Quote of the Week: “Ohio proves that we have every reason to be hopeful, but no reason to be complacent.” – Robert Hubbell, Today’s Edition Newsletter, Aug. 9, 2023 Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Many of you already know about our Sunday, September 10 all-member OI picnic at the Squaxin Park Rose Garden and we look forward to celebrating our 7th anniversary with you there. We are delighted to report an exciting addition to our event, and we are asking you therefore to change your arrival time to 11:30am. Why, you might ask? Because we are inviting our endorsed (and winning!) candidates for Port Commission and County Commission to come tell you about their campaigns and opportunities to help them cross the finish line for the November elections. They will make a lightning-round of speeches from 11:30 to noon and we’ll have supplies, campaign yard signs, and volunteer sign-up sheets on hand. You don’t want to miss this! Local Actions: Save Our Local Community Media Resource Learn More: Stronger Communities Thurston Community Media (TCMedia), also known as TCTV, has been a community jewel for many years. Now they need our help! TCMedia was created to fill a void in the communications landscape in Thurston County. There was no broadcast affiliate, and no local TV. It was a grassroots effort that grew for 36 years to its current organization. Approx 65% of services have been to support the community and public access services / 35% dedicated to governmental programming and channels. At their facility on Yaeger Way SW you can produce a program for your non-profit, your school, or an interest of your own (music, history, climate). They provide the tools (cameras, etc), training (in using equipment) and transmission through their cable channels and streaming. YOU are the content producer. Where else can you do this? We have long been in awe that we have such a service. They deliver communication resources that build stronger communities. They believe in the value of all people and support free expression. Governments Withdrawal of Support In addition to community support as above, they assist local government agencies in Thurston County in the production of their programs. Thurston Community Media has had operating agreements with Thurston County, Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater for more than 36 years. The majority of the funding for services and operations has been through these contracts. The current contracts end on December 31st of this year and we have reason to think that funding will not be continued. What will happen to the public service channel? Action: Tell our city councils and county commissioners how important TCMedia services are to the community and ask that financial support for the community media/public access services be continued into the future. Option A: Take this action with one click in Take Action Network (TAN) Save Thurston Community Media Option B: Please send an email, make a phone call, or write a letter /postcard to your council members (Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey) and county commissioners (Thurston). You can also go to their meetings and give your comments in person. Please send a copy of your letter or email to the TCMedia Board of Directors – [email protected] You should be sure to include the following:
Script: To the [City Council or County Commission]: I’m writing to ask you to renew contracts with TCMedia to continue financial support for community media and public access services. TCMedia is a valuable resource for the entire community. As a community member, TCMedia is important to me. [Tell a story about how TCMedia supported you or your organization. How did it impact you or the community?]. As a media maker, I’ve used TCMedia to support my production efforts. [Share which TCMedia services you have used and why it is important to have them available.] Locally created media is essential for a well-informed citizenry. Community is fostered through this very important resource. What happens to the public service channels if you terminate the contract? Please reconsider a contract with TCMedia, and support TCMedia in any way you can. [Sign your name Address & City] Federal Actions:Restore the Endangered Species Act Photo credit: European Wilderness Society | Credit: 10429 The Biden administration announced a comment period for its new Endangered Species Act regulations, but its current proposal fails to adequately protect endangered wildlife. Action: Tell the administration to fully restore this critical environmental law. Take Action For The Farm Bill! Photo credit: USDA, Preston Keres Congress will reauthorize the Farm Bill this year. This is an opportunity to build more equitable and sustainable food systems in the US and abroad by strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other food assistance programs. Action: Ask Congress to prioritize food assistance programs in the reauthorization of the Farm Bill. Have You Scheduled These Events?Olympia Indivisible’s Garden Picnic |
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