Planning Board says no to rewording the sign ordinance

At the Commission Discussion meeting last night, the Planning Board let the Commissioners know that they were not supporting their decision of changing the wording of the sign ordinance for the Save Our School signs that are "all over the neighborhoods." By changing the ordinance, it would be inviting and encouraging more signs and hate speech.  It was explained that while everyone is in favor of free speech, no one wants to limit free speech.  The harm that would be done by that exercise could outweigh the right.  It would be like yelling fire in a crowded theater, when there is no fire.  It would cause injury.  Another example given was, "My religion is right and your religion is wrong." Listen to the podcast at Commission discussion, part 1 on 3/28/11.  The Planning Board saw no reason to change the ordinance for the SOS signs.  Thank you, Planning Board, for taking a stand.
What a waste of everyone's time.  The groundbreaking ceremony is April 28.

Laugh of the Day

Mt. Lebanon School District has published their draft of the Bullying Policy on the District website for Monday's meeting, February 14, 2011.
  Bullying Policy

Background

The Mt. Lebanon School District’s goal is to establish a secure school climate, conducive to teaching and student learning that is free from threat, harassment, and any type of bullying behavior. One of the District's core values calls for each member of our learning community to demonstrate respect toward others.

Bullying includes, but is not limited to, physical intimidation or assault; extortion; oral or written threats; malicious teasing, putdowns, social isolation or name calling; threatening looks, gestures, or actions; cruel rumors; and false accusations, including any of the foregoing via electronic communications such as the internet, email, text messaging, or other methods. 

Mt. Lebanon School District has published their draft of their Unlawful Harassment Policy on the District website for Monday's meeting, February 14, 2011.
  Unlawful Harassment Policy

The District also condemns and prohibits any retaliatory behavior against any complainants, witnesses or persons who participate in the investigation of a report or complaint of harassment.

So why is this the Laugh of the Day?   Read my previous posts about the SOS signs and our School Board Directors.  Granted, waking up to an SOS sign outside my window was not on school property, but this is leading by example?  What?  You say it could be kids?  Just yesterday, I posted that there were no SOS signs on my street.  I complained about the signs on Wednesday.  Why wasn't it kids when complaints were filed in the Fall due to missing VOICE signs, if that even happened?  Why were adults suspected of removing the signs then, but now, it could just be kids?

The VOICE website has this as their headline:
The High School Renovation Project Is Finally a Done Deal!

If it is a done deal, then why are we still being bullied and harassed?