Grassroots Democracy
Action Weekend in Washington, D.C., March 19-21
Posted March 4th, 2010 by gmcluckieFriday, March 19
National Day of Action and Outreach in D.C.
Saturday, March 20
National Anti-War March on Washington D.C.
Sunday, March 21
March for America Rally for Immigration Reform
1-5 p.m.
Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C.
Roots Camp March 6
Posted March 2nd, 2010 by gmcluckieSaturday, March 6
Roots Camp Ohio 2010
Sign-in 8:30 AM, opening session is at 9:30 AM
Location: Ohio Civil Service Employees Association, 390 Worthington Rd. Ste. A, Westerville, OH
Ohioans talking with Ohioans. Open dialogue between Ohio’s activists, field organizers, leaders, techies, fundraisers, bloggers. Building organization and sustainability in Ohio's growing progressive movement
Sponsored by Progress Ohio
Registration required. Space is limited.
Kilroy Mobile Office Hours
Posted March 1st, 2010 by gmcluckieRepresentatives from Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy’s staff will be available next Wednesday, March 3, 2010, from 4-6 pm at the Upper Arlington Public Library, Meeting Room B, 2800 Tremont Road, to resolve problems or answer questions they may have about federal departments, agencies, or services.
Staffers will be offering advice and assistance to individuals and families concerning Social Security benefits, Medicare, foreclosure prevention and support, veterans' benefits, IRS issues, and other issues.
Due to space constraints and in order to respect visitors’ privacy, questions and concerns from constituents will be addressed one at a time in the order they are received.
Exercise Your Right to Vote Tomorrow!
Posted May 4th, 2009 by Pathadler
May 4, 2009 • UAProgressiveAction.com
Remember to Vote Tomorrow, May 5!
Tomorrow voters in Upper Arlington will be asked to vote on only two issues: Issue 1, the Metro Parks Levy, and Issue 4, The Upper Arlington Library Bond Issue. These are issues that people on all sides care about, both pro and con.
UAPA encourages you to exercise your right to vote tomorrow because even if it's an "off year," our voices count.
And just think, since turn out is expected to be very low, you can probably be in and out in less than five minutes!
Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner Recaps 2008 Election Tomorrow Night, Thursday, April 30
Posted April 29th, 2009 by Pathadler
April 29, 2009 • UAProgressiveAction.com
Come Learn About New and Improved Elections in Ohio!
Join UAPA as we welcome Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner on Thursday, April 30, to speak about the 2008 Election and what went right, what went wrong and what still needs to happen to ensure fair and honest elections in Ohio.
The event will be held at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Hall, 1250 Kinnear Road, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. (See map here.) The presentation is free and open to the public.
Please RSVP here.
The Metro Parks Need Your Help!
Volunteers are need to help get out the word about Issue One, the Franklin County Metro Parks Levy, which is on the ballot next Tuesday. Below are several opportunities to help out.
Saturday, May 2nd Literature Drops
Sunday, May 3rd Literature Drops
Monday, May 4th Visibility during afternoon rush hour at major intersections (This entails holding up signs.)
Tuesday, May 5th Visibility & greet voters at polling places with multiple precincts and respectable turnouts.
To volunteer, contact David Hull at 670-3687 or hulldavid@columbus.rr.com.
For more information, visit the Metro Parks Levy website.
Join Sen. Sherrod Brown This Wednesday for an Alternative Energy Presentation
Posted April 15th, 2009 by sdybiec
April 14, 2009 www.uaprogressiveaction.com
Join Sherrod Brown at a Question and Answer Presentation on Alternative Energy at COSI this Wednesday
Please join U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and Battelle Memorial Institute for an informational summit on alternative energy opportunities in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Date: April 15, 2009
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Center of Science and Industry (COSI), 333 W Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio
Speakers will include:
- U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown
- Jeff Wadsworth, CEO of Battelle Memorial Institute
- Representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
- Representatives from the Office of Governor Ted Strickland
This event is free and open to the public. Parking is available at COSI.
To RSVP, click here.
Celebrate Earth Day on April 25, 2009
Please join the Wickliffe Progressive School community, UAPA and Sustainable UA for an Earth Day Event on Saturday, April 25, 2009, at Wickliffe School, 2405 Wickliffe Road. These groups will be working together to get volunteers, Ohio-native plants and monetary donations for a community beautification event in celebration of Earth Day.
This is a great way for residents to provide community support for the school, for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts to earn merit badges, and for high school students to fulfill community service requirements. Volunteers will be planting trees and plants, pruning old trees, and spreading mulch.
Two shifts are available for volunteers: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, and 12:00 noon – 3:00 p.m.
To volunteer, send an email to either Kris Rojas at krisrojas@sbcglobal.net or Robyn Harper at robynharper@sbcglobal.net to let them know you're coming, or just simply show up! Bring a shovel, spade or hand trowel marked with your name, and work gloves.
If you would like to make a monetary donation, please send a check, made payable to Wickliffe PTO, with "Earth Day event" written in the memo line, and send to Wickliffe Progressive School, 2405 Wickliffe Road, UA, 43221.
Mother Earth thanks you!
Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner to Recap the 2008 Election April 30
Join UAPA as we welcome Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner on Thursday, April 30, to speak about the 2008 Election and what went right, what went wrong and what still needs to happen to ensure fair and honest elections in Ohio.
The event will be held at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Hall, 1250 Kinnear Road, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. (See map here.) The presentation is free and open to the public.
Please RSVP here so we know how much refreshments we will need.
Help Support Gov. Strickland's Education Agenda
Governor Strickland's Education Agenda is at the forefront of his administration right now. He's asking supporters to send out postcards to people in their zip code with a personal note asking them to support his Education Plan.
Jan Davis is coordinating this effort for the 43221 and 43220 zip codes. All you have to do is send Jan an email with your name and address at eyendavis@aol.com, and she will bring you a pack of postcards, addresses and sample notes that you can use. The packets are in groups of 25. There are thousands of these to be mailed in the next few weeks. You would be responsible for the postage.
Help get Ohio moving forward with the Governor's plan!
Join Sen. Sherrod Brown This Wednesday for an Alternative Energy Presentation
Posted April 15th, 2009 by sdybiec
April 14, 2009 www.uaprogressiveaction.com
Join Sherrod Brown at a Question and Answer Presentation on Alternative Energy at COSI this Wednesday
Please join U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and Battelle Memorial Institute for an informational summit on alternative energy opportunities in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Date: April 15, 2009
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Center of Science and Industry (COSI), 333 W Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio
Speakers will include:
- U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown
- Jeff Wadsworth, CEO of Battelle Memorial Institute
- Representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
- Representatives from the Office of Governor Ted Strickland
This event is free and open to the public. Parking is available at COSI.
To RSVP, click here.
Celebrate Earth Day on April 25, 2009
Please join the Wickliffe Progressive School community, UAPA and Sustainable UA for an Earth Day Event on Saturday, April 25, 2009, at Wickliffe School, 2405 Wickliffe Road. These groups will be working together to get volunteers, Ohio-native plants and monetary donations for a community beautification event in celebration of Earth Day.
This is a great way for residents to provide community support for the school, for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts to earn merit badges, and for high school students to fulfill community service requirements. Volunteers will be planting trees and plants, pruning old trees, and spreading mulch.
Two shifts are available for volunteers: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, and 12:00 noon – 3:00 p.m.
To volunteer, send an email to either Kris Rojas at krisrojas@sbcglobal.net or Robyn Harper at robynharper@sbcglobal.net to let them know you're coming, or just simply show up! Bring a shovel, spade or hand trowel marked with your name, and work gloves.
If you would like to make a monetary donation, please send a check, made payable to Wickliffe PTO, with "Earth Day event" written in the memo line, and send to Wickliffe Progressive School, 2405 Wickliffe Road, UA, 43221.
Mother Earth thanks you!
Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner to Recap the 2008 Election April 30
Join UAPA as we welcome Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner on Thursday, April 30, to speak about the 2008 Election and what went right, what went wrong and what still needs to happen to ensure fair and honest elections in Ohio.
The event will be held at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Hall, 1250 Kinnear Road, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. (See map here.) The presentation is free and open to the public.
Please RSVP here so we know how much refreshments we will need.
Help Support Gov. Strickland's Education Agenda
Governor Strickland's Education Agenda is at the forefront of his administration right now. He's asking supporters to send out postcards to people in their zip code with a personal note asking them to support his Education Plan.
Jan Davis is coordinating this effort for the 43221 and 43220 zip codes. All you have to do is send Jan an email with your name and address at eyendavis@aol.com, and she will bring you a pack of postcards, addresses and sample notes that you can use. The packets are in groups of 25. There are thousands of these to be mailed in the next few weeks. You would be responsible for the postage.
Help get Ohio moving forward with the Governor's plan!
Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner to Recap the 2008 Election April 30
Posted April 13th, 2009 by PathadlerJoin UAPA as we welcome Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner on Thursday, April 30, to speak about the 2008 Election and what went right, what went wrong and what still needs to happen to ensure fair and honest elections in Ohio.
The event will be held at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Hall, 1250 Kinnear Road, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. (See map here.) The presentation is free and open to the public.
Please RSVP here.
UAPA issue endorsements
Posted November 2nd, 2008 by sdybiecHere's a summary of UAPA's position on ballot issues 1, 2, 5 and 6:
- Issue 1: Vote YES.
- Issue 2: Vote YES.
- Issue 5: Vote YES.
- Issue 6: Vote NO.
ProgressOhio has conveniently deciphered the ballot issues and summarized them in a one page document. And here's a sample ballot of endorsed Democratic candidates to print and take with you to the polls.
UAPA's positions on the ballot issues align closely with those of the editors from Ohio's largest daily newspapers:
| Newspaper or blog | Ohio Issue 1 | Ohio Issue 2 | Ohio Issue 3 | Ohio Issue 5/Payday loans | Ohio Issue 6/Casino |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron Beacon Journal | - | - | - | Yes | No |
| Cincinnati Enquirer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Cleveland Plain Dealer | Yes | Yes | - | Yes | No |
| Columbus Dispatch | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| The Courier - Findlay | Yes | Yes | - | - | No |
| Canton Repository | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Dayton Daily News | Yes | Yes | - | Yes | No |
| Mansfield NewsJournal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Newark Advocate | - | - | - | No | - |
| Toledo Blade | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Youngstown Vindicator | - | Yes | - | Yes | No |
| Zanesville Times Recorder | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
And here's the our rationale for our positions:
Last chance to help Obama in Columbus
Posted October 31st, 2008 by sdybiec
Last chance to help Obama in Columbus
Nervous?
We all are. Everyone we talk to right now is feeling some mixture of excitement, anxiety, and anticipation. We're hoping, we're praying, we're checking the polls—or just trying to ignore them.
Here's the thing: Worrying won't help Obama win. But talking to voters will.
You have an important role to play in this election. Please sign up to volunteer.
There are thousands of people in Ohio who will only vote if someone knocks on their door or calls them in the next 36 hours. You have the power to affect the outcome of this election—even if you only have an hour to give.
Now's the time. Right now. Today. Everything we've worked for is on the line—in two days it'll be too late.
You have an important role to play in this election. Please sign up to volunteer.
In 2000, the entire election came down to a small number of votes in one county in Florida. Four years later, we came up short by an average of nine voters per precinct in Ohio.
So please do whatever you can to help out in Columbus in the next 36 hours. And let's win this!
UAPA issue endorsements
Here's a summary of UAPA's position on ballot issues 1, 2, 5 and 6:
- Issue 1: Vote YES.
- Issue 2: Vote YES.
- Issue 5: Vote YES.
- Issue 6: Vote NO.
ProgressOhio has conveniently deciphered the ballot issues and summarized them in one page. And here's a sample ballot of endorsed Democratic candidates to print and take with you to the polls.
UAPA's positions on the ballot issues align closely with those of the editors from Ohio's largest daily newspapers:
| Newspaper or blog | Ohio Issue 1 | Ohio Issue 2 | Ohio Issue 3 | Ohio Issue 5/Payday loans | Ohio Issue 6/Casino |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron Beacon Journal | - | - | - | Yes | No |
| Cincinnati Enquirer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Cleveland Plain Dealer | Yes | Yes | - | Yes | No |
| Columbus Dispatch | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| The Courier - Findlay | Yes | Yes | - | - | No |
| Canton Repository | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Dayton Daily News | Yes | Yes | - | Yes | No |
| Mansfield NewsJournal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Newark Advocate | - | - | - | No | - |
| Toledo Blade | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Youngstown Vindicator | - | Yes | - | Yes | No |
| Zanesville Times Recorder | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
And here's the the rationale for our positions:
Read more here.
Dispatch features lead op-ed pieces from UAPA members
As part of UAPA's letter writing campaign, two members' Letters to the Editor were published as lead editorials in the Opinion section of the Columbus Dispatch this week --- one on Monday and the other on Tuesday.
Deb Linville and Mike Lorz both made strong progressive arguments that caught the attention of the Dispatch editors. With the volume of editorials submitted in the weeks before an election, this is quite an accomplishment
In case you missed the editorials, Mike's is entitled 'Pro-life means more than anti-abortion' and Deb's is 'Republican Rankin can't rest on record'.
Mike is a pro-life Catholic who makes a strong case that Obama's policies and his Christian values supporting those policies "represent a culture of life, not just birth."
Many other Catholics are supporting Obama, too. Check out the 'Catholics for Obama' web site.
As a long-time Upper Arlington resident, Deb has watched Tim Rankin's divisive political tactics and far-right agenda over the years. In her LTE she calls him out on some of his most divisive wedge issues he championed during his time on City Council in UA.
UAPA has further elaborated on Deb's editorial on Tim Rankin on our web site.
Also this week, the UANews published these two LTEs from UAPA members:
- Rankin has not done enough to reject negative mailings
- Library board appointment reflects badly on Rankin
Catholics for Obama: a culture of life, not just birth
Catholics for Obama has found common ground on the single most divisive issue in American politics today: abortion.
Their booklet, 'The Catholic Case for Obama', is an expose on Obama's core values and how he put them into practice as a community organizer working with Catholic parishes on the south side of Chicago.
They tackle the big questions head on:
- Reducing abortion now vs. criminalizing it later
- Stem cell research and the origins of life
- On the death penalty
- On the question of health care for all Americans
- On the question of preemptive war and the tragedy in Iraq
Here's their abortion stance in a nutshell:
Ohio ballot issues
Posted October 25th, 2008 by sdybiec
| Proponents say... | Opponents say... | UAPA position | ||
| Issue 1:PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO PROVIDE FOR EARLIER FILING DEADLINES FOR STATEWIDE BALLOT ISSUES |
Would move the deadline for submitting signatures on ballot issues from 90 days before the election to 125 days before the election. A YES vote means approval of the amendment. A NO vote means disapproval of the amendment. A majority YES vote is required for the amendment to be adopted. If approved, this proposed amendment will be effective immediately. |
This should reduce the number of invalid issues that appear on ballots and reduce voter confusion. If deadlines are met, absentee voters and election-day voters will know which issues were supported by sufficient valid petitions. The process should be more efficient because the amendment provides for specific deadlines for each step of the process. Having the Ohio Supreme Court as the sole arbiter of challenges expedites the process. |
The revised deadlines may still not allow time to print correct ballots. The revised deadlines decrease the time for each step of the review and may be difficult to meet. The earlier deadlines for referenda may result in long delays for voter consideration of challenged laws because laws challenged by the referendum process are suspended until approved by voters. Challengers have 90 days after a law is passed to file a referendum petition. Because this may not be completed before the filing deadline for ballot issues, a vote on the challenged law may be postponed until the following general election. As sole arbiter of challenges, the Ohio Supreme Court will not have the benefit of a record from lower courts. |
No opinion |
| Issue 2 | ||||
Ohio ballot issues
Posted October 25th, 2008 by sdybiec
| UAPA position | ||||
| Issue 1:PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO PROVIDE FOR EARLIER FILING DEADLINES FOR STATEWIDE BALLOT ISSUESIssue 2 |
Would move the deadline for submitting signatures on ballot issues from 90 days before the election to 125 days before the election. A YES vote means approval of the amendment. A NO vote means disapproval of the amendment. A majority YES vote is required for the amendment to be adopted. If approved, this proposed amendment will be effective immediately. |
Proponents say:
|
No opinion | |
Opponents say:
|
||||
Debate Watching Party: The Statesman vs. the Hockey Mom
Posted September 30th, 2008 by jbrough313Joe Biden is an intelligent, worldly statesman . . . but can he dress a moose? Don't miss this much anticipated match-up between the Statesman and the Hockey Mom. Bring your friends, wear your Obama gear and join us as we cheer Joe on to victory! You won't miss a thing on the six, extra-large, state-of-the-art integrated viewing screens at Arlington Banquets. Donations are welcome. Vice Presidential Debate Watching Party Thursday, October 2, 2008 1967 West Henderson Road in the Kroger shopping center Please park in the Henderson Road/Kroger parking lot and enter through the front entrance. Arlington Banquets is located right next to Kroger. 7:30 p.m. Meet and Greet w/Complimentary Appetizers and Cash Bar 8:00 p.m. Brief Pre-debate Program 9:00 p.m. Televised Debate Watch the debate on large, state-of-the-art monitors Our Obama store will be open and ready for business! STUDENTS WELCOME! To help defray expenses, we're asking for a $5 per person donation at the door. Thank you for supporting the Presidential Debate Party last week! We were caught off guard when twice as many people showed up than we expected. This week, we'll be ready with more people to handle registration and more seating for all our guests - plus the same great menu! For our planning purposes, we'd appreciate your RSVP. |
|
| October 2nd, 2008, 7:30 PM through 10:30 PM | |
|
1967 West Henderson Road
Columbus, OH Map this Location |
|
UAPA VP Debate Watching Party This Thursday!
Posted September 29th, 2008 by jbrough313
www.UAProgressiveAction.com • Tuesday, September 30, 2008
VP Debate Watching Party
This Thursday, October 2, 2008
, 7:30 p.m.
Arlington Banquets
1967 West Henderson Road
in the Kroger shopping center
Please park in the Henderson Road/Kroger parking lot and enter through the front entrance. Arlington Banquets is located right next to Kroger.
Don't miss this much anticipated match-up between the Statesman and the Hockey Mom. Bring your friends, wear your Obama gear and join us as we cheer Joe on to victory!
7:30 p.m. Meet and Greet w/Complimentary Appetizers and Cash Bar
(full menu available for carry out in adjoining Arlington Cafe)
8:00 p.m. Brief Pre-debate Program
9:00 p.m. Televised Debate
Watch the debate on six large, state-of-the-art monitors
STUDENTS WELCOME!
Our Obama store will be open and ready for business!
To help defray expenses, we're asking for a minimum $5 per person donation at the door.
Thank you for attending the Presidential Debate Party last Friday!
We were caught off guard when twice as many people showed up than we expected. This week, we'll be ready with more people to handle registration and more seating for all our guests. Please join us for a lively evening and delicious menu!
UAPA says: Vote Yes on Issue 5!
Ask yourself one question, "Is 391% interest too high?" The answer is YES!
Now you know how to vote on Issue 5, Ohio's payday loan referendum that greedy lenders are trying to get on the November 4 ballot.
Upper Arlington Progressive Action first brought this to your attention several months ago when we learned about the effort to reform payday lending. We applauded the passage of House Bill 545, which reduced the annual percentage of interest that can be charged down to 28%.
Then the national payday lending lobby started its shananigans. They are trying to overturn the reform measure by putting the issue on the ballot. But their petition circulators have been deceptive and their ballot language misleading.
UAPA joins nearly every major newspaper in Ohio, the governor, the speaker, the senate president, big-city mayors and city councils, and religious, business, civic and social leaders in urging you to remember:
Vote YES on Issue 5.
Spread the word!
Want to help? Visit www.yesonissue5.com.
OSU for Obama Needs Your Help!
We have potentially 50,000 Ohio State University students ready to vote for Obama. But we have to get them registered before Monday and to the polls.
How can you help? The OSU for Obama office at 1902 High Street, east of the Columbus campus, has lots of jobs.
Work for the office. Make phone calls, enter data, clean, hand out flyers, canvass, wave posters, work at a voter registration table, go clip boarding.
Contact: Thomas McMahon at thomas.w.mcmahon@gmail.com, or stop by the office at 1902 North High Street.
Public parking is available all day at Ohio Union Garage, 12th and High, north of construction; and after 4 p.m. in Arps Garage, 1945 North High. Cost is $3 for first hour, $1 each additional hour, $7 all day. Credit cards accepted.
Let's get the youth vote out and WIN this November!
I Voted For Barack and Joe Today!
And you can too!
Why vote early? Let us count the whys:
- Hassle free. Extremely helpful poll workers ensure that your ballot is filled out correctly and your vote will get counted.
- Choose your day. No sloshing through rain, storm and dark of night. You decide when the weather is right.
- Chose your time. Weekday, Saturday, even Sunday hours!
- Freedom. Now you can work the polls or get out the vote or be an observer on Nov. 4.
In person early voting started today and will continue through Monday, November 3rd. To vote an in person absentee voter ballot for the 2008 General Election before Election Day, go to Franklin County Veterans Memorial located at 300 West Broad Street in downtown Columbus.
- Weekday Hours: Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 7 PM beginning September 30 and ending November 3.
- Saturday Hours: From 8 AM until 5 PM on October 4, 11, 18, 25 and November 1.
- Sunday Hours: From 1 PM until 5 PM on October 5, 12, 19, 26, and November 2.
Take a Sample Ballot to the Polls When you Vote!
Click here for a sample ballot. Don't forget to print a copy and take it with you to vote.
Voter Registration Deadline is this Monday, October 6!
Make sure your student, neighbor or friend is registered!
For more information, visit the Franklin County Board of Elections website here.
Columbus Dispatch: Obama signs are hot property
Posted September 23rd, 2008 by sdybiec
Obama yard sign theft has finally passed the threshold of press visibility, so the Columbus Dispatch did some calling around to see the extent of the problem.
As was the case in 2004 and 2006, Democratic candidate yard signs are being stolen at many times the rate as their Republican counterparts. In UA's case, it's around 100:1.
Again this year Democrats are going to great lengths to protect their signs. Bob Krasen (photo on right) of Blenheim Road in Clintonville has had three Obama signs stolen this year. According to the Dispatch article, "He added a cow bell to the third one as an alarm, but both the sign and the bell were taken. Now he has made a permanent sign and planted it in his yard."
Several UAPA members have had their signs stolen multiple times, others as part of the mass theft operation mentioned in the Dispatch story.
There have been many sign thefts over the past several weeks. Remember, if your sign is stolen:
- Request a replacement sign* from UAPA free of charge. Don't let the vandals and thieves silence your voice!
- Put your address on the inside of the sign in case your stolen sign is recovered.
- Consider donating to UAPA to help defray the costs of new and replacement signs.
* Please note that new replacement signs are available to Upper Arlington, Ohio, residents only. We are unable to mail or hand deliver signs outside of the 43212, 43220 and 43221 zip codes. We regret any inconvenience.
