Council News The Police Department received a grant from the Department of Justice in the amount of $14,000.00. These monies will be used for equipment and computer upgrades. Welcome Todd Knepp and Kathy Wagner, newly hired to work in the Munici-pal Offices. Todd replaces Marianne Reed who has moved on to other opportu-nities and Kathy replaces Annette Brining who intends to spend more time with her family. Kathy & Todd are Etna residents. We wish them all the best as part of our official family. Make sure you keep your sidewalks clean of snow and ice this winter season. Borough Ordinance requires that a clear pathway be provided within 24 hours of a snowfall or ice storm. Thanksgiving Day will move garbage pickup that week from Thursday to Friday. The Borough is currently investigating the legality of publishing names of property owners who are delinquent in their water, sewer and garbage pay-ments. Strict policies are being developed to curb the perpetual delinquent payers which will include more frequent water service terminations as well.

Volume 23, Issue 4

November 2009

www.etnaborough.org

Borough of Etna

BYLINE

Name:

Address:

Amount:

Holiday Donation

IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN -

LIGHT UP NIGHT IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER! You know the day & time – the Friday after Thanksgiving – November 27th this year – 6:00 p.m. The festivities begin with the ice sculpting while you anticipate the thrilling parade which begins at 6:30. Meet your volunteer fire-men at their Open House beginning at 6:00 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet you in their temporary Etna quar-ters on Walnut Street right after the parade while their reindeer rest before taking off for home at the North Pole. Goody bags and chocolate suckers courtesy of Big Mike’s Tavern (the Etna elves) and Pollak’s Candies, are provided to Santa to hand out to the children while they discuss their wish list with him. The magic of the season abounds with free delicious edibles and our magician at the First Congregational Church. The warmth of the bonfire at Always in Bloom at Freeport & Bridge Streets, games for kids at the Maseth Service Center on High & Butler Streets, train rides all night long, music by the Pine Creek Community Band, crafts on Butler Street all culminate with our fabulous fireworks display at the Marcal lot on Bridge Street (the usual spot). We will again be collecting Christmas Cards and/or phone cards for our soldiers overseas with the help of the American Legion and local V.F.W. at the Reneski property next to Big Mike’s Tavern – same spot as last year. Please remember our soldiers this holiday season. DON’T SEAL THE CARDS! Walnut Street will be lined with booths for raffles – 50/50, the Holiday Committee’s CHRISTMAS BASKET packed full of goodies, Etna Deck Hockey, the Gar-den Club, and many others. The United Presbyterian Church will be here as well collecting food for their food pan-try – PLEASE REMEMBER THE LESS FORTUNATE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AND BRING A CANNED GOOD ALONG! The Etna Economic Development Corporation, right next to First Commonwealth Bank, will be open for visitors and a free raffle as well. Come meet our Main Street Manager! The Etna Teen Advisory Board has been busy in anticipation of the holidays making the decorations for the town Christmas trees with the help of our after school program children, local CCD children and the scouting troops in the Community. This year they will all be making angel Christmas ornaments and homemade Christmas cards to be sent overseas to our soldiers. Would your child be interested in helping? If age 6 to 18, send them down to the Municipal Building, Monday, November 9 from 6 – 8 p.m. to strut their artistic abilities. You can see how many of our businesses, churches and service organizations help make this night possible through donations of time and space. Many Etna businesses and business associates of the Borough contribute monetarily to this event. You will see their names in the February issue of the Byline. We are blessed with many generous friends. This year, with the economy so tight, we are asking if you could help pitch in to help defray the costs of the fire-works display. We are all struggling to get through this economic crisis but it is important that we continue to come together as a community for the kickoff of the holiday season. Memories are created that last a lifetime – memories of our hometown and how special it made the holiday seasons of our youth! Please complete the form below and send it with your check made out to the “Etna Holiday Fund”, 437 Butler Street, Pgh., PA 15223. Your name, too, will be in the next Byline. We hope you plan on joining us on this evening. There is something for everyone!

Please mail to: Etna Holiday Fund,

437 Butler Street, Pgh., PA 15223

BYLINE Page 2

BLUEPRINT COMMITTEE NEWS Teen Day was another resounding success. This year the police beat the kids in the annual basketball game by a score of 42 to 38. The score is all tied up now, two years for the Kids and two years for the Cops! Thanks to the Police Department for organizing the much anticipated game and the officers from our neighboring communi-ties who joined in! Feed the Flock in conjunction with First Congregational Church, Emmanuel Lutheran Church and Calvert Memorial Presbyterian Church provided all the food for the event. The Etna Neighborhood Association and the Etna Deck Hockey Association donated funds to help pay for the rented Moonwalk. Thanks to Senator Orie for donating a prize for the free raffles. The following businesses also donated prizes for the free raffles: Alioto’s Restaurant, Amato’s Pizza, Burger King – Route 8, Carnegie Science Center, First Commonwealth Bank– Etna Branch, Golf World, Ice Cream World, Hong Kong Taste, Laser Storm, McDonald’s – Route 8, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, Romp & Roll, Subway – Shaler Plaza and Waterworks Cinema. An anony-mous donation was made of two Steeler tickets as our Grand Prize. The Etna Pride Campaign is back in full force. Every third Saturday of the month, volunteers sweep the sidewalks in the business district. Join us at 9:45 a.m. in the Municipal Building. Thanks to the University of Pittsburgh who provided 36 volunteers for the October Etna Pride Campaign in their annual Pitt Day of Caring. Blueprint is now working on gathering a volunteer list of teens to aid our seniors in snow shoveling, leaf pickup and grass cutting. The Teen Advisory Board is working on this.

VOLUNTEERISM – A FORM OF SUSTAINABILITY!

Did you ever stop and think about all that goes into this newsletter? Gathering information, contacting organizations, businesses and people? Then there‟s the task of writing the articles, putting them all together in some type of logical sense, all done by the staff whose names you see each quarter. Then there‟s the daunting task of label addressing, stuff-ing inserts, folding and sealing over two thousand letters! Surely you don‟t think the office staff or Byline staff can do all of that in short order? No, all that work is done by volunteers. There are some unsung residents who take on the task of stuffing, sorting, labeling & sealing these letters. We would like to recognize those people here now. Cami Flower, Rose Dougherty, Joanne Ferraro, Rudy Milcic, Shirley Voller, Ray Datt, Pat Oresic and Betty Samuels have all pitched in to get this HUGE job done! They gather in the meeting room of the municipal building and boy does the camaraderie shine! They are all part of what makes Etna so special! Care to join them, give the office a call to sign up to help! So many things happen behind the scenes in this tiny community that go unnoticed or without second thought but whose benefits we all reap! We‟re sure you noticed the vibrant new town flag, waving and welcoming all to Etna. Well, there‟s a story behind that new flag and it begins with Reverend Donn Ed from the First Congregational Church of Etna. Donn called one day to say that he had rented a bucket truck to paint the steeple on his church. He rented it for the day and knew that he would have ample time to paint the steeple. He wondered if he could paint the town flag pole while he had the truck. The Borough was happy to accommodate Donn and provided him the paint and traffic control and voila – the pole was painted. A resident, Mike Barsh saw this and stopped in the municipal building, offering to help pay for a new flag to go with the newly painted pole. He made the first donation. From there it just snowballed! Money began pouring in. First, the Etna Senior Center took up a collection, then the girls in the borough office – Gerry, Annette, Sue, Marianne & Mary Ellen chipped in and we were near our goal of roughly $700.00 for a brand spanking new flag! In the home stretch Ginny Fisher owner of Vinski Appliance, offered to collect the rest of the money needed. Vinski Appliance and the Etown Bar & Grille kicked in the last dollars and a new flag was ordered! There‟s a saying “it takes a village………” well that applies to making a community as well. Have you ever considered be-coming part, truly part, of the community in which you live? Belonging is fulfilling. Maybe you have a talent or skill that you can offer. There are many organizations right here in your home town that would welcome you. Here are some: ●Etna Borough Athletic Association – Little League, Pony League, T-Ball, softball, etc. They can always use help with coaching, field maintenance, etc. Call Sam Ireland at 412-781-2670. ●Etna Blueprint Committee meets the second Thursday of each month in the municipal building at 7:30 p.m. They host Teen Day, do beautification projects (Gazebo, Pine Street Pedestrian Bridge, etc.), and sponsor the Teen Advisory Board and other fun events. ●Etna Economic Development Corporation, meets the second Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Municipal Building. They work hand in hand with the business owners to revitalize the business district. Contact Main Street Manager, John Tokarski for more information at 412-782-2790. ●Etna Deck Hockey Association, fall and winter sessions at the playground. They can always use coaches and other volunteers. Call Sandy Rengers at 412-781-4191 if you would like to help. ●Etna Garden Club, meets the first Monday of each month, location may vary. Contact Judy Neelan at 412-708-1617. They plant and maintain all of the beautiful gardens you see in the community, including the numerous gardens on Route 8. ●Etna Holiday Committee, meets the last quarter of the year to plan, set up and work Light Up Night. Call the Borough Manager at 412-781-0569 to get in on all the fun! There‟s still time. ●Etna Neighborhood Association, meets the fourth Monday of each month, 7:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church. They host the annual Community Day, work with the Holiday Committee for Light Up Night and provide youth games at the annual Car Cruise. They also compile and provide the Etna Handbook to all new residents. ●Etna Teen Advisory Board, meets the fourth Monday of the month, 6:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building for teens 13 through 18. ●Etna Volunteer Fire Department, meets the first Monday of each month, Fugh Hall, Crescent Avenue. Practice is held every other Monday at the fire hall on Butler Street. For more information on joining call 412-782-1333. They can al-ways use help with their fund raising activities too!

Police Department News

Officer Gary Cutenese has received an award from PULSE for his actions in reviving a 51 year old female who had gone into cardiac arrest. Because of his quick action in using the AED, the individual should make a com-plete recovery! Kudos to Gary who was recognized at the October Council meeting. Want to learn CPR or AED training free of charge? See the enclosed Etna Economic Development Corporations insert newsletter for informa-tion on their free Safety Day, November 21, 2009. Officer Cutenese also serves as the Borough’s Code Enforcement Officer. His new phone number for Code Enforcement questions is 412-781-0569, extension 18.

Let’s Get Sustainable! In an effort to be sustainable by creating less paper waste and save money, we are offering re-cipients of the Byline the choice of getting their newsletter in paper form through the mail or elec-tronically via email. If you prefer paper, don’t do a thing; if you want to receive this newsletter electronically, send your full name, snail mail address and email address to jneelan@verizon.net

Page 3 Etna BYLINE

MOURNING A TRUE FRIEND

Sullivan Chevrolet, who has been a prominent member of our busi-

ness community for sixty years, officially closed their doors on Sep-

tember 30. Glancing out our car windows as we drove by, the commu-

nity watched as the new cars disappeared from the railroad tracks,

the showrooms emptied, the cars in the used car lot vanished and fi-

nally the Sullivan Chevrolet signs were removed. Observing the day

by day dismantling of a longstanding Etna establishment has filled

our hearts with sorrow. What a sad end to one of the leading draws to

the Etna business district. „Thanks a lot, General Motors”.

Yet, we have so much to be thankful for. Sullivan Chevrolet has

been such an important and enthusiastic supporter of many of Etna‟s

causes.

They have supplied water to the Route 8 Island Garden since its

inception. They have been a consistent supporter of the Etna Bor-

ough Athletic Club by sponsoring teams and providing them with

baseball equipment. They provided us with a place to hold our annual

Farmer‟s Market, allowing us the use of their grill and have been ex-

tremely instrumental in assisting the Etna Economic Development

Corporation with their annual monetary pledge of support. They

have sponsored the annual Car Cruise which brings many new faces

to town.

For years, they have provided vehicles for use in the Memorial Day

parade.

Sullivan Chevrolet has been a true friend to the community of

Etna. They have equipped us with new and used vehicles for two gen-

erations. They have instilled loyalty in their customers by providing

excellent, honest customer service.

So, to Elda Sullivan and all the employees of Sullivan Chevrolet,

we will miss you. We wish you luck in your future endeavors and we

will never forget.

No matter who eventually moves into your building, the older Etna

residents will say “Oh, you mean the Sullivan Chevrolet Building!!!!”

You will have joined the historic ranks of the Blaha Building,

Flore‟s Bakery, Mitchell‟s Deli and Block‟s Books.

God Bless you all!!!!

Welcome New Businesses Snap Fitness, Etna Towne Center, Butler Street.

Owners Rich and Sandy Owens‟ fitness center

features cardio-equipment, free weights, strength

machines, personal trainers and more. It is open

24 hours a day and seven days a week. Members have key card ac-

cess to the center anytime, day or night. It‟s safe, too, with six secu-

rity cameras, panic emergency system and AED. Want more details

on costs and requirements? Call Rich or Sandy at 412-821-7627.

Business Briefs Last issue we mentioned several businesses that made donations to the community. Well, we have more to report. The Blueprint Commit-tee spent several weekends rehabbing the town gazebo. Upon completion, we noticed that the benches inside, looked even shabbier now with our fresh coat of paint. Enter – WTM Exotic Wood Flooring, located at 448 Butler Street who donated all the new wood for the seats. They cut and rounded them as well. The framework on the benches was repainted by the Public Works Department and now they are just as beautiful and inviting as the gazebo that sur-rounds them! You may have noticed a blue Water Depart-ment vehicle recently purchased by the Bor-ough. We were about to get it outfitted for win-ter with a new plow and spreader, when neighbor to the Public Works Garage on Clark Alley, Anderson Welding, pulled up and do-nated a new plow for the truck. Truly a neighbor in the purest definition of the word! More great reasons to live, work and raise your family in this community. Our businesses care for their community!

AND THEN THERE’S THE

HERITAGE BALL…

We told you about so many businesses who donate to the Borough in these last two issues. The Etna Economic Development Corporation’s Heritage Ball, just held September 12, was an-other fund raising success for the organization. Many local businesses donate to that event, which, in turn, helps the business district, which in turn, HELPS US ALL! We would like to point those businesses out to you: Cole’s Ca-tering, Always in Bloom, Primrose Flowers, JoLo Locks, Porky’s Tavern, Roadside Beer, Etown Bar, Dobil Laboratories, Sullivan Chev-rolet, Winschel’s Hardware, Bob’s Ceramic Shop, Hong Kong Taste, Amato’s Pizza, Big Mike’s Tavern, Artigianali’s and Stumpf’s Mar-ket. All of these businesses donate items or services to make the Ball a success!

Borough of Etna

437 Butler Street Pittsburgh, PA 15223

Presorted

Standard

U.S. Postage

PAID

Glenshaw, PA

Permit No. 191

CALENDAR OF COMING EVENTS

Nov. 1………. . Food Bank Drive, Bag Drop Off, Noon to 4:00 p.m.

Nov. 8………. . Food Bank Drive, (filled) Bag Pick up, same times Nov. 15 (rain date for bag pickup)*

Nov. 5 . .......... Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Jan. 7 Senior Friendship Center, 1:00 p.m., Church

Nov. 13 .......... All Saints Church, Christian Mother’s Craft Show Activities Building, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Nov. 21 .......... Red Cross, Etna Volunteer Firemen & Etna

Economic Development Corporation’s “Safety Day”

8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Fugh Hall, Crescent Avenue* Nov. 21 .......... Wreath Making Party, All Saints Activities Bldg.,

6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.*

Nov. 25 .......... Etna Church Community Thanksgiving Service, All Saints Church, 7:30 p.m.

Nov, 26 .......... Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Nov. 27 .......... Etna Light Up Night Celebration, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Walnut & Butler Streets*

Dec. 3 . .......... Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Senior

Friendship Center Cover Dish Dinner, Noon Dec. 25 .......... MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL FROM THE

BOROUGH OF ETNA & BYLINE STAFF!!!

Jan. 30 .......... Etna Volunteer Fireman Cash Bash, Undercliff Firehall,

7:00 p.m. Doors open 6:00 p.m. Call 412-782-1333 for tickets & information.

Calvert Memorial Church: Kids Corner, Mondays from 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Grades: K-3 Grade

Tuesday Club: Time: 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Grades: 4th – 8th

BOROUGH COUNCIL

Tom Rengers, Mayor ..................... 412-781-4191

Peter Ramage, Chairman ............... 412-782-1488

Vincent Jones, Vice Chairman, Administration,

Finance, Police ........................... 412-781-7206

Dave Becki, Water, Streets and

Sewers ....................................... 412-781-5793

Richard Grubic, Police,

Water ......................................... 412-782-1234

Terry Huston, Zoning, Planning & Flood Plain

Management, Borough Property . 412-822-7544

Rudy Milcic, Jr. Streets, Sewers &

Fire ............................................ 412-781-3609

Karen Tomaszewski, Fire,

Borough Property ....................... 412-781-6417

John Tomichek, Flood Plain Management, Zoning,

Planning, Refuse & Engineering 412-781-2119

David Vinski, Administration, Refuse &

Engineering ................................ 412-781-3861

Mary Ellen Ramage, Manager,

Borough Secretary...................... 412-781-0569

ADDITIONAL PHONE NUMBERS,

KEEP HANDY

FOR EMERGENCIES, CALL .... 911

Etna Police Station ........................ 412-781-6271

Office Hours, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Non-Emergency Dispatch ............. 412-486-3201

After Station Hours

Magistrate Bob Dzvonick ............. 412-487-7630

Waste Management Garbage Disposal,

Missed Pick-Ups ........................ 1-800-458-4090

Germaine Pfeifer,

Real Estate Tax Collector……..412-781-0569x24

Tuesday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Keystone Municipal Collections, Wage,

Occupation & Mercantile Tax Collector

................................................... 412-672-5900

TO REPORT WATER BREAKS AFTER

BUSINESS HOURS, CALL 412-486-3201

Etna Borough Council Meetings, Third Tuesday

of the Month, 7:30 p.m., Municipal Building. Any-

one needing transportation, please call the Borough

Office, one week prior to the meeting.

Etna Economic Development Corporation

Meetings, Second Tuesday of the Month, 7:00 p.m.

Municipal Building.

Etna Planning Commission Meetings, every

fourth Thursday. 7:30 p.m. Municipal Building, call

in advance for meeting confirmation

Borough of Etna

412-781-0569

www.etnaborough.org

ETNA BYLINE Staff Editor: Mary Ellen Ramage

Staff: Marie Carricato

Mary Winschel Macecevic

Allyson Sniegocki

Designer: Carla Kessler

Holiday Happenings Etna BYLINE

Get in the Holiday Spirit!

Christmas Wreath Making Party.

Saturday, November 21

6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Create a memory at All Saints Activities

Building. Pre-registration required. Call

Marsha Warner at 412-487-8518 for costs

and to order material. Bring a canned good

for the Food Pantry when you come &

a snack to be shared.

All Saints Lionel Train Display

Features a multi-layered 16’ x 24’ platform with six running trains, a

trolley and hills and valleys, and towns

and model houses, and schools all decked out in scenic holiday splendor.

Opens to the public on Thanksgiving

weekend. Hours: Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sundays

from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admis-

sion is $1.00 for children under 12

and $3.00 for adults. The train dis-play is in the former All Saints School

building. Have questions? Call Bob

Lignoski at 412-445-6074

Post Holiday Let Down?

Perk up with a Day at the Races,

Saturday, January 30, 2010,

8:00 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

All Saints

Activities Building. Horses are $5.00 each,

10 races, cash for winners,

BYOB & Snacks,

set ups provided Everyone Welcome

Sponsored by the Men’s Club

Call 412-781-5421 for more information

Remembering the True Meaning of Christmas

The Etna Churches are sponsoring their annual food drive for the two local food banks. They will be

dropping off bags at homes on Sunday, November 1 and picking them back up (filled) on Sunday, No-vember 8 between 12:00 and 4:00 p.m. In case of inclement weather, pickup date is moved back to

Sunday, November 15. Non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, infant products such as boxed cereals,

diapers and other items are greatly appreciated, including monetary donations. Please make checks

payable to either Calvert Memorial or All Saints Church. The Bread of Life Food Pantry is collecting funds for purchasing holiday turkeys for Thanksgiving and

Christmas. In addition, they are collecting donations for toys for children ages twelve and under, as well

as monetary donations for gift certificates for children twelve through sixteen. Please send your check or money order to “Bread of Life Food Pantry”, P. O. Box 95143, Pittsburgh, PA 15223 and indicate

whether the donation is to be used for turkeys, toys or gift certificates. Congratulations are in order to

the Bread of Life Food Pantry which will be over 20 years old in late November! What an amazing achievement!!

Merry Christmas from

the BYLINE staff and the

officials and employees

of the Borough

of Etna!

Light Up Night

Friday, November 27, 2009 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., Walnut Street,

Business District

6:00 p.m., Ice Carving 6:30 p.m., Parade

6:45 p.m., Santa, Mrs. Claus &

their Reindeer 7:00 p.m., Pine Creek Community Band,

Magician, Children’s Games

7:30 p.m., Balloon Artist

8:30 p.m., Zambelli Fireworks Display, Bridge & Freeport Street

Train rides all evening long, cozy bonfire at Always in Bloom, Firemen’s Open

House and delicious treats at the

First Congregational Church! Come and welcome the

Holiday Season In Etna!!!!

263-3119

An enjoyable Evening Delight To prepare for the Season in sight!

6:00 p.m. – Ice Carving 6:30 p.m. – Parade

6:45 p.m. – Santa & Mrs. Claus & Reindeer 7:00 p.m. – Pine Creek Band,

Magician Dustin Ashbaugh, Children’s Games 7:30 – Balloon Artist Dustin Ashbaugh

7:50 – Raffles & Presentations

8:30 (approximately) – Fireworks

All Evening

Fireman’s Open House (with treats), Bonfire @ Always in Bloom,

Train Ride, Holiday Store Sales,

Crafts and Treats for all ages,

Refreshments – First Congregational Church, Support our Troops – Old Cell Phones, Greeting & Phone Card Drop-off Point

(see map on other side for locations)

Pittsburgh's Next Door Neighbor!

Etna Economic Development Corporation

367 Butler Street· Etna, PA 15223 ▪ (412) 782-2790 • etna.main.street@verizon.net

www.etnaborough.com

NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2009

Holiday Memories……and Sentiments Main Street Mgr’s Report

It’s getting closer and closer to that time of year again, the holiday season! Pretty soon we will smell the

aroma of turkeys roasting in the oven alongside the smell of pumpkin pie. Children will be clamoring to

attend Etna’s annual Light Up Night so they can make sure they tell Santa about all those wonderful toys

he makes and which ones they are hoping to get on Christmas morning. Then, of course, before we know

it, we have the Christmas celebration and the promise of a New Year. Now we can sit back and reminisce

about our memories of some of our most favorite stores, their special products, decorations, toys, snacks

and goodies that only they had to sell during the holidays. Soon our minds will wander to all those

warming moments with friends and family and make us realize just how good life really is, despite our

worries, problems and challenges.

Residents, during the holiday season, try as often as you can to spend your hard earned dollars amongst

the merchants in our community. Show your support for their services and goods they provide to you and

the years of commitment and memories they have provided us.

Store owners and merchants, don’t fret away celebrating the season by pinching pennies over an economy

that’s not bustling, but is far from dead. Decorate your windows showing your holiday celebration, dress

your store aisles and shelves with festive decorating and “gift giving” prices. Don’t forget to think about

those little things that create memories, like providing small treats or giveaways to your loyal customers

for their year’s long support of your establishment. Celebrate the “common-unity”, love and support of

Etna.

On a sadder note, as we often do during the holiday season, we lament over the loss of a friend who is not

with us during this holiday season. Etna lost a very good business and community friend in the recent

forced closing of Sullivan Chevrolet. Sullivan Chevrolet, who had been a member of the Etna scene for

over 60 years, will be sorely missed not only for the jobs and beautiful cars and trucks that they made

available to the residents and businesses of Etna, but for the generosity and philanthropy that the company

constantly provided in helping meet the needs of our town. Though you are gone and sorely missed, the

ownership and workers of Sullivan Chevrolet are always welcome to stop back and visit us. You will

always be a part of the Etna community!

Pittsburgh's Next Door Neighbor!

Etna Economic Development Corporation

367 Butler Street· Etna, PA 15223 ▪ (412) 782-2790 • etna.main.street@verizon.net

www.etnaborough.com

Design Committee Report The design committee is moving forward with improving the appearance of Etna’s Main Street corridor.

Façade improvement assisting grants are currently being utilized on the building at 352 Butler Street,

which house Glassner’s Art Studio and Shadywood Enterprises, as well as 368 Butler Street, home to

John R. Matschner Public Accountant and Jendco Corporation. Plans for future projects are progressing

and the committee will be working in conjunction with the Etna Garden Club on several projects. Two

projects currently underway are the design of the southern entry portal into Etna and storefront window

display assistance to businesses in the Main Street business district corridor.

Economic Restructuring Committee Report The Economic Restructuring Committee, along with our Main Street Manager, is planning to host

quarterly business breakfast workshops on Thursdays, November 5th

, March 4th

and May 6th

from 7:30 to

9:00 AM at Fugh Hall. These workshops will be offered to businesses in and around Etna. Subjects will

range from marketing your business to utilizing e-commerce to expand your reach.

If you would like to be automatically contacted about these business breakfasts, please drop your contact

information off at our Main Street office or e-mail it to etna.main.street@verizon.com.

We were glad to see all the cooperation with the Etna Post Office petition drive initiated by our

committee. Thanks to all who participated! This effort was successful in keeping our Post Office open for

the foreseeable future.

Organization Committee Report The Organization Committee is currently working on plans for two fundraising events for the early part of

next year. Keep your ears and eyes open for the upcoming announcements. The EEDC is now a member

of the National Historic Trust which is a national organization that oversees all the Main Street programs

across the country. Being a member of this organization gives us access to plenty of resources that will

help our Main Street to be successful. We would also like to announce that PNC Bank has given a

generous grant to the EEDC this year. We would like to thank them for the support and generosity. As

always, if you would like to join the EEDC in their efforts to help Etna grow and prosper, please stop by

the Main Street office or the Borough office for an application.

Sustainability – what is it; why should we care.

From the root “sustain”: to keep from sinking or falling; to maintain

As we move away from an industrial Etna and look into the future, it is clear that Etna must

renew itself to remain prosperous and be a place that people want to live and work. Because of

this, the EEDC has adopted a sustainable focus for Etna, not unlike the urban renewal effort

that has won Pittsburgh great recognition as a city that was bold enough to reinvent itself. So

that we can be effective, it is time to describe just exactly what sustainability means and why it

matters. It sounds like a new concept; it really isn’t.

Time was, people lived where they worked, and shopped where they lived, and stayed for

generations in a community. They looked out for each other, lived within their means, planted

gardens, played in backyards, and walked to church. Now many people move away from the

city and drive to work. They haul their children to play in prescribed groups at prescribed

locations many miles from home and typically many times a week. They eat produce flown in

from South America and use credit cards to excess. They build mega-houses with mega-yards

that require mega-maintenance. The houses consume huge amounts of energy and the owners

drive to work alone in vehicles that consume huge amounts of fossil fuels. We have become a

throwaway society that consumes to excess, creating huge amounts of waste and pollution and

depleting resources for future generations. The lifestyle is not sustainable. It is temporary.

Thinking people have looked into the future to a time when resources become scarce, every

community will have its own landfill, and the environment will be poisoned or trashed. Through

sustainable methods, we have the ability to slow the consumption, slow the pollution, prepare

for the future, and benefit the neighborhood in the meantime.

So, what is sustainability? Sustainability is a lifestyle, one that determines to have less impact

on the planet and to leave something for the

future. Sustainability is about balance. Some

people think that sustainability is about

environmental issues, which is only partly true.

More correctly, it is about the interaction

between the environment, the economy, and the

social health of a community. If anyone of these is

impaired, the community suffers. For example,

when Etna lost its industrial base, the community

suffered (economy). When Etna floods, the

community suffers as well (environment). When a community has a disproportionate number

of disadvantaged persons or groups, the community suffers (social equity). When one aspect of

sustainability is favored over another, we tip the balance into an unhealthy state. These

concepts are connected and must be balanced in order for a community to thrive.

For example, years ago, coal was extensively mined in the region without regard for the

environment. The mining was good for the economy but taxpayers will be paying for the

environmental costs of cleaning up orphan mining sites and contaminated streams long into the

future. The activity was not sustainable because the environment was disregarded.

Alternatively, an economy that represses any business growth because it is not environmentally

pristine is doomed to economic distress. Ignoring social ills also brings communities down.

Witness the economies of towns with a high crime rate. You can say it isn’t your problem, but

the facts show that it is. The point of sustainability is balance and creating a community that

can take care of itself and continue into the future.

So, why should Etna care about this? Because Etna has an opportunity to become a community

of the future, a community that will attract new businesses and new residents who are

interested in sustainability and in locating closer to the city. This, in turn, will create an

opportunity for new shops and services that will provide needed support. Etna is already gifted

with positive elements of sustainability – it is walkable, bikeable, and is located in the center of

a network of highways and soon-to-be trails that connect us to many “elsewheres”. By working

at sustainability, we will become attractive to businesses and residents, which will serve to

sustain our community and ultimately recreate our image just as Pittsburgh has. The Etna

Economic Development Corporation is actively working on ways to incorporate sustainability

into its Main Street Program. The Borough, the EEDC and the Etna Garden Club are all working

on improving Etna’s attractiveness. A sustainable focus will as well.

Watch for more sustainable news in upcoming issues of the Byline where terms will be defined and the three aspects of sustainability will be described in more detail. In the meantime, to get you started with sustainable awareness, ask yourself the following simple questions:

What is my impact on natural resources – consider that much of what we use is dependent upon energy and fossil fuels. Also think about hidden costs for provided services or products e.g. transportation of grapes from Chile.

Do I contribute to pollution – consider personal driving habits, water consumption, purchased products, household wastes.

Determine to be part of Etna’s transformation so we can change the future. For more information on sustainability and sustainable development, feel free to contact the Main Street Manager at 367 Butler Street in downtown Etna.

Judy Neelan