If Pittsburgh is anything like Mt. Lebanon, they will laugh in the face of the PA Office of Open Records

Pittsburgh Tried to Hide Its Amazon Proposal by Claiming It Was a "Trade Secret"

Here is the Final Determination from the PA Office of Open Records

http://www.openrecords.pa.gov/Documents/FinalDet/31530.pdf

Fortunately, Pittsburgh's claim was laughed out of the state's Office of Open Records yesterday. The city now has 30 days to turn over a copy of the proposal to Paul Van Osdol, a journalist at the Pittsburgh-based WTAE-TV.

Mt. Lebanon's claim that property was donated for the use of killing deer was laughed out of the state's Office of Open Records too. They said that no land ownership was donated and that the private property owners only granted access.


Kyle Applegate, Esq. was the appeals officer for my appeal too. He ruled in my favor, as well. WTAE, you didn't win the battle. If the City of Pittsburgh is anything like Mt. Lebanon, they will appeal to the Court of Common Pleas. Then it can go to Commonwealth Court and then heard in PA Supreme Court, if they will take the case. By then, Amazon will have chosen their site for HQ2.

Osdol submitted the initial requests for the proposal way back on October 19, shortly after Amazon published a list of locales that submitted bids for the headquarters. Under state law, public entities have five business days to respond to a request, but they can give themselves a 30-day extension for a variety of reasons. In this case, Pittsburgh and Allegheny County waited until November 27 to respond. By the time an appeal to the denial was filed, it was already December 1. The city and county dragged out that appeal for another month.

By the time the 30-day deadline to turn over the proposal to Osdol is over, it's possible Amazon will have made its decision. In the meantime, the public will have been kept in the dark about what Pittsburgh was willing to offer Amazon during a crucial four-month period when public opposition might have sunk the deal.

It may not be a trade secret under Pennsylvania state law, but crony capitalism is certainly a trade full of secrets.

Tonight on WTAE-TV

At 5:30 tonight, WTAE is doing a story about school districts hoarding large amounts of cash - Four Billion Dollars, while still raising taxes.

Isn't that what Mt. Lebanon is doing with their fundraising campaign, which may or may not be still in the quiet phase?

I know that South Fayette residents have been questioning their school district about this very issue.

South Fayette residents question school board about skyrocketing taxes

Coincidently, the South Fayette superintendent announced her retirement at the end of June. Her retirement will go into effect in December.

Commonwealth Foundation - News Release: Is Your School District Hoarding Cash?

Submit a caption

Thanks to the comment posted by Anonymous on September 8, 2015 at 10:11 PM on New Locations of Parks: Great picture here: https://twitter.com/beauwtae/status/641432066089971712

I laughed and laughed at the picture. How about submitting a caption?

Packed house tonight UPDATED

Since I missed the commission meetings tonight, I am counting on you all to send in comments and tell me all about it.

What I heard so far is that Kristen is unhappy because because sharpshooting is off the table. YAY! WPXI was at the meeting. I missed the 11:00 news on WPXI because I was watching WTAE. I couldn't watch the 6:00 news, but WTAE aired their story at 6.  If readers can find the reports online, please send them in.

I am really looking forward to watching the videos tomorrow. Until then, tell us what you know!

Update October 28, 2014 1:24 PM The videos for the two commission meetings are now available for viewing.
October 27, 2014 Commission Discussion Session
October 27, 2014 Commission Meeting

Update October 28, 2014 2:09 PM I want to share a voice mail that was left on my home phone on 09.10.13 from the Pittsburgh Food Bank. I had left a voice mail asking about the Food Bank's requirements for accepting deer meat (venison). Unfortunately, he thought I was considering making a private donation. Kristen, you were caught in another lie. Do you know what is the truth anymore, oh fearless leader? See the 41:18 time stamp of the commission meeting.

"Recede and Reseed" UPDATED

Gorgeous day for a rally. KDKA, WPXI, and WTAE cameras were there. The Post-Gazette and The Almanac had reporters present. I counted 75 people in attendance, including the two sports guys.

Thanks goes to the organizers, the speakers, ALL of the people who showed up, the media, and especially to the only commissioner who attended, Commissioner Kelly Fraasch.

Update October 27, 2014 7:09 AM Mt. Lebanon residents, commissioners dig into turf war

But David Brumfield, Mt. Lebanon Ward 4 commissioner, said the NBC report used anecdotal evidence from what some soccer players may have thought caused their cancer in place of actual scientific evidence. He also said that football players spend more time than anyone on turf, and there have been no complaints about the artificial turf used at the Mt. Lebanon High School football field. He said the artificial turf will increase the number of events and time of year the field can be used.

Update October 27, 2014 3:27 PM Lots of publicity! Thanks!

Not a little late; the municipality started a little early. They were supposed to wait three weeks after the permit was issued. The permit was issued on Thursday and construction started the following Monday.