Rochester Kids First Coalition: Follow The Money

When you see those ads on TV showing what a "grassroots" movement the pro-Mayoral Control folks are supposed to be, take a second and follow the money.

On June 4, 2010, the Rochester Kids First Coalition received $5000 from the Committee to Re-Elect Assemblyman Joe Morelle. Hmmmm. But that's not all. On the same day (at the same meeting?), the RKFC received $20,000 from Friends of Bob Duffy. Couldn't we all use friends like that.

But that's not the best one. On June 16, 2010 the Committee for a Strong Economy gave $50,000 to RKFC. Now they have $75,000 to play with. Grassroots, indeed.

How do I know? Check it out for yourself.

What is the Committee for a Strong Economy? Well, that would be the PAC of the Rochester Business Alliance.

What conclusion can YOU draw from this?

GPOMC Weekly Update - July 16, 2010

Green Greetings, Everyone!

Here we are, in the middle of petitioning season. We’re doing OK, but we need to be doing better! Have you Collected 5 yet? It’s pretty easy. Go to http://gpomc.blogspot.com/2010/07/can-you-collect-five.html. Download a petition & instructions and go to town!

There are also some events you can go to and ask for signatures. You don’t have to go alone. In fact, this Saturday (7/17) is a great day to combine things you love to do anyway with petitioning:

Alex White is meeting a group of folks to petition at the Public Market from 8am to Noon on Saturday. Look for a guy with the Green Party shirt. Then you can do your shopping!

Later that day, Dave Atias (that’s me) will be leading folks just before & after the Gay Pride Parade in getting signatures from people at the parade. Meet Dave at the corners of Park & Goodman (in front of the Parkleigh) at 2pm. The parade starts at 3pm so we’ll walk down Park Ave getting signatures from spectators before the parade, then watch the parade (or you can join Dave and march in it with Planned Parenthood).

We also plan on going out to the Genesee County Fair to help fellow Green, Chris Barons, get on a Green line for the 139th Assembly District. The Monroe County contingency will be going out to Batavia on the evening of Friday, July 23rd and during the afternoon/evening of Saturday, July 24th. Let Dave know if you’d like to go / carpool.

Other events you can petition at this week include:

Sat, July 17 - Webster Farmers Market, Municipal parking lot. 28 Main St, 8am-Noon
Sat, July 17 – Boulderfest, 2 – 8pm at 100 Alexander St.
Sun, July 18 - Brighton Farmers Market, Brighton HS Parking Lot, 9am-1pm
Sun, July 18 – Gay Pride Picnic, 1-7pm Genesee Valley Park ($)
Sun, July 18 – BopFest 4, Village Gate, 3-7pm
Sun, July 18 – Boulderfest, 2 – 8pm at 100 Alexander St.
Tue, July 20 - Westside Farmers Market, 831 Genesee St (St. Monica’s), 4 – 7:30pm
Wed, July 21 - Monroe Village Farmers Market, 730 Monroe Ave, Blessed Sac, 4 – 7pm
Thur, July 22 - Party in the Park, 5pm – 7pm Court St & Exchange Blvd.
Thur, July 22 – Southwedge Farmer’s Market, 4pm – 8pm @ South & Alexander
Thur, July 22 - Irondequoit Farmers Market, behind IQ Town Hall, 4-8pm

If you can’t print things yourself, let Dave know. He’ll get you all the materials you need and even give you a quick tutorial on how to get signatures. It’s fun & easy!

Oh, and there is a Progressive in Brighton who would like a partner to go door-to-door to help get signatures from her neighbors. Let Dave know if you’re interested. (you don’t have to be from Brighton)

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Just a quick note to all you Green parents out there. Please take your child out petitioning with you. During the civil rights struggles of the 50’s & 60’s, many activists were made by their parents taking them out to protests, elections, etc. Get them involved early. Changing the world for the better is a great family activity…and it’s FREE!

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Bonnie Cannan posted some updates on a couple of issues the Party has been working on. Read them at:

Mayoral Control
http://gpomc.blogspot.com/2010/07/gpomc-involvement-with-opposition-to.html

Mortimer St. Bus Terminal
http://gpomc.blogspot.com/2010/07/gpomc-stance-on-mortimer-bus-terminal.html

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The Green Party of the United States condemns the assassination of André Kagwa Rwisereka, Vice President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda

http://gpomc.blogspot.com/2010/07/green-party-of-united-states-condemns.html

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Don’t forget about our social networking outlets!

Our Website: http://www.gpomc.org
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/greenpartyofmonroe
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/gpomc
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Green-Party-of-Monroe-County/129634820388655
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/green partyofMC

Please forward this to anyone you think would be interested.

Remember:

*We get petition signatures to get our state-wide candidates on the ballot.
*We get our candidates on the ballot to get 50,000 votes for Governor.
*We get 50,000 votes for governor to get ballot status back in NYS.
*We get ballot status back so we can run for office locally more easily.
*We run for office locally to get Greens elected.
*We get Greens elected to change our community that serves the people’s interests.

Dave
585-315-7687

The Green Party of the United States condemns the assassination of André Kagwa Rwisereka, Vice President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda

The Green Party of the United States condemns the assassination of André Kagwa Rwisereka, Vice President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, July 15, 2010

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, cell 202-904-7614, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@gp.org

Greens urge Obama to press for an investigation, citing obstruction, violence against opposition parties by the Rwanda government

Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on foreign policy: http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-foreign-policy.php


WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States expressed shock and sadness over news of the barbaric killing of André Kagwa Rwisereka, Vice President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (http://www.rwandagreendemocrats.org). Mr. Rwisereka's body, discovered July 14 after he was missing for several days, showed evidence of murder.

US Greens have joined Green Parties around the world in extending their sincere condolences to Mr. Rwisereka's family and community and the Rwandan Green Party.

Green Party leaders are calling on the Obama Administration to support a full investigation of this murder and the deeply disturbing allegations that André Kagwa Rwisereka's assassination was politically motivated, tied to the current political leadership of the Rwandan government of President Paul Kagame and his ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RFP), which has close ties to the US. The Kagame government has consistently prevented Greens and other opposition parties from freely registering as political parties.

"Rwanda is portrayed by the Obama Administration as an 'African success story," said Marian Douglas-Ungaro, co-chair of the Green Party's International Committee (http://www.gp.org/committees/intl), member of the Green Party Black Caucus (http://www.gp.org/caucuses/black/index.php) and DC Statehood Green Party, and a veteran international elections monitor. "Yet, this same government stands accused of human rights abuses including crimes against humanity and political repression. Five times it has prevented the Rwanda Democratic Green Party from convening, once violently, thereby bureaucratically blocking them from appearing on the ballot for the upcoming August presidential elections. How is this a beacon of democracy in Africa?"

US Greens are preparing a letter to be sent to President Obama urging him to press for a full inquiry into the assassination and for prosecution and punishment of the assassins.

See also:

"Death Announcement: Rwandan Democratic Green Party Vice President Assassinated"
Democratic Green Party of Rwanda press release, July 14, 2010
http://rwandagreendemocrats.org/spip.php?article83

"Rwandan Opposition Leaders and members have been assaulted, arrested and hundreds are still missing"
Democratic Green Party of Rwanda press release, June 24, 2010
http://rwandagreendemocrats.org/spip.php?article79

Global Greens statement on the assassination of Rwandan Greens Vice-President Mr. André Kagwa Rwisereka
http://www.globalgreens.org/statements/kagwa_rwisereka_assassinated

"Greens in the US protest attempts by the government of Rwanda to suppress the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda"
Green Party of the United States press release, November 2, 2009
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=260

"Rwandan opposition parties condemn grenade attacks in Kigali"
San Francisco Bay Guardian, February 21, 2010
http://sfbayview.com/2010/rwandan-opposition-parties-condemn-grenade-attacks-in-kigali/


MORE INFORMATION

MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN

Green candidate database and campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml
Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml
Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers
Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections
Green Party Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus

Video clips from the Green Party's 2010 Annual National Meeting, Detroit, Michigan, June 24-27
http://www.gp.org
http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus

Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the United States
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog

GPOMC Stance on The Mortimer Bus Terminal

The issue of sustainable transportation has become a central force across the country and has played out in Rochester as well. The most recent go round concerned the approval of $52 million dollars to build a bus garage barn on Mortimier St.

Much of the limited thought given by the majority of city council members was geared towards just spending the money, period. There was indication that if they had pursued the issue with greater interest that $52 million could have been spent towards other transportation needs including the more sustainable model of using inter-modal transportation to provide a variety of types of service (bikes,light rail, high speed rail, buses) at one service location. The Amtrack location and to include the Cumberlain post office would have made an ideal spot. There was strong community support with many speakers at the series of public hearings held voicing positive and very enlightened ideas.

A survey was developed by Councilperson Carla Palumbo which was first referred to as a petition then later as a survey which would have no signatures. It merely asked if bus riders would want a place to go for shelter in bad weather. (Of course the inter-modal station would have had a central building likely the old Cumberlain post office for shelter.) This writer obtained a copy of the survey but no information as to exactly who distributed, collected the surveys or where they were placed.

Note: a freedom of information request was used. When asked about whether the respondents were told about other options that were likely to be in the works, the answer given was voters did not have to know about that because that wasn't the subject at present.

It is important to note that while New York failed to submit a recent request for fast rail that just this week money for both fast rail and intermodal transportation was granted for Rochester. The Mayor has stated that there will be connectability to the newly approved Mortimier bus garage but has failed to indicate exactly what that connecting piece will be. Also, the newly built ESL building costs the same amount of money that has been approved for the Mortimier bus garage which is only a fraction of the size.

The issue of transportation is critical to both a cleaner environment and to community development. Much of the past sprawl which has served to separate good community development that consists of diversity of income, of race and ethnicity, environmental health and livability has been the result of poor transportation options and planning. Rochester ranks number 2 in poor air quality due to levels of ozone. This is to say nothing about the current spill in the Gulf of Mexico and a series of wars fought to sustain our oil consumption.

It may be possible to have some of the testimony given at the public hearings available on line. The bus fareness coalition has been working on several concerns expressed by bus riders in our meetings with the Commissioners from RGRTA. This was also referred to at the public hearing on June 15th. There were two council members who voted against the Mortimier plan --D. Miller and C. Conklin. Three were need to stop the project. - Bonnie Cannan

GPOMC Involvement With Opposition to Mayoral Control

Over the last several months the efforts largely organized by the Community Education Task Force of which the Green Party of Monroe County is a member, has continued to organize and fight to defeat the legislative proposal that would eliminate the elected City school board in favor of an appointed body governed by the mayor. One of the primary concerns of the proposed change is that the citizens of Rochester would no longer have the right to vote for their own representatives. This change would have profound effect on all City voters but especially on the African-American and Latino populations given their significant population in the City district. In addition, such a move would be in conflict with one of the prime values that of grass roots democracy held by the Green Party.

Public Hearing testimony regarding the proposed legislation was conducted by the Assembly Education Committee on Friday June 18th at City Council chambers. In addition, to the chair of the committee, both Joe Morielle (D) and David Gantt (D) supporters of the bill were present. At one point in the hearing Assemblyman Morielle demanded that this writer stop making statements linking money interests to the dismantling of public education in the form of privatization. At another point Assemblyman Gantt took offense that my referring to the Mayoral Control legislation as racist comparing it to historic efforts to colonize African countries. The arguments then were relied on the assumption that people of color were not able to govern themselves.

Members of the CETF went to New York City over the weekend to participate in speak outs and meetings with the key Democratic sponsor in the Senate, Malcom Smith who represents New York city. There are no Senate sponsors from the Rochester/Monroe County area. The vote up or down may come soon but the inside word is that it is unlikely to make it in this session. The opposition is vowing to re-asert their efforts to pass it next session.

The Task Force has begun to work on the process and principles to pursue addressing the attainment of what would encorporate the needed changes with the current system. -Bonnie Cannan

Collecting Signatures: a Guide for the timid

Now is the time that political parties are in their busiest season. This is particularly true for independent parties, like the Green Party, for now is signature collection time. For most of you this is the worst possible thing you can imagine doing on a warm summer day. Unfortunately you are right as signature collecting is hell. Unfortunately it is a necessary hell. Fortunately there are lots of places and ways to help that are no that bad.

The easiest way to help is to collect 5. This is a simple task as you just need to get 2 friends, 2 co-workers, and a family member. The forms are on line at http://gpomc.blogspot.com/ and you can mail them to us or we would even pick them up. You never need to leave your comfort zone and if you are like me there are already a five people you talk politics with.

Only slightly more work to set up, but perhaps more pleasant, is to hold a collection Party. Invite a bunch of friends over for dinner, drinks, beer, a movie, or anything else you like doing, and ask everyone to sign the petition. It is that simple and most people will do so because they are your friend.

Another excellent way to help out is to go to a green friendly location. I would suggest the Abundance Coop at 62 Marshall Street, Rochester, NY 14607. Not only is it a great place to shop but it is full of sympathetic people who believe much of what we do. Just saying green party is often enough to get signatures and they will let you collect any time just by asking the manager and being polite. Best of all there are chairs to sit on as you wait and the place is nicely air conditioned. Besides this there are several smaller farmer's markets which are almost as nice but not air conditioned.

While it is nice to collect the above ways we really need to get the pile of signatures which we can at the Public market or local festivals. Unlike the smaller farmer's markets these are not a targeted green audience. It is loud, busy and you will meet some rude individuals, but bring some friends and keep smiling. With a good group it can be fun and you will get a lot of signatures.

Finally, if you are really adventurous you can go door to door or collect downtown. These are both difficult and tiring. They seem like an intrusion into people's lives and people do not always appreciate your effort. Unfortunately these are what we need to do. If you pick your day and houses carefully then this is not so bad and these are the best of the ways to collect.

Hopefully this will help you decide how you can help. Do not forgot that you are not going alone as there are many out their just waiting for a call to collect with you. And even if you are terrified of going out and collecting there are ways you can help so give them a try.

Cecil Lawrence and Solar Power for Upstate New York

Collect 5

It is time to collect signatures to get greens on the ballot in NY. We have a great list of candidates this year to support but our first step needs to be signature collection. I understand this is not so fun so I would like to challenge everyone who reads this to collect 5. This is not so hard all we are asking is to get 2 friends, 2 co-workers, and family member to agree that there should be another choice on the ballot. Sure I would love to see more people walk door to door or do some street collecting, and would be willing to join you for this, but if you can not do this then just collect 5. You can even ask interested friends to do the same. If you need ballots, let us know and we will help you reach this goal if we all just give it a try.

Can You Collect Five?

The time has come to get our candidates on the ballot for Governor, Lt. Governor, Comptroller and US Senate. To do that we need to get signatures of registered voters on petitions. Can you get 5 signatures? That's 2 friends, 2 co-workers and 1 family member. It's not difficult. Here's all you need to do:

1. Download and print a copy of the petition, the instructions and some campaign literature. (The links are below)

2. Read the instructions. If you have any questions contact information is in the instructions.

3. Starting July 6th, get 5 signatures on a petition. It's only one sheet.

4. Follow the directions to get them turned in.

It's that simple. We're pretty sure that once you get the rush of participating in the democratic process - the way it's supposed to be - you'll want to get more. Included in the instructions is a list of events happening in the community that you and friends can go to get more signatures. Or you can get on our e-mail list or Facebook page to see where the Greens will be gathering to get signatures; places like the public market, Main & Clinton, festivals, farmers markets,etc. We're even going to do some door-to-door action. Would you like to get some progressives in your neighborhood to get signatures? Let us know and we will get them there.

The corporate parties don't want us out there, but we're going to show them that we will not be fooled by their marketing campaigns disguised as politicians. It's time to put people in office who have our values.

Links:
Green Party Statewide Petition (pdf)

Petitioning Instructions & Events List (pdf)

Campaign Literature (pdf)

Don't just read about history, MAKE history!

Cecil Lawrence On Why You Should Vote Green

Cecile Lawrence, Green Party candidate for the U.S. Senate, spoke at the Town of Vestal Library in upstate NY on Wednesday, June 30, 2010. The Jamaican-born supporter of single-payer healthcare and financial reform discusses why the Green Party is a viable alternative to the Democratic and Republican parties, how it is a more true representative of ordinary individuals rather than corporations. She also warns against hydraulic fracturing, a/k/a hyrdrofracking, a dangerous form of extraction of natural gas that may ruin the water supply of New York State.

Thanks to Ben Bristol of Broome County NY for shooting the video.

More info about Green Party of NY
http://www.web.gpnys.com/

Weekly GPoMC Update - July 1, 2010

Let’s start with what happened then we’ll get to what’s going to happen (the good stuff)…

Monday, Green Gubernatorial candidate, Howie Hawkins came to town.  We held a press conference at the County Social Services building which was attended by the Democrat & Chronicle (seriously) and Channel 8.  We then went over to WXXI where Howie was on 1370 Connection with Bob Smith.  A very good show.  We hope to have audio & or video up soon.  Then he met with at least a dozen supporters for lunch at Aladdins.  Thanks to Aladdins for accommodating us.  People volunteered to petition, gave donations and generally had a great time socializing and networking.

Our own Deborah Magone Fragele took some great footage of both the press conference and Bob Smith.  From that we started our own YouTube channel.  There’s video of Howie you can share with everyone on your social networking outlets.  The address is http://www.youtube.com/greenpartyofmonroe .  Share it with someone you love.

And here’s the D&C article: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20106290323
 
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At the end of lunch on Monday, Howie and Alex White started talking about Howie coming back.  Between the two of them, they came up with an idea for Howie to come back this Saturday to get our petitioning effort off a roaring start!  So Howie’s coming back to Rochester this Saturday and we’ll be meeting at the Riverbend Shelter at Genesee Valley Park from 6 – 10pm.  Yeah, it’s the July 4th weekend, but who cares.  Come out, meet Howie, socialize with other progressives and have some fun in the park on a summer evening.  You can’t beat it.  Light refreshments will be served, but feel free to bring something yourself.  

We’ll have music, politicking and who knows what other goodies.  Bring the kids, bring your friends, bring your desire to take back ‘change’ and ‘hope.’  

Here’s a map of the park: http://www.monroecounty.gov/Image/GeneseeValleyPark.pdf
 
Give Dave a call if you have any questions.  

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That’s right.  I said the P-word.  Petitioning.  It’s time!  Tuesday, July 6th we can start getting signatures.  If you can’t make it to the shindig on Saturday, we can still get you some petitions, some campaign lit and even a bit of training if you haven’t done it before.  In the next few days, we’ll have everything you need available for downloading at our website.  Call Dave if you need petitions, info, whatever!

Remember, we get the signatures to get our candidates on the ballot.  We get them on the ballot to get our ballot status back.  We get our ballot status back to run local candidates.  We run local candidates for Mayor of Rochester, town boards, highway supervisors, etc to create a community we want.  Then this spreads to the state, then federal level.  It’s a long road, but we won’t get there unless we get moving.  So let’s get moving together!  Start petitioning!

We’re also planning a couple of day trips into Genesee County to do some petitioning.  If you have any friends there who you think would be interested, let us know.

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Everybody’s yelling “Throw the bums out!”   Well, how do you do that?  Here are just a few things you can do.  Pick one!

*Come to Genesee Valley Park Saturday, July 3rd at Riverbend Shelter, 6 – 10pm.
*Go to another petitioning event.
*Ask your friends to sign a petition for candidates.
*Write letters to the print media asking for more coverage of Green candidates.
*Have a house party. (we can help)
*Spread the word about candidates on all your social networking outlets.
*Contribute to Green campaigns.

But everyone has to:
*Vote Green in November!

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Don’t forget about our social networking outlets!

Our Website:  http://www.gpomc.org 
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/greenpartyofmonroe 
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/gpomc 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Green-Party-of-Monroe-County/129634820388655 
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/green partyofMC
 

We are getting ready to rock Rochester…Rockchester!  Please forward this to anyone you think would be interested.

Dave
585-315-7687