On June 24, 2014, Charlotte Stephenson wrote this comment here on Lebo Citizens at 12:07 AM:
The Democrat Committee of Mt. Lebanon won't rein in their environmentally hazardous elected officials in spite of the "principles" the local committee espouses on their website, and the RCML won't rein in their RINOs. Is it time to start over? Let's see....red and blue make...purple? Could there be a group of people here who will stand by their principles?At 7:48 AM, same day, "Jason" followed up with:
As per Charlotte, if someone wants to start a 'purple' local political movement -- an intentionally cross-party/non-partisan group to promote candidates who will restore integrity and honor to the local democratic process, I am in.Today, "Jason" submitted this:
What brings “D”s and “R”s together in Mt. Lebanon???
The DReadful Mt. Lebanon Commissioners!
We are tired of:
- Excessive and unfair taxing practices
- Environmental degradation
- Back-room deals
- The enabling of an out-of-control School Board
- Snickering at residents during Citizens Comments
- An “agreement” to never disagree and debate publicly
- The refusal to listen to The People of Mt. Lebanon
- A toxic mix of arrogance and ignorance
Impeach and remove All 5 Mt. Lebanon Commissioners …
Restore democracy to Mt. Lebanon.What was once considered a divisive plan to put artificial turf in Mt. Lebanon's Middle and Wildcat Fields, is evolving into a unified front of residents, of all political parties. Republicans, Democrats, and Libertarians agree that the Commissioners' plan is a bad plan.
I have said that the Democrats have their act together, but I am finding out that there are quite a few Democrats unhappy with the current state of affairs in our local governments. In general, people hate the good old boy network; hate anything that involves the abuse of power. I think the commission meeting on June 23, 2014 was a turning point in Mt. Lebanon. People from all parties came forward to oppose Commissioners Bendel, Brumfield, Linfante, and Silverman's plan to turf Middle and Wildcat Fields. Now there is talk of TRANSCENDING BOTH PARTIES -- based on truth and justice.
Yes, the Commission majority may award the bids to turf Middle and Wildcat Fields on July 8, 2014, but it could create a shift from red or blue, and Mt. Lebanon may turn purple.
35 comments:
Not only remove the 5 commissioners, but take a long hard look at some of the municipal staffers and contractors.
An $11,000 turf con job.
Thousands of dollars in unpaid parking fines.
Poor field and pool maintenance. (there hasn't been one word of any improvements to the other sports fields! Have you heard Feller or Donellan speak up and ask the commission how they improve the other fields if every discretionary dime goes towards turf?)
Elaine,
It's time for a change, no business as usual on any fronts.
I will keep you posted as I figure this out. I have a dream.
-Charlotte Stephenson
I would suggest that there IS an alternative: The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania. If you believe in individual rights, limited government, economic freedom, and the rule of law, then you're a libertarian (small "l"). The LPPA is the organized home for libertarian political action in Pennsylvania.
Mt. Lebanon's own George Brown, who ran for state representative from the 42nd District in 2012, is running again for that seat this year. He'll have a tough go of it against a popular incumbent, Dan Miller (D).
I would like to see George run for Mt. Lebanon Commissioner from Ward 3 next year, and given the political roiling going on in that Ward I think he has an excellent shot at it. George would be the perfect candidate; he's a young guy with a lot of business experience, and he understands the word "priority." All it would take for him to win is a lot of "buzz" and money.
What about roughly 75% of registered voters in this increasingly dysfunctional community who will not even show up to vote in primary or general elections, regardless of offices, candidates or political parties ?
Are we just complacent, ignorant sheep being led to slaughter by self serving politicians, too lazy to show up. Bloggers submit strong anony comments to Elaine's excellent and very brave postings, but almost all are mere spectators when it comes time to show up at meetings and take a public stand against the trickery, chicanery and deceit being exposed in and by the conduct of our elected and appointed officials.
Charlotte, I wish you well, but unless you can garner several thousand voters totally and irrevocably dedicated in hearts, minds and funding to what your game plan will turn out to be, it will have no more effect than the 4,000 petitions you and Elaine amassed several years ago - that was a great idea, but there was no followup by the signers in meeting attendance, candidates (too late), election campaigns or voting.
RG, yes, George Brown would make an excellent commissioner for Ward 3. We're a mess. I have thought about switching parties. Maybe I am a libertarian (small "l"). See? I'm learning.
8:21 AM, the worm has turned in Mt. Lebanon. Both parties are asleep at the switch. Where are the true R's and D's? I don't see many on the commission or school board. What I see are individuals who are drunk with power.
Elaine
Exactly right. You can start the Gumdrop and Free Stuff party but if people won't make the 10minute effort to vote, it won't matter. The key will be doing what no existing third party does--get a message to the masses.
Also, sounds great to throw around removing the crooks from the commission. It isn't possible under PA law. So stop focusing on that. It's a waste of energy. The way to change things is to get qualified people to run and stop acting like scared little sheep. There is nothing to fear from anyone in this town.
8:37 AM's "There is nothing to fear from anyone in this town." Ain't that the truth! Thanks to our newcomers and our neighbors from Brookline and Baldwin, people are starting to stand up to the commissioners. Never before have Citizen Comments been the longest portion of any meeting. Now I am seeing at least two pages of sign up sheets. Finally! Now if we could just get people to stand up to our school board directors.
Elaine
The school board derives its power solely from taxing authority (money). People need to push our state senator and state rep to stop caving to the wasteful spending habits in Harrisburg. We need education reform in this state. We keep spending recklessly and still have nothing to show for it. If you want to stop the school board, take away the money.
No, I think if we want to stop the school board, we need to take away the finance director. Double counting is alive and well in Mt. Lebanon.
Kubit, Cappucci, Lebowitz, Cooper, and Goldman's terms are up in 2015. I hear the D's will have their slates finalized next week. We get this opportunity to take over the school board every four years. What are the R's doing?
This is the critical time for any change to occur. Seriously, stop blaming Harrisburg. We have the power to make it happen. Now.
Elaine
I reject the argument that "it can't be done because it's never been done" when it comes to alternative political choices. LP candidates gathered enough votes in the 2012 general election that Pennsylvania re-classified the LP from a "political organization" to a "political party" - meaning the number of signatures required to get an LP candidate on the ballot is less than before. And let me remind everyone that a journey usually consists of a starting point, an ending point, and a number of points in between.
As to the low turnout of Mt. Lebanon registered voters - especially at off-year general elections - while this is true, and I've made that point myself on numerous occasions, it must be said that if those non-voting people bothered to register to vote and then did not do so there must be a reason for it. To date we do not know what that reason is - although there is plenty of speculation on the subject. In any event it remains a rich field to mine.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not point out that LP candidates have been elected to local offices across Pennsylvania; much to the chagrin of the two "major" parties, who think that a vote for an LP or independent candidate is a vote that "rightfully" should have gone to them. That being the case, there is no reason to think that it can't be done here.
All this discussion is well and good, but converting talk into action is something altogether different.
If I may be so bold, George Brown needs to first build name recognition first and the time to do that is right now, not in campaign season a month or two before the polls open.
Think about it, a large segment of voters choose a candidate simply on name recognition.
This point is validated by candidates that are dead or in jail winning elections. The voter picks simply because they recognize a familiar name.
I'd advise Brown if he wants to win he needs to start by appearing at commission and school board meetings and making his planks known now.
This doesn't require money. If he makes sense he'll build a following that'll find a way to bankroll his campaign.
You can reject the argument all you want. Facts don't lie nor do they bear out your position. I think we all get it. You're a libertarian. Then run for office if it's so realistic to get a non D or R elected. Good luck.
Stop blaming Harrisburg? Getting rid of the finance director won't do anything. And since people in Lebo would rather sit on the side and cry than step up to the plate, there is no other option. We do have the power to stop it all but unfortunately nobody ever grabs it. The R party in Lebo is dead. If someone with experience and some guts would step in to lead it, things would suddenly be very different in this place.
OK, so I decided to see if Gideon was right. I went to his Libertarian Party website and found http://lppa.org/happenings/elections/elected-libertarians.html. I counted 24 elected libertarians, including school board directors, mayors, auditors, etc. Apparently it can be done, even in places that are highly democratic. I don't much about the libertarian party, but now I'm very curious.
1:35, while you're good at pooh-poohing you offer no suggestions or solutions other than "run for office."
A number of people have stepped up and ran for office. Elaine, Charlotte, Rudy Bies, Joe Wertheim, James Cannon to mention a few.
Then we actually have a few that managed to get elected, James Fraasch, Mark Hart and currently Scott Goldman. They got/get little support.
So you comment about someone stepping up with guts suddenly making this a different place rings a little hollow.
What are Brown's specific positions on local issues? Where does he stand on the turf? The parks? The library? Road maintenance?
4:03 PM, this might help answer your questions.
LP Platform
Elaine
Parks? Library? How about full staff overhaul?
What candidate is on board of seeking new blood in the halls of the municipal building? That's where the questions should begin of any candidate running for office. No candidate should fear personnel change. It is healthy and needs to be done. Lebo has been stuck with the same ol' for far too long.
3:49 Guess you can't read. I was specifically talking about someone with guts taking over the local R party. I did offer a solution earlier--go after the money. But that was "pooh-pooed" by someone else. Get off your high horse and let's hear your solutions.
4:03 had you taken the time to attend the one and only the Meet the Candidates for State Representative (Miller, Remely, Brown) at the Bethel Municipal Bldg before the last election you wouldn't need an introduction to Brown's positions.
But lets say he needs to refresh our memories... that's a proper question. Lets ask Miller's and the Republican candidate for state rep positions for their positions on local issues? Turf? The library? Road Maintenance? The overspending on the HS project?
Especially on the HS project since the school board is crying for more money from Harrisburg and Brumfield thinks Corbett sucks.
I don't know where our state leaders are going to get more money to give to Steinhauer since the state is in the red, but you probably have an answer right, 4:03.
A few things. The Republicans forgot to pick a candidate for State Rep, unless they plan on running Remely again. They blew away Schnatterly.
Asking a candidate, running for the Commission, about his views on staff overhaul is futile. Only the manager has the power to do that. The commission only has control of the manager. They can strongly suggest certain things to the manager, but again, you need the commission majority to make the suggestions. The most you can hope for - retirements. Don't we typically hear about Timmy's raises in July? Administrators just got a 3% increase this past month.
When the turf contract is awarded in ten days, it will be interesting to see what the disgruntled D's will do. So many D's are opposed to the turf project because it goes against their primary values. I wonder if the Committee will have a little talk with their rogue commissioners. I don't see Brumfield, Linfante, Bendel, and Silverman fighting for American values. #1. Be GREEN by pursuing the efficiencies and benefits of a green community. Stripping grass from two beautiful fields and installing plastic grass filled with tire crumbs is not being green. Are 1,861 trees being planted to offset the carbon footprint of our historic fields? No, I don't think so.
Elaine
I also want to add this to all of you who happen to be on vacation. Thank you for reading my blog, but YOU'RE ON VACATION! You are paying a lot of money to escape the craziness. Enjoy yourselves and your families. This will be here when you get back. Seriously, for those of you getting ready to go on vacation, I will cheerfully take your place. I really need a break.
Elaine
5:43 what the hell is your problem?
People bring up an alternative candidate - George Brown, that Rs, Ds or Is could vote for.
Then you say someone should run for office. Brown is running for office and from I know about him So far in my mind he's a viable candidate, why would I run against him?
As far as taking over the R party, you seem to have all the answers... why don't you take it over?
You also say you offered an earlier solution in "go after the money."
OK, I'll bite... tell us all where that money is... Mr. Solutions Guy!
The local government should not be traumatizing its constituents. And. it. is.
I wouldn't blame this outrageous dysfunction on political party. It's much deeper...
One contribution to the major division currently in Mt Lebanon is the permission, created by some of our current commissioners, for them to vote on capital projects from unassigned funds.
This permission to both create and spend unassigned funds creates a) unfinished projects (like necessary safety instrastructure), b) excess funds from intentionally uninitiated projects, c) no predictable planning, and d) battles and begging among residents to have their needs met through unassigned funds.
The next set of commissioners, if they want to restore Mt Lebanon, need to reinstate, not only honor and integrity, but restore normal planning and abolish unassigned fund voting capabilities by the commission.
5:43, maybe you'll be so nice as to tell us all where the "Money for Unknown Republican Candidates" Bank is located and what its business hours are.
7:30 that makes a lot of sense!!!
There shouldn't be a large cache of unassigned funds. If there unassigned funds it means somebody didn't budget correctly and that money should be rebated back to the taxpayers.
OK, let's all take a deep breath. This is not productive.
I think 7:30 PM has the right idea. It is much deeper than party affiliation. The staff is running this town.
The pool project was initially intended to cost $3.3 million. What did Linfante say it cost in this month's Commissioner's report? $4.2 million Yeah, Kristen, it better be nice! You let Donnellan go for all the bells and whistles. Are we going to see that with the Middle/Wildcat project? Most likely. The SAB, made up of our municipal engineer (staff), recreation director (staff), MTLSD athletic director (staff), commissioner, will make the recommendation to the Commission and their wish will be granted. How do we get these unassigned funds? Whenever mtl gets a grant, the original budgeted amount gets kicked into the unassigned funds. So we're never ahead. We never save any money. The system stinks.
Elaine
Party politics notwithstanding, is there any way that we can get the cable television broadcasts to stop frequently cutting off during citizens comments against artificial turf?
Does our $4.2 million pool still discharge into the creek? I'm just curious because it did for over 20 years. And I dont recall seeing that changed in the "renovation". But maybe I missed it. (Oh I ask because if it still drains directly into the creek, that's kind of a sticky environmental legal issue and the problem will be exacerbated when the fields are torn up to install turf).
9:04 PM, I am told that during the pool "renovation," the hillside was dug from the pool leading to the already overburdened field. I may have a photo of that somewhere.
Elaine
Yeah, it was reportedly an additional storm sewer pipe discharge for stormwater from the park pool area higher elevation (45+ ft.)to the storm sewer system pipes along the fist base line of much lower elevation Wildcat, which will add to the overload.
Nice job Gateway ! Another stealth move.
1024: can you put write that in English? Are you saying they did install new drainage?
Some may say the following is off topic, but I think it is right on topic.
Our illustrious commissioners and school directors claim that their free spending and extravagance for things like a "crown jewel" ball field keep our property values high.
Perusing the Zillow website today, I don't believe I've ever seen as large an amount of homes for sale that are dropping their asking prices.
Perhaps some honest real estate people will chime in and discount or agree with my observation.
My gut feeling is that all is not well in the bubble.
Agree or not?
11:15 AM, in a word, yes.
I am moving your comment to the historic preservation board thread, to stay more or less on topic.
Elaine
I certainly want to be a part of a "purple" party to help change Mt Lebanon for the better. I am a registered Democrat with a libertarian streak so strict Democrats HATE me. I will say I won't have much time to campaign or anything as I just had beautiful little girl that is my entire world, but I entertain any offer or write-in status.
Well two potential independent candidates- Brown for state rep and Deringer for commissioner!
Now do we quibble amongst ourselves or throw the bums out as they say?
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