January 4, 2006
PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
Union Township's new solicitor said the township will not recognize a contract extension involving the police department.
"It's an illegal, void contract," attorney Gabriel Cilli said after Jan. 3's reorganization meeting. "It does not exist legally."
Using a reopener clause, the Union Township Police Association sought a contract extension through 2011. Former Supervisor Steve Galizia and Supervisor Pat Angiolelli supported the pact, which passed in mid-November. Supervisor Kevin Guinaugh voted against the measure.
"We are going to live and abide by the terms of the contract that is in existence through the year 2006," Cilli said. "The 2004-2006 contract is the only existing, valid contract in Union Township for the police department."
Approximately 50 people attended Jan. 3's meeting where Damon was elected chairman. He also was appointed roadmaster and assistant secretary/treasurer, a nonpaying position. The retired state police officer will serve on the planning and zoning board in addition to the police board.
There was no direct discussion involving the police union. However, when Joseph Lombardo was reappointed chief of police, Damon said he would be paid under terms of the 2004-2006 contract.
"Mr. Damon wants to put the township in the courts," Galizia said. "It's a valid contract. It was negotiated and approved."
Neither Lombardo nor union negotiator Dave Kingston could be reached for comment.
"I expect them to abide by the terms of their existing contract," Cilli said. "We don't renegotiate that one until later this year pursuant to the Act 111."
Act 111 is state legislation that authorizes police and firefighters to take part in collective bargaining with their employers.
Based on its language, the township and police union may enter talks six months prior to the next fiscal year. That would be July in Union's case. If talks fail to produce an agreement, then either side may request arbitration.
"We will negotiate in good faith when the time comes," Cilli said.
It will be up to the police department, not the township, to pursue legal action. Cilli added.
"We don't have to do anything. The township is not going to court."
Angiolelli said he could offer limited comments on the subject.
"I guess it's between those who are against it, the union and the courts. At this point I have nothing to do with it."
Copyright (c) 2006, New Castle News
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Supervisor: Not interested in regionalizing police
January 4, 2006
PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
With more than 25 years in law enforcement, Clair Damon said it's ridiculous to suggest he is against police departments.
"I've got no problem having a police force, because we have some businesses up here," the Union Township supervisor said.
While he wants to institute changes in the department, regionalization is not among them.
"I have never been approached by anybody even to discuss the possibility of Union Township coming in as one of the communities in a regional police department," said Chief James B. Morris Jr., who heads the Northwest Regional Police Department.
That department, which started operations in 2004, provides protection to more than 7,000 people in Pulaski and Mahoning townships. Among police departments in the county, Northwest Regional covers the largest territory - 56.6 square miles.
The possibility of regionalization became an issue when Union's police and supervisors included language addressing it when the department's contract was extended through 2011. The extension was passed in November.
That agreement was voided by the incoming board of supervisors, who met Jan. 3 for its reorganization meeting.
"It does not exist legally," township solicitor Gabriel Cilli said.
A section of the voided pact details what would have taken place had the department disbanded and the township joined a regional force. Ultimately, the department would have had to agree to the changes. The language also addressed pension issues involved with disbanding or dissolving the unit.
This issue is not addressed in the 2004-2006 contract, which Cilli said the police are bound by.
In 2000, the state offered to pay for a police regionalization study for interested Lawrence County municipalities. Wayne and Perry townships took part in one study, while Pulaski and Mahoning townships were involved in another.
During his first term as supervisor, Damon said, he never looked into regionalizing the force.
"That was another rumor that started - once again I was going to push for the regionalization."
However, he did question why the township did not take part in the state study.
"I really think you should look into it," Damon recalled commenting as a township resident during a public meeting.
"It doesn't cost you anything. Why would you not at least explore the avenues?"
Former supervisor Steve Galizia questioned the viability of regional departments.
"They're having their growing pains right now," he said, "meaning they're not getting the coverage they thought they could get."
Morris said the newly formed Northwest Regional department is enjoying community support.
"Both communities and both boards of supervisors are extremely happy with everything that is taking place."
Morris said the possibility exists that other communities may join the department.
"It's not limited to just two townships. Conceivably, another township could join."
Copyright (c) 2006, New Castle News
PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
With more than 25 years in law enforcement, Clair Damon said it's ridiculous to suggest he is against police departments.
"I've got no problem having a police force, because we have some businesses up here," the Union Township supervisor said.
While he wants to institute changes in the department, regionalization is not among them.
"I have never been approached by anybody even to discuss the possibility of Union Township coming in as one of the communities in a regional police department," said Chief James B. Morris Jr., who heads the Northwest Regional Police Department.
That department, which started operations in 2004, provides protection to more than 7,000 people in Pulaski and Mahoning townships. Among police departments in the county, Northwest Regional covers the largest territory - 56.6 square miles.
The possibility of regionalization became an issue when Union's police and supervisors included language addressing it when the department's contract was extended through 2011. The extension was passed in November.
That agreement was voided by the incoming board of supervisors, who met Jan. 3 for its reorganization meeting.
"It does not exist legally," township solicitor Gabriel Cilli said.
A section of the voided pact details what would have taken place had the department disbanded and the township joined a regional force. Ultimately, the department would have had to agree to the changes. The language also addressed pension issues involved with disbanding or dissolving the unit.
This issue is not addressed in the 2004-2006 contract, which Cilli said the police are bound by.
In 2000, the state offered to pay for a police regionalization study for interested Lawrence County municipalities. Wayne and Perry townships took part in one study, while Pulaski and Mahoning townships were involved in another.
During his first term as supervisor, Damon said, he never looked into regionalizing the force.
"That was another rumor that started - once again I was going to push for the regionalization."
However, he did question why the township did not take part in the state study.
"I really think you should look into it," Damon recalled commenting as a township resident during a public meeting.
"It doesn't cost you anything. Why would you not at least explore the avenues?"
Former supervisor Steve Galizia questioned the viability of regional departments.
"They're having their growing pains right now," he said, "meaning they're not getting the coverage they thought they could get."
Morris said the newly formed Northwest Regional department is enjoying community support.
"Both communities and both boards of supervisors are extremely happy with everything that is taking place."
Morris said the possibility exists that other communities may join the department.
"It's not limited to just two townships. Conceivably, another township could join."
Copyright (c) 2006, New Castle News
Damon has Union police in his sights
January 3, 2006
PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
The first round of Clair Damon's battle against the Union Township Police Department starts Jan. 3.
Damon, a retired state police trooper, joins Kevin Guinaugh and Pat Angiolelli on the township's board of supervisors at 7 p.m. Damon ousted Supervisor Steve Galizia by 82 votes In the November election.
At Jan. 3's public meeting, the supervisors are expected to reopen the 2006 budget. In addition, visitors can expect to see Damon call for overturning the recently negotiated contract extension with the police department.
"It's not a slam dunk, but I feel good about it," Damon said of quashing the pact.
Passed in mid-November, the contract has infuriated Damon and critics of the department. The contract went into effect Jan. 1, picking up with the final year of the previous pact. Wage increases for this year are part of the previous contract. The new wage schedule starts next year and covers through 2011.
Using a reopener clause in the last contract, the Union Township Police Association approached Galizia about the extension.
"There's nothing that was done illegally," said Dave Kingman, the Fraternal Order of Police union representative, who assisted in negotiations. "We would always like to lock into a longer extension."
Heading into the new year, Union has two full-time officers, including Chief Joseph Lombardo, and three part-time patrolmen.
Lombardo's hourly wage increase will mean approximately $2,000 more per year.
The average increase for each of the last five years of the contract is 74 cents and 73 cents per hour, respectively, for the patrolmen and the lieutenant.
"Chief Lombardo is in the lower echelon (of pay)," Kingman said. "Hopefully, within five years, he'll be moving up (to) where he's in the middle of the pack."
Also at issue is a regionalization and disbanding clause. The contract language states the department must approve any effort to join another municipality. It also directs how pension payments are to be made if the department is dissolved, disbanded or laid off.
"This is a good, solid contract for the police department," Galizia said. "(The critics) just can't stand it, because we negotiated it."
Attempts to reach Lombardo were unsuccessful.
"As far as I'm concerned, the police department is not up to my standard," Damon said. "That is one thing I will request, to (oversee) the police department. Their policies will change. There will be consequences if they don't."
Damon and the department have been at odds dating back to 2002. After retiring from the state police, Damon joined the department as a clerk and secretary.
"I really took that job thinking I could be a big asset to them," he said. "They really bucked it all the way. I think they were intimidated."
Damon said he attempted to institute order and organization.
When the chief said to me, 'This isn't the state police.' I said, 'You're damn right it isn't. You wouldn't last five seconds with the state police.'"
Damon complained he regularly sees police cars at the station and not on the road. He also takes issue with Lombardo's priorities.
"I drive out (to Wal-Mart) two separate times, and there's our chief of police in uniform pushing buggies. If you want to be a buggy pusher, then quit your job and be a buggy pusher."
Galizia dismissed his rival's criticism.
"Clair Damon will never overturn this contract," Galizia said. "Him and his group is all about hiring attorneys and fighting in the court of law. That's what the people voted for. That's what they're going to get."
Copyright (c) 2006, New Castle News
PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
The first round of Clair Damon's battle against the Union Township Police Department starts Jan. 3.
Damon, a retired state police trooper, joins Kevin Guinaugh and Pat Angiolelli on the township's board of supervisors at 7 p.m. Damon ousted Supervisor Steve Galizia by 82 votes In the November election.
At Jan. 3's public meeting, the supervisors are expected to reopen the 2006 budget. In addition, visitors can expect to see Damon call for overturning the recently negotiated contract extension with the police department.
"It's not a slam dunk, but I feel good about it," Damon said of quashing the pact.
Passed in mid-November, the contract has infuriated Damon and critics of the department. The contract went into effect Jan. 1, picking up with the final year of the previous pact. Wage increases for this year are part of the previous contract. The new wage schedule starts next year and covers through 2011.
Using a reopener clause in the last contract, the Union Township Police Association approached Galizia about the extension.
"There's nothing that was done illegally," said Dave Kingman, the Fraternal Order of Police union representative, who assisted in negotiations. "We would always like to lock into a longer extension."
Heading into the new year, Union has two full-time officers, including Chief Joseph Lombardo, and three part-time patrolmen.
Lombardo's hourly wage increase will mean approximately $2,000 more per year.
The average increase for each of the last five years of the contract is 74 cents and 73 cents per hour, respectively, for the patrolmen and the lieutenant.
"Chief Lombardo is in the lower echelon (of pay)," Kingman said. "Hopefully, within five years, he'll be moving up (to) where he's in the middle of the pack."
Also at issue is a regionalization and disbanding clause. The contract language states the department must approve any effort to join another municipality. It also directs how pension payments are to be made if the department is dissolved, disbanded or laid off.
"This is a good, solid contract for the police department," Galizia said. "(The critics) just can't stand it, because we negotiated it."
Attempts to reach Lombardo were unsuccessful.
"As far as I'm concerned, the police department is not up to my standard," Damon said. "That is one thing I will request, to (oversee) the police department. Their policies will change. There will be consequences if they don't."
Damon and the department have been at odds dating back to 2002. After retiring from the state police, Damon joined the department as a clerk and secretary.
"I really took that job thinking I could be a big asset to them," he said. "They really bucked it all the way. I think they were intimidated."
Damon said he attempted to institute order and organization.
When the chief said to me, 'This isn't the state police.' I said, 'You're damn right it isn't. You wouldn't last five seconds with the state police.'"
Damon complained he regularly sees police cars at the station and not on the road. He also takes issue with Lombardo's priorities.
"I drive out (to Wal-Mart) two separate times, and there's our chief of police in uniform pushing buggies. If you want to be a buggy pusher, then quit your job and be a buggy pusher."
Galizia dismissed his rival's criticism.
"Clair Damon will never overturn this contract," Galizia said. "Him and his group is all about hiring attorneys and fighting in the court of law. That's what the people voted for. That's what they're going to get."
Copyright (c) 2006, New Castle News
Former board member's past comes to light
December 30, 2005
PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
Affordable Housing of Lawrence County wanted board members who represented the community's diversity.
To that end, Donald "Ducky" Conti tapped his next-door neighbor, the Rev. James O. Blackwell. Conti, the nonprofit housing agency's treasurer, touted Blackwell's standing in the African-American community in securing a seat for the East Home Street resident.
However, Blackwell is part of another community. One that would have raised questions with the board's former president. Blackwell is an ex-convict.
On Aug. 25, 1992, Blackwell pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated burglary and one count of breaking and entering, according to Stark County, Ohio, court records. He and two Youngstown residents - David E. Smith and Lisa D. Dunn - were accused of burglarizing three Alliance, Ohio, nursing homes. Smith and Dunn also pleaded guilty.
Facing a sentence of five to 25 years, Blackwell spent seven months in the Lorain (Ohio) Correctional Institution. Afterward, he was placed on probation.
Blackwell and Conti could not be reached for comment.
"We asked each member to see if they could bring some new members in because we wanted to have diversity," recalled Robert Evanick, Affordable Housing's former president.
When asked if he was aware of Blackwell's past, he said, "No, absolutely not."
Blackwell resigned early this week, becoming the fourth person to leave the agency's board. He joins Evanick, attorney Frank Natale II and New Castle City Councilwoman Karen DeCarlo. Those resignations also came this month.
Conti and First Commonwealth Bank official Bill Bonner remain on the board.
Evanick is executive director of the Lawrence County Housing Authority. Conti serves on the board of the authority, which created the new agency in 2003.
A criminal past does not prohibit a person from serving on a nonprofit's board.
"It's one of those where you want to be aware of it and careful about it," said Joe Geiger, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations.
"Frankly, a lot of organizations would make a judgment: Does this person bring more benefit to the board than exposure?
"There's no law that precludes a nonprofit to recruit someone who had a criminal record but it certainly ought to raise lots of flags on what that person's responsibilities and access to information would be."
Geiger said people are not required to divulge their past when asked to serve on a nonprofit board. However, an organization should practice due diligence in recruiting.
"If you had somebody who was convicted of bad behavior in accounting, you certainly wouldn't want that person to be a treasurer for you."
Revelation of Blackwell's conviction is one more piece of bad news for Affordable Housing.
The purchase of seven houses this month, four above assessed value, prompted the county commissioners to say they want more information about the agency's operations. And the board's ability to function with only two members is being examined.
"The IRS does not like boards of less than three," said Pittsburgh attorney Jack Owen, who specializes in tax-exempt organizations for his law firm, Polito and Smock. "They want to see a board of directors representative of the community."
The Internal Revenue Service is responsible for granting Affordable Housing tax-exempt status.
"The question ... is, would the IRS revoke it because they only have two on the board? The IRS would probably say, 'You have to recruit (more board members).'"
Copyright (c) 2005, New Castle News
PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
Affordable Housing of Lawrence County wanted board members who represented the community's diversity.
To that end, Donald "Ducky" Conti tapped his next-door neighbor, the Rev. James O. Blackwell. Conti, the nonprofit housing agency's treasurer, touted Blackwell's standing in the African-American community in securing a seat for the East Home Street resident.
However, Blackwell is part of another community. One that would have raised questions with the board's former president. Blackwell is an ex-convict.
On Aug. 25, 1992, Blackwell pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated burglary and one count of breaking and entering, according to Stark County, Ohio, court records. He and two Youngstown residents - David E. Smith and Lisa D. Dunn - were accused of burglarizing three Alliance, Ohio, nursing homes. Smith and Dunn also pleaded guilty.
Facing a sentence of five to 25 years, Blackwell spent seven months in the Lorain (Ohio) Correctional Institution. Afterward, he was placed on probation.
Blackwell and Conti could not be reached for comment.
"We asked each member to see if they could bring some new members in because we wanted to have diversity," recalled Robert Evanick, Affordable Housing's former president.
When asked if he was aware of Blackwell's past, he said, "No, absolutely not."
Blackwell resigned early this week, becoming the fourth person to leave the agency's board. He joins Evanick, attorney Frank Natale II and New Castle City Councilwoman Karen DeCarlo. Those resignations also came this month.
Conti and First Commonwealth Bank official Bill Bonner remain on the board.
Evanick is executive director of the Lawrence County Housing Authority. Conti serves on the board of the authority, which created the new agency in 2003.
A criminal past does not prohibit a person from serving on a nonprofit's board.
"It's one of those where you want to be aware of it and careful about it," said Joe Geiger, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations.
"Frankly, a lot of organizations would make a judgment: Does this person bring more benefit to the board than exposure?
"There's no law that precludes a nonprofit to recruit someone who had a criminal record but it certainly ought to raise lots of flags on what that person's responsibilities and access to information would be."
Geiger said people are not required to divulge their past when asked to serve on a nonprofit board. However, an organization should practice due diligence in recruiting.
"If you had somebody who was convicted of bad behavior in accounting, you certainly wouldn't want that person to be a treasurer for you."
Revelation of Blackwell's conviction is one more piece of bad news for Affordable Housing.
The purchase of seven houses this month, four above assessed value, prompted the county commissioners to say they want more information about the agency's operations. And the board's ability to function with only two members is being examined.
"The IRS does not like boards of less than three," said Pittsburgh attorney Jack Owen, who specializes in tax-exempt organizations for his law firm, Polito and Smock. "They want to see a board of directors representative of the community."
The Internal Revenue Service is responsible for granting Affordable Housing tax-exempt status.
"The question ... is, would the IRS revoke it because they only have two on the board? The IRS would probably say, 'You have to recruit (more board members).'"
Copyright (c) 2005, New Castle News
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
'Everything still fine' with Affordable Housing
December 23, 2005
PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
With its board in apparent disarray, Affordable Housing of Lawrence County should cease operations, Robert Heath said.
"I voted for it because I thought it was good when it was proposed," the Lawrence County Housing Authority board chairman said Dec. 22. "But a year ago, I lost faith in it.
"If they're not going to build the handicapped housing, it should be disbanded."
Heath was referring to Dale Country Estates. Unveiled in August 2004, the proposed $2.5 million project featured 30 housing units for low-income senior citizens.
The development was to be located on Dale Road in Union Township. The project has not moved forward.
Donald "Ducky" Conti, secretary of Affordable Housing's board, rejected Heath's suggestion.
"Everything is still fine," said Conti, who also serves on the housing authority board. "We're still going forward."
As for Heath and other detractors, Conti said, "All of the sudden everybody wants to becomes Mr. Clean, a guy wearing a white hat," adding it is making him angry.
Conti said he and Affordable Housing's construction consultant, Robert Ratkovich, are running the group's day-to-day operations.
Ratkovich, a New Castle city councilman, is the housing authority's maintenance supervisor and deputy director.
Conti said the recent loss of board member Karen DeCarlo, a city council member, will not prevent Affordable Housing from performing its mission.
"She is going through a bunch of (expletive) now with city council and the budget. She doesn't need another headache on top of what she has now.
"We'll be looking for other board members."
A potential replacement, Shenango Township resident Brian Tanner, said Dec. 22 he would not accept an invitation to join the board.
"I informed them Tuesday or Wednesday that I'd like to do it, but there's no way I can," he said. "At this time I can't, I have way too much on my plate."
Conti said the board will meet next week but the session will not be open to the public.
Copyright (c) 2005, New Castle News
PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
With its board in apparent disarray, Affordable Housing of Lawrence County should cease operations, Robert Heath said.
"I voted for it because I thought it was good when it was proposed," the Lawrence County Housing Authority board chairman said Dec. 22. "But a year ago, I lost faith in it.
"If they're not going to build the handicapped housing, it should be disbanded."
Heath was referring to Dale Country Estates. Unveiled in August 2004, the proposed $2.5 million project featured 30 housing units for low-income senior citizens.
The development was to be located on Dale Road in Union Township. The project has not moved forward.
Donald "Ducky" Conti, secretary of Affordable Housing's board, rejected Heath's suggestion.
"Everything is still fine," said Conti, who also serves on the housing authority board. "We're still going forward."
As for Heath and other detractors, Conti said, "All of the sudden everybody wants to becomes Mr. Clean, a guy wearing a white hat," adding it is making him angry.
Conti said he and Affordable Housing's construction consultant, Robert Ratkovich, are running the group's day-to-day operations.
Ratkovich, a New Castle city councilman, is the housing authority's maintenance supervisor and deputy director.
Conti said the recent loss of board member Karen DeCarlo, a city council member, will not prevent Affordable Housing from performing its mission.
"She is going through a bunch of (expletive) now with city council and the budget. She doesn't need another headache on top of what she has now.
"We'll be looking for other board members."
A potential replacement, Shenango Township resident Brian Tanner, said Dec. 22 he would not accept an invitation to join the board.
"I informed them Tuesday or Wednesday that I'd like to do it, but there's no way I can," he said. "At this time I can't, I have way too much on my plate."
Conti said the board will meet next week but the session will not be open to the public.
Copyright (c) 2005, New Castle News
DeCarlo quits Affordable Housing board
December 23, 2005
PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
The board of Affordable Housing of Lawrence County has shrunk again with the resignation of Karen DeCarlo. DeCarlo, a New Castle city councilwoman, said Dec. 22 she had mailed her resignation to the nonprofit group on Dec. 19.
She follows Lawrence County Housing Authority executive director Robert Evanick and attorney Frank Natale in leaving the board. Both stepped down earlier this month.
"With my job and with council, I don't have any more time to spare," she said Dec. 22. "The meetings were always during the day, and I can't miss work during the day."
The organization was formed by the housing authority in 2003, with the objective to construct housing for low-income families and the handicapped. Instead, the group has purchased eight properties in New Castle with the intent to rehabilitate them.
Board member Bill Bonner, a First Commonwealth Bank official, wonders what will happen next.
"It sounds like it's collapsing," Bonner said Dec. 22. "There's not too many people left. I have not talked to Rev. (James) Blackwell," one of the three remaining board members. "I trust he is still there.
"I don't know who's still on the board at this point in time."
Bonner, Blackwell and Donald "Ducky" Conti, also a member of the board of the Lawrence County Housing Authority, are the remaining members of Affordable Housing's board.
Asked if he is going to resign too, Bonner said, "I'm not even going to address that at this point."
Blackwell could not be reached for comment.
The board approved the purchase of seven city properties. The mortgage agreement with First Commonwealth Bank for $250,000 was finalized Dec. 7.
Three of the purchases were near or below county and state market values.
The four others were either owned or co-owned by Nick DeRosa and John A. Orlando. Valued by the county at a total of $135,100, houses on Frank, East Wallace, Highland and Florence avenues sold for $214,500.
Overall, the seven structures were purchased for $327,500.
Orlando is retired from the Pennsylvania-American Water Co. DeRosa is the assistant superintendent of the New Castle Area School District.
One of DeRosa's roles is transportation supervisor for the school district, which has a busing contract with Laidlaw Transit. DeCarlo is Laidlaw's manager.
DeCarlo said she did not know of DeRosa's association when she agreed to the purchase.
"When we made the decision on that, we were not given the owners of the houses," she said. "We were just given the information that there were these houses available. These were the prices that were given.
"I didn't know until I read in the newspaper who the owners were."
Asked what she would have done had she known, DeCarlo answered, "Probably ask a lot more questions."
As a city council member, DeCarlo voted for a $45,000 lawsuit settlement involving DeRosa and Patricia G. Moosally. The issue, which council approved unanimously Dec. 22, involved an East Washington Street property DeRosa and Moosally once owned.
DeCarlo said she did not see a conflict in her vote.
"I am not in the decision-making process with the (busing) contract," she said. "That is all done with higher-ups from me."
DeRosa could not be reached for comment. School officials said he is expected to return Dec. 23 from a scheduled vacation in Florida.
Copyright (c) 2005, New Castle News
PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
The board of Affordable Housing of Lawrence County has shrunk again with the resignation of Karen DeCarlo. DeCarlo, a New Castle city councilwoman, said Dec. 22 she had mailed her resignation to the nonprofit group on Dec. 19.
She follows Lawrence County Housing Authority executive director Robert Evanick and attorney Frank Natale in leaving the board. Both stepped down earlier this month.
"With my job and with council, I don't have any more time to spare," she said Dec. 22. "The meetings were always during the day, and I can't miss work during the day."
The organization was formed by the housing authority in 2003, with the objective to construct housing for low-income families and the handicapped. Instead, the group has purchased eight properties in New Castle with the intent to rehabilitate them.
Board member Bill Bonner, a First Commonwealth Bank official, wonders what will happen next.
"It sounds like it's collapsing," Bonner said Dec. 22. "There's not too many people left. I have not talked to Rev. (James) Blackwell," one of the three remaining board members. "I trust he is still there.
"I don't know who's still on the board at this point in time."
Bonner, Blackwell and Donald "Ducky" Conti, also a member of the board of the Lawrence County Housing Authority, are the remaining members of Affordable Housing's board.
Asked if he is going to resign too, Bonner said, "I'm not even going to address that at this point."
Blackwell could not be reached for comment.
The board approved the purchase of seven city properties. The mortgage agreement with First Commonwealth Bank for $250,000 was finalized Dec. 7.
Three of the purchases were near or below county and state market values.
The four others were either owned or co-owned by Nick DeRosa and John A. Orlando. Valued by the county at a total of $135,100, houses on Frank, East Wallace, Highland and Florence avenues sold for $214,500.
Overall, the seven structures were purchased for $327,500.
Orlando is retired from the Pennsylvania-American Water Co. DeRosa is the assistant superintendent of the New Castle Area School District.
One of DeRosa's roles is transportation supervisor for the school district, which has a busing contract with Laidlaw Transit. DeCarlo is Laidlaw's manager.
DeCarlo said she did not know of DeRosa's association when she agreed to the purchase.
"When we made the decision on that, we were not given the owners of the houses," she said. "We were just given the information that there were these houses available. These were the prices that were given.
"I didn't know until I read in the newspaper who the owners were."
Asked what she would have done had she known, DeCarlo answered, "Probably ask a lot more questions."
As a city council member, DeCarlo voted for a $45,000 lawsuit settlement involving DeRosa and Patricia G. Moosally. The issue, which council approved unanimously Dec. 22, involved an East Washington Street property DeRosa and Moosally once owned.
DeCarlo said she did not see a conflict in her vote.
"I am not in the decision-making process with the (busing) contract," she said. "That is all done with higher-ups from me."
DeRosa could not be reached for comment. School officials said he is expected to return Dec. 23 from a scheduled vacation in Florida.
Copyright (c) 2005, New Castle News
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Police help get refunds in gold sales
By Pat Litowitz
New Castle News
The Neshannock Township Police Department is playing a pivotal role in preventing certain Internet sales from becoming losing propositions.
A Wilmington Road business, operating as Internet Sellers Inc., sold scrap gold jewelry through eBay, an international auction site. The business is registered as a state corporation.
The identity of the owner or owners has not been verified. The business no longer operates at its Wilmington Road site.
Accessing limited eBay records, the New Castle News learned that Internet Sellers Inc. sold 2.3 kilograms (approximately 5 pounds) of 14-karat scrap gold jewelry. The nine sales, which took place between June 18 and June 21, involved five buyers and totaled $21,425.
Erie resident Patricia Trujillo drove to Neshannock Township on June 15 to purchase scrap gold from the business.
“He wanted me to send money,” she said. “I wanted to verify the quality of the gold.
“Half of the stuff he was trying to sell me was junk. I ended up giving him $2,800, and then he gave me, what’s known in the industry, as dental gold. He called it platinum.”
Trujillo forwarded the metal to her refiner, who determined the value to be $2,100.
“He said if it wasn’t good he’d refund my money.”
Purchases involving Internet Sellers Inc. took place nationwide.
“People buy gold all over the world,” Tennessee resident Robert Taylor said. “I order from all the states.”
In Taylor’s instance, he paid for scrap gold that never arrived.
“You need to protect yourself,” he said. “I just want my money back.”
Ed Tatom of Redding, Calif., took a proactive approach by contacting buyers who had transactions with the Neshannock company.
“I basically helped out six or seven people,” he said.
However, the work of the Neshannock Township police allowed the affected consumers to get their money back.
“Believe it or not, I got my ($3,650),” Tatom said.
Taylor and Trujillo also were told that refunds were coming.
“(The Neshannock Township police) were very, very helpful,” Trujillo said. “(They) filled me in on everything that was taking place.
“EBay and the FBI take this serious. I think that’s a phenomenal thing. I am just overwhelmed about how serious they treated (the complaint).”
Attempts to contact Neshannock police Superintendent Phil Carlo for comment were unsuccessful. He had noted previously that this was an ongoing investigation.
Trujillo said that the Neshannock police informed her that eBay and the FBI’s fraud unit initiated the investigation. An eBay spokeswoman would not confirm that. Calls to the FBI seeking comment were not returned.
“We have a global fraud investigation team,” eBay’s Nichola Sharpe said. “We do get in touch with authorities. We have a good reputation with the FBI.
“We do everything to assist law enforcement.”
The state’s attorney general’s office offers a Bureau of Consumer Protection service to aid consumers with product or service complaints.
“Out-of-state buyers buying from a Pennsylvania seller or business can still file (a complaint) with the state or file with their own (state’s) attorney general,” said Lauren C. Bozart, assistant press secretary for the attorney general’s office.
For more information, call (800) 441-2555 or visit www.attorneygeneral.gov.
Copyright © 1999-2006 cnhi, inc.
New Castle News
The Neshannock Township Police Department is playing a pivotal role in preventing certain Internet sales from becoming losing propositions.
A Wilmington Road business, operating as Internet Sellers Inc., sold scrap gold jewelry through eBay, an international auction site. The business is registered as a state corporation.
The identity of the owner or owners has not been verified. The business no longer operates at its Wilmington Road site.
Accessing limited eBay records, the New Castle News learned that Internet Sellers Inc. sold 2.3 kilograms (approximately 5 pounds) of 14-karat scrap gold jewelry. The nine sales, which took place between June 18 and June 21, involved five buyers and totaled $21,425.
Erie resident Patricia Trujillo drove to Neshannock Township on June 15 to purchase scrap gold from the business.
“He wanted me to send money,” she said. “I wanted to verify the quality of the gold.
“Half of the stuff he was trying to sell me was junk. I ended up giving him $2,800, and then he gave me, what’s known in the industry, as dental gold. He called it platinum.”
Trujillo forwarded the metal to her refiner, who determined the value to be $2,100.
“He said if it wasn’t good he’d refund my money.”
Purchases involving Internet Sellers Inc. took place nationwide.
“People buy gold all over the world,” Tennessee resident Robert Taylor said. “I order from all the states.”
In Taylor’s instance, he paid for scrap gold that never arrived.
“You need to protect yourself,” he said. “I just want my money back.”
Ed Tatom of Redding, Calif., took a proactive approach by contacting buyers who had transactions with the Neshannock company.
“I basically helped out six or seven people,” he said.
However, the work of the Neshannock Township police allowed the affected consumers to get their money back.
“Believe it or not, I got my ($3,650),” Tatom said.
Taylor and Trujillo also were told that refunds were coming.
“(The Neshannock Township police) were very, very helpful,” Trujillo said. “(They) filled me in on everything that was taking place.
“EBay and the FBI take this serious. I think that’s a phenomenal thing. I am just overwhelmed about how serious they treated (the complaint).”
Attempts to contact Neshannock police Superintendent Phil Carlo for comment were unsuccessful. He had noted previously that this was an ongoing investigation.
Trujillo said that the Neshannock police informed her that eBay and the FBI’s fraud unit initiated the investigation. An eBay spokeswoman would not confirm that. Calls to the FBI seeking comment were not returned.
“We have a global fraud investigation team,” eBay’s Nichola Sharpe said. “We do get in touch with authorities. We have a good reputation with the FBI.
“We do everything to assist law enforcement.”
The state’s attorney general’s office offers a Bureau of Consumer Protection service to aid consumers with product or service complaints.
“Out-of-state buyers buying from a Pennsylvania seller or business can still file (a complaint) with the state or file with their own (state’s) attorney general,” said Lauren C. Bozart, assistant press secretary for the attorney general’s office.
For more information, call (800) 441-2555 or visit www.attorneygeneral.gov.
Copyright © 1999-2006 cnhi, inc.
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