Bastards UPDATED

I'm sorry, but that is how I feel towards our municipal government.

Here is what is on the Municipal website.

PERMIT ISSUED FOR DEER MANAGEMENT

The Pennsylvania Game Commission has issued a permit to Mt. Lebanon to use the capture and euthanize method of reducing the deer population. Wildlife specialists will be conducting the program in six public park areas through March 31.

The capture and euthanize program is part of Mt. Lebanon’s comprehensive deer management plan. Wildlife Specialists, a natural resource consulting company based in Wellsboro, Pa., headed by certified wildlife biologist Merlin Benner will perform this service. All members of Benner’s team have extensive experience in wildlife management and are permitted by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The six public park areas where the corral traps—six sided enclosures with 8-foot-high fences—will be placed are: McNeilly, Bird, Robb Hollow and Twin Hills parks, Mt. Lebanon Golf Course and the Connor Road conservation district. All six areas will remain open during the day.

The traps will be baited and monitored remotely by camera. When a group of deer enters the trap, the gate will close remotely, and a team of trained professionals will be dispatched immediately to euthanize the deer using suppressed, small-caliber rifles at close range, mostly at night. The method is considered to be very safe, and people should not hear any loud noises from these activities.

The contractor will post signs indicating the perimeter of the area where traps have been placed. Stay out of the posted work areas, and report any suspicious activity by calling 911. Please remember that all of these park areas close to the public at 9 p.m.




From: LeboALERT 
To: EGillen476 
Date: Tue, Feb 17, 2015 2:57 pm 

This is an important notice from LeboALERT. Mt, Lebanon has received permit to capture and euthanize deer in 6 public park areas through March 31. More info at www.mtlebanon.org.


Pennsylvania Game Commission OKs Mt. Lebanon deer-culling plan 
By Matthew Santoni
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, 11:33 a.m.



From: Dr. Timothy Steinhauer <noreply@mtlsd.net>
To:
Sent: Tue, Feb 17, 2015 4:08 pm
Subject: Municipal Letter Concerning Deer Culling

Dear Mt. Lebanon Parents, 

The Mt. Lebanon Municipality received permission today from the Pennsylvania Game Commission to proceed with the deer cull. They have asked us to share the attached letter with you. 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Timothy Steinhauer 

Superintendent of Schools

Mt. Lebanon receives official OK to cull deer

Brian Benner said he expected baiting to start sometime Feb. 18 though he wouldn’t give “an exact timetable so people upset with (the company’s) plan wouldn’t come out and try to stop them.”
Deer bait will be placed at several locations on the municipal golf course, on conservation land off of Connor Road, and in various parks, including Bird, McNeilly, Robb Hollow, and Twin Hills, according to township manager Steve Feller.

Update February 18, 2015 Does anyone else find this letter from the Lincoln Elementary School Principal disturbing?

From: Ronald Kitsko < rkitsko@mtlsd.net>
Date: February 18, 2015 at 11:00:07 AM EST
To:
Subject: Deer Cull at Twin Hills Park
Reply-To: Ronald Kitsko < rkitsko@mtlsd.net>

Lincoln Families,

As you may be aware, the Mt. Lebanon municipal deer cull was recently approved by the PA Game Commission. The deer cull will impact several community parks, to include Twin Hills Park, which lies within the Lincoln Elementary School residence area. I have attached a letter that was sent to Dr. Steinhauer about the deer cull for your review. I want to make sure that you are in the loop and able to share the information with your children as you see appropriate. The traps will be visible, so you may want to direct your children to stay away from Twin Hills Park until the deer cull ends.

Please direct any and all questions about the deer cull to the Mt. Lebanon municipal building.

Ron Kitsko

          Principal

Blood in Twin Hills Park this morning

From Howe School principal:

Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2015 08:17:37 -0800
From: MichelleMurray@mtlsd.net
To: 
Subject: Municipal Deer Culling

Dear Parents of Howe Students:
Our superintendent, Dr. Steinhauer, sent out a letter to all parents of Mt. Lebanon students explaining the municipal deer culling project.  I have attached the same letter here for your convenience.
The purpose for my email is to remind you that the culling will occur in two of our neighboring parks, McNeilly Park and Mt. Lebanon Golf Course.  The culling will occur through March 31, 2015.  Although the capture and euthanization part of the process will occur mostly at night, please prevent your children from visiting these parks throughout the project as there will be visible traps in these areas.
Please contact the municipality if you have questions.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michelle Murray
Principal

Mt. Lebanon Deer Culling Plan In Effect KDKA reported from Twin Hills Park today.

When there are a maximum of six deer in the collection pens, the contractor will shoot the deer.

When there are a maximum of six deer in the corrals, they will be shot? It just gets worse and worse.
While visiting KDKA, cast your vote. When I last checked, 80% were against the deer culling plan.


Bird Park Dr. park entrance late at night on February 18, 2015

How the School District CHEATS Mt. Lebanon taxpayers

While the focus here has been primarily directed toward the municipality's deer, our school district has been up to their old tricks preparing the legally required Preliminary Budget, a.k.a. "fake budget."

Mt. Lebanon resident and Lebo Citizens reader, William Matthews demonstrates to the Department of Education how the District annually submits a fake preliminary budget when the “PDE will only approve referendum exceptions if the school district demonstrates a need for exceptions by adopting a balanced preliminary budget that contains a tax rate increase in excess of the school district’s index.” In his letters, Bill asks the PDE to perform a detailed review of our preliminary budget and reject the Mt. Lebanon School District 2015-2016 Preliminary Budget.

Yesterday, I received the following email from Bill:

Dear friends and neighbors. 

The School District's approach in preparing its Preliminary Budget, continues to disappoint. 

The attached letters have been sent to our Superintendent and School Board, and I am sharing with you this afternoon. 

Feel free to share with other friends and neighbors. 

Best regards, 

Bill

From: Bill Matthews
To: tsteinhauer <tsteinhauer@mtlsd.net>
Cc: schoolboard <schoolboard@mtlsd.net>; jklein <jklein@mtlsd.net>; tpeterson <tpeterson@tuckerlaw.com>
Sent: Wed, Feb 11, 2015 6:11 pm

Subject: Preliminary Budget - Mt. Lebanon School District.
Dr. Steinhauer:

I submitted the attached letters to PDE this week, outlining some of my thoughts on our Preliminary Budgets.

Take care,

Bill


Mt. Lebanon School District/Pennsylvania Department of Education Preliminary Budget 02.08.15  letter
[Editor's note: Normally, the school board should have been meeting tonight, but the January 12, 2015 agenda shows: Preliminary Budget - Act 1 of 2006 requires the Board approve a Preliminary Budget on the State form before February 18, 2015. Since the Board’s February meeting is after that date, we are presenting the budget for approval in January.
The School Board also met on February 9, 2015.]


Mt. Lebanon School District/Pennsylvania Department of Education Preliminary Budget 02.09.15 letter

Media Coverage of the Commissioners' Dirty Deed

As of 5:29 PM, the Stop the deer culling petition has 3,213 supporters.





The Trib reports Divisive deer plan sparks protest in Mt. Lebanon

And from the folks at the Post-Gazette, who claim we have THOUSANDS of deer in Mt. Lebanon, comes this fine example of accurate reporting. Mt. Lebanon commission, residents debate deer culling  I think I am going to cancel my subscription to the Post-Gazette.

A podcast of last night's commission is available on my website, lebocitizens.com.


Commissioner Fraasch has a call to action on her blog, A Call to Action! Contact the PA Game Commission and State Representatives

Fake KDKA News (@Fake_KDKA)

2/11/15, 12:07 PM

Deer issue disturbing warning to Mt. Lebanon residents: pic.twitter.com/wuPNHftabK


KDKA-TV/CBS Pittsburgh on Facebook 

KDKA-TV | CBS Pittsburgh

Killing deer in Mt. Lebanon is a controversial issue. Despite protests from residents and a petition, it appears the plan is moving forward.

Do you support the plan?
So far 232 comments. Most of them are negative comments about the horrible, rich snobs of Mt. Lebanon who don't like deer poop. Thank you, Commissioners. 

Trap-and-Euthanize Deer Cull to Begin in Mt. Lebanon On NPR:

The city of Mt. Lebanon did implement a sharp-shooting program in place from 2006-2008, but Linfante said it was discontinued over safety concerns among her fellow commissioners, many of which she believes are imagined. 

As for what is on the Municipal website as of February 12, 2015 at 12:30 PM: The bogus deer incident report still shows my reported incident of August 20, 2014. I asked for it to be removed during Citizen Comments and acting president Kelly Fraasch said that someone would contact me. No one has. The approved list of killing sites has not been updated. No mention of Twin Hills Park or the Conservation District. 

The Almanac February 12, 2015 Mt. Lebanon to expand deer cull despite protests 

                                                                The Almanac 021215

Think more, kill less Letters to the Editor, Observer-Reporter

What a shame to hear about the controversy about lowering the deer population in Mt. Lebanon. 

How inhumane and cruel it would be to lure animals into a pen to kill them for an exorbitant fee. The easier solution would be to lure them into that same pen, then into a truck, and move them to an area where the population of deer is not a problem.

Mt. Lebanon's deer culling will be a savage slaughter

February 13, 2015 12:00 AM

Regarding “Mt. Lebanon Deer Culling Debated” (Feb. 11): Years ago, as an Upper St. Clair resident, I opposed the culling of deer by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to no avail. It took place in the woods behind my home, now known as Boyce Mayview Park, where I daily walked my dogs.

It ruined our peaceful walks, encouraged poachers (who killed a rare albino deer and left it to rot!) and didn’t stop gardens from being eaten or cars colliding with deer. 

I find it interesting that a Mt. Lebanon resident stated that 37 years ago she didn’t have deer in her backyard (or deer poop, which seems to be her main concern). That’s because the community wasn’t overdeveloped then, as every community with deer problems needs to recognize. 

Drivers need to be cautious; I’m sure speeding is a factor in many collisions. 

The deer are very intelligent, adapting to having their environment taken from them by suburbanites.

Every resident in favor of Mt. Lebanon’s savage slaughter should have to personally shoot the deer. I wonder how many could watch the fear and panic in those beautiful creatures’ eyes and pull the trigger? Over poop and flowers! Ah ... the human ego. 

By the way, I am a master gardener. Fences, repellents and proper plant selection sure beat violence and guns. 

LYNNE LUCCHINO
Bethel Park

As of February 14, 2015 at 2:03 AM, the Stop the deer culling! petition has 3,604 supporters.

The Post-Gazette editorial board has taken a stand. February 14, 2015 12:00 AM Deer kill: Mt. Lebanon leaders should cancel the slaughter 

Since the game commission must decide whether to approve this plan, there’s hope it will tell Mt. Lebanon game over, do something else. We say live and let live, and learn to plant flowers and shrubs that the deer will ignore.

Mike Pintek:February 5, 2015 - HOUR 3) 
KDKA Radio
Dr Jeffrey Pope - Veterinarian and Owner of Pittsburgh East Animal Hospital joined Mike to discuss Mt. Lebanon's deer culling plan. Dr Pope explained how trapping deer in a cage is cruel because they will injure and even kill themselves trying to get out.

New clearing discovered in Twin Hills Park: 

The new clearing leads to this parking lot of an apartment complex. Can anyone figure out which street this is?

This truck was sitting in the circle of Williamsburg Park for 45 minutes last week scouting out possible locations for corrals.

Contact the PA Game Commission. 

- Chris Rosenberry (biologist): 717 433 4062.
- Robert Schlemmer (Commissioner for Allegheny County): 724 327 1649.

The Mt. Lebanon plan to kill deer is pathetic 

February 16, 2015 12:00 AM

Thank you for your Feb. 14 editorial regarding the local so-called “deer kill” (“Deer Kill: Mt. Lebanon Leaders Should Cancel the Slaughter”).

This, in my mind, is a pathetic response to a problem posed in our so-called “advanced civilization.”
My house is on a regular deer route, and my plants disappear, but I would rather see the deer fed and happy posing in my yard than dead in the middle of the night in some council person’s trap.
Let’s try an option that matches our so-called “advanced understanding” of things here in Mt. Lebanon.

JEANNE DIANA
Mt. Lebanon

Here's how Benner plans to kill the deer UPDATED

On page 3 of Mt. Lebanon's contract, Merlin Benner describes the procedure his company will be using to kill the deer. After the deer are "euthanized," the heads of the deer will be covered with plastic garbage bags to "minimize blood onsite."

On October 4, 2013, I shared a video with Lebo Citizens readers where plastic bags were used to suffocate deer. I never watched this video, and never will,  but here it is:

On Tuesday evening, the Commission will be discussing the potential locations of this horrible process during the Commission Discussion Session.

Please attend Tuesday's commission meeting and let the commissioners know during Citizen Comments if you feel this is wrong. The commission meeting starts at 8:00 PM in the Commission Chambers (the Municipal Building located on Washington Road across from Sesame Inn). 

Looking for talking points? 

• Tom Moertel has put together data of 75 weeks of car accidents and four years of deer incidents. How dangerous are deer? 
• Conflict of interest The deer expert billed Mt. Lebanon $12,000 for a deer management plan, was the sole bidder to his plan, and was awarded the contract to fulfill (execute?) his plan. 
• Close proximity to Hoover Elementary, Markham Elementary and homes. These parks are frequented by children, dog walkers, golfers, and adults who enjoy the outdoors.
• Lyme disease Mice, not deer, transmit Lyme Disease bacteria to ticks.
• Cruelty to animals and inhumane method used to kill the deer (See above for starters. More throughout this blog.)
• Why culls are expensive and haven't worked (Visit the deerfriendly.org page for examples.)
• How this is gaining statewide, national and international attention. We are an embarrassment to the world. Stop the deer culling! As of 7:52 AM, there are 2,533 supporters on the petition.
• The manipulation of data collected by the Mt. Lebanon Police with deer incidents vs. deer accidents, 2013 aerial survey counts vs. 2014 aerial survey counts, exaggerations of deer encounters by elected officials, and inaccurate Commission meeting minutes.
• Or just state your name, address, and why you are opposed to deer culling in Mt. Lebanon

Update February 7, 2015 6:39 PM I have been told that a  leaflet was dropped off to Mt. Lebanon businesses today. The Mount Lebanon Deer Killing Program

Update February 9, 2015 7:47 PM This was sent to me by a Lebo Citizens reader. Thanks, you know who you are!

Benner received $12,000 for services rendered

I filed a Right To Know on Monday, February 2, 2015 for "all invoices submitted by Merlin Benner/Wildlife Specialists LLC for services rendered to date."

Steve Feller granted my request in a timely manner. Thank you, Steve. Here is the email with the documents that were attached.

Ms. Gillen:

I received your February 2, 2015 right to know request for "all invoices submitted by Merlin Benner/Wildlife Specialists LLC for services rendered to date." There are two documents that are responsive to this request and they are attached.

Steve Feller
Municipal Manager

An open letter to the PA Game Commission

Charlotte Stephenson, Mt. Lebanon resident and Lebo Citizens reader, sent the following email to the PA Game Commission. Thank you, Charlotte!

From: Charlotte Stephenson
To: pgccomments pgccomments@pa.gov  
Subject: Mt. Lebanon PA Deer Management, Southwest Region
Date: Wed, Feb 4, 2015 11:52 pm

To Whom it May Concern of the Pennsylvania Game Commission:

I am a resident of the Mt. Lebanon Municipality in Pittsburgh where a permit application has been submitted to bait, corral and shoot deer. I cannot obtain any detailed information from our local Commissioners regarding the specific plan for this in terms of where, when and exactly how such activity will occur. I live near one of the main parks and have noticed deer over the years. They are not a nuisance to our family. I have not seen as many deer this year as I did a few years ago. I do understand the deer population issue in general, but I do not believe that it is as problematic here as it has been stated by our community leadership.

Our neighboring park is visited frequently by my family, grandson and neighbors who enjoy walking their dogs there or simply enjoy the nature trails and creek all year round.

I am deeply concerned that when I, my grandson or other residents encounter the trapped deer knowing that they are doomed, it will have a lasting emotional impact. As you know, we don't all share the same perspective when it comes to animal rights or hunting. Hunting in Pennsylvania is permitted in areas where it makes sense, but permitting such activity in our densely populated community has the potential to frighten and disgust anyone who believes that this is an inhumane idea. Here is a possible scenario: Child asks "Mommy, why are those deer in that fence jumping around and why can't they get out?". Mom says "Well honey, they are a nuisance to our community so they are in a trap and will be shot and killed as soon as someone shows up to do it". Are we to avoid our public parks so we don't have to deal with this fallout?

Our municipality plants numerous flower beds throughout the community and the varieties they plant attract deer and yet the Commissioners passed an ordinance against feeding deer. There has never been community outreach to help residents understand what they can do to deter deer from visiting their gardens in terms of plantings or deer fences, nor has there been any instruction regarding specific locations or times of day when deer may be moving around or crossing roads for those who may encounter a deer on the road from time to time.

Our leadership is in disarray given the constantly changing direction regarding this issue combined with their actions that are in direct conflict with practical deer management concepts.

Please request that our Commissioners perform their obligatory due diligence to submit accurate information on the numbers of deer we have (this information has been incorrect so far), and demonstrate that other solutions have been fully investigated before permitting such a potentially unsettling program in our densely populated community to move forward.

Thank You,

Charlotte M. Stephenson

While I was looking on the PA Game Commission website, I stumbled upon the contact information of the PA Game Commission press secretary.

Travis Lau, PA Game Commission press secretary
717-705-6541
trlau@pa.gov

I also saw that the PA Game Commission was considering a hiking ban during hunting season. The plan has been tabled for now. Game Commission tables idea for hiking ban, permits on state game lands Here in Mt. Lebanon, our illustrious commissioners won't tell us where the hunting will occur. We will have to rely on reports from children, dog walkers, hikers, and neighbors to keep us informed.

Stop the deer culling! The petition now has 1,400 signatures. Thank you!

Petition: Stop the deer culling! UPDATED

I just signed the petition "Mt. Lebanon Deer Culling: Stop the deer culling!" and wanted to see if you could help by adding your name.

Our goal is to reach 500 signatures and we need more support. You can read more and sign the petition here:

Stop the deer culling!

Thanks!

Elaine

Update February 3, 2015 6:42 AM As of 6:42 AM, there are 973 signatures. Thank you!

Update February 3, 2015 11:56 AM As of 11:55 AM, there are 1061 signatures. I am posting Kristen's response to an email that was sent by a resident. Didn't someone say that the deer running into Create-A-Frame never occur? The wildlife expert that Kristen is quoting wants nothing to do with Mt. Lebanon. I am asking for the letter which states that the sterilization permit was denied. The Lyme Disease figure is another big, fat lie. How many lies can you spot in Kristen's email?

Dear xxxxxxxxx,

Thanks for taking the time to contact the commission with your concerns. The fact is that the commission is implementing a cull because of the large number of car accidents that have been reported, and the fact that the number is on the rise. We are dealing with a major safety issue, unfortunately. A wildlife expert has estimated that we have nearly 100 deer per square mile in Mt. Lebanon. They have no known predators other than cars, and the population has remained unchecked. Numerous experts have told us that there is no non-lethal method that would solve our problem because the numbers are currently so high. The commission did support a two-pronged approach of an initial cull to quickly reduce the numbers, and then a sterilization program to keep the numbers in check. However, sterilization is not approved in the state of PA, and our application to the game commission for sterilization was denied. We hope that once our numbers are lower, the game commission will reconsider. 

This is not about gardeners. This is about safety. It is not just about speeding cars either. One resident was severely injured in my ward when stopped at a light. A deer crashed through her driver's side window. The deer's antlers mutilated the woman, severely injuring her as the deer thrashed about. She was not speeding. She was not even moving. This is not the first incident of a non-moving car being struck by deer. Another deer recently crashed into the window of Create-a-Frame on Washington Rd, and last year a deer crashed through the window at Stout Flooring on Castle Shannon Blvd and caused significant damage. Deer have also jumped through large windows and sliding doors in residents' home causing major damage. Unfortunately, the number of deer/vehicular accidents is too high. The risks are too great. We must do something as it is a public safety issue. Lyme Disease - which is up almost 300% is, of course, also an issue. 

We have spent years investigating this issue, and have come up with a plan that we hope will reduce car accidents. This is our goal - to reduce car accidents with deer by 50% in the next 3-5 years. If there are less deer on our roads, the risks will be reduced. Again, they have no known predators. This is not a natural environment for them either. Because those predators don't exist here, we must find a way to keep ecology in balance.

Answers to your specific questions: Yes, the police will continue to track deer incidents as they have done for the past several years. All of those stats are available to the public.
Yes, the municipality will inform the public of the locations of the corrals.
The corrals will be monitored for deer, and also for human tampering. Yes, the company awarded the contract will clean the area of any blood, etc. 

I disagree with your assessment that this is a "mockery of leadership". Public Safety must be the #1 concern of every municipality. Deer management falls into this category. I recognize that this is an emotion issue for some, but safety must remain a top priority, and the extreme overpopulation of deer is putting our residents at significant risk as shown in the data we have collected over the past several years. 

Thanks again for taking the time to write.
Yours truly,

Kristen Linfante

Commissioner, Ward 3

Update February 4, 2015 5:44 AM As of 5:42 AM, there are 1,248 signatures. Thank you!

Update February 4, 2015 9:49 AM I wanted to share an email from our police chief, Coleman McDonough, with Lebo Citizens readers. Inaccuracies I reread the email string and can see how it can be interpreted either way. Thank you for the clarification. I do apologize.

Chief, I do hope that you release the specific deer culling locations before any corralling begins.

It's really bait and switch UPDATED

It looks like our Public Information Office was hard at work yesterday, putting together FAQs about Mt. Lebanon's "Capture and Euthanize Project." Yes, Susan, that sounds sooooo much better than bait and kill. You are so good at that. [Think Field Enhancement Project, Lebo Citizens readers.] WHERE is this taking place? What we are told is, "Corral traps will be built and baited in safe public areas." Steve Feller assured me during Citizen Comments that the locations will be posted on the Mt. Lebanon website. Kelly Fraasch asked if affected neighbors will be notified and the answer was no.

FAQ's about the Capture and Euthanize Project

Q: What are the goals of the project?
A: The overall goal of Mt. Lebanon’s deer management program is to reduce deer/vehicle collisions within the municipality by 50 percent within five years. The capture and euthanize phase for 2015 will take place in February and March. Does that make this a five year project?
Q: Who determined the goals and the course of actions?
A: The Mt. Lebanon Municipal Commission, representing the residents, voted to trap and euthanize as part of the comprehensive deer management plan. They received much input from residents at public meetings and other means and also solicited input from a variety of professionals and interest groups. Oh puleeze.
Q: Explain the methods to be used. Why is trap and euthanize effective?
A: Corral traps will be built and baited in safe public areas WHERE? over a period of several days. The bait will attract deer to the corrals. Trail cameras will monitor the corrals, sending real-time images to the trappers. Will Mt. Lebanon have access to the videos? Will the cameras be rolling when the deer are killed? When large groups of deer are inside a corral, a text message will activate the closure of the gate. Immediately, a crew will dispatch to shoot the deer using suppressed, small-caliber rifles. Most of the shooting will take place at night. This method should be more effective at capturing large numbers of deer than either the clover traps, which capture single deer at a time, or possibly even sharpshooting, where larger groups of deer can’t be taken without the possibility of some escaping. These traps were designed for wild boar, not deer.
Q: What will happen to the deer meat?
A: Euthanized deer will be taken to a local processor, which will process and package the meat and deliver it to local food banks and shelters through the Hunters Sharing the Harvest program. Is Mt. Lebanon paying the processing fee as once offered at a Commission Discussion Session?
Q: Who is conducting this project, and what are their qualifications?
A: Wildlife Specialists, LLC, has been selected to provide the capture and euthanization services. The company has a strong team of wildlife professionals who have broad experience within Pennsylvania and beyond. Why did I just think of Buzz Lightyear? All individuals assisting with this project in the field are permitted through the Pennsylvania Game Commission to conduct these activities. For more information on Wildlife Specialists, visit their site atwww.wildlife-specialists.com. Yeah, visit their site. Also check out their experience listed on page 14 of their proposal; Mt. Lebanon and The Forestland Group. 
Q: Why is this being done instead of hunting?
A: As first step in its deer management program, Mt. Lebanon had planned to conduct an archery hunt but was unable to get the program in place this season in time to obtain the required permit from the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Note additional factors listed on page 23 of my 1/29/15 RTK. The high density of homes in Mt. Lebanon and the Safety Zone requirements for hunting in Pennsylvania make hunting, when not combined with other methods, a ineffective option for achieving a meaningful reductions of the deer population here. Mt. Lebanon does intend to use limited archery hunting to supplement the deer control program in future deer hunting seasons.
Q: Why can’t the deer be captured and transferred to another location?
A: The Pennsylvania Game Commission and similar wildlife agencies across the United States have decided to discourage the transfer of white-tailed deer for many reasons. The primary reason is to minimize the spread of diseases like Chronic Wasting Disease. Other reasons include not transferring problems of deer overabundance from one area to another. Often people cite low deer populations in another area as being a reason to move deer into those habitats, but most often those low populations are a result of poor habitat caused by historically unbalanced deer herds, where the high populations degraded the habitat, and the habitat is taking time to recover. Read what the hunters are saying about that in Mt. Lebanon, Making own hunting rules?.
Q: Is this method more humane than other options?
A: The stress on the deer will be minimized by not handling them (which is inherent to other capture methods or even tranquilization) and because the shooting will take place under the cover of darkness. Huh? Death will be immediate and painless. The very close range will prevent misses or wounding. Dave Brumfield promised that he would never vote to bring guns into Mt. Lebanon.
For additional information on white-tailed deer or municipal deer control, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s website at www.pgc.state.pa.us.

1/29/15

Update January 31, 2015 8:45 AM In this week's letter to the commission and staff, Steve Feller writes:

Mt. Lebanon needs to submit another permit application for this process. It really is bait and switch!

Both sides agree!

It is starting already. Nobody is pleased with the deer killing plan recently approved by Kristen Linfante, Steve Silverman, and Dave Brumfield. Both sides of the deer management controversy are agreeing that the plan which will begin on February 1, 2015 is a bad one.

For years, the Trib's Colin McNickle has been quite vocal over his distain with the deer in Mt. Lebanon. In Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances:

An observation: Years of dickering and dithering over culling Mt. Lebanon's exploding deer population has led to a plan to corral and shoot deer by a conflicted contractor (a consultant for the municipality turned culler who never has used the methodology) and at a cost to taxpayers of $500 per deer (up to $75,000). The cull will bow next week. But had Mt. Lebanon run a consistent program over the years, using local licensed hunters, it would have cost virtually nothing.

Laura Simon, wildlife biologist at The Humane Society of the United States, has submitted another opinion piece to The Almanac this week, Killing deer won’t resolve Mt. Lebanon’s issues. Her last submission got the pro-kill ladies in a tizzy at the last commission meeting.

Mt. Lebanon’s deer killing plan is a huge mistake. There’s good reason other communities aren’t using corrals to entrap deer and then trying to shoot them point-blank. 

First, this method is inefficient. Few deer will even come into the corrals. By virtue of being located in “safe” park areas, those deer who are trapped won’t even be the same ones bothering people in the residential areas. 

Second, this new plan is a total waste of taxpayer money. Deer numbers will quickly pop up again as new deer move into the area and more fawns are born. It’s a phenomenon called “compensatory reproduction,” which means that when deer have better nutrition, they breed at a younger age and have higher fawn survival. The net result is a population surge after a hunting decline. 

Third, this plan is inhumane. When the corral gate shuts, the deer will panic and slam into the fencing. The result will be broken legs and necks. If the city goes ahead with this misguided plan, we highly encourage residents to demand that an objective observer or the press be allowed to see this spectacle. 

Fourth, the $500 per deer could have been more wisely spent on a sterilization project, which would have cost a bit more, yet actually lowered the population. 

Fifth, it is worth questioning the safety of any plan in which deer are shot, night and day, with rifles in areas so close to human dwellings. 

Finally, we question what appears to be a real conflict of interest in this case. The company that received the contract to kill deer is the same company that’s been paid to advise Mt. Lebanon officials. 

The Humane Society of the United States urges Mt. Lebanon to show true leadership and invest in an innovative, effective, humane and long-term solution. That is, one that utilizes deer-resistant gardening strategies, state-of-the-art fertility control options and successful collision reduction strategies already in operation elsewhere. 

Overall, the city’s decision to allow deer to be corralled and shot is inhumane, reckless and doomed to fail. Let’s hope community leaders have the good sense to call it off. 

Laura Simon
Wildlife Biologist at The Humane Society of the United States

Archery program RTK granted today!

On December 23, 2014, I emailed a Right To Know Request asking for:

All communication among commissioners, staff, wildlife management consultants, PA Game Commission, and state officials concerning the deer archery program, licenses, and permits from December 15, 2014 through December 23, 2014.

I heard back from Manager and Open Records Officer Steve Feller on December 31, 2014, who said that the Municipality was obtaining a legal review of my Request and that I would hear on or before January 29, 2015.

My request yielded 265 pages. Even though I requested them in pdf format, I am still being charged $66.25 since they had to print out the pages to redact personal email addresses. Donations toward the RTK fee will be accepted. :)

Here is the Right To Know information that I received today.

A few highlights include page 198 where Susan Morgans tells the PG that hunting will occur one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset. Page 199, Morgans tells Feller that there is a ton of misinformation swirling around. On page 201, Morgans tells Cissy Bowman, from the school district, that the hours of the deer hunt would be one hour before sunrise through one hour after sunset.

Coleman McDonough admits to Kristen Linfante that he is writing in to my blog on page 217. It must be a private joke. Guess who is troll cop?

Page 23 has the letter from Steve Feller telling the commissioners that the archery program was suspended for more reasons than what we were told.

On page 37, Kelly Fraasch is calling out Kristen for breaking sunshine. The commission is not permitted to discuss business as Kristen is doing through email. It must be done in public.

On October 26, 2014, Kristen Linfante tells a resident on page 214, "It is now estimated that we have over 100 deer per square mile."

There are many emails against the archery program from PETA and Mt. Lebanon residents.

Those are just a few things that I noticed, glancing through the RTK.

"When WE see the deer," Kristen? UPDATED

Mt. Lebanon Puts Plan In Place To Begin Culling Deer Population

“When we see the deer are in there, we send a text message back to the gate and it closes,” Linfante said. 

Since Pennsylvania doesn’t allow relocating the deer, a wildlife team will go to the corral at night and shoot the deer. 

“Because of the close range, it’s a very immediate result and there are very few risks or concerns involved,” Linfante says.

Update January 29, 2015 12:45 PM Wildlife Specialists, LLC proposal and signed agreement has been uploaded on to the municipal website. A link to the proposal and agreement has been added to this update.

Game Commission OKs deer culling in Mt. Lebanon

Game Commission OKs deer culling in Mt. Lebanon

There must dancing in the streets in the Manor. 

Benner has never used corrals

Merlin Benner, paid deer consultant and hired deer killer, is a newbie when it comes to using corrals. That is what Matt Santoni uncovered in his investigative report, Mt. Lebanon awaits Pennsylvania Game Commission approval to corral, kill deer

Benner said this would be the first time the company has used corrals, though he said they're used in southern states to capture wild boars.

According to Santoni, the baiting starts tonight. Please read Matt's excellent article as he exposes the lunacy in our local government.

Deer killing is a go UPDATED 3X

There was excitement in the air tonight prior to the start of the discussion session. The power brokers were there in full force to watch and listen to Mt. Lebanon's deer expert/and now our hired killer, Merlin Benner share his infinite wisdom. Phil Weis did weigh in to say that there was no conflict of interest hiring the advisor and awarding him the contract based on the RFP that Benner helped to write. Also, Benner is using large corrals and will be shooting the deer in close range. The commissioners amended the contract to limit payment of $500 per deer with a cap of $75,000, instead of a flat fee of $75,000. There will be up to eight locations where the killing will occur.

Before the commission meeting, Barbara Logan asked me if I was Elaine Gillen. She reads my blog and wanted me to clarify that she is not a master gardener. Mrs. Logan didn't want to sound pretentious. I mentioned it in a previous thread comment, but I want to make sure that everyone sees the clarification.

During Citizen Comments, I followed Carolyn Byham. Wow, she is a tough act to follow. She told us that she was a commissioner for eight terms (would that mean 32 years?) She moved here in the early 70's. OK, I have her beat on that one. I moved here in 1961. But I don't own two acres of property as she told everyone tonight, so my tax bill is not as large as hers. I guess when one owns two acres in Mt. Lebanon, that guarantees that her vote counts many times more than mine does. Talk about pretentious!

Nick Meduho asked Dave Brumfield if he agreed with Dave Franklin's statement at the last Sports Advisory Board meeting. Franklin blamed the people who opposed the project, did nothing but delay the project and cost the municipality more money. Brumfield agreed with Franklin.

Fast forward to the vote. Oh, before I go any further, Kristen Linfante was able to attend tonight's meeting. John Bendel could not attend due to a family emergency. Kelly Fraasch ran the meeting and when it came time for the deer vote, Kelly read a prepared statement on why she was voting no. I hope that the camera was on Kristen. Kristen was rolling her eyes, throwing down her pen, and doing that weird posturing thing when she is really angry. She started to interrupt Kelly, but then chose to speak when Kelly was finished. Dave Brumfield spoke next, Kristen followed, and then Steve. The vote was 3-1. Deer killing could start next week, but there is a possibility that the Game Commission says no.

So there you have tonight's meeting in a nutshell. I am tired and really need a break. I will be approving comments, but that may be it for awhile. Kelly, you are a class act. Thank you for all your hard work.

Update January 27, 2015 12:15 PM Mt. Lebanon board awards contract to trap, euthanize deer

Update January 27, 2015 5:11 PM Trash collection draws Mt. Lebanon Commissioners’ ire

Commission vice-president Kelly Fraasch asked whether contracting with Wildlife Specialists constituted a conflict of interest, considering the firm’s president, Merlin Benner, has been the consultant assisting the municipality with the development of its deer management plan. 

Solicitor Phil Weis said it was perfectly legal to award Benner’s company the contract, since Mt. Lebanon had sent a request for proposal to a number of different firms. “Some people might perceive a conflict of interest, but legally there is no problem,” he said.

Update January 28, 2015 11:35 AM As of now, there is no notice of where the deer killing will occur on the Mt. Lebanon website. I did notice that the official Game Commission letter received on Monday, January 26, 2015 denying the request for an archery program extension has been posted here. A common mistake, particularly this time of year, shows that Mt. Lebanon dated their letter January 8, 2014.

Mt. Lebanon must lose lower-upper class mentality

Mt. Lebanon must lose lower-upper class mentality

Mt. Lebanon is a mid-sized suburban community just outside of Pittsburgh. On whole, it may be considered middle or upper-middle class. However, individuals from a wide variety of economic backgrounds and circumstances make up its citizenry, ranging from the poor and lower-middle class to the extremely wealthy. Additionally, there are a good number of young families as well as senior citizens, which help to anchor it in the middle class.

However, a small number of elite citizens fashion Mt. Lebanon to be an upper-class community. While small in number, they hold great power through old family and neighborhood connections and alliances. These individuals also hold sway, and sometimes office, within the school board and commission.

To build towards their vision of an upper-class community, these upper-classers have increasingly been asking their citizens to put more and more money into the community pot, largely for school district related activities. For example, someone purchasing a solidly middle to upper-middle class $300,000 house in Mt. Lebanon today can expect to pay approximately $10,000 per year in property taxes, and about $7,000 of that will go directly to MTLSD. This excessive taxation has created a community that is slipping into the “lower-upper class” – in other words, in seeking to look rich, they are actually making the majority of their people look and feel poor.

A more responsible approach would be to look at the actual financial circumstances of one’s residents, and make prudent choices based on that data. Instead, Mt. Lebanon and MTLSD currently look outward, seeking to “look better” than neighboring communities like Upper St. Clair.

While this approach is unsustainable, it continues. In preparing the FY15-16 budget and taxation plan, MTLSD is again initiating budgetary machinations to not only raise taxes again, but to raise them beyond the legal limit set by the state.

I am a former public school teacher, and an advocate of public education. And, indeed, my family did move to Mt. Lebanon four years ago because we heard the school district was good. But this educational Ponzi scheme must stop. Instead of asking, “How good can we look?” it is time for MTLSD to ask, “What do we really need?” Did they really need a new high school building at the cost of over $113 million, or is there a way $60 million would have sufficed? Does a school need every add-on every parent thinks would be good for their individual child, or would only those that serve the largest number of kids suffice?

It is time for MTLSD to make some tough choices, as we all do in our daily lives in light of our own family budgets. With this in mind, I recommend MTLSD make three lists before enacting their next budget: (1) Things That Are Necessary; (2) Things That Are Nice; and (3) Things That Are Precious. It is my guess that, if this task was to be undertaken with an honest eye, MTLSD could cut half-way down the precious list and nothing would be lost academically or socially for its students.

Further, under this more prudent, middle to upper-middle class approach, MTLSD could freeze or cut taxes for the next five years – and avoid sinking our community deeper into lower-upper class status.

Dr. Jason Margolis
Mt. Lebanon