In case you didn't get the invitation...

Invitation from the Mt. Lebanon School District  I hope there will be enough parking. 

P.S. Isn't "Ground Breaking" one word? 

We couldn't bring up costs.

During the Shared Parking Agreement Hearing, residents were not allowed to bring up any issues concerning costs.  We tried to bring up the fact that we are paying from the same purse, but the Commissioners were making their decision on what is best for the Municipality.  I don't believe the Zoning Hearing Board and the Planning Board made any exceptions for the School District.  The Commissioners are now weighing the possibility of waiving the $587,000 inspection fees for the high school renovation.  As Steve Feller said in the Trib this morning,

"There's no doubt this fee is significant, but this is the most significant project we have and the most significant burden on the inspectors."

Let's be consistent.  Why should the School District expect the Municipality to have their inspectors work at cost, when they approve increases for the Administration without blinking an eye? 

Read more:  Mt. Lebanon High School inspection fees create impasse

Estimated Value is $86 million?

The estimated value of the High School project is $86 million?  From the RSMeans site:
http://www.reedconstructiondata.com/project-leads/sample-leads/2011/03/26/1000646416/
Also, the bid date is April 12 at 1:30.  What about the $113.3 million from the Act 34 hearing?  Celli got $6 million. 

Can anyone explain the money difference of $27 million between the Act 34 board estimate of $113.3 million and the estimated bid value of $86 million from the RSMeans site?  I know there are soft costs not included in the bid amount... but up to perhaps $27,000,000? 

Thanks, Dan, for working on my Rockwood Park idea.

I got a voice mail yesterday from Dan Miller concerning my idea of developing the upper parking lot of Rockwood Park.  As I had written in an earlier post, I emailed the Commission, and as always, Dan Miller followed up, even though he is not from Ward 3.  The neighborhood has adopted Dan as our adopted commissioner these last four years, since he always responds to our needs.  That is why we all "heart" Dan Miller.
Dan went to Keith McGill, the Municipal Planner, who did the research.  Thanks, Keith!  Keith found that the property came to Mt. Lebanon in April and May 1972 from the Hofer estate.  It was taken to construct a public park FOREVER due to the severe parking problem in the immediate area.  Unfortunately, that house is long gone and now, a house is being built with a two car garage.  Dan agreed that it would have been perfect for at least three lots, but Mt. Lebanon cannot do anything else with the land.  The neighborhood is disappointed since the parking lot is just an invitation for illegal activity.
Dan, thank you for your response, as always.  I hope to pick up where you leave off in Ward 3.  You have spoiled us.

Planning Board says no to rewording the sign ordinance

At the Commission Discussion meeting last night, the Planning Board let the Commissioners know that they were not supporting their decision of changing the wording of the sign ordinance for the Save Our School signs that are "all over the neighborhoods." By changing the ordinance, it would be inviting and encouraging more signs and hate speech.  It was explained that while everyone is in favor of free speech, no one wants to limit free speech.  The harm that would be done by that exercise could outweigh the right.  It would be like yelling fire in a crowded theater, when there is no fire.  It would cause injury.  Another example given was, "My religion is right and your religion is wrong." Listen to the podcast at Commission discussion, part 1 on 3/28/11.  The Planning Board saw no reason to change the ordinance for the SOS signs.  Thank you, Planning Board, for taking a stand.
What a waste of everyone's time.  The groundbreaking ceremony is April 28.

I love my new porch roof!

It isn't done yet, but here is the picture from the Allegheny County website of my new porch roof.  

Here is the picture I took today.  As you can see, I still need to have it stained.

I got my reassessment from the County today.  They are really on top of things.  I had a building permit, since I always go by the rules.  I am not complaining, because those who know me, know that I pay my taxes as soon as I get the tax bill.  I paid my County taxes in early February!!  I am also mindful of people paying their fair share.  I was on a committee this past summer that sent out reminders to those who did not file for a Homestead Exclusion. This is a way to reduce your assessed home value by $15,000.  We sent a letter to the owner of this home:

His home is assessed at $189,000 without the Homestead Exclusion.  With the Homestead Exclusion, this house would be assessed at $174,000.  That is only $42,400 more than my home's reassessment after my Homestead Exclusion.

Here is the current picture from the County website.  Same house.

What confuses me is that this home was purchased in 2006 for $373,000, not $189,000.  It was remodeled in 2007, (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07342/840060-30.stm ) and is now on the market for $674,900.  As a candidate for Commissioner of Ward 3, I have been looking at ways to generate revenue for Mt. Lebanon.  Oh wait, this house is in Ward 3.  Oh my, it is the commissioner of Ward 3's home.  And he was just endorsed by the Republican Committee.   Imagine that.

I love my house.  I really love my new porch roof and am glad I spent the money to make it the way I have always wanted it to be.  I have no regrets.  Oh, I forgot.  I am not moving either.

We're civilized here.

Police were called at a school board meeting in West Middlesex, PA when teachers were given a 2.6% increase starting the second year of a six year contract.  Yes, 2.6% increase.  http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11088/1135539-100.stm Our board passed a 4.15% increase in August.  On Josephine Posti's Center Court blog, she wrote:

 In order to control this expense, there may be a reduction of several positions created by retirements with no new staff reflected in this budget. The second way we addressed this issue was by negotiating a cost-efficient contract with our teaching staff. The Board approved this five-year contract in August; it provides reasonable salary increases to the teaching staff. http://jposti.blogspot.com/2011/03/2011-12-budget-information.html 

Now we are going to have larger class sizes, fewer teachers, and a nice, new sports facility.  Love it!

Martha says...

Yes, I admit it.  I am on Martha Stewart's mailing list.  Today's email had a list of 101 ways to get started going green.  Martha suggests getting a library card.  I suggest donating your savings to Mt. Lebanon Public Library.  Martha says to reclaim wood furniture.  I say to go out in your neighborhood on trash night and see all the goodies that can be recycled.  Martha says to vote for change.  I say, "Absolutely!"
Read 98 other ways to get started here.  101 Ways to Get Started Going Green

Update 3/29/11 I understand there is an ordinance against garbage picking.  I don't recommend driving through neighborhoods with a dump truck. We have lots of fun on our street when we are getting ready to put out our garbage. The neighbors will make an announcement and ask if there is any interest in such and such, before it goes to the curb.  It is an opportunity to get together with friends while going green. 

Meet and Greet was Yiayia approved!

I want to say thank you to all the church ladies, a. k. a. church yiayias, who made yesterday's Meet and Greet extra special.

The Greek pastries were all made by them and enjoyed by all!  My committee did a fantastic job.  Thank you!! Most of all, I want to thank all who came to the church.  I enjoyed meeting everyone.  I was surprised to see Democrats taking Voter Registration applications because they wanted to switch parties.  I wish I had a dollar for every time someone would say to me, "Isn't he moving? It was on the news." when people would ask me about my opponent.  I would respond by saying I was on the news on May 24, 2010 when the School District passed that whopper of a budget and was quoted as saying that I didn't want to move. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_683087.html I am here to stay.  

P.S.  The Yiayias love the commercials but were quick to point out that hummus isn't Greek.   

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

I am still getting questions about last week's hearing.  Yes, I received a certified letter.  It was not on official letterhead, but was computer generated.  Note the spelling of the attorney's last name.  Note the signature was in a different font and not hand written.  Note the conditions I was to return the call.  Note that the letter was not dated.  Here is the envelope.  It is not typed and the spelling of the last name has one "R" while "Borrelli" was spelled with two "R's" in the letter.  Does that printing look familiar? No missed calls showed up on my caller ID, either on my home phone or on my cell phone.  No attorney was ever listed on the docket.  The contact number on the letter was to a cell phone.  The Court was never copied. 
I have nothing else to report.  I have been totally transparent about the whole process.  It is unfortunate that I didn't have a Democrat file the challenge, but as I said before, "Live and learn."

Update 03/28/11 I also received a copy of the letter via regular mail on Saturday, March 19, 2011.  This is the envelope sent regular mail.  It, too, was not typed and the spelling of the last name had one "R" in the return address.  At least they're consistent!

Meeting date changed

The Mt. Lebanon Commissioners will be discussing the recommendations made by the land use ad-hoc committee on April 25, 2011, instead of March 28, 2011 according to the Agenda posted on the Mt. Lebanon Municipal website.

3-28-11 Discussion Session Agenda

Yiayia on everything

My daughter sent me these three videos.  "Yiayia" is Greek for grandmother.  I am a Greek grandmother of two.  It is good to laugh sometimes.  Hope you enjoy these off topic commercials.

Thanks for sending these, Stephanie!

So do we!

Bethel Park must 'Just Say No'

"Just Say No" has been a popular phrase to keep young people away from using drugs.

However, this phrase is also a very appropriate response to encourage the Bethel Park School Board to "Just Say No" to any further spending of our taxpayer dollars.

As a matter of fact, it is crucial that the board cut out some of the spending now, in order to balance the present budget, which is in its preliminary stage for 2011-2012.

The projected revenue for this budget is $72,991,459.00, but the projected expenditures total $74,303,447.00. Simple subtraction tells us that this budget is about $1.3M in the red.

There is no money in our Keystone State to reimburse Bethel Park schools or any other school district in Pennsylvania. Bethel Park's loss from state reimbursement is over a million dollars.

If the former governor and administration could have "just said no" to spending, the forecast would not have been so bleak.

Overtaxation ruins a nation. In Bethel Park, "Just Say No."

A. Potocar

http://www.thealmanac.net/alm/story10/03-23-2011-letter-BP-Potocar

Live and learn

Just got back from going before Judge James.  I want to set the record straight.  I challenged one signor on Kristen Linfante's nomination petition (Democratic candidate for Ward 3 Commissioner) who lived in Castle Shannon.  Ms. Linfante doesn't know where the Mt. Lebanon/Castle Shannon border is.  Scary when someone who is running for Commissioner isn't clear where the municipality ends.  I challenged Kristen Linfante's nomination petition because I had serious doubt that each line was filled in by the signor.  The rules are as such:  "Each person who signs a nomination petition must insert the following information about him or herself:

1. Signature;
2. Printed name;
3. Address of residence, including street and number, if any;
4. Their municipality; and
5. The date on which he or she signed the nomination petition."

I questioned, not the signatures as Rob Gardner and Kristen Linfante announced on other blogs, but the rest of the information that was inserted on most lines.  Here is the link to the docket.  Case ID GD 11 004872 Decide for yourself.  We will never know because I "did not have standing."  That means that since I am a Republican, I cannot challenge a Democrat.  Who knew?  I did learn something that is definitely worth the $78 I spent to file the objection.  Joe DeIuliis, Republican Commissioner of Ward 3, who was just endorsed by the Republican Committee for the May Primary, has a For Sale sign in his front yard, his family has been quoted in the media that they want to move far away, was also at this hearing and was smiling when I found out that the judge had to deny the challenge.  Pretty interesting, huh?

Build houses here

On March 28, 2011, the Mt. Lebanon Commissioners will be discussing the recommendations made by the land use ad-hoc committee, trying to generate additional revenue for Mt. Lebanon. Recommendations of the land use ad-hoc committee include possible sale of a portion or all of the Mt.Lebanon Golf Course for development, and getting Right of Ways into the tax base.  Another recommendation by the committee includes Parks development such as selling off parcels of Bird Park.

I will not be able to attend Monday's meeting, so I will be emailing the Commissioners with my idea, as well posting it here.

Living next to Rockwood Park since 1985, my husband and I adopted the park and enjoyed watching our kids play with their friends.   Even when our youngest would ride his "Big Wheel," the neighborhood parents would drink coffee and stay outside with our kids until the streetlight came on.  We hosted Foster School "field trips" where the kids and their families would have lunch in the park and we handed out popsicles for dessert.  We had many birthday parties under the shelter.  But we never let the kids go to the upper parking lot.  It is secluded and attracts a lot of illegal activity.  I am sure Public Works could tell you what kind of debris is left behind.  The neighbors on Rockwood Avenue have been dealing with this issue for years. 

So here is my proposal.  Develop the upper parking lot of Rockwood Park.  The neighbors would welcome five or even six new homes built there.  Presently, a new home is being constructed next to the parking lot and will have its own driveway and garage.  The old home that was there previously used the upper parking lot since there was no driveway available.  It would revitalize the neighborhood, reduce police calls, and the green space would remain untouched, while generating revenue for Mt. Lebanon. 

I know it isn't scientific but...

What is the main reason for choosing where you live?  http://www.yoursouthhills.com/poll/what-main-reason-choosing-where-you-live  The results, so far, are surprising.

Does it make sense here?

I  understand that the city's school superintendent said it makes no sense to advance construction projects at this time. She favors making sure there are enough textbooks, teachers, classrooms, etc. The last sentence in the following quote really hits home.

"In this difficult fiscal climate, it makes absolutely no sense for the district to borrow and spend $60 million on capital projects," Ms. Lane said in a news release.

"I have reviewed our spending plan with staff and believe that these reductions are necessary to maintain fiscal discipline, while still allowing for required investments in our facility maintenance. For the time being, we're only borrowing for our most basic facility needs like fixing our roofs, windows and boilers as well as safety issues."

Read more: City schools may reduce capital spending by 75 percent

Union urges teachers to "seriously consider" pay freeze

In today's Post Gazette.

Union urges teachers to "seriously consider" pay freeze

Meeting with the Manager

Yesterday, Manager Steve Feller was kind enough to meet with me.  I presented two different revenue generating ideas to him.  Upon further discussion, both ideas were viable.  In fact, Steve had said that I knew more about the one option than he did.  Oh my!  That made my day!!!
You ask, "What are they?"  Still gathering facts to make the presentation at a Commission meeting.  Steve, if you are reading this, I have decided to present this to the Commission.  Shhhh.

House bill would allow non-seniority teacher layoffs

In addition to advocating government transparency, I believe our government must assume fiscal responsibility.  What I don't like to see is unemployment.  That is why I started my annual community service project, Dress 4 Work. I collect clothing suitable for job interviews, which in turn is donated to Capacity Developers, a non-profit that provides systems of support to ensure self-reliance, healthy families and economic stability. 

Now I am seeing our School District in dire straits; holding town hall meetings in empty rooms, raising taxes, and facing a $113.3 million project during a time when our governor is proposing deep cuts in education. 

New legislation would, for the first time in decades, allow teachers and other school professionals to be laid off to help close budget shortfalls.
Read more here:  House bill would allow non-seniority teacher layoffs 

"Weapon of Mass Instruction"

Here is an easy to understand presentation about the Sunshine Law from the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records.   http://www.dced.state.pa.us/public/oor/SunshineLaw.pdf

Celebrate Sunshine Week, March 13 - 19.

Meet and Greet

Meet and Greet

Elaine Gillen

Republican Candidate for 3rd Ward Commissioner

at Holy Cross Community Center

123 Gilkeson Road

Saturday, March 26, 2011

2-4 PM

Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP preferred:

elaine@elainegillenward3.com

412.780.0591

 

Update on the Joint Steering Committee meetings

As late as last night's Commission Discussion Session, the Commission has not received an answer from the School Board concerning the status of the Joint Steering Committee meetings.  Commissioners DeIuliis and Brumfield are on board to represent the Commission once the School Board agrees to public Joint Steering Committee meetings. 

Tonight's Town Hall Meeting

The Revenue Generating Team for the Mt. Lebanon School District held their town hall meeting tonight at the Mt. Lebanon High School Library.  The audience consisted of a man, a woman who came in late, and a Boy Scout.  The only School Board member in attendance was Mary Birks.  Dr. Steinhauer was present, but did not speak.  Jan Klein revealed that the Revenue Generating Team has been having meetings since May 2010.  The meeting lasted eleven minutes and 29 seconds and has been posted on lebocitizens.com.  No TV cameras were in use this evening.  The Team had nothing to offer.  Sounds like it was a success.

Update 10:50 P.M. Please listen to the 11 minute meeting, if you can.  You will hear how the School District dropped the ball with the Mt. Lebanon Foundation of Education.  The comment was made that there was little effort from the School District because no one "felt any pain." This was the only comment made at the meeting.  I think there was a message tonight.  It was advertised on the Municipal website, the School District website, Lebo Citizens' blog, and Lebo Citizens' website.  One woman, one man with a recorder, and a Boy Scout.

Update March 10, 2011 12:48 P.M. Kaitlynn Riely's article, http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11069/1130905-55.stm, failed to mention that Jackie Foor, the one attendee with a comment, is the Executive Director for Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education. Is that a paid position?

Mt. Lebanon's Public Information Office

I had a very interesting visit with Susan Morgans and staff today.  I was unaware of all the services that the Public Information Office provides.  Besides mtl Magazine, I asked lots of questions about the Municipal website.  Having two websites and a blog,  I was interested in the possibility of web streaming meetings instead of watching meetings on the Mt. Lebanon cable station, or relying on the podcasts on lebocitizens.com.  I know that the podcast section of my website attracts the most hits.  People want to know what is going on, but it has to fit their schedule, not the TV schedule.  I try to record all the meetings in Mt. Lebanon, but when there are meetings scheduled simultaneously,  or I can't get someone to cover for me (usually David Huston) when I have a conflict, it creates a problem.  The Municipality has been great about transparency, and today after talking to Susan Morgans,  I was thrilled to hear about a program that she has discovered.  The company that she has been talking with, is Granicus.  They would provide web streaming of all the meetings, with full access on the Municipal website.  Here is the cool part.  The agenda would be attached to the web streaming.  If you were interested in one particular part of the agenda, you would click on that and it would take you to that part of the meeting.  You wouldn't have to go through the whole meeting to find that one item on the agenda.  Also, there would be an interactive part, allowing residents to submit comments up to the meeting.  Elected officials could get citizen feedback minutes before a meeting.  So cool!!!
Transparency, citizen involvement on their own schedule, live indexing...now that's what I'm talkin' about!!  We need this!!

Corbett's Budget Cuts

In today's Post Gazette:

"The combination of up to $1 billion in cuts of state funding to school districts, combined with a voucher proposal that would be funded with dollars from school districts, combined with increased pension obligations and other costs, are threatening to cause dramatic cutbacks in school districts across the state," he said.

The $1 billion is federal money that is supporting the state's basic education subsidy but is not expected to be renewed.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11066/1130255-454.stm#ixzz1FvV7pJWz

Why am I writing about school district cuts, when I am running for Commissioner?  I am a resident and have great concern for Mt. Lebanon.  I have expressed to the District that government funding was going to dry up. I pleaded with the School Board, demanding fiscal responsibility by scaling back the renovation to a more manageable number. And now I read this in today's PG.  That is why I was quoted on May 24, 2010 saying, "This is a sad day for Mt. Lebanon."  That was the day the District budget was passed.  I just wanted the District to spend wisely. 

Update 11:55 AM In all fairness to the School District, there will be a town hall meeting tomorrow evening at 7 p.m. in the High School Library.  This meeting is open to the public and gives us an opportunity to help the School District figure out how they are going to pay for the renovation, I mean, generate more revenue for the District.  Revenue Generating Review Team Holds Town Hall Meeting.
I hope the District televises the meeting.  I will be at the Commission meeting, so I will not be able to record it.  

Broken bulb? Evacuate the building according to the EPA

Got this in my mail box. 
Watch this video.   Keep in mind, these are the same energy saving bulbs that are being proposed for the high school to achieve LEED certification. 

I use these bulbs at home and dispose of them at IKEA.  Maybe we should have a recycling program for CFL bulbs here in Mt. Lebanon.

Celebrate Sunshine Week 2011

Sunshine Week is March 13-19.  Sunshine Week is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Celebrate Sunshine Week 2011 by emailing the School Board and Commission (schoolboard@mtlsd.net and commission@mtlebanon.org) Urge them to do more than just make broad statements of support of greater transparency.  The Commission took a stand and rescinded their decision to hold closed Joint Steering Committee meetings with the School Board because we cried foul.  Three Commissioners listened.  Two didn't.  Let your elected officials know that they need to do more.

For more information about Sunshine Week, go to http://sunshineweek.org/About.aspx

Update 8:35 P.M.  Clarification from Dan Miller:

You of course know the outcome of how that went down.  Then when the solicitor conducted his review of the case law four commissioners agreed to only have public joint steering meetings (this was done in executive session with one commissioner not yet present). So in essence it was unanimous to support the solicitors opinion to rescind the offer to participate in private joint steering meetings. 

Dan would not say which commissioner was not present since it was done in executive session, but the vote was 4-0. The Feb. 17 Trib article http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_723014.html failed to say that a fourth commissioner changed his mind and the vote was 4-0.

Update 11:50 P.M.  Dan Miller posted this time line on his blog.  http://danmillerward5.com/joint-steering-meetings-with-school-board  Thanks for clearing it up, Dan.  Bottom line is that we want the School Board to be like the Commission.

Selling off the golf course? Sections of Bird Park?

On Tuesday, March 8, during Dr. Steinhauer's town hall meeting to share new revenue sources for the schools, the Mt.Lebanon Commissioners will be discussing the recommendations of the land use ad-hoc committee, trying to generate additional revenue for Mt. Lebanon. Recommendations of the land use ad-hoc committee include possible sale of a portion or all of the Mt.Lebanon Golf Course for development, and getting Right of Ways into the tax base.  Another recommendation by the committee includes Parks development such as selling off parcels of Bird Park. 

So now, the choice is ours.  Do we go to Dr. Steinhauer's town hall meeting or do we go to the Commissioners' meeting?  I know which meeting I am going to.

Update 4:00 p.m. The Commmission Discussion Agenda has been posted. http://www.mtlebanon.org/archives/35/Discussion%20Session%20Agenda%203-8-11.pdf 

Ad-hoc land use committee discussion has been moved to March 28.

They are doing it again.

I just got this Lebo Alert:

This is an important notice from LeboALERT.

Share ideas about new revenue sources for the schools at a town hall meeting, Tues., March 8, at 7 p.m. in the high school library. Or e-mail tsteinhauer@mtlsdnet. 

Another conflict.  Again. The Commission is meeting on Tuesday, March 8.  The Commissioners moved their conflicting Monday meetings to Tuesdays to accomodate the residents who would like to attend School Board meetings as well as Commission meetings.  The School District scheduled their reconvened meeting to coincide with the Commission meeting on February 28.  I am seeing a pattern. 

Answers

Susan Morgans was nice enough to respond to my questions in this blog post, What happened to us? I am reprinting her email with her permission.  She asked that if I do post her remarks, that they would be unedited.  I think the server that I use added some weird spacing, which it is known to do. I am reprinting it as it arrived in my mailbox.

Good Morning,  Elaine:

I noted your questions about the school district insert in Mt. Lebanon magazine and wanted to provide you with at least a partial answer:

    1.The school district provided the content (including copy, renderings, captions, etc.)  and paid for the insert.  We laid it out for them, provided proofreading services and took care of the printing and mailing.  We charged them our best nonprofit rate-the one we afford our own recreation department.  The magazine is charged with generating revenue, so we made a small profit on the insert, as we do with any "insert,"  which covered our time spent.

    2. Mt. Lebanon Magazine is not required to include any information about the schools.  We do write about the schools regularly, at no charge to the district (but paid for by advertising we sell), because schools are an important part  of our community and we are a community magazine.  A paid insert  is something that we do occasionally and upon request.

    3. The school district opts to include these "inserts" in the magazine because it is cheaper to reach every household through the magazine than it is to do a separate mailing.

    4.  My office talked with no one about this or the previous insert except Cissy Bowman (and Dr. Steinhauer's secretary , Janine, whom we called to tell we would be sending a proof) about this or the previous insert.

    5. We had no  requests from any individual or group to speak with us about the insert.

   6. Mt. Lebanon Magazine accepts paid inserts from any nonprofit or for profit entity, so long as the content is suitable for a family audience.  The entity paying for the insert is responsible for the content.

I understand that you do not like content of the insert, but the school district would have provided this information to the public in one way or another, and including it in the magazine was a very cost-effective way.

Sincerely,

Susan
--
Susan Fleming Morgans
Public Information Officer/Editor, Mt. Lebanon Magazine
Mt. Lebanon Municipality
710
412-343-3780Visit us at www.mtlebanon.org
or at www.facebook.com

Washington Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15228

I just don't get it.

Last night, I watched the Commission discuss signage ordinances at the Discussion meeting.  For those of you who don't know what the Discussion meeting is, it is the meeting that is open to the public and it precedes the Commission meeting, also open to the public.  The discussion about signage was over the SOS signs. Phi Weis, our Solicitor, will be rewriting the ordinance so that the SOS signs can stay up indefinitely because of the First Amendment.  After that, it will be passed on to the Zoning Hearing Board for approval.  While all this discussion was going on, the School Board Directors approved the PlanCon F Submission, and can now advertise for solicitation of bids for the project.  We're now paying the Municipal Solicitor to rewrite the ordinance over a done deal.  At the Commission meeting that followed, a shop owner from Washington Road commented that he signed a five-year lease and was hoping that some attention would be given to the shop owners with regard to signage ordinances.  He has a large storefront, but is restricted from having a sign that would be in proportion to it. Why is so much time and money being wasted on SOS signs, when we have local businesses (thank goodness for them!) trying to survive in this economy asking for more visibility?  I just don't get it.

Update 10:23 a.m. Before a small group twists what I said into something else, for the record, I am all for the First Amendment.  Of course!!!  I just don't understand the need for this group to continue to protest when it is over.  They won.  They are getting everything they asked for.  Let's move on, folks.  We've got local businesses trying to survive.  They are faced with higher tax bills, like the rest of us.  We're trying to adjust to your plan that you fought for.