OMG, she's retiring in March!!!

What's in a slogan? Exploring the mysterious mottos of 5 Pittsburgh-area communities

A Community with Character

Mt. Lebanon, Allegheny County

In 2001, Mt. Lebanon leaders created a 17-minute video to promote the community and its school district. The video needed a title, and “A Community with Character” fit the bill.

“I honestly — I just made that up,” said Susan Fleming Morgans, the municipality’s public information officer. “I’m sure nowadays things wouldn’t be so informal. I’m sure it would now be a six-month long project. You’d have to involve the whole staff and all the elected officials.”

Despite the informality, the name stuck.

“It seemed to me we have a lot of character among the people in our community … who volunteer their time to make it a better place to live,” Morgans said.

Several factors led to Morgans’ idea for the phrase. First, the district’s elementary schools had recently launched a character education program. Second, the community had formed its first historic preservation board, aimed at taking pride in the area’s various housing styles from bungalows to Tudors.

It’s also a neutral slogan that can be infused with many meanings.

Maybe a resident likes the town’s sidewalks, welcoming neighbors, dog-friendly vibe, or nature — “maybe that’s something you think gives our community character; you can take from it what you will,” Morgans said.

The phrase is used on marketing materials, such as the community’s website, paperwork for new residents, and magazines.

“What does character mean? It means something different to everybody, but it’s always good,” Morgans said. “I’m retiring in March, so maybe that will be my legacy: Mt. Lebanon, a community with character.”

Black History Month and Community Relations Board 2001

So much has changed since the PG published this article sixteen years ago. Black History Month: Mt. Lebanon's past of not selling homes to minorities is highlighted by Muhammad Ali's effort to buy in Virginia Manor

• Laura Pace has a different last name, is now Senior Editor/Online Editor for mtl Magazine, and has fifteen minute workdays.
• Susan Fleming Stroyd has a different last name, and approves Laura's fifteen minute workdays.
• Mt. Lebanon's population in 1970 was 39,356, down 6,000 in 2001, and seems to be flat at 33,477 in 2010.
• "Mt. Lebanon often wears a polished veneer, but even municipal officials do not pretend the environment is perfect." In 2017, municipal officials pretend the environment is perfect. However, the Community Relations Board (CRB) with Susan Morgans as staff liaison, is continuing its diversity efforts from 2001 with Unity Programs in 2017.
• "We really make a special attempt to get more people of color in the magazine," said Susan Fleming Stroyd, editor-in-chief of Mt. Lebanon Magazine. Like this, Susan? to market, to market, to buy a...
• The 2001 article boasts that CRB members were proud of Mt. Lebanon's acceptance of Sanders consent decree homes. Now retired Federal Court Judge Gustave Diamond issued a court order for six Sanders Task Force homes in Mt. Lebanon in 1998, a temporary program to be reevaluated in ten years, and was never reevaluated. At one time, there were eleven Mt. Lebanon tax exempt homes owned by the Allegheny County Housing Authority. I believe there are seven tax exempt Sanders homes remaining, two within 200 feet of Rockwood Park. 
• The CRB held a May 6, 2001 Walk to Celebrate Diversity that included a 2-mile stroll with a theme of "You Belong Here." Now, we're told that if you don't like it here, move.
• "As long as you keep on plugging away, there is going to be some change. I believe in accentuating the positive and it will eventually make its way into the minds of the people." - February 21, 2001

Where else but Mt. Lebanon? UPDATED 5 X

Where else does one get paid to promote one's self? Susan Flemings Stroyd Morgans does and is compensated quite well, in both salary and benefits, for doing it.

Remember this post? "Come and mingle with some of Mt. Lebanon's finest ladies" Sure you do. It was one of my most read posts this year. We know that Susan Morgans read it because she shared some "words of wisdom" for me, "anonymously" of course.

This morning, this LeboALERT was in my email.

From: LeboALERT <noreply@mtlebanon.org>To: EGillen476 <EGillen476@aol.com>Sent: Tue, Oct 11, 2016 9:31 amSubject: LeboALERT: Pa.'s Commission for...
This is an important notice from LeboALERT.

Pa.'s Commission for Women to honor five Mt. Lebanon ladies, Oct. 22. Muni Bldg., 8:30 a.m. $25 donation. RSVP, info: mtlwomenrecognition2016@gmail.com. 

This is on top of what I read on Facebook:

Here is the problem. Besides Susan Morgans or Susan Fleming Morgans, whichever name she decides to use, constantly self-promoting in mtl Magazine, whether it is her winery tours where she writes that all the bottles of wine (except one) were consumed before returning home, her hair, her shopping preferences, her cut-through tips, is now using MTL social media to promote an event that is charging an admission to an event in the Municipal Building. That is a huge no-no.

"Renters shall not charge an admission fee for events held in the public meeting
rooms and shall not sell products or services for private profit or gain."

It is not a donation of $25, as the LeboALERT advertises. The cost is $20 for a continental breakfast plus a suggested donation of $5.00.  Read the fine print.

The word "donation" is definitely used loosely in Mt. Lebanon. It covers up a lot of sins.

Update October 12, 2016 3:45 PM If anyone wants to attend this event, it is free, according to Keith McGill.

From: Keith Mcgill [mailto:kmcgill@mtlebanon.org]  

Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2016 2:12 PM

To: Nicholas Meduho, Jr. Cc: Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; Philip Weis <pweis@mtlebanon.org>Subject: Re: LeboALERT: Pa.'s Commission for...Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2016 2:12 PMTo: Nicholas Meduho, Jr. Cc: Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; Philip Weis <pweis@mtlebanon.org>Subject: Re: LeboALERT: Pa.'s Commission for...
Mr. Meduho,
If you wish to attend the event and arrive at 9:00 for the program you may do so free of charge. The $5.00 donation is suggested, not mandatory to attend the event. If you wish to arrive at 8:30 and have breakfast the $20.00 is to cover the cost of your breakfast. There is no admission fee. If you feel that the flier associated with the event is poorly worded I would recommend you contact the event organizer.

Keith

If anyone cares to mingle with some of Mt. Lebanon's finest ladies, a $5.00 donation would be appreciated. Breakfast is optional.

October 13, 2016 11:30AM Based on a comment submitted to Lebo Citizens at 11:16 AM this morning, The Pennsylvania Commission For Women was started by Gov. Tom Wolf, whose members are all members of the Democratic Party. 

October 14, 2016 10:52 AM More insight:

Hi Keith,

I am truly baffled by your upcoming Awesome Ladies event. Of course, it does not surprise me that Susan Morgans is being honored, because who thinks she is more awesome than she herself? And what fun for her to promote and host that ...

But I am not understanding the economics of this seemingly exclusionary, elitist event. The problem, of course, is that it is being held in the Municipal Building: a building which I own, as a taxpayer - not you or Susan, in your role as public servants.

I get the $5 voluntary donation part, but I do not get the "$20 to cover the cost of breakfast part." I have run many events like this, and there is no way breakfast costs the event organizers $20 / per person. In fact, continental breakfasts are usually less than $10 / per person.

Therefore, as you essentially signed my name approving this event in my building, I must know the following:
What is the exact total cost of the breakfast event in my building?

If, in the likely event, there is a surplus regarding people's breakfast purchases, who gets that money?

Who is providing the breakfast and exactly what are they charging, if anything (breakfast could easily be given or discounted for an event like this by a provider)?

If I wanted to hold a similar event in the municipal building for a foundation that I believe in, would you let me?

Thanks,

Dr. Jason Margolis

From Manager Keith McGill:

From: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>Sent: Friday, October 14, 2016 7:25 AMTo: Dr. Jason MargolisSubject: Re: Awesome Ladies Event
Good morning Dr. Margolis, 

If you are referring to the Celebrating Women of Mt. Lebanon event, this is not a municipal event. If you have questions regarding this event there is contact information on the attached pdf. If you are interested in a room rental the following link will take you to the appropriate page on the municipal website. 

http://www.mtlebanon.org/298/Meeting-Rooms 

In addition to our role as public servants, Ms. Morgans and I are both also taxpaying residents of the municipality.  

Respectfully, 

Keith 

Update October 17, 2016 7:40 PM  The contract for this event is here. It is for two hours, 8:00 AM to 10 AM. The event is from 8:30 to 11:30. Looks to me like it is a four hour rental at a two hour fee. Keith McGill signed off on it. Don't ask too many questions, Keith.

Update October 18, 2016 6:32 PM Celebrating Women of Mt. Lebanon event to honor five residents

And now, from the laziest "reporter"

John Hayes contacted me yesterday.

Hey Elaine,

I'm writing a short advance of the deer management vote that will happen at tomorrow's commission meeting. Care to provide an update of where your Right to Know case stands? 

- John

What an ass. I think he is the only "reporter" who doesn't know how to look up dockets. Instead he feeds off of Susan Morgans. Here is his latest biased report. Mt. Lebanon commissioners to take up deer issue once again.

“But don’t think it would be easier this year,” he [Tony DeNicola] said. “We had great support and the [property owners] were fabulous. But [archers] killed 100 deer and look around the municipality — you can’t see a difference. They’ll need to kill more this year. Also, last year they shot the dumbest of the dumb deer on the properties we had access to. This time the deer will be educated.”

Then there is what Susan Fleming Stroyd Morgans had to say.

Ms. Morgans said if commissioners approve the hunt, which would start in late September, parts of the public golf course, McNeilly Park and Robb Hollow Park likely would be included.
“There’s been very little drama in comparison to what we all endured last time,” she said, referring to street protests and meeting disruptions that occurred near the start of last year’s controlled archery hunt. “There’s been very little comment on it at all.”

No drama? Did she forget about Scott Township taking Mt. Lebanon to court over killing deer in Twin Hills? Nothing was said about promising anonymity, because they can't. My attorneys have taken that issue to Commonwealth Court. Of course, John Hayes would have known that, if he did some research.

MT. LEBANON COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD 2016

Hi Everyone,

Mt Lebanon is getting ready to recognize the residents who have volunteered, sacrificed and made a difference for all of us. I am emailing a completed 2016 Community Service Award nomination form to Susan Stroyd. I am asking all of you to do the same. The best way to explain what I am talking about is to refer to the nomination form. Quoting from the nomination form, "Residents are invited to submit nominations for the award, which will honor a resident 'whose volunteer efforts demonstrated creativity, vision, leadership adn citizenship by providing service to programs and activities that positively impact the welfare of the Mt Lebanon community.'"

In all sincerity, can anyone think of a single person who is more deserving than Elaine Gillen?

My choice for Elaine Gillen is because she is the perfect example of a resident whose, “ …volunteer efforts demonstrated creativity, vision, leadership and citizenship by providing service to programs and activities that positively impact the welfare of the Mt Lebanon community." For over five years Ms. Gillen has dedicated her life to protecting the civil rights and the civil liberties of Mt Lebanon residents by:

• Promoting an open exchange of dissenting viewpoints in a civil manner
• Standing up to bullies who flash their law credentials in an attempt to stifle free speech while promoting their own self-interests 
• Identifying and reporting on waste, fraud and abuse in local government
• Heightening awareness concerning the mechanics of Mt Lebanon government and scrutinizing over the actors that hold responsible and accountable political positions
• Protecting our environment by promoting socially responsible policies that protect innocent wildlife
• Articulating a clear vision for our suburban community – one that promotes a safe, clean and loving home for our children and our families.
• Encouraging voter registration and citizen participation in local affairs
• Promoting local small businesses
• Faithfully paying the horrendous local taxes that have stifled growth and driven residents from their homes for years. 
• Journalistic integrity - Ms Gillen has truthfully and without bias or compensation provided a clear and concise account of local government news. Ms Gillen has no bias or motives to promote individuals, groups or businesses when she selects topics or writes about individuals in the spotlight.
  
  Please join me by completing and emailing a form to Susan Stroyd (smorgans@mtlebanon.org).

The forms are available for download at: http://www.mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/View/11331

Thank you all,

John David Kendrick