Author: Scott Lyons

Following is the proposed resolution to be voted upon by the membership at our May meeting:

Resolution Supporting the National Day of Action for Medicare’s 50th Birthday

Whereas Medicare is the nation’s largest and most successful health insurance system serving the health needs of almost 50 million older and disabled Americans; and

Whereas Medicare has been the most financially efficient health care system in the United States with administrative costs averaging only 2 percent of program outlays; and

Whereas the Ryan Budget attacks Medicare; proposing to raise eligibility to age 67, and turn Medicare into a voucher program in the future; and

Whereas the Ryan Budget proposals would dramatically increase retiree health care costs for unions and City and County governments; and

Whereas July 30, 2015 will mark the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Medicare Act.

Therefore, be it resolved that the El Cerrito Democratic Club supports the “Medicare Turns 50” national campaign to celebrate the success of the Medicare program; and

Be it further resolved that the El Cerrito Democratic Club, as part of the national campaign, will educate and mobilize its members for the National Day of Action on Thursday, July 30, 2015, and will work to defend, improve, and expand Medicare as part of the fight for universal healthcare; and

Be it further resolved that the El Cerrito Democratic Club will assign a representative to attend the planning sessions of the Medicare’s 50th Birthday Coalition (M5O).

by Scott Kagawa

Request for More Letters

The goal of this program is to spread the word that the ECDC is full of passionate and active members of the community and we need your help! We had one letter published last month and we would like to double that to at least two this upcoming month.

You can write about anything you’d like, we want to show that our club is a place where great conversation and debate occurs. If you are interested or have ideas please reach out to Scott Kagawa at ecdemsmedia@gmail to discuss the process.

by Arlin Robins

Our April meeting of the El Cerrito Democratic Club was very well attended. Our current Mayor, Mark Friedman gave a presentation on the state of the city. He listed the city’s 6 main goals and how the accomplishments of the last year are helping to meet and further those goals. He touched briefly on the SPASP, the switch to MCE for electricity and the very harsh smoke limitations. The goal of a sustainable future is not yet accomplished. The city faces challenges such as a need for a new public safety building, staff vacancies, compensation and retention, vacant commercial properties, deferred maintenance on city facilities and lack of financial reserves.
The Mayor listed the upcoming opportunities for our city:

• A new Library/Community Center/Senior Center
• Ohlone Greenway improvements
• Total Remodel of the E.C. Del Norte Bart station
• Increase in the minimum wage – Supervisor John Gioia is heading the task force
• A Just Cause Eviction ordinance

Mark told us that funding from Cap & Trade will be growing and contributing to affordable housing. He also suggested that anyone interested in more information on transit oriented development should contact Rebecca Salzman.

The second presentation of the night was given by Ben Choi from Marin Clean Energy.

MCE was formed in Marin City in 2008 and began serving in 2010 (165,000 customers) It is a Not-for-Profit agency, designed to provide up to 100% renewable energy sources for our electricity. They take over procurement of the energy, providing it through PG&E’s infrastructure and billing directly. Emergency services are still handled through PG&E, but by working with MCE, we are removing demand for dirty energy sources. MCE calculated that in the 1st 4 years of service, approximately 60,000 tons of pollution was removed from the environment. This equals 2 acres per E.C. household of forest planted.

Mr. Choi explained that they answer to 17 communities, through the board of directors. Each community elects an official to act on the board.

Customers are able to choose a level of energy provided. 100% renewable is referred to as Deep Green. MCE provides Deep Green service to 365 households as of the meeting date.