Living the Message ... Honoring those who show Respect , Dignity ,
Respect
Tony Riggs is a lifelong McKeesporter who goes above and beyond his neighborly duties to keep his part of the city ’ s Seventh Ward in order .
Riggs , 64 , is a jack of all trades – having worked in every field from carpentry to steel production to public transportation . But when he retired from the Port Authority of Allegheny County two years ago , Riggs started spending more time in his neighborhood .
“ About a year ago , I welcomed a new dog into my home ,” he said . “ We go for walks every day , and I ’ ve started paying attention . To be honest , there are times when I don ’ t like what I see .”
Rather than complaining about the decline of his neighborhood , Riggs took it upon himself to turn negative emotions into positive action . Not only did he continue to maintain his property at a standard of which he can be proud , Riggs sought to help his neighbors do the same . He began mowing lawns for elderly and disabled neighbors , and he went on to trim grass and shrubs around abandoned homes and vacant lots .
“ It means something to me ,” said Riggs , “ I do this on my own to make things easier and to make things better in my neighborhood .”
During the winter months , Riggs shovels paths for his neighbors – even paying close attention to rough spots in the road where snow plows can ’ t quite navigate effectively .
“ That ’ s the way it ’ s supposed to be ,” he said . “ When I came up , my mother and grandmother instilled in me to love and respect everybody . I can ’ t make a person do what they don ’ t want to do , but I will help anyone when I can .”
In his spare time , Riggs enjoys horticulture and jazz music . He has grown up to 75 varieties of plants in his home and yard , and he is learning to read music while sharpening his skills on the tenor saxophone .
“ You ’ re only as young as you feel ,” Riggs said . “ If you keep it moving , keep it real , and keep it honest , you will last a long time .”
cKeesport CITY OF MCKEESPORT NEWS
Dignity
42 McKeesport Area
In his youth , Ty-Meer Brown was a star McKeesport Area athlete who excelled on the football field and basketball court , as well as in the classroom . Today , he has returned to his home district to serve the community that helped to build his character .
When he graduated from McKeesport Area High School in 2010 , Brown went on to earn a bachelor ’ s degree in sociology at the University of Connecticut and a master ’ s degree in sports administration at Boston College . He played football at both schools , and even joined the coaching staff in Boston .
“ That was one of the hardest things I ’ ve done in my life ,” Brown said . “ I commuted from Rhode Island seven days a week – waking up at 4 a . m . to go work 16 hours a day . I used to look forward to a 12 hour day , which felt like a break . I knew I had to stay dedicated and keep pushing toward what I wanted to accomplish .”
Brown knew he wanted to return to his hometown to work in his community . He presented an idea to the school board and athletic committee with a vision to mentor student athletes and kids enrolled in other extra-curricular programming .
“ These activities make students more well-rounded ,” Brown said . “ Playing football focuses on discipline . It develops hard work and determination . Playing an instrument works a different part of your brain . It inspires creativity .”
As the Student Affairs assistant and a leader in the high school ’ s new mentoring initiative , Brown works on personal development with his students . He attends games and events , and he is supportive of extra-curricular activities . He also monitors academics – making sure incoming freshmen understand the weight of their high school grades in terms of pursuing higher education .
“ A lot of kids quit when things get hard , but I want to tell them that it ’ s not going to be hard forever ,” he said . “ You have to push through it , and that ’ s when you become successful .” Brown can relate to McKeesport Area students on a personal level . “ I can show kids that being present is half the battle ,” he said . “ If someone from a different place comes in and reads them a rule book , it ’ s different than someone who walked these halls telling them how it is .”