Anne Barron for Secretary

I, Anne Barron, would like to offer my services to the Green Party of New Jersey in the capacity of Secretary. A recent convert to the Green Party itself (I joined the Middlesex/Somerset Greens last June and the State Party in September), I have always considered many of the Green values essential for a vibrant democracy. Having tried to change the status quo as a democrat, I saw the errors of my ways and was electrified to find the Green Party in my own back yard in the person of Joe Mosely. I jumped on board with both feet and haven't looked back.

Now that our membership is distributed throughout the entire state, our need for quick member notification on upcoming meetings, actions passed and issues under discussion is greater than ever. I promise that as Secretary, I will ensure that the membership is given adequate notice of Green meetings and prompt record of minutes. I would ask that all chairs of committees provide minutes of committee meetings.

Those who have worked with me in our Green local can attest that I possess those qualities necessary in a Green Secretary. I am organized, punctual, an excellent note taker and produce/disseminate minutes and other documents quickly and effectively. I have experience at organizing events and actions.

I have been very active both in our Green local and at the state level. I joined the Membership Committee soon after joining the state Green Party. I was instrumental at initiating Convention planning and organization. On the local level, I organized an informational newsletter targeted to my town Highland Park and am using it as a model for initiating grassroots activism among residents. The newsletter provides factual accounts of municipal Council, school board and committee meetings and includes some historical commentary to provide perspective. The newsletter was instrumental in providing public pressure on the Council to revoke an unpopular ordinance (this would have increased the zoning density of our town); two weeks later, the Council rescinded its action! I also initiated a grass-roots campaign in Highland Park to Save Open Space (SOS).

I am a believer in grass-roots level democracy and have dedicated my political action to the dissemination of information. The credo of the Highland Park Observers newsletter sums up my philosophy: "This newsletter is a labor of love and is in response to HP’s need for timely information about the issues and concerns of our borough. Highland Park Observers cover as many boro meetings as possible and distribute brief notes highlighting decisions in a town newsletter and via email.

The Highland Park Observers are a group of local residents dedicated to keeping HP informed about local and county government actions that affect our lives. An informed democracy is a strong democracy. This newsletter is not the official voice of the borough. Comments, suggestions and short pieces are welcome!"

Joe Fortunato, 2^nd Vice Chair

I am running for First Vice-Chair because I believe it is from this position that I can best contribute to the continued growth of the Green Party of New Jersey. I have already helped develop strong ties for the Greens with many of the State's leading activists.

I have been a member of the Green Party for over two and a half years, since Madelyn Hoffman launched her campaign for Governor. I have been an advocate of independent political action for much longer, however. In 1971, I attended my first anti-war demonstration in Washington and was subsequently deeply affected by learning that the sustained power of masses of people could actually change government policy. The seeds of my activism were planted even earlier, when I looked from my window and saw people boarding buses from Montclair to D.C. for the Poor Peoples' March on Washington, in the mid- sixties.

Although my roots are in the "New Left," I now believe that the "Green Vision" represents a significant advance over much of the political thought current in the sixties. I am a strong environmentalist but I also believe the Green Party must become a Party advocating social justice for the disenfranchised and disinherited. I am a strong believer in participatory democracy. I believe the Green Party must become identified as an anti-racist Party and must develop deep roots in "minority" communities. I also believe we must become an anti- war political Party, as part of upholding our principle of non-violence.

I believe I have shown over the last two and a half years that I am a competent and committed organizer, willing to learn all of the skills required to help the Greens grow. I have helped organize one of the largest chapters in the State, and have helped the Greens gain respect and influence in both the peace movement and in the movement against racial violence and police brutality. I have also helped organize the Diversity Committee. In addition to being an organizer, I have used my training as an attorney on behalf of the Greens and the Green movement, helping, for instance, to defeat last year's challenge to our Congressional candidates from the Democratic Party, and, most recently, by acting as a legal observer to the direct action of some young environmentalists, who were committing acts of civil disobedience to protest Home Depot's contribution to the devastation of our panet's rainforests by their continued sale of old-growth wood.

If elected, I will continue to strengthen the Green's ties to people of color and to the environmentalist movement, by advocating both grassroots activity and participation in the electoral arena, on both the local and State levels.

Bill Colucci, Chair - vision

The Green Party of New Jersey has the potential, as yet unrealized, to become the vehicle for a grass roots political movement that will challenge politics of public office to the highest bidder. In my experience and considering my academic political science studies, I am convinced - against common sense cynicism – that ideals are practical – that lofty ideals of grass roots politics will be able to challenge the present system that as Ralph Nader says, is "rotting from the bottom". We can expect results far more quickly then some think if we simply do what we say we say we stand for – build a grass roots movement. Build the type of organization that can attract activists, keep them motivated and use them well.

we must not invest primarily in ‘press release politics’, focusing concern on getting media attention or placing hopes in ‘star power’ – those tactics, while tempting, are simply playing by their rules. We will loose if we play that game – media and ‘stars’ will ultimately be attracted to established parties. There is no way for the ordinary citizen to wade through the cascade of images and claims to see ours as somehow qualitatively different. The only ‘media’ that will allow us to stand out is interpersonal - people identifying themselves as Green, showing intelligence, commitment and responsibility in communities over time. Candidates must be run on local levels, Greens with experience then can show a responsible record to the public and convince voters that we are more then a lot of fancy words and pipe dreams, but can make it work in the real world. Greens must show commitment to activist groups over time – participating in groups concerned with police brutality as well as groups supporting police – to build a ‘big tent’ and a forum for single interest groups to find common ground.

1. Dave Gregory and Jeff Perelman will propose a Resolution on procedures for democratic review of Green Party of New Jersey candidates

2. Bill Colucci proposes a Resolution that the Green Party of New Jersey defines itself by adopting the following "key values" – "Respect for Diversity", "Future Focus/Sustainability", "Personal and Global Responsibility"

3. Bill Colucci proposes a Resolution for defining the Green Party of New Jersey in terms of Party and Green Party candidate finance –

Whereas, the only advantage the Green Party of New Jersey has is it’s integrity and in communicating that integrity in a way that cannot be obfuscated or open to cynical interpretation;