Content about Sue Weiss

01.22.12

Ben Avon is considering offering a tax abatement to anyone who would like to buy certain property on Park Avenue, with the stipulation that the existing structures would be torn down and that any rebuilding would be done according to the borough's code.

The property currently consists of five buildings containing 19 units. Nearly five years ago, Jeff Garbinski bought it with the idea of renovating the property into 19 affordable housing units. However, little has been done since that time and various problems have ensued.

06.24.11

Way-finding

Bellevue, Avalon and Ben Avon have approved application for grant funds and matching expenditures for a study to determine how signage may be improve the boroughs, with Ben Avon’s vote on the reluctant side.

Each of the three municipalities will have to contribute about $1,600 towards the study.

Approved by Bellevue Council at its June 14 meeting, the project was approved by Avalon Council in a 6-1 vote and Ben Avon Council in a 4-1 vote on Tuesday.

05.20.11

Proposed mural hits snag with Ben Avon Council

By LOIS THOMSON

The proposed mural for the side of the Ben Avon fire building may be squelched before it gets off the ground.

At the April meeting, Robin Siddoway, along with Kim Wynnyckyj, approached council with the idea of having a mural approximately 10 feet high and 20 feet wide painted on the side of the building facing Dalzell Avenue. They said the cost would be approximately $1,800.

10.22.10

Bookmobile or not?

If it's budget time, it also must be time to discuss the Bookmobile service in Ben Avon. At Tuesday's council meeting, officials said the cost of the service will increase from $9,115 this year to $10,000 in 2011.

Finance chair Judy Konitsney was absent, but council member R.J. White said she told him she was not going to put it as a line item in the budget. However, White said he has heard from many residents who want to keep it.

07.23.10

Repealed

By a vote of 4-2, members of Ben Avon Council, at Tuesday's meeting, repealed the stolen handgun ordinance that they had adopted last December.

The ordinance, which has undergone much discussion the past two months, required residents to report lost or stolen handguns to the police within 72 hours of their disappearance, or face a large fine and possible jail sentence.

Council member Sue Weiss said that council was "premature in throwing it out." However, council member R.J. White referred to a 2006 Supreme Court and said that the ordinance was not reasonable.

07.23.10

Row house relief?

Residents of Ben Avon might have a glimmer of hope regarding the row houses on Park Avenue that have been deteriorating for the past couple of years.

In May 2007, property owner Jeff Garbinski told the borough council that he would like to renovate the five buildings containing 19 units, but little has been done since that time despite the borough's repeated requests for progress to be made.

06.18.10

Ben Avon to repeal gun law

By Lois Thomson

Picking up where they left off last month, Ben Avon Council members at Tuesday's meeting continued a discussion on repealing the gun ordinance that was passed last December.

The ordinance requires residents to report lost or stolen handguns to the police within 72 hours of their disappearance, or face a fine and possible jail sentence.

05.21.10

New stop sign

Drivers traveling through Ben Avon should note that a stop sign is going to be mounted at the bottom of Ridge Avenue where it meets Brighton Road.

Borough council members voted unanimously at Tuesday's meeting to install the sign. Sue Weiss was absent.

04.23.10

Ben Avon hopes for Park Ave. progress

By LOIS THOMSON

Renovation of a set of row houses on Park Avenue continues to be a thorn in Ben Avon's side. A couple of residents at Tuesday's council meeting expressed their concern and displeasure over the fact that the area has been torn up for a long period of time, but that little actual work has been done.

Victoria Haynes said her main concern is safety.

"I see children playing on the streets and torn up sidewalks and no precautions are taken. I don't know what council can do, but I think the site should be contained and closed."

06.19.09

News Briefs

Assessments opposed The Northgate School Board has voted to oppose new graduation competency assessments proposed by the state.

The board passed a resolution at its regular meeting on June 15, opposing the high school graduation competency assessments and Keystone exams proposed by Pennsylvania Governer Ed Rendell and the Department of Education.

According to Northgate superintendent Dr. Reggie Bonfield, the assessments would create a new way to evaluate whether a student is ready to graduate.

03.20.09

Ben Avon To Look At Dissolving Park Lease

A vote by Ben Avon Council to have new playground equipment installed at Avon Park turned into a motion to dissolve the lease for the park between Ben Avon Borough and Kilbuck Township.