In April there was only one Black person killed in Allegheny County. We asked Pittsburghers what they thought and here’s what you said:

MALKIA PENN, DARNELL MAGWOOD and LOREN WEBB

“I think it’s good. Usually you hear every day on the news someone getting shot. That’s an improvement and hopefully it will stay that way. It’s sad how the Black neighborhoods are rundown because of the violence and I am impressed that there is less killing. Hopefully we can find way to keep the homicide rate down.”
Malkia Penn
McKees Rocks
Home health aide

For every primary election, 12th Ward Chairwoman Rev. Jacqueline Fielder holds a candidates forum for the residents in her district. At these forums, constituents receive information on what their elected officials have done and what prospective officials would do differently.

Unfortunately most ward chairmen on the Allegheny County Democratic Committee are not like Fielder. Their contact with those they represent can range from occasional meetings or informational flyers to nothing at all.

JACQUELINE FIELDER

“Per our bylaws, our job is to get out the vote. Our people need to be engaged and educated in this electoral process. I think we should accommodate the needs of the community,” Fielder said. “I think by doing a lot of events it puts pressure on the title holders. Sometimes we go door to door. I think we go over and beyond the bylaws of what’s required of us.”

In the primary election May 18, citizens will have the chance to run for committee seats on the ACDC as all members are up for re-election.

Westinghouse pageant

MAY 21—Westinghouse High School will host their 2010 Miss Westinghouse Pageant “Classique and Magnifique” at 6 p.m. at the school auditorium, 1101 N. Murtland Ave., Homewood. Tickets are $3 in advance and $5 at the door. For more information, call Ms. Sears at 412-805-0584 or Mrs. Jones at 412-665-3940.

For the past 28 years, Rep. Joe Preston Jr. has defeated many opponents in elections for the 24th Legislative District seat. In the May primary he will take on William Anderson and Todd Elliot Koger, who also opposed him in the previous election.

JOSEPH PRESTON JR.

Preston represents Wil­kinsburg, East Liberty, Aspinwall, Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar, Point Breeze, Larimer, Homewood, Highland Park and East Hills. Looking back on what he’s done in recent terms, he sees the revitalization of East Liberty as a symbol of what’s to come for other areas of his district.

“Seeing East Liberty, its going and we’re getting close to looking at other things. Wilkinsburg is turning around,” Preston said. “We set the tone, the turn around.”