Letter to Chancellor
Patrick Gallagher
Hand-Delivered
Chancellor Patrick D. Gallagher
107 Cathedral of Learning
Pittsburgh, PA 15260Dear Chancellor Gallagher:
Attached is a letter I wrote to Chancellor Mark Nordenberg dated May 12, 1997 in which I mentioned a major problem afflicting long-time residents of the Oakland community. The problem still exists today, as does a myriad of additional problems due largely to the massive presence of the University of Pittsburgh. For a detailed look at these problems you can visit the 67 links on the website of our grassroots movement: www.OaklandDignity.com.
You will also notice that the letter requested a meeting with Chancellor Nordenberg in hopes that he would offer an “open door” policy to the residents of Oakland. The former Chancellor ignored that request for his entire tenure. Our response to the former Chancellor and his administrators was simply that they cannot take away our dignity, diminish our intensity, shackle our freedom, break our spirit, or silence the voices of our souls.
I would like to meet with you one-on-one to discuss our community’s problems and to create a new beginning for the community of Oakland. Please contact me at the phone number above by September 8 to arrange a meeting.
Please do not ignore this request. I look forward to meeting with you.
Sincerely,
Carlino Giampolo
Founder, SOUL (South Oakland Urban Litter)Update: Chancellor Gallagher responded in a letter dated October 15, and a meeting was held on October 28 with Chief of Staff Reynolds Clark, Vice Chancellor Paul Supowitz, and Assistant Vice Chancellor John Wilds.
OaklandDignity.com |