Another Country Heard From UPDATED

By now, you have received your 2012 letter from The Blue Devil Club. I am glad to see that they took some time to draft a new letter.  It is interesting to compare this year's to last year's letter. The 2011 letter "pitched":

• However, this continued success is even more impressive when you consider that our student-athletes also maintained a collective QPA in excess of 3.25!

• Over 91% of the total funds raised by and through the Blue Devil Club are spent specifically on the student-athletes.

 I hope it was an oversight, but those two statements would be worth repeating if they were true this year. In light of the Joint Maintenance Agreement, sports groups' 990's and the YSA, perhaps over 91% of the total funds were not spent on the "student-athletes." The 2011 letter also mentioned that:

ln the past, the funds were spent to upgrade athletic facilities and/or equipment, assist the Club‘s member sport teams meet temporary shortfalls in their ability to raise the funds necessary to meet annual expenditures, and to provide the “extra things” that help give our student-athletes a first class experience that they will never forget!

What annual expenditures? The YSA's inability to contribute $30,000 a year to maintain School District fields? Zero dollars are spent on Municipal fields. Yet, in the YSA's own words, the best baseball fields are Middle and Wildcat which happen to be Municipal fields. When will the Mt. Lebanon Scholastic Athletic Association, a.k.a. The Blue Devil Club, which includes the following varsity sports: baseball, boys' and girls' basketball, cheerleading, football, boys' and girls' soccer, fast pitch softball, boys' and girls' tennis, softball, volleyball and wrestling start contributing to the municipality for the use of their facilities? Why must the 78% of the households who do not have children in school be expected to fund this organization? Levels of support range from an individual or family membership ($25) to Blue Devil Champion ($1000 or more).

Update July 31, 2012 11:15 PM
Blue Devil Club 2009 990
Blue Devil Club 2010 990
Blue Devil Club 2011 990

Twenty MTLSD administrators received salary increases

Remember how the school board directors agonized over the cost reductions totaling approximately $850,000? They were able to reduce costs by charging students for parking at $50 per student, eliminating six part time library clerks and one custodian, eliminating the teacher applicant software, and more.

It turns out that twenty Mt. Lebanon School District administrators received salary increases for the 2012-2013 school year averaging three percent. Here is the breakdown:

• Deb Allen, assistant superintendent and top earner, went from $133,136 to $135,693.
• Ron Davis, assistant superintendent, went from $117,853 to $121,671
• Jan Klein, finance director, went from $124,451 to $133,054

In today's PG, Molly Born was able to clarify the technicality concerning Jan Klein's salary adjustment in Mt. Lebanon school officials given raises.

"She would not have been able to achieve her 3 percent raise for meeting expectations because she was at the top of her salary scale," Ms. Posti said.

Upper St. Clair's finance director declined a payraise. We take care of our finance director here in Lebo.

The increases were based on evaluations; 1.5% increase if approaching expectations, 3% increase for those who met expectations, and 4.5% increase for those who far exceeded expectations. 1.5% for those who approached expectations??? Does that mean "Close enough?" Are we playing horseshoes?

What about Dr. Steinhauer and his increase?

The board will approve superintendent Tim Steinhauer's salary sometime in the coming months. For the 2011-12 fiscal year, he earned $151,420 -- an increase of 3.5 percent from the previous year.

Dr. Steinhauer eliminated the supervisors, but has created "Dean of Students." I don't know how much of a savings there is with this new position, but I am sure that the board will be giving Dr. Steinhauer a 4.5 percent increase since he is doing a bang up job. Remember the super Super from  USC who requested a pay freeze? Not here. We charge students for parking, so that our administrators can get their raises. Only in Mt. Lebanon.

From one of the Field Boys

Last week, I emailed the entire commission with the following:

Dave,I would like to see Matt Kluck have more than five minutes to discuss turf. The YSA presentation ran over thirty minutes, even though fifteen
minutes was allocated to the YSA on the June 25 agenda. I hope you do
the right thing and let the discussion resume after the commission
meeting. Elaine Gillen

I received no response. During the Citizens Comments portion of Monday's meeting, I spoke of backwater valves, flooding on Cedar Blvd, asked who sets the agenda, why the YSA proposal was removed from the municipal website, and I would like to see any presentations down the pike posted. It is in the podcast, the first five minutes of the meeting.

Last night, I sent this email to the entire commission:

Commissioners, 

I just approved this comment from Dave Franklin (Lebo Fields): "I recently received a copy of a proposal being circulated by one of
our commissioners about a comprehensive Rec proposal. It covers every
major Rec asset from the tennis courts to the golf course to the pool
to the ice rink to new fields. It touches everything and at a
significant price. I fully support a large portion of this proposal,
but I'm worried that when she presents it you're all going to
Commisionet Fraasch her to move. Really?" My opinion of this Commission is now at an all time low. I am guessing
that Mr. Brumfield is the commissioner who is circulating a proposal.
Dave, are you responsible for keeping Jim Cannon's presentation off of
the municipal website? Elaine Gillen

This morning, I was greeted with this response from Dave Brumfield.

Ms. Gillen,
After having been at work all day, then coaching, attending a board meeting and finally getting home I saw this email.  It is readily apparent that you have no regard for facts when it comes to your blog, email and citizen's comments allegations.  In the last week you have accused me of preventing Mr. Cannon from getting his fair time.  But if you had asked me or Matt Kluck you would know that I had already agreed with Matt that if Mr. Cannon's presentation could fit in regular discussion we would otherwise it would be done after our regular meeting.   Since we had a full agenda from Gateway we were trying to squeeze it in but did not want to take away from Gateway's alotted time so we entered the presentation with 5 minutes as a place holder.
Next you accuse me of circulating Kelly's rec proposal to Dave Franklin.  I would have thought that in one of your conversations with Kelly you would have asked how long Kelly has been circulating her plan to key members of the public to drum up support.  The fact is I have not even had time to open the attachment with the proposal since Kelly sent it to me Monday night.
Then you think I am keeping Mr. Cannon's presentation off the website.  It was actually staff's opinion that it should be kept off.  When asked I told staff that as long as there were no copyright concerns, as some of Mr. Cannon's material was previously published, to put it up.
I would hope that this situation serves as a cautionary tale to keep you from using accusations and insults as your first line of inquiry.  I have replied only to you Kelly and Matt so that you can see I am not trying to embarrass you.  But so that you also know that I am serious about how easily you could have confirmed any of this.  I realize that this may be a somewhat terse email but at this time of night after all of this it is the best I could do.
Dave

First of all, I am not embarrassed by any of this.  It is public information, so I am sharing it with my readers as well as any commissioner who happens to read my blog. One reason why I am posting this is to show that Staff is running the store in Mt. Lebanon, not the commissioners. I would be embarrassed of that, Dave. Second, you never responded to my email about doing the right thing. As it turns out, you did the right thing and permitted the Matt Kluck turf information presentation to be given in the second part of the Discussion Session. By not responding to my email, I would be embarrassed, Dave. Third, I was respectful during my comments at Monday's meeting. Listen to the podcast. To say that I was using accusations and insults should be embarrassing for you, Dave. Fourth, your constant interruptions during Mr. Cannon's PowerPoint was embarrassing.  For you. It showed your true colors. And finally, to say that I have no regard for facts, is humorous, to say the least. I have promoted Lebo Fields, the blog by the other Field Boy, Dave Franklin, several times on my blog. I presented both forms of the YSA proposal and even had a poll which has not been removed to see what kind of support you had in the community with your plan. You can't say that I have kept anything from the public. I also discovered that to find the YSA proposal on the municipal website, one must use the muni website search widget using the keyword, "YSA."  

As of 11:43 AM, the turf information presentation is still not on the municipal website, a website that is funded by you and me. My website and blog, funded by me, shows both sides. So who should be embarrassed, Dave? 

Elaine Gillen 

Keeping It Real

At tonight's Discussion Session, two items were removed from the agenda because they were added prematurely and needed to be discussed and reviewed. These were Items 1 and 4a. Discussion Session Agenda for July 23, 2012 Item number 5 (Matt Kluck Turf Information) was given additional time and was presented by James Cannon III when the Discussion Session reconvened after the regular meeting.

"Keeping It Real...The truth behind artificial surfaces in Mt. Lebanon" is a response to the artificial turf proposal and can be found here. This 32 page presentation will be available on the municipal website. The podcast is available here and runs just over thirty minutes. It would have been less, but Dave Brumfield kept interrupting James, almost to the point of arguing with him until Matt Kluck stepped in by asking James to continue and to save questions for the end.

For Immediate Release from Susan Morgans, PIO

Contact: Susan Morgans, PIO
412-343-3780FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sewage to be billed separately from water starting in September
MT. LEBANON—For more than a decade, Mt. Lebanon residents have been paying for their water and sanitary sewer usage together in one bill sent from Pennsylvania American Water Co. But starting this fall, the water company will discontinue billing for sewage nationwide.
Beginning September 1, Mt. Lebanon residents will receive their sewage bills from Jordan Tax Service. It is critical to note this is not a new fee; the water bill will decrease by the amount of the sewage bill and the sewage bill will instead come monthly from Jordan. It will continue to follow the formula set by the municipality and ALCOSAN based on household water consumption. Residents should also not confuse this bill with the storm water bill sent quarterly from Jordan. That fee also will be unchanged.
"It wasn’t a choice," says Assistant Municipal Manager/Finance Director Marcia Taylor. "Pennsylvania American notified us late last fall that they would be changing it and gave us a drop dead date." Mt. Lebanon evaluated collecting the fee in-house in conjunction with other municipalities but it was too expensive and the turnaround time was too tight for it to be feasible. "We will continue to investigate that option."
In addition to mailing the bill to Jordan, residents may pay the sewage bill in person during normal business hours at the Customer Service Center in the Municipal Building, 710 Washington Road. By October, Jordan hopes to provide electronic billing options.

http://mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/View/8971

"Ah! Those ever so enduring, immortal, low-maintenance and indestructible plastic fields!"

http://www.synturf.org/maintenancereplacement.html Lots to read, but here is just one example of an unhappy customer. "Flooding" caught my eye. Proponents to artificial turf would probably say that the type shown in the photo is not what is being considered.  Even so, when Cedar Blvd. floods again, all those little pellets (infill) are going to float away. School District, check out No. 76...

[No. 77] Ridgewood, New Jersey: Costly face job on artificial turf field. This is the story that keeps on giving – first the flooding, then the clean up, and now a wrinkle removal procedure for the artificial turf field that got shriveled in the face of heavy rains that reminded everyone why some places are called flood pain and not very suitable for a million-dollar artificial turf installation. For previous posts on the plight of Ridgewood, see http://www.synturf.org/waterdamage.html (Items No. 14 and 15). According to the news report in The Ridgewood News (April 27, 2011), “The final repair of the wrinkles left on new turf installed on Ridgewood High School's (RHS) Stadium Field after flooding this month [April 16] cost the school district about $21,000, Superintendent Daniel Fishbein disclosed at a Board of Education (BOE) meeting Monday night.” Fishbein stated that the cleanup was being conducted by the district's contracted custodial company, "so there's no additional costs." “However, when The Ridgewood News questioned Fishbein during the public comment portion of the [Board of Education] meeting about the cost of hiring an outside company, LandTek, to repair the turf wrinkles, the superintendent reported that the field repair in fact cost about $21,000. "I'm sorry. There was a cost for LandTek. I neglected to say that," he said, adding that he considered the repair of the wrinkles a "correction" and not a "clean-up" cost. For more, please go to Kelly Ebbels, “Ridgewood turf field's 'wrinkle release' costs $21,000,” in The Ridgewood News, April 27, 2011, available at http://www.northjersey.com/news/120734824_Ridgewood_turf_field_s__wrinkle_release__costs__21_000.html . Go to the site for a picture of the wrinkled field.

Houston, we have a problem UPDATED

It seems as though President Brumfield is only allowing Matt Kluck five minutes to speak about turf. Here is the agenda for Monday's Discussion Session. Yet when the deadbeat YSA gave its presentation, they were allowed three times that. June 25, 2012 Discussion Session Agenda Mr. Brumfield, care to explain the difference? Or are you going to continue the discussion after the regular meeting is over? I hope whatever Mr. Kluck is presenting will be posted on the municipal website, just as the YSA was able to have its proposal published.

Update July 21, 2012 PM 1:19 PM
The link to the YSA Proposal podcast is here.  It starts at 13:00 minutes and ends at 43:37 minutes.  In my pea brain and never one for math, it appears that the YSA spoke for 30:37 minutes. Why does Matt only get five minutes?  This place is so corrupt.

What? Not everyone wants artificial turf?

I almost missed this.  Thanks to the reader who alerted me to this article in the Almanac. ML residents oppose turfing fields (Saved in Google Docs) I was at the meeting when Ann Stanton passed out photographs of the horrendous traffic congestion on Cedar Blvd. I am willing to post those photos, Ann. Not only do people park illegally on Cedar Blvd. and Cedar Lane, but kids are dropped off on Cedar and run across the street. It is an accident waiting to happen. So let's "add more slots" by adding artificial turf which, in turn, will increase traffic congestion and create more parking issues. Since the artificial turf will permit more games played after rain storms, where will the cars park when Cedar is flooded?

Monday's meetings should be interesting.  Maybe YSA will present their check during the commission meeting public comments, so that they may clear their name of past debts.  Only then should they pick apart Matt Kluck's turf information which will be given during the discussion session.

Latest LeboALERT and Poor Field Conditions UPDATED

This is an important notice from LeboALERT.

 Due to inclement weather & poor field conditions, Lil Sluggers is cancelled today (7/20).


If we had artificial turf, we still wouldn't have Lil Sluggers due to the heavy rain and thunderstorms.


Over on Lebo Fields, Dave Franklin put up a video from Penn State in his latest post, The Facts About Injuries and Turf.  Dave provides an excellent link to Penn State's studies. I found the following information.  http://plantscience.psu.edu/research/centers/ssrc/news/2011/from-the-field-december-2010

So what do these studies tell us? Based on the results of the available research, the notion that athletes are at a greater risk of suffering injury when playing on synthetic turf is not valid, if they are playing on infilled synthetic turf. It is important to look at these studies collectively, as a whole, and not cherry pick the data from one part of one study. The fact of the matter is that while these studies are the best way to track injuries occurring on various surfaces, all research suffers from inherent limitations. For example, it is sometimes difficult to determine whether the surface contributed to an injury. Additionally, lumping all natural grass fields into one category is problematic, as the condition of grass fields can greatly vary. Surely, a hard, compacted field with little turf cover has a greater potential to cause an injury than a finely manicured field. This is true for infilled synthetic turf as well. The age, type, and maintenance of the surface can affect the playing quality. Nevertheless, when looked at collectively, the take away message from the available research is that the rate of injury on natural grass and infilled synthetic turf is comparable. 

OK, so artificial turf adds zero slots to playing time during thunderstorms. Injury rate is comparable to both natural grass and infilled synthetic turf. What about costs?  Surely artificial turf is cheaper according to the YSA. Well, according to the same Penn State link, their studies say no.  Resources

The general conclusions listed under Natural turf or synthetic turf: The numbers game:

• Synthetic infill systems can handle up to six times more traffic than natural turf fields in high-use situations
• Synthetic infill systems are less expensive to construct and maintain than sand-based fields; but they are much more expensive than soil-based fields.
• An existing sand-based field will be less expensive to maintain over a period of 10 years, than constructing and maintaining a new synthetic field that will need to be replaced at the end of that period.
• Existing soil-based fields are the least expensive of all to establish and maintain.

This and the lack of documentation from the School District showing YSA's payments make me question why the Municipality considered the YSA worthy of linking their proposal.  I see that it has since been removed.

Update: Friday, July 20, 2012 3:09 PM An important seminar for the YSA:

	501(c)(3) Status: Keeping it Legal with the IRS
	This full day workshop hosted by the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management and presented by IRS Exempt Organizations specialists, explains what 501(c)(3) organizations must do to keep their tax-exempt status. Topics covered will include: Tax-exempt status Unrelated business income Employement issues Form 990 series Required disclosures Fee is $50 and includes lunch. This session will take place at the Robert Morris University Holiday Inn at 8256 University Blvd. Moon Township, PA 15108 on Tuesday, September 11 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.For more information go to www.stayexempt.org. Pre-registration is required. Register online or by calling Shelby Gracey at 412-397-6000.

With mixed emotions...

I filed a Right To Know for the list of tax liens for 2011 on Monday evening. My RTK was granted this morning. Josephine Posti sounded giddy during Monday's meeting when she singled out the media to say that this list will be available to publish. I apologize in advance if this causes any heartache for those individuals who can't afford to pay their taxes and have filed bankruptcy. My heart goes out to you. The taxes here are outrageous and it is a struggle to pay them.  I do see a familiar name who was endorsed by the Mt. Lebanon Republican Committee, instead of me.  For that reason, I am publishing this list.

2011 liened properties

Tim Steinhauer, Tom Peterson, and Jan Klein were cc'ed on the email.  I never saw a RTK granted so quickly.

Someone is lying. UPDATED

A little history...June 7, I posted this thread, NSF YSA Makes The Trib!

Then-school Superintendent John Allison dismissed the amount owed in 2008 because of the group's insufficient funds;

June 20, 2012, this appeared on Lebo Citizens. Another hole in Jan's story - Updated 2x - 990's added - Trib's correction This sums up the thread:

For the record, I never did see the statements from Jan Klein that Chip Dalesandro was referring to in the post, I had a visitor today...  How could George Wilson dismiss the amount owed when he wasn't even the superintendent? Who dismissed it? The School Board at that time? Or was it Jan Klein?

On June 20, 2012, I filed two Right To Know requests with the School District. I heard from Mrs. Szalinski on June 26 with this response and this response, both requiring extensions up to thirty days.

That brings us up to today. I heard from Mrs. Szalinski by email. Dr. Tim Steinhauer, Thomas Peterson, and Gavin Robb were cc'ed. Peterson and Robb are with Tucker Arensberg. I don't understand why two attorneys would have been involved. Double legal fees?

Here are the responses.

On June 20, 2012, you requested any and all communication regarding the dismissal/forgiveness/release/waiver of funds owed by the Youth Sports Alliance for the years 1998-present by any superintendent, financial director, school board director, or YSA member. Please be advised that the District is not in possession of any records responsive to your request. Official response

On June 20, 2012, you requested any and all communication between Jan Klein and Chip Dalesandro regarding the YSA payment schedule and funds received. Please be advised that the District is not in possession of any records responsive to your request. Official response

So no records of ANYONE dismissing YSA fees in 2008 or ANYTIME. No copies of records that Chip has in his possession from Jan Klein accounting for all of YSA's payments. Where are the records? If there is nothing, why were two attorneys involved? Why the extensions?

Update: July 20, 2012 3:10 PM An important seminar for the YSA:

501(c)(3) Status: Keeping it Legal with the IRS
	This full day workshop hosted by the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management and presented by IRS Exempt Organizations specialists, explains what 501(c)(3) organizations must do to keep their tax-exempt status. Topics covered will include: Tax-exempt status Unrelated business income Employement issues Form 990 series Required disclosures Fee is $50 and includes lunch. This session will take place at the Robert Morris University Holiday Inn at 8256 University Blvd. Moon Township, PA 15108 on Tuesday, September 11 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.For more information go to www.stayexempt.org. Pre-registration is required. Register online or by calling Shelby Gracey at 412-397-6000.

What exactly happened at the school board meeting?

I have had a couple of emails asking about David Huston's comment at last night's school board meeting. Here is part of one email exchange.

Could you (or if you'd prefer, feel free to forward this to Mr. Huston) explain, in simple terms, the Sunshine Act and how it applied to the meeting last night from your perspective? Thank you so much!

 My response:

Thank you for contacting me through the blog. I have copied David Huston on this email. Do you know that the podcast is available here? http://www.lebocitizens.com/Lebo_Citizens/Podcasts/Entries/2012/7/16_School_Board_Discussion_Business_Meeting.html

For information on the Sunshine Act, I have this link on the website as well. http://www.elc-pa.org/pubs/downloads%202009/GettingInformationAboutYourSchool6-09.pdf under http://www.lebocitizens.com/Lebo_Citizens/Right_to_Know.html 

I found this website too that might be helpful. http://sunshinereview.org/index.php/Pennsylvania_Sunshine_Act 

Here is what I see as the issue about having the meetings combined. The first meeting in the month is when there is discussion about an agenda item. The school board is very tight lipped about their agenda items. These issues were introduced (briefly) and then voted upon all in one motion. David is absolutely correct in what he said.

David Huston explained it much better.  Here is what he wrote:

I wish more people tried to find out what is going on. I could sit here and type many hours all about the Sunshine Act, but for now I will attempt to clarify what I said last night.

Our lawmakers crafted the Sunshine Act specifically to allow folks to not only see government function but also to allow and encourage public participation. It's why we go to government meetings, and gets to the very reason America its allegiance with Great Britain. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is the oldest civilized government on the North American continent, with the Pennsylvania State Constitution the first contract with its citizenry.

From the Sunshine Act, 65 Pa.C.S.A. Section 702:
The General Assembly finds that the right of the public to be present at all meetings of agencies and to witness the deliberation, policy formulation and decisionmaking of agencies is vital to the enhancement and proper functioning of the democratic process and that secrecy in public affairs undermines the faith of the public in government and the public's effectiveness in fulfilling its role in a democratic society.

It is truly a shame the Sunshine Act is not adhered to or enforced the way its authors intended.

Much more information is available at:
http://www.pafoic.org/

Typically the School Board has two open meetings a month. One is the Discussion meeting, and the second one is the Business meeting. This month we had a "Combined" meeting. I do not think it is possible to have a combined meeting. You can only have one meeting, then another; but never two combined into one.
So, we either:
1) Skipped the Discussion meeting this month and only have a Business meeting
  -- This is what I think actually happened
or
2) Go along with what Posti and the agenda stated and have both meetings at the same time.
  --It is not possible for this to happen, but it is my premise for the Sunshine Act violation

Here is the part of the Sunshine Act our School District violated last night:
65 Pa.C.S.A. Section 708 (6)(b) Procedure. The executive session may be held during an open meeting, at the conclusion of an open meeting, or may be announced for a future time. The reason for holding the executive session must be announced at the open meeting occurring immediately prior or subsequent to the executive session.

The District, according to both the agenda and Posti, held both the Discussion meeting and the Business meeting at the same time. The open meeting occurring immediately subsequent to the executive session was the Discussion meeting. The District started the second open meeting, the Business meeting, without announcing the reason for the executive session during the Discussion meeting. The District did not announce the reason for holding the executive session at the open meeting occurring immediately subsequent to the executive session.

I am not a lawyer, but I know when the District is violating the Sunshine Act.

David Huston

I am aware that some school districts may eliminate some summer meetings, but to me, that is not an excuse. Historically, the summer is when things get slipped in here in Mt. Lebanon. If you listen to Josephine Posti, she was encouraging the media to request the list of liened properties for the 2011 tax year. I filed a RTK but I have mixed emotions about publishing it, if or when I get my RTK granted. This is not transparency in my mind.  How many of the liened properties are due to bankruptcy? Josephine seemed delighted to publish the list. How about sharing the salaries? How much did Timmy get? Or Jan?  What exactly was the technicality regarding Jan's salary? How about some transparency there, School Board? To sound excited over people's hardships sounds a little twisted to me. I know that I may be sounding hypocritical since I wanted to publish the scofflaws, but I think this is different.  

Act 93 Administrative Agreement removed from agenda

Thanks to David Huston, the podcasts to tonight's meetings are now available. Josephine Posti announced that an agenda item was removed -

Act 93 Administrative Agreement – The Board will be asked to consider an Act 93 agreement with the District’s administrators.
Act 93 Administrative Agreement: RESOLVED, That the Board approves the Act 93 Administrative Pay for Performance Plan as presented effective July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2017.

Does that mean that there is no agreement for Jan Klein? Steve Scheurer?

The following action item was only an adjustment to Mrs. Klein's annual salary, or a technical amendment or revision as explained by Scott Goldman:

Revision to 2012-2013 Administrative Salaries – The Board will be asked to approve a revised list of salary adjustments for administrators previously approved by the Board.
Revision to 2012-2013 Administrative Salaries: RESOLVED, That the Board approves the revised 2012-2013 list of annual salary adjustments for administrators effective July 1, 2012.

At the last meeting, Scott Goldman had not voted to approve the administrative raises, but since tonight was a technical amendment, the vote was unanimous. I wish the Board would have just come out to explain what the technical amendment was.

Write a letter to force a moratorium on the reassessments

The PA State House of Representatives has twice passed a bill that would force a moratorium on Allegheny County reassessments.  As you know, the PA House is controlled by Republicans. Both times this bill has passed, the Senate has found a way to either block the moratorium or strip it out of a bill that they did pass. Former State Senator John Pippy was the lone R vote in Committee to try to keep the moratorium in the bill. Obviously, he is now gone and will be replaced in November.

Either way, this bill has bi-partisan support with the majority of PA House members understanding that there needs to be a statewide approach to property tax reform.

Below is a news article and a press release regarding these votes:

http://www.repsaccone.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=14809

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/reassessment-halt-falters-in-pennsylvania-legislature-643375/

I'd like to see us increase the odds of this moratorium getting put in place. To do so, please contact PA State Senators Pileggi and Scarnati at the websites below (note that these are "Contact Me" forms as they do not have public emails addresses):

http://www.senatorscarnati.com/connect.htm

http://senatorpileggi.com/contact.aspx

Please ask these senators to support a property tax reassessment moratorium in Allegheny County.

Here is what I wrote:

Dear Sir, 

Please take a moment to read the linked letter below.  It has a thorough explanation of why I support the Senate freezing the reassessments that took place in Allegheny County.  

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B9r_1biKte_bcnFIbGRocTlPcHc

The results of this reassessment will hurt those people you wish to help the most- the middle class. We cannot afford what is happening here with the taxes being pushed upon our already overburdened checkbooks.

Please support a moratorium on the Allegheny County Reassessments.

Is this what they are trying to sneak in?

The School Board usually has two meetings per month, a discussion meeting followed by a business meeting (a voting meeting) the following week. For the first time that I am aware of, the School Board will have the discussion meeting and the voting meeting all rolled into one on Monday, July 16.  The agenda has some irregularities this time.

(2) Revision to 2012-2013 Administrative Salaries – The Board will be asked to approve a revised list of salary adjustments for administrators previously approved by the Board. Revision to 2012-2013 Administrative Salaries: RESOLVED, That the Board approves the revised 2012-2013 list of annual salary adjustments for administrators effective July 1, 2012 

(3) Act 93 Administrative Agreement – The Board will be asked to consider an Act 93 agreement with the District’s administrators. Act 93 Administrative Agreement: RESOLVED, That the Board approves the Act 93 Administrative Pay for Performance Plan as presented effective July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2017.

A revision to the administrative salaries?  What are they? Will we find out after they are approved? Where is the transparency?

Act 93 Administrative Agreement - isn't that Jan Klein?  Is she getting a raise? Where is her agreement? Will we have to file a Right To Know? Again, where is the transparency?

I am sure that Josephine Posti will say that the Board is transparent. Look at:

(6) Publication of Listing of Liened Taxes – Annually, the Board approves the publication of all properties on which taxes for the prior year have not yet been paid. This list is provided by the Tax Office and is recommended for public view. The Superintendent recommends approval of this action.

List of Liened Taxes: RESOLVED, That the Board approves for public display the list of liened taxes for the 2011 tax year.

They are quick to approve for public display the list of liened taxes, but what about YSA payments for the Joint Maintenance Agreement? Why am I waiting for 30 days to find out the status of my RTK? We don't want to shame them, now do we?

Anticipation...

Anticipation - Pursuing Ketchup

PG's Molly Born did a story today about the feasibility study and Pursuant Ketchum.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/district-awaits-word-on-campaign-for-mt-lebanon-high-school-renovations-644282/

Ms. Bowman said this feasibility study wasn't about identifying donors but about soliciting advice and feedback.

Then what good is it?

The interviews are based on the idea that the district would try a $15 million capital campaign, though other sums have been considered.

Say what? $15 million?  What happened to the $30 million? We were told that a feasibility study costing $41,000 plus travel expenses was for a $30 million fundraising campaign. 

The school board chose the people to be interviewed, "a cross section of the community" Hmm, I didn't seem to get a call. Probably all the people on MLFE got a call.

Capital campaigns of this size usually occur at universities or civic organizations, but school directors have said that Mt. Lebanon's alumni network and residents could be ideal future donors.

 Excuse me? Residents? Aren't we "donating" already?

Also note that the District has now changed the possible outcome of the study. It used to be for the High School project. Now they are saying it could instead be for a program endowment. Problem is, the MLFE only funds NEW programs. It doesn't pay teacher salaries and the like.

Linfante: Let's float a bond with no plan

My commissioner had some wonderful words of wisdom at last night's meeting. During part two of the discussion session, an agenda item was about floating a bond. John Bendel said that it has never been a better time to float a bond. In order to float a bond, the commission must have four votes.  Kristen Linfante was quite vocal about floating a bond. She wanted to know if there were four votes. Matt Kluck does not want to float a bond, so that meant that Kelly needed to be the fourth vote. The problem is that they have no plans. Kristen wondered if they should float a bond with nothing designated for the bond. Great plan. Later in the meeting, Kristen said that the high school renovation was a perfect example. We waited forever and ever, board after board, and now we have a big number. 

I have some questions.  Wasn't the first renovation plan approximately $150 million? Didn't we float the bond around two years too early? Because of poor planning and not doing their homework, didn't the school board end up going to court because of zoning issues? Weren't we faced with our first change order because the soil that was bad in 2007(?) was still bad in 2012?

Kristen, are you going to approach this the same way you talked about the high school renovation?  No facts. No plans. Just go up to the microphone and say how we must have this renovation. The time is right. Just dig it.

Are we going to be like this? The New Normal: Municipal Bankruptcy

Click here to listen to the second half of the discussion session.

Apology from the Commission

On behalf of the Commission, President Dave Brumfield issued an apology at last night's meeting over the launching of fireworks from Mt. Lebanon Cemetary on July 4, 2012.

Commission Apology

Full count. Pass the bottle.

I have a little rule that I like to follow. When I hear a complaint from three or more people, I think it might be time to write about it. I am not very popular with the sports groups around here as it is, so this will definitely throw some people over the edge.

I have not been to a youth sporting event in Mt. Lebanon for many years. From what I have been told, things have really changed since I attended. I understand it has become common practice for parents to bring alcohol to their kids' games. I do enjoy a good margarita or a glass of wine now and then, but I have never brought alcohol to any of the sporting events. First, I don't think it is appropriate. Second, or maybe it should have been first, I don't think it is legal to drink in our parks or school grounds.

I just started a new poll about alcohol and youth sporting events. Please take a moment to vote.  Thanks.

Josephine Reflects on the State Budget

Over on Center Court blog, Josephine Posti writes:

An editorial that ran in the Post-Gazette on Tuesday that describes the frustrating closed-door state budget process that included "deals" ranging from new teacher evaluations to a Marcellus Shale drilling ban in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. 

The governor's plan links public school teacher performance reviews to student achievement. Is that a bad thing? Is she disappointed that public schools must be accountable?

I don't understand her drilling ban comment. Drillers are PA American Water's largest customers. If she starts railing against drilling, she'll be unemployed quickly.

Josephine continues.

In regards to the teacher evaluation language that was approved, this new evaluation process does not apply to charter schools, further expanding the gap between the accountability and transparency public schools must adhere to while using tax dollars to fund schools without financial or academic oversight by local elected officials or taxpayers.

Oops, there it is. Accountability and transparency that public schools must adhere to. Accountability and transparency. As opposed to the closed-door meetings Posti lobbied for with the commissioners, the stealthy accounting practices with the YSA, and the "let's make sure we don't have a quorum Steinhauer Panera coffee klatches which were revealed in a Right To Know about the feasibility study. The same woman who tells her constituents to file Right To Know requests and when we do, they require 30 day extensions for legal reviews?  I have to check my records to see how much longer I have to wait for my two outstanding RTK requests concerning YSA payments.

Speaking of the feasibility study, how much longer do we have to wait for the Feasibility Study results? Will everything be revealed during the single School Board meeting being held in July. The School Board will hold a combined discussion/regular voting meeting on July 16, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jefferson Middle School Library. This is a first. Last year, there were two meetings in July. I am anxious to hear about the feasibility study. I understand that one of PK's clients, Washington National Cathedral has this want ad. http://www.nationalcathedral.org/jobs/JOB-5MQTL-76001E.shtml Didn't it work out with Pursuant Ketchum? Everything is written in past tense. http://www.pursuant.com/?s=Washington++national+cathedral As of March, they had only raised $2 million of the $20 million they needed to fix the earthquake damage. http://www.pcusa.org/news/2012/3/13/repairs-funds-are-slow-going-quake-damaged-nationa/ Did this group take over? http://www.oai-usa.com/our-clients/community Sure wish we had that $41,000 plus travel expenses. On that same note, I saw this article in Pittsburgh Business Times where the State disagrees with Cal U over their $6 million fund which was used for things like a feasibility study.  http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/blog/morning-edition/2012/07/state-of-pennsylvania-and-cal-u.html?ana=RSS&s=article_search

Someone sent me this link. Everything You Need to Know About Public School Spending in Less Than 2 1/2 Minutes I hope our school board directors take the time to view the video. Here is a screen capture from the video. Consider it a preview of coming attractions.

Feeling like you are not being represented by your elected officials?

I sure am.  We do have options. I am not suggesting a tax revolt, but here is something to consider. To receive a 2% discount on our municipal and school district taxes, the discount deadline is July 31, 2012. Since the taxes are to be paid by separate checks, they can be paid at different times.  Looking at the less expensive municipal taxes, the 2% discount is minimal by comparison. Do you feel like you are being represented by your commissioners? I don't. For less than $20 on average, you can make a statement to the municipality. I am choosing to pay my 2012 municipal tax bill in September.

I have always paid my taxes the second they would arrive in my mailbox. Last year, I waited to pay my school district taxes until the end of July.  I know it didn't make much of a difference to the school district, but I felt better. This year, I think I am going to take advantage of the school district real estate tax installment option. Here is the installment option as written at the bottom of my school district tax bill:

Mt. Lebanon School District Real Estate Tax may be paid in the following installments:

1/2 of the face tax due by: 9/30/12

1/4 of the face tax due by: 13/31/12 (whenever that is)

1/4 of the face tax due by: 2/28/13

If more people take this route, perhaps that would get our local government officials' attention.

 

 

We may see more of these LeboALERTS with artificial turf UPDATED

This is an important notice from LeboALERT.

Due to extreme hot temperatures and high heat index, Lil Sluggers T-Ball is cancelled for this afternoon, Friday, July 6, 2012. For info call 412-343-3409

Update July 8, 2012 10:36 PM Please read Penn State's Center for Sports Surface Research Synthetic Turf Heat Evaluation – Progress Report dated January 2012.

Do we ever think things through when it comes to the high school construction?

This one is a heartbreaker. Due to the high school renovation, tonight's fireworks are to be shot off from the Mt. Lebanon Cemetery. The cemetery is closed to mourners. One woman lost her husband six years ago and couldn't visit his grave to celebrate his favorite holiday like she usually did.

“It’s wrong. It’s just wrong,” said Stefanie Hertz, who was one of several residents angered by the choice of location.

Residents argued the township could have chosen somewhere else to shoot off the fireworks.

“It's disrespectful. You don't plan a celebration around people who've just passed, that obviously are missed,” said Hertz.

Mt. Lebanon's municipal manager did not return a call requesting comment.

Township's decision to shoot off fireworks from cemetery upsets residents

WTAE story on YouTube

Celebrate freedom

As we celebrate freedom today, let's also support the tools that support freedom. Thankfully, we have the Internet. The Sunshine Act allows us to file Right To Know Requests. The PA Office of Open Records has developed a citizen's guide which provides a simple overview and can be found here.

Download and share this flag
Share, remix and print this flag. It was released into the public domain using a CC0 license – that means you can copy, modify and distribute the image, all without permission. After all, it’s your flag. It includes submissions from people sharing what the power of the Internet means to them. They are joined by leaders from the past and present.
Download in JPEG, PNG, or PDF.

Read more at https://www.google.com/takeaction/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=hpp&utm_campaign=07042012takeactionhpp

Pool Update - Go to Dormont UPDATED

Isn't this just swell?  Dormont saves the day.  Here is the latest LeboAlert:

This is an important notice from LeboALERT.

Pool closed. Might open Tues. Dormont honors Lebo permits till 8. Show receipt for permit purchase. Rec Ctr. can provide copy, 412-343-3409 till 5 or 412-561-4363.

Commissioner Fraasch, in answer to your question raised at the March 26, 2012 Commission Discussion Session, yes, we are to go to Dormont to swim.

This could have all been avoided.

Update July 3, 2012 10:10 AM

This is an important notice from LeboALERT. 

Hooray! New pool pump installed successfully and pool is open for business as usual.

My counter proposal to the YSA's - UPDATED

FIX THE POOL.

This is an important notice from LeboALERT.


Due a mechanical failure, the Pool will be closed for the day. We apologize for the inconvenience and will update when the problem is corrected.

Pool Update July 1, 2012 7:45 PM The pool was packed when it had to be evacuated. Our filtration system went down. This morning, the Aqua Club held a meet in dangerously low chlorine levels. Our kids were swimming in filth. I am listening to the March 26, 2012 Commission Discussion podcast. About halfway through the podcast, Kelly Fraasch asked David Donellan what would happen if the filtration system goes down. Matt Kluck had asked for a timeline and would never receive it. Kelly had said that she would hate for residents to have to go to Dormont's or Scott's pool. It was mentioned that if the filtration system would go down, it would be the end of the season. It seems that both James and Kelly Fraasch are prophetic.

Pippy resigns

Last night, Senator John Pippy resigned at 11:59 PM following the budget vote. State Sen. Pippy resigns from legislative seat following budget vote This followed Democratic Nominee Greg Parks' filing papers to withdraw from the race. According to the PG, Matt Smith could run against Raja in the November election. Dems to pull switcheroo in state Senate election?  Nothing would make me happier than to see a strong candidate run against Raja.  Yes, I know that I am a Republican, but I think Matt Smith would be the better candidate. And if Matt wins, then I would love to see Dan Miller fill his seat as representative. Time will tell.  The Democratic committee has to nominate Matt Smith first.  Selfishly, I want Dan Miller as our representative since he did a fantastic job when he was a commissioner.  After his term as president was over, everything went to hell, as far as I am concerned.