Me. I am a little cranky today. Running this blog and website has become a full time job for me. I really don't mind that part. I wanted to give back to the community and found my niche. However, I am being taken for a fool.
Public Information is costing residents $814,190 and Information Services is at $381,252. I sat at the four hour commission retreat on February 26, 2013 while mtl Magazine staff posted this on Facebook. mtl Magazine Facebook 02.26.13 Are you frickin' kidding me? Why are we paying these people to write this kind of crap while a resident had to cover the retreat? If I had not been there, the public would have had no idea what transpired. Why couldn't it have been held in the commission chambers?
Now, the plan is to have a new mtl Magazine blog called, lebolife. On January 18, 2013, Susan Morgans submitted this article, Wanna blog? On January 30, 2013, it was announced that they are still working on it and that it is on the way. No signs of lebolife anywhere.
mtl magazine is published by the municipality of Mt. Lebanon ten times per year. Staff includes an editor in chief, a managing editor, a senior editor, an associate editor, and fifteen contributors, one of which likes to write about other cities, her neighbor's business, and former VOICE poster children's family. See page 34.
The latest service being offered to Mt. Lebanon residents will be streaming meetings on mtlebanon.org. The article, "Meetings on Your Schedule" is on page 9 of this month's mtl Magazine. Mt. Lebanon has contracted with Granicus, a San Francisco based company. How much is that service going to cost us? I have been uploading meeting podcasts for three years. Yes, that will take the pressure off of me, but at what cost? Nick Schalles, manager of Mt. Lebanon's Information Technology Office said that the mtlebanon.org website couldn't possibly archive meeting podcasts. How has my little website been able to do it for both the municipality and the school district?
I submitted my thoughts, as much as was permitted, on the mtl readership survey.
37 comments:
We talk about a free press. These people hide, they make a lot of money off the media. They hide behind the slogans of free press, and then they can come out with crap like that. It's just garbage. It's insulting to the readers.
-- Robert Scheer
(Scheer's latest book, The Great American Stickup: How Reagan Republicans and Clinton Democrats Enriched Wall Street While Mugging Main Street (Nation Books), was released on September 7, 2010.)
Elaine:
We are all being taken for fools.
Mt. Lebanon's print magazine, Facebook page, and future Blog should not be confused with legitimate news sources. Just look at the model for all of these publications and you'll see that what they are comes under the heading of "propaganda." By the way, that word does not always carry a negative connotation - as a quick consultation with a dictionary will confirm. My point is that the Public Information Office does not hire "reporters" to cover issues and write news; they hire "feature writers" to produce upbeat, "feel good" articles, with occasional trash collection calendars and local ordinance information.
All of this might be tolerable if our local major newspapers, radio stations, and TV stations - those entities that have news departments - were doing their jobs and actually digging for stories in Mt. Lebanon. There are certainly enough reasons for them to dig, with more being presented as time goes along.
As it is this Blog and the Lebo Citizens website are community assets because they provide uncensored information and a forum to discuss same.
Please don't get discouraged, Elaine; the community owes you a debt of gratitude for your work - even those people who vigorously oppose your ideas (and those of other Blog contributors) and post here anonymously. A little mental sparring is a good thing, as it requires everybody to check their premises.
Thanks, RG. Nobody owes me anything. I am so frustrated that these MTL employees are making big bucks and just got a 3% raise, on top of that. They need to put in a full day's work, not writing BS for Facebook. This was a high priority for the commissioners. While they were setting their goals and figuring out their priorities, the staff was goofing off. How long does it take to start a blog? Really? They will have 20 volunteers, for crying out loud! This isn't rocket science.
Some readers took issue with the police chief and fire chief being at the meeting. They were working hard, while the PIO was hardly working. It is time for some downsizing in that office. Take a look at IT too.
Elaine
When the two chiefs and Taylor went out for a break, they were tipping off the folks on the Ark.
Excellent points, Richard. There should exist no pretense regarding mtL mag as a legitimate source of information. Im put off by its claim to be the "official" magazine since itserves no purpose. But thanky we have Elaine to bring real news to lighyt. Shame on the PG and Trib for dropping the ball. I imagine their budgets are slightly more than that of Gillen Inc.
Richard, there isn't a problem with a community magazine promoting the the community. A little positive "propaganda" or better a yet a little cheerleading is expected.
The problem though is that the magazine has gone over the top pushing agendas, selected businesses and select neighbors all under the cover of being a "community" magazine.
It is not a community magazine as you never see Elaine covered on it's pages like the Reallebo girls were.
Here is Dictionary.com's definition of propaganda - "noun
1. information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation, etc.
2. the deliberate spreading of such information, rumors, etc.
3. the particular doctrines or principles propagated by an organization or movement."
I find the deliberate spread of the green agenda particularly aggravating by the magazine.
What are daysy days ?
Why doesn't the Commission spend more time managing the waste and less time on Waste Management ?
It isn't just the commission. Check out Timmy's blog. He is blogging about yellow, blue, and terra cotta.
http://www.mtlsd.org/superintendent/blog.asp
Our school board continues to condone this.
Elaine
Mt. Lebanon Magazine could easily be replaced with a vibrant and user-friendly website that would provide all the information that residents need.
I wonder how many trees have to be cut down to make the expensive paper the magazine continues to use?
Elaine deserves an award for all of her hard work, investigations, hours of meeting attendance and updating her blog. Residents have learned things on Lebo Citizens that they never would have found out otherwise. People in other communities are checking out her blog, too.
In fact, it begs the question---how many hours a week does it take to maintain this blog, Elaine?
Thank you for your time and effort!
I like the construction pictures and the colors on the Superintendent's blog.
John, yeah the colors look nice.
Is this the kind of thing we need our Superintendent to focus on rather than pressing budget problems, talk of closing a school, parents upset with the math curriculum or whom goes to Mellon vs Jefferson?
Sure put a continually updated slide show in the high school renovation link on the district site for those that are into that sort of thing. Just the sort of thing for the district PIO.
The superintendents blog though int opinion should deal with more loftier subjects.
I also wonder if any thought was given to the
http://www.divinecaroline.com/self/self-discovery/seeing-red-how-color-alters-our-behavior
For something a little more heady...
Color and Psychcological Functioning
Abstract
Color is a ubiquitous perceptual experience, yet little scientific information about the influence of color on affect, cognition, and behavior is available. Accordingly, we have developed a general model of color and psychological functioning, which we present in this article. We also describe a hypothesis derived from this model regarding the influence of red in achievement contexts. In addition, we report a series of experiments demonstrating that a brief glimpse of red evokes avoidance motivation and undermines intellectual performance, and that it has these effects without conscious awareness or intention. We close with thoughts on the need for rigorous scientific work on color psychology.
http://m.cdp.sagepub.com/content/16/5/250.short
I'd be willing to bet that if someone looked hard enough there's probably grant money available from somewhere for participating in a study on the influence of room color on student behavior and learning. Or maybe a counselor could approach PPG Paints soliciting money to start a study since we now have different color rooms.
Just a thought, maybe PK has some contacts.
Yes John, I knew you would. Still vying for that fundraising position?
7:35 AM gets my point. Timmy makes a good living by posting photos on his blog teaching toddlers their colors. 3M appreciates his Post It Notes. Would you have tolerated this when you were a school board director, John? Look at Timmy's initial blog postings and compare them to his one word postings now. I think I typed enough words in this one comment to carry Timmy through to the end of his contract. He is laughing all the way to the bank. And the school board continues to give him raises. Cissy Bowman should be putting this on the renovation blog. And the board continues to give her raises.
We have Susan Morgans's 2013 base salary at $96,252, in addition to paying three other editors. And the commission continues to give her raises. I guess I am not the biggest fool in Mt. Lebanon. We all are.
Elaine
*Morgans', not Morgans's.
Elaine
Anon 7:35, I don't think pictures of the high school construction support your allegations that budget problems are being ignored or that schools will be closed or that parents are upset with the math curriculum.
Last year we cut $900,000 from the budget because the union filed a grievance, we didn't close a school although it was proposed, parents were heard on the math curriculum. Let's not forget most of us moved here because of the education provided by our school district, not because we know how to design a curriculum or choose a color to paint a room.
If you look at corporation restructuring you will find the first actions taken are often small steps that are psychologically painful. What I witnessed last year was a board that struggled in the budget process with some difficult decisions.
Your blog continues, " . . . little scientific information about the influence of color on affect, cognition, and behavior is available." Need I remind you that yellow (Gold) and Blue are our school colors?
Why don't you look for something positive to say and sign your name to your comments?
John
First of all John don't put words in my mouth!
I never ALLEGED, never, ever alleged that budget problems are being ignored in my comment.
Nor did I allege that schools are being closed!
President Cappucci reopened the discussion that closing a school could be a consideration not me. She also alluded to other possible cuts in the budget, curriculum and activities. So get off your high horse.
I only offered that the district's top executive should communicate with residents on the more important topics. He is after all a doctor of education.
I don't have a problem with the ongoing photos of the renovation, there are people who find that interesting and good for them. We have a PIO to do that.
I'd prefer to see pictures of how one designs an elevator shaft with duct work running through the middle of it, but I guess I'm just an angry cynic.
I offered a suggestion for perhaps getting some money into the district, I figured that one of our highly trained education professionals might be curious about the effects of color on learning.
Keep thinking small John.
John, are your saying school colors trump the affect color plays on mood, creativity, apprehension and behavior?
There are reasons that hospitals choose colors, why restaurant chains use reds, yellows, and browns in their logos and restaurants.
Talk to your Pursuant friends, talk to their creative directors and I'll bet they'll give you an in-depth education on the role color plays in modifying behavior.
Quit looking for a fight with everybody.
Back to Mt. Lebanon Magazine, how about the fact that there could be a FREE publication -- In Community Magazine -- to offer the very same information, at no cost to the community -- but Morgans will die before that happens, as it means she will be out of a job. That for profit publication is used by Peters Township, Upper St. Clair, and numerous other south hills communities...but NOT Mt. Lebanon. In fact, Mt. Lebanon has spent legal dollars against that magazine to try and prevent its expansion into Mt. Lebanon. Good use of your tax dollars? I don't think so.
You see John, I was only suggesting that Dr. Steinhauer might focus his attention on loftier pursuits and leave the public information and PR job up to the people who's job that is.
I was thinking that now that we've starting using a varied color palette the doctor could use them to make a name for the district and himself! Plus, bring in a few dollars in revenue.
Can you imagine school districts and architects (and paint manufacturers) using a white paper from Dr. Steinhauer, superintendent of the MTLSD as a guide to enhance student learning.
Here's an example on the impact of color.
"Colors that make a Difference
Here are a few colors and the corresponding impacts they have on the brain:
Dark Blue – associated with night, often leads to passivity
Blue and Green – calming – blue is the most preferred color across cultures
Red and Orange – arousing
Red – may stimulate excitement and is used to light gambling casinos
Pink – interestingly calmed inmates in institutions”
http://www.funderstanding.com/brain/your-brain-on-color/
Funderstanding gets it as they claim to be people that... "care about education"
Dr. Steinhauer and staff could develop a study to see if one room color had significantly higher test schools than another.
If students were rowdier, more attentive or whatever in one room or another.
It was just a suggestion John. Shoot me, OK!
With reference above to the teachers union grievance & arbitration matter (allegedly a $900,000 issue that some have claimed to be a an annual potential cost for up to 15 years), that was supposed to be settled in 2012: rumor has it that the District (i.e. taxpayers) lost the case.
Anybody else hearing anything about this ?
I heard the same, but it is being kept quiet until after Remely wins the special election. Ha!
Elaine
Remember Remely did not want to budget for the grievance, incase the District would win?
Haven't heard anything on the union matter, but why hold back info on a financial matter from the stakeholders?
Shouldn't that info be released as soon as the decision was reached? They didn't waste anytime on the districts suit decision over parking and apparently the plans to reach an agreement.
"Last year we cut $900,000 from the budget because the union filed a grievance, we didn't close a school although it was proposed, parents were heard on the math curriculum. Let's not forget most of us moved here because of the education provided by our school district, not because we know how to design a curriculum or choose a color to paint a room."
Say what??? Thanks for proving my point Mr. Ewing, paint colors are not that all-fired important are they?
Now I'm trying to figure out what you mean by "the district doesn't design the curriculum" If not, what makes MTLSD better than USC, NA, Fox Chapel or any other high performing district.
3:23, Mr. Ewing's quote about cutting $900,000 from the budget because...
simply is not true.
There was no line item in the budget for the grievance.
I think I have their attention...
From Facebook:
mtl -- Mt. Lebanon Magazine
4 hours ago.
Getting so excited to release our Lebolife blogs. We've picked three to start with...you'll be seeing them very soon at www.lebomag.com.
Elaine
You can bet those 3 (three what??? post, stories, perspectives, reviews???) will be very exciting.
My guess one will be about sports or exercise, one will be about the green agenda and the third I don't have a clue.
Third one has to be travel.
Elaine
9:48 AM, we have In Community Mt. Lebanon Magazine. I was supposed to be in it over the precious 100 Year Anniversary logo, remember? I was also photographed, along with my daughter, at last year's Mt. Lebanon Garden Tour Garden Party. In fact, they read this blog. Hi guys!
Elaine
Just took a fast look at IN Community Mt. Lebanon magazine. Isn't it funny in their community links List both of your blogs are listed Elaine.
I wonder how many full pages the municipality could buy to list schedules, activities etc in IN Mt. Lebanon and eliminating MTL magazine Thereby freeing money for things like Turf, perhaps????
3:23, you misunderstood my statement when you said,
"the district doesn't design the curriculum." The meaning was to say the residents didn't move here to design curriculum. The district's job is to design curriculum.
3:39, you are welcome to listen to the budget discussions about the budget cuts and the grievance before you say my statement is not true. The podcasts are on www.lebocitizens.com.
John
My comment at 3:23 may have cause some confusion. I wrote: "Say what??? Thanks for proving my point Mr. Ewing, paint colors are not that all-fired important are they?"
It should have been "paint color photos" are not that all-fired important... .
I'm postulating that paint colors used in a classroom may be. Not to dissimilar than say a student learning a musical instrument may see an improvement in math comprehension or abstract reasoning skills.
John, stop defending your lie.
This is cut and pasted from the 2012-2013 budget page 17:
LEGAL ISSUE
At the time this Budget was approved, the teachers’ union (MLEA) filed a gr
ievance requesting that
some of their members be placed higher on the pay scale for their service time as permanent substitute
teachers even though our contract specifically says this is not to occur and a prior year arbitration on
this issue was resolved
in the District’s favor. The result of this grievance could cost over $900,000 if
decided in the MLEA’s favor. This cost has not been budgeted this year.
http://www.mtlsd.org/district/stuff/budget_2012-2013.pdf
The cost of the grievance will appear in the salary line and the benefits line, not as a separate line item. At least that is the way it was handled in the past when we lost a step-placement legal loss.
If you are going to call me a liar then you should have the correct facts and be willing to sign your name instead of making cowardly remarks.
Shame on Elaine for Gillen allowing this to go on.
John
I think you're all nuts! I love Mt. Lebanon Magazine and so does everyone I know (why I'm an advertiser in it). Everyone reads it cover to cover it seems -- at least my clients do! I throw that In community "magazine" thing into the trash before opening it-- it is nothing more than a souped-up Pennysaver (whichever commenter suggested they were comparable must not know how to read). mt.l is a treasure that, as I understand it, is largely run on advertising dollars. the type of resident who mt.l attracts is generally one who is invested in developing a vibrant and connected community. mt.l is something we should be proud of as a community.
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