Eight Southwestern Pennsylvania high school aged girls will be traveling to The White House for an event on mentoring on Monday, June 21st. Their chaperon will be Heather Arnet, CEO of the Women and Girls Foundation.
They will partake in a mentoring, responsible fatherhood-themed Bar-B-Q with President Obama on the White House Lawn. 142 other teenagers, mostly from the DC area have been invited as well. There will also be workshops for the girls in the fields of business, entertainment and public service.
The foundation has been invited because of the work they do in developing self-esteem and leadership capacities in young women and working with young men to be advocates for gender equity.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Energy Co. Wants to Develop in Southwest Pa.
A new power plant slated for Westmoreland County is in the works.
Tenaska Energy of Nebraska is pursuing clearance to build a natural gas-powered facility that would provide electricity for about 900,000 homes along the East Coast.
Tenaska Project Manager Dan Culver says the construction process of the South Huntington Township plant will take about five years. He says the plant would create 300 construction jobs and 25 to 30 permanent positions.
Culver says the facility would be “clean, modern, and quiet.” He says Tenaska has a reputation as an environmentally responsible company.
“The Natural Resources Defense Council, in 2008 in their benchmark studies, listed Tenaska as having the best record for controlling emissions of carbon dioxide and as one of the top performing companies for controlling nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide.”
Though the complex would only take up a space of about 50 acres, Tenaska has bought 400 acres of land just south of I-70 near West Newton. Culver says that would create a buffer to keep the plant out of sight of its neighbors.
Culver says the natural gas capacity of the Marcellus Shale bodes well for the Westmoreland plant.
More information on the plant can be found here.
Tenaska Energy of Nebraska is pursuing clearance to build a natural gas-powered facility that would provide electricity for about 900,000 homes along the East Coast.
Tenaska Project Manager Dan Culver says the construction process of the South Huntington Township plant will take about five years. He says the plant would create 300 construction jobs and 25 to 30 permanent positions.
Culver says the facility would be “clean, modern, and quiet.” He says Tenaska has a reputation as an environmentally responsible company.
“The Natural Resources Defense Council, in 2008 in their benchmark studies, listed Tenaska as having the best record for controlling emissions of carbon dioxide and as one of the top performing companies for controlling nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide.”
Though the complex would only take up a space of about 50 acres, Tenaska has bought 400 acres of land just south of I-70 near West Newton. Culver says that would create a buffer to keep the plant out of sight of its neighbors.
Culver says the natural gas capacity of the Marcellus Shale bodes well for the Westmoreland plant.
More information on the plant can be found here.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Giant Eagle Workers To Vote On Proposed Contract
After nearly six weeks of negotiations, Giant Eagle and Local 23 of the United Food and Commercial Workers have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract. The current contract for some 6,000 employees at 36 stores in the region is set to expire June 26.
The agreement comes just 2 days after each side filed charges against one another with the National Labor Relations Board.
Tony Helfer, President of Local 23, says details of the agreement will not be released until rank and file members are briefed, however the bargaining committee is unanimously recommending ratification...
“We had a lot of tough issues to work through, but both sides worked really hard, stuck to it and in the end I think we have an agreement that both sides can live with.”
Local 23 members will vote on the agreement Friday.
The agreement comes just 2 days after each side filed charges against one another with the National Labor Relations Board.
Tony Helfer, President of Local 23, says details of the agreement will not be released until rank and file members are briefed, however the bargaining committee is unanimously recommending ratification...
“We had a lot of tough issues to work through, but both sides worked really hard, stuck to it and in the end I think we have an agreement that both sides can live with.”
Local 23 members will vote on the agreement Friday.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Local Congress Aims to Cut Costs via Collaboration
Allegheny County leaders gathered in Oakland today to discuss issues common to Pittsburgh and the 35 municipalities that border the city.
The Congress of Neighboring Communities (CONNECT) wants the 36 urban governments to work together on issues like emergency medical services, LED street lights and funding for the Port Authority of Allegheny County.
Professor Dave Miller of the University of Pittsburgh created CONNECT. He says the measures taken by this 2nd Congress are meant to cut costs.
“I think in the area of, for instance, street lighting, which is a huge expense for all the municipalities, developing a common strategy around street lighting could not only yield financial savings but also could really improve the quality of life and quality of service in the core region of Allegheny County,” says Miller.
Mt. Lebanon 1st Ward Commissioner D. Raja says CONNECT helps him find ways to keep infrastructure costs down. He says so far, he hasn’t been opposed to any of the resolutions adopted by the Congress.
“The way this has been structured so far, it is looking to make it a win for all communities, so things like sharing costs and all that, that’s going to help every single one, and not just one municipality,” says Raja. “If you take it to the next level and say one municipality has to subsidize somebody else, that’s a different level, but we’re not there yet.”
Miller says 680,000 people live in CONNECT municipalities. He says that region is also home to the majority of the county’s jobs.
More information can be found at the CONNECT homepage.
The Congress of Neighboring Communities (CONNECT) wants the 36 urban governments to work together on issues like emergency medical services, LED street lights and funding for the Port Authority of Allegheny County.
Professor Dave Miller of the University of Pittsburgh created CONNECT. He says the measures taken by this 2nd Congress are meant to cut costs.
“I think in the area of, for instance, street lighting, which is a huge expense for all the municipalities, developing a common strategy around street lighting could not only yield financial savings but also could really improve the quality of life and quality of service in the core region of Allegheny County,” says Miller.
Mt. Lebanon 1st Ward Commissioner D. Raja says CONNECT helps him find ways to keep infrastructure costs down. He says so far, he hasn’t been opposed to any of the resolutions adopted by the Congress.
“The way this has been structured so far, it is looking to make it a win for all communities, so things like sharing costs and all that, that’s going to help every single one, and not just one municipality,” says Raja. “If you take it to the next level and say one municipality has to subsidize somebody else, that’s a different level, but we’re not there yet.”
Miller says 680,000 people live in CONNECT municipalities. He says that region is also home to the majority of the county’s jobs.
More information can be found at the CONNECT homepage.
CPRB and City Spar Over Redacted Documents
The Pittsburgh Citizen Police Review Board (CPRB) and the city will be back in court in August to make oral arguments as to why the heavily redacted documents given to the CPRB by the city do or do not meet a judge’s order to hand over materials needed to investigate police officers' actions during the G20 summit in September. At a contempt of court hearing today, CPRB lawyer Ward McGough argued that so much information was lined through that the documents are unusable. Paul Krepps, the attorney for the city, says if the information was not redacted the city could be in violation of privacy laws. The city also argued that releasing the data could in some cases jeopardize future operations. Along with arrest, incident, summons, subject resistance, and investigative reports, the board asked for operational documents such as the manual given to visiting officers and the insurance policy taken out by the city to cover the time around the G20. CPRB Executive Director Elizabeth Pittinger says because the information in the documents has been "blacked out" the board is unable to do its job. Pittinger notes that in other cases being investigated by the CPRB the city has handed over the documents without any redaction. The judge has given the city and the CPRB until August 26th to prepare for oral arguments. Between now and then there are several deadlines including a date to submit written arguments.
It has also been learned that the Pittsburgh City Council and the Mayor are submitting new names to fill the Citizen Police Review Board. The council and the mayor choose the seven-member board. All of the current members of the board are serving under expired terms. Some of them have been serving in that capacity for two years according to Pittinger. When asked to react to the submission of seven new names Pittinger said, “I think you would have to look upon it as a retaliatory act.”
Pittsburgh Mayoral spokesperson Joanna Doven says the approval of the board nominees on the same day as the court hearing was coincidental and in no way a retaliation. Doven says the 4 names from the council were submitted to the mayor 58 days ago and he had 60 days to review them and sign off on the nominations. Doven was also quick to point out that of the three nominations made by the mayor two are current CPRB members.
Bail Denied, Veon Sent to Prison
Former Pennsylvania House Democratic Whip Mike Veon will spend six to fourteen years in state prison for conducting campaign work with public resources.
Judge Richard Lewis told Veon his “thirst for more power and prestige…caused him to ignore the very laws and regulations he had a hand in creating.”
Lewis said “Hard earned tax dollars were essentially prostituted for political ambition” in the tax-funded bonuses for campaign work scheme.
Veon did not testify during his winter trial, but he made a statement during the sentencing hearing.
He acknowledged making mistakes, and said he apologized.
Veon said he was proud of what he accomplished as a lawmaker, saying “I had an unusual, incredible work ethic.”
Prosecutor Marc Costanzo says even though Veon didn’t come up with the illegal bonus idea, he led the illegal effort.
"It was clearly, based on the testimony of (Michael) Manzo and (Scott) Brubaker – it was their idea. But their good idea would have gone nowhere without Veon being told about it, OKing it, and allowing them to effectuate it. And he monitored it all along."
Lewis denied bail for Veon while he appeals. The onetime legislative leader was handcuffed and led out of the courtroom at the end of the hearing.
Judge Richard Lewis told Veon his “thirst for more power and prestige…caused him to ignore the very laws and regulations he had a hand in creating.”
Lewis said “Hard earned tax dollars were essentially prostituted for political ambition” in the tax-funded bonuses for campaign work scheme.
Veon did not testify during his winter trial, but he made a statement during the sentencing hearing.
He acknowledged making mistakes, and said he apologized.
Veon said he was proud of what he accomplished as a lawmaker, saying “I had an unusual, incredible work ethic.”
Prosecutor Marc Costanzo says even though Veon didn’t come up with the illegal bonus idea, he led the illegal effort.
"It was clearly, based on the testimony of (Michael) Manzo and (Scott) Brubaker – it was their idea. But their good idea would have gone nowhere without Veon being told about it, OKing it, and allowing them to effectuate it. And he monitored it all along."
Lewis denied bail for Veon while he appeals. The onetime legislative leader was handcuffed and led out of the courtroom at the end of the hearing.
Historical Commission Wants More Info on Arena Plans
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission has sent a letter to the City-County Sports and Exhibition Authority questioning the speed of the razing of the Mellon Arena. The facility officially goes dark in August when the Penguins move their offices into the Consol Energy Center. At that time, using tax dollars, the SEA would be responsible for utilities, maintenance and insurance costs. A consultant told the SEA board that would be about $78,000 to $100,000 a month depending on whether the plan is to demolish the arena or keep it ready for possible re-use.
In her letter to the SEA, Historical Commission Director Jean Cutler said they want to make sure they've received all crucial information to fully understand the process and the effects on historic resources (the arena). The SEA sent a study it commissioned that supports the Penguins plans to demolish the arena and develop the 28 acre site. Two preservation groups have commissioned their own study on keeping the arena.
In her letter to the SEA, Historical Commission Director Jean Cutler said they want to make sure they've received all crucial information to fully understand the process and the effects on historic resources (the arena). The SEA sent a study it commissioned that supports the Penguins plans to demolish the arena and develop the 28 acre site. Two preservation groups have commissioned their own study on keeping the arena.
Veon Gets 6 to 14 Years in Prison
Former Pennsylvania House Democratic Whip Mike Veon was sentenced today for his March conviction on 14 counts of theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest in connection with the use of tax dollars for employees doing campaign work on state time. Dauphin County Judge Richard Lewis sentenced Veon to 6 to 14 years in prison, fined him $37,000 and ordered him to pay $100,000 in restitution. The prosecution had asked for a 12 to 17 year prison term.
Prior to his sentencing, Veon told the judge "I made mistakes, I apologize."
Judge Lewis denied his request to be free on bond while he appeals.
Earlier today, Judge Lewis sentenced Veon's former aide, Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink to 3 to 6 months in jail followed by 3 months house arrest and 45 months probation. Perretta-Rosepink, who ran the district office of former Beaver County State Representative Mike Veon, was fined $8,000 and ordered to pay $25,000 in restitution. The judge said she clearly broke the law , but he didn't believe she was a central figure in the scheme to use public resources for campaign work.
Prior to his sentencing, Veon told the judge "I made mistakes, I apologize."
Judge Lewis denied his request to be free on bond while he appeals.
Earlier today, Judge Lewis sentenced Veon's former aide, Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink to 3 to 6 months in jail followed by 3 months house arrest and 45 months probation. Perretta-Rosepink, who ran the district office of former Beaver County State Representative Mike Veon, was fined $8,000 and ordered to pay $25,000 in restitution. The judge said she clearly broke the law , but he didn't believe she was a central figure in the scheme to use public resources for campaign work.
Another Bonusgate Defendant Sentenced
A former legislative aide was sentenced to 3 to 6 months in the Dauphin County Jail for her conviction in the illegal bonuses scandal. Judge Richard Lewis also sentenced Anna Marie Peretta-Rosepink to 3 months house arrest and 45 months probation. Perretta-Rosepink, who ran the district office of former Beaver County State Representative Mike Veon, was fined $8,000 and ordered to pay $25,000 in restitution.
Prior to her sentencing, Perretta-Rosepink admitted that she directed employees to perform campaign work on state time. She apologized, admitted to "crossing the line," said she didn't know how to decline when she was asked to do campaign work, and then asked for leniency.
The prosecution was seeking a 19 to 44 month sentence in a state prison. Perretta-Rosepink's attorney called it a fair sentence but the prosecutor Patrick Blessington says she still hasn't accepted full responsibility.
Perreta-Rosepink was convicted in March, along with her former boss, Veon, and a former House aide Brett Cott for their roles in using state tax dollars for illegal campaign work.
Veon is being sentenced later this morning. The prosecution is seeking a sentence of 12 to 17 years. Cott began serving his 21 to 60 month sentence in May. Judge Lewis is expected to rule next week on Cott's request to reduce that sentence.
Prior to her sentencing, Perretta-Rosepink admitted that she directed employees to perform campaign work on state time. She apologized, admitted to "crossing the line," said she didn't know how to decline when she was asked to do campaign work, and then asked for leniency.
The prosecution was seeking a 19 to 44 month sentence in a state prison. Perretta-Rosepink's attorney called it a fair sentence but the prosecutor Patrick Blessington says she still hasn't accepted full responsibility.
Perreta-Rosepink was convicted in March, along with her former boss, Veon, and a former House aide Brett Cott for their roles in using state tax dollars for illegal campaign work.
Veon is being sentenced later this morning. The prosecution is seeking a sentence of 12 to 17 years. Cott began serving his 21 to 60 month sentence in May. Judge Lewis is expected to rule next week on Cott's request to reduce that sentence.
PA’s Tax Amnesty Window Closes at Midnight.
Governor Ed Rendell says the state has already brought in nearly all of its 190 million dollar goal.
Delinquent taxpayers have until midnight to settle debts with no penalty and half the interest.
After that, the state will impose stiffer fines, and step up efforts to collect fees.
A series of edgy television commercials has made that threat over the past month.
Governor Rendell defends the $3 million cost of the ad campaign and its aggressive tone....
"I like them because they work. You know – we’ve been on almost every national news program, and it’s drawn a lot of attention to them. It’s a little like the swift boat ads. What did they put, 200 thousand dollars on tv and they got hundreds of millions of dollars of coverage?"
Rendell says through Thursday morning, the Revenue Department had collected 180 million dollars, and that more applications were coming in around the clock.
This year’s budget banks on 190 million dollars from the tax amnesty program.
Any revenue beyond that would put a dent in the state’s 1.2 billion dollar deficit.
Delinquent taxpayers have until midnight to settle debts with no penalty and half the interest.
After that, the state will impose stiffer fines, and step up efforts to collect fees.
A series of edgy television commercials has made that threat over the past month.
Governor Rendell defends the $3 million cost of the ad campaign and its aggressive tone....
"I like them because they work. You know – we’ve been on almost every national news program, and it’s drawn a lot of attention to them. It’s a little like the swift boat ads. What did they put, 200 thousand dollars on tv and they got hundreds of millions of dollars of coverage?"
Rendell says through Thursday morning, the Revenue Department had collected 180 million dollars, and that more applications were coming in around the clock.
This year’s budget banks on 190 million dollars from the tax amnesty program.
Any revenue beyond that would put a dent in the state’s 1.2 billion dollar deficit.
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