The Pittsburgh Press from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 12

Tuesday, May 10, 1988 B4 The Pittsburgh Press METRO NEWS Sto-Rox schools deny financial mess METRO BRIEFS Board member Charles DiVecchio vigorously disagreed. "We're in good shape," he argued. "Those reports, they come out with that all the time, and it's the same thing. Those auditors, they don't go by the community." Ben Livingood, Bailey's press secretary, said the office understood the economic problems of the district, which serves about 2,000 students in McKees Rocks and Stowe a industrialized district on an economic decline "Facts are facts, and we have to deal with the dollar signs as they appear," he said. Among the unhappy signs for Sto-Rox is a growing percentage of deficit to assessed valuation.

Bailey noted that the state Public School Code allows the state secretary of education to declare any district "distressed" that has a deficit equal to 2 percent of the assessed value of its taxable real estate. In a distressed district, a special board of control manages the district's finances rather than the elected board. Bailey said Sto-Rox's deficit was Mancini and Larry N. Seigworth, administrative assistant of business affairs, said the district has undertaken a number of cost-cutting measures, such as not filling staff vacancies and not buying new equipment, to reduce the deficit "We're trying to make do with what we have," Mancini said. Board President John Bordas said he would not describe the situation as perilous.

"I would say we have to be fiscally responsible in the coming budget, Bordas said. He blamed the previous board for overestimating revenues and underestimating expenses. Bordas said he expects a balanced budget in 1987-88 partly because the district's assessed valuation rose from $47 million last year to an estimated $48 million this year. But Bailey noted that expenditures in the 1987-88 budget are increasing by $325,236, while the ltt-mill tax increase will generate only an additional $67,150. Furthermore, a teacher contract approved last year will raise costs by $94,151.

"The district's severe financial dilemma is not being properly addressed," he contended. By Bill Zlatos The Pittsburgh Preis The finances of the Sto-Rox School District are not the mess that a state report depicts, district officials insist The report by state Auditor General Don Bailey shows a deficit of $561,254 in 198S and a projected deficit of $760,134 in 1987. Bailey blamed the problem on the school board's failure to recognize previous years' deficits when preparing annual budgets. Bailey saw the board's attempts at resolving the problem a lVi-mill property tax increase in June and a $675,000 loan as Inadequate. In a statement accompanying the report, he said, "The district remains in a perilous financial situation." Sto-Rox administrators and board members, while acknowledging the financial problems of the past, contend the district has turned a corner.

Superintendent Patrick Man-cini predicted, "At the end of the 1987-88 school year, we will be on a very sound base." 1 IT it i Who's skidding? There was one thing more embarrassing than the misspelling on a street near the Joanna Connell School in Erie for that city's planner, Dennis DelPorto he said there is no way to erase the sign painter's goof. 1.2 percent of assessed real estate values in 1985 and 1986 and that it has grown to 1.6 percent as of June 30. 1987. Mancini said he hopes the district will remain below the 2 percent figure. Bailey recommended that the school board take steps to systematically reduce the deficit, adopt realistic budgets that use accurate estimates of how much money the district has, and only approve expenditures that are affordable.

Bailey further recommended that the board review the assignment of all employees and reassign positions, if necessary, to comply with state certification requirements. The audit found that the district may have to forfeit $4,799 in state funds because a teacher was assigned duties outside her area of certification. Mancini said the teacher had been used as a substitute typing instructor by a previous administration since the 1970s and that her lack of credentials was not discovered until he had them checked when he considered hiring her to fill a vacancy. Forward from page Bl Yesterday's incident provided an interesting show for neighbors and passers-by. Police initially blocked off traffic and later summoned a fire truck and ladder to retrieve stolen goods that they suspected Phillips left on the roof, according to Lt.

William Kroll of Zone 6Squirrel Hill. Police did not immediately disclose what was stolen or identify the house's occupants. One neighbor said he believed police overreacted, but Kroll said precautions were necessary for a potentially dangerous situation. Once Mrs. Mertes saw rifles and flack jackets, she frantically called her husband, Dale, who was at work in Green Tree.

"She said to get here as fast as you could, there were sharpshooters (outside)," said Mertes. Creek from page Bl fire chief, said the oil fouled the water for 150 to 200 yards upstream from the mouth of the creek, and seemed to be the same type found in the creek on two other occasions. "We didn't find out what it was or where it was coming from on the other occasions, but it seems like the same kind of stuff," Maritz said last night, after returning from the creek. "We called DER the last time but didn't get a report. This time I'll stay on top of things and find out what's going on," he said.

"We'll walk the whole area and the city is making a boat available. If the rain didn't wash everything away, maybe we'll find something." Maritz said about 35 boats moored at a marina owned by Victor Sutey, on the Ohio River just below Char-tiers Creek, were damaged by the oil that collected around the dock. Ms. Mallison said Patti Miller, DER's water quality specialist on the scene, determined that no additional oil was flowing into the creek by 12:30 a.m. today.

"We have had problems like this before after heavy rains, although not necessarily in this area," Ms. said. "We're trying to determine the source and the substance involved. Because of the nighttime conditions, we were unable to locate the source of the discharge last night." The DER was aided in its search for the source of the oil last night by an Allegheny County River Rescue boat. There will be no visitation and no funeral.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association, 4617 Win-throp Pittsburgh 15213. Deaths elsewhere Kimberly Simmons Leadbitter, 23, formerly of Murrysville, Westmoreland County, in Ringwood, N.J.,' of injuries from a motorcycle accident. Patrick Hogan, 41, an abstract artist who had to use his mouth to hold a paintbrush because of a rare and progressive form of muscular atrophy; in New York City of respiratory failure. Costantino Nivola, 76, a sculptor -whose work ranged from huge Das-relief murals for public buildings to" female figurines on a small scale; in Southampton, N.Y., of a heart attack. Cruz Luna, 50, a flamenco dancer who learned his art in his native Spain and launched his career at age 17 with appearances on television's Ed Sullivan and Dave Garroway shows; in San Francisco.

John H. Calhoun, 88, an early civil rights leader and a former Atlanta councilman; in Atlanta. Laurence Sickman, 81, former director of the Nelson Art Gallery in Kansas City and an authority on't Chinese art in Kansas City, Mo. Tabatha Foster's health worsens Tabatha Foster the world's longest survivor of a five-organ transplant remained in critical condition today after being returned to Children's Hospital's intensive care unit because of breathing and blood pressure problems. Hospital spokeswoman Lynn Mc-Mahon said officials downgraded Tabatha 's condition from serious to critical yesterday.

Doctors performed routine surgery to change the drainage tubes inserted last month to relieve a buildup of bile in the 3-year-old's transplanted liver, she said. The procedure went smoothly, but Tabatha's blood pressure dropped once she was back in her private room and she had trouble breathing. Stormy weather The National Weather Service predicts another storm front will march through the Pittsburgh area this afternoon. Today's thunderstorms are expected to be less severe than those that moved through yesterday, according to Bob Higgins, a meteorologist at the weather service. Yesterday's storms swept through the area, bringing 0.2 inches of rain at Greater Pittsburgh International Airport.

Ken Scherer, a spokesman for Duquesne Light said sporadic outages were reported throughout the county, primarily in the section near ML Lebanon and Banksville. Transplant fails Liver transplant recipient Amanda Pipik, 14, of Charleroi died last night at Children's Hospital of multiple organ failure, the hospital said. Amanda had been listed in critical condition on a respirator since receiving a new liver May 5. Identity sought The county coroner's office today checked dental records to try to identify the body of a man found iresterday along the banks of the Al-egheny River in Plum, a mile downstream from the Logans Ferry boat docks. An autopsy was also scheduled today on the man described as about 6 feet tall, weighing about 185 pounds, and wearing blue jeans, white tennis shoes, and a red T-shirt with the name William Penn Builders Supply on it Casey endorsement Gov.

Robert P. Casey, citing Gov. Michael Dukakis' concern with economic development, has endorsed the Massachusetts Democrat for president. Casey made the endorsement in a statement from his office yesterday. He elaborated on the endorsement during a question-and-answer session after a speech last night at the University of Pittsburgh.

Additional charges Two contractors awaiting trial on charges of bilking two elderly West View sisters of $340,000 have been charged with swindling more than $40,000 from an elderly Bloomfield woman. Investigators for District Attorney Bob Colville yesterday arrested Gordon J. Otten, 54, of Penn Hills on, charges of theft by deception and R.A. Heinlein, science fiction writer, dies CARMEL, Calif. (AP) Robert A.

Heinlein, who spent a half century writing about man's relationship to technology, society and the universe, was remembered upon his death at age 80 as science fiction's prolific "grand master." Heinlein, whose books explored the future while questioning the morals and beliefs of the present, died of heart failure Sunday at his borne in this seaside community 130 miles south of San Francisco. Heinlein had emphysema and had undergone numerous operations, including one to relieve restricted blood flow to his brain. Heinlein, a former aviation engineer, dreamed up the water bed in his 1961 classic "Stranger in a Strange Land," and envisioned an atonuc power plant years before the Manhattan Project The current issue of Books in Print lists 64 books written by Heinlein. More than 40 million copies of bis writings have been sold. He won the Nebula award from the Science Fiction Writers of America in 1975, and an unprecedented four Hugo awards, in 1956 for "Double Star," in 1959 for "Starship Troopers," in 1961 for "Stranger" and In 1968 for "Tlis Moon is a Harsh Mistress." i .4 Mary Jane Stevenson deceptive business practices in a home repair scheme.

His alleged partner, Albert Anderson, 52, of Banksville, is expected to turn himself in Thursday to answer the same charges, the district attorney's office said. The men face a preliminary hearing May 18 in the scheme in which Helen Vetter, 82, of Bloomfield was the victim. Missing person City police are seeking information about a North Side woman missing since Wednesday. Mary Jane Stevenson, 25, of Lockhart Street was wearing a white waist-length jacket with fringed trim when she left home, said Detective Orlando Diggs of the Missing Persons squad. She is white, 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighs about 140 pounds and has long, blond, frizzy hair and glasses.

Merchant cleared Theft charges have been dismissed against a Mt. Lebanon carpet dealer after a city magistrate ruled that a dispute between the dealer and a customer should be resolved in civil rather than criminal court. The charges were dropped against Iradj Chiani, 45, of Mark-ham Drive after a preliminary hearing Friday before City Magistrate Robert Watson. Chiani, who owns the Market Place on Washington Road, was arrested April 26 and charged with theft in the October disappearance of a Squirrel Hill woman's Oriental carpet, valued at $5,000. The owner of the rug testified she hired Chiani to clean the carpet and he failed to return It.

But Chiani denied that, saying the woman didn't have a receipt to show she gave him the rug. Crash kills one William Zugates, 63, of Indiana County was killed yesterday evening when the car he was driving on North Ben Franklin Road in White crossed the center line and struck another vehicle head-on. Lottery winners Here are the winning lottery numbers drawn Monday, May 9, 1988: Pennsylvania Daily 984 Pennsylvania Big Four 1233 Ohio Daily 478 Ohio Pick 4 5358 West Virginia Daily 3 125 West Virginia Daily 4 6386 Robert A. Heinlein Wrote 64 books Heinlein was born in Butler, in 1907. He graduated from the U.S.

Naval Academy and served for five years, including aboard the aircraft carrier USS Lexington, but was forced to retire because of ill health. In addition to the water bed, another Heinlein invention in common use is known as a "waldo," for the handicapped hero of the short story of that title. Waldo invented remote-controlled robot arms that are used in a variety of delicate and hazardous manufacturing processes. Two years ago, he told writer Eric Hoffman that "writers don't know how to retire" and said he stuck with science fiction because he did it well and because it sold. Heinlein is Survived by his wife, Virginia.

no children. 1 ii pi.Mimi.in it Jl a 1 has eliminated an illegal discharge of 1 million gallons a day from the mine into the Allegheny River, said Betsy Mallison, a DER spokeswoman. However, at least three other illegal discharges a seep into Guys Run, a borehole discharge and a mine shaft discharge do not meet clean-stream standards, Ms. Mallison said. Those discharges are expected to end as pumping continues to lower the level of the mine pool, she said.

Pellegrini's court papers say that if pumping would halt again, the discharge could increase to as much as 4 million gallons a day. "The present discharges from the mine and the potential for continued and increasing magnitudes of discharges pose the problem of increased treatment costs for the city's water system as well as the potential for discharges in such amounts that the treatment capabilities of the city's water system could Sister Mary Sukits Sister Mary John Sukits, 66, who taught at St. Benedict Academy in Ross, died of a heart attack Sunday at Allegheny General Hospital. Sister Mary John, who lived at the St. Benedict Monastery in Ross, was community secretary and a council member of the order.

She entered the Order of St. Benedict from St. Ambrose Parish, North Side. She is survived by a brother, Joseph Sukits of Dunnellon, Fla. Friends may call until 9 p.m.

today and from 1 to 6 p.m. tomorrow at St. Benedict Monastery, 4430. Perrysville Ross. A memorial service will be held at 6:30 tonight, with vespers of the dead at 4:30 p.m.

tomorrow and a mass of Christian burial at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the monastery chapel. Burial will be at 8 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Cemetery, Reserve.

Frank J. Wolfe Frank J. Wolfe, 69, of Mars, Butler County, died Sunday at North Hills Passavant Hospital after a heart attack. Mr. Wolfe was a production worker for Mine Safety Appliances in Evans City for 45 years, retiring In 1984.

He is survived by two grandchildren. The tfuneral was this morning. Burial Jas in Deer Creek Cemetery, Harmar. Associated Press be overwhelmed wrote. Pellegrini He said this could harm the health and safety of city residents.

In addition, he said, the contaminated mine water poses dangers to water quality, fish and recreation. Consol spokesman Paul Kvederis said the water being treated at the 14 North plant "meets applicable standards for such discharge just as when the mine was operating in the 1970s" and that the discharge of treated water presents no danger to drinking-water supplies. Kvederis said because the case is under litigation, he would neither confirm nor deny whether Consol and Wheeling-Pittsburgh have talked about future water discharge treatment at the plant. The DER's suit had been scheduled to go to trial yesterday but was postponed until June 27. (Ralph Haurwitz is the ecology writer for The Pittsburgh Press.) Stephen F.

Gecan Stephen F. Gecan, who retired as a boilermaker for U.S. Steel in Clairton in 1972, died of cancer yesterday at Southwestern Nursing Convalescent Center, Pleasant Hills. Mr. Gecan, 78, of Jefferson was a member of St.

Paulinus Catholic Church, Clairton. Surviving are his wife, Catherine two sons, Conrad of Brasstown, N.C., and Robert of Gaithersburg, a daughter, Peggy Bair of Bethel Park; and eight grandchildren. Friends may call from 7 to 9 tonight and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at A.J. Bekavac Funeral Home, 555 Fifth Clairton, where a blessing will be offered at 10 a.m.

Thursday. Burial will be at Lebanon Church Cemetery, West Mifflin. Catherine A. Spire Catherine A. Spire, 85, of Coraopolis died Sunday at Sycamore Creek Nursing Home, Kennedy, of complications from diabetes.

Mrs. Spire was born in Scotland and lived for years in the South Hills before moving to Coraopolis seven years ago. She belonged to the First Baptist Church in Moon. She is survived by a daughter, Virginia Brennan of Moon; a sister, Martha Everett of Monroeville; four grandchildren; and four Jrom page Bl The city, in effect, is seeking to join forces with the state Department of Environmental Resources to get the current and former owners of the mine to pump and treat the contaminated ground water before it enters the river. The DER and the city contend that Consolidation Coal Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Harmar Coal Co.

and H. Yale Gutnick, Harmar's court-appointed receiver, are responsible for treating the mine water. Consol and Wheeling-Pitt formed Harmar Coal. The DER sued the companies and the receiver after Harmar Coal went into receivership in 1985 and stopped pumping and treating contaminated ground water that naturally fills underground tunnels and cavities. Mining ceased in 1980.

Under a consent agreement signed in January, Consol agreed to treat the contaminated water until Commonwealth Court determines liability in the case. Operation of a pump station and treatment plant known as 14 North OBITUARIES "Morris Goodman Morris Goodman, 83, who owned furniture stores in Coraopolis for 45 years, died of cancer yesterday at Montefiore Hospital. Mr. Goodman of Coraopolis founded Goodman's furniture store in 1940 and operated it until he retired three years ago. He had two stores on Fourth Avenue, Coraopolis, and later relocated to two sites on Fifth Avenue in the borough.

He was a member of the Coraopolis Chamber of Commerce and Congregation Beth Samuel in Ambridge, Beaver County. He is survived by his wife, Helen; three sons, Leonard S. of Washington, Marvin L. of Lubbock, Texas, and Jack Markowitz of Potomac, two sisters, Bessie Silverman of Los Angeles and Cecilia Tracht of Pittsburgh; a brother, William of Canton, Ohio; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Friends may call at noon tomorrow at the Ralph Schugar Chapel, 5509 Centre Shadyside, where the funeral will follow at 1 p.m.

Burial will be in Tree of Life Cemetery, Sharpsburg. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Congregation Beth, 810 Kennedy Drive, P.fc Box 219, Ambridge 15003..