Report on the Letter to the DCR
The overwhelming majority of GCM membership (maybe 25-4) was in favor of endorsing the letter advocating keeping Massachusetts forests in Reserves. Those concerned about supporting the letter mentioned the need for controlled burning to keep forests healthy and the need for wood products (especially for use in pellet stoves for heating in rural areas); in addition, some forestry experts do advocate for cutting trees and maintaining mixed aged forests for forest health. Another person spoke about the fact that it is not just the DCR practices that are problematic, but also the Fish and Wildlife agency as one example. Janet urged people go to www.savemassforests.com to see how these concerns are addressed. Janet said we should consider that in some ways, DCR has to keep in mind political considerations and not just pure ecological science – they don’t necessarily listen to what nature has to say. Jeana noted that this issue generated very engaged responses on the Grassroots:io email list – it was encouraging to see so many reading the emails sent out and responding to them.
BFF Standouts Have Returned
Saturday mornings until Election Day on West Brookfield Common, 10:00 to noon. Next Saturday, on Oct. 8th, the standout will be for women’s rights.
Women’s Wave Event in Worcester
Oct. 8 at 2:00 pm in front of City Hall. Indivisible Worcester is a major sponsor – details were posted to the Grassroots:io email. “Speakers include State Sen. Harriet Chandler, State Sen. Anne Gobi, State Rep. Mary Keefe of Worcester and a few other state reps, plus the head of the YWCA in Worcester, a VP from the Mass. Nurses Association, and more. Worcester’s Cara Brindisi will sing a song, as will Lydia Fortune; Mud Rocheleau Demers of Chuck & Mud, Tina Le, Lucellia DeJesus, and perhaps a few more will also perform.” If you have a social media presence, please publicize these events.
Political Actions Updates
Ways to support Paul DePalo’s campaign: 1000 Postcards for Paul deadline is probably a couple weeks before the election (because of early voting). Our group can do many of these, in that the process is not writing-intensive and Paul will provide the cards, names, and stamps. Jeana will put out the call to the io site. Canvassing or other types of activities are also being organized.
Candidates for Brookfield Select Board: We aren’t sure if we definitely have candidates to run. Sherry reached out to Tantasqua with the idea of involving high school students in the direct democracy observed in our rural towns but received no substantive response.
Concerns regarding Question 1: All of us in the meeting were strongly in favor of voting Yes on Question 1 which would add 4% to the income tax for those making over $1,000,000. Only the income over $1,000,000 would be subject to that tax increase. “Vote No” supporters are concerned about issues like people selling houses and being subject to the 4% tax on this income; others are concerned about a reduction in Federal aid if Massachusetts takes in more money in taxes for our infrastructure improvements/education (this effect is unknown). Jeana will poll the Grassroots group to see if Grassroots as an organization wants to endorse a “Yes Vote” on Question 1. To support “Yes on 1”, go to https://www.mobilize.us/fairshareamendment2022
Yes Vote on Question 4: Question 4 on the ballot is related to the recent law that was passed over Gov. Baker’s veto which would allow those who are undocumented to apply for a Massachusetts Driver’s license. All of us in the meeting are in favor of this, but “Vote No” supporters are concerned that Town Clerks will not understand the difference between a Standard ID and a Real ID and they will allow these undocumented immigrants to register to vote. However, even now, Green Card holders, who can work legally and drive, are still not allowed to vote, and there hasn’t been a problem with illegal voting by this group. The information that would normally be in the “red book” is on the Secretary of State’s website (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele22/information-for-voters-22/quest_4.htm). Jeana will put out a message to the Grassroots:io site to see if Grassroots wants to endorse as an organization the “Yes on 4” initiative.
GOTV postcards to Native American voters in Arizona: 800 cards in progress! BFF members will write 600 cards and GCM members will write 200. All cards will be mailed on Oct. 19th. These cards include a phone number that voters can call for help; the Georgia project we worked on also gave voters a phone number to call, and it was quite effective.
Cards for Maggie Hassan and Chris Pappas: Consensus was we don’t have time.
Indivisible Mass Coalition: Northampton Indivisible is also promoting the nation-wide Women’s Wave Event on Oct. 8th: standout at Northampton City Hall, 11 am – 2 pm. Maybe people could attend all three events, the BFF Standout starting at 10:00AM, the Northampton event, starting at 11:00AM, and the Worcester event, starting at 2:00PM. That would be quite a day for sure!!
11th Worcester (Shrewsbury, Westborough): Stephen Fishman (D) is running against a right-wing Republican (anti-choice). To contribute: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/the-fishman-committee-1
Climate Committee Updates
Worcester Standout Protesting Chase Bank’s involvement in financing the fossil fuel industry went well (Chase opened their first branch on Gold Star Boulevard); Janet sent out the summary (news articles, video, photos, letter to bank) to our Grassroots:io email list. A second standout is scheduled for Mon Oct 3rd, noon to 1 pm.
Other agencies besides the DCR, such as DFW, are involved in the problematic “management” of our public lands; the committee will be watching this and figuring out how to address this.
Library Book project: News articles about the project were published in both the New Leader and the Quaboag Current this past week – the coverage was very positive. The Literacy Volunteers project is on hold for now.
Racial and Social Justice Issues
Jasmin has been working on getting help to Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Fiona; now there is a need for help for victims of Hurricane Ian in Florida as well.
The curriculum review report, by Jasmin’s intern, was presented, we believe, to the Board of Old Sturbridge Village Academy – we’ll get an update soon on how it went.
Racial and Social Justice committee met on Sept. 11th: Eric helped the group discuss issues raised by the book Neither Wolf Nor Dog. He highly recommends the book – he was impressed by the man’s spirituality and the philosophy that the earth belongs to everyone, and everyone is part of the earth. Patricia has the book if anyone wants to read it.
Indivisible Mass Coalition has a Toolkit if you’re interested in supporting abortion rights. Go to: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oHzudA16ZL7PTri5tKALnea94XMy52GKpIMfiYKLySE/edit.
On HBO+ you can watch a documentary on “The Janes,” a group that was active prior to Roe. Watch the Statewide IMC call, including a discussion of “The Janes” with the filmmakers, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qgkXNtVEoQ
Next Meeting: Sat October 22 2022, 9:30 am.
Meeting Adjourned: 10:55 am
