Wow! SMART/PAYT people will not be happy to read this UPDATED

Is recycling really the best way to keep plastic out of the oceans?

Update February 13, 2017 5:53 PM A reminder to Lebo Citizens Readers - I will not be accepting anonymous comments for this thread. The good news is that Dave Brumfield and Company want to hear from YOU concerning PAYT. Lebo commissioners hoping for resident feedback on trash collections

Also, a copy of the feasibility study presented to the commissioners in September 2014 is available here.

Six of seven panel members, regardless of their opinion of PAYT, agree that PAYT is not the most pressing issue in the community.

I'm sure these two important points from the document will never be highlighted in MTL's propaganda.

• Winners and Losers: Some groups (renters, large families and residents on fixed incomes) may find it difficult to reduce the amounts of MSW that they place at the curbside and/or pay for the bags or tags that will be required by the program.

• Administration Costs: The new system will require adequate ongoing funding for supervision, billing, enforcement, outreach, and education. These costs may offset gains from savings.

Ongoing funding. My recent salary post shows what happens to "administrative" costs. The additional annual municipal staffing will eventually will eventually overtake any PAYT savings to the municipality and land on the backs of homeowners.

No mention of archers, baiters, or shooters...Ever

I have mentioned the manager's weekly Administrative Report sent to commissioners and copied to municipal staff in previous posts. I want to share last week's report, as well as this week's report to the commissioners.

Administrative Report #5 February 3, 2017

Administrative Report #6 February 10, 2017

The commissioners learn about missing manhole covers, limited usage of golf carts during mild weather, tree inspections, and the occasional hole in one, but there has NEVER been anything mentioned about the two archery programs or the deer "removal activities" from last year or this year. No mention of baiting. Nothing about when it began. No mention of the report which will be presented by Keith McGill at Tuesday's Discussion Session.

I find it ironic that golf cart usage will be restricted, but Team Tony will be permitted to drive trucks and drag deer carcasses at the golf course.

I get it. It is not relevant, right? The commissioners don't want to know or aren't allowed to know anything about their lethal plans which cost $100,000 a year. Don't ask. Don't tell. Got it.

Seriously, why does it have to be so difficult? UPDATED

My first email went out this morning at 10:03 AM. It wasn't until 7:26 PM tonight, did I get a definitive answer as to when the baiting started.

From:	egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To:	kmcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
Cc:	commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; repmiller <repmiller@pahouse.net>; egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Subject:	Re: Baiting
Date:	Tue, Feb 7, 2017 8:23 pm

---

Keith,

Susan Morgans told the PG in Mt. Lebanon deer reduction enters firearm phase that baiting will be for two weeks, not three and that White Buffalo had not come to town as of February 2. 

Do you see why I am confused?

Elaine

-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; Rep. Dan Miller <repmiller@pahouse.net>
Sent: Tue, Feb 7, 2017 7:26 pm
Subject: Re: Baiting

Good evening Elaine,

I believe you are referencing the proposal submitted by White Buffalo that is a part of the Agreement and referenced as Appendix A, that indicates that "Bait should be placed out 3 weeks in advance of removal activities."

The decision as to when removal activities begin will be determined by the contractor in coordination with the Police Department and the Game Commission.

 Baiting began on January 30th.

From:	Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
To:	egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc:	Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; Rep. Dan Miller <repmiller@pahouse.net>
Subject:	Re: Baiting
Date:	Tue, Feb 7, 2017 7:29 pm

---

Good evening Elaine,

The contract is a time and materials contract. At the conclusion of the program the municipality will receive an itemized invoice for the actual time spent on each activity. 

Keith

On Tue, Feb 7, 2017 at 6:58 PM, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Keith,

Tony DeNicola is charging us for 22 days of baiting, per the contract posted on the MTL website.  http://www.mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/View/14736

-----Original Message-----
From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To: kmcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
Cc: commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; repmiller <repmiller@pahouse.net>
Sent: Tue, Feb 7, 2017 6:28 pm
Subject: Re: Baiting

The contract states that there are to be three weeks of baiting. What is the exact date of when the baiting began?

Thanks, Keith.

Elaine

-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Tue, Feb 7, 2017 6:25 pm
Subject: Re: Baiting

Good evening Elaine,

I am trying to understand why the exact date is relevant. The permit allows baiting to begin January 29th and deer removal to begin February 1st. 

Keith

On Tue, Feb 7, 2017 at 6:20 PM, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Why do you ask, Keith? 

Elaine

-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Sent: Tue, Feb 7, 2017 6:10 pm
Subject: Re: Baiting

Good evening Elaine,

What is the relevance of the exact date?

Keith

On Tue, Feb 7, 2017 at 4:44 PM, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Thanks, Keith. Would you mind finding out the exact date?

Elaine

-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Sent: Tue, Feb 7, 2017 11:55 am
Subject: Re: Baiting

Good morning Elaine,

Baiting has started. It started sometime after January 29th. I do not have an exact date.

Keith

On Tue, Feb 7, 2017 at 10:03 AM, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Hi Keith,

Has the baiting started yet? 

If so, when did it start?

If not, any idea when it will start?

Thanks.

Elaine 

--

Keith McGill, AICP
Municipal Manager
412-343-3684
kmcgill@mtlebanon.org 

Update February 8, 2017 11:35 AM Keith cleared up the confusion. I see the 2017 euphemism for killing is now "removal activities." I have also gone from "Elaine" to "Ms. Gillen."

From:	Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
To:	egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc:	Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; Rep. Dan Miller <repmiller@pahouse.net>
Subject:	Re: Baiting
Date:	Wed, Feb 8, 2017 11:25 am

---

Good morning Ms. Gillen,

The information provided by Ms. Morgans was based on a conversation that she and I had in which she indicated that Mr. Hayes had called requesting information related to this year's sharpshooting program. During that conversation I provided the dates from the Game Commission permit which allow baiting to begin January 29, 2017 and deer removal to begin February 1, 2017.

I further indicated that the contractor needs at least 2-3 weeks for baiting and that none of the sharpshooters from White Buffalo we in town as of February 2nd to begin removal activities. The except below is what appears in the article.

A Game Commission special permit authorizes that the second year of a rifle sharpshooting phase could have begun Wednesday, but Ms. Morgans said White Buffalo’s professional sharpshooters were not yet in town. Following two weeks of site baiting, the shooters will work from stationary elevated positions vetted by Mt. Lebanon police on private property and several public spaces — McNeilly Park, Robb Hollow Park and the adjacent Public Works yard, the conservation district on Connor Road and the municipal golf course.

Keith 

Baiting started

From:	Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
To:	egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Subject:	Re: Baiting
Date:	Tue, Feb 7, 2017 11:55 am

---

Good morning Elaine,

Baiting has started. It started sometime after January 29th. I do not have an exact date.

Keith

On Tue, Feb 7, 2017 at 10:03 AM, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Hi Keith,

Has the baiting started yet? 

If so, when did it start?

If not, any idea when it will start?

Thanks.

Elaine 

--

Keith McGill, AICP

Municipal Manager

412-343-3684

kmcgill@mtlebanon.org 

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

 The contract between MTL and White Buffalo states that WB needs three weeks of baiting. Assuming (and you know what happens when you assume) the baiting started on January 30. Three weeks of baiting takes us to February 20. 

Team DeNicola is being paid for 10 hours per day but look at the hours they can actually work per day:

7 hours per day on private property (4 PM - 11 PM)and 5 hours per day on public property (6 PM - 11 PM). Where else but Mt. Lebanon can you work for five hours and be paid for ten, especially at $95 and $110 per hour? I know that Susan Morgans approves 15 minute work days. Maybe she is the brains behind this.

The sad part is, that once the baiting period is over and they do start shooting, they are only required to stay here for 12 days and there is no minimum on the number of deer they are to remove, just a maximum of 100. Think about this…why would you put a maximum number of 100 if you didn’t think up front that there weren’t that many deer left to remove?

That’s close to $7000 per day to remove just a few deer. This deal was poorly negotiated by our elected officials.

Talk about being fiscally irresponsible, here is the December Expenditure report. 

• $707.62 to feed our commissioners before the meetings in December. 
• a 30% deposit of $588 for the Municipal Holiday Party
• Printing for the magazine was $14,025
• Magazine Manager software and set-up $493.00
• $800 for stock photography from Getty Images. Did we come to the conclusion that the cells phones take excellent photos? Or do we have to buy stock photography because we have stealth deer?
• 2 one way flights for our firemen, who put their lives on the line for us, cost $30.45. 

This is a disgrace.

Good news, but only for six months

Washington Road Meters to allow 3rd Hour - In an effort to accommodate Uptown guests who need additional time for their visit, while maintaining necessary limitations to on-street parking, the Municipality is rolling out a 6 month trial of 3 hour parking at most meters along Washington Road. Following is what this means in plain English:

• 6 mins = $.10
• 15 mins = $.25
• 1 hr. = $1
• 2 hr. = $2
• 3 hr. = $4 total ($2 base rate + $2 one hour jump rate for hour 3)

The meters that offer the "3rd hour option" will have stickers making this clear. Only the meters with a sticker will offer the 3rd hour option. After 6 months the Parking Advisory Board with staff will review the pilot program to determine it's operation. This will be a benefit to those who need additional time for a hair appointment* or a leisurely lunch. 

*Not a pretty sight Thank you, Mt. Lebanon. If you could finish working on the North Garage during this six month trial, it would be swell.

Black History Month and Community Relations Board 2001

So much has changed since the PG published this article sixteen years ago. Black History Month: Mt. Lebanon's past of not selling homes to minorities is highlighted by Muhammad Ali's effort to buy in Virginia Manor

• Laura Pace has a different last name, is now Senior Editor/Online Editor for mtl Magazine, and has fifteen minute workdays.
• Susan Fleming Stroyd has a different last name, and approves Laura's fifteen minute workdays.
• Mt. Lebanon's population in 1970 was 39,356, down 6,000 in 2001, and seems to be flat at 33,477 in 2010.
• "Mt. Lebanon often wears a polished veneer, but even municipal officials do not pretend the environment is perfect." In 2017, municipal officials pretend the environment is perfect. However, the Community Relations Board (CRB) with Susan Morgans as staff liaison, is continuing its diversity efforts from 2001 with Unity Programs in 2017.
• "We really make a special attempt to get more people of color in the magazine," said Susan Fleming Stroyd, editor-in-chief of Mt. Lebanon Magazine. Like this, Susan? to market, to market, to buy a...
• The 2001 article boasts that CRB members were proud of Mt. Lebanon's acceptance of Sanders consent decree homes. Now retired Federal Court Judge Gustave Diamond issued a court order for six Sanders Task Force homes in Mt. Lebanon in 1998, a temporary program to be reevaluated in ten years, and was never reevaluated. At one time, there were eleven Mt. Lebanon tax exempt homes owned by the Allegheny County Housing Authority. I believe there are seven tax exempt Sanders homes remaining, two within 200 feet of Rockwood Park. 
• The CRB held a May 6, 2001 Walk to Celebrate Diversity that included a 2-mile stroll with a theme of "You Belong Here." Now, we're told that if you don't like it here, move.
• "As long as you keep on plugging away, there is going to be some change. I believe in accentuating the positive and it will eventually make its way into the minds of the people." - February 21, 2001

"It’s been quiet.” UPDATED 4X

Finally, Susan and I agree on something! At least how quiet it has been. Susan Morgans was quoted by her minion John Hayes in his report Mt. Lebanon deer reduction enters firearm phase

“There’s been very little public comment, even at the public meetings,” said Mt. Lebanon spokeswoman Susan Morgans. “I don’t know what that means — people have moved on to other things? It’s been quiet.”

I think I can explain why there has been very little public comment, Susan. For one thing, taking me to Common Pleas Court has had quite a chilling effect. I haven't been to a commission meeting for over a year. I can hear your applause from here, Susan. It has had a chilling effect on others as well. Ah, more applause.

It has been quiet, Susan. Look at what you have posted on mtl - Mt. Lebanon Magazine Facebook feed. Nothing about the lethal deer program. We do see helpful tips about clearing snow away from fire hydrants, in case of fire. Yes, very important. Keep our doors locked since Mt. Lebanon has intruders because of the regional drug problem. We must protect ourselves. Agreed. Several posts about Punxsutawney Phil. Being prepared for what is to come is another helpful tip. Be prepared and protect yourselves is the takeaway here. But don't be prepared or want to protect yourself when it comes to firing .223 caliber rifles in a densely populated community. Got it.

Let's look at Twitter. Wow! There is hope yet!

mtlebanonmagazine ‏@mtlmagazine  Feb 2

Deer Management Information http://dlvr.it/NGchnl 

More promising news on the municipal home page! We don't have to scroll through "Trending Now" to find the deer management information. Thank you to commissioners or Keith McGill for listening to my emails. I had written:

The 2017 executed (or is it execution?) contract for "sharpshooting" has been posted on the municipal site and here on Lebo Citizens. Note: The municipal link is the direct link to the contract. It is hidden by scrolling through "Trending Now, " > Deer Management Information posted on July 20, 2016 > Additional Info.... Mt. Lebanon wouldn't want any of the killing information on the Home page.

Susan, if we could get an announcement on Facebook or if the police could utilize their public access to Nextdoor and alert folks of a situation that could be deadly if one is in the wrong place at the wrong time, I would feel much better. I can just do so much on Blogger, Nextdoor, and Facebook.

So what are we doing instead of speaking at public meetings? You can bet we have moved on - to more effective ways of fighting this issue. We're finding candidates who have common sense to replace the buffoons who call themselves commissioners and claim that shooting firearms in a densely populated community, without telling the public which areas to avoid, is a good idea.

Update February 3, 2017 10:58 AM mtl Magazine has just published an app on Facebook which drastically reduces waiting time at the bar. But nothing about firing lethal weapons in Mt. Lebanon. Shaking my head.

Update February 5, 2017 7:10 AM Results of PG Poll

Update February 5, 2017 7:22 AM While the Post-Gazette continues to publish stories about lead in school drinking water (see Butler County school closed after increased lead levels found in water supply), John Hayes wrote this beauty. Lead ammo order won’t be enforced This is exactly what we have been saying for years. The meat that is going to food banks is tainted with lead. While everyone gets warm fuzzies because the venison is going to a good cause, think about how we are poisoning the less fortunate.

Update February 5, 2017 8:46 AM It's not all negative. I love the caption under the PG's photo. Look Up Lebo!

February 2017 Behind the Bubble

Parent Outrage Halts “Hundred Years” Battle In Mt. Lebanon School District

By Jason Margolis

After being made aware of a potentially stereotype-promoting elementary school assignment, planned for Friday, February 3rd, the Mt. Lebanon School District has decided to discontinue this type of activity.

Dr. Timothy Steinhauer, Mt. Lebanon Superintendent, said “I have contacted the principals and this type of activity will not be continuing. It is never our intent to facilitate activities that may be considered to promote stereotypes.”

Several parents who had been deeply disturbed by the “100 days / 100 years old” assignment were relieved.

Initially, when Dr. Rachael Woldoff, Professor of Sociology at West Virginia University and MTL parent, was handed an assignment by her son on the walk home from school, she asked with deep concern, “What is this?”

The assignment asked students at Washington Elementary School to “dress up like they are 100 years old” to celebrate the 100th day of school. Additionally, girls were encouraged to encourage to dress in “pearls” and “purses” and boys in “flannel shirts” and “suspenders.”

“There’s a million things they could do with the number 100. This is the dumbest,” Woldoff commented. “This is an opportunity to do something cool with the number 100 – but who thought of this? Is this educational? What does this have to do with what you are teaching the children?”

Dr. Woldoff, who has authored several books about “aging in place” and the plight of older people trying to keep their homes, said “I feel like I have quite a bit of expertise in the stereotyping of old people … and the challenges they face to be seen as whole people, not as people who can’t make decisions for themselves. They have agency – not just caricatures that we mock.”

The Mt. Lebanon parent also said she was concerned about the “gendered” nature of the assignment. “No one I know dresses like that. My grandmother died looking nothing like that – I have no idea what they are talking about.”

Problematizing stereotypes is particularly important to Dr. Woldoff, who is both Jewish and the parent of an African American child. “As a parent of a black child, you [the school] are undermining everything I am trying to do about not stereotyping,” Woldoff added.

But Dr. Woldoff has experienced some resistance in problematizing issues in Mt. Lebanon in the past, and this has continued in the case of the “100 years” assignment. When bringing up her concerns that the assignment is ageist to other Washington Elementary parents, Woldoff said responses ranged from “I have never thought of that” to “It’s just a fun thing” to “Why do you have to be so yucky and say what you don’t like about the school district?”

However, other Washington Elementary parents agree with Woldoff. Dr. Laura Crothers, Professor of School Psychology at Duquesne University and Washington Elementary parent, said she remembered the same assignment from the previous year as being “offensive.” She added that this was a task asking young people to stereotype “when the diversity of those who live to 100 years old is infinite.”

When asked if she would formally speak out against the assignment, Woldoff said she was hesitant. She added, “I am happy it’s a good school, and I have been made some good friends here [in Mt. Lebanon], but there are problems here and I refuse to be quiet about it. The answer isn’t ‘and you should just move’ which I hear all the time.”

From the School District’s swift response, however, Dr. Woldoff’s concerns as well as those of other parents, were both validated and addressed.

A letter went home with children on Monday, January 30th, saying that students would “not be participating in the previously planned, optional activity to ‘dress as a 100 year old’.” Instead, Washington Elementary had designed “multiple, curriculum-based activities planned for the students which reflect our celebration of the day and the number ‘100’.”

How to say "No," without saying "No" UPDATED 2X

From:	egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To:	kmcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
Cc:	commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; alauth <alauth@mtlebanon.org>
Subject:	Re: NextDoor, MTL home page THIRD REQUEST
Date:	Tue, Jan 31, 2017 6:08 pm

---

THIRD REQUEST

Will the MLPD be notifying NextDoor readers?

Elaine Gillen

-----Original Message-----

From: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>

To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>

Cc: Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; Aaron Lauth <alauth@mtlebanon.org>

Sent: Tue, Jan 31, 2017 5:58 pm

Subject: Re: NextDoor, MTL home page SECOND REQUEST

Good evening Ms. Gillen,

While you are correct that the permit issued by the Game Commission allows deer removal to begin as early as tomorrow, an actual start date has not yet been determined. The program will be following the same protocols and procedures that were utilized as part of last years program.

Keith

On Tue, Jan 31, 2017 at 5:48 PM, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

"Sharpshooting" begins tomorrow, Commissioners. Will the MLPD be notifying NextDoor readers? 

Elaine Gillen

-----Original Message-----
From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To: commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Cc: kmcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; alauth <alauth@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Mon, Jan 30, 2017 7:58 am
Subject: NextDoor, MTL home page

Commissioners,

In case you missed it, I posted Keith's letter to the district concerning your "sharpshooting" program in my post, https://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2017/01/bullets-never-cross-sidewalks.html Your announcements to this lethal program is always buried on the municipal website. 

I wonder if MLPD will be issuing the same suggestion in Keith's letter on NextDoor. Also, will his suggestion be posted on Facebook and other MTL social media?

Elaine Gillen

"Parents and teachers may want to tell children to avoid the designated parks after dark and suggest they use sidewalks/established safe walking routes instead of shortcuts through private properties."

Update February 1, 2017 10:12 AM Gee, how difficult was this? 

Update Feb. 1, 2017 4:42 PM 

From:	Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
To:	egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Subject:	Re: NextDoor, MTL home page THIRD REQUEST
Date:	Wed, Feb 1, 2017 4:38 pm

---

Good afternoon Ms. Gillen,

Thank you for your input.

Keith

On Wed, Feb 1, 2017 at 4:31 PM, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

I have attached a partial email exchange that is from NextDoor. Unfortunately, I am unable to make a pdf of an entire page of comments. As I have indicated, I had also copied the Mt. Lebanon Police Department. 

As I suspected, the prokill folks are attacking my announcement, while there are others who have thanked me either publicly or privately since they were unaware of this program. I don't think you are being "transparent enough."

I wish you would be more transparent with your deer killing program. It just may save a life. A start may be to include announcements on Facebook, Twitter, LeboALERTS, and even NextDoor. 

Elaine Gillen

Shooting starts Feb. 1, 2017 - March 31, 2017

Look for more of these signs going up. On public property only. Private properties will remain private.

But only at the PUBLIC areas, not private property. The commissioners believe that it is none of our business to know where the bullets will be flying on private properties in Mt. Lebanon. Dave Brumfield was quoted in The Almanac:

“What is at issue is a number of residents that have volunteered their property for the program. In doing so, they did not expect to open themselves up to public ridicule or harassment from someone who might disagree with their beliefs on the issue of the deer cull.”

Killing on private property will occur seven days a week, starting at 4 PM, while killing on public areas will be restricted to five days a week. For Heaven's sake, do not go sled riding at the golf course on a Friday night. Your children may be exposed to a "teaching moment."

I sent the following email to the commissioners, manager, and police chief. I have not heard back from any of those seven people.

Commissioners,

In case you missed it, I posted Keith's letter to the district concerning your "sharpshooting" program in my post, https://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2017/01/bullets-never-cross-sidewalks.html Your announcements to this lethal program are always buried on the municipal website.

I wonder if MLPD will be issuing the same suggestion in Keith's letter on NextDoor. Also, will his suggestion be posted on Facebook and other MTL social media?

Elaine Gillen

"Parents and teachers may want to tell children to avoid the designated parks after dark and suggest they use sidewalks/established safe walking routes instead of shortcuts through private properties."

Remember to keep your kids and pets on sidewalks. Mt. Lebanon has installed bullet proof glass next to all sidewalks in Mt. Lebanon. That must be true if our manager suggests that we use sidewalks. He also wants us to tell children to avoid the designated parks after dark. The only problem with that statement is that shooting will begin at 6:00 PM, not after dark as he states.

Bullets never cross sidewalks. UPDATED

Pearls of wisdom from Keith.

Parents and teachers may want to tell children to avoid the designated parks after dark and suggest they use sidewalks/established safe walking routes instead of shortcuts through private properties.

Since no accidents occurred last year, the message is that they will continue until one does occur. Talk about dodging a bullet.

Parents received their annual C.Y.A. from Timmy and Keith this morning.  

From: Dr. Timothy Steinhauer <noreply@mtlsd.net>
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2017 10:01 AM
To: Mt. Lebanon Parent
Subject: Updated Deer Management Information

Dear Mt. Lebanon School District Families,

In our ongoing effort to keep you apprised of local issues, I am sending you information that I received from the Mt. Lebanon Municipality concerning the upcoming cull beginning on February 1 through March 31 of 2017.  I have attached a letter from Municipal Manger Keith McGill with details about the program and a link to more extensive information on the Municipal website at http://www.mtlebanon.org/2114/Deer-Management-Information. This same information is also being shared with all of our principals, teachers, and support staff. Please do not hesitate to contact the Mt. Lebanon Municipality or Mt. Lebanon Police Department should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Timothy J. Steinhauer, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Municipal Deer Management Letter 012317.pdf

The January 23, 2017 Municipal Deer Management Letter may be viewed HERE without downloading it.

Don't you just love what Keith says in his last paragraph?

Thank you for your help in promoting public safety. More information is available at www.mtlebanon.org by following the link on the homepage under Trending Now: Deer Management Information.

Just don't ask where those areas are. It costs thousands of dollars to try to find out. "Help in promoting public safety" translates to "It is none of your business where the killing is taking place."

Also, we'll find out how many deer were killed in the last archery program - 25% into the "sharpshooting" program - at the February 14, 2017 commission meeting, Valentines Day.

Update January 28, 2017 3:36 AM Last year's C.Y.A. letter was posted here on Lebo Citizens. Less details this year. No hours listed, no correct or incorrect FAQ attached, and the turnaround time to notify parents was four days.

The 2017 executed (or is it execution?) contract for "sharpshooting" has been posted on the municipal site and here on Lebo Citizens. Note: The municipal link is the direct link to the contract. It is hidden by scrolling through "Trending Now, " > Deer Management Information posted on July 20, 2016 > Additional Info.... Mt. Lebanon wouldn't want any of the killing information on the Home page. 

The best commission president ever UPDATED

I have always been a Dan Miller supporter. I Heart Dan Miller  He is a huge advocate of government transparency. Dan has had two informational sessions on government transparency and the PA Sunshine Law. I appreciated how he kept up his blog during his tenure as Mt. Lebanon Commissioner. (He deserves a capital C.) Joint steering committee meetings ended with the school board because they were not open to the public. Dan took control of the municipal budget with his series of commission financial reforms. He was totally engaged during all commission meetings. I voted for Dan on May 21, 2013 in the special election to replace Matt Smith as State Representative. I have voted for Dan Miller in every election since then. With that being said, I have not always agreed with Dan on every issue. His opinion piece in The Almanac is one of those times.

Yes, I reprinted Dan's opinion piece on Monday, January 23, 2017 here, but it wasn't until I saw the actual newspaper, that I had second thoughts. Three quarters of the page in The Almanac was allocated to Dan's opinion piece. I agree that sounds trivial, but I have never seen Dan publicly disagree with our present commission, when he had many opportunities to do so.

Dan was commission president when he tore into USDA Wildlife Service's Craig Swope over shooting deer in Mt. Lebanon. He argued that once a bullet leaves its chamber, there is no control over that bullet. Dan was very passionate about counting bullets. Yet, when constituents, including myself, went to Dan about the deer killing, he said that he couldn't do anything about it. Now, we have commissioners who don't want to know anything about the deer "management" program. They have hired killers to take care of everything and refuse to even learn what kind of bait is being used. Have a problem with the deer? Don't come to us, they say. Contact White Buffalo. Brumfield had the nerve to say in today's The Almanac, “We are not trying to keep internal municipal discussions private,” ironically printed on the back of Dan Miller's guest column.

Our commission has taken a 180º turn since Dan Miller left office. There is no transparency. There is no financial reform. Commissioners do not blog regularly, keeping constituents informed. Commissioners give carte blanche to anyone holding a weapon. It has all gone to hell. 

Transparency, financial reform, safety, and education for children with disabilities are all important issues, but the only one that Dan felt compelled to write about was Trump's choice for Secretary of Education. Nothing is ever said about his commissioners. That is disappointing.

Update February 10, 2017 8:53 AM Rep. Miller should focus on education standards here

MTL's opposition to my case

Mt. Lebanon had until January 20, 2017 to file an Answer to The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania concerning my petition to appeal.

Buchanan Ingersoll submitted their opposition and it is available here.