Grassroots news on two ballot efforts

Put this on your 'radar.' Time will tell what comes about from these efforts. It is a bit early to do much but speculate and lift to get the paperwork done and delivered.

From: Celeste Taylor

Open Government Press Release-Home Stretch! Pittsburghers for Open Government

www.openpgh.org

Information + Public Participation = Power to Change Things!

Press Release

Wednesday-August 3, 2005
Contact: Celeste Taylor
PFOG Project Director
412-628-7867
celeste@openpgh.org

Pittsburghers for Open Government Petitioning In The Home Stretch

• PFOG President Dave Tessitor resigns from the Presidency of Pittsburghers
for Open Government and launches his campaign for Mayor.
Project Director Celeste Taylor is now the Acting President.

• Open Government petitioning that began six weeks ago now enters into the
home stretch with 70 active petitioners representing a very diverse and long
list of organizations talking to Pittsburghers about the Open Government
Amendment, collecting thousands of signatures and is now having their
petitions notarized.

• PFOG petitioners will team up with the League of Young Voters and Coro
Fellows this Friday, Saturday and Sunday to do petitioning at several events
and in Pittsburgh neighborhoods. ACORN will have its petitioners out this
weekend as well.

• On Tuesday, August 9, 2005 at 10 am, PFOG Petitioners will provide a report
on the final numbers, and their petitioning experiences to City Council and
to the community.

• At the close of the petitioning period, Pittsburghers for Open Government
will continue with their work to ensure that Open Government becomes a
reality in Pittsburgh. Activities will include non- partisan Pittsburgh
public policy education and advocacy, voter education, voter registration,
voter verification and election protection.


Public Service Announcement -- Thank you to all of our partners especially the
Maurice Falk Fund and the Kingsley Association. Thanks to Pittsburgh for
Open Government Board members, coalition groups, petitioners and most
importantly, the thousands of citizens who signed the petition, believing in
the power of the people, and who want Open Government in Pittsburgh NOW! It
is time to wrap up petitioning in your communities so please, make sure you
have talked to all of your neighbors about the Open Government Amendment and
have your petitions NOTARIZED. Attend the City Council Meeting on Tuesday,
August 9th at 10 AM to share your Open Government petitioning experience.
You can drop your petitions off or mail them to Kingsley Association-6435
Frankstown Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Contact Celeste Taylor at
412-628-7867 if you have questions or need help.