SteelValley.Info

By Mary Niederberger
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Steel Valley school board President Joseph Ducar said he believed the $10,300 fine imposed by the Pennsylvania Ethics Commission upon his fellow school director, Edward McCallister, should stand as a warning to school directors everywhere to be absolutely certain about the votes they cast.

The state Ethics Code prohibits public officials from using their position for private pecuniary gain for members of their immediate family. Those members are defined as a parent, spouse, child, brother or sister, said Sean Fields, associate counsel for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.

Edward McCallister was found to have violated that code when he voted to award supplemental contracts to his brother, Shawn McCallister, on six occasions and to authorize payroll checks 29 times for those contracts from 2003 to 2007.

[ Full story available at: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09029/945256-55.stm ]

By Mary Niederberger
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A Steel Valley school director has agreed to pay $10,313 in restitution for votes he took to award supplemental contracts to his brother, according to a consent agreement negotiated by the Pennsylvania Ethics Commission.

According to the agreement, school Director Edward McCallister of West Homestead was to make the payment in restitution for votes he took to appoint his brother Shawn McCallister to various extra duty positions within the school district and votes he took to approve payments to his brother for those positions.

The agreement was reached on Dec. 4 to Edward McCallister on Dec. 19. After a 30-day blackout period during which Edward McCallister could have asked for reconsideration, the document became public last week, said John Contino, the commission’s executive director.

Mr. Contino said Edward McCallister already has made his first payment of $5,000, which will be followed by a dozen smaller monthly payments. Edward McCallister could not be reached for comment.

[ Full story available at: http://www.postgazette.com/pg/09026/944593-100.stm ]

By Jason Cato
Tribune-Review

A federal judge on Friday declined to dismiss a lawsuit against Homestead and West Homestead police officers accused of beating and illegally arresting two men during the Steelers’ last Super Bowl appearance.

Joseph Ducar and Jeffrey Hruska claim they were assaulted and unlawfully arrested by officers who responded to calls of people blocking the street and setting off fireworks outside Duke’s Upper Deck Cafe in Homestead during halftime of Super Bowl XL in February 2006. Ducar owns the bar.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge David S. Cercone clears the way for both boroughs and several officers to face a civil trial on charges of excessive force and unlawful search and seizure.

[ Full story available at: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_608606.html ]

By Craig Smith
Tribune-Review

West Mifflin council has scrapped a plan to install a metal detector at the entrance to its chambers in the borough building.

“It’s a dead issue. We don’t want to be a test case on this,” said council President William Welsh.

Council’s decision occurred after a meeting with borough Solicitor Michael Adams, Welsh said. In November, council unanimously approved the metal detector and hoped to have it in place this month.

Gun owners, who said the proposal would discriminate against them, threatened to mount a legal challenge if council moved forward.

[ Full story available at: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_607578.html ]

By Mary Niederberger
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Steel Valley School District board members appear to be committed to not raising taxes more than the 5.7 percent threshold permitted under state law this year. Districts can file for exemptions to the limits set by the state.

Seven school directors attended a Tuesday night session of the board’s financial management committee, at which they got their first glance at the preliminary 2009-2010 budget. At this point, that budget is expected to total about $28 million.

Director of Operational Services Mark Cherpak showed the board the outline for two spending plans — one held taxes at the current 21.21 mills, the other raised taxes the allowed 5.7 percent or 1.21 mills. Even with the tax hike, it appears the budget will be tight and school directors and administrators will have to find areas to make cuts based on the board discussion.

[ Full story available at: http://www.postgazette.com/pg/09014/941584-100.stm ]