With the new turf I'd like to suggest a new name for the field(s), Wildcat/Middle is so ungainly. How about The House of Davids'. It has some historical signoficance with baseball and it'll make it easier to remember who thrust this money pit on us.
As far as a protest goes, don't expect me to organize one. I'm toxic.
I found out before the commissioners did. To the person who wants more facts here on the blog, bite me. Elaine a.k.a. The useful idiot, as Larry Evans likes to call me.
I live in a town that fingerprints parent volunteers, makes students sign forms pledging to refrain from grinding, drinking alcohol and doing drugs at school dances, cheats on NPDES permits, fails to obtain NDPES permits for its 4.5 million swimming pool, creates a Newcomer tax, employs a chronic liar as a PIO and contains 800 people who have signed a petition begging the commission to kill deer.
Even the students are a bit scary at times (http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/6977816-74/students-fight-police#axzz3GLtCZEVE)
You think deer are the problem Mt Lebanon? #givemeabreak #iammoving #illtakethedeerwithme
Several posters in other threads have implied that using the money argument cheapened the outcry against the turf project. Misguided special interests over safety aside, This project should be a wake-up call for how we are taxed. This project was financed through non-budgeted, discretionary funding. This our tax money that was collected OVER AND ABOVE THE AMOUNT NECESSARY TO KEEP THIS TOWN RUNNING. You think that is fair? Why not put this project in the budget? Because it would NEVER have passed muster. Add to that the private funds "donated" to the project. The private funds held the public money hostage. Indeed, those private funds effectively took public space away from the public. How? Without those funds, there would be no project. How can those against the project counter those for it in those case? Donate to "against" the turf? This should be a wake-up call that taxes collected beyond the budget and beyond the reserve needed for bond rating purposes need to be returned to us (or better yet get the millage right). It should also be a wake-up call that prince funds should not be permitted to hijack public property and public funds.
The DEP forgot to acknowledge the fact that Gateway donated to this project, at the same time billing us for their work. No mention of that conflict of interest.
Also, the fields are NOT fertilized.
Note how they submitted "typos" when questioned or should I say caught?.
With all the revisions to the initial plan, how much more will it cost us? Elaine
How can it be held up in court? And I think that Dick's should be called out. I saw a neighbor out at Giant Eagle last Sunday and they had no clue that this was happening. She's a single mother of 4 that is barely making it. Now she's paying taxes so a Commissioner's son can play lacrosse on plastic grass. I would say that on Nov 4 we have people with signs and papers outlining this crap but how many will take 10 minutes and vote. There will probably be more voting for the 4th, 5th or 10th time than Mt Lebanon voters. For all you that live in Sunset Hills or "Slum Hills" thanks for giving Brumfield access to the checkbook!
Who do you think supported Brumfield? Which party? Which party leaders? Just wait until you see what is handed to you on Nov. 4th. Then the teachers contract will be next.
What is so funny is that many of the parents that will have no problem with their kids playong on these turfed fields spend a fortune feeding their kids all organic food. Obviously the choices these parents make aren't about health and safety, but about what's trendy.
7:36 AM, the Sports Advisory Board was David Brumfield's idea. Both Mr. and Mrs. David Franklin are on the Sports Advisory Board. So are Kristen Linfante's neighbor, Timothy White and David Brumfield's neighbor Joy Pajak. David Franklin is on the Turf Project Task Force, along with Gateway Engineer Daniel Deiseroth, Recreation Director David Donnellan, "Commissioner" (and I use that title loosely) Linfante's neighbor, Timothy White and "Nobody messes with me" Dale "Chip" Dalesandro, formerly known as "He Who Shall Not Be Named." Does that help, 7:36 AM? Elaine
Want to know what else is pathetic? 1. Dave Brumfield is suing a member of the Zoning Hearing Board on an unrelated issue. 2. Dave Brumfield called on our State Rep, Dan Miller to call the DEP. TWICE. He couldn't get off his butt to do it himself. 3. Dave Brumfield Elaine
Dear 8:49, I believe a former commissioner tried to get an ordinance passed to reduce the millage for the "over tax" and it got trounced. Did not even get a second. Constance Spicuous Consumption
12:51 You know where "Slum Hills" came from? Brumfoeld's little buddie that fought any improvements to Howe's field. He wasn't driving over to "Slum Hills". Have you seen Howe's field? If you want some tick's... because that's about it.
Can we safely assume that our state representative and senator don't have any concerns about the health and welfare of our children and the quality of our streams and rivers? Saying nothing, avoiding any public stance means one of two things. 1. They think the NBC report is a joke and therefore don't give a shit, or 2. Are more concerned with holding onto their offices and will run away from taking a stance. The big problem is they took an oath to protect and serve the citizens... young and old, republican, independent and democrat of the Commonwealth of PA. Since both chose to take the easy way out of the fray, I'm making a choice to remain non-committal and won't vote for either. Regarding Corbett and Wolf, I doubt our little field issue But it would be nice if either one addressed the NBC since we're not the only municipality or school district looking into artificial turf. It's time we start holding our elected officials feet to the fire!
§ 3. Oath of office. Senators, Representatives and all judicial, State and county officers shall, before entering on the duties of their respective offices, take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation before a person authorized to administer oaths. "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity." The oath or affirmation shall be administered to a member of the Senate or to a member of the House of Representatives in the hall of the House to which he shall have been elected. Perhaps our state officials need reminded what the PA State Constitution says, that they swore an oath to uphold! "Natural Resources and the Public Estate Section 27. The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.""
Dan Miller called the DEP because the commissioners asked him to. Dave asked twice. Dan would have called the DEP for me, if I would have asked. Silly me, I didn't want to play that card. Dan will do whatever he can for anyone who asks him. I'm tired of playing fair. Elaine
Perhaps we should petition Miller, Smith and Corbett to uphold Section 27 of the PA State Constitution.
"Right of Petition Section 20.
The citizens have a right in a peaceable manner to assemble together for their common good, and to apply to those invested with the powers of government for redress of grievances or other proper purposes by petition, address or remonstrance."
"Natural Resources and the Public Estate Section 27.
The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people."
I'd say we have established enough evidence to date of a grievance regarding our right to clean air and water if this turf is installed.
The Petition should be announced in the Almanac, PG and Trib and I would think people living downstream or with kids traveling into MTL would have standing to sign the petition. The elders aren't going to like the PR they can't control and the pseudo-green weenies that are proturf will be unmasked if they don't step up for the environment and sign the petition.
This makes absolutely no sense. as a resident of Pennsylvania I cannot take a used tire and throw it out with my garbage or roll it ino a field somewhere. Any one who buys tires for there vehicles knows this to be a fact since they pay a disposal fee for the used tire every time they get a new tire on their car. But, FieldTurf can take those same tires that we're mandated to pay money to dispose of properly, grind them up and scatter them all over our recreational fields. Somebody explain the logic, please?
Wonder what the Sports Advisory Board (SAB) has up its sleeve for their - conveniently schedule after the election - meeting. You know it's going to be for some Capital Improvement for the turf project. Every time these folks meet it cost us money!
Then the petition would have to be online and presented to Miller at his open house on Saturday if there's any chance of stopping the shovels. That doesn't mean it can't be presented after digging starts but the sooner the better. Anyone out there with the knowledge to write the petition and set it up online?
Did no one on the board see the NBC report? Does no one care that young lives are at risk? And how about the health of those who have the misfortune to live near the field?
I agree with 1:18 p.m.---it's time to play hardball.
That's two of us that think it is time to step it up. Unfortunately, it appears Elaine may be right when she suggest she may be a chump because we're now into the big bloggers roll over. I've offered a suggestion here, but I don't have the skills to make it work. I'm out of ideas.
6:16 PM, I guess you didn't read page six of the permit pdf. See comment 14. The DEP said that no compelling evidence was submitted to demonstrate that toxins will be released from the crumb rubber. Elaine
This comment was submitted under an older post. Elaine
The lawsuit should name the commissioners and SAB members as individuals not the municipality. Let them pay for their own transgressions. on Worried about the safety of artificial turf?
Here is the list of SAB members. Chip Dalesandro - Hoodridge Drive Football Association March 31, 2014 Dale Cable - Rocklynn Place Basketball Association March 31, 2014 Stacey Franklin - Pinetree Road Field Hockey Association March 31, 2014 Dave Klasnick - Martin Avenue March 31, 2014 Walt Henry - N. Meadowcroft Indoor Tennis March 31, 2015 Tim White - Roycroft Avenue Lacrosse March 31, 2015 Dave Franklin - Pinetree Road Parks Advisory Board March 31, 2015 Anna Murphy - Craigview Drive Skating Club March 31, 2015 Brian Auer - Old Farm Road Soccer Association March 31, 2016 Scott Foor - Jonquil Place Softball Association March 31, 2016 Joy Pajak - Crystal Drive Women's Golf March 31, 2016 Christopher Curran - Broadmoor (At-Large) March 31, 2016 James Menegazzi - Lavina Avenue (At-Large) March 31, 2016
Elaine, over dinner I remembered I did not sign the petition. The reason being it was going to basically to the same close nit group that ignored the HS petition. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting the same results. The difference with petitioning a state officials is that one would hope someone isn't intertwined with the MTL Sports Cabal. Plus contrary to what the DEP says there is sufficient evidence that crumb rubber is an environmental and health hazard. The EPA dictates that its original form must be disposed of properly. I don't think a ballfield qualifies as an approved tire disposal.
Start the state petition! Do not wait. The time is now and these sports obsessed men are destroying the environment, wasting money and most importantly jeopardizing the health of our children. Please recognize that you have to work for those signatures. You will get some early on but the movement involves blood, sweat and toil.
The DEP bagged integrity. They bagged it. What can u expect from the DEP in Pa? Have you read about their recently resigned leader? Classy. Real classy. Just don't drink the water or breathe too much.
What was it Brumfield said about using a carrot or a stick for recycling. Is that the point we've reached with our state and local governments? Where we have to use a carrot or a stick to get the right thing done. It is a sorry state of affairs. No wonder no one votes.
Yes, 9:03 AM. You're right. Gateway paid double to expedite the process in obtaining the NPDES permit. It was to be issued by June 29. Construction was to start on August 1. The permit was issued on October 16 and construction is starting October 20. Yep, no impact there. Elaine
9:03 yep you're right! Lebocitizens was trumped by the overwhelming support in the community for turf by the petition for Turf started in June 2012 and has an overwhelming response of 300 signatures. Yes we should change all referrnces to Mt. Lebanon in the Home Rule Charter to Mt. Apathy. That'll be politically correct... and astoundingly accurate.
"Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters." — Abraham Lincoln
We have an important election coming up, if you want higher taxes, higher fuel bills and more public pension debt you know who to vote for. He's telling you exactly what he intends to do, just not telling you how much it'll cost. In the spring his local cohorts will be running for commission and school board offices. Just wait till you see what sports plans they're working on for the future.
The 2012 petition was emailed to hundreds of sports parents. The Recreation Department sent emails to 8,000 addresses. I can't compete with that. I can tell you right now, I don't have 8,000 readers. I don't have the PIO behind me to promote anything. I don't have the commission's support to stop the project. When the 2012 petition was launched, parents didn't see information like this: Your kid will be eating & inhaling this stuff?
Will parents like Miller and Smith think twice before allowing their children to play on this? I hope so. Will my blog, as useless as it is, help prevent even one child's exposure to this toxic material? I pray for that.
So keep gloating and rubbing my nose into your carcinogen laden tire crumb infill. You got your way. I never had a chance. But I sure made you sweat. Elaine
You forgot to mention the commissioners telling the community around the same time the anti-turf petition was launched that they didn't need to listen to anyone... they had the three votes needed to buy turf.
Is this a minor curiosity or something else? Personally, I find it interesting. The SAB recommends that as a community it is our obligation to provide our kids with the best. As in "Crown Jewels" to make their recreational activities all they can be and keep our home values high. Gee, a lofty goal- correct? But, a quick search through the County reassessments shows that to many of these "Crown Jewel" subscribers, providing their own families with the same quality of living, just doesn't seem to be a priority accoding to the ratings and condition of their own property. Several are just 'average' or 'good'. Hmmmmmmmmm, I guess when it comes to spending other peoples' money, the sky's the limit. Spending your own money, eh average is OK.
Congressman Tim Murphy has supported healthcare for children for quite a few years. He is also on the subcommittee for Oversight and Investigations. I do know for a fact that some years ago, he set in motion a state investigation of an insurance company that was re-writing doctor's prescriptions. The insurance company was caught red-handed and went bankrupt. Even though Ebola is the #1 priority now, I think the turf issue is worth bringing to his attention.
The truth is -- there is a serious sports bubble mentally going on here that is completely impervious when it comes to considering conflicting opinions, data, evidence, etc. No matter the extent of our credibility, collectively or individually, the decision makers believe they are pampering their athletes. In the sports obsessed world, this is a mission that shall not be interrupted or reconsidered, especially when it is undertaken by people with a vested interested in the outcome (i.e., Brumfield, Franklin, Deiseroth, Bendel).
Elaine I see Dave has responded above. Since Dave IS reading he might want to think about this... We, citizens of Mt Lebanon, are NOT stopping! Go ahead and start digging. We too are ramping up. Health is now a top priority thanks to Ebola and enterovirus giving us the edge. Shame Dave has brought down many politicians. We pray that you fall in that group.
With the new turf I'd like to suggest a new name for the field(s), Wildcat/Middle is so ungainly.
ReplyDeleteHow about The House of Davids'. It has some historical signoficance with baseball and it'll make it easier to remember who thrust this money pit on us.
I am stunned.
ReplyDeleteHouse of Franklin, Brumfield, Bendel, Linfante and Silverman.
ReplyDeleteanyone want to protest? Saturday morning?
ReplyDeleteProtest? Nah. But I did leave a message for an environmental attorney today. Let the games begin.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks go out to those who worked on this.
ReplyDeleteAs far as a protest goes, don't expect me to organize one. I'm toxic.
I found out before the commissioners did. To the person who wants more facts here on the blog, bite me.
Elaine
a.k.a. The useful idiot, as Larry Evans likes to call me.
Let me get this straight:
ReplyDeleteI live in a town that fingerprints parent volunteers, makes students sign forms pledging to refrain from grinding, drinking alcohol and doing drugs at school dances, cheats on NPDES permits, fails to obtain NDPES permits for its 4.5 million swimming pool, creates a Newcomer tax, employs a chronic liar as a PIO and contains 800 people who have signed a petition begging the commission to kill deer.
Even the students are a bit scary at times (http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/6977816-74/students-fight-police#axzz3GLtCZEVE)
You think deer are the problem Mt Lebanon?
#givemeabreak #iammoving #illtakethedeerwithme
"Between profits and safety - money wins out of every time" - Gil Scott-Heron, We Almost Lost Detroit, 1977
ReplyDeleteWe can paraphrase ... "Between reckless entitlement and safety" for Mt. Lebanon.
- Jason M.
Several posters in other threads have implied that using the money argument cheapened the outcry against the turf project. Misguided special interests over safety aside, This project should be a wake-up call for how we are taxed.
ReplyDeleteThis project was financed through non-budgeted, discretionary funding. This our tax money that was collected OVER AND ABOVE THE AMOUNT NECESSARY TO KEEP THIS TOWN RUNNING. You think that is fair? Why not put this project in the budget? Because it would NEVER have passed muster.
Add to that the private funds "donated" to the project. The private funds held the public money hostage. Indeed, those private funds effectively took public space away from the public. How? Without those funds, there would be no project.
How can those against the project counter those for it in those case? Donate to "against" the turf?
This should be a wake-up call that taxes collected beyond the budget and beyond the reserve needed for bond rating purposes need to be returned to us (or better yet get the millage right). It should also be a wake-up call that prince funds should not be permitted to hijack public property and public funds.
This is also a wake-up call to Mt Lebanon's rampant in-group favoritism and out-group discrimination. Let's just call it modern day discrimination.
ReplyDeleteYou can't blame them for taking every inch we're willing to give them.
ReplyDeleteThe DEP forgot to acknowledge the fact that Gateway donated to this project, at the same time billing us for their work. No mention of that conflict of interest.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the fields are NOT fertilized.
Note how they submitted "typos" when questioned or should I say caught?.
With all the revisions to the initial plan, how much more will it cost us?
Elaine
The Saloon must be hopping tonight!
ReplyDeleteHow can it be held up in court? And I think that Dick's should be called out. I saw a neighbor out at Giant Eagle last Sunday and they had no clue that this was happening. She's a single mother of 4 that is barely making it. Now she's paying taxes so a Commissioner's son can play lacrosse on plastic grass. I would say that on Nov 4 we have people with signs and papers outlining this crap but how many will take 10 minutes and vote. There will probably be more voting for the 4th, 5th or 10th time than Mt Lebanon voters. For all you that live in Sunset Hills or "Slum Hills" thanks for giving Brumfield access to the checkbook!
ReplyDeleteWho do you think supported Brumfield?
ReplyDeleteWhich party?
Which party leaders?
Just wait until you see what is handed to you on Nov. 4th.
Then the teachers contract will be next.
Slum Hills? You just guaranteed my vote for Brumfield !
ReplyDelete12:51 AM, I hate to break it to you, but Brumfield isn't running, unless you plan to write in his name for governor.
ReplyDeleteElaine
What is so funny is that many of the parents that will have no problem with their kids playong on these turfed fields spend a fortune feeding their kids all organic food. Obviously the choices these parents make aren't about health and safety, but about what's trendy.
ReplyDeleteThe people making these choices are not representative of Mt Lebanon parents. Who picked the SAB? Who picked the Turf Task Force?
ReplyDelete7:36 AM, the Sports Advisory Board was David Brumfield's idea. Both Mr. and Mrs. David Franklin are on the Sports Advisory Board. So are Kristen Linfante's neighbor, Timothy White and David Brumfield's neighbor Joy Pajak. David Franklin is on the Turf Project Task Force, along with Gateway Engineer Daniel Deiseroth, Recreation Director David Donnellan, "Commissioner" (and I use that title loosely) Linfante's neighbor, Timothy White and "Nobody messes with me" Dale "Chip" Dalesandro, formerly known as "He Who Shall Not Be Named." Does that help, 7:36 AM?
ReplyDeleteElaine
7:57. So the decision makers are friends of the commissioners--not representatives of MTL parents.
ReplyDeleteThat is also true of board members, hand picked by commissioners.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Want to know what else is pathetic?
ReplyDelete1. Dave Brumfield is suing a member of the Zoning Hearing Board on an unrelated issue.
2. Dave Brumfield called on our State Rep, Dan Miller to call the DEP. TWICE. He couldn't get off his butt to do it himself.
3. Dave Brumfield
Elaine
Dear 8:49, I believe a former commissioner tried to get an ordinance passed to reduce the millage for the "over tax" and it got trounced. Did not even get a second.
ReplyDeleteConstance Spicuous Consumption
12:51 You know where "Slum Hills" came from? Brumfoeld's little buddie that fought any improvements to Howe's field. He wasn't driving over to "Slum Hills". Have you seen Howe's field? If you want some tick's... because that's about it.
ReplyDeleteCSC, you're correct.
ReplyDeleteI'm so tired playing by the rules here.
Elaine
Why is Miller getting involved?
ReplyDeleteCan we safely assume that our state representative and senator don't have any concerns about the health and welfare of our children and the quality of our streams and rivers?
ReplyDeleteSaying nothing, avoiding any public stance means one of two things.
1. They think the NBC report is a joke and therefore don't give a shit, or
2. Are more concerned with holding onto their offices and will run away from taking a stance.
The big problem is they took an oath to protect and serve the citizens... young and old, republican, independent and democrat of the Commonwealth of PA.
Since both chose to take the easy way out of the fray, I'm making a choice to remain non-committal and won't vote for either.
Regarding Corbett and Wolf, I doubt our little field issue But it would be nice if either one addressed the NBC since we're not the only municipality or school district looking into artificial turf.
It's time we start holding our elected officials feet to the fire!
Why shouldn't Miller AND Smith get involved?
ReplyDeleteWho votes to fund the PA Dept of Natural Resources and DEP?
ReplyDelete§ 3. Oath of office.
Senators, Representatives and all judicial, State and county
officers shall, before entering on the duties of their
respective offices, take and subscribe the following oath or
affirmation before a person authorized to administer oaths.
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey
and defend the Constitution of the United States and the
Constitution of this Commonwealth and that I will discharge the
duties of my office with fidelity."
The oath or affirmation shall be administered to a member of
the Senate or to a member of the House of Representatives in the
hall of the House to which he shall have been elected.
Perhaps our state officials need reminded what the PA State Constitution says, that they swore an oath to uphold!
"Natural Resources and the Public Estate
Section 27. The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.""
Dan Miller called the DEP because the commissioners asked him to. Dave asked twice. Dan would have called the DEP for me, if I would have asked. Silly me, I didn't want to play that card. Dan will do whatever he can for anyone who asks him. I'm tired of playing fair.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Why does he have to be asked?
ReplyDeleteDoes he not live in MTL?
Are our fields in PA or not?
Perhaps we should petition Miller, Smith and Corbett to uphold Section 27 of the PA State Constitution.
ReplyDelete"Right of Petition Section 20.
The citizens have a right in a peaceable manner to assemble together for their common good, and to apply to those invested with the powers of government for redress of grievances or other proper purposes by petition, address or remonstrance."
"Natural Resources and the Public Estate
Section 27.
The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people."
I'd say we have established enough evidence to date of a grievance regarding our right to clean air and water if this turf is installed.
The Petition should be announced in the Almanac, PG and Trib and I would think people living downstream or with kids traveling into MTL would have standing to sign the petition.
The elders aren't going to like the PR they can't control and the pseudo-green weenies that are proturf will be unmasked if they don't step up for the environment and sign the petition.
These people like sports so much...
ReplyDeleteIT'S TIME TO PLAY HARDBALL!
This makes absolutely no sense.
ReplyDeleteas a resident of Pennsylvania I cannot take a used tire and throw it out with my garbage or roll it ino a field somewhere.
Any one who buys tires for there vehicles knows this to be a fact since they pay a disposal fee for the used tire every time they get a new tire on their car.
But, FieldTurf can take those same tires that we're mandated to pay money to dispose of properly, grind them up and scatter them all over our recreational fields.
Somebody explain the logic, please?
Take a look at Kelly Fraasch's blog.
ReplyDeleteYikes!
Starts Monday!
Wonder what the Sports Advisory Board (SAB) has up its sleeve for their - conveniently schedule after the election - meeting.
ReplyDeleteYou know it's going to be for some Capital Improvement for the turf project.
Every time these folks meet it cost us money!
Then the petition would have to be online and presented to Miller at his open house on Saturday if there's any chance of stopping the shovels. That doesn't mean it can't be presented after digging starts but the sooner the better.
ReplyDeleteAnyone out there with the knowledge to write the petition and set it up online?
Perhaps The Almanac could assist since they wrote an editorial advising MTL not to turf, a while back.
ReplyDeleteHere is a direct link to Kelly Fraasch's blog.
ReplyDeleteWildcat Middle Construction Begins Monday!
Elaine
WHAT A CRIME!
ReplyDeleteDid no one on the board see the NBC report? Does no one care that young lives are at risk? And how about the health of those who have the misfortune to live near the field?
I agree with 1:18 p.m.---it's time to play hardball.
That's two of us that think it is time to step it up. Unfortunately, it appears Elaine may be right when she suggest she may be a chump because we're now into the big bloggers roll over.
ReplyDeleteI've offered a suggestion here, but I don't have the skills to make it work.
I'm out of ideas.
6:16 PM, I guess you didn't read page six of the permit pdf. See comment 14. The DEP said that no compelling evidence was submitted to demonstrate that toxins will be released from the crumb rubber.
ReplyDeleteElaine
6:41 PM, we had this petition back in April. Did you sign it? Mt. Lebanon, PA Residents Against Artificial Turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields
ReplyDeleteElaine
Yes.
ReplyDeleteNo compelling evidence. Isn't that exactly what Brumfield said in one of the meetings on why he was voting for turf?
This comment was submitted under an older post.
ReplyDeleteElaine
The lawsuit should name the commissioners and SAB members as individuals not the municipality. Let them pay for their own transgressions. on Worried about the safety of artificial turf?
Here is the list of SAB members.
ReplyDeleteChip Dalesandro - Hoodridge Drive Football Association March 31, 2014
Dale Cable - Rocklynn Place Basketball Association March 31, 2014
Stacey Franklin - Pinetree Road Field Hockey Association March 31, 2014
Dave Klasnick - Martin Avenue March 31, 2014
Walt Henry - N. Meadowcroft Indoor Tennis March 31, 2015
Tim White - Roycroft Avenue Lacrosse March 31, 2015
Dave Franklin - Pinetree Road Parks Advisory Board March 31, 2015
Anna Murphy - Craigview Drive Skating Club March 31, 2015
Brian Auer - Old Farm Road Soccer Association March 31, 2016
Scott Foor - Jonquil Place Softball Association March 31, 2016
Joy Pajak - Crystal Drive Women's Golf March 31, 2016
Christopher Curran - Broadmoor (At-Large) March 31, 2016
James Menegazzi - Lavina Avenue (At-Large) March 31, 2016
Elaine
Elaine, over dinner I remembered I did not sign the petition. The reason being it was going to basically to the same close nit group that ignored the HS petition.
ReplyDeleteInsanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting the same results.
The difference with petitioning a state officials is that one would hope someone isn't intertwined with the MTL Sports Cabal.
Plus contrary to what the DEP says there is sufficient evidence that crumb rubber is an environmental and health hazard.
The EPA dictates that its original form must be disposed of properly. I don't think a ballfield qualifies as an approved tire disposal.
Elaine, how do you sue someone for giving advice? Isn't the legal responsibility lay with the person or group that accepts or rejects the advice.
ReplyDeleteStart the state petition! Do not wait. The time is now and these sports obsessed men are destroying the environment, wasting money and most importantly jeopardizing the health of our children. Please recognize that you have to work for those signatures. You will get some early on but the movement involves blood, sweat and toil.
ReplyDeleteThe DEP bagged integrity. They bagged it. What can u expect from the DEP in Pa? Have you read about their recently resigned leader? Classy. Real classy. Just don't drink the water or breathe too much.
ReplyDeleteWhat was it Brumfield said about using a carrot or a stick for recycling.
ReplyDeleteIs that the point we've reached with our state and local governments? Where we have to use a carrot or a stick to get the right thing done.
It is a sorry state of affairs.
No wonder no one votes.
The petition looks like it was a rousing success. 166 over the course of six months. Perhaps the impact of the blog is not as big as one thinks.
ReplyDeleteYes, 9:03 AM. You're right. Gateway paid double to expedite the process in obtaining the NPDES permit. It was to be issued by June 29. Construction was to start on August 1. The permit was issued on October 16 and construction is starting October 20. Yep, no impact there.
ReplyDeleteElaine
9:03 yep you're right!
ReplyDeleteLebocitizens was trumped by the overwhelming support in the community for turf by the petition for Turf started in June 2012 and has an overwhelming response of 300 signatures.
Yes we should change all referrnces to Mt. Lebanon in the Home Rule Charter to Mt. Apathy. That'll be politically correct... and astoundingly accurate.
"Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters."
ReplyDelete— Abraham Lincoln
We have an important election coming up, if you want higher taxes, higher fuel bills and more public pension debt you know who to vote for. He's telling you exactly what he intends to do, just not telling you how much it'll cost.
In the spring his local cohorts will be running for commission and school board offices. Just wait till you see what sports plans they're working on for the future.
The 2012 petition was emailed to hundreds of sports parents. The Recreation Department sent emails to 8,000 addresses. I can't compete with that. I can tell you right now, I don't have 8,000 readers. I don't have the PIO behind me to promote anything. I don't have the commission's support to stop the project. When the 2012 petition was launched, parents didn't see information like this: Your kid will be eating & inhaling this stuff?
ReplyDeleteWill parents like Miller and Smith think twice before allowing their children to play on this? I hope so. Will my blog, as useless as it is, help prevent even one child's exposure to this toxic material? I pray for that.
So keep gloating and rubbing my nose into your carcinogen laden tire crumb infill. You got your way. I never had a chance. But I sure made you sweat.
Elaine
You forgot to mention the commissioners telling the community around the same time the anti-turf petition was launched that they didn't need to listen to anyone... they had the three votes needed to buy turf.
ReplyDeleteSo why waste time signing a petition to stop it?
Is this a minor curiosity or something else? Personally, I find it interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe SAB recommends that as a community it is our obligation to provide our kids with the best. As in "Crown Jewels" to make their recreational activities all they can be and keep our home values high.
Gee, a lofty goal- correct?
But, a quick search through the County reassessments shows that to many of these "Crown Jewel" subscribers, providing their own families with the same quality of living, just doesn't seem to be a priority accoding to the ratings and condition of their own property. Several are just 'average' or 'good'.
Hmmmmmmmmm, I guess when it comes to spending other peoples' money, the sky's the limit. Spending your own money, eh average is OK.
Congressman Tim Murphy has supported healthcare for children for quite a few years. He is also on the subcommittee for Oversight and Investigations. I do know for a fact that some years ago, he set in motion a state investigation of an insurance company that was re-writing doctor's prescriptions. The insurance company was caught red-handed and went bankrupt. Even though Ebola is the #1 priority now, I think the turf issue is worth bringing to his attention.
ReplyDeletePlease do, 12:51 PM!
ReplyDeleteElaine
12:51
ReplyDeleteThe truth is -- there is a serious sports bubble mentally going on here that is completely impervious when it comes to considering conflicting opinions, data, evidence, etc. No matter the extent of our credibility, collectively or individually, the decision makers believe they are pampering their athletes. In the sports obsessed world, this is a mission that shall not be interrupted or reconsidered, especially when it is undertaken by people with a vested interested in the outcome (i.e., Brumfield, Franklin, Deiseroth, Bendel).
Elaine I see Dave has responded above. Since Dave IS reading he might want to think about this... We, citizens of Mt Lebanon, are NOT stopping! Go ahead and start digging. We too are ramping up. Health is now a top priority thanks to Ebola and enterovirus giving us the edge. Shame Dave has brought down many politicians. We pray that you fall in that group.
ReplyDelete