There was excitement in the air tonight prior to the start of the discussion session. The power brokers were there in full force to watch and listen to Mt. Lebanon's deer expert/and now our hired killer, Merlin Benner share his infinite wisdom. Phil Weis did weigh in to say that there was no conflict of interest hiring the advisor and awarding him the contract based on the RFP that Benner helped to write. Also, Benner is using large corrals and will be shooting the deer in close range. The commissioners amended the contract to limit payment of $500 per deer with a cap of $75,000, instead of a flat fee of $75,000. There will be up to eight locations where the killing will occur.
Before the commission meeting, Barbara Logan asked me if I was Elaine Gillen. She reads my blog and wanted me to clarify that she is not a master gardener. Mrs. Logan didn't want to sound pretentious. I mentioned it in a previous thread comment, but I want to make sure that everyone sees the clarification.
During Citizen Comments, I followed Carolyn Byham. Wow, she is a tough act to follow. She told us that she was a commissioner for eight terms (would that mean 32 years?) She moved here in the early 70's. OK, I have her beat on that one. I moved here in 1961. But I don't own two acres of property as she told everyone tonight, so my tax bill is not as large as hers. I guess when one owns two acres in Mt. Lebanon, that guarantees that her vote counts many times more than mine does. Talk about pretentious!
Nick Meduho asked Dave Brumfield if he agreed with Dave Franklin's statement at the last Sports Advisory Board meeting. Franklin blamed the people who opposed the project, did nothing but delay the project and cost the municipality more money. Brumfield agreed with Franklin.
Fast forward to the vote. Oh, before I go any further, Kristen Linfante was able to attend tonight's meeting. John Bendel could not attend due to a family emergency. Kelly Fraasch ran the meeting and when it came time for the deer vote, Kelly read a prepared statement on why she was voting no. I hope that the camera was on Kristen. Kristen was rolling her eyes, throwing down her pen, and doing that weird posturing thing when she is really angry. She started to interrupt Kelly, but then chose to speak when Kelly was finished. Dave Brumfield spoke next, Kristen followed, and then Steve. The vote was 3-1. Deer killing could start next week, but there is a possibility that the Game Commission says no.
So there you have tonight's meeting in a nutshell. I am tired and really need a break. I will be approving comments, but that may be it for awhile. Kelly, you are a class act. Thank you for all your hard work.
Update January 27, 2015 12:15 PMMt. Lebanon board awards contract to trap, euthanize deer
Update January 27, 2015 5:11 PMTrash collection draws Mt. Lebanon Commissioners’ ire
Before the commission meeting, Barbara Logan asked me if I was Elaine Gillen. She reads my blog and wanted me to clarify that she is not a master gardener. Mrs. Logan didn't want to sound pretentious. I mentioned it in a previous thread comment, but I want to make sure that everyone sees the clarification.
During Citizen Comments, I followed Carolyn Byham. Wow, she is a tough act to follow. She told us that she was a commissioner for eight terms (would that mean 32 years?) She moved here in the early 70's. OK, I have her beat on that one. I moved here in 1961. But I don't own two acres of property as she told everyone tonight, so my tax bill is not as large as hers. I guess when one owns two acres in Mt. Lebanon, that guarantees that her vote counts many times more than mine does. Talk about pretentious!
Nick Meduho asked Dave Brumfield if he agreed with Dave Franklin's statement at the last Sports Advisory Board meeting. Franklin blamed the people who opposed the project, did nothing but delay the project and cost the municipality more money. Brumfield agreed with Franklin.
Fast forward to the vote. Oh, before I go any further, Kristen Linfante was able to attend tonight's meeting. John Bendel could not attend due to a family emergency. Kelly Fraasch ran the meeting and when it came time for the deer vote, Kelly read a prepared statement on why she was voting no. I hope that the camera was on Kristen. Kristen was rolling her eyes, throwing down her pen, and doing that weird posturing thing when she is really angry. She started to interrupt Kelly, but then chose to speak when Kelly was finished. Dave Brumfield spoke next, Kristen followed, and then Steve. The vote was 3-1. Deer killing could start next week, but there is a possibility that the Game Commission says no.
So there you have tonight's meeting in a nutshell. I am tired and really need a break. I will be approving comments, but that may be it for awhile. Kelly, you are a class act. Thank you for all your hard work.
Update January 27, 2015 12:15 PMMt. Lebanon board awards contract to trap, euthanize deer
Update January 27, 2015 5:11 PMTrash collection draws Mt. Lebanon Commissioners’ ire
Commission vice-president Kelly Fraasch asked whether contracting with Wildlife Specialists constituted a conflict of interest, considering the firm’s president, Merlin Benner, has been the consultant assisting the municipality with the development of its deer management plan.
Solicitor Phil Weis said it was perfectly legal to award Benner’s company the contract, since Mt. Lebanon had sent a request for proposal to a number of different firms. “Some people might perceive a conflict of interest, but legally there is no problem,” he said.