Dear Friends of Scenic Pittsburgh,

  The newest edition of National Geographic Traveler magazine has named Pittsburgh as one of the world's top 20 places to visit in 2012. (http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/best-trips-2012/ ). Only one other U.S. location, Sonoma, California made the list. The top rated travel magazine said Pittsburgh has “reclaimed its major assets: a natural setting that rivals Lisbon and San Francisco, (and) a wealth of fine art and architecture”.

  This is not accident or coincidence that Pittsburgh is continually recognized as one of the best cities in the world to live in or visit. Pittsburgh has great appeal for many reasons not least of which are our world class views and architecture.

  Scenic Pittsburgh is dedicated to preserving and protecting this valuable resource from being exploited by corporate interests whose only goal is profit. What corporate manager wouldn’t love to see their corporate logo on every postcard and photo of Pittsburgh created and distributed all over the world. Like panhandlers on the street, billboards shamelessly hustle visitors and residents alike to part with their money, 24/7, 365 days a year. Do not think for a second that the billboard corporations care one bit about the impact their industry has on our city, its views, the tourist industry, or our quality of life. Corporate directors are required by law to serve the interests of the stockholders over the interests of the stakeholders.

  Urge Pittsburgh City Council to BAN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ELECTRONIC BILLBOARDS. I have listed each councilperson’s telephone number below. Call and leave a message asking your councilperson to call you back so you can tell them how you feel about billboards in your neighborhood. Pittsburgh is a world-class city, let’s keep it that way.

Sincerely,

Dave Demko

P.S. San Francisco has banned the construction of all billboards since 2005.

District 1 - Darlene M. Harris -             (412) 255-2135

District 2 - Theresa Kail-Smith -           (412) 255-8963

District 3 - Bruce A. Kraus -                (412) 255-2130

District 4 – Natalia Rudiak -                 (412) 255-2131

District 5 - Doug Shields -                    (412) 255-8965

District 6 – R. Daniel Lavelle -             (412) 255-2134

District 7 - Patrick Dowd -                   (412) 255-2140

District 8 - William Peduto -                 (412) 255-2133

District 9 – Rev. Ricky V. Burgess -     (412) 255-2137