News Record from North Hills, Pennsylvania • Page 7

-LOCAL day Ian 8 199J Record A7 PAT fare plan has disabled riders concerned Escort fee proposal comes under fire at hearing Sun report Escorts with disabled persons nd ing PAT buses shouldn't have to pay fares, several people said Thursday during a hearing about plans to deal with disabled nders The Port Authority of Allegheny County has proposed imposing fares on escorts unless the disabled passenger can demonstrate he needs a personal assistant "I have a problem with this clarification of need It invades privacy of individuals," said Duke Ramsey, who testified at the hearing "Why can't people just say they need a personal assistant. Some people ought not need one around the house, but they need one to get around" PAT held the hearing in the David Lawrence Convention Center to collect comments about its 1993 Para- transit Plan update The update is required annually by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act The 1993 plan is made up of a list of eight new initiatives that PAT wants by March 1 Currently, riders on PAT's ACCESS, a van used to transport physically handicapped people all over the county, can bring on one escort for free. Under its paratransit plan, PAT would charge some escorts a fare Some of the other proposals include people with visual or cognitive disabilities in all PAT programs, extend the hours of ACCESS to 7 a until 3 30 and expand service to Beaver and Westmoreland counties Some people at the hearing were concerned about the lack of incentives PAT offers disabled people to nde the bus Many disabled people don't ride the bus or use the fixed rate system because of their fears One suggestion made was to provide a month of free travel for disabled people as an incentive to use PAT Another point of contention by many of the participants, particularly bund passengers, was that PAT dn vers do not call out bus stops "We need to get all the drivers to identify all bus stops," said Joyce Dnbbons, a blind woman who's been using PAT since 1963 "Since 1980 we've been asking for this, and we keeping being told it can't be done," Dnbbons added. PAT Executive Director William Millar said it would be impossible to have drivers call out all the bus stops "Many people have suggested it, saying it would be helpful, but it would be impossible to call out all 1,700 stops in Allegheny County Wp could ask the drivers to call out major stops or call out a particular stop asked by an individual," Millar said, Millar said PAT won't vote on the final plan until their board meeting Jan 22 Bellevue residents upset over halt of cutting service Authority board member replaced By Stacy Ntedecker Supervisor Mark Anderson who works for the authority, abstained said the authority -board's decision to build a 197-toot- Jl The authority's proposal for a controversial sewage compost site on Freshcorn Road also made some people believe the board does not- By Joanne Hong Sttfl BELLEVUE About 20 residents here have petitioned the town to continue to cut brush along a stretch of Brighton Road. However, the borough considers the area private property and it may have to stop the service, started more than 10 years ago as a courtesy, It is looking at the legal aspects of the situation.

The borough sent out about 30 letters early last month saying the public work crew will stop trimming and cutting brush on the sloped hillside along Brighton Road from Farragut Street to Sumner Avenue. "All we are asking them to do is what they have been doing for 20 years: to cut the brush so that cars can get through," Ronald Glus. "It's a hazardous stretch along Brighton Road," he added Brushes and branches hang over the narrow slope of Brighton. Some of the residences sit high on top of the hill and their back lots face the road Some residents could claim that their lots don't abut the road, leaving a gap between their property Suffgraphk lines and the edge of the road. The borough considers the gap private property although property -owners ean-acgue that they don't own this stretch.

Bellevue has also discontinued its service for about 15 properties in the Kendall Avenue area, but the residents haven't petitioned. Along Brighton Road, about 15 properties are affected by the change. "Glus, of Keswick Avenue, said the borough has been cutting the brush every year since he has been living here. Crews would block the half- mile section to trim the bushes. Borough manager Jim Grimm said the service was a courtesy to the residents.

It is now a courtesy that the borough can't provide or afford, he said In the past 15 years, the staff at the public works department has gone from 16 employees to seven, he said Currently, the department's budget takes up about $650,000 of the (2.9 million budget He said the elimination of the service in the Brighton Road and Kendall Avenue areas would save the borough "hundreds of dollars." Also, the borough deals with public properties and is responsible for maintaining Brighton'Road, fnrar curb to curb, he said "We can't spend public funds on private properties," he said Yet, the borough officials want to work with tire residents "We recognize it as a safety issue and that 1 why our solicitor is looking "into it," he said of the township Sewer and Water Authority board after a year filled with controversy for the agency. Rick McMahifi will replace Jerome Daltprio, who was appointed to the authority board in 1988 and served as its treasurer Supervisor Steve Miller said his decision was not prompted by the authority's performance, but rather by public perception of some actions. "I feel what that board needs right now is someone who has public relations skills," Miller said. Village trailer park on North Court has created an impression of animosity between the authority, the supervisors and the public Under state law, the supervisors cannot reject a decision of the authority board unless it violates township ordinances or state law, McMahill said Although the authori- vlsors' request, the decisionliad been made at an earlier meeting. "It swelled like three-day-old fish," he said said.

That proposal was halted because the delivery trucks would exceed the road's weight limit H. Ross Green, head of the author 1 ity board said he understands public concern over development of new projects. But the authority hag undertaken $6 million of capital jects over the past several years without raising its rates, and improvements to the water and sewage systems have to go where, he said SCHOOL DIRECTORY Hunter-charged with disorderly conduct Truck clips, partially collapses bridge Staff nporti PITTSBURGH A tractor-trailer scene, and traffic there was slowed much of the night. --Richard Hayner, noting desk IK 7 Month program. Pittsburgh's only school accredited by American Society of Hospital Pharmacists.

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Branch Campus One Monroevie Center, Rt. 22 Monroevrte, PA 15146 412-373-6400 By Tom Ohlmtyer Sttftwter ROSS A Goldsmith Road resident, dressed in camouflage and armed with a compound bow, was cited Wednesday for hunting within BO yards of a residential area, police said Lloyd Lockennan II, 39, of 192 Goldsmith, was charged with disorderly conduct after a neighbor told police that Lockennan was hunting in woods behind his home. The Pennsylvania Game Commission mandates a 150-yard safety zone between hunters and residences and highways. Bow hunting season ends Saturday. Several hunters have been cited this, season for hunting too dose tqjromes.

In December, several days after bucfifHuntmg season began, a Marshall woman was preparing to take her morning shower when a hunter's pellet ripped through her downstairs kitchen wall No one was injured The game commision cited the hunter on Thursday evening clipped a pedestrian bridge over the Boulevard of the Allies near Duquesne University, causing the bridge to partially collapse. Police and state Transportation Department officials said the Boulevard of-the Allies likely wo'uld be closed much of the night while crews worked to remove the bridge. The road was expected to be re-opened in time for rush hour this morning. The Parkway East also was expected to be closed briefly while heavy equipment was brought to the sergeant at Pittsburgh Police Zone2, said alurckhoe on a flatbed truck struck the bridge. No injuries were repotted Damage was such that PennDOT decided to tear down the bridge before it fell further.

The bridge has been hit before. Repairs were delayed when PennDOT, city of Pittsburgh and university officials tried to determine who owned the bridge. Its ownership was not clear late Thunday. 1-800-333-6607 Western School Mi BushMM CMMM PUwnnnl McMna NMdalttto trip to staffed? Ffiaroal aid quakted) ChWcaie Transportation 1 Day Evening Classes Pan-tune Job Placement During School Lifetime Job Placement After Graduation ATTENTION TEACHERS: Bellevue man gets 8 months for check theft By Tom Qhlmeytf Domek, 25, formerly- of McKees Rocks, was PITTSBURGH A Bellevue man was sentenced in federal court to eight months in prison for possessing a blank check that had been stolen from the U.S. malt Raymond Allen Seekford, 29, of 563 Lincoln also was sentenced in federal court to three years of supervised release, according to the U.S.

Attorney Tom Corbett. He pleaded guilty Jan 10,1992 A codefendant, Christopher Allen in prison. Domek is currently serving a two- to five-year sentence in West- era Pennsylvania State Correctional Institution for a theft by deception conviction. it payable to himsetf in the amount of 1390. He then forged the signature of the owner, and Domek signed the check at the Bellevue Branch of Integra Bank signature of Seekford on the reverse side.

If you've always thought about taking a college course but never had the time until now, consider La Roche's Older Adults Studies Program Designed especially for retirees and semiretired adults, the program provides personalized instruction in a comfortable, non-threatening environment. Choose from 26 courses- Accounting Concepts Minorities American English -History and Development Biology of Aging Death and Dying European Geography Family Relations Greek World History of Western Pennsylvania introduction to Anthropology Introduction to Old Testament Introduction to Political Science Issues in American Literature II Jesus Man, Myth and God Modem American Novel Music Appreciation II Painting, Pastels and Watercolors Problem Perspectives in Aging Psvchologv of Adulthood and Aging Renaissance English Poetry Russia and Soviet World Science of Nutrition Social Change Social Psychokjg) Western Civilization II World Religions Classes begin the week of Januan 11. and space is limited Non-credit tuition 120 per course La Roche College 9000 Babcock 1993 EWSPAPERS IN EDUCATION WORKSHOP This exciting and informative workshop is a great way to learn how to use the newspaper for all school subjects and grade levels. At the workshop you will learn about specific NIE ynii lalfp righr hack fn ynnr rlassrnnm' YOU WILL RECEIVE: 120 FREE newspapers (minimum of 20 papers per delivery) for classroom use A FREE curriculum guide Workshop training and ideas Refreshments A North Hills News Record tour (optional) WHEN: Your choice of: Tuesday, January 12 Wednesday, January 13 Thursday, January 14 3:30 to 5:00 pm WHERE: North Hills News Record Conference Room 137 Commonwealth Drive Warrendale, PA 15086 Thorn Hill Industrial Park off of Warrendale Exit of 1-79 Call 772-6342 for additional directions THE WORKSHOP COORDINATOR: The workshop will be led by Gail Mock, a former classroom and special education teacher. To register for the workshop, please return this form with a 515 check made payable to The North Hills News Record 137 Commonwealth Dnve Warrendale, PA 15086 Name School District School Address Crty ZIP HomePnone Grade(s) Subject -Have you used Newspaper ir Education the pas: 7 3 Yes No Circle r'Te sate you vvojic nke'c '2 Th ie is irnirec sea'rc caDacir iva its atte- Gai --t NortbHiDc.