It isn't either current candidate. It is looking like Coleen Vuono because she was a former commissioner.
The decision will be made at the end of the meeting.
The new commissioner for Ward 3 is Coleen Vuono. The vote was unanimous.
April 28, 2015 3:10 PM Mt. Lebanon appoints former commissioner to fill opening
May 1, 2015 6:43 AM Former commissioner appointed to Mt. Lebanon commission
"Ms. Vuono’s prior experience as commissioner was cited as a factor in her selection, as is her service on the municipal planning board, to which she was appointed in September* to fill a vacancy."
“Basically, I feel the role of a commissioner is, to a great part, to educate people,” Ms. Vuono said during her interview, explaining that she strove to keep residents informed during her first tenure.*Ms. Vuono was appointed to the Planning Board in November, not September.
“When I was a commissioner then, I started a newsletter and, at my own expense, I would send it out twice a year to the people in my ward,” she said. “I felt it was important for me to directly communicate with them. I was their first level of government, as their local commissioner.”
150 comments:
This stinks! We need somebody NEW who doesn't buy into the narrow mindedness, who has ethics, and doesn't follow the herd mentality
Enough of the 'same old same old' around here!
- Jason M.
These seems a little sketchy. An Allegheny County ex-public defender sues in federal court claiming he was discharged because he supported Colleen Vuono in the 1995 county commissioners' race by holding a fundraiser. Cecchetti was also the Mt Lebo chairman for the Democratic Committee (maybe while he lived in Dormont?).
Ya see, birds of a feather flock together.
https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19960618&id=h9NRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zW8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4287,2077204&hl=en
Coleen hasn't attended a Commission meeting in years, except for a couple of recent ones as a "deer hater, kill em all!" member of the old biddies guild.
Coleen Vuono attended one meeting in 2014 and this meeting in 2015. She was selected because she "can hit the ground running."
I encourage everyone to watch the interviews when they are uploaded on to the commission website. You'll be amazed.
BTW, I wasn't even in Kelly's Top 4 picks. What a stab in the back.
Elaine
Deer Killers Win Again
excerpt from earlier prediction.
Unfortunately, in review of the people who are applying for this position, I'm afraid that pro-kill Coleen Vuono will give the Commissioners what they want, i.e. a pro-kill vote in the fall. No doubt, that is the reason she is applying for this position. The puppet masters are hard at work again behind the scenes. That's how and why Bonnie VanKirk was selected to replace Raja as a temp Commissioner. She hit the ground promoting a deer cull. And then the deer hater's baton was passed on to Commissioner Linfante and she hit the ground promoting a deer cull. These were not coincidental occurrences, but strategically manipulated behind the scenes political strategies.
The anti-cull residents have been continually outmaneuvered by a handful of politically savvy deer haters on the political front, i.e. Barbara Logan (D) and friends, and they continue to win, because the bipartisan anti-cull residents have not organized to put up their own candidates to run for office.
So I'm afraid this will be like deja vu and ground hog day (the movie) again. The pro-kill Commissioners (D) will select the pro-kill (D) candidate that the pro-kill puppet masters have applying for this temp Commission position. And all of our bipartisan protesting against turning our community into a private hunting club, an AR-15 shooting gallery, and an inhumane slaughter house, will have been waste of time. Until this bipartisan movement gets serious about a political solution, a few political puppet masters will continue to outmaneuver the majority of residents in Mt. Lebanon who oppose lethal weapons and lethal solutions. It's very frustrating and disheartening to watch.
So the commissioners identified their top four picks like this was a big kickball game? The kids in school are more diplomatic. Elaine, I'm surprised you weren't in Kelly's top four. That makes me really sorry... That she couldn't be more honest and gutsy. I guess they are all out for themselves.
Straight-shooters need not apply.
No, only Kelly said her top 4. They were Coleen Vuono, Edward Goslin, Raymond Pan, and never mentioned the fourth because he was one of the candidates who was eliminated. There were seven applicants in total. With the two candidates eliminated, there were only five of us considered.
I was in the bottom two, just like Dancing With The Stars.
John Bendel and Steve Silverman mentioned Coleen, as well.
Elaine
You and Cannon were Kelly's bottom two, Elaine? Man you got burned.
Why would Kelly Fraasch vote for the pro-kill candidate, which guarantees another dangerous, ineffective, and inhumane deer killing program in the fall? I thought she supported safe and non-lethal solutions.
Elaine - now that you have been dissed by your "adopted commissioner", hopefully you will finally see the reality of Mt. Lebanon democrat politics. She sure played you, are you still going to be her fan now that you know the truth?
12:09 AM, I'm not going to comment on that because I should be sleeping at this hour.
I congratulated Coleen after the meeting. Susan Morgans was sitting next to her, smiling ear to ear.
Elaine
Vuono is a stager. Fraasch sells real estate. An excerpt from Vuono's LI profile -
*I work with realtors and home sellers to increase the marketability and value of a home.* Figure it out Elaine.
Will Coleen file a Statement of Financial Interests before the April 30 deadline?
Why would Feller say she can be sworn in privately at her convenience?
Boy, do I feel stupid, 5:23 AM. Coleen did say how busy she is. I stressed that I could be a full time commissioner and that I could hit the ground running.
I checked Coleen's LinkedIn profile and it said that she was appointed to the Planning Board in November, the same time she had gone to her only meeting in 2014.
When the applicants were sequestered, the dynamics were pretty interesting. I introduced myself. James Cannon was very antisocial to the point that he wouldn't introduce himself. When Andy introduced himself to James, I had to introduce Andy to him. Andy said that he had talked with him before, when he ran in 2007. I'm thinking Cannon denied it. Edward Goslin introduced himself and so did Coleen. We said where we lived. Cannon said nothing. They had some questions about the process and I filled them in. Everyone was friendly, except Cannon. Edward was a very nice man and said that the deer left Woodridge. Coleen said that the herds of deer were on Woodland. I tried to be positive and said how wonderful Earth Day was and how Sandy Baker was so informative. I asked Andy if he had heard anything about a Candidates Forum. He had not. There was some discussion about when the forum takes place. Coleen said that it takes place in the fall. I reminded them when I ran in 2011, the forum was right before the Primary. I asked Andy to let me know if he hears anything about it. Andy laughed and said that he reads my blog to stay informed. Steve and Raymond were not in the room at that time. Their interviews were much later.
Now that Coleen can hit the ground running, as Steve and John claim, it might be helpful for Coleen to read my blog to get up to speed. When she finds out that she will be on half a dozen boards, she will be MUCH busier than she is now.
Please watch the interviews when they are posted this afternoon. We were scheduled in the order of when Steve Feller received our letters of interest. Since I was the first one, I was able to see all the interviews. I answered all the questions quickly and had time left over. I asked if I could carry the remaining minutes over to citizen comments. Everyone laughed.
It was a shame that Andy Reinhart and Steve McLean had to go through the interview process and then find out that they were not going to be considered since they were both candidates in the Primary next month. Personally, I did find it helpful as a Ward 3 resident because it was like a mini Candidate Forum.
Elaine
I should add that after the meeting, I asked Steve McLean if he was going to have a website. He said yes and that he was working on it. As soon as it is live, I will share it here.
Elaine
Collen Vuono,, where did they did dig her up from? the once proud lebo is now part of the Democratic machine that ran and mismanaged this county for decades..
in regards to Kelly,, her behavior doesnt surprise me,,she has aspirations for higher office and she is not going to side with the minority. also ive watched her from the comm audience and always got the sense she thought the antideer cull people were nuts..
Wait... you mean to tell me the board appointed one of their buddies to keep that group-think going strong?
Shocked! I'm just shocked!
--Tom the Tinker
Coleen Vuono? I thought she died years ago. Is she the one who ran for something with Mike Dawida? I didn't know that Coleen even had Mt. Lebo ties.
I am sorry, Elaine. You deserved the nod, especially from Kelly. She is only in it for herself.
I think Kelly Fraasch was coached to provide a response that put distance between her and Elaine. There was no NEED for her to spell out her top four choices when no one else did.
This is how politics remains selective of individuals who are willing to throw their FRIENDS under the bus.
I could not do that.
Of note, I am switching my political party from Democratic to INDEPENDENT.
Elaine--- Kelly has to continue to try to keep up the charade that she is a Democrat. If she had any stones, she would have come out of her Republican closet and cast her vote for the best candidate (YOU). That said, partisan politics have little to do with how the commission is mismanaged. On the local front especially, I think it is important to vote for the PERSON, not the party. Kelly could have done the right thing and voted for you while still maintaining her pseudo-Democrat image. She just wasn't going to take any chances. What a shame.
be careful switching to independent. If you do you cannot vote in the primaries and therefore not in the local elections.
Get your check books out, PAYT is the next fee(tax).
1:56 is right. Want to send a clear message to your party - vote in the primary, just don't vote for their choices.
Write in yourself, a neighbor, Bambi, they'll eventually get the message.
Being independent locks you out of even showing dissatisfaction.
That is what I do, 2:28 PM. I'm writing in my own name next month.
I saw my first school board sign today. Five Democrats on one sign. Sure wish the Republicans would get their shit together.
12:09 AM, the Republicans are no better. BTW, last night was a real eye opener for me. I expected it from the guys. Totally blindsided by being in the bottom two with James Cannon. For my own well being, I am telling myself that he came in dead last on Kelly's list. Kelly gave me a failing grade. WTF
Elaine
2:01 So do you think PAYT will come back? I noticed in the "Popular" budget report in the latest Lebo magazine that trash was a major expense. Does anyone know if that amount was inflated substantially over previous years? The PIO even put Feller on youtube talking about the economic status of Mt Lebanon. Has that ever been done before?
In the Primary election of 2014 there were 9,611 registered Republicans, and 12,379 registered Democrats. Of those numbers, 964 Republicans voted, and 2,826 Democrats did likewise. Looking at it another way, 10% of registered Republicans voted, and 22.8% of registered Democrats did likewise. Using this historical data as a guideline, this means that of those registered votes likely to vote in their party's Primary, miniscule as that number may be, Democrats are 2.28 times more likely to do so than Republicans. For those disenchanted with their current party the odds of one staying and effecting change is almost nil, and it is certainly less likely to occur in the Democratic Party than in the Republican Party - which isn't saying much.
Want change? Make change! Don't buy into this business that one of the "major" political parties deserves your vote. If a person wishes to register as an Independent - or in my case, Libertarian - then he or she should do so. While I'll admit that staying in a party to write in "Donald Duck" in a Primary has some comic appeal (and if in the Primary, why not the General Election?), the likelihood that the apparatus of the major Mt. Lebanon parties will "get the message" is zero. What will get their attention is the emergence of a well-funded, competitive independent movement.
I'd really, really like to agree with you Mr. Gideon, but what did Brown's campaign achieve?
Tell me, who are the Libertarian candidates for school board or commission.
Donald Duck has a better chance of winning.
Does anyone know if the plans are to cull deer every fall and every spring?
Plus, Mr. Gideon, why do we need to reinvent the wheel?
The Lebogop advertises it's 60 members strong... sixty, 60! Out of a community of 33,000 people. The local democratic committee has slightly more members.
Attend one of their meetings, you'll be lucky to mingle with 30 of your neighbors.
Do you really think you're going to get an equal or greater number of self-described independents or libertarians to organize a group for change?
These political committees can't even get people that claim they are Rs or Ds to participate in their own organizations.
You'd have a better chance of getting 30 people to hum along to John Lennon's "Imagine."
It's not about the outcome (we figured the fix was in): it's the complete disregard for Elaine and her efforts for the community that was so stunning. She was the ONLY candidate who has given a rat's behind about the welfare of this community (by their own admissions). Other than Elaine, who had attended nearly every single Commission meeting for YEARS, watching the broadcasts of the several she could not attend in person, the next best "Attendee or pseudo-Attendee" had been to something like 7 1/2 meetings. Big Woop! The Winner: ONE meeting: the one where she and her Sister Commissionettes took turns at the podium touting their historic credentials and imploring the then-sitting Commission to stay the course and KILL THOSE DAMN DEER! Elaine's responses to questions were clear and decisive (unlike some others who had no thoughtful answers, some employing painful pauses to try to recover), and she demonstrated that, as we already know, she has her finger on the pulse of this community, clearly unlike any of the other contestants (and some of the sitting Commissioners, as well!). I am stunned and amazed by the whole thing, particularly by the lack of backing of any kind from Commissioner Fraasch. I am mystified.
I know and respect Richard Robert Gideon and would go to the ends of the earth to get him elected! Richard, YOU are an extremely intelligent, brave man overflowing with common sense. You are charismatic and YOU are the person who could knock some sense into this town. I am calling you out brother "deer"!
RICHARD GIDEON FOR PRESIDENT! Let's just bypass Lebo! Go for the big guns!
3:27, first PAYT never went away, but in case you don't believe that, look at the agenda for last night. PAYT is on the list for future discussions.
Laura, Who the heck is Richard Gideon and what Ward is he in? More info, please.
5:41 PM, I knew that the guys would never select me. That was a given. And I predicted the outcome. What I never predicted was how Kelly stabbed me in the back and then twisted the knife. She didn't need to name her Top 4. I have defended and supported both her and her husband.
That is what has me upset. I never expected to win. But I came forward because I knew the issues, walked the 71 streets in Ward 3, and could dedicate the time necessary to do the job.
And no, I'm not delusional as the trolls are writing in. Kelly told me that I should know why I wasn't selected. Of course I know why I wasn't selected. I just don't understand why I wasn't even in HER Top 4.
She was the only one left in both the commission and school board who I trusted.
I'm very disappointed.
Elaine
Ms. Yaremcho:
You are too kind, and have more charm than the law allows! As you are well aware from our conversations, I do not accept the premise that something can't be done because it hasn't been done before. Any political cause must have a beginning, and those anonymous people bringing up George Brown's campaign or the difficulty of getting 30 independents to meet together fail to recognize that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Before there were Republicans, there were Whigs. Today there are no Whigs, but there are Republicans. The point is that you begin change by beginning; and that may entail 30 people - or three.
IMO, Mt. Lebo doesn't need a new political party. This blog has demonstrated that Republicans and Democrats can come together and unite on important issues facing this community, i.e. opposition to toxic turf, opposition to hunting, the use of AR-15 assault weapons, and cruelty to animals in our community, and other issues. What we need to do is to get together and organize a bipartisan voting bloc, and get our own candidates to run, Republican, Democrat, Independent, etc. it doesn't matter. We vote for the candidate not party affiliation. We need to come together with bipartisan support for our own candidates, and endorse other candidates running that support our issues. We need to remove sitting Commissioners who vote for Toxic Turf and turning our community into a private hunting club and shooting gallery, etc. Many of these local elections are won or lost by a handful of votes. Once this bipartisan voting bloc demonstrates political power the Commissioners will start to listen. Most politician's main interest is self interest. They just want to get reelected to stroke their own egos or as a platform for higher office (Miller and Raja). So having the voting bloc power that can determine elections will change the entire political landscape in Mt. Lebanon. All the protests, citizen comments, and factual presentation make no difference in influencing Commission decisions. It's all about having political power to remove sitting Commissioners, and electing new Commissioners.
Dear "We are in a mess",
Please see the 3:28 post written by Richard Gideon. He is a very intelligent man who speaks the truth with no political agenda. He is a former teacher, a philosopher among other things. He has the ability to carry on an intelligent conversation based on facts. He is a breath of fresh air....Residing in Ward 2.
Unfortunately for our community most of the people have their head in the sand. (That was not my first choice of metaphors.).
Oh, and to 5:26 Anonymous....
You ask why do we need to reinvent the wheel? IT IS BROKEN!!!!
When asked how many meetings were watched or attended, Ms. Vuono responded with "One. I have a life."
I see that the video was posted here. Her quote is at 01:17:00 or so.
Elaine
I just watched Vuono describe how she keeps up with Mt Lebanon news. She "reads Mt Lebanon Magazine...emails from Mt Lebanon... and the newspaper".
BBF interpretation: "Perfection. There's no chance she will figure out any of the higher level corrupt processes that we routinely engage in around here".
This is a HOMERUN for Brumfield, Bendel and Feller.
"Vuono, 67, has held leadership roles in several Pittsburgh nonprofits, currently sits on the municipality's planning board and was elected to the board of commissioners from 1988-1991, serving as its president in her last year."
Leadership roles in several nonprofits tells you all you need to know.
3:31 AM, that may be true, but Vuono is only going to be around for eight months. What brought her to the 11-11 meeting, the one meeting she attended because she has a life? Deer culling! What are the prokill ladies looking forward to in the fall? Killing deer.
Elaine
11:58
Your comment proves who is nuts!
I think Elaine is in danger of losing the last of the members of any elected body in Mt. Lebanon that gives two seconds to her if she keeps this up.
I have no idea if Kelly and Elaine are "friends" and I don't really think it matters. For those who are new to the blog it is important to remember some of the terrible things this blog has said either in posts or in comments about other members of the Commission. Up until now the hands have been relatively off Fraasch. But that is more due to some agreement on particularly noteworthy issues than anything else.
There is no chance in heck that anyone on that commission could have put Elaine on any kind of "good" list. I am surprised that anyone is surprised by the way the vote went down. A sitting commissioner is working with all of the existing commissioners that have been verbally attacked by this blog, its owner, and allowed anonymous comments....and you think for one second that a sitting commissioner would give some validation to that behavior?
C'mon, get real.
11:58 you seem to forget there was only one commissioner that voted against the turf and there was only one commissioner who voted against the deer cull. I don't think that commissioner minds being in the minority.
I'll repeat what I said earlier, this ridiculous "outrage" about not being in the top three has the potential to alienate the only elected official who still actually listens to you at all.
"Keeps this up?" You mean our constitutional right to free speech? To believe in balanced government? To expect transparency? To be against catering to special interest groups? To demand factual information? Are you forgetting the terrible things commissioners have said to constituents even in the first days of office? Of course not.
Don't worry, 6:26 AM. You win.
Elaine
6:26 AM, don't forget the emails, anonymous comments, and hateful actions toward "the last of the members of any elected body in Mt. Lebanon that gives two seconds to her if she keeps this up." But those don't count, 6:26 AM.
I just celebrated my fifth year of my website, lebocitizens.com. Five years of podcasts and documentation of the municipality and school board. Five years of watching members of any elected body in Mt. Lebanon and its decline. Five years of local government officials treating constituents with contempt. Five years of divisiveness. The Taj Mahal renovation, turf projects, overtaxing, fees on both sides of our local government, and deer killing. All issues which split the community. I didn't support any of them.
Celebrate, 6:26 AM.
Elaine
The last few comments remind me of the editorial in Sunday's P-G in which the P-G staff endorsed Chelsa Wagner over Mark Patrick Flaherty for County Controller. For the exact reasons that the P-G endorsed Wagner, I supported Elaine Gillen for the Ward 3 interim commission seat. Apparently, and clearly unlike Gillen, Vuono is in the Commission's and municipality's pockets. They all drink from the same well. We need a watchdog on that commission. Instead, we got the same old thing.
Is it just me or does anyone else find it odd, if not totally unconscionable, that Kelly Fraasch voted in favor of a pro-deer kill candidate for interim ward 3 commissioner? This was Kelly's chance to at least attempt to get someone on board who shared her anti-kill platform. Undoubtedly, Kelly was NOT thinking about the deer when she cast her vote for Vuono. In doing so, Kelly lost her cred, that's for sure.
Elaine, as usual you miss the point. Kelly couldn't support you because you and the comments that you approve are toxic. No one is suggesting that you don't have the right to post whatever you want, but recognize that your actions have consequences. Children understand this.
6:26, so if Fraasch is so intent on stopping culling, why in the world would she vote for a proponent of it.
I'll bet Vuono supports turfing too.
Elaine, there is a really great website that I like on a different subject matter, but the blogger permits people to make donations or subscribe. She doesn't mandate it -- just offers the option. I think your website should to this and that the funds can go toward what you need, including supporting campaigns locally. Lebocitizens needs to become a powerful agent for change -- you already are with documentation but the funding would allow for more action and preparation. Many of the successful actions taken by this blog and its readers/supporters have been responses to crazy undertakings by the Commissioner (e.g., killing deer in public park corrals, etc.). Your efforts would have more long-term impact with funding and planning.... maybe become a 5013c. You deserve respect for what you have done. I recognize that people will continue to say "but she wrote this or that", "but she wasn't nice" -- it's hard to be nice all the time when you are trying to overcome what we have here in Mt Lebanon. That's a fact and if you were a man, I doubt anyone would comment on what you have said.
Maybe Coleen Vuono was approached for this position by the Democratic Committee. Sometimes they just want a warm-body... they've been known to manipulate, flatter... and say "All you have to do is.__________" and as far as she knows, all she has to do is read packets.
845, I am pro cull and I deeply admire Kelly Fraasch. She and I disagree on myriad issues, including deer management. However, she is responsive and speaks her mind. If I was in her ward, I'd vote for her. Above all, she respects the integrity of the body for which she serves.
What's most relevant though is that she doesn't stoop to personal attacks. She didn't go after a commissioner's kid. She doesn't rely on derisive nicknames for her ideological opponents.
You people have God given and constitutionally protected rights to be offensive, to combine your opinions and your identities, to be single issue citizens, to be confrontational, and to pit neighbor against neighbor. Watching the commission be so polite to Elaine was really remarkable. She had been so discourteous to the majority of those public servants and they were consistently professional. Elaine acted so nice when it suited her, but acts so boorish in so many other settings. Being on a legislative body requires consensus building. How would Elaine have fared when she's not on speaking terms with the majority of them?
I agree that it doesn't matter if Elaine and Kelly are friends... we see that friendships result in powerful positions within Mt Lebanon all the time -- even if the friend lacks qualifications.
However, Elaine has agreed with Kelly's position on the most controversial issues we've seen recently. She has devoted more time than anyone in Mt Lebanon to Mt Lebanon, she is a long-standing resident, and she is real. I'd rather have real regardless of the "toxic statements" that have been published than otherwise. The toxicity is here in Mt Lebanon - it's real. The only way to overcome it is to acknowledge its existence and plan to make this place better. Speaking of, I anticipate that Mt Lebanon is going to get much worse before it gets better. Elaine has the staying power that is hard to find these days. Instead, Kelly Fraasch slammed her. Tina Fey refers to this type of behavior as "girl-on-girl sabotage.. (which) is the third worst kind of female behavior, right behind saying "like" all the time and leaving your baby in a dumpster.”
8:45 here again and I'd like to clarify my earlier comment (it is far more dismissive/cruel than I had intended). My point was and is, that you cannot throw stones and them expect the people that you constantly attack will want to do nice things for you. Even Ms. Fraasch knew intuitively that she was one (perceived) slight away from your wrath. She has no incentive to apease you if she thinks that she is just putting off the inevitable.
10:04 Is that you Brumfield?
10:59, how about not worrying about appeasing anybody and voting your convictions.
If Fraasch truly wanted to stop culling, seating a proponent isn't going to get her there.
Spin it any way you wish, blame Elaine, her blog, the moon in the sky. Doesn't matter the vote for culling is still 4 to 1. Maybe even 5 to 0 next time around.
Let me try to simplify things for you, "10:04 AM."
I knew I had a snowball's chance in Hell to be selected as interim commissioner. I even predicted who would be chosen after the candidates were disqualified. I am not disappointed that I wasn't chosen. I am relieved because it would have been a very difficult eight months for a variety of reasons. But I was up for the challenge. If I wanted to be a full term, four year commissioner, I would have submitted a nomination petition to the County, just like I had in 2011.
Why did I submit my letter of interest? Ward 3 needs and deserves a commissioner who is knowledgable of the issues, has the time to attend regular meetings and make informed decisions; someone who could "hit the ground running." The trolls could never accuse me of not submitting my letter of interest. I found out this morning that the two people who withdrew knew that they couldn't win. I didn't realize those were the rules or else I would have never applied. It is ironic, "10:04 AM" that the qualities that you admire of Kelly Fraasch, are faults and criticism about me.
Seriously folks, I KNEW I NEVER HAD A SHOT AT BEING CHOSEN. I believe in open government. Silly me, "10:04 AM," the only things that are open to me and you people, are our eyes.
Elaine
"When asked how many meetings were watched or attended, Ms. Vuono responded with 'One, I have a life.'"
So much for Bendel and the other commissioners picking a candidate that would heal the divisions in this community!
Another pompous egotist.
The point is not that you knew you never had a shot at being chosen. The point is that you -- for the millionth time -- took a commissioner's opinion personally, portraying it as a "stab in the back." The point is that you concentrate on personal politics over political substance. How many of those commissioners have you asked for their respective resignations? If we can agree that legislative work is based off consensus, would you have voted for yourself? And if you're dismissing your relationship with Kelly because she spoke her mind, a quality you supposedly admire, you need to do some soul searching. You claimed to love this community and expressed a deep desire to improve it. Start acting like it by first putting aside your sense of victimhood.
I fear that Kelly Fraasch will go down just like Kristen. Dave B is a professional manipulator; there will be more promises of "you scratch my back I'll scratch yours" and Kelly's favors will not evolve. There are snakes in the garden, not deer.
C'mon kids, get a grip. Kelly Fraasch enjoys her position as the Commission's lone wolf. It's her own martyrdom that transforms her into a saint in the eyes of a few naรฏve souls. She sees herself as the Commission's watchdog. It is in that self-delusional position that she begs for public and press attention. She's not going to share the stage with Elaine Gillen, who by her very nature makes Kelly appear to be the bland, uninformed, spineless wallflower that she is. Kelly wants Elaine to write pretty things about her and show off her photos on Elaine's blog. But, she doesn't want Elaine to cramp her style. Kelly will miss those photo ops though and will ultimately (at least attempt to) crawl back into Elaine's good graces.
Posting comments like 12:28's is why no one with any authority can afford to take you seriously. It's a shame because a responsible blogger - not just someone who air grievances - could do a lot of good for this community.
I wonder how far Kelly's showboating at Wildcat Field and Clearview Commons would have gotten without Elaine's blog.
I call it showboating because here was an opportunity to add an ally to the commission and not only did she let it slide but apparently slammed the door on future allegiances.
It is a shame.
Know what is so absurd about all this?
Here we have four people that were ready to manage the Mt. Lebanon deer population and spend $65,000+ a year to do it.
Stop and think about all that has transpired over the past 2-3 years, for a second.
They have no clue as to how many deer live in Mt. Lebanon even though they spent thousands on surveys to find out.
The 2013 survey was considered accurate.
The same methodology is employed in 2014 and a commissioner declares the survey is faulty.
So what do these 4 rocket scientist do?
They start counting car accidents!
No evaluation into the causes of the accidents-- deer are mentioned and that is all the justification they need.
So they start writing checks... all for reducing deer/vehicle accidents by 50%.
Their first "shot" ends in failure because no one figured out that the PA Game Commission requires hunting licenses for hunting.
Their second "shot" fails as well. They manage for a cost of $15,000 to bag a total of six friggin' deer. Six deer, in a municipality that is supposedly covered border to border with herds of stampeding deer.
So... they don't know how many deer are here.
They don't have a clue how many deer are optimum and they pick a replacement candidate that has attended one commission meeting, because she has "a life" and gets her news from MTL magazine.
Wow.
1:08: I am 12:28. I do have authority and I also take Elaine Gillen seriously. My comment is spot on, whether you like it or not.
The vicious attacks and mean- spirited comments by bloggers on this site speak the real truth about politics in Mt. Lebanon. This is the political machine that has been and still is in place there (not the Democratic machine as some keep referring to), but the machine that dictates that opponents are to be attacked, ridiculed and called names when they do not agree with others. It is no wonder that issues are not being resolved, which is impossible when one is behaving like a child.
In addition, these comments also speak volumes about the character of those making them. Grow up Mt. Lebanon bloggers...this is not high school!
1:08 PM, when I get paid an annual salary of $101,115 plus bonuses, insurance benefits, and a cell phone, just wait to see all the good stuff I will write about this place. Until then, this is the only show in town who will air grievances that anyone in authority will not take seriously. Those people rely on Mt. Lebanon Magazine, the Trib's Colin McNickle, and reporters such as John Hayes from the PG for their news.
Just when I think I have had it, comments like yours inspire me to continue. There is always room in cyberspace for your blog, 1:08 PM. Let me know where to find you so that I might see how it should be done. Also, let me know when CBS Pittsburgh recognizes your blog too.
Ms. Knight, it is becoming so clear to me why people have objected to my Right To Know submissions. It exposes what the non-"bloggers" and "those with any authority" are saying in public records and government documents. Why you have higher standards for me than Commissioner Kristen Linfante is quite confusing to me. She was never known to make vicious attacks toward anyone. Your expectations of me exceed any of our public officials who raid your wallet. I'm curious, what issues haven't been resolved, Ms. Knight? I'm flattered that you consider this blog a "political machine." Thank you.
Elaine
You just don't get it Janet Knight.
There'd be no need for malicious comments from either side if there was some real thinking going on.
http://www.thealmanac.net/article/20150428/NEWS/150429950
"Sandy Baker, a consultant specializing in deer management (more specifically, deer-proofing gardens), said the municipality had attempted to implement a lethal deer management strategy based on incomplete information, adding that population reduction should be the final step in a comprehensive deer management plan, not the first."
Keep taking potshots at the messengers, Ms. Knight, it's simpler.
love the personal attacks about personal attacks.
Well said, 6:42. Simple and to the point, but Knight won't ever see their role in the divisiveness that runs rampant here.
If I may, I would like to comment on some of the posts that suggest that Elaine Gillen was not selected because Gillen is a Republican and the commissioners are Democrats. I am a life-long Democrat and a good one. I see nobody in the current make-up of the commission that resembles a real Democrat. To the best of my recollection, the last Democrat to serve as a Mt. Lebo commissioner was Dan Miller. This interim ward 3 commissioner train wreck is not about political parties. I think it's about finding a person who mimics the thoughts and actions of the current commission members and municipal employees who have no allegiances to any political parties.
I think the Ward 3 person was chosen to be "kind, cooperative, respectful" -- I noticed she used these words in her responses to questions. She isn't there to add an opinion, analysis, new direction. She is simply there to be nice.
5:23am, you bring up an interesting point. Looking at Coleen Vuono’s website (http://stage-2-sellpgh.com), Coleen works directly with the USC Howard Hanna office as a testimonial written by Kimberly Lanphear (http://tinyurl.com/lsyxgdv) states on the homepage of Coleen’s website, the same office Kelly works out of. Which brings up an interesting question or two: does this create a conflict of interest and should Kelly have abstained from voting?
Nick M.
10:19 pm Nick - That's an agonizing revelation. So the ladies WORK TOGETHER? OMG.
@9:47
http://www.howardhanna.com/agent/AgentDetail.asp?CEQ_AgentCode=65631
Second sentence. *I am respectful and almost obsessive about communication.*
@ Nick 10:19
*Am I doing all the right things to make my property ready to sell? *
Even if Kelly didn't vote, there would have been three votes for Coleen.
Elaine
Read the testimonial that Kim has up on Coleen’s page. Coleen and the agent work together in helping one another create a profit for one another.
Elaine,
You hang your hat on this CBS Best Pittsburgh Blogger Award for 2011 and taunt posters to let you know when they win that award. Tell me who won the award in a year besides 2011? I tried a google search and found no such results. As best I can tell when you click on the link for the award that you prominently display it takes you to some error message. I would love to learn more about the rich history of the award.
Thank you for letting me know about the link, 6:55 AM. I did a search and could only find this entry on Facebook.
August 18, 2011 I guess CBS Pittsburgh stopped the awards. That makes it tough for any bloggers to win the award, doesn't it? It should still carry some weight, 6:55 AM since those winning elections in the 20th century receive accolades.
Elaine
You guys kill me. Now there is some conspiracy?
Someone should compile a list of all the conspiracies listed on this blog...heck, even in the comments on this one post.
The Dems made her do it.
They work together.
She wants the attention.
And Elaine, YOU are letting this crap continue. YOU are the one perpetuating unsubstantiated rumors by allowing ridiculous comments. You'd think you have the decency to call or email or ask or at least defer but you run with whatever someone tells you.
Granted, I do not expect from you the same standards as a journalist, however, when you are talking about neighbors you are smearing one after another with unsubstantiated bullcrap.
6:55, that's right, what is going on in Mt. Lebanon is all about Elaine Gillen and her blog.
She raises your taxes, charges you fees for rain water, exceeds Act 1 limits on school spending, makes people drive 71 mph on Washington Road, installs plastic grass (while celebrating Earth Day), taxes newcomers and will soon be charging you directly to pick up your garbage.
You're right, it's all due to that evil Elaine. Keep drinkinking the Kool-Aid, 6:55.
Elaine: I think that the comments posted so far clearly show the enormous support you have in the community. Rave on, my friend.
At all costs protect that fiefdom 6:55! Whether Lebocitizens won an award is the biggest Issue confronting our community for sure.
Mt. Lebanon suffers from "The Fiefdom Syndrome" and left unchecked it will eventually ruin what was a great community.
http://www.fastcompany.com/bookclub/excerpts/0385510675.html
"Excerpt: The Fiefdom Syndrome: The Turf Battles That Undermine Careers and Companies -- and How to Overcome Them
by Robert J. Herbold
There is a potentially infectious condition inside virtually all organizations that can cause more damage than economic downturns, management upheavals, or global business shifts. Until now it has had no name. But this condition has been an enormous problem in all facets of business. It has impacted some of the world's leading companies, including Procter & Gamble, IBM, Coca-Cola, and Microsoft.
I call it the "fiefdom syndrome," and it happens to all organizations, large and small, profit and nonprofit. It occurs at the individual level as well. And it can significantly decrease an individual's, and a company's, effectiveness. In extreme cases, it has shaken entire industries and taken down major corporations.
The problem begins when individuals, groups, or divisions--out of fear--seek to make themselves vital to their organizations and unconsciously or sometimes deliberately try to protect their turf or reshape their environment to gain as much control as possible over what goes on.
It is a natural human tendency, probably dating back to the origin of our species. But if this human tendency isn't managed properly, the damage caused by these "fiefdoms" can begin to undermine an organization. Left untouched, fiefdoms can toll the death knell of what should have been a strong and vital organization."
10:48,
They don't "work" together in the traditional sense. Agents typically hire and pay house stagers out of their own pocket for their services. The hope is that the house will sell faster and for max value so that the agent's commission will more than pay for the stager.
Voting for someone you have a business relationship with raises the appearance of a possible quid pro quo arrangement. Will the rates charged for her services stay the same? Will she refer potential home buyers and sellers her way now? These are valid concerns which could have been addressed when she gave her top 4. Even just mentioning any potential business relationship would have been nice from a transparency standpoint. Not sure if that happened.
Did you read 6:55's and 5:32's comments here, Commisssioner Fraasch?
Do you comprehend the consequences of dissing your most ardent supporter?
The divisiveness is back in full bloom... thanks for nothing, Kelly.
What purpose did announcing your four top candidates serve, you or your constituents?
"Thanks for nothing, Kelly"
If any comment perfectly sums up the spirit of this blog, that's it. Kelly voted her conscience on deer and turf and you adored her for it. Now she casts a vote you don't like and you vilify her. You people are acting like a fickle mob.
http://triblive.com/mobile/8145907-96/deer-commission-lebanon
"Commissioner Kelly Fraasch said she was shocked some of the plants the municipality intended to put in public gardens and traffic islands were among the ones Baker said were more likely to attract deer, and should be changed if possible.
To reduce the risk of crashes between vehicles and deer — the commission's stated goal when the cull was approved — the municipality should lower speed limits near known deer crossings and put up more signs, even temporary electronic message boards to warn motorists when deer are mating and most active, she said."
Shocked?! Really so who does she put in the vacated commission seat... another deer kill proponent.
7:29, please explain it all to us.
Fraasch is quoted as being shocked by the plants the municipality is going to put in. She wants more deer signage, more deer surveys, more restrictive traffic control, etc., etc., and who was her top choice... a deer kill supporter.
There's no conspiracy theory here, just a call for a rational explanation for the difference between the rhetoric and the actions.
I guess we gave up our freedom to ask questions of those that we elected to represent us.
10:21 AM, you are being asked to give up far more than that. So am I. I have published comments from both sides of this issue and am being criticized for doing so.
Elaine
When you pay the taxes we do, we've paid for the right to be "fickle", 10:07.
Elaine. I am a supporter. But this thread is getting more and more ridiculous. Get back to doing what you do best on this blog. Bring issues to light. Uncover truth. Start a discussion. Spending time writing/posting negative comments about Kelly Fraasch (Your "adopted commissioner") just because she didn't vote for you is not productive. This truly is like tuning in to watch the "Mean Girls" movie. Stop making a fool of yourself, everyone. Get back to talking about the school district budget. Is there an update with the turf construction, Elaine? Do you have any further information about the people running for school board? This is what this blog does best. Please get back to that. Elaine wasn't selected for the Ward 3 position. Get over it. Move on. Who has time for this middle school drama?
Yep Elaine.
Newcomers, parents, taxpayers, seniors are suppose to sit down, be quiet and pay your taxes and fees like good little children.
I wonder if Gideon and Ms. Yaremcho have found that third person they need to affect change yet?
10:37am - at this point the middle school drama is the only reason I check in on this blog. It's like driving past a car wreck - can't help but see what's going on...
10:37 I'd agree with you except that to get through to all those subjects you first have to clear away all the muck and mire.
Elaine has been doing exactly what you're suggesting she do since the first day of this blog.
Look back, read the topics, see where they head. They start out focused on an issue then they deteriorate into attacks on each other.
Sure, you're right, the name calling etc., does not advance anything, so let's answer this one question... why would Kelly vote for a deer kill proponent when she is all for other methods?
Where does Vuono stand on artificial turf?
PAYT?
Newcomers Tax?
Tax Increases?
Fiscal Responsibility?
I don't remember hearing or reading about her thoughts on any of the important issues regarding this community.
Do you think 7:29 is going to stop the "ridiculousness" and start focusing on the issues? Do you think they're really going to engage in polite and respectful debate?
Let me know when the civil discourse starts, OK.
10:33, tax-payers absolutely have the legal right to behave absolutely awfully. I'm not trying to deny you that right.
10:07-----According to your logic, Fraasch voted her conscience when she selected a pro-kill applicant for the Ward 3 seat. If I were a deer I would run screaming from Kelly Fraasch.
10:37, is it not a legitimate question to ask Kelly why she chose Vuono and not Gillen?
It's not about crying over Elaine not being chosen, but rather the debate here is about the future.
Fraasch is running for re-election and her constituents deserve to know why she chose a deer killer proponent before they enter the voting booth.
Can she tell us where her first choice stands on all the issues?
By looking into this one vote (filling the empty seat) it will speak volumes about whether to re-elect Kelly or not.
The debate here- deep down- isn't about Elaine being dissed.
Can you not see that?
I think Kelly is the most decent person on the commission so for her to take this recent action is/was disturbing to me. The community is blogging about this because many of us view Kelly as the "only trusted" elected official. If she did not chose Elaine, that's one thing. But to put her down at the bottom of her choices was another.
This recent action by Kelly also highlights my longstanding belief that the municipality is fanning the flames of the deer drama because there are much bigger problems here than gardens. Those problems are what the Commission does not want an astute blogger, like Elaine Gillen, to have access to during an 8 month tenure as a Commissioner.
Are my comments reflective of a conspiracy theory or knowledge? That question is for the skeptical readers to ponder.
10:37 AM, this is my 1600th post. I have reported all I know about the school district budget, the turf update, and candidates running in both elections. I have no updates.
The 1600th post announced the new interim Ward Three Commissioner. There are 100 comments now. It seems to be an issue that people want to discuss. I hate to "snip" or censor any dialog.
Elaine
I live in Ward 3 and would have liked to see Elaine appointed as commissioner. I know her personally. I know a lot of people just read the blog and see the negative and assume she is mean or tough or whatever. But in reality, she is a super nice lady who cares about Mt Lebanon and wants to see it improve. Her blog is really a "sunshine is the best disinfectant" kind of venture. It's easy to cast people into one-dimensional roles, especially on the internet. But people are complex. I know it may be hard to hear for some of you who disagree with everything she says, but if you met her, she would be personable, polite, friendly and interesting. Her feelings were hurt by Kelly Fraasch's insistence on reciting her choices in order - that's understandable, and she's posting something about it. She's allowed to do that. We're allowed to have our own opinions as well. But you'd do well to remember that she is more than just this blog.
11:32: I basically agree with you. Let's take personalities out of the analysis.I think it is enough to know that Kelly voted pro-kill. That in itself speaks volumes about her REASON(S) for voting pro-kill. At best, Kelly blows with the wind.
11:50, I'm sure Elaine is more than just this blog, but why do you suppose she insists on posting things like "Dan McNichol was handpicked Franklin and Brumfield."
To be perfectly honest, the next conversation I have with Dan McNichol about his Ward 1 candidacy will be my first.
Unfortunately, the "personable, polite, friendly and interesting" Elaine finds it much more interesting and attention grabbing to simply make stuff up.
How can I or anyone else view her intentionally misleading statements as "sunshine" or anything remotely close to wanting to see our community improve?
Dave Franklin
10:33 you write we have a right to behave awful.
Please educate me on your definition of awful behavior.
Then when you're done, please tell me if you found the catcalls and snickering done by a future comissioner and her her friends while Elaine presented the 4,000 petition signatures to the school board. Elaine was operating entirely according to procedures, she had a right to speak to the board and did so politely and respectively.
The "ladies" in the audience stomped on her rights, was that awful behavior.
Was it President Kubit's polite behavior to not gavel those ladies?
How about the "What the Kluck" protest? Polite behavior? Sure it was flawed, but the protesters chose not to participate when invited. Instead they chose to be "awful."
But I didn't hear or read too many protest from you or anyone else.
Has anyone replaced the defective town hall? Anyone created a more "polite" blog?
No one, including Elaine, seriously expected Elaine to win. This reader sincerely hoped she wouldn't, so I'm hardly crying over the vote.
I'm am extremely curious though why Fraasch voted as she did and why she found it necessary to announce her top picks.
That wasn't a requirement. I'd have been more impressed if she itemized her reasons for her top pick.
That would've been telling us something. Ranking Gillen and Cannon at the bottom publicly was just bad form and an unnecessary kick in the teeth.
11:50: Ditto.
"10:33, tax-payers absolutely have the legal right to behave absolutely awfully. I'm not trying to deny you that right.
April 30, 2015 at 11:06 AM"
OK 11:06, I've considered your observations and advice so let's get down to brass tacks.
Let's civilly discuss and debate without behaving badly.
What do you think we should do about the deer situation?
My opinion Fraasch was on the right track with calling for accurate assessments of the population, smart gardening, and traffic control. Her vote for a cull proponent makes me wonder about her commitment.
Vuono on the other hand by her comments like "I have a life" and support of culling suggest she isn't on board with finding solutions that will bring the community together.
Where does Vuono stand on the newcomers tax, artificial turf, PAYT, radar guns, taxes and fees.
Should we know? Should we care?
My feeling was at least with Gillen we had a resident that has been completely open and transparent on community issues.
I don't agree with her on every one of the issues, but I can tell you from knowing her fairly well, she can accept criticism and admit that she doesn't know everything. Personally, I find that an attractive personality trait in an elected official.
I'll wait for your socially acceptable rebuttal or opinion 11:06. Do we change or keep up the divisiveness, the ball is now in your court.
Dave, as I said, my eyes have been opened. It was Kelly who told me that you and Dave had hand picked him. I guess that is not true. I apologize to you, Dan, and Dave.
Elaine
Also, it may not be well-known that Elaine Gillen has a terrific sense of humor. She is not mean. She is just far too knowledgeable and personable to be selected as the interim ward 3 commission.
There we go.
Mr. Franklin shows up, not to discuss the issues, but to once again marginalized Elaine and her blog.
Frankly, I could give a rats behind if Mr. Franklin or Mr. Brumfield hand -picked Mr. McNichol or not.
I want to hear from Mr. McNichol, from Ms. Vuono, from Bendel, Brumfield, Fraasch and all the other candidates for public office.
I'm not talking about the typical happy days are here again, I'm a family person, I want the best for our community campaign rhetoric.
I want specifics, who supports turf, who wants to kill deer, who wants to impose more fees and if they don't support all that what are their alternatives and how do they propose getting everyone on board.
Dave - I honestly don't think Elaine tries to disseminate false information. Sometimes she gets it wrong, but most times she gets it right. Look, the reason I consider this blog "sunshine" is because there are people in Mt Lebanon who feel that they are slowly being crushed by high taxes, and Elaine seems like the only person who brings this to light and offers some empathy for those of us in that position. The mtl magazine doesn't talk about it in a critical way, the local newspaper doesn't talk about it in a critical way, the ONLY source of critical analysis about spending in this municipality is this blog. The Mt Lebanon government (particularly the school board) seems to think that residents have unlimited funds for taxes. I wish we did, but we just don't. I had no clue about "surplus funds", "change orders", or any of the rest of it until I discovered this blog. We're not pockets to be picked, we are real people who are faced with the agonizing our decision of putting up our homes for sales and uprooting our families to escape unending taxes and fees (eagerly awaiting PAYT!). I feel that Elaine is one of the folks who understands that and gives us a voice.
Gee, now we have another issue to discuss.
Did Elaine make up the story about McNichol?
Did Fraasch feed her false info and if so, why?
Is Franklin a liar?
"Oh what tangled webs we weave..."
Thanks for setting the record straight Elaine. I appreciate it.
I'm not sure why Kelly would suggest that I had anything to do with Dan's candidacy. To be honest, I learned about it here on the blog.
Dave Franklin
Perhaps it is due to the fact that there is a lacrosse player in the family, Dave. I don't know.
Also, I was told by a Republican supporter of McNichol that he is against "inhumane" killing of deer, but is all for "humane" killing of deer in Mt. Lebanon. I can see how Kelly would have come to that conclusion. But again, my bad for passing it on as hearsay.
Elaine
Spreading rumors about McNichol being associated with Brumfield and Franklin is an effort to promote fear that there will be more turf (and culls) and to motivate more Ward 1 residents to run for office. Even if this candidate is pro-slaughter based on lies and pro-turf again based on lies... I didn't think Brumfield and Franklin had a hand in his candidacy. In Mt Lebo, one has to discern fact from fiction very carefully.
I just can't process all that has happened in our idyllic little community in the past four days! I didn't expect Elaine to be selected, either: she's way too honest and knows far too much. But did ANYBODY see Kelly's conduct coming? I'm sure I lack objectivity because Elaine is my friend, but hasn't she been Kelly's greatest supporter and defender? Couldn't Kelly have acknowledged Elaine's history of involvement in issues and her concerns about the welfare of the community BEFORE voting for someone else? I'm just stunned.
So let me turn my comments to a response to the comments of 7:37 PM (April 28). Does anyone out there have any idea HOW a grass-roots bi-partisan group of concerned citizens could be formed and then be mobilized to: organize a voting bloc; find our own candidates to run; and oust a bunch of sitting Commissioners who continuously violate the public trust in order to favor a small group of cronies? I'm not so concerned about party labels; I'm all for values and issues, and the folks we've got in there right now don't appear to reflect the values OR take seriously the positions of the majority of us. We really NEED people who can put the needs of the community above any and all aspirations they may have for personal greatness. We need people of integrity and wisdom. (Oh my--I just realized that I'm describing Elaine, again.) Anyway, how do we find a bunch of Elaines and get something started that can get quality people on the Commission? How I long for the days of true Statesmen (and women)!
I met with Dan McNichol to hear about his views and as a result, I wholeheartedly support him. I encourage those of you who posted here indicating that you want to hear what candidates think to please make time to meet with them.
My understanding of Dan's interest in running stems from a desire to give back to his community and also to influence fiscal responsibility. I know nothing about him being "handpicked" by residents, but I do know his mother and she has been politically active for a long time. Could it be that the apple didn't fall far from that tree?
We discussed various issues and I do not agree with him on all of them, but that's OK because it's not realistic that people will agree on everything. What is important to me is that we agree on the issues that I feel are most important. I won't go into that here, we each should be doing our homework.
-Charlotte Stephenson
Ok, 1:44, I’ll go. In short, things ain’t perfect. I’ve yet to meet an evil commissioner or municipal official; more often I meet folks who are trying their best. Hate the game, not the player.
Deer
-----
I am pro-cull. Wasn’t crazy about the corral plan before it was launched (for fear of it being of it less than humane, a fear which turned out to be unfounded based on the Game Commission report). Still not crazy about the corral plan because of its lack of effectiveness. I would prefer that we put sharpshooters in our parks at night the way USC does. I think this blog gets bogged down in scare tactics about AR-15s and doesn’t understand that all shooting occurs from above and that risks are minimal. Not that it matters much, but in my personal life, I am a vegan; I am pro-hunting and very much anti-factory farming. I believe that since private citizens not permitted to control the local deer population, it’s entirely in the purview of the government.
I believe that the deer population is much, much too high in Mt Lebanon (as it is in most of the Eastern US) and would like to reduce the density significantly. I believe that deer (without natural predation) are negatively impacting animal and plant species diversity in our forests, that a reduction in deer density results in a reduction of lyme disease, and that there are too many deer collisions in our region. I’m not sure of the precision of the aerial surveys (but I know this blog was doubtful of the first one and embraced the second). I welcome exploring sterilization after population reduction but ultimately think that it’s a non-starter since the Game Commission has essentially said they don’t permit it.
I am a critic of the red herring that deer management is a distraction from pedestrian safety or youth addiction or flood control or whatever. I believe that the commission should have the ability to tackle many things at once. I think the majority of residents are in favor of the cull and that the recent uproar, while assuredly comprised of many locals, was definitely bolstered by those outside of our community.
I think the Sandy Baker thing was fine, although I think it will make little impact on the population. A hungry deer, when pressed, will eat less preferred plants when the more preferred plants are all gone
Continued...
Turf
-----
Pretty indifferent. It’s essentially a wash environmentally because of the reduced carbon footprint (no mowing, watering, fertilizing, etc). On the whole, lawns pretty much suck.
Newcomer’s tax
-----
Total embarrassment that I hope has been largely addressed (based on the article in the recent MTL magazine). We shall see.
PAYT
-----
A bit indifferent. I’m concerned that it will encourage dumping of larger items that are hard to throw away. But I do like that it creates an incentive for people to recycle.
Radar guns
-----
Little to do with local government. Chief McDonough has advocated for state approval for local use, but I don’t think the commission can do much about it.
Taxes and fees
-----
You want me to say they’re too high? Not an original thought. On the whole, I think Lebo does an ok job. I was pro high school renovation, but wasn’t in love with all aspects of the plan. But this is a big community with many diverse priorities. I understand that picking some people’s priorities while ignoring others’ is going to upset those ignored. Sure, the cost was high, but the abatement and siting of the building made it so
3:29 you wrote:
"Spreading rumors about McNichol being associated with Brumfield and Franklin is an effort to promote fear that there will be more turf (and culls) and to motivate more Ward 1 residents to run for office. Even if this candidate is pro-slaughter based on lies and pro-turf again based on lies... I didn't think Brumfield and Franklin had a hand in his candidacy. In Mt Lebo, one has to discern fact from fiction very carefully."
I absolutely agree with your last sentence that we must discern fact from fiction very carefully. The question I'd like to ask you now, is how do we do that?
Let's take the current fact/fiction topic immediately before us.
Is McNichol associated with Franklin and Brumfield?
Franklin says no, and so far I see no reason to not believe him so far. He could be fooling me though, right?
So that leaves us with two other possibilities.
Elaine made up the rumor (which I don't believe is in Elaine's nature) or she's lying about Fraasch as her source for it.
The question for those scenarios is why would Elaine do either? What would she gain from such spreading such a rumor that can be easily dispelled by McNichol, Franklin (as we've already read) or Fraasch. What's in it for her?
That leads us to a third option. Kelly fed her misinformation, but then the same questions apply as they do for Elaine and Dave. What was her motive?
So again, how do we separate fact from fiction? Are we to rely on the PIO? Now there's a reliable source with no money the game right?
So, please 3:29, what do we do wait for little bubbles to appear over people's head that say stuff like "trust me, I'm lying." maybe we should watch for noses to grow or lightning bolts from heaven.
Everyone I think, agrees with you, but getting at the truth seems to be getting harder and harder every day.
Concerned Citizen--as you know, we tried to form a non-partisan, NON-POLITICAL group (on at least one burning issue) just a few weeks ago and it got derailed by politics. Citizens need to meet, talk, think and THEN take ideas to the commissioners. Remember, the commissioners are our public servants. Not the other way around.
Are you a candidate, 4:58/4:59 PM? If so, please identify yourself. I would like to know whose views I am reading, if you are running.
Elaine
I guess I should also add not only a candidate, are you our newly appointed commissioner, 4:58/4:59 PM? If you fall into one of those two categories, I would appreciate if you would let us know who you are.
Elaine
Elaine: 4:58/4:59 is not a candidate. I never knew a political candidate who was a vegan. On the other hand, 4:58/4:59 stated that s/he believed a PA Game Commission report, a strong indication that s/he is dumb enough to be elected to public office.
Not a candidate, nor do I have interest in subjecting my family to such. Just a local nut.
April 30, 2015 at 4:58 PM - Ms. Linfante, please go away. PLEASE
4:58 some comments on your comments.
Deer- if you have no idea of the population how do you make intelligent decisions. Baker made that point, but it was apparently missed. You also say this blog disputed the first deer survey, but embraced the second. Can we not say that the commissioner did the inverse... embraced the first and tossed out the second?
So which do we use as a guide? I'm not entirely against a very controlled hunt, but how do we know when, where and how much?
Turf- glad you're indifferent, but many of us aren't. We don't want the annualized cost of turf or environmental impact. Sorry to dispute your position, but turf isn't a wash when you consider everything. Turf is more expensive.
Newcomers Tax- why the need for the embarrassment in the first place? People's lives financially were affected, it's a little more important than being red-faced.
PAYT- again indifference? It's about money. Will we see a corresponding drop in our property taxes if we go to PAYT. Some people can't afford the luxury of being indifferent.
Radar Guns- do you know why there are restrictions on the use of the guns by local police?
Taxes- glad to hear your OK with them. Good for you but what about your neighbors? Do you care?
5:36 do you want to improve things or retain the divisive attitudes?
This is 5:36. I take it that your question, 5:52, is not related to my posted comment. I am not divisive. I am a consensus builder. But, I have a long history with politics and politicians.
Here we go again. 4:58/4:59 PM mades some pretty divisive statements, but 5:52 PM didn't question that commenter.
Elaine
I thing Kim was right. Do you remember what she said?
I would like to hear from, listed alphabetically:
Ward 1 candidates Bendel and McNichol
Ward 3 candidates McLean and Reinhart
Ward 5 candidates Fraasch and Hoon
Ward 3 interim commissioner Vuono
as to what their views are regarding deer killing, artificial turf, PAYT, Home Rule Charter vote to eliminate the super vote, budget, taxes and fees, a link to their website, and how they plan to communicate with constituents.
If there are any other issues that readers would like to include, please email me.
All answers should be emailed to me at EGillen476@aol.com and I will post all in one post, once I hear from everyone. I am emailing this to everyone except Vuono, McNichol and McLean. I do not their email addresses. The Primary is on May 19 and there has been no mention of a Candidates Forum.
Elaine
Elaine, 4:58/4:59 commented on their positions on the specific issues. Perhaps I missed missed the divisive attitude, but I read it as their preferences/views.
On the other hand,5:36 called them "dumb" enough to run for office. That dumb comment I found divisive.
Why do we have to pay out of pocket for a need (trash) but not a want (MTL magazine)? If u surveyed communities near and far, you'd see trash pickup and no monthly magazine that arrives unsolicited. I think Mt Lebanon has lots its mind.
"This blog was against the first aerial survey", "majority of residents are in favor of the cull and that the recent uproar, while assuredly comprised of many locals, was definitely bolstered by those outside of our community." Words such as "scare tactics" are pretty negative. "doesn’t understand that all shooting occurs from above and that risks are minimal."
Elaine
About the platforms of the municipal side of our government, once I post their views, I will not be accepting anonymous comments for that post. You must use your real name, if you wish to comment.
Elaine
Didn't say they were well informed or accurate, but you can try and sway their position, but you'll never do that calling them dumb.
It's 5:36 again. I did not write dumb enough to "run" for (public) office. Please do not misquote me. I may as well add "local" before public office. Hey, lighten up. Please stop picking words out of context and throwing them out there.
5:36/9:33, I stand corrected.
Your exact quote was "...PA Game Commission report, a strong indication that s/he is dumb enough to be elected to public office."
I still don't think calling someone dumb, elected or running, leads to productive debate, but hey that's just my opinion. Maybe I'm dumb too.
10:27---Okay. You win. I don't need to be right. You are right. So, I will retract my dumb comment.
Elaine--- Some of those CAPTCHA photos make me very hungry.
I think you can select any of them and it will still go through. I found that out because some of them are difficult to see, at least for me.
Elaine
April 30 5:30 PM, I completely get it that the Commissioners are (supposed to be) our public servants, not the other way around. The reason I'm wondering how a grass-roots movement gets started for purposes of replacing sitting "representatives" is precisely because I'm fully persuaded that the Commissioners don't accept that premise and have no intentions of becoming accountable to the citizenry at large. So I renew my question: does anyone know how to: organize a voting bloc; get our own candidates to run; and take action to remove sitting Commissioners who continuously violate the public trust in order to favor a small group of their cronies? I'm not a politico, but I'm not too old to learn. Isn't it time that we take action to re-take our own community???
3:50, there are two local parties with all the resources you need from the county up to the federal level.
They're called the democratic and republican committees.
They're not so large that a group of 20 or 30 people couldn't take either one of them over.
All it takes is some commitment.
Really, 6:00pm? You don't think the county or state democratic or republican machines wouldn't raise hell about 20 or 30 people trying to take over the local committees? Don't bet your house on it.
8:58, no you're probably right, the county and state committees would rather have their local party with ward chair positions sitting empty, no committee secretary, no money, no candidates and no vision.
Yep, some real friggin' leadership to worry about.
Leadership like that is exactly why R registration in MTL (once a stronghold in an otherwise democratic county) has fallen from 80% to near 40%.
8:58, That atta boy/girl!
Find excuses for not doing anything.
Oh yeah right, you're going to form a new party/PAC that's going to change everything.
Keep us posted when that new group launches, I'll be holding my breath.
2:17pm, you must have me confused with someone else. I'm not forming anything. I am pointing out that the major parties are not going let their local chapters be taken over by people who don't subscribe to their principles. But for the record, what's your solution?
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