Come to the Green Party State Meeting! At the Pawtucket Public Library, 4/8 1:00 pm Dear Greens, The next Green Party State Gathering will be on Saturday April 8th from 1 to 4 in the afternoon at the Pawtucket Public Library, at 13 Summer St. in downtown Pawtucket. We will meet to discuss the party’s role in 2006, and we will vote to approve our platform – so make sure you read it ahead of time! (see other side). Refreshments will be served. In Providence, Green Party City Councilman David Segal continues to prove how effective Greens can be in office. Right now, he and Council allies are suing the mayor to compel him to enforce the First Source hiring ordinance (which has been on the books since 1985) so that Providence residents will be hired when municipal jobs become available. On the environmental side, David’s led the effort for the city to contract with an energy efficiency firm to save the schools $1.3 million dollars each year. Our strongest candidacy yet is Jeff Toste’s, who is running for State Senate from District 5. This is the third time he’s running, and he’s built up a strong campaign with broad community support; since the incumbent is not seeking re-election, the seat is now "open" and Jeff is very optimistic about the race. The kickoff will be on March 29th from 5:30 – 8:30 at The Blue Grotto 210 Atwells Ave, Providence ($50 contribution requested, but donations of any amount will be accepted). Beyond coming to the April meeting, we encourage you to fill out the enclosed contribution form right away and give as much as you can to the party of progress. We need your financial support in order to have a real impact in our communities. One good way to give is through becoming a card-carrying member. The cost is only $36 a year; half goes to the national Green Party, half stays here in Rhode Island. (Give James a call at 228-8418 if you’re interested.) See you soon! Warm Regards, Jeff Toste and Cynthia Rose, Co-Chairs Platform: Here is a Summary of the platform; log on to the website www.greens.org/ri and choose values then platform in order to see the whole version. Please contact Greg (gerritt@mindspring.com-331-0529) if you have feedback of if you don’t have internet access and would like a hard copy of the full platform. We will incorporate new ideas and vote to approve the platform at the April 8th meeting. Platform Summary Election Reform: Creating a more democratic electoral system to minimize the role of money in politics, strengthen the voices of third parties, and give everyone in the community a say in the political process. Civil Rights: Promoting sexual orientation and gender minority rights, establishing a fairer and more humane criminal justice system, pro-choice, and Immigrant Rights including access to health care, education, and driver’s licenses. Environment: Promoting a responsible approach to air and water pollution, hazards management, and land preservation; reducing consumption and combatting environmental racism; protecting local agriculture. Finding alternatives to fossil fuel, like wind and solar power, and implementing energy efficiency measures. Jobs and the Economy: Projecting a vision where local, co-operatively controlled businesses will provide well-paying, quality jobs to Rhode Islanders. Also, encouraging fair tax policy to level the playing field, and providing vital services that Rhode Island workers need, like transportation, job training, and child care. Housing: Providing housing for all Rhode Island families, including more support for the government programs to build housing and assist low-income Rhode Islaners with paying their rent. Health Care: Supporting the Single-Payer Universal Health Coverage plan assembled by the Coalition for Consumer Justice. Educating students to be citizens, by thinking critically and learning to question Directions to the Pawtucket Library: From 95 North: Take Exit 28 (School Street) and turn left off exit ramp; follow the road, turning right on the Main Street bridge over the Blackstone River and take a right at the second set of lights to High Street. The library is at the top of the hill on the corner of High and Summer Streets. From 95 South: Take exit 29 (Downtown Pawtucket), turn right on Fountain Street, right on Exchange Street, and take left on High Street at second set of lights. Library is on the corner of High and Summer Streets. Parking: In Front of Library: Limited on-street parking is available in front of the library. There are two handicap parking spaces. Next Door to the Library: Free parking in the 13 space parking lot just past the library on the right. (formerly Feldman’s Furniture) City Hall Parking Lot, Roosevelt Avenue: Two hours of free parking in the parking lot across from City Hall on Roosevelt Avenue. Use the ramp to get to the library via High st Upper Lot, Benjamin Chester Building, Roosevelt Avenue: After 4 PM and on weekends, free parking is available in the upper parking lot on Roosevelt Avenue, across from Slater Mill. Use the ramp to get to the library via High Street.