Safe and Healthy Communities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Citizens for Safe and Healthy Communities

July 6, 1999

Contact: Leonard Kranser, CSHC Communications Director 949-499-5567 or Jim Davy, CSHC Petition Drive Chairman 949-498-0833

FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND WAS BIG FOR PETITION DRIVE

Volunteers for the Safe and Healthy Communities petition drive blanketed the county over the holiday weekend. Over 100,000 signatures have been collected so far, to qualify the voters rights initiative for the March 2000 ballot.

Volunteers with clipboards were at fairs, parades and rallies from Seal Beach to San Clemente. Others were stationed at Home Depots, Costco stores and supermarkets, signing up their neighbors for the measure.

Bonnie Tayer of Huntington Beach, and her team of six, met enthusiastic response at the city's big Fourth of July parade where signers liked the initiative's voters rights features. Fifteen volunteers at Lake Forest events collected 3,000 signatures, including those of Congressman Christopher Cox of Newport Beach and State Assemblyman Bill Campbell of Villa Park.

Carl Schulthess, area captain in Mission Viejo, was still tallying the results from his team Sunday night, but reported 1,900 signatures, 70 new voter registrations and 34 more helpers. "All in a day's work for the dedicated Army of Volunteers" he enthusiastically trumpeted by e-mail.

Proponents need to deliver over 71,000 valid signatures by the end of August. They intend to go way over that number to emphasize that the people want this initiative.

The Safe and Healthy Communities Initiative gives Orange County voters the right to decide on major publicly-funded projects that negatively affect their lives. It requires county planners to complete environmental impact reports, and hold public hearings, before asking voters to approve new or expanded airports, hazardous landfills, or major jails near residential neighborhoods. The county then must get two-thirds voter approval before anyone can be deprived of the safe enjoyment of their homes.

For the latest information on the initiative, or to find out how to get involved, visit the initiative campaign's official website at http://www.safe-and-healthy.org Volunteers also can reach Jim Davy, Petition Chairman, by e-mail at jldavy@juno.com or at 949-498-0833.