Field Proposal To Be Presented on June 25
The Mt. Lebanon Commissioners previously requested that the youth sports groups develop a proposal/plan for adding synthetic turf to one of our existing field spaces. Since that time, members of the youth sports groups have met with representatives from various turf companies, lighting companies, field space consultants, the municipal staff and the Commissioners. The plan will be presented on Monday June 25 @ 6:15PM during the Commission Discussion Session in the Commission Chambers. Please come and listen to this exciting proposal.Here is the official agenda to Monday's Commission Discussion Session.
My week has been consumed with YSA related activity. Blogging, doing research on artificial turf vs. natural grass, filing Right To Knows over their contributions [or lack of], going to meetings, meeting with Commissioners, and writing emails are just some of the things I have been doing.
So now, the organization that owes over $140,000 to the School District is going to make an "exciting proposal" to the Commissioners. Unbelievable.
*Both the Commission and the YSA
Update June 22, 2012 4:45 PM I realize that the YSA says that this blog doesn't know what we are talking about, but as a mother and grandmother, I cannot sit and watch this happen. As a taxpayer, I cannot sit and watch this happen. What does it take to get the public involved?
From a reader:
The public should be aware of these issues before the turf presentation Monday.
From San Francisco parks & Rec Dept.
Attachment 1
Attachment 2
New York City (February 10, 2009)
First Deputy Parks Commissioner Liam Kavanagh said that “The controversial material made from recycled tires will no longer be used in synthetic-turf fields for parks and schools." The officials said they stopped using it because it could pose a health risk.”. Officials said yesterday, "New York City will replace the crumb in all city fields."
New York City (February 3, 2009)
US District Judge Paul Gardephe in Manhattan ruled that “toys containing a plastic-softening chemical [phthalate] linked to infertility and testicular cancer in men must be removed.” Artificial turf has been found to contain phthalates.
San Jose: CA (January 22, 2009)
The San Jose Unified School district voted no to tire waste synthetic turf on environmental and health grounds.
Connecticut (January 2009)
Connecticut State Representative Kim Fawcett will seek a moratorium on the installation of new synthetic turf fields until "such time as an honest assessment of its risk can be had."
New Jersey
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey set forth the findings of a scientific investigation into absorption of lead form artificial turf infill crumb rubber granules into gastric fluids. “[A] new study by researchers at the UMDNJ-School of Public Health finds that when children or athletes ingest the tiny rubber granules in synthetic turf, it is likely that a significant portion of the lead in the granules will be absorbed by their bodies' gastric fluids,”.
Dallas, Texas
Fields in two well-known high school stadiums, including the one made famous by the book and movie "Friday Night Lights," were announced to have lead levels far exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency's standard for soil, according to independent tests.
Update June 23, 2012 4:30 PM The following links are from a RTK request filed several years ago
concerning artificial turf for the high school, turfing Mellon and Wildcat fields, swimming pool issues, and building an indoor sports facilities.
Attachment 2
