Bidders are encouraged to submit their questions in writing to the respective individuals listed in the Advertisement prior to the time specified in the Advertisement for the Pre-Bid Conference. A response may be provided during the Pre-Bid Conference or by Addendum thereafter.
ARTICLE 3 PRE-BID TOUR Park and Ride is publicly accessible. No need for a guided site tour.
ARTICLE 4 PUBLIC OPENING OF BIDS
Bids will be publicly opened and announced at the advertised time and place set for such Bid opening.
