Tricounty Meetup Reminder
Hello Everyone:

In this reminder:

1. Meetups in Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs
2. Dean
3. Lessons from Vermont


1. Meetups in Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs

There will be DFA Meetups tomorrow, Wednesday, June 1 in Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs.

In Glens Falls the Meetup will be held at its usual time and place, 7pm at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls.

In Saratoga Springs the Meetup will be at 7pm at Pat Friesen's home, 36 Thoroughbred Drive. Pat suggests that if you like you could bring a snack or beverage.

We'll be discussing DFA's June and July "Healthy Communities" initiative, and house parties, visibility events, picnics and other ideas which we can discuss. There will be a special DFA only preview of a new documentary by film maker Robert Greenwald. "Uncovered: The War On Iraq" and "Outfoxed, Rupert Murdoch's War On Journalism." After the preview there will be a live conference call with film maker Greenwald.

In Glens Falls we will also have a special presentation by Glens Falls Common Council Candidate Walt Combs. Walt will be unveiling some very innovative proposals for revitalizing Glens Falls and we will have more.
To reach the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe, take Exit 18 of the Northway into Glens Falls. Past the Hannaford Supermarket, bear right at the fork in the road by the Stewart's shop. Go past the Post Office and the Hospital to the last stop light before the main intersection of Glen and Hudson Avenue downtown. The Cafe is on the left at the corner of Hudson Ave., Exchange and Elm Street.

To reach Pat Friesen's, take Broadway South. Across the street by the Dance Museum turn into Cresent and then left into Thoroughbred Drive. 36 is at the end.

2. Dean

There is an Interesting article out on Governor Dean and his efforts to bring back the Democratic Party. As the author notes, there was a reason Karl Rove wanted Dean out last year and it's still the reason they're worried now:
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/columnists/view.bg?articleid=99886


3. Lessons from Vermont & Montana

No part of the country is as similar to our Northcountry region of New York as nearby Vermont. David Sirota, who is a fellow at the Center For American Progress and blogs for Working Assets as well as himself (I recommend signing up for his daily updates) points out some remarkable statistics about Bernie Sanders;

"Sanders won in 47 of the 48 Vermont precincts in which George Bush beat John Kerry. In all but three of those, Sanders beat the Republican candidate (his closest competitor) by double digit margins: he won ten precincts by more than 20%, fourteen precincts by more than 30%, and eleven precincts by more than 40%. Remember, those are precincts where George Bush won while Sanders split his vote with two non-Republican candidates, and Sanders didn't just beat his Republican opponent. Sanders destroyed his Republican opponent."
 
"In other words, the progressive populist Sanders is not only cleaning up in the blue parts of Vermont, but in the very red parts of Vermont as well (and just head up to the Northeast Kingdom if you don't think there are very red parts of Vermont). Using economic populism on issues like trade and wages, he is able to attract culturally conservative, working-class voters to his side. That is what makes him such a force in his state - and what can make other Democrats more successful in their own."

http://www.davidsirota.com/2005/05/statistical-case-for-economic-populism.html
For a more detailed piece on Sanders with really good insights: http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/2126/

Drew sends this Sirota piece on Montana, which also has a lot in common with the Northcountry:

"With Montana having a Democratic governor and Democratic legislature for the first time in years, the pressure was on for the new majority party to deliver. And deliver they did. Far from trying to govern as watered down Big Business Republicans, Democrats passed a slate of progressive populist reforms. For their effort, they are being roundly rewarded in public opinion polls."

"According to a new poll by Lee Newspapers, Gov. Brian Schweitzer's (D) 57/33 favorable/unfavorable ratings are far higher than Gov. Marc Racicot's (R) poll numbers at the same time in his term (Racicot was one of Montana's most popular governors). The poll also shows that the 2005 legislature received "significantly higher marks than they did the previous two sessions." 49 percent of Montanans had a favorable view of the recent legislative session, while 45 percent had a negative impression. By contrast, in 2003, 70 percent of voters had a negative assessment of the Legislature, while 27 percent had a positive one. In 2001, 58 percent of voters had a negative evaluation of the Legislature, while 27 percent had a positive one."

"This should serve as a model for other "red" state Democrats. Instead of trying to mimic Republicans, the party now has more proof that a strong, populist middle-class agenda can succeed in the heartland. It simply requires political leaders with courage."

What this all also means is that Democrats who live in New York's supposedly conservative Northcountry need not despair; if they can do it in Vermont and Montana, we can do it here!

See you tomorrow!

Larry
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 9:13 PM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: Meetup Next Week
Hello Everyone:

In this update:

1. Meetups in Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs
2. Bring a Friend!
3. Successful Meetup in Ballston Spa
4. Dean interview, video & appeal
5. Yet, again, more on the vote in November, but Rep. John Conyers needs our vote now
6. On the brighter side: remember Freedom Fries?

1. Meetups in Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs

There will be DFA Meetups next Wednesday, June 1 in Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs.

In Glens Falls the Meetup will be held at its usual time and place, 7pm at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls.

In Saratoga Springs the Meetup will be at 7pm at Pat Friesen's home, 36 Thoroughbred Drive. Pat suggests that if you like you could bring a snack or beverage.

We will be discussing DFA's June and July "Healthy Communities." They are suggesting house parties, visibility events, picnics, which we can discuss. But the main event is a special DFA only preview of a new documentary by film maker Robert Greenwald. You may remember his award winning documentaries "Uncovered: The War On Iraq" and "Outfoxed, Rupert Murdoch's War On Journalism." After the preview there will be a live conference call with film makerGreenwald.

In Glens Falls we will also have a special presentation by Glens Falls Common Council Candidate Walt Combs. Walt will be unveiling some very innovative proposals for revitalizing the Glens Falls and area economies. I am aware of these and they are pretty remarkable. I also expect a special guest from the Working Families Party. I will also have updates on our proposal for training and news on voting machines and what we may do.

To reach the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe, take Exit 18 of the Northway into Glens Falls. Past the Hannaford Supermarket, bear right at the fork in the road by the Stewart's shop. Go past the Post Office and the Hospital to the last stop light before the main intersection of Glen and Hudson Avenue downtown. The Cafe is on the left at the corner of Hudson Ave., Exchange and Elm Street.

To reach Pat Friesen's, take Broadway South. Across the street by the Dance Museum turn into Cresent and then left into Thoroughbred Drive. 36 is at the end.

2. Bring a Friend!

Just a special reminder -- do you know anyone in your family, your friends, someone you work with, go to church with or belong to some group you know who doesn't like what's going on in America today? We are looking to expand DFA. That's our part to Take Back America. Talk them into coming to one of our meetups and help us grow. It might cheer them up to realize there are other like minded people around.

3. Successful Meetup in Ballston Spa

I saw our new Meetup host in Ballston Spa last Saturday, Patrick Southworth. Pat tells me they had a very successful meetup on the 18th. We'll have more news on this in the future, but congratulations, Pat. If you are in the Ballston area and want to attend, contact Patrick at pat.southworth2@verizon.net

4. Dean interview, video & appeal

Governor Dean, our founder here at DFA and now Chairman of the Democratic Party, has come off his national tour, appearing last week on Meet The Press. He also recently gave an interview, which has a video with it, to the Associated Press. You can see it at:

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050524/ap_on_el_pr/dean_minority_voters_1

He also send out an appeal Monday to raise $250,000 by today (Friday) to fund a professional party organization in one more state. It was oversubscribed in 48 hours! So he has issued a new appeal to raise one million to fund a full time professional organization in four more red states. Building up our parties in the red states is how we will Take America Back; we can't just campaign in 18 states. If you didn't get his letter you can read it at: http://www.democrats.org/blog/display/00012096.html

5. Yet, again, more on the vote in November, but Rep. John Conyers needs our vote now

Info is out tonight that the Census Bureau is now saying that 125.7 millions voted -- but only 122.3 million votes were cast? What happened to the 3.4 million votes? Check out: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/5/27/18502/5421

As we all know, brides on the lam and Michael Jackson are bigger stories than this.

Also we can cast a real enough vote for Rep. John Conyers to investigate the Downing Street Memo, which exposed Bush lied bout the War. http://www.johnconyers.campaignoffice.com/index.asp?Type=SUPERFORMS&SEC={0F1B03E0-080B-4100-B143-36A5985EF1E3}

6. On the brighter side: remember Freedom Fries?

You probably remember the greatest inanity of the run up to the Iraq war; the effort in Congress, led by Rep. Walter Jones (R) of North Carolina, to rename french fries and french toast as freedom fries and freedom toast. Well, Jones now regrets that effort, and even more, regrets voting for the war. According to Jones. We "went to war with no justification." http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1491567,00.html

Thanks everyone! Remember our vets on Memorial Day!

See you next week,

Larry
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 9:21 PM 1 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: Dean on MTP Sunday Morning;
Hello Everyone;

Just a quick update:

1. Dean on Meet The Press
2. New York Review On Downing Street Memo
3. Message From NY Verified Voting
4. Revenge of the Frist

1. Dean on Meet The Press

I mainly want to alert all our DFA people that Governor Dean will be on Meet The Press with Tim Russert for a full hour Sunday morning. This will be the first major national televised appearance by the Governor since becoming DNC Chairman earlier this year and it is sure to make nationwide headlines. Meet The Press is on NBC station channel 13 in the Albany area, usually at 10am, but times do vary occasionally; check to make sure it isn't at nine.

Afterwards check in at the DNC to let them know how you think he did:MTP

2. New York Review On Downing Street Memo

There is a major article in the New York Review of Books on the Downing Street Memo, explaining what it is and dissecting in full and explaining why it represents proof that the war in Iraq was planned well in advance and that in fact numerous impeachable offenses were committed by Bush and other top administration officials. A must read. It includes the memo. NYRB

Even former Reagan administration officials are now saying Bush committed impeachable offenses; check this out about Paul Craig Roberts, Assistant Treasury Secretary under Reagan: Even Reaganites

3. Message From NY Verified Voting

Bo Lipari, the head of New York Verified Voting sends out this latest report on the status of the fight for verifiable paper ballot/optically scanned voting machines in New York State; we will probably be working on this in the near future:

"It looks like the decision about lever machines replacements will wind up
with the counties. However, the HAVA conference committee still has not
agreed on specific bill language, and we're waiting to see what the final
law looks like. But it's clear they don't intend to specify a single choice
for New York State.

"There are still many questions about what the phrase means "let the counties
decide". Who in the counties will decide? The election commissioners? The
county legislature? Nobody knows for sure, and there are a thousand more
undefined details about how the decision making process will actually work,
and what equipment counties will actually have to choose from.

"A number of election commissioners believe they will get to make the
decision, without consulting their county officials. And all too many feel
that citizens should have no say in this decision at all.

"I couldn't disagree more strongly. The public WILL HAVE A SAY IN THIS
DECISION, a decision that will determine how we vote in New York for the
foreseeable future. But in order to do that, we need your help.

"The lobbyists and vendors have already begun spreading out to the counties
with their message about the wonders of DREs. Right now, as you read this,
they are talking to your town and county legislators and executives, your
county election officials. They are telling them that they don't want paper
ballots and optical scan. And your county officials are listening. We cannot
let the lobbyists be the only voice they hear.

------------------------------
"PHASE TWO - WE NEED YOUR HELP!
------------------------------

"We have to get to work, right now, at the county level. Just as the
lobbyists are out talking to your county officials, we need to be as well.

"NYVV is looking for residents in EACH AND EVERY COUNTY IN NEW YORK who can
help us spread the message about the benefits of paper ballots for New York.
We have to arrange presentations, provide support materials, appear at town
and county meetings, and meet with local officials to make sure that they
hear our voice as well as the lobbyists.

"We can help you prepare with materials, training, and presenters. I've been
traveling to different counties presenting and assisting and I'll come to
your county too. But we need you to get the ball rolling, and to keep it in
play at the local level.

"We are going to have to fight this county by county, and we will. But we
can't do it without your help.

"We've achieved a lot in a short time. we've FOUGHT AND WON to get paper
ballots and optical scan as an option on the table for New York. But now the
lobbyists, the vendors, are fighting back hard, and they think they have
more resources than we do for a county by county struggle. I think they're
wrong!

"Please contact me let me know you can help NYVV in your county. We have a
lot of territory to cover, and we need everyone's help.

"You can vote on paper ballots in 2006, or you can vote on DREs. Help us make
the right choice.

-Bo Lipari"

4. Revenge of the Frist

Finally, on the somewhat lighter side, Moveon.org has another great TV ad spoofing the latest Star Wars movie; Revenge of the Frist. If you can bear to imagine laughing at anything right now, check it out at:
Moveon.org

Thanks everyone!

Larry
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:38 PM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA update: great day on the bike trail and more
Hello Everybody;

In this update:

1. Another successful DFA Action Day: Bike Trail Looking up!
2. "Nukular" Option Looms; Dean speaks & more
3. "Crime Of The Century"
4. Star Wars a political statement?
5. Dem History
6. No bikes allowed... but why would we care about that...
7. DFA Training coming to Syracuse

1. Another successful DFA Action Day: Bike Trail Looking up!

We had another successful DFA Action Day Saturday on the Warren County Bike Trail. Eight of us: Walter Combs,
Bernice Mennis, Roy Thomas, Linda Thompson, George Thompson, Bob Rockwell, Miranda Kyhill and yours truly cleared about 15 trashcan bags full of litter from the sides of the trail, along with pulling a shopping cart, and old mattress and other junk from the swamp next to the path. It looks great and we had fun; thanks to all! There will be pictures tomorrow here on our group blog.

2. "Nukular" Option Looms; Dean speaks & more

News comes that the Republicans may be dropping the "Nukular" Option this week. There's a good page on the DNC site and also an audio of Governor Dean about the Democratic response:
Nuclear Option Page
Dean

Also, here's a piece on how Dean is shaking up things at the DNC, turning power back to the grassroots.
Link

3. "Crime Of The Century"

If you haven't heard about the British War memo, hard proof has come out that Bush planned the war in Iraq from the very beginning despite his lies to Congress. Lise Fuller suggests this article, The Crime of the Century, and it's a must read:
Crime
Also: Sirota

4. Star Wars a political statement?

But hope some times comes from unexpected places; apparently the new Star Wars movie has a powerful politcal statement early reviewers at the Cannes Film Festival are saying is aimed squarely at George Bush and the neocon dream of empire. Here's the NY Times A.O. Scott:

"Revenge of the Sith" is about how a republic dismantles its own democratic principles, about how politics becomes militarized, about how a Manichaean ideology undermines the rational exercise of power. Mr. Lucas is clearly jabbing his light saber in the direction of some real-world political leaders. At one point, Darth Vader, already deep in the thrall of the dark side and echoing the words of George W. Bush, hisses at Obi-Wan, "If you're not with me, you're my enemy." Obi-Wan's response is likely to surface as a bumper sticker during the next election campaign: "Only a Sith thinks in absolutes."

This is a very big deal because so many young people do not tune into politics; in fact the statistics on how many kids are working their thumbs on video games alone instead of watching TV, especially news, is amazing. This has the power to change and shape many impressionable attitudes at the right moment. Check out these accounts:

NYT
CNN
IndyWire

5. Dem History

Articles with an interesting factual base suggesting what Democrats need to do are always interesting and Drew Monthie sends this along; it's got some very interesting stats indeed: Dem history

6. No bikes allowed... but why would we care about that...

You probably heard that during the big two seat Cessna airplane scare that Bush was out biking. Now it turns out biking is prohibited on the nature trail he was using. But what does the Enron set care about that?
Enron Set

7. DFA Training coming to Syracuse

Finally, Fingerlakes DFA and Democracy For America is sponsoring a training on July 23 & 24 in Syracuse. This will be an intense 10-12 hour a day two day event. Cost will be $50, not including lodging. We will get you full details if anyone is interested in going as they become available. We agreed at our last meeting that we need and would like to hold a similar event here later in the year or early next year, so it will be really interesting to see how this works out.

Thanks everyone!

Larry
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:43 PM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: DFA National Action Day on Saturday
Hello Everyone:

In this update:

1. Our DFA National Action Day on Saturday the 14th: Help us clean up the Bikeway!
2. Dean Endorses Bernie Sanders for Senate
3. Rove on Grassroots
4. The election that will not die
5. Bush slimes FDR over Yalta (what else is new)
6. On the lighter side, listen to the Wombat

1. Our DFA National Action Day on Saturday the 14th: Help us clean up the Bikeway!

As you know we had a really successful DFA Action Day last month, meeting with a representative from Congressman Sweeney on Social Security. We can't take too much credit, but Sweeney has backed off of the issue, so we did our bit.

This month DFA Burlington is asking all our meetups to do a nationwide volunteer project of our choice this Saturday, May 14th. At last week's meeting we agreed to Linda Thompson's suggestion to clean up the Warren County Bikeway. We will begin at noon on Bay Road near Kubricky Construction (plenty of on street parking) and go both ways. We suggest you bring a trash bag, gloves and boots (it can be wet).

Walt and I have checked out the trail; there is only a few bits of litter north of the pedestrian bridge -- the county may be cleaning that area. So we propose to focus on the area south of the pedestrian bridge over Quaker Road down Dix Avenue. The areas that really need help are mostly behind Aldi and Hannaford north of Bay Road and south of Bay to Lexington Avenue. But the more we can cover the better. Obviously, we will leave heavy stuff like construction debris and tree limbs, etc.

If anyone wants to bike down from the North and grab what they find on the way, or below, that would be great.

Again, we meet at noon on Saturday. And thanks Linda for this suggestion!

2. Dean Endorses Bernie Sanders for Senate

Dean is in the news today: he endorsed Representative Bernie Sanders for Senate. As we know is the incredibly popular Congressman from Vermont and Congress's only socialist.
Dean On Sanders

3. Rove on Grassroots

Karl Rove gave a rare but fascinating interview with the Arizona Republic newspaper on the future of politics. It seems Rove thinks the future of political activity may be in grass roots organizing, just like we are doing in DFA for the last two years. Here is the relevant part:

"Rove won't discuss 2008 presidential aspirants. But he does make an interesting observation about the trend in presidential nominating politics.
"He thinks 2008 might depart from what he describes as the '80s and '90s model, in which candidates parlay national standing and status into the nomination. Reagan, Bush I and Dole were all national political figures when they began their quest for the nomination.
"Instead, Rove thinks there may be a reversion back to what he describes as the '60s model, in which candidates earn support by grassroots, retail politicking.
"If so, the candidates who will ultimately have the inside track aren't necessarily those on the talk shows, but those making connections with party and conservative-cause activists.
"In other words, those tending to the same political gardens Rove cultivated to beat the Democrats at the turnout game."

We know the Governor gets this and has gotten it all along; let's hope the Washington insiders in our Party get it, too.

4. The election that will not die

It seems the 2004 election refuses to die. Arianna Huffington has a new group blog, and amidst the self-important Hollywood celebs, there are some real spokespeople for Democrats and progressives. You probably remember sportscaster Jim Lampley, who is now also a producer in L.A. Read Lampley on the 2004 election: Lampley

Also: Election?

5. Bush slimes FDR over Yalta (what else is new)

This week has been the 60th Anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe. I am sure this is a particularly thoughtful moment for most of us, but especially for some of our World War Two vets, Bob and Muriel Jacobs and Richard Duvall.

I have always been struck by how self-effacing WWII vets are about whatever they did in that great struggle; but that is in fact the mark of greatness. A simple thank you can be an awfully easy thing which makes it doubly sad we do not do it more, but we are all grateful and we do honor and thank you. I know many of you object to the idea you are the "Greatest Generation" but at the very least you are greater than the rest of us.

Sadly, proof may lay in the fact George Bush chose to spoil what should have been an above politics commemoration of this great moment by repeating and injecting into the event a smear popular with the far right since the days of Joe McCarthy, namely that FDR, our greatest modern President, gave away Eastern Europe to Stalin at Yalta.

For those who aren't old enough to remember, here's a couple of pieces correcting this outrageous falsehood.
Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. puts it best, and simply; "he forgets the presence of the Red Army..."
Yalta delusions
TPM

6. On the lighter side, listen to the Wombat

Finally, to lighten things up a bit, Nancy Howland sends this along; when Wombats speak, you have to listen.
The Wombat Speaks

See everyone in the Glens Falls area on Saturday!

Many thanks,

Larry
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 12:07 AM 0 comments

 
Glens Falls Meetup Report
Hello Everyone;

This is a update for those who couldn't make it to yesterday's Meetup at the Rockhill Bakeshouse Cafe; the event was very productive:

1. Mission Statement Adopted
2. Tentative Commitment To Host DFA Training
3. DFA National Action Day Event May 14th: Bike Path Clean Up
4. Many Members Interested In Working Families Party Club
5. Message From Mark Sullivan on School Elections


1. Mission Statement Adopted

Most local DFA groups are adopting Mission Statements now that we are no longer formally the Dean campaign, even though we are committed to carrying on the principles of the Dean For America campaign of empowering Americans, building a new American community, supporting progressive candidates and policies and fighting the radical right.

After an active discussion, we unanimously modified the Rochester DFA Mission Statement with language of our own that added additional inclusiveness, among other clarifications. Because the Mission Statement can wait, I will be posting a special message on upcoming school elections at the bottom of this message. I will email you all the Mission Statement in the next update.

2. Tentative Commitment To Host DFA Training

DFA National in Burlington has begun a new training initiative and it is very impressive. These are two full day session with about half a dozen instructors who are political professionals. If you go to the Democracy For Virginia website you can see the syllabus: DFV Training Generally, about a 100+ people are expected to attend these events. The cost is a very reasonable $50 ($10 for students).

As many of us have observed from time to time, the level of skills of Democrats in our area could be better. This is a critical need going into major races in 2006. Rochester is preparing to hold a DFA training in June. However, we really could use one in our region. This would possibly be next fall or even next winter. Glens Falls is the largest urban area in the 20th CD and we are the largest and oldest DFA Meetup in the District; clearly, if we don't do it, it won't get done.

After discussion, there was considerable interest in this project. It was suggested by Pat Dudley we see how Rochester's event works out, and to learn from it. We unanimously agreed to tentatively offer to host a DFA training weekend.

Importantly; many of our members signed to become committee members. This is critical because this necessarily will be a group effort; one or two people simply could not do all the work required. I would note we could have well more than a 100 attendees; for instance, perhaps we could rent the Wood Theater which holds 250. We will have to set up the venue, attend to food and beverage needs, other comforts and the like, as well as direct people to overnight housing, if needed. If you want to be added to this committee please let me know.

But this could prove to be one of the biggest things our group could do to raise the competitiveness of our Party in the 20th CD.

3. DFA National Action Day Event May 14th: Bike Path Clean Up

Last month we participated in a DFA National Action Day; talking to a representative of Rep. Sweeney about Social Security. (This was very successful -- Sweeney is backing off the issue as we saw in the Post Star. That is a real victory and we played some part).

For May DFA is suggesting all the meetups do a local community volunteer project. After discussion, we agreed to participate in this effort and we decided to go as a group to clean up the Warren County Bike Way. We will be starting at Noon on May 14th. Walt Combs agreed to chair this committee, and we will be getting further details to you. Obviously, everyone is invited to participate! This will give us some genuine community recognition and do something nice as well. We suggest wearing rubber boots and gloves and bring a trashcan bag!

4. Many Members Interested In Working Families Party Club

We were recently approached by the Working Families Party. The WFP was formed about a decade ago to advance progressive candidates. One of the interesting things about the WFP is that you can become a member without changing your registration by joining a WFP Club. Being able to give a second line to our candidates would be a great advantage to them. If we can get enough people together we can form a local Working Families Party Club. This club could then meet in a local caucus and put candidates directly on the ballot together with the State WFP.

Many of our members were very interested and took membership cards to join. If you could not make the meeting and are interested, please let me know. Also; if you send in the card and join, let me know that as well.

5. Message From Mark Sullivan on School Elections

Finally, Mark Sullivan spoke about the upcoming School Board and budget elections which are on May 17th. These are really important; the far right has been targeting school boards for take over and we need to watch out. Also, here in the City the school board budget is about half again larger than the city budget! That's a lot of our tax dollars. Here is the message from him:

An Important Date and Civic Duty for Every Citizen
 
 
Just below Churches, our schools are the oldest and most valued main stay institutions in our community!
 
May 17, 2005
Leave No Child Behind....Vote Yes for Education
State Wide Budget Votes and School Board Seat Elections
 
 
School Board Seat Elections are Very Important! 
 
A School Board Member is essentially a trusty of the district.  They have a great deal of power.  Their agenda is not always what is in the best interest of the school, students and community at large.  Conservatives and Right Winged Party Members want total control our education system.
 
Vote for Progressive, Liberal and Democratic minded School Board Candidates.  I hate to say this, but there are even some Moderate Republicans who value fair and equal education.  So ensure that the candidate has pledged to value and promote education. 
 
Obtain candidate information before voting
• Call school districts to find out when they will have meet the candidate forms (Maybe sometime next week)
• Check school newsletters or web sites for information
• Keep you eyes open for articles or paid advertisements in the Post Star, Chronicle, Adirondack Journal, etc.  The candidates may note political affiliations, agenda, etc.  A key indicator for a poor candidate is when they say they will hold down or lower school taxes.  Schools are strapped with many non-funded mandates that must be fulfilled or they lose State and Federal funds.  Also like any employer schools also face skyrocketing insurance cost (liability, worker's compensation and health).  It's impossible to lower school taxes unless the district has recently paid off a Capital Improvements or Project Bond. 
• If you know little about the candidates talk to people in your community to find out what they know about the individual. 
Spread the word to Vote YES on May 17, 2005.  Our kids deserve a good education.  We owe it to them!



Thanks everyone for a great meeting!

Larry Dudley
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 12:17 AM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA: Meetup Reminder -- 6pm!
Hello Everyone;

Just a quick reminder that we will be having our May DFA meetup in Glens Falls at a special time; 6pm, not 7pm, at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls.

Further, Pat Friesen has been forced to cancel this month's meetup in Saratoga Springs. Everyone from the Saratoga Meetup is cordially invited to come to Glens Falls, and there will be something special afterwards they may find of interest:

Matt Funiciello is presenting folksinger Dave Lippman at 8pm (this is why we are meeting early). To quote Matt, "Dave is better known as "George Shrub - The World's Only Known Singing CIA Agent". He gained much recent fame when NPR began to air his singles, "I Hate Walmart" and the always-appropriate, "Teenage Immigrant Welfare Mothers On Drugs". According to Matt tickets will be on sale for $10. Again, the concert starts at 8pm.

During our meetup we will be discussing:

*Our national DFA agenda item for May; they are urging us to engage in a local community volunteer project to bring attention to DFA, our people and the progressive things we stand for. An example they cite is Habitat For Humanity. If you have an idea for a community project, please send it to me and I will add it to the agenda. The floor will also be open to suggestions.

*We will be talking a bit about the Working Families Party.

*We will also be discussing a Mission Statement, which we have never had a chance to do. Rochester DFA has an excellent one we may use as a template. You can see it at: DFA Rochester Mission Statement

*We will also be holding candidate forums this year for local races. Any candidates who are interested in appearing and our endorsement should contact me at their earliest convenience.

Remember, 6pm and we will be starting on time because we have to get done by 7:30. To reach the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe, take Exit 18 of the Northway east into downtown Glens Falls. Past the Hannaford Supermarket, bear right at the Stewart's store. Go past the Post Office and the Hospital to the first intersection before the main intersection downtown. The Cafe is by the light, at the corner of Elm and Exchange Streets and Hudson Avenue.

Finally, I just received an update from Bo Lipari of New York Verified Voting. The issue of reliable and verifiable Optically Scanned Paper Ballots vs. hackable touch screen machines known as DRE's is moving forward again. I'll paste his message in at the bottom.

See you all Wednesday!

Larry Dudley


***********

From Bo Lipari of New York Verified Voting, WWW.NYVV.ORG

After four weeks of inaction, the HAVA conference committee has finally
agreed to meet again. Last week, the Senate signed the certificate
reauthorizing the conference committee, and they are expected to meet early
this week to resolve the outstanding issues - voter verification and voting
machines.

Even with strong support for Paper Ballots/Optical Scan (PBOS) system among
many members, the HAVA conference committee seems reluctant to call for
outright adoption of this highly reliable, auditable, accessible, and cost
effective voting system. But by not requiring it now, the committee will
essentially punt the voting machine decision to the State Board of
Elections. And if that happens, we're facing many more months of fighting to
keep touch screen voting machines out of our polling places.

So, I'm asking you to call each of the ten members of the conference
committee early this week and tell them that New Yorkers want to vote on
paper ballots and precinct based optical scanners.

Call them and tell them to adopt PBOS, saving New York over 116 million
dollars in acquisition costs.

Call them and tell them to adopt PBOS, so that we have paper ballots for
recounts, and won't have to rely on flawed, unauditable touch screen
machines.

Call them and tell them to adopt PBOS, so that NY will have a proven voting
system that is used in 30% of the counties in the US, and will last 15+
years without need for replacement.

Even if you've called or written before, please do so again. Call as early
in the week as you can, as a decision may be reached within the next few
days.

We're going to continue our fight for reliable voting equipment no matter
what happens, but right now, for the HAVA conference committee and our Paper
Ballots for NY campaign this is our last chance, last dance.

Phone numbers are below. Please call today.

Thanks,
Bo Lipari


-----
The Senate Members:
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John J. Flanagan, Chair, Senate Elections Committee
518-455-2071

Nicholas Spano
518-455-2231

Serphin Maltese
518-455-3281

Martin Dilan
518-455-2177

George Maziarz
Phone: 518-455-2024

-----
The Assembly Members:
-----
Keith Wright, Chair, Assembly Election Law Committee
518-455-4793

RoAnn Destito
518-455-5454

Kevin Cahill
518-455-4436

Helene Weinstein
518-455-5462

Fred W. Thiele Jr.
518-455-5997


*********

And we can also call our local representatives:

he addresses for our area are:
Senator Betty Little: 518-743-0968, 21 Bay Street Glens Falls, New York 12801
Senator Joe Bruno: (518)-583-100, 368 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward: 518-792-4546, 21 Bay Street, Suite 206 Glens Falls, NY 12801
Assemblyman Roy McDonald: 518-747-7098, 383 Broadway - Rm. 202, Fort Edward, NY 12828
Assemblyman James Tedisco: 518-370-2812, 12 Jay Street, Schenectady, NY 12305
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 8:17 PM 0 comments