This is what I am dealing with UPDATED

Through the Right To Know which I am still working through, I found Kristen's letter where she told fellow commissioners how the ESB Chair had Kristen "insist" on artificial turf. I posted it here and also sent it to the ESB, minus the ESB Chair, since I had an old email address of hers and did not have her new one. I sent further communication to the entire ESB concerning the RTK, including the ESB Chair, after I had a current list of emails.

I had a feeling that Kristen Linfante would weigh in on this email exchange, so I filed a Right To Know asking for all emails to or from Kristen Linfante concerning the ESB Chair, Elaine Gillen, Lebo Citizens from August 1, 2014 to and including August 3, 2014.

I love how Kristen still thinks I ran against her. I'm flattered that she would think that I would remove the word "organic" myself. I'm good, Kristen, but I'm not THAT good.

I don't see the humor in the ESB Chair's statement that Autocorrect suggested that igniting me is the only way to deal with me. I also don't appreciate the libelous statements made about me.

Here is the email exchange from my latest RTK.

Update August 19, 2014 7:31 AM After the ESB Chair joked about igniting me, she asked about Kristen's trip out west. Here ya go, Kathy. NEXT Up: Kristen Linfante Third summer that my commissioner has been MIA. By the way, no apology from the ESB Chair or Miss Kristen. Oh, how some women are permitted to behave around here.

Contrary to popular belief...

The plan to artificially turf Middle and Wildcat Fields (or as Susan Morgans likes to call it, "Field Enhancement Project") has NOT been voted on. The vote to assign funds took place in November 2013. There has been no vote to artificially turf Middle and Wildcat Fields.

This has NOT gone to the Traffic Board.
No traffic study has been done even though the entrance to the fields is being relocated.
This has NOT gone to the Historic Preservation Board.
The Environmental Sustainability Board is against the project.
The Parks Advisory Board is against the project.
The Planning Board has not voted on this project.
The Zoning Hearing Board has NOT been involved.

The Recreation Department has sent over 8,000 emails, soliciting for the non-municipal share of the project.

The Public Information Office has updated the Mt. Lebanon website to include Field Enhancement of Wildcat and Middle fields. Additionally, a plea for donations to the non-municipal portion of the project is included in the update.

A public fundraising campaign is under way to garner the $250,000 in non-municipal funds needed to make this project happen. If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the project: Field Donations 

It was a wise decision on the part of the PIO to share an unedited version of the Mellon artificial turf infomercial. It includes members of the audience calling out to David Donnellan that he was lying.

This is NOT a done deal, Lebo Citizens. The bid opening is this Thursday at 11:00 AM in the Recreation Office. Bids will be awarded at the end of this month or the beginning of July. The Sports Advisory Board only has a 98% commitment of the required $250,000 portion. According to the Mellon presentation made by John Bendel, $101,879 is cash in hand, and an additional $143,250 has been pledged. We have been told that if there is no $250,000 cash in hand, the bids will not be awarded.

Educational Forum on Artificial Turf Tomorrow! UPDATE Photos of trees to be removed

Please sign this petition if you want to halt public funds for use of artificial turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields.

Last night, at the Commission's Dog and Pony Show, a.k.a. the Commission Discussion Session, we were told that organic infill will cost $1.57 million with an annual maintenance to include adding an additional 1/4" organic infill. We also heard that humidity will be created from the cooling system needed to keep the cork infill moist. The SAB does not want organic infill because it floats away. They don't want to admit to flood waters that affect those fields. We are being set up for toxic rubber infill. The Environmental Sustainability Board issued this statement about artificial turf at the February 11, 2014 Commission Discussion Session. Video is here.

Coincidently, an Educational Forum on Artificial Turf in Mt. Lebanon will be held tomorrow evening in the Commission Chambers, starting at 7 PM. I believe Commissioners Fraasch and Bendel will be attending the forum.

EDUCATIONAL FORUM ON ARTIFICIAL TURF IN MT LEBANON
DID YOU KNOW THAT TOWNS/CITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY ARE CONSIDERING MORATORIUMS ON TURF UNTIL UNBIASED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IS AVAILABLE ON THE EXPOSURE OF ARTIFICIAL TURF ON CHILDREN’S HEALTH? 

Learn more about the impacts of artificially turfed fields when it comes to our children’s health, water run-off & heat island effects 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30th AT 7-8:30pm 

MUNICIPAL BUILDING IN THE CHAMBERS

For more information please email:  healthylebo@gmail.com
Mt Lebanon Commissioners voted 3-2 to spend $750,000 of taxpayer money to add artificially turfed fields along Cedar Blvd at Wildcat/Middle Fields near the entrance of Main Park.    

In May, a decision will be made about specific design options such as tire crumb rubber in-fill vs organic in-fill.
With such a long-term and expensive investment (over $2.5 million in 8 years),  our community needs to know more about these fields including the short and long-term effects of these materials on our children, coaches and residents nearby.

Educational Forum on Artificial Turf flyer

UPDATE April 29, 2014 9:31 PM Here is something to think about when attending this educational forum on artificial turf. When Phase II begins at Middle and Wildcat Fields, these trees will be removed for the additional parking spaces.

 Broken glass from, at least, the second motor vehicle collision in this location
(entrance to the Phase ll parking "space") in the past month