Password required? UPDATED

I have been trying to log in to the MTLSD website and also access the meeting videos. Any ideas on how to log in, now that a user name and password are required for authentication? I have emailed the school board directors, but you know how that goes.

Any news on last night's meeting?

Update 7:22 AM

Dear Ms. Gillen.
We’ll have Mr. Stengel take a look.
Thank you for letting us know.
For the Board,
Mary D. Birks

Update 8:12 AM That was quick! It has been corrected. Still showing Timmy's 2016-2017 Goals with his 2017-2018 Goals Missing in Action. (Saved in Google Docs) I guess the 2017 board leadership forgot about that.

Update 9:48 PM Fixed!

Democratic Caucus results in

Conor Lamb won. He beat Mike Crossey, Pam Iovino, Gina Cerilli, and Bob Solomon. I wasn't aware that there were others running too. A gardener from Mt. Lebanon and a professor from Cecil also ran. 

Conor Lamb get Dem nod for 18th Congressional seat election

I hate this time of year.

3Ws is playing Christmas music 24 hours a day. I changed the station, only to hear an interview from Travis whats-his-face from the PA Game Commission to talk about killing deer. And then I get this anonymous comment:

Watched the discussion session on turfing the Rock Pile. Just curious why Penn State - that they rely on for so much info - hguses natural grass on its football, soccer and lacrosse fields if artificial turf is so superior. They also use natural grass on many heavily used fields for practice, clinics and summer tournaments available to outside organizations. http://www.visitpennstate.org/meeting-sports-planners/sports-planners/field-hockey-lacrosse-soccer/ It’s obvious the board is dead set on artificial turf and being that anonymous info/comments aren’t welcome here, this will be my last.

On November 29, 2017, I will begin my eighth year of this blog. I have published 44,543 comments to my 2,407 posts. I can't even guess how many of those 44,543 comments were anonymous. I have approved countless comments from Giffen Good, Dick Saunders, and more. I have posted lyrics to songs, lame quotes, links to outdated articles, and comments that are off topic. The anonymous comment above was submitted under "What is Variatiability?" after I wrote:

4:53 PM, while I truly appreciate all the studies you share here on Lebo Citizens, it is really a waste of time. We have three attorneys lobbying for artificial turf - Dave Franklin, Bill Moorhead, and Larry Lebowitz. We are also hearing from directors and parents. Paula asked for the vote to be tabled until the December reorganization meeting. I don't know what the board is afraid of. The board has committed to a full size regulation field. Actually, Mary Birks will not be able to vote on the artificial turf because it would be a conflict of interest with her husband/older gentleman who refs on those fields. The PA Ethics Commission is aware.

So thanks for all the studies and links, 4:53 PM, but no thanks. It didn't work with the municipality. It is not going to work with the school district. The board needs to hear from real people at the microphone. Not stuff posted here. They claim that they don't read the blog, but we all know they read every word. I don't need the speech about anonymity. Speaking at next week's meeting is the only thing that will be effective.

So 4:53 PM, you might want to take a look at tomorrow's agenda. You are the only person I know who has to announce your "last comment." I started this blog this time of year, many years ago, to try to bring transparency to Mt. Lebanon and do something constructive during the holidays. I ran "Dress 4 Work" every November for six years. I don't need you to tell me that anonymous info/comments aren't welcome here.

End of an era

Monday, November 20, 2017 will be Mary Birks' final school board meeting. It is also Bill Moorhead's and Dan Remely's last meeting. Traditionally, Mary takes a swipe in her Board President's Report. She has gone after resident after resident in her reports. Will she go out in a blaze of glory or will she go out with dignity? We will soon find out.

 I wish them well.

Still nothing

https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.ashx?docketNumber=MJ-05217-NT-0000326-2017

Ward 4, way to go! The lack of transparency has already begun with your new commissioner.

Throwback Thursday 2017

Looking for some gift ideas for teachers, groomers, hair stylists, etc.? I have over 500 different kinds, so I am not limited to these colors or tags. Prices range from $5 for small key fobs to $10 for the large bag tags. Email me at EGillen476@aol.com if you are interested. Looking for something in particular? I probably have it. Just ask.

You've seen these:

 I just made these and have soooo many other new ones available.

A Work in Progress

For the second time in a month, the Century of Excellence Presentation was promised, but was removed from the November 13, 2017 agenda. It appears that we have entered a new Quiet Phase.

On October 16, 2017, Nick Meduho had asked about the Jo Posti reset presentation. His questions were not answered, so Nick had fifteen open Right To Knows with the School District when he passed away. I had to refile them in my name, as I had explained in an earlier post. The RTKs, all related to the Century of Excellence Capital Campaign or the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education (MLFE) are starting to come in.

I'm not sure how to go about this, so these will be in no particular order. I will continue to update with RTKs as I receive them.

1. MLFE 990's 2013-2015
2. "On November 8, 2017, the Mt. Lebanon School District (the “District") received your Public Records Request (“Request”), made pursuant to the Right to Know Law ("RTKL"), seeking: the most recent detailed statement by the Mt. Lebanon school board directors of any/all devises, bequests, grants, endowments, gifts, and donations, held and possessed by such school district (Mt. Lebanon), the proceeds thereof, the investments which have been made therewith, the income arising there from, the expenses of administration, and the purposes to which the income arising there from have been applied., Such statement shall be audited as hereinafter provided for the auditing of school finances." Another thirty days, on top of what Nick had to wait.
3. A comprehensive financial report for the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2017.
4. Copies of all invoices pertaining to the purchase of stadium blankets which are being sold to benefit the MLFE.
5. Payroll records for Sloane Astorino from when she began employment in 2015 to present.
6. An absolute complete/comprehensive and accurate income/expense report for the Century of Excellence Capital Campaign for dates January 1, 2012 thru October 15, 2017 which will include all the following; #1 All revenues itemized including but not limited to dates, amount and source of each transaction being as specific as possible, I understand that specific donor names must be redacted. #2 All expenditures itemized including but not limited to date, amount, payee and category of each transaction being as specific as possible. #3 All balance of money whether they be in a bank account, the Pittsburgh Foundation, etc. as of September 15, 2017. #4 All itemized transfers of money with specific dates and amounts transferred back to and from the school district general account for the capital campaign account.                    The District has located, with respect to the Capital Campaign Fund, documents setting forth “Revenue Accounts” and “Expenditure Accounts” for the 2012-2013 school year, the 2013-2014 school year, the 2014-2015 school year, the 2015-2016 school year, the 2016-2017 school year and the 2017-2018 school year as of November 3, 2017. In addition, the District had located a document entitled “Mt. Lebanon School District Fund 27 Capital Campaign.” These documents provide you with your requested information. 
7. The agreement between the Capital Campaign and the Pittsburgh Foundation that was approved on November 17, 2014.
8. "Any/all documents in the form of contracts, agreements, disclosure forms, terms, etc. that each donor was either made aware of, agreed to and/or signed either when they donated any money to the Century of Excellence Campaign or have pledged." Another thirty days, on top of what Nick had to wait. 
9. "On November 8, 2017, the Mt. Lebanon School District (the “District") received your Public Records Request (“Request”), made pursuant to the Right to Know Law ("RTKL"), seeking: The detailed statement for fiscal year 2012 by the Mt. Lebanon school board directors of any/all devises, bequests, grants, endowments, gifts, and donations, held and possessed by such school district (Mt. Lebanon), the proceeds thereof, the investments which have been made therewith, the income arising there from, the expenses of administration, and the purposes to which the income arising there from have been applied., Such statement shall be audited as hereinafter provided for the auditing of school finances." Another thirty days, on top of what Nick had to wait. 
10. "On November 8, 2017, the Mt. Lebanon School District (the “District") received your Public Records Request (“Request”), made pursuant to the Right to Know Law ("RTKL"), seeking: The detailed statement for fiscal year 2013 by the Mt. Lebanon school board directors of any/all devises, bequests, grants, endowments, gifts, and donations, held and possessed by such school district (Mt. Lebanon), the proceeds thereof, the investments which have been made therewith, the income arising there from, the expenses of administration, and the purposes to which the income arising there from have been applied., Such statement shall be audited as hereinafter provided for the auditing of school finances." Another thirty days, on top of what Nick had to wait. 
11. "On November 8, 2017, the Mt. Lebanon School District (the “District") received your Public Records Request (“Request”), made pursuant to the Right to Know Law ("RTKL"), seeking: The detailed statement for fiscal year 2014 by the Mt. Lebanon school board directors of any/all devises, bequests, grants, endowments, gifts, and donations, held and possessed by such school district (Mt. Lebanon), the proceeds thereof, the investments which have been made therewith, the income arising there from, the expenses of administration, and the purposes to which the income arising there from have been applied., Such statement shall be audited as hereinafter provided for the auditing of school finances." Another thirty days, on top of what Nick had to wait. 
12. "On November 8, 2017, the Mt. Lebanon School District (the “District") received your Public Records Request (“Request”), made pursuant to the Right to Know Law ("RTKL"), seeking: The detailed statement for fiscal year 2015 by the Mt. Lebanon school board directors of any/all devises, bequests, grants, endowments, gifts, and donations, held and possessed by such school district (Mt. Lebanon), the proceeds thereof, the investments which have been made therewith, the income arising there from, the expenses of administration, and the purposes to which the income arising there from have been applied., Such statement shall be audited as hereinafter provided for the auditing of school finances." Another thirty days, on top of what Nick had to wait. 
13. "On November 8, 2017, the Mt. Lebanon School District (the “District") received your Public Records Request (“Request”), made pursuant to the Right to Know Law ("RTKL"), seeking: An absolute complete/comprehensive and accurate income/expense report for the MLFE for dates January 1, 2014 thru October 15, 2017 which will include all the following: 1) All revenues itemized including but not limited to dates, amount and source of each transaction being as specific as possible. Donor names to be omitted. 2) All expenditures itemized including but not limited to date, amount, payee and category of each transaction being as specific as possible. 3) All balance of money as of October 15, 2017."  Another thirty days, on top of what Nick had to wait. 
14. District treasurer's reports from June 2013-December 2013
District treasurer's reports June 2013
District treasurer's reports July 2013
District treasurer's reports August 2013
District treasurer's reports September 2013
District treasurer's reports October 2013
District treasurer's reports November 2013
District treasurer's reports December 2013
15. The last RTK was combined with Number 13.

Holiday Parking Update

No Enforcement -> Thanksgiving Day, Friday, November 24th (Black Friday) and Saturday, November 25th (Small Business Saturday). This applies to on-street meter parking and all parking lots (i.e. Academy Lot, Alfred Lot, etc.). The garages in the Uptown District will charge regular rates for Friday, November 24th and $1 between 6am + 6pm on Saturday, the 25th;

Holiday Courtesy Ticket Program -> Parking Enforcement Officers will issue 'Courtesy Tickets' to drivers whose meter ran out of time. These Courtesy Tickets offer an additional hour to the driver. Dates for this program will run Monday, December 12th through Tuesday, January 2nd. 

What is Variatiability? Updated 11/15/17

Whatever it is, Dr. Davis is talking about it at the school board meeting tonight.

This just blew me away. Compare Mellon Middle School with Jefferson Middle School.

Jefferson Middle School 94.4
Mellon Middle School 72.9

Look at the range of scores within the elementary schools. Lincoln (where parents were asking for more teachers) scored 81.6, while Markham scored 99.3.

All this whileTimmy keeps tweeting about theater productions and sporting events, and the board wants to spend millions on turf, instead of text books and technology.

Update 11/14/17 5:34 PM Comparisons of the elementary schools' academic performance are below. In order to get reports for all the schools, a comparison was made to Howe.
Foster, Hoover, Markham, and Howe and Jefferson, Washington, Lincoln, and Howe

Mellon Middle School Academic Performance

The link to the November 13, 2017 School Board meeting is http://multimedia.mtlsd.org/Play.asp?12065119097741230!5

Update November 15, 2017 5:47 PM You wouldn't know that there are big problems at Mellon when the district posts news such as Outcomes Report Show Gains in Student Achievement  (saved in Google Docs)

School Board is pulling a whopper!

On tonight's agenda are the following discussions:

Acceptance of 2017 Single Audit Report – The annual audit of the District’s finances has been completed by Maher Duessel CPAs and the results of the audit will be reported by Amy Lewis, CPA at the meeting. There are no findings or issues to report. The Superintendent recommends acceptance of the audit report.

Jo Posti is making her reset presentation tonight for the Century of Excellence Million Dollar Heist. This is what the late Nick Meduho had asked about at the last meeting, when Mary Birks said, "Nope." It is after the election and before the new board takes over.

Athletic Field Discussion - we already know that Bill Moorhead, Dan Remely, and the soccer ref's wife, Mary Birks will be going off the board and they are in favor of turfing everything in sight.

And then there is the Teachers Contract.

Letter of Engagement for Chief Negotiator – The Board is asked to consider the appointment Ira Weiss, Esq. as special counsel for teacher contract negotiations at a cost of $125 per hour plus training services of $1,500. The Superintendent recommends this appointment.

If these items are up for discussion, the board will be voting next week. It will be Birks, Remely, and Moorhead's last meeting. Ever. All of these items should be tabled for the new board! It looks like Mary is not going out quietly.

Landlords out in force tomorrow night

There will be another public hearing for amending the Solid Waste Ordinance. From the November 14, 2017 commission agenda:

The proposed ordinance would amend Chapter XIV of the Mt. Lebanon Code, entitled “Solid Waste,” to clarify certain provisions regarding residential and commercial uses. This ordinance was introduced September 25, 2017. A public hearing was held October 23, 2017, and a second public hearing will be held tonight.

Also, there will be a public hearing on the 2018 Manager’s Recommended Budget and the proposed tax rate for the year 2018.

GOP picks Saccone

The party members chose Saccone over state Sen. Guy Reschenthaler of Jefferson Hills and state Sen. Kim Ward of Hempfield.

GOP picks Elizabeth Twp. Rep. Rick Saccone to fill disgraced ex-congressman Murphy's seat

One down, more to go...

unless they got the message loud and clear on November 7, 2017.


https://www.facebook.com/whenyouhavenothingleft/videos/573864636336476/

An open letter from Charlotte Stephenson UPDATED

Time for a New Chapter!

To friends of all party affiliations who helped with my campaign, thank you! To the few voters who considered the person rather than the party and responded to my invitation to “interview” me and make an informed choice, kudos to you! From recycling questions to property taxes we had important dialogue. I ran for office to understand our needs and potentially serve our residents to the best of my ability. In spite of my outreach efforts, as one of our witty community members says “Don’t confuse me with the facts, my mind is already made up!”

According to the Allegheny County Elections Bureau report, 72.86% of Democrats and 26.14% of Republicans voted the straight party line. (I believe this is county-wide, no data on municipal voting.)

According to the data I received in the spring, there were 37% Republican and 51% Democrat registered voters in Ward 2. This probably changed over the past several months since people move, change party affiliations and register. Election results showed that I received 31.4% and my opponent received 68.6% of the votes.

Competition in elections is important. Unfortunately, here in Mt. Lebanon there is no real competition other than within the Democrat Committee, and there will not be any anytime soon. Yes, the local Republican Committee has been completely ineffective for some time and I attempted to change that, but our predominantly Democrat community would not shift if the RCML arose from the ashes and worked to recruit Republican registrations until the cows came home. 

When a stand up guy like Bob Fischer can’t get elected it’s clear that we have lost our way putting party labels above what is best for our community. By the way, to those who are criticizing Bob for not publicizing his opponent’s indiscretions, why didn’t you chip in and send a letter? Elaine’s blog brought candidate Grella’s citations to light but that didn’t matter, so how would Bob’s stooping have made a difference? Could you have? I don’t believe so.

From Mr. Grella’s website:

 “Our nation’s political environment has fueled hatred at local levels and we have not been immune. But the true test of resilience is how a community handles such challenges, and the residents of Mt. Lebanon have proved time and time again what real community is all about. Last year, we came together in an open forum – in the extreme cold – to denounce hate and violence in all its forms, and to show our children that love and acceptance trumps exclusion and bigotry.” 

So what about our stellar firefighter citizen who stood out in the freezing cold all day on Tuesday? Was his loss due to exclusion or bigotry? I’ll call it exclusion. The elimination of Bob’s potential leadership on the Commission was truly a disservice to our community, so to the Democrat Committee of Mt. Lebanon, shame on you! You are so drunk with power that winning an election is more important than electing winning leadership for our community. You have sold out. Lebo prides itself on celebrating diversity and welcomes everyone? – yep.

Now, it’s my turn. I am not a political statistician. Obviously, far less than the number of registered Republican voters came out and supported me. Have they given up? A thousand Republican phone banks times the Democrat Committee of Mt. Lebanon’s actual amount could never have produced the necessary number of votes for me to win. I do not blame the Republican Committee for that. My race wasn’t even close.

Additionally, Republican “pro-artificial turf on Cedar Blvd.” voters supported my opponent since he is pro-artificial turf. Republican David Franklin lobbied against me on Facebook because I opposed the installation of artificial turf. He praised my opponent’s community service record and support of artificial turf. Well done, Dave. My outstanding community service record wasn’t worth mentioning, huh? To the residents on Vee Lynn, you may want to invest in the special blinds that completely block out light when the $500,000.00+ lighting goes in. Don’t forget to purchase earplugs for the additional traffic from the 50+ added parking spaces and the loudspeaker amplifying day and night. As you are lying in bed with a pillow over your head remember, Mt. Lebanon is a community that cares!

To those who won’t support anyone unless they are a “D”, I have been a life-long Republican and registered to vote when Jimmy Carter was in office. At that time we were in a recession, gas lines/rationing and unaffordable interest rates (21%), inflation (18%),  70% marginal tax rates, and 11% unemployment limited our way of life. My father was out of work for most of my high school years due to the recession and his age. I watched him type letters every day for two years to find a job. He was a World War II vet who completed his degree at Pitt on the G.I. bill while working at J&L Steel. To this day I have remained a Republican because that is where I started. I think there are good apples and bad in every political party. My roots result from my personal experience, something that I hold dear. Can you respect that?

In many ways, I am more “Democrat” than my opponent was in the areas of environment and keeping taxes affordable to maintain diversity here – economic, racial and intergenerational. On Election Day, I chatted with an environmental activist who thought adding artificial turf to Mt. Lebanon was the best decision. Huh??

In February, I attended a “Ready to Run” workshop at the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics at Chatham University, of which a Mt. Lebanon woman and past Commissioner is a sponsor. However, this individual is listed on my opponent’s website as a “Friend” (supporter) and offered me nothing, zippo, zilch as I ran for office. So, I guess the hypocritical center will promote women in politics – as long as they are a D. I can hardly wait until the next Mt. Lebanon diversity celebration!

This campaign has had many peaks and valleys. Peaks, hands down, were watching my opponent’s sign being removed from a lawn once the property owner took the time to know the facts, and the positive feedback from others. Valleys were being thrown under the bus because of my friendship with Kelly Fraasch, voters’ snarky questions about how I voted in the last presidential election on their way into the polls, and seeing that some people are so entrenched in their political leanings they feel it’s OK to be rude. One neighbor said that anyone in this day who is a Republican is…..(readers can fill in that blank). I am so feeling that diversity vibe, how about you?

So, what’s next? I am pleased to have recently been elected to a talented board for a fantastic organization in Pittsburgh. That may sound like sour grapes, but it is actually true. I look forward to working with our county treasurer and other dedicated members who only want what is best for our Pittsburgh community and the organization. I’ve hitched my wagon to that star and I will also continue to work on local projects that matter to me with people who have stood by me – R’s and D’s. So, this R is not going away.

As for Mt. Lebanon politics, C’est la vie! The voters will be rewarded according to their choices. As you have sown you really will reap. I can’t wait to see how this turns out.

To quote Will Rodgers: “On account of being a democracy and run by the people, we are the only nation in the world that has to keep a government four years, no matter what it does.”

Good Luck, Mt. Lebanon!

-Charlotte Stephenson

Update November 11, 2017 6:01 AM Charlotte sent this to me last night, November 10, 2017 at 10:42 PM. The comment box provides a limited amount of space, so at Charlotte's request, I am posting it here.

9:23 I probably will not banter too much in the blog because it’s not an even playing field when people will not identify themselves. We all know that sitting at a keyboard anonymously often exacerbates poor behavior since there is no accountability involved. However, you asked an important question and I would like to respond.

In my letter, I stated “Yes, the local Republican Committee has been completely ineffective for some time…”

So, to answer your question “What did the LeboGOP do in this election to convince voters- R, D or I that it was the vehicle or had the drivers to get us on a road to successful, principled government?”

Answer - nothing.

Do I think that Democrat Mt. Lebanon voters will listen and shift their support to Republican candidates if the LeboGOP works to show them the Republican Tenants in action? – Nope.

Regarding the “Republican pro-artificial turf on Cedar Blvd.” voters running things around here as you stated, I was pointing out that Republicans throw other Republicans under the bus to protect their special interests as in the case of David Franklin. His Facebook post stated:

 “In WARD 2, please support incumbent STEVE SILVERMAN for COMMISSIONER.  Steve was a strong advocate IN FAVOR of the field renovation project on Cedar Blvd and has always been very helpful on other issues involving our parks and recreation facilities.  

His opponent lobbied against the installation of the new fields on Cedar.”

Regardless of communicating Republican tenants in action, I do not think any anti-artificial turf candidate would get anywhere with that lobby.

I believe we have an imbalance of representation due to our organizational structure. I would like to see the Sports Advisory Board be reorganized as part of a “Recreation Board”. When you look at the budget allocation for recreation and recreational facilities it really doesn’t make sense to only have representation from sports. The new Board should include residents with varied interests e.g. sports, swimming, skating, walking trails, dog park, fitness enthusiasts, etc. so there would be diversity.

Since I will not be posting after this, I would like to share some of the comments that I have received from others:

-“ Charlotte you did not lose the election the 2nd  ward

lost out on a hard working commissioner.”

-“ Thank you for sending this heartfelt letter.  I hadn’t known you long before the election and I pegged you as a class act; someone totally authentic and dedicated.”

-“ Mt. Lebanon has lost two dedicated public servants and will pay the price. So sad.”

Finally, yes, if Elaine had not posted the information about the Century of Excellence Campaign we never would have known of the school district funding and subsequent unsuccessful result. She is Mt. Lebanon’s investigative reporter!

Gifted student has to walk divided PA Court says

Gifted student has to walk to school just like his classmates, divided Pa. court says

As President Judge Mary Hannah Leavitt noted in the court's majority opinion, Mount Lebanon is a "walking district" and only provides transportation for students who are disabled. 

The gifted seventh grader walks 1.3 miles from his home to the middle school, then another 4/10ths of a mile to the high school for his first-period geometry class. He is given a ride back to the middle school so he can get to his second-period class on time, Leavitt noted.