Mt. Lebanon Now a Cool City

A press release from the Sierra Club:

Mount Lebanon Commits to Fighting Global Warming
Council Pledges to Implement Local Global Warming Solutions

Mt. Lebanon, PA— At their regular meeting on Monday evening the Mt Lebanon Municipal Commission voted to join the City of Pittsburgh, Braddock, and nearly 1,000 other American cities in taking action at the local level on global warming.

The Mount Lebanon Environmental Community Action Team (ECAT) has been working for over a year to educate Mount Lebanon residents about the Cool Cities program. In March they convened a community meeting at the municipal building which was attended by over 50 residents. In addition, the group has tabled at the farmers markets and other events in Mount Lebanon, and held other educational events.

"Mt. Lebanon has already implemented some winning global warming solutions such as the LED traffic signals that were recently installed on Washington Rd.," said Mt. Lebanon resident Tybe Brett, "This will help save us money as well as working toward our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

So far, 976 municipalities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, pledging to reduce global warming carbon dioxide pollution in their cities to at least 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. (For more information on the Mayors' agreement, see www.ci.seattle.wa.us/mayor/climate/).

"The Mt. Lebanon commissioners are to be commended for their leadership in curbing the municipality's global warming pollution," said Michael Lamark, Mt. Lebanon resident and Sierra Club Allegheny Group Executive Committee member. "By pledging to reduce its global warming pollution, Mount Lebanon has taken an
important first step."

By taking action with Cleaner Cars, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy local solutions, Mount Lebanon and other U.S. cool cities are proving that we can solve global warming one city at a time and move our nation toward a safer and more secure energy future.

Mt. Lebanon ECAT is holding a celebration at Molly Brannigan's on Thursday May 8 from 6 - 8 p.m.

Denis Theatre to Reopen

The following press release came my way this morning:

Foundation to Re-open Mt. Lebanon’s Landmark Denis Theatre

Mt. Lebanon’s Denis Theatre, which closed four years ago, will reopen with the help of a nonprofit organization that plans to renovate and operate the theater as a film house and community cultural center.

Located in Mt. Lebanon’s central business district, the Denis operated as a movie theater from 1937 to 2004. Film lovers from all over the city mourned the historic theater’s closing, fearing it would be converted to some other use or fall victim to the wrecking ball.

Last year, local entrepreneur and tech CEO, Raja, and his wife, Neeta, purchased the building with the intention of maintaining it as a theater. Raja, who is a Mt. Lebanon Commissioner, will not be involved with the renovation of the theater, however. His main interest is the role the Denis will play in keeping Washington Road a vibrant main street for the region.

“The revitalization of the Denis will be a catalyst to economic development in Mt. Lebanon,” Raja says. Plans call for the theater to reopen as an art house showing independent, foreign language and documentary films. But it also will serve as a venue for lectures, film series, student productions, cultural events and business gatherings. Space may be reconfigured to include a café.

First, however, the theater needs a $3 million renovation. It has suffered from water damage and vandalism. All the systems need replacing, and the equipment and amenities are old and outdated.

Leading the fund-raising effort and overseeing the renovation and day-to-day operations of the theater will be the Denis Theatre Foundation’s Board of Directors, composed of Cheri Acrey, Rich Overmeyer, Joe Senko and Jennifer Smokelin, and the foundation’s new Executive Director, Anne Kemerer. Raja and Neeta have provided a lead gift to the foundation.

The timetable for reopening the Denis depends on the success of future fund-raising. “If we had all of the funds today,” Kemerer says, “we would hope to open in 18 months, but $3 million is a lot of money to raise and construction will proceed as the money becomes available.”

Uptown Business Association President Joe Ravita, owner of Empire Music, expressed his excitement about the plans. “As a second generation Washington Road business owner, I recall long lines of movie goers. That’s what we hope to see again — people, lots of people.” A preview of the theater in its current state is planned for the First Friday in June—June 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. The public is invited. For information, call (412) 56DENIS or go the web site – www.denistheatre.org.

Experience LEBO Golf Outing

For all you golf lovers out there, Experience LEBO has an event for you. Experience LEBO, the group that put on the ULTRAparty in uptown Mount Lebanon last summer, is hosting a golf outing on Saturday, June 14th at the Mount Lebanon Golf Course. The event is limited to the first 48 people who sign-up. Cost of the event is $60, which includes 18 holes w/cart, golf pro tips/analysis, prizes for first and second place teams, individual prizes for closest to pin on hole #1 and longest drive on the 8th hole, plus a 4-course dinner at Atria’s. For more information on Experience LEBO’s golf outing and other events go to www.experiencelebo.com. To sign-up for the golf outing, send an email to brett.satterfield@gmail.com.

Rep. Smith Secures $350K for Washington Road Business District

From an email received from State Representative Matt Smith's office:

I'm pleased to inform you that Mt. Lebanon's Washington Road business district will soon be seeing further enhancements to its streetscapes,making it an even more inviting location for new economic development.

On Monday, I'll present the Mt. Lebanon commissioners with $341,809 I secured from the state for new signs and banners, refinished lamps and traffic signal poles, repaired sidewalks, and new parking meters, as well as new water lines for sidewalk cleaning and flower boxes.

This funding will build on previous enhancements in the business district to help drive further economic development. It's a continuation of my efforts to spur transit-oriented economic development here.

Lebo Business Districts to Get Facelift

From the Pittsburgh Business Times:

A group of Mount Lebanon community leaders are working on a "visioning plan" that they believe will help revitalize their already thriving business district.

The borough's Economic Development Task Force, which meets biweekly and is composed of school board members, an architect, marketing professionals, small business owners and experts in a variety of fields, is concerned mainly with the Washington Road central business district, and also the Beverly Road and Castle Shannon Road business districts. The idea is to develop and grow the commercial districts by bringing in new businesses and new people, said Dan Woodske, commercial districts manager for Mount Lebanon and a member of the task force.

"The plan will give us a purpose on which we should be focusing for our business districts," he said. "We're working on defining the goals that we want to achieve."

One of the short-term goals for the central business district soon to be met is a facelift. The borough will be receiving a matching $341,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for street and façade improvements in the Washington Road and Beverly Road business districts. Just $25,000 of the total is available for façade improvements for businesses, but sidewalks, planters and other street features, such as light-pole banners, will be upgraded.

Link: http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2008/04/21/focus9.html?b=1208750400%5E1621648

LeboWatch2 -- Resolved!

This is LeboWatch2. LeboWatch1 appears here. Readers are invited to post comments -- and to act:

A concerned neighbor emailed me after her notes to Mt. Lebanon's Public Works Department drew no response.

I live next to Rockwood Park. They started construction in the middle of March and unearthed this old equipment and left it in the parking lot. Caution tape was used to warn us that it is dangerous. Kids don't respond to caution tape and have been playing on this equipment. Since I don't want to see kids hurt, I have been chasing them away. As I wrote to Tom Kelley, director of Public Works, I am tired of patrolling this area and Mt. Lebanon needs to be accountable for this situation. I have spoken with the inspector of the engineering firm, and emailed Tom on April 4, April 16, and April 23 about unsafe conditions at Rockwood Park and I cannot get any action. The man working for the construction company said that nothing had been mentioned to him.

The email note added that the Mt. Lebanon Police Department has been enforcing the township's "no skateboarding on public property" rule -- right next to this discarded equipment.

The following photo was attached to the message, taken Saturday, April 26:


















UPDATE (April 28, 10:30 pm):
This post prompted quick action. Commissioner Dan Miller (Ward 5) noticed the post and contacted Public Works Director Tom Kelley, who responded quickly. The contractor has promised to remove this equipment by the end of the week, and in the meantime an impressive and imposing display of caution tape and safety pylons has been installed. See the "after" photo below. Thanks to Dan and Tom for stepping up.

MTLSD Gets 5K for Fly Fishing

A couple of area school districts and a Trout Unlimited chapter are among 10 entities that will share $50,000 in educational grants awarded by the Fish and Boat Commission.

The grants -- known officially as Sportfishing and Aquatic Resource Education Grants -- are meant to develop or expand programs that teach kids fishing and boating skills or educate them about waterways and the creatures that live in them.

Yough School District's Outdoors Club received $5,000 to promote safe watercraft use, environmental stewardship, and fishing. Mount Lebanon School District also got $5,000 to introduce students to fly fishing.

Link: www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/outdoors/s_564506.html

Library Funding Draws Attention To New Appointees

Appointments to boards and authorities are typically agenda items that draw little attention in Mt. Lebanon.

This was not the case, however, at the commission meeting April 14, at which former commissioner David Humphreys was appointed to the Mt. Lebanon Library Board.

The appointment came despite protests from residents and library supporters who said Humphreys' past actions as a commissioner indicates a lack of support for increased funding for the library.

Link: www.thealmanac.net/ALM/Story/04-23-ML-commission-meeting

Court Hearing Set On Allegations Against Save Mt. Lebanon Schools Committee

A hearing will be held in Common Pleas Court on May 12 to investigate the bookkeeping and filing irregularities alleged against the Save Mt. Lebanon Schools political action committee in a petition filed last month.

The petition, filed by attorney Joseph Cavrich on behalf of five Mt. Lebanon residents, claims the irregularities in the forms filed with the Allegheny County Elections Division by the Save Mt. Lebanon Schools Committee.

The petition asked for a court-ordered audit of the political action committee, which sent out controversial postcards just before Election Day in November, urging the ousting of incumbents Sue Rose, Carol Walton and Rene Garson. It also posted signs at the polls.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/08115/875876-55.stm

Mt. Lebanon Board Weighs Pool Options

For the first time since three new members have been elected, Mt. Lebanon commissioners reviewed the options facing them regarding the swimming pool and a possible aquatic center at the April 14 discussion session.

The topic of a pool, natatorium, wellness center or joint pool project with the school district has been discussed on and off for years.

Mt. Lebanon commissioners hired the consulting firm of Counsilman-Hunsaker in 2006 at a cost of $32,430 to evaluate the wants, needs and possibilities for an aquatic center for the community. Kevin Post from Counsilman-Hunsaker presented the board with four different options in terms of a new aquatic center.

Link: www.thealmanac.net/ALM/Story/04-23-ML-swimming-pool-B

Green Lebo?

A neighbor recently reported to me that restaurants on Washington Road throw out recyclable cans and bottles, because the munipality's recycling contractor doesn't pick them up. He knows this because his daughter works at one of those restaurants, and conscientious environmentalist that she is, she gathers the restaurant's cans and bottles and brings them home so that the recycling truck will collect them.

Perhaps the Washington Road merchants, the municipality, and the recycling contractor can work out a deal that would avoid this lunacy?

Smith and Miller To Do Walking Tour of Washington Road

I received the following email from Rep. Matt Smith's office this morning and thought I would share it with the group:

Tomorrow, Thursday, April 24, between 1:30 and 4:30, State Representative, Matt Smith (412.571.2169) and Mt. Lebanon 5th Ward Commissioner, Dan Miller (412.343.3400) will do a walking tour of Washington Road businesses so they can meet with businesses owners to discuss any issues that might be of concern to them.

Judge Checks Into PAC Finances

Allegheny County Common Pleas Court President Judge Joseph M. James has scheduled one additional hearing in May over a Mt. Lebanon Political Action Committee's (PAC) finance records.

It's possible the case will be dismissed once canceled donation checks are shown to the judge proving members of the PAC donated the sums they filed in their reports.

Link: http://www.thealmanac.net/ALM/Story/04-23-ML-PAC-hearing--B

Celebrity Sighting in Mt. Lebanon

Love him or hate him, former President Bill Clinton generates a buzz. He spent time in Mt. Lebanon yesterday at Lincoln School, campaigning for Senator Hillary Clinton. Chris Schultz (who was on the ballot as a delegate running to represent Senator Barack Obama) captured this video:

More on TechnoLebo

Commissioner Dan Miller sent me the following comments on my "TechnoLebo" post, concerning televising and webcasting of municipal meetings:

You recently posed a question in a post entitled "TechnoLebo" asking why aren't School Board and Commission meetings webcasted. I thank you for asking this question and I thought I would give you my thoughts on the topic.

I don't think it's a secret that I have been a strong proponent for broadcasting all public Commission meetings on television and the Internet. Last year I ran on a platform of bringing more transparency and accountability to our local government. To me, this naturally includes broadcasting our Commission meetings.

To that end, the Commission recently tasked the Municipal staff to create a report of broadcasting options and to make a recommendation. This report was completed and discussed publicly on March 24th.

The report separated broadcasting into two options: 1) webcasting, and 2) cablecasting. It stated that Bethel Park and Peters already cablecast, and of course, so does the Mt. Lebanon School District. It also noted that the Municipality is provided with three PEG (public, education and government) channels by Comcast and Verizon. The School Board broadcasts their meetings on channel 19. The report also recognized that the national trend is towards webcasting (see the Allegheny County Council for an excellent example).

There are obvious differences between webcasting and cablecasting. Of primary concern may be that webcasting carries with it an annual cost for hosting of approximately $28,000. Cablecasting would include a start up cost of between $9,000 to $21,000 (depending on type and number of cameras) but would then have a much lower annual cost attached to it. The School Board estimated it spent $30,000 for their equipment. Additionally, residents obviously need to have Internet access to view a webcast whereas cable access is likely more accessible to a greater number of residents at this time.

Both formats raise some content oriented questions. Should they be taped or live broadcasts? How long would the Municipality keep the tapes for? Who actually puts the program together? Does producing also mean content control? How do you handle editing? Are there any liability issues?

At first glance this may seem like a heavy list to debate. But yet Bethel Park, Peters and our own School Board have resolved such issues. Is this Commission really to say that they are too daunting for us to address?

It has also been raised by some that by broadcasting our meetings in any fashion we will be inviting grandstanding by citizens and Commissioners alike. Personally I find this to be a hallow argument. I have talked to members of our School Board and they have been unable to give me an example of such a situation. Also, if our constituents find are words or actions to be without substance or justification then they will be able to voice their displeasure at the next election. Additionally, if Commissioners may fear greater scrutiny of their words or votes, then perhaps this greater sense of accountability may foster more forethought in advance of them. I would probably benefit from that as well.

In the final analysis the Municipal report recommended cablecasting with fixed cameras- if the Commission wanted to proceed. This is where the issue now rests.

Ideally, I believe we should have our public Commission meetings broadcasted on the Internet and television. This would allow near complete access for all citizens (and since our School Board meetings often overlap, this would stop citizens from having to choose to attend one or the other in order to see what their local government officials are up to). I do believe that this could progress gradually with the first step being cable. I also can understand the possibility of waiting until 2009 for implementation given that such costs were not factored into this years budget. But I believe the Commission can take a strong forward-thinking approach to this topic and start the ball rolling for full disclosure in 2009. To me, whether it is online or on TV, this is going to happen eventually. I just wonder how many more municipalities need to shine light on their meetings before Mt. Lebanon wakes up.

Regardless, this fight was a campaign promise of mine so I will continue to raise this issue every year until it passes.

Thanks for the opportunity to respond.

Sincerely,

Dan Miller
5th Ward Commissioner

School Board Approves Preliminary Budget

School board members in Mt. Lebanon approved a preliminary budget with a .59 mill tax increase, but extra revenue from some unexpected and expected sources will give the board something to think about in the next month, according to board President Mark Hart.

The budget will be on display for 30 days and will be approved in final form in late May. Hart said April 14 the district will receive about $1.1 million in new revenue from two outstanding tax appeals and another $1 million-plus will be carried over from this year's budget. The $1.1 million in new revenue could come into the district's coffers this week. Citing yet additional budget surpluses in various funds totaling $12 million-plus, Hart said he will support a change in the way the district budget process works.

Link: www.thealmanac.net/ALM/Story/04-16-ML-school-budget

Lebo Police Nipping Away At Underage Drinking

Seeing the incidence of underage drinking increase nearly 100 percent from 2005 to 2006, Mt. Lebanon Police Department crime prevention unit hit the school sports teams with a 30-minute message advising against underage drinking.

Police Lt. Ken Truver said the police intervention helped, as the number of arrests for underage drinking dropped from a high of 199 in 2006 to 173 in 2007. But alcohol and drug-related arrests continue to be a major source of crime in the municipality today, according to the publicly released police blotters.

Link: www.thealmanac.net/ALM/Story/04-16-ML-arrest--B

Zoning Waiver Denied For Mt. Lebanon Hotel

Mt. Lebanon Commissioners will explore amending the municipal zoning ordinance to pave the way for a developer to construct a hotel between 607 and 615 Washington Road.

The zoning ordinance, also known as "Chapter XX, Mt. Lebanon Code," was overhauled in a three-year process concluding with approval of changes in late September 2005. Several public hearings and workshops were held with the community beginning in 2003 and municipal zoning officers. In the end, municipal commissioners approved the changes by unanimous vote.

Link: www.thealmanac.net/ALM/Story/04-16-ML-hotel-denied-B

Mt. Lebanon Library Earns Statewide Award

The Pennsylvania Library Association has honored the Mt. Lebanon Public Library with its Best Practices in Early Learning Award for its innovative program, Nationality Night.

The Mt. Lebanon Public Library program was selected as a "best practice" in the fifth annual Pennsylvania Library Association's Best Practices Awards for Programming and Services to Children under the Age of Six, Their Families and Caregivers. The awards honored 18 Pennsylvania public libraries for programming in early literacy.

Link: www.thealmanac.net/ALM/Story/04-16-ML-library-best-practices-award

Lebo To Mark Tree City USA Status

Mt. Lebanon will celebrate Arbor Day and its renewed status as a "Tree City USA" with a celebration at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24 at Foster Elementary School. Foster Elementary School is located on Vermont Avenue.

The celebration will cap a month of community-wide activities planned to raise public consciousness about the environment.

Link: www.thealmanac.net/ALM/Story/04-16-ML-arbor-day-B-

Lebo HS Walking Update

In Lebo Schools Confidential, posted nine days ago, I wondered about solutions to the problem of Mt. Lebanon high school students jaywalking across Cochran Road on their way to school.

Twice this week - this morning, and on Wednesday morning - Mt. Lebanon Police Department officers were posted at the corner of Cochran and Florida Avenues, scene of the most flagrant (and dangerous) jaywalking. Problem solved, at least for the time being.

Is this a "Blog-Lebo Coincidence," or cause and effect? I have no idea. But thanks to the Mt. Lebanon Police Department for helping out. Great work!

Volunteer Firefighters Recognized For Awards & Promotions

The Commission recognized three members of the Mt. Lebanon Volunteer Fire Company during Monday's regular meeting.

Volunteer Bob Fischer received the "Firefighter of the Year" award, an annual citation that goes to the volunteer who demonstrates outstanding service.

Volunteer firefighters George Galbraith and Charlie Wehrum were recognized for having been promoted to master firefighter service.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/08108/873876-55.stm

Castonguay Family Wins Heinz Award

For the past 16 years, the Castonguay family of Mt. Lebanon has been unwavering in its commitment to a group of "at-risk" teenage boys who reside at a Mt. Lebanon group home called the Academy House.

"We've gone to visit and bring treats one afternoon a week from the time my youngest daughter, Brenda, was 3 years old," said mom Elizabeth Myers Castonguay.

For the family's efforts, the United Way Alexis de Tocqueville Society has selected the Castonguays to receive the John Heinz award. The award was named after the late Sen. John Heinz, an advocate for families.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/08108/873966-55.stm

Students Discover Life On $2 A Day

Jamie Blair invited a group of friends from Mt. Lebanon High School to dinner Monday night. The menu was a bit unusual for teens in this comfortable South neighborhood: vegetarian instant noodles and water. Jamie, 18, and friends are taking part in a social experiment sponsored by the high school's Emergency Club. The club's mission is to increase awareness of social justice and humanitarian aid issues around the world.

The dinner is part of the club's latest project, called $2-a-Day and seeks to educate the teenagers about poverty. Nicco Pandolfi, 18, a senior, came up with the idea. "We took the statistic that says half of the world's population lives on less than $2-a-day and went from there."

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/08108/873965-55.stm

Personnel Payouts Put Local Lawmaker On Edge

Several large payouts to departing school employees have some public education watchdogs calling for stronger legislative oversight of local school districts. State Auditor Jack Wagner, a Democrat from Beechview who is running for re-election this year, said his office has investigated large buyouts of school superintendent contracts. Most recently, he examined the Peters Township School District, which agreed last month to pay $173,000 to its superintendent while releasing him.

Wagner is pushing to resurrect failed legislation from 2005 that forbid superintendent buyout agreements from being confidential and capped the amount they could pay. Former state Rep. Tom Stevenson, a Mt. Lebanon Republican, offered the 2005 bill after Wagner's office investigated the $490,000 buyout of former Mt. Lebanon Superintendent Margery Sable. The bill passed the House but died without a vote in the Senate Education Committee.

Link: www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_562709.html

Lebo's Getting Flushed!

Pennsylvania American Water has started flushing its distribution system in Mt. Lebanon, a project that will continue through June 18.

The nine-week project is done 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays during which time workers open fire hydrants to flush sediments from water mains. The process improves water quality and makes sure that hydrants and valves are working properly.

Temporary disruptions may include discolored water, but there is no health hazard associated with the color. Customers should allow a few hours for discoloration to dissipate and then run the cold-water tap for a few minutes.

Customers with concerns should call the customer service center at 800-565-7292.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/08108/873876-55.stm

A Search For The Best City To Live

What does Pittsburgh have that Minneapolis, and Burlington, VT don’t? Plenty, according to the LaBalme family, who relocated from San Francisco last fall. “Pittsburgh is one of America’s undiscovered gems,” says Elaine LaBalme. And she should know—after a comprehensive, eighteen-month, nationwide, city search landed them in the walking district of Mt. Lebanon.

Elaine and Fen LaBalme, both professionals working from home, knew as their young son, Steven, approached school age, they would have to leave their beloved San Francisco and settle their family in a more livable city.

Link: www.popcitymedia.com/features/labalmes0416.aspx

All Of Lebo Is On Google Street Maps

A recent view of Google's Street Maps shows that their "Google Car" has done a complete run through all of Mt. Lebanon. If you live anywhere in Mt. Lebanon (or do business here), you'll definitely be able to see your house or building. Just type your address into the address bar on the maps page, and then click on the street view box to see pictures of your location.

The funny thing is that I was in front of my house with one of my sons when the Google Car came by my house, so the two of us are immortalized on the site!

Link: maps.google.com

Link 2: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Street_View

Katz Properties Set For Sheriff's Sale In May, June

The real estate empire Bernardo Katz established in the Pittsburgh region before he left late last year for his native Brazil is falling apart. Four of his properties -- with a combined debt of more than $1 million -- are listed for sheriff's sale in Allegheny County on May 5.

Listed for the May sale are three properties in Mt. Lebanon: a 2 1/2-story house at 384 Orchard Drive, on which $130,996 is owed; a dwelling at 500 Willow Drive, with a $239,373 debt; and a two-story house at 1010 Lindendale Drive, with a $334,665 debt.

Link: www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_562355.html

Coming Soon: Learning Express Toy Store

Mt. Lebanon resident and MLHS graduate David Bahm and his wife Amy will be opening a Learning Express Toy Store in the Galleria mall in June of this year. Their store will be located on the 2nd level next to Mitchell's Fish Market and across from Panera Bread.

I have not heard of this store before, but found the following information from their web site:

Learning Express Inc., is a specialty toy store franchise, with more than 100 locations across the country. As the leader of the specialty toy and children's gift category, we provide a fun and friendly shopping environment, with a knowledgeable sales staff that provides expert advice to parents looking for that perfect toy.

At Learning Express, we pride ourselves on the quality and uniqueness of our toy selection. We carefully select each product to ensure shelves are stocked with unique and innovative products that encourage learning through play, including games and puzzles, developmental toys, arts and crafts kits, science and nature products, construction toys, books, dolls, plush and other unique items exclusive to Learning Express and specialty toy retailers.

As far as I know, this will also be the first toy store in Mt. Lebanon (If I'm wrong and there has been one before, please correct me!)

Good luck to David and Amy in their new business venture!

Link: www.learningexpress.com

Foreclosure Bus Comes To Lebo

Have you seen a bus of people driving through town looking at houses? If so, you saw Coldwell Banker's bus that's touring foreclosed homes in the area.

The Lebo Burden

From this past Tuesday's Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

The Allegheny Institute for Public Policy says Mt. Lebanon municipal government and its school district "have become unnecessarily and excessively burdensome for the community's taxpayers." And proof of that is in the pudding -- or, in this case, the flight: Folks are leaving the South Hills community. One shocking statistic: Mt. Lebanon property owners are paying 50 percent more in school taxes per dollar of market value than Peters property owners. That's what we'd call out of whack.

Link: www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/archive/s_561139.html

Lebo Schools To Vote On New Budget

The $73 million preliminary budget the Mt. Lebanon school board will vote on next Monday is not expected to be substantially different from the version the board discussed Monday, which calls for a .62-mill tax hike.

That number is up slightly from last week's budget document, which set millage at .58. However, with some final tweaks to the document, the millage hike should come in somewhere between the two numbers, said Finance Director Jan Klein.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/08101/871834-55.stm

'Critical Foreign Languages' Taught In More Schools

"Everybody would love to be able to add foreign languages, but for whatever reason it's not supported," said Youngs, associate teaching professor of French and Francophone studies at Carnegie Mellon University. "Maybe it's going into the football program; maybe it's going into the fact that the (Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, which does not test for foreign language skill) has become so mighty in the state."

To create or expand a program, a district must have community support, several educators said. Sometimes, even that isn't enough.

Both Franklin Regional and Mt. Lebanon school districts expanded their programs to lower grades in the past decade. Sixth-graders at Franklin Regional can choose French or Spanish; Spanish is mandatory in Mt. Lebanon from first through fifth grades.

Link: www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_561501.html

United Way to Sing Praises of Local Unsung Heroes

WHAT: An evening to present Pittsburgh area volunteers with the prestigious Senator John Heinz Award.

WHO: The Alexis de Tocqueville Society (a part of the United Way of Allegheny County’s Leadership Giving Program) will present the awards to Dolores J. Becker of Coraopolis, volunteer at Neville’s Ark Food Bank and the Castonguay Family of Mount Lebanon, volunteers at Three Rivers Youth. The event is being chaired by Charles and Jackie Ferrara.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 15, 2008, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: The Duquesne Club, 325 Sixth Avenue, Carnegie Room, third floor (Business attire is required.)

WHY: The Senator John Heinz Award recognizes the late senator – a dedicated advocate for families – by honoring those who have assumed volunteer leadership roles, demonstrated a strong commitment to preserving and strengthening local families, and inspired others to do the same.

This year, United Way is proud to announce a second Heinz Award in recognition of extraordinary volunteer efforts that display a deep concern and commitment to helping our local children and young people grow and thrive

House Passes Rep. Matt Smith's Plan To Protect Homeowners

Today, state House lawmakers overwhelmingly passed a bill sponsored by state Rep. Matt Smith, D-Allegheny, that would protect Pennsylvania homeowners from unfair home-loan practices.

"With today's housing market slump, we need to be protecting homeowners from unfair lenders," Smith explained. "One way we can do that is by revising an outdated state law that was supposed to protect borrowers, but is now so old that it's actually working in favor of the mortgage industry. We also need to give the state Banking Department -- the experts -- the legal power to investigate and fight unfair lenders."

Link: http://www.pahouse.com/PR/042040808.asp

TechnoLebo

The IT professionals at the School District and the Municipality are, I assume, overworked and underpaid. That's the fate of IT professionals these days. So this question will seem unfair, at least on the surface:

Why aren't School District meetings and Commission meetings webcast live and archived online?

Lots of citizens would like more access to what happens at those meetings, but for lots of excellent reasons they can't attend. Their only choice right now is a marvelous technology of the mid- to late 20th century: television. You can watch the School District's Channel 19 online here. The Municipality's public access channels are available only via your TV monitor; they aren't online (and right now, they're available only if you're a Comcast subscriber, though Verizon subscribers should catch up by next Fall).

Why stop at public meetings? The School District records all kinds of athletic events and concerts and other things and put them on Channel 19, too. Why not stream and archive that content online, too?

Martha's Run Returns

Martha's Run, Mt. Lebanon's annual 10k road race -- with accompanying 2k fun run and children's events -- returns this Saturday, April 12.

Check out http://www.marthadixon.org/ for details and a history of the event, information about Martha Dixon, and the purpose of the day.

Lebo Schools Confidential

Can the School District and the Police Department in Mt. Lebanon please get a handle on morning pedestrian traffic on Cochran Road outside Mt. Lebanon High School? There are cars, cars everywhere between 7:45 and 8 a.m. There are torrents of kids coming down Florida Ave. (which hits Cochran just above the high school) -- and the kids sweep through traffic to cross Cochran, dodging cars as they go. Traffic is usually moving slowly, as it should, but sooner or later, someone and something are going to collide.

The Pittsburgh region doesn't have much of a pedestrian culture, so kids here grow up more or less oblivious to the risks of walking near traffic. Drive through Oakland on a sunny afternoon to get a clearer taste.

What should we do? One possibility involves shipping middle schoolers to Manhattan for a weekend and turning them loose. They'll learn some walking smarts in a hurry; New York drivers aren't as polite or forgiving as Pittsburghers. A second would involve teaching your high schooler not to be an idiot. Traffic signals and crosswalks were put on this Earth for a reason. Use them.

Fantastic hypotheticals aside, how about this? There are crossing guards all over Mt. Lebanon, escorting kids to and from elementary and middle schools. How about a crossing guard or a traffic cop or two or three -- at the intersection of Cochran and Washington, at the intersection of Florida and Cochran, and at the Horsman Drive entrance to the high school? Either make sure that kids cross in the crosswalks, and with the traffic signal (if there is one), or create safe crossing passage where one doesn't currently exist.

"The Sun" Comes Out Friday Night

The sun comes out tomorrow night. "The Sun," the nickname for the fire department's new 9-1/2-foot rescue truck, will make its debut at an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at the Public Safety Center, 555 Washington Road. The free event is a chance for families to see the new vehicle and help "push" it into the station, Fire Chief Nick Sohyda said. Refreshments will be provided.

The vehicle, which will spend the majority of its time at traffic accidents, gets its nickname from the light it provides at the scene. The lighting tower can rise 25 feet off the ground and produce a half-million lumens of light. In contrast, the vehicle it replaces shed only 50,000 lumens.

The truck is a 2008 Precision, 34 feet long with a 500-horsepower diesel engine and a six-person cab. It includes state-of-the art reflective striping and eight pre-connected hoses for high- and low-pressure air, hydraulic and electric power, which will make its use quick and easy.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/08094/869940-55.stm

MLFE and PTA To Host "Community Conversation"

The Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education and the Mt. Lebanon Parent Teacher Association are hosting "Community Conversation on Education in Mt. Lebanon" at 7 p.m. April 16 in the municipal building, 710 Washington Road.

Featured speaker will be district Superintendent John Allison and the audience may ask questions. "This event will provide a wonderful opportunity for me to have a conversation with the community about our schools and the progress we are making to meet the goals of our strategic plan," Mr. Allison said.

Vernadean Passodelis, foundation president, said the event may be the first what the foundation hopes is a tradition of such conversation. For more, call 412.478.7743 or visit www.mlfe.org.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/08094/869940-55.stm

A Little Bit Of Shangri La Exists In Mt. Lebanon

Just off busy Castle Shannon Boulevard near the intersection with Mt. Lebanon Boulevard, sits a tranquil, almost bucolic-looking Mt. Lebanon neighborhood known to just a few. It's called Arlington Park and it is a privately owned street, with shareholders who maintain the street through a $100 per household assessment. Mt. Lebanon Township provides police and fire protection as well as two strategically placed saltboxes.

Few know about Arlington Park -- probably because it's seldom seen. The street ends in a cul de sac bounded by the Mt. Lebanon Golf Course, Shady Drive East, Castle Shannon Boulevard and the Paul Kossman development of a new office complex. The street goes nowhere except to the 11 homes there and it is hidden from passersby.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/08094/869943-55.stm

School District Budget Proposal Avoids Staff Cuts

Last week Mt. Lebanon school board President Mark Hart suggested that staff cuts were the only way to make significant reductions to the preliminary $73 million budget for 2008-09.

But Monday, in his absence, the rest of the board appeared to agree with a spending plan presented by Superintendent John Allison that included supply and other cost cuts proposed by department heads and administrators and reduced the proposed millage hike from 1.53 to about 0.58. It included no layoffs but proposed that some positions go unfilled.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/08094/869941-55.stm

This Just In

It's hard not to get caught up in the Democratic presidential primary, even if you're not a Democrat, or even if you're not excited by either of the candidates. I was a political organizer a couple of careers and 25 years ago, and once a political junkie, always at some level a political junkie. When was the last time PA counted in a primary election?

From a trusted source:

This Saturday, April 5th at 1:00pm, [Obama for America] will be opening our Mt. Lebanon Office! Please join us and Illinois US Senator Dick Durbin as we celebrate the opening of our new Mt. Lebanon Office! It's located at 704 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228. Sen. Durbin will also be kicking off our door-to-door canvass after the program and we need your help reaching voters.

Lebo Superintendent's New Blog

A big welcome to the blogosphere to Mt. Lebanon School District Superintendent John Allison, who launched a weblog yesterday at http://www.mtlsd.org/superintendent/blog.asp.

His first post doesn't say much except "hello," but it's great to have the Superintendent online and in public. Unfortunately, the blog doesn't permit comments.