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News :: Miscellaneous |
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Vote Green for Mayor in Urbana |
Current rating: 0 |
by Commandante Lucas
(No verified email address) |
24 Mar 2001
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Frustrated by Tod Satterthwaite's Democrat-in Name-Only Republicanism?
You have an alternative to send a clear message to send a message to Tod about his attempts to undermine even the hint of progressive politics by red-baiting city council members and candidates that are simply representing the views of their constituents. If so, express your wish to Tod that if that's the way he wants to run a city, he ought to move to Champaign and run for mayor there by voting for Alfred Weiss for Mayor in Urbana. |
The Prairie Greens endorse member Alfred Weiss for Mayor of Urbana in the April 3, 2001 election. Weiss is
running to win, to promote Green values, and to offer a progressive alternative to politics-as-usual.
Weiss, a graduate student in history at the University of Illinois, brings to the campaign a deep interest in environmental and
justice issues and the energy to translate Green ideas into action. His name will not appear on the ballot. However, he has
registered with the County Clerk as a mayoral candidate, so votes for him will be part of the official vote count. (learn
How to Cast a Write-In Vote)
Weiss\'s platform draft, below, addresses Green positions outlined in the local group\'s Candidate Questionnaires (see the
questions, other local candidates\' responses, and our other endorsements, here.) The Prairie Greens decided at this
month\'s general meeting to pursue a write-in campaign for mayor of Urbana. Weiss filed the necessary paperwork after
consulting with the outreach committee at our follow-up meeting March 13.
The \"Write-in Weiss\" Platform:
I am running for mayor to create a greener Urbana by promoting initiatives for smart growth and the
increased livability of our city. As mayor, I will encourage the redevelopment of the downtown and established
communities through tax and zoning incentives instead of giving subsidies to developers for unwarranted and expensive city
sprawl. I will also encourage the creation of pedestrian friendly neighborhoods, the expansion of bike paths where they
are needed -- particularly along the Green St. and Lincoln Avenue corridors -- and more green spaces in place of parking
lots.
I will also work with the city council to unplug Illinois Power. The callous disregard Illinois Power has shown for
the citizens of Urbana in their tree cutting policy demonstrates the need to take back the public utilities for the public. In so
doing, we will not only provide municipal gas and electricity more cheaply and efficiently to the citizens of Urbana, but we
can begin working towards developing our considerable renewable energy assets of wind and biomass for a cleaner more
sustainable energy future.
The other mayoral candidates do not support a Living Wage. I do. As a union member I strongly endorse
mandating that the City of Urbana and city contractors provide a living wage pegged to the federal poverty line to their
employees.
We also need to ensure that city employees have access to spousal benefits for same sex domestic partners. As
mayor, I would sponsor legislation that would guarantee that lesbian or gay city employees in a committed relationship
would enjoy the same benefits that other married employees receive.
The University of Illinois continues to expand, shrinking the tax base of the city of Urbana while using its
services for free. I support opening a dialogue with Springfield and the Board of Trustees to have the University provide
or support some public services in exchange for its tax free use of city infrastructure and services.
Finally, we need a civilian police review board to oversee the activities of our law enforcement officials. While
our police do an excellent job overall, there are no avenues for citizens to lodge complaints about police behavior outside
the department when they feel their rights have not been honored. This needs to change. I support the creation of a
civilian review board that would not only be able to hear and investigate citizen complaints about police behavior but which
would have the necessary power to mandate change in the police department when needed.
To see this candidacy succeed, I need to ask all of you for your help. Tell your friends and neighbors to
\"Write-in-Weiss\" when they go to the polls on April 3rd to take back Urbana for the people of Urbana. When
they do, we\'ll be on our way to a Greener future.
Sincerely,
Alfred Weiss, Green Candidate for Urbana Mayor
How to Cast a Write-In Vote
(adapted from the Champaign County Voters Guide)
If a voter wishes to vote for a person whose name is not on the ballot, the voter may write in the name of the candidate in
the space provided on the inside of the ballot card envelope. Write in votes are counted only for those candidates who
have filed a Declaration of Intent to be a write-in candidate at the County Clerk\'s Office. This must be done no later than
the last Tuesday at 5 pm prior to an election. If you are planning on conducting a Write-In Campaign, please properly
instruct your family and friends on the correct procedures for doing a Write-In:
1. Write the title of the elective office in a manner that will differentiate that office from other offices being voted upon;
2. Write the name of the candidate below the office;
3. Make a square to the left of and opposite the name;
4. Mark a cross (X) inside the square.
[Note: to avoid over-voting, do not select any other candidate for Mayor on the ballot form itself]
Go to the following website for illustrates how valid write-ins ballots are marked and for any updates on the campaign. Don\'t forget to vote April 3! |
See also:
http://www.prairienet.org/greens/weiss4mayor.htm
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platform expanded |
by Zach
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
26 Mar 2001
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Note that the Write-In Weiss platform has been expanded since this post was made. Visit the prairiegreens website for the newest platform. |
See also:
http://www.prairienet.org/greens
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