[Occupymendocino] [Fwd: A brief statement about the Charter and bank. Suggestions welcome.]

[agnes at mcn.org]

Occupiers, Please read this from Ellen.
AW
    WHY BE A CHARTER COUNTY?


      The fourteen charter counties in California enjoy a little more
independence than the rest of the "general law" counties.   The have "hem
rule,"  which"means the right of the populace of a local area to create ...
their own local governments, define its powers, describe the boundaries
within which it is to exist, and prevent interference by the state
government with what they have created"; however, the breadth of this power
of self-government is embraced "within [the] limits laid down by the state
constitution and ... state statutes."

       In Mendocino County, we are especially interested in a charter
county's right to have a public bank, as well as to set up procedures to
prevent fraudulent foreclosure practices and to assure ethical investing of
our county money.   Why do we want a public bank?   Most state legislatures
know by now that the State of North Dakota is the only state in the union
to avoid the ill effects of the recent recession, and the reason that North
Dakota is in such good financial shape is that it has a public bank--the
Bank of North Dakota.   The state thus keeps its tax revenues and other
sources of income within the state for use by the state in funding
infrastructure development or working with local banks to increase their
ability to make loans, or providing low interest student loans or emergency
relief after a natural disaster, or cut debt services on loans to the
county so that the loans do not cost up to 40% in interest but rather pay
the interest back to the county.   North Dakota recently cut property and
income taxes by $400 million because it didn't need the revenue.     It is
surprising that 20 states, including California, are investigating opening
a state bank?    But Mendocino County can forge ahead and open its own Bank
of Mendocino County--and keep our money local to help the local economy
instead of giving it to the big banks to invest elsewhere.   Why not have
our own bank and save the $500,000 a year that we give to Bank of America
to service our account?    Let's have home rule and a public  bank
instead.

      The  Board of Supervisors can put the Charter on the ballot in June
2014 and we believe the people will vote in home rule and a public bank by
a large majority,

At this point, however, we would like to have input from each supervisor
about what he or she thinks of the Charter and about any changes he or she
thinks should be made.
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