For the record, I had sent a link to Commissioner Fraasch last night concerning the VERY lewd and disgusting Twitter account. I heard nothing. I sent a second email to President Linfante's attention. I heard nothing. Of course. I then decided to see who was following this crude and hurtful Twitter account. Lo and behold, I sent a pdf to the Commission of the followers, with the note below about apples not falling far from the trees. I had also made a pdf of the Tweets. Suddenly, the account had been suspended.
Now, it appears to Commissioner Fraasch that I need to apologize to Dave, even though he will not accept it. Below is the email exchange with any references removed so that I don't get sued.
So here is my apology, Dave Brumfield style. I apologize for using the word "apple."
For some reason, I am the bad guy again. It doesn't matter how despicable the Tweets or that they were all listed anonymously. I made a pdf of the followers and suddenly, I am attacking Dave's ____. Who is protecting those poor victims mentioned in those hurtful and vile Tweets? I certainly tried to get help from the commissioners, but was ignored. It wasn't until I sent the pdf of the followers, that the account was suspended.
So here is my public apology, David Brumfield. I am sorry for using such an offensive word as apple. Why you were not offended by that now suspended Twitter account is puzzling. That is where the "hurtful negativity was slung." I am not even sure what I accused anyone of. Kelly, that is about as much of an apology that you're going to get from me. Of all the abuse that I get from Linfante and Brumfield publicly, and their supporters - through anonymous comments, that's all Brumfield is getting from me. Where are their apologies? I'm not holding my breath.
From: David Brumfield <dbrumfield@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Subject: Re: Twitter
Date: Wed, May 28, 2014 10:08 am
This is the final straw. When I started on the Commission I tried to work with you. When it became clear that we did not share the same vision for Mt. Lebanon I tried to at least give you credit for your dedication to staying informed and informing others. As your tone became increasingly toxic and negative I tried to just leave you alone. You tell me you are ashamed, you ask me for my resignation and you claim that I ignore the residents who you believe you speak for. You are not Mt. Lebanon and I thank God for that. I would not want to live in a community that you were the voice of the majority. A community dominated by vile and hurtful negativity slung with little care for accuracy or understanding. A place where negative innuendo and accusation are more common than fact. A place where volunteers and well intentioned public servants are attacked mercilessly by faceless cowards hiding behind anonymity.
Even when a name is put to the attack as you have now it does done with knowledge that you are attacking people who will not stoop to your level. You have always known that none of the Commissioners would attack your ___, we would never consider it. Yet somehow you want to reference my ____'s conduct as something that _____ and I should be embarrassed about it. You must feel so smug knowing that you make such accusations with absolutely no fear of reprisals because even now I would never do such a thing. It is only due to the demand of my ___ that I even take the time to address you know. I suppose ___ still holds some hope that there is enough decency left in you to refrain from ever attacking a commissioner's ____ ever again. Unfortunately, I have given up any hope that is even possible. The pity I used to feel for you being so consumed by your negativity and hatred has been burned away by your recent personal attacks against Commissioner Linfante during her difficult time and this attack on my ____.
Please understand, I am not asking for an apology, because I would not accept it. I will just not subject myself to you any more. I have not been on your blog in months but that has proven to not be enough. After conferring with the Solicitor to confirm that I have the right to do so I am blocking your emails from all of my accounts including my Mt. Lebanon account. I will not answer phone calls from you nor speak to you at any time. I will not address you or answer any of your questions during public comment. I will have nothing to do with you. Yet if I find that my ___ or ____ are ever mentioned, referenced or even linked to in any email, text, post or blog entry I will sue you without hesitation. I am a public figure so I am sure you will continue to attack me but whatever protection the law gives you to speak about me does not extend to my ___.
David Brumfield
On Wed, May 28, 2014 at 12:37 AM, 'egillen476@aol.com' via Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org> wrote:
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it Dave? Your ___ is the first one listed.
Elaine
For some reason, I am the bad guy again. It doesn't matter how despicable the Tweets or that they were all listed anonymously. I made a pdf of the followers and suddenly, I am attacking Dave's ____. Who is protecting those poor victims mentioned in those hurtful and vile Tweets? I certainly tried to get help from the commissioners, but was ignored. It wasn't until I sent the pdf of the followers, that the account was suspended.
So here is my public apology, David Brumfield. I am sorry for using such an offensive word as apple. Why you were not offended by that now suspended Twitter account is puzzling. That is where the "hurtful negativity was slung." I am not even sure what I accused anyone of. Kelly, that is about as much of an apology that you're going to get from me. Of all the abuse that I get from Linfante and Brumfield publicly, and their supporters - through anonymous comments, that's all Brumfield is getting from me. Where are their apologies? I'm not holding my breath.
Well that opened the floodgates to hateful anonymous comments. Why do you read this blog? Seriously.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Brumfield, Linfante, and their passive/aggressive supporters Bindel, Fraasch, and Silverman do not listen, which should be abundantly clear to all who have been watching over the past 2 years. More than this, though, is the fact that they think they can sweet talk anyone into anything, and, if you don't just change YOUR mind, YOU are clearly the problem, which is never them or their attitude.
ReplyDeleteThis commission is marked by pettiness, excessive partisanship, and a true "us vs. them" mentality. They say they try to work with others, but when have THEY ever changed their minds or policy? No, it is a rhetorical game they play, and you can neither be deterred not lulled by the barrage of false "come let us reason together" talk. Their operating assumption is that unless you agree with them you are a problem as they can never admit the possibility that they might be wrong or that someone else may have a point.
There is no remedy for the broken regime but a clean-sweep reform. Brumfield is right, it is now clear that he and his cohorts will not work with any opposing point of view, so we must proceed politically on that premise. It is time for the stale and uncreative elected leadership of this burgh to be changed by the people. It is time to take all this to the polls in seriously contested elections.
One can only trust the the "Big Boys" in the local Democratic Party will take note that the instability and will to challenge the status quo arises singularly out of the non-responsive, irresponsible, and anti-social behavior of those they have left in local power behind them. The concern for Messers. Miller and Smith ought to be that their constituents are the same residents who now are moved to political action on a scale not seen from Conservatives in Mt. Lebanon for decades. Game on.
Clean Sweep Reform. It is the only answer to the brutish bullyism that has gripped our village.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the authors of Home Rule Charter Reform would like to eliminate that pesky First Amendment to the US Constitution while they are at it??
ReplyDeleteOh, "without hesitation"? My, how scary and intimidating. Your response should be "Bring it on".
ReplyDeleteIf the account was public, I'm not sure how emailing him the information constitutes anything illegal. Further, if someone's child was involved, perhaps the parents should worry about fulfilling their responsibility as parents rather than attempting to silence those who point out what their child is doing. I read some of the tweets. I'm not sure vile is accurate. But stupid and juvenile? Um, like, you know, yeah. So juvenile.
Is that how it works, Dave? You don't like what you hear so you try to silence it? None of this would happen--the email exchanges, people pointing out how unqualified you are to be a commissioner, the possible illegalities surrounding the turf project--if you would just act like an adult and simply do the job you volunteered to do as a commissioner. I thank God YOU are not Mt. Lebanon. Imagine a community with only one voice and one opinion. Wait a second--that's pretty much what's happening, right?
Maybe Mr Brumfield is saving up his apologies for all of the people who live along Cedar Blvd who will be impacted by even worse flooding once he rips out all of the grass and trees and puts in his "field of dreams."
ReplyDeleteI wonder what would happen if that $750,000+ was put toward flood mitigation efforts? But hey, there's games to play. Gotta have those priorities set.
Uh oh, dark clouds coming in again. Maybe someone can take some Gateway engineers down to Cedar Blvd and show them what flooding looks like.
--Tom the Tinker
What don't you guys get? The local democrat party loves Brumfield and are grooming him for a State office. He gained brownie points for his slur on Corbett. What Brumfield does NOT get is that his so-called friends are trashing him behind his back. His co-workers trash him. Heck the neighborhood had much to say about him Monday at the parade. One of his neighbors even said they couldn't believe he wasn't in the car leading the parade. A few refused to even speak to him. But I'm not a lawyer but how can a commissioner, an elected one, refuse or block someone? Elaine I would say call Miller or Smith to find out but both are best buddies of Brumfield.
ReplyDeleteI met with Dan Miller today, as a matter of fact. I never brought up Dave Brumfield or Kristen Linfante. I had more important issues to discuss with Dan.
ReplyDeleteAs far as blocking me, remember Timmy did the same thing to me on Twitter. Dave Brumfield blocking me is no big deal. I guess the issue is that I sent the pdf to the entire commission, instead of only sending it to Dave. In my defense, I have learned to send to the entire commission, on every issue. I can't respond about his co-workers trashing him. Unless you are a partner at his law firm, 6:21 PM, I don't know how you would even know that they do or they don't. Oops, there I go again, defending Dave. What the hell is the matter with me? Dave didn't defend me...uh...ever.
Elaine
Elaine how do the rest of us see this Twitter stuff?
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to tell you. It has been removed from Twitter. I'm certainly not going to send you the pdfs.
ReplyDeleteLesson learned. If this sort of thing happens again, call 911 and ask to speak to an officer. I should have known that. When two officers came to my house and looked at my computer over a comment that was sent to me, that is the advice that I got. I am keeping all the unapproved comments in my spam folder and when I can't take it anymore, I am to call 911 again. The police take over, just like they are doing with this Twitter thing.
Elaine
6:45 You don't want to see the twitter stuff. It was obnoxious, lewd and vulgar. Yes, it was also juvenile but juvenile is also often innocent. This wasn't innocent. The only reason it was shared was to put an end to it. Brumfield's personal connection to it was entirely, entirely coincidental.
ReplyDelete-Sad Scout
Elaine FIRST Brumfield is NOT a partner and will NEVER be one. You'll have to trust me on his co-workers not liking him. Are there many who like him just in Mt Lebqnon? Even in Lacrosse? Aqua club? There is a HUGE difference between Twitter and local government email accounts. You, as a taxpayer, pay for each commissioner's account. But from what I've seen of Brumfield's legal abilities you have little to worry about. His track record is piss poor at best.
ReplyDeleteElaine did the police have a warrant? How far has this all come? Are they on some kind of witch hunt?
ReplyDeleteWarrant? Witch hunt? Someone sent me a link to the Twitter account and I contacted the commission, three times. I don't know the rest of the story except that it has been removed from Twitter and I am the one that is being criticized for it. There is no witch hunt. I don't know - a warrant for what?
ReplyDeleteElaine
No I was wondering if the police had a warrant to search your computer. For someone that is fairly new to computers and your blog it seems that a certain commissioner is on a witch hunt to get you. I was one of those old ladies at the ball park parking lot hearing for the first time about artifical turf. I was the one that asked if taxes were going to be increased to address other issues while wasting a million or more on a un-needed "want". But what do I know??? I'm just a stupid old woman that doesn't understand the needs of sports dads. I even have problems proving that I'm not a robot.
ReplyDeleteElaine- I think your comment earlier suggested that the police were after you on this twitter thing. They aren't looking into YOU they are looking into the twitter account mastermind, right?
ReplyDelete6:45 .... That is just creepy. Why are you so interested in reading the lewd high school twitter account?
ReplyDelete7:27 PM, I totally understand. A few months ago, I was sent a pretty bad comment. I forwarded it to the commissioners, and then Kelly contacted the Chief about it. Two officers were sent to my home and looked at my computer.
ReplyDeleteFast forward to last night, 7:28 PM, yes, the police are looking into the Twitter account mastermind.
Sorry for the confusion, 7:27 and 7:28 PM.
Elaine
7:03 This is from Brumfields website :
ReplyDelete"I am a partner at AlpernSchubert where I specialize in civil litigation." He calls himself a partner on his 'personal website. When I checked the Firm's website, they did not refer to him as a partner. Interesting ...
9:42 PM, there were quite a few people targeted, including a teacher, from the sounds of it. I don't think that was a creepy request at all.
ReplyDeleteElaine
For a long time, our political community has attacked family members of those who serve, seek to serve or provide input to our local government and taxing authorities.
ReplyDeleteFor all of the upheaval regarding Commissioner Brumfield's situation, I only wish that there would have been the same outcry for me when my family was unfairly attacked over a school board election. Why didn't anyone stand up for me and demand an apology? Did our elected officials who were party to the malicious behavior step up? No, they did not.
Justice should be demanded for all who experience such scrutiny, and not only for a chosen few.
-Charlotte Stephenson
Yep, that Gov. Corbett really sucks! Makes a thinking person wonder how really disastrous can his policies and administration have been for Pennsylvania and the area as some claim.
ReplyDeletehttp://triblive.com/mobile/6188520-96/jobs-pittsburgh-april
"Pittsburgh-area employers added 22,300 jobs in April"
"Employers in the seven-county Pittsburgh region added 22,300 nonfarm jobs in April, and the unemployment rate declined two-tenths of a percentage point to 5.6 percent, according to preliminary figures released on Wednesday by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. The decline occurred as 3,900 more people began looking for work, an expression of confidence in Pittsburgh's economy.
“This is encouraging; it's moving in the right direction,” said Kurt Rankin, an economist at PNC Financial Services Group.
Pittsburgh's unemployment rate stayed slightly below state and national averages. Pennsylvania's rate dropped three-tenths of a percentage point in April to 5.7 percent, and the U.S. jobless rate is 6.3 percent.
Hiring in construction and professional and business services showed strong monthly and year-over-year gains."
Things are soooo bad here in Mt. Lebanon because of Gov. Corbett, we're going to spend $750,000 of residents tax dollars turfing a ballfield.
Now that is rough being forced to tear up a grass field that thousands of Lebo kids have been playing sports on for years.
I can see why Brumfield was upset. Everyone tends to be protective of their family and I would probably be upset if my family was pulled into politics. I also don't think Brumfield has been very kind or considerate to others based on my observations of him. The conduct of some of the commissioners as well as their unwillingness to stand up to bad behavior from others has been well documented here.
ReplyDeleteHis threat of litigation is concerning as the cause of action seems unclear. The comment in the email could certainly be considered insulting, but I don't see how that's actionable absent something else, such as a threat, defamatory statement, etc. Absent something else, this threat of litigation seems to be in SLAPP territory (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_lawsuit_against_public_participation)
Charlotte, it doesn't work that way.
ReplyDeleteWho is going to apologize to all the kids who won't be playing field sports based on poor decisions made by the commissioners? Who will apologize to you or anyone else with asthma and won't be able to enjoy the Park? Who is going to apologize to the Vee Lynn and Cedar Blvd. folks when the turf project goes through? Who is apologizing to the "newcomers" who are taking out second or third jobs or worse, having to move? Who is apologizing to all the people named on the Twitter account? Who apologizes to the concerned residents who speak at commission meetings and school board meetings and are treated with disrespect by commissioners, school board directors, and superintendent? Who apologized for the "opinion piece" in the Devils Advocate last year?
Right now, the only one who ever apologized from the municipality or school district is Susan Morgans over her "to market" article. Oh wait, I stand corrected. Dave Brumfield did apologize over the closing of Mt. Lebanon Cemetery on July 4, a few years ago. It was more sincere than his lame apology that he gave for his lewd comment about the governor.
Unfortunately, Charlotte, we have double standards here. I guess the typical response is, "Move, if you don't like it."
Elaine
An opinion on lawsuits and other issues.
ReplyDeleteI don't know the ins & outs of law, but I do understand the Court of Public Opinion and perception. It has no authority to levy fines or damages, but it does have the ability to destroy reputations. Is that where we are headed?
For people that claim to be building a sense of community (both sides)tweets and threats of lawsuits seem to be the last way to bring a community together.
I wonder that as prospective home buyers investigate what Mt. Lebanon is all about news coverage of the lawsuits threatened will do nothing to make the community attractive to them.
9:35 AM, I'm not sure by your statement, "For people that claim to be building a sense of community (both sides)" that you are referring to me. To be clear, I started this blog and my website, to inform the community, bring sunshine to our local governments, and encourage taxpayers/voters to get involved. I have gotten plenty of resistance from our local officials and sports cabal. It has not been easy. I was told yesterday, that I signed up for this when I started my blog, but you know what? I didn't sign up for this treatment by people who have the power to tax me out of my home. In fact, up until recently, there was a person on the Community Relations Board who does just that! We have commissioners who are driven to implement a deer cull using high powered weapons in our neighborhoods and parks. We have commissioners with agendas. Our school board's agenda has strayed from education and are now construction experts.
ReplyDeleteBeing a resident in Mt. Lebanon for most of my life, I have never seen it this bad. But, as I had said in an earlier comment, I have been told over and over again by the trolls, "If you don't like it, move." Yep, that is the community spirit that is alive and well in Mt. Lebanon.
Elaine
It's personal, Elaine. It is always personal for the nasty insiders here. They are bullies who's favorite games are intimidation, name-calling, and retribution. This will only change when people wake up and start electing mature adults to office -- reasonable and accountable people who are fair minded. We need a clean-sweep election.
ReplyDeleteElaine, some of the name calling, nasty tweets, inneuendo have been hurled by both sides.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying who started it or if some nasty retribution isn't called for. I have always believed if you are going to hurl stones, be prepared to get them hurled back. I agree whole-heartedly with 10:00 am's comment.
My point is tweets and threats don't bring people together and it certainly doesn't make any rational person want to move here.
10:18 Unfortunately, "throwing stones" here means disagreeing with decisions of others, or asking them to consider another perspective. Unless you are willing to go along there really is no room for you.
ReplyDeleteCan you at least tell us why Brumfield is so upset by the Twitter account and material? I'm apparently missing something.
ReplyDeleteSigh. 10:39 AM, I can't say or he will sue me. I will say this. The school board was notified for the same reason and no one reacted the way Dave has.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Did you call out anyone's family member from the school board? If not, that's probably why they didn't react the same way Dave did.
ReplyDeleteThe school district had been notified by several people on more than one occasion. None of us got a response.
ReplyDeleteElaine
There have always been political elites in this town, but that is true of any town, anywhere. I would also point out that what is going on in Mt. Lebanon today - our local politicians telling us what is good for us - is not unique to this community; I hear similar complaints from my friends and colleagues from across the USA.
ReplyDeleteI am old enough to remember when the basic American attitude was "live and let live" - unless you were trying to cause harm or commit fraud. Today it is very much "live and live like me!; like what I like; think the way I think." I can also remember when people were man (or woman) enough to admit it when they made a mistake and apologize for it - even if it meant apologizing to someone you didn't like. Today when someone makes a mistake it's the victim's fault. Professional arrogance and sneering at residents is also not a Mt. Lebanon patent - just watch some YouTube videos of school boards or municipal officials from other towns.
Of course, saying things are just as ridiculous in many other towns across America as they are here does not assuage the irritation many of us feel over the attitudes exhibited by our local "leaders" in their professional capacities. And having our collective pockets picked to pay for upper-middle class privileges used by the few on the one hand, or a "temple to adolescence" on the other, does not help matters either. But it does illustrate what happens when the majority of people who vote in local elections are those who want "stuff" and want everybody to pay for it.
10:52 AM, so that I don't get sued by Dave, why don't you file a RTK with the School District? They will be able to answer your question. In fact, file a RTK with the municipality too. The RTKs will answer all your questions.
ReplyDeleteElaine
10:52 AM, here's a tip. Ask for all communication concerning the Twitter account that was eventually suspended earlier this week. Then you will be able to get the entire story.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Did Bendel really make a comment that he has never seen any articles about the dangers of turf?"
ReplyDeleteElaine post: "John Bendel has never seen any articles about the dangers of turf. That came out tonight during Citizen Comments."
If he did, I don't know how you deal with someone like this in a cordial manner, and people's exasperation without leaders becomes understandable. Throw in some maligning tweets from turf proponents or political camrades and it is easy to see how things begin to escalate.
The Penn State turf expert he is bringing to town wrote this several years ago.
http://plantscience.psu.edu/research/centers/ssrc/documents/temperature-irrigation.pdf
He wrote in 2008: "researchers have concluded that the heat transfer from from the surface [of artificial turf] is enough to contribute to greater physiological stress that may result in heat related health problems."
Then added on the effects of watering the turf to cool it down: "these low temperatures could not be maintained for periods of time equal to the length of standard sporting events."
Maybe it is just me, but don't the words "greater physiological stress" and "heat related health problems" sound an alarm?
This isn't from some Norwegian turf paper dug up off the internet, so obscure that Bendel could have easily missed it. This is from his own "invited" expert's pen.
Commissioner Bendel, please be sure to ask McNitt about this research paper he published. Since you state you are unaware of any dangers of turf, you may want to start doing a lot of reading.
Here is part of a Maya Angelou poem that sums up our experience in Lebo...specifically Markham (we are post Lebo). Think it applies to this situation.
ReplyDelete'Still I Rise’ by Maya Angelou
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.
1:20 Thank you for the poem. I noticed in reading through Angelou's works yesterday that many of her writings pertain to the issues in Mt Lebanon, right now.
ReplyDeleteMaya should be the Poet Laureate of Reform for Mt. Lebanon and our coming clean-sweep of elected non-leaders.
ReplyDelete10:59am - well said, pard!
ReplyDeleteBob D.
The Superintendent started blocking tweets when he gave up his own blog. He started this . . .
ReplyDelete