Mt. Lebanon continues to be defiant

Every year, our public officials and public employees are required to file a Statement of Financial Interests with the Municipality or School District, as well as with the PA Ethics Commission. Here are the Municipal Statements of Financial Interests May 2017.

According to the Guide to the PA Public Official and Employee Ethics Act,  The State defines public officials as :

Any person elected by the public or elected or appointed by a governmental body or an appointed official in the executive, legislative or judicial branch of this Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof, provided that it shall not include members of advisory boards that have no authority to expend public funds other than reimbursement for personal expense or to otherwise exercise the power of the State or any political subdivision thereof.

Former manager Steve Feller was a stickler when it came to filing SFI's. Our new manager Keith McGill, not so much. We already know that Andrew McCreery and Susan Morgans made critical errors on their SFI's. At one time, members of these boards submitted SFI's. http://mtlebanon.org/63/Agendas-Minutes What I am noticing now is the number of SFI's which are no longer filed. Missing in action include:

Mark Quealy, Mt. Lebanon Parking Enforcement Supervisor

Blaise Larotonda

Members of the Historic Preservation Board who have spent $25,000 on Virginia Manor remodeling guides, and brick road recommendations.

Sports Advisory Board, the most powerful board in the Municipality, now are MIA. Their meetings are constantly being canceled. The latest posted minutes are from January 5, 2017.

Mt. Lebanon continues to become more and more defiant. Just ask the Allegheny County Health Department concerning baiting and toxic dust emissions, Scott Township about killing in Twin Hills, PA Office of Open Records, and now the PA Ethics Commission.

I want a refund!

I am turning into a real nerd. I watched PCN last night and saw most of the PA Open Records Office forum on the PA Right to Know Law and the Sunshine Act. I found out that my buddy, former manager Steve Feller was pulling another fast one on me. Besides the crap about the dead tree next to my house which was on municipal property, besides the illegal killing of deer in Rockwood Park, Feller was charging me outrageous fees for Right To Know records.


PA Open Records Office Annual Training See 01:01:00 time stamp on Part 1

 Agency is only required to provide the record in the current medium


I always requested pdfs to be emailed to me (electronic records) to avoid charges. Mt. Lebanon records were in that medium.

That worked for a while. That is until Feller figured out how to get around:

Cannot charge for electronic records

Feller started printing out emails to redact information, re-scan, and email to me. He would charge me 25¢ per copy of just the redactions. I could never figure out why Feller couldn't just redact the information electronically. Now I understand. He was just giving me a hard time. He was violating another point:

Cannot charge for redaction 

The last RTK that I had filed, and is being appealed in Harrisburg, Feller charged me over $30 for everything - both redacted and non-redacted information at 25¢ a copy. I guess I am fortunate that Feller even responded. I understand that there were three RTK requests filed by an individual earlier in the month and was completely ignored.

I want a refund!

"“We bit off quite a bit in the past few months..."

“We bit off quite a bit in the past few months, and we're still chewing,” Brumfield said. “Now it's like we're losing a tooth.”

The 2016 Budget, killing deer, implementing a pedestrian safety plan, choosing a firm to conduct a national search for Feller's replacement, and ultimately finding a new manager is quite a mouthful, Dave. Uncomplicate your lives and call off the deer killing, Commissioners. Seriously, Commissioners, where are your priorities?

Steve Feller will start working for the nonprofit, Municipal Risk Management, Inc. Here is what Guidestar has to say about Municipal Risk Management. http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/25-1507999/municipal-risk-property-casualty-company.aspx Steve Feller is the fourth to retire. Marcia Taylor, Tom Kelley, Coleman McDonough, and now Feller have all announced their retirements under the current commission. Are the commissioners cleaning house or is staff calling it quits because of the commissioners? Or is it because of other staff members? Speaking of other staff members, come on, Susan, you're next. 

The acting manager will be Keith McGill, Municipal Planner.

Read more: Mt. Lebanon manager resigning in October to take job with nonprofit

Update August 25, 2015 9:02 PM Municipal Risk Management is in Guidestar and have filed up to date returns: http://www2.guidestar.org/ReportNonProfit.aspx?ein=25-1407783 They must have had a name change.

Steve Feller's Retirement Announcement

From: Stephen Feller [mailto:sfeller@mtlebanon.org]
Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2015 11:14 AM
To: All Employees
Subject: transition

To All Employees:

 I have informed the Mt. Lebanon Commission that I will be retiring from the Municipality.  My last day of work will be October 15, 2015.  I have taken a new position as Trust Administrator and Chief Administrative Officer of Municipal Risk Management Inc., a non-profit self-insurance pool that provides workers compensation and property and casualty insurance for local governments across Pennsylvania. 

 While I am very much looking forward to this new professional challenge, I am leaving Mt. Lebanon with mixed emotions.  I am so incredibly proud of all the great things you have done, and it has been my honor to be a part of this team the past fourteen years.  I admire the hard work you perform every day and will very much miss working with you. 

 I am committed to insuring a smooth transition for Mt. Lebanon, and I know that you will join me in this effort.  Thanks so much for your dedication and friendship.

 Steve Feller 

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.

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

A Community With Character[s] Part 2

On the Municipal side of Mt. Lebanon government, we have five commissioners, each representing their Ward.

Lame duck President is Kristen Linfante. Kristen has taken the commission to a whole new level. Once respectable, the commission meetings have become a three ring circus with Kristen at the helm. Threats to shut down the meeting, lies, and personal attacks toward constituents and their employers are just some of Kristen's signature moves. A self-proclaimed environmentalist, Kristen is in favor of artificial turf, killing all the deer, and igniting people. My all time favorite piece from her blog, Real Lebo, is an attack toward me. My Mother Taught Me Never To Lie  Kristen wrote, "There are two things that I just can't tolerate - mean people and liars." My commissioner was projecting all the way back in 2010. She will tell you that I ran against her and lost, but she still doesn't understand that she ran unopposed in the 2011 Primary. I ran against incumbent Joe DeIuliis and lost. Kristen's term ends in 2015. Not soon enough.

President Elect John "The Refiner" Bendel ran unopposed in the 2011 commission election, after his opponent pulled out of the race. I understand John is not real popular with his constituents in Ward 1 in the area of sidewalks, traffic calming, and artificial turf. John is the commission liaison to the Sports Advisory Board and went to the SAB in October and asked them how they wanted to spend the pot of gold, otherwise known as the unassigned funds. Bend It With Bendel vetted FieldTurf partner, Dr. Andrew McNitt before the June 12 turf project presentation held at Mellon Middle School. John is seeking reelection and may not be the only Ward 1 Democrat running in the 2015 Primary.

Kelly Fraasch is my adopted commissioner. Kelly is the epitome of elected officials. She listens to constituents and tries to seek common ground with critics. A hard worker, Kelly is dedicated to serving Mt. Lebanon residents in a fair and professional manner. I don't always agree with Kelly, but she does have my utmost respect. Kelly's term ends in 2015 and I hope she seeks reelection.

Steve Silverman is the commission newbie. As commissioner elect, Steve hit the ground running with the turf project, asking for a corporate sponsorship from Dick's Sporting Goods. My late husband, account executive and on the food broker advisory board for Gatorade, would have appreciated Steve's efforts to build Gatorade sales through artificially turfing a field. Steve's term ends in 2017.

Commissioner Dave Brumfield introduced the idea of turfing Mellon Middle School Field during the February 28, 2012 Joint Discussion Session. Don't ask him the definition of "fair." Not a Dave Brumfield fan. We're stuck with Dave for two more years with his term ending in 2017.

Manager Steve Feller reports to the commissioners but manages the various departments within the municipality. He is also the Open Records Officer responsible for granting or denying Right To Know Requests by taking the full 35 days, rather than five, for legal reviews every time. Screwing up the pool bid opening, the Public Safety Building, and approving the first change order for the turf project without the commission's approval are just some of his many accomplishments.

Andrew McCreery is our new director of finance. Andrew stepped up to the plate when I asked a member of the PIO for her assistance (and was ignored) with the 102 year old resident who was being recognized. However, Moody's did downgrade our rating since he took over.

Tom Kelley is retiring soon. Tom kept Rockwood Park in great shape and declared a cease fire in Rockwood Park after many phone calls to him. I will never forget that.

Susan Morgans is the town diva. As our Public Information Officer, editor of mtl Magazine and Community Relations Board staff liaison, Susan has a unique perspective on our fine community. A 1965 Lebo graduate, Susan Fleming Stroyd Morgans feels that she owns this town. Her biggest fans, Laura Pace Lilley and Merle Jantz, report to Susan. Hide your recorders when you see Susan.

Keith McGill, our municipal planner, has been involved with the Zamagias fiasco since Day 1. Keith informed the Planning Board about the turf project, saying that there is no need for their input. According to Marcia Taylor, Keith and Steve Feller have lunch with Marcia monthly. It is nice that they keep in touch.

Gateway Engineers' Dan Deiseroth is our municipal engineer. Dan is a financial supporter of the toxic turf project and bills Mt. Lebanon for his work on the project. It's a great gig. No conflict of interest there. 

David Donnellan is our director of recreation. A dedicated employee, David built the climbing wall at the swimming pool. Concerned with loss of revenue, David wanted to keep the golf course open during the archery hunt. David also rushed the swimming pool construction in order to open on Fathers Day. A non-voting member of the Sports Advisory Board and member of the super secret Turf Project Task Force, David was instrumental in making the toxic turf project a reality.

Mt. Lebanon Police Chief Coleman McDonough took charge of the now suspended archery program. I have a lot of respect for Coleman, but question his judgment to keep the golf course open during the hunt.

Nick Sohyda is the chief of our award winning fire department. A great guy.

Eric Milliron is Mt. Lebanon's Economic Development Officer and manager of the Commercial Districts Office. There's no drama with Eric, one of Mt. Lebanon's greatest assets. 

Phil Weis is the Municipality's solicitor. I like Phil, but he has to do what he has to do. 

Marcia Taylor retired from the Municipality earlier in 2013 as assistant manager and finance director. Marcia ruled with an iron fist. Talk to her about police pensions.

The puppet masters behind this cast of characters are the following:

Barbara Logan, master gardener and former commissioner, wants deer dead in the worst way. She donated to Kristen Linfante's political campaign.

It is said that Carolyn Byham, another gardener, former commissioner and deer hater, is willing to pay for an entire deer cull. The commission should talk to her about funding the $68,000 dedicated to deer management for 2015.

Dave Franklin is legen (wait for it) dary. He likes to let everyone know that he is an attorney every chance he can. Dave's legal opinion on the safety of synthetic turf and the EPA is documented here on Lebo Citizens. Dave's dedication to the turf project fundraising is full time. Dave is a part time member of the Parks Advisory Board, but full time Parks Advisory Board Liaison to the Sports Advisory Board. He is a non-voting member of the SAB, but through his super secret Turf Project Task Force and being married to a voting SAB member, Dave gets the job done.

David Reese, one of the trolls here on Lebo Citizens, wrote a letter to the editor of the PG on 09.01.11 explaining that he is not tax averse and wants to pay higher taxes. You should have a conversation about that at your next family gathering, Dave. 

What can I say about the member of the super secret Turf Project Task Force, Chip Dalesandro, who came to my door unannounced? Not much.

He Who Shall Not Be Named - see above.

I hope this Municipality Who's Who guide is helpful. I may have inadvertently left out someone, so this list may be updated. Since 2015 will be a year of change with elections for five seats for school board directors and three seats for commission, I am optimistic that the majority of our local government will be a positive change in direction for Mt. Lebanon.

Happy New Year.

Another chapter of the McGill and Feller Follies UPDATED

It's that time of year to write about the Zamagias property on the corner of Bower Hill and Washington Roads. I believe this project has been on the books for almost twenty years. We can't blame the current commissioners entirely. However the two individuals who have been involved from the beginning are Municipal Manager Steve Feller and Municipal Planner Keith McGill.

As Commissioner Fraasch has written on her blog post, Bower Hill/Washington Road Part II, the Commissioners will vote on December 9 to either extend the agreement for the ninth time with Zamagias or exercise their right to buy back the property. It only takes three votes to end this nonsense. I can't be sure, but I would think that Brumfield and Company would vote to extend the agreement for another year. They need all their unassigned funds for athletics. Much more money will be needed to complete the turf project at Brum Field.

Here are links to all the articles I have written about this topic.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

This is disgusting!

Friday, September 21, 2012

Letter to the Editor: The Importance of Being Earnest UPDATED 2x

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Informational Meeting about Zamagias Property

Monday, October 29, 2012

Zamagias meeting still on for tomorrow

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Tonight's Zamagias Property meeting

Thursday, November 1, 2012

It's not a loan. It's a grant.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Upper St. Clair doesn't fool around

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Maybe moving to Dormont is a good idea

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Comments on comments?

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Don't try this at home UPDATED

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Another TIF in our future? UPDATED

Update December 5, 2014 3:47 PM As I predicted. From the December 9, 2014 Agenda:

DB (Dave Brumfield)  20. Consideration of an Eighth Amendment to the Agreement of Sale with Michael G. Zamagias Interests.

This amendment would extend Section 23.7 of the purchase agreement pertaining to“repurchase.” 

Recommended Action: Move to approve the Eighth Amendment to extend theprovision until December 31, 2015.

Brilliant MTL Commissioners and the Voters Violate State Law UPDATED

Mt. Lebanon residents vote to allow legal notices outside newspapers

Only 30% of us voted NO. The remaining 70% voted to permit Mt. Lebanon to use its own media for public notices. According to the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, Mt. Lebanon Media is not a reputable source since it does not meet the legal requirements. Karma's a b!tch, isn't it?

“This policy is inconsistent with both the Home Rule Charter and the Newspaper Advertising Act, which governs public notice advertising statewide,” said PNA attorney Melissa Melewsky, “because the Home Rule Charter... prohibits municipalities from exercising powers contrary to, or in limitation or enlargement of, powers granted by statutes which are applicable in every part of the Commonwealth.”

“Publishing in their own electronic distribution or in the municipal building does not meet the legal requirements. It has no legal effect. It has to appear in a paper in general circulation per the Newspaper Advertising Act,” she said.
Melewsky also said the Newspaper Advertising Act is the statute that supersedes the change to home rule charter.

It cost Mt. Lebanon residents to put this on the ballot. How much is it going to cost us, when it goes to court?  Maybe Feller and Gateway will find an answer to that too.

Read this op-ed. Mt. Lebanon charter change bad news I am really lovin' The Almanac.

And in the Post-Gazette Mt. Lebanon referendum would allow non-newspaper legal advertising

Update November 13, 2014 10:59 PM General Election 2014 Recap

Kristen Linfante, you should be so lucky UPDATED

I'm blessed. I met and married my soulmate, have fantastic kids and grandkids, and was raised by the coolest parents. I live within my means and am still able to do what I love to do. I have a wonderful life. But according to my latest Right To Know, Kristen Linfante makes it a point to say that I have a miserable life. Wow. All this because of my September 15, 2014 request of a copy of this year's Brewfest poster in a different electronic format.

What follows is remarkable. The time and energy wasted between our public information officer and our commission president slicing and dicing me in their email exchanges, could have been spent more productively by taking the ten or twenty seconds to convert the file. What I don't understand is this. If I went to the website that Susan Morgans suggested to Commissioner Fraasch, couldn't I convert the poster into a different format and say that "Brewfest is called off" anyway? And why would I even want to do that? Fortunately, Kelly Fraasch's husband helped me, by doing a "save as" and saved the file in a different format, which took a whopping twenty seconds or so. I'm embarrassed that I didn't know to do that. What is worse is that our public information officer didn't either.

During Citizen Comments at the September 23, 2014 Commission Meeting, Steve Feller said that if I am not receiving information from the Public Information Office, to contact him. So I did and heard back nothing from him, and still nothing from the public information office. Wanting to know if Manager Feller followed up on his end, I filed a Right To Know on October 5, 2014. (Spoiler alert. He did nothing.) Here is the October 5, 2014 Right To Know that Steve Feller sent to me on November 6, 2014, which was due to a 30 day extension to do a "legal review" of my request.

Susan Morgans, like it or not, you are being paid (and very well, by the way) to field inquiries from the public. Please visit the Public Information Office webpage. You also handle media relations. Since you are a board member of the Press Club of Western PA, you must be aware that there is a category called "Continuing Blog/Online" for the Golden Quill Awards. (See page 14.) The Press Club of Western PA treats bloggers as media. In fact, as a member of the Press Club of Western PA, I had several submissions for the Continuing Blog/Online category. Did I ever have a chance of being considered with you on the judging panel? Yes, Kristen Linfante, I may have been "delusional," but I gave it a shot. How do you know, if you don't try, Kristen? I don't like to go through life saying that I would've, could've, should've.

Ms. Morgans, with the dozens of blogs in Mt. Lebanon, how many others pestered you about BrewFest? Ironically, you also serve on the Community Relations Board. Fostering a sense of community is not one of your strengths, especially with the ethnic slurs for which you were forced to apologize. Unfortunately, with Bottom Dollar closing, where "Friends will avoid you because they’ll think you’ll think they’re poor or cheap or both (and you’ll be thinking the same thing.)" you will be bogged down in chitchat in other grocery stores where fostering a sense of community is part of the shopping experience. By the way, Susan, I wonder if your mandatory apology is noted in your personnel file. Or the two incidents where you "accidentally" sat on my recorder. I hope your boss didn't drop the ball on that, as well.

I still maintain that when I die, I want to be reincarnated as a Mt. Lebanon Public Information Officer. I would be well compensated and be permitted to have a bad attitude toward residents and volunteers, at the same time write about my curly hair and other useless information. The commission president would have my back and would make personal attacks about a resident's "lonely and pathetic life," and "miserable life" in my behalf. Fortunately, we have one more month of her presidency. Thanks to our narcissistic commission president and public information officer, as well as an inept municipal manager, Mt. Lebanon has reached an all-time low.

Update November 9, 2014 6:51 AM Looking through the Lebo Citizens Spam Folder, I came across the lonely and pathetic life comment. You tell me who wrote these two unapproved comments.

Update November 10, 2014 7:14 AM Another Linfante classic.

Mt. Lebanon Parents Raise Health Concerns About Synthetic Turf

Finally! A Turf Project Update from Mt. Lebanon

During Citizen Comments at the September 9, 2014 Commission meeting, I expressed my frustrations over the lack of transparency with the Turf Project Field Enhancement Project. I have had to ask repeatedly for non-municipal funds updates, file Right To Knows, and hear too many times, that the municipality is hoping to receive the NPDES permit soon. I ended up filing a RTK with a government agency outside of Mt. Lebanon, in order to get answers. I learned that a letter was sent to Recreation Director, David Donnellan highlighting six deficiencies with Mt. Lebanon's NPDES permit application. At the commission meeting, Manager Steve Feller agreed to publishing that letter along with Mt. Lebanon's response to the Allegheny County Conservation District on Mt. Lebanon's website, along with a hard copy for my records. Here is Gateway's response.* Copies were also sent to Representative Dan Miller and Senator Matt Smith. Thank you, Steve.

*Large document

Update from Steve Feller

Good morning Elaine:

1) The status on the non-municipal funds is:

• The Municipality has received a check for $92,000 and a check for $5,000 totaling $97,000
• Mr Franklin has indicated that today by 2 pm we will have additional funds totaling $93,466 bringing the total to $190,466
• Mr Franklin also states that a check in the amount of $50,000 will be delivered prior to the meeting bringing the total to $240,466
• Finally, Mr. Franklin states that the Community Endowment has funds in their possession totaling $15,267 that will be delivered to the municipality by the end of the week bringing the total over $255,000  

2) Concerning the NPDSS permit, we have responded to the Conservation District's comments and expect to receive a permit by the end of the week.
3) Concerning the review of documents, the Solicitor has the right to review all documents up until the point that they are signed.
4) The draft document with the School District is attached. It has been reviewed by the School Solicitor and Supt. but has not yet been presented to the full Board.
5) We received the MSDS and related information from the low bidder
6) As Commissioner Fraasch indicated in her email to you, last night Dr. Johnson sent the Commissioners comments on this matter.

Steve Feller

Missing Documents to my RTK are here

In my post "Leboleaks" Funding, I had written:

Dave Franklin wrote to Audrey (MLCE) about a proposed Project Fund Agreement. This agreement is one of the missing documents from my RTK. I copied the Office of Open Records (OOR) appeals officer, as instructed, when I sent my long list of missing documents to Steve Feller.

This afternoon, Steve Feller emailed an additional 178 pages to my original Right To Know request of January 24, 2014, along with a cover letter.

I have decided to share a link to the entire file here since there is so much stuff going on in Mt. Lebanon, at the moment.

                                                                     Source: Leboturf.blogspot.com

Big enough for its own post UPDATED

Even though I had this on my seventh update in the previous post, Mother of All RTKs UPDATED, I believe this deserves its own post.

Bendel's original email

Donnellan's response

Mt. Lebanon has hired a grant and revenue consultant as listed on page 22 of the 2014 Municipal Budget. Why is Commissioner Bendel active with non-municipal fundraising, when he should be protecting municipal funds? I will be transferring comments about this from the previous thread, to keep them all together.

Update March 4, 2014 8:59 AM Why are the Municipal grant writer and Municipal engineer involved with non-municipal fundraising? Sports Advisory Board January 9, 2014 meeting minutes (And there it is in writing, $4000 from Gateway Engineers.) I also received the Turf Project Task Force Agenda, which was missing from my RTK. Here is what Steve Feller sent to me, after I brought it to his attention. In addition, I asked for the presentations. Here is Steve's response.

Hi Elaine: Attached is a copy of the agenda.  I am told that the vendors did not supply written presentations (power point or other written format.)  Steve Feller

A new twist in transparency here in the bubble

On January 24, 2014, I filed a Right To Know asking for "All communication to and/or from Commissioners concerning artificial turf from November 1, 2013 to January 24, 2014."

I chose November 1, thinking there would be some history leading up to the November 25, 2013 meeting when I posted It's been fun, but I am done.  Little did I know just how much history was out there! Here is the response that I received from Manager Steve Feller.

I would LOVE to narrow my request, because I don't have $750 or so for this Right To Know! What do I eliminate? Kristen Linfante lied about how the Environmental Sustainability Board is behind artificial turf. John Bendel's Mt. Lebanon Field Enhancement Proposal was never publicized.  The commissioners wouldn't honor Kelly Fraasch's request to add the word Eco-Friendly to the proposal. Dave Brumfield wasn't comfortable with all public Boards and Authority meetings being recorded as mentioned during the January 27, 2014 Discussion Session. Commissioners designated unassigned funds to turf Middle and Wildcat Fields and will designate more this year to turf our best field in the Municipality, claiming it is all about curb appeal. Sports Advisory Board members suddenly went silent here on Lebo Citizens. No mention of the EPA's findings concerning artificial turf. "Whoa," says the EPA.  Creating an über Sports Advisory Board Task Force. For all these reasons, I decided to go for the whole enchilada.

Is this a new tactic in transparency? All they have to say is, "There are 1500 emails. Do you want to pay a gazillion dollars?" This is all within their rights. It is all legal. I do understand that there is quite a bit of work involved.  

In the four years that I have had lebocitizens.com and starting my fourth year for this blog, I have spent hundreds of dollars demanding transparency from our local governments through maintaining my website and for filing Right To Knows. I am asking for your help to pay for this Right To Know request. Please make a contribution this one time. Contact information is located in the sidebar. Don't let them scare us off. Expose the commission for what they really are. I would greatly appreciate it. 

2013 in Review

I would like to keep this post brief, but I thought it would be fun to include some highlights from 2013.

Steve Feller sent out these 2013 Municipal Departmental Highlights.

Tim Steinhauer issued these 2013 MTLSD Highlights.

What I would like to share are my Top Ten Most Popular Posts.

Parent offended by article in The Devil's Advocate... October 22, 2013
Another MTL high school teacher facing charges UPD... March 7, 2013
Thoughts about the latest five year forecast September 21, 2011
Those "math professionals" can't do math UPDATED 6... January 21, 2013
New street signs in Mt. Lebanon UPDATED 2X  November 13, 2013
Where is President Posti’s Integrity? (updated six... August 21, 2011
Vote against bullying UPDATED October 27, 2013
Anything on your mind? December 26, 2012
Yes, let's get the record straight. UPDATED December 25, 2013
Son of a bitch! November 22, 2013

Thanks for a great year. I couldn't have done it without the help of Lebo Citizens readers keeping their ears to the ground. Here's to 2014!

Extensive Flood Damage vs. Turfing a Field UPDATED

I asked Gateway Engineers' Dan Deiseroth and Manager Steve Feller for a list of streets affected by the July 9-10 flooding. Here is the information I requested. Thanks to both gentlemen!

On Fri, Aug 9, 2013 at 11:26 AM, Daniel S. Deiseroth <ddeiseroth@gatewayengineers.com> wrote:

Steve,

As requested, below is the list of streets (Ward) affected by the July flooding.

Altoona Place (5)

Anawanda Avenue (4)

Arden Lane (1)

Austin Avenue (5)

Beverly Road (1)

Beverly Road (1)

Castle Shannon Boulevard (3) (4)

Cedar Boulevard (2) (5)

Chalmers Place (5)

Colony Circle (1)

Edward Avenue (1)

Eisenhower Drive (3)

Ella Street (5)

Elm Spring Road (1)

Forest Glen Drive (2)

Hazel Drive (3) (4)

Hoodridge Drive (3)

Iroquois Drive (2)

Jefferson Drive (3)

Larchmont Road (1)

Lebanon Hills Drive (3)

Lindendale Drive (5)

Lovingston Drive (4)

Lynn Haven Drive (3)

Mabrick Avenue (5)

Mapleton Drive (5)

Maplewood Drive (2)

Marlin Drive West (1)

McFarland Road (1) (5)

McMonagle Avenue (1)

McNeilly Road (4)

Mohawk Drive (2)

Moreland Drive (2)

Newburn Drive (1)

Old Gilkeson Road (3)

Orchard Drive (3)

Ordale Drive (2) (3)

Park Entrance Drive (3)

Piper Drive (3)

Rawley Drive (2)

Rock Haven Lane (3)

Rosewood Drive ????

Roycroft Avenue (3)

Sandrae Drive (2)

Scott Road (4)

Scrubgrass Road (1)

Seneca Drive (2)

Shadowlawn Avenue (1)

Valley Park Drive (4)

Wainwright Drive (3)

White Oak Circle (3)

Woodhaven Drive (2)

Let me know if you need anything else.

Daniel S. Deiseroth, P.E.

I have asked my neighbor to get in touch with Public Works and report their constant flooding. 911 was called that day, so there may be more streets than what was reported by Gateway. The municipality should do a cross check with the 911 calls related to flooding.

I hope this is a wake up call for the commissioners. We have real infrastructure problems and they ain't ball fields!

Update August 9, 2013 5:55 PM I added the wards as requested. The commissioners and their wards are listed as follows:

Ward 1 John Bendel
Ward 2 Matt Kluck
Ward 3 Kristen Linfante
Ward 4 David Brumfield
Ward 5 Kelly Fraasch

My list included Sleepy Hollow, Coolidge, Vallevista, Sleepy Hollow, Youngwood, Wainwright, Woodland, Forest Glen, Moreland, Castle Shannon, Woodhaven,...

How Twin Hills Park will be used is up in the air

In today's PG, freelance writer Carole Gilbert Brown reports in her article, How Twin Hills Park will be used is up in the air that the agreement for Twin Hills was never executed. 

In an April 21 post on the Lebo Citizens blog (www.lebocitizens.blogspot.com), Mt. Lebanon solicitor Philip Weis explained to a resident who had contacted him that the township was in the process of determining what Scott's park rules are and whether they would apply to Mt. Lebanon.

Scott has its own work cut out for itself, after it was discovered recently that a maintenance and police/fire protection agreement drafted in August 1994 for Twin Hills had not been executed, even though the planning commission and its commissioners had approved the land's purchase.

"It just fell through the cracks," surmised board president Tom Castello, who was not a commissioner when the sales agreement was made.

Scott officials are checking to see how their ordinance differs from Mt. Lebanon's.  A 1971 Scott ordinance does not allow dogs in its parks. The agenda for the original purchase is here.  The meeting minutes can be found here.

Do we ever think things through when it comes to the high school construction?

This one is a heartbreaker. Due to the high school renovation, tonight's fireworks are to be shot off from the Mt. Lebanon Cemetery. The cemetery is closed to mourners. One woman lost her husband six years ago and couldn't visit his grave to celebrate his favorite holiday like she usually did.

“It’s wrong. It’s just wrong,” said Stefanie Hertz, who was one of several residents angered by the choice of location.

Residents argued the township could have chosen somewhere else to shoot off the fireworks.

“It's disrespectful. You don't plan a celebration around people who've just passed, that obviously are missed,” said Hertz.

Mt. Lebanon's municipal manager did not return a call requesting comment.

Township's decision to shoot off fireworks from cemetery upsets residents

WTAE story on YouTube