Photos from tonight's meeting - UPDATED No Deer Culling in Scott Township!

Anti-Culling Protesters Demonstrate At Mt. Lebanon Meeting

Changes Being Made To Mt. Lebanon Deer Culling Plan

Group protest Mt. Lebanon deer cull proposal

"To a certain degree, almost like cruel fascism," said Jason Margolis a Mt. Lebanon resident. 

Margolis said he's fired up over a plan to kill up to 150 deer in his township to help reduce their population.

He calls the deer cull inhumane and unnecessary. 

"Mostly, a group of elite elitist people who want to protect their precious gardens and are not thinking of the larger community and the larger environment and what's really ethical and moral," said Margolis.

At the 44:26 timestamp of the municipal video, Commissioner Brumfield mentions the chemicals used, and Commissioner Fraasch clarified that no such chemicals are used for sterilization.

Mt. Lebanon tweaks deer-culling plans

Before the discussion session and meeting, she and several dozen others, all bundled in hats and scarfs, gathered along Washington Road with signs of protest as passing motorists honked in support. 

The crowd grew to close to 100 for the 8 p.m. meeting, when more than a dozen spoke against the culling and at least one woman, overwhelmed by emotion, spoke through tears.

Mt. Lebanon residents opposed to deer cull

In the meantime, the municipality is considering expanding its cull to certain private properties. Feller explained that on Feb. 23 he had learned of a federal law that required a 1,000-foot buffer zone around schools. He said a buffer of that size substantially reduced the area that could be used for the corral traps and could jeopardize the cull’s success. 

Properties currently under consideration include Concordia of the South Hills on Bower Hill Road, the Golden LivingCenter on Gilkeson, a wooded area near the municipal swimming pool and a section of Williamsburg Park.

Brian Benner, a wildlife control specialist with Wildlife Services, explained these properties had been identified as areas heavily trafficked by deer. The most recent aerial deer survey found 50 deer in the valley behind Concordia, he said. 

Isn't the valley behind Concordia in Scott Township? Map of Scott Township Isn't there a kindergarden and nursery school at Temple Emmanuel?

Gun-free school zones cut number of Mt. Lebanon baiting sites for deer culling in half

Under the law, parts of McNeilly Park are off-limits because of its proximity to Seton-La Salle. Part of the municipal golf course is too close to Keystone Oaks' Myrtle Elementary, and parts of Bird Park are too close to Markham Elementary, McDonough said. The program also includes municipal conservation land off Connor Road, Robb Hollow Park and Twin Hills Park.

THERE WILL BE NO DEER CULLING IN SCOTT TOWNSHIP 

The following video was sent to me by a Lebo Citizens reader, who tried to rotate but was unsuccessful. The reader hopes that someone with better video editing software would be able to do it. The entire video is available on the municipal website here. This particular exchange starts at the 53:28 time stamp.




Statement from Golden Living - Mt. Lebanon

We appreciate your concern and have issued the following statement to our local media and several other concerned citizens:

Golden LivingCenter – Mt. Lebanon does not authorize deer trapping on our property. Our patients and residents enjoy seeing the wildlife, the deer have a history of being tame, and their presence is seen as a positive part of our patient care environment. To remove the deer in the manner proposed of killing them in sight of our patients would be very emotionally disruptive for our patients and adversely impact their care.


Thank you for your concern and for reaching out.

Best Regards,

Benjamin E Neil, MBA, NHA
Executive Director
Golden Living Center Mt. Lebanon
350 Old Gilkeson Road
Pittsburgh PA 15228
Ph: 412 257 4444
Fax: 412 257 8226

Scott Township votes against deer culling in park bordering Mt. Lebanon

Scott commissioner and attorney Tom Castello said Mt. Lebanon has no legal right to cull deer in the park and that a maintenance and police/fire protection agreement drawn up for the hilly property was never executed.

Scott, senior living center criticize Mt. Lebanon deer cull

Corn Cop/Corral Crew on Connor 

Cull not euthanasia

Robb Hollow Corral

Robb Hollow Trail Camera

Robb Hollow Corral closeup

Mt. Lebanon residents need to calm down about deer

Mt. Lebanon needs to calm down, or soon people there will want to kill all the birds because “they poop on our heads.”

Blame it on pedestrians, Mt. Lebanon. Walking gets increasingly deadly for pedestrians in Pa.

The numbers didn't surprise local police officers. Mt. Lebanon Deputy Chief Aaron Lauth said his community recorded 11 pedestrian-vehicle accidents in 2014. The last fatality was in 2010.

“To be honest, it's 50/50 as far as fault goes between drivers and pedestrians. If the pedestrian is at fault, it's because they're not crossing properly. If the vehicle is at fault, it's usually turning at intersections,” Lauth said. “We tend to have a lot in our business district (on Washington Road). A lot of people think it's speed, but it's not really. It's failure to obey crosswalks and turning vehicles not paying attention.” 

The last pedestrian who died in Mt. Lebanon was Lisa Clay Styles, who was struck as she pushed her children in a stroller while jogging.

Linfante called me a lesbian

I really didn't want to post these emails, since Kristen thrives on this kind of attention, but I have been advised to publish them on my blog. In my first response, I copied the commission, the manager, the solicitor, and two members of the Democratic Committee of Mt. Lebanon.

From:	egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To:	klinfante <klinfante@mtlebanon.org>
Cc:	sfeller <sfeller@mtlebanon.org>; philip.weis <philip.weis@bipc.com>; hugh_beal <XXXXXXXXX>; michwin <XXXXXXXX>; commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Subject:	Re: Break the news
Date:	Tue, Feb 24, 2015 1:09 am

---

Kristen, please leave me alone.

Elaine Gillen


-----Original Message-----
From: Kristen Linfante <klinfante@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: sfeller <sfeller@mtlebanon.org>; philip.weis <philip.weis@bipc.com>; hugh_beal XXXXXXXXX; michwin XXXXXXXXXX
Sent: Tue, Feb 24, 2015 01:03 AM
Subject: Re: Break the news

First the obsession with my FB photo, then the posters tonight! What next!  It's getting a little embarrassing.  Obsession is not too strong a word.  Surely there must be better hobbies out there.  I'm not that special.

Regards,

Kristen Linfante 

Sent from my iPhone

Please forgive any texting typos 

On Feb 24, 2015, at 12:48 AM, "' egillen476@aol.com' via Commission" < commission@mtlebanon.org> wrote:

Commissioners,

Kristen Linfante is a disgrace to your office and a disgrace to your party.

Elaine Gillen


-----Original Message-----
From: Kristen Linfante < klinfante@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 < egillen476@aol.com>
Sent: Tue, Feb 24, 2015 12:39 AM
Subject: Break the news

Dear Ms Gillen,

I feel compelled to remark on the immense amount of attention
that you devote to me. Wow - posters and everything!   It really seems quite
obsessive.  More than a few people have suggested to me that your incredible
obsession over me is perhaps fueled not by hate but by love. I felt I should
probably break the news to you myself.  You're not my type. 

Best wishes to
you,
Kristen Linfante 

Sent from my iPhone
Please forgive any texting typos

CIVIC-MINDED? UPDATED

The Post-Gazette reported:

Quietly, discreetly, a few civic-minded archers have been hunting for deer in Mt. Lebanon for years.
“I’ve taken five does out,” said Dave, a Mt. Lebanon archer who asked that his last name be withheld to avoid upsetting neighbors.

CIVIC-MINDED?  Since when does someone who is civic-minded wants his last name withheld to avoid upsetting neighbors? Civic-minded, according to Merriam-Webster: tending to do things that help your city or town and the people who live there.

John Hayes' Mt. Lebanon's deer herd in the crosshairs After years of population growth, the South Hills suburb plans to corral and kill dozens of deer. How did it come to this? is full of bullshit.

Outraged animal lovers call it “carnage.”

Mr. Hayes neglects to include those of us who are concerned with the safety of Mt. Lebanon residents. These areas are in public parks and in close proximity to neighborhood schools.

Hayes quotes the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. He also writes:

After much debate, commissioners implemented a then-controversial taxpayer-funded deer reduction program combining U.S. Department of Agriculture sharpshooters and a limited trap-and-kill operation that removed 230 deer in two years. Before the program had met its goals, it was discontinued in 2008.

What Hayes fails to mention is that in each of the years when Mt. Lebanon had "sharpshooters" and they weren't sharpshooters, by the way, Wildlife Services failed to meet their goal.

Season 1 - goal was 75 deer.  69 were killed.
Season 2 - goal was 150 deer. After doubling the nights agreed upon by Mt. Lebanon calling them "half-nights," 146 deer were killed. 145 were recovered and tagged (Lindendale deer was not tagged)

The bogus deer "incident" report is continually brought up by the media. The 807 deer related incidents include deer sightings and my August 20, 2014 report WHICH NEVER OCCURRED.

Hayes continues with:

The state Game Commission and most wildlife agencies estimate deer density using habitat analyses, road kills and other circumstantial metrics rather than hard counts, which are considered to be expensive and not particularly reliable.

Each aerial survey cost Mt. Lebanon $5,000. The 2013 count of 342 was "extremely accurate." The 2014 count of 196 done by the same firm, at the same time of the year, showing a 43% reduction, suddenly was not. (Why can't I find the 2014 aerial survey on the municipal website?) The counts done by Wildlife Services in 2006-2008 were compiled over a series of nights, possibly counting the same deer over and over.

The PA Game Commission's Chris Rosenberry failed to confirm that deer sterilization is a proven, effective method of non-lethal deer management. Science IS there, Mr. Rosenberry.

Finally, John Hayes again chose to ignore the press release which states that there will be another protest tomorrow at 5:30 PM. Good work, John.

*************

Petition: Stop the deer culling! As of 2:27 PM on February 22, 2015, there are 4,369 supporters.

I located the email addresses of the Scott Township commissioners.

Craig Stephens   craigs6785@gmail.com

Stacey Altman   staceyalt@msn.com

David Calabria   dcalabria@mackinengineering.com

Thomas Castello tcastello@aol.com

David Jason        dave.commissioner@live.com

Patricia Caruso   caruso1386@comcast.net

Donald Giudici   dwgiudici_cpa@hotmail.com  (Twin Hills Park is in his ward)

William Wells    redwagon2@verizon.net

Eileen Meyers    commeileen@comcast.net

John Hayes has a second article in the PG today, Outdoors notebook: Hunters take aim at Mt. Lebo deer cull More on "Dave."

But hunters generally stay out of Mt. Lebanon, said Dave, because of discharge ordinances that effectively "ban" hunting. The ordinances, however, aren't enforceable - Mt. Lebanon police chief Coleman McDonough confirmed that state law and prior court decisions trump local laws that attempt to control hunting, which is solely regulated by the Game Commission.

This quote really upset me.

Chris Rosenberry, head of the PGC deer and elk team that approved the plan, put it this way:
"The community is telling us that the problem is too many deer now," he said. "In some way, some of the animals have to come out of the population."

The "community" telling the PGC that the problem is too many deer now is made up of Steve Feller, Kristen Linfante, Steve Silverman, Dave Brumfield, John Bendel, Barbara Logan, Marilyn Narey, Carolyn Byham, Lourdes Castellanos, and Michalina Pendzich.

Commission considers additional private property locations UPDATED

According to the Commission Discussion Session Agenda for tomorrow, February 23, 2015, our commissioners will be considering additional private property locations for deer killing. Brian Benner from Wildlife Services [sic] and staff will be reviewing plans with the commissioners. Brian Benner is one of two people from Wildlife Specialists, LLC permitted to do the field work as listed in the PA Game Commission permit.

For all the Lebo Citizens readers who are new to this, the Discussion Session will start at 6:30 PM in Conference Room C, down the hall from the Commission Chambers in the Municipal Building. The public is permitted to observe, but not speak.

The Commission Meeting will begin at 8:00 PM in the Commission Chambers. Citizen Comments begins shortly after 8:00 PM. The agenda is rather short, so if the commission permits non-residents to speak at the end of the meeting, the wait will not be as long as the last meeting. It appears that Commissioners Linfante and Bendel will not be attending. Those who wish to speak, must add their names to the sign up sheets in the back of the room. Last time, there were two sign up sheets, one for residents and one for non-residents.

Also on the Commission Meeting Agenda, the commissioners will be awarding a contract to Diversified Municipal Services to represent the municipality in defending and appealing assessments, otherwise known as the Newcomers Tax. Mr. and Mrs. Stroyd Morgans, get your phones charged. It will be a night for photos.

Update February 22, 2015 3:21 PM The commission lied to us about the sterilization permit. The Game Commission stated that they have not denied the sterilization permit, but are still waiting for Mt. Lebanon's response to their six questions.

On Wed, Feb 18, 2015 at 12:23 PM, a resident wrote:

Hello Steve,

To date I have not received a response to my inquiry surrounding the deer sterilization permit.

Considering the Mt. Lebanon Commissioners initially misled the public to believe this permit was not approved by the PA Game Commission, I would like to know its true current status.

Please respond as soon as possible.

Thank you.

From: Stephen Feller <sfeller@mtlebanon.org>
Date: February 20, 2015, 1:14:16 PM EST
To:
Cc: Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Subject: Re: Sterilization deer permit Inquiry


We are working with Mr. DeNicola and are hopeful that we may have answers and a proposal for the Game Commission by the end of April. 

Baiting begins

People are asking me where the baiting is occurring, not to tamper with, but to warn their children. I will post photos as I receive them. Consider this post a work in progress.

McNeilly Park, located on left side of McNeilly Road heading toward Rt. 88, opposite from Dewalt. Just follow the car tracks.

Twin Hills Trails Park Bower Hill Road to North Meadowcroft, cross over Beverly Road, left onto Twin Hills Drive to dead end. Twin Hills is located in Scott Township. I wonder if the nine commissioners are aware of what is going on. To reach them by telephone:

Ward       Name             Phone Number

1  Eileen L. Meyers (412) 279-4003

2  William Wells (412) 276-8623

3  Stacey Altman (412) 221-1977

4  David G. Calabria (412) 276-1488

5  Thomas M. Castello, Esq. (412) 429-8247

6  David A. Jason, President (412) 249-8171

7  Craig C. Stephens, Esq. (412) 429-1580

8  Patricia Caruso (412) 279-0276

9  Donald Giudici, Vice President (412) 973-1046

I remember Steve Feller was asked if Scott Manager Denise Fitzgerald was notified, and I believe his answer was that when he spoke with her, she said that it wasn't up to her. 

Bird Park Washington Road, right onto Cedar Blvd., left onto Bird Park Drive (before Beadling Road). Its location is about 257 ft. from Markham Elementary and is most accessible from the soccer field driveway/steps that connect Beadling Dr. to Youngwood Dr. Notice the police presence while the photographer was taking pictures.

257' from Markham School

Notice the police presence?

Snow covered bait station

Robb Hollow Park – South on Bower Hill Road past St. Clair Hospital, left after post office onto Robb Hollow Road, left on Driftwood Drive, continue to dead end. Number of access points include Kelso Road and Public Works.

Baiting station is at the Kelso Road access, at the bend.

Soon to be dead deer

Camera is in the yellow circle

Our police chief inspecting the site

Police chief checking baiting station

Mt. Lebanon Golf Course As of this afternoon, the golf course manager said there is no baiting happening at the golf course yet.

Conservation District on Connor Road Heading toward Rt. 88, located on left past Terrace Drive and before Marshall Drive. Look for the Duquesne Light equipment.

I don't recommend anyone getting arrested. These locations are being posted to assist parents when advising their children to stay away.

You may want to follow Kristen Linfante's advice to me in her letter that I shared in my September 27, 2014 post  More than 300 yards away UPDATED

I am sorry to hear that you suffer from nightmares. My only suggestion is to seek psychiatric counseling immediately. My understanding is that it can be very helpful if you can find someone skilled in treating such a condition...

Best of luck to you,
Commissioner Linfante 

PS-I just painted my basement with the help of the great people at Rolliers. John in the paint department is wonderful and gave me excellent advice. It looks quite nice. I'm not sure what your basement is like, but perhaps they could help you if you are inclined to spend time down there.

PERMIT FROM GAME COMMISSION

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.