Commissioners Split Along Party Lines

Democrats and Republicans on Mt. Lebanon's board of commissioners split along party lines March 23, disagreeing over appointments to various volunteer boards and authorities.

Democrats said Republicans were playing politics with the appointments by accepting a list of last-minute names of partisan allies. Democrat Dan Miller walked out of an executive session March 23 to express his disappointment with the process, saying Republicans violated the spirit if not the rule by rejecting some volunteers who applied early in favor of late applicants.

NOTE: The location of 1st Ward Commissioner Raja's business is incorrectly stated in the article. His company is located in Scott Township, not Mt. Lebanon.

Link: www.thealmanac.net/ALM/Story/03-25-ML-board-B

Boards and Authorities Fair Next Wednesday

The municipality has more boards and authorities than most towns, with more than a dozen committees comprising more than 75 volunteer positions. Boards and authorities advise the Mt. Lebanon Commission on such topics as historic preservation, economic development, planning, traffic, parks and code appeals.

Applications for boards have dropped slightly in recent years, said Susan Morgans, Mt. Lebanon public information officer. And some boards are not representative of Mt. Lebanon's increasingly diverse population.

That's why the Mt. Lebanon Community Relations board is sponsoring the first Mt. Lebanon Boards and Authorities Fair, set for 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 29 at the Mt. Lebanon Public Library, Castle Shannon Boulevard.

Current board and authority members will be there to talk with residents about what service is involved. The fair is free and open to all residents.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/08297/922017-55.stm

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