An open letter to our leaders

This was sent to the Commission and school board directors.

Dear Commissioners and School Board Directors,

I have emailed you at various times about situations that were embarrassing moments for the community.  We have a commissioner who lied about paying his taxes and yet voted on issues that affected all of us. We have a school board president who apologized for not citing all of her sources and the school board does nothing about it, yet all vote on policies that affect our students.  We have a candidate for Ward 1 who thinks nothing of running for commissioner and has a criminal record.  And now we have a swimming coach who is charged with leaving his five and seven year old children alone in a car.  Yet, when I bring up these situations, I become the issue.  Why is that? 

Must you create new policies or update our comprehensive plan Home Rule Charter for our leaders, or at some point, should our leaders take responsibility for their actions?

Elaine Gillen

Update September 13, 2011 4:20 p.m. Mt. Lebanon suspends coach accused of leaving kids in car

An honest mistake

According to this morning's Post Gazette, Raja mistakenly had two Homestead Exclusions on his homes in Virginia Manor. 

His campaign said the error was the result of a miscommunication with his accountant and construction problems that had delayed his moving plans. His accountant filed the papers with the county to remove the homestead exclusion from one of his residences on Tuesday, said Mark Harris, Mr. Raja's campaign strategist.

Mr. Raja also paid part of the tax difference owed to the county on Tuesday and planned to pay the rest today.

The article went on to say

The program reduced school district taxes in Mt. Lebanon by $185.23 this year, Mt. Lebanon finance director Janice Klein said. The reduction varies slightly each year.

Mr. Harris said Mr. Raja planned to deliver a check to Mt. Lebanon today for the amount owed on school district taxes in 2010-11.

The remainder of the $4,806.52 Mr. Raja owed in county property taxes on the two houses he owns in Mt. Lebanon and the condominium he owns in Scott have been paid, although he paid them a month late, so the total amount included late penalties and interest.

Mr. Harris said Mr. Raja paid his county taxes late this year because he had not seen the bill before it was due. Mr. Harris said Mr. Raja paid the bill once he saw it was overdue.

Mr. Raja submitted his property taxes to the county on checks dated June 3.

Yesterday, I paid my (Mt. Lebanon) real estate taxes.  My school district taxes won't be paid until closer to the end of next month.  While I was there, I asked about my commissioner's overdue taxes.  The 2010 taxes still have not been paid and also, have not been liened.  I was assured that when the property sells, all taxes will be deducted first.  When the property sells? What if it doesn't? At least he doesn't have a Homestead Exclusion on his house.  Maybe he gave it to Raja.  And I am the one who gets criticized, running a blog as a private citizen. 
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11159/1152093-455-0.stm

My taxes are paid.

How can a commissioner discuss the Budget when his own taxes are overdue?  A sitting commissioner receives $3500 annually from the Municipality. How can my commissioner answer the Commission President when asked what to do about the unbalanced budget - raises taxes or cut services, when he doesn't pay his own? 

5/10/11 Commission Discussion Session Part 2 Podcast