Spring Greens running in 2005
By Brent McMillan
GP-US Political Director
Illinois

The Green Party of Ill. is running a coordinated community college board campaign in the general election of April 5, with David Black running for Rock Valley College Board of Trustees (Boone County), Scott Summers for McHenry College Board of Trustees (McHenry County) and Alfred Weiss for Parkland College Board of Trustees (Champaign, Ford, Piatt and Mason Counties). In a recent interview with The Daily Herald, Summers said his vision is "to help real people launch real business into the real world."

Maine

Last fall Bob LaVangie was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Penobscot School Board (Hancock County). On March 7 LaVangie easily beat his write-in opponent to secure this seat for a two-year term. LaVangie's campaign issues included seeking healthy alternatives, such as low-sugar and meatless selections, to food served at the school and bringing more recreational activities to the school and community. LaVangie, who is active in a new sub-network of school board officeholders within the Green Officeholders Network, said he was inspired by the Seattle Greens.

Peter Colman made his first bid for Penobscot Town Board Selectman on March 7, receiving 89 votes or 44 percent. Colman has served on the town's Finance Committee for the past three years and was appointed by his peers to serve on the executive board of the Hancock County Planning Commission. Colman works with the National Park Service in Acadia, designing and building hiking trails.

Lester Timofeev is running for Stetson Town Board (Penobscot County) in a May 10 general election.

Nebraska

Mike Floyd is running in the April 5 primary for Lincoln City Council, At-Large. The top six candidates advance to run for three seats in the May 3 general election.

Vermont

Inspired by the Green Party's effort in Ohio to hold election officials accountable, Owen Mulligan ran for inspector of elections in Burlington, Ward 5. Although he did not gain office in the March 1 election, he finished second with 336 votes for 32.8 percent. Owen is chairman of the Burlington Green Party.

Wisconsin

In the March 1 election, Bob Poeschl placed second out of 14 candidates in his run for Oshkosh Common Council, At-Large. He received 2,421 votes or 12.2 percent in the primary. The top six advanced to the April 5 general election, where they will be running for three seats.

Austin King is running for re-election to the Madison Common Council, District 8, in Dane County. He won his primary with 78.45 percent, or 295 votes and advanced to the April 5 general election.

Brian Benford is also running for re-election to the Madison Common Council, representing District 12. He won his primary with 58.63 percent, or 540 votes. Benford also advanced to the April 5 general election.

Brenda Konkel is running unopposed for re-election to the Madison Common Council, District 2. She is currently president of the council and arguably the highest-ranking Green woman officeholder in the U.S.

Chris Kratochwill is running for the District 10 seat on the Madison Common Council.

Pete Karas is running for re-election to the Racine Common Council, District 9.

Doug Stingle is running for Stevens Point City Council, District 9 (Portage County). Maud LaMarche is a write-in candidate for District 1.

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