Category: Another Viewpoint, Politics || By

(Political Candidates: Deadline for submissions to Tube City Almanac is May 2. Entries will be published May 5. Details below.)

. . .

A number of candidates in the May 19 primary have asked if I'll mention their campaign on the Almanac. I've been reluctant to write anything about any local races, because I'm busier than a one-armed paper hanger.

And if I cover one candidate, I need to write about all of the other candidates in the same races and communities. I just don't have the time.

. . .

Here's the deal: I'm going to open this website up as a free outlet for candidates, with some pretty strict rules.

If you know any political candidates, please let them know of this opportunity. Deadline is May 2; profiles will be published at Tube City Online on May 5.

Profiles received after the deadline will be published at the editor's option, time permitting.

. . .

Free Space for Candidates

1.) Any candidate for a municipal or school board office in the Duquesne City, McKeesport Area, South Allegheny or West Mifflin Area school districts* may submit a candidate profile for publication at Tube City Online.

2.) "Candidate" includes anyone registered to run in the Republican and/or Democratic primary. Independents, write-ins and third-party candidates will not be considered.**

3.) Candidate profiles may include biographical information, statements on various issues, and website URLs or other public contact information. Personal attacks on other candidates and commercial endorsements or other irrelevant information are not permitted. In case of any dispute over content, the decision of the editor is final.

4.) Candidate profiles must be 400 words or less. Handbills and fliers are acceptable submissions, but may be modified to fit the space or converted to plain text. Tube City Online reserves the right to edit for style with or without notice, at the editor's option.

. . .

Complete rules follow after the "more" link and are subject to change at any time.

Thanks for your cooperation, and for running for local office!

5.) Any candidate's manager, friend or family may submit a profile on their behalf, but the editor must have clear approval from the candidate to use the profile before it's published.

6.) Candidate profiles must include name, party affiliation, age, and community of residence, along with address and phone number of each candidate so that we can verify the information. (Address and phone number will not be published. An email address alone is not acceptable.)

7.) Profiles may be emailed to jtogyer@gmail.com or sent on paper (typewritten or computer printed only, please) via U.S. mail to P.O. Box 94, McKeesport, PA 15134. Handwritten entries and phone calls are not acceptable.

8.) Candidates running as a "team" or "slate" may submit one profile for all members of the team, but we must be able to get clear approval from each individual member.

9.) Profiles that --- in the opinion of the editor --- are unsuitable in any way may be sent back to the candidate for revision or rejected without notice, at the editor's option. Entries longer than 400 words are subject to editing without prior notice. These guidelines are subject to change without notice.

10.) All profiles must be received (not postmarked!) electronically or in writing by 11:59 p.m. May 2. Tube City Online will not held responsible for errors, omissions or entries that arrive late for any reason.

11.) Profiles that arrive after the deadline for any reason may be published at a later date at the editor's discretion.

12.) Submission of a candidate profile indicates your acceptance of these conditions.

. . .

* --- Eligible communities are the cities of Duquesne and McKeesport; boroughs of Dravosburg, Glassport, Liberty, Lincoln, Port Vue, Versailles, West Mifflin, White Oak and Whitaker; and South Versailles Township. Why? Because their school districts adjoin the city, and I had to draw the line somewhere. And yes, I'm leaving out East Allegheny. Let those candidates write to the Wilmerding website.

** --- No, it isn't fair. Who said life was fair?