[Peace-discuss] Tuesday, Annual Township Meeting, April 8, 2008 - arrive early

[John W.]

At 08:22 AM 4/10/2008, Karen Medina wrote:

>Miserable failure is a good description.
>
>In Urbana, all 3 referenda failed -- blocked by the Democrats who showed 
>up en force specifically to block the Instant Runoff Voting but then also 
>blocked the other two (water municipilization and transparency of local 
>government spending).
>
>In Champaign, only 1 success -- transparency of local government. The stop 
>torture referendum made it to agenda (3/5ths of 73), but then was crushed 
>(did not get 1/2 of 73)-- which took us off guard. The municipilation of 
>water never had a chance. Rumors were that the water company was the group 
>that huddled there, but there were people spread out who I have no idea 
>where their loyalties might be.
>
>For the torture referendum (the only one that was ours), we should have 
>been better prepared for changing the wording (which would have been easy 
>enough). They really took us by surprise by adding it to the agenda and 
>then voting it down.
>
>Mark it up to a learning experience.
>
>IRV was the hardest hit. The others were painful. But IRV sets  democracy 
>way back.
>
>-karen medina


Thanks very much, Karen, for taking the time.  Thanks also to Jenifer for 
the initial summary.

Personally, I think IRV is a tough sell.  I myself have been trying to 
comprehend it in its various permutations for years, largely without 
success.  Therefore I couldn't explain it satisfactorily to anyone else.

Municipal ownership of utilities, on the other hand, would seem to be a 
complete no-brainer.  The Prairie Greens did a study of municipal utilities 
a few years ago, and it's all upside and no downside.

But then, all of this is ultimately about politics and not common 
sense.  If the water company had sufficient shills there...well, that's the 
name of that tune.

I'm sorry I couldn't be there.

John



>---- Original message ----
> >Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:50:13 -0500
> >From: "John W." <jbw292002 at gmail.com>
> >Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] Tuesday, Annual Township Meeting, April 8, 
> 2008 - arrive early
> >To: Karen Medina <kmedina at uiuc.edu>, peace-discuss at anti-war.net
> >
> >
> >So what happened here, kids?  Can anyone furnish a short summary
> >report?  Thanks.
> >
> >John Wason
> >
> >
> >
> >At 09:31 AM 4/7/2008, Karen Medina wrote:
> >
> >>Attend your township meeting.
> >>
> >>Potential progressive referenda include:
> >>* municipalization of water and power,
> >>* end torture, (the AWARE sponsored referendum this year)
> >>* IRV,
> >>* local government budget transparency.
> >>
> >> >     Democracy does require "participation" and those
> >> >     who participate in the Township meetings dictate
> >> >     the outcome.  Your presence and involvement is
> >> >     crucial to a successful Township meeting.
> >>
> >>Urbana (Cunningham Township)
> >>Tuesday, April 8th, 2008
> >>6:00 pm at Urbana City Hall
> >>Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early (5:40pm)
> >>
> >>City of Champaign Township
> >>Tuesday, April 8th, 2008
> >>6:55 pm at Champaign City Hall.
> >>Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early (6:35)