11/04/2019
In case we missed you - here are our letters . . .
(from the General)
Dear Neighbor,
As we walked through the neighborhood introducing and re-introducing ourselves as potential council members, we were struck by how many of our neighbors seem to have have just simply lost hope. “Things won't change in my lifetime,” is a constant refrain. However, we beg to differ. We believe in a McKees Rocks that includes transparent and responsible local government, as well as thriving neighborhoods! Neighborhoods where blight is a thing of the past and commercial development with something for everyone.Our community is finally nearing a tipping point, and your vote for David Flick, Elizabeth Delgado and Shallegra Moye is a great place to start. We can do this!
Both Elizabeth and Shallegra have been on council for two years and in that short period of time they have both voted for responsible development in McKees Rocks. Development that considers the economic well-being of our residents as well as business partners. Voting to retain Elizabeth Delgado and Shallegra Moye as Council members and writing in David Flick, will ensure that there is representation that believes in the future of the Rocks. We believe it is possible to transform our neighborhood by using our large, yet solid housing stock for redevelopment for first-time home buyers. Research consistently demonstrates that home ownership decreases crime, increases the tax base and ultimately provides better resources for neighborhood schools. Folks from first time buyers to retirees can enjoy the benefits of a small thriving town that is easily accessible. Thoughtful zoning practices including residential reclamation, commercial and industrial development that bring living wage employment and revenue is what is needed to turn the Rocks around.
If you want to encourage business and real estate development, you need people who know how to work with other organizations and get things done. Shallegra has been working with School Districts and Universities through her work in Public Health for years. Liz has worked at every level of government from city government to state to federal. She has worked with multiple agencies from the LAPD to the FBI; from the California District Attorney’s Association to the California Dept of Insurance to the National White Collar Crime Institute. Dave is a hard working union guy who has made a life in the performing arts. He is a Stagehand, a Studio Mechanic and a Professional Actor. A career in multiple facets of the performing arts has given him a unique perspective on the realities of how to get things done while working as a team.
If you are looking for candidates with hope and vision, whose allegiance is to the residents, then you have found them. Each of us has chosen to buy and fix up homes here and personally invest in our community, because we see the potential. We support local businesses, coordinate and participate in community events and collaborate with other local municipalities and County and State officials. Hopefully, we have made it to your door during this campaign and encourage you to visit our website: newvoice.rocks to learn even more about who we are as citizens. It is time for a new voice in the Rocks-YOURS! We are counting on your support on November 5, 2019 by writing in David Flick and voting for Elizabeth Delgado and Shallegra Moye.
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(From the Primary)
Dear Voter,
We are writing to you today in case we missed you while we were calling on people these past few weeks. Perhaps you weren’t home when we came by and we wanted a chance to introduce ourselves. We are running for Council in the 3rd Ward. Shallegra and Elizabeth are currently on Council and are running to hold their seats. David is running to fill the seat being vacated by Maribeth Taylor. We are running together as a “ticket” because of our shared values and goals for McKees Rocks. We share a vision for a stronger, more vibrant, healthy McKees Rocks. We have listened to the concerns and suggestions of McKees Rocks and realized we are stronger together.
We respect the past but understand that change is a necessary for future growth. We love the people, small town feel and the hometown pride. And like you, we see the abandoned houses, disregard of law and disinvestment in the local education system. But we have also seen the turn-around of towns just like ours in towns such as Etna and Lawrenceville. The residents of McKees Rocks have the talent, the grit and the power to make change happen.
As homeowners, we all CHOSE to buy and live here. That means we see the amazing possibilities and are deeply vested in the success of McKees Rocks. We want responsible, ethical commercial business that increases the tax base. We want residential development that attracts homebuyers to the community and we want living wage jobs and recreation for youth and adults alike. Each of these possibilities increases the taxable revenue to McKees Rocks, which in turn supports the schools, enables a robust public safety department and attracts more business and homeowners.
Shallegra and Liz have both been actively involved in blight remediation for McKees Rocks and with our Police Dept to get them the tools and resources they need. Both were instrumental in bringing in a consultant who specializes in urban redevelopment. Both attended training classes for Municipal Officials upon being elected and in addition, Liz attended training on Police Dept Management. Liz spearheaded and oversaw the new McKees Rocks website.
A Note from Shallegra Moye
I moved here with my 2 daughters and my dog, Mr. Makumba, when I bought my home on Singer Avenue. I graduated from Carlow University, hold a Master’s Degree in Public Health and am pursuing a Doctorate in Urban Education at Pitt.
I have worked in education since 1999 from preschool through high school in a variety of roles including family advocacy to classroom teaching. Currently I work with students and families at StoRox Jr./Sr. High School, providing college and career preparation, mentoring and employment assistance. Before transitioning to education full-time, I enjoyed a successful career in managed care. As a managed care professional, I provided health benefits education, training and development and corporate volunteerism.
Some of you may know Mr. Makumba and are friends with him. Mr. Makumba and I can be found many days of the week (even the rainy ones!) walking McKees Rocks and meeting our neighbors. I am glad to live in a neighborhood that is safe enough to walk during the day or evening, even if Mr. Makumba cannot join me.
The most important thing to know about me is that I have been contributing to the growth of McKees Rocks. Since becoming a resident and without a political position I have supported small business, participated in the incubation of small business development and participated in community clean-ups. The diversity of my education and experience are assets to McKees Rocks as a resident, but most importantly as a Councilwoman.
A Note from David Flick:
I bought my home in McKees Rocks in 2010 because of its proximity to virtually everything in the Greater Pittsburgh region. I bought the home from the family who built it: my Great Aunt Valentine and her husband John. The weekend I moved in, my neighbor gave me fifty-two tomatoes from his garden. That was the beginning of some amazing experiences and good friendships.
I make a living as an Actor, Drama Teacher, Stage Hand and Studio Mechanic, and I have been doing so for over thirty years. I have a B.A. in Theater from Point Park University. During the 2017-18 school year, I did some volunteer teaching at Sto-Rox High School in Improvisational Theater. If you are lucky enough to know any of the kids I worked with, then I am sure you can get an honest opinion about me from them.
I am a Journeyman Stagehand and Studio Mechanic holding memberships with IATSE local #3 and #489 as well as the Screen Actors Guild. I formerly served on the Board of Pittsburgh SAG-AFTRA as well as a delegate to its national convention. I retired from Professional Wrestling in 1994 with a career 127 wins and 32 losses. I hold a Bachelor of Theater Arts degree from Point Park. For thirty years my career in the arts has required creativity, patience, an inquisitive mind, the ability to listen to new ideas and the ability to learn: useful qualities for a Councilman!
I believe there is great potential in the Rocks, potential that is proven it its history; however, potential is nothing without pride and motivation. When I see the empty houses and storefronts, it makes me think there is some question that has not been asked, something else that has not been tried. I think we have to ask, and I think we have to try.
A Note from Elizabeth (Liz) Delgado
I moved here when I bought my home on Greydon Avenue where I live with my cats, Franklin, Eleanor, Maggie and Zippora. I have been renovating my house since I bought it and I enjoy acting as my own designer. I grew up in the Pittsburgh area and graduated from Beaver Falls High School and Pitt. After college I moved to California. While attending Loyola Law School, I worked as a Station Officer for the LAPD and as a Security Officer at the Convention Center where I was elected Shop Steward. I graduated law school with honors and was recruited by the U.S. Dept of Justice in Washington D.C. I later returned to Los Angeles and worked as a Deputy District Attorney. I retired and moved back to the local area in 2007.
Although I have no children of my own, I acted as surrogate Mom to my two nephews when they turned 18. My sister and brother-in-law were missionaries in Peru and the boys were not allowed to stay on their parents’ visas once they turned 18 and graduated high school. I am close to both boys even though one followed in my footsteps and went to school in California and stayed on afterwards.
When not attending to Council duties I can be found trapping feral cats for neuter and release (TNR), reading, knitting, computer programming or hanging out with my other nephew and his wife in Verona (I introduced them!) or my sister and brother-in-law, who retired in 2013 and now live in Ambridge.
I believe in the enormous potential of McKees Rocks. I lived in a similar town in California that had amazing success in turning itself around without losing its charm and long-time residents. I have seen it done and know that we are at least as strong as they were. All it took was leadership with vision and forethought. I have that vision. I don’t jump on every bandwagon. I’m in it for the long haul and believe we need to plan and plan wisely.
We are asking for your vote May 21st. There is no community without unity. Make YOUR VOICE heard and vote for candidates that represent you and will listen to you! Republicans — you can write us in!
