Council also heard from Mary Birks, executive director of Outreach Teen and Family Services. Outreach operates a counseling center in Mt. Lebanon and offers other counseling services in the surrounding communities. Birks asked council to consider partnering with her organization to provide help to young people in Bethel Park struggling with drug addiction or other issues. Police in Mt. Lebanon sometimes refer youths to the program as a way to get the teens help without involving the criminal justice system, Birks said.
Friday, July 28, 2017
Birks Reaching Out from Outreach
Ban on front lawn parking in Bethel Park to be considered
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Wonder if Timmy shared this with the school board
It has been said that Timmy does not inform the school board directors as well as he should. Through the years, some school board directors have read things on my blog, Lebo Citizens, rather than hear it directly from Timmy.
Begor Settlement
Begor Settlement
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Vote regarding a landlord of a board member's employer?
On Sat, Jul 22, 2017 at 10:16 AM, 'egillen476@aol.com' via SchoolBoard <schoolboardemaillist@mtlsd.net> wrote:
A question has come up on my blog, Lebo Citizens. With Mary Birks being executive director of Outreach, should she be voting on any issues that involves Outreach's landlord?
Elaine Gillen
VP Moorhead's reply
A question has come up on my blog, Lebo Citizens. With Mary Birks being executive director of Outreach, should she be voting on any issues that involves Outreach's landlord?
Elaine Gillen
VP Moorhead's reply
Monday, July 24, 2017
Without a trace
I had appealed the Right To Know to the PA Office of Open Records:
The PA Office of Open Records just emailed MTLSD, Tucker Arensberg, and me with their Final Determination of my appeal. Evidently, the affidavit from Timmy where he attests that there are no other records is good enough.
Somehow, the job posting was changed nine months after Andrew Cappucci was hired, WITHOUT A TRACE. Kudos, Timmy.
School board directors, just an FYI. You can terminate Timmy with cause when he commits perjury. Just sayin'.
All records, including but not limited to emails, texts, and interoffice memos related to modifying the job posting dates for Middle School Social Studies Teacher-8 th Grade US History – Contract 2016-2017 JobID: 471. Dates modified include: Date Posted & Closing Date….The Mt. Lebanon School District submitted their Position Statement and Affidavits from Dr. Timothy Steinhauer and Cindy Higgins.
The PA Office of Open Records just emailed MTLSD, Tucker Arensberg, and me with their Final Determination of my appeal. Evidently, the affidavit from Timmy where he attests that there are no other records is good enough.
Somehow, the job posting was changed nine months after Andrew Cappucci was hired, WITHOUT A TRACE. Kudos, Timmy.
School board directors, just an FYI. You can terminate Timmy with cause when he commits perjury. Just sayin'.
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Hugh rocks!
Parents ask Mt. Lebanon School Board for smaller elementary class sizes
“I think class size is key as well,” board member Hugh Beal said. “I would be willing to vote to fund that. If we have to reopen the budget, I’d be willing to do that. I think we can find money and I think it’s something the administration should strongly consider.”
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
To add insult to injury...
In addition to watching Timmy get an award for doing a satisfactory job, and seeing the school board president who is under investigation with the Ethics Commission, the school board approved publishing the 2016 list of liened properties at last night's school board meeting.
The list is in a different format this year. In the past, properties were listed in order of balance due. In addition, the addresses were also listed. This is the list from last year for comparison.
The usual culprits are there, including my former commissioner, as well as a Lebolife blogger.
The list is in a different format this year. In the past, properties were listed in order of balance due. In addition, the addresses were also listed. This is the list from last year for comparison.
The usual culprits are there, including my former commissioner, as well as a Lebolife blogger.
Shaking my head again
From the District website:
Dr. Steinhauer Awarded the William E. Caldwell Award for Excellence in Administration and Supervision
Posted 07/18/2017 10:35AM
Dr. Tim Steinhauer was awarded the 2017 Pennsylvania School Study Council (PSSC) William E. Caldwell Award in Administration and Supervision. Dr. Lawrence Wess from the PSSC attended the July 17 School Board meeting to present the award. Dr. Steinhauer was nominated for this award by multiple District administrators, teachers, and a retired superintendent from another district. He is acknowledged for his personal mission to ensure that the teaching , administrative and all staff are a reflection of their changing and supportive community. Under his leadership, Mt. Lebanon School District continues to win awards for music education, STEM education, the 2016-2017 #1 Middle School in PA and many academic achievements, as well as school business excellence.
Nominations for the William E. Caldwell Award are considered based on a diversity of accomplishments as well as the obvious contribution to the broad field of administration and supervision. Years of administrative service and level of education are also considered.
Founded in 1947, the Pennsylvania School Study Council (PSSC) is a partnership between Penn State University and member school districts, intermediate units, and area vocational-technical schools. PSSC is dedicated to improving public education in Pennsylvania by providing up-to-date research information, professional development activities, and technical assistance that will enable its members to provide top quality educational services to students.
*****
See Timmy's getting what? Are they f-ing crazy? Timmy was never a superintendent until we hired him in 2009. Timmy knew that Mary Birks was voting on Outreach contracts and approving checks written to Outreach. The District website forgot to include Mary's report where she promises not to vote on any future Outreach business.
Timmy knew that Elaine Cappucci had to resign from the school board because of a conflict of interest. She is running again - even for the position she had to resign from!
Timmy's last report was from April!
BOARD PRESIDENT REPORTS
Timmy knew that Elaine Cappucci had to resign from the school board because of a conflict of interest. She is running again - even for the position she had to resign from!
Timmy's last report was from April!
School Board Reports
The Superintendent reports to the Board and the community on District activities at the Regular Board meeting held on the third Monday of each month.
February 2017 - No Report
Sunday, July 16, 2017
Hmm. Very strange.
The July 17, 2017 School Board Meeting Agenda has been published. Typically, the superintendent's annual salary is voted on by now. Last year, Timmy received his $20,000 merit pay for doing a satisfactory job on June 20, 2016, in addition to his amended contracted salary increase. As of yet, the school board has not voted to accept Timmy's contracted salary increase. Former school board director, Scott Goldman always objected to the formality of voting on an annual contracted salary increase. Is this year different?
What this Joint Discussion/Regular Meeting does include is the closeout agreement of Timmy's church:
Lutheran Church Parking Agreement – We are concluding our agreement for supplemental parking at the Lutheran Church lot now that the high school construction is nearing its end. The Solicitor’s Office has prepared a closeout agreement that includes final payment for restoration of the parking surface. The Superintendent recommends approval of this agreement.
Lutheran Church Parking Agreement - RESOLVED, That the Board approves the Mt. Lebanon United Lutheran Church release agreement and amendment to provide for the termination of the license parking agreement and allowing the church to complete the restoration of the parking lot as per their low bid from Pittsburgh Asphalt Co. in the amount of $24,550. The Board has previously approved $27,500 per the capital project list for this work.
Friday, July 14, 2017
Keith says to spread the word
In this week's administrative report, Manager Keith McGill is asking the commissioners to forward Seven Ten, the newsletter that has "breaking news" every two weeks.
This isn't the first time I have written about the new bi-weekly magazine. See Get "breaking" news every other week! I signed up the day it came out. I want to make sure I am getting breaking news. We get up to the minute information with LeboALERTS and of course through Facebook. mtl--Mt. Lebanon Magazine They now include footage from drones! (Isn't that kind of creepy?) AND, you don't want to miss reading about Lebolife bloggers who live in San Diego. It doesn't get any better than that. Anyway, spread the word!
This isn't the first time I have written about the new bi-weekly magazine. See Get "breaking" news every other week! I signed up the day it came out. I want to make sure I am getting breaking news. We get up to the minute information with LeboALERTS and of course through Facebook. mtl--Mt. Lebanon Magazine They now include footage from drones! (Isn't that kind of creepy?) AND, you don't want to miss reading about Lebolife bloggers who live in San Diego. It doesn't get any better than that. Anyway, spread the word!
Thursday, July 13, 2017
EPA Approves Deer Vaccine!
The EPA has approved use of ZonaStat-D to manage deer populations HUMANELY! Here is the EPA letter sent to the counsel for the Humane Society of the United States.
For more information, check the Humane Society's blog.
http://blog.humanesociety.org/wayne/2017/07/epa-gives-thumbs-vaccine-manage-deer-populations-humanely.html
For more information, check the Humane Society's blog.
http://blog.humanesociety.org/wayne/2017/07/epa-gives-thumbs-vaccine-manage-deer-populations-humanely.html
If you’d like to learn more about non-lethal wildlife management, I recommend checking out the Botstiber Institute’s 8th International Conference on Wildlife Fertility Control, which The HSUS is co-hosting next week in Washington D.C. The use of fertility control for deer populations, as well as many other species, will be discussed by experts from around the world. Register here for the conference.Note: The Dietrich W. Botstiber Foundation offered funding for sterilization at virtually no expense to Mt. Lebanon.
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Open the Books
A Lebo Citizens reader sent me a link to an interesting website that lists all the annual wages by township. The website allows three searches before you have to register for free. They ask for a donation, but it is optional. The link, Open the Books should open up to the latest annual wages (2015) of every Municipality of Mt. Lebanon employee, ranked from highest paid to lowest paid.
Some highlights of 2015:
Some highlights of 2015:
- Steve Feller was the second highest paid ($159,575), as manager.
- Susan Morgans made $108,260.00, as public information officer.
- Laura Pace Lilley earned $52,679, as assistant public information officer. Not bad for part time work, which often includes fifteen minute work days.
- David Donnellan, recreation director, was paid $115,449 in 2015.
- Note how many police officers are paid less than our recreation manager and public information officer.
- There were 514 entries for Township of Mt. Lebanon listed for 2015, the largest employer for any township listed.
To see where Mt. Lebanon ranks among all local employees, click here.
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Changes to the Police Blotter are Coming
We are in the process of phasing out our current police blotter for a new enhanced technology. This new platform will allow us to share crime / incident-related data in a much more efficient manner that also complies with the standards set forth in the Criminal History Records Information Act. The new system involves an interactive community crime map, which is tied to our Tip411 app. Here’s how it works: Information from daily police reports goes into a spreadsheet, which is then pulled into mapping software. You can go to www.communitycrimemap.com,
Thanks,
Aaron V. Lauth
Chief of Police
Mt Lebanon Police Department
555 Washington Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15228
(412)343-4015
Monday, July 10, 2017
Are MTL Commissioners and Michalina now felons?
I recently co-sponsored legislation to update Pennsylvania’s animal abuse statutes and increase penalties for abusing animals. The legislation, Act 10 of 2017, was signed by Governor Wolf on June 28th.
The new law has been praised by the Pennsylvania SPCA as the most “comprehensive animal protection bill in the history of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
Among other provisions, the act breaks down cruelty to animals into three categories, based on the egregiousness of the conduct, rather than different penalties for different animals as was the case before Act 10. The three categories under the new act include:
• Neglect of an animal, which includes denying an animal necessary food and potable water, clean and sanitary shelter, or necessary veterinary care. This is a summary offense and becomes a third-degree misdemeanor if the violation injures the animal or places the animal in imminent risk of serious injury.
• Cruelty to an animal, which includes intentionally, knowingly or recklessly ill-treating, overloading, beating, abandoning or abusing an animal. This is a second-degree misdemeanor.
• Aggravated cruelty to an animal, which includes intentionally or knowingly torturing an animal or causing serious injury or death to the animal. This will be a third-degree felony.
The new law has additional provisions dealing with tethering, reporting, and forfeiture. For a copy of the new law, call my office at 412-928-9514 or go to my website at www.pahouse.com/deasy.
As always, if you have any questions, comments and/or concerns, my offices are here to help. Please do not hesitate to call or reach out. We’re here for you!
MTLSD Looking for High School Student Volunteers
From: MTLHS Adminstration [mailto:noreply@mtlsd.net]
Sent: Monday, July 10, 2017 1:34 PM
To: High School Students and Families
Subject: Student Volunteers (Thursday July 13)
Sent: Monday, July 10, 2017 1:34 PM
To: High School Students and Families
Subject: Student Volunteers (Thursday July 13)
Dear Students and Families,
Mt. Lebanon High School is currently hiring a high school social studies teacher and we are looking for student volunteers to participate in the interview process. The interviews will be held on Thursday, July 13 from 12 pm - 4 pm. Any student that volunteers to participate in the demonstration lessons will receive in-school community service hours.
Please email Mr. Thompson (jthompson@mtlsd.net) if you are interested in attending the lessons.
Student volunteers should report to the high school on Thursday, July 13 around 11:45 am and should enter the building at the B-9 entrance.
If you previously contacted Mr. Thompson to express your interest you do not need to respond to this email again.
Thank you and we hope you are having a relaxing and enjoyable summer.
Mr. Thompson
Tonight on WTAE-TV
At 5:30 tonight, WTAE is doing a story about school districts hoarding large amounts of cash - Four Billion Dollars, while still raising taxes.
Isn't that what Mt. Lebanon is doing with their fundraising campaign, which may or may not be still in the quiet phase?
I know that South Fayette residents have been questioning their school district about this very issue.
South Fayette residents question school board about skyrocketing taxes
Isn't that what Mt. Lebanon is doing with their fundraising campaign, which may or may not be still in the quiet phase?
I know that South Fayette residents have been questioning their school district about this very issue.
South Fayette residents question school board about skyrocketing taxes
Coincidently, the South Fayette superintendent announced her retirement at the end of June. Her retirement will go into effect in December.
Commonwealth Foundation - News Release: Is Your School District Hoarding Cash?
Commonwealth Foundation - News Release: Is Your School District Hoarding Cash?
Sunday, July 9, 2017
Goats moving to greener pastures?
There is news about the goats who were used to clean up the invasives in Bird Park. Apparently, Steel City Grazers is no longer renting their goats out for such purposes. See their website for more info: http://www.steelcitygrazers.com I guess they transferred ownership of the goats: https://twitter.com/GoatsPGH/status/801209227238842368
Friday, July 7, 2017
Only because...
I have decided to make the update from the previous post, its own. Only because the author is the biggest proponent of violence in Mt. Lebanon.
This is just precious. Michalina Pendzich submitted this letter to the editor to the PG. Mondays with Murphy: Nonviolent and lawful Michalina is the ring leader of Lebo Residents for Effective Deer Management Deer, whose goal is killing deer in Mt. Lebanon.
Update July 10, 2017 3:20 PM I just received this KDKA report from June 19, 2017:
Former PSEA Leader To Run Against Congressman Tim Murphy
Murphy will not be easy to defeat.
But his support for President Trump has angered lots of constituents who are already organizing to support whoever challenges the congressman.
Still, while the 18th District in Allegheny, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties is majority Democrat, it voted for Donald Trump for president.
Tied with BETHEL at #10
Here are the Pittsburgh metro's 10 wealthiest ZIP codes - Pittsburgh Business Times
#10 15228 Mt. Lebanon/Bethel Park
#9 16606 Cranberry
#8 16046 Mars
#7 15143 Sewickley
#6 15238 Fox Chapel
#5 15015 Bradford Woods
#4 15241 Upper St. Clair
#3 15367 Venetia
#2 15090 Wexford
#1 15142 Presto
#10 15228 Mt. Lebanon/Bethel Park
#9 16606 Cranberry
#8 16046 Mars
#7 15143 Sewickley
#6 15238 Fox Chapel
#5 15015 Bradford Woods
#4 15241 Upper St. Clair
#3 15367 Venetia
#2 15090 Wexford
#1 15142 Presto
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Vandals strike Murphy's office UPDATED
Vandals spray-painted the words “filth” and “rot” on the front of U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy's Mt. Lebanon headquarters.
“We should be worried. I was worried when my colleague was shot at,” Murphy told Tribune-Review news partner WPXI-TV.
Congressman Murphy's Mt. Lebanon office vandalized
Police are investigating vandalism to U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy’s district office in Mt. Lebanon, which officials say occurred in the late hours of July 4 or early July 5.
Mt. Lebanon police Lt. Duane Fisher said the word “filth” was spray-painted in red on the building as well as the word “rot,” which was spray-painted twice on a glass door at the entrance. Fisher said a midnight patrol officer discovered the vandalism while driving past the office at 504 Washington Road.Lots of comments under the PG article:
Rep. Murphy's Mt. Lebanon office vandalized
Please, no comments for this blog post. The PG is accepting comments.
Update July 7, 2017 6:16 PM. This is just precious. Michalina Pendzich submitted this letter to the editor to the PG. Mondays with Murphy: Nonviolent and lawful Michalina is the ring leader of Lebo Residents for Effective Deer Management Deer, whose goal is killing deer in Mt. Lebanon.
Commission meeting canceled
| From: | LeboALERT <noreply@mtlebanon.org> |
| To: | EGillen476 <EGillen476@aol.com> |
| Subject: | LeboALERT: The Mt. Lebanon Comm... |
| Date: | Thu, Jul 6, 2017 10:39 am |
This is an important notice from LeboALERT.
The Mt. Lebanon Commission Discussion and Regular meetings scheduled for Tues., July 11 are canceled. For the complete meeting schedule, view our website.
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
Freudian slip?
Mares eat oats and lambs eat oats and little lambs eat ivy....at Community Day now in Mt. Lebanon Park!
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Pittsburgh Rocks - spreading kindness one rock at a time
I have written about this group before, (See Paint a rock. Hide the rock. Find a rock.) but saw that the PG picked up the story today. Pittsburgh Rocks is a Facebook group that aims to spread kindness.
The Facebook group is now a closed group with over 6,200 members. To join, send a request. Today, my granddaughter found a rock outside of Trader Joe's. It made her day, as it does with everyone who finds them. The rock was then hidden in a different location, waiting to make someone else's day.
Castle Shannon resident, Cynthia Golebie got the idea while traveling in Ohio in February. They were seeking solace as they continued to grieve the loss of their 24-year-old daughter, Amanda, who died unexpectedly in August 2015. Cynthia has painted and hidden over 200 rocks all over, including Rockwood Park.
You rock, Cynthia! Thank you for spreading kindness one rock at a time.
The Facebook group is now a closed group with over 6,200 members. To join, send a request. Today, my granddaughter found a rock outside of Trader Joe's. It made her day, as it does with everyone who finds them. The rock was then hidden in a different location, waiting to make someone else's day.
Castle Shannon resident, Cynthia Golebie got the idea while traveling in Ohio in February. They were seeking solace as they continued to grieve the loss of their 24-year-old daughter, Amanda, who died unexpectedly in August 2015. Cynthia has painted and hidden over 200 rocks all over, including Rockwood Park.
You rock, Cynthia! Thank you for spreading kindness one rock at a time.
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Uh, yeah, it's not about gardens.
I have Google Alerts set up for Mt. Lebanon and thought it was rather funny that these two alerts appeared at the same time.
Dave Brumfield is a liar. He told Barbara Sollenberger that he knows it is about gardens, not car accidents. Read why after twenty-five consecutive years, I quit going to the Garden Tour. Babs tarnishes the Garden Tour
Dave Brumfield is a liar. He told Barbara Sollenberger that he knows it is about gardens, not car accidents. Read why after twenty-five consecutive years, I quit going to the Garden Tour. Babs tarnishes the Garden Tour
Mt. Lebanon garden tour features exotic plants and an inherited garden
Kerry and Bill Boehner inherited an impressive garden and have worked to preserve it by a new pool. Both properties are featured on the Mt. Lebanon ...
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Get "breaking" news every other week!
Kinda funny...
Our PIO is offering a new service. Read about it in Keith McGill's weekly administrative report.
This is an important notice from LeboALERT.
Sign up for Seven Ten, the Mt. Lebanon Magazine newsletter, and get breaking news emailed between mag issues. www.lebomag.com (box in right column).
Our PIO is offering a new service. Read about it in Keith McGill's weekly administrative report.
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