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The Green Party of New Jersey The Green Party of New Jersey Bulletin October 2003 |
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Contents Sierra Club Endorses Matt Ahearn Profile: District 21 Greens District 17 Greens Event at Rutgers Greens March in Paterson Labor Day Parade More Notes from the Ahearn campaign EC/GC Reports and Resolutions Greens Help Launch NJ Ecovillage Project Tribute to Arthur Kinoy How NJ Participates in the National Party Latest News re: Hatch Act Challenge The Global Green Network From the Counties ------------------------------------------ SIERRA CLUB ENDORSES MATT AHEARN (TRENTON, 8/27) -- Assemblyman Matt Ahearn has been endorsed by the Sierra Club for his hard work and dedication to environmentally sound Legislation and causes. "I am overjoyed to have received the Sierra Club's endorsement," said Ahearn. "It means a lot to me to be endorsed by an organization with a solid reputation for protecting the environment from corporate predators and working for the welfare of the people of New Jersey." Ahearn has worked diligently on several pieces of green Legislation including A3393, the Clear Car Bill, which requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to implement a more stringent low emission vehicle program than the federal government's; A2662, which requires public notice of completion of DEP studies of environmental contaminants or other substances that may affect public health; and AR202, which memorializes the President and Congress to appropriate federal funds for a new trans-Hudson passenger rail tunnel. "There were times when I was compelled by the Democrat party leadership to cast my vote on Bills I knew were not environmentally sound," commented Ahearn. "Now that I am no longer obligated to obey the majority leader's wishes, I can vote for Bills based on their merit, not on how party leadership wants me to vote." The Assemblyman looks forward to another term of working for the people's future and standing up to the profiteers that stalk the State House. ------------------------------------------ PROFILE: DISTRICT 21 GREENS George DeCarlo for Assembly I have been a member of the Green Party since shortly before the Nader election campaign of 2000. Working within the party since that time while campaigning for elections, developing local chapters and being a delegate for the Diversity Committee of the national party has directed me to share my skills by serving the voters and residents of my district. Positions with various companies have normally involved my being someone looked upon as a problem solver. Various administrative and research skills along with knowledge in social concerns of society such as civil/human rights and health will enable me as an Assemblyman to accomplish the task of developing legislation to benefit our state's natural and human environments. Candidacy of Greens allows for a legislator to concentrate on residents and not those political action committees (PACs) and corporations with other agenda. District 21's people and municipalities are the agenda needing attention. As a long term resident I am aware that our area's changing landscape has focused on satisfying developers at the expense of the environment. Clean Money legislation allowing choice will improve the New Jersey legislature's decisions by focusing on people instead of cash contributions. Ryan P. Reyes for Assembly Ryan P. Reyes was born in Manila, Philippines and is a naturalized U.S. citizen. He finished his Bachelor of Arts degree at Excelsior College in 2001. He has a Civil Union with George DeCarlo. Currently, he is employed as a barista in a coffee house and is also a Notary Public of the State of New Jersey. Ryan started to become active in the Green Party during the Nader 2000 campaign. Prior to this, he considered himself a gay activist seeking equal rights. He's an alumni of the University of the Philippines Babaylan - the first gay and lesbian student support group in the Philippines. He is a supporter of environmental and animal causes, donating to groups such as the Adopt-A-Zoo program. Additionally, Ryan believes in continuing funding for the arts and has volunteered his time to projects such as the Philippine Centennial Commission and the World Theater Project. As a Green Party candidate, he places the needs of the residents of the 21st Legislative District first, believing that corporations should not dominate the policy-making of New Jersey. As an Assemblyman, Ryan plans on giving special attention to social justice by supporting full and complete rights for all New Jersey residents. Contact: 908-322-4319 CampaignManager@District21Greens.org Contributions to: "District 21 Greens" PO Box 172, Gillette, NJ 07933 The District 21 Greens need volunteers on the following dates for going door-to-door dropping off leaflets: all Wednesdays and Saturdays in October, plus Sunday Oct. 26 and the weekend before Election Day. On the following dates volunteers are needed for street fairs and additional volunteers may deliver fliers in the area: Oct. 12 Westfield; Oct. 19 Cranford. Additionally, 2 or 3 hours on all other evenings are open for those who may have time for delivering fliers. Please call 908-322-4319 to say when you are available. Selected platform positions: Single-Payer Universal Health: New Jersey must be a leader in development and full implementation of a Single-Payer Universal Health Insurance plan with the right for Freedom of Medical Choice. Currently, an individual must either have health insurance as a benefit from employment, dependent, civil-marriage spouse or as a same- or opposite-sex partner through a domestic partnership benefits program which is taxed. Others are only given limited benefits based on age or income from various government agencies or charitable organizations. Property Funding of Schools: School funding is currently provided by property taxes, making it a regressive tax and discriminatory as a system for children in poorly funded districts due to unequal values in property. This regressive tax places a burden on homes that continue to grow in value with a property tax rising with each new budget set to the unrealized value. As an Assemblyman, the responsibility to propose a progressive state income tax designated for school use only, and not leaving such action for a convention enabling greater money and power to flow to political parties instead of students, would be my duty. On the need for Clean Money Campaigns: The current election campaign fundraising system allowed by law is a problem not being fully addressed by the state legislature. A solution is to have choice in how candidates may run their campaigns either with Clean Money or PAC and corporate sponsors. Green Party Assembly candidate Ryan Reyes said, "Cut the ties that bind elected officials to corporations by instituting Clean Money campaigns." Clean Money for candidates eliminates corporate cash and political action committee (PAC) money, but does not violate freedom of speech as decided by the courts for other piecemeal solutions. Why should residents of New Jersey be concerned about campaign finance reforms? "Anytime you give money it changes the relationship between candidates and PACs or corporations," answered Teresa Migliore-DiMatteo, Green Party candidate for Senate. Legislators are often referred to as leaders but what about their being public servants first and foremost? "The problem with current campaign financing is the spin those receiving PAC and corporate donations must impress upon the voter. An illusion for people is developed (as corporate interests are prioritized) in action known as legislation," stated George DeCarlo, Green Party candidate for Assembly. Improving the community life of New Jersey is a challenge hampered by the effects of current financing. Meanwhile, Clean Money is not a secret to the New Jersey legislators. A Green Party presence in both houses of that body would be a catalyst for change." ------------------------------------------ DISTRICT 17 GREENS EVENT AT RUTGERS Josephine Giaimo and David Hochfelder, Green Party candidates for State Assembly in the 17th LD, organized a "Meet the Greens" forum in conjunction with members of the RU Greens. The event, which took place on the Rutgers College Avenue campus on the evening of October 1, drew about thirty students and others to hear talks by Josephine, David, Matt Ahearn, Ted Glick and Steve Syrek (Green Party candidate for Mayor of Princeton Boro). A highlight was the screening of a documentary video about last year's "Tent State University" (a 100-hour live-in demonstration against tuition hikes and higher education cutbacks in which Ted and Matt were participants). The event received very positive coverage in the October 3 Rutgers Daily Targum. --------------------------------------------- GREENS MARCH IN PATERSON LABOR DAY PARADE submitted by Stu Kautsch Prior to attending this year's parade, I and a group of friends visited the waterfalls in Paterson. The 70 foot vertical drop creates enough power to launch an industrial town, and Paterson was once among the most industrial. A planned city, it was America's first great textile center and also became known for silk and paper. Some of this history is captured in a small museum near the falls, the Great Falls Historic District Cultural Center, 65 McBride Ave Extension. I urge all Greens to pay a visit. Hours are 9-4 weekdays and "seasonal" weekends 12-4pm. ("Seasonal" is not explained in their brochure.) Stop by for information and a guide to the entire historic district. After partaking of this, we hurried to the parade. The parade ends in the historic district, and begins at the famous American Labor Museum, also known as the Botto House, in nearby Haledon. (On the web at http://community.nj.com/cc/labormuseum.) The 2003 parade announced itself with some safety vehicles and a brass & drum corps from the Passaic Sheriff's office. Then the Botto House float, which is a wonderful replica of the house. The core of the parade is a series of floats from a wide range of unions: OPEIU locals 32 and 153, a wonderful cross-union float of unions from PSE&G, CWA District 1, SEIU 1199, Amalgamated Lithographers District 7, other Printing Trades. On one of these floats was the famed Solidarity Singers who were engaged in a rendition of - you guessed it - "Solidarity Forever." The loudest horn of the day goes to the City of Paterson DPW trucks which were rolling behind the AFSCME floats and vehicles - enough to form their own parade. Finally, the Green Party contingent emerged into our view with the inimical banner carried by Jim Mohn and Jim Dette of Hudson County. Among other marchers, I was able to note Bill Cali from Bergen and Ted Glick from Essex, and, of course, a Passaic County contingent which included Assembly District 40 candidate Phil Passantino. Also in the "political wing" of the parade was NJ Peace Action with Madelyn Hoffman, the Civil Rights Defense Committee, the Central NJ Coalition for Peace and Justice, and others I was not fast enough to write down! Whether as observer or participant, be sure to add this wonderful parade to your calendar next year. --------------------------------------------- MORE NOTES FROM THE AHEARN CAMPAIGN The campaign will organize a major literature distribution effort the weekend of October 11-12 (starting at 10 AM each day). To participate, call 201-314-9747. In addition to the Sierra Club endorsement, Matt has gotten two important labor endorsements - from the Communications Workers of America local in his area and from the NJ State Industrial Union Council. The campaign would like to be able to run some TV spots during the final weeks before election day. Please continue to give generously in order to make this possible: "Matt Ahearn for Assembly" 6 Beekman Place, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 Or contribute online at: www.mattahearn.com * * * * * * * * Matt met on August 26 with Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) officials to investigate pending environmental violations at Marcal Paper Inc. and Prime Energy Ltd. in Elmwood Park. In response to residents' concerns regarding the violations and a Bergen Record article on the issue, he has scheduled a review of the entire file and enforcement history that the DEP has on these facilities. Tests have shown that Marcal's emissions of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury and other contaminants are above the state limit. "The DEP needs to address these violations immediately," said Ahearn. "It is very alarming there has been no significant action to correct the problem already, and these commercial facilities are right in the heart of a community of working families that the administration claims to be working for." A quick search at ELEC's website reveals that Marcal has contributed over $53,000 in the past to both Republican and Democratic leadership PACs and individual candidates on both sides of the aisle. "Given this corporation's history of campaign contribution activity, the lack of rapid enforcement of known violations by the DEP calls out for an investigation," commented Ahearn. * * * * * * * * On Sept. 2 Matt Ahearn announced that the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs has given a grant of $113,000 to the Women's Rights Information Center to host Displaced Homemaker Centers in District 38. Assemblyman Ahearn, the father of three daughters, is a strong advocate for the women's rights movement. These grants will provide funds for job counseling and other supportive services for women who have been dependent on the income of another household member, but due to death, disablement or divorce, must now support themselves. ------------------------------------------ Reports and resolutions from the Sept. 21 Executive Committee and NJ Green Council meetings * A direct mail fundraising drive during September netted over $800 for GPNJ. * An "Issues Flyer" was commissioned. It has since been completed and is ready for distribution. * A simplified form was developed whereby campaigns can apply to GPNJ for funds from the state treasury. * After a job search, it was resolved that GPNJ will make an offer to Steve Welzer to fill the State Coordinator position as of January 1. * Liz Arnone will represent GPNJ at the Oct. 9 Citizen Action meeting on electricity rates being held in Highland Park. * It was resolved to purchase ads for GPNJ in the NJ Work Environment Council Annual Dinner program and the performance program of the Diversity Council of Hunterdon County. * It was resolved to order generic "Vote Green Party!" campaign signs. 1,000 were ordered and are now available for distribution throughout the state. If you can help place some in areas of high visibility, please contact your local county coordinator or the Green campaign in your area. ALSO: if you can help toward covering the expense of purchasing these signs, it would be much appreciated. Send contributions to: Green Party of New Jersey PO Box 9802, Trenton, NJ 08650 Or contribute online at: www.GPNJ.org. --------------------------------------------- GREENS HELP LAUNCH A NJ ECOVILLAGE PROJECT On September 22 a first meeting was held to begin discussions about developing an ecovillage-type project in New Jersey. One specific suggested idea is to buy property conducive to cohousing in a small town and establish a land trust. Many of the participants in this meeting were Greens who have gone on some of the Green Party-sponsored trips to the Ecovillage at Ithaca, NY, and so are familiar with concepts such as cohousing and principles of ecodesign. If you're interested in learning about these ideas or participating in this project, contact Steve Welzer at 609-443-6782 or SteveWelzer@aol.com. --------------------------------------------- TRIBUTE TO ARTHUR KINOY by Joe Fortunato, GPNJ Essex County Coordinator [Note: the Essex County Greens have decided to refer to themselves as "The Arthur Kinoy Chapter" of the Green Party going forward.] Arthur Kinoy's vision of a "mass party of the people," which he first wrote about in the 1970s, endures as a blueprint for greater democracy. Even more importantly, he was an example of how meaningful a life spent "in the service of the people" can be. I first met Arthur about twenty-four years ago, soon after I entered law school. I sought him out because I knew of his writing about building the mass party and because I wanted to form a National Lawyers Guild chapter at Seton Hall Law School. He readily agreed to come to Seton Hall from Rutgers to help me by speaking to law students. I'll never forget how the little man with the "loud and boisterous" voice held me spellbound that day and I dare say others in the room, students and faculty alike, felt the same way, as he waved his arms and unfolded his "war stories" about his life in court and in the movement for social change. He wove his stories together with a common thread: that a career spent fighting the good fight against the rich and powerful who run this country can be richly rewarding. Some time later, I looked up in a law review the transcript of the argument he made before the Supreme Court in the Adam Clayton Powell case. My reading confirmed what he told us at Seton Hall, that he got through the entire argument without once being interrupted by questioning from the Justices. It was highly unusual, if not unprecedented, to get through an entire Supreme Court argument without being peppered with questions. I then realized that he had had the same effect upon the "Supremes" as he had on us at Seton Hall that day: they, too, were spellbound. He didn't do this with trickery or magic, or even with his boisterous voice; he did it because he was able to argue credibly and convincingly that the Constitution was intended to be, at least in part, a revolutionary document in which the rights of the people were sacrosanct. In the eighties, I often traveled with Arthur to various cities for meetings or demonstrations. I especially cherished the goings and comings because that's when I'd have the chance to pick his marvelous brain. When we arrived at our destination, the mentoring would pause for a time because I had to then share him with so many others who loved him. I remember one time we went to a civil rights march in Washington, DC. As soon as we arrived, he was whisked to the front of the march to link arms with some of the most important African-American leaders of the movement in the country. They well knew and appreciated Arthur Kinoy. Arthur had a special place in his heart for the African-American people. He grew up when lynchings still all too frequently occurred and brutal segregation ruled the land, South and North. He well understood the trauma that people of color faced and still face today in a society based upon white supremacy, and he made it his life's work to change this social system. Against all odds, he actually made a tremendous difference in dismantling our own system of de facto apartheid. We need to keep his vision alive as we continue our mission to bring about a better world. What I will always remember and cherish the most, however, is his courage. Today, there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of "people's lawyers." When Arthur began his career by defending Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, there were only a handful. How frightening and lonely it must have been at times to confront and be confronted by McCarthyism. Where most others, including powerful Federal judges, wavered in the face of the "red scare," Arthur did not waver, not once. I know from various conversations I had with him over the years that Arthur would not mind if I paraphrase here: There are many ways to live a life. One can live a life as light as a feather or as weighty as an unmoveable mountain. Arthur Kinoy lived a life as formidable as that unmoveable mountain. ------------------------------------------ HOW NEW JERSEY PARTICIPATES IN THE GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES By Jane Hunter, GPNJ Chair The Green Party of the United States is an organization that takes the key value of "Grassroots Democracy" very seriously. As a result, the structure and authority of the USGP is derived from the state parties. Primarily, the USGP is made up of committees of state party representatives. Coordinating Committee The principle decision-making authority in the USGP is the Coordinating Committee. This group consists of representatives of each state party. Representation is apportioned on a modified proportional basis. The number of representatives is related to the number of Congressional Districts (1 per 4 CDs) in which there is a documented Green Party organization and organizing and electoral activity. No state has less than 2 representatives. Currently New Jersey has 2 representatives, Jane Hunter of Somerset County and Marty Nolan of Camden County. When we have bylaws for all our active locals (we're close now!), we will be submitting documentation that will qualify GPNJ for a third representative. Coordinating Committee representatives do most of their work on email and meet face-to-face once a year. Many NJ Greens had the opportunity to observe the 2002 CC meeting during the Philadelphia convention. If you want to get a taste of the email activities of a CC rep, go to http://yahoogroups.com/group/gpnj-national and request to join the elist. If you are interested in serving on the CC, be prepared to spend at least 8 hours a week plus one or two long weekends each year on CC business. Steering Committee The USGP Steering Committee currently consists of 5 co-chairs, a secretary and a treasurer. The Steering Committee is gender-balanced per the bylaws and rules. The Steering Committee members are elected for a two-year term, half each year to provide continuity and preserve expertise, by the Coordinating Committee from among the members of the Coordinating Committee. A state may choose to replace an elected Steering Committee member with another representative during the SC member's term of office, but the SC member must have the support of their home state. If the SC member moves out of their originating state or loses the support of their home state, they are expected to resign in a manner consistent with the orderly conduct of SC business. Steering Committee members actually run the day-to-day business of our now million-dollar-plus-a-year national enterprise. I have it on good authority from experienced SC members that the job requires 40-60 hours a week plus a significant amount of travel. Regular Committees The USGP regular committees consist of up to 3 members from each affiliated state party. Committee members are expected to participate in regular meetings via teleconference and in deliberations via email. Regular committees are co-chaired by CC members, gender balanced. The regular committees are: *Platform (PlatCom) - The platform committee manages the process of assembling the Green Party platform for each Presidential election year. *Campaign Coordination (CCC) - The Coordinated Campaign Committee works with state parties to coordinate support and message for non-Presidential Green Party campaigns. *Fundraising (FC) - The Fundraising Committee coordinates fundraising campaigns and contacts. *International Committee (IC) - The International Committee develops and maintains relationships with Greens around the world and acts as a resource on issues of International Relations and Foreign Policy. *Communications (ComCom) - The Communications Committee is responsible for managing internal communications within the USGP and provides oversight to the USGP web presence. *Media Committee (MC) - The Media Committee is responsible for media outreach, including traditional press releases, video and audio releases, press conferences, coordination with state party media committees, and maintaining current media contact capabilities. *Diversity Caucus (DC) - The Diversity Caucus originally acted as a resource on issues of concern to traditionally under-represented groups. Recently, much of the DC focus has been on supporting the formation of accredited caucuses for these groups. The Lavender Caucus has been formally accredited; a Women's Caucus, an African-American Caucus and a Latino Caucus are in formation. *Accreditation (AC) - The Accreditation Committee reviews all applications for affiliation to and representation in the Green Party of the United States and makes recommendations concerning accreditation to the Coordinating Committee. *Green Pages Newsletter - The Green Pages editorial board is responsible for the content and production of the Green Pages Newsletter. In addition to regular committees, there are several limited membership committees whose membership is approved by the Coordinating Committee. Currently these include: *Bylaws, Rules, Policies & Procedures (BRPP) - The BRPP is a new committee designed to help us maintain consistent and appropriate bylaws, rules, policies and procedures as the organization grows and evolves. *Finance Committee - This committee will provide the first tier of oversight on USGP budgeting and spending processes. *Presidential Exploration Committee (PEC) - The PEC is responsible for contacting and researching potential Green Party nominees for President and Vice-President for the 2004 election. (See the March GreenGram for more information on the PEC process.) ------------------------------------------ LATEST NEWS ON HATCH ACT CHALLENGE On October 1 a three-judge panel of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia decided that a federal judge was correct to rule that Green Party member Roger Merle was barred from running for Congress as long as he worked for the U.S. Postal Service. Roger and Bruce Afran had filed a lawsuit challenging the Hatch Act, the federal law barring federal employees from seeking partisan offices. The panel said the law was a permissible regulation of the activities of federal employees and did not run afoul of the constitution's clause allowing anyone to run for Congress who is at least 25, has been a U.S. citizen for seven years or more, and lives in the state from which they are seeking election. "The act allows a citizen a choice," the court wrote. "A 'resign to run' law may force Merle to choose between remaining as an employee of the federal government and running for elected office, but forcing Merle to make that decision does not constitute an additional qualification for the office of United States Representative." Roger Merle commented: "The court(s) do not want to address the core issue we raise: the de facto amending of the Constitution (Article 1, Section 2, Clause 2 - the "qualifications clause") by Congressional statute (Hatch Act). Instead, they babble about the right of Congress to regulate the behavior of federal employees - a point we are not necessarily contesting (and, as a general rule, concede). The finding that 'resign-to-run' isn't onerous merely reveals how out of touch with economic reality federal judges are - just because it wouldn't be onerous for them or their friends/class, doesn't mean it isn't onerous to working folks. As for the claim that I could run in the future in the hopes that the Postal Service wouldn't formally object, well, that's simply ludicrous - all it takes is one complaint from anyone, and the Service is required to take action against me. "The question is, do we take this to the US Supreme Court? A definitive decision hasn't yet been made, but the consensus is that we do. Cost is not necessarily a problem at this point (I'm willing to borrow what is necessary and pay it back myself, if I have to). Anyway, that's where matters stand at the moment. I'd like to thank everyone for their support and encouragement in this matter." The text of the decision can be found at: www.ca3.uscourts.gov (Case no. 02-CU-03469) ------------------------------------------ THE GLOBAL GREEN NETWORK by John Rensenbrink GGN co-representative, Green Party of the United States The Global Green Network (GGN) is a network of representatives from national Green Parties around the world. It was established in 2001 at the Global Green Gathering in Canberra, Australia, created simultaneously with the Global Green Coordination (GGC). The GGC consists of three representatives from each of the Green Party Federations -- Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe. The vision for GGN/GGC may be compared to that of a United Nations of Green Parties, in which every nation and every continental configuration has direct participation through representatives officially designated and accountable to their base. The guiding principles for both the GGN and GGC are contained in and expressed through the Global Green Charter, to which all Green Parties that are part of the GGN/GGC adhere. Together, these principles and these organizational features form the basis for common actions on matters of global concern. They are a dynamic model for the evolution of a democratically governed world society. Visit: http://www.globalgreens.info --------------------------------------------- Mike Skelly advises that an online ecological footprint calculator is available at: http://www.lead.org/leadnet/footprint/intro.htm. It has easy questions, handy explanations, and quick results. Try it! Tell your friends. ---------------------------------------------
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