"Sharpshooting" 2018

I watched enough of last night's commission meeting to know that I had to file a Right To know for the proposal and contract between White Buffalo and Mt. Lebanon.

Kelly Fraasch made a point to voice her opinion about the cost of this program. Not only is she against the "sharpshooting" program in general, she thought the cost of $771.10 per deer for up to 100 deer was outrageous. When the commissioners first came up with the idea that we had too many deer in Mt. Lebanon, the cost was estimated to be around $250 per deer.

The vote was 3 to 1 in favor of continuing the deer killing program. Dave Brumfield checked with Steve McLean and Craig Grella before he voted yes. Steve "Fiscally Responsible" McLean supported it. We're still waiting for Craig's decision to be published.

Manager's numbers are out of whack!

Keith McGill sent this table to the commission, the assistant manager, and the person who requested this information at the last commission meeting. I don't know where Keith got some of these numbers, but his records are not accurate.

Good afternoon,

At the meeting on Monday night there was a request to identify the number of deer removed since we put a deer management program in place and the associated cost. Here is what my records indicate:

Year	Deer Removed	Cost of Removal
2007	79	$19,900  (USDA)
2008	146	$50,837 (USDA)
2015	6	$3,000  (Wildlife Specialists)
2016	101	$15,460 (White Buffalo -Archery)
2016	114	$74,375 (White Buffalo –Sharpshooting)
2017	36	$9,000 (White Buffalo- Archery)
2017	55	$44,868 (White Buffalo -Sharpshooting)
Total	537	$217,440

Keith


There were 69 deer killed in 2007. The permit was for up to 75. http://mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/8876

In 2008, USDA killed 146 deer, but only knew about 145 deer. The 146th was found dead, in a pool of blood, in someone's front yard on Lindendale. The permit was for up to 150 deer.

The 2016 Archers killed 104 deer. http://www.mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/View/13897 Goal was 100.

The 2016 "Sharpshooting" program killed 115 deer. We were told that the limit would be 150 deer.

The 2017 "Sharpshooting" contract was limited to 100 deer. 55 deer were killed.

The only time hunters reached their goal was in 2016. The goal was 100 deer. All the other years, hunters came in short of their goals. I have no idea where Keith is getting his numbers, but these are the numbers I found on the municipal website.

To take this a step further, the cost of killing per deer per year breaks down to:

2007 $288.41 per deer
2008 $348.20 per deer
2015 $500 per deer
2016 (archery) $147.24 per deer
2016 ("sharpshooting") $652.41 per deer
2017 (archery) $250 per deer
2017 ("sharpshooting") $815.78 per deer

Both Steve Silverman and Craig Grella want to continue doing business with that scoundrel, and will vote along with John Bendel and Steve McLean to keep Tony DeNicola. Killing deer causes collisions to increase, but they will continue to bring in lethal weapons because deer are scary.

Bait

Bait...that four letter word that appears on Tony DeNicola's invoice for "sharpshooting" deer. No description. No quantity. Just...Bait $524.30.

Eleven days ago, my email exchange with Commissioner Steve McLean came to a halt. It might be because I wanted answers to the tough questions. I had originally emailed the entire commission on February 21, 2017, and Steve McLean had finally replied with some answers on March 10, 2017.

We may never learn the whole story about the time when Mt. Lebanon was taken to the cleaners by Tony DeNicola. Certainly, the commissioners don't want to know how or why we were charged over $800 per deer!

Another done deal

There is a public hearing at MONDAY's commission meeting on the budget and proposed tax increase.  But on the same agenda, Mr. Fiscally Responsible Republican Commissioner will be introducing Bill 8-16, fixing the tax rate to 4.76 mills. It is currently 4.51 mills.

Please explain why the commissioners are going through the motions to have a public hearing when they are introducing ordinances to raise the millage. Another dog and pony show. While Mr. Fiscally Responsible McLean ran to kill deer, he also ran to be fiscally responsible and not raise taxes. Why do you uphold the first part of your platform, but not the second, Steve? Both are proof that you are NOT fiscally responsible.

Think about that, when you listen to the charlatan pitch his sharpshooting plan during your commission discussion session on Monday night. He gets thirty minutes to discuss it, Steve.

Maybe the commission will consider hitting up the Virginia Manor residents for the next round of deer killing. Another option is to consider recruiting Mt. Lebanon's finest ladies and the three page poster child in this month's mtl Magazine to raise the funds.

None of the other honorees were fine enough for the photo

What an idiot

Do you ever have so much to write about something that you don't know where to begin? If not, you're lucky. It is very frustrating. I am at that point with the PG's latest article Mt. Lebanon elections could mark critical juncture for municipality's deer debate. I'm particularly frustrated with John Hayes, Susan Morgans, and the Ward 3 candidates on the ballot.

First, please understand that it isn't a case of sour grapes. A press release was sent out announcing my write-in campaign. No mention of my write-in campaign. It's not that. I guess it starts with Andy Reinhart. He had said to me, when we met in Dunkin Donuts for coffee, that he was an avid reader of this blog. That is how he stayed informed about Mt. Lebanon. He also told me that he was anti-kill. It is odd that 1) Reinhart wouldn't subscribe to the blog when it went private, and 2) he told everyone else that he was pro-kill. Hayes missed Andy's page on deer "management"as pointed out by a submitted comment. However, Reinhart's website is ambiguous. I had told Andy back in the spring that he had my vote because McLean is an idiot. When I found out that I was lied to, I launched my ill-fated write-in campaign.

Second, where do I begin with Susan Morgans? Words like "rancorous" and "tempers have cooled" are over the top. "Acts [of] sabotage" is not what made national news, Susan. It was the cruel act of corralling those poor, six deer which took eleven shots to kill three of them.

Then there is Steve McLean. His quotes are insulting.

“I’ve been going door to door in my district,” Mr. McLean said. “About 10 percent of people bring up [lethal control of] deer. It’s a loud minority. I appreciate their passion, but I’m concerned about the conduct they have displayed.” 

His website touts his support for, “effective and responsible deer management with bow [hunting] and sharpshooter.” 

“It’s responsible and effective,” he said. “It has been done in the past in Mt. Lebanon — I’m not sure why they stopped it — and other communities do it.”

What an idiot. He is concerned about "the conduct they have displayed." Nothing like insulting voters, Steve. He is also for fiscal restraint and public safety, yet isn't sure why the killing stopped in the past. What an idiot. Back in 2006-2008, "sharpshooters" were killing close to schools, not counting bullets, lied to police, and were too costly. In 2008, allegedly about 200 had signed up for shooting in their yards but were denied because of their locations in our densely populated community. The yards were too small and were not suitable. "Other communities do it" is the dumbest reason yet. Where were you when we were discussing density, Steve?

I hope to stand tall tomorrow at Foster School with these idiots. I'm disappointed with all the candidates in Wards 1 and 3. November 3, 2015 will be a dark day for Mt. Lebanon.

Commission candidates on deer UPDATE from police chief

In Ward 1, John Bendel (D) pro-kill
                  Dan McNichol (R) Vote McNichol - Deer Management pro-kill

In Ward 3, Steve McLean (R) Email from Steve McLean pro-kill
                  Andy Reinhart (D) Email from Andy Reinhart AndyReinhart.com Mt. Lebanon Deer Management Issues 

In Ward 5, Kelly Fraasch (D) anti-kill
                  William Hoon (R) anti-kill

In an email exchange I had with Andy Reinhart this morning, it is not clear to me what his position is on deer management.

Update October 15, 2015 1:35 AM I have heard that while deer don't bother Andy Reinhart personally, as a commissioner he would vote for sharpshooting. He doesn't think it poses a safety problem. If that is true, then I am seriously considering a write-in campaign. Is it an omen that I just looked outside my dining room window and saw the most beautiful buck crossing the street?

From 2011:

#Throwback Thursday

Update October 15, 2015 9:10 AM I am going for it! I announced it on my website, www.lebocitizens.com Write-in campaigns are rarely successful, so I need everyone's help. Spread the word to your Ward 3 friends and relatives. This is the much needed third vote for the sharpshooting program to fail in January.

Update October 15, 2015 5:01 PM Remember the fawn with the arrow stuck in it on Segar Road?
This is what happens when our commissioners turn Mt. Lebanon into hunting grounds.

Meet the Candidates

On Tuesday, May 19, 2015, registered Republicans and Democrats will have the opportunity to choose up to five School Board Directors. Additionally, those voters in Wards 1, 3, and 5 will be voting for their candidates to serve as Mt. Lebanon commissioners. Four years ago, Mt. Lebanon voters had more options, with several candidates running for the same seat. The League of Women Voters held a Candidates Forum, prior to the May Primary in 2011, which gave voters an opportunity  to learn more about those running for office. For this Primary, registered R's and D's must rely on social media.

The race for School Board Directors includes six candidates for five seats. Those running for School Board have the opportunity to cross file.

Running on both tickets are:

Incumbent Elaine Cappucci
Incumbent Larry Lebowitz
Incumbent Bill Cooper
Hugh Beal
Sarah Olbrich
http://www.leboed.com/

Running on the Republican ticket only:

Matt Kluck
No website for Matt Kluck

For the Commission:

In Ward 1,

Incumbent John Bendel (D)
http://www.votebendel.com/

Dan McNichol (R)
http://votemcnichol.com/

In Ward 3,

Andy Reinhart (D)
http://www.andyreinhart.com/

Steve McLean (R)
No website for Steve McLean

In Ward 5,

Kelly Fraasch (D)
http://www.kellyfraasch.com/

William Hoon (R)
No website for William Hoon

If voters are dissatisfied with the actions of our School Board, this Primary gives registered R's and D's a chance to vote out one incumbent. The General Election in November will give all registered voters an opportunity for change in leadership (the majority) within our Municipality.