Want to make it easier to raise taxes by borrowing money?

That is what will happen if we, the voters, approve a change in the Home Rule Charter. Today's Trib outlines the Change in store for Mt. Lebanon.

The easy one is to make the Home Rule Charter gender neutral. Kristen Linfante thanked Home Rule Charter Chairman Bill Matthews for that change. That is not important to me, but evidently it is to Kristen.

The change with the biggest impact to Mt. Lebanon is the one which eliminates super votes, that is bond issues only require three votes, instead of four. The commissioners absolutely loved that one. I think Kristen forgot that the voters still have to approve these changes. This would be after the Commission approve the changes. The presentation is the first item on the Municipal video.

How I interpret this particular change for incurring debt is that every four years, when Wards 1, 3, and 5 elections are held, the potential to control Mt. Lebanon are during those elections. Only three like minded candidates would have the power to do anything they wish. In addition, when the commissioners voted on the Rec Bond, for example, the three commissioners who are spending our undesignated funds for toxic turf, would have been able to stick it in the Rec Bond. They would only require three votes, instead of four, to issue bonds and ultimately raise our taxes.

A positive change to our Home Rule Charter would be to change the tax increase cap from 2 mills to one that does not exceed a 20% increase of the prior year's real estate tax levy. In 2013, 20% = 0.90 mills. Based on 2013 millage rate, the 2 mill cap now allows a 44% property tax increase without voter approval. (2 mills/4.51 mills = 44.3%)

Here is the link to the Ad Hoc Home Rule Charter Study Committee Final Report. Our Home Rule Charter is our Constitution. We will be asked to change the way we have been governed since 1975.

Don't try this at home UPDATED

Today's Trib slams Mt. Lebanon on Zamagias.

It is under Tuesday's Takes

Intervention's lesson: There's no better object lesson in the folly of “government economic development” than the mess that is the corner of Washington and Bower Hill roads in Mt. Lebanon. The latest proposal to develop this parcel has failed after Zamagias Properties defaulted on taxpayer-backed loans used to acquire the property. The “state,” at least for now, is left holding a $1.78 million bag. Worse, Zamagias gets to keep the property. Don't try this with your local bank.

Read more: http://triblive.com/opinion/editorials/5487663-74/center-lesson-whether#ixzz2rhogxgza 

Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook

Mt. Lebanon needs to exercise its buy back option and buy back this property. Zamagias Properties has the money and is getting away with it because they can. Commissioners, do the right thing.

Update January 30, 2014 10:20 AM Here are 9:31 AM's comments pictorially.

More on our "official community magazine"

When I had my little Market District get together last week, Bill Lewis was kind enough to share this letter to the editor of Mt. Lebanon Magazine.

Bill raised many concerns in his 2006 letter in regard to the July/August 2006 article, Around Town Community Endowment Launched. As usual, Mt. Lebanon Magazine only reported the entertaining part, and not the rest of the story of community issues.

• The Municipal government spent $36,000 in tax funds to create the MLCE. 
• The Commission wasted $40,000 when sports organizations backed out of funding support for McNeilly Field/Park.
• The Mt. Lebanon Soccer Association was to contribute $135,000 to the MLCE for the specific purpose of developing athletic fields. [Why is this sounding like déjà vu?]
• Public officials and youth sports leaders were claiming that people with children wouldn't move here and housing prices would fall if we didn't have more fields. [Remember, this was in 2006.] 
• When was spending $36,000 discussed in a public forum? 
• Why does the magazine taint the good thing it does with editorial and publisher hype and managed news?

Thank you Bill, for sharing this letter with me and now, the rest of the community. I looked in the Blog Lebo archives to see if anything was written about this. As usual, I got side tracked because of all the information in those archives and found this about Mt. Lebanon Magazine and the TIF issue for Washington Park. Laurels and Lances Some things never change. Anyway, I did find this post on Blog Lebo called, Donation Allows Endowment

As one reader pointed out, Mt. Lebanon Magazine is definitely not a news magazine. In the words of former Commissioner Humphreys, Mt. Lebanon Magazine remains the "house organ" and "propaganda tool" for Mt. Lebanon.

Imagine this...

The following letter to the editor was submitted by Lebo Citizens reader and citizen journalist, John Kendrick.

Imagine a world where there was only one source of national news and information. Imagine what it would be like if that source of national information was controlled by the presidential administration - and I don't care which one it is, Bush, O'Bama, Clinton, Reagan, etc.

How would you feel if you were told that this is the "official view / official source" and this is the only source that you were permitted to listen to?

Now consider the Mt Lebanon Public Information Office and Mt Lebanon Magazine. How should we feel about having what is effectively a "state-run" news organization? A news organization that is critical of all other news organizations or information sources that dare to report or to opine with any perspective that is different than the "state-run" entity?

Is this something that we all want to live under?

I don't. But I'd like to hear what all of you think.

A room with a view

Great news! According to the hotel contractor, all of the critical work is complete. Drywall is installed or in process. The Washington Road elevation is being bricked.

                         Photo by Eric Milliron

                        Photo by Eric Milliron

According to the poll on lebomag.com, this is the number one project.

.

                                                           

You want your own post? UPDATED 2X

You got it, Sweetheart! You are out of control, Lady, and I use that term loosely.

I just approved this comment.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Sprucing up is not necessary UPDATED": 

"I find it interesting that Kelly Fraasch only requested the negative comments about the article. Seems like an outcome-driven "investigation" (or more accurately, witch hunt) instead of one that wants a clear picture of what occurred. But of course, we know how Kelly (and Elaine) feel about the magazine, those who earn a living by working there, and also about Steve Feller. It seems like Elaine you were the only resident who complained and was so deeply offended. Especially surprising in light of the throngs of "anonymous" commentors here who purported to be so outraged by a humor piece on grocery stores. 

Elaine and Kelly don't want to hear it, but the positive comments received clearly outnumber the negative (which is why it's buried as an update and did not warrant its own post: the results did not support the outcome Elaine and Kelly wanted) -

That the positive comments outweighed the negative so intesely and that the positive comments were submitted by so many high-profile Mt. Lebanon residents is no surprise as any well-read person with half a brain and any relevant life experience could see the article was a send-up of our grocery shopping habits here in the South Hills. Personally I found it to be hilarious and spot-on.

I'm so happy for the magazine to be vindicated by all the positive comments it received in response to the article. 

Commissioner Fraasch should make better use of my tax dollars than wasting time and resources going on an unprecedented witch hunt over a funny article that 1-2 residents were offended about and only one was seriously offended by (that person being Elaine)."

Update January 22, 2014 3:01 PM I guess I am in trouble again. This RTK is buried as an update. to market, to market RTK

Update January 24, 2014 4:33 PM I emailed Kelly Fraasch this afternoon concerning the above commenter's "unprecedented witch hunt" allegation. I am updating this post with Commissioner Fraasch's response here.

Comments on comments?

Last night's school board meeting was very interesting, as far as citizens' comments go. Topics included:

• Financial advisor 
• MTLSD does not take the preliminary budget seriously. We are the only school district that refers to it as a "fake budget."
• Trophy case
• Zamagias TIF
• Pool railing
• Pool locker room floor is slippery
• Meeting was not available for viewing last week.
• Agendas are not publicized before meetings
• Trouble with teacher at Howe School

Without naming names, I would like to hear more about the situation at Howe School. The mother was cut off at the knees by the president and solicitor when she was speaking. 

As far as the TIF goes, while one commissioner was removing her blog over the weekend, another commissioner posted this: Washington Park, corner of Bower Hill and Washington Road In December, Zamagias defaulted on their TIF loan. Mt. Lebanon has the opportunity to buy it back out of the Parking Fund, I believe. Please contact our commissioners, Senator Matt Smith's office, or Representative Dan Miller's office and share your opinion on this topic.

I would love to hear from Lebo Citizen readers about all these topics which were raised at last night's meeting. 

To listen to the meeting please visit Lebo Citizens podcast from MTLSD's January 20, 2014 meeting

Well, well, well

Thanks to the School District website, I see that January is School Board Recognition Month.

             

School Board Directors sans Scott

January is School Board Recognition month, giving us an opportunity to thank our Board members Elaine Cappucci-President, Lawrence Lebowitz- Vice-President, Mary Birks, William Cooper, Scott Goldman, Edward Kubit, William Moorhead, Daniel Remely, and Michael Riemer, who volunteer so much of their time to provide strong public schools for our community. For more than 175 years, communities in Pennsylvania have had a voice in the operation of their schools through a locally elected board of school directors consisting of individuals from their community. These people are our neighbors, friends, community leaders, and parents– all with one common goal – making sure students are properly educated in preparation for life. 

Our School Board enables us to have local control of our public schools, meaning that decisions on school programs are made by local, elected representatives who understand the community’s unique challenges, values, culture and circumstances. With the advice and counsel of the educational professionals they hire, our school board has a bearing on virtually every aspect of our schools. It’s a huge responsibility and we are thankful to our board members for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to providing the best education possible for our students and a strong school system that benefits our community.

Yep, there they are, all except Scott Goldman. Not even a cardboard cutout of the lone wolf, or is it coyote? Scott Goldman is the only one who says what he feels and votes according to his conscience. For that, he doesn't make the photo, I guess.

This is the group that will be approving a $74,000 trophy case tonight, a number that is listed as the low responsible bid. What it really represents is the ONLY responsible bid. I missed a golden opportunity. I should have subcontracted a cabinet maker and submitted a bid for $70,000 and make a tidy profit.  Boy, did I screw up.

We are thankful for this group of dedicated volunteers who brought us TERC Investigations, Go Zones, $2.6+ million in change orders, student parking fees, activity fees, lucrative salary deals for administrators, and for hitting a new low in rudeness to stakeholders and parents.

Yes, we are thankful. Happy School Board Recognition Month!

Good news for us spineless bloggers

COURT: BLOGGERS HAVE FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTIONS

A federal appeals court ruled yesterday that us spineless "bloggers and the public have the same First Amendment protections as journalists when sued for defamation: If the issue is of public concern, plaintiffs have to prove negligence to win damages."

Gregg Leslie of the Reporters Committee for the Freedom of the Press said the ruling affirms what many have long argued: Standards set by a 1974 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Gertz v. Robert Welch Inc., apply to everyone, not just journalists. 

"It's not a special right to the news media," he said. "So it's a good thing for bloggers and citizen journalists and others."

Citizen journalists. Hmm. I like the sound of that. So much better than "spineless bloggers," don't you think? From now on, people who write in here are to be called "Citizen Journalists." 

Not good news for the person who commented anonymously on December 8, 2013 at 1:17 PM.

It wasn't adding up UPDATED 3X

President Linfante, 2012-2013 commission liaison to the Environmental Sustainability Board (ESB), reported on the ESB's position on artificial turf at the November 25, 2013 commission discussion session. When asked at the 41:48 time stamp of the Discussion Session video, Kristen replied with this statement at 42:24.

As I have posted here in the past, my comment at 14:45 from the November 25, 2013 Commission Meeting video challenged Kristen's statement concerning the ESB's stance on artificial turf. The ESB's endorsement coming from Kristen (remember, her vote was the key vote for artificial turf) just wasn't adding up in my head.

Over time, I have had contact with several members of the ESB and understand that the ESB is coming out with an official statement saying that they do NOT support artificial turf anywhere in Mt. Lebanon. Meeting minutes from July 12, 2012 reflect their concerns. Looking at the August 9, 2012 minutes, you will see this statement: 

Field Turf Discussion: Matt and Pam indicated that the field turf does not appear to be a sustainable approach. 

Please note that President Linfante was not present at either ESB meeting. Yet, she publicly misrepresented the ESB's stance about artificial turf. But, the damage is done. The vote was passed.

As soon as the ESB's official statement is issued, I will post it here. In the meantime, my sincerest apologies to the Environmental Sustainability Board. It just wasn't adding up. Now, it all makes sense.

Update January 18, 2014 10:03 AM I asked the commissioners more about the Turf Project Task Force. Here is John Bendel's reply:

Re: Turf Project Task Force

From	John Bendel jbendel@mtlebanon.org
To	egillen476 egillen476@aol.com
Cc	commission commission@mtlebanon.org

Sat, Jan 18, 2014 9:22 am

Elaine,

As you know, the turf task force was established by the Commission on November 25, 2013. The action by the commission included the following representatives on the task force: Municipal Recreation Director (Chair), school district representative, Gateway Engineering and representatives from the Sports Advisory Board. The members include:

David Donnellan, chair 

John Grogan, School District

Gateway, Dan Deiseroth 

Tim White, SAB Chair

Chip Dalesandro, SAB

Dave Franklin, SAB 

Brian Auer, SAB

The task force is working on a report that is due by February 11. Per the Commission's resolution, the report is to include:

•   Strategy for field use and fee structure to cover the annual field use fee
•   Strategy for funding the initial non-municipal share
•   Draft maintenance agreement with the School District
•   List of turf vendors, including those offering organic infill
•   RFP schedule with construction targeted to begin by August 1, 2014 

The report has not been prepared yet, but I know the task force has talked with several turf vendors and most of them offer an organic infill product. We will have the list of vendors recommended by the task force by February 11.

Regards,

Update January 18, 2014 11:55 AM This is kind of weird. I just received a response from the president of the commission. Here it is:

From:	Kristen Linfante <klinfante@mtlebanon.org>
To:	egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Subject:	Re: Value Mt. Lebanon
Date:	Sat, Jan 18, 2014 11:52 am

---

Dear Ms Gillen,

Thank you for your interest in my website.  However, the message you received was correct.  It has been removed.   

Anyone who wishes to follow my commission activities is welcome to attend or watch our commission meetings or any of the public meetings of the boards I serve on.  Of course, I am also available by phone or email as posted on the municipal website. 

Best regards,

Kristen Linfante

Commission President

Ward 3 

On Jan 18, 2014, at 11:41 AM, "egillen476@aol.com" <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Commissioner Linfante,

Are you aware of the problem with your blog? I get this message:

     ValueMtLebanon.com has been removed.

     Thank you for your interest.

Elaine Gillen

Update January 19, 2014 9:53 AM Here is an archived article from Kristen's (now removed) Value Mt. Lebanon site, titled Why I voted "no"  Another one, An Interesting Article About Deer is the one that she posted during the weekend of the Sandy Hook shootings. It was also her most recent post. There were no reports about the Environmental Sustainability Board's stance on artificial turf, of which she was the commission liaison for two years.

Looking for updated information

Two things I am curious about:

• Is the injured coyote still at large?
• What is going on with the walled up window at the high school? 

According to the Mt. Lebanon Police Department website, there is a safety warning about coyote sightings in Mt. Lebanon.

As of Tuesday evening, Chief McDonough confirmed that there is an injured coyote at large. I still don't understand why there hasn't been a LeboALERT concerning this situation. Please visit the Police Webpage for safety tips.

I received an email this morning about a boarded up window at the high school. 

I received some very interesting information this morning. Looking from the parking lot at the new construction to the left of the old fine arts building, the bottom horizontal window is walled up! In other words, directly behind this window, as seen from the outside, you can see 2 x 4's and DRYWALL! The information I received is that there was a design change or plan change and that is why it is now walled up. Apparently there have been leaks up on the sixth floor as well, but I think you already know about this.

Anyone have additional information about the boarded up window?

Not railin over the railing

The school board continued to talk about the railing in the pool area at last night's school board meeting. Tom Berkebile, project manager of PJ Dick, said the height of the portion in question was "26 inches above the bleachers." He also said that the viewing area in that section has been temporarily roped off until they make changes in the railing height. Elaine Cappucci was quick to jump in and say that the railing meets code and passed inspection. Remely was more concerned about safety and was in favor of raising the height of the railing. Good for you, Dan!

I understand that yellow caution tape is being used to rope off the area. A letter was sent out by the Mt. Lebanon Aqua Club Board President on November 19, 2013, as posted on Just when I wanted to give up...Updated 3X. How long is this going to take?

An audio clip of the meeting concerning the pool railing is here. It is 3:36 minutes long.

Sprucing up is not necessary UPDATED

Weather permitting, I will be up at the Market District Cafe from 3:00 to 4:00 PM on Saturday, January 18, 2014 if any Lebo Citizens readers would be interested in getting together. I am not expecting big crowds, but if you are in the area, I would love to meet you. 

Why Market District? Here are my top ten reasons.

1. Crossing Washington Road is not an issue.
2. For those of you who think I am critical of Ultra Party, beer, wine, coffee, and smoothies are within reach. I won't judge. I promise.
3. The Lebo Citizens trolls can linger in the aisles.
4. It will not take time away from the deli counter for the Westminster Presby crowd or the St. Louise parishioners.
5. Your high school boyfriend, your ex-wife or the guy you hope will sponsor you at St. Clair Country Club only shop there on Sundays.
6. Flash your Advantage Card for fuel perks, which leaves more money in your budget for taxes.
7. If another snow storm is coming, you can stock up on milk and toilet paper while you are there.
8. The USC folks will be at their Rec Center or watching their kids play on artificial turf.
9. Free wi-fi!
10. This is the one time when lipstick is optional.

No need to RSVP, but if there are any questions, email me at EGillen476@aol.com. I hope to see you there. 

Update January 15, 2014 3:49 PM I had filed a Right To Know back in December concerning Susan Morgans' article, to market, to market, to buy a...which was discussed on this blog posting Were you offended? After a 30 day extension for a legal review, I received the following response from Steve Feller.
to market, to market RTK

"Whoa," says the EPA. UPDATED

The EPA has had a change of heart regarding the safety of artificial turf.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has “stepped back” from previous safety assurances about artificial turf made from recycled tires, according to a written press release.
“EPA now admits that it has no idea about the extent of chemical exposure to children and athletes playing on these surfaces,” said Jeff Ruch, executive director of the nonprofit Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.

This quote came from The New Haven Register article, More studies needed on artificial turf fields, EPA says. What concerns me is that if you watch the Sports Advisory Board meeting video from Thursday evening, you will see David Donnellan mention that developing McNeilly is in the Capital Improvements Projects (the CIP, a.k.a. The Wish List). So hazardous artificial turf would be installed on three municipal fields, as well as the artificial turf presently at the high school.

I hope people take the time to watch the SAB video. Chip, we all heard what you said about the resident missing from the meeting. Shame on you.

Highlights include: John Bendel connected the SAB to the Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment. This would eliminate the need for the SAB to file for 501(c)(3) status. Donations would go into a separate project fund account, with the details TBD of who has access to it, the SAB or the Municipality.

Donations received so far:

1st official donation came from Gateway Engineering for $4,000 in 2013. There may possibly be more coming in 2014.
$25,000 Baseball Association (which amounts to $29/player) Pledged
$5,000 Football Association (which amounts to $31/player) Pledged
$5,000 may be coming from Softball.

The MLCE fee for this is $1,000, I believe.

Another thing that came out of the meeting is that if the SAB does not meet their target of $250,000, that the donations will be used for field maintenance.

Update January 14, 2014 10:34 PM During the Citizen Comments portion of tonight's commission meeting, I handed out reprints of the EPA website article, The Use of Recycled Tire Materials on Playgrounds & Artificial Turf Fields, in addition to reprints of the letter to the executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) from the United States Environmental Protection Agency dated December 16, 2013. I asked for organic fill, if the project goes through.

Update April 12, 2014 9:30 PM Knowing what I know now, I retract what I wrote on January 14. Organic infill doesn't make the turf safe. The blades of "grass" and the backing are also toxic. The only safe turf is natural grass.

Preliminary budget shows 1 mill tax increase

The School District has posted the 2014-15 Preliminary General Fund Budget, a.k.a. The Fake Budget. From the January 13, 2014 Agenda:

Preliminary Budget - Act 1 of 2006 requires the Board approve a preliminary budget at this time of year so that application may be made for any applicable exceptions to the Index which is 2.1% for 2014-15. Such a budget has been available for public view on our website since December 18, 2013 and is presented in the required State form for Board approval. While this budget reflects a millage increase high enough so that all applicable exceptions may be requested, the Final Budget approved in proposed form in April and in final form in May does not require the millage reflected in this preliminary form. The superintendent recommends approval of this legally required budget.

The fake budget is showing a .99 millage increase. The fake budget will be adopted at the January 20, 2014 school board business meeting.

Change orders for January UPDATED

Is it me or are the January change orders more vague in nature, as listed on the January 13, 2014 Agenda?

Change Orders for High School Renovation Project – The following change orders are presented for Board consideration. All the change orders listed below (totaling $131,284) have been reviewed by the architect, PJ Dick and the District administration.

a. GC-92-200 to Nello for $25,139 for new building renovations and additions,
b. GC-93-201 to Nello for $11,105 for Athletic floor covering and elevator changes in F Building,
c. GC-94-202 to Nello for $6,401 for fifth floor B Building changes,
d. GC-95-203 to Nello for $28,804 for signage changes,
e. EL-54-204 to Farfield for $12,817 for power, motor and wiring revisions,
f. EL-55-205 to Farfield for $22,884 to maintain power in B Building during phasing,
g. EL-56-206 to Farfield for $29,587 to install data and power floor boxes in writing lab,
h. PL-27-207 to Vrabel for $13,683 for concrete and plumbing work,
i. ME-19-208 to McKamish for $11,896 for vent and elevator room changes,
j. ME-20-209 to McKamish for $19,114 for HVAC piping modifications, and
k. AB-04-210 to Precision for a credit of -$50,146 to reduce scope of abatement in encapsulated area.

Update January 14, 2014 8:55 AM From the agenda:

The District opened bids for the design and construction of a display/trophy case in the new athletic building on Tuesday, December 10, 2013. One bid was received meeting the specifications. The bid was from Viking Woodworking, LLC with a low bid of $73,828. 

One bid was received. I missed that point completely. Dan Remely was unhappy, as usual, but it will be approved at the January 20 meeting.

Something you will never read in mtl Magazine

Seton-LaSalle Catholic High School swapped a Cyber Day for yesterday's Snow Day. Instead of losing a day's worth of education, all 510 students logged into their school-issued Chromebooks to get their emailed assignments. Here is how it worked. Teachers had until 10 AM to submit assignments or direct students to websites that were created for yesterday's use. For attendance purposes, students had to log in by noon. The students had until 5 PM to submit their completed assignments electronically.

Every year, it has been a struggle for the Municipal and District Public Information Offices to include schools such as Seton-LaSalle in LeboAlerts recruiting high school juniors and seniors for Junior Commissioner.

For more information about Seton-LaSalle's Cyber Day, read For three Catholic schools, 'Cyber Days' replace old snow days.

Majority votes don't count.

Last night, the Mt. Lebanon Commissioners reorganized. Our new president is Kristen Linfante and John Bendel is our new vice president. Newly elected Steve Silverman and Dave Brumfield, serving his second term, were sworn in by Judge Alex Bickett of Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.

Commissioners Fraasch, Bendel, Linfante, Brumfield, and Silverman

Joe Senko was appointed as the new treasurer for Mt. Lebanon Municipality and School District, replacing the late John Ferguson. Even though Jack Goldschmidt (R) garnered more votes, the commissioners selected Senko (D). Mt. Lebanon commissioners fill treasurer position

Treasurer Joe Senko

I can't stand watching this anymore.

In yesterday's PG, Roycroft resident Kevin Kirkland wrote about Mt. Lebanon Magazine's Senior Editor, Laura Pace Lilley's kitchen remodel, Old garbage incinerator makes way for modern kitchen in Mt. Lebanon.

John Kendrick, a frequent commenter here on Lebo Citizens, voiced his opinion about the kitchen remodel. Another PG reader wrote, "Must be nice to have $50k to drop on a kitchen upgrade. Only in Mt. Lebanon I guess." Yet, Laura's husband Myles, responded only to John with "Mr. Kendrick, I would like to discuss your concerns regarding my kitchen project. Please post your contact information and I will reach out to you directly." Fortunately, John was smart enough not to share his contact information on the Post Gazette website, but Mr. Lilley asked for it a second time.

Through a RTK, one will find that Laura Pace Lilley and Mt. Lebanon Magazine Managing Editor, Merle Jantz are fascinated with Mr. John Kendrick. Perhaps Myles should check with his wife for Mr. Kendrick's contact information.

2013 in Review

I would like to keep this post brief, but I thought it would be fun to include some highlights from 2013.

Steve Feller sent out these 2013 Municipal Departmental Highlights.

Tim Steinhauer issued these 2013 MTLSD Highlights.

What I would like to share are my Top Ten Most Popular Posts.

Parent offended by article in The Devil's Advocate... October 22, 2013
Another MTL high school teacher facing charges UPD... March 7, 2013
Thoughts about the latest five year forecast September 21, 2011
Those "math professionals" can't do math UPDATED 6... January 21, 2013
New street signs in Mt. Lebanon UPDATED 2X  November 13, 2013
Where is President Posti’s Integrity? (updated six... August 21, 2011
Vote against bullying UPDATED October 27, 2013
Anything on your mind? December 26, 2012
Yes, let's get the record straight. UPDATED December 25, 2013
Son of a bitch! November 22, 2013

Thanks for a great year. I couldn't have done it without the help of Lebo Citizens readers keeping their ears to the ground. Here's to 2014!

A possible solution to Go Zones?

This email went out to Mellon Families today.

From: Mellon Middle School Administration <noreply@mtlsd.net>
Date: January 3, 2014, 3:29:13 PM EST
To: Mellon Families
Subject: Mellon Announcments
Reply-To: Mellon Middle School Administration <noreply@mtlsd.net>

Hello Mellon Families,

We hope that your holiday break was restful and that you are staying warm through this cold spell that we are currently experiencing.  We have two weather related announcements for you:

1. The Pittsburgh Area Shelters are in desperate need of warm blankets and winter coats.  Next week, Student Council is sponsoring an emergency blanket and coat drive.  Students, Faculty, and Staff, please go through you cupboards and closets and donate those gently used and loved blankets and coats to those in need.  Donations can be given to the homeroom teachers all next week (January 6-10).  Please Help!
2. On days where we are on a 10am start, the traffic around Mellon is significantly more congested because both Washington and Mellon are starting school at the same time. Today, and on 10am starts in past school years, we have had a significant amount of tardy students because of the traffic congestion.   Please plan accordingly and leave yourself a little extra time to get to Mellon on those mornings.  On 10am start days, the door to the cafeteria is open at 9:15 so that students who are dropped off early have somewhere to go to get out of the cold.  Thank you for your help in trying to get your students here on time when school is delayed.

Sincerely,

Mellon Middle School Administration

Mellon opens the doors 45 minutes before 10 AM starts and an hour early on normal days. Elementary schools give kids ten minutes. Why don't the elementary schools allow kids in the school gym or cafeteria and/or classroom at least 20 minutes early to avoid Go Zone mania? Is it because it will require teachers to go on duty early? 

Will the ESB be asking for 1,861 trees?

That is how many trees need to be planted to offset the carbon footprint from artificial turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields. At least that is what page 6 of 16 claims in The Dirt on Turf.

In 2006, the Athena Institute conducted a study researching how much a school would need to do in order to offset the carbon footprint of an artificial field. The purpose of the study was to estimate the greenhouse gases emitted during the life cycle of an artificial turf field as opposed to a natural grass surface. The study determined the number of trees to be planted to achieve a 10-year carbon neutral synthetic turf installation. The result was that 1,861 (+23%) coniferous trees would be needed to be planted as a carbon offset. 

The Environmental Sustainability Board has been unusually quiet about artificial turf. At a recent commission meeting, Commission Liaison to the ESB and President Elect Linfante assured residents that the ESB is on board with plans for artificial turf. However, when I asked ESB members, Kathleen A. Habrovsky and Andrew Baram, prior to their Pay As You Throw presentation, both were opposed to the idea of artificial turf. Kathy said that it came up over a year ago at an ESB meeting, but were told that it was not an issue since there was no funding for artificial turf. I have not looked through the newly posted ESB Minutes for confirmation. Thank you, Susan Morgans, for finally posting them.

Another silent environmental group is The Mt. Lebanon Environmental Team. "The 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." A link to their website, lebogreen.org, can also be found on the Municipal website. [That will be the day when Lebo Citizens, another blog and website started and maintained without a single tax dollar by this volunteer, will get a link on the Municipal website!] From an email:

From: Kristen Linfante <klinfante@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Subject: Re: Lebo Green
Date: Tue, Oct 15, 2013 2:36 pm
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
Commissioner, Ward 3
(412)561 -27 90

It is not clear to me why the ESB and the ET are not saying anything about artificial turf. A June 28, 2010 presentation by the ESB outlined their goals, which included Municipal and School Buildings Energy Conservation, initiating a Pay As You Throw program, and establishing No Idling Zones. (How's that working for you?) Future goals include Monitoring and Verifying Results. I wonder what their take is on Go Zones. Come to think of it, they're pretty quiet about that too. Maybe counting garbage cans has become too time consuming to comment on artificial turf and idling in No Idling Zones.