Next week Pittsburgh City Council will deliberate on whether to put a *gas* *drilling ban referendum* on the ballot in November. The referendum will give the people of Pittsburgh the opportunity to vote on amending our Home Rule Charter to include a ban on corporate gas extraction. The drilling ban that Council voted on last fall is now in our city's code. City code can be changed by council in the future. Our city's Home Rule Charter is akin to the US Constitution. The people's amendment against drilling will be much more difficult to change/alter. This is similar to the referendum proposal that library supporters plan for inclusion in the November ballot. There are two actions you can take: 1. Attend the Council meeting: *Weds., July 27 at 10 a.m.,* 414 Grant St., and speak out in favor of the referendum. You don't have to sign up in advance, just come & you'll be given 3 minutes to speak. 2. If you can't be at the council meeting, please contact Councilman Dowd & ask him to vote *YES *on the legislation to add the referendum on the November ballot. Councilman Dowd's office: 412.255.2140, patrick.dowd@city.pittsburgh.pa.us Other council members' contact info: http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/council/ Please contact the Mayor's office & ask for his support too: 412.255.2612 If you have any questions, please email me: gtforouzan@gmail.com Thank you, Gloria Forouzan -- When people lead, leaders follow.