Sewickley Herald

              A Gateway Newspaper
A Tradition Since 1903
Sewickley Herald
Serving Aleppo, Bell Acres, Edgeworth, Glenfield, Haysville, Leet, Leetsdale, Osborne, SewicWey, Sewickley Heights, Sewickley Hills
50 cents
AROUND TOWN
Ifs carnival time again in leelsdale's HenlePark. Hiis4lhof Juiycelebra-lion is ihe borough's gift to Ihe entire community. ^ Page 29.
TEMPO
Christ Hope's pastor has performed his first marriage ceremony os head of his new church. Meet the couple on Page 13.
SPORTS
Quaker Volley golfers toko to Ihe links during summer breok. See Page 21.
Local News. Opinion. Tempo.*
.13
School.......
Oi>ituarie<<.
Sports.......
Real Estate.
.18,19
_____20
.....21
.....25
Wednesday, July 7, 2004
CRUISIM' fOR THi CAUSE
AftT HOLIVIAf\l and his wife, Louise (foreground), and Dave Fitzgerald (riglit), all of Leetsdale, set out on the 3rd Annual Officer Naim Memorial Run at Aliquippa High School Sunday morning.	Photo	by Jon Paul creese
Bikers cruise 100 miies for officer
By Jon Paul Creese
staff writer
With tiieir steel hogs gleaming in the early-moming sunlight, swells of tattooed, leather- and denim-clad riders rolled tranquilly through Aliquippa Sunday. Soon the roar of their thundering Harleys settled in the wake of a motley procession.
'The town was brimming with porch-bound, flag-waving foUcs of ail ages anxiously awaiting each wave of riders, clapping and shouting praise as they passed with motors rumbling thick, faces smiling and thumbs stuck in the air.
Lfit loose into tliis raucous motorcade of metal and chrome, a group of bikers from the Sewickley Valley area set off on a 100-mile memorial ride for the late Officer James Naim, who was killed wiiile serving on the Aliquippa Police Department.
“The first year we did this, it was so awesome,” said Edgeworth resident Debbie Bridgen, just minutes before she and Sam Bruno, also of Edgeworth, began their second journey for Naim together.
“People were out on their porches waving flags. I had chills... I had tears streaming down my face. They must have really loved him.” And this year’s ride, the 3rd Annual Officer Naim Memorial Run, turned out to be equaUy fulfilling for Bridgen.
“We were coming off the interstate in Ohio and going up a hiU. I saw tons of bikes in a file ahead,” said Bridgen, “I turned around and looked behind me and saw the same thing ... it was awesome!”
Event Media and Publications coordinator Aliquippa Fire Chdef Darrell Jotles, said there -----------------------------Contlnusd on Png* 3
Volume 101, Issue 28
ALEPPO
Growth not indicative of present status
By Rachel Weaver_______________
Staff writer___________________
Although Aleppo Township’s ppulation is the fastest growing in the county, some officials consider the statistics to be misleading.
“People think an increase is a sigii of stability and a decrease is a sign of depression. That’s not necessarily the case,” said Bernard Rubb, Aleppo Township solicitor.
The U.S. Census Department reported the township’s population rose 7.37 percent from 1,196 to 1,284 between 2002 and 2003. But because almost all growth is the result of new residents moving into the Masonic Village at Sewickley retirement community, the township hasn’t seen an increase in its tax base.
Furthermore, Masonic Village officials are appealing the tax assessment of the property.
In past years, the facility paid the township some $18,000 in lieu of taxes. In September, officials will begin the process of determining what is and is not taxable on the multi-million dollar hospital and retirement community,
“It’s a complex evaluation system,” said Eubb.
Rubb is confident the township will see tax revenue by the end of the year.
TTie new population numbers also aren’t incMcative of increased development, which has been delayed because the township lacks a public sewer system. Residents rely on package sewerage plants serving partial areas throughout the township,
“It’s looked upon as unfavorable by environmental groups and the state and federal govern----------- Conilnutd on Pago 4
§