Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances

Laurel: To Frank Brooks Robinson. The president of the Regional Industrial Development Corp. has set the right tone to begin discussions with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission about how the proposed Mon/Fayette Expressway will affect redevelopment of LTV Corp.'s old Hazelwood Coke Works. Mr. Robinson says he hopes to work with the commission to reduce the highway's footprint on the 178-acre tract. A turnpike official says the commission is more than willing to listen. We're encouraged all around.

Lance: To Tom Usher. The chairman of U.S. Steel keeps ranting and raving that those who keep insisting that tariffs on foreign steel are hurting, not helping, this nation are, well, prevaricators. This from the guy who, five years ago this week, was the shill in chief telling everybody that we could tax ourselves to prosperity through the Regional Renaissance Initiative.

Laurel: To the SEA. The Sports & Exhibition Authority has agreed to sell a key parcel in the shadow of PNC Park to a private developer to build a 10-story hotel. Kratsa Properties of Harmar will develop the site at the northwest corner of Federal and General Robinson streets. And most important, no public subsidy will be used. The 198-room Marriott Spring Hill Suites should be up and running by the fall of 2003. Kudos to the SEA. Kudos to Kratsa.

Lance: To the Murphy administration. Do we really need a new law to govern evacuation drills in Pittsburgh's high-rise buildings• Mayor Tom Murphy thinks so. Such drills were prudent even before 9/11. And there's no doubt that the private sector should coordinate its efforts with those of government public safety agencies to make sure everyone's on the same page. But a new law• We don't think so.

Best wishes: To Terry McVerry. Allegheny County's solicitor is preparing to take his seat on the federal bench. The Mt. Lebanon Republican last week won U.S. Senate confirmation to a seat on U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh. We wish him the best.

On the "Watch List": One game a season does not make. But after Monday night's 30-14 thrashing by the New England Patriots, the Steelers would be wise to review, well, everything . The Black and Gold lacked poise, composure and execution. If this is a preview of things to come, it will be a long season.

R.I.P.: To Johnny Unitas and Judy Oliver. After being cut by the Steelers, he went on to become the greatest quarterback in NFL history. She was one of the best female golfers around; courage was her middle name. Both died this week. The world was richer for their lives. Rest in peace.