Democracy for Pittsburgh

REAL VOTING REFORM / END THE WAR are two of the issues we will be working on at the March 1st meeting.

* ELECTION REFORM

Richard King from PA-Verified Voting will be speaking on the importance of supporting the passage of SB977 and what DfPgh can do to help this effort.

If we can’t get our votes counted right, WE’RE ALL WASTING OUR TIME!

* IRAQ WAR

We will be discussing plans for DfPgh’s participation in the March 18th (Merton Center sponsored) Anti-War March & Rally.

R.S.V.P. at: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=5105

DfP Meetup Info:
Wednesday March 1, 2006
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Event Location: Mario’s South Side Saloon
Street: 1514 E Carson St (upstairs)
City, State, Zip: Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Phone: 412-381-5610

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Maria Lupinacci, 412-381-7772, lupinaccim@aol.com
February 19, 2006                                              

PITTSBURGH, PA - Democracy for Pittsburgh (the local coalition group for Democracy for America) announced today the results of an endorsement vote that was held on Saturday, February 18, 2006.

“Candidates need to jump a high hurdle in order to win our endorsement. They needed to receive at least 75% of the votes, not counting abstentions.  I believe that no other progressive endorsing group in Pittsburgh requires this level of agreement from their membership,” said Lou Takacs, member of Democracy for Pittsburgh’s Organizing Committee and “meeting host” for the day. “Setting such a high standard also helps to ensure that winning candidates receive not only an endorsement, but a base of volunteers to draw from,” he added.

Chuck Pennacchio was endorsed for US Senate (90%). Valerie McDonald Roberts was endorsed for Lt. Governor (100%). Georgia Berner was endorsed for US Representative - 4th Congressional District (91%). Susan Banahasky was endorsed for Rep. District 20 (92%). William Sargent was endorsed for Rep. District 42 (79%). And, two longtime members of Democracy for Pittsburgh were also endorsed for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives: Dan Cindric was endorsed for Rep. District 27 (96%) and Steve Karas was endorsed for Rep. District 34 (96%).

No endorsement could be reached in the following races: 14th Congressional District, 18th Congressional District, Rep. District 21, Rep. District 24 and special election for Pittsburgh City Council District 3.

During the meeting, the host asked for a show of hands of those members who were planning on running for Allegheny County Democratic Committee and nearly a quarter of those in attendance signaled their intentions to run - most for the first time.

Democracy for Pittsburgh Annual Endorsement

WHEN:
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 18

WHERE:
Mario’s South Side Saloon (upstairs)
1514 E. Carson St.
Pittsburgh PA 15203

Please join us for our annual endorsement meeting. To be eligible to vote, members must have attended AT LEAST ONE of the following regular monthly meetings: Nov. 2005, Dec. 2005, or Jan. 2006.

Endorsement meeting schedule:

2 p.m.- 3 p.m.
Informal meet-and-greet with candidates and DfP members inthe downstairs bar.

3 p.m.- 5 p.m.
Formal discussion of candidates and voting in upstairs Party Room.

We hope to hear as many viewpoints as possible about each race, so please try to attend the discussion beginning at 3 p.m. However, you may stop in and cast your ballot anytime between 3 and 5 even if you can’t stay.

Questions?
Contact Lou Takacs: loutakacs@hotmail.com

The following members are eligible to vote in theDemocracy for Pittsburgh Annual Endorsement:

David Anderson
Jay Anderson
Will Anderson
Tanya Bennitt
Clarence Butler
Dan Cindric
Eileen Conroy
Cynthia Crise
Marc Daffner
Paul D’Alesandro
Ed Dobson
Vicki Dusch
Matt Feil
Gloria Formizon
Dan Frankel
Lance Friedman
Deb Gross
Gregory Hauenstein
Janice Hodge
Zuri Hodge
Lindel Hodge
Brady Hunsaker
Mike Isaac
Garth Johnson
Steve Karas
Stacy Kletter
Janet Kliybull
Brad Korinski
Tom Kovach
Kirby Krieger
Donald Lee
Guinevere Lehman-Anderson
Henry Lipput
Maria Lupinacci
Pieter Maris
Marty Marks
CJ Marquette
John Marshali
Mike Mclaughlin
Chris McNally
CeeCee McNulty
Richard Meritzer
Dan Miller
Carmella Mullen
Jessica Nock
Marty O’Malley
Lindsay Patross
Bud Paulding
Jason Phillips
Ben Povilaitis
Matt Preston
Ben Ragheb
Mark Rauterkus
Jonathan Robison
Joy Sabl
Scott Safier
Mark Salvas
Bill Sargent
Maria Sasinoski
Tim Solobay
Tim Stevens
Patrick Sweeney
Lou Tackacs
Dan Tate
Fred Terling
Lori Terling
Pearl Thompson
Jason Tijano
Rasul Welch
Janis Williams
Laurie Williams

YOU CAN R.S.V.P. HERE OR JUST SHOW UP IF YOU’RE ON THE ABOVE LIST.

Event Title: Monthly Meetup
Event Type: DFA-Link Meeting
Organized by: Democracy for Pittsburgh
Event Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2006
Event Time: 7:00 PM
Venue Name: Mario’s South Side Saloon (upstairs)
Address: 1514 E Carson St
City: Pittsburgh
State: PA
Zip Code: 15203
Phone Number: 412-381-5610

Please R.S.V.P here.

Likely Speakers:

Mike Isaac - candidate for US Congress, 14th District
www.isaacforcongress.org

Jason Phillips - candidate for PGH City Council, 3rd District
www.jasonforcouncil.com

Dan Cindric - candidate for State House District 27
www.cindric2006.com

Ed Gainey - candidate for State House District 24

Lisa Bennington - candidate for State House District 21
www.lisaforhouse.com

Mark Rauterkus - candidate for PGH City Council, 3rd District
elect.rauterkus.com

Susan Banahasky - candidate for State House District 20
www.susaninthehouse.org

Chad Kluko - candidate for US Congress, 18th District
www.chadklukoforcongress.com

Frank Pistella - candidate for State House District 21
www.pahouse.com/pistella/index.asp

We had a good crowd:

The following people spoke at the meeting:

PA State Rep. DAN FRANKEL discussed efforts to get good Democrats
to run against currently unopposed incumbent Republicans.

VALERIE MCDONALD ROBERTS - candidate for Lt. Governor
www.valerieforpa.com

CHUCK PENNACCHIO - candiate for US Senate
www.chuck2006.com

PAT SWEENEY - candidate for PGH City Council
www.sweeneyforcouncil.com

WILLIAM ANDERSON - candidate for State House District 24
www.willworks4you.com