Articles written by Tom Smith
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Mt. Oliver program to honor veterans moves forward with new guidelines
After a series of fits and starts, the Mt. Oliver Borough Military Banner Program is poised to display photographs on banners on light poles in the business district. Prior to approving the...
Public safety a priority for police in South Side going into the summer
City of Pittsburgh Public Safety officials addressed neighborhood concerns at the South Side Community Council’s (SSCC) recent biannual public meeting via Zoom. SSCC President Barbara Rudiak began the presentation by introducing City of Pittsburgh...
Animal control issues considered by Mount Oliver Boro Council
Mt. Oliver Borough Council's March public meeting began with a public hearing concerning dog attacks in the borough. Emilie Nottle requested the public hearing to advocate for stricter enforcement of...
Carrick Community Council planning for spring
Donna McManus, president of the Carrick Community Council (CCC), opened the March general meeting of the group by introducing State Rep. Jessica Benham. Rep. Benham opened her presentation saying she...
Mt. Oliver Borough moves to change rental inspection schedule
The February public meeting of the Mt. Oliver Borough Council discussions on the number of reserved handicapped parking spaces in the borough and amending the Rental License Program. In attendance at...
NPP program in Mt. Oliver/Knoxville will focus on businesses and residents
In early November 2021, two Hilltop organizations received word their applications for Neighborhood Partnership Programs (NPP) through the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) had been approved. The Hilltop programs...
Mt. Oliver Borough to consider changing rental inspections times
The postponed January meeting of the Mt. Oliver Borough Council began with a public hearing requested by former mayor Frank Bernardini. Mr. Bernardini expressed concerns about recent proposals in...
Hilltop Alliance continues work in Allentown with second NPP
In early November 2021, two Hilltop organizations received word their applications for Neighborhood Partnership Programs (NPP) through the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) had been approved. The Hilltop programs...
Mt. Oliver makes history with first woman mayor
The 2022 Mt. Oliver Borough Re-Organization Meeting on January 3 was night of firsts. For the first time in its history Mt. Oliver has a woman as its mayor. In a short swearing-in ceremony, Joanna Tay...
Mt. Oliver Borough passes General Budget with no tax increase
The Mt. Oliver Borough Council approved the 2022 Borough General Budget without comment at the December public meeting of the council. The council approved the budget by a 5-0 vote with councilmen...
State officials discuss their roles in liquor license enforcement
Concerned about the uptick in crime seemingly related to alcohol serving venues in South Side, State Rep. Jessica Benham brought together Pennsylvania Liquor Enforcement (LCE) and Pennsylvania Liquor Control Bureau (PLCB) for a panel discussion on st...
No real estate tax increase for 2022 in Mt. Oliver Boro
There will be no increase in the Real Estate tax for Mt. Oliver Borough for 2022. At the November public meeting of the Mt. Oliver Borough Council, the council adopted the 2022 Fee Schedule with sever...
Alliance, partners to build 31 single-family homes
Last week, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency announced the Hilltop Alliance and its development partner Gatesburg Road Development had been awarded $1,042,763 in Low Income Housing Tax Credits...
Mt. Oliver officials look into possible sidewalk grant program for residents
A decision on a request from a Mt. Oliver property owner to remove a broken sidewalk and replace it with grass was postponed while the Borough Council explores options. The existing sidewalk on...
Storm water fee discussed at council bi-annual meeting
The biannual general meeting of the South Side Community Council (SSCC) featured a presentation concerning storm water by Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority (PWSA) officials; Public safety...
Boro council hears concerns about scooters, speeders and senior residence
Mt. Oliver Borough Council's September public meeting was in-person with all council members present and along with a number of people in the gallery. Council President Amber McGough turned over the o...
Roberta F. Smith, longtime Reporter editor
Roberta A story I frequently tell is when I graduated from journalism school my mother said I could work for her until I found a real job. That was in January of 1979 and my mother, Roberta F. Smith,...
Alliance business support expands into Mt. Oliver
It's not your father's Allentown business district, anymore. Over the past six years the Hilltop Alliance (HA) has succeeded in attracting close to 50 new businesses to the small neighborhood...
Community council returning to in-person neighborhood events
Carrick Community Council's (CCC) quarterly membership meeting took place in-person and outdoors to allow for social distancing. Setting up at the Carrick Community Pavilion, the former Dairy...
Boro property owner asks for relief from penalties
The son of a Mt. Oliver property owner came to the Borough Council's August public meeting seeking relief from penalties his father had received on unpaid taxes and fees. Monte Emamzadeh, son of...
UPMC officials quizzed on status of South Side facilities
UPMC officials met last week with members of the South Side Community Council (SSCC) to provide updates on the former hospital building at 20th and Mary streets; a new proposed childcare center on...
Parking continues to be a problem for neighbors in Mt. Oliver Boro
Parking concerns on Overhill Street in Mt. Oliver Borough were on the agenda again at the Borough Council’s July public meeting. Darla Stabryla testified before the council she “never knew we had problems on Overhill Street” until she read it...
Housing Opportunity Fund helping residents stay in their homes
The Hilltop Alliance (HA) is hosting a series of on-line presentations highlighting programs of the city's Housing Opportunity Fund (HOF) in cooperation with the Urban Redevelopment Authority of the...
Parking issues at Mt. Oliver Council discussed in-person
The Mt. Oliver Borough Council returned to in-person meetings in June. Attending the meeting were council members Aaron Graham, David Lowe, Amber McGough, Christina Reft and Francis Heckman, along...
Affordable housing takes many forms in South Pittsburgh
"Long-term affordable housing is the concept of having housing that is affordable for low and moderate income people on an ongoing basis," began Gordon Davidson, executive director of the Mount Washin...
