The Northside Chronicle, Pittsburgh - September 2020 by The Northside Chronicle

Sept. 2020 Est. 1985

The Northside Chronicle

Volume 36 Issue 9 - FREE -

The Community Newspaper of Pittsburgh’s Historic Northside

Pa. completes contract with remote accessible ‘OmniBallot’ in ‘victory’ for blind voters By Ashlee Green A vote-by-mail system that is accessible remotely will be available to blind and low-vision voters for this year's general election. Initiated by a lawsuit filed in May of this year, which alleged that Pennsylvania’s paper ballots denied voters who are blind and low-vision the ability to vote privately and independently without the assistance of a sighted third party, a last-minute “accessible write-in balPhoto by Ashlee Green

A pop-up voter registration table in the Northside’s Mexican War Streets urges passersby to ‘sign up to vote.’ Monday, Oct. 19, 2020 is the last day you can register to vote before the general election. If you’re voting by mail-in ballot, your application must be received by your county’s election office by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27; completed ballots must be received—not just postmarked—by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3. More information at votespa.com. n

Photo by cottonbro via Pexels

The Democracy Live OmniBallot tool will be implemented for this year's general election as well as future elections. It uses screen reader technology to allow voters with disabilities to receive and complete their ballots electronically. lot” option was made available for the primary election. This alternative ballot functioned by using screen-reader software. Now, according to a press release, a longterm solution for the November election and future elections is being put in place. According to the press release, the state has completed a contract for the Democracy Live OmniBallot. This online See OmniBallot, Page 19

INSIDE

The future of affordable housing A new Five-Year Affordable Housing Plan drafted by the Fineview and Perry Hilltop Citizens Councils proposes key policy changes and resources for fighting gentrification in the Northside. By Emery Malachowski Proposed changes to affordable land and homeownership in the Northside could allow the neighborhoods themselves to hold greater control of their futures. In July, The Northside Chronicle spoke to members of the Fineview and Perry Hilltop Citizens Councils about a Five-Year Af-

- Tamburitzans Folk Ensemble, Page 8

STORIES, COLUMNS, - Back to School Guide, Page 13 FEATURES & MORE - World War II Veteran, Page 26

fordable Housing Plan for their Northside communities, published in March of this year. In addition to giving an overview of the demographics of the Fineview and Perry Hilltop area and defining what real estate ‘affordability’ looks like there, the FiveYear Affordable Housing Plan proposes the implementation of Community Land Trusts

ONLINE

WWW.THENORTHSIDE CHRONICLE.COM

(or CLTs). Community Land Trusts A community land trust is a community-based organization that “acquires land and maintains ownership of it permanently...” The Affordable Housing Plan explains See Housing, Page 25

- Latest Northside news - Weekly real estate transfers - Event coverage and photos

The Northside Chronicle

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District 19 News: Rep. Wheatley Recently, the second round of grant applications through the COVID-19 Relief Pennsylvania Statewide Small Business Assistance Program were announced. This program, which is designed to support small businesses most impacted by the pandemic, provides

Photo courtesy of the Office of Rep. Wheatley

State Rep. Jake Wheatley, who represents Pittsburgh's 19th District, is working on a $10 billion business relief package “designed to help preserve and bolster small business owners, the backbone of our commonwealth’s economy.” grants from $5,000 to $50,000 to these businesses. However, I know of many business owners in Allegheny County who are frustrated—and rightfully so, because so few of them received funding during the first round of applications. A total of 859 historically disadvantaged businesses applied, with only 218 receiving an award. Just over 1,700 “Main Street” businesses applied and 244 of those were awarded funds. When you look at the national Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), it’s even worse. Among those who received PPP loans: 400 country clubs and golf courses, private jet companies, Kanye West, and friends of Jared Kushner. About 90% of businesses owned by women, Black, Indigenous and people of color did not receive PPP loans. I want to know why. This is beyond ex-

tremely unfair and heartless, and this needs to be dealt with – immediately. Let me be clear: I hear the anger and frustration from local business owners, especially those considered to be historically disadvantaged, for the lack of support they’ve received during the ongoing pandemic. And frankly, I don’t blame them one bit. Our minority-owned businesses are hurting badly, and they are among the most severely impacted and the ones who need help now to stay in business. These same business owners are also anticipating significant decreases in revenue in the next year. When you look at the last decade, minority businesses accounted for more than 50% of the two million new businesses nationwide, creating nearly five million jobs. At present, there are now more than four million minority-owned companies in the United States, with annual sales totaling close to $700 billion. But despite that growth, major disparities remain when it comes to their access to capital and other business opportunities. The COVID-19 pandemic has made that disparity even worse. Furthermore, national figures show that half of Black-owned businesses nationwide will close permanently due to the pandemic. This is unacceptable. Our local, minority-owned businesses are on life support. Decisions on funding must be made faster and we also need major, immediate systemic changes to address the racial inequalities that have put these businesses at a major disadvantage. Please know that I am undeterred in providing help to our local businesses in need. I am working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to level the playing field, which includes my ongoing work on a $10 billion business relief package that would set aside $5 billion for small businesses, $3 billion for minority businesses, $1.5 billion for the food and hospitality industry, and $500 million for sole proprietors. The package is designed to help preserve and bolster small business owners, the backbone of our commonwealth’s economy. We need to help them not just survive but grow and prosper. We need to ensure small businesses and minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged-owned businesses in Allegheny County and across Pennsylvania have the same economic opportunities as others. We must remove these existing barriers now, because this will benefit them and our entire economy. If you need assistance on this issue or any other concern, please reach out to me via email at repwheatley@pahouse.net or call The People’s Office at 412-471-7760. n

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September 2020

Community Meetings After Jail & Prison Ministry Support Mondays, 6-7 p.m. Allegheny Center Alliance Church 412.321.4333 ext. 127 801 Union Place, first floor

Manchester Citizens Corporation Quarterly meetings, call for times MCC Center, 1319 Allegheny Ave. 412.323.1743

Allegheny West Civic Council 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7:30 p.m. Calvary United Methodist Church 412.323.8884

Manchester Public Safety Meeting Quarterly meetings, call for times Northside Leadership Conference 412.323.1743

Brighton Heights Citizens Federation 2nd Thursday, bi-monthly, 7 p.m. Morrow Elementary School 412.734.0233

Northside Rotary Club Every Friday, noon Cardello Building, 2nd Floor

Brightwood Civic Group 1st Tuesday, monthly,6 p.m. Pressley Ridge, 2611 Stayton St. 412.732.8152 Brightwood Community Emergency Response Shelter 3rd Thursday, monthly, 6 p.m. 3219 Central Ave. California-Kirkbride Blockwatch 3rd Thursday, monthly, 7 p.m. 1601 Brighton Rd., 3rd floor California-Kirkbride Neighbors 2nd Thursday, monthly, 7 p.m. 1601 Brighton Rd., 3rd floor 412.758.3898

NS Coalition for Fair Housing Board 2nd Monday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. 1821 Brighton Rd. 412.321.5527 NS Coalition for Fair Housing Members Monthly, call for times 1821 Brighton Rd. 412.321.5521 Northside Leadership Conference Call to confirm 1st Wednesday, monthly, 6 p.m. MCC Center, 1319 Allegheny Ave. 412.231.4714 North Side Lions Club 2nd and 4th Tuesday, monthly, noon Max’s Allegheny Tavern

Central Northside Neighborhood Council 2nd Monday, monthly, 7 p.m. Allegheny Traditional Academy 412.231.7742

North Side Public Safety Council 1st Thursday, monthly, 5:30 p.m. 1319 Allegheny Ave. 1st floor meeting room 412.231.4714 ext. 201

Charles Street Area Council 1st Monday, monthly, call for times Pittsburgh Project, 2801 N. Charles St. 412.321.5567

Northside Toastmasters 2nd & 4th Thursdays, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Carnegie Library, 1230 Federal St. 412-204-6018

Community Alliance of Spring Garden/ East Deutschtown 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Fuhrer Building of St. Michael’s Church 412.228.0376

Observatory Hill, Inc. 3rd Wednesday, monthly, 7 p.m. Byzantine Seminary, 3605 Perrysville Ave. 412.231.2887

Deutschtown New Hope Council 3rd Thursday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Community Center, 623 Suismon St. East Allegheny Community Council 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7 p.m. Arnold’s Tea 412.321.1204 Fineview & Perry Hilltop Citizens Councils 4th Tuesday, monthly, 6 p.m. Contact for location info@ourfuturehilltop.org 412-238-7528 Mexican War Streets Society 3rd Monday, bi-monthly, 6:30-7 p.m. 1400 Buena Vista St. 412.323.9030

The Promise Group Every other Tuesday, 6 p.m. Western Pa. Humane Society 412.321.1019 Troy Hill Citizens Feb. 12, April 8, June 10, Aug. 12, Oct. 14, Dec. 9., 6 p.m. Most Holy Name School Hall 1515 Tinsbury St. 412.321.2852 Spring Hill Civic League March 2, May 4, Sept. 14, Oct. 5, Nov. 2 6 p.m, Spring Hill Elementary School auditorium, contact@shcl.org Summer Hill Citizens Committee 3rd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. WPXI Television Station community room

DISCLAIMER: The viewpoints and opinions of the writers and contributors that appear in the Northside Chronicle do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints, opinions, beliefs or positions of the Northside Chronicle’s publishers, editors, staff and/or affiliates. The Northside Chronicle is not affiliated with any formal political, social, religious, educational or philosophical organization or party of any kind. The materials comprising the Northside Chronicle are provided by various organizations, community groups, advertisers, entities, writers and contributors and are provided as a service to the readers of the Northside Chronicle on an “as-is” basis for informational purposes only. The Northside Chronicle assumes no responsibility for any copyright infringement, errors or omissions in these materials and expressly disclaims any representations or warranties, express or implied, including, without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose regarding the correctness, accuracy, completeness, timeliness and reliability of the information provided. The Northside Chronicle is not responsible for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance upon such information. Reference herein to any commercial product, process or service does not constitute or imply endorsement or favoring by the Northside Chronicle. © The Northside Chronicle 2019

The Northside Chronicle

September 2020

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Public Safety Bulletin: Sept. 2020 District 20 News: Rep. Ravenstahl

The Northside Public Safety Council (NSPSC) will be holding virtual monthly public safety meetings on the first Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m.

Photo: Atlantic Training via Wikimedia Commons

Monthly public safety meetings will now be held virtually on the first Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m. Email zone1psc@gmail.com for more details. The Zone 1 Police Department will be presenting every month. They address good activity as well as criminal activity that is reported, read monthly crime stats, and then take any questions or concerns. City of Pittsburgh Public Safety Department representative John Tokarski reports activities throughout the city of Pittsburgh, events, programs, and citywide statistics. Housing Authority representative Joy Perker Miller reports on activities in the housing communities of our

Northside neighborhoods as well as citywide and takes questions or concerns. Youth Probation Office representative Dan Carr makes monthly reports on the youth in our neighborhood as well as citywide; no names are mentioned. These agencies are at our monthly meetings and have the floor in the order they are listed above. We also have guests at our meetings. Our guest speaker for the upcoming meeting on September 3 will be Laura Drogowski from Mayor Peduto’s office. Drogowski will be presenting as well as taking questions and concerns. Jeff Williams from the Diversion Program will be presenting on programs offered for the youth and on the start of new programs for adults. We ask that you please join us in our virtual meetings and share your triumphs as well as crime and concerns in your neighborhood. Sharing information from your neighborhood can and does help our fellow neighborhoods. If you see something, say something. As always, please look in on your neighbors who are elderly, disabled, or underserved while keeping in mind the importance of social distancing. David Stacy is the president of NSPSC. Send questions or concerns by email: zone1psc@gmail.com or by phone: 412-3210295. n

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Hello, As always, I hope you and your family are healthy and well. The unpredictable nature of this crisis has left many of us anxious and stressed

Photo courtesy of the office of Rep. Ravenstahl

This month, State Rep. Adam Ravenstahl discusses staying safe at the ballot box this fall during the COVID-19 pandemic.

over ‘what comes next.’ As we have seen, the novel coronavirus is not going away. After we successfully flattened the curve earlier this summer, the virus took hold in southern states, eventually returning to ours. As I write this, case numbers are again declining, leaving hope that this second wave is starting to ebb. However, we simply do not know what lies ahead. And with an election looming in November, I am urging everyone who can to take advantage of voting by mail. You can now apply at votespa.com for a mail-in ballot for the fall. If you are considering this (and I strongly urge you to do so), please apply sooner rather than later. In June, we led the state in the volume of mail-in ballots – more than 280,000 – and I expect that number to increase in the fall. That’s a lot of ballots (and applications) for the county elections folks to process, so applying now can hopefully get you ahead of the eventual bottleneck. In complete honesty, we don’t know what November will bring in terms of COVID-19. And just like wearing a mask, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So please, avoid the lines, avoid the poll workers, avoid the voting booths, and consider using a mail-in ballot. It’s safe, secure, simple, and simply a good idea. Be well, Adam n

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The Northside Chronicle

District 1 News: Councilman Wilson

Hello everyone, Sept. 30, 2020 is the deadline to get counted in the 2020 Census. Recently, the federal government moved up the deadline to get counted by one month.

September 2020

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to get every available dollar from this Census to continue delivering these essential services. Second, results from the 2020 Census are used to determine the number of seats Pennsylvania has in Congress. State and local officials will also use the results of the 2020 Census to redraw state and local district boundaries so that they contain roughly equal numbers of people. This is to ensure that each citizen’s voting power is closely equivalent, satisfying the substance of the “one-person, one vote” rule. If you do not get counted, then your voting power is likely to get weakened for every election in the next decade—whether you’re voting for the next president of the United States or your school board representative. It is especially important to make sure that residents who live in “hard-to-count” neighborhoods get counted this time around. “Hard-to-count” neighborhoods are those where the response rate to the 2020 Census is lower than 50%. In the Northside, in my Council District, these neighborhoods are East Allegheny, Fineview, and Marshall-Shadeland. If residents of these neighborhoods do not get counted, then they will get less political representation and less resources from every level of government. Such undercounting leads to structural disparities in the resources and power that flow PERSONAL INJURY | AUTO ACCIDENTS | MEDICAL MALPRACTICE into a neighborhood. If we fail to get far more SLIP, TRIP & FALLS | CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS | EMPLOYER VIOLATIONS residents counted in these neighborhoods by the end of this month, then we are condemning these neighborhoods to the consequences Top 50 Attorneys in Pittsburgh by Pittsburgh Magazine of systemic racism for the next decade. Getting counted is easy. All you have Top Attorneys in Pennsylvania | Best Lawyers in America by to do is call 1-844-330-2020 or go to myPittsburgh Magazine | Pittsburgh Best Lawyers | Best Lawyers in 2020census.gov. The Census questionnaire contains only 10 questions and takes less than America | National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys (NAOPIA) | 10 minutes to complete. In this summer of social distancing, it has never been easier to The American Society of Legal Advocates | Pennsylvania Rising Stars respond to the Census on your own, whether by Philadelphia Super Lawyers | Pennsylvania Super Lawyers online or over the phone—all without having to meet a census taker. Once you’re done, or if you have already been counted, take a few moments to call, text, or email at least 10 people you know who need a nudge. Tell At Goodrich & Geist, we believe there are 3 basic them they are leaving $20,000 on the table if they do not get counted, share the Census qualifications individuals seeking an attorney phone number and website with them, and urge them to get counted before September should always look for: 30. In the meantime, please feel free to contact my office if you have any other questions, concerns, or stories. You can call my office at (412) 255-2135, email us at district1@pittsburghpa.gov, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We look forward to hearing from all of you. Enjoy the rest of your summer! Bobby Wilson Councilman, District 1 n

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Photo courtesy of the Office of Councilman Wilson

This month, Councilman Bobby Wilson discusses why it's important for Northsiders to be counted in the 2020 Census.

That means we have one month left to make sure our families, our friends, and our neighbors all get counted, so that our communities are awarded the resources they deserve. It is extremely important that everyone gets counted for two reasons. First, for every person in the Northside who is not counted by September 30, we lose about $2,000 a year in federal funding for critical services like transportation, schools, hospitals, roads, and other community improvements. And since the Census only happens once every 10 years, every Northsider we fail to count will cost us $20,000 over the next decade. Right now, more than ever we are relying on essential services to keep our communities safe. Adequate federal funding for health care, education, and emergency food and shelter programs depends on getting an accurate Census count. We need

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September 2020

Page 5

District 6 News: Councilman Lavelle In recent years, Pittsburgh has often been cited in lists from various publications as one of the most livable cities in the country. The often celebrated accolade, however, offers an incomplete narrative: one side of a coin that does not take into account the reality experienced by its African American population. The numbers on that front paint a completely different picture as highlighted in the Gender Equity Commission report released in 2019, which notes that “Black residents could move to almost any other US city of comparable size and have a better quality of life.” Contrary to being “most livable,” our Black communities lack basic amenities such as grocery stores, drug stores, clothing stores, and quality sit-down restaurants. Some of these communities experience the highest number of shootings and gun-related deaths in the city of Pittsburgh, and proportionally have the highest number of vacant, abandoned, and tax-delinquent properties. They are in desperate need of comprehensive economic development. What is essential is more than a jobs program or a housing project. Comprehensive investments that grow community economies and enhance the prosperity and quality of life for all residents are required. These efforts entail a rebuild of Black communities for Black people by Black

people with the unwavering support of our friends and allies. Doing so is of benefit not just to these communities, but also to the city of Pittsburgh as a whole. A multipronged approach that gets at the basic infrastructure that builds a healthy community or that makes it successful would address the need for better schools, new affordable housing, improved public safety, strengthened social institutions, and an increase in employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. In terms of priorities, the most expensive and perhaps most urgently needed intervention for Black people is the provision of more affordable housing. Currently there is a 17,000-unit shortage of affordable housing in the city of Pittsburgh and this number increases every year. Our City has invested in a number of new mixed-income projects including those in Larimer, Homewood, the Hill District, Garfield, and the Northside. In addition, the City has established the Pittsburgh Housing Opportunity Fund (HOF). Through this fund, the City has committed $10 million dollars annually to address Pittsburgh’s affordable housing crisis. The funds support the development and preservation of affordable and accessible housing in areas with good access to public transit, jobs, good schools, childcare, grocery stores, and other amenities that individuals and families need to im-

prove their health, safety, and economic self-sufficiency as well as their children’s.

Photo courtesy of the Councilman

Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle: “The most expensive and perhaps most urgently needed intervention for Black people is the provision of more affordable housing.” Despite these and other efforts, the issue of affordable housing continues to worsen. Pittsburgh needs a larger infusion

of resources to both jumpstart development projects in Black communities and reduce the affordable housing shortage. The City could, for example, issue between $60-120 million dollars in bonds to immediately and significantly fund the Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund. With these new funds, we will be able to build new construction and rehab existing properties to create affordable, quality housing options for homeownership and rentals in Black communities. In order for the city of Pittsburgh to truly be the most livable city for all residents, principles of equity and fairness require us to invest disproportionately in poor Black neighborhoods. Merely giving an equal proportional share of resources now will not be enough to overcome decades of damage done by neglect and systemic racism. A significant, sustained, holistic investment in Pittsburgh’s Black neighborhoods will be a tangible measurement of our City’s commitment to fairness, equity, and inclusion, and a tangible measure of our city’s greatness. n

More at www. nschronicle.com

The Northside Chronicle

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September 2020

Monthly message of inspiration Embedded in the Preamble of the United States of America’s Constitution is, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union.” This statement is a confirmation of the oneness of all Americans. We are engaged in a rancorous political atmosphere. Our national general election draws near. For some, this is a call to division and hostility. We must remember that we are all of the same American creed and motto of unity. Some say this election cycle is severely divisive. Some have declared that we are the most divided in our great country’s history. We must understand the nature of our politics. We have a two-party system. Republicans’ philosophical understanding of the Constitution is an originalist interpretation of the Constitution. They try to view the Constitution from the original understanding of the founding fathers. In other words, they base their opinions on what the founding fathers believed at the time of the creation and signing of this great document. Democrats see the Constitution as a dynamic document that expands to meet the needs of the current era. These two driving political viewpoints can seem to create an environment of distrust and partisan disagreement. How should a democracy be governed? Yet, even in the midst of partisanship we can find compromise. This kind of reasoning is due to the best interest of the citizenry. Diverse opinion has been one of the strengths of our Union. People of diverse cultures and social, political, and religious persuasions have added a strength to our country. Out of the many voices, we can overcome partisanship. We can overcome the deadly perception of ‘my way only.’ We are one people. We are one America. We are the United States of America. This idea of one nation will call for a mature

understanding. We must all vote our conscience. We want whomever is in the governing positions to succeed to make this a more perfect Union. We all must share the burden and the work. Yes, it is work to build a better America. I am not worried nor dismayed. We can overcome partisanship. We can over-

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Photo courtesy of Rev. William Zachery Jr., D. Min

This month, Rev. William Zachery Jr., D. Min reminds readers of the original official motto of the U.S.: E pluribus unum, meaning "From many, one." come the ugly diseases of racism, sexism, homophobia, ageism, and all other matters that tend to divide. We declare today that we will be, “one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.” Rev. William Zachery Jr., D. Min. is the pastor of Tabernacle Cosmopolitan Baptist Church in the Northside. n

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The Northside Chronicle

September 2020

Tamburitzans folk ensemble make new home base in NS By Katia Faroun While most people were sheltered at home these past few months, The Tamburitzans were on the move, making their way from Pittsburgh’s Uptown neighborhood to their new home in the Northside. On March 25, the Tamburitzans posted an update via Facebook announcing the location of their new headquarters: the social hall of Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church. The hall is located at 1430 Superior Ave., across the street from the main church building. The troupe’s previous headquarters was located at 1801 Boulevard of the Allies, a few blocks uptown of Duquesne University’s campus. “We are excited to partner not only with the Church, but also with the community, and with all people who love the Eastern European arts,” the post said. Long associated with Duquesne University, the Tamburitzans are a folk ensemble dedicated to the performance of music, song, and dance of international cultures. The group was founded in 1937 and originally composed of 12 young men who played the tamburitza, an Eastern European instrument similar to the mandolin. The founder, Dr. A. Lester Pierce, gathered the young men into what was called the “Slavonic Tamburitza Orchestra” and, drawn by the city’s cultural diversity, moved from Austin, TX to Pittsburgh. The group partnered with Duquesne University and became known as the “Duquesne University Tamburitzans” before turning into an independent nonprofit in 2016 and dropping the university association. The group offers the longest running live stage performance in the U.S. and travels to 25 to 35 states performing 50 to 60 shows per year. Originally based in Eastern European culture, the Tamburitzans have evolved to perform shows displaying

cultures from all over the world. The performers consist of students that attend Pittsburgh-based universities, and membership is audition-based. As the organization developed and required the use of larger technology, administrators began searching for a new home base for the troupe. The group had conducted its main operations at its Uptown location since the mid-1960s and was in need of a space that was larger, less compartmentalized, and fit the evolving needs of the ensemble, according to Alyssa Bushunow, a Tamburitzans alumna and the group’s company manager who worked to find a new space for the group. “Our needs just evolved and we needed a building that we were able to evolve with,

It is very promising in addressing the needs of a nonprofit.” In addition to using the space for rehearsals, offices, and storage, the group

and experience the cultures that we have to put forth, but then also bring to us their own backgrounds and experiences,” Bushunow said.

Photos courtesy of The Tamburitzans

The Tamburitzans folk ensemble is dedicated to the performance of music, song, and dance of international cultures. Originally founded in 1937, the group was then composed of 12 young men who played the tamburitza, an Eastern European instrument similar to the mandolin. as well,” Bushunow said. The spacious social hall includes a large kitchen and bar area, and room for rehearsal space, wardrobe, storage, and offices. The building is an ideal fit for the group’s needs, according to George Hudanick, a member of Holy Ghost who helped negotiate the move. “The church hall was very functional for years; we had weddings and baptisms [in there],” Hudanick said. “It allows them to do fundraising events with the kitchen…

plans on renting it out to the community. Dance rehearsals, social occasions, and individual celebrations are some examples of events community members could potentially host in the building. The building’s projected new name, the Tamburitzan Cultural Center, reflects the group’s desire for the location to be a cross-cultural community space. “We want it to be a center of culture, a center of community, where everyone from all different backgrounds can gather

The organization hopes that by moving to the Northside and opening the location for outside events, it can become part of the neighborhood’s community. “We want to bring that space back to the community and we also want to be a part of a community, and we just thought that the Northside was a really good fit,” Bushunow said. Renovations are currently underway See Tamburitzans, Page 20

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The Northside Chronicle

September 2020

Page 9

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The Northside Chronicle

New $78 mil. cancer center to serve as 'nucleus' of AHN Cancer Institute

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The Northside Chronicle

Page 11

Steps to support your favorite neighborhood small businesses

September 2020

New location, signage for local flower shop

Here are a few ideas worth sharing with friends and family: Call to find out hours or changes in operations of the Northside small business where you'd like to become a new patron. Pre-order in advance for pick-up when possible. Schedule one meal for dine-in or take out each week to start learning menu items. Already a regular at your neighborhood spots? Consider buying in bulk! Many food and drink retailers create fresh and easily frozen meals or drinks to keep on hand for your convenience. Get wild and try a new item! Buy one for a friend! Go farther! Visit your nearby Northside neighborhoods to discover what small business offerings you've been missing. Grab gifts, or gift cards, for upcoming birthdays, anniversaries, and celebrations. Consider planning holiday meals with Northside small businesses that cater this year. Christmas is only 114 days away as of September 1st! Mark your calendars for Small Business Saturday on November 28, 2020.

#northsideshopsmall Do you have a Northside shopping tip to share? Text 412-339-0712 or email northsideshopsmall@gmail.com

Photo courtesy of the Northside Leadership Conference

The Farmer's Daughter Flowers recently got a facelift. This August, they set up shop in a new location: the former Arnold's Tea at 502 E. Ohio Street. The shop's previous location, just across the street, was a little over 1,600 square feet; their new one is close to double that. Plus, the floor plan is a more open concept. n

Page 12

The Northside Chronicle

September 2020

New electrostatic drones could disinfect Heinz Field in three hours Libraries By Mario Cosentino In the wake of COVID-19, the return of fans to large venues such as stadiums and concert halls raises concerns about sanitation and social distancing. One Pitts-

Aeras’ drone technology, patent pending, is expected to do the same job in just three hours. The company claims that the spray can disinfect anything it touches, including the surfaces underneath seats, railings, and armrests. Developed by Environmental Surface Solu-

Keep Us Connected. Maximize your support by making a gift today! All gifts will be MATCHED from September 1 – September 30! Your donation will have a pro-rated match during September thanks to generous support from the Jack Buncher Foundation.

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Photo by Eric Santoyo via Pexels

Each aerial drone unit, created by Wexford-based Aeras Fog Company, weighs approximately 50 pounds, can disinfect up to 20 acres per hour, and is mostly autonomous, meaning that it maps out the stadium and delivers disinfectant spray without assistance. burgh company believes that their product could provide a solution. The Wexford-based Aeras Fog Company has created an aerial drone that utilizes electrostatic technology and claims that it can quickly and effectively sanitize large venues such as Heinz Field in a matter of hours. “We believe that, by overcoming one of the major challenges associated with [attending sporting events and live concerts and attending school], Aeras will help bring us all closer to sharing these experiences again,” said cofounder Eric Lloyd on the usefulness of disinfectant drones in a press release. Electrostatic disinfection is the process of spraying an electrostatically charged mist onto surfaces and objects where traditional means of cleaning are less effective. The current process of dispersing the electrostatic spray involves workers using hand sprayers to disinfect a stadium on foot. This process exposes workers to potentially contaminated areas and can take as long as two days to complete.

tions, the disinfectant can create a protective barrier from COVID-19 and other airborne contaminants on all surfaces for as long as 90 days. Each drone is mostly autonomous, meaning that it maps out the stadium and delivers the spray without assistance. It even recognizes when it is running out of disinfectant and promptly returns to an operator who refills its tank. After being filled, it returns to the spot where it left off. While Aeras has not yet started to utilize their drones widely, the efficiency of the technology was showcased in a test run with water on Highmark Stadium near Station Square. Aeras hopes to have all needed certifications for their drones before the fall, just in time to aid in the return to school and other seasonal activities. While other concerns must be addressed before concerts and professional sports make a full return, Aeras believes that their drones could provide a peace of mind in new normal times. n

Page 13

The Northside Chronicle

September 2020

Northside Back To School Guide 2020 Sponsored by:

The Northside Chronicle - Back To School Guide 2020

Page 14

September 2020

Passport Academy Charter School welcomes Northside students

Passport Academy Charter School (PACS), a blended tuition-free public charter school for under-credited students aged 1621 who have not been able to finish their high school education, is ready for the start of the new school year, providing Western Pennsylvania students with the safe and comprehensive education options they need during these historic times. Students and teachers get ready to log on and start the school year. In the face of a global pandemic, the new school year has been a constant worry for Photo courtesy of Passport Academy Charter School

Photo courtesy of Passport Academy Charter School

families throughout Pennsylvania. According a survey by the National Parent Union, 2/3 of parents support keeping brick and mortar schools

closed until there is no risk. “Parents are understandably anxious about what the upcoming school year is going to look like, and we understand,” said PACS Head of School Bo Jackson. “We love our PACS family like they were our own, so rest assured, because we’ve been doing this in Pennsylvania for nearly 10 years. We know how to do it right. And we will do everything we can to get you across the finish line.” In addition to engaging content, PACS offers student clubs, in-person field trips, and social gatherings to foster a sense of school community. Students choose online school for a variety of reasons including advanced learning, a bullying-free environment, and the ability to

support extracurricular pursuits or medical needs. PACS’ online platform gives students the opportunity to pursue their academic goals in a supportive environment and at an appropriate pace for their learning style. PACS is still accepting enrollments for the school year. To learn more about enrollment, and to find a schedule of upcoming information sessions and school events, visit pacs.k12.com/, download the K12 enrollment app for iOS and Android devices, or contact Ms. Thomas at 412-376- S 3724 x1011, or via email at smthomas@ F hhpacs.org S 9 S g W 1 4 S i y P d a s D m Photo courtesy of Passport Academy Charter School a o

Most Valuable Student Scholarship Competition • Applicants need not be related to a member of The 2021 Most Valuable Student (MVS) application will open on August the Elks. • High school graduates are not eligible to apply. 5, 2020. The MVS scholarship contest • Male and female students compete separately. is open to any high school senior who is a US Citizen. Applicants will be Applications for the 2021 contest will judged on scholarship, leadership, and be available online starting August financial need. 5, 2020. The 2021 MVS application deadline is November 15, 2020. The Elks National Foundation will award 500 four-year scholarships to Visit the website for applications: the highest-rated applicants in the 2021 competition. Who is eligible to apply: www.elks.org/scholars/scholar-

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September 2020

The Northside Chronicle - Back To School Guide 2020

Page 15

Photo courtesy of August de Richelieu, pexels.com Photo courtesy of Sarah Heinz House

Sarah Heinz House Fall Afterschool Programs September 14-November 21; 2:309:00pm M-F & 9am-3pm Sat Schedules split by age (5th-8th grade: Mon, Tues; 9th-12th grade: Wed, Thurs; 1st-4th grade: Fri, Sat) 1 Heinz St 412-231-2377 Sarah Heinz House is opening for in-person programs for school-age youth, as well as limited virtual and Pre-K options! Members gain two days of access weekly, including a free meal and snack. We have something for everyone: STEAM, Dance, modified Aquatics, and much, much more! Register online at our website: sarahheinzhouse. org

Photo courtesy of The Farmer's Daughter Flowers

The Farmer's Daughter Flowers 502 E Ohio St. Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412.231.1238

www.thefarmersdaughterflowers.com

Full service floral shop and botanically inspired gift shop filled with magical curiosities. Come visit us at our new shop front across the street from our previous location! Pre-order your fall wreath, now shipping!

Open Call for Video! PCTV is accepting programming from anyone in the Northside. Normally you would need to be a PCTV community producer to submit but we are relaxing our guidelines in order to help the community during this difficult time. Submit your programs by sending us a direct link from Dropbox, Google Drive or YouTube to pctv21programs@gmail.com. For questions on how to submit your content, email gladys@pctv21.org. For more information on how to create programming during the crisis, watch one of these instructional videos from other community media centers across the country.

Photo courtesy of Lauren Stauffer

Allegheny Observatory Riverview Park Due to Covid-19 the 2020 schedule has been canceled, but Northsiders can still learn about the stars! Visit their website at www.pitt. edu/~aobsvtry/index.html to catch the All-Sky Camera updates from 7:15pm until 6:30am. In the lecture section, University of Pittsburgh staff provides links to public lectures on modern astronomy topics to get by while social distancing guidelines are still in effect.

September 2020

Page 16

The Northside Chronicle - Back To School Guide 2020

PA Cyber online education model prepared for pandemic Quarantine-related consequences continue to have profound impacts on traditional "brick and mortar" schools. “The shift to online learning can be difficult for everyone involved,” said Brian Hayden, CEO of the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School (PA Cyber), “But for a number of reasons, over the past two decades students have thrived in PA Cyber’s online charter school setting.”. PA Cyber’s educational team “was already working from home,” which reduced the amount of obstacles for teachers and allowed studies to continue without delay. “Our students had all necessary resources at home already. We provide every student with a laptop, printer, and textbooks. In addition, we have an outstanding technology department and proven processes in place to help students and families work through any issues such as internet connection.,” explained Hayden. Having well-established online processes prior to COVID-19 allowed the school’s administration to focus its attention on managing both employees’ and students’ personal concerns surrounding the effects of the pandemic. Founded in 2000 as a “school of necessity” to serve the educational needs of families in the town of Midland (Beaver County), PA Cyber has expanded to nine regional offices throughout Pennsylvania, in addition to their Midland headquarters. The tuition-free public charter school provides more than 11,000 students with a primarily online

Similar to traditional public schools, PA Cyber is open for enrollment by any school-age Pennsylvania resident. It also provides parental support and family involvement, a necessary service for a student’s academic success. Their online learning model focuses on teacher engagement and supportive staff, who use a variety of strategies to create individualized programs, to enrich a student’s learning experience. “PA Cyber has grown and evolved with its students becoming one of the largest, most experienced, and most innovative online public schools

Photo courtesy of PA Cyber

education. It is governed by an independent board of directors, employs 350 state-certified teachers and must meet the curriculum requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The first PA Cyber graduating class in 2001 boasted just 16 students. However, two decades later, there have been more than 12,000 PA Cyber graduates. The recent graduating Class of 2020 had more than 1,200 graduates receiving PA Cyber diplomas at the school’s very first virtual graduation.

Photo courtesy of PA Cyber

in the nation,” says Hayden. “In fact, it could be the perfect environment for your children to succeed.” For more information, visit pacyber.org.

September 2020

The Northside Chronicle - Back To School Guide 2020

Page 17

Seniors stay safe at home with LIFE Pittsburgh LIFE Pittsburgh, a nonprofit program that provides comprehensive and integrated care to seniors who may not otherwise be able to live independently at home, continues to provide care to their participants by keeping them safe in their homes during these uncertain times. While adapting their process at the three Northside Day Health Centers to ensure the health of current participants, LIFE Pittsburgh also left enrollment open for new participants who would benefit from access to their essential programs that help seniors at home. LIFE Pittsburgh has been serving the elderly population in Allegheny County for over 20 years with a comprehensive program of support services that provide seniors the ability to maintain their independence in their homes and communities. The program model, known nationally as PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), provides the participants, family, caregivers, and professional health care providers the flexibility to meet those health needs with integrative care. Eligible participants must be 55 years old or older, live in the designated service area, meet the state’s medical requirements for nursing facility level of care, able to live safely in the community,

Photo courtesy of LIFE Pittsburgh

and be financially eligible as determined by the Allegheny County Assistance Office or be able to privately pay. Individual care plans are coordinated for each participant to assist in medical, social and daily living activities while focusing on providing care with respect and dignity as outlined in the Balanced Budget act of 1997 set forth by the National PACE association. “The continuous coordination of care sets

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the LIFE program apart from any other care model, which ensures quality of life to its Participants”, says Deanna Guarnaccio, Outreach Supervisor BS, CTRS at LIFE Pittsburgh. Primary care and community services for participants provided through LIFE Pittsburgh’s Day Health Centers and the in-home program are based on an individual’s needs. “They receive the very best care from dedicated geriatric care professionals without sacrificing their independence.” A participant of LIFE Pittsburgh’s team may include a doctor, registered nurse, master’s-level social worker, licensed therapist, personal care aid, or registered dietician in addition to the center manager and staff. Care for participants can look like daily vital checking, solution focused health routines, communicating with family members the participant’s ongoing needs, surveying home accessibility, or providing transportation to appointments with their LIFE Pittsburgh wheelchair accessible van fleet. To learn more about eligibility and the process of enrolling, contact LIFE Pittsburgh at 412-388-8050 TTY: 711 and ask for the Enrollment Department or visit their website, www.lifepittsburgh.org . “Please reach out if you need extra support, we are here for you.”, says Ms. Guarnaccio, “Stay safe, stay well.“

September 2020

The Northside Chronicle - Back To School Guide 2020

Page 18

The Northside Chronicle

September 2020

Page 19

YINZBURGH! COMICS By Nils Hanczar

OmniBallot a cloud-based document storage system, not an online voting system racy Live website, always generates a paper ballot, and “... delivers ADA-compliant, portal is a cloud-based document storage electronic ballots to voters remotely, no system, not an online voting system, and is matter where they are, or what device they are using.” hosted by Amazon’s AWS. Using screen-reader technology, voters The system, according to the Democwith disabilities can receive and complete their ballots electronically via OmniBallot. They must then print out their completed ballots and mail them to their county election office. Secrecy and outer envelopes will be provided. Kelly Darr is the legal director for Disability Rights Pennsylvania (DRP) and served as co-counsel with Brown Goldstein & Levy, LLP who represented the lawsuit’s plaintiffs. She believes this is a victory and said in the press release that the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and DRP are prepared to monitor the process of introducing and implementing this new tool in time for November’s election. Voters with disabilities can get more Photo via Pexels information on this voting option as it deVoters using OmniBallot to complete their velops by visiting www.dos.pa.gov, www. ballots electronically must still print them votepa.com, or by contacting DRP via out and mail them to their county election phone at 1-800-692-7443 or email at vote@ disabilityrightspa.org. n office. From OmniBallot, Page 1

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Page 20

September 2020

Dance troupe plans to share new Northside space with community begin renting the space out to the public once the building is ready. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, The Tamburitzans used extra time granted by

From Tamburitzans, Page 8 to update the interior of the social hall. Besides creating storage solutions, the group

despite the lack of scheduled performances for the fall. Auditions took place before the outbreak in February and the incoming freshman class was announced in May. Despite the setbacks presented by the pandemic, the Tamburitzans are excited for this new milestone in the group’s history. “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all our supporters and donors for

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Despite the lack of scheduled performances for the fall due to COVID-19, the Tamburitzans, left, who normally travel to 25-35 states to perform 50-60 shows per year, are entering their 84th season. The troupe's new home base is the former social hall of Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church in the Northside. show cancellations to plan the move, and also to focus on booking their next season and increasing their social media presence. The group will be entering its 84th season,

will paint and decorate the walls with posters to make it a “cool space,” according to Bushunow. Renovations are projected to be completed by Sept. 1 and the group hopes to

getting us to this point, and especially to the Byzantine Catholic Diocese for forming this partnership,” the group posted on Facebook. “We can't wait to get settled in!” n

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The Northside Chronicle

Page 22

Ask An Attorney By Matthew D. Gailey, Gailey Law Group Pursuant to Pennsylvania law, insurance companies have a duty of good faith towards an insured. This month's submission focuses on bad faith actions which can be brought against insurance companies should they handle a claim in bad faith. To recover on a "bad faith" claim, basically an insurance company's refusal to pay, a plaintiff must show the absence of a reasonable basis for denying the benefits of the policy and the defendant's knowledge or reckless disregard of the lack of a reasonable basis for denying the claim in order to recover for bad faith conduct. Simply denying a claim, in and of itself, does not constitute bad faith. To win a bad faith case an insurance company must have no reasonable basis for their refusal to pay, and know they don't have a reason not to pay. For example, if an insurance company refuses to pay the damages assessed against an insured, even after a court directs the insurance company to do so, then it is

bad faith. Acts of bad faith can also occur during the course of litigation as well. Bad faith claims, which allow insurance companies to prevent a defense that their conduct in denying claims was reasonable, are difficult to prove. However when a plaintiff does convince a court that they are the victim of bad faith, the court can impose all of the following harsh sanctions: 1) Award interest on the amount of the claim from the date the claim was made by the insured in an amount equal to the prime rate of interest plus 3% 2) Award punitive damages against the insurer 3) Assess court costs and attorney fees against the insurer These additional damages are very significant and are meant to discourage insurers from acting in bad faith. Bad faith cases are a complex area of the law, and if you feel that you were a victim of bad faith, please feel free to give my office a call.

Support our advertisers: They help us bring you the latest Northside news. Check out our website for more content: www.thenorthsidechronicle.com

September 2020

The Northside Chronicle

Page 23

Northside Real Estate Transfers Allegheny City Central

Manchester

Adam Bodenmiller to Paul and Lisa Bakowski at 404 N Taylor Ave. for $440,000.

Stacy Bright to Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB, 1209 N Franklin St., $75,000.

Richard Ferro to Sandra Kay Leininger at 506 Armandale St. for $35,000.

Marshall-Shadeland

N2 Properties L.P. to Jianbo Zhang and Mark Oberpriller at 237 Carrington St. for $549,999. Lynn Sullivan to Creative Solutions Investments LLC at 1418 Loraine St. for $4,400. Annette Atwood to KAG Ltd. 2 LLC at 512-514 Eloise St. for $70,000. Anna Murchison to Westwind Construction Inc. at 1326 Sherman Ave. for $60,000.

Donald Richard to B & B Capital LLC at 1308 Malden St. for $37,500. Kimberly Bennett to Robert Torres at 1518 Forsythe St. for $1,800. Sec. Of Hsg & Urban Dev. to Darryl Bundridge, Lawatha Gonzalez, 3230 Rothpletz St. for $25,000.

Observatory Hill

Go Realty Management LLC to Christopher and Nikki Thorpe at 244 Alpine Ave. for $600,000. William Fiedler Jr. to John Brabender at 4100-4102 Perrysville Ave. for $181,000. Andrew Conn to Andrew and Cassandra Oehler at 413 Jacksonia St. for $415,000.

Brighton Heights

Edward Ferrell to Pittsburgh City at 35 Semicir St. for $85,500. Jaymes Judd to Zachary and Sarah Emily Weinberg at 3242 Orleans St. for $265,300.

Ed Conner to Vincent Miller at 3430 Sipe St. for $57,418. Shanie Verret to Jamie Malone at 911 Reiss St. for $205,000. Milton Allen to Jennifer and Sheila Kambitsis at 3570 Brighton Road for $160,000. Theodore Giese to Wells Fargo Bank Na Tr at 3755 Atkins St. for $17,599 by sheriff's deed.

John Gaughan to Virginia Forster at 57 Waldorf St. for $55,000.

Perry Hilltop Ronald Bennett to Kenneth Rush at 27 Kenwood Ave. for $20,000.

Ivorie Law to Levaughn Robinson at 1265 Benton Ave. for $33,988.

Spring Garden

Devline Inc. to Cody and Sarah Collins at 3772 California Ave. for $215,000.

Wesley Vanness to Luckey Holdings LLC at 1217 Itin St. for $25,000.

Keith Charles Passon Jr. to Evan and James Facer at 4008 Northminister St. for $310,000.

Sequitur Financial LLC to CJ Real Estate Management at 848 Blossom Way for $40,000.

Fineview

Troy Hill

3M Holdings LLC to Michael and Christine Turecki at 1612 Meadville St. for $45,000.

Liuquan Lin to Sirva Relocation CR LLC at 24 Overlook Ct for $585,000.

Historic Deutschtown Graf Partners Lp to JEK 4 Investments LLC at 608 Lockhart St. for $246,500.

Sirva Relocation CR LLC to Thomas Joseph III at 24 Overlook Ct for $585,000. Dan Zilberstein to Greenfield Holdings LLC at 1328 Lowrie St. for $65,000.

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The Northside Chronicle

September 2020

The Northside Chronicle

September 2020

Page 25

Multi-angle approach needed to resist displacement From Housing, Page 1 that in a CLT, “...homes are owned by a homeowner, who leases the land from the land trust. Because CLTs retain ownership of the underlying land, leases dictate that CLT housing [emphasis added] remains permanently affordable, even as original beneficiaries of affordable homes sell and move on.” Fineview and Perry Hilltop Community Councils are looking to acquire properties in their neighborhoods to lease in this way: continuing to own the land themselves, while promoting affordable homeownership of the houses situated on it. Joanna Deming, executive director of the Perry Hilltop and Fineview Citizens Councils, and Sally Stadelman, a member of the Councils’ board of directors, both discussed the difficulties of working to improve neighborhoods without “pricing out” the residents themselves. Renters, Stadelman said, are some of the most vulnerable members of a community when it comes to housing; the “red herring” of neighborhood gentrification is the displacement of them. Real estate taxes for homeowners are less likely to drastically increase than rent, Deming said, partially

ference between what your house is worth and what you owe on it—as the wealth of their neighborhood increases. By building equity, homeowners have the ability to resell their home or take out loans against the house’s equity in an emergency. Deming noted that building equity through homeownership is only possible if the process isn’t undercut by predatory investors who will buy the homes for much less than they are worth and then flip and resell them for unaffordable prices, a scenario that the CLT hopes to help homeowners avoid. Fred Smith, the Councils’ housing chair and a professional realtor, said that the appeal of land trusts is the ability for the trust’s affordable housing to “outlive us.” It is one of the tools, he said, that puts restrictions on the sale of property, both residential and commercial. In commercial CLTs, it can be used to avoid “pricing out” local businesses. It also allows for community choice within the business district, said Deming, by giving the community the power to determine which businesses can lease the land. Questions such as whether the business provides jobs to the community, whether it is owned by a member of their community, and whether it fits into the future the community sees for itself are key factors, along with whether the business is affordable to residents already living in the area. Stadelman emphasized how important

it is for neighborhoods to be self-sustaining, and for it to be possible for residents to walk and purchase what they need in their own neighborhood: It fosters a sense of community and plays a role in achieving

Photo courtesy of Studio for Spatial Practice

A row of houses along Lanark Street in Fineview. The area around Lanark Street is one of the target areas identified in the Fineview and Perry Hilltop Citizens Councils' Five-Year Affordable Housing Plan. greater equity. When the community has choice over the commercial district, explained Deming, it can lead to greater access to basic necessities, like quality affordable food, which

Photo courtesy of Fineview and Perry Hilltop Citizens Councils

Contractors work on renovating Lanark St. in Fineview this past July.

because the county has not reassessed the value of homes in their neighborhoods since 2012, and there is not a lot of appetite in the community to do so. While homeowners are still vulnerable to displacement, they have the ability to build equity—the dif-

she said Fineview and Perry Hilltop currently lack. “Everyone deserves good schools, business districts, grocery stores, and not living near falling down houses,” Deming

Photo courtesy of Fineview and Perry Hilltop Citizens Councils

Members of the Fineview and Perry Hilltop Citizens Councils pose with board members, volunteers, and a tenant in front of 21 Lanark St.

said. The Councils’ Affordable Housing Plan hopes to help the communities achieve these goals. Additional avenues for change Resisting displacement takes a multi-angle approach, and CLTs are only one part of the solution. That’s why neighborhood groups such as the Fineview and Perry Hilltop Community Councils and the Brightwood Civic Group (BCG) have teamed up with the Northside Leadership Conference (NSLC) and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). At the URA board meeting on August 13, plans for development projects for low income and affordable housing units in select Northside neighborhoods were discussed and approved, as well as proposals for partnerships across Pittsburgh. NSLC and BCG acquired six units on Woodland Avenue in Marshall-Shadeland. They plan to rehabilitate these for resale to households that are at or under 80% average median income (AMI), and these units will remain as affordable housing for a 99year period. The URA approved the allocaSee Housing, Page 27

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The Northside Chronicle

World War II veteran now a 'pillar' of Tabernacle Baptist Church By Jazmine Ramsey From 1939 to 1945, the world was at war. Hitler had invaded Poland; France and Britain had declared war on Germany. The war had gone on for two years before the United States joined the fray in 1941. Young men were drafted to fight to stop Hitler’s invasion and put an end to the Holocaust. One of these young men was Northsider John Porter. Speaking with Porter over the phone, it’s immediately clear how humble he is. He doesn’t see himself as a war veteran: “I’m just a farm boy who was sent to the military,” he said. In 1943, at the age of 19, Porter, a Greenville, Alabama native, was drafted into the military. During World War II, Sergeant John Porter served in the supply unit, providing ammunition for tanks and machine guns for the cavalry. He was shipped to Glasgow, Scotland. According to Porter, the soldiers were not getting paid during this time (privates reportedly made a mere $50 a month). Porter stayed in the military until the war ended in 1945. In 1951, Porter was having trouble finding work. “Back then, there were only two places for Negroes to work,” Porter stated. He

Photo courtesy of Tabernacle Baptist Church

According to Deacon Debbie Burse, Porter, pictured, has never missed a Sunday at church.

moved to Pittsburgh, where he found work at a meatpacking company. He worked in the sausage department, repacking wieners and kielbasa. Later, he went on to work at an almond company for 30-plus years until it was shut down. He became a contractor shortly after that. Like many Black Americans in the 1940s, Porter did what he needed to do to move ahead in the workforce. He was determined to find work to support himself, a reminder of how many Black Americans continuously fought to support themselves, even to this day.

September 2020

'Bump-outs' added to Chateau Street

Porter eventually met and married Eleanor Porter. Together, they had two children: a daughter named Joe Ellen, and a son named Lynnwood. Both Eleanor and Joe Ellen have died. Today, Porter is one of the pillars of the Tabernacle Cosmopolitan Baptist Church in the Northside’s Mexican War Streets. He and his wife were both very active in the church; he served as a Sunday school teacher for 30 years, a church trustee for 10 years, and a missionary. While John Porter no longer teaches at the church, he continues to make an impact there. “He is the kindest person. He is very knowledgeable of the Word. He takes his Bible out and when the pas-

Photo by Lauren Stauffer

Photo courtesy of Tabernacle Baptist Church

Porter served as a Sunday school teacher at Tabernacle Cosmopolitan Baptist Church in the Mexican War Streets for 30 years. tor’s preaching, he would have his Bible, following right along with him,” said Deacon Debbie Burse, fellow member of the Tabernacle Church. “He’s always been very polite, mannerable and very alert, and never changes his demeanor. He knows the Word. He loves the Lord. He’s a pillar at the Tabernacle.” According to Burse, Porter has never missed a single Sunday at church. His dedication to his faith and his time in the military shows his inner strength. Now 95 years old, Porter continues to play an active part in his Northside community. He is currently a member of the Manchester Citizens Corporation (MCC), one of the oldest community development organizations in the nation. According to Porter, he does not have an important position, however, he does voice his concerns about the Northside community. Despite suffering from two personal losses and witnessing the events of World War II firsthand, Porter never gave up his faith. Porter played a vital role in the battles of World War II. He is a man who continues to inspire many of his fellow church members. In a sense, Porter is like a real-life Superman; he continues to instill hope in others through his actions. n

In a continued effort to improve the safety of Chateau Street in the Northside, which serves as a service road to PA Route 65, the City of Pittsburgh's Department of Mobility and Infrastructure has painted "bump-outs" or curb extensions at the street's intersections. The bump-outs visually narrow the roadway to shorten crossing distances for pedestrians and control motorists' speed. n

September 2020

The Northside Chronicle

Page 27

City doesn't see 'urgent need' for affordable housing like community does From Housing, Page 25 tion of funding to help pay to develop these units as well as to bridge the gap between the costs of the units’ rehab and the affordable prices they want to sell them for. These houses are in the final stages of rehabilitation before they will be sold. Darnell Jackson, real estate director for NSLC and project manager for these units, explained that the original purpose of these developments was to prevent blight and reduce crime in the area, which he believes is proving to be a success. He said

ing neighbors through emergencies and onto a path of stability.” Neighbors contribute a pay-what-you-can monthly membership fee, which goes toward a community fund to pay wellness providers for services such as mental and physical health care, food, and clothing. In an interview with The Northside Chronicle, Williams voiced concerns over the displacement of Northside residents and gentrification, particularly in East Liberty. Originally a social worker, Williams has been involved in a variety of nonprofits and believes that gentrification is motivated and

Photos courtesy of the Northside Leadership Conference

Houses like these on Woodland Avenue in Marshall-Shadeland have been prioritized for rehabilitation by the Brightwood Civic Group and the Northside Leadership Conference (NSLC). he hopes that NSLC will be able to acquire more properties to rehabilitate in the surrounding streets in the future. The URA also approved funding for a unit at 9 Lanark St. in Fineview. The Fineview Citizens Council acquired this property and is in the process of providing significant rehabilitation to it before it can be resold. The community group plans to rent the unit to a household that makes 60% of the median income, and it will be kept under rent restriction for 15 years. Deming was at the meeting and spoke on behalf of the Fineview Citizens Council. She discussed how the area around Lanark Street is one of the target areas identified in the Council’s Five-Year Affordable Housing Plan, and that the Council is already developing two other properties nearby. Many Fineview and Perry Hilltop households are cost-burdened, she said, and the area is 423 units short of the amount of affordable ones that it needs. The URA also discussed their Community Engagement Ambassadors (CEA), who help residents apply to rental assistance programs from the URA, City, and county. This program is run by the URA and Omicelo real estate investment, which according to their website, “aims to create comprehensive economic change throughout communities, without causing unnecessary displacement.” Adrienne Walnoha, the director of Omicelo’s community health initiatives, discussed the CEA partnerships, one of which is The Wellness Collective, founded by Northside resident Shanon Williams. According to its website, The Wellness Collective is a “consortium of neighbors help-

fed through systemic racism. She used to attend Oliver High School in the Northside and said the closing of it in 2013 was one of her early motivations to become involved in nonprofit work. The value of public resources—particularly schools, she said—ranks alongside that of affordable housing and employment when it comes to staving off displacement. Policy change In regard to affordable housing, Smith explained that the City doesn’t “see the urgent need the way the community does,” and while he appreciates the support the City gives, “anything tangible takes forever…” “...We’re racing against investors and other parties trying to move into the neighborhood and take over,” Smith said. We’re doing our best to hold the line, but we need the support.” Deming agrees. The neighborhood organizations would like to repair blighted land and properties, but the process of transferring these properties from the City to the neighborhood council can take two to three years. Community organizations should not only be focused on fundraising from the City, Deming said, but they should also be working toward policy change in order to address the bigger issues that affect inequality within their communities. Deming notes that policies like addressing race inequality, a ballooning prison population, and low wages are critical to solve housing issues. They are all interconnected, she said, which is why policy change is necessary along with funding for projects such as affordable housing. n

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The Northside Chronicle

Deadline to Respond is Now September 30, 2020!

September 2020