Archived News

4/6/2022
It Is Time For Clean Elections
By Mark Linsky, Chair, Clean Elections San Diego
 
      Twenty Five years ago the journalist and political commentator Hendrik Hertzberg wrote:  “Money, the curdled mother’s milk of politics, is the most humiliating, corrupting part of a politician’s life”.  Not much has changed since he wrote that, but there is a way  the system can be dramatically improved in San Diego.  The answer is Clean Elections, in which the power of private interests and private monies are countered by candidates who are publically funded. 
     To qualify for the money a participating candidate must, among other things, agree not to solicit or accept private funds, must gather hundreds of $5 donations to show he or she in fact has the backing of the community from which they come and is not some fly-by-night opportunist.  And the candidate cannot use personal funds as a work-around.
     The advantages of Clean Elections are many including the obvious big one: It removes the shadow of   special interests from the campaign itself.  But it also empowers neighborhoods by giving well known and well respected local candidates a way to fund a competitive campaign without drinking that ‘curdled mother’s milk’.  In addition it frees up a candidate to spend time out in the community, listening to neighbors, asking the right questions and gathering ideas from neighborhood organizations rather than spending countless hours  raising money.  Finally, if elected, the payoff is programs and policies which are enacted free from the taint of undue influence.
    The only objection those of us involved in the Clean Elections campaign have heard over the years is the ‘cost’ of such a program.  In our 2020 initiative the cost was pegged at about $4 per resident of the City of San Diego per year.  Now we believe we can run it for even less.  But citizens need to ask themselves the following:  What has  the ‘cost’  been in sweetheart deals, questionable practices and benefits accrued to private interests over past decades?
     Clean Elections is an alternative to the present electoral system which can and should be implemented no later than 2024. Money will continue to flow to candidates willing to maintain the status quo, but as a new generation of publicly funded candidates run for and win office, the result will be policies and programs which increasingly benefit the citizens, not private interests.  We talk about San Diego as ‘America’s Finest City’, and in many ways we are, but the time has come to add a better and more inclusive way of electing our representatives so that  the slogan becomes equally meaningful  when it comes to holding public office.

 

12/2/2021
Clean Elections San Diego
Campaign Update

Happy Holidays Everyone,

As you know, we came close to getting clean elections on the San Diego city ballot last year, but we lost at the city council by one vote.

And you know that we still feel that we cannot give up on Clean Elections. We believe that clean elections or public financing of elections is still the best way to reform our government to ensure that our elected leaders represent all of us, not just the few, not just the wealthy and not just the special interests.

Right now, we are still planning for the future.  We are looking  at what works and what doesn’t work.  You know that we have adopted a new name: Clean Elections San Diego and we have started fundraising again to set up our new web page..

Now, we would like more of your input.  What are your suggestions on how we can go forward, how we can get clean elections on the ballot and how we can win the campaign. Do you have skills that would be helpful? Do you know people that we should talk to? Call me or send me an email.

Another question we have is, do you want us to start hosting meetings again.  Before the pandemic we held monthly in-person meetings.  If we set up meetings again, would you prefer meeting in person or by zoom? Let us know.  As I said before, we would like your input.

And we still have to cover the cost of the campaign even though we are all volunteers.  First,  I want to thank everyone who has sent in a check to help us set up a new web page.  We had asked for your help, but since then,  a web designer volunteered to help us at no cost.  Therefore we will use these funds to start building a financial war chest to cover the campaign costs that lie in the future.

To help us build that war chest, can you help out financially. either, with a small or large contribution?  If so, please send a check made out to: Clean Elections San Diego and mail to: c/o John Hartley, 3911 Park Blvd, #1014, San Diego, CA 92103.  Once we have our new web page, we will be able to take credit and debit card contributions. And if you are interested in getting mentoring in organizing, let us know and we can help you master skills such as public speaking, recruitment and organizing effective meetings.

And lastly, we still invite you to watch a short (8 minutes long) film called Road to Clean Elections hosted by Bill Moyers which shows the positive impact of clean elections on Arizona and Maine, and how clean elections actually works. If you have seen it before, we invite you to watch it again. I have seen it hundreds of times and I am inspired each time.

Click here to watch Road to Clean Elections:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgVNjtr2lEc

Thanks for your support and if you have any questions or suggestions, please contact me at 619-299-8870 or hartley2k@aol.com

John Hartley, Clean Elections Campaign Coordinator


10/27/19

Clean Elections Campaign Update
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Clean Elections supporters meeting with Councilwoman and Mayoral candidate Barbara Bry
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We are making progress!
Thanks to our volunteers who met with Councilwomen Barbara Bry and to all of you who have lobbied council members to support clean elections. Your help is making the difference as we meet with San Diego City Council members.  Please keep up the effort!  Whenever you see and talk to a San Diego council member, please, please share with them your support for clean elections and ask them to do the same.  Your help makes a difference!
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JOIN US Wednesday, November 6 at 6 pm
This is our monthly organizing meeting at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest starting. Come join our campaign! Come to get a full update on our strategy, on our progress and to get answers to any questions you might have.
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Directions to Meeting
Our monthly organizing meeting is at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest and if you are new to the area PLEASE FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS –  GO NORTH from Washington Street in Hillcrest on First Avenue, turn left on Arbor Drive and park in the paid parking lot on the south side of Arbor Drive across the street from the UCSD Medical Center. If a ticket is offered, take it and walk WEST  through the entranceway.  We will be meeting in Room 113 on the left and follow the signs. PARKING WILL BE VALIDATED AT NO COST.
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Have a question or suggestion?
Contact John Hartley, Campaign Coordinator, at 619-299-8870 orhartley2k@aol.com
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Neighborhoods for Clean Elections –  sdcleanelections.com
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9/17/19
THE CLEAN ELECTIONS CAMPAIGN FOR 2020 HAS LAUNCHED.
The Neighborhoods for Clean Elections official effort to qualify an initiative for the November 2020 ballot has kicked off and is moving into high gear.  Clean Elections is about getting voter approval for the public funding of campaigns waged in the City of San Diego with the aim of improving the democratic process and giving involved and interested citizens who want to run for office a chance to compete with those funded by private money. 
The initiative would require each candidate to raise a large number of $5 ‘starter’ donations to show they have community support.  It would also mean candidates who accept public money may not accept any other monies from private donors, agree not to put any money into the campaign from their own pocket and must spend 100% on the campaign itself.
Similar programs are being used in states and cities throughout the country, from Maine to Arizona and from Seattle to New York with great success.
The effort in San Diego is headed up by a broad coalition of community and neighborhood groups and has received the formal endorsement of two dozen town councils as well as numerous political organizations.
Contact:  Mark Linsky, Chair at mr.m.linsky@gmail.com
                 John Hartley, Coordinator at hartley2k@aol.com
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JOIN US AT OUR NEXT ORGANIZING MEETING
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Wednesday, October 2 at 6 pm at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest.
(directions below) See what we are doing! See where you can help!
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You can also help right where you are!
Our strategy to get the clean elections initiative on the 2020 ballot,  is to lobby the city council to put it on the ballot.  If you see a San Diego City Council Member anywhere, lobby them to vote to put the San Diego Clean Elections Measure on the ballot! thanks!
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Directions to Meeting
Go to First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest and if you are new to the area PLEASE FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS –  GO NORTH from Washington Street in Hillcrest on First Avenue, turn left on Arbor Drive and park in the paid parking lot on the south side of Arbor Drive across the street from the UCSD Medical Center. If a ticket is offered, take it and walk WEST  through the entranceway.  We will be meeting in Room 113 on the left and follow the signs. PARKING WILL BE VALIDATED AT NO COST. If you have any questions, call John Hartley at 619-299-8870
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Neighborhoods for Clean Elections –  sdcleanelections.com
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Clean Elections Campaign
8/27/19
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“Why sit around waiting to die in life when you can make a huge difference in contributing to the world around us!” — John Hartley
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To some, that statement might be presumptuous, but if we can succeed in getting clean elections for San Diego, we will be contributing, not only to generations who come after us, but we can jump-start clean elections for the state of California.  For me, a cancer survivor who was told that I had a 20% chance to live, that would be a life well-lived!
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Change in Plans
We have moved our September Organizing Meeting to the second Wednesday in the month to September 11 at 6 pm at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest  (Directions at the bottom of this message). Come Join Us! whether you want to help in the campaign or just want to know more about clean elections.  And bring any ideas and suggestions on how we can get better at enrolling supporters of clean elections into action with you,  as we will be brainstorming how to do that at our steering committee meeting.
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And come join us
on the first Wednesday in September on September 4 to a presentation before the San Carlos Area Council which meets at 6 pm at the San Carlos Library located at 7265 Jackson Drive in San Carlos. This presentation will be important for you to understand how we got the endorsement of 26 town councils and community groups around the City of San Diego!
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Now is the time where we really need your help!
in reaching to community groups all over the city.  A lot of people are scared to speak in public.  It is supposed to be the number one fear of most human beings. But our outreach is typically just sharing a short elevator talk of 2-3 minutes and with coaching, you can help us not only make a difference in getting clean elections for San Diego but help you break your fear of speaking in public. As one who originally was so scared to speak in public that I froze in a high school play, I guarantee that I can help you have a breakthrough in standing and speaking before crowds of people.  I guarantee it!
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Directions
to First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest and if you are new to the area PLEASE FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS –  GO NORTH from Washington Street in Hillcrest on First Avenue, turn left on Arbor Drive and park in the paid parking lot on the south side of Arbor Drive across the street from the UCSD Medical Center. If a ticket is offered, take it and walk WEST  through the entranceway.  We will be meeting in Room 113 on the left and follow the signs. PARKING WILL BE VALIDATED AT NO COST. If you have any questions, call John Hartley at 619-299-8870
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And finally, a thank you
to all of you who have joined in to stop the big money control of our politics by supporting our campaign for clean elections for San Diego.
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John Hartley, Coordinator: Neighborhoods for Clean Elections
619-299-8870
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Neighborhoods for Clean Elections – web page: sdcleanelections.org
Neighborhoods for Clean Elections
7/27/19
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We are on our way!
Our new strategy is to lobby the San Diego City Council to vote to put the clean elections measure directly on the ballot for November 2020. We believe that we are already making progress and we could use your help!  Join us!
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Join Us
Wednesday, August 7 at 6 PM at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest
for both answers to any questions you might have about clean elections and our campaign and to help us plan and organize the campaign.
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CHILDCARE PROVIDED
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Directions to First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest
PLEASE FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS –  GO NORTH from Washington Street in Hillcrest on First Avenue, turn left on Arbor Drive and park in the paid parking lot on the south side of Arbor Drive across the street from the UCSD Medical Center. If a ticket is offered, take it and walk WEST  through the entranceway. We will be meeting in Room 113 on the left as you entethrough the entranceway. Follow the signs. PARKING WILL BE VALIDATED AT NO COST. If you have any questions, call John Hartley at 619-299-8870
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The clean elections campaign could use your help in a number of ways:
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First, in lobbying San Diego city council members.
If you ever run into a San Diego city council member or listen to a San Diego city council member speak at a meeting, please share your support of clean elections for San Diego and urge them to do the same.This lobbying is extremely important. There is an old saying, “politicians like to run to be in front of a parade.”  We feel that once our San Diego city council members realize the depth of support that we already have for clean elections, that they will vote to put clean elections on the ballot for 2020!
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Second, we need help in outreach.
We need to up our game and reach out and educate San Diegans about the advantages of clean elections in order to build a winning campaign for 2020.  If you are comfortable talking to groups or if you would like to learn how to be comfortable talking to groups, we could use your help.
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Third, we need some help with our web page,
The Clean Elections San Diego web team seeks a new, key member to help us fine-tune the sdcleanelections.org website. We need an hour or two of your expertise to help us tame our WordPress theme. After that, we wouldn’t lean on you much! Experience with CSS and editing WordPress theme files are the only requirements for this important volunteer opportunity.
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So, contact us
to volunteer, or to ask any question, or to share your ideas and suggestions for the campaign.  Call or email John Hartley, Coordinator of Neighborhoods for Clean Elections at 619-299-8870 or hartley2k@aol.com,
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And lastly,
check out our web page: sdcleanelections.org and like our facebook page: San Diego – Clean Elections Campaign and encourage others to do the same.
Neighborhoods for Clean Elections
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Neighborhoods for Clean Elections
6/21/19
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Join Us Wednesday, July 3 at 6 PM at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest as we work on our lobbying strategy for having the San Diego City Council put our Clean Elections Initiative on the ballot in November 2020!   Our goal now is to lobby city council members where ever we find them to support clean elections.  Come and join us to see how you can help.
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Remember the old joke, some people make things happen, some people know what’s happening and some people say, “What Happened?”
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Well, you can make it happen!  Join us and you can help make Clean Elections a reality for the City of San Diego and help jump start Clean Elections for the state of California!
CHILDCARE PROVIDED
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Directions to First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest
PLEASE FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS –  GO NORTH from Washington Street in Hillcrest on First Avenue, turn left on Arbor Drive and park in the paid parking lot on the south side of Arbor Drive across the street from the UCSD Medical Center. If a ticket is offered, take it and walk WEST  through the entrance way. We will be meeting in Room 113 on the left as you enter through the entrance way. Follow the signs. PARKING WILL BE VALIDATED AT NO COST. If you have any questions, call John Hartley at 619-299-8870
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Check out
our web page: sdcleanelections.com and like our facebook page:
 San Diego – Clean Elections Campaign
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Neighborhoods for Clean Elections –
John Hartley, Coordinator: 619-299-8870/hartley2k@aol.com
5/22/19
“If anyone is going to own our politicians, 
it should be we, the people.”
— Bill Moyers
June 5 
Join Us Wednesday, June 5 at 6 PM at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest as we work out our timeline for getting Clean Elections in the City of San Diego!  Come join us!
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CHILDCARE PROVIDED
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Directions to First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest
PLEASE FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS –  GO NORTH from Washington Street in Hillcrest on First Avenue, turn left on Arbor Drive and park in the paid parking lot on the south side of Arbor Drive across the street from the UCSD Medical Center. If a ticket is offered, take it and walk WEST  through the entrance way. We will be meeting in Room 113 on the left as you enter through the entrance way. Follow the signs. PARKING WILL BE VALIDATED AT NO COST. If you have any questions, call John Hartley at 619-299-8870
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Why I Choose Clean Elections!
by John Hartley
There are three different kinds of publically funded elections. Clean elections which allow for full public funding of campaigns, fair elections or the small donor matching funds system whereby small donations are matched by public funds and the newest type of public funding of elections,  the voucher system, whereby all registered voters are given a voucher which can be given to a candidate of their choice.
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Clean Elections which have been in place in Arizona and Maine since 2000, provides for full public funding of a candidates campaign.  A candidate qualifies for public funds by raising a large number of $5 dollar contributions paid to a clean money fund to show that he or she has wide support.  Once the candidate qualifies for clean money, they cannot seek private donations for their campaign nor can they put any of their personal funds into their campaign.
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Fair Elections or the small donor matching funds system of public funding of elections, has been in place in New York City since the 1980s.  There a candidate can qualify by raising a limited amount of funds from a set number of donors. Upon meeting that threshold, the candidate receives a six to one match of any donations of $175 or less that they receive. Besides this increased benefit of small donations, candidates can raise money the old fashioned way by asking for it The stated goal of Fair Elections is to empower small donors and it seems to do a good job at it.
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The voucher system, recently enacted in Seattle, gives registered voters a voucher of $100 which can then be given to one candidate or split up into four donations of $ 25. The stated goal of the voucher system is to increase the number of donors by giving individuals who normally would not have the funds to make political contributions, the voucher to contribute.   With some restrictions, a candidate who can accept vouchers can continue to raise money by asking for it.
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The reason why I favor clean elections is that it provides for full public funding of a qualified candidate.   This total funding of a clean candidate’s campaign allows the candidate to spend their full time in voter contact and if they win their campaign, they are only beholden to the public who provided their campaign funds and not to any special interests.  There is no co-mingling of public funding of elections and raising money the old fashioned way.  The identity of the clean candidate is sharply identified and gives the voter a clear choice.
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The experience of Arizona and Maine, which have had clean elections since 2000, is that they have “leveled the playing field”,they have enabled regular, everyday people the chance to serve, they have allowed more women and people of color the chance to serve, they have shown that one does not need to be wealthy to serve and they have limited the influence of the special interests like the  “Koch brothers”.  
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Clean Elections also empower neighborhoods as neighborhood candidates who qualify for clean elections funding, receive enough money to be competitive against wealthy and special interests candidates.
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With Clean Elections, all San Diegans would have a say, not just a few: the wealthy, the powerful and the special interests.
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For all the reasons I have mentioned, I choose Clean Elections! 
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Neighborhoods for Clean Elections – sdcleanelections.org – John Hartley: Coordinator: 619-299-8870
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4/24/19
Clean Elections Campaign – Getting Exciting!
May Organizing Meeting
Join Us Wednesday, May 1 at 6 PM at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest as we work to get clean elections on the November 2020 ballot!. “Do you have a questions about clean elections?– Would you like to help in our campaign for clean elections? Do you want to make a difference by getting clean elections for San Diego?”
 Come join us!
CHILDCARE PROVIDED.
Directions to First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest
PLEASE FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS –  GO NORTH from Washington Street in Hillcrest on First Avenue, turn left on Arbor Drive and park in the paid parking lot on the south side of Arbor Drive across the street from the UCSD Medical Center. If a ticket is offered, take it and walk WEST  through the entrance way. We will be meeting in Room 113 on the left as you enter through the entrance way. Follow the signs. PARKING WILL BE VALIDATED AT NO COST. If you have any questions, call John Hartley at 619-299-8870
The campaign is getting exciting!
We have gotten a bunch of endorsements.  You have to attend to see who they are but they are important and we will get more. And we have started taking actions to move the campaign forward. Fun stuff!  If you ever want to learn how to effectively campaign for issues important to you, come and join the action and learn! The training is free!
House Passes Extensive Election And Campaign Finance Overhaul Bill
The House passed an extensive bill Friday that would overhaul the way Americans vote and take aim at the money currently flowing through the U.S. political system.  read here.
Neighborhoods for Clean Elections – sdcleanelections.org – John Hartley: Coordinator: 619-299-8870
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3/20/19
Organizing Meeting
Join us Wednesday, April 3, 6:00 PM at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest as we continue to organize our campaign for clean elections for San Diego!
Clean Elections Campaign Update – Q & A
Directions
to the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest –GO NORTH from Washington Street in Hillcrest on First Avenue, turn left on Arbor Drive and park in the paid parking lot on the south side of Arbor Drive across the street from the UCSD Medical Center. If a ticket is offered, take it and walk WEST  through the entrance way. We will be meeting in Room 113 on the left as you entethrough the entrance way.Follow the signs. PARKING WILL BE VALIDATED AT NO COST. If you have any questions, call John Hartley at 619-299-8870
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2/22/19
“If anyone is going to own our politicians, it should be,
we, the people.” —  Bill Moyers
Why do I support Clean Elections for San Diego?
“Clean Elections are publically funded elections like they have had in Arizona and Maine since 2000.  There Clean Elections have leveled the political process, allowed regular, everyday people to successfully run for office, allowed more women and people of color to serve in office, shown that you do not need to be wealthy to run for office, limited the influence of the special interests like the Koch brothers and empowered neighborhoods.”
“This is why I support Clean Elections for San Diego” —  John Hartley
Join Us at our next Organizing Meeting
Wednesday, March 6, 6pm
Location: First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest
Directions to get there:  Go north on First Avenue from Washington Street in Hillcrest, turn west on Arbor Drive, continue driving west through Front Street and park in the official looking parking lot in the second block on the south side of Arbor Drive with the UCSD Medical Center on the north side of the block.  Take a ticket if needed (there is no cost for parking) and bring to the meeting for validation.  Walk west through the archway and our meeting room is just through the archway on the left-hand side, Room 113. Look for signs.
Neighborhoods for Clean Elections – Web page: sdcleanelections.org –
John Hartley, Coordinator: hartley2k@aol.com – 619-299-8870

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1/23/19

Clean Elections Campaign Update – Time to contrast and decide!
February Organizing Meeting
Join Us Wednesday, February 6, 6:30 PM at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest as we look at the different paths to getting clean elections initiative on the November 2020 ballot. “Everyone is welcome whether you just have questions about clean elections and our ongoing strategy or whether you want to help us guide our campaign.”
Directions to First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest
PLEASE FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS –  GO NORTH from Washington Street in Hillcrest on First Avenue, turn left on Arbor Drive and park in the paid parking lot on the south side of Arbor Drive across the street from the UCSD Medical Center. If a ticket is offered, take it and walk WEST  through the entrance way. We will be meeting in Room 113 on the left as you enter through the entrance way. Follow the signs. PARKING WILL BE VALIDATED AT NO COST. If you have any questions, call John Hartley at 619-299-8870
We got another letter printed in the Union/Tribune!
Thanks to Dick Castro!
 Can you write a letter-to-the-editor in response?
Letters to the editor count.  They can make a difference in public perception. And with email, they are easy to write and send in. Just put your thoughts together in a short, 150 words or less letter, refer to our letter just printed for best results and email it to letters@sduniontribune.com.
You must include a full name, your community of residence and a daytime telephone number (if your letter is selected to be printed, you will be called to ensure that you wrote it)
To: LettersTo Editor SD UnionTribune <letters@sduniontribune.com>;</letters@sduniontribune.com>
Printed in the Union/Tribune page on Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Time to take the money out of our local politics!
Dear Editor: I am a proponent of Clean Elections, as practiced in Maine, and cited by John Hartley in his recent letter, which described the largess of our politicians and many local government giveaways. Because of the malicious impact of money on politicians, we encourage the giveaways. Let’s remember the candor of former Congressman Tom DeLay, convicted of money laundering:  “In fact, money is the lifeblood of politics!”  Bill Moyers in his book,” Moyers on Democracy,” demonstrates that public financing of campaigns is essential to the cutting of the corruption in politics. Hence, I do concur with Mr. Hartley that “public funding of elections would provide the incentive for city leaders to stop the giveaways of our public money. ” It is time our City Council adopt the Clean Elections ordinances!
Respectfully, Richard J. Castro
Check Out Maine Clean Elections
Maine Ethics Commission: Maine Clean Election Act (MCEA)
Neighborhoods for Clean Elections. John Hartley, Coordinator: 619-299-8870
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12/28/18
Clean Elections Campaign Update – Happy New Year Everyone!
Join Us Wednesday, January 9, 6:30 PM at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest.
(Please note that our January meeting will be on the second Wednesday in January)
Special speaker: Diane Coombs – long-time environmental activist and leader will share her experiences in qualifying the Safeguard Our San Diego Countryside Initiative for the ballot in 2018.  This a chance to ask any questions that you might have on what it’s like to do a citizen’s initiative. Come join us!
Directions to First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest
PLEASE FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS –  GO NORTH from Washington Street in Hillcrest on First Avenue, turn left on Arbor Drive and park in the paid parking lot on the south side of Arbor Drive across the street from the UCSD Medical Center. If a ticket is offered, take it and walk WEST  through the entrance way. We will be meeting in the Common Room on the left as you entethrough the entrance way. Follow the signs. PARKING WILL BE VALIDATED AT NO COST. If you have any questions, call John Hartley at 619-299-8870
Can you write a letter-to-the-editor?
And express support for clean elections or public funding of elections or the need for campaign finance reform here in the City of San Diego? Letters to the editor count.  They can make a difference in public perception. And with email, they are easy to write and send in. Just put your thoughts together in a short, 150 words or less letter and email it to letters@sduniontribune.com.  You must include a full name, your community of residence and a daytime telephone number (if your letter is selected to be printed, you will be called to ensure that you wrote it)
And can you respond to a letter already printed? Just respond to the letter below by referring to the title as the writer did:
Letter printed in the San Diego Union-Tribune on 12/27/18 by Mark Linsky
Will San Diego progressives copy Seattle and Portland – or San Francisco?(Dec.20)
One of the great things out of Seattle that Chris Reed doesn’t mention is public funding for political campaigns.
What an exciting idea of San Diego, attracting talented and innovative men and women who want to enter public service without being co-opted by special interests with big money.  Now that’s an idea we should support if we are indeed America’s Finest City.
Mark Linsky
Pacific Beach
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Neighborhoods for Clean Elections – P.O. Box 16066, San Diego, CA 92176
 sdcleanelections.org – John Hartley Coordinator: 619-299-8870 – hartley2k@aol.com
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11/2018
Clean Elections Campaign Update
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“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” – Helen Keller
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Thanks to all of you who have joined our clean elections campaign for San Diego. We are now up to 478 volunteers for our Friend to Friend campaign.  Thank you!
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Join us for our last Organizing Meeting of 2018
Wednesday, December 5 at 6:30 PM at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest. Directions below. –           Everyone is invited to attend.  Come join us!
We will look at plans for next year – We can answer your questions – And we will look at what we need to do to get a Clean Elections ballot initiative on the 2020 ballot and then winthe campaign!
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Directions to First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest
PLEASE FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS –  GO NORTH from Washington Street in Hillcrest on First Avenue, turn left on Arbor Drive and park in the paid parking lot on the south side of Arbor Drive across the street from the UCSD Medical Center. If a ticket is offered, take it and walk WEST  through the entrance way.  Our room is on the left, Room 113,  through the entrance way. Follow the signs. PARKING WILL BE VALIDATED AT NO COST. If you have any questions, call John Hartley at 619-299-8870
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Volunteers Needed – Can you help out?
We need volunteers who can make a 2 minute announcement about clean elections at group meetings throughout the City of San Diego. If you are comfortable at speaking before groups and would like to help, we could use your help! If you are uncomfortable at speaking in front of groups but you want to turn that around and learn how to be comfortable in front of groups, we have mentoring and coaching available to enable you to do so.
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True Story
At 30, I was very shy and uncomfortable in speaking out in SMALL groups or in front of LARGE groups.  But I wanted to get into politics and I forced myself to learn how to be comfortable in or in front of any groups. I can help you to do the same.
Contact Campaign Coordinator: John Hartley at 619-299-8870 or hartley2k@aol.com
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10/24/18
Clean Elections Update
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“If anyone is to own our politicians, it should be we,
the people”  —Bill Moyers, journalist
Clean Elections Campaign Update
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Hi Everyone
Thanks for all of you who have joined our Friend to Friend campaign.  We are now up to 443 volunteers.  Thank you!
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Join us at our monthly Organizing Meeting
In November, we will be meeting on Wednesday, November 5 at 6:30 PM at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest.  All are invited to attend! – And all options are welcomed!
Come to get your questions answered — Come to help guide our campaign — Come to show your support!
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Directions to First Unitarian Universalist Church
PLEASE FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS –  GO NORTH from Washington Street in Hillcrest on First Avenue, turn left on Arbor Drive and park in the paid parking lot on the south side of Arbor Drive across the street from the UCSD Medical Center. If a ticket is offered, take it and walk WEST  through the entrance way.  Our room is on the left, Room 113,  through the entrance way. Follow the signs. PARKING WILL BE VALIDATED AT NO COST. If you have any questions, call John Hartley
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Check Out Our Web Page:  sdcleanelections.org
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And check out this article by Professor Mark Linsky:
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          Want clean elections?   Public financing is the answer
 
      Bad weather and the influx of big money in political campaigns might appear to have something in common: Everybody complains about them but nobody seems capable of doing anything about either. In fact, while snow and ice may be the unstoppable product of Mother Nature, there is something which can be done to alter the influence of big bucks in our elective process.
 
      There has been a lot of news on this front.  Public financing of local and state political races caught fire about a decade ago. From Oregon to Maine, New York to New Mexico, citizens in municipalities and legislators in state capitols enacted laws that limited the avalanche of private money pouring into campaign coffers. The bad news has been that with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in Citizens United v. FEC and other related cases, many of these local and state laws have been wiped off the books because of the limits they put on contributions.
 
       Nevertheless,  a Clean Elections Initiative has an excellent chance of making it onto the City of San Diego ballot in 2020, allowing the voters  to decide if they want candidates running for mayor, city attorney and city council seats to opt out of the race for large private donations and opt into public financing for both the primary and November election cycles.
     As written, the program would be overseen by the San Diego Ethics Commission, require scheduled debates by fund recipients, and adopt a logotype (a distinctive imprint for campaign materials) which would signal voters that the candidate has said an unqualified “no” to large private donations and the influence that inevitably accompanies the money. Support is already building for this effort. Twenty or so groups including community town councils from Rancho Peñasquitos to Linda Vista and civic organizations, such as the League of Women Voters, have given the effort an enthusiastic thumbs up.  The Clean Elections initiative would permit candidates who reject public financing to raise private money in accordance with existing law.
     But public financing of campaigns has several distinct advantages over the current system:
      First, voters know in advance the source of money coming to a candidate.
 
     Second, serious but underfunded candidates who otherwise might not have a chance given the current system would receive the support necessary to make their platform known.
 
     Third, with new and different office seekers in the mix, voters who have grown discouraged by the lack of exciting choices would again be inclined to participate in local elections.
 
      And finally, the public option would have a liberating effect. Imagine candidates actually spending the bulk of their time getting to know the issues and expectations of the people they seek to represent rather than worrying about meeting with fat-cat donors to fund their campaigns.
     The late Tip O’Neill, a former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, once famously observed that there are four parts to any political campaign: The candidate, the issues, the campaign organization, and the money. And then he noted that if you don’t have the money you can forget about the other parts. A Clean Elections law in San Diego would make sure the last of these four elements  doesn’t  get in the way of the other three.
     If we can agree that big money has become central to the calculus of success at the polls, then it is only logical to find a way to limit its corrupting influence. If the citizens of San Diego get behind this initiative it will be a signal that they truly want the best candidates — not just the best funded — to become the future leaders of our community. 
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Linsky is an adjunct professor of political science at San Diego City College.
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Neighborhoods for Clean Elections – sdcleanelections.org  – John Hartley, Coordinator   
619-299-8870  –  hartley2k@aol.com
9/24/18
Clean Elections Campaign Update – Good News!
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We are up to 390!
Our friend to friend campaign is now up to 390 volunteers!  Thank you all!
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Next Steering Committee Meeting
Wednesday, October 3, at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest –
Come at 6:30 PM with any questions that you might have about clean elections, our strategyor our campaign or if you just want to help us organize our clean elections campaign.
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Directions to First UU
Please follow these directions.  Take First Avenue north from Washington Street in Hillcrest.  Turn left on Arbor Drive, drive 2 short blocks and park in the parking lot located on the south side of Arbor Drive, across the street from the UCSD Medical Center.  There is no cost for parking, even though the lot says paid parking.  Take a ticket if offered and bring to our meeting to be validated.  Follow the signs going west from the parking lot into the church campus.
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Want to help more?
Watch Road to Clean Elections again (it’s on our web page: sdcleanelections.com)
Talk to a friend about clean elections. (invite them to watch Road to Clean Elections – on our web page)
Come to our monthly steering committee meeting.
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Would you like to help with Outreach? Join our Outreach Team!
Do you like to speak to groups?    Join us and use your public speaking skills.
Would you like to learn how to speak to groups?  Would you like to gain more ability and confidence in front of groups?  Join us!   Mentoring and coaching are available.
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Just how do clean elections work?
Arizona and Maine, as well as the city of Albuquerque, already have clean elections.  While the specifics differ in each location, how clean elections work, is the same in all:
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Potential Clean Elections candidates must:
1) Collect a large number of small, $5,contributions from their district to qualify.
2) Agree to a voluntary spending limit.
3) Agree to take no contributions from private donors.
4) And agree to spend no personal funds on their campaign.
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Can you Like our Clean Elections Facebook Page?
Our clean elections face book page is: San Diego – Clean Elections Campaign
For those of you on face book, come sign on!
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Article – Money-in-Politics Time-line – Open Secrets
“Fundraising” a foreign idea to Founding Fathers – Click hereto read .
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To get in touch with the campaign
with questions or suggestions, call or email Campaign Coordinator, John Hartley, at
619-299-8870 or hartley2k@aol.com
Neighborhoods for Clean Elections
8/24/18
Clean Elections Campaign Update – OUTREACH!
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Next Steering Committee Meeting:
Wednesday, September 5 at 6:30 PM – Hillcrest Unitarian Universalist Church.  Everyone is welcome to attend – This is our campaign organizing group.  Our main topic will be outreach.  How can we build our campaign team?  COME JOIN US! – If you need directions, call 619-299-8870.
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Friend to Friend campaign
We are now at 305 volunteers who are willing to get our clean elections initiative on the ballot by carrying a petition around with them when we launch our petition drive (most likely January 2020) and ask people they know to sign our petition.  THANK YOU ALL!
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What might be the next step?
I suggest that you watch the Road to Clean Elections video by Bill Moyers, either for the first time, if you haven’t watched it, or again if you have.  Listen to all the reasons why clean elections are so important and create your own,  one to two sentence “elevator talk or reason” why you favor clean elections. The reason for this is for you to be ready to share with a friend or neighbor or someone you know,  why you think clean elections are important.
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You can help with outreach!
While our organizing team is working to build our campaign team, you can help too. You could join our steering committee.  You could volunteer to help with outreach by being willing to be trained to talk to groups with a two-minute elevator talk.  You could just talk to a friend, share with them why you like clean elections,  and invite them to join our campaign.  You can like our facebook page:  San Diego – Clean Elections Campaign. There is a lot more you can do, if you want to.  It is all up to you.  For me, I am just excited that you are willing to be part of our friend to friend campaign.    For more information, call campaign coordinator John Hartley at 619-299-8870
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Bernie Sanders – On  “Getting Big Money Out of Politics and Restoring Democracy”
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On November 19, 1863, standing on the bloodstained battlefield of Gettysburg, Abraham Lincoln delivered one of the most significant and best-remembered speeches in American history. At the conclusion of the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln stated “that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain…that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom…and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
In the year 2016, with a political campaign finance system that is corrupt and increasingly controlled by billionaires and special interests, I fear very much that, in fact, government of the people, by the people, and for the people is beginning to perish in the United States of America – –   Read the whole article here
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To get in touch with the campaign
with questions or suggestions, call or email Campaign Coordinator, John Hartley, at
619-299-8870 or hartley2k@aol.com
Neighborhoods for Clean Elections
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7/23/18   –  Clean Elections Campaign Update.

Next Steering Committee Meeting
First Wednesday in August
August 1 at 6:30pm at the First Unitarian Universalist church
in Hillcrest. Everyone invited to join in!
(directions below)
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Agenda Items
How does our proposed clean elections initiative work?   How do we outreach?
What does our campaign need?
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Thank you!
We are up to 244 volunteers!  Thanks to all of you who have volunteered for our Friend to Friend campaign.  Remember that we will not be starting our petition effort until late 2019 or early 2020 so you can rest until then!  And when we start, you will only be asked to carry a petition in your daily activities and then when you meet someone you know and if it is appropriate, you can ask that person to sign the petition. I have done this a lot over the years and I find that people I know do not say no when I ask them to sign a petition.
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How do Clean Elections Work?
These simple basics of clean elections are described in the”Road to Clean Elections”  video.
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1 – Those wanting to qualify for clean money funding collect a set number of
        small $5 contributions in their district.
2 – They agree to voluntary spending limits.
3 – They cannot take campaign contributions from private donors.
4 – They cannot pay for their campaign out of their own pocket.
     Once they qualify, they get full public funding for their campaign.
(This past article in the San Diego Free Press still applies)
Getting Money Out of Politics in San Diego City Elections
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6/22/18  –  Clean Elections Campaign Update
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First, thank you for your support for clean elections!  thank you!.
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Steering Committee
We have created an ongoing Steering Committee meeting for those who would like to help more and if this calls to you, please join us on Wednesday, July 11, at 6:30 PM at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest.(follow up meetings will be on the first Wednesday of every month)
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Directions to First Unitarian Universalist Church
PLEASE FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS –  GO NORTH from Washington Street in Hillcrest on First Avenue, turn left on Arbor Drive and park in the paid parking lot on the south side of Arbor Drive across the street from the UCSD Medical Center. If a ticket is offered, take it and walk WEST  through the entrance way.  Our room is on the left, Room 113,  through the entrance way. Follow the signs. PARKING WILL BE VALIDATED AT NO COST. If you have any questions, call John Hartley.
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Campaign Time Line
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Our goal is to put our Clean Elections Citizen Initiative on the 2020 general election presidential ballot because this is the biggest voter turn out. Getting our measure on this ballot is our best chance to win!
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To get our measure on the ballot, we will have to launch a petition drive at some time next year in 2019 and get 70,000+ signatures of registered voters in the City of San Diego.  The City of San Diego will give us 6 months to do this.  To be successful, we will have to be well prepared and ready to go on day one!
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Our goal for the remainder of 2018 – To educate and enroll volunteers who believe in clean elections, who would be willing to carry a petition around with them during the 2019 six month petition drive and ask people they know when they meet them and when it is appropriate, to sign the petition.  Our tentative goal is 500 volunteers and we are now at 195!  We are calling this a “Friend to Friend” campaign.
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(We will also have a vigorous weekend shopping center volunteer effort during the six-month petition drive in 2019 but this will not be for everyone)
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Current Clean Elections Resources for your use.
Our clean elections web page is: sdcleanelections.org – check it out.
Our clean elections face book page is: San Diego – Clean Elections Campaign – I could use help with this .  The road to Clean Elections video by Bill Moyers – you can also Google it
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What do I suggest you could do right now?
Discover why you support clean elections by writing down what you already know or by checking out Road to Clean Elections which lists a number of reasons for clean elections.  Find the one, two or three that speak to you.  Write them out in a declarative statement and practice saying them a few times while watching yourself in your bathroom mirror.
                                                   Click on the photo below
And then
I suggest that you talk to a friend, neighbor or family member. Share why you support clean elections and invite them to watch Road to Clean Elections.  You can share about Road to Clean Elections in either of two ways.  You could have them find it on Google or provide the link in an email. To provide the link in an email, highlight the photo Road to Clean Elections with a left click, copy with a right click and then paste it into an email you are creating using a left click for where to place and then pasting it in place with a right click.  Include a message and send it to someone you know.  This will help you develop your “elevator” talk and educate someone about the benefits of clean elections.
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If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact me.
John Hartley, Campaign Coordinator
619-299-8870
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Clean Elections Campaign – September 2017 Update
 
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Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. 
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. 
– Margaret Mead
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Hi Everyone – First, Mark Your Calendars!
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Help us create an Action Plan for the Clean Elections Campaign
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We are meeting on Saturday, September 30, 1pm at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest. 
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Directions: north on First Avenue from Washington Street, west on Arbor Drive and park in the parking across the street from the entrance to the UCSD Medical Center.  Take a ticket if offered and bring to meeting for validation. Parking is free.
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Paul Watson and Bill Oswald with over 20 years of organizing experience will help us create an action plan for the Clean Elections Campaign.  Come join us and be part of our effort.  Paul and Bill had been working with us to help facilitate the empowerment of neighborhoods by helping neighborhoods work together.  But those volunteers decided that the enactment of clean elections or small donor public funding of elections needed to come first.  We are elated with their help and support.
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COALITION UPDATE
An essential element of our strategy is to create a coalition of groups who support clean elections.  We started the coalition with the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, Activist San Diego and our group, Neighborhoods for Clean Elections.  We have now grown to over 10 groups now participating.  If you know of a group that might be supportive, please contact John Hartley at 619-299-8870.  The coalition is now working on who should be responsible for administering a clean elections reform.
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FUNDRAISING – COUNT ME IN!
Another essential element in our campaign will be raising a war chest to both get our citizen’s initiative on the ballot and for waging the resulting campaign against the opposition. The Count Me In campaign asks that you sign-up for a $10 or more in support for the campaign through PayPal which automatically will deduct the amount every month as you instruct.  
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TO SIGN UP FOR THE COUNT ME IN CAMPAIGN!
Go to our web page: sdcleanelections.com and sign up on the right side column for Pay Pal. AND THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE HELP US OVER THE YEARS! 
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HELP NEEDED
We could help with media. If you are proficient with facebook and other media,  WE COULD USE YOUR HELP.  Give John Hartley a call.
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WE END BY THANKING ALL OF YOU WHO SUPPORT CLEAN ELECTIONS FOR SAN DIEGO!  And if you have a question or a suggestion, please give me a call.
John Hartley, Coordinator: Neighborhoods for Clean Elections
619-299-8870

July 2017 Update

Hi Everyone
I hope you are having a great summer.  So far it has been a hot one!  We are enlarging the campaign with a series of new actions.  We are creating a new, powerful,  fundraising campaign,  we are creating a new meeting for those who want more information on Clean Elections and we are setting up a new phone bank.
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WHY THE NEED FOR FUNDRAISING!
Part of our critique of our past campaign efforts was that we had to build a bigger and more effective coalition which we have started with the creation of the Clean Elections Coalition.  We started it by joining with Common Cause, the League of Women Voters and Activist San Diego.  Since then we have been joined by a number of volunteers from various community groups and if you know of an organization that might be interested, please contact us. But the other area where we saw that we needed to expand our effort dramatically, was in fundraising. We need to build a large war chest to help us get over the top in signatures and in the following campaign once we are on the ballot.
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COUNT ME IN!
So,we have come up with a monthly PAY PAL campaign which we are calling, COUNT ME IN!  where we ask supporters of campaign finance reform or Clean Elections, for the city of San Diego, to sign up on our web page, to contribute $10 a month to our campaign through Pay Pal.  We choose ten dollars because we have found that it is a small, almost forgettable amount which almost all of us can easily afford.  It might not seem adequate for what we need to accomplish but the strength of our appeal counts on the support of a large amount of volunteers.  But for every 100 volunteers who contribute $10 a month, we raise $1,000 for that month!  And the small individual request fits in with our support of public funding of elections.
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SO WE ASK YOU
to go to our web page, sdcleanelections.com and sign up for a monthly contribution to the campaign of $10 or more a month.  Talk to your friends, your neighbors and your family members and invite them to  join in.  Let’s make this a people’s campaign for campaign finance reform, or Clean Elections, for San Diego.
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MONTHLY PHONE BANK
We are also initiating a monthly phone bank on the fourth Wednesday of the month, with the first one being this month, Wednesday, July 26 going from 7pm to 8:30pm.  We will use the phone bank to be in contact with our supporters. Call our campaign coordinator below if you can help,  for directions to our phone bank location.
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WHAT IS A COFFEE KLATCH!
We are setting up a monthly Coffee Klatch for those of you who might want more information on Clean Elections.  The term coffee klatch comes from Germany and implies getting together to “gossip.”  We see it as an informal way to meet, talk, 
 drink some coffee and have fun in the process. 
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OUR FIRST COFFEE KLATCH
will be on Wednesday, July 26 at 5:30pm at the Linda Vista Starbucks across from Mesa College, at 76256 Linda Vista Road.  Look for our sign on an outside table.  Coffee and snacks are available at Starbucks and there are a number of close by restaurants for more hearty fair.
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ALLIANCE MEETING   – NEIGHBORHOODS WORKING TOGETHER!
Saturday, July 22, 1pm to 3pm  at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest  (across the street from the UCSD Medical Center)    JOIN US at this Neighborhood Empowerment Alliance meeting as we work on Clean Elections and other neighborhood issues.
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WHO TO CALL
Call our campaign coordinator, John Hartley at 619-299-8870 for any questions you might have and thanks again for your help in our goal of transforming San Diego politics through Clean Elections for San Diego


April 2017 Update
Hi Everyone,
Our campaign is starting to build some steam. Building a strong coalition is getting off the ground. If you know of a group that might be interested in supporting campaign finance reform for San Diego, please let us know. Our organizing work with the Neighborhood Empowerment Alliance is beginning to take shape and there seems to be heightened interest everywhere in people wanting to take action, be heard and make a difference. One such action is highlighted below with the showing of the Greg Palast Documentary “THE BEST DEMOCRACY MONEY CAN BUY” next week. COME JOIN US! Above all if you have any ideas or suggestions that you would like to share, please call John at 619-299-8870 or respond to this email outreach. I leave you with the Joe Hill quote as he was awaiting execution, “DON’T MOURN, ORGANIZE!”
John Hartley, Coordinator
NEIGHBORHOODS FOR CLEAN ELECTIONS

“THE BEST DEMOCRACY MONEY CAN BUY” A Greg Palast Documentary

WHEN: Wed., April 12 at 6:40PM
WHERE: First Unitarian Universalist Church of SD
4190 Front St.
San Diego, CA 92103
Everyone is welcome to attend this free showing of Greg Palast’s film. He shows how hard right political groups suppressed voters in the recent, especially minority populations. 110 minute run time. Location: First Unitarian Universalist Church of SD, 4190 Front St., San Diego 92103. The only driveway into the church parking lot is directly across the street from the Hillcrest UCSD Medical Center. So, for GPS purposes only, you might want to use UCSD’s address, 200 W. Arbor Dr., San Diego 92103.
NEXT ORGANIZING MEETING -SATURDAY, MAY 6
Our next organizing meeting with the Neighborhood Empowerment Alliance will be on Saturday, May 6 at 1pm at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, across the street from the UCSD Medical Center. Park in the parking lot and bring your parking ticket to the meeting for validation. We will be working on the clean elections campaign and other areas such as affordable housing/homelessness, neighborhood schools and infrastructure, if there is interest.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR MAY 20
DARK MONEY: THE HIDDEN HISTORY OF THE BILLIONAIRES BEHIND THE RISE OF THE RADICAL RIGHT by Jane Mayer

WHEN: Sat., May 20 1PM
WHERE: First Unitarian Universalist Church of SD
4190 Front St.
San Diego, CA 92103
If you have not had time to read Mayer’s 550 page book, DARK MONEY, you are welcome to attend this free presentation. Three activists who have read DARK MONEY will present a 90-minute summary of Mayer’s research, focusing on how the billionaire Koch brothers have implemented a 40 year plan to push the political discussion and voting to the hard right in the US. We’ll have a group discussion after with free coffee and snacks. The New York Times named Mayer’s book one of the 10 most important books of 2016. Everyone is welcome to come find out how deeply the brothers have penetrated Congress, Statehouse, non-profits, academia, and the popular vote.If you have any questions, please feel free contact Maureen McNair at memcnair948@gmail.com.


March 2017 Update

Campaign Finance Reform Volunteers Wanted

Join us Saturday, April 1, 1-3pm at the First Unitarian Church in Hillcrest (across from the UCSD Medical Center) as we organize our campaign for Clean Elections or small donor public funding of elections for San Diego. For more information, contact John Hartley, Campaign Coordinator, at 619-299-8870 or hartley2k@aol.com.

  • When – Sat, April 1, 1pm – 3pm
  • Where – First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest (across the street from the UCSD Medical Center (map)

Check Out Our Web Page

Our web page is: sdcleanelections.com Check it out even though it is a work in progress. Check out our videos on the home page and sign up to support our campaign: to volunteer, to get our monthly updates, to contribute and to get on our Facebook page.

Watch this 10 minute video

Watch this video on the New York City small donor public financing program!
BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS – THE FACES OF SMALL DONOR PUBLIC FINANCING


February 2017 Update

Come join us at our next: Neighborhood Empowerment Alliance Meeting

Saturday, February 25, 1-3pm , First Unitarian/Universalist Church, Across from U.C.S.D Medical Center in Hillcrest. Parking validated at the meeting.

2 – part meeting
How do we want to learn? (skill building)
How do we take action together? (Bring your ideas and suggestions!)

We sponsored the creation of this group to further empower neighborhoods and to allow volunteers to work on projects of interest including campaign finance reform. We are still working on the format of the meetings which will be further worked out at this meeting. So far, the expressed need of those present, has been for skill building and working in small groups on areas of interest. This is your chance to share your thoughts and ideas and to learn new skills and help in the campaign. Again, come join us.

For more information on this meeting or the campaign, contact Campaign Coordinator:
John Hartley at 619-299-8870 – hartley2k@aol.comsdcleanelections.com

What are Clean Elections? What are small donor public funding elections?
For years we advocated for a form of campaign finance reform for San Diego called clean elections which is full public funding of elections. we attempted to get an initiative on the ballot last summer, we quickly realized that we had not build sufficient support to be successful. We learned some painful lessons, that we needed to do more education, raise more money and to build a bigger coalition to be successful. At the same time, we realized that we were still committed to our goals of campaign finance reform including neighborhood and citizen empowerment, that everyone should have the chance to run for office and serve, and that our elected leaders should serve the interests of all and not just the wealthy and special interests! .
We have also discovered an alternative to clean elections as the vehicle to champion local campaign finance reform. That alternative is called Clean Elections or small donor public funding. Small donor public funding has been in existence in New York City and the City of Los Angeles since the 1980s, and was just voted into the City of Berkeley this past November.

Check out Small Donor Public Financing Yourself!
Watch this short, 10 minute video showing the impact of New York City’s small donor public funding program. I think you will like it!

The most recent victory for Clean Elections!
The City of Berkeley just passed a campaign finance reform measure called “Berkeley Clean Elections” this past November. It is a victory for campaign finance reform everywhere!
Check it out!

First Step! New San Diego Clean Elections Network Coalition Forming
The League of Women Voters, Common Cause and Neighborhoods for Clean Elections have come together to educate San Diegans about the problems and solutions for “big money” in our local politics. Our goal is to build a Grand Coalition behind campaign finance reform for San Diego. If you would like to get involved, come to our Alliance meeting on February 25. If you are part of a group that might be interested in empowering neighborhoods and residents through Clean Elections or campaign finance reform, contact John Hartley at 619-299-8870 or hartley2k@aol.com

If you wish to be taken off our list, please send back a response with your request.


January 2017 Update

Happy New Year everyone! TIME FOR ACTION!

First, JOIN US FOR OUR Neighborhood Empowerment Forum on Saturday, January 14 from 1-4pm at the Unitarian/Universalist Church in Hillcrest, across from the UCSD Medical Center. We will be selecting an issue that all neighborhoods can get behind in order to demonstrate that we can work together!
COME AND SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND IDEAS!

AND IT IS TIME FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM!
We will soon launch our new small donor public funding campaign for San Diego! This is the campaign finance reform long established in New York City and Los Angeles. We will be reaching out to all San Diegans, individually and groups, to share how small small donor public funding empowers people and neighborhoods.

TO GIVE YOU A TASTE, I have provided a link to: BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS – The Faces of Small Donor Public Financing – It’s only 10 minutes long. Check it out:

And last but not least, join us for a WORKING MEETING this Saturday, January 7 at 1pm at the Global ARC conference room at 4343 Morena Blvd to plan for the Neighborhood Forum.</br >
COME JOIN US!

CONTACT ME WITH YOUR IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS
John Hartley, Campaign Coordinator: 619-299-8870

Campaign Update – Wow!
November 2016

Hi Everyone,
This is a quote that I got from working with the Sierra Club over the years. For me, it means to have a global outlook but to put your energy into something local that you can actually work on and make a difference. It helps me to not think about the national elections results and to find satisfaction in working on something that I can actually make happen, like transforming politics and empowering neighborhoods in the City of San Diego!
So where is our campaign today?</span >
As you know our goal is to empower regular San Diegans and neighborhoods through campaign finance reform. We are also working to empower neighborhoods by helping them work together when lobbying the city of San Diego for their needs.
On campaign finance reform,</span >
we are switching from clean elections to small donor public financing like that already in effect in New York City and the city of Los Angeles. We are in the process of updating our web page: sdcleanelections.com and educating ourselves on small donor public financing. As we become more organized, we plan to outreach to San Diegans throughout the City and to build support for Clean Elections! Stay tuned!
For more information</span >
on small donor public financing, check out this video about “Breaking Down Barriers”:
The Faces of Small Donor Public Financing
Would you like to help with campaign finance reform?
Call or e mail Campaign Coordinator John Hartley at
619-299-8870 – hartley2k@aol.com
The Neighborhood Empowerment Alliance</span >
Our second effort is to help neighborhoods work together in lobbying the city to support their individual neighborhood needs. We have sponsored several workshops where residents from neighborhoods throughout the city have met to share what was important for them and their neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Empowerment Alliance was formed out of this process. The first goal of the Alliance is to see if neighborhoods can work together by choosing one project to work on. And to determine that project, the Alliance volunteers created a survey which they have shared with over 30 groups throughout the city. That input would be analyzed at the next working meeting of the Alliance on Saturday, December 3 at 1pm and the final project will be selected at the NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENT FORUM on Saturday, January 14 .
Would you like to help with the Neighborhood Empowerment Alliance?
First,</span >
you can join the Alliance working group on Saturday, December 3 from 1-3pm at the Global ARC conference room at their 4343 Morena Blvd office (north of Cosco on Morena Blvd and parallel to highway 5)
And second,</span >
you can put the Neighborhood Empowerment Forum on your calendar. It will be meeting on Saturday, January 14 from 1-4pm at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest – their parking lot is across the street from the UCSD Medical Center and parking is validated.
Again, if you would like more information on the Alliance or if you have a question, give Campaign Coordinator John Hartley a call at 619-299-8870.
And finally, have a great THANKSGIVING WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

Campaign Update
October 2016

Hi Everyone,

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Much is happening in the campaign! Where to start?

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OUR COMMITTMENT
is to empower all San Diegans and all our neighborhoods through campaign finance reform and we are looking at the small donor public funding reform enacted in New York City and Los Angeles. CHECK OUT THIS SHORT VIDEO FROM NEW YORK CITY: The Faces of Small Donor Public Financing. Brennan Center for Justice

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THE NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENT ALLIANCE IS BORN!
Starting this summer, we hosted a Neighborhood Vision Workshop to see if neighborhoods working together, could have more clout with the City in getting what they need in their individual neighborhoods. At the June 4 workshop, the group came up with a list of neighborhood needs that might be accomplished by neighborhoods working together.

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At the second workshop, this past October 17, the group decided to see if our neighborhoods could actually work together by selecting one goal to work on. To determine this goal, the group decided to create a survey based on the initial list of needs created by the first workshop, MAKE IT OPEN TO ALL San Diegans and to put on a Neighborhood Empowerment Forum on January 14 next year at the First Unitarian Universalist church in Hillcrest. This is where the final goal of the group would be decided and confirmed. And finally, we created a name to identify our efforts: the NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENT ALLIANCE .

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HOW CAN YOU HELP? HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?

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FIRST, YOU CAN TAKE THE SURVEY!
Attached is a two page pdf, with one page describing the history and decision process and one being the survey itself. PLEASE PRINT IT HERE, READ IT, FILL OUT THE SURVEY AND MAIL IT IN TO: Neighborhoods for Clean Elections, P.O. Box 16066, San Diego, CA 92176.

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YOU CAN JOIN THE ALLIANCE ORGANIZING GROUP!
The next organizing meeting of the Neighborhood Empowerment Alliance will be on October 29, 1-3pm at the Global Arc conference room located at 4343 Morena Blvd (north of Balboa Avenue and Costco and parallel to Highway 5) Come join us!

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AND YOU CAN ATTEND THE NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENT FORUM!
The Neighborhood Empowerment Forum will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2017 from 1-4pm at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest (MARK YOUR CALENDARS! where the initial goal of the Alliance will be determined. COME AND SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND IDEAS!

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That’s it folks.
We could also use more volunteer help in outreach to groups. If you are already a veteran at public speaking, we could use your help. If you would like help in mastering public speaking, we can help you and we could also use your help. COME JOIN US!

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Have a question, a suggestion or a complaint? GIVE ME A CALL! Contact Campaign Coordinator John Hartley at 619-299-8870

Campaign Update
September 2016

TWO UPCOMING WORKSHOPS – COME JOIN US!
Saturday, September 17 – Second Neighborhood Vision Workshop, 1-4pm
Saturday, October 1 – Protecting Your Neighborhood, 1-2pm

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NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE MORE CLOUT WITH THE CITY, IN GETTING WHAT THEY NEED, WHEN THEY WORK TOGETHER!

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The second Neighborhood Vision Workshop which will be on Saturday, September 17 from 1pm to 4pm, at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest (across the street from the entrance of UCSD Medical Center).

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We held our first Neighborhood Vision Workshop in June where a hardy group of volunteers from different neighborhoods came together to discover the benefit for neighborhoods when they work together!

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Craig Sherman Workshop – How to Protect Your Neighborhood!

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Saturday, October 1 from 1pm to 2pm, again at the same First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest
Craig Sherman is an local attorney dedicated to helping neighborhoods protect themselves against inappropriate growth by understanding the rules and tools available to the public and how to use them. If you worry about developers using loopholes to get around your neighborhood protection and the city favoring the developers or looking the other way, this workshop is for you!

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And finally,
check out this short video from the New York City Brennan Center on small donor, matching funds type, public financing.

Brennan Center for Justice

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John Hartley, Coordinator, 619-299-8870
Neighborhoods for Clean Elections

Campaign Update
Aug 2016

Yes, you noticed!
We have changed our name of our campaign group from Neighborhoods for Clean Elections to Neighborhoods for Clean Elections. We made this choice because we want to move ahead with lessons that we have learned. One such lesson was that we need to build a bigger coalition going forward. We have now linked up formally with Common Cause and the League of Women Voters to build a coalition for Clean Elections for the City of San Diego. Both support a small donor matching funds type of public funding of elections and we will share more about this kind of campaign finance reform in upcoming updates. New York City and Los Angeles both have this type of campaign finance reform and you can also goggle it for more information. We will keep you informed of our progress as we move forward!

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NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE MORE CLOUT
WHEN THEY WORK TOGETHER!

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Mark your calendars
for the second Neighborhood Vision Workshop which will be on Saturday, September 17 from 1pm to 4pm, held at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest (across the street from the entrance of UCSD Medical Center).

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We held our first Neighborhood Vision Workshop on Saturday, June 4 at the same Hillcrest First Unitarian Universalist Church where a hardy group of volunteers from varied neighborhoods came together to discover benefits for individual neighborhoods
when neighborhoods support each other!

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Craig Sherman Workshop – How to Protect Your Neighborhood!
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When/Where? Saturday, October 1 from 1pm to 2pm, again at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest

Craig Sherman is an local attorney dedicated to helping neighborhoods protect themselves against inappropriate growth by understanding the rules and tools available to the public and how to use them. If you worry about developers using loopholes to get around your neighborhood protection and the city favoring the developers or looking the other way, this workshop is for you!

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What’s Next?
As you can see, we are building upon what we learned from the Clean Elections campaign: build a stronger coalition, raise more money and do more outreach. That transition can be seen on our new web page: sdcleanelections.com. And part of that outreach needs to be with those who already support us,
YOU!

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We could use your ideas and suggestions in this process. Until we create some type of interactive event, please help us and our campaign for campaign finance reform for the City of San Diego, by sharing your ideas and suggestions with us. Give me a call or send me an email.

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John Hartley, Coordinator, 619-299-8870

Neighborhoods for Clean Elections