Any truth to the rumor that the new bridge at the high school has sunk three inches? Or that the gym has sunk? I just heard that this morning. Truth be told, I have not listened or watched any construction updates, so please forgive me if this is old news or inaccurate information.
While I am on the subject of our high school crown jewel, a Lebo Citizens reader has sent me photos of our artificial turf that was installed at the high school in 2010. For those of you who have not been up there, it looks like a rat's nest.
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| Installed July 2010 |
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| Installed July 2010 |
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| Installed July 2010 |
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| Installed July 2010 |
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| Installed July 2010 |
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| Installed July 2010 |
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| Installed July 2010 |
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| Installed July 2010 |
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| Installed July 2010 |
The blades of "grass" are flat and matted. Rubber tire infill is all over the track. It is worn along edges of the field where use is limited. Seams are coming apart. The school district is to maintain the new toxic turf at Middle and Wildcat Fields, or that is what the Mt. Lebanon High School Athletic Director has committed to. Where is School Board Director Ed Kubit? He is the school district liaison on the Sports Advisory Board. He has been missing in action at the SAB meetings. Why hasn't he presented any information to his peers on the school board about this alleged field maintenance agreement? We just know about general discussions between the two Roycroft royals.
"For The Board" Cappucci wrote to a constituent about these photos. Here is her response.
From: Elaine Cappucci [mailto:ECappucci@mtlsd.net]
Sent: Friday, May 2, 2014 1:16 PM
Subject: RE: high school turf
The high school turf is properly groomed/maintained regularly (at least once per month). The loft in the turf will vary depending on when it was groomed and how much activity has occurred on the turf.
Elaine Cappucci
Obviously I am not a sports jock, but how much activity occurs on the edges of the field? The worn and matted appearance is consistently bad everywhere on the field.
Even the curbs near the high school stadium are a disaster. Can't Mt. Lebanon maintain anything properly?
For a $1 million+, let's remove this:
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| Installed ???? |
So that we can have this:
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| Installed July 2010 |
Please sign this petition if you want to halt public funds for use of artificial turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields.
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65 comments:
Excellent post!
Maintenance around here is virtually nonexistent.
It's why the high school was in such bad shape. Its why the pool is in such bad shape. It why the fields are in such lousy shape.
Wonder why Steinhauer isn't out in his cute little hard hat, taking selfies of the deteriorating HS sidewalks and turf. The matted stadium turf, the sinking bridge and gym.
Has anyone visted camera two on the school district?
That view of the siding with the horizontal windows - does that look like a monument to education of some cheap industrial construct?
When the municipality and school district spent bushels of money on trying to build a joint indoor pool, soil test done at the Horsman Field site (Where the new HS pool sits) recommended it wasn't a sound spot on which to build a natatorium.
Our brilliant rocket scientist board and frogese speaking superintendent, decided to ignore that recommendation and built there anyway.
Oh what the hell—it's not their problem, they'll just go after some more newcomers for additional tax money.
http://www.fieldturf.com/media/BAhbBlsHOgZmSSJBMjAxMi8xMS8wNy8xOC8xNS8wMi81MjQvRlRfTWFpbnRlbmFuY2VfR3VpZGVsaW5lc18wNDE1MTAucGRmBjoGRVQ/FT_Maintenance%20Guidelines_041510.pdf
Holy shit!
Field Turf - page 6 of their maintenance guidelines - recommends using RoundUp to prevent weeds and moss growing in their artificial turf.
So much for the argument that yurf doesn't need fertizers and chemicals like grass does.
It also suggest the top the crumb rubber infill should AT 3/4" below the tips of the grass fibers. (page7)
In the photos here it doesn't look like that is being maintained.
"A picture is worth a thousand words" couldn't be more appropriate in this case ! And compelling evidence.
I guess the District really needs to hire out for comb-out and teasing for the unruly stadium turf, cause whatever the're doing only monthly certainly ain't working.
Remember when we learned a year or more ago that a new gym floor was out of level by 3 inches ? Was that the result of an error, foundation subsidence, extreme settling or just what ? Was the "fix" an included change order cost on this blog ? Was/is it related to this rumor ?
Ed Kubit MIA ? How predictable ! After his FAQ fiasco on the high school project and his SB performance contrary to pledges of "fiscal responsibility", he lacks any community credibility whatsoever
3:53 PM, the crumb rubber infill has been transferred to the track, parking lots, clothing, hair, skins and mouths of players, coaches and officials over time and use of the field, including all that attend graduation ceremony's on the turf and in the snow that both falls and is stored on the field from nearby street and sidewalk snow removals and subsequent hauled away.
Keep in mind that this turf will be four years old in July.
Elaine
4 years old, Elaine--that means it will have to be replaced within the next 4 years! how much will that cost then??
No, it should probably be replaced sooner than that. It is in bad shape now. I hear the photo opportunity is to stand at the top of the bleachers and look down at the field. You will be able to see all the seams lifting. Too bad they voided the warranty by putting all those folding chairs and letting the gals wear high heels during Commencement year after year.
Another brilliant move by our school board directors. But, we're in good hands by letting MTLSD maintain the "crown jewel" on Cedar Blvd. Have you seen how bad the other school fields are? The fields at Middle and Wildcat are maintained by the municipality.
Elaine
The HS field was never "plowed" during the snow season. In fact, it remained snow covered and unused for the entirety of the past 2 winters. Why would they suddenly start using WC/M during the winter months when they don't even take advantage of doing so on the existing turf field?
6'56 pm, excellent observation! They speak out of both sided of their mouths, just like siding & window salesmen - whatever it takes to convince people you are right. They lie and misrepresent everything!
The HS stadium suffers from E.D. - anybody have a cure ? How about running 4 Commissioners and the SAB out of town on a rail ?
3:53 PM wrote, "Field Turf - page 6 of their maintenance guidelines - recommends using RoundUp to prevent weeds and moss growing in their artificial turf."
Yikes! How many Moms have read the ingredient label on RoundUp? My wife won't let me take this out of the hardware store because she doesn't want it anywhere near the children in our yard.
Reading the Field Turf recommendations for turf care at the same time as Mt Lebanon's online application for recognition from Sustainable Pittsburgh is like a chapter, "From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler".
Field Turf recommends paving all around the turfed field to keep "contaminants" and "airborne pollution" from the turf. Among other contaminants named are LEAVES from TREES. Field Turf recommends absolutely no trees near the turf.
For Field Turf, trees and grass are pollution while for Sustainable Pittsburgh, fields of tire crumbs and plastic are contaminants. Which one is it, Commissioners? You can't have it both ways.
RoundUp use has resulted in the elimination of some frog types along with deformations.
Elaine, this town is a sham.
From an article on RoundUp in MotherEarthNews.com.
To protect our health, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets maximum legal residue levels for every pesticide, for dozens of crops. But a new study in the respected journalToxicology has shown that, at low levels that are currently legal on our food, Roundup weed killer could cause DNA damage, endocrine disruption and cell death. The study, conducted by French researchers, shows glyphosate-based herbicides are toxic to human reproductive cells.
The potential real-life risks from this are infertility, low sperm count, and prostate or testicular cancer. But, “Symptoms could be so subtle, they would be easy to overlook,” says Theo Colborn, president of The Endocrine Disruption Exchange. “Timing is of critical importance. If a pregnant woman were to be exposed early in gestation, it looks like these herbicides could have an effect during the sexual differentiation stage. They really lock in on testosterone.” The bottom line is more research is needed before we can fully understand the effects of glyphosate exposure.
[All you young Lebo newcomers, if you're expecting to have children or add to your family, it might be wise to stay away from WC/M once its turfed!]
A Perfect Poison
The researchers’ most disturbing findings were not only the cytotoxic and hormonal responses to low-dose exposures, but the fact that the “active” ingredient — glyphosate — had much less of a toxic impact alone than the branded chemical mixtures sold to homeowners and farmers nationwide.
Solvents and surfactants, legally considered “inert ingredients,” are mixed with glyphosate in products such as Roundup weed killer to create chemical formulations that increase mobility and more direct access to the cells. “Those same factors that aid penetration into a plant, also aid penetration into the skin,” says Vincent Garry, professor emeritus of pathology at the University of Minnesota. “These chemicals are designed to kill cells.”
http://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/roundup-weed-killer-zmaz09djzraw.aspx#axzz2yR9Dmudb
10:11 PM, in case you weren't at the educational fourm on artificial turf, this concern was raised by a young man who lives in the area. I feel sorry for that young man because he wanted to be reassured that it was safe to start a family there. The terror in his eyes increased my resentment toward the commissioners concerning the artificial turf at Middle and Wildcat Fields.
Elaine
No, I wasn't at the educational forum, but it doesn't really matter because I'm powerless to stop the installation of artificial turf.
The people that are making the decision (except for Fraasch) weren't there.
Next, let's tear down all the quaint stone houses in Lebo and replace with vinyl-sided salt boxes for easy maintenance. Then, mandatory violin lessons and buzzcuts for every man, woman and child!
It is silly to keep beating a dead horse.
By this time it should be apparent to everyone that opposes artificial turf that the commissioners have no intention of changing their minds.
We can't recall them, we can't tar and feather them and run them out on rails and Brumfield has made it obvious he arbitarily pays attention to petitions.
If your kids' play in a sport that is pressing for artificial turf start telling the officers you won't let your kid play on artificial turf.
They'll get the message real fast, once the money flow is cut off!
The only option left is to cut off the money, until we can elect new commissioners that'll start cleaning house.
So pledge to not patronize any business that buys a field sign or contributes money to the high school capital campaign.
Same to him/her and may he/she rot in HELL !
The commissioners proclaim they want their constituents input, so you show up with a petition... Brumfield declares he doesn't believe in petitions.
They form advisory boards, then Linfante and Brummie declare they don't have to follow the advice of the boards they appoint people too.
Residents speak before the commission and get nods and a lot of glares, but nothing changes.
So how many times and ways do residents have to be ignored and kicked in the head before the message sinks in. YOUR VOICES DON'T COUNT. Your money is the only thing that counts.
They have the legal authority to take it through taxes, but they've set this turf project up that $250,000 must be in non-public funds. That they can't steal, though they're trying damn hard too.
Let businesses know-- buy a field sign and they've lost you as a customer.
Don't sign your kid up for any sport that raises fees or contributes to the turf fund.
If you're kids are already enrolled in a sport, organize a boycott for one game.
If these league presidents/coaches are left standing on an empty field with their balls in hand, they'll get the message!
Some maybe to dense to get it, do it again, they will.
You have to be smarter than these commissioners, and it looks like that should be relatively easy.
What's the difference between being proactive and reactive?
Being proactive is initiating action. Being reactive is responding to someone else's actions either in a positive or a negative manner.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=200807...
We wouldn't be in this position on the high school, newcomers' tax or turf ifresidents got active inthe local political parties, boned up on the issues and then got out and actually voted.
That is being proactive.
2:23 PM, Wards 2 and 4 just had elections in November for the commission seat. Ward 2 had two men running, both in favor of turfing ball fields. Ward 4 only had Brumfield running unopposed. The plan to turf Middle and Wildcat was approved on November 25, 2013, after the election. None of the candidates said anything about artificial turf. They are as shady as they come. My guess is that if Kristen resigns, the commission will appoint another person in favor of artificial turf. That is how they operate. Talk about fairness!
Elaine
Exactly, and unless someone uncovers a way to impeach or run these people out of office, legally there is only one aternative - cut off the money spigot.
If the sports groups don't have sign-ups they won't have money to commit to turf.
If there aren't any field signs they won't have money for turf.
If the fields sit empty for a couple of scheduled games, they'll get the message very fast that the community is PO'd.
Also, cut off buying whatever fundraiser comes around for youth sports. The commissioners have already hit us up for the idiotic Twin Hills and McNeilly purchases. Now they want to spend $750,000 of our tax dollars for turf.
Sorry kids, enough is enough!
Oh, don't yell at the kids for coming to your door soliciting for baseball, softball, lacrosse, football or soccer.
Just politely say we already contributed.
They didn't create this mess.
Yes, thank you, 3:32 PM. Don't stoop to the level of He Who Shall Not Be Named and start yelling in someone's face.
Elaine
The best part of saying "we already contributed" is that you won't be lying.
Give the kids 10 cents if the sports groups don't contribute.
Let the underassessed commissioners and school board directors give them 10¢. I and others given enough already.
When will my kids bring home homework assignments that include begging for Turf donations? Receive an "A" if you get x amount. "B" for this amount. And an "F" if you don't bring in anything. I'm sure it will also include attacks from the commissioners on how "Turf deniers" are like "Global Warming deniers" and need to be silenced. The good ole "Turn your parents in..." stuff.
Elaine,
I would like to apologize for the comments I left on your blog concerning this post on Friday night. Whether or not my comments are the same ones that you are referring to on your post at 12:15 on May 4th or not, I regret having gotten personal. I don't know your life and journey should have never written what I did and a huge F-You is in order. Sometimes these issues are controversial and this time my emotions got the best of me for which I am truly sorry.
The thing for me is that we don't have the best infrastructure in the world. My ward commissioner stated in an email to me that the Municipality is doing everything it can to remedy that. Obviously, it is not with spending $1 million on a turfed field and completely ignoring the overflowing manholes and flooding in citizen's homes. That would be my first priority; to shore up our infrastructure to be the "Crown Jewel" of the town.
Why don't we have an "affordability index" that breaks down what the average family in this town can afford to spend on local and school taxes? A breakdown of the typical (median or average) income, accounting for the typical mortgage and costs of living for a family of 4 would likely reveal how punishing the commissioner's tax and spend policies are. A similar figure could be generated for the "typical" retired or fixed income family. Maybe it takes that kind of a reality check for our apparently too wealthy (and under assessed) office holders to get the picture.
Elaine: Regarding the insensitive advocate of spending all you may have saved, let me only say that it is the perfect vignette for what is going on in Mt. Lebanon: the commissioners and school directors only worry about what "we" WANT and never trouble about what people NEED to live in our modest private lives. Most of us don't sojourn in Europe, summer in the Tetons, and otherwise progress through the year in leisure and luxury. Talk about a "bubble!"
It should be remembered that when a candidate before the approval of the new high school "renovation" Ms. Cappucci ran on the platform that she knew how to keep the cost down to $95 million. How does that square with the record? Mr. Remely gleefully joined her in that chorus. Where is he now? When your ability to understand the issues is so clearly demonstrated to be lacking, maybe it is time to consider letting someone else take a turn at making such decisions. Such a turn is not very likely given the love affair these people have with their power over the lives of others. What sad little kingfish wannabes we have here.
10:44 AM, the "bubble" has been focused on and actually satisfying wishes and wants v. actual needs for the last few years - by both Municipal and District "leadership", both elected and appointed !
Both elected body members preach fiscal responsibility when running for office, but do not practice it once elected. Take a look at the District definition of fiscal responsibility in/amongst all the BS on the so called Strategic Plan. It is a complete farce.
Mt Lebanon park changes vs. Lawrenceville park changes. Which approach is better?
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2014/05/05/Arsenal-Park-to-get-repairs-some-different-viewpoints/stories/201405050082
Ok, so back to the post topic...
Is the bridge sinking?
Is the gym sinking?
Anyone with any idea on either of these two points?
If memory serves, Elaine reported much earlier that there was an improperly shimmed column or beam in pool end of the athletic building.
There was also quite a to do about needing to level the gym floor, though not sure if that was ever accomplished or if they only got it "close enough for government work."
Watching the cameras views on the district's renovation page, there seemed to be a lot of delay in finishing the bridge. That camera has been switched to another view of renovation.
Plus don't forget one of the earlier expensive change orders - Geofoam- which is designed to stabilize a site.
Perhaps it was a band-aid that isn't working so well.
Wait until we get to the demolishion of Building C. Bet we'll see a ton of Capital Improvements at that space!
12:43 PM, of course they are sinking. Anonymous Letter #3, item #3 addressed the major cracks in the bridge. Just when I wanted to give up...back in November.
Also in that post is the swimming pool railing issue. As of a couple of weeks ago, the caution tape was still there.
Elaine
Correction @ 1:39... demolition
That list in your link is pretty funny (well actually pretty pathetic) when you consider the directors are buying a $74,000 trophy case.
Cheap floor tiles, but they need to tout their glorious athletic achievements.
The directors should be embarrassed and ashamed.
Hey, how about our glorious municipal PIO providing us with some REAL public information?!!!!
Elaine is carrying the ball for you people unless you plan on renaming the magazine 'The Good News Only mtll magazine.
Another question, why do we need Lilley to write a piece on the Markham tree planting when we have a perfectly capable and highly paid school district PIO?
If we eliminated one or two of these information (is that really what it is?) staffers we'd save at least $100,000/year!!!!!!
Lets take a close look at oir PIOs.
I suggest if we eliminated just one, SD or municipality we save enough in payroll, employer tax contributions and pension cost that we could completely resod 3 sports fields each and every year.
There you go SAB, top notch grass fields and it wouldn't require any contribution from your groups, parents or advertisers.
Is this such an absurd idea. Private industry and businesses have been downsizing and piling up work on the remaining staff for years.
"“Companies in the private sector all go through some weight loss when going through difficult times. There's no reason why the public sector shouldn't do the same,” said Satish Jindel, a transportation and logistics consultant based in Franklin Park."
See what I mean, the public sector needs to start acting smart and responsibly.
http://triblive.com/mobile/5971585-96/airport-authority-airlines
The municipality is considering an $8 million building and it has only been mentioned in a school board meeting.
8:23 pm. Could you please elaborate?
The $8 million municipal building will include a new police pistol range in addition to several other items. It is on the agenda for the next commissioners meeting. From what has been said the plans are well along. Stay tuned for the commission president's explanation as to why we need another building when our infrastructure is in disrepair.
The so-called new $8 million muni building may in fact be a recent consultants number for a Taj Mahal redoing of the entire public works facility and property along Cedar, entrance on Lindendale. It should be a nonstarter, but with this Commission majority and staff, including Engineers, nothing is too much when it comes to spending to achieve wishes and wants. Needs are much lower priority.
100 years without a pistol range, and now we need one?
http://www.kellyfraasch.com/2014/03/19/public-works-facilities/
March 19 Commissioner Frasch posted about the Public Works planning.
Isn't there a police or sheriff's firing range we can use (even if we need to pay for time)? Another example of gilding the lilly and collecting toys. We have a municipal building and it's not supposed to be grand enough to impress foreign powers.....go to your conressman's office and see how cramped they are, Congress would love to luxuriate in the kind of space available in Lebo's municipal building. Stop spending money we don't need to spend and that we don't have.
If it's "needed" them put it on the ballot to see what the taxpayers think!
I heard that Commission President Linfante is seeling her house to move into the new "White House" we are building for commissioners.
We haven't been 100 years without a pistol range for police. In fact, the pistols the police carry are fired so often they need to be replaced every five years. But you never hear of a police officer discharging his weapon in public. So the police pistol range gets plenty of use from about 40 officers.
Gee! 40 is just a bit above the size of the rifle team who ned a new range but the school board won't build it the kids.
Anything that keeps the police honed on firing their weapon is fine by me.
Its for their safety and ours.
If combining a range that serves both the police and rifle team and maybe makes a little money on resident recreational shooting or renting time to other school teams, why not?
There was at one time an indoor range out the parkway west (Bullseye) that could handle up to .50 cal rifles. Can't believe the facility was that expensive to construct.
What about all of that lead in the ammunition? Isn't it "toxic"? Are we not concerned?
http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/feb97lead.html
An air handling system will remove the lead from the air in the rifle range and make it safer for future kids than the ones from the first 80 years. Two of my children shot on the rifle team - one boy, one girl -and were not harmed by lead and neither were any other children harmed.
Yes, and many kids have played on turf and none have been harmed. The lead isn't just on the air
no word on the bridge actually sinking or not? this should be a headline, have any of the newspapers, radio or TV stations checked on this?
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