Prescott Indivisible

ATTENTION TO ALL THOSE CONCERNED ABOUT WATER USE AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PRESCOTT QUAD-CITY AREA

The PRESCOTT INDIVISIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL TEAM is bringing a representative, MR. DAVID McKAY, from the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) to tell us what the process is for developers proposing to start new housing projects to prove that there is going to be water available for a long period of time in the area where they are proposing to build.

There will be a question and answer period after the presentation so we can ask our specific questions on the topic that weren’t answered by the presentation.

Please get the word out and mark your calendars for Friday, May 18, 2018 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. LOCATION: Granite Peak UU Davis Hall, 882 Sunset Ave., Prescott, AZ 86305

Summary Agenda:

GUEST SPEAKER INTRODUCTIONS: Mr. David McKay, Representative from the Arizona Department of Water Resources

TOPIC: Mr. McKay will present to the group the process used for developers proposing to start new housing projects to prove that there is going to be water available for a long period of time in the area where they are proposing to build.

6:05 -6:50 PM PRESENTATION:  AZ Department of Water Resources

QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD: Index cards have been made available to you to write your question during the presentation. You will be invited to ask your questions after the presentation.

Thank you!

Debbie Cotton

Prescott Indivisible Environmental Team and YCCCC

PARTICIPATE! #Resist!

Democracy NEEDS YOU!  Red Alert Issues! ODM Telecom TOMORROW! AND: Dirty Money Petitions DUE!

Prescott Indivisible General Meeting

The PI General Meeting will be held this Friday, May 4, from 6 – 7:30 pm at the Granite Creek Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Davis Hall, in Prescott.

Hal Tyler will present the Candidate Endorsement Guidelines developed by the Steering Committee and the ad hoc Voter Registration Team.

We need everyone to attend as per our Guidelines, a two-thirds vote from the members present is needed to pass. An endorsement is not simply a statement of preference; it is a commitment by the members of Prescott Indivisible to actively support and work for a candidate. Individual members of PI remain free to support in any way candidates of their own choice, regardless of whether Prescott Indivisible has made an endorsement. The proposed Guidelines follow:

The following races for PI support will be recommended:

• CD4 House of Representatives to replace Gosar

• AZ Governor

• LD1 AZ Senate

• LD1 AZ House

In addition, four speakers will be at the PI General Meeting:  Dr. David Brill and Delina Disanto, Democratic Candidates for U. S. House of Representatives, District 4, and Dr. Ed Gogek and Jan Manolis, Democratic Candidates for Arizona House, District 1.

Dr. Brill was the Northern Arizona Manager of Primary Care services for the Veterans Administration, and pioneer of its Telehealth program. He is an advocate for good governance and believes we need to use our resources by cutting waste and fraud and effectively invest in education.

Delina Disanto is a registered nurse and has a strong business background. She was a partner in a home development business and was responsible for major contracts. Delina believes in Medicare for all.

Dr. Ed Gogek is a psychiatrist who has worked in jails, prisons, and homeless clinics, and had a private practice in Prescott for 14 years. He’s a life member of the Sierra Club and is interested in conservation issues and public education.

Jan Manolis has had a career working in information technology and has worked in leadership positions in both public and private sectors. Her extensive experience navigating the healthcare system has fueled her passion to promote affordable and accessible health care.

We will vote on the following proposed section on endorsements that is to be added at end of the “Membership, Meeting, and Voting” section on Fri., May 4.

Endorsements: Prescott Indivisible may endorse candidates running for office during the primary or general election. An endorsement is not simply a statement of preference; it is a commitment by the members of Prescott Indivisible to actively support and work for a candidate. Individual members of PI remain free to support in any way candidates of their own choice, regardless of whether Prescott Indivisible has made an endorsement. 

Potential races for endorsement will be proposed to the Steering Committee by an Ad Hoc Working Group on endorsements. Preference will be given to races where candidates have spoken to the General Membership. Races will require 2/3 approval by the Steering Committee, and then will be presented to the General Membership at the subsequent monthly meeting.  

Proposed races will require 2/3 approval of the General Membership at the monthly meeting. Members may also write-in races that were not proposed by the Ad Hoc Working Group or were not approved by the Steering Committee. Any race that receives write-in support of a simple majority (50%+1) of members voting will also be approved.

At the following monthly General Membership meeting endorsements will be voted on. Prior to this meeting, members will be given the opportunity to send an email requesting to make a statement of support for a particular candidate. Statements made by members on behalf of a candidate will take place following any candidate presentation.  At the meeting, a maximum of one statement of support per candidate shall be made. Candidates require a minimum of 2/3 support to be endorsed by Prescott Indivisible.

Click Here:  Contact Your Elected Officials!Republican State Senators want to Disenfranchise you! 

Arizona Senate votes to block you from replacing McCain if vacancy occurs.  Updated 7:51 a.m. MT April 19, 2018

Laurie Roberts: Republican legislators want to block voters from selecting Sen. John McCain’s replacement this year, should he leave office in the next six weeks.

Once again, the Arizona Legislature is proving that it doesn’t trust you.

Earlier this session, our leaders trotted out a doomed proposal that would strip voters of the right to nominate candidates for the U.S. Senate in the primary election. This time, our leaders don’t trust you to decide who should represent you in the Senate, should Sen. John McCain leave office in the next six weeks.

McCain is suffering from a brutal brain cancer and his failing health apparently constitutes an emergency at the state Capitol, where politics trump common decency or class.

Brazen political move

On Tuesday, the Republican-led Senate gave preliminary approval to an immediate change in state law for how to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy. This, so that should McCain leave office in coming weeks, Gov. Doug Ducey would select who would represent us for the next two and one-half years.

According to the Secretary of State’s Office’s, if McCain left office by May 31, Ducey would appoint a temporary replacement and Arizona voters would choose their next senator in November. If the office became vacant on June 1 or thereafter, Ducey’s appointee would serve until the seat went onto the ballot in 2020. (Note: there is some dispute about the date. While the Secretary of State’s Office puts the deadline at May 31, elections lawyer Joe Kanefield notes that ARS16-202 requires the ballot to be finalized 120 days before the primary election, which would put the date by which a vacancy must occur at April 30.)

The proposed change in law would require the seat to become vacant 150 days before the primary in order to hold an election. This year, that deadline would have been March 31.

The proposal to already was a part of House Bill 2538, a bill originally intended to lengthen future special congressional campaigns after Trent Franks’ free fall and the scramble to replace him. The Associated Press’ Bob Christie reports that Democrats amended the bill in the House to similarly lengthen future Senate campaigns.

But on Tuesday, state Sen. Sonny Borrelli, R-Kingman, proposed adding an emergency clause to the bill, meaning it would take effect immediately rather than later this summer.

Democrats will block the move

Borrelli told his colleagues it’s important to “be prepared” and apparently Republicans agreed because they gave it a preliminary thumbs up on a voice vote. The bill still requires a formal Senate vote before returning to the House but I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for this particular end run on voters to occur.

An emergency clause requires a two-thirds vote of each chamber. Democrats, already seeing the distinct possibility of Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema snagging the open seat left by Sen. Jeff Flake’s decision not to seek re-election, want a shot at McCain’s seat as well, should it become vacant.

Meanwhile, Republicans want to make sure it remains in their hands. Which means they want the choice of who will represent Arizona for the next two and one-half years in Ducey’s hands.

Read: not yours.

Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com.

“HUGE NEWS! The AZ Republic strongly endorsed the Outlaw Dirty Money Amendment!  https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/editorial/2018/04/15/dark-money-why-we-support-arizona-outlaw-dark-money-intiaitive/508859002/

Outlaw Dirty Money is a volunteer, nonpartisan initiative to get an AZ Constitutional Amendment on the November ballot that would require full disclosure of all major contributions right down to the original source. But it won’t get on the November ballot unless good people stand up and do their part and that is where YOU come in!  We can do this and there is still time to join us and circulate your own petition!  We have until June 5th to get the signatures.

If you know anyone who wants to gather petition signatures please contact me! We will train and provide the resources they need…  It’s easy, It’s fun and It’s the only way we get on the ballot!

Put the March for Science on your Calendar for April 22, 2018!  

CORRECTION: PRESCOTT WILL CELEBRATE EARTH DAY ON APRIL 21 (SATURDAY) AT THE Fire Wise Expo, 9am-3pm, Downtown Prescott on Cortez to be followed by Prescott’s March for Science and People’s Climate March from 3-5pm THAT AFTERNOON!
This is a very interesting and informative event. Put this on your Calendar!

MARCH FOR SCIENCE IS IN PHOENIX AND OTHER US CITIES. https://www.marchforscience.com/

Why? This piece in the Atlantic magazine gave a great overview of why we need to be LOUD about the direction of too many decision makers in both defunding, and denigrating, the importance of our national contributions to the scientific advancements in medicine, the environment, and our communities here and around the globe! The article is interesting in that it gives some context, from multiple points of view…

• Celebrate “passion for science.”
• Celebrate what science does for people and “the many ways that science serves our communities and our world.”
• Encourage the public “to value and invest in science” and “appreciate and engage with science.”
• Encourage scientists to “reach out to their communities” and share their research and its impact.
• Encourage scientists to “listen to communities” and consider their research from the perspective of the people they serve.
• Affirm science as a “vital feature of a working democracy.”
• Show science to be “first and foremost a human process” that is “conducted, applied, and supported by a diverse body of people.”
• Support research “that gives us insight into the world” and “upholds the common good.”
• Encourage people to “support and safeguard the scientific community.”
• Call for robust federal funding “in support of research, scientific hiring, and agency application of science to management.”
• Advocate for “open, inclusive, and accessible science” that is “freely available.”
• Support science education that teaches people “to think critically, ask questions, and evaluate truth based on the weight of evidence.”
• Encourage political leaders and policy-makers to enact evidence-based policies, and “make use of peer-reviewed evidence and scientific consensus, not personal whims and decrees.”
• Oppose “policies that ignore scientific evidence” or “seek to eliminate it entirely.”
• Oppose policies that “threaten to further restrict scientists’ ability to research and communicate their findings.”
• Oppose an “alarming trend toward discrediting scientific consensus.”
• Oppose the “mischaracterization of science as a partisan issue.”
• Protect science from “manipulation by special interests.”
• Hold leaders in science and in politics “accountable to the highest standards of honesty, fairness, and integrity.”
• Stand up for scientists: “Speak up for them when they are silenced” and “protect them when they are threatened”.
• Encourage and support a new generation of scientists “that increasingly includes historically underrepresented groups.”

JOIN US IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE WORLD AROUND US!

 Resist and Persist in the Age of Trump Thur. Mar 29, 10 to 11:30am – Learn to use Social Media Resistance Tools effectively—Twitter, Facebook Resistbot, etc.      Become a guerrilla fighter during this critical time; learn how to stay “Undercover” if you don’t want to be distracted by mean and useless comments by those who do not agree with you.  Bring your smart phones, laptops, tablets; whatever you use every day to communicate.  Handouts with instructions, tips, and important internet links will be given out.  Rebecca Phillips, the instructor, is an inaugural member of Prescott Indivisible, has taught computer science at Phoenix College and spends many hours every week lobbying congress in the never ending fight to bring sanity and courage to our elected officials. Contact Rebecca Phillips to sign up, include your name, phone no. and email address and type Social Media Class in the subject line. You can also call 928-772-2165 – please leave a message if no answer.

Private school tuition organization (STO) tax credits: TELL THEM VOTE on SB1467.” Private school tuition organization (STO) tax credits operate on auto pilot without accountability or budget controls. They reduce state revenues while subsidizing private schools with no evidence of benefits to Arizona’s educational success and no movement toward closing our achievement gap for students growing up in low income families. Senator Yarbrough’s bill will expand this program and drain even more funds from public schools.

Tues. March 20 noon-1:30pm Prescott Community Outreach Program on Funding preK-12 Education at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Jack R. Hunt Student Union Hangar, 3700 Willow Creek Rd., Prescott.  This is a presentation and action-focused discussion on the recommendations from the 110th Town Hall of Funding preK-12 Education. Host, Dr. Frank Ayers, Chancellor, ERAU.  Presenters: Rosemary Agneessens, Community Organizer, Rural AZ Schools Coalition; Marty Grossman, Council member, Town of Prescott Valley; Joe Howard, Superintendent, Prescott Unified School Dist.; Tara Jackson, President, AZ Town Hall; Billie Orr, Council member, City of Prescott.  Lunch will be served, $15 per person.  Students free.  If you choose not to have lunch, program is free.  RSVP to AZ Town Hall at 602-252-9600 AND email to Prescott Indivisible Education Team

Another important event, March 22, Las Fuentes starting at 6 p.m. Prescott Education Advocacy Council (PEAC) is sponsoring an event so that Jim Hall of the Arizona Charter School Acountability group can give us definitive information about the underfunding of public schools. This is an important information gathering meeting for those who are as concerned about School Accountability as  WE are!

Announcing: Voter Education and Elections Team!

We are an Active group for Non-partisan Voter outreach: Education and Registration, Training for registration and Answering voting FAQs. We work cooperatively with other local organizations in the community. Our mission: to expand knowledge of the importance of participation in Democratic processes.

DRAFT Responsibilities (Subject to Approval):

* Coordinate the Voter Registration effort on an on-going basis; seeks a coalition with other organizations if feasible.

* Coordinate Voter Outreach: As we get closer to election days, we will encourage and remind people to vote.

* Voter Education: Create events designed to educate the community regarding the importance of voting, defining gerrymandering and disenfranchisement and discuss approaches for ACTION, providing sources of information that overcomes voter resistance and other actions and discussions related to democratic participation, ON A NON-PARTISAN BASIS.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING: Please contact Joyce van Walsum at jvw.gtd@gmail.com, and I’ll add you to the list!