February 05, 2019 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
A $30,000 grant from the National Fitness Campaign will be used to create and implement an outdoor fitness court in Duquesne.
The facility, which is expected to be constructed by the end of the 2019 calendar year, will be free to use for community residents and visitors, Mayor Nickole Nesby announced.
At January's regular meeting, council approved a motion to hold a workshop and planning session on the second Tuesday of each month, with a voting meeting on a fourth Tuesday of each month. Both meetings will continue to be open to the public.
In other business:
Council has repealed a previous ordinance that would have increased the mayor's salary to $65,000 per year following the next mayoral election.
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January 27, 2019 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
A distressed municipality for nearly 30 years, Duquesne is hoping to be self-sufficient in the near future.
At last week's council meeting, the city's Act 47 Coordinator, George Dougherty, reported that Duquesne is coming to the end of its final five-year Act 47 plan.
“Beginning in 2020, we have to get the finances and management in a place where the city will be able to float on (its) own and come out of Act 47 status,” said Dougherty, who was appointed by the state in October to represent the community. “I’m really hoping to see Duquesne move forward in becoming self-sufficient.”
Dougherty has been working to develop a budget for Duquesne, which has been an Act 47 municipality since 1991. Recently, he began drafting an "exit plan" from the assistance program.
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January 17, 2019 |
By Submitted Report | Posted in: Duquesne News
Following January's city council meeting when tensions ran high between residents and officials, Duquesne Mayor Nickole Nesby issued this statement:
"It’s important for everyone to be on the same page because residents get confused. The city values community organizations such as the Duquesne Youth Football Association. Sports play a role in bringing communities together, increasing social and cultural impact, developing social capital, reducing crime and anti-social behavior.
"It is my hope that more people participate as volunteers, increase the culture of respect and tolerance among young people, reduce fear of crime, create a more sustainable community with local pride, provide people with a greater voice and influence over decision-making, and increase the capacity to own community assets."
January 17, 2019 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne residents voice their frustrations during January's city council meeting. (Cami DiBattista photo, special to Tube City Almanac)
Read More: Duquesne Mayor Nickole Nesby had additional thoughts following this meeting
The first Duquesne City Council meeting of the year was emotionally charged, as a roomful of residents vented their frustrations with Mayor Nickole Nesby and other officials.
Several representatives of the Duquesne Youth Football Association questioned city officials about allegations that the organization is being dissolved.
They alleged that the Duquesne Police Department had “spread rumors of drug money being funneled through the organization.”
One spokesperson for the youth football association said the organization is unhappy with Police Chief Tom Dunlevy and the department, and said he feels the city’s black population is being unfairly targeted.
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December 18, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Nine-year-old Arnez Logan, a student of Duquesne Elementary School, is a member of the school's Junior Constable program, run by school security officer and Pennsylvania State Constable Lonzo Boyce Sr., at left. (Cami DiBattista photo, special to Tube City Almanac)
When fourth-grader Arnez Logan began the school year at Duquesne Elementary, he had no idea he would wrap up his first week being labeled a hero.
As a participant in the school’s Junior Constable Program, one of his responsibilities includes being a member of the "safety patrol." Logan was stationed outside the entrance of the school, diligently observing his surroundings, when he saw a kindergarten student run out into the road in front of an oncoming car.
Without a second thought he reacted, grabbing the kindergartener and pulling him to safety as the car sped by.
“He was running and it did not look like he was going to stop,” said nine-year-old Logan. “I hurried up and pulled him back before a car came speeding by.”
“I was across the street and couldn’t get there quickly enough,” said Duquesne constable Lonzo Boyce Sr., who started the Junior Constable Program around five years ago. “It was like it happened in slow motion. As soon as he stepped onto the street, Arnez grabbed him. ‘Nice save, Arnez. Great job,’ was the first thing that came out of my mouth. It was unbelievable.”
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December 14, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne residents are voicing concerns regarding the new way water bills are being issued.
At the Nov. 27 council meeting, one resident who also owns a rental property said that as the landlord, she's receiving bills, but her tenants are not.
And while she is keeping the bills up-to-date, she said, her tenants are receiving delinquency letters. Other residents said they're receiving bill that are lower than what they know they owe.
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December 13, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne's new Act 47 coordinator is hopeful that the city will be able to exit financially distressed status in the next few years.
George Dougherty Jr. has been appointed by the state to work with the city, which has been considered a distressed municipality for nearly 30 years. He was introduced during the Nov. 27 Duquesne City Council meeting.
Dougherty, who has also worked as Braddock’s Act 47 representative, said he has begun to get familiar with the community and work with the mayor and city manager on developing a budget for Duquesne.
Communities under Act 47 representative must adopt more restrictive spending plans in exchange for the right to have an increased earned income tax rate and favored status on state grant applications.
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November 22, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne police reported 597 calls to service for the month of October, resulting in 71 arrests.
Police Chief Tom Dunlevy gave the department's report at the most recent city council meeting.
Calls for service included 13 abandoned vehicles, nine animal complaints, seven fights, 30 domestics, five for shots fired, one robbery and two protection from abuse order violations. Dunlevy also reported 213 traffic stops, resulting in 92 traffic citations.
The Duquesne Fire Department had 22 calls to service for October.
In other business, Mayor Nickole Nesby reported the city had an unpaid balance from last year for salt for the streets in the amount of $74,285.38.
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November 21, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne City Controller Jade Burleigh has resigned, citing health reasons.
At the Oct. 23 meeting, city council took steps to have Duquesne's current auditor and accountant, CIM Financial and Ken Herrmann, act in the controller's role temporarily.
Mayor Nickole Nesby said the decision to do so was based on the fact that no one with the proper qualifications was available within the 30-day period after Burleigh's resignation.
City Solicitor Myron Sainovich said Duquesne officials are still seeking a qualified person with an accounting degree and financial background to fill the controller position.
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November 16, 2018 |
By Cami DiBattista | Posted in: Announcements, Duquesne News, White Oak News
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Duquesne, McKeesport and White Oak are all getting ready for the Christmas season.
Duquesne
Duquesne’s annual "Tis the Season" celebration is slated for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 25.
Festivities will begin in Duquesne City Park and conclude with a community celebration in city hall. Local youth will perform in the city’s annual pageant, which includes a live nativity scene.
After the pageant, children may visit with Santa, and everyone can share refreshments and community camaraderie.
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