Wed, 06 Aug 2008 06:47:34 -0400 http://adamscountygreens.org/ PostNuke Powered Site en-us http://adamscountygreens.org/images/acg.GIF http://adamscountygreens.org/ chuck@steelfarms.org http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=315 Hello All, I hope you are all aware of "Bonus-Gate", a Pa. Democratic Party political scandal that is currently shaking Harrisburg. Several high ranking members of the General Assembly are currently under arrest. From what I can understand, these legislators, and their taxpayer paid staffers indulged in political campaign activities while on the "People's Clock" These politicians and their staffers carried out political activities while being paid for carrying out the business of the Commonwealth. The sobering photos of former Majority Whip, Mike Vion, and his protege Sean Ramely (both from my native Beaver County) being lead away in handcuffs really shook my remaining faith in the political system. I have also discovered another disturbing mis-use of staff time. In 2004, when the Pa. Democratic Party successfully challenged Ralph Nader's ballot access for President, and in 2006 when they challenged Carl Romanelli's bid for US Senate, some of the Democratic Party workers in the Pa. State Department's Challenge Room may well have been getting paid for their time by the taxpayers. I do not have enough information to name individuals, but I have my suspicions. I am personally affronted, because in August, 2006, I had to leave my farm work, and drive to Harrisburg (with no re-imbursement) to defend my candidate's ballot access. I had personally gathered 1750 signatures to get our candidates on the ballot, and felt crushed when I discovered that the Commonwealth Courts had stacked the deck against us. I look forward to seeing what the outcome of this scandal is. I certainly hope this forces the Commonwealth to abandon their restrictive ballot access laws, and to re-open Democracy in the "Cradle of Democracy", that Washington, Adams, Jefferson, risked their necks to lead us to war against our colonial masters. They would weep now if they saw what is going on in the Pennsylvania Government. Thom Marti - editor PS: I understand that Cynthia McKinney failed to get the needed signatures to appear as a Green on this coming Election. Ralph Nader may well survive the probable democratic Party Challenge. If he does, I might just vote for him. My Democratic friends are all urging me to vote for Obama. I tell them that I can't vote for any candidate of a political party that is anti-democracy. I'll tell you the truth, I don't think that any person elected to the Presidency is going to be able to straighten out the mess that our Corporate Energy true masters have gottten us into. {check out what is going on in the Alaska VECO Scandal} Wed, 06 Aug 2008 06:47:34 -0400 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=314 Hello, I have been so busy with farming in this challenging Spring and Early Summer that I have not had much time to keep up on the Adam Greens News. I am amazed to see that so many of you are still visiting this site. Well, in our past seven years we have accomplished a lot; I wish we had such a rosy future. As you know, ADCOGP has taken a sabbatical from GPPA for a year. News from the Pa Green Party does not look too good. From what I hear is looks doubtful if they will gather the signatures necessary to get their national and statewide candidates on the ballot. The April Caucus was not well attended either. I recommend that all Greens look into the state of the national and state party. Locally, we are due to meet soon, and clean-up our designated stretch of the Old Harrisburg Road. I'll post that event when I know the details. Also, we will be "trash/recycling monitors" at the Heritage Festival later in September. I will provide more details in a month. Andy Johnson, who has now moved to Waynesboro, in Franklin County, is running a write-in campaign for Pa. State Senate 33rd District. He needs your help on Election Day. Also the Adams County Local Food Network is up and running. This effort looks real important in light of the onrushing environmental and economic collapse that is facing us. Thank You Thom Marti, Editor Thu, 17 Jul 2008 06:42:27 -0400 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=313 I've come across a lot of conservatives yelling about how we "liberal tree-huggers" are the cause of the high gas prices because we won't let them drill more wells in Alaska or off the southern coast on the US. But the truth is actually a bit different. Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:48:46 -0400 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=312 Hello all, I have been quite busy travelling around cheering people on in their work towards achieving Local Food Security, as well as trying to keep our farm above water in this abnormally wet Spring. I will pause, though, to write a few words about currently serving service people, as well as veterans. I am in the fourth generation of veterans in my family who served this country, and my son is in the fifth. We lost a few in WW2 and Vietnam. But I have to say, I am glad my son got out before he had to get involved in this mis-begotten Iraquagmire of a war. He is, though, working as a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Counsellor for returning Marines. He says this war is probably worse for front-line troops than other wars, due to continued deployments, and due to the troops knowing they are being poorly led by our politicians and their generals. So, even if you hate this war as much as I do, think about the Americans serving over there, and hope they will be back soon. Thom Marti Member - Veterans for Peace, and Editor for ADCOGP News PS: Plant a "Peace Garden" in your back yard; plus,it won't hurt your personal food supply in the coming crash coming on because of this war bankrupting our nation. Tue, 27 May 2008 13:04:38 -0400 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=311 I am pleased to announce that I shall be running as the Green Party candidate for State Senate District 33, with the full endorsement of the Adams County Green Party. I am a life-long resident of the district, very recently relocated to Waynesboro in Franklin County from Hamilton Township, Adams County, where I resided for the past seven years. My platform is based on substance, not slogans. I propose to eliminate half the property tax burden on state residents by two highly-targeted sales taxes on high-sugar drinks and certain plastic products. This should generate $3 billion towards property tax relief, far more than the casinos. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:11:28 -0400 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=310 Hello All, Yesterday 5 ADCO Greens and an observer met to caucus and hold their Spring Meeting. The Coon Road clean-up, in Menallen Twp was very successful, delivering a truckload of recyclabe steel to the Township Clean-up Day. Heavy rains cancelled the schedule Old Harrisburg Rd. Earth Day roadside clean-up; two summer and 2 fall clean-ups will be scheduled. All five caucus participants voted that GP-US should run no presidential candidate in 2008. The membership decided to work locally, holding more events, like the recent successful movie night, to promote "Sustainability". It feels that expending scarce member time and resources on national issues in not warrented, seeing the limited success such campaigns have produced. Adams Greens will not collect nominating paper signatures, and will support the candidates of their choice. ADCOGP endorsed Andy Johnson's write-in campaign for State Senate 33. ADCOGP will probably not get 5% of the highest ADCO candidate's vote total on Election Day, and will cease to be a "minor political party" (the only one currently in Pa.)in November. This organization will then go into abeyance, and continue to function as Adams County Greens." The web site will be kept up, and local environmental events will continue to be held, when this informal group meets. Adams Greens will be the trash and recyclable Monitors for the September 20th Heritage Fest, which is where their next meeting will be held. Thom Marti Sec'y ADCOGP Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:56:38 -0400 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=309 Hello to all of you our visitors, Wow! It seems like just yesterday that I wrote the article thanking you for making 400,000 page visits to our site. Actually I recorded that milestone on June 30, 2007. Up to that point, our daily record of visitors was 3200. I just checked our 'stats' and was amazed to see that on January, 21, 2008, that 22690 page visits were recorded (this one day surpassed our total visits in our first year and a half on line), and that our tally has now surpassed 700,000. I am truly surprised that so many of you are checking into the news from this small local green party, in a very conservative small county in SC Pa. All I can say is "Thank You". We have been having trouble recruiting new active members (all third parties are struggling agains Pa's draconian ballot access laws), and your interest is a bright spot in our lives. So again, thank you! Thom Marti News Editor, and Sec'y, ADCOGP Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:00:12 -0400 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=308 Hello ADCO Registered Greens. I FWD this Caucus notice from the GPPA website: ************************************************************************* Green Party Presidential Caucus The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) sends you this newsletter because you are an active Registered Green Party Voter. We invite you to participate in our upcoming caucus to help determine who, if anyone, will be our 2008 Green Party Presidential Candidate. Please see the schedule that shows when your local Green Party caucus will occur, sometime in late April and early May. What if my county doesn’t have a caucus or the date is inconvenient for me? If you live in a county that does not have a caucus, or if the scheduled date is inconvenient, you may opt to participate in a caucus of a nearby county. Will there be absentee ballots? There are no provisions for absentee voting. What is a caucus? How does it work? A caucus is a meeting at which registered Green voters discuss the options for Presidential nominee and then vote on who the nominee should be. These votes are used by GPPA to determine how (and whether) GPPA delegates to the Green Party of the United States (GPUS) nominating convention in July, in Chicago, should vote. The caucuses will consist of some discussion, after which each caucus attendee will indicate their Green Party Presidential nominee preferences in rank order. The principal options are listed below. The caucus is not limited to these options. Each attendee will also be asked whether the GPPA should support the GPUS candidate, as we usually do, in which case the preferences will determine how our GPPA delegation votes at the GPUS nominating convention in Chicago July 10-13, or conversely, whether GPPA should forego the GPUS nomination process and instead support the winner of the GPPA caucus. Do I have to have backup choices and rank order my preferences? No. You must vote for at least one preference (e.g. a candidate, ‘No Candidate’, Uncommitted, etc.). You may list as many or few additional choices (2nd, 3rd, etc) as you desire. Who are the candidates? Candidates seeking GPUS Presidential nomination: Jesse Johnson – http://www.jesse08.org Cynthia McKinney – http://www.runcynthiarun.org Kent Mesplay – http://www.mesplay.org Kat Swift – http://www.bexargreens.org/katforprez Other options: Ralph Nader – http://www.votenader.org ‘No Candidate’ Uncommitted Write-In candidates Where can I get more information about the candidates and/or the caucus? The GPPA website www.gpofpa.org The GPUS website www.gp.org ************************************************************************* You may have received a mailing from GPPA that also gives you these instructions. ADCOGP will hold our caucus at our Spring Meeting, at noon Sunday April 20th, at Courtney Wege's house at 315 N. Stratton, Gettysburg. For info you can call me at 677-4131. You must be a registered Green to participate. We will follow the caucus with our spring Roadside Clean-Up. Thank You Thom Marti Sec'y ADCOGP Sun, 06 Apr 2008 09:48:37 -0400 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=307 Hello All, Courtney Wege, Chair of ADCOGP. asked me to invite you to a talk by Tess Barton, on Renewable Energy. This event will be held at noon, Thursday April 3rd, at rm 360 in the CUB. A free lunch will be provided, bring a cup! {This event segues with our April 10th screening of "A Crude Awakening"; refer to previous posts for time and date.} Since we are talking about energy and movies, permit me to editorialize a bit. Last year at this time we watched "No Way Out" which details the FUBAR that our national leaders created in Iraq. We just watched it again yesterday (as Iraq erupts into another spasm of mass insurrection), and I really felt a sense of deja vu. How long must this agony go on? Thank You, Thom Marti, ADCOGP News Editor Sat, 29 Mar 2008 17:23:20 -0400 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=306 Hello All, Here is a movie review that Charlie Emmons put together about the movie he has selected for the Green Movie Night, described in the previous ADCOGP news story: "A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash," 2007 documentary by Basil Gelpke and Ray McCormack, is a sobering look at "peak oil," the point we have now reached at which oil consumption exceeds oil discovery. Without cheap oil (if you think gas is expensive now...) the world economy and technology as we know them are in greater jeopardy than most of us would want to contemplate. The filmmakers doubt that alternative energy sources can make up the difference. I suspect that they may be wrong, but the stakes are too great to ignore this excellent, grim documentary. - Charles F. Emmons See you at the film on Thursday, April 10th, at 7PM, at Gettysburg College!! Thom Marti Sec'y ADCOGP Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:15:01 -0400 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=305 Hello All, Forgive me for not writing more often,but I have been been writing my biography/family history, and have been stuck in the past. It has also been a long and hard winter out on the farm,and I've been stuck in the mud, too. We are so glad to see the Localvore Movement which was given such a boost by Barbara Kingsolver's "Animal, Vegetable, and Miracle". ADCO Greens have been involved in the Local Foods movement since 2002. I have a few ADCO Green Happenings to announce: First, Charlie Emmons has arranged the following event at Gettysburg College: “A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash”, a documentary film by Basil Gelpke and Ray McCormack (2007, 85 minutes) will be shown in Joseph Theater (Room 201 Breidenbaugh Hall), Gettysburg College, Thursday, April 10, 7-9 p.m., admission free. Sponsored by the Department of Sociology and Anthropology of Gettysburg College and by the Adams County Green Party Committee. See you there! Second, we will be having our next ADCOGP meeting and roadside clean-up at noon, Sunday, April 20th, at Courtney Wege's house, at 315 N. Stratton St., Gettysburg. Wear boots and sturdy clothes! For info, call me at 717-677-4131. Third, we are excited about two political announcements; 1) that Ralph Nader, Matt Gonzalez, and Marakay Rogers are running for President, VP, and PA. Attorney General respectively, and 2) that our own Andy Johnson is running for State Senate District 23 (Adams, Franklin, and York). I urge you to read Andy's Announcement of Candidacy, the preceding post on this site. He needs your help to get on the ballot; Pennsylvania has the most unfair ballot access laws in the nation! Thank You Thom Marti Sec'y ADCOGP Sat, 08 Mar 2008 08:38:56 -0500 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=304 To all those who have visited our website over the past year, we thank you. For all those who will visit in the year to come, welcome and we hope you will be inspired enough this year to get active for the sake of our county, our state, and our nation. There's nothing but more rough time ahead with the Democrats and Republicans in charge, but the people are fast awaking to it. Congress has an 11% approval rating. They refuse to stop the war, they are all working for lobbyists and corporate profit margins, and they think they have us all conned into total obedience with their pet mudpit media. And they still get an 11% rating. We expect people to leave both parties in droves this election, disgusted with the corruption, torture and callous disregard for human life the Dems and Repubs are putting out. People will either elect to stay home, go independent, or join a minor party. We appeal to you, do not stay home November 4th, there's far too much at stake here. Stand up for what is right, stand by your family and their future, and vote your conscience. This has become a war of good versus evil and every vote counts, especially yours. If you're not yet a Green and have been thinking of joining, we'll be getting up a link for registration very soon. If you're from an adjoining county or a student in the district, please feel free to register as well. Get the card with the G on it. For those of you who think the Green Party is a bunch of militant vegetarians with long hair and bongo drums who want to free the cows, ban cars and make everyone eat trees, that's not who we are. We don't quote Marx, unless perhaps Groucho. We're farmers, teachers, workers, common folk like anyone else. Just concerned citizens who see that things can be run better. If you'd like to meet or join us, come to our next meeting or volunteer for a day with our signature gathering campaign. We're always in need of new voices and ideas. It's going to be an exciting year for the Adams County Green Party in 2008. Not only will we working to expand our membership and register more Greens in Adams County, we'll also be running a candidate for State Senate District 33, comprising Adams, Franklin, and a small part of west York Counties. Our State Senate candidate is me, Andy Johnson. I'm a life-long resident of the district, 40 years old, work in IT for the cable company, currenty live in Hamilton Township, Adams County, and I'm engaged to a wonderful woman from Waynesboro. My education is primarily informal, I have no degrees but my personal readings would count for a PhD in history at least, with bachelors in both military science and liberal arts thrown in. I am a hunter, a fisherman, and an amateur astronomer. My political heros are Guiseppe Garibaldi, William Penn, and Benjamin Franklin. Since this is a State Senate race, I want to run on primarily state issues, like the Turnpike, out-of-state garbage, property tax reform by two targeted consumption taxes, banning rBGH-treated milk and other such issues. I will also try to put together a "Peace Alliance" of minor party candidates, all pledging to put in legislation demanding an end to Pennsylvania involvement in Iraq. Websites coming very soon. Should be moving to Franklin County in about three months. Looking forward to getting a Franklin County Green Party started once I get settled in. If there's any registered or non-registered Greens from Franklin who read this post, please contact me if you want to help get a new county Green party on the move. We'll be needing volunteers for signature gathering, especially on Apr 22nd, Primary Day. We'll need 2000 total out of the entire season, but Primary Day is our big push. We'll need all hands on deck, especially in the big polling centers, Chambersburg, Gettysburg, and Waynesboro. We'll be organizing a training session before Primary Day, so first-timers need not feel scared. More on that coming very soon, as well. So, keep an eye on the site, we'll keep adding more news, links, and other information. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Please, remember to register Green, if you haven't already. Let's hear from you registered Greens out there, we want to meet you. Peace to you all, Andy Johnson Politics Cmte johnsonfor33@comcast.net Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:11:18 -0500 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=303 Hello All, Yesterday five Adams Greens met for our winter organizational meeting. Here is a brief condensation of what was decided. Call to Order - 1/13/2008 Noon, 315 N. Stratton St, Gettysburg, Pa. Present courtney Wege, Thom and Judy Marti, Charlie Emmons, and Andy Johnson (new member). 1) ADCOGP approved, by consensus, new By-Laws. This re-writing streamlines the old rules, and makes some important changes. ADCOGP has dis-affiliated from GPPA, and will re-evaluate that decision in a year. This has been done to permit our members to use their energy locally, and more effectively work with local coalition partners. 2) Election of officers: Courtney Wege - Chair Thom Marti - Sec'y Charlie Emmons- Outreach Cmte., esp to students Andy Johnson- Politics Cmte Chuck Steel - Tech Cmte, Andy will help there, too 3) 2008 Quarterly Meetings April 19th (?) - Earth Day roadside clean-up September 20th - Heritage Fest - event recycling November 4th - Election Eve gathering 4) Adjourn 1pm 5) 1-pm-3pm Roadside and College run clean-up = five full trash bags Thom Marti Sec'y ADCOGP PS: Since I wear the two 'hats' Secretary, and Editor, in posting on this site, I will try to make a better effort at identifying which hat I am wearing for each individual post. I was tasked four years ago to post news on this site, and was as such appointed "Editor", with control over content of what I post. In the future, when I post officially, like the above post, or when I am forwarding a notice from other official sources, I will identify the source, I will sign "Sec'y" When I am writing my own opinions (like this "PS"), or forwarding the opinions of others, that may not be the official opinions of ADCOGP, I sign "Editor". I also have a correction to make to my "Post-Election 2007" story. I incorrectly identified the song writer as Willie Nelson = it was Kennie Rogers. I offer my apologies to all you country music fans, but the lyrics of the song still ring true. I have found that it does pay to not let myself get too excited by winning the first few hands. In fact, I find that losing my first couple hands preserves my sense of caution; I pass that advice on to all political candidates. I think Harry Truman would agree with me. Thom Marti 'Editor' adcogp.org website Mon, 14 Jan 2008 08:48:08 -0500 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=302 Hello, Adams Greens, Welcome to 2008! At Noon, January 13th we will be having our quarterly ADCOGP Meeting at Courtney Wege's House, at 315 N. Stratton, Gettysburg. Coffee and light refreshments will be served. We are seeking Greens to serve as Chair and Secretary of ADCOGP. We also invite you to run for office in the General Assembly. If you want to have the experience of having the "bully green pulpit" at your disposal, we will happily help get you on the ballot. After this short meeting, we will head to just north of town, on the Old Harrisburg Rd., to clean trash from the roadside. Last year we registered with PADOT to keep this two mile stretch Green. For details, please call me at 677-4131. Thom Marti Sec'y ADCOGP PS: By the time this meeting is held, we will have recorded 500,000 page visits to our ADCOGP web site. Thanks for visiting us! Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:12:09 -0500 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=301 Hello, I FWD from Pa Green Party: *********************************************************************** Attention: News Editor For Immediate Release Contact: Hillary Aisenstein, 267-971-3559 Marakay Rogers, 717-578-2065 GREEN PARTY OF PENNSYLVANIA http://www.gpofpa.org GREEN PARTY OF PA DEMANDS INVESTIGATION OF DEMOCRAT PARTY Last night, the Green Party of Pennsylvania’s Steering Committee voted to demand an investigation of the Democratic Party’s activities since 2004. In a letter to State Attorney General Tom Corbett, the Green Party called for an immediate probe into the bonuses paid to legislative staffers for their work on behalf of Democratic candidates and for legal charges to be filed, if warranted. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announced yesterday that staff members of the General Assembly’s Democratic Caucus were paid large bonuses – from public funds – for election-related work, even though they are prohibited from receiving such payments. In addition to electoral work on behalf of Democratic candidates, bonuses were also paid for work done to remove Independent candidate Ralph Nader from the 2004 Pennsylvania ballot. “This is by far one of the worst abuses of taxpayer money,” said Marakay Rogers, Green Party Steering Committee member and 2006 gubernatorial candidate. “To take money from the public coffers for the express purpose of rewarding anti-democratic behavior is despicable,” she added. Rogers withdrew her name from the ballot after being challenged by the Democratic Party for fear that she would be personally liable for exorbitant attorney fees. “It is highly likely that this same payment scheme was used in 2006 when they threw me and my fellow candidates off the ballot, but we will probably never know,” said Rogers. Emails from 2006 were deleted from the legislative computer systems; however the 2004 and 2005 emails which document the payment scheme were retrieved by investigators. The Green Party has long called for more transparency in government and an end to excessive bonuses for politicians and their aids. The Green Party was one of several groups that supported “Clean Sweep PA,” the popular campaign against the legislative pay raise of 2005. “The entire system is clearly stacked against third party candidates and independent challengers,” said Bob Small of the Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition. Not only do the Democrats and Republicans get to make the rules to keep challengers out, they also get to use the public money to keep it that way,” he continued. The Green Party of Pennsylvania is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. The Green Party of Pennsylvania stands for grassroots democracy, sustainable economics, nonviolence, and ecology. The Green Party of Pennsylvania stands in firm opposition to the War in Iraq. ************************************************************************** Thank You Thom Marti Sec'y ADCOGP Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:23:22 -0500 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=300 Hello All, I have some good news from Monica Dutko, Director of the Adams County Voters Registration Office. She confirms that Courtney Wege's vote total, qualifies as "greater than 5% of the highest county wide candidate's vote". The Pa. Election Code (Para 2831) declares that ADCOGP is again a "political party within that county", for 2008. ADCOGP first achieved that distinction in 2004, when I ran for SR 193. Courtney retained our status in 2005 with her first campaign for Gettysburg Area School Board; and derf Maitland (USC 19), and Lynn Smallwood (SR 91) again garnered that vote total in 2006. ADCOGP is the last Green entity in Pa considered as a political party. The state, and other local green organizations are now considered to be "political bodies". This is why, when you look at newly issued "voter registration forms", you will see that "Green Party" is no longer an option, it is just listed as "other". I think you can still write in "Green" when you register to vote. ADCOGP, is re-evaluating its future, and its Steering Committee is re-writing the by-laws, to reflect this new reality, by changing our focus back to dealing with local issues. Active members will be contacted, and a copy of the proposed by-laws will be delivered to them. For comparison, active members of ADCOGP can refer to the existing ADCOGP By-Laws, which appear on the 'menu' of this web-site. Thank You Thom Marti Sec'y ADCOGP Fri, 30 Nov 2007 08:32:16 -0500 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=299 Hello all (esp. residents of Gettysburg Borough, and Cumberland and Straban Townships), Last night I attended the public hearing held by the Suquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) which addressed the Gettysburg Municipal Authority's (GMA) request to tie into the York Water Company (actually owned by an international corporation). This plan will deliver up to 3 million gallons of Susquehanna River water per day, to GMA, whose pipelines will spread out its tentacles to all the proposed developments in these municipalities (and soon, beyond). This water will be used to justify the issuance of thousands of "Sprawl Permits". SRBC has very little authority to really regulate water; they are at the beck and call of politicians and developers. GMA has been seriously mismanaged, and is trying to buy its way out with ever more ambitious plans. The municpalities have very little say in the matter, since the Pa. Municipalities Planning Code (MPC)requires them to permit, not limit, development. In other words, Lower Adams could see its population double in the next couple decades. Our schools are reaching capacity, our roads are already over capacity, and our Property Taxes keep going up. What can we all do? The only hopeful sign that I have seen is that the voters of Straban Township voted out a supervisor who was Pro-Sprawl. We need our General Assembly to repeal the MPC, but don't hold your breath. Our State House has next to no ethical restrictions about taking and reporting funds from lobbyists (incl. corporate developers), and they are in no hurry to kill their golden goose. Fortunately our county is represented by Steve Nichols, and Dan Moul, who I believe are honest men. Go talk to them, and other government officials and learn why we are in this predicament. The only other thing we can do, is buy up land, and protect it and its water courses. Several years ago I ran for state representative, on the campaign mantra - "We are Water". Think about it, and get involved. Thom Marti PS: I just heard a book review, about how to invest in the "coming economic catastrophe". I have noticed that property prices are down, and that the new poorly planned developments in Upper Adams are not selling many houses. Fri, 16 Nov 2007 06:47:11 -0500 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=298 Hello, Unfortunately Courtney Wege did not retain her school board seat. It usually takes being 'cross-filed' with both major parties to win. Courtney ran a great campaign, and got a lot of votes. Her yard signs (Happy Hands Held High) were a big hit. I do like home-made yard signs, all those thousands of professionally printed ones on the roadsides are just more visual clutter, and potential litter. Courtney's signs represent the third time that Adams Green Party signs have been recycled and re-used. And we did have a "Victory Party" at Courtney's house. We Greens consider it a victory just getting onto the ballot in Pennsylvania, home of the most restrictive ballot access laws in the country. I understand that one of our local major parties lost some races they thought they were going to win. While I sympathize with them, I caution them to remember Willie Nelson's advice "Never count your money 'til the dealings done..." And if there are any sore losers out there, who need to blame their losses on someone, we Adams Greens volunteer to be your scapegoats. After all, we are the "Unreasonable Man's" unreasonable supporters! Thank You Thom Marti Sec'y - Adams Green Party Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:49:51 -0500 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=297 Hello, Today is Election day. We need all of you in the Gettysburg Area School District to vote for Courtney Wege. Voting seems very light, and your vote could make the difference! Hope to see you all at her "Victory Party" tonight (see previous story for details). Also, I received this notice of the following Local Fair Trade Event, and FWD it to you all; ********************************************************************** FAIRFIELD MENNONITE CHURCH 201 West Main St., P.O. Box 158 Fairfield Pennsylvania 17320 Calendar Editor The 47th International Gift Festival will be held, Nov. 8 and 9 from 9 am to 8 pm and Nov 10 from 9 am to 5 pm at the Fairfield Mennonite Church, Fairfield, Pa. (8 miles west of Gettysburg on Rt 116). Seniors and Handicapped Shopping is available on Tuesday, Nov 6 from 9 am to 3 pm. The International Gift Festival features handcrafted items from over 39 countries from around the world. Among the many offerings will be jewelry, Christmas decorations and ornaments, wood carvings, toys, linens, Oriental rugs, musical instruments, wall hangings, baskets and much more. There is no admission charge and all proceeds are returned to Ten Thousand Villages, an alternative trade organization of the Mennonite Central Committee For additional information call the Fairfield Mennonite Church at 717-642-8936, or email fmc606@pa.net or scan the web at www.tenthousandvilleages.com. Thank you, Joyce M. Shutt co-chair **************************************************************** Thom Marti, Sec'y ADCOGP Tue, 06 Nov 2007 10:27:27 -0500 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=296 Hello All, Courtney Wege,Chair of ADCOGP and seated member of the Gettysburg Area School District Board is campaigning hard to retain her position in the Tuesday, November 6, Municipal Election. Courtney needs your vote, and your help to be one of the 5 candidates selected, out of a field of six. Her friends and supporters will be working at many of the 12 polling places in GBASD, but she needs more help. If you have a few hours to work for your Democracy (and your children's education), please contact Courtney at 253-0067, or me at 677-4131 of e-mail me at thom@adamscountygreens.org) I fWD this invitation to all of you: ******************************************************************** Election Day Celebration All are invited to my house to celebrate a great election year- Grassroots Democracy at it’s best! When: 8pm What: spirits, treats and good friends Where: 315 N Stratton St. See you then. Thank you in advance for all who are helping at the polls. Courtney Wege Associate Director of Admissions Gettysburg College Eisenhower House 300 N. Washington St Gettysburg, PA 17325 717.337.6100/1.800.431.0803 f.717.337.6145 cwege@gettysburg.edu IM: CJWgburgadmiss ********************************************************************** We hope to see you all there, and esp. members of ADCOGP, we need to start talking about "the future". Thank You Thom Marti (Sec'y ADCOGP) Thu, 01 Nov 2007 07:20:41 -0400 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=295 Hello All, I forward the following statement from the Erie Green Party: ************************************************************** BETH ROCKWELL – GREEN POLITICAL PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE On Thursday, October 25th, 2007 Beth Rockwell and five other peace protesters from Erie County were sentenced to prison on contempt charges. The “Erie Six” were sentences to serve five days in jail for refusing to pay fines stemming from their blocking, on March 20th, the doors to the downtown Erie Federal Courthouse. Their protest was intended to serve as a symbolic representation of citizens’ effort to shut-down our governments’ illegal and immoral war on Iraq. A large crowd of local supporters gathered at 8:30 AM Thursday, first at the office of Phil English (R), Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional district representative. There, Erie Peace Initiative (EPI) supporters placed letters of support for the “Erie Six” while reiterating their desire for an end to the Iraq War. Next, supporters traveled south on State Street to the downtown Federal Courthouse in which they delivered additional letters of both support and protest to the offices of Sen. Arlen Specter (R) and Sen. Robert Casey (D), whose offices are located in the Courthouse. The court proceedings began at 10 AM to an overflowing courtroom, and continued until 2:30 PM. The defendants included Jim Wise, Richard Quiggle, Anne McCarthy, Bob Johnson, Katie White, and local Green Treasurer, Beth Rockwell. The Green Party of Erie County has been a long-time coalition partner with EPI, a local grassroots peace organization formed soon after the Sept. 11, 2001 criminal terrorist attack on New York and Washington, D.C. Erie Peace Initiative coalition members successfully worked to organize a massive peace protest this March 19th in Erie, drawing over 1,000 protesters from around the region in an overwhelming show of support for complete and immediate withdrawal from Iraq. Local Green activists have played a key role in this and previous EPI events, including vigils, petition drives, street protests which included symbolic folded paper cranes, and citizen mobilization drives. The Erie Peace Initiative and its associated eighteen coalition partners have sponsored Town Hall events in which its national representatives have been invited to attend. Greens and EPI members have also been supportive of the Meadville, Pennsylvania, Women In Black as a contingent in their city’s last two Memorial Day parades, as well as their ongoing Saturday morning vigils against the Iraq War. Thursday’s proceedings stem from contempt charges from the original fine amounting to $500 which the “Erie Six’ refused to pay. Federal statutes allow for a maximum of 30 days incarceration for contempt charges. Beth Rockwell, at age 71, was sentenced to house arrest due to her involved health issues. Submitted by Tim Reim Chair – Green Party of Erie County ************************************************************************* Thank You Thom Marti PS: It is good to see that there is still one political body against this insane war. Sat, 27 Oct 2007 14:43:48 -0400 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=294 Hello, Election day is in three weeks, on Tuesday, November 6th. Adams Greens are running the best candidate in the field. Courtney Wege has run before, in 2005, narrowly losing because she was not "cross-filed". She was selected, though, in 2006 when a vacancy occured on the School Board. Courtney needs your help, and your vote to retain her seat on Gettysburg Area School District, which is the largest school district in Adams County. Courtney graduated from Gettysburg College with a teaching degree; she is a trained teacher, and she finds joy in educating our youth. Courtney is the Assistant Director of Admissions at Gettysburg College; she is a proven administrator, and a very good recruiter. Courtney currently serves on the School Board; she is trained for the job, and she is the best candidate for the job. Courtney needs you to put her yard signs up in your yard, if you live in Gettysburg Area School District, which includes: Gettysburg Boro, plus Cumberland, Franklin, Freedom, Highland, Mt. Joy, and Straban Townships. Courtney also needs you to volunteer to hand out campaign literature for her at the nearest poll, in these municpalities. To volunteer, please contact me at thom@adamscountygreens.org, or call at 677-4131. I thank You, and Courtney thanks You. Thom Marti Secretary, Adams County Greens Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:36:01 -0400 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=293 Hello, I mistakenly listed this Carlisle event's date = it is 8am-4pm Saturday October 13th. The farmers from Olde Pomfret Farm Market will be selling their goods in Veterans Square, in front of the Old Court House in the Square. The Mother Earth Harvest Fair in York County was very well attended, and was a lot of fun. I encourage you all to get out and celebrate the harvest with your local farmers at fairs and farmer markets. Each purchase you make will be a vote for Local Food Security in these troubled times, when much of our food is imported from far away, and arrives far from fresh. Thank You Thom Marti - farmer Mon, 01 Oct 2007 07:44:29 -0400 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=292 Hello, Again, forgive me for not keeping up on writing some Green News; this is apple harvest season, and I have been busy harvesting apples. This vocation permits me to attend several autumn harvest fests. The Kempton Pa. Energy fair was great! GPPA and the Berks Greens had a good time, and got to talk to many folks about Sustainability. Make sure to go next year! Two more local events are coming up real soon. In fact, my wife Judy heads out today, with her guitar and banjo to play music and sell books and apples at The Mother Earth Harvest Fair, at Sputswood Farm, in nearby Glenville, York county. This is the same site as the Spring Fairie Fest, but please don't wear wings to this event. This fest is focused on Local Food Security, which should be all of our primary goal - after all, don't we all have to eat? Does anyone believe the corporate global food production system is sustainable? I will be heading there tomorrow (I'm going to farmers market today); so stop by our display. The second event is the Carlisle Harvest Arts Fair, next Saturday, October 6th. I will be in Veteran's Square selling apples and apple butter, as part of the Olde Pomfret Farmers Market. and I believe the Cumberland Creen Party will also have a booth. So get involved, shop at a farmers market, join a CSA, attend a Local Food Security event, and have some fun! Thank You Thom Marti Sat, 29 Sep 2007 06:11:55 -0400 http://adamscountygreens.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=291 Hello all, We had a lovely day in the Gettysburg Rec Park yesterday. ADCO Greens hosted a table promoting Sustainability and Local Economy. We signed up volunteers to help Courtney Wege at the polls so she can continue serving on the Gettysburg Area School Board. We treated fair goers to Certified Naturally Grown(CNG) apples and pears, as well as trail mix made from organic goods that we are buying bulk and distributing with members of local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA),as well as with two area Co-housing groups. Our intention is to revive the Adams County Food Co-op, which served the community from 1973-1983. Adams Greens are shifting our fccus to Local Food Security, because, face it folks, the shape of this nation and world is not getting any better. The Resource Wars are being waged, the Corporations are replacing democratic governments, our population is surging, and Global Climate Change is here. It is time for each of our communities to look to securing our own food supply just in case "whoops" the global food system collapses. This was the original objective of the Adams Greens, with the 2000 Heritage Festival being the crucible for this plan. I was not then a member of the Greens, but for two years we joined local sustainable farmers in presenting a "Local Farm Market" booth at the fair. Then, in 2002, and I was asked to co-ordinate Ben Price's congressional campaign, and we had our first Green Party booth at the event. We handed out fresh made raw cider, as well as a new ideas in local politics. Our Heritage booth became an annual tradition, bringing Dave Cobb (2004 GP Presidential Candidate), and Local and State-wide Green candidates. In 2004 BBC World TV came to film our merry Green band. But times do change, and the Adams County Greens are pausing to re-group. It seems that neither of the two major parties are doing anything to stop this Iran (whoops I meant Iraq) war, and the inevitable continuing conflicts our futures holds. Our nation is still stubbornly refusing to do anything about protecting the environment, intent on producing more material goods, made by poorly paid foreign workers, to keep this bankrupt system afloat, by supplying the American Consumer's addiction. Well, we admit, we few can't do much about it. The Democratic Party is still obsessed with obliterating the Green Party, still blaming us for Al Gore's 2000 loss, not accepting their own political ineptitude. So we will just move back to our Green "Roots" and wait and see what the future holds as we try to ensure Local Food Security. Hmmm, Ho Chi Minh did this, for decades - he called it "going to ground". Thank You Thom Marti Sec'y ADCOGP & co-owner of Broad Valley Orchard (CNG) Mon, 17 Sep 2007 08:29:45 -0400