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:
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
8 comments:
The school board is considering more turf right now...read this in the news:
"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".
It's about time. The stare and fed's have been dragging there butts on this. Why has this taken so long????
Not that any of them commissioners will ever really listen, but on this issue, I know that Dave's mind is forever made up and no study will ever change it.
Mt. Lebanon is possessed. Dave Brumfield will win reelection. Bendel did. MOVE.
It's a reign of terror, 6:32 pm. I am not sure who you are telling to move but many of Elaine's readers have been in MtL a long time and their presence makes a difference.
10:10---If it is a "reign of terror" like you said, unfortunately many good people in Mt. Lebanon, including those reading Elaine's blog, have NOT made a difference. Not their fault. It's tough to make a difference on a reign of terror.
I'm not telling anyone to move. I am suggesting that other areas may be healthier and functional, unlike Mt. Lebanon. Nothing could be as bad as Mt. Lebanon. Sorry to say that.
It would be worse without the advocacy, cooperative efforts and resistance from the blog readers. That's all I'm saying.
4:26---Perhaps you are correct. But it seems as though it would be much less stressful living in a community where you're not always running against the wind.
I just re-read Brumfield's emails to Elaine. They are horrible. He is one big empty-minded blowhard.
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