Mayor Jason West

New Paltz village residents will see their property taxes slashed by fifteen percent under the 2007-2008 budget proposed by Mayor Jason West. And yet, services will continue at their current high level and the village infrastructure continue the steady improvement that has marked the last four years. "I have been able to craft a budget that not only continues delivering high quality of life, but allows village residents to reduce their tax bill," said West. "This is the result of four years of sound fiscal management and this budget maintains my commitment to a strong financial foundation the village can continue to build upon."

West said the budget allows the village to continue making progress improving efficiency and services, use smart planning to alleviate long standing infrastructure issues, and move forward with a commitment to environmental policies that are steadily moving the village toward a more sustainable footing.

With the tax cut, the village of New Paltz is almost unique in the Hudson Valley, where town, school and county taxes steadily rise.

The tax cut is part of a series of strong policy and financial initiatives undertaken by Mayor West since he took office in 2003. These policies include shifting the financing of $2.2 million in water system improvements from USDA loans to serial bonds after a drop in interest rates, a move predicted to save taxpayers nearly $1.5 million in interest payments alone.

Since elected Mayor West's administration has accomplished:

• Built the first phase of a reed bed system to turn our sewage into compost rather than mix it with toxic chemicals and ship it to landfills. We plan to expand our program to deal with almost 90% of our sewage on-site with the reeds, at an estimated cost savings of $30,000 per year.
• Installed a solar panel array on the public works garage which has generated 15,333 kW of electricity, saved taxpayers $2,299 and has kept 16,743 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.
• Are looking into building a 500,000 gallon per year biodiesel fuel facility which could supply every public works truck, fire truck and school bus with a non-toxic, biodegradable fuel with 80% fewer emissions, while generating thousands of dollars in revenue each year.
• Commissioned two studies of wetlands and watercourse in the Village. Based on those studies, and the work done in the Town, we have just recently finished writing a pair of laws that will protect wetlands and watercourses; one law defining what is protected and how, and a second creating an overlay district which precisely maps which properties may have wetlands or watercourse on them.
• Fought hard for student, youth, women's and human rights, establishing committees to improve landlord-tenant relations, a Youth Commission, anti-war actions, support of pro-choice events and performing the only same-sex marriages to ever occur in New York State. We continue to engage an anti-racist, anti-hate ideology after facing bigoted protests and neo-Nazi activity. We continue to work towards social justice and equality as we discuss legislation to extend protections to transgendered people facing harassment in the community.
• Presented a budget to the village board that cuts taxes for the second year in a row - an 8% cut last year, and a 15% cut this year. When the first draft of the budget was finished, it came with a 22% tax cut; a cut both the Village Treasurer and myself were uncomfortable with, due to the sometimes volatile nature of municipal budgets when unfunded mandates come down from the state, or when health care costs skyrocket. The 15% is a conservative tax cut, one that leaves us with enough money in reserve to meet unexpected costs, while at the same time allowing us money to set aside to leverage into more money through aggressive pursuit of grant funding.

Jason is running for reelection May 1, 2007 and you can access his web page at: http://www.jasonwest.org

Already this year two Greens were elected to public office. Congratulations are in order for Hillary Weeks the new elections inspector of Burlington, VT. Hillary is the first woman to be elected to office as a Green in Vermont. Congrats also Richard Polese elected to the Santa Fe, NM School Board. This was Richard's first run for office.

We expect more victories this year. New Paltz, NY Mayor Jason West is running for reelection May 1st as is Boston, MA City Councilor Chuck Turner -the highest ranking African-American Green Officeholder. Washington DC's Renee Bowser, a current Green officeholder, serving as the Chair of ANC4D is running in the special election for the Ward 4 City Council seat.

As of this writing 60 candidates in 11 states. With 17 declared candidates Wisconsin takes the lead with the most candidates, so far this year. New Jersey is running a close second with 12 declared candidates.

And of course were planning for 2008! Greens candidates are making plans now to run for office at all levels, from the municipal to the national level -making sure the public can put their vote where their values are. Three candidates have already declared their intent to seek the Green Party presidential ticket; Kat Swift of Texas, Kent Mesplay of California, and former Black Panther Party chair Elaine Brown from Georgia. Kinamo Christin Moyowaisfza-Curry of California is seeking the Green Vice-Presidential ticket.

The Platform Committee is open to receive amendments to the 2004 Platform in preparation for drafting the 2008 Platform. The purpose is to update the Platform to fit the political reality that confronts the Green Party.

Many policies may include new directions and our practices may need updating. All Greens are invited to review the 2004 Platform, and consider submitting an amendment.

The essence of the document may not change; however the intention is to "streamline" the 2004, 70-page, double column document and reduce it to 45-50 pages; to accomplish this goal, will entail the reduction of historical narrative, accusations and explanations, window-dressing and repetition. In effect, there will be deletions, revision of language, some re-ordering and amendments. An amendment can take any of these forms.

Below are directions for writing and submitting an amendment. Please make it your job to spread this notice to your state Green membership. By alerting all Greens of the amendment process we make the Platform work democratic.

Format for submitting an amendment to 2004 Platform:

Full Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip/Postal Code
Home Phone & Email
State Green Party or caucus affiliation

The Platform Committee may return a proposal for revision or correction if it is too long or differs significantly from earlier Platforms.

Get approval from your State Committee or Caucus before sending an amendment to the Platform Committee.

If you wish to write an explanatory comment, please place it first, at the beginning of your amendment.

Directions for amendment:

Go to the 2004 text and find Chapter (roman numeral), then Section (a,b, c) then paragraph (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) where your amendment will fit. If you re-order text, please indicate. This makes it easy to be placed parallel to 2004 text on website

Write in italics, bold or underlined , the new words, new line or new paragraph of your amendment to the 2004 text. That way the new text is easily distinguished from the old.

Indicate by dots.... when you delete words or sentences.

If you need an explanation or the answer to a question, please write to the Platform Committee:platform-work@gp-us.org or to the co-chair, Jenefer Ellingston at: jellingston@greens.org

Forget Republican elephants and Democrat donkeys it's time we have our own mascot to represent the Greens! The Green Party will elect it's mascot in 2007. The nominations process is open to all Greens. Please email your nomination for the Green Party Mascot to mascot@gp.organd help spread the word.

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