ANOTHER NBC Nightly News Story on Artificial Turf

A followup story on NBC Nightly News tonight concerning artificial turf. High School Changes Plans for Artificial Turf Field

The school’s change of heart came after an NBC News investigation featuring University of Washington soccer coach Amy Griffin, who has compiled a list of 38 American soccer players -- 34 of them goalies -– who have been diagnosed with cancer, most commonly blood cancers like lymphoma and leukemia.

Both parents and players were concerned. Just like they are here. I received a note from a high school student today asking about the negative effects the artificial turf may have on the community.

I am going to include my response to the student here, which may help parents understand how we got to this point in Mt. Lebanon.

Hi XXXXXXXX,

Thank you for contacting me. I am delighted that you are taking an interest in this topic. I know that high school students appreciate the truth and are willing to listen. I also know that high school students understand abuse of power.

What I would like to share with you are links to various resources and let you draw your own conclusions.

Since you emailed me, you must be know about my blog, lebocitizens.blogspot.com. I have linked documents and reports that illustrate the negative effects on the community.
CBS News: School replaces artificial turf over cancer concerns
Groups Giving Second Thoughts To Those Little Black Crumbs On Playing Fields

http://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2014/10/nightly-news-on-nbc-at-630-pm.html

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/how-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166

http://www.today.com/video/today/56202605 

Morning Joe on MSNBC

Forbes Magazine: Buyers Remorse Surfacing Over Artificial Turf Fields
VOTERS REJECT ARTIFICIAL TURF IN THREE STATES

http://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2014/09/commissioners-and-school-board-members.html

http://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2014/02/artificial-turf-fields-troubling.html

These are just some of the negative effects on the community. There is the lack of transparency on behalf of the municipality discussing these potentially harmful effects.

http://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2014/10/no-leboalert-because-it-is-political.html

http://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2014/10/kids-health-safety-fair-is-not-correct.html

The use of excess tax dollars to fund the project, without a referendum, and the abuse of power when commissioners email constituents saying that they have three votes and that it will pass. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9r_1biKte_bLUp0dHU0bTE5eUk/view?usp=sharing

Where a commissioner lied about the ESB's stand on artificial turf. http://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2014/03/mother-of-all-rtks.html

http://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2014/02/audio-montage-of-nov-25-and-feb-11.html

In the audio montage above, Recreation Director David Donnellan is heard saying that there is a representative from the Parks Advisory Board on the Sports Advisory Board. Dave Franklin, Parks Advisory Board liaison, shares his perspective here. http://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2014/03/appeasing-select-few.htmlIt wasn't until Mr. Franklin was absent from a meeting, when we learned about the Parks Advisory Board push back here. http://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2014/05/finally-board-pushes-back.html

Then there is the post which shows flooding on Cedar Blvd. http://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2014/04/i-dont-know-where-to-begin.html

and the video clip of the same from August. http://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2014/08/cedar-blvd-closed-due-to-flooding.html Notice how the first comment accuses me of lying.

Sadly, the school board directors will be putting in artificial turf on the high school's Rock Pile." http://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2014/02/more-artificial-turf-coming-to-high.html and http://www.thealmanac.net/article/20141021/NEWS/141029978

Finally, XXXXXXX, there will be a rally on Sunday morning at 11:00 AM down at the fields. http://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2014/10/rally-for-lebo-kids-health_22.html  I would like to invite some students to SPEAK at the rally against the turf project, if they are interested in representing the student point of view. Someone will be. There is nothing more powerful than hearing from your point of view. I hope you can make it on Sunday. If you do, please introduce yourself to me. I would love to meet another citizen exercising his First Amendment rights.

Thank you for contacting me...

Elaine Gillen.

What Mt. Lebanon residents don't know is what the DEP shared with a concerned resident.  The new storm water plan will be more expensive. A lot more more expensive. Our commissioners have not disclosed that to us. Perhaps they never thought to ask. Or Gateway engineering forgot to tell them. 

Don't forget: 

"Rally for Lebo Kids' Health"
Sunday, October 26, 2014 11:00 AM
Middle and Wildcat Fields on Cedar Blvd.

Introducing Our "New Crown Jewel" UPDATED 2X

That is what the Sports Advisory Board is calling the turf project for Middle and Wildcat Fields.

Sports Advisory Board Video from Feb. 6, 2014

A presentation will be made to the commission on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at 6:15 PM. Notes from the presentation are:

Fundraising YTD $56,500  Target is $250,000

Contributions include:
$47,500 from Sports Associations
$5,000 PAC
$4,000 from an anonymous donor (Gateway?)

Contributions are being handled by Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment.

Signage revenue would be considered as non-municipal contributions

Recommended fee schedule:
Recognized Mt. Lebanon Sports Associations would be charged $15/hour per field. It is estimated that a minimum of $12,000 in fees collected annually would be allocated for turf replacement.

In lieu of fees, MTLSD would be responsible for field maintenance.

Vendor List 1/15/14 meeting
Field Turf
Astro Turf
Shaw
Prograss

Some vendors from 1/15/14 also sell organic fill turf, and none spoke highly of organic fill turf. Organic fill (coconut shells and cork) tends to float away. It freezes. There is a tendency for "stuff" to grow in it and would need a pesticide treatment. It also decomposes.

Vendor List 2/7/14 meeting
GeoTurf organic fill turf


Project Schedule
Design Development - pending Commission approval Feb./March 2014
Construction Documents & Specifications April/May 2014
Advertise Bids May 15, 2014
Open Bids June 4, 2014
Award Bids at either the June 10 or 23rd Commission Meeting
Begin Construction July 15, 2014*
Completion Date October 21, 2014

*Flexible may be August 1, 2014

There was discussion of potential capital projects using more unassigned funds. Everyone was in agreement that McNeilly is out of the question. Dave Franklin was silent. Also, instead of buying a mower for the golf course, a number of smaller projects could be completed instead.

My takeaway: Organic turf is not an option. We'll see what my RTK reveals, if it ever gets granted.

Update February 9, 2014 10:25 AM Organic infill would be an Add/Alternate.