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local and national features
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Sep 09 2010
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WATER IS LIFE: Flagstaff City Council Votes No Drinking Water for Snowmaking / Stuggle NOT Yet Over |
Flagstaff, AZ – After 4 hours of meeting, the Flagstaff City Council voted 5-2 to not amend a proposed substitute agreement to sell 180 million gallons of Flagstaff's drinking water to Arizona Snowbowl for snowmaking on the Holy San Francisco Peaks. More than 150 concerned community members attended the Council meeting including Tribal representatives from Hopi, Navajo and Havasupai Nations. The deal was initially presented as a "less offensive" option for Tribes who hold the San Francisco Peaks holy, but overwhelmingly the Tribes opposed the plan. Read More
Past Coverage: AZ Snowbowl plans to destroy the northern Arizona environment & desecrate sacred sites | March, Rally & Vigil to be held in Phoenix, AZ against AZ Snowlbowl desecration of sacred land | Related: Chris Francisco on The Longest Walk 3, Portland to DC
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Aug 26 2010
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Library Busters -- Who Ya Gonna Call? |
August 19, 2010 Mount Pleasant Library — The ONly Library in Ward One
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Aug 23 2010
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New "No Trespassing" Zone Closes City Hall Grounds at Night from 10pm to 6am |
In another move clamping down on public use of previously public space, the city of Santa Cruz posted "closing hours" on the City Hall grounds for the first time, without any kind of public hearing, announcement, or rationale. When then-Mayor Mike Rotkin tried to close down City Hall in 1996 to end another homeless protest against the Sleeping Ban, the City Council declined to back him and Judge Samuel Stevens ended up granting a very limited injunction requiring that folks there "obey all laws." This time, without a hearing, Parks and Recreation, which controls virtually all the public space around public buildings, issued an edict closing the area.
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Aug 22 2010
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The Fight Against Mayoral Control: Celebrating Victories, Pushing Forward |
The Community Education Task Force (CETF) (pictured), has a lot to celebrate. At the beginning of the year, it seemed inevitable that the mayor would control the Rochester City School District, rather than an elected Board of Education. However, after a defeat in the NY State Senate, the plan is off the table — for the time being at least.Victories like this can be rare for grassroots community groups, but the CETF is not resting (although they did throw a party in Genesee Valley Park with free food, games, and music). They hope to use their current momentum to promote bottom-up control of the city schools. At the CETF's Free Food For Free Minds party, I talked with several members of the CETF about the past eight months and their plans for the future. Read More | Related: Mayor Fenty NO SHOW at mayoral/council candidates forum
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Aug 06 2010
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Proposition 8 Ruled Unconstitutional |
Wednesday, August 4th - The California Federal Prop 8 case decision was announced today. Judge Vaughn Walker ruled for the plaintiffs in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court that challenged the constitutional validity of California's Proposition 8. The plaintiffs sought to have the federal court strike down the proposition, saying it is contrary to the 14th Amendment's guarantee to equal protection. Rallies were held in response throughout the the Bay Area and elsewhere in California. Read More | Related: Skeletons in Target's political closet: immigrant and LBGTQ advocates come out against corporate hypocrisy
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Aug 03 2010
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Center for Disabilities Rights, Inc. Wins 2 Week Stay for CDPAS Program |
On August 2, 2010, Judge Richard Dollinger of the NYS Supreme Court awarded Center for Disability Rights, their consumers and their attendants a 2 week stay for the CDPAS program. The stay is in effect until August 13, 2010, preventing Monroe County from moving forward with its plan to close CDR’s CDPAS and transition every one of CDR’s consumers to other agencies.
The Judge's decision also ordered Monroe County to send letters to consumers in English and Spanish. The original letters that Monroe County sent out to the CDPAS consumers were only in English, causing confusion for consumers who only read in Spanish.
“We were confident going in to court this morning that we had enough evidence that Monroe County’s decision to end this contract is both arbitrary and capricious,” said Bruce Darling, President/CEO of CDR. “In layman’s terms, what they’ve done is potentially illegal.”
The Center for Disability Rights, Inc. stated they will continue to fight Maggie Brooks' decision. The Center filed briefs in NYS Supreme Court for permanent reinstatement of funding of the CAPAS by Monroe County.
video: After a Week Encampment, Center for Disability Rights, Inc. Wins First Battle Against Maggie Brooks, Monroe County Executive, for Funding of CDPAS
additional information: Center for Disability Rights, Inc.
The Judge's decision also ordered Monroe County to send letters to consumers in English and Spanish. The original letters that Monroe County sent out to the CDPAS consumers were only in English, causing confusion for consumers who only read in Spanish.
“We were confident going in to court this morning that we had enough evidence that Monroe County’s decision to end this contract is both arbitrary and capricious,” said Bruce Darling, President/CEO of CDR. “In layman’s terms, what they’ve done is potentially illegal.”
The Center for Disability Rights, Inc. stated they will continue to fight Maggie Brooks' decision. The Center filed briefs in NYS Supreme Court for permanent reinstatement of funding of the CAPAS by Monroe County.
video: After a Week Encampment, Center for Disability Rights, Inc. Wins First Battle Against Maggie Brooks, Monroe County Executive, for Funding of CDPAS
additional information: Center for Disability Rights, Inc.
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Aug 03 2010
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Parade Group Challenges Santa Cruz City Permits |
Lawyers for Wes Modes, charged with participating in the 2009 Last Night DIY New Year's Parade, filed a brief with the court that challenges the constitutionality of City of Santa Cruz rules that require permits for first amendment activities, including parades. In the brief, Modes' attorney Jonathan Gettleman argues that the Santa Cruz City law requiring a permit for parade and protests is "an overbroad delegation of authority to government officials to control free speech and assembly."
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Jul 31 2010
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Now One Step Closer to Developing West Hayden Island Wildlife Area |
Thank you to everybody who wrote Portland City Council and came out to the hearing last night. Council received hundreds of emails opposing development on West Hayden Island and well over 150 people came to the hearing to express their opposition as well. The letters and testimony have been outstanding and demonstrate an amazing depth and breadth of opposition to West Hayden Island Development.
Unfortunately, City Council voted 4-0 (Randy Leonard was absent) to adopt the Mayor's resolution assigning the Bureau of Planning to develop a legislative proposal to allow 300 acres of industrial development on West Hayden Island. The resolution was improved to be more explicit that all development activities would be included within the 300 acres and to require additional analysis into cost/ benefits, alternatives and community impacts, but the bottom line is that the City is now going to spend hundreds of thousands of additional tax dollars moving West Hayden Island closer to development.
Someday this could all be pavement! What's Next
This is far from over. Annexation is still at least a year away. We intend to fight development on West Hayden Island every step of the way and we are planning lots of events over the next year to send an even stronger message. We will continue to need your help.
Unfortunately, City Council voted 4-0 (Randy Leonard was absent) to adopt the Mayor's resolution assigning the Bureau of Planning to develop a legislative proposal to allow 300 acres of industrial development on West Hayden Island. The resolution was improved to be more explicit that all development activities would be included within the 300 acres and to require additional analysis into cost/ benefits, alternatives and community impacts, but the bottom line is that the City is now going to spend hundreds of thousands of additional tax dollars moving West Hayden Island closer to development.
Someday this could all be pavement! What's Next
This is far from over. Annexation is still at least a year away. We intend to fight development on West Hayden Island every step of the way and we are planning lots of events over the next year to send an even stronger message. We will continue to need your help.
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Jul 30 2010
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Disability Rights Advocates Continue Encampment to Protest De-funding Center for Disability Rights |
Disability Rights Activists, CDR (Center for Disability Rights) staff and consumers, and community supporters continued their encampment in front of the Monroe County Leg Building on Main Street in Downtown Rochester on Friday. This enters the 5th day of the round-the-clock encampment. Last Thursday, July 22nd, CDR (Center for Disability Rights) was hand delivered a letter from a Monroe County Attorney declaring that CDR’s contract for the "Consumer Directed Personal Assisted Services Program" with the county would be terminated, with no explanation. While the letter CDR received included no explantion, the County did provide explanation to the media- citing alleged lapses in services that CDR is responsible for. Letters were also sent out to the 303 people who receive services from this Program though CDR informing them they had 14 days to switch to one of 5 other agencies.Letter to County Executive Maggie Brooks written by one of the participants in the encampment. Video of Speak out and March to County Building
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Jul 21 2010
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VIDEO: Sharing Public Sidewalks Advisory Committee Meeting 7.12.10 |
The monthly sidewalk sharing advisory committee meeting is open to the public every 1st Monday{.} This meeting was filmed on July 12 2010 in The Portland Building, (2nd Monday due to Holiday){.} It is an open public meeting hosted by Commissioner Fritz office{.} The topics were the camping laws, arrests and citation regarding the sidewalk sharing laws, and private security, their training and their policies being used in Portland{.}
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Jul 15 2010
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Community Rally Supports Jackson County Services |
July 14, 2010 -- Medford, Oregon
Jackson County citizens rallied with strong support for county workers & for county services. Local organizations such as the Southern Oregon Central Labor Council, Oregon Action and Jobs with Justice stood side by side with workers in front of the old Jackson County Courthouse. "Enough is enough: We Demand Quality Public Services."
- CONTRACT BARGAINING PROBLEMS -
The harsh, unreasonable and unwarranted demands of county negotiators do NOT have community support. The taxes we pay get the best bang for the buck when we invest in a workforce that provides top notch services. Jackson County employees have done their share in downsizing government this last few years. At its peak several years ago the Jackson County budget supported a workforce of over 700 employees while today the numbers are below 550. Fewer workers work harder while at the same time this workforce has made concessions year after year.
Photos of Rally (click to make larger)
Jackson County citizens rallied with strong support for county workers & for county services. Local organizations such as the Southern Oregon Central Labor Council, Oregon Action and Jobs with Justice stood side by side with workers in front of the old Jackson County Courthouse. "Enough is enough: We Demand Quality Public Services."
- CONTRACT BARGAINING PROBLEMS -
The harsh, unreasonable and unwarranted demands of county negotiators do NOT have community support. The taxes we pay get the best bang for the buck when we invest in a workforce that provides top notch services. Jackson County employees have done their share in downsizing government this last few years. At its peak several years ago the Jackson County budget supported a workforce of over 700 employees while today the numbers are below 550. Fewer workers work harder while at the same time this workforce has made concessions year after year.
Photos of Rally (click to make larger)
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Jul 15 2010
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FREEDOM PARTY CANDIDATES FOR NEW YORK STATE-WIDE OFFICE SPEAK OUT! |
NYC Councilman Chares Barron is running for Governor, Buffalo's highly awarded educator/historian Eva Doyle for Lt. Governor and the Harvard educated attorney and former Administrative Judge, Ramon Jimenez is the candidate for Attorney General - November 2, 2010 elections.
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Jul 13 2010
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Sunnyside Neighborhood Meeting On Proposed Clearwire Cell Tower at SE Yamhill & 29th Ave. |
Portland citizens are meeting to oppose placement of cell towers in our neighborhoods.
Show your support by attending these important community events.
All are open to the public.
July 12th (Monday), 7:30 Clearwire neighborhood meeting for the proposed Sunnyside Neighborhood cell tower on SE Yamhill and 29th Avenue, hosted by the Sunnyside Land Use and Transportation Committee. Meeting at Southeast Uplift Coalition building at 3534 SE Main St.
There are more cell towers planned for other neighborhoods as well. Portland Indymedia has received several news wire posts about the detrimental effects of these towers in particular and cell phone usage in general.
homepage: http://www.respectpdx.org/
Show your support by attending these important community events.
All are open to the public.
July 12th (Monday), 7:30 Clearwire neighborhood meeting for the proposed Sunnyside Neighborhood cell tower on SE Yamhill and 29th Avenue, hosted by the Sunnyside Land Use and Transportation Committee. Meeting at Southeast Uplift Coalition building at 3534 SE Main St.
There are more cell towers planned for other neighborhoods as well. Portland Indymedia has received several news wire posts about the detrimental effects of these towers in particular and cell phone usage in general.
homepage: http://www.respectpdx.org/
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Jul 10 2010
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"Immoral" Ambulance Fees |
Due to a severe budget shortfall, Montgomery County is scheduled to implement an ambulance fee of $300-800 per ride. After 10 years as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician, Darian Unger announced that if the fees go into effect, he will have to resign as an EMT. Sitting in the Silver Spring fire station on Georgia Avenue, Unger said of the fees, "I think they're immoral. I don't think I can ethically enable that sort of charging of patients who call 911." Read More & Audio | Audio | www.StopAmbulanceFee.org
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Jul 08 2010
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Scotts Valley Residents Ask City for Moratorium on Smart Meters |
On July 7th, a group of Scotts Valley residents alarmed about PG&E's installation of wireless 'smart' meters that use microwave radiation to report one's electricity and gas usage to the utility took their protest to the Scotts Valley City Council. The new group, Scotts Valley Neighbors Against Smart Meters, is asking the City Council to sign on to moratorium requests to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) by the City of San Francisco and the EMF Safety Network.