South Oakland Update:
August 2009

(Sent to political representatives, media, community organizations, concerned individuals.)

Our grassroots movement sincerely thanks YouthPlaces for providing daily maintenance of our neighborhood streets for the month of July. They are certainly to be commended for taking action and supporting our community.

Unfortunately, Pitt and UPMC did nothing to continue that worthwhile and much needed program. Our passion to resolve the problems of trash and litter in our community is strong and we will continue to take more actions. We will not be silent.

We hope that the local media, along with concerned Pitt faculty members will break their silence and combine their talents and resources to initiate an in-depth investigation of the acquisitions of Pitt and UPMC in the Oakland community. The investigation should also include the finances of both of these institutions, in order to see why they have “no money” to help end the unclean and unhealthy environment in our community.

It was nice that Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has acknowledged the importance of South Oakland and that our community has trash and litter problems – even if that acknowledgment is because of the upcoming G-20 Summit. What will happen once the summit concludes? Will Pitt and UPMC continue to do nothing to permanently resolve these problems?

As you know, we have sent a letter to President Barack Obama with copies to First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden. Here are a few excerpts from that letter: 

"Dear President Obama:

This is to request your help for our community in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by visiting www.oaklanddignity.com and signing the petition that would create a new environment in our community.

I hope you will be able to read further, for you may find that our community's efforts for the past two years parallel those you and your team are making as you attempt to create a new America and a new world.

Here are some parallel connections:

1) Staying focused. There are myriad problems in our university/residential neighborhood caused by students who care very little about the quality of life of our long-time residents. We have focused on the resulting trash and litter problems.

2) Change the function and the form will follow. Our efforts have been directed to changing the beliefs, attitudes, thoughts and feelings of those who are causing and allowing these problems to exist.

3) The means to an end are more important than the end. We honestly expect success and the most elegant means chosen to achieve that success are words.

4) Citizens are responsible for their actions and the consequences of their actions. We have conveyed that message to the administrators of the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center who have impacted our community severely with their acquisitions and growth. Pitt and UPMC have taken very little responsibility for the consequences of these actions.

5)  One either causes these problems or allows them to continue. Pitt and UPMC administrators refuse to take responsibility for allowing these problems to continue in our community. 

6) There is arrogance on the part of Pitt and UPMC. Our community has presented 26 ideas as solutions to end these problems. They either have been ignored or denied by Pitt and UPMC administrators.

7) Administrators are out of touch with our community. The chancellor of Pitt and the CEO of UPMC have ignored offers to meet to discuss creating a new future for our community. They hear our voices but they are not listening to the hurt of the long-time residents.

8) Profits and greed have been given priority over human dignity. Both Pitt and UPMC have billions of dollars at their disposal to help end these problems but they refuse to give our community the financial assistance that it needs.

9) Where you are going is more important than where you have been. We are not blaming anyone for the past and current problems in our community. What we are saying is that everyone must take greater responsibility and use their full resources to create a new future for our community.

10) We may be wrong in the pursuit of what is right. We have presented solutions for resolving these problems but we will have flexibility and will make whatever adjustments are necessary.

11) Taking the high road. In our efforts to resolve these problems we have never criticized the character of any Pitt or UPMC administrator. We simply have different beliefs and feelings than what they have about our community.

12) Patience. We have made many attempts in the past two years to resolve these problems and we will stay firmly committed to achieving our goal for a new environment in our community."

We have noticed that the letters have been received and we will keep you informed when we receive a reply. And we once again thank each of you who has expressed support for our community.

Carlino Giampolo
(808) 926-1752   
www.oaklanddignity.com