South Fayette still ranked #1

The Pittsburgh Business Times' annual Honor Roll ranking is here, with data based on three years of performance on state standardized test scores.

Called it.

By Lian Bunny and Stacey Federoff  –  Pittsburgh Business Times

Feb 23, 2018, 4:58pm EST Updated Feb 23, 2018, 6:21pm

The City of Pittsburgh appealed today the Pennsylvania’s Office of Open Records decision that ordered the city to release its Amazon HQ2 bid to the public, according to a statement released by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.

The city had until today to reveal the details or appeal the decision to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.

If Pittsburgh is anything like Mt. Lebanon, they will laugh in the face of the PA Office of Open Records

Block 292 Closing UPDATED

Farewell for now... Just over two years ago, we hatched an idea to convert a gas station turned foreign car repair shop, built in the 1930's, into a concept not yet seen in Pittsburgh.  Our vision was to combine a whole animal butcher shop, using all natural, ethically and locally raised animals, with a full-service restaurant under one roof.  And we were doing this in one of the best neighborhoods in all of Western PA; the wonderful neighborhood of Beverly Rd. in Mt. Lebanon. After a lot of work and planning, we opened with high expectations.  And while we have welcomed many customers, things just haven't taken off quite as we had hoped.  It is not a big operation, but it's very complex trying to manage the flow of locally raised animals, sourced in the fields, through multiple operations inside one building.  And it is even harder trying to get people to change their shopping habits for things like locally grown produce and fresh meat.  So, it is with sadness that we are announcing our last day of business will be on Saturday, August 12th.   But we are calling this something like a retrenchment and refocus.  While some aspects of Block 292 went exceptionally well, others never really gained the traction we needed to be able to sustain the flow of high quality products from the field to the market.  So rather than tinker and slowly change into something different, we decided to "rip the bandage" off and start over.  We have a wonderful, welcoming building in a great neighborhood.  Unfortunately, the concept just didn’t work for a variety of reasons. But what have we learned during our short time here... - Trying to operate a butcher shop, market, and restaurant all at the same time isn't as easy as it sounds! - We have many incredibly talented people that worked very hard inside our walls, and will be welcome additions to restaurants and butchers around Pittsburgh. - We have a lot of great neighbors that learned to enjoy our small, little place for the short time we were here. - Even though we redeveloped a gas station from the 1930's, one of the first fuel stations built outside of the City of Pittsburgh, we didn’t generate the buzz to draw people to our unique and exciting concept. - We didn't do a good enough job educating potential customers what our concept actually was.  A year after we opened, we still hear things like "Are you a deli?"  "What do you sell in the convenience store?" "You have a liquor license?"  "Wait, you actually sell food!?" - Beverly Rd. is a wonderful area and will be a great place for a re-imagined operation. - Getting off to a rough start is really hard to recover from. - Designing, rebuilding, and re-purposing an old gas station is a lot of fun and incredibly rewarding...and also very challenging.  Using skilled union workers, we fought through issues, big and small, to design and build what we feel is a stunning transformation from auto garage to restaurant. - It was a pleasure working with spectacular farmers like John and Sukey Jamison, the absolute best producers of lamb, and Neal Salyards and his family at Jubilee Hilltop, who have redefined grass-fed beef.  Add in all of the great producers of tasty food we sold in the market (Bob at Sendall Chocolates, John and Rina at Parma Sausage, Larry at Enricos...), we have a lot to be thankful for living in Western PA and having access to some of the finest food anywhere. So, for now it is goodbye…but not forever.  We still live in the neighborhood, and we will begin thinking about the next phase in the life of 292 Beverly Rd almost immediately.  Unfortunately things don't last forever...although usually a little longer than this idea did!  And we have every intention of making the next life of the old "Beverly Service" even better. Thank you to those that supported us, and we hope to see you this week before our last day.  Maybe we will even buy you a drink.  And for those that didn't have a chance to visit, you really missed out but we look forward to seeing you sometime in the future!! Till next time... Brooks

Copyright © 2017 Block 292, All rights reserved.  Update August 8, 2017 8:54 AM From Pittsburgh Business Times Broadhurst to close Block 292 in South Hills

Tied with BETHEL at #10

Here are the Pittsburgh metro's 10 wealthiest ZIP codes - Pittsburgh Business Times

#10 15228 Mt. Lebanon/Bethel Park
#9   16606 Cranberry
#8   16046 Mars
#7   15143 Sewickley
#6   15238 Fox Chapel
#5   15015 Bradford Woods
#4   15241 Upper St. Clair
#3   15367 Venetia
#2   15090 Wexford
#1   15142 Presto

State releases SAT scores for Pittsburgh-area high schools

#3

#2

#1

Watch out, Lebo. You're starting to act like Greece.

I'm 100% Greek and because of my Greek heritage, I'm very concerned about what is happening in Greece. I'm not an economist and have no idea what Greece needs to do, but an article in Pittsburgh Business Times caught my eye this morning. What to do when employees start acting like Greece (arrogant, self-important) Those two words, "arrogant, self-important" come to my mind, at least, about the attitude exhibited by our local governments.

In business, arrogance and defiance are lethal combinations, too. Fortunately, you don’t find this much, but you do with employees who, like Greece, overestimate their importance to the organization.

The article talks about employees, which is exactly what our local governments are. We are the employer (taxpayers) and they are the employees.

Once employees become arrogant, it almost always leads to defiance. They think they are bulletproof because of their great significance to the organization. The sad part is this condition almost always afflicts people with outstanding performance. Rainmakers, if you will. 

If there is one thing I learned over the years, it's not to tolerate arrogance from an employee just because he is a rainmaker. Trust me on this, the collateral damage a rainmaker causes is not worth the rain. They treat other people badly. They ignore policies and rules in the organization. They do whatever they want without regard to the consequences. And that is because, many times, rainmakers have no consequences.

Our public servants think they are bulletproof.  They are arrogant and ignore the rules. Incurring more and more debt is a way of life in our community.

I saw this during the high school renovation. I saw it with the toxic turf project. I'm seeing it with the deer issue and even the block party policy. The commission will be deciding whether to put a referendum of the Home Rule Charter concerning the number of commissioners required to incur debt. I believe Mt. Lebanon is headed in the wrong direction. We better get our act together before we end up like Greece.

South Fayette unseats Mt. Lebanon as top-ranking school district in Pittsburgh region

Congratulations to South Fayette! They are the new #1 in Pittsburgh Business Times Guide to Western Pennsylvania Schools.

As Reporter Justine Coyne and Social Engagement Manager Avery Hartmans found out in visits to the district, making connections between teachers, schools, disciplines, technology and traditional learning methods helped push South Fayette to the top of the rankings.

South Fayette unseats Mt. Lebanon as top-ranking school district in Pittsburgh region

Mt. Lebanon's Markham Elementary boasts top-scoring 4th graders

Kratsa selling off 15 hotels

Kratsa Properties, owner of Hotel Tyvek, located in the heart of Mt. Lebanon, is selling off 15 hotels. Don't worry, Folks. Hotel Tyvek is not being sold. It is scheduled to open 2012 2013 2014 2015.

Sources: Kratsa selling off portfolio of 15 hotels in region

Why we can't keep up with the Joneses UPDATED 2X

At 8:00 this morning, Steve Feller shared the Wildcat bids summary as he promised me last night at the commission meeting. Thank you, Steve, for your promptness.

I haven't had the stomach to look at the bids summary. I am still recovering from the SAB wish list which was discussed at the end of Discussion Session Part 1. John Bendel submitted the Sports Advisory Board's #1 capital improvement recommendation which is sidewalks at the Tennis Center. OK, that's reasonable. But #10 is a larger multipurpose athletic facility to include basketball/gym in a new building separate from Wildcat/Middle Fields.

During Citizen Comments last night, a resident who is involved with Mt. Lebanon Youth Sports explained why he was against the artificial turf project at Middle and Wildcat Fields. We simply cannot afford it as a community. We are not as affluent as we once thought we were. According to Pittsburgh Business Times, here are the rankings of Upper St. Clair, and two zip codes in Mt. Lebanon.

The Almanac's June 18, 2014 editorial Keep Mt. Lebanon's field turf natural suggests that "To rip up perfectly usable natural fields and replace grass with artificial turf is just another example of the current trend of local communities wanting to “keep up with the Joneses.” As pointed out last night, we are not in Upper St. Clair's or Peters Township's league. We need to look at Bethel or Dormont.

Update June 24, 2014 12:28 PM Pittsburgh Business Times does not include Mt. Lebanon's 15216, 15234, or 15226 zip codes. They did not make the top 50 zip codes with the highest average net worth in the Pittsburgh region.

Update June 24, 2014 4:50 PM I requested a copy of the Sports Advisory Board wish list. Adding a price tag of $4,000,000 for the multi purpose athletic facility brings the SAB Capital Projects Worksheet total to over $9,000,000. This does not include the Toxic Turf Project at Middle and Wildcat Fields. Or the $4,000,000 Aquatic Center. Or the High School Sports wing. Or the $74,000 trophy case. Or the future turfing of the Rock Pile. Or the High School Tennis Courts. Or the Rifle Range. Who says we hate sports?

P.S. Or the new Bocce Pools a.k.a. the Bocce Courts in the No Flood Zone

Newcomers, School Board Meeting on Tuesday

Normally, the Mt. Lebanon School Board would be meeting on Monday, but due to the Holiday, it has been moved to Tuesday, April 15, 2014. The agenda has been posted here.

On the agenda,

2014-2015 Proposed Final Budget: RESOLVED, That the Board approves a Proposed Final Budget in the amount of $87,924,509, at a millage rate of 23.15 mills, a .54 mill increase from 2013-14, utilizing $750,000 of the fund balance in the form presented.
Furthermore, the Board intends to vote on a Final Budget with such changes as it deems necessary at its May 19, 2014 meeting.

For those new to the system, residents are permitted to speak for four minutes at the beginning of the meeting, only on action items on the agenda. I see that Bill Matthews has requested to speak. My guess it is concerning the Proposed Final Budget. I hope President Cappucci actually listens to him this time instead of watching the time clock. Last year, she was very rude to him.

Last year, the school board was a smidgeon more transparent than they are this year. Last year, a list of suggested cost reductions was published and discussed at a separate Budget Forum. This year, we will learn more about the "Final Budget with such changes as it deems necessary at its May 19, 2014 meeting."

Another very important topic, which started prior to the newcomers' arrival is the high school renovation. The Almanac reports in the article Retirements, tuition payments will help close Lebo budget gap (Saved in Google Docs) concerning the $91,713 change order on the agenda:

the installation of additional sprinklers in the catwalk area above the auditorium. Project plans had not flagged this as occupied space. 

Architect Tom Celli said this was a miss by the design team. “When you have a project of this size and complexity, with materials and controls coming from all over the country, these things are going to happen. We have gotten nothing but great feedback, whether from people in the community or those who have competed in the gym or the swimming pool.”

I am glad that Dan Remely didn't throw Fire Chief Sohyda under the bus, as he had done in the past. I question Celli's comment about the great feedback about the swimming pool. I understand that the railing reported in the Fall is still taped off with caution tape.

The Almanac article continues with

contractors have billed 72 percent of construction costs, and have used 71 percent of the project’s contingency funds. 

Both Celli and project manager Tom Berkebile expressed confidence that the project would finish within the established contingency. 

“It’s going to be close,” Berkebile said, “but I still feel confident we’re going to get there.”

What that means is that the project should have gone to Referendum, but it would never have passed. If they go over, then voters get to decide to leave a school partially completed, or approve the project after the fact. We were told that the high school renovation would bring people to the community, similar to the rhetoric we are hearing about the artificial turf on Cedar Blvd. Aren't you glad you moved here?

If newcomers (and any other residents) wish to speak about items unrelated to the agenda, you must wait until the end of the meeting, where you are given five minutes to speak. Warning, the school board will be watching the clock instead of listening to what you have to say. These are the same people who have been working with Diversified Municipal Services for years. Enough said.

Timmy and Susan, PBT is looking for you!

Attention all Tweeters

The Pittsburgh Business Times is hosting another social media contest. This time, they are looking for effective Twitter users. Now is the time to make our superintendent shine as brightly as our new water fountains at the high school. Feeling bad that mtl Magazine didn't win the last social madness contest? Nominate our public information officer. Remember, this time it is individuals, not companies.

I don't tweet, so please do not nominate me.

Who are the most influential tweeters in the Pittsburgh business community?

The Pittsburgh Business Times is looking for the region's most influential, entertaining and most effective Twitter users in the business community. We are asking you, our readers and our social media followers, who do you follow and why?

Here is what we're looking for:

• Individuals, not companies
• Pittsburgh-area individuals who are influential on Twitter, whether it's because of their impact in the community, because they have a large following, because they engage with their followers, or because they are just entertaining.

Nominations are open through Friday, Nov. 29. Feel free to nominate as many people as you want. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Pravlik at mpravlik@bizjournals.com, @PBT_Melissaor 412-208-3831.

Follow the Pittsburgh Business Times onTwitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+.

Melissa Pravlik is the social engagement manager at the Pittsburgh Business Times. Contact her at mpravlik@bizjournals.com or 412-208-3831.

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.

Please help the Public Information Office

This was not sent to me by the PIO, but I am doing my part.  I know they would do the same for me. ;)

From: Laura Pace Lilley <lpace@mtlebanon.org>
Date: Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 1:21 PM
Subject: Mt. Lebanon Magazine in the Final Four of Social Madness!
To: All Employees, Commission


It’s been a great ride: since June 3, mtl — Mt. Lebanon Magazine has been participating in the Pittsburgh Business Times’ Social Madness contest…and we’ve made the FINAL FOUR of the local competition! If we win the national competition, we score $10,000 that will go directly toOutreach Teen & Family Services, a fantastic local service agency that helps children, teens, families --- everyone --- stay healthy and on track.

And the big benefit is we're getting lots of new people engaged on our social media outlets so the word is getting out about our town, from special events to things they need to know, like public meetings, construction and water issues.

But we need your help once again...this round is less than a week in duration and our competitor, ZBrand ad agency, is fierce.


Please vote for us DAILY in the MEDIUM category here: http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/socialmadness

Go to our Facebook page and like posts, share posts or comment on posts.

Go to our Twitter page and retweet Tweets!

Please share this on your social media pages, through email, etc. Send to your book clubs, your social groups, your plumber...EVERYBODY.

Once again, thank you very much.
--

Laura Pace Lilley
Senior Editor/Online Editor, mtl—Mt. Lebanon Magazine
Public Information Associate
710 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228
412.343.3552
www.lebomag.com
www.facebook.com/mtlebanonmagazine
www.twitter.com/mtlmagazine
www.linkedin.com/company/mt-lebanon-municipality
http://www.youtube.com/mtlebanonpio

Draw your own conclusions

Examining the 2013 Guide to Western Pennsylvania Schools published by the Pittsburgh Business Times, I was able to come up with more details per school.  I continually get comments from snipers, accusing me of putting negative slants on articles. Draw your own conclusions, folks. You are not going to see this on the school district website.

					% scoring superior	% scoring superior	% scoring superior
2013	2012	School	Grade	Math	Reading	Writing	Science
1	1	USC	11	90	93	98	75
2	2	MTL	11	90	94	99	74

                                   

					% scoring superior	% scoring superior	% scoring superior
2013	2012	School	Grade	Math	Reading	Writing	Science
1	1	Ft. Couch (USC)	8	99	99	98	91
2	4	Jefferson MS	8	94	99	94	90
8	10	Mellon MS	8	93	95	92	90

                                   

					% scoring superior	% scoring superior	% scoring superior
2013	2012	School	Grade	Math	Reading	Writing	Science
1	1	Ft. Couch (USC)	7	98	96	NA	NA
2	5	Jefferson MS	7	96	97	NA	NA
7	8	Mellon MS	7	95	98	NA	NA

					% scoring superior	% scoring superior	% scoring superior
2013	2012	School	Grade	Math	Reading	Writing	Science
4	3	Boyce (USC)	6	96	94	NA	NA
5	7	Jefferson MS	6	95	92	NA	NA
25	26	Mellon MS	6	93	87	NA	NA

					% scoring superior	% scoring superior	% scoring superior
2013	2012	School	Grade	Math	Reading	Writing	Science
2	3	Lincoln	5	100	97	95	NA
4	4	Aiken (KO)	5	94	89	97	NA
5	5	Howe	5	93	96	83	NA
7	16	Foster	5	98	93	100	NA
13	49	Hoover	5	93	88	91	NA
16	13	Jefferson	5	86	93	89	NA
30	33	Markham	5	91	83	88	NA
40	38	Washington	5	87	83	82	NA

					% scoring superior	% scoring superior	% scoring superior
2013	2012	School	Grade	Math	Reading	Writing	Science
2	7	Howe	4	100	98	100	NA
6	15	Lincoln	4	99	96	99	NA
9	24	Foster	4	100	98	100	NA
12	49	Markham	4	100	97	99	NA
18	26	Aiken (KO)	4	100	91	100	NA
29	29	Hoover	4	95	89	100	NA
35	55	Jefferson	4	95	95	96	NA
44	50	Washington	4	95	90	97	NA

					% scoring superior	% scoring superior	% scoring superior
2013	2012	School	Grade	Math	Reading	Writing	Science
1	7	Lincoln	3	98	100	NA	NA
18	23	Baker (USC)	3	93	93	NA	NA
24	34	Markham	3	96	90	NA	NA
32	46	Jefferson	3	98	90	NA	NA
42	40	Foster	3	92	90	NA	NA
48	47	Washington	3	94	92	NA	NA
70	42	Howe	3	93	95	NA	NA
74	109	Hoover	3	94	97	NA	NA