the almanac OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 4, 2014
STANDING THEIR GROUND RACE FOR GOVERNOR HIGHLIGHTS ELECTION PAGE 2
‘EVENING IN INDIA’ CELEBRATED IN SOUTH FAYETTE PAGE 17
HALLOWEEN TRADITION A HIT WITH FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS PAGE 23
AREA FOOTBALL TEAMS BEGIN THEIR PLAYOFF JOURNEYS PAGE 29
PHOTO BY NICK LEWANDOWSKI
Mt. Lebanon resident Jeff Heiskell speaks to a crowd in Mt. Lebanon protesting the artificial turf at Middle and Wildcat fields.
MT. LEBANON RESIDENTS RALLY AGAINST TURF By Nick Lewandowski For The Almanac writer@thealmanac.net
Flanked by heavy construction equipment and mounds of earth, several dozen Mt. Lebanon residents gathered on Oct. 26 to rally against the installation of artificial turf at Middle and Wildcat fields, in the municipality’s main park. Members of the crowd displayed signs and punctuated speakers’ comments with enthusiastic rounds of applause. Mt. Lebanon’s turf project has progressed quickly since its proposal in November 2013, despite vocal opposition from a number of residents. Opponents see artificial turf as a pet project of commissioners and sports groups, which are determined to complete it as quickly as possible despite significant cost and safety concerns. “This process should have been open and inclusive,” resident Jeff Heiskell said. “The commission has ignored our concerns, and instead relied upon obscure studies from other countries and sales material from turf manufacturers for information. Our Public Information Office has assumed the role of spin doctor, PHOTO BY NICK LEWANDOWSKI referring to ‘field enhancements’ rather than Despite protests from residents, dirt is being moved at Mt. Lebanon’s Middle and Wildcat ‘artificial turf.’” fields in preparation for artificial turf. SEE TURF PAGE 3