How many will unsubscribe?

It is well known by Lebo Citizen readers that I unsubscribed from the Post-Gazette because of Outdoor Editor John Hayes. Recently, many Democrats unsubscribed from the PG because of its endorsement of Rick Saccone. How many will unsubscribe from the Trib because of this featured commentary?

Katy Pavlich: Hillary Clinton's bitterness continues

Trib Total Media to end Pittsburgh print edition, lay off 106

Pittsburgh will become a one-newspaper town by the end of the year withTrib Total Media's announcement Wednesday that it will no longer publish a print edition of the Tribune-Review after Nov. 30. The newspaper, which has had a Pittsburgh edition since 1992, will go online-only Dec. 1.

Read the full story here. Tribune-Review will end Pittsburgh edition

First Night of Deer Killing

Mt. Lebanon's controversial deer-culling program gets underway

At about 1 a.m., J. Merlin Benner, president of Tioga County-based Wildlife Specialists LLC, and an associate were at Robb Hollow, where their trail cameras indicated they'd had about four deer in a corral with the gate still open. But when Mt. Lebanon Police arrived to check on another reporter who was also near the park, they scared the deer off before the gate could be remotely closed, Benner said.

Straw or elevated platforms?

A snowman-attacking deer ready to make his kill.

It's in the news

Matt Santoni is reporting Mt. Lebanon residents reportedly plan private deer hunt. The question of the day is...well, I won't go there. Kristen Linfante is on record saying that it is happening and she is encouraging more of it.

I tried to inform the school district today about the hunt. In an email sent to the school board, superintendent, commission and municipal manager:

Since the Commission's School Board Liaison Kristen Linfante is going on a leave of absence, I wanted to bring this to your attention. This is a walking community, and the district has identified safe walking routes. Every street in Mt. Lebanon is listed. Here are the recommended safe walking routes. "For students in elementary school, locate your school map and find your address. You may then follow the blue arrows to the school." Following the blue arrows takes on a whole new meaning now, doesn't it?

Elaine Gillen

I only heard back from Kristen Linfante.

Dear Ms Gillen, 

I am not sure where you heard that I am on a leave of absence. You are mistaken. I am not. Please check the commission meeting video of January 5 where a clear explanation of my circumstances is available. I am facing a serious medical issue which *may* cause me to have to miss some meetings. For the sake of transparency, I wanted to make this known in the event that I do, in fact, miss any meetings. That is all.

As always, thanks for your good wishes, especially during this very challenging time. 

Best regards, 

Kristen Linfante
Commissioner, Ward 3

Of course I would hear from Kristen. Where is everyone else? Why isn't anyone calling her on this? Is there a freaking hunt or isn't there? Instead of condoning Kristen's efforts to terrorize parents with a secret cull, why didn't any commissioners put her on the spot during the discussion session? Was/Is there a hunt in reality or just in Kristen's mind? Why didn't Kristen say that, as school board liaison, she had it covered with the school district? No, I am mistaken. How did I ever get the idea that Kristen was taking a leave of absence? Why are our leaders putting up with this behavior?

Steve Feller was quoted in the Trib as saying, "There is no requirement for property owners to notify or consult with municipal officials about hunting.” Should property owners notify the school district, in order to update safe walking routes? Obviously, it isn't exciting school board president Larry Lebowitz and it is nothing for Timmy to tweet about. Mt. Lebanon is totally insane. Welcome to Mt. Looneytown.

Mt. Lebanon School District Teams Up With Pittsburgh Foundation

First, we had the Feasibility Study with Pursuant Ketchum for the $30 million $15 million $6 million fundraising campaign.

Next, PK was hired as counsel for the $6 million capital and endowment campaign. (March 2013)

The School District Hired DeLuca as Capital Campaign Director and Executive Director of the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education (MLFE) with a $82,000 a year salary. (August 2013)

The Mt. Lebanon School Board unanimously approved Alyssa DeLuca as the Director of the Mt. Lebanon School District Capital Campaign and Executive Director of the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education (MLFE). Ms. DeLuca will work with the Superintendent, MLFE Board Chair and campaign leadership to raise $6 million in capital and endowment funds. She will serve as the primary staff support for a volunteer campaign committee and the MLFE Board in the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of individual donors. Ms. DeLuca will lead campaign logistics and prospect management activities while establishing a long term development program for the District. She is expected to join the District on August 30.

In addition, MTLSD has been buying fundraising software on more than one occasion. I would love to know how much has been spent so far toward fundraising efforts. If a reader could do that research for me, I would appreciate it.

The Trib's Matt Santoni has an article in today's paper announcing that the Mt. Lebanon School District is teaming up with the Pittsburgh Foundation. I am trying to get a link to his article and will share it here as soon as I can. Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh Foundation team

Last I heard, we were in the "Quiet Phase," the longest quiet phase in the history of fundraising. In the article, I understand that our super Super Timmy would not disclose how much has been raised so far.

Another board emasculated by the Commission

For anyone keeping score, another board has been emasculated by the Commission. Let's see. So far, the Environmental Sustainability Board, the Parks Advisory Board, and the Planning Board have told us that the Commission voted on November 25 for a project that no one knew about. I have published the ESB's statement about being misrepresented by Kristen Linfante, commission liaison. I published the August 2013 Planning Board agenda prior to any concrete plans about the project. During a Sports Advisory Board meeting, the Parks Advisory Board liaison admitted that the PAB had not been informed.

No public hearing occurred. Boards were not informed. The vote came down to three commissioners - Dave Brumfield, Kristen Linfante, and John Bendel. Kristen let it be known that they are the decision makers and don't need any input from boards. 

Don't forget to attend tonight's meeting at Wildcat and Middle Fields, starting at 6:00 PM.

I would like to add that the Trib's Mt. Lebanon residents stand against turf project article made reference to the April 30 ESB meeting. The location has been determined. It will be held in the Municipal Building. The flyer for the meeting is here. 

Don't try this at home UPDATED

Today's Trib slams Mt. Lebanon on Zamagias.

It is under Tuesday's Takes

Intervention's lesson: There's no better object lesson in the folly of “government economic development” than the mess that is the corner of Washington and Bower Hill roads in Mt. Lebanon. The latest proposal to develop this parcel has failed after Zamagias Properties defaulted on taxpayer-backed loans used to acquire the property. The “state,” at least for now, is left holding a $1.78 million bag. Worse, Zamagias gets to keep the property. Don't try this with your local bank.

Read more: http://triblive.com/opinion/editorials/5487663-74/center-lesson-whether#ixzz2rhogxgza 

Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook

Mt. Lebanon needs to exercise its buy back option and buy back this property. Zamagias Properties has the money and is getting away with it because they can. Commissioners, do the right thing.

Update January 30, 2014 10:20 AM Here are 9:31 AM's comments pictorially.