Weekly Call To Action - June 19, 2022

Quote of the Week:

“Democracy is not simply a license to indulge individual whims and proclivities. It is also holding oneself accountable to some reasonable degree for the conditions of peace and chaos that impact the lives of those who inhabit one’s beloved extended community.” ― Aberjhani, Splendid Literarium: A Treasury of Stories, Aphorisms, Poems, and Essays

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OI Special Event:

June 21 at 7:00 pm, Mary Hall Presentation: Elections, Security, & Misinformation. Hosted by Olympia Indivisible and Washington Indivisible Network. Register here.

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Take Four Actions Now:

Donald Trump Still Threatens Our Democracy

This week, our country watched the January 6th hearings present astonishing evidence that confirms that former President Trump, fully informed of what he was doing, illegally schemed to stay in power and overthrow our democracy. This attack on democracy not only still continues, it is growing by the day. 

Trump and his party falsely claim that they will not allow any future elections to be "stolen" and are planning to subvert these elections if he or his nominees are not elected.

Just as with January 6th, Trump is telling us ahead of time of his plans. Last week's primary elections put in place Republican candidates that promise to carry out Trump's scheme of falsely claiming election fraud, throwing our elections into chaos and allowing Republican state legislatures to determine the outcome instead of the voters.

Action 1: We must act now and ask our Members of Congress for two things.

• Senator Patty Murray, Phone: 253-572-3636 or Contact Form 
• Senator Maria Cantwell, Phone: 253-572-2281 or Contact Form 

• Marilyn Strickland, Phone: 202-225-9740 or Contact Form 
  • Email all three MOCs at once using Democracy.io. 

Script: My name is ____________. I am a member of Olympia Indivisible and I live in zip code_____. This week's Jan 6th hearings made clear that Donald Trump illegally schemed to stay in power and overthrow our democracy. Yet his attack on democracy is not over.
I ask that Senator/Representative____ do two things.

First, contact Attorney General Garland to communicate the damage that will happen to our democracy if Donald Trump's crimes are not prosecuted quickly. In addition, the House Select Committee must release their transcripts to the Justice Department as soon as possible to help a grand jury prosecute those responsible for January 6th.

Second, I ask that Senator/Representative ______ speak out publicly about how they plan to protect public trust in our elections. Donald Trump and the Republicans are actively working to subvert our next elections with continued false claims of election fraud. This will throw our country into chaos. We need laws to protect our elections now, before it is too late.

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 Friends of Trees Rally at Department of Natural Resources

Olympia Indivisible has taken a formal stand for protecting old growth forest from clear cutting in the Summit Lake watershed.

Background:

• Thurston County Commissioners oppose DNR’s plans to cut trees near Summit Lake
• Small Thurston County community worries logging proposal threatens neighborhood
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Previously, we asked the Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) to write to the Dept of Natural Resources (DNR) objecting to the many clear cuts planned for Capitol Forest in the next 10 years. They responded in a very robust way with this letter.

DNR responded to the BoCC's letter about the Summit Lake proposed cut by delaying the auction 3 months but with a lot of dismissive language indicating that they will probably still go forward with the cut after that. 

You can share this action by sending out the TAN Action Link: Friends of Trees Rally at Department of Natural Resources

Action 2: July 5, 2022 at 8:15 am rally outside DNR's July board meeting. The board meeting starts at 9:00 am and they take public comment close to the beginning of the meeting. DNR Address: 1111 Washington St. SE, Olympia, WA 98504.

Bonus Action - Public Comment:
Some of us may choose to go inside at the end of the rally and testify about our concerns such as:

• the huge number of cuts they have proposed over the next 10 years, 
• the damage that would do to our Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan (TCMP) goals, 
• the environmental disaster of the Summit Lake proposed cut and 
• the comments made by Commissioner Franz at the May meeting about rolling back their current policy of protecting older trees.
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Register here per the instructions whether you plan to comment in person or remotely.

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Get Involved In Shaping Your Community's Future

Help Plan the Next Ten Years for Thurston County
If you have ever wanted to help shape your community’s future, now is the time to get involved. By law, every city and county in Washington state is about to undergo a two-to-three-year planning process called the “Comprehensive Plan” update which will result in a ten-year plan that describes the long-term vision for growth, infrastructure, and services for that jurisdiction. 
 
General Information Sessions
The Local Good Governance Coalition (LGGC) will be hosting three general information sessions this year to help you and the rest of our community be involved in shaping our future, with a focus on climate change and affordable housing. We want equitable policies enacted and enforced.
 
The first session “Comprehensive Plan Update 101” will be held virtually via Zoom on July 14, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM. As a participant, you will learn the basics of Comprehensive Planning, and also how you can help set the standards for climate change and housing for our. In order to get a detailed Comprehensive Plan that goes beyond vague business-as-usual goals, we need you and other community members to be involved.

Action 3: Register for the session on July 14, click here. 

You can share this action with your friends by sending out the TAN Action Link: Get Involved In Shaping Your Community's Future

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Stop the Proposed Logging Near the Watershed

The Green Cove Watershed now faces another serious threat to its integrity and continued viability as salmon habitat.

A new owner of the 20 acres across from the Sundberg mine on the west side of Cooper Point Rd NW is planning to log this property directly above the Green Cove Creek. 

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issued a Forest Practices permit to Silvimantle LLC. 

Action 4: Email the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) to stop logging near the Green Cove Watershed.

Option A: Take this action with one click in Take Action Network (TAN) Stop the Proposed Logging Near the Watershed

Option B: Contact the BoCC - county.commissioners@co.thurston.wa.us
 
Subject: Proposed logging on Cooper Point Rd. NW - West Olympia

Script: Dear Commissioners, 

I am asking you to appeal to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to rescind the current Forest Practices permit issued to Silvimantle LLC on the basis of decades old established scientific facts and adopted County policies. The Green Cove Watershed now faces another serious threat to its integrity and continued viability as salmon habitat. 

A new owner of the 20 acres across from the Sundberg mine on the west side of Cooper Point Rd NW is planning to log this property directly above the Green Cove Creek. Increased runoff from the logging of these 20 acres is inevitable and a direct threat downstream to the integrity of Green Cove Creek, to property and infrastructure and to fish habitat.
 
Please reach out to the DNR to stop this proposed logging. 

Sincerely, 

[Name] from [CITY, ZIP]

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Your Work Pays Off:

From past CTA’s

You have taken actions regarding saving and planting trees, and we have endorsed Michael Steadman, Carolyn Cox, and Robin Vasquez in the past. We want to thank those three, who are on the Lacey City Council, for voting in favor of trees at the last Lacey City Council meeting. "Tree City USA: Lacey amends tree-cutting regulations; Only 3 residential removals within 5 years."

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​Have You Scheduled These Events?

Action Cafe
Cooks Out of Town

There is a note on the door of the Café.

The Café is Closed until July 4. The Chef is away making music but will return with new and exciting recipes. 

See you then. Register HERE for future Monday's Action Cafe. 

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Mary Hall Presents: 
Elections, Security, & Misinformation

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall, Tuesday, June 21st, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm. 

Register here: TC Auditor Mary Hall Presents: Elections, Security, & Misinformation

Much of the fallout from Election 2020 can be traced to misinformation and disinformation which has crossed the divide from conspiracy theory to mainstream media. The result of this babble is a dangerous decline of voter confidence in the election process. With all the misinformation, disinformation, and myths swirling around us, we know of no one better to provide a clarifying, fact-based perspective than Thurston County Auditor, Mary Hall. 

We have also asked Mary to address the impact that misinformation and disinformation has had on her staff and on her co-workers across the country, and how we as citizens can help to alleviate the resulting atmosphere of stress and fears in which too many elected public servants now work. 

Mary’s presentation will be followed by a Q&A period.

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​You Might Also Like to Attend:

The State Department of Ecology has released a draft report detailing the steps needed to protect Budd Inlet — which for decades has suffered from algae blooms and low oxygen levels — and provide relief to fish and wildlife, while also helping the inlet meet state water quality standards. 
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Ecology will host two informational webinars to explain the research and findings in the draft report:

• Tuesday, 6/21- 6 p.m Register 
• Wednesday, 6/22- 6 pm Register  ​

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​Campaigns, Get Active:

Yard Signs: 
Beginning July 2nd, yard signs for Ty Menser, Jessica Bateman or Tonya Moore are available Saturdays from 10 am to Noon, at 1014 E. 4th Avenue, Olympia, while supplies last. 

Or you can email the candidate with your address and ask for delivery of a sign or use their contact web page and select “I would like to host a sign".

• Jessica Bateman (State Rep) votejessicabateman@gmail.com 
• Tye Menser (County Commissioner) tyeforthurston.com/contact 
• Mary Hall (County Auditor) electmaryhall.com/contact

Help wanted for the Tye Menser Campaign.

Contact Tye's campaign manager Rob Richards if you can help: Call 360-292-0565 or email Rob@SullivanCampaignServices.com 

• Parade Vehicle - We need either a cute truck-flatbed trailer or a cute convertible that they would make available for Tye for the Capitol Lake Fair parade. 
• Volunteer Coordinator - This person is responsible for recruiting, scheduling, and organizing the volunteer team and works with the Campaign Manager and Event Coordinator to staff and prepare for events.
• Event Coordinator - The event coordinator’s main role is to track events that the candidate is attending, ensure they are on the campaign calendar, and ensure that the candidate, campaign manager, and volunteer coordinator are kept up to speed about what is needed from the campaign for each event. The event coordinator will also work with house party hosts to ensure they have everything they need to throw a successful fundraising event.

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Tye Menser, Commissioner Event: 
Saturday July 9th, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. A fun Campaign Picnic, Lion’s Park, 800 Wilson Street SE, Olympia. Costco platters and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided. Tye will speak at 11:30 am.

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OI Website: 
Keep up with what is happening with candidates on OI’s Election 2022 resource page. And discover more about OI plans and activities on the website. 

Kim Schrier, CD-8: 
Volunteer to re-elect Congressional Rep. Kim Schrier! Take the CD-8 survey to let the Schier campaign know what kind of time and help you can offer.