Welcome to my website!
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Measure Q fails to pass! Companion measures T, W and O also fail. This is a major victory for the progressive community, and I am proud to have been the first candidate to come out against it.
Green Party candidates run strong county-wide, gaining over 10% in almost every race. Leavitt earns 2,082 votes (13.2%), running ahead of all but one other Green Party candidate.
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Statement from the candidate on election results
Thank you for your support and encouragement. The results were not all I hoped for, of course, but I truly appreciate the opportunity you gave me to participate in this race. I wish to let all of my supporters know that this fight is not over - I will continue to work to ensure that the voice of the progressive community is heard inside (and outside) our City Council chambers. Keep checking back for updates on how you can ensure that your voice is heard. I will be continuing to update this site as events develop.
Save Our Schools
The Santa Cruz City School District faces a financial crisis of immense proportions - one that will very likely result in the closure of at least two schools. The decisions that we, as a community, make over the next few weeks will have a lasting and permanent impact on this city's youth, and the neighborhoods in question that stand to lose (probably permanently) their neighborhood schools. I can think of no more important local issue for the progressive community to put time and energy into than the fate of our schools, and I urge you to all become involved and educate yourselves on the issues.
To that end, I urge you to obtain and read the following documents:
- the final report of the Facilities Advisory Commission, issue on April 24th, 2002 (this did not recommend closing any schools)
- the final report of the Middle Schools Task Force (this recommended conversion of the two Junior High Schools to middle schools, and tabled by the SCCS School Board after community members expressed strong opposition at ) and
- Superintendant Roy Nelson's October 23rd, 2002 proposal to close both Junior High Schools and convert all elementary schools to K-8 (not yet acted on by the board, but vocally opposed by many members of the community)
- the presentation prepared by the staff of the Junior High schools about the achievements and historical role in the community of these institutions, this also outlines their concerns about how a K-8 would provide the services they now offer (this document can probably be obtained if you call either the school office at either Branciforte or Mission Hill Jr. High offices and ask for a referral to someone who can provide a copy).
The first three documents are available on request from the District's Central office (call 831-429-3800 to arrange to pick up a copy).
What are the alternatives to Supt. Roy Nelson's proposal? There are several on the table - one being a proposal to convert the two Junior High Schools (7th and 8th grade only) to Middle Schools (6th, 7th and 8th grade) and close two elementary schools (one on the Eastside and one on the Westside), and another being the suggestion by School Board members Mick Routh and Tim Willis that the district convert some schools to K-8 and consolidate the two Jr. High Schools into one larger Jr. High or Middle School. The economic, social and educational impacts of various proposals have yet to be presented in any but the most preliminary form, so we are still operating very much in the dark as concerned citizens.
Opportunities to voice your opinion about what should (and should not) be done, and to learn more about the alternatives:
- Wednesday, Nov. 6th, at 6 p.m. - meeting of the Board of the Santa Cruz City School District; to be held at the District Office (2931 Mission Street, off Western Drive). A group of concerned citizens who visited model K-8 schools in the Sacramento area late last month will report on their findings.
- Meeting of concerned citizens - at Mission Hill Jr. High School - Thu., Nov. 7th (call school office at 831-429-3860 to find out details).
- Tuesday, Nov. 12th, 6 to 8 p.m., public forum at DeLaveaga Elementary, where formal feedback can be given to school district board members (call school office 831-429-3807 to find out details).
- Wednesday, Nov. 13th, 6 to 8 p.m., public forum at Natural Bridges Elementary, where formal feedback can be given to school district board members (call school office at 831-429-3900 for details).
- Wednesday, Nov. 20th, at 6 p.m., School Board meeting; due to budgetary timelines, the District's Superintendant has requested that the board give direction on what should be done, so that implementation can occur at the beginning of the 2003-2004 school year.
As well, I'm sure there will be other meetings at your local schools where this will be discussed (PTA, Site Council, booster clubs, etc.). Contact your local school for information on when and where these meetings are held.
You might also wish to review the various articles the Santa Cruz Sentinel published last spring about the Middle Schools issue, and the two articles recently published about the current round of discussions. These are available on their web site via search.
My name is Thomas Leavitt, and I'm running for Santa Cruz City Council. On this site, my "virtual campaign headquarters", you can find out why I'm running, see where I stand on various issues, volunteer to help, endorse me as a candidate, and even donate funds. I welcome any and all comments to: thomas@thomasleavitt.org. I'm committed to being accessible, so please don't be shy about emailing me!
Leavitt Campaign in the News:
- October 21st, 2002 - Santa Cruz Sentinel: Candidates take jabs at council - read the sidebar; it says a lot more about my campaign and the themes I'm running on than the news article.
- October 16th, 2002 - Metro Santa Cruz:Cover article: The Contenders - I'm pictured, second from left on cover. I also have a letter to the editor (not available on line) in this issue, addressing why the Green Party of Santa Cruz endorsed me, and did not endorse Tim Fitzmaurice.
- October 9th, 2002 - Santa Cruz Good Times: Appearance at the UCSC Peace Rally on October 7th mentioned in the "Loose Scruz" column.
- October 9th, 2002 - Metro Santa Cruz: Nüz: A Tale of Two Taxes - comments on Measure Q
- October 9th, 2002 - Santa Cruz Sentinel - Letter to the Editor: Include Camejo in debates
- October 4th, 2002 - Santa Cruz Sentinel: Council candidates square off at forum, By DAN WHITE
Press Releases, October 6th, 2002:
Broadening the Dialogue - building a positive vision for the future of this city, and the civic institutions to make that possible. (10/6/2002)
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE SANTA CRUZ COMMUNITY - on selective enforcement by police against the Downtown For All rally/political protest. (10/4/2002)
PRESS RELEASE: Revitalize Grassroots Politics in Santa Cruz: Attend SCAN Annual Meeting on October 10th Santa Cruz City Council Candidate Thomas Leavitt Calls Upon Progressive Community to Turn Out For Annual Meeting Of County's Premier Progressive Political Organization (9/26/2002)
Vote No on Measure Q: No Special Set Asides for Major Corporations (September, 2002)
Track the campaign's progress on a daily basis - get the inside view through my daily Campaign Web Log, you can even comment on my musings if you wish, or leave me feedback. Also, check the campaign calendar for events the candidate will be appearing at. You can also join the discussion on the campaign web board - initial threads are "The Progressive Agenda", "The Queer Agenda" and "News of the Day".
From my ballot statement:
I promise to stay true to the policies and principles which I profess during my campaign. I promise to cut the "military budget" and prioritize funding for social services; to not endorse or accept policies which target the poor and oppressed for harassment and
criminalization; to loudly and passionately dissent from the passage of hypocritical and unjust laws; and to push for positive change that empowers and engages all sectors of the community, not just the rich and powerful.
Recent Appearances
- October 2nd, 2002: Candidate Thomas Leavitt views the SolTrain (solar powered train) with fellow Green Party candidates Peter Camejo (Governor) and Jo Chamberlian (17th Assembly District). This happened after attending the reception/fundraiser for Camejo at the Compassion Flower Inn.
- October 2nd, 2002: Candidate Thomas Leavitt speaks at Green Party rally for Peter Camejo at Louden Nelson.
- <October 3rd, 2002: Candidate Thomas Leavitt attends Labor Solidarity Noontime Rally in front of UCSC's McHenry library (as he did last month).
- October 3rd, 2002: Candidate Thomas Leavitt attends Health Care for All candidate forum in Capitola.
- October 6th, 2002: Candidate Thomas Leavitt hosts campaign party at 1135 N. Branciforte.
- October 7th, 2002: Candidate appears at UCSC Anti-War Mass Rally in front of McHenry Library at noon.
- October 7th, 2002: Candidate appears at Parks and Recreation meeting at 4 p.m. to speak at public hearing on the disappearance of benches from Downtown Santa Cruz.
- October 7th, 2002: Candidate attends "Public Hearing on the FTAA (Free Trade Area of the Americas)", at 7 p.m. at Louden Nelson, sponsored by the Resource Center for Non-Violence.
- October 8th, 2002: Candidate attends Santa Cruz Youth Coalition meeting, at 5 p.m., at the Resource Center for Non-Violence.
- October 8th, 2002: Candidate attends Nader/Camejo Super Rally in Berkeley, at 8 p.m.
- October 9th, 2002: Candidate attends Santa Cruz Green Party Steering Working Group meeting at the RCNV, at 8 p.m.
- October 10th, 2002: Candidate attends Santa Cruz Action Network Annual Meeting at Louden Nelson, at 6 p.m.
- October 10th, 2002: Candidate attends Voices From the Village Candidate Forum broadcast live on CityTV from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. (will be re-broadcast)
- October 11th, 2002: Candidate attends Second Harvest Distribution Center Tour led by Speaker Pro Tem Fred Keeley, at 11:30 a.m.
- October 11th, 2002: Candidate attends Peace Rally at Ocean and Water, at 5 p.m.
- October 11th, 2002: Candidate attends and speaks at 2nd Annual Trans/Coming Out Day March, at 6 p.m., and reception following at the Diversity Center.
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