Folks, this in from the CTJ. Is the Green Party on board with this? Should this be an item for the TWG and/or GM? Sue Please note: forwarded message attached --- Casey Mills <Casey@thclinic.org> wrote:
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2005 10:28:04 -0700 From: "Casey Mills" <Casey@thclinic.org> To: "Casey Mills" <Casey@thclinic.org> Subject: Coalition for Transit Justice - Help Decide Our Future
Greetings Coalition for Transit Justice folks,
Hopefully you've all received the hard copy of the letter I sent out regarding the future of our Coalition and your organization's role in it. You'll find it below, as well as attached as a Word document. Please do read it and let me know your response.
It's been rewarding fighting for transit justice in the past with you, and I hope we can continue our fight together in the future. Feel free to call or e-mail anytime with questions or concerns.
Best, Casey Mills 771-9850 Ext. 116
October 1, 2005
Dear Coalition for Transit Justice Member,
We're writing this letter to you in our ongoing efforts to maintain the Coalition for Transit Justice. As you remember, we formed early this year in a concerted effort to stop the recent MUNI fare hikes and service cuts. Through our broad-based coalition building, united voice, and hard work, we helped stop increases to the Fast Pass and cuts to the Owl lines, as well as forcing the introduction of a LifeLine pass for low-income riders. While our victory was certainly not total, our campaign proved there exists a vital need for a principled voice in San Francisco advocating for low-income, senior, and disabled riders; for environmentalists who believe public transportation to be a vital key to a healthy planet; for communities of color underserved by MUNI; and for MUNI riders who don't want to keep paying more for less. We believe this voice needs to continue. However, to do so, we need to formalize our decision-making process and reestablish our membership. To that end, we're proposing the development of a steering committee, and asking that you express a vote of confidence in this plan and your desire to either remain in the Coalition or to be removed from our member list. Below you'll find our proposal for the formation of such a committee, whose members must agree to act in accordance with our consensus-based platform - the Platform for Transit Justice, which we've attached. Please respond at your earliest convenience to inform us of your desire to stay involved with our organization. You can find contact info at the end of this letter. Thank you for joining together to fight for transit justice in the past - we sincerely hope you'll wish to continue our fight in the future.
Steering Committee Formation Plan
· A 6-member steering committee would be established to decide how best to direct Coalition resources, what campaigns to become involved in, and what messages to express to the public and media. · The committee would be created at a November 16 meeting (date and location TBA), to which a delegate from every member organization and any representative from a member organization who has attended 3 or more meetings would be invited. · A vote for the steering committee would occur, with all those invited to the meeting to be considered candidates. · Once established, the steering committee would strive for consensus, but a vote would be taken if it could not be reached. 2/3 vote would be required. · The committee would consist of a secretary, treasurer, and rotating chair. · A monthly newsletter would be distributed by e-mail to all member organizations including minutes from steering committee meetings, upcoming events, issues and campaigns.
We look forward to your response. Sincerely,
Casey Mills Coalition for Transit Justice 775-7110 Ext. 116 Casey@thclinic.org
Platform for Transit Justice
The ability to travel throughout the city and region in order to have equal access to employment, education, and recreational opportunities is a basic human need and right. Public transportation remains the City's only feasible method of providing this basic need and right to all of its people.
As a matter of social, economic and environmental justice, the Municipal Transportation Authority (MTA) should seek to fund public transit using monies gained from those most able to pay. Individuals who opt out of the public transportation system should be asked first to sacrifice for the good of the general public. In addition, as a "transit first" city, San Francisco should encourage use of public transit instead of cars as a means of improving the environment.
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