In case you didn't get the invitation...

Invitation from the Mt. Lebanon School District  I hope there will be enough parking. 

P.S. Isn't "Ground Breaking" one word? 

We couldn't bring up costs.

During the Shared Parking Agreement Hearing, residents were not allowed to bring up any issues concerning costs.  We tried to bring up the fact that we are paying from the same purse, but the Commissioners were making their decision on what is best for the Municipality.  I don't believe the Zoning Hearing Board and the Planning Board made any exceptions for the School District.  The Commissioners are now weighing the possibility of waiving the $587,000 inspection fees for the high school renovation.  As Steve Feller said in the Trib this morning,

"There's no doubt this fee is significant, but this is the most significant project we have and the most significant burden on the inspectors."

Let's be consistent.  Why should the School District expect the Municipality to have their inspectors work at cost, when they approve increases for the Administration without blinking an eye? 

Read more:  Mt. Lebanon High School inspection fees create impasse

Estimated Value is $86 million?

The estimated value of the High School project is $86 million?  From the RSMeans site:
http://www.reedconstructiondata.com/project-leads/sample-leads/2011/03/26/1000646416/
Also, the bid date is April 12 at 1:30.  What about the $113.3 million from the Act 34 hearing?  Celli got $6 million. 

Can anyone explain the money difference of $27 million between the Act 34 board estimate of $113.3 million and the estimated bid value of $86 million from the RSMeans site?  I know there are soft costs not included in the bid amount... but up to perhaps $27,000,000? 

Thanks, Dan, for working on my Rockwood Park idea.

I got a voice mail yesterday from Dan Miller concerning my idea of developing the upper parking lot of Rockwood Park.  As I had written in an earlier post, I emailed the Commission, and as always, Dan Miller followed up, even though he is not from Ward 3.  The neighborhood has adopted Dan as our adopted commissioner these last four years, since he always responds to our needs.  That is why we all "heart" Dan Miller.
Dan went to Keith McGill, the Municipal Planner, who did the research.  Thanks, Keith!  Keith found that the property came to Mt. Lebanon in April and May 1972 from the Hofer estate.  It was taken to construct a public park FOREVER due to the severe parking problem in the immediate area.  Unfortunately, that house is long gone and now, a house is being built with a two car garage.  Dan agreed that it would have been perfect for at least three lots, but Mt. Lebanon cannot do anything else with the land.  The neighborhood is disappointed since the parking lot is just an invitation for illegal activity.
Dan, thank you for your response, as always.  I hope to pick up where you leave off in Ward 3.  You have spoiled us.

Planning Board says no to rewording the sign ordinance

At the Commission Discussion meeting last night, the Planning Board let the Commissioners know that they were not supporting their decision of changing the wording of the sign ordinance for the Save Our School signs that are "all over the neighborhoods." By changing the ordinance, it would be inviting and encouraging more signs and hate speech.  It was explained that while everyone is in favor of free speech, no one wants to limit free speech.  The harm that would be done by that exercise could outweigh the right.  It would be like yelling fire in a crowded theater, when there is no fire.  It would cause injury.  Another example given was, "My religion is right and your religion is wrong." Listen to the podcast at Commission discussion, part 1 on 3/28/11.  The Planning Board saw no reason to change the ordinance for the SOS signs.  Thank you, Planning Board, for taking a stand.
What a waste of everyone's time.  The groundbreaking ceremony is April 28.

I love my new porch roof!

It isn't done yet, but here is the picture from the Allegheny County website of my new porch roof.  

Here is the picture I took today.  As you can see, I still need to have it stained.

I got my reassessment from the County today.  They are really on top of things.  I had a building permit, since I always go by the rules.  I am not complaining, because those who know me, know that I pay my taxes as soon as I get the tax bill.  I paid my County taxes in early February!!  I am also mindful of people paying their fair share.  I was on a committee this past summer that sent out reminders to those who did not file for a Homestead Exclusion. This is a way to reduce your assessed home value by $15,000.  We sent a letter to the owner of this home:

His home is assessed at $189,000 without the Homestead Exclusion.  With the Homestead Exclusion, this house would be assessed at $174,000.  That is only $42,400 more than my home's reassessment after my Homestead Exclusion.

Here is the current picture from the County website.  Same house.

What confuses me is that this home was purchased in 2006 for $373,000, not $189,000.  It was remodeled in 2007, (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07342/840060-30.stm ) and is now on the market for $674,900.  As a candidate for Commissioner of Ward 3, I have been looking at ways to generate revenue for Mt. Lebanon.  Oh wait, this house is in Ward 3.  Oh my, it is the commissioner of Ward 3's home.  And he was just endorsed by the Republican Committee.   Imagine that.

I love my house.  I really love my new porch roof and am glad I spent the money to make it the way I have always wanted it to be.  I have no regrets.  Oh, I forgot.  I am not moving either.

We're civilized here.

Police were called at a school board meeting in West Middlesex, PA when teachers were given a 2.6% increase starting the second year of a six year contract.  Yes, 2.6% increase.  http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11088/1135539-100.stm Our board passed a 4.15% increase in August.  On Josephine Posti's Center Court blog, she wrote:

 In order to control this expense, there may be a reduction of several positions created by retirements with no new staff reflected in this budget. The second way we addressed this issue was by negotiating a cost-efficient contract with our teaching staff. The Board approved this five-year contract in August; it provides reasonable salary increases to the teaching staff. http://jposti.blogspot.com/2011/03/2011-12-budget-information.html 

Now we are going to have larger class sizes, fewer teachers, and a nice, new sports facility.  Love it!

Martha says...

Yes, I admit it.  I am on Martha Stewart's mailing list.  Today's email had a list of 101 ways to get started going green.  Martha suggests getting a library card.  I suggest donating your savings to Mt. Lebanon Public Library.  Martha says to reclaim wood furniture.  I say to go out in your neighborhood on trash night and see all the goodies that can be recycled.  Martha says to vote for change.  I say, "Absolutely!"
Read 98 other ways to get started here.  101 Ways to Get Started Going Green

Update 3/29/11 I understand there is an ordinance against garbage picking.  I don't recommend driving through neighborhoods with a dump truck. We have lots of fun on our street when we are getting ready to put out our garbage. The neighbors will make an announcement and ask if there is any interest in such and such, before it goes to the curb.  It is an opportunity to get together with friends while going green. 

Meet and Greet was Yiayia approved!

I want to say thank you to all the church ladies, a. k. a. church yiayias, who made yesterday's Meet and Greet extra special.

The Greek pastries were all made by them and enjoyed by all!  My committee did a fantastic job.  Thank you!! Most of all, I want to thank all who came to the church.  I enjoyed meeting everyone.  I was surprised to see Democrats taking Voter Registration applications because they wanted to switch parties.  I wish I had a dollar for every time someone would say to me, "Isn't he moving? It was on the news." when people would ask me about my opponent.  I would respond by saying I was on the news on May 24, 2010 when the School District passed that whopper of a budget and was quoted as saying that I didn't want to move. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_683087.html I am here to stay.  

P.S.  The Yiayias love the commercials but were quick to point out that hummus isn't Greek.   

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

I am still getting questions about last week's hearing.  Yes, I received a certified letter.  It was not on official letterhead, but was computer generated.  Note the spelling of the attorney's last name.  Note the signature was in a different font and not hand written.  Note the conditions I was to return the call.  Note that the letter was not dated.  Here is the envelope.  It is not typed and the spelling of the last name has one "R" while "Borrelli" was spelled with two "R's" in the letter.  Does that printing look familiar? No missed calls showed up on my caller ID, either on my home phone or on my cell phone.  No attorney was ever listed on the docket.  The contact number on the letter was to a cell phone.  The Court was never copied. 
I have nothing else to report.  I have been totally transparent about the whole process.  It is unfortunate that I didn't have a Democrat file the challenge, but as I said before, "Live and learn."

Update 03/28/11 I also received a copy of the letter via regular mail on Saturday, March 19, 2011.  This is the envelope sent regular mail.  It, too, was not typed and the spelling of the last name had one "R" in the return address.  At least they're consistent!

Meeting date changed

The Mt. Lebanon Commissioners will be discussing the recommendations made by the land use ad-hoc committee on April 25, 2011, instead of March 28, 2011 according to the Agenda posted on the Mt. Lebanon Municipal website.

3-28-11 Discussion Session Agenda

Yiayia on everything

My daughter sent me these three videos.  "Yiayia" is Greek for grandmother.  I am a Greek grandmother of two.  It is good to laugh sometimes.  Hope you enjoy these off topic commercials.

Thanks for sending these, Stephanie!

So do we!

Bethel Park must 'Just Say No'

"Just Say No" has been a popular phrase to keep young people away from using drugs.

However, this phrase is also a very appropriate response to encourage the Bethel Park School Board to "Just Say No" to any further spending of our taxpayer dollars.

As a matter of fact, it is crucial that the board cut out some of the spending now, in order to balance the present budget, which is in its preliminary stage for 2011-2012.

The projected revenue for this budget is $72,991,459.00, but the projected expenditures total $74,303,447.00. Simple subtraction tells us that this budget is about $1.3M in the red.

There is no money in our Keystone State to reimburse Bethel Park schools or any other school district in Pennsylvania. Bethel Park's loss from state reimbursement is over a million dollars.

If the former governor and administration could have "just said no" to spending, the forecast would not have been so bleak.

Overtaxation ruins a nation. In Bethel Park, "Just Say No."

A. Potocar

http://www.thealmanac.net/alm/story10/03-23-2011-letter-BP-Potocar

Live and learn

Just got back from going before Judge James.  I want to set the record straight.  I challenged one signor on Kristen Linfante's nomination petition (Democratic candidate for Ward 3 Commissioner) who lived in Castle Shannon.  Ms. Linfante doesn't know where the Mt. Lebanon/Castle Shannon border is.  Scary when someone who is running for Commissioner isn't clear where the municipality ends.  I challenged Kristen Linfante's nomination petition because I had serious doubt that each line was filled in by the signor.  The rules are as such:  "Each person who signs a nomination petition must insert the following information about him or herself:

1. Signature;
2. Printed name;
3. Address of residence, including street and number, if any;
4. Their municipality; and
5. The date on which he or she signed the nomination petition."

I questioned, not the signatures as Rob Gardner and Kristen Linfante announced on other blogs, but the rest of the information that was inserted on most lines.  Here is the link to the docket.  Case ID GD 11 004872 Decide for yourself.  We will never know because I "did not have standing."  That means that since I am a Republican, I cannot challenge a Democrat.  Who knew?  I did learn something that is definitely worth the $78 I spent to file the objection.  Joe DeIuliis, Republican Commissioner of Ward 3, who was just endorsed by the Republican Committee for the May Primary, has a For Sale sign in his front yard, his family has been quoted in the media that they want to move far away, was also at this hearing and was smiling when I found out that the judge had to deny the challenge.  Pretty interesting, huh?

Build houses here

On March 28, 2011, the Mt. Lebanon Commissioners will be discussing the recommendations made by the land use ad-hoc committee, trying to generate additional revenue for Mt. Lebanon. Recommendations of the land use ad-hoc committee include possible sale of a portion or all of the Mt.Lebanon Golf Course for development, and getting Right of Ways into the tax base.  Another recommendation by the committee includes Parks development such as selling off parcels of Bird Park.

I will not be able to attend Monday's meeting, so I will be emailing the Commissioners with my idea, as well posting it here.

Living next to Rockwood Park since 1985, my husband and I adopted the park and enjoyed watching our kids play with their friends.   Even when our youngest would ride his "Big Wheel," the neighborhood parents would drink coffee and stay outside with our kids until the streetlight came on.  We hosted Foster School "field trips" where the kids and their families would have lunch in the park and we handed out popsicles for dessert.  We had many birthday parties under the shelter.  But we never let the kids go to the upper parking lot.  It is secluded and attracts a lot of illegal activity.  I am sure Public Works could tell you what kind of debris is left behind.  The neighbors on Rockwood Avenue have been dealing with this issue for years. 

So here is my proposal.  Develop the upper parking lot of Rockwood Park.  The neighbors would welcome five or even six new homes built there.  Presently, a new home is being constructed next to the parking lot and will have its own driveway and garage.  The old home that was there previously used the upper parking lot since there was no driveway available.  It would revitalize the neighborhood, reduce police calls, and the green space would remain untouched, while generating revenue for Mt. Lebanon.