Maybe moving to Dormont is a good idea

Look at what little old Dormont is doing. Developer negotiating to build apartments, parking garage near Dormont light rail stop

We have been fooling around with the hotel, waiting decades for Zamagias to develop property across from St. Bernard's, and nothing but talk when it comes to the TRID (Transit Revitalization Investment Districts) now being called something else, which I can't recall at the moment. Air rights?

Communities are passing us by, Folks. Just keep on thinking that we are number one on everything. I have been criticized for looking at Upper St. Clair. Now, I hope we can keep up with Dormont.

There is something really fishy going on here.

The five year forecast dated 5/23/2011 (the first link below) shows AUDITED revenues for 2009-10 at $74.8+ million. BUT, in a prior report dated 5/16/2011 (the second link) the AUDITED revenues number for 2009-10 is $72.1 million.


How does one gain over $2.75 million in revenue in one week in an audited school year???


http://www.mtlsd.org/district/budget/stuff/04_fiveyearforecast_2011.pdf

http://www.mtlsd.org/district/budget/stuff/final201112.pdf

I love my new porch roof!

It isn't done yet, but here is the picture from the Allegheny County website of my new porch roof.  

Here is the picture I took today.  As you can see, I still need to have it stained.

I got my reassessment from the County today.  They are really on top of things.  I had a building permit, since I always go by the rules.  I am not complaining, because those who know me, know that I pay my taxes as soon as I get the tax bill.  I paid my County taxes in early February!!  I am also mindful of people paying their fair share.  I was on a committee this past summer that sent out reminders to those who did not file for a Homestead Exclusion. This is a way to reduce your assessed home value by $15,000.  We sent a letter to the owner of this home:

His home is assessed at $189,000 without the Homestead Exclusion.  With the Homestead Exclusion, this house would be assessed at $174,000.  That is only $42,400 more than my home's reassessment after my Homestead Exclusion.

Here is the current picture from the County website.  Same house.

What confuses me is that this home was purchased in 2006 for $373,000, not $189,000.  It was remodeled in 2007, (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07342/840060-30.stm ) and is now on the market for $674,900.  As a candidate for Commissioner of Ward 3, I have been looking at ways to generate revenue for Mt. Lebanon.  Oh wait, this house is in Ward 3.  Oh my, it is the commissioner of Ward 3's home.  And he was just endorsed by the Republican Committee.   Imagine that.

I love my house.  I really love my new porch roof and am glad I spent the money to make it the way I have always wanted it to be.  I have no regrets.  Oh, I forgot.  I am not moving either.

Build houses here

On March 28, 2011, the Mt. Lebanon Commissioners will be discussing the recommendations made by the land use ad-hoc committee, trying to generate additional revenue for Mt. Lebanon. Recommendations of the land use ad-hoc committee include possible sale of a portion or all of the Mt.Lebanon Golf Course for development, and getting Right of Ways into the tax base.  Another recommendation by the committee includes Parks development such as selling off parcels of Bird Park.

I will not be able to attend Monday's meeting, so I will be emailing the Commissioners with my idea, as well posting it here.

Living next to Rockwood Park since 1985, my husband and I adopted the park and enjoyed watching our kids play with their friends.   Even when our youngest would ride his "Big Wheel," the neighborhood parents would drink coffee and stay outside with our kids until the streetlight came on.  We hosted Foster School "field trips" where the kids and their families would have lunch in the park and we handed out popsicles for dessert.  We had many birthday parties under the shelter.  But we never let the kids go to the upper parking lot.  It is secluded and attracts a lot of illegal activity.  I am sure Public Works could tell you what kind of debris is left behind.  The neighbors on Rockwood Avenue have been dealing with this issue for years. 

So here is my proposal.  Develop the upper parking lot of Rockwood Park.  The neighbors would welcome five or even six new homes built there.  Presently, a new home is being constructed next to the parking lot and will have its own driveway and garage.  The old home that was there previously used the upper parking lot since there was no driveway available.  It would revitalize the neighborhood, reduce police calls, and the green space would remain untouched, while generating revenue for Mt. Lebanon.