I frankly don't know the answer to the questions about the petitions. One could send them directly to Councilwoman Blackwell's office, but if so definitely keep a copy for yourself. It sounds, though, like they prefer to submit a big chunk of petitions all together, maybe at the proposed August 4 meeting. If you had petitions, you could presumably bring them to the meeting or get somebody to take them with.


There's some interesting discussion of Youngblood in Prayer for the City, Sean.

In terms of the question about non-West Philly residents, I have no idea. I'm reluctant to post email addresses on the web, but if you go to the webpage where the petition is located and go to the home page--mcgillsociety.org--there's an email at the bottom of the page. It's not the email for the person who wrote the letter but for the person who sent it around on the email. I presume you'd get either a response or a referral to the actual author. Sorry I don't know more.

[quote=gpd]I have no well-considered position on this issue, but I'll pass this letter for those who are interested. I believe the website listed at the bottom has the link for the petition and position statement.


I'd like to sign this document. Is there somewhere we can sign a
form and fax the signature over?

I see the petition but need a way to get it to you.

There was an update about the petition sent around:

Hello everybody,

The following post is for those in opposition to the bill that would
install a homeless shelter at 4508 Chestnut Street. As you are no doubt
aware, the Sansom Street Community Coalition is gathering petitions
against the bill, and the message below details what to do with those
petitions. For those of you who support the bill or are simply looking
for more information, there is some useful information below regarding
recent press releases and an upcoming meeting organized by Councilwoman
Blackwell's office.

1) Please print a copy of the petition, downloadable in pdf format from
http://www.mcgillsociety.org/4508/ . If you can, PLEASE TAKE IT TO YOUR
NEIGHBORS TO SIGN. Bill Magill will be keeping track of what areas have
already been canvassed, so please let him know at
magill@mcgillsociety.org if you cover a block, or part of a block. If
you do not have access to a printer, please contact Bill or me
(richtulia@verizon.net) and one of us will find a way to get you a
copy. When going to your neighbors, I encourage you to take copies of
the position statement (also available at the above website) to pass out
or use for discussion.

2) Local business are a terrific place to leave copies of the
petition. If you get a chance, please stop in at your local restaurant,
hardware store, etc., and leave with them a petition and a copy of the
position statement. Please also make sure that they have a way to get
the petitions back to us (either through you or directly to Bill or me).

3) Once you have a petition with signatures and you would like to get
it back to us, please contact Bill or me (emails above) and we'll
arrange a drop-off or pick-up.

At some point in the near future, we will be sending you a flyer
announcing the upcoming meeting organized by Councilwoman Blackwell's
office. They had tentatively scheduled it for 6pm on August 4th at the
Lea School, but were apparently having problems with the site. Once
they have confirmed and we have sent you a flyer, PLEASE POST A FEW
COPIES ON YOUR BLOCK. Everybody in this community has a right to know
about this, and it's up to us to make sure that happens.

PRESS COVERAGE: The UC Review has posted the position statement
(http://www.philly1.com/story6072705.html) as an addendum to their
earlier story (http://www.philly1.com/story6072005.html). The Inquirer
(www.philly.com) is preparing a story that should appear in the next few
days.

Regards,
Richard Moore
Sansom Street Community Coalition
----

[quote=gpd]There was an update about the petition sent around:


1) Please print a copy of the petition, downloadable in pdf format from
http://www.mcgillsociety.org/4508/ .

This link is bad!!!

It works for me. I just tried it.

http://www.mcgillsociety.org/4508/