City Beat

CITY BEAT

By George Murin
March 7, 2008

Washington- In last Sunday’s Pittsburgh Post-Gazette there was an excellent article comparing the cities of Washington and Butler. These two Pennsylvania Cities are almost identical in population, size, median household income, tax-exempt properties and are both county seats. Janice Crompton was the author and did a really nice job. There is one thing she left out; the state of each city’s pension funds. Butler has contributed what was required over the years, so the pensions have become so over-funded that some employees do not have to contribute to the fund. Washington, on the other hand is looking at putting millions of dollars in just to make it solvent. Talking to the president of Butler’s fire department’s union a few years ago, he stated that new hires only pay into their pension for five years and that was just to keep it a ‘contributory pension’ so the union could have a say in how it is run. Talking the matter over with Washington

Councilman Matt Staniszewski, he stated, “Butler did the right thing.” This is why Butler has a million dollar plus surplus and Washington doesn’t.

Monday morning March 3rd Washington City Council held an agenda meeting. A good portion of this meeting dealt with the abandoned houses, dilapidated structures and properties that are eye sores in the city. The city has budgeted only $100,000 for demolition in 2008. The first three slated for demolition are 735 ½ Broad Street, 126 Poplar Avenue and 443-445 Donnan Avenue. There are quite a few homes boarded up in Washington. According to one member of the audience “There are 42 structures that are boarded up in the Highland-Ridge area alone. Mayor Sonny Spossey said, “If we are to clean up the neighborhoods we have to use this maintenance to do it.”

Five fifty-five Glenn Street was another property discussed at the meeting. Michael Healy runs a very successful auto repair business at the address; but the city has received more than one complaint about the condition of the property. Healy and council agreed that the debris needs to be cleaned up and council granted him two weeks to come up with a plan to correct the problem.

Three fifty-five McCarrell Avenue was also discussed. Last summer we ran a photo of the house which is missing most of its roof. Michael Behrens was to execute a search warrant and arrange to have the home boarded up on Tuesday. How much damage to the interior was speculated with all the rain and snow we have had this winter?

William Reihner also spoke before council on behalf of Highland-Erie crime watch and the newly formed West End crime watch. The city’s increased police presence and the ‘safe and secure’ program seem to be working; but some of those who are feeling the heat are retaliating. Spray painting the ‘Neighborhood Watch’ and stop signs and damaging automobiles.

Discussion on the purchase of salt and cinders took place and how the city may be able to ‘piggyback’ with the county to save money. Staniszewski assured me that although the city was running out of salt and cinders, they have secured enough supplies to hopefully make it through the rest of the season.

Discussion took place on raising the rates on the city’s parking garage on East Chestnut Street to match the rates on the new garage on Franklin Street. Councilwoman Virginia Ullom stated, “I don’t agree with that at all.” A moment of laughter took place when Councilman Staniszewski consented by saying,” For once in this world, take note of this… I’m going to have to agree with Virginia.” After the proposal was debated, the Mayor stated, “We’ll tell them (The Parking Authority) we’re not interested.”

An ordinance on the billing for fire services, an ordinance for rental registration, the city’s towing contract for Isiminger’s, and storage of records was also brought up.

The council meeting will be held on Thursday, March 6th at 7 P.M. and I’ll report on this next week.