It is clear to me, finally. The structure is broken, and nothing good can come from it. The Commission is in over their heads -- and it's not completely their fault. With a $3.5K stipend, the work is compensated as no more than a minimal side job. So important decisions get deferred to the municipal staff who should be there to IMPLEMENT governmental decisions by elected official not SHAPE them. Those (staff) with the real power have no authorization to use it, and those with the authorization (the commission) do not have the time.
That said, nothing good will come of individuals within a broken system. MTL needs a mayor. An accountable mayor. Period. I cannot participate in this process anymore -- it's all spitting (or worse) in the wind.
Not to mention the $1100 we paid for breakfast at the Original Pancake House for the Public Information Office. I wonder if any family members attended?
I came to the same conclusion as Jason a while back when the Home Rule Charter underwent "revisions". Sadly, Mt Lebanon continues to elect a majority of "players" who keep the system going. If they weren't "players" in the beginning, they seem to morph into them as time goes on. Further, the longstanding employees build relationships with commissioners to suit their own needs.
BTW, I thought Nick's comment at the commission meeting highlighting when the decision was made to appeal Elaine's Open Records request illustrated the dysfunction and secrecy. The attorney said the manager can direct him but he refused to acknowledge that the manager takes direction from the commission and in this case, he did so without public notice and sunshine.
9:16, thanks for the mention. I was told by Brumfield that the discussion regarding Elaine's case took place on December 8th in executive session. During the commission meeting on December 8th, they failed to give specifics regarding the case, just saying "other legal issues" were discussed. I asked McGill about that and he said that because of attorney client privilege the issue couldn't be discussed...hogwash. And again on Tuesday, they failed to give specifics, violating sunshine laws again. I'm not trying to find out anything about Elaine's case, she fills us in on her own, I just want to see them follow the law as it is written and what they swore an oath to.
The sunshine law has been violated so many times it's embarrassing. Recently, the PIO took it upon themselves to spend $10,000 to fix the lebomag issues. That $10,000 was never discussed or disclosed at a public meeting, it only showed up on the administrative report.
The sunshine law was written to prevent secrecy, not encourage it.
Also, Jason. You are right. There is no government in Mt. Lebanon. Otherwise, we would not be looking at six straight months of yahoos running through our backyards and parks with legal weapons. No functional body would approve that. It's pure anarchy.
It is clear to me, finally. The structure is broken, and nothing good can come from it. The Commission is in over their heads -- and it's not completely their fault. With a $3.5K stipend, the work is compensated as no more than a minimal side job. So important decisions get deferred to the municipal staff who should be there to IMPLEMENT governmental decisions by elected official not SHAPE them. Those (staff) with the real power have no authorization to use it, and those with the authorization (the commission) do not have the time.
ReplyDeleteThat said, nothing good will come of individuals within a broken system. MTL needs a mayor. An accountable mayor. Period. I cannot participate in this process anymore -- it's all spitting (or worse) in the wind.
Not to mention the $1100 we paid for breakfast at the Original Pancake House for the Public Information Office. I wonder if any family members attended?
ReplyDeleteNick M.
I came to the same conclusion as Jason a while back when the Home Rule Charter underwent "revisions". Sadly, Mt Lebanon continues to elect a majority of "players" who keep the system going. If they weren't "players" in the beginning, they seem to morph into them as time goes on. Further, the longstanding employees build relationships with commissioners to suit their own needs.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I thought Nick's comment at the commission meeting highlighting when the decision was made to appeal Elaine's Open Records request illustrated the dysfunction and secrecy. The attorney said the manager can direct him but he refused to acknowledge that the manager takes direction from the commission and in this case, he did so without public notice and sunshine.
9:16, thanks for the mention. I was told by Brumfield that the discussion regarding Elaine's case took place on December 8th in executive session. During the commission meeting on December 8th, they failed to give specifics regarding the case, just saying "other legal issues" were discussed. I asked McGill about that and he said that because of attorney client privilege the issue couldn't be discussed...hogwash. And again on Tuesday, they failed to give specifics, violating sunshine laws again. I'm not trying to find out anything about Elaine's case, she fills us in on her own, I just want to see them follow the law as it is written and what they swore an oath to.
ReplyDeleteThe sunshine law has been violated so many times it's embarrassing. Recently, the PIO took it upon themselves to spend $10,000 to fix the lebomag issues. That $10,000 was never discussed or disclosed at a public meeting, it only showed up on the administrative report.
The sunshine law was written to prevent secrecy, not encourage it.
Nick M.
Jason--We also know what type of talent and brainpower can be bought for $3,500. Per year. Not much.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Jason. You are right. There is no government in Mt. Lebanon. Otherwise, we would not be looking at six straight months of yahoos running through our backyards and parks with legal weapons. No functional body would approve that. It's pure anarchy.
ReplyDelete