Second North Side Community Mtg Held For Casino
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― Community members turned out for another meeting on the North Side about plans for Pittsburgh's first slots casino.
But this time it was held by the North Side Leadership Conference, the group that negotiated an agreement with PITG Gaming and casino owner Don Barden to get $3 million to develop business and residential areas around the North Side.
It also calls for a hiring preference for people from low-income communities.
"Tonight though we want everyone - regardless of what affiliation you may be with - to understand that the commitment's already made - and be part of deciding how we make the most of those commitments," Mark Fatla, from the NSLC, said.
While last week's meeting had plenty of fireworks, this week there was barely a spark of confrontation. Feeling left out of the process, a group called North Side United got up and left.
Job opportunities that the casino is expected to create were also discussed.
"We want to talk about employment and craft a curriculum and make sure people have a chance to have proper training - to get the jobs once its open," County Executive Dan Onorato said.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl also showed up and apologized about last week.
"It was an error - we're human – I'm human - I take responsibility - we sent out a letter suggesting I would be there and obviously I had other plans - I want you to know in no way shape or form does that reflect my non commitment to this issue," he said.
North Side United says the agreement negotiated doesn't represent everyone on the North Side and they're about to hold their own meetings.
Meanwhile, the North Side Leadership Conference and CCAC are holding workshops on how to get jobs in the casino when it's finally built.
But this time it was held by the North Side Leadership Conference, the group that negotiated an agreement with PITG Gaming and casino owner Don Barden to get $3 million to develop business and residential areas around the North Side.
It also calls for a hiring preference for people from low-income communities.
"Tonight though we want everyone - regardless of what affiliation you may be with - to understand that the commitment's already made - and be part of deciding how we make the most of those commitments," Mark Fatla, from the NSLC, said.
While last week's meeting had plenty of fireworks, this week there was barely a spark of confrontation. Feeling left out of the process, a group called North Side United got up and left.
Job opportunities that the casino is expected to create were also discussed.
"We want to talk about employment and craft a curriculum and make sure people have a chance to have proper training - to get the jobs once its open," County Executive Dan Onorato said.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl also showed up and apologized about last week.
"It was an error - we're human – I'm human - I take responsibility - we sent out a letter suggesting I would be there and obviously I had other plans - I want you to know in no way shape or form does that reflect my non commitment to this issue," he said.
North Side United says the agreement negotiated doesn't represent everyone on the North Side and they're about to hold their own meetings.
Meanwhile, the North Side Leadership Conference and CCAC are holding workshops on how to get jobs in the casino when it's finally built.