Please forward to anyone in Johnson County or who cares about Johnson County….
 
Friends,
 
Seldom do we get the opportunity to do so much local good and make a difference for generations to come.

One of those opportunities will be on the November Ballot.  On the ballot will be a conservation bond initiative.  This could be the most important local environmental, conservation, recreation, and trails measure of our lifetimes.  (The great political organizer and Speaker of the House Tip O'neil once said, ” All Politics is local.”   He could have been talking about this vote. The fight for the environment and against global warming should start at home.)
 
I've included some more details below, but I'll get right to the point now.  We need help to pull this off.  It takes a super majority of 60% to pass an bonding initiative.  We know that once people read the ballot language and understand this initiative they overwhelming think this is a “no brainier”.  However, that means we have to get close to 42,000 people to flip the ballot over and vote yes.  That could be very hard in a year like this one when many people in Johnson County might be inclined to vote straight party and be finished.  We need help to get the word out about this conservation and recreation vote.
 
Here's some quick ways you can help:
 
1) Forward this email to all your friends.
 
2) Allow us to list you as a supporter.  We are planning endorsement advertisements that will list hundreds of supporters.
 
3) Allow us to put a yard sign in your yard or help us find some good locations.
 
4) Are you a member of a club, organization, or work for a local business?  We could use them as supporters also.  (A form is attached for endorsements.)
 
5) We are looking for speaking opportunities at service clubs, classes, religious groups, boards, neighborhood parties and house parties.  We even have a great power point.
 
6) Write a letter to the editor to the Press Citizen, the Gazette, the DI and/or the Solon, North Liberty or Lone Tree papers.
 
7) Walk or ride with us in the September 26 UI Homecoming Parade at 5:00 PM.  You'll get a free t-shirt.
 
8) Give us a few hours to staff a table at a local event.
 
9) Consider giving us a contribution.  Every penny will go to win this election and turn out votes.  Contributions can be made by mail or on-line at Act Blue.  Citizens for Our Land, Water and Future, PO Box 5125, Coralville, IA 52241   http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/19976
 
The conversation bond initiative will invest $20 million over the next 20 years in Johnson County for conservation, recreation and trails, and will be administered by the County Conservation Board.   This is an investment in our land, our water and our future.  For a home owner in Johnson County, this would be an investment of about $2.20 a month—or about the cost of a large soda.   According to the County treasurer, an owner of a $200,000 house would pay an additional $26.36 a year.  Farmland owners would pay approximately an additional 21 cents per acre.
 
This local investment will be leveraged with grants, donations, and other investments for a multiplying effect of 2.5 to 3 times.  That’s $50 to $60 million for water quality, timberland, habitat preservation, land conservation, recreation and trails.  With urban growth and sprawl, the opportunities to preserve unique and vital lands decrease with each year, so time is of the essence.  No land with be condemned; only willing sellers will be considered.  The plan will be flexible and developed with much citizen input, and the spending will receive annual audits.  You can download our brochure here: http://www.landwaterfuture.org

If you have any question, ideas or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me.  We would love to speak with your organization, neighborhood, class, religious groups, and your friends and family.  Please help us fill our schedule.
Please vote yes for conservation on or before November 4.

Thank you,

Janelle

Janelle Rettig, co-chair
Citizens for Our Land, Water and Future
PO Box 5125
Coralville, IA 52241
http://www.landwaterfuture.org
landwaterfuture@gmail.com
319-330-5587 cell