Visit the New South Carolina Green Party site

Visit the new South Carolina Green Party web log at

http://scgreenparty.org

This blogger site is no longer being updated. It is an archive for posts made from 2006 - 2009. Entries for 2010 exist on both sites.

Press Release: South Carolina Green Party Looks Forward to Senate Race

South Carolina Green Party Looks Forward to Senate Race

The South Carolina Green Party Convention nominated well-known Columbia progressive Tom Clements for the office of United States Senator on May 1st of this year.   Clements' name will appear on the ballot against incumbent Jim DeMint in the November 2, 2010 election.

Tom brings a long history of personal involvement in politics through his activism against nuclear power and for environmental responsibility.

Incumbent Republican Senator Jim DeMint deserves a vigorous challenge for his lack of attention to the people of South Carolina.  His policies -  outright opposition to any substantive health care reform, a weakening of campaign finance rules, laxity in corporate controls, unbridled support for Wall Street greed, uncritical boosterism of the nuclear and oil industries and an unseemly enthusiasm for an interventionist foreign policy that has needlessly cost of American lives and dollars - harm rather than benefit the people of South Carolina.

Tom Clements is a candidate with a history of public service and employment with organizations that have made a direct, positive impact on the lives of South Carolinians.

Read more »

Meet the 2010 Green Party Candidates

2010 Candidates of the South Carolina Green Party

For United States Senate: Tom Clements

Tom Clements is currently the Southeastern Nuclear Campaign Coordinator for the US branch of Friends of the Earth, a full-time position he has held since January 2008. Tom worked for 13 years as a nuclear campaigner with the Greenpeace International nuclear campaign and for three years was the director of the Nuclear Control Institute in Washington, DC, where he worked on a host of issues related to proliferation of nuclear materials and technology. In the past, Tom has served as a volunteer with the Red Cross, Peace Brigades International, and with the Talking Books Program in Georgia. Tom has a Masters in Forest resources from the University of Georgia and a BA from Emory University. He is a sixth generation Georgian who was born in Savannah. In 2009, Tom won the Grassroots Campaigner of the Year award from the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability (umbrella group of NGO’s working around Department Of Energy nuclear sites) and also won the Thunder and Lightning activist award from the S.C. Progressive Network in 2009.

For U.S. House of Representatives, District 1: Robert Dobbs

Robert Dobbs is a U.S. Army Airborne veteran and small business owner who lives and works in Georgetown. Married with two daughters, Robert served five terms as a county supervisor and one term as a city councilman in his home state of Wisconsin. A disabled veteran and the father of children diagnosed with autism, Robert Dobbs is a strong advocate for disabled persons. Robert Dobbs pledges to work as a citizen legislator for the people of South Carolina: he will accept no pension for his work there, will vote against pay increases for Congress and pledges to return any Congressional raises to the U.S. Treasury. In order to build a lasting foundation for America’s economic prosperity and security, we need to organize around the core challenges facing Americans and their families: create jobs and rebuild our economy, keep families in their homes and not in foreclosure, health care reform that helps families and not insurance companies and better funding for our education system.

Web site: http://www.electdobbs.com

For U.S. House of Representatives, District 4: Faye Walters

Faye Walters is a Greenville political activist and local business owner. Faye has campaigned for the District 1 congressional seat in every election since 1996. Faye favors a shift from military power to increased use of intelligence and peaceful alliances with other countries, the use of renewable energy sources, and universal health care insurance that will put funds from existing programs into one fund resulting in less fraud, less confusion and less worry for the consumer. Faye supports the replacement of the VA system with efficient medical coverage that will respectfully handle the needs of returning soldiers and provide funding to those who have long-term physical needs. Faye would taking aggressive action and be committed to increasing both energy efficiency and the use of renewable and non-polluting energy sources. This approach will protect our environment, create energy self-sufficiency and create new jobs and new industry in energy conservation and renewable energy sources.

Web site: http://www.fayewalters.org

For U.S. House of Representatives, District 6: Nammu Muhammad

Nammu Muhammad is a life-long resident of the threatened Waverly community in Columbia. An electrician, Nammu has worked against gentrification and the displacement of longstanding communities by a business driven and unaccountable development program. Together with other residents, Nammu organized and helps to operate a community meeting place at 2523 Read Street in Waverly. Nammu was a candidate for mayor of Columbia in 2010.

2010 State Candidates of the South Carolina Green Party

For South Carolina Governor: Morgan Reeves

Morgan Reeves is a pastor and businessman from Irmo. A talented Irmo High School athlete, Morgan graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Planning and a minor in Business Administration. Morgan went on to play in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions and the Baltimore Colts. Morgan is a Volunteer Minister and Counselor for the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and former pastor of six churches in South Carolina. Morgan is founder and president of the M.B.Reeves Community Unity Scholarship Foundation and is an active fundraiser for Allen University in Columbia. Morgan owns and manages a construction land-clearing company which has provided jobs for children during the summer.

Web site: http://www.morganreevesforgovernor.com

For South Carolina Attorney General: Leslie Minerd

Leslie Minerd is a small business person, operating the Hip Wa Zee in the Five Points area of Columbia for more than a decade. Minerd is known across the state for her dedication to environmental and human rights causes. Clean Air, No Nukes, and Social Justice could well be Minerd’s tag line. Voted one of South Carolina’s most successful activists, Minerd has a long history in the center of South Carolina progressive politics. In 1999 she and two other activists in South Carolina helped re-establish the United Citizens Party. She led the effort to place Ralph Nader atop the UCP ticket in 2000. She is a member of the Five Points Association, serving on their Future 5 Committee and Green Committee, pointing to her commitment to the Green Values of Future Focus and Ecological Wisdom.

For South Carolina Superintendent of Education: Dorthea Bull

Dorthea Bull ran for the Richland County School District One at-large seat in 2008, earning more than 4000 votes. The owner of the Dorothea's African-American Books and Gifts on Two Notch Road for many years, Bull has been a leader in the South Carolina Statewide Maafa Reparations Committee. She was featured on “Connections”, an ETV program. The episode, “Connections: Attack On America-A Broader View”, and addressed the questions “How do African-Americans feel about the aftermath of the attacks on September 11th? Are African-Americans more patriotic? Do we feel the oneness? And what about American foreign policy?”

For South Carolina House District 115: Eugene Platt

Eugene Platt, the only Green serving in an elected position in South Carolina, is a candidate for State House Seat 115. Currently, Platt serves on the James Island Public Service District Commission. He has held that position since 1993 and most recently was reelected in 2008 as the top votegetter among eight candidates. Platt pledges to be one of the strongest voices in the State Legislature for working families. He would introduce legislation to end South Carolina's status as a so-called "Right to Work" state. Environmental and social justice issues are among Platt’s chief concerns. Platt says the criminal justice system must be completely revamped, focusing on the safety of law-abiding citizens. To that end, the State Highway Patrol should be increased by at least 100 new troopers to insure the safety of our highways. Recognizing that capital punishment compromises our corporate morality and has no place in a civilized society, he would work to end it in South Carolina---and the nation. he is encouraged by growing disenchantment about both major parties being expressed by voters not only in House District 115 Voters want true altenatives---and they are truly ready to “Live Green, Vote Green.”

Web site: http://voteplatt.com

For South Carolina House District 25: D.C. Swinton

D.C. Swinton is running as a Green/Democrat who will infuse youth into the SC House of Representatives. Swinton will work for a moratoium on new coal and nuclear plants in SC. Public utilities should be repairing the electrical grid, thereby improving efficiency and creating jobs. Swinton proposes tax credits for homeowners and businesses that install white or green roofs and reduce energy consumption. We cannot continue to cut funds from education. Teachers should be encouraged by pay incentives to work in poorer districts. Swinton will work to make ballot initiatives an effective tool of the electorate. Citizen involvement in the political process will increase legislative accountability. Women make up over half of our population, but only a small number of SC elected officials. Swinton will sponsor legislation that would require all parties that offer a male candidate for a state office to submit a female candidate to contest the primary.

Web site: http://dc4sc.net

For South Carolina House District 74: Christopher Jones

Christopher Jones is a student at Midland Tech in Columbia. Following in Nammu Muhammad’s footsteps into politics as a way to improve the community he lives and works in, Jones is one of two Green Party candidates in his 20s. His campaign will be focused in part on helping people in his community find ways to connect in meaningful ways, using The Meeting Place community center as a template for organizing across the area.

Nominations set for November 2010

Under federal court order, the South Carolina Election Commission will permit ballot qualified parties to place nominees from other parties on their ballot line. The South Carolina Green Party may consider adding other party nominees to our ballot line later, but for now, the following are the South Carolina Green Party's nominees for 2010!

Governor: Morgan Reeves
Attorney General: Leslie Minerd

Superintendent of Education: Doretha Bull

US Senate: Tom Clements

US House District 1 - Robert Dobbs

US House District 4 - C. Faye Walters

US House District 6 - Nammu Muhammad

SC House District 24 - D.C. Swinton

SC House District 74 - Christopher Jones

SC House District 115 - Eugene Platt

Each of these candidates needs and deserves our active support. Please write GreggJocoy@yahoo.com to volunteer or to donate to any of them.

SC Green Party Ballot Access Case before the Federal Court of Appeals

This morning in Richmond, Virginia, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), our country's preeminent institutional guardian of Constitutional rights, argued the case of South Carolina Green Party (SCGP) v. South Carolina State Election Commission (SEC) in the Federal Court of Appeals (for the Fourth Circuit). For details click on this link: http://www.aclu.org/voting-rights/aclu-tells-appellate-court-south-carolinas-ballot-access-law-unconstitutional

Although a decision by the court may be weeks or months away, the SCGP remains optimistic. Furthermore, although I would not presume to speak for the ACLU, based on its unwavering commitment to the protection of Constitutional rights, I think the ACLU would, if necessary, be prepared to argue this case in the Supreme Court of the United States.

- Thanks to Eugene Platt for the update!

Various voting rights websites have been following this case. Ballot Access News offers this summary:

On May 11, the 4th circuit heard oral arguments in South Carolina Green Party v South Carolina Election Commission, 09-1915. The issue is whether the Green Party’s convention nomination of a legislative candidate, early in the election year, can be voided if that candidate then tries and fails to get another party’s nomination. The three judges were Barbara Keenan, an Obama appointee; Sam Wilson, a visiting U.S. District Court judge from Virginia and a Bush Sr. appointee; and Clyde Hamilton, another Bush Sr. appointee. Perhaps someone who attended the hearing may help us out and describe how the hearing went, via the comments section.

We will post the text of the court's decision when it is released.

State convention a huge success...now the real work begins!

The South Carolina Green Party held our nominating convention this past Saturday, as scheduled, at the Happy China Buffet. With a full agenda we were able to stay on track, and concluded our most successful convention to date with a bang. We honored Elke Kennedy and her husband Jim Parker for their work with Sean's Last Wish Foundation, and also honored Rolf Baghdady for his service to some of South Carolina's poorer citizens, and for his service as the Green Party's attorney in our fight against Duke Energy of the Carolina's rate hike request before the Public Service Commission. We raised money for the state party and for Sean's Last Wish, and nominated our slate of candidates.

We also elected Eugene Platt, Larry Carter Center, Sue Edward and Scott West to full two year terms on the Steering Committee. Scott West and Larry Carter Center were also elected to represent the SCGP at the national convention scheduled for this summer in Detroit. The Steering Committee will elect officers and delegates to the national committee at the next committee meeting.

Each campaign needs help in the next few months. We are not a party with a lot of wealth, so each of us can make a big difference with a donation of time, skills or cash...or all three! From press officers to fund raisers to campaign managers to door knockers, our candidates need your support! To offer your help, please write GreggJocoy@yahoo.com and I'll put you in touch with someone who needs your help right away.

Join Us at the Green Party State Convention on May 1st!

THE SC GREEN PARTY BULLETIN
Volume 8 No. 2 – April 26, 2010
www.scgreenparty.org

FEATURES:

(1) JOIN US AT THE ANNUAL STATE CONVENTION ON MAY 1st
(2) AGENDA FOR STATE CONVENTION ON MAY 1st
(3) NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR STEERING COMMITTEE ELECTIONS
(4) MAKE YOUR 2010 MEMBERSHIP CONTRIBUTION

CONTINUING:

(A) LOCAL UPDATES
(B) VOLUNTEER FOR A STATE OR NATIONAL COMMITTEE
(C) RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS
(D) JOIN OUR DISCUSSION FORUM
(E) CONTACT INFORMATION FOR SCGP STEERING COMMITTEE
(F) GREEN PARTY OFFICE-HOLDERS


**********************************************************************
(1) JOIN US AT THE ANNUAL STATE CONVENTION ON MAY 1st **********************************************************************

Please join us for the annual state convention of the South Carolina Green Party in Columbia on Saturday, May 1st, 11:30-4:00 p.m. We will be meeting at the Happy China Restaurant, 2250 Sunset Blvd, Columbia, 29169, 803-796-7477. The agenda is below. A nearby hotel for attendees, with a rate of $99 per night, is the Hampton Inn, 1094 Chris Drive, West Columbia, South Carolina 29169.

Everyone is encouraged to attend! Official voting delegates to the state convention have already been chosen through precinct meetings and county conventions leading up to the state convention, following the timetable set up in the bylaws; however, all SC Green Party members are encouraged to participate in our planning for the upcoming election cycle.


**********************************************************************
(2) AGENDA FOR STATE CONVENTION ON MAY 1st
**********************************************************************

11:30 Sign in and lunch

12:30 General business meeting
1st Annual Four Pillars Award: Elke Kennedy/Sean's Last Wish
Business meeting 
Steering committee nominations

1:30 Candidate nominations
Governor: Morgan Reeves
Attorney General: Leslie Minerd

Superintendent of Education: Doretha Bull

US Senate: Tom Clements

US House District 1 - Robert Dobbs

US House District 4 - C. Faye Walters

US House District 6 - Nammu Muhammad

SC House District 24 - D.C. Swinton

SC House District 74 - Christopher Jones

SC House District 115 - Eugene Platt

3:30 Business meeting, part 2
USGP convention delegate nominations
Planning for November

Wrap up & adjourn


**********************************************************************
(3) NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR STEERING COMMITTEE ELECTIONS **********************************************************************

Nominations are now closed for the Steering Committee elections. Committee members will be elected by current members attending the State Convention. Four people have accepted nominations to be on the ballot for our four open positions:

Larry Carter Center:

Please vote for me to serve again on the SCGP Steering Committee. I bring professional fund raising experience, 1987 Green City Council Candidacy and over 20 years of affiliation with Greens in Iowa and now South Carolina to share for our growth, positions and advocacy. It is imperative that real reform of the ruling clique of corporation owned D's & R's to be dis-established practically and I shall help Green candidates and run myself for office.

Sue Edward:

I have served on the SC Green Party Steering Committee as co-chair since summer 2009. During this time the party has grown, adding new county chapters and new members, and we are heading into our most exciting election year ever. I also serve as chair of the Charleston Green Party, guiding that group from start-up to the most active affiliate of the SCGP. I am also active in many progressive groups and causes including those dedicated to state/church separation, reproductive freedom, workers' rights, peace, environment, and others that support my view of the Ten Key Values. I bring my passion, dedication, and experience to the SCGP and look forward to success in November and beyond.

Eugene Platt:

Eugene Platt is a veteran and graduate of the University of South Carolina. He is the only Green in holding an elected position in South Carolina. He has served on the James Island Public Service District Commission since 1993 and currently is a candidate for the State Legislature. He has served on the steering commitee previously. During that tenure he assumed primary responsibility for candidate recruitment, initiating the effort that, with the help of others, has culminated in the strongest slate of candidates the SCGP has ever offered.

Scott West:

I would like to continue as a steering committee member of the South Carolina Green Party. As a representative from Spartanburg County, my presence offers opportunities for growth in a "new" area. I feel that our statewide and congressional candidates in 2010 deserve campaign committees in this sector of the state and I look forward to cooperating with Faye Walters, Morgan Reeves, Leslie Minerd, Dorthea Bull, and Tom Clements in fostering progressive politics in the Upstate.


**********************************************************************
(4) MAKE YOUR 2010 MEMBERSHIP CONTRIBUTION
**********************************************************************

According the SCGP bylaws, in order to be considered a member of the Party for meetings and conventions, a citizen must have either (a) paid annual dues or (b) been an active member of a party organization in the state. To be sure you are a member for 2010, send in your $25 annual membership contribution. You can send your checks to SCGP, P.O. Box 5341, Columbia, SC, 29250.


*************************************************
(A) LOCAL UPDATES
*************************************************

One major priority this year is to build strong local Green Party organizations in every area of the state. If you see a local party for your area in the list below, please contact the person listed. If you don’t see a local in your area, please volunteer to help organize a local group (especially if you're in Charleston)! For assistance to get you started, reply to this email (if you're on our distribution list) or contact David Whiteman, davidpwhiteman@yahoo.come, 803-799-1205.

CHARLESTON GREEN PARTY (Charleston/Berkeley/Dorchester)
Next meeting: TBA at Earth Fare on Folly Rd Blvd.
For more information, contact:
Sue Edward, charlestongreens@gmail.com, 843-763-7304
Larry Carter Center 843-926-1750
www.charlestongreenparty.org

MIDLANDS GREEN PARTY (Richland/Lexington):
Next meeting TBA.
For more information, contact David Whiteman, davidpwhiteman@yahoo.com, 803-799-1205.

GREENVILLE COUNTY GREENS (Greenville):
Next meeting: TBA.
For more information, contact Gregg Jocoy, greggjocoy@riseup.net, 803-984-5414.


**********************************************************
(B) VOLUNTEER FOR A STATE OR NATIONAL COMMITTEE
**********************************************************

Our state and national committees need your skills!

(a) State. Opportunities exist for volunteers on all state committees, including communication, fundraising, website, elections, and outreach and membership. If you're interested, please reply to this email and let us know about your interests and skills.

(b) National. The SCGP is eligible to have representatives serve on most of the national USGP committees. For a list of committees, check out www.gpus.org/committees.html. If you’re interested in becoming a member, please reply to this email.


****************************
(C) RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS
****************************

Encourage your friends to become members of the SCGP. The best way is just have them sign up through our website (www.scgreenparty.org). Or they can send their name, address, and phone number in reply to this email. We will add them to our mailing list and forward their names to our local organizers.


*************************************************
(D) JOIN OUR DISCUSSION FORUM!
*************************************************

In addition to the SCGP Bulletin, which is distributed 2-3 times a year, the SCGP maintains a discussion/action forum for its members. If you are interested in receiving more frequent emails about issues and events related to green politics, please join the our Discussion Forum by sending an email to:

SC-GreenParty_Forum-subscribe@yahoogroups.com


*************************************************************
(E) CONTACT INFORMATION FOR SCGP STEERING COMMITTEE
*************************************************************

Larry Carter Center (2008-2010), charlestongreens@gmail.com
843-926-1750

Sue Edward (2008-2010), charlestongreens@gmail.com

Gregg Jocoy (2009-2011), greggjocoy@riseup.net, 803-984-5414.
4 Polaski Court, 
Simpsonville, SC 29681

Charles McClendon (2008-2010), dr.charlesmcclendon@gmail.com

Nammu Muhammad (2009-2011), blackvista2010@aol.com
(h) 803-414-4426
1517 Manning Ave, Columbia, SC 29204

Scott West (2008-2010), slwest@gmail.com
3 Oakland Avenue, Inman, SC 29349-1542

David Whiteman (2009-2011), davidpwhiteman@yahoo.com
(w) 803-777-4548, (h) 803-799-1205
200 Harden St, Columbia, SC 29205

SCGP delegates to Green National Committee:
David Whiteman (delegate)

SCGP members on national committees:
Coordinated Campaign Committee: [vacant]
International Committee: [vacant]
Media Committee: [vacant]


*********************************************
(F) GREEN PARTY OFFICE-HOLDERS
*********************************************

Eugene Platt (elected)
James Island Public Service District Commission

Lee Jane Kaufman (appointed)
Tree and Beautification Commission
City of Columbia