What a day! I started out this morning with an email to our police chief and fire chief asking about getting a table for the advocates' group.
From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>No response. So I sent this email:
To: cmcdonough <cmcdonough@mtlebanon.org>; nsohyda <nsohyda@mtlebanon.org>
Cc: commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; smorgans <smorgans@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Mon, Oct 20, 2014 9:14 am
Subject: Kids Health & Safety Fair
According to the Halloween Parade information on the Mt. Lebanon website:
After the Parade,
visit the
Kids Health & Safety Fair
Mt. Lebanon
Public Safety Center
555 Washington Road
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Kids Activities
Information from
Mt. Lebanon Police
and Fire Department,
local organizations,
county and state
departments, and more
Health, nutrition,
wellness, and safety
information for kids
and parents
Trick or Treat in the
Safety Center for
additional candy
Concerned parents are interested in having a space concerning the health and safety of kids' health in regard to the artificial turf at the Kids Health & Safety Fair. Who should they contact?
Elaine Gillen
From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>Lo and behold, I received the following email from Steve Feller denying the parents' request for having a space concerning the health and safety of kids' health in regard to the artificial turf at the Kids Health & Safety Fair.
To: cmcdonough <cmcdonough@mtlebanon.org>; nsohyda <nsohyda@mtlebanon.org>; commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Cc: sfeller <sfeller@mtlebanon.org>; smorgans <smorgans@mtlebanon.org>; repmiller <repmiller@pahouse.net>; msantoni <msantoni@tribweb.com>; hfunk1213 <hfunk1213@yahoo.com>; jon.delano <jon.delano@verizon.net>; nicholaslewandowski <nicholaslewandowski@gmail.com>
Sent: Mon, Oct 20, 2014 12:27 pm
Subject: You're invited
I emailed most of you earlier this morning, requesting some space for the Kids Health and Safety Fair, but I fear it will be ignored as my Brewfest Poster request was.
Anyway, you are all invited to a rally on Sunday, October 26, 2014. Invitation is attached. I have been asked to invite you all, and I will be posting it on my blog, Lebo Citizens. Would the Public Information Office issue a LeboALERT announcing Sunday's rally on Friday?
Thanks for your consideration.
Elaine Gillen
From: Stephen Feller <sfeller@mtlebanon.org>Since when is children's health political?
To: E.T. Gillen <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: Coleman J. McDonough <cmcdonough@mtlebanon.org>; Nick Sohyda <nsohyda@mtlebanon.org>; Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Mon, Oct 20, 2014 5:04 pm
Subject: Re: Kids Health & Safety Fair
Elaine:
Today I talked with both Chiefs and also Rep. Miller's office about this issue. From the first day that this event was proposed by then County Councilmember Gastgeb, the Municipality has indicated that we would support the event in the Safety Center provided that: 1) the event needs to be focused on having service providers give information to kids on safety issues 2) no political campaigning would be permitted in the safety center, 3) all of Mt. Lebanon's current sitting elected officials, but certainly the Congressman, state senator and state rep. for Mt. Lebanon, and county councilmembers representing the community should be invited in order to distribute information about agency services 4) other service providers including county departments, MRTSA, and Outreach should be invited and 5) it should be a small, informal event that avoids politics and focuses on service providers. Therefore, I am going to need to deny the request to have space for those who want to provide information on the safety of artificial turf. This is not the correct forum for that type of activity. Of course, anyone can exercise their first amendment rights and distribute information on the public sidewalks along the parade route. Please call me if you need further clarification. Thank you.
Steve
What IS the correct forum for "that type of activity?"
I guess the Public Safety Building is not public.
What a crock.
Don't forget the Rally for Lebo Kids' Health on Sunday morning at 11:00 AM on Cedar Blvd.
If anyone is interested in printing their own T-shirt, this mirrored image should be used with iron-on transfers.
Update October 23, 2014 7:36 AM I was told that this is Chief McDonough's and Chief Sohyda's event.
From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To: repmiller <repmiller@pahouse.net>; sfeller <sfeller@mtlebanon.org>
Cc: commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Wed, Oct 22, 2014 6:00 pm
Subject: I'm confused.
http://www.pasenate.com/2013/10/14/smith-miller-harris-host-kids-health-and-safety-fair-oct-26/
Does anyone know what is going on? If this is Miller's event too, then the Advocates can have a table, right?
Elaine Gillen
Media, are you getting all of this? Another Mt. Lebanon move "NOT to discuss the potential harmful effects of artificial turf."
What is the legal definition of "political" ? The muni spends gobs of our tax dollars promoting and publcizing only their positions and bias on what to all of us are political issues, like the artificial turf. This absolutely stinks, just like the PIO mandate that the Witless one could not discuss health or safety issues in a public information meeting about artificial turf.
ReplyDeleteSo would a candidate that campaigns/advocates for better healthcare or Special Ed services in schools be prohibited from attending and handing out health literature with their name on it?
ReplyDeleteThis is bull and a political showcase for the incumbents. Shame on any politician that stays quiet and sits still for these shenanigans.
Penn Future (or any Green agenda organization) and any organization involved with ObamaCare better not be present either. ACLU are you paying attention?
ReplyDeleteHere's Penn Future's mission statement:
"PennFuture works to create a just future where nature, communities, and the economy thrive. We enforce environmental laws and advocate for the transformation of public policy, public opinion, and the marketplace to restore and protect the environment, safeguard public health, and reduce the consequences of climate change within Pennsylvania and beyond."
If that isn't political I don't know what is.
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chpt=53
ReplyDeleteDan Miller is a complete failure. What a hack.
ReplyDeleteI disagree, 10:52 AM. He really went to bat for me on this.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Yes, Dan stepped up for Elaine, but the question still remains on how the EPA can regulate dumping used tires in landfills and turn its head when tose same tires are ground up and spread willy nilly on recreational fields for young children?
ReplyDeleteHow can any thinking person, Governor, Senator, Represntative, School Board Director or Commissioner claim that tire rubber isn't hazard when they all drive cars and pay a tire disposal fee when they buy new tires so they are disposed of properly. Then turn around and decide, hey those tires that we can't throw away because they're harmful to the environment and our health, lets grind 'em up into little granules and let the kids play in them, injest them!
ReplyDeleteThese aren't good people that'll protect crumb rubber turf for sports fields!
looking back on it , I wonder if the antiturf signs would have gained more attention if they simply said
ReplyDeleteNO TIRE DUMP.
seems like it wouldnt be hard for people to agree that putting a tire dump in mt lebanon is a bad idea. - how about right in main park?
Another conservation district manager wrote this piece about synthetic turf. She gave it a "resounding no" with respect to its desirability for the environment and water quality. Our conservation district, however, doesn't agree. In fact, despite the bigtime permit problems, they are letting it go. When will water quality matter to Mt Lebanon and Allegheny Co?
ReplyDeletewww.watershedwisetraining.com/why-artificial-turf-is-not-the-answer
Where's Krista Harris on this issue? Isn't she a young Mt. Lebanon Mom? Doesn't she have any concerns about her kids' health? Thought she was an advocate for Parks and Recreation?
ReplyDeleteDon't get involved Krista, otherwise people might get the impression you actually stand for something!
http://triblive.com/mobile/3601521-96/council-gastgeb-district
"Council Republicans nominated Krista Harris, 28, to fill the District 5 seat, and council approved her 13-0 on Tuesday.
“Allegheny County is a great place to live, and I think it's my responsibility to get involved and make it a better place,” Harris said. “I'm a young mom, and I'd like to see more young families in Allegheny County. I'd like to make Allegheny County more business-friendly to attract new blood.”
She said she'd like to focus on improving parks and recreation.
Harris works for Cold Spark Media, a political advertising and public relations firm, as an account executive focusing on political fundraising."
Another do nothing bullshit politician! No wonder people don't vote.
Another clueless Republican Committee member, 11:15 AM. They couldn't come up with anyone to run against Dan Miller.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't stop there, 11:15 AM. Some Dems don't want to get involved because it would be pitting Dem against Dem. I guess they are perfectly willing to leave Kelly Fraasch hanging there. Sorry. Poor choice of words. How about supporting the only sensible Dem on the commission who upholds Democratic values? And the only commissioner who doesn't have a vested interest in the project.
I am asked frequently, "Isn't the project going through?" Yes, it is, but commissioners can stop the project at any time. The rally on Sunday is to alert parents to the harmful effects of artificial turf. The commission (except Kelly Fraasch) won't inform the public. The public information office won't tell the public. The staff won't warn the public. The Sports Advisory Board won't admit it to the public. The R& D's won't get involved.
Thank goodness for this group of advocates stepping forward. I am eternally grateful. Thank you!
Elaine
Forbes Magazine: Buyers Remorse Surfacing Over Artificial Turf Fields
ReplyDeleteVOTERS REJECT ARTIFICIAL TURF IN THREE STATES
That Forbes' "Buyers Remorse" article is important.
ReplyDeleteCappucci told Bill Matthews that turfing the Rock Pile will be a decision for the 2018 school board.
That's great because the stadoum turf will be 8 years old or so and reaching its life expectancy at the same time.
So start saving your dollars because replacing all these fields' million dollar turf could become a biannual MTL event
Don't worry Elaine. This is getting more attention than a booth at the Fair.
ReplyDelete