Mckeesport Dragging Pittsburgh Down

McKeesport solicitor faces DUI charges 

02/14/2012 7:23 AM 
By Eric Slagle, MCKEESPORT DAILY NEWS

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Police have filed DUI and other charges against McKeesport solicitor J. Jason Elash in connection with a single-vehicle accident that occurred last month.

Toxicology tests revealed Elash had a blood-alcohol level of .196 percent following the accident, which occurred at 1:32 a.m. Jan. 22, according to a release from McKeesport police Chief Bryan J. Washowich.

The legal limit for blood alcohol content in the state is .08 percent.

Elash's 2004 Cadillac Escalade SUV had reportedly been traveling south on Route 48 when it failed to negotiate a bend and left the roadway. The vehicle struck a commercial building and came to rest. Elash, 40, was alone in his vehicle. He was transported by ambulance to UPMC Mercy for medical treatment following the accident and his vehicle was towed from the scene.

Police issued a summons to Elash on Friday charging him with DUI, required financial responsibility and driving at a safe speed.

McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko indicated Monday he will permit Elash to stay on as solicitor for the city, saying, ″I personally am willing to give him the opportunity to put this behind him and really just focus on his job and help move the city toward the future.″

The mayor said Elash has been fulfilling his duties as solicitor in a satisfactory manner since the incident and believes Elash ″is putting the issues that led to this situation behind him.″

Cherepko said the issues he was referring to were both personal and political.

Elash, who served as city attorney during former Mayor James Brewster's administration, was the subject of debate last year between then interim Mayor Regis McLaughlin and council.

Elash was ousted from his position in January 2011 and the city worked without an official solicitor for a short time before Bruce Dice and Associates was named in June.

Elash, who was unanimously rehired by council last month after Cherepko took office, could not be reached for comment by presstime.

Cherepko said of Elash, ″He's very apologetic and sorry for embarrassing me personally and the city of McKeesport.″

The mayor said he believed the incident was ″out of character″ for Elash and that he wanted to ″give him an opportunity to put his life in order.″

The mayor also said he was satisfied the police investigation of the accident was conducted with the highest level of integrity.

The release from police indicates a search warrant was served for the results of Elash's toxicology test Feb. 9 due to suspicion of driver impairment.

Washowich said he could not discuss details of the investigation any more than what was included in the release.

Police initially indicated there had been icy patches reported on roads at the time of the accident.

Elash has been cited for traffic violations in the past. In 2001, he pleaded guilty to a charge of speeding in East McKeesport.

In 2003, he was charged with driving without a license, careless driving, following too closely and failure to obey a yield sign in White Oak, but those charges were later dismissed.

http://m.triblive.com/triblive/pm_5903/conten...

mckeesport dragging mckeesport down, if that is even possible!

45th district Mckeesport, PA. senator James Brewster covered up Elash for years. 

The reapportionment committee should have been able to move him.
Judges let this go on by keeping Brewster as a senator for McKeesport Pa. Located near Pittsburgh.

Toxicology tests revealed Elash had a blood-alcohol level of .196 percent following the accident, which occurred at 1:32 a.m. Jan. 22, according to a release from McKeesport police Chief Bryan J. Washowich.

The legal limit for blood alcohol content in the state is .08 percent.
Elash's 2004 Cadillac Escalade SUV had reportedly been traveling south on Route 48 when it failed to negotiate a bend and left the roadway. 

The vehicle struck a commercial building and came to rest. Elash, 40, was alone in his vehicle. He was transported by ambulance to UPMC Mercy for medical treatment following the accident and his vehicle was towed from the scene.

http://m.triblive.com/triblive/pm_5903/conten...

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12045/1210131-...

Read

W. Pa. Maglev firm target of bankruptcy auction

The Associated Press
Updated:  02/13/2012 02:27:12 PM EST 

MCKEESPORT, Pa.—The assets of a Pittsburgh-area company that once hoped to develop a 55-mile high speed rail project from Pittsburgh International Airport through the city's eastern suburbs will be auctioned March 6 due to bankruptcy.
Maglev Inc. of McKeesport was created as a research and training facility for the $5.25 billion project that foundered after a $28 million federal startup grant announced three years ago never materialized.

Maglev filed Chapter 11 in July claiming less than $50,000 in assets and debts of more than $1 million.

The assets available at the public auction will include steel fabrication equipment, including band saws, welding equipment and air compressors.

The auction begins at 10 a.m. at the company's former research and development facility about 10 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.

http://www.ldnews.com/state/ci_19954706

McKeesport to get aggressive on taxes 
02/21/2012 7:25 AM By Jennifer R. Vertullo, MCKEESPORT DAILY NEWS
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

With the hope of improving city finances, McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko is holding true to a campaign promise that committed city staff to the aggressive collection of delinquent taxes and fees.

According to records at McKeesport City Hall,$961,830.25 is owed in delinquent municipal service fees for 2010, 2011 and the first quarter of 2012. Also,$464,538.44 is owed in 2011 real estate taxes at a penalty rate.

The municipal service fee is $70 per quarter and is assessed for garbage collection, police and fire protection. The two-tiered property tax rate is 4.26 mills on buildings and 16.5 mills on land.

At city hall, a list of property owners who are delinquent in paying municipal service fees includes a number of uncollectible listings, lien tax clerk Rosemary Breda said. However, she said the delinquent property tax listing is accurate and includes only current property owners who can be notified.

Cherepko said his administration is committed to going after what Breda believes is collectible, rather than passing the buck to Keystone Municipal Collections and resorting to the routine imposed on uncollectible listings.

″We're trying to be as aggressive as possible so that when we do turn these collections over to Keystone, the amount hopefully will be smaller than it was in previous years,″ Cherepko said. ″We are taking a proactive approach. It's not fair to our responsible taxpayers that certain individuals are consistently delinquent.″

Cherepko says he refuses to raise taxes and fees to compensate for a significant amount of outstanding balances.

″Due to our current financial situation, it is imperative that we collect the money that is owed to this city so that we can stay on budget and maintain the level of services we provide,″ city administrator Matt Gergely said.

The city is operating on a $17.9 million budget, which because of action earlier this month includes a $500,000 transaction to pull money into the general fund ″ an administrative financial move council believed had been covered prior to the budget's passing.

In his mayoral campaign platform, Cherepko committed to aggressive tax collection. And less than two months after taking office, the mayor has McKeesport's police force on board.

Officers are stepping in to notify property owners of delinquent tax matters that have been recognized by Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

″When the fees reach a violation of a city ordinance, payment is forwarded to the district court,″ police Chief Bryan J. Washowich said. ″If the magistrate issues a warrant for a violation, that warrant is then served by the police department. An official notice is posted on the defendant's door, reminding them of the nature of the warrant.″

Posting is not required by law, but it is being done as a courtesy.

″Visits to the defendant's home are logged in the event that the police department would have to make a physical arrest for failure to comply,″ Washowich said.

Cherepko commended the chief and his department for going above and beyond their regular scope of duty.

Mck DUI Report wrote:

McKeesport solicitor faces DUI charges 
02/14/2012 7:23 AM 
By Eric Slagle, MCKEESPORT DAILY NEWS
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Police have filed DUI and other charges against McKeesport solicitor J. Jason Elash in connection with a single-vehicle accident that occurred last month.
Toxicology tests revealed Elash had a blood-alcohol level of .196 percent following the accident, which occurred at 1:32 a.m. Jan. 22, according to a release from McKeesport police Chief Bryan J. Washowich.
The legal limit for blood alcohol content in the state is .08 percent.
Elash's 2004 Cadillac Escalade SUV had reportedly been traveling south on Route 48 when it failed to negotiate a bend and left the roadway. The vehicle struck a commercial building and came to rest. Elash, 40, was alone in his vehicle. He was transported by ambulance to UPMC Mercy for medical treatment following the accident and his vehicle was towed from the scene.
Police issued a summons to Elash on Friday charging him with DUI, required financial responsibility and driving at a safe speed.
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko indicated Monday he will permit Elash to stay on as solicitor for the city, saying, ″I personally am willing to give him the opportunity to put this behind him and really just focus on his job and help move the city toward the future.″
The mayor said Elash has been fulfilling his duties as solicitor in a satisfactory manner since the incident and believes Elash ″is putting the issues that led to this situation behind him.″
Cherepko said the issues he was referring to were both personal and political.
Elash, who served as city attorney during former Mayor James Brewster's administration, was the subject of debate last year between then interim Mayor Regis McLaughlin and council.
Elash was ousted from his position in January 2011 and the city worked without an official solicitor for a short time before Bruce Dice and Associates was named in June.
Elash, who was unanimously rehired by council last month after Cherepko took office, could not be reached for comment by presstime.
Cherepko said of Elash, ″He's very apologetic and sorry for embarrassing me personally and the city of McKeesport.″
The mayor said he believed the incident was ″out of character″ for Elash and that he wanted to ″give him an opportunity to put his life in order.″
The mayor also said he was satisfied the police investigation of the accident was conducted with the highest level of integrity.
The release from police indicates a search warrant was served for the results of Elash's toxicology test Feb. 9 due to suspicion of driver impairment.
Washowich said he could not discuss details of the investigation any more than what was included in the release.
Police initially indicated there had been icy patches reported on roads at the time of the accident.
Elash has been cited for traffic violations in the past. In 2001, he pleaded guilty to a charge of speeding in East McKeesport.
In 2003, he was charged with driving without a license, careless driving, following too closely and failure to obey a yield sign in White Oak, but those charges were later dismissed.
http://m.triblive.com/triblive/pm_5903/conten...

http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJ...

DUI McKeesport wrote:

<quoted text>
http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJ...

He should appear on Losers Leaves Town.

Fix PA McKeesport

I’ve been writing about the corrupt and dirty politicians and cops from McKeesport, PA for over 20 years. All demobocrats all corrupt and all untouchable, especially with Sicilian District Attorney/Mobster Stephen Zappala, Jr. covering up crimes whenever there’s a need. I can’t write this stuff and send it out to the people on my email list and then post on websites, unless it’s true.

http://fixpa.wikia.com/wiki/McKeesport_Police

McKeesport PA Police Pay Scam with Pittsburgh connections. Zero investigation, newspaper was denied rights to know.

Pittsburgh beating of Jordan Miles, rally begins to ask for Zappala to resign. See Pittsburgh news channel 4 as they are on scene live.

Proof justice needs re-working in western PA.
-
The four in the narcotics squad also were members of the District Attorney's Narcotics Enforcement Team, a county-wide task force that includes members of local police departments and investigators from the district attorney's office.

Mike Manko, a spokesman for the district attorney's office, confirmed that some of the suspended officers had connections to DANET.
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/nei...

Rally for Jordan Miles

No surprise, everyone knows about McKeesport.

Frustration floods McKeesport council chambers - Allegheny

By Jennifer R. Vertullo 
McKeesport Daily News
Thursday, May 3, 2012, 7:18 a.m.
Updated: Friday, May 4, 2012 

With some attendees shaking their heads and others leaving the room, an air of frustration filled McKeesport council chambers Wednesday evening as city officials continued arguments on the topics they've debated for months.
After council approved the revision of a previously tabled service agreement for solicitor J. Jason Elash in a 5-2 vote, with Councilors V. Fawn Walker-Montgomery and A.J. Tedesco dissenting, council president Darryl Segina sidestepped Robert's Rules of Order by commenting on the matter after a vote was cast.
Segina said there were private reservations about Elash's appointment as solicitor, despite a unanimous vote in January. Those reservations have increased among some council members and the public since DUI charges were filed against Elash after a single-vehicle accident on Jan. 22.
"The only thing we can do, and what we did, is negotiate the contract," Segina said. "The beginning contract only stated the retaining fee (of $1,500 per month) and $75 an hour. In the one we just passed, there was more."
Elash's service agreement outlines his scope of services as defined by McKeesport's Home Rule Charter and adds a personal conduct clause that charges him to uphold the city's reputation. It notes that his employment will be terminated if convicted of any alcohol-related offenses for incidents occurring after March 1, 2012.
Tedesco asked if the contract defines whether Elash is an employee or a professional contractor, specifically asking if his services require a W-2 or 1099 federal tax form. He noted that the question was not intended to spark further controversy, but rather to clarify a matter of record-keeping that city officials will resolve in coming days.
"Council approves the solicitor, and the mayor executes the contract on behalf of the city," Mayor Michael Cherepko said. "It's a non-bidding contract ... for professional services. Council doesn't have a say as long as it's within the budget."
Cherepko said he extended a courtesy in compromising with council in the development in Elash's contract. That statement led to bickering between Cherepko and Walker-Montgomery, when he told her the matter was "nothing to smirk about."
Walker-Montgomery said the mayor didn't know what she was laughing about, and he should not call her out on an assumption. Both parties were silenced by Segina's gavel as they told one another to watch their mouths and educate themselves.
http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourmckeesp...

(McKeesport Council Meetings)
Council meetings in McKeesport are held the first Wednesday of every month. 7PM at 201 Lyle Blvd. Highway side entry, 2nd floor.(15132)
BP Gas station is across the street.

McKeesport Area violated open-meetings law

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
April 18, 2012 12:33 am

The McKeesport School District has admitted that a violation of the state Sunshine Act occurred at a school board special meeting last summer, according to a consent order signed Tuesday by Common Pleas Judge Paul Lutty.

The violation occurred at the July 13, 2011, meeting of the McKeesport Area school board when a vendor was permitted to make a pitch for his firm during an executive session of the board.
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/nei...

45th District Brewster to be avoided.
How he left his city after eight years as former mayor there:

Vacant buildings an issue in McKeesport
Thursday, December 01, 2011
By Jonathan Barnes

They look like large gaps in an otherwise bright smile -- vacant houses and buildings that once were part of a vibrant, industrial McKeesport but now draw trash, vermin and the anger of neighbors.

The question of what to do with these empty buildings looms large, and the topic is broached at nearly every city council meeting.

Although the city demolishes some buildings every year, no real consensus has been reached on what to do about the problem in the long term. Sometimes, the subject is raised by residents pleading with city officials to demolish a vacant building next to their home. Other times, city officials bring up the subject.

Fire Chief Kevin Lust said at council's Nov. 16 meeting that firefighters have been at such vacant homes, working hard to put out a fire, while residents watched and yelled, "Let it burn down!"

Some residents have asked Chief Lust and others in the fire department if such vacant houses and buildings could be burned, but the chief shuddered at that suggestion. "Yes, the vacant buildings are a fire hazard," he acknowledged, but he told council, "A controlled burn is out of the question. There is no such thing as a controlled burn, under my direction."

"The problem is that the system hasn't been working," Councilman Darryl Segina said. "We haven't been doing the job to save these structures before we have to tear them down. We've got to start cleaning them up -- the market value of the whole city has gone down."

Council Vice President Fawn Walker-Montgomery said several houses on Butler Street need to be torn down. The city should have a written process to place vacant buildings on a demolition list, she said. "There should be some kind of citizen involvement," she added.

Council President and Mayor-elect Michael Cherepko said in the future he would include all city council members in the process as well as city officials who currently are involved in the demolition selection.

After the meeting, Mc-Keesport controller Ray Malinchak said two problems occur with demolition -- the cost and opposition from owners. Some buildings can cost $35,000 or more to demolish, he noted, and some owners of the structures stop the city from tearing down the buildings.

Jonathan Barnes, freelance writer: suburbanliving@post-gazette.co m.

First published on December 1, 2011 at 4:49 am

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11335/1193662-...

Bunch of nutcases, not getting any of the help they so desperately need!

2nd off. Mckeesport PA attorney charged!
http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/CPR...

Pittsburgh case, to be held on August 13, 2012 at 9:00 A.M.