FW: SG-W:/ Acceptable Announcements

["Conan Smith" <conanmec@voyager.net>]

Speaking as the list sponsor, I think generally that announcements are ok if
they pertain directly to our issues, not to politics.  We had some
discussion about this earlier this year (initiated by Jeff Surfus who is
more actively moderating the group)and laid that philosophy out as a basis
for future discourse.  For example if the announcement had been for a rally
to support Democrats or a Dem candidate, that would be inappropriate.  An
informational forum, regardless of its sponsor is fine.  There's a fine line
between issue advocacy and electioneering, though, that I don't think is
critical for everyone to worry about.  I'll take the heat.  If I see
something that I think is not proper for this listserv, I'll let folk know
what and why so we can better get the guidelines in our heads.

Conan Smith
Land Programs Director
Michigan Environmental Council
119 Pere Marquette, Suite 2A
Lansing, MI  48912
p. (517) 487-9539
f. (517) 487-9541
www.mienv.org
conanmec@voyager.net

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-smartgrowth-washtenaw@great-lakes.net
[mailto:owner-smartgrowth-washtenaw@great-lakes.net]On Behalf Of Jodi
Mullet & Ken Clark
Sent: Monday, May 08, 2000 9:32 PM
To: smartgrowth-washtenaw@great-lakes.net
Subject: SG-W:/ Acceptable Announcements


Are there guidelines somewhere for what kind of announcements are
acceptable?  I had two reactions when Doug announced the Ann Arbor Democrats
Earth Day event for last Saturday: "Why didn't I think of announcing that
there?", and "Is that really an appropriate thing for this list?"  Much of
the event had little to do with sprawl, with some things like the Insight
hybrid car arguably contributing to sprawl, and others like Arlin
Wasserman's discussion about transportation clearly pointing to ways to
prevent sprawl.

Ann Arbor's Northeast Area Plan is another example.  This is the Master Plan
component for the quadrant of the City with the most developable land.  On
the one hand we want to protect our own valuable natural areas and some open
space.  On the other people are calling for Newmarket-like mixed-use and
higher density redevelopment of some areas.  This plan will eventually have
a transportation plan component that will have to deal with commuter traffic
issues.  Do people want announcements about meetings for this plan?

Also consider the discussions the Jackson/Huron Neighborhood is having about
*narrowing* Jackson/Huron from four lanes to three with bike lanes.  Or Bike
to Work Week, since bike commuters arguably don't contribute to, or possibly
reduce, sprawl.  Or the Ecology Center's Eco-Ride, which support the Ecology
Center's vital educational work on sprawl issues.  Does anyone object to
announcements about these kinds of topics?

Ken Clark
jamullet@umich.edu



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===============================================================
smartgrowth-washtenaw:  Internet List and Forum for issues relating to
sprawl, smart growth, and preservation of the quality of life in Washtenaw
County.

Postings to:  smartgrowth-washtenaw@great-lakes.net      For info, send
email to majordomo@great-lakes.net  with a one-line message body of  "info
smartgrowth-washtenaw"
===============================================================