posted by Mike Madison at 11:07 AM /
In a Comment at this earlier post, Ward 1 Voter posed a series of excellent questions for the candidates for Mt. Lebanon commissioner:
So far, Andy Reinhart (candidate in Ward 3) and Raja (candidate in Ward 1) have weighed in with responses in the Comments to that post. Again, here is the link.
UPDATE (10/19 7:25 am): Bonnie Van Kirk (Ward 1 candidate) has added a long response in the Comments to the earlier post Link here. Dan Miller (Ward 5 candidate) has put up a long Comment on this (Democracy in Action) post.
1. One of the largest retail spaces in our Central Business District - the Denis Theatre - has remained dormant for a number of years. Certainly, it would add to the vibrancy of our communtiy and the existing retail and dining establishments if this asset was once again put to good use, or even redeveloped for a new use as soon as possible. How would you prevent similar property owners from sitting on these prime retail locations while doing nothing?
2. As I travel to my children's soccer games around Western Pennsylvania, I have noticed that the community fields in several other areas put Mt. Lebanon to shame, both in number and overall condition. Further, it is becoming increasingly obvious that Mt. Lebanon's fields cannot meet the present demand. Do you have a position with respect to developing additional field space, while maintaining or updating our existing field space?
3. Do you have a position regarding the various swimming pool proposals that have been presented?
4. Do you support TIF funding for the condominium project on Washington Rd?
5. In recent years, traffic has become one of the single biggest issues facing our community. As you may know, a traffic calming policy was implemented a couple of years ago and several recommendations for effected neighborhoods have been presented to the Commission. However, only one (Mission Hills) has been formally implemented. Are you in favor of increased funding to support traffic calming measures or do you believe that traffic is something that we simply must accept as part of life in Mt. Lebanon?
6. For several decades Mt. Lebanon was able to market itself to first time homebuyers and growing families by promoting its excellent schools, its stately homes on quiet streets and its proximity to Downtown. However, many neighboring school districts have made up the gap and, in some instances, passed Mt. Lebanon. Many of our once quiet streets are now busy cut through routes for residents living south of Mt. Lebanon. And our stately (aging) homes are now a tough sell to a family of 4 or more, particularly when you compare them to the newer homes in Wexford, Pine Richland and Cranberry, all of which are becoming increasingly convenient to Downtown with 279 North, the HOV lanes, etc. How do you plan to market the "new" Mt. Lebanon to first time homebuyers and growing families?
So far, Andy Reinhart (candidate in Ward 3) and Raja (candidate in Ward 1) have weighed in with responses in the Comments to that post. Again, here is the link.
UPDATE (10/19 7:25 am): Bonnie Van Kirk (Ward 1 candidate) has added a long response in the Comments to the earlier post Link here. Dan Miller (Ward 5 candidate) has put up a long Comment on this (Democracy in Action) post.
5 Comments:
"Lebo - Democracy in Action" made me wonder about how the candidates have participated as voters in elections before being candidates - before 2007. I scoured the County records and found the last candidate to register as a voter was Candidate Raja (January '05) hence I could only compare the 2005 and 2006 elections. The 2 year participation rate for each candidate is as follows:
Ward 1
Raja 25%
VanKirk 75%
Ward 3
DeIuliis 75%
Reinhart 100%
Ward 5
Hoon 100%
Miller 100%
Let me start by saying how glad I am that Blog Lebo is back up and running. While this may not be an “experiment in journalism” it is a forum that allows for a free-flowing dialogue on local issues that many people cannot find elsewhere. I thank those who moderate and those who participate for proving that such an exercise in civility is still possible.
I would first like to address the person who asked about his inability to meet his candidates for local office. I do accept that it is the candidate’s primary responsibility to attempt to reach as many people as possible (and to obviously convince them that he or she is the best person for the job). I personally have been door-knocking since the middle of July and recently completed a stretch of hitting the streets 24 out of 31 days. I do not plan on stopping any time soon. However, I know that I will not meet every voter before November 6th, and I may even miss a home or two along the path. That being the case, I do believe that our system of government functions best with an active and vocal citizenry. I was recently approached by a fellow 5th Warder at Giant Eagle. Although he recognized me and my son from my campaign literature we had never met before. We had a terrific exchange while bagging groceries. After answering some questions he even agreed to take a yard sign for me. To me, in a local race such as this, being approachable and responsive to your neighbors is what it is all about. It’s a two way street. I respect every candidate who has gone door to door as I know it is not always easy. But I do believe it is necessary, as it is sometimes necessary to call, email, or stop your candidate at Giant Eagle.
Secondly, while I believe that placing large amounts of yard signs in a ward or district where you are not running may lead to some confusion for voters, as a candidate I find it very difficult to tell an excited supporter or friend that they can’t display a yard sign for me (although I have done so). I do have a couple signs up outside of my ward but the majority of them are very close to the border. On a related issue, I would like to challenge all the other candidates to join me in pledging to remove their yard signs with the same zest in which they placed them within 24-36 hours of the election. While yard signs are a necessary element in campaigning, they quickly become litter after the election as some candidates seem to believe that their signs will just magically disappear!
Okay now on to the questions. I will try to respond in conjunction with 3rd Ward Commissioner candidate Andy Reinhart’s answers as he made a point to answer each question asked.
Question #1-
Both Andy and Jeff make some good points. Obviously no one is suggesting that residential or commercial owners 1) sell for under the market value or 2) take a loss on their investment. However, shrewdly handling the sale process is different then sitting on a property and doing nothing. A vacant home or business does little to help any neighborhood and adversely affects the efforts of others. I think it is incumbent upon the municipality to fight such stagnation and I think Andy is dead on regarding establishing a better working relationship between the municipality, the EDC and local business people. I also think that Commissioners must work to instill a sense of action and vibrancy in its decision that can help spur progress. I have heard from some in the community who feel that the municipality at times moves too slowly. People must know that Mt. Lebanon is on the move- ready for new families and businesses. Such an environment necessitates that that properties in transition do not become eyesores and detractors.
Question #2-
As an avid soccer and baseball player I am familiar with most of the fields in Mt. Lebanon and their relative condition. Going door-to-door during the campaign has only strengthened my belief that our fields are largely inadequate in condition and number. While my preference is to use what land we have available for more middle class housing, I am also committed to finding new fields for soccer and baseball which would address the needs of our citizens now. Recently I door-knocked a family who said that they are doing everything they can to keep their children physically active in positive outlets but that the field shortage is not helping the cause. I am committed to working with the athletic associations and other groups to alleviate this problem.
Question #3-
I basically agree with Andy on this. I will not vote for either of the two roughly $7-10 million dollar proposals for what I consider to be “Sandcastle South” here in Mt. Lebanon. As much as I love water parks and can’t wait to take my son down his first waterslide, I believe such features are extravagant and do little to enhance our municipality in relation to the additional overhead cost. I am not interested in competing with other municipalities project by project, but rather look to form a comprehensive strategy which strengthens Mt. Lebanon’s reputation for high quality services and schools.
Question #4
I agree with Keith Mulvihill’s vote against the TIF project as is. This is not to say that I am against TIFs altogether, but my primary belief is that the market will dictate the size, scope and timing of development for the vast majority of properties.
Question #5
I am in favor of increased traffic calming measures and I also believe that residents have to accept that our traffic situation will to some extent be a fact of life in most parts of Mt. Lebanon. Traffic concerns are the number one issue voiced to me by 5th Ward residents when I go door-to-door so it will be a priority for me as Commissioner. I break traffic up into two categories: 1) speed and 2) volume. While most residents would like to see decreased volume they at least want less speeding on their roads. Several families have shared with me their near-misses, whether walking to the park down Cedar or with the children walking home from school. As a volunteer firefighter as well as a father, such a scenario is unthinkable. Therefore I will make sure the police have the tools and manpower necessary to control our traffic and also make sure that they understand that the 5th Ward residents are in need of more help than they are currently receiving. Our police force is under excellent leadership and I know they will respond. Volume of traffic is a more complex issue. I agree with one of the comments that a main problem causing traffic buildup is due to the traffic light patterns throughout the area. Two local lights are scheduled to be revamped on Cochran Road and the process needs to be expanded to review the flow of lights in Bethel Park and USC. We also need to be thinking bigger- including working with our State Representative Matt Smith on transit and public transportation development. This must be goal of the entire South Hills and I would work through SHACOG to find ways that such issues can be developed together. I do share the concerns of many people that the combination of traffic speed and volume is a growing danger specifically in the 5th Ward and I will not hesitate to try steps to alleviate one or both factors. However, I will not pursue a course that will merely shift traffic volume from one street to the next. We are all in this together!
Question #6
Well first let me say that my wife and I bought our first home in Mt. Lebanon over five years ago for the very reasons that you cite as problems for us. I think that some of the growth of the surrounding areas is due to the decline of the city population overall. Mt. Lebanon just cannot grow like USC, South Fayette, Robinson or even Bethel Park- but neither is our population declining. That being said, I believe it is the responsibility of the Commissioners to be good shepherds in regards to the strong foundation that our reputation was built on and to continue to attract families and individuals who appreciate great schools, public services, and a downtown community feel that you do not get in Cranberry or Peters.
I hope my participation and answers do not stifle the conversation and hopefully allow for a better insight as to what type of Commissioner I would be. As I like to say on the campaign trail, I do not pretend to have all the answers but I do promise hard, vigorous work to get them. Thank you to Blog Lebo for the opportunity to respond and I hope to see you all on the campaign trail.
Sincerely,
Dan Miller
5th Ward Commission Candidate
Thanks to those who have responded and thanks Mike for adding a link to Bonnie VanKirk's response in the other post. I am grateful to those who have taken the time to share their views on each of these issues. Also, in the interest of full and fair disclosure, I should point out that Raja invited me to his next meet & greet and I plan to attend. I will be sure to address each of these questions with him personally.
Full disclosure? You don't even use your real name!!! :)
In all seriousness, great discussions on the issues here folks, and great responses from the candidates too!
I'm an "R" in Ward 3, and am dismayed that no "R" Commission candidates have addressed the excellent questions put forward by the Ward 1 Voter ! Nor has the "R" candidate been to my front door... but the "D" has.
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