Saturday, April 29, 2017

Rodella was fired.

"Rodella was fired." That comment was just approved. It was a response to Anonymous at 6:33 PM April 28, 2017 under Anonymous letter from the inside.


Anonymous shared a link to a job posting for a Girls' Volleyball Coach in the 6:33 PM comment.

So who is Joe Rodella? I never met the guy, but Joe Rodella, former school board president and Pitt's hockey coach was hired to replace the girls' volleyball coach who was fired because of sexual misconduct. Despicable UPDATED 3X. Certainly, a hockey coach would be the logical hire for a girls' volleyball coaching position. Joe has also been in the news. PA Cyber connections prompt inquiry 
Rodella is also on the Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment Board. Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment Board of Directors as indicated in the Anonymous letter from the inside

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Anonymous letter from the inside

This is post #2,200!

I got an anonymous letter sent in a MTLSD envelope. Why do I get a sick feeling when I receive a thick envelope from them? It usually meant trouble- either for my kids or taxes (never got letters about either), but it still makes me nervous. Today's letter was about the Timmy Ticket.



A few things off the top of my head...

I see that I was not the only one who thought the 2015 Great Alumni Awards were shameful with Lebowitz and Posti being recipients. Shaking my head I was so happy to see that my former priest was recognized, but Lebo Larry and JoPo? OMG. And then Mary Birks was honored last year? Come on!

Also, why would these jerks expect a guy who had a kidney transplant to donate to the fund? Weren't there fundraisers held for him? Why would Timmy only donate $5,000 when he earns thousands, thanks to the Timmy Ticket? That was also mentioned in my link Shaking my head

Yeah, why weren't Riemer and Strotmeyer asked to be on their slate? The Timmy Ticket is not endorsed by either party and all have been shunned by their respective parties.

I have a feeling much more will be exposed before the May Primary. Why don't they just back out now and save themselves a lot of embarrassment?

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Amazing things I learned from a recent School District RTK

School Board meeting minutes summaries posted on the school district are just that - summaries. I thought they were the actual minutes, but they are not.

Mary Birks did not recuse herself from voting in matters concerning Outreach.

There is quite a lot to weed through, but I am sharing what I received, including a little synopsis from the requestor.
I assume the district has had a contract since 2005 in excess of $500 (at least later years). I only asked for more recent data. RTK response included Feb 2016 and 2017 minutes showing the finance items contract over $100 vote. It's a lump/consent vote and Birks did not abstain on either vote of the Outreach contracts. I would assume a similar contract approval process happened in previous years. Based on her position, she should've abstained any time the vote occurred, but she did not. Maybe once is an oversight, but twice or more I have to start to question. Ironically, Birks seconded a vote in May 2010 to approve an update to the board ethics policy.
RTK response cover letter dated April 24, 2017


Monday, April 24, 2017

What started out to be a post about the budget...

It all started with this article in the Post Gazette, Nice surprise: No tax increase in Mt. Lebanon after all. Thanks to some refinancing of bonds, and trouble in the world, taxpayers in Mt. Lebanon will not see a tax increase.
That’s because the district was the unexpected benefactor of a fortuitous dip in interest rates due to recent world events, such as the conflict in Afghanistan, tensions in North Korea and an upcoming election in France, according to the district’s financial adviser.
The article continues with
The board is expected to approve the final budget May 22. Until then, it will be available for public inspection online at www.mtlsd.org. (Go to http://www.mtlsd.org/page.cfm?p=1415 for the budget.)
And that is when my research took an ugly turn. Looking at the budget, I don't see anything about the Capital Campaign originally suggested by Pursuant Ketchum in 2013.


We are now in Year Four of the "Quiet Phase." The longest quiet phase E V E R 
District spokeswoman Cissy Bowman [What the hell does that woman actually do???] said the campaign remains in its “quiet phase,” with organizers planning “awareness events” for potential donors during the summer and into the next school year. 
That was two years ago. Still nothing. Nothing is in the budget. No totals are mentioned ANYWHERE. We have been given crumbs, like the current brochure and the webpage showing the Campaign Cabinet. OMG!   Look who is on the committee? Two members of the Timmy Ticket! Hey Ladies, how about coming clean with some amounts in the Capital Campaign, now known as the Century of Excellence Campaign? How about a spreadsheet showing what your expenses are and what you have taken in? This is starting to sound like Mary Birks being executive director of Outreach!

How about you, Jan Klein? What can you tell us about the Capital Campaign? Exactly how many more years will we be in the Quiet Phase? I guess Mark Cuban is finding better ways to invest his money on Shark Tank.

Yet, Lebo Larry is more offended by Dan Remely's comment. (See PG article above.) I never run out of things to blog about here. The Timmy ticket has really made a mess of things in Mt. Lebanon.

2017 Commission candidates Statements of Financial Interests

2017 Commission candidates Statements of Financial Interests

Also, the website for Ward 4's Bob Fischer is votefischer.com. Bob's committee is hosting a meet and greet on May 4th at Primanti's, from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM. A donation of $25 per person or $40 per couple is requested.

Think before you vote

I am frequently asked about the status of my Right To Know case before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. My case is concerning the identities of archers and the locations of the private yards where killing deer is taking place.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is the highest court in the Commonwealth. It is also the oldest appellate court in the United States. There is no guarantee that the PA Supreme Court will hear my case. My attorneys had to file a request, known as a Petition for Allowance of Appeal, that explains why my case is important enough to justify review in the Supreme Court.

I understand that approximately 2000 Requests for Appeal are filed each year.  The Court grants review in 2-3% of these cases and is decreasing every year.

The PA Supreme Court has not decided yet if they will hear my case.

Why am I saying all of this? There are two candidates running in the 2nd and 4th wards' commission race who want more killing of deer. Steve Silverman voted to appeal the PA Office of Open Records' Final Determination and wants to keep all records sealed about killing deer in Mt. Lebanon. We don't have the right to know if our neighbors are granting access to archers and those with high powered rifles being discharged in their yards. Craig Grella is afraid of deer, but has no problem with anonymous killers with lethal weapons in undisclosed private properties.

Unfortunately, this decision is in the hands of Ward 2 and Ward 4 voters only. 

There is an election that is community wide, which is also critical. The Timmy Ticket (Caste, Cappucci, Remely, and Birks) will continue to block transparency and open government with their backroom deals and shenanigans. 

Please mark you calendars to vote on May 16.  I am spending my own money to appeal the courts' decisions to keep records private. Let's get Mt. Lebanon back on track to open government. 

Sunday, April 23, 2017

A first for me

Since the time we moved here in 1985, there has never been a political sign in my yard, except mine. I have never felt this strongly about a school board election E V E R.

For the first time, I placed a sign in my yard for Riemer, Strotmeyer, and Diamond.


It is going to be close. Every vote will count. If you need a yard sign for Riemer, Strotmeyer, and Diamond, and don't know where to get one, email me at EGillen476@aol.com. It would be especially fun for those who live on Sunset to display this yard sign.

Sierra Club endorses Bob Lee - not the other guy

10 Minutes Sunday Noon front of Rec Center

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Sierra Club brought Bob Lee news.  Both Bob and his opponent Steve Silverman applied for Sierra’s endorsement.  Both filled out the same long, detailed application.  Both were interviewed too.  After the examination the Sierra Club endorsed Bob Lee for Mt Lebanon Commissioner: 

“[I]n recognition of your demonstrated commitment to protecting the environment.”

Sunday at Noon at Mt Lebanon Earth Day, Bob will address a special group.  In just 10 minutes, he will speak in specifics about his commitment to our children, public health and the environment. 

Please join Bob for his 10 Minutes This Earth Day address.

*     Noon
*     In front of Rec Center
*     Main Park
*     Mt Lebo Earth Day Celebration

An email forwarded to me from Bob Lee:

...I will be laying out why I think you should support me for the Mt. Lebanon Ward 2 Commissioner seat in the primary. If you're receiving this email you've known me from one of a number of places. From my fund raising with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, one of the benefits our band has done for people who needed a little help, relay for life participation, my work on the Mt Lebanon Democratic Committee or countless campaigns because I grew up believing the phrase "We the people" was telling me to help someone achieve a goal.

Around noon...my campaign partners will probably be gathering people near the doors to the Hockey rink so I can tell you why I'll be the best candidate for Mt Lebanon to Save Money while helping to join the leaders in the nation into Environmental Sustainability and what we can do about a couple Public Health issues in Mt. Lebanon that I hear about a lot when knocking doors.

Bob Lee

P.S. I received the PA Sierra Club endorsement of my campaign on Earth Day.

Friday, April 21, 2017

Aw, Come On!

Another comment worthy of its own post!

https://www.applitrack.com/mtlsd/OnlineApp/JobPostings/view.asp?Category=Teacher/&AppliTrackJobId=471&AppliTrackLayoutMode=detail&AppliTrackViewPosting=1

The position was posted for less than a day! So within a day the applications were closed and miraculously, 3 days later, ELAINE CAPPACCI RESIGNS. 

Middle School Social Studies Teacher - 8th Grade US History-Contract 2016-2017 
JobID: 471 Apply 

Position Type: Teacher - Middle School/Social Studies

Date Posted: 7/13/2016

Location: Thomas Jefferson Middle School 

Date Available: 8/22/16

Closing Date: 07/13/2016 

Thursday, April 20, 2017

It is up to the voters now UPDATED 2X including Statements of Financial Interests!

I received another letter from a concerned Lebo Citizens reader in reference to Mary Birks and Elaine Cappucci running for school board.

The letter is below with a scanned copy to follow.

Thank you for contacting me. I share the same concerns. I don't know what else could be done. I have contacted the school board and they think it is perfectly fine to have Mary Birks, Executive Director of Outreach, serve as a school board director at the same time. Keep your eyes open for Fake Information Officer Susan Morgans to come back with another article about Outreach. Both local governments have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo.

I have written about the conflict with Elaine Cappucci coming back on to the school board, but her arrogance has gotten in the way of common sense. 

The only way to stop these two women is by voting them out. Dan Remely has to go too. The Timmy ticket of Cappucci, Birks, Remely and Caste is what is keeping Timmy employed. His raises are outrageous. His amended contract is appalling. His methods of hiring are scandalous and reek of collusion. His arrogance falls in line with Birks and Cappucci.

To the relatively new family who wrote to me, it has been like this for a very long time. I started following Mt. Lebanon closely in 2010. Up until then, I had two jobs, was caring for a sick loved one, and was raising a family. I was just trying to survive, as many of you are doing today. I am thrilled to see that my efforts are starting to get people talking.

The Primary is May 16, 2017. Please get out and vote. Stop the corruption and let's get our community back. 

Update April 20, 2017 9:33 AM Watch for these yard signs. They are getting my vote.


Update April 21, 2017 6:53 PM More information, as promised from a RTK.

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

A letter of support for Bob Lee

Lebo Citizens reader, Dave Adler provided a better photo of Bob Lee's yard sign (see Ward 2 Lee vs. Silverman) along with the following email. Thanks, Dave!

Hi Elaine,

I’m writing not only to give you the picture you asked for, but also to help my friend and neighbor Bob Lee win a seat on the Mt Lebanon Commission.

Bob is a former Marine who trained helicopter rescue crews after the bombing of the Marine Barracks in Beirut in ‘83. He has a master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon and is in charge of data for one of Pittsburgh’s biggest employers. Bob raises money for charities and families in crisis -- in March, he and his friends raised $5,000 for a disabled American veteran and his family after their house burned down.

His priorities are public health – particularly our children’s health, our environment, and being careful with our tax money. Courage, expertise and leadership are what Bob is offering. He is one of the finest human beings I know.

Once you meet Bob, I think you’ll agree that he deserves our vote, and an opportunity to serve us.

Dave Adler

P.S. feel free to use all or some of this in the blog at your best judgment, with or without my name.

P.P.S. Like you, I am a Ward 3 resident, but wish I could vote for Bob over Silverman (or Charlotte over Silverman if Bob loses), or Bob Fischer over Craig. I'm a liberal on national issues, but the local landscape is different, and Fischer - like Lee and Fraasch - is a true voice for the people.

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Like... OMG...Gag Me With a Spoon



For some reason, my neighborhood, which some call the Ghetto, never makes it in these videos. Susan just likes to show the big houses. Of course. Anyone want to guess how much this cost taxpayers?

Monday, April 17, 2017

Ward 2 Lee vs. Silverman UPDATED

I spotted my first Bob Lee sign today. Bob is going against Dem. Steve Silverman for commissioner. Bob is a former chair of the Mt. Lebanon Democratic Committee. Unfortunately, the MLDC has endorsed incumbent Silverman, so I hope that Democrats in Ward 2 will realize that they do have better options.



Saturday, April 15, 2017

Lebo man charged with TWO DUI's

Thomas Bloedel, from Mt. Lebanon, was hit with two DUI's - driving under the influence and having a dog under the influence.

Chihuahua found lapping up vodka in DUI suspect's car, police say
We live in a sad, sad community.

Self storage units coming to Lebo

It appears that the plan for the location at the intersection of Mt. Lebanon Blvd. and Castle Shannon Blvd. has done a 180º. It has gone from a place for reducing excess* to a facility to store excess.

Beyond Self Storage Facilities Planned in Three Suburban Pittsburgh, PA Markets
The location in Mt. Lebanon is on Castle Shannon Boulevard by the intersection of Mt. Lebanon Boulevard. “There are no self-storage facilities in Mt. Lebanon and the Castle Shannon Boulevard location is superb, so we’re very excited about the potential opportunity to offer a Class A storage option to the local community,” noted Hagedorn, “and, this might be one of our more challenging sites to work with given the severe topographic challenges”.

This is a much needed facility for Mt. Lebanon residents who have too much stuff and have no place to store it. It will also benefit the families of those who will be moving to the new development on Connor Road.

*LA Fitness

Friday, April 14, 2017

An Open Letter From Castlegate Development UPDATED

The following was submitted as a comment, but I believe it deserves its own post. Again, I am embarrassed to admit that I live in a community that counts garbage cans, but pays little attention to environmental hazards and toxins.

This is a member of Castlegate Development. I just want to let you know we really do appreciate that you care and we feel for you, too. We know Mt. Lebanon Commission is a dead end, but we will continue to show up. We are still seeking environmental groups in Allegheny County to help us and we continue to work closely with ACHD, our councilperson and her office, and every politician who will listen. We are worried not only about lead-
bad enough, right? But a hundred years ago, asbestos was also used in paint, and we worry about that, too, and whatever other nasty hundred year old toxins might remain.

These buildings are/were immediately across the street from our homes, separated by about fifty feet. In addition to the pollution we've had to breathe in for over a month while they demo-ed without water or without enough water, at one point laughably using a garden hose (!) the debris of the multiple buildings has been sitting everywhere on the lot for over a month, as well, drying out in the sun, settling in with the land, polluting our air further every time the wind blows. Our houses and yards and cars are covered with soot, dust, insulation, no matter how many times we clean them.

We believe the next phase of the demolition is this: With Mt. Lebanon's approval, once this part of the demo is finished, if the debris is removed without environmental safeguards as the demo was done, we will have another exposure event. Or--a potentially even more dangerous and likely scenario, Residential Resources, Sota Construction/Green Construction (who wins awards for being green!!!), will have Continental Enterprises or some other low budget company dig out all the bricks, mortar, walls, cement that have been dropping into the basement foundations during demo or left in tremendously large piles all across the land and they will move and pollute and grind everything up in grinders on site--again releasing even more toxins into the air and earth and environment--and then use them as fill on this lot. Unbelievable. All this directly across from where people live.

Already two neighbors have had a son and a daughter with pneumonia since this started, another kid has epilepsy, previously well controlled, and her seizures have increased. 10 out of the 12 closest homes have had continuous headaches and/or lung and eye and nose and respiratory symptoms. Another neighbor who is due to give birth any day has been told by her doctor that it's probably not safe for her to stay here. Yet, this is where we all live. All this approved by Mt. Lebanon Commission and backed by their demo permit. They could rescind the permit. Residential Resources could fire the whole lot of them. Sota Construction/Green Construction could make sure basic safeguards are in place and/or fire Continental Enterprises. But none of them have shown the least bit of concern in our month long pleas for safety. They didn't even put up tarps until less than a week ago, after a month of exposure and we offered to buy and hang them ourselves! Instead, the whole group of them all prove that their own agendas and profits mean more than human lives or air or earth.

And then get this-- after all this is over--three more buildings remain-- awaiting funding for another round of demo and then clean up. And they'll get the funding. You know they will, just like we know it. They are poisoning our neighborhood and poisoning our kids, and then they will do it all over again, just like they did to yours with that turf. They don't care. I don't know how they sleep at night, the whole lot of them. Sorry for taking up so much space on your page. Just to let you know, even if it's not worth much of anything, we stand with you, too. Neighbor to neighbor.

Update April 14, 2017 5:50 PM Keith McGill strikes again. In the PG's Mt. Lebanon hears concerns about toxic dust at demolition site
Mt. Lebanon manager Keith McGill said the municipality doesn’t have air quality requirements as part of its demolition permitting process.
I'm confused. We just tore down almost half the high school, and we don't have air quality requirements?  

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Proposed Terrace/ConnorDevelopment

Reposting from Nextdoor:

Priya Amin from Foster Elementary 

Hi Neighbors, 

There is a project proposal underway for the construction of a 40,000 square foot, three story, 45’ high, long-term care facility with approximately 100 beds at the intersection of Terrace Dr. and Connor Rd. All access to and from the facility will be via a planned entrance on Terrace Drive. 

On March 30th, the Zoning board granted a variance to build the facility on smaller plot of land than required by Mt. Lebanon ordinance. Now the developers have requested that the Planning Board recommend to change the zoning from Residential R1 to a Continuing Care Overlay District. As a resident of the neighborhood, I am not in favor of the zoning change but it is my understanding that some members of the Planning Board and the Township Commissioners are not fully aware of the strong discontent in the neighborhood regarding building a commercial facility in a residential neighborhood. 

To voice your opinion regarding the project to the Planning Board, email Mt. Lebanon Municipal Planner, Ian McMeans imcmeans@mtlebanon.org with a copy to Mt. Lebanon Municipal Manager, Keith McGill kmcgill@mtlebanon.org and planning board member Suzanne Sieber suzanne.sieber@elevmgmt.com by April 18th and your email will be given to the Planning Board members. You can use this email template: 

http://bit.ly/2oZmi9O 

Also please attend the Planning Board Meeting on April 25th at 7:00 pm at the Municipal Building, 710 Washington Road. 

The developers are arguing that to have the property reclassified as an Overlay District will just continue the zoning currently used for The Pines. However, access to The Pines in not through a residential neighborhood. To lobby against the overlay request, residents must voice their opinions that the property remain zoned as it is, R1 for single family homes only and not to be an extension of the Continuing Care Overlay District. For the land to be a conservancy, the Municipality or someone else would have to purchase the land. Legal counsel for the developers will argue the nursing home will have less impact on the neighborhood than a development of singles family home. The early and late morning shift changes and delivery trucks will change our neighborhood.

Please note the Planning Board can only make a recommendation to the Commissioners, it cannot approve or deny the project. It is also imperative to email the commissioners (http://bit.ly/2oZmi9O) and to attend the Commissioners’ meeting. I will send another email letting you know when that date has been set. Listed below are the commissioners’ emails: 

Commissioners: 
David Brumfield: dbrumfield@mtlebanon.org
Kelly Fraasch: kfraasch@mtlebanon.org 
Stephen McLean: smclean@mtlebanon.org - Ward 3 District 3 for where the proposed development lies. 
Steve Silverman: ssilverman@mtlebanon.org
John Bendel: jbendel@mtlebanon.org 

Please feel free to forward this email. Thanks for your help and support!

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Pittsburgh councilwoman attended the meeting this evening, along with many Brookline residents UPDATED



PITTSBURGH - The Allegheny County Health Department is monitoring the demolition of a building after receiving complaints from neighbors.
The Health Department is now levying fines due to dust from the demolition of the old Bradley Center in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Brookline.
"The demolition company is not using the proper amount of water to dampen the amount of dust from the site which is causing a lot of problems for the residents," Pittsburgh councilwoman Natalia Rudiak said.
Rudiak is helping the people who live in that section of Castlegate Avenue because they are part of her district, even though the new condo development is in Mount Lebanon.
"We've sent numerous emails to Mount Lebanon commission. Not one single response," neighbor Angela Lagnese said.

Update April 12, 2017 3:15 PM Follow their Facebook page. Castlegate Development Project

Schoolboard President and Outreach SECOND REQUEST

Well, there you have it.

From: William Moorhead wmoorhead@mtlsd.net
To: egillen476 
Cc: schoolboard ; Timothy Steinhauer ; jcrompton 
Subject: Re: School board president and Outreach SECOND REQUEST 
Date: Tue, Apr 11, 2017 8:32 pm

Ms. Gillen:
In response to your question, and after after consultation with counsel,our position is that it is permissible for Mrs.Birks to serve as President of the School Board, and as Executive Director of Outreach.
William J. Moorhead
Vice President of the School Board 

On Tue, Apr 11, 2017 at 8:19 AM, 'egillen476@aol.com' via SchoolBoard <schoolboardemaillist@mtlsd.net> wrote:
School board directors,

Since there are nine of you and I haven't heard back from any of you, perhaps this email got "lost in the mail." I hope it isn't the case that you are afraid to break protocol. 

I have not heard from the superintendent either. This is a serious matter and should not be ignored.

Elaine Gillen


-----Original Message-----
From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To: schoolboard <schoolboard@mtlsd.net>
Cc: TSteinhauer <TSteinhauer@mtlsd.net>; egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>; jcrompton <jcrompton@post-gazette.com>
Sent: Sun, Apr 9, 2017 5:48 pm
Subject: School board president and Outreach

School board directors,

I approved the following comment for my blog, Lebo Citizens. 

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Interesting connections, observations, and more ma...": 

The parent who sent the Outreach letter is correct. The Teen Screen program should be placed out for bid. If Outreach wins the bid then state law dictates that Mrs. Birks cannot have any supervisory or administrative involvement. That's just not possible given Mrs. Birks is the Outreach Executive Director. She can sit on School Board OR run Outreach. Not both. Next, it could be a director pushing their tutoring service or rehab facility or SAT prep service or whatever. The rules exist for a reason. 

Posted by Anonymous to Lebo Citizens at April 9, 2017 at 3:38 PM

I am quite concerned about this comment as well as the anonymous letter which was sent to my home. I would like a response from the school board. What is your position with Mary Birks being School Board President while being the Outreach Executive Director at the same time.. 

This should be interesting since you tend to have the school board president answer all emails and sign all emails, "For the Board." 

Elaine Gillen

Monday, April 10, 2017

This is almost comical

Not too long ago, mtl Magazine was looking for and hired a "content creator." The entire "team" is listed here, which includes SIX photographers. (Why Susan Morgans spends money on stock photography images, is beyond me.) What strikes me as funny is that Facebook articles tend to mirror what is discussed on Lebo Citizens. Every time I write something about Mary Birks and Outreach, magically, an article shows up on Facebook.


It is uncanny. I write something about Mary Birks and bam! something shows up on Facebook. Susan Morgans comes to the rescue. So why do we need a content creator? 




We have Susan Morgans trashing Petco, writing about her trips to wine country, and trolling on this blog. Oh, the money we could save in the Public Information Office.

Saturday, April 8, 2017

Interesting connections, observations, and more mail UPDATED with link

It looks like we are off to the races, that is the commission and school board director races. Readers continue to send me particulars about candidates running in the May Primary.

Craig Grella (D), Ward 4 candidate handled Mt. Lebanon Democratic Committee chair, Michelle Zmijanac's digital campaign.


Craig supports lethal culling methods. White Buffalo president, Tony DeNicola is now recommending non-traditional lethal methods which include trap and bolt, the most inhumane way to kill deer. Craig rents his home and lives next door to a neighbor who has fruit trees. We will all pay the price to have the deer, who are attracted to those fruit trees, killed.

Steve Silverman's Accomplishments Steve believes he has improved Pedestrian and Vehicular Safety by voting for killing deer with high powered rifles in our community 30 minutes after our elementary school children are dismissed from school. Pedestrians continue to get hit in cross walks, DUI's are on the rise, and supports breathalyzer tests for people on bicycles while showing his support to the Friends of the Library. His Facebook page, Vote Steve Silverman features photos from the Beer Bashes and Brews held at the library. He is also taking credit for our Fire Department achieving an ISO Class I rating and Spring Hill Suites opening. Steve also supports taking grandmothers on Social Security to Common Pleas Court to appeal the PA Office of Open Records decision. Silverman tends to leak private emails, within a few hours, to his friends. The friends, in turn, pay an unannounced visit to the homes of those same grandmothers on Social Security. You will see many of Steve's yard signs on every corner in Ward 2.

Anonymous letters continues to show up in my mail box. The ones I got this week include a suggested political sign for the Timmy Ticket, as well as more "scoop" on Birks and Cappucci.

"Unethical" is printed in yellow ink.
Click on "scoop" link above for scanned image.

Will we get any more information on former school board president and newly appointed Girls' Volleyball Coach Joe Rodella and the Timmy Ticket's' association with PA Cyber? Federal judge sides with prosecutors in unsealing Trombetta case records

Manager's numbers are out of whack!

Keith McGill sent this table to the commission, the assistant manager, and the person who requested this information at the last commission meeting. I don't know where Keith got some of these numbers, but his records are not accurate.

Good afternoon,
At the meeting on Monday night there was a request to identify the number of deer removed since we put a deer management program in place and the associated cost. Here is what my records indicate:


Year
Deer Removed
Cost of Removal
2007
79
$19,900  (USDA)
2008
146
$50,837 (USDA)
2015
6
$3,000  (Wildlife Specialists)
2016
101
$15,460 (White Buffalo -Archery)
2016
114
$74,375 (White Buffalo –Sharpshooting)
2017
36
$9,000 (White Buffalo- Archery)
2017
55
$44,868 (White Buffalo -Sharpshooting)
Total
537
$217,440
Keith


There were 69 deer killed in 2007. The permit was for up to 75. http://mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/8876

In 2008, USDA killed 146 deer, but only knew about 145 deer. The 146th was found dead, in a pool of blood, in someone's front yard on Lindendale. The permit was for up to 150 deer.

The 2016 Archers killed 104 deer. http://www.mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/View/13897 Goal was 100.

The 2016 "Sharpshooting" program killed 115 deer. We were told that the limit would be 150 deer.

The 2017 "Sharpshooting" contract was limited to 100 deer. 55 deer were killed.

The only time hunters reached their goal was in 2016. The goal was 100 deer. All the other years, hunters came in short of their goals. I have no idea where Keith is getting his numbers, but these are the numbers I found on the municipal website.

To take this a step further, the cost of killing per deer per year breaks down to:

2007 $288.41 per deer
2008 $348.20 per deer
2015 $500 per deer
2016 (archery) $147.24 per deer
2016 ("sharpshooting") $652.41 per deer
2017 (archery) $250 per deer
2017 ("sharpshooting") $815.78 per deer

Both Steve Silverman and Craig Grella want to continue doing business with that scoundrel, and will vote along with John Bendel and Steve McLean to keep Tony DeNicola. Killing deer causes collisions to increase, but they will continue to bring in lethal weapons because deer are scary.

Friday, April 7, 2017

Can you help?



A sixteen year old boy was struck by a white SUV while crossing Bower Hill Road at Concordia Way. The media report for this hit and run is below.

On March 22, 2017 at approximately 6:40pm, MLPD officers were dispatched to a residence on Pennsylvania Blvd in reference to a leaving the scene pedestrian crash that had occurred earlier at a different location.  

Upon arrival, officers spoke to a 16 year old male, who stated that he was walking home in the 1300 block of Bower Hill Road at about 6:05pm this evening. He was on the north side of the road, standing on the north west corner of Bower Hill Road and Concordia Way. As the pedestrian signal light changed to "walk", he began to walk across Concordia Way and observed a white SUV coming out of the west parking lot exit of Temple Emmanuel. As he was walking east, the white SUV then made a left turn out of the parking lot and "clipped" him. The 16 year old stated that the driver's side front fender and bumper hit him in the hip and back, and spun him around. He does not recall if he was knocked to the ground, but said that he saw the SUV slow down, then speed up as it went west on Bower Hill Road. The SUV then came to nearly a stop, then quickly accelerated again and left the area. 

The 16 year old felt positive that the driver of the SUV knew he had hit him, but did not stop to check on him. He believes that the SUV was a 2010-2012 Ford Escape, and he described the driver as a white male in his 40s. There was also a white female in her teens in the front passenger seat. He was unable to see the license plate of the vehicle that struck him. 

As a result of the crash, the 16 year old male stated that he was not injured, but had soreness in his back and wrist.

Investigative efforts to track down and identify the SUV, the driver or any witnesses to the incident have been unsuccessful at this point.


Aaron V. Lauth
Chief of Police
Mt Lebanon Police Department
555 Washington Road
Pittsburgh, PA  15228
(412)343-4015

Anyone else see the humor in this?