Hudson Valley for Obama, a Member of the Hudson Valley Progressive Coalition

Together, we canvassed dozens of neighborhoods, knocked on hundreds of doors, and made thousands of calls across the nation, culminating in a victorious November 4, 2008.

Now we are re-organizing and re-energizing ourselves as a member of the Hudson Valley Progressive Coalition, comprised of fellow mid-Hudson Obama groups, long time activists, and individual citizens eager to network, educate and advocate for a national and local progressive agenda. By joining forces, we will amplify our political clout and strengthen and grow the grassroots movement for a participatory democracy that works for everyone. We will:

1. Support, and when necessary, pressure President Obama and other elected officials for:

•Universal Health Care
•Economic Justice & Recovery
•A New Green Economy and Environmental Protection
•An End to War and Veteran’s Rights
•A Restoration of Civil Liberties
•Affordable and Quality Education
•Transparency and Accountability in Government/Media
•Clean Elections

2. While the Hudson Valley Progressive Coalition is non-partisan, Hudson Valley for Obama will continue to support President Obama as well as local leaders of integrity who will pursue progressive policies and reforms.

Together, we can continue to grow this historic grassroots movement into one that will have a lasting impact on mid-Hudson Valley communities for many years to come. Join us!

You are also welcomed to join our Facebook page.

UPcoming Events: Week of 2/23/09

2/24/09: African Americans in the Political Process

A discussion led by Reverend G. Modele Clarke, Pastor, New Progressive Baptist Church, and Maude Bruce, President of Ellenville NAACP

Tuesday, February 24
7:30 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation
320 Sawkill Road, Kingston
For information call 845-340-9512

2/27/09: Congressman Hinchey to hold a forum on Iraq, the economic crisis and public education

Congressman and State University of New York at New Paltz alumnus Maurice Hinchey (’68, ’70g) will visit the New Paltz campus to discuss the underlying causes of the drastic budget cuts to both K-12 schools and institutions of higher education at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, in Lecture Center 100.

Congressman Hinchey will focus on the economic crisis, including U.S. foreign policy, as well as the bailout/recovery packages and the relationship of both to this challenge to education. In addition to addressing what has led into this situation, Hinchey will discuss what needs to be done to get us out.

The event is sponsored by The Progressive Academic Network, the Student Association, the Departments of Educational Studies, English, Political Science and International Relations, Sociology, the Women’s Studies Program, Ulster County Young Democrats and Synthesis.

www.newpaltz.edu/news/news.cfm?id=4590

For more information contact Nancy Schniedewind (845) 257-2827.

Summary: New Paltz & Vicinity for Obama Economic Recovery House Meeting 2/8

Dear All,

On Sunday, Feb.8, as many of you know, we held an Economic Recovery House Meeting. Thousands of similar meetings were held across the country. It was heartening to see so many motivated activists at this important time in our history. And heartening too that about a third of the 35ish attendees were new to our group.

At the meeting, we discussed the economic crisis, the ways it is affecting people’s lives, and what we might do to support the Obama Administration’s efforts to turn things around. Sunday’s impressively well informed group had many people who had already been contacting elected representatives urging passage of the economic stimulus bill as President Obama originally conceived it and we voted to support that position as a group.

Barbara Upton, chair of our Economic Justice Committee, reported on the wonderful work she and her committee have been doing. We introduced our other committee chairs whose work also relates to the economic crisis: Al Cook- Health Care Committee, Fran Wishnick- Environment Committee, Lin Sakai- Education Committee. These committees all have ongoing meetings and projects and the “Waging Peace” Committee will be meeting in the near future.

There is a larger progressive coalition forming in the Hudson Valley, to include Obama groups, Women in Black, Arts for Peace and others. As this develops, we will stay in touch with all of you.

Please let me know if you are interested in being part of any of NP & Vicinity for Obama’s issues committees.
Thank you again to everyone who sent me information about Senator Gillebrand. I know some people have requested that I forward some of the info about her that was sent to me. Please let me know if you would like to be on that list, even if you already mentioned it at the meeting, so I can email you as a group.

Big thanks to all of you for being part of this historic movement. It is a pleasure working with all of you in support of our new President. (I still get chills every time I hear someone say “President Obama” on the news.)

Julie Wegener
yo-mom@earthlink.net

Valentine’s Weekend Events

“PUT YOUR ACTION WHERE YOUR HEART IS”

Are You Concerned About The Environmental, Social, & Economic Crises We Face Today?

We can support each other in making a difference. Please join us for an afternoon of lively discussion, networking, and commitment to action.

February 14th, 1-3 p.m.
Kingston Library
55 Franklin Street

For more info or to RSVP, contact: jamesporter2@gmail.com / 845.687.7109

SPEAKERS TRAINING ON UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE
Citizen Action of Hudson Valley

Join us on Sunday, February 15th to learn how to spread the word about Citizen Action’s work on universal health care to groups and organizations.

This training session will teach you how to give a 10-15 minute speech to groups and organizations as we lead up to our multi-county Hudson Valley Town Hall Meeting in mid-April.

Sunday, February 15th, 2009
3:00pm to 6:00pm
Holy Light Pentecostal Church
33 S Clover Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
(Click here for directions)

Click here to RSVP!

For more information, please email hudsonvalley@citizenactionny.org.

Weekend Event UPdate

Three great events this weekend–moving forward on the Obama agenda:

Tonight! Fri., Feb. 6th “Frost/Nixon” screening at Rosendale Theatre
Marbletown Democrats & UlsterProgress

A special screening of “Frost/Nixon”, a Ron Howard film that has received five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, will be held at the Rosendale Theatre, 7:15pm Friday, Feb. 6th. “Frost/Nixon” is a dramatic retelling of the post-Watergate television interviews between British talk-show host David Frost and former president Richard Nixon. A discussion of accountability in government and the media will be hosted after the film by special guests Larry Beinhart, author of “Wag The Dog”, Chronogram contributor, and Fulbright Fellow, and Art Richter, host of Radio Free Kingston on 1490 AM WKNY. Beinhart and Richter will welcome guests to a cocktail reception from 6:30pm to 7:15pm at the theatre. Tickets are $15 at the door. For more information, call 845-399-9300.

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Sun., Feb. 8 Economic Recovery Meeting Meeting
New Paltz & Vicinity for Obama

Similar to the Fishkill event below, a community discussion on ways we can support President Obama’s economic recovery program. Hosted by Julie & Al Wegener in New Paltz.

RSVP required at http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gptcrx

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Sun., Feb. 8 Fishkill Economic Stimulus Package meeting
Fishkill Democrats

In response to the current economic crisis facing our country that has largely impacted our local communities, The Fishkill Democratic Committee will host a community house meeting on President Obama’s Economic Recovery Plan on Sunday, February 8th at the home of committee chair, Angela Valles, 404 Vassar Place, Fishkill, NY from 4pm-6pm.

A video, provided by the Obama administration, will be shown that will outline the basics of the plan and demonstrate how it will impact working families locally as well as nationally. An informal, open discussion will follow. Participants will be encouraged to ask questions and have an open discussion about their community’s economic situation. Opportunities will be available for networking and support.

RSVP is required at 845-797-9810 or anvalles01@aol.com.
anvalles01@aol.com

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Hope to see you at one of these important discussions! Please email any questions to ulsterprogress@gmail.com