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Friday, July 12, 2013

Election Season Already

It's been a while since the last post, I know. Some things are brewing, others are history. MOSA and economic development are the hot topics at the moment, and there is much to come on both fronts. I hope to have more to say about both soon.

Right now, a lot of effort is being directed at the November election. Campaigns are being planned, parties are maneuvering for position, candidates are hitting the bricks. All 14 County Representatives are up for election, as they are every two years. As far as I know, I will have no Republican opponent; someone may choose to run on a third party line.

I've been out on the bricks myself, collecting signatures on the petition which will allow me to run on the Democratic ticket. As in the past, I have enjoyed chatting with those of you whose doors I have knocked on, and I really appreciate your interest in the process of democratic governing, and in the issues facing Otsego County specifically.

I needed 34 signatures on my petition for inclusion on the Democratic ticket; I got over 50, partly because it's always nice to have more than you need in case you make a mistake, and partly because I enjoyed getting out and meeting you again. I'll be out collecting signatures again this month, as I have been endorsed by Sustainable Otsego, and will be running on their ticket as well as the Democratic ticket.

Sustainable Otsego (SO) isn't a political party; it's a grassroots organization dedicated to sustainable practices in all areas of life. It's been a leader in the anti-fracking movement in this region. In 2011, SO became certified to endorse candidates for office, and currently it is endorsing five County Representative candidates, including myself.

I certainly agree with most of what SO stands for; I believe that sustainability is the right choice not only for the environment, but for many other facets of our lives: economics, food, healthcare, transportation, energy policy, etc. In addition, a sustainable approach may be absolutely necessary in the longer term, as climate change and diminishing hydrocarbon reserves force us into difficult choices.

Speaking of the long term, one of the things I especially appreciate about SO is that they – actually, we – have developed a platform for Otsego County candidates to run on. This puts them out ahead of the Republicans, who have no platform, and the Democrats, who are working on one. Here it is:

A TEN POINT PLAN FOR OTSEGO COUNTY   
  • Support Home Rule to protect our communities and the rural lifestyle of Otsego County.
  • Promote farm-to-market agriculture.
  • Preserve Otsego County's pure water, our most important asset, for residents, businesses, and agriculture.
  • Find low-interest credit for local businesses and homeowners.
  • Aim at net zero-energy practices and renewables to save money and reduce greenhouse gases.
  • Explore joining scores of other NYS communities who have municipalized their electric grids to lower costs for homeowners and businesses. 
  • Bring a state-of-the-art broadband internet system to everyone in Otsego County. 
  • Establish a county-wide sustainable comprehensive plan. 
  • Ensure that local tax policies do not increase income inequality. 
  • Support a sustainable Town of Oneonta Southside Municipal Water Project to increase business and tax revenues.

You can read a lot more about SO and sustainability in general at their website: sustainableotsego.org

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