On June 27, 2015, I forwarded a comment posted on this blog to the Commission, asking for the Sandy Baker report to be added to the municipal website. (I also asked if my commissioner was going to stay in Ward 3 when she sells her house, but that is a topic for another time. I asked her again this morning if she plans to stay in Ward 3.)
The first to respond was Dave Brumfield. He did not find the recommendations effective and/or feasible relevant to our stated goal.
Next, I heard from Kelly Fraasch. She felt all they discussed was the presenter's options on Monday and had little time to discuss much else.
This morning, I received this email from John Bendel. The Sandy Baker report is now available on the municipal website here.
I have not heard back from Steve Silverman or Coleen Vuono. It is only hearsay, but allegedly neither Steve Silverman or Coleen Vuono would sign the thank you note to Sandy Baker.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Mt. Lebanon Lacrosse Association hit with defamation suit UPDATED 3X
Mt. Lebanon Lacrosse Association hit with defamation suit
"A former Mt. Lebanon couple is seeking at least $35,000 in damages in a suit filed against the Mt. Lebanon Lacrosse Association, alleging board members spread false rumors about them and their children concerning drug use and stealing money from the organization, forcing them to move to Colorado. William and Katherine Bedortha say in the suit filed in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court that board members Kate Murdoch, Brian Prettyman, Jeffrey Iovino and other unnamed defendants defamed them by spreading false rumors through text messages and gossip around the Mt. Lebanon pool and other public spaces."
The couple, who lived in Mt. Lebanon from 2007-2014, were active members of the lacrosse community, where they coached and engaged as members of the lacrosse association’s board. The political environment of youth sports might have brought forth the rumors, according to the couple’s attorney, Bill Labovitz.
“We understand there’s a political nature to these types of boards and organizations, but the actions by association’s board members have gone too far and they must be held accountable,” Labovitz said. The suit goes on to say board members conspired a plan at a June 23, 2014, meeting to ouster the Bedorthas from their positions in Mt. Lebanon lacrosse.
“We understand there’s a political nature to these types of boards and organizations, but the actions by association’s board members have gone too far and they must be held accountable,” Labovitz said. The suit goes on to say board members conspired a plan at a June 23, 2014, meeting to ouster the Bedorthas from their positions in Mt. Lebanon lacrosse.
Read more: http://www.thealmanac.net/article/20150622/NEWS/150629995
Update June 24, 2015 8:42 AM
Bedortha v Mt. Lebanon Lacrosse Amended Complaint
Bedortha v Mt. Lebanon Lacrosse Preliminary Objection
Update June 26, 2015 12:47 PM The original complaint was filed on February 17, 2015. It appears that the sheriff was looking for Steve Gurtner. See comment under 02/24/15.
Update June 26, 2015 10:07 PM Doing a search for some of these names, I came across a September 15, 2014 post of mine, Field Sports are Getting Ugly Here in Lebo. Wow. I think the plaintiff's attorney was connected with Mt. Lebanon Soccer. Turns out he is a Lebo Citizens reader.
Recede and Reseed
Update June 24, 2015 8:42 AM
Bedortha v Mt. Lebanon Lacrosse Amended Complaint
Bedortha v Mt. Lebanon Lacrosse Preliminary Objection
Update June 26, 2015 12:47 PM The original complaint was filed on February 17, 2015. It appears that the sheriff was looking for Steve Gurtner. See comment under 02/24/15.
Update June 26, 2015 10:07 PM Doing a search for some of these names, I came across a September 15, 2014 post of mine, Field Sports are Getting Ugly Here in Lebo. Wow. I think the plaintiff's attorney was connected with Mt. Lebanon Soccer. Turns out he is a Lebo Citizens reader.
Recede and Reseed
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Deer resistant plant signs are too political but sunscreen dispensers are not.
I can't make this stuff up. Comedians must think Mt. Lebanon is a gold mine for material. Here's the latest in "bit material." Mt. Lebanon commissioners have approved a sunscreen dispenser for Main Park. Dermatology worker gets public sunscreen dispenser installed at Mt. Lebanon park
I think it is admirable that our municipality is concerned with skin cancer.
Will Mt. Lebanon be providing signage that sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours without factoring in humidity or sweat? Is the municipality creating a false sense of security? Some sunscreens have cancer causing ingredients. Will there be a list of ingredients posted? What about allergic reactions? What happens if the dispenser is empty and someone gets sunburn? Will we be sued? The FDA has regulations concerning sunscreens. Is anyone in the municipality qualified to recommend or establish which sunscreens meet these regulations? Then there are the ecosystems that the prokill people are concerned with. Did you know that sunscreens must be "reef safe?" I sold sunscreen for a living. Did you know that sunscreen is considered by the FDA as an over the counter drug? Is Mt. Lebanon permitted to dispense OTC drugs?
With all this concern, will Mt. Lebanon be posting warning signs at the toxic turf? The public needs to be aware of the potential dangers of tire crumb rubber. We must be consistent, Folks.
I think it is admirable that our municipality is concerned with skin cancer.
“It seemed like a good thing to do for the public to increase awareness of skin cancer and to provide materials that would help prevent that serious disease,” said Rudy Sukal, acting director of Mt. Lebanon's Public Works Department.Mr. Sukal should be more concerned with dead trees that create unsafe conditions in our local parks.
Will Mt. Lebanon be providing signage that sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours without factoring in humidity or sweat? Is the municipality creating a false sense of security? Some sunscreens have cancer causing ingredients. Will there be a list of ingredients posted? What about allergic reactions? What happens if the dispenser is empty and someone gets sunburn? Will we be sued? The FDA has regulations concerning sunscreens. Is anyone in the municipality qualified to recommend or establish which sunscreens meet these regulations? Then there are the ecosystems that the prokill people are concerned with. Did you know that sunscreens must be "reef safe?" I sold sunscreen for a living. Did you know that sunscreen is considered by the FDA as an over the counter drug? Is Mt. Lebanon permitted to dispense OTC drugs?
With all this concern, will Mt. Lebanon be posting warning signs at the toxic turf? The public needs to be aware of the potential dangers of tire crumb rubber. We must be consistent, Folks.
Monday, June 22, 2015
Deer killing meeting in progress
I was not able to attend tonight's sham, but through Twitter and emails, I thought I would pass on what I have heard so far.
Comments to the protestors on the way in:
Update June 22, 2015 9:17 PM Following the Trib's Matt Santoni on Twitter:
 |
| Some of the protestors |
Comments to the protestors on the way in:
A Virginia Manor man actually told us he is better than us because he pays $8000 in taxes. (I would love to have gotten his address since he is clearly under assessed!)Jeannine Fleegle yelled at Dave Brumfield because he said the sterilization permit was rejected because they didn't specify the type of vehicle that would transport the deer.
2 men walking into the meeting said we weren't allowed to be there or have signs. Barbara told one of them it's our constitutional rights. He actually said "Bahhhhh you people and your Constitution!"
Matt Santoni on Twitter: (Listed with most recent Tweet at the top)
Jody Maddock tells #MtLebo commission he prefers at least a year of prep w landowners and training archers before a hunt. They seem shocked.
Matthew Santoni
Jody Maddock, organizer of managed archery hunts, talking about how to assemble properties to waive safety zones and allow hunting.
#MtLebo prez Bendel asks when sharpshooting usually occurs, how soon to apply - winter season, summer application
#MtLebo's Steve Silverman asks how early @PAGameComm usually issues archery deer permits: 60k tags in Co. should start selling shortly.
.@PAGameComm says there is no "rebound effect" after hunting deer; they're already healthy and breeding at full tilt.
Deer population counts now skipped as way of determining if there's a problem, @PAGameComm rep says. Hard to get and divides community.
.@PAGameComm's Jeannine Fleegel: "normal" no. of deer is whatever the community can tolerate. No "right" number for a community.
McGill: Upper St Clair tried archery in parks in '98 but couldn't meet goal of <100 deer crashes until sharpshooters started in '04.
McGill: #MtLebo did switch to deer-resistant plants in municipal gardens.
#MtLebo planner McGill: confirmed deer-vehicle crashes up to 54 last year, 9% of all crashes.
Deer not drawing a crowd in #MtLebo? Fewer than 50 people so far at discussion meeting where public was told it can't comment.
Update June 22, 2015 9:17 PM Following the Trib's Matt Santoni on Twitter:
- Est. cost of sterilization: $1K per doe w all paid professionals; $500/doe if vets & handlers volunteer, DeNicola tells #MtLebo
- DeNicola notes how hard, expensive sterilization gets on its own as fertile pop. declines. Says #MtLebo wd need to get 80% to reduce pop.
- Tony DeNicola of White Buffalo Inc talking about darting, surgically sterilizing deer w ovariectomies.
Update June 22, 2015 10:27 PM Kill! Kill! Kill!
- #MtLebo staff directed to make general plan for archery, incl comparison to sharpshooting & plan for survey. Could be ready by July 14 mtg.
- Now discussing bait. Illegal in most of Pa except for 5 cos or with a political subdivision permit from @PAGameComm.
- DeNicola says #MtLebo should 1st survey residents to see who would support archery program & offer land for hunting.
- #MtLebo commission asking staff to look at costs, "ramp-up" steps to start archery v sharpshooting program.
- #MtLebo commish Vuono asks whether police could be sharpshooters like in Fox Chapel, wonders if ppl would trust them more than contractors.
- #MtLebo commissioners now debating methods, surveys of residents over support, costs.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Stacking the deck UPDATED
Tomorrow evening, Mt. Lebanon residents have been invited to observe the deer "management" meeting at Mt. Lebanon High School Fine Arts Theatre. Doing a search of one of the invited experts, Jeannine Fleegle, I came across this article on the United Sportsmen of Pennsylvania website.
Back to Google. Deer hater and former commissioner Kristen Linfante did a radio show, Oh Deer! Deer Overpopulation,with Jeannine Fleegle back on August 2, 2012. The topic was deer overpopulation. Deer hater Kristen Linfante resigned in the spring from the commission citing health problems and was replaced by deer hater and former commissioner Coleen Vuono.
John Hayes, chief deer population estimator of thousands, interviewed Ms. Fleegle in 2010. He also reported that Upper St. Clair ended their deer culling operations in 2009. Can we believe him? He is as misinformed as our PIO. I believe that is a prerequisite to be a member of Morgans' media circus. Former public works director and "too old for this bullshit" Tom Kelley hated deer. He made John Hayes' article. He's gone too.
Come on, Mt. Lebanon. See what is being presented to us. The commissioners have no idea how many deer we have. They are relying on "experts" whose livelihood is killing deer. Our tax dollars are paying deer haters, both commissioners and staff. They are hiring deer killers with our tax dollars. I have nothing to gain by this. I am not being paid. We don't know how many deer we have. The commission has never proven that we have a deer problem. They have resorted to a bogus deer "incident" report containing erroneous information. There is something definitely wrong when hunters and PETA are on the same side.
And as John Hayes said today, leave your signs at home when you observe tomorrow's farce.
Update June 22, 2015 9:51 AM There will be a protest in front of the high school tonight at 5:30 PM. Bring a sign. Then take it with you to the deer killing meeting. It is your constitutional right, Folks.
DEER MANAGEMENT SERIES, NO. 6: STACKING THE DECK
PGC Hired Three Deer Biologists who were all Trained at Chesapeake
Farms to Eliminate Deer Impacts by Eliminating Deer
By John Eveland
June 18, 2014
Historically, foresters and environmentalists have long sought to dramatically reduce Pennsylvania's state mammal. It was always understood, however, that their goal was nothing more than a wishful dream. That is, until 1998 when the Green Certification circumstance removed deer management from the realm of science and made it a political issue that could financially benefit DCNR. Realizing the reality of deer reduction, following the departure of Gary Alt, PGC's chief of wildlife management quickly stacked the deck with a like-minded next-generation of deer biologists. In 2010, PGC's Board of Commissioners requested that the author of this article investigate this rumor. The following facts were uncovered.PGC's Chesapeake Farms Connection. The Pennsylvania Game Commission lists three staff deer biologists (Chris Rosenberry, Bret Wallingford, and Jeannine Fleegle,) who report to Calvin DuBrock, Director of the Wildlife Management Bureau; and Robert Boyd, Bureau Assistant Director. It can be no coincidence that of the myriad accredited university degree programs throughout the nation which regularly produce thousands of professional wildlife biologists, that all three deer biologists employed by the PGC attained their graduate degrees from the same college (North Carolina State University), were mentored by the same NC State advisory staff members, and conducted their thesis deer research at the same small 5-square-mile Chesapeake Farms agricultural demonstration area on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Their principal advisors were Richard Lancia and Mark Connor, Director of Chesapeake Farms, who lists his research interests as "population ecology and management especially white-tailed deer, management of crop damage by deer, and wildlife in agro-ecosystems".At Chesapeake Farms, PGC's three deer biologists were trained in a deer management philosophy called Quality Deer Management—reducing deer impacts accomplished by increasing antlerless harvests toward decreasing herd size. Whereas students from most university wildlife degree programs are educated to view deer as an asset to the natural ecosystem and society, PGC's three deer biologists were trained in a setting that views deer as a negative impact-causing element with little to no emphasis placed on the value of deer, the tradition of recreational hunting, and sportsmen. Hence, PGC's deer biologists brought with them from Chesapeake Farms a wildlife management philosophy that was better suited for private organizations such as Audubon and the Sierra Club than for a traditional state game management agency.Fleegle wrote in her thesis, "More than any other wildlife, deer are perceived to cause the most damage to crops." In like fashion, Rosenberry wrote, "Balancing white-tailed deer impacts is the fundamental issue affecting a majority of Pennsylvania's deer management decisions." Former Executive Director, Carl Roe, epitomized the deer team's negative view of deer and sportsmen when he told the Governor's Council for Hunting, Fishing, and Conservation that hunters are of no concern in deer management.Conclusion. It is not likely that Calvin DuBrock could have succeeded for over a decade in decimating the Commonwealth's deer herd if he had not hired like-minded staffers to perpetuate the action. The three deer biologists and those in the PGC who hired them have adopted the deer reduction philosophy of Chesapeake Farms (eliminating deer impacts by eliminating deer), and appear to be using Chesapeake Farms as a template to systematically convert the state to this system. It is, therefore, evident that PGC's deer biologists were not hired to manage Pennsylvania's deer herd in the best interest of the resource or sportsmen, or to pursue the PGC's mission for recreational hunting as prescribed by state law. Instead, it appears that they were specifically hired to decimate the herd. This they have achieved.
Continuing my search, I found this article on Outdoor News' site. Agency’s article about deer insulted some state hunters.
At their recent quarterly meeting here, commissioners heard a complaint about the story, authored by Jeannine Fleegle in the August issue of Pennsylvania Game News.
Randy Santucci, president of the Unified Sportsmen, claimed the piece was “disrespectful” and “essentially spit in the face of sportsmen.”Once again, we have hunters and PETA on the same side!
Back to Google. Deer hater and former commissioner Kristen Linfante did a radio show, Oh Deer! Deer Overpopulation,with Jeannine Fleegle back on August 2, 2012. The topic was deer overpopulation. Deer hater Kristen Linfante resigned in the spring from the commission citing health problems and was replaced by deer hater and former commissioner Coleen Vuono.
John Hayes, chief deer population estimator of thousands, interviewed Ms. Fleegle in 2010. He also reported that Upper St. Clair ended their deer culling operations in 2009. Can we believe him? He is as misinformed as our PIO. I believe that is a prerequisite to be a member of Morgans' media circus. Former public works director and "too old for this bullshit" Tom Kelley hated deer. He made John Hayes' article. He's gone too.
Come on, Mt. Lebanon. See what is being presented to us. The commissioners have no idea how many deer we have. They are relying on "experts" whose livelihood is killing deer. Our tax dollars are paying deer haters, both commissioners and staff. They are hiring deer killers with our tax dollars. I have nothing to gain by this. I am not being paid. We don't know how many deer we have. The commission has never proven that we have a deer problem. They have resorted to a bogus deer "incident" report containing erroneous information. There is something definitely wrong when hunters and PETA are on the same side.
And as John Hayes said today, leave your signs at home when you observe tomorrow's farce.
Update June 22, 2015 9:51 AM There will be a protest in front of the high school tonight at 5:30 PM. Bring a sign. Then take it with you to the deer killing meeting. It is your constitutional right, Folks.
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