KEVIN ACKLIN OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES INDEPENDENT CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR
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Wednesday, June 3, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
CONTACT: Andy Gastmeyer, Press Secretary
412.327.6951 cell
KEVIN ACKLIN OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES INDEPENDENT CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR
Vows to grow city and lead the effort to unleash Pittsburgh's potential
PITTSBURGH - With his hat now officially in the ring, Independent Mayoral candidate Kevin Acklin tonight urged Pittsburgh's "silent majority" to unite behind an effort to conquer the fears and complacencies that stand in the way of the leadership the city deserves.
"The current lack of leadership in the Mayor's office is what happens when Pittsburghers aren't getting involved. Or when they think that what they have is good enough. Or when they're worried about losing a city job, or getting blacklisted from a city contract, or winning their next re-election, or just facing some sort of political retribution," said Acklin.
Acklin was introduced by George Jacoby, the former executive secretary of both Mayors Caliguiri and Masloff. Jacoby, a long-time Democrat, has known Acklin for more than twenty years. Jacoby told the crowd of supporters why he is backing Acklin.
"One of the strengths that I know Kevin has is one the strongest traits that Mayor Caliguiri possessed. On many occasions, I witnessed Mayor Caliguiri's rare and unique ability to gather a room full of people who, on most days, could not carry on a conversation with each other without arguing, and then get those people to focus on solving a problem. That, I believe, is what Kevin Acklin is best suited to do", said Jacoby.
Acklin said he believes that his candidacy, just like that of past independent candidate turned Mayor Richard Caligiuri, is viable and necessary for the future of this city. Acklin told supporters he believes there is room for an Independent candidate for mayor and a place for him behind the mayor's desk.
Acklin targeted the current administration's apparent satisfaction with business as usual and vowed that his administration will not be content with the status quo.
"City officials past and present have hidden the truth, mortgaged the future, and squandered a lot of wonderful opportunities. They've played on our pride, traded on our hopes and dreams, and taken cynical advantage of our love for this city. We're not going to let you play us like fools any more," said Acklin.
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Kevin Acklin resides in Squirrel Hill with his wife, Erica, and two sons, George and Teddy. He is graduated from Central Catholic High School, Harvard University, and Georgetown Law School. Acklin has filed nominating petitions that secured his place as the Independent candidate on the general election ballot this November. Acklin is an attorney with the law firm of Morgan Lewis & Bockius. He has taken a leave of absence from his position to concentrate on his mayoral campaign.
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