Field Proposal To Be Presented on June 25
The Mt. Lebanon Commissioners previously requested that the youth sports groups develop a proposal/plan for adding synthetic turf to one of our existing field spaces. Since that time, members of the youth sports groups have met with representatives from various turf companies, lighting companies, field space consultants, the municipal staff and the Commissioners. The plan will be presented on Monday June 25 @ 6:15PM during the Commission Discussion Session in the Commission Chambers. Please come and listen to this exciting proposal.Here is the official agenda to Monday's Commission Discussion Session.
My week has been consumed with YSA related activity. Blogging, doing research on artificial turf vs. natural grass, filing Right To Knows over their contributions [or lack of], going to meetings, meeting with Commissioners, and writing emails are just some of the things I have been doing.
So now, the organization that owes over $140,000 to the School District is going to make an "exciting proposal" to the Commissioners. Unbelievable.
*Both the Commission and the YSA
Update June 22, 2012 4:45 PM I realize that the YSA says that this blog doesn't know what we are talking about, but as a mother and grandmother, I cannot sit and watch this happen. As a taxpayer, I cannot sit and watch this happen. What does it take to get the public involved?
From a reader:
The public should be aware of these issues before the turf presentation Monday.
From San Francisco parks & Rec Dept.
Attachment 1
Attachment 2
New York City (February 10, 2009)
First Deputy Parks Commissioner Liam Kavanagh said that “The controversial material made from recycled tires will no longer be used in synthetic-turf fields for parks and schools." The officials said they stopped using it because it could pose a health risk.”. Officials said yesterday, "New York City will replace the crumb in all city fields."
New York City (February 3, 2009)
US District Judge Paul Gardephe in Manhattan ruled that “toys containing a plastic-softening chemical [phthalate] linked to infertility and testicular cancer in men must be removed.” Artificial turf has been found to contain phthalates.
San Jose: CA (January 22, 2009)
The San Jose Unified School district voted no to tire waste synthetic turf on environmental and health grounds.
Connecticut (January 2009)
Connecticut State Representative Kim Fawcett will seek a moratorium on the installation of new synthetic turf fields until "such time as an honest assessment of its risk can be had."
New Jersey
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey set forth the findings of a scientific investigation into absorption of lead form artificial turf infill crumb rubber granules into gastric fluids. “[A] new study by researchers at the UMDNJ-School of Public Health finds that when children or athletes ingest the tiny rubber granules in synthetic turf, it is likely that a significant portion of the lead in the granules will be absorbed by their bodies' gastric fluids,”.
Dallas, Texas
Fields in two well-known high school stadiums, including the one made famous by the book and movie "Friday Night Lights," were announced to have lead levels far exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency's standard for soil, according to independent tests.
Update June 23, 2012 4:30 PM The following links are from a RTK request filed several years ago
concerning artificial turf for the high school, turfing Mellon and Wildcat fields, swimming pool issues, and building an indoor sports facilities.
Attachment 2
67 comments:
CUTS ARE COMING TO MT LEBANON
Los Angeles school district administrators "have tentatively agreed to a one-year salary reduction as part of a plan to limit layoffs and preserve programs"
IT WON'T BE LONG 'TIL CUTS HIT US
GOOD LUCK ON FIELD MAINTENANCE MONEY
From Recreation Management magazine
"First, assess how much play the proposed field will endure, while also considering the maintenance budget and staff that will be dedicated to the field. The more play sought, the more synthetic emerges a winner.
Second, don't fall into the synthetic hype and be lulled into seeing it as a status symbol. In recent years, a rush toward synthetic has resulted in far too many ill-conceived plans, wherein maintenance and field capabilities were not fully considered.
[Before we rush headlong into spending beaucoup bucks on turfing ONE field- it would be prudent to follow the following!]
Most importantly, examine if existing natural turf fields are being maximized. Many, if not most, of the natural turf's ills can be cured with proper construction and maintenance—at a fraction of the cost of a new field."
http://www.recmanagement.com/feature_print.php?fid=201009su01
Excellent advice from Recreation Magazine.
Maximize existing fields before artificially turfing one!
So, the Dave's want to blow bushels of money on hurting one field, but I'll bet they don't have one answer on improving conditions at the rest of them.
If I lived in close proximity to their selected field for turfing and lighting there is one condition I'd insist upon before I'd agree to their proposal.
That Franklin and Brumfield (and any commissioner that approves their turfing plan) installs a stadium light outside THEIR bedroom windows!
Elaine The first two items from NYC in your update are extremely interesting.
Perhaps you be able to blog one day...
Mt. Lebanon will replace the crumb in the commission chambers"
Are you freakin' kidding me? The YSA should be disbanded. Brumfield, Bendle and Linfante should resign. For once I want to be represented! I am sick of the school directors pulling this and now the muni is too?
Elaine you have busted your ass for this not to happen. If all your work is being ignored, then I guess your right. Franklin won. This place IS going to hell.
Before the YSA is allowed to present anything to do with spending taxpayer money they should be required to pay in full their debts on the Joint Maintenance Agreement.
Think of Mt. Lebanon as a Golf Club. Until your accounts are paid up you're banned from from playing.
If the commissioner's buy into any proposal these deadbeats offer they should be tarred and feathered.
GET YOUR BUDDIES TO PAY WHAT THEY OWE MR. BRUMFIELD.
Or do you have a conflict with asking select groups to live up to their obligations?
The YSA is Lebo's favorite freeloader!
Always lobbies loudest to go to the most exclusive restaurant... always orders top shelf booze and lobster... then is the last guy to reach for the check.
I hope after the "exciting" proposal (code for --residents being screwed again) there will be music, fanfare and party hats. Wait-i stole the other tax-and-spender's castro-esque quip. Sorry.
Seriously, if you want to be heard at the meeting, get a counter-proposal together and demand the commission put you on the agenda. The wacko progressives haven't taken full control just yet, folks. Let's send a message to the tiny but vocal minority that we're all sick of funding pet projects. And there is only so much money to go around. Seeing as how its MY money, not the township's, I'd like to spend it wisely. It's a shame Dave Franklin never took an economics class. He just makes himself look ridiculous.
"The Mt. Lebanon Commissioners previously requested that the youth sports groups develop a proposal/plan for adding synthetic turf to one of our existing field spaces." did they now, Dave? The Commissioners plural? Which ones, Dave? I have an "exciting plan" for you. Pay your stinking debt! Get all the numbers to match with the IRS, the Chip D'alesandos of the world, the Superintendent , the Finance Dept, the School Directors, &the newspapers.
Sooooooo, are you pledging $125,000 towards this? Isn't that whats promised for parks in this joint? Or will this come outta the 8 million that you are giving the school? Yawn.
I'd like to see the justification---as in NEED for those sports imbeciles out there---for this turf.
Within the last 4-6 weeks, I have made a point of checking out some of our fields in the late afternoons and early evenings and have been shocked by how LITTLE they are used. Many are constantly empty and those that are utilized have plenty of unused space for other games or practices.
It is further appalling that YSA has not met its contractual obligations to help pay for field improvements.
Maybe the rest of us should do the same when our next tax bills come in. After all, the precedent appears to have been set...
If Elaine approves, I suggest we start a list of "improvement" projects (also known as personal agendas) that have been stuffed down taxpayers' throats.
I'll be happy to start the list with (drum roll): TWIN HILLS!!!
After all, it only cost $1 million. Of course, it also benefited only a few people...
Rain tax aka storm water fee.
Replacement turf at the high school stadium.
8 lanes swimming pool.
McNeilly
Darn! I was going to say those. Well, the obvious one is the over the top high school renovation which was chopped up to keep it under the referendum.
I must say that this comment made me smile: "Mt. Lebanon will replace the crumb in the commission chambers."
So are we all going to sit passively and do nothing after the YSA pitches their "exciting proposal" on Monday?
Don't miss the video clips and links at the bottom of the website I included in the update. Healthy Play Fields
Kristen, it is from San Francisco Parks and Rec Department.
Elaine
LeboFields- hate to break this to you, but I don't find the prospect of spending my money (I'm a taxpayer) on somethIng I don't want and believe I don't need "exciting!"
Knock off the theatrics. Present your dog and pony show- we'll be the judge as to whether it's "exciting" or not.
Of course your barrister buddy over on the school board will probably get excited. He gets excited over everything that involves spending other people's money.
Another curiosity beside the missing YSA JMA funds.
How come not one peep from the MTL Environment Sustainibilty Board.
After reading the actions of communities regarding the lead and chemical and light pollution one would think they'd be all over this. After all their mission:
Mission
Consequently the board adopted the mission statement "Our mission is to advise and encourage the school board, commission and community on environmentally sustainable solutions, principles, practices that will improve our quality of life, promote prosperity by developing the local economy and protect the planet by conserving resources and minimizing pollutions.
We bloggers don't know what we are talking about. I think the pro turf people call us green weenies. Kristen Linfante is the Commission liaison to the Lebo Environment Sustainability Board. Here is something from their blog.
http://www.lebogreen.org/blog/2012/06/14/what-can-we-do/
Read about CO2 emissions. Ripping up natural grass and replacing it with artificial grass made with polyethylene isn't my idea of reducing CO2 emissions. But, I am just a blogger. What do I know?
Elaine
Oh yeah- ESB's first recommendation- turn off light fixtures!
What so the YSA can turn on giant light fixtures, eh Kristen?
ESB recommendation- turn off air conditioners. Good Kristen, let's build a GIANT heat sink next to schools, homes and office buildings. Do you like your constituents done medium well or well done.
Blogs that allow anonymous posts have ZERO credibility. Ellen,Bill, Kelly and Chuck sit and reply to each other’s posts trying to pretend there is a ground swell of support for them to attack parent run volunteer organizations. I wish these 4 would have the intellectual honesty to admit their real issue.
Like all progressives and socialists, the Linfante crowd are very selective when it comes to principles. It's do as I sayt not as I do. Make no mistake, readers. This isn't about turfing a field. That's a symptom of the illness. The real disease is those few who want total control over every aspect of our lives. And it starts with control of wealth. Lebo is small taters compared to what's going on at the federal level but it's identical. A few zany ideologues who want what they think is best for themselves try to force the majority to pay for it. So far, I would say the kooks in lebo have been successful. The only way to change it is for people to care and most don't because most people are too busy with real life.
Let the Franklins and Linfantes and Postis and Lebowitzes of thw world spend with reckless abandon. Let 'em. Because ultimately the bill comes due and those fools will have to figure out how to pay it. Taxes can only cover so much as can silly parking fees, angel donors, bake sales and eliminating teaching jobs. Once our quaint little burb, with its faux exterior begins to crumble, it will require actual adults with common sense to fix it. So readers, be at the ready to step in and clean up the mess.until then, let that tiny group of power-hungry zealots have their way. You won't stop them by showing up at commission meetings since behind the scenes secret discussions are all the rage with our elected folks.
Anonymous at 9:03,
Why don't you grow a set and sign your real name? In addition to having ZERO credibility, you have ZERO guts.
I am willing to discuss your position anywhere, anytime. Just let me know where & when.
Hey Anonymous at 9:03,
You have really crossed the line. I have a question for you:
How can you be an athletic supporter when you have no balls?
Doesn't anybody see the irony in 9:03's post?
" Anonymous said...
Blogs that allow anonymous posts have ZERO credibility."
Hey 9:03 by own criteria YOUR POST HAS ZERO CREDIBILTY!
I guess according to 9:03 we can ignore Lebofields as none of the post are signed there either.
What an idiot!
Attack, attack, attack 9:03.
Don't discuss the environmental or health issues associated with artificial turf. Don't present studies or reports that refute the evidence presented here.
Continue to be a cry baby victim. If you have logical, intelligent information that supports artificial turf... share it- anonymously or signed.
If your only response to things that don't agree with your agenda is to attack people... do us a favor, go away.
Want proof of the YSA agenda.
Buried in the comments on the field signs.
"The amendment to the zoning ordinance was approved last night by a vote of 4-1. Matt Kluck was the lone "no" vote. As Commissioner Brumfield noted last night, it will now be necessary to develop a process by which these signs/sponsorships are sold and managed. Personally, I favor a group effort that would maximize the return on this opportunity. As was mentioned last night, it may be that certain individuals are better suited to solicit certain sponsors than the municipal staff. For other sponsors, the opposite may be true. Either way, I personally think it makes sense for the Municipality and the youth sports associations to develop a plan in order to maximize the return. The same would be true for the tennis organizations should theybwish to solicit sponsors.
Also, contrary to what has been stated elsewhere, I think the funds received through such sales should stay with the municipality for field maintenance and improvements. Given the restrictions that will be attached to these signs I think it would be very difficult to allow the youth sports associations to each individually try and manage seasonal sign campaigns. I think the youth sports associations (and the tennis groups) would simply want to ensure that the funds received by the municipality are invested back into the facilities themselves"
I'm interested to read if anyone else sees the message in that post-- only the YSA (yeah the same group that can't meet their JMA agreement) is capable of managing the sign revenue.
Bullshit... Lebofields!
How's come SB member and environmentalist, Cappucci hasn't piped up.
If the YSA gets their way and turfs Mellon who foots the bill for water to keep it cool and electricity to light it?
I've never seen a district activity on Mellon that needed lights in recent memory. So the SD is going to increase their carbon foot print while preaching their going to educate our kids how to conserve energy and protect the planet.
And we can see how the YSA is good for their obligations.
Don't say anything Cappucci!
I believe the "exciting proposal" will be about turfing and lighting Middle and Wildcat fields for the low, low price of .... I hope I can control myself and not burst into laughter when they offer to contribute towards it. Their money is definitely good in Mt. Lebanon. ;-)
Elaine
9:03, I assume you mean me and not Ellen. My name is Elaine. Since I am obviously intellectually dishonest, please reveal my real issue. I am dying to know. It is so sad that you are starting to attack another parent who volunteers for youth sports.
Elaine
No, no, no Elaine, don't you ever, ever criticize a keeper of the Mt. Lebanon bubble. They are the only ones that volunteer, the only ones that can see the future and the only ones allowed to dictate how we use our taxs dollars.
They are Lebo and according to them you and I aren't.
The post dated June 23, 2012 9:11 AM is excellent, but I disagree with one point: "A few zany ideologues who want what they think is best for themselves try to force the majority to pay for it." Those "few zany ideologues" actually, truly, and sincerely believe they are doing good works for the benefit of all in the community, including those benighted souls who don't agree with them. This is basic Paternalism 101; it assumes you are an idiot and cannot manage your own affairs; including your money and your children. My favorite American philosopher had the right idea about these things:
“Every political philosophy has two premises: the stated and the unstated. The stated premise is for public consumption, and is unique to the particular philosophy adduced. The unstated premise is the same for every political philosophy: 'You are an idiot!'"...M. W. Motmorenci. People who assume this attitude are worse than robbers and crooks because they do great harm and sleep well at night. When their plans go awry they can always blame someone else for it. Unfortunately, they usually get their way - for a time - but suffer horrific consequences for it, once the polity wakes up. Ask Robespierre.
Richard just the point I was trying to flesh out in the post from a comment made on Lebofields.
"I think it would be very difficult to allow the youth sports associations to each individually try and manage seasonal sign campaigns."
The subtle message here I believe is only the YSA is capable of managing the sign campaigns. Only THEY will see that the money gets back to the municipality.
Yeah, we can see how the YSA handles affairs!
I can't wait until Marlboro, Budweiser or Cheerleaders nightclub try to advertise on the signs and are refused. Way to go, Lebo, another legal battle. Dolts.
Again, what about the residents near the fields? Take Cornell by Mellon. Nice quiet street. Sure sometimes there are activities but they're during the day. Imagine what will happen when the super-parents decide to put turf and lights there. First, you have to install all of it which means construction including drainage and running new power out there. Of course, it won't stop with just replacing the grass with concrete and an artificial surface. Come on, people, this is about "improvement" for the kiddies. So the plan will morph into adding seats, maybe a little snack bar so the little ones don't starve to death in the two hours they're away from the fridge...oh, and don't forget about new equipment. Can't have a new field without new equipment, right? Of course, none of this addresses parking or the fact the field, being used at night, will violate the noise ordinance. Looks like our commissioners are on top of it as usual.
And good point about Capucci. So the school district tries to brainwash the kids and transform them into overly sensitive enviro-nuts but hey, if an artificial surface, usually fossil-fuel based or derived, is good for Linfante's kid, then we should do it. Like, totally. Hypocrites. Sell-outs. Intellectually dishonest denizens of destruction. It's sickening.
We should call the new covering Brumfield's Crumfield
Right, the school district brain washes the kiddies to run home and tell mommy and daddy to replace all the light bulbs so we can save the planet or they're bad citizens.
But Brumfield and Franlin can burn millions of watts lighting a ball field every year. They can replace oxygen replenishing natural grasses with ground-up lead filled used tires and hazardous plastics and not a friggin peep from Environmentalist, save the planet Cappucci and her pal Papke.
And the community buys this shit!
Baaaaaaaaaa
I know that I am so close to using words that are not appropriate, but try to to refrain from those words too.
Thanks.
The plan is to get taller and brighter lights for Wildcat and Middle Fields. I pity those on Vee Lynn Drive. I bet they won't be too "excited" about LeboFields' proposal.
Elaine
Why wouldn't they let Cheerleaders nightclub advertise.
According to suggestions at Fakelebo for the vacant beer distributor at Wasington and McFarland Roads that would be a popular sign.
Can I be honest? On this blog, I see a lot of talk about problems.
And, if all you want to do is talk about problems, keep on doing what you’re doing. Complain. Boggle at “the nerve!” Call people names and poke fun at them. Compare the public to sheep. Yes, keep on doing all of those loud, wonderful things that credible people don’t do.
But, if what you really want is for the public to take your concerns seriously, you’ll have to make it easy for them to believe you. And, right now, you’re not making it easy. You’re making it hard.
The way you conduct yourselves reduces your credibility. The name-calling? The outrage? Not doing you any favors.
And the way you present your case makes it impossible to follow. Yes, you have real evidence of real problems. But you scatter that evidence across so many posts and comments filled with outrage and unsupported assertions that nobody can see the fire amidst the smoke.
Do you want a different response from the public? If so, you’ll have to make it easy for the public to believe you. Organize your evidence. Present your claims, clearly, directly. And make your case with reason, not noise.
If you make it hard for people to believe you, they won’t.
So make it easy.
Tom, I have been blogging about things as they occur. I will try to get the District and Municipality to be more organized with their fiascos. Sorry about that.
In the meantime, I am putting up three links about artificial turf discussions for the high school that were obtained through a RTK. I have posted these before, but in this mess, I thought I would post them again in an update to this thread.
Elaine
Perhaps Ms. Gillen might consider posting an "evidence" page over on Lebo Citizens (www.lebocitizens.com), similar to what she has for tracking the high school project. The evidence page could be further sub-divided into subjects. For example, the YSA / District debacle is, to me, more about ACCOUNTING than it is about "contracted voluntary contributions." In this case the evidence is in the form of various IRS Form 990's, E-mail exchanges with officials from the District, public statements from Board meetings, etc. The premise is that the District has credibility issues with respect to what it claims it takes in and spends on various projects (issues that border on the need for third-party interdiction); the evidence is the paper trail and other items adduced by various contributors - laid out neatly for all to see. This could be done for other issues as well, such as McNeally Park, "turf", cost overruns at the high school (does anyone not think that this will be the case?), etc.
Mr. Moertel has a point; but I think the evidence, or much of it, is already on this Blog - it just needs to be organized and presented in one spot.
I inserted a search widget which I have found useful. I don't have the time to organize this any more than it is now. Sorry.
Elaine
Remember, I am just one person running a blog and a website writing about the Municipality and the School District. Nothing is all in one place and organized in this world. I wish it could be. It would certainly make my life easier. I guess that is why we have the Internet.
Elaine
Mr. Moertel you're right except for one little fact that you seem to have forgotten.
In the words of G. Santayana: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
Think back to Sablegate, James Fraasch finance expose, the 4,000 strong petition, Dirk Taylor, "what the Kluck!"
Where'd the name calling, the innuendo start. Who had there signs pulled down at polling places and by whom?
Elaine has gone to great trouble to post credible evidence and research here by reputable institutions.
Yeah, there's name calling here. But of course there is none from the other side.
Keep this in mind Tom: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
Yes, let's be honest Mr. Moertel.
How is posting articles on field maintenance and comparisons between natural and artificial turf talking about problems?
That isn't talking about problems, it's evidence of why you shouldn't create problems!
Elaine and her pals didn't push to buy Twin Hills or the McNeilly property. As I remember it mr. Lewis and others respectfully presented evidence why they shouldn't have been bought. They did it any way and weren't so polite to anyone that opposed them.
So yes Tom, you're right, to bad this isn't a perfect world.
In case you've forgotten- replay the reception Elaine got at the SB meeting when she presented the petition signatures.
Oh one other thing Tom. Do not overlook the malicious email sent out before by the PTA befor the November election. Which was not only malicious but more importantly broke rules and regulations against such activity.
Tom- Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me!
Ignoring rules and operating outside charters just might.
Mr. Moertel, you have your own blog.
You don't accept anonymous comments and have the resource to present any and all research, papers etc., regarding either the YSA missing JMA payments or grass vs turf.
You did an excellent job shining a light on the inequities of the reassessment. Unfortunately, the school district chose to only defend against overassessed appeals. Fir some reason high- end under assessments aren't important.
So offer those that want "just the facts" and desire to "disagree without being disagreeable" a blog to civilly debate the issues.
I wish the Mt. Lebanon Parking Authority was organized to collect over 20,000 parking tickets. I wish the School District was organized so that they could collect over $140,000 in YSA payments. I wish the YSA was organized so that they could make timely payments. I wish we could numbers that match.
Let's see what is presented Monday. We're supposed to be excited. I am excited.
Elaine
Tom,
Your blog does very little to advance your cause including censoring folks you don't agree with, Tom.
What did you say happens when good men do nothing?
If you worked half as hard as Elaine at blogging the truth you would have organized the information already!
I'll continue Tom's off-topic post.
Tom has a point. Remember back a year ago and a bunch of folks poked fun at the school board president saying to graduates that they should surround themselves only with people that they agree with?
That's the environment that this blog has become. There is no dissent. There is rarely a viewpoint that differs from another. And when that does happen, that person gets absolutely ripped to shreds. Elaine allows anonymous comments to attack that person (see this thread and the people going after Tom as if he did something wrong).
This blog risks being known as "where all those crazy people hang out" and that is a shame because it can be so much more. Elaine puts in so much time, but like Dave B and Dave F with the field issues, maybe she is too close to offer the constructive/productive criticism and ideas that might advance the cause.
Put it this way, that balance is a delicate one. And there is nothing delicate about the way people talk about others on this blog.
None of this means I am going to stop reading because I appreciate the research and the posts that hold our officials accountable. I just wish I could hear a dissenting opinion once in a while that might generate DISCUSSION and not attacks.
7:42 you make some good points, but....
I would like to hear your suggestions.
Let's take just one issue and I'll try not to hurl insults and launch attacks. Let's try and keep this a civil conversation on both sides.
We have an apparent issue in this community with a specific item- the Joint Maintenance Agreement that is a financial arrangement between 3 parties to pay for the upkeep of our ball fields. Do we agree so far?
None several people hear uncovered that one party perhaps one party in this agreement hasn't been upholding their share. At least it's suspected that they haven't. So people ask for the facts.
And what answers do they get? How many different answers? And why is this do hard? Did they pay up or didn't they?
And why is this do important?
Because this same group wants to get taxpayers to cover the cost of their next want.
Before we move onto to a new project, there are taxpayers here that would like an accounting of funding on maintaining stuff we already have.
The school district upheld their part of the JMA. But it came on the back of others in the form of reduced supply budgets, or not buying books or sheet music.
That's why these conversations degrade so quickly.
I'd like to read your comments or rebuttal.
Or let's try this another way.
The community (us) owns a restaurant (the community).
After a period of time we start to consider raising prices (taxes). So we do, but that isn't enough and we begin to wonder if raising prices will scare away customers. We begin a search for places to reduce our expenses. When we do we look in the cash register and find 156 unpaid checks (not bank drafts but the check the waitress hands to the customer).
So we good to the staff: "who's parking their butt at my tables (you're entitled to be a little miffed considering your budget woes) and eating here for free?"
The staff responds: "we can't tell you!"
How do you respond business owner?
9:29 makes an excellent example. The school district's prime responsibility is to educate our kids. If one follows each and every budget discussion for at least the last 10 years the board has been asking staff and teachers to cut their budgets. Usually the board is looking for 5% reductions. This means few art supplies, lab equipment, sheet music, cleaning supplies, maintenance - all the things that go into running our schools. This year they cut guidance counselors. But we have a rather unexplained hole in the budget. Around $100,000 or more in money from the YSA that was suppose to cover keeping fields up.
The school district covered that shortfall. But if one looks at the district's mandate, there is nothing in the school code that obligates them to fund lacrosse, or swimming, basketball, baseball or tennis.
Sure these thing are "for the kids" and we want them. But we also want counselors for elementary kids that need it. Specialist for advanced courses.
Windows that don't leak. Pipes that don't burst.
To this resident that all comes before covering YSA debts and artificial turf!
9:42 there are 9 post up to yours regarding Tom's comments. They don't agree with his comment, make suggestions that he could do what he's suggesting to Elaine, but I don't find one that accuses him of doing wrong doing.
Could you please point out which post does so?
The last time I looked at the municipal budget the revenues of the swimming pool did not cover the debt service on the swimming pool bonds. We don't count debt service as an expense in the municipal budget but swimming wants new locker rooms, a zero based entry and a heated pool with climbing walls.
Sure you want them but you are a deadbeat when it comes time to pay the bill.
I look for IST teams to be cut next year to cover the deadbeats' budgets.
This is ridiculous, Elaine. First off, this isn't a publicly-owned blog, it's personal. So if people don't like what's on here, they can go elsewhere.
Second, maybe one of the kumbaya critics can explain just where someone is supposed to go to hear views that differ from those of the left-leaning folks on the commission and school board? It's ok for them to run over people but it's not ok to fight back? Whoever wrote those posts is something of a troll. And unless and until there is a real forum in this town where people can be heard without being mocked or ridiculed or just flat out ignored, then this blog is it. Nice try, critic, but the Alinsky tactics don't work on a forum like this. Oh, and you failed to actually touch on any of the issues discussed here. Wake up.
anon 10:56am I don't think this is about L vs R. Look we have the most Conservative member of the Commission and the most Liberal member of the Commission working together from what I hear. I think this is solely an issue base problem not a party problem. If the greater amount of lefties out there knew that this Commission was talking artificial turf they would be screaming. Artificial turf is one of the worst things we can do to this environment and the health of our children. All the nature/environmental folks should be outraged. They are just too busy making sure we don't idle in front of the schools. Anyone sent the different green groups this information?
That is an area where I could use some help. How about identifying those groups and sending them a link to this blog so that they can read all the information that I have posted? This also includes the artificial turf poll which I eventually shut down. "Brumfield's" plan showed 25% support even after extending the voting period as well as sharing a link to Franklin's blog where you could get the "real facts" about artificial turf.
Please point out the search widget to make it easier for the new readers. Thanks.
Elaine
12:04 I don't disagree with you.
What I find "curious" is why we need to contact the green groups?
I believe our assumption on the hazards of artificial turf are correct, the studies presented here seem to attest that conjecture.
So why the necessity to contact the green groups in the community. We have an appointed Environmental Sustainability Board who's mission it is to sort this stuff out for us. Why are they mute on this issue? They're not saying ANYTHING!?
If turfing a field isn't the hazard bloggers here suggest it is, isn't it incumbent upon them to set the record straight?
And if the bloggers are correct about the hazards shouldn't they be advising the commissioners?
But we don't hear or read anything from the ESB, why?
What do they exist for if not to sort this stuff out in a civil manner?
Not attacking, just highlighting the fact that the commission liaison is Kristin Linfante. Earlier in this Blog, one will find her letter of support for Commissioner Brumfield's plan.
Are 9:03 and 9:42 the same person?
9:42 writes this:
"Tom has a point. Remember back a year ago and a bunch of folks poked fun at the school board president saying to graduates that they should surround themselves only with people that they agree with?
That's the environment that this blog has become. There is no dissent. There is rarely a viewpoint that differs from another."
Not trying to rip into you 9:42 but your appearance seems to disprove your point that there are no differing opinions here. YOURS IS ONE!
Similar to the dig 9:03 makes about anonymous bloggers, but they make their dig... anonymously.
You 9:42 or the both of you 9:42 & 9:03 can't see the ridiculous irony in your post?
"Anonymous said...
Blogs that allow anonymous posts have ZERO credibility. Ellen,Bill, Kelly and Chuck sit and reply to each other’s posts trying to pretend there is a ground swell of support for them to attack parent run volunteer organizations. I wish these 4 would have the intellectual honesty to admit their real issue.
June 23, 2012 9:03 AM"
Dear 9:03, how come you haven't made the same declaration over at Lebofields?
Does anyone think that the author of Lebofields talks to them self.
Seriously, About Lebofields doesn't say who the author is nor does it's pofile. Yet in comments thank "Dave" for his post. Now ow in the world did they know who to thank? And furthermore if they are trying to proclaim a groundswell of support for their field plans - 5 isn't much of a swell. I'm not even sure a ripple would be a reach.
If you go to "View my complete profile" and then click on email, it says, DaveFranklin4@gmail.com
There ya go, Dave. More free publicity. And they say: "That's the environment that this blog has become. There is no dissent. There is rarely a viewpoint that differs from another." Ha! How many times have I promoted you now, Dave?
Elaine
Odd when I go there no info shows up in the profile. Must be something with my smartphone.
At 12:05 an anonymous commenter claimed that at Blog-Lebo we “censor folks [we] don't agree with.” To my knowledge, we have never censored any comment because of its content. We routinely reject comments that don’t follow our real-names commenting policy, but if someone wants to write something foolish and own up to it, we’ll dutifully publish it.
If anyone has an example of a comment we refused to publish because we “didn’t agree with” its author, I’d like to see it and figure out how it happened. Publish it here or email it to editors@bloglebo.com. Either way, I want to see it.
Tom Moertel
Co-editor Blog-Lebo.
Not that I support Mr. Moertel's position on this topic, i believe he does go out of his way to be fair, almost to a fault.
I'll be all for the turfing if the commission agrees to buy offsetting carbon credits.
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