Because exactly seven candidates qualified to run for the seven positions opening on the county council, the Green Party County Council will not appear on the June ballot. The candidates Susan Chunco, Jared Laiti, Tim Morgan, Bill Patterson, Michael Sandler, Tim Smith, and Jim Stoops will become the new County Council on June 6.

Please come to our June General Meeting to meet them!

Comments

Dear Sonoma County Greens,

The above registration figures from Sonoma County, covering the period of approximately the last 6 months, are part of a 15 year statewide trend that indicates how voters are extremely fed up with the Corporate-Owned, Democrat/Republican Political Duopoly...

The voters are fed up with an imperialistic war, supported by both parties, being fought for the global control of international markets and resources... A war costing billions of dollars and thousands of lives on both sides,... A war which is NOT making the world safer and more peaceful, but has become a breeding ground for more terrorism...

The voters are disgusted that both parties' representatives voted for a so-called "Patriot" Act, and then for it's renewal, while the Dems hypocritically complain about Bush's illegal wire-tapping, but do nothing...

The voters are dismayed that we will be stuck for generations with an arch-conservative Supreme Court, whose confirmation process was aided and abetted by Democrats like Senator Diane Feinstein of California (also note that Al Gore, when he was a Senator, voted for Antonin Scalia AND Clarence Thomas, even when he had a chance to block the latter's confirmation)...

The voters are sick of the corruption of the Enrons, the Abramoffs, the DeLays, and the price-gouging oil and energy companies... Corruption and greed involving both parties...

The voters are appalled that the Dems and the Repubs would fail to pass an increase in the $5.15 Federal minimum wage, leaving low-wage workers struggling in poverty, while Congressmen of both parties repeatedly grant themselves raises in the tens of thousands of dollars...

And the list of reasons for disaffection and disenfranchisement goes on and on and on...

Looking at the registration figures above, one can see the hard evidence of disatisfaction... While Total Registration in Sonoma County is UP by 606 voters over the last 6 months... the Dems are DOWN a net 70 voters and the Repubs have lost 477...

But because the media (the PD, the mainstream TV and Radio) does not inform voters of available alternatives like the Green Party (an unofficial form of censorship), most voters have little knowledge of what the Green Party stands for... And so most voters looking for an alternative, register Decline to State (DTS), and some register American Independent (AI), not realizing that party was (Governor and Presidential Candidate from Alabama in ' 68, ' 72 and ' 76) George Wallace's party, and is now associated with the ultra-conservative John Birch Society...

Meanwhile, i have found, while tabling and talking to citizens in Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, in Sonoma County and elsewhere across the state,... that once they find out that the Greens stand for Peace, for better Wages for working people, for Equal Rights for women and all minorities, for protecting and preserving a healthy, unpolluted Environment... Once they find out the Green Party shares their core values, including grassroots, participatory democracy... they begin to consider, and often are ready, on the spot, to send a message, to use their registration strategically, to project their values into the political arena, by registering Green...

Fellow Greens, we do not have corporate donors to finance a massive registration drive,... So it is up to each of us, individually, and/or in groups, to spread the word, person to person, about the Green Party...

The time is ripe to GROW the Green Party... i urge you to go to your local post office or library or to the Registrar of Voters in S. Rosa, or call me at the phone number listed below, and obtain some blank registration forms... And then talk to your family, friends and neighbors... Tell them about the Green Party and what it stands for, give them an outlet for their frustrations with the current corrupt political system, encourage them to think outside the box of politics as usual, help them to register Green, and to send a message of PEACE, to plant the seed, and change the world... IT NEEDS IT !!

Politics is NOT a spectator sport... Get Informed ! Get Involved ! Get into the Green Party !

tim smith
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Tim Smith will become a new County Council member of the Green Party of Sonoma County on June 6. You can contact him at rioryon@aol.com or 707-202-4507

Tim Morgan has a limited number of new GPSC t-shirts available for a $15 donation (they are 100% cotton cold water wash sized s, m, l, xl, xxl). Please come to our next meeting if you would like one or contact Tim at blkcloud@sonic.net.

The next meeting of the General Assembly of the Green Party of California has been scheduled for April 29-30, 2006 in Ventura. Please visit http://www.cagreens.org/plenary for additional details.

At the GPSC General meeting on 4/13, the Green attendees will be electing four delegates and alternates to attend the plenary. Please come to the General meeting if you would like to represent the GPSC at the General Assembly or to participate in selecting of delegates.

GREEN PARTY CANDIDATES CALL FOR CHANGE: PETALUMA GATHERERS SAY ELECTORAL OVERHAUL NEEDED TO BREAK 2-PARTY SYSTEM

Published on March 20, 2006
C 2006- The Press Democrat
BYLINE: KATY HILLENMEYER
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
PAGE: B3

PETALUMA -- Green Party candidates for state and local office called Sunday for environmental protections, withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq, President Bush's ouster and electoral overhaul that breaks the dominance of the nation's two major parties and their campaign contributors.

"We have a rigged, two-party system ... which does not reflect the will of the voters accurately,'' said Cat Woods of Novato, who is vying against Republican Michael Hartnett and the winner of a six-way Democratic primary to fill Joe Nation's 6th District state Assembly seat. "Even people in red states are angry that our civil liberties are being taken away.''

Woods was one of eight Green Party candidates who gathered at a downtown Petaluma home for a daylong strategy meeting. The candidates, predominantly from the Bay Area, spoke of impeaching Bush, ending motorists' reliance on fossil fuels and empowering voters.

Democratic leaders' tepid resistance to the Patriot Act and the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq have given the Green Party an opening to strengthen its base of 145,000 registered state voters, said Bill Patterson, a former Windsor Town Council candidate.

"There is increasingly a window of opportunity opening due to the disenchantment with the dominant parties,'' said Patterson, a retired small business owner who said he's mulling another council bid.

California Secretary of State candidate Forrest Hill of Oakland and John Miller, a Central Valley teacher seeking a U.S. congressional seat in the 21st district that includes Visalia, denounced voter apathy and the diversion of taxpayers' money to defense.

"Just in Iraq alone, we're throwing away our future and funds that could be used to solve problems here,'' said Miller, a Ducor resident and former Army National Guardsman.

State Attorney General candidate Michael Wyman of Greenbrae called for ending the death penalty, defending same-sex marriage and decriminalizing adults' "personal use'' of marijuana and other drugs.

You can reach Staff Writer Katy Hillenmeyer at 521-5274 or khillenmeyer@pressdemocrat.com.

NOTES:
- Some of the events listed below have not been officially endorsed by the GPSC, but may be of interest to local Greens.
- To check for new events and schedule changes, visit our home page at http://www.sonomagreenparty.org

2  

(Sun) County Council Meeting
7 PM, 5513 Sebastopol Hwy 12 Sebastopol (north side of Highway 12. If you are heading toward Sebastopol, look for the Willie Bird Turkeys sign on the left, go about 100 yards and look on the right for xmas lights on a small shop)
Info: info@sonomagreenparty.org

3  

(Mon) The Hidden Truths About 9/11
"Why Indeed Did the WTC Buildings Collapse?"
6 PM, Sonoma State University in the viewing room,
Second Floor of the Charles Schulz Library
Physics Professor, Steven E. Jones, presents an unprecedented scientific proposal asserting that the collapse of the World Trade Center buildings would not have been possible without pre-planted demolition explosives.
More info and photos: http://www.physics.byu.edu/research/energy/htm7.html

A discussion led by Project Censored's Peter Phillips Will follow after the showing. *Refreshments will be provided* Sponsored by the SSU's Sociology Club

5+  

(Wed) Sonoma County in the Balance:
The People and the Environment
Wednesday events start on April 5 and continue through May 24.
The natural beauty and diversified environment of Sonoma County continues to attract and maintain an ever-growing population. Residents pay a premium in housing prices just to live in the Sonoma County region. Find out how the county's natural splendor and ecological health can be preserved while its economic vitality is maintained. For more info: http://www.sonoma.edu/pubs/newsrelease/archives/000725.html

7  

(Fri) First Sustainable Enterprise Conference for Northern California
8AM-5PM, Sonoma Mountain Village, 1212 Valley House Dr., Rohnert Park.
This one-day conference offers a unique opportunity for business leaders to learn about managing an organization to be environmentally friendly, socially just, and economically viable. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge about building sustainable enterprises through workshops, interactive panels, and networking sessions. For more info: www.sec2006.com

8  

(Sat) North Bay Progressive Party and Dance
7:30 PM to Midnight, Sebastopol IOOF Hall, 195 Main Street (enter across from Whole Foods).

After four years of publication the North Bay Progressive was forced to close due to lack of funds. The staff, editors and volunteers are proud of what we accomplished. But the income statements lead us to the conclusion that a free paper based on advertising was simply not going to be sustainable without continuous infusions of large donations.

We are sad to let the paper go and ask for your help one more time in covering the closing expenses. We are approximately $7000 in debt and to raise the funds we are holding a Dance Party in Sebastopol April 8. See information below. Please come to our party and bring your friends.

To help us close with honor we are asking our supporters to send in a final tax deductible donation to:

North Bay Progressive; P.O. Box 14384, Santa Rosa, CA 95402

Sincerely Peter, Helen, Will, Stephanie, Elaine, Attila, Gina, Matt

Lets celebrate four years of successful publication Honoring: NBP Writers, Editors, Volunteers, and Staff Beer Wine and Chili will be available

Dance music by: Wasabi Admission: $10

11  

(Tue) Bylaws Working Group Meeting
7 PM
Contact: bylaws@sonomagreenparty.org or 542-3037

13  

(Thu) General Business Meeting
7-9 PM, 5513 Sebastopol Hwy 12 Sebastopol (see 4/2 event for directions)
The general meeting is usually held every 3rd Thursday of the month (this month is an exception). All interested Greens are welcome to attend!
Note: in May the General Business Meeting will be held at the state building at 50 D Street in Santa Rosa (between 4th St & Sonoma Blvd) on 5/18.
Info: info@sonomagreenparty.org

19  

(Wed) Deadline for GPSC Newsletter Submissions for May
If you have a Green-related article or event that you want included in the next GPSC e-newsletter, email your draft or completed submission to editor@sonomagreenparty.org by 4/19. If you email a draft, please submit the completed article by Monday, 4/24.

22  

(Sat) An Earth Day Celebration
3-5 pm at Gold Ridge, Luther Burbank's Experiment Farm,
7781 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol.
The event is sponsored by Earth Elders of Sonoma County and co-sponsored by The City of Sebastopol, Sonoma West Times & News and KRCB. Earth friends of all ages are invited for music, poetry, song, ceremony and refreshments - and it's all free. The theme of this year's celebration is "A Walk Through Time and Space," the story of our Universe, our planet, the human race and our future - our legacy for our children, grandchildren and future generations.

Parking is available in the cemetery west of the farm. For more information, call 707-824-2895.
Contact: Connie Mahoney cwmahoney@peoplepc.com

29-30  

(Sat-Sun) Meeting of the General Assembly of the GPCA
See item #4. The General Assembly of the Green Party of California will be meeting in Ventura. Check www.cagreens.org/plenary for the latest details

Bill of Rights Defense WG
Info: http://www.sonomagreenparty.org/pages/gi_bordc.shtml
Contact: bordc@sonomagreenparty.org

Bylaws WG
Info: http://www.sonomagreenparty.org/pages/gi_bylaws.shtml
Contact: bylaws@sonomagreenparty.org or 542-3037

Campaigns and Candidates WG
Contact: billpatterson@earthlink.net

Green Talk and Outreach WG
Info: http://www.sonomagreenparty.org/pages/gi_greentalk.shtml
Contact: greentalk@sonomagreenparty.org or 542-3037

IT (Information Technologies)WG
Info: http://www.sonomagreenparty.org/pages/gi_it.shtml
Contact: it@sonomagreenparty.org

PC (Public Communications) WG
Info: http://www.sonomagreenparty.org/pages/gi_pc.shtml
Monthly newsletter submissions: editor@sonomagreenparty.org
Contact: pc@sonomagreenparty.org

Campus Greens - Sonoma State University Chapter
Contact: fabrick@sonoma.edu
Listserve: http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/sonomacampusgreens

PO Box 15073 Santa Rosa, CA 95402
(707) 524-8818
Email: info@sonomagreenparty.org
Website: http://www.sonomagreenparty.org

https://lists.riseup.net/www/info/sonomagreens

Are you interested in participating in online discussions with other Sonoma Greens? The Sonoma Greens Open Forum is a free-for-all discussion list for Greens and the Green-curious in Sonoma County, for the purpose of advancing Green politics, activism, and debate. You can join by clicking the link above and then click on subscribe or email JaredL@sbcglobal.net for help or more information. Note: this list is not sponsored or maintained by the GPSC.

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0322-25.htm

This article from Common Dreams, called "Dare to Win," describes how some progressives sabotage their own political campaigns, and suggests how to improve.

http://www.abag.ca.gov/bayarea/enviro/gbus/index.html

Bay Area Green Business Program - purchase products and services from local green businesses.