School buses now issue $300 tickets.
 
Dear Neighbor,
 
I was recently caught off-guard by something every driver should know about.  Pittsburgh school buses now have video cameras.  These cameras record any movement from the time the bus’s safety lights are activated, even before the stop-arm is extended.  If you aren’t watching carefully, you can be in violation.
 
If a violation occurs, a $300 citation will be mailed to the vehicle owner regardless of who is driving.  This citation is a civil fine.  It does not add points on your license or directly affect your auto insurance.
 
The citation shows pictures of your vehicle (see attached scan) and a link to the Alertbus.com website where you can access the pictures and video of your vehicle and an opportunity to pay the fine by credit card.  A prominent local attorney confirmed the law that allows these citations to be issued, 75 Pa. C.S. Section 3345.1(c)(4).
 
If the citation is not paid, you will be sent for collection, which can severely affect your credit score and increase your insurance premiums.  To contest liability, follow the instructions on the citation and you will be notified of your hearing details. There is a non-refundable $90 court fee for this hearing.
 
I am all for improved school bus safety, but I don’t think enough has been done to alert the public about this new system, including marking all buses with the words “Video Monitored” prominently displayed on every bus.
 
WPXI has done multiple reports on the complaints they’ve received about this system.  One report stated that $858,559 in revenue had been collected in the first six months of using these school bus camera tickets. Less than half of that money goes to the school system, a small amount to enforcement, and the rest goes to BusPatrol, the company that provides the AlertBus cameras and processes citations.
 
 
 
 
This is a link to the notice from Pittsburgh Public Schools about the program:
 
 
Sincerely, Phil Garrow
South Oakland Resident

 

 

 

Come out and enjoy fall festivities in the South Oakland community. All are welcome !
There will be Day of the Dead and Halloween Arts and Crafts, vendors, food, music, a bounce house, face painting, and more. Please share this event with your friends and family !
We are still excepting vendors, so please reach out to Diana Eywa to secure a space. Vendor donations will go towards the development of the South Oakland Neighborhood Group, youth programming, and future community events !

 
 

PennDOT College Student Summer Workers
PennDOT is seeking hardworking college students for employment during the summer months for the 2021 Summer Maintenance Program. If you enjoy working in an active, fast-paced environment while performing a public service, check out this opportunity and apply today. 
 
Opportunities exist statewide. However, opportunities are based upon operational needs, so there may not be open positions in every county. To be eligible for employment, applicants must meet the following criteria: 

  • Must be a high school graduate or college student enrolled (or intending to enroll) on a full-time basis in a 2- or 4-year post-secondary education program for the fall semester.
  • Must be in good academic standing (as defined by a 2.0 GPA or higher).
  • Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Special Requirement: Upon verification of a valid Pennsylvania Class C Driver’s License without incident, some positions may be authorized to operate Department vehicles as part of this job.

To learn more about these positions and to apply, please click here
 

Engineering Internships with PennDOT
PennDOT is accepting applications for its Engineering Internship program. This program offers statewide paid internship opportunities during the summer to students in a variety of majors, predominantly in engineering, science, and technology fields; however, PennDOT does more than just road construction and snow removal. PennDOT is a customer-driven service organization responsible for the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of Pennsylvania's multimodal transportation system. 
 
PennDOT Interns enjoy opportunities in various areas of PennDOT operations. Internship opportunities associated with this posting will be headquartered throughout PennDOT's Engineering Districts. Although all assignments may not be offered in every location, additional examples of work and special projects may be available. 
 
For more information on these internship opportunities and how to apply, please click here.

2020 Pittsburgh Christmas Tree Recycling
The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works has announced that the Christmas tree recycling program will be available again this year. Residents can take trees to the following drop-off locations to have the tree composted at no cost.  
 
For a tree to be composted at a drop-off location, all decorations, plastic bags, nets and stands must be removedChristmas trees set out at the curb for refuse pick-up will be sent to the landfill.  
 
Christmas Tree Recycling Drop-Off Locations:  
 
Northern Division 1st Division of Public Works –  Open Year Round 
Location: 300 Kilbuck Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15214 
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Call for Saturday hours)
Contact: 412-323-7209   
 
East End 2nd Division of Public Works – Open Year Round  
6814 Hamilton Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15208 (North Dallas Ave. at Hamilton Ave.) 
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Call for Saturday hours)
Contact: 412-665-3609 
 
Hazelwood 3rd Division of Public Works –  Open Year Round 
Location: 40 Melanchton St (off 5200 Block of 2nd Ave) Pittsburgh, PA 15207 
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Call for Saturday hours)
Contact: 412-422-6524 
 
Elliott 5th Division of Public Works – Open Year Round  
1330 Hassler St. Pittsburgh, PA 15220  (Off Herschel St. & Steuben St. near Herschel Park)  
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Call for Saturday hours)
Contact: 412-937-3054 
  

SPONSORED DROP-OFF LOCATION DECEMBER 26, 2019 – JANUARY 26,
2020

HIGHLAND PARK, THE ZOO LAY DOWN AREA
7370 Baker St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(enter zoo parking lot from Baker Street, follow the signs to back of lot) 
Operates Seven Days a Week from 6AM – 10PM 
 
 
 

OAKLAND-WIDE COMMUNITY MEETING
Tuesday December 15, 2020 at 6pm on Zoom
 
Oakland Planning and Development Corporation holds monthly public
meetings to facilitate community discussion about development, policy, and
topics of interest to neighbors. This is a required Development Activities Meeting
(DAM) for both projects. 
 
Agenda:
Clark Street Holdings
has an update to their design for the former Marathon gas station site at 3500 Forbes Avenue.
255 Atwood Street
This project includes a proposed small building addition to the rear of the
existing two-story building and a first floor rear deck. 
 
See the link below for flyer.

Sign up for a free health insurance consultation! 
 
On Friday, December 4th, from 4 – 8PM, Senator Costa will be hosting a virtual health care enrollment event. The window to enroll for 2021 health insurance is now open and he wants to make sure that everyone has access to quality and affordable health care. 
 
You can visit his website at SenatorCosta.com/ACA to learn more about this virtual event and to sign up for a private appointment to meet with a certified navigator. During this appointment on Zoom you can ask questions about plans within the Pennie system – which is Pennsylvania's health care exchange. You can compare plans, learn about subsidies, and discuss your health goals for 2021. 
 
Once you sign up on his website, his staff will email you the Zoom login information.

The Oakland Plan
 
The Oakland Plan will create a 10-year plan with a shared vision for Oakland's future and the projects and programs necessary to make that vision a reality.
 
Once adopted by the Planning Commission, the Oakland Plan will become City policy and guide public and private investments in the area. New land use regulations, transportation and infrastructure improvements, and public programs may also be recommended by the plan. The plan area generally includes the neighborhoods of North Oakland, Central Oakland, South Oakland, and West Oakland.
 
Click on the link below for the flyer.

For more information visit
https://engage.pittsburghpa.gov/oakland

City Of Pittsburgh Snow Angels Program 
 
Snow covered sidewalks can be hazardous for everyone. Pittsburgh Snow Angels is a program that helps minimize the hardships of winter by pairing volunteers with elderly or disabled residents to assist with snow removal. 
 
Along with fostering stronger community relationships and relieving some of the stress that comes from a snow storm, Snow Angels makes our sidewalks safer for those who are outside during winter weather – like postal carriers, firefighters, and police officers. 
 
You can sign up online to offer help as a volunteer. The Snow Angels Program will work to pair you with a nearby neighbor. We will be in touch when you have been matched with a neighbor in need. 
 
See the attached flyer or visit the website for more info or to volunteer.
 

Do you need a meal on Thanksgiving? 
 
Rotary Clubs of Bethel-St Clair and Northern Allegheny, and Holy Assumption of St. Mary Orthodox Church are partnering again this year to cook, assemble, and Pittsburgh Police officers will deliver food on Thanksgiving Day. Over the past 17 years this event has gone from feeding 250 people who are homeless, shut-ins, disabled, and in need to over 3800 people and numbers keep growing! 
 
If you need a meal, you just need to contact your local police zone officer!
Deadline date to call in a meal is Friday, November 20, 2020 NO EXCEPTIONS,
so please call now! 
 
Zone 4: Officer Victoria Butch @ 412-422-6559   victoria.butch@pittsburghpa.gov
See flyer for more info.

Elections Office to Offer Expanded Hours October 26 through Election Day 
 
The Elections Division today announced that it will be offering expanded hours for its office and the lobby for voters to apply for and receive their mail-in or absentee ballot, or to return their completed ballot. This is in addition to the additional election offices open this coming weekend, October 23 and 24, throughout the county. 
 

Additional Election Offices

Ballot return and in-person application for mail-in and absentee ballots remain open this coming weekend. 
 
On Election Day
All 1,323 polling places will be open on Election Days. Hours are from 7 AM to 8 PM and anyone in line at 8 PM will be allowed to vote. Voters are asked to wear a face covering in compliance with the state order. Those who arrive without a face covering will be offered one. 
 
See attached letter for more info.
Absentee/Mail-In Ballots
Please note, if you plan to vote using an absentee or mail-in ballot in the 2020 GENERAL ELECTION held on 11/03/2020, your completed application must be received in the county office by 5:00 PM on 10/27/2020. The deadline to return your voted absentee or mail-in ballot is 8:00 PM on 11/03/2020. If your ballot is postmarked by 8:00 PM on Election Day and received in your county office (or drop off centers) by 5:00 PM on 11/6/2020 it will be considered timely.
Click on link below for more info.

For Individuals & Families
Walk-up and drive-through distribution will be available to individuals and families for the duration of the event. Vehicles should be instructed to pull up to the Schenley Drive curb behind the plaza tent, where parking spaces are reserved for loading. Volunteers will assist in loading meal kits into vehicles. Be advised that meal kits are somewhat bulky; those without a vehicle should expect to carry only one kit at a time if possible, or use a pulled-cart for transit. Signs will be clearly marked for onsite walk-up and drive-through food distribution. 
 
All who attend are asked to wear a face covering, practice physical distancing and depart after receiving their meal kit – following CDC guidelines – to ensure a safe, effective distribution event. 
 
Volunteers needed
In addition we are seeking volunteers for the food distribution event in Oakland! Volunteers are needed to: Unload, setup, and breakdown distribution site, assist in loading meal kits in vehicles, help with directional flow of individuals and vehicles, clean and organize site. Volunteer shifts are 1pm-4pm and 4pm-7pm. Pitt in Action shirts and bottled water will be provided. Volunteers will be expected to wear a face covering and follow all CDC guidelines. To Sign up to volunteer, please email Alex Toner, Assistant Director of Community Engagement, at alexjtoner@pitt.edu ASAP 
 
See the attached flyer
or visit the link below

The Oakland Plan 
 
The Oakland Plan will create a 10-year plan with a shared vision for Oakland's future and the projects and programs necessary to make that vision a reality. 
 
Once adopted by the Planning Commission, the Oakland Plan will become City policy and guide public and private investments in the area. New land use regulations, transportation and infrastructure improvements, and public programs may also be recommended by the plan. The plan area generally includes the neighborhoods of North Oakland, Central Oakland, South Oakland, and West Oakland. 
 
Click on the link below for the flyer.
For more information visit
Attached is a letter from Vice Chancellor Paul Suppowitz about how Pitt plans to move forward with the students and long-term residents of Oakland. Several paragraphs excerpted below.  See the letter for complete info. 
 

In Service to Community: In addition to our Pitt Pandemic Service Initiative, we’re continuing to find new ways to serve and support the communities we call home. Whether it’s helping to get technology into the hands of those who need it most, offering virtual babysitting classes or getting meals to local families, our faculty, staff and students aren’t letting the pandemic stop them from partnering and engaging with our neighbors. 

 
Help Spread the Message: We’ve created signage for use in our campus buildings and would love it if you’d consider picking one of your favorites and printing it to post in your window to reinforce the message in our surrounding neighborhoods. If you don’t have a printer at home but would like to request a copy, please let us know and we’ll be happy to put one in the mail for you. 

 
Who to Contact: The Community and Governmental Relations team has and will continue to bring the latest updates to our neighbors through virtual neighborhood meetings (such as OPDC Oakland‐wide monthly meetings) and communications such as this letter. We are available at cgrinfo@pitt.edu or 412‐624‐7755. You can also stay current with Pitt’s plans by visiting coronavirus.pitt.edu
 

The
University of Pittsburgh has created coronavirus.pitt.edu, as a source of information and updates on the coming year. 
 
To specifically help foster the health and safety of all, the University of Pittsburgh presents the principles of the Pitt Community Compact—drafted by Pitt undergraduate, graduate and professional students—to uphold the health and safety of our community. 
Election day: Tuesday June 2, 2020
Some things have changed from the past. 
 
Postmarks do NOT count!  Applications and Ballots must be RECEIVED by deadlines.
The main website for voting information is available at
AlleghenyCounty.us/elections/voter-services.aspx 
 
ONLY ONE PHYSICAL POLLING PLACE FOR WARD 4 (all of South Oakland)
Posvar Hall, 230 South Bouquet Street, across from intersection at Sennott St. 
 
LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE: 5pm Monday May 18, 2020
LAST DAY TO REQUEST MAIL-IN BALLOT: 5pm Tuesday May 26, 2020
LAST DAY TO VOTE BY MAIL-IN BALLOT: 8pm Tuesday June 2, 2020 
 
See attached flyer for more info.
Mail-in Ballot Application with instructions also attached.