-Budget season is in full swing! As Chair of the Finance and Law Committee, I have been attending briefings to talk about each and every department’s budget, any increase or decrease over last year, how their budget is used, and what their plans are for 2016.
-Announced Carrick Blitz Results at the Carrick-Overbrook Block Watch on 11/2. I was proud to stand with Mayor Peduto, Assistant Police Chief Schubert, Commander Karen Dixon, block watch leaders and the wider Carrick community to announce that the blitz made a difference on many streets in Carrick. Representatives from the departments of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (Formerly BBI), Public Works, and the office of Community Affairs detailed the measurable results, like a huge increase in directed foot
patrols by officers, a slew of housing violations to be scheduled in the magistrate’s court, and more...see the full presentation here: http://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/district4/Carrick_Blitz_Presentation.pdf
-I attended the Thomas Merton Award Dinner, honoring Senator Barbara Lee 11/9
-Along with Congressman Mike Doyle, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, I lead a delegation to Cuba. The trip also included former State Senator Jim Ferlo, former State Representative Mike Diven and representatives from Penn State and Duquesne University. This trip, organized by the Pittsburgh-Matanzas Sister Cities Partnership, was an amazing chance to create relationships with Cuban officials to make sure that Pittsburgh is lined up to exchange goods and services when the embargo were to be lifted without u
sing taxpayer dollars for this trip! Read more below…
-Staff and I met with Columbia Gas officials to talk about projects in District 4 and talk about the best way to communicate with our office and the neighborhoods in the district, like the Dellrose Street reconstruction project (Read More about the Dellrose reconstruction below)
Dellrose Street has been a riddle that the Department of Public Works, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Neighbors and our office have been working to solve for two years. As residents of the street will tell you, the process has not always been smooth! Thankfully,
The approach that has finally emerged is a brand-new strategy that can help manage stormwater and provide a beautiful brick street instead of laying asphalt on top of brick or laying concrete and creating a channel for stormwater to flood whatever is downstream.
The entire base of the street was dug out and filled with “aggregate” of differing sizes. At the bottom of the base, there are jersey barriers to direct the flow of water down into the ground. Rising from there, the aggregate, i.e. rocks, get smaller and smaller. The street surface will be Unilock bricks. These are L-shaped paver stones that will look like a new brick street. This approach has been used in Mt. Lebanon, and managers from Dormont Borough have been on site to learn from our approach. This is the first city street to use this new technology. The Department of Public Works is hoping to be able to use the same strategy to replace other aging brick streets in the
city.
Cuba has been isolated for decades...and not just because it’s an island! The US halted trade between our nations some time ago. Why does that matter? There are 12 million consumers living 90 miles off the coast of Florida to whom we cannot sell our products! If the trade embargo is lifted, then Pittsburgh businesses would, for the first
time, have a chance to sell our products and services in Cuba.
I was one of three elected officials to lead a delegation of 24 leaders to meet with high level decision makers in Cuban government and prominent private citizens. No taxpayer dollars were spent on this trip. Representatives from corporations such as PPG met with Commerce and Trade officials, we talked with the Cuban Civil Aeronautics Department about direct flights from Cuban and US airlines to land right here in Pittsburgh. We explored the potential of becoming the North East hub for air travel to and from Cuba. The Cuban Sports Federation committed to a youth boxing and baseball tournament right here in Pittsburgh, planned for July of 2016.
This is a market that has been isolated for decades, and being near the front of the line for trade would be a boon for the city. I want to extend sincere thanks to the US Cuba Sister Cities organization, and point out that the head of the organization is a District 4 resident!
In our office, we receive many inquiries about the lack of activities for teenagers in South Pittsburgh. Although this is a city-wide program, our southern neighborhoods are behind the times when it comes to creating programs that matter to teenagers.
Brookline Teen Outreach helps teens to explore their potential and opportunities while providing them a place to learn and grow where they will be accepted for who they are and where they come from no matter what. By providing such a space, Brookline Teen Outreach allows teens to put the past behind them and look forward to a more positive future while building up the community around them.
They are raising funds to move the Brookline Teen Outreach to a space more visible to the community and more accessible to students. The new center will provide mental health services by licensed counselors, as well as a space for volunteers to provide free tutoring in many subject areas.
To make a donation for the new Brookline Teen Outreach Center go to http://startsomegood.com/venture/youth_in_action/campaigns/show/programming_for_urban_teens_in_brookline!
Does this mild weather have you missing Yoga in the Park? Well fear not--Phillips Park Recreation Center will host indoor yoga on Friday nights, beginning 12/11 from 6:30-7:30. Alicia Brody will instruct aspiring yogis in a range of stretching and strength building. Bring your mat and $10 for the class! Namaste!
Need presents for the reader in your life? Baked goods for your church or brunch? Carrick Library has you covered!
The Friends of the Carrick Branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will hold a two day Holiday Book and Bake Sale Friday and Saturday, December 11 and 12th from 10AM to 4:30PM. Come on out to 1811 Brownsville Road and stock up! Proceeds benefit the Friends of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Carrick Branch.
Many people fear speaking in public more than death. Many people spend their whole lives avoiding speaking in public, because they have never learned how to be comfortable and effective when speaking to a group. Toastmasters of Carrick, PA has been helping folks find their voice right at the library!
The Toastmasters are an international club that provides a supportive and fun environment in which adults can develop and practice their communication and leadership skills. Toastmasters Carrick also has a youth program called the Gravel club open to students under 18 and in grades 6 through 12 that allows students to practice communication and leadership skills by conducting their our meeting, scheduling for speakers and meeting roles, evaluation speakers and setting bylaws for their club.
Meetings are held every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh- Carrick Branch at 10:15AM. The Gravel Club also meets on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month at 12:00PM.
For more information on Toastmasters visit http://toastmasterscarrickpa.toastmastersclubs.org/ or email toastmaste...@gmail.com!
Governments can’t shop like you and I. Not possible to hop over to Giant Eagle, Carrick Hardware, or online retailers. Government has to give a fair shot to anyone who might like to work with the city. Unfortunately, this can mean a lengthy process.
Well, the Code For America fellows worked hard to simplify these processes. When you’re spending the limited money funds, we have to get the best quality products and services for the lowest price! CFA Fellows took on the job of making these processes smoother and more effective. From this project, three tools have emerged.
Beacon is an online tool that tells businesses when the city is looking for bids. Business owners simply register with Beacon (https://www.buildpgh.com/beacon/), and this free service will send email notifications with relevant opportunities. Then bids can be managed by the City’s Department of Management and Budget, who make sure that we get the best bang for our taxpayer buck! 350 businesses have registered since September!
Scout and Conductor are tools that can help make the City’s internal processes run smoother. Scout (https://www.buildpgh.com/scout/) can help city staff identify and subscribe to current contracts. This will reduce staff time spent looking up contracts
and will streamline the process of notification when the contracts change. Launched in May of 2015, employees have already subscribed to over 100 contracts!
Lastly, Conductor will help connect different databases for the Office of Management and Budget. Before Conductor, these systems couldn’t “talk” to each other. That meant a lot of staff time was spent trying to bridge that gap. With these huge improvements, when a contract is changed in Conductor, it is instantly updated in Scout. And any contract entering the bidding phase can be posted to Beacon. Here’s to a smoother City purchasing process!
Who can afford to start or switch their career? Those who get paid training, of course! As an apprentice, you can gain hands-on knowledge and take home a paycheck.
The Western Pennsylvania Operating Engineers Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program is accepting applications for apprenticeship in their Heavy Equipment Operators Program and their Mechanic Technicians Program in 2015. Applicants may apply for either or both programs but may enroll in only one. Applications will be available on select dates between December 7, 2015- December 18, 2015. Combining on-the-job training (under the close supervision of a skilled craftsperson) along with craft related classroom instruction, an apprentice learns by doing. One of the best parts of this approach is that apprentices get paid while they learn on the job and once training is complete apprentices earn the distinction of journeyworkers.
Applications and information packets may be downloaded at www.wpaoperators.org or picked up in person between the hours of 9:00AM and 3:00PM, Monday through Friday, beginning December 7th at 111 Zeta Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.
For more information visit www.wpaoperators.org.
Just in time for the colder weather, the Pittsburgh Parking Authority has completed the resurfacing of the parking lot in Beechview. This lot now features brand-new LED streetlights. LED (Light-Emitting Diodes) are bright, last much longer than traditional streetlights and they are incredible efficient. Saving energy, money and maintenance? Sounds like a win-win-win!
Santa is taking a break from Christmas preparations to have lunch on Sunday in Brookline! Bring the kids and the young-at-heart for this meet and greet!
Come have lunch and meet with Santa Claus on 12/13 from 2-3:30PM at the Brookline Community Center. There will be crafts and other fun things to do. Food and drinks will be provided. A $3 donation is requested per person. Please bring a wrapped gift for Santa to present. All ages are welcome.
When you Shop Local this month, the City of Pittsburgh will cover your parking! Every Saturday in December, Pittsburgh Parking Authority is offering free parking for on-street metered parking spaces and surface-level lots. So get out and get your shopping done on Saturdays! December 12, 19, and 28.
Baby, it’s cold outside! But if you are having trouble keeping the heat on inside, help is available!
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Inc. and Peoples Natural Gas are again partnering to promote the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) with the goal of helping low-income customers with their winter heating bills.
LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services that helps income-eligible families pay winter heating costs. The program provides a one-time grant to assist with paying home heating bills.
LIHEAP funds are limited so Columbia Gas and Peoples Natural Gas urge eligible homeowners and renters to apply as soon as possible. The income eligibility limit for the 2015-2016 program is 150% of the federal poverty income guidelines. This means single individuals with an annual income of up to $17,655 are eligible to apply, as well as families of four who earn an annual income of up to $36,375. LIHEAP closes on April 1, 2016 or earlier if their funds run out.
Customers are encouraged to apply online through Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Service website (COMPASS) at www.compass.state.pa.us or by calling 1-866-827-1281.
To apply, the utility customer must provide the following information:
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Names of all people in the household
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Birth dates for all people in the household
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Social Security numbers for all members of the household
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Proof of income for all members of the household
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A copy of a recent heating bill
In addition to LIHEAP, the natural gas utilities offer a number of assistance programs to help customers struggling with household budgets. Customers can contact Columbia Gas at 1-800-537-7431 or Peoples at 1-800-400-WARM (9276) to learn more.
Smelling gas is not normally a good thing, but sometimes it can be deadly. Carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas, causes hundreds of deaths each year from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. CO poisoning can happen to anyone and causes harm to your central nervous system and even your heart, however individuals with existing health problems such as heart and lung diseases and the elderly are especially vulnerable.
Carbon monoxide poisoning mimics many common illnesses such as the flu and food poisoning with symptoms including: headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, seizures, cardiac arrest, loss of hearing, blurry vision, vomiting, disorientation, loss of consciousness, coma, and respiratory failure. To help protect yourself and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning you should have your furnace and fireplace cleaned and inspected before each heating season, use non-electrical space heaters only in well-ventilated areas, and refrain from starting or leaving running cars, trucks or other vehicles in an enclosed area.
Carbon monoxide home alarms can help alert you to increased CO levels. If your detector alarm sounds and you are experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, leave your home and immediately call 911. If your alarm goes off and your are not experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: first check the detector, push the reset button (if available), turn off any appliances or other sources of combustion, and get fresh air to the building. If you think you have symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and you do not have a detector, leave your home and immediately call 911.
For more information call any of the following Carbon Monoxide Awareness Coalition members;
Pittsburgh Poison Center 800-222-1222
Allegheny County Health Department 412-687-2243
Air Conditioning Contractors of America, Western Pennsylvania Chapter
Allegheny County Fire Chiefs Association, Inc
Fire Training Academy, Local Emergency Planning Committee, Volunteer
Firefighters Association
Bacharach
City of Pittsburgh
Department of Public Safety, Emergency Management Agency,Emergency
Medical Services, Pittsburgh Fire Bureau Safety, Hazardous Material Response
Team
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania
Equitable Gas Company
Dominion Peoples
Are you currently living without internet connection in your home? Is your child or grandchild eligible for the National School Lunch Program?
If the answer is yes, then you may qualify for Internet Essentials from Comcast. Internet essentials provides an affordable high-speed internet option to those who need it. At just $9.95 a month you will receive a WiFi router and high speed internet delivered to your home. Participants in this program can also purchase a low cost computer with Microsoft Office and Norton Security included. Internet Essentials also provides free internet training online, in person, and in print!
To learn more or apply visit InternetEssentials.com or call 1-888-972-5982!
You’ve spent years practicing your vocals in the shower. Now it’s time to share your talent with the world!
Brookline Community Open Mic is a community-run open mic dedicated to developing artists and performers in Brookline and surrounding communities. Brookline Open Mic started at Cannon Coffee, and after Cannon Coffee was sold, community members worked hard to make sure this amazing event stayed put!
Anyone who wants to perform is able to and can sign up at any point throughout the night. All performance types and talents are welcome and encouraged to come! Brookline Community Open Mic, formerly held at Cannon Coffee, has found a new home! Every Wednesday starting at 7PM come to the second floor of the Brookline Pub located at 734 Brookline Blvd.
You can follow Brookline Community Open Mic on Instagram at BrooklineOpenMic. For questions E-mail Brooklin...@gmail.com!
Have you seen the weather forecast? Snow is coming! While this might bring delight to the snow lover in your household, many area seniors dread the arrival of snow and ice because of the dangers that they bring. Snow Angels is a program that helps minimize the hardships of winter by pairing volunteers with elderly residents with disabilities to assist with snow removal.
So far Snow Angels has received 277 requests from area elderly or residents with disabilities for assistance shoveling this winter. Snow Angels is currently seeking volunteers in the Carrick and Brookline areas due to noticeable higher volume of requests from residents.
This volunteer opportunity is open to anyone living in Allegheny County, and is great for families and high school students. Volunteers are asked to help at least one resident for the entire 2015/2016 winter season. Shovels and salt are available by request. To volunteer with the Snow Angels program and help ensure that our city’s elderly and disabled are cared for this winter, residents can visit alleghenysnowangels.org to complete registration.
Are you missing your favorite prime-time City Channel programs? Sadly, due to ongoing construction and renovation in the City-County Building, the City Channel will not be able to broadcast meetings LIVE during the week of December 14th. Unfortunately the current playback system is experiencing technical difficulties, therefore Council meeting replays are suspended until the new system is installed.
We will make an announcement when these technical difficulties have been overcome.
Friday, December 25: Christmas Holiday - City-County Building Closed
Friday, January 1: New Year’s Day Holiday - City-County Building Closed
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