From: Mountain View Telegraph
Thursday, November 2, 2006
Guest View: Vote for Principles, Not the Party
By Margarita Hibbs
Nearly two months ago I was asked to become involved in a new organization, My Rural America, and I enthusiastically said yes. The whole concept of "common ground, common sense" appealed... [ more ]
FOR RELEASE:
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 Contact: Keith Dinsmore (573-230-5360)
New Advocacy Group Seeks to Mobilize Rural Americans
WASHINGTON, D. C. – Rural voters have a new advocate to help them “share in the American promise,” the founders of a new non-partisan educational organization announced today.
My Rural America, which will work for policies that benefit rural Americans, is dedicated to improving the quality of life in rural communities, co-founders Barbara Leach and Debra Kozikowski said today.
Citing the populist views of the late William Jennings Bryan, Barbara M. Leach, president, and Kozikowski, vice president, said, “We share his view that people who work hard and contribute to our nation's wealth deserve the right to share in its prosperity. It's important to know how elected representatives in Washington vote when it comes to serving the unique interests of the nearly 60 million people who live in rural America .”
Leach is an Iowa native and farm activist who served in the Clinton administration in both the Departments of Agriculture and Transportation. Leach, who has also held senior positions in several trade organizations in Washington, said the new group will also inform rural Americans how their elected officials represent their interests in the nation's capital.
“We want to help their hometown newspapers and local radio stations that don't have reporters in Washington understand how public policies impact their communities.” Leach pointed out that much of the news that reaches rural America is “actually in the form of one-sided views from politicians or partisan rants emanating from the airwaves. We want to change that.”
Kozikowski has been an educator, small business owner, and writer in western Massachusetts . In addition to building an on-line community through its website, www.myruralamerica.org , Kozikowski said My Rural America will identify and organize local leaders in rural areas to become engaged in public policy issues in their communities.
My Rural America will use modern communication and organizing techniques to mobilize rural Americans, Kozikowski said, “to provide vital support for policy initiatives that protect the health and economic needs of the people who plant, grow, and harvest our nation's food supply.”
Dan Lucas, an experienced field organizer who is vice president for operations, said the organization already has selected rural leadership coordinators in North Carolina , New Mexico , Wyoming , and New Hampshire . “Ultimately, we look forward to working with progressive community leaders in every state to increase the civic engagement of rural citizens and provide opportunities to make their voices heard,” Lucas said.
In addition to providing useful information about rural issues and public policy, Leach said the website will highlight the efforts of rural leaders and include such features as a daily inspirational message, favorite recipes, business tips, and a children's corner. “We want to create and nurture an interactive community of people who share similar aspirations for their families and for America ,” she said. |
