LETTER Preserve our town traditions
I read with concern the comments made by Troy Lucas, Canonsburg zoning and code enforcement officer, regarding plans for parking as part of renovations at Canon-McMillan Memorial Stadium (“Canon-Mac applies for variance for stadium parking,” Feb. 9). I think the situation requires some clarification.
As the chairman of the zoning board, I was aware that Mr. Lucas opposed the variance that we granted to the project. Simply put, there is nowhere in the current vicinity of the stadium to add the required (approximately 1,100) parking spaces. However, the project adds roughly 135 more spaces than what we currently have, so it improves the situation.
The only way to create the spaces without a variance is to move the stadium from the center of the borough, where it has stood since 1947 and hosted crowds of as many as 4,000 people without incident. It is a landmark in our community that is rich in tradition. I personally served as the school district’s athletic director for 37 years, and I have watched generations of families built upon the community life that we have fostered here, something that I want to see continue for all our current and future residents. This is a high school stadium, not Heinz Field. Many people walk or share rides to the games.
Interestingly, our borough president (and former chief of police for 40 years) indicated that he believed the spaces were sufficient. Canonsburg annually hosts 50,000 to 60,000 people for our Fourth of July parade, one of the largest in Pennsylvania. If parking were a nightmare, they wouldn’t keep coming back. That is why borough council has sided with the zoning board in approving the variance.
My advice to Mr. Lucas is that he learn to embrace the values of the community he serves. This is a town that relies on common sense. When our elderly neighbor’s sidewalk is covered in snow, we don’t rush to issue citations. We shovel it for him. We look out for each other. We preserve our traditions. That’s what makes Canonsburg such a special place to live.
Manuel Pihakis
Canonsburg
Pihakis is vice president of the Canon-McMillan School Board.