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The Georgist News
January, 6 1999 Volume 2, Issue 1

Pre-Millennial Post-Holiday New Year greetings to all! (How many chances does a person get to say that?!)

We think the Georgist Movement will find some truly delightful gifts in this package of The Georgist News, so go ahead...open it up!

Yours Always,
Adam Jon Monroe, Jr.
Editor, The Georgist News
GNSreport@aol.com

PS
A supplemental grant and encouragement for The Georgist News from The Robert Schalkenbach Foundation are gratefully acknowledged.  (Appreciative readers could, please, let them know!)

The Robert Schalkenbach Foundation:
http://www.progress.org/books
149 Madison Avenue  #601
New York, NY  10016-6713
Tel: 212-683-6424
Fax: 212-683-6454
E-mail: Schalkenba@aol.com

RECENT EVENTS

Scranton, PA - A long and hard fought battle for land reform in Pennsylvania is victorious! Less than one week after passage by the State Legislature (198-2), Governor Tom Ridge, on November 24, signed into law a bill to expand the ability of localities to shift taxes from improvements to land value. As reported in GN #11, while around 50 of Pennsylvania's largest cities have enjoyed this option for several decades, smaller ones were saddled with a property tax system that encouraged urban sprawl, centralized land ownership and increased poverty. But no more, thanks, in large part to you!

(Note: The 1997-98 Legislative Session officially ended at midnight, Nov. 30. Had Gov. Ridge waited just 6 days, the law would have had to start all over and be reintroduced in the 1999 Legislative Session!)

Here is an overview from a Pennsylvania resident and one of the world's most successful Georgist activists, Dan Sullivan, on some of the wonderful possibilities this development creates:

There are more than 1,000 boroughs in Pennsylvania, with populations ranging from just over 100 to almost 31,000. A few boroughs have been actively lobbying for the land value tax option, and will undoubtedly make shifts in that direction. Meanwhile, we will probably pursue big shifts in the smallest boroughs, and small shifts in the biggest boroughs.

I am particularly interested in taking land value tax to boroughs that adjoin Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Landed interests in those cities have resisted land value tax through various means, even though city council members see the sense of the measure. If LVT boroughs around the cities start attracting development out from the cities, the cities themselves will have to adopt the tax shift in self-defense!

Meanwhile, boroughs are much more approachable than cities, because they are too small for the big-time corporate interests to bother with. For example, Allegheny County's smallest borough, Haysville, has a 1990 Census population of 101 and sports 31 registered voters. It is one of the poorest communities in the county, and will be ripe for the picking now that the Governor has signed this bill.

Reference, contact and related information:

The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs will hold their Annual Conference March 21-23 in Grantville, PA. Some of our Keystone State powerhouses have acknowledged they'll be attending the Boroughs Convention as well as numerous preceding gatherings to promote among Borough Representatives the excellent possibilities now available for their communities. Send your ideas and support to:

Dan Sullivan: pimann@pobox.com
Alanna Hartzok: earthrts@pa.net
Josh Vincent: hgeorge@smartnet.net

Send your gratitude and congratulations to Governor Ridge: http://www.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Governor/govmail.html

Tom Ridge
225 Main Capitol
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120
(717) 787-2500

(Editor's Note: Gov. Ridge has, so far, sided with prosecutors in the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal, the famed journalist charged with murder of a Philadelphia policeman. Many believe a new trial is warranted. Mumia Abu-Jamal now appears to be facing execution.)

The New Jersey Legislature is now considering a Constitutional Amendment allowing local jurisdictions to shift their property tax ratios from buildings to land. After debate on Bill ACR-145 in several meetings of the Local Government Committee (comprised of State Tax Department officials and various assessors), Representative Michael Arnone, sponsor of the proposed legislation, presided over a well attended press conference.

Aside from Arnone himself and other supporters, three extremely knowledgeable and well spoken Georgist activists, Ted Gwartney, Josh Vincent and Prof. Drew Harris led a skillful discussion demonstrating for reporters and nervous politicians the overpowering logic of shifting taxes from improvements to land values. The result of the committee vote, by the way, was unanimous! The proposed State Constitutional Amendment now goes to the full Legislature.

Unexpectedly, the press, so far, has not completely blacked out the story. New Jersey's major newspaper quoted Atlantic City's Mayor Whelan as saying the reason for wanting this change is that the current form of property tax was "made in hell," raising taxes on people who improve and maintain their buildings, while giving tax breaks for those who let their properties run down or remain vacant. Their article also mentioned the 16 Pennsylvania cities now utilizing the tax shift (with favorable results) and quoted Josh Vincent (Center for the Study of Economics), Arnone's main consultant.

Thanks mostly to the Henry George Foundation of America (incidentally, one of our movement's needier groups right now), the state of Virginia also, this year, approved the approach -- as in New Jersey, though, state law would have to be changed to allow local jurisdictions control over building-to-land tax ratios. Happily, that seems likely and Fairfax is expected to be the first city to move on it!

Other area states, such as Maryland, already have state laws that allow local jurisdictions to choose that ratio, and at least four cities in Maryland are currently looking into shifting to land value taxation. Is it the East Coast's turn to lead in national reform?

Reference, contact and related information:

Read Rep. Arnone's proposed Constitutional Amendment here: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/9899/Bills/acr/145_r1.htm

A detailed report on the Virginia story is available in the latest issue of Incentive Taxation, put out by the Center for the Study of Economics (the offices of which are right next to those of the HGFA). Get a copy!

Center for the Study of Economics:
http://www.smart.net/~hgeorge
2000 Century Plaza # 238 - (HGFA - #237)
Columbia, MD 21044-3210
Tel: 410-740-1177
E-mail: HGeorge@Smartnet.Net

Democratic Freedom Caucus: http://www.progress.org/dfc

"Scotland: the Georgist Front-line in Western Europe"

It was in the manifesto of the Labour Party to initiate land reform and devolution (political decentralization) in Scotland and to their credit they are doing both. They probably didn't reckon on land tax as part of that reform, nor that parties supporting land tax (Nationalists and Liberal Democrats) would, between them, have a majority in opinion polls six months before the first election to the Scottish Parliament!

The Land Reform Policy Group (LRPG) of Labour's Scottish Office has produced two consultation papers this year. Meanwhile, a group called Land Reform Scotland (LRS) has activated several hundred supporters around a range of issues, including land tax. Also, Robin Callander and others have initiated the Land Reform Convention, a standing body of non-party opinion formers, run by a committee of whom a quarter are Georgists and in which LRS will be participating.

The Robert Schalkenbach Foundation has supported LRS so far with a grant and has given HGF money to help market Land and Liberty in Scotland. Now HGF has agreed to give a further $18,000 to LRS over the next year, but they could use all the money they can get; LRS' young Director, Peter Gibb, has given up his architectural practice to make LVT for Scotland his mission. To help LRS, HGF has also launched the "Ogilvie Fund," named for the 18th Century Scot, William Ogilvie, whose writings on land tax were suppressed during his lifetime. In about one year, the Scottish Parliament will be ready to produce its first legislative proposals.

Next year, the LRPG will become Scotland's first land reform administrators. Unfortunately, their second paper said of LVT, "Maybe, but not yet. A lot more study needed." However, they themselves list more advantages for this one policy than any of the 63 others they include in their report! The few disadvantages they list demonstrate much scope for learning! We are teaching....

Meanwhile, in England, Liberal Democrats (the second largest party at the municipal level, after Labour) have reaffirmed their support for Site Value Rating (set at the local level) to replace the national non- domestic property tax that currently finances 40% of local government expenditure. Support for extending SVR to cover residential areas, again replacing an existing property tax, is growing. We reckon about half their 46 Parliamentary Ministers would vote for this. The Liberal Democratic campaign group ALTER (Action on Land Taxation & Economic Reform) hopes to win support for a policy that would give local choice to each council over how it raises revenue. At present, local taxes in Britain are homogenous, only 25% of revenue is raised locally and councils are little more than agents of national government.

Scotland's Parliament, though, will be able to choose any system it wants for financing "local" government starting next year!

Even the Labour Party is starting to notice a need for the tax shift. Their prestigious Fabian Society, England's oldest think-tank, has commissioned a study on "Taxation & Citizenship," to report in the Fall of this coming year. Georgists are flocking to assist them and the Commission's Chair, Lord Raymond Plant, is on record as saying "LVT has the great attraction of being unevadable." His chief researcher has admitted, "Land tax is a major part of our study."

Some may be surprised, but the Lincoln Institute is actually helping LVT here! Two British academics, Owen Connellan (a valuation assessor) and Professor Nathaniel Lichfield (a town planner) are due to report in February on "The Prospects for LVT in Britain under Labour," funded by Lincoln. And a couple of weeks ago, an invited audience, mainly non-Georgist, heard them explain a sensible, gradualist approach. There was certainly no hostility. Also, Connellan and Lichfield have just been commissioned to study the prospects for LVT in the European Union. I will keep you informed....

As many Georgists may be aware, Great Britain's Henry George Foundation has been run on a 'care & maintenance' basis for several years, kept going part-time by Barbara Sobrielo and Josie Mernane (who recently had to take a break to care for a family member). The only other paid staff (one day a week) is Hugh Venables. However, we received a legacy in October, enough to pay me as Chief Executive for two days a week for two years (with a bit left over) from a fellow who died in 1941! His will said that when his direct heirs died, the residue of his estate should go to the United Committee for the Taxation of Land Values & Free Trade if it existed and the policies it espoused weren't already implemented. Some hope!

Alex Godden, head of the Land Value Taxation Campaign (LVTC) (and husband of Margaret Godden, who is a Member of HGF of GB), maintains their popular UK Georgist web site (URL below) and has kindly agreed to make our publication list available there until HGF of GB has its own web site.

Finally, if any Georgists are planning to visit these shores, please let HGF know. And if you're not planning such a visit, why not?!

Reference and Related Notes:

A "must read" is the latest issue of Practical Politics, the LVTC bulletin distributed to selected members of both Houses of Parliament and to subscribers. Here's an excerpt: http://www.landvaluetax.org/practpol.htm

Web site of the Land Value Taxation Campaign (LVTC): http://www/landvaluetax.org
LVTC e-mail address: admin@landvaluetax.org

The offices of The Henry George Foundation of Great Britain are relocating, but can still be reached through the same e-mail address as previously: HGF_IGU@compuserve.com

*Land and Liberty is published by The Robert Schalkenbach Foundation. Contact them for subscription information:

The Robert Schalkenbach Foundation
149 Madison Avenue, #601
New York, NY 10016-6713
Tel: 212-683-6424
Fax: 212-683-6454
E-mail: Schalkenba@aol.com

Steve Wall, who maintains the magnificent Georgist web site, BEathrights - Spiritual Economics, now resides in Scotland. That site's address: http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/3046

Take a look at all the references to land tax and its effects in their "Election Manifesto" at the web site of the Scottish Green Party: http://www.clan.com/environment/scotgreenparty

Recently, Liberal Canadian Parliament Member, Joe Jordan began a campaign seeking aid in crafting and introduction of his "7th Generation Bill," which would (1) change the standards for measuring Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Canada to take resource depletion into account as well as contributions to well-being for which no money is paid (homemaking, volunteerism, etc.) and (2) tax products to the degree their manufacture depletes natural resources.

"7th Generation"? Some ancient cultures believe that decisions should be made with the interests of the next seven generations in mind.

Contact Mr. Jordan for a free copy of "Measuring Well-Being." Joe Jordan, MP Rm. 422, Confederation Building House of Commons Ottawa, K1A 0A6 Fax: 613-498-2242 E-mail: jordaj@parl.gc.ca

The 7th Generation Bill is very important to the Sustainability Project.

Mike Nickerson Sustainability Project: http://www.cyberus.ca/choose.sustain PO Box 374 Merrickville, Ontario K0G 1N0 Tel: 613-269-3500 E-mail: sustain@web.net

On a scale of 1-10, how good an idea is Mr. Jordan's proposal? The Global Ideas Bank wants your opinion. Tell them here (as of press time, its rating is 73% and, yes, of course, while there, I voted for it): http://www.globalideasbank.org/wbi/WBI-113.HTML

The Global Ideas Bank would also like your comments and/or new ideas and invites you to e-mail them at: rhino@dial.pipex.com

Global Ideas Bank: http://www.globalideasbank.org

Green Party of Canada: http://www.green.ca

Northwest Environment Watch (NEW): http://www.northwestwatch.org

Alan Thein Durning, NEW Director, co-author of *Tax Shift and Keynote Speaker at the 1998 Georgist Conference wrote this article: http://www.progress.org/cgo/durnop.htm

Green Tax Shift Headquarters: http://www.progress.org/banneker/shift.html

Now online, here's the latest booklet about tax shifting published by Friends of the Earth (and co-authored by Georgist activist, Hanno Beck): http://www.foe.org/envirotax/taxbooklet/index.html

Canadian Research Committee on Taxation: http://www.crctaxation.org

*You can get a copy of Tax Shift here: http://www.progress.org/books

Youth from over 500 communities and 40 clans of Ijaw, a people indigenous to the Niger Delta in Africa met Dec. 11 in Kaiama to deliberate on the best way to ensure the survival of that people in light of their increasing exploitation by state/corporate collaboration. Excerpts from the declaration they issued reveal a surprisingly accurate understanding of their plight.

"That the degradation of the environment of Ijawland by transnational oil companies and the Nigerian State arise mainly because Ijaw people have been robbed of their natural rights to ownership and control of their land and resources through the instrumentality of undemocratic Nigerian State legislations such as the Land Use Decree of 1978, the Petroleum Decrees of 1969 and 1991, the Lands (Title Vesting etc.) Decree No. 52 of 1993 (Osborne Land Decree), the National Inland Waterways Authority Decree No. 13 of 1997 etc.

"That the principle of Derivation in Revenue Allocation has been consciously and systematically obliterated by successive regimes of the Nigerian state. We note the drastic reduction of the Derivation Principle from 100% (1953), 50% (1960), 45% (1970), 20% (1975) 2% (1982), 1.5% (1984) to 3% (1992 to date), ...

"Based on the foregoing, we, the youths of Ijawland hereby make the following resolutions to be known as the Kaiama Declaration:

1. All land and natural resources (including mineral resources) within the Ijaw territory belong to Ijaw communities and are the basis of our survival."

But, do they know how to realize that right? We may be able to find out from PROJECT underGROUND: http://www.moles.org

And, if your local press has "missed" this story, Human Rights Watch may also be of some assistance. Here are two of their reports on the Nigerian peoples' struggle: http://www.hrw.org/hrw/press98/dec/niger1231.htm http://www.hrw.org/hrw/worldreport99/africa/nigeria.html

Pro-Georgist participants included, among others, Alfred F. Andersen, Bryan Kavanagh, Caspar Davis, Edward Dodson, Jeffery J. Smith, Harry Pollard, Nicolaus Tideman, Tony O'Brien and Roy Langston, a former decliner of Georgist reform, who has seen the light and, in this forum, quite effectively debunked arguments against land value taxation. Thanks and congratulations, Mr. Langston; well done!

Here is a report from Caspar Davis on the proceedings: After getting off to a technical and somewhat arcane start, World Bank's Land-Econ listserv became the site of a lively discussion of the Land Tax, with Georgists doing battle against advocates(!) of land speculation and putting on a clinic in Georgist policy. Alfred Anderson and GN editor Adam Monroe made a valiant attempt to introduce social justice issues, but the zeitgeist of the list seemed to have a decidedly technical rather than philosophical bent. Thanks to all the Georgists who put their best feet forward on the list -- especially Professor Gaffney who was a jack-of-all threads, fielding comments on a wide variety of issues.

And, here is Professor Gaffney's considered commentary: It has gone unusually well, considering the auspices and audience of orthodox World Bank suits. Georgists, in fact, set much of the agenda. Anti-Georgists took the bait and responded at length, opening the way for refutations and dialogue. Some made excellent foils. They were, in general, totally, woefully unprepared for the deluge of Pro-Georgist thinking and retreated in silence before the onslaught.

Complaints, then, came were from grumpy ones who wrote "Let's get this discussion back on the track," etc. Thus, the field was ours, while they moved back to their privileged sanctuaries and sang the same old tunes or none at all.

I noticed one person with a Lincoln Institute e-mail address, Yu Hung Hong, who chimed in on green taxes and the Coase Theorem, but not LVT. He seemed sincere and conscientious, open to friendly dialogue and quite ready to concede some points here and there -- and stick with others, as is normal. The idea of questioning existing entitlements to land seemed novel to him. Another was Stephen Mayo, who showed an interest in land cycles, but then dropped out. I wrote asking him for what he has written, but haven't heard back.

(Editor's note - Koichi Mera, however, who was mentioned in connection with expected legal action against LI in GN#11, posted some odd remarks previously, but disappeared once Georgists arrived.)

The World Bank's Forum moderators tried to do a good job. In fact, their weekly summaries of the discussion were nearly as long as the original postings! I couldn't complain. Incidentally, one of them, Mr. Kim, is an acquaintance of Fred Foldvary. Georgists' impact on the forum was amazingly overwhelming. Most of us bit our tongues and remained civil and sober throughout -- little or no preaching. Adam <your editor> just asked "innocent" questions in a very meek spirit -- very effective. The medium is perfect for singling out vulnerable or indefensible premises advanced or taken for granted by others, and focusing on them.

As to how Georgist participation in this forum may effect World Bank land policy or that of various nations, I'd say this was more than marginal -- certainly better than just talking and wrangling with each other, as we so often do.

Reference, contact and related information:

Georgists are guaranteed to enjoy perusing that discussion! Read it here: http://www2.worldbank.org/hm/landecon

Also worth a look is the web site of World Bank's Land Policy Network: http://www.worldbank.org/lpn

The annual meeting the World Economic Forum will be held in Davos, Switzerland Jan. 28 - Feb. 2, 1999.

(Editor's note: Thanks, Prof. Gaffney! Say, folks, maybe we should do this again! We could travel the Internet like an army, enlightening forum after forum until we've conquered the entire World Wide Web!)

California League of Conservation Voters: http://www.ecovote.org

The Geonomy Society: http://members.aol.com/geonomy/geonomy.htm 1611 SE Nehalem St., #2 Portland, Oregon 97202-6700 Tel: 503-236-1968 Fax: 503/760-4932 E-mail: geonomist@juno.com

(Editor's Note: A few days ago, Teresa Schilling of CLCV responded affirmatively to my suggestion they include John McConnell's Earth Trustee Site in their list of important links: http://www.earthsite.org)

Present: Jim Sitzman of and Dick Benner, Director of the Department of Land Conservation and Development, Kris Nelson, VP, Geonomy Society and myself, Jeff Smith, Pres, Geonomy Society

Date: Christmas Eve Eve, Dec 23 Wed 1:30 Place: State Office Bldg. in Portland Topic: Property Tax Shift (untaxing buildings, up-taxing locations)

Summary: Dick & Jim were kind enough to give us over an hour of their time. The PTS is intriguing (plus the view from up there was great). Covered the mechanics of the PTS, its impact on land use and land price, implementation and equity issues. Simply, the PTS would impel owners of central, high-value land to draw in development, while not penalizing them for developing (as does the current tax on improvements). Such in-filling spares suburbs and farms and provides riders for alternatives to cars.

Results: Dick to ask his cohort, Dir. of Dept. of Resources who hosts a meeting of many leaders on many topics, if they'd like a presentation on the PTS. Jeff & Kris to upgrade their show'n'tell with professionally rendered graphic and visual materials. Jim to lead us thru this wilderness. Dick also speculated upon the interest of his boss, the Governor, in learning more about the green property tax shift.

(Editor's note: See the related item in PERSONAL NOTES below.)

The Georgist Movement has often discussed forming a speakers bureau, to market Georgist presentations to various public arenas. Well, Art Scholbe has actually compiled the information for such a bureau and on Nov. 24, the bureau's web site opened for business.

Site manager, Hanno Beck, says much work remains before the site will be optimal, but that it's basically up and running and everyone is invited to see it. He particularly recommends those unfamiliar with Georgist ideas be encouraged to visit the site and mentioned that a printed brochure describing the speakers bureau is also planned.

Georgist Speakers Bureau: http://www.progress.org/speakers

Aside from format enhancements, there's a terrific new feature you're sure to enjoy called "WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?" The HGI site gets quite a few queries from students and others about the 'mysteries' of economics and, of course, Resident Expert, Prof. Mason Gaffney has no problem putting things in perspective with uncommon clarity, flair and delightful wit! And, you, too, are invited to lend your wisdom!

The Henry George Institute:
http://www.henrygeorge.org
E-mail: Lindy@HenryGeorge.org

Available only recently in the US, this book can be purchased at an unheard of discount through the Banneker Center for Economic Justice. Director, Hanno Beck, genuinely wants to help people obtain a copy, saying, "Day gives a thorough analysis of land, social justice, tax reform and sustainability. The ideas in here are deep and well-expressed. Delicious food for thought, with no fat." Day has amazing credentials, as well, such as being a former Director of the New South Wales Dept. of Decentralisation & Development and Director of the Australian Institute of Urban Studies.

If you want one, though, order quickly; supplies are very limited and won't last much longer at $11 (plus $2 for postage and handling).

Banneker Center: http://www.progress.org/banneker
5465 High Tide Court
Columbia, MD 21044
http://www.progress.org/dayland.htm

Established by Fred Foldvary, Professor of Global Economy at California's JFK University, well-known Georgist activist and the prolific Senior Editor of popular cyber-zine, The Progress Report, ARWEP, as one might expect, advocates untaxing labor and capital and using land rent for public revenue. ARWEP will not be confined to education, however, but will also actively seek political change.

Everyone is invited to join and Prof. Foldvary looks forward to hearing from you soon!

ARWEP
PO Box 420664
San Francisco, CA 94142
Tel: 415-752-7044
E-mail: foldvary@pobox.com

Sim participants, therefore, agree and often state that, though events and legislation in the Sim are not "real," they are almost certainly somewhat representative of America's future.

Well, if they're correct, Americans can look forward to having a Georgist President! Yes, you are awake, so stop pinching yourself.

Just as in the real world, with the control they have amassed, both the political Left and Right increasingly take their less centrist constituents for granted and have become so homogenized that most folks, these days, answer the riddle correctly when asked, "What's the difference between a Republican and a Democrat?" (I don't know.)

Meanwhile, the natural coalition forming between supposedly Far- Right Libertarians and supposedly Far-Left environmentalists, who learn of Henry George, has become, as expected, the most serious threat to two-party dominance. No wonder students of US history rarely, if ever, hear the name "Henry George"!

When (simulated) LP Sen. Todd Altman, a raging Georgist, was about to be elected President, the Republican and Democratic Parties were forced to unify! Several people had to change their vote from Democrat to Republican within minutes of the voting deadline to prevent savvy and outspoken "Geo-libertarian" Altman from ascending to America's highest office.

Naturally, since, in the real world, one cannot change votes for elected officials, Sen. Altman may yet, upon Sim Supreme Court approval, claim the Sim White House for the Georgist Movement...!

If you have access to America On-Line, take a look at the Senate Simulation: aol://5863:126/mB:298762

Here's a link to an Associated Press report by Vijay Joshi: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/daily/detail
/0,1136,8000000000044081,00.html

Mark your calendars! Beginning Wednesday, July 7th, 1999, the Nineteenth Annual Conference of the Council of Georgist Organizations will be held at the Gaithersburg Hilton in Maryland (just outside the US capital, Washington, DC). The focus will be on examination and celebration of the return to center stage by "Geo- Solutions to Policy Gridlock"!

A discounted sleeping room rate of $84 (plus tax) has been secured and here are a few of the highlights* being planned:

WED July 7. Evening -- an informal reception plus the opening of the "Think Tank," a place for people to post their rants and diatribes, to discuss, argue and harangue. Your participation will make this a thriving "marketplace of ideas."

THURS July 8. CGO member reports in the morning. Lunch with a guest speaker. Dessert in the exhibit room. Afternoon sessions on the Citizens' Dividend, the Green Tax Shift and more. Evening tournament of Champions for GeoPardy, and singing.

FRI July 9. Morning in DC. "Power Event" on property tax reform. Lunch in Fairfax, Virginia. Then tour Olde Towne Gaithersburg late afternoon, and in the evening -- a pool party and karaoke.

SAT July 10. Everyone's favorite: Open Mic returns. CGO Business Meeting in the afternoon. Evening: Gala Banquet with humor and inspiration as well as fine cuisine.

SUN July 11. Brunch and Farewells. Beginning in the evening, there will be a separate Georgist education conference in the Single Tax Community of Arden, Delaware. (For more information about that, see the following GN item.)

*These events are tentative as of November 15th, 1998, and are subject to change without notice.

Admission fees will be announced in the Spring, and will include the following options:

Platinum Package: A new deluxe offering of all the items listed below in the Gold Package PLUS all breakfasts AND HOTEL ROOM.

Gold Package: Our traditional "full package" of all conference events. Wednesday Night Reception, Thursday sessions, Thursday Lunch, Thursday Evening Entertainment, Friday Power Event, Lunch and sessions; Old Towne Gaithersburg Tour and Pool Party, Saturday sessions and banquet; Sunday Brunch.

Green Package: A budget offering for those short on time or money. Register in advance for selected individual events.

Further conference details will follow in the Spring for all Platinum, Gold, and Green participants. Meanwhile, make plans to be there!

FOR PLATINUM RESERVATIONS -- PLEASE READ THIS NOW:

For the Platinum Package a deposit of $600 is required before February 2, 1999. In US Dollars via check, money order or credit card. If you select the Platinum, the CGO Administrators will book your hotel room for you.

For the Gold package, there is no advance reservation fee. You reserve your own room directly with the hotel. (Please note under the terms of our hotel contract, CGO cannot recommend other hotels.) We will offer a roommate matching service at no charge.

(Here is a printable reservation form.)

We will focus on the tactics and techniques of education in every venue: in the classroom, by correspondence, through the Internet, and to targeted audiences such as Greens, Libertarians, local politicians, religious groups and others, etc.

Presenters will include experienced Georgist educators as well as activists with track records of success at reaching different constituencies. Whether we are facing a roomful of students, international NGO representatives, or a City Council, the work of education -- of communicating our vision for a just and prosperous society -- is a vital, ever-changing concern.

We are fortunate, because of the goodwill of our Arden hosts, to be able to offer a very affordable conference. It won't be fancy, but it won't cost an arm and a leg. Camping facilities will even be available, just a short walk from the conference center! Also, participants in the CGO Gaithersburg conference will get a special discount, and (as part of this conference package) will get transportation to and from their DC-area hotel/airport and the Arden conference.

Arden's experiment in land value taxation is the oldest and most successful of its kind in the United States. You will learn more about Arden and its unique past and present at this conference. Plan to be there! The schedule and final pricing will become available within the month. To find out more, contact Sadie Somerville of the Arden Georgist Gild or Lindy Davies of the Henry George Institute.

Henry George Institute:
http://www.henrygeorge.org
RR1, Box 1137
Brooks, ME 04921
E-mail: lindy@henrygeorge.org

With the help of Mary Carlin, Director of Earth Society, the group which arranges the annual Earth Day ceremony at the United Nations building, and Laurien Towers Gatlin, whose company, GlobaLink TV, plans to broadcast a live 21 hour video of Earth Day events to and from nations around the world, I expect that, for the first time in a long while, Georgist environmental leader, John McConnell and the REAL Earth Day may finally garner some of the attention he and his brilliant idea deserve from the heavily real estate-funded media monopoly.

Among the many beautiful and inspired ideas for marking the 30th Anniversary of the REAL Earth Day in the Big Apple are a gathering of children involved with the World Peace Prayer Society in Central Park to hear from Earth Day Founder, John McConnell and coordination with Solar Wave, a group who has been, for the past five years, observing the Spring Equinox sunrise with a 24 hour series of gatherings around the world. As mentioned in previous editions of GN, musical events and benefit concerts on and leading up to Earth Day weekend are also being planned.

Also, Jill Remington is working on a documentary about the life of John McConnell, scheduled to be ready prior to the big day. She has considerable experience and contacts in the professional entertainment industry and her project will likely be quite a fine piece of work.

Worldwide Servers' International Organization: http://worldwideservers.org
Global Meditations:
http://www.globalmeditations.com
People for Peace:
http://www.people4peace.com
Indigo Records:
http://www.indigorecords.com
World Peace Prayer Society:
http://www.worldpeace.org
and:
http://www.worldpuja.org
Solar Wave:
http://www.1spirit.com/alunajoy/global.html
The REAL Earth Day web site:
http://www.earthsite.org

Take a look at all the people "more historically important than Henry George" making it onto stamp images planned for 1999 (ever heard of Justin S. Morrill?): http://www.usps.gov/images/stamps/99/welcome1.htm?