Text Size:
A|
A|
A
Email
PrintSomeone needs to tell Mayor Luke Ravenstahl that with regard to the Davis Avenue Bridge, blowing it up was not "getting it done" (his campaign slogan). The energetic mayor didn't exactly take swift and heroic action by declaring a million-dollar emergency a full 10 days after an engineering firm said he should; 21/2 years after inheriting the massive, crumbling structure; and a full eight years after it was originally declared unsafe for vehicle traffic.
As I watched the "emergency crews" swing into high gear in the final days of the historic structure's history, taking away access to one of this socially and economically struggling neighborhood's only assets without any hint of a promise of replacement or substitute, I couldn't help but wonder what this money could have done for Davis Avenue's bridge if it had been applied to its rehabilitation at any of the millions of lost moments in its recent history.
On Wednesday, as the ancient wooden deck of the span -- hewn from the majestic white oaks that once flourished in the area and used to build many of the stately homes including my own -- was blown to smithereens, I was wondering who exactly was benefiting from this million-dollar investment (in demolition and other costs). Certainly not the people (and dogs) who walked across the bridge daily into Riverview Park. Surely not the families who depended on the ability to drive across the bridge that connected them to their jobs and families in the now-struggling neighborhoods on the other side. Definitely not the people of Brighton Heights trying to sell their homes. And not the community groups struggling to keep the neighborhood from further decline and despair.
A million dollars was spent on our neighborhood, but we are left with nothing.
MARY KATE KELLEY
Brighton Heights
'Green' our schools
Pittsburgh is truly one of America's green cities. It is the home of the first green convention center, historic building, warehouse, university residence hall, banking facility and one of the world's most energy-efficient conservatories. It is also the future home of the NHL's first green arena and a green children's hospital campus with two LEED-certified buildings. It also boasts PNC Bank, which has more environmentally friendly certified buildings than any other company in the world. Finally, it ranks eighth in the United States with 2,748,910 square feet of LEED-certified space.
What would it take to become No. 1? Pittsburgh must promote sustainable values and "know-how" in the next generation and community. Green schools are the keystone to such an endeavor. Green schools create green communities. They reduce energy costs and increase learning and productivity. More importantly they connect children to the world around them and motivate them to learn in order to protect their family, friends, community and environment.
As the home of the six-time Super Bowl champions, Pittsburgh has shown the world that it does not settle for second best. We must continue that "can do" spirit and ensure that our schools are the centerpiece of our initiative to become America's No. 1 green city.
CHAD DORN
Fox Chapel
Braddock progress
Your Monday piece about Braddock Mayor John Fetterman was timely considering the upcoming primary ("Braddock Mayor Has His Critics," May 4). As a council member of a neighboring municipality I would like to report on some changes I have noticed in Braddock since Mayor Fetterman's arrival.
Obvious aesthetic changes include: basketball courts, murals, re-paved roads, trees, an urban garden, UPMC additions, new housing and several revitalized buildings on historic Library Street. Practical additions have included a stronger youth program, a jobs center, a vegetable-based fuel business, a district art show, a farmer's market, creative artists space and the return of the annual street fair.
While it is true that many people have worked to keep Braddock viable since the loss of the steel industry and no one disputes that, Mayor Fetterman's unique character and dedication have created a buzz that has generated grants for the town, politicians' attention and movement on the much-delayed neighboring Carrie Furnace development and Rankin bridge repairs next to the popular Waterfront.
The residents of Braddock would be well-served to embrace the change that their mayor has helped them realize and work with him to continue to move their neighborhood forward.
STEVE KARAS
Forest Hills
Build them up
In response to Joanne Dimitt's letter "Pushing the Agenda" (April 23), I take offense to her connection of the North Side, Hazelwood and Homestead to a quote from Tony Norman's column "Richard Poplawksi: Dangerous -- and Armed" (April 7), in which he said, "Imagine whole neighborhoods full of Richard Poplawskis shooting at neighbors and cops at the slightest provocation."
The North Side, Hazelwood and Homestead have violent reputations as a result of poverty, gang activity and lack of interest from new industries, all of which occur in other areas of Pittsburgh as well.
Instead of making harsh generalities, critical judgments and comments that devalue, why don't you lend a helping hand to pull the "bad neighborhoods" out of their present condition and beautify them from the inside out? Why don't we team up with their residents and local organizations to give the communities a chance to thrive? Give these communities the power to run progressive businesses, participate in the growth of eco-friendly industry and offer educational and artistic opportunities to the people. This would get rid of the issue of poverty, eliminate gang activity and gain the much-needed attention of the city.
We must not ignore this problem any longer but follow in the footsteps of the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild and the Kingsley Association to build up Pittsburgh's neighborhoods that have fallen behind. These neighborhoods should reflect Bill Strickland's philosophy of "being the image of the solution, not the problem." Act now.
ABIGAIL HAWKINS
Squirrel Hill
Prison amenities
Every police officer should be thanked and commended, not just now because we are mourning the loss of Pittsburgh police Officers Eric Kelly, Stephen Mayhle and Paul Sciullo, but every second of every day -- for without these professionals, our streets and neighborhoods would be much more unsafe than many of them already are.
And while I realize there are both good cops and bad cops, I have to believe most of these uniformed men and women are in their chosen profession for the right reasons -- to protect and serve.
What angers me the most is to think the shooter in this heinous crime may cost the taxpayers more money than the families of the officers will get in survivor benefits.
How unjust it is that a person with so little regard for human life can live out his remaining years (even if convicted and sentenced to death) in a warm cell, with three meals a day, a TV or recreation room for relaxation and access to a college education!
And we wonder why our prisons are overcrowded!
BERNICE NYLANDER
West Mifflin
Consider that this is debt we can't repay
Why is letter writer John J. Hrizo ("The Ability to Pay," April 27) up in arms about people, even children, attending tea party rallies? His puzzling question is, "What are they really complaining about?"
These people are not so much worried about taxes already being paid as about the ability to pay future tax debt for the magnitude of spending being done by the government run by Democrats. The tea party-goers are longing for the days of Democrats Andrew Jackson, John F. Kennedy and William Jefferson Clinton -- three politicians who increased tax revenues by cutting taxes and balanced the federal budget.
The debt-increasing stimulus package passed by the sitting president and the Democrat-controlled Congress is not having its desired effects. The banks are still underfunded needing more capital, the carmakers are in or are facing bankruptcy and hundreds of thousands are still losing jobs, while millions remain unemployed.
Children born today are being born $124,000 in debt. That is why you see even children at these events. Debt of this magnitude will never be repaid regardless of how much you tax the citizens. The governments need to cut spending and taxes to rejuvenate the economy.
Come join our party, Mr. Hrizo, and we may save some money!
MATTHEW J. FISHER
Castle Shannon
