While I was away...UPDATED

On August 29, 2017, there was a white, sixty year old man outside of the Mt. Lebanon Public Library blocking people. From Facebook:

He was on his phone the whole time, saying very awful racial slurs etc and complaining about the types of people inside. He was loud and it was very scary for my son and I. He was there for well over an hour. I did end up calling the police, because no 60 year old man needs to be sitting at our library scaring people. Police did go and said he wasn't breaking any laws. HOWEVER... and this is the reason for my post .... the library director said it's against THEIR policy. No hate speech on their property and they implore us all go report him or anyone else directly to the desk as they can make him leave whereas the police can do nothing. It sucks. I can't even go to my own library anymore. Anyway, stay safe and if you hear him spewing his stuff report him. I have a picture but won't post it unless admin says it's ok.

Since I was away from my computer, I wasn't able to post this until now

Update August 31, 2017 9:22 AM Here are the photos.

Git them varmints

The white deer attractant powder has resurfaced in Twin Hills Park. This is just in time for the deer killing again, which is starting September 16, 2017. Deer Management Archery Program FAQs Unfortunately for the hunter, the hunter assigned to Twin Hills Park can be cited.

Under Pennsylvania law, it generally is unlawful to hunt in or around any area where artificial or natural bait, hay, grain, fruit, nut, salt, chemical, mineral or other food – including their residues – are used or have been used within the past 30 days as an enticement to lure game or wildlife.

It doesn't matter if the hunter placed the deer attractant there.

Hunting over bait is a summary offense punishable by a $150 to $300 fine.
But like many violations of the state’s Game and Wildlife Code, one violation might mean others are present, too, Grohol said.
For instance, if someone hunting illegally through the use of bait kills a deer in that area, he or she not only would be charged with hunting over bait, but for unlawfully taking the deer – a charge punishable by up to an $800 fine and a month in jail, he said. There would also be a minimum $800 replacement cost for the deer, and if the deer was classified a trophy buck, the replacement cost would be $5,000, he said.

If attractant is found, the law requires the area be closed to hunting for 30 days after the bait and all residue is removed. But here in Mt. Lebanon, our manager and commissioners will tell you that they know nothing about the deer killing. That is why they are paying Tony DeNicola $9,000 - so they can say



Last year, I brought it to the attention of our manager, but since I couldn't get a lab report for the unidentified substance, my concerns were ignored, once again.

The State Supreme Court would not hear my case concerning the locations of the private properties. The irony of it all is that thanks to 12:06 AM, we do not have the right to know where the killing will take place.

Will private properties used for hunting be identified? Mt. Lebanon does not have a list of the properties. Property owners contacted White Buffalo directly and donated their properties based on a condition of confidentiality. The Pennsylvania Game Commission regulates all hunting in the state and permits hunting on private property, provided both homeowner and hunters follow Game Commission rules related to permits, safety zones, hours, etc. Game Commission laws supersede local ordinances. Owners are not required to notify the municipality that hunting is taking place on their properties.

 And the best part?

A statement from Commission President David Brumfield:

We have all seen the tragedy in Charlottesville, Virginia.  A tragedy both due to the violence that occurred ending a young life and in showing us the the darkest part of of human nature. The hate-filled message that the rally projected was one that unfortunately we have heard too many times before.  The ongoing coverage of these events has focused on how we respond to those who believe skin color, religious belief, ethnicity or sexual identity are cause for exclusion and violence.  One would hope that it would go with out saying where reasonable men and women stand on such an issue.  But the foolishness of a few forces us to stand and say what we all should already know to be true.  There is no place in this world for such hate.

Last year our community had a very different rally.  Our State Representative Dan Miller with the help and support of our Municipality and School District brought the community together to champion Unity.  It was a message of love over hate, inclusion over prejudice and understanding over ignorance.  This Commission and Representative Miller want everyone to know that we are still committed to the message of Unity, as we always shall be.  To our residents, neighbors, visitors and friends please know that though there will always be those who spew vile messages of bigotry and hatred, Mt. Lebanon is a place where those messages will be opposed by a community that has chosen Unity over hate.

On Behalf of the Commission, Staff and People of Mt. Lebanon,

David Brumfield, Commission President

You see, he pushed for taking me to court to appeal the PA Office of Open Records Final Determination. He knew full well why I wanted to avoid those areas. Yeah, again thanks to 12:06 AM, now everyone knows why. 

It was a message of love over hate, inclusion over prejudice and understanding over ignorance. 

You know what I say to that? BULLSHIT!

Public Works Employee Electrocuted; Files Lawsuit

Public works company, employee facing lawsuit from technician shocked during tree removal

With permission

The following email was sent to Keith McGill, the Commission, Aaron Lauth, and Tim Steinhauer on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 11:55 AM.

On August 4^th Allstate was kind enough to donate another $5000 towards the Look Up Lebo Campaign.

Last year they did the same.

How much of this now $10,000 has been actually used to promote a sorely needed safety campaign in Mt. Lebanon; absolutely ZERO,

but yet, the MLPD wants us to believe that this money is being used for the Look Up Lebo safety campaign.

If Look Up Lebo is such an important community safety initiative, why are we sitting on $10,000 that could be used to promote it more effectively than just having a few banners and some stickers, which may be working just a tad? Did we get LUL stickers over to the library yet?

Why is there no reference to Look Up Lebo on the school district website? Or am I just missing it. We were told by Susan Morgans that the school district would participate.

Our school superintendent loves to retweet tweets and plagiarize his other tweets because at an astounding $205,000 salary can’t come up with an original thought. Why is he not tweeting about Look Up Lebo? Now that would be original, would it not be? Unless he copies and pastes from another source. And to add, doesn’t school start pretty soon…what an excellent time to remind students of being safe in our walking community.

Here’s another novel idea being that all my other suggestions have gone by the wayside because a peon resident came up with the ideas…how about if we have the superintendent, the municipal manager, the commission and the police chief all get together in a meeting room and brainstorm ideas as to how to effectively use the $10,000 that Allstate so generously gave Mt. Lebanon to effectively promote Look Up Lebo. In addition, invite citizens to share their ideas and thoughts.

This isn’t rocket science folks to promote this cause, just good ole simple thinking.

Thank you,

Nicholas Meduho

Mt. Lebanon, PA

Controversial vote at school board meeting UPDATED

From the School Board Meeting Agenda for August 21, 2017:

Capital Campaign Disbursement: RESOLVED, That the Board approves a Budget for Capital Campaign initiatives in the amount of $26,750, and the reimbursement of operating costs of $12,600.

Hugh Beal abstained from voting until he could get more information about the Capital Campaign. Larry Lebowitz abstained because he donated to the campaign. I thought I had to adjust my TV because Mary Birks turned bright red when Sarah Olbrich, Mike Riemer, and Stephen Strotmeyer voted no. The vote was four in favor (Birks, Cooper, Moorhead, Remely),  three against (Olbrich, Riemer, Strotmeyer) and two abstaining (Beal, Lebowitz). Since it was a sizable dollar amount, Solicitor Tom Peterson will be giving his opinion in next week's school board packets. He said that it had to be a five vote majority, but with two abstaining, he believed that it would still pass, but he wasn't sure since this never came up before.

I had not watched a school board meeting for quite a long time, so I wasn't sure who Mary Birks was glaring at, but it appeared that she was glaring at Mike Riemer.

I really don't understand what this disbursement is all about. From the Discussion Agenda pertaining to this action item is:

Capital Campaign Disbursement –As part of our Capital Campaign, we, once, again, evaluated the needs of the District and considered the wishes of our donors to identify a number of uses for campaign funds. The equipment list to be funded has been reviewed and approved by the committee overseeing Campaign allocations for this purpose. The Board is being asked to approve the Capital Campaign disbursements identified. Once the budget is approved, we will proceed with purchasing the equipment in accordance with any applicable bidding requirements, State Law and Board Policy. The Superintendent recommends approval of this disbursement. The items include: 

a. Middle School Auditorium and Music Classrooms Sound Equipment - $25,000 

b. Transfer of Capital Campaign Funds to General Fund for reimbursement of operating costs - $12,600 

c. Donor Designated Gift for Anti-Defamation League Program - $1,750

I hesitate in doing this, but I will accept anonymous comments for this post only which explain what this disbursement is all about. Based on MLPD's recommendations, I will not publish any other comments or opinions. Based on MLPD's recommendations, I am not accepting any comments.

Update August 23, 2017 8:29 AM So many questions were submitted! Here are a few.
Is this another example of the Timmy Ticket rubber stamping budget items without the facts?
Why doesn't Hugh Beal have enough info to cast his vote?
What were the reasons for the no votes?
Is there more to this than the public is aware of?
Where can I find a copy of the Feasibility Study?
Who is "We" in "As part of our Capital Campaign, we, once, again, evaluated the needs of the District and considered the wishes of our donors to identify a number of uses for campaign funds."?
What are the uses for campaign funds?
What was the original purpose of the campaign?

Cedar flooded again

Sure glad we put the toxic turf in. Gateway assured us that it never floods there.

If only Mt. Lebanon had some sort of alert system, to let residents know that Cedar Blvd. is flooded. It could be called LeboAlert.

You're busted, Timmy

Just when you think Timmy comes up with an original thought on his Twitter feed, it's not.

Timmy got it here. 

Timmy, did you forget about a former school board president plagiarizing? Where is President Posti's integrity? 

You just got a goddam increase tonight of 5.5%! You make a whopping $205,492 this year and will get a SIX PERCENT increase next year! Where is your integrity, Timmy?

Don't Look Up Lebo UPDATED

A resident sent the following email to the commissioners, manager, and chief of police:

Commissioners,
The Look Up Lebo campaign:
http://mtlebanonpd.org/look-up-lebo/

is a very bad idea, considering that looking up during the eclipse tomorrow could render a pedestrian blind.
Are you willing to take on this liability, given the municipality is instructing pedestrians to look up with signage on the sidewalks?
Is it easier for drivers to see pedestrians with red-tipped white canes, and avoid striking them?
What if someone sees the "Look Up Lebo" decals on police vehicles, looks up, and goes blind?
Does Mt. Lebanon law enforcement feel a blind public is easier to control?
Seriously, what is going on inside your collective heads?

Tomorrow, I will be at Gloria Horn Sewing Studio on Castle Shannon Blvd. with my latest collection of key fobs and will be demonstrating how to digitize a key fob on the Baby Lock Destiny starting at 1:00 PM.

(Aren't those the cutest things ever? The moon's shadow swivels. Yes, I'm selling them for $10.)

Update August 21, 2017 7:30 PM From Facebook:

Mt. Lebanon Police Department added 3 new photos.

20 hrs · 

The Great 2017 Solar Eclipse is almost here. If you are going to view it or any portion of it, please do it safely and take all necessary precautions recommended by the experts. Here are some tips if you happen to be out driving or moving about during the event (click to enlarge the second image).

SPECIAL NOTE: Our campaign "Look Up Lebo" suggests that your head should be up and looking forward when you are walking, biking, or driving on sidewalks and/or roadways... It is in no way related to the anticipated solar event... At least one person suggested our campaign (that started over a year ago) was being irresponsible to say "Look Up Lebo" because of the eclipse...

Feel free to share your comments or insert your tasteful meme here on that...

#DontLookUpTooFarLebo #TrafficSafety #LookUpLebo

PLEASE LIKE & SHARE TO MAKE OTHERS AWARE

***************

We had so much fun at Gloria Horn Sewing Studio today. Gloria had Capri Suns, Sun Chips, and those adorable cupcakes at the Galleria. She looked for moon pies but couldn't find any. 

Timmy, do you have an original thought?

Tomorrow, the Mt. Lebanon School Board will vote to approve Timmy's annual salary of $205,492, for doing a SATISFACTORY job. School Board Meeting Agenda for August 21, 2017. The agenda does not reflect the percentage increase for Timmy, as they do for the other approved salaries. The teachers are getting a 3.38% increase, while the food service employees will be getting a 2.89% increase. Timmy is getting a 5.5% increase.

Evaluation of Superintendent: RESOLVED, That the Board rates the performance of the Superintendent as satisfactory and approves the salary of $205,492 effective July 1, 2017.

For $205,492 this year, do you think we can get an original thought from you? Now that Mr. McFeeley has Twitter and we learned that from your Retweet from Dr. Davis, you are now retweeting his Tweets.

Your blog no longer exists, even though I do miss your captivating stories about shiny water fountains, pizza lunches, Post It notes, and bathroom construction updates. It would be refreshing to see an original thought about education in Mt. Lebanon.

What exactly do you do besides block taxpayers from your social media? Looking forward to less work from you next year when you get your 6% raise.

There is a lot at stake on Election Day. I hope Lebo Citizens vote wisely.

White supremacist passes by Murphy protesters

Pittsburgh area white supremacist apparently resurfaces in Mount Lebanon in wake of Charlottesville

The Solar Eclipse is Monday, NOT Tuesday

How much is this silly publication costing taxpayers now?

Your (Favorite) Lebo List

SEVEN TEN Delivering news, tips and other timely info from the Municipal Building at 710 Washington Road News From Around Town One of the challenges of putting out a (mostly) monthly magazine is that sometimes, news doesn't respect our meticulously crafted production schedules. So we thought...technology!   It's Still Summer And we have lifeguards. Weather permitting, the swim center will be open through Monday, September 4, from noon to 5 p.m. for general swim. Adult swim is 11 a.m. to noon.  1. Tacos? On Beverly Road?? That's the word on the street. Taco Diablo, the latest from Cafe Io owner Jeff Iovino, has opened in the space that was vacated when Io Deli moved next door. Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (although post-9 p.m. taco demand is still pretty high). Menu features tacos. What else do you need to know? It's all here 2. Continuing Education The school district used to call it Adult Education, but too many people were coming to class expecting to be taught how to be an adult, so to lessen the disappointment on both sides, it's now called Continuing Education. You can learn about movies, photography, financial planning and basic plumbing, among other things. Register online anytime or in person on September 11-12, from p.m., at the high school auditorium entrance. Classes start the week of September 18. Learn more here. 3. Electronic Recycling Bring your old TVs, computers and associated electronic stuff to the Mt. Lebanon Public Works yard on Lindendale Drive from 10 to 2 on Saturday and we'll take them off your hands. See specifics here.  4. Ballet at Hartwood  The Allegheny County Summer Concert Series will present a free "Ballet Under the Stars" event featuring Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre on Sunday, August 20, at Hartwood Acres. This twist on the typical "concert under the stars" presentation will feature a performance by PBT dancers, crafts, dance activities, photo opportunities and a barbecue with the artists.www.PBT.org 5. Work Around Town  Robinson Pipe is working on Moffett, Longridge, Salem and Duquesne. Roto-Rooter continues cleaning and inspecting sanitary main lines on Seneca and Valleyview. A. Merante Contracting is excavating from 1277 Firwood to Maplewood Drive, and working on curb replacement and drainage improvements on Lovingston Drive from Sleepy Hollow to Bridgewater. G. Pasquale & Sons completed the replacement of sidewalk slabs on Skylark Circle and Forestview Drive, and will begin work along Sunridge next week. El Grande is completing removal of the old basketball hoop bases and fence posts at Williamsburg Park in preparation of resurfacing of the courts. Public works crews continue working on the pedestrian steps and walkway from Cedar to Austin. The new walkway will be opened for use prior to the start of school. Public works crews completed the installation of the replacement rock climbing wall at Country Club Park and repaired the rope climber at Main Park arrived and have been installed. Eclipse, y'all! Tuesday, August 21, the moon will shove the sun out of its way and say "Hey! Somebody's walking here!" Just like Ratso Rizzo. Our friends at Welcome to Night Vale have some tips on how to enjoy this out-of-the-ordinary event.  CONNECT WITH MTL lebomag.com SUBSCRIBE (You'll like it, we promise)

So immature

I'm blocked again.

The School Board seems to be OK with it. Or at least Mary "For the Board" Birks is. I never got a response. I think the saying is, "Silence is consent."

What were you doing that day?

From Huffington Post:

#ThisIsNotUs But #ThisIsAlsoWhoWeAre

:
From the Observer-Reporter:

OR EDITORIAL The terrorist next door

Final step

For $205,492 + 3.5% of base salary tax deferred supplement, you'd think...

Mt. Lebanon would be on the cover of Pittsburgh Business Times.

Nope. South Fayette Elementary School is considered a model for its STEM education. Want this to be status quo? Vote the Timmy Ticket in November 'cause that is what you are going to continue to see. Timmy is contracted to receive a 6% increase AND a 4% of base salary tax deferred supplement in 2018, ending 6/30/19. 

Tired of the same old - same old? Then vote for: 

Mike Riemer

Stephen Strotmeyer

Aviva Diamond

Sidewalk Reconstruction - Uptown

The property/building owner of 713 thru 719 Washington Road [Mineo's Pizza through Empire Music} is having the sidewalk replaced. 

The building owner has notified their tenants.

This work should begin tomorrow after the AM rush hour, duration 4 days if the weather doesn't cause delays.  

The sidewalk will be closed to pedestrian traffic... but access to all businesses will be maintained.

Signage for pedestrian crossing will be placed at Central Square and the mid-block crossing on Washington Road.

They will have all (7) seven parking spaces blocked during this renovation. 

Intermittent single North bound lane closure may be necessary and Mt. Lebanon PD will be notified by the contractor if necessary. 

-- 

Eric Milliron

Economic Development/Commercial Districts Manager

Municipality of Mt. Lebanon

710 Washington Road

Pittsburgh, PA 15228

Voice - 412.343.3412

Fax - 412.343.3753

www.mtlebanon.org

emilliron@mtlebanon.org

Should they?

Timmy's latest Tweet is directly from the Washington Post. The first thing teachers should do when school starts is talk about hatred in America. Here’s help. Another original thought coming from the man who takes in $205,492 this year. As a Lebo Citizens reader questioned, "Shouldn’t this be the parents' responsibility?

If 12:06 AM hadn't spewed out so much hate, this blog would still be open to comments. I believe Lebo Citizens readers would have strong opinions on this.

Tim Steinhauer @mtlsdsuper

The first thing teachers should do when school starts is talk about hatred in America. Here’s help. http://wapo.st/2w2WDjF?tid=ss_tw-amp …

Analysis | The first thing teachers should do when school starts is talk about hatred in America....

Lessons plans, resources, etc.

washingtonpost.com