Protecting the privileges and interests of the residents of the hamlet of Centerport that has been ignored due to a lack of representation, and the lack of oversight is slowly ruining the uniqueness of Centerport. Preserving Wildlife and our ecosystem must be a priority.

No one is above the law. The recent ruling by a Colorado judge that found that former President Donald Trump incited insurrection, but can remain on the ballot, must be challenged by everyone who calls America home. It might seem like commonsense that when a person commits an insurrection or treasonous acts on our community, state, or nation, that said person should be disqualified from running for any local, state, or federal public office. However we are a nation ruled by laws- not commonsense, and we must advocate for appealing the recent ruling in higher courts and champion laws that protect our communities. Judge Sarah B. Wallace, 2nd Judicial District Court judge, found that Trump incited an insurrection and could not use the “freedom of speech” argument to justify his actions, and that Secretaries of State could in fact could remove him from the ballot. However the judge used a legal technicality to allow Trump to remain on the ballot. The judge ruled “that the drafters of the Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment did not intend to include the President as “an officer of the United States.” The question if the judge was correct in using this technicality has two parts: 1. Is the president an officer? This question is a legal issue, and it will be argued on appeals, potentially up to the Supreme Court. I would submit that as commander in chief, the leader of our armed forces, the president is the highest officer in our nation. 2. Should a president be disqualified from running for any and all public office if they incited an insurrection? Absolutely! No person is above the law. Any person (especially a President) that commits an insurrection or treasonous acts on our community, state, or nation, should be disqualified from running for any local, state, or federal public office. This question is an advocacy issue and therefore we must champion laws that protect our communities. Can you sign on to this petition to the Senate and House leadership to champion laws that protect our community from any person (and that includes Presidents) that commits an insurrection or treasonous acts on our community, state, or nation?

I believe that by proactively addressing these aspects, the University of Maryland can take a significant step towards creating a campus where all students feel secure and supported. I kindly request your attention to this matter and your commitment to implementing these reforms as part of the ongoing efforts to prioritize the well-being of our university community. The Diamondback covered a story in December 2022 relating to the record-high rate of sexual misconduct reports during the 2021-2022 period. The sexual misconduct reports come from students, staff, or faculty members on UMD’s campus, which are then reviewed by a Title XI coordinator at OCRSM. The coordinator then reaches out to the complainant who can then decide if they want to file a complaint for the University to address their report of sexual misconduct. Hundreds of reports were filed within the 2021-2022 reporting period, with only 25 becoming formal complaints. Complainants did not want to move forward in 94 of the cases and did not respond to the outreach in 107 of the cases. In 41 cases the university determined it did not have authority over the respondent. While sexual harassment was the most frequently reported type of sexual misconduct within this reporting period, there were zero investigations into the assaults in that same period (UMD Sees Record High in Sexual Misconduct Reports During 2021-2022, 2022). Seeing this rise in sexual harassment on campus facilitates the necessity of reforming the current policies related to on-campus and workplace sexual harassment.

Netflix’s newest price increase follows its unpopular and restrictive policy change regarding password sharing, requiring customers to pay an extra $7.99 to share their password with someone outside of their household. Netflix needs to know that consumers have the power—and we're not going to allow them get rich while they slash services and raise costs. The reality is, when one streaming giant like Netflix raises its prices, the others often follow. Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV+, Discovery+, and AMC+ are also raising prices on some of their monthly subscriptions. It’s unacceptable. Over the years, many people have ended their traditional cable TV contracts and migrated to streaming services, but the price hikes on these services are quickly becoming unsustainable. Netflix must stop the price hikes, NOW. Netflix is implementing a price hike despite anticipating 5 BILLION dollars in free cash flow, partly due to writers and actors going on strike because Netflix and other streaming giants were refusing to offer them a fair contract. So essentially, writers and actors with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) went months without work or pay while Netflix got richer. It’s corporate greed on the backs of writers, actors, production staff, and Netflix subscribers, plain and simple. It must end. The massive wealth inequality that we see between the ultrawealthy and everyday working people is reflected in the entertainment industry too. Streaming companies like Netflix make BILLIONS of dollars in corporate profits each year and pay top executives hundreds of MILLIONS of dollars combined, while exploiting writers, actors, production staff, and streaming subscribers. This is one of the many reasons why we have to come together to stop these price hikes. Add your name to the petition, and then send it to three friends to spread the word!

As social workers, we value social justice and our ethical principles call us to challenge social injustice. Since October 7th, with the backing of the United States, ongoing war crimes are being committed in Gaza and surrounding areas. Civilians have been cut off from electricity and water by Israel. Israel has blocked deliveries of food, water, and fuel. Hospitals in Gaza are being targeted with bombs and snipers. Schools, places of worship, refugee camps, and escape routes are also being targeted. There are ongoing indiscriminate rocket attacks, deliberate targeting of civilians, and a complete disregard for human life. According to the Health Ministry in Gaza more than 2/3rd of Gaza's population of 2.3 million have fled their home since the war began. As of November 14th, more than 11,000 Palestinians, 2/3rd of them women and children, have been killed. Every day matters. We can not remain silent and complicit to the genocide of the Palestinian people.

This will allow for a safe mode for transport in our neighborhood. Additionally paved roads offer a smoother transportation, reducing wear and tear on vehicles. They enhance accessibility, fostering economic development and connecting communities. Paved surfaces minimize dust, improving air quality, and facilitate efficient drainage, reducing water-related issues. Overall, they contribute to a more organized and reliable transportation infrastructure.

A majority of the people in the United States are concerned about climate change as a “major threat” to our country. The U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported that about 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions are from burning fossil fuels—yet Big Oil continues to prioritize profits over our planet's future. ExxonMobil spreads disinformation and denies climate change to cover up Big Oil’s complicity. A former Exxon chief executive even said, “I’m not convinced that the earth is warming at all.” Allowing Big Oil to get even bigger is a threat to our climate, democracy, and future. Our government has a responsibility to rein in mergers and acquisitions like this to prevent monopolies and prioritize people. We must prevent this dangerous takeover and protect our interests. Let Big Oil know that we are watching. Launch an investigation ASAP!

The Supreme Court has finally adopted a code of conduct – after more than 100,000 Common Cause members demanded one following countless ethical violations from Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. The bad news: the code the Court proposed isn’t binding or enforceable in any way – meaning it likely wouldn’t have prevented these major scandals, and the Supreme Court would still get to be both judge and jury when scandals among justices arise. But here’s the good news: this is the clearest sign yet that our action is working. We’ve been watchdogging the Supreme Court ever since we first broke news of Justice Thomas covering up his personal finances – and today’s announcement is a clear sign the Court is on notice. [1] Let’s face it, trusting the Supreme Court to operate under the 'honor system' is what got us into this mess. The half-measure the Court is proposing is no substitute for binding, enforceable congressional action. If you agree the highest court in the land should be held to the highest ethical standards, sign our petition urging Congress to pass a stronger, binding code of conduct. [1] https://www.commoncause.org/resource/supreme-conflict/

Should a company that pollutes our air be promoted at a fitness event? We don't think so. EQT is one of the largest fracking companies in America. With over 2,400 wells across Pennsylvania, they pollute our air & water with toxic radioactive pollution and contribute to global climate change with significant methane emissions. A recent Pitt study found that Pennsylvanians living near fracking wells are 4-5x more likely to have an asthma attack, and kids living within 1 mile are 5-7x more likely to develop lymphoma. (https://www.alleghenyfront.org/pitt-researchers-find-higher-risks-for-lymphoma-and-asthma-for-those-near-fracking-but-no-association-to-ewing-sarcoma/) Just last year, EQT's activities in Greene County caused a frackout (dangerous fracking fluids entered an older abandoned well and shot out the top of it). Afterward, residents reported a change in their drinking and bathing water (supplied by local well water). People got sick and the child of one resident broke out in hives after showering. Over 1 year later, EQT has yet to take responsibility and residents must rely on jugs of water being regularly brought into town. (https://www.publicsource.org/fracking-new-freeport-greene-county-pa-water-quality-eqt-corporation/) Despite all this, EQT has been the main sponsor of Pittsburgh's annual 10 Miler race for years. EQT's damage to communities in our region and to the global climate make it incompatible with an organization like P3R, which focuses on encouraging fitness and healthy lifestyles. A running event sponsored by a corporation that increases asthma and cancer rates is both shocking and oxymoronic. You wouldn't want a tobacco company sponsoring a marathon. Why should a fracking company sponsor a 10 mile race? We can't run on a polluted planet. . . . P3R is a non-profit that organizes sporting events in the Pittsburgh area. Learn more about them here: https://p3r.org This campaign is organized by activists associated with Ohio Valley Environmental Resistance (OVER) and Pennsylvania Action on Climate (PAC)

You, as a resident, know what the owners of the Ascent have gotten away with at the expense of your time, your resources, and most importantly, your peace. They have not listened to us individually, so something different must be done to see different results. This petition was created to gauge the interest of our community finding a solution together. Please share with those that live here - currently or previously (under the management of Brookside properties, owners since spring of this year). We have options. We can do something about it. Thank you for your consideration.

The statements in the petition are excerpts from a letter the Better Path Coalition is circulating for signatures from organizations and individuals. This petition is a companion to that letter and will be delivered at the same time. Read the full letter at bit.ly/ditchthedeal.

It can take YEARS to be granted asylum in the US- but it starts with an interview at entry. The "credible fear" interview occurs when a potential asylum seeker expresses why they are fleeing their home country. If granted, the person/family begins the process for consideration of asylum. It took one local family over 20 years for their asylum case. We should NOT be increasing the BARRIERS to consideration for asylum at stage one.