By Pat Litowitz
New Castle News
This month’s election highlighted the ineffectiveness of New Castle’s black vote and the frustration felt within the city’s black community.
“The blacks can’t really put a candidate in,” said Evelyn Ward, a member of the city’s NAACP chapter. “They can help sway a vote.
“The blacks feel they just don’t have a chance.”
This month’s primary election featured two blacks — Charlotte Sheffield and the Rev. Samuel G. Holmes Jr. — on the Democratic ticket for a city school board seat. Holmes captured sixth place with 1,159 votes. Sheffield finished two votes behind Holmes.
“African-Americans have historically struggled to gain and maintain the right to vote,” said Dr. Jacqueline M. Respress, a district administrator. “This right is not taken lightly in the African-American community, nor should it be in any community.”
The top five candidates on the Democratic and Republican slates advance to the November general election. Sheffield placed sixth on the GOP side. Holmes declined to cross-file as a Republican.
“For whatever reason I didn’t get the necessary votes,” Sheffield said. “To me, the candidates that were running, they campaigned strongly.
“I’m not looking to put the blame on anybody.”
NO BLACKS
When the new school board is sworn in, it will lack black representation. Sheffield’s term started in 2003. Prior to Sheffield, the board’s previous black representative was Ramona Jordan, who served from 1991 to 1995.
“A school board is bound to ensure that all students have equal opportunity to education and equal opportunity to success,” Respress said. “Issues of color should not enter into the decision-making process when it concerns the education of our children.”
If the board reflected its student population, then two to three blacks would be among its nine members. For the 2006-07 school year, the district reported an enrollment of 3,642 students including 990 (27 percent) blacks.
“I hated to see her lose because at least we had someone in there,” Ward said. “But now we have no one.”
In reviewing the city’s voting patterns, Holmes beat Sheffield in 19 of 41 districts. Sheffield topped Holmes in 18. They tied in four districts.
A number of explanations have been offered for Sheffield’s ouster. Her vote on the hiring of Terence P. Meehan as assistant to the superintendent leads the list. Respress was one of four finalists for the post, which was created after the retirement of former Assistant Superintendent Nicholas DeRosa.
In a 9-0 vote on May, 30, 2006, the board chose Meehan.
OUTRAGE
The “Charlotte vote” stirred outrage in the black community. During the board’s June 2006 regular session, a standing-room-only audience voiced its displeasure with Meehan’s hiring and Sheffield’s decision to support it.
“I believe that individuals vote their conscience,” Respress said. “It would be inappropriate for me to second guess that vote."
Respress, who was New Castle’s junior high principal at the time, received a promotion this month as principal of the junior-senior high school. She is the district’s highest-ranking black official. Respress is also the lone black among the district’s 12 administrators and principals.
“I think that had a lot to do with it,” Ward said of the “Charlotte vote.”
Sheffield’s opponent agreed.
“I’ve tried not to harp too much on what’s happened prior,” Holmes said. “I think the people can draw their own opinions.
“If I would have been involved, my main objective would have been to place the most qualified person in that position.”
AN ISSUE?
Sheffield questioned if her vote was truly an issue.
“I would give New Castle residents more credit than that,” she said. “There’s a lot of feelings that happen out in the community that everybody else hears.
“So I’m not aware of what everyone else is thinking.”
Aggressive campaigning against Sheffield may have played a role in the election outcome.
“My brother was No. 1 — the biggest campaigner against her,” Ward said. “I told him he was bitter because he went with her for 12 years. I think it was unfair the way he talked about her.”
Donald “Bubba” Taylor, a Beech Street resident, acknowledged that he worked hard to oust Sheffield.
“Most of the people I talked to, they were very upset at Charlotte and what she did ... to Jackie Respress,” he said.
Taylor then cited Sheffield’s vote that prevented the New Castle Thunder, a semi-pro football team, from playing its home games at Taggart Stadium. He was also critical of her performance as a member of the district’s athletic committee.
Taylor challenged the assertion that Sheffield represented the black community’s best interests.
“We had (no black representation) before when we had Sheffield. She puts on a good front.”
Personal issues also appeared to have spurred Taylor. He said that he and Sheffield had been previously engaged.
Sheffield would not comment on their relationship, except to say, “It is a fact we were engaged at one time.”
Ultimately, the black vote had little impact on the race. In the city’s 6th Ward, where a majority of the black population lives, Holmes outpolled Sheffield, 146-108.
TURNOUT
The ward’s three districts experienced a poor voter turnout, with 254 out of 639 registered Democrats voting.
In the May 2003 primary, Sheffield collected 1,511 votes running as a Democrat. Had she retained that number in this month’s election, she would have been the third highest vote-getter. That would have allowed her to advance to the general election and knock current board President Fred Mozzocio to sixth.
“I was the one who talked Charlotte into running the first time,” Ward said. “I was disappointed that she lost. “When she came in the first time, the blacks didn’t put her in.”
Ward said Sheffield’s loss didn’t come as a surprise.
“It’s really not a shock to me. I’ve been in elections since back to the ’50s, and New Castle is one of the most prejudiced places in Pennsylvania.
“I see it getting worse. To me this is the worst right now.”
Copyright © 1999-2006 cnhi, inc.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Questions surround group hired by Nick DeRosa
By Pat Litowitz
New Castle News
A community group that once promoted drug and alcohol prevention resurfaced last year with a new task: educating inmates.
Today, doubts regarding the New Castle Area School District Community Drug and Alcohol Task Force’s legitimacy have surfaced. The release of a school district correspondence to the nonprofit entity has sparked questions about the group’s leadership structure and who controls its finances.
While each organization shares the name “New Castle Area School District,” the group is not a creation of — or controlled by — the school system. During the 2005-2006 school year, the district selected the organization to administer its prison education program.
DEROSA DECISION
The decision to hire the nonprofit came at the recommendation of Assistant Superintendent Nicholas DeRosa, who has since retired. For years, DeRosa served as liaison between the school and the Lawrence County jail.
Attempts to contact DeRosa were unsuccessful.In a document obtained by the New Castle News, a National City Bank statement shows the group with a balance of $28,230.59 as of Aug. 21, 2006.
District business manager Joseph Ambrosini, in a March 27 letter, suggested that the district overpaid the agency for its services.
“Since your organization was hired by the school district as an independent contractor ... any and all monies paid by the school district not utilized for the prison program must be returned to the school district,” he wrote.
The group received $86,100 for the school year. Ambrosini said yesterday the program cost should have totaled approximately $60,000.
“They did a budget to say they needed X amount of dollars to take care of salaries, supplies, secretary,” Ambrosini said. “When we did the math, I’m showing that I gave them too much money.”
THE MYSTERY
The makeup of the board of directors is somewhat of a mystery.
The group filed articles of incorporation with the state in March 1988. At the time, Robert Heath was listed as president; Chuck Cuba, vice president; Dennis Vincent, treasurer; and Jewell Cuba, secretary. Of the four, Heath, Vincent and Chuck Cuba said they ended their association with the nonprofit group years ago.
The state’s Department of State Web site continues to list the organization as active with Heath, Vincent and Jewell Cuba listed in their above roles.
Heath said he resigned his post 10 to 12 years ago.
“Once you leave, you’re not there,” he said. “You’re not president.
“When I was in it, it was an active group. Everything we did was school related, and we did everything for the kids.”
The group also lists Gary Bucci, Don Melonio, Ron Esposito, Dr. Mabel Paige. Ray Doneluck, John Orlando and Steve Catale as board members.
APPROACHED
Paige, a retired district administrator, said DeRosa approached her months ago about being a board member.
“He asked, ‘Would I like to be part of that,’ ” said Paige, who was active with the task force through 1999. “He said he’d be in touch but wasn’t.
“(DeRosa) said he’d like to get it started (again) because of the (drug) situation in town.”
Paige added that she wasn’t aware that the group was involved in the prison education program.
DeRosa also approached Bucci.
“It was mentioned to me sometime back,” Bucci said. “If it is (in existence), I was unaware of it. If I was asked to be a member, I would have volunteered.”
Attempts to reach Melonio, Esposito, Doneluck, Orlando and Catale were unsuccessful.
The Cubas, who are married, remain associated with the prison education program. Chuck Cuba serves as a teacher, while his wife performs secretarial duties.
“I haven’t been on that (drug and alcohol) board for eight years,” Chuck Cuba said. “I don’t want to talk about it.
“I don’t trust you people. Good night.”
Attorney Louis Perrotta said he was asked to prepare several documents for the task force. He declined to name the person making the request. Perrotta said yesterday that he has had no additional dealings with the nonprofit group.
STATUS
While the New Castle Area School District Community Drug and Alcohol Task Force received nonprofit status from the state, it lacks federal tax-exempt status. An IRS representative said that could be for one of two reasons: the group did not apply, or its application was not accepted. The agent would not disclose what took place in regards to the task force.
Superintendent George Gabriel said it was the district’s standard practice to subcontract for services in regards to the jail. In the 2004-2005 school year, the Family Center held the prison program contract. Gabriel said he consulted with DeRosa about changing providers.
The task force, known in the 1990s as the Fighting Against Drugs and Alcohol Committee, had a solid reputation, Gabriel said.
ANOTHER WAY
“I told Nick I would like to go with another organization,” he said. “And FADAC name came up in the conversation. “You had some good, honest, reputable people on that board. I figured this would be a good organization to operate our prison program.
“Nick was handling it, and I was trusting his judgment at that time.”
The task force’s operation of the prison program lasted one year. The school district oversees the program now. Stan Magusiak, assistant to the superintendent, is program liaison.
“Our feeling was we could maintain better internal control of the program if we handled it,” Gabriel said. “We took the bull by the horns and made major changes for the good.”
The school board ended its association with the New Castle Area School District Community Drug and Alcohol Task Force on Aug. 16.
The task force also had proposed operating a pre- and after-school program for the district.
Gabriel rejected that offer.
Copyright © 1999-2006 cnhi, inc.
New Castle News
A community group that once promoted drug and alcohol prevention resurfaced last year with a new task: educating inmates.
Today, doubts regarding the New Castle Area School District Community Drug and Alcohol Task Force’s legitimacy have surfaced. The release of a school district correspondence to the nonprofit entity has sparked questions about the group’s leadership structure and who controls its finances.
While each organization shares the name “New Castle Area School District,” the group is not a creation of — or controlled by — the school system. During the 2005-2006 school year, the district selected the organization to administer its prison education program.
DEROSA DECISION
The decision to hire the nonprofit came at the recommendation of Assistant Superintendent Nicholas DeRosa, who has since retired. For years, DeRosa served as liaison between the school and the Lawrence County jail.
Attempts to contact DeRosa were unsuccessful.In a document obtained by the New Castle News, a National City Bank statement shows the group with a balance of $28,230.59 as of Aug. 21, 2006.
District business manager Joseph Ambrosini, in a March 27 letter, suggested that the district overpaid the agency for its services.
“Since your organization was hired by the school district as an independent contractor ... any and all monies paid by the school district not utilized for the prison program must be returned to the school district,” he wrote.
The group received $86,100 for the school year. Ambrosini said yesterday the program cost should have totaled approximately $60,000.
“They did a budget to say they needed X amount of dollars to take care of salaries, supplies, secretary,” Ambrosini said. “When we did the math, I’m showing that I gave them too much money.”
THE MYSTERY
The makeup of the board of directors is somewhat of a mystery.
The group filed articles of incorporation with the state in March 1988. At the time, Robert Heath was listed as president; Chuck Cuba, vice president; Dennis Vincent, treasurer; and Jewell Cuba, secretary. Of the four, Heath, Vincent and Chuck Cuba said they ended their association with the nonprofit group years ago.
The state’s Department of State Web site continues to list the organization as active with Heath, Vincent and Jewell Cuba listed in their above roles.
Heath said he resigned his post 10 to 12 years ago.
“Once you leave, you’re not there,” he said. “You’re not president.
“When I was in it, it was an active group. Everything we did was school related, and we did everything for the kids.”
The group also lists Gary Bucci, Don Melonio, Ron Esposito, Dr. Mabel Paige. Ray Doneluck, John Orlando and Steve Catale as board members.
APPROACHED
Paige, a retired district administrator, said DeRosa approached her months ago about being a board member.
“He asked, ‘Would I like to be part of that,’ ” said Paige, who was active with the task force through 1999. “He said he’d be in touch but wasn’t.
“(DeRosa) said he’d like to get it started (again) because of the (drug) situation in town.”
Paige added that she wasn’t aware that the group was involved in the prison education program.
DeRosa also approached Bucci.
“It was mentioned to me sometime back,” Bucci said. “If it is (in existence), I was unaware of it. If I was asked to be a member, I would have volunteered.”
Attempts to reach Melonio, Esposito, Doneluck, Orlando and Catale were unsuccessful.
The Cubas, who are married, remain associated with the prison education program. Chuck Cuba serves as a teacher, while his wife performs secretarial duties.
“I haven’t been on that (drug and alcohol) board for eight years,” Chuck Cuba said. “I don’t want to talk about it.
“I don’t trust you people. Good night.”
Attorney Louis Perrotta said he was asked to prepare several documents for the task force. He declined to name the person making the request. Perrotta said yesterday that he has had no additional dealings with the nonprofit group.
STATUS
While the New Castle Area School District Community Drug and Alcohol Task Force received nonprofit status from the state, it lacks federal tax-exempt status. An IRS representative said that could be for one of two reasons: the group did not apply, or its application was not accepted. The agent would not disclose what took place in regards to the task force.
Superintendent George Gabriel said it was the district’s standard practice to subcontract for services in regards to the jail. In the 2004-2005 school year, the Family Center held the prison program contract. Gabriel said he consulted with DeRosa about changing providers.
The task force, known in the 1990s as the Fighting Against Drugs and Alcohol Committee, had a solid reputation, Gabriel said.
ANOTHER WAY
“I told Nick I would like to go with another organization,” he said. “And FADAC name came up in the conversation. “You had some good, honest, reputable people on that board. I figured this would be a good organization to operate our prison program.
“Nick was handling it, and I was trusting his judgment at that time.”
The task force’s operation of the prison program lasted one year. The school district oversees the program now. Stan Magusiak, assistant to the superintendent, is program liaison.
“Our feeling was we could maintain better internal control of the program if we handled it,” Gabriel said. “We took the bull by the horns and made major changes for the good.”
The school board ended its association with the New Castle Area School District Community Drug and Alcohol Task Force on Aug. 16.
The task force also had proposed operating a pre- and after-school program for the district.
Gabriel rejected that offer.
Copyright © 1999-2006 cnhi, inc.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Audit reveals chaos in school business office
BY PAT LITOWITZ
PLITOWITZ@NCNEWSONLINE.COM
Missed deadlines, withheld subsidy payments and improper fund transfers.
In its audit released Monday, the state Auditor General's office disclosed the shortcomings of the New Castle Area School District for the 2002-03 and 2003-04 school years. It also provided a glimpse into a district business office that was overworked and in disarray.
"When (the audit findings) took place, we were going through some very turbulent times," Superintendent George Gabriel said. "We had a superintendent who was ill. He was contemplating retirement. We had a business manager who was essentially dying."
The district witnessed a change in its top management during late 2002. Battling cancer, Joseph A. Martin Jr. announced his retirement in mid-October. Gabriel was promoted a month later. Business manager Marie Pisano left nine days after Gabriel was named to oversee the district. Pisano could no longer work.
"She was so weak," Gabriel said. "She could hardly walk, and she was trying to maintain the business office."
Assistant business manager Abbie D. Baxter agreed with Gabriel's assessment.
"She was not well. She had cancer. She was not herself." The hiring of Roger Havey (as business manager) was expected to create stability in the business office. It didn't. "He just didn't do a whole lot," Baxter said. "He kept me doing stupid things.
"The first thing he did was get every board member a credit card. I had to do all that paperwork. Only three of them ever used them."
Five months after his arrival, Havey was suspended. The reason? The district learned he had pleaded guilty to two counts of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds. A short time later he was to be fired.
As the district waited for a replacement, Baxter took over the finances. "(Havey) didn't do one thing on the budget," she said. "So I had two weeks to get a $30 million-plus budget done.
"I pretty much lived here to get my work done." Baxter and the business office found themselves battling to pay bills and focusing on priority projects. "We were going on a whole-new computer system," she said. "So that took my time.
"There were constant interruptions with this new high school. I just took care of what I could take care of and what I had to do."
That meant state reports were set aside. "You had a rookie superintendent," Gabriel said. "I depended on Abbie to run the district.
"We had to keep our head above water, essentially. We had to make sure the bills were getting paid for the high school project."
Nine months passed after Havey's suspension before the school board selected his replacement, Joseph Ambrosini.
"When Joe walked into the office on the very first day, I felt the weight of the world off my shoulders," Baxter said. "He just started dealing with the constant interruptions, and I could actually sit down and get something done."
Ambrosini said what he saw was disturbing.
"I was stepping into a financial picture that was very disorganized," he said. "There was a lot of disarray.
"There was a lot of paperwork daily that flows through that office. I don't know how Abbie stayed with it, to be honest with you."
Almost a year into Ambrosini's term, the district's business office returned to normalcy.
Copyright © 1999-2006 cnhi, inc.
PLITOWITZ@NCNEWSONLINE.COM
Missed deadlines, withheld subsidy payments and improper fund transfers.
In its audit released Monday, the state Auditor General's office disclosed the shortcomings of the New Castle Area School District for the 2002-03 and 2003-04 school years. It also provided a glimpse into a district business office that was overworked and in disarray.
"When (the audit findings) took place, we were going through some very turbulent times," Superintendent George Gabriel said. "We had a superintendent who was ill. He was contemplating retirement. We had a business manager who was essentially dying."
The district witnessed a change in its top management during late 2002. Battling cancer, Joseph A. Martin Jr. announced his retirement in mid-October. Gabriel was promoted a month later. Business manager Marie Pisano left nine days after Gabriel was named to oversee the district. Pisano could no longer work.
"She was so weak," Gabriel said. "She could hardly walk, and she was trying to maintain the business office."
Assistant business manager Abbie D. Baxter agreed with Gabriel's assessment.
"She was not well. She had cancer. She was not herself." The hiring of Roger Havey (as business manager) was expected to create stability in the business office. It didn't. "He just didn't do a whole lot," Baxter said. "He kept me doing stupid things.
"The first thing he did was get every board member a credit card. I had to do all that paperwork. Only three of them ever used them."
Five months after his arrival, Havey was suspended. The reason? The district learned he had pleaded guilty to two counts of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds. A short time later he was to be fired.
As the district waited for a replacement, Baxter took over the finances. "(Havey) didn't do one thing on the budget," she said. "So I had two weeks to get a $30 million-plus budget done.
"I pretty much lived here to get my work done." Baxter and the business office found themselves battling to pay bills and focusing on priority projects. "We were going on a whole-new computer system," she said. "So that took my time.
"There were constant interruptions with this new high school. I just took care of what I could take care of and what I had to do."
That meant state reports were set aside. "You had a rookie superintendent," Gabriel said. "I depended on Abbie to run the district.
"We had to keep our head above water, essentially. We had to make sure the bills were getting paid for the high school project."
Nine months passed after Havey's suspension before the school board selected his replacement, Joseph Ambrosini.
"When Joe walked into the office on the very first day, I felt the weight of the world off my shoulders," Baxter said. "He just started dealing with the constant interruptions, and I could actually sit down and get something done."
Ambrosini said what he saw was disturbing.
"I was stepping into a financial picture that was very disorganized," he said. "There was a lot of disarray.
"There was a lot of paperwork daily that flows through that office. I don't know how Abbie stayed with it, to be honest with you."
Almost a year into Ambrosini's term, the district's business office returned to normalcy.
Copyright © 1999-2006 cnhi, inc.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Trash code sparks trash talk in Union
PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
Sure, religion and politics are volatile issues. In Union Township, add yard work and garbage to the list.
Punctuated by shouts, accusations and trash talk, Dec. 20's public hearing on a proposed property maintenance code ended abruptly. That's when a former township school board member raised a finger at outgoing Supervisor Steve Galizia.
Apparently, Galizia wasn't No. 1 in Arwood Pinkerton Jr.'s eyes.
"He's supposed to be a leader of the children's community," Galizia said. "He's flippin' the bird in a public meeting."
After the offensive salute, Galizia adjourned the session and called for police to remove Pinkerton from the meeting. While awaiting their arrival, Supervisor Kevin Guinaugh walked Pinkerton out of the meeting room.
Pinkerton could not be reached for comment Dec. 21.
Personality conflicts aside, residents questioned several portions of the code. Their overall concern was the code's enforceability and constitutionality.
"The code, as it is written, passed the solicitor and conforms to all laws," Galizia said.
Attorney Richard Harper is the district's solicitor.
One clarification dealt with the township's right of entry on a resident's or business' property. Verbal or written consent is required before a township police officer or code enforcement officer may go on the property. Barring that, a court order is required.
The use of garbage bags versus trash cans also was raised. Some audience members questioned wording that suggested a leak-proof, covered garbage container was the only acceptable form of trash receptacle.
"What about garbage bags?" resident and former township secretary Sally Byler asked.
Supervisor Pat Angiolelli said he interpreted the wording to apply to businesses.
Guinaugh raised concern over the police's role in enforcement efforts. He sought additional discussion between the supervisors and police before passing the ordinance.
"There's items in this that are not enforceable," he said. "I would not rush into judgment."
The ordinance was approved during the township's regular session, which took place after the public hearing.
"It's a necessity, and it's going to be done," Galizia said. "It's been cleared 100 percent by our solicitor."
The meeting remained contentious throughout and ended as Galizia and Byler exchanged comments.
"OK, I've had enough," Angiolelli said. "I make a motion to adjourn.
"When voices get loud, that's enough. We've already had one problem tonight. We're not having another one. I move to adjourn.
"Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas."
Copyright (c) 2005, New Castle News
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
Sure, religion and politics are volatile issues. In Union Township, add yard work and garbage to the list.
Punctuated by shouts, accusations and trash talk, Dec. 20's public hearing on a proposed property maintenance code ended abruptly. That's when a former township school board member raised a finger at outgoing Supervisor Steve Galizia.
Apparently, Galizia wasn't No. 1 in Arwood Pinkerton Jr.'s eyes.
"He's supposed to be a leader of the children's community," Galizia said. "He's flippin' the bird in a public meeting."
After the offensive salute, Galizia adjourned the session and called for police to remove Pinkerton from the meeting. While awaiting their arrival, Supervisor Kevin Guinaugh walked Pinkerton out of the meeting room.
Pinkerton could not be reached for comment Dec. 21.
Personality conflicts aside, residents questioned several portions of the code. Their overall concern was the code's enforceability and constitutionality.
"The code, as it is written, passed the solicitor and conforms to all laws," Galizia said.
Attorney Richard Harper is the district's solicitor.
One clarification dealt with the township's right of entry on a resident's or business' property. Verbal or written consent is required before a township police officer or code enforcement officer may go on the property. Barring that, a court order is required.
The use of garbage bags versus trash cans also was raised. Some audience members questioned wording that suggested a leak-proof, covered garbage container was the only acceptable form of trash receptacle.
"What about garbage bags?" resident and former township secretary Sally Byler asked.
Supervisor Pat Angiolelli said he interpreted the wording to apply to businesses.
Guinaugh raised concern over the police's role in enforcement efforts. He sought additional discussion between the supervisors and police before passing the ordinance.
"There's items in this that are not enforceable," he said. "I would not rush into judgment."
The ordinance was approved during the township's regular session, which took place after the public hearing.
"It's a necessity, and it's going to be done," Galizia said. "It's been cleared 100 percent by our solicitor."
The meeting remained contentious throughout and ended as Galizia and Byler exchanged comments.
"OK, I've had enough," Angiolelli said. "I make a motion to adjourn.
"When voices get loud, that's enough. We've already had one problem tonight. We're not having another one. I move to adjourn.
"Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas."
Copyright (c) 2005, New Castle News
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Union officials: Housing agency didn't follow through
PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
A nonprofit group pictured Union Township as home for its first housing project. That vision remains unrealized.
Affordable Housing of Lawrence County announced plans in August 2004 to build Dale Country Estates. The proposed $2.5 million project, to be located on Dale Road, featured 30 housing units for low-income senior citizens.
To assist with the project, the Federal Home Loan Bank's Affordable Housing Program awarded a $168,000 grant. First Commonwealth Bank was lined up to be the local lending institution. Those financial arrangements were announced at the same time.
Township supervisors Steve Galizia, Pat Angiolelli and Kevin Guinaugh agreed that Affordable Housing - and not the township - failed to follow through on the plan.
"There was never even a (formal) discussion," Guinaugh said after Dec. 20's supervisors meeting.
Galizia recalled the lone meeting on the project, saying he met with Robert Evanick, Angelo Burelli and Roger Smith.
"We sat around the cafeteria table, and they had an idea what they would like to do," Galizia said. "I said you would have to go through the stages. They didn't follow me. Period."
Evanick, who heads the Lawrence County Housing Authority, was Affordable Housing's board chairman. He resigned from the board this month. Burelli is retired from the housing authority, where he had been the maintenance supervisor. Smith, a consultant for Affordable Housing, leads New Visions for New Castle, a nonprofit group.
Donald "Ducky" Conti, Affordable Housing's secretary and housing authority board member, said Dec. 21 that community response kept the group from moving forward with the development.
Conti and the Union supervisors agreed this week that Smith's announcement of the project last year had generated a negative reaction.
Conti said that Evanick's name is synonymous with public housing. Instead of seeing the development as a good opportunity, the community rejected it as a another housing project.
"We got bombarded by a bunch of people," Galizia said.
"I called back to Evanick and said, 'What the hell is he saying something like that for?' And he said, 'Well, he should have never spoke out like that.' Talk about shooting yourself in the foot before you get started."
Affordable Housing officials were told they would need to seek a zoning variance and then meet with Union's sewer authority. If the project had received those approvals, the supervisors would have scheduled a public hearing.
Noting it had sounded like a good project, Galizia recalled, "I said, 'Guys, it doesn't matter what we think right now. You have to go through the procedures.'
"At that juncture, they knew the avenue, they just didn't take it."
Conti said Affordable Housing still wants to move forward with that development. He said that in March, Union's zoning inspector and supervisors were invited to a meeting in New Castle, but no one from Union appeared.
Galizia said Affordable Housing is welcome to resubmit the idea.
"That would be fantastic," Conti said. "It's a fantastic location."
The group, created in 2003 by the Lawrence County Housing Authority, purchased eight properties this year. Instead of building new homes, they are rehabilitating old ones.
"That's one of the reasons I resigned," Evanick said last week. "I was just excited about building something new."
Conti said Affordable Housing will have to reapply for federal funding. The deadline to tap into the money was Dec. 18.
Copyright (c) 2005, New Castle News
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
A nonprofit group pictured Union Township as home for its first housing project. That vision remains unrealized.
Affordable Housing of Lawrence County announced plans in August 2004 to build Dale Country Estates. The proposed $2.5 million project, to be located on Dale Road, featured 30 housing units for low-income senior citizens.
To assist with the project, the Federal Home Loan Bank's Affordable Housing Program awarded a $168,000 grant. First Commonwealth Bank was lined up to be the local lending institution. Those financial arrangements were announced at the same time.
Township supervisors Steve Galizia, Pat Angiolelli and Kevin Guinaugh agreed that Affordable Housing - and not the township - failed to follow through on the plan.
"There was never even a (formal) discussion," Guinaugh said after Dec. 20's supervisors meeting.
Galizia recalled the lone meeting on the project, saying he met with Robert Evanick, Angelo Burelli and Roger Smith.
"We sat around the cafeteria table, and they had an idea what they would like to do," Galizia said. "I said you would have to go through the stages. They didn't follow me. Period."
Evanick, who heads the Lawrence County Housing Authority, was Affordable Housing's board chairman. He resigned from the board this month. Burelli is retired from the housing authority, where he had been the maintenance supervisor. Smith, a consultant for Affordable Housing, leads New Visions for New Castle, a nonprofit group.
Donald "Ducky" Conti, Affordable Housing's secretary and housing authority board member, said Dec. 21 that community response kept the group from moving forward with the development.
Conti and the Union supervisors agreed this week that Smith's announcement of the project last year had generated a negative reaction.
Conti said that Evanick's name is synonymous with public housing. Instead of seeing the development as a good opportunity, the community rejected it as a another housing project.
"We got bombarded by a bunch of people," Galizia said.
"I called back to Evanick and said, 'What the hell is he saying something like that for?' And he said, 'Well, he should have never spoke out like that.' Talk about shooting yourself in the foot before you get started."
Affordable Housing officials were told they would need to seek a zoning variance and then meet with Union's sewer authority. If the project had received those approvals, the supervisors would have scheduled a public hearing.
Noting it had sounded like a good project, Galizia recalled, "I said, 'Guys, it doesn't matter what we think right now. You have to go through the procedures.'
"At that juncture, they knew the avenue, they just didn't take it."
Conti said Affordable Housing still wants to move forward with that development. He said that in March, Union's zoning inspector and supervisors were invited to a meeting in New Castle, but no one from Union appeared.
Galizia said Affordable Housing is welcome to resubmit the idea.
"That would be fantastic," Conti said. "It's a fantastic location."
The group, created in 2003 by the Lawrence County Housing Authority, purchased eight properties this year. Instead of building new homes, they are rehabilitating old ones.
"That's one of the reasons I resigned," Evanick said last week. "I was just excited about building something new."
Conti said Affordable Housing will have to reapply for federal funding. The deadline to tap into the money was Dec. 18.
Copyright (c) 2005, New Castle News
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Housing group loses another board member
PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
Affordable Housing of Lawrence County has lost its second board member in as many weeks.
In addition, a Shenango Township resident said he probably will turn down an invitation to join the New Castle-based, nonprofit organization.
Citing time constraints, attorney Frank A. Natale II submitted his resignation Dec. 20. Former Affordable Housing board member and chairman Robert Evanick, who is the executive director of the Lawrence County Housing Authority, resigned earlier this month.
"I don't feel it's appropriate to take up a board space if I can't go," explained Natale, who said he had attended two meetings during six months on the board.
"I feel that would be more fair to them if somebody else can come. They schedule the meetings during business hours, and I have a very active practice."
Created by the Lawrence County Housing Authority in 2003, the organization's initial objective was to build housing for low-income families and/or the handicapped. Instead of building housing, the group has purchased eight properties in New Castle with the intent to rehabilitate them.
"I don't want to get involved in anything that didn't have some purpose for hopefully furthering the benefit of the community," Natale said Dec. 19. "That's what I thought it was. I don't think anything different now.
"I want to see New Castle revitalized. I want to see that happen."
The departures of Natale and Evanick leave the board with four members: Donald "Ducky" Conti, Karen DeCarlo, Bill Bonner and the Rev. James Blackwell.
Conti, who is the board secretary, also serves on the housing authority board. DeCarlo is a New Castle city councilwoman, and Bonner is an official at First Commonwealth Bank.
Conti was unavailable for comment Dec. 19.
Brian Tanner, Shenango Township secretary and Shenango school district's athletic director, said he will decide by Jan. 1 if he will join the board.
"At this time, I'm probably leaning against doing it, only because of the time factor," he said Dec. 19.
"I really have very little time right now."
Tanner was expected to replace real estate developer Jon Librandi, who died in October.
Copyright (c) 2005, New Castle News
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
Affordable Housing of Lawrence County has lost its second board member in as many weeks.
In addition, a Shenango Township resident said he probably will turn down an invitation to join the New Castle-based, nonprofit organization.
Citing time constraints, attorney Frank A. Natale II submitted his resignation Dec. 20. Former Affordable Housing board member and chairman Robert Evanick, who is the executive director of the Lawrence County Housing Authority, resigned earlier this month.
"I don't feel it's appropriate to take up a board space if I can't go," explained Natale, who said he had attended two meetings during six months on the board.
"I feel that would be more fair to them if somebody else can come. They schedule the meetings during business hours, and I have a very active practice."
Created by the Lawrence County Housing Authority in 2003, the organization's initial objective was to build housing for low-income families and/or the handicapped. Instead of building housing, the group has purchased eight properties in New Castle with the intent to rehabilitate them.
"I don't want to get involved in anything that didn't have some purpose for hopefully furthering the benefit of the community," Natale said Dec. 19. "That's what I thought it was. I don't think anything different now.
"I want to see New Castle revitalized. I want to see that happen."
The departures of Natale and Evanick leave the board with four members: Donald "Ducky" Conti, Karen DeCarlo, Bill Bonner and the Rev. James Blackwell.
Conti, who is the board secretary, also serves on the housing authority board. DeCarlo is a New Castle city councilwoman, and Bonner is an official at First Commonwealth Bank.
Conti was unavailable for comment Dec. 19.
Brian Tanner, Shenango Township secretary and Shenango school district's athletic director, said he will decide by Jan. 1 if he will join the board.
"At this time, I'm probably leaning against doing it, only because of the time factor," he said Dec. 19.
"I really have very little time right now."
Tanner was expected to replace real estate developer Jon Librandi, who died in October.
Copyright (c) 2005, New Castle News
Monday, December 19, 2005
Housing buys raise questions
PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
Uncertainty is a cornerstone of the real estate market.
Activities by Affordable Housing of Lawrence County illustrate that point. Created by the Lawrence County Housing Authority, which provided a $200,000 no-interest loan in 2003, the nonprofit organization purchased eight properties this year totaling $340,000.
County property records confirm that much.
However, from the properties' value to who ordered the purchases, the current and former principals involved with Affordable Housing take differing views on strategy and responsibility.
Affordable Housing's initial objective was to build housing for low-income families and/or the handicapped. That course changed on March 8, when the group purchased a house at 1114 Cunningham Ave. in a sheriff's sale for $12,500. The county assessor's office values the property today at $26,700.
That investment is the group's best showing to date. On Dec. 7, seven more homes were purchased. Three of the properties are 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.
DeRosa is the assistant superintendent of the New Castle Area School District. Orlando is retired from the Pennsylvania-American Water Co. Attempts to reach both men were unsuccessful.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE?
Donald "Ducky" Conti, a housing authority board member who also serves on the board of Affordable Housing and is its secretary, said the board agreed to the purchases. However, he said, former board member Robert Evanick was ultimately responsible.
"He's the chairman," Conti said Dec. 18 of Evanick, who is executive director of the county housing authority. "He's the one who signs off on it."
At first, Evanick didn't wish to discuss the inner workings of Affordable Housing.
"I'm out of it now," he said last week, noting he had resigned from Affordable Housing's board. "You'll have to address those questions to Mr. Conti."
When Evanick was asked the same question later, his response changed.
"Mr. Conti arranged for those purchases through the organization."
Although Evanick resigned from the Affordable Housing board, it was not before he co-signed a $250,000 loan with First Commonwealth Bank on Dec. 6. Conti was the other signer on that loan.
Overall, Affordable Housing paid $327,500 for the seven houses, which were Section 8 properties. Officially known as Housing Choice Vouchers, the Section 8 program allows renters to pay for housing through government vouchers.
Grants totaling $77,500 paid what the loan did not cover, Conti said.
THE VALUE
Property value is in the eye of the purchaser, noted Bill Bonner, also an Affordable Housing board member.
An official with First Commonwealth Bank, Bonner has served on the board for a year. He said he refrained from business dealings Affordable Housing had with the bank.
"I've abstained from that transaction because of the bank's involvement and my relationship with the board," he said last week.
To date, Affordable Housing has two mortgages with First Commonwealth Bank. The first one, for $40,000, was signed June 29. The loan involved the Cunningham Avenue property.
Board member Karen DeCarlo, also a New Castle City councilwoman, and Conti signed those loan documents. Calls were made to DeCarlo to ask about the loan and why she was listed as Affordable Housing's director at the time. She could not be reached for comment. Conti said he did not recall that particular loan.
"I believed they just offered to talk to one of our lenders," Bonner said of his bank's involvement with Affordable Housing. "I kind of stepped aside when it came to financing that project."
Real estate values fluctuate. As Bonner explained, what one person may consider a reasonable price, another may balk at.
ASKING PRICE
About 3,000 people questioned their property assessment in 2003 after the county had set new values through a reassessment, but by this year, the number of challenges had returned to normal with approximately 120.
In addition to a countywide reassessment, building improvements or a change in zoned use will create a change in assessed value.
The State Tax Equalization Board offers another method to validate property values. Each year, the board compares county-assessed values to current sales prices and comes up with what is a ratio or common level ratio. For Lawrence County, that number is 0.912.
When a county-assessed property is divided by 0.912, the state's value on a property is created.
For example, Affordable Housing purchased 1806 Highland Ave. for $72,000. The county assessed the property at $49,400 and the state at $54,167.
"All I can tell you is that it's a triplex," Conti said. "I have no clue on how they assess. Apparently it must be OK because the bank had no problem with it."
He then added, "I'm not into that real estate stuff."
APPRAISALS
Castle Realty conducted the appraisals for the seven properties purchased on Dec. 7. Neither Castle Realty nor First Commonwealth Bank would release those figures. Conti said Affordable Housing would review the request for the appraisals.
Conti said Affordable Housing provided no public announcement that it was looking to purchase houses. In addition to Orlando and DeRosa, properties were purchased from Harry L. DeRosa and David L. Defibaugh.
The DeRosas are first cousins, Conti said. County records show that Nick DeRosa and Defibaugh were involved in real estate transactions.
"They wanted to sell," Conti said, adding all the buildings had tenants in them.
Harry L. DeRosa and Defibaugh could not be reached for comment.
Conti said Affordable Housing plans to purchase six more houses.
"They don't belong to Harry DeRosa or Nick DeRosa," he said. "There's other people involved.
"We went to the bank (First Commonwealth) and told them what we want to do. The bank was well aware what our goal is."
Copyright (c) 2005, New Castle News
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
Uncertainty is a cornerstone of the real estate market.
Activities by Affordable Housing of Lawrence County illustrate that point. Created by the Lawrence County Housing Authority, which provided a $200,000 no-interest loan in 2003, the nonprofit organization purchased eight properties this year totaling $340,000.
County property records confirm that much.
However, from the properties' value to who ordered the purchases, the current and former principals involved with Affordable Housing take differing views on strategy and responsibility.
Affordable Housing's initial objective was to build housing for low-income families and/or the handicapped. That course changed on March 8, when the group purchased a house at 1114 Cunningham Ave. in a sheriff's sale for $12,500. The county assessor's office values the property today at $26,700.
That investment is the group's best showing to date. On Dec. 7, seven more homes were purchased. Three of the properties are 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.
DeRosa is the assistant superintendent of the New Castle Area School District. Orlando is retired from the Pennsylvania-American Water Co. Attempts to reach both men were unsuccessful.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE?
Donald "Ducky" Conti, a housing authority board member who also serves on the board of Affordable Housing and is its secretary, said the board agreed to the purchases. However, he said, former board member Robert Evanick was ultimately responsible.
"He's the chairman," Conti said Dec. 18 of Evanick, who is executive director of the county housing authority. "He's the one who signs off on it."
At first, Evanick didn't wish to discuss the inner workings of Affordable Housing.
"I'm out of it now," he said last week, noting he had resigned from Affordable Housing's board. "You'll have to address those questions to Mr. Conti."
When Evanick was asked the same question later, his response changed.
"Mr. Conti arranged for those purchases through the organization."
Although Evanick resigned from the Affordable Housing board, it was not before he co-signed a $250,000 loan with First Commonwealth Bank on Dec. 6. Conti was the other signer on that loan.
Overall, Affordable Housing paid $327,500 for the seven houses, which were Section 8 properties. Officially known as Housing Choice Vouchers, the Section 8 program allows renters to pay for housing through government vouchers.
Grants totaling $77,500 paid what the loan did not cover, Conti said.
THE VALUE
Property value is in the eye of the purchaser, noted Bill Bonner, also an Affordable Housing board member.
An official with First Commonwealth Bank, Bonner has served on the board for a year. He said he refrained from business dealings Affordable Housing had with the bank.
"I've abstained from that transaction because of the bank's involvement and my relationship with the board," he said last week.
To date, Affordable Housing has two mortgages with First Commonwealth Bank. The first one, for $40,000, was signed June 29. The loan involved the Cunningham Avenue property.
Board member Karen DeCarlo, also a New Castle City councilwoman, and Conti signed those loan documents. Calls were made to DeCarlo to ask about the loan and why she was listed as Affordable Housing's director at the time. She could not be reached for comment. Conti said he did not recall that particular loan.
"I believed they just offered to talk to one of our lenders," Bonner said of his bank's involvement with Affordable Housing. "I kind of stepped aside when it came to financing that project."
Real estate values fluctuate. As Bonner explained, what one person may consider a reasonable price, another may balk at.
ASKING PRICE
About 3,000 people questioned their property assessment in 2003 after the county had set new values through a reassessment, but by this year, the number of challenges had returned to normal with approximately 120.
In addition to a countywide reassessment, building improvements or a change in zoned use will create a change in assessed value.
The State Tax Equalization Board offers another method to validate property values. Each year, the board compares county-assessed values to current sales prices and comes up with what is a ratio or common level ratio. For Lawrence County, that number is 0.912.
When a county-assessed property is divided by 0.912, the state's value on a property is created.
For example, Affordable Housing purchased 1806 Highland Ave. for $72,000. The county assessed the property at $49,400 and the state at $54,167.
"All I can tell you is that it's a triplex," Conti said. "I have no clue on how they assess. Apparently it must be OK because the bank had no problem with it."
He then added, "I'm not into that real estate stuff."
APPRAISALS
Castle Realty conducted the appraisals for the seven properties purchased on Dec. 7. Neither Castle Realty nor First Commonwealth Bank would release those figures. Conti said Affordable Housing would review the request for the appraisals.
Conti said Affordable Housing provided no public announcement that it was looking to purchase houses. In addition to Orlando and DeRosa, properties were purchased from Harry L. DeRosa and David L. Defibaugh.
The DeRosas are first cousins, Conti said. County records show that Nick DeRosa and Defibaugh were involved in real estate transactions.
"They wanted to sell," Conti said, adding all the buildings had tenants in them.
Harry L. DeRosa and Defibaugh could not be reached for comment.
Conti said Affordable Housing plans to purchase six more houses.
"They don't belong to Harry DeRosa or Nick DeRosa," he said. "There's other people involved.
"We went to the bank (First Commonwealth) and told them what we want to do. The bank was well aware what our goal is."
Copyright (c) 2005, New Castle News
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