Sewickley Herald

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NEWS
Meet Richard Smith, the Herald's choice for Man of the Year. Read his story on Page 3 and then discover how you can take part in the Friday, May 5 celebration on Page 2.
TEMPO
Some interesting things are stirring at Fern Hollow Nature Center. If you have an interest, there's a program. Page 15.
SPORTS
Amanda LeCornu and the QV girls' lacrosse team is set to enter the heart of the section schedule, as are the Lady Panthers from 'Sewickley. See Page 23.
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Local News.............2
Opinion...............6
School.................13
Tempo..................15
Obituaries.............20
Sports.................23
Red! Estate...........27
Thursday, April ^O, 2006.
STREETWISE
BEAVER STREET may not bustle with traffic and pedestrians like it used to, so Sewickley Valley Chamber of Commerce is hosting meetings to explore every possibility of bringing the shopping life back to the Village.	Todd	Brunozzi
Merchants rally ’round commerce
By Kate Canan
Staff writer
Sewickley merchants are taking a stand.
The weak economy and a lengthy construction project oh Broad Street last year have led some shoppers to take their business elsewhere. Now shop owners are taking measures into their own hands and are working on ways to bring business back into the community,
Meetings are being held to discuss Sewick-ley’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
Cora DeLoia of Spoiled Chics, a Sewickley Valley Chamber of Commerce member, has been preparing newsletters for the meetings and is an avid participant.
“Shops are closing and places are going, out of business,” she said. “We want private citizens to realize the importance of the situation,
but we don’t want a fear-based campaign. We think landlords who Own the buildings need to be involved and know what’s going on with all the things we’re trying to do.”
Philip Harris, president of the chamber and owner of the Open Mind Bookstore, is equally concerned.
“We’re victims of a lot of trends that are happening today,” he explained. “The small town business district is slowly becoming extinct because a lot of time, people in the community aren't aware of how important their support is to keep it vibrant.
“Part of what we hope to do is raise awareness in that respect, but also do our best so that we can compete with malls and discount stores in the area.”
Harris points to the difficulty of competing with big box stores, like WalMart and Target, ----------------------------Continued on Page 12
Volume t03. Issue t
SIWICKliY
Fuel prices up cost of projects
By Kristina Kregiel_
Sfaff
Soaring gas prices are affecting much more than the everyday commuter.
On Monday, Sewickley Borough Council accepted a bid for the upcoming Roadway and Storm Sewer Improvement Program from the lowest bidder, Allison Park Contractors Inc., in the amount of $764,000.
The borough, however, was only looking to spend between $500,000 and $550,000 for the project. «
Kevin Flannery, borough manager, told council that bids were substantially higher than they had anticipated due to high gasoline and oil prices, which, he says, is very important cost factor in any road work.
“The gas price has affected our 20 year plan,” Flannery said. The added costs will set the borough about a half year behind in plans.
Council made a motion to approve a revised contract in the amount of $509,405 with Allison Park Contractors Inc. for this year’s project, which will include the stabilization of Backbone Road and work on three alleys.
It will cost the borough approximately $250,000 next year to finish, which will be worked into next year’s budget plan.
Sewer work, the topcoat on Backbone Road and sidewalks will be done next year.
In other council news:
■	Council appointed Marion Cicco to fulfill the ---------	- Continued on Page 5