inside the Borough 3 WCDC 4 SChool DiStriCt 5 liBrary 6 ChamBer of CommerCe 7 VOL. 4 NO. 7 April 2011 A Free Community newsletter Bringing you good news ABout wilkinsBurg Tigers Cap Season with Playoff Run Finishing with an overall record of 18-7, the Tigers, led by first-year head coach Reuben Coleman, made exciting runs through both the WPIAL and PIAA tournaments. The Tigers’ post- season run came to an end with a loss to the Beaver Falls Tigers in the second round of the PIAA playoffs, 69-55. Wilkinsburg Mayors Luke Ravenstahl and John Thompson discuss the Fire Service agreement between the City of Pittsburgh and the Borough of Wilkinsburg at a press conference March 21. See story on page 3. Community Garden Project to Bloom this Year A community garden project in the foot lot at 502-504 Jeannette Street. Hamnett Place neighborhood is one of three Such costs include technical recipients of up to $25,000 in grant funding expertise, and gardening equipment and from Allegheny County. seedlings. Allocated through Allegheny The funds—part of the county’s Grows, a program of the county’s Community Development Block Grant Department of Economic Development, allocation—were awarded to a joint the grant will supplement a $25,000 partnership of the Pittsburgh History & grant secured by PHLF from the Heinz Landmarks Foundation (PHLF) and a group Endowments for the redevelopment of of residents who have formed the Hamnett blighted and vacant lots in Wilkinsburg. Place Garden Association. The grant will be As part of that process, PHLF disbursed over a two-year period and will partnered with the non-profit social be used by the residents to cover costs of enterprise, Growth Through Energy and Wilkinsburg’s Jordan Howard powers past defender in the Tiger’s last playoff game against the Beaver planting an urban garden on a 19,000 square- Community Health (GTECH) Strategies Falls Tigers. continued on next page www.wilkinsburgsun.com 1 The Wilkinsburg Sun P.O. Box 86064 Wilkinsburg, PA 15221 (412) 818-0333 Lynne Gordon, Editor GED Students Brighten The Board of Directors Jason Cohn, President Senior Meals Minister Linda Kirkland-Law, Vice President John Irwin, Treasurer These colorful greetings have been brightening the Wilkinsburg packages for Meals Vanessa McCarthy-Johnson, Secretary Richard Bradford on Wheels recipients this year. They are the work of GED students from Forbes Road CTC, which meets in Hosanna House The Wilkinsburg Sun is a free monthly community newsletter published GED instructors Debbie Nickzad and Francine Taggert say that their students have by the volunteer Wilkinsburg Community partnered with Wilkinsburg Community Ministry (WCM) to deliver the cards to the seniors. Newsletter Board, with the support of the They have made cards for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentines and St. Patrick’s Day. Wilkinsburg Borough, the Wilkinsburg School District, the Wilkinsburg Chamber Nickzad says, “About 10 students are involved during the course of the project, usually of Commerce and the Wilkinsburg at the end of the day or a break between studies.” Community Development Corporation. The students give the project care and thought. Nickzad says that the valentines “were The Sun is printed by Knepper Press. woven hearts with the message ‘You’re my cup of tea,’ and included a tea bag.” The students Please submit all articles and calendar also decorated the bags that Meals on Wheels delivered on March 23 for the special Mayors events to: [email protected] or by mail, P.O. Box 86064, Wilkinsburg, PA for Meals event, in which Mayor Thompson, Fire Chief Owen McAfee, and others helped to 15221. Please submit articles 6 weeks deliver meals to raise senior hunger awareness. before publication and The Wilkinsburg Community Ministry (WCM) is looking for volunteer drivers and runners calendar events 4 weeks before publication. To advertise, to deliver meals to senior citizens in Wilkinsburg weekdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Even e-mail [email protected], one day a month is a big help Those interested in helping their neighbors in need should or call 412.916.1790 contact Marcia Haley at 412-241-8072. The Sun accepts submitted articles provided they are related to Wilkinsburg Free Workshop on How to Improve Your Storefront and are civic-minded. The Sun reserves the right to withhold articles from print. Pittsburgh Historic Landmark Foun– will discuss topics such as what type Please note that The Sun does not dation and First Niagara Bank will host of improvements may help a business publish political or opinion pieces. a Facade Improvement Workshop on get noticed, how to create eye-catching Wednesday Apr. 27 at 8:30 a.m.. Presenters window displays, and how to get financial assistance. This event is free and open to all Archiving Demonstration business and commercial property owners. For more news and updates, visit the Wilkinsburg Sun on Facebook. Offered on April 18 A continental breakfast will be served. The workshop will be at the Landmarks The public is invited to see a Housing Resource Center, 744 Rebecca COMMUNITY GARDEN demonstration of the archive preservation continued from page 1 Ave. Interested parties should RSVP by Apr. process at the April meeting of the to help the Hamnett Place residents craft a 25 to [email protected] or 412.471.5808 Wilkinsburg Historical Society. In conjunction site map of the vegetable garden and what ext. 547. with the Wilkinsburg Public Library, the could be an “imagination garden,” where society has been working on digitizing the Camp Taking Applications Wilkinsburg youth and their parents can history of Wilkinsburg, converting the fragile Allegheny County Camp Cadet, a youth venture outdoors and apply their creativity. history that is on paper to a permanent camp for enhancing an understanding of law PHLF and GTECH have facilitated digital format which will be accessible online. enforcement, is now taking applications for a series of community garden meetings Librarian Linda Jennings will present this boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 14. at the Housing Resource Center at 744 program on Monday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m. in There is no cost to cadets. Interested Rebecca Street to get community input the Wesley room of the South Avenue United youth must submit applications no later from neighborhood and borough residents Methodist Church. Attendees should use rear than April 15. For more information, visit interested in participating in the project. For Ross Avenue entrance. The meeting is free www.alleghenycountycampcadet.org or call more information, contact Rachel Courtney and refreshments will be served. Allegheny County Police 412-473-1322. at [email protected]. 2 Wilkinsburg Sun I April 2011 Wilkinsburg borough www.wilkinsburgpa.gov SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT Six non-Profits Give Payments in Lieu of Taxes Wilkinsburg and Pittsburgh Enter Wilkinsburg is home to many non-profit organizations and churches—all of which are exempt from local taxes according to into Fire Service Agreement federal law. However, the following organizations have made donations As residents have been hearing for some time, the Borough to the borough in the last six months totaling over $7,000: of Wilkinsburg is in the process of consolidating its fire service • Hosanna House, Inc. with the City of Pittsburgh. The Borough will be contracting the • The Children’s Institute Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire to provide fire protection and related • Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf services. • New Testament Baptist Church The consolidation plan was developed by a task force comprised • South Avenue United Methodist Church of management and labor representatives from both communities. • Covenant Fellowship Reformed Presbyterian Church At the time this issue went to press, the City was to begin providing These payments in lieu of taxes are known as PILOTs and go services effective April 1, 2011. The consolidation will result in a toward the expense of municipal services. dramatic increase in fire response over what the Borough is currently The borough expresses their appreciation for their civic minded able to provide, and full-time firefighters will continue to be stationed contributions. at the Borough Building 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Below are some key points about the consolidation: • Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire will provide fire protection Important numbers services to Wilkinsburg under the terms of an intergovernmental Mayor’s Office Police Emergency Berkheimer cooperation agreement. (412) 224-2920 911 Tax Administrator (866) 227-4716 • The Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire will maintain a staffed fire Borough Manager Police Non-Emergency (412) 244-2900 ext 101 (412) 473-3056 Adult Library station in Wilkinsburg’s municipal building. (412) 244-2940 Borough Receptionist Police Hotline (Complaint) • Station 2 will close. The Borough is looking at options of (412) 244-2900 ext 101 (412) 244-4300 Children’s Library (412) 244-2944 Finance Dept. Police Chief how to use the building going forward. (412) 244-2948 (412) 244-2915 Eastridge Library • Wilkinsburg’s first alarm response will improve from 8 (412) 342-0056 Code Enforcement Fire Emergency (412) 244-2923 911 Weed and Seed firefighters to 24 firefighters responding to structure fires. (412) 244-0643 Public Works Dept. Fire Chief • The staffed fire engine in Wilkinsburg will respond to (412) 244-2934 (412) 244-2931 emergency calls in both Wilkinsburg and Pittsburgh. • Wilkinsburg received a FEMA grant, and will be purchasing a brand new rescue pumper for use in the Borough. PROBLEMS WITH TRASH PICK-UP? CALL 412.244.2923 • The company assigned to the Wilkinsburg station will provide fire prevention services in Wilkinsburg including smoke detector installation and fire safety UpcominG meetings inspections and education. 4/4 (Mon.) 6 p.m. Wilkinsburg Planning Commission • Pittsburgh has offered employ– 4/6 (Tues.) 7 p.m.