Brownsville Time Capsule
Brownsville Time Capsule looks back over the years through the archives of the Brownsville Telegraph. 25 Years Ago – October 1980
There will soon be free parking on Brownsville’s North Side. That decision was made by the Brownsville Borough Council at its meeting this week. Council hopes to recoup any financial loss due to the removal of meters by receiving a monthly lump sum of about $100 from the North Side merchants.
The free parking will be in effect on Market Street and in a small borough-owned parking lot adjacent to Market Street. It will be handled on a trial basis for six months. During this time, the parking meters will be left intact, although no one will be required to use them. If the new system works, council will remove the meters, thereby cutting maintenance costs, and will use them to replace broken meters in other parts of the borough.
The plan was suggested by North Side merchants, who approached the borough with the idea in hopes of stirring up more business. Police Chief Sam Nicola then spoke with every merchant on the North Side and got agreement from all but one to go ahead with the plan, which requires the merchants to contribute money to the borough to help minimize the loss of meter revenue.
What is taking so long? That is what Brownsville Borough Council plans to ask PennDOT, which has delayed repairs to the deteriorating sidewalk on the historic Cast Iron Bridge. The sidewalk’s condition is so bad that it has been closed to pedestrians since earlier this year, forcing people to cross the street or walk on the road along the fence that blocks off the closed section.
After an informal meeting two months ago between PennDOT representatives and owners of stores near the site, it was then anticipated that repairs would get underway in about 30 days. To date, no repairs have taken place. It was decided by council that several representatives of council and several members of the Chamber of Commerce will go to the PennDOT offices to press for an explanation of the delay.
Colonial has nailed down the championship of the Brownsville Area Midget Football League for the second year in a row. The only touchdown of the championship game came when Tom Ulery raced 14 yards into the end zone, securing Colonial’s 7-0 victory over Cox-Donahey in the title contest played at Republic field. Tim Bradley scored the extra point.
Coached by Jerry Grashion and assisted by Jim Guty, Colonial finished with a 6-0 record, while Cox-Donahey was runner-up in the loop with a 4-2 slate. Hiller followed with a 3-3 record, and Central and Cardale ended the campaign at 1-5. Colonial has won 12 straight over the past two years and has permitted the opposition only six points.
Tim Bradley was the leading scorer for Colonial this season with seven touchdowns and four extra points. Following Bradley in the scoring race were Lou Locke, Tony Bradley, Tim Thomas, and Bo Ulery.
45 Years Ago – October 1960
Roger Garofalo, principal at Prospect Street School, has been hired as elementary supervisor for the John A. Brashear Joint school system. Garofalo’s salary will be $8,000 annually, with his principal’s salary being $6,600 and his elementary supervisor salary set at $1,400. He will retain both positions. Garofalo is in his second year as principal at the Prospect Street School and has over 27 years experience as a teacher and principal.
The board also hired Frank Casper, York Street, Woodward Plan, Brownsville, to the newly created position of superintendent of buildings and grounds. Casper will receive $4,000 annually on a 12-month basis and will be re-hired by the joint committee if his work is satisfactory. He is currently a projectionist at the Plaza Theater and also a part-time bus driver.
On the gridiron, Brashear High School was shut out, 13-0, by Clairton in a contest played before 1,500 fans at Brownie Stadium. Although the Brownies dropped their fifth contest in eight starts, veteran Tom Kostelnik was terrific, making tackle after tackle, intercepting a pass and recovering a fumble for Coach John Popovich’s squad. Unfortunately, despite the dogged efforts of running backs Gary Klingensmith and Ron Matteucci, the Brownies squandered three scoring opportunities by stalling on drives to the 17, 2, and 6 yard lines of the Bears.
At Turtle Creek, Curtis Brown scored twice, and Rich Tinsley, Freddie Mazurek, Don Croftcheck, and Jim White each scored once as Coach Joe Bosnic’s Redstone High School Black Hawks rolled over Turtle Creek High School, 37-12.
At Booster Field, Joe Parkinson tallied three times as the California Trojans upended Jefferson High School, 25-13. Regis Grebb scored the first touchdown in the Trojans’ fourth victory of the campaign. After that, Parkinson monopolized the scoring parade. Coach Norm Davis’ squad is now 4-4 and will play its season finale at Waynesburg next week.
60 Years Ago – October 1945
A group of sixth grade students from the Prospect Street School will present a Junior Red Cross program over radio station WMBS, Uniontown, at 3:15 p.m. tomorrow. The broadcast will tell the story of the Junior Red Cross program in the local schools.
Coaching the group is Miss Sara McCloy, Prospect Street School principal, who will accompany the group to Uniontown. The broadcast is the third in a series being presented by Fayette County pupils.
Participating tomorrow will be Violet Dalson, Janice Sprouse, Beverly Christopher, Nina Harris, Mary Ann Adams, John Anthony Matta, and Cynthia Shepler, who will be soloist.
In high school football, Redstone High School clobbered Braddock High School, 34-13, in a contest played under the arc lights on the Republic gridiron. It was the seventh win of the season for Coach Andy Sepsi’s Black Hawks. Ed Pringle scored two touchdowns, and Ed Ballan, Joe Pavlikowski and Lincoln Nedd also tallied for Redstone.
At the Woodward Plan Stadium, 5,000 fans were stunned as the Charleroi Cougars edged Brownsville High School, 20-19, in the Brownies’ final Big Five Conference game of the season. Not since 1937 had Brownsville lost to Charleroi, but the Brownies blew a 19-7 halftime lead to go down to defeat. The bright spot of the game was a brilliant 70-yard run by Charles (Red) Simpson on the game’s first play from scrimmage.
Glenn Tunney may be contacted at 724-785-3201 or by writing to 6068 National Pike East, Grindstone, PA 15442. Comments may also be sent to Pete Skirchak, Brownsville Editor, Herald-Standard, Box 570, Brownsville, PA 15417, or by e-mail to begin pskirchak@heraldstandard.com pskirchak@heraldstandard.com end
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