Public Space Kills Breakdown UPDATED 04/05/18

For those interested in the details, I used the word, "Killed" not "removed." Also, I want to point out that even though the "Sharpshooting" program is over, there is at least one sign remaining by The Goddard School, part of the Gun Free School Zone. They can kill there because preschoolers are not protected, under the law.

Here is the final count of deer killed in our public spaces.

From: Ian McMeans <imcmeans@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: Keith McGill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Tue, Apr 3, 2018 8:45 am
Subject: Mt. Lebanon Sharpshooting Program Question

Ms. Gillen,

Per your e-mail to Municipal Manager Keith McGill, you requested a breakdown of the deer removed from public spaces as part of the Sharpshooting portion of Mt. Lebanon's Deer Management Program. The Final Sharpshooting Report stated "Thirty one deer were harvested from private properties while 26 were removed from the three public properties available." Those 26 were removed from the following sites:

Robb Hollow - 10
Golf Course - 14
McNeilly - 2

Sincerely,

--

Ian McMeans

Assistant Manager/Planner
Mt. Lebanon Municipality
710 Washington Road
Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228
412-343-3620

Update April 3, 2018 6:49 PM The deer invasion in Mt. Lebanon is out of control

I am surprised by this letter and comments. We just finished another year of "sharpshooting" at a cost of $1352.81 per deer. Comments like the one below just amaze me.

IF you could keep the protesters out of Mt. Lebanon, you might just have a shot at culling the herd. If you could get the councilpersons to just shut up and get on with the cull, you might have a shot at culling the herd.

What protesters? We haven't protested in years. Nobody even goes to commission meetings anymore. Councilpersons need to just shut up and get on with the cull?? What are you talking about? We have been killing deer for years. I have shared the numbers here. We are not the deer capital of the state. If we are, Tony DeNicola can't find them.

D. McMahon, I don't know where you live, but here are Tony's recommendations for next year.

1. Add Williamsburg Park and Hoodridge Park to discharge high powered rifles.

2. Extend the shooting hours of high powered rifles on private and public property to seven days a week and 3:00 PM to midnight.

3. Non-traditional Trap and shoot in areas such as Morrison Drive and Virginia Manor's Valleyview Drive. (Remember Merlin the Magnificent?)

4. Conduct another deer population estimate*

*The last estimate was done by Tony's buddy (who estimated on the phone, had never stepped foot in Mt. Lebanon, nor knew the size of Mt. Lebanon) to be between 700-900 deer.

I am sure that our "councilpersons" will try to appease you. Commenters keep talking about whiners. The only whining I am hearing these days are from people like D. McMahon. You are getting exactly what you want and you still aren't happy. I'm pointing out the results and what it is costing taxpayers. No whining from me. I can't afford it.

Update April 4, 2018 11:58 AM It looks like I am going to pay dearly for publishing Craig Grella's arrest for public drunkenness and similar misconduct.

From:	egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To:	cgrella <cgrella@mtlebanon.org>
Cc:	kmcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; imcmeans <imcmeans@mtlebanon.org>
Subject:	Re: Kills by Public Spaces
Date:	Wed, Apr 4, 2018 11:49 am

---

Craig, wow, great start. I was referring to a very long email exchange with Tony DeNicola, who promised to tell me what kind of bait he was using, only to be told that it is proprietary information.

https://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2016/04/winding-down.html

I see what you mean about "your communication seeks only to insult people." Your email is a perfect example.

Elaine

-----Original Message-----
From: Craig Grella <cgrella@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; Ian McMeans <imcmeans@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Wed, Apr 4, 2018 11:35 am
Subject: Re: Kills by Public Spaces

Elaine.

It takes time to confirm information and then publish it online. Especially if that information contains data that we need to review before it is published publicly. There is way too much information out there in print and online that is published before it is fact-checked. The timeline with which information is published may not be to your liking, and I'm sorry if that is the case you have experienced previously.

If you feel there is specific information that is not being published in a timely manner I encourage you to contact the commission directly via email or your ward commissioner via phone. If there is a question in your message I'll answer it the best I can. But if your communication seeks only to insult people, I think you'll find a less warm reception to your messages.

Craig

Craig Grella

Commissioner, Mt. Lebanon Ward 4

cgrella@mtlebanon.org

(412) 343-3400

On Mon, Apr 2, 2018 at 2:23 PM, 'egillen476@aol.com' via Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org> wrote:

Keith, I have gone down this path before. 

Elaine

-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; Ian McMeans <imcmeans@mtlebanon.org>

Sent: Mon, Apr 2, 2018 9:28 am
Subject: Re: Kills by Public Spaces

Good morning Elaine,

Ian McMeans is handling your request. I'm sure he will provide you with a response as soon as one is available.

Keith

On Mon, Apr 2, 2018 at 9:10 AM, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Keith,

Any idea how long it will be to get the answer?

Elaine

-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; Ian McMeans <imcmeans@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Mon, Mar 26, 2018 7:33 am
Subject: Re: Kills by Public Spaces

Good morning Elaine. Ian McMeans is the staff lead for our deer management program. I am copying Ian on this reply so that he is aware of your request.

Keith

On Sun, Mar 25, 2018 at 5:47 PM, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Keith,

The 2017 Final "Sharpshooting" Report http://www.mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/View/14818 did not include the kills by Public Spaces. I had to ask for that information.

The 2018 Final "Sharpshooting" Report http://www.mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/View/16042 (virtually the same as 2017) did not include the kills by Public Spaces. I am, once again, asking for this information.

Elaine Gillen

Update April 5, 2018 5:29 PM Still no update on the municipal website, Craig. Exactly how much time is needed? This is why I have so many readers, Craig.

 From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To: cgrella <cgrella@mtlebanon.org>
Cc: kmcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; imcmeans <imcmeans@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Wed, Apr 4, 2018 1:56 pm
Subject: Re: Kills by Public Spaces

Craig, please show me where the information that I had requested has been published online, other than my blog. http://www.mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/View/16042

Lose the attitude.

Elaine

Timmy warns parents. Again. And again.

Keystone Oaks had a problem with the indoor rifle range being so close to Myrtle Avenue School, so Mt. Lebanon was forced to move the rifle range to Public Works. Here in Mt. Lebanon, our School District encourages parents to keep their kids on sidewalks and safe walking routes and avoid shortcuts through private properties starting Wednesday, February 1 through March 31, 2018. Killing starts at 4 PM on undisclosed private properties (during after school activities) and 6 PM at posted public properties including the Golf Course.

You might want to consider avoid sled riding at the Golf Course to avoid a "teaching moment*" for your kids.

Here is the letter from our head "teaching moment" professional, Mt. Lebanon's overpaid superintendent, who will be receiving a 6% increase this July. I hope all private schools and neighboring school districts have also been notified since we have lower standards for high powered rifles in our community. And it is PA Courts Approved!

From: Dr. Timothy Steinhauer [mailto:noreply@mtlsd.net]
Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 1:28 PM
To: Mt. Lebanon School District Families
Subject: Updated Deer Management Information

Dear Mt. Lebanon School District Families,

In our ongoing effort to keep you apprised of local issues, I am sending you information that I received from the Mt. Lebanon Municipality concerning the upcoming cull beginning on February 1 through March 31 of 2018.  I have attached a letter from Assistant Municipal Manger Ian McMeans with details about the program and a link to more extensive information on the Municipal website at http://www.mtlebanon.org/2114/Deer-Management-Information. This same information is also being shared with all of our principals, teachers, and support staff. Please do not hesitate to contact the Mt. Lebanon Municipality or Mt. Lebanon Police Department should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Timothy J. Steinhauer, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Letter from Municipality 0118.pdf**

*White Buffalo's Jody Maddock, August 15, 2014, considers children witnessing a deer being killed as a teaching moment. See How about this teachable moment?

**Same absurd suggestion from our municipality as last year. See Shooting starts Feb. 1- March 31, 2017.

It's like (Dead) Groundhog Day.

Update: Municipal Deer Management Program

From: Dr. Timothy Steinhauer [mailto:noreply@mtlsd.net]
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 11:13 AM
To: MTLSD Families
Subject: Update: Municipal Deer Management Program

Dear Mt. Lebanon School District Families,

In our ongoing effort to keep you apprised of local issues, I am sending you information that I received from the Mt. Lebanon Municipality concerning the controlled archery hunt they will conduct from September 16 through January 27 with a break between November 25 and December 25.  I have attached a letter from Municipal Manger Keith McGill with details about the program and a link to more extensive information on the Municipal website at http://www.mtlebanon.org/2114/Deer-Management-Information. This same information is also being shared with all of our principals, teachers, and support staff. Please do not hesitate to contact the Mt. Lebanon Municipality or Mt. Lebanon Police Department should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Timothy J. Steinhauer, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Mt. Lebanon School District

Municipal Deer Management Letter 2017.pdf 

Bullets never cross sidewalks. UPDATED

Pearls of wisdom from Keith.

Parents and teachers may want to tell children to avoid the designated parks after dark and suggest they use sidewalks/established safe walking routes instead of shortcuts through private properties.

Since no accidents occurred last year, the message is that they will continue until one does occur. Talk about dodging a bullet.

Parents received their annual C.Y.A. from Timmy and Keith this morning.  

From: Dr. Timothy Steinhauer <noreply@mtlsd.net>
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2017 10:01 AM
To: Mt. Lebanon Parent
Subject: Updated Deer Management Information

Dear Mt. Lebanon School District Families,

In our ongoing effort to keep you apprised of local issues, I am sending you information that I received from the Mt. Lebanon Municipality concerning the upcoming cull beginning on February 1 through March 31 of 2017.  I have attached a letter from Municipal Manger Keith McGill with details about the program and a link to more extensive information on the Municipal website at http://www.mtlebanon.org/2114/Deer-Management-Information. This same information is also being shared with all of our principals, teachers, and support staff. Please do not hesitate to contact the Mt. Lebanon Municipality or Mt. Lebanon Police Department should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Timothy J. Steinhauer, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Municipal Deer Management Letter 012317.pdf

The January 23, 2017 Municipal Deer Management Letter may be viewed HERE without downloading it.

Don't you just love what Keith says in his last paragraph?

Thank you for your help in promoting public safety. More information is available at www.mtlebanon.org by following the link on the homepage under Trending Now: Deer Management Information.

Just don't ask where those areas are. It costs thousands of dollars to try to find out. "Help in promoting public safety" translates to "It is none of your business where the killing is taking place."

Also, we'll find out how many deer were killed in the last archery program - 25% into the "sharpshooting" program - at the February 14, 2017 commission meeting, Valentines Day.

Update January 28, 2017 3:36 AM Last year's C.Y.A. letter was posted here on Lebo Citizens. Less details this year. No hours listed, no correct or incorrect FAQ attached, and the turnaround time to notify parents was four days.

The 2017 executed (or is it execution?) contract for "sharpshooting" has been posted on the municipal site and here on Lebo Citizens. Note: The municipal link is the direct link to the contract. It is hidden by scrolling through "Trending Now, " > Deer Management Information posted on July 20, 2016 > Additional Info.... Mt. Lebanon wouldn't want any of the killing information on the Home page. 

Don't you want to know?

Commissioners,

How can you wait until the end of January to find out if the plan is successful? Aren't you the least bit curious? Merlin Benner provided daily reports. You issued weekly reports to the public. Now, you are content waiting 4.5 months for a fatality count. Could it be that since you turned Mt. Lebanon into a hunter's Paradise, that you have no idea how many are being killed? The PG's John Hayes and White Buffalo's Jody Maddock (you wouldn't admit that on June 22, 2015) have turned Mt. Lebanon into a free for all. You lost all control.

You are going to be voting next month on hiring "Bubba with a gun." You have admitted that you do not know how many deer we have. You are relying on the contractor's estimates. You don't know how many deer are being killed. You won't know until the end of January whether the current plan worked! How can you vote on spending $100,000 to kill deer when you don't even know how many deer are living and how many deer are dead? Is that how you spend our money?

Now, you are taking the Steve Silverman approach to governing. Run out of the commission chambers, slamming the door behind you, and duck down the steps and out of the building to avoid constituents. You have reached a new low.

I don't expect a response from this email either. What a way to serve your community.

Elaine Gillen

"Three days into their latest deer-killing plan, Mt. Lebanon officials say they will wait four months before releasing information about how it's working.
Keith McGill, municipal planner in Mt. Lebanon, says he does not know whether any deer have been killed in the archery hunt, which started Saturday.
“Nor do I expect to receive (a report) prior to the end of the program (Jan. 23). I do not have the information,” he said

Read more: Mt. Lebanon officials mum on deer-killing project

Sent to the commissioners, Steve Feller, Keith McGill, and Phi Weis on September 22, 2015 at 7:02 AM.

Report from Wildlife Specialists 3/10/2015 - 3/15/2015

Attached you will find a copy of the report prepared by Wildlife Specialists that lists those nights that the cull activity has taken place in Mt. Lebanon. The trapping and culling activity has occurred on four nights in Mt. Lebanon. Prior to conducting culling activities, the contractor has notified the Police Department of the plans and location. The following morning I am notified of the results of the cull.

 
Stephen Feller
Municipal Manager



My observations:

Four deer were killed before 9:00 PM. Shooting isn't supposed to start until 9:00 PM.

Deer were trapped for at least 90 minutes from the time the gates closed and the shots fired.
Our Mt. Lebanon Public Misinformation Officer lists on the website that the team of trained professionals will be dispatched immediately to "euthanize" the deer. NINETY MINUTES?

Eleven bullets to kill three deer. That just sickens my stomach.

Remains of corral #2 at Golf Course

Corn, straw, and in some corrals, tufts of fur are what were left behind.

All CORRALS ARE NOW GONE!!!! Nothing at Bird, McNeilly, Robb Hollow, Golf Course, or Conservation District.

Update will be tomorrow. I'm wondering if Mt. Lebanon gave Benner some time to remove his shit before tomorrow's update. Why do I think Benner has left the building?

MTL's Deer Management Update

Finally, an update on the Mt. Lebanon.org website.

Deer Management Update* 

Wildlife Specialists will continue to cull deer in five public park areas through March 31. The parks are: Bird, Robb Hollow, McNeilly, the Mt. Lebanon Golf Course and the Connor Road Conservation Area. Activity begins at 9 p.m. when the parks close and ends by sunrise. Signs are posted at parks where activities are taking place and at the actual corral sites. As of March 13, 2015 four deer were euthanized*. We will issue another report on deer management next week.

*Mt. Lebanon Public Misinformation Office: 

This is not deer management. Stop using words that sugar coat what is actually being done. 

They were not euthanized. They were killed/murdered/slaughtered. We tried to make that clear, meeting after meeting.