Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 65

"East A- PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1995 e-i The planned Pitcairn railyards truck-train transfer station has movers and shakers brainstorming to get a piece of the action. GOOD growth spurt Imaginations chugging for way, cars could pass slow-moving trucks. He doesn't think such a lane would be needed going south because trucks moving downhill are more likely to keep up with the traffic flow. Such improvements aren't on the list of the state Department of Transportation, but Baker is optimistic because PennDOT sped the schedule of bridge repairs needed to clear the rail route for the double-stacked cars. Baker doesn't know whether the bridge on Route 48 which goes over the Turtle Creek and the railyards would have to be widened.

SEE RAIL, PAGE E-3 rail cars. These flat cars can carry two tractor-trailer containers placed one atop another. More than $80 million including $31 million from -the state is being spent clearing a statewide rail route so that there is enough clearance to permit the taller trains. That is expected to be done before the middle of this year, about six months ahead of schedule. One of the key local concerns is traffic.

While the traffic study hasn't been completed, Baker said he thought that an additional lane would need to be added to part of Route 48 to provide two lanes northbound all the way up the hill from the railyard to Route 22. That luncheon. "Obviously they are looking at this to be a further shot in the arm to our total community," said Monroeville Mayor Tom Schuerger. While the site is known as the Pitcairn yards, it actually is in Monroeville and North Versailles. Access is through Wall.

Robert E. Baker assistant vice president of state and local affairs for Conrail, told the group that engineering and traffic studies were under way and that Conrail still expected to begin and complete construction next year. The facility is being built because of the development of shipping via double-stacked By Eleanor Chute Post-Gazette Staff Writer Conrail's plans for a new truck-train freight-handling facility on the former fit-cairn railyards are sparking the imagination in the Monroeville area. Wes Blaha, executive director of the Monroeville Area Chamber of Commerce, said business people from bankers to copier sales people have taken an interest in how the $6 million facility could be the springboard for a range of rail-linked activity in the area. A speech by a Conrail official at yesterday's chamber luncheon attracted about 200 people, nearly double the amount at a routine MORNING Help available for jobless There are 5,000 dislocated workers in Westmoreland County and 2,700 to 3,000 in Fayette County.

Most of them are "white collar workers and odds are at least some of them will be attending Dislocated Workers Day Jan. 18 at the Greensburg office of the Private Industry Council of WestmorelandFayette, Inc. Experts from a variety of private businesses and government agencies will be there to discuss personal, economic and job search needs of the unemployed. Those attending can get help with their interviewing skills, resume writing tips, networking techniques, future job trends and retraining options. But it doesn't stop there.

Occupational training programs, on-the-job training and career counseling, and basic computer instruction will also be available. Choose one of two sessions, 8:30 a.m. to noon or 1:30 to 5 p.m. Attendance is free, but space is limited. To confirm your attendance, call 1-800-456-3148.

In Penn Hills, council plans to challenge TCI of Pennsylvania's plans to add four new cable television stations that some residents say they don't want. Page E-5. In Plum, council tabled a rezoning request by Trueline wants to build homes on property zoned for manufacturing, until the company meets with residents in the Edgemead plan and council can hold a public hearing. Page E-5. In Wilkins, officials are looking for another community to handle the township's emergency radio dispatching because they say Forest Hills charges too much.

Page E-3. In Oakmont, business owners and solicitors will find the cost of doing business has gone up as a result of new fees council approved for mechanical amusement devices such as poker machines and for solicitors. Page E-5. -fmm-mwn 1 "JJi vj km JL- "--g lL. Robert J.

PavuchakPost-Gazette photos Matt Lemon, who opened Upbeat Records in August, chats in the store with Wilkinsburg Chamber of Commerce executive director, Clark W. Walter. Walter says there are now about 150 small businesses within the borough's main business district along Penn Avenue, Wood Street and Ross and South avenues. WILD about WW II if i HI VJ I 1 II JL VL Business owners unconvinced by the borough 's rough image HI 11 4 In Hempfield, farm owner W. Logan Dickerson wants to build a 400-acre development that would include single-family homes, a stable and bridle trails, and a retirement community.

Page E-4. In Penn Township, farmers say they still aren't thrilled with the township's plans to rezone 1,165 acres of farm land to residential property, despite a lengthy meeting which the commissioners tried to explain that a court could order more housing if the township doesn't designate areas for growth itself. PageE4. In Hempfield, Fire Marshal Bill Reese will have to be careful to avoid conflicts of interest between his private security business and his public job, the state Ethics Commission said. Page E-4.

V4 Eh 'hi if Ml Hit 3 opened Lenny's Hardware Store on Penn Avenue early last year. He'd been assistant manager at Wilkinsburg Hardware Co. when it closed in 1993. The former store's owner, Clyde Adams and his family, had owned the store for 60 years; but the store closed and Dale Adams said two years ago, "People are afraid to come into Wilkinsburg," McCormick, who opened his store across the street from his former employer, said he had a steady stream of customers. "I don't see any danger here," McCormick says.

"People come in and they are very courteous, kind and patient. They need the services and they act accordingly." SEE BUSINESSES, PAGE E-2 By Jean Bryant Post-Gazette Staff Writer Some perceive Wilkinsburg as a borough under siege with a preponderance of teen violence and more than its share of crime. Others have a totally different perspective of the 3-square-mile borough bounded by Homewood, Penn Hills, Churchill, Forest Hills, Edgewood and the city. New small business owners, many of them black, who have located in the area over the past four years, say Wilkinsburg is getting a bad rap. They say Wilkinsburg is a good place to live and do business.

And they are backing up their convictions putting their hearts, souls and money on the line in the borough. Leonard McCormick, 53, of Wilkinsburg nwtwr mtt irf A new brick facing provides a fresh look for this row of businesses on Wood Street, Wilkinsburg, including Upbeat Records, far left. INFYI Forbes Hospice in East Liberty is entering its 16th year of providing support for families who have loved ones who are terminally ill. PageE-9. McKEESPORT WOODLAND HILLS U.S.

court to resolve dispute over funds 21, and the unidentified juvenile Tuesday night after finding them in a stolen car. Both were charged with grand theft auto. Miller was also charged with resisting arrest without violence, which usually means giving police false information, said Volusia County Sgt. Gary Watkins. Suspects in assaults, thefts held in Florida IN SPORTS Penn Hills grad Kim Calhoun, a 6-3 center on the powerful Penn State women's basketball team, has struggled a bit this season.

Page E-8. it. Herman said the impasse is, in Eart, based on an audit performed state auditors from the comptrollers office. Herman said representatives frorti the Department of Education had "examined all the audit exemptions and decided to contest all of "For example, the court order literally said the state was to pay 90 percent of the salaries of court-ordered personnel, but it made no mention of fringe benefits," Herman said. "My reaction is: Are you willing to go into court and tell Judge Cohill that you won't pay the fringe benefits of the people he ordered the district to hire?" In his letter to Cowell, Herman said the state refuses to pay its share for an evaluator to assess the district's compliance with the court SEE FUNDS, PAGE E-2 Miller and the juvenile, who is suspected of being the getaway driver in a series of purse snatchings in this area, are in jail awaiting extradition.

Orlando police also had two outstanding warrants for probation violations. Police in McKeesport have issued arrest warrants for Miller, who is accused, along with another suspect, of assaulting a man in McKeesport Dec. 20. burse expenses under the court-ordered desegregation plan. The district is operating under a court-ordered plan that requires it to hire reading specialists, counselors and psychologists, among others, to assist in desegregating the district Fifty-two salaries plus related expenses are part of the plan that is to be paid for by the state.

After last month's meeting failed to resolve trie issue, Herman and state officials said it would be submitted to U.S. District Judge Maurice B. Cohill Jr. at a hearing March 6. By Tim Means Woodland Hills School District's $3.1 million dispute with the state Department of Education over payment for desegregation programs will be settled by U.S.

District Court. According to a letter from Woodland Hills Superintendent Stan Herman to state Rep. Ronald Cowell, D-Wilkins, a Dec. 13 meeting with Department of Education representatives resulted in no progress on the outstanding funds. The district asked Cowell, chairman of the House Education Committee, to help persuade the state to reim By Monica L.

Haynes Post-Gazette Start Writer A man wanted by North Huntingdon and McKeesport police in an assault and a series of purse snatchings in shopping center parking lots has been arrested in Dayto-na Beach, along with a 16-year-old juvenile from this area. Volusia County Beach Patrol officers arrested Brian "Chip" Miller, INDEX Births E-10 Bulletin Board E-9 Letters E-2 FYI East E-9 Military E-10 Municipal roundup E-5 People E-10 Sports East E-6 Talk of the Town E-7 Weddings E-10 A SEE ARREST, PAGE E-3".