Currently, a simple majority of the Commission is authorized to make decisions regarding expenditures, capital programs, budgets, and setting of tax rates. However, the Charter requires a super majority of the Commission to make decisions regarding debt. This ordinance would change the Charter regarding the number of commissioners required to incur debt to promote uniformity in financial decision making.This amendment requests that the Department of Elections of Allegheny County places this on the Election Ballot for November 3, 2015.
To read more about this, see my May 22, 2015 post, The financial ruin of Mt. Lebanon
Prove the person wrong who wrote: "WHY IS IT SO EASY FOR YOU FOLKS TO GROUSE ON THIS BLOG AND SO DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO WALK TWENTY FEET FROM A CHAIR TO A PODIUM AND TAKE THEM ON?" This is a public hearing. Don't even bother writing in to say "there is only one sure way to change things and that is through the voting booth" or "vote in new candidates." Now is the time to say something.
62 comments:
Absolutely correct, Elaine.
Now is the time to tell the commissioners to vote against putting this Home Rule change on the ballot.
Incurring more debt shouldn't be made easier. If anything it should be made harder.
My January 26th editorial in The Almanac:
Mt. Lebanon must lose lower-upper class mentality
Published Jan 26, 2015 at 1:06 pm (Updated Jan 26, 2015 at 1:06 pm)
Mt. Lebanon is a mid-sized suburban community just outside of Pittsburgh. On whole, it may be considered middle or upper-middle class. However, individuals from a wide variety of economic backgrounds and circumstances make up its citizenry, ranging from the poor and lower-middle class to the extremely wealthy. Additionally, there are a good number of young families as well as senior citizens, which help to anchor it in the middle class.
However, a small number of elite citizens fashion Mt. Lebanon to be an upper-class community. While small in number, they hold great power through old family and neighborhood connections and alliances. These individuals also hold sway, and sometimes office, within the school board and commission.
To build towards their vision of an upper-class community, these upper-classers have increasingly been asking their citizens to put more and more money into the community pot, largely for school district related activities. For example, someone purchasing a solidly middle to upper-middle class $300,000 house in Mt. Lebanon today can expect to pay approximately $10,000 per year in property taxes, and about $7,000 of that will go directly to MTLSD. This excessive taxation has created a community that is slipping into the “lower-upper class” – in other words, in seeking to look rich, they are actually making the majority of their people look and feel poor.
A more responsible approach would be to look at the actual financial circumstances of one’s residents, and make prudent choices based on that data. Instead, Mt. Lebanon and MTLSD currently look outward, seeking to “look better” than neighboring communities like Upper St. Clair.
While this approach is unsustainable, it continues. In preparing the FY15-16 budget and taxation plan, MTLSD is again initiating budgetary machinations to not only raise taxes again, but to raise them beyond the legal limit set by the state.
I am a former public school teacher, and an advocate of public education. And, indeed, my family did move to Mt. Lebanon four years ago because we heard the school district was good. But this educational Ponzi scheme must stop. Instead of asking, “How good can we look?” it is time for MTLSD to ask, “What do we really need?” Did they really need a new high school building at the cost of over $113 million, or is there a way $60 million would have sufficed? Does a school need every add-on every parent thinks would be good for their individual child, or would only those that serve the largest number of kids suffice?
It is time for MTLSD to make some tough choices, as we all do in our daily lives in light of our own family budgets. With this in mind, I recommend MTLSD make three lists before enacting their next budget: (1) Things That Are Necessary; (2) Things That Are Nice; and (3) Things That Are Precious. It is my guess that, if this task was to be undertaken with an honest eye, MTLSD could cut half-way down the precious list and nothing would be lost academically or socially for its students.
Further, under this more prudent, middle to upper-middle class approach, MTLSD could freeze or cut taxes for the next five years – and avoid sinking our community deeper into lower-upper class status.
Dr. Jason Margolis
The commission is well within its rights to propose this change. In fact, I'm all for seeing it appear on the ballot in November - not because I think it's a good idea - but rather because it is the kind of issue that should - and note, I said "should" - get the electorate fired up and to the polls. If the people of your fair city don't flock to the voting booth to vote it down en masse then you all get what you deserve.
Bob D.
So now I'm confused.
Do we storm the Public Hearing, contact our commissioners to vote no on placing the charter change on November's ballot or do we do recommend that the commissioners put the question on the ballot and pray that voters wake up?
Seriously, 9:46 AM? You're confused? Like everything else on this blog, there are different viewpoints.
The first two referendums, which passed overwhelmingly even though one was illegal, were chosen specifically to test the waters. Making the Home Rule Charter gender neutral was a slam dunk. The second one was illegal and I never did hear the outcome on that one.
I hope people storm the public hearing on Tuesday night. Even the "confused" ones like you would want to be there to support your commissioners become even more powerful for all the special interest groups who want to spend our tax money.
I hope it doesn't go on the ballot because it will be another yes by our uninformed voters.
Elaine
What was the illegal referendum?
Elaine, the first comment @12:05 and the one at 9:46 were made by the same person.
That person has been arguing against the Super vote change since it was first mentioned over a year ago and has tried to rally support against through activist meetings, political party meetings and even in casual conversations with neighbors.
Somehow thoughyou appear to believe I support the commissioners becoming more powerful.
I'm not Bob D that wants it on the ballot. I firmly believe once it gets there it's good as passed. Just like killing deer and PAYT, they'll get there too.
PAYT was declared dead, (see your last post about it) at least for this year, yet here the commissioners are discussing it.
The deer killing circus, you'd think was over at least for a little while, but here we are with a new killer expert and news cast about crazed deer attacking pets... and you think I'm. well I don't know what you think I am.
I will stand being my honest comment that yes I am confused how this community tackles important issues.
9:46 here again.
If I may make one recommendation to anyone listening that is running for commissioner and firmly is against the Super Vote change.
You should be at the hearing with as much campaign material that you can muster and make your position known.
Badges, bumper stickers, lawn signs, pledge support sign up sheets, campaign contribution cans. Whatever, because this issue trumps all the others.
If the two political parties or the independent independents care about this community this should be the field on which they decide to draw the line.
To Bob D, there's your proof @11:25 why waiting until November is a fool's errand.
It was explained in Brilliant MTL Commissioners and the Voters Violate State Law UPDATED
Now the Ad Hoc Home Rule Charter Study Committee is recommending another change and the public hearing for advertising requirements for incurring debt will also be on Tuesday. Bill No. 8-15.
"On January 7, 2014, the Ad Hoc Home Rule Charter Study Committee recommended various changes to the Charter. Currently, the Charter requires two separate advertisings to incur debt, one between 15 and 30 days prior to incurring debt, and the other between seven and 15 days. These requirements are in excess of the requi3ements [sic] of the Local Government Unit Debt Act, which requires only one advertising three to 30 days before debt is incurred. The Commission has found the dual advertising rule to be cumbersome and detrimental in that it limits the ability of the Municipality to take advantage of favorable market conditions, especially with respect to refinancing."
Elaine
You've got to make it easier for them, Elaine.
Here 11:25 is why the Home Charter change approved by voters last year was illegal and why Bib D waiting to defeat this next change until November is fool hearty.
"“This policy is inconsistent with both the Home Rule Charter and the Newspaper Advertising Act, which governs public notice advertising statewide,” said PNA attorney Melissa Melewsky, “because the Home Rule Charter... prohibits municipalities from exercising powers contrary to, or in limitation or enlargement of, powers granted by statutes which are applicable in every part of the Commonwealth.”
“Publishing in their own electronic distribution or in the municipal building does not meet the legal requirements. It has no legal effect. It has to appear in a paper in general circulation per the Newspaper Advertising Act,” she said.
Melewsky also said the Newspaper Advertising Act is the statute that supersedes the change to home rule charter."
Unfortunately, 11:25 and Bob you'll never read about that illegality in the "official" MTL magazine.
Certainly, you'll never also read about the negative consequences of making it easier for the municipality to assume more debt.
One would assume with the history of the housing crisis and 2009 recession, the public pension debt crisis, and cities, towns and municipalities going broke that taxpayers would be leery of making it easier to take on debt.
11:42am - as it stands there may be two commission votes against placing the bill on the ballot - Ms. Fraasch and Mr. Silverman - with the other three commissioners in favor of it. As I understand your rules it only takes a majority vote of the commission to put a question on the ballot. Given the history of Bendel, Brumfield, and Vuono do you honestly believe you can talk them out of it? That is the real fools errand! By all means go to the meeting, but when you address the commissioners tell them you're going to work to defeat the bill. It will be on the access channel, probably in the local advertising paper, and maybe on TV if the local reporters show up. Let me remind you that it's the legislature's job to propose legislation...it happens every day at all levels of government...and if it is placed before the people then it's the job of the people to vote on it.
"America is literally destroying itself by the monumental debt that we as a nation, government and society have incurred. We are being consumed by this ever-escalating debt running rampant throughout this country. And we seem to be totally incapable of addressing the underlying problems and finding the ways to bring this situation under control.
Massive debt is a destructive force, one that once it gains momentum is almost impossible to bring under control. When we use the word destroying to describe what debt is doing to America we can also use the word killing, in that debt kills creativity, innovation, and constructive endeavors. There is a complete lack of funding available for new, revolutionary initiatives for which America once was known and greatly respected."
"When we look at the debt that is being amassed in U.S. states and cities, the city of Detroit stands out as one that is bleeding profusely and on life support, with no relief of its dire condition in sight. And then there is the state of Illinois which has been struggling mightily to pay its outstanding bills and also has a massive pension debt of over $111 billion."
"Chicago is another example of out of control debt; it has a similar problem with unfunded pension debt totaling some $32 billion; and to pay its short-term bills coming due it is using long term debt such as bonds; that’s a vicious circle that once you get caught up in it’s almost impossible to get out. The lesson to be learned is that you simply cannot continue to spend more than you take in on a consistent basis; it will never work and at some point you will crash; it’s inevitable. We are, in effect, killing the Golden Goose."
I wish someone with great mathematic and economic skills would make a projection using the following factors: take the constantly increasing national debt, add in the continuing and increasing costs of America’s wars, the continued decline in the power of the economy, and then make an educated projection to determine at what point in the future these three elements of a perfect economic storm will come together and produce a financial collapse. This will, without a doubt happen; we just don’t know exactly when this House of Cards will collapse.
Can’t the supposed leaders of this country see that by their totally misguided policies and actions they are propelling this country straight into certain disaster if they don’t radically change course? It’s as if we in America are standing on the deck of the USS Titanic; we listen to the warnings of “disaster approaching” and then hear the captain give the order, “Stay on course and full speed ahead.”
"Americans are caught in a quagmire of debt, to a large degree not due to their own actions but because they have become victims of this country’s debt-driven system. The housing catastrophe of 2008 was not their fault, it was caused when a clever scheme by Wall Street robber barons to enrich themselves blew up; and of course they have never been prosecuted for that criminal act.
"Now that takes real intelligence; to know you are creating that ever-growing debt, that is eating away at the foundations of this country as well as destroying the future of millions of Americans..."
"Authors
Michael Payne
Bio: Michael Payne is an independent progressive activist. His writings deal with social, economic, political and foreign policy issues; and especially with the great dangers involved with the proliferation of perpetual war, the associated defense industry, and the massive control that Corporate America holds over this government and our election process; all which are leading this nation down the road to eventual financial ruin if the conditions are not reversed.He is a graduate of Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois and a U.S. Army veteran."
http://www.nationofchange.org/2015/04/05/america-being-crushed-by-a-mountain-of-escalating-debt/
11:29 AM, you write: "and you think I'm. well I don't know what you think I am." You want anonymity, yet you expect readers to know who you are and what you write. You can't have it both ways.
I'm glad that you are opposed to the super vote elimination.
Elaine
12:16 you wrote:
"Let me remind you that it's the legislature's job to propose legislation...it happens every day at all levels of government...and if it is placed before the people then it's the job of the people to vote on it."
Let me ask you... did you sleep through all of the following:
"Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Brilliant MTL Commissioners and the Voters Violate State Law UPDATED"
"Mt. Lebanon residents vote to allow legal notices outside newspapers"
"Only 30% of us voted NO. The remaining 70% voted to permit Mt. Lebanon to use its own media for public notices. According to the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, Mt. Lebanon Media is not a reputable source since it does not meet the legal requirements. Karma's a b!tch, isn't it?
“This policy is inconsistent with both the Home Rule Charter and the Newspaper Advertising Act, which governs public notice advertising statewide,” said PNA attorney Melissa Melewsky, “because the Home Rule Charter... prohibits municipalities from exercising powers contrary to, or in limitation or enlargement of, powers granted by statutes which are applicable in every part of the Commonwealth.”
“Publishing in their own electronic distribution or in the municipal building does not meet the legal requirements. It has no legal effect. It has to appear in a paper in general circulation per the Newspaper Advertising Act,” she said.
Melewsky also said the Newspaper Advertising Act is the statute that supersedes the change to home rule charter."
12:16, our commissioners (they'd be our local "legislators and legislature) put an illegal Home Rule Charter change on the ballot and 70% of their sleeping constituents agreed by vote to allow it even though the change BY LAW was illegal!
Don't you get it yet?
Let's approach this issue from a different angle.
What do you suppose is the rational for making it easier for the commission to acquire more debt?
We have two plots of land we haven't paid for.
We're paying for storm water maintenance through monthly fees now.
They want to institute PAYT for garbage collection.
They used $875,000 in undesignated tax revenue for artificial turf.
So what is the pressing need to reduce the vote to approve more debt from four votes to three?
The Home Rule has been in effect for decades, why a change like this now?
What are they up to? Why did they want to keep notices out of the newspapers?
I thought we all wanted more transparency, not less!
I thought all our sitting commissioners want more frugal fiscal spending? At least that's what they proclaim when they campaigned for office.
Elaine: does it matter who one person is especially if you misconstrue what they write?
No one Elaine ever said they want readers to know who they are!
The only expectation of writing on this blog is for people to read comments, consider them and then decide what course of action is right for them.
Comments here, don't pass legislation, don't remove officials from office or fill commission hall seats.
1:10 PM, I don't give a rat's ass who you are. But if you expect people to know what you are saying, perhaps you should give us a hint.
I AM SO DONE WITH THIS BLOG. Please, someone take over.
Elaine
What about the Commission ramming through an ordinance at Tuesday's meeting to allow for-profit entities to place non-tower based wireless communication facilities and devices on resident's properties? The Municipality will get some money for that, but the property owner has not even any say in the matter.
1:05pm - you wrote a lot and said nothing. This thread concerns a bill to eliminate the super vote. I'm against the super vote - I've already said that. That the commission is proposing a bill to eliminate the super vote is not illegal. The commission, by their own law, has to present it to the voters. Your argument is that the voting residents of Mt. Lebanon are too stupid to even go to the polls to vote, and if they do go they don't vote they way you want them to. AGREED! Now tell me - whose fault is that? Is it yours? - Elaine's - some other poster's? - the commission's? There's a lot of lip service to democracy on this site, but democracy takes work and is incredibly inefficient. So when 30% of the voters show up and vote to enact some stupid rule you can't blame democracy for it because democracy worked - for the 30%. Your fight isn't with me - I'm just a temporary resident anyway - it's with the 70% of your fellow citizens.
Bob D.
Elaine - My sympathies to you about the blog and its toll it takes on you. You have made a major contribution to Mt Lebanon by creating and maintaining this blog. I wouldn't blame you, however, if you put up a "for sale" sign and moved some place else. Thanks for how you have enlightened your readers.
On another note, this proposed change illustrates that Mt Lebanon is in financial trouble. Prove me wrong... anyone? Why else would the commissioners seek to make it easier to incur debt? They might "save" a minimal amount of money with their new impulsive voting capabilities but its unlikely.
They know something we don't. For example, can someone share with me the long-term plan for stormwater upgrades throughout the entire municipality? Since the muni had... what 10 years+ to come up with a plan to address these matters, under a federal consent mandate, and then they needed an "extension" recently, people might want to know a) what is the plan, b) what is the estimated cost, c) why isn't this on the homepage, and d) how can you keep Steve Feller as the manager when he had over 10 years to come up with a plan, coupled with the resources. So instead of holding employees accountable, taking care of a federal mandate, the commission just wants to make it easier to take on more debt and not tell anyone the real reasons why.
Excellent 1:52, have you hit on the reasoning behind the Super Vote change.
Sounds like it may be, didn't one of the people on the Home Rule Advisory Committee write in a letter to The Almanac that they never recommended a change in the super vote.
To Bob D, I NEVER wrote that the commissioners don't have a right to put any Home Rule Charter change up for referendum that they so choose. That is exactly what the Home Rule Charter is all about.
But, because they have that right or duty, that doesn't usurp constituents from participating and voicing their opinions on proposed HR changes while they're being discussed.
That is what Elaine's original post here was calling for.
As for my inference that voters are stupid, did they or did they not approve a Home Rule change that is illegal by PA State Law?
I agree with Elaine's original call to address the commissioners at the podium, by text or in person on the super vote.
The commissioners aren't bound to follow my advice or anyone else's now... that's what November's vote is for if they don't listen.
Why do you all address Elaine like she is a commissioner? She is providing a platform for people to learn more about the truth in MTL government, and to take action when necessary.
It is not her responsibility to take any action. It is yours, and mine. This blog informs my action.
So back the F off.
- Jason M.
Jason, I don't understand it. Elaine post a call for people to show up and voice their opinion on a proposed Home Rule Charter change and where are we here now?
People telling people to f*ck off, others saying no, don't show, wait until November.
I don't get it. We're talking about a big, big change in how our local government will operate and we're fighting amounts ourselves.
To Bob D., maybe the next public meeting should be on a change to the HR Charter concerning discarding Section 318- Citizens Right To Be Heard if we're to follow your logic.
Here's what Section 318 says.
"The Commission shall provide reasonable opportunity for interested citizens and taxpayers to address the Commission on matters of general or special concern. The opportunity shall be afforded the public either at the regular or adjourned meeting of the Commission or at a special meeting."
Anyway, Jason, I'll take your advice and F off. Good luck folks.
No different than people saying they are not signing a peaceful pledge. A pledge that is against violence in Mt. Lebanon. Against our commission governing through blood shed. And very few from Kelly's Sandy Baker committee signed it, even though it has most of Baker's recommendations. Our local government operating through lethal means is a big, big change. It is all in where you are watching the parade, I guess.
Did you ever plan to speak on Tuesday evening, 4:54 PM? Or are you going to use the excuse that you will be following Jason's advice? I know the end of that story.
Elaine
No Elaine, I did not plan on speaking.
I've made my feelings known to the commission since the proposed change was first mentioned to the public.
Do I really need to repeat myself?
I'm not sure why your fight is with me. Bob D is the one that seem to be advising to wait until November.
Email and phone calls to commissioners are other ways for interested citizens and taxpayers to address concerns as well.
Yes, that is true, but are easily blown off. When you speak at the podium, unless you are me, you are rarely ignored. At least it becomes known to the public and is part of the video.
Elaine
Just curious.
How many of the contributors to this topic here attended the Home Rule Advisory Committee presentations to the commission?
http://triblive.com/mobile/7042066-96/charter-ballot-committee
Elaine, it's pretty tough to ignore a face to face with an elected official. Wasn't it Ed Kubit that demonstrated that fact when he blew off your 4,000 signature because he had personally spoken to a bigger group of residents that favored the HS project?
That isn't to say I'm bash your call for people to speak at the hearing. If they're so inclined I hope they do so. If they're more comfortable emailing, phoning or speaking face to face with their elected officials as 7:00 pm writes... that works too.
Maybe Elaine you need to break down WHY the Commissioners are seeking this change NOW and how it is going to effect each and every resident of LeboLand. What amount of money is left "In the Bank" after the stupid turfing of OUR ball fields? What Federal mandates which of course will be unfunded are heading our way? And I think everyone who has a kid in sports knows that a certain democrat commissioner has promised an indoor facility and you know it has to be bigger and better than the one being built over at Cool Springs. Seems there are a few (morons) that are still fighting mad that we didn't follow Upper St Clair with an indoor/outdoor swimming complex. So people should be able to see that some expensive "items" are coming up and 3 of our commissioners fear that they will be stopped from getting what they want. Is that simple enough to understand? But here's another wrinkle... What happens when Brumfield is "given" Smith's office? Who is Brumfield's replacement? Those of us that live around Brumfield have a clue and it's not pretty.
I have a question. Where and how will residents learn what this rule change means and how it will affect everyone? MTL Magazine? We are in deep shit if that happens!
Elaine I can't be a Mt Lebanon Commissioner because I fail rule #'1. I'm not a liar and a cheat and I don't have a list of wants for my kid that I can't afford so I have the entire community pay for them. Maybe we should print up some T-Shirts with "Why I Can't Be A Commissioner in MTL".
Jeanie, from your comment you wouldn't even be selected to sit on an advisory board.
REASONS FOR A PUBLIC HEARING
To open discussions about the issue and your advocacy campaign.
To communicate and clarify needs.
To communicate a sense of community concern about an issue.
To increase community awareness about the issue
To attract media attention
To bring more of the public over to your way of thinking
To recruit new members
To show your side of controversial issues
To re-open public dialogue on issues that have fallen out of the public mind
To counter your opponents' arguments against your group or initiative
To find a solution to a community problem or issue
To gather information
To take the pulse of the community
They're a great way for your organization or initiative to get your message out to the PUBLIC, the MEDIA, and ELECTED OFFICIALS.
"I've made my feelings known to the commission since the proposed change was first mentioned to the public.
Do I really need to repeat myself?" YOU'RE WRONG DUDE.
To which DUDE are you referring, 7:41?
7:41 here. 6:39 is wrong.
7:41, I know Elaine and about a dozen other people will most likely show up at the hearing or contact their commissioner(s) through one avenue or another. They always do and often when an issue is just a faint, distant blip on the radar screen.
I wonder, did you volunteer to be on the Home Rule Advisory Committee when it was being formed? Did you contact the commissioners with suggestions on much needed reforms? Did you attend the meetings when the committee announced their findings? Did you begin speaking to tour commissioner(s) about those findings... like why the gender neutral vote was a joke or that the newspaper announcements requirement shouldn't be changed?
I get what you're saying, but I'm not going to be a community babysitter and hold taxpayers hands while we get to the other side of the street.
I've attended to many activists'/PAC attempts where the same 10 people sit around and talk about what we could/should do and then go home.
I'll continue contacting my representatives SB, commission, state, federal on the issues. To make some kind of performance at some public meeting because you demand that I must make a public spectacle for your enjoyment is not on my list of things to do.
There are 33,000 people in this community, if they can't finding 5 minutes to contact the commissioners I'm not doing it for them any more.
7:41, how many of the candidates for commissioner in the various wards do you think will be at the public hearing to state THEIR POSITION/THINKING on the Home Rule Charter change?
These are the people we will be voting for in November to run the community, shouldn't you be demanding they attend the hearing so that we may hear all of your bullet points?
7:41, I'm a nobody- no one in this community gives a rats ass what I think.
Perhaps you should go after the community "elders" to stand up and give their opinions on the Super Vote change and why we need/don't need it.
The leaders of the two major political parties, the sports cabal, the deer ladies, the newcomers, the lawyers, Outreach, the PIO, Feller.
They are the movers 'n shakers, people follow them. Ask them to speak up on the issue so that we don't blindly follow them.
I'm done.
Elaine
I hope you will reconsider, Elaine. Your blog is a strong asset to Mt. Lebanon. Unfortunately, just like the call-in talk shows, there will always be segment of your readers who will comment with a tone of belligerence, self--aggrandizing and
and mental challenge. Those are the people with nothing, I mean nothing else to do with their lives. Can't they clean their refrigerators or find some constructive task to occupy their time? Obviously, not.
I haven't been able to read this entire thread, but just wanted to make two quick comments.
1) I think there are trolls that post on Elaine's blog who try to be tricky, and in their tricky-dicky way they try to suppress residents from showing up to voice their opposition positions, whether it's on this issue or the deer killing program, or the toxic turf issue. Sending emails is fine, but IMO, it's extremely important to make your case at public comments so that other residents watching understand the reasons that you oppose the issue. The Administration owns and controls the media and the message, and so this public comment medium is the only way to get objective and accurate info. out to the public.
2) Referendums are dangerous, not because Mt. Lebanon residents are inherently stupid, but because the Mt. Lebanon administration's propaganda machine own's the media and thus the message sent to the public. That's the main purpose of Mt. Lebanon's Magazine. Plus, you've seen how Susan Morgan bullies and threatens The Almanac, and the other local newspapers if they try to do any real investigative reporting or publishes anything contrary to the Administration and Commission's positions. You either let Susan Morgan's spoon feed you what to report, or you get shut out. Whoever owns the media, controls the message. So the Mt. Lebanon public only gets one side of the issue, and they don't realize that they're getting a biased message. So that's the danger with allowing issues like this get to the ballot as a referendum.
I'm one of the "regulars" who shows up at every Commission meeting and rarely (if ever) refrains from taking the podium. I admit: I was totally ignorant about what was going on in our little corner of paradise, until a concerned (and responsible) neighbor was tacking signs to phone poles alerting us to what was taking place right under our noses. That was probably ten years ago. I remained ignorant about all but a handful of issues in the years that followed, UNTIL I was encouraged to start following LEBOCITIZENS. With a degree of commitment and courage you just don't see these days, Elaine has kept her finger on the pulse of our local government and has taken flack from enemies (and most regrettably) from friends alike, JUST FOR TELLING US THE TRUTH! The service she has provided us, the "low information voters" of Mt. Lebanon, makes her value inestimable. I rely on Elaine's watch-dog capabilities to alert me to matters that I should respond to, and I appreciate more than I can say the effort and anguish that she puts into this endeavor.
That said, I must acknowledge with sadness the comments of 8:30 AM: "...not going to be a community babysitter and hold taxpayers hands while we get to the other side of the street" and those of 8:53: "...I'm a nobody--no one in this community gives a rats ass what I think...movers 'n shakers, people follow them. Ask them to speak up on the issue so that we don't blindly follow them." We all have the opportunity to make a difference; to be true stake-holders in what happens in our community. I guess I don't understand WHY ANYONE WOULD THINK THIS IS A SPECTATOR SPORT! Maybe the community needs more babysitters (they seem to be napping, a lot!); maybe folks are following blindly, no one holding their hands to cross safely. And maybe, just maybe, a few informed and fervent folks can get the word out to the others that the EMPEROR HAS NO CLOTHES!
But to sit back and declare that we have no responsibility for the direction the community heads makes no sense to me! And to see issues and to refuse to take action strikes me as more than irresponsible. So I will be there, and I will be at the podium, saying my piece in my little five minutes of fame. I HOPE TO HECK THAT THERE WILL BE OTHERS AND THAT OUR VOICES, COLLECTIVELY, WILL ECHO. To my way of thinking, DOING NOTHING IS JUST NOT AN OPTION!
Check out these deer. Why can't we have these.
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2015/06/09/new-york-zoo-welcomes-tiny-deer-fawn/
Are you OK? You haven't updated for some time.
Bill
David Crosby:
"NOBODY KIDS THEMSELVES INTO BELIEVING THAT THEY CAN SOLVE THE WORLD'S PROBLEMS. WE'RE JUST TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, TO CHANGE THINGS FOR THE BETTER WHEREVER WE CAN. AND IF IT TAKES A LONG PUSH, THEN WE'RE IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL. A LOT OF TIMES THIS ISN'T ABOUT THE GENIUS OF THE MOMENT. IT'S ABOUT PERSISTENCE. IT'S ABOUT BEING IN THERE AND STAYING IN THERE."
The last post was an intro to David Crosby's book, Stand and be counted. This is the song by the same name.
David Crosby / James Raymond
There was a peace of a song I heard the other day
Some words I heard this singer say
Something in me loved the way that it sounded
When he said how he wanted to stand
Stand and be counted
Now, sometimes I talk to myself in the early dawn
Before all the fragments of my dreams are gone
Things you don't know why your mind held on to
Or else sometimes you know more than you want to
Stand an be counted, stand on the truth
Stand on your honor, stand and be counted
And I wonder who that kid was standing brave and trim
And I hear myself breathe and I know that I was him
Defender of the poor and those who cannot speak
I thought I'd be standing by the dam trying to stop the leak
So concerned with matters of the heart
And knowing the millenium was just about to start
And knowing that somehow we could make a difference
I want to stand alone in front of the world and that oncoming tank
Like that Chinese boy that we all have to thank
He showed us in a picture that I have mounted
Excactly what it means to stand and be counted
The "DUDE" who was giving me a hard time here about speaking at public hearings and dissed the personal, peaceful pledge should be happy to hear that only three people spoke at the public hearing tonight. 1 spoke for the change and 2 against. Thank you to the two who spoke against the supervote change. The commissioners will vote In July. Why would they vote against it? It just makes them more powerful.
Way to go, D. Like I said to you in our email exchange, not only do you kill every positive idea, you stomp it to death, shoot it in the head 11 times and then put a plastic bag over its head. You were able to do what all the commissioners, PIO, Feller, Public Works, school board directors, and administration always hoped for. Sleep well tonight, "DUDE."
Elaine
Paraphrasing Patrick Kavanaugh:
-A woman is original when she speaks the truth that has always been known to all good people.
Elaine, we know you speak the truth and that makes you an original, and a winner, no matter the outcome.
KDKA is starting it's typical summer sensationalizing small black bear sightings. This is the time that yearling black bear leave their mom's family unit and travel searching for their own territories. This little bear was sighted in Shaler. The woman's dog was a big as the bear.
Black bears are extremely timid and pose little risk to anyone. Attacks by a black bear are so rare as to be almost nonexistent. By comparison, a person is about 180 times more likely to be killed by a bee than a black bear and 160,000 times more likely to die in a traffic accident.
My concern with KDKA's sensationalizing reports is that it gets all the soccer mom's and residents all worked up and afraid, and demanding that something be done to the poor little bear who is just passing through.
No doubt, we will get nightly news updates every time this little bear is spotted.
PLEASE DO NOT listen to the idiot above about Black Bears! They are powerful WILD animals that with little effort can kill. Leave them alone! They DO NOT want their picture taken with your cell phone. That "baby bear" claws are weapons. You all are being JOKES with this animal crap. Someone is going to be killed or hurt. I agree that KDKA reporting of people taking pictures and getting close is wrong. Others will do this same.
Dear Hunter,
You must have been born and raised in a bubble, or "the bubble". 8:03 am didn't suggest that residents take pictures of the black bears, although there are many safe ways to do so. Further, 8:03 did not suggest attempting to approach, hug, or adopt yearling black bears. No one is going to get killed or hurt. Retreat now into your nature-less cocoon and all will be fine for you.
From,
Gatherer
Elaine I'm on my break and checked to see if there was any news on last night meeting and saw the post on the KDKA bear sighting report. Please inform everyone that bears are dangerous even little ones. They come well equiped to defend themselves and to hunt. Yes bears eat meat! The black bear population is growing in PA and it is a given that more will be seen in this area. If you see one please stay away and keep the kids away too. Call the police who will call the Game Commission. Please do not call the zoo! They will trap the bear and return it to a safer location. And please don't feed the bear. That could cause the bear in the end to be shot.
I'm glad that people are shifting their focus to the Shaler black bear; I was getting a little concerned and unhappy that people stayed away in droves from last night's meeting. With only three people making comment about the proposal to eliminate the super majority, I'm suspecting that the Commission has pretty much decided it can do as it pleases: THE PUBLIC MUST BE ASLEEP!
Maybe someone is putting something in our local drinking water system that is causing this nearly-universal apathy. (I use a Britta pitcher and attend--and speak at--every meeting.) Anyway, I thought that's what concerned (and responsible) citizens do. Color me BEWILDERED!
Oh, and for all of you who weren't there, there was a lot of other amazing stuff discussed. My personal favorite is that Mt. Lebanon needs more "green space" areas to help with the storm water run-off. It will be costly to create these areas, especially in a densely-populated area, but that's what we need and it's the right thing to do. ISN'T THAT WHAT NATURAL GRASS FIELDS ARE FOR???
YOU KNOW, EVERYONE, WE CAN'T EXPECT ELAINE TO DO ALL THE WATCHING AND ALL THE THINKING FOR THE REST OF US. WAS THE T.V.LINE-UP SO EXCITING LAST NIGHT THAT FOLKS JUST COULDN'T TEAR THEMSELVES AWAY TO GIVE A RAT'S BEHIND WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY? SAD...AND DISAPPOINTING.
Hey. So, the commissioners said that it will be costly to create green spaces in such a "densely-populated area?"
At least they are acknowledging that our community is densely-populated. Maybe they will find a way to connect the high population density to why this community cannot have weapons firing within its borders.
Hunter 3:28 and Pat 3:42.
This is idiot at 8:30 am responding. I've hunted black bear in Pa and in the wilds of Canada for many years, and I've studied black bears and black bear behavior for the last 25 years. Your comments demonstrate your ignorance of black bear behavior, and perpetrate the typical misconceptions about black bears. I would encourage both of you to go to Dr. Lynn Rogers', North American Bear Center, and read up on the true facts about black bears.
http://www.bear.org/website/introduction-from-dr-lynn-rogers.html
Dr. Lynn Rogers is a wildlife biologist and the black bear expert in the United States.
6:03 I agree that there is significant apathy in Mt Lebanon and this region but there are some people here that are already fighting with Mt Lebanon about other issues. Perhaps, they can only fight one battle at a time? Also, I know from talking to residents that a lot of folks have a serious story to share about something (or things) they fought for in a serious way. Some of these really great people have other things on the front burner right now. I only say this to illustrate that grouping everyone into one category of apathetic doesn't really capture what I think is the real story.
Now we have a black bear doctor inserted into the deer debate.
9:35 PM, I would be happy to post those serious stories. Send them to me in an email and let me know how you want me to share them - either with your name or anonymously.
Elaine
I attended every Commission Meeting and took the podium when I was so hoarse from chemotherapy that I could hardly be heard (while working two jobs!), so I don't want to hear that people have other things going on. I cannot reconcile the huge number of people who make impassioned comments concerning significant issues pending before our Commission with the pitifully poor turn-out when these issues are actually being discussed with us, "the public"--except to come to the conclusion that people love to complain and hate to inconvenience themselves at the same time. I have lived my life mindful that people have bled and died to make certain that we can live as citizens in a free country, and I am frankly appalled to see the ease with which we can lose it all. A famous poet once wrote, "This is the way the world ends. This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper." We aren't that far from losing any influence we might have had because of the pervasive complacency that people wear like a shroud. I used to wonder why the Commission functions like such an imperious and untouchable body. As I watch them make decision after decision that people are not happy with, without challenge by the governed, I realize that WE THE PEOPLE are telling them they are free to do as they damn well please. IF THIS ISN'T APATHY, MY VOCABULARY FAILS ME. WE'RE CAPABLE OF SO MUCH MORE--
This is 9:00 PM again. I just wanted to better clarify my last comment about black bears.
The reason I initially posted the KDKA news coverage demonizing and sensationalizing this small black bear yearling sighting, was because it's just another example of KDKA demonizing and sensationalizing wildlife sightings and incidents like the earlier dog-deer incident as headline news. That was the point.
I said that I had hunted black bear, and that is true. However, I don't hunt them any more. I had an epiphany, and instead of hunting black bear, I now work to protect them from trophy hunters, and kill for thrill hunters. They are truly remarkable animals, and just want to be left alone to raise their families and live life in peace, just like us.
KDKA aired a story, maybe two nights ago, featuring Dr. Maria Simbra (whose twin is "Boots the Monkey" from the hit kids' show, "Dora."). Lyme Disease was the focus of the piece, and as soon as the stock footage started rolling to display how ticks get around, they showed a picture of a White Tailed Deer. People do not contract Lyme disease from deer.
Another BAD news day at KDKA-TV.
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