The old saying goes, "You can't fight City Hall." The
Cincinnati GreenGroup, an informal network of citizens concerned about the local environment, didn't get that memo when they formed late last year.
When word came that Cincinnati budget cuts could impact the environment
in non-too-healthy ways, the grassroots organization took shape almost
overnight in an effort to fight back.
"We had a crisis meeting and 40 people showed up," says Melissa English, of
Ohio Citizen Action.
"We put together a framework very quickly. In a very short time, we
able to express to our leaders how important environmental issues are."
At first, members saw a chance to expand curbside recycling in the city,
a relatively simple issue with much support. Enough City Council
members voted to enhance recycle program. Today, after adding 90,000
more bins, 70 percent of residents in the city of Cincinnati now
recycle, whereas 40 percent did before.
"We have a great resource," English says of The Green Group. "We're
using this tool to create a coherent environmental movement in
Cincinnati."
Perhaps the most pressing budget concern now revolves around the fate of the city's
Office of Environmental Quality,
one of the proposed cuts in the proposed city budget. The Green Group
updates supporters with social media updates and calls for clarity and
high meeting attendance levels.
The organization is now using their clout to effect change again.
Members host a forum on environmental issues for incumbent and potential
city council members called
"Greening Cincinnati -- A Candidates Forum" October 12 at the Northside Tavern. The goal is keep council members' thoughts focused on the environment.
The forum is designed to let candidates know that environmental issues
are important to Cincinnatians, and to make them consider environmental
concerns when balancing the budget.
Among these issues are improvements in public transportation, pedestrian
walkways, bike transit and electric aggregation -- a method by which
large cities become one big client of an electric utility rather than
citizens branching out on their own, thereby decreasing everyone's
utility bill.
"When you get a bunch of people together, you get a hell of a lot better deal," English says.
Do Good:
Participate. Come to the forum. You can contribute relevant discussion questions by
submitting them in advance.
Save. Help The Green Group save the Office of Environmental Quality. For more info, contact Melissa English, 513-221-2100.
Like. "Like" The Green Group on
Facebook.
By Ryan McLendon
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