The Piedmont Civic Association (PCA) is a long standing, volunteer organization whose mission is to maintain and enhance Piedmont as a desirable community “through the informed participation of its citizens.”  Beginning in 1986, the Piedmont Civic Association historically has held forums, Town Hall meetings, made recommendations on civic topics, produced surveys, and published a newsletter.

The organization was reactivated when a number of Piedmonters came together to discuss current issues facing our city, especially involving fiscal responsibility and good governance.

The PCA website www.piedmontcivic.org has replaced the former newsletter and provides news, opinions, and editorials on policy issues. The use of the internet as a distribution source saves resources – paper and vehicle delivery – while providing a timely source of information and a readily available archive of articles.  PCA is open to all Piedmonters.  Articles, photographs and opinions by residents and for residents interested in civic matters are welcomed.  PCA urges residents to become informed and participate in their government, sharing information about topics of interest.

With each passing day, more and more people are coming to the PCA website for news and information, with 5,000 page views in the last 30 days.  Likewise, the number of individuals submitting information and opinions has continued to grow.  PCA often publishes information from community leaders and committees, as well:

• School News from June Monach, School Board Trustee
• Reports from the Chair of the 2011 Municipal Tax Review Committee, Michael Rancer
• Comments from Garrett Keating, City Council Member
• News from the Public Safety Committee initiated by Margaret Fujioka, City Council Member 
• Video of the LWV Undergrounding Task Force Forum with presenters and members Kathleen Quenneville, Rob Hendrickson, Alex Gunst, Mary Heller, and Al Peters
  
• Highlights from a School Giving Campaign presentation hosted by Andrea Swenson, former League of Women Voters Board Member
• Data prepared by the Citizens Advisory Committee on the School Parcel Tax from Chair Jon Elliott
• Powerpoint presentations prepared by the School District’s Budget Advisory Committee
• Responses to a series of PCA questions on the Capital Improvement Project Budget from the City Administrator
• A total of 5 of the 8 candidates for the upcoming election have placed information on their candidacy on the PCA site

PCA sponsors informational forums periodically.  For instance, earlier this year PCA co-sponsored the Public Education Finance Forum with the Piedmont League of Women Voters and the Piedmont Educational Foundation.   Video of the LWV Undergrounding Task Force, though not available on the City website, is offered on the PCA website.

PCA forums involving candidates for office are neutral, open to all candidates, free of any editorial content, and contain no endorsements.  Formats are designed to allow each participant the opportunity to present themselves and their views to the voters.  See examples of types of formats and PCA debate format rules.  The Piedmont Civic Association does not endorse candidates for public office.

The organization has a Steering Committee and an Editorial Board.  You can find current Editorial Board members listed on our website under the PARTICIPATE tab at www. piedmontcivic.org. 

Opinions and articles from all points of view are encouraged.  These may be submitted to editors@piedmontcivic.org.

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