Monroe County Green Party Meeting October 16, 2001
7:00 pm, Bloomington Environmental Center
Facilitator: Kevin Sowder
Scribe: Isabel Piedmont
Present:
Larry Meehan, Marc Haggerty, Peter Drake, Heather Drake, Dave Ploskorko, Steve Gardner, Kevin Sowder, George Murphy, Felix, Julie Roberts, Isabel Piedmont, Craig Harvey, Steps to Freedom
Announcements:
Discussion of the Mayor's switchyard plan:
Craig reviewed the Mayor's plan for the City to purchase the old CSX switchyard for $9-15 million and then provide CSX with a new switchyard location closer to GE. The current switchyard, currently considered "brownfield" but actually rather green, would be turned into a greenway as part of the alternative transportation plan. The Mayor did not provide a timeline, a method of funding, nor many other details about the plan when it was presented a couple of months ago. There was general agreement that the plan did not sound like a very good idea, but since the plan is not coming up for a vote soon, and since there are few details known about it, the issue of taking any particular action was tabled.
"Legalize Nature":
Kevin brought up the campaign that a citizens group is undertaking to get rid of or revise the local Refuse and Weed Ordinance which makes it illegal to let the grass in your yard grow above 8 inches. There was general agreement that the Green Party should support this campaign, but since there was no quorum at the meeting, no action was taken.
Tabling at Ani DiFranco:
Isabel inquired as to the details for tabling at the Ani DiFranco concert October 20. Craig volunteered to help at the table. When Steps arrived at the meeting later, he said he would check with the concert organizers and find out more details.
Peace Camp:
The peace camp in Dunn Meadow is in need of support, both in the form of volunteers to staff the camp and in the form of food and supplies. A list of supplies needed can be found at www.tofuequalslove.com/disorientation.
County Council:
Julie reported that the Council is considering support of a development project by Cassidy Electric at the old stone mill on Tapp Road at Weamer Road. They want to save the mill and use the neighboring administration building as a warehouse. She said it sounded like a great project. However, for the project to go forward, the zoning needs to be changed. The area is currently a PUD for hundreds of units of residential development. Julie also reported that a recent editorial in the Herald Times about the tax abatement received by Teletron was a matter for discussion at the Council meeting earlier that day. The editorial suggested that Teletron's tax abatement ought to be reconsidered. This local company seems to be doing very well, so why, the argument goes, should they continue to get a tax abatement? Some discussion ensued among the Greens about whether the tax abatement was good or bad, but we did not attempt to come to any proactive decision.
City Council:
Heather reported that the Council passed an ordinance that put some teeth into the City's zoning rules and provided stricter enforcement of rules for construction.
Campus Report:
Felix said the Campus Greens are looking at how IU invests its money, are investigating the university's use (or non-use) of recycled paper, and are looking into the possibility of having duplex printing as an option in computing centers. They are also working with No Sweat! to see whether IU is paying staff a living wage. Peter and Heather suggested the group contact the CWA, which is the union of clerical workers on campus. The next IU Greens meeting is Oct. 24, 8:00 pm, Ballantine Hall 134.
Girls, Inc firing of Breshaun Joyner:
Marc reported that Breshaun is still getting the run-around from Girls Inc, which fired her for questionable reasons last month. Girls Inc. refuses to meet with the Workers Rights Board of Jobs With Justice. The group asked Marc to bring all the details to the next meeting because the MCGP might want to take a public stance on this issue.
Farmers' Market:
The last commitments of the season for the table at the Farmers' Market are:
Oct. 20: George Murphy, Peter, and Julie
Oct. 27: Craig and Heather
Facilitator for next meeting: Isabel
Adjourned 8:25 pm.