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 93º 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.  

Appeasing a select few?

I wanted to take a break for a couple of days, but I want use of my dining room table again. So here is another chapter from my mother of all RTKs.
Elaine

On  November 6, 2013, Dave Franklin writes:
"My primary concern was that the proposal seemed to place a particular emphasis on the organic product. I didn't want to let that horse too far out of the barn, and then have a difficult time pulling him back in."

In his email, Dave knocks GeoTurf's endorsement by the Green Energy Council. Dave continues with the cost of GeoTurf being significantly higher than traditional synthetic surfaces. He feels that Mt. Lebanon can't afford a more luxurious surface. Dave "doesn't want to rain on the organic parade, but I am [he is]  troubled about driving the cost up even further just to appease a select few in our community, especially when nearly every other community, School District, University and other turf customer is content  to use the traditional surface. In our efforts to satisfy this vocal minority, we may really just be buying a pig in a poke." He quotes an article written about renovating a football field in Dobbs Ferry, NY. Lebo's space would be much larger.

The Geo-turf field is expected to cost $1,721,969, about $310,000 more than the cost of a synthetic field with recycled tire infill and about $1.2 million dollars more than a new grass field.

John Bendel answered Mr. Franklin.with:

I get the rationale if the cost is significantly higher for organic fill, but don't know why the endorsements are in question. The product is used in other countries and I spoke with the public works director in San Carlos,CA. I called him because their project was almost identical to ours. The PW Director endorsed the product and told me they may use it on another field. Last year, the Geoturf vendor quoted a price that was in line with the YSA proposals. Dan Deiseroth's opinion of cost assumed organic fill.

If it costs about the same, and performs well, why not use it? If the price is significantly higher than other options then that's a different story. l'd like to wait until the bids come in to decide.

Good question, John. But then Kelly Fraasch's November blog post hit on November 13, 2013.

The icing on the cake is right here. SAB chair and Turf Project Task Force member Tim White wrote this to Kristen Linfante on November 19, 2013:

As is always the case, K Fraasch has us concerned - she is on record with some folks that she wants more information, wants to make sure the turf is the organic product (not the rubber product) and that she is proposing to use the Brafferton money (only).........usual BS

Obviously, Tim didn't read Kelly's November 13 blog post very carefully. She was pretty transparent on her position. Why shouldn't she want more information? This is a major project. She is concerned about the environmental and health issues related to artificial turf. That is BS? I wish we had four more commissioners concerned about the environment and the health and safety of our young athletes.

But Kristen summed it up with "No worries! We only need 3 votes, and we have them! It's a go for sure! Thanks for all your work on this!" Wasn't the vote on November 25, 2013? You know, the night that Kristen lied about the ESB's position on artificial turf?

Poor Dave Franklin. My blog post, "Whoa," says the EPA. came out on January 13, 2014. David P. Franklin, Esq., Eckert Seamans fired off an epistle to the commissioners on January 14, 2014. He encouraged the commissioners to review the actual 2013 EPA report (attached) rather than relying upon "position pieces written by those on either side of the debate." I wonder why the formality.

David Donnellan got in the act. He sent a 2010 turf report provided by J. T. Sauer and Associates on January 15, 2014 to members of the Turf Project Task Force. Sauer is the landscape architect involved with the turfing project.

So Parents, that is a little more background on the organic vs. synthetic turf debate. Are you part of the select few who demand a safe playing environment for your children? ESB and residents on Cedar Blvd., do your concerns for the environment make you the vocal minority? Have you reached that breaking point yet?

Mother of all RTKs continued UPDATED 2X

I went through the Right To Know and pull out what I thought was important for this post. SAB highlights

• Page 9 Dave Franklin sent an email to Kristen and John about Kelly's engagement of the Parks Advisory Board. Keep in mind, Dave Franklin is the PAB representative on the Sports Advisory Board. 
• Page 11 Tim White to present program to Lacrosse on January 15, 2014
• Page 13 Concerns from a Parks Advisory Board member on January 12, 2014
• Page 23 and 28 refer to Astroturf's warranty and owner's manual. Neither were included in my RTK.
• Page 34 Geoturf mentions financing options
• Page 36-37 Discussion concerning the resident representing himself to Geoturf as a consultant to the Commission
• Page 39 The third and final email from Dave Brumfield.

Much more to come. This sure is a slow process.

Update March 5, 2014 8:12 AM Kristen Kelly RH exchange

Update March 5, 2014 9:58 AM Here is an email forwarded to Kristen by our municipal planner, Keith McGill concerning Recreation Director David Donnellan's and Municipal Grant Writer, Katherine Heart's efforts for private funding to turf Middle and Wildcat Fields.