[MGP Newsletter] December 2004

[MGP Newsletter]

MARYLAND GREEN PARTY NEWSLETTER
Volume 1(8) December 2004
http://www.mdgreens.org

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A. NEWS AND EVENTS
      (1)  MGP Coordinating Council Holds Planning Retreat
      (2)  New Green Organizations Forming Across the State
      (3)  Montgomery Greens Oppose Inter-County Highway
      (4)  Greens Hold Forums in Mt. Rainier and Montgomery
B. MEETINGS
C. CORRECTION
D. PUBLISHING NOTES
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A. NEWS AND EVENTS

MGP COORDINATING COUNCIL HOLDS PLANNING RETREAT

Following upon the strategic planning session held in August, the MGP 
Coordinating Council called together Greens interested in reflecting on 
longer-term goals and strategies for the Party.  In all, 21 Greens spent 
a very productive four and a half hours at the home of MGP Treasurer 
Beth Hufnagel in Howard County, discussing such topics as outreach, 
education, membership growth, the formation of new Locals, and internal 
organizational structure.

The retreat, facilitated by Montgomery Green Eileen Scott, began with a 
presentation from past Co-Chair Andrew Agostinelli, outlining the 
current organizational structure of the Party.  Agostinelli's outline 
emphasized the importance of recognizing the current state of Party 
development in formulating achievable goals.  Baltimore City CC Delegate 
Victor Pleskacz followed this with an analysis of vote totals for third 
party presidential candidates in Maryland for 2004.

The heart of the retreat was shaped by an open discussion of crucial 
goals for the Party.  Three break out groups were created from this to 
discuss (1) networking and forming alliances for the Party's legislative 
agenda, (2) building the Party's membership through educational outreach 
and a goal-driven membership drive, and (3) developing the 
organizational infrastructure of the Party.

The potluck lunch saw Montgomery Green Nathan Bahn give an address 
examining the work of Robert Moses.  Afterward, the break out groups met 
and formulated specific recommendations that will be brought to the 
Coordinating Council.  The next planning retreat is scheduled for March.

NEW GREEN ORGANIZATIONS FORMING ACROSS THE STATE

Along with the stunning increase in individual memberships, the Maryland 
Green Party has received four inquiries about forming new Green Party 
Locals or receiving the formal endorsement of organizational efforts by 
Greens.

In Frederick County, Greens have expressed an interest in renewing a 
dormant Local.  Frederick County was the site of one the Party's first 
Locals.  After about a two year spell of inactivity, the growth of Green 
membership and effective Green activity around the State inspired 
Frederick Greens to begin laying the groundwork for reestablishing the
Local.  For more information contact Ken Eidel at kceidel at sndi.net.

In a similar development, Greens in Carroll County, while always 
maintaining their status as a Local are renewing their efforts to build 
Green activity in the County.  For information contact David Stysley at 
DStysley at hotmail.com.

The Party's 2004 campaigns also inspired Greens in Cecil County to try 
to connect with the Party.  However, finding that no Local currently 
exists in the county, Cecil Greens have scheduled an organizational 
meeting at the Public Library in Rising Sun on Tuesday, Dec. 14th, 
beginning at 7:00 PM.  For more information contact Catherine Wetzler at
CWetzler at intra.nida.nih.gov.  In 2001, Cecil County and Harford County 
Greens combined to form the Upper Chesapeake Greens.  This Local 
dissolved after several of the organizers left the State.  Again, plans 
for a new Local in Cecil County may be combined with Greens in Harford 
County.

Finally, discussions are underway about forming another Local in 
Baltimore City, tentatively to be called "The Charm City Local."

While not seeking status as a Local, student Greens at Towson University 
petitioned the Maryland Green Party to endorse a clothing drive that 
they organized on campus.  In response, the Coordinating Council 
endorsed the drive and encouraged the student Greens to coordinate their 
activities with the Baltimore County Greens who meet in Towson.  The 
suggestion resulted in a meeting in which the status of the Towson 
student Greens was discussed.  While the student Greens intend to 
organize as Campus Greens, they have not chosen to become a formally 
recognized Local at this time.

MONTGOMERY GREENS OPPOSE INTER-COUNTY HIGHWAY

The new Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Intercounty 
Connector (ICC) highway project has been released by the State Highway 
Administration in preparation for public hearings about the highway. The 
hearings will be held Jan. 4, 5, and 8 at locations in Prince George's 
and Montgomery County.

Greens in Montgomery County are gearing up to oppose the ICC for 
numerous reasons.  Construction of the highway would devastate the 
environment, hurt the Bay, cost $3.2 billion, monopolize the state's 
transportation funds for many years, draw jobs out of Prince George's 
County, encourage sprawl, keep the state from pursuing alternative,
sustainable solutions, and take money away from Metro.  Furthermore, it 
will not relieve traffic congestion on I-495, I-95, or I-270.

The Montgomery Greens want to get as many letters and comments as 
possible into the public record in opposition to the highway.  To this 
end, Montgomery Greens Co-Chair Dan Kulpinski will testify on behalf of 
the Montgomery Greens Sat., Jan. 8 at Blake High School in Silver Spring
and MGP Co-Chair Michael Cornell will testify on behalf of the Maryland 
Green Party.

GREENS HOLD FORUMS IN MT. RAINIER AND KENSINGTON

Organizing under the banner Neighbors United for Justice and Peace 
(NUJ&P), Greens in Mt. Rainier have joined with others to establish 
public forums to discuss political matters of importance to the people 
in Mt. Rainier.  Thus far NUJ&P has sponsored three forums regarding the 
School of the Americas, the re-election of George Bush, and electronic 
voting machines in Maryland.  Future topics will include creating a 
community land trust, and nuclear power reactors and radioactive waste 
shipments.  For more information, call Neighbors United for Justice and 
Peace at 301-864-1009.

Meanwhile, the Montgomery Greens are bringing speakers to their monthly 
membership meetings at Banning & Low, a political memorabilia shop at 
3730 Howard Ave. in Kensington.  The Local's Dec. 18th meeting will 
begin at 5:30 PM and will feature State Delegate Karen Montgomery, who
will speak at 6:30 PM.

Sam Pizzigati, author of *Greed and Good: Understanding and Overcoming 
the Inequality that Limits Our Lives*, spoke at the Montgomery Greens' 
Nov. 13th meeting, promoting a "maximum wage" to be indexed to the 
minimum wage.  For information about the Montgomery Greens' future 
speakers contact the Local as listed in the meeting schedule below.

B. MEETINGS

Anne Arundel:

Meets each Tuesday at 7:00 in the 49 West Cafe on West Street and for 
brunch on the first Sunday of each month at 11:00 AM at the Ramshead 
Tavern.  For more information contact Erik Michelsen at 410-956-3216
or erikmichelsen at hotmail.com.

Baltimore City:

Meets at 7:00 PM on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 1443 
Gorsuch Ave.  For more information contact Mike Shea at 410-662-8169 or 
office at baltimoregreens.org.

Baltimore County:

Meets at 7:00 PM on the 3rd Monday of each month at Ruby Tuesday in 
Towson.  For more information contact Dave Goldsmith at 410-480-5256 or
dave at baltimorecountygreens.org.

Cecil:

Organizational meeting to be held at the Rising Sun Public Library, 
Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 7:00 in Rising Sun.  For more information contact 
Catherine Wetzler at CWetzler at intra.nida.nih.gov.

Carroll:

To be decided.  For more information contact David Stysley at 
410-751-8966 or dstysley at hotmail.com.

Greenbelt:

Meets on the second Monday of each the month at 7:30 PM in the public 
meeting room in the Greenbelt police building near the corner of Ridge 
and Crescent Roads (close to Kenilworth Avenue) and each Tuesday at 7:00 
PM at the New Deal Cafe for an informal meeting.  For more information 
contact Bob Auerbach at 202-722-4303 or Anya Bull at
goveggie00 at hotmail.com.

Howard:

To be decided.  For more information contact Mike Cornell at 
HC-Greens at thalia.org.

Montgomery:

The next Membership Meeting will be Saturday, December 11 both meetings 
are tentatively scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM at Banning & Low, 3730 
Howard Ave. in Kensington.  For more information, contact Dan Kulpinski 
at dankulpinski at comcast.net.

Mt. Rainier/Hyattsville:

Will meet on December 16 at 7:15 at 3702 Tilden St. / Brentwood.  For 
information contact Andrew Agostinelli at 301-887-0920 or 
andrewagos at aol.com.

Southern Maryland:

Meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM with the location 
rotating through the region.  For more information contact Bill Burruss 
at 301-373-8305 or billburruss at olg.com.

C. CORRECTION

November's Newsletter left the misleading impression that Greens were 
the second vote-getting party in Baltimore as measured by total votes 
cast for all candidates in Baltimore City elections.  In fact, Greens 
are the second vote-getting party in Baltimore as measured by those 
races where Greens, Democrats, and Republicans all fielded candidates.

D. PUBLISHING NOTES

The MGP Newsletter circulates 12 times per year and is edited by 
volunteers for the Maryland Green Party.  Information is believed to be 
accurate at the time it is disseminated, but readers are urged to 
confirm the latest event details.  MGP Newsletter items may be submitted
through your MGP Local.