Commissioner Miller Updates Us On The Budget

5th Ward Commissioner Dan Miller's latest blog posting gives us an update on the 2012 budget hearing:

Read the full article:

• www.danmillerward5.com/2012-budget-hearing-update

Patch: Mt. Lebanon Native to Host Photography Exhibition Fundraiser for Clean Water

The Samburu Project, a Santa Monica based nonprofit founded by Mt. Lebanon native Kristen Kosinski, will host a unique photography exhibition to raise funds to drill freshwater wells in Africa and to create awareness of the World Water Crisis. The event will be held in Carnegie on Thursday, Dec. 1 from 7-9 p.m. at the Papa J’s Garden Piazza.

Read the full article:

• peters.patch.com/articles/mt-lebanon-native-to-host-photography-exhibition-fundraiser-for-clean-water (Peters Patch)

Trib: Mt. Lebanon Board rethinks deer culling program

The days of deer peacefully grazing in Mt. Lebanon may end next year.

In discussions of the budget for 2012, the Mt. Lebanon Board of Commissioners has penciled in about $66,000 for deer: $16,000 for a study of their numbers and density in the municipality, and $50,000 for a culling -- or professional hunting -- program.

A similar program was conducted from 2007 to 2008, ending amid residents' concerns over sharpshooters from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services hunting the deer with night-vision equipment and high-powered rifles. The commissioners and residents resurrected the issue this month during the budget-making process.

Read the full article:

• www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_768805.html (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

The Almanac: Mt. Lebanon Scout provides comfort for autistic students

Mt. Lebanon High School senior David Hudak knows first hand the specialized needs of those with autism. His younger brother, Stephen, is autistic.

So when David chose his project to become an Eagle Scout, the decision was easy.

David, along with 10 to 15 of his fellow members of Boy Scout Troop 65 who meet at the South Hills United Presbyterian Church, built and equipped 10 sensory boxes.

Read the full article:

• www.thealmanac.net/alm/story11/11-23-2011-Eagle-Scout-Hudak (The Almanac)

P-G: Early morning fire damages Mt. Lebanon home

An early morning, one-alarm fire in Mt. Lebanon caused an estimated $60,000 damage to an unoccupied home at 361 Avon Drive.

Mt. Lebanon Fire Chief Nick Sohyda said the fire was reported at 5:30 a.m. at a home that is under renovation and had no contents in it. The family that owns the home was in Florida at the time of the blaze.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/pg/11323/1191227-100.stm (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

P-G: Mt. Lebanon again at odds over deer population

The economics and efficacy of deer culling have once again divided Mt. Lebanon residents.

Some residents have told commissioners that something must be done because deer remain a menace on roads and in their backyards. Still others say that dropping $66,000 for a density study and subsequent culling would be an insult during the bad economy.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/pg/11321/1190406-55.stm (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Your South Hills: Officials keeping watch on proposed park

The concerns linger for Baldwin Township officials over a proposed Mt. Lebanon outdoor athletic area that borders many township homes and streets.

Commissioner and township officials at their November voting meeting continued to raise concerns about the proposed plans to construct McNeilly Park, despite Mt. Lebanon's failure to move forward with borrowing funds for the project.

Read the full article:

• www.yoursouthhills.com/southhillsrecord/article/officials-keeping-watch-proposed-park (Your South Hills)

P-G: Mt. Lebanon shows scoring punch at start of season

Only three PIHL Class AAA teams had a better goals-against average than Mt. Lebanon did last season -- but the Blue Devils merely just slipped into the postseason.

So much for the theory that defense wins championships: Mt. Lebanon was done in by an offense that was third from the bottom in the classification in scoring.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/pg/11321/1190278-364.stm (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

The Almanac: Hagy's fantastic grid career ends

Pittsburgh Central Catholic defeated Mt. Lebanon, 31-14, at North Allegheny, knocking the Blue Devils out of the WPIAL Quad-A football playoffs in the second round.

Statistically it was a bit of a lopsided contest. Lebo mustered only 217 yards of total offense to Central's 344.

Read the full article:

• www.thealmanac.net/alm/sportstory11/11-16-2011-Lebo-football-w-pic (The Almanac)

P-G: Mt. Lebanon woman's representation of Bulgaria now official

As the new honorary consul of the Republic of Bulgaria to Western Pennsylvania, Patricia Penka French engages in activities not unlike those she has done for decades as a member and officer of the Bulgarian Macedonian National Educational and Cultural Center.

That work includes expediting visas and passport renewals, helping immigrants find apartments, showing visitors around the city and more.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/pg/11321/1190397-55.stm (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

P-G: Mt. Lebanon keeps three on school board

Mt. Lebanon residents voted Tuesday to keep all three school board incumbents in office and added two new faces to the nine-member board for 2012.

Unofficial results show three of the five seats will be filled by current board members Elaine L. Cappucci, Lawrence Mark Lebowitz and Ed Kubit, who all ran on both the Democrat and Republican ballots. New to the board are Scott D. Goldman, who also ran on both tickets, and Democrat William L. Cooper.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/pg/11314/1188769-55-0.stm (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

The Almanac: Mt. Lebanon team explores HR savings

Mt. Lebanon schools could save more than $5 million through radical reorganization, according to a presentation at the Nov. 14 meeting.

The presentation was made by the district's staffing review team, a committee co-chaired by director of human resources Steve Scheurer and assistant superintendent Dr. Deborah Allen. The team was tasked with examining human resources deployment across the district and coming up with suggestions for cost savings.

Read the full article:

• www.thealmanac.net/alm/story11/11-16-2011-ML-school-board (The Almanac)

Aldo Coffee sold, to continue under new owners (updated)

Updated 2011-11-14 09:00: Edits to clarify that it’s more of a transition than a reboot. In particular, service at the shop is expected to continue largely uninterrupted.

Rich and Melanie Westerfield of Aldo Coffee Co. on Washington Road have announced on their blog that they have sold the coffee shop. According to the post, the shop will undergo a metamorphosis but remain open under new but familiar owners:

[C]come 6pm on Tuesday, the era of us owning Aldo Coffee Co. in Mt. Lebanon will come to a close. We think the new owners will open on Wednesday, keep things as is through the weekend and then close for a few days before Thanksgiving to give the place a facelift. They will be open for LightUp Night.

As those close to the story know, the buyer used to work for us. She's a two-time regional barista competition finalist and also competed in the US Barista Championship twice. She is wonderful and you do or will soon love her.

Check the original posting for full details.

Aldo Coffee Co. has been my favorite coffee shop since I learned of it in 2005. I'm sad to see Rich and Melanie move on, but I am grateful for all that they have done to improve the Pittsburgh coffee scene. From competing seriously in regional and national espresso championships to blogging regularly about coffee and where it comes from, they have helped raise Pittsburgh's coffee status nationally. And that we had a shop of Aldo's caliber here in Mt. Lebanon has been a blessing to all of us who love coffee.

From all of us at Blog-Lebo, we wish the best to Rich and Melanie, and to the new owners. We're looking forward to a continued tradition of great coffee on Washington Road.

Breaking down the 2011 election results for school board

The most interesting race in Tuesday’s election was for school board. With James Cannon and the write-in challenge to the incumbents, who knew what was going to happen?

But, when the votes were counted, neither Cannon nor the write-ins had enough to take a seat from the incumbents and their running mates. Here’s how the votes broke down by ward:

                          Ward
            ------------------------------
  Candidate    2    1    3    5    4 (all)

1  Cappucci 1470 1287 1344 1138  997  6236  |
2  Lebowitz 1462 1247 1267 1090  962  6028  |
3     Kubit 1315 1168 1191 1018  935  5627  | WIN SEAT
4   Goldman 1231 1204 1087  972  871  5365  |
5    Cooper 1115  933  919  861  808  4636  |

6    Cannon  922  786  852  738  676  3974 
7  Write-In  677  631  596  459  559  2922

8     (all) 8192 7256 7256 6276 5808 34788

I’ve ordered both the candidates and the wards so that those with the most votes come first. This ordering makes it easier see where the votes came from and went. Ward 2 placed the most votes, and Ward 4 the least. Of the candidates, Cappucci and Lebowitz received the most votes.

The challenge to the incumbents made a good showing, but still placed last in all five wards. Cannon’s strongest showing was in Ward 3, where receiving just 1% more of the ward’s votes would have been enough for him to break into the top 5.

If we divide the wards into districts, we can see that Cannon did better in many districts. Take a look at the graph below. In it, I’ve marked with red where Cannon broke into the top 5. (If you click on the graph, you can see a larger PDF version that's not impossible to read.)

Votes by district for Mt. Lebanon School Board.
The candidates and wards are in most-votes-first order.
Red shows where Cannon received enough votes to break into the top 5.
(Click to see larger, downloadable version.)

If you look closely at the graph above, I’ll bet you can spot some interesting patterns. Take a look, and let me know what stands out.

Lebo Election Results

From the Allegheny County Department of Elections web site:

School Director MT LEBANON
(Vote For  5)

James Edmund Cannon (REP) .  .  .  .  .     3,974   11.42
Scott D. Goldman (REP/DEM).  .  .  .  .     5,365   15.42
Ed Kubit (REP/DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     5,627   16.18
Elaine L. Cappucci (REP/DEM) .  .  .  .     6,236   17.93
Lawrence Mark Lebowitz (REP/DEM).  .  .     6,028   17.33
William L. Cooper (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .     4,636   13.33
WRITE-IN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2,922    8.40

Commissioner MT LEBANON WARD 1
(Vote For  1)

Thomas Michael Brown (REP).  .  .  .  .       614   32.30
John Bendel (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,278   67.23
WRITE-IN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         9     .47

Commissioner MT LEBANON WARD 3
(Vote For  1)

Joseph J. DeIuliis (REP)  .  .  .  .  .       823   43.36
Kristen Linfante (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .     1,063   56.01
WRITE-IN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        12     .63

Commissioner MT LEBANON WARD 5
(Vote For  1)

William L. Hoon (REP)  .  .  .  .  .  .       670   41.74
Kelly Fraasch (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .  .       930   57.94
WRITE-IN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         5     .31

Update on write-in candidates for school board (updated 3)

Updated 2011-11-06 19:30: Added write-in candidate Charlotte Stephenson’s statement.
Updated 2011-11-07 00:20: Added candidate James Cannon’s statement.
Updated 2011-11-07 19:00: Added statements from write-in candidates Paula Bongiorno and Joseph Wertheim.

Recently, the James Cannon campaign announced four write-in candidates for the school board. The announcement alone isn’t much to go on, however; people understandably want to know more about these last-minute candidates and what they stand for. If you’re among them, here are three more sources of information.

First, over on the Lebo Citizen’s Blog, write-in candidate Rudy Bies has offered his answers to the questions the PTA asked other candidates.

Second, Matt Kluck wrote to us to let us know about a joint position statement from James Cannon and the four write-in candidates. This statement sets out the candidates’ views on government, in general, and the school district and high-school project, in particular. It also suggests that the candidates see reform at the state level as important for reducing inequities in our local tax burdens.

Third, write-in candidate Charlotte Stephenson has offered a personal statement outlining her goals and qualifications for serving on the school board.

Regardless of your views on the write-in challenge to the school-board incumbents, research all of the candidates and be sure to vote on November 8!

Update

James Cannon has also written in with a personal statement, in which he describes his background, qualifications, and views on local government. (Since many people seem to be looking at this post for the views of the Cannon campaign and the associated write-in candidates, this post seems the logical place to add his statement.)

Update

Now all four write-in candidates have made some kind of statement about their positions:

• Rudy Bies
• Paula Bongiorno
• Charlotte Stephenson
• Joseph Wertheim

P-G: Mt. Lebanon's Hagy puts on a show in narrow victory

Luke Hagy has spent the past three seasons making his mark as one of the most prolific running backs in WPIAL Class AAAA history.

Being a standout at one position never stopped Hagy from dreaming about excelling at another.

"He likes to think he's a quarterback sometimes," Mt. Lebanon coach Chris Haering said, laughing.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/pg/11309/1187820-365.stm (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Trib: Mt. Lebanon counting on re-assessments to increase coffers

Mt. Lebanon officials hope to see the assessed value of properties rise at least 20 percent in 2012, but its proposed budget unveiled this week still calls for a property tax increase just to keep services at the current level.

The $28.9 million operating budget released Tuesday keeps most municipal services -- such as police, fire protection and library hours -- at current levels, while increasing other budget areas, such as road reconstruction. It updates Mt. Lebanon's master plan for development, said Municipal Manager Steve Feller.

Read the full article:

• www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_765145.html (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

WTAE: Unlicensed Doctor From Mt. Lebanon Pleads In Abortion Case

An unlicensed doctor pleaded guilty on Thursday to third-degree murder in the deaths of two late-term babies who were born alive and then killed with scissors at a filthy Philadelphia abortion clinic.

Steven Massof, 49, of Mt. Lebanon, pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree murder, murder conspiracy and other charges. Massof testified to a grand jury that he snipped the spines of more than 100 babies after seeing them breathe, move or show other signs of life.

Read the full article:

• www.wtae.com/news/29677298/detail.html (WTAE)

P-G: Former physician charged with Castle Shannon pharmacy robberies

A former physician was arrested today on charges that he stole Fentanyl, oxycontin and other drugs from a Castle Shannon pharmacy.

Patrick R. Sullivan, 37, of Mount Lebanon, told police he used to work at a West Virginia hospital and was either dismissed or suspended because of drug problems, county police Lt. Jeffrey Korczyk said.

Read the full article:

• www.postgazette.com/pg/11307/1187292-100.stm (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

P-G: Mt. Lebanon budget plan has tax hike

Mt. Lebanon property owners could see a 0.245-mill increase in the real estate tax rate next year if the recommended $42.3 million municipal budget is approved and property reassessments are finalized, municipal manager Stephen Feller said.

A 0.245-mill increase in real estate tax would mean an increase of $24.50 per year in the tax bill for a home valued at $100,000. For a $200,000 home, the increase would be $49 per year.

In recent years, Mt. Lebanon's millage rate has been reduced from 4.97 in 2008 to 4.76 this year. In 2010, it was 4.89.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/pg/11307/1187032-55-0.stm (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Trib: Mt. Lebanon to borrow $4.25 million

The Mt. Lebanon commissioners on Wednesday approved borrowing $4.25 million to refinance old debt, but couldn't reach an agreement over borrowing $7 million for pool and park improvements.

The board was unanimously in favor of refinancing the original $3.85 million in bonds from 2007, which with low interest rates should save the municipality $226,000 through 2027, finance director Marcia Taylor said.

Read the full article:

• www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_765284.html (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

Patch: McNeilly Park Presents Flood Concerns

At a Baldwin Township Board of Commissioners meeting in October, Baldwin Township officials expressed concerns over plans by Mt. Lebanon officials to build an outdoor athletics complex on the wooded property between Queensboro Avenue and McNeilly Road, which sits on the Mt. Lebanon-Baldwin Township border. The property would be known as McNeilly Park.

Baldwin Township officials’ concerns carried over into Tuesday night’s meeting, as well.

Read the full article:

• baldwin-whitehall.patch.com/articles/proposed-athletics-complex-presents-flood-concerns-fire-department-needs-more-volunteers-and-more-nov-1-baldwin-township-meeting-notes (Baldwin-Whitehall Patch)

The Almanac: Mt. Lebanon leads list of qualifiers

Mt. Lebanon led the charge of area runners during the WPIAL cross country championships held at Coopers Lake campground. The boys as well as the girls took home the runner-up trophies in the Class AAA division.

In Class AA, the South Fayette girls finished fourth and qualified for the PIAA championships set for Saturday, Nov. 6 in Hershey.

Despite rainy, muddy and cold conditions, which veteran coaches claimed to be the worst they had experienced, the Lebo ladies persevered.

Read the full article:

• www.thealmanac.net/alm/sportstory11/11-02-2011-cross-country-w-pics (The Almanac)

WPXI: Girl, 16, Claims Mt. Lebo Man Assaulted Her After Homecoming Dance

A 16-year-old girl claims that a Mount Lebanon man assaulted her after a homecoming dance at South Park High School.

The victim said she attended the dance with her 19-year-old boyfriend, Crowin Johnson. She told police that after the dance she and Johnson went to a friend's apartment on Bower Hill Road.

According to the criminal complaint, Brian Patello lives at the apartment with his girlfriend. The victim said Patello had told her "how sexy her fingernails looked" earlier in the night.

Read the full article:

• www.wpxi.com/news/29666594/detail.html (WPXI)

P-G: Woodland Hills, Mt. Lebanon know each other all too well

Despite competing in different football conferences, Mt. Lebanon and Woodland Hills have seen a lot of each of other in recent years.

The two got together for non-conference games in 2006 and 2007, have scrimmaged each other the past few preseasons, and played in one of the most entertaining games of last year's postseason.

"I'd say we know each other well," Woodland Hills coach George Novak said.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/pg/11307/1186883-365.stm (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Cannon campaign takes on school-board incumbents with write-in challengers

Here’s an interesting development in the race for school board. James Cannon’s campaign announced that, in addition to Mr. Cannon himself, they now have enough write-in candidates to run for every open seat on the school board. There are five seats up for election, and now there are five people running on Cannon’s platform of reform.

According to a letter that the campaign is distributing, here are the write-in candidates:

Paula Bongiorno. Has been a Mt. Lebanon Resident for 35 years and has served on numerous school district committees since she began attending school board meetings in 1994. These include Ad-hoc Budget Committees, Budget Process Committee, Educational Specifications Committee for high school project (DeJong), 2008 High School Design Advisory Committee and the 2005 Constituent-Driven Strategic Plan (lead community focus groups at the request of the Superintendent). She is the current president of Keynotes of Music for Mt. Lebanon with five years on that Board.

Rudy Bies. He believes that elected officials should only be permitted to serve one term and that government, at all levels, must live within its means. Rudy believes “school board members are guardians of children, have a duty to manage teachers, and always function with the knowledge that all money spent by the school district comes from the taxpayers.” Accordingly, expenditures must be challenged and justified and made based upon the will of the people and not the self-serving will of a school board.

Charlotte Stephenson. Has been a dedicated member of our community since 1985. She is currently a Board Director of Sojourner House, an Ordained Elder Serving on Session and the Moderator of Presbyterian Women of Southminster Church. She has served as President of the Mt. Lebanon Extended Day Program, PTA volunteer for twelve years, Jefferson Middle School Newsletter Editor and taught lunchtime enrichment in robotics to Washington Elementary School students. She holds an MBA and taught at the college level for eleven years.

Joseph Wertheim. Is a 25-year resident and recently retired as a Financial Advisor with A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. He is highly involved in the Mt. Lebanon Library having served as President and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees. Joe is currently President of the Friends of the Mt. Lebanon Public Library.

As I wrote after analyzing the results of the primary, Cannon has good odds of winning a seat. Some of his strong showing in the primary is probably because of dissatisfaction with the current school board, in general. Will that general sentiment be enough to make an old-fashioned write-in campaign successful? Only time will tell.

But one thing’s for sure: things are getting interesting.

PTA offers Q&A responses from candidates for school board 2011

Sheryl Cohen wrote to let us know that, “as a non-partisan service to the community, Mt. Lebanon City Council PTA has submitted a questionnaire to each of the school board candidates and requested their responses.” The PTA has collected the responses, and you can see them here:

http://www.mtlsd.org/district/districtpta/schoolboardcandidatesqanda.asp