September 2017 Behind The Bubble UPDATED

I would have titled this, "Sounds of Silence," but Jason wanted to write a positive story. Kudos to John Bendel, the only one to submit a response. Thanks, John.

                                                                                                     -Elaine

September 2017 Behind The Bubble

MTL’s Good Things

by Jason Margolis

Within the comments in response to August 2017’s Behind the Bubble, I was encouraged to focus more on the “good things” about MTL and write a positive story. I thought that this was a fair critique and endeavored to do so in this article.

I began by identifying 13 prominent MTL residents/figures who would be well-positioned to speak to MTL’s best qualities. Here is the list I compiled:

Susan Morgans – Public Information Officer

John Bendel – Commissioner

Steve Silverman - Commissioner

Stephen McLean - Commissioner

David Brumfield - Commissioner

Kelly Fraasch - Commissioner

Keith McGill – Municipal Manager

Andrew McCreery – Director of Finance

Laura Pace Lilley – Senior Editor, MTL Magazine

Aaron Lauth – Police Chief

Rudy Sukal – Public Works Director

David Donnellan – Recreation Director

Timothy Steinhauer – Superintendent of Schools

Each of the individuals above received the following question via email:

If someone from out of the area were considering moving to MTL, what would you say is MTL’s greatest strength or asset as a community?  Why is MTL a good place to move to and live in at this time?

Of the 13 email recipients, 9 did not respond.

3 responded to decline participation – Susan Morgans, Keith McGill, and Laura Pace Lilley.

I received only one response – from Ward 1 Commissioner John Bendel:

Our greatest strength is an excellent quality of life that comes from friendships with neighbors, positive residential engagement, and access to quality resources – schools, amenities, and services. Mt. Lebanon is a smart investment in: Your family – a top notch school district, youth activities and caring neighbors, all within a safe environment that allows your family an opportunity to grow and thrive. Your quality of life – access to transportation, quality municipal services and many assets, including vibrant business districts, library and recreational facilities. Your finances – our properties are in high demand, which drives values higher, building equity in your home.

… One could hypothesize a number of reasons for the lack of responses to this question.  But it is impossible to know for sure.  The only thing that is certain is that John Bendel gets the last – and only – word in response to why MTL is such a good place to live.

Update September 1, 2017 8:00 AM It would have been Sounds of Silence Part II: The Return of Crickets. Remember January 2017: The Sounds of Silence? - Jason

City Paper Puts MTL on their 2017 Sh*t List of Public Servants

Pittsburgh City Paper presents its 2017 Sh*t List of public servants who need to clean up their acts, or risk being flushed 

Politics is one of the few places where turds actually rise to the top

“I’m drivin’ here!” must be Mount Lebanon’s equivalent to NYC’s “I’m walkin’ here!” Commissioner John Bendel (D-Ward 1) introduced a bill that would fine pedestrians up to $300 for jaywalking in a town with a vibrant, walkable business district and a walking-only school system. Commissioners unanimously approved the ordinance, and the Mount Lebanon Police Chief supported the vote by claiming the region has a lot of “pedestrian entitlement.” Meanwhile, car crashes involving driver error in Pennsylvania increased 14 percent from 2014-2016.

Foolish and stupid

That's what one resident called the commissioners on Tuesday (yesterday) since they are considering hiring Tony DeNicola for another $9000 to oversee the archery program and "sharpshooting." They have to continue paying Tony thousands of dollars to protect the identities of the archers and twelve private property owners even though there is a decline in deer/vehicle collisions and dead deer pickups.

None of this adds up. Well, actually, it never did. We were told last spring when Mt. Lebanon paid $815.78/deer for "sharpshooting," that the warm weather was to blame for the low body count. Oh wait, also, they couldn't get to where the deer were hiding. Now, there is a decline in deer/vehicle collisions. We were counting incidents, now we are counting collisions. That is what they should have been doing the entire time. Of course, the manager's numbers are out of whack anyway, so who's counting?

“They have a safety protocol that has so far been impeccable,” said Commissioner John Bendel.

Of course, they refused to follow up with Castle Shannon over the two incidents that were reported to Castle Shannon Police.

The commissioners are going to discuss the deer killing at their June 26 meeting. In the meantime, watch out, Pedestrians! Look up, Lebo!

Manager's numbers are out of whack!

Keith McGill sent this table to the commission, the assistant manager, and the person who requested this information at the last commission meeting. I don't know where Keith got some of these numbers, but his records are not accurate.

Good afternoon,

At the meeting on Monday night there was a request to identify the number of deer removed since we put a deer management program in place and the associated cost. Here is what my records indicate:

Year	Deer Removed	Cost of Removal
2007	79	$19,900  (USDA)
2008	146	$50,837 (USDA)
2015	6	$3,000  (Wildlife Specialists)
2016	101	$15,460 (White Buffalo -Archery)
2016	114	$74,375 (White Buffalo –Sharpshooting)
2017	36	$9,000 (White Buffalo- Archery)
2017	55	$44,868 (White Buffalo -Sharpshooting)
Total	537	$217,440

Keith


There were 69 deer killed in 2007. The permit was for up to 75. http://mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/8876

In 2008, USDA killed 146 deer, but only knew about 145 deer. The 146th was found dead, in a pool of blood, in someone's front yard on Lindendale. The permit was for up to 150 deer.

The 2016 Archers killed 104 deer. http://www.mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/View/13897 Goal was 100.

The 2016 "Sharpshooting" program killed 115 deer. We were told that the limit would be 150 deer.

The 2017 "Sharpshooting" contract was limited to 100 deer. 55 deer were killed.

The only time hunters reached their goal was in 2016. The goal was 100 deer. All the other years, hunters came in short of their goals. I have no idea where Keith is getting his numbers, but these are the numbers I found on the municipal website.

To take this a step further, the cost of killing per deer per year breaks down to:

2007 $288.41 per deer
2008 $348.20 per deer
2015 $500 per deer
2016 (archery) $147.24 per deer
2016 ("sharpshooting") $652.41 per deer
2017 (archery) $250 per deer
2017 ("sharpshooting") $815.78 per deer

Both Steve Silverman and Craig Grella want to continue doing business with that scoundrel, and will vote along with John Bendel and Steve McLean to keep Tony DeNicola. Killing deer causes collisions to increase, but they will continue to bring in lethal weapons because deer are scary.

Priorities and another service eliminated UPDATED

From the Manager's Recommended 2017 Budget page 6 - recommended on November 1, 2016:

At the October 3, 2013 Sports Advisory Board meeting, the condition of the aging ice rink was brought to the SAB's attention. Additionally, Commissioner John Bendel addressed the SAB members and asked how they wanted to spend their pot of gold. It was on the meeting video, but for some strange reason, that video is no longer available on the Mt. Lebanon website. Of course.

However, I have the link to that video from a blog posting:

Update November 3, 2014 3:19 PM In addition to the videos that Albert Turfstein provided, please view the October 3, 2013 Sports Advisory Board Meeting. Click on Turf Project and watch Tim White say, "Mr. Bendel pissed away all the money we had."

John Bendel went around the room and asked each member how they wanted to spend the remaining funds from the original $829,000 unassigned funds. The minutes show that the "consensus on the board was that Middle and Wildcat fields would be the preferred location."

Apparently getting the turf passed was more important that the ice rink. Priorities.

Another service no longer provided by the Municipality is their notary service. 

Keep cutting back on services, Mt. Lebanon, but take care of the special interest groups. Kill those deer. Turf those fields. Ignore the ice rink which is enjoyed by the public. Eliminate our solid waste collection service. Great job.

Update January 8, 2017 7:29 PM I forgot to include the bids for the ice rink. Alternates are also listed. Keith McGill added, "The probable opinion of cost was developed by Gateway Engineers in conjunction with Stantec who is consulting on the project."

Commission candidates on deer UPDATE from police chief

In Ward 1, John Bendel (D) pro-kill
                  Dan McNichol (R) Vote McNichol - Deer Management pro-kill

In Ward 3, Steve McLean (R) Email from Steve McLean pro-kill
                  Andy Reinhart (D) Email from Andy Reinhart AndyReinhart.com Mt. Lebanon Deer Management Issues 

In Ward 5, Kelly Fraasch (D) anti-kill
                  William Hoon (R) anti-kill

In an email exchange I had with Andy Reinhart this morning, it is not clear to me what his position is on deer management.

Update October 15, 2015 1:35 AM I have heard that while deer don't bother Andy Reinhart personally, as a commissioner he would vote for sharpshooting. He doesn't think it poses a safety problem. If that is true, then I am seriously considering a write-in campaign. Is it an omen that I just looked outside my dining room window and saw the most beautiful buck crossing the street?

From 2011:

#Throwback Thursday

Update October 15, 2015 9:10 AM I am going for it! I announced it on my website, www.lebocitizens.com Write-in campaigns are rarely successful, so I need everyone's help. Spread the word to your Ward 3 friends and relatives. This is the much needed third vote for the sharpshooting program to fail in January.

Update October 15, 2015 5:01 PM Remember the fawn with the arrow stuck in it on Segar Road?
This is what happens when our commissioners turn Mt. Lebanon into hunting grounds.

Oops, there goes $25K

Our commission is out of control. Why did they give $25,000 to the Mt. Lebanon Historic Preservation Board for a preservation guide, and then decide to scrap the whole idea? Mt. Lebanon opts to forgo mandatory homeowner restrictions 

Let me begin by saying the Mt. Lebanon Historic Preservation Board is a farce, This is the group who wanted Rae Avenue to be restored with brick. Mt. Lebanon sewer project should solve neighborhood flooding

The vote was 4-1, with Commissioner John Bendel dissenting.
He said his preference would be to restore one of the streets affected by the project, Rae Avenue, with brick, as it currently is paved. That option, though, would have cost some $343,000 more than restoring Rae with asphalt.
“I believe that there’s value in preserving our brick streets,” Mr. Bendel explained. He acknowledged the additional expense but added, “I think it’s important for us to begin a process to preserve the character of our community as much as we can.”

I went to the Mt. Lebanon Historic Preservation Board in 2014 prior to Wildcat Field destruction, highlighting the fact that putting down artificial turf on a historic field, located in the Historic District, and described in the Historic District application as one of the last green spaces in Mt. Lebanon, is not preserving the character of the field. I was ignored. John Bendel was the commission liaison to both the Mt. Lebanon Historic Preservation Board, as well as the commission liaison to the Mt. Lebanon Sports Advisory Board.

Virginia Manor is in Ward 1, John Bendel's ward. Rae Avenue is in Ward 1, John Bendel's ward. Twin Hills is in Ward 1, John Bendel's ward. John Bendel is considering spending over $80,000 to hunt down the remaining deer in Mt. Lebanon. Does anyone see a pattern here?

Ha! Yeah, right John Bendel

"Commissioner John Bendel said officials want to know residents' opinions. “If you find an ordinance you disagree with, that's what we need to hear,” he said, adding small group meetings will be held in the neighborhood." That line of crap was fed to the Trib's Rick Wills in Residents in Mt. Lebanon neighborhood oppose historic district status.
The Mt. Lebanon Historic Preservation Board spent $25,000 that our commissioners allocated on a preservation design guide for Virginia Manor. You may recall how this same board wanted to spend $140,000 more for bricks on Rae Avenue, in order to preserve the integrity of the neighborhood, while looking the other way while the Commission spent $800,000 to destroy the integrity of our historic fields, one of the last green spaces in Mt. Lebanon. Bendel on historic preservation

John Bendel responds...

A pro-deer constituent of John Bendel's sent an email to the commission last week. John's response arrived yesterday. I believe residents have received a similar response from John Bendel in the past.

Dear [Resident],

Thank you for contacting me and the Commission and sharing your views regarding Mt. Lebanon's deer management program. I understand that you are opposed to the decision made by the Commission to implement a cull to reduce the number deer in the municipality. I know how passionate you are about this issue and I appreciate your thoughtful outline of ideas. Many of the items you list we have already implemented.

Since I took office in 2012, I have received more complaints about deer than any other issue. The complaints include concerns about deer-car accidents, Lyme disease, fear of deer, aggressive deer behavior and gardening issues. There are strong opinions on both sides - and what we should and should not do. At Commission meetings we have frequently heard antidotal reports from residents and municipal staff concerning deer related incidents, the growing number of deer in the municipality and the number of deer related accidents. 

In order to help the Commission make informed decisions, we began to collect data and assess our options. The municipality began tracking the number of police reports involving deer-car accidents. The first full-year data was collected in 2012. During 2012-14, reported deer-car accidents averaged about one accident per week and have increased from 43 in 2013 to 58 in 2014, a 35 percent increase. In addition to the reported accidents, the number of reports received by the Police Department and calls to Animal Control related to injured/dead deer in roadways and yards have increased as well. For context, the number of requests for dead deer pick ups has doubled from 48 in 2008 to 106 in 2014.

To help ascertain the number of deer in Mt. Lebanon, the municipality  conducted two ariel surveys in 2013 and 2014. The surveys are imprecise, but provide insight into the size of the herd at a point in time. The surveys counted 342 in 2013 and 193 in 2014. Obviously, the survey results vary widely, which is likely due to the methodology used (one-day flyover) and the deer migration in/out of Mt. Lebanon. Two deer experts have recently estimated the number of deer in Mt. Lebanon at 400-500. Because there are no nature predators in Mt. Lebanon and abundant food, the deer population will continue to grow year over year. The PA Game Commission estimate that the number of deer can double every 2-3 years.

Without intervention, the number of deer will continue to grow and likely so will the number deer related car accidents. We have been fortunate that a serious or fatal injury hasn't happened in our municipality in a deer-car accident. From my viewpoint, the likelihood of a serious accident continues to grow every year due to the increasing number of deer. As an elected official concerned about public safety and a father of two young drivers (one who recently had a deer run into the side of his car), this a serious issue, and it is my responsibility as an elected official to address matters of public safety. 

In early 2014, the Commission established a goal to reduce deer-car accidents by 50 percent over the next five years. This goal gives us focus and will guide our decisions as we move forward.  Achieving this goal requires a multi-pronged approach. Using information collected and advice from experts, t he Commission has taken multiple actions over the last three years related to deer management, which are summarized below:

- Created a dedicated page of information on the municipal website related to deer management at  http://mtlebanon.org/index.aspx?NID=2114 This site contains driving safety advice to avoid deer accidents, gardening tips and a variety links to information/research on deer related topics

- Police department began tracking deer-related incidents in late 2011 to create a baseline for comparison purposes and to identify areas with high deer-car accidents. The database informs us where accidents are occurring and when

- Passed a "no deer feeding" ordinance in 2012

- Posted multiple deer warning signs, using our database, throughout the municipality near areas of high deer-car accidents

- Conducted forums with deer experts in June 2014 and June 2015, both were recorded and are available on our municipal website

- Conducted two ariel surveys to count the deer population in 2013 and 2014. These surveys provide insight into the size of the herd at a point in time and will permit the municipality to track changes in the number of deer over time

- Completed a deer management plan (Plan) in November 2014, which is required by the State of PA prior to issuing a permit to manage the deer population

- Contracted with Sandy Baker, Deer Management expert and former consultant to the Humane Society, in spring 2015 to conduct a series of educational meetings on deer proofing gardening techniques for residents. Ms. Baker presented her findings and report to the Commission and it is posted on our website

I have supported each action listed above and will continue to support continuing these and similar non lethal actions. There are a few additional non lethal items the Commission will consider as we move forward. However, I do not believe these actions alone will achieve our goal to reduce deer-related car accidents.

The decision to support a cull was difficult for me and one that I didn't take lightly. After considering the situation in Mt. Lebanon and our alternatives, I support our multi pronged approach to deer management, including reducing the deer population, primary out of a concern for public safety. 

For the reasons indicated above, I believe this is a serious public safety issue, and it is my responsibility as an elected official to address matters of public safety. Not to do so would be irresponsible. 

Thank you for sharing your views with me and the rest of the Commission.  

Regards,

John Bendel

Vuono: Kill 100 deer by archers AND 150 deer by sharp shooters UPDATED

Updated July 15, 2015 6:57 AM I changed the title to this post to demonstrate the venom my commissioner has toward deer. Linfante looks like Mary Poppins compared to Vuono. Coleen Vuono actually wanted to hire Wildlife Services, the bimbos from 2006-2008, to kill 150 deer by night AND, simultaneously hire DeNicola's White Buffalo to kill 100 deer by day. The last aerial survey showed 196 deer in and surrounding our six square miles. Commissioners also approved goats and guard mules for Bird Park.

I cannot believe what I heard tonight. I am still in shock, so let me start with what I said during Citizen Comments. 

I have been speaking against deer killing for ten years. I'm part of the Coalition for Coexistence because I am against violence. Firing weapons in our densely populated community is dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.

Repeatedly, I have been asking about the sterilization permit application. Steve Feller had said that it was going to be resubmitted in April. When I asked again, Tony DeNicola had helped fill out the application form . The PA Game Commission representative, Jeanine Fleegle offered to help with the process at the June 22 meeting. Yes or No. Has it been resubmitted? [The answer was "NO."]

On the White Buffalo website, there is a nice photo of Jody Maddock. He is a project manager for Tony DeNicola. Maddock was billed as working at Bryn Athyn College. Nothing was ever mentioned that he was the founder of Whitetail Associates. We were never told that there was a connection between the two "experts." Then we find out that tonight, you folks may approve a proposal submitted by them. Was an RFP advertised? Yes or No. [The answer was "NO."] By the way, that proposal was never publicized. 

Asking the hunters to produce the deer's right jaw bone as proof of delivery is the most gruesome and revolting thought possible for many of us. What is this? Medieval times? 

Did you ever play the game, "Whack a Mole" at Chuck E. Cheese's? You bop one mole and then another one pops up somewhere else. That's the game I feel we're playing regarding the reasons to kill the deer. We've heard the gardens are being destroyed, there's too much deer poop, the car accidents involving deer are increasing, we have too many deer, counts don't matter, Lyme Disease, you're against sharp shooting and then you are for sharpshooting, the Ecosystem is being destroyed, birds are disappearing and my favorite, deer are scary. As soon as we debunk one issue, you're on to something else. 

So what is it really? Car accidents or gardens? If it is car accidents, why are you focusing on 9% of the total accidents? You're forgetting the other 91% of the car accidents. What happens if the number drops 50% before five years? When does the tally start? 2012? 2016? 

If it is NOT about gardens, why was there so much emphasis placed on "ongoing deer management" at a former commissioner's home last Sunday? I emailed you the notices she was passing out and I put them on my blog, Lebo Citizens. She had been quoted as saying, "Well the deer are going to die anyway." I love the Mt. Lebanon Public Library Garden Tour. I am a big supporter of the Library and have attended ALL 25 years of tours. It is a shame that it was used as a political platform to kill deer. This isn't the first time that has happened. A few years ago, the Gentlemen Gardeners did the same thing. If it isn't about gardens, then why does this happen repeatedly? 

I was fascinated by the goats and mule presentation and how they eat invasives. Deer love poison ivy and English Ivy. Goats are good. Deer are bad. Goat and donkey poop is acceptable. Deer poop is not. 

I am having an especially hard time writing those checks to pay my taxes. This was once a stellar community. Now Mt. Lebanon provides comic relief during the news.

***********

So you may have heard by now, three commissioners are now opting for "sharp shooting" AND archery. Dave and Kelly are still opposed to sharp shooting, but John "I'm against sharp shooting" Bendel is now right there with Coleen and Steve. If Coleen could have started sharp shooting tonight, it would not have been soon enough. Let me tell you, they aren't sharp shooters. We're not talking Navy SEALS. 

For those Lebo Citizen readers who were not here in 2006-2008, you don't know the fear of not knowing who is outside ready to shoot when you have to let your dog go out in the middle of the night. None of us know what it will be like to see archers in the daytime. For all those people tonight, well, I guess it was technically last night, who were afraid to have their kids play outside because of the deer, will now have to deal with seeing wounded deer, archers trailing deer, dying deer, and arrows covered in blood and fur. 

There were people tonight who actually said that they do not want to coexist. I don't know what else to say tonight except I am deeply disappointed in the commission and the blood thirsty residents who spoke this evening.

Update July 15, 2015 7:49 PM Mt. Lebanon residents to get choice in allowing bowhunting on properties to cull deer

Ordeal to getting Sandy Baker's report online

On June 27, 2015, I forwarded a comment posted on this blog to the Commission, asking for the Sandy Baker report to be added to the municipal website. (I also asked if my commissioner was going to stay in Ward 3 when she sells her house, but that is a topic for another time. I asked her again this morning if she plans to stay in Ward 3.)

The first to respond was Dave Brumfield.  He did not find the recommendations effective and/or feasible relevant to our stated goal.

Next, I heard from Kelly Fraasch. She ​felt all they discussed was the presenter's options on Monday and had little time to discuss much else.

This morning, I received this email from John Bendel. The Sandy Baker report is now available on the municipal website here.

I have not heard back from Steve Silverman or Coleen Vuono. It is only hearsay, but allegedly neither Steve Silverman or Coleen Vuono would sign the thank you note to Sandy Baker.

Meet the Candidates

On Tuesday, May 19, 2015, registered Republicans and Democrats will have the opportunity to choose up to five School Board Directors. Additionally, those voters in Wards 1, 3, and 5 will be voting for their candidates to serve as Mt. Lebanon commissioners. Four years ago, Mt. Lebanon voters had more options, with several candidates running for the same seat. The League of Women Voters held a Candidates Forum, prior to the May Primary in 2011, which gave voters an opportunity  to learn more about those running for office. For this Primary, registered R's and D's must rely on social media.

The race for School Board Directors includes six candidates for five seats. Those running for School Board have the opportunity to cross file.

Running on both tickets are:

Incumbent Elaine Cappucci
Incumbent Larry Lebowitz
Incumbent Bill Cooper
Hugh Beal
Sarah Olbrich
http://www.leboed.com/

Running on the Republican ticket only:

Matt Kluck
No website for Matt Kluck

For the Commission:

In Ward 1,

Incumbent John Bendel (D)
http://www.votebendel.com/

Dan McNichol (R)
http://votemcnichol.com/

In Ward 3,

Andy Reinhart (D)
http://www.andyreinhart.com/

Steve McLean (R)
No website for Steve McLean

In Ward 5,

Kelly Fraasch (D)
http://www.kellyfraasch.com/

William Hoon (R)
No website for William Hoon

If voters are dissatisfied with the actions of our School Board, this Primary gives registered R's and D's a chance to vote out one incumbent. The General Election in November will give all registered voters an opportunity for change in leadership (the majority) within our Municipality.

Come again?

I got my copy of The Almanac today. Love the headlines. Turning to page 3, Linfante resigns from Lebo board, the statement from John Bendel has me confused. (I can't provide the link, but it is from the March 25-31, 2015 issue, The Almanac, page 3)

"Bendel said the township will begin looking for an interim replacement for Linfante, who is in favor of deer culling."

Am I to take it that only those in favor of deer culling should apply? Those opposed to deer culling need not apply?

I had received this comment on March 17, 2015 through the blog.

Dear E Gillan, 

Why have you not posted my wife's email in regards to the deercull? She even signed it. Was it because she is for the culling? 

Regards, 

Chuck Vietmeier | vietmeierchuck@gmail.com

I wrote back to say that I had not received anything from her. After all this time, she finally figured out how to submit a comment. She writes:

concerned citizen has left a new comment on your post " Consider the following":  

Dear Ms. Gillen: 
Is there anything about Mt. Lebanon that you do like? Your neighbors, your library, the school system, the public services, the volunteer efforts? This community has so many wonderful attributes and I am grateful that I grew up here and continue to reside here. I have not seen a pleasant comment anywhere on your blog about our community. Why do you stay here if you hate it so much? Moreover, your personal attacks on the commissioners are unprofessional and hateful. We have a democratic system and our volunteer officials were elected by the community to serve. If you disagree with their decisions, please run for office instead of resorting to personal attacks (e.g., "murderers", "liars", etc.) That type of conduct does no one any good. Best, Kirsten Rydstrom  

ps. why are there so many "anonymous"comments instead of people standing behind their comments. 

Posted by concerned citizen to Lebo Citizens at March 25, 2015 at 8:16 PM

Sorry, Kirsten, but I would never be selected to replace Kristen Linfante, since I am opposed to deer culling.  I'm also opposed to artificial turf. I need not apply.

So residents of Ward 3: If you are for: 

deer culling

artificial turf

reckless spending 

keeping the Manager and PIO

Send your letters of interest and resumes to:

Mt. Lebanon Manager Stephen Feller

710 Washington Road

Pittsburgh,  PA  15228

Mark your sealed envelope with  “Commissioner Application.”

The deadline to apply is April 13, 2015 at 10 AM. Interviews begin on April 14, 2015, which is the next Commission meeting.

Mt. Lebanon commissioner steps down, citing health

Wildcat project drained us dry

During yesterday's Commission Discussion Session, Andrew McCreery, Director of Finance, reviewed 2014 Preliminary Year-end Financials.

Andrew explained that the Unassigned Funds are to be used for emergencies. Typically, the reserves should equal two months of our budget. Our unassigned fund balance is only at 11%. Remember how "Anyone But Bendel" went to the October 3, 2013 Sports Advisory Board meeting and asked how the SAB would like to spend the pot of gold? The October 3, 2013 SAB meeting minutes indicate:

The board recommended that the Commission designate the maximum amount of undesignated funds, plus any available funds that were previously allocated to Brafferton, to a turf project at Middle and Wildcat, with the balance of the project costs coming from other sources.

Isn't "Anyone But Bendel" in the banking business?

I bet Vasco Sports can't be too happy with the snow on the ground. Benner hoped for snow, while Vasco hopes for warmer weather. I just love Mother Nature.

Consider the following

Tomorrow's protest will start at 5:30 in front of the municipal building, across from Sesame Inn. The Commission Discussion Session begins at 6:30. According to the Commission Discussion Session Agenda, Commission President Bendel has allotted himself another thirty minutes to discuss goals. At the previous discussion session, John scheduled forty five minutes to discuss goals and allocated a whole FIVE minutes for Commissioner Fraasch's presentation on non-lethal methods of deer management. He then cut her off because they were running short on time. Tomorrow's agenda is void of any deer discussions. In light of recent events concerning deer, John's lack of transparency has left many residents feeling outraged and unrepresented.

Those from both in and outside Mt. Lebanon who opposed the deer kill have lived a tough lesson in Constitutional Law. Threats of arrests and fines by the Mt Lebanon Police Department persisted throughout the culling period, for the sole purpose of suppressing activists’ civil liberties. John Bendel has denied non-residents the ability to speak during Citizen Comments, pulling the non-resident sign up sheet minutes before the last meeting. To Mt. Lebanon business owners, not living in Mt. Lebanon: You're out of luck. Mr. Bendel permitted non-residents to speak in two consecutive meetings prior to March 10, 2015. Non-residents have been permitted to speak on several occasions in the past. Cutting off Kelly during her presentation during the March 10 Discussion Session is unconscionable. Mr. Bendel, by pissing off residents over sidewalks, turf, reassessments, and now permitting a firm to inhumanely fire eleven shots to kill three deer, I predict that your chances of being reelected as a Ward 1 commissioner are bleak.

For the Public Information Office to decide what residents need to know is appalling. “We see no value to Mt. Lebanon residents of releasing daily reports,” said municipal spokeswoman [Public Misinformation Officer] Susan Morgans. She said officials worry about inflaming those opposed to the culling and don't want them to “put themselves in harm's way” to protest or disrupt the program. She continues to spew out unsubstantiated claims as to how many deer are in Mt. Lebanon, when Feller himself admitted he had no idea. The PIO perpetuates Benner's stories of vandalism to the media, yet quickly crushed Benner's accusation of Mt. Lebanon Police scaring off four deer. We are tired of your continual misinformation. Where is the LeboALERT announcing the end of the deer cull? Perhaps you should consider following Tom Kelley and Coleman McDonough's lead, Mrs. Stroyd Morgans.

Steve Feller, you've got to go. Lying to a commissioner by telling her that the corrals were being relocated, instead of reporting the end of killing, is grounds for a pink slip. You have been deceitful to residents and frankly, we've had enough of it. Surely, you can see the handwriting on the wall.

Kristen Linfante, please resign. You have done considerable damage to Mt. Lebanon. If you are too ill to serve, then resign. Flight attendants warn passengers, “In case there is a loss in cabin pressure, yellow oxygen masks will deploy from the ceiling compartment located above your head…” We are to take care of ourselves before trying to help others. Learn from that, Kristen. And no, I'm not into you. In fact, I have more than enough evidence to personally sue your sorry ass.

Dave Brumfield, you are a disgrace. You told us that you would never permit guns to be used on deer. Thanks to you, six deer died horrific deaths. For some strange reason, you permit Feller and Linfante to manipulate you. What do they have on you, Dave?

Steve Silverman, while we have you to thank for limiting Benner's fee to $500 per deer, it did cost taxpayers $15,000 for this yayhoo's "expertise." You claim that this was the number one issue when you were campaigning. I don't think what you approved was what your constituents had in mind. Do you think hearing reports of keeping deer trapped in corrals for an average of ninety minutes and then being tortured with multiple gunshots (eleven bullets to kill three deer) will make our Junior Commissioner proud? How about getting those twenty or so Deer Crossing signs sitting at Public Works installed? Open your mind to non-lethal methods for a change. At tomorrow's meeting, how about sitting up and looking at the public for a change. Directly answer a question when asked, for once.

Coleman McDonough, thank you for your years of service in Mt. Lebanon. I don't think guarding corn, allowing Benner to blame your police force for chasing away four deer, falsely accuse residents, who you are paid to protect, of vandalism, being manipulated by Kristen Linfante, and encouraging residents to have private hunts were the best decisions you ever made. You have turned Mt. Lebanon into a war zone. Unfortunately, this will be your legacy.

This cull has left our community deeply divided and will taint its reputation for years to come.

John Bendel Summarizes Mt. Lebanon Deer Management- Wrongly

John Bendel decides non residents have no voice

We had to ask for the money.

Thank you, resident and Lebo Citizens reader, Nick Meduho, for asking!

From: John Bendel [mailto:jbendel@mtlebanon.org]
Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2015 2:50 PM
To: Nicholas Meduho Jr
Cc: <sfeller@mtlebanon.org>; Commission
Subject: Re: donations

The municipality was notified yesterday that the Endowment has an additional $6,195 in funds that have been collected through the Field Improvement Fund since their last contribution. Steve Feller has requested the funds and a check to the municipality should arrive soon. 

This will bring the total non-municipal contribution to $263,928.73.

On Jan 8, 2015, at 12:14 AM, Nicholas Meduho Jr wrote:

Mr. Feller and Commissioners,

On Monday evening during citizen comments I asked the following:

“Since July 10th when MLCE submitted a check for $15,267 for turf donations, have there been any additional donations made since that time to the MLCE. If so, in what amounts and have those fund been transferred to the municipality?” 

Because no one knew the answer to this question, can someone please take the time to find out the answer.

I have asked MLCE several times, they are refusing to answer this simple question.

Thank you,

Nicholas Meduho
Mt. Lebanon, PA

Commission agenda posted

The agenda for Monday's commission organization meeting has been posted on the municipal website.

John Bendel will be our next president and Kelly Fraasch will be vice-president for 2015. 

Additionally: 

Consideration of a request from Commissioner Linfante. 

The Home Rule Charter provides that Commissioners shall not miss three consecutive regular meetings of the Commission without being excused by the Commission. 

Due to a health issue, Commissioner Linfante has asked to be excused from the regular commission meetings in January, February and March of 2015. 

Recommended Action: Move to approve the request of Commissioner Linfante to be excused from the next three regular commission meetings.

From Manager Steve Feller's weekly report:

About those non-municipal funds...

To bring any new Lebo Citizen readers up to speed, Mt. Lebanon commissioners made an agreement with the Sports Advisory Board concerning the funding of the toxic turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields. 75% municipal funds and 25% non-municipal funds. The financial proposal was never put in writing in any commission minutes. It was stated in the mtl Magazine article, field fundraising underway, that the non-municipal share would be $250,000, not 25% of the project as originally proposed. Donations were held by the Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment for a small fee. The identity of the donors were never made public.

Earlier this week, Mayor Peduto came under fire when anonymous donations were made on a recent episode of "Undercover Boss."  'Boss' gifts to Pittsburgh employees from Peduto raise questions

“They should disclose the donors to reassure the public that (donors) won't end up getting grants and contracts based on their benevolence.

We know that Gateway Engineers made out well by donating at least $4,000 to the turf project. That's for another post. Stay tuned.

Peduto promises to disclose identities of "Undercover Boss" donors 

Barry Kauffman, executive director of Pennsylvania Common Cause, said Peduto is obligated to share the information in the interest of transparency. Even though the money is coming from private donors, it's being funneled through a public agency.

Lebo Citizen readers were made aware of missing Mt. Lebanon sports organizations' 990's in these posts about 990s.  I called for better transparency. I see that I am not alone. Watchdogs call for better transparency of nonprofits' IRS filings 

So, President Elect John Bendel and Sports Advisory Board commission liaison, when are you going to share the information in the interest of transparency?