Commission candidates on deer UPDATE from police chief

In Ward 1, John Bendel (D) pro-kill
                  Dan McNichol (R) Vote McNichol - Deer Management pro-kill

In Ward 3, Steve McLean (R) Email from Steve McLean pro-kill
                  Andy Reinhart (D) Email from Andy Reinhart AndyReinhart.com Mt. Lebanon Deer Management Issues 

In Ward 5, Kelly Fraasch (D) anti-kill
                  William Hoon (R) anti-kill

In an email exchange I had with Andy Reinhart this morning, it is not clear to me what his position is on deer management.

Update October 15, 2015 1:35 AM I have heard that while deer don't bother Andy Reinhart personally, as a commissioner he would vote for sharpshooting. He doesn't think it poses a safety problem. If that is true, then I am seriously considering a write-in campaign. Is it an omen that I just looked outside my dining room window and saw the most beautiful buck crossing the street?

From 2011:

#Throwback Thursday

Update October 15, 2015 9:10 AM I am going for it! I announced it on my website, www.lebocitizens.com Write-in campaigns are rarely successful, so I need everyone's help. Spread the word to your Ward 3 friends and relatives. This is the much needed third vote for the sharpshooting program to fail in January.

Update October 15, 2015 5:01 PM Remember the fawn with the arrow stuck in it on Segar Road?
This is what happens when our commissioners turn Mt. Lebanon into hunting grounds.

We don't have a deer problem; we have a commission problem

Mt. Lebanon resident and Ward 5 candidate, William Hoon wrote the following letter to the editor of the Post-Gazette. 

Letter to South Suburban editor: Deer numbers in Mt. Lebanon

Our commission wants a nice tidy box to cram the “deer problem” into, tie it up with a pretty bow and get on with killing action number four. Their premises are completely wrong, as is their goal of reducing dead deer on our roads by 50% over five years. What does that even mean? Our problem is not deer in Mt. Lebanon but rather an inept, poorly informed commission. They all need to be replaced.

At the last commission meeting, Mt. Lebanon resident and Lebo Citizens reader, David Fusco presented this information during Citizen Comments.

- Deer-related accidents in Mt. Lebanon are down 35% in 2015 (19 accidents through June 30 based on MTL deer report projected out to 38 for the year compared to 58 last year). 

- PA residents have 1:71 chance of being in a deer-related accident (State Farm Insurance Report). 

- Mt. Lebanon residents currently have a 1:655 chance of being in a deer-related accident (2010 population x .65 [residents over 18 and presumed driving] divided by 38 [2015 projected accidents]). 

- Upper St. Clair residents have a 1:190 chance of being in a deer-related accident (based on above formula applied to USC data and 73 accidents in 2014 based on the Commission's June 22 presentation). 

- There are 10.4 deer-related accidents per square mile in USC (9.6 sq. mi. divided by 73). 

- There are 6.3 deer-related accidents per square mile in MTL (6.06 sq. mi. divided by 38). 

- If the Commission achieves a 50% reduction over 2014 numbers (down to 29 per year), that would translate to a 1:859 chance of a MTL resident being in a deer related accident. Compared to the national data, that would rank us 47 (between DC and Florida) despite PA being one of the largest natural habitats for white-tailed deer in the country. It would also reduce the number of accidents to 4.8 accidents per sq. mi. 

- An arrow from a bow can travel over 300 yards per an article testing distance from Cabela's. (Admittedly this would have to be a misfire/accident, but any such chance is not warranted on the vehicle data). 

- And lastly, the Commission's presentation from June 22 explicitly dispels the myth that deer are involved in the transmission of Lyme disease as I quoted. The above data demonstrates that the Commission's proposed program is not supported by deer-related accident data. In reality, achieving the stated goal of a 50% reduction in accidents would likely require near eradication of the deer population. And that appears to be what supporters are seeking as anything less would not prevent the concerns raised by so many related to gardens and "potential" deer-related accidents. Unfortunately, it simply appears that many residents do not believe deer have any place in urban residential communities - even ones that have essentially been built in the middle of the forest.

Mr. Fusco also sent me a link to a website which discusses State Farm's data. DRIVERS BEWARE: THE ODDS AREN'T IN YOUR FAVOR  

And here are some deer facts that all drivers should know:

• Deer are on all roads
• Deer are unpredictable
• Deer often move in groups
• Deer movement is most prevalent in the fall
• Dusk and dawn are high risk times

I highlighted the first deer fact. DEER ARE ON ALL ROADS. The commissioners don't seem to understand that fact. Killing deer is not the answer to their "problem."

I asked the question, "Is it about deer/vehicular collisions or is it really about gardens?" Like so many other issues, the commissioners do not listen to facts, just wealthy constituents.

Meet the Candidates

On Tuesday, May 19, 2015, registered Republicans and Democrats will have the opportunity to choose up to five School Board Directors. Additionally, those voters in Wards 1, 3, and 5 will be voting for their candidates to serve as Mt. Lebanon commissioners. Four years ago, Mt. Lebanon voters had more options, with several candidates running for the same seat. The League of Women Voters held a Candidates Forum, prior to the May Primary in 2011, which gave voters an opportunity  to learn more about those running for office. For this Primary, registered R's and D's must rely on social media.

The race for School Board Directors includes six candidates for five seats. Those running for School Board have the opportunity to cross file.

Running on both tickets are:

Incumbent Elaine Cappucci
Incumbent Larry Lebowitz
Incumbent Bill Cooper
Hugh Beal
Sarah Olbrich
http://www.leboed.com/

Running on the Republican ticket only:

Matt Kluck
No website for Matt Kluck

For the Commission:

In Ward 1,

Incumbent John Bendel (D)
http://www.votebendel.com/

Dan McNichol (R)
http://votemcnichol.com/

In Ward 3,

Andy Reinhart (D)
http://www.andyreinhart.com/

Steve McLean (R)
No website for Steve McLean

In Ward 5,

Kelly Fraasch (D)
http://www.kellyfraasch.com/

William Hoon (R)
No website for William Hoon

If voters are dissatisfied with the actions of our School Board, this Primary gives registered R's and D's a chance to vote out one incumbent. The General Election in November will give all registered voters an opportunity for change in leadership (the majority) within our Municipality.