Pittsburgh City Council
ACT Pliqué
Background information published in the Post Gazette April 29, 2015
District 1
"The two candidates challenging Pittsburgh Councilwoman Darlene Harris in the May 19 Democratic primary claim that the North Side isn’t making the strides it should, partly because of her poor relationship with Mayor Bill Peduto. Mrs. Harris, a Spring Hill resident, has held the District 1 seat since 2006."
Information Post Gazette: http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/05/11/Council-challengers-say-North-Side-needs-better-ties-to-mayor-s-office/stories/201505110007
Information City Paper: http://www.pghcitypaper.com/Blogh/archives/2015/01/28/randy-zotter-announces-challenge-to-darlene-harris-for-district-1-city-council-seat
http://www.pghcitypaper.com/Blogh/archives/2015/01/15/bobby-wilson-to-challenge-darlene-harris-for-district-1-pittsburgh-city-council-seat
Opinion Post Gazette: http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2015/05/07/City-council-District-1-Darlene-Harris-is-the-Democrats-best-choice/stories/201505070021
City Paper Guide: http://www.pghcitypaper.com/general/pdfs/Chart1_CityCouncilDistrict1.pdf
District 5
"Kimberly Kaplan knows she’s fighting an uphill battle in taking on incumbent City Councilman Corey O’Connor, son of former Mayor Bob O’Connor. But the 24-year-old graduate student and first-time candidate is convinced she can forge a better connection with residents, particularly in marginalized neighborhoods, and prevail in the May 19 Democratic primary. Ms. Kaplan and Mr. O’Connor, who is finishing his first term on council, will vie for the District 5 seat, which spans the north and south shores of the Monongahela and includes the neighborhoods of Glen Hazel, Greenfield, Hays, Hazelwood, Lincoln Place, New Homestead, Squirrel Hill and Swisshelm Park and part of Regent Square."
Information Tribune-Review: http://triblive.com/politics/politicalheadlines/8161781-74/connor-kaplan-council#axzz3a2Ols6sy
City Paper Information: http://www.pghcitypaper.com/Blogh/archives/2015/04/20/pittsburgh-city-council-candidate-kaplan-holds-official-campaign-launch
http://www.pghcitypaper.com/Blogh/archives/2015/03/18/qanda-with-pittsburgh-city-council-district-5-candidate-kimberly-kaplan
Opinion Post Gazette: http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2015/04/17/O-Connor-for-District-5-The-incumbent-is-the-Democrats-better-choice/stories/201504300015
City Paper guide: http://www.pghcitypaper.com/general/pdfs/Chart2_CityCouncilDistrict5.pdf
District 7
"La’Tasha D. Mayes, 33, founder and executive director of the nonprofit New Voices Pittsburgh, which advocates on health and wellness issues affecting black women, is taking on Deborah Gross, 48, of Highland Park in the May 19 election for the council seat representing District 7, which Ms. Gross currently holds. District 7 includes Lawrenceville, Bloomfield, Polish Hill, the Strip District, Highland Park, Morningside and parts of Stanton Heights and Friendship."
Background information Post Gazette: http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/04/20/Community-activist-contends-with-incumbent-for-District-7-seat/stories/201504200007
Background information Tribune Review: http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/8215229-74/housing-district-gross#axzz3a2Ols6sy
Opinion Post Gazette: http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2015/04/16/Deb-Gross-for-City-Council-District-7/stories/201504160158
Opinion New Pittsburgh Courier published 5/13/15:
"In the City Council District 7 we endorse LaTasha Mayes. She is a young woman who has proven her devotion and concern for her community through various marches and rallies."
City Paper Guide: http://www.pghcitypaper.com/general/pdfs/Chart3_CityCouncilDistrict7.pdf
District 9
"Three candidates are trying to upend two-term City Councilman Ricky Burgess for the nomination for the seat representing Pittsburgh’s East End neighborhoods in the May 19 Democratic primary. Mr. Burgess, 58, a church pastor and professor at Community College of Allegheny County, is opposed by Twanda Carlisle, a 56-year-old former councilwoman running for a chance at redemption after pleading no contest in 2007 and serving prison time for stealing thousands of public dollars; Judith K. Ginyard, 56, real estate broker and former director of a community development corporation; and businessman Andre Young, 62."
Background information Post Gazette: http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/05/02/Four-contend-for-council-seat-representing-East-End/stories/201504180147
Background Information City Paper: http://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/despite-conviction-prison-former-pittsburgh-city-councilor-twanda-carlisle-wants-another-shot-at-public-service/Content?oid=1815777
Background information: http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/7965706-74/carlisle-office-challenge#axzz3a2Ols6sy
Opinion Post Gazette: http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2015/05/04/Burgess-for-District-9-A-record-of-accomplishment/stories/201504300023
Opinion New Pittsburgh Courier published 5/13/15
"In the hotly contested City Council District 9 race we are endorsing Twanda Carlisle. Why? She has paid her dues for her mistake, and has been willing to face the community and tell them why she should be given another chance. Our problem with Rev. Ricky Burgess is that he chose to not participate in debates with his opponents and tell the people first hand why they should vote for him. The people in this district deserve a representative they can see and talk to."
City Paper Guide: http://www.pghcitypaper.com/Blogh/archives/2015/05/07/corrected-pittsburgh-city-council-district-9-election-chart