Update: At the general election in November 2017, the voters in the city of Pittsburgh elected to change the city’s charter to allow city workers the opportunity to take on part-time work as athletic coaches for Pittsburgh Public School. More than 31,000 YES votes, 73%, were in favor. By the way, the unopposed re-election of Mayor Bill Peduto, D, generated 95% support and 39,000 votes.
Quote:
“We’re shrinking the pool of available coaches, knocking them off,” said Mr. Rauterkus, 57, of the South Side Flats. he called the referendum “a positive step” that “might endear more people to live in the city if they could coach their kids here.”
Listen to this radio interview
Radio host, Dimitri, talks with Coach Mark Rauterkus about more people being eligible to be hired as part-time coaches at Pittsburgh Public Schools.
https://soundcloud.com/1dimitriradio/mark-rauterkus-swimming
Ballot Question
http://rauterkus.blogspot.com/2017/11/conservative-foil-sue-kerr-of-pgh.html
Opposition found but it is unfounded.
Email blast: https://pairlist6.pair.net/pipermail/412-public-news/2017-November/000049.html
Good article on the ballot questions.
https://theincline.com/2017/11/03/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-yes-or-no-questions-on-tuesdays-ballot/
There were paper handouts that were in the polling places. Those papers are like a reference that voters should ask about and the read in advance of entering the voting booth. A bit of pre-study — perhaps — is well deserved. We also can ask for insights from those who are pushing campaign votes. A few of the committee people working a few of the polling places I visited yesterday were making mention of the ballot questions if people ASKED. Heads up. There are ballot questions and you can read about it now and not be shocked and surprised.
The media does not do a great job of voter education. And, there are generally no funding efforts for these questions too. Community meetings are needed well in advance of the election too.
Mark, congratulations on Tuesday’s vote.
From other elections around the nation, it is looking like progressive candidates and ideals are building toward 2018 Mid-term elections.