No photos, but it was reported to Public Works. Very disturbing.
Please report these incidents to 911.
Update October 1, 2015 1:20 PM Some very sick humor on WDVE's Facebook page.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Another incident UPDATED
At 6:00 AM this morning, a dog walker saw a dead deer covered with a bloody tarp and partially on the sidewalk in front of 318 Hazel Drive. A deer was seen across the street, pacing back and forth. A truck was parked with nobody in it. By 8:00 AM, when the observer left for work, the dead deer had been removed, but the bloody tarp remained.
No photos, but it was reported to Public Works. Very disturbing.
Please report these incidents to 911.
Update October 1, 2015 1:20 PM Some very sick humor on WDVE's Facebook page.
No photos, but it was reported to Public Works. Very disturbing.
Please report these incidents to 911.
Update October 1, 2015 1:20 PM Some very sick humor on WDVE's Facebook page.
Tony's got it covered
Dr. Tony DeNicola is one-stop shopping. He does it all. Archery, sharp shooting, and sterilization. You name it - Tony's your man.
Tony's company, White Buffalo, was the only company to submit a proposal for sharp shooting by 10:00 AM yesterday morning.
White Buffalo, the firm who is coordinating the archers in Mt. Lebanon, won't release the number of kills until the end of January.
“If I start announcing numbers, it causes problems. I wait until the end of the season,” Maddock said on Monday. [Problems for whom?]
"killing an African lion as displayed on the web site of a New York taxidermist.Read more: Mt. Lebanon considers sharpshooters to help thin deer herd
Maddock said he killed the lion in a legal archery hunt in South Africa. 'There's no there there,' he said."
Read more:
Mt. Lebanon still mulling sharpshooting program to reduce deer population
Mt. Lebanon could add sharpshooting to deer management
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Jody, Jodi, Joe D. UPDATED
For the record: Cary Grant never said, "Judy, Judy, Judy."
What is the density in these areas? Zero? Just like Mt. Lebanon - 5,500 people per square mile.
Update September 28, 2015 10:02 PM The deadline for the RFP for sharpshooting was 10:00 AM this morning. Mt. Lebanon only heard from one firm. Guess who? White Buffalo. sigh. Coleen Vuono wanted to vote tonight on sharpshooting. Of course.
Update September 28, 2015 10:02 PM The deadline for the RFP for sharpshooting was 10:00 AM this morning. Mt. Lebanon only heard from one firm. Guess who? White Buffalo. sigh. Coleen Vuono wanted to vote tonight on sharpshooting. Of course.
Botched up archery attempt UPDATED
I was dreading this. I just got a call from a deer supporter, wondering what to do. The couple happened to be looking at a vacant house on Ridgeview Drive, near Eisenhower, very close to the Conservation District. A doe was "resting" in the back yard with a large gash in its back.
The caller didn't know what to do. I suggested that they call 911, which they did. The caller also reported that there were no "Not In My Yard" signs in the area.
Keep in mind that today is Sunday. There was no hunting yesterday or today. That deer had to be hit Friday or earlier.
Update September 28, 2015 1:29 PM Two more unrelated incidents have also occurred in Mt. Lebanon, as a result of the archery hunt. There was a car accident on Washington Road involving an injured deer, while the other occurred in Steve Silverman’s ward. Details are sketchy. All in the first week of archery season.
The caller didn't know what to do. I suggested that they call 911, which they did. The caller also reported that there were no "Not In My Yard" signs in the area.
Keep in mind that today is Sunday. There was no hunting yesterday or today. That deer had to be hit Friday or earlier.
Update September 28, 2015 1:29 PM Two more unrelated incidents have also occurred in Mt. Lebanon, as a result of the archery hunt. There was a car accident on Washington Road involving an injured deer, while the other occurred in Steve Silverman’s ward. Details are sketchy. All in the first week of archery season.
Saturday, September 26, 2015
The Lion King UPDATED
Please click the hyperlink below. And to think that our local government has placed us in the hands of Jody Maddock. Disgusting.
Update September 27, 2015 11:36 AM My guess is that this lion is on display on campus. https://twitter.com/BrynAthynLions
Mt. Lebanon's outstanding debt is now $36.2 million
****
Rating Action:
Moody's assigns Aa2 to Mt. Lebanon, PA's $10M GO Bonds, Series of 2015
Global Credit Research - 25 Sep 2015
Aa2 applies to $36.2M outstanding GO debt
New York, September 25, 2015 --
Moody's Rating
Issue: General Obligation Bonds, Refunding Series of 2015; Rating: Aa2; Sale Amount: $10,000,000; Expected Sale Date: 9/29/2015; Rating Description: General Obligation
OPINION
Moody's Investors Service assigns a Aa2 rating to Mt. Lebanon, PA's $10 million General Obligation Bonds, Refunding Series of 2015. Concurrently, Moody's has affirmed the Aa2 rating affecting $36.2 million in outstanding General Obligation debt.
SUMMARY RATING RATIONALE
The Aa2 rating reflects the municipality's moderately-sized and affluent tax base in suburban Pittsburgh (A1 positive); stable but below average financial position; and modest debt burden.
OUTLOOK
Outlooks are not usually assigned to local government credits with this amount of debt outstanding.
WHAT COULD MAKE THE RATING GO UP
• Increases in fund balance to levels more consistent with higher rating categories
• Continued tax base growth
WHAT COULD MAKE THE RATING GO DOWN
• Additional declines in General Fund balance
• Reversal of recent favorable income tax trend
• Sizeable tax base contraction and weakening of demographic profile
• Significant increase in General Fund supported debt that could further limit financial flexibility
OBLIGOR PROFILE
Mt. Lebanon is located in western Pennsylvania, just outside of Pittsburgh, and has a population of 33,137 (2010 US Census).
LEGAL SECURITY
The bonds are secured by the municipality's general obligation, unlimited tax pledge.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Proceeds from the current issue will be used to partially refund the Series 2010A and Series 2010B bonds for an estimated net present value savings of $439,115, or 4.5% of refunded principal, with no extension of maturity.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Scott Township is p!$$ed! UPDATED
I got a call tonight from someone who attended the Scott Township meeting. Scott Commissioners couldn't wait to go into Executive Session to discuss what course of action they will be taking next over Twin Hills.
Update September 23, 2015 9:12 AM A draft of the agreement which sets forth their mutual understanding as to responsibility of the maintenance of Twin Hills and its police and fire protection, was never executed.
From what I understand, the Scott Township Police Chief, Manager, and Commissioners wanted to meet with their Mt. Lebanon counterparts, but their manager was unavailable and asked Mt. Lebanon to delay hunting in Twin Hills until after they met. Mt. Lebanon would not wait. Scott Township is really pissed!
Scott Township is challenging Mt. Lebanon's position on Twin Hills being open to police only. It is a public park, so if hunting is done by some, it can be done by anyone. Mt. Lebanon is acting like Twin Hills is privately owned, but the Scott Township commissioners aren't buying it.
A commissioner asked for a "Not In My Yard" sign tonight. I am hoping to get a podcast of the meeting. The link to the Lebo Citizen podcasts are here. Click here if your browser is not compatible with the website.
This is going to get really ugly.
This is going to get really ugly.
 |
| Another shipment arrived today. |
The Daily Arch blog
Stephen Arch is a local Moon Township blogger. In his Growing Up Catholic series, Arch wrote, Mt. Lebanon Is At It Again: Didn't They Learn Enough The Last Time? Or, Do They Just Like Spending Tax Dollars On Frivolity? Or, Do They Just Hate Deer?
Arch's essay is brilliant. Even though it is from June 26, 2015, Stephen Arch nailed it.
As I said, just as I was thinking of what next to write about, along comes the local Pittsburgh Tribune Review presenting me with a story that falls right into my hands. If I wait long enough, the stories write themselves, and along, again, come the Mt. Lebanon deer people. What else will entertain us more throughout the summer? More commissioner's meetings, more protests, more arguments, more angry people being thrown out of Mt. Lebo town meetings. The play is ready to be written, the actors ready for the stage, the producers (Mt. Lebanon politicians) have the means and the wherewithal to entertain the entire region. My bet is that this play runs the entire summer and into the fall. Which is, of course, deer hunting season. (And don't forget about those darn turkeys when you are done with the deer).I wanted to reprint the whole thing because it is THAT good. Here is another gem:
I can see it now. Driving through Mt. Lebanon. House after house, backyard after backyard, with deer stands and elevated platforms, maybe even on some house's roofs (or "rooves" as some Mt. Lebanon residents may prefer - the older, more formalized English way of pluralizing the roof). That would be a site. Kids walking to school (remember, no school buses in Mt. Lebanon) past orange clad archers with bows and arrows (or sharpshooters with high powered rifles with silencers). Maybe they wouldn't be wearing orange. Don't want to make it too conspicuous, do we?PLEASE check out The Daily Arch. It is priceless.
Don't you want to know?
Commissioners,
How can you wait until the end of January to find out if the plan is successful? Aren't you the least bit curious? Merlin Benner provided daily reports. You issued weekly reports to the public. Now, you are content waiting 4.5 months for a fatality count. Could it be that since you turned Mt. Lebanon into a hunter's Paradise, that you have no idea how many are being killed? The PG's John Hayes and White Buffalo's Jody Maddock (you wouldn't admit that on June 22, 2015) have turned Mt. Lebanon into a free for all. You lost all control.
You are going to be voting next month on hiring "Bubba with a gun." You have admitted that you do not know how many deer we have. You are relying on the contractor's estimates. You don't know how many deer are being killed. You won't know until the end of January whether the current plan worked! How can you vote on spending $100,000 to kill deer when you don't even know how many deer are living and how many deer are dead? Is that how you spend our money?
Now, you are taking the Steve Silverman approach to governing. Run out of the commission chambers, slamming the door behind you, and duck down the steps and out of the building to avoid constituents. You have reached a new low.
I don't expect a response from this email either. What a way to serve your community.
Elaine Gillen
Read more: Mt. Lebanon officials mum on deer-killing project
How can you wait until the end of January to find out if the plan is successful? Aren't you the least bit curious? Merlin Benner provided daily reports. You issued weekly reports to the public. Now, you are content waiting 4.5 months for a fatality count. Could it be that since you turned Mt. Lebanon into a hunter's Paradise, that you have no idea how many are being killed? The PG's John Hayes and White Buffalo's Jody Maddock (you wouldn't admit that on June 22, 2015) have turned Mt. Lebanon into a free for all. You lost all control.
You are going to be voting next month on hiring "Bubba with a gun." You have admitted that you do not know how many deer we have. You are relying on the contractor's estimates. You don't know how many deer are being killed. You won't know until the end of January whether the current plan worked! How can you vote on spending $100,000 to kill deer when you don't even know how many deer are living and how many deer are dead? Is that how you spend our money?
Now, you are taking the Steve Silverman approach to governing. Run out of the commission chambers, slamming the door behind you, and duck down the steps and out of the building to avoid constituents. You have reached a new low.
I don't expect a response from this email either. What a way to serve your community.
Elaine Gillen
"Three days into their latest deer-killing plan, Mt. Lebanon officials say they will wait four months before releasing information about how it's working.
Keith McGill, municipal planner in Mt. Lebanon, says he does not know whether any deer have been killed in the archery hunt, which started Saturday.
“Nor do I expect to receive (a report) prior to the end of the program (Jan. 23). I do not have the information,” he said
Sent to the commissioners, Steve Feller, Keith McGill, and Phi Weis on September 22, 2015 at 7:02 AM.
Monday, September 21, 2015
A disturbing admission UPDATED
I have been trying to catch up on all my emails and found this very disturbing admission.
On Wed, Sep 16, 2015 at 6:49 PM, Mt. Lebanon Deer Program <mtlebodeer@whitebuffaloinc.org> wrote:
Update September 21, 2015 10:09 AM What could possibly go wrong? A Lebo Citizens reader discovered a camper on private property near the golf course, while on a search for tree stands last night. The young man was unaware of any archery activities that were going to begin this morning. The Lebo Citizen reader reported this discovery to the police last night. As of this morning, the camper was still there.
[Name redacted]
Thanks for reaching out. I am happy to let you know that Chris Double is not one of our program hunters. We are starting with a very small group this year and there are more hunters who already hunt the township than we have in our program. We have no control over the hunting that is already legally taking place within the township.Please let me know if I can help in any way.Best,Vickie DeNicola
Update September 21, 2015 10:09 AM What could possibly go wrong? A Lebo Citizens reader discovered a camper on private property near the golf course, while on a search for tree stands last night. The young man was unaware of any archery activities that were going to begin this morning. The Lebo Citizen reader reported this discovery to the police last night. As of this morning, the camper was still there.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
No numbers released. No calls returned. Nothing in school newsletter.
Nothing from the Municipality:
Mt. Lebanon deer culling begins; no numbers released
By David Conti and Mike Wereschagin
A public effort to reduce Mt. Lebanon's deer population got off to a quiet start Saturday, with the municipality and the private company overseeing the hunt offering few details.
Connecticut-based White Buffalo Inc., which is overseeing the hunt's archers and secured rights to hunt on private property, did not respond to phone calls. Mt. Lebanon spokeswoman Susan Morgans said she did not know whether the archers killed any deer.
The town tried culling deer last winter by luring them into corrals and shooting them, but protesters sprayed deer repellent around the corrals. Six deer were killed.
Mt. Lebanon and White Buffalo officials won't say on which private properties the archers hunted Saturday.
Jason Margolis, a resident opposed to the deer control project, said that's a safety concern.
“It's just a matter of time until a wounded deer will run out into traffic or in front of children,” he said.
Allegheny County 911 dispatchers said they had no reports of injuries connected to the hunt. Hunting will continue daily, except for Sundays, until Jan. 31, but Morgans said the municipality will not issue daily reports.
“They just want to make it go away. They want to keep it quiet, keep it hidden,” Margolis said.
Archers are scheduled to begin targeting deer in municipal parks Monday.
Unfortunately, I cannot reprint the newsletter.
Mt. Lebanon deer culling begins; no numbers released
By David Conti and Mike Wereschagin
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, 6:12 p.m.
Connecticut-based White Buffalo Inc., which is overseeing the hunt's archers and secured rights to hunt on private property, did not respond to phone calls. Mt. Lebanon spokeswoman Susan Morgans said she did not know whether the archers killed any deer.
The town tried culling deer last winter by luring them into corrals and shooting them, but protesters sprayed deer repellent around the corrals. Six deer were killed.
Mt. Lebanon and White Buffalo officials won't say on which private properties the archers hunted Saturday.
Jason Margolis, a resident opposed to the deer control project, said that's a safety concern.
“It's just a matter of time until a wounded deer will run out into traffic or in front of children,” he said.
Allegheny County 911 dispatchers said they had no reports of injuries connected to the hunt. Hunting will continue daily, except for Sundays, until Jan. 31, but Morgans said the municipality will not issue daily reports.
“They just want to make it go away. They want to keep it quiet, keep it hidden,” Margolis said.
Archers are scheduled to begin targeting deer in municipal parks Monday.
****************
Nothing mentioned about killing deer in the Mellon PTA newsletter:
From: Mellon Middle School PTA Newsletter [mailto:ljschrott5@mtlsd.ccsend.com] On Behalf Of Mellon Middle School PTA Newsletter
Sent: Sunday, September 20, 2015 4:01 PM
To: Mellon PTA Parent
Subject: Mellon Memo 9/20/15 [MTLPTA]
Sent: Sunday, September 20, 2015 4:01 PM
To: Mellon PTA Parent
Subject: Mellon Memo 9/20/15 [MTLPTA]
We don't want to give the wrong impression... Correction and UPDATE
We have goats, donkeys, and deer in Bird Park. This is what is posted along Washington Road:
There are two of these signs posted in the Beadling parking lot:
We're cool and progressive looking on Washington Road, but we're down and dirty on Beadling. I get it.
Correction September 20, 2015 2:36 PM "Elaine—I am sorry if my notes re: the Bird park photos were not clear. There are no signs about hunting or goats on Washington. The only signs on Wash. are the ones that have been there forever. The goat signs are in at one of the entrances to Bird Park in the Beadling Parking Lot. Washington Road remains pure."
Update September 20, 2015 4:34 PM Goats in Bird Park
Friday, September 18, 2015
Latest Lebo ALERT
From: LeboALERT
To: EGillen476
Subject: LeboALERT: Deer management arch...
Date: Fri, Sep 18, 2015 4:49 pm
It should have said "We're sorry, but it is no longer safe for you to leave your house."
To: EGillen476
Subject: LeboALERT: Deer management arch...
Date: Fri, Sep 18, 2015 4:49 pm
This is an important notice from LeboALERT. Deer management archery program begins tomorrow (Sat.) on designated private properties. Read FAQs at www.mtlebanon.org.
It should have said "We're sorry, but it is no longer safe for you to leave your house."
My mind is at ease. Not! UPDATED
Good news! Someone posted this sign at the entrance to the park next to my house. It is right under the "No Dogs Allowed In Park" sign which everyone ignores.
Update September 18, 2015 4:17 PM Signs at public parks and golf course:
 |
| McNeilly Park |
 |
| McNeilly Park |
 |
| Golf Course |
 |
| Golf Course |
 |
| Golf Course |
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Ha! Yeah, right John Bendel
"Commissioner John Bendel said officials want to know residents' opinions. “If you find an ordinance you disagree with, that's what we need to hear,” he said, adding small group meetings will be held in the neighborhood." That line of crap was fed to the Trib's Rick Wills in Residents in Mt. Lebanon neighborhood oppose historic district status.
The Mt. Lebanon Historic Preservation Board spent $25,000 that our commissioners allocated on a preservation design guide for Virginia Manor. You may recall how this same board wanted to spend $140,000 more for bricks on Rae Avenue, in order to preserve the integrity of the neighborhood, while looking the other way while the Commission spent $800,000 to destroy the integrity of our historic fields, one of the last green spaces in Mt. Lebanon. Bendel on historic preservation
The Mt. Lebanon Historic Preservation Board spent $25,000 that our commissioners allocated on a preservation design guide for Virginia Manor. You may recall how this same board wanted to spend $140,000 more for bricks on Rae Avenue, in order to preserve the integrity of the neighborhood, while looking the other way while the Commission spent $800,000 to destroy the integrity of our historic fields, one of the last green spaces in Mt. Lebanon. Bendel on historic preservation
PA Code, Chapter 447, Hazardous Walking Routes UPDATED - Timmy has spoken
I know that parents are outraged over the archery that will take place starting this Saturday and will end late January 2016. Steve Feller's letter to Tim Steinhauer states:
September 17, 2015 6:31 PM From John Bendel at 6:05 PM: "Our public works department will be putting signs up tomorrow. First, in the public areas where hunting is permitted and then in the other parks where hunting is not."
From the Mt. Lebanon website: Deer Management Update (September 17, 2015)
At a public meeting on September 8, 2015, the Mt. Lebanon Commission authorized a Deer Management Program archery management program. For additional information please read our Frequently Asked Questions related to deer management. Also available for review is the notification sent to the School District regarding Deer Management.
September 18, 2015 5:18 PM Timmy has spoken.
Update September 18, 2015 5:37 PM Further correspondence from an angry parent in response to Timmy's letter.
No hunting will take place on school safe-walking routes. Only police officers certified for the program will hunt on public property.And then goes on to say:
Several groups of private properties will be used for hunting. Theses properties were thoroughly vetted, and hunters will follow the rules of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.Are the private properties on school safe-walking routes? Parents ask, "How is this permitted?" Well, it's not. Please Google PA Code, Chapter 447, Hazardous Walking Routes.
I maintain that every street in Mt. Lebanon has been charted on safe walking routes. (You have to be able to get from here to there.)
From the School District website:
The Mt. Lebanon School District is a walking school district. Student safe walking awareness is reviewed annually with the assistance of the Mt. Lebanon Police Department (MLPD). In addition to reinforcing safe walking rules with students at the beginning of the school year, the MLPD has established Safe Walking Routes for each elementary school. Please review these routes with your child throughout the school year.
Safe Walking Routes
The Municipality of Mt. Lebanon, along with the Mt. Lebanon Police Department and Juvenile Protection has formulated the following walking routes. These routes are recommended safe walking routes according to pedestrian and vehicle laws of the Commonwealth of PA. The walking routes are all encompassing not simply for routes to each elementary school. They were designed to be used 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These routes will show the safest area to walk on the street as well as the safest place to cross every street and crossing guard locations. The routes will take you to a signalized intersection with a stop sign or traffic signal making it easier to cross.
For students in elementary school, locate your school map and find your address. You may then follow the blue arrows to the school. The reverse would be done for walking home. For students in middle and high school, locate the elementary school map where you live and follow that towards your school and onto the next elementary school map where the middle or high school is located.
Because the maps are all encompassing for safety, all walking routes will follow a street or sidewalk. Pathways and cut through stairs have been eliminated as safe walking routes.
Foster Elementary School Walking Route |
Let’s first only review it for the purposes of the district’s safe walking routes in the context of the archery kill. (After a cursory review, I suspect that some of the MTSLD safe walking routes are in question, even without the deer kill.) Chapter 447 creates guidelines for determining if a school student walking route along a public highway (I think that means all thru streets) is hazardous. Now, the section specifically defines hazardous as an unsafe condition caused by “POTENTIAL incompatibility between vehicles and school students.” My contention is that a kid may want to walk to school on the other side of the street (against crosswalk regs) or may be expected to walk or run into the street once s/he discovers that the walking route is adjacent to a public or private killing site, or may run into the street if s/he sees an arrow fly or encounters a dead or dying deer on the safe walking route. All of those scenarios subject students to traffic perils.
A review/study of the safe walking routes WILL be conducted ONLY IF requested by the school district. Chapter 447 of the PA Code states that “if changes occur in the condition of a walking route that was previously inspected, a re-evaluation of the route may be requested (again, only by the school district).
Dr. Steinhauer needs to be convinced that he should immediately request that the appropriate PA engineering district conduct a safe walking route analysis or reanalysis of the potential for kid/vehicle dangers caused by private and public archery hunting grounds in Mt. Lebanon, for a deer kill that will occur during the daylight, at least five days a week, for a period of over four months. Dr. Steinhauer will be required to send a copy of his request for the study to the municipality.
September 17, 2015 6:31 PM From John Bendel at 6:05 PM: "Our public works department will be putting signs up tomorrow. First, in the public areas where hunting is permitted and then in the other parks where hunting is not."
From the Mt. Lebanon website: Deer Management Update (September 17, 2015)
At a public meeting on September 8, 2015, the Mt. Lebanon Commission authorized a Deer Management Program archery management program. For additional information please read our Frequently Asked Questions related to deer management. Also available for review is the notification sent to the School District regarding Deer Management.
September 18, 2015 5:18 PM Timmy has spoken.
From: Dr. Timothy Steinhauer <TSteinhauer@mtlsd.net>
Sent: Friday, September 18, 2015 4:11 PM
To:
Cc: 'Stephen Feller'
Sent: Friday, September 18, 2015 4:11 PM
To:
Cc: 'Stephen Feller'
Dear
The School District and Municipality share the same priority for student safety. I have discussed safe student travel to and from school with the Municipal Manager and Chief of Police. I was assured that hunters would adhere to the rules established by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the hunters were aware of the safe-walking routes. In Mr. Feller’s letter he stated that no hunting would take place on school safe-walking routes. For your information, safe-walking routes are provided by the MLPD and are posted at http://www.mtlsd.org/parents/safewalkingroutes.asp The precautions hunters will be taking while hunting on public property were noted in his letter.
All of the parents, principals, faculty, and staff were alerted to this upcoming event. In addition to the school’s role, parents always play an important part in directing his/her child to practice safe behavior when walking to and from school.
For questions about the specifics of the deer management program, you may contact the municipality’s Keith McGill at 412-343-3684, kmcgill@mtlebanon.org. For immediate safety concerns you should call 911.
Timothy J. Steinhauer, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Mt. Lebanon School District
412-344-2076
Update September 18, 2015 5:37 PM Further correspondence from an angry parent in response to Timmy's letter.
From:
Sent: Friday, September 18, 2015 4:19 PM
To: 'Dr. Timothy Steinhauer' <TSteinhauer@mtlsd.net>
Cc: 'sfeller@mtlebanon.org' <sfeller@mtlebanon.org>
Subject: RE: Deer Killing During School Hours
Sent: Friday, September 18, 2015 4:19 PM
To: 'Dr. Timothy Steinhauer' <TSteinhauer@mtlsd.net>
Cc: 'sfeller@mtlebanon.org' <sfeller@mtlebanon.org>
Subject: RE: Deer Killing During School Hours
Tim---
It appears from your email that you and the muni do share the same view of student safety. That’s too bad for our school kids.
You may want to take a look at the Pa Code, Chapter 447. Hazardous Walking Routes. It is part of PA school law. I already know of certain streets where the archery hunt will directly conflict with the safe-walking routes. Steve Feller knows those streets, as well.
Angry parent
From: Angry parent
Sent: Friday, September 18, 2015 5:25 PM
To: 'Dr. Timothy Steinhauer' <TSteinhauer@mtlsd.net>
Cc: 'sfeller@mtlebanon.org' <sfeller@mtlebanon.org>
Subject: RE: Deer Killing During School Hours
Sent: Friday, September 18, 2015 5:25 PM
To: 'Dr. Timothy Steinhauer' <TSteinhauer@mtlsd.net>
Cc: 'sfeller@mtlebanon.org' <sfeller@mtlebanon.org>
Subject: RE: Deer Killing During School Hours
One more thing, Tim. I realize the role that parents play in the kids’ safety. Obviously. I wouldn’t be making a big stink here if I didn’t. Your statement below about the parents’ role in safety tells me that you do not have a grasp of a crucial issue. The municipality, with whom you share a safety bond, is unlawfully withholding the locations of the private properties on which our tax dollars are paying for the muni to kill deer with crossbows.
Perhaps you can tell me how I can direct my child to practice safe behavior when I do not know the locations at which he will be in heightened peril. I’m at a loss.
Thank you.
Angry parent
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Shame on Timmy UPDATED
This email just came out from our overpaid superintendent, Dr. Timothy Steinhauer. He is so wrong. First, it isn't a cull, it is a hunt. Because it is a legal archery hunt, the Municipality did not have to get permission from the PA Game Commission. I'm told that parents are just sickened by this. They are worried about their children's safety. Timmy mentions nothing about safe walking routes.
I placed a third order, and already half of the order is reserved. I am down to 15 yard signs. They are going quickly. Please remember to email the commissioners at commission@mtlebanon.org and copy the school district at schoolboard@mtlsd.net. Let them know that you have a "Not In My Yard" sign and are opposed to the archery plan. It starts this Saturday.
Update September 16, 2015 6:20 PM Also planned for this Saturday is Mt. Lebanon Public Safety Day which will be held in Bethel Park, at Bethel Park High School. What is wrong with this picture? [Hint: See above]
Public Safety Fun Day set for Sept. 19
From: "Dr. Timothy Steinhauer" < noreply@mtlsd.net>
Date: September 16, 2015 at 3:31:14 PM EDT
To: Mt. Lebanon Parents
Subject: Municipal Letter Concerning Deer Culling
Reply-To: "Dr. Timothy Steinhauer" < noreply@mtlsd.net>
Dear Mt. Lebanon Parents,
The Mt. Lebanon Municipality received permission from the Pennsylvania Game Commission to proceed with the deer cull. They have asked us to share the attached letter with you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Timothy Steinhauer
Superintendent of Schools
Letter from Municipality
MTLSD DISCLAIMER: THIS TRANSMISSION IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE ADDRESSEE AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL, AND EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. IF YOU ARE NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, OR THE EMPLOYEE OR AGENT RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING THE MESSAGE TO THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT ANY DISSEMINATION, RETENTION, DISTRIBUTION, OR COPYING OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS COMMUNICATION IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SENDER IMMEDIATELY.
I placed a third order, and already half of the order is reserved. I am down to 15 yard signs. They are going quickly. Please remember to email the commissioners at commission@mtlebanon.org and copy the school district at schoolboard@mtlsd.net. Let them know that you have a "Not In My Yard" sign and are opposed to the archery plan. It starts this Saturday.
Update September 16, 2015 6:20 PM Also planned for this Saturday is Mt. Lebanon Public Safety Day which will be held in Bethel Park, at Bethel Park High School. What is wrong with this picture? [Hint: See above]
Kristen Tullo on Twitter
Kristen Tullo is from the Humane Society of U.S. Remember her from this photo?
This is on her Twitter feed today, September 16, 2015.
It looks like Whitehall might be competing for the sterilization program.
- Mt. Lebanon residents encouraged to contact Commissioners in support of archery & ask they re-consider non-lethal: http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/09/16/Culling-via-archery-will-mean-torture-for-deer-in-Mt-Lebanon/stories/201509160112 …
Kristen TulloTuesday, September 15, 2015
Need an archer? Call Chris UPDATED
So much for paying Jody Maddock/Anthony DeNicola/White Buffalo $15,460 to screen archers. Chris can do it for free. Ugh.
Chris' Downloadable Permission Form
Update September 18, 2015 9:49 PM Barbara's email as referenced in her 8:50 PM comment:
From: Barbara
Date: Wed, Sep 16, 2015 at 5:21 PM
Subject: archer soliciting un-trained resident hunters
To: commission@mtlebanon.org, mtlebodeer@whitebuffaloinc.org, alauth@mtlebanon.org, Stephen Feller < sfeller@mtlebanon.org>
 |
| http://doubledroptine.com/deer-hunts/printable-permission-form-for-mt-lebanon-deer-hunting/ |
Chris' Downloadable Permission Form
Update September 18, 2015 9:49 PM Barbara's email as referenced in her 8:50 PM comment:
From: Barbara
Date: Wed, Sep 16, 2015 at 5:21 PM
Subject: archer soliciting un-trained resident hunters
To: commission@mtlebanon.org, mtlebodeer@whitebuffaloinc.org, alauth@mtlebanon.org, Stephen Feller < sfeller@mtlebanon.org>
Monday, September 14, 2015
Get your crayons out, Boys and Girls
This is an interesting exercise. Print out the Mt. Lebanon map and color in these areas.
Mt. Lebanon Golf Course
The Conservation District on Connor Road
Public Works
Robb Hollow Park
Twin Hills Park
McNeilly Park
You will notice that all these locations are on the perimeter of our municipality and border on Castle Shannon, Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair, Scott Township, and Brookline/Baldwin Township.
How does this reduce deer/vehicle collisions; property destruction; and nuisance complaints in Mt. Lebanon? This makes it all the more imperative that the commissioners disclose the locations of the private properties. They must be in the heart of Mt. Lebanon.
Mt. Lebanon Golf Course
The Conservation District on Connor Road
Public Works
Robb Hollow Park
Twin Hills Park
McNeilly Park
You will notice that all these locations are on the perimeter of our municipality and border on Castle Shannon, Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair, Scott Township, and Brookline/Baldwin Township.
How does this reduce deer/vehicle collisions; property destruction; and nuisance complaints in Mt. Lebanon? This makes it all the more imperative that the commissioners disclose the locations of the private properties. They must be in the heart of Mt. Lebanon.
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Another unexpected visitor
Mt. Lebanon Police just left my home. I had another unexpected visitor come to my door. I think this letter to the commissioners and Chief Lauth is self explanatory.
Commissioners and Chief Lauth,
A followup call from the police...Mr. Kramer has been warned not to come to my house again or he will be arrested for trespassing. The officer told me that Mr. Kramer understood, apologized, and realized that he probably should not have come over.
Commissioners and Chief Lauth,
Joe Kramer from 327 Sleepy Hollow Rd. just rang my doorbell and asked me very politely to mind my own business concerning block parties on Sleepy Hollow. His wife is an attorney and understands that there is something on the books pertaining to block parties on Sleepy Hollow, but the children in his neighborhood relish the two block parties that they have during the year. He also parks his car in the street as a form of traffic calming and particularly enjoys having his section of Sleepy Hollow blocked off because the cars race by all the time. He asked me to back off and concentrate on other issues. He will not tell me who told him. I said that I feel very uncomfortable with him coming to my door and asking me to back off. He said that he will not come by again.
I said that this is another example of you coming up with ordinances and you never enforce them. Instead of coming to me, he should contact his commissioner, Dave Brumfield, and ask that this be taken off the books. I told him how you don't enforce dogs in the park (and there was a dog in Rockwood Park), you don't enforce the speed limits, you don't enforce the deer feeding ban, in addition to illegal block parties, and now you want to ban smoking in the parks.
Since Mr. Kramer, from 327 Sleepy Hollow, came to my house unannounced and refused to say where he heard about this, I can assume that... you...told Mr. Kramer about my email to you yesterday...I don't appreciate you sharing the information with him. I am especially upset since you are protecting the private property owners and hunters who are involved with the archery program. Mt. Lebanon residents are really concerned that you will not disclose these locations, citing in my latest Right To Know:
Aren't you doing exactly that to me? A man came to my door unannounced asking me to mind my own business. I have called 911 and an officer is on his way to speak with me.
Elaine Gillen
I have our commissioners to thank for all of this.
Gearing up for the killing UPDATED
John Hayes certainly is. I can almost see the drool dripping down my laptop display as I read his latest article, For early season archery, use pre-rut tactics.
With the killing set to start in five days, I am prepared to post safety-related incidents that occur as a result of the archers and/or sharpshooters. If anyone has pictures or videos and specifics, email me at EGillen476@aol.com and I will upload them to this blog. If there are any descriptions, they can be submitted as a comment. People have volunteered to photograph tree stands. Thank you! All I have to do is give them the location. Those will also be added here. I will start my own archery incident report and pray that I have nothing to post.
Yard signs requests have not diminished. Considering that this will continue until the end of January, I see myself reordering yard signs again and again. The commissioners are the problem. They can also be the solution.
Update September 15, 2015 9:58 AM The archers are permitted to hunt 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Want a sunrise/sunset time timetable by date? Click here. Sunset on Halloween is 6:18 PM. That means that archers will be hunting on private property up until 6:48 PM on Halloween. Trick or Treat starts at 6 PM.
With the killing set to start in five days, I am prepared to post safety-related incidents that occur as a result of the archers and/or sharpshooters. If anyone has pictures or videos and specifics, email me at EGillen476@aol.com and I will upload them to this blog. If there are any descriptions, they can be submitted as a comment. People have volunteered to photograph tree stands. Thank you! All I have to do is give them the location. Those will also be added here. I will start my own archery incident report and pray that I have nothing to post.
Yard signs requests have not diminished. Considering that this will continue until the end of January, I see myself reordering yard signs again and again. The commissioners are the problem. They can also be the solution.
Update September 15, 2015 9:58 AM The archers are permitted to hunt 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Want a sunrise/sunset time timetable by date? Click here. Sunset on Halloween is 6:18 PM. That means that archers will be hunting on private property up until 6:48 PM on Halloween. Trick or Treat starts at 6 PM.
Friday, September 11, 2015
A bizarre email exchange
I received the strangest emails last night. I believe the sender thought he was sending an email anonymously, but hadn't realized that his name was attached to it.
At the September 8, 2015 Commission meeting, Wess Smith spoke during Citizen Comments at the 01:02:00 time stamp. He estimated the growth of the deer population in the next five years to be 3,200 deer. He had some crazy math going on. If Mr. Smith's numbers were correct, we should be tripping over deer since we had not done any killing since 2008.
I never heard back from Mr. Smith. Undoubtedly, Avon Drive will be hosting archers. I drive in that area frequently. Sadly, we will be seeing deer with arrows in them darting on to Mt. Lebanon Blvd. The archery will start a week from tomorrow. Stay safe, Mt. Lebanon.
At the September 8, 2015 Commission meeting, Wess Smith spoke during Citizen Comments at the 01:02:00 time stamp. He estimated the growth of the deer population in the next five years to be 3,200 deer. He had some crazy math going on. If Mr. Smith's numbers were correct, we should be tripping over deer since we had not done any killing since 2008.
I never heard back from Mr. Smith. Undoubtedly, Avon Drive will be hosting archers. I drive in that area frequently. Sadly, we will be seeing deer with arrows in them darting on to Mt. Lebanon Blvd. The archery will start a week from tomorrow. Stay safe, Mt. Lebanon.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Q and A about the Archery Program UPDATED 2X
A resident emailed the commissioners the following email. Commissioner Bendel asked Manager Steve Feller to respond to the questions. His answers are shown below in blue italics next to the question.
Commissioners,
Commissioners,
I am very concerned about the safety of our community's kids during this archery program. Can you tell me when/how the Commission is planning to disseminate details and safety information on the program to residents? Public hunting areas will be posted. Municipal officials will send LeboALERTs as needed. We will also include information in the October Mt. Lebanon Magazine and the website www.lebomag.com and give updates on www.mtlebanon.org in the newsflash section on the front page and on the deer management page. We will also notify school officials.
In the meantime, could you please address the following questions/clarifications or direct me to information already published that answers them?
1. What hours of the day will archers will be active? Hunting can take place from 30 minutes prior to sunrise to 30 minutes following sunset.
2. If the designated parks are M-F only, is that also the case for private properties? Hunting on private properties may also occur on Saturdays
3. If the parks have to post hunting notice signs to inform the public of the presence of hunters, are private residences also required to post a notice alerting pedestrians who are passing by/near the propert(ies) that are being hunted on? No
4. Please confirm that the safewalk walking routes posted/published by the police department for each school will be free of any archery activity during daylight hours, and will have at least the minimum buffer zone to parks or private properties that are allowing hunting. Hunters will abide by all laws pertaining to buffer zones. There will be no hunting on safe walking routes.
5. Please also confirm that the archers are aware of these walking routes. Yes. Hunters were given these maps as part of the orientation
6. Will there by any school-district driven e-blasts or anything like that sent out to all the parents of all the students regarding the archery program? I am concerned about the students who walk through the parks and/or get dropped off on streets that are near their schools but not necessarily part of the safewalk routes. The School District will be notified that archery hunting will be occurring. State law permits archery hunters to hunt during the archery season beginning September 19 through the last weekend in January, with a break for two weeks in December. The program involves legal archery hunting following all state game commission rules and requires no additional permits. Many other areas in the State are using legal archery programs including Allegheny County, Upper St. Clair, Bethel Park, Peters Township, South Park, and Fox Chapel.
*******
Shall we remind Steve Feller and the commissioners about the population density in those areas?
Update September 10, 2015 9:14 PM Here is an FYI for Mr. Feller. EVERY street is mapped out on safe walking routes. From the School District website:
Update September 10, 2015 9:14 PM Here is an FYI for Mr. Feller. EVERY street is mapped out on safe walking routes. From the School District website:
The Mt. Lebanon School District is a walking school district. Student safe walking awareness is reviewed annually with the assistance of the Mt. Lebanon Police Department (MLPD). In addition to reinforcing safe walking rules with students at the beginning of the school year, the MLPD has established Safe Walking Routes for each elementary school. Please review these routes with your child throughout the school year.
Safe Walking Routes
The Municipality of Mt. Lebanon, along with the Mt. Lebanon Police Department and Juvenile Protection has formulated the following walking routes. These routes are recommended safe walking routes according to pedestrian and vehicle laws of the Commonwealth of PA. The walking routes are all encompassing not simply for routes to each elementary school. They were designed to be used 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These routes will show the safest area to walk on the street as well as the safest place to cross every street and crossing guard locations. The routes will take you to a signalized intersection with a stop sign or traffic signal making it easier to cross.
For students in elementary school, locate your school map and find your address. You may then follow the blue arrows to the school. The reverse would be done for walking home. For students in middle and high school, locate the elementary school map where you live and follow that towards your school and onto the next elementary school map where the middle or high school is located.
Because the maps are all encompassing for safety, all walking routes will follow a street or sidewalk. Pathways and cut through stairs have been eliminated as safe walking routes.
Foster Elementary School Walking Route |
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