Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Tonight's Zamagias Property meeting

Tonight, St. Bernard's hosted a public meeting about the Zamagias property located at Bower Hill Road and Washington Road. Two residents recorded tonight's meeting, so the podcast is available on Lebocitizens.com. The handout from the meeting is available here.

I did not go to the meeting, but I did sign the petition for the commissioners to enforce inspections of the property and consider exercising the buy back provision if reasonable movement isn't made by the developer.
http://www.change.org/petitions/mt-lebanon-commissioners-property-at-bower-hill-rd-washington-rd-inspections-and-consider-buy-back

Besides signing the petition, please consider the following:

1. Email commission@mtlebanon.org or call the commissioners with the following points:

  • We would like to see it developed - provide ideas for use of the space       
  • Enforce keeping it cleaned up - enforce inspections      
  • If reasonable movement is not made by the developer, consider instituting the buyback provision for the property and do not extend the agreement   
  • If Zamagias defaults on the TIF loan, ensure that they pay back Mt. Lebanon  
2. Attend the 11/13/12 Commission Discussion Session. Zamagias Properties will be making a presentation. Start time for that meeting is usually scheduled for 6:30 PM, but when the agenda is published and posted here and on lebocitizens.com, in addition to the municipal website, I will pass it on. As always, residents cannot speak at the Discussion Session, but Citizen Comments are always held at the start of the Commission Meeting at 8:00 PM.

Please help this courageous Mt. Lebanon graduate

I know that we are being bombarded from all directions for donations here in Mt. Lebanon, but this one is a personal one for me. Geri, a 1997 Mt. Lebanon graduate is my daughter's friend and needs a triple transplant. The following is a letter from her mother in law. Please give what you can.

This is my beautiful daughter-in-law Geri. She is one of a kind, I always said I couldn't have picked a better woman for my son if I tried.

Geri got type 1 diabetes at a very young age. Her kidneys are now operating at about 18% so she is being put on the kidney, pancreas transplant list. First I ask for your prayers for her. That she has no fear and that she comes through this and everything works just the way it should! She will not be able to work for quite awhile so I am asking anyone who can to please click on the link below and make any donation you can to offset the money they will need to get through this time. I have 3 incredibly, loving, beautiful grandchildren who will be going through so much while their mom is going through this process. Not having to worry about money will make things so much easier for them. So please, open your hearts and give what you can...no matter how small.

Thanks so much in advance.
A grateful Mother-in-Law
Laurie Whalen MacCleary
To donate, please visit: http://patients.transplants.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=485635&lis=1&supId=370711636&patientPID=16070

2012 Ballot and more

With Election Day a week away, I wanted to share some voters' information for Lebo Citizen readers in Mt. Lebanon.

First of all, here is our ballot.  It's on the Allegheny County Board of Elections site: http://apps.county.allegheny.pa.us/VoteDistricts/Lookup.aspx By clicking on the link, you can also verify your registration.

Second, the polling place located in the Mt. Lebanon High School Fine Arts Theatre lobby has been moved due to construction at the high school. Voters will need to go to The First Church of Christ, Scientist located at 1100 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon 15228 to vote on November 6, 2012. The polling place will be located in the Social Hall.

Dress 4 Work 2012


Five 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, scrubsand 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.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Zamagias meeting still on for tomorrow

As far as I know, the Zamagias property meeting is still scheduled for tomorrow evening. Informational Meeting about Zamagias Property
If that changes, I will post it here.

Trick or Treat Postponed

This is an important notice from LeboALERT.


Trick or Treat postponed till  Sat., Nov. 3 from 6 to 8 because of weather.
Please do not seek or give out candy Oct. 31.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Dave Brumfield on "Field Failure"

An anonymous comment was approved this morning, which I thought deserved its own post. The 67th comment to Brumfield won't support Robb Hollow, was an URL to President Dave Brumfield's website.  davebrumfield.com

Dave has written a very long letter to the community titled, "Field Failure." He gives a little background behind what happened to developing McNeilly fields and continues with why we need to turf Wildcat and Middle Fields. Dave goes on to announce an ad-hoc committee to review the field situation and determine if there is a field shortage.
I will be proposing at the next meeting the creation of the Mt. Lebanon Sports Facilities and Services Board. This board would be a joint entity with the school district to assess and review all sports related facilities in Mt. Lebanon (both Municipal and School District Facilities). It would consist of the Director of Recreation as well as our Municipal Fields Superintendent as well as the Athletic Director and Facilities Director from the School District (I have already discussed this the School Board and they have offered their staff for this joint venture). Additionally, each recognized sports organization would be entitled to have a representative on the Board. Finally, due to the overlap between our municipal parks and our fields we would ask for a member of the Parks Board to participate as well. Of course there will also be a commission liaison appointed and, should they so desire, a School Board liaison as well. The Board will operate as all other boards do with the possible exception of the frequency of their meetings. My direction will be that the first order of this board will be to review our field situation and determine whether or not there is a field shortage. And if so, what are our best options to address it.
Dave ends his letter with
I did not believe that people were accurately reflecting what had occurred over the last few months when they discussed these issues.
I am not sure which people were not accurately reflecting what had occurred; Kelly, Dave Franklin, the anonymous posters or me. Whomever he meant, there is always the option of listening to the podcasts on lebocitizens.com.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

What else should a superintendent be doing?


Mt. Lebanon School District Superintendent Timothy Steinhauer shows the construction that is going on at the school on Monday, October 22, 2012. Justin Merriman | Tribune-Review
 Matt Santoni, from the Trib, reported that we will be reimbursed for nearly $400,000 in repairs because of the electrical line that was hit by a contractor. That is great news.  What is even better news is that Tim Steinhauer is working hard on meeting his goals. Goal number 2 is:
2. High School Project – The Superintendent will continue the District’s efforts to build/renovate the High School.
Published: Wednesday, October 24, 2012, 8:57 p.m.
The Mt. Lebanon School District is waiting for its insurer to reimburse it for nearly $400,000 worth of repairs necessitated when a contractor on the high school renovation project struck an underground electrical line in August.

Finance director Jan Klein said the total bill should come to slightly over $390,000, and the district’s insurance policy should reimburse it for all but a $5,000 deductible. That should eventually be reimbursed by the subcontractor that had been doing the digging, Superintendent Tim Steinhauer said. Although that agreement has yet to be finalized, the contractor has given no indication it would challenge the district, he said.

The board last week approved a final $5,866 payment to Fairfield Electric for its work, bringing its total to about $279,000.

A few other bills, like money to Verizon for the phone system repair, may go before the board later, Steinhauer said.

The district’s cash-flow for the ongoing $109 million renovation should not be affected, since the repair money can be temporarily taken from the project’s contingency fund, officials said.

The electric problems occurred when subcontractors digging near the school’s loading dock along Cochran Road hit the buried 5-kilovolt line on Aug. 13, causing sparks, smoke and damage to the building’s phone systems and more. Three trailer-sized portable generators powered most of the school for the first three weeks of classes until the electrical line could be repaired

In a tour of the construction site on Monday, Steinhauer showed off progress on the athletic wing, which is going up between the main high school building and the stadium. Concrete supports are beginning to define the swimming pool, while masonry walls have gone up for the locker rooms and athletic offices along the building’s lower floors.

Steel girders have risen for the academic wing, and a canopy is taking shape where a new entrance will eventually pass through where the main gym is now. Steinhauer said that space will become into a central space for students once new gyms are completed.

The Fine Arts theater has been gutted for refurbishment, while the sixth floor of the old B Building, which fronts Cochran Road, has had many of its interior walls knocked down, opening up vast spaces that will be re-divided into larger classrooms.*
The project is scheduled to wrap up in 2015.

This week, subcontractors again had to dig for an electric line, but the work proceeded without incident.
* Old B Building has been gutted for refurbishment, but the 1972 C Building couldn't. Our school board is a train wreck. They are spending millions on the high school project. The superintendent is seen more times in photos wearing a hard hat than with students in a learning environment. We are paying him to be a project manager.

But where is the school board's priorities? Photo ops for Timmy, the high school renovation, turf and grinding.  As someone wrote on another blog about Lebo's grinding,
Teens have died from excessive drinking.
Nobody's ever died from grinding.
Shame on all of you, School Board. Your priorities are all wrong.
I almost forgot. While you gave Timmy his raise and charged students for parking, Number 26 on your cost reduction list:

Reduce use of contracted security at District events $ 5,000

Yes, he is very deserving. UPDATED

The Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Linda Lane turned down her raise for a second year in a row. So far, she has declined $35,000 in pay.

After the vote, Ms. Lane said that she and the top academic team will forgo pay raises.
The decision comes as the district has made unprecedented teacher furloughs and tackles a budget deficit.
Ms. Lane said the decision is in recognition of the serious fiscal problems the district face and a statement of support "for the district and those who aren't with us. We lost a lot of good folks."
Ms. Lane's contract calls for a raise of $5,000 each year as well as a bonus of $10,000 each year if certain performance goals are met. For 2012, she was eligible for the full $15,000. But for 2013, she was not eligible for the bonus amount because state test scores dropped.
Back to the bubble, our super Super gets raises every year. Dale Ostergaard concluded, "I am also normally conservative when it comes to raises, but I think in this particular case with a single individual Dr. Steinhauer is very deserving."

Yes, he is very deserving. As I commented in my last thread about grinding and a 16 year old girl who was carried off the dance floor and taken to St. Clair and then later to Children's Hosptal because she was drunk, the PG story was the number one emailed story according to the PG.

Just last month, Mt. Lebanon School District was recognized in the PG story, PSSA results come up short in Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park.  Goal number four 4. Student Achievement – The Superintendent will maintain or improve student achievement. We can get another warning label from PA and Timmy will be maintaining student achievement. Yes, he is very deserving, Dale.

The number one superintendent in the state, Dr. Patrick O'Toole voluntarily froze his salary as well as the financial director's salary. Certainly Dale, O'Toole is very deserving.

I guess I shouldn't be so harsh with Dr. Steinhauer. I actually got a response from his office the other day to an email I sent.

Fwd: Your website
From egillen476 egillen476@aol.com
To schoolboard schoolboard@mtlsd.net
Cc TSteinhauer TSteinhauer@mtlsd.net, CBowman CBowman@mtlsd.net

While I never received a response from ANY of the eleven of you, I see that the Board reports were updated and the goals have been posted. Thank you. Why would you remove the existing reports? Would you please include all of the reports for the year?

Still nothing for the Extra Mile Award. If you just cut and paste from
the Board President's Reports, my request is a rather simple one to
fulfill.
Elaine Gillen

-----Original Message-----
From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To: schoolboard <schoolboard@mtlsd.net>
Cc: TSteinhauer <TSteinhauer@mtlsd.net>; CBowman <CBowman@mtlsd.net>;
EGillen476 <EGillen476@aol.com>
Sent: Wed, Oct 17, 2012 3:56 pm
Subject: Your website

When do you plan to update your website?

Extra Mile Award is from January 2012.
Superintendent Board Reports are from April 2012.
Board President Reports are from March 2012.
Superintendent Goals are from last year?
The agenda for Monday's meeting was finally posted on Monday morning.

Is this Cissy Bowman's responsibility?

Elaine Gillen
Finally, I got a response from an email I sent to the board.
Response from Tim Steinhauer While all hell was breaking loose over grinding at dances, Tim is enjoying his very deserving additional vacation days. Does an automated response from his office satisfy goal number five, Superintendent Performance Goals 2012-2013? Tim is well on his way for an increase next year.

Update October 25, 2012 1:30 PM Timothy Steinhauer's contract is available here. It is from June 8, 2009. It does not reflect his current salary, contract extension or additional vacation days. Article V permits him to undertake consulting work during his vacation days or with prior written approval from the Board. In other words, any time he wants.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

They have a point

The you-know-what hit the fan today when Molly Born of the PG reported School tries to eliminate 'grinding' from Mt. Lebanon dances. I watched WTAE news this evening and recognized the reporter I saw this afternoon as I drove past the high school.  [Oh the irony of seeing a spelling error under Cissy Bowman's name at the 1:01 mark!]

The day of the homecoming dance Oct. 13, six students were cited for underage drinking, including a 16-year-old so intoxicated that a police officer had to carry her off the dance floor, said Lt. Aaron Lauth of the Mt. Lebanon Police Department.
Paramedics took the girl to St. Clair Hospital, then Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. Lt. Lauth had no update on her condition.
But the kids have a point, as usual:
The principal's Friday morning announcement wrongly made the grinding issue of chief concern, according to some students.
"I was mad because I think it's stupid that they're focusing on how we dance rather than on the drug and alcohol issues," junior Paulee Manich said.
How many kids were busted the day before graduation last year and walked? If you look on the UJS portal, it took several days before all the kids' names showed up. The story goes that there were so many kids busted that citations had to be mailed days later. I believe school board directors Kubit and Remely were overheard at Commencement talking about the kids who were busted. Yet, those kids walked.

I think the Policy Committee has their work cut out for them. A dancing policy should be implemented and endorsed by Len Goodman. How about enforcing the Alcohol Policy, Tim? Oh yeah, and get rid of the 21 Club, Blaise.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Brumfield won't support Robb Hollow

I am at the meeting right now, but I wanted to include this quick post. Dave Brumfield said that he will not support fields for Robb Hollow. There are some other components of Robb Hollow that he would support, which he has not revealed yet. He will support School in the Park, as well as other improvements up to $730,000.
Too bad, sports people, but evidently you don't need more fields. Kelly just proposed addressing drainage for Wildcat and Middle. John Bendel and Kristen Linfante would not support that. Dave Brumfield did not say either way since there were two commissioners who were against it already. So, no new fields and no drainage improvements for Wildcat and Middle. I don't get it.

Update:
Kelly also wants the words, No Turf, added to the verbage of the bond. The commissioners will support that.


PA university faculty seek OK to strike

According to the PG, State System faculty union leaders approve strike authorization vote
Leadership for the union representing some 6,000 faculty and coaches in the 14 universities in Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education today [October 20, 2012] unanimously approved a strike authorization vote.
Here is a map of those 14 universities. http://www.passhe.edu/Pages/map.aspx
This really hits home. I see that one of our school board members is a faculty member of one of those universities. http://m.calu.edu/People-Finder/?first_name=&last_name=Cooper&relationship_id=0&submit=Submit 



Just Between Friends

When my kids were in school, my husband and I joined PTA, as most parents do. We were encouraged to sign up for Just Between Friends.  Big mistake. Our youngest graduated in 2009 and I can't unsubscribe!

I am getting constant reminders now. Here is the latest.




Region 03
All Pro Dad Father & Kids Experience
Saturday, October 27, 2012 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
The National PTA is proud to partner with All Pro Dad and invite you to join Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin at the All Pro Dad Father and Kids Experience on Saturday, October 27th from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex (Steelers Practice Facility). Learn fatherhood tips and participate in activities with your kids while rotating through football - themed stations. As a thank you for being a member of the PTA, we would like to offer the first 40 people to go to this link - www.allprodad.com/steelerspta - FREE admission to the event! 
If you weren't one of the first 40 to win free admission - you can still register at www.AllProDad.com . It's only $15 per family, which includes 1 adult and up to 4 kids. This event is recommended for children 5 years of age and older.

We hope to see you there! 
This was sent to you by: Bonita Allen
You will be reminded on: 10/24/2012, 10/27/2012. Click here to change this reminder.

So what is Just Between Friends? On their website, they describe themselves as "the official PTA membership management and communications system, PTAs all over the country are able to communicate effectively with their entire school and easily manage their membership.  The efficiencies experienced using our system enable this volunteer organization to strengthen their PTA and simplify the lives of their members."

I have been trying to unsubscribe three years. It turns out, they are at 1910 Cochran Road. They may even read this blog. I have tried to block their emails, but their email address changes constantly.  

To read "Learn fatherhood tips and participate in activities with your kids while rotating through football - themed stations." is offensive to me on so many levels. 

I caution anyone who is considering joining this group.  It appears to be a life long commitment.  

Friday, October 19, 2012

This is how they will get turf UPDATED

According to the agenda for Monday's Commission Discussion Session ,

7:05 P.M.
3. Update Robb Hollow athletic field proposal:
a. Leaf collection options
b. McNeilly as site for leaf transfer
c. Robb Hollow preliminary engineering update
7:25 P.M.
4. Update on proposed bond issue. (Five minutes)
Twenty minutes are allotted for Robb Hollow, while five minutes have been set aside for the proposed bond issue.

On the agenda for the Commission Meeting scheduled for 8 PM,

JB 5. Introduction of an Ordinance (Bill No. 16-12) of Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, authorizing General Obligation Bonds, Series of 2013 in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $_____ for the purpose of financing certain recreation improvements.
The proposed Ordinance authorizes the borrowing of funds necessary to complete improvements at recreation facilities including _______________________. The proceeds of the issue will also be used to cover the costs of issuance.
Recommended Action    JB 1. Introduce Ordinance (Bill No. 16-12).
                                      DB 2. Set the public hearing for Tuesday November 13, 2012.

I sure hope that ALL the improvements are listed for recreation facilities before the commissioners vote on the bond. If not, this is how the proturf folks will get their way without having to pay a dime towards it.

I see that Kelly Fraasch updated her blog to include A compromise.

Update October 20, 2012 5:23 PM  Response from Kelly Fraasch:

Re: question on blog
From Kelly Fraasch kfraasch@mtlebanon.org
To egillen476 egillen476@aol.com
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 4:38 pm
 
Elaine,
 
Hi, I hope you are well.
 
To answer your question, I talked with Dave B. in mid-late August about the eco-friendly turf.
With consideration of raising money from user and extra time to plan details we found that a Phase II was appropriate.
We talked about this briefly at the next meeting and voted.  The vote was 4-1 I believe. 
 
Prior to that meeting, I believe Commissioner Brumfield made contact with all of his connections within YSA and shared his support of Robb Hollow and the details of the planning.  Around that time, I made contacts with those that had helped me with the proposal and got everyone supporting the "Phase II".  Dave was having a harder time.  While Dave was working on YSA, I began reaching out to other groups that would benefit from the RH development to see their support (verbal and/or financial.)
 
I hope that clears up things for you!
 
Have a good weekend.
Kelly
 
 
On Sat, Oct 20, 2012 at 3:12 PM, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:
Hi Kelly,
Someone wrote in on the blog asking if your compromise was ever presented to the YSA. I seem to remember it being discussed at a commission meeting.
Elaine



Letter from HS Principal Regarding School Dances

Interestingly enough, the letter came out a week after the Homecoming Dance.

From: Mr. Brian R. McFeeley, Principal - Mt. Lebanon HS [mailto:noreply@mtlsd.net]
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2012 8:50 AM
Subject: Message From Mt. Lebanon HS -- Letter from Principal Regarding School Dances
[Attachments to this email can be found by clicking on the links at the bottom]

Dear Parents/Guardians & Students

Attached is an important letter regarding expectations for student behavior at school dances. A summary of the information in this letter was announced to all students, by me, this morning during first period. I ask that you review this letter with your son or daughter. Additional information regarding procedure/expectation changes for future dances will be shared at a later date.

Sincerely,

Brian R. McFeeley
Principal

Attachment: http://ndrive.mtlsd.org/file/?khsro

MTLSD DISCLAIMER: THIS TRANSMISSION IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE ADDRESSEE AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL, AND EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. IF YOU ARE NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, OR THE EMPLOYEE OR AGENT RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING THE MESSAGE TO THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT ANY DISSEMINATION, RETENTION, DISTRIBUTION, OR COPYING OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS COMMUNICATION IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SENDER IMMEDIATELY.

No answers, but a nice pay increase

The Almanac has an article in this week, ML superintendent gets increase in pay. (Saved in Google Docs.)


Mt. Lebanon School Board voted 8-1 to grant superintendent Dr. Tim Steinhauer a 4 percent pay raise on Oct. 15, bringing the superintendent's 2012-2013 salary to $157,477.

Board vice-president Elaine Cappucci said, "Dr. Steinhauer sets the bar high and is always looking for continuous improvement."

She summarized the board's goals for the superintendent over the coming year, which include operating the district in a fiscally responsible manner, continuing to manage the district's high school renovation and advancing learning through technology. Cappucci also highlighted the superintendent's key role in the district's upcoming capital campaign, through which the board hopes to raise $6 million.
Yes, Dr. Steinhauer is always looking for continuous improvement. His thought provoking Post It Note in a previous thread, What is his sentence? inspired a resident to seek the answers to Tim's two questions twice in separate meetings. Dr. Steinhauer has yet to answer those questions.  Here is his latest response.

From: TSteinhauer@mtlsd.net
Subject: Question
Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2012 17:42:05 +0000

Dear Mr. Huston – Last night you seemed to be referencing a posting on the Superintendent’s blog (August 31, 2012). As I noted below the posting the idea came from author Daniel Pink. Below are links to a couple of videos posted on his blog that may give you more insight into this idea. If you want a more detailed understanding, I would suggest that you read one of his books – Drive and/or A Whole New Mind.


Best wishes -

Timothy J. Steinhauer
Superintendent of Schools
Mt. Lebanon School District
7 Horsman Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15228
412-344-2076

What did you do today to improve the life of a child?

The Almanac article continues to summarize Dr. Steinhauer's goals, which have finally been posted on the District website. I don't see how Dr. Steinhauer is very deserving.

Here are Steinhauer's goals since he has been with Mt. Lebanon.
2009-2010
2010-2011
2011-2012

Posti, by phone said that Steinhauer is currently managing the second largest construction project in Allegheny County. What a scary thought. What happened to Terrence Kushner? http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/a-newsmaker-you-should-know-educator-will-manage-logistics-of-high-school-project-292399/

http://www.mtlsd.org/district/HeadlineArticle.asp?HLP_ID=1342&HL_ID=866

http://jposti.blogspot.com/2011/03/owners-liaison-hired.html

Is this the reason why we are not hearing about  him anymore?
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/fans-back-upper-st-clair-principal-in-courtside-conduct-controversy-468455/?print=1
Did Joe put his foot down? Why aren't we seeing Timmy's USC buddy in any RTKs?

No answers, but he is very deserving.







Thursday, October 18, 2012

Informational Meeting about Zamagias Property

Come Join Us - Informational Meeting about Washington Park (Property at the corner of Bower Hill Rd and Washington Rd; across from Pamela's and St. Bernard)

Meeting Details
Oct 30, 2012 7:00 PM
St. Bernard Parish (Clairvaux Hall; underneath the church)

Some concerned citizens have arranged an informational meeting about Washington Park (property at Bower Hill Rd and Washington Rd  - across from St. Bernard's and Pamela's) and have invited Kelly Fraasch (Ward 5 commissioner) to explain what is happening from the standpoint of the municipality. The developer and owner of the property, Zamagias Properties, has not yet presented an active development plan for the site.
Do you want the entrance to Mt. Lebanon to stay the same? Do you want it to be
more welcoming and beautiful?

Meeting topics to be covered:
Brief History of the plans for the property
Current status
What can we do as residents and business owners


For some background information, refer to these articles:
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/mt-lebanon-condo-developers-detail-plan-to-finance-building-with-tif-423857/?print=1 PG, 2006 article


http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/condo-construction-in-mt-lebanon-stalls-as-sales-wither-357855/ PG, 2009 article
  

http://triblive.com/home/2547227-74/lebanon-zamagias-tax-loan-tif-debt-million-money-project-developer#axzz27fqvUVMx Trib, 2012 article

Come and find out how to show your support and let Zamagias know that we care about our community!

Pass the word. All are welcome to attend the meeting!

Thank you to St Bernard's for graciously hosting the meeting!

Monday, October 15, 2012

Who is spineless?

I am sure it is too late to make a difference, just a few hours before the School Board passes another raise for our superintendent. I thought it would be interesting for the community to see an article that was in the Sept. 28, 2012 High School newspaper. In summary, the Devil's Advocate editorial talks about consequences and how school policies are not enforced.
As high school students, we understand that consequences are sometimes deserved and a natural part of growing up. But we also know the difference between a strict policy and an empty threat.
The night before graduation last June, a number of high school seniors were cited for drinking or drugs when the police broke up a party. Almost every student was able to walk at graduation.

Why do we have a Policy Committee? Why do we have policies which aren't enforced? There aren't consequences. I pointed that out at a policy committee meeting on more than one occasion. We have a District website that is not updated, complete with spelling errors. We have a school board president who doesn't cite her sources [plagiarism for anyone else.]

The School Board is a disgrace. Giving out salary increases while charging students to park, cutting staff, not meeting AYP, while their "What did you do today to improve the life of a child?" mantra is a joke.  Who is really spineless in Mt. Lebanon? Sorry, School Board Directors, but the kids are on to you.

Is this why it hadn't been posted?

Tada! The agenda for tonight's meeting has been posted. http://www.mtlsd.org/district/stuff/regular%20agenda%20october%202012.pdf

Timmy is getting a 4% raise.
*(2) Annual Salary for Superintendent: RESOLVED, That the Board approves Dr. Timothy Steinhauer’s salary for the 2012-2013 fiscal year as set as $157,477, an increase of 4%.
USC's superintendent took a pay freeze.  So did their finance director.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Gotta love those SPINELESS bloggers

Here it is - the email referenced in the following comment:
An email that was between an Association leader and Mrs. Fraasch back in the Spring paints a very different picture to all the sympathy towards the sports group. I received a forwarded email that the Association leader sent to Mrs. Fraasch and it would make anyone think twice about the ill mannered behavior. She handled it in such a professional manner. It was apparent that the leader wanted us all to be backing his agenda for turf but it showed most of us sympathy towards Mrs. Fraasch and that she is willing to negotiate if members of the YSA were even remotely civil. This has not be a civil discussion on behalf of the sports groups and I think it is really a shame for Lebo. No one that saw the email would blame her if she left the fields people without an improvement. Actually a bunch of us have supported her since the email was distributed.
October 12, 2012 5:38 PM
Delete
Kelly - I appreciate the time you spent as well. However I did give you some compelling proof regarding turf as well as some insight as to field conditions and I don't think you read what I gave you or even listened to what I said.
Quite honestly, the information you have obtained (if any) about the fields in Mt. Lebanon municipality is wrong. I offered to show you problems, explained to you what the problems are and I feel you really don't care to listen. If you believe that $840, 000 will fix your parks and recreation field problem your friends the bloggers really have you fooled!
It is obvious that the Town Hall Meeting meant nothing to you. You have your own agenda on what YOU want to do and that is your prerogative. However, you are are doing a disservice to the the youth of Mt. Lebanon (not to mention the taxpayers) - due to your own agenda.
You really can't believe that the citizens of USC, Peters and Bethel Park all have no regard for health and safety when they installed their artificial surfaces? We have had an artificial surface at the high school since the early 70's....it has been used by countless athletes, rec dept. programs (at no cost to the municipality!) and many other kids, parents, coaches and just about anyone who wanted to step foot on it!! No one has experienced any health problems!
Mt. Lebanon Commissioners have made 2 very bad investments to parks and recreation (Twin Hills & McNeilly)...yet they do nothing to solve, rectify or even consider a solution to these problems. Building another grass field (which will not help) at the public works is absurd....again your bloggers have you fooled. Why not ask your rec department and youth leagues - why go to individuals who are not familiar with athletic fields?
I more than cautioned each commission when they were going to purchase these parcels - and I can't tell you enough what a mistake it will be financially and how ineffective another grass field will be. Your not looking at ALL the possibilities or ALL the benefits of a turf field.
Perhaps maybe the YSA should start charging ALL users of fields for the $12/player user fee's....are you able to explain that to the cheerleaders, micro soccer and t-ball programs? They use the same fields we do and pay nothing!
I am putting my name and phone number on this correspondence as I am sure it will get passed along to all the SPINELESS bloggers in Mt. Lebanon. Maybe a good fund raiser for fields would be "Public Debates".......Bloggers vs. Field Rats....think they would show??
Yours in Youth Athletics
Chip Dalesandro


My first inclination was to not respond, however, I feel it’s necessary to respond so things can move on from your remarks.
This would be a good example as to why things haven’t moved forward in the past few years and that the YSA needed new leadership. A hot-headed email like that can make a Commissioner choose a multitude of other issues to focus on rather than something like Recreation. If you want me to move onto my “own agenda” I would be happy to and you will be sitting here without any movement for 4 years.
I have put in over 120 hours into meeting with folks about Parks/Fields/Recreation and 87 hours of those come from sports/YSA representatives, not bloggers. Actually 7 hours were meeting with bloggers. 26 hours were from the general community interested in the issue and current/former Commissioners. So to say that I am only listening to one side of the community is an insult and completely false.
The problem here is that not all of YSA wants turf and others would prefer looking at what we have before investing the money into something new. This ideology has been confirmed time-and-time again by your members and I happen to agree with them.
Your second problem, whether you were involved or not, you have a large group of sports associations that promised funding of the purchase of McNeilly and its’ development (not turf, but field space) since Krebbs was not working. So you have a community confidence problem, because a large group of this community feels that the associations owe them money and should at the very least follow through on written promises.
So, I guess I haven’t asked this to you, why didn’t you fundraise back then when you had the space bought for the sports/fields? Field space was purchased,a design created by Municipal Engineers and a plan that you could throw money into. This community has essentially put in over $2 million dollars (from taxes) into a field that will never be used and $0 was given by the sports associations. Today, if the sports groups would have pulled together, they would have the fields in use. Who essentially dropped the ball? Feel free to answer, but the truth is perception is sometimes everything and the community is concerned and not just the "bloggers."
You have brought up some relevant points in your email that I have been trying to get to the bottom of. I’m not sure our user fee schedule are fair and some might need to pay more. Do I want to see “pay as you go” not sure that’s a good option, but possible at this point. Do I see health issues related to turf? Yes, MRSA was a direct relation to our turf at the high school to name one. One year ago, I knew little about turf and started to do research. I have read hundreds of article pro/against the use of turf, including the items you gave to me last week. A couple of issues I have are the possible health issues that many (pro/against) articles note. I am willing to keep digging and even discussed some concerns/possibilities with Mark Flaherty today.
Let me wrap this up, Chip you can send all the nasty emails you want, call me dear in a belittling manner and yell all you like in public. I don’t care, but the bottom line is it doesn’t help you, the YSA or anyone else in this community. It simply pisses people off, so they are more incline to do the exact opposite of what you would like to see get accomplished.
Kelly

As of 3:00 PM Saturday...

No agenda has been posted on the MTLSD website for Monday's School Board Meeting. I have not checked Josephine Posti's blog though. She has been posting all President's Reports on Center Court instead of the District website.

Election Day can't come soon enough

It seems like I get something from Raja every day. Yesterday, his postcard said that "His global company has created over 100 jobs in the Pittsburgh area." Uh, that may be true, but the rest of the story is here, in an old Lebo Citizens post. Is outsourcing a good thing or a bad thing? And then there is this: CEI Reviews This link is just one of many when searching for CEI reviews.

In today's daily mailing, the Republican Party of Pennsylvania says that Matt Smith broke his promise because he signed up for, and is vested to receive, a legislative pension. I don't know anything about Matt's financial status, but if I had the millions of dollars that Raja spent on his campaigns, I wouldn't need to sign up for any pensions either. Has Raja pledged not to take any money as Senator? I wouldn't think he would need to.

In my post, Raja and Fitzgerald clash on KDKA, I see Raja's website has been changed. It no longer says: Mr. Raja's tech firm, CEI, says on its website that it "strives to be No. 1 in outsourcing." I remember posting this article from Pittsburgh Business Times.

I realize that the Post Gazette usually endorses Democrats, but I tend to agree with them on this one. For state Senate: Rep. Matt Smith is ready to take a bigger role

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Joint Maintenance Agreement for 2013

Last night was a bad night for me at the Commission meeting. During the Discussion Session, John Bendel wants to look at using the Rec Bond for turfing fields, including looking at turfing Mellon - again. He wants to study this some more. Why he won't take as much time over deer culling is beyond me. 

The usual sports people were there to speak about turf.  I had to save my minutes for deer culling, so I never even addressed turfing a school district field, let alone any Mt. Lebanon field. The sports people supported the YSA proposal and dissed the Robb Hollow plan.  Only problem with supporting the YSA plan is that their days may be numbered.

Dave Brumfield made three recommendations for the next Joint Maintenance Agreement.

  • Negotiate a longer term
  • Have individual groups who want field preferences sign the JMA separately
  • Draw up guidelines for using fields.  Include field use rules.
If anyone has any other suggestions, I am sure the Commission would welcome them.

What the buck?

I sent the following letter to the commissioners this morning.

Last night was a very emotional and painful discussion session for me, as you undoubtedly noticed. I want to thank you, Dave, for allowing additional comments after the deer management presentation by Kristen.

I don't appreciate, however, Krsiten taking my citizens comments and twisting them during the discussion session Part 2. To single me out over and over again in your ongoing rants, meeting after meeting, because I have safety concerns over your deer culling plan is unprofessional and only leads to escalating [tempers during] discussions. You love to press my buttons, don't you, Kristen? How do you expect me to be respectful when you take cheap shots at me? Last night, you refrained from using my name [this time], but anyone watching the meeting knows you were speaking of me. In previous meetings, you came right out and mentioned my name. I don't know.  Should I be pleased that you didn't mention my name?

On your final page of your presentation, Kristen, you mention that "A majority of residents have requested and even begged us to implement a deer management program." Why does this remind me of Ed Kubit saying that community is equally divided over the high school renovation? There are 33,000 residents in Mt. Lebanon, Kristen. Over 200 residents volunteering their properties is not a majority.   Put it up for referendum. Or is this going to go down the same way as the high school project?

Elaine Gillen

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

May I remind you, Ms. Linfante UPDATED 2x

Just had a heated exchange with my commissioner, Kristen Linfante at the microphone tonight. In fact, I left my recorder behind still recording and asked for it to be picked up after the meeting was over.

The topic? Deer culling. I reminded the commission of the firearm safety report and said that I would post it on lebocitizens.com.  I have blogged about it here. In my November 18, 2011 post I have been quiet about deer culling until now. , I shared some painful memories.

At tonight's discussion meeting which was continued after the regular commission meeting, I shared the story about the boy riding his bicycle through the park wearing a black hoodie during the deer culling. Ms. Linfante said that was my opinion.  I prevented an accident AND "THAT WAS MY OPINION."

Ms. Linfante compared Wildlife Services to our police force, who have used their guns in Mt. Lebanon. What an insult to our police force! Wildlife Services used biologists who, according to their own safety report, have shot themselves in the feet, shot out floor boards, and doors.  Read about it here on page 28 of the pdf.  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/nwrc/Safety_Review/content/Firearms_Report.pdf

This isn't the first time I have mentioned this report.  I sent a letter to the commissioners on May 30, 2012 and wrote about it here. An open letter to the commissioners As Dave Brumfield mentioned tonight as well as on May 29, 2012, you have not explored all options. What about the area which Dave referenced in Michigan? Will it work here? Who knows? We won't know unless we try it. But you are hell bent on a cull. No matter what. I will scan your presentation, Kristen and share it with my readers. Nice touch showing our tax dollars at work with the impaled deer on Mt. Lebanon Blvd.  How about sharing some photos of our tax dollars at work of the Lindendale deer found dead in someone's front yard after wandering 100 yards before it was discovered the next morning lying in a pool of blood?  I will scan your presentation and upload it here tomorrow.

Goodnight, Kristen.

Update October 10, 2012 4:59 AM As promised, Kristen Linfante's 2013 Deer Management Proposal Warning: Page 7 Impaled buck

Update October 10, 2012 6:08 PM All meeting podcasts have been uploaded on to lebocitizens.com. Heated exchange number one begins at the start of the Commission Meeting, during Citizens Comments. Heated exchange number two begins around 01:21:00 of Commission Discussion Session Part 3.

Larry is excited, but so is Mary

I uploaded both meeting podcasts, but only had a chance to watch part of the discussion meeting.

No surprises. The Board is going to move forward with fundraising. Naturally, Larry is excited, but so is Mary. Surprisingly, Elaine Cappucci is skeptical, yet supportive. She has concerns with staff concentrating on fundraising instead of education. Dr. Steinhauer volunteered the services of taxpayer-funded clerical staff.  Perhaps Larry will bring in adult foreign workers at minimum wage to do the actual staff and fundraising grunt work to keep the costs low.

More power to these folks. If they can raise the money, then go for it. It is unfortunate that the Board will not admit to making a mistake by proceeding with a high school renovation of such grandeur without figuring how to finance it. It was revealed last night that the State is eighteen months behind in state reimbursement for construction. Mary and Jo will blame Corbett, Bush, the Mayans, and Hurricane Katrina. No word on the MLEA grievance.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Radar/Lidar Resolution and why it should be important to you!

Commissioner Kelly Fraasch sent an email this evening and I would like to share it here.

Neighbors,  
If you have ever shared with me a traffic concern, I am emailing you some important information about an upcoming resolution that Commissioners will be voting on tomorrow night.
Resolution No R-12-18 supports a statewide effort to see Municipal Police enforce speeding limits with Radar/LidarThe state of PA is the ONLY state that does not allow municipalities to use radar/linar as a tool for enforcing speed limits. 
I feel this can help our police department enforce speed limits and make our streets safer.I hope you feel the same. 
For more information www.kellyfraasch/blog.Please pass along to neighbors in Mt Lebanon.  
Working together,  
Kelly FraaschWard 5 CommissionerMt Lebanon, PA412.580.7665
How this is important to me is that it will help to prevent wildlife/vehicle collisions by enforcing the speed limits.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

"Don't let this happen again."

The Class of 1972 High School Reunion took place this weekend. What a hoot! Our 30th reunion drew 86 people. Ten years later, social media made a huge difference. We had close to 250 people in attendance.

Besides seeing all my fellow classmates, I got the biggest kick out of a picture of the Academic Games Team that had appeared in our yearbooks forty years ago.  Below is "the rest of the story"as told forty years later.


In the early 80's, a secretary at the school district office was working late. Her boyfriend came to pick her up, and she told him to look through the old yearbooks till she finished. He started laughing at one of the pictures. Turns out he was an ex navy signal corps man. The secretary showed the picture to an administrator, and apparently more than 10 years after we graduated, it got circulated to faculty members with the admonition, "Don't let this happen again.”
I was reminded of the sit-in we had because we were not allowed to wear jeans to school. We won that battle. We reminisced about the renovation. Saw pictures of the renovation very much like the ones posted on the Superintendent's blog and MTLSD website.  Sad to learn that 52 people had passed away. Happy to see old friends again.

All in all, a great weekend.  Thank you, Reunion Committee!


Another one bites the dust

I understand that Aqua Club has dropped out of YSA. Smart move. YSA only cares about fields, as far as I am concerned. What about Ice Hockey? Are they in YSA? Or is that another group ready to jump ship? So much for the YSA proposal for Middle and Wildcat Fields.

I see that Tuesday's Commission Discussion Session agenda has been published. Let me guess. Update on Robb Hollow athletic field proposal will probably turn into a discussion about artificial turf. Fifteen minutes has been allotted for the discussion.

A related topic on the agenda is the Joint Maintenance Agreement. Discussion of joint maintenance agreement. Fifteen minutes for this one too. Hey, maybe the school board directors allocated a couple of minutes of their ever popular community coffees to some commissioners so that they could discuss the JMA. With groups dropping out of YSA, I don't see how MTLSD is going to be able to collect from YSA. Maybe a lawsuit is in order. That always seems to be SOP when things don't sit well with the school board.

Holy Cross Greek Autumn Food Fair MENU ADDED

They are here - the world famous (well at least in the South Hills) chicken rolls, made with flaky phyllo dough and baked to a golden brown. Chicken rolls a.k.a. kotopita are only available during the Autumn Food Fair. Yes, the church ladies are at it again making these and other Greek soups, salad, entrees and desserts.

Come to the Holy Cross Autumn Food Fair, located at 123 Gilkeson Road on October 10, 11, and 12, 2012. Lunch is available from 11:30 to 2:00 and Dinner is 4:30 to 8:00. Take out is available.

Also back is our annual flea market, Yia Yia's* Attic, where you can find estate jewelry, collectibles, toys, books, and much more. See you there!

*Greek for Grandmother

Autumn Food Fair Menu

Saturday, October 6, 2012

SOS

Monday's school board meeting agenda has been posted. Same old... "Typical for this time of year."

Oct. 8, 2012 School Board Discussion Meeting agenda


The shell game continues.
Ratification of June 30, 2012 List of Budgetary Transfers – The list of budgetary transfers to close the books on June 30, 2012 is required by law. It is a lengthy list totaling $2,435,420 and reflects transfers from and to budgetary accounts which have or need additional funding. Last year the list totaled $1,685,433. The superintendent recommends approval of this list.
Audit Report for Year Ending June 30, 2012 – Annually, the independent audit firm, Maher Duessel, CPAs, completes a financial audit of the District financial records. A draft of the audit report will be presented and reviewed by Amy Lewis, CPA and Dave Duessel, CPA. The final audit report will be complete for Board action at the October 15, 2012 meeting. The superintendent recommends approval and acceptance of the report.
More change orders, of course.

Change Orders for High School Project – This month there are a number of change orders for the Board to consider.

a. #PL-02-11 for $2,189 to Vrabel Plumbing for temporary water to B building for asbestos abatement when water lines were offline during construction.

b. #PL-03-12 for ($19,776) to Vrabel Plumbing to credit the District for reusing rain conductors rather than replacing them since the current ones are in good condition.

c. #AB-01-13 for $12,828 to Precision for Asbestos abatement to an unforeseen area hidden in the wall in a shaft. 
d. #FP-01-14 for $3,593 to Simplex Grinnell for temporary work required for Fire Department regulations to keep building B open while we are occupied during phasing.

e. #IN-01-02 for $5,866 to Farfield Electric for the balance of the cost of the temporary generators as part of the large insurance claim. This will be covered by insurance and will be a deduct change order once the final accounting for the claim is complete.

The total cost of all these change orders is $4,700. These have been reviewed by the architect, construction manager, Rick Marciniak and Jan Klein. The superintendent recommends them for approval.
I hope they did the math correctly this time.

And finally, for discussion:
1. Feasibility Study – The Board will discuss the Feasibility Study that was presented by Pursuant Ketchum.

2. Strategic Plan – The Board will hear a presentation regarding the District’s Strategic Planning efforts.
Obviously, the Board will be sharing all the topics that were discussed at their three coffees. The feasibility study has been a hot topic here. "Direct and supervise the completion of the District’s Strategic plan", Tim Steinhauer's Number Two goal, was delegated to a facilitator and committee.  Our tax dollars at work.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Posti and Remely wrong about Morgan Drive change order

You may remember the post regarding the change order on Morgan Drive.  This was the post that mentioned how Josephine Posti and Dan Remely had blamed the municipal engineer for the high cost of the change order.  I couldn't believe that the commissioner who is the liaison to the school board would allow the school board directors throw them under the bus like that.  Additionally, I couldn't believe that no other school board director, superintendent, or construction manager, set the record straight at the Construction Update.  In fact, even in the last school board meeting, Josephine and Dan went so far as to ask the solicitor what it would take to sue the municipality.  Don't believe me? Go back and listen to the podcast. It's all right there.

Today, I received the Right to Know that had a response from the municipal engineer.  His response was only to the commission, not to the school board. That is why Gateway's email was not revealed in a previous right to know request.  As I have said before, you have to ask the right questions. Boy, does this set the record straight. gillen RTK documents 100412

On page seven of the RTK, Dan Deiseroth began by clearly stating that it appeared that the school board had not been informed about the full extent of the change order.  While he did acknowledge that Mr. Marciniak tried to set some of the record straight, it wasn't enough since the same two board members went down the lawsuit path again the next meeting.

Next, Mr. Deiseroth listed what got changed in the change order and how much each had to do with standard municipal requirements. Paragraph after paragraph were dedicated in his email to describing to the commissioners what exactly happened.

Dan Deiseroth confirmed what many of us already suspected:

All of my directives were per the developer's agreement that they signed to comply with Municipal Standards which had to be applied once they ran into the difficult situation.

In my opinion, the documents they issued for bid were obviously lacking in information which along with the unforeseen circumstances culminated in the change order.  I do not see this in any way a case where we required anything more than we would require of ourselves when doing a project or the way we treat others who dig up our roads.

Here we have the municipal engineer clearly stating his position and that of the municipality.  So let's recap.  There was a developer's agreement signed that said the roads would need to comply with municipal standards. The school district had to redo the part of the road THAT THEY TORE UP for their high school project and they had to replace it to municipal standards.  Also, the district bid documents "obviously" lacked information needed for contractors to properly bid the road repair.

So who do you believe? The engineer who provided facts? Or Posti,  the plagiarizing princess and Dan (I will bring the High School project in under $95 million) Remely? Clearly, there is finger pointing going on over at MTLSD. Despite the municipal engineer having a direct conversation with the construction manager, Rus Del Re of P.J. Dick, either the school board is either willfully and shamefully blaming someone else who is clearly not to blame, or PJ Dick did not inform the school district of the scope of repairs.  Either way, the school board, superintendent, and central office staff need to look internally to place the blame.

But hey, what am I complaining about?  We may just be able to see the school district go 0-2 in lawsuits against the municipality.  I wouldn't put it past this school board to do just that. Remember item number 22 on Cost Reduction List for 2012-2013.

Anyone go to the coffees yesterday morning or this evening?