Why can't we coexist?

Our nation has gone mad. Shootings everywhere. Why can't we coexist? When I was at a commission meeting at the high school little theatre, I stood up and said that I wish we could coexist with the deer. At that time, I was representing myself as a member of the Mt. Lebanon Coalition for Coexistence.

I will never forget when Roycroft resident Elaine LaBalme spoke during citizen comments, turned around, looked right at me, and said that she didn't want to coexist. She was screaming that she almost hit a deer. She. Didn't. Want. To. Coexist. 

The Mt. Lebanon Commissioners will be discussing deer management AGAIN on Tuesday. Mt. Lebanon Commission Discussion Session Agenda That is the politically correct way to say more deer massacres are in our future. More guns in our neighborhoods. Our children will be learning once again that if you don't like something, kill it. Tony DeNicola and Keith McGill, will be providing an overview of 2015, but certainly won't be revealing the super secret, proprietary method of baiting the deer with his patented apples and corn.

Mt. Lebanon commissioners will not coexist with deer. Bobcats, coyotes, and bears? We have been told to learn to coexist with them. They only eat small dogs and cats. But deer? Lock up your wives, your children, and your pets.

Also on the executive session agenda - the Scott Township litigation where Mt. Lebanon wants to kill Scott Township deer, as well.

Not only is our nation in trouble, but so is our community. Why can't we coexist? Or I should ask, "Why won't we coexist?"

Hayes vs. Santoni re: coverage for tonight's meeting

John Hayes is the reason why I canceled my PG subscription. At one time, he said that we have thousands of deer in Mt. Lebanon. Matt Santoni has been doing some investigative reporting and not relying on Susan Morgans for information. Both men lurked on my blog. Neither one has asked to be invited. Neither one has been invited.

Matt Santoni: Deer culling back on table in Mt. Lebanon

John Hayes: Mt. Lebanon may use archers to control deer

Santoni: The proposed contract with Connecticut-based White Buffalo Inc. and Jody Maddock of Whitetail Associates would have them vet archery hunters and work with property owners to assemble areas where they would be permitted to hunt the community's deer herd, which the commission wants to thin in the hopes of cutting car crashes.

Hayes: Commissioners are expected to authorize a $15,460 contract with White Buffalo, a Virginia-based nonprofit conservation organization that researches deer control and provides management options.

Santoni got the right state. It is Connecticut. He also mentioned that Jody Maddock is with Whitetail Associates. Neither mentioned that Maddock is project manager for White Buffalo. Santoni wins this one.

Santoni: The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Fine Arts Theater at Mt. Lebanon High School.

Hayes: With expectations of a big crowd, the meeting will be held at the Mt. Lebanon High School Fine Arts Theater at 7 Horsman Drive. The discussion session starts at 6 p.m., and the commission meeting begins at 8.

The discussion session starts at 6:30 PM. Another win for Santoni.

Santoni: Residents and animal welfare activists protested that cull, and a new organization called the Mt. Lebanon Coalition for Coexistence has issued statements opposing the planned archery cull.

Hayes: But Nita Fandray of the Mt. Lebanon Coalition for Coexistence, which advocates a nonviolent problem solution, cited another Mt. Lebanon Police Department statistic; From 2012 to 2014, Mt. Lebanon experienced 1,803 total vehicle crashes. Of those, 144 — 8 percent — were deer-related.

Even though Hayes messed up on Nita's quote a bit, (Deer are not the problem), I'm giving this one to Hayes because he actually interviewed Nita. A win for Hayes.

Santoni: Though Maddock previously told the commissioners he took more than a year to secure owners' permissions to hunt in other communities, McGill said he was reasonably confident they could set up a program for Mt. Lebanon in a few months.

Hayes: not available

Santoni demonstrated that this is another boondoggle in the makings. Maddock needed 18 months or so to do it correctly. McGill is confident that we only need a few months. This one definitely goes to Santoni. 

Santoni: They have not yet approved resubmitting an application to the game commission to control the deer population with sterilization, McGill said.

Hayes: not a word about sterilization 

Because Hayes never mentioned sterilization, Santoni wins again. 

I just did an interview with Maria Gabriel from KDKA Radio. Snippets will be played throughout the day. I was half asleep when she called. Keeping my fingers crossed that I sound OK. Ugh.

First Friday tonight and The Coalition for Coexistence UPDATED

The Coalition for Coexistence had plans to be at First Friday tonight, but with the threat of thunderstorms, the group decided to cancel any plans for us to be setting up a table.

For those who contacted me about wristbands, please email me at EGillen476@aol.com to make arrangements.

Update June 5, 2015 6:38 PM  This is an important notice from LeboALERT.

First Friday tonight 7 to 10 p.m. Gringo Zydeco at pavilion in Clearview Common. Free admission, family fun. See you there.

Apologies to The Coalition for Coexistence UPDATED

My apologies to The Coalition for Coexistence for taking so long to upload the hard copy version of the pledge. Folks have been asking me to draft something that can be circulated among neighbors. Here it is:

Take the Pledge

Please mail completed forms to:

Elaine Gillen
P.O. Box 14873
Pittsburgh, PA 15234

Wristbands arrived!

Update May 29, 2015 1:46 PM This group has a sense of humor. I just received this from the group.

The Coalition for Coexistence will be jumping over their table at First Friday as seen in this clip. http://tv.yahoo.com/video/intern-todd-jumpin-tables-david-033835195-cbs.html
                                       -The Comic Coalition for Coexistence (Bringing fun back to Mt. Lebanon.)

Mt. Lebanon, take the pledge

I am not a fan of petitions. See my post, Coalition for Coexistence. They only work if they support the elected officials' agendas.

The Coalition for Coexistence asked me to put together an online petition, as well as a downloadable hard copy on Lebo Citizens. I declined. After some discussions, the Coalition asked me to circulate a personal pledge instead. I accepted and posted it online. Pay no attention to the word "petition." I couldn't find a way to publish this pledge any other way. Please take a moment to read the pledge. If you wish to sign it, please click on the red button below.

I am a Mt. Lebanon resident who believes that the Mt. Lebanon Municipal Government, including its Commissioners, ("Municipal Government") should not be governing its residents through bloodshed. Further, I am opposed to violence, including the unnecessary and purposeful killing and wounding of deer within Mt. Lebanon. Regardless of its position on violence, I urge the Municipal Government to conclude that the high density of Mt. Lebanon's population prohibits it from initiating or supporting all efforts and/or programs, the purpose of which is the unnecessary killing of deer. I advocate a progressive and comprehensive non-lethal plan of action. For that reason, I pledge to:

• Observe all deer crossing signs.

• Take responsibility of my garden by planting deer resistant plants and using nonlethal methods of protecting my garden.

• Trim all bushes, shrubs, and trees to improve sight lines and create better visibility for both drivers and deer.

• Stop feeding deer directly or indirectly by way of bird feeders.

• Drive defensively at active times such as dawn, dusk, and during the Fall rut (mating season).

• Contact our Commission either by email (commission@mtlebanon.org) or during Citizen Comments and urge them to manage deer via nonlethal methods in our densely populated community.

• Pass along this peaceful message to my neighbors and friends in Mt. Lebanon.

By signing this personal pledge, I vow to coexist with nature in a friendly, cost effective, community wide and collaborative effort.

To spread the word, there will be a limited supply of these VERY classy wristbands available around May 28.

If you are interested in making a fashion statement, please let me know and I'll make sure you get one. I believe there will be a table at First Friday. If you signed the pledge, give your name at the table and a volunteer will be glad to give you a wristband.  For. Free.  

There are plans for yard signs in the not too distant future.

Thanks for your support.

Coalition for Coexistence UPDATED

In an earlier comment, I stated that I was going to post another petition, against my better judgment. I am not big on petitions, considering many of us were trudging through "goat paths" during Snowmageddon 2010. We collected almost 4000 signatures and were ignored. The prokill women have a 1400 signature advantage, even though some supporters had no idea what they were signing. We can collect 1401 signatures and the commissioners may decide to ignore our petition, as local officials have done in the past. The prokill women can collect ten more signatures and then say that they represent the majority of Mt. Lebanon. I'm not playing their game.

There is a grass-roots movement in the works. The group is called "Coalition for Coexistence." The Coalition represents Mt. Lebanon residents who believe that the Mt. Lebanon Municipal Government, including its Commissioners, (“Municipal Government”) should not be governing its residents through bloodshed.  Further, the Coalition is opposed to violence, including the unnecessary and purposeful killing and wounding of deer within Mt. Lebanon. Regardless of its position on violence, the Coalition urges the Municipal Government to conclude that the high density of Mt. Lebanon’s population prohibits it from initiating or supporting all efforts and/or programs, the purpose of which is the unnecessary killing of deer.

The Coalition for Coexistence advocates a progressive and comprehensive non-lethal plan of action. I understand that this group will be attending First Fridays. More to come. I promise.

Update May 20, 2015 5:21 PM Someone wants that taco!