Grassroots political group, hopefully

[concerned]

www.mvgreen.org/

I thought it was an environmental group but it isn't

[tanouryjr]

I went to their meeting last night at the Utica Library. Very energetic group that is certainly thinking outside the box.

[dgriffin]

From their website: "I hear a lot of talk about a high speed rail system but nothing about what it's really going to do for me other than cost my kids a lot of money and allow folks to quickly zip off to other parts of the state to spend their money."

I hope Grassroots doesn't waste a lot of time and effort tilting at windmills that can't happen anyway, given their pricetags and, in this particular pipe dream, the likelihood that Americans will always want to drive somewhere rather take the train, even when gas is $10 a gallon.

(I can't offer any proof, but my suspicion about the high speed rail line is that it will only happen, if ever, between NY City and Albany, to link the two political power centers, like Rome and Byzantium in the ancient world. The rest of the state, to the west of and to the north of Albany, will be damned to obscurity. Maybe they'll extend the Forest Preserve Blue Line down through Utica all the way to Binghamton and it'll all be a State Park. PLEASE: No Campfires Near The Empty Houses! Utican's won't have to worry about local services, everything will under the control of ENCON officers. I am exaggerating, of course. Maybe. )

[Clipper]

I agree with your observation Dave, that any high speed rail project in OUR lifetime will most likely only be between Albany and NY City.

If at some time in the distant future, the high speed rail system was to come to fruition, it would most likely terminate in Chicago, and the high speed train would be a blur flashing through Utica, after stopping in Albany, and slowing near Canastota, for it's stop in Syracuse.

[rodwilson]

Apr 22, 2009 21:00:20 GMT -5 @concerned said:

www.mvgreen.org/

I thought it was an environmental group but it isn't

Hi gentlemen,

My name is Rod Wilson and I would be the guy behind the movement. I'd like to just take a minute to clarify what we are about as there is some confusion and I take full responsibility for that.

I started this in response to our County Legislators decision to "take no action" on opting into NY's Pesticide Neighbor Notification Law. Simple law, responsible and health conscious legislation. This process gave me an opportunity to see just a little bit of what goes on on the County level and it is clearly time for change.

Additionally, I had some ideas that could spur true economic development, address community health issues and offer true opportunity to the local community. So I went out and researched these ideas and found much support to back them.

The ideas come from researching a business project that I will launch in the spring in a demonstration of how these models work.

The "green" attribute came about as our goals are to address the ECOLOGY of our area and not just the economy.

Our meeting unfortunatley exposed a weakness in the agricultural portion of the model as the folks from CCE don't even understand the basic model of a local food system (and I say that not to be insulting but to point out a very serious flaw. I suspected this and it's now confirmed).

Here are some links to some of the ideas I've just briefly touched on. They all come together pretty nicely to create much opportunity to address many of the ills that face us here.

First of all we need to end the ridculous subsidies that we hand out to major corporations to come and "plow under" our locals and shift that funding to create LOCAL opportunities.

The second part of the concept address our shattered food system and discusses opportunities within and outside the county such as creating a true agricultural industry.

The third part is a true 'Buy local, Be local" campaign. A wide-scale media campaign to truly educate residents about the power of their dollar but addresses the business owner as well as the consumer.

The fourth part is a 5% import replacement program. We identify what types of products (non-agricultural) that we are currently importing into the county and replace those by helping to establish locally owned business to produce those products.

And in the end we can in fact by fixing these things as well as our broken food system and by supporting "REAL" programs that aim to reduce chronic illness caused by smoking, obesity and poor nutrition. We can reduce the tax burden and can create an environment that fosters and encourages real growth and development.

At the same we realize political action is needed and warranted. I've discussed this enough with local leaders to know that there's nothing on their tables along these lines with the exception of the perpetual "buy local" mantra. I was evasive to this point for a reason. Parties and candidates can NOT use this as a platform for campaigning. Any attempt to do so will be called out. This is ALL about giving the power back to the people, is real and doesn't rely on state and federal handouts. It's about making something happen.

Nothing about eating tofu.

So here are the links and please fell free to contact me with any questions.

Food Systems - www.whyhunger.org/programs/fslc/topics/local-a-regional-food-systems.html

Marhsalltown Study - If anyone could direct me to OC data that I can plug into these models, it's be much appreciated-
www.mvgreen.org/docs/marshalltownbuylocal.pdf

I have additional studies and data. The key is to use these and some of the other ideas in concert to multiply the multiplier effects discussed.

This is all oversimplified here for the sake of brevity but I'll be more than happy to explain it to anybody interested.

[rodwilson]

Apr 22, 2009 22:33:22 GMT -5 Clipper said:

I agree with your observation Dave, that any high speed rail project in OUR lifetime will most likely only be between Albany and NY City.

If at some time in the distant future, the high speed rail system was to come to fruition, it would most likely terminate in Chicago, and the high speed train would be a blur flashing through Utica, after stopping in Albany, and slowing near Canastota, for it's stop in Syracuse.

I was just trying to make a point with the rail comment with regards to the nonsense the some elected officials consider economic development. We all know the math doesn't work but we know that most people won't do the math and just follow along. To them I say one word. AMTRACK. Good piece though, we have our focus and won't waste our time playing Don Quiote.

[rodwilson]

And as not to burn up this thread, I'll drop this and get out. This is the company that I will launch in June. This is just a portion of text that I supplied to a PR firm as our branding and marketing are still in development. Where I come from, we call this "putting your money where your mouth is"!

First, I want to start with the core of what this project is about and move onto the branding. Our goals are to offer consumers a healthy, organic food options in a quick service environment. To educate consumers about the importance of organic practices to both the Earth and to consumers, personal and family nutrition, renewable resources such as energy as well building and packaging materials and how their own purchasing decisions can effect the local community in a positive way. We want to bring it from the farm to where consumers are. Lastly, this will be run as a non-profit. All monies will go to facilitating growth and more importantly, the major portion will go to LOCAL family and children's charities with a focus on meeting the basic daily needs of children such as food and clothing to programs promoting self-esteem to nutritional programs as well as programs that address family issues and dynamics. *We will not be involved with religious organization or charities and the reason for this is threefold. It's a personal decision of mine and I feel that religious organizations have a number of other avenues and means of raising funds and I want the reputation of the company to be beyond reproach. I want there to be no reason the any group or individual find fault with us as to distract us from our objectives. This will apply to how we approach any corporate or governmental relationships as well. All while being a model of a green, efficient, socially conscious and community minded business. Oh yeah. and encouraging and supporting entrepreneurs to employ a similar business model thus creating a truer redistribution of wealth. Take the money out of the bank accounts of the shareholders and put into back into play. It is a lot but I feel that these issues are so closely interwoven that it would be wasteful to disclude any portion.

So that said, here's where I'm at. I have a quick service food product. It's a NutButter sandwich. Think Hazelnut and dark chocolate whole grain with organic, local crunchy peanut butter and seedless blackberry jam, fresh off of a family farm 4 miles up the road. Throw in a side of baby organic carrots. Or maybe you'd like some fresh roasted creamy walnut butter with an organic vanilla marshmallow crème on country oat? Salad? How about Mixed Greens tossed with fresh veggies with walnuts or almonds and topped with a blueberry vinaigrette? All from local producers of course! We'll have additional locally produced food products for sale as well. A small but representative variety and unique. Our kiosks will be located in mall locations as well as other locations with high traffic and visibility and some type of eating facilitation, such as fairs and festivals and other opportunities that will arise. I am currently working with a company in Vermont called Kiosko. They make great looking stuff. They have a dedicated design team to ensure efficiency of the kiosk space, the use of renewable materials as well as being able to meet codes set forth by malls and local health codes offices. They will be stylistic, minimalistic and informative. They also do graphics production. I am researching to see how close I can come to truly achieving a 0% waste policy utilizing corn based plastics and other green service products, by setting policy that all eligible bio-waste be used for composting and recycling. Each kiosk will be staffed by knowledgeable, informed team members that understand that what they're doing is WAAAAY more than making a PB&J sandwich. Retirees, perhaps some young adults who have benefited from programs that we've supported. I anticipate 5-10 positions created for each location with most being part-time. All products will be contracted to producers local to each site and to our specs, thereby putting more money into the local economy. And, at the end of the month, we'll tally up what we've got and hopefully give away a whole lotta money and better yet, change the lives of children and families.

I chose the NutButter sandwich for a couple of reasons. I don't think you can find anything more representative than a PB&J that scream FAMILY. It has pretty universal appeal across all demographics. The nutritional value is incredible. It allows us to present a fun, tasty product at a great price point. The name comes from my paternal grandfather "Poppy" aka John R. Wilson. My father currently holds this title in his relations to my kids. And perhaps in I hope many years down the road, I too will be somebody's "Poppy". Who hasn't had a PB&J at their grandparents house? So what I'm trying to create here is an environment of come on over, I'm going to make you the best damn NutButter sandwich you've ever had (and nutritious), chat with you a little bit, maybe talk about what we're doing without shoving down your throat. Let you look around the kiosk, maybe pick up a little "did you know" fact about the food you eat or the environment. You take you sandwich back to your table and I hope you smile the whole time you enjoy your sandwich. Then I want you to go tell EVERYBODY you know. There is at least some aspect of this project that everyone can embrace. If it's not nutrition, it's the environment, or the concept of supporting local agriculture and at the very least, support children and families."

Some of the additional opportunities that we've discovered is the capability of being mobile. We can also do this as a concessions concept to allow us to include, music festivals, fairs, sporting events, college campuses. For example, I am awaiting confirmation on our participation in the Utica Music and Arts Fest in Sept. All of our proceeds from that event will got to Utica area causes. We'll also be at the County fair, Remsen Barn Festival, NYS fair. We will be all over NY this summer with proceeds going to causes local to that event. Our goal is to bring this concept right across the county.

By the way our first act of "being local" is by helping to provide equipment for Utica's New RBI baseball program. We actually decided to expand that position and we are getting a drive underway to ensure that ALL kids in the area baseball programs that need equipment, get equipment. Any of your members are welcome to join in."

Thank you!

[Clipper]

Welcome to the forum Rod. Before approving your registration late last night, I googled your organization and read for approximately 30 minutes before going to bed. Very interesting stuff and some wonderful ideas.

The first time I saw your name was when you brought it to the attention of the general public that we should not be trying to draw technically savvy people to the area, but simply the technical jobs, noting that we already HAVE plenty of highly trained people here in the Mohawk Valley.

I, for one, get quite sick of watching the local agencies like EDGE run in circles, make lots of noise, put lots of concepts and ideas in the heads of the average citizen, while accomplishing nothing but to feed the "friends of the county exec".

It is genuinely time for a grass roots effort such as yours to take the wheel and to steer the area in a new and different direction. ANY move forward is better than the stagnation and backsliding that the area is suffering from presently.

I wish I were living back there now, so I could participate in your efforts and sound your call to action on a daily basis.

I am especially impressed with your realization that local agriculture is key to local success. CNY's local farmers are hurting, and yet people continue to buy their milk at Walmart, and meat that is imported from Argentina. How about vegetables from Chili and other South American countries, when the same produce is available from Florida and California, and more importantly, in summer, available right in the Mohawk Valley on roadside stands and at farmer's markets.

I would be interested in knowing what ag supports are being built into the stimulus package. How much money is going to come to local farmers in an effort to jump start the local economy? Do you have a handle on any information concerning help for our local farmers? We have one member of the forum that operates a large and well managed dairy operation. They seem to suffer the same as small farms, because of the simple fact that the cost of doing business and producing their milk is climbing, and the price that they are paid for the milk they produce is dropping.

I am glad that you have found us and decided to join us. I am sure that your contributions will be great, and that you will receive a return in support from our membership. Any effort that rallies the local people and brings them together to support local issues, HAS to be good.

[rodwilson]

Apr 23, 2009 9:33:53 GMT -5 Clipper said:

Welcome to the forum Rod. Before approving your registration late last night, I googled your organization and read for approximately 30 minutes before going to bed. Very interesting stuff and some wonderful ideas.

The first time I saw your name was when you brought it to the attention of the general public that we should not be trying to draw technically savvy people to the area, but simply the technical jobs, noting that we already HAVE plenty of highly trained people here in the Mohawk Valley.

I, for one, get quite sick of watching the local agencies like EDGE run in circles, make lots of noise, put lots of concepts and ideas in the heads of the average citizen, while accomplishing nothing but to feed the "friends of the county exec".

It is genuinely time for a grass roots effort such as yours to take the wheel and to steer the area in a new and different direction. ANY move forward is better than the stagnation and backsliding that the area is suffering from presently.

I wish I were living back there now, so I could participate in your efforts and sound your call to action on a daily basis.

I am especially impressed with your realization that local agriculture is key to local success. CNY's local farmers are hurting, and yet people continue to buy their milk at Walmart, and meat that is imported from Argentina. How about vegetables from Chili and other South American countries, when the same produce is available from Florida and California, and more importantly, in summer, available right in the Mohawk Valley on roadside stands and at farmer's markets.

I would be interested in knowing what ag supports are being built into the stimulus package. How much money is going to come to local farmers in an effort to jump start the local economy? Do you have a handle on any information concerning help for our local farmers? We have one member of the forum that operates a large and well managed dairy operation. They seem to suffer the same as small farms, because of the simple fact that the cost of doing business and producing their milk is climbing, and the price that they are paid for the milk they produce is dropping.

I am glad that you have found us and decided to join us. I am sure that your contributions will be great, and that you will receive a return in support from our membership. Any effort that rallies the local people and brings them together to support local issues, HAS to be good.

Thank you sir for the opportunity to present what we're about in your forum. Sometimes just saying Yes is great action.

Unfortunately, there's noting going on to stimulate local agriculture. In fact the Federal government is hard at work trying to destroy family and small scale farming.

The agricultural potential is unreal. All of these models fit together to create 100's of millions of dollars in new local incomes and 1000's of local OPPORTUNITIES vs "jobs". It really is incredibly powerful stuff and very real.

I've run into some serious roadblocks on the Agri front and I'm not sure if it's political or just a lack of knowledge. Either way it has to stop. It's the lack of knowledge (real or otherwise) that causes me suspect politics because the lack of knowledge is just stunning. If it's not politics then we really need to shift gears.

Again, thanks for the opportunity to clarify and for your support!

[concerned]

This sounds very interesting to me and I would like to add my support. I'm glad I found your web address. I wish I knew earlier in order to attend that meeting.

[Clipper]

Thank YOU concerned for bringing the website to our attention and getting the whole ball rolling here on the forum.

[concerned]

gee thanks so many times I try doing things for others and then problems arise

[Clipper]

Rod, some of the farmers here in NE Tennessee received government money to retool their operations from tobacco to other endeavors. Many moved to raising sheep for both wool and for meat. One of our large local grocery chains carries locally produced lamb. Dairying doesn't seem to be really big right around here, but small family beef operations seem to survive and thrive. We also have some huge truck farms in the area, producing great veggies during the season. Organically grown local vegetables are available in all of our local stores. Granger County Tomatoes are well known all over the country, and they are grown about 50 miles from here.

I live about 3 miles outside the city limits of Bristol Tn, and I can awake on any given morning to hear sheep bleating in a pasture behind the house, or black angus beef cows mooing across the road from the house. There must be a profit in raising approximately 30 or 40 sheep, or my neighbors would not be doing it. My other neighbor works for Eastman in Kingsport Tn and raises about 30 head of black angus to supplement his income. He also says he makes a modest profit, worth the work involved, for his small operation.

I have to think it is taxes and the high cost of doing business that makes it impossible to make a living off of a small farming operation in that area up there. Politics either hurts agriculture by non-support, or by steering moneys in other directions to line the pockets of special interests other than agriculture. Wake up folks. Unless you want your kids drinking imported, adulterated milk, you had better make a serious attempt to rally behind local agriculture and support your local farmers.

Gee, the salary of the County Exec's administrative assistant would supplement at least ONE good sized dairy farming operation. How about some of the money being thrown recklessly at the non producing EDGE organization? Hell, that would CERTAINLY sustain a couple of local farm families for a year or so would it not?

If we don't wake up soon, there will be a well financed and barely used "international" airport at the former Griffiss AFB, and lots and lots of former farm lands growing a crop of sumac and ragweed around falling down barns and out buildings.

I am working to make our home here in Tennessee market ready, in order to move back to my favorite area of the world, the Mohawk Valley. Some days, I read the news from up there, and scratch my head, wondering if we are just plain CRAZY to even want to move back to that sort of economy when things are so much cheaper and politically better here in the Southeast. LOL.

[rodwilson]

Sounds like you've got the right people. Your points are well understood. Those are all funds that we're looking to divert as well as opportunities to lower the cost of doing business at a local level and I'm not afraid of Albany either.

Non-support is a BIG issue. I tried to reach out to support what CCE is doing but they either didn't get it or want to get it. It became apparent pretty quickly that if we are to make strides on an agricultural front, these are not the folks that are going to do it. It's no knock on them personally, it just is what is and needs to change.

Learning about the American food system as a whole is really what got me going. It's in shambles and the ONLY way to fix it is self sustainability.

I'm with you on all fronts! There is much opportunity to fix and address these issues. The people have had enough. This place is in shambles but it can be raised. We just need to teach and encourage the people to do it! I'll be damned if I'm going to let some self-serving politicians keep chasing people out and keeping people from coming home! "We'll leave a light on for ya!"

[Clipper]

Have you been hangin with Tom Beaudette again Rod?? LOL ;D