posted by Mike Madison at 10:48 PM /
In response to my "Bad Move by the Commission" post below, a conversation is emerging that I want to put here in a new post. The commenters have used their names in the comments; I want to focus on the content.
One commenter writes:
A second commenter writes:
In many respects, my own experience as a non-native resident has been different. I don't feel invisible here; I don't feel that my ideas aren't valued. Lots of people disagree with me, but that doesn't mean that they don't listen, at least some of the time.
The fact that newcomers to Mt. Lebanon do feel invisible and value-less is a serious problem nonetheless. Mt. Lebanon cannot survive, let alone thrive, if any segment of the community feels unwelcome. And there are clearly segments of the community that do not feel welcome here. No matter how friendly and warm Mt. Lebanon claims to be, it is often not perceived as a friendly and warm place.
Specifically, I have talked to and heard from or about "unwelcome" individuals who are renters, and/or non-white, and/or non-English speaking, and/or non-straight, and/or non-Mt. Lebanon natives. That is, pretty much everyone who didn't grow up here and settle and raise a heterosexual family is in the Potentially Unwelcome category. Plenty of those people turn out to be happy and welcome, too. But welcome status is hardly a given.
Of course, over time, many of those Potentially Unwelcome people leave Mt. Lebanon. Doesn't that solve the problem? No - that's mean-spirited, and short-sighted. It is possible that the myth-making machine of Mt. Lebanon will continue to attract people anyway. This community does have strong schools, impressive community resources, and a tradition of neighborliness that's frayed at the edges, but still there. The net of happy newcomers over disillusioned newcomers might still favor a stable in-town population. It is also possible that the disillusioned will share the grim news with others, and the flow of newcomers will slow. Read online message boards about Mt. Lebanon; there are plenty of people who are happy to have moved here or to have returned. There are also plenty of people with regrets.
And regardless of the outcome of the inflow/outflow calculus, I simply don't like the idea of living in a community that excludes people. Mt. Lebanon does exclude people, and I don't like that, and I make my own peace with that conflict, like we all do. But that doesn't make it right.
Watch how these perspectives play out in the upcoming School Board election. That election is likely to be a referendum on the future of the community. Welcoming? Or exclusionary? In recent public meetings about Mt. Lebanon High School we've seen how the sides shape up. On one side is a large group of people who want to invest a giant sum of money to rebuild the high school and continue its tradition of excellence, who are willing to raise taxes -- perhaps considerably -- to accomplish that goal, and who see this as necessary to maintaining Mt. Lebanon's attractiveness to new families. On the other side is a large group of people who are reluctant to invest a giant sum of money without a clear demonstration that the educational content of the school program would be improved as a result, who can't imagine raising taxes in the current and forecast economic climate, and who believe that current residents will be forced out of their homes because they can no longer afford to live here.
One commenter writes:
I have lived in Mt. Lebanon for almost four years, having moved here from the Boston area. Each year, I dutifully submit my resume and application [for volunteer boards in Mt. Lebanon] on time. The only difference is that this year they actually sent me a ding letter. In previous years, I was told if there was any interest someone woudl [sic] contact me.Clearly this is all about who you know and your political party. In my town in Massachusetts I was an elected Town Meeting Member, was the Chair of the Personnel Committee, was appointed by the Board of Selectmen to our Vision Committee, and was a member of the economic development planning group. As an Independent in Mt. Lebanon,h owever, I am invisible.
A second commenter writes:
I've come to believe that in Mt. Lebanon, your opinion only counts if you grew up in the area. There are lots of new fresh ideas from people who didn't grow up in SW PA, but for some reason, those ideas aren't valued.
In many respects, my own experience as a non-native resident has been different. I don't feel invisible here; I don't feel that my ideas aren't valued. Lots of people disagree with me, but that doesn't mean that they don't listen, at least some of the time.
The fact that newcomers to Mt. Lebanon do feel invisible and value-less is a serious problem nonetheless. Mt. Lebanon cannot survive, let alone thrive, if any segment of the community feels unwelcome. And there are clearly segments of the community that do not feel welcome here. No matter how friendly and warm Mt. Lebanon claims to be, it is often not perceived as a friendly and warm place.
Specifically, I have talked to and heard from or about "unwelcome" individuals who are renters, and/or non-white, and/or non-English speaking, and/or non-straight, and/or non-Mt. Lebanon natives. That is, pretty much everyone who didn't grow up here and settle and raise a heterosexual family is in the Potentially Unwelcome category. Plenty of those people turn out to be happy and welcome, too. But welcome status is hardly a given.
Of course, over time, many of those Potentially Unwelcome people leave Mt. Lebanon. Doesn't that solve the problem? No - that's mean-spirited, and short-sighted. It is possible that the myth-making machine of Mt. Lebanon will continue to attract people anyway. This community does have strong schools, impressive community resources, and a tradition of neighborliness that's frayed at the edges, but still there. The net of happy newcomers over disillusioned newcomers might still favor a stable in-town population. It is also possible that the disillusioned will share the grim news with others, and the flow of newcomers will slow. Read online message boards about Mt. Lebanon; there are plenty of people who are happy to have moved here or to have returned. There are also plenty of people with regrets.
And regardless of the outcome of the inflow/outflow calculus, I simply don't like the idea of living in a community that excludes people. Mt. Lebanon does exclude people, and I don't like that, and I make my own peace with that conflict, like we all do. But that doesn't make it right.
Watch how these perspectives play out in the upcoming School Board election. That election is likely to be a referendum on the future of the community. Welcoming? Or exclusionary? In recent public meetings about Mt. Lebanon High School we've seen how the sides shape up. On one side is a large group of people who want to invest a giant sum of money to rebuild the high school and continue its tradition of excellence, who are willing to raise taxes -- perhaps considerably -- to accomplish that goal, and who see this as necessary to maintaining Mt. Lebanon's attractiveness to new families. On the other side is a large group of people who are reluctant to invest a giant sum of money without a clear demonstration that the educational content of the school program would be improved as a result, who can't imagine raising taxes in the current and forecast economic climate, and who believe that current residents will be forced out of their homes because they can no longer afford to live here.
8 Comments:
I would also include the dismissive attitude of some to residents who may be of a different socioeconomic status.
~gina niewodowski
I think this might be the issue with my commissioner. My house, along with all the others on this street, is half the size of his house. He has never had the courtesy to reply to any of my emails or return a phone call since he has on the commission board. Or maybe we're just dealing with personalities. I hate to generalize. Dan Miller and Raja have been kind enough to respond to me many times, so I don't think it has anything to do with political parties. And I have lived here most of my life, as well as being a Mt. Lebanon graduate. So I don't think it is a matter of being an outsider vs. being a native of Mt. Lebanon. I think it is just a matter of personalities.
Mike, Lebo is hardly perfect and I can't fix people's perceptions, but if you or anyone else have discovered the zip code for Utopia, please share it with us.
The truth is that Lebo is more diverse now than any time in its history. I would encourage everyone to refrain from stunting that positive change with wild generalizations. A growing number of our elected officials did not grow up here (including Commissioners Dan Miller and Raja). And I think that's probably representative of our community's population as a whole.
Truth is, the people who get heard in Lebo are the people who speak up (responsibly) and get to know their neighbors and their elected officials. Mike, you (and Blog Lebo) are an excellent example of this. I'm constantly amazed by the number of people that I meet who read the Blog (but don't comment). I'm similarly amazed by the calls that I receive from elected officials as a result of something that I write here. And trust me, I'm not someone who goes to the regular meetings. This forum absolutely sways opinions and actions. Another example - there's a group of folks that I'm aware of that consists largely of outside transplants to Lebo, that has taken the initiative of meeting with the school board members independently to discuss a variety of issues, including class size and the high school project. Their voices will be heard not because of where they grew up, where they live, the color of their skin or who they sleep with - but because they chose to get involved.
However, it is your last comment about the election and the high school project that warrants a special mention. I think I understand you to suggest that those who want to build a brand new high school (regardless of the cost or potential negative impact on many residents) will directly or indirectly perpetuate the perceived policy of exclusion (due to higher taxes, property values, etc). That's somewhat ironic, because unless I'm wrong, the school board members/candidates who have advocated for the construction of an entirely new high school are Democrats - the self-proclaimed party of inclusion. And to quote the "inclusion party's" own website, "There are now more registered Democrats in Mt. Lebanon than Republicans."
Fascinating, isn't it?
I agree: It is fascinating.
Dave and Mike - it is fascinating....considering there are only 3 Democrats on the School Board, one of whom has never indicated support, to my knowledge, of a brand new school. Regardless, if we are talking about politics- (which I did not think we were until Dave mentioned it), I find it equally as fascinating that someone claiming in his commission campaign to be a moderate and looking to erase political divisiveness was behind a political maneuver to fill the Boards and Authorities with members from his own party, even if it meant the disenfranchisement of qualified residents who applied in a timely fashion. One only needs to read a segment from the MTLCRW's newsletter from last spring where this same commissioner is quoted as saying "We will be the dominant party in the future." to get an inkling of the only voice appearing to matter to many of the Republican leadership is other Republicans. So much for inclusion.
Gina Niewodowski
Chair, Mt. Lebanon Democratic Committee
Gina,
Mike's post raised the issue about the candidates' differing views for the high school project and how those views might include or exclude certain people or groups in the future. (Sounds like politics to me . . .)
I noted the fact that those on the School Board that have strongly advocated for new construction are Democrats. I was simply pointing out the irony when viewed in the context of Mike's post - and you have to admit, there is some.
And the quote about Lebo political party domination came from your website. I didn't make it up. (By the way, is there really a difference between the pronouncement on your website and the quote from the unnamed Republican in your comment?)
And before you run me up the flag pole for being a myopic Republican, please feel free to review my comments from earlier in the week where I also criticized the Commissioners' handling of the boards and authorities seats and praised another commenter for promoting bipartisanship. Or perhaps my comments from the last year or so, in which I have repeatedly suggested that the party system for municipal politics is counter-productive (especially at the school board level - I mean come on, they cross file!!) And please know that I'm a proud card-carrying member of Republicans for Matt Smith, I've never walked into the booth and selfishly pulled the big R lever and I believe that Dan Miller is great for our community. So, contrary to what party leaders on both sides think, many of us have varying opinions on a wide array of topics and we aren't blindly guided by partisan talking points.
Truth is Gina, regardless of the actual registration numbers, I think MOST in this community could give 2 hoots about party affiliation or registration numbers. We're voting for our neighbors, not strangers. We just expect our elected officials to be committed, intelligent, fair, respectful, open-minded and thorough.
Dave Franklin
Registered Republican but Free Thinker
Dave: I thought your earlier post was pretty reasonable until you took a pot-shot at Dem school board members without similarly calling out the R school board members who support a new school as well.
You are right, to an extent, about the fact that those who get involved tend to get heard. I have had excellent discussions with Commissioners Miller, Daley, Raja and earlier Logan, as well as school board directors Posti, Fraasch, and Stipanovich. Like other posters here, I too am a transplant to Mt. Lebanon. So I don't think it is necessarily about income, gender, race, orientation, etc.
But lets be really honest: The recent actions by Raja and DeIullius as pertains to board appointments, stink to high heaven and doesn't speak to their bi-partisan tendencies. In addition to the recent non-sense with board appointments, I would also like to recall Mr. Humphreys' appointment to the Library board over howls of protest from Ds and Rs. But yet, his appointment went through without hesitation.
The conclusion I draw from these actions is that what gets your voice heard is not race, wealth, orientation, etc., but rather whether or not you are perceived to be supporting a particular agenda. While I might get polite responses from Raja or DeIullius; I don't feel my voice is really heard because they have other motivations. If you don't support those motivations, forget it.
I'd have to agree with Tim Nolan that what gets your voice heard is whether or not you are perceived to be supporting a particular agenda. Having said that, if your voice can be joined by multiple and articulate voices, then there's a chance it will not be ignored. For example, over the past eight years I have urged the Municipality to post all of its pesticide applications. No success. This week, I have asked the Municipality to place a copy of the product label online for the herbicide that they are currently having injected into sanitary sewer lines under force and up 10-15 feet into residents' lateral lines, as per the map at http://www.mtlebanon.org/index.asp?nid=308 No success. My voice has urged them to stop falsely claiming on their website that "The foam or herbicide used never comes in contact with anything other than the inside of the sanitary sewer system." No success. Above-ground herbicide spillage around the manhole is routine, and people should avoid contact with it, but notices to their homes do not even disclose that herbicide application is occurring. At times the notices have referred to herbicide application as a "construction project." At the end of the day, if multiple voices ask their Commissioners to have the Municipality place the product label for the herbicide online, then maybe it will happen. Maybe even today. Any guesses as to how many voices it would take?
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