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PRAIRIE GREEN PARTY DENOUNCES DEMOCRATIC OFFICIALS EFFORTS TO STIFLE THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE AT TOWNSHIP MEETING
CONTACT:
Tom Abram
Press Officer, Prairie Greens
217.417.7118
press@prairiegreens.org
URBANA, IL - The Prairie Green Party denounces the efforts of current and former Democratic officials to stifle the voice of the people at the annual township meeting. Three non-binding referendums were attempted to be placed on the agenda to be discussed for placement on general election ballot. There was a concerted effort by prominent Democrats to prevent these items from even being discussed. The three advisory referendums were on the issues of instant runoff voting for municipal elections, transparency in local government, and the municipalization of our water system.
The Democratic establishment packed the room with current and former Democratic officials, including Mayor Laurel Prussing, City Council Member Robert Lewis, and County Board Members Tom Betz and Ralph Langenheim, precinct committeepersons, and party loyalists in an effort to prevent these items from being added to the agenda. Adding an item to the agenda takes 60% support, while voting to place the referendums on the ballot requires a simple majority.
"This is another example of the Democratic establishment's blatant disregard for democracy and the will of the people. These are the same officials that have attempted to remove Green Party candidates, and even elected officials, from the ballot. Their support for democracy and free speech only stretches to issues they agree with and pose no challenge to their power," said Tom Abram, press officer of the Prairie Greens. "We encourage citizens frustrated with their actions to support the party that truly believes in grassroots democracy. The Green Party and our candidates are adamant in our support for true democracy."
The local Green Party is running several candidates for Champaign County Board: Walter Pituc and Kostas Yfantis in District 7, Joe Futrelle in District 8, and Mike Lehman in District 9.
The Prairie Green Party supports electoral reforms, like instant runoff voting, to increase citizen participation. The Green Party opposes current efforts in the Illinois General Assembly to remove the power of voters to add agenda items at the township meeting.
MORE INFORMATION:
Prairie Greens of East Central Illinois
http://www.prairiegreens.org
Illinois Green Party
http://www.ilgp.org
