Green Party Gubernatorial candidate Jerry L. Coleman today called for the implementation of instant runoff voting (IRV) in New Jersey. He will support a State Constitutional Amendment to allow this to happen. "Third-party candidates like myself should be able to run for office without being labeled spoilers," Coleman said today, "and those holding office ought be able to claim they have the support of a majority of voters. Instant runoff elections will permit both changes to occur."

Coleman pointed out that both Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon won presidential races with less than 45% of the popular vote. In 1994, three governors won with less than 38% of the vote. "When such powerful positions can be had with such low percentages, there can be no guarantee of majority democratic rule" Mr. Coleman said. In an address to campaign supporters after the primary election,

Mr. Coleman pointed out that IRV, which has been ruled to be constitutional, would guarantee majority winners in a single election, would save taxpayers the expense of a second election and would eliminate the problem of so-called "spoiler" candidates swinging an election. This is a charge often leveled at Ralph Nader in last year's Presidential election. It is now being leveled at the Coleman campaign by McGreevy supporters. Instant runoffs work like two-round runoffs but everything happens in one election!

A voter ranks his or her choices in order of preference. If one candidate obtains a majority of first choices after a first count, he or she wins. If a voters favored candidate doesn't make the second round of counting he or she is eliminated and the voters other choices may be considered. Instant runoff voting is used today to select, for example, the Mayor of London, the Australian House of Representatives and the President of Ireland.

Well, the people spoke and this is the results of how they wished to see their tax dollar spent: (Results are compiled over 4 evenings of the Burlington County Farm Fair held in Lumberton, NJ.  Result percentages were fairly consistent each day.):

Each person was given 10 pennies and asked to distribute them according to which percentage in which category. Looks like 372 people voted. Burlington County taxpayers want to see their money spent on 3 main areas:  education, environment and healthcare by over a 2:1 ratio in relation to areas of affordable housing and military. If you think in terms of percentages, it is amazingly close: Education 26% (955), Environment 25% (946), Healthcare 24% (888), then Affordable housing 13% (455), Military 12% (465).

Less than 100 feet from historic Independence Hall, more than 50 people took to the streets of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in front of the Italian Consulate. The local people conducted a vigil and protest in response to the police violence in Genoa, Italy surrounding the G8 Conference.

Protestors held up signs and banners silently. Occasionally chants were led and the assembly responded showing support for the protestors in Italy. Flyers were handed out criticizing the G8 policies and Italian Police violence against protestors. The proximity to Independence Hall put every one in mind of the gravity of our current situation and the importance of our rights and freedoms.

Philadelphia Police response was restrained, but intimidating. Philadelphia Police photographed and videotaped all the local protestors and all the people, including tourists and office workers, who gathered to watch. Philadelphia Police had assembled a force of armed uniformed, plainclothes and suited up officers at least equal in number to the unarmed peaceful protestors. Police kept foot and road traffic moving except for their own bicycles, cars, motorcycles and vans. Additionally, a city fire truck and ambulance were stationed half a block from the scene of the vigil.

Leaders of the eight most industrialized nations, known as the Group of 8, were meeting in Genoa, Italy to discuss trade and treaties. Italian authorities shot and killed at least one protestor outside the meeting and sent others to the hospital in critical condition. On Friday afternoon, Carlo Guiliani of Genoa was shot twice in the head and then run over by a police vehicle. Police were in a military issue vehicle and armed with loaded weapons. Police claim "self-defense". Eyewitness testimony clearly states that the victim was not carrying lethal weapons.

A twenty-one year old college student from New Jersey, Susanna Thomas, is still jailed in Italy as of August eighth. She was not involved in the rowdy demonstrations, but was arrested when the Austrian street theater group that she belongs to was leaving the city of Genoa on the same day as the protests. Ms. Thomas is facing a possible 15-year sentence.

The charge against Ms. Thomas is conspiring with a group to commit devastation and plundering during the Genoa meeting, said the family's lawyer, Dick Atkins of Philadelphia. Mr. Atkins called the charge "ludicrous." The Italian authorities were apparently trying to establish a link between Ms. Thomas, a devout Quaker, and an anarchist group, the Black Block.

The by-laws of the Green Party of New Jersey may only be amended by a vote of the membership at the Green Party of New Jersey annual convention. Current by-laws require that any proposed changes be published to the membership 30 days prior to the annual convention. Proposed changes have been submitted and are hereby published to the membership.

This proposal is intended to give more decision-making authority to the NJ Green Council. In terms of organizational structure, the Executive Committee would become subordinate to the Council.

Below are the relevant textual changes to the bylaws:

Within Section 2 -- Definitions

"Council" means the New Jersey Green Council as described in Section 6.

Change within Section 5 -- Executive Committee

Section 5.8 -- Authority

The Executive Committee shall be subordinate to a Party Convention and to the New Jersey Green Council in terms of decision-making authority.

Decisions made by the Executive Committee can override decisions made by subordinate Party decision-making bodies.

In regard to day-to-day operations and decision-making requirements, within the policy and procedural guidelines established by Convention and Council decisions, and within any other limitations established by these Bylaws, the Executive Committee shall have the authority to decide all substantive and procedural matters that significantly involve the Party as a whole. This shall include but not be limited to the authority to (a) delegate decision-making authority or specific tasks to a Standing Committee or to a Special Committee; (b) make recommendations to or issue guidance to a Standing Committee or to a Special Committee; (c) request specific actions by a Standing Committee or a Special Committee; (d) delineate the responsibilities of each Standing Committee and decide any jurisdictional issue that is not resolved by the affected Standing Committees; (e) appoint Executive Committee Staff; and (f) expel or discipline any Member for good cause, pursuant to Rules and subject to the review of the Membership Committee.

Change within Section 6 -- New Jersey Green Council

Section 6.3 -- Authority

The New Jersey Green Council shall be subordinate to a Party Convention in terms of decision-making authority. Decisions made by the Council can override decisions made by subordinate Party decision-making bodies. The Council shall have the responsibility of deciding matters related to the procedural conduct or ethical behavior of Executive Committee members.

Add within Section 7 -- Conventions

[this is a new Section 7.3 and thus would bump down current 7.3 to 7.4, etc.]

Section 7.3 -- Conventions hold the highest decision-making authority

Decisions made at Party Conventions hold the highest authority, i.e., decisions made at Party Conventions can override decisions made by subordinate Party decision-making bodies.

(text to be removed is in [ ] brackets and italics.  New text is in bold print)

Section 5.8 -- Authority
Within the limitations established by these Bylaws, the Executive Committee shall have the authority to ensure the proper functioning of all Committees, and decide all day-to-day business [substantive] and procedural matters that significantly involve the Party as a whole. This shall include but not be limited to the authority to
(a) delegate decision-making authority or specific tasks to a Standing Committee or to a Special Committee;
(b) make recommendations to or issue guidance to a Standing Committee or to a Special Committee;
(c) request specific actions by a Standing Committee or a Special Committee;
(d) delineate the responsibilities of each Standing Committee and decide any jurisdictional issue that is not resolved by the affected Standing Committees;
(e) appoint Executive Committee Staff; and
(f) expel or discipline any Member for good cause, pursuant to Rules and subject to the review of the Membership Committee.

Proposal to Amend Section 6.3 as follows:

Section 6.3 -- Authority

The  New Jersey Green Council shall be the highest-ranking body of the Party, with the exception of the membership meeting in Convention.  The Green Council will have the authority to decide all matters that significantly involve the Party as a whole, [advise the Executive Committee] and shall have the responsibility of deciding matters related to the procedural conduct or ethical behavior of Executive Committee members.
_____ 
Proposal to Amend Section 8 as follows:
 
Section 8 -- Candidates for Public Office
Party candidates for Municipal, School Board and County offices shall be selected by the Local Affiliate of said municipality or county.   Candidates for State Legislature and US House of Representatives must have the endorsement of at least one Local Affiliate that encompasses, in whole or in part, said electoral district, and have the consent of the NJ Green Council. Candidates for statewide office (Governor, US Senate, and any future office which may be established) will be selected by the membership of the Party in Convention, or a Special Convention, or by a mail-in ballot to be certified by the Secretary of the Party in conjunction with the Membership Committee.

The New Jersey Green Council may decide whether a [prospective] candidate will have the monetary support of the Party.
_____ 
Nature and Intent of Amendments:

My intention in Amending Sections 5.8 and 6.3 is to clearly delineate the roles of the EC and GC, as the current by-laws seem unclear to me.  Since the Green Council is larger and every local chapter is represented, I feel it is more reflective of the state membership as a whole, and therefore should be the chief decision-making body in keeping with the Key Value of
Grassroots Democracy.  I foresee the Green Council as the "legislative branch" of the party, and the EC as the "executive branch" which is charged with carrying-out the decisions of the party.  I think this still gives the EC wide latitude in a "managerial" role to make sure the Standing Committees function, and that work actually gets done.

My intention in Section 8 is to make candidate selection more in line with the value of Grassroots Democracy.  I think local affiliates should be free to run their own candidates for local and county offices without needing approval.  Since Congressional and many Legislative districts cross county boundaries, there is a clear role in having the GC approve candidates, especially if there's disagreement between 2 or more counties involved.  The part about the prospective candidate having the support of at least 1 county is to prevent the GC from "imposing" their own slate of candidates on the locals.   Since candidates for Governor or US Senate are the highest profile races we can run, and affect the whole state, I think the whole membership should make the selection. 

As Green Party of New Jersey representatives to the most recent meetings of the Greens/Green Party USA (Carbondale, IL, July 21-23) and the Association of State Green Parties (Santa Barbara, CA, July 27-29), we observed firsthand the contrasts between these organizations and have reported that GPUSA appears to be increasingly dysfunctional and near bankruptcy, while ASGP has successfully transformed itself into a viable national Green Party.

On that basis we propose the following:

- Whereas the time and expense of funding trips of representatives to two national Green organizations is a burden on GPNJ;

- Whereas the successor organization to ASGP, the Green Party of the United States, has widespread support and recognition as the national Green Party in this country;

- Whereas it is problematic for the Green politics movement that GPUSA continues to present itself as a competing national Green Party;

- We therefore propose that the Green Party of New Jersey remain affiliated with the newly established Green Party of the United States but disaffiliate from the Greens/Green Party USA.

GPNJ officers are elected each year at the annual convention for a one-year term. The officers are Chair, 2 Vice-chairs, Secretary and Treasurer. One of the Vice-chairs is traditionally a member of an "underrepresented group" (minority, female, etc.) and chairs the Ad Hoc Diversity Committee. Terms are currently limited to two years.

The following candidates have indicated an interest in holding GPNJ office.

I am interested in running for my own term as Chair. As you know, I assumed the role of Acting Chair when Hally resigned. I believe that much remains to be done to establish the Greens as a viable political force in this State and that I am in the best position to do it. We have certainly grown in numbers and influence during the past couple of years but I think we can grow even more. Recently, I've been working to establish a new chapter in Morris County. I attended the first meeting there last month and we are planning a visit by Jerry Coleman later in August. I intend to continue working with local organizers to establish viable chapters.

I believe South Jersey is critical for the growth of the Green Party. I recently attended a meeting at Dave Alcantara's office to discuss the South Jersey campaigns. I think the fact that we have a slate in South Jersey is critically important for the growth of the Party and that slate can serve as a model for our work throughout the State in the future.

I have a vision for the growth of the Green Party: the establishment of locals in EVERY COUNTY in the next two years; increasing our influence among communities of color, using our work in Essex County with the Peoples Organization for Progress as a model; increasing our influence in the labor movement, using coordinated strike support work, such as the current Dunkin' Donuts strike support effort, as a strategy; running candidates in an increasing number of local and state Assembly campaigns next year and the year after in an effort to advance towards achieving permanent ballot status; increasing our influence on campuses through the use of educational forums and struggle over concrete campus, national and international issues; and an increased media presence through more frequent press releases and personal contacts with the press and other media.

I believe I have shown over the recent period as Second Vice-chair and then as Acting Chair that I know how to organize, am effective at building coalitions and mediating disputes and have the contacts, both in the State of New Jersey and throughout the country, to be an effective Chair.  I also know how to unleash the initiative of others and to motivate people to become more active Greens. My own candidacy for Congress helped spawn three new chapters, the Passaic Greens, the Bloomfield Greens and the Montclair State Greens. I am willing to meet with anyone, anywhere and at any time to help build the Green Party of New Jersey.

Born: Nicholas Markos Mellis March 13th 1958
Residence: 135 Harmony Ave, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648-4321 (lifetime resident)
Occupation: Courier for a small messenger service
Status: Married (happily)

Activist/Political Experience:

1. Prior to 1988 I spent time working on such issues as Abortion rights, and being an Anti Nuclear activist.
2. Combination of twenty years of both political and activist politics.
3. Paid staff member of the Dukakis campaign in the fall of 1988.
4. Paid Part-Time Staff member of the 1989 Florio campaign
5. Only male volunteer to help out the NJ National Abortion & Reproductive Rights Action League, during the Florio campaign.
6. Helped NARAL open its office in Northern New Jersey.
7. Spent most of the 1990's fighting the Duck Island Incinerator (never got built thank God!)
8. Met Steve Welzer in the fall of 1995 after the November Elections, after declaring myself an independent.
9. Just two weeks before Ralph Nader agreed to be placed on the ballot in California, Steve and I decided to create the Green Party of New Jersey. The Nader Campaign certainly helped in the year 1996.

Here is why I think I should be elected to the State Chairpersonship.

1. I have twenty years of political/activism experience
2. I was the co-founding member of the modern Green Party of New Jersey.
3. I have traveled the country on behalf of this Green Party. From Coast to Coast.
4. I have run on both the local and congressional level for the GPNJ.
5. I have organized Mercer County almost single handily. Mercer has 10 
   contacts/organizers out of 13 towns.
6. Mercer County is the first county to schedule monthly meetings.
7. Mercer County is the first county in the party to have it’s own web site.
8. Mercer County is aggressively pursuing the breakout of local party’s within Mercer.
9. I have been your ASGP rep for four years and know the national terrain/people.
10. I have the belief that all twenty-one counties should be regarded as autonomous entities, and have greater say in the direction of the party (grass root's democracy)
11. I pledge to visit as State Chair at least twice in the upcoming 12 months in every county (21) that asks for my help.
12. Started and Host the GPNJ’s only TV show--entitled "From a Green View". It is shown all over Mercer County and parts of Somerset County. The show has recently started making back some of it’s initial outlay of funds.
13. Mercer County has been a consistent source of campaigns since the founding of the state party back in 1997.

Roger Merle - Vice Chair