The commission meeting went as predicted. The sports people were there in full force. One by one, we heard their sad stories of kindergartners not being able to play lacrosse, soccer games canceled week after week because of wet fields. Never mind that the last major rainstorm dropped 4 inches of rain and that homes all over Mt. Lebanon were flooded, ground is saturated to the point that trees are being uprooted and streets are uplifted.
I asked that all the unassigned funds go to public safety issues such as the police radio, installing sidewalks leading to schools, and installing back water valves in the homes that are constantly flooded. When my back water valve was inspected today, the plumber told me that there are 55 such valves in Mt. Lebanon. I said it was a no brainer to spend money on sidewalks and help people with flooding issues, not spend $700,000 on artificial turf.
A heated discussion followed among the commissioners. Clearly, it was decided in advance that Brumfield, Bendel, and Linfante were voting for artificial turf. Hints were made that municipal money was going to turf Mellon. The unassigned funds are to be spent on MUNICIPAL capital projects, not school district fields. Our staff has to cut back, but it is OK to blow $700,000 on school district fields.
The shining moment in tonight's meeting was when Kelly asked if Dave had a plan. He admitted freely that he did not have a plan. But they were quick to point out that this wasn't going to be spent immediately and that $700,000 was not enough to turf anything. It would have to come from the school district and -are you sitting down?- donations from the sports groups. No plan.
So after this goes down, and it will, the next want WILL be McNeilly. You mark my words.
Oh, before I forget, they will not be buying a golf course tractor or go for Building Security replacement. Think about what replacing Building Security means, Folks.
I have uploaded the podcasts to tonight's meetings. So if you are as hyper as I am at this point, listen to the commission meeting. It is available here.
39 comments:
Unfortunately, there is only one way to deal with the Deaf, dumb and blind troika.
Kluck and Fraasch if they are really serious about doing what is right for this community must stand together and employ the same tactics that Brumfield, Bendel and Linfante use.
Use the media, state the facts, call the opposition out for having no plan and ask for the community to get in the game.
Elaine can't do it, they've branded her and her contributors as wingnuts. It's going to take some real leadership, armed with the facts to put a stop to the nonsense.
we are all "wingnuts" if we do not conform to the authorized official line --- that used to be called "manipulative behavior" and is the hallmark of charlatans and dictators (remember how the Soviet Union used to send its dissenters to mental hospitals?)...
Sorry, but Kelly did call out Brumfield for having no plan. Matt and Kelly cancall the New York Times, and it still won't matter. They are not the commission majority.
It is a done deal. It has been since Dave formed the Turf Board. Now they are putting all their faith in the Turf Board to make recommendations. Jeeze, I never saw it coming.
So eComments and emails don't make any difference. Unless you represent a field sport or your five year old wants to play lacrosse, you don't stand a chance.
Elaine
Elaine
They had a plan, raid the piggy bank.
Yes, I know Kelly called out Brumfield and did an excellent job, but I'll bet 70% of the community know the conversation even took place. The Almanac is not going to do a deep thorough report on the meeting or an analysis of the financial implications and you can be sure the 'unbiased', 'we don't even know we're a gov't owned publication' mtl magazine is going to give both sides.
So Kelly and Matt are put there on their own, fighting a well-organized, single-purposed machine.
Until residents are bombarded with the cold hard, financial implications and the facts, like $700,000 isn't going to turf a field, Brumfield will remain in office and they'll win.
The Almanac left early during the discussion session. Susan Morgans left during the discussion session. In fact, I just sent this email to Susan and copied the commission and Feller.
Susan,
I don't appreciate you sitting on my digital recorder at discussion meetings. Last night was the second time you did that. The first time was an accident, I am sure, since I had it on a chair. I have since placed the recorder on the table. Last night, you decided to sit on the table to take pictures of the commissioners. You looked down at the table, saw my recorder and rested your body on the recorder to take those "action shots." I hardly consider that an accident. What is that table, six or eight feet long? I don't appreciate your passive aggressive behavior toward me, my blog, and my website. I wish you would stop.
Elaine Gillen
Ask Brumfield if he has talked with Gateway about his plan. Ask Linfante and Bendel that too. The community is being run by the Three Stooges. Remember how Kristen wanted to take out a Rec Bond with no plan? I blogged about it. How can Bendel and Brumfield vote? They are coaches. Interestingly, the parents who came to support them are from the sports Dave and John coach.
We have kids walking to school on streets with no sidewalks. The commission recently approved three stop signs for N. Meadowcroft to try to slow down traffic. Bendel, the Refiner, wants to look at other streets where it may be more dangerous than the one by Lincoln School. Does it have to be an either/ or? And then they all have the audacity to say that not having turf is a safety issue. If that is true, then their goal will be to have all turfed fields. I have the Gateway Engineering study done on fields on Lebocitizens.com and for some reason, Mellon isn't on the list. Could it be that it is because IT ISN'T A MUNICIPAL FIELD? Here is the link to the study. http://mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/2660
Elaine
The Almanac left early, that because the PIO will fill the paper in "on the facts."
Is there a quid pro quo in affect between the free and independent press and the Public Information Officer?
We'll keep you in the loop on all the 'community news' Almanac and you'll skew it accordingly or you're cut off and become useless to 13,000 households which is a big hit to your circulation.
Brumfield, Bendel and Linfinante should be required to drive up and down Castle Shannon Blvd. until their brains are so scrambled they finally come around to understanding priorities around here. That road is disgusting and it's one of the major access roads to our community.
Castle Shannon is a Penndot road. They have been notified.
Elaine
Took look long enough, especially considering whose has an address there.
Yes Castle Shannon is a PennDot problem, so why no thanks on Lebomag to a commissioner that got out and checked on constituents that have been having issues with the road and stormwater?
Her service to the community went so far that she was collecting bricks off the roadway.
Should have been immediately recognized by the PIO for service above and beyond! No we get people writing in here calling her a queen. Why?
Elaine - In addition to your change order tally, why not keep a running list of the maintenance items that should be addressed before we go spending money on turf? Let's start with Bird Park - the bridge is washed away and there is fallen debris all around the edges of the park along Washington and Beadling. Also, leaks in the public safety building roof...
Oh boy. I am going to need help with that. Not sure of all the issues. How about emailing me a list privately?
Elaine
Here's the very first thing that needs to happen. The VERY FIRST THING!
Yeah, it's heart-wrenching to listen to the voices of the little children, in tears because they missed their lacrosse game die to rain. It's so sad.
These kids and their should be first commended for showing up at a commission meeting, but then immediately cross examined on what they think they are supporting, beyond artificial turf.
You can be sure the kids don't have a clue and its highly doubtful the parents could tell you exactly what turfing cost. Hell, even the commission president, that ardent long- time proponent of turf, admits there isn't a plan! After all these years of pushing turf, he can't put a number on the table or define a plan. But the 'kiddies' will follow him anywhere.
Remember that 1984 Apple Macintosh commercial, remember the audience.
They should send it as a letter to the editor of MTL magazine and Lebomag.
Brumfield is no longer president. Matt Kluck is president now.
Elaine
Are you sure? The commission doesn't seem to look like he's the guy on top. LOL
Are you saying the commission president can't even get a tractor for the golf course?
Can he get money for turf for the golf course? After all, it is a safety issue. Hahahahahahahahahahahahah
Nope, not even if you call it a very large ball field.
Franklin said that our fields are in bad shape. Why are they coming to commission meetings to complain about school ball fields? They are out of the field maintenance business, Daves. Go to the school board and complain.
And commissioners, what do you think is going to happen when you won't even think about a goddam tractor for the golf course? Do you want to run it into the ground? It generates income and is also used for charity golf outings. I loved reading about its history. http://www.mtlebanon.org/index.aspx?NID=194
One good thing about not replacing the building security system. If the kids get caught in a rainstorm while playing at Mellon, you can move the kids to the municipal building. It will be open.
Elaine
4:13 did Kluck specifically ask for a tractor? I thought last night's discussion was how to handle the $829,000 in excess money. President Kluck's position was to give the $829,000 back to the taxpayers. It must have been Feller or Donellan that wanted the tractor and Brumfield and pals said kiss off it's going to school field turf.
So ask Brumfield, Bendel and Linfante why they're not interested in maintaining the facilities they already have. They, their predecessors, the YSA and the school district let the fields deteriorateunderthe JointMaintenanceAgreement and because the money that coud have been spent maintaining fields went to purchasing TwinHills and McNeily. Two more sports group's non-plan plans. Now they'll let the golf course go to hell so they can get their precious turf.
Franklin said our fields are in bad shape. Maybe we should leave them that way according to this - Boys Lacrosse WPIAL 2013 Champions.
Damn kids, guess they just didn't realize they grew up playing the game on crappy fields. Hahahahahshahahaha.
Detroit filed for bankruptcy last Thursday…
It was the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. Detroit needs to restructure $18.5 billion in debt. It has $3.5 billion in unfunded pension liabilities.
The city's population has fallen from a peak of 1.8 million people in 1950 to 700,000 today. Fewer residents mean less tax revenue… Income tax receipts have fallen nearly 30% in the last decade.
The city struggles to provide basic services, like policing neighborhoods or simply keeping the streetlights on.
Adding to the problem, Detroit, like Mount Lebanon is plagued with political problems. It is not hard to identify who are the political problems.
Who the hell is Dave Franklin? If our fields are in bad shape, he's one of the prime characters that let them get that way!!! How long was he a chief big wig in the YSA?
How long did he let the YSA go delinquent in their payments to the Joint Maintenance Agreement.
How many years did he turn a blind eye to untrained coaches and volunteers doing more harm to the fields with incorrect use of drying agents and sweeping of water off fields. Which created even bugger depressions that created even deeper depressions that collect more water.
Why did he sit on his hands and let the commissioners buy McNeilly? Was he involvedwith the YSA whenTwinHills was purchased
Now after years of neglect, misuse, poor management he's crying that the fields are in bad shape.
Franklin's a day late and certainly as usual a lot of dollars short!
We'll hear you out Mr. Franklin, get together with Brumfield, Bendel and Linfante and come up with a plan that works for everyone. Kelly tried to compromise and a lot of people were backing it.
So put something on the table or get the he'll out of the way. Your incessant whining is getting old?
Where's the beef, Messrs Brumfield and Franklin?
If you're against a plan, you must have something better in mind.
What that old saying, if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.
Should the Joint Maintenance Agreement budget been increased over the years? Should play levels been frozen, reduced or alternative sites found until the overuse was dealt with?
The comments at 6:41 shouldn't be interrupted to suggest that Franklin, Brumfield or any other individual is responsible for our field situation.
But, if you're on the board of youth football, soccer, lacrosse, baseball or softball and you see field conditions deteriorating, first thing you have to do is find out why.
Apparently, somebody thought TwinHills would add capacity, it didn't.
Nobody asked why a million dollar purchase didn't help. They went looking for more land and bought McNeilly. Nobody apparently cared to find out if it was affordable, if the parents wanted to drive there, if Baldwin would let us build there, how we would patrol it. It sounded good, so we did it. No more field capacity, $2 million pissed away.
What the latest solution, if 3 years of asking is new, turf a field that already exist for yet another $1.4 million.
OK say we go along with the Mellon turf. How many game hour do we really achieve? It not a new field, it's an existing field. You only gain a few hours of play because it dries faster. Due to turf field heat it may not even be that more playable.
So after $3 million+ we gain a few more hours of game time.
Sounds like a lot of wasted money.
A public/private partnership on McNeilly sounds like a suggestion that may even create a profit or at least revenue generator, maybe an all weather, all sports center, but the Daves don't seem to be interested.
Does anyone know why?
From today's Trib-
Assurances of economic improvement ring hollow to analysts, unemployed workers
"Despite White House assurances that the economy is steadily improving, analysts and others are skeptical. Improvements are not meeting expectations, they said, and strategies seem to focus on the short term, not the big picture.
“It's certainly doing better than a year ago, but it's not a strong economy,” said Allan Meltzer, professor of political economy at Carnegie Mellon University. “It has numerous problems for the future that the president and the Congress are doing their best to ignore.”
Unemployment continues to be a problem.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics last week reported unemployment rates remain stubbornly stagnant, with 28 states reporting increases from May to June, 11 states reporting decreases, and 11 states and the District of Columbia reporting no change.
The national jobless rate was unchanged from May at 7.6 percent, though that figure is 0.6 percent lower than in June 2012.
“It's been darn slow at this point,” said James Craft, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh's Katz Graduate School of Business. “There seems to be an increase in the number of jobs being created, but there doesn't seem to be the decreasing unemployment levels we'd hope for.”"
http://triblive.com/mobile/4407922-96/economy-durrant-business
Keep spending Commissioners like there is no tomorrow and there probably won't be one.
Of course Brumfield, Bendel, Linfante you're so much wiser than CMU or Pitt professors.
Elaine, you want to be our guests to the annual Crystal Dr block party? Puffed out Dave B. will be there talking up a storm on how GREAT he is... NOT!
Thanks,6:52 AM. That is very nice of you to invite me. I will pass. Instead, maybe you can tell all your neighbors about this blog. Watch Dave B.'s face during citizens comments when I mention Lebo Citizens. He doesn't like when I do that.
Too bad you couldn't be Dave's opponent in the upcoming election. You are stuck with him for four more years as your commissioner.
Elaine
Ward 4 isn't stuck with him yet! The election hasn't taken place yet... there's still time to find an opponent.
I wouldn't mind seeing Alan Silhol in the Commissioners spot for Ward 4. He had an open mind, listened and at least tried to reach a compromise that everyone could live with.
The PTA, Rinos and sports cabal gave him the bum's rush while he was a director. It'd be just deserts for him to sit on the commission.
How about David Huston?
If nothing else the guy is dedicated, he's concerned about spending and taxes and it would be worth the price of admission just to see him and Linfante joust over the issues!
Oh, and we know his taxes are paid.
What has Brumfield done to justify his reelection?
You could've put a bobble head in his seat and IMO achieve pretty much the same results...right?
Is that all we expect of our officials...affimative head bobbing?
At least Kelly get out of her seat, connects with residents and developes a plan. For this she gets attacked.
Brumfield on the other hands says absolutely nothing, has no plans, except to spend money on turf, for which he also doesn't have a long term plan and people don't say a word.
Elaine wish you would change your mind on the Block Party invite. It would be priceless to see Dave B.'s face! I do know that he trashes your "blog" at every chance. You surely get under his skin. But watch... I'll bet my paycheck he'll try for a State office spot soon. He's getting older, the lawyer thing isn't working out all that well and what's left... Being a liberal politician. But lets all pray that one of his kids don't get into Polo! Taxpayers would then have to build stables, buy polo horses, and invest in GRASS polo grounds.
Sure. When is it? If you want to email me privately, so that all of Lebo doesn't show up, my email is EGIllen476@aol.com Sounds like it will be fun.
Elaine
Thank you for that lesson. What is your point?
Elaine
Thought it was obvious when the ________ was quoted as saying: "This is a community asset ... We're not going to charge you for its use. Years ago, that decision was made for the fields."
Could not the same have been said for ______?
a) sewers
b) block parties
c) other municipal services that have had fees put in place or increased
d) all the above
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/mt-lebanon-officials-ponder-spending-696837/#ixzz2aGeCrAhr
It is obvious now, 1:30 PM. Thanks for the clarification.
Elaine
Dave B. would like to go on to be a judge, another elected office. His sports buddies will support him, but the masses won't. His legacy will be installing artificial turf and killing deer (both for "public safety") while constituents in all five wards are cleaning up from flooding and kids are walking to school on streets where there are no sidewalks.
Interesting article on ten traits a judge should have when you vote. How do you pick a judge? Here are 10 traits to consider when voting
"The integrity of a judge is the keystone of the judicial system. Integrity enables a judge to make decisions based on the facts of a case and the law. A judge with integrity sets aside personal prejudices, personalities and partisan political influences."
"A candidate should show qualities of patience, open-mindedness, courtesy, tact, firmness, understanding, compassion and humility. A candidate should be able to deal with people calmly and courteously and should be willing to hear and consider the views of all sides of a case. A good judge needs to be even-tempered, yet firm; open-minded, yet willing and able to reach a decision; confident, yet not self-centered."
Elaine
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