Mt. Lebanon Parking Authority Cuts Two Workers

Reported as a "cost-cutting move", two Mt. Lebanon Parking Authority workers lost their jobs this week. Operations manager Sherry Harkins, who had worked for the authority for 28 years, and assistant director David Egler, a three-year employee, lost their jobs in the layoffs. The authority eliminated the positions, which will save it about $100,000 annually, Executive Director Rich Sahar said.

It is interesting to note that as a result of the layoffs, the authority now has room to create a new Internet technology position, according to Sahar.

Link: www.mtlparkingauthority.com

Family Files Suit Over MLHS 'Top 25' List

Another day, another lawsuit has been filed in Mt. Lebanon.....

This lawsuit has been filed against Doug Stein, the alleged author of the "Top 25 in 2006" list which has made national headlines. Mr. Stein is being sued by "Jane Doe", a female student from Mt. Lebanon High School, for defamation. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has published an article about this new suit.

Pizzeria Owner Who Was Tasered Sues Mt. Lebanon

In a move that is not unexpected, Frank Caruso has filed a lawsuit against Officer Scott Kunz, the Mt. Lebanon Police Department and the Municipality of Mt. Lebanon. His federal lawsuit is in response to a incident last summer where Mr. Caruso was tasered during a traffic stop in uptown Mt. Lebanon. Municipal officials did not offer any comments on the lawsuit because they said that they have not seen it yet.

MLSD To Borrow For High School Project

The Mt. Lebanon School District passed a resolution this week enabling them to borrow up to $69 million dollars to renovate or replace Mt. Lebanon High School.

According to School Director Joe Rodella, this move does not mean that work will be done imminently, but rather helps the district to be prepared to "work with the community to develop a solution". Some residents attending the meeting where the resolution was passed, however, feel that it is an attempt to accelerate plans for the new school while "shutting out public input".

Mt. Lebanon Native To Head Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published an article today about Joel Peresman, who has been named president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation in New York, where he will be responsible for promoting the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland and continue staging the Hall's yearly New York induction ceremonies.

New NASA Flight Director Is Mt. Lebanon Native

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published an article today about Heather Rarick, MLHS Class of '83, who has been named a flight director in NASA's Mission Control in Houston, where she'll manage shuttle flights, space-station expeditions and eventual moon missions.

Turning Up the Heat on the Zamagias TIF Application

Bill Matthews has been hard at work organizing arguments against the TIF proposal submitted by Zamagias Properties for the development proposed for the corner of Washington Road. Bill sent me copies of three documents, which I've posted for downloading:

An Open Letter to Mt. Lebanon neighbors [pdf], which argues that the TIF is a bad deal. "TIF is a tax diversion instrument. The Zamagias plan diverts funds that otherwise would be available to the school and municipal budgets. Looking forward, our budgets “will be what they will be” and Mt. Lebanon taxpayers will be making up for the diverted taxes with our own tax payments."

Relevant information from the Zamagias TIF application. [pdf]

A PowerPoint summary of the TIF issue. [pdf]

Mt. Lebanon Native Lives His Dream On The Street Where He Was Raised

The Post-Gazette recently visited one of Mt. Lebanon's newest places to dine -- Iovino's Cafe -- and posted their review of the establishment while also providing some history about Jeff Iovino, the owner and a Mt. Lebanon native.

Mt. Lebanon Neighborhood Considers Traffic Relief

The Post-Gazette had an an article yesterday about the next round of "traffic calming" proposed for our town. The new plan is for the Mapleton/Marietta neighborhood. In fact, the PG even put together a map of the proposed changes.

I know that the residents of Jefferson and Orchard got their way with regards to their request for "calming" in their neighborhoods. I just want to know how many more of these traffic calming proposals there will be in the future. I personally live on a "cut-through" street as well, but I highly doubt that the municipality will ever put speed bumps on my street. Are there any readers of this blog that want to chime in about Jefferson/Orchard, Mapleton/Marietta or any other street in town?

Escape The Daily Grind At Aldo's

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review had a nice article today about Aldo's Coffee on Washington Road. The article, written by Michael Machosky, talks about learning about Aldo's via their blog and then visiting them. It's a nice, positive review and worth the read.

Mt. Lebanon Principal Kills Editorial

As reported in today's Post-Gazette, Mt. Lebanon High School Principal Zeb Jansante has pulled an editorial that was to be published in The Devil's Advocate, MLHS' school newspaper. The editorial was written to be critical of the Post-Gazette's coverage of the "Top 25" list.

Lebo Lacrosse Beats Central Catholic

Our Mt. Lebanon High School boys lacrosse team beat Central Catholic yesterday to claim the Division I championship of the Western Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association. Congrats guys on a job well done!

Lebo Baseball Clobbers Norwin For WPIAL TItle

Our Mt. Lebanon High School boys baseball team beat Norwin to win WPIAL Quad A title. Blue Devils Baseball will now compete for the PIAA state title starting with a game next Monday against Taylor Allderdice, the Pittsburgh City League champion. Great job guys! Keep going!