Local political commentary in Huntsville/Madison and Madison County in North Alabama #HSVprogressive #HuntsvilleCityCouncil #HuntsvillePodcast #HuntsvilleAL #MadisonCountyAL
My email: hsvprogressive@gmail.com
Email me with questions!!
I cover a bunch of stuff from July and August that I am very behind on - - for Huntsville City and Madison County government - - meetings I attended in order to yell at people. . . and to tell YOU about! Sorry if you felt left in the lurch. (look! - - "felt" and "left" are spelled with the same letters!) (it's late, I better go to bed)
The Human Relations Commission of Huntsville
Remus will be back on the show incredibly soon!
Some links!!
At the Root Collective link tree for anything you wanna know!
Andrea Gibson poem performance!
Thanks for dropping in.
Info update from Marisa:
I realize that I didn't speak completely correctly about the laptop policy at the library. Minors can now check out laptops if they have level 3 access and approval from their parent. So that means that a 17 year old without an adult in their life who can come in and sign them up for a level three minor card will still not be able to check out a laptop to use. Feel to put that in your show notes along with a link to the board packet from the meeting with all the details. https://hmcpl.org/sites/default/files/boardpackets/BoardPacketJuly2025.pdf
hmcpl.org
Article from Energy Alabama about privatizing TVA (DON'T)
And another with more voices against privatizing TVA
And an article in the Atlantic about this administration and TVA
... and we talked about a lot more than just this issue!
N. AL DSA youtube channel
Their Facebook page
N.AL DSA webpage
And the search engine for people in the know: ecosia.org
The HSV City calendar - - you can even subscribe (you know I do)
North American School for Organizers
We talk about the Huntsville City Council meeting of the 26th of June and the Madison County Commission meeting of the 2nd of July - - still a couple of those to catch up on, so stay tuned. Plus bonus SUMMER material (i.e. I'm not as busy in the summer, so I can make a few extra meetings): planning commission, city council budget wish-list work session, Huntsville Madison County Public Library board meeting, and more! Thank you for listening - - keep having those conversations!!
The name of the song at the end of the episode is "no one lets me down like my disciples". Fits in with our conversation pretty nicely. Hope you enjoy . . . and here's how to find Charles:
email: arcadiaartmedia@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charles.hastings.967
Thanks for listening and here's my email:
hsvprogressive@gmail.com
What do YOU think is the significance of this sudden interest in "boarding houses" zoning regulations? I have my suspicions.
hsvprogressive@gmail.com
Check out N. AL. DSA podcast channel on Youtube:
https://youtube.com/@dsanorthalabama?si=kWBCroS6QTDVnKhd
And Madison County Emergency Mgmt pages
We quickly cover a couple city council meetings that I am behind on. MORE TO COME!! Please stay tuned. :)
Thanks again to Kenneth Jackson, running for Madison City Council for sitting in for an update on some of the wackiness going on in this state. And more.
And I tried to say a few words about the last THREE - - yes, I'm behind! - - county commission meetings.
One of these days - - when hope is restored somehow - - I might start being able to keep up a little better, but until then, this is the show you get! Just keep talking!
Ramana's profile with University of British Columbia - - there are links here to NUMEROUS articles Ramana has written on all aspects of the nuclear question.
And from Verso books, or wherever you like to get your books: Nuclear is Not the Solution:The Folly of Atomic Power in the Age of Climate Change
Also: this book and more reviews here!
The World Beyond War book club I spoke about is here - - please look around the WBW website, see what they are up to and what you might like to participate in!
Conversation with Majadi and Jason about some issues of our current relation with our world and a nice exchange occurred. Here are some links:
Dr. Majadi Baruti's link tree
Degrowth can work
MIT AI article
AI is Draining Water From Areas that Need it Most
Here's the representative's website in case you want to stay in touch, find out about coffee socials, get advice on running, sign up for her newsletter: repmarilynlands.com
I talk with HSV Bail Fund about some current issues in the city and state:
This is a pitiful attempt to catch up on some local stuff because I've been remiss for weeks now. I promise more good stuff is coming forthwith! hsvprogressive@gmail.com
Kenneth Jackson is running for D7 spot on Madison's City Council. Have a listen, and here's his website:
www.kennethjackson.org
Girls at the Center Youth Advisory Council (GACYAC) - deadline is March 28, ages 14-24 - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_nZnVX2kHfJqMF65E2FaY5JnxgPPk7ljgHK2StjMwbLBmVQ/viewform
Reproductive Justice Day of Action - deadline is March 14 (this Friday!) - https://www.mobilize.us/urge/event/755262/
Press release from last year's HB195 (anti-sex ed bill) - https://alabamacampaign.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/HB195-press-release.pdf
Donation link - https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_2d7fa7af-909d-11eb-ab84-0253c981a9f9&WidgetId=77824
Christina Clark Okarmus (she/her)
Executive Director Alabama Campaign for Adolescent Sexual Health334-265-8004 x 1 | www.alabamacampaign.org
@sandmountaincoop on Instagram
Sand Mountain Cooperative Education Center on Facebook
Brick and Barn: The Conference - - think about attending!
Brick and Barn Lectures #3: Community - - this too!
Here's your added content/links from Adam - -
Arise Bills of Interest
SB 22 petition
Cover Alabama Advocacy Day
Advocacy training in Huntsville
Arise legislative day
I talk about the last two Madison County Commission meetings and the latest Huntsville City Council meeting. And look for a Spotify poll about my music choice "Deestroy" by the Lolas out of Birmingham.
Upcoming attractions: Co-ops, Energy Task Force, other library behaviour options, sex education in AL, State legislature shenanigans, animal control issues, permaculture and regenerative farming practices, and more more more!
roundtable discussion of the first half of the Energy planks of theGreen Party platform
Ivie's Unique Outdoors(256) 773-7191(not everything they have is native, but they do have some local Eco type stuff)
Recreative Natives
(This place is great!!)
GROWILD
(And if you’re willing to make the drive, this is the best place around us they have over 1000 native species)
At The Root Collective Linktree
Alabama Transgender Rights Action Coalition
ALTRAC · This is Where We Stand
Find and contact elected officials
and . . .
The Alabama Legislature
9 Jan and 23 Jan HSV city council meetings reported on my yours truly - - in what was probably an unusually curmudgeonly manner - - I guess it's the new year!
Here are the council agendas if you care to click through on anything I brought up!
Happy New Year!
Just a bonus episode of the discussion for Unclaimed Mysteries Radio of the labor planks of the Green Party platform. Swell!
contact the pod: hsvprogressive@gmail.com
Huntsville Business Journal article
Video of the Forum
The Valley Labor Report
Unclaimed Mysteries Radio, community radio
Land Preservation
AFT Farmland Loss Tracker
The Farmer’s Land Trust
Native Habitat
Local History
Giles Co Historical Society
Huntsville Revisited
Lily Flagg's Signal podcast
Oakwood University
AAMU
Networks
Queer Farmer Network
SAAFON
Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network
Books and Media
The Revolutionary’s Garden pod
The Valley Labor Report pod
Farming While Black
First Generation Farmers
email your fave podcast: hsvprogressive@gmail.com
Check out Local Peace Economy!
and Code Pink!
and how about local Huntsville leftist COMMUNITY/social on Saturdays!
contact HSVProgressive@gmail.com
Conversation with Amy Fahimi about the Community Dev meetings and public input on housing needs for Huntsville and an announcement!
Huntsville's community planning survey
Contact Community Dev.:
3rd Floor
305 Fountain Circle
Huntsville, AL 35801
HSV municipal gov't calendar
5 Dec Council meeting agenda download
Thanks for listening!
Madison update with Tara Bailey!!
I Vote Madison
The Alabama Channel
Madison on Track 2045
Solo Monk on Spotify
Solo Monk on YouTube
Solo Monk on Bandcamp
Lyrics to included song:
"joy from below"
production, songwriting by solo monk(charles hastings)
I feel so much joy from below
From the feet to the ground to the dead and the granite rock
Hoping some energy or wisdom seeps through my greasy pores and stops
Right at the base of my brain. Keep the tension in my neck.
Sometimes I wish I had a drill. Let these moods leak from my head.
Cause they build up, they always build up.
I bark when I mean to sing
When I go to meditate, it’s sleep and no dreams
Huntsville City Calendar
Civic Engagement Academy
Your City Council members
District Map - - in case you don't know!
We talk about finding your people and working together to make activism happen and productive. And more stuff!
Just me, just talking about what happened at HSV City Council last two meetings - - you might here something interesting! :)
I got to speak with organizers of the "alternative" event held at Ditto Landing on 13 Oct against the Rocket City Pride event that day at Orion that was "invaded" by log cabin Republicans. :P Please enjoy and check out the Facebook group: Rainbow Trouble
Materials mentioned! - -
Here's a link to the agenda, if you wish to follow along.
Happy to have company! Alyx joined me for this discussion - - and we went long! Time flies!
A talk with EA who is running for Congress from Birmingham area - - so, N. AL., this isn't so much about going and voting for her, but it is about a conversation with someone progressive in AL running for office - - will wonders never cease? - - keep an open mind about what we can do!
Here are some salient vitals for Candidate Sotomayor:
Links to some pre-filed bills of concern:
and a book:
How Fascism Works: the politics of us and them
Joy gets a little agitated . . . again. But this one is, I believe, a better, more cognizant report than my last city council reportage when I kinda had forgotten a lot of what happened because it took me too long to get around to it. Anyway, ENJOY!
I do a pretty crummy job of discussing what happened at last month's city council meetings. And I sneeze. Please enjoy!
The city of Albertville and some of its citizens are moving to use zoning codes against its immigrant population - - listen to Unique explain what's up.
Reclaiming Our Time Facebook page
Also, check out Space4Peace and the Global Network Against Weapons in Space
I have a short chat with you about what I saw/remember happened at the July Planning commission and the Huntsville City Council meeting on the 25th.
Still to come: A county commission and the 8th Aug HSV City Council.
PLUS lots of good CONTENT.
D1 & D5 (HSV) : VOTE 27th August!
Conversation with candidate for D1 Board of Education, Claudia Harris
Observations of EWC Candidate forum on 5 Aug
and as I mentioned while talking about the candidate forum, here's an old episode about Devyn Keith's troubles from back then: SPECIAL Ep. 8, 2023: David Person in conversation about D1 councilman Devyn Keith
This time I talk about . . .
Please mark your calendar -- municipal elections in Huntsville D1 and D5 on 27 Aug '24 -- that's THIS month! Keep listening here for more candidate conversations, too.
I have a conversation with John Meredith, D5 councilman in Huntsville, who is standing for reelection this August the 27th! - - please get ready to vote your conscience, your values, your hopes.
I Vote Madison
and email: ivotemadison@gmail.com
The Alabama Channel
and thanks for listening. more soon!
I discuss some meetings I have gone to that I haven't had a chance to report on yet - -
Thanks for listening. Keep having conversations!
Jason Call is both the manager for the Jill Stein campaign AND he's running for congress. We had a wide ranging conversation about politics and society and education and music. . . .
Here are some links:
Call for Congress
Jill Stein for President
Green Party of Madison County and N Alabama
Free and Equal Presidential Debate 12 July
Jill Stein youtube channel
some crummy SC5 samples on Bandcamp
many many links!
Advance Huntsville
HSV Yimby
legalize housing hsv (best one to sign petition in favor of ADUs)
Huntsville Environmental Coalition
HUBS Coop
United Women of Color
www.jillstein2024.com
please, Alabama Green volunteers, contact Amy Fahimi: amyfahimi@gmail.com to sign a ballot access form and/or to help gather signatures.
JillStein2024 Alabama visit: watch the official state party Facebook page to stay informed about the events of the weekend of 15/16 June. SOON!!
I discuss briefly a Madison County Commission meeting, a Huntsville City Council meeting, and ALSO a District One Townhall. Hard to keep it cool through all that!
Conversation with Guy Sotomayor, candidate for Chair of the Madison County Commision
guysotomayor.com
I have a conversation with Rehab Nazzar, a Palestinian artist living in Bethlehem, and a friend of a friend of mine from middle school in Saudi Arabia. Thanks for listening.
I give a brief report on end-of-April Madison County Commission meeting and Huntsville City Council meeting and then I share a recent interview with a local Palestinian American who took part in the presentation of a proposed resolution for the City of Huntsville to consider.
listen to the Madison County GP roundtable on www.unclaimedmysteriesradio.com at noon on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month.
Action items and bills to track! - -
Wanna see where our money is going?
Government Contracts Won
Eisenhower Media NetworkEMN is a resource for journalists and the public, offering analysis by veterans and professionals who have experience in military and national security issues. EMN aims to promote peacemaking and diplomacy, and challenge the military-industrial complex.
Costs of WarThe Costs of War Project is a team of 35 scholars, legal experts, human rights practitioners, and physicians, which began its work in 2011. We use research and a public website to facilitate debate about the costs of the post-9/11 wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
Contact me, too, if you might like to join in a book reading group of Emma Goldman that was discussed in this interview:
Huntsville Progressive Letter Writers on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/MarilynForAL
info@marilynlands.com
www.marilynlands.com
Get Out The Vote March 26, TUESDAY!
(quick thanks to the Lolas for the music)
The voted down sustainability commission ordinance can be found at
https://huntsvilleal.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
by clicking on the AGENDA for the 14th of March and then clicking on the link at item 19d in the agenda.
www.gp.org/platform
www.jillstein24.org
www.GPMadCoAlabama.org
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duverger's_law
YouTube channel - https://youtube.com/@feralforaging
How to start foraging article - https://feralforaging.com/how-to-start-foraging/
Public land rules and regulations - https://feralforaging.com/foraging-rules-and-regulations/
Native Habitat Project - https://www.youtube.com/@NativeHabitatProject
Home Grown and Hand Gathered - https://www.instagram.com/homegrown_handgathered/
Land Trust of North Alabama - https://landtrustnal.org/
My Patreon - https://patreon.com/feralforaging
If you feel inclined, we would love you to partake of our conversations regarding the Green Party. Thanks!
Consider signing this petition:
Oppose SB 129 - Protect Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Public Universities in Alabama
And click here to search for bills - - what are they? where are they? - - and find your state representatives and senators.
Thx! Joy
You can find all of ALTRAC's resources at https://altrac.works/?src=hsvp.
Sign up for email updates here: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-up-for-email-updates-from-altrac?source=hsvp
We are keeping an eye on SB129 (and many other bills) and will send out updates about how you can help. In the meantime...
More ALTRAC actions you can take right now:
From our friends at Alabama Values Progress:From our friends at Read Freely:
State legislators came to listen to us on the 22nd and then we had a city council meeting on the 25th - - here are my observations and thoughts.
Listen in on our conversation about the 11 Jan 24 Huntsville City Council meeting ... especially talk about the Sustainability Commission, commission structure and function generally, and council procedures. Don't worry! It's not as boring as it sounds!
Enjoy this talk with an experienced local activist and her time working on a city commission and other organizations and what we think needs to change.
Thanks for listening.
Rollicking good and far-ranging conversation INCLUDING live music. A great great start to the new season of HSV Progressive Podcast. Thank you for listening.
I laugh my way through some notes about the last meetings of the year! Happy New Year! See you on the flip side.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGZniOuoREU
Patin, B. and Sebastian, M. (2021) Ep-i-what? Using the Force to Understand Epistemicide. Information Matters. https://informationmatters.org/2021/11/ep-i-what-using-the-force-to-understand-epistemicide/
Exhibits and Storymaps:https://rocketcitycivilrights.omeka.net/explore
Libraries Lead! Podcast https://librarieslead.buzzsprout.com/
Madison Talking Points for Huntsville Progressive
Madison Civic Search
I Vote Madison recently released Madison Civic Search.
We’ve recorded every city council meeting since Jan. of 2021 along with many Board of Education meetings, planning, zoning, Madison Police Citizen Advisory meetings and more.
Users can go there and type in topics they’re interested in and see if they’ve come up in any of the meetings.
ivotemadison.com/civic-search
D10 Election
House District 10 Special Election
March 26, 2024
Maralyn Lands running against Teddy Powell
ivotemadison.com/voting
https://www.madisoncountyvotes.com/
Madison On Track 2045
https://ivotemadison.ompnetwork.org/sessions/273041?embedInPoint=3081&embedOutPoint=4388&shareMethod=link
Madison started a comprehensive planning initiative, hiring Orion Planning and Design Called Madison on Track 2045. Sadly, the planning of that is off track. It was originally supposed to be released over the summer, but we don’t know when it will be released. To keep up with any updates on that you can go to madisonontrack2045.com / https://www.orionplanningdesign.com/
Wellness Facility
Madison recently purchased what was the old Hexagon wellness facility at 190 Graphics Drive.
https://ivotemadison.ompnetwork.org/sessions/279995?embedInPoint=2092&embedOutPoint=5837&shareMethod=link
Council Member Denzine said we’re spending a lot of money without having this comprehensive plan in place.
A resident named Judith Miller spoke during public comments about the need for sidewalks to be completed on Sullivan St. in Madison. She lives in Dublin Village and stated that old broke people live there and that's why she feels like they have no sidewalks.
https://ivotemadison.ompnetwork.org/sessions/281419?embedInPoint=647&embedOutPoint=3605&shareMethod=link
Belle Mina Quarry being proposed…
The other night, about 125 people attended a meeting that was called by Pastor Cody Gilliam of Belle Mina Methodist Church. I’m hearing they feel the permit is being timed in December (comments due Jan. 2) to minimize review and potential opposition. They also feel the quarry site was selected with the assumption that the low-income community would not have the resources or political power to oppose it. They are asking for a delay and public hearing before the permits are issued.
Public Notice: https://adem.alabama.gov/newsEvents/notices/nov23/11graysoncart.html
Opposition to the new quarry. https://www.nonewlimestonecountyquarry.com
Just me and my musing about what's going on . . . in the slow season. Still: a couple interesting kerfuffles.
Routes:
https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/residents/streets/public-transportation/huntsvilletransit/
From City of Huntsville:
We need your input on proposed changes to four Orbit shuttle routes. 🚌
Join us for two public meetings at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6, or Wednesday, Dec. 13 at the Transfer Station Platform, 500B Church St., Huntsville! You'll be able to see maps and provide comments to Transit officials.
See the proposed changes 👉 https://tinyurl.com/bddrjap2
Informative links courtesy Jamie! Thank you!
The Spring City Cycling Club (SCCC) was founded in 1892! https://www.springcity.org/
There’s even a women’s division called the Rocket City Cycle Belles (RCCB). https://www.facebook.com/groups/RocketCityCycleBelles/
In 2008, citizen advocates convince the newly elected mayor Battle to form the Bicycle Advisory and Safety Committee (BASC) https://www.facebook.com/groups/1366468327053612
Another newer 501(c)3 in town in the Huntsville Urban Bike Share (HUBS) Coop is dedicated to getting bikes out of storage and into the community. They advocate for transportation options that allow all people of all ages and abilities to have and exercise the freedom of mobility and advocate for safe infrastructure for pedestrians, bicycles, and all types of vehicles.
https://www.facebook.com/NewHUBScoop/
https://www.huntsvilleurbanbikeshare.com/
Another 501(c)3 in north Alabama is the Singing River Trail , that advocates to build a multi-jurisdictional trail system in 9 counties of north Alabama bringing economic impact and recreational opportunities. https://singingrivertrail.com/
The City of Huntsville has several projects in the works. One is in coordination with the North Alabama Land Trust. https://landtrustnal.org/explore-our-lands/
I talk about this city council meeting along with a lot of other things coming flying at my mind from the directions it pays attention to.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/658692687565347
(Using a new production software program for this episode, please forgive any goof-ups. I will get better. Thanks to Lolas out of BHM for permission to use their music!)
I blab foolishly about the goings-on at city hall (and county courthouse) as I see them for . . .
26 Oct
2 Nov
(city councils)
and
8 Nov (County Commission)
Sat down for a conversation with Councilman Keith about the new Affordable Housing "czar" -- paid city position! -- and all things housing +.
Remus and I have a conversation about Huntsville (and Decatur) government and policing. I hope you'll listen in and enjoy.
We jaw a lot about things like music festivals, public housing, cell phone driving laws, and more!
Molly also recommends "Reclaiming Body Trust" by Kinavey & Sturtevant and "Health at Every Size" by Linda Bacon.
I guest on Housing for Huntsvillians podcast. Hope you enjoy the ensuing conversation!
https://housingforhuntsvillians.com/
Just want to drop a couple links here . . .
tvlr.fm for the Valley Labor Report - - subscribe! and . . .
alarise.org for Alabama Arise - - think about joining!
Stay safe!
The last week of Sept was busy! The mayor gave his "state of the city" address; Madison County Commission got their budget voted in; City of Huntsville had some birth pangs working on their budget, too. Amy and I TALK A LOT about what went down - - I hope you can hang in there with us - - good luck, intrepid listeners!
for upcoming stuff: HSV calendar
Mayor's state of city: https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/videos/2023-state-of-the-city-address/
Some links! Enjoy!
gravitational lensing --
https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/triple-lens-supernova-jwst/
what happened to the indigenous people in New Mexico, etc. - -
https://www.latinxproject.nyu.edu/intervenxions/the-truth-about-what-happened-here-new-mexico-and-the-manhattan-project
and her book! - -
https://uapress.arizona.edu/book/nuclear-nuevo-mexico
I go on and on about the Madison County Commission meeting of the 13th of Sept and the Huntsville City Council meeting of the 14th. Some exasperation, some laughs, some cat noises.
Joined by Amy and Justin for this episode to talk for a bit about the Green Party values and the Annual National Meeting and some of what is up with the national Green Party of the USA.
Here is the agenda for the whole meeting with links to the individual talks --
https://www.gp.org/2023_agenda
Local Greens meeting on Friday the 15th at 5pm in UAH's student union on Holmes Ave it's hybrid, so here is the link to our local GP calendar so you can find the link in the event there if you wish to attend either way! Why not subscribe to the calendar? :) . . .
https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/4?cid=bWFkY29ncmVlbnBhcnR5QGdtYWlsLmNvbQ
Huntsville Utilities must've gotten a goodly amount of pushback on their proposal to hike water rates from the previous meeting. They came in full company with backup from engineering firm -- to sell it harder. That's a thing that happened -- the vote was postponed. And maybe you'll be interested in a few other observations I happened to espouse! Thanks for listening.
David Keith Cobb episode of HSV Progressive suggested by guest Amy:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hsv-progressive/episodes/Ep--24--2023-David-Cobb-e25j8ur
Your local gov websites:
www.madisoncountyal.gov
www.huntsvilleal.gov
Danny, who ran for Huntsville City Council last year, joins us again to talk about bikes and moving to Austin!
I have a conversation with Joseph Foy, space scientist, educator, and friend from graduate school. We ran out of time and didn't get to a lot of the science we wanted to talk about, so stay tuned for more.
Up and coming environmental luminary Jaxon Tolbert drops in for a chat about environmental justice communities in Huntsville - - what that means and what Huntsville needs to do! So many links - -
Jaxon on Linkedin where you can view his presentation:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaxontolbert
Also his presentation:
https://www.canva.com/design/DAFi_xRFEz4/Gnb7unHCTuxKXtHEaeS2FQ/view?utm_content=DAFi_xRFEz4&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink
Great resource:
justicemap.org
Jaxon's podcast, Seeking a Green South:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seeking-a-green-south/id1665794560
Energy Alabama website:
https://energyalabama.org/
South East Wind Coalition:
https://sewind.org/
The mayor's/Green Team's sustainability report:
https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/environment/green-team/education-awareness/sustainability-energy-initiatives/huntsville-environmental-sustainability-committee/
Usual discussion of City Council. Thanks for dropping in. I get a little bit heated at a couple points if you're looking for excitement! ;)
Robinson drop-in on 31 July:
https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/city-calendar-event/district-3-drop-in-with-council-member-jennie-robinson-8/
City Council Work Session on 25 July:
https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/city-calendar-event/city-council-work-session-26/
Conversation with Charles Hastings / Solo Monk about being an artist in this capitalistic world!
https://biglink.to/solomonkart <-- check his stuff out all over the place!
Nice informative chat with Chad about policing stats and more. Some links:
https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/residents/public-safety/huntsville-police/community-resources/hpcac/
https://www.ccjral.org/
Then my notes, interspersed with "um" and "anyhow" aplenty, on Huntsville City Council meeting, Madison County Commission meeting, and a little from the June Huntsville Planning Commission, too.
Here's the link to the city calendar in case you wanna show up and make some good trouble.
HSV calendar
Revolution, solidarity, degrowth, and more!
gp.org
Madison Co. Greens meeting: https://fb.me/e/5jE8QBxKL
Transpride in HSV: https://fb.me/e/1gSUf3zFI
Tris and I talk about a few things but mostly the ins and outs of this Food City grocery store deal in Huntsville.
Keep up with altrac.works , too. Watch for info about 17 June Trans Pride Festival at Butler Field.
altrac.works
That's where you want to go to find out how you can help stop the really awful bills against transgender and drag in our state - - really dangerous discriminatory stuff that will get people hurt if it passes. Please visit it.
Tris and I also talk about homelessness (some more) and financial state of the city and lots more.
And I have just a very few comments about the Madison County commission meeting.
Thank you for listening. Please keep having conversations.
Conversation with a friend and member of the homeless population in HSV. Hear a little bit about what it's like.
HSV calendar -- check this one out for all the things on the municipal calendar
Office of Alternative Sentencing -- there's an opening here! I know somebody wants in on this!
Christmas Charities Year Round -- check out what they do!
The Bias Inside Us @ HSV Madison County Public Library -- go see
Code of Ordinances for the City of Huntsville, Municode.com -- fyi
Food City in HSV by AL.com -- more about this soon, I hope!
My impressions about Huntsville City Council goings-on from 13 April 23 and then in conversation with Tris Emmy Wilson about the report issued about the Huntsville Environmental Sustainability Committee and nascent (supposedly) Huntsville Environmental Sustainability Commission.
Come along for a talk with a concerned scientist! Here are some links from the conversation:
Astronomers for Planet Earth
https://astronomersforplanet.earth/
Website for the podcast at WV:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wvu-climate-conversations/id1498840903
books mentioned:
Two Mile Time Machine by Richard B. Alley
https://www.amazon.com/Two-Mile-Time-Machine-Abrupt-Climate/dp/0691102961
Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet's Future by David Grinspoon
https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Human-Hands-Shaping-Planets/dp/1455589128/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=174238924522&hvdev=c
Renewable: One Woman’s Search for Simplicity, Faithfulness, and Hope by Eileen Flanagan
https://eileenflanagan.com/renewable/
Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway https://www.merchantsofdoubt.org/
Yale Climate Opinion website
https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/visualizations-data/ycom-us/
recent publication about the West Virginia Climate Change Professional Development project:
http://www.susted.com/wordpress/content/a-case-study-for-climate-change-teacher-professional-development-in-west-virginia_2023_03/
and https://sites.google.com/view/wvclimatechangepd
https://www.ted.com/talks/katharine_hayhoe_the_most_important_thing_you_can_do_to_fight_climate_change_talk_about_it?language=en
I am just talking a bunch of smacky cracky stuff about local government. Please enjoy the ride! :)
As promised - - here is the link to the HSV City government calendar - - have a look! What GOOD TROUBLE do you want to get into? :) https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/city-calendar/
I talk with Debbie Chang, volunteer at our new CCL Chapter here in HSV! Here are a BUNCH of links, as promised in the dialogue - - I'm not sure if we remembered all of them but surely there are enough here to keep anyone occupied! Enjoy - -
http://ClimateHuntsville.eventbrite.com/?aff=PHSV
Citizens' Climate Lobby homepage https://citizensclimatelobby.org/
CCL Training videos on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@CitizensClimateLobby/playlists?view=1&sort=lad&flow=grid
CCL Huntsville Chapter Homepage: http://bit.ly/ClimateHuntsville
Don't Even Think about It: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Ignore Climate Change
by George Marshall
https://climateconviction.org/articles.html
CCL's Conservative Messaging Theory training
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9846zOIGzjM
Take Action:
http://cclusa.org/take-action
https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/
Click on "Find My Legislator" at the bottom, and you can get a list of contact information for everyone who represents you, from your Alabama State Representative to your President.
Kendeda building - A Living Building at Georgia Tech, where we just had our regional Southeast CCL conference this weekend
Talk with Tris Emmy Wilson about the Madison County (STATE) Legislative Forum and February's Planning commission. I give a brief recap of 1st March Madison County Commission mtg. And a (timely?) poem. THANKS FOR LISTENING!! See https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/ for upcoming bills, committee assignments, for the STATE - - good digs for contacting your reps!
Just a bunch of me calling it like I see it, which means you're getting it like I see it. I only hope it inspires some conversations!
Here's the brief article that David Person wrote on this subject: https://www.alreporter.com/2023/02/10/opinion-why-devyn-keiths-arrest-divided-huntsville/
Hope you enjoy our conversation about this (unfortunate) situation.
A conversation with local environmental activist Ankur Shah. Here are some of the ways to find out what he is up to!
YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AnkurShah
Mycelium - https://mycelium.ngo
Climate Engine - https://climateengine.com/
Madison County Commission meeting of the 18th of Jan and Huntsville City Council of 26th Jan, and more! Here are the numbers (a lot of them) from Planning Commission: https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/business/economic-development/huntsville-development-review/
Thank you for listening and having conversations.
Contact us at unclaimedmysteriesradio@gmail.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/1048187852745055
Learn stuff about where and why and who sends us our energy. Also check out energyalabama.org/ira for the incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act for clean energy. Is it time to get your home more efficient? Good times! Thanks for listening.
Happy to have you join me now for the first local government catch-up for the new year. I hope you hear something interesting in my comments and maybe start a conversation. Thanks for listening.
The podcast got a lot less local this time, but I wanted to talk about peace and non-violence and so I invited a friend from the Peace Corner (North Alabama Peace Network) to chat about the Ukraine war. I hope you will lend us an ear.
Dr. Hyden of the Automotive Free Clinic in Birmingham area joins us again, and this time we have a discussion about the factors that drive gentrification . . . and how to care for your community! Happy New HSV Prog Season.
We talk about planning commission and board of zoning adjustment, choosing a new police chief and annexing 1200 acres, transparency and public access, and more! Thanks for a good first year!
Good old fashioned I take a full hour to talk about a city council meeting - - starting to feel some of the burden and pressure of work to melt a bit during this winter break! - - also 7 Dec County Commission BRIEF observations (listen and you'll see why). I was going to work on some desk organizing but I think I'm done for today and am going to have a piece of pumpkin pie. Hope you are all well - - happy holidays! Probably one more episode before the end of the year - - stay tuned and keep up the good activism! Thank you!
Thanks for tuning in for my take on Planning Commission Nov meeting, 23 Nov meeting for Madison County Commission comments, and more than you ever wanted to consider about the 1st Dec Huntsville City Council meeting.
Holiday city councils are sometimes short - - this one was pretty short, some interesting hints are coming attractions, nonetheless! Tune in! Thanks.
We talk a bit about alternatives to policing as it exists now - - constraints on how power is shared to do anything about it.
Keep having those conversations! Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving - - broadcasting from ancestral lands of the Chickasaw, Coushatta, Alabashehati, Creek, Shawnee, and Cherokee.
Check out more info about Kathy at www.kathyforcongress.com
And vote Tuesday 8 November.
Read Amy's article about the Madison County ERAP debacle:
https://www.bamapolitics.com/114323/strong-reasons-why-the-now-defunct-madison-county-emergency-rental-assistance-program-was-a-complete-debacle/
The song of the episode was "All Rise, The Sneaky Snakes of Kudzu" by friend-of-show Lolas from Birmingham. Check them out on Bandcamp: https://lolas.bandcamp.com/
Some words, conversation starters about goings-on in local government: Madison County Commission meeting of the 12th of Oct 22, HSV City Council 13 Oct 22, Huntsville Environmental Committee input meeting, and more. Some links! --
HESC webpage: https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/HESC and direct link to survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/hsvenvironment TAKE THIS SURVEY PLZ!
Justia (resource for Alabama Code): https://law.justia.com/codes/alabama/2021/. Most delegation / constraints of authority for counties and cities ("municipal corporations") can be found in Title 11. MAYBE A GOOD PLACE TO FIND THE TEXT OF AL HB 314, THE ABORTION LAW
Green 13 report: https://wiki.tris.fyi/GovNotes/Content/2010-02-Green13.pdf ICYMI
Conversation this episode with Jared Budlong, Independent, write-in candidate for the Governor of Alabama. Election Day is the 8th of November; please check your registration status and help people get to the polls. But first: have a listen and start a conversation. Thanks!
A poem, some music, City Council from 22 Sep 22, and notes from the Planning Commission meeting and more. Hope you'll find something to talk about and that you'll come back for more content all the time! Thanks for listening.
I'm really catching up with my content! Here are a few comments about the 25 Aug and 8 Sep Huntsville City Council meetings. Hope you hear something interesting and come back soon! Lots of good stuff coming! Conversations with candidates, about policing, about planning commission and new Environmental Sustainability Committee. Thanks for listening - - pass the word, rate on your platform - - keep questioning, keep thinking!
A conversation with another city government watcher! Meet Tris Emmy Wilson. And here is Tris' website: https://tris.fyi/ (the "local government notes" section at the top of the page has everything interesting to see nested somewhere underneath its links, the "contact information" section at the bottom has her email)
These are a few random observations from 18 Aug 22 HSV City Council Work Session (BUDGET for '23!) and The 23 Aug Planning Commission meeting. Thanks for joining, sharing, thinking!
I have a few words to share about . . . 28 July City Council, 2 Aug DEI forum, 11 Aug City Council. Have a listen, agree or disagree, just be sure to think about things!! More content on its way. Thank you!
We finish up Danny's platform and talk about a few things, including how important it is for folks to turn out to vote in the municipal elections on the 23rd of August. I have Covid, so please forgive my croakiness - - and make no mistake - - it's a miserable disease and I'm mighty glad I am vaccinated and boostered and I still wouldn't wish it on anyone - - and I wear a mask in public indoors still too! (Someone exposed me in my own house, so it's not that masks don't work either) Please stay safe out there! And enjoy this conversation.
Thanks for joining for this interview with Alan who calls on us to think about things differently -- more holistically, more intertwined -- enjoy and pass it on! For more information about integrated design, visit http://i2rd.co/
Welcome to a sorta free-wheeling conversation about . . . important stuff. I enjoyed myself - - hope you do! Thx for listening.
I have a few things to get off my chest. Plus I talk about the most recent HSV city council meeting. Thanks for joining in.
Have a listen to my conversation with candidate for Huntsville City Council District 2, Danny Peters. Even if you're not in District 2, you want to get to know who is on the City Council! Or who you'd like to vote for (or you'd like your friends to vote for). Hope you enjoy it!
Mayor Dean and I have another conversation, this time more along the lines of the homelessness and housing affordability crises that are barrelling down on us, and on prison reform, and maybe some of how the two are related. Thanks for tuning in!
Thanks for joining me for my semi-monthly rant about all things Huntsville and Huntsville City Council. Hope you find something here to start a conversation about. All Power to the People.
A short discussion about some of what's going on with the houseless community in HSV with Tom Moss, friend of the show and homeless advocate. Thanks for stopping by.
As mentioned - - there are, supposedly, video recordings available of these meetings at HuntsvilleAL.gov/HSVTV . Thanks for listening . . . Keep fighting!
Dexter and I talk about housing and marijuana decriminalization and the primaries and more. If you would like to contact Dexter, especially if you want to do campaigning work for the Democratic Party here in in AL, his email: dexter@aldemocrats.org Thanks for listening; keep opening minds!
I talk about Huntsville City Council meeting, D1 Townhall, and the townhall about reforming prosecution paradigms for misdemeanor marijuana possession. Plus an ee cummings poem that I found charming/intriguing. Thanks for listening.
I ramble on for a bit about what I saw taking place at County Commission and City Council on the 11th and 12th of May - - have a few laughs about the absurdity of life - - and share a pandemic poem called H1N1. Enjoy - - discuss, think, leave feedback. And thanks for listening.
Some cursory musings from yours truly about our last City Council meeting. Please, come laugh with me!
This week I had a rather far ranging conversation with Mayor Dean who is standing for the Senate seat being vacated by Shelby. We had some fun and lots of thoughts. I hope you enjoy it and please share.
Please visit naso.network to find out more about Music for Mechanics benefit for automotive free clinic in Huntsville. Otherwise enjoy my um-filled recap of the Huntsville City Council meeting of 14 Apr 2022 where I especially discuss the right? ability? to clap while in council. Thanks for listening.
We talk about the Darby case and city government's (retired and otherwise) involvement in the defense of a convicted murderer. This opens up a lot of topics of conversation and we plan to have more conversations here in the future.
We have a chat with Zac Hyden from the Automotive Free Clinic about . . . the AFC, anarchism, nature, and more! To talk to Zac try their website, https://www.automotivefreeclinic.org/ , or their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/automotivefreeclinic/ . Thanks for listening!
. . . in which we discuss the mundane business as usual goings on of HSV City Council - - except the world is (and must be) changing.
I seem to find an hour's worth of words to say about City Council meetings no matter what. I hope you find something informative . . . or amusing . . . here. Thanks for listening. "If most of us are ashamed of shabby clothes and shoddy furniture, let us be more ashamed of shabby ideas and shoddy philosophies." - Albert Einstein
I had a nice conversation with Tara about how some things work with the Madison City Council (and don't work), about what is looming large for them in Madison, and a bit of the activism that she engages in. I hope you hear something you wanted to hear. Thanks for listening.
My comments on the meeting and agenda. Please enjoy and share and let me hear from you.
A quick interview with local activist about public access to services, locations, closed captioning, and public comments during City Council meetings in Huntsville, AL. Thanks for tuning in!
I went long again. Listen to as much as you can - - an idea, a thought or consideration, a conversation started - - it's all good. These are my comments about the HSV City Council meeting for the 10th of Feb.
My notes and observations from the 27 Jan 22 Huntsville City Council meeting. Please join me. This pod went long, so listen to as much as you can stand - - look for themes of dissonance about capitalism, the definition of violence, and concerns about preservation and ecology. Excellent poem at the end if you want to skip ahead to that! Hope you'll consider having a conversation with someone about what's going on here. Thanks for listening.