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FEBRUARY 22-28, 2017
Woodruff declares Supreme Court run by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer
Joined by several former Pittsburgh Steeler teammates and host of political, family and neighborhood supporters, Common Pleas Judge Dwayne Woodruff officially declared his candidacy for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court seat left vacant by the resignation of Michael Eakin, who stepped down after becoming embroiled in a porn email scandal. “It’s great seeing all my friends and former teammates, but this is about you,” he said. “When I first came here, I learned that if I worked hard, if I studied and did the things I’m supposed to do, you showed up and cheered. And then 12 years ago you came out and allowed me to be the number-one vote getter in that election. Here we are again getting ready to embark on another adventure and it’s all about you to advance our goals missions and families. And I’m asking for your support again. I want to be your seat at the table of the Supreme TEAM SUPPORT—Judge Dwayne Woodruff surrounded by former teammates of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Art Rooney II. (Photo by J.L. Martello) Court of Pennsylvania.” Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto venile court with the tire but he wants to give said it is time to put Woodruff on Youth Home and I just back.” the Supreme Court bench. think he’s a tremendous As Allegheny County “We’ve been blessed to have asset to this community Executive Rich Fitzgersomeone who’s been part of this and he’ll be a great as- ald noted, Woodruff was community for decades and set to the state of Penn- unanimously endorsed who’s proven himself at every sylvania.” by the state Democratlevel,” said Peduto. “And we need Former teammate ic Party two weeks ago someone on the Supreme Court Mike Wagner echoed and will face no opposiwho has the ability to make deciBlount. tion in the May 16 prisions that put people first.” “He has worked so mary election. However, Mel Blount said while he’s hard to get here and he will have a Repub“Steelers family,” he’s still a qualcontinues to work hard,” lican opponent, Tioga ified candidate. he said. “He’s got a heart County Justice Sallie “He’s proven his commitment of gold, he’s learned the Updyke Mundy, in the over the years and he’s sincere about his work,” he said. “I’ve BIGGEST SUPPORTER—Judge Dwayne Woodruff with his law and he wants to SEE WOODRUFF A4 give back. He could redone some work with him in ju- wife, Joy.
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McKinney sentenced for killing state rep.’s sister Charles McKinney, 42, who was charged with killing Ja-nese Jackson Talton outside Cliff ’s Bar & Grill in Homewood last year has been sentenced to 2040 years after pleading guilty to third-degree homicide. Talton was the sister of state Rep. Ed Gainey, D-East Liberty. On Jan. 22, 2016, Talton, 29, rejected advances by McKinney at the tavern. When she left with friends, McKinney followed her outside and shot her in the chest. He then led police on a chase through several neighborhoods before crashing his car in Wilkinsburg. He was initially charged with first-degree murder and facing life. He agreed to plead guilty to third-degree murder, gun violations, fleeing and eluding police, reckless endangerment and resisting arrest to receive a lesser sentence. At sentencing, McKinney told Common Pleas Judge Jill Rangos he was sorry, that he and Talton were friends and that he didn’t mean to kill her. In the police affidavit, however, the officers stated that after Talton brushed him off, the bar’s security guard heard him say he would “merc” her—short for mercenary—meaning he would kill her. “It was a horrible, tragic accident,” McKinney said. Gainey, who attended the sentencing with about 10 other family members, said it was no accident. “It was a decision,” he said. “The tragedy comes after.” Talton left behind twin daughters and a son.
Former Black DeVos could bring radical changes to public schools Panther chair . s top ed c tio offici is ot ch i his ppro ch does the town by Mary Niederberger For New Pittsburgh Courier
(PUBLICSOURCE)—Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera is not letting uncertainty at the U.S. Department of Education derail any of the plans his department has set in motion for improving education in the
by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer
Author, musician, lifelong activist and former Black Panther Party Chair Elaine Brown gave Pittsburgh a taste of her revolutionary rhetoric as she recently visited her old comrade Rashad Byrdsong and made presentations at his Community Empowerment Association and at the ELAINE BROWN University of Pittsburgh. Brown made it clear that she is still about revolution and that she has no time for posers, as she said last year when she said Black Lives Matter had a “plantation mentality.” She likewise has no patience with the New Black Panther Party. For her, it comes down to the difference between talk and action. “There is a single agenda and that agenda is revolution. We started with an ideology. What are you gonna do--talk about SEE FORMER A4
state. Newly installed U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has talked about abandoning Common Core and promoting school vouchers and charter schools over traditional public school districts. But Rivera, in an interview with PublicSource, said the current
education agenda will remain in place. The priorities have included implementing the Pennsylvania Corestandards, aligning state tests and curriculum to those standards, revising the system for assessing quality in schools, creating new high school graduation requirements and working to increase equity among public
schools. “We are not going to reverse course at all,” Rivera said. “We are going to move in the direction we are moving.” The secretary said the decision was made in consultation with his staff and Gov. Tom Wolf. DeVos’ desire to eliminate the Common Core—an effort of the Obama administration to creSEE DeVOS A6
Gilchrist, Bickerstaff promoted with Schubert by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer
A VERY SPECIAL DAY—Amera Gilchrist celebrates being sworn in as assistant chief of EMS and her birthday. (Photos by J.L. Martello)
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Although it wasn’t a surprise, Amera Gilchrist received a very special birthday present when, surrounded by friends and family, she was promoted to assistant chief of Pittsburgh’s Emergency Medical Service—becoming the only woman or African American to reach that rank. But she said it wouldn’t have been possible if not for the people of Freedom House Ambulance Service—the all-Black service that invented modern EMS in the 1960s. “It’s awesome,” she said of the Feb. 16 ceremony. “But I can’t take all the credit. This is for all the
SWORN IN—Lavonnie Bicker- IT’S OFFICIAL—Scott Schubert staff being sworn in as one of being sworn in as the new Pittsthree assistant chiefs of police. burgh police chief. people who came before partment. It’s because of all me that pushed me to this the men and women who position. Freedom House SEE GILCHRIST A4 was the staple of this de-
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FEBRUARY 22-28, 2017
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
This Week In Black History
HOLLANDE VISITS—In this photo dated Feb. 7, provided by Le Parisien, France’s President Francois Hollande, right, stands next to alleged victim, identified only by his first name, Theo, at Robert Ballanger hospital in Aulnay-sous-Bois, north of Paris, France. (Arnaud Journois/Le Parisien via AP)
Victim of alleged French police rape thanks supporters PARIS (AP)—The lawyer for a young Black man who says he was raped by French police with a baton in a Paris suburb said Feb. 17 that his client is still waiting for justice. The 22-year-old man, identified publicly only by his first name, Theo, left the hospital Fe. 16 and thanked supporters from around France and abroad. The notes and visits “helped me hang on ... made it possible for me to be here among you today,” he said in a Facebook video. Theo is “becoming a symbol,” his lawyer, Eric Dupond-Moretti, told The Associated Press on Friday — a young, Black man working as an educator in a poor neighborhood northeast of Paris who stood up against police violence. Theo says he is still not healed after the alleged rape Feb. 2 during an identity check in his hometown of Aulnay-sous-Bois. “Thanks to God, I walked out (of the hospital) on both my legs. When I was admitted, I was in a wheelchair and in very bad shape.... I will get some rest and will try to keep you informed,” he said in his video. Four officers have been charged, one with rape, three other with aggravated assault. They all deny intentional wrongdoing. A video online apparently showing Theo’s arrest prompted widespread anger. The incident was fol-
WAITING FOR JUSTICE—Eric Dupond-Moretti the lawyer of a young Black man who says he was raped with a police baton in a Paris suburb, gestures as he speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in his office in Paris, Feb. 17. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) lowed by a week of protests in suburbs around Paris, many degenerating into violence. “He’s a young man who is asking for justice to be done. He has been asking for no riots, that everybody stay calm. His family said this too. But of course they are people who are really asking and waiting for justice,” Dupond-Morreti said. Rioters in the Paris suburbs aimed large fireworks at police and set fire to cars and garbage bins in a fourth night of unrest over the alleged rape of a young Black man by police, authorities said Feb. 9. Police made another 26 arrests overnight Wednesday to Thursday as unrest continued to spread to
more towns in Saint-SeineDenis, a working class region northeast of the French capital with a large minority population. The latest arrests on Feb. 8 included three people who allegedly shot large fireworks at police, the prosecutors’ office said. It said shopping carts, garbage bins and cars were also set alight. No injuries were reported. Video that apparently showed the young man’s arrest circulated on the Internet, showing him on the ground against a wall surrounded by four men, who appeared to be roughing him up. President Francois Hollande visited the alleged victim, identified only by his first name, Theo, on Feb. 7 at the suburban hospital where he had been treated since the assault. The young man called for calm from his hospital bed, as did France’s prime minister. Authorities are wary of unrest in France’s poor towns, remembering fiery 2005 riots that spread through France—beginning in the Saint-Denis town of Clichy-Sous-Bois, and hopscotching through social housing around the country.
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For the week of Feb. 22-28 February 22 1950—Basketball legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving is born in Roosevelt, N.Y. He was the most dominant NBA player of his era. The former Philadelphia 76’er was 6’7”, 210 pounds. February 23 1868—Dr. W.E.B. DuBois is born William Edward Burghardt DuBois in Great Barrington, Mass. DuBois can easily qualify as Black America’s leading scholar and intellectual of the late 1800s and early 1900s. He was also an educator and social activist fighting tirelessly against racial injustice and U.S. imperialism. He started the NAACP’s influential “Crisis” magazine. He organized what many consider the First Pan African Congress. (Actually, it was the second. The first took place in 1900.) However, in his later years DuBois became increasingly frustrated with American W.E.B. DuBOIS racism, injustice and hypocritical brand of democracy. He turned to socialism around 1927 and despaired of the NAACP’s legalistic approach to obtaining rights for Blacks. He nevertheless authored several influential books including “The Souls of Black Folks.” He coined the phrase ‘talented tenth” to describe what he believed would have to be a class of educated and skilled Blacks who would have to lead the race out of its oppression. DuBois finally went into self-imposed exile in the West African nation of Ghana saying, “In my own country for nearly a century I have been nothing but a Nigger.” He died in Ghana’s capital, Accra, on Aug. 27, 1963. He was 95. February 24 1864—Rebecca Lee Crumbler becomes the first African-American woman to receive a medical degree. Born in 1833, she graduated from the New England Female Medical College. Prior to becoming a doctor, she had worked as a nurse in Massachusetts for more than six years. 1868—The U.S. House of Representatives voted 126 to 47 to impeach President Andrew Johnson. Johnson had run afoul of a group of pro-Black legislators known as the Radical Republicans because of his opposition to full citizenship rights for former slaves. He survived being ousted as president by one vote in the U.S. Senate. As far as historical speculation goes, it would have been much better for Black rights and the course of Black history if Johnson had been ousted. His opposition to full rights, including voting rights, for Blacks helped lay the foundation for the un-doing of Reconstruction and the many gains Blacks had made during that period. 1966—Kwame Nkrumah is ousted in a military coup as president of the West African nation of Ghana. This KWAME NKRUMAH was another event which changed the course of Black history for the worse. Nkrumah, educated at the predominantly Black Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, had been a major intellectual and pragmatic force for Pan-Africanism and worldwide Black unity. From the time he became the first president of Ghana in March 1957, he had worked tirelessly for international Black advance and world peace. His ouster left a void which after 40 years has not been filled by any other African leader. Nkrumah died in 1972. January 25 1851—The first Black Women’s Rights Convention is held in Akron, Ohio. The keynote speaker was anti-slavery activist Sojourner Truth. 1966—Constance Baker Motley becomes the first African-American woman appointed to a federal judgeship. She takes the bench in the Southern District of New York. Motley was a major civil rights hero helping win several important cases during the 1950s and ‘60s. CONSTANCE BAKER MOTLEY Among the cases was the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, which desegregated the nation’s schools. She worked for the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund and helped Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in several of his legal battles. Born in 1921 in New Haven, Conn., Motley died in 2006. 1980—Black Entertainment Television, the first Black owned company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, begins broadcasting from its headquarters in Washington, D.C. While still Black programmed, BET is now owned by media conglomerate Viacom. February 26 1920—Dr. Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950) founds the first nationally organized celebration of Black American history (then called Negro History Week), which was first celebrated on this day in 1926. Woodson scheduled the week to coincide with the birthdays of Civil War President Abraham Lincoln and Black abolitionist Frederick CARTER G. WOODSON Douglass. However, in 1976, Negro History Week was expanded into the current day Black History Month. For his efforts in promoting knowledge of Black historical achievements Woodson became known as the “Father of Black History.” In explaining the need for the celebration, Woodson once said, “Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.” 1964—Heavyweight boxing champion Cassius Clay changes his name to Muhammad Ali after rejecting Christianity and joining the Elijah Muhammad-led Nation of Islam. February 27 1748—This is the probable birth date of Prince Hall— the “Father of Black Masons.” Hall was a veteran of America’s war of independence from England, founder of the first African-American Masonic lodges and one of the most prominent Black leaders of his era. The charter for the first Black Masonic lodge was granted on Sept. 29, 1784. It was known as African Lodge #459 of Boston. 1869—Congress adopts the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution making it illegal for the U.S. government or any state to “deny or abridge” the right to vote “on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude.” This was one of the so-called “Reconstruction Amendments (13th, 14th & 15th)” which essentially ended slavery, made Blacks full U.S. citizens and guaranteed the right to vote. PRINCE HALL 1872—Charlotte E. Ray graduates from the Howard University Law School becoming the first Black female lawyer in the United States. It also appears that she was the third female lawyer of any race. She was admitted to the Washington, D.C., bar the same year she graduated. But racism and sexism prevented her from making a living as a lawyer in the nation’s capital, so she moved to New York and got a job with the Brooklyn school system. February 28 1708—One of the first recorded slave revolts in American history takes place on Newton, Long Island (New York). Seven Whites are killed. In retaliation, two Black male slaves and one Indian male slave were hung, while one Black female slave was burned alive. 1879—A date considered by many to mark the beginning of the great “Exodus of 1879,” when thousands of Blacks begin fleeing racism, violence and economic exploitation in the South for new lives in the Midwest, especially Kansas. One of the most prominent CHARLOTTE E. RAY organizers of the exodus was former Tennessee slave Benjamin “Pap” Singleton. An estimated 20,000 Blacks took part in the exodus. They were driven in part by the Homestead Act which promised free land. But by 1880, efforts had already begun to curtail the movement of Blacks to the Midwest. In 1881, Pap Singleton was hauled before a Senate investigative committee looking into his role in the exodus. 1989—Philip Emeagwali is awarded the Golden Bell Prize for solving one of the 20 most difficult problems in computer science. The prize is widely considered the “Nobel Prize of Computing.” The feat of the Nigerian-born computer scientist involved, at the time, the world’s fastest computer computation—a staggering 3.1 billion calculations per second. He figured out how oil flows underground and thus better enabled companies to extract it.
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Will Trump do a better job than Obama with HBCUs? Trump White House working on executive order for HBCUs
by Lauren Victoria Burke
continuously defended HBCUs from Obama administration policy. NNPA Newswire Columnist In 2015, members of Congress and advocates were blindsided by President Despite a cavalcade of political disObama’s announcement to push for two tractions and a legal battle over immiyears of free community college tuition. gration, President Trump appears to be The plan would have sent federal money focused on funding Historically Black to states that would eliminate tuition Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). and fees for community college students, Less than three weeks in office, the but the plan failed to specifically include Trump administration is in the process HBCUs. In July 2015, members of of writing an executive order on HBCongress expanded the plan to include CUs; there’s also loud talk of increased HBCUs by way of targeted grants. funding, and that the White House is In 2009, President Obama’s first budplanning an event with HBCU college get cut $73 million in funding for HBpresidents, later this month. CUs. The money was later restored after On Feb. 8, White House Press Secremembers of Congress, led by former tary Sean Spicer told reporters that, House Education Committee Chairman “the president has a strong commitment George Miller, scrambled to find a way to them [HBCUs] and understands that to fill the shortfall. over the last eight years they’ve been In 2011, the Department of Education woefully neglected and I think he really decided to make it harder for parents to wants to show a commitment in funding secure Parent PLUS loans by tightening to HBCUs. You’ll see not just a push credit worthiness standards. Though this month, but in his budget and going over 400,000 parents had been rejected forward.” for Parent PLUS loans in early 2013, On Feb. 9, new U.S. Secretary of Eduthe change hit the parents of HBCU stucation Betsy DeVos visited Howard UniSUPPORT FOR HBCUs—According to White House insiders, the Trump administration is planning an exec- dents disproportionately and interruptversity President Wayne Frederick for utive order to address some of the financial issues facing HBCUs. Photo taken during a meeting on African ed the college careers of 28,000 HBCU a, “robust discussion around the many American History Month in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, (AP Photo/File/Evan students. HCBU advocates considered challenges facing higher education and Vucci) suing the Obama Administration over the important role of HBCUs.” It was the change, but later decided not to. DeVos’ first official event at a university decades during the eight years President Obama was in HBCUs collectively lost $150 million in tuition over the as secretary of education. office. HBCU advocates were often left out of the loop by Parent PLUS loan decision. House Republicans, led by Rep. Mark Walker (R-N.C.), the Obama White House on policies directly impacting In September 2013, President Obama’s Education are working in parallel with the White House on the their colleges and universities; members of Congress Secretary Arne Duncan apologized to HBCU leaders and issue and will host and all-day HBCU forum on Feb. 28 advocates for the Parent PLUS loan decision and the in Washington, D.C., at the Library of Congress. lack of communication. “Communication internally The event will include House Speaker Paul Ryan and externally was poor,” Duncan said. “I apologize for (R-Wisc.), Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Rep. Alma Adthat, and for the real impact it has had.” ams (D-N.C.), who is the co-chair of the HBCU Caucus In February 2015, President Obama was critical of in the House. Thurgood Marshall College Fund PresHistorically Black Colleges and Universities during ident Johnny Taylor and United Negro College Fund a tense meeting with members of the Congressional Senior Vice President Cheryl Smith will also attend. Black Caucus. Only a few weeks before the meeting, The future of HBCUs is one of the few issues that President Obama’s own White House HBCU AdviBlack members of Congress and Southern White sory Board chair, Hampton University President Dr. Republicans can often find policy agreement on in an William Harvey, was critical of the Obama Administraultra-partisan era. tion. The focus of discussions at Rep. Walker’s Feb. 28 “Pell grants to students at HBCUs are down. Direct event will be how to assist HBCUs in challenging loans to our students are down. Graduate subsidies times. Many associated with the event say they want have been eliminated. In addition to student support, to hear “real talk” from the schools and have invited overall support to Black colleges is down,” said Harvey, many HBCU presidents and advocates to attend. who has been president of Hampton since 1978 Two HBCUS shutdown doing the time President Though the details of what happens next with the Obama was in office: St. Paul’s College in Virginia and Trump Administration in the driver’s seat are unin August 2012, Morris Brown College filed for Chapknown, that they have chosen to make HBCUs the ter 11 bankruptcy in an attempt to avoid foreclosure target of an executive order and that there are several and by 2015, staff had to volunteer to keep the school well positioned HBCU advocates close to the White running. In 2013, layoffs hit Morehouse as enrollment HOWARD UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT DR. WAYNE A. I. FREDERICK AND House may bode well for HBCU policy over the next dropped after the Parent PLUS crisis. U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION BETSEY DEVOS four years. HBCUs experienced one of the worst periods in
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FEBRUARY 22-28, 2017
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
Gilchrist, Bickerstaff promoted with Schubert CONTINUED FROM A1
worked there that I got to this point.” Gilchrist, named a New Pittsburgh Courier Woman of Excellence in 2014, most recently served as district chief of EMS, where she supervised daily field operations. She joined EMS in 1999 and rose to crew chief, a capacity in which she served until 2013. She is completing her work on her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management at Robert Morris University. Gilchrist said being the first African American and first woman to make assistant chief is very meaning-
ful for her. “I have two daughters that I’m trying to raise to be successful, intelligent women and I’m just trying to be for them what it means to work hard and achieve greatness,” she said. “Being a mother and a Black woman and knowing there are not a lot of strong role models out there I want to be one for my children, the community, anybody. I need to let young people push to do the best they can.” The ceremony, itself, marked the first joint promotion ceremony for Pittsburgh’s fire, police and EMS bureau command staff, and featured remarks
from Pittsburgh’s Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich, Fire Chief Darryl Jones, EMS Chief Robert Farrow, Council President Bruce Kraus and Mayor Bill Peduto, who administered the oath to all the officers. “Throughout your careers you have asked for more responsibility and have proven yourselves with each of these roles and chances to excel,” he said. “Each of you has earned this. And we will put more resources into public safety. We now have the most police officers since 2004, the most medics since 2004 and the most firefighter since 2004. But we need more.
Community Calendar Women Leadership Nominations
Through FEB. 22—The YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh is seeking nominations for its 2017 Tribute to Women Leadership Awards. The Y invites nominations from individuals, businesses, professional groups, or neighborhood and community organizations. Nominees should be women who encourage social justice, build confidence and independence, and advance women’s lives. Since 1983 the YW has honored the achievements of more than 250 exceptional women.
WorldQuest Competition
CHIEF DARRYL JONES Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire
Feb. 22—The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, in cooperation with Duquesne University, is sponsoring the 15th Annual Academic WorldQuest competition for high school students from 38 local schools. The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Power Center at Duquesne University, 600 Forbes avenue, Uptown. The competition focuses on geography, world history, flags, people and general knowledge. The winning team will be sponsored to participate in the National Academic WorldQuest competition in Washington, DC., April 29. For more information, call 412-281-7970.
Pittsburgh Courier/ Black Press Forum
FAMILY SUPPORT––Amera Gilchrist, standing in the middle, in the back, with her family and her husband’s family as they all came together to celebrate her promotion. (Photos by J. L. Martello)
MAYOR BILL PEDUTO
Former Black Panther chair does the town CONTINUED FROM A1
Along the way, she founded a school and, in 1977, managed Lionel Wilson’s successful campaign to become Oakland, Calif.’s first Black mayor. Her message— if it wasn’t already the slogan of capitalist oppressor Nike— remains, just do it. “You have to do the work. People will come if RASHAD BYRDSONG you’re doing it. children in every big city You can’t just have a meetthat was huge—we couldn’t ing,” she said. “And you do it for everyone, but by have to recognize the need the time we finished peo- we have for each other. ple demanded the schools Look at Rashad. He has a provide breakfast and they program. He came out of the joint with nothing and did,” she said. “We did work—and did just did it—the ‘how’ is alit where you could see it. ways about just doing it.” For instance, she said, if We had free clinics. We had an ambulance service she were a student at Pitt, in Harlem, which was un- she’d recommend taking all real. Nobody could call an the food that isn’t eaten in ambulance in the hood. If the dormitories and servit wasn’t officer down, you ing it wherever people are better drag your shot-up hungry. “That’s something you can ass to the hospital on your own cause nobody’s coming do that would be meaningCONTINUED FROM A1 into that neighborhood to ful and it wouldn’t cost you anything but some time,” Nov. 7 general election. get you.” That, Woodruff said, will Brown, originally from she said. “That’s what I recsomething. allow him to get out on the Philadelphia and who ommend—do road, meet more people and trained as a classical musi- And it goes like fire because work harder. cian thanks to the selfless people see something hap“This campaign I’ll be out toil of her single moth- pening. When they don’t on the road more—be more er, moved to California in see something happening, open, and will be able to 1968 to be a songwriter. then they do nothing.” Brown is the author of reach more of the people,” She joined the Panthers he said. “My message is the that year and rose through “A Taste of Power: A Black same just need to get it out the ranks, publishing their Woman’s Story” and “The to more people. I want to be newspaper, writing songs Condemnation of Little B: part of the solution.” and eventually succeeding New Age Racism in Amer(J.L. Martello contributed to Huey P. Newton as Party ica.” (J.L. Martello contributed to this story.) this story.) chair. housing, that somehow it will magically happen? What we did happened because we did work,” she said during a question and answer session following her Pitt presentation. “People really liked the Party when we put guns in the street—now there’s something you can do. You want to put some guns in the streets that will get people who will hear you. If you’re not willing to do that then let’s just talk about nothing.” In California, in the 1960s, Brown said the Panthers found a way to get things that needed to be done— most of the time with no money or resources. “When we started feeding
Woodruff Supreme Court
FEB. 23--The Pittsburgh Black Media Federation and the Point Park University Center for Media Innovation will host ““Building on a Legacy: A Look at the Pittsburgh Courier’s Impact & the Evolution of the Black Press,” 6 p.m., at the Media Center, 305 Wood St., Downtown. The free event will feature panelists Rod Doss, editor and publisher of the New Pittsburgh Courier; Tené Croom, public relations specialist and chair of the National Association of Black Journalists’ Black Press Task Force; Jesse Washington, senior writer at ESPN.com’s The Undefeated; and Damon Young, co-founder of VerySmartBrothas. com. RSVP by Feb. 22 at courier. eventbrite.com.
Black History Month Service and Performances
ERIC HOLMES Executive Officer CONTINUED FROM A1
And we’ll have a new stateof-the-art training facility in starting in 2019 where not just Pittsburgh officers, but officials from across the region can work together.” In addition to Gilchrist, Lavonnie Bickerstaff followed in the footsteps of Gwen Elliott and Maurita Bryant, becoming the third Black woman to be named assistant chief of the Bureau of Police. Joining the force in 1990, she rose quickly to sergeant, serving as a liaison for former Chief Robert McNeilly, and as a sergeant in Homicide, Robbery, Witness Protection and in the Office of Municipal Investigations. She earned promotion to Commander and in that capacity served in Major Crimes and most recently as commander of the Zone 1 station. Also promoted to assistant chief were Lisa Kudrov, most recently Zone 2 commander, and Linda Rosato-Barone, formerly Narcotics commander. She will assist Hissrich and carry the additional title deputy Public Safety director. During the ceremony, police Assistant Chief Thomas Stangrecki was promoted to deputy chief, Mark Larkin was promoted to district chief of EMS, and Norman Auvil, former Division Chief for Allegheny County Emergency Services; Bureau Director of Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency; District Chief for Pittsburgh Emergency Medical Services, was hired as assistant fire chief. Lastly, acting chief of police Scott Schubert was officially sworn in as chief. He thanked the mayor for his trust and support, his men-
tors—including Elliott— the community for helping him build trust, and his fellow officers for doing what they do. “You put your lives on the line each day for complete strangers and I thank you. I see amazing things ahead. We’ve stumbled and fallen over time but we always get up, and we’re never going o stop. We will always come to people’s aid and will treat people with dignity and respect when we do,” he said. “I contemplated writing a speech, but considering how I felt, it would have taken hours—and there’s cake out there.” With these promotions, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police command staff is now comprised of chief Scott Schubert; deputy chief Thomas Stangrecki; assistant chiefs Linda Rosato-Barone, Lavonnie Bickerstaff, Anna Kudrav, and Larry Scirotto; and executive officer Eric Holmes. As the mayor noted, and announced in a press release the next day, the Bureau of Police is now staffed at its highest level in more than a decade. With the swearing-in of new officers Feb. 17 at Police Headquarters, the city has 891 sworn officers. Another 30 recruits are in training, which will bring the number of officers up to 921, which is the greatest amount of officers since 2002. The department’s annual report for 2016 is not complete, so the current demographics on race and gender are not yet available. According to the 2015 report of the Bureau’s 666 officers 83 were Black males and 35 were Black females.
FEB. 26—The Rachel Randall Education Department of Pentecost Temple will Celebrate Black History Month, 6:00 p.m., 6300 East Liberty Blvd. The service will feature special guest artist, “Voices For Christ, a drama presentation from “Hidden Figures”’ by “Words by Ways” Production, recognition of African-American legends and historical contributions. All are welcome and there will be a free will offering. For more information, contact the church office at 412-361-7000.
Bring Your Own Bard Competition
FEB. 27—Pittsburgh Shakespeare is calling all drama queens, poetic waxers, over-thetoppers, and melodramatic types for a night of SAPPY SHAKESPEARE with Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks, 7:30 p.m. at Te Café, 2000 Murray Ave. In Squirrel Hill, Join in an informal scene night in which professional actors and non-actors alike take a crack at their favorite Shakespeare pieces in a light-hearted competition. informal scene night in which professional actors and non-actors alike take a crack at their favorite Shakespeare pieces in a light-hearted competition. A $10 donation is suggested. For more information call 412-5216506.
Black History Dinner
FEB. 28—Classic Events presents its 6th Annual Black History Celebration Dinner, beginning at 5 p.m., at Hossana House, 807 Wallace Ave., Wilkinsburg, Pa., 15221. The dinner’s theme is “Heritage,” and will salute Lavelle Real Estate and Dwelling House Savings and Loan. For more information, call 412-723-2414.
Violence Prevention Recruitment
ONGOING—The Allegheny County Department of Health is recruiting 25 individuals to serve on its new Violence Prevention Community Advisory Board. The board will assist ACHD in developing public health approaches, data-driven strategies and collaborations to best serve the residents in the areas with the highest activity of gun violence. Members are being recruited from a wide range of backgrounds, including workforce development, government, media, social services as well as community residents who are committed to addressing the issue. To learn more, visit on(J.L. Martello contributed to line at http://www.achd.net/commhealth/advisoryboard.html. this story.)
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
FEBRUARY 22-28, 2017
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METRO
FEBRUARY 22-28, 2017
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
Pittsburgh’s water authority situation is a ‘perfect storm of mistakes and incompetence’ by J. Dale Shoemaker and Stephen Caruso For New Pittsburgh Courier
(PUBLICSOURCE)— First, it was the water meters. The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority installed new ones in 2014, and they didn’t work right. Some people received extremely high water bills. Some didn’t receive any bills at all. Next, the PWSA found high lead levels in Pittsburgh’s water—a known health risk for all, especially children and pregnant women. Then, about two weeks ago, chlorine levels were too low and nearly 100,000 people in 26 East End neighborhoods were asked to boil their water before drinking it. It’s been no secret PWSA has been having problems and making consumers justifiably angry. Many of the problems seem to stem from or were exacerbated during the time that PWSA was managed by Veolia, a private water corporation that has been blamed for the lead problems in Flint, Michigan. Now, though, the city and state governments are trying to fix it. On Thursday, Pittsburgh Controller Michael Lamb released an audit of PWSA that explained how and why many of the problems with PWSA had occurred. Going over the multitude of problems, Lamb noticed common threads—a lack of leadership within PWSA, unauthorized changes often to cut costs, and little accountability. Standing next to him at a podium, state Auditor General Eugene Depasquale
WATER CONDITIONS—City Controller Michael Lamb, left, and State Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, right, speak at a press conference about the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authorit. Lamb released an audit that detailed several of PWSA’s failings and recommended solutions. DePasquale said he will audit PWSA next. (Photo by J. Dale Shoemaker/PublicSource). announced his office would conduct a separate audit of the organization to see if blame falls solely on PWSA leaders or if there is shared responsibility with the agency’s overseers, like the Department of Environmental Protection, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Allegheny County Health Department. With one audit done and another due later this year, here’s a look at what’s gone wrong and what’s being done to fix PWSA’s problems: Why were my water bills out of whack for more than a year? As Lamb put it on Thursday, a “perfect storm of mistakes and incompetence” caused the problems with
PWSA’s billing system. In 2014, the PWSA changed their metering system—the way they figure out how much water a person is using and how much to charge for it. The new meters might have overestimated how much water you use. An older meter might not have added your data into the new collection system, meaning you could fall behind on getting billed. The PWSA also outsourced different steps in the billing process to separate companies. One company collects the data. Another links the data to your PWSA account. Then a separate billing company transfers it
all yet again in order to bill customers. Each step adds room for error. Also, once the PWSA realized its older meters weren’t compatible with their new system, they shut off the old meters. This means the PWSA might not have monitored your water use for months — which means you would have gotten an estimated bill, or none at all. Lamb himself reported getting no bill at all for nearly a year. When billing restarted, the lump sum due could come as shock. Is there lead in my drinking water? The short answer? It depends. PWSA is certain that when water leaves its treatment plant, there is no lead in it. Lead and other contaminants enter the water once it is traveling through pipes on the way to homes. The agency estimates that 20 percent of the city’s service lines, which run from the main lines to the home, are made of lead. The problem is that PWSA doesn’t know where those pipes are and can only replace them when they find them. PWSA officials say they can’t replace the lead pipes that go directly to homes and other buildings because they’re on private property. What is PWSA doing about lead in the drinking water? Currently, PWSA is building an interactive map of where all the lead pipes are, but it won’t release that map until the summer and won’t complete it for several years. In order to keep lead levels
DeVos could bring radical changes to public schools CONTINUED FROM A1
ate national standards for K-12 education—falls in line with the wishes of President Donald Trump, who wants to see states enact their own standards. In Pennsylvania, Rivera says the PA Core (the state’s version of the Common Core) will remain in effect regardless of what happens at the federal level. He said the standards in the state’s core were created to ensure students receive a rigorous education and, in particular, focus on reading by third grade and math proficiency by seventh grade. Third-grade reading proficiency is important because if students can’t read by third grade, they have difficulty in other subjects such as math, science and social studies, which require reading comprehension. “We are not going to reverse course at all. We are going to move in the direction we are moving.” Seventh-grade math proficiency is essential because, without it, students may be unable to excel in the more difficult math they face in high school. The rigor of those standards hit home for the secretary earlier this week while helping his daughter, a kindergarten student, with her math homework, which involved subtraction. When Rivera and his wife turned to an online early learning app for help, they found subtraction in lessons slated for first grade. The secretary explained to his wife that kindergarten math skills were realigned during his time as superintendent of the School District of Lancaster, where his daughter attends. They did this to better prepare students for math proficiency in later grades. “What we wanted to do was make sure first graders were prepared to take trigonometry or calculus by the time they graduated. So we had to teach addition and subtraction in kindergarten,” said Rivera, who was superintendent from 2008 to 2015. DeVos has said she wants to limit the size and scope of the federal education department and return much
EDUCATIONAL CHANGES?—Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera engages with students at the E.H. Phillips Elementary School in Central Dauphin School District on Feb. 16, 2017, as part of the Wolf Administration’s Schools That Teach tour. Since the tour kicked off in 2015, Rivera has visited dozens of schools and spoken with hundreds of stakeholders about improving educational opportunities for all students across the state. (Photo provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education) of the responsibility for education back to the states. If that happens, Rivera said he’s confident his department can handle the responsibility because leaders on his staff all have education experience. They have either risen from the ranks of teachers to superintendents or have moved from education to working in the Legislature. In contrast, DeVos is a billionaire who has never worked as an educator nor attended or sent her children to public school. “I’m really confident that we can handle the job and set an agenda that is kid and education focused,” Rivera said. Rivera said his department has been hearing from parents of special education students who want to know what will happen with the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act —federal legislation that promises a free and appropriate education to all students with a disability. DeVos said she was unaware the act existed when questioned about it during her confirmation hearing. Rivera said it’s too soon to tell what, if anything, will happen with special education at the federal level. “You have a lot of parents who have fought long and hard to ensure their children aren’t mistreated in
their schools,” Rivera said. “It wasn’t that long ago that special education students were tucked way in corner basement classrooms.” The secretary said he stands with those parents and predicted they would fight any effort to dismantle the law or reduce federal funding for special education. DeVos, an advocate of school choice who supports vouchers and charter schools, has criticized traditional public school districts. She called them a “dead end.” “You have a lot of parents who have fought long and hard to ensure their children aren’t mistreated in their schools.” Rivera said he wasn’t sure if the federal government could force a voucher system on the states, but he believes such an action would require involvement of the state Legislature and would be a lengthy process. School choice is a good idea, Rivera said, when done equitably, with quality and “the needs of students and communities in mind.” But choice created simply for the purpose of providing a choice is not necessarily a good educational strategy, he said. During a radio interview this week in her home state of Michigan, DeVos said the biggest goal for education should be “continuing to
stoke and enhance a child’s creative and curious nature.” But for Rivera, the goal is far more substantial— to create equity among school districts. He wants to narrow the variance in the amount spent per pupil between wealthy districts and poor districts, which leads to achievement gaps that separate students by class and race. He defended public schools in Pennsylvania, saying he’s visited numerous districts across the state and has seen more high-performing classrooms than low-performing classrooms. He also said the value of traditional public schools is that they take in all students, regardless of their needs or issues. “Whoever walks through the door, that’s the student that you are going to teach that day,” he said. “If that student comes to school hungry or that student comes with mental health needs or physical health needs or having dealt with an issue in their community or their homes, they are our kids and those are our issues.” This story is supported in part by a 100 Days of U.S. award from The Sprout Fund.
(Reach Mary Niederberger at 412-515-0064 or at mary@publicsource.org. Follow her on Twitter at @MaryNied.)
as low as possible, PWSA adds chemicals to the water that keep the pipes, including the lead ones, from corroding. For years, PWSA used a chemical called soda ash to do this. But in 2014, when the company Veolia managed PWSA, the organization stopped using soda ash and began using caustic soda instead because it was cheaper. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection never approved this change. That means PWSA violated the rule that said it had to use soda ash. Lamb said in his audit that legal action should be taken against Veolia, or they should be fined. The PWSA is currently suing Veolia for $12.5 million in damages from billing and corrosion issues—about as much as the company was paid by the PWSA. Kits to test your water for lead are available for free. You can request one here. Testing for lead done in July last year showed that lead levels have risen compared to 2013 levels, the audit said. Last January, PWSA went back to using soda ash. The DEP is requiring PWSA to mail out educational materials about lead to its customers and replace at least 7 percent of the lead pipes every year until lead levels go down. PWSA currently offers free lead testing kits that they send out and evaluate for free. Who is running PWSA and why have there been so many problems? The PWSA has an executive director, appointed by a seven-member board. During the audit period of 2012 to 2016, the PWSA had four different executive directors. “When you don’t have consistent, competent leader-
ship, you have a problem,” Lamb said. According to Lamb, this “leadership failure” meant the authority couldn’t meet long-term goals, as each executive director pushed in their own direction. He also blamed the PWSA’s board for not holding the authority accountable. “The board can’t just accept what’s presented to them by the executive director,” Lamb said. “The board had to be engaged in the decision-making, and it doesn’t seem that’s happening.” The board is led by Alex W. Thomson, a Pittsburgh attorney appointed by Mayor Bill Peduto in 2014. Members are appointed to fiveyear terms by the mayor. After the audit was released, Thomson released a statement thanking Lamb for his work. “The Authority’s Board of Directors and Executive Team are currently reviewing the findings and will implement all appropriate actions for improvement,” Thomson said. What can I do? PWSA has been holding public meetings to discuss lead in the drinking water and other problems people are having since October. The schedule of upcoming meetings is here. You can also contact your city council representative or Pennsylvania state legislator. Update: This story was updated on 2/19/2017 to clarify that PWSA’s estimate that 20 percent of pipes are made of lead pertains only to service lines, which run from water mains to homes, not all of the city’s pipes. (Reach J. Dale Shoemaker at 412-515-0069 or dale@publicsource.org. Follow him on Twitter at @JDale_Shoemaker. Reach Stephen Caruso at stephen@publicsource.org.)
Citiparks partners with The Kingsley Association
PITTSBURGH—Mayor William Peduto, Citiparks and the Urban Redevelopment Authority announced that Citiparks Pool Pass holders and any City resident 15 years or younger who is a member of a Citiparks Recreation Center will be able to use their pass to access the indoor pool at The Kingsley Association in Larimer (6435 Frankstown Avenue Pittsburgh, Pa. 15206). “I’d like to thank the Kingsley Association for opening their doors to our residents and Citiparks swimmers,” said Mayor William Peduto. “We are very fortunate to have Kingsley operating in the city and I am pleased that more and more residents will benefit from their beautiful facility.” The Kingsley Association is a settlement house organization that has provided programming for children, families and seniors for more than a hundred years in the city. Kingsley opened their current Larimer location in 2004 at Frankstown Avenue and East Liberty Boulevard and it has greatly improved the well-being of members and the neighboring communities. With access to Kingsley Association pool, Citiparks swimmers will have a second indoor pool (in addition to the Oliver Bath House on the South Side) to utilize. Hours of operation for The Kingsley Association are Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Kingsley Association Classes and Aquatic Programs Adult Learn to Swim •4 Lessons for Ages 18 & Over, following the American Red Cross Curriculum
•Time: Thursdays 12 p.m.–12:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.–7:15 p.m. (Beginning March 2, 2017) •Cost: Members $25, Non-Members $40 Youth Learn to Swim •Lessons for Infants—17 years (British Swim School) •Time: Mondays and Wednesdays 3:30 p.m.– 7:00 p.m.; Saturdays 9:00 a.m.–12 p.m. •Cost: Discounts available for Kingsley Members. Contact British Swim School for more information. Water Aerobics •A fun shallow-water exercise class that aims to increase movement and is safe for non-swimmers. The pool provides many benefits when used for aerobic exercise and resistance training. •Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays 11 a.m.–12 p.m. • Cost: Free with Kingsley Membership. Non-Members- $5.00 per session Water Toning •Non-impact water workout provides a great option for obtaining maximum calorie burn without pressure on your feet, knees, hips and joints. •Time: Saturdays 11 a.m.–12 p.m. • Cost: Free with Kingsley Membership. Non-Members—$5.00 per session Citiparks Pool Passes can be purchased at the Oliver Bath House, 38 S. 10th Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15203. To receive a Citiparks Recreation Center membership card a parent must register each child —who must be 15 years or younger and a resident of the City of Pittsburgh—at any of Citiparks’ 10 Recreation Centers and then present the membership card at the pool each day for entry.
LIFESTYLES New Pittsburgh Courier
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FEBRUARY 22-28, 2017
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
Debbie Norrell
Lifestyles Report
New school ‘Day of Absence’ CURATORS AND GUEST—Jill Thompson, Paul Ellis (nephew of August Wilson) and Janice Burley Wilson
EMMAI AND PATRICE ALAQUIVA
‘Fences Up Close’ by Debbie Norrell
collaboration with Paramount Pictures, film director Denzel WashLifestyles Editor ington and the Pittsburgh CulturOn Jan. 28, at the August Wilson al Trust, can be seen in the 1839 Center, guests enjoyed the open- Gallery on the first floor of the Auing reception of “Fences Up Close: gust Wilson Center. Visitors to the A Pittsburgh Story.” The exhibit, a exhibit can see original costumes, a portion of the fence from the movie, the bottle that Troy Maxin and his crew drank from, and a recreated set from the movie. During the opening reception, veteran actors Kevin Brown and Sandra Dowe performed a pivotal scene from “Fences.” The evening’s costumes and makeup were done by award-winning costumer Cheryl Walker. The set was built by Diana Melchitsky and Lonzo Green and designed by Mark Clayton Southers of the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater Company. Along with the exhibit, there is a video display produced by Emmai Alaquiva. The exhibit is curated by Jill Thompson and Janis Burley Wilson. The SCENE FROM ‘FENCES’—Sandra Dowe and Kevin exhibit will be availBrown able through March 10.
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Back in the day when I was doing theatre, I was in a play called “Day of Absence,” by Douglas Turner Ward. It was produced by the Wilkinsburg Arts Theatre and is typically done with another one act play called “Happy Endings.” The play takes place on a particular day in the early 1960s, in a small Southern town that is left with only the White residents. All the Blacks have disappeared. Using caustic humor, the playwright shows all the unappreciated work that was done by “coloreds” in the town. The town’s businesses are in trouble because “the absence of handymen, porters, sweepers, stock-movers, deliverers and miscellaneous dirty-work doers is disrupting the smooth harmony of marketing!” The factories are paralyzed because “men are waiting for machines to be cleaned, floors to be swept, crates lifted, equipment delivered and bathrooms to be deodorized.” The young White mothers don’t know how to change their babies’ diapers or calm them when they cry, since all the “mammies” have disappeared. The irony of the play is that all the characters are African Americans in white face. I loved that play and my picture appeared on the cover of “In Pittsburgh,” in white face, in the August 1990 issue. Fast forward to Feb. 2017 and the National Day Without Immigrants. It took place last week and, according to news organizations around the United States, thousands of construction companies, restaurants and other businesses conducted A Day Without Immigrants with a combination boycott/strike that highlights the contributions of immigrants to U.S. businesses and culture. The movement was a response to President Trump’s immigration agenda, which includes a pledge to seal the U.S. border with Mexico and a travel ban on citizens of seven majority-Muslim countries. Right now, the ban is on hold. Locally, I heard about a few businesses that were going to be closed for the day, but the new ‘day of absence’ didn’t have any effect on me. I read some follow up stories and it seemed like some people lost their jobs. The day was organized mainly via social media and immigrants undocumented and otherwise were encouraged to stay home from school, close businesses, not shop and not go to work. Reportedly, school attendance was down in many cities across the country. It was reported that 18 people were fired from a Tennessee business after joining the nation-wide protest. The 18 employees at Bradley Coatings, Inc., in Nolensville, Tenn., told their supervisors on Wednesday they’d be taking part in the nationwide movement. Then, on Thursday, they were told they no longer had jobs. Tennessee is an employment-at-will state, which basically means an employer can end your employment at any time without reason or cause. Bradley Coatings, a family-owned business that provides commercial painting to customers on a demanding schedule, allegedly told its employees that they needed to show up for work and if they took the day off, they would be terminated. I think there will be a lot of protests in the next four years. We better get prepared. (Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com)
MAKEUP ARTIST—Cheryl Walker
‘FENCES’ ON DISPLAY
RECEPTION GUESTS—Chester Thompson, Chris Howard and William Ackah
ACTUAL COSTUMES FROM THE MOVIE
THE CARPENTERS—Lonzo Green and Diane Melchitsky
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RELIGION
FEBRUARY 22-28, 2017
Praise & Worship
The Aladdin attitude of prayer New gospel releases
ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR by Timothy Johnson CATHOLIC CHURCH For New Pittsburgh Courier Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141
Mass Sunday 9:00 A.M. & 12:00 P.M. Sunday (Gospel Choir Mass) 12:00 P.M. www.stbtmchurch.org
METROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH 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 Rev. Dr. Randy Bush, Senior Pastor 412-441-3800 116 S. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
www.cathedralofhope.com
Journey Worship........8:45 a.m. Sanctuary Worship........11 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.
To have your church included in the Praise & Worship section contact Ashley Johnson at 412-481-8302 ext. 128 for ad rates.
Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext. 128.
As we go through the Christian life, we experience life. There will be good days; there will be bad days. As the Bible says, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven ... A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance:” (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4). Through these times of laughter we often lift up prayers of praise; during the times of morning we offer up prayers filled with requests asking God to pull us out of life’s swamp and place us on dry, solid ground. Attitudes about prayer have always been a wonderment to me. Some Christians have what I call an Aladdin attitude of prayer. They rub the magic lamp; God will then give them whatever they request. Just like Aladdin and his genie, the only difference being that God is not limited to only three wishes. The line of thinking that God will give you whatever you ask for comes from several verses where Jesus explains that we will receive whatever we ask. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, therefore, presents a problem. Paul had a physical ailment. Paul tells us he prayed to God three times about the situation and God gave the answer—He would not heal Paul. God says to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” As an apostle and writer of 14 of the 27 books of the New Testament, it would seem Paul would have the inside track of an Aladdin type prayer life, but when it came to a physical healing, God answered, “No.” So which is it? Does God grant our every wish or does He answer, “No” sometimes? Since God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), He will not treat Paul any different than He does the rest of His children. Therefore, if God told Paul “No” He will not hesitate to tell us “No” as well. Now we are faced with a problem; what about those verses about asking and receiving whatsoever ye ask? We must be missing something. Let us look at the verses. Matthew 21:22 reads, “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” The word “believing” is here. Now we have a requirement— faith. Without prayers mingles with faith there is no answer.
John 11:22 reads, “But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.” The context of the verse will explain it. Martha is doing the talking (v21). She is talking to Jesus. These words are her opinion of Him; they are not Jesus explaining prayer to us. John 14:13, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” More requirements just arrived, the first being asking in Jesus’ name. Praying in Jesus’ name is far more than ending your prayer with the words, “In Jesus’ name I pray; Amen.” When we do something in someone else’s name, we are acting on their behalf. The goal of what we ask for must be what Jesus would want. It has to align with His will. Otherwise, it is not on His behalf. The second requirement ties into the first. The answer to the prayer must ultimately give glory to the Father through the Son. 1 John 3:22, “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” Here God tells us He will answer our prayers if we are doing what He says–keeping His commandments. Items needed for answered prayer are: 1. Faith. 2. We must ask on God’s behalf; the answer must be something in God’s plan. 3. God must receive glory from His reply to the prayer. 4. We must not be living a life of sin. In the case of Paul, it was not God’s will to heal him. No one wants to be in physical pain, but God understood Paul’s, heart. God knew Paul would be more of a servant with his “thorn in the flesh” than without. Therefore, instead of healing, God gave Paul the grace sufficient to live with his infirmity. God will always get us out of the swamps of life. Sometimes He will pick us up out of the marsh and place us on dry ground. Sometimes, however, God will drag us through the swamp to get us to the dry land on the other side. Whichever way that will accomplish His will and give Him the most glory is what He will do.
(Reverend Timothy Johnson is pastor of Countryside Baptist Church in Parke County Indiana. Email: preacherspoint@gmail.com. Website: www. preacherjohnson.com. Preacher Johnson is available for revivals, prophecy conferences, and other speaking. All Scripture KJV.)
New Pittsburgh Courier 315 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Fax: 412-481-1360 email: newsroom@newpittsburghcourier.com
Rev. Luther Barnes
C. Ashley Brown-Lawrence
Anita Wilson
NBCI opposes immigration executive order WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), a faith-based coalition of 34,000 churches comprised of 15 denominations and 15.7 million African Americans, will join with civil rights groups, the ACLU and the Board of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church to oppose President Trump’s executive orders eliminating the entry into this country based on geography, race and religion. Our constitution, which once made reference to race concerning its African American citizens as 3/5 is no longer a document that has a dark history on declaring who is human and who is not. The same Constitution has corrected itself with the blood, sweat and tears of its African American citizens. We can no longer allow it to be used against our brothers and sisters from the designated
seven countries that were banned by the president’s order. It is obvious that the way this order was written and administered is unconstitutional and this is why we have had 2-3 federal judges block the implementation of this order, mainly on our Muslim brothers and sisters. The Black church is well aware of the tactics of portions of the White community when they want to use the Constitution to mask their evil intent. Therefore, we will not allow the Trump Administration to single out, discriminate or to undermine their humanity by not saying anything at all. Reverend Anthony Evans. president of the NBCI says, “I would like to commend the ACLU, the State Attorney Generals, members of Congress of both parties who are standing up against the tyranny offered by this
Administration within 15 days of his new presidency. Let it be clear to President Trump that the Black church will use the full weight of its power to defend the destitute, the outcast, the untouchables and the disinherited against anyone from this day forward. But if the president is ever right, we will stand and use this same moral power to defend him. In this case he is morally wrong and reprehensible. This is a systematic policy of exclusion and we will have nothing to do with it.” This executive order is racist in its intent and application and therefore we will meet good with evil and oppose that. NBCI is prepared to offer a friend of the court brief if this law is appealed to the Supreme Court. It is Black History our moral obligation and FEB. 26—The Rachel Randall sacred duty, even to protect Education Department of Pentethose who are not of our cost Temple, 6300 East Liberty faith but are members of Blvd., will celebrate Black History the human race.
Church Circuit
NBCI calls D.C.’s Death with Dignity Act evil 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
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The National Black Church Initiative, a faithbased coalition of 34,000 churches comprised of 15 denominations and 15.7 million African Americans, with over 800 local churches in the District of Columbia congratulates Jason Chaffetz and the other Republications in the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform who voted to block the implementation of the District of Columbia’s Death with Dignity Act. Reverend Anthony Evans, president of the National Black Church Initiative, states with passion that “The African American church would like to thank the House Committee on Oversight and Govern-
ment Reform for standing up for those who are frail, vulnerable, and should only die per God’s grace and mercy. The church will never support self-suicide even if it is law. We believe that Mary Cheh, the D.C. councilperson who sponsored this bill, sponsored it to put a political feather in her hat. She is a woman without any moral dignity at all according to the Church. She wants to force her views on self-suicide and call it dignity. However, her real motives, we believe, are political and evil. She is a proponent of death in the opinion of the church.” Here is a perfect example of why the Black church can no longer consider certain political parties in moving forward with
any coalition politics. The Black church can neither trust the Democrats nor Republicans because they both will sell the church’s ethics down the drain if given the chance to do so. In this case, the Democrats are asking us to ignore our biblical faith around death and dying and support a bill that protects the District of Columbia government’s self-autonomy but ignores our own personal faith. The church will never do that under no circumstances for either political parties. In this case, we join with the Republican Party in the House and Senate. The Black church does not care about the District of Columbia’s sovereignty over and against its own faith.
March 5-11 Triedstone Baptist Church of Rankin will celebrate Rev. Nathaniel and Rev. Terri Pennybaker’s 13th Pastoral Anniversary. The church is located at Month at 6 p.m. The service will 1 Harriet St., Rankin. or more . feature special guest artist, Voic- information, call 412-2 1-3 es For Christ, drama presentation Guest preachers will be Rev. Barfrom “Hidden Figures” by Words ry Givner, Rev. Daniel Page, Rev. by Ways Production, along with Dr. Darryl Canady and Rev. Chrisrecognizing African American tine Pope Portis. legends and historical contribu- Spiritual Retreat tions. All is welcome and there will MARCH 31 The Mercy Parish be a free will offering. For more Nurse and Health Ministry Proinformation, contact the church gram, part of Pittsburgh Mercy office at 412-3 1. and Trinity Health, serving in the Pastoral Anniversary tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, MARCH 5—Help celebrate Rev. will host a two-day, overnight, Donald P. Turner’s 4 th Pastoral spiritual retreat, “Listening and BeAnniversary at Second Baptist coming ree, from 4 p.m. riday, Church, 1 est 12th Ave., in to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at 4 Homestead, at 4 p.m. with Rev. p.m. at Kearns Spirituality Center, Michael Peterson, pastor of Mt. 9000 Babcock Blvd., Allison Park, Olive Baptist Church in Coraop- Pa., 151 1. or more information, olis. On March at p.m., Rev. contact Amy B. Armanious, health Barbara Gunn, pastor of Mt. Car- ministry specialist, Mercy Parish mel Baptist Church in North Ver- Nurse and Health Ministry Prosailles will be the guest speaker, gram, at ParishNurse@pittsburghfollowed by 1 3 a.m., Bishop mercy.org or 412-232- 151. Jonathan Stewart, pastor of New Priscilla Shirer Simulcast Covenant Community Church at APRIL 8—The women of Beth1 3 a.m. and Rev. ames Burany Baptist Church, 45 Tioga well, pastor, of Clark Memorial St., will host the Priscilla Shirer Baptist Church at 4 p.m., both on Simulcast from 1 a.m.-5 3 p.m. March 12. The theme is Dressed Reservations are required. Call for the Battle,” from Ephesians 412-241. (For church news 11. or more information, call or events please send one paragraph 412-4 1- 235, visit www.secnwith who, what, when, where and why, bapt.com or email secnbapt@ 2 weeks in advance with a contact gmail.com
Pastoral Anniversary
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McCoy: Young, Black and Excellent Pittsburgh holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Slippery Rock University. He also graduated from Point Park University in 2011 with a M.B.A in sports, arts & entertainment management. McCoy is a proud 2003 graduate of Pittsburgh Public Schools. Other PPS students now have an even greater opportunity to be like McCoy with the school district’s new career and technical education program that prepares students to become emergency responders. The Emergency Response Technology (ERT) program, at Pittsburgh Westinghouse, teaches students the technical knowledge and skills required to perform entry level duties in fire fighting, emergency medical services and law enforcement. Upon completion, the program offers three certifications: Pennsylvania Emergency Medical Technician, First Responder, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration . KEVIN McCOY McCoy has advice for those young Black people looking to become a first an “elite group” responder. “Approach by Merecedes J. Howze amongst of skilled firefighters. everything in life with an For New Pittsburgh Courier “We can all say we open mind, take the opporworked jobs where it was On Feb. 10, Kevin Mctunity to step outside of just a paycheck; a 9-5. Coy, 31, was one of three your comfort zone and But, with becoming a African American men to continuously set goals for become a Pittsburgh fire- public servant, it’s more yourself,” he said. “Always than that,” said McCoy. fighter. Class 126, which remember that others are “For every call we respond watching so take pride consists of 31 men, took to, it could potentially be their oath and received in yourself, in your work that person’s worst day their badges in front of and don’t just lead by their families, friends and of their lives. They are the example, become the depending on us as fireleaders of the Pittsburgh example.” fighters to be there and Bureau of Fire. McCoy is currently stato help get them through After 33 weeks of intioned at Pittsburgh Fire that rough time.” tense training, McCoy is Bureau Number 19- SwissThe Garfield native ready to begin his career helm Park.
FAMILY SUPPORT—Family members show Kevin McCoy their support at graduation.
Pittsburgh native appointed dean Pittsburgh native Jerome Legon in Accra Ghana W. orably in the United States Marine Corps and is a VietGriffin, PhD, has been ap- Africa. Griffin also served Hon- nam Era Veteran. pointed dean of the College of Education at African Methodist Episcopal University in Liberia, West Africa. Griffin formerly served as the dean of the College of Education at William V.S. Tubman University in the Southeastern region of Liberia as well. He also served as the assistant dean campus director at Springfield College, in Springfield, Mass., from 2005-2010. Griffin attended Portland State University where he received a B.S. degree in political science and Golden Gate University in San Francisco, Calif., where he received a M.A. degree in public policy. He has also completed his doctoral degree in Higher Education and Organizational Development from Nova Southeastern University in Florida and a post doctoral fellowship at JEROME GRIFFIN the University of Ghana at
WITH THE CHIEF—Kevin McCoy, left, with Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Chief Darryl Jones. (Photos supplied by Mercedes J. Howze)
Ellis sophomore earns spot in Disney Dreamers Academy PITTSBURGH—Handpicked from thousands of applicants, Lauren Jasper, a sophomore at The Ellis School, has been accepted into the tenth annual Disney Dreamers Academy. The Disney Dreamers Academy is a four-day event, held in March at Walt Disney World, in Orlando, in which 100 selected high school students, ages 13-19, are inspired, motivated and prepared to make their dreams come true via guest speakers, career activities and networking opportunities. Jasper’s dream? To be an architect and start her own firm in a big city. “I have lofty goals for my future. I want some guidance on how to achieve that. I want to learn as much as I can at Disney Dreamers and gain a better understanding of the field of architecture. Hopefully, this opportunity will help me succeed in whatever my future holds,” said Jasper. From networking opportunities to mentoring sessions with professionals, Jasper will get a glimpse of what it takes to be an architect and learn how to put her goals into action. She will attend workshops, hear from keynote speakers and work with industry experts to get one step closer to achieving her dream. From sketching and drawing, to building Lego towns with her siblings, Jasper’s interest in architecture started at a young age. In-
LAUREN JASPER spired by a summer camp she attended at the Carnegie Museum of Art in the fifth grade, Jasper has been actively pursuing her passion ever since. She even started a Design Club at Ellis that focuses on art and architecture. “Ellis is a really good platform for me to pursue architecture. I started the Design Club and I did a minicourse last year called ‘The Relationship Between Art and Architecture.’ It was all about creativity and art and how it’s used in the field. I feel like Ellis has been really supportive of my dreams and my passion for architec-
ture,” said Jasper. Eager to learn as much as she can at Disney Dreamer’s Academy, Jasper is most excited to hear from Disney’s famed Imagineers who do the behind the scenes design and development work on the theme parks. As a lover of Disney World, and an Ellis girl since first grade, Jasper embodies the Ellis spirit of dreaming big, taking risks, and believing in herself. This all-access pass as a Dreamer is sure to not only help Jasper’s future endeavors, but be a lasting source of inspiration for her. (Provided by The Ellis School.)
The Young, Gifted & Black Program presents
10th Annual Young, Gifted & Black Awards Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 12 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel by Hilton in Monroeville, Pa.
Celebrate 10 young adults for their service and commitment to their community and profession. John W. Franklin, Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, guest speaker Chris Moore, Talk Show Host, MC
Ticket purchase required NO LATER than March 17, 2017. No tickets sold at the door. For more information, call 412-731-1161.
SPORTS New Pittsburgh Courier
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FEBRUARY 22-28, 2017
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Porter, Stewart lead Lady Eagles to 4th title by Smokin’ Jim Frazier For New Pittsburgh Courier
Winning a fourth City League Championship was the first goal Obama’s girls basketball team wanted to achieve this season. The Lady Eagles accomplished it when they struggled in a 64–53 win Sunday at the Petersen Events Center over Allderdice. Pittsburgh Obama Academy had the right level of
defensive effort to begin the game. But it was the Lady Dragons’ offensive improvement in the first quarter—and key threepoint shooting by senior guard AuJanae Givner, Emma Waite and Sophia North—that allowed them to take a 15-14 lead to end the first quarter. After trailing for much of the first half, senior star forward Taylor Stewart ripped down a rebound and
dribbled coast-to-coast for what appeared to be a goahead layup, but the referee called a charge. Stewart was sent to the bench with her third foul and Allderdice ended the half leading 28-24. “Taylor said that after picking up her third foul she was afraid to play defense,” said Brett Stewart, Taylor’s dad. “She takes a lot of pride in rebounding and blocking shots.”
In an era in which the loudest voice often prevails, Monique McCoy found a quiet path to immense influence. “I got a great coaching staff with Darelle “Dap” Porter, a Pittsburgh legend, and Marissa Marchan,” said head coach Monique McCoy. “The coaches said at halftime to relax and we have to take care of the ball. Turnovers killed us, and we didn’t go in on
them. We were calm and told them the first half was over with.” Michaela Porter will continue her education and basketball pursuits at Division I Cincinnati University, and she was on fire in the second half. Porter scored 18 of her game-high 22 points in the second half and pulled down 11 rebounds. “I wear number 20 to honor my pops, Darelle “Dap”
Porter, because that was his number,” said Porter. “This is my senior year and we believe that we can win it all.” Taylor Stewart, began her college search by scouting numerous basketball programs and was selected as the player of the game, Stewart finished with 19 points and 18 rebounds. Those rebounds helped SEE PORTER A11
GIRLS CHAMPS—The Obama Academy girls won their fourth consecutive City League Championship with 64-53 win over Allderdice. (Photos by William McBride)
Buddy Ball helps Dragons win in triple overtime by Smokin’ Jim Frazier For New Pittsburgh Courier
Pittsburgh basketball fans got an extra special and historic Black History Month championship game
Sunday at Pitt’s Petersen Events Center. Allderdice (16-8) defeated Obama (13-9) 71-70 in an exciting, entertaining and heartbreaking triple overtime game.
Defense wins championships and coach Buddy Valinsky and the Allderdice Dragons used “Buddy Ball” to slow down the Eagles and to force turnovers. It worked in the first half. The Drag-
ons held Obama to only 17 points at halftime. The only problem is the Dragons only had 16 points. The pace of the game picked up in the second half with 19 lead changes and
eight ties and the Dragons were lucky to win their fourth consecutive City League title. The game was sloppy, poor shooting, poor defense, poor clock management and
BOYS CHAMPS—The Allderdice boys celebrate their fourth consecutive City League Championship after defeating Obama Academy 71-70 in a triple overtime thriller
questionable coaching decisions. But since the game resulted in three overtimes the impact will be greatly exaggerated. Even by the SEE BUDDDY A11
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JAHI OGBONNA of Allderdice holds up the championship trophy after the Dragons defeated Obama Academy 71-70 in triple overtime,Ogbonna scored 21 points in the win
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BOBBY CLIFFORD of Allderdice knocked down 5 three pointers and MICHAELA PORTER of Obama Academy scored 22 points to lead scored 22 points to lead the Dragons to a 71-70 triple overtime win the Eagles to a 64-53 win over Allderdice in the City League Chamover Obama Academy in the City League Championship pionship game
Buddy Ball helps Dragons win in triple overtime Dana Strothers, of Obama, “To be honest, I just envi- the hump. young Kobe Bryant. He told Congratulations Jahi me that if his team lost, it led all scorers with 24 sioned myself as the 2016 would be with him shoot- points. Coach Buddy Valin- NBA champion Cleveland Ogbonna, Lamar Todd, ing. The Mamba mentality.” sky was pleased with his Cavaliers and thought of Tavonne Davis, Jackson team’s effort and knows how Kyrie Irving and I thought, Blaufeld, Jordan Wise, Azi talented the Eagles are. if I was going to go out, I Humber, Tyler Williams, “Obama kept making was going to go out shoot- Kenny Eleam, Marquest shots after shots and, you ing,” Ogbonna said. “Actu- Rainey, Olson Nicholson, don’t know if your kids are ally that was my mentali- Terrell Childs, Jeremiah going to get deflated,” All- ty and, like my man Kyrie Doswell, Bobby Clifford, guys who don’t keep up. Nice guy. That’s all. Shaun Morris and coachderdice coach Buddy Valin- said, let it go.” :05—If you weren’t at the Westinghouse/ es Andy Pakler, Jeff Cohen sky said. “It was some of the If at first you don’t succeed, Allderdice game the other night, you missed younger kids that stepped try, try, again. Obama has and Buddy Valinsky. a goody. “The Dice” rolled “The Dice” with a Both teams will move on up and said, ‘We got this,’ produced some outstanding buzzer beater to send the Bulldogs packin, but and Strothers, the 3-point basketball teams, but the to their respective PIAA not without a fierce fight. For the Dice, point shot, we knew he was go- Eagles have never been able tournament. Allderdice, a guard Jahi Ogbonna ran the show and set ing to shot it, we set up our to soar high enough to de- finalist in Class 4A a year up the game winner to Jackson Blaufeld. But defense, our kid had him feat the Dragons and have ago, will play McDowell in that being said, the best player on the floor tough, and he still shot it never won a City League the District 6-8 10 regional that night was a young man I hope you hear a semifinals Friday at Carand, great shot. It happens.” Championship. lot more from in the coming years. 6’8” James rick while Obama Academy Senior point guard Jahi Winning a championship Ellis logged in 15 points, 13 rebounds, three Ogbonna scored 21-points is the hardest thing to do will face the yet-to-be detersteals, five blocked shots and at least five infor Allderdice and was in team sports. Every year, mined District 10 champion timidations at the hoop. A great young talent named the game Most Valu- one team succeeds and ev- March 3 at Allderdice. Still, to be sure. Let’s wish him well as he moves on. able player. Edging out Bob- ery other team fails. The despite its predecessors, :04—You heard about that movie “Split?” by Clifford (22 points) and Eagles are going to have to this might have been the tiMmmaaannn you better leave that movie Tyler Williams (13 points). figure out how to get over tle they least expected. alone. All kinds of devilish stuff and Ms. Rudulph in that movie, but if you want to have a funky good time, John Wick is your huckleberry. (I keep telling ya. Val Kilmer…“Tombstone”). Look, when I got to my car John Wick was still killing dudes! :03—We got two. We need two more. A CONTINUED FROM A10 daysha Keaton, Taylor Stewart, Dyonna sales person who can sell gas to a man on the Eagles grab a 51-36 advantage on the Hall, Arianna Ashby, Machia Hairston, fire and a writer who has an interest in boards. Kayla Page, Zari Grandy – Overton, Ralyn community. Call Achieving Greatness Inc. “This win for me means everything,” Creighton, KeShya Jones, Michaela Porif you’re interested 412-628-4856. Obama senior star Taylor Stewart said. ter, An’Drea Williams, Taylin Tyler, Talia :02—Every now and then even a blind “Last year, we lost a lot of seniors and Mitchell, Lainey Newman, Latisha Harris, squirrel finds a nut. Pitt wins this one big because of that a lot of people thought Sophie Levitt, Hailee Blackwell, Javonna 80-66. I told ya early on. Yeah, I did. we couldn’t accomplish this. Rebound’s Perkins, Justice Peters, and coaches Ma:01—This just in. Florida State ran into a buzz is an everyday thing for me. I feel I can rissa Marchan, Darelle Porter, Monique saw by the name of Sheldon Jeter – 29 points, 8 play it all. Every-position. I’m able to McCoy. rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. Hoo-Rah! “Winning championships is an amazing play wherever my team needs me. My :00:00:00—No, your eyes do not deceive dad calls me the Michael Westbrook of feeling and most of us have been winning you. This is a TRIPLE OVERTIME. As in high school basketball. I began playing championships since middle school,” said Allderdice beating Obama in triple O.T. Best basketball when I was six years old and Taylor. “Three of us came into high school high school game seen around these parts I have always been the tallest and I will together and we won three middle school in years. Jahi Ogbonna and Tyler Williams play in college. I plan to eventually go championships together.” stole the show! The Dice rolls 71-70 for City to dental school to become an OrthodonTaylor Stewart and Michaela Porter League title. More on this next week. would like a PIAA State Title to go along tist.” ~ GAME OVER ~ Congratulation to Ashley Harris, Mar- with their six-peat.
CONTINUED FROM A10 years,” said Luther Dupree host of Steel City Sportsexperts. “This was the greatest city world. “Jahi Ogbonna put league game I’ve been to in his team on his back like a
by Bill Neal
Overtime
For New Pittsburgh Courier
:10—Okay, let’s get to the real important stuff first. And I do mean important…like earth shattering. Some blind guy forgot to put someone on “The List.” You know what list…the finest women in the world list that is put together every year by an undisputed but somewhat old staff. (Never you mind who!) Anyway, you would have to be outside your mind not to have Nicole Scherzinger in the top five. Yeah, the former lead singer for The Pussycat Dolls. I don’t care who you take out of the line-up. Damn it, just put her in!!! Got some question about that? Just Google up “Don’t Cha?” :09—Now to some other stuff. At the Pitt-Florida State game the Panthers brought the house today. Almost capacity crowd. Retro blue throw back uniforms and yes boys and girls, they let loose the real D.J. The house was rockin.’ At 6:38 to go in the first half Pitt’s up 28-27. I’m going out on that limb and tell ya Pitt upsets this #19 ranked team. Be back at ya! :08—Gotta be careful here cause there’s certain things we can and cannot do and that’s just the way it is, but know this, Judge Dwayne Woodruff just announced his bid to run for the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. I can’t give you a lot of political talk here, but I can tell you this, there’s not a better man alive for the job and that my friend you can take to the bank! :07—Back to the Pitt game for a moment. Florida State starts a cat that stands 7’ tall and weights in at 304 lbs. Bad news… there’s no fat to be found. Then they sub in a 7’4” dude. Man, we need some of that mojo. I’m just sayin! :06—Just met Coach Pat Narduzzi, Pitt head football coach for you City League
Porter, Stewart lead Lady Eagles to 4th title
The James Harrison story: It’s a family affair ‘gold diggers and bounty hunters’ by Aubrey Bruce For New Pittsburgh Courier
(Part 3) This is the final installment of a 3 part series based upon Steelers great James Harrison and his family. Merriam Webster defines the noun gold digger as 1. “One who digs for gold. 2: a person who uses charm to extract money or gifts from others.” As far as athletes and entertainers are concerned there are always individuals standing at the ready, waiting to steal homesteading rights in regards to usurping the gold and property of some naïve “blinded by the booty,” lovestruck athlete or entertainer. Tiger Woods is a perfect example of meeting, falling in love with and eventually marrying a “Gold Digger.” The cash cow then hooks up with a so-called “marriage partner” who after the relationship is discontinued ends up owning a significant percentage of the gold mine without ever lifting a finger or mining one nugget of gold. On one of the talk shows that I happened to run across during the highly publicized Tiger Woods divorce from his former wife Elin Nordegren, a caller who seemed to have had maybe one too many sips of the “vino” proclaimed in a
JAMES HARRISON loud and slurred voice that; “Elin Nordegren went from serving as a high class nanny to displaying and using; “the golden fanny.” Although the potential for that same scenario occurring in the life of James Harrison is remote, according to his family, he can never be too careful. Harrison has two children, James Harrison III, born in 2007, and Henry, born in 2009, he is not formally married to their mother. Beth Tibbott. The Harrison family is adamant and is crystal clear in regards to anyone thinking that they will enter into the life of James Henry Harrison Jr. and pull the financial “wool” over his eyes, directly or indirectly without a
fight. “We are always going to be on guard as far as gold diggers are concerned,” proclaims Mrs. Harrison. The noun bounty hunter is defined by Merriam Webster as: 1. One who tracks down and captures outlaws for whom a reward is offered. 2: one who hunts predatory animals for the reward offered. That being said, there are all types of bounties and rewards, spoken and unspoken in the world of sports. However, there has been one particularly highly publicized “pay for play” bounty hunting scandal that was associated with the New Orleans Saints during the past decade that resulted in the suspension of their Head Coach Sean Payton. The following is a timeline and a partial list of the alleged offenses. “Jan. 15, 2010 Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma reportedly offers $10,000 to any teammate that knocks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner out of the game the next day. Jan. 16, 2010 - The Saints rout the Cardinals, 45-14, to advance to the NFC championship game. Defensive lineman Bobby McCray’s block on the 38year old Warner during an interception sent him out of the game for several plays, although Warner returned
in the second half. Jan. 24, 2010—Vilma reportedly offers another $10,000 to knock Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre out of the NFC championship game the following day.” (www.nola.com) 2. However, sometimes bounties can be offered from a personal perspective and placed on specific plyers just because of a dislike for that individual. Take for example former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver and often times “mouth of the south,” Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson. When the Harrison family was asked if there was a memorial hit that James had applied to a particular player over the years, his sister Christal had this to say immediately. “Ocho Cinco. “ Sister Sylvia quickly chimed in saying; “that’s what she [Christal] wanted him to do.” Christal said: “that’s right, Ocho Cinco got on my nerves and I told James to hit him.” Now that is love. If you even indirectly offend one of siblings, in the world of James Harrison, there was a price to be paid. When it was suggested that there might have been an unspoken bounty out on James from the media and the NFL because of his “spirited and passionate” approach to the game, his mother Mildred had this to say. “The coverage from [Roger] Goodell, (the commis-
sioner of the NFL) is prejudiced based on jealousy. This is from a man that really knows nothing about football. I can’t understand why the owners don’t get rid of him. He’s the judge, jury, prosecutor and the hangman. Who gets to have all that power? He has never played an NFL game in his life but he has all of this power and makes all of this money. After while it’s going to be flag football. They have to get rid of him, if they don’t the game is going to be gone.” The James Harrison story is about the journey and struggles of a man attempting to find his place
in the world while aspiring to achieve and maintain greatness. However, there is always, something, someone, somewhere that fuels the engine of legends. Most, if not all of the time, that fuel is family. When James Henry Harrison Jr. is inducted into the NFL Hallof-Fame in Canton, Ohio. It will truly have been a “family affair.” (The sources for this article were; nola.com and espn.com) (Aubrey Bruce is the Senior Sports Columnist for the New Pittsburgh Courier. He can be reached at: abruce@newpittsburghcourier.com or 412-5836741. Follow him on Twitter@ ultrascribe.)
FAMILY—From left: Sylvia Sims, sister; Mildred Harrison, mother; Chrystal Johnson, sister; and Johnnie Johnson, brother.
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BOYS CITY LEAGUE MIDDLE SCHOOL CHAMPIONS —U-Prep boys celebrate their City League middle school championship after defeating Pittsburgh Classical Academy. (Photos by William McBride)
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
BOYS TOP SCORER—Sayon Bennett (3) of U Prep drives on Leon McCoy of Pittsburgh Classical Academy , Bennett scored 21 points and hit the winning 3 pointer with 2 seconds left to lead U Prep to a 31-29 win in the City League Middle School championship game.
City League Middle School Championships
CHEERLEADERS—The Obama cheerleaders cheered the Eagles on to victory in the City League middle school championship game
GIRLS LEADING SCORER—Alysa Sledge of Obama scored 13 points to lead the Eagles to a 41-14 win over Sterrett in City League Middle School championship game.
ON THE RUN—Brionna Diggs of Sterrett dribbles past Alysa Sledge of Obama in the City League DRIVING PAST—Maya Roberts (21) of Obama drives on Brionna Diggs of Sterrett in the City League Middle School championship game. Middle School championship game.
GIRLS CITY LEAGUE MIDDLE SCHOOL CHAMPIONS—The Obama girls celebrate after winning the City League Middle School basketball championship with a 41-14 win over Sterrett.
RUNNING THE TEAM—Avyonne Jordan, Sterrett’s quick guard moves the ball upcourt, Jordan scored 8 points in the loss
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The never-ending automobile payment Car payments have morphed from a temporary nuisance into a permanent part of many people’s budgets. Whether that’s a bad thing depends on what you do with the rest of your money. One-third of millennial car buyers chose a lease last year, which helped push auto lease volume to a record of 4.3 million and 31 percent of all new auto purchases, according to market research by Edmunds.com. “There is a greater percentage of people who view car ownership as a monthly payment like their cell phone or cable or Wi-Fi,” says Jessica Caldwell, executive director of strategic analytics at Edmunds.com. “It’s just the way we live our lives.” Lease payments are typically lower than monthly loan payments for the same car, and leasing is less expensive than buying new cars every two or three years. But leasing is far from frugal, especially compared with paying off a car within five years and owning it for a few more. People who lease don’t get a break from payments or build equity toward the next purchase. But younger buyers in particular are more likely to view cars as technology that needs to be continually upgraded, Caldwell says. “It used to be cars didn’t change that much in five years. Now they do,” she says. (Even Consumer Reports, which typically recommends LIZ WESTON buying over leasing, suggests leasing electric cars because the technology is changing so fast.) Fear of repair bills contributes to the leasing trend as well. Many people would rather have constant payments and continually drive newer cars than be surprised by repair costs—especially in an era when 46 percent of households don’t have $400 in savings to cover an emergency, according to the Federal Reserve. “Your costs with a lease, while higher, are also more predictable,” says Alex Klein, vice president for data science for Autolist, a new and used car search engine. Younger buyers also are less convinced they’ll need a car five years from now, Klein says. “There’s more flexibility about the idea of car ownership,” Klein says. “In two or three years, I may get around in an autonomous Uber.” Millennial car owners plan to own their cars for less time than their Generation X predecessors, an Autolist study of 3,383 vehicle owners found. Forty-seven percent of those aged 25 to 39 in 2016 said they’d keep their cars five years or less, compared to 41 percent of those 40 to 54. One-third of the older crowd intended to keep their vehicles for 10 years or more, compared with just one-quarter of millennials. Leasing certainly can be a better financial choice than some other financing options. Auto loans that stretch six years or more mean buyers often face big repair bills while they’re still making payments. Buyers often owe more on the loan than the car is worth for most of the loan term, and interest rates tend to be higher than for shorter loans. Too many of these buyers wind up trading in their cars before they’ve paid off their loans, rolling their negative equity into their next vehicle at even higher interest rates. Among car buyers who traded in a vehicle last year, 29.9 percent rolled an average of $5,193.79 in unpaid debt into their new loans, Edmunds.com found. A decade earlier, the comparable figures were 26.4 percent and $3,997.36 of SEE AUTOMOBILE B2
PREPARING FOR THE NIGHT—The owner of Rocks Landing Bar and Grill located in McKees Rocks, Paul Brown lights the fire pit in the cabana located in the courtyard VIP section. (Photos by Diane I. Daniels)
McKees Rocks entrepreneur helps transform borough by Diane I. Daniels For New Pittsburgh Courier
For over two decades Paul Brown, known as PK, has been striving to be a successful businessman. In 1996 he began operating Professional Limousine Service. In 2007 he moved the business from the Strip District to an acre of land in McKees Rocks. At one time, he operated 22 vehicles and had contracts with organizations and businesses inclusive of the Department of Energy, colleges and universities, churches and the National Urban League. Now contracted by boards of education, PLS focuses on transporting special needs students and his 32-yearold son Ebon operates the business. By August 2015 and Brown had expanded his entrepreneurial ventures to include ownership of Rocks Landing Bar and Grill located on the main corridor in McKees Rocks at 506 Chartiers Avenue. Not only is Brown expanding his business ventures, he is also lending his knowledge and progressive outlook to the McKees Rocks Borough Council. Appointed in December he said he is the first African American male to sit on council, joining Wanda JonesDixon, an African American female. “As a resident and business man I often attended council meetings and am familiar with the powers at be as well as management at the McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation. When the council president relocated from the area and a vacancy became available and I was ap-
proached to fill the vacancy I figured why not,” said Brown. McKees Rocks is located along the Ohio River and less than 10 minutes from Downtown Pittsburgh. Like most Allegheny County cities bordering the rivers, when McKees Rocks’ industry of iron, steel and manufacturing started declining in the late 1970s and
repetition has become known as a crime haven. None of the mentioned factors matter to Brown. He along with the council members, the McKees Rocks CDC and many residents have hope in and a vision for the economically stressed Borough. “The Rocks is changing and going through a new era,” he says. The opti-
READY TO FEED A HUNGRY CROWD—A serious entrepreneur, Paul Brown has traded transporting people to feeding and entertaining. early 1980s the boroughs’ vibrancy began to deteriorate. Once claiming a population of 18,000, according to the 2010 U.S. Census it has dwindled to a little over 6,100. The area is labeled as one of the poorest in the region and its
mist pointed out that the CXS Project, the Rocks Industrial/Logistics Park and the development of the Roxian Theatre are bringing life back to the area. AlSEE McKEES B2
Hamlet gives tutorial at PowerBreakfast Freedman’s Bank exhibit also highlighted by Christian Morrow Courier Staff writer
More than 100 people attended the African American Chamber of Commerce’s February PowerBreakfast which featured a presentation by Pittsburgh Superintendent of Schools Anthony Hamlet on where the district needs to
go and how it intends to get there. He noted that in the seven months since he took over as superintendent he has submitted his 90-day report, begun the strategic planning process and have received a diagnostic report of the entire district from the Council of Great City Schools. The information gleaned from
these, he said, would be used to improve the district, across six component areas all high-performing educational systems include: system-wide goals; high standards for all students; the curriculum framework; syllabi and related instructional material; assessments, and a teacher development system.
EDUCATION & FINANCE—School Supt. Anthony Hamlet and Federal Reserve Bank VP Kellyann Banks pose with Chamber Pres. and CEO Doris Carson Williams and Board Chair Samuel Stevenson. (Photos courtesy African American chamber of Commerce)
Hamlet noted that all of these are interconnected and interdependent—you can’t, for example, achieve the system wide goal of turning kindergarteners into graduates who are concerned citizens and confident individuals, who are self-directed and active contributors without a coordinated curriculum and its component syllabi. Therefore, change will not occur overnight. “Goals are the product of a lengthy process. They are not developed by mandate,” he said. “They include input from a vari- BLACK FINANCIAL HISTORY—A poster from the ety of stakeholder groups, Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank’s Freedman’s must be publicized to Bank Exhibit was just one piece on display at the offer opportunities for re- African American Chamber’s Feb. 17 Powersponse and buy-in, and Breakfast meeting. should be refreshed every five to 10 years.” “The Council report finds that The elements that require the teachers and staff are not confimost attention, he said, are as- dent that the districts assesssessments and teacher develop- ments, including benchmarks are ment, which have either been un- aligned to state standards, and aligned at various levels or, in the there is a misalignment of the curcase of professional development, riculum and assessments resultweak and undervalued. ing in teachers not having the ap“Assessment is an area where propriate data to help inform there is significant work needed,” SEE HAMLET B2 he said.
B2
FBRUARY 22-28, 2017
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
BUSINESS
Nation’s largest student Blunt named president RJL loan provider charged Entertainment’s Urban Movie Channel borrowers too much The financial futures of for borrowers who are facmore than 12 million fed- ing long-term financial eral and private student hardship. And the longer a loan borrowers who collec- borrower is in forbearance, tively owe approximately the more their loan balance $300 billion is at the crux of increases.” a lawsuit filed by the ConMany of the borrowers insumer Financial Protection curring excessive charges, Bureau. CFPB is suing according to CFPB, included Navient Corporation and military veterans who betwo of its subsidiaries for Charlene Crowell using shortcuts and deception to illegally cheat borrowers out of their rights to lower loan repayments. Illegal loan servicing failures caused more than one-in- came disabled during their four borrowers to pay more service to the country. Fedthan they should have. eral law provides that miliA CFPB investigation of tary veterans whose disabilNavient, the nation’s ities were incurred during largest student loan ser- service to the country are vicer of both private and entitled to loan forgiveness. federal student loans, found Other CFPB charges inthat borrowers were not ac- clude: cessing a federal student §Failure to correctly apply loan repayment option that or allocate borrower payhas been in effect since ments to their accounts; 2009. For eligible borrow§Deceiving private stuers, income-based repay- dent loan borrowers about ment can lower monthly requirements to release coborrower payments by tak- signers from loans; and ing into account income and §Harming the credit of disfamily size. Depending abled borrowers, including upon individual borrower severely-injured veterans. circumstances, payments “Servicers are supposed to could be reduced to even follow instructions from the zero, and loan forgiveness borrower about how to alloapply after 20 or 25 years of cate payments across what regular monthly payments. often are multiple student “At every stage of repay- loans,” noted Director Corment, Navient chose to dray. “We believe that shortcut and deceive con- Navient repeatedly creates sumers to save on operating obstacles to repayment by costs,” said CFPB Director misallocating or misapplyRichard Cordray. “Too many ing payments. The company borrowers paid more for all too often fails to correct their loans because Navient its errors unless a conillegally cheated them. The sumer stays vigilant, disBureau seeks to recover sig- covers the problem, and nificant relief for the bor- contacts the company to inrowers harmed by these il- sist that it be fixed.” legal servicing failures.” Illinois Attorney General From January 2010 to Lisa Madigan supports the March 2015, CFPB esti- CFPB lawsuit adding, mates that Navient’s prac- “Navient’s actions have led tices cost borrowers up to $4 to student borrowers needbillion in extra interest by lessly carrying billions of dolrepeatedly enrolling borrow- lars in debt and the company ers in forbearance. CFPB must be held accountable.” also found that many fedMany consumer advocates eral student loan borrowers agree. were unaware that the gov“Too many Americans are ernment could pay part of struggling to make their stuthe interest charges on their dent loan payments every loans when personal cir- month,” said Whitney cumstances prevent borrow- Barkley-Denney, a policy ers from keeping up. counsel specializing in stuThe lawsuit names Navient dent lending with the Cenand two of its subsidiaries: ter for Responsible Lending. Navient Solutions, the corpo- “While the Department of rate division responsible for Education has created proloan servicing operations, grams to help make monthly and another subsidiary, Pio- payments more affordable, neer Credit Recovery that those programs only work if collects on defaulted student servicers are actually helploans with the parent corpo- ing eligible borrowers access ration. All three entities are them. Servicers aren’t charged with systematically merely debt collectors—they making it harder for borrow- can be a borrower’s lifeline ers by incorrectly processing to financial stability.” payments or failing to effecAnyone interested in filtively act when borrowers ing a student loan comcomplained. Instead of as- plaint with CFPB can use sisting borrowers with avail- an online form, fax to 855able options for repayment, 237-2392, or mail comCFPB charges that borrow- plaints to: ers were steered into forConsumer Financial Probearance, a temporary and tection Bureau, PO Box high cost solution that sus- 4503, Iowa City, IA 52244 pends payments but allows CFPB staff is available at interest rates to continue ac- its toll-free number that is cruing. staffed weekdays from 8 “With forbearance, bor- a.m. until 8 p.m. Eastern rowers can temporarily sus- Time: 855 411-CFPB or pend making monthly pay- 855- 411-2372. ments, but their debt con(Charlene Crowell is the Center for tinues to grow as the un- Responsible Lending’s communicapaid interest is added to the tions deputy director. She can be loan”, continued Cordray. reached at charlene.crowell@ “It is typically not suitable responsiblelending.org.)
Commentary
SILVER SPRING, Md. (BlackNews.com)— Robert L. Johnson, Chairman of RLJ Entertainment (NASDAQ: RLJE) today announced the appointment of Traci Otey Blunt as President of Urban Movie Channel. UMC is the first premium subscription-based streaming service created for African American and urban audiences that features quality urban content across all genres, including feature films, original series, stand-up comedy, documentaries, and other exclusive titles. “I am excited to announce Traci’s appointment as UMC President. Two years ago, Traci joined the RLJ Entertainment management team as Executive Vice President for Corporate Marketing and Corporate Affairs and was assigned to launch and develop the company’s proprietary streaming service Urban Movie Channel,” said Johnson. “Under Traci’s leadership and management, UMC has built a strong business foundation to grow its subscriber base and distribute compelling content to its target audience. UMC has attracted talented producers and writers from the African American creative community and has acquired films and other content featuring some of the most prominent Black actors and actresses. I am confident that Traci and her team will make UMC a successful and valuable digital channel for RLJ Entertainment,” he concluded. Miguel Penella, RLJ Entertainment CEO stated, “Traci has demonstrated an expertise of the digital entertainment industry in a short period of time. Her experience in creating successful campaigns to reach African American and urban audiences, coupled with her decisive results-oriented management style are an effective combination which will help UMC continue to expand. In addition to leading UMC, Traci will continue to serve as the EVP for Corporate Affairs leading RLJE’s corporate communications and public affairs.” “I am pleased and excited to have the confidence of RLJE management and the opportunity to lead and grow UMC at this time,” said Blunt. “My immediate strategic goals for UMC are to grow our subscriber base by creating a destination for the UMC audience to find compelling and original
CONTINUED FROM B1
TRACI OTEY BLUNT content created by the most talented African American writers and producers. UMC will create a business model where the often underemployed African American creative community will find a place to showcase their work product and be compensated by subscribers who enjoy watching UMC entertainment. We also want to further expand UMC’s digital footprint by making UMC available on more platforms and devices. Finally, I want to come up with an innovative way that digital content providers can be recognized and rewarded by the industry and their peers for the outstanding creative content they produce now and in the future,” she concluded. The UMC team includes Angela Northington, SVP Content Acquisitions & General Manager; as well as Farah Noel, Manager, UMC Publicity and Corporate Affairs; and Lauren Spencer, UMC Digital Marketing Manager.
lease, but you may face extra charges at the end for excessive mileage, bald tires or wear and tear, especially if you are not leasing another vehicle of the same make. If you’ve modified the vehicle in any way, those alterations have to be removed. •Negotiate hard. Experts recommend that you negotiate the purchase price of the car as if you plan to buy it, and discuss leasing only after you get a firm price. Down payment, mileage allowance and after-lease purchase price can be haggled, as well. (This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Liz Weston is a certified financial planner and columnist at NerdWallet. Email: lweston@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @lizweston.)
Hamlet gives tutorial at PowerBreakfast CONTINUED FROM B1
needed changes in the curriculum or differentiated instruction.” With respect to professional development, Hamlet said he has received a lot of feedback, much of it negative. Findings indicate that there is no formal professional development program for new teachers; is not differentiated; is not valued by teachers and school-based staff, and is weak for principals and assistant principals. “What we want is a teacher development system educates and trains teachers by developing their skills over the course of their career,” he said. The Council assessed that the District had been more focused on the implementation of our Evaluation System and less on effective instruction.” After thanking Hamlet for his visit and
presentation, chamber President and CEO Doris Carson Williams also thanked Kellyann Banks, vice president for corporate communication and engagement at the Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland, for bringing pieces of its exhibit on the Freedman’s Bank. Chartered by the U.S. government in 1865 to encourage and guide the economic development of the newly emancipated African American communities in the post-Civil War period, the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company functioned until 1874. Its archives are valued as a trove of information regarding Black socioeconomic life in the immediate aftermath of emancipation. Williams also welcomed new members and reminded everyone that Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto will be the speaker for the March 15 PowerBreakfast.
McKees Rocks entrepreneur helps transform borough CONTINUED FROM B1
ready he said, the Father Ryan Arts Center, the largest community-based arts facility west of Pittsburgh is creating opportunities for the community to be inspired, empowered and enlightened through the arts. “We have to attract younger people to the area as well as provide for the residents that are here,” Brown said pointing out that that’s a platform he hopes to use while campaigning for the council position during the May election. While up for the political challenge, another one of Brown’s focuses will be to cultivate and develop his newest business venture.
Describing Rocks Landing as a New Orleans style bar and grill he says its mission is to create an old school, laid-back vibe where a mature crowd can relax and socialize in a comfortable, nonsmoking environment. There is, what Brown calls a Smart Attire Policy in place, which includes no Tennis shoes, hoodies, sagging pants, sportswear or ball caps. Considering the establishment, a full-scale restaurant he said it is kid friendly until 8 p.m. at which time the age is over 30. Open Wednesday through Sunday, Brown said Rocks Landing is known for its good food and variety of weekly activities. “Every day
we do something different and offer some type of special.” Wednesday is Karaoke and Open Mic Night, Thursdays is Thirsty Thursdays and Fridays is Ladies Night. Saturdays is an Old-School Dance Party with a DJ and a live band on the first Saturday of the month. Sunday is an open mic live band jazz jam session with saxophonist Tony Campbell and during football season there’s Monday Night Football. Keeping in line with the New Orleans theme this weekend, Feb. 24 through 28 they are celebrating with Mardi Gras style festivities. Activities will include a Fat Tuesday celebration featuring The Flow
Certification Seminar FEB. 23—In conjunction with the Hill CDC, the Women’s Business Center at Chatham University presents “Is My Business Certifiable,” 6-7:30 p.m. at the KJeron X. Grayson Community Center, 1852 Enoch St. in the Hill District. Learn about the different types of diversity certification programs for Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, why the alphabet soup of certification abbreviations matter, and about diversity spend goals. The event is free. For more information, contact Patricia Decker at 412-3652779.
Training Event
The never-ending automobile payment negative equity. If you’re leaning toward leasing, here’s what you need to keep in mind: •Don’t overspend. Any car payment, whether on a loan or a lease, needs to fit in with more important financial priorities such as saving for retirement and paying off debt. If your payment pushes your “must-have” expenses—such as shelter, transportation, food, utilities, insurance and other minimum loan payments—to over 50 percent of your after-tax income, you probably can’t afford it. Consider buying a less expensive new car or a reliable older model instead. •Have a cushion. Car repairs are typically covered under warranty when you
BUSINESS BUSINESS CALENDAR CALENDAR
Band ‘tropical soul dance party’ Feb. 28. In an area separate from the bar a full menu is offered inclusive of appetizers, salads, chicken and seafood entrees, side dishes and daily dessert specials. New Orleans style food includes gumbo, jambalaya, turkey ribs and Cajun sandwiches. The space decorated with original art work by Sherri Randolph of the areas noted jazz musicians is also used for office parties, receptions and special events. Brown soon plans to host a meet the candidate’s night and a variety of networking events. Equipped for inside and outside activities, an outdoor courtyard houses
Cabanas with fire pits, couches, tables and lighting. “The Cabanas offer a different type of atmosphere and often provides VIP type events,” said Brown. “That’s the purpose of Rocks Landing to provide a unique setting.” Excited about his businesses and the changes occurring in the Borough, he said McKees Rocks is not what it was a decade ago. “With the stability of the current anchor businesses on Chartiers Avenue, the Chartiers Avenue Streetscape Plan and the Lower Chartiers Main Street Revitalization Plan the future of the area is bright.”
FEB. 28—The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center will present Export Opportunities in Mexico and Peru: Infrastructure Projects, 8:30-10:30 a.m., at the SMC Business Council, 600 Cranberry Woods Dr, room 190, Cranberry Twp, PA 16066. Topic include: Export Strategies to enter Peru and Mexico, industry briefings, the best ways to find representatives and distributors, and how to deal with them. Participants may also ask about Invitations to join the Trade Missions and Trade Shows to Mexico and Peru scheduled for May 21-24, June 5-7 and September 18-22, 2017
Women in Skilled Trades Expo MARCH 5—The Community College of Allegheny County presents a skilled trades career fair for women at its West Hills Center, 1000 McKee Road, Oakdale PA 15071, 12 to 4 p.m. Meet faculty members & current students in CCAC’s 30 skilled trades programs, including HVAC, Building Construction, Auto Mechanics and more. For more information, call 412-2374546.
Business Growth Workshop MARCH 8—In partnership with Paramount Co-op, the Women’s Business Center at Chatham University presents “Is Your Business Bankable,” 5:30 to 7 p.m., at 233 Merchant St., Ambridge, Pa. 15003. Learn what you need to prepare, including credit scores and repair, personal finances, financial spreadsheets and business plans, and the purpose of the funds. Also learn about the loan application process: what to expect, review process, requirements, red flags, and SBA loan programs. The workshop is free but registration is required. Call 412-365-2779 for more information.
Women’s Business Enterprise Networking Event MARCH 9—The City of Pittsburgh’s Equal Opportunity Review Commission, Chatham University’s Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship and the Women’s Business Center present a morning networking event with City of Pittsburgh procurement officers, 8 to 11 a.m. The event will feature small-group networking and information sessions for women-owned business enterprises to learn how to access more City of Pittsburgh contracts. Refreshments will be available. Call 412-365-2779 for more information.
PowerBreakfast MARCH 17—The African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania will host its third PowerBreakfast meeting of the year, 7:30 a.m. at the Rivers Club in Oxford Center, Downtown. The speaker will be Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, who will outline plans to ensure minority and small business inclusion in the city’s economic development activities.
Business Energy Efficiency Grants THROUGH APRIL 15—The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has to $1,000,000 of grant funding available in the 13th year of the Commonwealth’s Small Business Advantage Grant Program for small businesses that adopt or acquire equipment or processes that promote pollution prevention and/or energy efficiency projects. Applicants must be a for-profit corporation, limited liability corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship or other legal entity with 100 or fewer full-time employees. Businesses can apply for 50 percent matching funds of up to $9,500 to adopt or acquire energy-efficient or pollution-prevention equipment or procedures. Funding is eligible for those costs incurred between July 25, 2016 and June 30, 2017. For more information, contact the Small Business Ombudsman’s Office at 717-7725160.
OPINION
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
FEBRUARY 22-28, 2017
B3
Judge Woodruff for Supreme Court
Guest Editorial
Williams disappointed those who voted for him Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams announced, Feb. 10, he would not run for a third term amid an FBI probe into $160,000 worth of gifts he initially failed to report. According to reports, the gifts included a new roof from a New Jersey contractor, a $2,700 couch and luxury vacations. He has agreed to pay $62,000 in related fines. Williams said he showed poor judgment and became a distraction to his office. He did not take questions at a Friday news conference, but said he regrets “mistakes in my personal life and in my personal financial life.” The district attorney has said he encountered financial problems amid a divorce and tuition costs for his children. Williams made the right decision in deciding not to seek a third term. He is right in self-assessment that his decisions to accept gifts and not report them brought “shame” and “embarrassment” to the office. Among the 89 gifts he accepted, the Board of Ethics said, included “20 gifts from individuals who had a financial interest that the district attorney was able to substantially affect through official action at the time they gave the gifts.” That included defense attorneys as well as other employees and contractors for his office. In addition to the fine, Williams faces a joint FBI and Internal Revenue Service investigation, working with a federal grand jury, to examine his personal and political finances. Williams is a disappointment to those who voted for him. Williams, the first African American district attorney in Pennsylvania’s history, was sworn in on Jan. 4, 2010, as the city’s 24th holder of the office. He was re-elected in 2014. Williams did not live up to the standards he held others to that included five African American state representatives and a traffic court judge who were charged in a bribery case. The corruption scandal led to guilty pleas from four local state legislators and a former parking court judge for taking gifts and cash. Williams disappointed those who supported his many progressive reforms to the city’s criminal justice system. As part of his “smart on crime” plan, Williams has created a wide range of alternative sentencing options for non-violent offenders. One example is the Small Amounts of Marijuana program that he established in June 2010. The program provides offenders with an opportunity to enroll in an educational class, rather than face prosecution. But his ethical problems made him politically vulnerable. Five Democrats had launched campaigns against the embattled district attorney, seeking to unseat him in the May 16 primary. In a primary race with multiple candidates, many political observers thought Williams had a good chance at re-election despite his ethical problems. But it is in the city’s best interest for Williams not to seek a third term (Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)
Founded 1910
Rod Doss Editor & Publisher Stephan A. Broadus Assistant to the Publisher Allison Palm
Ulish Carter
Jeff Marion
Office Manager
Managing Editor
Circulation Consultant
John. H. Sengstacke
Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)
The Pennsylvania Democratic Party finally came to its senses and endorsed one of the best judges and people in the state––former Steelers defensive back and current Common Pleas Juvenile Court Judge Dwayne Woodruff. The Pennsylvania Democratic Committee finally endorsed him for the state Supreme Court after being overlooked previously when he ran for other judicial positions. Maybe that was a good thing because the state Supreme Court position is the highest judicial position in the state. He has no competition for the primary election, but will have a Republican opponent in the general. *** KeyBank Executive Vice President Bruce Murphy stated during an editorial board meeting with the New Pittsburgh Courier that he has $16.5 billion for use in communities throughout Pittsburgh and the other cities the bank serves. He said, “It is a reflection of our company. We believe in investing in the communities we serve and making places better than we found them, making them sustainable.” Now, even though I am a customer, I had never heard of KeyBank until they purchased First Niagara. So what makes them different from any other bank? Right now, nothing, except that they’re making statements that they are committed to improving the communities they serve which are generally middle-income communities. Off the top of my head, I can identify PNC, Citizens and Dollar Bank in Pittsburgh, but I really haven’t seen any major change in the middle-income or low-income communities from when these banks moved in. So it will be very interesting in what these communities, especially the Black communities, ask for from Key-
Ulish Carter
Just Sayin’ Bank as well as these other banks. PNC just completed a huge, beautiful building Downtown. But I really don’t see what banks contribute to the community that a good Savings and Loan doesn’t supply. The only people who can get a loan from them are people or businesses that don’t need the money. It does, however, give Black communities an opportunity to put together viable proposals to uplift their communities. Hopefully, the politicians, educators, community activists and just concerned residents will all come together and start working toward getting their share of not only this $16.5 billion from KeyBank, but some of the billions from PNC, Citizens, Dollar and all the other banks in the Pittsburgh area. Instead of social agencies, look toward businesses and housing, which can up lift the community. Let’s be real, banks are looking for profit ventures not social service agencies. The bottom line is that we have to start thinking BUSINESS. What can we start in our communities that people will pay for? We also need to take a close look at the business strips, plazas and malls in the suburbs to see if we can start businesses there. Think about it. How many of these businesses are owned by Blacks? There are a lot of businesses in the South Hills, North Hills, Robinson Township, Monro-
eville, just to name a few, that the Black middle- and low-income shop at, but own little to nothing. Just something to think about or, at least, help our children think about. *** All this talking, marching and protesting over President Trump’s immigration policies is making me wonder if he’s not pulling the wool over our eyes. Where are the job creations? Remember, “he’s going to make America Great again.” Has anything changed, yet? Black people can’t afford to get caught up in this immigration hype, we need jobs, better educations and affordable housing. Let’s keep our focus and help keep President Trump focused. *** Speaking of keeping an eye on the Politicians. Paul Ryan and the GOP have been plotting to roll back Social Security benefits for years. And now that Republicans control our entire government, they’re one step closer to dismantling this critical program. For seniors all across America, Social Security is the only means they have of putting food on the table and a roof over their heads. Especially those who have worked all their lives at low- or middle-income jobs that didn’t and don’t have a retirement plan. We must also keep our eyes on the Democrats so they don’t overlook this effort or just make it another Party issue. I’m not just talking about the people who have retirement benefits from their jobs, plus Social Security, I’m talking about the millions who depend solely on Social Security. This is a matter of LIFE and DEATH to the majority of these people. A $50 to a $100 cut can be critical. (Ulish Carter is the managing editor of the New Pittsburgh Courier.)
I’m not tired yet (TriceEdneyWire.com)—At my church, we sing a song entitled “I’m Not Tired Yet.” I love that song because it gives me the energy and the inspiration to persevere. Originally performed by The Mississippi Mass Choir, “I’m Not Tired Yet” allows you to leave your bed in the morning with a positive approach to the day, filled with a spirit of purpose, commitment and charity. In light of the current administration, this song offers us a different approach to life in these United States. Instead of getting lost in a political ‘pity party’ of remorse and regret, we are directed to get up and do something other than engaging in idle speech or speculation about a (possible) four year Trump administration. I submit that we mustn’t spend time wastefully, but must begin and sustain a conversation on what we can do to move forward, despite those who wish to take us back to the ugliest periods in our history. To conquer this monster that is the Trump administration, we’ve got to believe that together we have the strength—intellectual, spiritual, emotional and physical—to face all of the adversity that can be thrown in our path. This does not mean we will not suffer casualties, but we have historical examples that prove we can overcome and prevail. Think on these lyrics and reflect on examples of fortitude demonstrated in our past: “Been working for Jesus
Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.
Commentary
And, 11 years before Parks sat on that bus, don’t forget Irene Morgan, a woman recuperating from the loss of a child who, in rural Virginia, refused to give up her seat to a White couple. Irene knew nothing about non-violence training, but she had the courage to physically fight for the right to keep her seat. Think of Diane Nash, a young woman who sat-in at lunch counters in Nashville and organized the Freedom Riders to travel in the South to oppose racially restrictive practices on interstate commercial vehicles. Don’t forget risks taken by Ida B. Wells-Barnett working to prevent the lynching of Black men. Remember Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, the first Black female candidate for president of the U.S. and the first chair of the National (Political) Congress of Black Women, along with co-founder Dr. C. DeLores Tucker, Congresswoman Barbara Jordan—another first—our mothers and grandmothers who worked under unbearable conditions for us—and never yielded to being tired. So anytime you think you are tired, think about these courageous sisters. They did it for you and for me—so we are obligated to do more than just moan, groan and complain while we sit in the comfort of our homes. We owe it to them NOT to be tired yet!
a long time. (I’m not tired yet)…Been running by day and praying by night. (I’m not tired yet). I’ve gotta get going. It’s a mighty hard fight. (I’m not tired yet). No (No, I’m not tired yet). I’ve been serving the Lord a long time (I’m not tired yet).” Think of the experience of Fannie Lou Hamer who was threatened, kicked, beaten and displaced because she sought the right to vote. Think on how she persisted under threat of grave bodily harm and inspired a nation to embrace her cause. Think about Amelia Boynton who, on Selma, Ala.’s Edmund Pettis Bridge, faced Alabama State Troopers who ultimately beat and kicked her until she was unconscious. Think of the courage it took for this type of self-sacrifice and her reward of walking across that same bridge, fifty years later, hand-in-hand with the first Black president of the United States, Barack Obama, who honored her for her courage. (Dr. E. Faye Williams, President of the NaThink of the courage of Rosa Parks who stood for us all by sitting on a tional Congress of Black Women, Inc. 202bus in defiance of racist practices. 678-6788. www.nationalcongressbw.org)
Black Press is still relevant by Harry Colbert Jr. (NNPA)—No one is better equipped to tell your story better than you. And logic stands to reason that no one is better equipped and more passionate about telling our story than us. The stories of Blacks in America are equally as triumphant as they are tragic. And many, if not most, of these stories would be lost to time, if not for the Black Press. And in an age where Black people are both progressing exponentially and under attack daily, the need for the Black Press has never been more apparent. And in a day where all media is under assault from the highest level, we must exalt the nations more than 200 Black newspapers, as they continue to serve as the defenders and the vanguard progress, enterprise and liberty. Since the days of “Freedom’s Journal”—the first Black newspaper, published in 1827 during the height if slavery—to today, the Black Press has been a voice reason, compassion and defiance. Margot Lee Shetterly, author of “Hidden Figures,” said, if not for the archives of the Black Press such as the “Norfolk Journal and Guide” and the “Pittsburgh Courier,” the inspiring story of the Black women geniuses at NASA would not have been possible to tell. If not for the “Florida Sun” in Orlando, the story of the great training in sci-
ence and technology happening at Bethune-Cookman University—one of the nation’s historically Black universities—would go untold and unnoticed. In Baton Rouge, it may have been a citizen’s lens that captured the senseless killing of Alton Sterling at the hands of police, but it is “The Drum” that keeps Sterling’s memory alive and is shining the white-hot spotlight on those responsible for his homicide. When factions of the so-called “alt-right”—a movement of racism and intolerance—try to co-opt and corrupt the words (while ignoring the actions) of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it was the Rev. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, who provided a comprehensive and accurate remembrance of the revered freedom fighter. Weeks after the inauguration of a president that most in mass media are still trying to wrestle with and dissect, trying to figure out how all the major polls got it wrong, it was the Black Press that ran article after article talking about the tremendous voter suppression efforts happening in key battleground states in the aftermath of the United States Supreme Court decision in the Shelby v. Holder case that gutted the Voting Right Act of 1965. Possibly, had the warnings of the Black Press been heeded, maybe, just maybe, the nation and the world would not be in the predicament it
now finds itself. The NNPA wrapped up its mid-winter training conference in Ft. Lauderdale a few weeks ago. Representing more than 200 Black publications, the NNPA, is a trade association of the more than 200 African American-owned community newspapers from around the United States. Since its founding 75 years ago, NNPA has “consistently been the voice of the Black community and an incubator for news that makes history and impacts our country.” Each week 20 million Americans from all backgrounds seeking news from the Black perspective turn to NNPA newspapers, including “Insight News.” As journalists, our mission is to shine a light in the darkest of corners. That mission was reaffirmed at the NNPA’s 2017 Mid-Winter Conference with a level of commitment and intensity never before seen. “Freedom’s Journal” ran the first leg of the relay. The NNPA and the Black Press have gladly accepted the baton and we are more than capable of running the race. In running that race, what we ask of you, the reader, in this age of digital media and the sharing at the click of a button; that you seek out and share the valuable information of the Black Press with your networks as we must preserve and protect the Black Press.
(Harry Colbert Jr. is the managing editor of Insight News in Minneapolis.)
B4
FEBRUARY 22-28, 2017
Painful documentaries and hard choices
(TriceEdneyWire.com)—I usually don’t pay much attention to the Academy Awards unless African American actors are nominated and win or unless African American themed films have an opportunity. This year, I am paying much attention, what with “Fences,” “Hidden Figures,” and “Moonlight” among the nominees for Best Picture, and with Denzel Washington (Fences), Ruth Negga (Loving), Mahershala Ali (Moonlight), Viola Davis (Fences), Naomie Harris (Moonlight) and Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures) up for best actor/actress or supporting actor/actress roles. To be sure, I think that there should have been more nominations for “Hidden Figures”, and that Denzel should have been nominated for a directing award. But we all know the Academy “ain’t fair.” Let’s see what the outcomes are. One of the more difficult choices may be the choice for Best Documentary. Two films that rocked my world have both been nominated. Raoul Peck’s “I Am Not Your Negro” was riveting and had me sitting at the edge of my seat. James Baldwin had always been a searing critic of race matters in these United States. To see his wit and wisdom come to life reminded me of how passionately he cared, and how wittily he responded, to some of the questions too often raised about Black life.
Julianne Malveaux
Commentary To hear Samuel Jackson’s voice-over of Baldwin’s words, and to combine that with some of the Peck-inspired visuals, is absorbing. The multi-media experience raises questions about stereotypes that reign in film, even in cartoons, and how these stereotypes shape the way African Americans are perceived and treated in our nation. I have never experienced such silence in the theatre, a few uh-hums, but none of the whispered conversation typical of a movie experience. I’ve seen the documentary once, and plan to see it again, both because I was a big Baldwin fan, and also because the movie is sharing immutable facts that many would like to forget. The other film nominated for Best Documentary is Ava DuVernay’s “13th,” an examination of the relationship between the 13th Amendment to the Constitution (the one that outlaws involuntary servitude, except when one is convicted of a crime) and the current system of mass incarceration. DuVernay is masterful in connecting stereotypes of Black people to the way the criminal justice system treats us, in weaving voices of luminaries like Angela Davis, Michelle Alexander, and Jelani Cobb with footage of police violence in Ferguson, Mo., and in using the voices of the formerly incarcerated to examine the system. When I saw “13th,” I sat next to a sister who sobbed her way through the last moments of the movie. “13th” leaves much to sob about, much to shake one’s head about, much to become enraged and energized about. The adage “follow the money” is never more pointed than it is when we look at issues of mass incarceration. Predatory capitalists are making profits on everything from maggot-infested meals served to telephone calls, and inmates and their families are the losers. This movie is a call to action. There is much overlapping material in these two films, and I’d not advise anyone to see both films on the same day. Both films enrich us, and I’d be hard pressed to say which is better than the other. I hope that the Academy chooses one of the two, and will be most chagrined if they duck the choice and go with one of the other nominations. Even if neither film is chosen, I’m grateful that, at this moment in our history, we have films that remind us where we have been, what our challenges have been, and that the struggle, indeed, continues. This year’s Academy Award nominations gives African Americans much to celebrate, and these nominations are also reminders that momentary visibility is not the same thing as structural change. How many African Americans can actually green-light a movie? How many compelling stories, like that depicted in Hidden Figures, will never be movies because of misperceptions about American audiences and racial material? When will African American history be viewed as American history and savored all year instead of only in February? Kudos to Raoul Peck and Ava DuVernay. Their films make the case that documentaries about African American life and history can reach broad audiences. (Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist. For more info visit www.juliannemalveaux.com)
FORUM
America has always been a divided country It is an absolute nied public accomlie when some peo- Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick modations. We must ple state America always remember became divided as we could not regthe result of the last ister to vote in the presidential elecareas of the north tion. There exists not just the south. untold numbers of I recall across the persons White and city of Pittsburgh Black who have a Blacks could not tragic lapse of memeat in many restauories. The absolute truth of the situation rants, discrimination even existed in the is that America was divided from incep- religious institutions. The northern state tion. of Pennsylvania at one times was ranked There existed a division between the 13 second in the nation in hate chapters, American colonies and the mother coun- with more than Alabama and Mississiptry [England], slaves and the Indians, pi combined. In 2017 Pennsylvania ranks inhabitants of the country they allegedly 4th. discovered. The country was further diThere were novelists who wrote about vided by the revolutionary war between America, but were reluctant to write America and England in the year of 1775. the truth about the division throughout The country drastically divided between the nation. They wrote novels about the the north and the south as the civil war south that portrayed the slave masters in progressed. The Emancipation Proclama- a positive light, instead of the monsters tion was signed and in theory it-ended- they were. They raped the women, tore the civil war, but the country continued the families apart by selling family memto remain divided. Racism was more bla- bers to other slave masters. The writers tant and devastating overwhelmingly in would then paint an absolute lie about the southern states, but it was pervasive the slaves because overwhelmingly they throughout the entire country. There was painted a picture that the slaves were division in job opportunities, denial of the happy go lucky, singing, dancing and the right to membership in unions. There was Blacks just loved “Old Massa”. division in burial plots in the cemeteries, In 1952 I was stationed at Camp Breckhospitals, housing, swimming pools, rec- enridge, Ky. Myself and two White solreation centers, amusement parks, the- diers went into a restaurant on the army aters, redlining in housing, some banks base and I was informed the White solwould not allow you to open a savings ac- diers could be served, but I would have count. The educational systems were lily to take my food out, “coloreds” could not White, Blacks could only join the army, be served. A perfect example of a divided but were not accepted in the navy, air country, I could serve on the front line, but force or the marines. There was a period I could not eat in a restaurant on federal of time we could not drive public trans- land. I got indignant and a White officer portation vehicles or be law enforcement interceded by saying he was sorry, but at officers locally, county, state, or federal. that period of time state law superseded We were denied admittance in colleges or federal law; racism and discrimination universities across America. Blacks were was still in charge. (Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a contributor to the denied access to participate in sports. We had to sit in the rear of buses, were de- New Pittsburgh Courier.)
To Tell The Truth
Confusing racial paranoia with racism Recently, the Dalways they are made las Morning News J. Pharoah Doss to feel less than. A featured a story tihotel employee igtled: A Black Famnored their family ily ‘did everything at the front desk, America said we only to help a White should’ but still encustomer in line bedures racism daily. hind them. A White The reporter, a guy at the airport White woman, introrolled over (the duced her readers to wife’s) foot with his a wealthy Black family. The parents met suitcase and refused to apologize. Kids at Harvard Law School and they raise at school joked that their son and other their three sons in a five bedroom home Black students looked like a gang. with a pool and tennis court. When will it stop? The reporter asked. The father is a partner at a big Dallas It will stop when reporters stop confuslaw firm. He grew up in a military family ing racial paranoia with racism. Racial in Colorado “where he was one of the only paranoia, in this case, is the fear of being Black kids in town”. treated like non-accomplished Blacks, The mother is a United Methodist pas- personal prejudice can hurt feelings but tor with her own strategic consulting it’s not racism. The questions concerning company. Her father was a college pro- racism in the 21st century is to what defessor at Harvard and her mother was gree does it hinder human development assistant director of financial aid at Tufts or prevent individual achievement. University. These insignificant slights hinder and Now the story centers around the Dal- prevent nothing. las police shooting, when five officers Now imagine if a boy in a war-torn, were shot and killed by a Black man famine stricken, region of sub-Sahara while they were on duty securing a march Africa heard about this Black family in against police shootings that occurred in Dallas. He would think—wow—in Amerother states. ica, a Black man can go to an Ivy League The wife called the husband at the law school, be a lawyer, and own a huge home firm, told him about the police murders, with a pool. Do you think he would reand made him promise to stay overnight fuse a chance to come to America because at the office, because at the office “he’s of the racial slights described by the resafe, well-known and well-regarded, porter? out on the streets… He’ll just be anothNow imagine a girl born in a region of er Black man, a potential target on this the world where she is denied an educanight of fear, fury, and revenge.” tion because of her gender and she heard The reporter wrote, “The drive takes about this Black family in Dallas. She only ten minutes. He would probably be would think—wow—in America a womfine. That small uncertainty captures an can go to a university and become a what it’s like to be African-American to- religious leader. Do you think she would day.” be concerned about someone not apoloThe wife said, “We did everything Amer- gizing to her in an airport? ica said we should do,” and yet, the reNow imagine when Black children in porter continued, when they step outside the United States read this story about their usual circles in Dallas—they can- a wealthy Black family in Dallas that ennot escape racism in America. No mat- dures racism daily. What are they going ter their credentials or accomplishments to think? No matter how successful they they’re still Black. become in America, they’ll always suffer “We’re unprotected out in the world,” some form of degradation because they’re the wife said. Black. But what exactly are they unprotected And the paranoia is passed down, which from? can prevent ambition. (J. Pharoah Doss is a contributor to the New The reporter explained: It’s not that they have been harassed by a rogue po- Pittsburgh Courier. He blogs at jpharoahdoss@ lice officer…It’s the thousands of other blogspot.com)
Commentary
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
Lauren Victoria Burke
Commentary
This is why trump is lying about voter fraud and crime (NNPA)—There are two subjects in particular that the Trump Administration lies about the most: crime and voting. During a recent interview on “This Week” with George Stephanopoulos, President Trump’s senior advisor Stephen Miller lied about voter fraud during the 2016 elections. Miller said that, “And you have 14 percent of noncitizens, according to academic research, at a minimum, are registered to vote, which is an astonishing statistic.” That statement is simply false. Miller couldn’t produce a single shred of evidence when Stephanopoulos pressed him on the subject. But Miller was just repeating what his boss said shortly before the election. At a rally in Cleveland, Ohio on October 23, 2016, presidential candidate Donald Trump said that, “14 percent of noncitizens are registered to vote.” President Trump entered office lying about voter fraud and threatening an investigation. Civil rights leaders have called for an investigation of voter suppression during the 2016 presidential election. More recently, the lying crossed over into the topic of an increased “crime wave” that doesn’t exist. Now, the lies about a vast American crime wave and record-levels of illegal voting seem to be coming together. On Jan. 23, during a meeting with members of Congress and the White House, President Trump lied about voting again. Trump and his 31 year-old aide Stephen Miller, who was sent out on all the Sunday morning talk shows on Feb. 12, appear to be lying for two reasons. First, Trump can’t come to terms with the fact that Hillary Clinton received almost three million more votes than he did, and second, the Trump Administration would appear to be laying the groundwork to justify a new law that would make it harder for people to vote, particularly minorities. Trump’s Attorney General, former Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions had a history of prosecuting African Americans, who were registering too many other African Americans to vote as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Having provided no explanation or apology for his past prosecutions, particularly that of the late Albert Turner Sr., there’s no reason to believe that Sessions won’t pick up where he left off in Alabama in the 1970s. Even though, Sessions’ past statements and actions as a prosecutor in Alabama are clear, the public perception of Sessions the man is mixed. Turner’s son, Albert Turner Jr., issued a statement endorsing Sessions that said, “I believe that he is someone with whom I, and others in the civil rights community can work if given the opportunity.” Still, American history of the disenfranchisement of African American (and other minority) voters is also clear. In the late 1800s, it was a poll tax, literacy tests and other requirements that Black voters were unlikely to meet. Today it’s voter ID, closing polling places, cutting Sunday voting and purging voting rolls. The continued strategy used by present day Republicans is still the “Southern Strategy”—they’ve just added Hispanics to the list of targets. The Immigration Customs Enforcement raids started only two days after Attorney General Sessions was sworn-in. “The crackdown on illegal criminals is merely the keeping of my campaign promise. Gang members, drug dealers & others are being removed!” Trump tweeted on February 12. Trump tweeted about his “crackdown on illegal criminals” a day after El Paso ICE spokeswoman in El Paso Leticia Zamarripa stated that, “ICE regularly conducts targeted enforcement operations during which additional resources and personnel are dedicated to apprehending deportable foreign nationals.” Many immigrant rights advocates knew the raids were not routine before anyone communicated anything. “The President is lying when he says deporting immigrants is about fighting crime,” wrote Rep. Luis Gutierrez on February 10. “The President wants to show off and it appears he has unleashed the Department of Homeland Security to kick-out large numbers of immigrants and anyone they encounter, without much oversight, review or due process. Gutierrez, who represents parts of Chicago, continued: “There is very little official information on what appears to be a new Trump deportation initiative. Homeland Security is deporting moms…under the smoke screen of criminal or anti-terror actions.” Republicans have lost the popular vote over two presidential elections since 2000. The demographics in the country are becoming more Black and Brown and researchers estimate that the share of White voters will fall a few percentage points every four years. Trump, Stephen Miller and many others in the Republican Party are well aware of the math. (Lauren Victoria Burke is a political analyst who speaks on politics and African American leadership. Connect with Lauren by email at LBurke007@gmail. com and on Twitter at @LVBurke.)
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StartUptown seeks a self-directed, creative and outgoing Operations Manager to 1 ensure that resident needs and requests are met on a daily basis; 2) coordinate the planning and hosting of StartUptown events; 3) promote StartUptown and its members as valuable components of Pittsburgh’s community; 4 support StartUptown’s collaborative relationships with community partners. To succeed you need to be 1 a creative thinker 2 an effective multitasker; 3) a great communicator and 4 proficient with digital tools including Google Apps and social media platforms. Email resume to info@startuptown.org and specify Operations Manager in the subject line.
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University of Pittsburgh Physicians seeks Hospitalists to provide and direct inpatient medical care for hospital patients. May be required to work overnight shifts as a Nocturnist (a Hospitalist who works overnight shifts). Possible worksite locations at hospitals and medical centers in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York. Requirements: Medical degree; 36 months for Family or Internal Medicine residency training valid Pennsylvania medical license, and eligible for New York and Ohio medical license. Apply by following these steps: visit http://careers. upmc.com and enter 1 E in the Search Keyword ob ID field and click Go. EOE.
Four full-time positions available for the 2 1 -1 school year. Requirements PA Certification in Spanish PK-12. Submit required information to: https://senecavalley.cloud. talentedk12.com/hire/index.aspx. Applications accepted until March , 2 1 . Seneca alley is committed to diversity in the workplace. E.O.E.
SENECA VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT – ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELOR (K-4 GRADE)
Full-time position available for the 2 1 -1 school year. PA Elementary Secondary School Counselor PreK-12 preferred but will accept Elementary School Counselor K-6 certificate. Experience with ASCA National Model preferred. Submit required information to: https:// senecavalley.cloud.talentedk12. com/hire/index.aspx. Applications accepted until March , 2 1 . Seneca alley is committed to diversity in the workplace. E.O.E.
STUDENT ADVISOR BIDWELL TRAINING CENTER
Provides supportive services to an assigned number of student cohorts with goals of enhancing student engagement, facilitating academic success, overcoming personal barriers and helping achieve their educational and career aspirations. BS in Psychology, Social ork or related field from a four-year college or university; two year’s experience in adult education; demonstrated ability to communicate with a diverse population and MS Office skills required. Send Resume with cover letter and salary requirements to hr@manchesterbidwell.org EOE ANNOUNCEMENTS
HOSPITALIST
University of Pittsburgh Physicians seeks multiple Hospitalists in Allegheny, Blair, enango, Bedford, Erie, Lycoming, Mercer, Lawrence, Butler and Armstrong Counties, Pennsylvania, efferson County, Ohio and Chautauqua County, NY to provide and direct inpatient medical care for hospital patients. May be required to work overnight shifts as a Nocturnist (Hospitalist who works overnight). Must have Medical degree must be Board certified or eligible for Board certification in Internal Medicine or amily Medicine; must have valid PA medical license; must be eligible for OH and NY medical license. Apply by following these steps: visit http://careers. upmc.com and enter 1 S in the Search Keyword ob ID field and click Go. EOE.
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Notice is hereby given that the following amendments are being made to the 2 12, 2 14, 2 15 and 2 1 budgets of the City of Pittsburgh’s Community Development Block rant Program PROJECT
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The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s Board of Commissioners will hold its monthly meeting on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017. The board meeting will be held at 10:30 A.M. @ 200 Ross Street, 13th Floor Wherrett Room, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT Community College of Allegheny County
A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the College will be held on: March 2, 2017 4:00 p.m. Board Meeting CCAC Allegheny Campus Byers Hall 808 Ridge Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15212 LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices
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UPMC Community Medicine, Inc. located at U. S. Steel Tower, 5 th loor, rant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 1521 , seeks a amily Medical Physician to practice at Elizabeth Township amily Medicine-UPMC, 3 Scenery Drive, Eli abeth, PA 15 3 and Latterman amily Health Center-UPMC, 234 ifth Avenue, McKeesport, PA 15132 to diagnose and treat patient illnesses, provide preventative care, and instruct and supervise Medical Residents and Fellows. Requires travel between worksites within a 15 mile radius. Applicant must have completed a residency in Family Medicine and be eligible to obtain a Pennsylvania Medical License. Apply by following these steps; visit http://careers. upmc.com and enter 1 Y in the Search Keyword ob ID field and click Go. EOE.
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Estate of Sandra Lee Schneider, a/k/a Sandra Lee Stevens, deceased of Pittsburgh, PA anuary 5, 2 1 No. 2 1 . Personal Representative, August Schneider c o udith A. Lehnowsky, Atty., 2 Evergreen Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 152 412- 21- 441
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OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION of the SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH
Sealed proposals shall be deposited at the Administration Building, Room 251, 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15213, on March , 2 1 , until 2 P.M., local prevailing time for the following: Pittsburgh Obama 6-12 Science Labs ADA Restroom Renovations eneral, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical and Asbestos Primes Pittsburgh Obama 6-12 ADA Stage Lift General Prime itts r h ree fie d re Replace PA Sound Systems Emergency Generator Electrical Prime Project Manual and Drawings will be available for purchase on February , 2 1 at Modern Reproductions (412-4 , 12 McKean Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., 1521 between A.M. and 4 P.M. The cost of the Project Manual Documents is non-refundable. Project details and dates are described in each project manual.
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The City of Pittsburgh is requesting comments on its proposed use of Community Development Block and on the City’s past CDB performance. Comments may be sent to Michael Petrucci Assistant Director for Community Development Department of City Planning 200 Ross. Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 It is requested that comments be received no later than Monday, March 2 , 2 1
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INVITATION TO BIDDERS/ OFFERORS THE PITTSBURGH WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY ADVERTISEMENT SEPARATE and SEALED BIDS for the following solicitation, will be received by the Office of Procurement, Pittsburgh ater and Sewer Authority, 12 Penn Avenue, Second loor, until 2 P.M. Prevailing Time, March 13, 2017. Bids must be received in the hands of and clocked in by a P SA Procurement Officer in sufficient time prior to the opening in order for a bid to be considered. All late and electronic bids will be rejected and will not be considered for award. INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB)
ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY LEGAL NOTICE CONTRACT NO. 1660
PWSA PROJECT NO. PWSA75 All bids must be submitted in accordance with the solicitation that can be obtained by sending an e-mail to cjuratovic@pgh2o.com. There will be no charge for the solicitation, as it will be sent via e-mail. All questions relating to the solicitation itself shall be directed to im Tracey, Contract Specialist, via e-mail jtracey@pgh2o.com, no later than March 6, 2017. The Contractor must assure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference, or national origin. The Contractor will be required to submit the package of certifications included with the contract documents relating to Equal Employment Opportunity. The Authority reserves the right to withhold the award of the Contract for a period of days after the bid due date. The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids, and to waive any informality or minor irregularity in any bid(s). The Authority also retains the right to investigate the qualifications of Bidders prior to any award and to award contracts only to Contractors who, in the sole judgment of the Pittsburgh ater and Sewer Authority, are qualified and equipped to properly execute the specified work. BERNARD R. LINDSTROM, INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THE PITTSBURGH WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY
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Sealed Bids for CONTRACT 1 , LAP ATE IMPRO EMENTS AT ARIOUS LOCATIONS shall be received at the office of the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, 33 Preble Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15233, until 1l OO a.m., Prevailing Time, Thursday, March 23,2 1 , and then shall be publicly opened and read. A PreBid Meeting will be held at the Authority’s Plant in the O M Building Conference Room 1 , on Tuesday, March , 2 1 at 1 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 1 (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 Certified Check or Bid Bond in the amount of 1 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 loor ALCOSAN O M Building, either before or following the Pre-Bid Meeting. Any questions regarding the Contract Documents should be directed in writing or by fax to Mr. Michael Lichte, P.E., and ALCOSAN at (412 34- 2 . 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. Jan M. Oliver Director, Regional Conveyance
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The Upper St. Clair School District will be accepting proposals for structured cabling and installation of wireless access points at Baker, Eisenhower and Streams Elementary Schools. A copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP) may be downloaded at http://uscsd.org/rfp. There is a mandatory site walkthrough on ebruary 3, 2 1 at 3 15 pm for Baker and Streams Elementary Schools and on ebruary , 2 1 at 3 15 pm for Eisenhower Elementary School. Please email Mr. Raymond Berrott at rberrott@uscsd. k12.pa.us if you plan on attending. Proposals are due by noon on February 24, 2 1 and must be in the format and manner prescribed in the RFP. Upper St. Clair School District reserves the right to reject any or all bids and proposals. Scott Burchill, Secretary BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
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NOTIFICATION OF REQUEST FOR 2017 ACCBO LETTER OF INTENT
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DATE: February 22, 2017 PROGRAM: Community Economic Development AGENCY: Advisory Committee for Community Based Organizations (ACCBO) TYPE OF FUNDS: Operating – Community Development Corporations DEADLINE: 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 24, 2017 at the Department of City Planning, 200 Ross Street, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Community Based Organization (CBO) Fund Grants provide operating support for community based organizations involved in facilitating or developing housing and/or commercial development activities in CDBG-eligible areas of the City of Pittsburgh. The CBO fund grants are contingent upon the City’s receipt of Community Development Block Grant Funds. In order to be eligible to apply for this funding, community organizations must submit a letter of intent describing the activities they will propose in their application. The organization/activities must comply with the following fund criteria. •Must have been in existence for two years; •Must be a 501(c)(3) organization (or through a fiscal conduit for two years only); •Operate in a CDBG-eligible City of Pittsburgh neighborhood and serve primarily low-moderate income residents; •Have sufficient capacity to supervise staff and raise other funding •Must engage in residential or commercial real estate development or facilitate such development. •Demonstrate a working knowledge of the SNAP Action Planning Data in relation to the proposed project. In the context of the facilitation of residential and commercial development, the ACCBO Committee will accept applications for operating support to underwrite greening activities, e. g., blighted property clean-up, urban agriculture, energy conservation and production, as delineated within an existing community plan. Community planning activities which explore and incorporate greening strategies are also eligible. Stand-alone projects not specifically linked to an overall community-generated vision are not eligible. The letter of intent is not an application. The letter is mandatory in order to be considered for operating support funding. Following an eligibility review of the activities described in your letter, an application will be sent to you. Submission of a letter of intent indicates the applicant’s willingness to abide by the application review criteria as established by the ACCBO Committee. The letter of intent must be only one page. Additional pages will be discarded. The letters of intent are due on Friday, March 24, 2017 at 4:30 P.M. and must include the organization’s email address. No letters will be accepted after that date. Mail the letters to Timothy DiSalvio, Department of City Planning, 200 Ross Street, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 and e-mail a copy to timothy.disalvio@pittsburghpa. gov. Questions can be directed to Mr. DiSalvio at 412-255-2238. ACCBO applications will be sent out March 27 2017, and will be due April 28, 2016.
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Electronic Proposals will be received online at the Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.port authority.org). Proposals/bid submittals will be due at 11:00 AM on March 21, 2017 and will be read at 11:15 AM., that same day at Port Authority’s Heinz location (345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527), for the following: Electronic Proposal - Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.port authority.org) B160547R LRV Forward Facing Cameras and Network Video Recorders B170102 Sewer Cleaning Truck B170107A HVAC On-Call Service B170109 Route Foreman Trucks No bidder may withdraw a submitted Proposal for a period of 75 days after the scheduled time for opening of the sealed bids. A Pre-Bid Conference will be held on each of the above items at 10:00am on March 8, 2017 at Port Authority’s Heinz location (345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527). Attendance at this meeting is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. Questions regarding any of the above bids will not be entertained by the Port Authority within 48 hours of the scheduled bid opening. These contracts may be subject to a financial assistance contract between Port Authority of Allegheny County and the United States Department of Transportation. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations. Contractor is responsible for expenses related to acquiring a performance bond and insurance where applicable. All items are to be FOB delivered unless otherwise specified. Costs for delivery, bond, and insurance shall be included in bidder’s proposal pricing. Port Authority of Allegheny County hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in regard to any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprise will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award. The Board of Port Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
INVITATION TO BIDDERS/ OFFERORS THE PITTSBURGH WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY ADVERTISEMENT
SEPARATE and SEALED BIDS for the following solicitation, will be received by the Office of Procurement, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, 1200 Penn Avenue, Second Floor, until 2:00 P.M. Prevailing Time, March 15, 2017. Bids must be received in the hands of and clocked in by a PWSA Procurement Officer in sufficient time prior to the opening in order for a bid to be considered. All late and electronic bids will be rejected and will not be considered for award. INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR A PUMP ENGINE REBUILD PWSA PROJECT NO. PWSA78 All bids must be submitted in accordance with the solicitation that can be obtained by sending an e-mail to cjuratovic@pgh2o.com. There will be no charge for the solicitation, as it will be sent via e-mail. All questions relating to the solicitation itself shall be directed to Jim Tracey, Contract Specialist, via e-mail: jtracey@pgh2o.com, no later than March 8, 2017. All Bidders interested in submitting a bid in response to this solicitation are invited to attend a Site Visit on March 8, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. EST. Bidders must pre-register no later than March 7, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. by contacting Mr. Tracey who will provide details of the meeting location. A Pre-Bid Meeting will be held immediately following the Site Visit. The purpose of this meeting is to give an overview of the contract requirements and to allow Bidders to ask questions. This project involves the rebuilding of a Caterpillar 3406C engine. The Contractor must assure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference, or national origin. The Contractor will be required to submit the package of certifications included with the contract documents relating to Equal Employment Opportunity. The Authority reserves the right to withhold the award of the Contract for a period of 60 days after the bid due date. The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids, and to waive any informality or minor irregularity in any bid(s). The Authority also retains the right to investigate the qualifications of Bidders prior to any award and to award contracts only to Contractors who, in the sole judgment of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, are qualified and equipped to properly execute the specified work. BERNARD R. LINDSTROM, INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THE PITTSBURGH WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY
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LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT Port Authority of Allegheny County REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NO. 17-04
INVITATION TO BIDDERS THE PITTSBURGH WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY ADVERTISEMENT
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL For LEGAL SERVICES For MCKEESPORT HOUSING AUTHORITY
Port Authority of Allegheny County is requesting proposals for the performance of the following service: ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES The work under the proposed Agreement consists of providing environmental-related consulting and other services for Authority for projects identified during the term of the Agreement, which includes, but not limited to: developing, updating and/ or revising the environmental plans, policies and procedure manuals; completing environmental permit application packages; performing environmental compliance audits of Authority operating facilities; compliance sampling, studies and audits of water and wastewater; evaluation of the storage of hazardous materials; storage tank inspection to certify integrity; sampling to support disposal of hazardous substances, municipal, residual and hazardous waste; air quality emissions evaluations; or soil contamination remediation; all in accordance with requirements and regulations of various federal, state and local governmental regulatory agencies. A copy of the RFP will be available on or after February 15, 2017, and can be obtained by registering at the Port Authority ebusiness website: http://ebusiness.portauthority.org and following the directions listed on the website. Please note that Proposers must register under the ebusiness category of ENGENV – Eng. Environmental for this RFP. Proposers may also register in other categories for any future RFPs issued by Port Authority. If you have specific questions regarding this RFP, please contact Catherine Terrill at (412) 566-5188. An Information Meeting for interested parties will be held at 9:30 a.m., prevailing time, February 27, 2017 in the Fifth Floor Board Room of Port Authority of Allegheny County’s downtown offices, 345 Sixth Avenue to answer any questions regarding this RFP. Hard copy proposals must be both delivered to, and time stamped by a representative of the Purchasing and Materials Management Department at or before 2:00 p.m., prevailing time, March 17, 2017, at the Purchasing and Materials Management Department, Port Authority of Allegheny County, 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222-2527. Proposals received or time stamped in the Purchasing and Materials Management Department after the advertised time for the submission of proposals shall be non-responsive and therefore ineligible for award. Each Proposer shall be solely responsible for assuring that its proposal is timely received and time stamped in accordance with the requirements herein. Note that a sealed Summary of Costs should NOT be submitted with either the hard copy or the electronic version of the Proposal, but will be submitted at a later date as requested by Port Authority. This Contract Services may be funded, in part, by, and subject to certain requirements of, the County of Allegheny and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The proposal process and the performance of the requested services will be in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Port Authority of Allegheny County, in compliance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, as may be amended, require that certified Diverse Businesses (“DBs”) have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts for these Contract Services. In this regard, all Proposers shall make good faith efforts in accordance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, to ensure that DBs have the maximum opportunity to compete for and perform contracts. Proposers shall also not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, disability, national origin, sexual origin, gender identity or status as a parent in the award and performance of contracts for these Contract Services. Port Authority of Allegheny County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.
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SEPARATE and SEALED BIDS for the following solicitations, will be received by the Office of Procurement, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, 1200 Penn Ave., Second Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, until 2:00 PM Prevailing Time March 9, 2017. Bids must be received in the hands of and clocked in by a PWSA Procurement Officer in sufficient time prior to the opening in order for a bid to be considered. INVITATIONS FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR 2017 Urgent Water Repair Contract PWSA PROJECT NO. 2017-OPS-102-0 AND INVITATIONS FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR 2017 Urgent Sewer Repair Contract PWSA PROJECT NO. 2017-OPS-101-0 All bids must be submitted in accordance with the solicitation that can be obtained by sending an e-mail to cjuratovic@pgh2o.com. There will be no charge for the solicitation, as it will be sent via e-mail. All questions relating to the solicitation itself shall be directed to Jim Tracey, Contract Specialist, via e-mail: jtracey@pgh2o.com, no later than March 2, 2017. Work under the 2017 Urgent Water Repair Contract includes the urgent repair or rehabilitation of the PWSA’s public water system including water mains, valves, service connections, and hydrants as required or directed. Work under the 2017 Urgent Sewer Repair Contract includes the urgent repair or rehabilitation of the PWSA’s public sewer system including storm, sewer, and combined sewer facilities. Bids must be accompanied by a Bid Bond in the amount of Ten Percent (10%) of the bid for the project under construction. Said Bond shall be duly and legally executed with a Surety or Trust Company which has complied with City Ordinances/Resolutions relating thereto. A Performance Bond and Labor and Material Bond in the amount of 100% of the contract value for each awarded project will be required after award. The Contractor must assure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, sexual preference, sex, or national origin. The bidders will be required to submit the package of certifications included with the contract documents relating to Equal Employment Opportunity. The Authority reserves the right to withhold the award of the Contract for a period of 60 days after the opening of the bids. The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, and to waive any informality or minor irregularity in any bid or bids. The Authority also retains the right to investigate the qualifications of bidders prior to any award and to award contracts only to contractors who, in the sole judgment of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, are qualified and equipped to properly execute the specified work. BERNARD R. LINDSTROM, INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THE PITTSBURGH WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY
The McKeesport Housing Authority is requesting proposals for procurement for legal services. Whereas the McKeesport Housing Authority is currently operating numerous low-rent housing projects in the County of Allegheny, and Whereas this service would advise the Authority and its affiliates and instrumentalities on a full scope of legal services. The term of the contract will be three years with two (2) additional one (1) year optional extensions. The McKeesport Housing Authority reserves the right to extend the contract for the last two years for a maximum 5-year period. Attention is called to all respondents that all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity requirements for federally-assisted contracts must be complied with. This includes strict compliance with Executive Order 11246, as amended (establishing a goal of 6.9% for female employment and 1.3% minority percentage by craft); Nondiscrimination; Executive Order 11625, Minority Business Enterprise; Executive Order 12138, Women Business Enterprise; Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968; Civil Rights Act of 1964; and Minority Business Participation. Notice is hereby given that this is a Section 3 covered project and that the McKeesport area has been defined as a Section 3 area. The Authority promotes the utilization of business concerns which are located in or owned in substantial part by persons residing in the Section 3 area and promotes job training and employment opportunities for qualified, lower income, Section 3 area residents. Interested respondents may obtain Request for Proposal Documents containing detailed submission requirements from the Administrative Office, McKeesport Housing Authority, 2901 Brownlee Avenue, 2nd floor, McKeesport, PA 15132 412673-6942. Documents are available at no cost. Interested firms are requested to respond by proposal submission (satisfying the requirements of this invitation) on or before 10:00 A.M., prevailing time on March 15, 2017 to be submitted to the Administrative Office of the Authority, Proposals should be placed in two (2) sealed envelopes; the outer envelope will be addressed to the McKeesport Housing Authority, 2901 Brownlee Avenue, 2nd Floor, McKeesport, PA 15132. Both envelopes shall be clearly marked, “Proposal for Legal Services for the McKeesport Housing Authority”. The McKeesport Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals or to waive any informality in bidding, and to withhold award for a period of sixty (60) days. MCKEESPORT HOUSING AUTHORITY Stephen L. Bucklew EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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INVITATION FOR BIDS
Sealed bids for the Eau Claire Borough Park Project will be received in the office of Benjamin Holland, BUTLER COUNTY CONTROLLER, FLOOR 5, COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER, 124 WEST DIAMOND STREET, whose mailing address is P.O. BOX 1208, BUTLER, PA 16003, on or before 2:00pm, March 7, 2017. All Bids must be plainly marked Bid – Eau Claire Borough Park Project on the outside of the envelope. All bids will be publicly opened and read at the Public Agenda Setting Meeting of the Butler County Board of Commissioners on March 8, 2017 at 10:00am, in the Commissioner Public Meeting Room located on Floor 1 of the County Government Center, Butler, PA 16003. Bids will be received for the following: Eau Claire Borough Park removal of architectural barriers according to the specifications in the bid package. Plans, specifications and bid documents are available via a free download from the Widmer Engineering Inc. web site at: widmerengineering.com under bids. Contact Widmer Engineering Inc. with questions at 724-8471696. Paper Documents can be picked up at Widmer Engineering Inc. 806 Lincoln Place Beaver Falls PA 15010 for a nonrefundable fee of $30.58 add $10 for postage payable by check or exact cash. Each proposal shall be accompanied by a bidder’s bond, or certified check or cashier’s check, in favor of the County of Butler, in the amount of not less than ten percent. The County of Butler reserves the right to waive any informality in and to accept or reject any and all bids or any part of any bid. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days. Prevailing wages established under the Davis-Bacon Act will apply to this contract. The contract documents contain requirements addressing prevailing labor wage rates, labor standards, nondiscrimination in hiring practices, goal for minority and female participation, MBE and WBE participation, participation by Section 3 residents and businesses and related matters. BOARD OF BUTLER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Leslie Osche, Chairman Kim Geyer Kevin Boozel Attest: Scott J. Andrejchak Director of Administration/Chief Clerk
ENTERTAINER New Pittsburgh Courier
B7
FEBRUARY 22-28, 2017
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
Cover To Cover
‘The Lost Eleven’
by Terri Schlichenmeyer For New Pittsburgh Courier
You are on a need-toknow basis. You’re told only what’s relevant, and nothing more. Rumors, innuendo, extra little details, none of that’s important; only what you need is what you get. But read “The Lost Eleven” by Denise George and Robert Child, and you may wonder what else you’re missing. Hitler reportedly did not want the 1936 Olympics in his Berlin. Not a sporting man, he didn’t see the point, until he was told that the games might be a good chance to showcase his Aryan athletes. He acquiesced and was openly seethed when African American star Jesse Owens snatched medals away from Hitler’s all-German track team. “Almost 5,000 away,” Owens’ achievements made a strong impression on young
George Davis, who puffed with a patriotic pride that lingered and that carried him to the recruitment office when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. Against his father’s wishes, Davis joined the Army. But serving Uncle Sam didn’t protect a man from Jim Crow. At the beginning of the War, say George and Child, fewer than 4,000 African Americans were enlisted in the military. Most landed in racially-segregated, noncombat units, tasked with “menial labor” well behind the front lines, which rankled them. Many were eager to see action, and were denied it, but Davis and his fellow soldiers at Camp Gruber, Okla., got what they wished for: their 333rd Field Artillery Battalion was ultimately trained to operate the new 155mm Howitzers. They were going overseas. From Normandy in late June, 1944, to France and Brittany, the 333rd and 969th Battalions did what they were sent to do; by September 1944, they were on their way to Schönberg, Belgium, to a “Ghost Front,” so-called because it was “quiet.” Once there, men of both Battalions heard German rockets and believed that the sounds were recordings meant to fool them into believing German troops were nearby. But in the early morning hours of Dec. 16, the gunnoise was authentic. The 333rd, unprepared and illequipped, was under attack… Some three years ago, and nearly 70 years after their bloody capture, a House of Representatives Resolution finally gave the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion the “official” recognition it deserved. Even so, their story is rarely mentioned in World War II history. It’s not much better told here. I had such high hopes for it. “The Lost Eleven” could have become a classic, a story that war buffs and historians might happily reference. Instead, it’s marred by pages and pages of fictionalized conversations, imagined emotions, and recreated actions that make this book more novel than not. (“The Lost Eleven” by Denise George and Robert Child, 2017, NAL Caliber, $28/$37 Canada, 416 pages.)
Production of ‘Josh: The Black Babe Ruth’ brings Josh Gibson’s life, struggle to light by Genea L. Webb For New Pittsburgh Courier
In homage of Pittsburgh Black history and Black History Month, New Horizon Theater continued its 25th season with “Josh: The Black Babe Ruth.” The production ran Feb. 3-12 at the Falk School/ University of Pittsburgh. “Josh Gibson was an amazing historical figure and any time I get to take on a role like that it’s an honor and an opportunity for me to learn and educate others,” said Jonathan Berry, who portrayed Gibson with fervor and conviction. “I wanted to showcase his raw talent and drive in his pursuit of his goal.” Gibson, a member of the Pittsburgh-based teams the Homestead Grays and the Pittsburgh Crawfords, had an unheard of .354 average, 962 home-runs throughout his 17-year career and a single-season record of .517 and 84. Despite his impressive re- THE GREATESTS—Actors Lamar K. Cheston as Satchel Paige and Jonathan Berry as Josh Gibson. cord, he was never able to break into Major League the production is the way Gibson Baseball because of the died. The play seemed to say he color of his skin. As a redied from a broken heart and/or a sult, that sad, but true, fact heart attack. haunted Gibson until the Gibson was posthumously inday he died at the age of 35 ducted into the National Basein 1947, months before felball Hall of Fame in 1972. low Negro Leaguer Jackie Despite the inconsistencies in Robinson was signed by the “Josh: The Black Babe Ruth,” the Brooklyn Dodgers. production brought Gibson’s life and “He wanted to suit up just struggle to younger generations. like the rest of the players. “I’ve been writing plays off and It’s a struggle we all know on for eight years now,” said New too well even today and the York-based actor and playwright struggle continues,” said Michael A. Jones. “I wanted to Berry who has performed in share African American history beseveral New Horizon Thecause I think history answers a lot ater productions, including of questions to current issues that “Black Angels Over Tuskewe’re dealing with. There was a gee” and “The Old Settler.” real struggle then and there’s still In the play, Gibson travels a real struggle now.” between time periods with And that’s why New Horizon heated and heartfelt conTheater chairperson Joyce Megversations with friend and gerson-Moore chose the play as Pittsburgh Crawford’s player part of its 25th season cycle of Satchel Paige. plays. “Satch had a big person“We chose it because it show’s ality and he was the best at both sides of what was happening what he did,” explained Lathen and what’s happening now,” mar K. Cheston, who porMeggerson-Moore said. “There’s a trayed Page expertly. “Josh lot going on in our society and it’s and Satchel were both on the Crawford’s together and SCENE FROM THE PLAY—Actors Jaquea Olday, Jonthan Berry, center, and Lamar K. Cheston. up to all of us to make things move forward in a positive light.” they also played against each other. When you’ve got two of the best they’re going to know each other. There’s so many great things about African American history and these two players set the precedent to break down the color barrier.” In addition to the conversations between Paige and Gibson, there were also photos showcasing big events of the times and songs, which ranged from Negro spirituals to jook-joint jumping, finger-popping ditties provided by The Music Man, who was portrayed beautifully by seasoned actor Kevin Brown. The character of Hattie, who was portrayed by the fantastic Jaquea Olday, was a mysterious woman who flitted in and out of the story looking for Gibson. It was unclear if she was one of his many lovers, or his mother THE CAST (Photos by LionessPhotography) or aunt. Another mystery in
SCENE FROM PLAY—Actresses Jaquea Olday, left, and Shaun Nicole McCarthy, in black, performing LOVE SCENE—Actors Shaun Nicole McCarthy and Jonathan Berry. a scene from the play. (Photos provided)
B8
ARTS & CULTURE
FEBRUARY 22-28, 2017
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
Porter comes to August Wilson Center Stickney lights up stage in ‘Twelfth Night’ by Genea L. Webb
by Tene Croom For New Pittsburgh Courier
For New Pittsburgh Courier
Grammy Award winner Gregory Porter is “glad to make a return visit” to Pittsburgh. The California native is beloved for his distinctive jazzy baritone voice. He finds jazz “attractive because of the range of emotion and subject matter.” Porter is passionate about what’s considered “America’s music,” pointing to jazz legends that performed the music in different ways. “Think about the different characters in jazz from Louis Armstrong to Billie Holiday, to Nat King Cole to Tony Bennett to Frank Sinatra; these different unique characters all with a unique voice and style,” he said. He recognizes his fans in Pittsburgh supported him early in his career and their enthusiasm hasn’t waned. “Every time I come there’s always a great enthusiastic jazz audience,” Porter said. “Generally I get Facebook messages from people demanding certain songs, but I do music from all of my albums.” The song “Take Me to the Alley,” from the album of the same name, was a 2017 Grammy Award winner inspired by his mother, Ruth, who passed away in 1994 from breast cancer. “My mother was a person who encouraged us to look for the considered least one and look for the one who needs a helping hand. The song is a simple message about that really.” The Alley is an actual street, he says, where he “learned how to sing on the sidewalk in front of a storefront church that my mother ran. She would preach and I would sing to the street people.” The “Be Good” singer didn’t know as a child how much of a major influence
Timothy D. Stickney is thrilled to be portraying the love-sick Duke Orsino in the Pittsburgh Public Theater’s production of the Shakespearean comedy, “Twelfth Night.” “It’s been wonderful being here Duke Orsino is the only obvious person of color in the production. I’m working with some wonderful people but it was a surprise when you come to the table and you’re like ‘oh, it’s only me,’” but at least I’m the Duke in this production and I hold the power and I get to wear a lot of pretty clothes.,” said Stickney who has been performing classical work for 30 years and sees Shakespeare as his third language. Shakespeare wrote “Twelfth Night” as a brilliant entertainment to end the holiday season for the Elizabethan Court. The action and antics take place in Illyria where Viola (portrayed masterfully by Carly Street) washes ashore after a shipwreck and in order to find gainful employment hides the fact that she is a woman and that she has a twin brother, Sebastian (Max Rosenak). Pretending to be a boy, Viola serves and falls in love with Orsino who is desperately in love with nobel woman, Olivia (played beautifully by Gretchen Egolf) But Olivia falls in love with the Duke’s boy. To make matters worse, Olivia’s always-drunk uncle Sir Toby Belch (played by the hilariously funny John Ahlin) and his bumbling side-kick, Sir Andrew Aguecheek (portrayed by the funny Daniel Krell). Along with the mischievous Maria, (Helena Ruoti), Sir Andrew and Sir Toby trick Olivia’s Pompous but loyal Steward, Malvolio (Brent Harris) into ridiculous public displays of affection for Olivia that even-
GREGORY PORTER his mother would eventually have on his musical career. “She taught me how to sing and before she passed she encouraged me to continue on,” he said. “She always said ‘sing with an understanding, sing with an idea.’ I think that’s why I connect with audiences. I’m telling a story that connects with them.” How has having a 4-yearold son affected his music? He says that he “watches him and thinks about him hearing the songs in the way I listened to Nat King Cole’s music long after he was gone. ‘Nature Boy’ spoke to me a certain way. A lot of his message songs spoke to me a certain way.” He wrote songs on his latest album “Take Me to the Alley” with the current po-
litical climate in mind. One of those songs he says is “Fan the Flames” a call to protest. “Remember the most effective form of protest was Dr. King’s non-violent movement. Just remember the power of that.” While he is a renown jazz and soul singer, Porter said he “would continue to work with hip hop artists.” In 2016, he and rapper/actor Common released the single “Running” in honor of World Refugee Day. He’s currently putting together “an orchestra project—something that would involve the music of Nat King Cole.” Porter will perform at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture, at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22.
tually gets Malvolio sent to prison because everyone thinks he is mad. Rounding out the cast of “Twelfth Night” are Tony Bingham, Dom Di Giulio and Drew Stone. The production team for the Ted Pappas-directed play is James Noone (scenic), Gabriel Berry (Costumes), Kirk Bookman (Lighting) and Zach Moore (sound). Stickney’s parents made sure that he and his siblings—most notably renowned actress, comedienne and author, Phyllis Yvonne Stickney who appeared in such hits as “A Different World,” What’s Love Got to Do With it” and “Malcolm X”, were submersed in arts culture. For five years, Stickney was a company member with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, appearing as Pothinus in “Caesar and Cleopatra” and Sebastian in “The Tempest.” He has led AUDELCO Award-winning and nominated productions of “Othello,” “Hamlet” and his favorite, “Richard III,” while directing gender-bending “Julius Caesar” and “Othello.” He’s appeared in “Blue Bloods,” Madame Secretary,” the “Good Wife” and the upcoming “The Punisher.” But many people may remember seeing his charismatic face and hearing his phenomenal voice during his 12 years as villain Randall James R.J. Gannon on “One Life to Live” from 1994 to 2006. “It was wonderful,” says Stickney of his years on the soap. “It was one of those weird gigs. I was working in Louisville at the Humana festival—it’s one of those festivals that’s in the middle-ish of the country so people from both coasts come to see the plays that are being performed. I guess I was seen by ABC on both coasts and I got a call while I was still in Kentucky to come to New York to do an audition
TIMOTHY D. STICKNEY for a soap opera. I laughed because I do not have the kind of face that sells toothpaste in America.” The camera and the soap opera powers that be loved Stickney despite the fact that he knocked over some furniture upon exiting the audition. Stickney went on to win the Soap Opera Award for best Villian in 2000 and was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series in 2000 and 2001. “I take being cast as a villain with a grain of salt. I’m thankful that I haven’t had to play many butlers and language-less people. But it saddens me that that is people’s perception of people of color because they only see us how others create us in entertainment,” Stickney said. “To change things, we have to write, we have to produce, we have to fund those types of projects that have actors of color in those roles because we are here, we do exist and we can do the work.” The show, which runs at the O’Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater’s home in the Cultural District, through February 26, is presented by Highmark. For tickets, call 412-3161600 or visit www.ppt.org.