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Ohio GREEN PARTY Newsletter - Special Primary Election Edition
Vote Green on March 6th!
Table of Contents
I. Green Party of Ohio Slate of Candidates
II. Local Greens
- Cuyahoga County Greens Fight Big Box Developer
- No Nukes -Vigil for Peace - Dayton
- Lucas County Greens Protest GOP Fundraiser
- South West Ohio Green Party Website
III. State Greens
- Jill Stein Wins Ohio
- State Committee Meeting Summary
IV. Greens Across the Nation
- Jill Stein Brings Campaign for Green Party Nomination to Michigan
- Hawai’i Greens to Qualify for Ballot Line
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I. Green Party Ohio Slate of Candidates
The Green Party of Ohio has candidates running across the state. Ask for the Green Party Ballot, and be sure to write in your choice for senate candidate. We need 500 votes to get one of our candidates on the ballot in November.
U.S. Senate - The Green Party has two Write-in candidates for Senate.
http://www.toledofreepress.com/2012/03/01/green-party-fields-two-candidates
Joseph Rosario DeMare (write-in) https://www.facebook.com/#!/DeMare4Senate
Thanks to all the Greens across Ohio that have been helping with our campaign. Your support will make it possible to get real work done in Washington, and legislate with the guidance of the 10 Key Principles. Joe pledges to do everything in his power to prevent war with Iran, including "filibustering until he drops," if that's what it takes to keep the US out of another war for oil. Joe is proud to be endorsed by Harvey Wasserman, Cindy Sheehan and Brian Cummins. Please contact us if you would like to participate in the campaign or volunteer demare4senate@gmail.com or (919) 259-3507
Anita Rios (write in) http://www.ohiogreens.org/node/57
U.S. Representative to Congress
Rich Stevenson (1st District) http://cs2pr.us/Rich
Robert Fitrakis (3rd District) http://www.ohiogreens.org/node/12 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fitrakis-For-Congress/284399558288330
Elaine Mastromatteo (14th District) http://www.ohiogreens.org/node/66
Mahoning County Commissioner
Howard Markert https://www.facebook.com/#!/howardinyoungstown
Mahoning County Recorder
State central Committee candidates
Elected by State School Board District
Anita Rios, District 2 (Toledo)
Sean Nestor, District 2 (Toledo)
Stacy Jurich, District 2 (Toledo)
Timothy Bruce, District 3 (Dayton)
Rich Stevenson, District 4 (Cincinnati)
Gwen Marshall, District 4 (Cincinnati)
Josh Krekeler, District 4 (Cincinnati)
Donald Rucknagel, District 4 (Cincinnati)
Elaine Mastromatteo, District 7 (Bristolville)
Robert Fitrakis, District 6 (Columbus)
Suzanne Patzer, District 6 (Columbus)
Please Vote for the Green Party’s Candidates for County Central Committees
Cuyahoga
David Berenson
Write–in:
Susan Miller
David Ellison
Daryl Davis
Trumbull
Write-in:
Elaine Mastromatteo
Hamilton
All Write-in:
Joshua J. Krekeler
Gwen Marshall
Donald L. Rucknagel
Dorsey R. Stebbins
Rich Stevenson
Kimberly Sue Wise
Sydney Wise
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II. Local Greens
Cuyahoga County Greens Fight Big Box Developer
Submitted by Susan Miller
In 2011, Cuyahoga County Greens in the eastern suburbs fought the good fight to face down Walmart. It was a long and arduous fight and so far, we're losing. Greens, primarily Carla Rautenberg, and I (but with the support of the entire county organization, small as we are) joined a grassroots organization, Citizens for Oakwood and worked to hold back the behemoth. A longtime golf course that straddles South Euclid and Cleveland Heights quietly went back onto the market and was snapped up by commercial real estate mogul, Mitchell Schneider of First Interstate Properties. In the blink of an eye, he was applying for rezoning of 40 acres of the property in the financially ailing city of South Euclid from R75 (single family/large lot residential) to C2 (bigbox commercial). The elected officials were salivating. The smell of quick, easy money and an end to their economic woes was in the air. We smelled a Walmart - a big one, one with cheap groceries. We also smelled poaching. Ugh. So we went to work against the dastardly move that would destroy the recovering golf course. It was initially our idea that the entire 150 acres become a park, but as that waned, it became clear that we first had to stop the mart. So as to not be accused of spot zoning, the City of South Euclid switched planners and rewrote their comprehensive plan and passed the rezoning as quickly as possible. (Watch out if your city hires McKenna Associates.) Referendum was our only course of action. In less than two weeks from the time the legislation passed, we had filed our referendum with the board of elections. But, the developer via the city denied the request. We didn't have time for local courts, so off to the Ohio Supreme Court we went. Just to get on the ballot! Sound familiar? And we won! In the eleventh hour we were on the ballot! Unfortunately, we were unable to counter the propaganda the developer and the South Euclid officials lavished on this dream of grabbing the Walmart from the neighboring city. (Walmart had tried to get itself situated on the Cleveland Heights portion of Oakwood in 1994, but was met with so much resistance, it landed (sans groceries) at Severance Town Center a scant mile away from the desired location.) While our campaign garnered and spent about $50,000, our efforts were dwarfed by the devleoper who spent $500,000! "700 new jobs and it costs us nothing!" That was his strategy, and it worked with people who don't look behind the curtain. We continue the battle for a better use of the land, protection of our economy and our local environment, but we know that in addition to environmental degradation, job loss is sure to follow. If you're in Northeast Ohio, we welcome you to sign with us, lift your voice to let Walmart know, we're all set: Please Do Not Build a Walmart Super Center at Oakwood Commons.
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No Nukes!
Submitted by Logan Martinez
You are invited to participate in A Vigil for Peace to commemorate the anniversary of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster on Sunday, March 11, 2012.
Dayton Action: At the corner of Stroop and Far Hills at 1 p.m.
A year ago, Japan was hit by a triple tragedy: a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, a massive tsunami, and a catastrophic nuclear accident. Officials put the death toll at 15,850 and 3,287 people missing. The earthquake and tsunami were acts of nature. We can prepare better but they are unavoidable. Nuclear accidents can be prevented. At Fukushima Daiichi, 3 nuclear power plants experienced full meltdown. As a result, 130,000 residents had to be displaced. The nuclear power plants are still active and pose a great danger. The world has experienced 3 major nuclear accidents in the last 33 years; Three Mile Island in 1979, Chernobyl in 1986, and Fukushima in 2011. We have experienced a major nuclear power accident every 11 years. It is past time for the US and the rest of the world to wake up and change direction. JOIN US.
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Lucas County Greens Protest GOP Fundraiser
Submitted by Joe DeMare
March 3, 2012
About a hundred people braved freezing cold and biting winds in Bowling Green on February 3 to protest a fundraising event being held by Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich at Bowling Green State University.
The crowd was mostly young people, but there was a healthy mix of young and old. Occupiers, gays, Greens, and a few Libertarians marched and chanted things like, "Democracy, Not Theocracy!" and "We don't need your Theocracy, Get Out of BG!" Police had originally tried to corral the protesters in a "Free Speech Zone" 150 feet away and on the opposite side from the Student Union from where the event was held.
The protestors refused, and a compromise was reached which allowed them to stay in front of the building as long as they kept marching.
During a mike check, Green Party Candidate for U.S. Senate Joseph DeMare pointed out that the Republicans speaking that night were insane because they wanted to take away a woman's right to choose and abolish the E.P.A.
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South West Ohio Green Party Website
Cincinnati area Greens are served by an excellent website. You will find history, photographs, voter information and relevant links. Check it out at: http://swohgp.org
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III. STATE GREENS
Jill Stein Wins Ohio
Green presidential candidate Jill Stein (www.jillstein.org) was the winner at the state convention of the Ohio Green Party on Saturday, Feb. 4 (http://www.ohiogreens.org/node/72). Dr. Stein drew 90% of the vote in a four-way race in which Roseanne Barr, Kent Mesplay, and Harley Mikkelson were also on the ballot. Green Party members from all over Ohio met in Columbus to nominate a presidential candidate and select delegates to be sent to the Green national convention in Baltimore, Md., July 12 to 15 (http://www.gpconvention2012.com).
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State Central Committee Meeting Summary
Submitted by Elaine Mastromatteo
Green party State Committee meeting was by conference call on 2.18.12
Present: Sean Nestor, Connie Gadell-Newton, Anita Rios, Elaine Mastromatteo, Logan Martinez, Gwen , Suzanne Patzer, Bob Fitrakis, Josh Krekeler, Dennis Lambert, RichStevenson
We raised some money from the convention and need to spend it wisely. Proposal was made and approved to spend $50 on processing the videotape of the convention. Proposal was made and approved to spend $200 on our Senate campaign and $50 on each Congressional campaign. Candidates must ask the Treasurer for the funds and can designate funds to another candidate.
We discussed getting the word out about our candidates & raising money for our candidates. We have at least 2 functioning state list servers, at least 2 local list servers, our email newsletter list, a website and a facebook page. We need to
make sure that these are all getting information on the campaigns. We formed a new newsletter committee.
We set a suggested goal of reaching $6000 matching funds for Jill Stein by the end of May. The maximum individual donation for matching funds is $250.
The newly elected state central committee will need to meet 10-25 days after the certification to elect officers and formulate a candidate questionnaire for prospective members for appointment to the State central committee.
Sean’s Fukushima proposal has been accepted for consideration with the National Committee.
We need a standing committee to plan for our next convention. Good planning is needed for a better convention experience.
Next meeting by conference call 10:00 am Saturday March 4th.
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IV. GREENS ACROSS THE NATION
Jill Stein Brings Campaign for Green Party Nomination to Michigan
Ecological Wisdom • Social Justice • Grassroots Democracy • Non-Violence
Green Party of Michigan
News Release
March 1, 2012 For More Information, Contact: John A. La Pietra, Elections Co-ordinator / GPMI jalp@triton.net (269) 781-9478
(Ann Arbor, Ferndale) — The public is invited to attend one of two meetings with Dr. Jill Stein of Massachusetts who is vying for the Green Party’s nomination for president of the United States on Monday, March 5th. Come hear her speak about the Green New Deal and what it would mean for Michigan.
Dr. Jill Stein is a mother, housewife, physician, longtime teacher of internal medicine, and pioneering environmental-health advocate. Presenting herself as a positive option to the main two political parties, Dr. Stein’s campaign has centered around the Green New Deal which was created to help America regain its prosperity in four ways: securing jobs with living wages for all Americans able to work, adopting green technologies and production practices, revamping the financial sector and strengthening our democracy so that the people’s voice will be heard in Washington.
Dr. Stein will make two stops in Michigan as she makes her way through the Great Lakes region. First, she will be in Ann Arbor from 4pm to 6pm at Amer’s Deli on S. State Street.
After Ann Arbor, she will move on to Ferndale where she will be at AJ’s cafe on 9 Mile Rd from 7:30pm to 10:30pm.
Dr. Stein will be available to answer questions, talk about her candidacy and what the Green Party can do to make America thrive. To learn more about Jill Stein, visit her website at http://www.jillstein.org/ or look for her on Facebook. Other candidates seeking the Green Party’s nomination include comedienne Roseanne Barr, Kent Mesplay of California and Michigan’s own Harley Mikkelson.
For more information about the Green Party of Michigan, its candidates, its positions on issues affecting Michiganders, and upcoming party events, go to: www.MIGreens.org
Also check out the Green Party/Partido Verde of Michigan group on Facebook.
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Hawai’i Greens to Qualify for Ballot Line
Posted by Jill Stein for President on February 21, 2012 ·
The Jill Stein for President Campaign congratulates the Hawai'i Greens for their work toward qualifying their state party for the 2012 ballot. The filing deadline for the State of Hawai'i is Wednesday, February 22nd. Reports from Stein volunteers indicate that Hawai'i will qualify tomorrow, submitting more than the 691 required Green Party registrants to form an official state party. Hawai'i is the fourth state in a row, following Arkansas, Tennessee, and last week, Utah, to qualify for a Green Party ballot line, bringing the total number of Green Party ballot line states to 20. The Jill Stein for President Campaign continues to devote significant resources to getting the Greens on the ballot in as many as 47 states this year. Up next: New Mexico.
http://www.jillstein.org/hawai_i_greens_to_qualify_for_ballot_line