Members of the Westmoreland County Chapter of Pennsylvania Taxpayers Concerned for Education Saturday declared Peg Luksik their "only hope" for an end to Outcome Based Education.

OBE opponents planned protests during Gov. Tom Ridge's upcoming visit to Westmoreland County and mass mailings to Harrisburg during a session held in a Westmoreland County Courthouse room scattered with "Peg Luksik For Governor" flyers and brochures.

Luksik is a Johnstown housewife running for governor as the Constitutional Party candidate against Ridge and Democrat Ivan Itkin, a Pittsburgh state representative. She claimed 13 percent of the vote during the last gubernatorial election.

"Peg Luksik is our only hope," said guest speaker Anita Hoge. "Provided she does what she says."

Hoge, an education policy analyst for the Pennsylvania Coalition For Academic Excellence, was there Saturday to point out where Ridge broke promises in his newly proposed education standards that he claims will end OBE.

"These standards are much worse," said Hoge, referring to a copy of the new standards. "They are a deceitful way to implement OBE, not even through the back door but through the front door by just changing the wording.

"Right now (the new standards) are focused on math and reading because what can parents find wrong with math and reading. But that will extend to more areas such as wellness and fitness, career and work," she said.

Hoge accused the Ridge administration of trying to implement a form of "socialization" by rescinding parents' rights to read the state assessment test that would determine a governor's seal on a high school diploma.

"We can only read a sample test. And guess what sample they'll give us to read?" said Hoge, who has fought for years against test questions based on opinion and values that are graded and used to compare students.

Member Robert Sober of Greensburg is actively involved in Luksik's campaign and promoted her as a strong opponent of OBE.

"Spread the word," he told the room full of members.

After two hours of discussion, members decided to organize a protest during Ridge's visit to the area Wednesday.

"We have to get out there," said Hoge.