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.

Late start? UPDATED 2X

It is highly unusual for the Commission Discussion Session to start at 7:00 PM. There must be some hot topics scheduled for Executive Session. Could it be lethal vs. non-lethal deer management discussions? Or how are they going to deal with PETA?

Or is it related to the lawsuit filed against the Commission and Steve Feller? United Police Society of Mt. Lebanon v. Mt. Lebanon Commission; Stephen M. Feller Marcia Taylor should have been fired.

How about hiring a new Public Works Director to replace retiring Tom "I'm too old for this bullshit" Kelley?  http://www.apwa.net/workzone/career/28231/Public-Works-Director-Pennsylvania-Pa-Mt-Lebanon

Will Dave Brumfield try to convince fellow commissioners that Zamagias deserves another extension? (Number 8?)

Since when does "Consideration of Ordinance (Bill No. 21­-14) amending municipal park rules" involve First National Bank? I thought it had to do with the use of guns in our parks.  Speaking of parks, perhaps the commission will be discussing the removal of crumbling toxic rubber tire pavers in Main Park, now that NBC Nightly News continued their investigations concerning tire crumb in playgrounds and artificial turf.

How about how the toxic turf change orders will be funded?

Or will the commissioners be celebrating the end of Kristen Linfante's term as president? I know I will be celebrating.

The deer must die!

Update December 7, 2014 12:59 PM This appeared in today's St. Bernard's Church Bulletin.

Update December 9, 2014 11:32 PM The commission voted 3-2 to extend the Zamagias agreement. A resident asked Dave Brumfield why he voted to extend the agreement and his response was something to the effect of "Do you want to waste $450,000 to buy back the property?" 

"This is bullshit and I'm going home." UPDATED

That is what Public Works Director Tom Kelley said at the June 3, 2014 Parks Advisory Board meeting at 00:55:13.

PAB Chair Hugh Beal was asking for an accounting of the funds allocated to the Parks per the Budget. Not enough money is being spent on the Parks, in his opinion. At 00:47:33, Hugh asked to look at Forestry. His copy of the 2013 Budget Actuals showed that there was $348,000 designated to Forestry. Beal pointed out at the 00:49:20 time stamp, that he found six dead trees in Rockwood Park, a park the size of a postage stamp, for example. Hugh said that he wasn't questioning Tom Kelley's competency or auditing anything; he was just inquiring about how the money was being spent. Kelley responded that he didn't care if Hugh was. To my surprise, Tom Kelley even mentioned my name when talking about Rockwood Park! He went on to say that he didn't like Hugh Beal's attitude and stormed out of the meeting. Yikes! Is this what the PAB has to deal with because they are against the turf project at Middle and Wildcat Fields?

By the way, the Parks Advisory Board representative for the Sports Advisory Board was not at the PAB meeting again. They didn't have a quorum. Who's the PAB representative on the Sports Advisory Board? Dave Franklin. I think it may be time to kick Franklin off of the Parks Advisory Board. It might also be time for Mr. Feller to have a little talk with his staff.

Commissioners, do you see what you are doing to Mt. Lebanon? You have boards and staff trying to keep Mt. Lebanon safe, and you have tied their hands by allocating over $750,000 to turf beautiful grass fields. That money could be well spent in other ways.

For anyone wondering, the dead trees have been removed from Rockwood Park. Thanks to all involved.

Update July 1, 2014 11:07 PM The Mt. Lebanon Parks Summit was held this evening. Hosted by the Parks Advisory Board, individuals from the Environmental Sustainability Board and the Mt. Lebanon Nature Conservancy shared their thoughts on possible improvements to the park system. The podcast is available here.