Saturday, January 31, 2009

Mayor Torliatt and Councilmembers Glass and Barrett attend Shollenberger Park FUNdraiser!


Well over one hundred guests filled the downtown SAVE SHOLLENBERGER Headquarters Saturday evening to listen to music, enjoy food, and share art depicting the inhabitants and landscapes of Shollenberger. Band "Gabby La La" opened the evening as the Petaluma Mothers Club, Petaluma Rowers, local residents, biologists, bird watchers, and organizers socialized:

P4C member Joan Cooper spoke on the current efforts for petition signing and fundraising, while Petaluma Mayor Pam Torliatt offered again the support of the Petaluma City Council:





Friday, January 30, 2009

A P4C member returns from DC fired-up & ready-to-go!

P4C member Linda Sandoval is back in town from her trip to Washington, D.C. for the inauguration. "How was your trip?! Are you ready to change the world?"

Here's Linda's response:
Totally an adventure! The most memorable part was meeting the many people from all parts of the country/world (Switzerland, Canada, etc) who came just for the inauguration! Cuban family from Miami, Trinidad -descent family driving from Florida, picking up a "Grand" Aunt in Georgia, 3 generation family driving through the night from Chicago, etc.

We were able to see the concert(HBO) on Sunday, did get to the Mall on Tuesday, all went well. Saw many personalities, including taking a picture with Al Franken, and even though it was very cold and lots of crowds, the people were extremely friendly and not one incident with 1.8 million people descending on D.C. Already planning on going again in 2013!

I am very inspired to "Be the Change", going to volunteer more, extend a hand more, etc. The experience was something I will never forget.

P4C gets first third-party mention in local newspaper

OK, so it's not totally third-party, because we were mentioned by one of our members, Bonnie Allen, in her letter to the editor in the Argus-Courier on Thu., Jan. 29th. But hey, I still think it counts as our first press mention.

Read our commentary on the inaugural bash at the Phoenix.

A message from Organizing for America

Host an economic recovery house meeting.

If you decide to do this, be sure to let me know, so that I can post information about your event at this blog, as well as send out information about it to our P4C group e-mail list.

Are you still unclear about what Organizing for America is all about? Get up-to-speed by watching this video.

Linda Carpenter Sexauer
community organizer, P4C

An open letter from Friends of Shollenberger Park

Dear fellow friends of Shollenberger Park,
We want to sincerely thank you for your support and your assistance in this campaign to save one of the most unique environmental treasures in California. The response to this cause has been phenomenal and we are confident that with several more days of tireless awareness-raising and constant communication to the County Supervisors we can convince this board that Dutra's proposed Asphalt plant at Haystack Landing is the Wrong Plant and the Wrong Place! ...

... Also let's not forget who is going to decide our future. The five members of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors hold the fate of Shollenberger Park and our clean air in their hands ...
Read the entire letter here.

A personal message re Petaluma City Council meeting & Dutra Asphalt Plant

P4C member Joan Cooper speaking at a Petaluma City Council meeting to protect Shollenberger Park from the Dutra asphalt plant:





More videos of Petaluma citizens speaking out on behalf of the fragile wetlands environment protected by Shollenberger Park can be viewed here.

After attending the City Council meeting on Mon. Jan. 26th, a meeting which lasted until 11:30pm due to public discussion of this issue, here's what Joan had to write:
Our community's finest hour(s): We stand united against the Dutra asphalt plant proposal

From 9 PM to well past 11 PM, the Petaluma City Council heard testimony from regular citizens, technical experts, naturalists, rowers, teachers and docents, environmentalists and birders – all raising their voices to defend and protect the health, education, economic viability of Petaluma. It’s unanimous – the Dutra Asphalt Plant located at Haystack Landing is a bad idea. It’s a legal battle waiting to happen. Our Council asked for additions and comments on the strong letter they are sending, signed by all seven members, urging the Sonoma County Supervisors to deny Dutra a Use Permit to operate this huge Asphalt Plant at the gateway to Petaluma and the entire county.


When was the last time our Council spoke with one voice? This is serious - this plant would impact our health and viability as a community and it seems like we can’t control our own fate. But we can! Yes we can!

One speaker recalled that Petaluma has a history of leadership in environmental progress, that our former Mayor, Helen Putnam took our zero growth quest all the way to the Supreme Court. Joan Cooper, Friends of Shollenberger Park member said: “There’s a new wind blowing, now that President Obama has been inaugurated, and this wind doesn’t have cancer causing PAHs in it.”

Although counties all over the US are looking hungrily towards “Obama money” coming down the pike for their infrastructure projects, would President Obama be happy to hear this money is being used to pollute and degrade open space, go against the will of the community, and invest in old polluting technology with greedy, questionable owners?

Teachers and Docents spoke about the thousands of children who learn about nature and science with Shollenberger as their natural laboratory. These children would be at risk with polluting Path’s and diesel exhaust pumping out of Dutra’s site across the rive. A chemist spoke about the stupidity of placing a plant with these toxic by-product across from public open space. “It would be as stupid as taking a tube from the exhaust pipe of your truck and sticking its other end into the cab.”

A father talked about Shollenberger as a place where parents go for respite, quietude, and for those who believe a sense of God. Chief Docent of Shollenberger Park and Heron and Egret Colony Official Observer, Bob Dyer spoke about the impact of loud noise, lights, truck on the viable and growing nesting place of these birds in the trees on site.” Egrets and Herons choose their nesting place,” he said and if disturbed they will choose to leave. David Keller, Friends of the River spoke about the underestimation of the toxic air and water quality impacts of the plant. He warned that Dutra Co. will say that their proposed plant will be safe, and these impacts mitigated, but actual observation of a working plant in Irvine by Keller, showed how toxic, unfiltered and unsupervised the release of PAHs (Blue smoke and particulates were as trucks entered the so called negative out flow tunnel and how intense the diesel exhausts of trucks lining up to pick up loads of hot asphalt was in the surrounding area.

Most bone-chilling was the testimony of a San Pedro Road Alliance member, who detailed the decades long struggle against Durra Co.s practices at their quarry site in Marin Co. The subject of a Marin Co. Grand Jury Investigation, Dutra ‘has failed to comply with court orders to modify their hours of operation and has made the neighbors and homeowners’ lives a nightmare of blasting, diesel truck traffic, and lawsuits to protect themselves from this company’s activities. He warned the Council of Dutra’s tactics of delay, failure to produce documents that detail their operations, deep pockets. “You are just at the beginning!”

Citizens urged the Council “to put some teeth, preferably canines” onto their letter to the County Supervisors and to meet with them personally to carry the voice of the Petaluma Community to their ears. Major Pam Torliatt urges the citizens to stay involved, contact their supervisors, and attend the 2 PM Feb 3, 2009 Hearing in Santa Rosa. She directed us to focus our comments not only on the toxic impact of the Asphalt Plant and its wide net of influence, degrading business, education, and health in Petaluma, but also on the newly adopted Petaluma General Plan and its goals of sustainability
An Asphalt Plant in this location does not meet health, environmental, and aesthetic goals for Petaluma as stated in the General Plan.

Five Supervisors will determine the fate of over 60,000 Petaluma residents. We only need three “NO” votes.

Petaluma has always been an environmental leader, and we will lead in this arena as well. Yes , Sonoma County needs asphalt. But it is the responsibility of the Sonoma County Supervisors to “Preserve and protect the tranquility” of their citizens. An asphalt plant must be operated by an ethical company, who will act in good faith to preserve and protect the quality of life in Sonoma . It must be a truly state of the art facility with maximum enclosure and filtration of toxics. It must be located at a site that does not impact our most vulnerable and defenseless populations: the sick, the elderly, babies and children, wildlife and wetland ecosystem. There is a new wind blowing against greed and for Green. YES WE CAN!

Come to our Fund and Consciousness Raiser
Art Music Energy
Bring Artwork to Wetlands
SAT JAN 31 4-6 PM
322 Western Ave Petaluma (next to Tea Cafe)
Music by Gabby Lala Wine Cheese Conversation

Joan Cooper
Friends of Shollenberger Park and Clean Air

A personal message re Petaluma City Council meeting & Dutra Asphalt Plant

From P4C member Elaine Larson, after attending the City Council meeting on Mon. Jan. 26th, a meeting which lasted until 11:30pm due to public discussion of this issue:
My husband ... and I went to the City Council meeting last night and came away totally outraged at the proposed asphalt plant and the process that has allowed it to proceed so far ... I will be composing a passionate letter to every Sonoma Supervisor that I will share later today.

Thanks,
Elaine
Here's Elaine's subsequent letter, which she sent to Supervisor Kerns on Wed. Jan. 28th:
Dear Supervisor Kerns (and all other elected and appointed officials, public interest groups and media representatives receiving a copy of this email),

We, both native Californians, are new residents of Sonoma County, having just purchased a home for our retirement years in Petaluma in 2008. We first heard of the proposed asphalt plant next to Shollenberger Park and the Highway 101 entrance to Sonoma County on January 26 and attended the Petaluma City Council meeting that night to learn more.

The facts presented by dozens of experts, residents, business owners, and other interested parties are overwhelming and totally negate any possibility of the use of the proposed site for any 'heavy industrial' purpose, let alone a smelly, polluting, carcinogenic rubberized and recycled asphalt plant. Each one of the factors below, on its own, is more than sufficient cause to have discarded this proposal much earlier in the exception, permitting and approval processes. Taken together, they represent a major failure of multiple government agencies to act in the public interest.

1) Impact on Tourism and the Sonoma 'Brand'
Many government agencies, businesses, groups and citizens have worked very hard and invested millions of dollars for many years to grow Sonoma County into a world class tourist destination. Putting an asphalt plant between 101 and the stunning vista of Petaluma, the river, yacht harbor and wetlands that one now sees upon entering Sonoma County is throwing this investment down the drain and limiting the inflow of future tourist dollars.

2) Impact on Local Businesses
There are many office buildings and a yacht harbor easily within smelling and severe-health-impact distance of the site. This includes the magnificent Sheraton Hotel complex, a jewel of Northern California. Imagine putting an asphalt plant next to the Awahnee Hotel in Yosemite Valley or the Del Coronado Hotel in San Diego to get the picture. Imagine having to work with the overpowering smell of rubberized asphalt in your nostrils every day of every week of every year. It is likely these business will take appropriate action to protect their employees, customers and income, including suing, moving or both.

3) Impact on River Traffic
The size of the barges planned to service the proposed asphalt plant would create a blockage of the Petaluma River that will not be allowed by the Army Corps of Engineers, the Coast Guard or be tolerable for businesses upstream from the site dependent upon river traffic. One of the opportunities for process improvement is not to wait until County permitting is complete to have the ACE and Coast Guard say it can't be done anyway.

4) Impact on Wetlands and Bird Sanctuary.
Shollenberger Park is the largest wetlands in the Bay Area and attracts hundreds of thousands of birders a year. To our surprise, we learned birders spend more tourist dollars than football, basketball or baseball fans. Even more important than the economic impact of lost birder dollars, the fact is heavy industry such as a asphalt plant within 200 meters of nesting sites in and near the sanctuary will have negative impact on the survival rate of the birds and their use of the area.

In addition to the above evidence of the unacceptable consequences if the proposed site is put to heavy industrial use, there are other factors to consider before approving an asphalt plant at an appropriate site elsewhere in Sonoma County.

5) Sonoma needs a state-of-the-art asphalt plant that does not pollute or harm
No matter where located, the plant must be 100% contained, with all air, water and particulate emissions being scrubbed and processed to contain no or insignificant temperature changes, pollution or carcinogens. All employees and users of the plant must be adequately shielded and protected at all times. Our workers, elders and children deserve no less. Such plants are already in operation in other countries, so this represents an opportunity for Sonoma to lead the way in the US.

6) The asphalt plant needs access to fresh water, not salt water
The inappropriately located plant would have used Petaluma River salt water in making asphalt. Use of salt water instead of fresh creates an inferior grade of asphalt that has to be replaced more frequently than asphalt made with fresh water. This is not economically or environmentally sound.

7) The EIR must pertain to the plant that will become operational
The 'fantasy' EIR that was prepared for the unallowable project addressed the production of standard asphalt. The intent for the plant was to produce rubberized asphalt and recycled asphalt, both of which have much more dire environmental consequences.

8) The plant operators must have an unassailable record of good corporate citizenship and environmental protection.
The record of the Dutra Group is abysmal and continues to be so to this day; they were just sued by the residents near their rock quarry in San Rafael. Over the past two decades they have been fined $740,000 by the EPA for illegal dumping in the ocean; they have been indicted by the San Rafael Grand Jury; they have ignored court orders to cease operations and produce records; they have built structures without any permits; they have consistently lied about hours of operation, noise levels, dust levels, and pollution levels. Before another application is accepted from them, they should be required to clear all outstanding matters to the satisfaction of the aggrieved parties and then maintain a clean record for three years to show they have changed their ways.

9) The public must be involved from the beginning
We were shocked that many of the people who spoke to the Petaluma City Council said they had just found out about this proposed project. This indicated an unacceptable lack of disclosure to and involvement of the public in vital matters of concern to all. The public needs to be involved at every stage of locating and permitting the new asphalt plant.

This list is nowhere close to being exhaustive, but it does give a flavor for what we are dealing with. We will close by asking how can we help see that the lessons learned from this fiasco will improve the operations and processes of Sonoma County government? The home page of the Board of Supervisors includes this most encouraging statement: 'To insure that the public is heard on issues of concern, the Board of Supervisors provides a forum for problem solving as it relates to government agencies and processes.' Supervisor Kerns, please tell us how we can participate in this forum, and thank you for this opportunity to comment. We expect your NO votes February 3..

Best Regards,

Elaine and Lars Larson
Petaluma, CA

First-hand account of Petaluma City Council meeting re Dutra Asphalt Plant

From P4C member Sarah Gibson, after attending the City Council meeting on Mon., Jan. 26th, a meeting which lasted until 11:30pm due to discussion of this issue:
The City Council hearing on the proposed Dutra Asphalt Plant centered its attention on a letter currently being authored by our City Council members to the Board of Supervisors. Signed by every member of our Council, Mayor Pam Torliatt and our representatives wanted to hear from Petaluma citizens on what to include in the letter they will present to the Board. Chemistry professors, biologists, high school and elementary school teachers, senior citizens, the Petaluma Mother's Club, the Petaluma Rowing Club, the Audubon Group were just a few of the many groups who are against the proposed plant. Listening to the chemist and biologist explain in plain English just how grossly carcinogenic and toxic the bi-products of the proposed Dutra plant are is enough to make you hold your breath in disbelief.

As if anything could be more terrifying than scientific testimony ... Joe Carnucci of San Rafael, who has been fighting Dutra since 1986 on environmental, air, and noise violations, listed legal case after legal case in which Dutra was found in violation of code. The most disturbing part of Carnucci's 9-minute presentation was the fact that, in spite of a 2005 ruling by the Attorney General in favor of a lawsuit presented against Dutra by Carnucci, the plant still operates 24/7 pending another EIR to be released next week. Even though the 2005 suits were also filed in conjunction with the State of California, Dutra has yet to pay fines, upgrade equipment, or cease operations.

The good news? Mayor Torliatt and Council Members have pledged to put "more teeth" into the letter. Mayor Torliatt has also made it known that she will personally stand with us on Feb. 3rd at the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors hearing. She has also met with two of the five Board Members already. We have a City Council standing with us.

For those of us considering that an enclosed plant will meet our standards - consider Dutra's track record above on broken promises. Then also consider these three stunning facts:
  1. There are only two fully enclosed plants in the world. Neither are in the U.S.
  2. Dutra wants to use 20,000 gallons of river water from the River to mitigate dust. As it turns out, the river water will not meet the needs and therefore Dutra will use plan B: Your drinking water.
  3. The chemicals/gases, known carcinogens, that will be released into the air from the recycling part of the facility are some of THE MOST carcinogenic industrial fumes.
Check out the meeting on our local cable channel. You won't want to miss the many wonderful people who presented stunning documentation and testimony to preserve the river, Shollenberger Park, and our health.
Additional suggested reading by Sarah:
Dutra dredging fined $735,000, Marin Independent Journal, 8.17.06

Monday, January 26, 2009

Report from P4C member Joan Cooper on this past weekend's petition gathering/art show/information session to Save Shollenberger Park

[The Sat./Sun. event at our headquarters at 322 Western Ave.] went well. [At this point], about half the people we talk to have heard about this issue and come to us to sign [the petition in opposition to the Dutra plant being built on the Petaluma River across from Shollenberger Park]. [We collected] maybe another 400 signatures - we are heading towards 1,000.

Obama launches Organizing for America

An updated toolbox for P4C members to use NOW to take action on the Dutra asphalt plant issue

(1) Become better-educated about this local project. Links below the dotted line.

(2) Sign an on-line petition. More suggestions below the dotted line.

(3) Neighbor-to-neighbor signature-gathering petition-drive. Two not-mutually-exclusive paths to take on this one. Information about both pathways below the dotted line. Petition included as attachment.

(4) E-mail our local Petaluma City Council members. Contact info below the dotted line.

(5) E-mail our Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. Contact info below the dotted line.

(6) Attend a Petaluma City Council Meeting on Mon. Jan. 26th. Info below the dotted line.

(7) Friends of Shollenberger Ad Hoc Committee Meeting on Tue. Jan. 27th. Info below the dotted line.

(8) Friends of Shollenberger Park hosts a Breathe-In: Awareness-raiser/fund-raiser Party on Sat. Jan. 31st. Info below the dotted line.

(9) Final hearing! Feb. 3rd Sonoma County Board of Supes meeting. Info below the dotted line.

(10) School displays in support of Shollenberger for exhibition in the former Sacks site on Western. Info below the dotted line.

(11) Donate $$$. Info below the dotted line.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Suggested reading and viewing:
Read what the Madrone Audubon Society in Sonoma County has to say.

>From the Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
Stream of commerce, 6.1.08
Petaluma concerned about asphalt plant, 8.14.08

>From the Petaluma Argus-Courier:
Board of Supes expected to approve Dutra's project, 12.4.08
Decision Delayed, 12.9.08

Some letters to the editor:
Lynn King: Not a good alternative, 1.12.09
Lindsay M. Mickles: Asphalt plant a travesty, 1.14.09
Bill Kortum: Asphalt plant must be enclosed, 1.20.09

Project portfolio: Dutra Asphalt Co., EIR, in progress
Concerns about draft EIR, Norris R. Dyer, Senior Wetlands Docent, City of Petaluma, 2.27.08

Save Shollenberger Park website, Friends of Shollenberger Park and Clean Air

Videos of a chemist, a former city council member, a civil engineer, a senior docent at Shollenberger, neighborhood organizers/activists, and an educator speaking out against the proposed Dutra facility
(2) After you've signed this petition on-line, ask your e-mail friends and colleagues to do the same.

(3) Two local community organizer projects under way to gather signatures:
Sarah Gibson has posted her P4C project here.

Joan Cooper invites volunteers to participate in her Friends of Shollenberger Park and Clean Air project:
Petition gathering/art show/information session
Sat./Sun. Jan. 24th/25th 9am-1pm -- Come to 322 Western Ave. next to Tea Cafe.
(4) Petaluma City Council members:
Mayor Pamela Torliatt, ptorliatt@aol.com
Vice Mayor Teresa Barrett, teresa4petaluma@comcast.net
Council Member David Glass, daveglass@comcast.net
Council Member Mike Harris, mike4pet@aol.com
Council Member Mike Healy, mtheally@sbcglobal.net
Council Member David Rabbitt, david@davidrabbitt.com
Council Member Tiffany Renee, tiff@tiffanyrenee.com
(5) Sonoma County Board of Supes:
Valerie Brown - 1st district, vbrown@sonoma-county.org
Mike Kerns - 2nd district (Petaluma), mkerns@sonoma-county.org
Shirlee Zane - 3rd district, szane@sonoma-county.org
Paul L. Kelley - 4th district, pkelley@sonoma-county.org
Efren Carrillo - 5th district (Sebastopol), ecarrillo@sonoma-county.org
(6) Petaluma City Council meeting info:
Mon., Jan. 26th
Info: 707.778.4360

"Discussion and possible action to submit additional comments to the County of Sonoma on the proposed Dutra asphalt and recycling facility" (Gerald L. Moore, Petaluma Wetlands Alliance)

Here's the plan from Joan Cooper: Meet outside City Hall at 8pm to pre-plan who will speak to the Council and who will give their minutes up to other people for longer presentations.
(7) Meeting at Friends of Shollenberger HQ, 322 Western.
Tue., Jan. 27th, 7pm

From Joan Cooper: We will continue strategizing and report in on our progress with our various projects to get the word out to the community. Bring a folding chair or pillow to sit on.
(8) Party info:
Where:
322 Western Ave. (next to Tea Room Cafe)

When:
Sat. afternoon, Jan. 31st, 4-6pm

Who:
Everyone! This is an open invitation to all. Bring the kids!

What to bring:
We're working to provide food and drink, but any and all potluck contributions are appreciated, but definitely not required.
(9) Board of Supes final hearing info:
Tue., Feb. 3rd, 2pm
Supervisors' Meeting Room
575 Administration Dr., Ste. 100A, Santa Rosa
Info: 707.565.2241

Why go?
To publicly comment on Dutra plant project, or to support those who do.
To present petitions in opposition to Dutra plant project.
(10) Contact Joan Cooper, saveshollenberger@mail.com

(11) Open Space & Water Resource Protection and Land Use Foundation (OWL)

Images of Sarah's and Charlotte's MLK day community service projects

Hey there, 

Please check out a few of the many service photos of two of the four service projects hosted in Petaluma last week. Charlotte and I collected jaw-dropping amounts of donations, and these pictures are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the success of all our projects here in Southernmost Sonoma County! ... Hope won!

Sarah
community organizer, P4C

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Inaugural bash at the Phoenix

The Petaluma Progressives and MoveOn put on a heckuva party Tuesday evening, one that had a wonderful spirit of community! It was open to all, with no admission fee. Donations to benefit the Phoenix Theatre were suggested, but not required. All age groups were in attendance. Lots of kids, young ones as well as ones of older high school-ages. Young twenty-something's, senior citizens, and everyone in between. And what an amazing array of potluck dishes were contributed! There was so much delicious food, it was difficult to decide what to put on your plate. The music was perfect, and appealed to all.

Thanks to all who put so much time and effort into putting this event together, and making sure it was a hit.

This party was a tremendous statement of community in support of the new administration of our 44th President, Barack Hussein Obama!

From Bonnie, one of the organizers for this all-community event:
... I must say, the event succeeded beyond our wildest imaginings. Many people put a lot of work into planning, publicity, logistics, and creating the tent, the donation bins and the wall decorations. Notable were Steve Dyer and Lorin Bell, Laurel Hill, SteveDella Maggiora, Dusty Resnek, Brian Mealins and Sueann and Chuck Sher. A half-dozen of us attended weekly planning meetings--on Sunday mornings, no less.

We also had donations from Jungle Vibes, Noah's Bagels and others. The Sofa Kings and Phoenix Jazz Workshop donated their services as well. Tom Gaffey of the Phoenix did the sound.
From Connie, another party-organizer:
Many, many people put this wonderful night together. [We were overwhelmed at how many] brought stuff to imbibe and chew.
Here's a link to some photos on Petaluma 360.

Would love to hear from those of you who attended. Any observations? Comments? Anecdotal stories from the evening to share? Leave them as comments, or e-mail them to Linda Sexauer.

Comments from P4C community organizers about their National Day of Service projects

Sarah organized two separate projects, a pet supply drive to benefit local-area animal shelters and no-kill rescue organizations, and another to benefit the new dementia/brain trauma unit of the Yountville Veterans' Home:
We ... had an amazing response ... People were so gracious. I had a wonderful two days!
From Ken, who organized a donation drop-off for COTS, our local-area homeless shelter:
Our event was an extraordinary success! I was completely overwhelmed by the response ... Thank you again for all your support. It has been an absolutely phenomenal experience.
From Margie, who is not a member of P4C, but whose project we supported by inviting our members to participate in it. Margie organized a clean-up project at Shollenberger Park:
We ended up with over 100 people who signed in ...! Several very good outcomes besides the numbers. Thanks for ... help getting the word out.
And from Jeff, who organized a smaller canned food drive for the Petaluma Kitchen with his neighborhood group of ten volunteers:
Our group donated 26 bags of groceries to the Petaluma Kitchen ... for our public service contribution.
Hope everyone blog posts about your projects at Community Organize!

Organizing for single-payer health-care

Thank-you to the 94 people who co-signed the single-payer health-care letter written by five members of P4C: Linda Sexauer, Bonnie Allen, Janice Kearns, Connie Madden, and Sarah Gibson! I submitted our letter in two stages, due to the trickling in of signatures. Today, I will send in the third stage.

And thank-you to everyone who also submitted their personal health-care stories to the Daschle team, while it's in the process of formulating our new national health-care policy.

This is going to be a big struggle, getting single-payer to pass through the US Congress. It won't happen overnight. There are just too many powerful and influential interests invested in our profit-driven system. I predict that this change process will be an incremental one. We are still building the national organization of citizens who will participate in this struggle. By agreeing to be a co-signer, you became part of that national organization.

If you haven't already, please join Community Organize. It started out as a California statewide organizing forum for all of us who volunteered our time, spent money to travel to and work in battleground states, and used our cell phone minutes to speak with voters all across the country to build the campaign that got Obama/Biden elected to the White House. It has grown and is now attracting members from all over the country, and the world, providing us with an on-line presence that is resulting in citizen teams that will all work together in the years to come to bring about this whole "change" thing. Our strength lies in our sheer numbers, and Community Organize is a vehicle to capitalize on that strength.

The White House team is paying very close attention to what is happening and being said on Community Organize. For those of us "political/social change junkies" who are following this site very closely, we are noticing that many of the communications, both written and video-taped, coming out of the White House, reflect strongly what we are saying to each other in the forums and blog posts on Community Organize. I believe that Community Organize is one of the epicenters of change right now.

So please consider joining this forum. Right now, it is mostly communications between all of us, within our geographical groups and nationwide, with the site managers creating new congressional district groups based on new members signing up. But very soon, this forum will become a hub where we will all, once again, become "bundles of energy" working together for a common purpose, just as we did in the months leading up to the election.

Thanks so much!
Linda Carpenter Sexauer
community organizer, P4C

Watch this video of the Health Care Community Discussion which took place on Dec. 29th at the Petaluma Community Center:



For a copy of Doug Roffmann's report of this meeting, which he submitted to the Obama-Biden Transition Project, please contact me. I'm happy to send it as an attachment to your e-mail address.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Thursday, January 8, 2009

P4C Day of Service Projects

***UPDATED January 14th! Check out our new projects!*****

Join P4C in meeting our 44th President's request for service in honor of MLK and the inauguration....

HOPE for Veterans: Benefiting the Veterans Home of CA Memory Care Unit

Veterans Home of CA in Yountville is opening a new section of the dementia/memory loss unit to accomodate soldiers from all conflicts with alzheimers, dementia, and traumatic brain injury with associated memory loss. The "activity center" in the unit provides the Veterans with projects and important social opportunities which are clinically proven to delay further brain deterioration and increase cognitive/motor function skills. Equally important, these activities improve the quality of life for our valued veterans.

http://www.usaservice.org/page/event/detail/4jlkl

Four-Legged Friends 4 CHANGE: Pet Supply Drive

In honor of the Obama Families most anticipated new arrival ... A pet dog for Sasha and Melia ... P4C is sponsoring a Pet Supply Drive! Drop off your donations of food, gently used or new toys/supplies, or even a couple of dollars on or by January 19th. Supplies will be distributed between the Petaluma Animal Shelter and local no-kill animal rescues in honor of the Obama family and their new "First Mutt".

http://www.usaservice.org/page/event/detail/4v72s

AND A NEW PROJECT!!!: ONE LIFE at a TIME - COTS

The Committee On The Shelterless helps homeless families and single adults bring stability, safety, and independence back into their lives. COTS provides emergency shelter and transition housing to families and adults in crisis. For the adults, the children, and their homes, there are material needs to help rebuild lives and dreams. We will be collecting valued items at a home in Petaluma from 10-11am on January 19th. For all the great details and to sign up go to:

http://www.usaservice.org/page/event/detail/4v29w