Throwing more money away on Virginia Manor decorating guide

Back in 2015, the Historic Preservation Board, along with staff liaison Susan Morgans spent $25,000 on a decorating guide for Virginia Manor. See Oops, there goes $25K The commissioners scrapped the idea. Then in my February 2017 post, Commissioners, please save Christmas for discriminating residents, I predicted that the Historic Preservation Board will ask the commission to revisit the decorating guide. Guess what was in today's Administrative Report. I called it!

This is the same group that wanted to keep brick streets in Ward 1. How much is this online design costing taxpayers this time? 

Get "breaking" news every other week!

Kinda funny...

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.

No mention of archers, baiters, or shooters...Ever

I have mentioned the manager's weekly Administrative Report sent to commissioners and copied to municipal staff in previous posts. I want to share last week's report, as well as this week's report to the commissioners.

Administrative Report #5 February 3, 2017

Administrative Report #6 February 10, 2017

The commissioners learn about missing manhole covers, limited usage of golf carts during mild weather, tree inspections, and the occasional hole in one, but there has NEVER been anything mentioned about the two archery programs or the deer "removal activities" from last year or this year. No mention of baiting. Nothing about when it began. No mention of the report which will be presented by Keith McGill at Tuesday's Discussion Session.

I find it ironic that golf cart usage will be restricted, but Team Tony will be permitted to drive trucks and drag deer carcasses at the golf course.

I get it. It is not relevant, right? The commissioners don't want to know or aren't allowed to know anything about their lethal plans which cost $100,000 a year. Don't ask. Don't tell. Got it.

mtl Magazine Cost Reductions!

Baby steps, but moving in the right direction. From the weekly Administrative Report:

Update January 21, 2017 8:58 PM Another suggestion from Lebo Citizens readers!

mtl -- Mt. Lebanon Magazine

January 18 at 10:39am · 

We are looking for Mt. Lebanon high school volunteers to help in the Public Information Office for 1-2 hours a week after school assisting with various mtl Magazine distribution tasks. Please contact Amy Martin for more information at 412-343-3407 or amartin@mtlebanon.org.

Volunteering counts toward community service hours for the National Honor Society.

Students can also sign up in the Student Activities office or contact Mrs. Kolko for more information at jkolko@mtlsd.net or 412-344-2105.

Another way to beat the RTK law?

Every week, the municipal manager publishes an administrative report. It is primarily for the commissioners, but also distributed to former commissioners, staff, etc., and provides a snapshot to the commissioners by department. This was sent out last week. Administrative Report #43 October 21, 2016

This one line caught my attention.

Intranet = a private network accessible only to an organization's staff.

I seem to remember reading something about an intranet communication involving last year's pancake breakfast. Or it was a retirement party. Grrr. Can't remember exactly what the event was.

I can understand the need for a benefits portal, but why would the Public Information Office need access to an intranet? Oh wait. I know. One of the finest ladies in Mt. Lebanon is transparent enough.

When filing RTKs, don't forget to ask for intranet communications, texts, emails...

In the name of transparency...

Steve Feller sends out a weekly Administrative Report to the commissioners and municipal staff. Occasionally, they make their way to me usually from someone who knows someone who got them from someone else. A Lebo Citizens reader suggested that I post a copy of the AR on the blog. So in the name of transparency and open government, I bring you the August 21, 2015 Administrative Report.

Highlights from this week's AR include the denial of an appeal for a 7'6" fence by a pro deer kill resident on Pueblo.

The construction of the rain garden along Cedar Blvd. and Wildcat field, to supposedly help handle the rainwater flooding fiasco, looks like it might violate the Zoning ordinance for setback requirements.

Lebo Citizens readers will see the half truths concerning Jody Maddock and the archery program.

While I am on the subject of transparency, Mt. Lebanon Commissioners held a workshop on Public Engagement. Of course, the public wasn't permitted to engage. A Lebo Citizens reader emailed the presenter, Susan Morgans, requesting a copy of the presentation. She ignored him. So this tenacious reader went above Susan Morgans and asked Steve Feller for a copy of the presentation. I particularly enjoyed the recommendations in the Public Engagement Presentation on August 8, 2015. What a hoot!