Sluggo

McKeesport, PA

Worst Politician in Mckeesport History

Just Reporting the news: McKeesport schools hire construction management firm Thursday, October 22, 2009 By Moriah Balingit, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The McKeesport Area school board voted last night to hire Pennsylvania Project Managers, Inc. to hand the district's $50 million plan to construct two new schools, one that's been delayed by at least a year by the termination of the last architect and construction manager. School directors Joseph Chiaverini, Steven Kondrosky, Joe Lopretto, Wayne Washowich, James Brown and Christopher Halaszynski voted to hire PPM, Inc. Board members Dave Donato and Barbara Stevenson and board president Lori Spando voted against the hiring. Mr. Donato pointed out that former board member Gerald Tedesco owns PPM, INC., and that Mr. Tedesco had failed to provide certain pieces of information outlined in the request for proposals. Ms. Spando called the company's request for an upfront fee of around $250,000 "outrageous. " "We're giving a quarter of a million dollars to a former board member," she said. "It's preposterous. " Board secretary Dave Seropian said it was "not typical" for companies to request a fee before they've actually done work. But Mr. Kondrosky called hiring Mr. Tedesco's firm good business and pointed out that he's a well-known member of the community. "I feel that this guy can do a pretty good job for us," Mr. Kondrosky said. "He's sure as heck not going to want to make himself look bad in front of all his neighbors. " Read more: http://www.postgaz ette.com/pg/09295/ 1007517-100.stm#ix zz0UfhbG6MI  (Oct 22, 2009 | post #159)

McKeesport, PA

Do you Consider the Police Overtime Case Closed?

That would sound like an airtight solution moving forward. The technology is simple and effective. It would beat paying an "outside " auditor to generate a 28 page paper list... Would you consider such a document a formal "audit"?  (Oct 15, 2009 | post #142)

McKeesport, PA

Where should the new Mckeesport School go?

Czar, The evaluation that you mention named Cornell as the number one site. That being the case, it would seem the decision is obvious. Build there first. The McClure expansion reminds me in a way of how Brett Favre avoided training camp and then on opening day showed up in a Vikings uniform. Shall we say, an end around? I don't believe it is the job of the taxpayers to visit the school and understand the site selection process. It is the responsibility of those making the decisions to explain their positions to the taxpayers. It seems the board majority wants to build as much as possible and bus as much as possible. I doubt the taxpayers share their enthusiasm. Paul  (Oct 15, 2009 | post #318)

McKeesport, PA

Where should the new Mckeesport School go?

The Palkowitz ("Snake Hollow") site selection is taking a lot of ribbing. Would someone please come on and explain the advantages to that site? I mean there must be very good reasons for wishing to develop there, right?  (Oct 15, 2009 | post #316)

McKeesport, PA

McKeesport closer to establishing program for homeless

I believe that our direction needs to be reducing our dependence on Federal monies. With that sort of funding comes a loss of control. In my opinion, We invest great deals of time and effort chasing government monies, that could be better spent courting businesses to locate here. It is only by growing our tax base will we ever end our woes as a city. This involves: 1) Supporting local businesses and helping them to grow. 2) Attracting new businesses. 3) Attracting residents. We, as elected officials and community leaders have to take responsibility for moving the city forward. We need to take advantage of Mckeesport's unique strengths such as our location and our rivers. When we are competing for Federal dollars, we have no real competitive advantage over any other depressed community. Just like a business, we have to create value here to attract business and homeowners. All I'm saying is that being dependent on government support hasn't worked. It is time to try new things. Paul  (Oct 14, 2009 | post #6)

McKeesport, PA

SEX OFFENDERS IN MCKEESPORT

That, in my judgment, is a false accusation. Just another in a long line....  (Oct 13, 2009 | post #65)

McKeesport, PA

McKeesport closer to establishing program for homeless

You don't understand my position at all. I am against the opening up of McKeesport to county residents (non-native) for HUD.  (Oct 13, 2009 | post #4)

McKeesport, PA

Where should the new Mckeesport School go?

The Luzerne County scandal where youth were unjustly being put into detention centers is horrific. The two judges in question are alleged to have taken 2.8 MILLION in kickbacks to send kids to private detention centers. If there was that much in kickbacks, how much money was really scammed and how many kids had their lives interrupted (if not ruined) in this scheme? I can speak from personal experience, that it is traumatic for an innocent adult to be detained. I can't imagine the effect on innocent youth. More on the story: http://www.post-ga zette.com/pg/09046 /949273-85.stm Paul  (Oct 11, 2009 | post #308)

McKeesport, PA

Great Quotes

Good words to live by.  (Oct 9, 2009 | post #101)

McKeesport, PA

Municipal authority to raise McKeesport sewage rates

Common sense would tell me that if our plant was able to take on outside business, increasing revenues, that Mckeesporters should get a break, right? An authority is not a "for profit" business.  (Oct 9, 2009 | post #4)

McKeesport, PA

Municipal authority to raise McKeesport sewage rates

I'm equally confused. I believe that the City is still paying the debt obligations on the Penn Vest loans for improvements made prior to the sell off. They claim the McKeesport system and plant requires bigger upgrades, but isn't that system and plant processing the outside sewage? I would suspect that the fear is that raising costs too much to outside clients could force them to look to other sources while we in McKeesport are a captive audience. Pardon the pun, but the whole thing stinks. Paul  (Oct 9, 2009 | post #3)

McKeesport, PA

Do you Consider the Police Overtime Case Closed?

Jason Togyer wrote on the the subject today: http://www.tubecit yonline.com/almana c/entry_1353.php#c omm  (Oct 9, 2009 | post #139)

McKeesport, PA

Breaking News

subject  (Oct 9, 2009 | post #20)