Parting gifts and the budget

Tuesday is Coleen Vuono's last meeting - her last meeting to stick it to us. There will be a public hearing concerning the budget, and then the final vote. A neighbor of mine called Coleen on the phone to bring up the Rockwood Park improvement, which was bumped up (above the line) in the budget. Coleen had no idea what he was talking about. The abandoned parking lot is used for illegal activities and has been neglected for over thirty years. The plan is to cover up the parking lot with grass and fix the pathway. Coleen told her constituent that since there are two paths, we should only use the better one. Here is the link to the Manager's 2016 Recommended Budget. The amendments to the Recommended Budget can be found on the Commission Agenda.

Additionally, a gift will be presented to Coleen, outgoing commissioner. I should say gifts. I understand that the commissioners pitched in and bought her another "L" for her name. Additional parting gifts include a case of Prestone Antifreeze for her veins and a year's supply of Rice-A-Roni, the San Francisco treat.

Seriously, Tuesday's meeting is very important. Not only will the commissioners be passing the budget, they will be adopting the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) as well as the 2016 Comprehensive Fee Schedule. I don't know if they will be voting publicly to take my RTK appeal to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, or if that will be done in Executive Session.

Oh, and they are going to consent to the Ninth Amendment to an Agreement of Sale and Purchase with Michael G. Zamagias Interests, LTD. What bullshit.

That is just what is going on in the Commission meeting. In the earlier Commission Discussion Session, Magistrate Blaise Larotonda and Lisa Borelli Dorn will be providing an overview to a proposed mediation program involving the District Magistrate and the Community Relations Board. Just a heads up, Susan Morgans is the CRB municipal liaison. I don't think any of the above mentioned should be involved in any mediation program.

I thought that deer sterilization was going to be discussed at this meeting. What happened to that?

Two different responses Updated 2x

How many weeks does Coleen have left? Too many. Here is her response to my email to Chief of Police Aaron Lauth

Same email, Aaron Lauth's response.

So when we feel like we are being harassed, call 9-1-1.

The good news is that tomorrow is the last day of archery season until December 26, 2015.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept. 19- Nov. 28 and Dec. 26-Jan. 23, 2016. 

Update November 27, 2015 8:07 PM She doesn't stop! Vuono's second email.

Update November 28, 2015 7:32 PM No response to this email:

From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To: commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; kmcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; alauth <alauth@mtlebanon.org>
Cc: philip.weis <philip.weis@bipc.com>
Sent: Sat, Nov 28, 2015 8:41 am
Subject: No Hunting signs

Since legal archery ended yesterday on Mt. Lebanon public property, will the bow hunting signs be removed and no hunting signs go up in their places? Legal archery in Mt. Lebanon parks, Public Works, Conservation District on Connor Road and golf course will resume on Monday, December 28, 2015.

Elaine Gillen

What will happen when we don't give our addresses at Citizen Comments on Monday? UPDATED 2X

On November 15, 2015,  I filed a Right To Know asking for proof that Coleen Vuono is a bona fide resident of Ward 3, as required in the Home Rule Charter,  Article III, Section 305 Qualifications of Commissioners.

To file this Right To Know, I had to give my name and address. To speak at a commission meeting, I must provide my address showing that I am a resident of Mt. Lebanon.

Today, I received this response. 11/20/15 Response to Vuono address RTK

I am so tired of the crap that is being thrown at me by the municipal staff and commission. Not that it will do any good, but I sent this email to Bonnie Cross, Keith McGill, Phil Weis, and Dan Miller.

This is unbelievable. I am required to give my address when I file RTKs and when I address the commission. Yet, my commissioner is not required to prove that she is a bona fide resident of Ward 3. If Coleen Vuono is not a bona fide resident of Ward 3, she cannot be a Ward 3 commissioner. I will hear on or before December 18? After the legal review, Ms. Vuono will only have two weeks left of her term.

What is really pathetic is that yesterday, Ms. Vuono's dossier was updated on the municipal website to show her new residency on Kingsberry Circle. http://mtlebanon.org/index.aspx?nid=56 A pdf is also attached showing her updated dossier.

You folks are abusing the Right To Know law. Every RTK I file now, includes an additional 30 day extension for a legal review. Unbelievable.

Elaine Gillen

So what will happen if we refuse to give our addresses on Monday, if we choose to speak during Citizen Comments at Monday's Commission Meeting? I would have added a link to the Commission Meeting Agenda here, but as of 7:25 PM, no agenda has been posted on the municipal website.

Update November 21, 2015 2:48 AM The manager has until 6:30 PM tonight to post the meeting agendas according to Section 110.4 of the Administrative Code.

Update November 21, 2015 8:44 AM

From:	Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
To:	egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc:	Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; Philip Weis <philip.weis@bipc.com>; Nicholas Schalles <nschalles@mtlebanon.org>
Subject:	Re: Agendas
Date:	Sat, Nov 21, 2015 8:32 am
Attachments:	Discussion Session 11-23-15.pdf (342K), Supplemental agenda 11-23-15.pdf (305K), 2016 Salary Ordinance.pdf (486K)

---

Good morning Elaine,

 The regular meeting agenda is on the website under the video part of the website, where citizens can observe the agenda and comment on the items.  It's been there since Friday afternoon and I know it is also on the cable channel.

I just sent the discussion and agenda and related salary ordinance to Nick Schalles to post on the web. I am attaching the same documents to this email for you.

Sorry for the delay. They should be on the website soon.

Keith 

On Fri, Nov 20, 2015 at 10:12 PM, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Commissioners,

As of 10:10 PM tonight, there are no meeting agendas for Monday's Commission Discussion Session or Commission Meeting posted on mtlebanon.org.  Would you be able to send me a copy so that I may post it on my website, lebocitizens.com?

Elaine Gillen

--

Keith McGill, AICP
Interim Municipal Manager/Municipal Planner
412-343-3684
kmcgill@mtlebanon.org 

Caught in a lie again UPDATED 4X

Coleen Vuono is quite a piece of work. She has submitted her THIRD statement of financial interests, and all say different things.

When serving on a board or authority, staff, or commission or running on the ballot for commission, a statement of financial interests must be filed. I asked about submitting one since I was a write -in candidate, but was told that only if I would win. I had submitted a SFI when I was on the ballot in 2011. Since Coleen was on the Parking Board, she had submitted this one. Steve Feller made a note to use it when she was appointed as a commissioner, a no-no.

When this discrepancy was uncovered, a Right To Know was filed which resulted in Coleen filing a second SFI. Of course, a nasty email from Coleen was issued to the requestor.

Noticing that her Stage 2 Sell business was not listed, a complaint was filed with the Ethics Commission. That resulted in a third version submitted by Coleen. Today, a new SFI was sent from the Ethics Commission.

Still uneasy about Coleen's eligibility as Ward 3 commissioner, I sent this to her, copied the commission, interim manager Keith McGill, and Solicitor Phil Weis:

Coleen,

I have attached several of your statements of financial interests. Does Mt. Lebanon have your latest and greatest that came from the Ethics Commission? I wanted to make sure that the municipality had your most recent SFI. I am to assume that the one that came from the Ethics Commission would be the most accurate.

Would you mind proving that you are still living in Ward 3? With the moving truck outside of 31 Woodland this past week, your dossier posted on the municipal website shows your residence as Woodland Drive. Since you have a history of submitting SFI that vary from month to month, I do not know what to believe. What street have you moved to? And will you please see to it that your dossier is updated on the municipal website? 

Thank you.

Elaine Gillen

Ward 3 resident, who is required to provide my address every time I come to the podium

I will update everyone when I hear back from Coleen. If she is not in Ward 3, she cannot vote as a commissioner!!!

Update November 14, 2015 9:14 PM From Nick Meduho:

From: Keith Mcgill [mailto:kmcgill@mtlebanon.org]
Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2015 7:55 PM
To: Nicholas Meduho Jr
Cc: Bonnie Cross <bcross@mtlebanon.org>; Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Subject: Re: FW: RTK Request

Mr. Meduho,

The municipality has Commissioner Vuono's most recent form on file. The form dated November 3rd was personally provided to me by Ms. Commissioner Vuono on November 5th. No she will not need to file another form. The statement of financial disclosure is for the year 2014.

The SOFI provided by Ms. Cross was the most recent one in the possession of the municipality at the time it was provided.

On Sat, Nov 14, 2015 at 6:17 PM, Nicholas Meduho Jr wrote:

Hi Bonnie,

On October 28^th I filed a right to know asking for the most recent Statement of Financial Interests form from Coleen Vuono. On November 4^th you responded with her SFI form dated October 25^th .

I find out today, the most recent form wasn’t the most recent form. Her most recent form is dated November 3^rd. So I have to question, did you not have this most recent form available prior to you sending me the one dated October 25^th?

What form do you currently have on file now? Does Mt. Lebanon have in their possession the most recent one dated November 3^rd?  

Also, if you know, will Coleen Vuono need to submit a new form when she moves to a new address?

Thank you Bonnie,

Nicholas Meduho

Mt. Lebanon, PA

Update November 15, 2015 6:36 AM It continues:

From:	egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To:	cvuono <cvuono@mtlebanon.org>; commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; kmcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; philip.weis <philip.weis@bipc.com>; Nicholas Meduho
Cc:	repmiller <repmiller@pahouse.net>
Subject:	Re: Statements of Financial Interests
Date:	Sun, Nov 15, 2015 6:30 am

---

I beg to differ, Coleen. I am required to provide my address every time I address the commission, which may be more than once during the course of a commission meeting. I believe it is to prove my Mt. Lebanon residency, according to the Office of Open Records. You are a public servant; commissioner of Ward 3, who sadly can't spell your fellow colleague's name correctly. I am asking you yet again, since you have a history of providing varying degrees of facts in your SFI, please prove your eligibility by stating your new address and see that your dossier is updated on the Municipality of Mt. Lebanon's website. 

Thank you.

Elaine Gillen

-----Original Message-----
From: Coleen Vuono <cvuono@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>; Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; Philip Weis <philip.weis@bipc.com>; Nicholas Meduho
Sent: Sun, Nov 15, 2015 12:15 am
Subject: Re: Statements of Financial Interests

Ms. Gillen,

Please ask Mr. Meduho about the response he received from Keith McGill about my statement of financial interest form. It has been filed with the State Ethics Commission and with Mt. Lebanon.

You asked at the commission meeting on 11/10 if I was still a resident of the third ward. Commissioner Bromfield responded to your question. There is nothing more to say.

Since I made the proposal to add sharpshooting to our deer management program you have been harassing me via email. I'm advising you to stop.

Coleen Vuono

Update November 15, 2015 11:25 AM March 2014 Stage 2 Sell ad in mtl Magazine and asking again for information as to residency requirements. I filed a Right To Know asking for proof of Coleen Vuono's Ward 3 residency.

Update November 15, 2015 6:54 PM 31 Woodland was sold on Friday, November 13, 2015 for $375,000. It is 46 days until January 1. Coleen's term ends on December 31, 2015. If Coleen turns in her resignation tomorrow, the commission will not have to find a replacement for her. As of today, there are 45 days until December 31, 2015. Section 309 of the Home Rule Charter (http://mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/3860) states that the commission must fill the vacancy within 45 days after the vacancy occurs.

We've been lied to repeatedly UPDATED

What is it about Ward 3 commissioners? The last three Ward 3 commissioners have lied to their constituents.

Clueless Joe lied about his plans to move. During the May 2011 Primary, when I ran against him, Joe told the Mt. Lebanon Republican Committee that he had no plans to move out of Mt. Lebanon. This was while he had a For Sale sign in his yard and had told the media that he was moving out of Mt. Lebanon.

Kristen Linfante - well...uh...did she ever tell the truth?

Coleen Vuono is no exception.

From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To: cvuono <cvuono@mtlebanon.org>
Cc: kmcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; philip.weis <philip.weis@bipc.com>; coleenvuono <coleenvuono@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wed, Oct 28, 2015 4:26 am
Subject: Re: Emails

Coleen,

I see that your moving sale ad was created on October 21, 2015 and that your moving sale was held the day before your rude response. 

Your Statement of Financial Interest did not indicate that you had a staging business. I believe you told a resident that you retired in 2011. Why would this ad have been in the March 2014 mtl Magazine?

You have been lying from Day 1. 

Elaine Gillen

-----Original Message-----
From: Coleen Vuono <cvuono@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; Philip Weis <philip.weis@bipc.com>; coleenvuono <coleenvuono@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sun, Oct 25, 2015 4:08 pm
Subject: Re: Emails

Ms. Gillen,

Prior to the last Commissioner's meeting no one knew the outcome of the vote on sharpshooting, including me.

Rest assured that I am fully aware of the requirements of residency in the third ward in order to represent that ward. The interim manager and the members of the commission have been informed of my intent to sell my home. This situation is being addressed appropriately by the appropriate parties.

Your input is unnecessary and is intrusive. .

Coleen Vuono

On Tue, Oct 13, 2015 at 3:55 PM, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

That all depends on you folks. It sounds like you are breaking Sunshine, Coleen. You already know the outcome of the vote. The similarities between you and your predecessor are amazing.

After tonight's vote I would hope that you would find a better way to spend your time than in creating controversy in this community.

Coleen Vuono 

The sale of your house has everything to do with Ward 3, and ultimately, all of Mt. Lebanon.

Elaine Gillen

-----Original Message-----
From: Coleen Vuono <cvuono@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>; Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
Cc: Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; Philip Weis <philip.weis@bipc.com>; coleenvuono <coleenvuono@hotmail.com>
Sent: Tue, Oct 13, 2015 11:25 am
Subject: Re: Emails

Senior citizens in Mt. Lebanon know that they can place a phone call to their commissioners to voice their opinion on issues if they do not have access to the internet. I have received calls from Mt. Lebanon residents.

I base my decisions as a commissioner on what I consider to be in the best interests of the community after being informed by residents on both sides of issues. The deer issue is one of public safety.

I am in favor of a deer management program that includes sharpshooting, but that has not been the only issue I've been involved in.  Since I've been on the commission I've voted on many agenda items, I've proposed items for discussion that I think are important to Mt. Lebanon and I've been involved in other issues in the third ward.

In addition to my "life" I served for 4 years as a commissioner and recently served on the Planning Board and volunteered to complete the term of the previous third ward commissioner.

I support this community and have shown this in my civic engagement.

My personal life-the sale of my home-has nothing to do with you (even though you toured it during an open house-were you planning on moving?)

After tonight's vote I would hope that you would find a better way to spend your time than in creating controversy in this community.

Coleen Vuono 

On Tue, Oct 13, 2015 at 9:43 AM, 'egillen476@aol.com' via Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org> wrote:

Commissioners,

My phone has been ringing off the hook with senior citizens who do not have access to the Internet. They are unable to email you and tell you how they are on blood pressure medication and how upset they are with your current unmanaged program. They cannot fathom "sharpshooting" will follow through March 2016. 

Knowing how the commission operates, you will base your decision tonight on the volume of emails. You will use any means which justify your personal agendas. I am in the process of ordering more yard signs (fourth shipment), but "Not In My Yard" signs don't seem to carry the weight of emails, I'm learning. 

It is clear that my commissioner is the driving force behind the sharpshooting vote tonight. I tried to tell some of you how her intentions to serve on the commission were only to kill deer. After all, she "has a life," as she said during her interview in April. I imagine that the "Sale Pending" sign on her house will change to "Sold" after tonight's vote.

The Scott Township commissioners govern in the interest of public safety, and not make every divisive issue a competition, with the loudest group winning.

If you are keeping track, I am opposed to sharpshooting, bow hunting, corral and kill, or any other lethal means that come across your computer. I speak for the hundreds of people who have "Not In My Yard" signs in their yards.

Elaine Gillen

Update October 28, 2015 10:45 AM 

Latest from my commissioner

From: Coleen Vuono <cvuono@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>; Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
Cc: Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; Philip Weis <philip.weis@bipc.com>; coleenvuono <coleenvuono@hotmail.com>
Sent: Tue, Oct 13, 2015 11:25 am
Subject: Re: Emails

Senior citizens in Mt. Lebanon know that they can place a phone call to their commissioners to voice their opinion on issues if they do not have access to the internet. I have received calls from Mt. Lebanon residents.

I base my decisions as a commissioner on what I consider to be in the best interests of the community after being informed by residents on both sides of issues. The deer issue is one of public safety.

I am in favor of a deer management program that includes sharpshooting, but that has not been the only issue I've been involved in.  Since I've been on the commission I've voted on many agenda items, I've proposed items for discussion that I think are important to Mt. Lebanon and I've been involved in other issues in the third ward.

In addition to my "life" I served for 4 years as a commissioner and recently served on the Planning Board and volunteered to complete the term of the previous third ward commissioner.

I support this community and have shown this in my civic engagement.

My personal life-the sale of my home-has nothing to do with you (even though you toured it during an open house-were you planning on moving?)

After tonight's vote I would hope that you would find a better way to spend your time than in creating controversy in this community.

Coleen Vuono 

On Tue, Oct 13, 2015 at 9:43 AM, 'egillen476@aol.com' via Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org> wrote:

Commissioners,

My phone has been ringing off the hook with senior citizens who do not have access to the Internet. They are unable to email you and tell you how they are on blood pressure medication and how upset they are with your current unmanaged program. They cannot fathom "sharpshooting" will follow through March 2016. 

Knowing how the commission operates, you will base your decision tonight on the volume of emails. You will use any means which justify your personal agendas. I am in the process of ordering more yard signs (fourth shipment), but "Not In My Yard" signs don't seem to carry the weight of emails, I'm learning. 

It is clear that my commissioner is the driving force behind the sharpshooting vote tonight. I tried to tell some of you how her intentions to serve on the commission were only to kill deer. After all, she "has a life," as she said during her interview in April. I imagine that the "Sale Pending" sign on her house will change to "Sold" after tonight's vote.

The Scott Township commissioners govern in the interest of public safety, and not make every divisive issue a competition, with the loudest group winning.

If you are keeping track, I am opposed to sharpshooting, bow hunting, corral and kill, or any other lethal means that come across your computer. I speak for the hundreds of people who have "Not In My Yard" signs in their yards.

Elaine Gillen

The new commissioner is like Kristen on steroids UPDATED 2X

Comments tonight were overwhelmingly against using weapons to "manage" deer. Getting the PG to admit that is another story. In Mt. Lebanon considering sharpshooters for deer management, we read

While the commission has said its goal is to reduce the number of deer versus vehicle collisions by 50 percent in five years, 10 residents – some of whom carried “Not in my Yard” signs – spoke out against the culling program, saying that bows and bullets flying through the community presents an even more serious safety issue for Mt. Lebanon.

There were only 12 residents who commented tonight during Citizen Comments. 

The above photo captures Coleen trying to pull a fast one. She added an item to the agenda tonight, 11B, which would have started the process of having the USDA come up with an agreement/contract that the commission would vote on September 8th. Fortunately Dave and Kelly immediately voiced opposition, Steve and John followed suit after they heard why Dave and Kelly opposed it because of transparency and it being"wholly inappropriate."

Coleen is Kristen on steroids. Watch the video when it comes out, there’s more to it than what is being conveyed here. Coleen is dangerous.

I had to walk out of the Wildlife Services portion of the Commission Discussion Session. It appears Wildlife Services is not exempt from the Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act, but they do have a way around it. Such sleaze bags. As I explained in an earlier comment, they could get permission from the School District and the Municipality. Additionally, private property next to schools is also exempt, according to Wildlife Services.

We will have seven months of Hell starting in less than six weeks, with an overlap of 24 hours a day of killing during the month of January. Another sleepless night ahead of me and at least nine others tonight.

Kristen will be so proud of her replacement UPDATED

From: egillen476
To: cvuono 
Cc: commission ; sfeller ; rsukal ; philip.weis ; egillen476 
Subject: Re: Taxes
Date: Fri, Jul 17, 2015 1:37 pm

Easier said than done, Coleen. You, of all people, should know that. You had your house on the market for six months four years ago and couldn't sell it. Now you are asking $70,000 more and it has been on the market for almost a month now. Is that why your house is on the market? You won't say where you plan to move.

Thank you for your response, Coleen. I rarely get one.

Elaine Gillen

 -----Original Message----- 
From: Coleen Vuono 
To: egillen476 Cc: Commission ; Stephen Feller ; Rudy Sukal ; Philip Weis 
Sent: Fri, Jul 17, 2015 12:11 pm 
Subject: Re: Taxes 

Ms. Gillen, 
With all of the complaints you have about Mt. Lebanon it seems to me that you really might be happier selling your house and moving out of the community. 
Coleen Vuono

On Fri, Jul 17, 2015 at 11:32 AM, ' egillen476@aol.com' via Commission wrote: 

Commissioners, 

I just paid my $826.06 municipal tax bill in protest. I have learned that Mt. Lebanon residents are not treated fairly. Those who pay more in taxes are the ones who you seem to cater to. 

Whether it is municipal trees, views on the use of weapons in our densely populated community, skewed public information, pet projects, or even getting responses to emails, money talks in Mt. Lebanon. 

I wrote on my check that I paid my taxes in protest. I'm sure you are all chuckling over this email, but it is the only recourse that I have. It has never been this bad in all the years I have lived in Mt. Lebanon. 

Elaine Gillen

Update July 17, 2015 4:02 PM Another email from Coleen. Wow! This is a record!

From: egillen476 
To: cvuono 
Cc: commission ; sfeller ; philip.weis ; egillen476 
Subject: Re: Taxes Date: Fri, Jul 17, 2015 3:58 pm 
Attachments: 31 Woodland Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15228 is For Sale _ Zillow.pdf (3591K) 

Since this is all subject to Right To Knows, I wanted to cite my source, Coleen. The information on your house came from Zillow. http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/31­Woodland­Dr­Pittsburgh­PA­15228/11396962_zpid/ I have also attached it as a pdf. If the information is incorrect, I could refer you to another real estate agent who would make sure that the information is posted correctly. Perhaps the correction would help to sell your home faster, since this is what the public sees. You're welcome. 

While I have your attention, Coleen, do you plan on spending the balance of your term in Ward 3, should you sell your home? How many times have I asked you this question before? 

Elaine Gillen 

-----Original Message----- 
From: Coleen Vuono 
To: egillen476 
Cc: Commission ; Stephen Feller ; Rudy Sukal ; Philip Weis 
Sent: Fri, Jul 17, 2015 1:54 pm 
Subject: Re: Taxes 

Ms. Gillen, 
Just for the record-everything you said about my house is incorrect. 
Coleen Vuono 

Vuono: Kill 100 deer by archers AND 150 deer by sharp shooters UPDATED

Updated July 15, 2015 6:57 AM I changed the title to this post to demonstrate the venom my commissioner has toward deer. Linfante looks like Mary Poppins compared to Vuono. Coleen Vuono actually wanted to hire Wildlife Services, the bimbos from 2006-2008, to kill 150 deer by night AND, simultaneously hire DeNicola's White Buffalo to kill 100 deer by day. The last aerial survey showed 196 deer in and surrounding our six square miles. Commissioners also approved goats and guard mules for Bird Park.

I cannot believe what I heard tonight. I am still in shock, so let me start with what I said during Citizen Comments. 

I have been speaking against deer killing for ten years. I'm part of the Coalition for Coexistence because I am against violence. Firing weapons in our densely populated community is dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.

Repeatedly, I have been asking about the sterilization permit application. Steve Feller had said that it was going to be resubmitted in April. When I asked again, Tony DeNicola had helped fill out the application form . The PA Game Commission representative, Jeanine Fleegle offered to help with the process at the June 22 meeting. Yes or No. Has it been resubmitted? [The answer was "NO."]

On the White Buffalo website, there is a nice photo of Jody Maddock. He is a project manager for Tony DeNicola. Maddock was billed as working at Bryn Athyn College. Nothing was ever mentioned that he was the founder of Whitetail Associates. We were never told that there was a connection between the two "experts." Then we find out that tonight, you folks may approve a proposal submitted by them. Was an RFP advertised? Yes or No. [The answer was "NO."] By the way, that proposal was never publicized. 

Asking the hunters to produce the deer's right jaw bone as proof of delivery is the most gruesome and revolting thought possible for many of us. What is this? Medieval times? 

Did you ever play the game, "Whack a Mole" at Chuck E. Cheese's? You bop one mole and then another one pops up somewhere else. That's the game I feel we're playing regarding the reasons to kill the deer. We've heard the gardens are being destroyed, there's too much deer poop, the car accidents involving deer are increasing, we have too many deer, counts don't matter, Lyme Disease, you're against sharp shooting and then you are for sharpshooting, the Ecosystem is being destroyed, birds are disappearing and my favorite, deer are scary. As soon as we debunk one issue, you're on to something else. 

So what is it really? Car accidents or gardens? If it is car accidents, why are you focusing on 9% of the total accidents? You're forgetting the other 91% of the car accidents. What happens if the number drops 50% before five years? When does the tally start? 2012? 2016? 

If it is NOT about gardens, why was there so much emphasis placed on "ongoing deer management" at a former commissioner's home last Sunday? I emailed you the notices she was passing out and I put them on my blog, Lebo Citizens. She had been quoted as saying, "Well the deer are going to die anyway." I love the Mt. Lebanon Public Library Garden Tour. I am a big supporter of the Library and have attended ALL 25 years of tours. It is a shame that it was used as a political platform to kill deer. This isn't the first time that has happened. A few years ago, the Gentlemen Gardeners did the same thing. If it isn't about gardens, then why does this happen repeatedly? 

I was fascinated by the goats and mule presentation and how they eat invasives. Deer love poison ivy and English Ivy. Goats are good. Deer are bad. Goat and donkey poop is acceptable. Deer poop is not. 

I am having an especially hard time writing those checks to pay my taxes. This was once a stellar community. Now Mt. Lebanon provides comic relief during the news.

***********

So you may have heard by now, three commissioners are now opting for "sharp shooting" AND archery. Dave and Kelly are still opposed to sharp shooting, but John "I'm against sharp shooting" Bendel is now right there with Coleen and Steve. If Coleen could have started sharp shooting tonight, it would not have been soon enough. Let me tell you, they aren't sharp shooters. We're not talking Navy SEALS. 

For those Lebo Citizen readers who were not here in 2006-2008, you don't know the fear of not knowing who is outside ready to shoot when you have to let your dog go out in the middle of the night. None of us know what it will be like to see archers in the daytime. For all those people tonight, well, I guess it was technically last night, who were afraid to have their kids play outside because of the deer, will now have to deal with seeing wounded deer, archers trailing deer, dying deer, and arrows covered in blood and fur. 

There were people tonight who actually said that they do not want to coexist. I don't know what else to say tonight except I am deeply disappointed in the commission and the blood thirsty residents who spoke this evening.

Update July 15, 2015 7:49 PM Mt. Lebanon residents to get choice in allowing bowhunting on properties to cull deer