Source:Council-pages-solomon/content

From Pittsburgh Streets
Council Pages King Solomon In Westwood Streets Fight
Some Residents Don't Know Where They Live But Another Group Argues It Doesn't Matter

"It's one for King Solomon!"

This was the comment of Councilman John T. Duff Jr. after a hearing held by Council yesterday on the street-naming controversy in Westwood.

Things are so balled up that a leader of one irritated group claimed his house was on two different streets.

He was G. E. Goldstrom of 405 Shady Hill Rd. and 1305 Highman St. It doesn't mean he has two different houses on two different streets, or one house that faces on two different streets. It just means the block he lives on has two different names. Or at least he thinks so.

Another Group Objects

Mr. Goldstrom headed a delegation which wanted City Council to dicontinue [sic] the use of the name of Shadyhill Rd. beyond the second Highman St. (in the direction of Greentree), and give the name of Shadyhill Rd. to this Highman St., which ultimately will be extended to Noblestown Rd.

He said more than 90 per cent of the property owners in the neighborhood favor the change.

This was one side of the picture. On the other side was George E. Harr of 1906 Shadyhill Rd. Mr. Harr and his group objected to the proposed change.

Brings Hot Argument

Mr. Harr claimed 90 per cent of the property owners of the neighborhood are on his side.

Members of the two factions argued over "mis-statements" and the Councilmen asked questions at the same time.

The situation grew more involved as the record of previous changes of street names in the neighborhood was recounted, to which Mr. Goldstrom explained:

"If there are any more changes, I don't know where I would be living."

Committee Is Named

Confusion piled on confusion when Mr. Goldstrom said there are two "independent" Highman streets in the neighborhood. He is on one, while the other Highman St. crosses his Highman St.

The mix-up is in such a state of befuddlement that the neighbors have stopped using street names, and now say "the street where so-and-so lives." One person referred to one of the Highman streets by describing it as "the Highman which is supposed to be Highman."

Members of the delegation charged that taxi drivers are afraid to take customers into Westwood, fearful of spending hours trying to find addresses.

Council President Thomas Kilgallen said he would appoint a subcommittee to unravel the squabble.