As he has in his television ads, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato stressed his executive experience over his Republican opponent, state Attorney General Tom Corbett. Unlike his ads, he joked he would not ask the New Pittsburgh Courier editorial board to spell his name. PULLING TOGETHER—Gubernatorial candidate and Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato says Democrats are coming together and tightening the race between himself and Tom Corbett. (Photo by J.L. Martello) Onorato, who has served as county executive since 2003, is an attorney and an accountant, who served as a city councilman and county controller prior to his two terms heading the state’s second-largest government. “I think our resumes tell the tale. I’ve run the county for seven years. He’s been a prosecutor,” said Onorato. “I’ve balanced budgets, reduced spending and managed a huge government. He hasn’t done that.”
In a fourth quarter play to help Democratic candidates in the upcoming Nov. 2 election, President Barack Obama spoke with members of the Black press in hopes of sending a message to their readership. Although the message was shrouded under a call for Americans to vote, it was clear he wanted them to vote Democratic. PRESIDENT OBAMA “Many economists believed we were on the brink of a second depression and middle class families across the nation and working families and those aspiring to middle class especially African-American families were in serious jeopardy. Frankly I hoped we were going to get some Republican help; we didn’t,” Obama said. “Twenty months later we have an economy that’s growing again. The key then is for us to be able to move forward to help middle class families and the only way I can do that is with some help on Capitol Hill.”
Health insurance 101 OCT. 20—The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will host Health Insurance 101 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Gilda’s Club, 2816 Smallman St., Strip District. The seminar will be presented by Beth Socoski of Gateway Health Plan. Registration and a light dinner will precede the presentation. Registration is requested and the event is free. For more information, call 412-395-2882.
(Second in a series on drug and alcohol addiction.) Life for the addict is a life that goes from euphoria to a life of loss, pain and shame. “It is not that you use, but what causes you to use. We all use because of something. Picking up the drug is just the end result,” says Ramona Davis, a teacher/counselor with the Pennsylvania Organization for Women in Early Recovery (POWER), a drug and alcohol treatment organization. DRUG PARAPHERNALIA —Here are some of the leftovers in a vacant house used by drug addicts. Upbeat, her demeanor takes on a tinge of sorrow as she continues, “It is sad to say some have to die in order for others to live. But every time someone dies because of the disease of addiction, there is someone who looks for a way out.”
This fall, in an effort to increase the number of minority males who succeed in college, California University of Pennsylvania has created a mentoring program for students attending their school. The goal of Cal U Men United is to “provide a campus community that will support the growth, development and achievement of young men of color as they strive to become men of character prepared to take an active role in the global community,” said President Angelo Armenti Jr. CAL U MEN UNITED—California University of Pennsylvania President Angelo Armenti Jr., center, greets Ron Wiley, 18, a sports management major, left, and LaMont Coleman, associate dean of student affairs, at the recent Cal U Men United dinner. Though the program, launched on Sept. 13 is aimed at minority groups as a whole, this year it will benefit 30 freshmen and sophomore students with Black males making up a large portion of the total.
The African American Heritage Day Parade was held Oct. 2 so we asked Pittsburghers what they felt about it. Here’s what you said. “It’s important for us as African-Americans to be represented in a positive light.”Serene SmithOffice workerOakland SERENE SMITH, MELISSA TAYLOR, ANNIE WILLIAMS-CARTER
Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala said he would investigate concerns of racial bias raised after Common Pleas Judge Joseph K. Williams Jr. refused a plea agreement last week. Williams made national headlines when he declined a plea deal for a first time offender because he said prosecutors only make those deals for “White boys.” JUDGE JOSEPH K. WILLIAMS Williams, who recused himself from the case, declined to talk to the New Pittsburgh Courier regarding his statement. “I don’t see a racial component here, but if a judge raises the issue, it’s incumbent upon me to look into it,” said Zappala. “Judge Williams is in a responsible position, so we take this seriously.”
With his traditionally lighthearted and comedic demeanor, Pittsburgh Public School District Superintendent Mark Roosevelt announced last week he will resign, after holding the position for five years. “I stand before you all a very grateful person. I am confident leaving,” Roosevelt said. “I think I’m someone who sees possibilities and makes a turnaround come to life and that’s why I think my work is done in Pittsburgh.” RIVALS—Mark Roosevelt, left, and Mark Brentley share a laugh as they shake hands after the press conference. (Photo by J.L. Martello) At a Oct. 6 press conference, Roosevelt said he is the finalist for a position as president of Antioch College in Ohio. Whether or not he is offered the position, he said he intends to resign Dec. 31 of this year and maybe even seek employment with the Pittsburgh media, he joked.
At the New Pittsburgh Courier’s 50 Men of Excellence Awards reception, former, future and current honorees gathered with family and friends to celebrate their achievements. Adding to this year’s festivities, the Courier selected three local legends to honor with Legacy Awards. “The Legacy honorees have been leading this city for a very long time and it’s great to be following in their footsteps,” said John Wallace, one of this year’s 50 Men of Excellence. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to be recognized with all of these men. It’s a great opportunity to recognize men who don’t get recognized.” LEGACY AWARDS—From left: Robert M. Lavelle, who accepted an award on behalf of his father, Robert R. Lavelle, with Legacy honorees Robert Pitts and Wendell Freeland. (Photo by J.L. Martello) Legacy honorees Wendell Freeland, Robert Pitts and Robert Lavelle have been civil rights icons in Pittsburgh for several decades. Their efforts to fight for equality and to improve living conditions in African-American communities can still be felt in the city today.
by Christian MorrowCourier Staff Writer The same group of independent contractors who sued to stop the Community College of Allegheny County from entering into a Project Labor Agreement that would require union labor on the K. Leroy Irvis Science Center project, has filed a similar suit against the Penn Hills School District. The Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Pennsylvania filed suit claiming the school board used a biased report to justify voting to establish a Project Labor Agreement with building trade unions for its upcoming high school construction. The study cost $15,000.
