Showing posts with label Fieldturf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fieldturf. Show all posts
Friday, December 1, 2017
Saturday, September 2, 2017
If the athletic supporters had only listened. UPDATED
I don't know where to begin. I guess I will start with Mt. Lebanon's latest administrative report.
We knew that the "Crown Jewel" would be abused. Here in Mt. Lebanon, we can't keep anything nice. Sunflower seeds are a definite no-no. I warned them about the Field Turf lawsuits. Bid opening today. We told them about the garbage and the lawn chairs on Day 1. Even with the new sign at the Crown Jewel in Office Depot vinyl sheet protectors, there are sunflower seeds. After the newer -new signs, we saw this. Sunday: WITH the new signs
Today, I received this in my email.
https://www.classaction.org/news/city-of-fremont-ca-latest-to-file-class-action-against-fieldturf-usa
All this and we are only in Year 2. Next on the list will be turfing the practice field at the high school. You heard it here first!
In other news,
Update September 2, 2017 6:35 PM Mt. Lebanon School District confirms 7 high school football players being treated for staph infections
Athletic Director John Grogan sent this letter to parents:
Dear Parent/Guardian:
I wanted to inform you that we have seven confirmed cases of Staph infections among members of our football team. As a precaution, we felt it was important to notify you about this. To prevent communicable disease transmission, the Mt. Lebanon School District follows the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for infectious diseases/conditions.
How can we prevent Staph?
Handwashing is the most effective method of preventing the spread of infectious disease. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with bandages to aid in healing and to prevent transmission of infection. Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, clothes or personal items. On the recommendation of the ACHD, any student or employee who has been treated for Staph and cleared to return to school, as well anyone who has been or may be referred to their family physician for Staph screening, may return to normal activities as long as all wounds are completely covered and taped on all four sides.
What is the school doing?
We will continue to encourage good hygiene practices with students and staff. Soap dispensers and sinks are available in every locker room. The custodial staff will continue their daily cleaning and sanitization procedures in the locker rooms, washrooms etc. with cleaning products that have been approved by the ACHD. Additionally, one of our UPMC team physicians met with the football team student athletes and coaching staff to review safe hygiene practices.
What can you do?
We recommend that if you have concerns about your child's health, to contact his or her private physician. If your child is immunocompromised (i.e., HIV, cancer, leukemia, organ transplant, etc.,) contact your child's physician to ask for guidance. As always, information regarding a student with a diagnosed or a suspected infectious condition should be reported to the school nurse, principal and coach (if applicable). Student athletes should take all practice clothing home to be cleaned each evening. Finally, remind your student athlete to not share any personal items such as towels, razors, clothing, etc.
I want to assure you that we are doing all that we can to provide a safe and healthy school environment for our students and staff. In addition to contacting your own physician with concerns, please feel free to contact me or the school nurse.
We knew that the "Crown Jewel" would be abused. Here in Mt. Lebanon, we can't keep anything nice. Sunflower seeds are a definite no-no. I warned them about the Field Turf lawsuits. Bid opening today. We told them about the garbage and the lawn chairs on Day 1. Even with the new sign at the Crown Jewel in Office Depot vinyl sheet protectors, there are sunflower seeds. After the newer -new signs, we saw this. Sunday: WITH the new signs
Today, I received this in my email.
https://www.classaction.org/news/city-of-fremont-ca-latest-to-file-class-action-against-fieldturf-usa
On FieldTurf’s overall legal troubles, the lawsuit asserts the company “specifically knew that its fields would not last for the full eight-year warranty period due to structural inadequacies,” yet still told prospective customers that its product, more specifically its “monofilament” surfaces, would last at least 10 years.Guess what the super secret turf task force recommended?
Speaking of final specifications, the Turf Project Task Force Recommendations included these specs, "To address the multi-purpose, heavy use planned for the field, the specification recommended for the turf will be a slit film with monofilament blend."Monofilament surfaces. Yep, these geniuses were the ones who would not permit two Mt. Lebanon residents to attend the super secret turf task force meeting held at the Rec Center.
All this and we are only in Year 2. Next on the list will be turfing the practice field at the high school. You heard it here first!
In other news,
Update September 2, 2017 6:35 PM Mt. Lebanon School District confirms 7 high school football players being treated for staph infections
Athletic Director John Grogan sent this letter to parents:
Dear Parent/Guardian:
I wanted to inform you that we have seven confirmed cases of Staph infections among members of our football team. As a precaution, we felt it was important to notify you about this. To prevent communicable disease transmission, the Mt. Lebanon School District follows the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for infectious diseases/conditions.
How can we prevent Staph?
Handwashing is the most effective method of preventing the spread of infectious disease. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with bandages to aid in healing and to prevent transmission of infection. Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, clothes or personal items. On the recommendation of the ACHD, any student or employee who has been treated for Staph and cleared to return to school, as well anyone who has been or may be referred to their family physician for Staph screening, may return to normal activities as long as all wounds are completely covered and taped on all four sides.
What is the school doing?
We will continue to encourage good hygiene practices with students and staff. Soap dispensers and sinks are available in every locker room. The custodial staff will continue their daily cleaning and sanitization procedures in the locker rooms, washrooms etc. with cleaning products that have been approved by the ACHD. Additionally, one of our UPMC team physicians met with the football team student athletes and coaching staff to review safe hygiene practices.
What can you do?
We recommend that if you have concerns about your child's health, to contact his or her private physician. If your child is immunocompromised (i.e., HIV, cancer, leukemia, organ transplant, etc.,) contact your child's physician to ask for guidance. As always, information regarding a student with a diagnosed or a suspected infectious condition should be reported to the school nurse, principal and coach (if applicable). Student athletes should take all practice clothing home to be cleaned each evening. Finally, remind your student athlete to not share any personal items such as towels, razors, clothing, etc.
I want to assure you that we are doing all that we can to provide a safe and healthy school environment for our students and staff. In addition to contacting your own physician with concerns, please feel free to contact me or the school nurse.
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Another school district sues FieldTurf
Neshannock School District sues FieldTurf over defective artificial turf fields
by Louie Torres |
Add New Castle to the growing list of schools who sued FieldTurf.
I first wrote about this in my Lebo Citizens blog post, The 100-Yard Deception.
The website continues to update. FieldTurf: The 100-Yard Deception
Will I hear again from my buddy, Darren Gill?
by Louie Torres |
Jun. 19, 2017, 1:27pm
NESHANNOCK TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT
Proposed Class Action | Pending
SUMMARY: Accuses FieldTurf of failing to disclose problems with the turf even after customer complained of deterioration. Counts include breach of contract, breach of warranty, unfair trade practices and fraudulent concealment.
Class Action Complaint is here.Add New Castle to the growing list of schools who sued FieldTurf.
I first wrote about this in my Lebo Citizens blog post, The 100-Yard Deception.
The website continues to update. FieldTurf: The 100-Yard Deception
Will I hear again from my buddy, Darren Gill?
Monday, December 5, 2016
The 100-Yard Deception
For years, Fieldturf made millions of dollars selling faulty fields to taxpayers across the US knowing they might fall apart.
To find out which schools in Pittsburgh (and there are quite a few) got burned, find potentially faulty artificial turf fields in your neighborhood here.
Read The 100-Yard Deception: A 6-month investigation into FieldTurf
Friday, June 20, 2014
Why GeoTurf and the ESB never had a chance UPDATED 2X
The lies started on November 25, 2013, when Kristen Linfante misrepresented the Environmental Sustainability Board's position on artificial turf.
No, actually it started before that. Back on November 20, 2013, Larry Evans, a retired FieldTurf guy from Mt. Lebanon contacted Kelly Fraasch and suggested that she call Penn State's Andrew McNitt for information about GeoTurf. Kelly followed up with an email to McNitt. Evans had contacted GeoTurf and said that he was a consultant to the commission. What Evans failed to disclose to Kelly was that McNitt had a partnership with FieldTurf and asking for his opinion of GeoTurf is like asking Coke their opinion of Pepsi. FieldTurf on GeoTurf Also in the email link, is an exchange that John Bendel had with the GeoTurf representative. The rep also indicated that irrigation is not needed with GeoTurf because it performs well in our climate. John seemed receptive to GeoTurf's product. But Dave Franklin was not. And we all know Dave Franklin's position on the EPA.
Hellas/GeoTurf provided their references here:
Hellas Reference List pages 1-66
In January, GeoTurf Contact info from 1st Turf Project Task Force Meeting Minutes is on page 68. But something happened in February. GeoTurf missing on vendor list from 2nd Turf Project Task Force Meeting Minutes page 70
In fact, there are two DIFFERENT sets of SAB meeting agendas for February 6, 2014.
From the Municipal website with no mention of the ESB's position on artificial turf
SAB meeting agenda from my RTK See page 126, item #5 ESB Position on Artificial Turf. Mt. Lebanon falsifies official records of its agencies! The meeting minutes skip #5.
FieldTurf - Turf Vendor Questions page 164 "Synthetic turf poses no health risks." Yet, the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) released a consensus statement GUIDELINES TO PREVENT SUDDEN DEATH IN SECONDARY SCHOOL ATHLETICS PROGRAMS In Maryland, schools canceled outdoor activities when it was 93ยบ outside. It was too risky for athletes playing on artificial turf.
No, actually it started before that. Back on November 20, 2013, Larry Evans, a retired FieldTurf guy from Mt. Lebanon contacted Kelly Fraasch and suggested that she call Penn State's Andrew McNitt for information about GeoTurf. Kelly followed up with an email to McNitt. Evans had contacted GeoTurf and said that he was a consultant to the commission. What Evans failed to disclose to Kelly was that McNitt had a partnership with FieldTurf and asking for his opinion of GeoTurf is like asking Coke their opinion of Pepsi. FieldTurf on GeoTurf Also in the email link, is an exchange that John Bendel had with the GeoTurf representative. The rep also indicated that irrigation is not needed with GeoTurf because it performs well in our climate. John seemed receptive to GeoTurf's product. But Dave Franklin was not. And we all know Dave Franklin's position on the EPA.
Hellas/GeoTurf provided their references here:
Hellas Reference List pages 1-66
In January, GeoTurf Contact info from 1st Turf Project Task Force Meeting Minutes is on page 68. But something happened in February. GeoTurf missing on vendor list from 2nd Turf Project Task Force Meeting Minutes page 70
In fact, there are two DIFFERENT sets of SAB meeting agendas for February 6, 2014.
From the Municipal website with no mention of the ESB's position on artificial turf
SAB meeting agenda from my RTK See page 126, item #5 ESB Position on Artificial Turf. Mt. Lebanon falsifies official records of its agencies! The meeting minutes skip #5.
FieldTurf - Turf Vendor Questions page 164 "Synthetic turf poses no health risks." Yet, the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) released a consensus statement GUIDELINES TO PREVENT SUDDEN DEATH IN SECONDARY SCHOOL ATHLETICS PROGRAMS In Maryland, schools canceled outdoor activities when it was 93ยบ outside. It was too risky for athletes playing on artificial turf.
On a side note, I found the Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment contract on pages 128-162.
On Monday's Discussion Session agenda is Dr. Phil Johnson. He will speak about the health and well-being of our populations – including pregnant persons, infants, children, those with respiratory disease including asthma, those with allergies, those with neurodisabilities or disorders; those with cancer or surviving cancer; and those at risk of developing cancer. You can read his letter to the residents of Mt. Lebanon here.
Funny how the second item on the agenda, Wildcat/Middle turf improvements, follows an update from Republic, our new trash collectors.
It's not over! Public Hearing on Unassigned Funds July 8 will be introduced at Monday's Commission meeting by John Bendel. Look at the first item on the list. Also on July 8, the funds will be allocated and the turf bid will be awarded.
Update June 22, 2014 12:07 PM Kelly Fraasch sent out this email yesterday about tomorrow's meeting on artificial turf.
Update June 22, 2014 1:10 PM A suggestion was made to me this morning. Since the public is not permitted to speak during Discussion Sessions, we should wear our "No Artificial Turf" stickers or print out this sign, I [Heart] Lebo Sports on shirts or on paper for both meetings.
On Monday's Discussion Session agenda is Dr. Phil Johnson. He will speak about the health and well-being of our populations – including pregnant persons, infants, children, those with respiratory disease including asthma, those with allergies, those with neurodisabilities or disorders; those with cancer or surviving cancer; and those at risk of developing cancer. You can read his letter to the residents of Mt. Lebanon here.
Funny how the second item on the agenda, Wildcat/Middle turf improvements, follows an update from Republic, our new trash collectors.
It's not over! Public Hearing on Unassigned Funds July 8 will be introduced at Monday's Commission meeting by John Bendel. Look at the first item on the list. Also on July 8, the funds will be allocated and the turf bid will be awarded.
Update June 22, 2014 12:07 PM Kelly Fraasch sent out this email yesterday about tomorrow's meeting on artificial turf.
Update June 22, 2014 1:10 PM A suggestion was made to me this morning. Since the public is not permitted to speak during Discussion Sessions, we should wear our "No Artificial Turf" stickers or print out this sign, I [Heart] Lebo Sports on shirts or on paper for both meetings.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Bid opening today UPDATED 3X
Today is the day that we find out if FieldTurf will be the lowest bidder on the toxic turf project. For anyone interested, it will be at 11:00 at the Recreation Center, second floor.
This Letter to the Editor from my best buddy, Darren Gill, VP of Global Marketing for FieldTurf, showed up in a Westfield, NJ newspaper yesterday.
FieldTurf Objects to Westfield's Choice for Sid Fay and Houlihan Fields
I found this to be fascinating:
This Letter to the Editor from my best buddy, Darren Gill, VP of Global Marketing for FieldTurf, showed up in a Westfield, NJ newspaper yesterday.
FieldTurf Objects to Westfield's Choice for Sid Fay and Houlihan Fields
I found this to be fascinating:
- Fieldturf has had hundreds of fields fail prematurely (all very easily verified) while still under warranty yet Gill calls out Desso for having 2 fields replaced while still under warranty
- Gill singles out Desso as a "European based company." Fieldturf is wholly owned by Tarkett -a European company. http://www.tarkett.com/en/history
- Gill writes, "- In fact, as proof to the contrary, Penn State University’s Sports Surface Research Center conducted their own independent testing on 13 different monofilament fibers and found the 40 ounce FieldTurf product to be the most durable of all tested. The 60 ounce systems from Astroturf and 45 ounce system from Mondo were significantly less durable."
If FieldTurf does not get the job, will we be seeing a similar letter, such as "FieldTurf Objects to Mt. Lebanon's Choice for Middle and Wildcat Fields?"
Update June 19, 2014 10:36 AM I am not familiar with the bidding process, but how can contractors' bids be submitted in a sealed envelope before the 11:00 opening when this mandatory addendum, sent at 3:30 PM yesterday, is to be included with any bid submissions?
Update June 19, 2014 9:42 PM Mt. Lebanon officials studying 4 artificial turf bids for fields
Update June 19, 2014 10:36 AM I am not familiar with the bidding process, but how can contractors' bids be submitted in a sealed envelope before the 11:00 opening when this mandatory addendum, sent at 3:30 PM yesterday, is to be included with any bid submissions?
Update June 19, 2014 9:42 PM Mt. Lebanon officials studying 4 artificial turf bids for fields
 |
Justin Merriman | Tribune-Review
A sign in a yard along Cedar Boulevard in Mt. Lebanon on Thursday, June 19, 2014, protests the controversial proposal of putting artificial turf on two baseball fields.
Update June 20, 2014 10:45 AM Comparing the 11.06.13 Bendel presentation and the Turf Project Task Force presentation with what occurred yesterday, sheds a little more light to this disaster waiting to happen.
On page 13 of Bendel's presentation, the Opinion of Cost provided by Gateway Engineers was:
Scope of Work Opinion of Cost*
Base – grading, gravel base, drainage $354,400
Turf and organic fill $490,000
Contingency/Soft costs $89,070
Maintenance equipment, bleachers, fencing, landscaping $66,300
Total initial project costs $999,770
*Provided by Gateway Engineers
On page 12 of the 02.11.14 Turf Project Task Force Recommendations lists the five vendors who were interested in the project and interviewed. The second bullet explains FieldTurf's role. "Turf vendors in general supply the turf and infill and work with qualified site contractors acting as the General Contractor." Hellas was extremely interested, but couldn't compete with the final specifications. Speaking of final specifications, the Turf Project Task Force Recommendations included these specs, "To address the multi-purpose, heavy use planned for the field, the specification recommended for the turf will be a slit film with monofilament blend." We're already being set up for a revision in the final specs. According to the TPTF specs, we should be accepting the $859,000 product, not the $827,000 product.
Massillon, Ohio-based Vasco appeared to be the lowest bidder for two options that would use artificial turf with a sand and crumb-rubber infill. The company bid $827,000 to install a “monofilm” surface, with artificial grass blades that are rounded and slightly stiffer, and $859,000 for a blend of monofilm and slit-film blades, which Recreation Director David Donnellan said look like the flat-bladed artificial grass used in Easter baskets.
|
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
No toxicologist at Field "Enhancements" forum UPDATED
I asked the commissioners if they were able to get a toxicologist to speak at Thursday's Turf, I mean Field Enhancements educational forum and the answer was No. John Bendel and Kelly Fraasch got into it about that. Kelly said that the whole purpose of the meeting was to have a toxicologist speak about the safety of artificial turf. It turns out that they contacted someone as late as yesterday and he was unable to attend. Charlotte Stephenson spoke later and offered to bring a toxicologist. John wanted to vet the expert before permitting him to speak. Kristen piped up to say that they don't want anyone from Mt. Lebanon because they could be biased. You see, a Mt. Lebanon toxicologist could think the turf is perfectly safe, but is opposed to the cost. One resident thought that it was because there were no toxicologists who are in favor of artificial turf. John Bendel was getting snarky with me about the expert from Penn State, Dr. Andrew McNitt. What he failed to mention was that Andy has a partnership with FieldTurf, the artificial turf company whose VP of Global Marketing in Montreal was attacking me yesterday. I never heard back from Mr. Gill, by the way.
There is no conduit going in at Middle and Wildcat Fields, according to Bend it With Bendel. Funny, that is what is in the bid documents. There are no other phases, according to Bendel. John did send me this late this afternoon:
The commitments by the Sports Associations are as follows:
Soccer: $50,000
Baseball: $40,000
Lacrosse: $20,000 (lacrosse parents another $28,000 on their own and sent to the Endowment)
Softball: $7,500
Football: $6,500
Field Hockey: $1,000
The summary of contributions is attached. For some reason, I can read it with no problems on my iPad, but on my Mac laptop, it is junked up. Just a heads up. The title of the document is:
Begin forwarded message:
Shortly after I received John's email, Kristen sent me a confirmation that the meeting will be video recorded.
Well, that's all she wrote tonight. Good night.
Update June 11, 2014 1:09 AM I lied. I'm still up. A WTAE camera person (gender neutral, thank you) was filming residents during Citizen Comments. I wish I had taken a picture of the commissioners. They were white as ghosts. They had no idea what was going on. Are they doing a story on the Newcomers' Tax or are they going to write about how the community is getting screwed over the MWC turf project? We will know for sure in July. :)
Update June 11, 2014 4:30 PM Independent expert?
There is no conduit going in at Middle and Wildcat Fields, according to Bend it With Bendel. Funny, that is what is in the bid documents. There are no other phases, according to Bendel. John did send me this late this afternoon:
The commitments by the Sports Associations are as follows:
Soccer: $50,000
Baseball: $40,000
Lacrosse: $20,000 (lacrosse parents another $28,000 on their own and sent to the Endowment)
Softball: $7,500
Football: $6,500
Field Hockey: $1,000
The summary of contributions is attached. For some reason, I can read it with no problems on my iPad, but on my Mac laptop, it is junked up. Just a heads up. The title of the document is:
Non-municipal sources Initial Project Cost
98% Committed
The bottom line totals, in case you can't read it, are
Cash $101,879
Pledged $143, 250
Total $245,129
Here is the email that I never received. John sent it to me after the meeting, with an apology.
Sorry, I don't know what happened. I thought it went through
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
Note: I asked for corporate sponsors and public donors.Elaine,Yes, the June 12 meeting will be video recorded.
The Commission established that the non municipal funds be in hand before we award the contract, not when we accept the bids. The emails from David Donnellan and me confirm that. As far as the $5,000 from a corporate donor that will be available in December, the Commission will need to decide if we are willing to make an exception to the cash in hand requirement for a firm commitment for a relatively small amount.The contributions made to the Endowment were primarily made by individuals. I do not believe the Endowment would release the names of contributors nor do I think they should. Moreover, I don't know why it matters who the individuals are that donated to the project.I am aware of the concern regarding surface temperatures on turf. Our speaker, Andy McNitt, will address this issue at the June 12 meeting.John,
Will the Mellon presentation be video recorded? If not, will there be an audio recording?
Please explain why the words "artificial turf" are never used in any of the LeboALERTS, or any other municipal announcements such as what is on the municipal website.
I would also like to confirm with you that the non-municipal funds (cash in hand) will be released to the municipality prior to the bid being accepted. Here is the email exchange. that you had with Dave Franklin and David Donnellan clarifying Dave Franklin's statement.Also, the $5000 being donated in December should not be considered as cash in hand.
At the SAB meeting last week, Pam Scott asked about contributions made to the turf project. Dave Franklin asked Pam to specify which contributions by asking "Private?" She said yes. Who are the corporate sponsors and /or public donors and how much are their contributions?During the SAB meeting, Kimberly Schevtchuk was on the defensive before she could even speak. She tried to share her research with the SAB but was fired questions from all angles. Many were the same questions that were asked of her previously. One of the issues that came up at the SAB meeting was turf temperatures. A Lebo Citizens reader shared his findings on my Lebo Citizens blog. I hope you consider reading this post.Elaine Gillen
Shortly after I received John's email, Kristen sent me a confirmation that the meeting will be video recorded.
Well, that's all she wrote tonight. Good night.
Update June 11, 2014 1:09 AM I lied. I'm still up. A WTAE camera person (gender neutral, thank you) was filming residents during Citizen Comments. I wish I had taken a picture of the commissioners. They were white as ghosts. They had no idea what was going on. Are they doing a story on the Newcomers' Tax or are they going to write about how the community is getting screwed over the MWC turf project? We will know for sure in July. :)
Update June 11, 2014 4:30 PM Independent expert?
Andrew McNitt's Overview
- Current
- Professor of Soil Science/Turfgrass at Penn State University
- Past
- Associate Professor of Soil Science/Turfgrass at Penn State University
- Education
- Connections
- 500+ connections
- Websites
Andrew McNitt's Experience
Professor of Soil Science/Turfgrass
Penn State University
Educational Institution; 10,001+ employees; Higher Education industry
2012 – Present (2 years)
Associate Professor of Soil Science/Turfgrass
Penn State University
Educational Institution; 10,001+ employees; Higher Education industry
2006 – 2012 (6 years)
Andrew McNitt's Projects
Divot resistance and tensile strength of Kentucky bluegrass sod as a function of mowing height, nitrogen fertility and sand topdressing
- September 2012 to Present
Many professional sports fields are re-sodded annually, especially in the NFL. Because these fields are resurfaced so often, what happens at the sod farm can be almost as important as what the turf manager does at the stadium. The use of thick-cut sod is common when the field must be resurfaced during the season, but no scientific research has examined this process.
The goal of my master's...more
Andrew McNitt's Skills & Expertise
- Agronomy
- Horticulture
- Soil
- Turf
- Golf Courses
Andrew McNitt's Education
Penns Valley High School
Andrew McNitt's Additional Information
- Websites:
- Interests:
- Athletic Field Construction and Management, Sports Fields, Synthetic Turf,
- Groups and Associations:
- STMA, KAFMO, Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council, PSU Turfgrass AlumniUpdate June 11, 2014 7:07 PM At last night's meeting, Charlotte Stephenson offered to locate a toxicologist for tomorrow night's meeting. Here is the email exchange she had with the commissioners and manager today. It is a little confusing to follow, but start from the bottom of the Google Doc.
- Note: Steve Feller contacted Dr. Johnson on Monday afternoon!
Monday, June 9, 2014
Premature failure of hundreds of taxpayer funded synthetic turf fields
Dear E. T. Gillen,
Every year, hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars gets poured into funding the supply and installation of public high school, municipal and college synthetic turf fields.
All across the country, hundreds of Fieldturf synthetic turf fields are failing prematurely...
The Wall Street Journal ran an important story about these failing fields just a few months ago:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324108204579025062616281416.html
Coincidentally, a report I just saw on another site has a ton of very interesting information on this company and its conduct:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Fieldturf-Tarkett/Calhoun-Georgia-30701-8651/Fieldturf-Tarkett-warranty-scheme-Calhoun-Georgia-1067058
Yet another customer was forced to initiate legal action against the company recently:
http://www.thedinubasentinel.com/articles/2013/07/18/news/doc51e83476cbb43451581685.txt
And another...
Last week, a school district in Texas announced that it is suing the company. See here:
http://herald-zeitung.com/sports/local_sports/article_25542992-9eab-11e3-a3b1-0019bb2963f4.html?_dc=357916756533.0863
A customer in Charleston WV is also preparing to sue the company: http://www.charlestondailymail.com/News/Kanawha/201402200146?page=2&build=cache
Hahnville, Destrehan turf fields are defective, might need replacement:
http://www.heraldguide.com/details.php?id=12974
Please keep the source of this information confidential but please let me know if you require more information.
Kind regards,
Every year, hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars gets poured into funding the supply and installation of public high school, municipal and college synthetic turf fields.
All across the country, hundreds of Fieldturf synthetic turf fields are failing prematurely...
The Wall Street Journal ran an important story about these failing fields just a few months ago:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324108204579025062616281416.html
Coincidentally, a report I just saw on another site has a ton of very interesting information on this company and its conduct:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Fieldturf-Tarkett/Calhoun-Georgia-30701-8651/Fieldturf-Tarkett-warranty-scheme-Calhoun-Georgia-1067058
Yet another customer was forced to initiate legal action against the company recently:
http://www.thedinubasentinel.com/articles/2013/07/18/news/doc51e83476cbb43451581685.txt
And another...
Last week, a school district in Texas announced that it is suing the company. See here:
http://herald-zeitung.com/sports/local_sports/article_25542992-9eab-11e3-a3b1-0019bb2963f4.html?_dc=357916756533.0863
A customer in Charleston WV is also preparing to sue the company: http://www.charlestondailymail.com/News/Kanawha/201402200146?page=2&build=cache
Hahnville, Destrehan turf fields are defective, might need replacement:
http://www.heraldguide.com/details.php?id=12974
Please keep the source of this information confidential but please let me know if you require more information.
Kind regards,
XXXXXXXXX
Monday, June 2, 2014
Bend it with Bendel
According to the press release issued by PIO Susan Morgans, Commission Vice President and Sports Advisory Board member John Bendel will be facilitating the $11,000 Infomercial at Mellon Auditorium on June 12.
The purpose of this meeting is to update Mt. Lebanon residents about the Middle/Wildcat "Field Improvements" a.k.a. Artificial Turf Project with an unbiased toxicologist and the unbiased Director of the Center for Sports Surface Research at Penn State, Andrew McNitt. It was revealed that Penn State and FieldTurf, an artificial turf company, formed a partnership in July 2009. The cost of this public outreach will be $11,000, according to Municipal Engineer Dan Deiseroth, from Gateway Engineering. You may recall that Gateway made the first contribution of $4,000 to the non-municipal portion of the the project. In the press release, there was no mention of a toxicologist or Penn State. Susan Morgans writes:
"Bend it with Bendel" told us that the non-municipal funds were due May 15. Now, they are due before the commission awards the contract. Bid opening is June 17. I would guess that the contract would be awarded at the June 23 Commission meeting. That bought the SAB more than a month's time to raise the $250,000.
Another statement the PA governor hopeful made is that there is no Phase 2 to the project. However, on page 64 and 65 of the 2014 Manager's Recommended Budget
The purpose of this meeting is to update Mt. Lebanon residents about the Middle/Wildcat "Field Improvements" a.k.a. Artificial Turf Project with an unbiased toxicologist and the unbiased Director of the Center for Sports Surface Research at Penn State, Andrew McNitt. It was revealed that Penn State and FieldTurf, an artificial turf company, formed a partnership in July 2009. The cost of this public outreach will be $11,000, according to Municipal Engineer Dan Deiseroth, from Gateway Engineering. You may recall that Gateway made the first contribution of $4,000 to the non-municipal portion of the the project. In the press release, there was no mention of a toxicologist or Penn State. Susan Morgans writes:
Commission Vice President John Bendel will facilitate the meeting, at which he and several consultants will speak and provide audio-visual presentations."Bend it with Bendel" has never seen any documentation that states that artificial turf is unsafe. That translates to "Artificial Turf - proven to be safe!" It must be true. At least that is what the pro-turf signs indicate.
In the same Almanac article
Commissioner Kelly Fraasch then proposed that all Turf Task Force meetings be open to the public. She said other municipal task forces, such as the one handling a possible pay-as-you-throw trash program, were open for any member of the public to attend. Yet, some residents said they had been turned away from task force meetings related to the turf project.We never did hear what John Bendel had to say. We didn't because I didn't ask him during Citizen Comments. The only way we got the SAB Financial Report at the last meeting is because I asked him point blank at the commission meeting. And if I don't ask, they don't tell. Brumfield didn't ask (of course!) and Kelly Fraasch never followed up.
In response, commissioner Dave Brumfield seemed to waver. He said he would like to hear from commissioner John Bendel, who was absent from the meeting, before offering a final opinion.
“I don’t have a problem with those meetings being public,” Brumfield said, “but they are not required to be public. I would want to hear what John has to say.”
"Bend it with Bendel" told us that the non-municipal funds were due May 15. Now, they are due before the commission awards the contract. Bid opening is June 17. I would guess that the contract would be awarded at the June 23 Commission meeting. That bought the SAB more than a month's time to raise the $250,000.
Another statement the PA governor hopeful made is that there is no Phase 2 to the project. However, on page 64 and 65 of the 2014 Manager's Recommended Budget
23 Athletic Field Improvements. Installation of artificial turf and lights at Wildcat and Middle Fields $1,050,000.Bendel, the one who has never heard anything bad about artificial turf, will end the June 12 Informercial, by addressing questions "suggested by the audience." That means there will be no Q & A. Future Gov. Bendel will be in control of the entire dog and pony show. My suggestion at the last commission meeting was to cancel this $11,000 Informercial and use the money toward fixing some roads.
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Brumfield, Bendel and Gateway pulling another fast one? UPDATED 3X
This comment was published under the post, Gateway is billing us $1,000 per meeting on May 16, 2014 at 11:57 PM.
Why are Deiseroth, Bendel and Brumfield inviting McNitt, who has a PARTNERSHIP WITH FIELDTURF at Penn State, to the community forum on the safety of synthetic turf?
TALK ABOUT BIAS
Darren Gill, Director of Marketing for Fieldturf, stated that Fieldturf looked for a university partner who can augment what is currently being done internally. “Truth be told, when we sought out this partnership, we only had one partner in mind, and that was Penn State, largely because of Dr. McNitt.”
In July 2009, Fieldturf launched the Center for Sports Surface Research within the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State.
NOTHING BIASED ABOUT THIS $11,000 PUBLIC FORUM
By the way, if Gateway doesn't attend the forum will the price go down to $2500?
Dear Mt. Lebanon Commissioners,
Why are Deiseroth, Bendel and Brumfield inviting McNitt, who has a PARTNERSHIP WITH FIELDTURF at Penn State, to the community forum on the safety of synthetic turf?
TALK ABOUT BIAS
Darren Gill, Director of Marketing for Fieldturf, stated that Fieldturf looked for a university partner who can augment what is currently being done internally. “Truth be told, when we sought out this partnership, we only had one partner in mind, and that was Penn State, largely because of Dr. McNitt.”
In July 2009, Fieldturf launched the Center for Sports Surface Research within the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State.
NOTHING BIASED ABOUT THIS $11,000 PUBLIC FORUM
By the way, if Gateway doesn't attend the forum will the price go down to $2500?
 |
| After an entire day of rain on Thursday, it's Play Ball at Middle Field last night at 6 PM. Why do we need turf? |
 |
| Right here in Mt. Lebanon... |
Update May 18, 2014 11:15 AM Mt. Lebanon will have experts talk turf with residents (Saved in Google Docs)
Update May 18, 2014 11:32 AM A number of anti-turf yard signs have been stolen out of people's yards. Charlotte Stephenson sent this letter to the Commission early this morning.
| From: | Charlotte Stephenson |
| To: | Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org> |
| Cc: | Dan Miller <DMiller@pahouse.net>; Coleman McDonough <cmcdonough@mtlebanon.org> |
| Subject: | Anti-turf Project Yard Signs |
| Date: | Sun, May 18, 2014 12:57 am |
Dear Mt. Lebanon Commissioners,
A number of anti-artificial turf project yard signs have been stolen from residents' yards over the last 48 hours. These residents have paid for their signs and the signs are personal property.
I initiated a police report with Officer O'Brien this evening regarding the theft of my sign and he has placed my complaint into the records. In the event that those who are stealing personal property in our municipality are caught, they will be held to the same standard as any other criminals who steal. My police report will lend credence to future complaints and our police department will be on the lookout for this kind of activity.
Those of you who are closely aligned with the pro-turf enthusiasts (Commissioners Bendel, Brumfield, Linfante and Silverman) may want to consider passing this message along to them so they know that these acts have not gone unnoticed. Additionally, I received a message from an elderly resident telling me that she was very upset because her second sign was stolen from her yard yesterday. She stated that she has never known Mt. Lebanon to be a risky place in the past and she is disillusioned and feels somewhat threatened by this. Residents are asking if certain Commissioners are involved with these acts.
Whoever is doing this is only placing those of you who are spearheading this turf project in a poor light with our residents. You will be held responsible in the public eye. I suggest you do what you can to protect the freedom of speech for those of us who do not agree with your policy.
I am copying Representative Miller on this because he is a resident, and a champion of open honest debate rather than the stifling of opposing views, as is the case of this conduct. I have also blind copied a number of residents on this e-mail, particularly those who have anti-turf yard signs, so they know what is going on.
Sincerely,
Charlotte Stephenson
Update May 18, 2014 5:47 PM Sign found on Roycroft, near Kristen Linfante's house.
Please sign this petition if you want to halt public funds for use of artificial turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields.
Update May 18, 2014 5:47 PM Sign found on Roycroft, near Kristen Linfante's house.
Please sign this petition if you want to halt public funds for use of artificial turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Four more documents from the mother of all RTKs
On March 26, 2014, I had sent this email to Manager Steve Feller.
This was his response along with the four attachments.
Hi Steve,
I have been reviewing the missing attachments which you sent and see that there are a few more attachments which are missing from those attachments. Specifically, on page 168, the PureFill Brochure and
"Attached you will find a document titled "Synthetic Turf Safety Proven with Science", an overview of all of the major issues with cited research. This is the single best collection of research data."
Also, page 175 from Prograss: "I have provided an attachment with all the fields we have installed in Pennsylvania and a Multi-field project list as well."
Thank you in advance for your followup.
Elaine Gillen
Hi Elaine
The items you inquired about are attached. It seems that we missed these because they were actually located in a file hosting service. Thank you.
Steve Feller
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)