Rodella was fired.

"Rodella was fired." That comment was just approved. It was a response to Anonymous at 6:33 PM April 28, 2017 under Anonymous letter from the inside.

Anonymous shared a link to a job posting for a Girls' Volleyball Coach in the 6:33 PM comment.

https://www.applitrack.com/mtlsd/onlineapp/JobPostings/view.asp?internal=internal&district=&category=Coach&AppliTrackJobId=612&AppliTrackLayoutMode=detail&AppliTrackViewPosting=1

So who is Joe Rodella? I never met the guy, but Joe Rodella, former school board president and Pitt's hockey coach was hired to replace the girls' volleyball coach who was fired because of sexual misconduct. Despicable UPDATED 3X. Certainly, a hockey coach would be the logical hire for a girls' volleyball coaching position. Joe has also been in the news. PA Cyber connections prompt inquiry 

Rodella is also on the Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment Board. Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment Board of Directors as indicated in the Anonymous letter from the inside. 

Anonymous letter from the inside

This is post #2,200!

I got an anonymous letter sent in a MTLSD envelope. Why do I get a sick feeling when I receive a thick envelope from them? It usually meant trouble- either for my kids or taxes (never got letters about either), but it still makes me nervous. Today's letter was about the Timmy Ticket.

Here is a copy of today's letter. 

A few things off the top of my head...

I see that I was not the only one who thought the 2015 Great Alumni Awards were shameful with Lebowitz and Posti being recipients. Shaking my head I was so happy to see that my former priest was recognized, but Lebo Larry and JoPo? OMG. And then Mary Birks was honored last year? Come on!

Also, why would these jerks expect a guy who had a kidney transplant to donate to the fund? Weren't there fundraisers held for him? Why would Timmy only donate $5,000 when he earns thousands, thanks to the Timmy Ticket? That was also mentioned in my link Shaking my head. 

Yeah, why weren't Riemer and Strotmeyer asked to be on their slate? The Timmy Ticket is not endorsed by either party and all have been shunned by their respective parties.

I have a feeling much more will be exposed before the May Primary. Why don't they just back out now and save themselves a lot of embarrassment?

Amazing things I learned from a recent School District RTK

School Board meeting minutes summaries posted on the school district are just that - summaries. I thought they were the actual minutes, but they are not.

Mary Birks did not recuse herself from voting in matters concerning Outreach.

There is quite a lot to weed through, but I am sharing what I received, including a little synopsis from the requestor.

I assume the district has had a contract since 2005 in excess of $500 (at least later years). I only asked for more recent data. RTK response included Feb 2016 and 2017 minutes showing the finance items contract over $100 vote. It's a lump/consent vote and Birks did not abstain on either vote of the Outreach contracts. I would assume a similar contract approval process happened in previous years. Based on her position, she should've abstained any time the vote occurred, but she did not. Maybe once is an oversight, but twice or more I have to start to question. Ironically, Birks seconded a vote in May 2010 to approve an update to the board ethics policy.

RTK response cover letter dated April 24, 2017

RTK response to April 10, 2017 request

Outreach vouchers, minutes, and votes 

What started out to be a post about the budget...

It all started with this article in the Post Gazette, Nice surprise: No tax increase in Mt. Lebanon after all. Thanks to some refinancing of bonds, and trouble in the world, taxpayers in Mt. Lebanon will not see a tax increase.

That’s because the district was the unexpected benefactor of a fortuitous dip in interest rates due to recent world events, such as the conflict in Afghanistan, tensions in North Korea and an upcoming election in France, according to the district’s financial adviser.

The article continues with

The board is expected to approve the final budget May 22. Until then, it will be available for public inspection online at www.mtlsd.org. (Go to http://www.mtlsd.org/page.cfm?p=1415 for the budget.)

And that is when my research took an ugly turn. Looking at the budget, I don't see anything about the Capital Campaign originally suggested by Pursuant Ketchum in 2013.

We are now in Year Four of the "Quiet Phase." The longest quiet phase E V E R 

District spokeswoman Cissy Bowman [What the hell does that woman actually do???] said the campaign remains in its “quiet phase,” with organizers planning “awareness events” for potential donors during the summer and into the next school year. 

That was two years ago. Still nothing. Nothing is in the budget. No totals are mentioned ANYWHERE. We have been given crumbs, like the current brochure and the webpage showing the Campaign Cabinet. OMG!   Look who is on the committee? Two members of the Timmy Ticket! Hey Ladies, how about coming clean with some amounts in the Capital Campaign, now known as the Century of Excellence Campaign? How about a spreadsheet showing what your expenses are and what you have taken in? This is starting to sound like Mary Birks being executive director of Outreach!

How about you, Jan Klein? What can you tell us about the Capital Campaign? Exactly how many more years will we be in the Quiet Phase? I guess Mark Cuban is finding better ways to invest his money on Shark Tank.

Yet, Lebo Larry is more offended by Dan Remely's comment. (See PG article above.) I never run out of things to blog about here. The Timmy ticket has really made a mess of things in Mt. Lebanon.

2017 Commission candidates Statements of Financial Interests

2017 Commission candidates Statements of Financial Interests

Also, the website for Ward 4's Bob Fischer is votefischer.com. Bob's committee is hosting a meet and greet on May 4th at Primanti's, from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM. A donation of $25 per person or $40 per couple is requested.

Think before you vote

I am frequently asked about the status of my Right To Know case before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. My case is concerning the identities of archers and the locations of the private yards where killing deer is taking place.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is the highest court in the Commonwealth. It is also the oldest appellate court in the United States. There is no guarantee that the PA Supreme Court will hear my case. My attorneys had to file a request, known as a Petition for Allowance of Appeal, that explains why my case is important enough to justify review in the Supreme Court.

I understand that approximately 2000 Requests for Appeal are filed each year.  The Court grants review in 2-3% of these cases and is decreasing every year.

The PA Supreme Court has not decided yet if they will hear my case.

Why am I saying all of this? There are two candidates running in the 2nd and 4th wards' commission race who want more killing of deer. Steve Silverman voted to appeal the PA Office of Open Records' Final Determination and wants to keep all records sealed about killing deer in Mt. Lebanon. We don't have the right to know if our neighbors are granting access to archers and those with high powered rifles being discharged in their yards. Craig Grella is afraid of deer, but has no problem with anonymous killers with lethal weapons in undisclosed private properties.

Unfortunately, this decision is in the hands of Ward 2 and Ward 4 voters only. 

There is an election that is community wide, which is also critical. The Timmy Ticket (Caste, Cappucci, Remely, and Birks) will continue to block transparency and open government with their backroom deals and shenanigans. 

Please mark you calendars to vote on May 16.  I am spending my own money to appeal the courts' decisions to keep records private. Let's get Mt. Lebanon back on track to open government. 

A first for me

Since the time we moved here in 1985, there has never been a political sign in my yard, except mine. I have never felt this strongly about a school board election E V E R.

For the first time, I placed a sign in my yard for Riemer, Strotmeyer, and Diamond.

It is going to be close. Every vote will count. If you need a yard sign for Riemer, Strotmeyer, and Diamond, and don't know where to get one, email me at EGillen476@aol.com. It would be especially fun for those who live on Sunset to display this yard sign.

Sierra Club endorses Bob Lee - not the other guy

10 Minutes Sunday Noon front of Rec Center

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Sierra Club brought Bob Lee news.  Both Bob and his opponent Steve Silverman applied for Sierra’s endorsement.  Both filled out the same long, detailed application.  Both were interviewed too.  After the examination the Sierra Club endorsed Bob Lee for Mt Lebanon Commissioner: 

“[I]n recognition of your demonstrated commitment to protecting the environment.”

Sunday at Noon at Mt Lebanon Earth Day, Bob will address a special group.  In just 10 minutes, he will speak in specifics about his commitment to our children, public health and the environment. 

Please join Bob for his 10 Minutes This Earth Day address.

     Noon

     In front of Rec Center

     Main Park

     Mt Lebo Earth Day Celebration

An email forwarded to me from Bob Lee:

...I will be laying out why I think you should support me for the Mt. Lebanon Ward 2 Commissioner seat in the primary. If you're receiving this email you've known me from one of a number of places. From my fund raising with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, one of the benefits our band has done for people who needed a little help, relay for life participation, my work on the Mt Lebanon Democratic Committee or countless campaigns because I grew up believing the phrase "We the people" was telling me to help someone achieve a goal.

Around noon...my campaign partners will probably be gathering people near the doors to the Hockey rink so I can tell you why I'll be the best candidate for Mt Lebanon to Save Money while helping to join the leaders in the nation into Environmental Sustainability and what we can do about a couple Public Health issues in Mt. Lebanon that I hear about a lot when knocking doors.

Bob Lee

P.S. I received the PA Sierra Club endorsement of my campaign on Earth Day.

German teacher suspended

I guess WTAE just found out about this. Mt. Lebanon teacher charged with stealing students' money

It had been posted on the April 6 - April 12 Mt. Lebanon Police Blotter.

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2017/03/13/Police-investigate-alleged-misuse-of-funds-Mt-Lebanon-High-School-German-club/stories/201703130183

Aw, Come On!

Another comment worthy of its own post!

https://www.applitrack.com/mtlsd/OnlineApp/JobPostings/view.asp?Category=Teacher/&AppliTrackJobId=471&AppliTrackLayoutMode=detail&AppliTrackViewPosting=1

The position was posted for less than a day! So within a day the applications were closed and miraculously, 3 days later, ELAINE CAPPACCI RESIGNS. 

Middle School Social Studies Teacher - 8th Grade US History-Contract 2016-2017 
JobID: 471 Apply 

Position Type: Teacher - Middle School/Social Studies

Date Posted: 7/13/2016

Location: Thomas Jefferson Middle School 

Date Available: 8/22/16

Closing Date: 07/13/2016 

It is up to the voters now UPDATED 2X including Statements of Financial Interests!

I received another letter from a concerned Lebo Citizens reader in reference to Mary Birks and Elaine Cappucci running for school board.

The letter is below with a scanned copy to follow.

Scanned image of letter

Thank you for contacting me. I share the same concerns. I don't know what else could be done. I have contacted the school board and they think it is perfectly fine to have Mary Birks, Executive Director of Outreach, serve as a school board director at the same time. Keep your eyes open for Fake Information Officer Susan Morgans to come back with another article about Outreach. Both local governments have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo.

I have written about the conflict with Elaine Cappucci coming back on to the school board, but her arrogance has gotten in the way of common sense. 

The only way to stop these two women is by voting them out. Dan Remely has to go too. The Timmy ticket of Cappucci, Birks, Remely and Caste is what is keeping Timmy employed. His raises are outrageous. His amended contract is appalling. His methods of hiring are scandalous and reek of collusion. His arrogance falls in line with Birks and Cappucci.

To the relatively new family who wrote to me, it has been like this for a very long time. I started following Mt. Lebanon closely in 2010. Up until then, I had two jobs, was caring for a sick loved one, and was raising a family. I was just trying to survive, as many of you are doing today. I am thrilled to see that my efforts are starting to get people talking.

The Primary is May 16, 2017. Please get out and vote. Stop the corruption and let's get our community back. 

Update April 20, 2017 9:33 AM Watch for these yard signs. They are getting my vote.

Update April 21, 2017 6:53 PM More information, as promised from a RTK.

2017 School Board Candidates Statements of Financial Interests.

A letter of support for Bob Lee

Lebo Citizens reader, Dave Adler provided a better photo of Bob Lee's yard sign (see Ward 2 Lee vs. Silverman) along with the following email. Thanks, Dave!

Hi Elaine,

I’m writing not only to give you the picture you asked for, but also to help my friend and neighbor Bob Lee win a seat on the Mt Lebanon Commission.

Bob is a former Marine who trained helicopter rescue crews after the bombing of the Marine Barracks in Beirut in ‘83. He has a master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon and is in charge of data for one of Pittsburgh’s biggest employers. Bob raises money for charities and families in crisis -- in March, he and his friends raised $5,000 for a disabled American veteran and his family after their house burned down.

His priorities are public health – particularly our children’s health, our environment, and being careful with our tax money. Courage, expertise and leadership are what Bob is offering. He is one of the finest human beings I know.

Once you meet Bob, I think you’ll agree that he deserves our vote, and an opportunity to serve us.

Dave Adler

P.S. feel free to use all or some of this in the blog at your best judgment, with or without my name.

P.P.S. Like you, I am a Ward 3 resident, but wish I could vote for Bob over Silverman (or Charlotte over Silverman if Bob loses), or Bob Fischer over Craig. I'm a liberal on national issues, but the local landscape is different, and Fischer - like Lee and Fraasch - is a true voice for the people.

Like... OMG...Gag Me With a Spoon

For some reason, my neighborhood, which some call the Ghetto, never makes it in these videos. Susan just likes to show the big houses. Of course. Anyone want to guess how much this cost taxpayers?

Ward 2 Lee vs. Silverman UPDATED

I spotted my first Bob Lee sign today. Bob is going against Dem. Steve Silverman for commissioner. Bob is a former chair of the Mt. Lebanon Democratic Committee. Unfortunately, the MLDC has endorsed incumbent Silverman, so I hope that Democrats in Ward 2 will realize that they do have better options.

Lebo man charged with TWO DUI's

Thomas Bloedel, from Mt. Lebanon, was hit with two DUI's - driving under the influence and having a dog under the influence.

Chihuahua found lapping up vodka in DUI suspect's car, police say
We live in a sad, sad community.