Sewickley Herald

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50 Cents
fing: Aleppo, Bell Awes, Edgeworth, Glenfield, Haysville, Leet, Leetsdale, Osborne, Sewickley, Sewickley Heights, Sewickley Hills
Water, water: No crisis here
Douse the grass, wash the dog; local supply fine, authority says
By Nicole E. Peffer
staff writer
AGE Dick Xander of Bell Acres will be performing aerobatical stunts at the Beaver Coiinty Airshow this weekend.	(Photo	by	Lou	Raggiuniti)
X marks the Spot In weekend sky
By Nicole E. Pefler
St(^f writer
Dick Xander’s love of flying appears to have ilibi)ed off on his children Brian and Karen. But neither Of them will be participating along with their father in the seventti annual Beaver County Airshow this weekend.
Xander, who has lived in Bell Acres for the past 25 years, and his team of Pitt Specials wUl perform aerobatical stunts Aug. 10 and 11 at the Beaver County Airport in Chippewa. Named for his corporation, Gold Eagle Aerobatics Ltd., the act has appeared in all seven airshows.
His career in flying began with crop dusting when he was 16 years old* He also did a stint as an U.S. Air Force pilot instructor iii the Korean War. From there he went on to Allegheny Airlines, which eventually became USAir.
He retired two years ago. Brian is now a copilot with the cofnpany.
“He took my place,” he joked. Karen flies
privately, but Xander saidhe thinks Brian might gfet involved with aerobatics in the future.
There are 15,00Q possible maneuvers that can be made from three basic fundamentals, Xander said. They are the loop, roll and the hammer head. Earlier fundamentals included stalls and snap rolls, “Whatever you can do right side up, you can do upside down, ’ ’ he added.
Xander has flown in the Butler and Washington airshows, and hopes to fly in the Altoona event in September. His love of aerobatics stems from an early desire to become a fighter pilot, he said.
“That’s always been the thing. It was big during World War IL I wanted to be a fighter pilot, but I was too young.”
Xander said aerobatics makes one a better pDot, granting the ability to fly the plane better and adapt to abnormal conditions quickly.
“You know the plane, your abilities and liniita-tions. But it’s not for everybody.”
Despite soaring temperatures, scarce rainfall, and a recent declaration of a drought-watch in Allegheny County, Sewickley Water Authority says it has enough water to keep its service area well supplied.
“We have eight million gallons in storage,” said Ernie Tucci, Sewickley Water Authority Superintendent. “We have a lot of water, a three- to four-day supply if we didn’t pump.”
The authority, which serves Sewickley, Edgeworth, Osborne, Haysville, Sewickley Heights and part of Aleppo, will not ask customers to cut back on their water : consumption.
Although parts of the county are trying to cut back on the, amount of water used by asking customers to conserve, Tucci said if residents want to continue watering their lawns to go right ahead.
Allegheny is among 10 northwestern counties where a drought watch has been issued by state officials. The fu:st and least-severe stage of three drought conditions, the watch calls for an overall five-percent voluntary reduction in
DRINK TO me with thine eyes: The water fountain In Wolcott Park is gurgling despite the drought.
water use,, alerting government agencies, public water suppliers and residents to potential water-supply problems in the future.
Voluntary water conservation geared to reducing consumption by 10 to 15 percent is called for in a drought-warning.
Non-essential water use, including lawn watering, swimming and car washing, would be banned or restricted should the state declare a drought emergency.
Inside
2 Aleppo's American Indian moves out 7 Silver Come On Home big success
Plans for old car dealership site on agenda tonight
The classic story of turning an ugly duckling into a swan depends on. which way the Sewickley Zk)ning Hearing Board waves its magic wand.
Sewickley Medical Associates is requesting a vfiriatice that will permit conversion of the old Monte Asti Buick dealership building on Broad and Centennial into a medical office building.
Developers will be mfeel;ing with zoning officials tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Sewickley Municipal Building.
Failure to comply With borough zoning or* dinances prompted the denial of a building permit in the past, according* to Keith Stewart, borough manager.
“The ordinance requested 177 10 x 20 foot parking spaces. The plan provided fof 73 9 x parking spaces and the permit was denied,” Stewart explained.
“They*re not planning to expand the size or hei^t of the building^ and they’re providing paridng on the site and on an adjoin-
ing lot where they have an agreement of sale. The parking requirements exceeded the amount they were able to provide. ’ ’
Council held a special meeting to conside. concerns with litigation and their position on the proposed plan, Stewart said.
After lengthy discussion, council decided to support the plan, recominending that it receive favorable consideration from the zoning hearing board.
“On a personal note, I would like to see something go in there. I don’t know if this plan is the answer, but it’s the best proposal I’ve seen,” Stewart said.
The vacant property has been a target of vandalism. Bricks from the facade have periodically fallen onto the sidewalk, posing a danger to pedestrians.
“The current owner isn’t making money from the property and doesn’t spend any to maintain it,” he added, citing police problems with break-ing and unauthorized parking.
BETTER DAYS AHEAD? The old Monte Asti Buick dealership, which later became the home of Integrity Isuzu, is awaiting a new use.