Today, a focus on Clean Energy

A demonstration that included many different people representing various aspects of the world of clean and renewable energy was held today in front of the Federal Building in downtown Reno at noon.  This event coincided with the Clean Energy Summit presided over by Harry Reid in Las Vegas, an event where the likes of Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wesley Clark and T. Boone Pickens were arguing for a national shift in energy policies (promoting the development and widespread use of clean and renewable energy sources).

The attention on energy policies is seemingly dwarfed right now by the intense debate going on nationally over “health care reform”, but, given the state of the economy, it is appropriate and correct to argue, as President Obama often does, that these two efforts (promoting clean energy and the creation of green jobs AND reducing health care costs through reform) are necessarily interwoven with (or, an integral part of) the business of restoring the economy to a healthier state. 

Right now, with the House already having passed its own landmark energy legislation, the attention is focused on the efforts in the Senate to address energy issues.  To that end, some of the organizers of today’s rally (Bob Fulkerson, Theresa Navarro, and Drew Stamps) were part of a delegation (following the end of the rally) that delivered letters to the Federal Building offices of Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign.  These letters had been signed by rally attendees (numbering a good 40 or so people).

signing the letters delivered to Senate offices after the rally

The developing crowd of rally attendees:

Several people spoke at the rally, among them Assembly representatives Debbie Smith and David Bobzien (who in these two pictures are seen with one of the event hosts, Bob Fulkerson of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada or PLAN):

Also speaking was the business manager of Laborer Union (from Sparks), Richard “Skip” Daly (who is apparently considering a run for a vacancy in either the Assembly or State Senate):

Another speaker was Patrick Baldwin from Clean Energy Center housed at one of my favorite places, Cathexes at 250 Bell Street.  They focus on the installation of solar thermal and power, and are also one of the few doing small wind turbine installations, for homes and businesses in our area ( a focus which I suspect will involve the greatest volume of green jobs created, via small businesses).

In these next picture, we have, in addition to Bob Fulkerson again, here on the left, Theresa Navarro who introduced all the rally speakers and behind her, Xiomara Rodriguez (who is so far the only announced or declared Democratic candidate that I’m aware of for Assembly District seat 31):

(Note:  I had posted in a recent article that Xio was going to have a campaign kickoff event at Shelley Park in Sparks on August 25th;  SHE HAS POSTPONED THAT EVENT, which will be rescheduled for a later date.  I’ll report on the new time when the new plans are announced.  Disclosure:  I am supporting Xiomara Rodriguez for Assembly 31 and Byllie Andrews for Assembly 27, just so everyone knows my “bias”)

At the Truckee Meadow Democratic Alliance picnic today, candidates and elected officials gather with party activists

I set up a photo set for this event, hopefully showing everyone. 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28424275@N06/sets/72157621848347446/

There are two pictures I must share here.  Let me explain why.  Late in 2006,  around the time of the General Election, I began having this “gut” feeling about someone as a potential future President of the  United States.  That person was elected to statewide office (specifically as Nevada’s Attorney General).  Many had noted her friendly nature (and clear ease with people), her articulate speech making, and her intelligence.  Plus, she appealed across party lines (with many northern Nevada Republicans supporting her).  And, there is that “ingredient X” that is hard to define, of course.  (Not necessarily a highly charged charisma, btw.)  As readers likely know, a reading of the biographies of many Presidents reveal that folks in the early life circumstances of these future Presidents pick up on their potential, even to be leaders of their country.  Well…..it’s just my own gut feeling, held for a little over two years.  Still….why not share it?  And, see what others may think about the notion.  So, without further adieu, here’s who I pictured as a possible future President, the current Attorney General for Nevada (and perhaps a candidate for the Senate or Governor in the not so distant future).  These two  pictures were set up with the help of 2008 State Assembly candidate Robert “Tuna” Townsend who at the TMDA picnic’s late stages had changed into the outfit you see (with stilts, obviously).  Tuna at my prompting went over to meet Catherine Cortez Masto:

BTW, when I looked at the first picture closely, it seemed to me that the Attorney General was aware that I had set the shot up and was amused by that. 

Oh….and, I did meet her earlier, during this picnic gathering.  My first time in doing so.  My “gut” feeling is intact.  (And, she’s aware of it also…in case anyone is wondering about that.  She seemed a tad taken aback or surprised, but pleased at the same time.  Or, so it seemed anyway.)

(part two) Green shoots on display last night at Cathexes

Walt Borland from Incline Village has recently introduced into our state a Foundation called the Clean Energy Foundation.  The website for them explains:

There are many organizations already pushing hard for change on a national level….The focus of the Foundation, however, is on changing attitudes in Carson City and elsewhere in the State through localized research, education and advocacy.  We need clean energy solutions for Nevada developed by Nevadans, and that is the singular mission of the Foundation.

This Foundation is a non-profit, non partisan effort with an application pending under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Walt explains, given the critical lack of revenues available for even essential services in our state, that we need to creatively think outside the box in nurturing the growth of clean energy projects in our state.  See http://www.cefus.org for more information.

Here is Walt last night at Cathexes, with the Sierra Club’s Emily Rhodenbaugh (also from Incline Village):

Now, when I was talking with Walt initially, I was discussing this Reno News and Review article (July 16-22 issue, pages 8 and 9) by Dennis Myers where it was noted that even though the state legislature was able to do a few things to support the development of large scale clean and renewable energy projects, little in the way of support was offered to developing smaller scale efforts, where many jobs could potentially manifest (like in installing solar energy systems in homes and businesses).  Well, lo and behold, standing with us was Chad Dickason, “principal” for a new business based in Sparks called “Hamilton Solar”.  They are in the business of installing solar energy systems on homes and businesses!  Chad reported that right out of the starting gate that they had five job contracts and are expecting to be employing 25 people in three to four months!  See http://www.hamiltonsolarnv.com for more information.

There were many other notable people in the large crowd at Cathexes last night (there to honor David Bobzien and Mike Schneider, as reported in part one).  And, among them were the gutsy folks who have decided to step up to the plate and run for office. 

First, there was Byllie Andrews, seen here visiting with some of the guests:

Byllie Andrews is a candidate for the Assembly District 27 seat currently held by Majority Whip Sheila Leslie.  And, in this next picture we have ANOTHER candidate for that seat, Teresa Benitez-Thompson, sharing news of her decision (and of her recent change in jobs) with Byllie:

(Disclosure:  I am strongly supporting Byllie Andrews for this Assembly seat.)  I haven’t found a website for Teresa yet, but Byllie’s recently went up: http://www.byllieandrews.com

It was great to see some other folks at the gathering last night, Xiomara Rodriguez (running for the Assembly District 31 seat, held now by the termed out Bernie Anderson) and Calia Lindsay:

(Disclosure #2: I am supporting Xio in her expected primary battle with John Emerson.  She definitely has what it takes, with the right focus.)  Xiomara reports that she will have a campaign kickoff  on August 25th at Shelly Park in Sparks, starting at 6pm.  And, she has a website up: http://www.electxiomara.com

Byllie Andrews “makes it official”!

Her new campaign website’s home page is finished, with some links already operational.  There she reports that her plans to run for the Assembly seat being vacated by Sheila Leslie (due to term limits) are “official”.

http://www.byllieandrews.com

The filing deadline for this race is in March of next year and the primary is June 8.  Byllie probably won’t be unopposed in the primary.  A young casino host named Jade Zahreddine, and fairly recent UNR grad who ran for the State Senate against the popular Bill Raggio in the last election, has announced his plans to run for the Democratic nomination and the local newspaper is reporting that former Miss Nevada and now social worker Teresa Benitez-Thompson is also considering a run for this seat.

I will be helping out in Byllie’s campaign in a variety of ways (which will not be described or reported on, for obvious reasons).  I have already started  doing stuff, which is why you haven’t seen a new blog article in the past few days or so.  But, there are a couple of things I will report on very soon.

An excellent choice to represent us in the State Assembly

The state legislature this last session moved up our primary date to June (from August).  The race for the Democratic nomination for the Assembly District 27 seat, currently held by Assembly Majority Whip Sheila Leslie (who is “retiring” due to term limits),  is expected to be competitive.

Third Eye reports…..

First, an important (somewhat disconcerting) bit of news: I will be away from Reno for most of March and April, attending to house/land/animal/garden caretaking duties near Point Arena, California.  This will obviously necessitate me taking out my old DIA Coordinate Remote Viewing Manual (declassified in the late 90s and viewable for all online at http://www.crvmanual.com) so that I can extend my Third Eye vision on things here!

But….I’m still here, mostly using my two externally obvious eyes, and can report that a lot is happening in Reno (from where I’m sitting).  The inauguration is this coming Tuesday and I’m just learning that Java Jungle will have a large screen TV up and running for patrons to watch and celebrate the beginning of Barack Obama’s Presidency.  The barista announced that before Mark Sexton and one of his band members performed for the packed crowd here tonight.  (Now, we have a young woman reading poetry.  She’s discussing right now her hatred of WalMart.)

But, my main thing to report is some news from local artist Treejah (in his own words):

I have started a community art project in Reno called Macro Center for Arts and Music; I am looking for all ages to participate in music and art shows, as well as art workshops.  If interested, contact Treejah at look2ethiopia@yahoo.com and macroartsreno@gmail.com or 775 997 5173  See: http://www.myspace.com/look2ethiopia

On to other matters:  I have started a Facebook group that promotes the candidacy of Byllie Andrews for the Assembly District 27 seat.  Sheila Leslie cannot run again, due to term limits, so that seat becomes completely open for real competition in 2010.  At this time, it appears likely that at least a few other folks are contemplating competing in the Democratic primary in addition to Byllie. 

Facebook seems to be growing in popularity among many people I know in Reno, largely as a networking tool and a vehicle to give people a fast “heads up” on things going on.  Twitter is also growing in usage around here.    As an example, we have Brian Burghart, editor of the weekly Reno News and Review reporting in this weeks column about his “increasing addiction to the social networking site Facebook.com”.  He has just started up a RenoNewsandReview page there and has been receiving helpful information related to some things he is looking into as a result.

Valuable training in “grassroots” lobbying

Very valuable training that will arm and empower participants with effective  tools to influence decisions in Carson City will be offered in early March as part of Grassroots Lobby Days.  I am reposting here, from http://www.nevadawomenslobby.org/index.html, information on that:

When: Sunday, March 8 through Tuesday March 10, 2009
Where: Carson City
How: 2009 Registration Form coming soon!

During each Nevada legislative session, the Nevada Women’s Lobby joins with other organizations for three days of training, inspiration and lobbying at the Nevada Legislature. Hundreds of individuals who care about the issues concerning Nevada’s women and families travel to Carson City for this event. NWL has sponsored Grassroots Lobby Days (GLD) since 1989.

As a GLD participant you can expect to:

• Learn the Nevada legislative process and how to influence it
• Meet your Nevada senators and assemblypersons
• Influence your legislators
• Meet other Nevadans with similar concerns
• Learn about current Nevada issues affecting Nevada’s women and families
• Attend legislative committee hearings and floor sessions

If you would like to be added to the mailing list for Grassroots Lobby Days or if you have questions, please write to us at NVWL@aol.com.

Special note:  I’ve learned of this effort a few years ago from Byllie Andrews, a member of the Nevada Womens Lobby steering committee and a candidate for the Assembly District 27 seat in 2010, when Sheila Leslie is “termed out”. 

Prospective Assembly Candidates Gather for Introductory Seminar

The Democratic Assembly Caucus hosted an orientation seminar this past Thursday night at the Washoe Democratic Party Headquarters (1465 Terminal Way) for people interested in running for an Assembly District seat in 2010.  Current Assembly representatives  Bernie Anderson, Sheila Leslie, Debbie Smith and David Bobzien spoke before a group of 25 who showed up to learn what it takes to not only get elected but to serve.

Some attending were just curious, but according to the report I received of this meeting, it looks like at least five people have an interest in running for the Assembly District 27 seat (where Sheila Leslie is serving now in her final term), two interested in the AD 31 seat, two others for AD 26, and one for AD 25.  One of the persons currently in AD 26 may move to AD 27 and possibly run in the primary contest for that seat.

Our Assembly reps told the interested parties that in order to run they had to:

~have a willingness to raise money

~walk their district

~go to all candidate functions

~and, accept the fact that they essentially would have no life from May to November during the election year.

And, that’s just the beginning of the fun, IF ONE ACTUALLY WINS.  For those who are employed, they will not be able to work at their current jobs for the four months when the Assembly is in session.  Sessions begin on the first Monday of  February, with the work load at the beginning 5 days/week and then 7 days/ week during the last stretch of the session.  Assembly members get $7000 pay plus per diem after the first 60 days.  Also, you have to attend interim committee meetings when the legislature is not in session. 

The Assembly Caucus folks had the potential candidates fill out a form expressing their interest and providing background information.

If interested yourself in running for a seat, the Washoe County Democratic Party, along with the Democratic Assembly Caucus, will be hosting another seminar for prospective candidates on January 16th (noon) at the Washoe Democratic Party headquarters.  For further info: http://washoedems.org

Thankyou Byllie Andrews for the notes on this meeting!!!

Followup note from Zeke on local campaigns and Ross writes about Byllie Andrews

Zeke expands on this article

 http://renothirdeye.wordpress.com/2008/11/17/a-national-campaigns-impact-on-local-races/

with these comments:

“The Problem that I saw was that the out-of-towners were not sold on promoting local candidates. The Derby campaign may have given out Lit, but there wasn’t much of it and there was no “talk up” done to explain who she was: it was left up to the skill of the Canvas Launch volunteers with a variety of skill levels. If a launch was done by an out of state Obama staffer or volunteer, local candidates were often not mentioned at all.

Also, with so many new people running for office, the candidates themselves took very little advantage of the massive army of canvassers that could have spread their word. Some candidates used the resources, like Bobzien, Townsend and Schumacher, while most candidates “go-ed alone” to their peril.

I think in the next presidential election cycle, the local party and candidates should definitely insist and be involved in instructing the out of Stater’s about the local election.

Consider this: no local candidate won a race in this county because of canvassing. There were no surprises. Think of what could’ve happened if there had been an actual coordinated effort between the campaigns?”

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A Washoe County Democratic Party activist (and currently a law student in Oregon), Ross Armstrong recently shared with readers of his blog his support for Byllie Andrews (who now plans to make a run for the Assembly seat currently held by Sheila Leslie):

http://rossarmstrong.blogspot.com/2008/10/vision-coming-alive-byllie-andrews-for.html

Note on upcoming articles: My time online will be significantly reduced as I prepare future stories and reports.  Right now, there will soon be an article (with Photos) of the recent Join The Impact rally in Reno and another article on the Resurrection of Oxbow Park (with photos).

Third Eye’s FIRST endorsement: Byllie Andrews For Assembly (District 27)

Byllie Andrews offers up her house for Nevada

[Byllie offers up her house for Nevada's Campaign For Change for weeks]

The Assembly seat currently represented by Sheila Leslie will be completely open  and up for grabs in 2010 when term limits force the Assembly’s Majority Whip to seek other pastures.  Third Eye on Reno is aware of a field of potential candidates who are thinking about a run for that seat.  Among this group of people is Byllie Andrews, who firmly plans to seek that position.  Here’s the website Byllie had up during this past campaign:

http://www.byllieandrews.com/

I am supporting her in her plans to seek this seat and will publicize her efforts here.  I’ve known her since early 2006, when I became a precinct captain and part of the volunteer structure which she led and organized for Assembly District 27 Democratic Party activists.

Byllie’s background includes 36 years of working as a teacher and administrator in Washoe County schools.  She retired in 2007 after serving as a founding administrator of Rainshadow Community Charter High School.  She also has a business background, being the owner and manager of Andrews Properties.  Her background includes many  other things (like training grassroot lobbyists), but I have two years to go into all that.

I am creating a new category for postings related to this campaign!