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By Colette Dell

A third community forum in South Park Township was held at Shiloh Church, on Oct. 17 at 12 p.m.

Among those who were on the panel were PA State Representative Bill Kortz; Bethel Park Councilman Tim Moury; Bethel Park Police Chief Tim O’Conner; South Park Police Chief Chief Dennis McDonough; mayor of Bethel Park Jack Allen; South Park High School counselor Bethany Chicora; the representative for the Honorable Cheryl Allen, Julian Craig; the representative for Allegheny County District 5, Sue Means; South Park Supervisors David Buchewicz and Karen Fosbaugh; PA State Representative Rick Saccone; and head police officer of Bethel Park School District, James Modrak.

The meeting began with a look back at the last meeting Shiloh Church held in April of this year. Several concerns brought up at the last meeting have either been solved orprogress has been made. Updates on the last meeting include:

• The former head pastor of South Hills Assembly of God, Rev. Jack Stepps, had requested that the fee be waived for the clearances needed for those at the church who want to do volunteer work that involves children. As a result, the State passed a law that allows clearance fees to be waived.
• Brenda Lockley and Crystal Bates-Matuscak of Melting Pot Ministries approached the panel at the last meeting, asking to have access to South Park High School’s gymnasium and auditorium. Since then, they have had a meeting with the South Park School Board.
• A resident of South Park had brought up his concern of vandalism and drug activity in his neighborhood. Cameras have been bought for the neighborhood, but have not yet been installed.

The common theme of the October meeting primarily centered on the youth and how the community could help them be respectable and responsible citizens.

The first question that was brought up by Javan Gilliam concerned activities in local schools and throughout the community that children could get involved in, instead of involving themselves in things that can cause them to make bad choices.

Bethany Chicora said that there are so many activities, clubs and sports that students can be a part of, noting when you see students that are connected, they have the best chances at success because they have support. The school also has an Outreach Club that is Christian-based. “Getting your kids connected in programs is very, very important,” Chicora said.

David Buchewicz mentioned that students can also volunteer at the fire dept. He and Sue Means both mentioned a program called FireVEST, where students can either volunteer for EMS or the fire dept. and earn credit for two years of college at CCAC.

Rick Saccone emphasized we need to get our youth back. He said it’s not always about what our government can do. It’s about getting our families involved and our churches working together.“There’s not one answer to this question. There are a lot of ways we can look at it, but it has to be a priority that we take back our kids,” Saccone said.

Matuscak asked if local schools have activity buses and Chicora responded they currently did not, but she would bring that up at the school. Rev. Carl Denson asked if grants could pay for the activity bus. Julian Craig said it would be a school decision, not a state decision.

Alma Gilliam, who organized this event, mentioned a racial incident on a school bus, where white students were calling a black girl an inappropriate name, and was concerned if such racial issues were being addressed.

James Modrak responded saying that they do try their best to get kids to understand that they shouldn’t discriminate and name-call. They strive to make the right disciplinary actions on any issue that arises at school.

Rev. Ken Culbertson of South Hills Church of the Nazarene stood up and said that he feels strongly about racial reconciliation, but that is not the main issue. “I think we need to speak less of diversity and more about responsibility,” Culbertson said.

Many among the meeting attendees and the panelists concluded that while keeping children involved in school activities and the like are helpful, the discipline and the ability to respect others starts at home.

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