Way to go, Ward 4!
Update November 11, 2017 3:51 PM Written on Facebook thirty minutes after the hearing. Look out Steve McLean, the only Republican on the commission, a preview of coming attractions. It demonstrates Mt. Lebanon Unity at its best.
Update November 11, 2017 3:51 PM Written on Facebook thirty minutes after the hearing. Look out Steve McLean, the only Republican on the commission, a preview of coming attractions. It demonstrates Mt. Lebanon Unity at its best.
Sorry, this is a long Facebook post, but I thought it would be more appropriate here than on my website where name tagging is not as easy to do.
Thank you, family, volunteers, donors, and Democratic committee members for all your help these past few months. There are too many names, but I'd like to call attention to a few here.
First, thank you to Amy Grella for being the best. Period. Nothing would have been possible without you being superwoman.
Thanks to Mt. Lebanon Democratic Committee chair Michelle Zmijanac, who spent countless hours on the phone and in meetings with me. She is one of the hardest working people in Mt. Lebanon.
Democratic Commissioners Steve Silverman and David Brumfield, John Bendel, and Kelly Fraasch - thank you for being available for my endless questions.
Thank you to the Allegheny County Democratic Committee chair Nancy Millsand executive director Donald Joseph Ryan for your advice and resources - I appreciate all that you do.
Thank you to the dedicated volunteers who put their hearts and souls into improving our community every day: Barbara Logan, Geoff Hurd, Jay Brinton,Valerie Fleisher, Mykie Reidy, Lynne Hughes, Mary Catherine Macik, Lynda Park, Joan DiPetro, Chris Cox, Jody Wilson, and Anatole Wilson, and all the others who canvassed, phone banked, and talked to other neighbors and friends with and for me.
Thanks to my campaign treasurer Justin Hackett.
Thank you to all my neighbors for tolerating political discourse during block parties, and for decorating your lawns with Craig sings - I'd prefer you recycle those but I would not be upset if they become commemorative firepit fuel.
My opponent Bob Fischer was a gentleman during this race and I hope he continues to discuss the important issues as he did during the campaign.
I wonder how Gorilla will get out of bed for a 9 AM hearing? Maybe he stayed up all night.
ReplyDeleteThe Good Guy!!! The best person!!!!! for this position lost because people refuse to educate themselves!! Shame on the attitude of those individuals that hold grudges of a National level and bring it to a local level!!!! Enough of one party vs the other!!! People in LEBO need to wake up and vote for people who are vested in their community. I know many Democrats that crossed party lines:))) Why do we have lines anyway for local positions? I actually heard people say they did not care because Bob was on the Republican ballot. I hope they start looking at their mortgage payments. They will continue to go up! Look at your statements over the last 5 years!!!! Young families Beware, We need a stronger commission, start educating yourself! Some of you will be taxed out of your homes in 5 years. I hope this lights a fire under people and they start to read more and speak up before decisions are made! Screaming now about bonds passed almost year ago only makes us look like spoiled children. I think we all need to grow up!!! I know I did on Tuesday night. I will be reading and watching!!!
ReplyDelete7:07 AM, look at the "inaccuracies" that the MLDC chair shared about Grella. I wrote about it in an earlier post. How about the position that the Fischer campaign took? Of course people refuse to educate themselves. It takes time to do the research. People don't have the time. I did all that I could to make it easier for voters.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing while I am "on break." The new MLRC chair is a disappointment. Do you think he would reach out to me? Ha! I never got this letter that he sent to my friend.
From: Matthew Kluck
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2017 11:28 AM
To: nick581@verizon.net
Cc: 'Amy Kaminski; 'Eileen McNichol'; 'Dee Spahr'
Subject: Republican Committee of Mt. Lebanon
Dear Nick,
The next meeting of the RCML will be October 30, 2017 at 7:30pm in the Commission Chambers inside the Municipal Building. I welcome you to become a member of the committee and bring a friend(s). I(we) am/are building the committee to become more prominent than ever before and hope you will join in my vision.
Call or email me with your questions.
Best regards,
Matt Kluck, Chair
Republican Committee of Mt. Lebanon
I worked my ass off for Bob's campaign. Was I invited to the GOP party at Primanti's on Election Night? Of course not. Am I bitter? You bet I am.
How do I switch parties?
Elaine
BTW, I hear it wasn't much of a party. Very somber. But Raja showed up! Please.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Elaine--
ReplyDeleteWhat did you expect? A bunch of Repubs having FUN? :)
I will get you the form to switch parties.
S.
Elaine,
ReplyDeleteFischer would not have gotten half the votes that he did without your support.
Another Disappointed Fischer Supporter
7:12 that’s what people, especially many on the board don’t understand about this blog.
ReplyDeleteIf you are truly interested in the truth about the how our municipality and school district operate and want to form your own perspective on dealing with it— this is the only place available. You certainly won’t get both sides from the “official” community magazine or from the leaders.
Sure you’ll get the haters, the kooks and those with an agenda from both sides, but you’ll also get videos, links to papers, studies and documents. Those last three are what I think the “establishment” hate the most, this blog reminds people of the facts.
A perfect example is the Century of Excellence fundraiser. Very few residents could tell you about its first steps. One would have to attend every board meeting and every media article to get what Elaine has pulled together to see what has been transpiring.
The board kept telling us it was in the quiet phase and that everything was just peachy. A couple board members and Lebomag (even though they can’t even get the campaign’s start date right) are still pushing that BS. The numerous financial statements tell a different story and we’d probably have never seen them without Lebocitizens.
Thankfully some were paying attention, knew from experience that things weren’t right and now we hopefully have access to accurate financials proving what a mess it really is and a new majority that supports transparency.
We will see, we still have that ludicrous Rock Pile draft and its dubious maintenance numbers that the board refused to say who prepared them.
It’ll be interesting to read if you’re welcomed into the Lebo D party.
ReplyDeleteThe election is over! Now the Kluck-lead MTLRC can crawl back into their cave and hibernate for another two years.
ReplyDelete9:19 AM, you're right. I have never been arrested for public drunkenness or similar misconduct (I have never been drunk!), always have current stickers on my car, and have lived here most of my life.
ReplyDeleteGee, I hope the Lebo D party isn't my only option, 9:19 AM. If so, I'm screwed, right?
Elaine
Pretty much Elaine. The Dems will never be happy welcoming you into the fold.
ReplyDeleteHow in the world will they ever be able to put out nonsense like they did on Grella if you’re on the inside.
What this community needs is a party that looks at each candidate independently and supports the best one for the job.
We sort of had that happen in this election. Many Rs voted for democrats Riemer, Strotmeyer and Diamond. Not because they wanted to switch parties, but solely on those three seemed to be the ones that would stand by the principles both major parties claim to live by. Many Ds crossed over and voted for Fischer.
My philosophy and I’m sure many others are of the same mindset - let the best man/woman win... to hell with the party affiliation.
I wonder if there was there a breathalyzer test with Mr. Grella..if not it's his word against the cop,,, I also wonder if he had representation with him this morning... interesting the Rep's didn't want to disclose this arrest prior to the election,, but the Dems and the PG.. railroaded Congressman Murphy out of office,,,
ReplyDeleteI did not write on your blog to get recognized or to be invited to anything. I was just stating my thoughts that people need to educate themselves. I state what I believe with no expectations or need for recognition. I thought your Blog was intended to educate others on your passionate issues. Did you need an invite to a party to spread the truth? Maybe I am not understanding your tone or irony. Everyday I make choices and I do not expect others to choose my choice. It was disappointing to not see the more qualified person win. Sorry you felt you needed to be recognized at a party to validate the good news you spread. It's like throwing stones on a very good effort. Please feel positive for yourself and not what others may think. It makes me sad to hear these comments. I learned years ago not everyone is going to like me and I am the only one looking at myself in the mirror. Waffling on opinions is never effective. Bruises heal and our words should be chosen carefully. Remember to "do Good Anyway"
ReplyDeleteHere’s another example of how useless the two major parties have become.
ReplyDeleteThe Almanac in reporting the election results: “Cross-filed candidate Elaine L. Cappucci (5,207) and Democrats Michael J. Riemer (5,152), Michael J. Riemer (4,986) Stephen Strotmeyer (4,887) and Aviva Diamond (4,804) won election to the Mt. Lebanon School Board, defeating Republicans Kathleen B. Caste (3,042), Elaine L. Cappucci (2,835), Mary D. Birks (2,799) and Daniel L. Remely (2,699).”
Republicans Cappucci, Caste, Birks and Remely??? Say what!!!
Look at Mary’s response to Nick’s questions. History of Remely’s votes. Anything Cappucci was involved in during her tenure on the board and tell me how they have anything to do with Republican Principles.
“I’m A Republican Because…
I BELIEVE the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person’s dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored.
I BELIEVE in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.
I BELIEVE free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.
I BELIEVE government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn.
I BELIEVE the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations and that the best government is that which governs least.
I BELIEVE the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people.
I BELIEVE Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.
I BELIEVE Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world.
FINALLY, I believe the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government.”
Here’s the democrats Principles:
“Be GREEN by pursuing the efficiencies and benefits of being a green community
Be STRONG by respecting a diversity of views, opinions, and talents
Be SAFE by requiring properly supported public safety services
Be WISE by ensuring fiscal responsibility
Be VIGILANT by holding leaders accountable for their actions
Be SMART by supporting excellence in our schools and libraries”
Was the party VIGILANT holding the board accountable for their actions?
Did they hold the fundraiser executives accountable for its financial statements?
Did they make sure Birks didn’t violate ethics rules.
Are they being green by trying to turf sports fields with plastic grass and EPA regulated used tire rubber?
10:44, if you have ever attended an R meeting recently you would hear their primary and perhaps only message is to bring a friend to the next meeting. It is odd that considering all the work this blog put into to supporting Fischer and more importantly the Republican Principles and candidates in the past that the leadership wouldn’t at least extend an invite.
ReplyDeleteWere they obligated and is Elaine obligated to accept... certainly not.
There is no person in this community working harder to see that leaders of both parties strive to abide by Principles they profess to live by.
You are correct though 10:44, that one should be diligent and true to yourself.
10:39 if you think that Murphy was railroaded or left office due to anything other than horrific judgment and exposed hypocrisy, then I'm not sure what facts you will accept. He served us adequately, but was clearly not the person that those who voted for him (including me) thought he was.
ReplyDelete11:48, which politician of either party is the person we thought we knew.
ReplyDeleteYes 11:48, a great many of us were disappointed with Murphy and he did the right thing eventually and resigned.
ReplyDeleteUnfortuntely, some others - Bubba - after lying publicly about similar indiscretions don’t hold themself up to the same ethical standard. Nor do members of their party which I’ll never ever understand.
A Mt. Lebanon conundrum, leaders please advise us how we do both.
ReplyDeleteDefinition of green space
noun an area of grass, trees, or other vegetation set apart for recreational or aesthetic purposes in an otherwise urban environment.
https://www.google.com/search?q=green+space+definition&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari
Un-oh, wish Ms. Morgan, PIO, would tell us how we can get involved with the Lebo Nature Conservancy while at the same time allowing the school district to cover green spaces with plastic grass and used tires. Seems to be a conflict.
“Mt. Lebanon Nature Conservancy is committed to protecting and improving our greenspaces”
http://www.mtlebanon.org/2341/Get-Involved
Seems the Mt. Lebanon Democrats like Cappucci, Lebowitz, Cooper and Strotmeyer are ready to abandon one of their first Democratic principals—““Be GREEN by pursuing the efficiencies and benefits of being a green community.
ReplyDeleteWhat’s that you say 10:44– “educate yourself.” I agree.
Did we ever hear the courts decision regarding Mr. Grella's violations? If so, how will this be handled? Does this reflect the upstanding standards? Sad days ahead Lebo!!! Character is defined by how you react and behave in ALL situations not the ones you pick and choose. I am tired of excuses by adults and children.
ReplyDeleteNo word yet. Just when things are looking up on the school board, Ward 4 picks Grella over a MTL firefighter. But no worries, with Blaise being his next door neighbor, I'm sure it will all disappear and we can pretend that it is still Mayberry 1957.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Disturbing Elaine. It is 2017 and people throw stones only when it supports their personal agenda and shame on Blaise!!! Again we get all talk and no action. No wonder the youth of Lebo think he is a joke Blah blah blah .....never any consequences....Disturbing to say the least.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone heard what happened at Gorilla's hearing? I notice that the citation has not been updated.
ReplyDeletePlease post results of Grella’s citation as a new post so we do not have to keep checking comments. Thanks Elaine for informing those who want to be educated.
ReplyDeleteNo problem, 11:42 AM. I haven't heard a word. I doubt if we ever will, but if I do hear, I will definitely post the results as a new post.
ReplyDeleteElaine
I am intrigued by the list of persons identified as phone bankers, etc. in Gorilla's FB thank-you note. It looks like he put all of his socialist friends to work for him. I only know of one of them who actually lives in Ward 4. In fact, I am certain that at least three of the people mentioned do not live in Mt. Lebanon. (Valerie Fleisher, etc.)
ReplyDeleteHow funny. Gorilla lists Chris Cox among his servants. Chris does live in Mt. Lebanon, but not in Gorilla's ward. Chris is on the Mt. Lebanon Democratic Committee. Like Gorilla, Chris was arrested recently.
ReplyDeleteWhat an All-Star cast.