Text Size:
A|
A|
A
Email
PrintIt's ironic that as we prepare to turn the page on the calender to a new year, we're reminded that one of the great news stories in 2007 was the making of a 2008 calendar, "The Ladies of the Mon."
A bevy of mature ladies from the Mon Valley became overnight stars with publication of the tongue-in-cheek cheesecake calendar, a fund-raiser for the Monongahela Area Historical Society.
It was just one of the stories that made headlines in 2007, and as always, it's the players -- the stars as well as the bit actors -- who make the stories real and give them a life beyond the printed page.
That's why we like to use their own words, in quotes culled from the stories under the headlines, to review the news of the year. Here's a selection from 2007:
"Let's not kick people in the teeth here. It's common sense versus bureaucracy."
-- State Rep. Timothy Solobay, D-Canonsburg, is among those who question a decision by the state Department of Health to fine the owner of Horizon Senior Care in Canonsburg for taking in residents of the Cherry Tree Personal Care Home who were displaced by a fire that hit the facility housed in the George Washington Hotel in Washington. The department said Horizon placed its own residents at risk by bringing in the outsiders. The $18,000 fine was eventually paid when new owners took over the facility. Jan. 7
"It's a bit of an anomaly. [But] some years are just like that."
-- Bob Coblentz, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, explaining the unusually warm temperatures that are causing daffodils to pop up, magnolias to bud, and pansies to lift their heads. There were 20 days of 50 degrees or better in November followed by 15 days of the same in December. New Year's Day topped out at 56 degrees. Jan. 7.
"There's kind of concern [as to] how much worse it can get."
-- James Gazica, owner of Scuba Center in the Washington Mall, wonders aloud at the future of the mall with the departure of longtime anchor J.C. Penney Co. as it prepares to move to The Foundry, a new shopping complex under construction on Route 19 in South Strabane. Washington Mall is already a shell of its former self with vacant storefronts and darkened empty corridors that once bustled with shoppers. Jan. 14
"I tend to believe in miracles."
-- George Dunn, 49, a heart transplant patient, is one of the leaders in a campaign to save the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Canonsburg General Hospital which is phasing out under the weight of a $150,000 operating deficit. About 80 patients use the program and would have to go elsewhere if it closes. Despite petitions and pleas for help from state and local officials, Mr. Dunn and his friends were unable to pull off a miracle. The program closed Feb. 5. Jan. 28
"I think that now, we've reached our limit. This has gone beyond the beyond."
-- Linda Wade, a Sixth Ward resident in Washington, argues against a group home for pregnant teens that VisionQuest, a nationwide organization, wants to establish in the old Sixth Ward School. The neighborhood has about 10 different group homes, she said. A final determination is still pending. The city at first granted approval, then rescinded approval. The courts overturned the city ruling on an appeal by VisionQuest, and now the city intends to appeal the court decision. Feb. 4.
"Everybody just felt comfortable. It was small and intimate, not a rowdy bunch of bar people."
-- Maggie O'Lear, a frequent patron of the Hickory Inn, recalled the ambiance of the inn that was a Cheers-like warm spot in the Hickory community of Mount Pleasant. In existence since 1932, it was purchased by Bill McCracken in 1982. Mr. McCracken was forced to close the inn because of health reasons. Feb. 11.
"The fact is, they're digging themselves in a bigger hole."
-- Dean Ellis, president of the Washington County Branch of the NAACP, comments on the City of Washington's refusal to produce public documents as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People tries to determine which city official wrote profane and insulting remarks next to names on a list of speakers at a public hearing. The list with the handwritten comments was inadvertently mixed with other informational papers at the hearing that were returned to Mr. Ellis. Ultimately, Mayor Ken Westcott, who denied he was the culprit and ordered a police investigation of the incident, admitted to writing the comments. Feb. 25
"I straightened out like a board and lit up like a Christmas tree!"
-- David Ball, 64, a Peters councilman, describes the experience of being hit by a Taser stun gun. The township is considering buying Tasers for the police department, and Mr. Ball said he wanted to learn as much about them as possible. He allowed police to "Taser" him not once, but twice, to learn exactly how they work. Council voted to approve the purchase. March 4.
"The only thing that can be done is to hunt them."
-- Sean Walsh, of Giant Oaks in Peters, offers his opinion at an open house meeting as Peters joins Upper St. Clair and Mt. Lebanon in the debate of how best to control the burgeoning suburban deer population. March 18.
"I have concerns that we might be the tip of the iceberg."
-- Beth Ford, who with her husband, Barry, have a beekeeping operation on their farm in Somerset and Nottingham townships, is puzzled by Colony Collapse Disorder, a mysterious condition that's causing honeybees to disappear in 24 states. Only three of their 75 hives still had bees, and there were similar reports from other beekeepers in Washington County. April 1.
"The biggest blackout has been the lack of information."
-- Robert Lazaro, of the Piedmont Environmental Council in Virginia, speaking at a community meeting as opposition mounts against Allegheny Power's plans for a high-voltage line through Washington and Greene counties. Part of the project involves a line into northern Virginia that has roused environmental groups in that state. The project in Pennsylvania is under review by the state Public Utility Commission. April 15.
"I'm going to get my ideas down and we're going to make things happen in Canonsburg."
-- Allen "A. J." Williams, 19, beats a three-term incumbent to win the Democratic nomination in the primary and is set to become not only the youngest but the first black person to serve on Canonsburg council. A junior Canonsburg councilman, Mr. Williams is a student at Washington & Jefferson College. May 20.
"One of the advantages of being old is that you can do anything you want, and get away with it."
-- Lois Phillips, 80, is Miss September in the "2008 Ladies of the Mon" calendar that became a huge hit and even drew national attention -- far beyond the expectations of the ladies who agreed to pose in the (almost) altogether for the calendar as a fund-raiser. June 10.
"This place was absolutely busting at the seams with people."
-- Mike Graninger, general manager of the Meadows Racetrack & Casino, who estimated 16,000 people turned out for the casino's grand opening to try their luck at the 1,738 slot machines. The long-awaited opening went off without a hitch. Despite the crowds and packed parking lots, there were no traffic tie-ups and nearby residents were pleasantly surprised at the lack of disruption on their streets. June 17.
"You know the old saying -- the only time a farmer has any money is when he sells all his equipment."
-- John Dryer, who, over the last two decades, managed the famed "Heinz Hitch" of Percheron horses on his farm near Avella. The H. J. Heinz Co. decided it was too expensive to maintain the hitch, and Mr. Dryer was forced to give up the horses. They found a new home with the Army, pulling funeral caissons at Arlington National Cemetery. July 1.
"Having a Tanger Outlet Center in Washington County will be another tremendous asset for our state and make Washington a world-class destination for shopping and entertainment."
-- Richard Bonds, Pennsylvania's executive director of tourism marketing, comments on the long-awaited official groundbreaking of the $75 million Tanger Outlet complex in South Strabane. A target date for opening is spring, 2008. July 15.
"It's incredible that they can keep doing this at taxpayers' expense."
-- Jim Kleissler, executive director of the Center for Coalfield Justice, refers to traffic restrictions and the millions of dollars of repair work that is going into a seven-mile stretch of Interstate 79 in Greene County. The roadway has been repeatedly damaged by longwall mining at mines owned by Foundation Coal Co. Under existing law, the coal company is not liable for the damage. Aug. 19
"That executive session was wrong. It violated the Sunshine Act."
-- Peter Glasser, a former Peters councilman, chastises council for a closed-door meeting it held to discuss opposition to an ordinance banning firearms from most township buildings and parks. Council rescinded the ordinance, but not before getting an earful from angry residents and gun rights activists. Sept. 2.
"No matter how much money or how little money you come from, when you come into the LeMoyne Center, everyone's on the same level."
--Joyce Ellis, the power behind the reopening of the LeMoyne Multicultural Community Center in Washington, which closed three years ago after a fire. Ms. Ellis, owner of a Washington dance school for 33 years, led the effort to repair the center, and launch new programs aimed at youth, including tutoring and high school equivalency exams. Sept. 30.
"We're not just talking high achievers or kids from two-parent homes. These kids have overcome a lot of problems."
--Dawn Nicolaus, principal at First Street Elementary School in Canonsburg, is proud of the pupils and staff for earning a "No Child Left Behind -- Blue Ribbon School" designation from the U.S. Department of Education. The school is the only one in Washington County to receive the honor. Oct. 21.
"This is the late 1700s. It was rough."
--Jim Ross, administrator of the Washington County Historical Society, comments on the hard life of early settlers as the society prepares to open the Washington County Frontier History Center in Washington Park. The center, two years in the making, includes a replica of the frontier forts that were typical at the time, built to protect settlers from Indian raids. Oct. 28.
"The message is simple. More openness and accountability in the office."
--Steve Toprani, 28, who soundly trounced six-term incumbent John Pettit to become Washington County's district attorney, promises change will be coming to the DA's office. Among other things, he intends to revamp and find more funds for the county's drug task force, which came under fire in recent years for a decline in arrests and funding issues. Nov. 11.
"I was uncomfortable with having it that loose."
--Debbie O'Dell Seneca, Washington County president judge, issues a court order putting restrictions on the movements of prison inmates after concerns were raised about inmates being brought on a regular basis to the district attorney's office. Those visits appear to be part of an FBI investigation of DA John Pettit, and records on inmate transportation were among those subpoenaed and seized by the FBI. Dec. 2.
