I hate to be lied to

Over the past couple days, I have been having an email exchange with Dr. Tony DeNicola. the man who has a doctorate in bait. Below is a continuation of the email exchange that I had shared in my last post.

From: Anthony DeNicola <tony.denicola@whitebuffaloinc.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: kmcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; alauth <alauth@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Sun, Feb 28, 2016 7:53 am
Subject: Re: Bait

Elaine,

No problem at all.  I am still assessing how well our mechanical feeders are working at timing deer arrival times with some different baits.  We are trying to get the deer to come predictably after dark, so that is very difficult.

I will give it another week or so.  We still have plenty of time before the permit expires at the end of March.

Tony

On Sunday, February 28, 2016, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Tony,

I did a quick search and found this on Field and Stream's website. http://www.fieldandstream.com/answers/quick-tips/if-you-want-deer-bait-will-drive-deer-crazy-try-grape-kool-aid-guy-dnr-gave-me-ti 

"They also like peanut butter, apples, syrup, and pretty much anything else you would feed a five year old according to other posts. Good luck with the kool-aid. I'm sticking with corn."

We were told that you started baiting over a month ago. I'm am trying not to sound snarky,  but sincerely, I would think you would have some idea as to what bait has worked and what mechanism you are using to distribute it by now. Do you have an estimate as to when you will have it sorted out? This week? Next week?

Respectfully,

Elaine Gillen

-----Original Message-----
From: Anthony DeNicola <tony.denicola@whitebuffaloinc.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: kmcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; alauth <alauth@mtebanon.org>; alauth <alauth@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Sat, Feb 27, 2016 5:59 pm
Subject: Re: Bait

We are still sorting out the best method.  Once we have better data I will let you know.

Tony

On Saturday, February 27, 2016, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Yes, thank you for your response, Tony. I can understand that bait is a regional thing. From what I've learned at commission meetings, Mt. Lebanon deer are not picky eaters. So what did you end up using here? Also, what method of distributing the bait are you using?

Thanks in advance for your clarification.

I had originally made a mistake typing Aaron's email, so I have added his correct (I hope!) email address. Sorry about that, Aaron.

Elaine Gillen

-----Original Message-----
From: Anthony DeNicola <tony.denicola@whitebuffaloinc.org>
To: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
Cc: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>; alauth <alauth@mtebanon.org>
Sent: Fri, Feb 26, 2016 8:01 pm
Subject: Re: Bait

Keith,

Baiting is more of an art than a science.  We use a multitude of options depending on what the local deer seem to prefer most, what is available, and relative cost.  It can be apples, deer feed, corn, alpha pellets, etc.  We place bait out at each location where we are active, primarily on private properties throughout the municipality typically several weeks in advance of getting started whether it is for capture purposes or for lethal management programs.

I hope this helps,

Tony

Anthony J. DeNicola Ph.D.  | President |  White Buffalo Inc.

M: (860) 790-0224  |  tony.denicola@whitebuffaloinc.org

Find Us: whitebuffaloinc.org | Facebook | LinkedIn

IT IS ALL BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!!

I have photos of the baiting being done at the golf course and at McNeilly - which wasn't to be part of the public areas.

Access to the golf course is from Arch Street in Castle Shannon.

Piles of corn in golf course

Piles of corn in the golf course

Woods below the golf course

Access to McNeilly is right by the creek behind the golf course. Go up the driveway on McNeilly.

Piles of corn in McNeilly

Piles of corn in McNeilly

Tuffs of fur, no blood at McNeilly

Piles of corn in McNeilly

If a Lebo Citizens reader can get the GPS coordinates, it would be helpful. There was no evidence of tree stands or trail cameras.

This is Tony's high tech system of baiting. No mechanical feeders. What a bullshitter. I always told my kids that if they did something bad, that's one thing. But to lie to my face made it worse. I hate to be lied to.

Everything is a secret. UPDATED

A few minutes ago, I emailed Keith McGill for the third time, asking what kind of bait and what method is being used to distribute the bait. I heard back from Keith immediately and here is his response.

From: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: alauth <alauth@mtlebanon.org>; Anthony DeNicola <tony.denicola@whitebuffaloinc.org>
Sent: Fri, Feb 26, 2016 2:35 pm
Subject: Re: Bait

Good afternoon Elaine,

Aaron did provide a response and indicated that someone from White Buffalo would be a better source to provide a response. I am copying Tony DeNicola on this response. I'm sure Tony can provide a response.

Keith

This morning, a Lebo Citizens reader shared this email exchange with me after asking if Mt. Lebanon is going to post private properties or at least give us a way to find out if shooting will be on safewalking routes (i.e., could we call and ask the police about a particular route).

On Fri, Feb 26, 2016 at 9:55 AM, Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org> wrote:

Good morning,

The municipality will not be identifying the specific two week time frame during which the sharpshooting will be occurring. As the agency responsible for public safety the Police Department has met with the individuals who will be conducting the activity and reviewed all sites (Public and Private) and will be in daily contact during the time when all activity is taking place.

 The goal of the MLPD’s involvement in site inspections and operational oversight is to maximize public safety for our community during any deer management initiatives. As stated by Chief Lauth during a public meeting he is confident that all public safety issues have and will continue to be addressed.

Keith

To which the Lebo Citizens reader responded with:

to Keith, Kelly, Commission, Aaron

Wow. So we won't know which days to worry about, nor will we have any way to find out if guns are being shot along our kids' safewalking routes. 

I'm disappointed and honestly a little surprised given that I did think the Municipality was trying to be responsive to safety-concerns of residents, especially regarding student walkers.

This response is neither.

Update February 26, 2016 8:57 PM Another secret "revealed." Baiting deer is an art, not a science. Throw everything you can at them. They'll eat something. Here is a non-answer answer from Tony himself.

Keith,

Baiting is more of an art than a science.  We use a multitude of options depending on what the local deer seem to prefer most, what is available, and relative cost.  It can be apples, deer feed, corn, alpha pellets, etc.  We place bait out at each location where we are active, primarily on private properties throughout the municipality typically several weeks in advance of getting started whether it is for capture purposes or for lethal management programs.

I hope this helps,

Tony

Anthony J. DeNicola Ph.D.  | President |  White Buffalo Inc.

M: (860) 790-0224  |  tony.denicola@whitebuffaloinc.org

Find Us: whitebuffaloinc.org | Facebook | LinkedIn

Keep It Coming

The only fair reporting by local newspapers covering Mt. Lebanon is The Almanac. Harry Funk has never missed a commission meeting that I am aware of. His coverage of Mt. Lebanon includes photos, linked documents, as well as videos online. According to the card tucked inside a recent issue, The Almanac has been producing, printing and delivering a weekly newspaper free of charge since 1965.

To continue free home delivery, you must take action. Just do one of the following:

1. Fill out the postage-paid reply card that was in your newspaper and mail it back to The Almanac.
2. Log on to www.thealmanac.net/keepitcoming and fill out the short form.

When I began typing this post, a LeboALERT popped in my mail box.

This is an important notice from LeboALERT. 

March issue of Mt. Lebanon Magazine is online now: www.lebomag.com. Stories on zoning variances, Martha's Run, Opera at Markham, high school compositing.

It is not clear to me what "compositing" means. Is it a new class for writing compositions? Is it about composting? Or is it a new word meaning how to recycle compositions? I am glad to see that our tax dollars are at work.

Please support The Almanac.

I won the second appeal. McNeilly is back in. Final - Final Archery Report UPDATED 2X

No surprise, but the Office of Open Records granted my SECOND RTK appeal today. The second appeal is identical to the first appeal, just different dates. They cited Gillen v Municipality of Mt. Lebanon in their final determination.

McNeilly Park is back in the shooting plan. Two pickup trucks were spotted at the entrance to McNeilly Park today, a white pickup truck with PA plates and a grayish pickup truck with out of state plates. There is only a sliver of land that is outside of the 1000' Federal Gun Free School Zone. Clearly, they are shooting there for the numbers, not to reduce deer/vehicular accidents by 50% in five years.

Last night, Jody Jodi Joe D. Maddock gave a final report via telephone. As reported in The Almanac, Mt. Lebanon posted his final report here on the municipal website.

High-percentage female harvest cited as success in Mt. Lebanon archery hunt

Sharpshooting for Mt. Lebanon deer cull could begin this week

I love what "Southside Slopes" wrote in his/her comment: "Sharpshooters killing wildlife. Police arresting jaywalkers. Taxes sky high. Plot for a new apocalyptic movie? Nah. Just Mt. Lebanon circa 2016."

Update February 24, 2016 6:38 PM  Office of Open Records sides with Mt. Lebanon resident

Update February 24, 2016 6:54 PM It looks like Tony DiNicola made a boo-boo on the final Final Report. Plus, no info on the bait or in which QUADRANT the deer were killed. Here is the correspondence I had with Keith McGill.

Good evening Elaine,

I spoke to Tony and he indicated that the omission of the Conservation District from the final archery report was an oversight on his part and he apologized for the error.

The final reports from 2006-2008 were provided by USDA. The municipality currently tracks deer/vehicular collisions by location. This information is useful in determining where to post deer crossing signs. I'm not sure what the statistical correlation would be between where deer have been removed and deer/vehicular collisions given the municipality's open deer population and typical range that a doe or especially a buck will travel. In my email response to you on February 4th I wrote:

Good afternoon Elaine,

The information posted to the website today for the archery program represents the final deer removal numbers for the program. There will be another a final report that includes additional information related to the program. Since we have not yet received the report I am unable to provide you the specifics as to what that other information will be.

I did not indicate that the report would include locations. The report as posted is final. I will add a note regarding the use of the Conservation District.

As to the type of bait being used or the method being used to place the bait, this is an operational issue and as such Chief Lauth or Deputy Chief Gallagher may be a better resource to provide a response.

Keith 

On Wed, Feb 24, 2016 at 4:45 PM, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:


Hi Keith,

Thank you for posting Jody Maddock's final Final Report on the municipal website. http://mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/View/13897


There are a few issues that I would like to bring to your attention. I do not see the Conservation District listed for the archery program. At Election Day, I spoke with Temp Smith (Steve M., you may have been standing there at the time) where as of Election Day, they killed sixteen deer from the Conservation District behind his house. Temp lives onWhite Oak Circle. He said that the archer was courteous and even asked him if he wanted any meat. Temp's only complaint was that at one point the coyotes had gotten to the deer before the archer had a chance to get it. You will have to check with him directly on that. My point here is that the Conservation District was not mentioned at the meeting or in the final Final Report.


Second, in the first two years of deer killing (2006-2008) the summaries included where the deer were killed. The first year was rather specific. The second year, the deer killings were plotted by quadrants. In order to track the deer/car collisions, it is necessary to know the number of deer killed from which areas. Keith, you had stated that the information would be in the final Final Report. The records from the previous years are still available on the municipal website. Would you please get that information from White Buffalo and have them or the municipality plot which areas the 104 deer were killed being consistent with past years?


Finally, what kind of bait is being used for the "sharpshooting?" What is the method used for spreading the bait?


Thanks in advance, Keith.


Elaine Gillen

Jaywalking Ordinance Passed Unanimously UPDATED

The TV cameras were at the commission meeting tonight. Three people spoke against the jaywalking ordinance. It didn't matter. The commissioners' minds were made up. Fines up to $300 for anyone caught jaywalking. I guess we now have a walking tax.

Nabbed a crosswalk DRIVER violator on video - Sunday, February 21, 2016

Speaking of walking, Jody Jodi Joe D. spoke via telephone to the commissioners tonight concerning the "successful"archery program. Approximately 2% of the wounded deer got away. Kelly asked where they went and Jody said they just got away. Jody was proud of the fact that the number that got away was only 2%. Usually, it is around 5%. For future archery programs, Jody would like to see hunting over bait. There are some counties that permit that. He wants archers who aren't police officers to kill deer in our parks. Twin Hills should have been allowed. Mt. Lebanon is a private property owner of Twin Hills. They could have gotten lots of deer there. Jody wants White Buffalo killers (archery and guns) to be able to ask people for ID, who are walking through the public property during killing. If they don't have id, then the cops are called. They could be poachers or people interfering with a hunt.

Update February 23, 2016 1:25 PM Mt. Lebanon Commissioners Approve Jaywalking Ordinance

Proposed Amendment to the Pedestrian Ordinance UPDATED!!!

On Monday, February 22, 2016, Chief Lauth will be providing an overview and clarification of the proposed amendment to the pedestrian ordinance.

I sent an email to the municipality and school district noting the discrepancy concerning the number of pedestrians hit in November 2014. I surmised that the kids will be blamed for getting their numbers wrong. I included a link to an article in The Devils Advocate.

Aaron Lauth responded with:

Ms. Gillen,

Without actually researching the incidents, it would appear that the statistics provided to the Devil's Advocate were for the 12 month period prior to the article being written, rather than since January 1, 2014. Whether the actual number was 14, 11 or 1, it is the opinion of the Mt. Lebanon Police Department that any incidents involving pedestrians being struck by vehicles is too many. When a vehicle weighing 4,000 to 5,000 lbs strikes a person, it rarely turns out good.

To clarify, pedestrian violations are just a small part of the planned comprehensive pedestrian/bicycle/vehicle safety campaign that we will be introducing over the next few months. Our campaign will be heavily focused on educational messages and enforcement efforts directed toward drivers since we know that they play a significant role in keeping our street safe. As part of the educational initiative, we intend to warn, and possibly cite violators when infractions occur that contribute to unsafe conditions, especially for pedestrians and bicyclists. Since more than half of our pedestrian vs. vehicle crashes are typically the fault of the pedestrian, I believe that we have a responsibility to address these violations as well.

A historical analysis of pedestrian vs. vehicle crashes also tells us that most of these incidents are occurring in our urban/business districts. Therefore, the focus of our educational and enforcement efforts, specifically toward improving pedestrian safety, will be the business districts in our community.

The overall goal of our upcoming campaign will be to encourage everyone to contribute to the overall improved safety of our streets. I am hopeful that you and the readers of your blog will be supportive in assisting us to get this message of improved safety out to the community when our campaign is introduced.


Thanks,

Aaron V. Lauth

Chief of Police

Mt Lebanon Police Department

555 Washington Road

Pittsburgh, PA  15228

(412)343-4015

alauth@mtlebanon.org

www.mtlebanonpd.org

Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.  Be kind.  Always.

Chief Lauth also shared the media release about the February 13, 2016 pedestrian who was hit in a crosswalk on Washington Road

Statement for Vehicle into Pedestrian Reportable Crash, Ref. # 20160265

On Saturday, 13 February 2016 at 1643 hours, a MLPD officer observed an adult female laying on the ground in the left northbound lane on Washington Road at Academy Avenue. His investigation revealed that at approximately 1642 hours this date, a 25-year-old white female was struck by a vehicle while she was in the crosswalk on Washington Road at Academy Avenue. 

The pedestrian reported that she was in the crosswalk on Washington Road at the intersection with Academy Avenue, traveling from the east (odd side) to west (even side) and had the steady walk signal. The driver, who is a 27-year-old white female, was driving a 2012 black Mazda 3, 4 door sedan at the time of the crash. The driver reported that she was on Academy Avenue with a green traffic signal and then made a left turn onto Washington Road going northbound. The driver then struck the pedestrian in the left northbound lane of Washington Road. The driver stated that while she was making the turn, the “A Post” of her vehicle temporarily blocked her view of the crosswalk and she struck the pedestrian. 

The pedestrian sustained only minor injuries, e.g. complained of pain in her right hip, at the scene. She was subsequently taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital by MRTSA paramedics for evaluation. The driver was cited, via summons, with PAVC 3113 (a)(1) - Pedestrian Control Signals, for failing to give the right away to a pedestrian when signals are present. 

Aaron Lauth

Chief of Police 

Mt. Lebanon Police Department 

Update February 22, 2016 9:30 AM John Bendel did not realize that this amended ordinance applies to the entire municipality. Technically, I can get cited for jaywalking when I visit my neighbor across the street and not walk two thirds up the street to the cross walk and then walk back down.

As a follow up to our conversation, I contacted our solicitor and police chief regarding the pedestrian ordinance.
>
> As we discussed, there was some confusion on whether the new provisions in the proposed pedestrian ordinance apply to the business districts only (Beverly and Washington rd.) or to the entire municipality. Our solicitor confirmed that the new provisions as written in the ordinance apply to all signalized intersections in the municipality. I wasn't clear on this point.
>
> Below is an excerpt from the police chief's response to my question on this issue.
>
> "Please also consider that this ordinance is just a small part of the planned comprehensive pedestrian/bicycle/vehicle safety campaign that we will be introducing over the next few months. Since the historical statistics for pedestrian vs. vehicle crashes tell us that most of these incidents are occurring in our urban/business districts, the focus of our educational efforts, specifically toward improving pedestrian safety, will be the business districts in our community. In other words, while the ordinance may address all intersections as is required by the statute, our efforts related to pedestrian safety will be focused in areas where we historically see these types of issues.
>
> Just a reminder that this ordinance is not geared toward preventing jaywalking. Existing laws already allow us to enforce jaywalking in urban districts.
>
> Lastly, our larger campaign will also include educational messages and enforcement efforts directed toward drivers since we know that they play a significant role in keeping our street safe. We will encourage everyone to contribute to the overall improved safety of our streets."
>
> I am sorry for any confusion on this matter.
>
> John

Hearing Updates

Castor Appeal

Amy Castor is the Massachusetts resident who decided to walk on the path at the end of Thornwood in early October and ended up getting slapped with an $1100 fine from Blaise Laratonda for not deleting photos of police officers, dead deer, and Aaron Gander's truck.

Amy Castor’s appeal will be heard on Tuesday, March 1, at 8:15 AM, in courtroom number 21, on the eighth floor of the City County Building on Grant Street. Senior Judge Lester Nauhaus will preside over the hearing. Amy will be represented by ACLU appointed lawyer, Jon Pushinsky.

I am sure that Amy would appreciate it if Lebo Citizens readers attended the hearing. Thanks for your support.

"Gillen Litigation" as listed on several Executive Session Agendas

Tuesday's Executive Session is listed as "Legal Advice." http://www.mtlebanon.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2572

Here is the update on my case. I had appealed a second Right To Know, similar to the first which is being fought in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, but the date is from July 31, 2015 - November 25, 2015. The Office of Open Records expects to issue a final determination in my second case next week. Attorneys from both sides agree that this does not leave enough time for them to consolidate the two matters in time for the hearing/argument now scheduled with Judge O'Brien for next Friday, 2/26/16. Therefore, the attorneys have requested that it be rescheduled for the next available date. This could mean a month from now. I will keep everyone posted here.

Warning: Crosswalks May Be Dangerous To Your Health UPDATED 2X

Thanks to a tenacious Mt. Lebanon resident, here is the official Crash Breakdown 2013-2015  report from our police chief.

The report includes bicycle crashes, deer/car collisions, hit and runs, and pedestrians hit within and out of crosswalks. The number in parentheses is pedestrians hit within crosswalks. It appears that jaywalking is much safer in Mt. Lebanon.


From: Aaron Lauth <alauth@mtlebanon.org>
Date: Mon, Feb 15, 2016 at 12:44 PM
Subject: Re: Collision Rates in Mt. Lebanon
To: Mt. Lebanon Resident
Cc: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>

Mt. Lebanon Resident,

Please see the attached document for the statistical information that you requested.  Please note that we do not separately account for "single vehicle collisions", however the most appropriate statistical category related to these types of collisions would be hit & run crashes as shown on the spreadsheet. 

Please let me know if you have any questions related to this information.

Thanks,

Aaron V. Lauth

Chief of Police

Mt Lebanon Police Department

555 Washington Road

Pittsburgh, PA  15228

(412)343-4015

alauth@mtlebanon.org

On Wed, Feb 10, 2016 at 2:41 PM, A Mt. Lebanon Resident wrote:

Municipal Manager McGill,

To make certain that my request is clear:

Mt. Lebanon asserts that we have seen a sharp rise in the number of deer/vehicle collisions over the past three years.  I am asking for the most recent three-year data (2013; 2014; and 2015) reflecting the occurrences of:

     deer/vehicle collisions

     pedestrian/vehicle collisions

     pedestrian in crosswalk/vehicle collisions

     bicycle/vehicle collisions

     vehicle/vehicle collisions

     single vehicle collisions

     and any other motor vehicle collisions for which records are kept.

I am confident that such statistics are kept as a matter of course and look forward to your response.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Update February 19, 2016 7:35 PM From Chief Lauth:

Your interpretation of the Pedestrian / Vehicle crash numbers is correct. These numbers should be interpreted as follows:

2013: 12 total, 5 of which were in crosswalks
2014: 11 total, 7 of which were in crosswalks
2015: 10 total, 7 of which were in crosswalks

**********

2013 42% of the pedestrians hit by cars were hit in a crosswalk
2014 64% of the pedestrians hit by cars were hit in a crosswalk
2015 70% of the pedestrians hit by cars were hit in a crosswalk

Update February 20, 2016 5:35 AM Another pedestrian was hit in a cross walk on February 13, 2016 at 4:43 PM. Mt. Lebanon Police Weekly Press Report Thursday, February 11, 2016 through Wednesday, February 17, 2016

"Euthanized deer will not reproduce."

Those haunting words came from the PA Game Commission in their February 5, 2016 letter to Mt. Lebanon.

PA Game Commission Response re: Deer Sterilization Research Project

In a conversation that the PA Game Commission had with our state representative, the PAGC said, if you're going to capture the deer to sterilize them, you might as well kill them. They also told our state rep that it is a waste of money. Dan, not so gently, reminded them that it wasn't their money!

The Botsiber Foundation sent a letter to the Municipality on January 28, 2016 saying, "It's been fun, but we're done."

Botstiber Foundation letter re: Deer Sterilization Research Project

Close to three weeks later, MTL decided to post the letter and the PA Game Commission response on the website.

As usual, the PG's John Hayes leaked this out yesterday, before it showed up on the MTL website today.  Foundation pulls out of deer sterilization plan in Mt. Lebanon 

Finally, I received a response from someone at the municipal building about LeboALERTs. We don't want to share too much information with MT. Lebanon residents, now do we? I love how I heard nothing from the commissioners, but I did see that Kelly wished Nick a good day. How sweet. 

*****

From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To: kfraasch <kfraasch@mtlebanon.org>; nschalles <nschalles@mtlebanon.org>
Cc: commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; kmcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Wed, Feb 17, 2016 11:25 am
Subject: Re: LeboALERT: Deer culling utilizi...

Yes, Nick. Thank you for responding to my email.

Elaine

-----Original Message-----
From: Kelly Fraasch <kfraasch@mtlebanon.org>
To: Nicholas Schalles <nschalles@mtlebanon.org>
Cc: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>; commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Wed, Feb 17, 2016 11:09 AM
Subject: Re: LeboALERT: Deer culling utilizi...

Thanks Nick for answering the question.

Have a good day!

Sent from Kelly's iPhone, please excuse typos or auto-corrections.  

On Feb 17, 2016, at 10:20 AM, Nicholas Schalles <nschalles@mtlebanon.org> wrote:

yes, we try to limit the character count to 160 characters. This is to allow 1 text message instead of several. Unfortunately some carriers split the texts anyways which is out of our control.

Nick

On Wed, Feb 17, 2016 at 9:54 AM, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Hi Nick,

This is my second request, so I figured I should just email you directly, since the commissioners tend to ignore most of my emails.

Is there a limit to the number of characters (such as Twitter) when sending out LeboALERTS?

Thanks in advance.

Elaine Gillen

-----Original Message-----
From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To: commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Tue, Feb 16, 2016 4:55 pm
Subject: Fwd: LeboALERT: Deer culling utilizi...

Commissioners,

Are LeboALERTS limited to so many characters, such as Twitter?

Elaine Gillen

-----Original Message-----
From: LeboALERT <noreply@mtlebanon.org>
To: EGillen476 <EGillen476@aol.com>
Sent: Tue, Feb 16, 2016 4:05 pm
Subject: LeboALERT: Deer culling utilizi...

This is an important notice from LeboALERT.

Deer culling utilizing sharpshooting will be conducted in February and March. Please visit http://www.mtlebanon.org/index.aspx?nid=2114 for more info.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nicholas Schalles
Manager of Information Technology
Mt. Lebanon Municipality
710 Washington Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15228
(412) 440-2049 - Office
(412) 343-3456 - Helpdesk

Gotta love the PIO

 Gotta love the Public Information Office.

From: LeboALERT <noreply@mtlebanon.org> To: EGillen476 <EGillen476@aol.com>Sent: Tue, Feb 16, 2016 4:05 pmSubject: LeboALERT: Deer culling utilizi...

This is an important notice from LeboALERT.

Deer culling utilizing sharpshooting will be conducted in February and March. Please visit http://www.mtlebanon.org/index.aspx?nid=2114 for more info.

No hours, no locations. No dates.

I emailed the commissioners, asking if there is a character limit with LeboALERTs like there is with Twitter. No response. I sincerely would like to know.

I am still trying to find out what kind of bait White Buffalo is using. Is WB using apples like the USDA used or are they using corn like Merlin the Magnificent used? Has anyone seen any bait stations?

I always think of this when I see "WB." sigh.

For those keeping track, here is the updated "Ongoing Deer Incident Report." Note the increase of deer hit by cars during Archery Season. We told the commissioners that this would happen. sigh. again.

Animal? UPDATED 3X

Animal? What does this mean?

This is an important notice from LeboALERT.

POWER OUTAGE - Segar/Bower Hill Area - A transformer failed (animal). Electric may be restored by afternoon. MLFD is coordinating response.


Update February 14, 2016 10:30 AM

This is an important notice from LeboALERT.

This is an emergency message from Mount Lebanon emergency management. Cedarhurst power outage ongoing. Warming center open at seven ten Washington Road. Residents asked to check on neighbors Call nine one one for emergencies and four one two three four four two seven zero eight for non-emergency situations. 

Update February 14, 2016 11:33 AM 

This is an important notice from LeboALERT.


Outage update: Warming center open in municipal building, 710 Washington Road. Emergency? Call 911. Need help/have concern?: 412.344.2708. Check neighbors.

Update February 14, 2016 12:00 PM

This is an important notice from LeboALERT.

Power is back on in Cedarhurst. Warming center is now closed. Check neighbors to ensure they have heat. Pilot light problems, call FD: 412-343-3402.

Phase 2 "Sharpshooting"

I hate to use the word "sharpshooting" because it is not. White Buffalo is the "nonprofit" company hired by Mt. Lebanon commissioners to coordinate the archers and now - Phase 2 - to do the shooting with high powered rifles in our community. They are not Navy SEALs, by any means.

The first private property identified for Phase 2 is

This may look familiar to some of the Lebo Citizens readers. It is behind Shady Lane. The Perri house is on the right. The golf course is to the left of the photo. Massachusetts resident Amy Castor was fined $1100 for walking on the path behind the Perri home and taking photos of the police officers and the dead deer. Evidently, the four deer that were killed early October were not enough for the Perri's. They are now part of Phase 2. What is troubling to me is that the shooting on the golf course is from 6 PM to 11:00 PM Monday through Friday. However, the location of the Perri tree stand facing the golf course permits shooting seven days a week from 4 PM in the afternoon since it is on private property. Our tax dollars are paying for this!

I am glad to see that killing these deer will reduce deer/vehicular collisions on the golf course. There have been far too many deer/golf cart collisions.

Feds Finally Take Action on Crumb Rubber Turf UPDATED

Feds Finally Take Action on Crumb Rubber Turf

I sent this link to our commissioners with a note to Dave, Steve. S. and John saying, "If you had only listened to Kelly and the rest of us.

Update February 13, 2016 What is going on here in Mt. Lebanon? Giving elementary school children 30 minutes to walk home from school before the high powered rifles are shot in Mt. Lebanon. After reading 12:28's comment, I sent this to the school board.

School board directors,

I didn't realize that you are considering toxic turf.

"The board also reviewed 62 priority projects totaling $807,802 and 20 less urgent projects, including installing lights and all-weather turf on the upper practice field at the high school for $1.2 million and replacing the press box at the high school stadium for $500,000".

Please delay this project until after the investigation has been completed.

Elaine Gillen


-----Original Message-----
From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To: commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Fri, Feb 12, 2016 11:41 pm
Subject: President Obama seeking $1 Million for a federal investigation

Commissioners,

President Barack Obama, at the urging of U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, is seeking $1 million for a federal investigation into the safety of artificial turf fields and playgrounds.
http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/blumenthal_advocates_applaud_white_house_study_of_synthetic_turf/

http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/feds-to-investigate-safety-of-crumb-rubber-turf-fields-622122051731

Elaine Gillen

Update February 13, 2016 7:00 PM Latest exchange with Dave Brumfield.

Dave, I continue to copy those who have sent you studies which showed the contrary. I added a geologist who also gave her professional opinion, but you felt it was biased since she is a Mt. Lebanon resident. I wish I still had Dr. Phil Johnson's email address. He was the Mt. Lebanon toxicologist who was considered biased because he too, was from Mt. Lebanon and felt that artificial turf is not a good idea.

If no studies that you read showed that crumb rubber is dangerous, why then is CT considering banning it in playgrounds and public schools? Why does President Obama feel that more studies are needed? Perhaps he may have read something that shows that more research needs to be done.

The SAB is not the only board who would benefit from hearing from the public. Not everyone can come to meetings for citizen comments. I don't understand why it is ever a bad idea to contact anyone if it promotes an open government. it is unfortunate that as long as you are a commissioner, that transparency is not one of your goals.

And yes, you were reelected, but when one runs unopposed, that is not a major accomplishment. As far as "the community supports the way you are doing things," I question why you had a whole discussion on improving communication with the community. This would have been an opportunity to do just that. One of the commission's goals this year is "Public Outreach and Engagement." Think about it, Dave. You would be able to accomplish both by adding this option for constituents.

Elaine

-----Original Message-----

From: David Brumfield <dbrumfield@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Sent: Sat, Feb 13, 2016 12:25 PM
Subject: Re: crumb rubber

Elaine,

I read every study cited by anyone who contacted the commission. No study found crumb rubber to be dangerous. The only negative studies were those that found crumb rubber products that contained other additives. And then sited that those additives could be dangerous. This was why we required the additional sample testing of the material used in our project.

Again as to the email for boards go I am one vote. I do not believe an email that goes to board members is a good idea. As you well know you can email Dave Donnellan if you want something shared with the SAB. I am not sure why that is such a problem for you or anyone else.

As to your final point perhaps "nothing is going to change" perhaps that is because the vast majority of the community supports the way we are doing things rather than the way you want them done. For all of your criticism of me and Mr. Bendel we were both reelected. If Kelly, Dan or Matt want to try to persuade me as to the merits of an idea I am happy to talk. I think if you ask them they will all agree that I have never avoided a discussion or refused to listen.

Dave

On Feb 13, 2016 12:07 PM, "egillen476@aol.com" <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:


Every study that you found...

The fact remains every study done to date has been positive.

The latest recommendation is to have kids practice on real grass until the study is completed, but the school board is now talking about turfing the Rock Pile. As commission liaison to the SAB, Dave, are you communicating that to the school board since we have no way of contacting the SAB or any other board in Mt. Lebanon?

Regarding contacting boards and authorities, John Bendel did make that recommendation at your special discussion session on public outreach. I believe that you are the stumbling block for that action. You folks go through the motions of wanting to increase public outreach and communication, but that is all it is, just going through the motions. I sat in Dan Miller's office with Matt Kluck and Kelly Fraasch and discussed this. All present thought it was a good idea. Nothing is going to change with this commission.

-----Original Message-----

From: David Brumfield <dbrumfield@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Sent: Sat, Feb 13, 2016 11:52 am
Subject: Re: crumb rubber

But you have availed yourself of all communication options and did share everything you could find. The SAB does not make the final decision we do. Our boards have public comment but do not communicate otherwise unless it is through their staff liaison. The fact remains every study done to date has been positive. Two crumb rubber fields already existed in the municipality. Crumb rubber in a different form was used on the new playground. I am sure that this study will improve the product over the long term but I also believe that it will find the product safe at least those tested as ours was.


Dave


On Feb 13, 2016 10:28 AM, "egillen476@aol.com" <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Dave,

This was the crux of our turf rallies. We wanted you to wait until there was a comprehensive study done. I said it on the news, but you wouldn't wait. You told us that you could find studies that showed it was safe. You were not open to listening or waiting.

If the Sports Advisory Board had an email address, such as SAB@mtlebanon.org, like I have been asking for several years now, I would have sent this to them. But for some reason, you don't want "public outreach" with the boards and authorities in Mt. Lebanon.

Elaine

-----Original Message-----

From: David Brumfield <dbrumfield@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Sat, Feb 13, 2016 9:57 am
Subject: Re: Fwd: crumb rubber

Just to clarify the announcement of a comprehensive study is not a negative to any of us. We would all hope that we could confirm the safety of the surface as well as identify any ways to improve it. Not sure who you think would be upset about this.

Dave


On Feb 12, 2016 10:30 PM, "'egillen476@aol.com' via Commission" <commission@mtlebanon.org> wrote:

Dave, John, and Steve S.,

You may have seen it, but just in case:

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/artificial-turf-debate/feds-finally-take-action-crumb-rubber-turf-n517726

If you had only listened to Kelly and the rest of us.

Elaine Gillen

Cracking down on pedestrians and underassessed homes UPDATED 3x

Tonight, John Bendel introduced Ordinance (Bill No. 2-16) amending the Code regarding pedestrians. The Ordinance would amend the current regulations by identifying when a pedestrian may cross at all locations in the municipality where official traffic-control signals or pedestrian-controlled signals are established, and establishing penalties for violation of such regulations.

Another pedestrian was hit on Washington Road on January 13th, while crossing in a crosswalk. We’re paying tens of thousands of dollars of taxpayer money to White Buffalo to kill deer but we’re spending nothing to prevent pedestrian/vehicle accidents.

 

Pedestrians and deer are always at fault. I'm surprised the ordinance didn't mention smoking in a crosswalk. That will be in the next amendment.

The other big news from tonight's meeting is that the vote was 3-2 to hire Diversified Municipal Services again. Diversified will charge a flat fee of $175 for each appeal attended. John Bendel and Steve McLean were the two who voted no. Kelly talked about fairness and paying our share. I happened to look at the Allegheny County website and see that Kelly's house is assessed at $188,800. She bought her house in 2009 for $190,400. It is on the market for $330,000. Steve Silverman bought his house in 2005 for $660,000. It is assessed for $591,100. His new neighbor bought the Kang house for $1,050,000 in October 2015. It is assessed at $674,400.
Update February 9, 2016 11:46 PM Mt. Lebanon crafting law to thwart jaywalkers 

Update February 10, 2016 12:35 PM Don't complain to the commission. You may get a response like this one.

---

From: xxxxxxxx
To: kfraasch@mtlebanon.org
CC: commission@mtlebanon.org; kmcgill@mtlebanon.org
Subject: RE: pedestrian ordinance 2-16
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2016 16:19:57 +0000

Ms. Fraasch,

  Perhaps you can share with me Mr. Bendel's intent with this new law, that goes beyond existing State laws already on the books.

If Mr. Bendel did not draft it, perhaps you can inform me who did.

Before you accuse me of insulting someone, maybe you can provide me with the information I need.

The information the municipality provided me clearly shows Mr. Bendel introduced the bill.

How is Mr. McGill involved with writing municipal laws? Is he qualified?

We need better enforcement of 4,000 Lbs. automobile operators that threaten pedestrian lives daily.

If you don't like my tone of voice, feel free to step down and allow someone else less sensitive to take your seat.

xxxxxxxxxxx

---

Subject: Re: pedestrian ordinance 2-16
From: kfraasch@mtlebanon.org
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2016 11:03:28 -0500
CC: commission@mtlebanon.org; kmcgill@mtlebanon.org
To:xxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxx:

First, I want to make clear because John Bendel introduces an ordinance doesn't mean he drafted it.  More importantly, your reference to John is entirely inappropriate.

Let's start over, you have concerns about the ordinance.  I hear your concerns and you have a point with your example that I will review with Mr McGill.  

Regarding concerns about pedestrians being the potential focus of blame.  We have received over the years information showing that some of our pedestrian/car interactions have been the pedestrians fault.  We need to equally educate drivers/walkers/joggers/bicyclists to respect each other on the roads in order to have a successful walking community.

Thank you for your input and please understand we appreciate your feedback.  However the insults are not necessary or appropriate.

Kelly

Sent from Kelly's iPhone, please excuse typos or auto-corrections.  

On Feb 10, 2016, at 10:08 AM, xxxxxxxxxx wrote:

Hello Commission,

  Here just one example of where the ordinance can go wrong.

Suppose the resident who lives at 754 Scott Rd wishes to take a stroll through

the cemetery on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Scott Rd. has pedestrian signals at Washington Ave and Sunset Drive.

According to §702 as proposed, that resident would have to walk a half-mile

to either Washington Rd. or Sunset Dr., cross at the pedestrian-controlled crosswalk,

then walk a half-mile back to the cemetery.

This turns an illegal 50 foot crossing into a 5000+ foot legal trek, a 100-fold increase in distance!

With cameras watching our every move, it is not a stretch for the municipality to abuse

its power and start mailing citations of up to $300 as quoted in this p-g article:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2016/02/09/Mt-Lebanon-crafting-law-to-thwart-jaywalkers/stories/201602100119

This undue hardship on pedestrians is not acceptable in our walking municipality.

Please reconsider this ridiculous ordinance 2-16

xxxxxxxxxxxx

---

From: xxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: commission@mtlebanon.org
Subject: pedestrian ordinance 2-16
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2016 13:49:31 +0000

Commission,

  There are major defects with Bendel's ordinance, but the main thing is,

Bendel doesn't care about pedestrian safety, and people we care about will be killed or seriously injured due to this ordinance and the attitude behind it.

This culture of blaming the victim needs to stop right now.

xxxxxxxxxx