[Peace] minutes of weekly AWARE meeting 2008-05-11

[Randall Cotton]

Minutes of 5/11/08 AWARE meeting are below, but first, the Upcoming
Events Calendar:

*** TURNOUT NEEDED ***
**** VOLUNTEER NOTETAKERS NEEDED WEEK OF MAY 12 ****
May 12 (Monday) 1:30PM, Courtroom A, Champaign County Courthouse (101 E.
Main, Urbana)
First session of Patrick Thompson's third trial.

covered:
Monday (Barbara)
Tuesday morning (Randall)
Tuesday afternoon (Treva)
Wednesday morning (Kerry)
Thursday morning (Stuart)

needed:
Wednesday afternoon
Thursday afternoon
Friday morning
Friday afternoon

Please reply to recotton at earthlink.net if you can help for all or part of
the above shifts.

May 13 (Tuesday) 1PM, inside Urbana City Council Chambers, 400 S. Vine St.
Recording for this week's "AWARE on the Air" at UPTV

May 13 (Tuesday) 5:30-6:30PM,  Urbana Free Library, 210 W. Green St.
Parkland College Urbana Town Meeting. See
http://www.parkland.edu/townhallmeeting/

May 13 (Tuesday) 10PM, UPTV (cable channel 6)
"AWARE on the Air" broadcast

May 15 (Thursday) 7PM, Urbana Free Library, 210 W. Green St.
Follow-up meeting to further discussion from May 8 event "Enhancing
Democracy in Champaign County: Where Do We Go from Here?".

National Conference for Media Reform June 6-8 Minneapolis/St. Paul
See: http://www.freepress.net/conference/

Socialism 2008 June 19-22 in Chicago - impressive list of speakers:
See: http://www.socialismconference.org/

June 24 (Tuesday) 9:30AM, Courtroom D, Champaign County Courthouse (101
E.Main, Urbana)
Final ruling expected on Patrick Thompson's small claims case against
Harvey Welch for return of legal fees due to ineffective representation of
Patrick during his 2nd trial.

*****
Minutes of 5/11/08 AWARE meeting:

About 15 in attendance

News of the week was heard, courtesy of Carl Estabrook

Finance Report:$2129.57
IMC rent for AWARE storage space may change
(currently $110 every 3 months)

Farmer's Market:
Sign up grid passed around again for volunteers. Concern expressed
regarding lack of shade w/no canopy or umbrella. Umbrella is available at
Kruses (2007 S. George Huff Dr.), but the base is heavy and the umbrella
bulky. Still playing this by ear. Stuart did see a compact canopy tent at
Sierra Club booth.

Main Event:
Next demonstration is June 1. Think about a flyer.

Working group reports:
*****************
Library Resource Group:
=================
(Compilation of valuable reference materials w/appeal to Libraries to
carry them). Librarian contact made. Compilation of resources has begun.

Anti-Racism:
=========
Brian Chesley case - Post trial motions to reverse the verdict and/or
obtain a new trial were mechanically denied by Judge Kennedy, however
minimum possible sentence was levied against Brian (conditional discharge,
100 hours community service, court costs). Turnout was good for a Friday
morning (about 15 folks).

Patrick Thompson's third trial is here. Turnout requested. In addition,
there is a call out for folks to volunteer to take notes for a half or
full day so that daily reports of the trial can be sent to keep the
community apprised. Email recotton at earthlink.net to volunteer (see
requested shifts above in upcoming events calendar).

AWARE on the Air:
==============
Taping now occurs Tuesdays at 1PM, and broadcasts have been moved
to Tuesdays at 10PM to avoid conflicts with Urbana City Council meetings
that run long.

Old Business:
**********
4th of July:
=======
More discussion of ideas for the float (theme is "honoring our military
heroes"). General Smedley Butler spotlighted. Quotes and images of
specific heroes considered. Working group formed with signup sheet passed
around.

"Cost of War" billboard
================
Billboard wound up pointing east on University 3/4 miles east of
Cunningham. Only folks coming in to town on University will see it. This
came as an unpleasant surprise as billboard was expected at University &
Vine. There was supposed to be May 9th WILL-AM Public Square radio spot
from Jennifer Hixson, but this apparently didn't air yet.

Events of the past week
*******************
At Community United Church of Christ, Head Pastor Rev. Mike Mulberry fired
apparently for his strong interest in issues of immigrant welfare (the New
Sanctuary Movement - see
http://www.newsanctuarymovement.org/movement.html ).

Nursing home issue at Champaign County Board (operating at ongoing deficit
for a variety of reasons, significantly a recent substantial decrease in
Medicaid reimbursement levels). Talk of increasing property tax levy, but
there is disagreement. Some are talking openly of selling/privatizing the
Nursing home. Urgency of the issue is ramping up.

Multiple threats received recently by CIMIC (Central Illinois Mosque and
Islamic Center). Police contacted.

Urbana City Council passed updated recommended Policies and Procedures
Manual, and are investigating offering counter programming. Free speech
threat is resolved for now.

May 8 event "Enhancing Democracy in Champaign County: Where Do We Go from
Here?" Good turnout 20-25 people. Folks of all stripes there. Good
facilitation from Dianna Visek. Much discussion of referenda use to
enhance democracy. Other discussion was of the possible regular town
meetings. Recent Champaign County Board consolidation of power
highlighted. Another meeting scheduled to further discussion this coming
Thursday the 15th at Urbana Free Library 7:00PM.