It is no secret that UPMC has been flirting with the purchase of Century III mall for some time. They keep threatening, but the right minded, forward thinking community has been able to thwart their efforts to this point... Well it looks like this time they may be slyly weaseling their way in to the hearts and pocketbooks (and shopping bags) of our local commercial mecca. Many firsthand accounts from employees in the mall and sources close to the owners have stated that UPMC is courting the Century III owners very aggressively. According to a recent article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette – “At Wicks 'n' Sticks, a candle and gift store in Century III Mall, owner Patty Felton is exasperated. For three weeks or longer, customers have been telling her that the mall in West Mifflin is closing and will be converted to a medical center or senior citizens complex… Felton, whose parents bought the candle store 22 years ago and sold it to her in 1993, said the flurry of stories has caused her angst in recent weeks. ‘It is not good for us small business owners,’ she said.” AND a source that prefers to have her identity concealed says “[The]person I heard it from works for UPMC. Whether they were talking out their butt or not, they brought it up as they were sure it was a fact and did happen.” Everybody knows that if we don't stand up for ourselves, UPMC is gonna sneak on in there and then the mall will be gone. We won't have anywhere to shop, eat or hang out. Think about it, where will we go? To Walmart? I'm not driving up that hill. And if the mall is gone, how is the red lobster, quaker steak and lube, best buy, and all the other places around the mall that we like going to stay afloat? I'll bet even Century Square will go out of business. Home depot will probably be fine. We need these places to buy things! Where will we buy golf clubs, handbags, sunglasses and even refrigerators? We aren't gonna be able to buy them at the Hospital gift shop. I can tell you that much. So please sign this petition and tell the government that we don’t want a hospital in our backyards!