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Green Mayor Brings Open Government to Greenwich, NY

David Doonan was considering a run for public office last year, but not necessarily for Mayor. But when then Mayor Chris McCormick, was quoted in the local paper as saying "things are easier to get done when the public doesn't show up" Doonan knew he had to run. "That was really the turning point for me". Doonan said, "People felt like they were shut out of the process, that decisions were being made without public input". Doonan made Open Government the central issue of his campaign. It turns out that was the right focus. Doonan won the election with more than 70 percent of the vote. The incumbent, running for a Trustee position, garnered only 8 percent.

Since taking office on April 7th, Mayor Doonan has already lived up to his promise to make Greenwich, NY's government more open and accountable. He has instituted video taping of all Village Council meetings which will then be available on-line. He's also added a Mayors report so that the public knows what he does and what he is responsible for. Doonan, a freelance web designer (Doonan is webmanager for the Green Party of the United States), maintains a list of his clients on his campaign website. "Many elected officials in NY who have second jobs do not disclose who their clients are, leaving the potential for graft. Publishing my client list is one way to ensure transparency when it comes to awarding village contracts. This is one way to counter the traditional power structure".

Doonan says that building community participation and public service were central to his campaign and to his job as Mayor. "If I had won the Mayor's race, but had not persuaded others to step up and run for office, I would have considered it a failure. But I got two people to run, and they are now serving with me as Village Trustees". He's also convinced community members to join the zoning board of appeals.

Besides winning the Mayor's race, Doonan's campaign had the added benefit of creating a new Green Party local which meets monthly.

When asked what advice he has for prospective Green Candidates, Doonan stresses the need to focus on local issues that effect the community you're running in. "Not that you should hide from the larger issues, I kept a 'Bring the Troops Home' sign in my yard during my entire campaign, but find out what the local issues are. You won't win if you don't address local concerns. "Also, let them know who you are. My race was officially non-partisan, but I campaigned with a Green Party button the whole time. I never shied away from the fact that I was a Green Party member, the webmanager for the Green Party, and also a member of the IWW".

Doonan included a union bug at the bottom of his website. He thinks it is particularly important for Greens to include union bugs on their campaign materials. "If we want to get labor union endorsements, we need to show that we support organized labor".

Doonan received financial support for his campaign from both the GPUS Coordinated Campaign Committee's campaign grant program and the Green Party of New York.

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With barely three months left the 2008 Nominating Convention and Annual Meeting plans are stepping up. Please visit the convention website at http://www.greenparty2008.org for all information related to the convention including transportation and lodging sharing boards, please register now for only $225, which includes 3 meals, before the price goes up on June 15^th.

The Convention and Annual Meeting is being held in Chicago Illinois from July 10-13 in a most exciting downtown theater district, it promises to be a great time. Our headquarters and main venue location is the Palmer House Hilton Hotel, a beautiful historic landmark built in 1871. Please visit http://www.hiltonfamilychicago.com for more information related to the hotel's amenities and photos. Please note that they have offered a group rate for our convention attendees at $205 a night for a single plus tax and $230 for doubles. Visit http:///www.greenparty2008.org for room share boards. This is an excellent rate for the theater area in downtown Chicago in July and the Annual National Meeting Committee urges you to reserve now to assist in keeping the meeting costs down. Please call them directly at 1 877 865 5321 and make sure you mention the group code GRP and the Green Party by name.

The hotel is right around the corner from the Chicago Symphony Center, the location of the nominating convention, another historic landmark built in 1904. Please visit http://www.cso.org for photos and other information.

Jessie Johnson

Cynthia McKinney

Kent Mesplay

Kat Swift

Beyond the nomination of one of these fine presidential candidates: Jesse Johnson at http://jesse08.org, Cynthia McKinney at http://www.runcynthiarun.org, Kent Mesplay at http://www.mesplay.org and Kat Swift at http://www.voteswift.org on Saturday, the weekend has much to offer from amazing speakers such as Malik Rahim former Black Panther and Green Party candidate, long time community activist on various social justice issues. Malik also co-founded the Common Ground Collective/Relief, an organization that provides short term relief to victims of hurricane disasters in the gulf region. Please visit http://www.commongroundrelief.org/ for more information.

Another amazing activist speaking at the convention is our own Steering Committee member Cliff Thornton Jr. a long time social justice activist who has done much work on drug policy reform. Please visit http://www.efficacy-online.org/ for more information on his work.

The workshop selection will be top notch, with expert activists from across the country discussing an array of issues. From foreign policy issues related to the Middle East and Iran, working toward immigrant and LGBTQ rights or to how to campaign on a shoestring budget, attendees have the ability for much education and continued learning.

Do not forget about the Green nightlife. We have wonderful international reception planned for early Thursday evening to welcome our fellow Greens from across the seven continents. In 2004 we had over 40 international guests representing at least 15 countries. Friday evening plans include hearing from our candidates with Saturday being more of a celibration.

The city of Chicago has a lot to offer as well, from live music, theater, outdoor gardens and walks along Lake Michigan, there is always something to do. Again, please visit http://www.greenparty2008.org to register and for all information regarding the convention.

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