In a conversation with Merlin Benner earlier this morning, executive director of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep (FNAWS), Dennis Campbell, DDS of Birmingham, AL, said that Benner said that they're done. A call to Susan Morgans, resulted in the caller (a local hunter who is friends with Campbell) hearing Susan talk about the deer population problem. There is no problem here, Susan.
Update March 20, 2015 1:45 PM
Join me today…3:30pm Bird Park
Join me today at 3:30pm at Bird Park to begin cleaning up the mess left behind by Wildlife Specialists, LLC where the deer corals were removed.
The deer cull was ended earlier today and we need to restore the parks back to their original state.
Bring a couple of trash bags to help pick up garbage, corn feed, etc. that was left behind. Bring your own gloves.
Tweet from The Almanac
 | The Almanac (@SHillsAlmanac) |
|
. @41Suzanne is at #MtLebanon municipal building now, trying to get comment. No one will answer their phones.
| |
Merlin Benner letter to Steve Feller, March 19, 2015
 |
| Fake Lebo |
Just saw on the news yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe I will sleep again!!
ReplyDeleteI am in tears. Thank God. You can only hide the truth for so long before it comes out. This wasn't going to work from the start and we all knew it. I'm saddened by the 6 deer that had to die to prove this but they're light will continue on in their herds and in our hearts. I'm so happy to see so many kind hearted people come together to see such a horrific travesty put to end. Thank you everyone who worked together to stay informed and keep the truth out there. Thank you Elaine flr being a source of information and community.
ReplyDeleteIs it too late to rent the pavilion at Bird Park?
ReplyDeleteAnybody up for an impromptu celebration this weekend?
Sometimes, the good guys do win!
"At the beginning of this operation, it took 11 shots to kill three deer, Merlin Benner said that was because it was an ammunition problem."
ReplyDeleteIf anyone honestly believes that it was the fault of the ammunition, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. These folks were labeled as experts...right!!
Nick M.
The BEST news I have heard in a long time.
ReplyDeleteHappy Spring!!!
Thank you Elaine and everyone out there that cared enough to try and make this horrible nightmare come to an end.
I wish we could all be together at this moment and celebrate this wonderful news!
12:07, yes happy day but don't forget the people that started this mess are still in power.
ReplyDeleteAlso, do not forget that $12,000 of your tax dollars went to the consultant (Benner), we owe the assassin $3,000 for the six deer and countless hours were waste by the police dept. municipal employees and probably public works to run this farce for 50-some odd days.
Never mind the time, efforts and money put in by volunteers trying to stop it.
A big thanks goes out to Elaine Gillen -the unofficial- source for community news.
Scoped the PIO again, eg Elaine! Good job.
I couldn't be more thrilled for Mt Lebo! I live outside your community but this fiasco touched everyone's hearts. This has neen horrible. I haven't slept either. I too am heartbroken the 6 deer died. I learned throughout this horrible ordeal, how many kind hearted, good people there are in Lebo. You all are a credit to your community. I have felt your pain and cried right along with you. Elaine is an amazing woman too!
ReplyDeleteWe'd have been better off as a community if we had taken $12,000 Consultant Fee in one dollar bills and lit them on fire in the Bird Park fire pit.
ReplyDeleteWe wouldn't have killed any deer but it would have been a great community party.
Weenies on a stick, s'mores and warm snuggling by the fire on a snowy evening.
Now that makes for a picture of happy community that gets along.
$15,000 would have gone a long way to improving the maintenance at one of our grass ballfields.
ReplyDeleteIT is not over yet, Folks. The commission will not sit back and do nothing. Now they are on to sharpshooters and bows and arrows.
ReplyDeleteElaine
What is going to happen to whatever is remaining in the $75,000 budget?? I kind of doubt it's going back into the general fund...
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, but I did not do this alone. MANY people have been involved to stop this killing.
ReplyDeleteElaine
As anyone who has studied history can tell you, "The defeated side has a long memory." This issue is not going away.
ReplyDeleteThe Commission has suffered a public relations nightmare. The members of that body would be well served if they would seek out the rational voices on both sides of the deer herd issue, and see if some kind of compromise might be worked out. That, coupled with transparency, would go a long way toward healing the hostility currently extant in Mt. Lebanon.
And, the MLPD is still on the hunt to arrest and find the vandals who interrupted Mr. Benner's fine work.......
ReplyDeleteElaine is correct.
ReplyDeleteThis has been stopped for this year ONLY.
If this had stopped because the commission realized how incredibly silly the project was, I would celebrate more. But this stopped because the project started too late.
Be careful about what happens in the Fall. The only good news is that Kristen Linfante shouldn't be as involved in the decision making.
Monsters
ReplyDeleteNow would be a good time for the people who opposed the cull to really push to get the humane society here to help us determine if a sterilization program would be viable. It's not just about protesting, but pushing for humane alternatives. Ultimately, that's what everyone wanted isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the four Commissioners initiating the cull have finally decided that the escalating negative media attention was going to continue and that the whole community knew that they made a terrible decision. Why did it have to go to the level of push back for things to change? They made a terrible decision and rather then opening their ears to the credible input of their constituents they dug their heels in.
ReplyDeleteMy letter to the Commissioners was never answered, but I am used to that. Thanks to everyone who joined to stop the craziness. It would have never happened without all of you!
-Charlotte Stephenson
You are too modest Elaine. Without your tireless efforts and dedication it is doubtful people would have know about the shenanigans and stupidity.
ReplyDeleteAnd as a reward for keeping the community up-to-date, the PIO, your Ward commissioner and pals treat you like shit.
There used to be a little column in the "official" magazine titled "This community would be different without...". They should devote a whole issue on what you've done for your neighbors.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
12:45, why are we hiring more police, again?
ReplyDeleteThis is bad for Benner future business.. he also has to realize that the people living in these affluent communities are a different breed than the folks who live in forest counties.. Majority of Lebo residents consider a deer more than a mammal with a target symbol on its body...Corral and slaughter aint going work in these communities..cabesh....
ReplyDeleteElaine,, you're so right,, the country-club well dressed ProKill ladies are prob planning their next move..
ReplyDeleteThe time is past-due for demanding the resignations of Bendel, Brumfield and Silverman.
ReplyDeleteNOW. (Linfante is self-destructing.)
Grateful for the countless people who worked to illustrate the senseless cruelty involved in this undertaking. Let's pause to celebrate but then keep the pressure on... stay and continue to organize!!
ReplyDelete1:12 you're right, they will never resign, but we can't hope some of them learned rom their mistake.
ReplyDeleteIt's obvious though that one won't. Remember how Linfante threaten to clear the chambers, how she raised her hands egging on the audience opposed to the cull.
If you were so skeptical Kristen why didn't you listen? Weren't the voices loud enough for you?
Don't try to back pedal now, you've been exposed totally.
Good job, all. This is the kind of unified effort we need to see more often.
ReplyDeleteThat said, as noted, this isn't over. This is all a good first step. Now what? Well, focus on holding accountable anyone involved in this debacle. That includes commissioners, municipal employees, possible candidates, residents who pushed this, reporters who were too lazy and/or unskilled to peel back the layers of deception, and Benner himself.
Primaries are right around the corner. Let's make sure people in the community know who stands for what. Stay engaged. This was a tiny, though well-deserved, victory. Now is the time to double your efforts. Don't let up. This is a chance to use momentum and realistically take back our community from the clutches of a few unstable despotic wackos.
...and look at this!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletewww.kellyfraasch.com/blog
#best commissioner ever
I hope some people go to help!!!!!!!
LOL
ReplyDelete*Happy Dance*
:)
THANK YOU,Elaine Gillen, for providing and maintaining a forum for the community. THANK YOU to all who selflessly gave of your time to preserve humanity. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteYES THERE IS A PROBLEM MS. MORGAN- its YOU, Feller, Linfante, Bendel, Silverman and Brumfeld. FIRE SUSAN MORGANS AND FELLER! And gentlemen, vote for non-lethal and you can still save yourselves.....
ReplyDeleteElaine you ROCK!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd you are right on the money about the EVIL people behind this not missing a beat and going to Plan B.
"Pass Time" (hi there lurker! You FOOL!!!) and the ubiquitous Carrie Doe/Steele are already rambling about it:
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2015/03/20/Deer-cull-program-halted-in-Mt-Lebanon/stories/201503200338
Carrie, you should change your name to Carrie On (carrion) because your spiel smells like a dead rat.
Pass Time, did you like your CROW for lunch???? LOL :D
Even though I am disgusted by the way Merlin has left the parks...I will be there Commissioner Frasch!
ReplyDeleteWhy aren't the Commissioners who approved this plan helping to direct the clean up by directing Manager Feller to get public works going?
ReplyDeleteWhy the heck should residents be requested to clean up after all of them?
Kelly, make them do it.
Just want to note that Feller LIED just yesterday to an elected official about the status of the cull. He was deciding to shut it down but told Kelly Fraasch that the corrals were being relocated.
ReplyDeleteHow many lies does this community have to withstand? We pay higher taxes than say, the rest of Pennsylvania and we constantly battling against dishonest politicians and municipal staff.
There will need to be a serious get out the vote campaign. I suggest chili cook offs, leaflets, ride-shares, door to door campaigning, radio shows, media blitzs... anything to get the terrible ones out of office.
The deer haters are having a MELTDOWN!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/20/deer-cull-in-mt-lebanon-ended-early/
2:26, you know they won't and then what?
ReplyDeleteDon't be mad at Frasch.
She will be out there alone cleaning up their mess. Do we leave her behind now?
I don't think so!
Hope the Mt. Lebanon citizens remember these cruel people that ordered this slaughter when they go to the voting booths. You don't need people like this in office.
ReplyDeleteThe deer have spoken!!
ReplyDeleteLinfante, Brumfield and Silverman were all just re-elected. We need to remember this in 3 years when it comes time to vote for them or for their opponent. Thanks Elaine and everyone else who staked out the parks and the corrals.
ReplyDelete1:38---you are on point. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhile I appreciate Kelly's good intentions, this resident won't be there.
ReplyDeleteWill Linfante, Morgans, Brumfield, Bendel, Silverman, Feller or the corn police be there? How about "The Ladies" and I highly suspect that women that bitched about deer poop will show up. He'll, it was an effort for her to scoop up a few turds in her own yard for so her grandkids could play outside.
No this isn't Downton Abbey and I'm not one of their servants.
Sorry Kelly, appreciate the initiative, but I'm not cleaning up their mess. We pay way to much in taxes to clean up the shit they leave behind.
If I had pushed for the cull, I'd be there to admit I was wrong and make amends.
Not exactly correct, 3:10 PM. Linfante's term is up in December. She is not running again. "Anyone but Bendel" is up for re-election and so is Kelly Fraasch. We are stuck with Brumfield and Silverman. I'm all for a push for their resignations. Throw in Feller and Morgans too!
ReplyDeleteElaine
So what is your game plan, 3:17 PM? Let that all just sit there? Let our kids be reminded of this horrific plan?
ReplyDeleteI am planning to help.
Elaine
Did anyone else catch the story on KDKA radio at around 2 PM? Apparently Lebo's "Official Information Spokesperson" refused to comment on air because she said that she is a journalist and that this story was not meant for radio...only print. What the heck does that mean? The KDKA host also made fun of this statement on air and said that it was stupid and ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteWhy are you asking me?
ReplyDeleteAsk Linfante, Feller or Morgans or the deer poop lady what the plan is?
A little corn and straw will eventually decompose and besides these corrals aren't exactly in prime play areas.
The straw at the golf course may actually help the grass. Haven't you seen landscapers and Penndot lay straw out on new grass. It won't hurt anything and besides birds will use it to build nest. They may even enjoy the corn.
Now, if you're asking me to get involve in cleaning up the crap in the municipal offices and chamber, give me the date, I'll bring a new broom to sweep it clean.
Oh, one more thing the contract specified that Benner was going to clean up the sites.
ReplyDeleteLike a security deposit on an apartment, withhold his bounty check until he fulfills the contract.
http://www.thealmanac.net/article/20150320/NEWS/150329996
ReplyDeleteEver the spinmiester!!!! From the Trib:
"Mt. Lebanon's deer population has been estimated at anywhere between 400 and 600, said Susan Morgans, township Public Information Officer.
[Un no mention, Ms. Morgans, of the 2014 aerial survey that found only 196 deer in Mt. Lebanon and a 42% drop in the herd from 2013s aerial survey]
“There was no possible way to achieve the goals,” said Morgans, adding the township will continue with its deer management program. But, how the township will proceed is not known at this time. The five Mt. Lebanon commissioners could not be reached for comment.
Despite the handful of deer that were killed, Morgans said the program was not a failure.
"It gave us a chance to see how the method would work,” she said."
[yep, Ms. Morgans, after Icarus ignored his father Daedalus's advice not to fly towards the sun was heard to proclaim as he plummeted to earth "well that gives us a chance to see how close we can fly to the sun."]
My entire family is elated that for now the insanity has stopped and the insane have left town. However, when they left, Benner made sure there was a very large door open so that he could return with bigger rifles, heavier gunshot and the same incompetence and lack of compassion. While we revel in our success, we cannot rest on our laurels. We have won the battle, but we do not want to lose the war. To that end, I have decided to take some positive steps to make sure that this abhorrent method of executing deer never happens again in my neighborhood, my county, or my state again.
ReplyDeleteI have prepared a letter requesting that Matt Smith propose a law that bans trap-and-kill methods in Pennsylvania. I will email Elaine a copy of the letter. I am also preparing a petition on paper and making it available to be circulated by anyone who is anti-culling of deer. Stay posted on this blog and I will provide instructions for getting a copy to circulate. It is also going to every animal rescue group I can find in the state of Pennsylvania. Further, I am going to send a similar letter to Rich Fitzgerald at the county level. I am hoping to distribute copies of the petition to any pet-related business I can find. I vow in front of all you not to rest until I am sure that no more deer will have to suffer the atrocity that was done at the hands of Mr. Benner, not in Mt. Lebanon or anywhere in PA. Please join me in this effort.
Feel free to contact me at joehirschrealtor@gmail.com.
Thank you, God! Every night at 9:00 I have been lighting an electric candle and letting it burn all night followed by my prayer, "Dear God, please watch over the deer tonight. Keep them safe and out of harm's way." God has answered my prayers. As for the six who perished, their death will not have been in vain if we stop the kind of horror they experienced from happening anywhere else. The fight has just begun.
ReplyDeleteI say to Elaine and all of the others who have fought so well: "Keep up the good work!"
Quote from Benner:
ReplyDelete"...and I would have gotten those deer too if it weren't for you meddling kids!"
Any one catch the KDKA TV segment on the cull at 6pm.
ReplyDeleteA Mt.. Lebanon pro-cull dIsciple essentially declared this isn't over yet.
BS to Benner's summary. I want to see the official report they filed to the PGC. All he is doing is leaving the door open to come back and do it again.
ReplyDeleteAlso, why did he give up? Was he forced to by the PGC because of the 11 shot 3 deer kill ratio or was it that he was hemorrhaging money on the effort?
We need to know this information to institute a better plan moving forward.
The reality is that Benner breached his contract, made an illegal kill, and broke the law. The delay was the PGC citing him for breaking the law. He was probably told he broke the law and would be cited after the deer that was shot outside the corral, ran, and died in the residence's yard. This is why he had a temper tantrum. Whoever shot the deer will have their license revoked and pay a big fine. He tried to salvage his culling with the cloverr traps, but it didn't fly. He was fired for just cause. I don't think he will be back because of his incompetency!
ReplyDeleteThe next commissioners meeting should be fun :-)
ReplyDelete5:33, thank God for what you are doing! We know each other. We worked together years ago. You were my realtor. You and your lovely wife are next to me, lol, the biggest animsl lovers/ advocates I know. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteNews Flash!
ReplyDeleteAccording to the contract dated 1/19/2015, page four:
THE MUNICIPALITY WILL:
Compensate the Firm based on actual hours worked and actual reimbursable expenses for a total not to exceed $75,000.
Was this amended or are we on the hook for all of the expenses?
Good Job Elaine, Kelly, Patty and Ren! http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8014998-74/deer-lebanon-benner
ReplyDelete6:49. Missed it, was it crazy Cori?
ReplyDeletehttp://triblive.com/mobile/8014998-96/deer-lebanon-benner
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of reporting is this? Second paragraph, last sentence "— the plan was called off because of vandalism and interference, officials and the contractor said."
But, one paragraph later the reporter writes: "Officials decided to halt the program because, “We felt it was ineffective at this point,” said J. Merlin Benner, president of Tioga County-based Wildlife Specialists LLC, which oversaw the effort."
Then backs up that information with: "By the time the first shots were fired, the snow had begun to melt, making it harder to lure deer into corrals. “The bait was no longer drawing them in,” Benner said. “We missed the best month, which was February.”
So how in the hell did the reporter come up with the plan being called off because of vandalism and interference?
Come on Trib, you can do better than that. The plan was called off because it wasn't working... period. There were some traps that people didn't even find until the final days. It was called off because it was... a dumb ass plan. The "experts" didn't even know what kind of ammo to use!
It's starting to seep in how good this really is. I've had the scanner on literally all month. The corn police's 41- callsigns have become familiar. I'll leave it on tonight, but won't struggle to hear if a call is deer related.
ReplyDeleteI think we'll all sleep soundly tonight.
Finally! :)
Benner sold his program as a success in his "catch ya next Christmas" letter. He's far from done here. The Game Commission is backing him. Starting earlier is his answer. Good Luck Mt Lebo.
ReplyDelete7:15 good question, although it would be political suicide to give him anything more than the $3K announced.
ReplyDeleteBenner took a bath on this. His best course of action would be to bury this entire chapter as quickly as possible. Getting into a legal pi$$ing match after the fact would further damage whatever reputation he has left.
Anything is possible though. We're not exactly dealing with mensa here.
https://giverhub.com/petitions/please-help-us-cancel-dance-moms/reasons/24
ReplyDeleteCori Vipperman is offended by The show Dancemom's but is perfectly satisfied with murdering deer in very densely populated neighborhoods. Anything she has to say is nonsense as far as I am concerned & further more she needs more under eye makeup before she does a television interview!!!
MT. LEBANON OFFICIALS DID NOT END THE DEER KILL. MERLIN BENNER DID. HE DECIDED TO CUT HIS LOSSES, PACK UP AND LEAVE. IF IT WERE UP TO THE MUNICIPALITY, THE CORRALS WOULD STILL BE OPERATIONAL TONIGHT.
ReplyDelete.... the contract was amended to 500 a deer the last few pages.
ReplyDelete.... still don't know who the processor or food bank was.
8:53. Cori should try Queen Logan's Deer Poop Mud Pack Masque.
ReplyDelete9:01 those would be GREAT questions for the next meeting!
ReplyDeleteLet me get this straight .... warm weather caused the deer to change their habits.? Did we hit 70 or 80 degrees at some point last week, cause I missed it. What were the temperatures at night .... not very warm was it. The warm weather excuse is BS by Benner. Any whitetail "expert" would have been be able to make a bait change and continue the culling.
ReplyDeleteLets see a third party deer study take place. Got what $60,000 to burn. Oh, and limit the study to the Mt Lebanon municipal boundary.
9 pm. I am sure Benner did want to cut his losses but the display of behavior at the golf course suggests otherwise. Perhaps the decision was mutual among all parties involved?
ReplyDeleteBut where did the meat go?!?!? I still want to know. Damn it. Was there anything in the contract stating that the meat processor and food bank had to remain confidential??
9:29, Mr. Feller is keeping the name of the processor confidential as I have asked that question with no reply. However, a report which is due out within 30 days as outlined in condition #19 of the permit will include that information. We can ask Mr. Feller on Monday evening but I think he may still be reluctant to answer.
ReplyDeleteNick M.
Appendix C of contract - item 2 $500 a deer not hours or reimbursement.
ReplyDeleteContract says report was to disclose the number of deer visiting each corral and success of each trap site.
#19 of the game commission permit states a report containing the name of the processor, number of deer processed and list of food banks along with pounds of meat distributed within 30 days of completing the deer removal.
Nick, will that report also include deer delivered to landfills (and names of landfills)? Am thinking of undocumented "corn collateral damage" deer deaths.
ReplyDeleteAll complaints filed and accusations by Benner et al should also be requested, along with dispositions of same. He made several public accusations of unlawful actions and attributed them to anti-cull activists which include many Mt. Lebanon citizens. Those sort of accusations by a paid contractor of Mt. Lebanon require answers.
Great job, btw You have done so much throughout this :)
The overpopulation of deer in Mt. Lebanon is a complete lie. Morgan's ongoing estimates of 400 to 600 deer is a lie. John Hayes statement of thousands of deer in Mt. Lebanon is a lie. Wildlife Specialists set up 6 corn baited corrals throughout Mt. Lebanon, and in areas thought to have the most deer. There were only a handful of deer that were attracted to the baited corrals and the surrounding areas, even before the corrals were closed in. If there were 400 to 600 deer in Mt. Lebanon, you would have seen a lot of deer in these baited areas. There are a lot of really hungry deer out there right now, and all that anyone saw were two or three deer around some of the corrals. This is physical proof that the overpopulation of deer in Mt. Lebanon is a fabricated lie to justify this slaughter. You had 6 corn baited corrals, and 5 men dressed in camouflage running around Mt. Lebanon with AR-15 semi-automatic rifles, and they couldn't find any deer to kill (they killed 6 deer), and so they packed up and went home. Those are the FACTS.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading that Benner said that it took 11 shots to kill the 3 deer trapped in the corral on the 10th, and he said that they were all head shots - THAT'S A LIE!!! One shot in the head/brain delivered by a .223 AR-15 with a 55gr bullet should kill a deer, that's why most deer culling firms use the .223 55gr combo.
ReplyDelete9:24. They will turn to PGC, QDMA, Denicola and Audubon-approved connections to find another contractor friendly to their agenda. They will give lip-service to USC and other sane solutions, then go off on their own again.
ReplyDeleteUnderstand that these people, who are probably reading this too, got burned "big time" as their favorite local radio "celebrity" Marty Griffin would say. They will not be acting rationally. Not that they ever did. LOL :D
So while we take a breather, and smile and relax, they are stewing in their juices. LOL :D
One has to chuckle envisioning the next deer they encounter in their yards. Hootin and a hollerin they will be, and throwin pots, pans, even the Belleek. Heck, one of the ones who hooked a wealthier guy may even reach for the Ming vase!
This story got enough exposure so even the folks at the Carnegie and Phipps are a whisperin' LOL :D
Cheers!
This hostile vs hilarious comment exchange cracked me up on Fake Lebo:
ReplyDeleteSean Scully Those fucking activist drove all the deer into populated areas. Id never before seen dear crossing bower hill or Cochran during rush hour.
5 · 7 hrs
Drew Lehman I saw an activist drive a deer to the T Stop and she gave the deer enough money to get a transfer.
Thanks 10:12, needless to say nothing is 100% certain at this point but I will pose that question to Mr. Feller (even though that may be fruitless) on Monday unless you will be there to ask him yourself.
ReplyDelete10:27, I agree even with the ammo being subsonic at that close range. When I was taking target pistol classes down at the public works building I experimented with both CCI 22LR subsonic and standard velocity. I guarantee you, if you get hit in the head with even with a subsonic .22 at 12 feet you're going down, and they were using .223. I could be wrong but I think the real problem may have been the deer were so scared they were darting back and forth in such a small confined area that Benner couldn't get a good shot. That's just my guess though.
Nick M.
OMG that is hysterical. There is some comedy GOLD strewn throughout this ordeal. The photoshops are awesome too!
ReplyDeleteNick, a .22 may penetrate the skull. May not. Depends on the velocity, projectile type/weight and angle.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.reuters.com/article/2010/08/24/us-germany-bullet-odd-idUSTRE67N3XL20100824
There are 22 subs up to 60gr (Aguila) and while suitable for small varmints, would never use on deer. Certainly deer have been taken with .22's, and it is a poacher's favorite, but their focus is being undetected, not ethical harvesting.
Benner was way undergunned, as many experienced hunters asserted before this started. If he was handloading frangible subsonic 55gr .223 ammunition, he had an obligation to test it first.
Saying he "doesn't remember" the brand of ammo he was using tells me it was handloads. Press them to cough up that info. Anyone running homebrew handloads, then using them as an excuse is a charlatan.
Media is still running the "vandalism" narrative unchallenged:
ReplyDeletehttp://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8014998-74/deer-lebanon-cull
Push the commissioners to release the photos and videos they keep referencing. All of them. Benner could have done any of these supposed actions to generate sympathy or provide excuses for his failing effort.
No reason not to release them, if in fact they exist. Any more stonewalling and it will be time to turn attention to getting Feller and Morgans sacked. They are in a tenuous position as it is, working selectively with the commissioners they are supposed to report to. As long as the supposed "evidence" remains unreleased, the deer issue is an open item. It can, and should be brought up every meeting until it is resolved. All year long. ;)
On a happier note, Benner claims he had $30K invested. A $3K return is likely to discourage his return. Other bidders researching this when preparing proposals will be wary. Better chance of sensible solutions.
Did Morgans really say she couldn't comment because she's a journalist as posted in the comment below?
ReplyDeleteThen it's time to let her go. She is the Public Information Officer- that is as in "public information". Her titled isn't journalist.
"Did anyone else catch the story on KDKA radio at around 2 PM? Apparently Lebo's "Official Information Spokesperson" refused to comment on air because she said that she is a journalist and that this story was not meant for radio...only print. What the heck does that mean? The KDKA host also made fun of this statement on air and said that it was stupid and ridiculous.
March 20, 2015 at 3:36 PM"
Benner be aware - false unsworn testimony to a public official is a serious misdemeanor if not a felony. Where is your proof of any/all statements made by you to Municipal officials regarding alleged interference by members of the public ? You had cameras galore surrounding all kill sites, you, your employees and PGC reps monitoring, and the local corn cops harassing any nearby but not trespassing public walkers.
ReplyDeletePut up or shut up, idiot ! And that goes for your P-G friend and mouthpiece as well as the Lebo Public Misinformation Officer.
8:36 wonder if Feller is willing to risk his job to save hers. The KDKA quote demonstrates her blistering incompetence.
ReplyDelete$90K a year for this?
The PIO provides information only to print journalists with whom she has a preexisting relationship (and can control). She doesn't trust radio. :-)
ReplyDelete$90K per year? I heard Morgan makes $150K per year. Does anyone know Feller's annual salary?
ReplyDeleteIf she does that's a crime.
ReplyDeleteThat could pay for two more corn police. Priorities, commissioners!
I heard the commissioners only get about 3k yr for their time . Is that possible??
ReplyDeleteLots of elected officials get small compensation. Some are in it for their ego. I'd say about 80%.
ReplyDeleteKelly Fraasch said to me once that she gets $250 a month and typically the money is gone from commission work expenses before the check is deposited.
ReplyDelete