From the Ethics Commission website

I still have not received the final order from the PA Ethics Commission, but here is a link to the April 10, 2018 final adjudication posted on the PA Ethics Commission website which is saved in Google Docs. Actual link is here.

Mary Birks spoke at the May 14, 2018 school board meeting and referred to 41 pages of findings. This document has 24 pages. I skimmed over the pages and found that on page 8, Mary attended an Outreach Board of Directors meeting on May 6, 2010, where concerns of conflict of interest were raised by several Outreach board members.

Outreach Board member David Hartman verbalized Birks' need to recuse herself as a Member of the District Board if /when the District Board voted on any matters involving Outreach.

Outreach can't be too happy with how this all went down.

I also find it interesting that the Ethics Commission noted that Mary had left a block blank on her 2016 Statement of Financial Interests filed in 2017 and was deemed deficient. (Page 16) Upon notification of the above referenced deficiency, Birks amended the SFI with the District. I guess the Ethics Commission did not see the boo boo that Timmy made this year. It is ironic how Mary Birks defended Larry Lebowitz. See below.

I can't help but think how the PA Ethics Commission would have a field day over the municipality's SFIs. Statements of Financial Interests are a big thing with the PA Ethics Commission, but Keith McGill, Susan Morgans, Ian McMeans, Dave Brumfield, Bonnie Cross, and a host of others don't or didn't seem to take it seriously. Nick Meduho was on top of this too.

See We don't pay her enough; she's homeless!
We've been lied to repeatedly
T-R-A-N-S-P-A-R-E-N-C-Y
Mt. Lebanon is on a roll

This is like a locker search at Mt. Lebanon High School, announcing what is ahead: I will be filing a Right To Know for all the SFIs for the municipality, Keith. Just a heads up.

2018 Manager's Recommended Budget

Mary had a little scam
As deep as drifting snow
And everywhere that Mary went
The scam was sure to go

Mary failed to recuse herself

Which was against the rule
It made the Ethics Board investigate
Individuals at the schools

And so the public tuned her out
But still she ruled with fear
We waited patiently
With hopes she’d disappear

The 2018 Mt. Lebanon Manager's Recommended Budget has been published. On page 51 of 92 pages of the pdf, the service level narrative for Outreach is:

Minimum Support (Current Level). Subsidy to provide the current range of counseling services to Mt. Lebanon clients at no charge for two sessions and reduced session costs for sessions 3-10. Provides for free parent consultations. Includes office and counseling staff with facility located within Mt. Lebanon. Provides for 1,045 hours of direct services.

The Outreach Program is operated by an independent nonprofit corporation. 

The service level cost remains the same at $104,040. This is a little misleading, however. The magazine provides free advertising via ads, social media, feature stories, and brochure mailings in the print mailings of the magazine.

****

Additionally, the manager is recommending $55,000 for deer "management." See pages 46-47, service levels 3 and 4.


Mt. Lebanon Commission will hold open discussion workshop sessions to review the 2018 Manager’s Recommended Budget. These sessions are scheduled for 6 p.m., at the Municipal Building, 710 Washington Road, on the following dates:

Monday, November 13, 2017
Monday, November 20, 2017
Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Portions of these meetings may be in executive session to discuss personnel matters related to compensation.

The public hearing on the manager’s proposed budget will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, at 8 p.m., in Commission Chambers located at the Municipal Building, 710 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228. On Tuesday, December 12, 2017, the Commission will hold a public hearing at the same location on the proposed adjustments to the manager’s recommended budget and vote on the final 2018 budget document.

"The truth no one likes to admit"

mtl - Mt. Lebanon Magazine on Facebook:

"Are your kids having the back to school blues? Sometime the anxiety and stress of starting a new school year can be overwhelming. The Mt. Lebanon School District counselors are at your service to help with adjustments and transitions. You can contact your child's building principal or counseling office with your questions or concerns. If the problem reaches beyond the school setting, Outreach Teen & Family Services is a community based child, teen and family counseling agency that provides professional, confidential counseling to young people ages 5 to 21 and their families. They see clients for a variety of concerns from anger management, family problems and school related issues to depression, anxiety, drug & alcohol and many other issues."

Only comment:

This is a very difficult area to be accepted in unless your well off and or Catholic. I heard this when I first moved here and I laughed it off but I found out it was true. You can find a few people who are really nice however, you just have to look very hard. It's the truth no one likes to admit!

Coincidently, on my Facebook feed, this was the post that followed mtl's Outreach Facebook blurb.

How much of your donated dollar goes to the cause? Do our kids really need Outreach because they have anxiety of starting a new school year? What kind of a community is this where people don't feel welcome? Where kids need Outreach just for starting a new school year? Or where our Public Information Office declined to respond to Jason Margolis' questions: 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?

So sad.

Mt. Lebanon Outreach has competition

Brookline Teen Outreach was established in 2015. Their webpage has a whole page of items they can use, as well as monetary donations.

Items We Need

• Snacks/drinks
• Copy paper
• Business sized envelopes
• Large mailing envelopes
• File folders
• Security cameras and recording system
• Pens
• Folder Labels
• Phone chargers (iphone and android)
• 8ft folding tables
• Art supplies
• Fire extinguishers
• Large trash bags
• Power tools – drill
• Hand tools and toolbox
• Interior paint
• Paint brushes
• Roller covers
• Cleaning supplies
• Cutting boards
• Dutch oven
• Knives
• Can opener
• Muffin tins
• Kitchen stand mixer
• Grocery store gift cards (any denomination or location)

Fun

• Gaming systems
• Xbox controllers
• Video games
• DVDs
• Tv(s) – flat screen or wall mountable preferred, Larger computer Monitors would work too
• Camcorder
• Instruments
• Books
• Board games
• Arcade games

Do you have something that would be great for the center that isn't on the list? Contact us to tell us more.

​If only they had an executive director who funnels money from the school district and the municipality and is under investigation, or hold wine and beer bashes like Mt. Lebanon, Brookline Outreach wouldn't have to have such an extensive list of items needed. Reading Brookline Outreach's website is humbling.

For those doubters who accuse me of conspiracy theories, the school board director who is running for school board again and is under investigation, has admitted to approving checks and contracts to her employer in this PG article, Mt. Lebanon school board president to refrain from votes for nonprofit. No conspiracy theories here.

Birks Reaching Out from Outreach

Ban on front lawn parking in Bethel Park to be considered

Council also heard from Mary Birks, executive director of Outreach Teen and Family Services. Outreach operates a counseling center in Mt. Lebanon and offers other counseling services in the surrounding communities. Birks asked council to consider partnering with her organization to provide help to young people in Bethel Park struggling with drug addiction or other issues. Police in Mt. Lebanon sometimes refer youths to the program as a way to get the teens help without involving the criminal justice system, Birks said.

Vote regarding a landlord of a board member's employer?

On Sat, Jul 22, 2017 at 10:16 AM, 'egillen476@aol.com' via SchoolBoard <schoolboardemaillist@mtlsd.net> wrote:

A question has come up on my blog, Lebo Citizens. With Mary Birks being executive director of Outreach, should she be voting on any issues that involves Outreach's landlord?
Elaine Gillen

VP Moorhead's reply

Trouble at Outreach?

Director of Professional & Program Services

Director of Professional & Program Services
Outreach Teen & Family Services - Pittsburgh, PA 15228

The Director of Professional & Program Services reports directly to the Executive Director. This position provides clinical, programmatic and administrative support, supervises a counseling team of between 15-18 members, and is accountable for the development, implementation, and assessment of agency initiatives in order to maintain best practices for clinical standards and outstanding customer service. The position is also responsible for program research, development, implementation, and evaluation, and assists with the expansion of present programming. The position requires the skills to provide clinical/administrative support and supervision to professional counseling staff, program development and evaluation and assisting with the expansion of clinical and programmatic services. Position Qualifications: Belief and support of the Mission and Values of the agency; Ability to work a flexible schedule; Ability to work with individuals of diverse backgrounds and ages; Knowledge of clinical program development and implementation; Knowledge of community resources and community programs; Ability to market services in community environments; Good time management and organizational skills; Valid transportation and a current, valid driver’s license; Successfully pass the required background checks; Attend all applicable professional development trainings to maintain licensure and certification. Education: A Master’s Degree in Counseling, Social Work or related field Certification/Licensure: Must be licensed in the state of Pennsylvania for Clinical Practice Experience: Minimum of five years counseling experience, preferably in the area of adolescents and family; Minimum of five years supervisory or related experience managing and supervising professional staff. For a more complete description: http://www.outreachteen.org/contact-us/jobs/ Email submissions only. Please send cover letter, resume, salary requirements and two references to contact info. Please do not include information in email text, but include important information for consideration in cover letter. Outreach Teen & Family Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer providing equal employment opportunities without regard to regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability or genetic information. Outreach Teen & Family Services utilizes only job-related criteria in making decisions concerning applicants and employees. Job Type: Full-time 3 days ago ************

Amazing things I learned from a recent School District RTK

School Board meeting minutes summaries posted on the school district are just that - summaries. I thought they were the actual minutes, but they are not.

Mary Birks did not recuse herself from voting in matters concerning Outreach.

There is quite a lot to weed through, but I am sharing what I received, including a little synopsis from the requestor.

I assume the district has had a contract since 2005 in excess of $500 (at least later years). I only asked for more recent data. RTK response included Feb 2016 and 2017 minutes showing the finance items contract over $100 vote. It's a lump/consent vote and Birks did not abstain on either vote of the Outreach contracts. I would assume a similar contract approval process happened in previous years. Based on her position, she should've abstained any time the vote occurred, but she did not. Maybe once is an oversight, but twice or more I have to start to question. Ironically, Birks seconded a vote in May 2010 to approve an update to the board ethics policy.

RTK response cover letter dated April 24, 2017

RTK response to April 10, 2017 request

Outreach vouchers, minutes, and votes 

It is up to the voters now UPDATED 2X including Statements of Financial Interests!

I received another letter from a concerned Lebo Citizens reader in reference to Mary Birks and Elaine Cappucci running for school board.

The letter is below with a scanned copy to follow.

Scanned image of letter

Thank you for contacting me. I share the same concerns. I don't know what else could be done. I have contacted the school board and they think it is perfectly fine to have Mary Birks, Executive Director of Outreach, serve as a school board director at the same time. Keep your eyes open for Fake Information Officer Susan Morgans to come back with another article about Outreach. Both local governments have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo.

I have written about the conflict with Elaine Cappucci coming back on to the school board, but her arrogance has gotten in the way of common sense. 

The only way to stop these two women is by voting them out. Dan Remely has to go too. The Timmy ticket of Cappucci, Birks, Remely and Caste is what is keeping Timmy employed. His raises are outrageous. His amended contract is appalling. His methods of hiring are scandalous and reek of collusion. His arrogance falls in line with Birks and Cappucci.

To the relatively new family who wrote to me, it has been like this for a very long time. I started following Mt. Lebanon closely in 2010. Up until then, I had two jobs, was caring for a sick loved one, and was raising a family. I was just trying to survive, as many of you are doing today. I am thrilled to see that my efforts are starting to get people talking.

The Primary is May 16, 2017. Please get out and vote. Stop the corruption and let's get our community back. 

Update April 20, 2017 9:33 AM Watch for these yard signs. They are getting my vote.

Update April 21, 2017 6:53 PM More information, as promised from a RTK.

2017 School Board Candidates Statements of Financial Interests.

Schoolboard President and Outreach SECOND REQUEST

Well, there you have it.

From: William Moorhead wmoorhead@mtlsd.net

To: egillen476 

Cc: schoolboard ; Timothy Steinhauer ; jcrompton 

Subject: Re: School board president and Outreach SECOND REQUEST 

Date: Tue, Apr 11, 2017 8:32 pm

Ms. Gillen:

In response to your question, and after after consultation with counsel,our position is that it is permissible for Mrs.Birks to serve as President of the School Board, and as Executive Director of Outreach.

William J. Moorhead

Vice President of the School Board 

On Tue, Apr 11, 2017 at 8:19 AM, 'egillen476@aol.com' via SchoolBoard <schoolboardemaillist@mtlsd.net> wrote:

School board directors,

Since there are nine of you and I haven't heard back from any of you, perhaps this email got "lost in the mail." I hope it isn't the case that you are afraid to break protocol. 

I have not heard from the superintendent either. This is a serious matter and should not be ignored.

Elaine Gillen

-----Original Message-----
From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To: schoolboard <schoolboard@mtlsd.net>
Cc: TSteinhauer <TSteinhauer@mtlsd.net>; egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>; jcrompton <jcrompton@post-gazette.com>
Sent: Sun, Apr 9, 2017 5:48 pm
Subject: School board president and Outreach

School board directors,

I approved the following comment for my blog, Lebo Citizens. 

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Interesting connections, observations, and more ma...": 

The parent who sent the Outreach letter is correct. The Teen Screen program should be placed out for bid. If Outreach wins the bid then state law dictates that Mrs. Birks cannot have any supervisory or administrative involvement. That's just not possible given Mrs. Birks is the Outreach Executive Director. She can sit on School Board OR run Outreach. Not both. Next, it could be a director pushing their tutoring service or rehab facility or SAT prep service or whatever. The rules exist for a reason. 

Posted by Anonymous to Lebo Citizens at April 9, 2017 at 3:38 PM

I am quite concerned about this comment as well as the anonymous letter which was sent to my home. I would like a response from the school board. What is your position with Mary Birks being School Board President while being the Outreach Executive Director at the same time.. 

This should be interesting since you tend to have the school board president answer all emails and sign all emails, "For the Board." 

Elaine Gillen

This is almost comical

Not too long ago, mtl Magazine was looking for and hired a "content creator." The entire "team" is listed here, which includes SIX photographers. (Why Susan Morgans spends money on stock photography images, is beyond me.) What strikes me as funny is that Facebook articles tend to mirror what is discussed on Lebo Citizens. Every time I write something about Mary Birks and Outreach, magically, an article shows up on Facebook.

It is uncanny. I write something about Mary Birks and bam! something shows up on Facebook. Susan Morgans comes to the rescue. So why do we need a content creator? 

We have Susan Morgans trashing Petco, writing about her trips to wine country, and trolling on this blog. Oh, the money we could save in the Public Information Office.

There's something about Mary UPDATED 2X

Today's mail...

No, A. Friend, I have not investigated that. Could you get a team together and investigate? You can mail your findings to me, which I will share here.

Searching the blog, I found this post to be rather timely. My first tutorial: How to file a Right To Know Timmy, Birks, and Remely are against transparency. The Riemer, Strotmeyer, and Diamond slate website shows:

We believe that the foundation of maintaining this rich tradition of education in Mt Lebanon is a collaborative effort between teachers, parents and the administration, that should be founded on transparency, accountability and mutual respect.

Update March 26, 2017 5:44 PM I am happy to say that there are some Lebo Citizens readers who are looking into this topic. The 2014 990 for Outreach was sent to me. On page 7 of 30, Mary Birks was paid $31,946 when she was part-time and working 24 hours per week. The link to the annual report in 5:34's comment indicates that Mary Birks was promoted to full time.

We developed the next Strategic Plan for 2015-2018 which lays out the organization’s priorities and goals to inform our work. In addition, we are proud to have moved our leadership to full-time positions – including both our Executive Director, Mary Birks and our Clinical Director, Christina Hostutler.

Update March 27, 2017 3:58 PM 2014 (2013) 990 for Outreach
2013 (2012) 990 for Outreach 

Winners Crowned in Social Madness

The winners have been declared in the Business Journals Social Madness contest. The three national winners are:

•  roi Office Interiors, from Albany, NY  will have a $10,000 check written in its name to the Alzheimer’s Association;
• Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau plans to donate its $10,000 to the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii;
• Mother of Mercy High School, Cincinnati, OH, the third winner, will donate $10,000 to Mercy Without Borders.

This is the contest that mtl Magazine was competing to win a $10,000 check for Outreach Teen and Family Services. Please help the Public Information Office When it was revealed that "government agencies, departments or entities at any level -- local, state or national were not eligible," I was accused of being responsible for any kid who dies from a drug overdose or commits suicide because they couldn't afford the counselor. I was also warned that I was "on thin ice here legally."

Congratulations to the three national winners. Better luck next year to those who didn't win. Did I mention that Susan Morgans never received a speeding ticket anywhere in the Pittsburgh area? I want to make sure everyone knows that.

We want our money back

Did you know that the municipality is over taxing us? Want proof? Here is the agenda for Tuesday's commission discussion session.


Open Discussion Session (Room C)
6:20 P.M.
1. Unassigned fund balance:
     a. Tentative list of designations
     b. Date for capital investment discussion hearing – July 22, 2013

Last year, we had spent $1.3 million in unassigned funds.  This year, we have available for more indiscriminate spending by the commissioners, approximately $840,000. That represents 2.39% of extra money in its cash reserves, after the normal 10% held in reserves.The vultures are circling. 

What do the commissioners want to do with that money? See my post, Mt. Lebanon weighs surplus spending

In the Trib article, nothing was mentioned about what our president, Matt Kluck wants. He has been advocating all along to give the money back to the people.

Funny, I don't see anything for Outreach, or any other drug programs.

In fact, at the February budget retreat, Kelly Fraasch was the only commissioner concerned about a drug task force.  Remember how I was the only one covering that retreat? That was when the PIO was writing about Noah's Ark on Facebook. Here are the commissioners' priorities from that February budget retreat. 

Hey, Commissioners? How about a reduction in our taxes? Do you have that much money that you need the school district's help to spend our money? We all know that the Sports Advisory Board (SAB) will want turf SOMEWHERE in Mt. Lebanon.  As The Trib reported in my July 1 post:

School board President Elaine Cappucci said the district has no plans to put turf on any fields. “So that would be a new expense. Nobody from the commission has approached us about the proposal. … I can't tell you what the board would feel about it.”

My guess is that the SAB, a.k.a., Turf Board will come back to turfing Middle and Wildcat Fields again.  The date for the hearing is July 22, 2013.

Get in line, SAB. You will be up against the deer cullers, the Outreach people, and the people like me who just want the commissioners to stop overtaxing us, and give us our money back.