Despicable UPDATED 3X

In lawsuit, volleyball players accuse Mt. Lebanon coach of sexual misconduct

Before he was hired by Mt. Lebanon , the suit said, former players, coaches and parents told athletic director John Grogan about the 1995 incidents and told him not to hire Mr. Begor.
After the district hired him, according to the complaint, he began sexually suggestive conduct.

I wonder if John Grogan shared the warnings with the school district. Does anyone know who does the hiring? Is it Timmy, the school board, or HR? Whoever is responsible should resign. Whatever the case, our school board president (was and still is) made national news when this youtube video hit. "Our goal is clearly not to find a qualified and interested U.S. worker."

If the name Begor sounds familiar, Dawn Begor was the Devil's Advocate advisor when this news hit. Parent offended by article in The Devil's Advocate UPDATED I don't know if there is any relation.

I am sorry that our girls had to endure this abuse. I hope they collect HUGE damages from Mt. Lebanon. This is despicable.

Update April 25, 2016 7:01 PM Lawsuit claims former Mt. Lebanon volleyball coach behaved inappropriately

Unfortunately, this is the same school board where the president made national news when this video was released. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCbFEgUnfortunately, this is the same school board where the president made national news when this video was released. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCbFEgFajGUWhen the district hired him in 2015, he subjected the girls on the team to sexual behavior that included having them wrestle each other while he taped them, using nicknames that added “-gina” and “-licious” to their first names and frequently grabbing his crotch with one or both hands in front of them, the lawsuit said.

I tried to post a reply to Donald Holt with the above quote from the Trib, but it didn't pass the moderator. :(

Update April 26, 2016 5:27 PM I'm glad to see that the defendants are Mt. Lebanon School District and John Grogan, as well as Brian Begor. https://dockets.justia.com/docket/pennsylvania/pawdce/2:2016cv00498/230254I am so sorry to hear that four of our girls had to endure this abuse. I hope the parents and the girls are able to collect big time and that there are some resignations over this. Truly desp

Winding down

From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To: repmiller <repmiller@pahouse.net>
Sent: Sun, Apr 17, 2016 1:18 pm
Subject: Fwd: Bait

Hi Dan,

Please consider doing another Office of Open Records forum in Mt. Lebanon. According to my latest RTK, corn is proprietary. The mechanism to distribute the corn is now proprietary. Response to RTK about bait

I have included an email exchange that I had with Keith McGill, Tony DeNicola, Aaron Lauth, and ultimately sent to the commission. The Health Department got involved because ground baiting is illegal in Allegheny County. Tony will not disclose the method he used nor the type of bait he used. In articles to the media, Tony made reference to bait piles and accusations that someone tried to incriminate White Buffalo.

Mr. DeNicola said one person tried to frighten deer from a bait pile by repeatedly yelling “murderers.” More disturbing to him, he said, was what he called an attempt to incriminate White Buffalo.
“[Police Chief Aaron Lauth] got a call a few days ago from someone saying we were violating the 1,000-foot school radius at McNeely Park,” Mr. DeNicola said. “The bait was not ours — it was nowhere near where police knew we were stationed. Somebody put a pile of corn in a field and called in and said it was us. Unbelievable.”

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2016/03/11/Mt-Lebanon-deer-sharpshooting-program-ends-1/stories/201603100093

Bait piles are illegal in Allegheny County, but Mt. Lebanon is permitting Tony DeNicola to hide behind the excuse that the information is proprietary. The commissioners will not respond. I am being ignored again. I could file another appeal with the OOR, but then will be forced to hire another attorney if the OOR grants my appeal for the third time and Mt. Lebanon decides to appeal to the Court of Common Pleas.

I quoted Merriam-Webster because Buchanan Ingersoll cited Merriam-Webster in their case against me.

The commissioners are under the impression that going to the Court of Common Pleas costs Mt. Lebanon taxpayers nothing. I have asked for Kelly's help, but she has been ignoring me for a year now.

Can you help?

Elaine Gillen

-----Original Message-----
From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To: commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Thu, Apr 14, 2016 3:45 pm
Subject: Fwd: Bait

Commissioners,

I am forwarding this to all of you, since I rarely get any response. From any of you.

Now, bait is top secret. Love the transparency in this municipality.

Elaine Gillen

-----Original Message-----
From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To: kfraasch <kfraasch@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Thu, Apr 14, 2016 2:17 pm
Subject: Fwd: Bait

Kelly,

I have attached Bonnie's response to my latest RTK. I asked for the type of bait and how it was being distributed. Please read the email thread below that I had with Tony. Tony was going to get back to me, but then he changed his mind. 

I also shared with you, previously, photos of piles of corn at the golf course and at McNeilly. Here they are again.

McNeilly

Golf course

As you may remember from last year, the Allegheny County Health Department told us that it is illegal to do ground baiting. Tony claims that he didn't do this, yet will not divulge what method he did use to bait the deer.

Both he and Bonnie Cross say that it is proprietary information. As the practice seems to be here, Merriam-Webster's Dictionary is the gold standard for definitions. Here is the definition of proprietary:

1. 1:  one that possesses, owns, or holds exclusive right to something; specifically :  proprietor 1
2. 2:  something that is used, produced, or marketed under exclusive legal right of the inventor or maker; specifically :  a drug (as a patent medicine) that is protected by secrecy, patent, or copyright against free competition as to name, product, composition, or process of manufacture
3. 3:  a business secretly owned by and run as a cover for an intelligence organization

Tony DeNicola does not hold exclusive rights to apples and corn. The formula to Coca Cola is proprietary, not apples or corn. Tony needs to prove to you and the rest of us, that he did not violate any health department codes. Can you intervene? It is ludicrous for me to file an appeal for this too.

Elaine Gillen

-----Original Message-----
From: Anthony DeNicola <tony.denicola@whitebuffaloinc.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: kmcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; alauth <alauth@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Tue, Mar 8, 2016 5:32 pm
Subject: Re: Bait

My findings are not public information.

On Tuesday, March 8, 2016, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

SECOND REQUEST

Tony,

According to Susan Morgans, all the baiting has concluded in today's article in The Almanac. http://www.thealmanac.net/20160308/details_for_mt_lebanon_sharpshooting_limited_for_safety_reasons

"“The baiting has concluded,” Morgans said."

As of February 28, you were going to give it another week to sort out the best method for baiting and what type of mechanical feeder you are using to distribute the bait. I understand that it is an art, rather than a science. You were going to get back to me. Keith was going to get back to me.

I have also asked Manager Keith McGill and he was going to ask you. I hope he has followed through. Now, I read that the baiting has concluded. What kind of bait have you decided to go with and what type of mechanical feeder did you use?

Elaine Gillen

-----Original Message-----
From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To: tony.denicola <tony.denicola@whitebuffaloinc.org>
Cc: kmcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; alauth <alauth@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Sun, Mar 6, 2016 12:54 pm
Subject: Re: Bait

Tony,

It's been a week since we last exchanged emails. Any news on what type of bait and what type of mechanical feeders that you are using? According to the permit, you have had six weeks to bait so far. Are you still sorting out the best method?

Elaine Gillen

-----Original Message-----
From: Anthony DeNicola <tony.denicola@whitebuffaloinc.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: kmcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; alauth <alauth@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Sun, Feb 28, 2016 7:53 am
Subject: Re: Bait

Elaine,

No problem at all.  I am still assessing how well our mechanical feeders are working at timing deer arrival times with some different baits.  We are trying to get the deer to come predictably after dark, so that is very difficult.

I will give it another week or so.  We still have plenty of time before the permit expires at the end of March.

Tony

On Sunday, February 28, 2016, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Tony,

I did a quick search and found this on Field and Stream's website. http://www.fieldandstream.com/answers/quick-tips/if-you-want-deer-bait-will-drive-deer-crazy-try-grape-kool-aid-guy-dnr-gave-me-ti 

"They also like peanut butter, apples, syrup, and pretty much anything else you would feed a five year old according to other posts. Good luck with the kool-aid. I'm sticking with corn."

We were told that you started baiting over a month ago. I'm am trying not to sound snarky,  but sincerely, I would think you would have some idea as to what bait has worked and what mechanism you are using to distribute it by now. Do you have an estimate as to when you will have it sorted out? This week? Next week?

Respectfully,

Elaine Gillen

-----Original Message-----
From: Anthony DeNicola <tony.denicola@whitebuffaloinc.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: kmcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>; alauth <alauth@mtebanon.org>; alauth <alauth@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Sat, Feb 27, 2016 5:59 pm
Subject: Re: Bait

We are still sorting out the best method.  Once we have better data I will let you know.

Tony

On Saturday, February 27, 2016, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Yes, thank you for your response, Tony. I can understand that bait is a regional thing. From what I've learned at commission meetings, Mt. Lebanon deer are not picky eaters. So what did you end up using here? Also, what method of distributing the bait are you using?

Thanks in advance for your clarification.

I had originally made a mistake typing Aaron's email, so I have added his correct (I hope!) email address. Sorry about that, Aaron.

Elaine Gillen

-----Original Message-----
From: Anthony DeNicola <tony.denicola@whitebuffaloinc.org>
To: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
Cc: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>; alauth <alauth@mtebanon.org>
Sent: Fri, Feb 26, 2016 8:01 pm
Subject: Re: Bait

Keith,

Baiting is more of an art than a science.  We use a multitude of options depending on what the local deer seem to prefer most, what is available, and relative cost.  It can be apples, deer feed, corn, alpha pellets, etc.  We place bait out at each location where we are active, primarily on private properties throughout the municipality typically several weeks in advance of getting started whether it is for capture purposes or for lethal management programs.

I hope this helps,

Tony

Anthony J. DeNicola Ph.D.  | President |  White Buffalo Inc.

M: (860) 790-0224  |  tony.denicola@whitebuffaloinc.org

On Fri, Feb 26, 2016 at 2:35 PM, Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org> wrote:

Good afternoon Elaine,

Aaron did provide a response and indicated that someone from White Buffalo would be a better source to provide a response. I am copying Tony DeNicola on this response. I'm sure Tony can provide a response.

Keith

On Fri, Feb 26, 2016 at 2:27 PM, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Keith,

Were you able to get in touch with Aaron or Mike concerning my bait questions? What kind of bait and how is it being distributed?

Elaine Gillen

--

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

Just seventeen pages

Today was the judicial review. There was no testimony, no press, nobody in the room except Mt. Lebanon's solicitor (not Phil Weis), my attorneys, three friends, and myself.

The judge had requested all withheld emails for both dockets for in camera review. It turns out for both of my appeals, there were a total of seventeen pages withheld from me. One page was blank, so sixteen pages of emails from less than fourteen residents.

In total, I was able to raise $2200. Thank you to those wonderful and generous people who supported my fund. There weren't many of you. I was really disappointed since I have had thousands of visitors on my website and blog- over 83,000 users!

Lebo Citizens Blog All Time Visitors. It went to "invite only" status on July 5, 2015.

Lebo Citizens Website All Time Visitors

Look at how many times Mt. Lebanon Municipal visited. Notice how many hits came from our school district, represented by the numbers listed next to "allegheny intermediate unit." Both local governments kept close tabs on me. Now they found the perfect way to shut me down.

All I was able to raise by a few very generous folks, was $2,200. The judge will rule in a week or so. For sure, it will be going to Commonwealth Court. That is, if my attorney will do it pro bono. He said no, which is sad because I'm tapped out. So no matter how it goes in Common Pleas Court, Mt. Lebanon will ultimately win. And that will be the end of any government transparency in Mt. Lebanon. 

 For over five years, I was doing this for all of us. Exposing the back room deals, the reckless spending, the corruption, the municipal staff deciding what we need to know - and thinking that we work for them.

Thanks to the few people out there who believed in me. It's been fun, but I think I am done.

Coyotes pose little threat, but deer do UPDATED

That is the BS that is coming out of our public information office these days. On Facebook, we're told to read "an excellent article by the PG's John Hayes.

mtl -- Mt. Lebanon Magazine

April 3 at 5:09pm · 

Not long ago someone posted a photo of what looked like a coyote in Mt. Lebanon. Here is an excellent article by the PG's John Hayes that explains coyote behavior and why they pose little threat to humans (but could possible harm a cat or small dog). Take a minute to educate yourself about one of the many kinds of wildlife that share our environment.

Get out: Eastern coyotes have made the Pittsburgh area their home

Municipal officials in Marshall and McCandless in the North Hills get enough questions about coyotes from residents to cause concern. Last year, nearby Ross…

POST-GAZETTE.COM

When you see a coyote, you're to keep your distance, and if you feel threatened, make yourself look as big as possible, make noise and back away slowly.'" If you see a deer, call 911 so that Mt. Lebanon can blow its brains out.


What the PIO fails to report is the small dog which was attacked by a coyote. The North Carolina woman was visiting family here in Mt. Lebanon. When are people going to learn that there are consequences when out of town guests visit family here.

Woman’s Small Dog Attacked By Coyotes In Mt. Lebanon

Updated April 7, 2016 6:08 AM From the Mt. Lebanon Police Department website:


COYOTES, FOXES, AND BOBCATS… NOT QUITE OZ, BUT THEY ARE ALL HERE IN SOUTHWESTERN PA

Final "sharpshooting" invoice

Through a Right To Know, Tony DeNicola's invoice for his "sharpshooting" services is now available.

I wonder why Tony uses a bookkeeping service in California when he lives in Connecticut. Of course, we don't know that his business is located in Connecticut because it is not written anywhere - not on his invoice or his website.

I see that we were charged for carcass processing. Were the deer donated to local food banks? We have no clue since nothing was mentioned in his final report. Additionally, his final report made no mention of how many does were pregnant, a statistic that had been shared in the past.

It was so gracious of Tony to credit us close to $20,000 for going over budget. The super secret  "not public information" bait * cost us $1,035.23 and a mystery charge of $4.00 per deer (garbage bags?) was also included on the invoice. What a guy.

*I filed a Right To Know about the type of bait used as well as the method used to distribute it, but Mt. Lebanon is doing another legal review to determine if that information is public.

Very weary

This anonymous comment really got me down:

"Are you saying that Elaine should not have to contribute at all to her defense? You say that she has not received donations to cover round I. Should other people pay for her entire defense? I think she has received enormous financial support from her gofundme effort. People are getting tired of her constant demands for money. 

As far as I know, Amy Castor did not have a gofundme and did not ask anyone for money. I think she spent thousands out of her own pocket.

Elaine CHOSE to pursue this case against the municipality. Amy was dragged into it. Either way, people need to take responsibility for their own actions.

I wish Elaine well and am grateful for her efforts. But she needs to stop laying the financial burden (which you concede is at a very drastic reduced cost) on others.

If people want to contribute to Amy's financial recovery, maybe they could send her a check via her lawyer.

March 31, 2016 at 8:26 PM"

First of all, I was not charged with anything. No citations were issued. I did not commit any crimes or charged with anything. My sin is that the PA Office of Open Records ruled that the information is public, so Mt. Lebanon must comply and provide the information that I requested. Twice. Mt. Lebanon decided to appeal and in so doing, I had to hire an attorney to fight for my rights, all of our rights. 

I have received financial support from thirty people, twenty-two of them are readers of this blog.  I was so discouraged to read the above comment, since I have been maintaining this blog for over four years, and my website will be five years old on April 24. I started these sites to inform our community of the happenings - both good and bad, and to provide a forum so that people have an opportunity to express their opinions. I went from requiring names to accepting anonymous comments. The trolls got the best of me, so I changed the blog to invited readers only. 

In the time that I have had these sites, I have had unexpected visitors at my door, was bullied by "He Who Shall Not Be Named" - also an unexpected visitor, threatened with two lawsuits, and was forced to hire an attorney to protect my assets. Yes, that was my choice, but I don't think that my children should pay the price for their mother expecting transparency from our local governments.

The "hearing" is going to be held on Monday, April 11 in room 705 (7th floor) of the City County Building at 10:00. It will be nothing like the cattle call that Amy Castor had to sit through. This is for the Mt. Lebanon v Gillen litigation only. It is open to the public, so I am hoping to see some friendly and supportive faces there. 

Sorry 8:26 PM, here is where I ask for money. If you haven't contributed and have relied on my website and/or blog for information over the years, please consider contributing to my fund. https://www.gofundme.com/thefightforthertk 

A little bird told me...

that Mt. Lebanon plans to appeal if I win on April 11, which means that they are taking it to Commonwealth Court!

Mr. Steve "It is free" Silverman thinks that this litigation is not costing Mt. Lebanon taxpayers any additional money, but wait till the retainer fee goes up next year with how they are keeping our solicitor busy this year.

I guess my gofund me will be staying up longer than I expected. Mt. Lebanon sure is sticking it to me.

You ARE invited

ANOTHER pedestrian hit in a crosswalk

Chief Lauth issued this media release: 

On 03/17/16 at approximately 1839 hours, MLPD officers were dispatched to the area of Washington Rd. and Peermont Ave. in reference to a vehicle vs. pedestrian crash.  

The pedestrian (F/50 yrs old) stated that she was struck by a vehicle as she was attempting to cross Washington Rd.  She reported that she was not injured and explained that she was walking across the roadway (from east to west) at the intersection of Washington Rd. and Peermont Ave. when she was struck by a red Kia Sportage.  The pedestrian advised that she was in the crosswalk when she was struck and that she is positive that she had a steady "walk" signal.  She stated that she was struck just as she entered the southbound center travel lane on Washington Rd.

The driver (F/23 yrs old) of the Kia Sportage stated that she was attempting to make the left turn from Peermont Ave. onto Washington Rd. when she struck the pedestrian.  The driver related that the traffic light at the intersection of Peermont Ave. and Washington Rd. was green when she made the turn.  She reported that the pedestrian was in the crosswalk when she struck her.

The investigating officer issued a traffic citation to the driver of the Kia Sportage at the scene.  She was charged with the following:

PAVC 3113(a)(1) - Pedestrian Control Signals.
Aaron V. Lauth
Chief of Police
Mt Lebanon Police Department
555 Washington Road
Pittsburgh, PA  15228
(412)343-4015
alauth@mtlebanon.org
www.mtlebanonpd.org

The driver is 23 year old Della Parker.

But if you write to the commission about the pedestrian ordinance, this is what you get back, just three days after the above pedestrian was hit:

---

From: jbendel@mtlebanon.org
Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2016 21:16:07 -0400
Subject: Re: New local jaywalking ordinance a big mistake
To:Mt. Lebanon Citizen

Mt. Lebanon Citizen,

You and I discussed the ordinance prior to the commission's vote. I appreciate your opinion and passion for the issue, but we have passed the ordinance unanimously and are now developing our safe driving/walking/biking campaign.

Regards,

*********

John,

  Maybe you should fix the broken pedestrian signals before passing ordinances penalizing them.

See attached photos on Washington Road at Mayfair Drive Saturday 19-MAR-2016.

They show a walk signal that will never allow a pedestrian to legally walk because

the "beg button" is broken. The "Do Not Cross" yellow tape around the pole is an economical way

for Lebo to fix it, while fining and giving criminal records to people who attempt to cross there.

The municipality should have made sure the infrastructure was in working order before

the commission made crossing the street in Mt. Lebanon a criminal act.

You should be ashamed of yourself for your poor decision making as an elected official.

  

**********

Perhaps this should be in every Mt. Lebanon resident's wardrobe: http://www.cafepress.com/+jaywalker+t-shirts

Then there are these comments:  https://www.reddit.com/r/pittsburgh/comments/47d9lf/in_defense_of_mt_lebanons_walkers/

This comment says it all: 

"It defies common sense to ticket someone who is entering a crosswalk as the countdown begins when they still have time to cross the street safely without disrupting traffic."
- L.A. Councilman Mike Bonin
http://laist.com/2015/05/05/crosswalk_tickets.php

You're NOT invited

I am happy to announce the winner of the first-ever Volunteer Service Award, Bob Fischer. He is truly a great guy and deserves this award. Congrats, Bob.

But......

Look at the event at which Bob is being honored - the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner which is budgeted for every two years. It is a mixer with commissioners and municipal staff. Catered by Rania with 45 minutes of cocktails. Wow! If there is a quorum of three commissioners attending, it is a public event, but we're not invited. Nice.

From: Rita Levine <rlevine@mtlebanon.org>

Date: March 24, 2016 at 2:13:33 PM EDT
To: Susan Morgans <smorgans@mtlebanon.org>
Subject: Last chance to say you're coming!
Hi all,
Please see Susan's message below:
****************
Hello all:
I would appreciate your letting us know whether you CAN or CANNOT attend the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner for board and authority members on Monday, April 4, at 6 pm. at the public safety center.  (Invitation is attached in case you may have misplaced yours.)
This event, which the Commission budgets for every two years, is a lovely affair catered by Rania's with a cocktail hour preceding the dinner and a short program. It is a nice opportunity to mix with commissioners and municipal staff, meet members of other boards and socialize with your own board in a casual atmosphere.
This year the Community Relations Board will present the first-ever Volunteer Service Award to Robert Fischer, who is a volunteer firefighter, has served on two  municipal boards and is active in many other community activities.
We would love to have as many of you attend as possible.  Unfortunately, it is not the kind of event where you can show up at the last minute, so please let us know your intentions by this coming Monday. You may email  rlevine@mtlebanon.org or phone her at 412-343-3407.
Thanks so much for your good work, and I look forward to seeing many of you at the dinner.
Susan

******************
If you are receiving this email, any RSVP you may have sent has not reached me. The question has come up as to whether spouses are invited and regrettably, the answer is no. We are finalizing our plans and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Rita

​
mtl, Mt. Lebanon's official municipal magazine
710 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228
OFFICE: 412-343-3407  FAX: 412-343-7841
rlevine@mtlebanon.org     www.lebomag.com

Rita Levine, Public Information Assistant

Amen to that, Dan!

From State Representative Dan Miller's latest newsletter:

Campaign Finance Reform I am co-sponsoring House Bill 50 which mirrors federal campaign law in placing contribution limits on municipal and statewide candidates in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is currently one of only 12 states with no limits on campaign contributions, allowing too much potential for special interests to influence elections. Public officials need to be accountable to voters, not large campaign donors. 

Dan writes that Harrisburg is broken. I believe that Mt. Lebanon is broken. Zone 1, which includes Virginia Manor, had the highest count of deer killed on private property. As I have said repeatedly, I am not rich enough to hate deer. Then we have those pushing for more toxic turf fields.  I am too poor to want toxic turf fields too. Our commissioners seem to respond to special interest groups only or those who can contribute to political campaigns. Remember this?  And this?

We definitely need to get behind House Bill 50.

MTL is appealing again

No surprise here. Mt. Lebanon is appealing the Office of Open Records' Final Determination for my second RTK which was granted in my favor. Here is the new docket.

Mt. Lebanon has no problem putting my address all over the place. This will be consolidated with the first case. The court date is still April 11.

I am not even half way to my goal. Please consider contributing. https://www.gofundme.com/thefightforthertk

An anonymous commenter once wrote:

"It is pathetic if citizens must get a lawyer and file legal suits to have our "public servants" comply with transparency laws. These politicians are not serving us. Instead they are protecting corruption and cronies. I agree that citizens and activists need to keep the heat on. There cannot be too much transparency when it deals with the actions of bureaucrats and politicians. "

Sharpshooting final report is in UPDATED 2X

2016 Final Report for the 2016 Deer Management Program

They killed fawns. They killed does. They killed bucks. They killed anything on four legs. Their biggest killing day was February 29, 2016 with 33 deer killed.

Tony DeNicola reports:

Regardless of the success of the two harvest phases, there are pockets of more densely developed areas where deer have not been addressed. We intentionally avoided working in these densely developed areas during both culling phases this year to minimize conflicts. We continue to receive correspondence from community members that are observing deer in their yards even after we are done with the project. The Commission will need to decide whether to emphasize more culling activities in very tightly developed areas or transition to sterilization in these areas of the community.

In a letter to the commissioners, I wrote:

Is the intent to eliminate all the deer in Mt. Lebanon? Wasn't the goal to reduce deer/car collisions by 50% in five years? Or are we going by what deer are remaining in people's yards now?

I would appreciate a response from any or all of the commissioners. This was sent to you and not to the municipal manager.

I guess the reason we are seeing more "Eat More Venison," "Hunt in My Yard," and "Hunters Welcome" signs is that we still have some unhappy people who want all the deer killed. So why is Mt. Lebanon taking me to court when these people are quite content to post their signs in their front yards?

I am adding a map of Mt. Lebanon so that we can figure out which zones are which. I think I am Zone 3. It looks like Zone 4 includes Sunset Hills, the Golf Course, and McNeilly. Still working on the other zones.

Update March 21, 2016 8:37 PM I heard back from Keith McGill. I had asked him for a breakdown by public properties.

Good evening Elaine,

Tony indicates the following:

McNeilly - 4

Robb Hollow - 5

Municipal Golf Course - 17

Total on public land - 26

Total private land - 89

Keith

Update March 22, 2016 12:04 AM Looking at the "sharpshooting" zones map, here is how the "sharpshooting" breaks down:

Zone 1

32 deer killed on private property                   

5 deer killed at Robb Hollow and Public Works

37 Total

Zone 2

28 deer killed on private property

0 deer killed on public property

28 Total

Zone 3

20 deer killed on private property

0 deer killed on public property

20 Total

Zone 4

9 deer killed on private property

21 deer killed at McNeilly and Golf Course

30 Total

Presenting the newly updated, updated, revised final Final Archery Report

Keith McGill was kind enough to let me know of the change on the municipal website. The report now includes the number of deer killed in each park. See page 5.

Archery Harvest Numbers by Park:
Golf course - 15
Conservation District - 6
Rob Hollow - 15
McNeilly - 7

When I questioned the count for Public Works, Keith believes the Robb Hollow number reflects both Robb Hollow and the Public Works site. He doesn't believe they differentiated between the two.

Menace or attraction?

Menace or attraction?  / When it comes to culling deer population, Jews in Mt. Lebanon hold dear to ideals 

The Jewish Chronicle has posted the same article, but different titles, so I included both links. I am not sure which one will remain.

Steve Silverman is still worried about prokill people being harassed. No worries about kids walking in areas where bullets are flying.