From: Charlotte Stephenson
Date: November 5, 2014 3:25:30 AM EST
To: Charlotte StephensonCc: Daniel Miller <repmiller@pahouse.net>, senatorsmith@pasenate.com, Congressman Murphy <murphy@mail.house.gov>, sue.means@alleghenycounty.us
Subject: Hope to see you!
Dear Fellow Resident,
I am a Mt. Lebanon resident who does not believe that the decision of our Commission majority to install artificial hazardous waste tire crumb-based turf on the Middle and Wildcat Fields is the right decision for our community. I have communicated my concerns with the Commission at the meetings and asked them to respond to my written inquiries about the turf project. In spite of the health-related concerns, issues with the decision process involved and questions regarding the financial burden of this project in perpetuity that I have raised, their responses have been completely inadequate. What has your experience been?
Until the final phase of the installation is complete there can be a change in direction if the public demand for an alternate solution is resoundingly clear. I recently requested that Representative Dan Miller, Senator Matt Smith and Congressman Tim Murphy engage in the dialogue regarding this matter. So far, I have heard from Dan Miller and Tim Murphy’s assistant. I have recently asked for assistance from Sue Means of the Allegheny County Council.
Commissioner John Bendel will be the first pro-turf Commissioner to run for re-election in May. I understand that there are plans underway to install artificial turf in other community facilities. A turnover in Commission leadership at every possible election will be one step toward improved governance in OUR community. The dialogue between residents and agenda-driven Commissioners broke apart a long time ago on this matter. You see, this was a methodical exclusive process that grew legs once the right Commissioners were in place.
On this coming Saturday, November 8 there will be an Anti-Artificial Turf Project Rally, a public demonstration regarding the Commission’s decision in this matter. Knowledgeable residents will speak on the issues of health, the environment, the decision process and the costs of this project to our community.
When: Saturday, November 8, 10:00 AM, Rain or Shine
Where: Clearview Common in Uptown Mt. Lebanon
Note: Clearview Common is located at the corner of Washington Road and Alfred Street in the heart of Mt. Lebanon, just a few feet from the Denis Theatre. Garage parking is available.
Please come to show your support, and bring other concerned residents along. Your participation does matter. Hope to see you there!
PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH ANYONE WHO YOU THINK CARES ABOUT THIS AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO ATTEND!
Sincerely,
Charlotte Stephenson
13 comments:
Here is my experience, Charlotte:
Last week, I emailed my commissioner (John Bendel, Ward 1) to ask how he would vote should a 'motion to reconsider' be brought forth by one of the commissioners at the next meeting--in light of all the new information that has come out about the myriad of dangers of turf since their first vote.
The response: crickets.
- Jason M.
Jason,
Thanks for sharing, unfortunately my guess is that the majority of residents who have requested reconsideration of this project that has been rammed through have experienced the same.
It's all about the election.
-Charlotte Stephenson
The Almanac has a survey going on and here are the current results:
Almanac Poll of the Day
Do you think area schools are spending too much on athletics and not enough on academics?
77%
Yes
20%
No
3%
No opinion
What did Miller have to say? He refused to even answer my question election day. Just smiled and said something to another campaign worker. I'm sure it wasn't nice! Maybe it was a comment that I don't pay enough taxes... Who knows! Either way it was a sad day for PA. How many more businesses have to leave the State just so teachers get more money?
And 11:28 PM, all should be aware that 75% of all Lebo households do not have children in the public school system.
Our Commissioners believe in CANCER for KIDS,
I bet that Rep Miller, Sen Smith, and Sue Means forwarded that to absolutely no one.
Is that $2.5 million figure accurate?
If so our brilliant commissioners and engineer dropped the ball according to the PG.
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2014/02/13/SCOMMISH0213/stories/201402130117
"By a 3-2 vote, commissioners in November approved designating $750,00 toward the turf project, which has a cost estimate of just under $1 million. At that time, $637,400 was approved for municipal funding, with the remaining $112,600 toward the designation still to be addressed."
The level of apathy in this town is amazing. About 30 people or 0.1% of our population attends a rally conerning EXPOSING KIDS TO CANCER! 30 people! I quit this town! We're talking to each other! No one else is listening! It's hopeless!
1:07 PM, I counted 41. No one was from the ESB or the Parks Advisory Board. Again.
The good news is that Dan Miller will be introducing legislation for a moratorium on installation of artificial turf in PA. I guess that is why the field is going in at warp speed. Fear not. After listening to the SAB meeting from Thursday evening, after the gravel base is installed, there needs to be a stretch of 40 degree days or warmer before anything goes on top of the gravel. There can't be any frost either.
I was able to record some of the speakers. I need to try to reach Albert Turfstein and see if he would upload some footage to YouTube.
I learned that we need to reach out to Tim Murphy and County Council. Both can put a stop to these projects. The commissioners may not listen, but they too can stop this project at any time.
Elaine
1:07 - I couldn't attend the rally but I agree with your position on turf.
MTL would like you to think that you are talking to yourselves. That is their strategy -- minimize, dismiss, pathologize, and refer to your position as reflecting a "small group".
It's such a small group that the Commissioners and PIO have to resort to deceptive tactics to sell the community on artificial turf.
One point to bring up is they are currently installing subgrade drainage at the fields, and these are exactly the improvements that would be needed to have more resilient natural grass fields.
Reversing course now would not be such a money loss.
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