If the athletic supporters had only listened. UPDATED

I don't know where to begin. I guess I will start with Mt. Lebanon's latest administrative report.

We knew that the "Crown Jewel" would be abused. Here in Mt. Lebanon, we can't keep anything nice. Sunflower seeds are a definite no-no. I warned them about the Field Turf lawsuits. Bid opening today. We told them about the garbage and the lawn chairs on Day 1. Even with the new sign at the Crown Jewel in Office Depot vinyl sheet protectors, there are sunflower seeds. After the newer -new signs, we saw this. Sunday: WITH the new signs

Today, I received this in my email.
https://www.classaction.org/news/city-of-fremont-ca-latest-to-file-class-action-against-fieldturf-usa

On FieldTurf’s overall legal troubles, the lawsuit asserts the company “specifically knew that its fields would not last for the full eight-year warranty period due to structural inadequacies,” yet still told prospective customers that its product, more specifically its “monofilament” surfaces, would last at least 10 years.

Guess what the super secret turf task force recommended?

Speaking of final specifications, the Turf Project Task Force Recommendations included these specs, "To address the multi-purpose, heavy use planned for the field, the specification recommended for the turf will be a slit film with monofilament blend."

Monofilament surfaces. Yep, these geniuses were the ones who would not permit two Mt. Lebanon residents to attend the super secret turf task force meeting held at the Rec Center.

All this and we are only in Year 2. Next on the list will be turfing the practice field at the high school. You heard it here first!

In other news,



Update September 2, 2017 6:35 PM Mt. Lebanon School District confirms 7 high school football players being treated for staph infections

Athletic Director John Grogan sent this letter to parents:

Dear Parent/Guardian:
I wanted to inform you that we have seven confirmed cases of Staph infections among members of our football team. As a precaution, we felt it was important to notify you about this. To prevent communicable disease transmission, the Mt. Lebanon School District follows the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for infectious diseases/conditions.

How can we prevent Staph?

Handwashing is the most effective method of preventing the spread of infectious disease. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with bandages to aid in healing and to prevent transmission of infection. Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, clothes or personal items. On the recommendation of the ACHD, any student or employee who has been treated for Staph and cleared to return to school, as well anyone who has been or may be referred to their family physician for Staph screening, may return to normal activities as long as all wounds are completely covered and taped on all four sides.

What is the school doing?

We will continue to encourage good hygiene practices with students and staff. Soap dispensers and sinks are available in every locker room. The custodial staff will continue their daily cleaning and sanitization procedures in the locker rooms, washrooms etc. with cleaning products that have been approved by the ACHD. Additionally, one of our UPMC team physicians met with the football team student athletes and coaching staff to review safe hygiene practices.

What can you do?

We recommend that if you have concerns about your child's health, to contact his or her private physician. If your child is immunocompromised (i.e., HIV, cancer, leukemia, organ transplant, etc.,) contact your child's physician to ask for guidance. As always, information regarding a student with a diagnosed or a suspected infectious condition should be reported to the school nurse, principal and coach (if applicable). Student athletes should take all practice clothing home to be cleaned each evening. Finally, remind your student athlete to not share any personal items such as towels, razors, clothing, etc.

I want to assure you that we are doing all that we can to provide a safe and healthy school environment for our students and staff. In addition to contacting your own physician with concerns, please feel free to contact me or the school nurse.

Keeping it Real 2014

Little did James Cannon III realize when he made his Keeping it Real - The truth behind artificial surfaces in Mt. Lebanon presentation to the Commission in 2012, that he would still be advocating for grass fields two years later. Jim is part of a larger group that has banded together opposing toxic turf.

Flyers are being distributed to neighboring streets by residents who believe the Mt. Lebanon Middle and Wildcat Fields Turf Project must stop. The reasons are plentiful:

• THIS IS A POTENTIAL HEALTH RISK
• THIS IS POOR ECONOMIC POLICY and a MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT
• GOVERNANCE BY THE COMMISSION IS QUESTIONABLE 
• MUNICIPAL REGULATIONS HAVE NOT BEEN CONSIDERED (all the while fundraising is already underway)
• THIS IS A RISK TO OUR ENVIRONMENT

I am including the link to the flyer which can be printed and distributed by all Lebo Citizens readers who believe the same.

Joan E. Gibson submitted an opinion piece to The Almanac  (Saved in Google Docs) this week, asking commissioners to further investigate the dangers of playing on artificial turf, citing the American Academy of Neurology and "the article in the most recent issue of American Family Physician Practice Guidelines (April 1, 2014) the article is entitled 'Evaluation and Management of Concussion in Athletes: Recommendations from the AAN.'”

According to the Turf Project Task Force Presentation timeline, Mt. Lebanon will advertise for bids on May 15, 2014. We have a very narrow window of opportunity to stop this before bids go out. 

What can you do?

MAKE YOUR CONCERNS KNOWN TO THE COMMISSIONERS!

Important meetings this week:

• CRITICAL MEETING: The turf project is on the Planning Board Agenda for 4/22. This is the best opportunity to stop this project. Go to the Commission Chamber in the Municipal Building at 7:00 PM.
• Attend the Municipal informational meeting on 4/24 at the concession stand building at the fields on Cedar Blvd. at 6:00 PM and ASK QUESTIONS! (In case of inclement weather meet in the ice rink lobby.)
• Attend the Commission discussion meeting on 4/28 at 6:30 PM, and then the regular meeting at 8:00 in the Municipal Building. Plan to ASK QUESTIONS when they are permitted at the beginning of the 8:00 meeting! Sign up to speak near the Commission Chamber door. Bring friends and family. (Agendas to follow)
• Attend the Environmental Sustainability Board’s (ESB) Educational Forum on Artificial Turf on 4/30 at 7:00 PM in the Municipal Bldg. Get the real facts about artificial turf!
• Write to the Commissioners at commission@mtlebanon.org

MOST IMPORTANTLY – GET INVOLVED! The commission is putting your health and safety at potential risk with this project. You have VERY LITTLE time to tell them NO!

For more health and environment information, here are some useful links:

Commissioner Kelly Fraasch’s blog: www.kellyfraasch.com/blog

Lebo Citizens www.lebocitizens.com

Recorded public meetings including those of the Commission, Sports Advisory Board (SAB), Planning Board, Environmental Sustainability Board (ESB)and Parks Advisory Board (PAB) can be viewed at www.mtlebanon.org/index.aspx?NID=2151

Note: The hyperlink to James Cannon's presentation has been removed from this page.

Oh snap SAB! UPDATED

As I mentioned in a previous post, the Sports Advisory Board (SAB) gave their report on the artificial turf project for Middle and Wildcat Fields last night. David Donnellan was kind enough to email a copy of the presentation.

The videos have been uploaded on the municipal website.

• Part 1 of the Discussion Session
• Commission Meeting
• Part 2 of the Discussion Session

I thoroughly enjoyed last night's Discussion Session Part 1, specifically when the Environmental Sustainability Board (ESB) made their official statement concerning artificial turf. Since members of the ESB were in the audience, Kelly Fraasch asked if they could hear from the ESB. See 38:57 time stamp. At 39:10, Dave Brumfield declared that they got the ESB's recommendation. At 39:16, you can hear from a member of the ESB say, "No you didn't."

At 40:40, Maria Joseph made an official statement. She started out by saying that the ESB was misrepresented by the Commission liaison. Kristen interrupted Ms. Joseph to say that it wasn't true. 

Ms. Joseph included the fact that residents on neighboring streets were never notified of the potential risks. At 46:05, Kristen continued to defend herself.

Dave Franklin stated that the fields will not be irrigated because we don't have enough hot days to warrant irrigation. (Remember how the pool pump went down on 100º days?) He also challenged the ESB saying that they were alerted to this plan. He said that the minutes show that turf has been discussed at the last three or four ESB meetings. Decide for yourself if that is true. ESB minutes

Kelly Fraasch asked why residents in her ward were never notified about turf going on Middle and Wildcat Fields. Dave Brumfield jumped on Kelly saying that they have NEVER notified neighbors about projects. Kelly asked, "What about Brafferton?" Dave said that he only asked them a question. Here is a question for Dave. What about dogs being allowed in Williamsburg? I seem to remember him having a meeting in Williamsburg Park to discuss the subject. 

I loved how Kathy Hrabovsky told Dave Brumfield, "Sorry, but you are interrupting." The Daves and Kristen looked REALLY bad. Finally, Kristen said that there were five elected officials here who are responsible for making decisions. Ultimately, it is their decision. It is three Commissioners' decision to turf those fields because they saw no other option. She said that there was simply no place to put grass fields. Uh, what about Robb Hollow? Kelly had plans for TWO FIELDS.  What happened to improving Brafferton? Kristen said that they had no choice. She also pointed out that the new commission liaison (Kelly Fraasch) to the ESB happens to be against turf. What is Kristen insinuating? 

One other thing that I would like to point out that transpired during the SAB presentation. Dan Deiseroth, municipal engineer from Gateway and also first donor, but now anonymous, had a meeting with the Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment. I couldn't believe it when I heard it.  Go to 12:09 of Part 1 of the Discussion Session. That just doesn't feel right to me.

Finally, once again, I want to thank the Mt. Lebanon Environmental Sustainability Board for their official statement.

Update February 15, 2014 11:08 AM Here is the ESB statement that was read at the February 11 Commission discussion meeting.