Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to commend a variety of individuals who assisted me during the recent emergency snow storm. This storm virtually could have stopped the borough services, but several people were instrumental in coordinating efforts so that our borough of Bellevue proved to be a success story in the face of severe adverse conditions.

Mike Bookser (Bellevue) and Fred Fisher (Avalon) for coordinating the emergency operation plan that I enacted in order for services to be rendered properly.

Tony Barbarino and the entire DPW crew who worked endlessly to insure the safety and well being of every citizen in Bellevue.

Bellevue and Avalon police departments working together around the clock insuring that all Bellevue and Avalon citizens were safe.

Both Bellevue and Avalon fire departments who assisted all of our Bellevue/Avalon citizens in reaching safe, warm shelter if that was needed.

The Red Cross who worked directly with Mike Bookser and Fred Fisher, the emergency operation coordinators, to set up a warming shelter for those individuals who had no where else to turn in this emergency. Andy King, Marilynn Berner and the Northgate maintenance crew for their assistance in quickly creating the warming shelter at Northgate High School.

Bellevue United Presbyterian church who volunteered their own church to act as the first warming center with Paul Cusick coordinating this effort.

Allegheny County Emergency Management Department who worked well with our emergency operation coordinators.

Dave Gillingham, Bellevue councilman, who volunteered his time to assist those residents at the warming shelter by caring for their needs during this emergency.

This is a small sampling of both individuals and groups who all live/work in either Bellevue or Avalon, and it is because of these citizens that we can be proud to call these boroughs our home.

George Doscher, Mayor
Bellevue