Mt. Lebanon is on a roll UPDATED 2X

Now that Mt. Lebanon has learned to appeal the PA Office of Open Records' final determinations, they are on to ignoring the PA State Ethics Commission requirements.

Besides not permitting residents to copy Statements of Financial Interests, besides ignoring the five day requirement to respond to Right To Know requests, besides accepting deficient statements of financial interests, and collecting those statements after the mandatory deadline of May 1, we now see how some are permitted to skip submitting those statements entirely. Included are some from those on the Hospital Board, the Pension Board, the Planning Board, the Library Board, the Zoning Board, Board of Appeals, Mt. Lebanon Civil Service Board, and the Economic Development Council. Not all members submitted their SFI, as required. Then there is the Sports Advisory Board, including Mr. and Mrs. Franklin [encouraged the commissioners to take me to court over the archery RTK] and Chip "He Who Shall Not Be Named" Dalesandro [see Bullied again], who arranged for $250,000 in donations and got the commission to spend over $750,000 for artificial turf, as well as the Historic Preservation Board, who spent $25,000 on a Virginia Manor remodeling guide. A member of the Historic Preservation Board frequently writes for mtl Magazine and gets compensated $25 per article as a "volunteer" blogger. She submitted this and will receive a $25 check for writing it.

mtl -- Mt. Lebanon Magazine

Yesterday at 7:38am · 

The Top 10 things you learn as a volunteer in Mt. Lebanon. Oh....number five!!!!

so moved | lebomag.com

7 If you believe your cause is the most important thing on the board agenda or in the municipal budget, you haven’t read the agenda or the budget

LEBOMAG.COM

Why nothing from the SAB or the Historic Preservation Board? It is who you know around here.

I never did hear from Bonnie Cross. I was able to get copies from another citizen. Here they are.

MTL 2016 Statements of Financial Interests for the year 2015

Dale Cowher is deficient plus submitted his SFI on May 12, 2016.
Michele Galati's SFI is deficient.
Andrew Kicinski submitted his SFI on May 4, 2016.
Christopher McMahon's SFI is deficient.
Mark Mistretetta submitted his deficient SFI on May 4, 2016.
Susan Morgans gets a 0% rate on her credit card. Isn't she special?
Christopher Musuneggi submitted a deficient SFI.
Samuel Ray submitted a deficient SFI.

And on to our commissioners.

• Dave Brumfield never signed or dated his SFI.
• Coleen Vuono shows no real estate interests and left her sources of income blank. When I was trying to verify her address when she was moving from her Ward 3 home on Woodland, and wouldn't disclose her new address, I came across an old address for 53 Academy Avenue. The Allegheny County website indicates the owner name is VUONO FAMILY 2008 IRREVOCABLE PENNSYLVANIA REAL ESTATE TRUST. Coleen also stages homes for real estate agents with Howard Hanna. See this post. Caught in a lie again.
• Kelly Fraasch resides at 53 Academy Avenue. She works for Howard Hanna. See Coleen Vuono.  Oops, Coleen!

Historically, Steve Feller would make pdfs and email statements of financial interests at no charge in a timely fashion, no questions asked. Vice President of the Commission Dave Brumfield is the one who has a problem with that. See his emails in the Lebo Citizens blog posts, After doing the math and Mt. Lebanon aims for transparency

I am slowly updating my blog to include past published posts. Mt. Lebanon will do as they want, when they want. The rules never apply to them. Now you know why Bonnie Cross stalled when asked for SFI. They were still coming in as late as May 12, 2016. But Mt. Lebanon is not held accountable. There is a new sheriff in town and our commissioners are asleep at the switch.

Update May 27, 2016 3:58 PM Additional email exchanges with Manager McGill:

From: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Sent: Fri, May 27, 2016 11:10 am
Subject: Re: Statements of financial interests

Thank you Elaine. You as well.

Keith

On Fri, May 27, 2016 at 11:06 AM, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Thanks, Keith. Have a good holiday weekend!

-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Sent: Fri, May 27, 2016 10:42 am
Subject: Re: Statements of financial interests

Good morning Elaine,

The Municipality is the location where the State required Statements are filed.  To help facilitate filing, we will typically send the required form to the relevant personnel.  We also have sent reminders on occasion.  We generally do not verify the accuracy of the forms, as we do not believe we are required to do so under State law.

As far as who needs to file, that is set forth in the Ethics Act.  I will add that the one area where questions seem to arise is with our various boards.  The Ethics Act exempts members of advisory boards that have no authority to expend public funds and who cannot exercise the power of the Municipality.  This exemption encompasses many of our boards, as they do function in an advisory capacity only, and cannot expend Municipal funds.

Keith

On Thu, May 26, 2016 at 12:47 PM, egillen476@aol.comwrote:

Hi Keith,

What methodology is used when collecting SFIs from staff, boards, and authorities? Who is subject to submitting SFIs? 

Who verifies their accuracy or deficiencies?

I never did hear back from Bonnie as to when my RTK was ready for pick up. Fortunately, David Huston went up for me and waited twenty minutes while Bonnie printed them.

Elaine Gillen

From: Keith Mcgill [mailto:kmcgill@mtlebanon.org]
Sent: Friday, May 27, 2016 10:46 AM
To: Nicholas Meduho,
Subject: Re: sfi forms

Good morning Mr. Meduho,

Mr. Brumfield will be submitting an amended form. As to other forms the Municipality is the location where the State required Statements are filed.  To help facilitate filing, we will typically send the required form to the relevant personnel.  We also have sent reminders on occasion.  We generally do not verify the accuracy of the forms, as we do not believe we are required to do so under State law.

Keith

On Fri, May 27, 2016 at 9:11 AM, Nicholas Meduho wrote:

Mr. McGill,

In reviewing the SFI forms that were recently submitted, many of them were filled out improperly but Dave Brumfield’s form stands out the most with no signature and no date.

Will he be asked to submit a new form or amend his current form? What about the other folks, especially the ones who claim no income from Mt. Lebanon in 2015.

As the manager, will you please take the lead on this and get this fixed.

Thank you,

Nicholas Meduho

Mt. Lebanon, PA

Update June 7, 2016 11:30 PM The following people didn’t report their income from Mt. Lebanon in 2015.

Susan Morgans $108,259
Aaron Lauth $118,166
Bonnie Cross $93,129
Nicholas Schalles $98,613
Steve Feller $159,574
Kelly Fraasch $3600
Tom Kelley $41,417
Steve Silverman $3600
Joseph Senko $9000
Nicholas Sohyda $118,932
Coleen Vuono $2400

Gateway is billing us $1,000 per meeting! UPDATED 4X

I am not an attorney. Everyone knows that, but I think I have pretty good instincts when something isn't right. From the Lebo Citizens post, Bullied again on April 24, 2014, two residents tried to attend the Turf Project Task Force meeting, which was held immediately after the "not for the general public" public meeting at the concession stand. They were told by members of the super secret task force that it was not a public meeting. The two residents said that they would just like to observe and took two meeting agendas. These two residents were told to return the agendas and were asked to leave. Members of this super secret turf project task force include Dave Franklin, "He Who Shall Not Be Named," MTLSD Athletic Director John Grogan, Recreation Director David Donnellan, Landscape Architect Jim Sauer from J.T. Sauer, and Municipal Engineer from Gateway, Dan Deiseroth. According to the January 9, 2014 SAB meeting minutes*, Gateway Engineering contributed $4000 for the Middle and Wildcat Turf Project.

Keep in mind, Gateway's Dan Deiseroth claimed that the fields on Cedar Blvd. never flood.

It turns out that Gateway Engineering is charging Mt. Lebanon $1,000 per Turf Project Task Force meeting. There have been seven meetings, and we have been billed $7,000.

The following is the May 2, 2014 memo that Dan Deiseroth sent to Steve Feller concerning the Turf Project Fees expended.

Something that has been overlooked for several meetings now, is the Turf Project Task Force Financial Report. John Bendel had promised to share that information a month ago. It still hasn't happened. Kelly Fraasch was kind enough to share this "report" with me this morning.

From: Kelly Fraasch <kfraasch@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>; Stephen Feller <sfeller@mtlebanon.org>
Cc: commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Subject: Re: SAB financial report
Date: Wed, May 14, 2014 10:12 am

This is what I got via email last night.
See below.

FYI, I did ask for a further breakdown and hope to get it soon.
K

Committed by Sports Associations                                                     $124,500
(this is an increase of $26,500 from the last update and reflects additional funds from lacrosse, baseball and football) 

Paid into Endowment as of 5/13/14                                                     $65,389 

Checks received by Mt. Lebo Lacrosse to be provided to Endowment   $26,500

Other sources (Parents Athletic Council, corporate donations, etc)    $17,250


Total to date                                                                           $233,639

On Wed, May 14, 2014 at 9:16 AM, 'egillen476@aol.com' via Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org> wrote:
Commissioners,
Where was the financial report from the SAB? They still haven't given us the break down as to cash in hand and pledges to date. John Bendel assured me that it would be given in the next meeting. That was two meetings ago.
Elaine Gillen

A resident told me last night that the sports associations are emptying their piggy banks to fund this project without giving notice to parents. Also, please note that there is no mention of the "largest donation made by Soccer," according to Dave Franklin. Also, I am confused as to what is the cash in hand balance.

Why is everything such a secret? Why weren't the financial reports given at the commission meetings? Why are residents being asked to leave the Turf Project Task Force? Why did Dave Brumfield freak out at the commission discussion session when Kelly Fraasch brought up the topic of residents attending the Turf Project Task Force meetings? Why is it being left up to John Bendel to decide? Why are there so many unanswered questions concerning this turf project?

I have asked the commission for a draft of the bid that is going out tomorrow, May 15. Kelly Fraasch copied me when she asked for a copy of the draft. So far, nothing.

I understand that there is a process in which taxpayers can pay their taxes in protest, with a portion of the funds going into an escrow account. This pertains to assessments. All you Mt. Lebanon attorneys who are not involved with the Sports Advisory Board, would you check to see if we can do the same with this turf project? I am not seeing overwhelming support. Residents are against it for financial reasons, environmental reasons, health and safety of our young athletes, as well as the arrogance, misrepresentation and lack of respect from our elected officials who are being dishonest every step of the way.

4:30 on a Wednesday afternoon in May w/ near perfect weather and... All fields are empty.

*February 6, 2014 SAB meeting minutes are the latest posted minutes on the municipal website.

Update May 14, 2014 11:43 PM I asked again for a draft of the bid that is going out tomorrow. Clarification on the specifics of the bid package It turns out that the 15th deadline was for JT Sauer to submit the plans to Gateway to coordinate and check and incorporate with other bid documents.

Update May 15, 2014 10:58 PM Mt. Lebanon residents criticize 'newcomers tax,' turf project for fields

Update May 15, 2014 11:24 PM See page 13 of John Bendel's Field Enhancement presentation listed in this post, New street signs in Mt. Lebanon, Gateway Engineers' Opinion of Cost for Contingency/Soft Costs is listed as $89,070. Yet, Gateway's costs shown above are estimated at $100,997 and growing.

Update May 16, 2014 8:06 PM After an entire day of rain yesterday, it's Play Ball at Middle Field tonight. 

Middle Field 05.16.14 at 6:00 PM

Gotta love those SPINELESS bloggers

Here it is - the email referenced in the following comment:

An email that was between an Association leader and Mrs. Fraasch back in the Spring paints a very different picture to all the sympathy towards the sports group. I received a forwarded email that the Association leader sent to Mrs. Fraasch and it would make anyone think twice about the ill mannered behavior. She handled it in such a professional manner. It was apparent that the leader wanted us all to be backing his agenda for turf but it showed most of us sympathy towards Mrs. Fraasch and that she is willing to negotiate if members of the YSA were even remotely civil. This has not be a civil discussion on behalf of the sports groups and I think it is really a shame for Lebo. No one that saw the email would blame her if she left the fields people without an improvement. Actually a bunch of us have supported her since the email was distributed.

October 12, 2012 5:38 PM

Kelly - I appreciate the time you spent as well. However I did give you some compelling proof regarding turf as well as some insight as to field conditions and I don't think you read what I gave you or even listened to what I said.

Quite honestly, the information you have obtained (if any) about the fields in Mt. Lebanon municipality is wrong. I offered to show you problems, explained to you what the problems are and I feel you really don't care to listen. If you believe that $840, 000 will fix your parks and recreation field problem your friends the bloggers really have you fooled!

It is obvious that the Town Hall Meeting meant nothing to you. You have your own agenda on what YOU want to do and that is your prerogative. However, you are are doing a disservice to the the youth of Mt. Lebanon (not to mention the taxpayers) - due to your own agenda.

You really can't believe that the citizens of USC, Peters and Bethel Park all have no regard for health and safety when they installed their artificial surfaces? We have had an artificial surface at the high school since the early 70's....it has been used by countless athletes, rec dept. programs (at no cost to the municipality!) and many other kids, parents, coaches and just about anyone who wanted to step foot on it!! No one has experienced any health problems!

Mt. Lebanon Commissioners have made 2 very bad investments to parks and recreation (Twin Hills & McNeilly)...yet they do nothing to solve, rectify or even consider a solution to these problems. Building another grass field (which will not help) at the public works is absurd....again your bloggers have you fooled. Why not ask your rec department and youth leagues - why go to individuals who are not familiar with athletic fields?

I more than cautioned each commission when they were going to purchase these parcels - and I can't tell you enough what a mistake it will be financially and how ineffective another grass field will be. Your not looking at ALL the possibilities or ALL the benefits of a turf field.

Perhaps maybe the YSA should start charging ALL users of fields for the $12/player user fee's....are you able to explain that to the cheerleaders, micro soccer and t-ball programs? They use the same fields we do and pay nothing!

I am putting my name and phone number on this correspondence as I am sure it will get passed along to all the SPINELESS bloggers in Mt. Lebanon. Maybe a good fund raiser for fields would be "Public Debates".......Bloggers vs. Field Rats....think they would show??

Yours in Youth Athletics

Chip Dalesandro

412-600-7118

My first inclination was to not respond, however, I feel it’s necessary to respond so things can move on from your remarks.

This would be a good example as to why things haven’t moved forward in the past few years and that the YSA needed new leadership. A hot-headed email like that can make a Commissioner choose a multitude of other issues to focus on rather than something like Recreation. If you want me to move onto my “own agenda” I would be happy to and you will be sitting here without any movement for 4 years.

I have put in over 120 hours into meeting with folks about Parks/Fields/Recreation and 87 hours of those come from sports/YSA representatives, not bloggers. Actually 7 hours were meeting with bloggers. 26 hours were from the general community interested in the issue and current/former Commissioners. So to say that I am only listening to one side of the community is an insult and completely false.

The problem here is that not all of YSA wants turf and others would prefer looking at what we have before investing the money into something new. This ideology has been confirmed time-and-time again by your members and I happen to agree with them.

Your second problem, whether you were involved or not, you have a large group of sports associations that promised funding of the purchase of McNeilly and its’ development (not turf, but field space) since Krebbs was not working. So you have a community confidence problem, because a large group of this community feels that the associations owe them money and should at the very least follow through on written promises.

So, I guess I haven’t asked this to you, why didn’t you fundraise back then when you had the space bought for the sports/fields? Field space was purchased,a design created by Municipal Engineers and a plan that you could throw money into. This community has essentially put in over $2 million dollars (from taxes) into a field that will never be used and $0 was given by the sports associations. Today, if the sports groups would have pulled together, they would have the fields in use. Who essentially dropped the ball? Feel free to answer, but the truth is perception is sometimes everything and the community is concerned and not just the "bloggers."

You have brought up some relevant points in your email that I have been trying to get to the bottom of. I’m not sure our user fee schedule are fair and some might need to pay more. Do I want to see “pay as you go” not sure that’s a good option, but possible at this point. Do I see health issues related to turf? Yes, MRSA was a direct relation to our turf at the high school to name one. One year ago, I knew little about turf and started to do research. I have read hundreds of article pro/against the use of turf, including the items you gave to me last week. A couple of issues I have are the possible health issues that many (pro/against) articles note. I am willing to keep digging and even discussed some concerns/possibilities with Mark Flaherty today.

Let me wrap this up, Chip you can send all the nasty emails you want, call me dear in a belittling manner and yell all you like in public. I don’t care, but the bottom line is it doesn’t help you, the YSA or anyone else in this community. It simply pisses people off, so they are more incline to do the exact opposite of what you would like to see get accomplished.

Kelly

Someone is lying. UPDATED

A little history...June 7, I posted this thread, NSF YSA Makes The Trib!

Then-school Superintendent John Allison dismissed the amount owed in 2008 because of the group's insufficient funds;

June 20, 2012, this appeared on Lebo Citizens. Another hole in Jan's story - Updated 2x - 990's added - Trib's correction This sums up the thread:

For the record, I never did see the statements from Jan Klein that Chip Dalesandro was referring to in the post, I had a visitor today...  How could George Wilson dismiss the amount owed when he wasn't even the superintendent? Who dismissed it? The School Board at that time? Or was it Jan Klein?

On June 20, 2012, I filed two Right To Know requests with the School District. I heard from Mrs. Szalinski on June 26 with this response and this response, both requiring extensions up to thirty days.

That brings us up to today. I heard from Mrs. Szalinski by email. Dr. Tim Steinhauer, Thomas Peterson, and Gavin Robb were cc'ed. Peterson and Robb are with Tucker Arensberg. I don't understand why two attorneys would have been involved. Double legal fees?

Here are the responses.

On June 20, 2012, you requested any and all communication regarding the dismissal/forgiveness/release/waiver of funds owed by the Youth Sports Alliance for the years 1998-present by any superintendent, financial director, school board director, or YSA member. Please be advised that the District is not in possession of any records responsive to your request. Official response

On June 20, 2012, you requested any and all communication between Jan Klein and Chip Dalesandro regarding the YSA payment schedule and funds received. Please be advised that the District is not in possession of any records responsive to your request. Official response

So no records of ANYONE dismissing YSA fees in 2008 or ANYTIME. No copies of records that Chip has in his possession from Jan Klein accounting for all of YSA's payments. Where are the records? If there is nothing, why were two attorneys involved? Why the extensions?

Update: July 20, 2012 3:10 PM An important seminar for the YSA:

501(c)(3) Status: Keeping it Legal with the IRS
	This full day workshop hosted by the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management and presented by IRS Exempt Organizations specialists, explains what 501(c)(3) organizations must do to keep their tax-exempt status. Topics covered will include: Tax-exempt status Unrelated business income Employement issues Form 990 series Required disclosures Fee is $50 and includes lunch. This session will take place at the Robert Morris University Holiday Inn at 8256 University Blvd. Moon Township, PA 15108 on Tuesday, September 11 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.For more information go to www.stayexempt.org. Pre-registration is required. Register online or by calling Shelby Gracey at 412-397-6000.

YSA vs. MTLSD - Updated

The following letter to Lebo Citizens was submitted by reader and frequent commenter Richard Gideon.

YSA vs. MLSD

..by Richard Gideon

Lately there has been a vigorous discussion on this Blog concerning the Youth Sports Alliance (also called the Youth Sports Association in various publications), a 501(c)(3) tax exempt entity, and its commitment to contribute $30,000 a year toward the upkeep of sports fields owned by the Mt. Lebanon School District, but maintained by the Municipality. 

On 1 May 1999, the School District, Municipality and Youth Sports Alliance (YSA) entered into an agreement to improve the quality of athletic fields owned by the School District. That original agreement had been renewed, but is set to expire on 30 June 2012.  According to an earlier post on this Blog, "The School District pays Mt. Lebanon $83,300 per year for both infield renovation work and maintenance of the turf grass athletic fields. The Youth Sports Alliance contributes $30,000 each year to the School District for the services."  But has YSA actually made its stated contributions?  This question was first raised when public information available on the web site GuideStar.org, which publishes IRS 990 forms for 501(c)(3) organizations, seemed to contradict statements made by YSA officials that their organization has kept up its end of the agreement.  GuideStar.org shows the following YSA 990-EZ forms:

YSA 990 2008 Line 28 shows $3597 contributed towards agreement
YSA 990 2009 Line 28 shows $30,000 contributed towards agreement
YSA 990 2010 Line 28 shows $10,000 contributed towards agreement 

Year 2011 is not yet available on GuideStar.org.  

Mr. Chip Dalesandro of YSA paid a personal visit to Elaine Gillen, owner of the Lebo Citizens web site and the Lebo Citizens Blog, on 10 May 2012 and stated that "..all the fees for the joint maintenance agreement are paid in full. They have been paid in full every year."  He advised Ms. Gillen that Jan Klein, Director of Finance for the Mt. Lebanon School District, could verify this information.  I decided to write to Ms. Klein and ask her to verify this statement.  In writing to Ms. Klein I stated that, "I am not part of any organization in Mt. Lebanon that has any connections with either the District or the Municipality.  I am concerned about where my tax dollars are going, and whether my local governments (i.e., the Municipality and the District) are being used for the purposes of advancing the agenda of various, private, organizations; and being used either willingly or not.  I also have a pardonable curiosity about these reporting matters as the result of my profession as a registered Federal Contractor, which requires me to deal with the Department of Defense Financial Accounting System and the Department of the Treasury on a daily basis."  I asked Ms. Klein the following questions:

1) Has YSA contributed $30,000 each year for the years 2008, 2010, and 2011?

      a: If the answer to #1 is yes, is this amount delineated in the District's annual financial statement?

      b: If the answer to #1 is yes, will you provide me with written proof of these payments?

2) If the YSA has NOT made its stated contribution amount for the years 2008, 2010, and 2011, are you accruing that amount in anticipation of payment?

      a: if the answer to #2 is yes, did you disclose that on your annual financial statement?

      b: if the answer to #2 is no, have individuals contributed funds in the name of the YSA sufficient to make up the difference between what YSA reports in filing years 2008 and 2010, such that the total amount credited to YSA is the required $30,000?

In asking these questions I was trying to determine whether there was a discrepancy between what YSA is reporting and what is on the District's books.  Since calendar year 2009 does indeed show that YSA contributed the agreed upon $30,000 it was not at issue.  If the District was showing $30,000 for each year in question I wanted to know if the accounting method was accruing that amount in anticipation of payment - a common technique in business.  I also wanted to leave as much room as possible for the benefit of doubt and honest mistakes, and I did not accuse either the YSA or the District of any shenanigans.  Ms. Klein answered my inquiry on 14 May 2012, in part, as follows:

In response to your questions, we received the following payments from the YSA since December of 2007:

7/27/2009 $30,000

3/10/2010 $10,000

7/27/2012 $30,000*

All of the above amounts have been recorded in our Annual Financial Reports as part of our revenues for the appropriate fiscal year. They are not recorded in a separate line on the report, but rather grouped with other misc income.  Such amounts are subject to annual audit. No additional amounts have been accrued.  No donations from others on behalf of the YSA obligation have been received.

*In a follow-up exchange of messages Ms. Klein wrote that this was, as I suspected, a typo - since this is still May of 2012.  The correct date is 1/27/2012 (27 January 2012).

Noting that the year 2008 was missing (and at first suspecting that 7/27/2012 should have been 7/27/2011) I asked the following question:

Should I then assume, based on your breakdown, that you did not receive any money from YSA in 2008?  They are showing $3597 contributed towards the agreement in that calendar year.  Since your figures are calculated from December, 2007, and your table shows the first payment since that time as being on 27 July 2009, I would like to be sure about this.

Ms. Klein replied, "Those are all of the payments made to the District."  I must admit that I was a little disappointed in this reply, since I felt my follow-up question could have elicited a "yes" or "no" response.

What may be surmised from the preceding discussion is this: 1)The District did not receive a $3597 payment from YSA in 2008 (otherwise their figures would not come out to an even $70,000 for the period of accounting from December, 2007 through 27 January 2012), and 2) there was no contribution made by YSA to the District in 2011, since YSA's 990-EZ forms are based on calendar years, and the last $30,000 payment to the District was made in January of this year.  Since the District has been paying the Municipality the contracted $83,300 per annum for field upkeep the taxpayers have been subsidizing YSA's missing contributions.  

The years 1999 through 2007 are subjects for investigation as well.  I did not ask Ms. Klein about them because I had no 990-EZ evidence to use as the basis for formulating questions.  However, this is something that should be investigated.

I think it is important, at this juncture, to point out that I am not accusing either Ms. Klein or Mr. Dalesandro of any malfeasance.  Ms. Klein was polite and extremely professional in her replies to me.  Mr.  Dalesandro is purported to be an honest man with a heart for kids' sports.  But Mr. Dalesandro is not an accountant and, by his own admission, does not get into the "financials."  What is abundantly clear is that there is a tangled mess of contradictory information concerning the YSA's relationship to the District and the Municipality.  And while it is quite possible all of this "mess" is due to benign neglect, ignorance of the law is no excuse, and it would behoove the YSA, and the District and/or Municipality if necessary, to make corrections to their accounts so that the public may have confidence in what it hears or reads from these sources.


Update May 16, 2012 7:30 a.m. I have been able to obtain a copy of the Joint Maintenance Agreement Extension 

-Elaine

I had a visitor today...

While I was on the phone today, there was a knock on my front door. It turned out to be Chip Dalesandro. He wanted to stop by to say that all the fees for the joint maintenance agreement are paid in full. They have been paid in full every year.

I explained that the 990's that I posted previously on the blog, in addition to here:

YSA 990-2008 Line 28 shows $3597 contributed towards agreement
YSA 990-2009 Line 28 shows $30,000 contributed towards agreement

YSA 990-2010 Line 28 shows $10,000 contributed towards agreement

show something totally different. Chip assured me that I could get statements from Jan Klein showing that they have been paid in full. If that is the case, then YSA has bigger problems than they think.  According to the IRS Form 990, their accounting is waaay off.  And as I said to Chip, "If you think I am tough, wait till you see how tough the IRS is."  Chip was polite and respectful.  He had paperwork at home showing that everything was paid in full. Hopefully, this can be straightened out. If there is paperwork that shows otherwise,  I would be glad to scan it and post it here.

By the way, I got zero feedback from the sports groups concerning the facilities spreadsheet that Charlotte Stephenson, Chuck Bachorski and I created. So much for working together.  

Another one bites the dust

A Mt. Lebanon football coach was arrested recently.  http://pd.mtlebanon.org/blotter/police-blotter-090811-091411.pdf Thanks goes to Chip Dalesandro for handling this quickly.