The YES Foundation has a clear Vision Statement: "Every child in the Ross Valley School District (RVSD) will have access to a complete education that includes meaningful and sustained exposure to the arts and other vibrant educational programs as an essential part of the student’s school experience." We request that the YES Foundation clarify its commitment to remain focused and fully committed to its longstanding mission of addressing the educational needs of the students of the Ross Valley School District. We further request that the YES Foundation state that any charter or other non-RVSD schools operating within the territory of the district will remain outside of the mandate of YES. We recognize that the formation of the Ross Valley Charter (RVC) may impact the YES budget. We recognize that YES is concerned with losing the support of Charter families. The Yes Foundation, along with parent and business donors, must work in earnest to raise additional funds to offset the impact of the RVC. Our full focus needs to be on ensuring that the YES Foundation programs for the students of the RVSD are uninterrupted and fully funded for this year, for 2017-2018, and beyond. We appreciate that RVC will want to offer a diverse curriculum to its students. We understand that the Charter will continue the independent fundraising efforts that have already begun. However, we need to accept that the Ross Valley Charter is not one of our District Schools, it is not a party to the Round Table Agreement, and it does not share overages with the RVSD schools. The Charter's programs are outside of the scope of the RVSD, and thus outside of the scope of the YES Foundation. We further urge the YES Foundation to ensure the YES Board is comprised of members of our community who support the students of the RVSD. The prospective RVC students comprise 5-10% of the children enrolled in RVSD this year. YES Board should accurately reflect the demographics of the district in order to serve as an objective steward of our funds. We ask the YES Foundation to affirm their full and unwavering commitment to the students of the Ross Valley School District at the next YES Foundation board meeting on January 18, 2017.

The US Postal Service is guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States in Article 1, Clause 8, Section 7. We challenge The President of the United States of America and the full body of Congress to protect and enhance growth opportunities for the US Postal Service. 1. We support opening mail processing plants that have been closed in recent years. The USA needs more cities postmarking and processing mail. 2. Service standards for delivering mail are just too slow. We support returning mail service standards to levels before July 2012. 3. We support better staffing at retail counters in the post office. In many places the lines are way too long and revenue opportunities would improve by hiring more retail clerks. 4. We support offering new services at the post office counter to expand the opportunity to grow revenue. Some of these pilot programs could involve State and Local government to sell fishing and hunting licenses. The post office could also offer services to pay municipal traffic fines. Many postal customers ask postal clerks where they can get a fax sent or a document notarized. These services could be offered as well. Once these services are in place the addition of postal banking could be added. 5. We support expanding retail hours in suburban and rural post offices. 6. We support improving the maintenance of facilities in the post office. Many post offices need upgrades to heating and cooling systems creating a safety hazard for both employees and customers. This must be changed. 7. We support the repeal of HR 6407 the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act. The Congressional Bill that requires the post office to prefund retiree healthcare benefits 75 years in advance. It also defines how a postal facility is to be closed. 8. We vehemently oppose any legislation that moves postal retirees into Medicare as a primary insurer. With the pre-funding of retiree healthcare benefits over the course of the last decade there is no reason to move postal retirees into Medicare. How many times do postal retirees have to pay for their health insurance?

If fracking is permitted in NY State, it must be safe and innocuous. Therefore the following conditions MUST be attached to any permitting legislation: 1. Fracking must be permitted in ANY community that does not ban it. No exceptions for specific watersheds since it will be deemed safe. 2. Before and after studies of water quality must be conducted by an independent entity, and fully paid for by the Fracking company, before fracking is initiated. The spacing and frequency of testing must be established by environmental regulation. 3. Home Owner's insurance companies authorized to do business in NY State must provide insurance for any damage caused by fracking, including degraded well water quality. Any increase in premiums should be paid for by a NY State fund, which is financed by a fee imposed upon fracking companies. 4. Any waste water from the fracking process must be processed by the fracking company to remove ALL contaminants, so that it is suitable for drinking water. An EPA approved site must be used for the remaining contaminants, if they cannot be recycled. This must be done under auspices of NY State on site inspection, paid for by the fracking company. 5. Insurance must be purchased by the fracking company to cover the cost of restoration of any aquifer or watershed, if contaminated. The ability of the insurance company to cover any losses must by established by the office of the NY State Comptroller. 6. The introduction of noise and light to rural areas must not be permitted. 7. The fracking companies must establish a fund to fully repair or upgrade roads and highways, as many are not designed for heavy truck loads. 8. The fracking companies must provide full transparency of all their records and processes, including full disclosure of chemicals introduced as well as present in waste water. 9 Methane leakage must be limited. It should be noted that the greenhouse gas impact matches that of coal if only 4% of the gas retrieved leaks. 10. Before and after measurements of air quality must be recorded at sites in the vicinity of fracking wells. 11. Provisions must be published for unexpected infrequent events, such as for example, earthquakes and terrorist attacks that can damage the integrity of wells and casings.

Julia Ansel, (a licensed fiduciary), and the newly appointed Chief of the California Dept. of Consumer Affairs Professional Fiduciaries Bureau claims that the Fiduciaries Bureau has no legal authority for force a licensed fiduciary in California to provide reasonable and necessary needs to the vulnerable clients of guardians, conservators, trustees, and power of attorney holders, thereby denying vulnerable California consumers consumer protection mandated by California Senate Bill (SB) 1550 2006 ch. 491, Business & Professions Code § 6516, which states as follows: “Protection of the public shall be the highest priority for the bureau in exercising its licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary functions. Whenever the protection of the public is inconsistent with other interests sought to be promoted, the protection of the public shall be paramount.” On August 1, 2013, The California Dept. of Consumer Affairs Professional Fiduciaries Bureau released an internal survey at http://www.fiduciary.ca.gov/about_us/20130801_sps_materials.pd, at attachment #1, page 6, which states the following: • (1) There is not enough staff to work complaints timely and do proactive audits; • (2) Increasingly complex investigations demonstrate the need In the future for a permanent Investigator; • (3) When implementing enforcement, sometimes there are cases when the investigator cannot locate the licensee; • (4) Need to Increase the budget for enforcement; • (5) The Bureau lacks the funds to run a meaningful enforcement program. In essence, the Calif. Dept. of Consumer Affairs admits to be LACKING THE FUNDS TO RUN A MEANINGFUL CONSUMER PROTECTION ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM. Which, in the proponent’s opinion, and experience, is total contradiction of the Governor’s signing message at http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/sb_1550_signing_message.pdf, which states as follows: “I am signing Senate Bill 1550 because I believe that it is important to protect California’s vulnerable population from the financial abuse of unscrupulous professional fiduciaries that seek to do intentional harm.” Without further stricter authority to hold licensed guardians, conservators, trustees, and agents of power of attorney, we as proponents of this petition believe that there will continue to be ongoing physical, emotional, and financial abuse of the State of California’s frail, disabled, and elderly consumer of licensed guardians, conservators, trustees, and agents of power of attorney.

Since the inception of Senate Bill 423 on July 1, 2011 Montana medical cannabis patients and providers have been placed under severe oppression regarding their health care decisions. In June and July 2011, the unemployment rate went up 2 points in each respective month when over approximately 950 Agricultural workers were released from their employment from dispensaries each month. These legitimate businesses had been shut down by the oppressive law, causing a financial burden to the state of Montana estimated to be at over 9 million dollars a year for each month totaling approximately a 18 million dollar unemployment debt. Medical Cannabis Patients have been relegated to the streets and black market to find medicine, a very life threatening prospect for those with compromised immune systems needing quality, organic medicine. Many Montana patients have died, suffering needlessly, with lack of access to medical cannabis. The prohibitive nature of the law itself sets up anybody who participates under the current law for prosecution, as the law was designed to increase crime, rather than help the sick and infirm. Facts were completely ignored, and medical professionals denounced during the 2011 session. Lawmakers took medicine into their own hands. Please - sign and share this petition. Help to expose the crimes that occurred during the 62nd Montana Legislative Session. Show them what the Code of the West is REALLY all about. They legislated it, and in no way practiced what they preached. Code of the West Here's the 10-point cowboy code from Ten Principles To Live By 1 Live each day with courage 2 Take pride in your work 3 Always finish what you start 4 Do what has to be done 5 Be tough, but fair 6 When you make a promise, keep it 7 Ride for the brand 8 Talk less and say more 9 Remember that some things aren't for sale 10 Know where to draw the line Senate Bill 216 - Montana's 62nd Session in 2011 - Sponsored by Senator Peterson

Dear Mayor Emanuel: Over the winter, Mr. Maina Kiai, a UN Human Rights Special Rapporteur, provided guidance on protecting the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly. The purpose of this petition is to garner your assurance that his guidance will be incorporated into city procedures and training before protests grow larger this Spring. Interference with peaceful protests in cities across America has been well documented over the past year. Our intent here is not to rehash those incidents, but to focus forward. Chicago has an opportunity to demonstrate to the world that the city is a leader of American democracy and freedom by adopting SR Kiai’s guidance before the world turns its attention to the NATO conference. We encourage you to invite SR Kiai to observe demonstrations during the NATO summit, so your leadership in protecting peaceful protesters can help others in their struggle for freedom.4, 5 We respectfully request information on your plans to ensure the following guidance from SR Kiai is implemented: Government WILL NOT: o Allow minor rules, like curfew, to interfere with the right to peaceful protest o Require permits with time leads that prohibit spontaneous protest o Ban locations from protests (allowed in city center and the streets) o Set unreasonable limits on distance from buildings (allow for safe in/egress) o Set conditions on media coverage of public gatherings o Restrict protester citizenship or age Police force WILL: o PROTECT protesters o Allow reasonable time for protesters to comply with their orders, like dispersal o NOT use excessive force o NOT retaliate against protesters who are arrested Justice system WILL: o Presume protesters are innocent until proven guilty o Ensure protesters have equal access to justice o NOT convict protesters solely on the basis of police testimony o Set consequences proportional to the offense (no excessive fines or confinement) We look forward to learning about your plans, and how we can assist you, to protect people, property, and the right to peaceful protest. Sincerely yours, First Amendment Freedom Chicago

CONCERNING MILITARY BUDGET AND THE COMMON GOOD WHEREAS, the United States has been involved in war during the last century: 1. WW1 (1917-1918) 2. WW2 (1941-1945) 3. Korean War (1950-1953) 4. Vietnam War (1961-1975) 5. Operation Urgent Fury-Grenada (1983) 6. Operation Just Cause-Panama (1989) 7. Operation Desert Storm-Iraq (January/February 1991) 8. Operation Restore Hope-Somalia (1993) 9. Operations in Europe-Kosovo/Bosnia (1995) 10. Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan (2001-present) 11. Operation Iraqi Freedom-Iraq (2003-present): and WHEREAS, the current circumstances demonstrate that a majority of US Citizens support a military budget that consumes almost half of the entire annual US budget: and WHEREAS, U.S. military spending is 46% of the total spent by the 30 biggest spenders. China spends 8%, and the next 28 biggest spenders spend the other 46%; and WHEREAS, In spite of the recession, major military contractors have realized substantial – even excessive – profits throughout the last decade. Stock prices of major military contractors more than doubled during this period: and WHEREAS, better accounting methods and competitive bidding could save billions of taxpayer dollars: and WHEREAS, many US citizens view the US as responsible for keeping safe and open the markets of the world for our corporations: and WHEREAS, people of good will have historically advocated for peace through justice: and WHEREAS, we as citizens of the United States believe that the military budget should be reduced 50% and the other 50% committed to building the infrastructure of the nation, education, health care, job creation, and environmental healing: and THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED we petition the President, Congress and the military to reduce the military budget by half, close the overseas bases and stop acting as policemen of the world. THEREFORE, LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED we call upon the President, Congress and people of good will to provide leadership that will challenge the citizens of the United States to actions leading to the wellbeing of all people.

The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18-year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971 . . . before computer, before e-mail, before cell phones, etc. Of the 27 amendments to the constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land . . . all because of public pressure. This is one idea that really should be passed around. Congressional Reform Act of 2013 1. Term Limits 8 years max, some possible options are below. A. Two four-year Senate terms B. Four Two-year House terms C. One Four-year Senate term and Two- Two-Year House terms 2. No Tenure / No Pension Members of Congress receive a salary while in office, that salary ends when they leave office. 3. Congress members (past, present & future) are to participate in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with all Americans. 4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do. 5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%. 6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people. 7. Members of Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people. 8. All contracts with past and present members of Congress are void effective 08/01/2013 The American people did not make the contract members of Congress enjoy, Congress made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work. Maybe it is time. More now then ever before! THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS ! ! ! ! !

Your Honor The community and neighbors of Long Island City, kindly ask for you to uphold the RENT STABILIZED Status of our beloved neighbor and friend Rose Kynast. She is a pillar of our community. She has been a friend and surrogate mother to so many neighbors in our community. Selfless, kind, and charitable, Rose is a legend among us. She has helped so many of us in our times of struggle and misfortune. Famous for being a friend to all the stray animals of Long lsland City, Rose has dedicated her life and resources to feeding the homeless and offering assistance to those in need. She has been a beacon of hope to all of us for almost 50 years. Now in the twilight of her life, when she is the one who needs assistance, we ask kindly to help repay her with the respect and dignity she has given all of us. Rose has been duped out of her rent stabilized apartment because she trusted a person who pretended to have good intentions. In her elderly years, she was moved to another unit in the adjacent building under the ruse her apartment needed repair, her home of 30 years and she was never allowed back. Now, her beloved Landlord and friend has died and new ownership is attempting to evict her. She lived at 10-41 48th avenue #5 for over 30 years. She was unscrupulously relocated to 10-43 48th ave #1 in 2006. Under the agreement ( WITNESSED BY MANY) she would return to her legal apartment when the supposed essential work was completed. THIS NEVER HAPPENED. An elderly person with no legal counsel was tricked into living in a different unit under a nefarious plan to renovate her apartment and raise the rent. Your Honor, We the People OF Long Island City ask you to uphold the rights of the elderly and to protect Rose Kynast from Eviction. She has the entire community by her side to help her in her final years. Final years that should afford her grace and dignity.

  Every year thousands of Alabama families are investigated or torn apart by DHR based on false, anonymous, or vindictive reports. Under Alabama’s current system, anyone can call DHR and accuse a parent—with no proof, no name, and no accountability. Too often these reports are made out of anger or revenge, and instead of protecting children, they cause trauma and destruction.  Children are being removed from safe, loving homes because of misunderstood drug tests, poverty, or simple mistakes—not because they were in danger.  In 2024 alone, Alabama DHR investigated over 38,000 children and kept nearly 6,000 in foster care. DHR’s own numbers show that more than 70% of those children were eventually sent back home, proving that most of these removals could have been prevented.  We, the undersigned, call on the Alabama Legislature to reform DHR laws to protect both children and families by:  1. Requiring accountability for reports — stop fully anonymous calls and record all hotline reports. 2. Protecting parental rights — ensure parents are told their rights at the start of every DHR case. 3. Preventing needless removals — require DHR to provide real proof of danger before taking a child, and document every “reasonable effort” to keep families together. 4. Clarifying substance-use laws — a positive hair follicle or drug test alone cannot justify removing a child. The law already states children can only be taken if they’re in imminent danger and parents are unable to care for them. 5. Creating an independent Family Rights Oversight Board — to review DHR actions, handle complaints, and ensure fairness. Alabama parents are not asking to avoid responsibility — we’re asking for fairness, truth, and compassion.  A system meant to protect children should not be used as a weapon to hurt families.   We urge the Alabama Legislature to pass a DHR Reform Bill modeled after Texas House Bill 63 to ensure every call, every investigation, and every removal follows the law and respects family rights.