[SFGP] San Francisco Green Party Weekly

Tue Feb 8 19:10:07 PST 2005

Hello Fellow Greens,

Thanks to everyone who made the effort and braved the cold weather to stand with the families of victims of homicide in Visitacion Valley last Friday night.  The event was a candlelight vigil and anti-violence rally to honor the memories of the nearly 100 young people who have died by gun violence in SF's streets since January 2004. The families of the slain men and women were there, joined by concerned community members and elected officials.

In this update:

   1. Action Item: Support Supervisor Mirkarimi's efforts on plastic bags and SUVs
   2. News
   3. Events
   4. Call for Green Cabinet members

ACTION ITEM: SUPPORT SUPERVISOR MIRKARIMI'S EFFORTS ON PLASTIC BAGS AND SUVs!
Green Party member and District 5 Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi is looking into some local measures involving the use of plastic bags and SUVs.  Mirkarimi has called for a study of the number of SUVs in San Francisco, and the added costs they create for taxpayers.  The issues are increased road damage, pollution and noise levels.  
The Board of Supervisors has already voted for a study on the costs to San Francisco of waste caused by plastic bags.  

We need a campaign of calls, emails, and letters-to-the-editor to rally support behind these important issues!!

For facts and information about these efforts, please visit  http://sfgreenparty.org/events/events-itemfromhome.gem?idx=1202.  You may also contact Charles Kalish at chkalish at ix.netcom.com for more details on these efforts.

NEWS:
Jason West, Green Party Mayor of New Paltz, New York, is again in trouble with the law for the heinous crime of marrying same sex couples.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gays3feb03,1,3446158.story?coll=la-headlines-nation&ctrack=1&cset=true
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/07/12/politics/main628760.shtml
http://www.gpus.org/press/pr_2005_02_03.html

Mirkarimi Hits the Ground Running
http://www.beyondchron.org/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=110&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=1420&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=

Ross was also named Chairman of LAFCo (Local Agency Formation Commission), which could signal a renewal of efforts to bring public power to San Francisco.

Plastic Bag Tax: Full Speed Ahead
http://www.beyondchron.org/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=110&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=1432&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=

Surprise! Newsom supports MUNI fare hike.
http://www.beyondchron.org/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=110&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=1438&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=

This is despite a coalition that is opposing the MUNI fare hike.  Many Greens have been helping the effort to oppose the fare increase.
http://www.beyondchron.org/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=110&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=1422&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=

California Nurses Association (CNA) has made a television commercial that takes aim at the Governor Schwarzenegger, who shamelessly referred to public health nurses as "special interests" in a speech he made recently.  The commercial has begun airing.  Yes, it's true, Arnold apparently believes caretakers are money grubbers, while billionaire CEOs are just ordinary citizens with altruistic goals.  Then again, what do we expect from a Governor who takes gobs of money from Wal Mart?
Watch the commercial produced on behalf of CNA at http://www.arnoldwatch.org/. 

Secretary of State Kevin Shelley resigns from his post, effective March 1.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/02/05/shelley05.TMP

Remember fair trade when buying your Valentine's Day goodies!  These web sites can help. 
http://www.childsafechocolate.com
http://www.organicbouquet.com
http://store.gxonlinestore.org/index.html

EVENTS:
Wednesday, February 9
SFGP County Council meeting will take place from 7:30 – 9:30 PM at the Green Party office, located at 1028 A Howard Street, between 6th and 7th Streets in San Francisco.  Meeting will be held from 7:30 – 9:30 PM.  Agenda inclues reviewing working groups, setting the agenda for the next General Meeting, and other topics.

Wednesday, February 16
San Francisco Green Party General Meeting will be held at the San Francisco Green Party office, located at 1028 A Howard Street, between 6th and 7th Streets in San Francisco.  Meeting will be held from 7:30 – 9:30 PM.  The agenda is to be announced.

Thursday, February 17
Please come to a farewell celebration honoring Lateefah Simon and the young women of The Center for Young Women's Development (CYWD).  Lateefah Simon has been the Executive Director of the Center for Young Women’s Development for the past 8 years — since she was 19 years old. Under her leadership, CYWD has developed one of the first peer-run education, employment, and community reintegration programs for system-involved young women.  Event is being held from 6 – 9 PM at the West Bay Conference Center, located at 1290 Fillmore Street in San Francisco.  A $25 donation is suggested, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.  For more information about the event and to become a sponsor please contact Eleanor Palacios at 415-252-7239 or email, eleanor.palacios at sbcglobal.net.  Visit the website at http://www.CYWD.org.

Tuesday, February 22
People who oppose military recruitment in the schools are asked to attend and speak at this San Francisco Board of Education meeting, which begins at 7 PM.  The board meeting will be held at 555 Franklin Street, 2nd floor.  For more information, contact Bay Area United Against War at: giobon at sbcglobal.net.

CALL FOR GREEN CABINET MEMBERS:
Green Party activist Glenn Hopkins is looking for nominations for informed civic leaders to serve on a Green Cabinet, to function like the Shadow Cabinets of  The British Commonwealth,  i.e., critiquing the moves of the majority party in power.  This Green Cabinet would promote substantive problem-solving in all the cabinet areas and help develop policies that Green locals can then refer to in their campaigns, both civic and political.  Please submit nominations to Glenn at Mootney123 at aol.com, and be sure to provide an email contact for the nominee.  For more information, visit http://www.GreenCabinet.org.

Thanks to all of our members for your continued support!

Warm Regards,
Erika McDonald
To have an item included in this newsletter, send email to erikasf at aol.com. No attachments please.