5.17.23 NPC

Pittsburgh Courier Pittsburgh Courier

by Rob Taylor Jr.

Courier Staff Writer

The moment seemingly everyone—or at least, every local media member— was waiting for finally came on the morning of May 3. Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, standing on the first floor of the City-County Building, cameras rolling, announced his nominee for Chief of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.

"I'm proud to stand here today to nominate Larry Scirotto to be the next police chief for the City of Pittsburgh," Mayor Gainey, engulfed with his usual voice of passion, said.

Pittsburgh City Council will formally interview Scirotto during a public hearing on Thursday, May 18. All indications are that City Council will confirm Scirotto, though not 100 percent a guarantee.

Scirotto told the New Pittsburgh Courier that he is African American. That makes him the first Black police chief for Pittsburgh since Nate Harper, who left the force in 2013. The "permanent" police

chiefs since Harper have been Cameron McLay and Scott Schubert. Schubert retired to start the summer of 2022, and Thomas Stangrecki had served as acting police chief since July 2022.

Mayor Gainey reiterated his "admiration and appreciation" he had for Stangrecki, in his "excellent job" leading the bureau while the mayor, his executive team, and the search committee looked near and far for the city's next top cop.

"Every single candidate that we interviewed was great," Mayor Gainey said.

"Larry rose to the top. His deep ties to the city, inside knowledge of the bureau, and his outside perspective makes him the right choice to be Chief of Police and to continue on with our right policing strategy. Larry has shown in his 25 years of service that he is a capable leader, whose policies and work have made a direct impact on the lives of the people he served." Scirotto was terminated

by Rob Taylor Jr.

Courier Staff Writer

For African Americans in the mid-20th century, it was extremely dangerous to travel around this country.

That’s no joke.

Those words are precisely what came from the mouth of Samuel Black, director of African American programs at the Heinz History Center, as he thoughtfully discussed the “Negro Motorist Green Book.” The Green Book was a publication distributed nationwide between 1936 and 1967 that provided African Americans with a directory of restaurants, gas stations, department stores and other businesses that welcomed Black travelers, during a time when segregation was the rule in the South and often accepted in the North.

Now, the Heinz History Center has unveiled Smithsonian’s Green Book exhibition for all to see and experience. Local

media, including the New Pittsburgh Courier, received an advance look at the exhibition on Thursday, May 11. The exhibit will be on display until Aug. 13. Access to the exhibit is included in the general admission to the History Center.

“It’s interesting we call it a travel guide,” voiced Heinz History Center President and CEO Andy Masich, during the media preview. “But in many ways, it’s a survival guide for African American families traveling especially in the South, but really throughout America... this guide was the survival guide that told them where it was safe.”

The Negro Motorist Green Book was started by Victor Green, who was a postman in Harlem, New York. Near the beginning of the vast exhibit on the Heinz History Center’s first floor is a photo of Green and some artifacts from Harlem, such

Task force recommends breast cancer screening should begin at age 40

by Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

According to a new draft recommendation statement, the US Preventive Services Task Force proposes that women with an average risk for breast cancer begin screening at age 40 to reduce their risk of death.

It is a change from the 2016 recommendation, in which the task force recommended that biennial mammograms (breast x-rays) begin at age 50 and that the decision for women to screen in their 40s “should be an individual one.”

Some organizations, including the American Cancer Society, have recommended that women begin mammograms in their forties.

USPSTF Vice Chair

Dr. Wanda Nicholson, senior associate dean, and professor at George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health, told CNN, “Our new task force recommendation recommends that women begin breast cancer screening with mammography at age 40 and continue screening every other year until age 74.”

The USPSTF, a group of independent medical experts whose recommendations help steer

doctors’ decisions and influence insurance plans, proposed an update to its breast cancer screening recommendations on Tuesday, May 9. The task force announced it would share a draft evidence review and draft modeling report along with the

“Our new task force recommendation recommends that women begin breast cancer screening with mammography at age 40 and continue screening every other year until age 74. This is especially significant for Black women, who have a 40% higher risk of breast cancer-related death.”

— Dr. Wanda Nicholson

non-final recommendation on their website for public comments until June 5.

The proposed recommendation is for all individuals assigned female at birth, including cisgender women, trans men, and nonbinary individuals, to be at ordinary risk for breast cancer.

According to Nicholson, women with dense breasts and a family history of cancer typically fall into this cat -

egory, but not women whose family history contains breast cancer or genetic mutations, such as mutations on the BRCA gene, as they are regarded as being at high risk.

The revisions would not apply to those with an increased risk of breast cancer who may have already been advised to undergo screening at age 40 or earlier.

However, they should adhere to the monitoring procedures recommended by their physicians.

Black women reportedly have the highest incidence of breast cancer-related deaths in America. Nicholson stated that the revised recommendation “will save more lives among all women.”

This is especially significant for Black women, who have a 40 percent higher risk of breast cancer-related death.

According to the JAMA Network Open, the breast cancer death rate among women in their 40s was 27 per 100,000 person-years for Black women, compared to 15 per 100,000 for White women and 11 per 100,000 for American Indian, Alaska Native, Hispanic, and Asian or Pacific Islander women.

As a result, researchers recommended that Black women begin screening at an earlier age, 42, as opposed to 50.

• MAY 18

1896—The United States Supreme Court issues its infamous ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson. The decision declared the doctrine of “separate but equal” was constitutional. By doing so it, in effect, approved all Jim Crow or segregationist laws designed to degrade Blacks or keep them separate from Whites. The ruling would stand until the Brown v. Board of Education decision of 1954.

1955—Legendary educator Mary McLeod Bethune dies at 79 in Daytona Beach, Fla. Born the 15th of 17 children in Mayesville, S.C., Bethune would rise to become one of the nation’s foremost Black educators and early civil rights activist. She was a driving force behind the founding of Florida’s Bethune-Cookman College.

• MAY 19

1925—Black revolutionary Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little on this day in Omaha, Neb. His father, Earl Little, was an outspoken Baptist minister and a follower of the legendary Black Nationalist Marcus Garvey. For his outspokenness, Earl Little would be brutally killed in 1929 by a Ku Klux Klan type group. A smart and focused student, Malcolm dreamed of becoming a lawyer. But that dream would be crushed by prejudice when one of his favorite teachers told him that was “not a realistic goal for a nigger.” He would end up dropping out of school and moving with his mother to Boston, Mass. He would later travel to New York City where he began a criminal life of petty crimes, but rapidly moved up to coordinating drug, prostitution and gambling rings. With the “heat” on, he moved back to Boston where he was arrested and sentenced to prison on a burglary charge in 1946. By the time he was paroled in 1952, he was a devoted follower of Elijah Muhammad and a small Muslim sect known as the Nation of Islam and had dropped his “slave” last name in favor of being referred to as “Malcolm X.” From 1952 to 1963, he became the primary force behind the building of the Nation of Islam from a sect of fewer than 1,000 members to a national organization of more than 30,000 members. But his faith in Elijah Muhammad was crushed when he learned in 1963 that the married and outwardly puritanical Muhammad had had extra-marital affairs with at least six young Nation of Islam women. A bitter separation resulted between Malcolm and the Nation. Malcolm then turned to a more orthodox version of Islam and began to seek closer relations with other Black Nationalist and civil rights groups. He was assassinated at Harlem, N.Y.’s, Audubon Ballroom on Feb. 21, 1965 by three men associated with the Nation of Islam. Malcolm X was 39.

1930—Lorraine Hansberry is born in Chicago, Ill. During her short life she becomes one of Black America’s most prolific authors and playwrights. Her most famous play was “A Raisin in the Sun”—which was the first drama written by an African American woman to be produced on Broadway. After her death from cancer in 1965, another one of her plays—“To Be Young, Gifted and Black” became a major off-Broadway production.

1952—Eccentric model and singer Grace Jones is born in Spanish Town, Jamaica. In addition to her singing and modeling, her unusual style propels her into a status as one of the icons of the disco and new music scene of the 1970s.

• MAY 20

1743—Touissant L’Ouverture, the father of Haitian independence, is born. Although he was not part of the initial disturbances, L’Ouverture was quickly drafted into leadership of the 1791 Slave Revolt. He converted the random burnings of plantations and killings of unlucky Whites into a full-scale revolution against slavery on the island. Under his leadership, the slaves were organized into an effective fighting force which would go on to defeat the British army and the greatest conqueror of the period, France’s Napoleon Bonaparte. Indeed, L’Ouverture’s fighting might was indirectly responsible for the growth of America. Desperate to raise money to fight the Haitians, Napoleon sold the massive Louisiana territory to America at an amazingly low price. L’Ouverture was tricked into attending a phony “peace conference” in France. Once there he was jailed. But the leadership void was immediately filled by

one of his lieutenants—Jean Jacques Dessalines who would complete the revolution started by L’Ouverture. Haiti became independent in 1804.

• MAY 21

1862—Mary Patterson becomes the first Black woman in U.S. History to be awarded a master’s degree. She earned it from Oberlin College in Ohio.

2009—NFL star quarterback Michael Vick is released from federal prison after serving 19 months of a 23-month sentence for financing a dog fighting ring. Formerly with the Atlanta Falcons, Vick finished his career with the Philadelphia Eagles.

2009—A Black man—James Young—is elected mayor of Philadelphia, Miss.,—a town which during the 1960s had the nation’s most racist reputation. Ku Klux Klan members dominated the town and it was known for the mistreatment and unpunished killings of Blacks. One of the most brutal events in the city was the 1964 murders of three civil rights workers. In his 2009 election victory, Young captured 30 percent of the White vote. 1881—Blanche Kelso Bruce is sworn in as a senator from Mississippi. He became the first Black man to serve a full term in the United States Senate. During his service, he advocated for the political and social rights of Blacks, Indians and Chinese immigrants.

• MAY 22

1863—The War Department establishes the Bureau of Colored Troops and began to aggressively recruit Blacks for the Civil War. The Black troops would play a major role in turning the tide of battle against the rebellious Southern slave states.

1959—Benjamin O. Davis Jr. becomes the first African American general in the U.S. Air Force. His father, Benjamin O. Davis Sr., had been the first Black general in the U.S. Army.

• MAY 23

1921—“Shuffle Along”—the first of a succession of widely popular Black musicals performed for White audiences—opened at the 63rd Street Theatre in New York City, becoming the first African-American Broadway musical. The musical comedy combined the talents of the legendary team of Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle. “Shuffle Along” produced a long list of hits including “Shuffle Along,” “I’m Just Wild about Harry,” “Gypsy Blues” and “Love Will Find A Way.”

1981—Legendary Reggae artist Bob Marley is given an official state funeral in his homeland of Jamaica. He had died of cancer on May 11 in Miami. Marley and his band “The Wailers” had made Reggae popular worldwide with such hits as “Stir It Up” and “No Woman, No Cry.” He was considered the first third world superstar and a prophet of the Rastafarian religion. He was only 36 when he died. His body now lies in a mausoleum in Jamaica.

• MAY 24

1854—Anthony Burns, one of the most celebrated fugitive slaves in American history, is captured by deputy U.S. Marshals in Boston. But at the time anti-slavery feeling was running high in Boston and it was one of the cities which had vowed not to obey the Fugitive Slave Act—a federal law that required even those opposed to slavery to help slave owners capture run-away slaves. For fear that Boston residents would help Burns escape to Canada, the U.S. government sent 2,000 troops to Boston to assist in returning Burns to Virginia. Thousands lined the streets as Burns was marched to a ship on June 3 for a trip back South. However, a Black Boston church raised the money to purchase Burns and within a year of his capture, he was back in Boston a free man.

1856—The so-called Pottawatomie Massacre takes place. A force of men led by famed abolitionist John Brown attacks a pro-slavery settlement in Franklin County, Kan., leaving at least five men dead. The attack was part of a period known as “Bleeding Kansas” when pro and anti-slavery forces battled one another in a bid to determine whether Kansas would be a slave or free territory. The “Pottawatomie Massacre” was also one of the events which made the Civil War unavoidable.

1944—Legendary singer Patti LaBelle is born Patricia Louise Holte in Philadelphia, Pa.

Gainey nominates Scirotto to become Pittsburgh’s next Chief of Police

from his post as Chief of Police in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., in 2022 because of what was deemed "discriminatory promotion practices." Certainly, not something a person gets fired for every day, for allegedly trying to diversify an organization's higher-level positions. In today's climate, many companies and organizations are looking to diversify its workplace and promote candidates who are African American or other classified minority groups.

During the news conference in Downtown Pittsburgh, Scirotto said he promoted 15 people during his short time as Ft. Lauderdale police chief, and 6 of those were minorities. In an interview in March 2022 with CNN, Scirotto said that "none of them were promoted because they were in a protected class. They were promoted because they were the best candidates."

He added: “If promoting diversity is the hill I’m going to die on, I will sleep well tonight. I won’t allow them to tarnish my reputation. I won’t allow them to tarnish the work that I’ve done in the 24 years I’ve been in this profession.”

While it was not confirmed by Mayor Gainey, multiple local news outlets reported that Scirotto beat out two other finalists for the Pittsburgh job—Jason Lando and Ryan Lee. Lando had led with the Zone 5 Police Station in East Liberty before becoming police chief in Frederick, Md., and Lee was the former police chief in Boise, Idaho. Scirotto called getting the job as top cop in Pittsburgh "a dream come true, a true opportunity to serve with the men and women of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police."

Scirotto spent 23 years with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, starting in 1995, until leaving in 2018. He worked everything from with the K-9 unit, to internal affairs, to sergeant. "I know this city, I know this organization, I know its strengths and weaknesses," he said.

There had been a microscope placed on who would be selected as Pittsburgh's Chief of Police. Homicides jumped to 71 for 2022 in the city, the most in a decade. Shootings occurred in seemingly brazen fashion—the more than 130 shots fired during an

AirBnB teen party on the North Side on Easter Sunday morning; the shooting near the Sunoco gas station on Cedar Avenue on the North Side, killing two innocent women who were sitting at a bus stop, along with a 20-year-old Black man; and weeks later, a funeral service interrupted by gunfire, striking six people.

Mayor Gainey has been pleading with Pittsburghers—and especially those in some of Pittsburgh's Black neighborhoods—for the gun violence to stop. He's challenged everyone in the community, from parents, community leaders, other elected officials, and young people themselves, to change the status quo in the Black community.

The New Pittsburgh Courier has continuously advocated to its majority-Black readership to quell the violence, as the vast majority of homicide victims in the city and Allegheny County are Black. While Mayor Gainey said he and his team vetted the three finalists for police chief, it's unclear if the mayor took the finalists' ethnicity into consideration when ultimately selecting Scirotto, who was the only African American among the three reported finalists. Taking ethnicity into consideration isn't something the mayor would be expected to publicly state when selecting a police chief. However, in a number of community forums that the mayor's office held in late 2022, many in the audience told the Courier (and publicly) that they "preferred" a Black police chief, who may be able to resonate better with Pittsburgh's African American communities.

Scirotto said the department will undergo a complete reorganization over the next several months, "to ensure that we are appropriately aligning our resources to best serve this city."

He has four priorities for the police department: Create a violent crime reduction strategy focused on gun violence; Officer wellness; Building community-police partnerships; and Work toward increasing the quality of life for all of Pittsburgh.

“I live a simple mantra —be bold, and in that we will accomplish great things," Scirotto said.

He also answered the question he's been get -

ting the most for the past months: Why come back (to policing) now when it's probably the most tumultuous time in the profession? "Because what we do matters," he said. "Who we do it for matters. Policing isn't just a job, it gives me purpose. This is an opportunity for me to do something bigger than myself."

LARRY SCIROTTO (PHOTOS BY J.L. MARTELLO)

‘Negro Motorist Green Book’ exhibition on display at Heinz History Center

as a drink menu from the Harlem Casino and a cash register used at the Terrace Hall Hotel.

“He was a student of travel, student of routes,” Black said of Green. “And he was also interested in understanding the barriers African Americans faced.” Green’s multi-faceted interests were the foundation of the annual Green Book, which grew with more businesses every year, progressing with listings from the

automobile. There were golf courses, country clubs, national parks and other recreational landmarks included in the Green Book, signaling that those businesses wanted to be part of the betterment for Black Americans.

“Victor Green developed a directory that addressed progressive business enterprise in the Black community that people may not have noticed before, so that’s a very important aspect,” Black noted.

What makes the Negro Motorist Green Book ex -

lie Ave., 1940-1941, 1947-1949), and Scotty’s Restaurant/Service Station (2414 Centre Ave., 1940-1941, 1947-53). Esso service stations played a large role in Black advancement. Now known as Exxon, African Americans were welcomed with open arms at Esso. In the early 1940s, more than 300 of the 830 Esso dealers were Black. Esso had locations in Pittsburgh, two of which were owned by African Americans, which were included in the Green Book.

The Pittsburgh Cou -

East Coast to eventually, California.

“It was not just a publication promoting Black businesses,” Black said, “but it protected Black travelers.”

As the Negro Motorist Green Book gained in popularity, its purpose took on a even deeper meaning. The publication afforded businesses the opportunity to invite in a growing Black middle class that was interested in vacationing and traversing the country via the new craze, the

hibit at the Heinz History Center so unique is the visual display of artifacts and photos from businesses that were in the Green Book from Western Pennsylvania.

More than 30 businesses were featured in the Green Book from the local area over the years, including the Flamingo Hotel (2407 Wylie Ave., 1965-1967), Agnes Taylor Tourist Home (2612 Centre Ave., 1953-1957, 1959-1962), Dearling’s Restaurant (2524 Wy -

rier also played a vital role in the Green Book in Pittsburgh. The Courier would advertise the Green Book in its publications, along with other competing travel guides tailored for African Americans. The Courier also promoted visits to Pittsburgh and oftentimes chronicled the travels of those who visited.

The Heinz History Center will host a few special programs for the public during the exhibit’s three-month run: “The Overground Railroad: A Conversation with (author, photographer, cultural documentarian) Candacy Taylor, hosted by former KQV reporter Elaine Effort, May 18, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.; “Crossroads of the World: the Impact of Urban Renewal Then and Now,” featuring local leaders Miracle Jones (1 Hood Media), Dr. Bonnie Young-Laing (Hill District Consensus Group), Rev. Dale B. Snyder (Bethel AME Church) and Carl Redwood Jr. (Hill District Consensus Group), June 27, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.; and “The Green Book: Guide to Freedom” film screening, July 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

The events on June 27 and July 14 are free with pre-registration required. The event on May 18 has tickets available for $10, $5 for History Center members.

GREEN BOOK FROM A1

A PHOTO OF BLACK TRAVELERS, WHICH IS PART OF THE EXHIBIT.

THE PITTSBURGH COURIER OFTEN ADVERTISED THE GREEN BOOK IN ITS PRINT EDITIONS.

HEINZ HISTORY CENTER’S ANDY MASICH

DOIN’ BIG THINGS

Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School senior named second in the nation and Pa. State Champion

Amari Ray Smith, 17, the son of Alvin and LaVette Smith, is a senior at Central Catholic High School (CCHS) and resides in Monroeville.

On April 17, Amari became second in the nation for Oral Interpretation at the University of Kentucky’s Tournament

of Champions. Additionally, Amari became one of the first-ever finalists at the University of Kentucky Tournament of Champions representing Central Catholic High School, the New Pittsburgh Courier has learned.

On March 18, Amari

competed at Bloomsburg University and won the title of Pennsylvania State Champion for Poetry Interpretation.

In January, Amari achieved the most speech competition points in Speech & Debate by a speech competitor during his four-

Olamide Owoeye named Class

The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that Olamide Owoeye was the Class Speaker of the 2023 Thomas R. Kline School of Law graduation, which occurred on Saturday, May 13, at the Duquesne University UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.

The first-generation Nigerian American born native of Cincinnati didn’t tell her family that she had been selected for this honor through a vote by her fellow law classmates. “It’s

always been my dream to be my law Commencement speaker, but I never thought it would actually happen,” said Olamide, who wanted to be a lawyer since she little. “When they told me I was selected, I cried. I’m just so honored.”

Well-known among Duquesne law students and faculty, Olamide has been busy in and out of the classroom. Her accomplishments and activities include:

Social Chair and Presi-

Speaker

dent of the Black Law Student Association

Student Ambassador Certified student attorney for the Kline Law School’s Youth Advocacy Clinic Legal extern for the Pennsylvania Innocence Project

Grad assistant to the assistant director of external relations at Duquesne Co-president of the Young Professionals Group and a worship leader at Pittsburgh’s RCCG Liv-

year tenure at Central Catholic and the most points achieved in the school since 2016.

A four-year varsity letterman with the CCHS Forensic Society, Amari was awarded the 2022 Iron Man Award, and is the 2022-2023 Vice President of the CCHS

Forensic Society.

In June, Amari will compete for the National Title of Programmed Oral Interpretation in Phoenix, Ariz.

for Duquesne School of Law graduation

ing Spring International church

In her speech on Saturday, Olamide discussed her admiration for the strength of her classmates, especially during the pandemic, which was underway during their first year of school. She also reminded her classmates, “We should remember that we are more than capable of accomplishing whatever we set our mind to do, because that’s what law school taught us.”

Olamide will remain in Pittsburgh and is joining

Jackson Kelly as a firstyear associate with an interest in health care. In addition to being the first lawyer in her dad’s family, Olamide earned a BA in international studies with a focus in relations and diplomacy and a political science minor at The Ohio State University; a Litigation Paralegal Certificate from Loyola University Chicago; and was a recipient of the Jonny Gammage Scholarship Award through the Pittsburgh Racial Justice Summit and the Opportunity Fund.

Plum senior PJ McNeal breaks school record in 400-meter dash

Records are meant to be broken, and Plum High School Senior Phillip “PJ” McNeal Jr. had no problem breaking a longstanding one.

In his first year of running the 400-meter dash, McNeal ran it in an outstanding 49.94 seconds, triumphing the old Plum record of 50.1. McNeal’s parents, Phillip and Dr. Janeen McNeal, told the New Pittsburgh Courier that their son is an honor student and threeyear letterman in track

and field. Fresh off setting a new school record earlier this month (May), McNeal participated in the WPIAL track championships, held, May 17, at Slippery Rock University.

“This young man has a bright future as he plans to attend St. Vincent College in the fall and major in business and finance and be a part of the Bearcats’ Track and Field team,” McNeal’s parents told the Courier.

PJ MCNEAL

OLAMIDE OWOEYE

AMARI RAY SMITH

4 top tips for upgrading your health and wellness routine

(BPT)—For many, the longer days, warmer temperatures, and blooming flowers of spring and summer bring a renewed sense of energy and motivation to paint the garage or freshen up the garden. However, it is also the perfect time of the year to devote your energy to personal health and wellness improvement projects.

To prepare for the warmer seasons ahead, Dr. Leah Joseph, a board-certified primary care physician at Teladoc Health, the world’s largest telehealth company, shares her top tips for upgrading health and wellness routines.

Tidy up your sleep schedule

People tend to appreciate the longer days of spring and summer. But more early morning sunshine, along with life’s other distractions, can wreak havoc on sleep schedules.

Joseph recommends that people prioritize getting seven to nine hours of sleep a night and stresses that consistency is the key to reaping the rewards of a good night’s rest. “Establishing a sleep schedule that conditions your body to go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day, including week-

ends, helps your body get into a natural rhythm,” she says. “To get into a routine, try setting a bedtime alert on your phone or placing a note next to your TV to remind you of

your bedtime.”

And when interruptions and sleepless nights do happen, people shouldn’t dwell on it because the stress can make it even harder to get back into

a sleep rhythm. Joseph recommends accepting the interruption as a temporary lapse and trying again for better sleep the next night. Dig into your diet More sun and rising temperatures make it easier to find fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables, staples of a healthy diet. Eating plenty of whole foods, including vegetables and fruits, can lower blood pressure, lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, help with digestion problems and have a positive effect on blood sugar, which can help keep appetites under control.

“Focus on what you can control around healthy eating choices and learn to adapt to things outside of your power,” suggests Joseph. “Look for chances to add color to your plate with fruits and veggies

and cook with fresh ingredients when you can.”

In addition to support from your primary care physician, registered nutritionists and dietitians can help design a healthy eating strategy with the right mix of whole foods. In many cases, meeting with dietary experts can be done easily and conveniently online. Take it outside Joseph says one of the most important things you can do for your overall health is to prioritize getting enough physical activity. Getting daily exercise doesn’t have to be intense or complicated. Taking a quick walk around the neighborhood or local park can have significant benefits for everyone, no matter an individual’s fitness level.

“If you can, find a partner to help keep you motivated to move,” recommends

Joseph. “Ask friends and family to work out with you, and make it unique to you. They’ll help you stay on track, and you’ll have more fun doing it.”

She advises that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to exercise, and that people need to try different activities until they find at least one that they enjoy enough to engage in regularly.

Pick up with your primary care provider

It is always easier to stay on top of health goals and priorities with an expert by your side. Your primary care provider (PCP) can help navigate every aspect of health and wellness, from a new health goal to a new health diagnosis.

Scheduling an appointment with a PCP is the best way to stay on top of health needs. Regular check-ins are key to disease prevention, controlling common chronic diseases, mental wellness and coordinating testing and specialist care, when it’s needed.

“Too often, I see that people wait to see a doctor until there is an issue or an emergency,” commented Joseph. “With regular visits, I can establish relationships with my patients and help them identify any potential concerns early and often. It saves a lot of time and pain down the road.”

While it may seem time-consuming to schedule and attend regular appointments, new digital tools—like virtual care— are making it easier than ever to check in with a PCP, wherever and whenever is convenient for you.

Plus, companies like Teladoc Health offer access to primary care, chronic care, dermatology, nutrition services and more, all from one place, to help you seamlessly keep up with every aspect of your health.

(BPT)—You know staying active is important, especially as you age, so you’re considering signing up for a local gym. The problem is, a gym can be intimidating! If you’ve put off joining a gym for this reason, here’s what you need to know to feel comfortable and confident.

Exercise and healthy aging

Exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle at every age, but it is particularly important for seniors. Why? Sharlyn Green, a national trainer with SilverSneakers, says it goes beyond physical wellness.

“Regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight, boost your memory and decrease the risk for some diseases such as Type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” she said. “It can help you stay independent and able to keep doing the things you enjoy. It’s time to bust the misconception that gyms are only for younger people and fitness enthusiasts. Gyms are for everyone, no matter their age or abilities.”

To help everyone feel comfortable and confident as a new gym member, Green recommends these steps: Step 1: Get a tour Have someone who works for the gym show you where everything is. Don’t expect to understand immediately what it all does or how to use it. You’re simply establishing baseline knowledge so you can build your experience from there.

Remember, don’t be afraid to ask questions during or after your tour. Employees at a good gym

will take an inclusive approach and be happy to help you by clarifying information or guiding you appropriately.

Step 2: Request a training program

People new to gyms typically get the best results from a personalized program created by a trainer. Print out the program for reference and to record what you do - which machines, how much weight, how many times you lift, etc.

Another option: For those who want a hybrid approach of working out at home or in a gym environment, participate in live, instructor-led and on-demand virtual classes and use the SilverSneakers® GO mobile app to get workout programs you can tailor to your fitness level and track your progress. There you can access live options for people who want a hybrid approach of working out at home or in a gym.

Step 3: Know the exercises in your program

It’s important to know where the equipment you need is and how to use it.

Work with a trainer if you have questions. This person can guide you on proper techniques so you get the most out of your workouts and prevent accidents.

Understanding the equipment and gym etiquette is important for your safety and others’. For example, you don’t want to unintentionally walk into someone’s workout space and cause them to trip, fall or drop heavy weights.

Step 4: Learn how to adjust machines

Understanding the purpose of a machine is the first step, then you need to know how to adjust it to fit

your needs. Depending on your height, weight, fitness level and goals, you may need to adjust certain machines every time you use them.

When in doubt, ask. It’s better to pause and use a machine correctly than go forward and risk hurting yourself or others. A trainer or gym employee can help you, so don’t be shy. Step 5: Know how much weight or resistance to use

A good trainer will guide you in finding the appropriate weight or resistance for each exercise and share that information in your program. Use this as a foundation and adjust as needed, keeping in mind that as you progress, you’ll likely make changes to continue your health journey.

Again, if something isn’t clear, ask. It’s always better to start easier and adjust up rather than start too difficult and risk hurting yourself.

“The machines and different spaces at the gym can be a great asset for seniors who want to focus on their well-being,” said Green.

“Remember to create a well-rounded workout routine that includes stretching, strength training and cardio to help improve flexibility, muscle mass, heart health and much more.”

SilverSneakers offers a broad range of physical activity, mental enrichment and social engagement opportunities in 2023. Members can go to thousands of fitness locations across the nation, plus take group exercise classes designed for seniors and led by supportive instructors. To learn more or check eligibility, visit SilverSneakers.com.

Interested but intimidated in joining a gym? These 5 expert tips can help

New Horizon Special Annual Event delights with Russell Thompkins Jr. and the New Stylistics

“Let us therefore come boldly unto

-Hebrews 4:16

REV. WALKER SAYS: The Power of PRAYER is just THAT; TALKING TO GOD, because HE is ALL POWERFUL. We ALL need HIS MERCY and GRACE, especially

NEED GOD ALL DAY, EVERY HOUR, and EVERY MINUTE.

Throne of Grace, that we may obtain MERCY, and find GRACE to HELP in the TIME of NEED.”

NEW HORIZON THEATER BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND VOLUNTEERS (PHOTOS BY U-WEB TV)

DEBORAH STAGGERS, JACKIE GIBBS, DELORES STAGGERS, CHICAGO AND PARK FOREST, ILLINOIS, GUESTS

SELF-SEGREGATED

How did top collegiate Black athletes end up at Ole Miss, Georgia, Alabama, etc.?

For a few decades, brown folks, yellow folks, green folks and many other folks have been screaming bloody murder in regard to many HBCUs being left out in the desert of inclusion during the Draft and selection process of a few select professional sports. Recently, the NFL has been the target of choice for many liberal-leaning minority sports pundits.

On many occasions Black colleges and universities have and are being portrayed as “victims” of exclusion because many of their star student-athletes never receive the call on draft day or night.

Before many White schools were integrated, scouts were forced to scout players of color at the schools that freely admitted them; the HBCUs.

After the “process of integration” began, the Black community stripped the shackles of segregation and replaced them with the “handcuffs” of integration. At the time that the “Jim Crow locks of exclusion” were removed many young Black athletes, their parents and oftentimes maybe even their

grandparents, saw this new “road of access” as a Godsend and even compared it to being a genuine blessing from God.

Please consider the fol-

lowing: Tommy Tuberville was the head football coach at Auburn University from 1999 to 2008. He was also the head football coach at the University of Mississippi from 1995 to 1998, Texas Tech University from 2010 to 2012, and the University of Cincinnati from 2013 to 2016.

Tuberville parlayed his notoriety and reputation from coaching college football into the Republican nomination for the 2020 Senate election in Alabama and defeated Democratic incumbent Doug Jones by more than 20 points. He has been and continues to be a staunch and loyal ally of former President Donald Trump and he was one of the senators that attempted to overturn then President-elect Joe Biden’s victory over Trump in the 2020 election. Was this man a former alumnus of the “R&R” University (Racist & Redneck)? If he wasn’t, he sure became a

quick study. Tuberville is just one glaring example of how many of the descendants birthed from the culture of slavery continue to use Black youth as modern-day indentured servants long after the Emancipation Proclamation was, signed, sealed and delivered…well, not so much delivered.

For more than a quarter century Black parents placed their children into the arms of Coach Tuberville and men like him who were in all probability descendants and living disciples of the confederate and Negro enslavement doctrine and dogma. White institutions came to the realization that the White talent pools that were completing their athletic rosters were, in many cases, inferior. It was as simple as that. As far as

the HBCUs go, the methodology of White schools was not, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” Their path to victory was, “If you kill the head, the body will follow,” or, “A house divided cannot stand.”

They sent representatives into the homes of many Blacks, proudly displaying the crests and schools of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, Florida and many states located below the Mason-Dixon line that remain steadfast to their anti-color ideology and where many folks continue to and realistically have never stopped flying the colors of the Confederacy above the stars and stripes of America.

They continue to drain the talent reservoir of Black communities and throwing the leftover sediment into the faces of the Black schools that sustained Black homes and communities when there was nowhere else to turn. Yet many athletes of color and their parents run and continue to make a mad dash to these places of ill will and hatred that possibly have trees dot-

ting their landscapes that have been nurtured by the blood of those that were lynched and murdered just above their “roots of evil.”

The late MLB Hall-ofFamer Frank Robinson told me: “Sports and the corporate world are very often woven into the same fabric.” He was one-thousand percent correct. Why? If you don’t agree, would you please consider this...

When it came to integration, Major League Baseball once possibly said:

“you don’t have to go to that Blacks-only party, come party with us. You no longer have to drink moonshine or hooch.”

Folks ran to them, whiskey glasses poised to receive the better whiskey, not considering the fact that whatever bar that you frequent, if you drink enough alcohol you are going to end up inebriated. When you become inebriated, most of the time you may be unable to think coherently. As a race, many of us became social and economic drunkards. No race, gender, creed or color can validate, or invalidate

any other race, creed or color because at the end of the day, as Popeye the Sailor Man might say, “I yam, what I yam,” and you are what you are. When we cease supporting and evaluating ourselves, no one else is going to pick up the slack. In all probability, “Tommy” Tuberville and many other college recruiters like him invaded Black homes like redneck piranhas. They can’t be blamed for accepting our kids into their hostile and unwelcome territories in order to simply use them for financial gain. We willingly sent our children into these questionable and “ethnically insensitive” places for the purpose of performing as athletes, often not truly considering that their lives could be jeopardized and forever changed as the result of something as simple as a traffic stop. We erroneously thought that we were validating our offspring and their future. We were dead wrong, because in many cases, we fed the beast that was sent to devour our present and future generations.

RONNIE TANNER RACES HOME FOR STARGELL MVP AWARD

Legendary jockey in horse racing; attended Fifth Avenue High School

It’s important that I start this story with a bit of drama by bringing to your attention several things that I didn’t know. And I am going to bet the $39.27 I have in my savings account that you didn’t know, either!

(What...times have been tough, surely you didn’t mistake me for Dwight Law, did you?)

Anyway, did you know that the very first Kentucky Derby was won by an African American jockey by the name of Oliver Lewis on May 1, 1875, and the winning thoroughbred was trained by renowned African American trainer Ansel Williamson.

Add to that 15 of the first 28 Derbys were won by Black jockeys. By the 1890s racism and segregation “reared” its ugly head via threats, intentional violence during races, a lack of payment and promotion, and eventually an unfair and unlawful effort barring Blacks from racing.

Now, I know you didn’t know all that. But a very few of you Pittsburghers know this bit of Pittsburgh Black history. That a young man by the name of Ronnie Tanner, who hails from the Hill District and attended Fifth Avenue High School, went on to become a world-class jockey and ascend to the heights of glory in the prestigious sport of horse racing!

It was around 13 years of age when Ronnie weighed in at 75 pounds and was working his side hustle by shining shoes and selling newspapers in Downtown, that his two uncles living in Corona, New York, Booker T. Morgan and Roger Morgan, suggested to Ronnie’s parents that there might

be a better future for their nephew. They felt very strongly that given his size and natural God-given athletic talent of speed and quickness, becoming a jockey was a real possibility.

Add to that a tremendous confidence, high intellect, a competitive desire to succeed and an upbringing that taught him to give respect and demand respect in kind.

The respect aspect was notable because, in 1963 when Tanner began his “ride” to glory, he was subjected to various levels of racism including “White and colored only” signs and locker rooms. But the thing that Ronnie credits to his early success as a horse farmhand, groomer, trainer and eventually rider was that he had “no fear,” and with a strong belief in God, he knew that he had what it took to become a top-level jockey. So much so that being subjected to blatant racism, having broken virtually every bone in his body, and out-and-out threats didn’t dampen his spirit. One of Ronnie’s ways of dealing with the inrace threats was that, “If they couldn’t catch him, they couldn’t hurt him!”

Catching him proved to be a problem that many jockeys had during his career of over 5,000 races and more than 500 wins. (That didn’t include the early years when “they” didn’t keep the stats and records.) There were numerous things that Ronnie looks back on that shaped his career and enormous success. Being able to develop friendships with the likes of Jackie Robinson, Brook Benton, Muhammad Ali, “Smokin’ Joe” Frazier, Count Basie, and Adam

Clayton Powell tops the list. But along with that was his honor and celebration at the famous “Harlem Derby Celebration.” Also, having ridden at some of the greatest tracks in the United States, such as the Belmont, Aqueduct, and Saratoga, never hurts a career. And being invited to the Ed Sullivan Show was the icing on the cake. All of these accolades and awards certainly live up to the living legend status he achieved. But none may have hit home as clearly as being nicknamed “The Money Man,” and that obviously because he was winning so many races... But he does admit that tag brought him a little more attention than he may have wanted when one of his fellow jockeys informed him right before a race that the notorious and infamous crime boss John Gotta had placed $10,000 on him to win. Did he win, you might ask? Well, he’ll be here on Saturday, May 27, so yeah he won!

I strongly encourage any and everybody to come out to the 49th Annual Willie “Pops” Stargell and Connie “the Hawk” Hawkins Summer Basketball League Hall of Fame Inductions on Saturday, May 27, sponsored by UPMC, Key Bank, Goodrich and Geist, Flaherty, Fardo Law Firm, and Frank Fuhrer Wholesale Company. Come meet this legendary Black history

hero and welcome him back home. As you well know, “That’s What the Hill Do”...It produces champions on every level.

Along with Mr. Tanner, the following awardees for the Willie Stargell Award are Qiana Buckner, Maura Wade, Paul Jones, Carlton Perry, Paul Seneca, Dionna Westry, and Duane Barber. This year’s Connie

RONALD TANNER

Hawkins League Hall of Fame Inductees include Carl Grinage, Reggie Wells, Steven Reid, Raymond Reid, Jennifer Bruce, James Middleton, the late, great Donny Wilson, Rudy Seneca, and the voice of the Hawkins League, Mike Nichols.

Tickets to the event are $65 for adults and $45 for youth 12 and under, and must be purchased in advance. The

event at the DoubleTree Hotel in Monroeville begins with a cocktail reception at noon, luncheon at 1 p.m., and awards at 2 p.m. For additional information, contact the Achieving Greatness office at 412628-4856, Mon-Sat, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Pink Tax

by Andrea Plaid Michigan Chronicle

It’s true: people with periods have been and still are taxed for menstruating.   The “pink tax” is a term used to describe the phenomenon of products marketed towards women being more expensive than equivalent products marketed towards men. This is a significant issue in many areas, including personal care and hygiene products. One product category that is particularly affected by the pink tax is menstrual products.

First, it’s essential to understand the basic principles of the pink tax. This term refers to the fact that products marketed towards women, even if they are the same as products marketed towards men, are often more expensive. This can include anything from personal care products like razors and shampoo to clothing and toys. The pink tax has been well-documented by numerous studies,

significantly more expensive than similar products marketed towards men.

For example, consider the cost of a pack of tampons. Bekah Page-Gourley, the affiliate director for I Support Girls-Detroit said, “Right now, a box of 34 Tampax Pearl tampons is $8.49 at Target, a box of 18 CVS Health brand tampons is $3.89 at CVS, and a box of 100 Tampax Pearl super tampons is $19.89 on Amazon.”

She also said that reusable products like cups and period underwear, while perhaps more monetarily efficient in the long term and better for the environment, aren’t a good option for people who don’t have access to soap and water or laundry facilities regularly. And they’re still very expensive.

To zoom out on the cost, Troy Moore, the chief of external affairs for the Alliance for Period Supplies, shared that “people who menstruate require around 40 period products per cycle. Over their reproductive lifetime [ages

Paying down debt doesn’t have to overwhelm you

by Word In Black staff

Why is it so easy to get into debt and so hard to find your way out? And why does trying to manage debt often feel so overwhelming?

A growing number of consumers are facing this challenge. American household debt increased by $34 billion last year, with 18.3 million borrowers falling behind on a credit card, according to the quarterly report on household debt and credit by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

including a 2018 study by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs which found that products marketed towards women were on average 7 percent more expensive than equivalent products marketed towards men.

When it comes to menstrual products, the pink tax can have a significant impact on women’s wallets. Menstrual products, such as pads and tampons, are a necessity for women who menstruate. The cost of these products can add up quickly, and the pink tax only exacerbates this issue. In many cases, menstrual products marketed towards women are

12 – 52], people who menstruate may spend more than $6,300 on period products.”

This disparity in pricing is even more concerning when considering the fact that menstrual products are not a luxury item. They are a necessity for many women. Access to menstrual products is critical for women’s health, hygiene and the ability to participate in daily life. Without access to menstrual products, women may be unable to attend school or work, engage in physical activities, or even leave their homes. Yet,

Wells Fargo Bank is helping customers lessen stress and learn to manage their credit and debt effectively.

“We have many options and like to connect with customers using a personalized approach that is tailored to their needs,” said Darlene Smith-Daniels, branch manager at the 42nd Street and 3rd Avenue Wells Fargo branch in New York City. “We are very hands-on, letting them know we’re here to help them establish credit or manage their debt.” Smith-Daniels, who joined Wells Fargo in 2003 as a teller and worked her way up to branch manager, relates to her customers and values the bank’s commitment to assisting customers in this area.

“Growing up, I wasn’t taught a lot about credit,” she said. “It gives me a good feeling to help them with our debt management tools.” When customers make an appointment to come in and see a banker, we want to get to know them and learn about their financial situation. About 80 percent of customers say their main goal is managing debt, while 20 percent want to save more. We want to build trust with our customers, so they feel comfortable when addressing money matters. Finances can be a sensitive subject, and Smith-Daniels knows that talking about them can be embarrassing

Double Up!

The late great Nipsey Hussle left us with some jams and gems. I heard about Nipsey but I didn’t get a full appreciation for what he stood for until after his death. All the attention he received around the time of his death prompted me to listen to his catalog of songs and the various interviews he did.

IMPRESSIVE!

As a financial planner, one of the songs that caught my attention was “Double Up.” Wisdom in those lyrics! I’ll paraphrase a few and then summarize what he’s saying. “Double up, three or four times—I ain’t telling no lies. I just run it up. Never let hard times humble us.

Turn 7 to a 14. 14 to a whole thing.”

Nipsey was talking about doubling the money he invested. No matter how hard times get, he will remain steadfast in his efforts to make a 100-percent return on his investments and keep doubling its value—three or four times. Echoing the words of the hook of this song—Who knew, who knew?

The answer to the question of who knew. Jay-Z. In the song by Jay-Z titled, “The story of OJ,” Jay-Z is trying to teach his listeners how to “Double Up.” I’ll paraphrase a few of his lyrics. “Financial freedom is my only hope. Forget living rich and dying broke. I bought some artwork that’s worth 1 million.

Two years later it’s worth 2 million. Few years later it’s worth 8 million. I can’t wait to give it to my children.” In this song he says, he’s trying to give us a million-dollar worth of game for $9.99 —the cost of his album. Did you get the lesson or were you too busy bobbing your head to the beat?

Jay-Z is talking about “Doubling Up” on his investments. He’s also talking about creating generational wealth to be passed down to his children.

I’m about to crank up the volume on this “Double Up” theory. I’m about to give you the game for the cost of this newspaper. No loud music to distract you.

I shared a gifting idea online for the Class of 2020 graduates. My middle son was a part of this graduating class. As I was thinking about a gift to give to him, I realized that I could provide a gift and a financial planning lesson at the same time. I can show him how to “Double Up.”

He worked a parttime job during his senior year of high school. Given the fact he had earned income, we opened a ROTH IRA in his name. We gave him $500 as a graduation gift to park inside this ROTH IRA and invest in a S&P 500 Index Fund. A ROTH IRA is a retirement account with some tax advantages. I explained to him that if he didn’t pull the money out of this account and if he never added another penny to this account, 49 years from now when he reaches retirement age of 67, that $500 one-time investment would be worth approximately $53,000. Just think if you added money to it throughout the years, imagine how much it could be worth? He looked at me eyes wide open and said—WOW,

for some customers.

“We take a personal approach and show empathy,” she said. “Our people are trained to help customers who feel bad about their debt getting out of control and assist them in coming up with a plan to reach their goals.”

Helping customers gain financial literacy is a high priority for Wells Fargo. That includes helping them see the big picture to understand the relationship between credit and debt.

It’s common for customers to come in seeking a personal loan while making the minimum monthly payment on their credit cards, Smith-Daniels said. She and

her team introduce Wells Fargo customers to Credit Close-UpSM which allows them to check their FICO score and receive personalized tips and a monthly analysis to help them take control of their debt.

“Managing debt is not easy and can become overwhelming,” Smith-Daniels said, and this can cause some people to ignore their debt. “We work to find ways for them to tackle it, because that debt is not going to disappear. We help them to not pick up more credit and pay down debt, which gives them more options.”

Sometimes a lack of understanding hinders the process. One popular misconception is that there are quick ways to pay down debt.

“We explain that we cannot provide a quick solution, and we counsel them on the need to have patience,” she said. “We show them two approaches: the snowball method—paying off the smallest debt first—and the avalanche method of paying off the highest interest account first. And we work together to find the best method for them.”

Another tool is the Debtto-Income (DTI) Ratio Calculator to show how debt

that’s a lot of money. How can $500 turn into $53,000 like that? I explained to him of Time Value of Money, Compound Interest and Rule of 72.

Time Value of Money: Money today is worth more in the future because of its earning capacity in the form of compounding interest and/or appreciation in value. The more time you allow money to compound or appreciate, the greater the eventual return.

Compound Interest: Interest earned on top of interest, reinvested. Interest you earned on initial investment reinvested to create larger investment. For example: $500 initial investment with a 10 percent annual return on investment will be worth $550 in one year. If you reinvest $550 with a 10 percent annual return on investment, it will be worth $605 in the next year.

As you continue to allow money to compound it will grow exponentially. Rule of 72: This is a quick rough and dirty calculation used in finance to compute how long it will take for your investment to double in value. It’s an approximate but close to accurate. The larger the rate of return, the faster it will double in value. To compute, you take 72 and divide it by the rate of return. For example, Using 10 percent rate of return. 72 divided by 10 equals 7.2. With a 10 percent rate of return you can expect your investment to dou-

ble every 7.2 years. If your rate of return was 7 percent, you can expect your investment to double every 10 years (72 / 7 = 10.28).

The sooner you start to invest money and allow it to compound, the more time you’ll allow your investments to continue to “Double Up”—3 or 4 times.

The higher the rate of return, the faster your money will “Double Up.”

As Jay-Z indicates with the artwork, this investment strategy of “doubling up” applies to anything that has the potential to increase in value or earn interest overtime.

The same holds true in reverse. When you borrow money, those granting the loans are making an investment in you. The interest you pay is their return on investment. It’s important to note: Interest you earn is a friend. Interest you pay is a foe!

They get you with double digit interest rates on credit cards. Then they suck you in with the lower monthly payments by extending the term of your loan as long as they can. The higher the rate and/or the longer the term equates to them “Doubling Up” on you. For Example: A $200,000 mortgage with a 5 percent rate and 30-year term will cost you a total of $386,500. That’s $186,500 in interest—they “Doubled Up.”

As Jay-Z says in “The Story of OJ,” “yall out here still taking ‘advances’ (loans). Me and my friends taking real ‘chances’ (investments, businesses, art, real estate, etc.) (Damon Carr, Money Coach can be reached at 412-216-1013)

DARLENE SMITH-DANIELS

Ben Crump sues Morgan Stanley for racial discrimination

by Roz Edward

For New Pittsburgh Courier

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump last week filed a law suit on behalf of Anthony Fletcher against Morgan Stanley & Co., one of the world’s largest financial ser vice firms, alleging a long-standing pattern of sys tematic racial discrimination.

Fletcher, a recruiter for the financial and invest ment giant was contracted to hire “Black talent” for the financial firm for seven years up until March 2022. In the 25-page complaint, Fletch er, who is Black, claimed that only 16 of the 200 “highly qualified diverse candidates” he sourced were hired for management roles.

Fletcher and Crump are accusing Morgan Stan ley of discriminating against “diverse” hires by putting them into low-paying roles at the firm and paying them less than their White counterparts.

According to the lawsuit, Morgan Stanley al legedly denied Fletcher access to standard tools for his job and hired candidates he sourced behind his back to avoid paying him appropriate compen sation. The complaint notes that the Black recruit er’s pay was cut down “below the industry standard of 33.33 percent to 20 percent.” The financial firm al legedly based their decision “only on first-year salary rather than total compensation for the hire, including bonuses—all because of the recruiter’s race,” the lawsuit stated.

When Fletcher reported the discrimination he and his candidates faced, his contract was swiftly terminated, and the company hired a White complex director candidate to

Crump said that the financial firm had a long-standing history of intentional discrimination against Black employees that has led to their underrepresentation in financial advisor, management, and executive roles. According to the civil rights leaders, only about 1 percent of 18,000 tenured Morgan Stanley Financial advisors are

“The pattern is clear that Morgan Stanley has a deep and wide institutional bias against Black people,” the 53-year-old attor“We have amassed compelling evidence that Morgan Stanley is reluctant to hire Black employees; it doesn’t believe people want Black financial advisors, and it doesn’t think Black people have money to invest,” Crump added.

Data revealed that the controversial brokerage firm paid White financial advisors 30 percent more in comparison to Black advisors. There were also cases where Black financial advisors were segregated and excluded from lucrative partnerships and financial opportunities while employed with the company.

Fletcher is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

He also wants the firm to address and apologize for its discriminatory practices to create a more equitable work en-

A Morgan Stanley spokesperson denied the allegations, claiming that Fletcher’s termination stemmed from a “fee dispute.”

“We categorically reject the allegations of this complaint which is based on a fee dispute with an external recruiter whose contract was terminated,” she wrote. “Morgan Stanley remains steadfast in our commitment to build a workforce that is inclusive and diverse.”

Paying down debt doesn’t have to overwhelm you

impacts borrowing power. It’s vital to understand this equation, Smith-Daniels said, because many customers make the mistake of wanting to wipe out all their debt.

“Many customers don’t know until they’re speaking to us that this ratio affects them if they want to borrow again. “It’s best to have a mix of credit and some debt, as long as it’s in line with a healthy debt-to-income ratio. It’s all about management. You must have some debt to show that you can repay it. If you have no repayment history, then lenders may have difficulty lending to you.”

Along with the tools, Wells Fargo offers staff with the skill sets to guide customers through the maze of credit and debt management.

“They need somebody who has been trained and been doing this for some time,”

Smith-Daniels said. “I think that is why a lot of customers do come back.” She sometimes uses an analogy to help customers understand the need for regular financial check-ups and maintenance.

“I ask them how they manage their health and remind them that they see their doctor regularly to make sure everything is working,” she said. “I encourage them to look at their finances that way, to make sure that they sit down with their banker for a review at least once a year and go over their finances.”

The result? “They love it, and definitely relate to it,” Smith-Daniels said. “They say, ‘You’re right. I do need to have that financial check-up to make sure everything is all right, and I don’t get overwhelmed with my debt.’”

The results have been encouraging.

“We’ve had great outcomes,” Smith-Dan-

iels said. “Some customers come back and say, ‘Now I want to apply for a loan or a mortgage because now I have everything under control, and I can manage my debt much more effectively and efficiently.’ It gives me a good feeling to know we’re helping customers.” Wells Fargo’s personalized services includes Wells Fargo AssistSM for customers who are experiencing payment challenges and need support.

The bank’s approach is designed for the long term.

“We try to follow our customer’s progress and set the expectation that we’ll follow up,” Smith-Daniels said.

“If someone is starting off trying to establish credit, we give them the tools, ask if we can follow up with them in a month or two, see how it goes. Then once they get the credit, we work with them on how to maintain it without becoming overwhelmed. If they’re

in trouble, we work with them by scheduling a follow-up meeting whenever it’s best for them. We invite them to come back in to see their progress.

“While getting into debt will always be easier than getting out, Wells Fargo is deeply committed to helping customers reach their goals and gain financial stability. “It does take time—you have to be patient,” Smith-Daniels said, “but we can definitely help you get on the right track.”

(Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.)

The Pink Tax

despite this, many women struggle to afford these products due to the pink tax.

Another issue that compounds the problem of the pink tax for menstrual products is the fact that these products are often subject to sales tax. In most states in the U.S., menstrual products are taxed as “luxury items” or “non-essential” products. This is despite the fact that they are a basic necessity for women who menstruate. This tax can add up quickly, especially for low-income women who may struggle to afford these products in the first place.

“Sales taxes are regressive and disproportionately impact low-wage workers and people living in poverty as they pay a higher percentage of their income on taxes,” Moore stated.

Fortunately, there has been a growing movement in recent years to address the pink tax and the issue of menstrual product affordability. Some states in the U.S., including Michigan, have passed laws that eliminate sales tax on menstrual products.  Moore said that Michigan signed  H.B. 5267 in 2021, which ended the state sales

tax on menstrual products.

Today, 23 U.S. states and the District of Columbia specifically exempt period products from state sales tax, while 22 states continue to impose sales tax.

Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no state sales tax.

This is a significant step in the right direction, as it helps to make these products more affordable for women who need them.

“The new tax didn’t solve the access problem,” said Page-Gourley.

“The products themselves are extremely expensive, even when people are able to purchase them tax-free. Those costs are especially hard for lower income women who have to budget a larger percentage of their household funds for necessities.”

The price disproportionately affects Black women and Latinas. According to a 2021 study conducted by U by Kotex® found that two in five people who menstruate have struggled to purchase period products due to a lack of money. A quarter of Black (23 percent) and Latina (24 percent) people with periods strongly agree that they’ve struggled to afford period

products in the past year.

Over one-third (38 percent) of under-resourced women report missing work, school or similar events due to lack of access to period supplies (not being able to afford the products they need).

Nearly seven in ten (68 percent) people agree that period poverty is a public health issue.

There have also been efforts to make menstrual products more accessible to low-income women. For example, some schools and universities have begun to provide free menstrual products in bathrooms, and some states have implemented programs to distribute free menstrual products to low-income women. These efforts help to ensure that women who may struggle to afford these products can access them when they need them.

Ultimately, the pink tax is an unfair and discriminatory practice that has significant implications for women’s health and financial stability. When it comes to menstrual products, the pink tax can make it difficult for women to afford the products they need to manage their periods.

BEN CRUMP

Editorial Return of the Wild Wild West?

America is apparently changing, and not in a good way! We seem to be going back to the past, to what was known as the wild, wild west, only this time lawlessness is engulfing the whole country instead of a few western states. Americans have been proud to point to our society as a paragon of virtue and have endeavored to take our form of “democracy” to other sovereign nations. If we don’t change, we cannot demonstrate for others the benefits of our way of life.

What appears to be happening is that a pall of negativity is blanketing America, possibly due to political infighting, climate change, an economy that needs to be on life support and general bad news. The fallout is manifesting in a heightening of widespread inhumanity and is not just limited to race; a lot of people are apparently losing their minds.

The African American community has not been spared. A dark cloud of negativity is engulfing it. This can be seen played out in public venues like grocery stores, where people are increasingly rude to each other, and thefts in commercial venues in the Black community, which are crippling local economies causing some stores to actually close.

It can also be seen in an apparent disregard for traffic protocols with people running red lights, disregarding stop signs, and demonstrating increased road rage. Along with this we can factor in cases of teenagers’ wilding out in downtown areas of major urban centers. Black people are participating in this trend, and public media exacerbates the situation.

One of the most appalling indications of this negative state of national affairs is the number of mass shootings taking place in the country. To date, (at press time, April 26), there have been at least 146. This is coupled with a very disturbing new trend wherein people are shooting and killing or maiming people based on things like accidentally driving up the wrong driveway or knocking on the wrong door.

As previously mentioned, we are seemingly witnessing a new incarnation of the wild, wild west. But this time automatic weapons like AR-15s are in the hands of many citizens. People probably think this is going to save them from the chaos of what is national spiritual decay. However, guns won’t save us, we must save ourselves based on changing our collective behavior toward each other.

One of our underlying problems is based on what people consider to be “spiritual decay” due to a heightened focus on material values. Because many of the folks who seem to disproportionately experience material success don’t often demonstrate a concern for others, there is a conclusion that selfishness works; it transcends any need to care for our fellow human beings.

The doomsayers think material wealth is an admirable goal, and spiritual values are not important; they don’t believe in hope or in a philosophy that actually says, “what goes around comes around.” They don’t understand that materiality is not our salvation. We see this all of the time when apparently wealthy and successful people are still very unhappy.

What is needed, among other things, is a renewed focus on mental health treatment. Our nation is losing its collective mind due to misplaced priorities; selfishness is reigning because we have not seen the connectivity that is apparent among human beings.

Truly, there is nothing we can do individually that does not directly impact every other person in our environment. This is something we must learn to understand. In order to survive this spate of negativity, we must embrace the concept of agape love—the love that is given whether or not it’s returned. We must realize that if we work together, we can offset the spiritual malaise that is engulfing our communities.

One more thing; a lot of people don’t believe in “spirituality,” because the material world has blocked an understanding of what it means or how it manifests. No matter what religion you embrace (if any), spirituality should include the previously mentioned love for one another and the rejection of selfishness. If we do this, we will notice that in building community, the true meaning of spirituality will eventually become evident; we will notice that making money is not a substitute for making life! A Luta Continua.

(Reprinted from the Chicago Crusader)

Power tends to corrupt

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”—Lord John Acton

I almost find it uncanny that a longdead individual can provide such an accurate analysis of current times.  Or maybe it’s the predictable nature of humans?  However we reason it, the abuse of power is a recurring theme in human history that only portends tragedy for the less powerful.

By their nature, democracies are governments which are supposed to function in accordance with and express the will of the (majority of the) people.  For that very reason, democracies are antithetical to those who value power over all else.  As with the contemporary Republican Party and American Democracy, when the majority will of the people conflicts with the desires of those in power, chaos reigns.

Any secondary school civics textbook will explain that, in a democracy, the role of a political party is to explain proposed policy(ies) and convince a majority of the populace to agree. This agreement is usually formed when the populace realizes a personal stake in the presented policy(ies), and, through the election process, expresses its will and accepts the proposed political direction.

In our contemporary American Democracy, lies and misrepresentation, wealthy influencers, voter suppression, gerrymandered voting districts, archaic laws and/or the passage of laws favoring partisan interests are among

by Chuck Richardson

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary

the bases upon which the distribution of political power hinges.  Looking objectively, we see this demonstrated in issues which are in the forefront of our daily news reports.

The carnage of American gun violence is at a record pace.  According to the NAACP, Americans are twenty-five times more likely to be killed in a gun homicide than people in other high-income countries.  Black Americans are ten-times more likely than White Americans to die by gun homicide.  And, in 2022 and 2023, gun violence has surpassed car accidents as the number one cause of death among American youth.  Yet, while a majority of Americans clamor for tangible gun reform in the face of these appalling numbers, Republican lawmakers only offer us “thoughts and prayers.”

In a June 2021 Forbes Magazine poll, 57 percent of respondents believe abortion should be legal overall in all or most cases—with 23 percent saying it should be legal in all cases and 33 percent saying only in most cases— including 76 percent of Democrats and 36 percent of Republicans.  That percentage was even higher when asked whether abortion should be

legal during the first trimester specifically, with 61 percent saying it should be legal in all or most cases.  Yet an unwavering national minority with influence in the courts and upon the reins of power are waging a ceaseless war against a woman’s autonomy over her own body and medical decisions. In the aftermath of the elections in 2020 and 2022, those factions which, with their votes, were instrumental in denying a greater political foothold to the MAGA crowd, and who paved the way for the unexpected retention of progressive power in the Senate have become targets of draconian legislation to restrict their future votes.  Blacks, LGBTQ, young, and collegiate voters now find themselves in the crosshairs of conservative Republicans who are actively working to create legislative impediments to their voting rights. Maybe it was our faith in the strength of the past American Democracy.  We may have underestimated the tyrannical and despotic dispositions of conservatives and how, once they got power, they would lie, cheat, and steal to retain it.  Republicans clawed and scratched for fifty years to gain the control they now enjoy.  We can reverse their ill-gotten control, but we must first commit to another struggle and remember the admonishment of Frederick Douglass when he told us: “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”

(Dr. E. Faye Williams is President of The Dick Gregory Society and President Emerita of the National Congress of Black Women)

A Black life

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—The most recent death of a New York homeless person, Jordan Neely, is not merely a reflection of two individuals caught in a Shakespearian tragedy.  One, the victim, Mr. Neely and the other, Penny Daniels, the perpetrator of the crime, rather, this incident is a microcosmic reflection of many White Americans’ view of Black lives.  The “Black Lives Matter” slogan was prompted by the realization that George Floyd’s horrific death by a White policeman was a stark representation of many Americans subconscious lack of value for the life of a Black American. The solution to this subliminal reality will not be defined by the conviction of the perpetrator, Mr. Daniels.  Penny Daniels’ fifteen minute strangle hold suffocation of Jordan Neely was a clear and concise example that revealed the death of Mr. Neely was never even considered in the mind of Mr. Daniels, or few, if any of the White observers on the scene.

This incident reinforces the long held belief (since slavery) that a Black person’s life is immaterial or three-fifths, at best, the value of White lives when compared with the safety of White lives.

As a Marine, I was trained to execute what was called a naked strangle hold on an opponent.  We were also fully advised that beyond a two and a half to three minutes successfully sustained strangle hold would result in the death of the individual being strangled, usually administered against the enemy. Marine Corp training is complete, thorough and explicit.  There are no exceptions or excuses for not understanding the consequences of behavior.  In the Marine Corp, the consequences of a mistake are punishment that is brutal and severe.  I distinctly recall the practice of mass punishment by drill instructors—that is, if one Marine in a platoon made a mistake, the entire platoon was punished.   This ensured the unlikelihood of any Marine forgetting his or her training.   It therefore goes without saying that, if Penny Daniels learned the naked strangle hold in the Marine Corp, he also learned the consequences would be death if maintained longer than two and half to three minutes.  While the experience of viewing a homeless Black person acting strangely can be traumatic for most White Americans, nevertheless it

is no reason to suspend common sense behavior.  Penny Daniels suspended the use of his knowledge that his hold on Jordan Neely would kill him.  He was taught this fact emphatically and as effectively as he was taught to execute a naked strangle hold.  It is possible, but highly implausible, that Mr. Daniels did not realize that Mr. Neely could very well die.  However, it was possible, it did happen, and Perry Daniels is unable to plead ignorance—ignorance of the law is no excuse.  However, he could plead a subliminal lack of value and respect for the life of a Black person.  Therefore, he felt no compunction to release Mr. Neely after three or four minutes.   While I loathe any references to hypothetical, I would venture to say, had Jordan Neely been a blonde-headed White homeless person, Penny Daniels most certainly would have thought about releasing him before he expired.  Mr. Daniels fully realized that there are consequences to the death of a White man.

The larger implication here is that Penny Daniels is the culprit of Jordan Neely’s death.   But the real killer is yet at large—the racist and subliminal mentality of White Americans.

Haitian awareness is the spirit of rebellion

Founded 1910

Rod Doss Editor & Publisher

Stephan A. Broadus Assistant to the Publisher

Allison Palm Office Manager Ashley Johnson Sales Director Rob Taylor Jr. Managing Editor

John. H. Sengstacke Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—My maternal grandfather was Haitian. I didn’t know him well—he died when I was about six. I don’t remember whether he smoked a pipe or a cigar, but I remember the smell of smoke clinging to him on the few occasions I sat in his lap. I remember him trying to teach my siblings and me a few patois words. I don’t know anything about my Haitian relatives—Pappa Jimmy, as we called him, never spoke of them. But whenever I hear news of Haiti, I feel an affinity, a connection, and I revel in Haitian history. When I told a friend about my Haitian grandfather, he said, “That explains it.”  What? I asked. He said that Haitians are fighters, reminding me of the formerly enslaved Haitians who beat the stuffing out of the so-called “great” general Napoleon Bonaparte, repelling his “mighty” armies. That victory has shaped US land acquisition and foreign policy even now. The slaveholding President Thomas Jefferson doubled the size of the United States with his Louisiana Purchase when the United States acquired 828,000 miles of land west of the Mississippi River for a mere $15 million. Why was France so willing to sell? Self-emancipated Black folks were kicking the stuffing out of the “great” Napoleon in an uprising that lasted decades. Napoleon needed money, Jefferson needed land, and both wanted to contain Black rebels and ensure their rebellion did not spread to the United States.  Haiti paid the price for its self-determination, ordered to pay France “reparations” for its independence. The payments crippled the Haitian economy and set the tone for the continuous exploitation of the island. France extracted $30 billion from Haiti, and we

Julianne Malveaux

Commentary

can hardly project how Haiti might be different if it had never had to make those predatory payments.

Most people don’t know about the role France paid in the political instability and violence Haiti experiences today. Even fewer know of the role the United States played in the exploitation of Haiti or in the ways that the Haitian Revolution (which lasted from 1791-1804) played in the restrictive and exploitive laws the United States imposed on enslaved people, as they were fearful that enslaved people in the United States might emulate their Haitian brothers and sisters, rebelling against their oppressors much as Haitian revolutionaries did. May is Haitian Heritage Month, but the mainstream media seems to have ignored this salient fact. Instead, there is a celebration in one town or another, a parade hidden in the back pages of the local press. May should be the month when we are reminded of our role in the violence on that turbulent island. Gangs have taken over the urban streets, but where did the gangs get guns? Guns are not manufactured in Haiti, so they must come from somewhere, probably the United States. Our nation’s gun manufacturers are profiting from Haiti’s pain, just as they are profiting from the pain victims of mass shootings are experiencing. While I hesitate to throw a “pity par-

ty” to compare suffering in one country to suffering in another, I cannot help but contrast the overwhelming support for Ukraine with the minimal support for the Haitian people. Even when our nation rushed to support Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, when millions sent dollars, there were questions about who administered them and where they were directed. It is doubtful that even half of those dollars trickled down to the Haitian people.

Ibi Zoboi, a Haitian American New York Times bestselling author (her most recent book is Nigeria Jones, Harper Collins, 2023), reminds me that there are triumphant stories in Haiti that transcend the ever-present headlines around violence and disruption. She speaks of the energy and spirit of those in rural Haiti who never make the headlines. She reminds me of former Haitian Ambassador to the United States, Paul Altidor, who often regaled me with stunning descriptions of Haiti outside Port-au-Prince, where much of the violence is concentrated.

If no one else in the united states celebrates Haitian Heritage Month, african americans must. The Haitian revolution sowed the seeds for our own uprisings and slave rebellion. It also reminds us of the power of predatory capitalism, a power we must consistently resist. And it must tap into the spirit of the Haitian rebellion that took France down, defeating its most powerful general. If our foremothers and forefathers could do that, what might we do? I am grateful for my Haitian heritage and for the brother who reminded me of where I get some of my rebellious spirit from.

(Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author, and Dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at Cal State LA. Juliannemalveaux.com.)

To protect and serve our teachers

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—Teacher’s Appreciation Week is recognized each year during the first full week in May. Teachers have always held the distinct honor of molding a child’s mind and character in preparation for becoming our nation’s future workforce and leaders. Behind every great inventor, businessperson, and historical inspiration lies a devoted teacher. For a student to have a teacher who believes in them when they don’t believe in themselves is why the teaching profession is one of respect. Any successful person can name that one teacher who significantly impacted their life through examples of caring, encouragement, compassion, and mentoring. Sometimes, the impact is not always fully realized until years later when the person is deep into adulthood.

While I can name several teachers from my high school years who stood out, my third-grade teacher exemplified the respect a child should have for their teacher. As a third grader in Norfolk, Virginia, my classmates and I were deeply affected by the assassination of Martin Luther King. The day after Dr. King was killed, we went to school. I will never forget how our teacher, Mrs. Johnson, was so overwhelmed with grief and emotion that she sat at her desk in front of the class and cried the entire day. Instead of talking, laughing, or running around the class, her pain affected all of us even though we didn’t fully understand it. Out of total respect for our teacher, every student sat silently, watching as Mrs. Johnson dealt with her grief—unable to speak, let alone teach the class. As she grieved the whole day, her students grieved with her. Sadly, most teachers today do not receive that degree of respect and personal connection in the classroom.

In public discourse, there are two forms of narrative. The standard narrative is a detailed account of an incident; the viewpoint narrative presents a situation in a way that promotes a political position.

The public first learned that a mentally ill homeless Black man named Jordan Neely died on a New York subway train after Daniel Penny, a White military veteran, restrained him through the account of Juan Alberto Vázquez, who witnessed the incident.

Vázquez told police that after Neely boarded the subway train, Neely started yelling that he didn’t have food or water and didn’t care about going to jail. Needly didn’t ask anyone for anything but acted in a violent manner, at one point slamming his jacket. The people around Neely were scared and moved away from him as Neely kept yelling.

Then Penny came up behind Neely, grabbed him by the neck, and forced Neely to the floor.

Thirty seconds later, the train reached a stop, and passengers rushed off the train.

Vázquez told the conductor to stop the train, while Penny told bystanders to call the police. By this time, two other men had assisted Penny, while Vázquez began to record the incident.

The recording of Neely in a chokehold is nearly four minutes long.

After two minutes, a man entered the train and told Penny, “If you suffocate him, that’s it.  You don’t want to catch a murder charge.” Penny released the choke hold, but Neely was unconscious. Neely died in the hospital from what the medical examiner determined to be compression of the neck.

Neely’s death was ruled a homicide;

Penny wasn’t charged, and protesters took to the streets of New York.

We all know that homicide refers to any killing of one person by another, and it does not always imply a criminal act. According to Vázquez’s account, Penny did not intend to murder Neely, but it’s clear Penny caused Neely’s death.

Vázquez’s standard narrative should have sparked serious public debate as to whether Penny should be charged with voluntary or involuntary manslaughter, whether Penny was justified in protecting passengers from harm, and whether self-defense negates manslaughter.

However, viewpoint narratives bombarded the national dialogue before Penny’s name was released to the public. These viewpoint narratives reveal the self-serving nature of the Right and the Left.

Here are the most egregious.

A progressive congresswoman said Needly was houseless and crying for food at a time when the city is raising rent and stripping services. This narrative implies that if the city provided affordable housing, higher wages, and access to psychiatric care, Needly wouldn’t have been on the subway destitute and deranged. Neely’s poverty and poor mental state are byproducts of a broken and sick capitalist system,

and Neely died because society failed him. Right-wing content creators condemned the protesters, who were demanding that Penny be charged with Neely’s death. These content creators emphasized that Neely was arrested over 40 times in the past decade. Then labeled “the Jordan Neely protests” as George Floyd 2.0. This label reinforced the narrative that the Left will martyr a Black criminal in order to demand systemic change or social justice. Meanwhile, it’s the Left’s soft-on-crime policies that create the need for law-abiding citizens to make America safe again.

A Black progressive talk show host who authored a book titled Nobody: Casualties of America’s War on the Vulnerable, From Ferguson to Flint and Beyond, called the death of Jordan Neely a 21st century lynching. This narrative suggests that a White man can kill a homeless Black man without being criminally charged because, in a White supremacist society, Black lives don’t matter and a homeless Black man is nobody.

A Black conservative talk show host told his audience that Neely’s father abandoned him when he was a toddler and that his mother was killed during his teenage years. All of Jordan Neely’s problems stem from the loss of his parents. This narrative suggests that the system didn’t fail Jordan Neely. The root cause of Neely’s failure to become a productive citizen in the land of opportunity is the breakdown of the family. Daniel Penny eventually surrendered to police and is set to face manslaughter charges. Needless to say, the second round of viewpoint narratives will be even more self-serving by the Right and the Left.

David W. Marshall

In contrast, today’s teachers are too often the targets of violent outbursts, false accusations, and verbal abuse by their students. The incidents of students attacking teachers will get worse with long-term consequences. As students become more aggressive and uncaring, violent assaults and threats harm the teacher, who is the target, the student offender, and the students who witness the attack or abuse.

In Flagler County, Florida, 17-year-old Brendan Depa is now facing felony assault charges as an adult after a surveillance video shows the high school student attacking a teacher’s aide. The Daytona News-Journal reported, “The student stated he was upset because the victim took his Nintendo Switch away from him during class,” according to a charging affidavit. During the Feb. 21 attack, the video shows the teen rushing toward Joan Naydich and pushing her to the ground. Naydich goes limp and loses consciousness. Depa is then seen kicking Naydich while she is on the ground and punching her more than a dozen times. It took four school staff members to pull the student away from Naydich, who was hospitalized for her injuries.

The threat of violence is now overshadowing the rewards of teaching. School districts are having a hard time retaining and attracting quality educators as staff members are becoming more fearful for their safety. Teachers are stressed out and becoming more afraid of having to say no to a student or correct them.

Some educators note that managing student behavior is becoming more difficult because students often do not face sufficient consequences after physically assaulting or threatening a staff member. Taking a student’s cell phone when they are not supposed to have it can easily get out of control and result in a teacher being attacked or suffering other means of retaliation and disrespect. The unknown of what will happen when redirecting student behavior adds to the stress a teacher carries daily in the classroom. More teachers are refusing to put themselves in unpredictable situations by allowing students to do what they want if they are not too noisy or disruptive. The risk of going to the hospital is not worth it. A deep respect for teachers existed in the classroom once; now, it has been replaced with a sense of entitlement. Too many students believe it is within their rights to do whatever they want to do whenever they want. They don’t want anyone telling them any different. Students have been emboldened to torment their teachers and classmates when consequences for disruptive behavior are taken away, and the student is fully aware that nothing will happen to them. Teachers risk losing credibility as authority figures when students get away with too much and the conducive learning environment of the classroom is destroyed. Mental health is not a topic people typically like to discuss openly, particularly in the workplace, which includes our schools. An unhealthy work environment is perpetuated in situations where there are ineffective school policies regarding discipline and not removing disruptive and dangerous students from the classroom. The physical and mental well-being of teachers deserve better protection.

(David

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—The pomp and circumstance of the crowning of King Charles III filled TV sets.

The British crown is ceremonial; King Charles will take part in rituals, but not rule—that is in the hands of the British prime minister and the Parliament. Yet, beneath the vast spectacle of the Crown is another reality: the Crown is not only fabulously rich; it owns much of the land in the world.

The death of Queen Elizabeth II sparked many investigations into the wealth of the royal family.

Forbes put the royal family’s wealth at $28 billion, including fabulous castles, jewels, invaluable art, and extensive land ownings across Wales and England. The royal family also enjoys exemption not just from inheritance tax, but from taxes in general.

But the actual holdings of the Crown are far greater than that. Kevin Cahill was a researcher on the London Sunday Times “Rich List.” He has written a stunning book—Who Owns the World—that details who owns land across the world.

He reports that the British Crown is the legal owner of about 6.6 billion acres of land—one-sixth of the earth’s land surface. Charles III will be the king of 32 countries, and the head of the Commonwealth of 54 countries in which a quarter of the world’s population lives. In many of these countries—including Australia, which with its territories is the second largest country on earth, and Canada— the feudal land laws that were created under the British Empire still govern. The British Crown owns the land. The users of it are essentially lease-holders, some for specific terms, some in perpetuity. If King Charles could sell all the land for which

the Crown holds the title, he would be, by far, the richest person who ever lived.

Much of the land is held in a tax haven —what Cahill calls the modern equivalent of a “bandit’s lair.” Of the world’s 24 largest tax havens, King Charles will become sovereign of no fewer than 13.

Most of the land that the crown holds title over is governed in fact by government agencies—who lease or dispose of it on behalf of the Crown. The Crown is not active in its governance—other than the extensive estates it owns in England. From most, it does not receive direct rents.

Its ownership, however, is a reminder of the force and impact of empire. In the days when the sun literally never set on the British Empire—with colonies stretching from North America to India to Hong Kong—the Crown and its agents collected rents, jewels, gold, minerals and more from the world. Needless to say, even after independence, this booty was never returned or repaid.

The American Revolution helped free the former colonies from this feudal arrangement. Under free market rules, America’s land is privately owned, not owned by feudal lords. And America’s populist tradition helped ensure that land ownings—particularly outside the South—were initially small in size. Under Abraham Lincoln, the Homestead Act dis-

tributed the lands in the west to settlers in small claims. Slaves had no right to be part of that distribution.

Today, with inequality reaching new heights, America’s small-d democratic distribution of lands and property is under pressure. Billionaires are accumulating massive tracts of land and massive holdings of buildings. Private equity investors have transformed the housing market, turning more and more Americans into renters, while they own homes by the thousands. Billionaires are also finding ways to avoid inheritance taxes, and to use tax havens and tax dodges to avoid paying their fair share of taxes.

The crowning of King Charles III was a captivating, antiquated spectacle. It was literally a throwback to a bygone age. Yet the ermine and the jewels, the crowns and scepters contain a caution. Democracy thrives on opportunity, on a broad middle class, not a ruling elite with massive, accumulated fortunes and lands. America’s democracy thrived by distributing the land, making public education available to all, and extending the right to vote.

When wealth got too concentrated, we taxed the rich and invested in what made the country strong. Now, wealth is once more concentrated. Big money dominates elections; corruption undermines our institutions from the Supreme Court to the local city councils. Let’s enjoy the ceremony of the British Crown, but let’s act to ensure that America does not descend into a new feudalism where money rules, and people suffer.

In the end, for all its flaws, I choose a bottom up democracy—of, by and for the people—over a top down monarchy.

When it comes to gun control, the people have spoken. The problem is no one in a position of power is bothering to listen.

The public is staunchly in favor of restrictions that will in no way threaten Second Amendment rights.

But Congress refuses to move on measures to curb violence, even though 87 percent of Americans support background checks; another 81 percent believe gun purchase age limits should increase to 21; four out of five endorse a mental health check requirement and “red flag,” while 77 percent agree with a 30-day waiting period.

If this government was truly of the people, by the people and for the people, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate would not so casually ignore the will of the people.

A study published in January by a leading non-profit organization that focuses on gun violence prevention found there is a direct correlation in states with weaker gun laws and higher rates of gun deaths, including homicides, suicides and accidental killings.

The study by Everytown for Gun Safety determined that California had the strongest gun laws in the country. Hawaii topped the list with the lowest rate of gun deaths in the country, while Mississippi led the country with both the weakest gun laws and highest rate of gun deaths.

The findings of the study have come into sharp focus following a mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022, in which 19 children and two teachers were killed. Officials told CNN the gunman legally purchased two assault rifles for his 18th birthday.

To compile its list, the group used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, looked at each state’s rate of gun deaths in 2020 and compared those rates with 50 policies they say are scientifically proven to be effective in preventing gun violence, Nick Suplina, senior vice president of law and policy with Everytown for Gun Safety, said.

The CDC’s data includes homicides, accidental killings and suicides committed with guns. According to the CDC, over 45,000 people in the United States were killed with a firearm in 2020, more than half died by suicide.

The analysis, first reported by CNN, put California at the top of the list for gun law strength— a composite score of 84.5 out of

100, with a low rate of 8.5 gun deaths per 100,000 residents, and below the national average of 13.6.

Hawaii has the lowest rate of gun deaths in the country with the second strongest gun law score. It also has the lowest rate of gun ownership, with firearms in nine percent of households, the data shows.

Mississippi has the weakest gun laws with a score of 3 out of 100 and has a rate of 28.6 gun deaths per 100,000 residents, the highest of all states, the research shows.

Massachusetts has adopted 37 of the 50 policies and has the second-lowest rate of gun deaths, while Missouri has only eight of the gun safety policies and the fourth highest rate of gun deaths in the U.S. Louisiana and Wyoming are among the top five states with the highest gun deaths and the weakest gun safety laws.

Two-term Texas Governor Greg Abbott has pushed for the most easily-accessible powerful firearms distribution in the nation. Meanwhile, he blames the violence on mental illness while the killings mount. In Texas alone since 2015: Allen (8); Uvalde (21); El Paso (23); Sutherland Springs (26); Santa Fe (10); Midland (7), and Dallas (5). So, make no mistake. The rhetoric will continue because no one in power cares enough for change. And as the rhetoric goes on, unfortunately so will the carnage.

(Reprinted from The Chiago Crusader)

W. Marshall is the founder of the faithbased organization, TRB: The Reconciled Body, and author of the book God Bless Our Divided America. He can be reached at www.davidwmarshallauthor. com.)

CONDITIONS OF SALE

Effective with the August 3, 2020 Sheriff Sale of real estate and all such monthly public sales thereafter shall be conducted virtually through video conferencing technology or live streaming. The Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office shall provide for up to twenty-five persons to participate in person with physical distancing in the Gold Room, 4th Floor Allegheny County Courthouse. ALL PARTICIPANTS OR BIDDERS MUST BE REGISTERED AT LEAST 7 DAYS BEFORE THE DATE OF THE SALE IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE (VIRTUALLY OR IN PERSON) AT THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE SALES OF REAL ESTATE. REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY SHERIFF’S WEBSITE: SHERIFFALLEGHENYCOUNTY.COM. The Successful bidder will pay full amount of bid in CASH, CERTIFIED CHECK OR CASHIERS CHECK at time of sale, otherwise the property will be resold at the next regular Sheriffs Sale; provided, that if the sale is made on MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2023 the bidder may pay ten percent of purchasing price but not less than 75.00 in CASH, CERTIFIED CHECK, OR CASHIERS CHECK THE DAY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE SALE, e.g. TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 2023, BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8:30AM AND 2:30PM IN THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE. And the balance in CASH, CERTIFIED CHECK, OR CASHIERS CHECK, on or before MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2023 at 10:00 O’CLOCK A.M. The property will be resold at the next regular Sheriff’s Sale if the balance is not paid, and in such case all money’s paid in at the original sale shall be applied to any deficiency in the price of which property is resold, and provided further that if the successful bidder is the plaintiff in the execution the bidder shall pay full amount of bid ON OR BEFORE THE FIRST MONDAY OF THE FOLLOWING MONTH, OTHERWISE WRIT WILL BE RETURNED AND MARKED “REAL ESTATE UNSOLD” and all monies advanced by plaintiff will be applied as required by COMMON PLEAS COURT RULE 3129.2 (1) (a).

FORFEITED SALES WILL BE POSTED IN THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE AND LISTED ON THE SHERIFF OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY WEB SITE.

AMENDMENT OF THE CODE SECOND CLASS COUNTY NEW CHAPTER 475

THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 475, ENTITLED TAXATION IS HEREBY AMENDED THROUGH THE CREATION OF A NEW ARTICLE XII, ENTITLED, “SHERIFF SALES”, AND COMPRISED AS FOLLOWS: SUBSECTION 475-60: RECORDING OF DEEDS AND NOTIFICATION OF SHERIFFS SALES TO TAXING BODIES.

A. FOR ANY REAL PROPERTY OFFERED AT SHERIFFS SALE DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF REAL ESTATE TAXES AND PURCHASED BY A THIRD PARTY THROUGH SUCH SALE, THE SHERIFF SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FILING THE DEED AND, WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF FILING OF THE SHERIFFS DEED, PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE CONVEYANCE TO THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY OFFICE OF PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS. THE WRITTEN NOTICE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION SHALL INCLUDE THE DATE OF THE SALE, IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROPERTY SOLD BY BOTH ADDRESS AND LOT AND BLOCK NUMBER, AND THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE INDIVIDUALS OR OTHER ENTITY THAT PURCHASED THE PROPERTY.

B. AT THE TIME OF THE SALE THE SHERIFF SHALL COLLECT ALL REQUISITE FILING COSTS, REALTY TRANSFER TAXES AND FEES, NECESSARY TO PROPERLY RECORD THE DEED.

C. WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF RECEIPT OF WRITTEN NOTICE FROM THE SHERIFF, THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY OFFICE OF PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS SHALL FORWARD COPIES OF SUCH NOTICE TO ALL TAXING BODIES LEVYING REAL ESTATE TAXES ON THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE MUNICIPALITY AND SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED. AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 14 OF ACT NO. 77 OF 1986, THE COST OF ALL DOCUMENTARY STAMPS FOR REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAXES (STATE, LOCAL, AND SCHOOL) WILL BE DEDUCTED BY THE SHERIFF FROM THE PROCEEDS OF THE SALE. Purchasers must record their deeds and pay the necessary recording fees. Pursuant to Rule 3136 P.R.C.P. NOTICE is hereby given that a schedule of distribution will be filed by the Sheriff not later than 30 days from date of sale and that distribution will be made in accordance with the schedule unless exceptions are filed thereto within 10 days thereafter. No further notice of the filing of the schedule of distribution will be given.

A Land Bank formed under 68 Pa. C.S.A. 2101 et seq. may exercise its right to bid pursuant to 68 Pa. C.S.A. 2117(d) (2) through Pa. C.S.A. 2117(d) (4) on certain properties listed for sale under the municipal claims and Tax Lien Law, 53 P.S. 7101 et seq. The Sheriff of Allegheny County will honor the terms of payment which the Land Bank has entered with any municipalities having a claim against the property. If the Land Bank tenders a bid under Pa. C.S.A. 2117(d)(3) or 2117(d)(4) the property will not be offered for sale to others and the Property will be considered sold to the Land Bank for the Upset Price as defined in P.S.7279 and no other bids will be accepted.

NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT ALL SHERIFFS DEEDS TENDERED TO PURCHASERS WILL CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING:

“This document may not sell, convey, transfer, include, or insure the title to the coal and right of support underneath the surface land described or referred to herein and the owner or owners of such coal may have the complete legal right to remove all of such coal, and in that connection damage may result to the surface of the land, any house, building or other structure on or in such land.”

JUN 1 2023

DEFENDANT(S) ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN

HEIRS OF DOROTHY A. KANE AKA DOROTHY

ALICE KANE; ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN

BENEFICIARIES OF THE DOROTHY ALICE

KANE REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST DATED

MAY 1, 2000; ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN

BENEFICIARIES OF THE RICHARD JOHN

KANE REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST DATED

MAY 1, 2000,

CASE NO. MG-22-000799

DEBT$ 20,374.36

********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Michelle L. Pierro, Esq. and Aaron J. Walayat, Esq.

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) Tucker Arensberg, P.C., 1500 One PPG Place Pittsburgh, PA

15222

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 412-566-1212

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, EIGHTH WARD OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, HAVING ERECTED

THEREON A DWELLING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 811 FRANKLIN ST, MCKEESPORT, PA 15132. DEED BOOK

VOLUME 10806, PAGE 490, PARCEL NUMBER

.0461-A-00002-0000-00:

JUN 2 2023

DEFENDANT(S) CERTIFIED AFFORDABLE

HOUSING GROUP, LLC

CASE NO. GD-21-008726

DEBT$ 56,868.38

*********

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) JOHN R. K.

SOLT, ESQ. ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF

***********************

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 2045 WEST-

GATE DRIVE, SUITE 404B

BETHLEHEM, PA 18017

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 610-

865-2465

**************************

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, BOROUGH OF WILKINSBURGH:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING, KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 2050-2052

CHALFANT STREET, PITTSBURGH, PA

MG-20-000341 ************* DEBT $407,926.39

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) KML LAW GROUP, P.C.

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106 ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (215) 627-1322 *******************************************

SHORT DESCRlPTION: IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, TOWNSHIP OF KENNEDY: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 5006 JULIA LANE, MC KEES ROCKS, PA 15136. DEED BOOK 18321, PAGE 390. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 154-B-79.

JUN 6 2023

DEFENDANT(S) PATRICIA J. DUGAN ******************** CASE NO. MG-19-000750

DEBT $37,569.92

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

KML LAW GROUP, P.C.

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106 ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (215) 627-1322 *******************************************

SHORT DESCRIPTION: IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, TOWNSHIP OF NORTH VERSAILLES: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING

BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 309 DELAWARE AVENUE, NORTH VERSAILLES, PA 15137. DEED BOOK 10940, PAGE 536. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 458-S-368.

JUN 7 2023

DEFENDANT(S) ELIZABETH LEE

CASE NO. MG-21-000086

DEBT $156,631.82

*********

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) KML LAW GROUP, P.C.

******************************* ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106 ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (215) 627-1322

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

***************************** IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, MUNICIPALITY OF PENN HILLS: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 3134 LAKETON ROAD, PITTSBURGH, PA 15235. DEED BOOK 8867, PAGE 297. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 369-J-280.

JUN 8 2023

DEFENDANT(S)

CYNTHIA M.

Public Notice

Public Notice

Ward of the City of Pittsburgh: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 56 BASCOM AVENUE PITTSBURGH, PA 15214. DEED BOOK VOLUME 14120, PAGE 372. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 162-R-42.

JUN 11 2023

DEFENDANT(S) Ryan J. Ohm, Frank Vertullo, Mary Vertullo, Gina Vertullo and The United States of America

************** CASE NO. MG-22-000879

******** DEBT $271,027.65

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Powers Kirn, LLC

********************** ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) Eight Nesharniny Interplex, Suite 215, Trevose, PA 19053

************************** ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER

Telephone: 2 I 5-942-2090

SHORT DESCRIPTION

******************* In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Plum: Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 309 Seasons Cou11, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

PARK Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 2919 OVERHILL STREET, SOUTH PARK, PA 15129. Deed Book Volume 14093, Page 305. Block and Lot Number 1009-F-002170000-00

JUN 9 2023

DEFENDANT(S) Darren Mascilli and Donna Mascilli

CASE NO. MG-22-000301

DEBT $84,313.02

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Gary W. Darr, Esquire McGrath McCall, P.C.

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (844)

856-6646 ******************************** SHORT DESCRIPTION: In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, 27TH WARD OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 1236 THELMA STREET, PITTSBURGH, PA 15212. Deed Book Volume 12339, PAGE 114 Block and Lot Number 45-E-292

JUN 13 2023

DEFENDANT(S) THOMAS A. BENNETT; MISTY D. BENNETT CASE NO. MG-18-000769

************* DEBT$ 268,645.82

********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Stephen Panik, Esquire ***********************

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) Brock & Scott, PLLC ************************** 2011 RENAISSANCE BOULEVARD, SUITE 100 KING OF PRUSSIA, PA 19406

**************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (844)

856-6646 ******************************** SHORT DESCRIPTION:

******************** In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, TOWNSHIP OF UPPER ST. CLAIR Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 2123 CLAIRMONT DRIVE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15241. Deed Book VOLUME 14979, PAGE 261. Block and Lot Number 0321-P-00022-0000-00

JUN 14 2023

DEFENDANT(S) TATIA CONLEY AIK/A

TATIA M. CONLEY, IN HER CAPACITY AS

HEIR OF SHARNEL CONLEY, DECEASED; MONIQUE M. CONLEY, IN HER CAPACITY AS HEIR OF SHARNEL CONLEY, DECEASED; AUTUMN M. CONLEY, IN HER CAPACITY AS HEIR OF SHARNEL CONLEY, DECEASED; UNKNOWN HEIRS, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS AND ALL PERSONS, FIRMS, OR ASSOCIATIONS CLAIMING RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST FROM OR UNDER SHARNEL CONLEY, DECEASED

******************** CASE NO. MG-22-000593

DEBT$ 60,329.77

********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Stephen Panik,

JUN 76 2023

DEFENDANT(S): ROBERT MARMAROSA,

JR., IN HIS CAPACITY AS HEIR OF ROBERT

F. MARMAROSA, SR.; CARMIN MARMAROSA, IN HIS CAPACITY AS HEIR OF ROBERT F. MARMAROSA, SR.; STEVEN MARMAROSA

AKA STEPHEN MARMAROSA, IN HIS

CAPACITY AS HEIR OF ROBERT F.

MARMAROSA, SR.; THERESA CELO AKA

TERI CELO MARMAROSA, IN HER

CAPACITY AS HEIR OF ROBERT F.

MARMAROSA, SR.; UNKNOWN HEIRS, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS AND ALL

PERSONS, FIRMS OR ASSOCIATIONS

CLAIMING RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST

FROM OR UNDER ROBERT F. MARMAROSA, SR.

*************** CASE NO.: MG-21-000232

DEBT: $ 96,673.84

****** NAME OF ATTORNEY(S):

Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY:

133 GAITHER DRIVE, SUITE F MOUNT LAUREL, NJ 08054

************************ ATTORNEY PHONE NUMBER: 855-225-6906

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, 14th Ward of the City of Pittsburgh: PARCEL ONE: Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 401-403 Saline St., Pittsburgh, PA 15207. Deed Book Volume 15415, Page 575. Block and Lot 0054-J-00083-0000-00.

PARCEL TWO: Vacant Land being known as 401-403 Saline St., Pittsburgh, PA 15207. Deed Book Volume 15415, Page 575. Block and Lot 0054-J-00081-0000-00.

JUN 77 2023

DEFENDANT(S): MATTHEW GEIB, IN HIS CAPACITY AS HEIR OF JEFFREY C. GEIB; UNKNOWN HEIRS, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS AND ALL PERSONS, FIRMS OR ASSOCIATIONS CLAIMING RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST FROM OR UNDER JEFFREY C. GEIB *************** CASE NO.: GD-21-015217 DEBT: $162,191.21

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S): Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC *********************** ADDRESS

of the Estate of Mary Jane Guardasoni, AKA M. J. Guardasoni (if any)

CASE NO. MG-22-000745

******** DEBT $27,794.04

************* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Manley Deas Kochalski LLC

********************** ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS

P. 0. Box 165028 Columbus, OH 43216-5028

************************ ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER 614-220-5611

SHORT DESCRIPTION

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of East

(844) 856-6646

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

******************** In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, BOROUGH OF WILKINSBURG Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 2347 HOLLYWOOD DRIVE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15235. Deed Book Volume 16341, Page 561. Block and Lot Number 0297-C-00135-

0000-00

JUN 92 2023

DEFENDANT(S) VALERIE WILLIAMS IN HER CAPACITY AS HEIR OF ALPHONSO MINTER, DECEASED; UNKNOWN HEIRS, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS AND ALL PERSONS, FIRMS, OR ASSOCIATIONS

CLAIMING RIGHT TITLE OR INTEREST FROM OR UNDER ALPHONSO MINTER, DECEASED CASE NO. MG-21-000190

DEBT$ 21,526.97

*********

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Stephen Panik, Esquire

*********************** ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) Brock & Scott, PLLC 2011 RENAISSANCE BOULEVARD, SUITE 100 KING OF PRUSSIA, PA 19406

**************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

(844) 856-6646

******************************** SHORT DESCRIPTION:

******************** In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, 13TH WARD OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 532 NORTH MURTLAND STREET, PITTSBURGH, PA 15208. Deed Book Volume 6375, Page 902. Block and Lot Number 0125-M-003660000-00

JUN 93 2023

PLAINTIFF(S) Wilkinsburg School District and Wilkinsburg Borough VS DEFENDANTS Shelley Y. Pridgen, Administratrix of the Estate of Horace G. Pridgen a/k/a Marvin Cullens, and the United States of America

CASE NO.GD 22-001546

************ DEBT $19,451.89

********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire

******************************

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 424 S. 27th Street, Ste. 210 Pittsburgh, PA 15203

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (412) 242-4400

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

**************************** In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Wilkinsburg: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 611 NORTH AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15221. DEED BOOK 10855, PAGE 323. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 175-M-290.

JUN 94 2023

DEFENDANT Ralph Mitolo

D. Orseno;

JUN 89 2023

PLAINTIFF(S) EAST ALLEGHENY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND TOWNSHIP OF NORTH VERSAILLES vs DEFENDANT(S) MELINDA M. IERA

CASE NO. GD-22-011460

************ DEBT$ 51,681.47

********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) CHRISTOPHER E. VINCENT

OF ATTORNEY(S) 546

ROAD, IRWIN, PA 15642

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, TOWNSHIP OF NORTH VERSAILLES:

ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 321 ARLINGTON AVENUE, NORTH VERSAILLES, PA 15137. DEED BOOK 13374, PAGE 498. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 459-D-389 JUN 90 2023

PLAINTIFF(S) Penn Hills School District and Municipality of Penn Hills vs DEFENDANTS Regina Stagno, Frank A. Stagno, Anthony D. Stagno, Jr., Christine S. Costa, Jerry Vento, and the United States of America

********************

CASE NO.GD 22-012438

************ DEBT $38,640.87

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire

****************************** ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 424 S. 27th Street, Ste. 210 Pittsburgh, PA 15203

***********************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (412) 242-4400

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

****************************

************

CASE NO. MG-22-000668

DEBT $96,878.04

*****

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Richard M. Squire & Associates, LLC

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 115 West Avenue, Suite 104, Jenkintown, PA 19046

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

(215) 886-8790

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Township of North Versailles. Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 3706 Bevan Road, North Versailles, PA 15137. Deed Book Volume 14705, Page 586. Block and Lot Number 0548-J-00278-0000-00.

JUN 95 2023

DEFENDANT(S) David Bradwell ************** CASE NO. MG-22-000309

DEBT$ 224,896.08

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Richard M. Squire & Associates, LLC

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 115 West Avenue, Suite 104, Jenkintown, PA 19046

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

(215) 886-8790

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, and Township of South Fayette: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A RESIDENTIAL

DWELLING BEING MUNICIPALLY KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 105 MYRTLE STREET, OAKDALE, PA 15071. DEED BOOK VOLUME 18025, PAGE 536. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 0407-K-00028-0000-00.

JUN 96 2023

Glassport, PA 15045. Document Number 2017-10899, Deed Book Volume 16766, Page 21. Block and Lot Number 0467-C00248-0000-00.

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Municipality of Penn Hills: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 232 CRESTVIEW ROAD, PITTSBURGH, PA 15235. DEED BOOK 18922, PAGE 1. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 448-F-122.

DEFENDANT(S) Melissa A. McWilliams and David J. McWilliams CASE NO. MG-22-000869

DEBT

Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Estate of KAREN SUE WALTHOUR A/K/A KAREN SUE WERNER WALTHOUR Deceased of Imperial, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, No. 02-23-02973, Beth A Pusatere, Administrator, 87 Poplar Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15205 or to TODD A. FULLER, Atty; BRENLOVE & FULLER, LLC. 401 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017

Estate of MILLER, WENDI A., deceased of Pittsburgh, PA, No. 02797 of 2023, Cooper Miller, Extr., 134 Franklin St, Poughkeepsie, NY. 12601

Estate of DORIS MAIOLI KELLY Deceased of Bridgeville, Allegheny Conuty, Pennsylvania, No. 02-23-02971, Gail Hayes, Co-Executor, 257 Ramsey Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017 or to Wade Filippi, Co-Executor, 332 Old Lesnett Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15241 or to TODD A. FULLER, Atty; BRENLOVE & FULLER, LLC. 401 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017

ETHEL HENDERSON, deceased, of Braddock, No. 3814 of 2016. Petition to Determine

Title filed by Kevin Henderson, 525 1/2 6th St, Braddock, PA 15104. Peter B. Lewis, Counsel, Neighborhood Legal Services, 928 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Estate of LEO C. HARPER JR. Deceased of 532 N. Fairmount St. Pittsburgh, PA 15206, No.022300690 of 2022, Rhonda McClain, Administrator, 5359 Broad St., Pittsburgh, PA 15224

In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Orphans Court Division, Estate of Clifford L. Gandy, Sr., deceased, Case No. 3432 of 2023: Notice is hereby given that on May 5, 2023, a Petition was filed by Darlene Gandy, to terminate the interests of the heirs and devisees of Clifford L. Gandy, Sr., deceased, in the real estate located at 1614 Maplewood Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15221, and determine that fee simple title is in the Petitioner. If no exceptions to the Petition are filed within 30 days, Petitioner will seek an Order adjudging that title is in Petitioner. Irene M. Clark, Esq. 8908 Upland Ter Pittsburgh PA 15235

Estate of EDITH J. FISHER Deceased of Elizabeth, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, No. 02-23-02972, Karen Ramirez, Executor, 7020 Helm Drive, Remington, VA 22734 or to ROBIN L. RARIE, Atty; BRENLOVE & FULLER, LLC. 401 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017

JOHN D. CRAWSHAW, deceased, of Carnegie, No. 6756 of 2022. Margaret L. Crawshaw, appointed Executrix by Order dated October 18, 2022. Peter B. Lewis Counsel., Neighborhood Legal Services, 928 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, LAVERNE M. BYZEK, deceased, 1000 Garfiled Avenue, Braddock Hills, PA 15221, No. 023-23-00957. Paul J. Byzek, 974 Wilkins Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15221, Executrix, William C. Price, Jr., Price & Associates, P.C., 2005 Noble Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15218

ANNOUNCEMENTS Meetings

MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY

A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the College will be held on: June 1, 2023 4:30 PM

CCAC Allegheny Campus-Byers Hall 808 Ridge Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

HACP BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MAY BOARD MEETING

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s Board of Commissioners will hold its monthly Board Meeting on May 25, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. Due to the COVID-19 protective guidelines set forth by federal, state, and local government, the meeting will be held remotely, with public access to be provided online.

The HACP will provide a direct link to a livestream of the meeting, and instruction on how to make a public comment. Details will be made available on http:// www.hacp.org, in advance of the meeting.

NOTICE

On Monday, May 22, 2023, at 6 PM, Baldwin Township’s Planning Commission shall hold a Public Meeting, at the Municipal Bldg., 10 Community Park Dr., to review Young Scholars of Western Pennsylvania’s Application for revised Land Development Approval (parking lot improvements) at 600 Newport Drive, and any other matters that may come before it.

Nina Belcastro, Township Manager

LEGAL ADVERTISING

NOTICE TO BIDDERS ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

The Westmoreland County Housing Authority (WCHA) is requesting service bids for:

REFUSE CONTRACT COLLECTION - HAULING -

DISPOSAL Located At VARIOUS RENTAL HOUSING SITES - WESTMORELAND COUNTY

Sealed bids will be received by Michael L. Washowich, Executive Director, until June 09, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. (Eastern Standard Time) at the administration office of the Westmoreland County Housing Authority, 167 South Greengate Road, Greensburg PA 15601, at which time they will be opened publicly.

For additional bid requirements and associated bid documents visit https://www.wchaonline.com/ current-solicitations/

Free examination of said documents is available at the administrative office of the WCHA.

Michael L. Washowich, Executive Director Westmoreland County Housing Authority

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH

PUBLIC NOTICE OF REVISED PUBLIC HOUSING ADMISSIONS AND CONTINUED OCCUPANCY PLAN (ACOP) AND NEW NON-PUBLIC HOUSING OVER-INCOME (NPHOI) RESIDENTIAL LEASE

In accordance with federal law and regulation, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) is revising its Public Housing Admissions and Continued Occupancy Plan (ACOP) and has created a NonPublic

Housing Over-Income (NPHOI)

Residential Lease, which was modeled after HUD’s model NPHOI lease and HACP’s existing Public Housing Residential Lease. The proposed revisions to the Public Housing ACOP and NPHOI lease are available for review and comment from Sunday, May 7, 2023 to Tuesday, June 6, 2023 on the HACP website: www.hacp.org.

To review the Public Housing ACOP in its current form, please visit https://hacp.org/about/publicinformation/. Written comments on the proposed revisions must be addressed to “Attention: HACP

Public Housing ACOP & NPHOI Lease” at the Asset Management Department, 412 Blvd of the Allies, 7th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, and must be received by the close of business (5:00 pm) on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Public hearings to receive public comments on the proposed revisions to the Public Housing ACOP and NPHOI lease will be held on Monday, May 15, 2023, at 9:00 am and 5:30 pm. via Zoom. The Zoom meeting information can be accessed at www.hacp.org. For questions regarding the Public Housing ACOP proposed revisions and NPHOI, please contact Anthony Ceoffe at 412-456-5000 extension 2937. Persons with disabilities requiring assistance or alternative formats, or wishing to submit comments in alternative formats can contact the Disability Compliance Office at 412-456-5282, extension 4; TTY 412- 456-5282.

at 10 Community Park Dr., Pgh., Pa. 15234. Proposals to be opened and award considered at Bd. of Commissioners Mtg., on June 6, 2023, at 7 p.m. (Mandatory onsite pre-bid conference on May 24, 2023, at 10 a.m.) Summary: Design, construct (incl. all labor, equipment, and materials), and warrant two permanent soil nail stabilization walls (65’ and 40’ each in length) with mesh/ shotcrete facing, along with installation of a stone berm (3’W x 18”D) at edge of existing bituminous Robertson Roadway. Subject to Steel Products Procurement Act; Prevailing Wage Act; Public Works Employment Verification Act; and Civil Rights Act (Title VI). 10% Bid Bond required with Bid. Performance, Labor & Material Payment Bonds at 100% contract price, due upon award. Complete Bid Instructions, Requirements, Specifications & Drawings available at Twp. Office (412-341-9597) or by email to nina.belcastro@ baldwintownship.com

Nina Belcastro, Township Manager

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR CONSULTING SERVICES FOR CENTRAL MAINTENANCE GAS AND DIESEL STATION UPGRADES REBID

RFP#600-04-23 REBID

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s):

Consulting Services for Central Gas and Diesel Station

Upgrades REBID

The documents will be available no later than May 8, 2023, and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until: 9:00 AM on June 6, 2023. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh will only be accepting physical proposals dropped off in person from 8:00 AM until the closing time of 9:00 AM on June 6, 2023 in the lobby of 100 Ross St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Proposals may be uploaded to the Authority’s online submission site, the link is accessible via the HACP website and within the RFP. Sealed proposals may still be mailed via USPS at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street lobby, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP.org.

Questions or inquiries should be directed to:

James Harris

Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-643-2915

A pre-submission meeting will be held in person; on May 23,2023 at 9:00 AM. Please see meeting information below:

On-site Meeting Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Central Maintenance Building 201 Kirkpatrick Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation. HACP has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, to view and download IFB/ RFPs documentation.

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

ADVERTISEMENT

Edgewood Borough is accepting sealed bids through the Quest Construction Data Network (QuestCDN) at www.questcdn.com until 11:00AM June 9, 2023 for its

1) 2023 ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM and 2) BRICK AND CONCRETE ROADWAY SPOT REPAIRS. Virtual Bid Openings at 11:00AM June 9, 2023-link provided to plan holders. 1. Scope of work generally consists of 6,500 square yards of roadway milling and profiling; 2½” Superpave WMA binder course; 1½” Superpave WMA wearing course; concrete curb spot replacement; keyway milling; base repair; structure adjustments to grade; traffic control; line striping; add alternates for additional resurfacing; and all necessary appurtenances and restoration for said construction. 2. Scope of work generally consists of approximately 400 square yards of spot brick and concrete roadway repairs as directed, Alternates for additional square yardage, and all necessary appurtenances for said construction on various Borough roadways.

10% Bid Bond required with bid.

Subject to Steel Products Procurement Act; Prevailing Wage Act; Public Works Employment Verification Act; Civil Rights Act (Title VI). Bidders must buy Bid Documents ($100.00) from QuestCDN: project numbers 8508631 (asphalt) and 8510750 (brick/concrete). QuestCDN questions call 952-233-1632 or info@questcdn.com. Direct project technical questions to LSSE. Proposals must be submitted on Borough supplied forms. Borough Council may consider bids at its regular public meeting on June 20, 2023 at 7:30 PM in council chambers at 2 Race Street, PGH PA 15218.

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS… THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

NOTICE TO PROPOSERS

The Sports & Exhibition Authority will receive proposals for Design Build Services for Fabric Roof System Replacement as identified below for the David L. Lawrence Convention Center as identified below. The contract for this work will be with the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Inquiries regarding the bidding should be made to Mr. Thomas P. Ryser Jr., PE - E-mail: tryser@pgh-sea.com, Telephone: (412) 393-0200. Project: David L. Lawrence

INVITATION FOR BIDS

Notice is hereby given that drawings, specifications and proposal forms for furnishing all labor and materials for the construction services of the following project:

POWER Campus Headquarters – Phase 2

SOTA Construction Services is inviting interested subcontractors to submit proposals for the “POWER Campus Headquarters – Phase 2” construction project. The project is located at 7436 McClure Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15218. The project contains the following scopes of work

• SELECTIVE DEMO AND SAWCUTTING

• CAST-IN-PLACE CONCRETE

• GYPCRETE

• MASONRY

• STRUCTURAL AND MISCELLANAOUS STEEL

• ROUGH CARPENTRY

• DOORS FRAMES AND HARDWARE

• WINDOWS

• DRYWALL, ACOUSTICAL CEILINGS, AND INSULATION/ RESILIANT FLOORING & CERAMIC TILE PAINTING

• SIGNAGE - INTERIOR & EXTERIOR

• WINDOW TREATMENTS

• MANUFACTURED CASEWORK & TOPS

• FIRE SUPPRESION SYSTEM

• PLUMBING SYSTEM

• HVAC SYSTEM

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Compliance with PA Prevailing

Wage Rates and PA RACP Key Compliance guidelines are required. The drawings will be available through SOTA Construction on Thursday May 11th, 2023.

A pre-bid will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday May 18, 2023, at the project construction site located at POWER Campus Headquarters –7436 McClure Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15218

The pre-bid is not mandatory, but all sub-contractors are urged to attend.

The project bid date is Thursday June 1st, 2023 at 1:00 PM.

All bids to be emailed, delivered by hand or mailed to: Sota Construction at 80 Union Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15202. All bids to be submitted on the required bid forms along with your company’s typical proposal/ quote format and contained in a sealed envelope No emails or fax bids will be accepted. Bid Documents can be obtained by contacting SOTA Constructions Services.

Please send all inquiries to Chris Michaels at cmichaels@sotaconstruction.com

ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY LEGAL NOTICE CONTRACT NO. 1789 ASPINWALL SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT A-78-02 TO A-78-04 Sealed Bids for CONTRACT NO. 1789 ASPINWALL SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT A-78-02 TO A-78-04 shall be received at the Engineering Department office of the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, 3300 Preble Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15233, until 11:00 A.M., Prevailing Time, Tuesday, June 6, 2023 and then shall be Publicly Opened and read via Microsoft Virtual Teams Meeting. A Pre-Bid Meeting will be held via Microsoft Virtual Teams Meeting on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 10:00 A.M., Prevailing Time. An Invitation will be required to access this meeting. If interested in obtaining an Invitation to the Pre-Bid Meeting, contact Kathleen P. Uniatowski via email at Kathleen.uniatowski@alcosan.org . ALCOSAN encourages businesses owned and operated by minorities and women to submit bids on Authority Contracts or to participate as subcontractors or suppliers to successful Bidders. Successful Bidders are to use minority and women’s businesses to the fullest extent possible. Contract Documents may be examined and obtained at the Engineering office of the Authority. A non-refundable fee of One hundred dollars ($100) (no cash or credit cards will be accepted) will be charged for each set of Contract Documents received. Bid Security shall be furnished by providing with the Bid a Certified Check or Bid Bond in the amount of 10% of the Bid Price. Contract documents must be purchased directly from ALCOSAN to qualify as an eligible bidder. Any questions regarding the Contract Technical Specifications should be directed to Zach Hughes, P.E., Project Engineer I, ALCOSAN, via email at Zachery.Hughes@alcosan.org . Any questions regarding the Purchase of Contract Bidding Documents should be directed to Kaylynn Banks, ALCOSAN, via email at contract.clerks@alcosan.org.

The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any informality in any bid and to accept any bid should it be deemed in the interest of the Authority to do so.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY Michael Lichte P.E. Director of Regional Conveyance

The Allegheny County Airport Authority will be receiving scanned PDF proposals through Submittable, and a submission link will be sent to each registered plan holder. Submissions are to be submitted via Submittable by 1:00 p.m. prevailing local time on June 14, 2023, and bids will be opened by the Airport Authority and results will be emailed by end of business day of bid opening for the following project:

ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

PROJECT NUMBER 8G2-23 (GENERAL)

2023 AIRFIELD PAVEMENT REHABILITATION

AT PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

A pre-bid conference will be held at 10:00 a.m., on May 25, 2023 , in Conference Room A at Pittsburgh International Airport Landside Terminal, 4th Floor Mezz, Pittsburgh, PA 15231.

Attention is called to the fact that not less than the minimum salaries and wages, as determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, must be paid on these projects.

Proposals must be made on the Authority’s form and in accordance with the Plans and Specifications and the “Instructions to Bidders”’.

The non-refundable charge of $150.00 for the Bid Documents and the Plans, and Specifications through the bidding platform Submittable at https://acaacapitalprograms.submittable.com.

Please note that Submittable does not support Internet Explorer 11. Submittable recommends the following browsers: Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari.

This project has DBE participation goals; DBE firms must be certified with the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program) (PA UCP). Firms must be certified prior to award of contract. A searchable database of DBE firms can be found on the PA UCP web site: https://paucp.dbesystem.com/

The Airport Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids or waive any informalities in the bidding.

No bidder may withdraw his bid for a period of sixty [60] days after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids.

To view a complete advertisement, which is also included in the bidding documents visit www.flypittsburgh.com – ACAA Corporate – Business Opportunities or call 412-472-3677 or 412-472-2136.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

To place a display ad in the New Pittsburgh Courier call 412-481-8302 ext. 128

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS…THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR INVESTMENT ADVISOR SERVICES

RFP#150-20-23

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s):

Investment Advisor Services

The documents will be available no later than May 14, 2023, and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until: 11:00 AM on June 6, 2023. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh will only be accepting physical proposals dropped off in person from 8:00 AM until the closing time of 11:00 AM on June 6, 2023 in the lobby of 412 Blvd of the Allies Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Proposals may be uploaded to the Authority’s online submission site, the link is accessible via the HACP website and within the RFP. Sealed proposals may still be mailed via USPS at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 412 Blvd. of the Allies Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP.org. Questions or inquiries should be directed to:

Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh

Procurement Department 412 Boulevard of the Allies 6th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-643-2915

A pre-submission meeting will be held via Zoom meeting; on May 25, 2023 at 11:00 AM. Please see meeting information below:

Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 826 7234 1008

Passcode: 681112

+1 301 715 8592 US

(Washington D.C)

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation. HACP’s has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/ RFPs documentation.

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh

HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Help Wanted

PRODUCT DESIGNER, INTERACTIVE DESIGN

Duolingo, Inc. seeks a Product Designer, Interactive Design (Pittsburgh, PA) to author, dsgn, blueprint, & architect fnctnl interfaces for apps & sftwr. Reqs Bachelor’s degree (or frgn equiv) in Human Comp Interaction, Interaction Design, Design & Interaction or rltd fld. Must have knwldg or coursework in: Interface dsgn; User exp dsgn; Interactive prototypes; Hypothesis tstng; User Tstng; Principle & Adobe After Effects, or other time-based media or animation tool; & Data visualization. Local telecommuting permitted up to 2 days/wk. To apply, email resumes to jobs@duolingo.com, ref code 7125323

SOLID WASTE ENGINEER

Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. (Pittsburgh, PA) to carry out engnrng tasks, prepare, review & compile tchncl rprts; prfrm calcltns incl. strmwter mgmt. sys, leachate cllction sys, landfill gas cllction sys, slope stblty & sttlmnt anlyss, & landfill grding. Master’s in Civil, Geotechnical or Environ. Engnrng & E.I.T. or F.E. cert. w/1 year of prior work exp. in the pos. off. or rel. using AutoCAD/Civil 3D & other engnrng calcltn sftwre. Send resumes to mkosmach@cecinc.com.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

Steel Rivers Council of Governments and Tri-COG Land Bank are seeking a Community Engagement Coordinator to strengthen their relationships with residents, members, and partners. Salary range is $40,000 – 42,500 with excellent benefits. For a complete list of responsibilities and application instructions, please visit steelriverscog.org.

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR PROJECT-BASED VOUCHER & GAP FINANCING PROGRAM

2023

RFP #600-17-23

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby requests proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s):

Project-Based Voucher & Gap Financing Program 2023

RFP documents will be available on or about May 14th, 2023. Copies of RFP documents are not available for in-person pickup. Firms interested in responding may obtain a copy of the RFP documents from the Business Opportunities Section of the HACP Website, www.hacp.org. Prospective Offerors may register as a vendor on the website and download the documents free of charge.

A pre-submission meeting via audio conference will be held via Zoom on May 25, 2023 at 10:00

A.M.: https://us06web.zoom. us/j/87362712940?pwd=ckVhb

WdXK21GM2JIMzJhR1BqOEcxdz09

Meeting ID: 873 6271 2940

Passcode: 968428

Call-In: +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

The deadline for final submission of written questions is June 1, 2023 at 10:00 A.M.

The deadline for submission of proposals is June 15, 2023 at 10:00A.M. Proposals must be sent to:

Mr. Kim Detrick –Procurement Director/ Chief Contracting Officer Procurement Department, Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh 412 Boulevard of the Allies, 6th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh will only be accepting physical proposals dropped off in person from 8:00 AM until the closing of 10:00 AM on June 15, 2023. Proposals may still be submitted electronically at the following link: https://www.dropbox.com/ request/2ULihBy75xJac9zmnGus and can still be mailed via USPS at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 412 Boulevard of the Allies Lobby, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH STRONGLY ENCOURAGES CERTIFIED MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AND WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES TO RESPOND TO THIS SOLICITATION.

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

RESPIRATORY THERAPIST, CRT (MULTIPLE OPENINGS)

UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside seeks Respiratory Therapists, CRT to work in Pittsburgh, PA (Allegheny County) . Provide respiratory therapy services and life support to patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system, under the general direction of a physician and by prescription. Perform additional job-related duties as assigned. Associate’s degree in Respiratory Care from a CoARC-accredited program, or foreign equivalent. Must hold a PA Respiratory Therapist License or be eligible. Apply by following these steps; visit http://careers.upmc.com and enter 23000188 in the “Search Keyword /Job ID” field and click Go. EOE/Disability/Veteran.

MANAGER – EXPANSION & SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Pittsburgh Regional Transit is seeking a Manager – Expansion & Special Programs to be responsible for Port Authority of Allegheny County d/b/a Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT)’s engineering, construction, and project delivery of expansion and special programs projects including feasibility/ cost-benefit analyses, on street bus lanes, parking garages, busway, and light rail network extensions. Also responsible for assigned other capital improvement, maintenance, and state of good repair projects to support Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Strategic Plan.

Essential Functions:

DEPUTY CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER

CONNECT LEAD

PROJECT MANAGER CONNECT (The Congress of Neighboring Communities) is seeking a LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) Project Manager to support their work with the LEAD pilot program in Allegheny County. LEAD is an innovative, widely replicated alternative to jail & prosecution for people who commit low-level law violations or engage in problematic behavior related to behavioral health conditions and/or extreme poverty.

Salary: Commensurate with experience.

$55-70k. Benefits included. Salaried, Non-exempt, Full time (Some Nights and Weekends Required)

Location: Hybrid, Allegheny County, PA

How to Apply:

Please apply on Indeed here: https://www.indeed.com/job/ lead-law-enforcement-assisted -diversion-project-manager -72e2f9c6e41e5cfe

Your application package is required to include the following:

• Resume Cover letter (no more than 1 page) explaining the nature of your interest and how your have demonstrated the ability to perform the responsibilities of the LEAD Project Manager

If you have any questions, please reach out to Kelley Kelley, LEAD Community Engagement Manager at kelleykelley@pitt.edu

BOROUGH OF BELLEVUE

FIREFIGHTER/LIEUTENANT

The Borough of Bellevue is seeking candidates for the position of Firefighter/Lieutenant; this is a fulltime position covered by a CBA. The hiring process is administered through the Civil Service Commission; applications are available at the Borough Administrative Offices, 537 Bayne Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202 between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:30 pm Mondays through Fridays, holidays excepted. Completed applications will be accepted at the Borough Administrative Offices from May 22, 2023 through 4:30 pm June 23, 2023. No late applications will be accepted. Qualified applicants will be notified by USPS of the date, time, and location for the written examination.

Elmer Nemeth, Chair Bellevue Civil Service Commission

CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM INSTRUCTOR

BIDWELL TRAINING CENTER

Provides hands on culinary classroom instruction to adult students on an individual and group basis, including hot and cold food preparation and assigned courses. Oversees students in the production of food for the organization’s cafeteria and ensures all student compliance with related health and safety guidelines. A.S. in Culinary Arts preferred, minimum of 5 years in a professional culinary capacity required. 3 years supervisory experience preferred. Certification as an active

• Oversees and manages all staffing, technical and control (such as budgets, schedules, reporting, quality assurance) required to implement and complete expansion, special program, and capital projects. Performs all project management functions necessary to implement the design, construction, and closeout of funded capital projects within established scope, schedule, budget and quality metrics. Provides guidance and assistance to PRT personnel on project issues and activities pertaining to assigned capital projects.

• Directly responsible for and supervises the daily activities of assigned staff; provides day to day guidance and oversees various project design disciplines, provides oversight to staff managing projects and performing field inspections, reviews field design changes, resolves technical problems and methods regarding building codes, structural codes, permit procedures, and municipal construction requirements. Evaluates staff performance, performs necessary administrative tasks and develops staff’s technical and interpersonal skills.

• Develops scopes of work for design and construction management firms and provides oversight and management of firms on assigned projects.

Job requirements include:

• BS Degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related technical field from an accredited school.

• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive experience in design and/or construction management of infrastructure, roadway, highway, or transit projects, i.e., managing capital projects and professional service contracts, quality control, dispute resolution, financial and schedule control. Six (6) of the ten (10) years must be in a project lead role.

• Three (3) years in a management supervisory role.

• Professional and effective communication skills.

• Valid PA driver’s license.

• Demonstrated ability in the use of Windows. Preferred attributes:

• Registered Engineer or Registered Architect in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

• Engineers or Architects registered outside of Pennsylvania who could be eligible for reciprocity.

• Demonstrated ability in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit is seeking a Deputy Chief Finance Officer at the direction of the Chief Finance & Development Officer and for Port Authority of Allegheny County d/b/a Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) provides overall direction for general accounting, accounts receivable and payable, cash management treasury operations, grants accounting; financial planning and budgets; grants strategy and capital programs. Working with the Chief Finance and Development Officer (CFDO), develops long range strategic financial plan. Directs activities associated with the security and investment of the organization’s assets and funds; and ensures that financial transactions, policies, and procedures meet the organization’s short- and long-term objectives, and regulatory body requirements.

Essential Functions:

• Directs the activities of the Division’s department leaders, directors, managers, and their subordinate supervisory staff. Conducts annual performance reviews and recommends and initiates appropriate personnel action.

• Oversees the financial management activities to ensure cost-effective utilization of financial resources, proper accounting and reporting of the PRT’s finances and physical assets, proper investment and safeguarding of funds, and compliance with applicable rules, policies and legal requirements. Work closely with the executive management team to establish, manage and implement a short and long-term strategic direction for the organization.

• Under the direction of the CFDO, develops, and presents the long range financial strategic plan to the leadership team, board of directors and government entities. Collaborates with senior staff on strategic direction of organizational goals.

Job requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.

• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible accounting or finance experience that includes five (5) years of experience in the administration of complex financial departments or projects in a large public or private organization.

• Minimum of five (5) years supervisory experience.

• Effective and professional communication skills.

• Valid PA driver’s license.

• Availability for overnight traveling.

• Ability to coordinate various complex work assignments on short notice.

• Ability to function in a rapidly changing work environment.

• Ability to interpret, analyze and create complex federal and state funding formulas.

• Demonstrated ability in the use of Windows, and Microsoft Word and Excel. Proficient in the use of Port Authority’s PeopleSoft Financial Programs.

Preferred attributes:

• Master’s Degree in Business.

• Certified Public Accountant.

• Familiarity with transit or transportation system activities and functions.

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Interested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to:

Missy Ramsey Employment Department 345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 MRamsey@RidePRT.org EOE

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Interested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to:

Inez Colon Employment Department 345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 IColon@RidePRT.org EOE