Thursday, May 1, 2014

From the same people who bring you toxic turf, comes this FAQ for Newcomers UPDATED 3X

Mt. Lebanon has just issued this friendly Mt. Lebanon Assessment Appeal Program FAQ. They saved the best for last.
Q: Will Mt. Lebanon continue the appeals program next year?
A: The Commission has not yet made that determination.
What? Kristen Linfante bought her house in 2005. Steve Silverman bought his house in 2005. They stopped at 2006. They have not made the determination to continue the appeals program next year? No wonder Dave Brumfield was speechless when asked to define the word, "Fairness."

Mike Suley submitted this opinion piece to The Trib, Disclose appeal formulas. I have not heard anything about last night's Newcomer's Tax meeting, which was scheduled concurrently with the educational forum on artificial turf. Some may say that John Bendel left the educational forum early to attend the Newcomer's Tax meeting, but he left well before the start of the Newcomer's Tax meeting.

Newcomers, care to comment on your meeting last night? Would you consider signing a petition on say...halting spending surplus tax dollars on artificial turf voted by Kristen Linfante, Dave Brumfield, John Bendel, and supported by Steve Silverman? Keep in mind how President Linfante treated you at commission meetings. FYI, Dave Brumfield has wanted artificial turf for years and has found just the way to fund it.

Please sign this petition if you want to halt public funds for use of artificial turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields.

Update May 2, 2014 7:01 AM Why is Commissioner Linfante's underassessed house on the market?

http://85roycroftavenue.howardhanna.com  

Update May 4, 2014 5:45 PM Newcomers, don't miss Susan Morgans' editorial in this month's mtl Magazine.

Update May 6, 2014 11:15 AM Assessment games: Allegheny County's failure to produce and maintain a fair and regular system of property tax assessments — and, in some instances, actively working to undermine that system — has produced what you might expect: local municipalities and school districts attempting to use the appeals process to engage in nothing less than spot assessment. This end around is dubious public policy and has the perverse effect of not only pitting neighbor against neighbor but perpetuating unconstitutional taxation. All of this nonsense must stop.

90 comments:

Anonymous said...

It sounds to me, despite the protests, the Commission is doing what they do best, ignoring the people they represent.

Are you mad yet?

Confused said...

So the fact it is underassessed--won't that affect the sale price by making it more attractive to a buyer?

Anonymous said...


Elaine should get a cut from the commission for selling Linfante's house. This blog will help that house get sold quickly. The sooner Linfante relocates elsewhere, the better.

Bravo, Mr. Suley, from your biggest anonymous critic.
You really are helping to make things better here.

Lebo Citizens said...

Yeah, that will be the day, 7:46 AM.

Newcomers who attended the meeting the other night, was Kristen there? Did she disclose that she was listing her house? Did anyone question her about her underassessed house? Was the meeting recorded?

And the big question is, is she moving out of Ward 3?
Elaine

Anonymous said...

I did the math. If the home sells for $495,000 the newcomer, after appeal, will pay $5,700 more a year! ………or $475 a month. Will she inform her buyer? I checked…Mt. Lebo did not appeal her home.

Lebo Citizens said...

Is that for all the taxes, 8:01 AM? Or is that what is being denied from Mt. Lebanon every month in tax revenue? This is tragic, especially since the commissioners gave Treasurer Senko the go ahead to foreclose on 20 properties in Mt. Lebanon at Monday's Commission Discussion Session.
Elaine

Anonymous said...

We can only hope she is moving the hell out of ward 3 or Mt. Lebanon for that matter. She is leaving a trail of destruction behind her. Wonder if the buyer will be smart enough to ding her for the full newcomer tax amount just like a friend of mine is being negotiated for on her sale.

These idiot Commissioners don't realize the wealth they are taking out of our resident's pockets. Savvy buyers know all about the newcomer tax and are dinging the sellers on the offers.

Unknown said...

That is very interesting...

Anonymous said...

OK, so Kristen's house is listed for $495,000 (not to say half a million) .... interesting that she expects that kind of money while her house is assessed at a "fair" $315, meaning she is assessed at only 60% or so of her value....but she has the nerve to attack others for not paying their "fair share"?!

Anonymous said...

Unless Linfante can GUARANTEE she will remain in Ward 3, and announce where she intends to move within the Ward, she should immediately resign. Her votes as a commissioner affect the future of those of us who live here, and if she has decided not to be part of that future she should not be making decisions for the rest of us. Do you remember how De Lullius was treated when he put his house on the market?

One thing is to become a lame duck representing a district from which you have made a commitment to leave. Have some integrity and Resign!

Anonymous said...

Elaine: Kristin admitted that her house is underassessed! She did not disclose that she had signed or was about to sign listing papers. Her listing on the website does not disclose what the new owner will have to pay in property taxes. Why does she not instruct her realtor to make the disclosure (do you think that might hurt the sales price???)

Lebo Citizens said...

My mind is just racing with questions now. Is that why Kristen wouldn't answer me as to what the deer aerial survey showed? She would have looked like the biggest fool if the count of 196 deer would have gone public. This number is down from 342 deer last year. Counting deer using TERC Investigations I had so many sleepless nights over the idea of shooting again, next to my house.

Is this why she would not answer a resident's question when he asked her to voluntarily challenge her underassessed property? She said that she will wait for DMS who makes that decision.

When Kristen was blogging on Real Lebo and how we were so evil for trying to keep the renovation under $75 million, I thought that this transplant would probably move again before her kids would go to the high school.

This woman threatened to shut down a meeting because she turned their worlds upside. Just like a bully. Sucker punch your constituents.

Why do my commissioners like to have For Sale signs in their yards?
Elaine

Anonymous said...

Yes! The total tax rate.
- 8:01 AM

Unknown said...

I live in Ward 3 and I will be living here for the next 18 years, unless something I couldn't pass up comes across me.

Anonymous said...


I wouldn't judge Kristen's action on putting her house on the market too harshly just yet. You never know what is happening in someone's life to make that decision. I have had friends forced to move for job loss, family illness, etc. I'd hate to see people get too far ahead of themselves and draw conclusions that are incorrect.

Judge her all you want on what she does on the commission but let the house thing play out a little bit...or better yet, call/email and ask her.



Anonymous said...

9:21am

If Kristen is being forced to move for any of the reasons you stated, or even just because she feels like it, she has an obligation to disclose that to the voters who elected her to represent them. If she is moving outside of the ward she is obligated to resign and anyone with an ounce of integrity would have disclosed their intention to move prior to putting their house on the market.

Anonymous said...

She has judged a lot of us on a lot less, so why give her any leniency? She made her bed and now she will have to lay in it. Or move it out of town, thank God.

Lebo Citizens said...

9:21 AM, I have experienced bankruptcy, divorce, family illnesses, and the loss of my husband. I certainly don't wish any of that on anyone. It is a living Hell. However, I agree with 9:37 AM.
Elaine

Anonymous said...

What the Kluck?

Anonymous said...

Who's gonna replace her, Rob Papke?

As an alleged concerned and activist environmentalist (his claim to fame) he has been totally MIA from the toxic turf issue. It proves that far left progressive liberalist's first priority and allegiance that trumps everything else is what the Democrat majority dictates !

Anonymous said...

What will the unholy alliance of LaBalm, Cappucci & Evans do without her ?

Anonymous said...

Check out her twitter account which is public. She tweeted on April 20th that she was doing her deck garden for the final time.

Unknown said...

I won't actively seek out any kind of nomination but if enough people ask, I would be willing to listen.

Anonymous said...

Wait until the other side gets in.

Lebo Citizens said...

I emailed Kristen and asked her intentions. Here is her response:

Dear Ms. Gillen,
You are correct. My house is for sale. I have no intention of resigning from the commission and plan to relocate within the ward.
Best regards,
Kristen Linfante
Commissioner, Ward 3

Kristen Linfante
Commissioner, Ward 3
(412)561-2790

Anonymous said...

Recently a commenter suggested be careful what you wish for in regards to natural grass.
It might be wise to keep that in mind while you suggest Linfante resign.
At this point we won't get to vote on a replacement, I believe.
If she resigned tomorrow Bendle, Brumfield, Silverman and Fraasch could hand pick her replacement, just as the school board got to hand pick Lebowitz.

Lebo Citizens said...

When Raja resigned, the commission interviewed applicants. Bonnie was interviewed over the phone due to a sporting event conflict. She was chosen since she had run against Raja and could hit the ground running.
As far as the turf project, Silverman already said that he would vote for the project, so they still have the three votes no matter if Kristen resigns or not. But it is a moot point since Kristen is not leaving Ward 3.
Elaine

Anonymous said...

That's what she says she's going to do. I prefer to wait and see what she actually does. Don't believe the word of any politician.

Anonymous said...

She wants to move closer to you, Elaine. Cappucci, LaBalme & Evans must be getting on her delicate nerves.

Anonymous said...

Rats... she's staying in Lebo?????

Anonymous said...

ah so she will now be a "newcomer." well that is certainly good news to anyone purchasing a house in 2014 - you can guarantee they will not appeal homes next year.

Anonymous said...

You would think after the San Jose Symphony's money problems (Linfante was associated with it) and this article on the Pittsburgh Symphony's cash flow, (she isn't a performer) that Linfante would be more cautious with money, especially with that belonging to other people.

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2014/03/05/Pittsburgh-Symphony-Orchestra-sacks-17-staffers-to-aid-budget/stories/201403050099

Think about it this way, President Linfante. The more money you suck out of people's pocketbooks for frivilous stuff like artificial turf, the fewer dollars they have for discretionary spending on things like- symphony tickets.

Do it your way Linfante--- some people apparently never learn.

Anonymous said...

@kristenlinfante european tour in may...wyoming summer home...staying in your ward...no intentions of resigning...why not?

Anonymous said...

That FAQ is about four months overdue!

Anonymous said...

Elaine you said this (Ok I'll let readers insert this word) voted to foreclose on 20 houses. Which of these houses is she walking into?

Anonymous said...

Linfante wouldn't win any elections in Wyoming with her views on taxation and public policy!

Unknown said...

The FAQs for the 2014 tax year should have been published in early 2013. Why? Someone buying a home last year would have known if reassessment on appeal was a possibility or not.

As I said in my Trib piece,the FAQS tell you what happened after you bought the home. Next year? They haven't told homebuyers this year what will happen....yet. If they don't know what an underassessment is now...how would a potential homebuyer know?

Anonymous said...

Were we are from pissed off citizens would be outside these commissioners' homes with signs. Why are people in Mt Lebanon so polite? They are stealing people's hard earned money so their kids can play an hour earlier after it rains. They are going to RUIN my neighborhood for what? Public housing? When those townhouses don't sell then what? How many are going to be sold under HUD as Affordable Housing? Ask the people in Mt Washington how that has worked out! Why isn't Upper St Clair, Peters, South Fayette rushing to build low income senior apartments? Why is Mt Lebanon? Maybe you are the New Dormont?

Anonymous said...

Elaine is there any truth to the township using Eminent Domain so a developer can build a commercial/condo complex? The property is along Castle Shannon Blvd.

Lebo Citizens said...

1:01 PM, Kristen is a member of the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra.

When she was in Wyoming last summer, she tried skyping during commission meetings. It was a disaster. I don't know if she will be trying to call in or skype for all the meetings she will miss this summer.

The good news is that she will still be president of our commission, no matter in which state or country she will be performing.
Elaine

Anonymous said...

Can someone PLEASE get Brumfield out of the state too! Even if it's only for the summer. Imagine all the money NOT spent on stupid pork projects.

Anonymous said...

12:52 PM, her spouse is full time member of the Pittsburgh Symphony.

Anonymous said...

Just think, if Pittsburgh wins the bid to host the 2016 Democratic Convention, the Hotel Tyvek could bring even more Democrats into Lebo.
Oh God, It's like a scary movie!

Anonymous said...

how can you represent anyone when 2,000 miles from us and the commission? she is either very cavalier about her official duties (as she is about the welfare of her neighbors) or there is grounds to remove her for non-feasance

Anonymous said...

"absentee commissioner" if she doesn't move her "permanent" residence out of Ward 3, she should resign for voluntarily absenting herself so much of the time from the place she is supposed to be governing

one might wonder why she wants the burden so much when she is in no position to actually do the work -- it is possible kristen is not so much unrepresentative as she is just plain out of touch with reality

Anonymous said...

It sure doesn't look like a half million dollar house, either in size or in upkeep. Lanscaping is clearly not a priority for our "Green" commissioner. Sorry, she is for creating cancer hazards for our kids, so maybe she is not so "green" after all. The saving grace is that the health risks are all "FOR THE KIDS"!!

Anonymous said...

The RISKS of turf are FOR THE KIDS. It really doesn't matter what happens in the long run, anyway, right? Just like the high school (that was planned without certain windows or HVAC ducts, but that wasn't deliberate either, just equally incompetent!

Anonymous said...

Someone should ask Ms. Linfante if Grand Teton Park would be improved if turfed? Who is she trying to kid?

Anonymous said...

4:42 PM, she plays viola, her spouse the tuba for Grand Teton. It may be a little quieter in the neighborhood after they move, but apparently it wasn't enough to scare the deer away

Anonymous said...

6:17 PM - she's also a member of and now president of a Cleveland group who travel for perfomances. Busy gal

Anonymous said...

One key dilemma for the pro-turf set is that it not only does not get us any new fields (even if it potentially secures a few additional hours use on an annual basis on existing fields). The gut of field shortages is a need for new fields. It is interesting how both the commission and the youth sports leadership seem to have overlooked or abandoned this aspect of the problem. With a million dollars to "play with" it would seem that land, not turf ought to be the focus.

Anonymous said...

Would it come as any surprise that Linfante's real estate agent is also very close to Remely (and just sold his home, too)?

Anonymous said...

The home rule charter here is beyond outdated. The government here is so corrupt the charter warrants a rewrite.

Anonymous said...

Where will the future pros like Jordan Steranka's practice during the off-season when Wildcat/Middle are constantly in use?

Of note, Steranka's favorite thing about his PSU stadium was the GRASS field surface (quote from interview).

BLUE DEVILS WORK IT OUT

BIG OFFSEASON BASEBALL REGIMEN YIELDING EQUALLY STRONG RESULTS

BYLINE: Chris Adamski,
DATE: June 1, 2006
PUBLICATION: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA)

Each time Patt McCloskey would drive past Wildcat Field during the offseason, the Mt. Lebanon baseball coach had reason to smile. That's because, assuming the weather was at least bearable, McCloskey would see at least three of his soon-to-be standout players taking groundballs or batting practice, long-tossing, running or doing agility drills.


"All summer long, all fall long, all winter long," McCloskey said. "There was nothing mandatory; it was all voluntary. They put in so much work, and it's paying off."

The tireless work of players such as Chris Happ, Jordan Steranka and Anthony Defilippo earned the Blue Devils a berth in the WPIAL Class AAAA championship game scheduled for yesterday against Norwin.

For Mt. Lebanon, the title game appearance was the culmination of a remarkable turnaround for a team that went a disappointing 6-14 last season in McCloskey's first as head coach, when it lost its final eight games.

"We didn't play as well as we wanted to last year," Happ said. "A lot of things didn't go our way. You could say it was an off year or a rebuilding year or whatever.

"This year, it has just been different. We weren't going to let that happen again.

"Last year, we were just waiting for things to fall into place. This year, we made sure we did what we had to do to make sure they did."

Pride played a big role in that. Like in most sports at Mt. Lebanon, the baseball program traditionally has been very successful.

The 2005 Blue Devils had only two senior starters, and each of the current starters had earned significant playing time heading into the year. But a more experienced team does not necessarily translate into a more successful one.

"I told them that getting a year older doesn't make you the least bit better," McCloskey said.

No, but hard work and practice does. And no one probably showed that more than Happ.

The team's leadoff hitter and third baseman, Happ batted a team-high .471 during the regular season and tied for the team lead with Steranka with 25 runs -- this, only one year after he struggled to stay on the field as a junior second baseman.

"Now he's one of the better players in the WPIAL," McCloskey said. "That's the effort that personifies Chris."

Happ is weighing offers from Duquesne and Richmond. But he wasn't the only senior to exhibit a dramatic improvement this offseason.

Defilippo earned a scholarship to Lenore Rhyne (N.C.) College and catcher Tucker Stobbe -- who also was among the offseason workout warriors at Wildcat -- one from High Point College in North Carolina.

Steranka, a sophomore infielder, is likely on his way to a college career, too. Happ pointed out senior outfielders Dave Kliefgan and Nate Gannon and pitchers Eric Brown, Mike Fletcher and Brandon Lamport were also among the many Blue Devils who refused to allow a repeat of 2005.

"This year, everyone has been working as hard as they are supposed to," Happ said. "Last year, it didn't seem like it."

Though love of the sport and personal individual goals were part of what drove Happ and his teammates, the primary motivation came from a desire to return Mt. Lebanon to the WPIAL elite. A 16-6 record, Section 3-AAAA co-championship and appearance in the WPIAL title game reflects just that.

"It feels great," Happ said. "We worked hard and put in a lot of time in the offseason to get better. We knew we could do it; we had the talent. We just needed to work on it. Things came together perfectly."

Lebo Citizens said...

I would like to get some feedback from the newcomer's meeting. Did anyone hear when they will move from considering to go before 2006, to actually doing it? Or are they waiting until Kristen sells her house?
Elaine

Anonymous said...

The earliest they can appeal more homes including those prior to 2006 is early next year. The deadline has passed for this tax year. They won't discuss or vote on it until next year.

Anonymous said...

Interesting 0:00.

Linfante worked in the financially troubled San Jose Symphony. She has a link to the financially troubled Pittsburgh Symphony and now the following article. She is associated with Apollo Fire on the list.

http://www.coolcleveland.com/wiki/Newsletter/TheBurdenHasBecomeTooHeavy

"Cleveland has an overabundance of institutions – from sports to the arts to foundations to establishments of all kinds. We are an institutionally heavy community, the legacy of a wealthy past.
The problem with the blessing of having all these establishments is that they must be fed. The feeding comes from public monies from the local, county, state, federal, and from private funds, all could be used for other needs.
So they sometimes become, instead of assets, burdens to the public. And we keep adding to the burdens. They’re getting heavier and heavier, especially at the local level."
This woman lives in a world that doesn't exist on its own. Of course, the arts and recreation are worthy of support, but that doesn't mean they should be given carte blanche.
We've elected a woman to run our community that appears not to have any experience in operations that can make it on their own. Now she's running Lebo's recreation facilities like its some big charity operation.

Anonymous said...

Funny, the commissioners are all hot for PAYT garbage collection.
How about Pay As You Play sports activities?

Why is on Pay Plan acceptable, but taxpayers must foot the bill for the wants of a minority interested in artificial turf?

Anonymous said...

10:06. The kids and their families will pay to play. The commission states that the sports teams will have an hourly fee to use the turf. That cost will be passed on to families -- even the ones who don't want to see turf developed or have their asthmatic child play on it.

Anonymous said...

Pay As You Play sports might cut down on the tons and tons of crumb rubber and plastic grass we'll be sending to landfills every 8 years.
How many trash cans would a resident need to put curbside to generate tons of waste.
Maybe you can calculate that with your son Linfante as you're educating him about unneccessarily filling landfills with your athletic field waste.

Anonymous said...

10:35, $1.2 million divided by 3,200 youth sport participants equals about $375/participant. With a turf life expectancy of 8 years each particpant should be ponying up an extra $46 every year.
If a family has two kids active in sports that's $92/year.
If we went the ESPN natural grass resodding estimate of $28,000/field, there'd be hardly any need to raise sports participation fees!

Anonymous said...

May 15 & 16, 2014

Allegheny General Hospital presents:

The Air We Breathe: A Community Summit on Asthma in Our Community

Free and Open to Public

Register in Advance

http://www.wpahs.org/asthma-summit

Pediatric Asthma will be discussed.

http://www.wpahs.org/asthma-summit/program-highlights

Speakers

http://www.wpahs.org/asthma-summit/speakers

Opportunities will be provided to speak with presenters.

Lebo Citizens said...

11:05 AM, here is the problem with the amount of youth sports participants being used. That number doesn't reflect the total amount of youths. Many youths play multiple sports. Their costs are even higher per family.

I really feel for the newcomers who have children playing field sports. They are getting hit twice as hard. Brumfield and the SAB claim that laying toxic turf down on Cedar will lure more newcomers to Mt.Lebanon. Here's an idea. Newcomers, for the low, low price of $750, you can buy a sign that says, "Toxic turf paid for by the Newcomers of Mt. Lebanon. You're welcome."
Elaine

Anonymous said...

Let's just kick the selfish sports addicts out of town and everyone will be much better off!

Lebo Citizens said...

That is funny, 11:26 AM. The selfish sports addicts are saying the same thing to me.
Elaine

Anonymous said...

Hey, lets not get too testy, its only money.
Unfortunately, the commissioners, school board, teachers union and SAB think its all theirs for the taking.

Taking being the key word, notice their not to concerned with paying their fair share of property taxes.

Anonymous said...

Correction - they're not their

Anonymous said...

The relentless push for enhanced sports activities at our, the taxpayers', expense, is pushed by those who most probably were athletic "wanna-bes" in their youth. Why should we pay for their delusions?

Lebo Citizens said...

11:05 AM, I believe the number now quoted is 3600 youth sports participants. It is definitely growing, since the original number quoted in the 2012 YSA presentation was 2900.
Elaine

Anonymous said...

Thanks for that link Elaine.
Notice on page 5 this subject--
"Impact of turfing and lighting on Middle & Wildcat Summary"

Have we've been 'mislead' once again by our upfront and completely honest and direct commissioners.

Didn't one of them say there were no intentions to do anything with lighting at the fields?

Guess that will be the immediate next step once the artificial turf is installed. What will that cost taxpayers, another $1 million?

Anonymous said...

Our Last 3rd Ward commissioner was selling his house and telling us he was staying in the third Ward. Does anyone know what town he lives in now?

Anonymous said...

I've never seen a Howard Hanna house listing without pictures of the interior rooms until our third ward commissioner listed her home.

Lebo Citizens said...

It is not Mt. Lebanon. When I was running against him, he told the Republican Committee of Mt. Lebanon that he no plans to move out of Ward 3.
Elaine

Anonymous said...

The 1st ward commissioner from the 90s moved out of Mt Lebanon and never looked back. He thought there should be continuous sidewalks for kids walking to school and for the community as a whole, especially on arterial and collector streets, many of which still do not have sidewalks, are known to be hazardous, are legally mandated in some cases and remain missing despite the school district's attempts to dismiss resident concerns along with the municipality and commission's failure to prioritize need over want.

Anonymous said...

Elaine... If this a$$hole Brumfield is so sure that all these new people will want to purchase homes and live in Mt Lebanon WHY did they just allow an open space that could have been used to build nice new homes to be used for Low Income Housing? Heck why doesn't Brumfield change the zoning so Mt Lebanon can develop the eye sore down by Shop N' Save to a trailer park or a HUD Housing project? What a race to the bottom!

Anonymous said...

http://triblive.com/mobile/5884286-96/percent-average-assessment

Assessment appeals have recent Mt. Lebanon home buyers up in arms
"“The process is disruptive, cost taxpayers a lot of money, and was a poor expenditure of county dollars that could have been better used on our roads, infrastructure and other expenses,” Fitzgerald said in an emailed statement. “"

No sh*t, and how many times do we go through this stupid, asinine process that probably cost as much money as it yields.
Plus Mr. Fitzgerald, if every county does it how does that make assessments any more accurate and less disruptive?

If the Harrisburg instituted SB 76 and HB 76 for property tax reform we wouldn't have to endure this "disruptive" and wasteful expenditure and put that money where it belongs... Fixing roads and infrastructure.

http://www.ptcc.us/solution.htm

- The Property Tax Independence Act moderately broadens the base of the state sales tax to include more services and purchases at a new 7% rate. Items to be added to the taxable base include candy and gum, newspapers and magazines, dry cleaning and laundry services, haircuts, and spectator sports admissions. Food items not included on the WIC listand individual clothing and footwear items with a value greater than $50 will also be subject to the expanded sales tax. Generally, food items exempt from the sales tax will be fresh meats, produce, and dairy, along with many packaged and canned foods that are in their natural form, without added sugar or other adulterants. The complete list of newly taxed items and services ishere as a PDF document.

While there are those who might object on an instinctive level to a sales tax on the last two items mentioned, consider this: If you spend eight thousand dollars annually on individual items of clothing over $50 and non-WIC food purchases combined, the total sales tax would be $560. If this is less than your school property tax bill you still will realize a substantial reduction in your overall tax burden.

Items that will continue to be exempt from the sales tax include food stamp purchases, all utilities, home heating fuels, health, hospital, and dental services, prescription drugs, home health care, tuition, day care, charitable organizations, and business-to-business transactions.

Fitzgerald, Smith and Miller won't endorse this property tax reform I believe, because they'll lose support from the teachers' union.

Anonymous said...

http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/5884286-74/percent-average-assessment#axzz30jzTSixQ

Two things:

1. Fitzgerald didn’t offer to help the homebuyers by fighting for its base year values. Why? The county makes money on these Mt. Lebo appeals when the assessments go up!

2. Gambino says this is “the only way” to fix the problem. Gambino makes a living jacking up taxpayers assessments! This is the “only way” for him to make money.

Anonymous said...

You got it 10:55!
Fitzgerald, Gambino, the Commissioners, the School District, all pay lip service to how bad the assessment process is.
Not once though do you hear them suggest reforming the system except to.. you got it... hold another reassessment.
Which will have the same faults and inequities as the 2002 and 2013 reassessments.

Anonymous said...

"Gambino says this is "the only way" to fix the problem."
Linfante on the turfing says "this is the only "viable alternative."
Is anyone beginning to see the pattern?
These leaders will never, ever talk about alternatives that upset the apple cart and taxpayers that are afraid of change go along like sheep.

Anonymous said...

I noticed a house that was on the Howard Hanna Showcase of Homes today that was listed for $490,000in USC, two acre lot, much nicer and larger than Kristen's house on Roycroft. Another house in USC was on the Northwood show and was listed for $429,000. Also, much nicer and larger than Kristen's. Both houses are listed for less than Kristen's house. So, better house, bigger yard, comparable or better school district and the best of all - lower taxes! Which would you choose?

Lebo Citizens said...

Don't miss the second update. Susan Morgans writes about newcomers to Mt. Lebanon. Don't you just love her spin? Having lived here my entire life, it is hard to imagine being a newcomer to Mt. Lebanon...
Elaine

Anonymous said...

Has everyone had their fill of Morgans' little "look at me" musings yet?

She is not Oprah and mtl isn't suppose to be her "O" magazine. Enough already.

Anonymous said...

@KristenLinfante's Tweets are protected.
Only confirmed followers have access to @KristenLinfante's Tweets and complete profile.

Anonymous said...

people who are intolerant usually have trouble imagining the situation of others (like Ms. Morgans)....this is such a provincial little town.....

Anonymous said...

Kristen is a very private person, which is fine by me, but why doesn't she stay in her house or on her trips if she doesn't want the community to know anything about her?

Anonymous said...

For $495,000 you can buy a house on Roycroft and have a rear view looking at old apartment buildings on Mount Lebanon Blvd.

Anonymous said...

Seems to me that the male commissioners need to pull up their pants and start solving problems in the community itself instead of having p$$$ing contests with the taxpayers of Mt. Lebanon! Females on the school board need to stop sucking up to their counterparts and start using their brains and commonsense!

Anonymous said...

The females on the school board are looking for scholarship recommendations from the teachers union.Two of the females on the board have/had student athletes with scholarships.

Anonymous said...

Kristin's tweets are now protected so she is either reading this blog or someone made her aware.

Inside photos are up for her house. That is NOT a $500K house. There is no way it should sell for that and you honestly could never get me to live on that cut-through street -- way too much traffic. But hey, the taxes are low! good luck to her selling.

Anonymous said...

It is a nice house inside but I would put the value around $350,000.