KDKA: Southern Suburbs Receive New Property Assessments

Property owners in the southern suburbs of Allegheny County are getting an early look at their 2012 assessment numbers online.

So far, many of them are not happy.

“How can three identical houses have different assessments?” a Mt. Lebanon homeowner asked. “There’s no rhyme or reason!”

Read the full article (with video):

• pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2012/02/20/southern-suburbs-receive-new-property-assessments (KDKA)

Snow Emergency Called for February 6, 2010

Allegheny County and the Mt. Lebanon Emergency Management Agency are calling a Snow Emergency for February 6, 2010. Residents are advised to stay in their homes and off the roads. All municipal and school activities are canceled.

Update: The following water-conservation notice is no longer in effect, having been lifted at 6 AM on Sunday, February 7, 2010. The Department of Environment Protection, however, has issued a Boil Water Advisory for those customers who lost service entirely. For more information, see Mandatory Conservation Notice LIFTED in Allegheny and Washington Counties.

Because of a power outage near a treatment facility, Pennsylvania American Water urges customers in Allegheny and Washington Counties to refrain from using water for showers, dishwashing, flushing, cooking, or drinking until the issue is resolved. This mandatory conservation notice extends throughout the day and night on Saturday, February 6, 2010. Pennsylvania American Water will notify customers of service resumption through its web site under the Alert Notifications section.

For more information, see the Snow Emergency notice from Mt. Lebanon Emergency Management and the list of Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) about the emergency. Contact Pennsylvania American Water’s customer service center at 1-800-565-7292.

Updated 2010-02-06 15:16 with better photo.

Updated 2010-02-06 16:14 with PAWC’s water-conservation notice.

Updated 2010-02-07 08:57 to show that water-conservation notice has been lifted.

Candidates Against Using Drink Tax For Transit

Both candidates for Allegheny County Council in District 5 have said imposing a new alcoholic drink tax to pay for transit is a bad idea.

The drink tax -- 10 percent on alcohol served in bars and restaurants in Allegheny County -- is part of a two-pronged approach to provide a dedicated funding stream of about $30 million to fund mass transit in the region. The other source would be a $2 daily tax on car rentals.

"It seems like kind of an odd fit," said Barbara D. Logan, a Mt. Lebanon commissioner who is the Democratic nominee challenging Vince Gastgeb, R-Bethel Park.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/07298/828188-55.stm

Link 2: www.gastgeb.com

Link 3: www.loganforcountycouncil.com