Tribune Review: Commissary Project in Moon to Start Next Year, Rep. Murphy Tells Vets

Sunday, March 28, 2010

 Groundbreaking for a long-awaited military commissary in Moon is expected next spring, U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, told a group of veterans in Bethel Park on Saturday.

While the full $17 million in funding for the commissary has been secured, another $6 million still is needed for a post exchange, or discount department store, planned for the same site.

"We have been hitting this full-bore," Murphy told about 70 people gathered for a town meeting at the American Legion Bethel Memorial Post 760. He said he will continue putting pressure on state and federal officials to secure the remaining money. "We are moving forward."

Plans call for the 43,000-square-foot commissary to be built at the 316th Army Reserve Base off Business Route 60 and University Boulevard. Murphy said some building designs will be announced this summer. Officials are eyeing a 2012 ribbon-cutting. The facility will replace a commissary and post exchange at the Charles E. Kelly Support Facility in Collier.

"I'm pleased to hear progress is being made but there's an awful lot that needs to happen," said John Caspero, 71, a retired Navy captain from Bridgeville. "It seems to have taken forever. My concern is that the funds that are there get spent or we may lose it."

Murphy also said he is working to secure funds for the Allegheny County's veteran court program begun in November. The program aims to keep veterans out of jail for nonviolent offenses through a tightly supervised counseling program.

"It's a matter of having veterans work with veterans to make sure they don't slip through the cracks," he said.

Murphy took questions for an hour-and-a-half on a variety of topics. Sam Cushey, a Korean War veteran from Peters, told Murphy he is concerned about a shortage of physicians at a VA clinic in Washington. Cushey, 77, said he's been going to the clinic for about 10 years and always is treated by a nurse, not a doctor.

"It seems like we're being shortchanged," he said.

Luis Fabregas can be reached at lfabregas@tribweb.com or 412-320-7998.

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