Hope and Love
Hope
Jason Togyer is a lifelong resident of the Mon Valley .
A former newspaper reporter at the Observer-Reporter of Washington , Pa ., the McKeesport Daily News and the Tribune-Review of Greensburg , Pa ., Togyer is the founder and executive director of Tube City Community Media Inc ., a nonprofit corporation that runs the Tube City Online and McKeesport Obituaries websites as well as Internet radio station WMCK . FM .
A graduate of Serra Catholic High School and Carnegie Mellon University , he is a member of the vestry at St . Stephen ’ s Episcopal Church in McKeesport , a board member of the McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center as well as WRCT Radio Inc . in Pittsburgh , and a vice president of the G . C . Murphy Co . Foundation in McKeesport .
Jason ’ s love of history and his marketing talents brought him to the forefront of McKeesport ’ s plan to market its recently acquired the former Penn-McKee Hotel at Fifth Avenue and Strawberry Alley . Built in 1926 with a solid frame of steel and concrete , this once-booming hotel was designed by architect Benno Janssen .
The hotel was widely popular and earned the saying that if something of significance happened in the Mon Valley , “ it probably happened at the Penn-McKee .” That includes a debate between then-freshmen Congressmen Richard M . Nixon and John F . Kennedy on the Taft-Hartley Labor Act .
Drawing on the architectural and historic significance of the Penn-McKee , Jason pieced together a marketing packet to sell the former hotel as a new destination in the McKeesport cityscape . With an untouchably positive perspective on revitalization , Jason shares the city ’ s vision for a multi-faceted rebirth of the Penn-McKee , which could include anything from retail storefronts to office space , or even a chic hotel component . Formerly assistant director of communications at the Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science in Pittsburgh , on Aug . 22 he became communications manager for the Mon Valley Initiative in Homestead . He and his wife , Denise L . Ritter , live in the Morton Plan section of West Mifflin borough .
CITY OF MCKEESPORT NEWS
cKeesport
Living the Message ...
Love
Arlen Harper is committed to his spirituality and to the youth of McKeesport . At just 22 years old , he has become a community leader through his involvement at Trinity Church of God in Christ .
In 2012 , Arlen started a youth organization called The Future is Ours , which helps children of all ages work to better themselves and the community in which they live . While the organization doesn ’ t host formal meetings , it plans community events and gives children a place to go .
Arlen ’ s role within the Trinity Church of God in Christ has given him the courage to reach out to his community . As a young minister , he believes his faith is strong enough to have a positive impact on others .
Focusing on Ephesians 4:3-6 , Arlen ’ s love of the community grew this year in his development of the Spirit of Praise gospel jubilee . Partnering with the McKeesport Area Ministerium and bringing together church groups of various denominations , Arlen sought to open Renziehausen Park to the sights and sounds of creative displays of faith . Spirit of Praise featured choral groups , soloists , praise dancers and mime troupes together to share in their faith .
The message of Ephesians , Arlen said , is important in today ’ s society because it is about peace and hope : “ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace . There is one body and one Spirit , just as you were called to one hope when you were called ; one Lord , one faith , one baptism ; one God and Father of all , who is over all and through all and in all .”
Arlen is a 2012 McKeesport Area High School graduate who is studying criminal justice administration and cyber crimes at the University of Phoenix . He is a local constable in McKeesport .
The McKeesport Message Committee , a subgroup of McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko ’ s Select Committee on Crime and Violence , invites the public to nominate community members who exemplify the words , “ Respect , Dignity , Hope and Love .”
McKeesporters of all ages – from youth volunteers to senior citizens – display characteristics of Respect , Dignity , Hope and Love on a daily basis in our community . Whether through organizing community activities or offering a helping hand to those in need , everyday people are doing their part to make our city a better place . If we look within our schools , our neighborhoods , our churches and our service organizations , we will find acts of kindness for which we all can be proud . Living the Message awards are intended to showcase these individuals and give the community an opportunity to share its good news . Awards are given quarterly . Using 250 words or fewer , describe how the individual of your choice embodies one of the four words . For more information , contact the mayor ’ s office at 412-675-5020 , ext . 605 . Nominations can be mailed to the mayor ’ s assistant Jennifer Vertullo , 500 Fifth Avenue ,
McKeesport , PA 15132 , or emailed to jen . vertullo @ mckeesport-pa . gov . The deadline for the next round of nominations is October 31 , 2016 .
McKeesport Area | Fall 2016 | icmags . com 27