Christine,
This raises a number of concerns. I do not know how Lynn Hinkle can in any way be considered to be still “in the fold;” I never considered him to be “in the fold” on public ownership of the plant. Obviously neither he nor the UAW Local has lifted a finger to bring the hydro dam under public ownership.
My concern is not so much Lynn Hinkle’s personal position on this issue; my concern is the way this entire issue is playing out.
First, there is nothing about the Ford Site Planning Committee/Task Force that has any semblance of anything “progressive” no matter how much they try to use “green” to cover up the completely reactionary, totally anti-labor, and viciously racist, big-business profit-motivation behind everything being done by the Ford Site Planning Committee/Task Force in which everything was set in place by a business committee headed up by the Ford Motor Company, the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce, the Summit Hill Club and the most corrupt elements from among the real-estate, banking and investment community without one iota of input, or participation, from Ford Workers and the greater community.
I have spoken to hundreds of Ford workers; they want their jobs; their families depend on these jobs. As the capitalist economy reaches its climax and reaches its bursting point all hell is going to break out as this bubble is sure to burst. Under these circumstances, these jobs and this plant powered by free, green electricity will become even more important; as will the training and research center which will provide the resources enabling working people to retool the plant and gear up production for a socially useful product/s.
The profits of these big-business elements has been the one and only concern from the very beginning.
There have been numerous people hard at work, and very well paid I might add, trying to give this all a semblance of being “progressive” under the guise of being “green;” and, they have even used the concept of “public ownership” when we all know that there are no elements of the business group that put all of this together who would support public ownership of anything being proposed even though, again, like the plant and hydro dam along with even the training of workers and government subsidy of even wages, tax-payers will continue to subsidize everything these people intend to do in creating a racist, “green” upscale yuppie community. Creating a “green space” or a “green commons” out of this site is a farce. Right now there are acres and acres of “green” all along the Mississippi including a beautiful park, waterfalls, etc; even though little is done to take care of this public “green commons” that exist as on any given day one can walk along the river and find nothing but garbage as the two “Twin” cities claim they don’t have enough money to take care of the parks properly. Half the time the pavilion in the park doesn’t smell much better than an outhouse. The park across from the Plant could be made into a lovely park… it lacks any maintenance with garbage strewn all over. Most of the time the city never even empties the garbage containers and the garbage is left for the wind to blow all over. The picnic tables are in disrepair with many rotting and so filthy no one can eat on them. With this situation being what it is the last thing the City of St. Paul needs is another “green” area when these present green areas aren’t even taken care of properly. Most people are even afraid to walk down the sidewalks at night along the River. Kids are harassed continually in these parks by the police and chased out of the parks.
Even if some kind of light industry would be considered, the UAW leadership has assured that these jobs will pay substantially less than the wages Ford’s temporary workers are now being paid; this last contract saw to this.
Lynn Hinkle, like Rhoda Gilman and Rick Broderick have never tried to organize any of the workers in the area who they have known for years were receiving poverty wages… nor has UAW Local 879 ever tried, or attempted, any union organizing campaigns or drives in this area… there are two tire shops, one right next to the Union Hall, one a block down the street which would have been perfect targets for such efforts, along with Lund’s Grocery Store.
Which brings me to SF 607. Lynn Hinkle stood with each and every member of the executive board at a press conference with Senator Cohen (see photo below) calling for passage of SF 607. SF 607 explicitly calls for keeping the plant and hydro dam intact as a production unit. Where does Hinkle get off, abandoning the Legislation he stood and claimed he was supporting? There isn’t a single reference to abandoning SF 607 in the minutes of any UAW Local 879 membership or special meetings.
What are we now to assume, that all of this was a big smokescreen created for the Ford Motor Company to stymie the opposition they knew they would encounter from workers, and the greater community, who understand the importance of this manufacturing operation?
This is the real bottom line; the only real issue: Workers rely on jobs at this Plant for their livelihood. The people of the Twin Cities rely upon this plant for jobs for future generations.
The working class in Minnesota has relied on this plant with good union jobs for the upward pressure it exerts on wages all over the state. What pressure will be created when whatever jobs which may be created either mowing the green grass or working in boutiques or maintaining upscale housing drops well below the wages of Ford’s temporary workers and are brought in line with those employed at Lund’s Grocery Store? We all know the answer. The impact will be the same as that from the casinos… wages throughout the state will be depressed. The facts are in. Do we see workers at Giant’s Ridge being paid wages similar to those working in the mining and taconite industry? Of course not… No attempt has been made by any union to organize these workers even though there would be no opposition from anyone to them being organized. The casino industry pays sub-poverty wages and no attempt has been made to organize these casinos.
If Ford Motor Company can push wages down like this there isn’t a boss or corporation which will not have a free reign to dictate wage-cuts any place in Minnesota. Not to mention slashing benefits. The miners on the Iron Range are now isolated without any support from industrial workers.
The DFL Business Caucus and the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce have now had their dominant position pre-1930 completely restored.
Sam Webb and the National Leadership of the Communist Party USA has played a very despicable role in all of this as it has sought to disrupt and derail the fight-back against the dictates of the Ford Motor Company.
But the revisionist leaders of the Communist Party USA who are now subservient to the dumb donkeys are not alone in their mischief… the Trotskyites in the Twin Cities have played an especially disruptive role as have the anarchist as some have “gone on a sit-down strike” on this issue and others have called for all kinds of ultra-leftists activity including ranging from urging a “workers’ uprising” to “a worker take-over of the plant” knowing full-well none of this infantile leftism has a chance of being successful, and they made these grandiose statements and proclamations as a way to avoid participation in any effort to save the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant, hydro dam and two-thousand jobs.
Most Trotskyites--- just like Webb, Gunderson and Froemke--- have been shamefully indifferent and have no sense of the urgency around this issue which is so important to the working people; we are talking about peoples’ livelihoods... there is no issue of greater importance to a working class family.
We have known for several years that the National Leaders of the Communist Party USA were working behind the scenes to subvert the movement to save the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant, using their positions of influence in the labor movement to cripple the struggle to save the Ford Plant rather then bringing the full resources of the labor movement into full operation and mobilization… the cat was finally let out of the bag by two despicable and thoroughly disgusting individuals… Dean Gunderson who Chairs the St. Paul Club of the Communist Party USA who sent me this e-mail:
Alan,
The closure of the Ford plant in St Paul is a done deal.
There was an agreement reached regarding the affected
employees signed by the UAW and Ford Motor.
The campaigns we are involved with in St Paul do not
center around the closure issue. Both Mark Froemke and
Scott Marshall have advised our district that there is nothing
we can do regarding the closure.
The name Mark Froemke is well known as he is a big-shot in the Minnesota AFL-CIO.
Then there was the e-mail from one of the most deceitful, dishonest, and manipulative little two-faced rats I have ever encountered in my life, Dan Margolis--- the Business Manager of the People’s Weekly World--- which I obtained, in which Margolis indicated members of the National Board of the Communist Party USA were working in cahoots with the Ford Site Planning Committee/Task Force; in which he, too, characterized the goals and objectives as “progressive.”
I don’t even have to address the role of the Republicans; nor should I have to address the role of the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party; suffice it to say that Senator James Metzen
who Chairs the Senate Committee on Business, Industry and Jobs who could not get SF 607 through his own Committee and still can’t---this very simple and modest piece of legislation aimed at saving the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant and the hydro dam as a production unit until a way to continue production without the Ford Motor Company could be found; imagine, while over-seeing a Committee of eighteen members heavily dominated by eleven DFL’ers Metzen failed to act in the way one would expect.
Metzen is the Vice-President of Key Community Bank, and the DFL Legislative Caucus is dominated by these kinds of corporate, profit oriented, uncaring, unethical, despicable slime balls who know exactly how to manipulate the class collaborationists of the UAW’s Local, Regional and National leaderships who have no compunction in selling out their own members because they have honed this down to a science… the Trotskyite, Bob King, in charge of the UAW’s National Ford Bargaining Unit has educated these sell outs well on how best to serve their corporate masters.
The Minnesota Green Party, especially the St. Paul Green Party, but most of the rest of the Green Party leadership with a few individual exceptions, such as it exists, has been cowardly, snobbish and callous towards Ford workers and working people in general. I would urge members of the Green Party to bring forward resolutions for public ownership at their caucuses in March.
Lynn Hinkle is no more for public ownership of the hydro dam than he is for public ownership of the plant--- quite obviously, he is nothing more than a deceitful liar just like the President of UAW Local 879 who assembled the Local’s leadership claiming to be for SF 607 when he knew as they all stood before the media with Senator Cohen, that they had no intent of seeing SF 607 through the Minnesota Legislature… if they would have had this as their intent they would have brought along a good big crowd like the labor movement knows it has to do and SF 607 would have passed without a problem. Who ever heard of entrusting such an important piece of legislation to a banker? It was all show, smoke and mirrors--- a dog and pony show, call it what you will--- all lies, part of running flack for the Ford Motor Company aimed at making UAW members think their Local leadership was really doing something with what their dues were supposed to do: fight to save their jobs and their livelihoods.
Look at these class collaborationists as they stand there before the media knowing they are lying and deceiving their own members--- claiming they are for SF 607 when it is all one big charade, scam and a farce befitting a Shakespearean Play--- all guys, all white--- all pretending; none of them caring about the workers they were elected to represent. A union leader demonstrates concern for workers first and foremost. How does suggesting the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plan be demolished in any way serve the interest of auto workers or the community?
Under the circumstances, with so much back-stabbing and all the lies and deceit, it will be very difficult to organize support for saving the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant, the hydro dam which powers this plant for free and the two-thousand jobs this manufacturing operation creates.
How many factories in the United States, or anyplace else in the world, obtain electricity for free? Every company in the world is complaining about increases in electric bills and this plant has been powered for free for over 80 years and will continue to be powered for free as long as the Mighty Mississippi River flows.
This does not mean all has been for naught, nor does it mean activity will cease; what it does mean is that we will keep plugging along, talking to anyone willing to listen, working with anyone who sees the need for involvement and united action; trying to build this movement from the ground up. It also means that in doing so we will hold all those accountable for their treachery and their subservience to the Ford Motor Company which is motivated in everything they do by the bottom line: the profits for the Wall Street coupon clippers who live off their stocks and bonds stealing the wealth created by these Ford workers.
The very racist edge to all of this, at every level on the part of the Ford Motor Company, the Ford Site Planning Committee/Task Force and the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce makes this betrayal and bowing to the Ford Motor Company especially atrocious. Then again, take a look at the picture of the politicians and the union “leaders.” Where are the workers of color? Where are the women workers?
One reason for optimism about all of this: Minnesotans, by and large, are fed up with having their lives dominated by corporate and banking interests. Minnesotans understand that this is very powerful wealth driving the destruction of the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant and the ruin of two-thousand jobs.
Resolutions in support of SF 607 and in support of public ownership of the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant and the hydro dam will be introduced at MN DFL Precinct Caucuses on Tuesday evening. We encourage everyone to join us in presenting these resolutions for discussion as a prelude to putting them up for a vote.
I would remind everyone that millions of tax-payers’ dollars have subsidized this entire operation from plant and equipment to powering the plant and training of workers to subsidizing even the wages and benefits of Ford’s employees.
I would note that what ever contamination exists at this site has existed at least for much of the last thirty years while Lynn Hinkle was employed in the Plant and for sure during the time he was in charge of Plant Health and Safety for the UAW. Why would this contamination, which hasn’t even been determined yet, now require the destruction of this plant? This makes no sense. They are grabbing for any excuse at all to justify the demolition of this Plant.
Roger Moe, the former Minnesota DFL Senate Leader, while running for Minnesota Governor against Tim Pawlenty boasted of his leadership role in saving the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant and two-thousand jobs, and said it was because of his leadership these jobs were secure for another seventy-five years. Today Roger Moe is out campaigning to elect Mike Ciresi to the United States Senate but I don’t hear him talking about saving the Ford Plant; why? Why only a few years ago this was a plant he said he led the way to secure employment for workers for the next seventy-five years. Now this is a none issue?
Like Elmer Benson told me years ago: If you take away all of the corruption and racism that this rotten capitalist system breeds the entire system would collapse within in hours. I guess this experience with the Ford Motor Company bears this out.
Oh. My! Benson knew something first hand didn’t he? Ford Motor Company joined with the bankers and all the corrupt real-estate investors like the Clapp family to drive him and the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party from office… and working people have faced the wrath of big-business ever since.
Lynn Hinkle often speaks of the “wealth created by workers;” Hinkle even goes so far as to state “ALL wealth is created by workers; obviously, Hinkle has no more respect for his fellow workers who have created this tremendous wealth for the Ford Motor Company than the CEO’s and coupon clippers of the Ford Motor Company.
I guess when all is said and done this is why some guy called Karl Marx proclaimed this the class struggle.
I believe everything needs to be in the open and above board so everyone is very clear on the issues involved and where everyone stands. In no way did Lynn Hinkle indicate in his public presentation before the Ford Site Planning Committee/Task Force’s last meeting that the coalition he was referring to was supporting the demolition of the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant… everyone assumed Hinkle was talking about saving the plant and the two-thousand jobs.
And Hinkle knew everyone thought this. Must be he was telling Merritt Clapp-Smith the real story as he talked to her in private at the conclusion of the meeting.
I think the time is long over-due to bring Ford workers and the greater community into these discussions with the option of public ownership of the Plant and the dam on the table as a means to saving these two-thousand jobs.
Alan
-----Original Message-----
From: Christine Frank [mailto:christinefrank@visi.com]
Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2008 5:27 PM
To: 'Alan Maki'
Cc: David Riehle
Subject: RE: Ok, I received an e-mail which wasn't intended to get into my hands... now what?
Dear Alan,
The Labor & Sustainability Continuations Committee is foundering because Lynn was ill recently and had to take care of an ailing mother as well. So as far as I know, we have not met since a few weeks before Christmas, much to my disappointment & frustration. He has made it very clear that he is for public ownership by means of eminent domain of the micro-hydroelectric facility not Ford’s Twin Cities Assembly Plant. He believes it will have to be torn down, the site cleaned up & rid of the severe contamination and something else built on it. He would prefer something clean, green & sustainable to provide manufacturing jobs. At least, that is what he said last fall. Perhaps, he has changed his position since then. I do not know. If this coalition to save the Ford Plant is for real, you are the only person from whom I’ve heard it. Lynn is very poor about communicating with me. I’m the thorn in his left side continually pricking him about adapting to reformist positions so I think he’d rather not be reminded of my or 3CTC’s existence. He very much wants to “fit in” with the enviro-establishment and be accepted and is tired of being a lone, isolated radical. He went through a lot of crap in the plant in the 30 years he was there so he is vulnerable to liberal pressures. He has been operating under the assumption that the Ford Task Force is moving in a progressive direction on saving the site for green manufacturing or at least more individuals on the body are giving lip service to the notion. I hope that Lynn is still within the fold although he needs constant nudging to stay there. That’s all I can say at this point because I’m otherwise ignorant.
Christine Frank
From: Alan Maki [mailto:amaki000@centurytel.net]
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2008 1:58 PM
To: 'Christine Frank'; 'Dave Riehle'
Cc: 'David Shove'; 'greenpartymike'; 'Michael Wood'
Subject: Ok, I received an e-mail which wasn't intended to get into my hands... now what?
Christine and David;
I am sharing this letter I sent to Tom Laney.
What is Lynn Hinkle up to?
What is he proposing?
Who is working with him in this “coalition?”
Either there is going to be some kind of joint activity to save this plant/hydro dam and two-thousand jobs or there is not.
Lynn Hinkle was vague in his public comments before the Ford Site Planning Committee as to what his intentions are; there is nothing vague in him combining forces with the St. Paul Green Party with him knowing about the resolution they have voted for and brought forward.
I would point out that the leadership of UAW Local 879 and Lynn Hinkle have not uttered one single word about SF 607 which they previously lined up for a photo op to call for support.
The consequences of having the Ford Plant turned to rubble without a real struggle will be disastrous to working people in Minnesota.
This Plant has stood as a primary impediment and bulwark to employers depressing wages and imposing even further reductions in the standard of living for working people in general.
We, the Marxist left, simply can not allow Ron Gettelfinger and Leo Girard or Dave Foster and Lynn Hinkle to use the “global warming issue” and “green” as their cover for undermining the class struggle. In betraying their own memberships they are betraying all working people. And, as you are well aware, the weaker the working class becomes, the less likelihood there is of being able to have the power to come to grips with, and bring forward real solutions, to global warming.
We need SF 607 passed in order to: 1. Buy time to push the public ownership concept; 2. More importantly, use this movement in support of SF 607 as the base of a movement for public ownership of the Ford Plant.
Once the Legislature convenes in a little less than two weeks it will be too late to get SF 607 on their plates.
Do you not find anything strange about this group claiming to be for SF 607 and then, not only accepting its demise, but then getting irate that anyone else would dare to come forward and say, “No, no, it isn’t dead; it merely needs to be “reconsidered” per your own rules?”
To walk away from this struggle and accept it as a done deal means that the left can not muster a credible alternative to corporate dictate and if the capitalist do not have to take the working class seriously on this issue that is so vital to defending the interests of working people on so many levels, do you really think any corporation/employer in the state is going to take working people seriously on any other issue?
Coincidentally (?) the same forces are scheming in much the same way to now saddle the working class with the full burden of health care costs through John Marty’s Minnesota Health Act. Again, working people have been left “out of the loop” as we see much of the left being hoodwinked into thinking the intentions are good. But, stop and think, why isn’t the little matter of how much “premiums” will be and who will be paying these premiums ever mentioned? Yooo, hoooo; anyone home? Here we go again with Rhoda Gilman and Elizabeth Dickinson and the St. Paul Green Party providing the “liberal” cover for this employer/AMA/hospital administration initiated “reform.” I bet we find the USW and UAW supporting this, too. Yes, the same Saul Alinsky trained/educated, red-baiting “gurus” are supporting John Marty’s Minnesota Health Care Act as are advocating leaving the Ford plant in a pile of rubble. Another attack from your fine “latte liberals” or as Phil Ochs used so sing, “Love Me, Love Me I’m A Liberal.” Goddamn class collaborationists and betrayers of the working class are the real words.
Alan
-----Original Message-----
From: Alan Maki [mailto:amaki000@centurytel.net]
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2008 3:36 AM
To: 'tlaney@earthlink.net'
Subject: FW: Bob Killeen, Secretary Treasurer UAW Local 879... a few questions
Tom,
Thought you might find this of interest.
I would urge you to read very carefully what the St. Paul Green Party has in mind for the future of the Ford Plant:
I ask you, why would the leadership of UAW Local 879 be considering, and putting forward, any proposals that include the demolition of this Plant?
I believe that what Killeen and Hinkle are doing is against the law; these leaders have a responsibility to those workers paying dues to work to save their jobs.
I hope you will reconsider my suggestion of the two-step approach to this problem:
1. Pass SF 607
2. Push for public ownership
Think about it Tom, there is no other way to save this plant and the jobs.
I called you because we need your help. Unlike all these other players, I was honest and upfront with you.
We don’t have to agree on anything except these two points… obviously you are very troubled with seeing this Plant go down. You have no other options to save it, and you know it.
All of these people intent on taking the wrecking ball to this plant are expecting you to stay out of this struggle.
Your position as a past President of this local focussed on these two objectives just might provide the voice needed to bring workers and the community together to save this Plant and deal the Ford Motor Company the biggest defeat in its history and one of the greatest victories for the working class.
I am sure you know the potential is there for a massive mobilization of Ford workers and the community which has a very strong identification and support for keeping this plant open.
For the sake of trying to save this plant it is not going to hurt you to give a little from your stubborn position.
It simply makes the most sense to mobilize workers and the larger community behind passage of SF 607; this will create a very solid base from which we can then push public ownership.
You are wasting very precious time here. The legislative session is set to begin on Feb. 12.
Alan
-----Original Message-----
From: Alan Maki [mailto:amaki000@centurytel.net]
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2008 2:43 AM
To: 'Bob Killeen'; 'L Hinkle'
Cc: 'brian.melendez@usa.net'
Subject: Bob Killeen, Secretary Treasurer UAW Local 879... a few questions
Bob Killeen, Secretary Treasurer, UAW Local 879;
I think workers and the community have a right to know what UAW Local 879 is doing here.
First, you attack me--- falsely--- for “distributing Green Party propaganda,” and now we have a UAW official meeting with St. Paul Green Party members who have passed a dirty, back-stabbing resolution calling for the destruction of the Ford Plant.
This is very interesting to say the least.
Is UAW Local 879 now backing away from SF 607? As you know, it can still be reconsidered.
Is UAW Local 879 now working in alliance with Rhoda Gilman, Rick Broderick, Elizabeth Dickinson and this small group of St. Paul Green Party members who are undermining efforts to save the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant?
What are these “set of proposals for the site that are being developed by a coalition of labor and environmental organizations”? I have a feeling these “proposals” are about as sincere as your support for SF 607.
Is your membership aware of what these “proposals” are that you are working on with the St. Paul Green Party?
I would call to your attention that this release is from the same St. Paul Green Party which has just passed a resolution which would destroy the jobs of UAW members. It is very clear in stating, “Coordinating Committee discussed with Lynn Hinkle of UAW Local 879;” this expressly states that Lynn Hinkle is representing UAW Local 879.
Again, I ask you, has the membership of UAW Local 879 authorized Lynn Hinkle or any elected officer of your Local to participate in any activity that calls for the demolition of the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant?
Perhaps this would be a good time to ask why the UAW attorney who sits on the St. Paul Ford Site Planning Committee/Task Force has not come out in support of SF 607?
Not only are you working with the Green Party which you claim to despise; but, you are working with a small group--- the St. Paul Green Party--- within the Green Party, which is viciously anti-union, racist and anti-labor.
Apparently you have dropped your friendship with Senator Jim Metzen and taken up new friendships with Rhoda Gilman and Rick Broderick a member of the St. Paul Ford Site Planning Committee/Task Force who was hand-picked by the Ford Motor Company to provide a “liberal” cover for demolition of this Plant and the destruction of two-thousand jobs.
As you are fully aware, Mr. Broderick and the St. Paul Green Party have refused to support SF 607.
It appears to me you are involved in a series of dog and pony shows trying to make your membership believe you are diligently working to save their jobs by publicly stating support for SF 607; then you go behind their backs and form an alliance with this little St. Paul Green Party group intent on destroying the Plant and the jobs of your own members. I believe you are acting illegally in doing this because in accepting money in the form of dues from your members your primary obligation is to try to save their jobs; not destroy their jobs.
It is very obvious there is only one way to save the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant and that is through public ownership--- an issue UAW Local 879 leaders have refused to allow the membership to consider.
I don’t quite understand what it is about the concept of public ownership you find so troubling that you are afraid to discuss this only viable option with the membership. Giants Ridge on the Iron Range is publicly owned as are the Green Bay Packers; both public enterprises are doing very well--- true, players employed by the Green Bay Packers get a little better pay-checks than the attendants maintaining the greens at Giants Ridge, but, at least people have jobs they otherwise would not have. Public ownership has saved numerous plants--- and jobs--- all over the world.
We have before us the opportunity to mobilize Minnesotans, the people of the Twin Cities, and Ford workers in a joint effort to save the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant/Hydro Dam and two thousand jobs through public ownership.
You are not so personally biased against public ownership that you will sacrifice the jobs of the members of your union who pay good, hard-earned money in union dues to have their union protect, first and foremost, their right to employment, are you? I find it very difficult to believe you would sacrifice the jobs of your own membership because of some personal bias.
I trust you will understand that after receiving this e-mail from the St. Paul Green Party I have no choice but to ask these questions very bluntly.
I request that you read and enter this e-mail into the minutes during the next regular membership meeting of UAW Local 879. I assume you have done this with all of our communications since you did initiate discussions with me representing yourself in an official capacity as the Secretary-Treasurer of UAW Local 879.
Let me close by stating that I believe you have the responsibility to follow through in pushing SF 607 through the Minnesota Legislature. I assume you are aware that there is now a DFL majority in both the Minnesota House and Senate which should make getting SF 607 adopted as law a cinch… especially the way UAW Local 879 has “greased the wheels” so to speak… the political machinery should move smoothly, but if I were you I would consider taking along a great big crowd this time around.
Alan L. Maki
This is what appears from the e-mail sent out by the St. Paul Green Party which follows this extraction in its entirety:
RESOLUTION ADOPTED ON FORD PLANT SITE
Agreeing that the availability of the 138-acre Ford Plant site after 2009 offers St. Paul a once-in-a-generation opportunity for becoming a greener city, the 4th District Green Party considered two resolutions at its meeting on January 12. One called for public ownership and operation of the existing plant; the other addressed possible uses for a redeveloped site, including light manufacturing, a public transportation hub, and a research facility. Both resolutions demanded public ownership of the hydroelectric facility operated in connection with the present plant. (The rights to power generated at the Ford Dam are currently being sold to a foreign corporation.)
Greens adopted the second resolution but added to it a statement that we would welcome a public- or worker-owned facility to produce electric or hybrid vehicles, if feasible. The full resolution can be read on the GPSP Web site.
At its meeting on January 27 the Coordinating Committee discussed with Lynn Hinkle of UAW Local 879 a set of proposals for the site that are being developed by a coalition of labor and environmental organizations. It was agreed that members of the Green Party will continue to work on this issue, which is vital to implementation of the "Green Vision for St. Paul" that was developed by the party in 2005. _______________________________________________
Always find news and updates at http://www.gpsp.org
news mailing list
http://lists.gpsp.org/mailman/listinfo/news
-----Original Message-----
From: news-bounces@gpsp.org [mailto:news-bounces@gpsp.org] On Behalf Of news@gpsp.org
Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:56 PM
To: news@gpsp.org
Subject: [St. Paul Greens] NEWS FROM THE 4TH DISTRICT GREEN PARTY, 1/31/08
CONTENTS
Kickoff Party for 2008
Caucuses coming up
New officers and CC
Greens review strategy
Future of the Ford Plant
****************************************************************************
ANNUAL WINTER PARTY AT THE BLACK DOG -- THIS COMING SATURDAY
St. Paul/4th District Greens will again kick off the year with music,
food, and lively conversation at the Black Dog Café in Lowertown St.
Paul. Come to hobnob with other Greens and hear music by Dave Bicking
and the Nice Driveway. February 2, 7pm-10pm, at 4th and Broadway,
kitty-corner from the Farmers Market.
****************************************************************************
GREENS TO HOLD CAUCUSES ON MARCH 4
Although not required to do so by law, Greens throughout the state
will caucus on the traditional day, Tuesday, March 4, 7pm-9pm.
Meetings will be held in each state Senate district. All Senate
districts within the St. Paul/4th Congressional District Green local
will gather at the Hamline-Midway Library, 1558 W. Minnehaha Ave.
This is your chance to cast your vote on who should be endorsed by the
Green Party for the U.S. Senate and for President. For updates, see
the GPSP Web site (address below).
****************************************************************************
NEW OFFICERS AND COORDINATING COMMITTEE
At the monthly meeting on January 12 the 4th District Green Party
elected its guiding team for the coming year. Officers not up for
election until next year were Co-Chair Andrew Abruzzese and
Spokesperson Rhoda Gilman. Those newly elected are:
Co-Chair -- Jesse Mortenson
Secretary -- Amber Garlan
Treasurer -- Andy Hamerlinck
Coordinating Committee -- Gena Berglund, Paul Busch, Amber Garlan,
Renee Lepreau, Heidi Sheen, Troy Trooien
The Coordinating Committee holds regular meetings on the Sunday before
each monthly membership meeting. It usually gathers at the state
Green Party office in the Security Building (#224) at University Ave.
and Raymond, in St. Paul. Meetings are open, and all members are
welcome to attend. For updated time and meeting place, check the Web
site.
****************************************************************************
STRATEGIC PLANNING
A follow-up to last year's all-day strategic planning session was held
on January 26. As before, Roger Meyer contributed his skill as a
facilitator. Greens reviewed the plan for last year and noted
successes and shortfalls. Goals for next year were outlined and the
committee structure was revised.
****************************************************************************
RESOLUTION ADOPTED ON FORD PLANT SITE
Agreeing that the availability of the 138-acre Ford Plant site after
2009 offers St. Paul a once-in-a-generation opportunity for becoming a
greener city, the 4th District Green Party considered two resolutions
at its meeting on January 12. One called for public ownership and
operation of the existing plant; the other addressed possible uses for
a redeveloped site, including light manufacturing, a public
transportation hub, and a research facility. Both resolutions demanded
public ownership of the hydroelectric facility operated in connection
with the present plant. (The rights to power generated at the Ford
Dam are currently being sold to a foreign corporation.)
Greens adopted the second resolution but added to it a statement that
we would welcome a public- or worker-owned facility to produce
electric or hybrid vehicles, if feasible. The full resolution can be
read on the GPSP Web site.
At its meeting on January 27 the Coordinating Committee discussed with
Lynn Hinkle of UAW Local 879 a set of proposals for the site that are
being developed by a coalition of labor and environmental
organizations. It was agreed that members of the Green Party will
continue to work on this issue, which is vital to implementation of
the "Green Vision for St. Paul" that was developed by the party in
2005.
_______________________________________________
Always find news and updates at http://www.gpsp.org
news mailing list
http://lists.gpsp.org/mailman/listinfo/news
Alan L. Maki
58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763
Phone: 218-386-2432
Cell phone: 651-587-5541
E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net
Check out my blog:
Thoughts From Podunk
http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/
