CHARLOTTE AREA GREEN PARTY JUNE 2004 MEETING MINUTES


Attending: Judy and Annie Aulette, Alan Burns, Gregg Jocoy, Kathryn Kuppers, Harry Phillips, Casey Watson

Treasurer Casey Watson reported that the CAGP checking account balance, after reimbursing Alan for Netfirms payment, and Kathryn for Earth Day expenses, was $3,276.77.

It was decided unanimously by a quorum of active members that the only signers on the CAGP checking account would be Alan Burns, Harry Phillips, and Casey Watson. Casey will inform the bank of this as soon as possible.

Kathryn reported that this year the Labor Day Committee will organize only a parade and an essay contest. We will still be able to hand out hundreds of flyers along the parade route. Gregg suggested handing out flavored, shaved ice at the parade assembly site. Casey will check on a source for cups imprinted with CAGP, and Kathryn will check at the upcoming Labor Day Committee meeting (June 17 at 6 PM, 3100-C Piper Lane) whether we will be allowed to hand out the sno- cones.

It was decided by consensus that the CAGP will pay $235 for the "bronze package" sponsorship of the Labor Day Parade, which includes entrance fee and a large, union-made banner.

Kathryn announced that Judge Wanda Bryant, candidate for NC Appellate Court, whom the NCGP has endorsed, has yet to receive donations of at least $10 from 350 individuals as required to obtain public campaign financing. Anyone who can help with a donation should send a check to: Judge Wand Bryant Committee, PO Box 2347, Raleigh, NC 27602.

Alan attended the last of a set of Mecklenburg County workshops on solutions for air pollution in the Charlotte area. One of the main opponents of sprawl John Tabor, a Republican, spoke. The city/county is proposing mandatory restrictions during high-ozone days by the year 2005. Such restrictions would include closing all drive-throughs until after 10 AM and prohibiting use of gas-powered lawn equipment.

Alan admitted that currently the CAGP does not have enough volunteers to develop the documents for his proposed Air Quality Initiative, but we agreed to maintain a presence at future air quality workshops and hearings in the Charlotte area.

Gregg Jocoy will speak on behalf of the CAGP at the NRC hearing in Charlotte on June 15, in opposition to approval for Duke Energy to test lead assemblies utilizing MOX fuel at its Catawba reactors.

Alan and Gregg will meet at the El Cancun Restaurant at Carowinds Blvd. at 7 PM on Monday, June 21, to organize the petition drive to collect 300 of the 500 signatures to qualify the GPUS candidate as a write-in candidate in North Carolina. They plan to concentrate the effort over the Fourth of July weekend. Anyone who wants to help can contact Alan (704 408 7088) or just meet them at the restaurant.

The next CAGP meeting will be at Ribbon Walk, a forest preserve between Statesville Rd. and Sugar Creek Rd, north of I-85. The exact address is 4601 Nevin Road, Charlotte, NC; the phone number there is 704 599 2600. A very short business meeting will start promptly at 1 PM. At 2 PM there will be a guided walk through the woods. There are picnic tables if anyone wants to come early and bring a lunch. In case of rain, there is a barn for shelter. As members of a group contributor, the CAGP attendees will not have to pay an entrance fee, but we might still want to donate a couple of dollars each while we are there.



Submitted by Kathryn Kuppers, Co-clerk June 14, 2004.