Content about Maria West

03.12.12

Editor:

In his front page story last week ("History Restored," March 2, 2012), Tom Steiner appropriately stated "So often the road to progress includes demolishing the past." Let me flip that around and also point out that striving to preserve meaningful history is often perceived as obstructing progress. Mr. Steiner's story helps debunk that perception, and shows us that maybe improvement and preservation are not necessarily at odds, and in fact can be complementary.

03.04.12

History restored...

So often the road to progress includes demolishing the past. Fortunately, though, two local works of historical and artistic value were spared that fate through the intervention of a concerned resident.

12.16.11

Emsworth says no to raises

Emsworth now has a resolution setting a pay scale for public works employees, but that doesn’t mean either of the borough’s two part-time DPW workers will be getting a raise right away.

The resolution adopted by council at its meeting Wednesday sets a pay range for the DPW, from $15 to $24 per hour. It also allows the employees to be reimbursed by the borough for up to $200 per month for health insurance they purchase themselves, and up to $300 per year for clothing.

01.14.11

Big bill

Emsworth will have to pay an engineering company nearly $30,000 even though plans it developed for a temporary Herron Avenue Bridge cannot be used.

Council president Maria West said that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (Penn-DOT) vetoed plans for a temporary span to carry traffic over the Lowries Run creek, saying that the proposed temporary bridge would not work in the location selected.

12.13.10

Christmas in Emsworth

Emsworth Council president Maria West greeted residents who attended the annual tree lighting and holiday celebration.

05.14.10

Emsworth to rejoin QVCOG

With a garbage collection contract nearing its end, Emsworth Council has voted to have the borough rejoin the Quaker Valley Council of Governments (QVCOG)

The QVCOG, comprised of municipalities along the Ohio River in this area, performs a number of functions, primary among them the negotiation of joint contracts for municipal services and administration of federal grants. Emsworth opted not to join the COG last year, saying that the borough did not utilize its services.

Emsworth's dues for a year total $1,600, according to borough secretary Cathy Jones.

04.16.10

Better behavior asked

Emsworth Council president Maria West called on the borough's elected officials to check their behavior and try to get along after receiving an e-mail that she called "vile" and "disgusting" from a member of council.

Following a series of e-mails among council members on Feb. 11 and 12 regarding snow removal, council member David Heflin apparently took exception to a statement by West and responded with the statements "F_ _ _ YOU Maria" and "go to hell."

The e-mails were circulated among council members and through the borough's e-mail as well.

03.12.10

Surcharge change delayed

The final step that would have authorized a sewer surcharge increase for most property owners in Emsworth was put on hold on at council's regular meeting on March 10.

Council voted in January to change the rate structure of the surcharge, making it based purely on how much water is used, in an attempt to make the sewer system self-funding. That vote came after officials decided in December that instead of a rate change, reserve funds could be transferred.

01.22.10

News Briefs

Chief search A police officer who lives in Avalon told borough officials Tuesday not to look too far from home for a new police chief.

With current Chief Robert Howie set to retire this year, council hired a consultant to conduct a search and recommend candidates for his replacement.

01.08.10

Officials take seats in Emsworth

By JOHN DOANE A few new faces were present at Emsworth Council's 2010 reorganization meeting Jan. 4 to take the oath as newly elected government officials. Former longtime borough solicitor Mike Marmo, now a judge on the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, swore in newly-elected mayor Dee Quinn, incumbent council members Amy Adams and Paul Getz, and new members Dan Lenz and Kenneth Kroen.

The new council’s first act was to keep the status quo for the president of council.

01.08.10

Re-elected president

Maria West was re-elected president of Emsworth Council during the reorganization meeting on Jan. 4.

11.13.09

Emsworth officials tangle over unapproved expenses

Tempers flared at Emsworth Council's regular meeting on Wednesday during a normally routine item on council's agenda.

When it came time to approve the boroughs bill’s for the month, finance committee chairman David Heflin questioned two of the expenditures on the bill list, neither of which had received pre-approval from council.

The first was $321 for an appreciation dinner held for former borough solicitor Mike Marmo. The second was the painting of two of the borough's trucks at a cost of $1,500.

10.23.09

Pennsylvania repair delayed until spring

Repair work on Pennsylvania Avenue in Emsworth will have to wait until the spring.

07.10.09

News Briefs

Settlement reached Emsworth officials have approved a settlement for payment of back taxes by the owner of a Grant Avenue property.

Council members went into executive session at their July 8 meeting to consult with solicitor Michael Marmo about the matter, which involved a bankruptcy and court action.

The borough will receive $6,400 as part of the settlement, Marmo said.

Liquor license Emsworth Council gave final approval July 8 to the transfer of an additional liquor license into the borough.