Volunteers gathering signatures for the school budget referendum were out at the Portsmouth Transfer Station all day Saturday in addition to working the crowd at Sandy Point Beach. At the Transfer Station, by this reporter's informal estimate, at least 200 signatures were collected; given that the day began with the count at around 1,100, it appears that supporters are making good progress toward the magic number of 1,500.

Today, Sunday, there will be someone collecting signatures near the Dunkin Donuts on East Main Road, and you may also spot people outside the parking lots after some church services. Volunteers are continuing to circulate in their neighborhoods, so if you see someone coming up the walk with a clipboard, chances are they're just looking for a signature.

There will be volunteers at cheerleading tomorrow night. For other locations and the latest info, visit the Save Our Schools web site.

Personal note: I spent about six hours at the Transfer Station yesterday with Dave Croston, Jim Seveney, and Len Katzman, with help from Glenn Steeley and Val Seveney. In that time, I personally spoke with more than one hundred Portsmouth residents, and I was very encouraged by those conversations. The majority I spoke with signed immediately and expressed support for the proposed change to the budget.

There was a smaller group — perhaps 20 percent — who expressed doubt or opposition, but signed the petition anyway because they said they believed that the people should get to decide. I want to say thanks to those folks: you are showing the true spirit of democracy.

A small group, perhaps 10 percent, did not wish to sign. Only a handful either drove past with their windows rolled up or stopped to yell. Those who stopped, I politely thanked for their time and said I respected their opinion.

Are the views of transfer station users markedly different from the universe of registered Portsmouth voters? I don't know. But this was certainly a more random sample than the "Sign and Drive" events, where we knew everyone driving up was, well, there to sign.

I felt very encouraged about the prospects for passing the referendum if we can get the required signatures by Wednesday. So if you haven't signed yet, let's get this done!

See the Portsmouth Patch story, Sign and Drive Campaign Accelerates Into Last Lap