Letter to the Editor

Television, radio, newspapers and social conversations are full of complaints, but we forget that we are the ones responsible for putting them there. Last November, in Mt. Lebanon's election for a commissioner, this was made very clear to me.

The Republican candidate's name is on a plaque naming him the community's "outstanding citizen." He is a life time resident. He is a very active volunteer for the fire department, (including teaching the classes for citizens and fund raising). There are very few community events he doesn't actively participate in.

The Democrat candidate has been a resident for four years. In that time, he has made no known contribution to our community but has managed to get three police citations, one involving drunkenness.

The Democrat won (14% to 12%) simply because Democrat registrations far out-number Republican. As long as people vote a straight party ticket; instead of taking the time to learn about the experience, ability and character of the candidate, we will get exactly what we've got. The strength of our democracy depends on voter wisdom and participation in all elections.

Ann Roper
Mt. Lebanon, PA

Summary Trial with next door neighbor begins tomorrow at 9 AM UPDATED

This might be awkward. Soon to be commissioner of Ward 4 will be facing his next door neighbor tomorrow morning at 9 AM.

Craig Grella's Summary Trial begins tomorrow morning in front of Magisterial District Judge Blaise P. Larotonda, Craig's next door neighbor.

Craig's November 9, 2017 hearing for public drunkenness and similar misconduct is still active.
https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.ashx?docketNumber=MJ-05217-NT-0000326-2017 I can't understand why it is taking so long.

Ward 4's new commissioner will be sworn in on January 2, 2018 at 8 PM in the Commission Chambers.

Update December 27, 2017 4:25 PM DISMISSED. Blaise dismissed Craig's case.
https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.ashx?docketNumber=MJ-05219-TR-0003661-2017

https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.ashx?docketNumber=MJ-05219-TR-0003662-2017

Ward 4 Checklist UPDATED 11/817

Update November 6, 2017 9:50 AM I think Gorilla is playing to win. Prove me wrong, Ward 4. MLRC is not happy with me. Well, that's nothing new.

From: Steve Lane 
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Sent: Wed, Nov 1, 2017 6:05 pm
Subject: Commission Race

Dear Elaine,

I was very sorry to hear of your disagreement with the decision by Bob Fischer's campaign committee to take the moral high road in this election. There was a great deal of discussion within the committee regarding this very subject, but in the end we decided that the best approach was to work to emphasize Bob's accomplishments and his qualifications rather getting involved in a mudslinging contest.  As Bob's campaign chairman I wholeheartedly agree with this decision.

Personally, I do not believe there can ever be any backlash or repercussions from doing the right thing.  I also believe that the circus that our national political arena has become has only served to desensitize the voters and to turn them off to any news from either party, either good or bad.  To jump on the smear campaign bandwagon by attacking Mr. Grella's character would only serve to further this disenfranchisement and drive more people away. 

Elaine, the word is out about Mr. Grella, and your blog had a lot to do with that. You do a great job with getting the word out to the community on difficult subjects that sometimes make people uncomfortable and for that my hat is off to you. I would have to ask however that even if you don't completely agree with the committee's decision and the thought process behind it, that you will respect our position and that you will continue to support Bob's campaign for Mt. Lebanon's 4th ward commission seat.

Respectfully,

Steven. R. Lane

Chairman

People for Bob Fischer

Update November 8, 2017 6:45 AM This was my reply to Mr. Lane.

Steven,

I have taken a couple of days to cool off before responding to you. I also decided to copy Bob.

I would like to begin with the fact that I wanted to feature Bob Fischer in a Behind the Bubble feature on my Lebo Citizens blog, but nobody responded. I have also heard that your committee has said that my blog "is out there." I have supported Bob more than any other commission candidate. I have published his brochure. I have published an anonymous letter supporting Bob.

I also want to point out that Bob called me to say that he was going to print his opponent's docket sheet on the back of his latest lit drop. I have spent an enormous amount of time on the Ward Four Commission race, more than the Ward Two Commission race. There have been many people working behind the scenes supporting Bob via my blog.

I should also address your "mudslinging contest" comment. Putting a docket sheet out there is not mudslinging. It is factual. You let the voters draw their own conclusions. Talk about a slap in the face, Mr. Grella has no respect for first responders. If he wins, what message will he be sending to our community?

To say that I should continue to support Bob's campaign for Mt. Lebanon's 4th ward commission seat is a real slap in the face. I guess I haven't done enough for Bob's campaign.

Elaine T. Gillen

www.lebocitizens.blogspot.com

A Mt. Lebanon Firefighter writes...

In today's mail, a letter from a Mt. Lebanon Firefighter.

A campaign promise broken already and it's only the middle of October

From his website:

From Facebook:

From a yard:

From the Courts: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Craig S. Grella

Spinning Class in Ward 4 UPDATED 10/15/17

Remember this? Docket Number: MJ-05217-NT-0000326-2017 We're still awaiting Blaise's next door neighbor's plea. The latest is that Gorilla was targeted by the police for his left-wing views, hence the "bogus" citation. The Castle Shannon cops got Gorilla drunk and dumped him on the street at 4 AM.

Craig Grella is so confident of his victory, that he is coordinating the Post-Election Gathering at Bados on Beverly. Good luck with that, Gorilla.

Who said Dems don't have a sense of humor?

Update October 12, 2017 5:53 PM

Update October 15, 2017 1:52 PM

It really sucks UPDATED 092617

It really sucks that someone like Bob Fischer is running against someone whose hearing for public drunkenness and similar misconduct is two days after the election.

It really sucks that Bob Fischer's next door neighbor is not Blaise Larotonda.

It really sucks that Bob Fischer does not have the local magistrate on his campaign committee.

It really sucks that Bob Fischer has been

• a life long resident of Mt. Lebanon
• a 2016 honoree for Mt. Lebanon's inaugural Volunteer Service Award
• 1995 "This Town Would Be Different Without..." honoree
• Chairman of the Mt. Lebanon Public Safety Building campaign, raising $1.2 million
• Mt. Lebanon Volunteer Firefighter for 15 years, volunteering thousands of of hours per year
• Past President of Mt. Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department
• Past President of Dormont/Mt. Lebanon/Castle Shannon Rotary
• Past member of the Mt. Lebanon Zoning Hearing Board
• An active member of his church for 45 years

and has to run against someone whose hearing will be two days after the election.

It really sucks if Ward 4 residents don't vote for Bob Fischer on November 7, two days before his opponent's hearing.

Update September 26, 2017 6:23 PM Another one from a Democrat. I get the feeling that there are some Dems who don't like Craig. I don't know why I think that.

Republican candidate for Ward 4

Bob Fischer is the Republican candidate for Ward 4. His name is familiar to many. A year ago today, April 4, Fischer became the first recipient of the Mt. Lebanon Community Service Award, which will be presented annually to a volunteer who helps improve the quality of life in the municipality. Newsmaker: Robert F. Fischer 

Bob Fischer, receiving the first, annual Mt. Lebanon Community Service Award

A volunteer firefighter, Bob also administers the Mt. Lebanon Citizens Fire Academy. Bob also served on the Zoning Hearing Board, Civil Service Board, as well as volunteers for Lebo Relay for Life, the Halloween Parade, and the Mt. Lebanon Rotary Club.

By trade, Bob is the code enforcement officer and building inspector for Scott Township.

Is this odd or what? UPDATED 2X

President of the commission, Dave Brumfield, is not running for re-election again. Yay. The Democratic candidate running in Ward 4 is Craig Grella. Craig is on the PA Democratic Party staff as Digital Operations Director. It is a paid position.  http://www.padems.com/party/staff/ Does anyone see that as a problem?

Craig's professional website www.craiggrella.com is now being used for his commission race. His professional website was more like his LinkedIn profile. 

A couple of things I noticed about Grella's website. His committee address is not in Mt. Lebanon as indicated (15228) but in the city. While I appreciate his sense of humor, his website is being paid for by Friends of Craig Grella, the website which previously was his professional website.

Craig's vision for Mt. Lebanon is admirable. Our schools provide an education second to none, and Craig wants to do everything in his power to keep it, as well as other things, that way. However, Craig is running for commission, not school board director.  He has no magic fix for Mt. Lebanon, but seems to be running on the "unity" platform.

I find it unusual for a staff member of the PA Democratic Party to be running in the commission race here in Mt. Lebanon. Is that another conflict of interest that Mt. Lebanon voters are presented? I'm not comfortable with it, but I am not faced with that dilemma, only the residents of Ward 4.

Update March 29, 2017 4:51 PM Now, it is getting really odd. Craig Grella's non-profit Orgspring Inc in Pittsburgh has never filed a 990.  I see that since income is less than $25,000, filing is not required. But here's the oddest part. Craig Grella is declaring ZERO income. Source: nonprofitfacts.com And before the trolls start attacking, yes, I see the small print on this website. "Use at your own risk."

Update March 29, 2017 9:35 PM A non-profit with less than $50,000 in receipts can file a 990-N. It’s just an e-postcard with basic information on it. Guidestar does not list 990-N’s. Orgspring is up to date on their filings.