TO THE EDITOR: LEBO CITIZENS:
The resignation of James Fraasch from the Board of School Directors in Mt Lebanon is a tremendous loss to our community and to our children. The challenge that confronts our community is to find his replacement.
Do the citizens understand the mechanisms of how the new Board member will be selected? It's simple, the existing Board will appoint his replacement. But this process may not be as simple as it appears. How can the citizens influence the process so the the voice of the people can be heard? In my opinion the answer lies in one man, Raja.
Does our community realize that Raja is the president of the Mt Lebanon Republican Committee ["The Machine"] - the same political organization that got the five RINO's on the Board elected? Does everyone realize that Raja, as president of the Mt Lebanon Commission, presided over the vote to grant a lease to the school district for the shared parking, thereby effectively endorsing the High School Renovation Project at an expected astronomical cost of $123MM(+)?
This unacceptable conduct needs to be addressed, and we as citizens need to contact Raja, at home and at work, by telephone, email, hell - even go to a Commission Meeting and tell Raja that we want him to find us a conservative that reflects the values of our community, like: a belief that smaller government and lower taxes are preferable; and a perspective that it's not what the Board takes from us to fund the school, but what we are willing to give to them. We want someone who will make a motion at their first meeting as a new Board member to repeal the plan to build a $123MM High School and limit the project to a $75MM renovation of the existing building.
Enough is enough! Raja presides over The Machine, and Raja needs to be responsive to the residents of our community. Let's all let him know that we want a meaningful new direction!
Sincerely,John David KendrickMt Lebanon, PA
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Trying something new
The following is a letter from John Kendrick.
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34 comments:
Mr. Kendrick, I used to just think you were uninformed. Now you've proven it for us. To suggest that Raja has the political clout, let alone the ability, to control the outcome of the SB selection process is laughable. The large majority of our community's residents couldn't pick him out of a crowd of one, and to suggest that our other elected officials take their lead from him is insulting to them I'm sure.
He's hardly an effective communicator. He hasn't updated his own website or that of the Republican Committee for months, perhaps even a year. By comparison, his follow commissioners regularly update their constituents and the community at large as to what is going or where they stand on issues. Its virtually impossible to discern where Raja stands on any issue.
His "powerful" Committee refused to endorse Mary Birks for SB (and instead backed a no name), however Mrs Birks turned out to be one of the highest vote getters - if not the highest. Meanwhile, the Republican committee's no-name candidate was never heard from again. Great call there, eh?
I can also remember the debate that ensued when Raja was first elected. Residents argued that his candidacy was a sham because he was only using the Commission seat as a step to bigger and better things. Clearly, that hasn't happened, nor has Raja demonstrated himself to be an out front leader. I'm not trying to be overly critical, but to suggest for a second that Raja controls (or can even try to control) the political process in this community to such a degree that he can annoint the next SB director is simply absurd.
David Franklin:
First, I'll agree with your basic comment... Mr. Kendrick may be over reaching in his suggestion that Raja or the Republican party has sufficient clout or the will to exert any significant influence in our community any longer.
I would like to go back and discuss a comment you made on Bloglebo some time ago. It was something along the lines of... Lebo residents had their chance to exert their influence on the school district and the HS project through the election process in the last SB election.
At least I believe that was what you were inferring.
Regardless, isn't it a bit strange that the current board president barely won a seat on the board, beating the then incumbent president by less than 40 votes.
Recollecting... Dale Ostergard and Dan Remely ran on a platform of keeping the HS project under $94 million. They finished second and third respectively.
The top vote getter was as you point out Mary Birks. She promised, I believe to be as prudent as possible on district spending.
And then we have Ms. Posti, board president, that ran on a ticket with Rob Gardner. Rob, was a member of the Build Our School Now group, that favored spending up to $150 million on the high school project.
So we the voters spoke. The top candidates all favored or at least campaigned to control spending!
But, the president and most powerful board member, is the one that got the fewest votes and seems at odds with the majority of interested residents on the HS project.
This comment is not meant to be a criticism of Ms. Posti's abilities or her seating as board president.
I'm just curious as to process of seating the board president.
She wasn't the most popular with residents. She was at odds on the HS project with at least 4,000 petitioners. (I don't think she got 4,000 votes.)
So did the election mean anything, and perhaps it explains why we have such poor turn out at the polls!
Dean Spahr
Here are the SB vote totals from the
Allegheny County Department of Elections Website:
Candidate and Party No. of Votes
Mary D. Birks (Dem/Rep) 5088
Dale F. Ostergaard (Dem/Rep 4845
Daniel L. Remely (Rep) 3695
Josephine Posti (Dem) 3537
Alan R. Silhol (Rep) 3504
Robert Gardner, Jr. (Dem) 3227
Top four candidates were elected.
Write-in votes not shown
Hi Mr F,
When I first read your post I thought, "This sounds like sour grapes because Dave didn't get the $1,000,000 dollars that he wanted to turf the field." But then I thought about your comment and I realized that we are in agreement that Raja has done an absolutely horrible job managing The Machine - what has happened under Raja's leadership is tragic!
What happened to the man that was interviewed by the Post Gazette several years before he became a commissioner - the one who criticized American schools for inefficient and wasteful spending? Should we just give up on Raja and tell him to build a $500,000 swimming pool and retire from politics, or should we give him an opportunity to redeem himself?
I'd like to give Raja the opportunity to assert the leverage of his position as our party leader. I'd like to see Raja help us to reverse the disasterous direction that has happened during his tenure and provide a new direction for our community before it is too late for all of us!
So can we give Raja the benefit of the doubt and see what he can do for us? The next few weeks should be very interesting to say the least.
Please, call Raja and politely tell him that you'd like him to find us a conservative for the Board that shares our Republican values of smaller government, lower taxes, and less government involvement in our lives. Tell him that we want a conservative who will help our community to unwind this horrible sequence of events that preceeded his vote to approve the shared parking agreement that essentially signed the death warrant for Mt Lebanon.
Mr. Kendrick, do you really think Raja is the Wizard of Oz? If so, I hope you (and he) have a time machine because if the super candidate that you're going to push through and stop the school project didn't send in his/her application before Xmas then he/she can't get the job. And if he/she did apply on time, well then you should probably call "the great and powerful" very early today because applicant interviews start tonight.
Newsflash, Raja controls the "machine" about as well or as much as you control public opinion.
Dean, I don't think Ms. Posti's election as SB President says much about anything. She was elected to this role by her fellow members, not the public at large. Do you know if anyone else on the SB even wanted the position? We've all been on volunteer Boards before - how many people step up to take more responsibility? Or how many Presidents are elected from the more junior ranks?
Also, I don't think her election as President is a cause of low voter turnout, but it might be a result.
Mr F,
Were you upset that Raja didn't fund your $1MM because he voted not to raise our taxes to fund your entitlement?
Do you think that if you spent more time managing the financial affairs of the Youth Football Association and less time blogging then you could have influenced your neighbor to fund the turf for your field?
Do you want to see a $500,000 swimming pool going into your neighborhood if he decides to build a pool and retire from politics? Because if you don't want this to happen then you should tell him to use the leverage of his position and to make something happen!
Mr Kendrick, I take such pleasure in some of your ramblings. The more you shout, the less you are heard.
If you must know, I'm very happy happy that the Commission chose to add funds to the recreation budget in certain areas. I suppose there are more of us "deadbeats" out there than you and Mr. Ewing thought. The fact that they chose not to turf Mellon or Middle doesn't impact me one bit. The athletic associations that use those fields will continue to play, and we will continue to provide solid opportunities for our kids to grow and learn.
You see Mr. Kendrick, I really have no interest in trying to "influence" Raja or anyone else (although I'd be happy if he'd finish his own endless home remodel project which has become a bit of any eyesore). The way I see it, if you do the right things, participate, contribute and stay positive, people (including elected officials) will ultimately recognize that there is a benefit to what you do and continue to support it as much as possible.
Mr F,
Your last paragraph is interesting...
You said that have no desire to influence anyone but if you do what you perceive are the right things then our elected officials will be influenced by you? So you don't want to influence anyone but you have a plan to do exactly that, correct?
Dave, practice what you preach, come forward and approach the athletic supporters to come clean and disclose the name of the people that offered the alleged $8MM that was in the meeting notes. Tell them to cleanse themselves of this burden and let it out!
Now, on our subject of this thread - do you really think that the MtL Rep Ctte is a paper tiger? I spoke with Jackie a few weeks ago, and as she pointed out, all but one of the SB candidates who ran with their endorsement were elected; and I would like to take this opportunity to say that I think that Electa Boyle would have been a great Board member. I don't know if she submitted her name for consideration, but I hope that she did.
The simple fact is that The Machine is still in operational condition, and Raja needs to use the power of his position.
I didn't realize that his house was such an eyesore. I haven't been over there in a while I'll have to drive-by and take a look. I can imagine that on that street such activities would be a real bummer. The only time I get over there is to walk my dog - but I do carry a plastic bag Mr F... 8)
I know you won't believe me, but I don't know who approached the SB about raising money for the high school project. We've been through this . . . more times then I can count.
Contrary to the tales that you spin in your conspiracy-filled mind, the folks involved with athletics in Lebo aren't part of some secret society that hold meetings by candlelight in a cave somewhere. To the contrary, all of our meetings are open to the public and I have extended an invitation to you and others. I believe some in the "athletic community" are often viewed as being more influential then others in the community at large, but that's perhaps more a factor of the level (rather than the nature) of their involvement in a lot of activities. If there is some secret society, I'm not privy to it. Sorry to disappoint.
Nevertheless Mr. Kendrick, if I happen to catch a glimpse of the wise and mystic sports troll under the trolley tressel, I'll be sure to grab him and have him direct me to the sports underworld.
Okay Mr F,
Well, that's a pretty ritzy street address that you have. It would be a shame to look out your window, see a mansion demolished, and a big fat pool built - ...I sure hope that big thing doesn't leak, because all of that water flowing down that big hill into the peasant quarters could do some serious damage!
Seriously, Dave - don't you think that without a strong entitly like The Machine to manage the elected officials were all dead? What checks and balances do we have other than then the popular vote to reign these folks in?
There's no excuse for irresponsible govermnent. Low voter turn-out and apathy are a disastrous combination. However a properly constructed and well organized political entity can right many wrongs and keep the political actors in check. That is the problem here - Raja needs to remind the five RINO's who elected them and he needs to assert some influence over them.
That is my opinion.
About the School Board presidency, yes, there are others who want to be president, but don't want to do that in the last year of their term. From what I understand, you aren’t reelected, if you are president. Josephine Posti has been stunned since December 3, 2007 when Mark Hart was chosen over her. Posti stunned
Rumor has it that there are fifteen applicants for the vacant seat. Of course, the list of names has never been published since that would be an act of transparency. We could never do that! It is a joke anyway since the favorite is Rob Gardner, Josephine’s old running mate. Too bad we have to go through the dog and pony show.
First, I'm surprised that a conservative, small/less government advocate such as yourself would suggest that Raja shouldn't be allowed to do anything that he wants with his property, so long as he conforms with our ordinances, etc. However, if he wants to raze his old house and build a big pool on Osage I can assure you that my opinion will be the least of his problems.
I suppose I don't worry about things like checks and balances in our local government because we have access. Not only formal access, but informal access, to both our elected officials and others like the Municipal Manager. Personally, I find that far more comforting than a group of self-appointed party reps who think they can control more than they do. Further, I think that personal accountability is perhaps the greatest check/balance in local politics. Each SB member has staked their name and reputation on the issues that are facing them. People in our community won’t be too quick to forget the 800 lb elephant in the room, especially if he ends up dead and rotting. I don’t know too much about these folks as individuals, but I’d like to think that alone weighs heavy on their minds every day, and especially when they vote. Have they voted the way I would have preferred in each instance, probably not. However, they have exposed themselves to a level of second-guessing and Monday morning quarterbacking not seen at even the highest level of political office. To your dismay, none of them participate in the blogosphere and I can’t say that I blame them. In this regard, I think it’s safe to say they give (plenty) at the office.
Back to the point at hand, our Republican and non-Republican elected officials alike are probably as inclined to take advice from Raja as they are from Hines Ward for heaven's sake. Ask yourself if you would prefer that Dan Miller march to his own drum or follow Raja. That's a no brainer for me, and I'm a Republican. Heck, Dan has shown to be more fiscally conservative than 3 of our Republicans put together.
And what on earth leads you to believe that any of the Republicans on the SB are going to be swayed by Raja's influence should he choose to inject it? They don't answer to him, regardless of his role with the party. And what's the risk to a Republican SB member in ignoring Raja's sage advice? Losing the party endorsement perhaps (assuming he/she even seeks re-election). Who knows, but based on Ms. Birks' performance in the last election, it seems that the endorsement (while easier on one’s checkbook) isn't a necessity in local politics.
Lastly Mr. Kendrick, when you suggest that "Raja needs to remind the five RINO's who elected them" you shouldn't be so quick to suggest that it was all people who share your beliefs. First off, you can’t forget that SB candidates cross file. Second, in our last election, a ridiculously low number of registered voters turned out and I have a hard time believing that those who did show up were all Republicans. Only 267 of those in Raja’s predominantly Republican voting district (33%) showed up to vote in 2009. Further, since Registered D’s now outnumber Registered R’s in Lebo, I’m inclined to believe that they probably had something to do with the election of Birks, Remely and Ostergaard. Just a hunch.
Mr. F-,
I didn't say that Raja shouldn't build the pool of his dreams. I don't live there, and I don't have to look at it. It seems to me that many pools of that size on the geography like your address would require a rather large block wall to encase the sides. Like I said, I don't live there, but I'll take your comments to mean that you support him demolishing the mansion and building a $500,000 swimming pool.
I'm curious though, do your neighbors know how you feel?
I read the rest of your long winded rant and quite frankly I was not very impressed.
The bottom line is that these five farts were machine endorsed candidates. If they didn't believe in Republican principles, then they shouldn't have accepted their support. But they did...
Raja is in charge of the machine. Therefore, I propose that he assert his influence over these five RINO's and this is what needs to happen:
1. A conservative needs to be selected to replace Jim Fraasch;
2. No additional work on the high school renovation project should be conducted until:
a. Each of these five RINO's decide to voluntarily resign in a coordinated manner after hearing from Raja;
b. Each of their replacements will be selected with the RIGHT political perspective;
My God Dave, do you realize that our Republican Board is about to appoint a big union democrat to replace Jim Fraasch?
Lord help us!
Get a life....
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, our new Commission President is Dan Miller and our new Vice President is Joe DeIuliis.
I missed most of the interviews at the School Board meeting because I had recorded the Commission meeting. I did head back to the High School and had just missed Rob Gardner's interview. I will be at the meeting tomorrow evening and will upload both recordings after the interviews are over.
Elaine, do you have a list of the SB applicants? Thanks.
Nope, Dave, I don't. There was no list available at the meeting last night. The meeting concluded at 8:50, so tonight's meeting shouldn't be too late either.
Elaine
I think that you need to get a life David Franklin! You've not only demonstrated that you have very little understanding of the issues confronting our community; but you have now shown all of us that you have absolutely no idea how to manage a political machine - clearly something that you and your neighbor Raja share!
Political power doesn't come from he corporate boardroom, Stroyd's little PR quips for Reed Smith, or how much money either you or Raja have - it's a grassroots effort that builds a strong foundation and moves upwards.
You should do what I did nd sent some time with the Democrats in Chicago and you'll see it fast!
Better yet, Mr F, maybe you can join me sometime for physical exercise. I do not have the country club membership, but I love getting into the city and running 75-85 miles a week; and biking 250 mi per week at the beach - which is a whole lot better for my health than standing around with a pot belly holding a beer can while telling a bunch of kids to get out here and work!
Yours very truly,
John Kendrick
I'm told these are the applicants that were interviewed last night:
Timothy Griffin
William Cooper
Marita Schardt
Paul Vescio
Joe Dimperio
Robert Gardner
Leah Reynolds
Thanks for posting the names, Dave. I'll post the names from tonight's meeting when I get back home. I am not sure why the need for secrecy, since this new Board is supposed to be more transparent. I am not seeing it happening. If anything, it has gotten worse.
Elaine
I've been told that the Board is technically permitted to do all of this in executive session, and that public applicant interviews have never been conducted like this before. So, in that respect, combined with the public's opportunity to make comments, it seems like this is a step in the right direction.
Given the amount of tension that seems to exist these days relative to the school project, etc. it probably made some sense to keep the names under wraps for the 10 days since the application deadline. I can only imagine what would have been said/written about some folks in advance if the names were released before last night.
I understand that Matt Kluck was not the endorsed candidate by the Republican Party. Just a little tidbit I picked up.
This made me chuckle. It's from the LeboGOP website:
Elected Officials
Congressman: Tim Murphy
Attorney General: Tom Corbett
State Senator: John Pippy
County Councilman: Vince Gastgeb
Commissioners
D.Raja, (Ward 1)
Joe Deluliis, (Ward 3)
Dale Colby, (Ward 4)
School Board
James Fraasch
Mark Hart
Ed Kubit
Dan Remely
Susan Rose
Alan Silhol
Mr. Corbett is now our Governor, Mr. Colby is sadly deceased, Mr. Hart, Mr. Silhol and Mr. Fraasch are no longer on the School Board and Mr. Fraasch has resigned from the party itself!
What a machine!
David F:
Hate to be a stickler for details David, but your true colors may be showing.
If you visit the Lebo Democrats' Home page one of the Current HOT Topics is the Onorato for Govenor button.
Another incredibly competent "machine" or as you like to defend our school board volunteers... neighbors donating their time an efforts in attempting to make Lebo a better community?
Personally, I'd like to think both parties are composed of citizens trying to doing their best. Not always making the right decision perhaps, but attempting to do so.
In Ron Chernow's book "WASHINGTON A LIFE" he writes of GW as saying: "Calling criticism of error 'the prerogative of freemen'"
So as residents and 'freemen' criticizing our elected officials is our prerogatove! Demeaning reputations is not, there is a difference.
Dean Spahr
Dave,
Your source is not correct about executive session.
Please note the following paragraph from the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act:
Section 708. Executive sessions
(a) Purpose. An agency may hold an executive session for one or more of the following reasons:
(1) To discuss any matter involving the employment, appointment, termination of employment, terms and conditions of employment, evaluation of performance, promotion or disciplining of any specific prospective public officer or employee or current public officer or employee employed or appointed by the agency, or former public officer or employee, provided, however, that the individual employees or appointees whose rights could be adversely affected may request, in writing, that the matter or matters be discussed at an open meeting. The agency's decision to discuss such matters in executive session shall not serve to adversely affect the due process rights granted by law, including those granted by Title 2 (relating to administrative law and procedure). The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any meeting involving the appointment or selection of any person to fill a vacancy in any elected office.
As I said previously, we are moving in the wrong direction.
Point taken Dean. To be honest, I didn't even go to their site. This thread has been 100% about the perceived power of the Republican Party in Mt. Lebanon, or "the machine" as it's been referred to, and how it can and should rid our SB and Commission of those who won't play along.
I've been challenging that laughable premise and thought what I found on the GOP website was kind of funny - in the context of this thread. I probably would have done the same thing had we been talking about the Democrats.
That said, the irony of these mistakes is not lost on me especially since a number of people that have been absolutely abusing the school district for website mistakes and typos are same folks who support the Lebo GOP or suggest that SB members should resign.
What do they say about people who live in glass houses?
Thanks Elaine, I will inform my source immediately. It appears that you are correct.
David, you wrote: "That said, the irony of these mistakes is not lost on me especially since a number of people that have been absolutely abusing the school district for website mistakes and typos are same folks who support the Lebo GOP that SB members should resign."
Let us not forget there were plenty of folks on the other side that wanted to kick James Fraasch off the SB for his views!
Remember "What the Kluck!"
Its awful, that we can't have intelligent, factual, truthful conversations in this community without talk about beer bellies, private swimming pools and kitchen remodeling!
Or that we residents would STAND FOR a public flogging of a resident with construction credentials trying to assist on the HS project in the paper by a public official.
Oh well, it truly isn't the Lebo I thought I moved too!
Dean Spahr
I agree Dean. I have always viewed my purpose on the blogs as being the voice of reason. I've never been shy about stepping in or even putting myself out there - probably even too much. I've tried to only interject when I feel like someone really had their facts mixed up or is headed off the deep end - like this thread started. A surprising number of people who don't comment, approach me at ball games or at church and thank me for the things I write.
Unfortunately, the blogs have become less of a place to learn and more of a place to bash. As a result, I'm done with them. I know I've said that in the past, but now I'm done. I'll read just to stay abreast of what's going on, but I have no interest in butting heads any longer.
Mr. Ewing and Mr. Kendrick, congrats, you win. However, I know the Mt. Lebanon that I live in is better than the nonsense I read online.
Dave, I back all my statements with facts. I spend a lot of time, both on the blog and on the website. I go to every meeting I can with my trusty recorder, which wasn’t so trusty tonight! I don’t appreciate you calling it nonsense. As far as this thread goes, it is one person’s opinion. I hesitated publishing the comments that were getting nastier and nastier from both sides. I agree that making comments about one’s weight is totally out of line. I am a little sensitive to that - obviously. Why did you drag John Ewing’s name into this? All he did was post SB vote totals. You write, “a number of people that have been absolutely abusing the school district for website mistakes and typos are same folks who support the Lebo GOP or suggest that SB members should resign.” This Republican thinks it is an absolute disgrace and embarrassment to the community when the school district continually has website mistakes and typos. Their explanation is that they don’t have spell check. My gosh, they are a school district! They are in the business of teaching kids how to spell! They don’t need spell check!
The traffic on this blog was at an all time high yesterday. I have John Kendrick and Dave Franklin to thank for "not being shy about stepping in or even putting [themselves] out there - probably even too much."
Elaine
David F, I hear you as I have frequently sworn off blogging for similar reasons.
Then I remind myself, I read and comment to learn and exchange ideas. Possibly contributing in a small part to a better community.
If we all could move past hurling stones we might find we're not all that far apart.
I bumped into this post in February by you on another blog: "Unfortunately, however, Mr. Fraasch is the only Board member who is being publicly flogged for his opinion. "
Seems to me Mr. Kendrick was suggesting that the RC should stand up for candidates like Mr. Fraasch, that follow the republican position.
You chose a different path of support.
Deep down, I think you two are on the same side on the big issue.
Dean Spahr
As my parting post, I've said for many months that if Mr. Kendrick would listen he'd recognize that we probably agree more than we disagree. Unfortuantely, despite my urging and the urging of others (including Mr. Fraasch), he and a couple others are so hung up on things like athletic associations etc. that they lose sight of the big picture.
At a minimum, they alienate too many people instead of encouraging discussion. I think this is evident from the fact that in the few months that Mr. Kendrick has been posting on a regular basis, the number of unique or returning commenters (at least on Blog Lebo) has dropped considerably. No one wants to listen to the same drum banging over and over again. And no one believes that the scorched earth plan has any basis in reality.
I mean seriously, please stand up and be counted if you concur with Mr. Kendrick's proposal that no additional work on the high school project should be conducted until (a) each of the Rep SB members voluntarily resigns in a coordinated manner after hearing from Raja; and (b)each of their replacements should be selected with his political perspective.
Please stand up and be counted if you think that the athletic associations are the nail in the coffin of our community.
Please stand up and be counted if you believe that our school district is in complete disrepair and our students are suffering because of it.
Please stand up and be counted if you think that the current SB is out to destroy our community.
These are all the points that have been hammered into us over and over and over again.
I'm curious to see who responds. I hear the same 3 or 4 people making these arguments, but very rarely does anyone new show up to agree with them. If I'm so out of touch then presumably this blog will be full of Mr. Kendricks telling me that I'm cluelss.
Lastly, I'm not leaving the blogs because Mr. Kendrick threw the fat joke out there. Trust me, I'm not that shallow. (Although I did expect something a bit more creative from someone with 14 post-graduate degrees.) Instead, I think I realized with that post that I no longer have the energy or the desire to argue over such nonsense. I argue plenty on the job . . . it's what I do. And I enjoy a good debate. However, there is no exchange of ideas anymore - just venom. Lately the blogs and the comments have been like a treadmill or the movie Groundhog Day . . . just the same stuff over and over again.
I suppose you can say that I have decided to find other things to do with my time.
Cheers!
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