• About Us


    Jeremiah Dugan

    I am a Brookline native who decided to stay and raise my family in Pittsburgh and Brookline. After college my wife, Lori and I had the choice of where to live and work, we looked at Washington D.C., Florida, and North Carolina, just to name a few. But in the end Pittsburgh and Brookline had what we were looking for. Brookline's affordable housing, proximity to cultural and sporting amenities, easy drive to the airport, a walkable business district, great schools, and two neighborhood parks were too much to turn down.

    Over the past eight years, I have taught history in the Pittsburgh Public Schools and have seen firsthand some of the great things that are happening in our schools and with our kids. Most recently, I have had the opportunity to teach American History at one of Pittsburgh’s great schools, South Book Middle School, which allows me to be closer to home for my two daughters, Elizabeth and Sarah.

    People ask me why do I get involved in the community. I ask them why aren’t they? I believe that too many communities in this country have relied on someone else to fix or improve their neighborhoods. And why they waited for things to improve no one did anything. Brookline, like Pittsburgh has seen many changes over the last thirty years and despite all of the obstacles that have been placed in the way both continue to prosper. But, we can not sit back, we must continue to move our neighbor, our city and our region forward. We can always make it safer, cleaner, greener, and a better place to live, work, or do business in.

    Keith E. Knecht

    I moved to the neighborhood in 1992 seeking the value of Brookline, which was and remains a "best bang for the buck" city location. After moving here I met my wife, she moved her downtown design / illustration studio into the first floor apartment of our duplex, which has become a spacious and beautiful environment. Our Brookline residence has provided a distinctive home and a great workspace as well.

    Professionally I have been a project manger for a commercial real estate developer for over 20 years. This has afforded me an understanding of the Pittsburgh market and the economic realities of retail businesses. Earlier in my career, I was a vocational teacher and I am a 1984 graduate of California University of Pennsylvania.

    My volunteer work stems from my belief in conservation and that neighborhood and regional distinctiveness is worth seeking, sustaining, and adapting even though the tides of change continually alter our world. What this means in terms of Brookline is that in an era of big retail and housing plans, there is still considerable value and adaptive reuse for the imaginative business or resident. All older neighborhood districts have multiple challenges, but these places can offer something different and equally valuable today.

    People will deliberately seek the individuality of one-of-a-kind businesses, places, and people if the experience is satisfying. Retail Goliaths use size and uniformity as their formula, but the qualities of small, unique, and personal can be advantages for businesses that know how to utilize them. I believe Brookline to have this kind of positive potential, but residents must have the pride, imagination, and ethic to live and do business in a way that captures it.

    Mary Anne Miller

    In 1975 when my husband, Ted, and I moved from Connecticut to Pittsburgh, we rented in Greentree while we looked for a house to buy. We chose Brookline for its convenient central location; its vibrant and active business district and it access to public transportation

    When our son was young we often walked the Boulevard. There was a large variety of businesses. As I became aware of the decline the business district I joined community groups geared to trying to maintain the Boulevard. I was a Board Member of the Brookline Area Community Council. In 1991, I became and still am President of the Brookline Block Watch and am involved with the Zone Public Safety Council where I have held several Board positions.

    In l998 Annette Ferrieri, Bob Beiler, and I were cofounders of Brookline Neighborhood Planning. We participated in a number of community projects and in 2001 realized our interests were a match with South Pittsburgh Development Corp. which had already gained 501c3 tax status as a community organization. The two organizations merged and we continue to work on revitalization and development for Brookline Boulevard and the entire community. Currently I hold the office of Treasurer.

    During my involvement with the various organizations I have met a lot of concerned, interesting and talented residents of our community. I am proud of the work the organizations have done and continue to do. You can also show your pride and commitment to our community by become involved. You’ll meet and work with other Brookline residents who want to keep Brookline a great place in which to live.

    Amy Fisher

    My husband, whose mother grew up here, introduced me to Brookline. We purchased a home here when we got married in 1997 and when it was time for more space; we chose to stay in Brookline. I earned my real estate license in 1999 and subsequently began to get involved in the community. I joined the South Pittsburgh Development Corp. (SPDC) and the Brookline Chamber of Commerce. I also attend Brookline Block Watch and Brookline Area Community Council meetings when I can and I participate in many community functions. I am currently Secretary for SPDC and served as Chamber secretary for three years. I was the Book Project Manager for SPDC to help produce our Brookline photo history book. I have a wonderful husband and adorable eight year-old son and two dogs, a lab mix and a beagle. I also actively participate in my church, in the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination. Brookline is still a special place and I take it upon myself to help people see that and want to purchase property here. I help people find their dream homes through Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services.

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  • Brookline History

    Brookline resident Clint Burton has compiled a comprehensive history of our neighborhood. You can find this history at http://www.brooklinehistory.com/.
  • Order your book today!

    BookCover

    The new Brookline Photo History Book, entitled Images of America - Brookline is available. This compilation is packed with interesting and revealing photos and explanations detailing Brookline's heritage.