A topic that takes everything out of me UPDATED 3X

Last night, the first topic on the agenda for the Discussion Session was deer.  A conference call with White Buffalo's wildlife biologist, Anthony DeNicola was scheduled. Unfortunately, that call did not take place since "Tony" was on an island thirty miles off of Virginia and could not get a signal from the cell phone that was flown to him. He did send a report to the commission which Tom Kelley shared at the meeting.

Since this is my blog, I will point out what I believe are his most significant findings. Mt. Lebanon can biologically support many more deer. Socially, it is up to the community what it will support. I liked how Tom Kelley made the point of saying "dead deer" reports vs. Kristen's "deer incident" report, which included sightings of deer in yards.

To reduce the deer population, it would be in two phases:

• Phase 1 Reduce the population through culling and sterilization
• Phase 2 Reduce the population through culling and sterilization

Their cost for sterilization would be $1000 per deer. Cost for culling would be between $200 to $400 plus a $75 processing fee per deer. Sterilization would be more cost effective in the long run since unsterilized deer could produce 2-3 fawns per year.

Kristen reported that Tony felt that there were many more deer than what the aerial survey showed. I am not sure how that is.

Matt Kluck said that the report shows in black and white that Mt. Lebanon could support many more deer.

Kelly Fraasch asked when the commission could have a conference call with Maryland. http://www.deerfriendly.com/deer-population-control Maryland has had a successful nonlethal program using surgical sterilization.

Dave Brumfield prefers sterilization because it is safer. I would think Kristen would too, since she felt that dogs on leashes in Williamsburg was unsafe.

I have uploaded the podcast from last night's discussion session. It is available here. The podcast begins with deer.

Update September 24, 2013 11:42 PM Please click on the link I have provided in the blog post. Scroll down a bit and you will see Kelly's four page document on "Deer in Mt. Lebanon." It is linked to my Google Docs.

Mt. Lebanon hiring firm to count deer February 7, 2013 Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Post Gazette
... [Commisioner] Mrs. Fraasch has composed and posted online a four-page document, "Deer in Mt. Lebanon [PDF]," ... she expresses her opposition to hunting by rifle or bow, instead favoring sterilization by removal of does' ovaries as a viable option. She cites a significant cost savings over the long term and mitigation of some hazards associated with culling...

Update September 24, 2013 1:33 PM Here is a copy of the White Tailed Deer Population Control Options presented by Tom Kelley at last night's meeting.

Update September 26, 2013 9:15 AM Speaking of Bibles (see 10:43 PM), there is this.

Construction update

"The project continues to move forward on schedule and on budget despite issues such as the electrical line hit that happened a couple of weeks ago." Josephine Posti, Center Court 8/30/12

"A time extension was granted."
Construction Update, 9/11/12

One of many lies.

Full disclosure.  I am not in building construction. I am just writing about what I learned from the 9/10/12 Construction Update. First, P.J. Dick representative, Mr. Berkebile, explained that 5 columns sank one inch. Dr. Steinhauer corrected him to say that the columns did not sink but the bolt connections sank.  Berkebile agreed. He mentioned that CEC inspected the bolt connections and welds.  Berkebile said that the base plates should have been shimmed but were not. Now the building is out of plumb. They are checking with the wood floor manufacturer to make sure that the warranty is intact. What? It is going to be out of plumb? So if you roll a basketball, it will roll towards the part that was not shimmed? SO THERE WAS SOMETHING SINKING!!! Posti, how dare you mock your constituents! How arrogant of you to blog about rumors! You really need to go.

Dress 4 Work

We all know that the economy is bad.  Some people are living paycheck to paycheck. That is one of the reasons I spoke against the 10.5% increase in our school taxes. (Remember, some of the same board members are up for reelection, but that is another story.) However, the people who are living paycheck to paycheck are the lucky ones.  There are many more who are unemployed and cannot afford to buy nice clothes for interviews or work.  Some local charities do not accept men’s suits anymore.  Many times, the larger charities sell clothing by the pound to industries that turn them into rags or shred them for stuffing.  The clothes that do make the racks cannot be purchased by those out of work because they do not have the resources to do so. 

Four years ago, I started Dress 4 Work through my church, in conjunction with Capacity Developers, Inc. Capacity Developers work with individuals in preparing for job interviews or employment. During the month of November, I will be collecting men’s business, scrubs, and business casual attire that are clean and fashionable. Items needed are men’s suits, slacks and jackets, scrubs, work shirts, golf shirts, dress shirts, ties, socks, shoes, and coats.  

If you have any donations, contact me at EGillen476@aol.com for details.

Please check your closets and drawers and at the same time, help job-seeking men become self-sufficient members of their communities. Thank you for supporting this annual event and helping men Dress 4 Work.