Npcourier9 17 20o

America’s best weekly Friends, family gather to celebrate the life of Dick Gregory

World’s oldest woman Violet Brown dies at 117

Williams: Billions in ALCOSAN business up for grabs

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International A2

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Pittsburgh Courier www.newpittsburghcourier.com

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Vol. 109 No. 38

Two Sections

Published Weekly

SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2017

Amazon might come to Pittsburgh Will it bring more jobs for Blacks?

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

All other business took a back seat at the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh’s September board meeting as the directors unanimously approved spending $50,000 to hire Downtown-based Maya Design—owned by Massachusetts-based Boston Consulting Group—to help entice Amazon to locate its second corporate headquarters in Pittsburgh.

“A lot of people are looking at this as a ‘Hunger Games’ competition between cities. We think we’re on the short list. So, we’re swinging for the fences with this proposal,” said authority board chair Kevin Acklin. “It’s an economic opportunity unlike any in a long time. Even if we miss, (our) urban site, with sustainability, pedestrian-friendly features, the ability to attract talent, proximity to Pitt and CMU, it might attract a distribution or (research and development) facility.”

The HQ2, as it’s being called, could bring up to 50,000 jobs with it over the next decade and as much as $5 billion in investments.

Hiring Maya, Acklin said, made SEE AMAZON A4

$1.00

Austin Davis announces run for Gergely’s state House seat AUSTIN DAVIS

Could become third African American State Representative in Western Pennsylvania

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

Since first being tutored in public service by his godmother and former McKeesport Councilwoman Loretta Diggs, and later by then-Mayor, state Sen. Jim Brewster, Austin Davis has been bitten by the

political bug.

Now, having risen through the Democratic Party ranks to become an assistant to Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Davis has an opportunity to increase the number of African American state legislators in Western Pennsylvania to three, and the

first from outside the City of Pittsburgh—and he’s taking it.

On Sept. 12, Davis, 27, announced his run for the 35th district state House seat being vacated by state Rep. Marc Gergely, which includes Davis’ hometown of McKeesport, as well as Clairton, Duquesne, Lincoln, Munhall, South Ver-

sailles Township, Versailles, Whitaker, White Oak and parts of West Mifflin.

“I’ve lived here all my life and have seen the challenges the district has gone through, and thought the best way for me to serve was to run for this office,” SEE DAVIS A5

Pittsburgh’s Juneteenth Celebration to be held at Point State Park in 2018

by Christian Morrow

Square.

Pittsburgh’s Juneteenth CeleMarshall wrote in a New bration will, indeed, be held at Courier Staff Writer Pittsburgh Courier Letter to the The Point for the first time.

Editor (Aug. 2) that he sought “We’re very happy to have the For the last five years, Stop opportunity,” the Violence Pittsburgh founder a permit to hold Marshall told William B. Marshall has held COURIER EXCLUSIVE the Courier next year’s Juneteenth events celebrating exclusively, the 1865 emancipation of Blacks Juneteenth Celebration at Point State Park. Sept. 19. “So now, it’s just going in America at Market Square, However, he was told by park through the application process Downtown. The multi-day fesmanager Jacob Weiland he and making it happen. Howevtivals have included historical er, because of the timing of the jubilee parades, gospel groups, a would need a $10,000 refundable deposit.

Three Rivers Arts Festival, we’ll Kids Fun Zone, vendors, AfriNow, thanks to the sponsorbe having our event just a bit can dance troupes and national ship of the Heinz Endowments, later. It will be Saturday, June entertainment acts at Market

WILLIAM B. MARSHALL

23 and Sunday, June 24, and it will be called the ‘Juneteenth Celebration and Black Music Festival.’”

In the August 2 letter written

by Marshall that appeared in the Courier, Marshall said Weiland told him that in addition to the deposit, he would also have to take out a $300,000 insurance policy to cover all potential “property damage.”

“I explained to Mr. Weiland SEE JUNETEENTH A4

Familylinks celebrates third annual Recovery Day in East Liberty

by Christian Morrow

we’re here and that these services are available.”

Familylinks is one of only two recovery service proThough rain clouds viders in Allegheny County threatened, they didn’t that serves Medicaid stop the music, dancing patients, and it recently and fellowship of Famopened a Suboxone Clinic ilylinks’ Recovery Day to treat people trying to 2017, which highlighted shake opioid addiction the determination of its without having to resort to clients to end their dependency on drugs and alcohol methadone maintenance.

“If someone wants to get and reclaim their lives. off opioids, they can come “We want to celebrate this because there is a stig- in, meet with a doctor ma attached to dependency and get the correct dosage to address their level of even in recovery,” said CEO Fred Massey. “This is addiction,” Massey told the a family issue, dependence New Pittsburgh Courier.

“They also get outpatient affects the whole family. and group therapy to learn We want families and the how to avoid the triggers community to know that Courier Staff Writer

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RECOVERY DAY—From left; Shawn Durkin, Fred Massey, and Donna Kirn. (Photo

by J.L. Martello)

Louis “Hop” Kendrick says

that could lead to relapse. We can also put them in touch with partner organizations to address other needs.”

Several of those organizations were on hand at the celebration held at Familylinks senior center on North Highland Ave. in East Liberty, including Three Rivers Youth, Pittsburgh Health Clinic, Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, Kingsley Center, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Former Navy boatswain’s mate and Vietnam veteran Shane Anderson praised Familylinks for their work, and said he was there because he is committed to getting every homeless veteran that needs recovery services into treatment.

“I want to get all our veterans off the streets,” he said.

The celebration also included residents SEE FAMILYLINKS A4

Black mindset is the same, much is unchanged Forum B4

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INTERNATIONAL

SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2017

Violet Brown dies at 117; Japan woman now oldest in the world

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The world’s oldest person has died in Jamaica. Violet Brown was 117 years and 189 days old.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness expressed his condolences in a Facebook post, calling her “an inspiring woman.”

The woman known as “Aunt V” died Friday at a local hospital, where she had been treated for heart arrhythmia and dehydration.

With her death, the Gerontology Research Group lists Nabi Tajima of Japan was the oldest surviving person. She was born on Aug. 4, 1900.

Brown was born Violet Moss—or Mosse: Both spellings were sometimes used—on March 10, 1900, and spent much of her life cutting sugar cane near her home in the Duanvale district in western Jamaica.

A biography posted on the website of a foundation

‘AUNT V’—In this April 16, 2017 file photo, the world’s oldest person Violet Brown poses for a photo at her home in Duanvale, Jamaica. (AP Photo/Raymond Simpson, File) named in her honor said she was baptized at age 13 at the Trittonvale Baptist Church and remained a member throughout her life, long serving as organist. She credited her longevity to hard work and her Christian faith.

Her husband Augustus Brown died in 1997 and

the eldest of her six children died in April at age 97.

In an interview this year with The Associated Press, Brown said she was surprised but grateful to have lived so long.

“This is what God has given me, so I have to take it,” she said.

South Africa’s Johnny Clegg begins last international tour

JOHANNESBURG (AP)—South African musician Johnny Clegg, who has had chemotherapy and other treatment for pancreatic cancer, says he feels “fit and strong’’ as he begins his last international tour.

The 64-year-old Clegg told journalists Thursday that he is “dealing with another, parallel world that I live in with my diagnosis’’ ahead of shows in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia in the coming months. He performs Sept. 20 in Dubai.

The tour, scheduled to end in March, is called “The Final Journey.’’

Clegg blended Western and African musical styles in multi-racial bands during white minority rule in South Africa. His song “Asimbonanga,’’ meaning “We’ve never seen him’’ in Zulu, refers to South IN CONCERT—In this Nov. 6, 2010 file photo, Africans who grew up under apartheid, South African musician Johnny Clegg performs a when images of then-imprisoned Nelson dance routine during a concert in Johannesburg.

Mandela were banned.

Police in Zanzibar arrest 20 over homosexual activities

by Ali Sultan

Associated Press Writer

ZANZIBAR, Tanzania (AP)—Authorities in Tanzania’s semiautonomous region of Zanzibar have detained 20 people accused of engaging in same-sex activities, police said Saturday, the latest

incident in a crackdown on homosexuality in the East African country.

Twelve women and eight men were arrested following a police raid on a hotel where the suspects were attending a workshop, said regional police chief Hassan Ali. “Yes, we rounded them

Listen to Pittsburgh Profiles this week… with KQV reporter Elaine Effort as Pittsburgh School Superintendent Anthony Hamlet outlines his goals and expectations for this school year.

Elaine Effort

Pittsburgh Profiles heard on

KQV 1410 AM and at WWW.KQV.COM Friday, September 22 at 7:30 P.M. Saturday, September 23 at 7:00 A.M.

up because we suspect that they were engaged in homosexuality in Zanzibar, which is illegal in Zanzibar and is against the law of the country,’’ he said, adding that police “will intensify (their) vigilance against those groups.’’

Homosexuality is criminalized in Tanzania, and sex among men is punishable by jail terms ranging from 30 years to life imprisonment.

Tanzanian authorities recently have cracked down on homosexuals.

In September 2016, the government temporarily suspended HIV/AIDS outreach projects targeting gay men.

In February, the government stopped 40 privately run health centers from providing AIDS-related services, accusing them of catering to homosexuals.

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This Week In Black History

Week of September 20-26 September 20 1664—Maryland enacts the nation’s first “Anti-Amalgamation Law.” It specifically outlawed marriages between Black men and White women. Soon, several other colonies followed the Maryland example. It would not be until the 1960s that U.S. Supreme Court in the famous Loving v. Virginia case declared all such laws un-Constitutional. And even though it was not being enforced, it was not until 2000 that Alabama officially became the last state to strike from the books its law banning interracial marriages.

1830—The first National Negro Convention of Free Men meets in Philadelphia, Pa. Among a wide range of items on the agenda was a resolution encouraging free Blacks to boycott the purchase of items produced by RICHARD ALLEN slave labor. African Methodist Episcopal Church founder Richard Allen was elected president of the convention.

Despite the fact that Allen had founded the AME Church, the name of the convention also reflected an attempt by free Blacks to reduce identification with Africa. At the time, most slaves and many free Blacks tended to refer to themselves as “Africans.”

1958—A deranged woman stabs then-rapidly emerging civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. during a book signing ceremony at a Harlem, N.Y., department store. Rumors circulated that the stabbing was part of a government conspiracy against King but no evidence was ever produced to support the theory.

1984—“The Cosby Show,” starring comedian and activist Bill Cosby, debuts on NBC Television. It becomes one of the nation’s highest MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. rated television series and was widely praised by civil rights activists because of its generally positive portrayal of a Black middle-class family.

September 21 1872—John Henry Conyers becomes the first Black student at the U.S. Naval Academy. However, racism and often violent harassment forced him to leave the academy before he was able to graduate.

CAST OF “THE COSBY SHOW” 1905—The Atlanta Life Insurance Co. is established in Atlanta, Ga., and becomes one of the largest insurance companies in America serving a predominantly African-American clientele.

1984—Gen. Colin Powell becomes the first African-American named as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As the nation’s top military leader, Powell was praised by some Blacks as a role model while he was criticized for supporting what critics considered the government’s war-mongering policies. His generally positive reputation was damaged by his speaking before the United Nations and providing misinformation in 2003 in support of the Bush administration’s war in Iraq.

GEN. COLIN POWELL September 22 1863—Mary Church Terrell is born on this day in 1863.

She became one of the nation’s leading activists advocating greater education for Blacks and women. She was the first Black person to sit on the Washington, D.C., school board and played a major role in desegregating that city’s restaurants.

1961—The Interstate Commerce Commission officially prohibits segregation in buses traveling in interstate commerce. It also banned segregated terminal facilities even though the ruling was largely MARY CHURCH TERRELL ignored in many Southern states.

But during the mid-1960s civil rights activists would frequently cite the ruling as they integrated facilities throughout the South.

September 23 1926—Legendary jazz great John Coltrane is born on this day in Hamlet, N.C. He is generally credited with reshaping modern Jazz and setting a pattern which would be followed by generations of Jazz saxophonists.

1930—Singer-performer Ray Charles is born on this day in Albany, Ga. September 24 JOHN COLTRANE 1957—President Dwight Eisenhower orders federal troops into Little Rock, Ark., to prevent angry Whites from interfering with the integration of the city’s Central High School by nine Black students. The confrontation was one of the most dramatic during the early days of the Civil Rights Movement. Governor Orval Faubus had vowed to go to jail to block the court ordered desegregation of the school claiming that Whites would be destroyed if they integrated with Blacks. But the confrontation settled the issue of whether states had to obey orders issued by federal courts.

RAY CHARLES 1965—President Lyndon Johnson issues what is generally considered the nation’s first affirmative action order—Executive Order #11246.

It required companies receiving federal construction contracts to ensure equality in the hiring of minorities. Despite a disastrous war in Vietnam that would eventually force his resignation, the Southern-born Johnson generally supported a host of legislative and executive efforts beneficial to Blacks.

September 25 1861—The Secretary of the Navy authorizes the enlistment of free Blacks and slaves as Union sailors in a bid to help the North win the Civil War against pro-slavery Southern Whites who had proven more difficult in battle than the North had originally expected.

1962—In another one of those instances demonstrating the teJAMES MEREDITH nacity of racism among Southern Whites, Mississippi Gov. Ross Barnett defies a federal court order and personally stands in the door to block the admittance of a Black student—James Meredith—to the University of Mississippi. Meredith would eventually be admitted and graduate. Historians now generally believe Ross’ “show” was primarily designed to curry favor among White voters not actually to stop desegregation of the then-all-White university.

September 26 1867—Maggie L. Walker MAGGIE LENA WALKER is born. She would become the most prominent Black businesswoman in the Richmond, Va., area and one of the wealthiest Black women in the nation.

She also became the first Black woman to establish a bank in the nation. A social activist, she would help establish the Lilly Black political party in part as a slap at the “Lilly White” political parties of the day.

1907—The People’s Savings Bank is incorporated in Philadelphia by one of the nation’s early Black Congressman George H. White. White had been pretty much forced out of Congress as Jim Crow laws led to the increasing disenfranchisement of Black voters after Reconstruction.

IDA STEPHENS OWENS After leaving Congress, he turned his attention to Black economic advancement. His bank helped thousands of Blacks buy homes.

1929—Ida Stephens Owens is born. She would become the nation’s first Black female bio-chemist.

1937—Blues great Bessie Smith dies of injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Clarksdale, Miss.

Rumors spread that White medics refused to treat her.

However, later information did cast doubt on the accuracy BESSIE SMITH of those rumors.

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SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2017

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White House, Black college heads to meet amid strained ties

by Jesse J. Holland

followed the backlash after during his presidential school presidents posed campaign and Black HistoAssociated Press Writer with Trump for a photo in ry Month meetings, when WASHINGTON (AP)— college presidents posed for the Oval Office.

That led to calls from the President Donald Trump pictures with Trump in the colleges’ major advocates on Monday named a lawWhite House. yer and former NFL player But the annual gathering to postpone the annual National Historically Black as executive director of the in the nation’s capital for Colleges and Universities White House Initiative on those schools has been reHistorically Black Colleges duced to a two-day summit, Week Conference.

“It has become painsand Universities, as the ad- further aggravating college takingly clear that these ministration faces criticism officials. And Trump was promises are not being from those institutions of not in Washington to rekept,” said Rep. Alma promises unkept. ceive the visitors Monday.

Adams, D-N.C., who leads Jonathan Holifield, who Instead, he was in New also writes and consults on the topics of innovation and inclusiveness, told “Everyone’s uptight in this day and age with leaders and students that our current president and with what’s going HBCUs must contribute more to the American on. Things are out of control.” economy.

TY COUEY, president of the National HBCU Alumni “There is no path to sustain new job creation, Associations shared prosperity and enduring national compethe Congressional HBCU tition without the current York for the U.N. General Caucus. and increased contribuAssembly.

“In this current envitions of historical Black “Everyone’s uptight in ronment, and with zero colleges and universities,” this day and age with our Holifield told students at current president and with progress made on any of their priorities, it would be the Old Executive Office what’s going on,” said Ty highly unproductive to ask Building next to the White Couey, president of the HBCU presidents to come House.

National HBCU Alumni back to Washington,” she His appointment answers Associations. “Things are said. one complaint from the out of control.”

The week is normally leaders HBCUs, who are Advocates for the schools planned by the White making their second visit say there has been litHouse HBCU Initiative’s to the White House this tle to no action from the year amid strains with Trump administration. The executive director along with a presidential HBCU the Trump administration institutions have not seen advisory board, said over unfulfilled promises. increases in their funding Johnny C. Taylor, president Trump has said he would in Trump’s proposed budand CEO of the Thurgood move the office of historget, and they had to beat Marshall College Fund, a ically black colleges and back a White House push nonprofit organization that universities from the Edu- to call construction monhas supported public hiscation Department to the ey for historically Black torically black colleges and White House. He promised colleges and universities universities since 1987. support for the schools unconstitutional. All that Responding to “feedback from key stakeholders,”

the Education Department sent an email Sept. 5 saying it was “postponing this year’s National HBCU Week Conference” and replacing it with “more intimate conversations.”

Omarosa Manigault Newman, a HBCU graduate and assistant to the president and director of communications for the White House Office of Public Liaison, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview last week that the conference was simply scaled back. She said the White House intended to announce an executive director for the initiative on Monday.

Also announced Monday was a lineup of 62 HBCU “All-Stars”—students who serve as the initiative’s ambassadors to Black colleges.

The leaders were expected to discuss capital financing, improving student outcomes, alliances with the tech sector and post-secondary degrees.

Students are getting a tour of the White House, mentoring and a special tour of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

“President Trump’s commitment to the HBCU Community remains strong and unwavering,” Newman said in a statement. “Registration remains at capacity and we are looking forward to welcoming HBCU presidents, students and guests.”

Trump received 8 percent of the African-American

LEADERS MEET WITH TRUMP—In this Feb. 27, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump meets with leaders of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, file) vote during the election.

Since then, he has generated controversy through several statements, including saying last month said there were “very fine people” among the White nationalists, White supremacists and neo-Nazis protesting the possible removal of a Confederate statue in Charlottesville, Virginia.

“There is legitimate concern that some may want to use this event to protest, boycott or much worse, refuse to work with the Trump Administration and the Republican-controlled Congress,” Taylor said.

The White House is not the only game in town, Couey said.

“A lot of our time is not spent on Trump. He’s just one individual,” he said.

“We have many friends in Congress that we interact with; we have many

friends within the federal government. These are the people we’re dealing with, the people who actually get things done.”

Adams now plans to hold an inaugural “HBCU Brain Trust” meeting during the Congressional Black Caucus’ annual meeting.

“Despite the ongoing drama and unnecessary distractions of the president’s own making, we plan to move forward with opportunities for HBCU leaders to engage in substantive dialogues that put our schools and students first,” Adams said.

(Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this story.)

(Jesse J. Holland covers race and ethnicity for The Associated Press. Contact him at jholland@ ap.org, on Twitter at http://www. twitter.com/jessejholland or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jessejholland.)

Protests resume after 80 arrests in St. Louis unrest Friends, family gather to celebrate the life of Dick Gregory

signs, to city hall. Police

by Jim Salter and turned traffic away as the Summer Ballentine marchers blocked a busy St. Louis street during the Associated Press Writers rush hour crush. Once at city hall, they found their ST. LOUIS (AP)—A racially mixed crowd of dem- voices, chanting: “I know onstrators locked arms and that we will win.” The protesters then marched marched quietly through four blocks to a city court downtown St. Louis Monday morning to protest the building, where they chantacquittal of a White former ed again, then dispersed.

Also Monday, high school police officer in the killing students in at least two of a Black suspect, following another night of unrest suburban districts protested the Stockley ruling. and more than 80 arrests.

In Kirkwood, about 100 The latest action follows students walked out and three days of peaceful held a brief rally, while 250 protests and three nights students in Webster Groves of vandalism and unrest staged what school officials in the city that has been rocked since Friday, when a described as a peaceful demonstration. judge announced he found The recent St. Louis Jason Stockley not guilty in the 2011 death of Antho- protests follow a pattern seen since the August 2014 ny Lamar Smith. killing of Michael Brown Hundreds of riot police in nearby Ferguson: The mobilized downtown late majority of demonstrators, Sunday, arresting more though angry, are law-abidthan 80 people and seizing. But as the night wears ing weapons amid reports on, a subsection emerges, of property damage and a different crowd more vandalism. The arrests willing to confront police, came after demonstrators ignored orders to disperse, sometimes to the point of clashes. police said.

Protest organizer An“I’m proud to tell you the city of St. Louis is safe and thony Bell said he understands why some act out: the police owned tonight,” While change can come Interim Police Chief through peaceful protests, Lawrence O’Toole said at such as those led by Dr. a news conference early Martin Luther King Jr., Monday. years of oppression has Protesters marched caused some to turn viothrough St. Louis’ posh lent.

Central West End and the “I do not say the (unruly) trendy Delmar Loop area demonstrators are wrong, of nearby University City but I believe peaceful on Friday and Saturday. demonstrations are the On Sunday, more than best,” Bell said.

1,000 people had gathered Stockley shot Smith after at police headquarters and then marched without high-speed chase as officers trouble through downtown tried to arrest Smith and his partner in a suspected St. Louis. By nightfall, drug deal. most had gone home.

Stockley, 36, testified he Police officers in riot gear felt endangered because filled downtown St. Louis he saw Smith holding a Sunday night and made dozens of arrests when pro- silver revolver when Smith testers refused to disperse. backed his car toward the officers and sped away.

Peaceful protests were Prosecutors said Stockley held earlier over a former planted a gun in Smith’s police officer’s acquittal car after the shooting. The in a Black man’s shooting officer’s DNA was on the death. (Sept. 18) weapon but Smith’s wasn’t.

Soon afterward, buses Dashcam video from Stockbrought in additional officers in riot gear, and police ley’s cruiser recorded him saying he was “going to kill scoured downtown deep this (expletive).” Less than into the night, making arrests and seizing at least a minute later, he shot Smith five times. five weapons, according to Stockley’s lawyer disO’Toole. missed the comment as “We’re in control. This is “human emotions” during a our city and we’re going to dangerous pursuit. St. Louprotect it,” O’Toole said.

Mayor Lyda Krewson said is Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson, who said prosecuat the same Monday news tors didn’t prove beyond conference that “the days a reasonable doubt that have been calm and the Stockley murdered Smith, nights have been destructive” and that “destruction said the statement could be ambiguous. cannot be tolerated.”

Stockley left the police Early Monday, more than department and moved to 150 protesters marched arm-in-arm, some carrying Houston three years ago.

LANDOVER, Md. (AP)— Friends and family of Dick Gregory have gathered at a Maryland church in the suburbs of the nation’s capital to celebrate the life of the comedian and activist.

The service was held Saturday at City of Praise Family Ministries in Landover, Maryland.

Reena Evers-Everette, the daughter of slain civil rights activist Medgar Evers, says they gathered “to hear about the funny

DICK GREGORY (Scott Keeler /Tampa Bay Times via AP)

man, the straight man, who impacted our minds and impacted our hearts.’’

Gregory, who broke racial barriers in the 1960s, used his humor to spread messages of social justice.

His commentary led him into civil rights activism.

His talent as a comedian helped bring national attention to integration and social equality for blacks.

He died in Washington, D.C., last month at the age of 84.

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Amazon coming to Pittsburgh?

Juneteenth to be held at Point State Park in 2018

AMAZON FROM A1

JUNETEENTH FROM A1

that we provide up to $3,000,000 event insurance which also includes “renter’s premise insurance coverage,” Marshall wrote.

But still Weiland would not lift the fee.

According to the Point State Park website, the $10,000 refundable deposit is standard procedure.

Marshall also noted that Point State Park hosts three major events—the Three Rivers Arts Festival, Three Rivers Regatta and 4th of July Celebration, but no African American events.

“While Blacks make up 30 percent of Pittsburgh’s population, there are no minority events held at PSP,” Marshall wrote.

Marshall’s persistence seems to have paid off. In a Sept. 19 email to the Courier, Marshall gave thanks to the Heinz Endowments, state Sen. Guy Costa, and the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which manages the state parks, for everything working out.

“We told them how the event attracts people from across the state and out of state, and they said they may look at doing something at their other parks, too,” Marshall said.

MATTHEW BENJAMIN, THREE RIVERS YOUTH

Familylinks Recovery Day celebrated FAMILYLINKS FROM A1

of Familylinks’ Family Treatment Center, which provides residential treatment for pregnant women suffering from addiction and for women with young children.

Latya Hamer, 33, said she’s been at the residential facility in Allentown since October 2016, and is now able to fully enjoy her daughter, Taylor. “This is an awesome program. It saved my life,” she said.

“They were the only ones who would take me, being eight months pregnant. They have a great staff, doctors, wonderful

nurses. It’s a safe place for me and Taylor— who’s a handful. But it’s cool, very cool.”

Janel S., who is in recovery for alcohol dependency, and who also has her daughter with her at the residential facility, also praised the program, but said it isn’t easy. “I didn’t think I was an alcoholic, I thought I could drink successfully. Then I thought I could stop by myself—that, too, was unsuccessful,” she said.

“I got to Familylinks in March and it’s made all the difference. At first, I’d go to meetings and say, ‘I’m not drinking this Kool-Aid,’ but I drank the coffee, and I stayed sober. I finally realized that I had to implement what I’d been learning. It’s made a world of difference.”

In addition to recovery services, Familylinks offers an array of services to families in need or in crisis. For more information, call 412-3437166 or visit www.familylinks.org.

KRISTEN STEPHENS, EAST LIBERTY FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER

sense because they were a key part of Pittsburgh’s Smart City federal transportation grant proposal last year, and many of those elements would be in play in attracting Amazon. The balance of the firm’s overall fee—not to exceed $248,000— would be made up from city, county and foundation funds.

Board member Jim Ferlo said the universities that would benefit from the HQ2 should “pony up” too, and that since it would be a regional job magnet, the URA and individual businesses should take an active role in promoting the employment assets throughout southwestern PA, western Ohio and West Virginia, rather than leaving it to entities like the Allegheny Conference.

Amazon said it wants a headquarters of up to 1 million square feet in a first phase and a total of 8 million square feet overall. It wants a site in a metro area of more than 1 million people with a stable and business-friendly environment and urban or suburban locations with potential to attract and retain strong technical talent.

It further stipulated the site be within 30 miles of a population center, within about 45 minutes of an international airport, no more than two miles from major highways, and have access to mass transit.

Acklin said the sites best suited to Amazon’s needs are not owned by government, so the authority will need “hard commitments” from developers and owners to make this work. The deadline for the application is Oct. 19.

In scheduled business, the board also approved recommending tax credit financing and exclusive negotiations for acquiring needed authority properties for several affordable housing initiatives, among them the New Granada Square Apartments.

As the New Pittsburgh Courier reported in July, the project involves new construction of 42 mixed income apartment units, plus first floor retail space, immediately adjacent to the historic Granada Theater. The project is being developed in partnership between McCormack Baron Salazar and the Hill Community Development Corporation.

The three other projects requiring authority approval: the 34 Doughboy Affordable living units in Lawrenceville; the Garfield Highlands 20-unit scattered site development, and the Mellon Orchard South Phase 147-unit development in East Liberty.

Keepin’ Our Community

CONNECTED

Memorial Community Lecture

SEPT. 28—The Hill House Association and UPMC will present the Walter Allen Memorial Community Lecture, 2 p.m. in the 2nd oor Conference room, in the aufmann Center, 1835 Centre Ave. Dr. oldie S. Byrd, director of the Center for Outreach in Al heimer’s Aging and Community Health will present Al heimer’s Disease: ngaging Families and Communities in Response to a rowing Health Crisis. The lecture is free and refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP by Sept. 21 to Melita Terry at 412692-2712 or email at terrymh@upmc.edu.

Soul Food & Live Jazz Night

OCT 14 The Rivers Club will host a Soul Food & a Night event, 6-10 p.m. Bring your family, friends & co-workers or if you can’t make it pass it along to someone you know will enjoy good southern cooking and dancing to work off the fabulous meal. If you enjoy BBQ Ribs, Fried Chicken, Catfish, Candied ams, reens, Salads and many more...lots of ama ing desserts then this is the place to be. The evening will feature live ja music by Lyndsey Smith & Soul Distribution along with Charles Tubby Daniels and for your dancing pleasure D Nick Nice. Advance reservations are required, $45 for members, $50 for non-members ( xcluding Alcohol), contact olanda ingate at 412-391-5227 or by email olanda.wingate clubcorp.com.

SASHIA AND MELISSA LOVE THE COURIER!

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

METRO

SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2017

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Austin Davis, 27, running for state House seat DAVIS FROM A1

officially resign. Following that, House Speaker Mike Turzai has 10 days to schedule a special election, likely in January or February 2018.

In addition to serving as Fitzgerald’s aide, heading constituent services, serving as liaison to municipal and elected officials, and representing Fitzgerald on county boards and foundations, Davis is also vice chair of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee.

With no other Democrats as yet announcing a run, Davis is a strong favorite to take the seat. Committee Chair Nancy Mills said last week that Davis has nearly unanimous support from the committee people and chairs, and she is “sure he will be the nominee.”

But no Democratic rivals does not mean he is unopposed. On Sept. 13, Walker Montgomery announced she would again run for the seat on the Republican side. Davis said he believes his close relationships with current state representatives, state senators, the county executive and U.S. Representatives gives him AUSTIN DAVIS was a member of the New Pittsburgh Courier’s Fab the edge.

40 in 2013.

“I think it’s important to elect someone who has Gergely won relationships with people re-election like Jay Costa, Jim to the 35th Brewster and Mike Doyle District seat because it’s going to take a in November, team effort to turn things beating Rearound for the district,” he publican chal- said. “And I think I bring lenger and more of that to the table McKeesport than the other candidate.”

Councilwoman V. Fawn Walker Montgomery.

In August, Gergely pleaded guilty to conspiracy and accepting illegal campaign contributions and will be sentenced Nov. 6, and will AUSTIN DAVIS AND BILL CLINTON, 2016

Davis said in an exclusive interview with the New Pittsburgh Courier. “I’m not a newcomer, I’m a lifelong volunteer in the district and I believe this is a great opportunity to move the district forward.”

Legislatively, Davis said he plans to focus on four priorities: Jobs, education, transportation and public safety.

“We’re not going to see a reduction in crime without families sustaining jobs.

We need to support and foster Marcellus Shale development and related jobs,” he said.

“At the same time, we need a robust transportation system that not only facilitates these industries, but also allows people to get to work—especially to the tech and med job center in Oakland and Pittsburgh’s East End. Local law enforcement needs more resources to reduce crime, and with a lot of it stemming from a drug component, we’re going to increase treatment options.”

Despite being indicted on corruption charges related to facilitating illegal gambling in the Mon Valley,

AUSTIN DAVIS, with wife, Blayre. The two were married on Sept. 1, 2017. (Photo by Mecca Gamble)

Austin Davis Fun Facts: High School: McKeesport, 2008 College: University of Pittsburgh, Political Science, 2012 Married Blayre Holmes Davis on Sept. 1, 2017 Favorite Food: “Anything my mom cooks.”

I am a…: “Big movie fan. Action, suspense, comedy, Marvel and DC superhero movie aficionado. No scary movies.”

Favorite music artist: Jay-Z Favorite Quote: In the words of Langston Hughes, “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.”

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OPAL

SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2017

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Tips for choosing the Medicare plan that’s right for you (BPT)—Fall and winter don’t just bring cooler temperatures and the holidays —the final seasons of the year also mean open enrollment for Medicare. For most seniors in the United States, the period between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7 is the only time they can switch or make changes to their Medicare insurance plan.

“As people age, their health care needs evolve,” says Dawn Maroney, chief growth and strategy officer for Alignment Healthcare.

“When that happens, they may find the Medicare plan they first chose when they became eligible no longer meets all their needs. This open enrollment period is their yearly opportunity to re-evaluate whether to continue with their plan or switch to another, with changes becoming effective the first of the new year.”

Medicare basics Most Americans are aware that Medicare is a government program designed to ensure people older than 65 have access to affordable health insurance. The program can also cover people younger than 65 who have certain disabilities.

The Medicare program has four parts, according to Medicare.gov: A, B, C and D. •Medicare Part A helps pay for in-patient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility and hospice care.

•Medicare Part B helps cover care by doctors or other health care providers, outpatient services, some medical equipment and some preventive services.

•Medicare Part C (also known as Medicare Advantage) covers everything included in parts A and B, and usually includes Medicare prescription drug coverage as part of the plan.

Medicare Advantage plans may include extra benefits and services for an extra cost. Medicare-approved

private insurance companies, such as Alignment Healthcare’s Alignment Health Plan, run Medicare Advantage plans.

•Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescription medications and is run

by Medicare-approved private insurance companies.

Original Medicare versus Medicare Advantage Most people think of Medicare parts A and B as Original Medicare, in which the government pays directly for the health care services received. People with Original Medicare can see any doctor and hospital that accepts Medicare in the country, without prior approval from Medicare or their primary care physician. Most people do not pay a monthly premium for Part A if they paid taxes while working; everyone pays a monthly premium for Part B, based on income. The standard

premium for Part B in 2017 was $134 per month, which is deducted from the individual’s Social Security benefits.

Original Medicare pays for about 80 percent of the total costs of health care.

The patient is responsible for the remaining 20 percent, which can mean high out-of-pocket costs in the event of a hospitalization or other events requiring significant medical attention. To offset the financial burden of that 20 percent, some people choose to purchase supplemental insurance, called Medigap.

Private insurance companies offer Medigap to cover things Medicare doesn’t, such as deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance—but, keep in mind, Medigap only supplements Original Medicare benefits.

Further, if you do not apply for Medigap in the first six months of becoming eligi-

ble, there’s no guarantee that an insurance company will sell you a Medigap policy.

With Medicare Advantage, government-approved private companies administer health plans that cover everything Original Medicare does, but can do so with different rules, costs and restrictions that can change every year. For example, a private Medicare plan may require your physician to request permission before performing a procedure in order to be paid by the plan. Medicare Advantage plans, however, usually cover extras that Original Medicare does not, like dental care, vision services, hearing exams and gym memberships.

Most Medicare Advantage plans also include prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D), which is not included in Original Medicare, at no additional

not be eligible for additional Medigap coverage.

•Are you still working past age 65? If so, you will probably want to enroll in Part A, because there generally are no monthly premiums, and it may supplement your employer’s insurance plan. You might choose to delay enrolling in Part B, but it depends on your health coverage. Everyone has to pay a monthly premium for Part B. •Is it more important to you to have lower or no premiums or lower out-ofpocket costs? With Original Medicare, you may pay more out of pocket without supplemental insurance and prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage includes supplemental insurance and sometimes prescription drug coverage, too.

•How important is it to keep your doctor? Original Medicare is accepted by any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, without referral. Medicare Advantage plans allow you to secost. If you elect to enroll lect a doctor from the plan in a Medicare Advantage network, which is usually plan, you still have Medivery large; your current care—this means that health care providers are you must still pay your likely to be in the network monthly premiums for already. parts A and B, in addition •Do you regularly take to a monthly premium for prescription medication Part C, if applicable. Many for chronic conditions?

Medicare Advantage plans Prescription drug coverage are available for no addiis not included in Original tional monthly premium.

Medicare, and if you fail to Considerations sign up for Part D at the when choosing time you enroll, you could When choosing between pay a penalty for adding Original Medicare and it later. Most Medicare Medicare Advantage, you Advantage plans do cover should consider these prescription drugs. questions: “Medicare Advantage •How likely is it your allows patients to receive health needs will change the care they need to stay down the road? Since well and keeps their budhealth changes as you age, gets in check with set costs chances are your treatment and annual maximums,” needs will, too. If you don’t Maroney says. “It’s an ideal enroll in the additional solution for patients who insurance and drug coverneed frequent care or who age when you first sign up struggle to meet medical for Original Medicare, you expenses.” may pay a monthly penalty (To learn more about Medicare, for enrolling later and may visit www.Medicare.gov. )

PEOPLE

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2017

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‘When I retire from this profession, I want to be remembered as a police officer who cared about people and would do anything to help someone.’

PITTSBURGH POLICE OFFICER Antoine Davis is an ardent supporter of Pittsburgh’s African American community.

Officer Davis wants the best for his community

by Paige K. Mitchell For New Pittsburgh Courier

In the words of Pittsburgh Police Officer Antoine Davis, as a police officer it is mandatory that you are honest, have integrity, courage, compassion, and are respectful.

“I sometimes find it difficult to be a police officer during this era because of social media,” he said in an exclusive interview with the New Pittsburgh Courier. “Every day you can find a video showing a police officer having a negative encounter with someone.

This creates the perception that all officers are racist, violent, and untrustworthy.

Some people who have never personally experienced an encounter with a police officer will believe these things they often see and hear, and instantly believe it to be true that all officers are this way. Bad publicity makes it difficult for us to do our job at times.”

Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and more have been flooded with videos and articles of innocent and unarmed individuals being shot, killed, and treated in an unjust manner by men in blue with badges. Social media has been consumed by these stories since the 2012 Trayvon Martin ordeal. These repeated occurrences have led many Americans to see police officers as the enemy.

“I have experienced racism and being racially profiled all my life, being a Black man and growing up in the hood; I can relate. My heart hurts for those who lost their lives, Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, etc.,” Officer Davis said.

“The way I engage with people to break the negative

stigma of police officers is by letting them get to know who I am as a person. I tell people all the time that you cannot place everyone in the same category. You will find in every profession, good and bad people.

If a person encounters a bad waiter or waitress at a restaurant, it shouldn’t mean they shouldn’t eat out anymore. I believe you should treat people based on the way you are being treated under the circumstances,” Officer Davis said.

Officer Davis decided that he wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement during his childhood, growing up in the Hill District in the early ‘90s. “I witnessed a lot of violence, crime, and drug addiction. I wanted to do something to help my community and the people I care about. I believed that if I became a police officer I would get the opportunity to help those that cannot help themselves.”

Before achieving his career goal in law enforcement, Officer Davis worked at Federal Express.

Officer Davis is a Community Resource Officer, and engages heavily within the City of Pittsburgh. He attends community events, gives presentations at schools and churches, mentors young men and women, and provides resources and education to adults. He even had the opportunity to meet artist Jennifer Hudson while working her event a few months ago, Downtown.

Although Officer Davis has experienced some exciting moments within his career, he says his most memorable moment, unfortunately, was when he had to tell a mother that her 16-year-old child had been shot several times and killed.

“When I retire from this

profession, I want to be remembered as a police officer who cared about people and would do anything to

help someone,” Officer Davis said. “I want people to understand that every day we put our uniforms on and

risk our lives to save others. At the end of the day, none of us are guaranteed that we will return home to

our families. If I can bridge the gap between police and community, my legacy will be fulfilled.”

ENTERTAINER New Pittsburgh Courier

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SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2017

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

‘Narcos’ is back, and it’s an instant hit

by Merecedes J. Howze For New Pittsburgh Courier

THE CAST of “The Scottsboro Boys,” playing through Sept. 24 at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.

‘The Scottsboro Boys,’ a must-see piece of cruel déjà vu

by C. Denise Johnson For New Pittsburgh Courier

When you enter Rauh Auditorium at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, please leave Uncle Tom in the lobby. He isn’t ready for what you’re about to experience.

The last time CMU faculty member and director Tome Cousin got his hands on history, he reconstructed “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” and Tom became “woke.”

First, some background: When “The Scottsboro Boys” hit Broadway in 2010, it earned mixed reviews. Critics ranged from aghast and appalled to brilliant and daring. There was more consternation when it received 12 Tony nominations. That was in part because of the team of John Kander and Fred Ebb (they wrote music and lyrics for “Cabaret” and “Chi-

C. DENISE JOHNSON

cago”) who’ve established themselves as provocateurs with no qualms of throwing shade whilst entertaining you. Cousin eagerly follows their lead.

Now, the review: When the play opens to minimal props and lots of bare stage, the focal point is a garish red curtain with gold tassels and trim that lends a vaudeville-esque vibe.

The year is 1955 (the year 1 4 - y e a r- o l d Emmett Till was lynched).

A solitary lady seems to be daydreaming, perhaps pondering the similarities; the nine Scottsboro boys were about the same age (1219) when arrested while “hobo-ing” on a train bound for Memphis. They too were falsely accused, but they were charged with raping two White women.

I admit I approached the show with trepidation because I was hearing chat-

ter about Blackface and minstrels. Yes, there are cringe-inducing moments and there are plenty of innuendo and irony, but beyond the satire you see an obscenely-talented ensemble who leave everything— acting, dancing and singing—on the stage; to single them out would take up more space than available.

Some will find “The Scottsboro Boys” a tasteless

rendition of a horrific piece of history that still plays out to this day. Those not familiar with the story will be compelled to learn more.

You will also receive a cultural history lesson reflecting the cruel nature of Jim Crow during the first half of the 20th century, and wonder how and why we continue to repeat the past instead of learning from to go forward.

Despite the sensationalistic nature of the work, you will end up on your feet at its conclusion feeling that you’ve been thoroughly entertained and wonder if we will doom to continue repeating an ugly history.

(Tickets to see “The Scottsboro Boys” are available at www.pittsburghplayhouse.com or 412-3928400. The play runs until Sept.

24)

“THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS” CAST

Is the new iPhone X worth the Price?

by Robert S. Johnson For New Pittsburgh Courier

On Sept. 12, from the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, Calif., the world was introduced to the new must-have by Apple: the tenth anniversary iPhone, officially named the iPhone X. It will feature an all-glass and stainless steel body, a 5.8 inch edge-to-edge

ROBERT S. JOHNSON, ON TECH/FASHION

screen with no home button, a 12-megapixel camera with lighting and editing features, facial recognition (which replaces Touch ID), wireless charging and more.

We all watched and shared our thoughts on social media about what we liked about the phone, but we all debated…the cost.

Apple priced the 64-gigabyte iPhone X at $999 and the 256-gigabyte phone at $1,149. Preorders for the iPhone X will be taken by Apple and your phone carrier’s website on October 27, with a release date of November 3.

So, everybody’s asking, “Is this iPhone X really worth the price?”

I think so. First, you have to take a look at what you have now. If you have the iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, like I do, and you want to upgrade, the X is the move to make.

I can’t wait to experience the 12-megapixel camera

APPLE UNVEILED its new iPhone X on Sept. 12, to thunderous ovation and acclaim. (Photo courtesy Apple) and learn the new studio effects, “go live” on Instagram, Facebook and Facetime, stream new episodes of “Empire” and “Scandal” on the new 5.8-inch screen, play my music using the stereo speakers, use facial recognition instead of

Touch ID, and the list goes on. iPhone X will let you make an animated emoji built from your facial features and voice, adding fun to your texts.

If you have an Android phone and wanted an iPhone, the X will be a nice

move, since some of the features you know how to use will be on iPhone, so the move will be easier and you can have fun faster.

Speaking for the members of “#TeamiPhone,” I have waited for Apple to catch up with the current phones and adding to it.

I’m glad it took the 10th anniversary for iPhone X to happen. Getting this phone and paying for it over time, like many of us will do, we won’t have to worry about those yearly upgrades for a while.

Overall, the price of the iPhone X may have you asking many questions. But as I have told my friends, all major cellular networks, including Apple, will offer payment plans and leasing options that can be added to your monthly bill, just as you’ve done with your past iPhones.

The iPhone X hits stores Nov. 3. I say go get it.

Just when you thought the story ended with the death of Colombian drug Lord Pablo Escobar, Netflix’s “Narcos” is back for Season 3 with a totally different storyline.

Still in the cocaine-infested country of Colombia, but the focus has shifted to the Cali drug cartel.

In the third season’s 10 episodes, released on Sept.

1, DEA agent Pena (Pedro Pascal) has returned to capture the four godfathers of Cali. Similar to the first two seasons, the corruption and violence continues when the biggest drug cartel doesn’t go down without a fight.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, “Narcos” Season 3 is the top Netflix original show with 27.2 million viewers. Even compared to non-digital shows (Cable TV), “Narcos” Season 3 still ranks seventh overall in show popularity.

Other than HBO’s “The Wire,” I have never been this fascinated with illegal activity, drug distribution, and hardcore violence. “Narcos” created lovable characters on both sides of the law.

As ruthless as Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela (Francisco Denis) was, part of me still didn’t want him to go to jail.

It’s the same love and respect we had for Omar (Michael K. Williams) on “The Wire.” They weren’t model citizens, but they weren’t totally bad guys, either.

I absolutely adored the infusion of African American culture in this season. A DEA agent is spotted with a Wu-Tang T-shirt, and then moments later, Montell Jordan’s 1995 jam “This Is How We Do It” plays in the background. The infamous O.J. Simpson trial comes across the screen while a Colombian insisted that “The Juice” was innocent.

There weren’t many African Americans on the show, but the point was clear. We have such a huge influence all over of the world. The inclusivity of our culture is a testament to the success of African Americans, and how it spills over into homes all over the world.

If you don’t know how to read or don’t know Spanish, then you’ll have a difficult time keeping up this season.

Good thing I can read and I can speak un poquito de Español (a little bit of Spanish).

There were more subtitles than I can count. It takes a little bit of multitasking to keep up with the plot.

Hints were dropped in the season finale about a continuation. This time, the target will be Mexican drug cartels, possibly introducing the infamous Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. Can’t wait.

Nobody gives informative, entertaining Movie and TV Show reviews like the Courier’s Merecedes J. Howze…Read past reviews from Pittsburgh’s very own, at

newpittsburgh courier.com

PEOPLE

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2017

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Q&A with Edwidge Danticat,

Celebrated best-selling Haitian-American author and social activist

by Erv Dyer For New Pittsburgh Courier

(Part two of a series) In 1981, Edwidge Danticat came to Brooklyn, N.Y., from her native Haiti. She was 12 and adjusting to the American space that her immigrant parents had called home since the 1970s. In the years since, Danticat has become an accomplished author, writing about Haitian life and loss in historical and personal terms.

“I love building characters,” she said. “I draw from their emotional spaces, from memories of sadness.

I love investing in the character.”

In her newest book, “The Art of Death,” she writes about her mother’s death from cancer. The New York Times has described the book as “a kind of prayer… an act of mourning and remembrance, a purposeful act of grieving.” In the book, Danticat also writes about how other characters and writers, including Tolstoy, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, have dealt with death.

In her 2007 book, “Brother I’m Dying,” which won a National Book Critics Circle Award, she wrote about the deaths of her father and uncle.

A recipient of the prized MacArthur Fellowship, Danticat is the author of “Breath, Eyes, Memory,” an Oprah’s Book Club Selection; “The Farming of the Bones,” an American Book Award winner; and “Krik?

Krak!,” which was nominated for a National Book Award.

In this New Pittsburgh Courier “Q & A,” Danticat talks about her efforts to write about the humanity of Haiti, using her voice to help Haitians feel like they belong to America, and the Pan-African friendship between poet Langston Hughes and Haitian writer Jacques Roumain.

NPC: Your work does so much to lift the perception of Haiti from just being a “flat,’’ one-dimensional place to a place that is full of beauty and struggle. This fuller space is often seen in how you write about the imaginary location of Ville Rose.

Danticat: That’s right.

Ville Rose is real in my mind, but it’s a made-up place that’s based on where my mother was born and grew up in Leogane, about 15 miles outside of Port Au Prince. It’s where my

mother’s family is from and where I used to spend part of my summers visiting. I wanted to invent this fictional town. It’s a coastal town, but it has all these features of different coastal towns. I reuse it for different narratives, so it’s kind of my own village in Haiti that I created and live in all within my imagination.

NPC: That’s the beauty of your work. It puts humanity in these places where oftentimes we believe there is none.

Danticat: Exactly, in a town like Ville Rose, and in all of my work, it’s an opportunity to show Haiti’s history, culture, landscape, and the people all at once. I think it’s important to also show that people live with such grace and dignity, even under tough circumstances, and even though they still misbehave.

NPC: When you first came to America, you described life here as being very difficult, and that being Haitian was almost like being cursed.

Do you think that your voice helps Haitians and Haitian-Americans come to terms with that “curse?”

Danticat: When I came to America, it was really a difficult time. The conversation in all of the news was that Haitians were linked to HIV and it was like we were the only nation of people associated to be in the high-risk group.

When that happened, immediately people we knew and in our church lost their jobs...I think there were lots of people who thought every Haitian had it, and so it was just hard to go to school. We would get hit by kids, we wouldn’t be allowed to go on some field trips. It was really just terrible.

It was just a strange, like a very challenging moment to be a young kid. But over the years, there have been other evolutions (regarding Haitian image) and I hope I’ve been a part of helping in terms of self-esteem for kids. But there was also a confluence of many other elements, too, that led to better understanding, particularly as more Haitians became visible in politics, arts and other fields.

NPC: The Black American poet Langston Hughes met and had a great deal of literary respect for the Haitian writer Jacques Roumain. Did you know about this friendship?

Veteran Pittsburgh journalist and author Erv Dyer, PhD, along with other local journalists, will travel to Haiti in October. Space remains available for the Oct. 13-18 excursion that will explore the Citadelle, a world historic site, and have tours of national museums, arts centers and writers’ colonies. To inquire about joining Dyer on the trip, E-mail eedyerson@aol.com. To read the first part of the Courier’s three-part series on Dyer’s upcoming trip, visit newpittsburghcourier.com.

Danticat: I felt like that poet relationship with Langston Hughes, with Jacques Roumain in Haiti, would work hard to bring the African “song” into their writing. I think they really worked hard to give this Africa voice to what they were writing. Certainly, when Langston was in Haiti, when I read some of his work, even when he’s critical of what he’s seeing, I felt like he felt that he would be “incomplete” if he didn’t come to Haiti. I just felt like he was looking for a bit of himself in his travel to Haiti. They really had a great exchange in terms for Pan-African dialogue. Despite having to be introduced through letters, it was a very human relationship and friendship. I think Langston saw that the stories of Haiti

EDWIDGE DANTICAT (Photo credit Nancy Crampton) mattered, and he wanted to bring that back to the American people and make it accessible beyond just Haitians. But I think it went the other way, too; Jacques Roumain, for example, wrote about lynching in empathy with Black Americans. It really was a good kind of back and forth between them that showed a deeper understanding of how each felt about the issues that the other was dealing with.

NPC: What are you reading now?

Danticat: I’m reading “Exit West” by Mohsin Hamid. He wrote “The Reluctant Fundamentalist,” which I liked a lot. I like the way he writes. This new book is about people who are leaving different hot spots around the world, and just kind of showing up through these imaginary portals in other cities. It’s really powerful, and he’s a beautiful writer.

I’m also reading a manuscript; Tayari Jones’ new book, “American Marriage,” which is very powerful. It’s about a couple just newly married, and the husband is wrongfully accused of a crime and goes to prison, and then they have to kind of put their lives together while apart, and then also try to put it back together when he gets out. It’s very powerful, also very timely as well, just beautifully written.

LIFESTYLES New Pittsburgh Courier

A10

SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2017

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Debbie Norrell

Lifestyles Report On The Vineyard I made my first trip to Martha’s Vineyard right after Labor Day as part of the Sisters and Friends annual trip. This was year 11 for Sisters and Friends but a first visit for me. I was on their schedule to present one of my “thrift store” fashion shows to about 100 ladies.

Just the thought of thrift shopping gets me excited. I did most of my shopping before I left Pittsburgh and was able to round out the show with a few pieces found on Martha’s Vineyard.

I presented nine pieces that totaled $36. Some of the ladies who were attending Sisters and Friends volunteered to be models in the show.

In a few weeks you will get to see the pictures in the Courier from that week and learn more about the group and how you can also participate.

I promised the ladies some tips on successful thrift shopping. As you know, this type of shopping is not for the faint of heart and all thrift stores are not created equal. I was able to visit two thrift stores in Martha’s Vineyard but I must tell you, Pittsburgh thrift stores put theirs to shame. I guess I need to understand that the population on the island is not like a big city and people are not donating ball gowns and dressy clothing.

The one thing I did find interesting is you can go to the thrift store and sometimes find free furniture. I saw two wing back chairs that I would have snatched in a minute if I had a way to get them home. The other thing that I found funny was an antique store that was working on the honor system.

The store has closed for the season but they left a large amount of merchandise outside of the store with prices. I noticed a medicine cabinet for $10 and also a table for $10. All you had to do was leave the money in the box and take the item. I rode by the store at least three times and the merchandise did not disappear.

Now back to those thrift store tips. When you are shopping look the item over well.

Check for moth holes and stains. The last thing you want to do is bring home moths.

Often the reason something is in a thrift store is because it is stained and the previous owner could not get the stain out. Now that you are the new owner of the item you are going to have to guess what the stain is and then work on getting it out. I don’t have any magic potion on stain removal; if I did I would be rich. If the store has a dressing room, use it.

Don’t go by the size on the label. Another reason clothes have been given away is because they don’t fit or they have been improperly laundered. In short, the clothes have shrunk.

There is a lot of hidden treasure out there but if you don’t need it, leave it for someone else. More Sisters and Friends to come.

(Email Debbie at debbienorrell@aol.com)

TLC PASTOR NIECY DENNIS WHITE WITH HUSBAND SIR CURTIS WHITE

GRILL MASTER—Robert Dennis

MEMBERS OF THE TLC FAMILY—Kathy White and Khristie Kimbrough

TLC hosts back to school picnic

THE SLIP AND SLIDE WAS A HIT (Photos by Debbie Norrell)

by Debbie Norrell Lifestyles Editor

Children are back in school these days, but on Aug. 12 at the Monroeville Park, The Lord’s Church sponsored a back to school/end-of-summer picnic.

There were activities for everyone. Table tennis for the men, races, skee ball and kick ball for the family and slip and slide, face painting and hula hoop contests for the kids. Each

child left with a bookbag filled with school supplies.

Before the picnic began TLC held their Sunday church service in the park’s amphitheater.

They presented a very unusual fashion show featuring models with “labels” like bullied, inferior and hopeless.

The speaker explained that lapels are for ketchup and soda pop and not for people. Often people appear beautiful on the outside but are struggling on the inside.

THE LABEL OF “BULLIED”

They said there is a need to “disable the label.” In a symbolic way of getting rid of labels each member of the congregation wrote down labels that they were living with and put them in an urn and burnt them.

TLC has been holding this annual service for 10 years and in the last few years they have moved it outside. Messages are often played out in unique ways and teachable moments.

THE LABEL OF “HOPELESS”

BEAUTIFUL ON THE OUTSIDE

THE LABEL OF “INFERIOR”

RELIGION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

‘S.H.O.-TIME meets H.B.O.’

Church Circuit PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY

SEPTEMBER 24—Antioch Baptist Church, 332 Elizabeth Street, Sewickley, will celebrate their 6th Pastoral Anniversary with Reverend Travis C. Coon at 10:45 a.m. at the church.

Guest speaker will be Rev. Eric Johnson, Jerusalem Baptist Church, Duquesne.

The theme this year is “Called For Kingdom Building,” taken from Ephesians 4:11-12. Dinner will be served immediately after service. All are welcome.

Call 412-741-7688 for details, or visit www.antiochfwbaptistsewickley.org.

ANTIOCH FALL REVIVAL

WEDNESDAYS IN SEPTEMBER—Antioch Baptist Church, 332 Elizabeth St., Sewickley, will celebrate their Annual Fall Revival at 7 p.m. each evening.

Guest speakers will be Rev. Dr. Melvin Rippy, Macedonia Baptist Church, Wheeling (Sept. 6), Rev. Roy Sims Sr., Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Bellevue (Sept. 13), Rev. Michael Peterson, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Coraopolis (Sept. 20), and Rev. John Knight, Mt. Ararat Baptist Church (Sept. 27). Guest choirs will be present each evening as well. For more information, call 412-7417688.

JERUSALEM WOMEN’S DAY

OCTOBER 8—Jerusalem Baptist Church, 123 Steuben St. in the West End, invites all to celebrate Women’s Day. The 11 a.m. guest preacher will be Rev. Diane Hobson, pastor of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, Charleroi. The 3:30 p.m. guest preacher will be Rev. Katrina Organ, pastor of Beulah Baptist Church, Pittsburgh. The theme for the day is, “Hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5). Dinner will be served immediately after morning worship service. Rev. Theodore E. Pugh Sr. is pastor.

For more information, call 412-921-0822.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEXT CHURCH EVENT! We want to place your event in our Church Circuit weekly calendar!

Send info to: New Pittsburgh Courier 315 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh PA 15219 Or Email us! religion@ newpittsburgh courier.com

PASTOR AUDREY MCCARTER-HEDGEPATH

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Praise & Worship ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141 Mass Sunday 9:00 A.M. & 11:00 A.M. Sunday (Gospel Choir Mass) 11:00 A.M. www.stbtmchurch.org

METROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH

Women and men to come together at Rodman for an evening of praise

SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH ANNIVERSARY

SEPTEMBER 30 —Second Baptist Church, 108 W. 12th Ave. in Homestead, invites all to celebrate their 112th Church Anniversary. On Sept. 16 at 3 p.m., church ministers will present The Seven “I Ams of Jesus.” On Sept.

20 at 3 p.m. is the “Gospel Extravaganza.” The event culminates on Oct. 1 at the regular Sunday service, with the theme, “Let the Light Keep Shining.” For more information, call 412461-8235.

SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2017

22 Sampsonia Street, Northside Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412-231-2554 FAX 412-231-6395 Rev. Lacy F. Richardson, Ph.D., Pastor Church School.................................9:30 A.M. Worship Service.................8:00 & 10:45 A.M. Bible Study/ Prayer Wednesday...................6:30/7:30 P.M. www.metropolitanbaptistchurch.com metropolitanbaptist2224@gmail.com

East Liberty Presbyterian Church

BISHOP R. TIFF MCCARTER

Rev. Dr. Randy Bush, Senior Pastor 412-441-3800 116 S. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206

www.cathedralofhope.com

by Karen Harris Brooks For New Pittsburgh Courier

Acronyms appear to be the norm for “The Street.”

On Friday evening, Sept.

29 at 7 p.m., the Women of Power and Purpose (WOPP) of the Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church will present a unique revival in which Sistas Hangin’ Out will meet Home Boys Out; hence, “SHO-TIME meets HBO.” The uniqueness is that SHO-TIME is always reserved for women, and HBO is an evening of celebration limited to the male species. But on this particular Friday, women and men will come together for an evening of rejuvenation and praise.

Pastor Audrey McCarter-Hedgepath of the Greater Love Christian Community Church of Rocky Mount, N.C. and her brother, Bishop R. Tiff McCarter of the City Ministries of Durham, N.C., will bring a down-to-earth, brother-sister message from the southern state.

Rodman’s own Sonya Brown will be the featured Psalmist for this inspirational evening of unity and encouragement.

SHO-TIME is an opportunity to check problems

at the door and enjoy an experience of overflowing praise within. Reverend Taleeta L. Canady, Minister of Congregational Care, leads the Women of Power and Purpose. Also the First Lady of Rodman, Rev. Canady is determined to improve the lives of women...both spiritually and mentally. “SHO-TIME continues to grow. Women from all over the city come because they enjoy the messages of encouragement, uninhibited worship and fellowship with other women going through the same stuff,” Rev. Canady said. “It is the goal of this ministry to help women grow in their understanding and application of God’s Word...a place where women can mature in their relationship with Jesus Christ and be encouraged through fellowship with other women. Our theme this year is ‘Strength for the Journey’...how apropos.

We are all on this journey together praying for the strength to meet the challenges of life.”

Reverend Canady’s team of “gifted and hard-working” women presents a variety of activities which include spirit-filled educational retreats, conferences and workshops...a testimo-

ny of love for sisterhood.

Those who enter the doors of this powerful revival will walk away with a spiritual gift as Sistas Hangin’ Out meets Home

Boys Out. The church, under the leadership of Reverend Darryl T. Canady, is located at 6111 Rodman St. in Pittsburgh’s East End.

Journey Worship........8:45 a.m.

Sanctuary Worship...11:00 a.m.

New Destiny CME Church 1018 Bidwell St. Pittsburgh, PA 15233 412-231-7882 Rev. Kornelus Neal, pastor The Rt. Rev. Marvin Thomas Sr., presiding bishop Sunday School....................................9 A.M. Morning Worship Service............11:00 A.M.

Curious about Quakerism?

You Are Welcome at our Meetings for Worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Pittsburgh Friends Meeting 4836 Ellsworth Avenue 412-683-2669

PASTOR LINDA STEVENS of Jerusalem Baptist Church in Eastern Shore, Virginia, will be the featured speaker at the S.H.O.TIME women’s revival, at 7 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 22 at Rodman St. Missionary Baptist Church.

Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext.

128.

We are looking to feature our positive youth in the church communities. You can e-mail, fax or mail their bios and photo to:

New Pittsburgh Courier 315 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Fax: 412-481-1360 email: religion@newpittsburghcourier.com

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SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2017

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Charlene Crowell

Commentary

Equifax data breach leaves at least 143 million consumers at risk

Record-breaking back-to-back hurricanes in Houston and Florida brought unprecedented winds and rains affecting millions of Americans. Yet another storm just as brutal but financial in nature is also raging and affects at least 143 million Americans, as well as consumers in Canada and the United Kingdom: the Equifax data breach that took place from mid-May to July of this year.

On July 29, Equifax, one of the three major credit reporting corporations, discovered that unauthorized data access had occurred. Yet it was not until September 7 when the multi-national data breach was announced publicly. This massive cybersecurity breach includes federal income tax records, as well as employee records for government employees and those of Fortune 500 firms. Even recipients of major government programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security are affected.

For consumers, the personal information exposed to fraud and identity theft could mean a lifetime of closely monitoring and defending personal data to fight theft, fines and more. For businesses, questions will emerge as to whether millions of credit accounts were fraudulently opened and additionally whether they could be held partially responsible for its perpetuation.

In reaction to this cybercrime, a surge of federal class action lawsuits are going after Equifax. As many as 50 have been filed in at least 14 states and the District of Columbia as of September 12. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is reportedly examining what went wrong from a criminal perspective. On the civil side of the law, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is beginning its own independent investigation.

Now a growing number of bipartisan inquiries from Capitol Hill are demanding to know why these breaches of personally identifiable information (PII) came about, what actions Equifax took, and what the global firm intends to do on behalf of consumers whose names, birth dates, addresses, Social Security numbers and drivers’ licenses are all in jeopardy. Equifax also knew that an estimated 209,000 credit card holders and some 182,000 consumers in the U.S. who have a dispute on file with a creditor also had comprised PII. “This hack into sensitive information compiled and maintained by Equifax is one of the largest data breaches in our nation’s history and someone has to be held accountable,” said Congresswoman Maxine Waters, the Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee in an article for Business Insider.

“Given the important role credit scores play in the lives and financial futures of hardworking Americans, Congress must SEE EQUIFAX B2

PLANNING A STRATEGY—Dr. Donn S. Chapman, senior pastor of Cornerstone Ministries, and Dr. Howard B. Slaughter, Jr., president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh stand in the midst of the rehab work taking place at the house of Shawn and Ashley Moorefield. (Photo

by Diane I. Daniels)

‘We have a purpose to fulfill’

The Moorefields are brightening the lives of Pittsburgh’s kids and young women

by Diane I. Daniels For New Pittsburgh Courier

On any given day you can find Shawn and Ashley Moorefield working their traditional jobs.

Shawn, carrying out his lawn care duties; Ashley, working as a social worker. But the husband-and-wife team together operates a non-profit organization and are parents of a 9 and 6-year-old.

“We are busy,” said Ashley.

“But we believe we have a purpose to fulfill.”

Former Enright Court residents, the couple recently turned the home they lived in for 10 years into a transitional home for 18 to 23-year-old females with the hope to rehabilitate a home owned by her mother on Race Street in Homewood. The house, according to the Moorefields, needed at least $60,000 worth of work and took all their savings to make inhabitable. As a result, they needed help to complete repairs of the two-story building.

SHAWN AND ASHLEY MOOREFIELD, Familiar with the services pro- Serenity, 6. vided by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh, the Moorefields contacted the organization, just as they were in the midst of planning a partnership with Cornerstone Ministries to repair homes in the Homewood and Larimer communities. “This was a perfect house for our collaboration,” said Dr. Howard B. Slaughter Jr., president and

CEO. “Habitat Pittsburgh is a faith-based organization whose mission includes working with the ecumenical community in establishing homeownership and home repairs for families throughout Allegheny County.

Homewood and Larimer are Social Action communities, where many residents are working to bring about positive change.

The Moorefields are a great example of how situations happen to hard-working people trying to make a difference in their community.”

Because of the collaboration the first floor of the Moorefields’ home was completely rehabbed.

“The drywall is done, cabinets are hung and some windows were replaced,” said Ashley, confessing that they received more assistance that they expected. “We thought volunteers were going to work on the house one weekend, but they have returned for several weekends.”

Each year, Cornerstone Ministries, pastored by Dr. Donn S. Chapman, engages in Uncomwith son Shawn Jr., 9, and daughter mon Service Weekend to assist families who need home repairs of all types. Previously, Cornerstone’s 1,000 volunteers have primarily served in Westmoreland County. This is the first time Uncommon Service Weekend will extend into Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods. The Church suspends SEE MOOREFIELDS B2

Williams: Billions in ALCOSAN business up for grabs

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

ARLETTA WILLIAMS says ALCOSAN will be spending $2 billion over the next 20 years and all of its purchasing and contracting is handled in-house. (Photo by J.L. Martello)

Given that the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, ALCOSAN, is going to be issuing more than $3.6 billion in contracts to update facilities to comply with federal clean water requirements, executive director Arletta Scott Williams was somewhat surprised that the African American Chamber of Commerce PowerBreakfast audience she addressed last week wasn’t larger.

“We’re going to spend a lot of money.

Some contracts have already been awarded—our project representative, a liaison: $680,000 over two years; the project director: $14 million; the plan programmer: $9 million, and the program: $14 million,” she said.

“If you don’t position yourself to get in with some of these firms, then shame on you. We have two projects under way now—demolishing and replacing (with a much bigger installation) our operations and maintenance building. The second part of that is utility installation and relocation. We have firms heading those up that you need to tie into.”

The “plan,” which Williams said she used to call “the predicament,” is a mandate to keep storm water runoff from inundating existing treatment

facilities and causing raw sewage to enter the rivers and polluting downstream water supplies.

Many of the municipalities in the ACLOSAN system, including Pittsburgh, have a single pipe carrying rainwater and sewage. But even in those that don’t, the rainwater carries road tar, road salt, debris and agricultural chemicals with it. To do that, ALCOSAN must nearly triple its capacity to address this, from treating 250 million gallons of wastewater per day to treating more than 600 million gallons daily.

Much of the work will be done in the municipalities outside Pittsburgh that feed into the treatment center under the McKees Rocks Bridge. Knowing what that entails, who is directing it, and how to contact them is all information the authority can provide.

“This is a massive endeavor. I gave my first presentation on it in 1999,” said Williams. “We’re spending $2 billion over the next 20 years. But the projected cost is $3.6 billion to complete it. It will be comprised of a mix of ‘gray’ and ‘green’ infrastructure. We will always propose the best and most economical solutions—because if it’s so ‘green’ that it’s unaffordable, it’s pointless; and if it doesn’t do what’s SEE ALCOSAN B2

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BUSINESS

SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2017

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Moorefields are brightening lives of kids, young women MOOREFIELDS FROM B1

its three services for a weekend to maximize volunteer participation. Cornerstone Ministries, based in Murrysville, also pays for all repairs and uses its volunteers, many of whom are skilled professionals to complete the work.

“Habitat Pittsburgh understands that safe and healthy homes are critically important and that’s why the organization focuses on both homeownership and home repairs,” Dr. Slaughter said. “This partnership is symptomatic of what cross-pollination of suburban ministry and urban revivification can be.

Vulnerable families whose homes need repair benefit from partnerships such as the one Habitat Pittsburgh and Cornerstone Ministries have initiated. Need-

ed repairs that remain unresolved often result in more concerns and costs futuristically and in some cases, may be unresolvable if not addressed in a timely manner, which is why this initiative is so imperative.

Home repairs are always necessary, particularly for seniors, who may also have mobility issues and live on a fixed income, which limits their ability to pay for necessary repairs.”

“Cornerstone’s mission is to build lives and families on lasting values,” said Chapman. “Because of his role as CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh and as a trustee at Cornerstone Ministries, I knew Dr. Slaughter was deeply committed to helping families. Our church wanted to extend its work into urban communities

HARD AT WORK—Volunteers from the Uncommon Service Weekend place drywall in the Race Street home. and Dr. Slaughter was the natural choice. The result is Urban Uncommon Service Weekend. We are overjoyed to have our church members volunteering to repair the homes of eight families.

At Cornerstone, we put our faith into action, that’s what Uncommon Service Weekend is all about!”

Statistics indicate that since 1986, Habitat Pittsburgh has worked to make decent shelters a matter of conscience and action and has built or rehabilitated nearly 80 homes and completed more than 40 home repairs in partnership with their volunteers, local communities and low-income families in need. They are

an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a global, nonprofit organization that is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing.

True believers in the Habitat for Humanity concept, the Moorefields instill the philosophy of helping others into their children, the women they work with through their Serenity Living Transitional Home, their youth mentoring program and the 70 football players and dancers they are involved with. Their 9-year-old son, himself an entrepreneur, makes care packages for the homeless, Ashley said.

Women living in their

transitional home can stay up to two years. Aiming to eliminate their barriers and to instill hope, she explained that they provide life skills, job readiness and money management training as well as assist them in building partnerships.

A decade ago the Moorefields established a mentoring program in their home in Enright Court but soon had to move it to the Kingsley Association and then Destiny Ministries. “Noticing that many of the kids didn’t have stable housing we obtained our non-profit status in 2013 and created Serenity Transitional Home, aiming for it to be a place of peace,” Ashley explained. In addition, the couple operates flag and contact football and dance teams for 9 to 15-yearolds throughout Allegheny County. Often using her social worker skills, Ashley, at times, attends meetings for and with parents and help advocate for participants in their programs.

The Moorefields’ agenda is to challenge the minds of the young people they work with. “Our team colors are red, black and green,” Ashley said. “We want our kids to know where they come from, that they are kings and queens.”

Equifax’s data breach affects millions EQUIFAX FROM B1

diligently examine the way our credit reporting agencies are operating and impose additional statutory and regulatory reforms to protect the integrity of the country’s credit reporting system,” Waters continued.

In a Sept. 11 letter to Richard F. Smith, Equifax’s Chairman and Chief Executive Office, the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee went further to pose a series of questions to be an-

swered by Sept. 26. Issues raised in the letter include binding arbitration clauses that deny affected consumers the right of class action lawsuits, the firm’s security systems and controls, how consumers can expect to be officially notified, and what, if any, protections Equifax will offer to affected consumers.

“The scope and scale of this breach appears to make it one of the largest on record, and the sensitivity of the information compromised may make it the most costly to taxpayers and consumers,” wrote Senators Orrin Hatch, Senate Finance Chair and Ron Wyden, the committee’s Ranking Member.

The following day, September 12, another letter to Equifax included questions on what data changes to Equifax’s security plans and procedures were made as this breach now becomes its third one in only two years. Signed by 24 Members of Congress who serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, they represent 15 states.

Three are also members of the Congressional Black Caucus: Representatives G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina, Brooklyn’s Yvette Clarke and Bobby L. Rush of Chicago.

“Your company profits from collecting highly sensitive personal information from American consumers—it should take seriously its responsibility to keep data safe and to inform consumers when its protections fail”, wrote the Representatives.

“The massive Equifax data breach is one of the largest in our country’s history, affecting half of the United States population and nearly three-quarters of consumers with credit reports,” said Chi Chi Wu

with the National Consumer Law Center. “A security freeze is the most effective measure against “new account” identity theft, because it stops thieves from using the consumer’s stolen information.”

To follow Wu’s advice, consumers will need to contact all three of the major credit reporting bureaus and request that no new accounts be opened in their names. Once requested, consumers will not be able to easily apply for new credit accounts or apply for a loan. An additional layer of precaution would be to contact every creditor and request that respective accounts be flagged for unusual or new credit activity. Detailed information on how consumers caught in the Equifax breach can take these and other steps to protect their credit is available on the Federal Trade Commission’s web.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also has another consumer-friendly rule that Congress is currently fighting: preserving the right for consumers to file lawsuits when financial disputes could not be resolved otherwise.

“I have long advocated for an overhaul of our nation’s credit reporting system,” said Congresswoman Maxine Waters, “and I will reintroduce legislation that will enhance consumer protection tools available to minimize harm caused by identity theft.”

“Equifax proves why we must protect your right to join class actions,” – said Senator Elizabeth Warren.

At this juncture, CFPB and at least 143 million American consumers would agree.

(Charlene Crowell is the communications deputy director with the Center for Responsible Lending.)

Billions up for grabs in ALCOSAN ALCOSAN FROM B1

required, it’s also pointless.”

But beyond this massive undertaking, Williams reminded the audience that ALCOSAN has an annual operating budget of $85 million and a 2017 capital budget of $75 million, and all of its purchasing and contracting is handled inhouse.

“Remember this: TP to TBM, that means we buy everything from toilet paper to tunnel boring machines. If you have products or professional services to offer, call our purchasing director Ray Meyer or our procurement director Stephanie Thomas,” she said.

“We are not a county agency. Though three of our board members are chosen

by the county, three by the city and one jointly, we are an independent authority.

So, if you think talking to folks on Grant Street can get you a contract, you can try that…good luck. But you should talk to us.”

Williams touted ALCOSAN has averaged 21 percent in MWDBE contracts since 1996.

“That’s not an accident— we pursue it,” she said.

“You’ll hear people say we only do business with national firms and you have to hook up with them or be referred to get in. No. That is inaccurate and offensive.

Everything above $19,400 is publicly bid, you can find it on our website. We hire based on qualifications. So get your proposals in order.

Don’t wait until the last minute.”

BUSINESS CALENDAR SBA Information Session

SEPT. 20—The U.S. Small Business Administration and the Chatham Women’s Business Center will host an information session on 8(a), HUBZone & Women-Owned certification programs. oin the SBA Pittsburgh District Office on the third ednesday of each month for a free handson workshop with their team of specialists. They will review the requirements and application process in this monthly, face-to-face session. For more information contact Anne Flynn Schlicht at 412-365-1153, or aschlicht@chatham.edu.

Shale Insight 2017 Conference

SEPT. 27 & 28—The nation’s leading forum for public private dialog on shale development returns to the David Lawrence Convention Center for two days of technical and public affairs insight sessions, major keynote addresses, and a dynamic exhibit hall featuring all the major shale players.

For information on exhibiting, vendors attendees, visit http: www.shaleinsight.com.

Training Event

S PT. 29 The Duquesne Small Business Development Center presents xit Training for your Business, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 108 Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Avenue. At this workshop, you will learn the best strategies for increasing the value of your business, saving on taxes and creative options for selling as well as negotiation skills. Topics covered include: preparing for the sale, communicating with employees and vendors, tips on paying less tax, preserving value, and more. Cost: $599.

Breakfast and lunch is included. For more information, call 412-396-6233.

Breakfast Meeting

OCT. 12—The African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pa. And the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce present a Special Breakfast Meeting with guest speaker Pennsylvania ov. Tom olf, 8 a.m., Rivers Club, One Oxford Center, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219. The governor will discuss the role small businesses in moving Pennsylvania forward. Cost: $25 for members, $40 for non-members. RSVP

by Oct. 10. For more information, call 412-392-0610.

Publicity Workshop

OCT. 13 The Duquesne Small Business Development Center presents etting Attention: how to get publicity for your business, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 108 Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15282. This workshop allows you to discover the potential opportunities to get in front of your customers, many of which are free or no cost. The speaker, anelle Aslam, owner of Start Something Solutions, will offer a wide range of tools and give clear examples of publicity for any growing business.

Cost: $49. For more information, call 412-396-6233.

Insurance Workshop

OCT 18—The African American Chamber of Commerce of estern Pa. presents Navigating the Business Insurance Landscape with Farmers Insurance, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., oppers Building Convention Center, 436 Seventh Ave., lower level conference room 4-H, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219.

The seminar will give attendees insight into the insurance landscape, different types of business insurance and entrepreneurial opportunities. Cost: $10, $20 for non-members. For more information, call 412-3920610.

Cybersecurity Workshop

OCT. 19—The African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pa. Presents a cyber security seminar with Omar hawaja, VP and chief information security officer with Highmark Health, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., oppers Building Convention Center, 436 Seventh Ave., lower level conference room 4-H, Pittsburgh. hawaja will discuss safeguarding the back office while staying connected in the front office and reducing risks of cyberattacks. Cost: $10, $20 for non-members. For more information, call 412-392-0610.

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2017

B3

What gives the U.S. the right to say who can have the bomb?

Guest Editorial

A major call for reform after nursing home deaths in Florida In Hollywood, Fla., eight people died in a sweltering nursing home that lost its air conditioning when Hurricane Irma hit the state earlier this month.

Officials have attributed at least 25 deaths in Florida to the storm, including the nursing home deaths. Elsewhere, six deaths were reported in South Carolina and Georgia — many of them well after the storm had passed.

In the Caribbean, whose islands took the brunt of the Category 5 storm with winds of 155 mph and higher, the death toll has reached 38.

While all the hurricane-related deaths are tragic, the nursing home tragedy in Florida is both unfathomable and inexcusable.

Officials at the Rehabilitation Center of Hollywood Hills said the hurricane had knocked out a transformer that powered the air conditioning system. Broward County authorities said the home alerted officials Tuesday that it had lost power, but when asked if it had any medical needs or emergencies, the nursing home did not request help.

Early last Wednesday morning, after responding to three calls about the nursing home patients in distress, firefighters went through the facility and found three people dead and evacuated more than 150 patients to hospitals. Many were taken out on stretchers or in wheelchairs, authorities said.

By the afternoon, five more patients had died. Others were treated for dehydration, breathing difficulties and other heat-related problems. The five women and three men who died were between the ages of 71 and 99.

Hollywood Police Chief Tom Sanchez said that investigators suspect the deaths are heat-related and that a criminal investigation has been launched. He said authorities have not ruled anything out in the deaths, including carbon monoxide poisoning from generators.

Nursing homes in Florida are required by law to file an emergency plan that includes evacuation of residents.

County officials released documents showing that the Hollywood facility was in compliance with that regulation and that a hurricane drill was conducted by its staff last October.

If the nursing home was in compliance then reforms are needed to prevent future tragedies.

The immediate concern is rescuing more elderly from nursing homes that lack electricity. Where there are widespread outages, rescue workers are going door to door checking on residents.

However after reviewing the effects of hurricanes Harvey and Irma, officials must look at ways to respond better in the future.

That review process must include how to ensure better protection of the elderly, often physically frail and less mobile and living in assisted living facilities. These plans must include new policies on when to temporarily evacuate elderly residents.

One of the ironies of the Florida nursing home deaths: A hospital is located just across the street where the nursing home patients and staff could have been relocated.

(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)

Letters to the editor for publication The New Pittsburgh Courier welcomes all responsible viewpoints for publication. All letters should be typewritten and contain writer’s address and phone number for verification. All letters will be edited for clarity and length.

Address all letters to: Letters to the Editor New Pittsburgh Courier 315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 You may fax your letter to 412-481-1360, or via e-mail to letters@newpittsburghcourier.com

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North Korea is challenging the U.S. by continuing their program to build a nuclear weapon.

But the United States is telling them they can’t build a nuclear weapon at all, let alone build one that threatens its allies or the mainland of the U.S. North Korea is stating that as a free and independent country no one has the right to tell them what they can or cannot do, when the U.S. has hundreds of nuclear weapons as does China, Pakistan, India and Israel in that general area. Since the U.S. has proven in the past it has no problem with changing the regimes of any government it disagrees with, and believes is not functioning for its benefit, it has killed off the leaders, like Saddam Hussein of Iraq, or Muammar Gaddafi of Libya. Oh, I’m sorry, they both are dead along with their families because the U.S. said they had weapons of mass destruction or they believed them to be helping terrorists.

However, the Trump administration has stated that they are not about regime change. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said, “We do not seek a regime change, we do not seek the collapse of the regime, we do not seek an accelerated reunification of the (Korean) peninsula, we do not seek an excuse to send our military north of the 38th parallel…

“And we’re trying to convey to the North Koreans we are not your enemy, we are not your threat, but you are presenting an unacceptable threat to us, and we have to respond.”

Why should North Korea or Iran believe the U.S.? We have lied before to many countries just before we changed their regime. Most of us who don’t read and don’t know U.S. history don’t know about the war in which the U.S. supplied weapons and support to Iraq to defeat Iran,

factions fighting against each other and the people caught in the middle.

If there is a military solution, millions will die in South Korea as well as North Korea. Just like World War I was started by a conflict between two countries that led to allies of these countries joining forces, this will be the same kind of war. Do we think Russia, China, Vietnam and the rest of the North Korean allies or the Korean War, or the Vietnam are going to sit back and do nothing?

War. Most sources say around 37,000 China and Russia have massive Americans died in the Korean War stockpiles of nuclear weapons, which and over 50,000 Americans died in they will use if they have to. I would the Vietnam War with a high perimagine that China is getting a little centage being Black Americans. All upset with the U.S. attacking them my sources say no Americans died in for not persuading North Korea the attack on Libya. from creating the weapon that they The point is most Americans don’t believe will equalize them with the believe President Trump because he superpowers. I’m sure China has constantly lies and doesn’t apologize tried hard because North Korea when he’s caught in a lie, so why becomes a closer threat to them with would any foreign leader believe him a nuclear weapon. when he says he’s not interested in The solution? Let them have it. regime change?

Sanctions are not going to work, that I can understand Kim Jong-un’s has been proven. And the same is concern after seeing Saddam Hustrue for Iran. These countries have sein’s family killed first before he leaders who don’t care about the was taken out because President people but their own survival, which Bush said he had weapons of mass means they must make the western destruction that he was going to use powers think twice before they try on the U.S. Not that Hussein had regime change. And when you have used on the U.S., but was allegedly a new U.S. president whose slogan is going to.

“America First,” why shouldn’t other Well, we all know now there were leaders think the same way about no weapons of mass destruction. Iraq their country? Why should they give has been in total chaos since the up their power to western countries removal of Hussein. And even though which has proven that their priority there were no Americans killed in is what’s best for them? the Libya attack, Obama said he had Speaking of being selfish, the Reto make the attack to save hundreds publicans, led by Trump, are serious of Libyan lives. Later investigations about shipping 800,000 productive by the Human Rights Watch and Am- Dreamers back to Mexico because nesty International said they found their parents brought them to this hundreds of bodies that the rebels country illegally when they were had executed in handcuffs, and that children. This shows just how sick Gaddafi was sodomized before he some people in this country are.

(Ulish Carter is the former managing editor was killed. Much like Iraq, Libya is in total chaos now with various rebel of the New Pittsburgh Courier.)

Ulish Carter

Just Sayin’

Blind to scientific evidence (TriceEdneyWire.com)—Throughout the history of humankind, there have been incorrect explanations and theories for the cause of natural events. Ancient Greeks and Romans thought that lightning bolts were thrown to Earth by angry gods.

They thought that volcano eruptions resulted from the overflow of forges from blacksmith gods working below the surface of the Earth. The Chinese believed that a solar eclipse was explained by a large dragon eating the sun. In the broader scheme of things, only recently have we dispelled the belief that the Earth was flat.

These beliefs result from the innate human requirement to give reason to common occurrences. Knowing why something happened or being able to give it a “satisfactory” explanation appears to provide a much-needed sense of psychological security. There are people who believe that the Sun revolves around the Earth and that Chinese folk walk in an orientation that is upside down from us.

We have been blessed with the ability to accumulate knowledge and interpret information. As we have amassed empirical data and our cache of knowledge has increased, we have developed more accurate and valid explanations for the aforementioned natural events.

Those revelations are given to us by the division of study we designate as Natural Science.

We now know that lightning results from the discharge of static electricity generated by the Earth

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary engaging the atmosphere. We know that volcanoes erupt and release molten magma or liquid rock through the surface or mantle of the Earth. Because of our recent solar eclipse, most of us know they result from the Moon casting its shadow on Earth as it passes between it and the Sun. With photographic evidence, we’ve even come to know that the Earth is round and not flat.

Because of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, most Americans are aware of the satellite imagery that has allowed us to predict and prepare for their devastation and destruction.

Through the “magic” of Natural Science, we are capable of accurately plotting their path, intensity and duration. If you can imagine the potential for loss of life without these tools, you should be grateful that we have them in our arsenal to fight for the preservation of life.

A body of evidence—both empirical and coincidental—supports the theory that the human footprint is a causal factor in the generation of more severe weather events. From storms to droughts and the resulting topographic change to the Earth’s surface, we are affected. Unfortu-

nately, there are those among us who, while accepting the scientific accuracy of our weather forecasts, will not accept the reasoned judgment of those who have determined humankind as the cause for the increased frequency and destructive nature of these weather events.

The automatic question is why is scientific evidence rejected so vehemently? From my readings and study, I conclude that the economic interests which influence or control political decisions weld greater power than the political interest in our future. This is evidenced by loosening of regulations protecting our water and air. We have surrendered the effort to reduce “greenhouse gases” to corporate control. Our nation has withdrawn from a global effort to confront the impact of climate change.

There is an old adage, “There is none so blind as he who will not see!” Those in the highest positions of government and corporate responsibility have selected “Blindness” in order to worship at the feet of profit and greed—to the detriment of the health and welfare of our citizens.

For wealth and power, they have chosen to push our environment to the brink of its sustainability.

Years ago a great prophet, Marvin Gaye, asked the question about our Earth. “Mother, Mother, Mother!

How much more abuse can you stand?” That same question should be asked today!

(Dr. E. Faye Williams is president of the National Congress of Black Women. www. nationalcongressbw.org.)

Reinstate DACA and protect Dreamers

by Marc H. Morial

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—“As the leaders of communities across the country—individuals and institutions that have seen these young people grow up in our communities--we recognize how they have enriched and strengthened our cities, states, schools, businesses, congregations, and families. We believe it is a moral imperative that the administration and the country know we are with them. We also join together to send our assurances to Dreamers: we see you, we value you, and we are ready to defend you.”—open letter signed by more than 1,800 governors, attorneys general, mayors, state representatives, judges, police chiefs and other leaders An overwhelming majority of voters—about 85 percent—are opposed to deporting immigrants who are eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. These “Dreamers,” as they are known, were brought into the United States as children, most of them younger than 7. About 90 percent of Dreamers are employed, more than 70 percent have attended college.

Despite widespread support for

allowing Dreamers to remain, the Trump Administration has acquiesced to 10 state attorneys general who threatened to sue if it did not end the program. But even President Trump does not want to deport Dreamers. “Does anybody really want to throw out good, educated and accomplished young people who have jobs, some serving in the military?” he wrote on Twitter. “Really!…”

Sadly, many of the people who voted for him do, and voted for him because he said he would do it. But even among the most hard-core supporters of the President, those who say they “strongly approve” of his performance, only a third favor deportation of Dreamers.

With this kind of support, it’s hard to understand why 800,000 hard-working, law-abiding contributing members of society are in danger of being wrenched from the only country they’ve ever known. Many do not even speak the language of the countries of their birth.

In addition to the human catastrophe deportation of Dreamers represents, the U.S. would lose about $460 billion in GDP over the next 10 years and about 700,000 people could lose their jobs.

Earlier this month, fifteen states and the District of Columbia filed a suit seeking to stop the repeal of DACA. Last week, California filed a separate lawsuit, which was joined

by Maine, Minnesota, and Maryland.

Meanwhile, President Trump has struck a tentative agreement from the House and Senate Minority Leaders to support legislation protecting Dreamers in exchange for enhanced border security While there is a chance that deportations of Dreamers will not occur, it’s shameful that they should be in a position to fear it at all. Dreamers trusted the United States government in enrolling in the program, now that very trust could be used against them. There is no justification for ending the program even as a legislative solution is sought.

Protecting Dreamers is quite simply the right thing to do. It is the moral thing to do. It’s the economically sound thing to do. And even though it shouldn’t matter, it’s the popular thing to do. We urge Congress to immediately pass legislation protecting Dreamers and call upon the Trump administration to reinstate DACA so no Dreamer has to fear deportation from the home they love.

B4 SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2017

President Obama’s last year brought economic success

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—The income, poverty and health insurance data released by the Census Bureau on September 13 confirm what many already knew. President Obama’s last year was one of economic improvement for many individuals.

The median income rose from $57,230 in 2015 to $59,039 in 2016, an increase of 3.2 percent. Black income rose 5.4 percent, from $37, 364 in 2015 to $39,400 in 2016, while White income rose from $63, 745 to $65,041, an increase of two percent.

The income gap narrowed very slightly, with African-Americans having 58 percent of White earnings in 2015 and 60 percent of white earnings in 2016. This income ratio typically hovers around 60 percent, and this situation has not improved since 1967! Despite an absolute improvement in incomes, the racial income disparity remains.

Fewer than one in 10 Whites earned less than $15,000 per year, compared to 20 percent of African Americans at that low earning level. While 18 percent of Whites earned less than $25,000 a year, fully one-third of African-Americans earned so little. At the same time, while 7.4 percent of whites earned more than $200,000 a year, only 2.8 percent of African- Americans had similarly high earnings.

At the top, there was significant improvement for African-Americans—we didn’t cross the 1 percent line on high earning until 1997, and now our percentage has more than doubled. Still, it would take hundreds of years, at the rate we are going, to close the gap with Whites.

Julianne Malveaux

Commentary With incomes as low as they are, it is unsurprising to find African Americans more heavily represented among the poor than Whites are, but again, President Obama’s last year in office saw a real drop in the poverty level. The poverty rate dropped from 13.5 percent in 2015 to 12.7 percent in 2016, and the Black poverty rate dropped from 24.1 percent to 22.0 percent. There were 800,000 fewer African-Americans in poverty in 2016 than in 2015. That’s good news!

Child poverty was also overwhelming.

With 15.1 percent of White children living in poverty there were nearly twice as many Black children living in poverty at 29.5 percent. Among elders, 8 percent of White seniors were poor, compared to 18.5 percent of African American seniors. And when Black women headed households, 34.2 percent of those households lived in poverty.

While these numbers make a clear case that President Obama improved the situation for all Americans, it is also clear that his unwillingness or inability to target programs toward the African-American poor maintained the size of the income gap, and maintained the fact that African-Americans experience twice as much poverty as Whites, earning only 60 percent of the incomes that Whites do. This gap will not be closed unless there is some intervention, some form of reparations, or some special program that will empower African-Americans. If that didn’t happen in the Obama administration, it is unlikely to happen in this one!

President Obama’s singular success, of course, was health care. More than 93 percent of whites, 92 percent of Asian Americans, 89.5 percent of African-Americans and 84 percent of Hispanics had health care in 2016, continuing an upward trend that began in 2011 with the introduction of Obamacare. Of course, Republicans have promised to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act. They have been unsuccessful because so many use and like the program, even with it flaws. The program should be tweaked, but not replaced, but we’ll see what happens in coming months.

Despite improvements in income data, too many Americans aren’t feeling the improvements. That’s how 45 was able to manipulate people into believing that they were worse off than they had ever been, and that he was going to improve their quality of life.

To be sure, while the unemployment rate is way down, there are also people sitting on the sidelines of the labor force.

Raises seem to be coming, but quite slowly, and a 3.2 percent increase in income, after several years of declining income, seems not to be enough. Additionally, there are millions of millennials who came of age during the recession, having spent years marginally employed, and are shouldering the burden of high student loans. Small increases in income don’t make these folks feel flush. Many still feel that they are just getting by.

Knowing 45, he will crow about these numbers, though he truly cannot take any responsibility for them. This data is 2016 data, and the improvement here can be solely attributed to President Obama. The proof of 45’s pudding will come next year, when 2017 data are reported. Will we be better off with the repeal of the Affordable Care Act? Will incomes rise or fall under 45’s leadership? What will happen with poverty in an administration that has already taken actions to keep wages low? Will the Obama momentum come to a skidding halt because of 45’s policies? We’ll have to wait and see, but it is clear that 45 has already taken too many steps in the wrong direction.

(Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author, and Founder of Economic Education.)

FORUM

Black mindset is the same, much is unchanged Allow me to individuals who enlighten some are nameless, but Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick of the readers control the world about our lack of ordered those who positive action occupy political posiover the decades tion to move instantand how it ly and put those has translated fires out. Almost into continued instantly, the federal mistreatment government unof Black Ameriveiled a brand new cans, and highlight how much the need program titled, “The Great Society.” For for moral and positive change remains. untold numbers of years there were This column will focus on the City of those who had ideas, thoughts, visions, Pittsburgh, which often is referred to as dreams, and ambitions that focused an Up South city. on improving the quality of life for a In the 1920s, we were Negroes and people, Black people who had been subcolored and we began moving to jected to mistreatment for too long, now Pittsburgh seeking a better way of life, had an opportunity to make gigantic inclusive of better employment opporchanges. They formed 501-c3s, became tunities, decent affordable housing, CEOs, directors, presidents, chairpertreated as first-class citizens, equal job sons, who were now paid five-figure opportunities, political jobs and posisalaries and upward. The time frames tions that we were denied in the racist of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s saw South, better schooling opportunities those persons living in suburban neighand overall better way of life. borhoods driving Mercedes, Jaguars, Time goes by rapidly and now it’s the etc. Like George Jefferson, they were 1930s and the country is in the throes “moving on up.” of depression. Colored persons who had I became involved in recognizing and registered were overwhelmingly Reattempting to develop solutions to the publicans, allegedly because they were multitude of problems that suppressed grateful because a Republican, Abrathe Black communities across the ham Lincoln, freed the slaves in 1863. entire city of Pittsburgh starting in the In 1936 colored voters left the Reyear of 1949 (17 years of age). In recent publican Party and flocked to the meetings held in the current year of Democratic Party whose standard 2017 elected Black officials without bearer was Franklin Delano Roosevelt. hesitation stated their “First obligation I witnessed colored voters put FDR on is to the Democratic Party,” not those of a pedestal and equate him with the you who voted for them. Yes, in the year messiah, Jesus Christ. The Democratic 2017 Blacks are still confronted with Party in Pittsburgh has been able to major ongoing problems in Pittsburgh depend, count on, and take for granted that have confronted us since the the colored voters who voted straight 1920s. Namely the high rate of unemDemocrat ever since 1937 (a total of 80 ployment, and unbelievable non-exisconsecutive years). Colored Democrats tence of affordable homes. An astrohave proven to be the most loyal and nomical 50-year problem continues to consistent bloc of Democratic voters. exist, namely ineffective MBE proNow it’s the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and grams. The governor of Pennsylvania, colored citizens are still seeking mortTom Wolf, openly stated that Pittsburgh gages, job opportunities, more access to is in an almost identical situation. A unions, unemployment in the nownew appointment by the URA is clearly Black neighborhoods is staggering, lack an admission that the Pittsburgh MBE of affordable housing. Blacks no longer program is a non-viable program. vote in the percentages they once did, There have clearly been some positive but they still vote straight Democrat. strides made in the City of Pittsburgh, It is the 1970s and Dr. Martin Luther but as you read this column, look King Jr., the modern-day messiah, has around your home and neighborhood, been assassinated. what about your work environment, Now, those who were never advocates how many Black judges are presently of turning the other cheek began to act in Allegheny County, billions of governtheir anger and frustration out, they ment dollars are being spent in neighset major cities on fire, began to rob, borhoods and not one Black contracloot, even resorted to using machine tor received a major contract. Major guns, crying out, “Ain’t going to take it changes in the condition of Blacks in anymore.”

Pittsburgh will never occur until WE Across the world, images of America drive the changes.

(Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a contributor to the burning tarnished the image of the New Pittsburgh Courier.) home of the free and the brave. Those

To Tell The Truth

Baby bin Laden, born into this A few lines from cell phones, the CIA a Bukowski poem picked it up, and J. Pharoah Doss goes: “As the sun look what happened. is masked, we are The FBI team in born like this, into Yemen, which was this, into these investigating our decarefully mad struction of the USS wars…”

Cole...just packed Last month I up and left—even wrote a piece though the State called “Prepare for Department was the paralyzed Presidency.” The premise begging them to stay. Then we made a was if the Republicans lose control of few more phone calls, hundreds of MaCongress after the 2018 midterm elecrines—Marines!—who were conducting tions the Democrats might attempt to a joint exercise with the Jordanian impeach President Trump. army cut short their operations...Then If impeachment is pursued by the all the U.S. warships in Bahrain, which Democrats it won’t be for its feasibility. is headquarters of the U.S. fifth fleet, It will be an act of political torment. were scared of being hit by us. They This torment would make the office evacuated Bahrain’s harbor and sailed of the presidency ineffective for the into the Persian Gulf...There’s a miliremainder of President Trump’s first tary term for this; it’s called retreat... term. The historical comparison I drew This is a superpower? The U.S. press upon was Bill Clinton’s second term barely reported it; the White House when the Republican impeachment press didn’t ask the president about it. process effectively left America without But trust me, everyone out here noticed a president. it...God is great. America is stupid.”

The world watched as America turned Months later, 9/11 happened. on itself, so did America’s enemies.

Now, if history of this unfortunate During that period (1998-2000) 9/11 nature repeats, it will start with “Amerwas planned, U.S. embassies in Kenican stupidity.” America has elected ya and Tanzania were bombed, and a the most controversial President in its U.S. Navy destroyer (USS Cole) was nation’s history, and Americans are fixattacked by a terrorist group named ated on stupid presidential tweets and Al-Qaeda, and all of these events were whatever offends their self-righteous orchestrated by a little known man sensibilities. name Osama bin Laden.

The world and America’s enemies Then-Republican Governor George W. haven’t stopped watching.

A recent headline said this: “Bin Bush defeated Vice President Al Gore Laden’s son is poised to unify terrorist in one of the most controversial elecworldwide, Hamza bin Laden isn’t just tions in American history. (The news being prepared for a leadership role in said Gore won Florida in the evening his father’s organization.” He’s now the then retracted at the end of the night declaring Bush the winner of the state. figure best placed to reunify the global jihadi movement. Hamza bin Laden’s There was a recount, the Supreme Court got involved, and Bush ended up first message of 2017 was entitled, “Advice for Martyrdom-Seekers in the President of the United States.) And America turned on itself again over the West.”

Bukowski’s poem ended: “Born out of outcome of the presidential election.

Now, on June 26, 2001, Thomas Fried- that, the sun still hidden there, awaiting the next chapter.” man reproduced a memo by bin Laden (J. Pharoah Doss is a contributor to the New in his New York Times column. Bin Laden bragged, “I had some of our boys Pittsburgh Courier. He blogs at jpharoahdoss@ blogspot.com) discuss an attack against the U.S. over

Check It Out

Letters to the editor for publication The New Pittsburgh Courier welcomes all responsible viewpoints for publication. All letters should be typewritten and contain writer’s address and phone number for verification. All letters will be edited for clarity and length. Address all letters to: Letters to the Editor New Pittsburgh Courier 315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 You may fax your letter to 412-481-1360 or via e-mail to letters@newpittsburghcourier.com

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Jesse Jackson Sr.

Commentary Strengthen good government to prepare for upcoming disasters (TriceEdneyWire.com)—We have suffered brutal direct hits. Over half of the state of Florida is without power, in the dark. It is too soon to know what the losses are. Houston, America’s fourth largest city, suffered the most extreme rain event in U.S. history. Casualties are mounting; damages are estimated at a staggering $125 billion.

Ash from wildfires in the West is blanketing Seattle; every county in Washington is under state of an emergency. The smoke is felt in the air all the way to the East Coast. Last year was the hottest on record, exceeding the record set the year before that which exceeded the record set the year before that.

Extreme weather is becoming more frequent and more extreme. For climate scientists, this is predictable and predicted. As the Earth warms, the ice caps melt, the oceans grow warmer; more moisture is absorbed in the clouds, the rains become worse and the severe storms more severe.

The Trump administration denies climate science, even seeks to suppress it. Trump’s political appointees are doing their best to ban the very term “climate change” from government reports. They are dismantling agencies that study and report on the changing climate. Ironically, among their biggest allies were Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who banned the phrase “climate change” from state reports, and the Texas Republican Party devoted to pumping every drop of oil that can be found.

Bad storms, record heat and record wildfires won’t alter their denials. But the catastrophes are real. When they occur, even rock-headed reactionaries turn to government for help. The same Texan legislators who voted against aid to the victims of Hurricane Sandy, which devastated the Mid-Atlantic coast in 2012, lined up to demand aid for their constituents after Harvey. Those who say the government is broke appropriate billions.

They look for government to organize the evacuations and warnings, to shelter the vulnerable, to mobilize the cleanup, to invest in the reconstruction.

Whether we agree that humans are a prime cause of climate change or not, surely we can agree to take the actions needed to protect ourselves as much as possible from the coming disasters and to ensure that we are prepared to react to them. We don’t have to agree about the cause of this new extreme weather. We simply have to agree to prepare for it and respond to it.

This isn’t rocket science. We need preventive action to gird against the destructive forces. On our coasts, buildings and infrastructure have to be constructed to be able to withstand extreme storms. In areas that are the most vulnerable and that have suffered repeated calamities, homes and factories should not be rebuilt.

We need to strengthen dams and levees, and to protect wetlands that can help diffuse the power of storms. Chemical and nuclear power plants should be built to protect against the risks of natural disasters. The poorest and most vulnerable should not be shunted off to the lowlands most vulnerable to destruction. Response plans at the local, state and national level should be comprehensive and practiced.

Here’s the rub. That can only happen if we empower public officials to take responsible action. It requires good government and adequate resources. The conservative drive to discredit government, to starve it of funds and to dismantle its functions has to make way for a real investment in vital, necessary public action.

This shouldn’t be an afterthought; it should be a priority. Harvey and Irma have demonstrated what the Pentagon already has concluded: Extreme and catastrophic climate events are right now a clear and present danger to our nation’s security. Parts of Florida look like they were carpet-bombed. Surely, we should devote more attention to defending our own shores than we do to policing the world.

Prevention, mitigation, a stronger infrastructure and more sensible zoning are first steps. Eventually—and clearly the time is growing short—we will need a true mobilization on the scale of the effort at the beginning of World War II to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and to stop global warming. Oil company executives warn that this will cripple our economy. In fact, a real green mobilization will, like World War II, create jobs, innovation and new markets.

It will revitalize our economy. And if it is done well, it can help rebuild a broad and vibrant middle class.

To get there will take a profound political movement and a sea change in our politics. Yet even as we build for that, surely we can agree to take the steps needed to provide greater protection to our people. That should not be a partisan or an ideological issue. It should be a common cause.

CLASSIFIED New Pittsburgh Courier

B5

SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2017

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

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AUBERLE

412 YOUTH ZONE COACHES CHANGE LIVES

Auberle is a nationally recognized, award winning human service organization that serves thousands of children & families each year. For more than 60 yrs. we have helped troubled children & their families heal themselves.

Seeking Youth Zone Coaches to provide support & opportunities for youth. The 412 Youth Zone offers a comprehensive, welcoming & youth-oriented services for transition age youth with current or past connections to child welfare or who is experiencing homelessness. To apply: www.auberle.org . EOE

AUBERLE

YOUTH CARE WORKERS CHANGE LIVES

Auberle is a nationally recognized, award winning human service organization that serves thousands of children & families each year. For more than 60 yrs. we have helped troubled children & their families heal themselves.

Seeking “experienced” Youth Care Workers to provide support & develop relationships with male youth in placement 12 -20 years of age. To apply: www.auberle.org . EOE

CORPORATE RELATIONS MANAGER

United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania is recruiting for a Corporate Relations Manager for our reensburg office. The incumbent in this position is part of the United Way annual fundraising campaign team. We seek an energetic and innovative individual to generate/ increase donations from companies and individuals by developing and implementing the strategic fund raising plan. Bachelor Degree, and three to five years of outside account management, sales presentations skill, fundraising and volunteer management a must.

Visit our website at https:// uwswpa.org/careers/ to view job description and apply for this position. Submissions will only be accepted electronically.

The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity, serving Allegheny, Westmoreland, Fayette and Southern Armstrong Counties.

QUANTITATIVE ANALYTICS AND MODEL DEVELOPMENT ANALYST SENIOR

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. seeks a Quantitative Analytics and Model Development Analyst Senior in Pittsburgh, PA to participate in all aspects of model validation activities. Specific duties include: (i) work with Model Owners and Specialists and independently perform validations of high impact models in compliance with OCC 2011-12 and PNC’s Model Validation Policy and Guidelines; (ii) as a member of the Model Risk Management Group (MRMG), provide oversight to and execution of the model validation activities; (iii) collect, organize, and scrutinize data and assumptions used in models, including model output, in preparation for model validation; (iv) conduct robust and comprehensive model validation testing and analysis in accordance with PNC’s Model Validation Policy and Guidelines; (v) document and present model validation results to the head of the MRMG; and (vi) provide support/ analysis on mortgage servicing models.

Master’s degree in Statistics or Economics plus 1 year of experience in a position requiring quantitative analysis with use of statistics, econometrics, or data mining is required. Experience must include: (i) 1 year of quantitative modeling, analytical and research skills including regression modeling, time series modeling, machine learning, Monte Carlo simulation; (ii) 1 year of statistical and data software languages and packages (R, SAS, or VBA for modeling optimization, simulation, and statistical analysis); (iii) 1 year of experience in a financial services firm on a model development or validation team, focusing on analytic applications in a modeling, model risk, or other quantitative capacity; (iv) 1 year of CCAR, economical capital, market risk, credit risk, and/ or scoring models; (v) 1 year of large scale data manipulation (data sets involving large numbers of records (>10K) or variables (>100)); and (vi) 1 year of development of modeling and/or testing methodologies. Must have knowledge of modeling methodologies and designs and the impact of models on business decision-making.

40 hours/week, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Interested individuals apply online at www.pnc.com using keyword 275094BR. PNC provides equal employment opportunity to qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or other categories protected by law.

SONNY BOY

AUBERLE

Therapist for Residential & Community Outpatient

Auberle is a nationally recognized, award winning human service organization that serves thousands of children & families each year. For more than 60 years we have helped troubled children & their families heal themselves.

Auberle’s Behavioral Health Department provides a wide range of services to children, adolescents, adults & families. Services include psychiatric, psychological, mental health & substance abuse services through Auberle’s Outpatient Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol licenses. Auberle is seeking Master’s level mental health professionals who also have experience and/ or interest in drug and alcohol counseling. To apply visit www.auberle. org. EOE CLARK MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR A FULL-TIME DIRECTOR OF MUSIC WITH KEY BOARD AND ORGAN SKILLS. ALL INTERESTED MUSICIANS SHOULD SUBMIT A RESUME BY MAIL TO: 1301 GLENN STREET, HOMESTEAD, PA 15120 TO THE ATTENTION OF TRUSTEE ANTHONY McCLELLAND OR AN E-MAIL TO HIS ATTENTION AT clarkmembapt11@aol.com OR CALL 412-462-1011 FOR MORE INFORMATION ALL RESPONSES WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED

MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania

We are searching for a Marketing Communications Manager in our Pittsburgh office to help transform the way we communicate to current and potential supporters. This dynamic, digitally savvy professional will be responsible for implementing and managing marketing communication activities to drive greater understanding and visibility of our work in the community by developing and executing marketing materials and programs that inspire people to help those in need improve their lives. Coordinate and drive completion of marketing communication activities including: Content Development, Website Updates, Email Marketing Campaigns, Social Media and Newsletter Communications. Require 2 to 4 years of strategic marketing and communications planning experience, and BS or BA degree in marketing, communications or related field.

Visit our website at https:// uwswpa.org/careers/ to view job description and apply for this position. Submissions will only be accepted electronically.

The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity, serving Allegheny, Westmoreland, Fayette and Southern Armstrong Counties.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Meetings

COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY

A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the College will be held on: October 5, 2017 4:00 PM CCAC Allegheny CampusByers Hall 808 Ridge Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

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COMBINED NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (“FONSI/RROF”)

This Notice is published pursuant to Federal Regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”)’s Environmental Assessment set forth at 24 CFR Part 58, Section 58.36.

September 20, 2017 City of Pittsburgh-Dept. of City Planning 200 Ross Street, 2nd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-255-2211 These notices shall satisfy procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP).

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about October 6, 2017 the City of Pittsburgh (“City”) will authorize the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (“HACP”), the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (“URA”), and the City to submit a request to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) for the release of the following federal funds to undertake project known as PBV and Gap Financing: Miller Street Apartments: (a) HACP Moving to ork ( MT ) Funds under the 1937 Act as modified by the 1996 and 1999 Consolidated Appropriations Act; and (b) Low Income Housing Tax Credits under IRS Code Section 42. The release of the aforementioned funds is to undertake PBV and Gap Financing: Miller Street Apartments for the purposes of new construction of a 36-unit apartment building; nine (9) units of which will be subsidized by Project Based Vouchers (PBV) on 318 Miller Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. The developer is Bridging the Gap Development, LLC. The gap financing costs to be provided for the development is approximately $419,998.00.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The City of Pittsburgh has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. This FONSI is based upon compliance with mitigation measures which have been identified as necessary to reduce the environmental impacts of the proposed action to a point or level where they are determined to no longer be significant.

Based on compliance with mitigations measures which reduce the environmental impact to no longer be considered significant, an nvironmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (“NEPA”) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the nvironmental Review Record ( RR) on file at City of Pittsburgh 200 Ross Street, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 and may be examined or copied weekdays from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to: Michael Petrucci City of Pittsburgh, 200 Ross Street, 2nd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-255-2211 All comments received by October 5, 2017, will be considered by the City of Pittsburgh prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.

Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The City of Pittsburgh certifies to H D that illiam Peduto in his capacity as Mayor, City of Pittsburgh, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. H D’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City, HACP and URA to use funding sources (a) through (f) identified under Request for Release of Funds above.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the City of Pittsburgh’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Pittsburgh (b) the City of Pittsburgh has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by H D regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Planning and Development Division The Moorhead Federal Building 1000 Liberty Ave.-10th oor Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

WILLIAM PEDUTO Mayor City of Pittsburgh

ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT

Estate of ARTHUR COLEMAN JR. Deceased of 125 Everglade Dr., Penn Hills, PA 15235.

No. 1946648 of 2017. Anthony Coleman, 6535 Deary Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 or to: Attorney Marvin Abrams, 816 5th Avenue, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Estate of PATRICK J. KELLEY, Deceased of Carnegie, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, No. 02-17-04954, Saundra Y. Kelley, Administrator, 717 Cubbage Street, Carnegie, PA 15106-2126 or Robin L. Rarie, Esquire, BRENLOVE & FULLER, LLC, 401 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017 Estate of WILLIAM A. PHILLIPS, Deceased of Pittsburgh. No. 021705241 of 2017. Michele Boris. Adm. or to c/o Philip J. Scolieri, Esquire, Scolieri Law Group, P.C., Attys. 1207 Fifth Avenue, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

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STADIUM AUTHORITY OF CITY OF PITTSBURGH, 171 10TH Street, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. NOTICE is hereby given that Articles of Amendment shall be filed with the Department of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to be effective on October 6, 2017 with respect to the STADIUM AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH, which has a registered office address of 171 10th Street, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. The Articles of Amendment are to be filed under the provisions of section 5504-A of the Sports and Exhibition Authority Act. The purpose of the Articles of Amendment is to extend the existence of the STADIUM AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH to April 4, 2049. Articles of Amendment will be presented to the Secretary of the Commonwealth no sooner than September 25, 2017.

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Letters Testamentary on the Estate of JAMES W. FIERLE, Court Term No. 021704947, late of Penn Hills, Allegheny County, deceased, having been granted to the undersigned by the Director of Dept. of Court Records, Wills/ Orphans Court Division of Allegheny County, notice is hereby given to all persons indebted to said estate to make immediate payment, and to those having claims against the same to present them to the undersigned, duly authenticated for settlement. Joseph J. Fierle, Executor, 17 New London Ln, Oakmont, PA 15139 or to Cathy L. Brannigan, Esq., 15 Duff Rd., Suite 6C, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.

To place a display ad in the New Pittsburgh Courier call 412-481-8302 ext. 128 or 129

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

The David L. Lawrence Convention Center (DLLCC) will receive sealed bids for four separate projects: New Electric Forklift, New Utility Pickup Truck, Service Corridor Traffic Coating Repair and Concession Stand Renovations.

New Electric Forklift with Charging Station and a New Utility Pickup Truck: To request a bid package or submit inquiries regarding the bid package, please contact SMG, 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, Attn: Conor McGarvey; E-mail: cmcgarvey@ pittsburghcc.com; Telephone: 412-475-1622.

Bid Package Names: New Electric Forklift with Charging Station, New Utility Pickup Truck Bid Packages Available: Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017 Inquiries Due Time/Date: 5:00 PM, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017 Bids Due Time/Date/Location: 2:00 PM, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017, DLLCC Administrative Office, 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Service Corridor Traffic Coating Repair: Bid Packages may be obtained after the date identified below through Accu-Copy at (724) 935-7055. Additional information on the project can be found at https:// planroom.accu-copy.com/public. php. Inquiries regarding the bidding should be made to Linda Mihalic; E-mail: lmihalic@pittsburghcc. com; Telephone: 412-325-6104.

Bid Package Name: Service Corridor Traffic Coating Repair Bid Package Available: Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 Pre-Bid Meeting Time/Date/Location: 11:00 AM, Wednesday, Sept.

20, 2017 Bids Due Time/Date/Location: 2:00 PM, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017, DLLCC Administrative Office, 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Concession Stand Renovations: Bid Packages may be obtained after the date identified below through Accu-Copy at (724) 935-7055. Additional information on the project can be found at https://planroom. accu-copy.com/public.php.

Inquiries regarding the bidding should be made to Ryan Buries; E-mail: rburies@pittsburghcc.com; Telephone: 412-325-6179.

Bid Package Name: Concession Stand Renovations Bid Package Available: Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017 Pre-Bid Meeting Time/Date/Location: 10:00 AM, Wednesday, Sept.

20, 2017 Bids Due Time/Date/Location: 1:00 PM, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, DLLCC Administrative Office, 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15222

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) ADVERTISEMENT

The Public Parking Authority of Pittsburgh (Authority) is soliciting proposals from firms capable to serve as the Engineering Consultant for Upgrades to the Fire/Panic Alarm System at Various Authority Owned Facilities, described more fully in the formal RFP document.

The RFP document will be available Tuesday September 19, 2017 after 3:00 p.m. EST on the Authority website at www.pittsburghparking. com. Printed copies may also be obtained at the Authority main office located at 232 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

A mandatory pre-proposal meeting will be held at the Authority’s main office on Monday September 25, 2017 a 10:00 a.m. EST. Submitted proposals are required to be in the Authority’s possession, in the form of five (5) hard copies and one (1) electronic copy, clearly marked and sealed by 3:00 p.m.

EST on Friday, October 13, 2017.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

The City of Pittsburgh, Office of the Controller (City) is interested in a visual analytics platform for city financial transparency. Those interested in responding may obtain a copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP) at the City Controller’s Office, 1st Floor City-County Building, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, Pa 15219 or by emailing ryan.herbinko@ pittsburghpa.gov. Responses will be accepted until 4pm, October 16, 2017.

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CLASSIFIEDS

SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2017

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR ASPHALT REPAIR AT BEDFORD DWELLINGS IFB# 300-42-17

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR INSPECTION, TESTING, MAINTENANCE OF FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM IFB# 300-45-17

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): ASPHALT REPAIR AT BEDFORD IFB# 300-42-17 The documents will be available no later than September 11, 2017 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 11:00 a.m. on September 29, 2017 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, at which time they will be opened and read aloud.

Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP. org.

Questions or inquiries should be directed to: Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116 Opt 1 A pre bid meeting will be held: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Dept.

100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Thursday, September 21, 2017 11:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

HACP’s has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation.

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

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

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR EMERGENCY GENERATOR & FIRE PUMP MAINTENANCE AND EMERGENCY REPAIRS IFB# 300-43-17

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): EMERGENCY GENERATOR & FIRE PUMP MAINTENANCE AND EMERGENCY REPAIRS IFB# 300-43-17 The documents will be available no later than September 18, 2017 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 10:00 a.m. on October 6, 2017 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, at which time they will be opened and read aloud.

Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP. org.

Questions or inquiries should be directed to: Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116 Opt 1 A pre bid meeting will be held: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Dept.

100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Thursday, September 28, 2017 10:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

HACP’s has revised their website.

As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and login, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation.

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

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS… THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): INSPECTION, TESTING, MAINTENANCE OF FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM IFB# 300-45-17 The documents will be available no later than September 18, 2017 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 11:00 a.m. on October 6, 2017 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, at which time they will be opened and read aloud.

Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP. org.

Questions or inquiries should be directed to: Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116 Opt 1 A pre bid meeting will be held: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Dept.

100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Thursday, September 28, 2017 11:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

HACP’s has revised their website.

As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and login, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation.

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

ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY LEGAL NOTICE CONTRACT NO. 1667

Sealed Bids for CONTRACT NO. 1667 CIPP REHABILITATION FOR VARIOUS PORTIONS OF THE SAW MILL RUN AND ALLEGHENY INTERCEPTORS shall be received at the office of the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, 3300 Preble Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15233, until 10:00 A.M., Prevailing Time, October 17, 2017, and then shall be publicly opened and read. A Pre-Bid Meeting will be held at the Authority’s Plant in the Main O&M Building Room 106, on September 26,2017 at 10:00 A.M., Prevailing Time. Attendance at this meeting is mandatory.

ALCOSAN encourages businesses owned and operated by minorities and women to submit bids on Authority Contracts or to participate as subcontractors or suppliers to successful Bidders. Successful Bidders are to use minority and women’s businesses to the fullest extent possible.

Contract Documents may be examined and obtained at the office of the Authority. A non- refundable fee of $100 (no cash will be accepted) will be charged for each set of Contract Documents. Bid Security shall be furnished by providing with the Bid a Ce1iified Check or Bid Bond in the amount of 10% of the Bid Price.

Bidders are encouraged to obtain a copy of the Bid Documents, if they have not already done so, from the Clerk’s Office, 2nd Floor ALCOSAN O&M Building, either before or following the Pre-Bid Meeting.

Any questions regarding the Contract Documents should be directed in writing and submitted by email to Mr. Joseph Sparbanie, ALCOSAN at (412) 732-8046.

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

ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY Jan M. Oliver Director, Regional Conveyance

To place a display ad in the New Pittsburgh Courier call 412-481-8302 ext. 128 or 129

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

SONNY BOY

Pick up your Courier at these locations NORTH SIDE LOCATIONS NORTH SIDE BEER AND BEVERAGE 1304 Federal St. 7-11 1001 Western Ave. RICHEY’S BARBER SHOP 1207 N. Franklin St. NORTH SIDE VALERO 820 Pennsylvania Ave. RITE AID 802 Pennsylvania Ave. MARSHALL SHELL 1500 Spring Garden Ave. SWINKO’S MARKET 2535 Perrysville Ave. MERCY STREET EXPRESS 6 Mercy St. HARV’S EXXON 2501 Brighton Rd. QUICK SCHWARTZ 3235 Brighton Rd. HANINI MARKET 3245 Brighton Rd. SOUTH SIDE LOCATIONS KEN’S MARKET 216 Beltzhoover Ave. Daily Mart 1125 Arlington Ave. SHOP N’ SAVE Brownsville Rd., Carrick WEST END LOCATIONS CRAFTON BEVERAGE 15 Foster Ave., Crafton/ Ingram Shopping Center SHEETZ 5400 Campbells Run Rd. SHOP N SAVE 2103 Noblestown Rd. HILL DISTRICT LOCATIONS SHOP N’ SAVE 1850 Centre Ave. WONG’S MARKET 2170 Centre Ave. ANN’S MARKET 2316 Webster Ave. A-PLUS MINI MARKET 2350 Centre Ave. UJAMMA BOUTIQUE 1901 Centre Ave. K LEROY IRVIS TOWERS 715 Mercer St. ABE’S MARKET 1860 Centre Ave. WYLIE TOBACCO 2152 Wylie Ave. POPULAR EAST END LOCATIONS GETGO 4924 Baum Blvd.

BP GAS STATION 11835 Frankstown Rd., Penn Hills PUFF’S DISCOUNT TOBACCO 10991 Frankstown Rd.,

Penn Hills SHOP N’ SAVE 3335 William Penn Hwy, near Monroeville Mall GETGO 10525 Frankstown Rd., Penn Hills CVS PHARMACY 10600 Frankstown Rd., Penn Hills SHELL GAS STATION 7619 Baum Blvd., Shadyside STANTON NEGLEY DRUG 804 N. Negley Ave., Highland Park UNIMART 5724 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside SHELL GAS STATION 6701 Frankstown Rd., East Hills SQUIRREL HILL NEWS 5804 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill MURRAY AVE. NEWS 2024 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill PUFF’S DISCOUNT TOBACCO 234 Yost Blvd., Braddock Hills DORSEY’S RECORDS 7614 Frankstown Ave., Homewood HOMEWOOD MARKET 7201 Frankstown Ave., Homewood SHEETZ 3457 William Penn Hwy., Monroeville WILLIAM PENN SMOKE SHOP 132 North Highland Ave., East Liberty DOWNTOWN LOCATIONS PENN AVENUE 7-11 (Sixth and Penn) Koppers Building (Ninth and Penn) NEWS-NUMBERS 136 Penn Avenue SMITHFIELD NEWS 115 Smithfield St. 7-11 SMITHFIELD 420 Smithfield St. FABER COE & GREGG 500 Grant St. FABER COE & GREGG 600 Grant St. NIELSEN’S STORES One Oxford Centre, Grant St. WOOD STREET 7-11 429 Wood St. NEWSTAND Sixth and Wood ONE STOP 300 Sixth & Wood

OTHER DOWNTOWN LOCATIONS INCLUDE...

KWIK-E-MART 212 Tenth St. 7-11 643 Liberty Ave. ESTER’S SNAX Federal Building, Second Floor FABER COE & GREGG Fifth Ave. Place, First Floor EXTRA EXTRA NEWS 413 Seventh Ave. UTSAV NEWS 400 Cherry Way C&C NEWS 2 PPG Place EDDIE’S SNACKS 262 Fifth Ave. BIG DADDY 465 Forbes Ave. GIANT EAGLE (18 Pittsburgh Locations) 6320 Shakespeare St., East Liberty (EAST, near BUSWAY) 4004 Monroeville Blvd., Monroeville (MONROEVILLE MALL) 230 Rodi Rd., Penn Hills (EAST inside Penn Hills Shopping Center) 9001 Frankstown Road.

(EAST, corner of Frankstown and Verona Rd.) 550 Centre Ave., Shadyside (EAST, Market District) 3812 O’Neill Blvd., McKeesport (SOUTHEAST) 1356 Hoffman Blvd., West Mifflin (NEAR KENNYWOOD) 1901 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill (EAST) 1005 Freeport Road, Waterworks Mall (NEAR FOX CHAPEL) 4250 Murray Ave., Greenfield (EAST) 254 Yost Blvd., Forest Hills/Braddock Hills (SOUTH EAST) 1705 S. Braddock Ave., Edgewood Towne Center (EAST) 420 East Waterfront Dr., Homestead (SOUTHEAST) 4680 Old William Penn Hwy, Ames Plaza, Route 22 (NEAR MURRYSVILLE) 2021 Wharton Ave. (SOUTH SIDE FLATS) 318 Cedar Ave., North Side (NORTH near E. OHIO ST.) Crafton/Ingram Shopping Center, 51 Walsh Road (WEST END) Parkway Center Mall, 1165 McKinney Lane (WEST END)

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COURIER STEELERS CENTRAL New Pittsburgh Courier

B7

SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2017

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

This Steelers Defense

(Photo by Courier photographer Brian Cook)

PLAYS NO GAMES

(Photos by Courier photographer Brian Cook)

Steelers ‘D’ put on a dominating performance in the Sept. 17 home-opener against the Vikings, but don’t sleep on the fiesty Chicago Bears this Sunday at Soldier Field The Minnesota Vikings sailed into Heinz Field and got their wish. They were methodically manhandled by the Steelers by the score of 26-9, Sept.

17, and were set sailing towards “Valhalla.”

Did yinz guys notice that I didn’t say “sent to Valhalla” as opposed to dispatched toward the Vikings’ paradise?

At the outset, it appeared very, very, unfair that the Norsemen from the slightly-thawed tundra of Minnesota were forced to face the Men of Steel with a practice squad-like unprepared signal caller, Case Keenum, who had very few, if any, first team reps and only learned on the morning of the game that he would be starting.

Vikings starter Sam Bradford, who has “china doll” tendencies, had come up with a bum knee.

The Steelers now have the third-ranked defense in the NFL, allowing 237.5 yards per game. The 13.5 points per game they’ve allowed is good enough for sixth-best in the league.

However, there were a few elements that should concern Steeler Nation in regards to the performance of the Steelers.

First and foremost, there should not have been any drama associated with the Vikings game; not in the first, second, third or fourth quarter. No apprehension of any kind should have been associated with this game.

However, the most hon-

AUBREY BRUCE COURIER STEELERS CENTRAL orable Charlie Chan says “not so fast.” The Steelers’ opening game against the Cleveland Browns (on the road), the Vikings (at home) and their upcoming contest vs. the Chicago Bears (Sept. 24 in Chicago) should just be mere tune-ups preparing to face their archenemies, the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in B-more on October 1. If the Steelers have any more rust to

remove from the offense and the defense, they had better pull out the steel wool and Rust-Oleum and get to crackin’. Because after they depart from the Windy City, win or lose, there will be no time to get it right. So far the Steelers are 2-0 and are the co-leaders of the AFC North. But during that period, they have faced a rookie quarterback in Cleveland, DeShone Kizer, and a second-string journeyman QB for the Vikings in Case Keenum.

Next up for the Steelers is Bears QB Mike Glennon, a fifth-year player out of N.C. State. Glennon’s stats for his first two starts of 2017 are not atrocious, having completed 57 of 85 passes for 514

yards with a 67.1 completion percentage. And if not for the turnovers committed by Chicago at crucial points in those two games, they would have been far more competitive and could be 2-0, and at worst, 1-1. If the Steelers sleep on the Bears, the Steelers themselves might be put to sleep.

During the next few weeks they will be facing the Ravens, Jaguars, Chiefs and Bengals, all with very experienced starting QBs. When the lights are turned down in Baltimore after the Steelers and Ravens have completed “bloodbath two” on the first day of October, Pittsburgh will have completed a quarter of the season. There can be

no excuses such as, “Martavis Bryant still is not up to snuff after his long layoff” or, “If the ball had not have been tipped, Ben Roethlisberger would not have been intercepted.”

There can be no more numerous missed tackles, blown coverages, unnecessary sacks allowed or any other nonsensical crutches offered for failure. The Steelers have a far higher than average reservoir of young talent on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, but the window for the veteran Steelers to hoist a Lombardi over their heads is closing fast, maybe too fast for comfort.

(Aubrey Bruce can be reached at abruce@newpittsburgh courier.com or 412-583-6741.)

B8

SPORTS

SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2017

The CITY LEAGUE is a MAN’S LEAGUE

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Achieving Greatness Car Show Sept. 23 at Savoy!

by Bill Neal

For New Pittsburgh Courier

SIX TEAMS are battling for the 2017 City League High School Football championship—Carrick, Westinghouse, USO, Brashear, Allderdice and Perry. But who will take the crown in a few months? Jermain Rodger is a key component in the left photo for Westinghouse, while Ian Cook is a force to be reckoned with in the right photo for Perry. Get the up-to-the-second City League standings and news now at newpittsburghcourier.com. (Photos by Will McBride)

Other receivers must step their game up for Big Ben, Steelers The Steelers find themselves 2-0 after two weeks with a game in Chicago on the horizon. One would think they will leave the Windy City 3-0, barring an absolutely catastrophic day by all units.

Yet through two weeks, the offense, despite winning their last game by 17 points, hasn’t been impressive. Ben Roethlisberger, while sharp, completing 66 percent of his passes for 506 yards and four touchdowns and one interception, hasn’t shown a lot of trust in his receivers yet, aside from Antonio Brown, of course.

It’s hard to blame Ben after that disastrous display by the receiving unit in the AFC Championship game this past January. Who can forget all of the drops and misplays by the guys that were running around out there not named Brown.

Obviously, Ben hasn’t.

In 2017 Ben has thrown the ball 70 times, 22 of those attempts have been to Brown, or 31 percent of the balls thrown, nearly a third of all of his attempts go Brown’s way. On one hand, it’s hard to argue throwing the ball to Brown that often; he is, after all, the best receiver in football and he and Ben have an obvious connection that is hard to find with even the most perfect of pairings.

The production is there

and through two weeks the record is there as well.

Yet, it’s an easy way to become one dimensional, a way for the defense to know what you’re doing nearly a third of the passing plays and this time, it needs to be different. This isn’t the AFC Championship game, Cobi Hamilton and Sammie Coates aren’t out there anymore. Instead, I believe you have a second number one receiver in Martavis Bryant who is just as fast, if not faster than Brown. He’s bigger than Brown, he’s got hands probably as good as Brown, and the best part is, he forces teams from doubling Brown…if you get him the ball.

That started to happen in the Minnesota game, Sept. 17, and I think you’ll see it happen even more when the Steelers take on the Bears this Sunday, Sept. 24. Bryant put up 91 yards against the Vikings, improving his season average to 21 yards per catch.

He gives the offense a very legitimate deep threat, coupled with his 6-foot-4 frame. He’s a great option in the red zone and on third downs. I fully expect him to be targeted close to ten times against Chicago this coming week.

But it doesn’t stop with Bryant. Ben can’t forget about Le’Veon Bell. As Bell continues to get his legs

COURIER PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN COOK captures Antonio Brown celebrating with Martavis Bryant, after Bryant’s touchdown reception against the Vikings, Sept. 17 at Heinz Field.

back in the running game, he can be utilized in the passing attack, providing a safety for Ben when no other receivers are open or in short-yardage situations. Bell has been a very valuable asset in the passing game over the years and he needs to be utilized more in that fashion this

MIKE PELAIA COURIER STEELERS CENTRAL season. In Chicago, Bell will catch around eight balls for 50 yards. I see it coming. Ben is regaining trust in the guys he didn’t have with him on the field

in New England on that cold January night that ended Pittsburgh’s season and sent Roethlisberger into talks of retirement.

I’m in no way suggesting he forget about Brown.

Brown is still good for 8 catches a game and 100 yards, but if Ben can target his other guys more often, the defenses won’t be able to focus on Brown nearly as often and the offense will begin to explode. Despite the 17-point victory against the Vikings, this offense is far from what it can be and this is a fast way to jumpstart this unit into becoming a historic offense.

As the team enters their third week against the Bears, it’s time for Ben to spread the ball around and put his trust in guys not named Antonio Brown. If he does, the team will be better for it.

:10—I know, I know, I know…you hate to say it.

Hey, for that matter you even hate to think it, but what you gonna do. Oh stop it. You know what I’m talking about. Once again the words “Bill Neal was right” have to burn their way out your mouth. I told “ya’ll” Martavis Bryant didn’t shoot the sheriff or the deputy. It was just weed, people. And it’s legal in some states. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t condone the habit and those who know me know I don’t know a doobie from the Doobie Brothers, but the problem was fixable. And now, boys and girls, judging by this past Sunday’s game against the Vikings, you see why the Steelers didn’t send him packin’. The man has “Super Bowl” skills! :09—In case you’ve been asleep at the wheel, your two-time, Back-to-Back, Lord Stanley Cup Penguins started training camp.

That’s all I got. Move along, people. Nothing else to see here. :08—The tuff time Pittsburgh Pirate pitcher Trevor Williams is having is no reason to throw him to the wolves. Truth is, the first six seasons of the great Sandy Koufax were nothing to write home about.

But the second six years…

LEG—EN—DARY!!! :07—The car show is back up. The Achieving Greatness Car Cruise and Show is re-set for Saturday, September 23 in the parking lot of the fabulous Savoy Restaurant. New time, 12 noon until 4 p.m. First, second and third place large trophies—two categories —Corvettes, and all other cars, bikes, SUVs—trophies for each category. :06—Tickets are now available for the 4th Annual Pittsburgh City League High School Hall of Fame Awards. Saturday, October 7 at the August Wilson Center. 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. showtime. Only 500 will be sold. Remember the last 3 years were sold out.

Tonja Stevens, Kevan Barlow, Vaughn Rivers, Eddie Benton, and Lauren and Christina Neft lead the group this year. Call my

number for information.

412-628-4856. :05—The Steelers home opener hit all the right buttons. A great tribute to a great man, Mr. Dan Rooney with a video tribute. Perfect football weather and a good throwback butt kicking to the Minnesota Vikings. (January 12, 1975, Super Bowl IX Steelers 16 – Vikings 6. The Purple People Eaters got chewed up themselves. Limited to Super Bowl record lows of nine first downs, 119 total offensive yards and no offensive scores. Their only score came on a blocked punt and they didn’t even score the extra point.) :04—I’ll make this short

Overtime

BILL NEAL and to the dog-gone point.

My man “Zik” once again has these re-occurring unbelievable ideas from an alternate universe that Earl Campbell is, was, could be, might have been…whatever…than Franco Harris. Oh don’t worry. I did ask, “Are you outside your mind?” I cleared this up last year.

Campbell was great. A beast to be sure, but he was no Franco Harris. Hit me at 412-628-4856. :03—Serena Williams had a baby girl, Alexis! OK, let’s go, man. This ain’t “As The World Turns.” :02—Look, the Pitt season is a long way from over and they will post a winning season when it’s all over, but I do want to sit in a dark room with a wiffle ball bat and talk to the cat that lined up Penn State and Oklahoma State back-toback. C’mon man!!! :01—Where’s O.J.?

I thought he was free! OMG, they done killed O.J.! Or, don’t tell me he got out and shut his damn mouth. :00—GAME OVER.