From: Nita M. Fandray
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2015 9:18 PM
To: 'ssilverman@mtlebanon.org'
Cc: 'Edward Modaro'
Subject: FW: Location of Each Deer-Killing Site
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2015 9:18 PM
To: 'ssilverman@mtlebanon.org'
Cc: 'Edward Modaro'
Subject: FW: Location of Each Deer-Killing Site
Hello Steve---
I am writing to confirm that you did not respond to my emails of earlier today, both of which are incorporated by reference into this email and set forth below.
Eight corrals and the public does not know their exact locations. This project of yours is a disaster.
Nita
From: Nita M. Fandray
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2015 1:34 PM
To: 'ssilverman@mtlebanon.org'
Cc: 'Edward Modaro'
Subject: FW: Location of Each Deer-Killing Site
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2015 1:34 PM
To: 'ssilverman@mtlebanon.org'
Cc: 'Edward Modaro'
Subject: FW: Location of Each Deer-Killing Site
Steve,
It’s Nita, again. Ed and I will appreciate your supplying us with the below requested information before the end of this business day.
Steve, everyone knows that the municipality wants the public to know as few details as possible about Benner’s operations in Mt. Lebo. I have actually heard that Benner and the municipality (including the police) have suggested keeping the details quiet in the interest of SAFETY. Whose safety?
It is absurd and illegal (for the commission, the MLPD, and the PA Game Commission) to only supply the important, relevant information to the Benner boys and other choice municipal employees. THEY HAVE THE GUNS. They can protect themselves (from what, I don’t know).
The children of Mt. Lebanon have been placed and are at high risk of harm by the very people whose jobs require them to act as the “ultimate guardian” of our children. (Phil Weis can tell you about Parens Patriae and its very strong public policy implications in PA.)
Please comply with the below request so that the general public may have at least some information on which to base safety decisions this weekend and in the future, especially for the children. Stop keeping secrets. It only perpetuates the continual decline of Mt. Lebanon.
I look forward to hearing from you today.
Thank you.
Nita Fandray
From: Nita M. Fandray
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2015 10:43 AM
To: 'ssilverman@mtlebanon.org'
Subject: Location of Each Deer-Killing Site
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2015 10:43 AM
To: 'ssilverman@mtlebanon.org'
Subject: Location of Each Deer-Killing Site
Hi Steve----
My interest in the ongoing Mt. Lebanon deer-kill operation is primarily public safety. At the commission meeting this past Tuesday night, the municipal manager was less than forthcoming about the locations of the corrals that are being used to lure deer, trap them and kill them with some very powerful weaponry.
Spring has sprung. Like you, Steve, I am an on-hands parent. With the ever increasing amount of daylight in mid to late March, kids of all ages will be out in droves, visiting the public parks that were once viewed as safe havens in Mt. Lebanon. They are contaminated now and may be for years to come.
For the sake of our children, please let me know today the exact location of each of Merlin Benner’s corrals.
Hi Mackenzie,In a prior phone conversation, I did complain to Mackenzie about the PG's John Hayes, who wrote that we have THOUSANDS of deer in Mt. Lebanon. Instead, she wanted to focus on Fake Lebo's video. I tend to think that I have a good sense of humor, but I am not one of the ones laughing at the moment. No reflection on Fake Lebo. I love what they do.
I watched Fake Lebo's video. I love Fake Lebo. "Many a true word hath been spoken in jest."
- William Shakespeare, King Lear
Definitely their best work. Did I laugh? No, I have lost my sense of humor over the commission's horrific plan. It is very sad. I can't even drive by the traps without crying.
Elaine Gillen
March 15, 2015 6:08 AM PG's John Hayes is at it again. Mt. Lebanon deer cull begins, four killed
According to Hayes, we have THOUSANDS of deer in Mt. Lebanon. Our commissioners have hired Wildlife Specialists to kill up to 150 deer. Mr. Hayes indicates that zero deer were killed on Night 5, with a total of four deer killed by five men, authorized by the PA Game Commission, in five nights. Hayes writes:
Now that pro-cull residents know that during deer hunting seasons they can legally waive safety zone protections and invite archers to hang tree stands on private property, some may take Mt. Lebanon deer management into their own hands.Mt. Lebanon commissioners have hired an expert to kill 150 deer, Mr. Hayes. You have obviously been talking with Kristen Linfante, encouraging residents to take matters into their own hands.
50 comments:
i hope the FBI is still watching Bendel. this is a good event to watch. Adds to the profiling.
If anything goes awry with this program, there will be massive evidence of gross negligence. Officials repeatedly ignoring simple, direct questions regarding safety is an attorney's dream.
Since there is a pattern of non-response from multiple individuals, additional aspects may apply.
These guys are betting their careers and more on five guys desperately trying to meet an unreachable quota, running around in the dark with AR15's engaging terrified deer bashing themselves crazy in hog corrals in the midst of a residential area. What could possibly go wrong?
Killing Sites?
My goodness four deer (if true) after weeks of baiting is hardly a definition for a killing site. More deer died from old age during this time in Mt Lebanon than the clowns in this circus have culled.
Fact is there aren't enough deer in Mt Lebanon to cull.
http://video.foxnews.com/v/4110103083001/faa-stop-posting-videos-you-take-with-your-drones/?#sp=show-clips
lol .... Benner park your drone!!!
Be funny if he gets to feel the pain!
I am trying to imagine how any of this could turn out well.
One way, for those who will continue to live in Mt Lebo, is to ensure none of these people stay in office.
People should go to neighboring community's commission/elected official and county meetings and tell all of these OTHER politicians what they have experienced first hand from Bendel, Brumfield, Feller (not elected but in a political position), and Linfante. Use your experiences as learning lessons to the other politicians. Ensure that the OTHERS do not have to associate with these horrible people.
But wait... will they let you speak? The county will.
These "people" can be shamed out of politics and they deserve it.
I always believe in supporting local business. However, I like many have decided not to support any mt. Lebo business that is pro kill. There are enough great restaurants and shopping in nearby areas. Does anyone have a list of the anti cull business owners?
A challenge for any small business owner is to know when to cut your losses and end a program that is not going well.
Not only is it a drain on financial resources, it can also undermine the psychological well-being of a company.
Overstretched and over stressed employees can engage in self-destructive behavior, conflicts can arise and key resources can quietly begin to consider other opportunities.
Other projects can suffer from resources reallocated to salvage a program in trouble, further compromising the overall productivity of a firm.
Indecision in management addressing unanticipated changes and challenges in projects may undermine investor confidence and adversely impact future sales.
Silverman is done.
You would think that if this commission wanted to redeem their reputations and hope of reelection they would cut their losses admit they made a mistake and send Benner and his gang away. This just hurts all of their reputations. Are they so narcissistic that they don't see this?
My concern is that while we are fighting this deer slaughter, I believe that candidates have already filed petitions to run for Commissioner, and our bipartisan coalition have no idea who they are and what their positions are on this slaughter. So we might get the same old cronies running in this upcoming election that are already in office. Both the Mt. Lebanon Democrat and Republican Committees are broken. We needed people from this bipartisan group to step up and run for office. However, it looks like it might already be too late for that. However, I'm not sure of the required dates for filing. At the end of the day, the only way to stop lethal weapons, bow hunting, and inhumane slaughter is to remove Commissioners who voted for it, and elect candidates committed to end it. I hope we haven't missed that opportunity. This is all about politics.
***URGENT COMMUNIQUE***************
Attention: Mt. Lebanon citizens.
Due to the irresponsible and unwise, reckless decisions your representatives have made we urge you to FEED WILDLIFE IN YOUR BACKYARDS. They are not safe in the sanctuaries they have grown to love and inhabit.
We MUST make sure there is easy and safe food available for them, they will surely choose this over the slaughter stations that have been staged and passed off as “parks”.
The deer are not safe, the commission is reckless, therefore we are not safe.
***EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY – April 1.*******
OK, back to the deer killing. I happened to find the list of parks on the municipal website.
I don't see McNeilly Park listed. I don't see the Conservation District listed. How can Mt. Lebanon tell us that the parks close at 9 PM, when two of the killing fields aren't even listed as parks?
Elaine
Are regular hours posted at all sites?
Another question is if the shooters are keeping logs of shots fired and processors logging # of entry wounds. Without this or videotapes of every deer taken, there is no way to assess what % of shots hit their targets. This metric also objectively assesses the proficiency of the contractors. This is a major safety issue, as the "elevated platforms for safety" appears to be yet another ruse designed to lull the community into a false sense of security.
How many bullets are missing their mark and ending up somewhere unknown?
11:52
Yes they are. Have you ever seen them berate constituents when they speak at the meetings? It's horrible. They think they are Kings and Queens, not representatives of the people. Unfortunately, I see this at many levels of politics. We know better than you so shut up and get inline.
7:57
I have requested that information from the commissioners and Mr. Feller. It is requirement 18 of PGC Permit number 34400 that the municipality received. Everyone, please do the same!
OVERSIGHT ?
Where is the oversight and evaluation, and reporting of this new corral deer killing program?
With this being used for the first time in PA, why isn't the PGC documenting this entire process closely and writing a detailed report, and why isn't the Mt. Lebanon Commission and management staff demanding oversight and evaluation? Why is there a total lack of responsible behavior from both parties involved?
As recommended by Laura Simon (HSUS), I think Mt. Lebanon residents should have requested (demanded) that a third party humane agent witness the trapping and killing process directly and video record what is going on.
What is the response of the deer when the gate closes? Are they bouncing off the walls? Are any breaking legs and necks? If so, how long are they suffering until they are shot?
What happens when the shooters approach the corrals and climb the "platforms" to shoot them? Do the deer again panic and bounce off walls or stand there calmly to give the shooters a good brain shot? If the deer are bouncing off the walls again, how are the deer being killed, i.e. multiple shots anywhere in the body to bring them down, and then brain shots?
These are extremely important details to know to determine the effectiveness, humaneness, and safety of this new killing methodology. This information needs to be known now, so if the program isn't meeting the standards presented and expected, then it should be stopped.
The PGC and Mt. Lebanon Commission cannot depend on Wildlife Specialists LLC to volunteer information that their proposed killing methodology isn't as effective, humane, or as safe as they presented. Where is the independent oversight and evaluation?
This lack of oversight and transparency seems extremely negligent and irresponsible on all parties involved. It seems like none of the parties involved want to know, because then the fingers will be pointed at them for approving it. As a result, this ineffective, inhumane, and unsafe program moves forward with no independent review or oversight.
How in the world do people know which businesses are for or against this? I was in Rolliers this morning and must have missed the big banner over the door 'We're for the Cull.' Most businesses are in business to sell their goods or services and could probably care less about this issue. So, in our desire to 'do something' let's take it out on Lebo's small businesses. Get a grip people.
12:20 PM, you did miss the sign that Rolliers had posted. It was by their cash registers. Scary Narey and Co. had them put it up. I guess it must have been removed. I have asked for people not to take it out on small businesses, but since you asked the question, that is how people know.
Elaine
March 10 was the petition filing deadline. So yes, it's too late to try to gin up support for candidates. As usual, nobody wants to "get involved". So be it. We will have the same people behaving the same way with the same results. It isn't just that the political.committees are broken. People in general have some strange aversion to exercising their rights. Oh, you're afraid of being criticized or labeled? By whom, Brumfield? Morgans? Linfreaky? Seriously, if you consider any of those people standard bearers for how you're measured as a person, then stick with your attitude and don't get involved. Please stay away from all issues. Personally, I think most of us are better than that. And I would hope there are more people saying "enough is enough". This is OUR community, not theirs. It doesnt belong to a dozen people. It belongs to all 30-plus thousand of us. Let's take it back.
Wait. Rollier's put up signs saying they were Pro-Kill? Why would any business do that? It's their right, of course - but why risk alienating a good portion of your customer base and lose sales? This whole town gone nuts.
11:44, because public employees don't have to account for anything.
Unless there is some real lawbreaking or they cross the wrong people, they're in their position forever or until that can roll it over into a profitable business.
I'd suggest sending your questions to Smith or Miller so that they can do their public duty and get your recommendations instituted.
But it's a waste of time. They're not going to buck the system that is feeding them.
If they don't make waves, they have their positions or better forever.
11:44. Who has oversight of the PGC?
I wouldnt post anything about a business unless the blogger herself has seen the sign at Rolliers..
I highly doubt there was any sign or banner.. but after listening to all the ProKill speakers,,Rolliers seems to be their type of store..except for the plumbing department, they are very snotty infact i heard that they kicked a GirlScout troup out because they were talking too loud!!
I just called Rollier's and was put on hold by a young girl for 2.5 minutes as she went to get a manager. She came back on the line and asked for my name and number and said that the manager was too busy to talk to me. I will be stopping by soon! Anyone have any pictures of the signs? I have always liked that store.....If this is true....bye-bye Rolliers. I hope that it is not true... Sad.
Rolliers is hardly a "small" business. I was heading there today to buy a bunch of stuff and spend a lot of cash. They will no longer get my business.
A very nice column appeared in the Post-Gazette today covering the very well done Fake Lebo parody of "The Godfather," called "The Deerslayer."
The columnist ask: "The question is, will this parody, found at www.facebook.com/fakelebo/timeline, make it possible for both sides to share a moment of laughter?"
I'd respond if it's up to the propaganda grandma and editor-in-chief of the "official" MTL magazine both sides probably won't.
The "official" magazine will never, ever publishing anything that might disagree or question or pole fun of the municipal operations or initiatives.
Plus, if it did there are residents that get nauseated every time the magazine appears in their mailbox they'd probably never see it.
They are that sick of the editor's column on her life growing up in the bubble, her travels, her hobnobbing, her landscaping and her shortcuts on residential streets, and her grandkids that they drop the publication straight into the trash.
At any rate, check out the PG column and by all means the Fake Lebo satire, there is some funny stuff there.
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2015/03/14/The-DeerFather-a-parody-based-on-Mt-Lebanon-deer-culling-will-not-be-in-theaters-soon-if-ever-1/stories/201503130295
Just talked to Chuck at Rollier's hardware and he denied any signs were ever displayed. He said he was the owner. FYI...
We should avoid posting or perpetuating rumors. Our cause would be better severed by dealing with the facts, without emotion!
Why would you folks throw Rolliers or any other business under the bus based on anonymous comments? Get a grip folks.
Dave Franklin
There was something posted on their community bulletin board by the cash registers that if memory serves was pro-cull.
I though wouldn't go so far as to castigate Rolliers for having it up unless they refused to allow an anti-cull sign.
The Rolliers people are pretty good and the store is a definite asset to community.
They shouldn't be punished for the failings of the municipal leadership.
2:48 I saw the sign at Rolliers and also at the sewing store on Washington road. At the time they were placed, no one knew that mtlebo would kill deer at any cost humane or inhumane. Why don't u ask Marilyn narey and her buddies if the signs were distributed on Washington road. Do I need to look up my credit card transactions to prove this to you? I'm not going to waste my time. Learn who and what to believe.
Dave, why didn't you say anything when I posted this back in January? Her shoes melted. The same three pushy women approached Dan Miller's office and asked if he would post their sign and he said no.
Elaine
Mr. Franklin, I agree with you on why would we penalize Rolliers, but how about you getting a grip! Your stinking artificial turf isn't coming in anywhere near the initial estimates and is going to cost the community about $80,000/year to keep it up year after year. The increase in taxes will make it harders for citizens and businesses alike to thrive.
So how about you getting a grip first?
Taxes will h
Regardless of the cash register signs, I only go to Rolliers when I want to get ripped off.
- Zack M.
Rolliers was probably just being friendly to the deer phobic when they posted the sign.
Anyway, in a comment in today's PG Steve Laskovich says he was awakened by gunfire at 2:10 am on Wednesday - 6 successive shots and he lives by a kill trap. Does anyone know him?
Hey, everyone, it's Dave the Troll. He's back. The guy who pushed artificial turf for little kids in a floodplain...with about a dozen actual supporters...and his tough guy dwarf who picks on women...and he's the one telling people to get a grip? Oh, that's rich.
Go away, Franklin.
Here is the comment, 4:03 PM:
"Steve Laskovich8 hours ago
Let's see. Numerous times I have heard that there was polling done regarding this issue. I live near one of the culling zones and I know for a fact that I, nor my neighbors, were never polled. Seems I should have had a say on this issue especially since I live right across the street from gunfire. What I sort of don't understand at this time either was that I was awakened by gunfire shots from a semi-automatic rifle at 2:10 A.M. on Wednesday morning (6 successive shots), and I find out that as of Friday only 4 deer were killed. Were all four deer killed from one rifle or did it take 6 shots to kill one deer?"
That was the night that three deer were killed. Hey, reporters, looks like you have a story with Mr. Laskovich.
Elaine
Hi Zack, the prices at Rolliers's may be higher than shopping at the big boxes, that is because Rollier's is considered more of a convenience store just like a 7-Eleven or a Sunoco gas station with a convenience store and we know how much higher prices are at those places compared to a national grocery store but the same principle applies. I spent 20 years in the hardware industry, some of it with an ACE hardware store and when Home Depot and Lowes came into existence the whole industry changed. I know this reply is way off topic but I hate seeing businesses get bad raps for no good reason and on top of that no one is forcing anyone to shop at Rollier's. BTW, if you compare some of the boxed deck and multi-purpose screws, you will find that they are less expensive at Rollier's than Home Depot.
Now, with that said, does anyone have any "verifiable proof" that pro-cull signs are being displayed at local businesses?
Nick M.
I was staying in a cabin close to a hunting area over a holiday last year and I was awoken to one gun shot. It was unnerving. I didn't have cellular coverage and there was no landline so I had to just assume it was a hunter. I'd recommend that if people hear gunshots, they call the police and reporters. Is there a list of reporter emails from new & TV that can be posted?
Also, I'll be Steve L doesn't know about LeboCitizens. I didn't know until my commissioner gave me a hard time and a neighbor told me about the blog, where I learned he was/still is a liar.
I dont believe for a minute that only 4 deer have been killed.... this is a ruthless bunch that run Lebo (manager, media lady and of course the men in blue)
Who knows how they even count deer killed. They probably don't count the ones that they murdered so gravely that they couldn't donate the meat... if they are donating the meat... which remains to be seen.
No ethics. Whatsoever.
Nick, Rolliers survived the big box emergence because they had a community that is willing to pay full retail (and more) for the convenience of avoiding horrid non-Lebo communities. It's the same application of Susan Morgans' fascinating piece on grocery store status shopping, only for people who buy $40 screw drivers. Unfortunately for Rolliers, their base demographic is eroding faster than the peeling paint at the new pool. With increased taxes, a Newcomers Tax, additional hidden turf costs (a/k/a Dave Franklin's Crying Kid Tax), an exhaustion of the School District's HS contingency budget, additional Corn Cops, etc., residents have less and less money. Rolliers would be wise to refrain from choosing sides on any political issue. Personally, I think they've got their hands full as it is with the foolish Kat's Korner/Art Loft boondoggle.
- Zack M.
4:57, I believe it because there aren't that many deer in Mt. Lebanon right now and they do have to document the kills even though getting documentation from Mr. Feller is a little challenging right now. Also, no one knows how effective this corralling is with deer, it's a non-proven system the way it's being performed. The deer may be just a little bit smarter than the so-called expert we paid $12,000 for. Boy, that $12,000 could have gone a long way in getting some of these pot holes filled.
Nick M.
Let's not forget that because of the choice of method, it's always been said that they would never kill the deer with one shot each. The deer will be bouncing around the corrals, so impossible to get a head shot. 6 shots for 3 deer could mean 3 and 2 shots for 2 deer and 1 shot last for the one lying on the ground because she broke her neck. And that's just to get them down on the ground. We've seen in undercover videos that these guys are content to put a plastic bag over the animals' heads once they're down to finish them off. Steve Hindi's video shows sharpshooters dragging a doe and her 2 fawns off still alive with bags over their heads. Happening now in your neighborhood, and brought to you by Mt Lebo's very own Gang of Four.
Oh my, Albert Turfstein has put John Bendel's Deer Management statement on youtube.
Oh way, there's more from Albert Turfstein. Also, Mr Bendel denies the right of citizens within the region to speak at the 3/10/15 meeting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVPU9zlW73k
By the way, Mr. Bendel does not answer questions from emails like he says that he does/will in this clip.
Who made him king of everything?
Crying Kid Tax. I love it.
It would be a really bad business decision for Rolliers to post a sign supporting the deer killing program, i.e. they are in the business of selling deer repellents and deterrents. They also sell plants and topsoil etc. in spring. This is a big part of their annual business. Deer are good business for them.
In addition, if Sandy Baker is coming in to do deer proofing seminars for Mt. Lebanon, she is going to be recommending local businesses to buy stuff she recommends, and she will also be developing a relationship with these businesses to bring in some of the stuff she will be recommending residents purchase.
So Rolliers is well positioned to benefit if they aren't promoting the deer slaughter. Plus, no doubt, once the word gets out that they are pro-slaughter, I'm sure a ton of residents will boycott their store.
This could be a windfall for Jim Jenkins Lawn & Garden Center on Painters Run Road.
i was reading the other day about a town outside of St Louis that had a deer problem they were paying a sharpshotter 45.000 to kill 100 deer.. seems like Benner has given us the Mt. Lebanon contractor price.
Maybe the ProKill ladies could pay this amount.. I saw and listened to everyone of them as they marked up to the microphone.. it certainly is interesting page out of a sociology textbook.. they who have soo much dont want to deal with anything that they havent paid for in their yards.. such snobs.. need while the bottom 25% of Mt Lebanon.. the ones in the houses valved less than $200,000 with one bathroom, we managed to deal with the deer and would never ever think of slaughtering a poor animal..
When you have leaders who know absolutely nothing about wildlife, it's easy to snooker them. Benner probably could have soaked them for even more. Especially when the other experts are his cronies. Maybe they get "referral fees" for helping each other out.
Profitable little deer murder for hire syndicate, isn't it?
lebo was know as the cake eaters but it has always been a diverse population.. i've know from afar some of these wealthier citizens and my mouth dropped when i heard them speak..esp the retired Nursery School teacher who lives in a huge house on Jefferson with the expensive cars lined up in her driveway..she like the other selfcentered women are angry because the deer are eating their pansies and they have the power to stop this.. im just mad that this nonissue is a waste of money, resources and time on a non issue to 2/3 of the town..
Gotta love it. The same rich people that live in their gated communities with a million different rules and regulations are the same people rich people that vote for no rules or regulations at the federal level so that they can continue to steal from the working classes.
Ok.. ill step down from my podium!
9:34 yep,, Benner the phony Deacon is prob praising the Lord for his new found lucrative business..
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