Monroe County Green Party

Minutes from 1-8-02

 

Facilitator: Craig Harvey

Scribe: Chris Stafford

 

Attendance (15 people): Chris Stafford, Chris Sapp, Craig Harvey, Steve Gardner, Eric White, Dave Ploskonka, Jeff Melton, Rebecca Riall, Peter Drake, Heather Drake, Larry Meehan, George R. Brooks, Isabel Piedmont, Nate Johnson, Julie Roberts

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:09.

 

With a few additions, the agenda was approved.

The minutes from 12-4-01 were approved.

 

Announcements:

 

Indiana Green Party meeting, people contact Peter or Heather Drake for a ride.

Saturdady, Jan. 12, 2:30-4:00

Irvington Branch Library

5625 E. Washington St.

Indianapolis, IN

 

 

Eric announced that on Wednesday 1-9 in the Law School room 121, he would be holding a mini-workshop on Kingian Non-violence from 7-9pm. He said it would be set up much like the following Saturday’s, but just smaller.

 

Julie said that Nader had a new book out.

 

Jeff said he would be at Bloomingfoods on Wed. 1-9 at 5:30 gathering signatures if anybody wanted to join him.

 

Discussion Topic #1: Do we need coordinators?

 

The group had some discussion about the purpose of coordinators, and the necessity of having regular CC meetings. The consensus was that the CC should only meet when there is some need to do so. The group agreed that if the MCGP became so large that having a full meeting every two weeks was completely unfeasible, it would be up to the CC to meet regularly and handle stuff. As of now, however, there is no reason the CC must meet regularly.

 

Discussion Topic #2: Signature Gathering.

 

Peter told the group the process for collecting/submitting signatures. He also gave tips and suggestions for petitioning. The group brainstormed some places that were likely to be fruitful, including Sample Gates, Campus, Downtown streets, Farmer’s Market, Downtown PO, Bloomingfoods.

 

New Business:

 

Julie’s Campaign committee will hold its first meeting on 1-14-02, 7pm, at Isabel’s house, 819 S. Washington.

 

Jeff’s Campaign committee meetings are held every Sunday at 5:30 at SOMA.

 

Old Business:

 

Landlord Ordinance:            Dave reported that John Irving is interested in talking to us, but was too busy this week. He’s trying to get a City council person to sponsor the bill. He’s frustrated that he’s not getting enough support. George had a couple of suggestions for the bill, such as pulling on the resources of some other groups, such as SOAP (Students Organized Against Poverty). Isabel had a question about the subjectivity of defining normal “wear-and-tear” as was done in the ordinance. Julie suggested contacting Andy Ruff, who works as a professional building inspector, for his input. Dave mentioned John’s contact info for people who are interested in getting more details. jirivine@indiana.edu is is his email.

 

Bike Path Statement:            Craig read his statement, and the group agreed it was very good. There were a few questions about exact wording in several spots, and Peter made a motion to incorporate three minor changes. First, instead of giving a number of acres (as a guess), saying “several acres”, referring to the number of acres of trees that would be lost for the second bike path. Second, including a statement regarding the “foreseeable future” and finally, to eliminate the awkward last sentence. The motion passed with 10 in favor, and 3 abstentions.

 

Domain Name registrant: Larry reported that he’s not been able to make any progress on this issue.

 

Working Group reports:

 

Newsletter:            Isabel reported that articles would be due by 2/11/02 for the Spring Newsletter. Heather and Isabel had put together a list of articles they’d like to see, and who they felt was qualified to write them, but Isabel said that of course, other ideas were welcome.

 

Shadow Government:

 

Craig reported that the issue of the Affordable housing trust fund was brushed aside with a motion to postpone it. He said the fund wouldn’t be changed until after the new year.

 

Steve said he was going to ask the Environmental Commission about the College Mall project that is dragging on much longer, and more expensively than foreseen.

 

Nate Johnson agreed to shadow the Stinesville Township Board.

 

Social Justice:

 

The focus of the forum has been misreported as focusing on a living wage. The focus will be the “Costs of Living,” including four sub-topics: “Housing, Wages, Children, and Health.”

 

Grassroots Democracy:

No report

 

Election Commiteee:

No report

 

Nonviolence: The date still hasn’t been set in stone, but the group is shooting for a forum in Mid-February. Eric presented flyers and asked for money from the MCGP for his Kingian Workshops. Heather made a motion to give him $50. The motion passed with 12 in favor, and 1 abstention.

 

Campus Coordinator: No report.

Media Liaison: No report.

Secretary: No report.

 

Technology Coordinator: Larry will be updating the website soon. He also said that the Marion County Green Party now has a website that’s linked off of the IGP site.

 

Treasurer: The 2nd newsletter cost $204.43, and the 1st newsletter cost $166.68. There is $1346 in the checking account.

 

Rebecca agreed to facilitate the next meeting.

After a review of commitments, the group adjourned at 8:43pm.