Brewster’s Legislation Honoring Slain Police Officer Clears Senate

May 6, 2014

McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge ramp designated for Officer Miller

Harrisburg – May 6, 2014 – Legislation sponsored by Sen. Jim Brewster (D-McKeesport) that honors fallen McKeesport police officer Frank Miller passed the Senate unanimously and is headed for the state House of Representatives for consideration.

Miller was killed in the line of duty in 1993. Brewster’s legislation (SB 1225) names the ramp off of the McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge leading to State Route 148 the “Officer Frank Miller Jr., Memorial Ramp.”

“Officer Miller gave his life in the line of duty and it’s important that we never forget,” Brewster said. “Frank Miller was a young man with a bright future who wanted to serve the public.

“His life and his work should be remembered by the citizens of McKeesport and Pennsylvania and it is appropriate that he be honored.”

Miller, who was 25 and walking his downtown beat patrol, was shot by an assailant with his own weapon after a scuffle on November 10, 1993. Miller had been on the job for only six months before his tragic death, Brewster said.

Brewster’s legislation notes that following his death, Officer Miller’s parents donated money for the first bulletproof vest purchased under the Adopt-A-Cop program. The program was created by the Allegheny County Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Committee to provide small communities with bulletproof vests.

“As a former councilmember and mayor in McKeesport, I have a great appreciation for the dedication and valor of our police and public safety personnel,” Brewster said. “I know that Officer Miller was a dedicated professional who should be remembered for his service to McKeesport.

“I am pleased that my Senate colleagues supported my legislation honoring Officer Miller.”

The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

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Brewster: Recycling Grants for Plum, White Oak, and Twin Rivers COG

May 6, 2014

Harrisburg – May 6, 2014 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-McKeesport) said today that he was pleased that Plum, White Oak and Twin Rivers Council of Governments (COG) were set to receive performance grants for recycling since the funding will help the communities continue cleaning the environment and promoting economic development.

Plum Borough will receive $22,542, White Oak’s grant is for $4,556 while the Twin Rivers COG grant is $945. Plum’s grant is based on 2,363 tons recycling in 2012; White Oak recycled 550.6 tons in 2012 and the COG recycled 250.5 tons in 2012.

“The grant is to be used by local governments to increase the amount of recyclables and remove material from the waste stream,” Brewster said. “These grants are in addition to other funding that is allocated to establish and operate a municipal recycling program.”

The grants for Plum, White Oak and the Twin Rivers COG were issued from the Recycling Performance Grant Program which is administered by the state Department of Environmental Protection. The program was created under Act 101.

The grants are available to all municipalities that operate recycling programs.

According to the department, items such as cardboard, newspapers, steel and aluminum cans, glass, plastics and usable grades of paper collected are eligible for grants. The application deadline for 2013 calendar year is September 30, 2014.

Twin Rivers COG, Plum Borough and White Oak are located in Brewster’s 45th Senatorial District.

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