Laurels & lances: Visits & vigils
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Laurel: To prioritizing tourism. Monroeville made a bold move this year, purchasing the Monroeville Convention Center after announcements were made that the building would be sold to become a Hobby Lobby.
Now the future of that move is being cemented with a lease to Visit Monroeville, the tourism organization formed in 1987. It promotes Monroeville as a community and as an events destination.
The 25-year lease provides a promise of consistency and continuity — something very important after previous owner Oxford Development made its February announcement of a June 1 change of hands. It immediately threw future planned events, like the seasonal Steel City Con or the Pittsburgh Gaming Expo, into confusion.
Knowing that an event has not just a one-time location but also a reliable home allows multiyear promotion and growth. It also can spread those positives to surrounding businesses such as hotels, restaurants and participating vendors.
Although the municipality made a substantial expenditure in the $5.3 million total purchase price of the convention center and its equipment, it is an investment in a battery to power tourism and local business.
Lance: To being stuck in limbo. On Aug. 20, Roxanne Bonnoni was killed when she was hit by a vehicle near her home along North Canal Street in Harrison’s Natrona neighborhood. She was just 11 years old.
Wednesday would have been her 12th birthday. Instead, it was a vigil in remembrance of a little girl who loved her family, making new friends and Halloween.
It also marked two months and 10 days without answers about accountability for Roxanne’s death. No charges have been filed in the case.
Family members check with investigators daily, according to mom Amber Bonnoni, and they are frustrated with the lack of information.
There should be more concrete response. It is not just about filing charges. That is a decision for police and prosecutors. But there should be more and better communication about what is happening now and what comes next to keep what happened to Roxanne from happening to another child.