Dave Franklin wrote to Audrey (MLCE) about a proposed Project Fund Agreement. This agreement is one of the missing documents from my RTK. I copied the Office of Open Records (OOR) appeals officer, as instructed, when I sent my long list of missing documents to Steve Feller.This afternoon, Steve Feller emailed an additional 178 pages to my original Right To Know request of January 24, 2014, along with a cover letter.
I have decided to share a link to the entire file here since there is so much stuff going on in Mt. Lebanon, at the moment.
 |
| Source: Leboturf.blogspot.com |
112 comments:
Well, we can see where more unassigned funds will go: For lights of the newly turfed field. I wonder if the residents of Cedar Blvd will appreciate that "Crown Jewel?"
Upper St Clair residents are currently struggling with the light pollution from their relatively newly turfed Boyce Middle School field.
Elaine - Thank you for sharing all of this information. Are you appealing the RTK for texts, missing emails, etc, or are these the final materials you expect to receive?
There are already lights on the Cedar Blvd fields.
Where does Varsity Softball play and practice?
Does Varsity Baseball play and practice on the proposed turf field?
Elaine,
Thanks for your hard work.
A relevant article today for your effort.
http://wesa.fm/post/five-years-after-major-change-how-open-pennsylvanias-open-records-law
Doesn't matter... Existing lights will be found to cause too much glare on the shiny new turf bristles. Must contract new lights to add 13.65 extra hours of evening recreation time to appease SAB. Contract probably already executed. Vote later. Fund later. Tax more.
"Maintenance is a crucial part of keeping your field looking and playing great throughout its lifetime. Using the maintenance equipment issued with your newly installed field is the key to keeping the field in the best condition. Improper maintenance methods and/or equipment, abuse, over-usage in exceess of 2,000 hours/year and neglect can void your warranty."
Astroturf page 4 section 3
Question... I take Dave Brumfield is really only concerned with Lacrosse as he is a "somewhat" coach and that's his kid's sport. But if you turf WC and Middle to those specs which would work for soccer and football HOW would those fields work for baseball/softball? You do NOT want a turfed infield! Or is Brummie going to have MRTSA stationed there for each game to treat all the injuries? So where are the High School baseball/softball games to be played? And all the others?
Did I hear or read that "lights were not a concern at this time" in one of the turf presentations.
The key phrase being "not a concern at this time."
Kind of like building a new high school cafeteria and not being concerned with tables and seating for it when bids are accepted.
8:26 PM, that is Phase 2, even though there is no Phase 2. Dave Franklin assured me that there is no Phase 2. You see, Dave is on a pout. He said that he won't post on my blog anymore, but he is happy to answer any of my questions if I email him personally.
I want to know who will be collecting the fees, Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment? They get a cut, you know. They will take a cut from any grants too.
It just dawned on me why it is so important to turf Middle and Wildcat Fields. It will bring the real estate agents to Cedar Blvd so that Brumfield can rip off the newcomers.
Elaine
Newbies will be outbidding one another for turffront and turfview properties. It's Brumfield's ultimate fantasy. It will be so glorious!
Wouldn't it be nice if taxpayers didn't have to go through such a ridiculous exercise to simply get information that should be public anyway?
http://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/5746280-74/meetings-bill-law#axzz2vT9RV2zc
I noticed in the inquiries to the turf companies that Varsity Baseball was mentioned but Varsity Softball was not. I have also noticed some recent legislative changes in PA regarding a mandate for
Interscholastic Athletic Opportunities Disclosures. In other words, Article XVI-C of the PA Public School Code requires the disclosure of interscholastic athletic opportunities for all public secondary school entities in Pennsylvania.
All school entities with grades 7-12 are required to annually collect data concerning team and financial information for all male and female athletes beginning with the 2012-13 school year and submit the information to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).
Mt Lebanon appears to have complied with this mandate and the data they submitted before the deadline of Oct 15, 2013 is available on the web.
PDE has posted the Final Interscholastic Athletic Opportunities Disclosure Form on PDE’s website at http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school services office/9153/disclosure of interscholastic athletic opportunities/1419362.
Beginning with the 2013-14 school year, all non-school (booster club, alumni, charitable, nylon posse) contributions and purchases must also be reported to PDE.
The need for this legislation appears to stem from a concern that opportunities for athletics through schools are not equally available to students of both genders.
In Mt Lebanon, the most money is spent on Football and those players, of course, have primary access to the turf stadium and now the new turfed field at Wildcat/Dixon/Middle appears to designed to suit Varsity Baseball.
All Football & Baseball players are male. The numbers on athletic spending in Mt Lebanon are heavily, heavily weighted in their favor.
9:43 this closes your linked Trib article- "The Sunshine Act should be “fair and equitable for all parties involved, without imposing an undue burden on municipalities,” Herr said, warning that the bill “would impose a significant unfunded mandate on local governments."
Yeah right Herr... a significant unfunded mandate indeed. Lebocitizens manages to record meetings with an inexpensive digital voice recorder, but government would siffer "a significant unfunded mandate to keep government open and transparent."
Though red light traffic cameras, NSA phone monitoring, school security cameras and social media snooping get all the "funding" needed.
Its OK to monitor citizens just not public emplyees or government officials!
10:28 PM, just like the Turf Project Task Force! All male! Yet, do you know what is coming out of the Home Rule Charter revision, that voters are supposed to approve? To make the HR Charter gender neutral. Like that was the biggest problem.
Elaine
The HR Charter discussion starts at 59:46 here.
March 11, 2014 Commission Discussion Session
Still no video for the commission meeting.
Elaine
Yep, Elaine. I know every time I read the Home Rule Charter I became infuriated that it wasn't gender.
I'd fly into fits of rage which completely obstructed comprehending that the Charter had no provisions for reining in out of control municipal officials.
10:51 Correction... that it wasn't gender neutral.
Hi Elaine,
I've been meaning to tell you, I am writing a book. My publication will discuss my experiences with the school district, the municipality, etc over my 33 year tenure as a Mt Lebanon Resident.
Let's get together for a coffee one of these days. Would you like to share some of your RTK materials with me? I'd love to add them to my book as I opine about various municipal and school district employees and my opinions concerning the wasteful and disingenuous practices in Leboland.
Best,
John David Kendrick
PS: I didn't see an apology from Feller in your emails. Did Feller apologize in a separate communication?
John, no separate communications from Steve Feller.
Can some of the proceeds from your book go in a kitty for RTKs? As far as sharing, I believe there are 1,259 posts on this blog. There are 22,717 published comments. You could probably write a pretty thick book with the information shared on this blog. Good luck with your book.
Elaine
Mr. Kendrick, a suggested title-
"it wasn't all for the kids"
Hi Elaine,
Yes, that is an interesting idea... a kitty for RTK's...
I may use the proceeds for some other things that I have in mind for these people. Maybe I can leave them with something that will never go away?
;)
10:28 PM, thank you for sharing your very informative comments. Did you see the sports participation in Mt. Lebanon chart on page 69 of this latest release of documents? There are 170 participants listed for Mt. Lebanon Football, and 2,000 participants for Indoor Tennis. Seems like we should be looking at tennis courts, not turfing existing ball fields.
Elaine
Elaine, your 7:25 AM mentions Indoor Tennis participants. I believe Indoor Tennis has contributed over $1 million for tennis center improvements since 1990, and tennis players, indoor and outdoor, pay a fee to play on the courts. Tennis equipment & attire and regular replacement is not cheap either. Players are about 50/50, men/women.
I am well aware of what Indoor Tennis has contributed to Mt. Lebanon. But all the attention by the three commissioners, plus the unofficial commissioner seems to focus on field sports.
Elaine
Elaine, did un-elected commissioner #6 Dave Franklin ask you to email him personally at his employers email or does he have a personal email?
And would he be responding on behalf of his employer if you emailed him at and address provided by his employer?
It's important we know who the counselor is working for (or if he's doing this on his own behalf).
The unofficial commissioner lists his personal email on his Blogger profile here.
Dave has never contacted me through his work email, although he listed his work email in the lebomag article as his contact information and used his work email at Eckert Seamans when working on the turf project, as discovered through my RTK.
It looks like he will be starting an additional blog besides Lebo Fields. The link is Mt. Lebanon Turf Project
See how nice I am, Dave? I am always plugging your blogs.
Elaine
Looking at that diagram at the top of the Mt. Lebanon Turf Project it looks like the practice batting cages get replaced with parking.
Is the entire area in green on the Turf Project schematic being proposed as artificial turf ? The field layout appears to be a field for only football/soccer/lacrosse ? How about baseball and softball provisions and layouts ?
4:09 PM Believe the original plan called for 90 paved, regulation parking places. They recently completed only 35. The remainder will require removal of sloping land with beautiful trees that will border on private Vee Lynn Dr. property owners back yards, and they'll be furious with that plus the lighting ! It's for the children
6:55 PM, Vee Lynn Drive residents won't know what hit them. It isn't just Cedar Blvd. anymore.
Linfante, Bendel and Brumfield showed their true colors on Tuesday evening to a packed room. They were rude to guests and residents alike. They are the ones who have rammed this project down our throats using our tax dollars to fund their pet project, which according to Linfante, "has received overwhelming community support for this action."
You know what is really sad to me? Brookline residents were able to table a vote on Tuesday night with their presence. Why have we allowed Linfante, Bendel, Brumfield, and Franklin to push us around?
Elaine
One week ago (March 7), I sent this to the commissioners:
Good morning, Commissioners,
I was wondering if you could share the specs to the Middle and Wildcat Fields turf project. I know that the vendors met with some of you, so I would like to better understand the scope of the project.
Thanks in advance.
Elaine Gillen
I never received a response. Why is it that Dave Franklin has a schematic and I got nothin'?
Elaine
Why have we allowed Linfante, Bendel, Brumfield, and Franklin to push us around? -- because Brookline residents have a set, while Mt. Lebanon residents are nothing but educated sheep. You'll notice that Linfante quit trying to stop the applause when she (correctly) read the mood of the crowd; a wise move on her part.
Wonder if the Vee Lynn Drive and Cedar Blvd homeowners understand that the artifically turfed field will become one giant heat sink in the summertime.
Hot times are coming to Wildcat/Middle.
Has anyone thought about when they turf the Rock Pile as well, where they shoot the July 4th fireworks?
They just replaced and repaved the parking area by the batting cages. You're telling me that they're planning on cutting down all the mature trees in the "buffer zone" between the parking lot and private homes to triple the lot size? Meanwhile Vee Lynn Drive is in shambles, 3rd world dirt and gravel road.
9:45 ask the parks advisory board member, Mr. Franklin or one of the three commisioners that favor turf.
They can't improve Brafferton Field, but they can excavate a hillside to pave a parking lot.
The dynamics in that room on Tuesday were amazing. I had never witnessed that before. It scared the bejezus out of Kristen, I'm sure. She felt threatened when a resident told her to watch out when talking about her kid at the podium. He wasn't threatening her, just giving her good advice. She had the police knocking on his door at 1:00 AM! She filed a police report against me when we were talking about executing contracts.
What we need is for Vee Lynn and Cedar Blvd. to get as hot as those heat islands which will form from the toxic turfs, both organic infill and rubber crumb infill. No turf at Wildcat and Middle. Period. (I added that for Kristen.)
Spend $750,000 on needs, not wants.
Elaine
Commission meeting video is up.
Elaine
Is the artificial turf parking lot expansion included in the $1.2 million dollar turf or is that - like HS cafeteria table & chairs - a shhhhh... separate "Capital Improvement" borne entirely by taxpayers?
"The Shadow Knows!"
Are they definitely excavating the hillside? Was this in any blueprint? Ill chain myself to those trees before they cut them down. I've yet to meet one private citizen in favor of this nonsensical plan. What exactly is the benefit of the turf??? Why can't they add fields further down Cedar by the Public a works Dept.? Why do we need more fields???
Other towns have previously and currently are improving their fields without taxpayer money and causing strife within their communities. I have nothing against improving field conditions but the current method employed by the Commission and certain turf supporters is definitely not the way to do it.
In good old central PA, there's a story about Tom Wolf organizing a capital campaign that raised 1.2 million to restore little league fields in York through the local Rotary Club a few years ago. The group managed to raise the funds, fix and expand the fields/concessions/etc, provide a 250,000 endowment to the little league, bolster the league's operations, and avoid both damaging community morale and using taxpayer money the entire time.
Of note, Rotary International has an ethical guide that they repeat at every meeting (and its been translated into over 100 languages).
Here is the Rotary 4-way Test:
Of the things we think, say or do
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Elaine, Do you think the local residents surrounding Middle/Dixon/Wildcat have been invited to a meeting to discuss the turfed fields? I believe the absence of information may be one reason why those citizens have not attended Commission meetings.
Here is what Natalie Rudiak provided to her Brookline residents re: Castlegate in response to their concerns.
http://pittsburghpa.gov/district4/article.htm?id=2808
It's a shame Mt Lebanon did not consider the impact of their development on adjoining neighbors. No one should assume they'll do any better with the turf.
Wow, 11:12 PM! That was impressive! I take it that you are one of our guests from Brookline. We don't operate like that here. We have a public information office that puts a spin on everything. Natalie Rudiak stated the facts. Full disclosure. Amazing.
No, 11:12 PM, our commissioners aren't very neighborly.
In fact, Commissioner Fraasch asked Commissioner Brumfield one time about talking with the neighbors around the fields on Cedar Blvd. Dave said that it has never been done. Kelly reminded him of one occassion and he said that he just asked them a question. I may look for that tomorrow.
You know 11:12 PM, I had a pleasant surprise the other day. I was doing research on DePaul Institute. As you heard, I lived in Brookline when I was very young. Coincidently, my late husband grew up in Brookline. I found his first grade picture from Resurrection! I went to Carmalt and Brookline, but my class pictures were not available. You do have a great little community. I hope my neighbors learn from you and work together. I wish you luck. And thanks for reading.
Elaine
How many of you bloggers bitchin' about the turfing of Middle/Wildcat have shown up at a Commission meeting and bitched at them ? You're all talk and no action. Brookline residents got their attention by showing up en masse and screaming at them. It scared the hell out of them cause they know the Brookliners will be back, and back again !
I live on Vee a Lynn Drive and have never been contacted by anyone from the municipality about plastic fields being installed directly behind my house. In fact, I bet many on the street have no idea of this turf debacle at all.
12:03 AM, you are not alone. The ESB wasn't aware of it. As I had pointed out during Citizens Comments on November 25, 2013, there was no Lebo Alert. Nothing on Twitter, Facebook, Dave Brumfield's website, Kristen Linfante's now defunct Value Mt. Lebanon, Dave Franklin's Lebo Fields, lebomag.com, or mtlebanon.org.
I said that they stuck to Kelly Fraasch, Matt Kluck, the State, the flood victims, etc.
It was because of this secret vote, I filed the mother of all RTKs. In the RTK, Kristen had said over and over to residents (18 times) in favor of turfing Middle and Wildcat, "As you know, I support this, and I expect it to pass with 3 votes next week! FINALLY!"
The turf vote should be rescinded. It was criminal how Linfante, Bendel, and Brumfield went about this. To vote again would be futile. The votes are still there, right Kristen?
Elaine
Forgot to add, there was no public hearing for this action.
Elaine
Maybe Mt Lebanon needs a "safe and healthy playing fields coalition" asap.
The one in MD/VA started when parents became concerned over the installation of synthetic turf fields.
Now the coalition has a voice in state legislation.
If concerned parents and Cedar Blvd. and Vee Lynn Drive residents can get their/our act together, we could pull it off here too.
Elaine
I think someone should canvas those roads and place this sign on their front door:
http://i21.geccdn.net/site/images/n-picgroup/NM_CP11RB.jpg
On the back, did you know about the plan to turf your back yard?
The next commission meeting is on Tuesday at the Municipal building at 6pm.
Seriously, what is everyone waiting for?
No, no, no. The next commission meeting is Monday, March 24, 2014. Kristen Linfante will not be attending that meeting.
Elaine
Everyone needs to demand Linfante show us the proof and demonstrhate her definition of "overwhelming". What a liar.
If I lived by the ballfields, Im guessing I would have bought a house there for the same reason Franklin and his cronies are trying to push their plan--community character.
So where is the proof, Kristen? Show me the evidence of support for this. Until you can, don't move on this project. Oh, and using the police to intimidate opponents is known as "abuse of power". Knock it off. I dont pay taxes so you can play the victim. Stop misusing public money.
Elaine:
I see in your request 2 Turf Project Task Force Agendas -
Dec. 17 @ 142 Hoodridge Dr.
Jan. 15 @ Municipal Building Room D.
What is the frequency of their meetings? Are they public meetings? Where may I learn more?
http://www.padisciplinaryboard.org/consumers/faqs/#burden-of-proof
Can anyone see the retention pond in the image provided for the turfed fields? I recall the municipal engineer (the same one that made the illegal donation to the project) stating that a retention pond would be developed to prevent flooding.
OK, I found the meeting where Kelly Fraasch said that she has neighbors in Ward 5 who have no idea that this is going to happen. Brumfield said that they never notify every neighbor who touches on every subject. We certainly saw that the other night with the people affected by Castlegate, didn't we, Dave?
Watch the video here. Kelly starts talking at the 49:05 mark of the video.
The statement given by Maria Joseph, representing the ESB, asked if neighbors on Mayfair, Vee Lynn, Cedar Blvd., and Cedar Lane have been notified. I posted their statement here. The ESB's statement has only been published here and on Kelly Fraasch's blog. The municipality refuses to publish it.
3:12 PM, I really don't know when the Turf Project Task Force meets or if it is a public meeting. There is never any mention of it on the municipal website or in any LeboALERTS.
Elaine
Look at that overhead view of the field on Franklin's Leboturf blog. If they turf, will all those yardage lines, and boundaries be permanent markerings?
Who plays on a field like that anywhere? For a travel team to come in and compete on this confusing "crown jewel" I'd have to shake my head and think, what could they be thinking and are they cheap or what?
Will the baseball field's infield also be turf? Brown turf? How will players slide into the bases? Will the pitchers mound be raised to the required elevation? I have serious doubts that any baseball group would be onboard with this nonsense. Who pays for the field goal posts. Also, check out how deteriorated the current watershed for the existing fields is. The hillside is collapsing on the right of Cedar Blvd. where the "pipe" drains into a creek that runs through Robb Hollow Park. I guess all the plastic bits will end up down here.
This whole artificial turf idea is a takE over by the soccer/lacrosse consortium.
They couldn't build their specific sports area on McNeilly because no one wanted the bother of driving there 3 or 4 days a week and therefore wouldn't contribute money to build it.
So now, it screw baseball and softball, they want the main field.
They could've turfed Jefferson, but the neighbors said "not in my front yard!" they don't want the traffic, noise or the lights.
Don't think this is so... They took the money from fixing up Brafferton didn't they.
Why woildn't the sign revenue be used to fix up the drainage problems at all the fields as Brumfield promised it was intended to do?
9:34 PM, I saw something about the pitchers mound in the RTK. Let me find it and I will scan it and share it here.
Elaine
You know, Mr. Franklin, I am getting pretty tired of informing the community about your damn project.
Elaine
What about replacement of the rusty chain link fences that keep balls from entering Cedar Blvd.? Surely those will need replaced. Who pays for that? Also, what building exactly is the Athletic center where the jewel encrusted solid gold trophy case will be built? Is it the narrow dilapidated, windowless building next to the bleachers at the track? Will Linfante's gold medal from the Hypocrisy Olympics be stored here?
Here is some more from the RTK. Besides reading about the pitchers mound, it also seems to support 9:55 PM's comments. Pitchers mound
Elaine
Elaine, you made your own bed. All of the information that these folks want is contained in the minutes of all of the public meetings that have been held on this subject. It's also in the presentations that have been made to the Commission and are still available online. Still further, anyone with questions is free to attend a public meeting of the SAB. The next one is on April 3. To help you out, I can assure everyone that the high school baseball program and the Mt. Lebanon Baseball Association fully support the project. In case people didn't know, the WPIAL championships are played on a similar turf surface. The batting cages will stay. Much of the fencing will stay and other fencing will be replaced. The lines on the field will be minimal, and in fact the only permanent lines will probably be the baseball lines. The others will be seasonal, depending on the sport. Again, this has all been discussed at several public meetings. I can't help those folks who chose to get their information from this blog and it's anonymous posters. I'm a bit amused by all of the anonymous upset people, yet we have never had anyone attend a meeting of the SAB, except members of the ESB and a couple Eagle Scouts.
Oh, and their will be no goalposts. That was my favorite.....
Dave Franklin
9:55 pm. I can understand your passion in trying to understand this turf debacle. But if this is a soccer/lacrosse takeover... where is their money? They certainly aren't showing their outspoken support financially. Maybe their influence is behind the scenes...
Dave, I live on Vee Lynn. I'll round up the troops and see you April 3. We've been left out of the process as you are aware. Silently posting documents to the municipal website and/or asking residents to comb through the minutes isn't really promoting public dialog, is it? Please plan on addressing the carcinogens found present in the Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) crumb infill as well as drainage proposals on 4/3.
10:42, to date soccer has made the single largest donation to the turf project, but I've heard no talk of a takeover.
Can all of the conspiracy theorists please help me find the agenda for this past week's ESB meeting? This is the second month in a row in which the ESB has discussed turf at a meeting but has failed to publish an agenda in advance. And unlike the SAB meetings, the ESB meetings are not recorded. Talk to me about transparency.
Dave Franklin
The fact is, lacrosse is a fringe sport and could be played in Bird Park or Washington Elementary. No million dollar plastic fields needed.
10:56, I look forward to meeting you. Nothing has been silently posted. It has all been discussed at public meetings in advance of being posted. We have always been open to public dialogue, both before and since the project has been approved.
Dave Franklin
Dave, it's "there", not "their". You don't know the difference between the two yet we're supposed to trust you with a major construction project? Yeah, I don't think so. Just quit while you're ahead. Really, talk about making your own bed. Nobody takes you seriously because of how you handled this. You have exactly zero credibility in the community outside the ten people who support the turf idea. Just walk away. Or better yet, keep pushing this stupid idea and actually show everyone ( all the crazy blog readers) some evidence of this fantastical widespread support you insist exists. If you can't back it up, then it's time for you to back out.
So who pays to move pitcher mounds and re-line the turf for each sport. Surely there are overlaps in baseball, soccer and lacrosse seasons.
They can't maintain simple grass fields in tip top shape now and we're talking about moving mounds and ruling lines for 3 different sports.
Balderdash!
It can be done but who is going to pay for the man... excuse me... people hours required.
How much have lacrosse interests contributed?
Approved but not funded.
I encourage everyone on this post to attend the 4/3 meeting. Dave, can you produce the evidence for support of this turf project? What data was relied upon to state that the public supports this?
11:03, I think I can back it up by reminding you that the project has been approved by the Commission and is moving forward. I'm not sure what else I need to do.
Dave Franklin
So 3 commissioners approved it? That's your evidence? Good thing you didn't decide to be an attorney.
OK I'll bite. How much did soccer donate Dave? Did they finally cough up the $125000?
11:16, you should ask the commission that question. They approved it. I just supported it. However, I think the Commission will tell you that they received more support for the project than opposition. Can I ask you a question? What data supported the switch in garbage collectors? Did anyone ask you for your opinion? Did anyone ask you for your opinion before we amended the ordinances to allow for breweries and brew pubs? How about deer management. Has anyone knocked on your door to discuss that issue?
My point is this - if you expect to receive an invitation to comment on everything in Lebo, you'll be waiting a long time. If you oppose the turf project, that is certainly your prerogative; but to suggest that this issue has not been discussed repeatedly in public sessions is simply disingenuous.
Dave Franklin
Has anyone heard any plans to use field sign revenue to improve drainage or anything else at any field other than for turfing Wildcat/Middle?
Plus if it the ordinance was passed to improve drainage at all our fields, why is it now being passed along to the MLCE as non-public money?
An anonymous blogger wasn't quoted in the paper, your buddy was, Mr. Franklin? Was he spreading lies and deceit?
http://www.post-gazette.com/neighborhoods-south/2012/05/10/Advertisements-coming-to-school-municipal-fields-in-Mt-Lebanon/stories/201205100327
Mr. Brumfield, who introduced the ordinance, said each sign could bring in between $1,000 to $5,000 each year, depending on its size. The money collected from advertisers, for example, could help the municipality improve drainage -- a major concern for residents -- at a field every year, he added.
In sales, you always want to make sure that you are talking to a decision maker. If you can only go to one meeting, go to the commission meeting. You are wasting your time going to the SAB meeting. You are just feeding over inflated egos. And when you stop going, Chip mocks you.
Please attend commission meetings. The commissioners make all the decisions.
Elaine
Garbage is still collected regardless of who collects it. Apply the same principal to deer mgmt., et al. These are unsubstantial daily functions of municipal government. These items need no public notification. We expect our elected officials to manage the basic day to day business of the town without our constant supervision. However, a capital project which will devastate the quality of life and property of surrounding residents does require a good faith effort to collect public opinion. This did not occur for the plainly simple reason that a select few, Commissioners included, knew that the fewer who knew, the better.
11:53 I agree that the "Commission knew that the fewer who knew, the better". There was also a concerted and deliberate effort to keep a lid on the availability and amount of unassigned funds so that separate resident concerns, public safety included, would not compete.
"However, I think the Commission will tell you that they received more support for the project than opposition."
Of course they will, Mr. Franklin, but will they provided any hard evidence authenticating their claim and does it represent something more than a miniscule percentage of the community?
After all, Ms. Linfante told us the ESB was on board with artificial turf and that turned out to not be exactly true.
So girl's softball gets to play where? Of course NOT on the fancy expensive field... Mr. Franklin this isn't over! Far from it. Actually it is JUST beginning. Maybe you should read up on actions taken in the past several years by the EPA.
Mr. Franklin, as usual plays it loose with the facts.
In a column on Lebomag, residents were alerted to changes ibn garbage collection as far back as Feb. 2013.
Giving residents plenty of time to think about it and to contact their commissioners.
"Mt. Lebanon and the rest of the communities in the South Hills Council of Governments will be negotiating a new trash and recycling contract this year.
For more information about pay as you throw options, check out the EPA’s website,http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/tools/payt/index.htm."
There was no such lead time before the commissioners cancelled the Brafferton plan and voted to approve the turf plan!
Please See:
http://www.kellyfraasch.com/2014/03/13/concerns-about-crumb-rubber-infill/
Mr. Franklin's comment at 10:42 sounds hauntingly familar... "if you like your [baseball fields], you can keep your [baseball fields]!"
"However, I think the Commission will tell you that they received more support for the project than opposition."
Sure they will, just like Ed Kubit had the presence of mind to keep a running tally of everyone he spoke to at First Friday's, Beer Feast, and school functions and found the pro renovations trumped the black & white petition numbers asking for a reduction in the costs.
Of course he never backed up with proof his numbers.
Dave Franklin, you are full of crap. Looking over the now 623 pages from my RTK, there are many issues which were not discussed at open meetings. You know that. Tim White and the rest of the Turf Project Task Force know that. I know that. ALL the commissioners now know that. And Lebo Citizens readers know that.
As far as the ESB, there is no cooperation from the municipality. They have been trying to get their information on the municipal website for several months now. You are worried about agendas? Where is the ESB's statement on artificial turf? They had been asking for months why their minutes were never published. Thank you for proving my point, Dave. While we're on the subject, where are the Turf Project Task Force Minutes and agendas? When is your next meeting? Will it be held at Chip's house again or at the municipal building? I hope it is at Chip's house, because I could easily walk there.
Yes, how much did soccer donate? A reader asked you and you never answered his or her question. If you had that website up and running about donations, as indicated in my RTK, we wouldn't have to ask. I guess that wasn't a fair statement. Maybe it does exist. We were never told its location.
Speaking of websites, Dave, how's that new blog, leboturf.blogspot.com going for you? When do you anticipate putting something on it besides a schematic of the fields? Will it be as active as your lebofields.blogspot.com is? Will you be taking anonymous comments on your new blog, as you have been on lebofields? I LOVE when you criticize my readers and me for all the anonymous comments posted here. I see it as just another red herring, Dave.
Of course, the Commission will tell you that they received more support for the project than opposition. Double, in fact! 18 for and 9 against. Wow! Overwhelming support! My RTK exposed that one. Yes, the Commission can honestly say that they received more support for the project. Where are those people who signed your petition? Weren't there over three hundred who signed it? As I recall, some weren't even from Mt. Lebanon. Are they laying low for fear you are going to hit them up for donations? I do remember someone saying that during a video taped meeting. I apologize for not remembering if it was a SAB meeting or a Commission Discussion Session meeting during one of your presentations.
I always welcome your comments, even if you are full of crap, Dave. The more we know about a subject, the better for all of us.
Elaine
What does garbage collection have to do with how much actual public support exists for destroying a perfectlt good field?
Nice try, Dave. But the red herring nonsense only gets you so far. And I love the specious argument that "the commission approved it so public support must exist". Bit of a gap in your logical reasoning. The bottom line is, you have the support of your tiny little group who mistakenly believe a plastic field will enhance the cumulative value of this community. And you have dour commissioners, three of whom face a blatant and obvious conflict of interest,pushing this simply because you've asked them to do so. Setting aside the legal and ethical problems with how this has unfolded (including the excuse that people on Cedar and Vee Lynn werent notifed since, gosh, you just can't notify everyone), you have yet to produce any evidence whatsoever of actual support from someone not directly related to this project or to youth sports. You know, like the 80 percent or so of the community....
This whole thing is a bad joke. The reality is, people like you see our community losing its appeal to places like USC, Peter's and Cranberrt. But instead of looking for the root cause, you want to gloss over it and try superficial band-aid solutions. In the end, all it does is cost everyone more money and exacerbate the core issue with people looking to live elsewhere.
You can call a turd a rose but that doesnt mean it will smell any better. This project is a turd.
"I can't help those folks who chose to get their information from this blog and it's anonymous posters. I'm a bit amused by all of the anonymous upset people..." - Dave Franklin
But we are to take seriously the commissioners claims of anonymous overwhelming turf support... just because they say they have it!
BS, Dave!!!!!
I would be willing to meet with anyone who wants to examine the 445 pages of RTKs. I don't want to overlook anything that might stand out to others. Email me at EGillen476@aol.com to make arrangements.
Elaine
My offer applies to Kristen Linfante and Kelly Fraasch, as well. Ladies, you don't appear to be members of the boys' club.
Elaine
Look closely at Mr. Franklin's Leboturf schematic and please tell me how artificial turf increases game units by 60% at Wildcat/Middle as claimed by Mr. Bendel?
If there is a regulation lacrosse or soccer game in progress, there is no way to have another sport playing Or practicing there.
With Fraasch's plan, at least we add a field and it could be dedicated to soccer/lacrosse layouts.
This doesn't eliminate practicing baseball/softball fielding practice any more than WC/M prevents soccer or lacrosse practices.
Robb Hollow done right could be just as nice a crownjewel for realtor tours as WC/M--- plus its closer to Dicks new South Village store.
Amazing, isn't it, that the sports daddies could have Robb Hollow all to themselves yet insist on charging ahead with a scheme that offers no benefit over the current system. Does anyone else wonder why? Is there something else to this?
The conversation here reminds me of a quote.
"Lawyers occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened." - Winston Churchill
I know that municipal staff, starting from the top, is against doing anything with Public Works and Robb Hollow.
Also, during Citizens Comments, Jim Cannon observed that the Turf Project parallels the high school renovation in a number of ways. One that I will draw, is the treatment of anyone with the last name of Fraasch.
What do you have in mind, 1:11 PM?
Elaine
Not 1:11, but didn't Fraasch's plan have room for two good sized fields?
So instead, why don't we let lacrosse/soccer develop their ideal crown jewel at the location as long as it allows McNeilly to be sold off.
Give them the spot (we're saving by getting rid of McNeilly remember) then they can build their ideal stadium to their hearts content.
Give them naming rights, field sign and concession revenue and they can kick soccer balls around forever without tapping taxpayers all the time.
Bet they won't go for it, not enough room in the deal to hide in!
The sports daddies are impatient and there are looking for "low hanging fruit". Perhaps they just want to turf the flattest most accessible piece of land in Mt Lebanon. Robb Hollow requires thinking, coordination, negotiation with Public Works, etc. It's just too hard for the sports daddies. Plus, they disdain female leadership apparently.
What about Howe School's field? Talk about one said looking field.... But I know it's Slum Hills and "certain" lawyers don't want to be reminded that it is part of Mt Lebanon. Right Dave? An election is coming up in November if you are SO sure that you have all this support then add it to the ballot and let everyone vote on it. Are you AFRAID? You should be!
1:11 here. Im just asking if anyone can think of some underlying reason why Franklin and the other members of our unelected shadow commission wouldnt want a field devoted to their dumb turf idea IN ADDITION TO still using the existing fields. If this whole thing really is about adding playing "slots", why wouldnt they go for a plan that does exactly that? Did I miss something the day we learned about greater than/less than in grade school?
If it's simply misogyny that's ruling the day, then so be it. But I find it impossible to believe those guys (and it is all guys on the advisory board, right?) would fight having additional field space and a place they could put their precious fake grass. Personally, I think it's because, contrary to Franklin's assertions, they do have plana beyond turf for the fields on Cedar. If they want to "compete" with USC, the next logical step is some kind of field house or wholly enclosed sports complex. You know, for the all the kids who don't live here. If they get turf, they'll use it for a season or two, then magically, "overwhelming" community support will materialize from thin air for a Lebo indoor sports center. I can already envision the pitch. "Well, the rec center is already nearby as is the pool. Wildcat Field Complex is simply an extension."
I don't like where any of this is going. If I wanted to live in Cranberry or USC, I would already be there. Franklin, you should be ashamed. What you're doing is immature and will wreck the flavor and character of this community. Congrats. You've joined the "I want it all my way" club in Lebo, right alongside the crooked school board directors who ignored the will of the community.
When is the high school football field turf going to be replaced? Maybe the sports daddies are just creating a backup field for when renovations occur to the stadium. The athletes and their coaches cannot be inconvenienced.
Ok, in honor of the blindsided ESB and Kelly Fraasch, I have a pure speculation I'd like to share.
Maybe Rock Pile isn't going to be turfed in 2016. Maybe the engineers will say that is just too hard. Then the 1 million will be redirected toward stadium improvements and lead abatement on the existing turf in the stadium.
In the meantime, the turfed Wildcat/Dixon/Whatever fields will be nice and ready for the displaced athletes -- especially football.
1:11/4:12 So are they competing with private indoor turf field clubs undergoing development in Cranberry? Cranberry and USC do not have municipality developed/managed indoor turf fields.
http://cranberry.patch.com/groups/business-news/p/plans-move-forward-for-nearby-indoor-sports-and-courts-complex
I think the people who have commented that this will turn into a domed sports complex are on to something.
Shortly, we will have petitions going around like this one from Toronto where public land (grass) was suddenly being turned into a crumb rubber field, domed and privatized. The private folks will take care of the lines, clean-up, etc.
https://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/chris-bolton-we-re-asking-the-tds-board-to-say-no-to-the-privatization-of-the-central-technical-school-sports-field-and-the-installation-of-artificial-turf-and-dome
For more money, just look for all 2012, 2013, and then 2014 unassigned funds to go into this...
I just read the blog from Kelly Fraasch. I have been discussing with friends and neighbors over the last few months. I am horrified to think that we will be putting kids on this field and already do at the high school. Has anyone seen her post?
6:33 PM, thank you for the heads up. I had been working on a new post and just published it. I am horrified that Dave Franklin is downplaying the dangers of toxic turf. You have seen some of the emails he had written defending synthetic turf. Please continue to spread the word, 6:33 PM.
Elaine
Not only is Mr. Franklin an attorney, he's a sports field maintenance expert, environmental scientist, financial advisor, marketing guru, fundraiser (why'd we hire PK), and now toxicologist and pediatrician.
What an amazing individual.
Dave Brumfield I know has talked for years about an indoor football/soccer/lacrosse enclosed complex. Only a fool would believe that the plans for this isn't already done. Remember it's for a FEW kids!
7:49 PM Franklin is a classic example of a "jack of all trades, and a master of none" !
Post a Comment