News Record from North Hills, Pennsylvania • Page 8

North mils News Record PageAS North Hills Wednesday, Marcfrr, Getting There Court bars West Deer supervisors from Deer Lakes vote Sara J. Bennett Lack of parking in North Hills challenges Port Authority ou've moved out to the suburbs, but you work in downtown Pittsburgh. Driving to work is a nightmare, because traffic is congested and parking is scarce and expensive. What to do? Take the bus. It doesn't stop near where you live? Drive your car to the nearest park-and-ride lot and catch a ride into town for less than $2.

Park-and-ride lots save time and money. They also decrease traffic congestion and air pollution by getting cars off the driving less conserves fuel and reduces automobile wear and tear. The need for park-and-ride lots is growing in the Pittsburgh area. According to the Port Authority Transit, there are about 41 park. and-ride lots throughout the bus system.

Stuart Strickland, president of the Allegheny County Transit Council, thinks the North Hills needs more. "By the time you drive across the North Hills to get to a park- and-ride lot, you could have just driven into the city," he said. Ross residents also agree on the need for more park-and-ride lots. At a recent meeting to map out the community's new comprehensive plan, they suggested the lots to reduce traffic on notoriously congested McKnight Road. The problem is finding places to put the lots.

"We're always on the lookout for where we can acquire and utilize space for park-and-ride lots, but in Allegheny County, land of that type is at a premium," said Judi McNeil, public affairs director for PAT. Strickland suggests using the lots of businesses such as shopping plazas and maDs. "On the outer edges of those lots you've got 20 to 30 parking spaces that might see a car 10 or 12 times during Christmas," he said. In Strickland's opinion, malls and other businesses could benefit from park-and-ride lots, which would increase traffic past shops and make the businesses a daily destination. Some businesses such as Showcase Cinema on McKnight Road allow their property to be used for park-and-ride lots, but many refrain from it.

Reasons include fear of insurance claims if cars are harmed and the desire to keep parking spaces open for customers. PAT spokeswoman Staci Ver- By Geof Becker and Tom Yerace Staff writers WEST DEER; Township supervisors will vote March 8 on a Deer LakevSchool District building plan, but wimout Chairman Don Stmonet- ti and Vice Chairman Donald Medred. That is according to the draft of a court order issued Tuesday and obtained by the North Hills News Record. The court order must be signed by Judge James McLean before it becomes valid, but it says Simonetti and Medred, outspoken opponents Coming up Who: West Deer supervisors I What Vote on Deer Lakes School District building plan Wren: 6 30 March 8 Where: Township building, East Uqion Road, West Deer of the plan, cannot voteon the issue. The order resolves a dispute between the township and school district about who can vote on the controversial Deer Lakes plan.

The draft of the court order also says; Supervisors' decision must be delivered within 15 days in writing to the school district. If the plan is rejected, supervisors must cite the reason under township ordinances. The order, drafted after a Tuesday morning hearing before McLean, was to be signed by the judge Tuesday afternoon. But the order arrived after McLean left for the day. "We're pleased that the supervisors will make the decision," said VTnce Mercuri, school board president.

They are local elected officials, and this is In line with their responsibilities as supervisors, and hopefully rational minds wfll prevail" SLmonetti said he and Medred were upset by die judge's decision, but they accepted it Medred did not return from a reporter comment on the order. The order resolves competing lawsuits filed by the township and school district The township had delayed action on the plan in September after the school district asked that supervisors not consider it because the district thought supervisors' views were biased Then the school district filed a suit that asked a judge to rule its plan was automatically approved because the township had failed to act within 90 days from submitting the pi?" Bui the township objected to automatic approval. Its suit asked a judge to decide who should act on the plan and if supervisors because they were biased. Township lawyers said they were satisfied by McLean's pending order. McLean, at the Tuesday hearing, also indicated he's ready for an appeal of the township's decision -whatever it might be.

Appeals can be filed within 30 days of the township's written decision, The judge said he'd expect a traa-. script from the-public deliberations- about the site plan if he's asked to hear an appeal CHUCK-WMMERLE, staff photographer West view Elementary School third-grader Elizabeth Quigley listens to a story she wrote being read by reading teacher Erva Matous to author Sally Hobart Alexander. Children's books author shares unique experiences with pupils works out deals with private lot owners For example, they might agree to make minor repairs or provide snow removal services in exchange for park-and-ride usage. Park and-ride users do so at their By Elizabeth Lee Staff writer WEST VIEW: Young writers shared story ideas and suggestions at a writers workshop Tuesday with award-winning children's author Sally Hobart Alexander. Alexander spent the day at West View Elementary School talking to first- through sixth- graders about writing and about having a disability.

Alexander gradually lost her eyesight to retinal hemorrhages in the late '60s and early 70s. 'As expected, most questions centered less on writing and more on being blind and having a guide dog. Alexander was an elementary teacher in southern California when she began losing her sight in November 1969. She became legally blind two years later and moved to Pittsburgh for a training Ua Education program for newly blinded adults. Since then, she's written five Hold- My Journey into Blindness." Second-grader Jenna Smrekar started off the morning writing workshop in the school library by reading her short story tided "Getting Married." The tale detailed the majestic union of a prince and princess who meet, fall in love and get married.

Peers were so interested in the story line that they wanted to hear more plot, greater detail, some conflict and a pinch of romance. Perhaps the princess could first reject the prince's proposal and have him prove his love by killing a dragon and bringing back the head, suggested one writer. Or maybe Jenna could integrate humor by describing the books, including an autobiography of the two years in which she became blind, titled Taking wedding. Ur the paTTmight have a baby. The twists and possible conflicts in revisions are endless, Alexander said.

The Squirrel Hill writer explained that good writers get better by reading stories aloud to peers and getting their input Alexander based the critique on the three-step "PQS" process; praises, questions and suggestions. There are things we know in our head that we didn't quite put on the paper," she explained to the group of 30 children. But the ultimate decision remains with the writer. "Every suggestion that we give you, you take them or you say phooey on them, because you're the author," Alexander said. Her visit combined book-signing and education on being blind.

With a small plastic tool, she signed books and wrote each child's name in Braille with a template. "Because when you can't see, you start to write over letters," Alexander explained. "I hope they learn something about writing. Then, almost more importantly, I'd like them to see a person that is disabled who has a rich life." Union threatens as negotiations stall in Ross By Peter Lieberman Staff writer ROSS: An official for the union negotiating a contract for the township's police dispatchers and office workers is threatening a strike if the pact isn't finished soon. If I worked there, I would have a work stoppage," said Bob Krecek, business agent for Teamsters Local 149.

A strike vote could come as early as next week, he said. The Teamsters union represents 17 secretaries and police ers who are trying to work out their first collective bargaining agreement The workers and the township have been discussing a three- year deal that would run through 1996. The Teamsters also represent Ross' public works employees, who are covered under a separate contract that is not under negotiation. The office workers and dispatchers have not received their 1994 raises. And they have complainedpf taking on extra work from township and commissioners' policies -such as 1994 sewer liens and property tax refunds while they're being offered late and meager raises.

The commissioners' last wage proposal came in January. It offered to boost the workers' total payroll by 3.2 percent in each year of the contract The workers then could split the money as they pleased. The workers have not officially rejected the 3.2 percent offer, Krecek said. But the workers who attended the commissioners' meeting when it was offered stormed out in disgust The commissioners were supposed to discuss the contract at their committee meeting Feb. 20.

But commissioner Kevin O'Hare, whose administration committee oversees the workers, did not attend, and the subject was not O'Hare said Monday that his Counteroffer Ross has offered its police dispatchers and office workers a 3 2 percent yearly raise. Although the workers have not rejected the offer officially, TeamsterS negotiator Bob Krecek said they offered a counterproposal' A straight 3 percent raise and a $500 signing bonus in the first year of the contract for all employees except three township secretanes who have been with the township for more than five years A first-year boost to $17,000 a year for those three workers, whose annual salary is now about' $15,000 and lower than others hired more recently An $850 raise in the second year and an $800 raise in the third. great for him to give it his full attention. On Monday, the board rejected a contract proposal from commissioner James Zwick It was similar to the workers' latest offer but offered see- ond- and third-year raises that were each $50 lower. Only commissioner Daniel Kinross voted with Zwick.

"Frankly, I think we've strung these people out enough," Zwick said. Other commissioners criticized Zwick for putting the offer on the table without the approval of the rest of the board. "I think that breaks down the process," said commissioner Robert Meinert Commissioner Robert Raida, the board's most vocal hawk on payroll issues, said he would be pressed to offer more than the 3.2 percent. They almost broke my arm to get me to 3.2," Raida said. inability CJ attehd.

and thus start' the contract discussion, was a major factor in his decision to resign from the Ross board effective April 1. O'Hare said the time demands of the office were too recek said that workers, at their next meeting, would vote on the board's 3.2 percent offer and then take a strike vote. Krecek said the meeting is planned for sometime next week. Whether we wul see more'park- and-ride lots in the North Hills remains to be seen, but Strickland said he thought they would be put to good use "I think people drive because there isn't a (near them)." he said. "If you provided it, it would be used To find out about the park-and- ride lot nearest you, call 442-2000 A final note I'm excited to be covering transportation for the News Record, and my goal is to provide information you will find useful So help me out.

and let me- know what kinds of transportation issues you would like to see addressed Tell me a your transportation nightmares TeD me what you like about transportation in your area. I also am putting together a focus group of readers to meet i i a and discuss transportation issues Get in touch with me at the number or address below Sara Bennett is a News "Record staff writer who covers transportation Comments and enlumn suggestions are welcome. Phone 772-7376. Fax, 772-3915 Vail The North Hills News Rtrnrd. 137 Commonwealth Warrendale, Pa 15O86 Landowner files 6th suit in open-space controversy By Gordon Ovenshine Staff writer BUTLER: Well-known Cranberry landowner Rocco Viola Jr filed the sixth legal challenge to Cranberry's controversial open-space zoning ordinance Tuesday Viola, who owns a large parcel of land on Rowan Road, called the ordinance, "vague, overbroad and irrational," in the suit, filed in Butler County court He also claims the zoning ordinance will discriminate against low- to moderate-income families who want to move into Cranberry Cranberry's open-space ordinance requires builders to save more natural features of the land and include amenities such as sidewalks and shade trees all future residential developments.

Because it requires more green space, builders say houses will be built on smaller lots and will cost more to meet profit margins Since Jast Wednesday, five lawsuits have been filed in Butler County Court with one in L' District Court- Viola wants Cranberry's zoning hearing board to consider the validity of the ordinance Like several other plaintiffs, Viola claims Growth Cranberry is in violation of state law because it does not allow its zoning hearing board to issue a decision on the validity of any ordinance. Instead, the zoning hearing board considers requests for land- use variances. Cranberry supervisors have refused comment on the lawsuits, leaving the matter up to Solicitor" Robert Hackett said he found nothing illegal in the ordinance but that certain sections may be "unreasonable. For instance, the open-space ordinance calls for saving 35 percent of a residential parcel as green space. Hackett said the township may settle for a range of 25 percent to 35 percent Meanwhile, Cranberry has five months to revise the ordinance.

After passing it in late January, the board passed a "curative amendment to make revisions." No new i plans will be allowed to go forward in the interim Road workers union resents contract negotiation tactics By Marc Hopkins Staff writer INDIANA TOWNSHIP: Bob Dippold, a union shop steward, is pleased with workers contract the supervisors unanimously approved Tuesday night but unhappy with the talks that produced it Dippold, one of five road crew workers, said Tuesday night he was told by the township that agreeing to switch from Blue Shield to Select Blue Health Insurance could save the township money. The crew said OK. But in negotiating with clerical workers, the township offered the option of Select Blue or Blue Shield, Dippold said. "I'm upset about the way they handled the information, 1 he said. They told us that Select Blue would be the township plan and that if we all would take it we would save the township S140 per month.

But they gave another bar- gaming unit another choice That's what I'm mad about" "I'm upset about the way (Indiana Township) handled the information." BobDIppokl, union shop steward Township supervisor David Marrow, who was involved with part of the negotiations, said "the goal was to have all the township employees on Select Blue However, the two clerical workers were able to bargain successfully for the Blue Shield option. "It's part of the negotiating process," Marrow said. "You give up something to' get something." The road department received a five-year contract with a percent raise each year for five years. The average road crew salary currently is $29,000. The supervisors also approved a four-year contract for the township's nine-member police force, but with Dorothy Claus and George Erceg voting against it The pact provides for a percent raise each year.

Officers currently make an average salary of $38.000. Supervisors Dorothy Claus and George Erceg opposed the measure because police officials, were not able to view changes in the a- township attorney before the vote. Police Chief Lawrence Curti wasn't celebrating either They say we have a contract I say we don't Not until if ratified by the other officers," Curti said. Curti said he couldn't discuss the changes because he hadn't read them at the time of the vote. The board also is at odds about what health insurance plan township manager and soon-to-be- hired code enforcement officer would be covered.

Township officials closed the public meeting to discuss the matter in executive session..