On November 25, 2013, the then commission liaison, Kristen Linfante, "misrepresented" the Environmental Sustainability Board's position concerning artificial turf. This has been well documented here and in municipal meeting videos. Old news. But what people do not realize is that the ESB also has a school board liaison, none other than "For The Board" President Elaine Cappucci. The following email exchange between a resident and Cappucci reveals that the ESB has been misrepresented AGAIN.
From: Questioning Resident
Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2014 9:51 PM
To: Elaine Cappucci
Subject: turf maintenance
Hi Elaine,
From my understanding if the Wild Cat/Middle field turf project goes through, residents were told that the school district would perform the required routine maintenance in exchange for not being charged field use.
Has anything been decided on this as of yet?
Thank you Elaine,
Questioning Resident
Mt. Lebanon, PA
****
From: Elaine Cappucci [mailto:ECappucci@mtlsd.net]
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2014 2:08 PM
To: Questioning Resident
Subject: RE: turf maintenance
The Board has not had any discussion about this at this time.
Elaine
****
From: Questioning Resident
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2014 2:50 PM
To: Elaine Cappucci
Subject: RE: turf maintenance
Thank you for your reply Elaine,
Is there going to be any discussion about this in the future? If so, may I ask when?
Has there been any discussion between the Municipality and the school district regarding this issue? Have any rough drafts on a proposal been given to the school board?
Residents of Mt. Lebanon are really trying to get answers to simple questions but for some reason simple answers to simple questions are really hard to come by.
Thank you again Elaine,
Q.R.
****
From: Elaine Cappucci [mailto:ECappucci@mtlsd.net]
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 8:38 PM
To: Questioning Resident
Subject: RE: turf maintenance
Q.R.,
There have been discussions within the Sports Advisory Board, which John Grogan is a part of, and I have had a general conversation with Kristen Linfante, the commission president regarding the plans for the fields. I do not have more information than that at this time, so I do not know when it will come up for Board discussion.
Elaine
****
From: "Questioning Resident"
Date:04/30/2014 12:21 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: 'Stephen Feller' ,'David Brumfield'
Cc: 'Dan Deiseroth'
Subject: RE: turf costs
Mr. Feller,
Thank you for the information.
...One other question, why is the township dragging their feet on getting a maintenance agreement drafted to present to the school district? A little bit of a whopper of a tale was told at the discussion meeting and the commission meeting on Monday night when it was told that there was an agreement, only to have Mr. Brumfield write me in an email yesterday stating “The agreement has not been prepared but the Athletic director has agreed to the general terms.” So how can there be an agreement if the agreement hasn’t even been prepared? Communicating with Elaine Cappucci, the school board makes the final decision not the Athletic director and they have nothing in front of them to agree to.
Thanks again Mr. Feller,
Q.R.
****
From: dbrumfield@mtlebanon.org [mailto:dbrumfield@mtlebanon.org]
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2014 1:52 PM
To: Questioning Resident; 'Stephen Feller'
Cc: 'Dan Deiseroth'
Subject: RE: turf costs
The school district is participating in the Sports Advisory Board with their representatives. The SAB made the recommendation with the knowledge and consent of those representatives. The school board and the commission will both have to approve a written agreement to make it official but it is the clearly stated intent of all the parties.
DaveHere we go again. Brumfield 's Sports Advisory Board calling the shots. Why aren't the school board liaison to the commission Mike Riemer and commission liaison to the school board Kelly Fraasch being consulted? Why is Cappucci having a general conversation with Linfante regarding plans for the fields? Was it in the middle of Roycroft Avenue?
Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone
How can Mt. Lebanon Athletic Director commit to agreements prior to school board approval? Municipal funds were designated to turf Middle and Wildcat Fields by a three vote majority on November 25, 2013. As of April 29, 2014, the school board has not had a discussion about field maintenance at Middle and Wildcat Fields? Why is that? If there is no maintenance agreement, then does the school district lose their slots, as Dave Brumfield confirmed when I posed the question during Citizen Comments?
When did ESB liaison Cappucci have a general conversation regarding plans for the fields with the ESB? Or even with ESB liaison Kelly Fraasch? Where is the transparency? Or was all this part of a back room deal during the PRIVATE Turf Project Task Force where two residents were refused admittance?
In a word, tonight's educational forum on artificial turf was ALARMING. The two speakers were surprised at how little research was done by the three members of the commission. They would never have purchased a car this way. Where were the commissioners tonight? Kelly Fraasch was there. John Bendel was there briefly and left. No other commissioners. Nobody from the SAB. No one from Gateway Engineering. No municipal staff. No school district staff, unless you count Matt Kluck, who is the golf team coach. No school board directors, not even ESB liaison and school district president "For the Board" Elaine Cappucci.
Mrs. Cappucci, you have a Master's Degree from Duke University in Environmental Management. On Linkedin, you have endorsements in Environmental Compliance, Environmental Consulting, Environmental Permitting, Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Policy, Environmental Issues, and a B.A. in Biology! Don't you share the same concerns about toxic artificial turf, as many of us do?
It is unfortunate that I was unable to record the meeting. I was in tears over what I heard tonight. As president of our school board, you are the Grand Poobah of Child Advocacy in Mt. Lebanon. I demanded Kristen's resignation for misrepresenting the ESB, among other things. Elaine, you have misrepresented the ESB. You are not a child advocate for our children of Mt. Lebanon. You've got to go too.
40 comments:
Was the educational forum taped by the muni, Elaine?
Nope.
Elaine
Any board communication from anyone on computer e-mail?
The commission intends to contract with a sports surface researcher to address the community's health concerns.
Last I checked, sports surface researchers weren't qualified to provide medical opinions.
http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/alleghenyneighborhoods/alleghenyneighborhoodsmore/6021218-74/turf-project-expert#axzz30QguMQe3
Pooch didn't bring up the artificial turf maintenance agreement with the Board, the Commission liaison to the Board, the Board liaison to the Commission, the ESB liaison from the Commission, or the ESB, but she did have a general discussion with her neighbor. Check.
Excellent summary, 11:12 PM. If you were keeping track, Kelly Fraasch was left out twice, as school board liaison and as ESB liaison. Much like everything else that has been going on with the commission.
I am extremely upset with what I heard tonight about artificial turf. Those bastards don't give a shit about anyone or anything. Karma, Gentlemen and Kristen. Karma.
Elaine
Another sleepless night. The poor pregnant women and their fetuses. The young children. The car fumes from idling in the cold weather with the heaters on, or with the AC on in hot weather, when the additional parking is added and the buffer zone is eliminated. From what I heard tonight, every house in the area should be going up for sale. It is Mt. Lebanon's Love Canal. Over a million dollars will be spent to create this toxic waste dump. The commissioners don't want to hear from these experts because they are residents of Mt. Lebanon and are biased. WTF does that mean? The commissioners and SAB are from Mt. Lebanon. Aren't they biased? I hate what these people have done and will continue to do to this community. I feel so sorry for Kelly. She said that she is losing sleep over this. She looked so defeated. I feel sorry for all the children and the adults who are in their childbearing years. OMG.
Elaine
There are unbiased non Mt Lebanon experts on these topics and they are available for FREE.
12:03 AM, who are they, where are they, can you get them to come here pronto pro bono or low cost ?
Elaine,
Why could you not record the meeting? I wanted to be there, but could not due to scheduling issues. I had hoped to be able to hear what was presented. Why could you nor record it?
-Charlotte Stephenson
One of the speakers would not give me permission. I didn't ask why. Charlotte, you would have been even more upset, had you attended. I can see why John Bendel left early. He couldn't handle the heat [island] from the turf forum. I can't believe how we are being bullied by these people who are in need of anger management classes. Brumfield will tell you that any studies that we produce are "inconsistent with studies from California, New York and even the Netherlands." Of course, Brumfield never actually cites any studies. He just rattles off states and countries.
Elaine
Correction. "not record it"
-Charlotte Stephenson
Great, Bendel - our supposed leader and turf champion representative of the Commission, didn't even stay for the presentation. Unbelievable! "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" I guess.
-Charlotte Stephenson
Yeah, Charlotte, he's a real life Sgt. Schultz....I know nothing, I see nothing, I hear nothing, I say nothing bad about artificial turf. It's for the children
Q: was Linfante's California buddy at the ESB meeting?
Isn't she a mouthpiece for a group that is out to protect our natural resources?
The silence is deafening.
Neither was her campaign manager, who according to Linkedin is:
" Environmental Chair
Mt Lebanon PTA
September 2005 – Present (8 years 9 months)"
Elaine
Strange... where is that great protector of the environment, Linfante campaigner and ex-ESB member... Rob Papke?
He invested so much energy lobbying for silly signs reminding soccer moms and dads not to idle their motors in school pick-up lines that apparently he has no time to deal with artificial turf.
Barrels of oil consumed to make plastic grass, carbon black and a toxic cocktail spilling into our waterways is just too much for him to get involved with. Specially since it would reflect badly on his close pal, Linfante.
We will though at some point probably get to enjoy one of his 'spectacular' photos- maybe one of his Lebomag submissions will be of a heat generated mirage at Wildcat/Middle Fields.
It is a possibility that the two above mentioned— should we call them environmentalists— have retired from the local community scene or perhaps they don't see an issue, but is it or is it not curious that now they are quiet after being so active.
Didn't Brumfield go the Duke also? Maybe he and Cappuci are Frat bro/sis's. Quasi blood. I see Mr. Bendel claims that the real addition of field time is that we can use it earlier and later in the season. I've been to little league games in April, and football games in Nov. I don't want my kid playing in Feb/March or Dec. It's too cold! They had a real solution at Brafferton and let it slip away. That was to become a lax/soccer field. Instead they gave that budget item to turf.
Last night drew mostly Democrats. I think I was one of two or three, at the most, Republicans. Clearly, the Democrats can't be too happy with the three, possibly four rogue commissioners. From the MTLDC website:
"The MTLDC is a volunteer organization consisting of committed Mt. Lebanon Democrats who are determined to elect local, state and national candidates who promote the basic principles of the Democratic Party:
Be GREEN by pursuing the efficiencies and benefits of being a green community"
MTLDC, you've got to fix this. You elected these people. Kelly looked so defeated last night. She seems to be the only commissioner promoting the basic principles of the Democratic Party. Here, I thought the RCML was ineffective. It seems that the MTLDC has its work cut out too. The commissioners aren't listening to any advisory boards, residents, or the party who elected them.
Elaine
Kelly is the ONLY green Commissioner!
It is truly sad what is going on with this. It can't proceed! What gives these people the right to tear up beautiful green spaces and impose their selfish desires on everyone and everything - including the wildlife, plants and even insects that live there?
It's not "their" green space. It belongs to all of us!
-Charlotte Stephenson
Elaine it was a REPUBLICAN commissioner that talked Brumfield into running! Now Brumfield is out talking to parents trying to get their kids into lacrosse so they build their base. My husband laughed as our kids are good enough athletes to play Level 1 sports. Shame his was NOT as it would have saved millions of "Other people's money".
Tire crumbs, metals and other contaminants are going to
be deposited in the yards of the surrounding private property. Then the municipality will be subject to litigation.
Best to test soils now.
Mrs. Stephenson THOSE ballfields belong to Dave Franklin and Dave Brumfield. Not us! Not our kids! We get to pay out the nose for them BUT don't you dare stare too long at them. For those that don't know Brumfield take it from one that does... He loves the NSA, thinks the IRS did the right thing and believes "What does it matter..." was a great come back line.
6:59, tire crumbs, metals and contaminants are going to be deposited in cars, livingrooms and bedrooms throughout the community as the young athletes carry them home in their shoes, socks, clothing and hair.
Isn't it recommended that the players shower immediately after a game on artificial turf.
The February SAB minutes have finally been published on the municipal website.
I am surprised that Dave Franklin didn't share this at last night's educational forum.
"Mr. Franklin said an expert from Penn State informed him of 3 major problems with organic infill:
1. It will lift and migrate with rain.
2. It will hold water and freeze.
3. Things will grow in it, often requiring pesticides or herbicides."
Here is what I find offensive about this whole plan. I can find articles which say that organic infill performs better than crumb rubber infill, but as I tried to explain last night, you are still ripping up grass and covering the soil with a synthetic carpet and plastic grass blades. We will be asking the municipality to spend more money on a project we never wanted or asked for. How crazy is that???
Elaine
They needed a Penn State expert to tell themabout those three problems with organic fill.
A quick google search will turn up a multitude of articles telling of those problems in seconds.
This is an example of how little research have been put into "viable" options. The goal was tire crumb turf from the get go.
I get your point but further, the commission research should not have been done via google. They should have contracted with an expert who provided a manuscript summarizing the research and including references and an annotated bibliography. This manuscript should be available online for residents to view. Recently conducted study results should have been included. The studies should not be from one discipline given the complexity of this undertaking and the wide variety of impacts.
In addition to the manuscript, all suggested proposals for additional or repaired playing spaces should have also been available along with the estimates from Gateway.
A diverse board of professionals/experts should have been selected to comment on these issues in front of the public.
Everyone in Mt Lebanon should have had an idea this was coming, instead of the select few.
A legitimate referendum would have gone a long way.
The list goes on and on.
Now this issue isn't just about turf. It's about trust.
This is a man's field.
Think about it the way the toxicologists put it: we all have a risk cup. Risks are exposures to carcinogens/toxins/etc. As the cup fills, more symptoms will emerge and severity of the health problem intensifies. The risks associated with exposures are highest to women and children. This is biological.
The men won't get as sick under the same conditions as the women and children.
Thanks guys.
Turf Task Force. No Women Need Apply.
From the Almanac article above on Lebo Lacrosse: “We set aside a good half-hour out of our two hours to work on stick skills every practice,” coach Mike Ermer said. “When Duke won the NCAA Division I championship last year, something they talked about a lot is focusing on fundamentals.”"
Isn't that interesting that Coach Ermer mentions Duke! Duke. Yes, Duke that has the top multi-sport facilities in the South and in the nation. Their Koskinen Stadium "comes to mind."
And can anyone here tell us what playing surface their lacrosse team plays on... I give you a second Commissioners, because I don't think you have a clue.
Give up? It's friggin' Bermuda Grass! Beautiful, inexpensive, environmentally safe... GRASS! And its a "Crown Jewel" to boot.
Wake the Hell up Brumfield, Bendel, Silverman and Linfante.
http://m.goduke.com/mobile/ViewArticle.dbml?atclid=218133&
"When people speak of the top multi-sport facilities in the South and in the nation, Duke's Koskinen Stadium comes to mind. In a relatively short period, the cozy stadium has emerged as one of the finest soccer and lacrosse complexes in the country.
Koskinen Stadium, named and dedicated in 1999 through the support of John and Patricia Koskinen, is situated ideally on Duke University's West Campus. It sits adjacent to the William David Murray Building and near both Wallace Wade Stadium and Cameron Indoor Stadium. This location -- in the heart of Duke's athletic complex -- allows easy access for Duke fans both on campus and throughout the local community.
From a spectator's standpoint, there's not a bad seat in the house as th e aluminum bleachers flank each sideline to allow for 4,500 fans with standing room only areas pushing the capacity to approximately 7,000. The Bermuda grass playing surface is 75 yards by 120 yards with an underground irrigation system that keeps it in top condition year round, while lights, added in 1984, have afforded the Blue Devils scheduling flexibility."
http://football.isport.com/football-fields/us/north-carolina/durham/koskinen-stadium-606449
Field Details
Amenities: Showers, Locker Rooms
Equipments: Soccer Balls, Goals, Cones
Teams/Clubs: Women's Soccer Team, Men's Soccer Team, College/University Soccer Team
Field Specifications
Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor
Field Surface: Grass
Lined Field: No
About
Koskinen Stadium is a 4,500-seat (7,000-capacity) stadium in Durham, North Carolina on the campus of Duke University. It serves as home to Duke's soccer and lacrosse teams.
I'll bet SAB liason, MTLSD Athletic Director Grogan's mind to mention that the college lacrosse team our lacrosse kids look to for inspiration play on grass!
Wink, wink, nod, nod
Here's the 'Trib' article 3:50 erroneously refers too as an Almanac article. Sorry!
It seems MTL lacrosse does just fine practicing and competing on the fields we currently have, thank you!
"Mt. Lebanon boys lacrosse team reboots for title defense"
By Gary Horvath Published: Sunday, March 30, 2014, 10:03 p.m.
"After winning the WPIAL Division I title last season, Mt. Lebanon starts its title defense by emulating another champion that shares the Blue Devils' name.
“We set aside a good half-hour out of our two hours to work on stick skills every practice,” coach Mike Ermer said. “When Duke won the NCAA Division I championship last year, something they talked about a lot is focusing on fundamentals.”"
http://triblive.com/mobile/5851781-96/division-season-lebanon
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2014/05/02/State-allows-13-area-school-districts-to-raise-property-taxes/stories/201405020169
If you think back to Fraasch's Audit & Finance meetings, Klein matter of factly told him we'd get this exemption from Act 1 limits. Its a joke, not one district was held to the Act 1 limit.
This clearly spells out why we need Harrisburg to pass Senate Bill 76 and House Bill 76 to reform school districts unlimited ability to raise taxes.
6:01 Just wait till the School Board finally discloses the new Teachers contract! We tried to warm people about certain School Board members associations with the union and what would result. Now it is here!
"IF" the school board has a new teachers contract they won't release the terms or vote on it until after the election.
Isn't that great, here's an operation that can't stick to its promises to build a high school for under $113 million, can't afford to pay for its pension obligations and it's going to turn around once again and pass out lucrative raises that it - no we - can't afford. All at the same time as many of the board's political comrades are paying far less than their fair share of property taxes.
Way to go Mt. Lebanonites, sit on your bottoms and certainly don't vote.
Your kids are getting a great education out of those expensive pizza lunches, well the ones that get picked to attend them, are.
Well, Commissioner Bendel had to leave the turf meeting early for something very important; he was spotted in the lobby chatting away with various constituents instead of hearing the terrible truth about turf that he would rather avoid. It must be wonderful not to be accountable or responsible (not "civil" if not ignoring other people is an attribute of civility).
6:27 Bendel is in trouble and he knows it.
Bendel works for a bank, how much can he offer! Bank America just filed a report with the Federal Reserve and underestimated its capital reserves by $4 billion.
I would love to overhear Bendel's description of what he heard and observed at the Education Forum on Issues Related to Artificial Turf on April 30th. to other Commissioners, Feller, Deiseroth and Franklin. I hope he chokes!
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