Mixed Messages

Long time readers of Lebo Citizens know that I have unsubscribed from the Post-Gazette because of Outdoor Editor John Hayes. Since Mt. Lebanon started their "sharpshooting" once again on February 1, I imagine that we will be seeing another unbiased "article" from Hayes, the PA Game Commission mouthpiece. What I don't understand, are the mixed messages from the PG.

This one appeared a couple of weeks ago. Food plots: How to create a winter wildlife buffet What? How to create a winter wildlife buffet? I'm confused.

This one scares me. Will our brilliant commissioners decide to go this route next year, when we end up paying $7,711 per deer to kill ten deer? The cost will certainly be lower! I wonder how many residents will "donate" their properties for this one. Survey suggests fire may be the only remedy for a deer-killing plague There is nothing in the "Gun Free School Zone Act" that says anything about fires. John Bendel, Steve McLean, Craig, Grella, and Steve Silverman - sound like a good idea to you? And what about you, Susan Morgans? You can continue to be "transparent enough" by publishing the hours to be listed as "late afternoon and evening," not mentioning that the hours really begin one half hour after elementary school children are dismissed.

The hours, for those who really want to know when the shooting begins on undisclosed private properties are 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM, seven days a week. On public properties, the shooting is from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Proposed Rifle Range Moved!

Mt. Lebanon moves site of proposed rifle range

That pesky federal Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990, which got in the way of killing deer next to my house in Rockwood Park, forced commissioners to rethink their decision about putting the rifle range within 1,000 feet of Myrtle Avenue Elementary School.

I commend the Keystone Oaks School District for taking this stand. Unlike our superintendent who, in the next couple of weeks, will be issuing his annual statement about students staying on sidewalks while "sharpshooters" will be firing high-powered rifles starting at 4 PM in undisclosed (with the PA Supreme Court's blessings) neighborhoods for the next two months.

Bullets never cross sidewalks.

And to show how committed our Public Information Office is to getting the word out, the link to the FAQ Sharpshooting Program 2018 has been broken since December 5, 2017.

Frequently Unanswered Questions (FUQ) UPDATED

I hope I won't be FUQ'ed again by the commissioners. I sent many questions to the commissioners this morning concerning the upcoming "sharpshooting" phase, which will begin on February 1, 2017.

Here is my email:

Commissioners, 

The archery season is to end on January 28, 2017. We're told that the "sharpshooting" phase with White Buffalo will run from Feb. 1, 2017 - March 31, 2017. http://www.mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/View/14630 Looking at the commission meeting calendar, the next meeting is January 23, 2017. When will the results of White Buffalo's archery program be released? Your next meeting won't be until the middle of February, two weeks into the 2017 "sharpshooting" program. 

What type of bait will be used for the 2017 "sharpshooting" phase? What type of feeder will be used to bait the deer? 

The 2017 contract has never been made public, but here is a link to the contract obtained through a Right To Know.  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9r_1biKte_bWVVDZTBQbl9iVWc/view?usp=sharing When will you be putting that contract on the municipal website? The contract states that an aerial survey will be conducted. When will that take place?

Specifically, what will the hours be for the 2017 "sharpshooting?" All we were told is that it will take place late afternoon and after dark seven days a week. 

I look forward to hearing from you soon. 

Elaine Gillen 

Update January 19, 2017 11:29 PM Yep, I got Frequently Unanswered Questions from the commissioners. I never heard from any of them. Steve Silverman forwarded my email to Keith McGill without a word. Keith replied earlier this evening, but I just got a chance to post it.

From: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Thu, Jan 19, 2017 7:10 pm
Subject: Re: "sharpshooting"

Good evening Elaine,

I wanted to provide you with a response to your questions regarding the upcoming sharpshooting program. The report for the controlled archery hunt should be available by the February 14th Commission meeting. 

As was the case with last years program White Buffalo will determine the type of bait and baiting system that they believe will be most effective.

The approved contract and the notification letter that will be sent to the school district will be posted to the municipal website early next week. Regarding the aerial survey, I assume that you are referring to item 1 under sharpshooting protocols in the approved contract that reads: 

1. Prior to initiating any field activities the target area/s and surrounding properties are thoroughly surveyed using digital aerial images followed by field confirmation. By knowing the location of every occupied structure and areas of human use we are better able to work safely, discretely, and efficiently;

The digital aerial images would be google earth or something similar. This has already been done for all of the properties that will be used in this year's program. This information combined with field confirmation is done to ensure that the culling operation can take place safely.

The hours will be the same as last year. Sharpshooters will work seven days a week on private properties beginning at 4:00 PM and concluding by 11:00 PM. They will work in the identified public properties Monday - Friday beginning at 6:00 PM and concluding by 11:00 PM.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Keith

On Thu, Jan 19, 2017 at 5:55 PM, Steve Silverman <ssilverman@mtlebanon.org> wrote:

Steve Silverman

Commissioner Ward 2

ssilverman@mtlebanon.org

412-491-3794

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: 'egillen476@aol.com' via Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Date: Thu, Jan 19, 2017 at 10:27 AM
Subject: "sharpshooting"
To: commission@mtlebanon.org


Commissioners,

The archery season is to end on January 28, 2017. We're told that the "sharpshooting" phase with White Buffalo will run from Feb. 1, 2017 - March 31, 2017. http://www.mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/View/14630 Looking at the commission meeting calendar, the next meeting is January 23, 2017. When will the results of White Buffalo's archery program be released? Your next meeting won't be until the middle of February, two weeks into the 2017 "sharpshooting" program.

What type of bait will be used for the 2017 "sharpshooting" phase? What type of feeder will be used to bait the deer?

The 2017 contract has never been made public, but here is a link to the contract obtained through a Right To Know. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9r_1biKte_bWVVDZTBQbl9iVWc/view?usp=sharing When will you be putting that contract on the municipal website? The contract states that an aerial survey will be conducted. When will that take place? 

Specifically, what will the hours be for the 2017 "sharpshooting?" All we were told is that it will take place late afternoon and after dark seven days a week.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Elaine Gillen 

Nice thought, but seriously, Folks?

Check out what time these after school programs end. Kids will be leaving Mellon when the sharpshooting begins at 4 PM.

From: Mellon Middle School
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2016 10:48 AM
To: Mellon Middle School Parent
Subject: Cabin Fever 2016

Mellon Students and Families:

What is Cabin Fever?  Cabin Fever is a middle school program after school that affords students the opportunity to participate in activities hosted by our teachers that tap into the unique talents and skills our teacher's possess outside of the classroom!  This is a great way to find fun activities through the cold winter months.

The link below will take you to the Cabin Fever Catalog which lists all the opportunities available for students.  The information will also be posted to the Mellon Middle School website.  Students will receive registration forms in homeroom.  Those registration forms can be turned into homeroom teachers or directly to the office.

I hope that everyone will give something new a try during Cabin Fever!  

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the school.

Click here for the Cabin Fever Catalog ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw4HgUhOxt4KcTVFRkJzNV84Yk0/view?usp=sharing

Chris Wolfson

Principal

---

MTLSD DISCLAIMER: THIS TRANSMISSION IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE ADDRESSEE AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL, AND EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. IF YOU ARE NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, OR THE EMPLOYEE OR AGENT RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING THE MESSAGE TO THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT ANY DISSEMINATION, RETENTION, DISTRIBUTION, OR COPYING OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS COMMUNICATION IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SENDER IMMEDIATELY.

I posted this on NextDoor. Feel free to share. See below.

Just a reminder to parents. These programs typically end around 4 or 4:30 PM. "Sharpshooting" begins at 4 PM on undisclosed private properties on Monday, Feb.1 - to March 31, 2016.

From: Mellon Middle School
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2016 10:48 AM
To: Mellon Middle School Parent
Subject: Cabin Fever 2016

Mellon Students and Families...