A little bird told me...

that Mt. Lebanon plans to appeal if I win on April 11, which means that they are taking it to Commonwealth Court!

Mr. Steve "It is free" Silverman thinks that this litigation is not costing Mt. Lebanon taxpayers any additional money, but wait till the retainer fee goes up next year with how they are keeping our solicitor busy this year.

I guess my gofund me will be staying up longer than I expected. Mt. Lebanon sure is sticking it to me.

You ARE invited

ANOTHER pedestrian hit in a crosswalk

Chief Lauth issued this media release: 

On 03/17/16 at approximately 1839 hours, MLPD officers were dispatched to the area of Washington Rd. and Peermont Ave. in reference to a vehicle vs. pedestrian crash.  

The pedestrian (F/50 yrs old) stated that she was struck by a vehicle as she was attempting to cross Washington Rd.  She reported that she was not injured and explained that she was walking across the roadway (from east to west) at the intersection of Washington Rd. and Peermont Ave. when she was struck by a red Kia Sportage.  The pedestrian advised that she was in the crosswalk when she was struck and that she is positive that she had a steady "walk" signal.  She stated that she was struck just as she entered the southbound center travel lane on Washington Rd.

The driver (F/23 yrs old) of the Kia Sportage stated that she was attempting to make the left turn from Peermont Ave. onto Washington Rd. when she struck the pedestrian.  The driver related that the traffic light at the intersection of Peermont Ave. and Washington Rd. was green when she made the turn.  She reported that the pedestrian was in the crosswalk when she struck her.

The investigating officer issued a traffic citation to the driver of the Kia Sportage at the scene.  She was charged with the following:

PAVC 3113(a)(1) - Pedestrian Control Signals.
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

The driver is 23 year old Della Parker.

But if you write to the commission about the pedestrian ordinance, this is what you get back, just three days after the above pedestrian was hit:

---

From: jbendel@mtlebanon.org
Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2016 21:16:07 -0400
Subject: Re: New local jaywalking ordinance a big mistake
To:Mt. Lebanon Citizen

Mt. Lebanon Citizen,

You and I discussed the ordinance prior to the commission's vote. I appreciate your opinion and passion for the issue, but we have passed the ordinance unanimously and are now developing our safe driving/walking/biking campaign.

Regards,

*********

John,

  Maybe you should fix the broken pedestrian signals before passing ordinances penalizing them.

See attached photos on Washington Road at Mayfair Drive Saturday 19-MAR-2016.

They show a walk signal that will never allow a pedestrian to legally walk because

the "beg button" is broken. The "Do Not Cross" yellow tape around the pole is an economical way

for Lebo to fix it, while fining and giving criminal records to people who attempt to cross there.

The municipality should have made sure the infrastructure was in working order before

the commission made crossing the street in Mt. Lebanon a criminal act.

You should be ashamed of yourself for your poor decision making as an elected official.

  

**********

Perhaps this should be in every Mt. Lebanon resident's wardrobe: http://www.cafepress.com/+jaywalker+t-shirts

Then there are these comments:  https://www.reddit.com/r/pittsburgh/comments/47d9lf/in_defense_of_mt_lebanons_walkers/

This comment says it all: 

"It defies common sense to ticket someone who is entering a crosswalk as the countdown begins when they still have time to cross the street safely without disrupting traffic."
- L.A. Councilman Mike Bonin
http://laist.com/2015/05/05/crosswalk_tickets.php

You're NOT invited

I am happy to announce the winner of the first-ever Volunteer Service Award, Bob Fischer. He is truly a great guy and deserves this award. Congrats, Bob.

But......

Look at the event at which Bob is being honored - the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner which is budgeted for every two years. It is a mixer with commissioners and municipal staff. Catered by Rania with 45 minutes of cocktails. Wow! If there is a quorum of three commissioners attending, it is a public event, but we're not invited. Nice.

From: Rita Levine <rlevine@mtlebanon.org>

Date: March 24, 2016 at 2:13:33 PM EDT
To: Susan Morgans <smorgans@mtlebanon.org>
Subject: Last chance to say you're coming!
Hi all,
Please see Susan's message below:
****************
Hello all:
I would appreciate your letting us know whether you CAN or CANNOT attend the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner for board and authority members on Monday, April 4, at 6 pm. at the public safety center.  (Invitation is attached in case you may have misplaced yours.)
This event, which the Commission budgets for every two years, is a lovely affair catered by Rania's with a cocktail hour preceding the dinner and a short program. It is a nice opportunity to mix with commissioners and municipal staff, meet members of other boards and socialize with your own board in a casual atmosphere.
This year the Community Relations Board will present the first-ever Volunteer Service Award to Robert Fischer, who is a volunteer firefighter, has served on two  municipal boards and is active in many other community activities.
We would love to have as many of you attend as possible.  Unfortunately, it is not the kind of event where you can show up at the last minute, so please let us know your intentions by this coming Monday. You may email  rlevine@mtlebanon.org or phone her at 412-343-3407.
Thanks so much for your good work, and I look forward to seeing many of you at the dinner.
Susan

******************
If you are receiving this email, any RSVP you may have sent has not reached me. The question has come up as to whether spouses are invited and regrettably, the answer is no. We are finalizing our plans and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Rita

​
mtl, Mt. Lebanon's official municipal magazine
710 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228
OFFICE: 412-343-3407  FAX: 412-343-7841
rlevine@mtlebanon.org     www.lebomag.com

Rita Levine, Public Information Assistant

Amen to that, Dan!

From State Representative Dan Miller's latest newsletter:

Campaign Finance Reform I am co-sponsoring House Bill 50 which mirrors federal campaign law in placing contribution limits on municipal and statewide candidates in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is currently one of only 12 states with no limits on campaign contributions, allowing too much potential for special interests to influence elections. Public officials need to be accountable to voters, not large campaign donors. 

Dan writes that Harrisburg is broken. I believe that Mt. Lebanon is broken. Zone 1, which includes Virginia Manor, had the highest count of deer killed on private property. As I have said repeatedly, I am not rich enough to hate deer. Then we have those pushing for more toxic turf fields.  I am too poor to want toxic turf fields too. Our commissioners seem to respond to special interest groups only or those who can contribute to political campaigns. Remember this?  And this?

We definitely need to get behind House Bill 50.

MTL is appealing again

No surprise here. Mt. Lebanon is appealing the Office of Open Records' Final Determination for my second RTK which was granted in my favor. Here is the new docket.

Mt. Lebanon has no problem putting my address all over the place. This will be consolidated with the first case. The court date is still April 11.

I am not even half way to my goal. Please consider contributing. https://www.gofundme.com/thefightforthertk

An anonymous commenter once wrote:

"It is pathetic if citizens must get a lawyer and file legal suits to have our "public servants" comply with transparency laws. These politicians are not serving us. Instead they are protecting corruption and cronies. I agree that citizens and activists need to keep the heat on. There cannot be too much transparency when it deals with the actions of bureaucrats and politicians. "

Sharpshooting final report is in UPDATED 2X

2016 Final Report for the 2016 Deer Management Program

They killed fawns. They killed does. They killed bucks. They killed anything on four legs. Their biggest killing day was February 29, 2016 with 33 deer killed.

Tony DeNicola reports:

Regardless of the success of the two harvest phases, there are pockets of more densely developed areas where deer have not been addressed. We intentionally avoided working in these densely developed areas during both culling phases this year to minimize conflicts. We continue to receive correspondence from community members that are observing deer in their yards even after we are done with the project. The Commission will need to decide whether to emphasize more culling activities in very tightly developed areas or transition to sterilization in these areas of the community.

In a letter to the commissioners, I wrote:

Is the intent to eliminate all the deer in Mt. Lebanon? Wasn't the goal to reduce deer/car collisions by 50% in five years? Or are we going by what deer are remaining in people's yards now?

I would appreciate a response from any or all of the commissioners. This was sent to you and not to the municipal manager.

I guess the reason we are seeing more "Eat More Venison," "Hunt in My Yard," and "Hunters Welcome" signs is that we still have some unhappy people who want all the deer killed. So why is Mt. Lebanon taking me to court when these people are quite content to post their signs in their front yards?

I am adding a map of Mt. Lebanon so that we can figure out which zones are which. I think I am Zone 3. It looks like Zone 4 includes Sunset Hills, the Golf Course, and McNeilly. Still working on the other zones.

Update March 21, 2016 8:37 PM I heard back from Keith McGill. I had asked him for a breakdown by public properties.

Good evening Elaine,

Tony indicates the following:

McNeilly - 4

Robb Hollow - 5

Municipal Golf Course - 17

Total on public land - 26

Total private land - 89

Keith

Update March 22, 2016 12:04 AM Looking at the "sharpshooting" zones map, here is how the "sharpshooting" breaks down:

Zone 1

32 deer killed on private property                   

5 deer killed at Robb Hollow and Public Works

37 Total

Zone 2

28 deer killed on private property

0 deer killed on public property

28 Total

Zone 3

20 deer killed on private property

0 deer killed on public property

20 Total

Zone 4

9 deer killed on private property

21 deer killed at McNeilly and Golf Course

30 Total

Presenting the newly updated, updated, revised final Final Archery Report

Keith McGill was kind enough to let me know of the change on the municipal website. The report now includes the number of deer killed in each park. See page 5.

Archery Harvest Numbers by Park:
Golf course - 15
Conservation District - 6
Rob Hollow - 15
McNeilly - 7

When I questioned the count for Public Works, Keith believes the Robb Hollow number reflects both Robb Hollow and the Public Works site. He doesn't believe they differentiated between the two.

Menace or attraction?

Menace or attraction?  / When it comes to culling deer population, Jews in Mt. Lebanon hold dear to ideals 

The Jewish Chronicle has posted the same article, but different titles, so I included both links. I am not sure which one will remain.

Steve Silverman is still worried about prokill people being harassed. No worries about kids walking in areas where bullets are flying.

Is it serendipity?

Happy Sunshine Week! Is it serendipity that my birthday always falls during Sunshine Week? I hope so. I filed a RTK for the type of bait and method used to distribute it and was told yesterday that Mt. Lebanon needs to do a 30 day legal review. I wonder which of the thirty exceptions, including records related to personal or public security, DNA/RNA records, autopsy records, Social Security numbers, personal financial information, personal email addresses, marital status, identity of a covert law enforcement officer, home address of judges or law enforcement, confidential source records, and victim information, MTL is going to cite this time. They're just playing with me now.

In the spirit of Sunshine Week, the executive director of the PA Office of Open Records sent the following email to our state representatives.

Good afternoon and happy Sunshine Week!

Pursuant to Section 1310(a)(9) of the Right-to-Know Law, the Office of Open Records has prepared its Annual Report for 2015. The full report is attached; if you have any difficulties opening the attachment, it’s also available online:

http://www.openrecords.pa.gov/Additional-Resources/Documents/AnnaulReport2015.pdf

Some highlights from this year’s Annual Report include:

·         2,926 appeals filed in 2015, a record total.

·         1,794 appeals involving local agencies vs. 1,132 involving state agencies.

·         For the first time, the Annual Report provides a county-by-county looks at local agency appeals.

·         5 of the top appellate court decisions involving the RTKL.

·         10 examples of records accessed via the RTKL.

·         54 training sessions conducted across the state for about 1,500 people.

·         A look at what the OOR might face in the future.

Today is the first day of Sunshine Week, a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. As part of Sunshine Week, I’ll be analyzing some of the data in the OOR Annual Report, along with some data that didn’t make the final report – and more – on our blog and Twitter feeds:

https://openrecordspa.wordpress.com/

https://twitter.com/ErikOpenRecords

https://twitter.com/OpenRecordsPA

Thank you for your support of the Office of Open Records, and please let me know if you have any questions at all.

Cheers,

Erik

Erik Arneson Executive Director Office of Open Records Commonwealth Keystone Building 400 North St., Plaza Level Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225 (717) 346-9903  |  http://openrecords.pa.gov earneson@pa.gov @ErikOpenRecords  |  @OpenRecordsPA Open Records in Pennsylvania Blog

My court date is still April 11, 2016. If you haven't done so already, please consider visiting The Fight for the Right to Know. A comment in the following op/ed, To force government to be transparent, go directly to the campaign trail: Terry Mutchler, a supporter writes:

anadvocate

It is pathetic if citizens must get a lawyer and file legal suits to have our "public servants" comply with transparency laws.  These politicians are not serving us.  Instead they are protecting corruption and cronies.  I agree that citizens and activists need to keep the heat on.  There cannot be too much transparency when it deals with the actions of bureaucrats and politicians. 

Happy Sunshine Week!

School District to Blame! Was Commissioners do as they please. Again. UPDATED 3 TIMES

On March 8, 2016, the Mt. Lebanon Commissioners approved Resolution No. R-6-16, the transfer of a liquor license to GUTBUBS, LLC. GUTBUBS, LLC, has a lease for property located at 292 Beverly Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15216 and was seeking to transfer a liquor license to a restaurant they plan on opening at this location.  The resolution shows that it was approved February 22, 2016, but it was actually voted on and approved on March 8, 2016. See Agenda Item #5 as introduced by John Bendel.

But that is minor. There's a bigger problem with this liquor license. It is within 300 feet of Lincoln Elementary, a violation of Policy MB OPPOSITION TO APPLICATION FOR MALT BEVERAGE AND LIQUOR LICENSES WITHIN 300 FEET OF SCHOOLS.

According to Dr. Steinhauer in his email to a Mt. Lebanon Parent:

Dear [Mt. Lebanon Parent]

The School District objected in writing to this transfer of a malt beverage and/or liquor license in accordance with District Policy MB on February 17, 2016. The location was within 300 ft. of Lincoln Elementary School.

Timothy J. Steinhauer, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Mt. Lebanon School District

412-344-2076

What did you do today to improve the life of a child?

The question that has gone unanswered is:

Was a protest filed by the District with the PA LCB as per the attached petition and guide?

Are Timmy and the School Board objecting with the same intensity as they did with the shooting along safe walking routes thirty minutes after elementary school children were dismissed? 

Our commissioners don't answer to anyone, while our superintendent questions what we did today to improve the life of a child.

Update March 15, 2016 7:30 PM The unanswered question has been answered.

Dear [Mt. Lebanon Parent],

No, for many years the District has only objected to the Municipality and not with the PLCB.

Tim Steinhauer

Update March 15, 2016 9:36 PM Shaking my head...

From: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
Date: Tue, Mar 15, 2016 at 9:17 PM
Subject: Re: liquor license
To: E.T. Gillen egillen476@aol.com, Kelly Fraasch <kfraasch@mtlebanon.org>, Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Cc: Philip Weis <philip.weis@bipc.com>

Good evening Elaine,

The resolution that was posted on the website had a typographical error regarding the date that was corrected before the resolution was signed.

As to the proximity to Lincoln school, in accordance with the school district policy the school district did submit a letter opposing this transfer as they did with the license that was transferred to Iovino's and Sushi 3. Prior to the meeting I spoke to the Superintendent who indicated that while the school district by policy would not be supporting the transfer of this license they did not have any specific concerns related to the transfer.

As several Commissioners indicated during the meeting, the restaurant owner is a Mt. Lebanon resident with a proven track record in the restaurant business and the liquor license is secondary to the primary focus of the business, which is a restaurant and deli.  

Keith

On Tue, Mar 15, 2016 at 8:34 PM, Kelly Fraasch <kfraasch@mtlebanon.org> wrote:

Can you address this about the ordinance?

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

Begin forwarded message:

From: "'egillen476@aol.com' via Commission" <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Date: March 15, 2016 at 7:47:44 PM EDT
To: commission@mtlebanon.org
Cc: TSteinhauer@mtlsd.net, schoolboard@mtlsd.net
Subject: liquor license
Reply-To: "egillen476@aol.com" <egillen476@aol.com>

Commissioners,

On March 8, 2016, you approved Resolution No. R-6-16, the transfer of a liquor license to GUTBUBS, LLC. The resolution shows that it was approved February 22, 2016, but it was actually voted on and approved on March 8, 2016. See Agenda Item #5 as introduced by John Bendel.

But that is minor. There's a bigger problem with this liquor license. It is within 300 feet of Lincoln Elementary, a violation of Policy MB OPPOSITION TO APPLICATION FOR MALT BEVERAGE AND LIQUOR LICENSES WITHIN 300 FEET OF SCHOOLS. 

The School District wrote in opposition to this resolution, yet you still approved it. Please explain your reasons for approving it.

Elaine Gillen

Update March 16, 2016 10:42 AM I am so glad my grandkids are not if the Mt. Lebanon School District.

From: Dr. Timothy Steinhauer <TSteinhauer@mtlsd.net>
To: 'egillen476@aol.com' <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: School Board Email list <SchoolBoardEmaillist@mtlsd.net>; 'Keith Mcgill' <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Wed, Mar 16, 2016 10:26 am
Subject: RE: liquor license

Dear Ms. Gillen,

School District Policy MB is still applicable and relevant. As noted in the policy, the School District submits an objection in writing to the agency that has ultimate regulatory authority.

Timothy J. Steinhauer, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Mt. Lebanon School District

412-344-2076

What did you do today to improve the life of a child?

From: egillen476@aol.com [mailto:egillen476@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2016 9:41 PM
To: Dr. Timothy Steinhauer; School Board Email list
Subject: Fwd: liquor license

School Board Directors,

Why not abolish Policy MB? It is meaningless.

Elaine Gillen

How to get a parking ticket with time on the meter. Was Another blow to small businesses on Washington Road

We all know about the crackdown on jaywalkers. Mt. Lebanon commissioners want pedestrians to use crosswalks where 70% of pedestrians hit are crossing in crosswalks. But there is a little known fact about metered parking on Washington Road. Metered parking is limited to two hours in our commercial district. I say commercial district because it may also be the case on Beverly Road, but I don't frequent the area enough to know for sure.

This is how it works. Park at a meter on Washington Road. Put in eight quarters for a maximum of two hours of parking. Get your hair cut and colored, feed the meter another four quarters to have lunch, and come back to your car with a parking ticket and a $20 fine. While getting your haircut, a police officer chalks your tire. On their next round, regardless of the time remaining on the meter, you get a ticket. Crazy, right?

While the North Parking Garage was being renovated, parking was at a premium for the employees on Washington Road. Buying a monthly parking pass for approximately $80, permit holders were instructed to park in the Academy lot, if the North Garage was full. On a normal day, the Academy lot is full. Employees were forced to park and feed a meter, just to make it through their work day. Employees were routinely fined.

Shoppers and employees are forced to see the crazy guy who fines out of town guests $1100 if they want to fight it. There is something wrong with this scenario. There is no lost revenue if someone decides to support local businesses and feeds the meter in the process. Why do we have this? I can go to South Hills Village and park for free all day long, but to support small businesses in Mt. Lebanon, I run the risk of being cited for supporting the Mt. Lebanon Partnership. And for Heaven's sake, use a crosswalk so you have a better chance of getting hit by a car.

Update March 14, 2016 5:15 PM This photo was sent in by a Lebo Citizens reader with a note:

Regarding your post on parking, I’ve always wondered why teachers/admin staff from Washington and Mellon get a free pass. They are employees just like anyone else here in Mt. Lebanon.

I bet they don’t get their tires chalked.

Parents, here's a comforting thought

It is not legal to shoot guns in a gun free school zone, but Tony was allowed to bait in a gun free school zone.

From: Aaron Lauth [mailto:alauth@mtlebanon.org]
Sent: Tuesday, March 8, 2016 5:55 PM
To: a concerned resident
Cc: Keith McGill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Subject: Re: bait

Our two-Officer site inspection team verified the GPS coordinates of each site.  We have no credible information to suggest that bait placed by White Buffalo is outside of these approved sites.  Also, the Gun Free School Zone Act specifically prohibits guns, and therefore shooting, within 1000 ft of a school property.  Not that this is the case here, but to my knowledge, it does not cover bait for deer culling activities.

Uh, Aaron, you have no credible evidence that suggests Tony didn't place the bait outside of the approved sites.

New signs are popping up

Some more Eat More Venison signs have popped up. I noticed another one on Avon Drive. Then there is this new one on Connecting Road:

Why bother having a sign made? You won. Why am I paying thousands of dollars in legal fees so that Mt. Lebanon can protect the identity of residents when they have no problem having signs like this in their front yards?

Personally, I like this new sign.

Me? I am putting my NIMY sign away for the Fall. 

Putting the pieces together

I thought my sleepless nights were over, but my mind isn't ready to give up on the bait mystery. Here are the puzzle pieces:

Ongoing emails with Tony DeNicola about bait starting February 26, 2016.

Email to Keith McGill showing piles of corn at McNeilly and the golf course sent on March 5, 2016.

Photos of corn gone at golf course on March 7, 2016

Photos of corn gone at McNeilly on March 7, 2016

Not one kernel left at either location.

Mt. Lebanon press release announcing that baiting has concluded on March 8, 2016.

On March 8, 2016 at 5:32 PM, Tony DeNicola tells me that his findings about bait is not public information.

Another Mt. Lebanon press release sent on March 9, 2016, announces that sharpshooting has concluded. The Almanac reports: 

Activities ceased in part because of conditions that are not favorable to bait working effectively, and as a result, time could not be used efficiently.

Is the real story that Mt. Lebanon told DeNicola that ground baiting is illegal in Allegheny County? Merlin Benner got in trouble for baiting last year since it was attracting rats. As you know, Mt. Lebanon has rats as big as cats. Mt. Lebanon also ceased baiting for rats this year. Was DeNicola told to clean up the bait, not leaving one kernel? Was the reason that DeNicola was so cranky with me about bait because he was sick of the bullshit in Mt. Lebanon? He couldn't use Twin Hills, had to deal with gun free school zones, and now bait issues? I certainly hope so.

Shooting is OVERRRRRR UPDATED

From: LeboALERT <noreply@mtlebanon.org>
To: EGillen476 <EGillen476@aol.com>
Sent: Wed, Mar 9, 2016 3:43 pm
Subject: LeboALERT: The sharp shooting p...

This is an important notice from LeboALERT.


The sharp shooting phase of this year's municipal deer management program has concluded successfully. Updates to be posted at www.mtlebanon.org.


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

For up to date municipal information visit:

http://www.mtlebanon.org - http://pd.mtlebanon.org - http://www.mtlfd.org - http://www.lebomag.com

Also tune to Comcast channel 17 or Verizon FIOS channel 34.

To unsubscribe or change your alerts, visit http://leboalert.mtlebanon.org.

Please do not respond to this message as it is sent from an unmonitored account.

Update March 9, 2016 9:45 PM Mt. Lebanon sharpshooting program ended 

Sharpshooting ends in Mt. Lebanon

OMG!

From: Anthony DeNicola <tony.denicola@whitebuffaloinc.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: kmcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; alauth <alauth@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Tue, Mar 8, 2016 5:32 pm
Subject: Re: Bait

My findings are not public information.


On Tuesday, March 8, 2016, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

SECOND REQUEST

Tony,

According to Susan Morgans, all the baiting has concluded in today's article in The Almanac. http://www.thealmanac.net/20160308/details_for_mt_lebanon_sharpshooting_limited_for_safety_reasons

"“The baiting has concluded,” Morgans said."

As of February 28, you were going to give it another week to sort out the best method for baiting and what type of mechanical feeder you are using to distribute the bait. I understand that it is an art, rather than a science. You were going to get back to me. Keith was going to get back to me.

I have also asked Manager Keith McGill and he was going to ask you. I hope he has followed through. Now, I read that the baiting has concluded. What kind of bait have you decided to go with and what type of mechanical feeder did you use?

Elaine Gillen

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

From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To: tony.denicola <tony.denicola@whitebuffaloinc.org>
Cc: kmcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; alauth <alauth@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Sun, Mar 6, 2016 12:54 pm
Subject: Re: Bait

Tony,

It's been a week since we last exchanged emails. Any news on what type of bait and what type of mechanical feeders that you are using? According to the permit, you have had six weeks to bait so far. Are you still sorting out the best method?

Elaine Gillen

-

----Original Message-----

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

On Fri, Feb 26, 2016 at 2:35 PM, Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org> wrote:

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

On Fri, Feb 26, 2016 at 2:27 PM, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Keith,

Were you able to get in touch with Aaron or Mike concerning my bait questions? What kind of bait and now is it being distributed?

Elaine Gillen

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Keith McGill, AICP
Municipal Manager/Municipal Planner
412-343-3684
kmcgill@mtlebanon.org 

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

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

Find Us: whitebuffaloinc.org | Facebook | LinkedIn