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APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2018

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Where will the sign reside next?

INSIDE

Artist says she doesn’t want billboard at original location

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

The message that read “There are Black People in the Future” above a building in East Liberty was approved to return to its perch, after a weeklong ordeal which saw the sign initially removed due to concerns from unnamed citizens.

But the sign isn’t up at the corner of S. Highland Avenue

Voters Guide 2018 Primary Election Special Section

‘A NEW ERA’

“We have an opportunity as a community to stop and think about how we can make the neighborhood more of what we want it to be.”

Teachers union reaches three-year deal with Pittsburgh Public Schools

JANERA SOLOMON Executive Director

by Rob Taylor Jr.

Kelly Strayhorn Theater

Courier Staff Writer

The Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, in a previous world just hours from going on strike for the first time in 40 years, have reached an agreement with the Pittsburgh Public Schools district to stay on the job uninterrupted for at least the next three years.

The April 18 ratification of the contract by the school board “represents a new era in our District’s long and storied history: one which I hope will result in effective, positive changes for our students,” said PPS board president Dr. Regina Holley.

A release from the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers read that its members voted “overwhelmingly” to ratify the three collective bargaining agreements with the District. “The professional unit contract was accepted by 90 percent of voting members, the paraprofessional unit contract was accepted by 77 percent of voting members, and the technical-clerical unit contract was accepted by 90 percent of voting members,” the release said.

“There is no question that the negotiations were, at times, contentious,” Dr. Holley said in an April 18 statement. “That is the nature of collective bargaining. But just as steel is forged

“THERE ARE BLACK PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE”—A woman holds a sign with the message that has been the talk of East Liberty since early March, when the message was displayed on a billboard at S. Highland Ave. and Baum Blvd. The message is no longer on that billboard. (Photos by Gail Manker)

and Baum Blvd. yet. That’s because there’s a chance the sign could be placed in a different location.

In an exclusive interview, Alisha Wormsley, the artist behind the “There are Black People in the Future” sign and movement, told the New Pittsburgh Courier that “I knew what it could mean,

ALISHA WORMSLEY, the artist behind the “There are Black People in the Future” movement. and I wasn’t surprised, but I was surprised,” after initially learning about the sign’s removal.

The sign went up in early March, and stayed for three weeks until property manager Eve Picker told Carnegie Mellon University associate professor Jon Rubin, who rents the space where the sign rested, that it had to come down due to a violation of policy.

After a public outcry, Picker told Rubin that the sign could go back up.

The Kelly Strayhorn The-

ater in East Liberty hosted an open discussion between the public, Rubin and Wormsley, April 18. It was the first time both Rubin and Wormsley spoke on the subject in a public forum.

After opening comments from Kelly Strayhorn Theater executive director Janera Solomon, Rubin and Wormsley, some in the audience bluntly asked the trio when and if the sign would go back up.

“We’re working on someSEE SIGN A5

Area Black mayors celebrated at convention

by Christian Morrow and Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writers

While the Talk Minority Action Group’s 15th Black Networking Convention featured a luncheon address by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, the real highlight was the attendance by nine Black mayors from across the Commonwealth.

Joining state Reps.

Austin Davis, D-McKeesport; Ed Gainey,

SEE PPS A4

D-East Liberty, and Jake Wheatley, D-Hill District April 21 for a series of panel discussions on healthcare, employment and affordable housing, were mayors Betty Copeland, Bridgeville; Marita Garrett, Wilkinsburg; Rohan E. Hepkins, Yeadon; Keith A. Jackson, Rochester; Thaddeus Kirkland, Chester; Nickole Nesby, Duquesne; Tim Scott, Carlisle; Helen E. Thomas, Darby, and Dwan B. Walker, SEE MAYORS A5

BETTY COPELAND, right, mayor of Bridgeville, speaks at the Black Networking Convention, April 21.

Also on hand was Dwan Walker, mayor of Aliquippa, second from left. (Photo by J.L. Martello)

CCAC celebrates opening of food pantries at all campuses

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

Though Pittsburgh has multiple agencies dedicated to addressing the hunger that affects low-income residents throughout the city, few had looked at another population in need-college students.

Now, thanks to a partnership with East End Cooperative Ministry, Community College of Allegheny County is meeting those needs head on.

With the opening of food pantries at its Allegheny, North, and Homewood-Brushton campuses, the college now has operat-

ing food pantries at all five campuses. They celebrated with a ribbon-cutting at the Allegheny Campus on the North Side, April 23.

“Food insecurity is one of the hidden barriers that affects our students,” said CCAC President Dr. Quintin Bullock. “For an institution like ours which serves a high percentage of first-generation and economically-challenged students, this shows our commitment to eliminating those barriers and allowing our students to achieve their highest potential.”

Joining Dr. Bullock for NOW OPEN—CCAC’s Food Pantry at its Allegheny Campus. (Pho- the ceremony were Michael tos by J.L. Martello) Mingrone, president &

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CCAC PRESIDENT DR. QUINTIN BULLOCK

Jerroll Sanders says

I say no to a Starbucks boycott Forum B7

CEO, East End Cooperative Ministry; Dr. Evon Walters, president, CCAC Allegheny Campus and Homewood-Brushton Center; Dr. Gretchen Mullin-Sawicki, president, CCAC North Campus and West Hills Center; and Vladimir St. Surin, assistant dean, CCAC Homewood-Brushton Center.

St. Surin said the pantry at the Homewood-Brushton center, which actually had a soft opening earlier, fills a need because as much as they motivate people to get there, and get there on time, if the students are SEE CCAC A5

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INTERNATIONAL

APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

This Week In Black History

PARTICIPATING IN GLOBAL ECONOMY—In this March 1, 2016 file photo, two women stand outside a building used by South Africa’s ABSA bank in Cape Town, South Africa. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam, File)

Cell phones, biometrics fuel jump in bank account ownership

by Ken Sweet

covering 144 countries representing 98 percent of the world’s population.

A chunk of the growth came from India, the world’s second-most populous country, where bank account ownership has more than doubled from 40 percent to 80 percent in six years. Since 2014, the Indian government has been pushing a program to sign up individuals for simple, no-fee accounts tied to government biometric identification cards. While usage of those accounts is mixed, the World Bank report was not measuring whether or not a bank account is used, just if an adult had one or not.

Sub-Saharan Africa saw big growth as well, fueled by mobile phone-based accounts. These “mobile money” accounts, as they are sometimes known, are tied to a person’s cell phone account instead of a bank, and allow users to transfer money to family or businesses.

In countries such as Kenya, roughly three quarters of Kenyans have a mobile money account, and other Sub-Saharan countries like Zimbabwe and Uganda also saw jumps in mobile phone account usage in the last few years. Mobile money accounts also appear to be gaining popularity in other parts of the continent as well, not just East Africa, to

places like West Africa.

World Bank experts expect that mobile monMobile NEW YORK (AP)— money accounts will be the Roughly seven out of every primary way to drive the 10 adults worldwide now remaining 1.7 billion peohave some form of bank ple without a bank account account, the World Bank into financial services. The said Thursday, largely due bank estimates that 1.1 to the proliferation of cell billion of those 1.7 billion phone-based bank accounts unbanked adults have a and other simple bank acmobile phone, and could be count programs in places more easily brought into like India and Sub-Sahathe financial system. ran Africa.

The World Bank also The finding is a sign of recommended in its rethe improved financial port that countries move wellbeing of those living in their pension payments developing countries and and other forms of governparticularly women, who ment transfers from cash increasingly have a safe to electronic in order to place to store their savings spur broader bank account and are able to participate ownership. Utility compain the growing digitalizanies can also consider other tion of the global economy. electronic forms of payment But women still lag beto spur bank account usage, hind their male counterthe World Bank said. parts in bank account While nearly every demoownership, the World Bank graphic and continent saw report said. increased usage of bank An estimated 69 percent accounts and other forms of adults had some sort of of savings, the gender gap bank account in 2017, up among those using finanfrom an estimated 51 percial services remains high, cent in 2011 and up from according to the World 62 percent in 2014. That Bank. Women are nine pertranslates into an additioncentage points less likely al 515 million adults now to have a bank or mobile having a bank account commoney account, a gap that pared to three years ago. hasn’t changed since the The figures were released 2014 report. as part of the World Bank’s But the biggest barriGlobal Findex Report , a er to spur bank account study on financial inclusion ownership remains wealth released every three years itself. The poor are much that involves interviews or less likely to have a bank surveys of 150,000 people or mobile money account, largely due to the lack of money they have to store in it. Two-thirds of those surveyed who did not have a bank account said a lack of savings was their primary reason for not having one.

The World Bank estimates that 93 percent of all American adults have some sort of bank account. That matches a report compiled by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., a federal bank regulator, which estimated that roughly 7 percent of all Americans did INCREASED USAGE—In this Oct. 20, 2017 file photo, people walk not have a bank account. past a branch of HSBC bank in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu, File) (Ken Sweet covers banks and Associated Press Writer

the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for The Associated Press. Follow him on Twitter at @kensweet.

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Week of April 25-May 1 April 25 1918—Jazz singing legend Ella Fitzgerald is born in Newport News, Va. Orphaned at an early age, Fitzgerald was literally living in the streets when she was discovered in Harlem, N.Y., by bandleader Chick Webb. Despite never having received formal vocal training, musical experts often compared her techniques and vocal range to that of a conservatory trained singer. One of the ultimate compliments to her abilities was given by the great song writer Ira Gershwin who said, “I didn’t realize our songs were so good until I heard Ella sing them.” Fitzgerald died at the age of 79 on June 15, 1997.

1943—Tuskegee Institute President Frederick Patterson writes his famous letter (published in the Pittsburgh Courier) urging the presidents of the nation’s ELLA FITZGERALD predominantly Black colleges and universities to “pool their small resources and make an appeal to the national conscience” in order to produce more scholarship funds for the education of Black students. One year later the United Negro College Fund is incorporated with 27 member colleges.

April 26 1886—The “mother of the Blues” Gertrude “Ma” Rainey is born Gertrude Pridgett in Columbus, Ga. She began her career touring with the Rabbit Foot Minstrels. She was the first person to sing the Blues in minstrel shows. Rainey also coached, then young Blues singer Bessie Smith who would become more famous and celebrated than Rainer. Rainey died Dec. 22, 1939.

1994—The first all race elections take place in then White ruled South Africa. The elections would bring an end to 300 years of White minority rule, known as apartheid, in the African nation as well as bring about the election of Nelson Mandela as the country’s first Black and democratically elected president.

Mandela had spent 27 years in prison because of his leadership of the African National Congress which had led the struggle against apartheid.

GERTRUDE MA RAINEY April 27 1903—W.E.B. DuBois’ “The Soul of Black Folks” is published. The book did much to outline and summarize progressive African-American thought and opposition to the accommodation policies of Booker T. Washington—then the nation’s foremost Black leader. DuBois argued that “the problem of the 20th century is the problem of the color line” and labeled Washington’s program as one of “industrial education, conciliation of the South, and submission and silence as to civil and political rights.” A colNELSON MANDELA lection of DuBois’ papers are currently being placed online by the University of Massachusetts.

1903—Maggie Lena Walker becomes the first Black woman to head a bank in America. In fact, she was the first woman of any color to head a bank when she was named president of the St. Luke Bank and Trust Company in Richmond, Va. Walker was an outstanding businesswoman who took over Richmond’s Order of St. Luke when it was nearly broke W.E.B. DUBOIS and rapidly losing membership. Within a few years the Order owned a bank, a newspaper, a printing press and a three-story department store despite the active opposition of Richmond’s White business community. Walker also helped found the Lilly Black Party in part as a slap at the segregated “Lilly White” political parties of the day. One of her mottos was “Don’t get angry, get busy.”

She died Dec. 15, 1934.

April 28 1967—The World Boxing Association and the New York State Athletic Commission withdraw recognition of Muhammad Ali as world heavyweight boxing champion because of his opposition to the war in MAGGIE LENA WALKER Vietnam and his resulting refusal to serve in the U.S. military. One of his famous phrases during the controversial period was, “I ain’t got no quarrel with those Vietcong.” In addition to being stripped of his title and license to box, Ali was sentenced to five years in prison for refusing to be inducted into the military. However, four years later the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the conviction and Ali was allowed to box again.

April 29 1992—This was the first day of the Los Angeles riots which were sparked when a nearly all White jury acquitted four White cops in the brutal beating of Black motorist Rodney King even though the beating had been MUHAMMAD ALI caught on tape. Two of the cops were later convicted on federal civil rights charges. The riots left at least 50 people dead, nearly 1,000 injuries and an estimated $1 billion in property damage.

April 30 711 AD—Tarik the Moor invades Spain with force of 7,000 troops, routs the Visigoths and establishes Moor domination of Spain. While there remains some dispute over Tarik’s race, the weight of the evidence is strong that he was a Black man. He was described in accounts of the time as having “brown skin and wooly hair.” His full name was Tarik al Gibral. The famed Rock of Gibraltar is named in his honor.

1828—Shaka, the great Zulu king and military leader, is killed. His innovative military strategies kept European imperialism at bay for years as he established Zulu dominance in large parts of Southern Africa. The Zulu nation grew to at least 250,000 with an army of over 40,000. But Shaka became increasingly dictatorial. Opposition to his dictatorship combined with jealousy led his two half-brothers to assassinate him on this day in 1828.

SHAKA May 1 1866—The two-day Memphis, Tenn., race riots, one of the most savage events immediately following the civil war, begins. When it was over, former Confederate soldiers, angered by the loss of the Civil War and the new status for Blacks, had killed 46 Blacks and two of their White supporters, as well as raped five Black women and torched over 90 homes, schools and churches. In support of the rebel soldiers, local police arrested hundreds of Blacks and not the Whites who were rioting. However, the savage nature of the rioting in Memphis (and a similar disturbance in New Orleans) prompted Congress to pass radical Reconstruction to aid Blacks, a Civil Rights bill, and the 14th Amendment to the Constitution guaranteeing citizenship and equal protection to former slaves.

1950—Brilliant poet Gwendolyn Brooks, the first African-American to win a Pulitzer Prize in 1950 for her second collection, “Annie Allen,” is born on this day in Topeka, Kan. At 17, she started submitting her work to “Lights and Shadows,” the poetry column of the Chicago Defender, an African American newspaper. Brooks published her first book of poetry, “A Street in Bronzeville” (1945) with Harper and Row, after strong show of support to the publisher from author Richard Wright. Brooks died on Dec. 3, 2000 in Chicago, Ill. 1967—The “Long Hot Summer” begins.

The period between May 1 and Oct. 1, 1967 witnessed the most dramatic and destructive series of Black urban disturbances in American history. Major riots took place in 40 American cities. There were also lesser disturbances in 100 smaller towns and cities. Many felt the riots were sparked by a collective sense of frustrated hopes and a new urban generation less GWENDOLYN BROOKS willing to adopt peaceful means for change.

NATIONAL

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APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2018

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‘It was life or death’ Man wrestles gun away from Waffle House shooter

by Sheila Burke Associated Press Writer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)—The man who snatched an AR-15 rifle from a gunman at a busy Tennessee restaurant says his was a “selfish” act of self-preservation and he doesn’t consider himself a hero.

Never mind that he is being credited with saving several other lives.

“When I grabbed the barrel of the weapon it was hot, but I didn’t care. It was life or death,” said James Shaw Jr., a 29-year-old Nashville resident who found himself wrestling with the suspect after four people had already been fatally shot at a Waffle House bustling with wee hour patrons early Sunday in Nashville.

Shaw joined law enforcement officials and Nashville’s mayor at a news conference Sunday, some 12 hours after the shooting, his right hand bandaged. There he was singled out by Waffle House CEO Walter Ehmer, who was present and thanked Shaw for his bravery.

“You don’t get to meet too many heroes in life,” Ehmer said before addressing Shaw, who dabbed at tears in his eyes.

“We are forever in your debt.”

PORTRAIT IN COURAGE—James Shaw Jr. shows his hand that was injured when he disarmed a shooter inside a Waffle House on Sunday, April 22, in Nashville, Tenn. (Larry McCormack/The Tennessean via AP) Shaw said that after going to a nightclub he had decided to stop with a friend early Sunday at a Waffle House. But the first one he visited was too crowded with overnight patrons, so he ended up going to another in Nashville.

The man who wrestled the gun away from a man as he was shooting up a Nashville, Tennessee restaurant early Sunday morning spoke at a police press conference. He called his actions “selfish.”

(April 22)

As he entered the Waffle House, he was just two minutes ahead of the gunman, seating himself at a counter.

Suddenly he heard a loud noise, thinking at first that freshly washed plates had crashed from a stack in the restaurant.

Then, he said, he saw restaurant workers running and turned and saw a body near the front door as the gunman burst in.

It was then that he realized he was hearing gunshots.

“I looked back and I saw a person lying

on the ground right at the entrance of the door, then I jumped and slid…I went behind a push door—a swivel door,” Shaw said. “He shot through that door; I’m pretty sure he grazed my arm. At that time I made up my mind…that he was going to have to work to kill me. When the gun jammed or whatever happened, I hit him with the swivel door.”

Shaw said it was then that they began wrestling, ignoring his own pain as he grabbed the hot barrel of the AR-15 weapon. On Sunday afternoon, his right hand was bandaged from the encounter.

“He was kind of cussing while we were wrestling around. When I finally got the gun he was cussing like I was in the wrong,” he said. “It wasn’t any kind of talking between us; I just knew I just had to get that away from him.”

Of the gun, he added: “I grabbed it from him and threw it over the countertop and I just took him with me out the entrance.”

Shaw said after getting the man out of the Waffle House, he then ran one way and saw the suspect, naked save for a jacket, going another way.

Shaw said he had an apparent bullet graze on one elbow and fell and hit his knee as he escaped, landing in the hospital for a time early Sunday.

“I didn’t really fight that man to save everyone else. That may not be a popular thing,” said Shaw. “I took the gun so I could get myself out of the situation.”

Accepting rights award, Kaepernick decries ‘lawful lynching’

by Mike Corder Associated Press Writer

AMSTERDAM (AP)—Amnesty International gave former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick its Ambassador of Conscience Award on Saturday for his kneeling protest of racial injustice that launched a sports movement and might have cost him his job.

Onetime San Francisco 49ers teammate Eric Reid presented Kaepernick with the award during a ceremony in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands.

In his acceptance speech, the award-winner described police killings of African Americans and Latinos in the United States as lawful lynchings.

“Racialized oppression and dehumanization is woven into the very fabric of our nation—the effects of which can be seen in the lawful lynching of Black and

brown people by the police, and the mass incarceration of Black and brown lives in the prison industrial complex,” Kaepernick said.

Kaepernick first took a knee during the pre-game playing of the American national anthem when he was with the 49ers in 2016 to protest police brutality.

“How can you stand for the national anthem of a nation that preaches and propagates, ‘freedom and justice for all,’ that is so unjust to so many of the people living there?” he said at Saturday’s award ceremony.

Other players joined his protest in the 2016 season, drawing the ire of President Donald Trump, who called for team owners to fire such players.

In response to the player demonstrations, the NFL agreed to commit $90 million over the next seven years to social

justice causes in a plan.

Kaepernick wasn’t signed for the 2017 season following his release in San Francisco.

Reid, a safety who is now a free agent, continued Kaepernick’s protests by kneeling during the anthem last season.

Reid has said he will take a different approach in 2018.

Kaepernick paid tribute to his friend for his own role in the protest movement.

“Eric introducing me for this prestigious award brings me great joy,” Kaepernick said. “But I am also pained by the fact that his taking a knee, and demonstrating courage to protect the rights of Black and brown people in America, has also led to his ostracization from the NFL when he is widely recognized as one of the best competitors in the game and in the prime of his career.”

Amnesty hands its award each year to

a person or organization, “dedicated to fighting injustice and using their talents to inspire others.”

Amnesty International Secretary General Salil Shetty called Kaepernick “an athlete who is now widely recognized for his activism because of his refusal to ignore or accept racial discrimination.”

Previous recipients of the award include anti-Apartheid campaigner and South African President Nelson Mandela and Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl who campaigned for girls’ right to education even after surviving being shot

by Taliban militants.

“In truth, this is an award that I share with all of the countless people throughout the world combating the human rights violations of police officers, and their uses of oppressive and excessive force,” Kaepernick said.

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APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2018

Pitt’s Ya’baso Annual ‘African Takeover’

METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

The Ya’baso dance team at Pitt held its annual “African Takeover” showcase, April 6, on the Pitt campus. Courier photographer J.L. Martello captured the event in pictures, including the collegiate seniors on the dance team, pictured at right.

Teachers union reaches new deal with PPS

PPS FROM A1

through the intense heat of blast furnaces, our public schools will emerge stronger for the process. And we achieved a longstanding, structural framework that allows us to effect meaningful change that has eluded us for too long.”

Dr. Holley’s use of the word “contentious” may be an understatement. The Teach-

ers Union had authorized a strike to occur as early as March 2, but a Pittsburgh Marathon-style negotiation took place on Feb. 27, with both sides hashing out the pros and cons, the gives and takes, and the do’s and dont’s for upwards of 14 hours before finally coming to some sort of agreement moments before the clock struck midnight.

By law, the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers (PFT) had to give 48 hours notice before they collectively walked out of the classroom. Wednesday, Feb. 28 would have been that day to officially start the clock, and the strike would have begun 48 hours later, Friday, March 2, if the two sides didn’t come to a preliminary agreement late Feb. 27.

“As with any negotiation, there was give and take on both sides. Teachers will get a wage package that makes our District more competitive for new hires and in retaining talent, as well as a formidable health insurance and benefits plan. The new contract also addresses teachers’ concerns with early childhood educators as much as possible given the limitations of this grant-funded program,” superintendent of schools Anthony Hamlet, EdD, said in a prepared statement.

“I am pleased that our members overwhelmingly approved the three proposed agreements,” added PFT president Nina Esposito-Visgitis in a sepa-

rate statement. “Now we can focus more of our time and energy on projects such as expanding access to high-quality affordable early childhood education, promoting career and technical education, and improving professional development for all our educators.”

Highlights of the new deal include a new 12-step pay scale, with a raise of 2 percent. New teachers’ starting pay will be $46,000—for early education teachers, it is $42,000 (bachelor’s degree), and $44,000 (master’s degree). Also, the District’s principals will be able to have more control in teacher schedules in K-5 schools.

Esposito-Visgitis, unafraid to go head-to-head with District officials, thanked the parents and community members that “had our backs...we felt the community support at the bargaining table, we saw the window signs around town, and we know that the community would have walked the picket line with us if we needed them.”

“When we began this process so many months ago,” Dr. Hamlet said, “we had different ideas on several details, yet shared a common goal: to create a contract that is fair to all—taxpayers, teachers, the District, the community—but, above all, places the students at the very top of that list. It took some time to get there, but this agreement does just that.”

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APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2018

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Where will the sign reside next?

SIGN FROM A1

thing, that’s all we can say right now,” Rubin told the audience, who cheered afterward.

Pressed further, Rubin told the Courier that “no one else is hindering” the ability for the sign to return to its original spot, but declined to comment further.

Wormsley told the Courier exclusively that it was “absolutely” up to Wormsley and Rubin if the sign would return to its original location.

When asked if Wormsley wants the billboard with her message on it to be returned to its original spot, she told the Courier, after a pause, “No, but we’re working on something.”

There is no timetable as to when an announcement could be made about the sign’s next location if it is not returned to Highland and Baum.

Solomon told the Courier that she wants to see the sign returned somewhere

in East Liberty. “As a piece of art, I think it’s always important to have art that makes you think,” Solomon said. “So, just having art around us that makes you pause, consider, ask questions…I think it’s important for every community to have that all the time.”

Speaking specifically to the “There are Black People in the Future” sign, Solomon said that “we have an opportunity as a community to stop and think about how we can make the neighborhood more of what we want it to be.”

Solomon talked of gentrification having a beginning, a middle and an end to its story. “And I think before we reach the end of East Liberty’s story, whatever that ending is, in this moment we have a chance to contribute and say, wait a minute, this is a neighborhood that values art, we don’t take art down just because we don’t PANEL—Kelly Strayhorn Theater hosted an open forum featuring executive director Janera Solomon, left, artist Alisha Wormsley, and CMU professor Jon Rubin. (Photos by Gail Manker) agree with it.”

Wormsley, Rubin: ‘We’re working on something’

CMU PROFESSOR JON RUBIN, right, responds to questions from the audience. He has rented space on a billboard in East Liberty for years, highlighting messages from different local artists.

WOMEN AT THE OPEN FORUM who support the “There are Black People in the Future” sign and movement.

Local Black mayors celebrated MAYORS FROM A1

Aliquippa.

Organizer and Talk Magazine Publisher Luther Sewell was the mastermind behind assembling such an array of Black political power for the two-day event at the Marriott City Center.

All were warmly welcomed by Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald during an April 20 reception that culminated with entertainment

by Flo Wilson and the Old School Band.

Over the past months, the New Pittsburgh Courier has reported on new African American mayors in Allegheny County. Garrett became Wilkinsburg’s first Black female mayor during a Jan. 2, 2018 ceremony. It was no easy feat for Garrett to accomplish, echoed by Valerie McDonald Roberts, the first African American woman

elected to Pittsburgh City Council in 1994. “This is a small municipality, but this is something big,” McDonald Roberts said at the time of Garrett’s victory, as she defeated three other Democratic contenders.

“The politics of winning this kind of race is no different than the politics of a larger setting. It’s, how do you do this when you may not be the endorsed candidate?

You may be the newest person on the block, you may be young, and female and Black…how do you do this?

The same methodology, the same strategy and the same perseverance has to be in place. There’s a lot to celebrate, the fact that she did it.”

Nesby has much to celebrate, as well. She has taken over the city of Duquesne and has a “boots on the ground” approach, talking to residents and

trying to eliminate problem areas in her community.

Nesby formerly worked for the U.S. Department of the Treasury before running for and being elected mayor of Duquesne.

Copeland became the first African American mayor of Bridgeville, who seemed pleasantly surprised to win the election.

“The Democratic committee approached me saying, with all my years of volunteer work, they thought I’d be a great goodwill ambassador, so I ran,” Copeland told the New Pittsburgh Courier in an exclusive interview a few months ago.

“I never thought it would be a reality—they’d never vote for a woman, let alone an African American woman—but then, election night the incumbent mayor called me and said, ‘Hello, mayor-elect.’ It’s incredible.”

CCAC opens food pantries CCAC FROM A1

hungry, they are not going to be concentrating on World History or Math 101.

“Our clients are 77 percent female. Many of our students are non-traditional, so our average age is 32. Ninety percent are African American and have an average income under $19,000,” he said. “They really appreciate that CCAC cares about their well-being. Our pantry is open on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and that’s by design— because as one guy told me, ‘I can feed my family for the weekend now.’”

Mingrone said partnering with CCAC was a natural outgrowth of EECM’s work throughout the area—they

serve pantries from Downtown all the way to Penn Hills.

“Look around—we are the face of hunger. One in three CCAC students suffers from food insecurity. The people who were just getting by before, aren’t getting by,” he said. “We’re on pace to distribute 500,000 pounds of food just this year.”

In addition to donations from EECM, Allegheny Campus Director of Student Life Jane Greenwood said the campuses all have food drives to donate to the pantries. They also harvest vegetables from a nearby campus garden to supplement the dry and canned goods the pantry stocks.

“We actually had a pantry

here in 2016. It was funded through a grant, but that ran out,” she said. “So this partnership with EECM is really great.”

In addition to canned and dried foods, the pantry also provides sundries such as paper towels, dish and laundry soap, and toilet paper. Greenwood also said they plan to purchase a commercial refrigerator, and possibly a freezer, but are waiting to see if the other campuses also need them.

“We’re very excited to respond to the needs of our students,” said Dr. Bullock.

“We’ll be monitoring usage to see what kind of impact we’re having, and whether we need to expand.”

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PEOPLE

APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

GET ON BOARD WITH LOVE The Youth Project Inc. holds annual ‘Stop the Violence’ party HANK COMMODORE, middle with red hat, and Donielle Owen, second from right, with key members of the community who helped to make the “Stop the Violence” party at Zone 28 on Freeport Rd., April 8, a success. Most of the participants are from New Kensington, Apollo, Vandergrift and Leechburg. The Youth Project Inc. has been in existence in New Kensington since 2006, providing a variety of services to youth in the area. (Photos by Courier photographer Gail Manker)

JASMINE DUNCAN, with Kodi Duncan, 3.

PITTSBURGH CITY COUNCILMAN REV. RICKY BURGESS, with family at The Youth Project Inc.’s “Stop the Violence” event at Zone 28 on Freeport Rd., April 8.

BOWLING FOR FUN!—Tonii Price and Brooklynn Price bowling strikes at Zone 28.

JERRELL FLEMING AND LEKESHIA MAR, with children at the Zone 28 event.

PEOPLE

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

APRIL25-MAY 1, 2018

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Melba Moore returns to Pittsburgh

Tony Award winner to perform May 5

by Genea L. Webb For New Pittsburgh Courier

A lot has changed in singer Melba Moore’s life since she last graced the New Horizon Theater stage back in 2009: She recorded and released a duet album of love songs with powerhouse Phil Perry entitled, “Give the Gift of Love,” and the funk and soul album, “Forever Moore,” which includes the songs “Let’s Dance” and “It’s My Time Again.”

Not to mention Moore, the four-time Grammy-nominated singer, had a victorious run in “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill” where, for three months, she portrayed fellow songstress Billie Holiday in “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill” in Sarasota, Fla. to rave reviews.

So, when she returns to Pittsburgh’s Kelly Strayhorn Theater on May 5 at 7:30 p.m. for New Horizon’s annual black-tie fundraising event, her sprits will be high and her singing—she boasts a five-octave range—will be, too.

“We were welcomed back with open arms,” said Moore, who was born Beatrice Melba Hill in New York City.

“We’re looking forward to doing the show, myself and my musical director Levi Barcourt…and since we have been working together for the past three months we will be doing a tribute to Ms. Billie Holiday since that’s who I was playing.”

Moore is excited to be returning to Pittsburgh and working with New Horizon Theater, a freestanding theater company that consistently provides Pittsburgh with the four live stage productions annually and performs its daily operations with an all-volunteer core.

“People loved her performance before. She told her life story—she had a story to tell and people of all ages could understand,” said New Horizon Theater chairperson Joyce Meggerson-Moore.

“She told stories and she changed clothes and she portrayed different times of her life in the show. We must have liked what we saw because we had Levi Barcourt and his band back performing in the 2010-2011 season.

It’s going to be a combination of things that Melba is going

to do so all kinds of people can enjoy the evening. She crosses all genres of TV, music, and stage with her music. Melba Moore started out in the ‘70s and a lot of the younger people may not know who she is. She’s had a tough life, too, in terms of being taken advantage of but she was a Black woman who had a lot of firsts.”

As Melba Moore was starting her career, her stepfather, pianist Clement Moorman, introduced her to several agents which eventually landed her a role on Broadway when she replaced Diane Keaton in the hit Broadway musical “Hair.”

Following that, Melba Moore went on to star in the Ossie Davis-penned “Purlie” on Broadway as Luttiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins, which earned her a Tony Award.

She was also the first African American actress to play the lead role of Fantine in “Les Miserables.”

Melba Moore was also the first female pop/R&B artist to perform a non-operatic solo concert at New York City’s Metropolitan Opera House. She has performed for Caesars Palace, Riviera and Sahara Hotels.

Internationally, she performed at the legendary L’ Olympia-Olympia Hall, the Cannes Film Festival, Talk of the Town and more recently, she was at the Jazz Café in London.

After theater, Melba Moore decided to focus on her musical career. She made her debut on Mercury with “I Got Love.” That was followed by “Look What You’re Doing to the Man.” She also had her own variety show with actor and pastor Clifton Davis entitled, “The Melba Moore-Clifton Davis Show” on CBS. She enjoyed great musical success with such chart-topping hits as “Lean On Me,” “Stormy Weather,” “Love’s Comin’ At Ya,” “Keepin’ My Lover Satisfied,” “Living For Your Love” and “Read My Lips,” earning her a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal. She had two Billboard # 1 singles for “Falling” and “A Little Bit More,” a duet with Freddie Jackson. Her current single, “It’s My Time Again” from the “Forever Moore”

CD debuted on the London music dance charts at #16.

“I had no clue what ‘Hair’ was while I was in it,” said Melba Moore, a born-again Catholic who enjoys watching Christian television and working out when she isn’t performing. “I had a wisdom tooth taken out and it took quite a while to heal, so for a while I was watching the show from the back and that’s when I realized it was a bunch of vignettes that when you string them together it tells a whole story.”

When she went on to play the feisty Luttiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins in “Purlie,” Melba Moore realized her God-given talent at acting.

“The pay wasn’t great because I was not known, but I got great, great, great training. ‘Purlie’ was a comedy and you get paid to be happy and joyful. I came from a broken family earlier in life and that’s when I realized you can choose to be happy. I realized I had been depressed all my life and I said, ‘I don’t want to be depressed, I want to be happy.’”

Barcourt, Melba Moore’s musical director, will join her (and a band) for the New Horizon performance.

“The piano is such an orchestrated instrument. It’s one of the few instruments where you can play a chord baseline and melody simultaneously. There’s a lot of different ways you can go

MELBA MOORE will perform at Kelly Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty, May 5, at 7:30 p.m. musically. That lends itself to a lot of nuances. Melba and I just finished the Billie Holiday show and we’ll be doing some of that and then Melba’s hits, so it’ll be a nice mixture for the audience,” said Barcourt, who enjoys spending time with his children and playing racquetball and chess.

“We’re both perfectionists and when we come together it’s like cooking in the kitchen. That’s an approach that we’re just coming together to make it the best possible experience for the artist, the band and the audience.

The audience will hear and feel the intimacy. It’s magic in the room, it’s the magic

of God.” (Ticket prices for the show are as follows: rear balcony, $40; front balcony, $50; orchestra, $100 (includes black-tie reception and brochure listing). For tickets, visit Dorsey’s Digital Imaging on Frankstown Avenue or online at brownpapertickets.com.)

LIFESTYLES New Pittsburgh Courier

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APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Debbie Norrell

Lifestyles Report Monuments to insecurity Last Sunday, I was watching CBS Sunday Morning, and the first segment was about stuff, clutter, and junk.

This is one of my favorite topics. As I sit at my messy desk writing this column, once again I have been thinking about getting rid of some stuff. Do I want to take 10 hours out of my life and have a yard sale or just pack up some boxes and drop off the stuff at the nearest thrift store?

I have been thinking of hiring someone to come in and assist with the excess. That is called getting professional help. According to the TV show, people with clutter don’t know how to manage their money and are insecure. Yipes!

I really want to call you now that you have insulted me.

A man who authored “Unstuff Your Life” says to set yourself free! And that clutter is nothing but deferred decisions.

He lives in a 630 square foot living space and all of his shirts are color-coded. I met a young lady recently who says she can do this. I want to see before-and-after pictures before I hire her or I may just try to manage this on my own.

I’m sure I can figure out how to put together piles of keep, donate and throw away.

I don’t think the major cause of too much stuff is lack of money management. I think there is too much cheap stuff available to buy. Shopping for low cost merchandise has become a recreational sport. I am one who knows this all too well. I recently paid a visit to a thrift store with another experienced shopper and you would have thought we were winning at the Kentucky Derby. We walked out with bags of great fashion for the price of one pair of pants. Did we need it?

No we didn’t, but it sure was fun and we had fun wearing our “new stuff” two-dollar jackets and ten-dollar dollar fur coats.

The episode also talked about that show where people go and bid on unpaid storage units. A Black man was featured who bid on a unit and won. Come to find out he owns a thrift store and he says people come to his store in good weather and in bad, people come who have a lot of money or little money. The bottom line, the “stuff’ sells.

Since all this clutter is about insecurity I guess you could call storage units “monuments to insecurity” and new ones are going up everywhere. That is where I draw the line. I am not going to pay to store stuff and I will not allow my car to sit outside when I have a garage.

The declutter is going to begin and yes I think there will be a yard sale or maybe a yard give away; who doesn’t like free stuff?

Quick reminder—if you would like me to attend your event for the New Pittsburgh Courier, please send an email with plenty of advance notice to debbienorrell@ aol.com with “request for coverage” in the subject line.

FORMER PITTSBURGH STEELERS—Front row: Mike Wagner, Mel Blount, Donnie Shell. Back row: Randy Grossman, Mike Logan, Dwayne Woodruff, J.T. Thomas, Ron Johnson and John Stallworth (Photos by Debbie Norrell)

Mel Blount Youth Home All-Star Celebrity Roast 20th Anniversary

by Debbie Norrell Lifestyles Editor

For 20 years the Mel Blount Youth Home has held a celebrity roast. According to Mel Blount, it began in 1998 as a get together to celebrate his 50th birthday and help raise money for the home. He says it was his wife TiAnda’s idea.

Fast forward 20 years to April 6, 2018.

Hundreds gathered at Heinz Field for the 20th Anniversary Mel Blount Youth Home All-Star Celebrity Roast honoring former Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive End Brett

EVENT HOSTS—TiAnda and Mel Blount

CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH FIRST FAMILY— Reverend Grigsby and First Lady Vickie Grigsby

GOLD SPONSORS—Highmark

Keisel, #99. With former Pittsburgh Steeler Max Starks as master of ceremonies, guests enjoyed a VIP reception, the music of The Tubby Daniels Band featuring Anita Levels, a great dinner, hundreds of auction items and a laugh out loud roast of Keisel. The roast featured a short skit that centered on Keisel, aka “Da Beard.”

Former teammates Matt Spaeth, Heath Miller and Ben Roethlisberger had fun roasting their teammate. Keisel said he was able to select the people that would roast him and he knew that the main topic would be his beard. Blount said he has always liked Brett’s spirit and that is why he wanted to personally honor him.

The presentation ended with an unveiling of a portrait of Keisel by artist August Vernon. Before everyone headed home, Blount was wished a happy 70th birthday. The mission of the Mel Blount Youth Leadership Initiative is to provide youth with programs where they will have a healthy environment to learn, work, play and develop principles of respect, responsibility and leadership.

This was the first Mel Blount Youth Home All-Star Celebrity Roast to be held at Heinz Field. Blount said it felt like the right place to be.

BEN ROETHLISBERGER AND MEL BLOUNT

FORMER HONOREE—John Banaszak and WTAETV’s Sally Wiggin

VIP GUESTS—Rhonda Backers Garrett and former Pittsburgh Steeler Reggie Garrett

2018 HONOREE—Brett Keisel and Art Rooney II

HANDSOME YOUNG MEN—Deonte Cooley, Deonte Cooley Jr., Zahir Knight, Jamari Curlett, Marquis Knight and Marquis Knight Jr.

COMING TO THE STAGE—Master of ceremonies Max Starks

PEOPLE

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

APRIL 25-MAY1, 2018

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‘I need to gain the knowledge that I need to lead my generation. I’m going to school for them.’

BILLIE VAUGHN, 29, of Allentown, poses for a portrait at the Community College of Allegheny County’s campus on Jan. 25, 2018, on the North Side. Vaughn, an advocate for affordable housing, is a single mother who lives in Section 8 housing and wants to dispel the stigma. (Photo by Justin Merriman/PublicSource)

How Billie Vaughn is trying to help others overcome the Section 8 stigma in Pittsburgh

By Juliette Rihl—PublicSource In early 2016, Billie Vaughn got a clerking job in the City of Pittsburgh’s finance department. And when you get a city job— even a part-time one with a salary of $13,400—you have to live in the city.

That doesn’t pose a major barrier for everyone, but Vaughn soon found that the requirement deeply complicated her search for a home as a Section 8 voucher holder.

She didn’t expect to encounter such difficulty in finding affordable and livable housing. And because vouchers can expire, the clock was ticking.

A single mother with three children, Vaughn wanted a quality home in a safe neighborhood. Yet many of the sites she saw accepting Section 8 vouchers fell far below her expectations. She toured properties with walls made lumpy by water damage, flooring gnawed away by termites and other conditions she called “deplorable.”

Determined to find a suit-

able living space for her family, Vaughn began looking at properties that didn’t accept Section 8 vouchers.

She discovered beautiful homes outside of the city, only to learn the landlords were misinformed or biased against Section 8 recipients.

“So many of these landlords just have horror stories, or they just didn’t know,” recalled Vaughn, referring to the stigma that often surrounds Section 8 tenants—one of laziness, unkempt homes and drug use.

While her job required her to live within city limits, she still took the time to inform each landlord about the program and challenge their preconceptions.

“I was educating landlords everywhere,” she said.

After months of searching, she finally found a property in Allentown with a landlord who accepted her Section 8 voucher. It was a close call.

“You have 120 days to find something,” she said. After

being granted two extensions, and having one deal fall through, she found a home on Day 161. *** Vaughn, 29, has experienced the struggle of finding affordable housing in Pittsburgh since she was young. That strife is what is motivating her to transform Pittsburgh’s housing scene.

Originally from the East End, Vaughn remembers moving frequently with her mother and two brothers, switching between neighborhoods and schools.

“Now I see how that’s one of the struggles of a single mom. You know, renting, just moving around, with not a lot of stability,” she said.

Years later, while living in an apartment on Penn Avenue in East Liberty, Vaughn was again faced with the lack of stable affordable housing. As the neighborhood began to change, developers started coming into her home regularly to discuss renovations, often

with her children present.

She moved out in 2009, after her landlord told her he was raising the rent.

“It was the hardest thing ever,” she said.

Now, she is dedicated to equipping others with the knowledge and resources they need to find—and secure—affordable housing.

This commitment is rapidly shaping her career, her personal life and her aspirations. From pursuing a college degree to starting her own business and running for local office, she is determined to serve others and to be a voice for Section 8 recipients. *** The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Also known as Section 8, it is the federal government’s major program for providing private-market housing assistance to those unable

to afford it. Its main recipients are low-income families, the elderly and people with disabilities. Landlords are not required to accept Section 8 vouchers and, as Vaughn discovered, many don’t.

Inspired by her own home search, Vaughn left her job at the city in September 2017 and established Common Unity PGH LLC. The business, a landlord liaison service for Section 8 and low-income tenants, is meant to address the stigma of Section 8 and bridge the gap between tenants and landlords. Vaughn hopes to educate landlords about Section 8, empower tenants to secure suitable housing and assist low-income residents with homeownership.

Before getting her own voucher, Vaughn said she didn’t realize the struggle Section 8 voucher holders face in finding a home. “I just thought, ‘Oh, they’re

not looking good enough,’” she said.

Now, after speaking to landlords firsthand, she believes there is a prejudice —often against young, single mothers like herself— that keeps many landlords from renting to Section 8 recipients.

Marketing herself was key to changing landlords’ perceptions of Section 8. “If I had to pull my hair back and wear a suit, I did it,” she said.

By giving a face to Section 8, she was overwhelmed by how open landlords became to the program.

“That helped me learn that it is possible for there to be more Section 8 rentals, for us to stay inside the city,” reasoned Vaughn. “It’s possible. You just have to break the stigma.” *** Vaughn’s vision for Common Unity PGH is a oneSEE VAUGHN A11

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RELIGION

APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

TEXTURE OF A MAN

Praise & Worship ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141

The Festival of Praise Tour came through Pittsburgh’s August Wilson Center, April 16! Courier photographer J.L. Martello captured the event in pictures.

Mass Sunday 9:00 A.M. & 12:00 P.M. www.stbtmchurch.org

Metro-Urban Institute Conference 2018

Reimagining

Faith and Community Collaboration In the Twenty-First Century

May 11-12

www.pts.edu/MUI2018 GOSPEL LEGENDS DONNIE MCCLURKIN, FRED HAMMOND

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...11:00 a.m.

Curious about Quakerism?

PASTOR CHARLES JENKINS

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

Pittsburgh Friends Meeting 4836 Ellsworth Avenue 412-683-2669

New Destiny CME Church 114 North Ave., 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.

Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community!

JAMES FORTUNE

For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext.

128.

DONNIE MCCLURKIN

Church Circuit

BRADDOCK COMMUNITY MALE CHORUS

APRIL 29—“Let’s Go Back,” a concert with the Braddock Community Male Chorus, will occur at 4 p.m. at Living Waters Ministry, 736 Washington Ave., Braddock. A guest choir will also perform. For more information, call 412-818-6819.

JERUSALEM BAPTIST ANNIVERSARY

MAY 6—Jerusalem Baptist Church is celebrating its 117th Church Anniversary at 3 p.m. at the church, 123 Steuben St., West End. The theme for the day is “A Solid Commitment to God,” Joshua 24:14-15. The guest messenger will be Rev. Roy L. Sims Sr., Pastor of Mt Zion Baptist Church of Bellevue. Reverend Theodore E. Pugh Sr. is the Senior Pastor of Jerusalem Baptist. For more information, call 412-921-0822.

ANTIOCH SEWICKLEY WOMEN’S DAY

MAY 20—Antioch Baptist Church, 332 Elizabeth Street, Sewickley, will hold its Annual Women’s Day Celebration at 10:45 a.m. at the church. Dinner will be served after service. The guest speaker will be Minister Anita Hough, Christian Lighthouse Church, Aliquippa. The theme is “Nurturing Hands—Proverbs 31:31. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

SIXTH MOUNT ZION ANNIVERSARY

FRED HAMMOND

MAY 20—Sixth Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate its 119th Church Anniversary at 10:15 a.m. at the church, 6556 Shetland St. Reverend Eric McIntosh of St. James Episcopal Church will be the guest speaker. For more information, call 412-441-7839.

Let us know about your next Church event! Send info to: New Pittsburgh Courier, 315 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh PA 15219

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

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

PEOPLE

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2018

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Changing the stigma of Section 8 in Pittsburgh VAUGHN FROM A1

stop shop for resources, from assistance in job searches to applying for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). She is working to secure an office in Allentown, which she aims to have open by the summer.

Once established, the office would be the home base for her homeownership workshops.

One workshop, called “Etiquette for Success,” was scheduled, April 19, at the Department of Human Services, Downtown. Open to all Section 8 and low-income housing tenants, it was designed to prepare participants to successfully secure Section 8 housing as well as support their longterm homeownership goals.

Vaughn promoted the event by using social media and with flyers posted at daycares, welfare centers and libraries.

“There’s so much information that’s being withheld from people of low-income communities,” she said.

Others agree the focus on empowering tenants is long overdue.

“We’re having conversations around vouchers and really we should have conversations around families that happen to have vouchers,” said Diamonte Walker, the Minority & Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) program officer at the city’s Urban Redevelopment Authority. Walker began assisting Vaughn with the development of Common Unity PGH several months ago and has since become

the real estate investment and advisory firm Omicelo, which recently purchased the Bethesda-Homewood units, a cluster of low-income housing that lost its federal subsidy. Pollard is also board chairman of the nonprofit organization Omicelo Cares. Vaughn was part of the first cohort of Omicelo Cares’ Real Estate Co-Powerment Series, a workshop series to educate community members and organizations about the real estate and community revitalization process.

“I’m in a wide range of conversations with significant public agencies that desire to build things exactly like what Billie is doing already.”

Joe Calloway, founder and CEO of Pittsburgh-based real estate development company RE360, is Vaughn’s landlord. He said one problem working against Section 8 tenants is the process to implement a voucher. There is often a gap in time between when a Section 8 tenant and landlord come to an agreement and when the Housing Authority can inspect the unit and process the necessary paperwork for the lease to begin, often resulting in a loss to landlords. Calloway sees potential for Vaughn’s services to make the process more efficient. “If she can expedite the process, make it smoother, make it cleaner, from a financial standpoint, it’s a win-win.”

Walker agrees. Vaughn’s work could bring “two completely disparate power structures” closer together.

BILLIE VAUGHN, 29, of Allentown, is attending the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC). She expects to graduate from CCAC by December and then attend the University of Pittsburgh for a bachelor’s degree in political science. (Photo by Justin Merriman/ PublicSource) her mentor. “And that’s why I think Billie putting that human face on it and taking it away from being just sort of this transactional thing, I think that’s what we need.”

Vaughn plans on recruiting landlords to provide Section 8 housing. Participating landlords will be given access to a tenant database, which will connect landlords with tenants who have completed her program.

“I think what she’s doing is great and deeply needed,” said Joshua Pollard, CEO of

If she succeeds, Walker said she thinks “it could put a huge dent in our affordable housing deficit.” *** Vaughn has set herself up for a busy 2018. “My goals for this year: I will have my real estate license, my notary license and my associate’s degree in business.

And that’s why I’m going here,” she said, sitting in the cafeteria of the Community College of Allegheny County’s (CCAC) North Side campus after a full day of classes.

She expects to graduate

from CCAC by December and then attend the University of Pittsburgh for a bachelor’s degree in political science.

“I need to gain the knowledge that I need to lead my generation. I’m going to school for them,” she said.

In March, Vaughn announced her decision to run for the 18th Ward seat of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee. One of her main platform issues is, of course, affordable housing. She hopes to be a voice at the table for low-income residents.

“There’s a level of people, especially low-income communities, who don’t have any representation,” she said. “There’s too many people that have not walked in the same shoes as the people of the low-income community where they’re speaking for them, and it’s like, you can’t.”

Becoming a Democratic

Committee member would be the first step in her political aspirations.

“When I come out of school, I want to run” for Pittsburgh City Council. “(Landlords) don’t think a

Section 8 tenant is someone with goals, someone who can start a business, someone who is responsible… someone who is running for City Council,” she said.

“They will never think that.

And I am that person.”

The final item on her todo list? To own a home by 2019 and say “goodbye” to Section 8.

(This story was fact-checked by Jordana Rosenfeld.)

BILLIE VAUGHN presents to the Black Student Union at CCAC on March 12, 2018. Vaughn developed a workshop on how to purchase vacant land and tax delinquent properties from the city. (Photo by Njaimeh Njie)

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BUSINESS New Pittsburgh Courier

YWCA Pgh celebrates 150th anniversary People B10

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Classifieds

Find what you need from jobs to cars to housing B4-B5

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Christopher Cox

Commentary

Fifty years later, Fair Housing Act recognized as a factor in fighting housing discrimination One of the signature achievements of the Civil Rights Era was the passage by Congress in April of 1968 of the Fair Housing Act (FHA), also known as Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. Looking back on this historic legislative accomplishment, Majurial “MJ” Watkins, president of the Charlotte Crown Realist Association (CCRA), said that the FHA clearly played a role in helping to make certain that minority buyers and renters would not be discriminated against by sellers, landlords and financial institutions.

“While we acknowledge that the Fair Housing Act has helped to prevent discrimination in housing,” Watkins said, “there is still work to be done.” Unfortunately, she added, some potential Black homeowners are still being treated unfairly in the housing market.

The CCRA is local chapter of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) and counts among its members professionals in virtually every sector of real estate, including brokers, mortgage originators, real estate attorneys, appraisers and many others. “Our focus extends well beyond the city of Charlotte,” Watkins explained, “to include neighborhoods throughout greater Charlotte and even to nearby communities such as Rock Hill, which is in South Carolina.”

Watkins credits the FHA with playing a significant role in helping African American home ownership reach an all-time high of 49 percent in the period between 2004 and 2005.

“Unfortunately, since then it has fallen to about 42 percent,” Watkins said. That’s why her organization continues to emphasize education, financing and other resources, she added. CCRA’s mission is to create “Democracy in Housing” with a goal of increasing Black home ownership by 2 million in the next five years.

“Ultimately,” Watkins said, “our vision is to see Black wealth rebuilt through home ownership.”

James Perry, president and CEO of the Winston-Salem Urban League, also said that he believes that the FHA has played an important role in fighting housing discrimination, but like Watkins, Perry said that even 50 years after its passage discrimination remains a problem.

“In fact,” Perry said, “if you measure discrimination by how many segregated communities there are in the United States now compared to how many there were 50 years ago, there hasn’t been much progress.” He noted that in most cities many SEE HOUSING B2

SHARE BENEFACTORS—Derrick Wilson, president and CEO of the Wilson Group, along with Blayre and Horace Britton, owners of CDI Printing, have forged relationships with corporations from previous SHARE events. (Photos by Diane I. Daniels)

SHARE 2018 succeeds in bringing MWDBEs and corporations together

by Diane I. Daniels

explained Toni Y. Silva, director of supplier relations at UPMC and one of the original event organizers.

Allegheny County executive Rich Fitzgerald and Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto kicked off the event with remarks, and Geovette Washington, Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Legal Officer of the University of Pittsburgh served as keynote speaker.

Video presentations from successful MWDBEs were shown and over 80 matchmaking sessions occurred. KDKA-TV’s Lynne Hayes-Freeland served as emcee.

Both Fitzgerald and Peduto concur that this is a good time in the county and Pittsburgh. “There is a lot going on in this region and that’s a good thing,” said Fitzgerald.

“There is a lot of economic vitality that’s occurring including

the bid we put in for Amazon,” he said, pointing out that the name of the bid was Future, Forge for All. “That ‘for all’ is a critical component for what we need.”

A strong advocate of the Rooney Rule, he said it has been adopted in the county because inclusion is not only important for executive hires but also when it comes to suppliers and contractors.

Mayor Peduto expressed his excitement about the development and growth taking place in the city. “For the first time in 50 years we are actually seeing the city grow. We will see a growth in population and the economics of the region continue to expand.”

Listing upcoming developments, he mentioned billions of dollars of investment being made on the university campuses in the next five years a n d

UPMC investing $3 billion within the same time frame.

For New Pittsburgh Courier “We see Allegheny Health Networks investing one and Considered a premier coma half billion dollars, Uber inmunity collaboration in Pittsvesting over a billion dollars burgh that has become an to an upwards of two billion excellent medium for corporadollars and the Ford Motor tions to meet and partner with Company investing over a bila pool of the region’s finest lion dollars.”

Minority Women DisadvanReferring to the needs of the taged Business Enterprises city’s infrastructure, he said (MWDBE), the fourth annuPWSA will soon announce a al SHARE supplier diversity capital budget to spend $1.2 event has been declared a sucbillion over the next six years, cess.

ALCOSAN over $3 billion to April 19 at Rivers Casino separate the sewer and water was the site where top Pittslines, and the Pittsburgh Inburgh economic powerhouses ternational Airport building and community organizations a billion-dollar expansion. He converged, uniting the reencouraged the MWDBEs to gion’s most prominent corposign up with the city’s Beacon rations and institutions with program to be notified when MWDBE suppliers. The goal? opportunities and contracts To expand opportunities and are available. increase growth among area Employed by one of the city’s small businesses. largest employers, Washing“This yearly SHARE event ton spoke on the importance allows these groups to connect of the Pittsburgh business and explore opportunities to community to the University do business together. SHARE of Pittsburgh. “We are open is an occasion for MWDBEs for business,” she said, while to showcase what they can pointing out that a large part offer to the region’s largest of their focus is how they work corporations that they seek to and partner with MWDBEs. do business with, and for cor“We want to enhance porations to educate on their our relationships programs and with you and your business practicbusinesses bees, and to find efcause we believe fective MWDBE suppliers to sup- OPEN FOR BUSINESS—Geovette Washington, Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Legal Officer, University SEE SHARE B2 port their needs,” of Pittsburgh, shared the university’s need and interest in doing business with area MWDBEs.

Vivien Li touts Riverlife at Chamber Breakfast

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

POWER TRIO—Doris Carson Williams poses with Riverlife board member Abass Kamara and departing President and CEO Vivien Li after her April 20 PowerBreakfast address at the Rivers Club. (Photo by J.L. Martello)

Though Riverlife President Vivien Li will be leaving Pittsburgh and returning to her home in Boston, she will leave behind a record of accomplishments that successors would be happy to match. She highlighted some of those accomplishments at the African American Chamber of Commerce’s April PowerBreakfast meeting at the Rivers Club.

The one she seemed to take the most delight in is the one that will finally be completed when the weather stays warm enough to pour concrete: the last mile of the Allegheny Trail, stretching from Point State Park to just past the Smithfield Street Bridge.

“The Mon Wharf is the bane of our existence,” she said. “Once this last mile link is completed, you’ll be able to ride from the Point all the way to Washington, D.C.” Li thanked all the partners, public and private, who helped restore the Point—the fountain, the signage paths and plant-

ings—as well as those who’ve funded and assisted with Riverlife’s work to create new standards for public activity and access on the riverfronts, which extends well beyond the Point.

She singled out Paul O’Neill, who, as then-president of ALCOA, made sure its headquarters building on the Allegheny River was not just architecturally in tune with the river, but integrated to it with an extended park. She praised the city, its authorities, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers for taking a similar approach to the riverfront amenities they incorporated into their stadium designs—which were utterly lacking at Three Rivers Stadium.

The riverfronts are changing along the Monongahela also, as evidenced by the South Shore Riverside Park and bike trail at Southside Works. Riverlife is continuing to work with partners to extend access along both shores of the Mon all the way to the Hazelwood Green development site.

And back on the Allegheny, the next big thing will be the Strip

District Riverfront Park, which would stretch from the David L. Lawrence Convention Center to the 31st Street Bridge, with multiple access points and specialized amenities such as the 11th Street Plaza, 15th Street Landing and the 21st Street Overlook.

“We have also arranged for zoning stipulations that require not just mixed use, but mixed income accessibility,” she said.

“Any residential developer who wants to build higher than 120 feet, is required to include affordable housing units. Our biggest challenge, though is, how do we connect neighborhoods like the Hill District and Polish Hill to the riverfronts. We have to make sure our urban areas are accessible to all.”

Riverlife board member Abass Kamara thanked Li for her more than three years as president and CEO, and joined Chamber President and CEO Doris Carson Williams in presenting her with some parting gifts.

“I can’t thank Vivien enough for all she’s done,” said Kamara.

“She’s set us up to take Pittsburgh into the 21st Century.”

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BUSINESS

APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Senate votes to revoke protections on antidiscrimination auto loans America is often touted as a nation of laws, and not of men. But it seems that today some lawmakers have no interest in upholding laws that mandate fairness in financial services—particularly when consumers of color are affected.

On April 18, the U. S. Senate voted 51-47 in support of S.J. Res 57, a joint resolution to revoke the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)’s 2013 guidance on indirect auto lending. The previous day, the Trump Administration issued a statement in support of the rollback.

Among those voting against the resolution was Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal who issued a statement following the unfortunate vote.

“Perpetuating predatory practices that lock consumers of color into higher auto loan interest rates doesn’t just harm those individuals, it exacerbates ethnic and racial wealth disparities that feed into the deep inequality that exists in our country today,” said Blumenthal.

But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky welcomed revisiting auto lending regulation. “Our whole economy is getting a tune-up. And now it’s time for the front end of the auto industry to come along for the ride,” said McConnell in a related article.

What the senior Senator from Kentucky does not seem to know is that consumers of color, especially Blacks and Latinos, already know too well Charlene Crowell how it feels to be taken on the wrong ride in auto finance.

Scrutiny is also warranted for the 51 Senate colleagues who agreed with Majority Leader McConnell. In fact, among Senators serving as co-sponsors of the ill-advised resolution were representatives of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. In all, 22 Senators lent their names and influence as co-sponsors.

The Senate vote came five years after CFPB’s blueprint for lenders and auto dealers underscored standards set by the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). This act makes it illegal to discriminate due to race, or other protected classes in credit transactions. Under ECOA, indirect auto lenders (those who finance loans through dealers) are creditors and must uphold the law.

Following a long history of documented discriminatory effects in auto finance, CFPB acted in 2013 to provide clear guidelines to lenders on how to avoid discrimination going forward. Following the guidance, CFPB, jointly with the Department of Justice, reached a series of settlements totaling more than $140 million with Ally Financial, Fifth Third Bank, and the financing arms of auto manufacturers Honda and Toyota—all because their pricing models showed discriminatory effects on borrowers of color.

The odds of predatory auto finance increase when consumers of color are involved. For years, consumers suspected and then began to complain of unfair practices in auto finance. By the mid-1990s, a series of related lawsuits were filed, all alleging that consumers of color received higher interest rates than those given to similarly-situated white borrowers. Oftentimes, the higher rates charged to borrowers of color were not related to their creditworthiness. This contention was documented earlier this year by the National Fair Housing Alliance. This housing advocate’s investigation found that better qualified non-White testers participating in an investigation of auto lending would have paid an average of $2,662.56 more than less-qualified White counterparts.

Now multiply that average over-payment by the millions of people who rely upon auto dealers to provide a finance package for their purchase. Nationwide, an estimated 80 percent of auto loans are financed through auto dealers. Dealers are also allowed to increase the interest rate on auto loans, and keep some or all, of the padded costs that typically range an additional 2.0-2.5 percent above the actual lender’s rate. As a result, affected consumers wind up being bilked out of $25 billion over the life of auto loans made during a year.

Personal transportation can be the difference between accessing employment, health care, educational opportunities, or even day-to-day living needs. In many locales, owning a car is the only way to reliably reach these and other destinations.

Auto finance is also the third largest category of consumer debt, after housing and student loans. With rising purchase prices, many auto financers offer extended payments of 72 months or longer to sell consumers an “affordable” monthly payment. Should finance and interest charges be predatory in nature, affected consumers can wind up paying more in interest than for the value of the vehicle.

Regardless of the next proposed regulatory rollback, one thing is clear: Civil rights and consumer advocates will remain united and dedicated to fair and equal lending.

“Charging people of color more money for their auto and financing is not only immoral, but it’s illegal and it drains a family’s household income,” said Wade Henderson, Senior Advisor at the Center for Responsible Lending. “This important guidance should stay intact.”

“Our elected leaders should look for ways to keep consumers from being discriminated against instead of making it easier for them to be preyed upon,” noted Samantha Vargas Poppe, Associate Director of Policy & Advocacy, UnidosUS. “CFPB’s guidance addressed these financial abuses and should be supported by Congress, not repealed.”

“For more than 109 years, the NAACP has worked to remove discriminatory barriers to equal protection and equal opportunity under law,” noted Hilary O. Shelton, Director, NAACP Washington Bureau and Senior Vice President for Policy and Advocacy. “Our fight to strengthen and implement crucial protections to limit and end racial discrimination in lending is as important today as when we were founded in the early 20th Century.”

In the 21st Century, the journey towards justice must continue.

Commentary

(Charlene Crowell is the deputy communications director with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene. crowell@responsiblelending.org.)

BUSINESS CALENDAR Training Event

MAKING THE CONNECTION—Cameil D. Williams, Contract Compliance Officer, Port Authority of Allegheny County, meets with Tracey Grace, President and CEO and her staff of IBEX IT Business Experts.

SHARE 2018 brings MWDBEs and corporations together SHARE FROM B1

that being productive and cooperative plays a large part in our success as an academic institution, as a city and most importantly as residents of Pittsburgh.”

Washington, a Greenville, Georgia native, is a graduate of Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, and received her JD degree from the Duke University School of Law. Prior to coming to Pitt, she served as General Counsel and Senior Policy Advisor for the Office of Management and Budget at the White House during President Barack Obama’s administration. She also served as deputy general counsel for the U.S. Department of Commerce where she was the second-highest ranking official in the Office of General Counsel for the cabinet-level agency with more than 40,000 employees.

The Wilson Group and CDI Printing are examples of the success of SHARE allowing businesses to connect and explore opportunities to do business together.

“Without SHARE and some of the corporations we have been able to partner with in such a short period of time we would not be here today,” said Derrick Wilson, president and CEO of the Wilson Group.

“On top of the business side it has also enabled us to provide gainful employment for 50 people.” The Wilson Group is a local minority-owned business with city, county and state certifications that markets a full line of workflow technology solutions for the creation, production, distribution and sharing of documents and information.

Horace Britton, CEO of CDI Printing, credits SHARE with introducing him to The Wilson Group. Appreciative for UPMC’s vision, he said the SHARE initiative has aided the progress of many minority

businesses and has helped his business’ bottom line significantly. CDI Printing is a minority/veteran-owned commercial printing firm. Wilson and Britton expressed their gratitude to SHARE organizers.

Bender Consulting Services, Inc., a woman-owned firm that recruits and hires people with disabilities for competitive career opportunities in the public and private sectors, has also benefited from SHARE as well as Bounce Marketing and Events.

CEO and president Fantasy Zellers, the event coordinator for SHARE 2018, also participated in the event previously.

The 2018 SHARE program was sponsored, organized and presented by a committee of representatives from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PNC Financial Services Group, City of Pittsburgh, Rivers Casino, Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council, Allegheny County’s MWDBE Department, the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania, Highmark Health and the Women’s Business Enterprise Council. Additional sponsors include The New Pittsburgh Courier, Gateway and PJ Dick.

The SHARE event, created by UPMC, grew out of a 2013 effort to increase economic opportunities for minorities by the Corporate Equity and Inclusion Roundtable, led by Fitzgerald and Tim Stevens, president of the Black Political Empowerment Project.

During the April 19 event officials announced that SHARE 2018 will be expanded to Harrisburg. It is scheduled for Wednesday, June 6. The event is sponsored by the Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council, Johnson Controls and UPMC Pinnacle.

Wells Fargo increases its commitment to Black homebuyers

by Stacy M. Brown For New Pittsburgh Courier

In 2017, Wells Fargo announced a commitment to create 250,000 African American homeowners by 2027.

In addition to lending $60 billion for home purchases over that 10-year period, the banking giant has committed to increase the diversity of its sales team, particularly African American home mortgage consultants.

Further, bank officials said they’ve dedicated $15 million for initiatives focused on homebuyer education and counseling for Black families.

This commitment is only part of the evidence that Wells Fargo has made over the past year to show that it values customers of color, said Cerita Battles, the senior vice president and head of retail diverse segments at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.

“It is really important to understand that, as we made our intentions public, we did so with some of the country’s largest and most influential African American organizations standing by our side,” she said, noting that those organizations included the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), the National Urban League (NUL) and the NAACP. “Their support not only added a measure of accountability and a great deal of legitimacy to this commitment, but also

the power and scope of their collective constituent networks,” Battles said.

NAREB and affiliates of NUL currently are engaged in homebuyer education and counseling to help African Americans prepare for homeownership while the NAACP’s Economic Development arm assists constituents with financial preparedness, which is a key component to being ready to purchase a home, she said.

“And, our commitment aligns very well with NAREB’s ‘2 million in 5 years’ initiative which is aimed at creating 2 million new African American homeowners in five years,” Battles said.

The commitment appears headed in a positive direction.

By the end of 2017, Wells Fargo reported that it helped 23,161 African American families with $5.7 billion in home loan originations which was a significant increase over the previous year and 99.7 percent of the bank’s first-year goal despite a falling mortgage market, Battles said.

The bank also dedicated more than $1.8 million in grants to support homebuyer education and counseling for African American audiences, exceeding its first-year goal.

Battles said the majority of support from that work comes primarily from three areas of the Wells Fargo Housing Foundation, including the National Housing Grant Program, the Homeownership Counseling Grant Program, and down payment assistance grants through NeighborhoodLIFT.

Fair Housing Act recognized

HOUSING FROM B1

neighborhoods remain largely Black, largely Latino or largely White.

While there might be less overt discrimination today, Perry said, it is more difficult for minorities to know when they are being subtly discriminated against. He pointed to the importance of a Supreme Court case (Havens Realty Corp. v. Coleman) decided in 1982 that made it easier to determine when discrimination exists by allowing fair housing organizations to send in “testers.” This is a practice whereby individuals with similar backgrounds, but of different races, answer ads for properties for sale or rent. When minorities

are declined, or are offered less attractive terms than Whites, “testing” can help to support a case for discrimination.

Perry noted that a strong impetus for the passage of the FHA in 1968 was the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., just days before the act was passed by Congress.

“Dr. King had been a strong supporter of the Fair Housing Act, openly pushing for it in Chicago in 1967,” Perry said. “Some politicians viewed voting for the act as a way to quell the riots that erupted in the wake of his assassination.”

(Christopher G. Cox is the publisher/managing editor of Realesavvy.com.)

MAY 2—The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center presents Get Behind The Numbers: Understanding Financial Statements, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., 108 Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15282. This hands-on workshop takes a stepby step approach to explaining two important financial statements profit and loss statement and balance sheet. A representative from Wilke & Associates will offer clear examples for using these statements to make informed decisions, identify potential problems within your business and set realistic financial goals. Cost: $49. For more information, call 412-396-6322.

Business Diversity & Contracting Conference

MAY 3—The University of Pittsburgh Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence will host C3: Creating Opportunities, Connecting Resources and Contracting Diversity, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Alumni Hall (former Masonic Temple), 4227 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa.15260.

This daylong event will provide opportunities to network with federal, state, and local government agencies, prime contractors, universities, etc. For the full agenda or to register, visit http://entrepreneur.pitt.edu/events/c3.

Start-up Workshop

MAY 9—The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center presents First Step: Business Start-up Essentials, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 108 Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282. Topics include: Business Structure and Formation; Fictitious Name Registration; Insurance; Taxation, Government Procurement, and more. Cost $25. Call 412-3966322 for more information.

Risk Management Workshop

MAY 10—The Chatham University Women’s Business Center presents Minimizing The Risks of Liability In Your Business, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Chatham Eastside Entrepreneurship Hub, 6535 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA. 15206.

Many businesses struggle with how to sustain the business and avoid risk and legal liability. In this seminar, attorney Beth Slagle of Meyer, Unkovic & Scott will address a number of those challenging areas, including: Contracts, nsurance, ndemnification, mployee/Independent Contractor Classification, and what to do if a claim is made against your business. The event is free, but registration is required and limited to the first 5 participants. To register, or for more information, call 412-365-1448.

QuickBooks Workshop

MAY 16—The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center will host Using QuickBooks Online Version, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 108 Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282. A representative from Dennis Piper & Associates will guide attendees through a Product Overview, setting up company file, importing data; Navigating, home, customer and vendor centers, transaction; Recording Transactions; sales & expenses, Quick Create menu; Reporting, common reports, reports by version, and customizing, and Advanced Topics, including credit card payments, payroll and Apps Center.

Cost: $49. Call 412-396-6233.

African American Chamber Luncheon

MAY 17—The African American Chamber of Commerce of Western PA will hold its annual meeting and luncheon, beginning at 11 a.m., in the 1 th oor rand Ballroom at the Omni William Penn, 530 William Penn Place, Pittsburgh 15219. The luncheon will feature a keynote address by Duquesne Light President and CEO Richard Riazzi. Tickets are $75 for members and $90 for non-members. RSVP is required

by May 11. Call 412-392-0610 for more information.

Entrepreneur’s Growth and Networking Conference

JUNE 7—The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center will host its 20th Annual Entrepreneur’s Growth and Networking Conference, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., in the Union Building, 4th Floor. The daylong event will include multiple breakout sessions, lunch with keynote speaker Michael DelGrosso and a business building trade show. More than 400 small business managers and owners are expected to attend.

Cost: Full Day, including breakfast and lunch, $139; Half Day, $79; Lunch Only, $50. For more information, call 412-396-6233.

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

APRIL 25-MAY1, 2018

B3

It’s business as usual

Guest Commentary

Starbucks—the symptom of a much larger problem

by John N. Mitchell The only thing the two men who were arrested in the Rittenhouse Square Starbucks last week were guilty of was poor timing.

They can’t be blamed for making this mistake. While most African American men sadly remain aware of the daily unease our presence causes in so many—the repositioning of a purse, the crossing of the street to avoid us, the extra look over the shoulder, etc., etc.—carrying that baggage around and having to be mindful of it sometimes creates a mental claustrophobia as stifling as a winter coat worn to a July 4 cookout.

Unfortunately for the men, they arrived at Starbucks just ahead of Andrew Yaffe, a White real estate developer who had planned to discuss a business opportunity with them. Disgusted by what he and others in the café watched unfold, Yaffe is seen on the now-viral video saying of the six arresting officers, “Does anybody else think this is ridiculous? It’s absolute discrimination.”

For Black men who have laughed that uneasy internal chuckle when confronted by that here-we-go-again nuanced bigotry that took place last Thursday — the nuance quickly goes away once police officers are introduced into the situation — we’re acutely aware that had Yaffe showed up first he would have brought with him, unknowingly perhaps, the “cover of whiteness.”

His mere presence would have likely in some strange way signaled to the low-minded manager who phoned the cops that Yaffe was in charge; that the swarthy interlopers who in her mind had no business inside a coffee shop in Rittenhouse Square were undoubtedly Yaffe’s subordinates; tame, even.

On Monday, rightfully so, Starbucks parted ways with the paranoid manager who called the cops to have the men extracted from the store after they would not leave once she told them they couldn’t use the restroom because they had not purchased anything.

In the manager’s defense, it is hard, if not impossible, to ascribe innocence to those who have never been given its presumption.

For centuries, Black men like the two in the Starbucks, like their fathers, their grandfathers, and, if they have any, their sons will live under the crushing emotional and psychological weight of presumed guilt that no other American demographic has ever or will ever be forced to contend with.

So insidious is this mindset of guilty until proven innocent that it cheapens any attempt to place the high-profile deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, horrid as those tragedies are, in this context, for they are outliers. Death is not the outcome in the wide majority of incidents such as the one at Starbucks. However, the never-ending redundancy of bigotry and diminishment slowly devours the soul over the course of a lifetime.

It manifests in being profiled in a coffee store by someone with a smidgen of authority in a neighborhood where society says your kind aren’t supposed to be. It shows up in mostly White suburban school districts ramming Black boys into special education programs disproportionately, not giving a damn what imprint the stigma will leave on them, in order to meet state and federal funding quotas. It’s Philadelphia Federation of Police boss John McNesby characterizing mostly Black male protesters as “animals” for simply exercising their First Amendment rights.

It was fed by George H.W. Bush’s despicable political fear-mongering use of Willie Horton to win the presidency in 1988; and it was found in Donald Trump’s election-year lie that Blacks were responsible for 81 percent of White homicides in 2015.

It is a series of straws, placed over generations, designed to break the camel’s back.

Starbucks is catching the heat for this latest collective slap in the face to the African American community, but this incident at 18th and Spruce is just a smaller part of a much bigger problem.

Starbucks has more than 27,000 stores worldwide; they just happened to hire the wrong person to oversee the operation at 18th and Spruce.

She’s gone. But the poison that led her to place that call is alive, well, and looking to manage people somewhere else.

(Reprinted from the Phialdelphia Tribune)

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—After hearing that two Black men were arrested at a Starbucks restaurant, we were told that some Black people were actually shocked. I was not. I guess I’ve seen too many other businesses doing similar things or worse in all areas of the country--not just down South.

Remember Flint and the water crisis?

We’ve generally given some cities too much credit for being enlightened. We forget that our union has never been perfected when it comes to Black people.

Starbucks in Philadelphia isn’t the only place such insults have happened. Applebee’s once falsely accused two Black women of not paying for meals. Denny’s paid out $54 million for a racial discrimination settlement and recently had workers wait and then asked to prepay for their meals. IHOP has asked Black teens to pay for their meal before being served. Cracker Barrel had 40 people in 16 states allege they were denied service, assigned to segregated service, were served food from the trash and were subjected to racial slurs.

I am sure these have not been the only racist acts through the years, and many of us have been subjected to one racist act or another. Most of us can tell when we walk into a place if we are welcome or not. So, why are we shocked?

There is a solution to such racism.

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary

dow again if they thought there were no consequences.

Sure, there are some good nonBlack businesses, and we can tell if our business is appreciated by what others give back to our community to show that appreciation.

Let us stop being shocked by racism.

It’s been with us all of our lives because we tolerate it. As Dick Gregory always advised us, let’s wake up and stay woke. Let’s do something positive to better our community by building something positive where everyone is welcome! To those who are shocked by racist behavior, patronize a non-racist business, and be proud that your patronage helped to build it.

I am sorry Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson for what you went through and that you feared for your lives but having a seat at the Starbucks’ table is not the only answer as far as I am concerned. Since you said that you are potential businessmen, why not start your own business now? How about a Rashon and Donte coffee shop? Stop even wondering if what happened is your fault. That is what racism would have you believe. Don’t succumb to that. Racism is not your fault. Dealing with it in a positive manner is your responsibility. Supporting your business is our responsibility.

What shocks me is that we continue to patronize places of business that show us no respect. It would seem to me if we know in advance or if we experience racist behavior in a place, we would no longer patronize that place.

There are many great Black restaurants around the country for us to spend our money. We don’t have to go if it has already been shown that we’re not wanted and not respected.

It’s time for us to cut the complaining and begin spending our money where we are respected and where we can build our businesses and create jobs in our community. I know I am not the first to say this, but it seems we need to be reminded from time to time that we do have choices. We will never get everybody to agree. Many will continue spending money to build other people’s businesses who take (Dr. E. Faye Williams is national president the money, but don’t want us to hang around. Some would probably go back of the National Congress of Black Women, to serving us through the back win- Inc.)

Black non-voters spit in the face of an entire generation of heroes (NNPA)—“I’m just one vote.”

“My vote won’t matter.”

“Them White folks gone do what they wanna do anyway.”

These are some of the many excuses given by some African Americans when it comes to exercising their right to vote; a right fought for by many people in this country—both Black and White—that has cost so many people so much; even their very lives.

Obtaining the right to vote was a major part of the civil rights history of African Americans in this country.

However, many Black people have turned a blind eye to the struggle that it took to obtain the right to vote, flippantly taking it for granted today.

From 1880-1965, there was an allout assault on preventing African Americans from voting by having their right to vote deemed invalid.

Those who sought to disenfranchise Black people knew the importance of voting. They knew that voting had a profound impact on representation, political outcomes and critical decisions that needed to be made concerning major issues.

Many southern states knew that the Fifteenth Amendment prohibited blatant disenfranchisement on the basis of race or prior enslavement, those states came up with a slew of new and innovative alternative techniques to disenfranchise African Americans.

The traditional techniques of violence, such as with the Ku Klux Klan, and voter fraud relative to vote counting, welcomed new friends to the game as these new methods were introduced to American politics.

Poll taxes restrict the Black vote After the ability to vote was extended to all races by the enactment of the 15th Amendment, many southern states enacted a poll tax as a means of restricting Black people from voting. A poll tax was a flat-rate tax levied on all members of a population, often as a prerequisite to voting, which often included a grandfather clause. This grandfather clause allowed any adult male whose father or grandfather had voted in a specific year prior to the abolition of slavery to vote without paying the tax. Of course, this was problematic for Black people, because no Black person had the right to vote prior to the abolition of slavery and, therefore no Black person could qualify.

Whites used impossible literacy tests to bar Blacks from the polls The first formal voter literacy tests were introduced in 1890. Literacy

and was murdered.

On Sept. 25, 1961, Herbert Lee, who worked with civil rights leader Bob Moses to help register Black voters, was killed by a state legislator in Liberty, Miss., who claimed self-defense and was never arrested. Louis Allen, a Black man who witnessed the murder, was also killed.

Jonathan Myrick Daniels, a White Episcopal Seminary student in Bostests were used to keep Black people ton, had come to Alabama on Aug. from voting and were administered 20, 1965, to help with Black voter at the discretion of the officials in registration in Lowndes County. charge of voter registration. Whites He was arrested at a demonstradid not have to take the literacy tion, jailed in Hayneville and then test, if they could meet the alternate suddenly released. Moments after requirements that systematically his release, he was shot to death by a excluded Blacks. These included deputy sheriff. demonstrating political competence On Jan. 10, 1966 in Hattiesburg, in person, which Black people tried Miss., Vernon Ferdinand Dahmer, to adhere to, or falling under the a wealthy businessman, offered to Grandfather Clause. If the official pay poll taxes for those who couldn’t wanted a person to pass, he could afford the fee required to vote. The ask the easiest question on the test. night after a radio station broadThe same official would require a casted Dahmer’s offer, his home was Black person to answer every single firebombed. Dahmer died later from question correctly, in an unrealistic severe burns. timeframe, in order to pass.

Jimmie Lee Jackson was beaten Southern states abandoned the and shot by state troopers on Feb. 26, literacy test only when forced to do 1965 in Marion, Ala., as he tried to so by federal legislation. The Voting protect his grandfather and mother Rights Act of 1965 suspended the from a trooper attack on civil rights use of literacy tests in all states in marchers. His death led to the Selma which less than 50 percent of votto Montgomery march and the evening-age residents were registered as tual passage of the Voting Rights Act. of Nov. 1, 1964, or had voted in the Much is required 1964 presidential election. After the There is so much at stake in this passage of the Voting Rights Act, country for Black people during Black voter registration in the South this upcoming midterm election. As increased significantly. things continue to play out in the Much has been given news concerning issues like the highThe names of individuals who lost ly-argued Affordable Care Act, Voter their lives in the struggle for freeID laws and criminal justice reform, dom during the modern Civil Rights African Americans have a real opMovement from 1954 to 1968 are portunity to let their voices be heard inscribed on the Civil Rights Meat the ballot box so that all issues morial in Montgomery, Ala. Those impacting the Black community are unsuspecting victims became marthrust to the forefront of America’s tyrs, killed because of their focus on conscience. securing voting rights and fighting So many other groups in this for the civil rights of Black people in country have taken the Civil Rights this country.

Movement playbook, crafted by Black On Aug. 13, 1955 in Brookhaven, activists, and used it to advance their Miss., Lamar Smith was shot dead on causes and improve their situations. the courthouse lawn by a White man The question now is, will Black in broad daylight while dozens of non-voters continue to take their people watched. The killer was never precious voting rights for granted, or indicted, because no one would admit will they embrace the unwritten oblithey saw a White man shoot a Black gation that each Black person has to man. Smith had organized Blacks to ‘pay it forward’? vote in a recent election.

Time will tell. November will be Reverend George Lee, one of the here before we know it. first Black people registered to vote But Black non-voters need to in his county, used his pulpit and his register to vote now. There are no printing press to urge others to vote. excuses. Time to stop being ungrateOn May 7, 1955 in Belzoni, Miss., ful Negroes.

(Jeffrey L. Boney serves as associate editor White officials offered Lee protection and is an award-winning journalist for the on the condition he end his voter Houston Forward Times newspaper.) registration efforts, but Lee refused

Jeffrey Boney

Commentary

Letter To The Editor

Energy burden among Pittsburghers may seem extreme

Founded 1910

Rod Doss Editor & Publisher Stephan A. Broadus Assistant to the Publisher Allison Palm

Rob Taylor Jr.

Jeff Marion

Office Manager

Managing Editor

Circulation Consultant

John. H. Sengstacke

Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)

Dear Editor: The cost to heat my home for a mere 30 days exceeded $400 just this past February. The energy burden that my family and I experienced may seem extreme, but my story is not a unique one in the City of Pittsburgh. While Pittsburgh may boast about being the most livable city, nationally our city ranks as the fifth worst for shouldering the highest energy burden with one-quarter of low-income families paying an astounding 16 percent or more of their income on utilities, with most of that

burden falling on African American families. Contrast this statistic with households from across the nation that spend an average 3.5 percent of their income on energy bills.

Since the housing stock isn’t going to get any younger, one solution to this energy hardship is to make our current homes more energy efficient, saving families money. One such initiative, The Grassroots Green Home program run by Conservation Consultants Inc. (CCI), is starting its second round of the program in Homewood. This pilot program that

launched in Oakland and Uptown saved people an average of 15 percent! Those enrolled in the program will receive 12 FREE tips and toolkits to use over the next year to cut energy costs. If you live in Homewood and would like to participate, (all residents are eligible even if you are on the Customer Assistance Program), you can call 412-431-4449, ext. 129 to sign-up or stop by Operation Better Block—just be sure to call before May 12th if you want all twelve tools!

Kelsey Salerno Pittsburgh

CLASSIFIED New Pittsburgh Courier

B4

APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

TRANSPORTATION PLANNER/ENGINEER

CORPORATE APPLICATION DEVELOPER

Southwestern Pennsylvania Corporation (SPC) seeks a Transportation Planner/Engineer to assist with the development, implementation and administration of programs within the Transportation Planning Department. Position reports to the Manager of Transportation Operations and Safety. More information at: http://www.spcregion.org/ emp.shtml#tpdm.

O AA F Vet/ Disability Employer.

Robroy Industries, Inc. seeks Corporate Application Developer to work in Verona, PA, to develop & implement programs for the business Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system based on user requirements. Apply at www.robroy. com/careers.

HILL DISTRICT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CENTER DIRECTOR

Communications & Connections Coordinator FT with Allegheny County ibrary Association. For details see http://aclalibraries.org/ communications-andconnections-coordinatorallegheny-county-libraryassociation/ Submit cover letter, resume, salary requirements and three professional references by April 3 to acla@ einetwork.net

The University of Pittsburgh is seeking someone to partner with organi ations and leaders of the Hill District to ensure attainment of both the community’s and University’s goals. The director must be a trusted resource to community leadership as well as to University faculty and staff. This individual must be able to establish a high level of trust, possess outstanding written and oral communication skills, collaborate and build relationships, be familiar with community-engaged learning and research, be able to work in diverse environments, and possess personnel, program, and facility management experience.

Knowledge of the social, political, and economic dynamics of Pittsburgh, and the Hill District, is preferred. https://www.pittsource.com/ postings/155864

APPLICATION SOFTWARE DESIGNERS (MULTIPLE OPENINGS)

Duolingo, Inc. seeks Application Software Designers in Pittsburgh, PA to oin our team in providing users with the best new way to learn a language. Duties include: (i) brainstorming, collaborating, and sharing designs with other designers and product team members to develop innovative and human-centered mocks, interfaces and applications; (ii) implementing product design and working with product managers to develop mocks and usability studies and to determine product tradeoffs iii analy ing product metrics to develop short and long term strategy; (iv) designing functional interfaces for applications and software to shape user experience; (v) applying user research, feedback, user data metrics, and interaction design principles to improve existing designs; and (vi) developing application software features by investigating user needs and contributing to team product strategies from a human-centered design perspective. Requirements: Master’s degree or foreign equivalent in Human-Computer Interaction or related field. Two 2 years of web design or application design experience in a software or education company. Experience must include: (i) working as a User Experience designer; and (ii) creating interactive prototypes. Must have knowledge (through course work or experience) of: (i) coding in HTML, CSS or JavaScript; (ii) Principle, Adobe After Effects, or other timebased media or animation tool; and (iii) Sketch or Adobe Illustrator. If interested, email resume to jobs@ duolingo.com and specify Job 2 1 2 in the sub ect line.

SALES DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVE, LATIN AMERICAN SECTOR

Duolingo, Inc. seeks Sales Development Representative, Latin American Sector in Pittsburgh, PA to introduce the Duolingo English Test (DET) to academic institutions within Latin America. Duties include: (i) conducting partnership development activities, acquiring contacts, and developing marketing and sales strategy tailored to Latin American clients; (ii) coordinating with vendors and sales operation staff as well as working with current and prospective clients to negotiate, close, and implement DET; and (iii) working with senior management and sales operation staff to align strategies and solutions related to marketing, sales, and software implementation. Requirements: Master’s degree or foreign equivalent in International Business, Business Development, or related field. Two 2 years of experience in international business and sales. Experience must include: (i) formulating strategies to take advantage of opportunities in Latin America; (ii) driving the sales process related to education and/ or technical products/services; (iii) researching potential markets, and implementing sales campaigns by contacting new customers; (iv) working on financial optimi ation of proposals, making recommendations to generate revenue, and performing sustainability analyses; (v) creating and supervising campaigns to provide incentives for the referral process with current customers and vi utili ing Salesforce or similar sales software. Must have verbal and written mastery of Spanish and/or Portuguese. If interested, email resume to jobs@ duolingo.com and specify Job 2 1 3 in the sub ect line.

SONNY BOY

COMMUNICATIONS AND CONNECTIONS COORDINATOR

DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY TENURE TRACK FACULTY POSITION The Department of Developmental Biology (www.devbio.pitt.edu) at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is recruiting an outstanding tenure-track or tenured faculty at the Assistant to Associate Professor level. Candidates should have an innovative research program in the area of developmental neurobiology.

The use of mouse, ebrafish, and or stem cell culture or organoid models (iPSC or ES) with strong translational relevance to neurodevelopmental disorders are particularly encouraged to apply. Successful candidates must hold the PhD, MD, or MD/PhD degrees, and have a strong research program with an outstanding publication record. The successful candidate will be housed in new space at the Rangos Research Center of the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh with state of the art core facilities, including FACS facility, vivarium, rodent behavioral core, small animal imaging facility, and others.

University of Pittsburgh is ranked among the top five H funded research institutions in the US. Our biomedical research community spans a wide range of scientific expertise including cellular, molecular, computational and systems approaches. We have a strong and vibrant neuroscience research community with strong links that facilitate collaborations across departments and disciplines, and between our biological and psychological communities. This includes considerable strengths in the areas of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders, pain, and non-human primate models of normal and abnormal behavior, and cognitive, and computational neuroscience. In addition, University of Pittsburgh houses the Health Sciences Tissue Bank, which contains over , patient biological samples, and also the Neuropathology Brain Bank, supported by the Brain nstitute, with over 1 patient samples from dementia, brain in ury, or other neurological diseases. Candidates able to leverage these unique resources may have special consideration.

Applicants should send CV, a two to three page summary of research interests/future research plans, and names of three referees by June 3 , 2 1 to dbsearch@pitt.edu.

The University of Pittsburgh is an O AA F ets Disabled ANNOUNCEMENTS Public Notice

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Allegheny County Housing Authority (ACHA) is currently in the process of changing its Agency Plan annual and 5-year plans in con unction with the uality Housing and Work Responsibility Act. Changes to the Agency Plan, once approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), will guide the ACHA in serving the needs of low-income and very low-income families during the 5-year period beginning October 1, 2 1 .

The proposed changes to the Agency Plan and all supporting documents will be available for review and inspection by the public at the principal office of ACHA located at 25 Stanwi Street, 12th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222.

A public hearing has been scheduled to present the changed Agency Plan and to allow public participation: DAT Friday, une 15, 2 1 T 1 15 A. .

PLACE: Allegheny County Housing Authority Central Office 25 Stanwi Street, 12th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Prior to the public hearings, general public comments can be directed in writing to: Frank Aggazio, Executive Director Allegheny County Housing Authority 625 Stanwix Street, 12th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Meetings

Legal Notices

Bids/Proposals

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR CALIGUIRI PLAZA INTERIOR RENOVATIONS (COMMUNITY ROOM & HALLWAY RENOVATIONS), AMP-41 IFB #600-15-18

MEETING

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s Board of Commissioners will hold its monthly meeting for arch on Thursday, April 2 , 2 1 .

The board meeting will be held at 1 3 A. .

2 Ross Street, 13th Floor, Wherrett Room, Pittsburgh, PA 1521 LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

NOTICE OF CONDEMNATION

In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania In Re: The Condemnation by the County of Allegheny of a Certain Parcel of Land, in the Borough of Tarentum, Allegheny County, of Hillsvale Coal Company, A/K/A Hillsdale Coal Company, to stabili e the slope supporting Tarentum Culmerville Road, southeast of Allegheny Valley Expressway (SR 2 .

D 1 -3 Hillsvale Coal Company, A/K/A Hillsdale Coal Company Condemnee , ta parcel identification number 1223-B- 5, 1, square feet of Required Right-ofway and , 2 square feet of Temporary Construction Easement, Plans - iscellaneous olume 1 3, Page , estimated just compensation: $800.00.

TO: Hillsvale Coal Company, A/K/A Hillsdale Coal Company, its successors or assigns: Take notice that Declaration of Taking was filed arch 1 , 2 1 at the above referenced general docket number.

Name and Address of Condemnor Allegheny County, County 1 1 Courthouse, 43 rant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 1521 .

Authori ing Statute s Article , Sec. of the Allegheny County Home Rule Charter, Article VII, Sec. 3. of the Allegheny County Administrative Code and the Act of 1 53 uly 2 , P. . 23, Art. , Sec. 5 1, et seq.

Authori ing Ordinance Ordinance o. 4-1 -OR, enacted February 2 , 2 1 . The Ordinance may be e amined at the Offices of Condemnor, noted above.

Condemnation Description: The purpose of this condemnation is to acquire property for the purpose to stabili e slope supporting Tarentum Culmerville Road southeast of Allegheny Valley Expressway (SR 2 in Tarentum Borough.

Statement of the Condemnation: Condemnee’s property identified on the Viewers’ Plan marked as hibit B to the respective Declaration of Taking, filed at the above referenced general docket number, has been condemned as of March 1 , 2 1 . The title acquired by the County is a fee interest, including all interests of every record owner thereof or any party claiming an interest therein, in the area labeled Required Right-of-Way and an easement interest, including all interests of every record owner thereof or any party claiming an interest therein, in the area labeled “Temporary Construction Easement area on hibit B . Plans showing the property condemned may be inspected in Condemnor’s offices noted above and are also lodged of record in the Allegheny County Department of Real Estate, at the above referenced Plans - Miscellaneous volume and page number. Just compensation for the condemnation is secured by the County’s power of taxation, which is deemed pledged as security of the payment of damages as, shall be determined by law.

Challenging the Condemnation: If Condemnee wishes to challenge the power or the right of County to appropriate the condemned property, the sufficiency of the security, the procedures followed by County or the Declaration of Taking, the Condemnee must file preliminary ob ections within 3 days after the date of publication of this Notice.

Howard M. Louik, Attorney for Condemnor

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS… THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Orphans’ Court Division, Estate of Leonard Evagues, deceased, Case Number 021802082 of 2 1 otice is hereby given that on April 2cnd 2 1 , a Petition was filed by Pamela arkovich, to terminate the interests of the heirs and devisees of Leonard Evagues, deceased, in the real estate located at 24 Freidel Street, Homestead, PA, 1512 , and determine that fee simple title is in Pamela Markovich. If no exceptions to the Petition are filed within 3 days, Ms. Markovich will seek an Order ad udging that the deceased’s title is in herself.

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Orphans’ Court Division, Estate of Lottie B. Woods, deceased, Case Number 021802086 of 2 1 otice is hereby given that on April 2cnd 2 1 , a Petition was filed by icole Dowdy, to terminate the interests of the heirs and devisees of Lottie B. Woods, deceased, in the real estate located at 1 Churchland Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 152 , and determine that fee simple title is in Nicole Dowdy. If no exceptions to the Petition are filed within 3 days, Ms. Dowdy will seek an Order adudging that the deceased’s title is in herself.

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Orphans’ Court Division, Estate of Ethel Moon, deceased, Case Number 021802084 of 2 1 otice is hereby given that on April 2cnd 2 1 , a Petition was filed by Roger oon, to terminate the interests of the heirs and devisees of Ethel Moon, deceased, in the real estate located at 2525 Mercantile Street, McKeesport, PA, 15132, and determine that fee simple title is in Roger Moon. If no e ceptions to the Petition are filed within 3 days, r. oon will seek an Order ad udging that the deceased’s title is in himself.

LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

Estate of ZWIGART, MARIAN ESTELLE aka ZWIGART, MARIAN E. Deceased of Hampton Township. o. 221 of 2 1 . Bonnie Sue wigart, 213 Coventry Drive, Allison Park, PA 151 1, ec. or to ichael . Saldamarco, S ., Ste. 1 , Perry HW ., Pittsburgh, PA 1522 .

Estate of McGOEY, JOHN B., Deceased of Ross Township o. 1 2 of 2 1 . ec.

Brian . c oey, Broad Hill Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 1523 or to ichael . Saldamarco, sq., Suite 1 , Perry HW ., Pittsburgh, PA 1522

LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

The Sports & Exhibition Authority (SEA) will receive sealed bids for North Shore Garage Lighting Upgrades. The contract for this work will be with the SEA. Inquiries regarding the bidding should be made to Simona Loberant - E-mail: sloberant pgh-sea.com, Telephone 412-325-3 . Bid Packages may be obtained after the date identified below through Accu-Copy at 24 35- 55 and on Accu-Copy’s website http://www.accu-copy. com.

This Advertisement applies to the following Bid Package: Bid Package Name: North Shore Garage Lighting Upgrades Bid Package Available April 23, 2 1 Appro imate alue 12 , Pre-Bid eeting April 2 , 2 1 3 a.m.

Bid Due ay 15, 2 1 4 p.m.

S A, 1 1 1 th Street, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS

TH HO S A THOR T OF TH C T OF P TTSB R H will receive sealed bids for the Caliguiri Pla a nterior Renovations Community Room and Hallway Renovations , A P-41. The estimates of construction cost ranges are: General Construction estimate$491,700.00 to $721,000.00 Electrical Construction estimate-$299,400.00 to $336,400.00 The construction work is estimated to begin in August of 2 1 .

Bid Documents will be available on or about onday, April 1 , 2 1 and may be obtained from the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s webpage, www.hacp.org. Bidders may register on the website and download the bid documents free of charge. Electronic versions of the Bid Documents, including bid forms, pro ect manual, and drawings can be picked up in person, Monday through Friday from 3 a.m. to 4 3 p.m. at Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement A Pre-Bid Conference and Site Visit will be held on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at 12:00 p.m.: Caliguiri Plaza 803 E. Warrington Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15210 A site visit will be conducted thereafter. Bidders shall come prepared to review all aspects of the construction site necessary to prepare a bid.

Bids will be received at: HACP Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Attn: Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement/Chief Contracting Officer Until 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2018 at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

TH HO S A THOR T OF TH C T OF P TTSB R H reserves the right to waive any informality in, or re ect any and all bids.

No bid shall be withdrawn for a period of si ty days subsequent to the opening of bids without the consent of the HO S A THOR T OF TH C T OF P TTSB R H. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity requirements for Federally Assisted Construction Contracts. The Contractor must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sexual preference, handicap or national origin.

HACP has revised its website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download FB RFP documentation.

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH STRONGLY ENCOURAGES CERTIFIED MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AND WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES TO RESPOND TO THE SOLICITATION. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement at 412 45 -511 Opt 1.

Caster D. Binion Executive Director HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH

HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title , the Fair Housing Act, Section 5 4 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1 3, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS!

CLASSIFIEDS

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR FIRE ALARM SENSITIVITY TESTING IFB# 300-18-18

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR PAINTING OF OCCUPIED UNITS AND COMMON AREAS AUTHORITY WIDE (LABOR ONLY) IFB# 300-19-18

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or ndividuals capable of providing the following service s FIRE ALARM SENSITIVITY TESTING IFB# 300-18-18 The documents will be available no later than April 16, 2018 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 9:00 a.m. on May 4, 2018 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 1 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 2 , Pittsburgh, PA 1521 , at which time they will be opened and read aloud.

Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP. org. uestions or inquiries should be directed to Mr. Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116 Opt 1 A pre bid meeting will be held Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Dept.

100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 9:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

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

Caster D. Binion Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title , the Fair Housing Act, Section 5 4 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1 3, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

INVITATION FOR BIDS

Sealed bids for the Summit Township McGrady Hollow Road Reconstruction Project will be received in the office of Ben amin Holland, B T R CO T CO TRO R, F OOR 5, CO T O R T C T R, 124 W ST D A O D STR T, whose mailing address is P.O.BO 12 , B T R, PA 1 3, on or before 2:00pm, May 16. All Bids must be plainly marked “Bid – Summit Township McGrady Hollow Road Reconstruction Project” on the outside of the envelope.

All bids will be publicly opened and read at the Public Agenda Setting eeting of the Butler County Board of Commissioners on ay 1 , 2 1 at 1 am, in the Commissioner Public eeting Room located on Floor 1 of the County overnment Center, Butler, PA 1 3.

Bids will be received for the following: c rady Hollow Road Reconstruction Pro ect according to the specifications in the bid package.

Plans, specifications and bid documents are available via a free download from the Widmer ngineering nc. web site at widmerengineering.com under bids. Contact Widmer ngineering nc. with questions at 24- 4 1 . Paper Documents can be picked up at Widmer ngineering nc. incoln Place Beaver Falls PA 15 1 for a nonrefundable fee of 3.25 add 3 for postage payable by check or e act cash. ach 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 re ect any and all bids or any part of any bid. o bid may be withdrawn for a period of si ty 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, B and WB 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

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or ndividuals capable of providing the following service s PAINTING OF OCCUPIED UNITS AND COMMON AREAS AUTHORITY WIDE (LABOR ONLY) IFB# 300-19-18 The documents will be available no later than April 1 , 2 1 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 10:00 a.m. on May 4, 2018 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 1 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 2 , Pittsburgh, PA 1521 , at which time they will be opened and read aloud.

Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP. org. uestions or inquiries should be directed to Mr. Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116 Opt 1 A pre bid meeting will be held Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Dept.

100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 10:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

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

Caster D. Binion Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title , the Fair Housing Act, Section 5 4 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1 3, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR INVESTMENT ADVISOR SERVICES RFP #150-14-18

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or ndividuals capable of providing the following service s Investment Advisor Services RFP #150-14-18 The documents will be available no later than April 16, 2018 and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until 11:00 A.M., May 4, 2018 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 1 Ross Street, 2nd Floor, Suite 2 , Pittsburgh, PA 1521 .

Parties or individuals interested may obtain information from Mr. Kim Detrick – Procurement Director/Chief Contracting Officer Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 2nd Floor, Suite 200 100 Ross Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116, Option 1 or by visiting the Business Opportunities section of www.hacp.org A pre bid meeting will be held Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 200 Ross Street, 9th Floor, Board Room Pittsburgh, PA 15219 April 25, 2018 11:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

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

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

HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title , the Fair Housing Act, Section 5 4 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1 3, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS… THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2018

B5

SONNY BOY

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR FINELLO PAVILION EMERGENCY GENERATOR REPLACEMENT, AMP-44 IFB #600-11-18

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR CARRICK REGENCY INTERIOR RENOVATIONS (COMMUNITY ROOM & HALLWAY RENOVATIONS), AMP-46 IFB #600-12-18

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFBs) FOR BEDFORD HOPE CENTER IMPROVEMENTS, AMP-02 IFB #600-16-18

TH HO S A THOR T OF TH C T OF P TTSB R H will receive sealed bids for the Finello Pavilion mergency enerator Replacement, A P-44. The estimates of construction cost ranges are listed below Electrical Construction estimate - $132,000.00 to $193,500.00 The construction work is estimated to begin in August of 2 1 .

Bid Documents will be available on or about onday, Aril 1 , 2 1 and may be obtained from the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s webpage, www.hacp.org. Bidders may register on the website and download the bid documents free of charge. lectronic versions of the Bid Documents, including bid forms, pro ect manual, and drawings can be picked up in person, onday through Friday from 3 a.m. to 4 3 p.m. at Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement A Pre-Bid Conference and Site Visit will be held on onday, April 25, 2 1 at 1 a.m.

Finello Pavilion 3206 Niagara Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213 A site visit will be conducted thereafter. Bidders shall come prepared to review all aspects of the construction site necessary to prepare a bid.

Bids will be received at: HACP Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Attn: Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement/Chief Contracting Officer until 2:00 p.m. May 17, 2018 at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

TH HO S A THOR T OF TH C T OF P TTSB R H reserves the right to waive any informality in, or re ect any and all bids. o bid shall be withdrawn for a period of si ty days subsequent to the opening of bids without the consent of the HOUSING AUTHORITY OF TH C T OF P TTSB R H. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable qual Employment Opportunity requirements for Federally Assisted Construction Contracts. The Contractor must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of race, color, religion, se ual preference, handicap or national origin.

HACP has revised its website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download FB RFP documentation.

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH STRONGLY ENCOURAGES CERTIFIED MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AND WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES TO RESPOND TO THE SOLICITATION. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement at 412 45 -511 Opt 1.

Caster D. Binion Executive Director HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH

HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title , the Fair Housing Act, Section 5 4 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1 3, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

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

TH HO S A THOR T OF TH C T OF P TTSB R H will receive sealed bids for the Carrick Regency nterior Renovations (Community Room & Hallway Renovations , A P-4 . The estimates of construction cost ranges are General Construction estimate$235,000.00 to $345,000.00 Electrical Construction estimate-$53,000.00 to $75,500.00 The construction work is estimated to begin in August of 2 1 .

Bid Documents will be available on or about onday, Aril 1 , 2 1 and may be obtained from the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s webpage, www.hacp.org. Bidders may register on the website and download the bid documents free of charge. lectronic versions of the Bid Documents, including bid forms, pro ect manual, and drawings can be picked up in person, onday through Friday from 3 a.m. to 4 3 p.m. at Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement A Pre-Bid Conference and Site Visit will be held on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at 1 a.m.

Carrick Regency High Rise 2129 Brownsville Road Pittsburgh, PA 15210 A site visit will be conducted thereafter. Bidders shall come prepared to review all aspects of the construction site necessary to prepare a bid.

Bids will be received at: HACP Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Attn: Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement/Chief Contracting Officer Until 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2018 at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

TH HO S A THOR T OF TH C T OF P TTSB R H reserves the right to waive any informality in, or re ect any and all bids. o bid shall be withdrawn for a period of si ty days subsequent to the opening of bids without the consent of the HOUSING AUTHORITY OF TH C T OF P TTSB R H. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable qual Employment Opportunity requirements for Federally Assisted Construction Contracts. The Contractor must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of race, color, religion, se ual preference, handicap or national origin.

HACP has revised its website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download FB RFP documentation.

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH STRONGLY ENCOURAGES CERTIFIED MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AND WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES TO RESPOND TO THE SOLICITATION. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement at 412 45 -511 Opt 1.

Caster D. Binion Executive Director HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH

HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title , the Fair Housing Act, Section 5 4 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1 3, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes

TH HO S A THOR T OF TH C T OF P TTSB R H will receive sealed bids for the Bedford Hope Center mprovements, A P2. The estimates of construction cost ranges are listed below General Construction estimate $285,500 to $418,000 Electrical Construction estimate - $176,500 to $258,000 Mechanical Construction estimate -$170,000 to $248,500 The construction work is estimated to begin in August of 2 1 .

Bid Documents will be available on or about onday, Aril 1 , 2 1 and may be obtained from the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s webpage, www.hacp.org. Bidders may register on the website and download the bid documents free of charge. lectronic versions of the Bid Documents, including bid forms, pro ect manual, and drawings can be picked up in person, onday through Friday from 3 a.m. to 4 3 p.m. at Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement A Pre-Bid Conference and Site Visit will be held on onday, April 25, 2 1 at 12 p.m.

Bedford Hope Center 2305 Bedford Avenue A site visit will be conducted thereafter. Bidders shall come prepared to review all aspects of the construction site necessary to prepare a bid.

Bids will be received at: HACP Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Attn: Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement/Chief Contracting Officer until 3:00 p.m. May 17, 2018 at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

TH HO S A THOR T OF TH C T OF P TTSB R H reserves the right to waive any informality in, or re ect any and all bids. o bid shall be withdrawn for a period of si ty days subsequent to the opening of bids without the consent of the HOUSING AUTHORITY OF TH C T OF P TTSB R H. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable qual Employment Opportunity requirements for Federally Assisted Construction Contracts. The Contractor must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of race, color, religion, se ual preference, handicap or national origin.

HACP has revised its website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download FB RFP documentation.

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH STRONGLY ENCOURAGES CERTIFIED MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AND WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES TO RESPOND TO THE SOLICITATION. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement at 412 45 -511 Opt 1.

Caster D. Binion Executive Director HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH

HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title , the Fair Housing Act, Section 5 4 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1 3, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

America’s Best Weekly 315 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Classifieds 412-481-8302 Ext. 140 E-mail: ads@newpittsburghcourier.com Deadline/Closing/ Cancellation Schedule for copy, corrections, and cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication

B6

CLASSIFIEDS

APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

CARLYNTON SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE OF BIDS

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEM MAINTENANCE REBID RFP #350-50-17REBID

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR TREE AND SHRUB REMOVAL SERVICES AUTHORITY WIDE IFB# 300-20-18

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR COMBUSTION AND HOT WATER HEATER SERVICES IFB# 300-21-18

PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY

The Carlynton School District will accept sealed bids for Athletic Supplies for the 2018/2019 school year. Specifications or bid lists may be obtained at the Business Office, 435 Kings Highway, Carnegie, PA 15106 (412-429-2500 ext.

1107). Bids will be accepted until 9:00 AM on May 3, 2018 at the Business Office and will be opened at 10:00 AM on May 3, 2018. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud after the specified closing time. Carlynton School District reserves the right to reject any and all bids, and to waive any bid irregularities as permitted under Pennsylvania law. The Carlynton School District provides service on an equal opportunity basis.

Chris Juzwick Board Secretary

NOTICE TO BIDDERS MUNICIPALITY OF PENN HILLS ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Sealed Proposals will be received by the Municipality of Penn Hills, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania until 10:30 A.M., on Thursday, May 24, 2018 to be publicly opened and read immediately thereafter for the following project: MULTI-PURPOSE CENTER INTERIOR UFAS IMPROVEMENTS The Project includes improvements to the Multi-Purpose Center to meet Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) requirements. The project consists of the installation of new handrails, installation of new handicap accessible signage, remounting of bathroom mirror, remounting of water fountain and relocation of interior partition wall. Additionally this project consists of the removal and disposal of existing doors and frames where indicated on the drawings, preparation of the openings for the installation of new doors and frames, installation of new doors, frames, glazing, panels, hardware and locks where shown on the drawings and in the schedule, painting of doors, frames and panels, and clean-up and restoration of the openings as required.

All Proposals must be delivered to the Purchasing Office, Room 213, Municipality of Penn Hills, 12245 Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 by 10:30 A.M. prevailing time, on Thursday, May 24, 2018.

Proposals shall be delivered in a sealed envelope and clearly marked on the outside with the words “MULTI-PURPOSE CENTER INTERIOR UFAS IMPROVEMENTS.” Copies of Drawings, Specifications, Instructions to Bidders, General Conditions, Forms of Proposals and Agreement are on file and open to public inspection at the Penn Hills Purchasing Office, located at 12245 Frankstown Road, Second Floor, Room 213, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 where sets of said documents may be obtained upon payment of $50.00 per set. No refund will be made for the return of any documents.

Davis-Bacon wage rates are required to be paid on this project.

There will be a non-mandatory pre-bid meeting on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at the Multi-Purpose Center, 2025 Lincoln Road, Verona, PA 15147.

Proposals must be submitted on the forms provided by the Municipality of Penn Hills. Proposals to receive consideration must be accompanied by a Certified Check or Bidder’s Bond from a Surety Company authorized to do business in Pennsylvania, made to the order of the Municipality of Penn Hills in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the total amount of the Proposal as a guarantee that, if the Proposal is accepted, the successful Bidder will enter into an Agreement within 15 days after Notice of the Award of the Contract.

The Proposals must be made to the Municipality of Penn Hills, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and shall remain firm for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days. No Bidder may withdraw his Proposal during the one hundred twenty (120) day period without forfeiting his Bid guarantee.

Performance, Maintenance, and Labor and Material Payment Bonds, along with Public Liability and Property Damage Certificates of Insurance in the amounts specified, as well as Certificates of Workman’s Compensation must be filed with the executed Agreement upon acceptance of the Proposal from the successful Bidder.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all Proposals, or any part thereof, for any reason, and also reserves the right to waive any informality therein.

Mohammed F. Rayan Municipal Manager

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby requests proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): Security Camera System Maintenance Rebid RFP #350-50-17REBID The documents will be available no later than April 23, 2018 and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until 11:00 A.M., May 11, 2018 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street, 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Parties or individuals interested may obtain information from: Mr. Kim Detrick – Procurement Director/Contracting Officer Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 2nd Floor, Suite 200 100 Ross Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116, Option 1 or by visiting the Business Opportunities section of www.hacp.org A pre bid meeting will be held: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, 2nd Floor, Conference Room Pittsburgh, PA 15219 May 3, 2018 11:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

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

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

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

COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY PITTSBURGH, PA April 19, 2018

The Office of the Director of the Department of Public works for Allegheny County in Conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, is soliciting Statements of Interest through PennDOTs ECMS system for the following: ALLEGHENY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Allegheny County Roadway Paving, Group A Design and Miscellaneous Services For Browns Hill Road and Becks Run Road County Project No. ACRP-GRPA Local Agreement Number: L00311 This is a federal-aid project with PennDOT oversight. Statements of Interest are due no later than May 10, 2018 and are to be submitted through PennDOTs ECMS System, http://www.dot14.state.pa.us/ ECMS The advertisement can be found under agreement number L00311.

A copy of the published advertisement can also be found on the County Website: http://www.county. allegheny.pa.us/bids Any inquiries into this Advertisement are to be directed to Mr. Michael Dillon, P.E., Deputy Director of Engineering, at 412-350-5469 or mdillon@allegh enycounty.us The County will use the normal selection process and preselect or short-list at least three firms for consideration for this Project assignment on the following evaluation criteria: Past Performance, Quality Control and Quality Assurance, Work experience and understanding requirements, policies, and specifications, Use and Experience of Subconsultants, and Assurance of Project Milestones.

The County’s Minority and Women disadvantaged goals for these Projects will be 13% of the total price for MBE participation and 2% of the total price for WBE participation.

Stephen G. Shanley, PE, Director Department of Public Works of Allegheny County

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS

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

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): TREE AND SHRUB REMOVAL SERVICES AUTHORITY WIDE IFB# 300-20-18 The documents will be available no later than April 23, 2018 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 9:00 a.m. on May 11, 2018 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, at which time they will be opened and read aloud.

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

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

100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Thursday, May 3, 2018 9:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

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

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

ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY LEGAL NOTICE CONTRACT NO. 1680

Sealed Bids for CONTRACT NO. 1680: REPAIRS TO 300-FT RADIAL BRICK CHIMNEY shall be received at the office of the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, 3300 Preble Avenue, Pittsburgh,PA, 15233, until 11:00 A.M., Prevailing Time, Tuesday, May 15, 2018, and then shall be publicly opened and read.

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.

A non-mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting will be held at the Authority’s Plant on Thursday, May 3, 2018, at 1:30 P.M., Prevailing Time. Attendance at this meeting is strongly recommended.

Contract Documents may be examined and obtained at the office of the Authority. A non-refundable fee of $100.00 (no cash will be accepted) will be charged for each set of Contract Documents received. Bid Security shall be furnished by providing with the Bid a Certified Check or Bid Bond in the amount of 10% of the Bid Price.

Any questions regarding the Contract Documents should be directed to Ms. Elizabeth A. Joyce, Project Engineer, by e-mail to Elizabeth.joyce@alcosan.org or by phone to (412) 734-8719, or fax to (412) 734-8716.

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

ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY DAVID W. BORNEMAN Director of Engineering and Construction

TO PLACE AN AD IN SOUL READERS Call 412-481-8302, Ext. 140 The deadline for all ads to be placed is Monday at 4 p.m.

All ads must be paid for in advance. We accept Money Orders, Credit Cards and Western Union “Quick Collect” payments.

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): COMBUSTION AND HOT WATER HEATER SERVICES IFB# 300-21-18 The documents will be available no later than April 23, 2018 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 10:00 a.m. on May 11, 2018 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, at which time they will be opened and read aloud.

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

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

100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Thursday, May 3, 2018 10:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

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

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

Electronic Proposals will be received online at the Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portau thority.org).

Proposals/bid submittals will be due 11:00 AM on May 23, 2018 and will be read at 11:15 AM., the 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.portauthority.org) B180319A Maintenance Inspection Testing & Certification of Fire Protection Systems B180320A Wiper Arm Assemblies - Coach B180321A Synthetic Automatic Transmiossions Fluid B180422 Substation Equipment DC Breakers 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 May 9, 2018 at Port Authority’s Heinz location (345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, PA). 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.

America’s Best Weekly 315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Classifieds 412-481-8302 Ext. 140 E-mail: ads@newpittsburghcourier.com Deadline/Closing/Cancellation Schedule for copy, corrections, and cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Predatory lending is the Tip of the Iceberg (TriceEdneyWire.com)—The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is supposed to “protect” consumers from fraud and predatory lending. But since 45 has ruled the roost, he has empowered exploiters to extract too much money from consumers.

And he has exposed himself to implicit bribes, which is why the Consumer Financial Services Association of America was meeting at the Trump National Doral Golf Club from Tuesday April 17 to Thursday April 19. The payday lenders, who describe themselves as the “small dollar credit industry, offer loans at an annualized interest rate of as high as 600 percent, have been lobbying to loosen regulations against their industry.

As they met in Florida, they focused on the fact that the Florida state legislature had planned to allow them to lend more, at higher interest rates, in the interest of exploiting more poor people, mostly Black and Brown folks.

I went to Orlando and Miami as the guest of the National Faith and Credit Roundtable; a group of religious leaders who are disturbed about the many ways payday lenders are able to exploit poor people. The stories they tell are harrowing—about a woman who borrowed $500 to fix her car so that she could go to medical appointments, and then found herself paying more than $6000—12 times the amount she borrowed—over 2 years, and still needing intervention to stop her enormous payment. I went to hear ministers use the Bible to talk about the many ways that usury is seen as an abject sin. I went to Orlando and Miami

Julianne Malveaux

Commentary because I wanted to bear witness to the work “woke” pastors are doing to forward the agenda of social and economic justice.

If this were only about Florida, it might not merit my attention. But Florida is Missouri, is New Mexico, is Nevada, is California, is Wisconsin, is Michigan.

Each of these states have very loose regulations for payday lenders, which means that folks are charging as much as 600 percent for these “small dollar” loans.

The challenge is that desperate people go “small dollar’ but offer their car, their next paycheck, or even their home, as collateral. If the payday lender can go into your bank account to pay, all your other bills stand in the back of the line. How to close the gap? Take out another payday loan, and another, and another. Your small $500 loan grows exponentially.

And nobody is looking out for you.

So the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offered a rule to curb in payday lenders. And now, with the 45-inspired leadership, CBFB is considering rescinding the consumer-protective rule. This isn’t the only way that CPFB has been curtailed from protecting consumers. In 2013, CPFB issued guidance about the legal risks of dealer markups and the ways that discrimination pushed Black and Hispanic folks into higher interest rate loans than their white counterparts.

Toyota, Honda, Ally Financial and others were sued because borrowers of color paid much higher interest rates than their White counterparts.

Now, there is a move to repeal the 2013 rule, just like the move to repeal the predatory lending rule. It will take the Senate to repeal the consumer protecting rules, but the sentiment is not to protect consumers. In state after state, there is a sentiment to make it easier for payday lenders to exploit. And in state after state, there are those who would make it easier for the CPFB to relax rules against discrimination in lending.

These payday lenders are tricksters.

They call themselves the “Consumer Financial Services Association,” wording amazingly close to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. They push themselves out as an industry association that manages “best practices” in “small dollar lending.” They engage in the most pernicious form of lobbying, even purchasing the support of “civil rights leaders’ who argue that people have “the right’ to enter into financial enslavement. And their high-rolling golf games at a Trump resort is a wink and a nod to the many ways this administration is ripping off poor people.

The new leadership of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency has been pressured to relax payday-lending rules.

Several states have bowed to the pressure to support the payday lender that exploit low-income, mostly Black and Brown, communities. In Florida and Michigan, and in other states, there are harrowing stories of people being exploited because payday lenders have a legislative pass.

This flies in the face of the notion that the poor should be protected from extreme usury, but it is perfectly consistent with the focus of this corrupt administration.

So who will take care of consumers who face discriminatory interest rates, predatory lending and more? Perhaps voters will throng to the polls in November to elect a Congress dedicated to providing protection for consumers!

(Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist.)

FORUM

AKA conference—symbolizing the best of today and tomorrow On April 18, 2018, That particular phrase my wife, my youngcame to mind as the Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick est daughter, Jerri, introduction of the and myself traveled guest and speakers. All to Charleston, West of them had BA, MasVirginia to attend the ter, and/or PhD. I could Alpha Kappa Alpha hear my father, with a Sorority Inc. 87th third-grade education, Great Lakes Regional telling all that would Conference. The title listen to him, “Go to of the conference was school, go to school. No more than approximate: “Mountains Moved: one can take an education away.”

The Power of Progressive Leadership.”

Almost everywhere I went, I would be Why were we in attendance? First of all, asked, “Are you Toni’s father?” or, “You our three daughters, Toni, Kim and Jerri should be so proud of Toni,” “Toni is this, are active members of the sorority. Second, Toni is that.” My answer was generally Toni, after for years of being elected to the “Thank you,” but if they were persistent I position of Great Lakes Regional Director, simply responded by saying, “We have three was retiring and she wanted her parents to daughters and all three are special.” be present. It was not my first conference, As I close this week’s column, my wife and it was my second, so I was definitely not I did not just fill the role as proud parents surprised when we went into the convenof Toni, but as the role of parents at least in tion hall. spirit who were not present. Too frequently, If you have a true sense as to how far we the media portray the overwhelming majoras a people had to travel, the obstacles that ity of their coverage as negative actions by we had to overcome, such as too many of Blacks. our brothers and sisters being indoctrinated However, this week, we witnessed a posiwith the mindset that we would never suctive conference of over 1,300 Black persons, ceed, you would almost cry, as the convencollege graduates and college students who tion hall filled up. symbolize the best of today and tomorrow.

(Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a contributor to the New It is ironic how much things change, but on the other hand, much remains the same. Pittsburgh Courier.)

To Tell The Truth

Starbucks employees: Rehabilitated in an afternoon You can determine sold each picnic table what an institution for $450. That’s $900 J. Pharaoh Doss values by how it spends for two tables. The time. Here’s two stories labor cost was $16 total, for you to decide if the minus material, and institutions involved you can see the instiactually value their tution made a sizable stated objectives by the profit. time spent to achieve We worked Monday their goals. through Friday, forty The first story is perhours a week. sonal, the other is corporate.

Now, let’s add up the time spent on The epigraph for story one is this statecounseling. These sessions were one hour a ment: I was rehabilitated in a day. Most week. That’s four hours a month, and I was react to that statement with an eyebrow there for six months. 4 x 6 = 24 hours. You raised in doubt and reply, “Must have been see, I was rehabilitated in a day. a long day.”

Story two is the corporate response to the It wasn’t. The day was stretched out over arrest of two Black men inside a Philaa six-month period. delphia Starbucks. Philadelphia’s Police I got in trouble when I was a teenagCommissioner explained the police received er, and I was sent to an institution that a 911 call from Starbucks employees saying specialized in rehabilitating delinquent two Black men were trespassing. The boys. Once a week I met with a counselor officers were told that the men entered, sat to help me overcome anti-social behavior, down, and then asked to use the restroom, disregard for authority, and tendencies to but didn’t purchase anything. The employresolve conflict with violence. The counee denied the request, citing company policy. selor assigned these pathologies to me (Restrooms can only be used by paying based off a general psychological profile customers.) The officers “politely” asked the institution used for all inner-city dethe men to leave several times but the men linquents under its care. refused. They were arrested and released But I didn’t fit the profile. The majority when Starbucks declined to prosecute. of the boys didn’t. So, during my counseling The arrest made national news. There sessions the topics were sports and how I was a local protest and Philadelphia’s was getting along with others during the mayor stated what took place in Starbucks week. “appears to exemplify what discrimination What did we do all week? looks like in 2018.”

This institution had work contracts and Naturally, the CEO of Starbucks didn’t we were its labor force, starting at twenwant the company associated with racism, ty-five cents an hour. We cleaned a minor so Starbucks announced: It plans to close league baseball stadium, washed police more than 8,000 stores for several hours on cars, and cut grass at cemeteries. Whoever May 29 to conduct racial bias training/unexcelled in these activities was said to have conscious-bias education for nearly 175,000 acquired the “work ethic” necessary for the employees. woodshop positions. Here we made picnic I was rehabilitated in a day, but soon tables and benches for park and recreation 175,000 Starbucks employees will break my services. record, because they’ll be rehabilitated in an Now, here’s some math. afternoon.

(J. Pharaoh Doss is a contributor to the New PittsIn the woodshop a pair of boys, now making a dollar an hour, made two picnic tables burgh Courier. He blogs at jpharoahdoss@blogspot. com.) during an eight-hour shift. The institution

Check It Out

APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2018

B7

Jerroll Sanders

Commentary

I say no to a Starbucks boycott (TriceEdneyWire.com)—Starbucks has proven to be one of America’s most responsible corporate citizens. In 2014 following the shooting of 18-yearold Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., by Officer Darren Wilson, then Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz took action when other corporations remained silent.

Starbucks launched its national “Race Together” campaign that encouraged Starbucks’ baristas (workers) to write “race together” on customer coffee cups to spur conversations about race within Starbucks locations.

Months later in 2015 following the shooting of Walter Scott, Starbucks CEO Howard D. Schultz was again venturing into the arena of race relations while appearing on stage at Spelman College—a historically-Black women’s institution—as part of a panel discussion on the book titled Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? Again and again, Starbucks has been at the forefront of corporate America when it comes to cultivating a society where all people matter.

As President and CEO of ONUS, Inc.—a national organization committed to Resolving Longstanding Problems that Seem Too Big to Fix, I firmly believe in the power of boycotts. Following the killing of Michael Brown, ONUS conducted one of the most effective and long-standing boycotts in Ferguson, MO, against Sam’s Club and Walmart. Both stores routinely called upon Ferguson Police to arrest Black men who verbally challenged managers’ decisions.

Unlike Starbucks, Walmart, Inc. doubled-down in support of its employees’ hateful actions and made no apology for saddling good citizens, who happened to be Black men, with unwarranted police records.

Walmart then relied upon its deep purse to vigorously defend its deplorable actions. Starbucks is no Walmart.

While I firmly embrace boycotting as an effective tool of free speech, boycotting cannot and should not be Black America’s one retort to offensive acts carried out by individual employees representing what has proven to be a good corporate citizen.

I do not mean to imply that Starbucks is perfect; I surmise that Starbucks still has internal issues related to race and diversity.

Nonetheless, I appreciate the steps Starbucks’ CEO and Board of Directors have and are taking in response to the incident in Philadelphia, such as the swift issuance of a public apology, public rebuke of the offending employees’ actions and the planned shutdown of Starbucks outlets nationwide for diversity and customer service training.

Starbucks is demonstrating that its promise to do better is far more than a mere gesture designed to quiet a public uprising.

Starbucks has earned what millennials refer to as “street cred.”

Consequently, the Corporation deserves grace when employees make missteps or engage in discriminatory actions rooted in personal perspectives.

While I am confident Starbucks will make right with the young men who were wrongfully arrested in Philadelphia, I urge its leaders to again take the corporate lead by helping to revamp policing in America nationwide.

The Uniform Reporting Law Enforcement Improvement Act (URLEIA) is the solution to America’s policing problem and will effectively revamp policing from the ground up.

Corporations, like citizens, have a responsibility to ensure policing nationwide is guided not by the whims of individuals and powerful conglomerates but by the constitutional and humane application of law.

(Learn more about URLEIA by visiting www.ChangeIsOnUs.org. Learn more about Jerroll Sanders who is a business executive, author of The Physics of Money: If You’ve Got My Dollar, I Don’t, diversity expert, and strategist by visiting www.jerrollsanders.com.)

B8

SPORTS

APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

To all Connie Hawkins League Ballers—’Do the Right Thing!’

by Bill Neal For New Pittsburgh Courier

:10—Of course this is not a shoutout to the likes of Hosea Champine, Norm Nixon, John Marshall, Kirk Bruce, Ron Carter, Sam Clancy, Myron Brown, Bobby Franklin, B.B. Flenory, Magic Mike Williams, Kenny Durrett, Bobby Byrd or Billy Varner… your legend was already in place! No, this is “a call to arms for the other 5,060 or so players that played in the nationally-recognized, top 10-rated Connie Hawkins

Summer League that more than likely may have never been recognized beyond your last glorified high school game. On Saturday, May 5, we will honor and memorialize the late great Connie Hawkins. Do the right thing man and come pay your respects to the man that put you on the map! :09—Sooooo, while I have your attention, here’s your info for the next to last time. Friday, May 4, “Live” at The Savoy Restaurant (2623 Penn Avenue, zip code 15222). Come one, come all

BARRY LEIBOWITZ

to welcome home the 1968 ABA World Champion Pittsburgh Pipers. 6 p.m. until, $5 cover, free parking, cash bar, cash kitchen, dress to impress. Saturday, May 5, noon press conference at the Marriott Hotel City Center, Downtown Pittsburgh. Then at 2 p.m., the Pittsburgh Bullets ABA team will showcase a tribute exhibition game and clinic for kids at the Thelma Lovette YMCA (2114 Centre Avenue, zip code 15219) in honor of the champions. Then at 6 p.m., cocktail reception for the event at the Marriott. Then at 7 p.m., dinner and awards presentation honoring the Pipers, Connie Hawkins and the 2018 Connie Hawkins Hall of Fame Inductees. Special guest speakers include the legendary Billy Knight, former L.A. Laker Ron Carter and former Boston Celtic B.B. Flenory. $50 in advance, $75 at the door, not formal.

Dress to impress. Parking at cost. For additional information, please call Achieving Greatness Inc. at 412-6284856, Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. :08—Hey, while I am shouting out stuff, let’s have a shoutout for all the people that helped make this historic night possible. Major Mark Whited. The Mark Cuban Foundation. The New Pittsburgh Courier. The Phoenix Suns. The Pittsburgh Penguins. State Representative Austin Davis. City Coun-

cilman R. Daniel Lavelle.

Chuck Sanders Charities.

Gary White. Frank B. Fuhrer Wholesale Co. Attorney Glenn Mahone. Attorney William Goodrich. Attorney Jack Goodrich. J.T. Thomas.

The Tribune Review. Larry Richert of KDKA Radio. :07—Lord, please don’t let Kevin Cameron be right about the Pittsburgh Pirates, but if the pitchin’ don’t hold up, the bats don’t mean jack. Now that’s teamwork. :06—Yeah, I know the NFL draft is on Thursday, April 26, but I won’t be watching. Call me when we’ve made our selection, then you got my attention. :05—But if you really want to know who, what, when, where and why, tune into Soul Take—Champions Live Sports Talk Show every Wednesday…go to urbanmediatoday.com and get reminded of how much you don’t know, but you think you know. Brought to you

by Urban Media Today, the New Pittsburgh Courier and Cameron Professional Management.

Starring Kevin Cameron, Bill Neal and a cast of the greatest sports minds in the business. To get on board – soultakechampionslive@ gmail.com or call Achieving Greatness Inc. at 412-6284856. :04—Man, you know the

Black Panther is all that if it’s still playing at theaters and at prime time slots. It’s been over a month. They used to call that “Black Power!!!” :03—BTW, if you still have doubts about me proclaiming Jim Thorpe the greatest athlete of all time, just pull up or rent the movie Jim Thorpe—All American.

You – Will – Be – Amazed.

Look, the man and one other Native American beat an entire track team by themselves . . . just Google it. :02—To the world, and to

my good friend, and the family and close friends of the late great “Super Champion” Bruno Sammartino, farewell to a true legend!!! (FYI – he sold out Madison Square Garden 108 times . . . C’mon man!) :01—In continuing to showcase the members of the Pittsburgh Pipers World Champions, pictured here are Dexter Westbrook driving against “The Hawk” before getting traded to the Pipers weeks later, and sharp shooter Barry Leibowitz. :00—GAME OVER.

DEXTER WESTBROOK

Signor Sammartino, addio Remembering the life of Bruno Sammartino

by Aubrey Bruce For New Pittsburgh Courier

On April 18, 2018, professional wrestling legend and icon Bruno Sammartino died at the tender age of 82. The reason that I say died at the “tender” age of 82 was because regardless of his physical age, Bruno Sammartino was one of the last wrestling “athletes” that competed in the innocent and golden age of professional wrestling.

There was a point in time during the embryonic stage of professional wrestling when just getting local sponsorship for wrestling was like pulling teeth. Major League Baseball had television and radio locked down and the NFL was beginning to flex its muscles.

The radio market share for professional wrestling was non-existent.

Wrestling was a made-for-television enterprise only. Even professional boxing had a respectable piece of the radio market share “pie” that pro wrestling could never hope to get, both then and now.

Before there was Chris Jericho, there was Bruno Sammartino. Before there was Big E, there was Haystacks Calhoun. Before Xavier Woods there was “Hurricane Hunt.” Also, we can’t forget

BRUNO SAMMARTINO our brothers from the east.

Before there was Shinsuke Nakamura, there was the “Sheik.” Before there was Vince McMahon, there was “Chilly Billy” Cardille and wrestling promoter and manager, Rudy Miller. Before Miss Elizabeth was getting mad publicity and money in regards to hangin’ out with Randy “Macho Man” Savage, there was “Ringside Rosy” and “Pie” Traynor.

“Rosy” going ballistic at ringside getting everyone hyped watching and attending “studio wrestling,” while the late great Pittsburgh Pirate “Pie” Traynor was selling the products and services of American Heating Company. “Pie” Traynor would always bark out this next phrase better than even the best carnival barker or town crier; “Who can? Amer-I-can; American Heating Company.”

Bruno Sammartino was the perfect savior that professional wrestling not only wanted but needed. Born in Italy, Sammartino arrived in America at age 15 as a sickly young man with a questionable future…His was the perfect storyline for the budding American “distraction” known as pro wrestling. Sammartino and his father migrated to America in search of a better life.

Little did he know what America had in store for him.

He settled in Pittsburgh, where the lives of many Western Pennsylvanians that had migrated to “the industrial belt” of our country had become woven into the fabric of the waning industrialization of the region and the country. Sammartino was not destined to become just another “mill hunk.” He was ordained to become the most visible and marketable performer in an oftentimes

scripted, synchronized and deceivingly brutal sport that was also facing an uncertain future. Sammartino reinvented himself even in the midst of the uncertainty of immigrating and settling in Western Pennsylvania just as the region was simultaneously shedding its industrial skin.

Sammartino and Western PA evolved together. One could almost view them as “Siamese twins.” The country needed a “blue collar” hero to adore and look up to and Sammartino needed to be motivated to use his instinctive “protector” skills; this was a match made in heaven. It was said that Sammartino sold out Madison Square Garden more than any other performer in history. To pay their respects, the Garden tweeted a photo of their marquee which showed Sammartino in his prime. The text next to his picture read, “MSG remembers Garden legend Bruno Sammartino.”

Bruno Sammartino was laid to rest on Monday morning, April 23, at a funeral mass held at Saint Sebastian Roman Catholic Church in Ross Township, a suburb of Pittsburgh.

When I think back on the life of Bruno, a particular song by the late Johnny Cash comes to mind. “There ain’t no grave can hold my body down.

There ain’t no grave can hold my body down. When I hear that trumpet sound I’m gonna rise right out of the ground.

Ain’t no grave can hold my body down.”

When that bell of competition rang, you could always count on Bruno Sammartino to answer. Signor Sammartino, addio.

(Aubrey Bruce can be reached at: abruce@newpittsburghcourier.com.)

ENTERTAINER New Pittsburgh Courier

B9

APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

THE FUTURE IS NOW

PITTSBURGH NATIVES NIGEL MCDANIEL AND PORTIA FOXX have worked a variety of jobs in the city. But it’s the on-air work at WAMO 100 which suits them best. (Photos by Courier photographer Gail Manker)

Portia Foxx—the hip-hop, Nigel McDaniel—shy, quiet no more cultural influencer

by Paige K. Mitchell For New Pittsburgh Courier

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

Seventeen years ago, Leda Steele-Toussaint, then known as Leda Steele, told her 15-year-old friend, now known as Portia Foxx, that she had a voice for radio.

Foxx brushed off the comment, because, well, she hated her own voice.

“Diddy, you’re crazy,” Steele-Toussaint told Foxx.

Foxx really saw herself as possibly a hip-hop writer for a magazine, maybe XXL. Or something similar in the hip-hop world, but there was only one problem—Foxx said Pittsburgh isn’t a huge hub for hip-hop culture, like Atlanta or New York. “Not when I was coming up,” Foxx recalled. “For a moment we had a heavy underground influence, Shadow Lounge, but me being younger there wasn’t anything that was for me.”

The 2004 Allderdice High School graduate had creativity on her mind, the music world on her mind, and anything else became secondary. But as she looked around, she couldn’t find that perfect outlet to showcase her creative mind.

“Pittsburgh typically doesn’t have creative outlets,” Foxx told the New Pittsburgh Courier in an exclusive interview. “PNC, UPMC, or the City of Pittsburgh, that’s what you aspire to do whenever you grow up, if you’re from here.

That’s from what I see, from what I know, from what I’ve experienced.”

Thus, Foxx’s job circuit began. “I’ve had a thousand jobs. I never wanted to be a person who worked in anyone’s office. I’d either quit or get fired,” she said.

Customer service positions, Giant Eagle, an extended stint at the famed David’s Shoes “in East Liberty”…

Foxx worked in retail, she did data entry for the City of Pittsburgh, she even applied to become a Port Authority bus driver—but didn’t pass the initial test.

“After a while I get bored,” Foxx said about her journey of jobs. “I knew it wasn’t going to last.”

Foxx said her own mother wasn’t exactly understanding this situation of not being able to hold a job long due to Foxx’s yearning for something else. “It would be like hell, trying to explain that (to my mom). You go to work, you do what you gotta do, you pay your bills, you keep your shelter. You live to work…I’ve never been

“School is not for me, I’ve never liked school. And before this opportunity with WAMO 100 I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life and definitely never saw myself being an on-air radio personality,” says Nigel McDaniel, a Penn Hills High School alum who, admittedly, was the quiet one.

“Coming up, I was not a social butterfly,” McDaniel recalls. “I was not sociable in high school or the class clown or anything like that.

I was pretty much to myself. So when people see me now, they’re in shock. I believe that once you break away from your student body you naturally evolve into who you are.”

After graduating from PORTIA FOXX, an Allderdice High School graduate, hosts a Sat- Penn Hills High School in urday afternoon show from 2-6 p.m. on WAMO 100, and is the 2013, McDaniel went on station’s lead fill-in weekday host.

OK with that philosophy.”

Thus, the Pittsburgh bornand-bred Foxx tried her hand at a podcast, entitled “Raw Deal Radio,” in 2013.

It was, one could say, her first foray into her creative side professionally as an adult. The show dealt with issues that happen in Black Pittsburgh—relationships between men and women, relationships between a father and his daughter, how to protect against STDs, and other adult topics.

A few years went by, the podcast still buzzing, the guests and topics continuing to compile. Who knows if Foxx was beginning to like her voice, or if the love of free speech and creative thinking took precedence.

Then, a man named Quincy McConnell happened to run into Foxx during this time, around late 2015, and liked her attitude, drive and ambition. He said he would talk to his people about getting Foxx a new job.

That job was on-air at WAMO 100.1 FM. McConnell, much better known in Pittsburgh as “GQ,” served as a morning show personality on WAMO, among other positions. He currently serves as a mixer for the station. He came through for Foxx, as she got the call to come in for an audition, but then had to wait nearly over a month for a decision.

“The longest month in my life,” Foxx said.

Then the call came. February 6, 2016. WAMO 100 general manager Jamal Woodson was on the other end of the line. “He offered me the position,” Foxx said, “and after that, my life changed.”

“She has always been thor-

ough,” WAMO 100 afternoon personality Kiki Brown said of Foxx. “She finishes what she starts and doesn’t like to leave anyone hanging.

She wants to learn how to do ‘this thing.’ She wants to take it further and even when she’s afraid (which I can see sometimes) it makes her work harder. She has never done anything like this before so I can see her pushing herself.”

Indeed, Foxx is “raw talent,” in her description. “I never went to school for this. Although I wanted to go to Clark Atlanta University for mass media communications, I never made it down there,” Foxx said.

In addition to her Saturday 2-6 p.m. on-air shift, Foxx said she serves as the station’s promotions assistant and office manager.

In the years to come, Foxx said she wants to be even more of a hip-hop influencer, a cultural influencer.

Rappers like Jay-Z, singers like Mary J. Blige, “I want to be able to tell their stories correctly,” she said.

In the present, the self-described “late bloomer” has blossomed into a force in Pittsburgh’s hip-hop music scene, with her distinctive rapid-fire voice leading the way.

It’s a voice that Foxx never thought would make it on anyone’s radio—it’s a voice that her longtime friend, Steele-Toussaint, always knew was special.

“We cried on the phone (when Foxx got the WAMO job), because you always said this, and it’s happening,” Foxx said of her conversation with Steele-Toussaint. “She’s still extremely proud of me to this day.”

cent sure I didn’t want to be that. Then they ended up firing me anyway, and I continued on my journey just trying to figure things out.”

McDaniel’s story is similar to the story of others; he was your typical teenager trying to find his passion and a decent career path. Like many young men and women, McDaniel was unsure what career path he wanted to take.

He researched joining the military, and even thought about becoming an electrician.

“I used to always listen to interviews and different podcasts as a hobby. It was just something I liked to do. And I remember one day, my brother told me that he heard that WAMO was looking to bring some interns on board and he told me that I should apply.

felt it was most suitable for the way things were working out with my opportunity with WAMO. And I felt I was beginning to grow here. And I am currently still a fulltime student at Point Park now. Juggling career and school,” McDaniel said.

“I first lost sleep at night when I found out that Nigel wanted to stay in Pittsburgh, in comparison to leaving and seeing what else life has in store for him,” Wingfield, WAMO 100’s operations manager, told the Courier. “I felt like staying might have limited his growth because I know Nigel’s overall potential.

However, Pittsburgh has been a great jumpstart for him, because he has built a strong resume so early in his career…he’s going to move up and he’s going to move up quick in this industry.”

NIGEL MCDANIEL, a Penn Hills High School graduate, is the host of “Future Flavors,” Mondays at 10 p.m. on WAMO 100. He also hosts a Sunday afternoon show from 3-7 p.m. to pursue his secondary education at CCAC; while doing so he worked several different jobs. Directly after graduation he was first hired at Giant Eagle.

He was fired after two months.

Then he went to work as a detailer at a Ford dealership, cleaning cars. He also worked at Lowe’s, handling stock and unloading trucks.

“To be honest, the position I disliked the most was slicing meat in the deli at the Giant Eagle,” McDaniel, 22, told the New Pittsburgh Courier in an exclusive interview. “I really didn’t like it. I was physically there but not mentally there. While I prepared meat orders for customers, I was thinking about how I could not work there forever. I wasn’t completely sure what I wanted to do, but I was 100 per-

I hesitated a little bit because I knew that I didn’t have any experience, so I contacted WAMO and I was told that I didn’t need experience in order to become a part of the team. So I submitted the application to Louis Wingfield and they hired me,” McDaniel said.

After WAMO brought McDaniel on board, he quickly found his passion for the radio business. He enjoyed it so much that he chose his college and major based on his newfound love for media.

“I took a little break away from college in between my time at CCAC and decided that I wanted to transfer to another college. I applied to Clark Atlanta University and Temple. I almost went to Temple, put some money down and everything but I decided to choose Point Park.

I chose Point Park because I

“Nigel instantly stood out because he would do the work,” added former WAMO 100 on-air personality Mike Jax. “I could tell that he really wanted to learn, and I enjoyed sharing my knowledge with him. The kid is a fast learner.”

Jax worked with McDaniel a few years ago when Jax was WAMO’s afternoon personality.

McDaniel currently hosts “Future Flavors,” which spotlights local music, Mondays at 10 p.m., and a Sunday show, 3-7 p.m.

“Within the next five years I see myself pursuing satellite radio, specifically (channel) SHADE 45 as a radio personality and/or producer,” McDaniel said. “I also feel that I am good at scouting talent, and can see myself being in A&R, by connecting talent with labels.”

B10

APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2018

PEOPLE

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh’s 150th Anniversary Celebration

ALESE STALLWORTH, YAZMIN BENNETT, FORMER SECOND LADY DR. JILL BIDEN, JACKIE DIXON

DR. JILL BIDEN, with Courtney Grady and Ivy Williams, at the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh’s 150th Anniversary Celebration, held April 13 at the Wyndham Grand, Downtown. (Photos by J.L. Martello)

YWCA BOARD PRESIDENT LAJUANA FULLER

LASHAUNDRA HAMMONDS, ARYANNA BERRINGER, BLAIR MICKLES, all are veterans of the U.S. Army or Marines.

JORDAN DANIELS, IMAN JOHNSON ANDREA STRANFORD, SHAKITA TRIGG

DR. JILL BIDEN with CCAC President Dr. Quintin Bullock.

FORMER SECOND LADY DR. JILL BIDEN

Voters Guide Primary Election May 15, 2018 Published by League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh Community Information Center Koppers Building 436 Seventh Avenue Suite 350 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-261-4284 This guide lists all candidates in the May 15, 2018 Primary for U.S. Senator, Representatives in Congress, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Senators in even-numbered districts and State Representatives.

Ballot questions for residents of Braddock Borough, Chartiers Borough, Municipality of Monroeville and West Deer Township.

April 25-May 1, 2018 Prepared with Funding from League of Women Voters Education Fund

2

APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2018

VOTERS GUIDE 2018

This Voters Guide was prepared by the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh and the League of Women Voters Education Fund. The League is a non-partisan organization and does not endorse or oppose any political party or candidate.

Its purpose is to promote political responsibility through informed participation of citizens.

The Voters Guide listings are based entirely on material submitted by the candidates. In cases in which questionnaires were not returned, only the candidate’s name and party are listed. Every candidate was asked to submit a photograph. Those received are printed.

The guide lists all candidates in the May 15 Primary Election for U.S. Senator, Representatives in Congress, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Senators in even-numbered districts, and State Representatives. The candidates’ names are listed as they will appear on the ballot.

The party of the governor is, by practice, given the first position on the ballot in Pennsylvania.

Study the guide and choose the candidates for whom you want to vote.

You may take the guide

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

League of Women Voters Guide to Primary Election— May 15, 2018 (Polls open from 7 AM to 8 PM)

into the voting booth to help you. Nothing in this guide should be construed as an endorsement of any candidate by the League of Women Voters.

Voters who are not sure if they are registered should call the Allegheny County Department of Elections, 412-350-4510, or go to Votespa.com. . To find out what district you live in call the League of Women Voters Community Information Center, 412-261-4284, Mon-Thurs 9-3pm.

VOTING IN A MUNICIPAL ELECTION To vote in this election you must have been registered by April 16,2018.

Your registration is permanent if •You did not change your address •You did not change your name IDENTIFICATION

UNITED STATES SENATOR (Vote for one) TERM: 6 years SALARY: $174,000 DUTIES: Congress, the legislative branch of the Federal government, is composed of two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. A majority vote of both houses is required to pass a law.

The Senate made up of two members from each of the 50 states also has the power to approve treaties and confirm presidential appointments. Terms are staggered with one-third of the membership up for election every two years.

DEMOCRATIC BOB CASEY, JR. MUNICIPALITY: SCRANTON COUNTY: LACKAWANNA QUESTIONS: No Response

REPUBLICAN JIM CHRISTIANA MUNICIPALITY: BRIGHTON COUNTY: BEAVER QUESTIONS: No Response

REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW VOTERS If you are a new voter or if you are voting at a polling place for the first time then you must bring your voter ID card or a photo ID such as a driver’s license, student ID or some other form of Federal or State government issued ID. Some forms of non-pho-

to ID are also acceptable such as a firearm permit, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government check. If you do not have any acceptable ID then you must be allowed to vote by provisional ballot.

PROVISIONAL BALLOTS If your right to vote is

LOU BARLETTA PARTY: Rep BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 128 Hazleton, PA 18201 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 570-501-8683 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: info@loubarletta.com DATE OF BIRTH: January 28 MUNICIPALITY: HAZLETON CITY COUNTY: LUZERNE WEBSITE: http://www.LouBarletta.com TWITTER: twitter.com/louforsenate FACEBOOK: http://Facebook.com/louforsenate EDUCATION: Attended Bloomsburg State College (Bloomsburg University) where I majored in elementary education.

QUALIFICATIONS: As a former small business owner, mayor of Hazleton, and member of Congress, I have a strong record of standing up and fighting for people in my community.

QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: My top three priorities are keeping Pennsylvania’s families safe, protecting Pennsylvania jobs, and standing up for the men and women who serve our communities.

More than anything, people want someone willing to fight for them, when no one else will. That’s what I have always done, and that’s why I’m running for the U.S. Senate.

Q: If elected, what will you do to ensure that the voting rights of all Americans are protected and that our elections

challenged at the polls on election day, and you are in the right polling place, and the problem cannot be resolved by the judge of elections, you have the right to ask for and vote by provisional ballot. If it is later determined that you were eligible to vote your ballot will be counted. You will be given instructions on how to determine if your vote was counted.

ABSENTEE VOTING Registered voters who are ill, disabled, or will be absent from the municipality on Election Day may vote by absentee ballot. Completed APPLICATIONS for absentee ballots must be received by the county Board of Elections by 5 P.M., Tuesday May 8. Completed absentee BALLOTS must be received back at the Elections Division by 5 P.M. on Friday May 11.

If an emergency arises (unexpected illness or business trip) after the Tuesday application deadline, call your county Elections Division for information on emergency absentee voting. Proof of emergency may be required.

An emergency application and ballot can be obtained and voted by 5 P.M. on Friday, May 11.

Any disabled voter having questions regarding the accessibility of a polling place should consult the county Board of Elections.

WRITE-IN VOTING For write-in voting information; check with the workers at your polling place before entering the voting booth.

PRISONERS’ RIGHTS You are eligible to vote if you are awaiting trial.

If you are a prisoner in Pennsylvania, you are eligible to vote if •You were convicted of a misdemeanor.

•You are registered properly.

•You have obtained an absentee ballot.

INTERNET VOTERS GUIDE This Voters Guide and other useful information for voters can be found on the League’s Homepage at http://lwvpgh.org and at vote411.o

are accessible and secure from internal and external threats?

A: Congress has a constitutional duty to preserve the integrity of our democracy and ensure that our elections are both free and fair. As a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, I have worked with my colleagues to make sure our voting systems are secure. I recently voted for increased funding for states to improve their election security, as well as LOU BARLETTA increased funding to counter Russian cyber attacks. I also spoke out against the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision to throw out Pennsylvania’s bipartisan, constitutionally-drawn congressional map in the middle of the election, creating chaos and confusion among voters.

Q: What steps will you take to ensure that the upcoming census is fully funded, accurate, and avoids under-counting?

A: The Census is important to provide legislators with accurate information to make informed policy decisions that are in the best interest of our country. I continue to support efforts to fund the Census and ensure that it accurately reflects our nation’s demographics.

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

VOTERS GUIDE 2018

GOVERNOR (Vote for One) TERM: 4 years SALARY: $194,850 The Governor of Pennsylvania is an elected constitutional officer, the head of the executive branch and the highest state office in Pennsylvania. The Governor is popularly elected every four years by a plurality and is limited to two consecutive terms.

DUTIES: The Governor, as the chief executive officer of the Commonwealth, administers the laws and manages the financial affairs of the state, has extensive appointive powers, and may approve or veto every bill passed by both houses of the General Assembly.

DEMOCRATIC TOM WOLF MUNICIPALITY: MT WOLF COUNTY: YORK QUESTIONS: No Response

REPUBLICAN Scott R Wagner MUNICIPALITY: SPRING GARDEN TOWNSHIP COUNTY: YORK QUESTIONS: No Response PAUL MANGO PARTY: Rep BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 3915 Union Deposit Road #449 Harrisburg, PA 17109 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 717-5502161 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: info@ mangoforpa.net DATE OF BIRTH: 2/1/1959 MUNICIPALITY: PINE TOWNSHIP COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://www.mangoPAUL MANGO forpa.com TWITTER: twitter.com/mangoforpa FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/MangoforPA/ EDUCATION: Distinguished Cadet, United States Military Academy, 1981; MBA, Harvard Business School, 1988 QUALIFICATIONS: Served as a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division; Successfully built a $500M global health care business during his nearly 30 year career at McKinsey and Company’s Pittsburgh office; Supported numerous Veteran-related causes in the community QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top 3 priorities in office?

A: 1. Bringing our jobs and children back to Pennsylvania by prioritizing job growth in all regions in the state. This includes reducing our obscene business tax structure that kills jobs, empowering counties to eliminate school property taxes and alleviating Harrisburg’s enormous regulatory burden and anti-business culture 2. Tackling the opioid epidemic more comprehensively by addressing the social and criminal aspects of the problem in addition to the criminal elements of the problem. I was the first candidate to call for a statewide emergency declaration nine months ago. We must go further to eliminate “diseases of despair” that lead to drug addiction 3. Reimagining our education system to

prioritize two outcomes: are our children competitive in a global economy and are they good citizens? This involves eliminating Harrisburg mandates and re-thinking standardized testing, bringing dignity back to the trades and vocational education, and tying programs to the needs of local employers Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: I support the model established in the state Constitution. Any proposed replacement process can be corrupted as easily as the existing process.

Elections have consequences and I believe that the Constitution was quite clear on the process for drawing districts. I believe the Supreme Court overstepped its bounds by changing the congressional districts in this instance.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: Voting is an essential element of our American democracy, and I support efforts to increase accessibility and confidence in our elections. There have been several proposals in other states that we should adopt in Pennsylvania. I support early voting, either in person or via no-excuse absentee voting. I also support requesting absentee ballots online. Finally, I would also advocate for continued federal funding for replacing voting machines that are approaching the end of their useful lives based on funding from 15 years ago.

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LT. GOVERNOR (Vote for One) TERM: 4 years SALARY: $163,700 DUTIES: The Lt. Governor, will be elected jointly with the Governor in the General Election. Candidates are nominated separately in the Primary. The Lt. Governor is President of the Senate, but has no vote except in case of a tie. In case of death, conviction or impeachment, failure to qualify, resignation, or other disability of the Governor, the powers, duties and salaries of the office are assumed by the Lt. Governor for the remainder of the term or until the disability is removed.

DEMOCRATIC KATHI COZZONE PARTY: Dem BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 1385 Exton, PA 19341 CAMPAIGN PHONE: (717) 850-6354 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: amf0501@ gmail.com DATE OF BIRTH: September 2 MUNICIPALITY: UWCHLAN TOWNSHIP COUNTY: CHESTER WEBSITE: http://www.cozzone- KATHI COZZONE forpa.com TWITTER: twitter.com/KathiCozzone FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/Commissioner-Kathi-Cozzone-for-Lieutenant-Governor-275272922538004/ EDUCATION: College of New Jersey - 1984 Qualifications: In addition to representing over 500,000 people as Chester County Commissioner for the past decade, I also I serve on two statewide advisory committees, and serve as First Vice President of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania.

QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top 3 priorities in office?

A: My top three priorities are criminal justice reform, workforce development, and pipeline infrastructure and safety.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Yes, the redistricting process should be a nonpartisan effort conducted by an independent commission.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: Early voting and same-day registration are important ways to increase voter turn out, and I support them, provided counties have a say in how these measures enacted, so the cost is not onerous to counties, and subsequently to property tax payers.

LAURA ELLSWORTH PARTY: Rep BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 605 Beaver Street Sewickley, PA 15432 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: info@ellsworth2018.com DATE OF BIRTH: August 13, 1958 MUNICIPALITY: OHIO TOWNSHIP COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://ellsworth2018. com TWITTER: twitter.com/LauraforPA LAURA FACEBOOK: http://LauraforPA ELLSWORTH EDUCATION: University of Pittsburgh, J.D. magna cum laude 1983. Princeton University, B.A., 1980 QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top 3 priorities in office?

A: Jobs/economic development; education/workforce; restoring financial integrity (e.g. No Budget No Pay; fiscal transparency) Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: I have long supported the creation of a bipartisan citizen commission, because districts should be drawn to protect the value of citizens’ votes, not the self-interest of politicians.

JOHN FETTERMAN Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day Party: Dem voter registration, additional funding for voting tech- BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: nology upgrades) would you support to ensure that MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box F Braddock , PA 15104 our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I support the development of Cybersecurity stan- CAMPAIGN PHONE: 8045195233 dards; simplification of absentee/early voting; and up- CAMPAIGN EMAIL: hello@johnfetterman.com DATE OF BIRTH: August 15th, 1969 dates of technology to enhance verification of results.

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MUNICIPALITY: BRADDOCK COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://www.johnfetterman.com TWITTER: twitter.com/JohnFetterman FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/JohnFettermanPA EDUCATION: Albright College 1991 Harvard University Masters JOHN FETTERMAN in Public Policy 1999 QUALIFICATIONS: Mayor of Braddock for 13 yrs - drastically reduced food and clothing insecurity eliminated heat insecurity this year - successfully implemented community policing model Founder of Braddock Redux Director for Out-Of-School Youth Progra QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top 3 priorities in office?

A: I will be a progressive backstop for the Governor, advocate for economic justice and our forgotten communities in Pennsylvania, and utilize and transform the office of the Lt Governor to its fullest potential.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Congressional and legislative districts should be drawn to ensure that candidates and elected officials are held accountable by voters. Boundaries should protect the interests of all voters and protect voting rights, and should not show preference to one political affiliation. We recently had a huge win with redistricting in Pennsylvania. I would certainly support formalized citizen input for a more fair and unbiased redistricting process.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I support any reform that gets more people to turn out to vote, and makes voting easier. In addition to the above measures I think we should make Election Day a holiday and get more working people to the polls.

MIKE STACK PARTY: Dem BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: CAMPAIGN PHONE: 412-3520317 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: martymarks75@gmail.com DATE OF BIRTH: June 5, 1963 MUNICIPALITY: PHILADELPHIA COUNTY: PHILADELPHIA WEBSITE: http://www.stackforMIKE STACK pa.com EDUCATION: LaSalle College HS LaSalle College Villanova University Law School QUALIFICATIONS: 14 years Senator from NE Philadelphia 3 years Lieutenant Governor QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top 3 priorities in office?

A: Reforming our criminal justice system to make the pardons process more accessible for lay people and to reignite the commutation process to end death by incarceration. Expanding the Lieutenant Governor’s Veterans Task Force to include experts from all corners of the commonwealth and ensuring that every veteran in every county has access to a specialized Veterans Treatment Court. Ending partisan gerrymandering.

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Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Yes. I was a defendant in the League of Women Voters lawsuit, but I instructed my attorney not to seek removal from the case, but to help expose the secretive partisan process that produced the 2011 maps. At a fraction of the cost of the other defendants, we were successful in showing the court the partisan nature of the maps and producing our own map for the court’s review. We must build in this success to reform the state legislative map-making process. It is highly suspicious that all statewide officeholders are Democrats but the Senate is two-thirds Republican.

The current system is not working.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I support all of these reforms as well as the Governor’s mandate that any future voting machines have paper back-up.

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

NINA AHMAD

PARTY: Dem BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 836 South Street Philadelphia, PA 19147 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 2153754441 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: info@ninaforpa.com Date of Birth: 12/28/1958 MUNICIPALITY: PHILADELPHIA COUNTY: PHILADELPHIA WEBSITE: http://ninaforpa.com TWITTER: twitter.com/NinaAhNINA AHMAD madPHL FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/NinaforPA EDUCATION: PhD in Chemistry from University of Pennsylvania QUALIFICATIONS: Former Deputy Mayor of Public Engagement of the City of Philadelphia, Former President of National Organization for Women--Philadelphia Chapter, Member of President Obama’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top 3 priorities in office?

A: (1) Governor Wolf has already expanded access to healthcare, moving the needle from 14% of Pennsylvanians uninsured to 10%. I want to bring that number down to zero. I believe that healthcare is a fundamental human right. (2) I will make sure that every child, regardless of the zip code they live in, has access to quality public education. This can happen through increased funding and legislative accountability. (3) I will fight mass incarceration and work with the legislature to make clemency easier to achieve, as well as end the Board of Pardons’ three-year backlog.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Absolutely. Partisan legislators have long abused their redistricting power to silence poor and minority voters. Pennsylvania should form an independent redistricting commission that not only allows but encourages everyone to get involved, and most importantly, we need to actually approve and implement fair maps.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: There are so many things we can do as a state to increase voter turnout and ensure that every Pennsylvanian feels involved in the democratic process. I fully support no-excuse absentee voting, as well as online absentee voting applications. I also support early voting, same day voter registration, open primaries, and funding for voting technology upgrades.

Additionally, I believe election day should be a state holiday, and would advocate for legislation prohibiting employers from punishing employees who leave work to vote. Voting is the most fundamental building block of democracy, and it must never be restricted.

RAY SOSA PARTY: Dem BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 213 Wyncote, PA 19095 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 215.534.4941 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: ray@ raysosa4pa.com DATE OF BIRTH: 08/16/1966 MUNICIPALITY: CHELTENHAM TOWNSHIP RAY SOSA COUNTY: MONTGOMERY WEBSITE: http://raysosa4pa.com TWITTER: twitter.com/raysosa4pa EDUCATION: BS in Bus. Administration. Marketing minor. Insurance lic. in Life, Accident, Health AND ANNUITIES. QUALIFICATIONS: Ray was appointed by three Governors providing legislative support and coordinating Emergency Management Response and was Chairman of the Governor’s Human Rights Advocacy Committee for ten years.

QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top 3 priorities in office?

A: 1) Advocate for compulsory education for our prisoners and post prison opportunities. 2) Establish a permanent and reliable funding formula for our schools that protects our homeowners. Provide a safe environment for children in our schools. 3) Help for the farming community through fair taxation, infrastructure, broadband and subsidies to give our farmers the upper hand.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: I do support reforming our congressional and legislative process. It must have non partisan civilian oversight to make sure districts are drawn fairly.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as REPUBLICAN no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day KATHY CODER voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that PARTY: Rep BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I would support additional funding for voting MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 4181 Pittsburgh, technology upgrades. I would also support early PA 15202 voting and same day voting registration. I however CAMPAIGN PHONE: 412-716-0445 consider no-excuse absentee voting risky and it ex- CAMPAIGN EMAIL: info@electkathycoder.com or kacoder@inta-great.com poses our system to fraud.

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DATE OF BIRTH: 08/20/1962 DATE OF BIRTH: 9/21/59 MUNICIPALITY: NOTTINGMUNICIPALITY: Bellevue HAM TOWNSHIP COUNTY: ALLEGHENY COUNTY: WASHINGTON WEBSITE: http://www.electWEBSITE: http://dianaforpa.com kathycoder.com TWITTER: twitter.com/DiFACEBOOK: http://www.faceanaforPA bok.com/kathyCODERVOICEFACEBOOK: http://www.faceFORPA book.com/dianaforpa/ EDUCATION: MSOL Geneva EDUCATION: West Virginia College BA Communications/BS KATHY CODER DIANA IREY Business College Business Edinboro University VAUGHN QUALIFICATIONS: For the last 18 years I have QUALIFICATIONS: Washingowned a business where I help organizations develop ton County Commissioner for 23 years, with a strong leaders, create change, and get results. I have been record of fiscal responsibility, and outcome-based a local elected official for the last nine years where requirements for all government programs. WashI have used good leadership practices to get results. ington County has low taxes, economic growth, a healthy pension fund and a AA S&P bond rating.

QUESTIONS: QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top 3 priorities in office?

A: 1. Leadership- Based on my experience, I will Q: What are your top 3 priorities in office? implement good leadership practices to this office A: -Bringing our jobs and children back to Pennand work with the Governor to set a culture of coop- sylvania by increasing the economic fortunes for all eration and results. We need to bring alignment at people, in all regions in the state. This includes; crethe top through creating a clear mission, vision, and ating a corporate tax structure that is encouraging, plan while setting goals and a budget to accomplish not discouraging, empowering counties to eliminate the vision. 2. Accountability-This office is loosely de- school property taxes and alleviating Harrisburg’s fined and highest paid in the Country. I believe the enormous regulatory burden and anti-business people of PA should be able to see what the Lt. Gov culture. -Tackle the opioid epidemic by taking a is accomplishing. I would create a clear set of goals comprehensive approach that acts swiftly and comand share them with the public to have transpar- passionately by going after suppliers of the drugs, ency. 3. Attract new businesses and work with local improving treatment, and reinstating mandatory governments. I would use my business development minimum sentences for dealers. -Criminal aliens background to work with the Dept. of Economic De- are going unpunished by fleeing to sanctuary cities. velopment to recruit new businesses to PA. Using One of my priorities will be to end sanctuary cities my local government experience I would help cre- in Pennsylvania. If you commit a crime you should ate programs to align and help municipalities save be punished, illegal aliens shouldn’t be given special treatment by the law when legal citizens are not. money and use resources more effectively.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an in- legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why dependent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not? or why not?

A: Yes- I believe there needs to be accountability A: I support the model established in the state conin place to make this a non-political process. A truly stitution. Elections have consequences; however, I independent commission that would have nothing to believe the Supreme Court overstepped its bounds gain from the process, but to look at the redistricting by changing the congressional districts. from a logical, unbiased, fresh perspective. The chal- Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as lenge would be the process of appointing these people no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day to the commission. As we know from past practices, voter registration, additional funding for voting techthese commissions end up being highly political and nology upgrades) would you support to ensure that appointed by politicians with much to lose or gain. our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as A: Voting is an essential element of our American deno-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day mocracy. Some voting reforms and modernization provoter registration, additional funding for voting tech- posals I support include: * Early Voting - 2 week period nology upgrades) would you support to ensure that prior to Election Day ending the week before Election Day for voters who will be out of town on Election Day, our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I am in favor of looking at ways to modernize vot- or those just wishing to vote early. * No Excuse Abing around better technology. I think our State would sentee Voting - It would eliminate the requirement of have to research the best technology and practices that voting in person on Election Day if your plans changed are most secure and efficient. I’m not sure our current and it would eliminate sending voted absentee ballots system is the most effective way to make voting acces- to the polls for poll workers to ‘void’ if voter voted in sible and accurate. Also, there needs to be better train- person. Sending the voted absentee ballots to polls ing for the judge of elections, local election boards, and can result in lost ballots because of poll worker error. election workers. I have seen many inconsistencies. * Submit requests for Absentee Voting online via the I would like to study States who are currently using votespa.com web site. I also support funding for upsome of the other reforms to see if it’s working and graded voting machines that ensure the accuracy, selearn from their successes and mistakes. Without see- curity and reliable verification of votes cast. ing how it is working it is hard for me to make a hard decision on early voting, same day registration, etc.

JEFF BARTOS MUNICIPALITY: LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP DIANA IREY VAUGHAN COUNTY: MONTGOMERY PARTY: Rep QUESTIONS: No Response BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 146 Dyers Stone Drive PEG LUKSIK Eighty Four, PA 15330 MUNICIPALITY: BROWNSTOWN CAMPAIGN PHONE: 724-260-0583 COUNTY: CAMBRIA CAMPAIGN EMAIL: Diana@irey.com QUESTIONS: No Response

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U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (Vote for One) TERM 2 years SALARY $174,000 The U.S. Constitution requires that the House of Representative be composed of elected Representatives (also called Congressmen or Congresswomen) from each State. There are 435 members of the House of Representatives. The number of Representatives from each state is proportioned according to its population, with 18 Representatives from Pennsylvania. A US Representative must (1) be at least twenty-five years old, (2) have been a citizen of the United States for the past seven years, and (3) be (at the time of the election) an inhabitant of the state they represent. A Representative’s term of office is 2 years.

The House of Representatives is responsible for creating the budget and initiating bills to collect taxes and other money, although all bills must pass the Senate and be signed by the President. The House is also responsible for impeaching federal officials (the Senate then tries the case) and electing the President if there is a tie in the Electoral College.

17th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC CONOR LAMB PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MUNICIPALITY: MT. LEBANON COUNTY: ALLEGHENY QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: - My top three priorities in Congress will be to preserve and protect Social Security, Medicare, and affordCONOR LAMB able health care; to push for an infrastructure bill will create good jobs and repair our aging roads, bridges and locks and dams; and to take action to combat the heroin epidemic.

Q: If elected, what will you do to ensure that the voting rights of all Americans are protected and that our elections are accessible and secure from internal and external threats?

A: - The right to vote is the foundation of our entire democracy. I will support efforts to ensure that all eligible Americans are free to exercise their right to vote, and I will support efforts to ensure that our elections are secure. We all know that a foreign country sought to interfere in our last election and we have every reason to believe they will try to interfere in our upcoming elections, yet Congress has done little to address this threat. That’s unacceptable.Q: What steps will you take to ensure that the upcoming census is fully funded, accurate, and avoids under-counting?

A: - The Census is too important to be affected by partisan politics. We need a fully-funded, professionally operated Census in 2020 in order to ensure that people are accurately counted and receive proper representation. I will oppose any attempts to underfund or otherwise undermine the integrity of the Census.-

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RAY LINSENMAYER PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 512 Wexford, PA 15090 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 412-4650208 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: info@rayforpa.com DATE OF BIRTH: March 4, 1968 MUNICIPALITY: MCCAND- RAY LINSENMAYER LESS COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://www.rayforpa.com TWITTER: twitter.com/rayforpa17 FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/rayforpa/ Education: Duquesne University, BA; Fletcher School, Tufts University, Masters in International Business QUALIFICATIONS: 20 years business experience; Finance professional - worked at the Pentagon and financed solar and wind projects on Army bases for national security; Significant infrastructure finance experience; Founded North Pittsburgh Democratic Volunteer Corps QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: 1. Bring good jobs back to southwestern Pennsylvania 2. Protect voter rights and end gerrymandering 3. Fight for and protect women’s rights and choice Q: If elected, what will you do to ensure that the voting rights of all Americans are protected and that our elections are accessible and secure from internal and external threats?

A: Ray will sponsor and/or support legislation to enact national automatic voter registration. Ray will also support any sanctions against Russia for their meddling in the 2016 elections and any funding for intelligence agencies to beef up our country’s infrastructure and security procedures for elections. Ray supports creating a fair and independent commission here in Pennsylvania to draw districts, stop politicians from choosing their voters and and end gerrymandering, similar to what Fair Districts is promoting. Ray supports mandating paper ballots to validate electronic voting machines. He also supports early voting and enhanced absentee voting.

Q: What steps will you take to ensure that the upcoming census is fully funded, accurate, and avoids under-counting?

A: Ray will support the current court cases that attempt to get the citizenship question removed from the census. We should also use statistical modeling to calculate the population size in underrepresented communities. Ray will make sure that the census is more independent from the White House. Ray will also support incarcerated people being counted at their home address instead of the prison where they are held. This will give a more accurate representation to over-incarcerated populations.

REPUBLICAN KEITH ROTHFUS MUNICIPALITY: SEWICKLEY COUNTY: ALLEGHENY QUESTIONS: No Response

18th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC

JANIS C BROOKS PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: Box 414 N. Versailles, Pennsylvania 15137 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 412 6149231 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: drjcbrooks@gmail.com DATE OF BIRTH: 12-17-49 MUNICIPALITY: N. VERSAILLES COUNTY: ALLEGHENY JANIS C. BROOKS WEBSITE: http://www.drjcbrooks4congress.org Twitter: twitter.com/DrJanisCBrooks FACEBOOK: http://Janis C Brooks EDUCATION: University of Pittsburgh (GSPIA) Ph.D.; Univ of MD., MS Management; Clarion Univ., BS Sec. Education QUALIFICATIONS: Ph.D. in Public Policy Research & Analysis Extensive community service, academic,church and governmental experience.

Founded a non profit which assists at risk youth and senior citizens. I am a community advocate adDRESSING SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES. QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: To Contain And Stop The Opioid Epidemic As It Stands Currently In Our Communities. To Curtail Human Trafficking In Our Communities As It Is Situated Currently In The 18th Congressional District. Enhancing The Quality Of Life For Working Families, Seniors, Single Families, the Unemployed And Disabled In The 18th Congressional District.

Q: If elected, what will you do to ensure that the voting rights of all Americans are protected and that our elections are accessible and secure from internal and external threats?

A: I stand for the principal of free and fair elections. I would work with the Department of Homeland Security and their cyber security experts to set in place security measures and policies to ensure as much as humanly possible that our election process is free from any undue influences. I would further work with the FBI and State election authorities to form the necessary partnerships and policies to ensure this. Some citizens are fearful of the political machine and are reluctant to vote according to the way they desire. This same fear has been exhibited in signing petitions. I would ensure the rights of women to not only vote,but to participate without intimidation or fear. Equally, I would work with Congresswoman Swell Of Alabama in getting a Voting Act Bill resubmitted and passed in congress in the wake of the Shelby County vs.

Holder decision and the current bill being held in subcommittee by the Republican’s for approximately four years.

Q: What steps will you take to ensure that the upcoming census is fully funded, accurate, and avoids under-counting?

A: I will work with the entities involved to safeguard that our state and district retain all entitlements due it from the census, and that under counting is not a factor in the 18th Congressional District. I would ensure that the Commerce Department would hire additional census takers and staff to guarantee disenfranchised populations would not be excluded. I would support any legislation that would ensure that the Commerce Department would adequately fulfill their responsibilities.

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

MIKE DOYLE PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 17426 Pittsburgh, PA 15235 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 412.244.9101 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: mike@ mikedoyleforcongress.com DATE OF BIRTH: 8/05/53 MUNICIPALITY: FOREST HILLS MIKE DOYLE COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://www.house.gov/doyle TWITTER: twitter.com/USREPMIKEDOYLE FACEBOOK: http://usrepmikedoyle EDUCATION: Penn State University, BS 1975; Graduate, Leadership Pittsburgh QUALIFICATIONS: Lifelong Pittsburgh area resident; completing 12th term as Congressman; have served on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee since 2001; previously co-owner of small insurance agency; married over 40 years; 4 children.

QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: My top priority has always been creating jobs and strengthening our economy. As such, I have consistently supported federal education and job-training programs that prepare students for the more complicated and skill-oriented jobs of the future.

And I have been an advocate for more federal funding for scientific research and the development of new technologies. Another priority is increasing federal funding to repair and modernize our nation’s crumbling infrastructure. The repair backlog on our country’s roads, bridges, waterways, transit systems, and water and sewer facilities is well over $1 trillion. I have supported increased funding for such federal infrastructure programs throughout my service in Congress. Restoring net neutrality provisions that were rolled back by a recent FCC order is another priority of mine. I believe we must restore these provisions to protect and free and open internet and I have led the introduction of a bill in the House to overturn the FCC decision.

Q: If elected, what will you do to ensure that the voting rights of all Americans are protected and that our elections are accessible and secure from internal and external threats?

A: I believe making voting in elections safe, secure, and available to all Americans is imperative for our democracy. I am a co-sponsor of HR 12 which is known as the Voter Empowerment Act of 2017. This bill would go a long way to achieving this goal by enacting important measures such as requiring states to make online voter registration available and promote access to voting for people with disabilities. In addition, it would make it a federal crime to interfere with voter registration of any eligible person. This bill would also mandate the use of durable, verified paper ballots to prevent the possible hacking of voting machines by outside parties within the country or outside of it. I also support fully empowering the FBI and Justice Department to investigate and take all necessary steps to ensure no foreign government interferes with our election process. The integrity of our democracy depends upon our citizens knowing our elections are fair and secure.

Q: What steps will you take to ensure that the upcoming census is fully funded, accurate, and avoids under-counting?

A: One of the most important functions our federal government undertakes is our decennial national census. The results of the census determine allocation of federal funding, apportionment of congressional districts, and other vital designations so it is imperative

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that it be conducted in a comprehensive, effective, and impartial manner. I have always supported fully funding the census during my time in Congress and will continue to do so. Additionally, it is crucial that the census is as accurate as possible. Because of that I strongly oppose the recent Trump administration initiative that would add a citizenship question to the census. This could have a demonstrably negative effect on producing an accurate result. As such, earlier this year I signed onto a letter from many members of Congress to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross opposing the addition of a citizenship question on the upcoming census.

18th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT REPUBLICAN No Candidate Filed

SENATOR IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (Vote for One) TERM: 4 years SALARY: $87,200 DUTIES: The General Assembly is the legislative branch of the state government. It is composed of two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. A majority vote of both houses is necessary to pass a law. The Senate approves executive appointments while it is in session. Senators will be elected in even-numbered districts in 2018.

38th STATE SENATORIAL DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC LINDSEY WILLIAMS PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 97024 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15229 CAMPAIGN PHONE: (412) 407-7063 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: LindseyForPA@gmail.com DATE OF BIRTH: 8/27/83 MUNICIPALITY: WEST VIEW LINDSEY COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WILLIAMS WEBSITE: http://www.LINDSEYFORPA.COM TWITTER: twitter.com/LindseyForPA FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/LindseyForPA EDUCATION: B.A. Political Science & Sociology, Dickinson College J.D., Duquesne University School of Law QUALIFICATIONS: I was raised in a union family to fight for what’s right. After I was illegally fired from the National Whistleblowers Center for union organizing, I spent my career fighting for working families & public education. I want to continue that for SD 38.

QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: Priority 1: Fight for working families. This includes raising the minimum wage, protecting union rights, and expanding access to affordable healthcare. Priority 2: Invest in public education. Every child deserves a high-quality education from pre-k to post-secondary programs. Priority 3: Support small businesses.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an in-

dependent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Ultimately, I would like to see an amendment to the US Constitution that enshrines voter rights and eliminates partisan gerrymandering. In the short term, I support a nonpartisan commission to draw the state legislative and Congressional districts in Pennsylvania. Voters should pick their legislators, legislators should not pick their voters.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: Voting should be easy. There are obvious policy changes to improve the ability for people to vote, including early voting, no excuse absentee requests, pre-registration for 17-yr olds, and same day registration. Automatic voter registration for all those who use government services should be the standard. We also need to inform those who served time in prison and have a criminal record that they are eligible to vote and ensure that they are registered. Absentee ballot reform must be undertaken to reduce the opportunity of fraud. Other broader reforms, such as vote-by-mail should also be made available. DRE touchscreen machines used in most counties do not allow for meaningful recounts, are nearly impossible to audit, and are subject to being hacked fairly easily. Additional funding should be allocated to update these machines with paper ballots which are counted by an optical scan system. These paper ballots could be manually recounted and audited to verify the count accuracy.

STEPHANIE WALSH PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 11217 Pittsburgh, PA 15238 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 412-3393873 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: StephanieWalshPA@gmail.com DATE OF BIRTH: 9/19/1969 MUNICIPALITY: PITTSBURGH STEPHANIE COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WALSH WEBSITE: http://stephaniewalshpa.com TWITTER: twitter.com/S_WalshPA FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/StephanieWalsh4PA/ EDUCATION: BS, Environmental Conservation, University of NH; MEd, Secondary Education, UNH; MPP, Duke Univ QUALIFICATIONS: Environmental advocate; Former middle school science teacher; Almost 20 years’ experience working throughout state government with people on both sides of the aisle; Expertise in state budgeting & government efficiency; Proven problem-solver QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: Good Government & Fiscal Responsibility. As State Senator, I will work to: close corporate tax loopholes so our state can invest in our priorities; create a state budget that is fair, equitable, balanced, and on-time; and restore people’s faith in our democracy by increasing government transparency, instituting campaign finance reforms, ending gerrymandering, and making it easier to vote. Education. As State Senator, I will work to: restore funding to our public schools and fix our school funding formula to ensure school funding equity; and invest in higher education to prevent tuition increases and increase

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affordability and accessibility to all post-secondary education options. Public Health & Environmental Protection. As State Senator, I will work to: ensure that DEP has the resources it needs to adequately enforce our environmental regulations in order to our air, water, forests, and protect public health; end subsidies to fossil fuels; and invest in clean technology and jobs Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Our current redistricting system effectively allows our legislators to choose who will vote for them instead of enabling our citizens to choose who they want to vote for. The effect of our gerrymandered districts is extreme political polarization, voter disenfranchisement, and a loss in the public’s faith in their government and our democracy. States that have adopted independent citizen’s redistricting commissions have seen improvements in how competitive and representative their districts are. As State Senator, I will support SB 22 and HB 722, or similar bills that would establish an independent citizen’s redistricting commission.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: Our democracy works best when more people engage and have faith in it. Therefore, I support all of the modernization reforms listed to increase voter participation and election security. I also support Governor Wolf ’s proposal to allow automatic registration when people obtain a state driver’s license or sign up for a public service (unless they opt out).

I would also consider vote by mail for certain elections. At least 22 states allow certain elections to be conducted entirely by mail, and three hold all of their elections by mail. Effectively this system provides all registered voters the option to vote absentee. However, a vote-by-mail system does not preclude in-person voting: in Colorado, voters can vote by mail or cast a ballot in-person during early voting or on Election Day.

38th STATE SENATORIAL DISTRICT REPUBLICAN RANDY VULAKOVICH MUNICIPALITY: SHALER TOWNSHIP COUNTY: ALLEGHENY QUESTIONS: No Response JEREMY SHAFFER Party: REP BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 118 Berwyn Rd Pittsburgh, PA 15237 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 412-7080088 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: shaffer4pa@gmail.com DATE OF BIRTH: 4/10/1977 MUNICIPALITY: ROSS TOWNSHIP JEREMY SHAFFER COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://www.Shaffer4PA.com TWITTER: twitter.com/jeremyshafferpa FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/shaffer4pa/ EDUCATION: Ph.D. and Masters Electrical and Computer Engineering Carnegie Mellon B.S. Comp.

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Sci. Tulane Univ.

Qualifications: - Ross Township Commissioner (2 Terms) - President of Ross Board of Commissioners (2 years) - Successful Small Businessman - Northland Library Foundation Board - Past Elder and Deacon at Church - Volunteer youth sports coach see website for more QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: 1. Lowering taxes and regulations on the citizens and small businesses of Pennsylvania to create jobs and attract new businesses with a government that is run efficiently for taxpayers...not for big money special interests and bureaucrats in Harrisburg. 2. Eliminate waste and inefficiency in government which is costing taxpayers billions and make the tough decisions to pass a truly balanced budget for Pennsylvania. 3. Bring a voice to Harrisburg to protect the outstanding school districts of the 38th district to strengthen our educational system and protect district taxpayers from being forced to bail out failing and corrupt systems in other parts of the state that refuse to embrace reform.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: I could possibly support a non-partisan redistricting commission if put before the voters in a statewide election along with other reforms such as term limits and government employee pension reform to address the billions of dollars in debt that Pennsylvania now owes.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I will support measures that make sense for working families and oppose measures that encourage voter fraud and corrupt “machine” politics.

42nd STATE SENATORIAL DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC

dependent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Yes, I support reforming the process of redistricting in Pennsylvania. I am co-sponsor of several redistricting reform measures for both Congressional and state legislative districts including SB 22, SB 243, SB 464 and SB 767. I believe the latest situation with the state Supreme Court decision ruling that our current Congressional map was heavily gerrymandered and the fact that US federal courts agreed is proof that we need to change the way the process is done in order to create fair districts and honor the ideal of proper representation of Pennsylvania citizens.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I support no-excuse absentee ballots, same day voter registration, requiring a statement of voters’ rights in polling places and legislation to have PennDOT inform individuals who will be turning 18 of their ability to register to vote, giving employees the right to take a limited time off of work on election to ensure they are able to vote without consequence by their employer and early voting measures. In fact, I introduced SB 440 which would allow for early voting for up to two weeks prior to an election in Pennsylvania. I also support other reform measures such as campaign finance reform.

42nd STATE SENATORIAL DISTRICT REPUBLICAN No Candidate Filed

REPRESENTATIVE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (Vote for One) TERM: 2 years SALARY: $87,200 DUTIES: The General Assembly is the legislative branch of the state government. It is composed of two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. A majority vote of both houses is necessary to pass a law. Every law concerned with taxation must originate in the House of Representatives.

WAYNE D FONTANA PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 1309 Creedmoor Avenue Pittsburgh , 16th STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT PA 15226 Campaign Phone: 412-721-7558 DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN EMAIL: votefontana@gmail.com ROBERT F MATZIE DATE OF BIRTH: 03/12/1950 MUNICIPALITY: AMBRIDGE MUNICIPALITY: CITY OF COUNTY: BEAVER PITTSBURGH WAYNE D. FONTANA QUESTIONS: No Response COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://www.votefontana.com REPUBLICAN TWITTER: twitter.com/VoteFontana EDUCATION: Community College of Allegheny No Candidate Filed County Associate’s Degree in Business QUALIFICATIONS: Represented the 42nd Senatorial District in State Senate since 2005; Currently 19th STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT serve in leadership as Democratic Caucus Chair; Former member of Allegheny County Council, 1999 DEMOCRATIC through 2005 (Vice President); Realtor and real esAERION ANDREW ABNEY tate broker by profession PARTY: DEM QUESTIONS: BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: Jobs and Economic Development; Education; MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 99642 Pittsburgh , PA 15212 Healthcare Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and CAMPAIGN PHONE: 412-339-0201 legislative redistricting process to implement an in- CAMPAIGN EMAIL: voteaerion@gmail.com

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

DATE OF BIRTH: 5/23/1988 MUNICIPALITY: PITTSBURGH COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://www.voteaerionabney.com TWITTER: twitter.com/ TripleA2 FACEBOOK: http://www. facebook.com/AerionAndrewAbney EDUCATION: Bachelors Communications - University of Pittsburgh Masters Social AERION ANDREW Work - University of PittsABNEY burgh QUALIFICATIONS: Program Officer - POISE Foundation Former Committeeman 21st ward 4th district Community Organizer - founder of USSIE Summer Games community & police relations field day event QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: Education reform that creates more equitable funding for school districts and promotes a more ubiquitous access to quality education for all of our students. This includes support for universal pre-k programs so our youngest learners enter kindergarten socially, emotionally and cognitively prepared. Supporting anti-displacement strategies that can be integrated into policies, programs, & planning so that housing which is a basic need is affordable for our residents. As a social worker, I understand that we must strike a balance between the tensions of building place and building people at the same time. Enhancing opportunities for economic development that include workforce development training programs and connecting people to jobs that pay a livable wage. I want to move people beyond conversations and interest in a more diverse/inclusive workforce into actual commitments and invests into this becoming more of a reality.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Yes I support reevaluating the current process by which district maps are drawn and by whom they are drawn. We should not allow a biased process that allows legislators to determine who will vote for them by creating a district that serves their own agenda.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: Voting is essential to human development and we must stress the criticality of doing so the same way we talk about other issues that get high public visibility. We need to normalize voting in our society and work towards increasing voter turn out. I would support same day voting/registration in PA. I’d also like to make efforts towards modernizing our voting process by investing in technology upgrades to make the process more efficient. In the future if we can get to a place where secure mobile/online voting is possible I believe efforts such as this will compel more people to excercise their right to vote.

JAKE WHEATLEY MUNICIPALITY: PITTSBURGH COUNTY: ALLEGHENY QUESTIONS: No Response

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

QUALIFICATION I am a problem solver. I was a major contributor to 8 bills, 2 signed into law. I homeschooled my 5 children for 20 years. Prior to my homeschool career, I analyzed complex issues as a senior corporate technical strategist and independent consultant.

Q.What are your top three priorities in office?

A.Reducing taxes and regulations that constrain companies from coming into Pennsylvania and/or growing.

Reducing cost and increasing transparency of state government.

Social issues such as Heroin epidemic.

Q.Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A.Pennsylvania congressional and legislative district lines are drawn by two different processes. Both have elected official committee representation. The legislative committee is comprised of House majority and minority leaders, Senate majority and minority leaders and an independent chair, who does not hold public office. The congressional redistricting is worked on by State Government Committees in both House and Senate, majority and minority representation. Both congressional and legislative redistricting have public hearings. The congressional lines are approved by the governor. The legislative lines are approved by the State Supreme Court.

In spite of recent publicity over congressional redistricting, I see no reason to change the processes.

Q.Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A.We should ensure voting integrity. If the voting machines are not secure, we need to invest in voting technology. Voting is a right for citizens. If citizens are not able to vote, we need to improve accessibility.

If non-citizens are voting, we need to eliminate any confusion. I believe that we need to enact voter ID and expanded list of acceptable voter IDs. Although anecdotal stories can illustrate issues, data is needed to determine solutions. Additional studying of these issues is important before the best solutions can be determined.

BRADDOCK BOROUGH PROPOSED HOME RULE CHARTER GOVERNMENT STUDY COMMISSION SPECIAL ELECTION QUESTION

VOTERS GUIDE 2018

be to: 1. Study the form of government of the Borough of Braddock.

2. Compare it with other available forms under the laws of Pennsylvania.

3. Determine whether or not, in its judgement, the government of the municipality could be strengthened or made more clearly responsible or accountable to the people.

4. Determine whether its operation could become more economical or efficient under a changed form of government.

5. Hold one or more public hearings to generally provide for the widest possible public information and discussion respecting the purposes and progress of its work.

6. Report its findings and recommendations to the citizens of Braddock Borough.

The Government Study Commissioners members shall serve without compensation but will be reimbursed for any necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

CHARTIERS VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT ACT 1 REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION QUESTION Shall the Chartiers Valley School District increase its real estate property tax by an additional 1.0 mill above its Act 1 Index and permitted exceptions to increase school safety to include additional security staff, counselors, psychologists, assistant principals and equipment, to include additional security cameras, metal detectors, building door access and electronic gates?

MUNICIPALITY OF MONROEVILLE PROPOSED HOME RULE CHARTER AMENDMENT Shall a Government Study Commission SPECIAL ELECTION QUESTION #1 of seven members be elected to study the existing form of government of the municipality, to consider the advisability of Shall Article V. Ordinances and Resothe adoption of a home rule charter and, lutions, of the Monroeville Home Rule if advisable, to draft and to recommend a Charter be amended to require that proposed ordinances be advertised pursuant home rule charter? to the provisions of Pennsylvania law?

Explanation of Ballot Question If this question is approved by a majori- Explanation of Ballot Question #1 ty of those voting AND seven (7) Govern- If this question is approved by a mament Study Commissioners are elected, jority of those voting, Article V of the a Government Study Commission will be Monroeville Home Rule Charter shall be formed, whose functions and duties shall amended to require that proposed ordi-

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nances be published before consideration

by Monroeville Council, as required by Pennsylvania law. Currently, the Monroeville Home Rule Charter requires publication of ordinances after they have been adopted by Monroeville Council.

If approved, this amendment shall take effect upon the certification of the May 15, 2018 General Primary election results.

MUNICIPALITY OF MONROEVILLE PROPOSED HOME RULE CHARTER AMENDMENT SPECIAL ELECTION QUESTION #2 Shall Article XI. Budget and Fiscal Matters, of the Monroeville Home Rule Charter be amended to require that the fiscal year and powers and duties of the appointed auditor conform to Pennsylvania law and generally accepted accounting practices, reflect the advancement of banking technology, require that the Capital Improvement Program be adopted by ordinance, redefine the definition of “capital equipment” and change “orderly management” to “orderly growth”, as more fully described in Ordinance No. 2667?

Explanation of Ballot Question #2 If this question is approved by a majority of those voting, Section 1101 of the Monroeville Home Rule Charter shall be amended to require that the Monroeville fiscal year shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December of each year, as currently provided by Pennsylvania law.

Section 1111 of the Charter shall be amended to reflect the elimination of elected auditors, the current provisions of Pennsylvania law and the establishment of established accounting policies.

Section 1109 of the Charter shall be amended to change “data processing” to “electronic”, “machine” to “electronic” and “machines are” to “equipment is”.

Section 1110 of the Charter shall be amended to change “orderly growth” to “orderly management”, delete the requirement that capital equipment must have a useful life of more than two (2) years and require that the Capital Improvement Program be adopted by ordinance, rather than by resolution.

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

VOTERS GUIDE 2018

EBONY TAYLOR PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: P.O Box 71211 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 412-8480844 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: Friends2electEbonyTaylor@gmail.com MUNICIPALITY: PITTSBURGH EBONY TAYLOR COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://EBONY4D19.org FACEBOOK: http://Friends to Elect Ebony Taylor EDUCATION: Westinghouse High School BS Marketing from Cheyney University PA Health and Life Insurance License QUALIFICATIONS: Ebony is an activist turned candidate. She has worked in social service for many years, worked and volunteered for many progressive political campaigns. She is an independent insurance broker, and resides with her fiancé in the Mexican War Streets.

QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: My top three priorities are quality education, economic prosperity, and safety. Quality education means supplying teachers with materials that are true to fact, better training, a living wage, and support they need to mold young minds. I will support funding education including but not limited to early child development and post-secondary education programs that prepare our youth for the future. I have plans for an economy that works for all! I will be stern with employers about hiring from within the community, compromise on a severance tax, and continue the fight to make sure everyone pays their fair share. Safe neighborhoods are a vital part of every community. I will work with police towards a better relationship with the community and support common sense laws. I need all of us to buy into a vision of a better district! By organizing and participating in neighborhood cleanups to deter crime and promote neighborhood pride!

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: I support reforming congressional and legislative redistricting because I believe each voter should be represented and should have their vote count. Additionally, I believe that no matter who has political power districting should remain non-partisan. All districting should be done by independent citizen’s redistricting commission to assure fairness and transparency in determining who our leaders will be.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I support all of the mentioned voter modernization reforms. I understand the grave sacrifices that were made to reach the voter rights act, therefore, giving me the right to vote. The belief that elections should be accessible, efficient, and secure are ingrained in my outlook on this matter. They inspire me to fight to make sure voting is accessible, efficient, and secure for others.

REPUBLICAN No Candidate Filed

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and Tackling the Opioid Epidemic 20th STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why DEMOCRATIC or why not?

MIKE DEVINE A: I support an independent citizen’s redistricting PARTY: DEM commission. I am a co-sponsor of House Bill 722 BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: (Fair Districts) which would establish an IndepenMAILING ADDRESS: 4900 dent Redistricting Commission to provide a nonparHatfield st Pittsburgh, PA 15201 tisan process for redistricting.

CAMPAIGN PHONE: 412-680Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as 4505 no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day CAMPAIGN EMAIL: Info@ voter registration, additional funding for voting mikedevine2018.com technology upgrades) would you support to ensure DATE OF BIRTH: 5/22/59 that our elections are accessible, efficient, and seMUNICIPALITY: PITTScure?

BURGH A: I would support all of the reforms mentioned MIKE DEVINE COUNTY: ALLEGHENY above. I am a co-sponsor of several bills that would WEBSITE: http://Www.mikedevine2018.com make sure our elections are accessible, efficient and TWITTER: twitter.com/Mikedevine2018 secure. I believe we should be making it easier to FACEBOOK: http://Mikedevinestaterep vote instead of adding barriers. I also am supportive EDUCATION: Colleges: Kent state and Akron of automatic voter registration. university QUALIFICATIONS: Community organizer. Over REPUBLICAN a decade of community work with Lawrenceville No Candidate Filed United, Lawrenceville Corp., Main Streets committee, friends of Arsenal park. Lupus foundation, the midwife center and created Rant music festival, 21st STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT steel city Pizzafest.

QUESTIONS: DEMOCRATIC Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: Single payer health care Affordable housing DOM COSTA Clean air and water PARTY: DEM Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: legislative redistricting process to implement an in- MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 38306 Pittsburgh, dependent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why PA 15238 or why not?

CAMPAIGN EMAIL: domcostaA: Yes. It ensures fair elections and proper repre- 4staterep@gmail.com sentation of the people MUNICIPALITY: CITY OF Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as PITTSBURGH no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day COUNTY: ALLEGHENY voter registration, additional funding for voting tech- WEBSITE: http://domcosta4stanology upgrades) would you support to ensure that terep.com/ our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

TWITTER: twitter.com/domcosA: I support any positive reform. Voting is a right ta21 and should not be hindered in any way. Plain and FACEBOOK: http://www.faceDOM COSTA simple. book.com/domcosta4staterep EDUCATION: Allegheny County Police Academy Mon Yough Plumbing School: Master Plumber ADAM J RAVENSTAHL QUALIFICATIONS: -Former Small Business PARTY: DEM Owner -28 year career in law enforcement retirBIOGRAPHICAL INFO: ing as City of PGH. Chief of Police -State Rep. MAILING ADDRESS: 4455 2008-Present -Chairman, Allegheny County DeleHighridge Street Pittsburgh, PA gation -Chair, House Ethics Committee -Vice Chair, 15214 House Insurance Committee CAMPAIGN PHONE: 412-337QUESTIONS: 3407 Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

CAMPAIGN EMAIL: aravenA: Economic Development: Stimulating job growth, stahl@gmail.com promoting small business, and rebuilding our crumDATE OF BIRTH: 11/09/1984 bling infrastructure are the central tenets of my ecoMUNICIPALITY: PITTSADAM J. nomic vision. In 2017, I helped secure over $5 million BURGH - CITY OF PITTSRAVENSTAHL for investment initiatives in my district. Alongside BURGH development, I am committed to keeping organized COUNTY: ALLEGHENY labor strong, neighborhoods safe, and small business WEBSITE: http://adamravenstahl.com prosperous. Education: Public education and instrucTWITTER: twitter.com/adamravenstahl FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/adamra- tion in the trades are the primary mechanisms for economic advancement. I stand with students and venstahl EDUCATION: Robert Morris University - 2007 - teachers alike to promote equitable funding measures, initiatives to provide first-rate early child Business Management - magna cum laude QUALIFICATIONS: I have been a State Represen- education, resources for special education, and pathtative since 2010 and feel that I have done a good job. ways for exciting careers. Healthcare: My career has been about serving and protecting the communities QUESTIONS: I love. That includes advocating for both affordable Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: 1. Education Funding 2. Fighting for an Inclu- healthcare and public health measures. I have sposive Pennsylvania 3. Raising the Minimum Wage ken passionately to guarantee CHIP funding for our

10 APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2018

kids, protect seniors from elder abuse, and expand veterans’ benefits.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: As an elected official, I firmly believe in placing people above politics. Grandstanding for the sake of political expediency is unbecoming of anyone seeking a career in public service. I wholeheartedly support fair districts and the necessary measures to implement them because people deserve to know that their votes actually count for something. Fair districts hold elected officials accountable, promote governmental transparency, and take the needless political maneuvering out of the process. True public servants should embrace districts free of gerrymandering because it will force candidates to run on their record, vision, and character.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: In my five terms in the state legislature, I have demonstrated a zero tolerance policy when it comes to discriminatory practices. The mantra of ‘serve and protect’ doesn’t discount people based on some physical, intellectual, or emotional characteristic.

Community leaders stand up for everyone and protect their civil liberties, particularly voting rights. A cornerstone of my time in office has been disability advocacy, and I am appalled at targeted efforts to exclude individuals with disabilities from our democratic processes. I support measures such as automatic registration, funding for technology upgrades, early voting, and no-excuse absentee voting. Elected officials should welcome the opportunity to hear from more constituents.

SARA INNAMORATO PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 40393 Pittsburgh, PA 15201 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 412-4759457 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: info@ saraforpa.com DATE OF BIRTH: 04/24/86 MUNICIPALITY: PITTSSARA BURGH INNAMORATO COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://www.saraforpa.com TWITTER: twitter.com/innamo FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/saraforpa EDUCATION: Business Degree from the University of Pittsburgh (MAGNA CUM LAUDE) QUALIFICATIONS: Owner of Innamo Co, a communications and nonprofit consultant business. I work with organizations that are dedicated to serving the public with a people-first approach. I have helped organize community members doing good work to do even more of it.

QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: HEALTHY FAMILIES I will push Harrisburg to solve our healthcare crisis by any means necessary, including Medicare For All, and advocate for victims of the opioid epidemic with compassionate and comprehensive treatment. HEALTHY COMMUNITIES I will empower small businesses, fight to establish a living wage, defend public education, oppose cuts to vital environmental efforts that protect our air and water, and champion affordable housing legis-

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lation. HEALTHY GOVERNMENT I will demand financial integrity and transparency from our state government, propose laws to fight campaign finance corruption, and recruit more strong leaders across PA who reflect our diverse landscape.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Yes. For too long legislators have used voting rights and our democracy as a bargaining chip to serve their own interests. We experienced that last time both Republican and Democratic legislators voted in favor of a 2011 Congressional map which is arguable one of the most unfair maps drawn in modern day history, which Representative D. Costa voted in favor of*. I support an independent council, which would attempt to remove politics from drawing a fair district map. We must ensure that it is comprised of members who are representative of the state of Pennsylvania and remain free from political influence.

Source: House Votes for SB 1249 (12/20/2011) Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I fully support Governor Tom Wolf’s 21st century voting plan, which includes same-day registration, automatic voter registration and no-excuse absentee ballots. In addition, I believe that in order to make our democracy truly accessible, we need open primaries. To ensure our elections are secure, we need to update our voting machines, guarantee there is a paper trail and update the process for updating voter roles. One of the many reasons why we’ve seen decreased voter turnout over the years is because citizens have lost faith in their government due to lack of transparency. Investing in creating a more secure, efficient and accessible voting process is a massive step we can take to restore the public’s faith in our state government.

REPUBLICAN No Candidate Filed

23rd STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC DAN B FRANKEL PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 81594 Pittsburgh, PA 15217 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 610-3066198 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: marty@ mfstrategies.com DATE OF BIRTH: April 11, 1956 MUNICIPALITY: PITTS- DAN B. FRANKEL BURGH COUNTY: ALLEGHENY EDUCATION: The Pennington School (1974), Kenyon College, BA (1978) QUALIFICATIONS: State Representative, 1999 - Present Democratic Caucus Chairman (Current) QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: 1. Protect the fundamental civil rights of Pennsylvania men and women. Ensuring all Pennsylvanians are protected by law from discrimination, and violations of their ability to lead free, full lives. 2, Promote same reforms to the health care system that support full ac-

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

cess to health care for all Pennsylvanians, regardless of income, geographic location, gender or race; while making our system transparent and improving value.

3, Supporting measures that enhance public health and make our community’s safer. These include common sense gun safety reforms, for example, as well as those evidence-based measures that we know enhance health and well-being, like access to clean air and healthy food.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: I have co-sponsored legislation supporting a citizen’s redistricting commission for Pennsylvania. I am delighted by the energy around voting reform, and would like to see a broader community dialogue addressing questions of what Pennsylvanians believe would constitute “fair” districts, a word absent from our constitution but very present in the minds of reformers.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: Ensuring our election process is secure and fair is a critical responsibility of our government. I am in favor of no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration and funding voting technology upgrades for our counties. We would ensure that our system errs on the side of encouraging systems to participate in the political system, not disenfranchising voters. Missing from the above list, however, one of the more important election reforms - Campaign Finance.

REPUBLICAN No Candidate Filed

24th STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC EDWARD GAINEY MUNICIPALITY: PITTSBURGH COUNTY: ALLEGHENY QUESTIONS: No Response WILLIAM ANDERSON PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 7035 Chaucer st Pittsburgh, PA 15208 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 4126284199 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: Willworks4you@gmail.com DATE OF BIRTH: Sept 27,1972 MUNICIPALITY: PITTSBURGH WILLIAM COUNTY: ALLEGHENY NDERSON WEBSITE: http://Willworks4you.com TWITTER: twitter.com/Willworks4you1s FACEBOOK: http://William Anderson for STATE REPRESENTATIVE EDUCATION: 1991 Perry Traditional Academy 1991-1993 Penn State University QUALIFICATIONS: First African American male Elected Young Democrats of Pa .25 years working with Democratic National Committee, Pa State Committee and Allegheny County.Small business owner 25 years .Lobbied in Harrisburg and Washington Dc for resources for the dist QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

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A: To reduce gun violence Create job training programs and return rec centers so our youth have a place with structured activities at minimal to no cost. Fully funding All levels of education to close the pre school to prison pipeline.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Definitely. As co chair of Reaolutions committee for Fair Districts Pa Pittsburgh I am on the front lines.I fight for this because I believe that all our districts on every level should be drawn by independent commissions remove from party Partisanship which allows both parties to select the people who elect them rather than the people choosing who best represents them.

History has proven that this tainted system has fatally failed the people and is a stain on our Democracy .I believe that the people truly want districts that are drawn fairly to give them proper representation.Thats why I continue to fight with our partners to pass Sb22 and House bill 722 which will appoint an independent commissions to draw our districts.Unfortunatly because Democrats feel its their turn to Draw the lines many are not pushing this issue although the majority of the Constituents support this issue. I support the issue of fair and equitable redestricting done by an independent commission.NOW!!

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I support all of these and voter varifiable voteing machinces.As an active member of Common Cause and the Black Political Empowerment Project I have fought for all of these issue to make sure our most sacried freedom is secure,auditable and as easily accessible as possible. The only way you do that is one make the process to register to vote as simple as possible by simply showing photo id and proof of residence anytime including the day of the election this will give every qualified elector the chance to cast their vote, next we must have voteing machines that provide voter verifiable capabilities so that there is guarantee that the vote cast went to the correct candidate and insure the voting machines are purchased from a politically divested company to insure impurity. As an Eternal Optimist I would like to see the day where you could cast your ballot anywhere you are but until then we must elliminate excuse based absentee ballots because it is a barrier to alot of workers and parnt TODD ELLIOTT KOGER MUNICIPALITY: WILKINSBURG COUNTY: ALLEGHENY QUESTIONS: No Response

REPUBLICAN No Candidate Filed

25th STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC BRANDON J MARKOSEK MUNICIPALITY: MONROEVILLE COUNTY: ALLEGHENY QUESTIONS: No Response

REPUBLICAN STEVE SCHLAUCH MUNICIPALITY: PLUM BORO COUNTY: ALLEGHENY QUESTIONS: No Response

27th STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC DAN DEASY MUNICIPALITY: CITY OF PITTSBURGH COUNTY: ALLEGHENY QUESTIONS: No Response

REPUBLICAN No Candidate Filed

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why I strongly support modernizing how people vote.

If elected, I would vote in favor of early voting, expanded absentee voting, vote by mail, same-day voter registration, and automatic voter registration. In addition to making it easier to vote, we must guarantee that Pennsylvanians have confidence in their election. We must invest in technology to prevent hacking of our voting and voter registration systems, and every voting machine must provide a paper receipt to guarantee elections results are accurate.

REPUBLICAN

MIKE TURZAI PARTY: REP 28th STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box DEMOCRATIC 92 Harrisburg, PA 17108 CAMPAIGN PHONE: (412) EMILY SKOPOV 573-9326 PARTY: DEM CAMPAIGN EMAIL: elecBIOGRAPHICAL INFO: tion2018@miketurzai.com MAILING ADDRESS: 3000 VilDATE OF BIRTH:8/2/1959 lage Rd. Unit 103, #229 Wexford, MUNICIPALITY: MARSHALL PA 15090 TOWNSHIP CAMPAIGN PHONE: (724) MIKE TURZAI COUNTY: ALLEGHENY 241-8151 WEBSITE: www.pafightsback.

CAMPAIGN EMAIL: emily@ com electemily4pa.com TWITTER: @miketurzai DATE OF BIRTH: 10/16/1966 FACEBOOK: http://fightsback MUNICIPALITY: MARSHALL EMILY SKOPOV EDUCATION: University of Notre Dame, B.A., TOWNSHIP 1981; Duke University, J.D., 1987 COUNTY: ALLEGHENY OCCUPATION: Speaker of the House WEBSITE: http://electemily4pa.com QUALIFICATIONS: Pennsylvania Speaker of the TWITTER: twitter.com/eskopov16 House FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/ElectEmily4PA EDUCATION: Columbia University, BA, English QUESTIONS: No Response Literature UCLA, MA, Screenwriting QUALIFICATIONS: I founded and run No Cray- 30th STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT on Left Behind, a nonprofit that provides art supplies for academic and creative purposes to disadDEMOCRATIC vantaged youths and communities in need locally and globally.

KAREEM KANDIL QUESTIONS: PARTY: DEM Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: A: My top priority is to restore bipartisanship and MAILING ADDRESS: 81 Chapcooperation to state government, because the sta- el Ridge Pl Pittsburgh, PA 15238 tus quo has led to partisan gridlock, resulting in CAMPAIGN PHONE: delayed budgets and repeated credit downgrades. I 4125763544 am committed to ensuring that every child receives CAMPAIGN EMAIL: info@kaa quality education regardless of where they live or reemforpa.com their families’ economic circumstances. If elected, I DATE OF BIRTH: May 26, 1990 will work to bring down healthcare costs which will MUNICIPALITY: FOX CHAPallow more Pennsylvanians to obtain the insurance EL BOROUGH KAREEM KANDIL coverage they need to live healthy, vibrant lives.

COUNTY: ALLEGHENY Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and WEBSITE: http://kareemforpa.com legislative redistricting process to implement an in- TWITTER: twitter.com/kareemforpa dependent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/kareemforpa or why not?

Education: BS in Bioengineering - University of A: I support reforming our redistricting process Pittsburgh by creating a non-partisan, independent commis- he Pittsburgh Region Organized/Volunteered on both sion to guarantee that legislative and congressional local and national level political campaigns Work expedistricts are drawn in a fair, non-partisan manner. rience in public speaking/management heavy positions It is clear the process is broken, which is why the QUESTIONS: Pennsylvania Supreme Court nullified the badly Q: What are your top three priorities in office? gerrymandered congressional districts we previous- A: Universal Healthcare, specifically through a stately had. It is vital to our democracy that citizens get wide single payer system that covers all residents at to choose their elected representatives, rather than point of access. Heavy restrictions on fracking and othhave politicians in back rooms choose their voters to er environmentally damaging activity by the energy gain a partisan advantage. lobby in our state. There is a reason that these pracQ: Which voting modernization reforms (such as tices have been banned outright in so many countries no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day and even in other states - there is simply no safe way voter registration, additional funding for voting tech- to frack around people. It’s time we transition to clean, nology upgrades) would you support to ensure that renewable energy for the sake of our health and our our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure? economy. Increased workers rights and protections, A: We need to make voting easier, not hard. That is particularly for healthcare workers and educators who

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perform vital functions but are made to work in understaffed, under-compensated, and unsafe positions.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Yes. As it stands, gerrymandering ensures Republican control of the state and national legislatures even when Democrats win a substantial majority of the votes. But the solutions is not a partisan Democratic alternative. For the health of our democracy, we must ensure that the voting populace has meaningful choices and a chance to allow their voices to be heard at every election opportunity and the only way to ensure that in the long term is through an accountable, transparent, and citizen controlled redistricting process that prioritizes amplifying the power of democracy over the continued dominance of one party over another.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: Voting is a fundamental right guaranteed to all citizens and necessary for a functioning democracy.

Any and all avenues by which voting can be made more accessible must be pursued. As someone who has traveled relatively frequently in my adult life while residing in a state without no-excuse absentee voting, I am no stranger to the artificial difficulty imposed on those seeking absentee ballots in this state - so I support this measure to ensure that everyone who wants to participate in our democracy can do so. Similarly, early voting and same day voter registration work to maximize the ability of people to participate in the voting process - and I will support both. In addition, I support automatic voter registration for those who use government services, transitioning to open primaries, ranked-choice voting initiatives, and an open review process for vote counting/recounting to increase accessibility, auditability, and transparency in all our elections.

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cupational licensing laws to make it easier for qualified people to work in this commonwealth. When an EMT needs 150 hours of training but a barber needs 1250 hours, something is wrong. I will also work to increase reciprocity agreements with other states so if you are qualified to do your job and you move to PA, you can continue to do your work. Three: Reduce Healthcare Costs. One way to do this is to promote transparency in the system by providing citizens with easily accessible price and quality comparisons so they can make the best choice for themselves and their families.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Absolutely. Specifically, I would look to Arizona as the prime model for how to setup such a system.

Even among states with independent commissions, Arizona is fairly unique. Not only does Arizona require the commission to make districts that are compact and compliant with the voting rights act, it also requires the commission, when possible, to make as many competitive districts as possible. This is in contrast to California’s system which expressly prohibits considering any partisan data. However, I believe creating competitive districts should be a goal for a commission. The three swing districts that Arizona’s latest commission drew all have representatives that are among the most moderate in their party. Also, competitive districts force the representatives to stay close to his/her community; to work hard to maintain their support. This helps move politicians away from being a party member and towards being a true representative for his/her district.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: Pennsylvania has one of the most antiquated voting laws in the nation. We should do the following: Allow for no-excuse absentee voting Have at least two weeks of early voting Mail ballots to all registered voters Automatically register eligible voters Provide for Same day registration. We also must upgrade our voting machines.

Right now, almost all of Pennsylvania uses voting machines that have no paper record, auditable back-up. If the computer malfunctions, there is no way to get those votes back. We need machines that provide for an auditable, paper record to ensure the integrity of our elections.

Finally, our primary system must be reformed. It is not fair that only Democrats and Republicans get to vote in primary elections. At the very least, we should move to an Open Primary where all voters are allowed to vote, but the races remained separated by party. I, however, will push for the adoption of a Jungle primary where all candidates run together. That is the best system.

JACOB PAVLECIC PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 270 Gibsonia, PA 15044 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: info@ jpavlecic.com DATE OF BIRTH: June 1997 MUNICIPALITY: RICHLAND COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://www.jpavlecic. com TWITTER: twitter.com/JPav- JACOB PAVLECIC lecic FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/JPavlecic EDUCATION: Pine-Richland HS University of Pittsburgh (Expected April 18) BA Politics and Philosophy BETSY MONROE QUALIFICATIONS: Eagle Scout, Local Troop PARTY: DEM 150 Prepared to do the research and outreach nec- BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: essary to understand not only the issues, but how MAILING ADDRESS: 269 Kittanning Pike Pittsthe affect the people living in the 30th District of brgh, PA 15215 Pennsylvania.

CAMPAIGN PHONE: 412-652-5743 QUESTIONS: CAMPAIGN EMAIL: betsymonroecampaign@ Q: What are your top three priorities in office? gmail.com A: One: We need to close Pennsylvania’s structural DATE OF BIRTH: 5/5/1970 deficit. Pennsylvania services have been underfund- MUNICIPALITY: FOX CHAPEL ed and failed to get their appropriations on time due COUNTY: ALLEGHENY to this budget crisis. We need to eliminate excess in WEBSITE: http://www.BetsyMonroe.com the legislature by cutting per diem allowances and TWITTER: twitter.com/betsymonroe require basic accounting and work to find ways to FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/Betsycontinue to save money and adequately fund PA MonroePA/ programs. Two: I want to reform Pennsylvania’s oc- EDUCATION: Master’s in Health Administration

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and Master’s in Business Administration - University of Pittsburgh QUALIFICATIONS: As a healthcare analyst and supervisor, I’ve worked for more than a decade to make healthcare better and more affordable for 100,000 senior citizens across PA. And as a married mother of three, I understand what our working families need to succeed.

BETSY MONROE QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: 1. Politicians make promises to win elections, but once in office they don’t represent us. They instead represent lobbyists, party leaders, and corporations.

My first priority in office will be holding representatives accountable by ending gerrymandering and curtailing money in politics. 2. Our growing overdose epidemic is a healthcare problem, and we need to tackle it with treatment not just prison. I support harm reduction techniques including the distribution of naloxone, but preventing deaths through revival is not enough.

We must guarantee that every individual affected by addiction has access to long-term medical treatment.

3. Harrisburg has sold us out to fossil fuel lobbyists and polluters who value their profits over our health.

I support bringing our environmental protections up to par with other states by improving regulation and enforcing regular safety inspections of fracking sites.

We must also guarantee access to lead-free water for all students in their local schools.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Yes. When politicians don’t have to listen to their voters, we get what we have today: gridlock, hyperpartisanship, and an ineffective legislature. It’s frustrating that representatives in Harrisburg listen more to the wants of Harrisburg lobbyists than to the needs of working families like mine. Gerrymandering removes political accountability, and it’s time for that to change because elected representatives should work for their communities, not their donors.

I strongly support Fair Districts PA’s legislation to end political gerrymandering once and for all, and an independent citizen’s redistricting commission is necessary to stop both Republicans and Democrats from enacting partisan gerrymanders. An independent commission that draws our legislative and congressional districts through a nonpartisan, transparent process will make sure that every vote counts, not just those of megadonors and party leaders.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: Allegheny County purchased its 4,700 electronic voting machines in 2006 before the first iPhone came out.

These machines are still in use today, and just like any outdated technology, cybersecurity experts have shown that these obsolete systems are vulnerable to cyberattacks and malfunctions. Even so, local officials have failed to invest in secure and verifiable voting systems which include a paper record. That’s unacceptable, and I support protecting our elections by updating our machines.

We should also update our voter registration deadlines to take advantage of modern registration systems. With instantaneous voter registration available online, voters should be able to register anytime and anywhere, including at their polling place. But the polling place on election day shouldn’t be the only way for voters to exercise

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their right. We should reform our burdensome absentee voting regulations so that any resident can vote at the time and place most convenient for them.

REPUBLICAN HAL ENGLISH MUNICIPALITY: HAMPTON TOWNSHIP COUNTY: ALLEGHENY QUESTIONS: No Response

32nd STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC ERIN VECCHIO MUNICIPALITY: PENN HILLS COUNTY: ALLEGHENY QUESTIONS: No Response ANTHONY M DeLUCA PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 1438 Homestead Road Verona, Pennsylvania 15147 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 412-7938561 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: repdeluca32@yahoo.com DATE OF BIRTH: 1937 MUNICIPALITY: PENN HILLS ANTHONY COUNTY: ALLEGHENY DeLUCA EDUCATION: Westinghouse High School, Community College of Allegheny County QUALIFICATIONS: State Representative, 1983 Present, Penn Hills Deputy Mayor, 1976-1980 QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: 1. Economic development and local job creation.

2. Enabling greater transparency in prescription drug pricing to help lower consumer costs. 3.

Pre-employment drug screening for all school employees.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Yes, I support an independent citizen’s redistricting commission here in the Commonwealth.

Having an independent redistricting commission would eliminate both Republican and Democratic gerrymandering of both congressional and legislative districts. Elimination of gerrymandering would ensure each citizen’s vote counts equally.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I have been a dedicated advocate for voting modernization in the Commonwealth. During this term, two of my bills directly relate to voting modernization. House Bills 945 and 946 would ensure that all eligible citizens can vote and it is easy for them to do so. This would be accomplished by allowing same day voter registration and allowing for early voting. We should be making it easier for people to participate in their government, not more difficult.

REPUBLICAN No Candidate Filed

23rd STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC FRANK DERMODY PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 274 Tarentum, PA 15084 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 724 224 4408 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: frank@ frankdermody.com DATE OF BIRTH: 5/29/1951 MUNICIPALITY: OAKMONT BOROUGH FRANK DERMODY COUNTY: ALLEGHENY EDUCATION: Columbia University, N.Y., B.A.,History 1973 Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington, J.D.1982 QUALIFICATIONS: Former Assistant District Attorney, Allegheny County Former District Justice, Oakmont and Verona Former Legal Advisor, Allegheny County District Justices Chairman, Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: Making sure Pennsylvania has good family sustaining jobs and that our schools are safe and teachers have the support and resources they need to teach and train students to fill jobs. Making sure our state’s tax policy becomes fairer. Pennsylvania’s working men and women shouldn’t pay more taxes so that corporations can pay less. Fair tax policies move the economy forward which benefits everyone. Making sure we fully support those who have fought and worked for us - our veterans and our seniors. Our veterans put their lives on the line to defend us and keep us safe. We must make sure when they return home they receive the support they deserve. Our seniors who worked hard their whole lives need to be secure in their retirement with affordable access to the health care and prescription drugs they need.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Our congressional and legislative redistricting processes must be fair and transparent and when voters go to the polls our democracy works best if they have meaningful choices among candidates on the ballot.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Our congressional and legislative redistricting processes must be fair and transparent and when voters go to the polls our democracy works best if they have meaningful choices among candidates on the ballot.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I support all the voting modernization reforms listed here. Our laws need to guarantee every citizen’s right to vote and that our elections are fair, transparent and secure. These reforms all work to achieve that goal and that is why I support them.

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REPUBLICAN JOSHUA R NULPH MUNICIPALITY: HARRISON TOWNSHIP COUNTY: ALLEGHENY QUESTIONS: No Response

34th STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC SUMMER LEE PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 2233 Woodstock Ave Swissvale, Pennsylvania 15218 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 412-3468148 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: info@ summerforpa.com DATE OF BIRTH: November 26, 1988 SUMMER LEE MUNICIPALITY: SWISSVALE COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://summerforpa.com TWITTER: twitter.com/summerforpa FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/summerforpa EDUCATION: Woodland Hills High School (2005), Penn State (2009), Howard University School of Law (2015) QUALIFICATIONS: Organized the successful effort to transform the Woodland Hills School Board through a write-in campaign. Organized fast food workers in Allegheny County. Worked as a field organizer with the PA Democratic Party. Law degree from Howard University.

QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: -Free, high-quality public education for all, pre-kindergarten through college -Clean air and clean water - including implementing a fracking moratorium and fully funding the Department of Environmental Protection -Criminal and juvenile justice reform, particularly dismantling the schoolto-prison pipeline and “decarcerating” Pennsylvania Our communities are faced with under-resourced schools and a dearth of employment opportunities.

Without access to high-quality free education for all, without access to decent employment, without access to healthcare, our communities and our children will continue to be left behind. Too often, those are are left behind find themselves caught up in a justice system that was built to punish rather than rehabilitate; that drains resources which could be going toward solving the pressing problems faced by our communities.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: I do. Gerrymandering has effectively disenfranchised millions of people across this country, whose votes have been thoroughly neutered through “creative” districting. While the lawsuit that resulted in the new Congressional districts is certainly progress, we have not solved the fundamental issue.

The next redistricting, if it proceeds along the same lines as the old, will create the same problems. On top of this, the lawsuit has not fixed our legislative districts. My district, for example, is conspicuously drawn to exclude black voters in Hazelwood - who are lumped in with residents of the Hill District, the North Side, and the Hilltop. Gerrymandering is not simply a partisan issue. It disenfranchises voters

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If approved, this amendment shall take with the requirements of Pennsylvania effect upon the certification of the May law, rather than those provided in the 15, 2018 General Primary election re- Monroeville Home Rule Charter?

Explanation of Ballot Question #5 sults.

If this question is approved by a majority of those voting, Article XX of the MUNICIPALITY OF Monroeville Home Rule Charter shall MONROEVILLE be amended to require that a Civil SerPROPOSED HOME RULE vice Commission be created and function CHARTER AMENDMENT pursuant to Pennsylvania Law. SPECIAL ELECTION If approved, this amendment shall QUESTION #4 take effect upon certification of the May Shall Article XVIII. Boards, Commis- 15, 2018 General Primary election resions and Authorities, of the Monro- sults. eville Home Rule Charter be amended WEST DEER TOWNSHIP to permit notice of vacancies to be given PROPOSED HOME RULE through social media instead of by newsCHARTER AMENDMENT paper advertisement and reduce the SPECIAL ELECTION number of members of the Recreation QUESTION #1 and Parks Advisory Board from eleven (11) to eight (8)?

Shall Section Article III of the West Deer Explanation of Ballot Question #4 If this question is approved by a major- Township Home Rule Charter be amendity of those voting, Section 1804 of the ed to reduce the number of Township SuMonroeville Home Rule Charter will be pervisors from seven to five members, amended to remove the requirement that and to establish four representative disnotice by advertisement in a newspaper tricts with one at-large position, effective of general circulation must be given for the first day of January 2020, as more a vacancy in any Board, Commission or fully described in West Deer Ordinance Authority and provide that notice for a No. 419?

Explanation of Ballot Question #1 vacancy be by “public notice”.

Section 1809 of the Charter will be If this question is approved by a majoriamended to reduce the number of mem- ty of those voting AND receives the highbers of the Recreation and Parks Advi- est number of “YES” votes, the number sory Board from eleven (11) to eight (8) of West Deer Township Supervisors shall and provide that it consist of one (1) resi- be reduced from seven (7) to five (5), four dent to be appointed from each ward and (4) to be elected by district and one (1) to one Member of Council. A ward vacancy be elected at-large. consisting of greater than six (6) months The Township Supervisor districts shall may be filled by the appointment of a be established pursuant to Pennsylvania law. resident from another ward.

During the 2019 election year, two (2) If approved, this amendment shall take effect upon the certification of the May Supervisors shall be elected, one each 15, 2018 General Primary election re- in Districts One and Three. The three (3) Supervisors presently in office shall sults. serve until the expiration of their terms as Supervisors at-large.

During the 2021 election year, three (3) MUNICIPALITY OF Supervisors shall be elected, one (1) atMONROEVILLE large and one (1) each in Districts Two PROPOSED HOME RULE and Four. Thereafter, all Township SuCHARTER AMENDMENT pervisors elected shall serve the stanSPECIAL ELECTION dard four year term.

QUESTION #5 Shall Article XX. Transition, of the Monroeville Home Rule Charter be amended to require that the Monroeville Civil Service Commission be adopted to comply

WEST DEER TOWNSHIP PROPOSED HOME RULE CHARTER AMENDMENT

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

SPECIAL ELECTION QUESTION #2 Shall Article III of the West Deer Township Home Rule Charter be amended to reduce the number of at-large Township Supervisors from seven to five members, effective the first day of January 2020, as more fully described in West Deer Ordinance No. 419?

Explanation of Ballot Question #2 If this question is approved by a majority of those voting AND receives the highest number of YES votes, the number of West Deer Township Supervisors shall be reduced from seven (7) to five (5). The election schedule to reduce the number of Township Supervisors shall be established pursuant to Pennsylvania Law and would commence during the 2019 election year.

WEST DEER TOWNSHIP PROPOSED HOME RULE CHARTER AMENDMENT SPECIAL ELECTION QUESTION #3 Shall Article IV of the West Deer Township Home Rule Charter be amended to allow for modern forms of electronic communication and public participation, as more fully described in West Deer Ordinance No. 421?

Explanation of Ballot Question #3 If this question is approved by a majority of those voting, the West Deer Home Rule Charter will be amended to permit auditable, electronic forms of communication for the scheduling of Special meetings of the Board of Supervisors and permit the posting of meeting minutes, meeting summaries and records on the Township’s website.

Approval of this question will also permit residents and taxpayers of the Township to speak at a regular business meeting by contacting the Township Manager at least one week prior to the business meeting and requesting to be placed on the meeting agenda. In addition, the requirement that citizens must file a petition with the Township to participate in a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors will no longer be in effect.

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in primary and general elections alike, all for the same purpose: incumbency protection. I am not interested in helping incumbents avoid competitive elections, and I fully support redistricting reform Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: No-excuse absentee voting, along with early voting, will be my top priorities. We have a large number of people in my community whose work schedule makes voting a severe burden, if not an impossibility. Same day voter registration is critical in my community. With a transient population, the deadlines imposed on registration have the result of disenfranchising a large number of voters who cannot spend large amounts of time keeping up with our election calendar. I also support investigating systems, such as ranked-choice voting and multi-member districts, that would overcome the “spoiler” effects that we have seen in recent elections, where marginal candidates’ vote shares result in candidates that would not have won a majority in a head-to-head winning election. Finally, ensuring the integrity of our election process is a must; Allegheny County, for example, lacks a paper trail, making election counts difficult to verify. Accurate vote counts should be a given.

PAUL COSTA PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 526 Lucia Drive Wilkins Twp, PA 15221 CAMPAIGN PHONE: (412) 271-5777 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: pcosta34@live.com DATE OF BIRTH: October 11, 1959 MUNICIPALITY: WILKINS TOWNSHIP COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://paulcostaforPAUL COSTA pa.com FACEBOOK: http://paulcostaforpa EDUCATION: CCAC-Associates Degree 1988.

Point Park College-BS in Accounting 1994-Graduated with Honors.

QUALIFICATIONS: Rep Costa brings substantial public service experience to the House. He served on the Wilkins Twp Board of Commissioners, including one year as Board President, and worked for more than 20 years in the Allegheny Co Prothonotary office.

QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: Creating and Maintaining Jobs (Economic Development). Equitable Education funding. Affordable Healthcare for All. Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: I do support reforming the legislative redistricting process, that is why I am not only a Co-Sponsor of HB 722 but I am one of the few that has signed onto the Discharge Resolution to force the Speaker to bring up the bill so the Full House of Representatives can vote on this issue.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that

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our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I have and will continue to support No-Excuse Absentee voting and Automatic Voter Registration. By doing so there would be no need for early voting or same day registration. The citizens need to be assured and have the confidence that all elections are fair and secure, Yes I would support funding the upgrades.

REPUBLICAN

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38th STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC BILL KORTZ MUNICIPALITY: DRAVOSBURG COUNTY: ALLEGHENY QUESTIONS: No Response

No Candidate Filed

REPUBLICAN

34th STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT

No Candidate Filed

DEMOCRATIC

39th STATE SENATORIAL DISTRICT

AUSTIN DAVIS PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 1107 Washington St McKeesport , PA 15132 CAMPAIGN PHONE: None Campaign Email: davisfor35@ gmail.com DATE OF BIRTH: 10/04/1989 MUNICIPALITY: MCKEESPORT AUSTIN DAVIS COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://davisforpa. com TWITTER: twitter.com/Davisfor35th FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/Davisfor35th/ EDUCATION: B.A in Political Science QUALIFICATIONS: Exec Asst to County Executive (7 years) VIce-Chair of the Allegheny Co. Democratic Committee (3years) QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: Job Creation Improving our Education System Transportation Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Yes. Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I would support all of the measures listed above.

I am currently a co-sponsor of a number of those reforms in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

DEMOCRATIC

REPUBLICAN No Candidate Filed

36th STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC HARRY READSHAW MUNICIPALITY: PITTSBURGH COUNTY: ALLEGHENY QUESTIONS: No Response

REPUBLICAN No Candidate Filed

ROB RHODERICK PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 312 Elizabeth, PA 15037 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: rhoderick@comcast.net MUNICIPALITY: ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://www.rhoderickforstaterep.com TWITTER: twitter.com/Ro- ROB RHODERICK bRhoderick FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/RobRhoderickForStateRep/ EDUCATION: Doctor of Chiropractic & Bachelor of Science: Palmer College of Chiropractic QUALIFICATIONS: -Elizabeth Township Commissioner 2014-Present -Past President: Elizabeth Township Board of Commissioners -Elizabeth Forward School Director 2011-2013 -Doctor of Chiropractic and Owner of Rhoderick Chiropractic Clinic QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: Middle Class Jobs: An inextricable link exists between dynamic labor unions and a flourishing middle class. The Allegheny County Labor Council has endorsed me because my commitment to working families is unequivocal. The natural gas industry in my district is burgeoning, and I will hold businesses accountable when it comes to hiring local workers, paying a prevailing wage, and operating safely. Education: As a former school director, I led in cultivating and implementing a rigorous STEM program in my district. I will always fight for equitable public school funding to prepare young innovators and entrepreneurs to be tomorrow’s leaders. Infrastructure: Modernizing infrastructure is a proven macroeconomic stabilization tool. These investments create union jobs, increase production capabilities in both the public and private sectors, stimulate local economies, and address longstanding public health concerns.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: The United States boasts a proud tradition of combating injustice and defending the central tenets of democratic ideals. I doubt the framers envisioned a system in which politicians and their special interest allies so openly flouted basic rights in favor of partisan gerrymandering. Elections are to be free and fair, without concerted efforts to model districts after constellations.

I support implementing the independent commission and will challenge any elected official who doesn’t.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day

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A: My top three priorities are education, building an economy that works for all, and healthcare. As a current college student who is laden with student debt, I intend to fight for adequate funding for our public schools in order to provide equal opportunities for students, rather than letting charter schools undermine public education. As someone who grew up in poverty, education has greatly impacted my life and I intend to make sure higher education and vocational schools are affordable options for our students. I also aim to build an economy that works for us all by strengthening unions, allocating more money towards infrastructure development, and limiting corporate control in politics. Lastly, I hope to address average American healthcare needs by supporting a single-payer healthcare system. I also wish to address the current opiod epidemic by allocating more funding towards research and rehabilitation facilities, which are underfunded and understaffed.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: I support reforming the redistricting process by implementing an independent commission. My district is an obvious victim of gerrymandering, and the outcome of this is more partisan politics. Partisan politics leads into heavy division and thus no progress is made in the legislature. Neither side is willing to compromise or agree, and ultimately the American people pay the price. Compromise is said to be the essence of democracy, but unfortunately compromise is non-existent in our current political system. One of the reasons I am running is to bridge the divide between our heavily divided country. As a newcomer to politics, I hope to provide fresh perspective to the PA legislature.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: Of course ! I am a sincere supporter of voting modernization reforms. On my campus, I started a non-partisan club (My Vote Matters) that registers students to vote, and also brings legislators to campus in order to talk to and meet their student constituents. The reason I started this club was to bring students into the political conversation. What I learned from my club was that students are very confused on how the voting process works. We need to make sure that Americans can easily register to vote. Less than 30% of individuals aged 18-24 vote.

I believe voting reforms can help change this unfortunate statistic so that we can have proper representation in the legislature. Same day voter registration would help tremendously.

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A. My top priorities in office are securing our children’s future education, growing small businesses, and developing our communities. Education has not been a priority for politicians in Harrisburg, that needs to change. We should be focused on exposing our children to specialized education through trade schools, and technical schools. Harrisburg also needs to remove the red tape for an individual to open their own small business. We should be making it easier to allow someone to create their own business. Finally we should develop our communities. Creating new spaces for communities to gather and bond through parks and community centers. Developing a community will welcome new residents and new jobs in the community.

Q. Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A. Yes I support an independent commission to draw our districts. Politics has become very polarized and to make sure that districts are fair and even they should be drawn by an independent commission. Look at the new Pennsylvania congressional districts, they are much more balanced than they were. The new districts were not drawn by the legislator and these new districts are fair to the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Q. Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A. I believe the Commonwealth needs to focus on updating and modernizing our voting system. We are using outdated technology to cast votes, the legislator should be providing funds to allow for these systems to be updated. Also with today’s technology there is no reason to not allow same day voter registration. Allowing same day voter registration would make sure that every voice of citizen of the Commonwealth is heard. It would break down barriers and allow everyone to perform their civic duty.

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legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A. I believe that something needs to be done with redistricting, we should sit down and look at all the proposals that have been presented to this point. I do not know if their is a clear cut solution, it is obvious that we need to come together to find a new solution for how the districts are drawn.

Q. Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A. I believe that all voters should have the latest voting technology, we must ensure that this technology cannot be compromised. The information must be secure and not be able to be hacked.

MICHAEL KORNS PARTY, REP BIOGRAPHICAL INFO MAILING ADDRESS 3225 Cambridge Court, Murrysville, Pennsylvania 15668 DATE OF BIRTH 09/23/1981 MUNICIPALITY MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE COUNTY WESTMORELAND WEBSITE http://www.kornsforpa.com FACEBOOK http://www.face- MICHAEL KORNS book.com/KornsforPA/ Q. What are your top three priorities in office?

A. I will work to bring jobs to the 54th district by improving our business climate, will seek to lower our tax burden, and will work to improve our infrastructure.

Q. Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A. I believe the Legislature should be responsible for re-districting, not the courts.

Q. Which voting modernization reforms (such as REPUBLICAN no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting BRYAN L. KLINE technology upgrades) would you support to ensure PARTY, REP that our elections are accessible, efficient, and seBIOGRAPHICAL INFO MAILING ADDRESS 6921 Spring Valley Lane cure?

A. I believe voting machines should all have paper Export, PA 15632 back ups.

DATE OF BIRTH 01/27/1981 MUNICIPALITY MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSBOB BROOKS (REP) VILLE MUNICIPALITY MURRYSVILLE COUNTY WESTMORELAND COUNTY WESTMORELAND WEBSITE http://www.bryQUESTIONS: No Response ankline.com TWITTER @bryan_kline ROBERT BERTHA FACEBOOK http://www.faceMARYALICE NEWBORN PARTY, DEM book.com/bryanklineforstaterep PARTY, REP BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: EDUCATION -Master of SciBIOGRAPHICAL INFO MAILING ADDRESS: 393 ence in Law and Public Policy Retired Engineer and Educator Bairdford Rd Gibsonia, PA 15044 -Bachelor of Science in Criminal MAILING ADDRESS PO Box DATE OF BIRTH: December Justice 208, Murrysville, PA 15668 26, 1995 QUALIFICATIONS I have a re- BRYAN L. KLINE MUNICIPALITY Murrysville MUNICIPALITY: WEST DEER cord of reform in government with COUNTY WESTMORELAND TOWNSHIP proven results. I was appointed to the Restitution in WEBSITE http://www.maryaliCOUNTY: ALLEGHENY Pennsylvanian Task Force by Governor Corbett, we cenewborn.com WEBSITE: http://www.robertwork to protect crime victim rights. I have also pro- FACEBOOK http://www.faceberthaforpa.com ROBERT BERTHA vided testimony to the House Judiciary committee. book.com/Newborn4PASTATWITTER: @BERTHAFORPA MARYALICE TEREP FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/BerthaforPA/ Q. What are your top three priorities in office?

NEWBORN EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Pro- A. 1). Combat the opioid epidemic 2). Reduce our EDUCATION BSMEng Martaxes 3). Cut wasteful spending quette Univ, MSMEng CarnegieMellon Univ, MBA duction from Point Park University Q. Do you support reforming our congressional and Duquesne Univ, Comp Science NationalTech Uni Q. What are your top three priorities in office?

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voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: Antiquated technology in disadvantaged communities coupled with the purging of voter rolls have disenfranchised too many for too long. Automatic registration is the reform most suited for promoting participation in our democracy. I also support pre-registration at driver’s license centers so that when citizens turn eighteen, they can vote unencumbered. We possess the technology to make our elections more accessible and secure. We now must implement it.

REPUBLICAN MIKE PUSKARIC PARTY: REP BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: PO box 107 Elizabeth, Pa 15037 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: Mikepa39th@gmail.com DATE OF BIRTH: 05/08/1989 MUNICIPALITY: ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://Puskaricfor- MIKE PUSKARIC pa.com FACEBOOK: http://Facebook.com/puskaricforpa/ EDUCATION: BA in Communication from Seton Hill University QUALIFICATIONS: 3rd generation businessman, politically active within a number of political organizations as well as the co chair of the Elizabeth Township Republican Committee.

QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: My three main priorities are economic development/tax reform, infrastructure improvements, and improving school safety.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: I am opposed to changing to a citizen’s redistricting commission. Currently, the pa house is structured to have small districts that are intended to reflect the makeup of our commonwealth electorate. The responsibility should fall on those we elect, pursuant to the laws in place.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I am open to reform as long as it is inline with our constitution, and ensures a fair and transparent election process.

40th STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC SHARON GUIDI PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 221 Old Oak Rd. McMurray, Pa 15317 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 724-941-5405 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: Sharon@Sharon4PA.com MUNICIPALITY: PETERS TOWNSHIP COUNTY: WASHINGTON WEBSITE: http://www.sharon4pa.com TWITTER: twitter.com/guidi4pa40

FACEBOOK: http://www. facebook.com/SharonGuidi4PaHouse40/ EDUCATION: Master’s in Education from Carlow University, Bachelor of Science from the University of Pittsburgh QUALIFICATIONS: Educator in public and parochial schools throughout the District, 30-year resident of Peters Township, de- SHARON GUIDI voted mother of two grown daughters, community volunteer, emergency foster parent, newcomer to political office. Ready to listen, work, and serve QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: I understand the challenges facing residents of the 40th District. My policies put people first, not special interests or lobbyists. First, we must invest in the workforce of the future through education. As a teacher, I am uniquely qualified to work for worldclass educations for our children, make sure we properly fund public education, and reduce crushing debts on college students. Second, to ensure the health of our citizens, including the workforce of today, it’s essential all residents have affordable and high-quality care. I favor the Medicaid expansion, which has helped many in our state, and also coverage of mental health conditions and treatment and prevention of opioid addiction. Third, I support our seniors, the workforce of the past. They’ve been paying into safety net programs, which should not be cut. Lower drug prices and programs that help seniors age in their own homes are cost-effective.

Seniors need a strong voice in Harrisburg and I am ready to be that voice.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Yes, I favor an independent citizen’s redistricting commission in Pennsylvania for both congressional and legislative districts. It’s time to take partisan politics out of the redistricting process and restore the principle of one person, one vote. When sitting legislators draw district maps, it’s the politicians who benefit, not the voters. Legislators choose their voters instead of voters choosing representatives, which is wrong, regardless of the party in power. Elections cease to be competitive. Poor representation leaves people feeling their voices aren’t heard and sows voter apathy and government gridlock. Several other states have established non-partisan citizen commissions and seen positive results: greater transparency in the redistricting process, more voter trust, and increased public acceptance of district maps. 80% of Pennsylvanians across the political spectrum support redistricting reform. A citizen’s redistricting commission would be fairer than our current system.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: Voter participation is fundamental to our democracy and promotes good government. I support voting modernization reforms as long as they increase voter participation and maintain or improve the integrity of our voting systems. Online and same-day voter registration options reduce costs and data entry errors by eliminating pen and paper forms. Same-day registration increases voter turnout and helps clean up voter registration records.

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Other states have implemented no-excuse absentee voting and early voting. These options give voters more flexibility, especially seniors and people with heavy workloads or small children, while reducing the stress on election offices and workers. Americans are questioning how safe voting machines are from cyber-attack. I believe voting machines should have paper records and that other steps to ensure their security must be taken. We must have faith in our voting systems. The technology to modernize these systems is available and should be funded.

ED EICHENLAUB PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 5500 Kings School Road Bethel Park, PA 15102 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: eich4staterep@gmail.com MUNICIPALITY: BETHEL PARK COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://www.eichen- ED EICHENLAUB laubforstaterep.com TWITTER: twitter.com/Eich4StateRep Education: Alderson-Broaddus University: B.S. Biology/Pre-Med QUALIFICATIONS: • Endorsed: Allegheny County Labor Council • AFSCME member • Biochemical Researcher and Public Health Professional • Devoted husband and father of five • Community leader and animal rights activist QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: Environmental link to Economic Growth: Spearheading economic development in the twenty first century demands legislators who acknowledge the reality of man-made climate change and work to promote investment in innovative alternative energy solutions. Conservation and job creation are not mutually exclusive. The renewable energy sector boasts twice the number of jobs as fossil fuel industries with Allegheny County leading the way.

Wages for energy efficient jobs are roughly $5,000 above the national median, and the solar and wind industries are growing at around 20% annually. It is beyond irresponsible to eschew clean energy investments in order to placate special interests. Retiring With Dignity: I pledge to collaborate with local Area Agencies on Aging to protect seniors from financial scams, abuse, and efforts to terminate essential services. Streamlining processes for affordable housing, transportation, and caregiver support will allow our valued seniors to retire with dignity.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Leadership in Harrisburg has proven itself beyond ineffectual when it comes to providing voters with equitable districts. If those tasked with crafting nonpartisan maps cannot deliver, it is essential to implement an independent commission to reaffirm confidence in our democracy. I will work with groups such as Fair Districts PA to help guarantee that the redistricting process is both transparent and adheres to Constitutional requirements.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: Arbitrarily purging voter rolls and advocating for stringent voter ID laws are methods ill suited

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any functional democracy. There is a concerted effort to silence the voices of those who are already marginalized in a rigged system. I favor automatic registration so that the process can be streamlined.

Our democracy functions best when a diverse body of citizens comes together to engage with and learn from one another. Let’s remove the biases and help eligible voters actually cast votes.

REPUBLICAN NATALIE MIHALEK PARTY: REP BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 12994 Upper St Clair, PA 15241 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: info@nataliemihalek.com DATE OF BIRTH: 6/12/1979 MUNICIPALITY: UPPER ST CLAIR TOWNSHIP COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://www.na- NATALIE MIHALEK taliemihalek.com FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/natmihalek/ EDUCATION: BA University of Pittsburgh JD Appalachian School of Law QUALIFICATIONS: As a veteran of the US Navy, former prosecutor, wife and mom of three, I bring a unique set of life experiences to the table and a fresh perspective for Pennsylvania.

QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: 1. I began practicing law in the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, prosecuting criminal cases and putting violent offenders behind bars. It was here where I began to see the complete devastation the opioid epidemic has placed, not only on our criminal justice system, but on every facet of society from our on our families and to our economy. We cannot afford to stand by and wait for action and my experience has uniquely qualified me to help build solutions. 2. I understand that our state is quite literally bankrupt.

We can’t pass a balanced budget without accounting tricks and, when we use those tricks, we’re only fooling ourselves. We need zero based budgeting and control spending. 3. This district is the home to some of the best school districts in the state and I will fight to keep it that way. We need an advocate to implement reforms that will ensure our tax dollars end up in our classrooms, rather than unnecessarily wasting it on a disjointed health and pension system Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Redistricting isn’t just a local problem or even a state problem, but an issue that is receiving national attention—for too long (and on both sides of the aisle) there has been irresponsible redistricting.

While I’m not certain that a citizen commission wouldn’t eventually be corrupted by the same partisan motivation (Who appoints these persons? For how long do they serve in this capacity? Who keeps them accountable—if they aren’t elected, what repercussion do they suffer for dishonest redistricting [unlike a politician, who can be voted out]?. I’m for a fair and equitable process, working with other elected officials (irrespective of party affiliation) and for keeping this vital responsibility in the hands of legislation (and out of the hands of activist judges.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting tech-

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nology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: Secure voting is a must—when the integrity of the voting process is in question, democracy itself suffers.

Fair and free elections are a bedrock of our country.

Funding for modernization of antiquated/unreliable machines and for measures related to maintaining secure and honest elections must be sufficient. At present, Pennsylvania has absentee voting, but requires an excuse. The current PA absentee ballot has allowances for those voters who are ill/disabled and for those who will be unavailable on primary or election dates, due to their business, occupation or duties. Additionally, there is an alternate ballot available for those voters aged 65 years and older and who don’t have accessible polling places. As a working mother of three, and with a husband who also works, I am intimately aware of the challenges of making it to a polling place—but, because I served to protect the right to vote in free and fair elections, I know the importance of keeping it a priority in my life.

JAMES ROMAN PARTY: REP BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 206 Carriage Hill Drive McMurray, PA 15317 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 724-9311803 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: jroman393@yahoo.com DATE OF BIRTH: 11/02/1971 MUNICIPALITY: PETERS TOWNSHIP COUNTY: WASHINGTON WEBSITE: http://www.Votefor- JAMES ROMAN JamesRoman.com TWITTER: twitter.com/JamesRomanRealt FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/voteforjamesroman/ EDUCATION: PhD (ABD) - U. of Pittsburgh MBA - Point Park MA - Duquesne BA - University of Pittsburgh QUALIFICATIONS: I was born to be a State Representative. Growing up on welfare, in public housing and being raised by a single mother taught me to be emphatic. I have dedicated my life to improving my qualifications to become an effective State Representative.

QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: PA has continually declined over the past 30 years. According to the U.S. News & World Report, PA ranks as the 38th best overall state. I expect more and demand more for the people of PA. We rank towards the bottom in job growth, population growth and income growth. It is my desire to bring PA back to be one of the best places to live and work.

We have some of the highest taxes and least effective state governments in the country. We need to start focusing on improving overall quality of life and bringing jobs back to PA. Why does PA’s unemployment rate consistent higher than the national average? Electing me, James Roman to be the next State Representative for Bethel Park, Peters Township and Upper St. Clair will allow me to start getting PA back to the top of the country as one of the best states in these important categories.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: With the upcoming Census, especially since PA will probably continue to lose representative in Congress, it is extremely important to have a non-polit-

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ical solution to redistricting every 10 years. Therefore, I fully support a non-partisan approach to redistricting.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I believe making voting more accessible, efficient and secure is vital to the future of America. I like two main avenues to accomplish this: 1 - enhanced voter technology and 2 - implementation of an early voting system. I believe making voting easier and over several days will enable more people to vote.

PAUL J DIXON PARTY: REP BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 645 Clearview Drive Bethel Park, PA 15102 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 412-8636126 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: pa4paul@ gmail.com DATE OF BIRTH: 8/8/53 MUNICIPALITY: BETHEL PAUL J. DIXON PARK COUNTY: ALLEGHENY FACEBOOK: http://Paul Dixon For State Representative EDUCATION: Community College of Allegheny County Civil Engineering Drafting and Surveying QUALIFICATIONS: Councilman - Bethel Park (18 years) Pennsylvania State Certified Planning & Zoning Commissioner QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: My top three priorities as your next State Representative in the 40th legislative District are: 1. State government must live within its means, like families in Bethel Park, Peters Twp, and Upper St Clair must do every day. As a member of Bethel Park Council I am proud we balance our municipal budget and provide high quality services without raising taxes.

Harrisburg must do the same with our hard-earned state tax dollars. 2. We must have quality schools at an affordable cost. State mandates on school districts that increase property tax burdens on local taxpayers must be eliminated whenever possible. I am a strong supporter of local control of our school districts. Our administrators, teachers, and parents know what is best for our students, not Harrisburg. 3. Opioid abuse is an epidemic in the United States, having claimed 42,000 lives in 2016 according to the CDC. My priority is to target state funding towards effective community-based treatment programs.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: In terms of the redistricting process for Congressional and legislative districts, I support the current process where the duly elected PA General Assembly approves the districts as set forth by the PA Constitution. I do not believe the State Supreme Court has the authority to draw Congressional maps as it recently did. Additionally, an independent citizen’s commission would most assuredly be populated by people appointed by the political body, some by the majority party and some by the minority party. I believe this proposed commission would then be as partisan as the political body which appoints them.

In the current system, the majority party does the redistricting. They receive their mandate from the voters, which is as it should be. I would not usurp

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that mandate by replacing it with unelected bureaucrats, unanswerable to the voters.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: In terms of voting modernization reforms and the use of technology, I will consider all efforts to ensure a fair and efficient voting system. Proper voter identification is a priority for me and voter fraud must be investigated. Precinct workers should have proper training on election machines and procedures.

42nd STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC DAN MILLER PARTY: Dem BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 13421 Pittsburgh, PA 15243 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 412-9136937 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: votedanmiller@gmail.com DATE OF BIRTH: 2/9/1973 MUNICIPALITY: MT. LEBANON DAN MILLER COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://www.votedanmiller.com TWITTER: twitter.com/votedanmiller FACEBOOK: http://votedanmiller EDUCATION: BA History BS Secondary Education JD QUALIFICATIONS: Former Mt. Lebanon Commissioner, current volunteer firefighter, three terms in the state House and membership on the Judiciary, Education, Labor, Human Services, and Children and Youth Committees.

QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: 1. Fighting for disability, mental health, and addiction parity and support.

2. Improving education and career readiness 3. Advancing family sustaining job opportunities Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: I support an independent redistricting commission. Pennsylvania has had its state maps and its federal maps invalidated in the past decade and I think the best way to reaffirm the public’s faith in the system is to remove politicians from the table as much as possible.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I support no-excuse absentee voting, same day voter registration, and state assistance in updating voting technology to make elections more accessible, efficient, and secure.

MICHELE KNOLL PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 157 Toms Run Rd Pittsburgh, Allegheny 15237 Campaign Phone: 412-389-1387 Campaign Email: knoll4pa44@gmail.com Date of Birth: 06/13/1956 Municipality: OHIO TOWNSHIP County: ALLEGHENY

WEBSITE: http://knoll4pa44.com TWITTER: twitter.com/MicheleKnoll44 FACEBOOK: http://@MicheleKNOLL44 EDUCATION: B.S. in El. Ed. University of Pittsburgh , M.Ed. in Early Intervention University of Pittsburgh QUALIFICATIONS: I am an educator who has taught in all areas MICHELE KNOLL of education: early education, elementary, and University. I have been elected to a school board. I am an therapist who works with young children with disabilities. We need more educators in Harrisburg.

QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: I will prioritize education and finding a reliable funding source for all levels of education including technological education and higher education.

I will actively support job training and retraining for workers to boost the economy in PA, while acknowledging that unions already have good apprenticeship training in place that should and can be promoted at the local and state level. Our State Constitution guarantees all Pennsylvanians the right to enjoy our natural resources. I will look toward that document for guidance. We must protect our environment in Pennsylvania and to that end adequately fund and staff the Department of Environmental Protection so that we can enjoy these resources for generations to come. Growing green jobs while protecting our environment is possible and including unions in this process will insure that quality work will protect us all. Local workers will be invested in seeing that safe work sites, located nearby their own homes will be maintained properly.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: I would support an impartial citizen’s redistricting commission. The method laid out by Fair Districts PA suggests 11 members would be chosen.

4 from each of the major parties and three members that are unaffiliated with the major parties would sit on the commission. These members must not have served in a political office or run for office or have a spouse who has served or run in the previous 5 years.. These members would work from a database that does not define party. The Secretary of State of the Commonwealth does background checks on commission applicants and makes sure that they are represented by diversity.This seems like a fair way to redistrict that removes politics from the process.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I would support no excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day vote registration and funding for voting technology upgrades. All of these measures would maximize the number of people that could and would vote in any given election. I also think that Governor Wolf’s proposal of automatic registration when registering for a driver’s license. Removing barriers to people voting will increase participation in elections. Antiquated voting rules have disenfranchised citizens and made them feel as though their vote is not important.

Common sense approaches will give people a reason to participate in Democracy by voting.

REPUBLICAN

APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2018

17

DAVID BACHMAN

Party: REP BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 2731 Beaver Grade Road Moon Twp, PA 15108 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 4123030730 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: davidbachman@bachmanbuilders.com DATE OF BIRTH: 11/125/56 MUNICIPALITY: MOON TOWNSHIP DAVID BACHMAN COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://bachmanforpahouse.com FACEBOOK: http://bachman4pahouse EDUCATION: Colgate 1979, Economics QUALIFICATIONS: Moon Twp Supervisor, small businessman, past president of Builders Associatioin, very active in youth work, especially Urban Impact Foundation. Have volunteered for Woman’s Choice Network.

QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: 1. Hold the line on any new tax increases. PA already has very high tax rates and that is a detriment to job growth. The corporate rate of 9.99% is the second highest in the nation. 2. Reform our regulations and restrictions on business development.

We make it very difficult to build anything in PA and this drives away business, and we lose out on jobs and economic growth. 3. Pension reform. Our pension funds are underfunded and are unsustainable. We cannot raise taxes indefinitely. Seniors cannot afford to stay in their homes, business’s leave, and still there is no end in site for pension costs going up several times the rate of inflation.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Yes, because the districts should be more geographically unified.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I would support no excuse absentee voting, but the other initiatives would increase the chance of fraud.

VALERIE GAYDOS PARTY: REP BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 411 TRAILSIDE DR SEWICKLEY, PA 15143 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 412.528.1360 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: votevaleriegaydos.com DATE OF BIRTH: July 3, 1967 MUNICIPALITY: ALEPPO VALERIE GAYDOS COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://votevaleriegaydos.com TWITTER: twitter.com/valgaydos FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/ Valerie-Gaydos-for-State-Representative-683333915389765/ EDUCATION: Quaker Valley, Sewickley Academy, CCAC (EMT School), Dickinson College Qualifications: Valerie is a 3rd-generation Allegheny County resident and 25-year business owner.

As an entrepreneur and investor she has a proven

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VOTERS GUIDE 2018

districts, there is nothing funny about seeking to effectively disenfranchise millions of voters. Tasking an independent body with redistricting efforts will remove politics from the process.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: As an attorney with a particular interest in civil liberties, I unequivocally support initiatives that make participation in our democracy easier. From suffragettes to freedom riders, this nation has a storied history of fighting for the vote. The technology and data sets exist to implement both automatic registration and uniform standards to guarantee accuracy. The funding for these upgrades would be modest compared to the benefits.

REPUBLICAN No Candidate Filed

46th STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC RUEBEN BROCK PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 4150 Washington Rd, Suite 206 McMurray, PA 15317 CAMPAIGN PHONE: (724) 941-3627 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: info@ brock4pa.com DATE OF BIRTH: 11/18/1975 MUNICIPALITY: CECIL TOWNSHIP COUNTY: WASHINGTON RUEBEN BROCK WEBSITE: http://www.brock4pa.com TWITTER: twitter.com/RuebenBrock FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/brock4pa/ EDUCATION: MS in Counseling (Cal U of PA), PhD in Counseling Psychology (WVU) QUALIFICATIONS: PA Licensed Counselor, National Certified Counselor QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: - Equal access to education through public school funding reform Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: I support the formation of an independent redistricting commission, because the district drawing should not be influenced by the political system. An objective and impartial commission could minimize the impact of the political parties on the districting process.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I would be in support of any voting reform that makes the voting process more accessible to citizens.

This would include increased funding for voting technology, same day registration, and no-excuse absentee voting.

BYRON TIMMINS

PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 1019 Mayfair Dr. Canonsburg, PA 15317 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: byronforstaterep@gmail.com MUNICIPALITY: CECIL TOWNSHIP COUNTY: WASHINGTON WEBSITE: http://www.byronforstaterep.com TWITTER: twitter.com/Byron- BYRON TIMMONS StateRepPA FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/ByronForStateRep/ EDUCATION: B.S. Business/Economics Miami University (OH) QUALIFICATIONS: Working father, community leader, and advocate for working families looking to bring opportunity to the 46th District.

Questions: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: Public Education: Public education is undoubtedly the primary mechanism for promoting upward economic mobility. My education platform focuses on providing free, high quality early childhood education coupled with modern funding strategies to ensure the efficient allocation of resources. Providing increased funding at the state level will help immensely. Economic Development: Organized labor is the backbone of the middle class. Union advocacy saved my mother’s job. In Harrisburg, I will vehemently oppose all right to work legislation while passionately advocating for safe working conditions and a living wage. I am committed to revamping once vibrant main streets through small business grants. Common Sense: Voters are tired of the constant gridlock and grandstanding emanating from Harrisburg. My campaign focuses on offering common sense solutions while ushering in transparency and accountability. I pledge to lead with integrity and will support no budget, no pay legislation.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: I fully support the implementation of an independent redistricting commission to help guarantee the protection of fundamental constitutional rights.

Representatives, and their special interest allies, have chosen their voters for far too long.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: Current policies disproportionately disenfranchise the poor, people of color, and people with disabilities. Our nation’s technology is unparalleled and should be employed to enhance participation in our elections. I am a proponent of automatic registration with secure online access to update voter information. We have the data and infrastructure to register any eligible citizen who has interacted with the government.

These measures are simple, cost effective, and long overdue. We fought for democracy, not a plutocracy. We need to make voting easier, not harder.

REPUBLICAN

APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2018

19

JASON ORTITAY

PARTY: REP BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: CAMPAIGN PHONE: 202-643-1680 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: jason@citizensforjasonortitay.com DATE OF BIRTH: March 14, 1984 MUNICIPALITY: CECIL TOWNSHIP COUNTY: WASHINGTON WEBSITE: http://www.citizensforjason.com TWITTER: twitter.com/JasoJASON ORTITAY nOrtitay FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/citizensforjasonortitay/ EDUCATION: Robert Morris University-Business Administration 2004 Stetson University-MBA 2005 QUALIFICATIONS: Small business owner, twoterm state representative QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: Creating family sustaining jobs, strengthening the states education system, and making the state budget work for the people of Pennsylvania.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: I believe the process of redistricting can be improved.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: Last session, I proposed a bill to conduct a study of the states current voting equipment and to provide recommendations on how to improve voting equipment in the future along with a cost estimate to replace the current equipment.

54th STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC JON MCCABE PARTY: Dem BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 759 Wildlife Lodge Rd Lower Burrell, PA 15068 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 412 526 0520 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: mccabeforPA@gmail.com DATE OF BIRTH: March 31st, JON MCCABE 1996 MUNICIPALITY: LOWER BURRELL COUNTY: WESTMORELAND WEBSITE: http://mccabeforPA.com TWITTER: twitter.com/mccabeforpa FACEBOOK: http://mccabeforPA EDUCATION: Jon will be graduating from Penn State New Kensington with an honors psychology degree in May. QUALIFICATIONS: Founder of the student organization My Vote Matters. President of the Psychology Club and Psi Chi Honors Club. Member of Student Government. Member of Eastern Psychological Association.

QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

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track record of building businesses, nurturing the private sector economy, and creating jobs in lean environments.

QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: Fight for Fiscal Accountability •Balanced budgets and responsible spending •Limit spending growth to inflation and population •End taxpayer funded perks and special treatment for elected officials •Reduce the size of the legislature •Restore sanity to the budgeting process Strengthen PA’s Business Climate •Lower taxes to enable Pennsylvania to remain competitive with other states •Reduce paperwork and mandates that strangle business growth •Provide affordable healthcare options to small businesses - allow pooling to purchase lower cost health insurance policies •Fight for policies that attract new jobs and residents to Pennsylvania Serve as the People’s Advocate •Defend individual rights from government overreach •Protect personal freedoms and conservative values •Strengthen laws protecting Pennsylvania seniors and support eldercare •Support educational initiatives that prepare our students for the future Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: Currently, the Pennsylvania Constitution gives the legislature the authority to draw the maps during redistricting. I would support a constitutional amendment to create an independent nonpartisan commission to handle redistricting every 10 years. Hopefully, the outcome would be a more independent process to ensure that all citizens of the Commonwealth are represented equally.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I would support any modernization that would adequately protect the integrity of the election process.

BOB DODDATO PARTY: REP BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 595 Moon Township, PA 15108 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 724-6994028 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: doddato4pahouse@gmail.com DATE OF BIRTH: 05-19-1982 MUNICIPALITY: NORTH FAYETTE TOWNSHIP BOB DODDATO COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://www.bobdoddato.com FACEBOOK: http://doddato4pahouse EDUCATION: B.S.B.A. Geneva College 2004 QUALIFICATIONS: -CPA -North Fayette Township Supervisor since 2011 - Saved $1 million for North Fayette Residents by changing snow removal operations, pension reform and how health insurance was purchased - Program Manager with Medicaid quality improvement focus QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: 1. Resolve the structural budget deficit our Commonwealth is facing through a review of operations in Harrisburg to identify opportunities for efficiency and utilization of care management and wellness programs to address growing Medicaid costs 2. Implement financial literacy as a component of

VOTERS GUIDE 2018

education in Pennsylvania to ensure children have a foundation in personal finance, budgeting, and key financial decisions (i.e. buying a home) as part of their schooling. 3. Empower municipalities and school districts to diversify their revenue and reduce property taxes for taxpayers.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: There are a lot of different plans that have been presented recently. I believe we need to sit down and re-examine the parameters for redistricting to ensure that we are not splitting school districts and municipalities essentially splitting communities.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I would support same day voting and no-excuse absentee voting, we also should provide voters with new technology to ensure accuracy and accountability. That being said, we also must ensure with these changes, that safety guideline are met and the integrity of our election system remains.

SCOTT LARUE PARTY: Rep BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 2872 Beaver Grade Rd Moon Twp, PA 15108 CAMPAIGN PHONE: 412-7166219 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: larueforrepresentative@gmail.com DATE OF BIRTH: 03/11/1972 MUNICIPALITY: MOON SCOTT LARUE TOWNSHIP COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://www.larueforepahouse.com TWITTER: twitter.com/scottlaruepa FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/LaRueforPAHouse/ EDUCATION: Washington and Jefferson College with BA in Accounting University of Wisconsin ExECUTIVE LEADERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS: Divisional CFO with Fortune 500 company, 10 years as Treasurer for Moon Twp Municipal Authority, Small business owner, Vice Chair Moon Republican Committee, Prior school board member QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: Make Government More Efficient - I will work for reforms to bring more accountability, integrity, and transparency to state government. Oppose any Tax Increase and Create More Jobs - I am dedicated to holding the line on taxes for families and small businesses while strengthening the business environment to attract new jobs. Provide a Safe, First Class Education - I will fight to maintain and improve the quality and safety of our school while utilizing a taxpayer friendly approach.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: I believe the current process that exists works and has the appropriate checks and balances. Adding another layer of bureaucracy is not the answer.

Elected officials are there to serve their constituents. When they put aside their own personal interests and don’t let politics decide the outcome, we

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would not need a separate commission to decide legislative districts.

Q: Which voting modernization reforms (such as no-excuse absentee voting, early voting, same day voter registration, additional funding for voting technology upgrades) would you support to ensure that our elections are accessible, efficient, and secure?

A: I would support additional funding for voting technology upgrades, however I do not believe that no excuse or early voting is beneficial and can lead to early and misinformed voting. I also believe at this point in time same day voter registration would add to the wait time and increase lines at polling stations discouraging voter turnout. It could also have a serious impact on primary races if voters were allowed to update party selection on election day.

45th STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC ANITA ASTORINO KULIK PARTY: DEM BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: MAILING ADDRESS: 127 Lorish Rd. McKees Rocks, PA 15136 CAMPAIGN EMAIL: info@anitaastorinokulik.com MUNICIPALITY: KENNEDY TOWNSHIP COUNTY: ALLEGHENY WEBSITE: http://www.anitaastorinokulik.com/ FACEBOOK: http://www. facebook.com/Keep-State-RepANITA ASTORINO resentative-Anita-Astorino-KuKULIK lik-1419364011410563/ EDUCATION: J.D. Duquesne University School of LAW B.A. DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY QUALIFICATIONS: •State Representative; 45th Legislative District 2016-Present Committees and Caucuses: Consumer Affairs, Gaming Oversight, Liquor Control, Local Government, Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, •Managing Partner, Kulik Law Offices QUESTIONS: Q: What are your top three priorities in office?

A: Education: As the daughter of two dedicated educators, my belief in the spirit of learning is unwavering. In Harrisburg, I have been relentless in demanding that our students and teachers receive the funding and resources needed to succeed. I will continue fighting for early childhood education, students with special needs, and equitable funding.

Revitalizing Main Streets: I have proposed grant funding for the removal of blighted properties in my district to promote new business development, encourage entrepreneurship, and foster a newfound sense of community. Main streets were the staples of our neighborhoods, with investments in infrastructure, they will be again. Veterans/First Responders: I proudly serve on the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and have endorsed measures to expand Veteran benefits. My sentiments extend to first responders. I was thrilled to announce the awarding of over $155,000 in fire department and EMS grants for my district.

Q: Do you support reforming our congressional and legislative redistricting process to implement an independent citizen’s redistricting commission? Why or why not?

A: An independent commission is an essential step towards restoring trust and transparency to our fundamental democratic processes. While humorous nicknames have accompanied the misshapen