School Board Exposes The Cold-Hearted Municipality

I just finished watching the April 9, 2018 school board meeting. I was particularly interested in the Firing Range Discussion starting at the 1:19:35 time stamp. I am blown away with what I heard.

Larry Lebowitz asked how the municipality could not share the district's same concerns about proximity of the range to the Goddard School and houses. The Goddard School is within the 1,000 feet Gun Free School Zone, something that I have been questioning for several years now, with high-powered rifles being discharged to kill deer in Public Works and Robb Hollow. The "sharpshooting" sign was recently removed after I posted Public Space Kills Breakdown

Also, I want to point out that even though the "Sharpshooting" program is over, there is at least one sign remaining by The Goddard School, part of the Gun Free School Zone. They can kill there because preschoolers are not protected, under the law.

School Board Liaison to the Commission Al Frioni reported that Philip Weis issued an opinion to the municipality that The Goddard School does not meet the definition, under the statute, of a school. You see, the Gun Free School Zone Act only applies to K-12. School Director after School Director repeated, "They're little kids." Thank you, Larry. Thank you, Elaine. Thank you, Sarah. I have been saying this for years! Even Bill Cooper said that the gun culture is something that he abhors.

Larry, you nailed it! When you said, "How could we, in good conscience, considering what's going on in our world, and what we just heard a couple weeks ago at the symposium that Dr. Steinhauer and the Chief put on,... actually even consider moving forward with this." Amen, Larry.

I must say this. I hope the Democrats on the School Board keep this in mind when voting in the Primary next month. Ask yourself which candidate would agree with you.

One more thing. I just have to put this out there. Remember the statement that Larry made. "This is about supporting something which is contrary to what we have been trying to do, which is to support a safe community for our kids." That is why it kills me whenever Tim Steinhauer notifies parents that there is "sharpshooting" being done in undisclosed areas starting at 4:00 seven days a week and to stay on sidewalks.  Isn't that contrary to what you are trying to do?

Public Space Kills Breakdown UPDATED 04/05/18

For those interested in the details, I used the word, "Killed" not "removed." Also, I want to point out that even though the "Sharpshooting" program is over, there is at least one sign remaining by The Goddard School, part of the Gun Free School Zone. They can kill there because preschoolers are not protected, under the law.

Here is the final count of deer killed in our public spaces.

From: Ian McMeans <imcmeans@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: Keith McGill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Tue, Apr 3, 2018 8:45 am
Subject: Mt. Lebanon Sharpshooting Program Question

Ms. Gillen,

Per your e-mail to Municipal Manager Keith McGill, you requested a breakdown of the deer removed from public spaces as part of the Sharpshooting portion of Mt. Lebanon's Deer Management Program. The Final Sharpshooting Report stated "Thirty one deer were harvested from private properties while 26 were removed from the three public properties available." Those 26 were removed from the following sites:

Robb Hollow - 10
Golf Course - 14
McNeilly - 2

Sincerely,

--

Ian McMeans

Assistant Manager/Planner
Mt. Lebanon Municipality
710 Washington Road
Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228
412-343-3620

Update April 3, 2018 6:49 PM The deer invasion in Mt. Lebanon is out of control

I am surprised by this letter and comments. We just finished another year of "sharpshooting" at a cost of $1352.81 per deer. Comments like the one below just amaze me.

IF you could keep the protesters out of Mt. Lebanon, you might just have a shot at culling the herd. If you could get the councilpersons to just shut up and get on with the cull, you might have a shot at culling the herd.

What protesters? We haven't protested in years. Nobody even goes to commission meetings anymore. Councilpersons need to just shut up and get on with the cull?? What are you talking about? We have been killing deer for years. I have shared the numbers here. We are not the deer capital of the state. If we are, Tony DeNicola can't find them.

D. McMahon, I don't know where you live, but here are Tony's recommendations for next year.

1. Add Williamsburg Park and Hoodridge Park to discharge high powered rifles.

2. Extend the shooting hours of high powered rifles on private and public property to seven days a week and 3:00 PM to midnight.

3. Non-traditional Trap and shoot in areas such as Morrison Drive and Virginia Manor's Valleyview Drive. (Remember Merlin the Magnificent?)

4. Conduct another deer population estimate*

*The last estimate was done by Tony's buddy (who estimated on the phone, had never stepped foot in Mt. Lebanon, nor knew the size of Mt. Lebanon) to be between 700-900 deer.

I am sure that our "councilpersons" will try to appease you. Commenters keep talking about whiners. The only whining I am hearing these days are from people like D. McMahon. You are getting exactly what you want and you still aren't happy. I'm pointing out the results and what it is costing taxpayers. No whining from me. I can't afford it.

Update April 4, 2018 11:58 AM It looks like I am going to pay dearly for publishing Craig Grella's arrest for public drunkenness and similar misconduct.

From:	egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To:	cgrella <cgrella@mtlebanon.org>
Cc:	kmcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; imcmeans <imcmeans@mtlebanon.org>
Subject:	Re: Kills by Public Spaces
Date:	Wed, Apr 4, 2018 11:49 am

---

Craig, wow, great start. I was referring to a very long email exchange with Tony DeNicola, who promised to tell me what kind of bait he was using, only to be told that it is proprietary information.

https://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2016/04/winding-down.html

I see what you mean about "your communication seeks only to insult people." Your email is a perfect example.

Elaine

-----Original Message-----
From: Craig Grella <cgrella@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; Ian McMeans <imcmeans@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Wed, Apr 4, 2018 11:35 am
Subject: Re: Kills by Public Spaces

Elaine.

It takes time to confirm information and then publish it online. Especially if that information contains data that we need to review before it is published publicly. There is way too much information out there in print and online that is published before it is fact-checked. The timeline with which information is published may not be to your liking, and I'm sorry if that is the case you have experienced previously.

If you feel there is specific information that is not being published in a timely manner I encourage you to contact the commission directly via email or your ward commissioner via phone. If there is a question in your message I'll answer it the best I can. But if your communication seeks only to insult people, I think you'll find a less warm reception to your messages.

Craig

Craig Grella

Commissioner, Mt. Lebanon Ward 4

cgrella@mtlebanon.org

(412) 343-3400

On Mon, Apr 2, 2018 at 2:23 PM, 'egillen476@aol.com' via Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org> wrote:

Keith, I have gone down this path before. 

Elaine

-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; Ian McMeans <imcmeans@mtlebanon.org>

Sent: Mon, Apr 2, 2018 9:28 am
Subject: Re: Kills by Public Spaces

Good morning Elaine,

Ian McMeans is handling your request. I'm sure he will provide you with a response as soon as one is available.

Keith

On Mon, Apr 2, 2018 at 9:10 AM, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Keith,

Any idea how long it will be to get the answer?

Elaine

-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; Ian McMeans <imcmeans@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Mon, Mar 26, 2018 7:33 am
Subject: Re: Kills by Public Spaces

Good morning Elaine. Ian McMeans is the staff lead for our deer management program. I am copying Ian on this reply so that he is aware of your request.

Keith

On Sun, Mar 25, 2018 at 5:47 PM, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Keith,

The 2017 Final "Sharpshooting" Report http://www.mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/View/14818 did not include the kills by Public Spaces. I had to ask for that information.

The 2018 Final "Sharpshooting" Report http://www.mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/View/16042 (virtually the same as 2017) did not include the kills by Public Spaces. I am, once again, asking for this information.

Elaine Gillen

Update April 5, 2018 5:29 PM Still no update on the municipal website, Craig. Exactly how much time is needed? This is why I have so many readers, Craig.

 From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To: cgrella <cgrella@mtlebanon.org>
Cc: kmcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; imcmeans <imcmeans@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Wed, Apr 4, 2018 1:56 pm
Subject: Re: Kills by Public Spaces

Craig, please show me where the information that I had requested has been published online, other than my blog. http://www.mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/View/16042

Lose the attitude.

Elaine

Mixed Messages

Long time readers of Lebo Citizens know that I have unsubscribed from the Post-Gazette because of Outdoor Editor John Hayes. Since Mt. Lebanon started their "sharpshooting" once again on February 1, I imagine that we will be seeing another unbiased "article" from Hayes, the PA Game Commission mouthpiece. What I don't understand, are the mixed messages from the PG.

This one appeared a couple of weeks ago. Food plots: How to create a winter wildlife buffet What? How to create a winter wildlife buffet? I'm confused.

This one scares me. Will our brilliant commissioners decide to go this route next year, when we end up paying $7,711 per deer to kill ten deer? The cost will certainly be lower! I wonder how many residents will "donate" their properties for this one. Survey suggests fire may be the only remedy for a deer-killing plague There is nothing in the "Gun Free School Zone Act" that says anything about fires. John Bendel, Steve McLean, Craig, Grella, and Steve Silverman - sound like a good idea to you? And what about you, Susan Morgans? You can continue to be "transparent enough" by publishing the hours to be listed as "late afternoon and evening," not mentioning that the hours really begin one half hour after elementary school children are dismissed.

The hours, for those who really want to know when the shooting begins on undisclosed private properties are 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM, seven days a week. On public properties, the shooting is from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Parents, here's a comforting thought

It is not legal to shoot guns in a gun free school zone, but Tony was allowed to bait in a gun free school zone.

From: Aaron Lauth [mailto:alauth@mtlebanon.org]
Sent: Tuesday, March 8, 2016 5:55 PM
To: a concerned resident
Cc: Keith McGill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Subject: Re: bait

Our two-Officer site inspection team verified the GPS coordinates of each site.  We have no credible information to suggest that bait placed by White Buffalo is outside of these approved sites.  Also, the Gun Free School Zone Act specifically prohibits guns, and therefore shooting, within 1000 ft of a school property.  Not that this is the case here, but to my knowledge, it does not cover bait for deer culling activities.

Uh, Aaron, you have no credible evidence that suggests Tony didn't place the bait outside of the approved sites.

Guns and Schools

I hope others email these folks, as I just did.

School board directors, commissioners, Tim, Keith, and State Rep. Dan Miller,

Answering my own question concerning the private property exemption in the FGFSZA... State or local laws may pronounce that the FGFSZA applies to private property. The municipality of Mt. Lebanon and Mt. Lebanon School District have chosen not to.

(3)
(A)
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), it shall be unlawful for any person, knowingly or with reckless disregard for the safety of another, to discharge or attempt to discharge a firearm that has moved in or that otherwise affects interstate or foreign commerce at a place that the person knows is a school zone.
(B) Subparagraph (A) does not apply to the discharge of a firearm—
(i)
on private property not part of school grounds;
(ii)
as part of a program approved by a school in the school zone, by an individual who is participating in the program;
(iii)
by an individual in accordance with a contract entered into between a school in a school zone and the individual or an employer of the individual; or
(iv)
by a law enforcement officer acting in his or her official capacity.
(4)
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preempting or preventing a State or local government from enacting a statute establishing gun free school zones as provided in this subsection.

If and when the school district decides to tell parents what is going on, the District needs to be very specific and mention the Federal Gun Free School Zones Act and its exemption for private property that the municipality is applying. As a result, Tim needs to go on to say that shooting MAY occur on certain private properties near or bordering on school property. Extra caution should be urged. And please send a letter on District letterhead, not just forward something from the municipality as done in the past.

Elaine Gillen

Oh the things I learn...

There has been so much drama over the dead tree next to my house. As you know, I have been battling with Mt. Lebanon since April over the damn dead tree. Long story short, the tree belongs to MTL - nuh uh.

I had concerns with Mt. Lebanon using this area for killing deer. Mt. Lebanon said that it is really moot as the park is too close to Foster School. It turns out that the killing next to my house in 2006-2008 was ILLEGAL! So Rockwood Park can never be used for killing. Did you just hear my sigh of relief? Mt. Lebanon admitted that USDA Wildlife Services was not observing the Gun Free School Zone law, within a distance of 1,000 feet from the grounds of a public, parochial or private school. It was introduced in the U.S. Senate in October 1990 by Joseph R. Biden and signed into law in November 1990 by George H. W. Bush. USDA also killed deer immediately next to Lincoln School, in what they call Meadowcroft Park, along with other areas close to schools. This is why Bird Park is not part of White Buffalo's archery program. I cringe when I hear about shootings near Hoover School area.

So the paperwork has been notarized and the tree is coming down ASAP. MTL hired Gateway, who then hired Steve Liadis to do the surveying to tell me that the tree does not belong to me. Unreal.

What I learned? Mt. Lebanon wastes money every chance they get and more importantly, violate Federal laws.