Pitt's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs to Present "The State of Democracy in Western Pennsylvania"

PITTSBURGH-Six alumni of the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) will participate in a panel discussion titled "State of Democracy in Western Pennsylvania" from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Friday, March 16, in 2500 Posvar Hall, 230 S. Bouquet St., Oakland. The event is part of GSPIA's Wherrett Lecture Series in Local Government.

Panelists will discuss citizen involvement, the changing dynamics between state and local governments, public expectations of legislators, and county governmental issues.

David Y. Miller, interim dean of GSPIA, will moderate the event. GSPIA Associate Professor George Dougherty will present research on citizen participation in local government.

Panelists scheduled to appear include:

Tom Balya (MPIA '81), chair, Westmoreland County Board of Commissioners;

David J. Mayernik (MPA '82), attorney, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellot, LLC, Corporate and Government Relations;

Tom Michlovic (MPA '76), commissioner, Pennsylvania Securities Commission;

Eugene Ricciardi (MURP '79), former Pittsburgh City Council president;

Thomas A. Tangretti (MPA '77), Pennsylvania State Representative (D-57th); and

Jake Wheatley Jr. (MPA '00), Pennsylvania State Representative (D-19th).

The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. For more information or to register, visit www.gspia.pitt.edu.

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