I signed up to speak at last night's commission meeting. For those of you unaware of the process, there is a sign up sheet in the back of the room for Citizen Comments. During the time Kristen Linfante admitted that she was having meetings with the school district and never updated the commissioners, I went to the back of the room and looked at the sign up sheet. (That was when Kristen said that the sports groups shouldn't be charged for fields.) I saw Dave Franklin's name scribbled on the sign up sheet. He was not in the room, so I thought he was coming back. Nope, Mr. Franklin was MIA. If you listen to the podcast, you will hear President Brumfield make an announcement that he signed Dave's name as a reminder to him. It appears that Dave Franklin wanted Dave Brumfield to announce that there were approximately 300 signatures on his turf petition. I had never seen that done before.
If you have an announcement to make, or if you have your comments printed up, email them to dbrumfield@mtlebanon.org. He will read them for you. Thanks, Dave Franklin for that discovery!!
36 comments:
Oh no conflict of interest there! Ex-sports group treasurer, currently commission president, speaking for an absent resident.
That should be grounds for his ouster RIGHT NOW!
One little correction. Believe Mr. Brumfield was the Dir. of Fields for the Lebo Football Association and Mr. Franklin remains Dir. of (heavens to Betsy) FUNDRAISING !
Did Dave alot Dave more than the customary 5 minutes speaking time to allow Dave to present Dave's petition and signatures?
Did Dave ask Dave any questions about the petition?
That must have been a hoot when Brumfield handed Brumfield a hard copy of the petition and signatures for verification as per parliamentary procecure.
The governing of this community has become a frigid Monty Python skit. Pretty soon we'll have a Dept. of Silly Walks
Dept. of Silly Walks, wasn't that part of the parking authority?
I mean why else would you have meter maids walking around writing parking tickets you never planned to enforce.
That is silly!
Of course Elaine has elected not to call out the resident who had his entire email about the Voter ID law read by Commisioner Brumfield during Citizens Comments. Also, much like your pal Comm. Fraasch, I asked the Commission to table an agenda item. Didn't work out too well for me either did it. I guess we've got that in common.
Frankly Elaine, your fascination with me is disturbing.
Dave Franklin
...I think they already have the strongest standing for the Monty Python "Twit of the Year Contest"!
Dave, don't flatter yourself. I didn't mention Tim Nolan's request because it was for the public good. IT was a public service announcement, unlike your selfish motives. For those of you who haven't listened to the meeting, Tim Nolan is concerned that people may not be able to vote if their name on their photo ID does not match the way they are registered.
Elaine
Why doesn't Brumfield get a Ronald MacDonald costume, put in one those menu boards and a drive thru window.
"good evening welcome to MTL. Are you ready to order?"
"yes, I'd like one maintenance agreement, easy on the lettuce and an side order of artificial turf.
Then we could dispense with all the charades.
Nolan sent an email to the commissioner correct. He didn't sign or have someone sign him int o speak did he?
Furthermore he wasn't presenting a petition in favor or against anything. Did his email have a need for commissioner to ask him questions?
There is a difference and one would think a lawyer wioild be able to fathom that.
Before that "fascinating" man responds, Tim Nolan's name was scribbled in under his name. Dave Brumfield explained at the meeting that he wrote in those names as a reminder to make the announcements. One man was concerned that people's rights would be denied over a technicality, while the other was concerned that he wasn't going to get his artificial turf.
Elaine
OK, it seems a bit odd to scribble in residents names on a sign in sheet, but hey if thats the way the commission president operates so be it.
Personally I'd scribble a note to myself on my agenda sheet to make the announcement. Probably somewhere near where I wished to make the comment. I mean doesn't he follow the agenda posted to the community?
Presenting a residents petition, that's a different matter. That's odd a commissioner presenting a petition to himself!????
Dave, There are some residents in the bubble who don't think you are a reliable neighbor.
Dick Grayson
Elaine, let me correct your last statement there:
"One man was concerned that people's rights would be denied over a technicality, while the other..." is in league with a small special interest group that wants to loot the township coffers for their own desires.
As Mt Lebanon approaches it's 100 year anniversary, I hope the commission takes time to look at this silliness that is going on and feels the shame they should be feeling.
Dick, let's get together for coffee. You pick the time and place. I don't believe you and I have ever met, so be careful taking your information from a blog.
Dave Franklin
Sorry Dave, Pay for your own coffee!
Dick Grayson
Don't believe everything youngest on a blog ...Like I have no formal position or voice in the YSA, right Dave?
Why does Mr Franklin always say that people should never trust what they read on a blog ?
Is Dave trying to say that the blogs on his site are all BS?
Mr. Franklin,
I've offered several times to no avail but you ask Robin to coffee? Do I have to insult you to get an invitation? Come on--I have some time this weekend.
Correction- that's don't believe everything you read on a blog... like I have no formal position or voice in the YSA, right Dave?
Regarding the Franklin message that Brumfield shilled for, if Franklin couldn't deliver the message personally at the meeting, why didn't he send one of his reported 306 petition signers, or some of the 2,900 youth athletes he allegedly represents to speak for him ?
They were all probably too busy trying to raise money to pay the YSA's delinquent but "legally obligated" payments to the school district for the JMA.
Sure thing James. 9am at the coffee tree. See if some of the anon groupies will join you.
Dave Franklin
Sorry. Forgot to say Saturday.
James: will you provide the same new service which the commission president provides for Dave? Curiously, his petiton is now obsolete, yet it remains active. What is Dave's intent in relation to funding his quest for synthetic turf?
Why is the petition obsolete?
9:19 AM, instead of putting it on Jim, go to Coffee Tree on Saturday morning at 9 AM, and ask Dave yourself. I hope Coffee Tree can handle the crowds of people who share the same fascination as I have with Mr. Franklin. I will take one for the team and give up my seat. Good luck.
Elaine
An invitation to coffee tree shows just how sincere Dave Franklin really is.
Dick Grayson
Great, Dave. See you there.
And to everyone: since Dave offered, I do hope some of you decided to join us. It might just be a productive discussion.
Productive, how? Other than a few neighbor's getting together over coffee and discussing local affairs.
Mr. Franklin told us: "I'm not a member of the YSA. I never have been. I actively participate in several associations that are part of and contribute to the YSA, but I have no formal position or voice within the YSA itself. In fact, assertions to the contrary only underscore the misconceptions and frankly the lies that have been published here, not only about me but about the YSA."
He has no voice in the YSA, so why are we talking to him? His wife, maybe. JoPo, Brumfield sure, but Dave, who the hell is Dave?
Is he more influential than Elaine? How about Lewis? How about Matt Kluck? Now there is a guy we should be meeting with to hear his suggestions as to how we should be running things.
I'll meet with him any time he ask.
Well, 3:45, that's just the attitude that pits us against each other, now isn't it?
Thanks for highlighting the obvious. No, Mr. Franklin does not have any auhtority or power. Neither do I. And, based on the tone of your email, you don't either. But why do you care if I go sit down with someone and discuss their ideas and/or thoughts? I'm open to a conversation. I have to assume since Mr. Franklin is willing to meet that he is interested in hearing my thoughts as well. In the end, maybe we walk away with our positions and stances intact. Fine. At least we can both say we had a conversation, correct? So, 3:45, you have a choice to make. You can stand firm, refuse to at least hear out your neighbors regardless of your level of support for their ideas and then complain you're shut out of the "process". Or you can choose to be a participant in what happens in our community, have your opinion heard and hold your head up knowing that no matter what the outcome, you played an active role.
In the future, if you'd like to criticize my decisions to try to maintain some civility in the community, just go ahead and give me a call at 412-304-6114. I'm happy to entertain your opinion.
I don't care if you have coffee with Dave, i hope you become great friends. I was only asking how your meeting would be productive.
Can you persuade Dave to change his stance on turf, can he change yours? I guess in the long run that would be productive should the two of you reach a compromise or agreement and then lobby the respective governing bodies. I hope it works out that way. Exchanging ideas, and yes barbs on blogs hasn;t worked so, yes your points are accepted.
I still think the best approach is to engage with the people that have the vote. Present opinion, ideas and suggestions and hope they accept them.
Personally, considering Matt's votes as the best chance for changing the status quo. He tried bringing people together, remember 'what the kluck", I'd like to see him try it again. If Dave wants to meet me there, I'll be around if Matt ask.
Good luck with the coffee, maybe the caffeine will help launch some new ideas. Hope so, I'd love to work with than against a neighbor.
I do hear out Mr. Franklin's ideas.
He made good points opposing the current high school renovation spending.
He makes a good point asking why Kelly's Robb Hollow is better than his turf. I agree up to a point.
I happen to believe we can't afford or need either. Maybe in a few years, after we've recovered from the crummy economy and shock of the high school bill. But today, no. I expressed that opinion, here and to my representatives.
Again enjoy the coffee, its quite good there.
Gee, 5:16, thank you so much for granting me your approval and support.
Unless you're willing to share your name, save your comments.
I didn't "grant" you approval or support.
I wished you good luck and a pleasurable meeting. I hope something good comes of it. What more do you want from me?
I express my opinion on whom we need to listen to, communicate with and whom I think is on the right track managing the municipality.
May I recommend decaf? Ooops, I didn't sign my name. Ignore the recommendation.
If unsigned 8:09 and Matt are one and the same. Guess I have to eat my words, eh.
Sorry. I thought I had added my name but apparently I left it blank. I'm 8:09. And unlike the opinionated anonymous person, I'll own my words.
To that individual--why not become part of the discussion? Based on your underlying assertion that a productive discussion means getting your way, I'm curious to see that applied in a real-world scenario.
I never made an assertion that a productive meeting means getting my own way! Please tell me where I even inferred that?
In fact I believe I wrote that it would be good if the two of you could reach a compromise and then lobby the officials.
I went further than that and inferred that right now I'm against new fields or turf. Down the road, a better economy, the high school staying under budget, I may be on Frankln's side for turf.
So please don't represent my positions.
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