[Local-Maine-Schools] 50,000 signatures and counting

[skipgreenlaw]

Good morning everyone,

The latest signature count reveals 50771 signatures collected.  Most of them have been received; some are still being processed by Dick Dyer.
This figure is 92% of the 55087 signatures we need to file the petition.

We collected 3930 signatures on election day while Dick Dyer's group collected 4106 signatures. 43 coalition people reported collecting signatures.  We have received signatures from 25 of those persons.  We would appreciate it if the other 18 individuals would send us their signatures as soon as possible.  If there are others who collected signtures, please send them in. The professional collectors are continuing to collect signatures and collected 860 signatures last week.

The Secretary of State's office will be busy around July 17 counting the thousands of signatures on the two, maybe three people's veto petitions.
If the respective organizations collect sufficient signatures by that date, the laws pertaining to the tax on beverages to support DIRIGO and the Real ID driver's license bill will not become law until Maine's voters have a chance to vote on them in November 2008. This is going to be quite an ugly fight because there is so much at stake, and beleive me there is lots of money involved.  The whole point is that it does not make any sense to file our petition until the Secretary of State's office finishes with the people's veto petitions.  A goal to file our petition might be around August 15, obviously if we have sufficient signatures plus a few more.

So, let me encourage everyone to continue collecting signatures.  July 4th
activities in our communities might be a good time to make a final push to get the signatures we need.

The town of Blue Hill voted to make a contribution of $2000 this afternoon.
I expect that we shall receive another contribution of $5000, but I believe that it will not happen until July 12.  So, we still need to raise $13000 to pay for the collection of signatures.  We have a legal bill for $2675, but I am in hopes that one town will pick up that tab.  If anyone can spare a few dollars, please make out a check to Maine Coalition to Save Schools and send it to Judy Sproule, 18 Rothry Lane, Trenton, Me.  04605.  If anyone is willing to approach the selectmen or city councilors, please contact me.

Please send me your ideas/ suggestions.  You all are the best!!!!!!!!!!

Sincerely,
Skip
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