Precautionary vs. Rethinking Down the Road

It is amazing how two towns can think so differently.

Pittsburgh-area schools invested big money in crumb rubber fields. But how safe are they for your kids?

Sarah Collins/PublicSource

As soccer players fight for the ball at the Keystone Oaks High School field, clouds of black pellets trail their cleats.

Precautionary?
But in the Chartiers Valley School District, concerns about the health effects of crumb rubber prompted the board there to choose “virgin” rubber pellets for the infill in its new field. Virgin rubber has never been used in tires and does not contain the chemicals in tire rubber, said superintendent Brian White. 

Mr. White said a resident brought concerns about crumb rubber to his attention and he shared those concerns with the school board. As a result, the board watched an ESPN video about anecdotal links between crumb rubber and cancer. 

The board then decided it would be wise to look into alternatives.

Meanwhile, back in Mt. Lebanon

The lack of conclusive studies stirred a local public debate in Mt. Lebanon last year. 

Some residents and town Commissioner Kelly Fraasch raised health concerns about installing crumb rubber turf at the Wildcat and Middle fields along Cedar Boulevard. 

The majority of the commission, however, voted in favor of installing the turf, and it was installed in summer 2015. The fields are used by community soccer leagues as well as the high school baseball and lacrosse teams. 

“I wanted to wait to research alternatives,” Ms. Fraasch said. “But there was a movement among the majority of the commission to get this done.” 

The commission, at the urging of community sports leagues, planned the switch from grass to turf so that the field use could be increased. After it rains, drainage and mud on grass fields create problems. Repeated use also wears down a grass field faster, said David Donnellan, director of recreation for Mt. Lebanon. 

In response to the concerns, the municipality sent a sample of each bag of crumb rubber pellets that were ordered to be used at the fields for testing at a private laboratory to see if the level of chemicals met EPA standards. 

“They met the EPA standards for the chemicals in the pellets at the time,” Mr. Donnellan said. “If new information becomes available down the road we will rethink what we are doing.”

Scott Township and Mt. Lebanon are certainly consistent. They have handled the deer debate with the same approach. Scott Township is concerned for their residents' safety, while Mt. Lebanon shoots first and then will rethink down the road, after the damage is done.

A Community With Character[s] Part 2

On the Municipal side of Mt. Lebanon government, we have five commissioners, each representing their Ward.

Lame duck President is Kristen Linfante. Kristen has taken the commission to a whole new level. Once respectable, the commission meetings have become a three ring circus with Kristen at the helm. Threats to shut down the meeting, lies, and personal attacks toward constituents and their employers are just some of Kristen's signature moves. A self-proclaimed environmentalist, Kristen is in favor of artificial turf, killing all the deer, and igniting people. My all time favorite piece from her blog, Real Lebo, is an attack toward me. My Mother Taught Me Never To Lie  Kristen wrote, "There are two things that I just can't tolerate - mean people and liars." My commissioner was projecting all the way back in 2010. She will tell you that I ran against her and lost, but she still doesn't understand that she ran unopposed in the 2011 Primary. I ran against incumbent Joe DeIuliis and lost. Kristen's term ends in 2015. Not soon enough.

President Elect John "The Refiner" Bendel ran unopposed in the 2011 commission election, after his opponent pulled out of the race. I understand John is not real popular with his constituents in Ward 1 in the area of sidewalks, traffic calming, and artificial turf. John is the commission liaison to the Sports Advisory Board and went to the SAB in October and asked them how they wanted to spend the pot of gold, otherwise known as the unassigned funds. Bend It With Bendel vetted FieldTurf partner, Dr. Andrew McNitt before the June 12 turf project presentation held at Mellon Middle School. John is seeking reelection and may not be the only Ward 1 Democrat running in the 2015 Primary.

Kelly Fraasch is my adopted commissioner. Kelly is the epitome of elected officials. She listens to constituents and tries to seek common ground with critics. A hard worker, Kelly is dedicated to serving Mt. Lebanon residents in a fair and professional manner. I don't always agree with Kelly, but she does have my utmost respect. Kelly's term ends in 2015 and I hope she seeks reelection.

Steve Silverman is the commission newbie. As commissioner elect, Steve hit the ground running with the turf project, asking for a corporate sponsorship from Dick's Sporting Goods. My late husband, account executive and on the food broker advisory board for Gatorade, would have appreciated Steve's efforts to build Gatorade sales through artificially turfing a field. Steve's term ends in 2017.

Commissioner Dave Brumfield introduced the idea of turfing Mellon Middle School Field during the February 28, 2012 Joint Discussion Session. Don't ask him the definition of "fair." Not a Dave Brumfield fan. We're stuck with Dave for two more years with his term ending in 2017.

Manager Steve Feller reports to the commissioners but manages the various departments within the municipality. He is also the Open Records Officer responsible for granting or denying Right To Know Requests by taking the full 35 days, rather than five, for legal reviews every time. Screwing up the pool bid opening, the Public Safety Building, and approving the first change order for the turf project without the commission's approval are just some of his many accomplishments.

Andrew McCreery is our new director of finance. Andrew stepped up to the plate when I asked a member of the PIO for her assistance (and was ignored) with the 102 year old resident who was being recognized. However, Moody's did downgrade our rating since he took over.

Tom Kelley is retiring soon. Tom kept Rockwood Park in great shape and declared a cease fire in Rockwood Park after many phone calls to him. I will never forget that.

Susan Morgans is the town diva. As our Public Information Officer, editor of mtl Magazine and Community Relations Board staff liaison, Susan has a unique perspective on our fine community. A 1965 Lebo graduate, Susan Fleming Stroyd Morgans feels that she owns this town. Her biggest fans, Laura Pace Lilley and Merle Jantz, report to Susan. Hide your recorders when you see Susan.

Keith McGill, our municipal planner, has been involved with the Zamagias fiasco since Day 1. Keith informed the Planning Board about the turf project, saying that there is no need for their input. According to Marcia Taylor, Keith and Steve Feller have lunch with Marcia monthly. It is nice that they keep in touch.

Gateway Engineers' Dan Deiseroth is our municipal engineer. Dan is a financial supporter of the toxic turf project and bills Mt. Lebanon for his work on the project. It's a great gig. No conflict of interest there. 

David Donnellan is our director of recreation. A dedicated employee, David built the climbing wall at the swimming pool. Concerned with loss of revenue, David wanted to keep the golf course open during the archery hunt. David also rushed the swimming pool construction in order to open on Fathers Day. A non-voting member of the Sports Advisory Board and member of the super secret Turf Project Task Force, David was instrumental in making the toxic turf project a reality.

Mt. Lebanon Police Chief Coleman McDonough took charge of the now suspended archery program. I have a lot of respect for Coleman, but question his judgment to keep the golf course open during the hunt.

Nick Sohyda is the chief of our award winning fire department. A great guy.

Eric Milliron is Mt. Lebanon's Economic Development Officer and manager of the Commercial Districts Office. There's no drama with Eric, one of Mt. Lebanon's greatest assets. 

Phil Weis is the Municipality's solicitor. I like Phil, but he has to do what he has to do. 

Marcia Taylor retired from the Municipality earlier in 2013 as assistant manager and finance director. Marcia ruled with an iron fist. Talk to her about police pensions.

The puppet masters behind this cast of characters are the following:

Barbara Logan, master gardener and former commissioner, wants deer dead in the worst way. She donated to Kristen Linfante's political campaign.

It is said that Carolyn Byham, another gardener, former commissioner and deer hater, is willing to pay for an entire deer cull. The commission should talk to her about funding the $68,000 dedicated to deer management for 2015.

Dave Franklin is legen (wait for it) dary. He likes to let everyone know that he is an attorney every chance he can. Dave's legal opinion on the safety of synthetic turf and the EPA is documented here on Lebo Citizens. Dave's dedication to the turf project fundraising is full time. Dave is a part time member of the Parks Advisory Board, but full time Parks Advisory Board Liaison to the Sports Advisory Board. He is a non-voting member of the SAB, but through his super secret Turf Project Task Force and being married to a voting SAB member, Dave gets the job done.

David Reese, one of the trolls here on Lebo Citizens, wrote a letter to the editor of the PG on 09.01.11 explaining that he is not tax averse and wants to pay higher taxes. You should have a conversation about that at your next family gathering, Dave. 

What can I say about the member of the super secret Turf Project Task Force, Chip Dalesandro, who came to my door unannounced? Not much.

He Who Shall Not Be Named - see above.

I hope this Municipality Who's Who guide is helpful. I may have inadvertently left out someone, so this list may be updated. Since 2015 will be a year of change with elections for five seats for school board directors and three seats for commission, I am optimistic that the majority of our local government will be a positive change in direction for Mt. Lebanon.

Happy New Year.

Contrary to popular belief...

The plan to artificially turf Middle and Wildcat Fields (or as Susan Morgans likes to call it, "Field Enhancement Project") has NOT been voted on. The vote to assign funds took place in November 2013. There has been no vote to artificially turf Middle and Wildcat Fields.

This has NOT gone to the Traffic Board.
No traffic study has been done even though the entrance to the fields is being relocated.
This has NOT gone to the Historic Preservation Board.
The Environmental Sustainability Board is against the project.
The Parks Advisory Board is against the project.
The Planning Board has not voted on this project.
The Zoning Hearing Board has NOT been involved.

The Recreation Department has sent over 8,000 emails, soliciting for the non-municipal share of the project.

The Public Information Office has updated the Mt. Lebanon website to include Field Enhancement of Wildcat and Middle fields. Additionally, a plea for donations to the non-municipal portion of the project is included in the update.

A public fundraising campaign is under way to garner the $250,000 in non-municipal funds needed to make this project happen. If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the project: Field Donations 

It was a wise decision on the part of the PIO to share an unedited version of the Mellon artificial turf infomercial. It includes members of the audience calling out to David Donnellan that he was lying.

This is NOT a done deal, Lebo Citizens. The bid opening is this Thursday at 11:00 AM in the Recreation Office. Bids will be awarded at the end of this month or the beginning of July. The Sports Advisory Board only has a 98% commitment of the required $250,000 portion. According to the Mellon presentation made by John Bendel, $101,879 is cash in hand, and an additional $143,250 has been pledged. We have been told that if there is no $250,000 cash in hand, the bids will not be awarded.

"Field Enhancements" Project meeting recap UPDATED 3X

I have been saving some photos, waiting for the right time to share them on Lebo Citizens. I think it is the right time.

Tonight, Dan Deiseroth talked about flooding on Cedar Blvd. He said that Dixon floods, but never Middle and Wildcat Fields. Evidently, those fields have higher elevations and are not in the FEMA designated floodplain.

Here are some pics of the Wildcat Parking Lot flooding on May 28, 2014.

Wildcat Parking Lot flooding 05.28.14

Wildcat Parking Lot flooding 05.28.14

Wildcat Parking Lot flooding 05.28.14

Wildcat Parking Lot flooding 05.28.14

Wildcat Parking Lot flooding 05.28.14

The following photos illustrate the higher elevations as explained tonight at the "Field Enhancements" meeting. The bids show that fields are at "grade (street) level." The fields are far below Cedar Blvd, and obviously below the pool.

There was mention of an Add Alternate for a storm water filtration system. Here is what I was able to get from the bids.

Dan, feel free to use any of these photos in your next presentation. I am glad that the one you showed tonight was helpful for your business. I know who reads my blog because they recognized the photo immediately. Thanks for reading, Folks!

What I learned tonight is that Andy McNitt is not a toxicologist. The ESB was not given the plans, as David Donnellan claimed. I need to listen to the podcast because I think he mentioned other boards, as well. I learned that fresh strawberries are dangerous. And that artificial turf is perfectly safe, since there are poisons all around us.

Readers, feel free to share your thoughts about tonight's "Field Enhancements" meeting. I found out that our PIO coined that phrase since "artificial turf" has a negative connotation. Yes, I certainly feel better about it.

The podcast has been uploaded on to lebocitizens.com It is also available here.

Update June 13, 2014 2:35 PM Here is what Google Earth says about the elevations of Dixon, Middle, and Wildcat Fields.

Update June 14, 2014 2:40 PM I received Addendum #2 from Gateway Engineers on Thursday, June 12, 2014 at 4:10 PM. It includes:

 4.2. Per grading plan there is fill installation required to raise the southwest corner to elevation.

Specification changes include:

Update June 15, 2014 7:10 PM Here is the information I promised from the RTK concerning pitching mounds on Middle and Wildcat Fields.

Drum roll, please. The panel includes...

The panel for the "Field Enhancements" forum is...

From: John Bendel <jbendel@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Wed, Jun 11, 2014 10:48 pm
Subject: Re: Thursday's panel

Elaine,

The panel

I will moderate the panel and provide background on the project

Others on the panel:

David Donnellan - field use, Work of turf task force, SAB

Dan Deiseroth, Jim Sauer - project design, storm water, bid specifications, timeline

Andrew McNitt, PSU

The presentations will be followed by question and answer period.

______________________

Don't miss this!!!

My buddy, Mr. Gill, VP from FieldTurf and Andrew McNitt are in the news together.

FieldTurf, Penn State Partner in New Center for Sports Surfaces

Darren Gill is in the news a lot these days. See here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/06/11/5893155/arlington-school-district-hits.html?rh=1

The case is here: http://media.star-telegram.com/smedia/2014/06/11/17/12/7gZpb.So.58.pdf

Bullied again UPDATED 3X Petition Link, RTK, Meeting Agendas Added

Lots of bullying going on tonight at the "Not for The General Public" Artificial Turf at Middle and Wildcat Fields meeting.

Three commissioners were there, so it WAS a public meeting. Dave Brumfield, Kelly Fraasch, and Steve Silverman attended the meeting.

David Donnellan, Dan Deiseroth, and Jim Sauer walked residents (angry ones, at that) through the project.

Neighboring residents were uninformed, took notes and asked many questions. 

Unfortunately, because of the photo below, I was unable to hear what was going on because I ended up calling the police.

Dave Franklin was talking with He Who Shall Not Be Named, when He Who Shall Not Be Named came charging over to me and threatened me with a wiretapping charge (See County drops wiretapping charge against South Fayette High School student who recorded bullying) and how I couldn't take his photo, and warned me not to mess with him. So I cropped He Who Shall Not Be Named out of the picture. Even though it was a public place, during a public meeting, I certainly don't want to mess with He Who Shall Not Be Named. He knows where I live. Bullying!

I missed most of the meeting because I spent it talking with the police. At the tail end, I asked David Donnellan if I could speak, and he ended the meeting abruptly, due to another meeting. I could not speak. Bullying!

Kelly Fraasch told us that the Turf Project Task Force was the meeting that Donnellan, Deiseroth, Franklin, Chip and Jim Sauer were attending. Kelly said that we could go to the meeting after asking Dan Deiseroth if it was public. He said that it was. People heard him say that. Two residents walked up to the meeting at the Rec Center and were asked to leave because they were told that it was not a public meeting and they were not invited. They were asked to put back the agendas they had taken. David Donnellan told one resident that he was gracious enough to let her speak at the concession stand since it was not a meeting for the general public. Remember, any time there are three commissioners in one place, that constitutes a quorum. All of us could have spoken, but they had "time constraints" due to the private meeting on how to spend taxpayer dollars. Bullying!

After David Donnellan hurried off to the Turf Project Task Force super secret meeting, I asked the crowd to stay and reminded them that this meeting meant nothing. The commissioners are the ones who made the decision. Residents must come to the Commission Meeting on April 28 and let their comments go on public record. There was a petition circulated and was signed by all the residents who attended the meeting. An online petition will be available soon. 

On Saturday at the Main Park, residents will be able to sign the petition, pick up flyers and stickers at the Earth Day celebration.

So here is my recommendation, for what it is worth. Sign the petition. Email all of the commissioners (commission@mtlebanon.org). Go to the meeting on April 28. Speak during Citizens Comments. Ask Commissioner Silverman where he stands on this issue. His constituents were pretty upset tonight. I will be asking the commissioners to rescind the vote. If that won't happen, I will be demanding their resignations.

Mt. Lebanon, PA Residents Against Artificial Turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields Petition here.

Update April 25, 2014 1:59 PM Through a Right To Know, here is All fundraising emails to and from the Recreation Department. I love the question asked on page 9. More facts for Monday night's commission meeting.

Update April 25, 2014 8:06 PM Here are the agendas for Monday's Commission meetings.

Commission Discussion Session starting at 6:30 PM Note Items 3, 4, and 6. 

Commission Meeting starting at 8:00 PM Note Item 2 - Citizen Comments.

Municipality and (MTLSD?) raising non-municipal funds in corporate deal UPDATED

According to Minutes of the November 25, 2013 Adjourned Meeting of the Mt. Lebanon Commission, the Commission allocated $750,000 in municipal funds for the turf project, including $637,400 by action at the November 25, 2013 meeting. The remaining $112,600 will be considered in a separate motion at a future Commission meeting. In this month's issue of our municipal mtl Magazine, there is a three page article about field fundraising. The Public Information Office writes that the field sports organizations are to raise an additional $250,000 or 25% of the project. Volunteers are to contact Dave Franklin at his office, dfranklin@eckertseamans.com according to the municipal magazine article. But look who is doing the heavy lifting raising non-municipal funds.

As revealed in my January 24, 2014 Right To Know, the Sports Advisory Board (SAB) or field sports associations, isn't doing the lion's share of raising non-municipal funds. It is the Municipality!  Gateway, our municipal engineer has donated $4,000 in 2013, with promises of more in 2014. Gateway is also doing the engineering on the project and any traffic studies required; however, a major portion of the dollars required will have to come elsewhere. What I discovered is a sweetheart deal with...drum roll please...Dick's Sporting Goods. Orchestrating what should be something entirely by the private sector are Mt. Lebanon Commissioners, the Director of Recreation, MTLSD Athletic Director, and the Municipal Engineer creating the pathway for the SAB and the Turf Project Task Force (TPTF). 

Keep in mind that the RTK information requested was from November 1, 2013 to January 24, 2014. 

Steve Silverman, elected but not yet sworn in as Commissioner, started communicating with Tony Lombardo, V.P. of Dick's Sporting Goods (DSG) on December 5, 2013. Steve indicates, "I am hopeful Dick's will help Mt. Lebanon with our new Turf Field." 

On December 11, 2013, Steve followed up with Tony and brought Commissioner John Bendel, and Director of Recreation David Donnellan into the conversation. Steve suggested that Tony meets with the three of them.

A question arises as to what Dick's might do for the turf project and how Dick's would benefit is addressed in the December 19, 2013 email from David Donnellan to several SAB members, including Municipal Engineer Dan Deiseroth of Gateway, and MTLSD Athletic Director John Grogan. Click here --->THIS IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT EMAIL. <----- Is the School District aware of Grogan's involvement with this partnership? Does it conflict with Policy KGD Partnerships and Sponsorships? Why is Mr. Grogan involved with any fundraising project of this magnitude while MTLSD is trying to raise $6 million?

The December 20, 2013 emails indicated that Chip Dalesandro, representing Football, didn't like the deal. Donnellan thanked Silverman for reassuring Chip that no such commitment had been made. [Yet.] Silverman, using his mtlebanon.org address, is now aware and involved.

Donnellan copies Commissioner John Bendel on his December 19, 2013 message about Dick's, so Bendel is involved.

Mr. Lombardo indicated on December 20, 2013 his looking forward "to helping in any way.." and a meeting with his V.P. of Community Marketing on January 6, 2014  in a reply to a Donnellan message of December 19, 2013. 

The holidays slowed things down for a while until we find that another Dick's executive, Jim Famularo is contacted by Commissioner Silverman, and cc's Bendel and Donnellan about a meeting scheduled for January 30th when all will be present.

January 17th and 18th emails describe meetings and the very revealing Tim White message of January 18 at 9:48 AM sent to John Bendel, which states that "While they (Dick's) can stroke a check for a huge position on this, my understanding was they wanted some type of access to our constituency (defined as sports groups grant them access to email lists) and they want a contract for blanket procurement for sports products" found here. The "blanket procurement for sports products is still on after all. Bendel and Silverman are parties to this as well. 

So here we have it. The Municipality is doing the major "private fundraising" and a Municipal part time employee, Katherine Heart, doing fundraising for the "private" funding as well, as I revealed in Big enough for its own post UPDATED. Why isn't the Municipality working toward raising its balance of $112,600?

This stinks. It has been kept entirely out of the public knowledge. 

Meanwhile, this appeared in Pittsburgh Business Times on March 7, 2014. Dick's Sporting Goods launches campaign to fund youth sports "Every year we’re seeing more and more cutbacks in sports,” said Gruden in a prepared statement. “Budgets are being decreased, coaches are being eliminated, and fewer players are going out for youth sports. We have to do something about it!”

Update March 9, 2014 3:13 PM I scanned turf vendor correspondence and wish that my RTK was later than January 24, 2014. The responses to the turf vendor questions were either sent after the cut off date or they are MIA. I have also scanned the Field Analysis completed by Jordan Halter in May 2012.

Big enough for its own post UPDATED

Even though I had this on my seventh update in the previous post, Mother of All RTKs UPDATED, I believe this deserves its own post.

Bendel's original email

Donnellan's response

Mt. Lebanon has hired a grant and revenue consultant as listed on page 22 of the 2014 Municipal Budget. Why is Commissioner Bendel active with non-municipal fundraising, when he should be protecting municipal funds? I will be transferring comments about this from the previous thread, to keep them all together.

Update March 4, 2014 8:59 AM Why are the Municipal grant writer and Municipal engineer involved with non-municipal fundraising? Sports Advisory Board January 9, 2014 meeting minutes (And there it is in writing, $4000 from Gateway Engineers.) I also received the Turf Project Task Force Agenda, which was missing from my RTK. Here is what Steve Feller sent to me, after I brought it to his attention. In addition, I asked for the presentations. Here is Steve's response.

Hi Elaine: Attached is a copy of the agenda.  I am told that the vendors did not supply written presentations (power point or other written format.)  Steve Feller