Dress 4 Work 2013

Six years ago, I started Dress 4 Work through my church, in conjunction with the Urban League of Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, the Urban League lost its funding and ended the program. Their clothing donations were shipped to Capacity Developers, Inc.  CDI was able to fill the gap by providing clothing assistance to individuals involved in employment and training initiatives. During the month of November, I will be collecting men’s business, scrubs, and 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, coats, and even tuxedos!

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.

Right To Know Information Session

State Representative Dan Miller is hosting a timely event for his constituents. On Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 6 PM, Dan is hosting a Right To Know Information Session at the Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building. This informational session on PA Right To Know law will feature:

• Panelist Nathan Byerly, Deputy Director of the Office of Open Records.
• Panelist Matt Smith, Minority Chairman of the Senate State Government Committee.
• Public Q & A and discussion with panelists.

Dan has always been a proponent of Open Government. He posted regularly on his blog and encouraged me to record his meetings during his term as Commission President. Dan also opposed closed Joint Discussion Sessions which were held between the Commission and School Board.

Please join Dan at his Right To Know Information Session and learn about updates to the law and best practices for both requestors and officers.

Vote against bullying UPDATED

Election Day is November 5, 2013. There are four seats and four candidates running for School Board. Search for these names on Lebo Citizens and see if you agree with their philosophies.

Mary Birks (incumbent)
Dan Remely (incumbent)
Mike Riemer
Bill Moorhead

The incumbents raised student parking fees, charged activity fees, promised a renovation under $95 million, cut the budget to the bone, and then turned around and gave sizable increases to our superintendent, who presently makes more than the PA Superintendent of the Year, in addition to having zero experience as a superintendent prior to his contract with Mt. Lebanon.

The incumbents have voted yes on every issue, including change orders. The incumbents have taken it upon themselves to try and ratchet up sundry "zero tolerance" policies, with great fanfare to the public. Whether these policies (hazing, bullying, plagiarism, alcohol, drugs, etc.) were well-intentioned is of little concern; the fact is they sent strong signals to parents that the District wasn't going to allow certain behaviors.

Now along comes Mrs. Harouse who reads an article in "The Devil's Advocate" and takes umbridge at it. Whether the article is satire or not is a side-issue. She goes to the Board and lets 'em have it. The Board, in class Lebo fashion, circles the wagons and excuses the article on First Amendment grounds. Again, that's not the point. I think we all get it.

The point is that over the years, District officials have crowed about how they want to protect the children from harm - harm in all of its various forms - and now they have to deal with a parent that takes them seriously. However, given that various policies at the high school are routinely ignored or flouted, I am surprised that anyone takes the District seriously.

I had a record breaking week and want to thank all those who read, commented, and sent personal emails to me. Obviously, the Devil's Advocate article struck a chord. One of the over two hundred comments contained a list of bullying characteristics.

These are some overt and covert bullying behaviors that parents may experience when dealing with the administration. Each behavior may vary in its intensity, severity, duration, etc. Parents should not experience any of these behaviors when dealing the school district.  

Hostility
Dirty looks/gestures
Invasion of personal space
Curt tones of voice
Social exclusion/isolation
“Silent treatment”
Making light of bullying
Calling the parent “crazy”
Referring the parent to counselors
Harassment
Excessively critical
Repeated reminders of errors and mistakes
Intolerance
Impatience
Intimidation
False/exaggerated reports against the parent
Shouting/yelling/ swearing at the parent
Throwing objects
Failure to maintain hostile-free communication
Insulting or threatening phone messages/emails
Theft
Attempting to turn others against the parent
Unfair treatment
Gossip/rumor-mongering
Threats
Humiliation
Condescending
Deception/lying
Vindictive
Punishing
Hinting that the parent should move
Verbally attacking the parent in public/private
Excluding the parent/family from important meetings or activities
Withholding pertinent information from the parent
Blocking opportunities for engagement with the school
Unjust use of authority
Excessive monitoring
Unreasonable demands
Ignoring/undervaluing belittling the parent’s concerns
Defamation: false attacks against the parent’s reputation
Excessive teasing or cruelty
Questioning the parent’s competence
Excessive sarcasm
Destruction of property

Sounds like a typical school board meeting, doesn't it? I guess eye rolling would fall under "dirty looks/gestures." One person wrote, "Residents may want to carry a "Bully" sign to raise each time they observe one of these behaviors in the Commission or School Board meetings." Ask and you shall receive, my friend.

Stop the bullying sign
Stop the bullying bumper sticker

Unfortunately, the four candidates will still win. We know it. They know it. Have you seen any yard signs? No. Perhaps it is because three of them lost the best candidate on their slate. The fourth candidate only had State Rep signs.

I am still voting for Moe Howard, Curly Howard, Larry Fine, and Shemp Howard*, the Four Stooges. Don't sit home on Election Day. Get out and vote. Let the school board members know that you are saying, "No to bullying."

*Last names added for voting purposes. ;)

Update October 27, 2013 7:45 PM Mt. Lebanon boy gets suspended for class assignment.

Parent offended by article in The Devil's Advocate UPDATED

I uploaded the podcast from last night's school board meeting. The last seven minutes or so, during Citizens' Comments, Suzy Harouse, from Cedar Blvd., confronted the school board about a highly offensive article published in the student newspaper, "The Devil's Advocate." I do not have a copy of the newspaper, but if a reader would send me a copy, I can post it here.

Ms. Harouse went on to say that after checking with administrators in our district, as well as other districts, that they too, found it offensive. Dr.Timmy was surprised that this parent had received a copy of his email concerning this situation, one that was sent at 2:00 AM. He was also offended by this woman's comment. Both he and President Elaine Cappucci said that it was the student's right under the First Amendment.

Funny how I just approved a link/comment about The First Amendment, under Mt. Lebanon Magazine Sued Updated 2X.

October 22, 2013 8:39 PM Devils' Advocate article is here.
Suzy Harouse's comment is available here.

Pay As You Throw Still A Go?

As of today, PAYT is still a possibility. It certainly got Waste Management's attention. On October 15, Waste Management looked at this blog EIGHTEEN times. There seems to be some conflicting information. WM told me that Cranberry does not have PAYT. Kelly Fraasch disagreed. When I spoke (briefly) with Kelly today, she said that she is working on a blog post, and will post it soon.

Matt Kluck wants to have a discussion as to the pros and cons of PAYT. He asked Tom Kelley to present them at the October 28, 2013 Discussion Session.

PAYT, contrary to the anonymous comment indicating otherwise, may still become a reality.

Mt. Lebanon Magazine sued UPDATED 2X

Photo at DUI checkpoint brings suit against Mt. Lebanon Magazine

A Washington County man sued the managing editor of Mt. Lebanon Magazine along with a photographer whose work appeared in the magazine, claiming defamation.

John W. Pinto of Cecil filed an arbitration claim Thursday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court against managing editor Merle Jantz and photographer George Mendel. Pinto is seeking $35,000.

According to the court filing, Pinto claims the defendants published a photograph of him standing near a police officer at an apparent drunken driving checkpoint in 2012. His face was blurred in the photo.

He said the magazine wrote that his Volvo was the first vehicle to enter a DUI checkpoint on Washington Road and talked about field sobriety tests.

Pinto said the magazine falsely conveyed to readers that he was arrested for drunken driving. Pinto was not arrested, according to the lawsuit.

Magazine editor-in-chief Susan Fleming Morgans referred comment to Mt. Lebanon's solicitor.

Update October 18, 2013 12:11 AM Man sues Mt. Lebanon Magazine for defamation

Update October 19, 2013 5:33 PM Article is on page 36-37 here in the September 2012 issue of mtl Magazine.

Shame on Remely

I can't believe I read this. Dan Remely is putting down our police and fire department in the Trib article,  Renovation change orders could cost Mt. Lebanon School District $200 K

“Our illustrious police department and fire department are spending a heck of a lot of our money,” he said, noting that their reviews required more safety measures."

The PG caught that comment too. Mt. Lebanon school board nears decision on rifle range

Board member Dan Remely expressed concerns about the possibility of representatives from Mt. Lebanon's police, fire and inspection offices determining if additional safety features are needed.

 THAT HE QUESTIONS? This isn't the first time Dan Remely has questioned our fire department. I am sorry, but I would NEVER question our police and fire department when it comes to our schools - or any time!!! We're talking about our children's safety.

This is what you get when we have four seats and four candidates running for school board. They can do and say anything they want, because they're in!

On a side note, the Trib picked up on Ostergaard's comment.

Board member Dale Ostergaard said he's worried because the district approved changes costing more than $300,000 last month.
“If we continue at this pace, we're going to run out of contingency (money) in eight months,” he said.

Someone asked me where I find the change orders on the school district website. That is a good question. They aren't listed in any particular section. You have to go to mtlsd.org. On the left hand side of the home page, click on "School Board." At the top of that page, click on "Agendas." In order to find the change orders, click on every agenda listed and the change orders for that month will be there. There is no running total available on the District website. To get that, file a Right To Know. Or look on the right hand side of this blog.

How does The Lebo Citizens Team sound?

I have been curious about the Lebogreen.org website ever since I posted their call for action on my post, Just so you know, Pay As You Throw.

Kristen Linfante answered my questions to the commission, "Who funds lebogreen.org and who is the Mt. Lebanon Environmental Team?"

"The Environmental Team is not a municipal board - it is a group that works often with the ESB, and they have a rep on the ESB, but they are not affiliated.
Kristen Linfante"

Still wanting more information, Kristen responded to my second email.

"Not a single tax dollar goes to the Environmental Team or their website. It is a completely volunteer group. One of their members created the site and manages it. This group is not affiliated with the municipality or the SD.
Kristen Linfante"

Under Rob Papke's beautiful photo on About Us, I learned more about The Mt. Lebanon Environmental Team.

The Mt. Lebanon Environmental Team is a group of local Mt. Lebanon (Pennsylvania) citizen volunteers devoted to improving the environment by working with residents, elected officials, institutions, businesses and the Mt. Lebanon Environmental Sustainability Board. The team is dedicated to responding to the global and local economic, social and environmental challenges associated with energy demand and human contributions to climate change and to improve the effects of these changes on our community and neighbors.
Get involved by joining the team. Sign up by sending us an email.

Then it hit me. Here is a group of citizen volunteers who work with elected officials and the Mt. Lebanon Environmental Sustainability Board. Elected officials who push their personal agendas with boards who are appointed by ELECTED OFFICIALS. How does this citizen group get to work with elected officials and the ESB? Is it because they are friends of elected officials?

What about the hundreds of people who read this blog? I can't say there are hundreds who disagree with our elected officials, but why can't we have a say in things? We have a board chosen by elected officials who work with friends of the elected officials. How fair is that? Who is representing those who  disagree with these people? Why can't there be boards who represent the rest of us?

Look at the whole PAYT debate. The Environmental Sustainability Board and The Mt. Lebanon Environmental Team are pushing it. Who is representing those who don't want it? What about the storm water fee? Who represented the folks who didn't want to get stuck with that fee?

We're told by the Commission that the Community Relations Board (staff liaison is Susan Morgans, commission liaison is Dave Brumfield) will be sponsoring a public discussion about deer in Mt. Lebanon.  Community Relations Board Minutes from July 10, 2013 Funny how the two CRB women at the discussion session never heard about Lebo Citizens. Dave Brumfield, you know the guy who was against killing deer, who suddenly thinks that a deer cull is a good idea, and Susan Morgans, who asked me in 2006 and 2007, "How many times are you going to tell us that deer culling isn't safe? You tell us over and over." are asking the Community Relations Board to sponsor a meeting about deer. Puleeze. That is as bad as Dave Brumfield organizing a "Sports Advisory Board" which is represented by primarily by field sports dads who are drooling for artificial turf.

It isn't just on the municipal side of our local government. It is happening with the school district too. Who represents the math parents? How about the four thousand people who wanted to scale down the renovation project? Or how about all the fees that parents are now facing? The teachers can't help. The administrators? The school board? I don't think so. There are no groups representing us, the non elected, non appointed members of the community.

So how about it? What about a Lebo Citizens Team? When are the rest of us going to have a say in things? The elected officials and the soon-to-be elected officials claim they don't read the blog. And please don't tell us that we can do that at the polls. That is a bunch of dog crap from Williamsburg Park.

What many parents have been waiting to hear

It was announced at the school board meeting tonight that Dr. Deb Allen is retiring in April. Connie Lewis will also be retiring in April. It was rumored that Jan Klein was going to retire with her two friends, but Jan is still hanging on.  There was no word about replacements.

No PAYT?

No Pay As You Throw? Now I am really confused. Lebomag.com added new trash, recycling contract on deck under Lebo Latest:

new trash, recycling contract on deck

Merle Jantz

Mt. Lebanon’s trash and recycling contract expires at the end of the year. For the next few weeks, staff and commissioners will be evaluating several options for the next five-year contract.
This year, there were two bidders for the South Hills Area Council of Governments (SHACOG) trash collection contract, Waste Management, the current contractor, and Republic Services. The companies were asked to bid on a number of options in addition to the service residents currently receive.  Each of the 19 SHACOG communities will be able to choose from the menu of services before agreeing to a contract.
“There is a lot more to consider this year, and all of the options have a cost attached to them,” says public works director Tom Kelley, who has been working to shape the various proposals.
One option involves a move to automated recycling collection beginning in April 2015. Residents would be provided with recycling carts that would be picked up by trucks that are equipped with automated arms. This would require the purchase and distribution of trash carts throughout the community, and time to launch an education campaign.
Also under discussion is the possibility of on-call pickup of household hazardous waste, such as paint thinner and cleaning solvents, and of electronics, such as computers, printers and televisions. All of these items are prohibited from being lodged in landfills in Pennsylvania.
Presently, Mt. Lebanon schedules e-waste collection days, and residents can take household chemicals to one of several collections days scheduled by Allegheny County. If Mt. Lebanon adopts the new provision of the trash contract, residents will be able to contact the waste hauling contractor to arrange for special pickup of these items.
The commission has until the end of the year to make a decision on what will be contained in the new contract. If you would like to weigh in on trash and recycling options, contact the commission at commission@mtlebanon.org. You can also leave comments online at the Agendas and Minutes section of the municipal website, www.mtlebanon.org.
To view the bid document, click here

Are we seeing the staff take a stand? I know that Manager Steve Feller and Public Works Director Tom Kelley were not thrilled with PAYT. I learned today that Cranberry was happy to switch to PAYT only because there were FIVE different companies picking up trash on the same streets. Evidently, the ESB (Environmental Sustainability Board) has not received all the facts in order to make a recommendation. I believe they now want to do a study before they support PAYT. I know there are many people waiting to see numbers. Just because it works in CA doesn't mean that it works here.

If you haven't contacted the commission about PAYT, contact them at commission@mtlebanon.org. Don't bother looking up ESB minutes or agendas, because there are none available. Incidentally, the Commission liaison for the ESB is...Kristen Linfante.

Government Reform Update

I am on Dan Miller's email list and received his latest, Government Reform Update. He presented five issues that he is co-sponsoring.

Dan is committed to reducing the size of the legislature. He was one of three Democrats who voted to support HB 1234 and HB 1716.

Gift Reform is the second issue Dan is co-sponsoring. Currently, legislators can receive gifts worth up to $250 and not report them. HB 1667, introduced by Rep. Saccone (R-Jefferson Hills) prohibits all gifts with some practical exceptions. I wish our school board directors had a policy about gifts. I know that a couple of our directors would ask for discounts at a failing business, now out of business, located at Lebanon Shops.

The third issue in Rep. Miller's update involves Fair Redistricting. Dan is co-sponsoring a bill which creates a Legislative and Congressional Reappointment Bureau that would operate in a non-paritsan manner.

Term limits is discussed in Dan's update, which he is co-sponsoring.

HB 989 is an Act providing for a Citizens Constitutional Convention. The last full scale PA Constitutional Convention took place in 1873. Dan feels that a review is needed to analyze how our State Government is doing and are they well suited for the times. How about measures to limit school district and municipal spending, Dan?

October Change Orders

From Monday's School Board Meeting Agenda

Change Orders for High School Renovation Project – The following change orders are presented for Board consideration. All the change orders listed below (totaling $197,914) have been reviewed by the architect, PJ Dick and the District administration. 

a. GC-82-172 to Nello for $9,142 for stairwell reconstruction in F Building,

 
b. GC-83-173 to Nello for $29,827 for fireproofing due to unforeseen conditions, 

 
c. GC-84-174 to Nello for $12,915 to address door, window and floor site conditions, 

 
d. ME-14-175 to McKamish for $10,854 for duct and grille modifications, 

 
e. ME-15-176 to McKamish for $21,978 for changes to pipes and ducts in B and J Buildings, 

f. PL-23-177 to Vrabel for $15,171 for gas turrets, house traps and hose bibs due to unforeseen    conditions, 

g. EL-47-178 to Farfield for $33,174 for elevator power modifications,

 
h. EL-48-179 to Farfield for $30,835 for additional security cameras in Athletic Building, 

 
i. EL-49-180 to Farfield for $25,970 for power access changes, and 

 
j. CA-01-181 to Reed for $8,048 for additional gas turrets and concession stand changes.

Dues deduction exploits Pa. teachers, taxpayers

Dues deduction exploits Pa. teachers, taxpayers

By Nathan Benefield 

Published: Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013, 8:55 p.m.Updated 10 hours ago

---

Teachers from across the commonwealth, including from the Pittsburgh area, have joined together to protest being forced to finance a political organization that works against their own views and values. That organization is the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), the state's largest and most influential teachers union.

This is how Rob Brough, a teacher in the Ellwood City Area School District, reacted to being forced to fund the PSEA: “Their agenda and political ideals are counter to what I believe, and it is a kick in the teeth every time my dues are withdrawn from my hard-earned paycheck and handed off to some organization that I would never contribute to of my own free will.”

Why such strong language? The PSEA itself provides the proof of its political nature. It reported spending $3.2 million on political activity and lobbying last year alone, and its political action committee (PAC) donated another $2 million directly to candidates.

Unbeknownst to most voters, taxpayer-funded resources are being used to sustain this behind-the-scenes political infrastructure. School districts, along with state government and municipalities, collect union dues — even nakedly political PAC money — by deducting them out of workers' paychecks, just like taxes. The state then bundles this money and cuts a check directly to union coffers.

Teachers themselves are often unaware of how this unfair system works against those the PSEA purports to represent. Robin Fought, who teaches in the Avon Grove School District in Chester County, commented, “To my surprise, our school district resources as well as my tax money are being used to deduct not only union dues, but political action committee funds for PSEA-PACE that go to candidates that I do not support.”

While teachers, state workers and other government employees can opt out of paying full union dues, many are still required to pay “fair share” fees just to keep their jobs.

The PSEA may be the largest of Pennsylvania's government unions, but it's far from the only one. The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Service Employees International Union, United Food and Commercial Workers, and the Pennsylvania Federation of Teachers spent another $1.6 million on lobbying last year, and an additional $2 million in PAC contributions.

No one disputes the right of teachers and government workers to organize and join a union of their own free choice, or to contribute to the campaigns and causes they believe in. But, likewise, no worker should be forced to join or contribute to union politics, nor should taxpayer resources be used to support any political activity.

Thankfully, nearly 80 percent of Pennsylvania voters agree that unions should not be able to use taxpayer resources to collect their members' dues, according to polling conducted this summer. The same poll found that even 75 percent of union members said unions should collect dues and political money directly from members, not use the government to do it for them.

It simply isn't fair to force workers and taxpayers to support partisan politics. It's time to end automatic dues deduction and free our teachers and government workers from an unfair system that violates their right to use their paychecks to advance their own political views.

Nathan Benefield is director of policy analysis with the Commonwealth Foundation (CommonwealthFoundation.org).

Pa. Cyber School releases new details on legal costs

Pa. Cyber School releases new details on legal costs

"The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School today released documents further chronicling nearly half a million dollars in spending on legal bills spurred by the federal grand jury probe of its founder and various subcontractors.

The Post-Gazette reported Monday that the online public school, based in the Beaver County town of Midland, hired attorneys to protect its interests, those of founder Nick Trombetta who resigned from his post of CEO in June 2012, and those of seven employees.

Records released today indicate that the school also paid for attorneys to represent longtime board member Edward Elder; its board's lawyer, Timothy Barry; and computer entrepreneur Joseph Rodella.

Mr. Elder was represented by attorney Olga M. Salvatori, at a cost of $3,300. Mr. Barry hired attorney Katie Recker, and the school paid $27,678. Mr. Rodella retained Patrick Thomassey, who billed the school $4,750.

Mr. Rodella's firm, RoData Inc., which specializes in videoconferencing, did $4 million in work for PA Cyber from 2005 through 2012, according to records obtained by the Post-Gazette. Mr. Rodella was also a PA Cyber board member from 2008 to 2011. In some cases, Mr. Trombetta requested RoData's services, records indicate, and the purchases were made through a state-run purchasing system called CoStars.

The new documents show that Mr. Trombetta, who faces an 11-count federal indictment, is among numerous employees who pledged to pay the school back for his legal counsel under circumstances that are not detailed in the documents. PA Cyber declined to release the letter outlining the repayment terms, saying they are subject to attorney-client privilege."

The day after the 100 year Lebo storm

What a night! I didn't get home until midnight.  The original Discussion Session was to begin at 6:20 PM. The revised agenda listed a start time for 6:30 PM. As usual, the executive session ran late and I believe the Discussion Session didn't start until 7:00 PM. The only reason why White Buffalo was presenting, was because Kristen Linfante wanted them there. Guess who was out of town for last night's meeting? Kristen.

Dr. Anthony DeNicola was MIA. Instead, a technician, Mr. Maddock (didn't catch the first name) made the presentation. Mr. Maddock started off by clarifying that he was not a wildlife biologist as the agenda portrayed him to be.

I want to thank Kelly Fraasch for asking about the video that was originally posted here about suffocating deer. Maddock had heard about the video, but never watched it. I wonder why he never did. He said that the deer was dead and that the moving legs were just a reflex. They bag every deer's head, to avoid the scent of blood, causing other deer to leave the area.

We have the same situation as we did for the last two cullings. A company determines that a deer culling is necessary and the same company would be hired to do the culling. (Sounds amazing similar to the feasibility study done by PK, doesn't it?)

I had to leave the room at that point. It is recorded and will be uploaded on to lebocitizens.com as well as posted on the municipal website.

A very long discussion about Brafferton Field with bids coming in too high. Dave Brumfield and John Bendel thought that it would be better to turf an existing field. Of course. Dave wants Mellon and John wants Wildcat. Blah blah blah. You can hear it on the recordings.

Steve Feller will be recommending another bond issue for next year. I was so punchy that you need to watch the meeting for more details.

Academy Avenue parking issues and traffic options were discussed ad nauseum. Bottom line is that the commission will not making Academy Avenue one way.

PAYT was an interesting discussion. I sat next to Andrew Behrend, not sure of the spelling of his name, during the Discussion Session. He was never introduced when he spoke about PAYT, but I understand he is a member of Environmental Sustainability Board. Kelly and Andrew spoke about Cranberry's successful program. It seems that someone from Cranberry will be attending the next commission discussion session. Evidently, SHACOG has now placed a deadline in the middle November, if Lebo wants to switch to PAYT. I get the feeling that Steve Feller and Tom Kelley are not thrilled about PAYT. Dave said that the cost will double for residents. Steve said that if there is a problem with collection, then the municipality will need to pick up the garbage. Andrew told me during the meeting that containers are problematic, while Kristen and Kelly are leaning toward containers. Andrew wants to sell them on the idea of PAYT and then work out a hybrid program for Mt. Lebanon. I had mentioned to Andrew that everyone is NOT paying the same for trash collection since it is based on our assessments.  I am not thrilled about this idea.

By the time all this was over, we moved into the commission chambers and the first resident comment (mine) was at 10:10 PM! Many people left because they were tired of waiting. I didn't get home until midnight. What a night.

Candidates Forum? UPDATED 2X

I see that the PTA has budgeted $100 for a Candidates Forum on their 2013-14 Budget. Mt. Lebanon PTA Proposed Budget 2013-2014 I heard a rumor that there will be a Candidates Forum this Thursday? Can anyone send me details?

Update October 9, 2013 10:10 AM This Candidates Forum goes down as the most quiet event ever! Nothing is on the School District website. There is no mention on the PTA website. Nada on the League of Women Voters site. I did find this on the Mt. Lebanon Public Library list of events.

Thursday, October 10, 2013 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM 

League of Women Voters Lunchtime Series
Contact: Mt. Lebanon Public Library 412-531-1912 events@mtlebanonlibrary.org

Legislative Update from Rep. Dan Miller (D), 42nd District 

Learn about his priorities
Hear about the legislation he has co-sponsored
Share your thoughts with him 

Also... 

Meet the candidates; they will be representing you! Take this opportunity to meet and know the people who will be leading Mt. Lebanon and the Mt. Lebanon School District in the future. 

Candidates for the Mt. Lebanon Board of Commissioners:
Ward 2
Jack Doyle (R)
Steve Silverman (D)
Ward 4 (unopposed)
Dave Brumfield 

Candidates for Mt. Lebanon School Board:
Michael Jon Riemer
William J. Moorhead
Dan Remely 

Location: Meeting Room A

Where is Mary Birks????

I don't see the Upper St. Clair Commissioner listed. From what I understand, the president of the League of Women Voters is from USC. I don't know what is going on there.

Long time tax collector dies UPDATED

John Ferguson passed away suddenly at St. Clair Hospital early this morning. Funeral arrangements are pending. He will be missed.

Update October 9, 2013 1:20 PM John C. Ferguson Jr. Obituary
Friends will be received at LAUGHLIN MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 222 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon from 6 to 8 on Thursday, October 10, 2013 and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 on Friday, October 11, 2013. A private burial will be held Saturday, October 12, 2013. Friends are invited to a Memorial Service on Sunday, October 13, 2013 at 1 p.m. in Beverly Heights Presbyterian Church, 1207 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association , 444 Liberty Ave., Suite 1300, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1207 or Beverly Heights Presbyterian Church Missions Fund.

The 100 Year [Lebo] Storm

Tuesday's Commission meetings should go down as the most controversial meetings of our 100 year history. Here is the agenda for Tuesday's Discussion Session:

Discussion Session – Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Open Discussion Session (Room C)

6:20 P.M.

1. Deer: 

• Wildlife biologist with White Buffalo

6:45 P.M.

2. Brafferton Field bids.

6:55 P.M.

3. Financial planning review: 

• Financial trends 

• Overview of municipal debt 

• Proposed CIP for 2014-2018 

• Proposed user fee schedule for 2014 

• Proposed equipment replacement schedule

7:15 P.M.

4. Update on Academy Avenue parking and traffic.

7:25 P.M.

5. Pay as you throw.

7:35 P.M.

6. Dog park.

7:40 P.M.

7. Invasive species in parks.

7:45 P.M.

8. Commission liaison activities.

7:50 P.M.

9. Review of Regular Agenda.

Citizen Comments will begin at 8 PM during the regular Commission meeting. The Commission Meeting agenda is here. It's is going to be a late night.

Our commissioners want to do business with these people?

On Tuesday, White Buffalo is scheduled to speak at the Commission Discussion Session. You might recall that the commissioners were going to have a conference call with "Tony" DiNicola at the last commission discussion session, but that phone call never took place. There was no cellular service thirty miles off the coast of Virginia. In my opinion, that was a blessing.

What I am about to share with you is the kind of work White Buffalo does. If the deer does not die from one shot, they suffocate it by placing a plastic bag over the deer's head. Starting in 2004, White Buffalo was hired to cull deer in the Akron, Ohio area. I have not watched (and never will) the video that is linked to this web page. http://www.sharkonline.org/index.php/akroncruelty-com

The following article appeared in The Blade, a Toledo newspaper, five plus years later http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2009/11/15/Favored-firm-for-deer-cull-accused-of-cruel-methods.html

In another lawsuit, a woman from Solon, Ohio sued White Buffalo, the city of Solon, and Anthony DiNicola and won. http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/metro/news/stevepokin/pokin-around-if-deer-kill-protestors-cause-delay-the-city/article_23694fc8-836f-5f0d-81ff-4a76f938fa38.html

At the time, Geiger was what you would call an activist. Solon's public works director described her in a different way in a memo he wrote that found its way into the court file. He called her and others "nut cases."

I guess that is what I would be called. Nut case.

Has White Buffalo ever worked in a confined space like Mt. Lebanon? Do three of our adjoining lots total five acres or more?

Traci Cardenas, a leader of the Town and Country protest, says her concern is safety. The city has used White Buffalo in the past and required that sharpshooters work on land that is at least 10 contiguous acres. That has now been lowered to five acres, meaning three adjoining property owners with a total of five acres can OK a sharpshooter.

This is an accident waiting to happen. Why subject our residents and our deer to such inhumane activities? Why can't we just do sterilization?  It is safer. It is less controversial. There is grant money available. It is a no-brainer.

"Turf Project"

While the readers on Lebo Citizens have taken a beating for not wanting to go with Pay As You Throw, the Sports Advisory Board, a.k.a. Turf Board meeting agenda for tomorrow has been posted here and here:

Mt. Lebanon Sports Advisory Board Meeting Agenda 

October 3, 2013, 8:00 p.m. 

Municipal Building Room 104C 

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

2. Citizen Comments

3. Approval of the June 6, 2013 Meeting Minutes

4. Asset/Inventory Review from Each Organization (Worksheets should be submitted prior to the meeting)

5. Field Sign Sponsorship Program

6. Brafferton Field Project Update

7. Cedar Boulevard Parking Lot Project

8. Turf Project

9. Inventory Field/Athletic Facilities and Utilization

10. Forum for Unrepresented Groups

11. Other Short and Long Term Goals

12. Announcements

   a. Historic Preservation Board National Register Designation Meeting- December 5 at 6:00 p.m.     Room C, Municipal Building

13. Adjournment

I don't understand how we can have a group of people wanting a Pay As You Throw program which encourages us to recycle, and then turn around and ask for artificial turf.  At least Brumfield is consistent. He is against the PAYT idea. For that, I have to give him credit. 

Anyone up to attending tomorrow's meeting?

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church Autumn Food Fair

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church Autumn Food Fair

Come join us!  

Serving lunch and dinner with homemade Greek specialties and desserts. Listen and dance to Greek music. Shop at Yiayia Joan’s Attic and lots more you can only find on…

Wednesday, October 2nd, Thursday, October 3rd, & Friday, October 4th 2013 

ALL DAY from 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM

• Featuring GREEK favorites including Moussaka, Tiropita, Spanokopita, Pastitsio, rice pudding, soups and much, much more. 
• Bake sale featuring delicious Greek pastries, pies, cakes, jams, and a variety of breads.
• LIVE Cooking demonstrations at 2pm on Wednesday, October 2 and Thursday October 3rd.
• Indoor seating so come rain or shine…Elevator available!!