5.31.23 NPC

by Rob Taylor Jr.

Courier Staff Writer

Memorial Day, known for remembering those who lost their lives while fighting for the United States of America. It’s also a day where families head to cemeteries to lay flowers on their loved ones who died via other means.

Downtown, at Point State Park, there was another remembrance on this Memorial Day 2023— for Mike “Tomlinese” Tomlin, a music artist, music producer, whose life was cut short in a shooting at a home in Wilkinsburg, May 27.

Well known in Pittsburgh’s Hip-Hop community, Tomlin worked in a variety of roles for WAMO Radio (107.3), starting in 2014.

None of the 100 or so friends, family and associates of Tomlin could have ever imagined that he would be a casualty of the gun violence that has plagued Pittsburgh and the region for the last three decades. However, more specifically, Tomlin’s death was part of a wave of violence in the past week, which included the death of his friend, Jerry Gardner, 30, whose body

was found wrapped in a tarp in Garfield on May 24.

Over the Memorial Day weekend, two juveniles were shot on Nolan Court in Homewood, a woman was grazed in the face by a bullet near Chauncey Drive in the Hill District, and a 16-year old was shot in Larimer. Just prior to the Memorial Day weekend, a 15-year-old, Derrick Harris Jr., was shot and killed outside Oliver Citywide Academy on the North Side, and a 55-year-old man, Calvin Baldridge, was killed in a shooting at Chief’s Cafe in Oakland.

“Hopefully we can come together to find out solutions for the violence,” said Khari Mosley, who is poised to become the next Pittsburgh City Councilman in District 9, “and find pathways out of the challenges that our young people are facing, so we can make our city safer.”

Mosley made the walk to the Point for the balloon release for Tomlin on Memorial Day, where red balloons were released by the crowd in Tomlin’s honor around 6 p.m.

Mosley told the New

by Rob Taylor Jr.

Courier Staff Writer

Have you ever offered a suggestion, or solution, to your co-workers or supervisors at work, and it was, for lack of a better word, ignored?

But then someone else later on has the same suggestion or solution, and the workplace acts like they’re the hero, like they’ve solved the Pythagorean Theorem?

According to local author Maisha Howze, it happens to Black women all the time at work.

In fact, her second book, “Hidden Gems: Black Women in the Workplace,” touches on that difficult subject and other topics throughout its seven

chapters and 118 pages. The book was released on March 25 during a release party at Ascender, on Penn Avenue in East Liberty. Howze pulled together a group of 25 Black women in 2022 to discuss what it was like being a Black woman in the workplace. It’s a topic that has been studied for decades. A survey concocted by the Gallup Center on Black Voices in 2020 found that Black women were “less likely to feel they are treated with respect in the workplace,” and “less likely to feel like a valued member of their team.” A survey conducted in 2022 by the consulting firm

Remembering an icon — Tina Turner

This Week In Black History

• MAY 31 1870—Congress passes the first Enforcement Act providing stiff punishment for both private citizens and public officials who conspired to deprive the recently freed slaves of either their civil rights or their right to vote. The Act was in response to the old plantation aristocracy and the defeated rebel soldiers who were taking control of Southern governments and enacting “Black Codes” aimed at the suppression of Black freedoms and voting rights. The Act was also in response to the growing power of White terrorist organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan.

by Tacuma R. Roeback

Chicago Defender

Tina Turner, one of the most iconic and best-selling recording artists ever, died on May 24 at age 83.

She passed away in her home near Zurich, Switzerland, after battling a long illness, stated her manager.

Turner, who became a Swiss citizen a decade ago, came a long way —literally and figuratively, from her humble beginnings as Anna Mae Bullock, born in a segregated Tennessee hospital.

She first started with the “Ike and Tina Turner Revue” as a side player to Ike, whom she married.

Known as the “Queen of Rock and Roll,” Turner won 12 Grammys and sold over 150 million records worldwide. She was voted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame —with Ike in 1991 and on her own in 2021.

After touring for years with Ike, he would subject Turner to devastating physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Her mistreatment was chronicled in the 1986 memoir “I, Tina” and later in the stirring 1993 biopic “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” which starred Angela Bassett as Tina and Laurence Fishburne as Ike.

Turner would divorce Ike and leave with virtually nothing save her

name.

However, she would emerge as a solo artist and ascend to pop stardom in her forties, possessing the staying power that many musicians would envy.

During this era, she would make memorable and anthemic songs such as “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” “(Simply) The Best”

and “Private Dancer.” Predictably, news of Turner’s passing gripped everyone she had influenced, from close friends to distant strangers and admirers more familiar with her story than her music.

1921—The infamous and bloody Tulsa (Oklahoma) Riots begin. Whites go on a violent rampage lasting several days. When the rioting was over, an estimated 21 Whites and 60 Blacks were dead. In addition, as many as 15,000 Blacks were left homeless as hundreds of homes and businesses were burned to the ground. The area bearing the brunt of the destruction was known as the “Black Wall Street” because of its large number of African American owned businesses. As recently as 2007, Detroit Congressman John Conyers was working on legislation designed to give the few remaining Black survivors of the rioting additional time to sue in order to recover some of their loses. The rioting was reportedly sparked by a false claim from a White female elevator operator of being assaulted by a Black man. But White jealousy of Black success in the Tulsa area may have also played a major role.

• JUNE 1

1835—The Fifth National Negro Convention convenes in Philadelphia, Pa. The gathering of free Blacks demonstrated how history can sometimes come full circle. One major focus of the convention was to urge Blacks to stop referring to themselves as “Africans,” “Blacks” or “Coloreds” and instead adopt the word “Negro” as the official racial designation. Gradually, the designation became popular even though all Blacks did not agree with it. Researcher Richard Benjamin Moore writes that at the time some Blacks felt word “Negro” was “a symptom of the degrading sickness of opportunism and the increasing acceptance of inferior social and political status.”

1864—Solomon George Washington Dill is murdered by angry Whites. Dill was one of those rarities in Southern society—a poor White man who supported an end to slavery and Black demands for social justice. Dill’s “crime” was giving what some Whites considered “an incendiary speech” to a group of South Carolina Blacks.

1973—Detroit’s WGPR becomes the nation’s first Black-owned television station. It was granted a license to operate on this day in 1973 but did not actually go on air until September 1975.

• JUNE 2

1863—Abolitionist and “Underground Railroad Conductor” Harriet Tubman leads a force of Union Army guerrilla soldiers into Maryland and frees more than 700 slaves. Tubman was one of the most noteworthy women in the anti-slavery struggle prior to the Civil War and became a leading voice in the call for the federal government to allow Blacks to fight in the war.

1899—African Americans observe a “National Day of Fasting” to protest lynching and other racial attacks against Blacks. The day of protest was called by the National Afro-American Council.

1975—James A. Healy becomes the first Black Roman Catholic Bishop in the United States. He was consecrated at the Roman Catholic cathedral in Portland, Maine.

• JUNE 3

1904—Dr. Charles R. Drew is born. He grows up to conduct a first of its kind research in blood transfusions and the creation of blood plasma. Drew also established Britain’s first blood bank and in the United States he fought against the segregation of blood based on race. He died on April 1, 1950 as a result of injuries received in an automobile accident while driving in North Carolina.

1906—Entertainer Josephine Baker is born in St. Louis, Mo. At 16, she starred in the hit and controversial musical “Shuffle Along.” However, she did not achieve fame until she left the United States and moved to Paris,

France, where her exotic dancing and singing made her an international sensation. Baker was mixed race of African American and Native American parentage. She returned to the U.S. several times including in 1963 to speak at the Dr. Martin Luther King-led March on Washington for civil rights.

• JUNE 4

1922—Samuel L. Gravely is born. Gravely became the first African American admiral in the United States Navy and the first African American to command a U.S. warship. The Richmond, Va., native died in 2004 at the age of 82.

1972—College professor and activist Angela Davis is acquitted of charges that she assisted and conspired with the young men involved in a deadly 1970 shootout at the Marin County courthouse in California. The assault on the courthouse was an attempt to free imprisoned Black activist George Jackson. At least three people were killed during the escape attempt. Davis, a Birmingham, Ala., native who became a member of the Communist Party, spent 16 months in prison but on this day in 1972 she was found not guilty of all charges by an all-White San Jose, Calif., jury.

1973—Arna Bontemps dies at the age of 72 in Nashville, Tenn. Born in Louisiana, Bontemps became one of the key figures in the Black artistic and cultural movement known as the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s. Bontemps was a prolific writer and poet.

• JUNE 5

1872—The Republican Party National Convention takes place in Philadelphia with substantial representation from former Black slaves. At least three Blacks addressed the national political gathering. At this point in history, the Republicans were the nation’s most progressive party and attracted the allegiance of African Americans. Blacks would remain loyal to the Republicans until the 1930s. But by 1945 with the Republicans becoming increasingly conservative and attracted to the New Deal programs of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the vast majority of Blacks had switched to the Democrats.

1894—Black inventor G.W. Murray patents a fertilizer distributor, cotton chopper and a seed planter all on this day in 1894.

1945—Track star John Carlos is born in Harlem, N.Y. Carlos and fellow sprinter Tommie Smith created an international sensation when they protested American racism by giving the “Black Power” clinched fist salute when accepting their medals at the 1968 Olympics.

1956—Although the actual decision may have been reached the previous day, a federal district court hands down a ruling declaring that Alabama laws requiring racial segregation in public transportation were unconstitutional. The decision, which was later confirmed by the United States Supreme Court, was the first major legal victory for the Civil Rights Movement. It grew out of the historic Montgomery Bus Boycott sparked when Rosa Parks defied the law and custom by refusing to give up her seat on a public bus to a White man.

Although actually organized by Rev. E.D. Nixon, the Boycott would result in Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. becoming the nation’s most prominent civil rights leader.

• JUNE 6

1790—Jean Baptist Pointe Du

Sable establishes a settlement which would eventually grow into the city of Chicago. The settlement would make the French-speaking, Santo Domingo-born Du Sable a wealthy man.

1966—Although there is some debate as to who first coined and used the phrase, this is generally recognized as the day in 1966 that Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee President Stokely Carmichael began to popularize the term “Black Power” as a demand for greater African American control over their political and economic destiny in America.

1987—Dr. Mae Jemison is selected by NASA as the first Black woman to begin training as a space shuttle astronaut. Jemison actually become the first African American woman to travel in space on Sept. 12, 1992 aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor.

URA, SEA approve creation of Hill District music venue

by Eric Jankiewicz PublicSource

Over less than one week, years of wrangling and debating a proposed music venue at the former Civic Arena site have been resolved.

Developers received approval Thursday, May 11, from two government boards to develop a LiveNation music venue along with a six-story parking garage, business incubator and public safety facility on a 2.56 acre parcel in the Lower Hill District. The cost of the project is expected to be $110 million. The Penguins-picked developer, Buccini/Pollin Group [BPG], expects the first ticket sale event to happen in January 2026.

Plans for the area have been in the works since 2019 and were first approved in January by the City Planning Commission, leaving final approval up to the boards of the Sports & Exhibition Authority [SEA] and the Urban Redevelopment Authority [URA], which together control the former arena site. The developers briefed the URA board in March, expecting a vote in April that never materialized on the board’s agenda.

But on Thursday afternoon, May 11, the URA board approved the plans after the SEA approved in the morning.

“Promises made around the Greater Hill District are indeed taking place, which is why we’re able to vote on this,” said Pittsburgh Councilman Daniel Lavelle, a URA board member. “This allows for the Greater Hill District to directly benefit.”

The votes on May 11, which will lead to the transfer of the acreage to the development team,

served as a finale to a years-long struggle to determine technical details for the proposed buildings and negotiate the development’s contributions to the surrounding community. Much of the neighborhood advocacy was done by the Hill District Community Development Corporation [Hill CDC]. The organization’s president and CEO, Marimba Milliones, said during the SEA’s board meeting that many of the disagreements over the proposal were resolved in the prior 48 hours.

“The areas of the Hill District with the greatest need should receive the greatest benefit since developers receive our tax dollars for their private developments,” Milliones said in a press release announcing the agreement.

She also noted that in the coming weeks community members have to keep pushing to make sure the developers stick to the agreement. During the SEA board meeting Penguins Senior Vice President for Development Craig Dunham noted that if the agreed-upon terms aren’t honored the board could rescind their approval of construction.

Lavelle and other members of the URA board said they were able to vote on the matter because BPG had addressed several community concerns about implementation of a 2019 agreement. Some of those resolved issues include an upfront investment by the developers of $400,000 in the Ammon Recreation Center for Hill District youth, with another $450,000 to be paid out over the next two years.

The addition of a $2 surcharge on ticket sales was also hailed as an important concession.

The funds from the surcharge will go to the Greater Hill District Neighborhood Reinvestment Fund, which also received $7.18 million when construction began on the FNB Financial Center, on another part of the former arena site, in September 2021.

URA Executive Director Susheela Nemani-Stanger congratulated the developers for their updated plans.

“You’re allowing for walkability and connecting the Hill to Downtown,” she said. “That’s important and needs to happen.”

She also noted that among other things, the agreement calls for the developers to coordinate with the New Granada Theater, a multi-level, mixed-use redevelopment project spearheaded by the Hill CDC. In the agreement, LiveNation commits to booking 25 acts per year in the New Granada Theater and that up to 250

parking spaces in the future six-story garage must be made available for five years to the theatergoers.

The development team must also donate $100,000 to the theater.

Kyle Chintalapalli, chair

of the URA board and the city’s chief economic development officer, thanked community members for pursuing the agreements and for making sure that they were added to the final plan.

“I want to thank them for continually pushing us and making us do better,” he said.

THE SETTING SUN SHINES ON AN EMPTY SIDEWALK ALONG WYLIE AVENUE BESIDE A MUCH DEBATED SECTION OF THE LOWER HILL. (PHOTO BY STEPHANIE STRASBURG/PUBLICSOURCE)

AN ARTIST’S RENDERING OF THE PLANNED LIVE NATION CONCERT VENUE SLATED FOR THE LOWER HILL DISTRICT.

TALI graduates its 2023 Emerging Leaders Program cohort

TALI EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM 2023 COHORT. IT’S THE SECOND COHORT FOR THE EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM. THE GRADUATION WAS HELD, APRIL 21, AT CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY. 2022 EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY ALUMNI CELEBRATE ALONGSIDE THE 2023 EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM COHORT AND WELCOME THEM INTO THE TALI ALUMNI NETWORK. TALI STANDS FOR THE ADVANCED LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE.

STARS IN WAITING

When you get the chance, make the most of it

There has been a ton of accolades heaped upon the shoulders of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ GM Omar Khan regarding his talent selection during the 2023 NFL Draft. Some folks have suggested that the class of athletes that Khan chose may even have a few “hall-of-famers” in waiting. I congratulate Omar Khan on his keen eye for athletic talent and his business acumen. However, there is another vital operational component that the Steelers may find at the end of the Omar Khan rainbow. That asset may be longevity and consistency.

Let’s begin with the defense of the Steelers. Shortly after the Steelers chose T.J. Watt in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, he made an immediate impact in his rookie year and showed just how good he could be. In week 1 of the 2022 season against the Cincinnati Bengals, Watt suffered a torn pectoral muscle in the Steelers’ 23–20 victory. He was placed on injured reserve. He was activated from injured reserve on November 11, 2022. Over the last several years the core of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense has and should continue to revolve around their franchise left outside linebacker. Ordinarily, this would be a dream scenario, but for the fact that Watt may be an occasional victim of the “China Doll syndrome” at the most inopportune times for the Black and Gold.

The following are a few excerpts from stillcurtain.com posted on September 25, 2022, by Tommy Jaggi: “Steelers record and stats without T.J. Watt are stunningly awful.”

Mr. Jaggi writes: “It’s safe to say that this unit simply does not look the same when T.J. Watt is not on the field. Doesn’t just feel like the team is better when Watt plays; it’s statistically proven at this point. In terms of the Steelers record, opponent points allowed per game, and sacks recorded, Pittsburgh is drastically worse in each category, according to stats from Pro Football Reference.

The defense essentially goes from being a borderline elite unit to a well below average group despite the loss of just one player.”

There must be a credible backup ready to mirror T.J. Watt, stepping in and stepping up to inflict pain and cause havoc to opposing offenses.

Mr. Jaggi continues saying: “T.J. Watt is a genuine difference maker, and any team without its best player is going to strug-

to almost be hit or miss, sometimes a spaghetti thrown at the wall sort of process that except for a few winners, the process was sometimes an exercise in futility. My main point is that absolutely no one can totally predict the outcome of any sports draft because there are just far too many variables.

gle. However, the Pittsburgh Steelers cannot afford to be so reliant on their star edge rusher for success. There must be other players who come to step up to the plate when Watt is out, and outside of the occasional splash play from Minkah Fitzpatrick, we just haven’t seen that. Without Watt generating quick and consistent pressure, Pittsburgh’s linebackers and defensive backs have been exposed. Offensively, this team has relied far too heavily on a great play from a Watt-led defense to carry them to victory. By themselves and with Matt Canada running the show, they certainly don’t have enough firepower to keep up with teams at this rate. Missing too often in the NFL Draft in recent years hasn’t helped. It truly is remarkable the impact that T.J. Watt makes just being on the football field, as the Steelers defense is a night and day difference when he’s not there. We hope that Watt can come back quickly, but this is just more evidence that this roster is starving for talent. They can’t be so reliant on Watt’s health to win football games.”

I am going to repeat one of the lines that Mr. Jaggi quoted: “Missing too often in the NFL Draft in recent years hasn’t helped.”

During the past decade, the draft process for the Steelers seemed

If the Steelers had acquiesced with the self-preserving wishes of Tommy Maddox and passed over Ben Roethlisberger in the 2004 NFL Draft, one could reasonably assume that Super Bowls XL and XLIII would not be safe in the books for the Pittsburgh Steelers. When a GM chooses a player, that athlete must be one of the chess pieces projected to be part of plan A or B, either as a starter or backup.

For many folks the consistency of Tommy Maddox was often questionable. On April 26, 2023, Bob Quinn posted this on steelernation.com: “Steelers Spectacular Shooting Star Tommy Maddox Provided Lasting Memories During 2002 Playoffs For A Generation Of Fans.”

He continued: “Maddox was so unpredictable that Bill Belichick could have filmed him with the Steelers’ permission, and they would not have been able to figure out what he was going to do. If he doesn’t get hurt against the Ravens, maybe the Steelers would have seven trophies instead of six and Belichick would have stopped filming other teams out of sheer frustration.”

Consider James Harrison having to step in for the ex-Steelers star linebacker Joey Porter Sr. after Porter was involved in an ill-advised pregame skirmish against William Green and the Cleveland Browns. That was the beginning of a hall-offame career for Harrison in Pittsburgh and the beginning of the end of a hall-of-fame career for Joey Porter Sr. Never forget that a player doesn’t have to be a star in the making, only just a star in waiting.

SOME OF THE WOMEN FROM THE 2023 EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM COHORT CELEBRATING THE MILESTONE OF COMPLETING THE PROGRAM AND BECOMING TALI ALUMNAE.

AUDIA ROBINSON OFFERS A COHORT REFLECTION ON BEHALF OF THE 2023 EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM GRADUATES.

Why aren't more Black women valued in the workplace?

ership found that Black women reported lower job satisfaction, more challenges to career mobility and a greater likelihood of leaving their current job for a new job. Out of the 19 focus groups and 1,431 Black women surveyed:

Seventy-eight percent had never participated in a mentoring program sponsored by their organization; Only 33 percent believed that job performance was evaluated fairly; and just 41 percent trusted that their co-workers would stand up for what is just.

“Companies aren’t creating solutions that will help those who sit at this intersection of being a Black person and being a woman,” said Ericka Hines, founder and principal consultant at Every Level Leadership, in an article from CNBC on the topic in 2022. She said that Diversity, Equity and In-

clusion efforts would “fall short unless you take into account those who are the

most affected.”

“The book is a call to action,” Howze told the New Pittsburgh Courier in an

exclusive interview, May 20. “I believe that often we’re hidden but we’re really the people who are shining throughout the (work) project.”

A lot of the Black women in Howze’s focus group shared the mental pain of going through the struggle of getting a college education, being more than prepared for the position they’ve acquired, only to turn up invisible at some points at the job.

“The thing that pulls at me the most is not being heard the same in a space,” Howze said. “I attribute that to when you’re in a space, when you are the minority, whether it’s a woman or being Black, but you’re the only one, you’re

really not present. Physically, you’re there, but they don’t see you.”

Howze continued: “I’ve spoken to women who say something in a room full of men, but no one hears it. Then that man says the same thing and all of a sudden it’s a great idea.”

Howze, founder of In Touch Consulting, told the Courier that at age 50, she’s had her fair share of jobs. She said she’s seen the micro-aggressions, the subtle (and not-so-subtle) prejudices...she’s been the person to not get the promotion when she felt it was warranted...she’s taken the phone calls from her fellow Black female friends about that “terrible” day at work...

But the craziness that many Black women experience at the workplace is actually hurting the entire company, Howze said. By not valuing that Black woman’s opinions or ideas on a project, “you’re affecting the effectiveness of the project,” she told the Courier.

And for those who are “in the room,” meeting-style at work, who may not be Black? “If you’re in a space, you have a responsibility to speak up, for the health and wellness of that organization. When you have these Diversity, Equity and Inclusion issues in the organization, it begins to affect the productivity of the organization. It’s not a singular issue.”

MAISHA HOWZE WITH SALA UDIN AND HIS WIFE, JACKIE.

MAISHA HOWZE HOLDS A PROCLAMATION, WITH MANY OF HER SUPPORTERS AT ASCENDER IN EAST LIBERTY. (PHOTOS BY J.L. MARTELLO)

MAISHA HOWZE, CENTER, WITH DARNICE WARD, DANETRIA CRAIG, SHIRLEY CRAIG AND KHAMIL BAILEY

Senseless gun violence plagues Memorial Day weekend

Pittsburgh Courier that on social media, “You could see the outpouring of support from those not only in Pittsburgh but around the country with all the people (Tomlin) touched with his incredible talent. I thought it was important for me to show up and be present, stand with the community.”

Jamal Woodson, who formerly was WAMO Radio’s General Manager and now serves as General Sales Manager for WAMO, said that “everyone’s going to say he was the best producer, one of the best artists, but best of all, he was always wanting to do things free for everyone. (Tomlin) didn’t charge people for doing stuff. He would be in the studio for hours at a time just helping people with their songs, producing stuff.”

Whether he worked for WAMO or didn’t, Woodson said he could always call on Tomlin to provide music, sing a hook, or produce commercials for WAMO clients.

“He was a singer, rapper, producer,” Woodson said. “We always said he was the better Drake. Behind the scenes, he did everything for us.”

Troy Potter remembered Tomlin as a kid. “He was just trying

to get ahead in a city where African Americans, we got issues here,” Potter said. “It’s a

shame that it ends like this. He’s trying to make music, help Pittsburgh out...Somebody in the

community doing good things for the community, now is gone.” “A lot of people know

‘Tomlinese,’ I don’t know Tomlinese, I know Michael,” voiced Clarice Burse. “My friend for over 15 years. A kind -

hearted person, would give you the shirt off his back. Mike could have only had two dollars but give you one. Mike cared about everybody. When he got into music, he didn’t care what hood you were from, he was about getting Pittsburgh on the map. That’s just who he was.”

Kennedy Vaughn, a music artist in Pittsburgh, said Tomlin produced all of her music. She was the primary organizer of the balloon release for Tomlin.

“I know right now he would want us all to be so happy,” Vaughn told the crowd, holding back tears. “He would want us to celebrate him because he had fun, he made us all laugh, he was goofy as hell...Every moment with him was fun. He lived. I wish he lived longer, but he lived.”

Family and friends held a vigil for 30-year-old Jerry Gardner on Tuesday, May 30, at Mulberry Community Church in Wilkinsburg. Gardner was a music producer, similar to Mike “Tomlinese” Tomlin.

Gardner’s body was found on May 24, wrapped in a tarp in Garfield. Pittsburgh Police are investigating.

KENNEDY VAUGHN, center, speaks to the crowd at a balloon release for her friend, Mike “Tomlinese” Tomlin. (Photos by Rob Taylor Jr.)

BLACK TIE HONORS GALA

Stop The Violence Pittsburgh 10-year Anniversary Celebration

AWARD-WINNER—PITTSBURGH MAYOR ED GAINEY, WITH B. MARSHALL AND MARGO DOSS.

AWARD-WINNER—ROLAND FORD, RIGHT

AWARD-WINNER—BROTHER MARLON MARTIN

AWARD-WINNER—DOUGLAS C. WARD JACKIE DIXON, COUNCILWOMAN THERESA-KAIL SMITH

The fear of artificial intelligence is real

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is here to stay, whether anyone likes it or not.

But alarm bells have sounded everywhere about the havoc it’s caused and will ultimately cause on jobs and quality of life.

Now, the founder of AI has joined others in warning of a catastrophic future.

Geoffrey Hinton, the so-called godfather of AI, said it’s difficult to envision how to stop nefarious characters from using artificial intelligence for evil.

“It’s hard to see,” Hinton told reporters this week.

He said that as AI develops, it’s likely to threaten humans.

The World Economic Forum, which concluded that AI is “rife with contradictions,” published an alarming report in April, which included surveys of more than 800 companies.

The companies determined that AI would create 69 million new jobs by 2027 but eliminate 83 million.

Before that report, economists at Goldman Sachs said up to 300 million full-time jobs globally would eventually become automated because of AI platforms like ChatGPT.

The economists noted that white-collar workers face the most risk, with construction workers and many other blue-collar jobs remaining unaffected.

The economists stated that two-thirds of U.S. and European jobs now use some form of AI automation.

Still, the forum conceded that AI “is a powerful tool that is also surprisingly limited in terms of its current capabilities.”

Recent advances in AI technologies have generated excitement and concern, as the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) acknowledged.

“As researchers who have served in leadership positions in the AAAI, we are writing to provide a balanced perspective on managing the progress in the field,” the group said in a letter.

“We also seek to broaden and strengthen the

by Bria Overs

For New Pittsburgh Courier

Winemaking is one of the oldest crafts in human history, with evidence from historians and archeologists going back as far as 6,000 B.C.

In the United States, Black folks didn’t enter the industry until the late 1800s. With 15 years in the business, Longevity Wines is one of less than a hundred Black-owned wineries in an overwhelmingly White industry.

When asked about the challenges of starting a winemaking business, Winemaker Phil Long, who co-founded Longevity Wines, and is president of the Association of African American Vintners, says the biggest challenge was getting a foot in the door.

“We are such a small percentage of the entire landscape of what this industry is,” he tells Word In Black. “You’re starting out as a new generation of wine that’s never been there before. The people have never heard of you, your name, your background. The wine business is extremely challenging.”

As of January 2023, there are over 11,500 wineries in the United States. However, pinpointing the number of Black-owned wines is difficult, and Long estimates less than 1 percent are Black-owned.

The industry’s history and legacy is extensive, and Black folks have long been barred from participating.

Wine came to the Americas in the

pockets of the Europeans that immigrated here. For Black folks entering the industry now, Long says the difference is “we didn’t even have pockets.”

“I decided there are other ways to get into the wine industry besides land ownership, and it’s made us successful, but it’s not necessarily going to make everyone successful.”

Phil and his late wife Debra Long started Longevity Wines in 2008, based in Livermore Valley, California. What began as a fun hobby in

tom-built, climate-controlled barrel room.

“At that point, they were just homemade wines we could drink and share with friends, but we can’t sell” because of laws around the sale of homemade wine, Long says. “In order to keep following that passion of creating wine, the only way we were going to do it is to sell it. So we jumped in.”

Even after starting Longevity Wines, Debra and Phil continued with their full-time jobs.

Debra was the Office Manager for the Danville Chamber of Commerce and became interim President and CEO in 2011. Phil was the Creative Director for a point-of-purchase display firm in Northern California.

Eight years into their business venture, Debra was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away in 2019.

their garage is now a family-owned, award-winning business with over a dozen wine options, including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, and Chardonnay.

Their first wine was a 30-gallon barrel of Syrah, a rich red wine they stored in their garage. After running out of space, the duo knew it was time to move upward and onward.

When they were ready to launch, they had about 12 of those 30-gallon barrels in what became a cus

Longevity Wines’ branding, both on the bottles and in their wine-tasting room, is heavily inspired by Phil and Debra’s life together and the legacy they built. Today, Long runs his business with his son, Phil Long Jr., annually producing about 3,500 cases made with local grapes.

Diversifying the Wine Industry Long has been president of AAAV for the last three years. His focus is generating more awareness for Black-owned wineries and winemakers.

The big question Long seeks an -

Howmuch income will you need during retirement?

When you think of your life in retirement, you imagine yourself traveling the world, spending quality time with family and friends, pursuing simple pleasures, and living the life of ease and luxury. With the children gone and various bills paid, it’s easy to assume that you’ll have sufficient income coming in to maintain your desired standard of living during retirement.

The lifestyle of the majority of senior citizens is anything but a life of ease and luxury. After 30 years of working hard, raising a family, and trying to maintain a quality standard of living, the thing that’s always procrastinated and oftentimes neglected is retirement planning. Creating your desired retirement lifestyle is going to take more than wishful thinking and groundless assumptions. It’s going to take proactive planning and purposeful execution.

It’s easy to envision your desired retirement lifestyle—no work, peace, freedom, and fun. Have you ever answered the question of how much income will you need to maintain that lifestyle? In this article, I’ll show you how to determine how much income you’ll need to maintain your desired standard of living during retirement.

Using today’s dollars, how much income do you think you’ll need each month to cover your monthly household expenses? Let’s say that you need $3,000 to pay for your monthly household expenses. I’m sure that you want to have money left over after you pay the bills. How much extra do you need to do fun stuff: take annual vacations, spend on impulse, etc.? Let’s say you’d like an extra $500 remaining after the bills are paid. Using our example, you need a total of $3,500 per month.

How much will Social Security provide? Although Social Security is on the brink of insolvency, I believe that Social Security will continue to supplement

our income during retirement. However, the longer you have before retirement, the more likely your projected benefits will be reduced. Continuing with our example, if Social Security is projecting a monthly benefit of $1,200, I encourage you to discount it by 25 percent. As a result, using $1,200 as our projected monthly benefit, we’ll estimate Social Security to provide about $900 per month.

Company-sponsored pension plans are on the brink of extension. Does your company offer a pension? Many companies have done away with traditional, guaranteed pension check per month plans. They’ve opted to use defined contribution type plans such as 401(k) plans where you’re required to contribute. Future benefit is based on your contributions, employer’s matching contributions, and investment performance. If your company offers a traditional pension check per month plan, considering the fact many employers are freezing pension plans, I encourage you to discount projected benefit by 25 percent. In my example, we’ll assume that we will not receive a pension.

Did you or will you purchase a deferred or immediate annuity? If you purchased an annuity, calculate what your expected monthly benefit will be.

Will you receive royalty checks or rental income during retirement? In our example, we’ll assume that there’s no money coming in from an annuity, rental income or royalties.

Do you plan to sell your home and use the proceeds from the sale of your home to supplement your income? Do

you plan to tap into your equity with a reverse mortgage? We’ll assume that you plan to remain in your home, age in place, and avoid the high-cost equity depleting reverse mortgage.

In our example we established that our target income during retirement is $3,500 per month. We expect Social Security to provide $900 per month. We do not expect to receive income during retirement from any other sources. As a result, we have a retirement income deficit (RID) of $2,600 per month. We’ll have to reconcile this deficit with income we generate from personal savings. As an alternative, we can lower our expectation and our standard of living during retirement.

As we pinpoint how much of a nest egg (retirement savings) we need to grow by the time we retire that will initially generate $2,600 per month after taxes. We need to take into consideration inflation and ensure that we don’t outlive our savings. You build a retirement nest egg by diligent, sound investing over an extended period of time.

Identify your risk tolerance for investing. Are you conservative, moderate, or aggressive? If you’re conservative, your withdrawal rate will be 3 percent. If you’re moderate, your withdrawal rate will be 4 percent. If you’re aggressive, your withdrawal rate will be 5 percent.

In our example, we’ll assume that our risk tolerance is moderate. Multiply your monthly retirement income deficit by 12 months to calculate the annual income needed initially during retirement. $2,600 (RID) times 12-months equal $31,200. Divide the

annual income by .80 ($31,200 divided .80 = $39,000). This figure represents the gross amount you’ll need annually to net $31,000 per year or $2,600 per month after taxes. Divide the gross amount ($39,000) you’ll need initially during retirement by .04 (moderate risk tolerance) to determine the size of the nest egg we’ll need to accumulate. In our example, we’ll need a nest egg of $975,000 to generate a monthly income of $2,600 after taxes. My calculation ensures that you don’t outlive your savings and that you leave a legacy to your heirs.

Chances are, you’ve already established retirement savings. This money will continue to grow over time. Depending on how good of a job you’ve done investing your money and that you avoid early withdrawals from your retirement savings, you may be well on your way to amass $975,000. Assuming the current value of your retirement savings is $50,000, you have 20 years before you retire, and your average rate of return is 10 percent. Your current $50,000 savings will grow to $336,375 over 20 years. As a result, we’ll need to save an additional $638,625 between now and the day we retire to meet our goal of $975,000.

In our example, assuming an average rate of return of 10 percent, we’ll need to save $834 per month, excluding the employer’s matching contribution to amass a nest egg of $638,625 20 years from now. Allow these figures to motivate you to take action sooner rather than later when it comes to retirement planning. There are other alternatives that I’ll share in future articles that will ensure that you live a comfortable retirement.

(Damon Carr, Money Coach can be reached at 412-216-1013 or visit his website at www.damonmoneycoach.com)

The wine industry is overwhelmingly White. This Black winemaker wants to change that.

Stacy M. Brown

Commentary

The industry’s history and legacy is extensive, and Black folks have long been barred from participating.

PHIL LONG, founder of Longevity Wines, estimates less than 1 percent of all wine brands are Black-owned. He’s working to increase that number. (Credit: Ron Essex)

‘White Burgers, Black Cash’ delivers food for thought

Special to TSDMemphis.

com

For New Pittsburgh Courier

Hold the pickles, no mustard.

Double patty, add bacon, fried onions, that’s how you like your burger. As for chicken, well, it has to have cheese, and there must be something saltycrunchy on the side or it’s not a complete meal. Yeah, Mom could sure cook but not like this, and in the new book “White Burgers, Black Cash” by Naa Oya A. Kwate, you’ll see why fast food was slow to come to Black communities.

Though restaurants certainly existed before the turn of the last century, fast food joints “took root in the early 1900s, when the earliest…chains began.” White Castle, with their oniony square burgers, is widely considered to be the first; later, KFC, Burger King, and McDonald’s became the juggernauts of the industry, and something set them apart.

The first fast food restaurants, says Kwate, “did not include Black folks,” whether explicitly or implicitly when restaurants weren’t built in their areas. While high-end establishments and wealthier homes employed Black waiters, fast food was “almost exclusively White,” from kitchen to booth.

In the 1920s, though,

franchisees started noticing that they were leaving money on the table. Slowly, fast food restaurants were built in areas once ignored—possibly, says Kwate, for profit or perhaps because developers saw it as a way to keep Black diners from White

neighborhoods. There was controversy about the new additions —citizens of both races thought the restaurants were “a nuisance.” After a time, some already-established restaurants were accidentally found in Black neighborhoods be-

cause of “White flight.” By the latter half of the 1960s, Black investors were finally invited to buy in as franchisees; in addition, some White operators were ordered by their home franchise to sell a percentage of their sites to Black citizens.

This led closer to the equality Black operators wanted, but with a price: by the turn of this century, “studies began to mount… showing that residential proximity to fast food mattered for health.”

“Black youth,” says Kwate, “were especially at

risk.”

Looking for something light to read while you enjoy your basket meal with onion rings?  This book is interesting, but it isn’t like that.

Like a triple-patty super-sized sandwich, “White Burgers, Black Cash” is much heavier than you might expect, at first glance. Author Naa Oyo A. Kwate dives deep into her subject, beginning years before the first White Castle opened —and that narrative includes neighborhood names, street names, and competitors’ locations, which likely won’t mean much to many readers. There are pictures in here but those, too, often have inadequate context.

Still, it’s worth biting into this book because of its wider focus on racism and what White America was doing at this time, and its inclusion of other, more social history that’s relevant to this subject. Readers who can consume this book slowly, and chew on its information with careful thought will get more out of it than those who want a fast book about fast food. “White Burgers, Black Cash” deserves more cogitation, and you won’t even need fries with that.

Study finds over one quarter of U.S. homeowners struggle with housing costs

by Stacy M. Brown

For New Pittsburgh Courier (NNPA Newswire)—A recent study conducted by the Chamber of Commerce, a product research company specializing in real estate, revealed that more than 25 percent of homeowners in the United States are burdened by housing costs, spending over 30 percent of their income on their homes.

The study utilized data from the U.S. Census Bureau, analyzing monthly housing costs and median household income in the 170 most populated cities nationwide.

The findings indicate that 27.4 percent of all homeowners are considered “cost-burdened.”

Miami, Los Angeles, and New York City are leading the list of cities with a significant number of financially strained homeowners, where more than four in 10 feel stretched beyond their means due to housing expenses. Interestingly, all but one of the top 10 cities for cost-burdened homeowners are in California or Florida.

In the District of Columbia, 26.3 percent of homeowners also grapple with the weight of housing costs.

The rise in mortgage interest rates is one factor that contributes to the financial strain homeowners experience. At the pandemic’s beginning, rates hit historic lows but surged past 7 percent in 2022, reaching the highest levels since 2002.

While rates have cooled slightly since early 2023, new homeowners still face significantly higher monthly mortgage payments compared to those who locked in lower rates.

Combined with skyrocketing inflation and stagnant wages, Americans now owe trillions more than before the pandemic.

The higher housing costs are eating into savings, spending, and emergency funds.

The impact of rising housing costs is not limited to homeowners alone. Renters also bear the brunt of this trend, as escalating housing expenses increase rental rates.

It means that renters and homeowners feel financially strapped by growing housing costs.

The study sheds light on the long-standing personal finance guideline known as the “30 percent” rule.

This rule advises individuals to ensure

that their housing expenses, including rent or mortgage payments, property taxes, and utilities, do not exceed 30 percent of their monthly income.

However, with the current housing affordability challenges, many individuals need help to abide by this rule.

The study also reveals a concerning trend.

From 2015 to 2019, the percentage of financially burdened homeowners in the United States decreased annually, dropping from 29.4 percent in 2015 to 26.5 percent in 2019.

However, the pandemic has begun to reverse these gains, with cities like Los Angeles and New York experiencing an upward trend in cash-strapped homeowners.

In Los Angeles, almost half of homeowners are considered “house poor,” despite a four-percentage-point decrease between 2015 and 2019.

Similarly, in New York City, the percentage of house-poor homeowners increased to over 45 percent in 2021, up from 41.3 percent in 2019.

On the other hand, Miami bucked the trend, as the percentage of house-poor homeowners dropped by two and a half

points to 44.6 percent in 2021.

The Federal Reserve, faced with the uphill battle of fighting inflation, has raised interest rates monthly since March 2022.

Although the Fed does not directly set mortgage rates, its actions often influence home loan rates.

However, there is now a glimmer of hope on the horizon as the central bank signals a potential break from the consecutive rate increases that have taken place over the past year.

As the housing affordability crisis deepens, policymakers and stakeholders must address the mounting challenges homeowners and renters face.

“It is imperative to find sustainable solutions that alleviate the burden of housing costs and promote financial stability for all Americans,” said District of Columbia Realtor Piper Alford.

“It’s never ideal to spend more than 30 percent of your income on housing,” Alford insisted. “But today’s market, prices, inflation, and greed has caused many to find basic living unaffordable.”

(Stacy M. Brown is NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent)

The fear of artificial intelligence is real

community of engaged researchers, government agencies, private companies, and the public at large to ensure that society is able to reap the great promise of AI while managing its risks.”

Signed by 19 academic leaders, the letter noted that AAAI is “aware of the limitations and concerns about AI advances, including the potential for AI systems to make errors, to provide biased recommendations, to threaten our pri-

vacy, to empower bad actors with new tools, and to have an impact on jobs.”

They asserted that researchers in AI and across multiple disciplines are hard at work identifying and developing ways to address these shortcomings and risks while strengthening the benefits and identifying positive applications.

In some cases, AI technology itself can be applied to create trusted oversight and guardrails to reduce or eliminate failures, the group insisted.

“The idea that this stuff

could actually get smarter than people—a few people believed that,” Hinton stated when asked whether he thought AI would have such

an immediate impact.

“But most people thought it was way off. And I thought it was way off. I thought it was 30 to 50 years or even

longer away. Obviously, I no longer think that.”

Meanwhile, journalists have acknowledged some fear over AI.

The Columbia Journalism Review (CJR) recently quoted experts who said that the biggest flaw in a “large language model” like ChatGPT is that, while it is capable of mimicking human writing, it has no real understanding of what it is writing about, and so it frequently inserts errors and flights of fancy that some have referred to as “hallucinations.”

CJR reported that Colin Fraser, a data scientist at Meta, wrote, “The central quality of this type of model is that they are incurable, constant, shameless bullsh–ters. Every single one of them. It’s a feature, not a bug.” And Gary Marcus, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at New York University, has likened this kind of software to “a giant autocomplete machine.” (Stacy M. Brown is NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent)

The wine industry is overwhelmingly White

swers to is, “How do we get to the point where the people who are making the wine look like the people who are drinking the wine?”

He knows from first-hand experience the barriers to entry in the wine industry, and it’s his mission to create more opportunities for young Black folks and other minorities. Long projects that with each new winery, the overall percentage of minority-owned wines will shrink.

As a young man, Long didn’t know much about the wine industry. And he’s not alone.

“So if I don’t know, how many people don’t really know this is an opportunity for them,” he says. “That’s why we work so hard to reach the younger generation and try to provide them with the means to learn about it.”

Being educated and doing “homework,” as he calls it, is another piece

of the puzzle of starting and growing a wine business.

“They see the pot of gold, but they don’t see the work to get to the pot of gold,” Long says. “So first and foremost, do your homework and educate yourself above everything.”

AAAV provides scholarships for Sonoma State University students and Wine & Spirit Education Trust students at Napa Valley Wine Academy.

“We’ve got to grow that number, and the bottom line is we have to start educating the younger population that is going to come up and replace us,” Long told Word In Black.

That applies to his business as well.

He’s working to create a generational business for his family to continue, Long says. “Creating a brand that’s timeless is absolutely huge.”

Growing Longevity Wines In grocery stores nationwide, hun -

dreds, if not thousands, of wines line aisles and shelves. This is another challenge of the winemaking business—standing out on those crowded shelves.

“Making wine is the easy part,” Long says. “Selling wine is the hard part.”

Long and Longevity Wines partnered with Bronco Wine Company in 2019. This helped him scale the business nationwide and sell his products in supermarkets, restaurants, bars, and more.

Bronco Wine Company is another family-owned wine business founded by the Franzia Family in 1973. Their portfolio of wine companies has 125 businesses, including Longevity Wines.

Through the partnership, Longevity Wines produces about 50,000 cases each year.

Although the partnership has helped, there’s more to running a suc -

cessful business. He doesn’t believe in the common saying, “If you build, they will come.” That relies on chance instead of hard work.

His perspective is to convince stores to want to make space for new products on their shelves. Having a solid marketing strategy helps with this.

“There’s a lot of great winemakers out there that just don’t have the marketing savvy or the brand savvy to make it work. Once you have those pieces in place, and you have those tools in your tool bag, you can carry them into any state.”

However, the best way to stand out in the crowd, Long says, is a great product.

“You have to have good juice, and there’s no way around that.”

“WHITE BURGERS, BLACK CASH” is much heavier than many readers might expect. Author Naa Oyo A. Kwate dives deep into her subject, beginning years before the first White Castle opened.

Geoffrey Hinton, the so-called godfather of AI, said it’s difficult to envision how to stop nefarious characters from using artificial intelligence for evil.

Guest Editorial

Financial literacy in Pa. schools should be a mandate

Let’s say you get a large infusion of cash like the COVID-19 payout that was part of a $2 trillion package to stimulate the economy. Many were given a one-time $1,200 check per person (plus another $500 per child) for those who made less than $75,000 annually.

Do you use it to spend, save or pay off debt?

Do you put it toward that big-ticket purchase you’ve been wanting? A big-screen smart TV, car, vacation or home renovations? Or do you have bills to pay? You could also put it away for a “rainy day.”

That decision lies in your basic understanding of your financial situation.

Recently, Pennsylvania Auditor General Tim DeFoor joined several educators, lawmakers and activists around the state to show how important it is to have financial literacy in the schools. DeFoor visited schools across the state to highlight what other places have done to better prepare students for future financial decisions.

“We have a generation of students who need to understand debt, know how to sustain wealth and learn how to be money smart,” DeFoor said.

During a recent visit to The Philadelphia Tribune, DeFoor noted that schools in Pennsylvania are not required to teach financial literacy and only a small number of school districts in the commonwealth have implemented financial literacy into their curriculum.

DeFoor said he is passionate about financial literacy being taught to adults, teachers and Pennsylvania students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Financial literacy is crucial because it is one of the essential life skills that helps people make better financial decisions throughout their lives.

Some reasons it is important to teach financial literacy early in school are:

It helps emphasize the value of money and the importance of saving and investing money from a young age.

It teaches kids how to budget their money, so they can better manage their expenses, save for the future and avoid debt.

It encourages responsibility. Learning financial literacy promotes responsible behavior and accountability.

It builds confidence. Learning financial management skills can give kids confidence in money-handling and decision-making.

Overall, financial literacy is essential for kids because it prepares them for a future where they can make smart financial decisions, save money and create financial stability for themselves and their families.

“Having access to financial literacy curriculum in high school levels the playing field for all Pennsylvanians,” DeFoor said. “It’s imperative that our students have the tools they need to succeed in life, and if that means we need laws and regulations requiring schools to teach financial literacy, let’s work together to write those regulations and get legislation passed.”

Moreover, financial literacy fosters economic empowerment.

By learning about concepts like compound interest, risk management and retirement planning, students can make more informed choices that contribute to their financial security.

Lastly, financial literacy addresses societal issues related to debt, poverty and economic inequality.

Martin Luther King High School senior Abdourahim Sylla says participating in a financial literacy course over the last year has been “life changing” and made him feel much more confident in his financial future as he prepares for college.

“I urge schools across the city and the state to prioritize financial literacy education and give more students like me the chance to learn these valuable, necessary skills,” Sylla says. “I also urge students to take these classes seriously because it will change their lives.”

By arming students with the knowledge and skills to manage money effectively, we can empower them to break cycles of poverty, avoid predatory lending, build generational wealth and make responsible financial decisions that positively impact their lives and communities at large.

Targeted treatment effects

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—The following information is found on the cancer.net website:

What is Targeted Therapy?

Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment. It uses drugs to target specific genes and proteins that help cancer cells survive and grow. Targeted therapy can affect the tissue environment that cancer cells grow in or it can target cells related to cancer growth, like blood vessel cells. How does targeted therapy work to treat cancer?

To develop targeted therapies, researchers work to identify the specific genetic changes that help a tumor grow and change. This is called the drug’s “target.” An ideal target for this kind of therapy would be a protein that is present in cancer cells but not in healthy cells. Once researchers have identified a target, they develop a drug treatment that attacks it.

Like other treatments, targeted therapies can cause side effects, so it is important that your doctor matches your tumor to the best possible treatment and dose.

As I evaluate the diseases of Trumpism and its malignant mutation DeSantism, I look for the answer to an ultimate cure.  Sadly, like their progenitors, Racism, Insecurity, Fear, and Jealousy, there have been inroads to their elimination, but no final and ultimate cure.  Taking a page from medical science, it may be a great time to employ a targeted treatment.

Last week, the NAACP issued a formal travel advisory for Florida in response to DeSantis’ aggressive

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary

attempts to erase Black history and restrict Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs in Florida schools.

The NAACP (of which I am a Life Member) asserts: We won’t stand for this kind of hate-inspired leadership.

They continue: This is a state that so clearly devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced, by Black Americans and other marginalized groups. Gov. DeSantis’ decisions to ban an AP course on African American Studies and to sign a bill defunding DEI programs were deliberate attempts at erasing Black history, culture, and identity from Florida’s education system … policies like these that perpetuate the systemic disregard of the contributions made by Black Americans and other people of color in the United States.

I applaud the NAACP’s travel advisory.  Rather than the well-used boycott of an entire entity, the advisory provides the opportunity for a targeted treatment of those entities founded upon principles and philosophies rooted in hatred, while protecting the interests of the ‘innocent.’

The travel advisory that we must undertake is one of intelligent research and uncompromising principles.  Our first consideration must be

how and where we spend our money.  At what hotel will we stay?  At which restaurant will we eat?  What entertainment venues will we visit?  Our choices will determine whether our dollars support our interests or the interests of Trumpism/DeSantism.  Regardless of the circumstance or condition, we must make the conscious choice to spend our dollars where they do us no harm.

Past patronage is meaningless.  A business can make/serve/have the best {fill in the blank} ever made, but if, as you enter the business, you see a symbol such as a pro-Trump or pro-DeSantis poster/banner you MUST turn around and leave as though the poster read: KLAN RALLY AHEAD—ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!!

If there are no symbols or if no business position on the Trump/DeSantis policies has been officially established—ASK!  This might make you uncomfortable, but the discomfort is temporary while the result of inaction might be discomfort for your children or grandchildren.  Local organizations can simplify this process by identifying local businesses which support or reject the principles of discrimination.    No such initiative can be comfortable, painless, or immediately resolve the challenge.  There are no guarantees that it can be accomplished without casualties.  The only certainty is that it cannot be accomplished without commitment!

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

Time for Biden to invoke the 14th Amendment

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—So it has come to this. House Republicans are about to force the U.S. government to default on paying its debts—obligations that the Congress voted to make. They bluster that they will blow up the economy, tank the dollar, and destroy America’s good faith and credit unless they get their way—even as they are bitterly divided about what “their way” means. The stakes are unfathomable—and so it is worth being clear about what is happening.

According to the Treasury secretary, June 1 is the likely date when the U.S. will hit the so-called “debt ceiling” unless Congress acts. The debt ceiling is a silly gimmick that limits what the U.S. can borrow, even to pay the obligations that the Congress has already committed. Under Donald Trump—who ran up a staggering percentage of the U.S. national debt because of his tax cuts and military and pandemic spending —Democrats agreed to raise the debt ceiling repeatedly without any conditions. What they should have done was repeal the debt ceiling completely.

Now House Republicans want to use it as a weapon of mass destruction to get their way. Since they know that Americans can be scared about debt and deficits, they claim to be concerned about rising deficits, although deficits have been coming down since Trump left office and the pandemic relief measures expired.

In reality, they are more passionate about tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations than they are about reducing deficits. They refuse to consider any package that asks the rich and corporations to pay their part.

They are also more passionate about military spending than they are about curbing “out of control” spending. So they focus on cutting programs for the most vulnerable, even though it is the military budget that has been rising

Jesse Jackson Sr.

Commentary

the fastest, and is the biggest source of waste, fraud and abuse in the government.

In the end, their extortion isn’t about debt or deficits but about priorities. They favor tax breaks for the rich and corporations and cuts and punitive measures on any program that provides aid to the vulnerable—Medicaid, student aid, income support, aid for women with dependent children, housing, schools. They demand a complete roll back of Biden’s efforts to address climate change. They would revive billions in tax breaks for oil companies and repeal incentives for renewable energy or elective vehicles. They demand a roll back of Biden’s initiatives to reduce the price of drugs—a gift to the Big Pharma lobby. They even want to roll back funding for the IRS to crack down on tax avoidance and fraud by the wealthy—which would provide billions for deficit reduction.

To add insult to injury, they can’t even agree if they want to negotiate. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has insisted on a negotiated deal before raising the debt ceiling. But the House Freedom Caucus—dozens of members who were key to his election as speaker—demand no negotiations—calling for default unless their entire program is accepted, including measures that they couldn’t even get through the Republican House.

The House zealots are emboldened by Donald Trump who argues they should just default on the debt if they don’t get their way. He clearly figures

that if they blow up the economy under Biden, he will benefit politically. Remarkably, the supposed Republican adults in the room—Senate leader Mitch McConnell, former Wall Street mogul Sen. Mitt Romney, presidential wannabes, including Senators Tim Scott, Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz—are AWOL—absent without leave.

President Biden initially said that while he was prepared to negotiate over next year’s budget to increase deficit reduction, he wasn’t going to give into extortion over debt default. Then he foolishly agreed to negotiations, only to see the Republican extremists in the so-called “Freedom Caucus” demand an end to negotiations and capitulation to their full wish list. Inevitably, the more he bends, the more they demand—even though their demands are offensive to the vast majority of Americans.

It is preposterous to empower the zaniest extremists of the House with the power to default on the national debt, tank the stock market, discredit the dollar and drive the economy into a recession or worse unless they get their way.

There is an alternative. The 14th Amendment to the Constitution— passed at the end of the Civil War— provides that the “validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law … shall not be questioned.”

It is time for President Biden to stand up for the good faith and credit of this country. He should invoke the 14th Amendment, denounce the extortion over the debt ceiling as a violation of that constitutional pledge, and instruct the Treasury secretary to pay America’s debts. Republicans will howl and stomp and go to court. So be it. Better that than to enable fools and zealots to hold the country hostage.

Support for the subway killer of Jordan Neely

America should be looking very closely at the outpouring of money and support for Daniel James Penny, 24, the White subway passenger who put Jordan Neely, Black, in a chokehold that ended his life. Neely’s crime was begging for food and money on a subway train, clearly to the annoyance of Penny and the other White men who allegedly held him down while Penny choked him to death.

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It is very disturbing that the over 41,000 people, having given more than 2 million dollars to a defense fund for Penny, many of those supposedly gave “Thank You” notes attached to their donations. The tone of the notes suggest that those making the donations were White Extremists glad that Penny killed a Black man, supposedly seeing him as a threat because of his begging for food and money.

In contrast, a little more than 80 thousand dollars has been given to the Jordan Neely Go Fund Me for funeral arrangements.  There are two messages here. One, that there is a White element in America committed to rejoicing when a Black

person is killed, regardless of the circumstances. They vote their approval with their dollars and give encouragement to others who might see this as a signal to go out and kill some of us themselves. This creates an expectation that reward and financial support will follow such actions, not criminal punishment, as we saw with the hand slap of the White teenager killing people during the Black Lives Matter protest in Minnesota.

Black people in particular should respond to the Jordan Neely case with an outpouring of money and support to his family that makes a statement, in contrast, that Neely’s family has the support of all of us who look like him,

regardless of our mental condition. We do not support being tried and executed by White Vigilantes, regardless of their reasons.

Also, we must not allow the White media to wrap Daniel Penny in the flag of being an ex-marine. There is no such thing as an “ex-marine” and his being a Marine had nothing to do with the murder he committed by using excessive force in the same manner that George Floyd was murdered by an on-duty White police officer. Not only does Penny deserve to be charged with murder in the first degree because his actions were unnecessary and premeditated, but those who assisted him in this murder should be charged also.

Black people in particular and White and Latino and Asian Americans who know this was wrong, must vote with their voices and dollars for this family and everyone like them going forward who has been brought to this point of loss and suffering.  Let us remember that for evil to succeed all it takes is for good to do nothing.

What is Tim Scott running For?

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—South Carolina

Senator Tim Scott (R) has joined the throng of Republicans seeking to unseat the former President as the frontrunner of that party.  So far, he is polling in the single digits, but he has $22 million left from his last Senatorial race that he can use for his Presidential race.  Other than the historically myopic Florida governor, Scott has scant competition to date, and from my vantage point he has about as much chance becoming President as I do.  So why is he really in this race?

The siren call of the Presidency beckons many who are long on ambition and short on possibility.  But sometimes long shots can make a difference and a statement.  Think Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, whose historic 1984 and 1988 campaigns opened doors for hundreds of African American and progressive politicians, and footprints so deep that they are still impactful.  Or think Arizona Senator John McCain whose populist Straight Talk Express was a feature of his failed 2008 Presidential bid.  There was Shirley Chisholm, whose Presidential bid was a landmark for Black folks and for women, and Colorado’s Pat Schroeder who considered a Presidential run.  All these folks, and most of the others, ran to make a point and make a difference.

According to ancient wisdom texts, a wise person leaves an inheritance to their children’s children. In the macro, a wise people leave a cultural inheritance for generations to come.

A cultural inheritance is vast, but at its core are ideas and beliefs.

After times change, a new generation appears that is the first of its kind. Certain notions that were maintained for generations no longer apply. When nonessential concepts are passed down to this generation, they inherit a burden, not a benefit.

During his presidential campaign in 2007, Barack Obama alluded to this situation.

Obama described the Moses generation and the Joshua generation at a Black church. Moses led the people out of slavery, while Joshua led them into the promised land. Obama told the congregation that the Moses generation had taken Black America 90 percent of the way. Now the question is: what is the Joshua generation expected to accomplish in the promised land?

Obama became the country’s first Black president. His historic victory made Americans ponder if racism was still the most significant impediment to Black advancement in the United States.

The belief of Camp One corresponds to the reality of the twenty-first century, while the belief of Camp Two is the byproduct of fear passed down from the Jim Crow era.

Every Black child born in 2000 had reached adulthood by 2018. This is the first generation of its kind. The first generation of Black adults with no “lived experience” in the twentieth century. The majority of their understanding of racism will be passed down rather than gained firsthand.

Which camp did this generation get its perspective from? Unfortunately, camp two has more influence, but their rhetoric is more suited to the twentieth century than the twenty-first.

For instance, after Senator Tim Scott, a Black Republican, announced he was running for president, the hosts at The View lambasted him for his misguided views.

you look a certain way, they’re oppressors. From colleges to corporations to our culture, people are making money and gaining power by pretending we haven’t made any progress at all. By doubling down on the division we’ve worked so hard to heal, you know this stuff is wrong. Hear me clearly: America is not a racist country.”

The View’s Sunny Hostin complained that Tim Scott thinks that because he made it, everyone can make it, but he ignores the fact that he is the exception, not the rule. For Hostin, Kamala Harris and Ketanji Brown Jackson are the rule because Biden’s preferential treatment made Harris Vice President and Jackson a Supreme Court Justice.

Whoopi Goldberg confessed that, as a senator, Scott got legislation passed that was beneficial to African Americans. Then she said that if he’s running for president, he has to do more than that. He has to represent us as a nation and then say, as a Black man, this is how I feel about the racism in the Republican Party.

News Analysis

What is Tim Scott’s point?  In his opening rally on May 22, mostly more diversely attended than usual Republican rallies, he spoke repeatedly of his faith.  Punctuating his talk with frequent cries of “Amen,” faith was part of his theme.  His talk was also replete with American exceptionalism, describing this nation as “the greatest nation on God’s green earth.  Those who have experienced American oppression might argue the “great nation” point, but those who oppose truth-teaching claim that children are being taught to “hate” our country, when all Black Studies and Ethnic Studies want to teach is the truth.

What I find fascinating about Tim Scott’s cherry-picking the Bible, with his constant scripture quoting, is that he cannot seem to find his way to the scriptures that address the way our Bible treats the poor.  In Luke 6:20-21, the Bible reads “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.  Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.  Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”  Or, in Matthew 25:35-40, where the Lord says, “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. . .whatever you did for one of the least of these you do for me.” Scott criticized people dropping out of the labor market without giving any context to the ways the labor market is changing.

Replete with platitudes, Tim dropped clichés, like “from victimhood to victory”.  “I chose personal responsibility over resentment,” he said, and engaged in mindless class warfare.  Biden, he says, wants to get “mechanics and waitresses” to pay for student loan forgiveness.  In his rambling hour long speech, Scott dusted off every Republican cliché about poor people, Black people and others.  And he offered himself up as proof that there is no racism in this country.  He can’t explain the police killings of Black folks, though he did all he could to block the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act (2020) from passing.  His life, he says, proves that opportunity works in America. Clearly, he is too myopic to acknowledge that there is not opportunity for everyone.

If I had a dollar for every time Scott said “radical left” or “left” I’d be dining resplendently this evening. He did a masterful job of tarring the left and making empty promises about what he will do.  I’ll give him credit for energy and enthusiasm but look askance at his promise to build up the military so that our allies can “respect” us while our adversaries will “fear” us.  Military might, at what cost?  Is every military dollar being spent efficiently?

What is Senator Tim Scott running for?  Secretary of Commerce, Labor or Housing and Urban Development?  He mentioned his Empowerment Zone legislation (which many say has not yielded great results)?  Does he want a role in foreign relations, given his rhetoric about China?  Does he want to be Trump’s running mate?  Or Secretary of Education (“less CRT and more ABC”)?  Or is he running for chaplain?

“Stop cancelling our founding fathers,” Scott said of the slaveholders who dehumanized millions of Black people.  “I am the candidate the far left fears the most”, Scott roared.  “The truth of my life disrupts their lies,” he said.  Tim Scott doesn’t understand that it’s not just about him.  The fact that he lives the American dream doesn’t mean that millions of others are missing it.

What is Tim Scott running for?  I think he is running against a series of simple truths.  Our nation is in decline thanks to the culture wars he so willingly participates in.  Platitudes and attitudes won’t change any of this.  As long as Republicans are willing to punish the poor, restrict women’s right to choose, and improve our education, we will keep spiraling downward.  And the scripture-quoting man needs to understand that Bible-thumping is not public policy and faith without works is dead (James 2:26). (Dr. Julianne Malveaux

Two camps emerged, each with opposing beliefs to pass down to the next generation. Racism, according to Camp One, still exists, but it is no longer the oppressive force it once was. Camp Two thinks that racism is a permanent condition in the United States and that Black progress is dependent on preferential treatment.

In 2021, Scott delivered the Republican response to President Biden’s speech to the joint session of Congress. Scott said, “A hundred years ago, kids in classrooms were taught the color of their skin was their most important characteristic. And if they looked a certain way, they were inferior. Today, kids are being taught that the color of their skin defines them again. And if

Then honorary Black spokesperson Joy Behar said Scott is one of those Black Republicans who believes in “pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps” rather than understanding the systemic racism African Americans face in America. Scott doesn’t get it, and that’s why he’s a Republican. Scott most likely doesn’t get it, and it has nothing to do with being a Republican.

Why would he get those who promote and pass along Jim Crow fears that have no basis in the twenty-first century?

Despite over 280 mass shootings in just the first 150 days of 2023, the urgent call to action in the face of this escalating wave of violence remains largely unheeded across the United States.

Faced with the mounting number of tragedies in the wake of the unprecedented and recurrent acts of violence in every sector of the nation, what is particularly disturbing about this social psychosis is that the wanton disregard for life continues to proliferate.

The Gun Violence Archive tracked more than 647 mass shootings in 2022 and 690 in 2021. Mass shootings are defined—which in and of itself is tragic that there is a national threshold—requires a minimum of four people shot to qualify.

And in 2023, we are already on par to beat our own staggering and despicable record, with more than 280 mass shootings in only 150 days of the year.

But the real frustration is that while we decry these senseless tragedies when they happen and stain the social conscience, they end up being a sound bite that invariably ends with “we have to do something.”

In 2023, we are already on par to beat our own staggering and despicable record, with more than 280 mass shootings in only 150 days of the year.

We haven’t done much, and that “doing something” is basically an ambiguous declaration for more investigations, studies, and analyses of why 10 shoppers at a Buffalo grocery store were mowed down, or why nine churchgoers were killed in Charleston, South Carolina, by one wayward but armed teen,  and why entirely too many children are killed in schools, and at parties and in the streets.

It goes without saying that this latest wave of violence and terrorism is seeded in an enriched climate of cruelty

and hatred for Black, Brown, Asian, Jewish, and LGBTQ persons. But these deranged killers don’t discriminate. They kill kids and students, parents and parishioners, the disabled and the disadvantaged.

Taking a deeper dive into the issues and incidents in our communities and shining a spotlight on the factors that contribute to the problem is a start, not a solution. Mass shootings, police-involved killings, and random acts of violence from rebels without a cause or conscience, are rooted in a distorted and dangerous need for power.

What’s absurd is that while an individual can carry out an act of what amounts to mass destruction, legislators charged with a duty to protect the public are unable or unwilling to effectively address and resolve to end these attacks on gender, race, color, and creed.

Stopping the violence is more than a matter of chronicling the incidents, studying the circumstances, and looking for explanations. The point is to get beyond the obligatory mourning period and mandate an end to the violence that is decimating communities and the country.

That well-meaning, but incredibly tired declaration that “something” has to be done is ambiguous at best, and an empty sound bite for politicians and government officials to deflect attention from their lack of action regarding

the barrage of assaults on their constituents and the American public. Certainly, they are earnest in their grief. They just don’t feel bad enough to make assault rifles and handguns illegal and prohibit questionable persons from buying any guns at all.

And then the NRA flexes its muscle and money to influence legislation and block attempts to stop the indiscriminate licenses to purchase guns. That “right to bear arms” argument has become passe.

Stopping the violence is more than a matter of chronicling the incidents, studying the circumstances, and looking for explanations.

The text of the Second Amendment that gun advocates hold onto so dearly, actually reads: “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

That was written before organized law enforcement agencies were established and during a time when a militia was necessary to protect Americans against foreign adversaries.

We live in an increasingly vitriolic climate with distorted notions of what is allowable under the law, whether it’s a police officer shooting an unarmed citizen, or vigilantes exercising some bloated sense of power.

But when those who have real power —the power to mandate a stop to violence—don’t respond to these horrific tragedies by enacting and enforcing stricter gun laws, they will have to bear much of the responsibility for the terrorism we are witnessing. And the anarchy we saw at the nation’s capital on Jan. 6, 2021, was just a preview of what’s to come.

(Hiram Jackson is the CEO & Publisher of Real Times Media.)

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—When Russia invaded Ukraine, President Biden said that the impact of such aggression would be met with international sanctions so severe that it would cripple Vladimir Putin and his generals.

But 18 months later, Russia continues to get millions from multinational corporations, an example of moral hypocrisy that renews an old debate about how effective economic sanctions have been and what can be done to punish or shame companies that refuse to say no to Russia’s trading partners.

As the war in Ukraine rages, most Americans believe more than mere reputational damage should come to those who continue to do business with Russia. America, as usual, is doing more than its part in supplying aid to Ukraine, even as American citizens languish in food lines. Many are growing weary and believe America must take a stand when requiring that allies bear their fair share of the responsibility and not violate the spirit of the sanctions.

One example of why this is necessary is the behavior of commodities traders like Niels Troost, a Dutch oil trader and founder and owner at Paramount Energy

& Commodities SA, a Switzerland-based commodities trading firm. Even though the US and other Western countries have imposed sanctions on Russia’s oil and gas sector, Troost’s company continued to trade with Russian companies. As a result, observers are keen to examine the possible engagement with or around US sanctions.

As reported by The Financial Times, Troost has spoken publicly about the importance of global food security. Yet, his company’s actions show they are willing to put profit above everything else, including the suffering of people in Ukraine, by buying oil from Russia above the sanctioned price.

To continue trade with Russia despite the sanctions, Paramount Energy & Commodities SA established a new company in Dubai called Paramount Energy

& Commodities DMCC. With practically the same name as the original company, global observers are interested in understanding if this move allowed them to continue to profit from Russian oil while sidestepping the sanctions.

It has been widely reported that other Swiss-based companies continue to support Russia because, according to the country’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, “legally independent subsidiaries” of Swiss companies are not bound by Swiss sanctions. The European Union, more strident in its sanctions, does not allow subsidiaries to circumvent the sanctions with creative business structuring.

The behavior of companies that flaunt the sanctions highlights the need for stronger measures against those who continue to support Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. America can not be left holding the bag and the responsibility of policing the bad guys of the world. For those not paying attention, the Russians are, without question, the bad actors. America’s allies, particularly the Swiss, must take a tougher stance against companies that violate the spirit of the sanctions and continue to prop up Russia.

is an economist, author, and Dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at California State University at Los Angeles (www.juliannemalveaux.com).

Julianne Malveaux

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,

CASE NO. 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.

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

Public Notice

26th 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,

Public Notice

OF SOUTH 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)

JUN 25 2023

DEFENDANT(S) Rosemary B. Holcomb, Personal Representative of the Estate of Barbara M. Holcomb, Deceased, John Holcomb, Ronald Clifton ******************** CASE NO. GD-22-013453

******************** DEBT $88,841.10

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

JUN 31 2023 DEFENDANT(S) JOHN MICHAEL TOMARO CASE NO. MG-22-000525

DEBT$ 689,285.21

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Stephen Panik, Esquire

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)

PAGE 233. BLOCK/LOT NUMBER 1-D-259-C610

JUN 20 2023

PLAINTIFF(S) BOROUGH OF MOUNT OLIVER vs DEFENDANT(S)

OHANA CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, LLC

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

CASE NO. GD-22-008379

DEBT $ 8,805.87

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

CHRISTOPHER E. VINCENT

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)

546 WENDEL ROAD, IRWIN, PA 15642

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

724-978-0333

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, BOROUGH OF MOUNT OLIVER: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING

BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 108 STAMM AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA

15210. DEED BOOK 13299, PAGE 538.

BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 14-M-198

JUN 21 2023

DEFENDANT(S)

Jonathan M. Miller

CASE NO. MG-22-000870

DEBT $ 73,328.58

*********

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

Nicole M. Francese, Esquire

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)

200 Eagle Road, Suite 120, Wayne PA 19087

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

(484) 367-4191

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

ALL THE RIGHT, TITLE, INTEREST AND CLAIM OF JONATHAN M. MILLER, OF, IN, AND TO THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED

PROPERTY:

ALL THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED REAL

ESTATE SITUATED IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY AND ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP. HAVING ERECTED THEREON A SINGLE

DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 160 LINCOLN HALL ROAD, ELIZABETH, PA 15037 DEED BOOK VOLUME 15622, PAGE 427, BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 1130-0-138.

JUN 22 2023

DEFENDANT(S) SHEILA D. JOHNSON ********************

CASE NO. MG-17-001131 **********

Charles A.J. Halpin, Ill, Esquire, Personal Representative of the Estate of David J. Sims, Deceased, CASE NO. GD-22-015841 ******************** DEBT $41,165.89 ******************** NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) The Law Office of Gregory Javardian, LLC *********************** ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 1310 Industrial Boulevard, pt Floor, Suite 101, Southampton, PA 18966 ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 215-942-9690 SHORT DESCRIPTION In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Municipality of Bethel Park: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 917 MONASTERY VIEW, BETHEL PARK, PA 15102. DEED BOOK VOLUME 14626, PAGE 437. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER. 773-G-95.

JUN 28 2023 DEFENDANT(S) Robert J. Fritz ******************** CASE NO. GD-22-013650 DEBT $98,899.85

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

DESCRIPTION:

***************************** IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, TOWNSHIP OF LEET:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 107 AMBRIDGE AVENUE, AMBRIDGE, PA 15003. DEED BOOK 16962, PAGE 92.

BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 934-K-114.

JUN 33 2023

DEFENDANT(S) CLARENCE L. AVERY III

CASE NO. MG-22-000056

DEBT $83,936.49

*********

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

KML LAW GROUP, P.C.

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

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)

SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106

ATTORNY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

(215) 627-1322

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

***************************** IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, 21ST WARD CITY OF PITTSBURGH:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING

BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 1245 ISLAND AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15212. DEED BOOK 16137, PAGE 104.

BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 45-P-102.

JUN 34 2023

DEFENDANT(S) IRVIN RICE, SR. AS

EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF VIRGIL RICE, DECEASED

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

CASE NO. MG-18-000621

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

DEBT $31,736.34

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

KMLLAWGROUP,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, BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING

BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 3323 DUQUESNE AVENUE, WEST MIFFLIN, PA 15122. DEED BOOK4965, PAGE 713. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 181-G-122.

JUN 35 2023

PLAINTIFF(S) Wilkinsburg School District and Wilkinsburg Borough vs DEFENDANT(S) Donald N. Turner, with Notice to Heirs and Assigns and the United States of America

CASE NO.GD 21-015080

DEBT $24,187.82

*********

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

Wilkinsburg School District and Wilkinsburg Borough vs DEFENDANT Shiv Property Development Inc.

ERECTED THEREON A SINGLE

DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 1740WESLEY STREET, PITTSBURGH, PA 15221. DEED BOOK 8017, PAGE 554. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 232-M-244. JUN 36 2023

PLAINTIFF(S) Penn Hills School District and Municipality of Penn Hills VS DEFENDANT Lamar Washington, Trustee of the 66 Pride Street Trust CASE NO.GD 22-015692

************ DEBT $22,322.58

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

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

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

ERECTED THEREON A SINGLE

DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 66 PRIDE ROAD, PITTSBURGH, PA 15235. DEED BOOK 14280, PAGE 290.

AND LOT NUMBER 230-R-154.

BUILDING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 600-602 ELLA

STREET, PITTSBURGH, PA 15221. DEED BOOK 17653, PAGE 486.

BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 233-K-78.

JUN 38 2023

PLAINTIFF(S) Elizabeth Forward School District vs DEFENDANT LAUREL ANN FORD

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

CASE NO.GD 21-008213

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

DEBT $11,844.98

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, Township of Forward:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A SINGLE

FAMILY DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 4615 WILLIAMSPORT ROAD, MONONGAHELA, PA 15063. DEED

BOOK 13042, PAGE 499. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 1737-N-220.

JUN 39 2023

PLAINTIFF (S) Penn Hills School District and Municipality of Penn Hills vs DEFENDANT(S) THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF EARL W. MARSHALL, DECEASED

******************** CASE NO.GD 21-011201

DEBT $29,918.41

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)

424 S. 27th Street, Ste. 21O Pittsburgh, PA

15203

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

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

(412) 242-4400

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

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

**************************** In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Municipality of Penn Hills: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 7728 MOUNT CARMEL ROAD, VERONA, PA 15147. DEED BOOK 5402, PAGE 401. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 230-K-78.

JUN 40 2023

PLAINTIFF (S)

ERECTED THEREON A ONE STORY MASONRY FRAME HOUSE BEING KNOWN AS 158 OLIVER AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15202. DEED BOOK VOLUME 8751, PAGE 414, BLOCK & LOT 275-S-194.

JUN 44 2023

PLAINTIFF(S): COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY VS. DEFENDANT(S): RJB PROPERTIES GROUP, INC. ******************** CASE NO.: GD 22-008273 ******************** DEBT: $3,436.99 NAME OF ATTORNEY(S): JOSEPH

JUN 97 2023

91 2023

JESSICA FISCHOFF A/ KlA JESSICA R. FISCHOFF; MARLEE STANDARD CASE NO. MG-22-000332 ************* DEBT $ 131,648.27 ********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Stephen Panik, Esquire *********************** ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) Brock & Scott, PLLC 2011 RENAISSANCE BOULEVARD,

DEFENDANT MARK J. KRAULAND, ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF JOSEPHINE C. KRAULAND

************ CASE NO. GD-22-012072

********* DEBT $345,680.00

165028 Columbus, OH 43216-5028

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

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

SHORT DESCRIPTION

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Municipality of Penn Hills:

Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 1017 Hamil Road, Verona, PA 15147. Document Number 2015-18096, Deed Book Volume 16022, Page 6. Block and Lot Number 0535-A00355-0000-00.

JUN 84 2023

DEFENDANT(S) Tamara Clifton, as believed Heir to the Estate of Thomas D. Orseno, Jr., AKA Thomas D. Orseno; Terri

JUN 86 2023

DEFENDANT(S) Erin Wick,

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

RIGHT TITLE OR INTEREST

NO. MG-21-000190

21,526.97 NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Stephen Panik, Esquire

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

NO.GD 22-001546

$19,451.89

OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire

OF ATTORNEY(S)

The City of Pittsburgh’s Office of Management and Budget will accept comments on a draft of the 2023 Annual Action Plan from Thursday, June 15 until Friday, July 14. The Annual Action Plan describes how funds from four federal grant programs (Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Solutions Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS) will be spent throughout the City. The document will be available to view at https://pittsburghpa.gov/omb/ community-development-documents. Comments will be accepted via email at community.development@ pittsburghpa.gov. Written comments can be mailed to: Kelly Russel, Office of Management and Budget, 414 Grant Street STE 501, Pittsburgh PA 15219. You may also leave a message or voicemail with AJ Stephens at 412-255-2213

NOTICE

On Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., in Council Chambers, 537 Bayne Ave., Bellevue, PA, Bellevue Borough’s Zoning Hearing Board shall hold a Public Hearing re: Application of Oliverio, seeking Special Exception approval, per Tri-Borough Zoning Ord. §2000-405 & Ord. No. 18-05, to use the property at 545 Teece Ave. as a Short-term Rental unit. The Application may be viewed during normal business hours at the Borough Offices. Thomas P. McDermott, Solicitor Bellevue Borough ZHB

Guardasoni (if any); Unknown

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

THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 8011 MARK DRIVE, VERONA, PA 15147.

DEED BOOK VOLUME 16123, PAGE 226.

BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 295-A-6.

JUN 99 2023

DEFENDANT S DAVID VAN HISE AND SHIRLEY L. VAN HISE

************ CASE NO. MG-22-000471

DEBT $167,916.07

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

NATHALIE PAUL, ESQUIRE

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) McCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC

1420 WALNUT STREET, SUITE 1501

PHILADELPHIA, PA 19102

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER

(215) 790-1010

SHORT DESCRIPTION

******************** In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of White Oak:

Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 3169 Jacks Run Road, Mckeesport, Pennsylvania 15131. Deed Book Volume 12217, Page 78, Block & Lot No. 0647- L-00045-0000-00.

JUN 100 2023

DEFENDANTS BRIAN MYERS AND CAROLE. MYERS A/K/A CAROL MYERS

************ CASE NO. MG-22-000980

********* DEBT $33,385.37

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

NATHALIE PAUL, ESQUIRE

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)

McCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC

1420 WALNUT STREET, SUITE 1501

PHILADELPHIA, PA 19102

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER (215) 790-1010

SHORT DESCRIPTION

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Township of Forward: Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 2284 Sunnyside Hollow Road, Monongahela, Pennsylvania 15063. Deed Book Volume 11322, Page 009, Block & Lot No. 2087-G-00382-0000-00.

The Washington County Housing Authority will receive separate, and SEALED bids for the following prime contract bid with the Authority: EXTERIOR STAIR CONSTRUCTION AND CONCRETE REPAIR AT JOLLICK MANOR BUILDING F PROJECT 100 SOUTH FRANKLIN STREET, CRUMRINE TOWER WASHINGTON, PA 15301 WCHA 2022-G3 CONTRACT A/E PROJECT 2372

A certified check or bank draft payable to the Washington County Housing Authority; a US Government Bond or satisfactory Bid Bond executed by the Bidder and acceptable sureties in the amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the bid shall be submitted with each bid. Bids will be received no later than 11:00 AM EDT, WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2023 at the Washington County Housing Authority, 100 Crumrine Tower, Franklin Street, Washington, PA 15301 at which timethe bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bids will be held by theHousing Authority for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days prior to the contract award.

A Non-Mandatory Pre-bid Meeting will be held starting at 11:00 AM EDT, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2023 onsite at Jollick Manor, 100 South Franklin Street, Crumrine Tower, Washington, Pa 15301. Plans, specifications, and contract documents may be examined at these locations:

JUN 89 2023

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

and/or Personal Representatives of Gerard L. Donahue, deceased; Kimberly A. Perusso, solely as heir of Gerard L. Donahue, deceased CASE NO. MG-22-000349 DEBT $120,911.08 ***** 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:

the

Bid Documents are being distributed, with twenty-four hour prior notice of pick-up, by Ditto (www.dittoplanroom.com) 1020 Ridge Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233, by phone (412) 231-7700. All prime bidders are REQUIRED to buy the full set of plans and specifications. Contact Ditto for cost of plans and specifications. Free examination of said documents is available at the office of Canzian/Johnston & Associates LLC and Pennsylvania Builders Exchange. Submit all required documents in a SEALED envelope clearly marked:

EXTERIOR STAIR CONSTRUCTION AND CONCRETE REPAIR AT

JOLLICK MANOR BUILDING F PROJECT

The work to be performed under this contract is a Section 3 Project under Provisions of the Housing & Urban Development Act of 1968, as amended, and must, to the greatest extent feasible, provide opportunities for training and employment for lower-income residents of the project and contracts for work in connection with the project be awarded to business concerns which are located in, or owned by, Washington County residents.Particular attention is directed to requirements of Executive Order 11246,11625 and 12138, as well as Section 3 requirements, as set forth in the Specifications.

The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids for any reason(s) what so ever and to waive informalities in the bidding process as the WCHA deems absolutely appropriate.

STANLEY P. SHOOK DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

TREASURER’S SALE

SALE BY THE TREASURER OF THE CITY AND SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH OF REAL ESTATE TO SATISFY

UNPAID CLAIMS FOR CITY, SCHOOL AND ALLEGHENY COUNTY TAXES TO BE HELD

ON FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2023 AT

10:00 A.M.

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 171 of 1984, approved by the Governor October 11, 1984, of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which in part authorizes and empowers the City Treasurer of cities of the second class to sell, at public sale, lands or real estate upon which the taxes assessed and levied by the City or School District or Allegheny County are delinquent and unpaid; this Act is known as the Second Class City Treasurer’s Sale and Collection Act. The following properties in the City of Pittsburgh will be exposed to public sale in City Council Chambers, City-County Building 5th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, on Friday, June 16, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. and continued by adjournment to such time or times, as the City Treasurer shall designate such properties shall be sold for unpaid taxes which have been assessed against said properties. The following schedule shows (opposite each numbered property or properties) the City, School and County taxes for 2022 and prior years as well as PWSA, demolition, and other municipal charges which are unpaid but does not include advertising, posting and lien charges all of which are legally due and must be paid prior to the above date and time of sale in order to avoid sale. Names shown are those of owners, lienholders, or other known interested parties who may retain a legal interest in the property described. Said Sale will be made without prejudice to any other liens or claims of the City, School District of Pittsburgh or County of Allegheny, for any other unpaid taxes, or other municipal charges and claims, whether liened or not, against the respective property which have been inadvertently omitted and not included herein.

TERMS OF SALE: As soon as the property is struck down, the purchaser shall:

(1) Immediately pay the advertised amount by cashier/certified check or cash set forth opposite the particular property sold. Payment must be in cash, certified check or cashier’s check.

(2) Any amount bid in excess of the upset price must be received in the Department of Finance on or before 2:00 P.M. the day of sale. Funds to be paid by cash, certified check or cashier’s check.

(3) Pay any and all other City, School and County tax claims and municipal charges and claims, whether liened or not, together with any penalty and interest, advertising cost, posting cost and County Department of Court Records’ costs owed against the property purchased upon demand after the sale.

(4) Failure to comply with item 3 will result in the initial payment being forfeited and the sale being canceled.

For information call the Office of the City Treasurer, City of Pittsburgh, City-County Building, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Phone: (412) 255-2525

Jennifer Gula, Treasurer, City and School District of Pittsburgh

America’s Best Weekly

315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Classifieds

412-481-8302 Ext. 134

E-mail:

ads@newpittsburghcourier.com

Deadline/Closing/Cancellation

Schedule for copy, corrections, and cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS… THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

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

INFORMATION SECURITY

SPECIALIST

ALLEGHENY COUNTY D/B/A PITTSBURGH REGIONAL TRANSIT REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NO. 23-14

Port Authority of Allegheny County d/b/a Pittsburgh Regional Transit (“PRT”) is requesting proposals for the performance of the following service (“Contract Services”):

LEGAL SERVICES

The work under the proposed Agreement consists of legal services to PRT in the fields of law for (1) Public Liability Defense; (2) Workers’ Compensation; (3) Labor Contract Negotiation, Application and Related Labor Matters; (4) Human Resources and Employment Law; (5) Public Sector Procurement, Real Estate and Environmental; (6) Financial Services; (7) Police Advisory and Criminal Law; (8) First Amendment, Right-to-Know Law and other Public Sector Legal Matters; (9) Right-toKnow Law and Related Records Production Matters; (10) Intellectual Property Matters; and (11) General Municipal Legal and Agency Governance Matters. PRT currently intends to create a pool of up to five lawyers and/ or law firms to provide legal services for each field of law noted above, that can be called upon on an as-needed basis. Proposals may be submitted to provide legal services for one or more of the identified fields of law. The Agreement will be for a 5-year period with the option to extend the term of the Agreement up to 3 additional years at the sole discretion of PRT.

A copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP) will be available on or after May 23, 2023 and can be obtained by registering at the PRT’s ebusiness website: http://ebusiness.ridePRT.org and following the directions listed on the website. Please note that Proposers must register under the ebusiness category of PSLEG -Pro Legal for this RFP. Proposers may also register in other categories for any future RFPs issued by PRT. If you have specific questions regarding this RFP, please contact Fred Buckner at (412) 5665467 or via email fbuckner@ridePRT.org.

An Information Meeting for interested parties will be held at 11:00 a.m., prevailing time, June 15, 2023 via Microsoft Teams video conference and/or conference call to answer any questions regarding this RFP.

To join by Microsoft Team video conference:

· bit.ly/437wtsc

To join by Microsoft Teams call-in number:

· 412-927-0245, United States, Pittsburgh (Toll)

· Conference ID: 630 295 12#

Electronic proposals must be both received, and time stamped by a representative of the Procurement Department through PRT’s Ebusiness website at or before 2:00 p.m., prevailing time, June 30, 2023, at http://ebusiness.ridePRT.org. Proposals received or time stamped by a Procurement Department representative through PRT’s Ebusiness website after the advertised time for the submission of proposals shall be non-responsive and therefore ineligible for award. Each Proposer shall be solely responsible for assuring that its proposal is timely received and time stamped in accordance with the requirements herein.

This Contract Services may be funded, in part, by, and subject to certain requirements of, the County of Allegheny and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The proposal process and the performance of the requested services will be in accordance with guidelines and regulations of the FTA “Third Party Contracting Guidelines”, FTA Circular 4220.1F, as amended, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

PRT, in compliance with 49 C.F.R., Part 26, as amended, implements positive affirmative action procedures to ensure that all Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (“DBEs”) have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts financed, in whole or in part, with federal funds, if any, provided under or for the proposed Agreement.

In this regard, all recipients or contractors shall take all necessary and reasonable steps in accordance with 49 C.F.R., Part 26, to ensure that DBEs have the maximum opportunity to compete for, and perform contracts and subcontracts for, the Contract Services.

PRT, in compliance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, as may be amended, also requires that certified Diverse Businesses, (“DBs”) have the maximum opportunity to compete for, and perform contracts and subcontract for, the Contract Services. In this regard, all Proposers, and the Contractor, shall make good faith efforts, in accordance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, to ensure that DBs have the maximum opportunity to compete for, and perform contracts and subcontracts for, the Contract Services.

Further, proposers and the Contractor shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, disability, national origin, sex, sexual origin, gender identity or status as a parent in the award and performance of contracts or subcontracts for these Contract Services

PRT reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

The Sports & Exhibition Authority will receive sealed bids for Emergency Generator Controller Replacement as identified below for the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. 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 the Sports & Exhibition Authority 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, Attention: Lucas Kistler- E-mail: lkistler@pittsburghcc.com, Telephone: 412325-6179. Bid Packages may be obtained after the date identified below through Accu-Copy at (724) 935-7055. Additional information on the project can also be found of Accu-Copy’s website at https://accu-copy.com/plan-room

This Advertisement applies to the following Bid Package:

Project: David L Lawrence Convention Center Bid Package Name: Emergency Generator Controller Bid Package Available: May 26, 2023

Approximate Value: $25,000

Time/Date/Location for 10:00 AM, Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Non-Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting: DLCC – East Lobby 1000 Ft. Duquesne Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Time/Date/Location

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Meetings

BOROUGH OF AVALON

SPECIAL MEETING

Notice is hereby given that the Avalon Borough Council will hold a special meeting at 6:00 p.m. local prevailing time on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at the Avalon Borough Administration Building, 640 California Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15202. This meeting is open to the public.

Lorraine Makatura BOROUGH MANAGER

are available on May 31, 2023 through our website or in person.

To request an application be sent by e-mail contact us at castlegategreen@tcbinc.org or call (412) 770-1777 | TTY: 711.

Applications may also be picked up in person at Hillcrest Senior Residences (2848 Brownsville Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15227) for the following days:

Mailed to: Attn: Castlegate Green Management 2848 Brownsville Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15227

• Selection by chronological order of application submissions.

• Asset & Use Restrictions apply.

• Preferences Apply.

• List of Amenities

For more information, language assistance, or reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities please call (412) 770-1117 | TTY: 711 or email castlegategreen@tcbinc.org. Visit www.Castlegategreen.com for more information about our brand-new community.

Professionally Managed by The Community Builders, Inc.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Help Wanted

SOFTWARE ENGINEER II RoadRunner Recycling, Inc. seeks a Software Engineer II in Pittsburgh, PA to Lead development in the foundation of external-facing applications. Reqs. MS+2 or BS+5 yrs. exp. 100% telecommuting role. Reports to company headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA. Can work remotely or telecommute. To apply mail resume to RoadRunner Recycling, Inc., Attn: HR Immigration, 1 PPG Place, FLR 33rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Must reference Job Title & Job Code: 000009.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit is seeking an Information Security Specialist to lead and maintain technical and human-centered initiatives centered around Information Security for Port Authority of Allegheny County d/b/a Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT). Maintain policies, procedures, standards, and documentation to assess, monitor, report, escalate and remediate IT risk and compliance issues. Use knowledge and skills obtained through education and experience to evaluate business objectives, derive technical requirements, and develop secure, reliable, and efficient security solutions for the business. Work collaboratively with PRT’s technical personnel, Internal Audit and external auditing agencies in the design and implementation of audit, risk assessment and compliance practices for IT. Advise IT and management on the status of technology risks and compliance issues based on assessment results and information from various monitoring systems. Implement mitigation strategies and approaches based on both audit and assessment feedback and management participation. Provide oversight regarding audit, regulatory and risk assessment activities across all IT functional areas. Perform independently with general direction from management.

Essential Functions:

• Develop, lead, and assist in human-centered information security awareness, training, informational campaigns, and other activities focused on ensuring that internal customers are well-prepared for Information Security risks.

• In support of secure authentication environment, process password reset requests and further the implementation of single sign-on and self-service authentication management.

• Monitor and analyze alerts to identify security issues for remediation.

• Support the implementation of critical security controls as they relate to PCI/HIPPA and risk assessments.

• Assist in ensuring the integrity and protection of networks, systems, and applications by technical enforcement of organizational security policies through monitoring of vulnerability scanning devices and software review.

Job requirements include:

• BA or BS in Information Security, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, or related field from an accredited school. Directly related experience plus certifications may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

• Knowledge of information security standards (e.g., PCI/DSS, ISO 17799/27002, etc.), along with rules and regulations related to information security and data confidentiality.

• Ability to develop and execute:

• Information Security training (both live and recorded)

• policies and standards

• and network penetration testing (and evaluation)

• Ability to evaluate vulnerability assessments, risk analysis, contract review, management of gap remediation and compliance testing.

• Strong analytical and problemsolving skills are necessary.

• Strong documentation and organizational skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication and inter-personal skills.

• Demonstrated ability in the use of Microsoft 365 platform.

• Valid PA driver’s license. Preferred attributes:

• Ability to employ risk identification/ analysis of desktop, server, application, database, and overall network security principles.

Estate of JAMES STEELE YOUNT JR., deceased of Pittsburgh No. 3655 of 2023, Rebecca Elizabeth Yount McKenzie, Admrx., 143 South Bayshore Drive, Columbiana, OH 44408 Or to c/o Andrew C. Goodermote, Esquire, Scolieri Beam Law Group, P.C. Attys. 1207 Fifth Avenue, Suite 200 Bldg., Pittsburgh , Pa. 15219

Mark M. Ondos, Administrator, 30 Club Drive E, Pittsburgh, PA 15236 or to ROBIN L. RARIE, Atty; BRENLOVE & FULLER, LLC., 401 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017

• CISSP, GSEC, GIAC, or other security certifications are desired (training for these can be provided by Authority, if necessary)

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