Mullumbimby Community Action Network

Originally published 11Jul2013

mullum-zine

KIDZART Fri - LIBRARY FUNDING - NVDA wshop Sat

Newsletter 126
11 July 2013

Greetings

KIDZARTSPACE TOMORROW – LIBRARY FUNDING – NON VIOLENT DIRECT ACTION WORKSHOP SAT 13 JULY


KIDZART: What do you love and want to protect in the Shire? Creative artspace will be at the Mullum Farmers Market tomorrow, with materials, for kids and adults to make a picture or banner to send a message to government about what you want to protect from CSG. All welcome, esp the inner child.
Another creative artspace (and exhibition) will be at the Byron Bay Declaration Day on Sunday 21 July. Alternatively artworks can be left at Santos.


LIBRARY FUNDING UNDER THREAT
This message from Diane Hart:
If you value public libraries as much as I do you may be alarmed to
find out that funding and services to the Shire's libraries are
currently under threat.

What exactly is proposed?: Brunswick Heads Library to close on
Saturday mornings, the new library in Byron to close on Thursday
evenings, reduced hours for staff across the board, no acquisitions
for a year and a reductions in programs - and that's just the start of
it.

A heartfelt plea from a local Brunswick Head resident delayed a vote
on these proposals at the last Council meeting - we all now have a
short time to act. WRITE TO ALL THE COUNCILLORS IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF

WEEKS AND TELL THEM WHY PUBLIC LIBRARIES ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU (their
details are available on the Council website)

It has been expressed to me that there are ways of revenue raising
within the library that are not being considered: charging for colour
copying, charging travellers for using wi-fi - do you have any ideas?

Some of you have already emailed our Councillors and I would like to show you a reply that was received from Cr. Alan Hunter to give you an idea of what we are up against:

The problem is our libraries are costing us (Byron ratepayers) $1.6 million each year. Imagine how many more pot holes that would fix or busses that could help with fixing public transport.
There is very little opportunity to charge enough for services like the wifi to cover that loss.
If we don't find solutions to Council's fiscal problem (we are loosing a total of $12 million each year) we will surely be amalgamated with either Lismore, Tweed or Ballina and our library will most likely be located there.
One solution might be to establish an online system that allows all the books to be distributed from a central warehouse servicing all the shires in the northern rivers.
I am keen to consider any suggestion
Cheers Alan

I find this response from Cr. Hunter truly jaw dropping. What do you think?

I know that the money has to be raised to fund the libraries so let's see if we can't be just a little more creative than Cr. Hunter.


TWO THINGS YOU CAN DO:

1. Write to all the Councillors - a hard copy letter carries more weight than an email (but an email is better than nothing at all). THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.
2. Get on the Richmond Tweed Regional Library Facebook Page and give them a 'like' and leave a comment.

Diane Hart http://growfoodslowfood.blogspot.com.au/


NON VIOLENT DIRECT ACTION WORKSHOP

STOKES SIDING – SAT 13 JULY
Please spread the word about this fantastic workshop on Non Violent Direct Action on Saturday July 13th.
It is imperative for anyone attending a rally, protest or blockade.
We really need to know numbers, so if you are planning to attend, please book: see below.

Come at 11:30 to catch up with friends over a meal at Stokers Siding Hall (near Uki) before the training starts about 12:30. (workshop will finish around 4pm)
Peaceful (Non Violent) Direct Action workshop 13th July 2013 at Stokers Siding.
Everyone in the Northern Rivers concerned with protecting our region from greedy exploitation will benefit from the training session being offered by Northern Rivers Guardians on 13th July. Yes, that does conflict with the end of direct action at Tara which features some celebrity supporters, but enough people will be unable to make the trip to Queensland"s Western Downs who can come to this more local event. Daniele and I will go to Tara, but will return in time for the Saturday workshop.
Why is this so important? We have noticed that our actions have been most effective (and peaceful) when at least some of the participants have done the training. When police know that protectors will be non-violent they have no reason/ excuse to be heavy handed with the public. We have been able to maintain our strategy of peaceful actions to raise awareness of the issues and this increases our media profile in a good way and puts pressure on the politicians to do the right thing. We are winning this and want to keep up the good work. The struggle isn"t over !
Issues change and so do techniques. Each action has unique features and the political/ legal situation is constantly changing, so even those of us who have done NVDA training in the past will benefit from this workshop. Also we will take this chance to socialise with some of the world"s best people: we will learn from each other. Our movement is not only serious and useful it is also creative and fun. Learn how to be safe while also being effective. Additional incentive : skills you learn will be useful in all aspects of your life.
Come at 11:30 to catch up with friends over a meal at Stokers Siding Hall (near Uki) before the training starts about 12:30.

Maria and Rainer have worked hard to find a date which suits our fantastic presenters Simon Clough and Aidan Ricketts. These opportunities are rare and we ask for people to book early. Aidan Ricketts is with the Law faculty at Southern Cross Uni and author of The Activist's Handbook http://http://(www.aidanricketts.com. ) Simon Clough, who chairs regional meetings of the Lock The Gate Alliance is a Lismore Shire Councillor and Deputy Mayor.
Booking essential, numbers limited, only $10/$5 concession. You can book via:
NRG website: http://www.northernriversguardians.org
and at these shops: Lizard Lounge (Uki), Fresh Wholefoods (Murwillumbah), Happy High Herbs (Nimbin)
Enquiries please contact:
Sharon Boyd Ph: 02 66793209, Mob. 0412 192033
Barb Tyler Mob. 0478 229900







for more csg inf:
http://
http://
http://
www.csgfreenorthernrivers.org/
• http://coalseamgasnews.org/
• http://www.keerronggassquad.org/
• http://www.gasileaks.com/
• http://lockthegate.org.au/
• http://www.stoppilligacoalseamgas.com.au/
• http://www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/coal-mining-and-coal-seam-gas
• http://www.abc.net.au/news/specials/coal-seam-gas-by-the-numbers/
• http://stop-csg-illawarra.org/
• http://www.ccag.org.au/
• http://bimblebox.org/
• http://ntn.org.au/
• http://www.facebook.com/