George,

I have received reports that some opponents of an elected school board are possibly planning to disrupt efforts to collect petition signatures by lodging false complaints with officials at city polling stations on Tuesday, June 14th. I am writing to ask that opponents of an elected school board please respect the right of citizens -- Democrats, Independents, and Republicans -- to collect signatures for the elected school board petition. Our volunteers intend to respect the democratic process and the law, and request that opponents of this effort do the same. Everyone will have a chance to vote on the referendum in November, assuming we get enough signatures and the referendum makes it onto the ballot.

I am writing as an organizer of this petition drive, as a lifelong Democrat, and as a proud supporter of the Democratic Party at the local, state and national levels.

Thank you for your consideration.

Jeffrey Rossman (electronic mail, June 8, 2005)