Kids Health & Safety Fair is not the correct forum to discuss children's safety and artificial turf

From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To: cmcdonough <cmcdonough@mtlebanon.org>; nsohyda <nsohyda@mtlebanon.org>
Cc: commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; smorgans <smorgans@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Mon, Oct 20, 2014 9:14 am
Subject: Kids Health & Safety Fair

According to the Halloween Parade information on the Mt. Lebanon website:

After the Parade,
visit the
Kids Health & Safety Fair
Mt. Lebanon
Public Safety Center
555 Washington Road
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
 Kids Activities
 Information from
Mt. Lebanon Police
and Fire Department,
local organizations,
county and state
departments, and more
 Health, nutrition,
wellness, and safety
information for kids
and parents
 Trick or Treat in the
Safety Center for
additional candy

Concerned parents are interested in having a space concerning the health and safety of kids' health in regard to the artificial turf at the Kids Health & Safety Fair. Who should they contact?

Elaine Gillen

No response. So I sent this email:

From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To: cmcdonough <cmcdonough@mtlebanon.org>; nsohyda <nsohyda@mtlebanon.org>; commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Cc: sfeller <sfeller@mtlebanon.org>; smorgans <smorgans@mtlebanon.org>; repmiller <repmiller@pahouse.net>; msantoni <msantoni@tribweb.com>; hfunk1213 <hfunk1213@yahoo.com>; jon.delano <jon.delano@verizon.net>; nicholaslewandowski <nicholaslewandowski@gmail.com>
Sent: Mon, Oct 20, 2014 12:27 pm
Subject: You're invited

I emailed most of you earlier this morning, requesting some space for the Kids Health and Safety Fair, but I fear it will be ignored as my Brewfest Poster request was.

Anyway, you are all invited to a rally on Sunday, October 26, 2014. Invitation is attached. I have been asked to invite you all, and I will be posting it on my blog, Lebo Citizens. Would the Public Information Office issue a LeboALERT announcing Sunday's rally on Friday?

Thanks for your consideration.

Elaine Gillen

Lo and behold, I received the following email from Steve Feller denying the parents' request for having a space concerning the health and safety of kids' health in regard to the artificial turf at the Kids Health & Safety Fair.

From: Stephen Feller <sfeller@mtlebanon.org>
To: E.T. Gillen <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: Coleman J. McDonough <cmcdonough@mtlebanon.org>; Nick Sohyda <nsohyda@mtlebanon.org>; Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Mon, Oct 20, 2014 5:04 pm
Subject: Re: Kids Health & Safety Fair
Elaine:
Today I talked with both Chiefs and also Rep. Miller's office about this issue. From the first day that this event was proposed by then County Councilmember Gastgeb, the Municipality has indicated that we would support the event in the Safety Center provided that: 1) the event needs to be focused on having service providers give information to kids on safety issues 2) no political campaigning would be permitted in the safety center, 3) all of Mt. Lebanon's current sitting elected officials, but certainly the Congressman, state senator and state rep. for Mt. Lebanon, and county councilmembers representing the community should be invited in order to distribute information about agency services 4) other service providers including county departments, MRTSA, and Outreach should be invited and 5) it should be a small, informal event that avoids politics and focuses on service providers. Therefore, I am going to need to deny the request to have space for those who want to provide information on the safety of artificial turf. This is not the correct forum for that type of activity. Of course, anyone can exercise their first amendment rights and distribute information on the public sidewalks along the parade route. Please call me if you need further clarification. Thank you.
Steve

Since when is children's health political?
What IS the correct forum for "that type of activity?"
I guess the Public Safety Building is not public.
What a crock.

Don't forget the Rally for Lebo Kids' Health on Sunday morning at 11:00 AM on Cedar Blvd.
If anyone is interested in printing their own T-shirt, this mirrored image should be used with iron-on transfers.