Wesley, I was just at Caribou Coffee. I noticed a sign in the window. Rich Bender (Candidate for council) is going to be there Thursday, October 25, from 6-8 p.m. He is having a "Meet the Candidate Night". Doesn't look like he is hiding.

No takers yet? Well there's still time before the election...give it a few more days. There's certainly a lot to say and we're all ears council.

No slander here mayor, just a simple request to hear from you. One of your supporters told me last evening over a beer that your position is that the "the mayor can't really do anything anyway".

Is it a self-fulfilling prophecy in your case? If you really think that you can do nothing as mayor, then you will do nothing as mayor, so then why do you have the position? Is it for the status?

Being mayor or a councilperson should not be about "status". Certainly an amount of status comes with the job but it should be earned. If you do nothing with the job you'll have no "status", and then ultimately no position.

I don't mean to be critical of you people I just want to hear from you, communicate a little and quit hiding behind the dais.

Jay Leib, I voted for you and was told by Ed Haney that you were an "idea" guy. Maybe you have some ideas, I'd just like to know what those ideas are and what you plan to do.

I read that some streets were paved and the sewers were maintained. Well the streets always have to be paved and the sewers require constant maintenance - just ask Tom K, he did a great job at it for years.

I want to know what the "big picture" is from you people. What do you plan to do to make this community more attractive? What will it take to sell those 90-100 homes for sale without having to give them away?

More renters, more section eight? How many section eights do we now have? Don't know, well you should know, but I'm certain that you never even thought to inquire.

I had lunch yesterday with the guy who runs the program for the county and we discussed Brentwood, - and that's only one issue you should concern yourself with.

How about the stadium? What grants can be acquired besides the standard DCED through our legislators? I'll bet you didn't even know that there were other grants. How about DEP and DCNR, "Growing Greener"? Have you checked those departments? If you have that's great. Are we getting any money?

What have we gotten from the county lately, any CDBG money? Are you on their list? Top, bottom, do you know who maintains the list? When was the last time the County Executive came to Brentwood? I don't even think that he was in the parade on the forth, why not? Does he think that Brentwood is just a bunch of bozos?

Have we gotten everything available from the State for our police department? Do you know that there is a program where the state will "pay Brentwood" to merge our department with Baldwin, did you know that mayor? Oh, I forgot, the mayor can't do anything anyway.

Again, I don't intend to be critical here, but there is a lot to with these jobs you have. A lot to know and a lot to learn, and as long as you continuously worry about who is in "control" nothing will change. And if you think that you "can't do anything", you "will not do anything."

You want to fix your stadium, it could happen. You just have to do your homework a little, maybe Jay Lieb and the mayor could make it their special project, and I do not jest. Quit the fighting and get something done.

Just my humble opinion - from a citizen whose tax bill keeps going up and home value keeps going down. When my stock goes down I generally sell and take a loss. I don't want to have to do that with my home...at this point it's still worth more than I paid for it. But at the rate things are going that may not be the case for long.

Wesley, you know I'm a fan. Your insight would bring a lot to Brentwood.
Why don't you run for Mayor??? At least for Council??? Residents need someone with a vision, a positive outlook, serious ideas, plans and input.....looks like that's you, Wesley. At least consider it.

Thanks Singer, I'm honored but not looking for political office in Brentwood, just some positive action and changes for the good of the borough.

I don't have the desire or the time, - plus I'm a Republican.

Hope the mayor and council are reading, - as well as their candidates. Cat must have their tongues! :)

Did anybody make it to Caribou for the "Meet The Candidate Night"? I could not make it due to family obligations, but wondered how it went. If anybody went, please answer one question for me. Is it true that candidates Wenzell and Richards tried to get Mr. Bender thrown out for loitering? I will wait to make any comments about it until I hear the truth. If it is true, I would bet that this will turn into the biggest blog ever. Sorry McCheese, you may be dethrowned soon. 3757 reads and 104 comments was a good run, but it will be nothing if this rumor is true.

VOTE BENDER!!!!!!!

What's your problem? Just because you lost in the primaries doesn't give you the right to cause trouble between candidates now. See, if elected you would have fit right in with the current council and their meaningless ways.

You can TRASH that rumor because that is all that it is and apparently you are trying to start it. I know I can speak for Richards in saying that he was not even near that coffee shop on Thursday night--He was at work.

If you have a personal problem with this family---please stretch the legs just around the corner and venture up the hill to visit the Richards household and ask directly. This beating around the bush crap is for the birds. Quit starting trouble---and to think...I thought you got the shaft in the primaries and thought you were really a nice guy....I guess I better start re-elvaluating my pick of character.

I read your blog, it seems that two of the three stooges went into Caribou and tried to intimate the manager into canceling the event and taking the sign down. Calling RB an ASS----. After putting up with the harassment she asked them to leave and she stood tall and didn’t let their stooge like mentality stand in the way. Is this an election for a candidate to lead the borough into the future or an election for a mob leader? What has Brentwood become, with gangsters running and being elected into office? No wonder I am for sale and yes, I am still here. Can’t sell, no one wants to buy, taxes are too high. But I do have a for sale sign in my yard. Any takers? By the way, it was successful, RB said, he won over a few Republicians with his honestly and loyality to the borough. GO BENDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If this did in fact happen, with candidates for office trying to intimidate a local business establishment, I see little encouragement for this borough.

I had high hopes to begin some constructive dialog with this blog among the candidates and sitting officials alike. It has been several days now and not one has responded. It really angers me and I can now understand the level of frustration you all exhibit.

This obviously is all about "power", or the "perception of power." A good stew cannot be made with bad ingredients, and likewise it has become clear that a good government cannot be created with some of these "soured" people.

Wesley, as a member of council, I work for all the people of the borough. I am open to any and all suggestions from Borough residents. I have been spending time going door to door and meeting some wonderful people in this borough. We all have the same concerns about bringing the borough up to standards. Therefore, I apologize for taking so long to get back to you. I admire your intelligence and your knowledge of grants that can be acquired for our community. After the election, win or lose, please contact me at the borough building 412-884-1500 ext. 167 to discuss this further.

I have been working outside my Council position to secure funding for a full renovation of Brentwood Park without our taxes being raised. We have just started embarking on this venture and if you have connections to state level grants, please come forward and offer your assistance.

As for my platform, please read the following:

As a member of council for eight months, I have observed a need to do the following.

To oversee the daily coordination of the borough, we need to have a borough manager in place. Some of council maintain full time jobs and are not in the borough all day. A borough manager would be the liaison between the daily operations of the borough and council. A borough manager would help to efficiently and fairly oversee the daily operations of the borough. He/she could serve as a grant writer for monies for the borough.

To ensure our elected and hired personnel are qualified people, checks and balances need to be instated into the borough policies. Criminal background checks should be mandatory on all borough employees and elected officials

To improve our community, the infrastructure of the borough has to be maintained. The infrastructure of the borough has been crumbling over the years because of attrition and lack of funding. As a community we need to come together to think of ways to make improvements to the borough without raising taxes. We need to think outside the box to secure funds. I am trying to secure funds from alumni of Brentwood Borough, along with business owners, private donations and philanthropy groups. We are in the infant stages of this endeavor; however having a practice field secured was a big step forward for all involved. This will help the football team, the band, the soccer team, and the cheerleaders. This spring, I would like to see a tree planting event to replace the trees cut down by the new practice field installation.

We need to work with the BBOA and market our borough to bring in new businesses. This would increase our tax base and help with capital improvements. Almost every borough is in the same boat. Monies are tight. We are not alone in this venue. With a little hard work and the community pulling together, we will survive and be prosperous. We need to make 2008 the best year Brentwood residents have ever seen.

I would like to see the DARE Program reinstated to help educate our children on drugs. Every tool that is available to us should be used to derail drug use in our borough. This is a solid program and I know it would help.

I would like to create a Welcome Wagon Committee to welcome new residents into the borough. We need to create a booklet for new residents moving into our borough explaining our ordinances and procedures to ensure all properties stay in good condition. Many new residences do not understand borough rules and regulations. This would alleviate confusion on what is and is not acceptable.

I would like to see the lines of communication improved between the Mayor, the Police Chief, and Council, so that we can continue to work together for the betterment of the borough.

I view Council service as a privilege and an opportunity to help the Borough. I would appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve the Borough in any way that I can.

Please keep your comments and questions above board. Let’s make this a constructive means of communication.

Have a great day in Brentwood!
Rich Bender

I had a knock on my door around 10 this morning, and was surprised to see Mario Richards standing on my front porch. He had read my posts and wanted to discuss them with me. What transpired next amazed me. Mr. Richards and I talked for over 1/2 hour. We talked like grown men, like two adults who had a difference of opinion, and like two people who care about this borough. There was no name calling, no slander, no talking bad about anybody. Just two people talking about personal and political feelings. Mr. Richards informed me that he most definitely had nothing to do with what happened at Caribou, and wanted to make sure that everybody realized that. We also talked in length about what Mr. Richards hopes to do, and the direction that he hopes to see this borough head in. Mario has done his homework, and really surprised me with the answers he gave me. He has plans to stop Section 8 Housing from taking over more than it already has. He plans to work with Council, the Mayor, and the community to solve the issue of the Stadium and the Park. He wants to see the school board and the council get together to solve some of these problems also. All-in-all, I was very impressed with what he had to say. The most important thing he said to me was that he has a mind of his own. Just because he is running on the same ticket, doesn't mean that he will vote the same way they do. He has a mind of his own, and will not be afraid to voice his opinion. I may have jumped the gun mislabeling Mr. Richards and Ms. Boyko because of their associations. That is my mistake. The two that showed up at Caribou, my feelings have not changed about you. What you did was disgusting and disgraceful. Mr. Richards and Ms. Boyko, I am sorry. Both for my comments, and for your having to be judged by who you know. Having dealt with the same thing first hand, I should have known better.

Well it seems to have worked. It looks like we have a few very bright folks running for council after all. I have at least two names to vote for at this point, but would love to hear from Boyko as well. I've already heard good things about her...

...as to the Section 8 Issue, it's not that there's anything wrong with those who need Section 8 housing, it's the fact that communities that draw Section 8 landlords are generally neighborhoods in which houses can be purchased very "cheap".

That is Brentwood, and the reason the housing is so cheap is because it's very difficult to sell a house here at what should be the market rate.

If homes sold for what they should sell for, Section 8 landlords wouldn't be here buying houses. That is the issue; an increase in Section 8 housing is a bad barometer reading for a community.

Wesley,

That is the most rediculous analogy that I have ever heard. Does it matter who owns the property, as long as the owner is paying the taxes? Point the finger at the past school district officials and residents who demanded that we maintain 3 schools for a graduation class of 100 students. That Mr. C is why we have the vicious cycle of low property value and rising mileage rates. Can you support your analogy with a per capital comparison between Brentwood and say Dormont, Castle Shannon or Baldwin with Section 8 numbers?

Regardless, for an elected official or a wanta be elected official to make disparaging comments about the people who require Section 8 assistance reflects his misunderstanding of what Brentwood is. Yes Mr. C, BRentwood is a lower class / income community that contains problems financially and economically. How about these two bright bulbs, any ideas on the big pictures ... Merging services including Police and schools?

Life Long,

Come on now, Brentwood Scholls offer extremely limited advance / academic studies and again the same limited amount of assistance to under-achievers. Paying for 3 schools greatly affects my taxes as there is a duplication of personel and overhead that we as tax payers have to support. Higher taxes result in lower property value and the vicious cycle duplicates itself end over end. There is no disputing that our school taxes are out of hand.

I own no section 8 property and yet still defend the program, amazing huh ?? The statement of the "publics" perception is being confused with that of a few narrowed minded citizens. I can bet with 100% certainty that the "public" has no idea who is on tne program and who is not. I find that you speak from a racist and bigoted mind set and you and your other same minded bloggers should be ashamed.

Should be attempt to keep out constant deliquent tax filers, delinquent sewage bills and anybody who files bankruptcy as well. Are they not more of a burden on the rest of us then section 8 ??

By the way.... "The North end of the borough" - how has that become a target in a 1 1/2 mile community? I think the houses and people on Villawood, Lawnwood, Willet and ect.... should be offended by this them and us mentality?

Please, before you attck back.... think about what I have said....

Please do not vote for someone who is so absent and one sided of a thinker as to discriminate against our own residents !!!! Somebody ask Boyko, she grew up in Mckeesport - they have Section 8 - did that bother her and does it bother her here is Brentwood?

Victory,

How does speaking about Section 8 and the effect it has on property values gives you the right to call me a bigot? When one is losing a discussion on this site the first thing they do is to call people names. Real Mature!! Why don't you think about what you say before you lash out. The reality is that the more Section 8 housing there is in an area the lower the property values. It is not about the tenants. Call me all the names you like this is just a FACT!! Ask any of your neighbors or friends and see if they would agree with your point that it does not matter how much Section 8 there is as long as the property taxes are paid.

If you would like to blame it on the School taxes that is fine. We also have the highest Municipal tax in the area. What is the largest drain on the Municipal budget?? That's right our Police force. Should we outsource or merge that so that we could lower out taxes. Let's look at the whole picture instead of just attacking one entity.

Brentwood Schools offered AP courses when I attended. My children are not in the High School as of yet, but I cannot beleive that they do not have AP courses for the students. I will check into this issue and get back to you. When it comes to underacheivers not getting attention, I see at the elementary level that is not the case. In fact, there are programs to help children who are stuggling to get them up to the proper level. The school district spends a lot of your tax dollars for this service. Unfortunately, teachers can not do it all.

Victory:

Are you speaking for a candidate or are you one yourself? I'd like to hear from all of the "Mr/Ms. C-anidates" on this and other issues related to our high tax rates, and what can be done to mitigate them.

(I am not a candidate nor do I know any of them personally, - just a resident.)

Life Long,

The fact that your denial of what a bigot is causes the loss of my point in this matter. Stand on the soap box and decry section 8 without a shred of factual support is shameful. Section 8 propertys in absoluely no way shape or form, reflect upon the property values. Section 8 property is owned by investors who maintain the value of these properties in ways the average middle America can not. Section 8 places great restrictions and rules on the tenant after a valid screening process and does yearly inspections of all properties. Do we hold everybody or for that matter... anybody else to this standard?

Munipal Taxes - Yes Yes Yes we should absolutely merge the police department.This would lower taxes and provide a more specialized service. While we are at it, merge the Fire and public works also.

School taxes - I have never blamed the teachers, I only blame the system. 3 schools in Brentwood (graduating class 100) - 4 scho0ls in Baldwin Whitehall - (graduating class 500-600). Do the math !!!!!

First of all, do you have children? If you did, you would know that some of the main reasons parents move their children into the Brentwood School District are:

1. Small class sizes, therefore the kids get more attention.
2. Academics are good. Test scores are high.
3. There is no busing. It is a walking community.

These are the just some of the main reasons we stay. Although according to you, we should not live here because the only people who live here are lower class/lower income. Our family income is actually pretty high. I could live in Upper Saint Clair or Jefferson, however I choose to stay. Maybe I am a fool, but I do not consider myself low income. In fact my neighbor across the street owns his own business, and my neighbor further down the street also owns multiple businesses, and I also have another neighbor around the corner that owns a prosperous business. I don't think we are low income and I am insulted.

Also, do your research. While you are on line look up section 8 housing and the effects that it has on property value. In a neighborhood with median housing (average pricing for a home), section 8 has a decreasing property value effect. In a more affluent neighborhood (more expensive homes) section 8 does not have that effect.

In closing, I do agree that taxes are high and we need to cut somewhere. I do not however, think that the schools should be touched. Our police department is a huge drain on the taxpayers. I think it would be a good move to make Brentwood's Borough Building a substation and merge the police with Baldwin or Whitehall.

Catalyst and crew,

Can you drive down the street and point out what houses are section 8 and what ones should be ?? I stated that section 8 houses are owned by investors, typically kept up with repair and the owners pay all applicable taxes and fees. How does this drive down value, the property is purchased at fair market value and again taxes are paid ? You claim its not the resident within this house but it must be the hardship on you.

School - I agree having a small population and small class sizes are a great benefit. It allows more attention to students and a great awareness of their needs. However, if the results are high taxes and limited curriculum, then you have to make the choice. The blog was regarding taxes and expenditures of monies and how the new council was planning on addressing these issues. Are you agreeable that high taxes drop property sale values to compensate and the cycle repeats itself sales after sales ? Busing is not existent which is undoubtably a hardship to those who walk their children from Colonial Park, Villawood and Sunview.

Brentwood is a lower income community by comparison to Whitehall, Baldwin , Pleasant Hills, South Park and Jefferson. There is no debating these issues. These towns have open property and developing plans in the hundreds of thousands by the dozens. I don't disagree that we have business owners, managers and the like, however the median is low in comparison to the others. Crime is also higher in Brentwood than these others named communities and we have a smaller population and police services to combat the issues.

Municipal Services - merging is a necessity that will only come about my County, State or the Federal government mandating the requirement of merging. Baldwin is on the verge of financial hardship and merging would only benefit them too.

I am very supportive to Brentwood and what the history, present and future holds. I simply state my opinions and voice them in these blogs to express the need for change.

Finally, more people seeing the benefit of mergers. As stated before, the Police are the biggest drain on the tax's, public safety wise, the Fire company is probably next(Over 100,000 budgeted for them if my info. is correct), with the EMS receiving minimal. There are state monies available to merge Police dept.s, ideally, Baldwin, Brentwood, and Whitehall would be the best way to go.Some would say why, if you listen or see any serious police call where one of them calls for help, they all show up anyway, so why wouldnt you want to make it official. The fire company is struggling as they all are, with lack of volunteer's, but continue to buy equipment that never gets on the road, especially during daylight hours.Merging with Baldwin and or Whitehall would only benefit the communities involved and possibly lead to paid daylight crews. The EMS is its own stand alone business and supports itself with minimal help from the boro. This could also apply to the public works dept.s also. I trully hope the new politicians coming in can institute some change. We have been stagnet for years and havnt moved forward an inch. It doesnt hurt to ask for some help from your neighbors or even talk about it.

This is a really great dialog, even if we all do not agree, to discuss the issues in a constructive, enlightened manner is just what this borough needs!

Between all of us the answers and ideas needed are there. The leadership and vision required to renew this community is on this blog-site.

I just wish all would participate! Put the past behind and look to the future...

Good thought.I can't believe this,but I actually agree with you on the "power" issue!

Public safety commttee can handle that. This idea is working in A number of communities already, northern regional police force comprising Pine, Marshall, Bradfordwoods and Richland police forces, RESA Regional, comprising Roscoe, Elco, Stockdale and Allenport. Southwest Regional comprising Belle Vernon, North Belle Vernon and Monesson. It does Work!

I am a Whitehall resident and I am in favor of a merger between Baldwin, Brentwood and Whitehall for Schools, Police, Fire and EMS. Actually I would like to see the fire and EMS units merged into one fire /rescue department like FDNY but that could be difficult with Whitehall being apart of MRTSA and Baldwin EMS also serving Pleasant Hills. Here are more facts for you to consider.

Police - Between the 3 departments there are 4 chiefs, Approximately 60 officers, 2 K-9s and roughly 25 cars. Are that many cars needed? Whitehall has two Dare officers and Baldwin has 1 or 2. If the three departments merged and a third K-9 was added the boroughs could have a k-9 on duty almost 24 hrs a day. The number of chiefs would be reduced and departments like investigation, traffic, SWAT and drug enforcement could be established. We will know that there is a drug trade in our boroughs and police force of 60 officers would be better suited to fight it. Also it would be run / governed by a representative from each borough.

Fire / rescue - Like I said before this could be more difficult but did you know that Baldwin, Whitehall and Brentwood have a combined 9 Pumpers, 3 Rescue pumpers, 2 ariel platforms, 1 ladder truck, 4 heavy rescues, 9 Suvs, 2 cars, 4 pickup trucks, 8 ambulances and 9 stations. To me that is overload especially when firetrucks are around $500k a piece or more. By merging these departments the fire / rescue division could be a combined force of volunteers and paid professionals with the Brentwood fire station acting as the main station. Baldwin #1 and Whitehall's Caste Village location acting as satellite locations. the Baldwin EMS building could serve as a public safety building housing the merged police force and additional trucks or ambulances if need be. The Fire Rescue division would be govern by a councilperson from each borough different from the police governing body.

Obviously there are many hurdles to clear like union approvals but I think by merging these departments we will see lower taxes and a better community.

just my 2 cents.

Rigatoni:

If Whitehall participated the merger would make that much more sense financially, but unfortunately your mayor is not a fan of working together with other communities. (Really nice guy however.)

Whitehall (I believe) is one of the last remaining communities in Allegheny County that has not joined the county 911 system.

Wesley:

Not invloved in the politics between the various boroughs, I just know that the various departments have mutual aid packages. Also I would think that the merging of departments would be the council's decision but once again not sure. Just looking at the situation from a financial and efficiency view point.

I believe Bethel Park and USC are the only other South Hills communities that have not joined the 911 system.

For this to take place, could it not be done by one elected official putting a referendum together to be put on a ballot in a future election? This would then be decided by the tax paying voters as opposed to several politicians which have their own agendas. Just look at the turmoil within Brentwood over control of the Police force.

For this to take place, could it not be done by one elected official putting a referendum together to be put on a ballot in a future election? This would then be decided by the tax paying voters as opposed to several politicians which have their own agendas. Just look at the turmoil within Brentwood over control of the Police force.

Well, I think this blog has run it course and I would have to rate it a success. There has been some great spirited, insightful discussion between folks who usually just insult and attack each other.

Great ideas have been presented that demonstrate intelligence and thoughtful consideration, - combined with a spirit of cooperation.

That, my good Brentwoodians is what will be required to save this community. For if steps are not taken during the next two years all will be lost to the enemy of "urban blight and decline". Once it takes control there is no stopping it, while the situation may already be too late.

Our friends in Baldwin and Whitehall should be concerned as well, for when the alligator consumes Brentwood it will eat those communities next.

This is a war our leaders must engage in, and if they are too busy fighting each other this enemy will consume our community very quickly.

Next Tuesday our new leaders will be confirmed at the ballot screen. I just hope that they understand the challenge that awaits them, - if they even care to recognize it.

Hopefully the personal battles will end and all will join in the struggle for our community; mayor, council, and school boards alike. Possibly they will have the vision and courage to reach out to our neighboring communities as well to discuss some of the ideas presented on this blog.

I can't inspire you to act, it must come from within. If you're all about egos then all is lost. Fight with each other, cut the grass, fill the potholes, and collect aluminum cans. The end will eventually be upon us.

But if you are bold, set differences aside, and work together this battle can be won in a few years. Brentwood can be the model community for the rest of the South Hills if our leaders simply work together.

You all say you are for the improvement of this borough, then prove it! You must put the differences aside, be bold and defeat the common enemy which is destroying our community.

I've found that nothing communicates a message of cooperation with a spirit to face long odds like the following clip. If you don't agree forgive me. I've tried to convey the feelings of an average Brentwood resident. Hopefully this will inspire you to cooperate.

YouTube - Braveheart Freedom Speech
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iLO6z6vXGM - 109k - Cached - Similar pages