This has NOT gone to the Traffic Board.
No traffic study has been done even though the entrance to the fields is being relocated.
This has NOT gone to the Historic Preservation Board.
The Environmental Sustainability Board is against the project.
The Parks Advisory Board is against the project.
The Planning Board has not voted on this project.
The Zoning Hearing Board has NOT been involved.
The Recreation Department has sent over 8,000 emails, soliciting for the non-municipal share of the project.
The Public Information Office has updated the Mt. Lebanon website to include Field Enhancement of Wildcat and Middle fields. Additionally, a plea for donations to the non-municipal portion of the project is included in the update.
A public fundraising campaign is under way to garner the $250,000 in non-municipal funds needed to make this project happen. If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the project: Field DonationsIt was a wise decision on the part of the PIO to share an unedited version of the Mellon artificial turf infomercial. It includes members of the audience calling out to David Donnellan that he was lying.
This is NOT a done deal, Lebo Citizens. The bid opening is this Thursday at 11:00 AM in the Recreation Office. Bids will be awarded at the end of this month or the beginning of July. The Sports Advisory Board only has a 98% commitment of the required $250,000 portion. According to the Mellon presentation made by John Bendel, $101,879 is cash in hand, and an additional $143,250 has been pledged. We have been told that if there is no $250,000 cash in hand, the bids will not be awarded.
20 comments:
They will just change the rules about the cash in hand like everything else because these people have no principles. They do not stand behind their word, they just say anything to get what they want.
Are you telling me they're $143,000 short? I hope someone invites media to the bid opening or at least the followup commissioners meeting where they'll say "Oh, when we said cash in hand, we really meant..."
The lowest bid could be for $2M and they'd still rip out the grass.
They don't care what the other boards say.
They don't care the residents don't want the project.
They aren't going to stop with this project.
Dave needs his turf and he doesn't care who he steps on to get it.
--Tom the Tinker
Is the school board meeting being televised today?
I have no idea. I just uploaded the podcast onto Lebocitizens.com I just can't keep up with this anymore.
Elaine
Apparently, and recent history proves this out, certain commissioners and school directors never learned this simple lesson and carried it through to adulthood.
http://smartblogs.com/education/2014/06/16/transforming-school-culture-through-mutual-respect/?utm_source=brief
"1. We will value one another as unique and special individuals. We’re all unique, and our differences should be celebrated and embraced. This is an especially important idea to instill in young students, as their self-esteem and self-perception are in formative stages.
We will not laugh at or make fun of a person’s mistakes nor use sarcasm or putdowns. In addition to feeling physically safe at school, students have a right to share their idea and opinions without fear of negativity. Emotional security is important to personal growth.
We will use good manners, saying “please,” “thank you” and “excuse me,” and we will allow others to go first. This might seem like an insignificant emphasis on politeness, but good manners are foundational to selflessness and empathy. Leading by example with polite behavior and respect for others will help instill those qualities among students.
We will cheer each other to success. This emphasis on community and an “all boats shall rise” mentality helps students support their peers and acknowledge the accomplishments of others. We all do better when we all do better.
We will help one another whenever possible.Encouraging students to look out for their peers fills communities with conscientious, helpful and generous citizens. Teamwork is a life skill that serves students well far beyond the classroom.
We will recognize every effort and applaud it.Everyone experiences failure — times when our best effort didn’t produce the desired outcome. While failure is disappointing, the effort of trying to accomplish the goal is always worth recognizing.
We will encourage each other to do our best.To mitigate complacency and create a climate where excellence is rewarded, help students set high standards for themselves and others. Educators can model this behavior by maintaining high personal standards and supporting other teachers in their work.
We will practice virtuous living. Recognize that how students treat each other as people is foundational to a healthy life at school, at home and in the community. By emphasizing empathy, good character and other important life principles, educators create well-rounded and thoughtful students."
Was it Linfante, Brumfield or perhaps both that essentially said they had the 3 needed votes and didn't have to listen to boards or groups or anybody!
The PIO has also wisely indicated the real amount of cash on hand in their plea for private funds:
"We must raise approximately $250,000 in non-municipal funds to contribute to the project. To date, the various youth sports associations in Mt. Lebanon have contributed over $100,000 towards this goal." The blurb on the Mt. Lebanon website does not mention the "pledge" of $143,250. The amount "pledged" may materialize - given that this project is probably going to happen I hope it does - but a pledge is not money in hand.
This situation reminds me of a friend I had back in East Hampton, Long Island, who was telling me about how much money he received at his Bar Mitzvah. "I made a thousand in cash," he said, "and nine thousand in pledges." He was joking; I hope the sports people are not.
Elaine... How many lies have you been told by Brumfield JUST this year? Do you really believe any of the figures given? That is why we need an outside audit for the township AND the school district! I can tell you that I have $3,000,000,000 in my bank account when I actually have $3. If I pledge $100,000 to this moronic cause what happens when I NEVER write the check! Nothing... And that's what will happen with the majority of the pledges. But I can give you a GIVEN. Brumfield will lead the charge to raise taxes and teachers will get a huge salary increase.
1:30 AM, you had me until the end. You're playing with me, right? Brumfield is not with the school district.
Elaine
I forgot to add that there will be no time for a toxicologist to speak before the bids are awarded. The Bendel plan is to have a toxicologist speak at a future commission discussion session.
Elaine
When our PIO refers to "We", as in "We must raise", who exactly does she mean? She certainly doesnt speak for the community.
8:05 AM, are you seeing that in the link? "We" in this case, refers to the Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment.
Elaine
If I recall correctly, the donations are being funneled through a 3rd party - I cannot recall the name of the organization - and any money donated cannot be returned if the project does not go through. As such, it's possible that many of the "pledges" are from people and/or organizations that want to make sure the project is formally approved before they hand over the donation. I hope that is the case but based on past experience with the YSA/School District agreement, they may be waiting for some time to receive the money promised.
If the cash isn't in hand, litigation will ensue. It's as simple as that. $250k cash in hand was the contingency upon the original allocation of funds, which was later affirmed by Commissioner Bendel.
Oh yeah? Litigation from who? So far nobody has shown the stomach to step up.
Any lawsuit would presumably have to be initiated by the Commissioners so I think there's zero chance of that happening.
Here is the crap that our PIO is telling the Boards. Since the Commission appointed the Board members, they are an offshoot of the Commission, they must have a united front with the commission majority. they must support anything the commission majority wants.
Coming from the same person who thinks "artificial turf" has a negative connotation.
Elaine
2:29 - This type of coercion to agree with the opinions of the authorities is perpetuated by the establishment and it must be challenged.
Thankfully, my elementary aged child has a t-shirt that reiterates the words of Thomas Jefferson, "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing".
Remember, the total cost of the project was to be $1M with $750k from the Municipality and $250k coming from the sport organizations. $70K of the Municipal funds has already been committed to Gateway. So, the Municipality only has another $680k to give. If the bids come in at $1M then the sports organization MUST come up w/$320k.
Read Sections 125.1 and 125.2 of the Municipal Code regarding Boards.
If the PIO made such a statement about boards needing to present a unified front with the Commissioners that is evidence that she should go.
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