Official Green
Party Candidate for
Orange
County Executive
Endorsed by Grandpa Al
Lewis
and Jello Biafra
WHY I AM RUNNING FOR ORANGE COUNTY EXECUTIVE:
I should like to, through the introduction of a more accessible and truly representative democracy, bring the disenfranchised, marginalized and disillusioned eligible
electorate that does not vote, nor participate in county government, back into the political process from which I intend, they shall never again want to retreat! I want to
insure that all of their voices be heard and that their interests be represented. I desire, more than anything, to lift the oppressive yoke of apathy and hopelessness from the
shoulders of all of our eligible electorate and to cast it far and away so that it might never rear its ugly head in this county again! Out of a profound admiration and deep respect
for all of those who came before us, who struggled so hard and who sacrificed so much so that all people might one day be free, in this country and in others, I feel
obliged to participate in, and to improve upon the political process that has been handed us. I would feel it an honor and a great privilege indeed, to represent you as
Orange County Executive. And so, I do hereby humbly submit to you my campaign platform and sincerely hope that the issues that I raise herein
are as close to your heart as they are to mine.
POLITICS AS UNUSUAL:
IF ELECTED:
If elected, I will work to set a political, social, and economic framework so as to provide a peaceful, just, and environmentally sane world for the generations to come. I believe that a global society of hope and true prosperity must today be founded on the four Green principles of ecology, social justice, democracy, and nonviolence. I come from and make common cause with all of those involved in the grassroots movements for the protection of the environment and all species, peace, safe energy, sustainable communities, international solidarity and democracy, and rights for all peoples and groups: workers, women, gays, disabled, people of color, indigenous peoples, and all minorities, regardless of spiritual belief. I will, in pursuit of such goals, seek the support of all the people. My intent is to establish a path to an evolving and sustainable society.
TEN KEY VALUES:
ECOLOGICAL RESPONSIBILITY
I am committed to ending the destruction of the environment by encouraging people to take positive action in their lives and in their communities through waste reduction, recycling, responsible land use, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and through planning resource usage and population growth. I believe that our relationship to the environment mirrors our relationship to one another.
NONVIOLENCE
I believe that a new respect for people and their cultures must arise so that they can control their own lives. World peace demands a fairer allocation of economic and social resources. We must transform the obsession with domination, excessive material consumption, and the exploitation of the environment into a genuine commitment to education, health and preservation of the environment.
GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY
I seek to encourage informed and active participation of all people in decisions that affect their lives. This must include political, social, economic, and environmental issues.
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE
I believe that all people have a genuine contribution to make to society. I would like to see greater sharing of wealth and resources and less concentration of riches. I am committed to economic alternatives that meet the financial and social needs of all people. I will work for greater self-sufficiency through economic initiatives, relying on local resources, local people, and appropriate technology.
DECENTRALIZATION
I believe that power and responsibility must be restored to local communities within an overall framework of ecologically sound and socially just values.
COMMUNITY ECONOMICS
I seek a new economics based upon the natural limits of the Earth which meets the basic needs of everyone on the planet, under democratic, decentralized control.
FEMINISM
I am profoundly influenced by feminism. The ethics of cooperation and understanding must replace the values of domination and control.
RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY
I honor the biological diversity of the Earth and the cultural, sexual, and spiritual diversity of Earth's people.
PERSONAL AND GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
I am committed to global sustainability and international justice through political solidarity and in personal lifestyles based on sufficiency and living lightly.
FUTURE FOCUS
I seek a society where the interests of the seventh generation are considered equal to the interests of the present. We must reclaim the future for ourselves and for our children.
IMAGINE:
INTERNATIONAL
TELEVISION:
Imagine receiving televisual cablecasts from any and every country in
the world that is willing to export
such, like they do in Holland!
Imagine how this might contribute to further educating county
residents (especially children) in
terms of learning foreign languages and about
foreign cultures, etc., etc. Imagine the diverse selection of entertainment one might have to choose from!
In my opinion, the Time Life Warner media
monopoly of Orange County and beyond
is a violation of anti-trust laws and is down
right unamerican .
It is time to break the cultural strangle hold /
blockade that is the Time Life
Warner media monopoly. It is time to come out of
the closet of cultural
isolationism
and acquaint ourselves with the rest of the world.
How about some cultural free
trade!
Imagine a County Executive's office that
would bring the world out of the
shadows and into your living room via public
international cablecasts!
COUNTY OWNED
TELECOMUNICATIONS SATELITES:
(Owning our own telecommunications
satellites)
Imagine paying a onetime flat fee for
unlimited lifetime intercontinental
telecommunications, internet access and satellite
television! Imagine never receiving another phone
bill for as long as you live! Imagine never
receiving another internet access bill for the
rest of your life! Imagine never having to open
another cable or satellite television bill ever!
Imagine selling said technology service outside of
the county for public profit!
PUBLICLY OWNED
UTILITIES:
(Owning our own utilities)
Imagine publicly owned, ecologically sound,
renewable energy utilities! Imagine utilizing
(where appropriate) county land for wind and solar
farms for all or nearly all of our energy needs!
Imagine selling our excess energy to the grid for
public profit! Said energy farms will greatly benefit the environment and
dramatically reduce carbon emissions / air and
water pollution not to mention your energy bills!
ANIMAL RIGHTS:
Imagine an ethical vegetarian / struggling vegan County Executive who is an animal's rights advocate and who will enforce existing animal welfare laws and statutes which are presently neglected by the offices of the current County Executive, District Attorney and County Legislature. Imagine a compassionate County Executive who will introduce stronger more comprehensive animal rights legislation for the welfare of all of the animals in this county. Imagine a County Executive that actively advocates for animal rights and animal rights issues.
A COUNTY
REFORESTATION PROJECT:
Imagine a County Executive that will initiate
a comprehensive reintroduction of indigenous plants and trees
that have long since been clear-cut from this
county and fruit bearing plants and trees so as
to provide free seasonal fruit for residents and
visitors.
AN ORGANIC
COUNTY:
Imagine a County Executive's office that
encourages organic farming and publicly assists Orange
County farmers that choose organic farming over
inorganic farming! Imagine what a positive impact
a county wide move from inorganic farming to
organic farming would have on the condition of our
aquifers and potential clean water sources.
A LIVING WAGE:
Imagine a local minimum wage ordinance of $12.50/hr. consisting of $10.00/hr. with a health insurance contribution of $2.50/hr. where no comprehensive health care plan is offered, for employees of businesses grossing more than $3 million per year.
A WALK-IN MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC / DRUG REHABILITATION CENTER:
Imagine converting the $93 million jail into a walk-in mental health clinic/drug rehabilitation
center. (In the last ten years, the county mental health clinic in Goshen was closed and the Middletown Psychiatric Center has been downsized from approximately 500 clients to 150 clients. The mentally ill and non-violent drug offenders comprise over 80% of the inmates in the jail per Chris Ashman, Orange County's Commissioner of Mental Health).
A COUNTY GOVERNMENTAL WEB SITE:
Regrettably, many county residents, for whatever reason, find themselves in the unfortunate position of being unable to attend county government meetings and or proceedings. I believe that this circumstance should not preclude their participation in the political process. Imagine a county
of Orange Governmental Web site where county residents can simply key in to said web site and review all county government business and information
such as county legislature agendas and minutes, tax information, budgets, county expenses, schedule information, fiscal information, county maps, tax maps, step by step permit application guides, rules and regulations, how to
run for public office, municipal water test schedules, the results of said tests and what is added to municipal water and any and all potential side effects of such, etc. Imagine enjoying
the opportunity to E-mail any and all county offices. Imagine a county
of Orange Governmental Web site where county residents could participate in all county meetings on line, in real time as events occur.
Imagine on-line ballot initiatives where registered county residents could vote directly on issues that their representatives might not have the
stomach to vote on for themselves like yes or no on raising taxes, yes or no on a county water loop, yes or no on buying land for a county park, yes or no on salary
hikes, yes or no on tearing down old historic houses, yes or no on corporate welfare, etc. Just think of the possibilities! All registered Orange County voters could receive registered
voter ID pin numbers so as to insure against voter fraud. If you or someone in your home does not have a computer, no problem, just use your telephone - enter your
PIN number and register your vote. If you do not have a telephone, just come on down to the county government center and vote in person.
Imagine accessing the Orange County governmental web site, non partisan voter information page to review the ballot, candidates who may be
running for office, proposals, electoral issues and non biased factual candidate profiles. Also candidates and public interest groups could be offered, from a separate page
on the site, free links to their own web sites where they could offer you unlimited information on their campaigns and their issues so that you may be an informed voter
rather than having to rely on minimal information / airbrushed glossy photo campaign pamphlets, questionable and perhaps even biased news paper coverage / non-coverage or
thirty second radio / t.v. bites to formulate important decisions
on that could conceivably effect the rest of your lives or your children's lives.
AFFORDABLE, QUALITY HEALTH and DENTAL INSURANCE POOL:
Being as affordable quality health and dental care should be a right, not a privilege and being as no county resident should ever have to go without again, imagine a county voluntary health and dental insurance pool.
Imagine a county where people who may find themselves in the position of being self employed, unemployed, single parent, elderly or whatever and who can not afford to pay the unreasonably high rates that many insurance companies dictate to such people for health and dental care insurance, joining a county voluntary health and dental insurance pool in which they may secure affordable, quality insurance and in which only those who participate would be required to pay into. This of course would not be a burden to non-participating tax paying residents. As Orange County is incorporated, the insurance pool could be created much as a corporation, company or business insurance plan is created. The more residents that participate - the stronger our bargaining power, the lower our rates and the better the quality of coverage. To be alone is to be vulnerable and at the mercy of the industry. Together we can be strong and enjoy the leverage to bargain with for better quality and lower rates. And, if an insurance company decides to turn their back on one of us or is too cheap to honor a claim, then we can all, as a pool, threaten to go to another company.
EASING TENSIONS IN OUR FAIR COUNTY:
Imagine an effort to ease tensions in our fair county by erecting a reduced scale likeness of the Orange County government center bldg. on a flat
bed truck and paradeding such through our fine county streets and avenues on occasional weekends, holidays and especially on Halloween and that laid off
county workers, unemployed Orange County youth and homeless people be permitted to sell tomatoes, heads of lettuce, pumpkins and water balloons to throw at it. Imagine for a moment that if this
were to become a popular pastime for county residents, as I am sure it would, going a step further and adopting a likeness of the phone company building, etc., to
said parade. I am confident that this would be an effective way of curbing vandalism, road rage and violent crime in our fair county and that it would lend itself quite well to
Mischief Night before Halloween. Why take away our younger folks right and obligation to raise mischief on Mischief Night, when instead it could simply be
redirected into a controlled, county sanctioned event?
A CIVILIAN COMPLAINT REVIEW BOARD:
Imagine the establishment of a non partisan, civilian complaint review board. consisting of possibly seven to perhaps fifteen elected volunteers who would represent a diverse cross section of our citizenry, serving in an advisory
capacity to complainants and to the county and that would make recommendations to the appropriate branches of our county government. Imagine said civilian complaint reviewe board submiting a monthly report of their findings to the county legislature for their and your consideration. Imagine said
report being a matter of public record. Imagine a non partisan attorney who would be available to the board for consultatory purposes. The purpose of establishing a civilian
complaint review board would be to address complaints by county residents and visitors to the county in a non bias equitable manner that would not only satisfy the
complainant but that would also shed light on matters that we as a county might not other wise be aware of. In so doing, it is likely that potential situations could be
resolved before they have had a chance to amount to any sort of unpleasantry for either the complainant, the particular department involved or the county.
OUR TREES:
Being as the trees that are located within our public spaces are the property of the People of the County of Orange, imagine that when such trees must be
felled by the electric company, the county or, whomever, that such trees be made available as firewood, free of cost, to our citizens and that two trees be planted for every
one tree that is removed.
A POTENTIAL HAZARDOUS EXPOSURE TEN DAY NOTIFICATION PERIOD:
Imagine a county government that, in an effort to prevent contamination, accidental exposure, illness, possible long term health effects, etc., etc. of the unborn, infants, children, adults, the elderly, animals, etc. would require by law that if the government, a resident, a company or whatever within Orange County must use herbicides, pesticides, any form of poison or inorganic fertilizers on their land, lawn, plants or whatever, that said
party be required to provide any and all neighbors with notification (certified, registered receipt mail) of such intent at least ten days prior to such application and that
any and all neighbors be advised as to what would be applied, accompanied by any and all relevant product information (ingredients, hazards, warnings, interactions, first aid, etc.)
AN END TO BRIBE STICKERS:
Imagine terminating the conflict of interest that is the sale and purchase of P.B.A., P.A.L., etc. bribe windshield stickers. I don't know about you, but I have been repeatedly approached about purchasing P.B.A., P.A.L., etc. bribe windshield stickers to "stick on my windshield near my inspection and registration stickers so that when I get pulled over by the cops, I won't be issued any tickets."
This never seemed quite right to me and so one day I figured that rather than affixing a bribe sticker to my windshield, I would instead affix a small (same size as the bribe stickers) sticker of the Bill of Rights to my windshield near the inspection and registration stickers. A few days later, I was pulled over by a cop who informed me that it was "illegal" to affix the Bill of Rights to any window of a motor vehicle and who then proceeded to issue me a ticket for "obstruction of view." I figure that if it is illegal to affix a sticker of the Bill of Rights to any window of a motor vehicle, then it too should be illegal to affix a bribe the police sticker to any window of a motor vehicle or any where on or near a motor vehicle.
I would instead recommend the establishment of a legal, out in the open County Board of Bribery where county residents can pay fair and equitable rates for police protection and protection from the police.
CALENDER OF EVENTS:
Monday, October the 1st from 11:00 AM to 12:00 noon
WTBQ 1110 AM Radio Call In Talk Show interview with Green Party Candidate for Orange County Executive, Neil MacDonald Hickok
Wednesday, October the 3rd at 7:00 PM
Orange County Executive Candidate1s Forum
at the Orange County B.O.C.E.S. Special Education Bldg. in Goshen
Call (845) 469-8583 or 692-4454 or 469-8583 or 294-1065 for details.
The Forum will be moderated by Tracy Baxter of Cable 6 News with questions composed by the Leadership Orange class. The event will be taped for rebroadcast by local television and radio outlets.
Monday, October the 15th at 8:00 PM
Candidates Night at the Black Rock Fish and Game Club
Call Kelly Rosy for details at (845) 565-4417
Thurseday, October the 18th
7:47-9:00 a.m.
The Chamber of Commerce of Orange County will host:
3Meet the Orange County Executive Candidates2 at the
The Chamber of Commerce of Orange County
47 Grand Street
Newburgh, New York
(845) 562-5100
9:00-11:00 a.m.
The Uncle Mel morning Show
WTBQ Radio
1110 on your AM radio dial or http://www.wtbq.com on the world wide web
Saturday, October the 20th at 6:45 PM
Orange Environment's Orange County Executive Debate
at the Paramount Theater in Middletown, New York
Call (845) 294-1065
Times Herald Record Editorial Board In-house Debate
2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October the 24th
The Times Herald Record
40 Mulberry Street
Middletown, New York
Tel. (845) 341-1100
Times Herald Record Forum
7:00 p.m.
October the 29th
Paramount Theater
Middletown, New York
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