César Chávez used to tell his organizers in the middle of the grape boycott being carried out in far away liberal political circles --- "keep your eye on the grape".
He meant: keep working in the fields with the farm workers who pick the grapes and support their efforts to build a union capable of winning a living wage and safe working contitions. Say thank you to the glamorous movie stars and politicans who join us on our marches, but your primary attention should be directed to the folk in the fields.
Our message to local activists in the ONE Mass Networks working accross the state in their communities to rebuild and repar the public structures that educate their children, keep their air and water clean and their streets safe, protect their enviornment and strengthen their business community --- is similar.
It's time to "keep your eyes on the revenues" that support our healthy communities, because we are facing two more rounds of cuts --9C cuts in October and FY 11 Budget cuts in January. What is this 9C stuff?
The State House News reports in the Globe that Secretary Kirwin's words to the Cities and Towns was pretty grim. Declining revenues, dwindling reserves and federal funds = more cuts.
