Agenda posted for Commission's Wednesday meeting

The Commission has posted their agenda for Wednesday, November 2. http://www.mtlebanon.org/archives/30/Supplemental%20Agenda%2011-2-11.pdf The second item of business on the agenda after Citizen Comments is clarification on Resolution Number R-16-11 a.k.a. the rec bond. Here we go again.

Docket in Your Pocket

There's an app for that now. According to an article in today's PG, for $2.99 you can do your own background checks for the coaches, babysitters, bus drivers, or anyone else who has contact with your kids. Tomorrow's Policy Committee has a discussion for background checks on bus drivers listed on their agenda.

Is there anyone available to record the meeting for me? Any candidates running for school board or any of the sports people who might be there to hear the concussion protocol discussion? I won't be able to attend, but would like to have a podcast for the website.  Yes, I am aware that the school district is providing that service now.

School Board Candidates Q and A

Did everyone see this? http://www.mtlsd.org/district/districtpta/schoolboardcandidatesqanda.asp
PTA submitted a list of questions to the school board candidates. Click on their names for their responses.

Good news

Mt. Lebanon High School's swim coach will return to his position after charges of child endangerment that had forced his suspension were recently dropped, a school district spokeswoman said.

Cissy Bowman of the Mt. Lebanon school district, said David Schraven had been suspended during the court's investigation but will be reinstated starting Monday.

Principal Brian McFeeley Friday sent a letter to parents of all students at the high school, alerting them of the decision.

Police said Mr. Schraven, 44, left his 7-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son alone in the car while he shopped at a Giant Eagle supermarket for more than 20 minutes on Aug. 25.

Two misdemeanor counts of child endangerment and a summary count of leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle were dropped Oct. 20 after Mr. Schraven gave the court proof that he completed parenting courses prior to the hearing.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11302/1186154-100.stm

Update on the rec bond debate

Information is pouring in today.  First, Dan Miller has updated his blog to include a post about the rec bond. Thank you, Dan, for giving me the heads up. Compromise Rec Bond Resolution Update  Sorry I didn't post it sooner, Dan, but as I had said, I was out most of the day.

I am still trying to put the pieces together.  First of all, why isn't this being discussed at the next commission meeting?  Joe DeIuliis missed the meeting.  Now everyone knows that I am not a big fan of the guy, but maybe he has some questions.  Or does this have something to do with the election?  His opponent has already said that she is bringing it back up in January "when" she wins. Everyone knows I am not a big fan of her either, but if she is for it, I am suspicious - but that is another story.

I understand that there is another option that has surfaced.  This letter was sent to Steve Feller today. I won't reveal my sources, but I can tell you that I didn't get it from Steve Feller or Matt Kluck. PNC advised against a line of credit, but Dollar Bank seems to want a chance to work with us.  Wouldn't it be in the best interest of the community to hear what they have to say? The commissioners can vote on refinancing the bond and discuss the recommended budget on Wednesday and move the rec bond issue to November 14.  To me, I think Dollar Bank is making a reasonable request.  Wouldn't this be a compromise for a compromise rec bond?

Like a phoenix, the rec bond rises from its ashes.

Gee, did I say that the rec bond issue was dead? Not according to the Trib $7 million loan could be nixed in Mt. Lebanon

Because DeIuliis excused himself between the discussion and voting sections of Monday's meeting because of an unspecified illness, the commissioners could revive the issue and hope for a fourth vote at a special Nov. 2 meeting when they are refinancing other bonds, Miller said.

Not according to the Lebo Alert:

Mt. Lebanon Commission will hold a special meeting Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Bldg. to consider refinancing 2007 bonds.

Looking for a great place to eat lunch or dinner?

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church is hosting their annual Fall Food Fair today through Friday.  Lunch is available from 11:30 to 2:00 and Dinner is 4:30 to 8:00.  Rain or Shine - looks like all rain.  Don't forget to check out Yiayia Joan's Attic.  You may find that LP you have been trying to locate. Click HERE for details.  I will be working as a cashier, so I hope to see you there!!!

Youtube video from last school board meeting

I got this letter to the editor from someone who wishes to remain anonymous. 

I am a longtime reader of your blog, but prefer to remain anonymous like many of your other readers. 

 

I taped the board meeting from channel 19 and ...made this for me and put it on youtube. I'm clueless on most tech stuff.  In fact, I was hoping you would post this on your blog for your other readers to see since I didn't know how to put a link in a comment.

 

This video particularly worries me because if Mr. Cannon doesn't bother to inform himself about protocols or take the time to read an agenda for a board meeting, how do we expect him to be able research and prepare for the issues that face the school board?

 

Thanks for all that you do to keep the community informed.

 

http://www.youtube.com/user/lebovideo29

OK, Dan, only 'cause I like you...

I am going to attempt to explain what happened tonight with the recreation bond.  Dan, Dave, David, Bill, and Dave, help me out here if I don't get it completely straight.  It was a long night and they were nice enough to stay after the meeting to try to explain it to me.

At the Discussion Session, we heard a presentation from Steve Diaz where he proposed a business offer to look at ways to get funding from the government and public/private partnerships.  All five commissioners were present for this proposal. I know how much he wanted per hour, but it was never discussed at the meeting, so I am not sure if I can disclose that here.  Let me just say that it was a crap load of money.  How am I doing so far, guys?

OK, Discussion Session is over and Joe DeIuliis high tails out just before the Commission meeting is ready to begin.  It is time for the vote for the resolution for the rec bond.  Dan Miller explained that the resolution was a compromise for the community.  He had made a passionate speech about the whole process including working on the pool project with Joe D., the years of research that were behind this resolution, and incorporating different suggestions made along the way. I believe Dan was sincere.  Dave and Bonnie also explained why they were behind the bond.  I will put the meeting online as soon as I can so that you can hear their thoughts.  Joe, of course was history.  I guess he was thinking votes.  Then Matt explained why he was not for the bond.  He wanted to pursue obtaining a line of credit from another bank which he felt had more to offer when PNC advised against obtaining a line of credit.  It was a very heated discussion.  Then came the vote.  Here is where it gets confusing.  The resolution passed 3-1.  But the bond issue is dead. In order to pass a bond, there must be four votes for it to pass.  So no pool improvements, even though it was Joe's project, no McNeilly fields, no improvements anywhere - not for the golf course, the Rec Center, existing fields.  Nothing.  It was a package deal. While I was against developing McNeilly Park, I had said many times that we need to fix what we have, including the fields we have, the pool, and the Rec Center, and that is not happening either.  According to those who stayed after the meeting, the time was right for this bond. 
Dan asked me to write about this and ask the question, was this the right decision for the community?  So there it is.  Was this the right decision for the community?


Update: Dan Miller's blog Compromise Rec Resolution Defeated,
 Podcast of meeting

Baldwin Patch announces tonight's Commission meeting

I have been following the Baldwin-Whitehall Patch and see that they announced tonight's Mt. Lebanon commission meeting. http://baldwin-whitehall.patch.com/articles/mt-lebanon-s-public-meetings-may-be-a-place-for-baldwin-township-residents Give it up, Baldwin.  The sports groups get their way in this town. Read this letter from the Mt. Lebanon Blue Devil Club signed by the Keystone Oaks Principal. We're stuck with this land.  If you want to buy it, and take it off of our hands, Baldwin, that would be swell.

Tonight's vote for McNeilly Fields and Pool Resolution

Tonight, the Commissioners will be voting to adopt Resolution R-16-11, the recreation bond issue.  No need to bring the kiddies dressed in their uniforms because it is going to be adopted.  Here is the resolution on Dan Miller's blog. http://danmillerward5.com/pool-and-fields-resolution The Commission has researched this project thoroughly and are content to build the fields at McNeilly Park.  I think it is a waste of money, but I am just one person. Chalk another one up for the sports groups.  Son, still zero places for skateboarders.

Please, no anonymous comments on this.

About that write-in campaign...

We have five seats open for school board and six candidates running for those seats. Sounds like a game of musical chairs, doesn't it? To make it a more interesting election, I thought it might be fun to ask for suggestions and set up another poll with those names to see who would win. So far, I have heard Giffen Good, Mickey Mouse, and even James Fraasch.  Maybe we can make a difference and get a message out to the board after all.  I will take anonymous comments on this thread, but only if they are reasonable.

Raja or Fitzgerald?

Pittsburgh Business Times started this poll on their site today.  I am curious to see how well our former commissioner would do on this Mt. Lebanon blog.
Jon Delano had an article in Pittsburgh Business Times last week titled, "Allegheny County executive race unlikely to draw large amount of voters."  Jon wrote:

The only independent poll to date, conducted by Civic Science using online methodology that old-time pollsters still question, gives Fitzgerald a 10-point lead over Raja, 41 percent to 31 percent. That leaves a whopping 28 percent undecided, more than enough to change the balance.

Does Raja have Mt. Lebanon's support?

DA drops case of Mt. Lebanon Swim Coach

All charges have been withdrawn against a Mt. Lebanon high school swim coach accused in August of leaving his two young children alone in a car while he grocery shopped, court records show.

The district attorney's office dropped all charges since parenting classes were completed prior to the hearing, a common occurrence in this type of situation.

 

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11293/1183550-100.stm

ML manager: It's time to invest in rec facilities

The Almanac didn't include the complaints about the holes in the walls at the rec center or the lack of hot water at the golf course.  See: http://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2011/10/coffee-with-manager-and-rec-staff.html

Donnellan and Feller agreed now is the time to invest in the buildings, such as the main recreation center building. When questioned Donnellan said an elevator is a high priority, but that any projected date for completion would be premature.

Read more: http://www.thealmanac.net/alm/story11/10-19-2011-ML-manager-s-coffee 
                   ML manager: It's time to invest in rec facilities (Saved in Google Docs)

Any relation?

In the Baldwin-Whitehall Patch, Robert Heally III interviewed Principal Scott Hagy of Keystone Oaks High School about the McNeilly Park "Sports Complex."

Keystone Oaks High Principal Scott Hagy and Seton-La Salle President Gary Rodgers were both interviewed for the Oct. 6 report, but neither had concerns over the proposed McNeilly Park.
"Mr. Hagy expressed no concerns in regard to criminal activities or traffic at the proposed McNeilly fields development," the report reads.

Isn't Mr. Hagy, Mt. Lebanon RB Luke Hagy's dad? Please tell me there is no connection.

Read more: http://baldwin-whitehall.patch.com/articles/more-details-available-of-mt-lebanon-baldwin-twp-athletics-complex

Let's say it together...

Myu-NIS-i-pul. For $151,420 a year, try to learn how to pronounce it.
Next week's lesson: Myu-nis-i-PAL-i-tee

Survey says...

 I am taking down the latest poll, but have recapped the results below.

Do you think the School Board Directors will answer our questions concerning the renovation?

Yes. They have been open and honest throughout the process.  We will get nine responses. 5 (10%)

Yes. We will get one generic response "For the Board."  5 (10%)

No.  40 (80%)

Total votes: 50

Eighty percent of you were correct.  I had no response from ANY of the school board directors.  I don’t believe they were addressed at the Architect’s Update.  To refresh everyone’s memory, here are the questions. 

We have questions.  We were ignored. We had a petition. We were ignored. Now, we expect it. Eighty percent got it right.  How sad.

When Dan Rothschild started his blog, the school board was thrilled to get input. Dr. Steinhauer formed his Key Communicator group, again for input. Now he has a student key communicator group. The Key Communicators started out with these members listed in alphabetical order by first name:

Al Frioni

Andy Rhodes

Betsy Dillon

Bill Cooper

Blaise Larotonda

Corey Polena

Dan Goff

Dave Reese

Deb Smit

Diane Wainwright

Elaine LaBalme

Elizabeth Glantz

Frank Baker

Frank Hines

Gail Sieg

Hugh Beal

Joe Polk

John Schrott

Kim Ressler

Kristen Linfante

Larry Lebowitz

Mary Ellen Schmidt

Rob Gardner

Rob Papke

Ruth Foltz

Sheldon Campbell

Sue Fretterd

Sue Simmons

Tom Moertel

That is quite a list. We have two bloggers, athletic supporters, two running for school board, one running for commissioner along with her campaign manager and her sidekick, one running the courtroom, writers for the Mt. Lebanon Magazine, and only two signed the petition to cap the renovation to $75 million.  He sure has his bases covered, doesn’t he?

The school board wants input, but they ignore our emails if we don’t agree with them. If we don’t go with the program, there is retribution. That is not very nice.

Dress 4 Work

We all know that the economy is bad.  Some people are living paycheck to paycheck. That is one of the reasons I spoke against the 10.5% increase in our school taxes. (Remember, some of the same board members are up for reelection, but that is another story.) However, the people who are living paycheck to paycheck are the lucky ones.  There are many more who are unemployed and cannot afford to buy nice clothes for interviews or work.  Some local charities do not accept men’s suits anymore.  Many times, the larger charities sell clothing by the pound to industries that turn them into rags or shred them for stuffing.  The clothes that do make the racks cannot be purchased by those out of work because they do not have the resources to do so. 

Four years ago, I started Dress 4 Work through my church, in conjunction with Capacity Developers, Inc. Capacity Developers work with individuals in preparing for job interviews or employment. During the month of November, I will be collecting men’s business, scrubs, and business casual attire that are clean and fashionable. Items needed are men’s suits, slacks and jackets, scrubs, work shirts, golf shirts, dress shirts, ties, socks, shoes, and coats.  

If you have any donations, contact me at EGillen476@aol.com for details.

Please check your closets and drawers and at the same time, help job-seeking men become self-sufficient members of their communities. Thank you for supporting this annual event and helping men Dress 4 Work.

Coffee with the manager and rec staff, Part 2

I thanked the Recreation Department for their new policy regarding background checks for volunteers who work with children.  Dave Donnellan mentioned that the Municipality had invested in new software that shortens the process to 2-3 days and only costs $18 per background check. I added how I was hoping the School District would adopt a similar policy.  As Steve Feller pointed out, many of the volunteers coach more than one sport or activity.  They will be contacting the School District, if they haven't already, to work together on this issue. 

Coffee with the manager and rec staff

The other day, I went to my first "Coffee with the Manager."  I thought it was a nice gesture on the part of the Municipality and the Community Relations Board.  Thanks, folks!

I was disappointed by the turn out.  There were just a handful of us, in addition to the Rec staff and members of the Community Relations Board. Not one athletic supporter in sight, despite the nasty comments made  in the April 22, 2011 Lebo Citizens post, Timely letter to the editor.

I listened to the requests directed to Dave Donnellan and was shocked to hear about the poor conditions at the Rec Center, Golf Course, and Tennis Center.  I heard about holes in the walls, lack of hot water, walls and floors in terrible shape, lockers in terrible shape, etc.  The answer given by Mr. Donnellan was that we had no money in the budget to fix these things.  I couldn't take it any longer. I had to say something.  I said that this is why people are so upset with the McNeilly Field project.  Our assets are deteriorating.  Yet, we want to start working on something else instead.  Dave Donnellan said that the lack of fields is the reason Bird Park is a mess.  It is overused and nothing will help that except more fields. Steve Feller started to say that I made a good point and maybe we could turf Bird Park.  I interrupted him, (Sorry Steve) saying we have ONE Rec Center, ONE golf course, ONE library and ONE Tennis Center.  We need to maintain what we have or we will have another neglected high school scenario on our hands. 

Naturally, I have many more questions. Are there other places that need tender loving care in Mt. Lebanon, besides the holes in the walls at the Rec Center, walls needing painted, or sadly - poorly maintained memorials?
How big is a soccer field?  Bigger than a football field?  How much would it cost to turf a soccer field?  Or repair the holes in the walls at the Rec Center, and all the other things mentioned at that meeting? 
We will have a one time windfall due to pension contributions.  I want to say that it is $600,000, but I might have dreamt that number.  Could we take the $125,000 pledge made by the Soccer Association and add it to the wish list to fix up what we have already?

Can't Let It Go

The person who first noticed Josephine Posti's knack for creative writing, has sent me this link.

 

http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowldc/politico-reporter-dismissed-for-plagiarism_b53286

 

If only...

Young Scholars visit

Dr. Deb Allen recently visited the Young Scholars of Western PA Charter School. http://yswpcs.org/?gallery=mount-lebanon-assistant-superintendent-dr-deborah-allen-visited-yswpcs

It will be interesting to read or hear a report of her visit.  It certainly looks like they tried to be friendly.

This was in yesterday's PG. Charter school in Baldwin Township offers international environment

A letter from the high school principal

Someone forwarded this email to me today.  I don't have children at the high school, but I still like to be informed of pilot programs, especially concerning technology.  I thought it would be something other taxpayers would be interested in reading, as well.

Dear Mt. Lebanon High School Parents/Guardians:

I'm pleased to announce the introduction of the Mt. Lebanon High School "Bring Your Own Technology" initiative that allows students to utilize their personal technology devices under certain circumstances and in certain areas of the high school building. This pilot program will focus on empowering students to use their personal technology devices for learning purposes in our educational setting.

This new initiative will be implemented in two ways as described below.

1. Beginning today in the high school library, guest network internet access is available to all faculty, staff, students, and guests. Students may now bring and use their own larger personal technology devices such as laptops, netbooks, iPads, Kindles, etc., in the library. In other words, the high school library is now considered a wi-fi "hot-spot" in ways similar to that of the public library, a coffee shop, a Panera's restaurant, etc. Please note that the use of cell phones/iPhones is still prohibited in the library.

2. The second option available to students and teachers will occur within individual classrooms. A group of teachers have volunteered to participate in this pilot program by allowing the use of students' personal technology devices including larger devices (laptops, netbooks, iPads, Kindles, etc.) and personal hand-held devices (cell phones, iPhones, iPods, etc.) within their classroom if their use is appropriate as part of the teacher's lesson. Participating teachers will inform students if they are participating in this pilot, and they will inform students when they are permitted to bring in and use a personal technology device in their class. (At all other times, use of these personal technology devices continues to not be permitted including in hallways, other classrooms, etc., during the school day.)

Please note that if your son or daughter brings a personal technology device, including a laptop, iPad, iPhone, etc., to school to use in the library or in a class with a teacher's approval, he or she is solely responsible for the security and maintenance of their device.

The high school faculty, administration, and district technology department, will be evaluating the outcomes of this pilot throughout the semester with the possibility of expanding the program during the 2nd semester. The cooperation of all students will be essential in helping to make this a successful initiative.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.


Sincerely,

Brian R. McFeeley

Principal
Mt. Lebanon High School

Harrisburg declares bankruptcy

Not good news.  I wonder what happens now with the renovation.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/12/ap/business/main20119213.shtml

Thank you, Municipality for Volunteer Screening Policy

There have been some changes in the Municipality concerning background checks and volunteers who work in programs or activities involving children. I stumbled upon this September 2011 Volunteer Screening Policy.

On a Rec Center Basketball Program sheet for 2nd-8th grade boys and girls, this appears about half way down the sheet:

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: New and Improved background clearance procedures!

Volunteer coaches are needed. Please check the "Contact me for volunteering" box on the REGISTRATION FORM.  Background checks are mandatory for coaches prior to the start of the season.  Applicants must sign a consent form and the cost of the clearance will be paid for by the Recreation Department. Turnaround time is typically 2-3 days.  For information, go to www.mtlebanon.org, click on Volunteer Opportunities.

I plan to go to the Coffee with the Manager tomorrow since the Rec Department staff will be special guests. I am so glad that the Rec Center sees how important this is.  Thank you!!!

What am I missing here?

This is from the Assistant Superintendents' presentation. Doesn't it seem like District math scores dropped, as well as six of the seven elementary schools' math scores? When I say that math is not my thing, can I say it is because I am a Mt. Lebanon graduate?

Why are we excited about this? 

It is infectious.

From the School District website:

School Board Meeting Presentation The presentation Dr. Allen and Dr. Ron Davis gave on student achievement at the Oct. 10 School Board meeting is now available online.

---

Architect Update: Oct. 10 At the Architect Update on Oct. 10, Tom Celli from Celli-Flynn Brennan presented an update on the exterior elevations of the high school and an updated bid schedule. PJ Dick presented an updated phasing schedule.
CFB presentation
PJ Dick Preliminary Phasing Schedule

Page 10 of the Architect Presentation:

Tentativ Date

It is amazing what is put out by the District and its Board members.

They can't spell, nor have they learned how to use a spell-checker.

They don't cite their sources of information.

And now their architect is infected by them.  We have no hope!

By the way, they are going to bid on a high school that has materials that will wear out in days instead of years.  All that money Dan Remely said we would save on utilities will be used to fix the cheap stuff that breaks just after the 90 day warranty expires.

Coffee with Manager Steve Feller on October 12

Latest Lebo Alert:

Coffee w/Manager Steve Feller Wednesday, Rec. Center, Cedar Blvd., 10-11:30 am & 7-8:30 pm. Special guests: Rec Department staff. All topics welcome.

Pa. Tightens Rules For Employment In Schools

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- A new Pennsylvania state law that overhauls criminal history disclosure rules for all public and private school employees also imposes a lifetime ban on working in a school for people who commit certain crimes.

The law, which was signed by Gov. Tom Corbett on June 30, took effect late last month.
School employees must now report any arrests or convictions of serious crimes in their past by Dec. 27.
Education Department spokesman Tim Eller said an employee who admits to having a conviction for one of 27 specific offenses must be terminated immediately. Those crimes include criminal homicide, drug convictions, sexual assault and luring a child.
The law applies to teachers, administrators, support staff and contractors.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/29433513/detail.html

How about good spelling as a goal?

Got my colorful campaign door card from the Cappucci, Cooper, and Lebowitz gang.  Anyone notice the spelling error?

Hint: It is one of their goals.



Let's look at their goals.  The first one talks about constituent satisfaction.  Remember how many of us wanted some or most of the current board members to resign in an earlier poll?  Let's not forget how we were ignored when I submitted our 25 questions about the renovation.  80% of us believed that the school board would not answer our questions concerning the renovation in the latest Lebo Citizens poll. How about the 4,000 of us who signed the petition?
The second goal talks about managing our finances responsibly. Don't see that happening with our latest Taj Mahal project.
The third goal is to move our district forward with a new Strategic Plan.  Isn't that one of Dr. Steinhauer's 2011-2012 goals?
And the final goal is to..oops...there it is: POSTION our district to be a leader in 21st-century education. 
I hope spell check will be included in 21st-century education.
I don't know Mr. Cooper, but when it comes to "Caring Leadership," the leader of the high school renovation doesn't seem to care that we have unanswered questions and that we do not approve of the cost of the project.

Catholic Diocese Says "No" to the Stormwater Fee

Mt. Lebanon is getting some resistance to their new stormwater fee, according to the Trib. St. Bernard, St. Winifred, and Seton-La Salle are withholding their payment since they are non-profits and feel that they are exempt from the "rainwater tax."

Mt. Lebanon nonprofits withhold new fee

Architect Update October 10

According to the school district website, there will be an Architect Update on Oct. 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the high school library. Wouldn't it have been nice to get a response from a board member acknowledging receipt of our questions and a note saying that they will pass on our questions to the architect at Monday's meeting?  Am I really asking too much?

This is the text from Apple's first commercial.  It is also on Josephine Posti's latest blog post over at Center Court.

"Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do." - Apple Inc.

“About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them.”  School Board, please think about that statement.

Correction: Apple's first Mac commercial aired in 1984.  "Think Different" was part of an advertising campaign created for Apple in 1997.

This is how it works, Josephine

Remember this?  Baldwin's McNeilly Park Dan Miller sent me a map showing the boundary lines. I asked him about it yesterday.  I got it today.
Map of McNeilly Park
Dan explained that the red corner of the property is in Baldwin.  It is in the lower right hand corner of the park. 

This is how it works, Josephine.  We had questions about McNeilly Park and we got answers.  I am still waiting to get a response from SOMEONE on the board about the 25 questions that I sent last Saturday, October 1. We have ten optimistic voters who believe you will answer our questions about the high school project.  In fact, five sincerely believe we will get nine individual responses from the board.

Thanks again, Dan. 

A record setting meeting

The Utilities Review Team met at the High School Library on Thursday night for a community forum.  The meeting lasted one minute, twenty two seconds.  If you have time to listen to it, here is the link. The Utilities Operation Review Team Community Forum 

Staff Report on Issues Pertaining to Proposed Improvements at McNeilly Park and Swimming Pool

Or... Everything You Ever Asked About McNeilly Park and more

The Commission asked the Mt. Lebanon staff to prepare a report on the proposed improvements at McNeilly Park and the Swimming Pool by October 6, 2011.  Here is the link to the 112 page report.
Staff Report on Issues Pertaining to Proposed Improvements at McNeilly Park and Swimming Pool 
It includes traffic studies, public safety review, a written analysis of maintenance costs, a proposed fee schedule for use, comments from advisory boards, maps, etc.  It is all there - from 2003 to today, October 6, 2011.

I haven't had a chance to read it, but it looks pretty impressive. Thank you,  Commissioners for your transparency, as usual.

We caught it here, but our system is broken

A former assistant professor from Pitt's School of Nursing was caught plagiarizing and has been sanctioned.

Although the article cleared the peer review process, the editor decided to run the article through the Cross Check database, a compendium of previously published research. When the check verified her suspicions, the editors checked Weber's other articles.

"The machine caught it. The system worked," Spilka said.

Ultimately, the publisher issued retraction notices on seven articles that ran in the three magazines and halted publication of several other articles.

We caught it here in Mt. Lebanon, but our system is broken. 

Read more: Ex-Pitt professor given sanctions for plagiarism

Oh come on! Not again!!!

On the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Community Conservations Partnerships Program Grant Application Form, the Mt. Lebanon Soccer Association had pledged $125,000.  This sounds vaguely familiar.  Did that money ever come through?

On the application form, there are some points that have never been divulged publicly that suggest some unresolved issues.

On page one, section II, only Mt. Lebanon is listed as the project address; no mention of Baldwin Township.
Section III shows the MLSA pledge.

In Section V, number 2, another "Partnership" with Mt. Lebanon Youth Sports to develop the park was mentioned.  There was no mention of a recreation bond, where the "partnership" comes from our wallets.
Number 3 proposes expansion of the walking trail.

Section VII, number 9 indicates that no Federal funding will be accepted for this project. (See below.)

There is no mention of Baldwin Township on the final page.

Copy of the National Park Service Grant

Stay hungry. Stay foolish.

Steve Jobs: How to live before you die | Video on TED.com

Now there is a commencement address to students!

R.I.P. Steve Jobs

Baldwin's McNeilly Park

Baldwin will be getting a new park.  It is called McNeilly Park.  Yes, part of "our" McNeilly Park is in Baldwin. I wonder if Baldwin will be sharing the expense of developing the park, or will our recreation bond be footing the entire bill? Will Baldwin be sharing their police force for public safety coverage? Will Baldwin be able to use the park? Do we have to get zoning approval from both Mt. Lebanon AND Baldwin? And what about the grant money that we got? Did we tell the Federal government that the land is also in Baldwin? It just keeps getting better and better.
McNeilly Park 17 acre parcel Baldwin and Lebo
McNeilly Park 6 acre parcel in Mt. Lebanon

Update October 6, 2011 7:00 AM Mt. Lebanon Planning Outdoor Athletics Complex to Border Baldwin Township  We only gave Baldwin FOUR DAYS notice? Baldwin Township residents: We share the same concerns and more. The athletic groups are strong in this community and will get their way.  That is unfortunate for the rest of us.

Nuh uh!

Today's Almanac editorial is, "Belt-tightening time is today." Mt. Lebanon School District board members "continue to plod along" with the renovation project. We're supposed to scale back construction projects, something that Judge James recommended when the School District took the Municipality to court.  But the editorial,  Belt-tightening time is today points out that local officials are ignoring the fact that the national economy is circling the drain.  In our efforts to demand fiscal responsibility from our nonresponsive board, we were reminded by school officials that they pay taxes just like the rest of us.  The editorial addressed that comeback with, "...not everyone has a bulging wallet."

How many of us are hoping for the bids to come back too high again?  I know I am.  Belt-tightening time was long ago for me.  I am not the only one in this community with a skinny wallet.

Belt-tightening time is today, saved in Google Docs

Still nothing

No response yet from any of the board members concerning your high school renovation questions. I saw three board members yesterday at the Policy meeting and nothing was said by them or me. Two of them will be on both ballots next month.  76% of the votes cast on the poll are not optimistic. Does that tell you something?  It doesn't look good.

"Splain it to me, Lucy."

More and more people are asking the same question that David Huston has presented to Jan Klein, so I thought I should post it here.   Maybe someone can come forward and explain Jan Klein's math.  I have been told that it has to do with gaming revenue, but we can't figure out how she accounts for it.  As Ricky Ricardo used to say, "Splain it to me, Lucy."

Budget forecast

From: wq3t@hotmail.com
To: jklein@mtlsd.net
CC: tsteinhauer@mtlsd.net
Subject: RE: forecast millage question
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 02:43:50 +0000

Ms. Klein,
  I showed the formulas on the sheet and pointed to the answers. I have attached the same sheet to this message for your review.

Here they are again:
Audited 2009-2010
Real Estate Tax 48,362,461 divided by Assessed Valuation 2,154,641,502 equals 2.24% or 22.4 mills.
Millage rate 24.11 minus previous answer 22.4 mills equals 1.71 mills.
How do you account for the difference of 1.71 mills?

Budgeted 2010-2011
Real Estate Tax 53,570,408 divided by Assessed Valuation 2,170,447,511 equals 2.47% or 24.7 mills.
Millage rate 26.63 minus previous answer 24.7 mills equals 1.93 mills.
How do you account for the difference of 1.93 mills?

Final Budget 2011-2012
Real Estate Tax 53,806,797 divided by Assessed Valuation 2,173,384,611 equals 2.48% or 24.8 mills.
Millage rate 26.63 minus previous answer 24.8 mills equals 1.83 mills.
How do you account for the difference of 1.83 mills?

Let me know if you have any questions.

David Huston

---

From: JKlein@mtlsd.net
To: wq3t@hotmail.com
CC: TSteinhauer@mtlsd.net
Subject: FW: forecast millage question
Date: Sun, 25 Sep 2011 15:28:19 +0000

Mr. Huston,

I am not sure what your calculations are, so I can’t respond accurately to your question.

Respectfully,

Jan Klein

Jan Klein

Director of Business

Mt. Lebanon School District

7 Horsman Drive

Pittsburgh, PA  15228

412-344-2098

I prefer the errors of enthusiasm to the indifference of wisdom - Anatole France

From: David Huston [mailto:wq3t@hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2011 1:58 PM
To: Jan Klein
Subject: forecast millage question

Ms. Klein,
  See attached pdf with question for you.
David Huston

Reassessment Talk

At a recent school board meeting, Jan Klein was explaining the ramifications of the reassessment.  There are anti-windfall provisions that are built into the reassessment process so that school districts cannot gain significantly from a simple reassessment.

James Fraasch made an excellent presentation on the subject at an Audit/Finance Committee meeting.  He wrote about it on his blog.  Here is the link.

http://lebosbupdates.blogspot.com/2010/05/eyeing-2012-allegheny-county.html

 

It is interesting how James had an entire page listing his sources. 

Saul Alinsky called and wants his rules back.

I am learning so much from you folks.  There have been several references made to Alinsky on this blog, but I was not familiar with who this person is/was.  It turns out that Saul Alinsky made a list of twelve rules for radicals.  Here they are:

Saul Alinsky’s 12 Rules for Radicals

Here is the complete list from Alinsky.

* RULE 1: “Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have.” Power is derived from 2 main sources – money and people. “Have-Nots” must build power from flesh and blood. (These are two things of which there is a plentiful supply. Government and corporations always have a difficult time appealing to people, and usually do so almost exclusively with economic arguments.)

* RULE 2: “Never go outside the expertise of your people.” It results in confusion, fear and retreat. Feeling secure adds to the backbone of anyone. (Organizations under attack wonder why radicals don’t address the “real” issues. This is why. They avoid things with which they have no knowledge.)

* RULE 3: “Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy.” Look for ways to increase insecurity, anxiety and uncertainty. (This happens all the time. Watch how many organizations under attack are blind-sided by seemingly irrelevant arguments that they are then forced to address.)

* RULE 4: “Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules.” If the rule is that every letter gets a reply, send 30,000 letters. You can kill them with this because no one can possibly obey all of their own rules. (This is a serious rule. The besieged entity’s very credibility and reputation is at stake, because if activists catch it lying or not living up to its commitments, they can continue to chip away at the damage.)

* RULE 5: “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” There is no defense. It’s irrational. It’s infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions. (Pretty crude, rude and mean, huh? They want to create anger and fear.)

* RULE 6: “A good tactic is one your people enjoy.” They’ll keep doing it without urging and come back to do more. They’re doing their thing, and will even suggest better ones. (Radical activists, in this sense, are no different that any other human being. We all avoid “un-fun” activities, and but we revel at and enjoy the ones that work and bring results.)

* RULE 7: “A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag.” Don’t become old news. (Even radical activists get bored. So to keep them excited and involved, organizers are constantly coming up with new tactics.)

* RULE 8: “Keep the pressure on. Never let up.” Keep trying new things to keep the opposition off balance. As the opposition masters one approach, hit them from the flank with something new. (Attack, attack, attack from all sides, never giving the reeling organization a chance to rest, regroup, recover and re-strategize.)


* RULE 9: “The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.” Imagination and ego can dream up many more consequences than any activist. (Perception is reality. Large organizations always prepare a worst-case scenario, something that may be furthest from the activists’ minds. The upshot is that the organization will expend enormous time and energy, creating in its own collective mind the direst of conclusions. The possibilities can easily poison the mind and result in demoralization.)


* RULE 10: “If you push a negative hard enough, it will push through and become a positive.” Violence from the other side can win the public to your side because the public sympathizes with the underdog. (Unions used this tactic. Peaceful [albeit loud] demonstrations during the heyday of unions in the early to mid-20th Century incurred management’s wrath, often in the form of violence that eventually brought public sympathy to their side.)


* RULE 11: “The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative.” Never let the enemy score points because you’re caught without a solution to the problem. (Old saw: If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. Activist organizations have an agenda, and their strategy is to hold a place at the table, to be given a forum to wield their power. So, they have to have a compromise solution.)

* RULE 12: Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.” Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions. (This is cruel, but very effective. Direct, personalized criticism and ridicule works.)

Saul Alinsky's 12 Rules for Radicals

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saul_Alinsky

Questions submitted to the School Board about the Renovation

Subject: Questions from your constituents

Dear School Board Directors,

Attached is a list of 25 questions that were submitted here. http://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2011/09/ask-school-board-about-renovation.html Originally, there were 47 comments.  I tried to trim down the questions, but in many cases, that was impossible to do, due to the complexity of the project.

Please review the attachment and send your replies directly to me.  I will reprint your replies on the blog.  Thanks for taking the time to answer these very important questions concerning the high school renovation project.

Elaine Gillen
Questions emailed to the School Board

Sent 11:14PM October 1, 2011