Statement to Supporters of the Campaign

Dan Klepal’s C-J article sums up well much of the announcement that I am stepping out of the race. In the words of one of my close advisers, “sad news”. To that adviser and to all who have supported our platform, I am deeply grateful. I am grateful for what you have generously given me and generously given Louisville. It was your intelligence, love and wisdom that made the strength and common sense of our platform the force that it was, the force that it continues to be. It has been my pleasure to ad my voice to yours in speaking unreservedly for a sustainable Louisville. We are still here. We will continue to speak out for protecting neighborhoods and farms, and for prioritizing public transit over more interstate highway development.

We began this campaign with three objectives:
1) Change the conversation
2) Move the platforms of the other candidates
3) Occupy the office

We accomplished the first objective at the very first mayoral forum in January. We had some success in accomplishing the second objective. Our candidacy challenged both Greg Fischer and Hal Heiner. Though neither man moved as much as we would have liked, both men responded with integrity and intelligence. With only two weeks left in the race the prospect of achieving the third objective seemed unlikely.

This campaign has always been about the issues and making Louisville a better place to live, a more just community, a wealthier community, a sustainable city. With the prospect of occupying the office of the mayor seeming unlikely, the question before our campaign became, what are our best chances of strengthening the issues we have championed.

Recognizing that the correct course of action is often unknowable, we chose to step down and endorse Greg Fischer’s candidacy. Hal Heiner, like Greg Fischer, has my personal respect and admiration. Greg’s positions on some social issues, and his support of downtown are closer to those of our campaign than Hal’s. Greg also is committed to a strong Office of Sustainability. Greg’s community ties position him to move the city as a more unified whole. Those connections will be crucial to moving Louisville toward sustainability.

My hope is that Greg and Hal will work closely together. Hal has already given much to Louisville. Hal has much more to give to Louisville. Louisville owes Hal much. But for the above reasons, I am convinced that Greg will serve Louisville better than Hal. I encourage you to vote for Greg Fischer for mayor November 2.

The decision to step out of the race has been viewed by some as a sell out - a back room deal. Selling out requires that a price be paid. No price was paid to me. No price has been promised to me. The only promise made was Greg Fischer’s promise to Louisville that Greg “will consult with (Jackie) Green to provide significant input to help structure that office (the Office of Sustainability).” Louisville will hold Greg to that promise. This decision to step out of the race has in no way been easy or convenient - quite the opposite.

Some Independents are displeased. Our campaign would respond by asking Independents to do the same thing we have asked Democrats and Republicans to do. Vote your dreams and your vision, not your fears or your party.

Greg Fischer, like Hal, like me, like all of us, is not perfect. His campaign, like all campaigns, has not been perfect. But I believe that, given current circumstances, Greg offers Louisville the best chance to become the truly vibrant, resilient, prosperous and sustainable city I know it can be. Your input is absolutely essential to help Greg be the best mayor for Louisville at this critical point in our history - to help Louisville be the best city possible. Please join me in helping Greg, helping Louisville, helping ourselves and our neighbors.

Grateful.
Jackie Green
October 16, 2010

Jackie Green drops out, endorses Greg Fischer for Louisville mayor, possible input on environmental post

Green Withdraws from Race,
Endorses Fischer for Mayor

Louisville's Independent Choice

Jackie Green - Independent Mayoral Candidate, neither Democrat nor Republican

Louisville is not choosing a Democrat or a Republican mayor. Louisville is choosing a mayor with the best vision for meeting tomorrow’s challenges. We can plan for the coming changes or be overtaken by them. Yesterday’s vision will not meet tomorrow’s challenge. Louisville needs visionary leadership with a plan.

Installing solar in Louisville

Louisville will meet the challenges of the twenty-first century by:

• correcting the basics of our local economy
• developing a low energy, a clean energy, diverse, strong economy
• supporting existing neighborhoods rather than building more peripheral neighborhoods (Louisville Loop - 21st Century Parks)
• protecting our local food economy by protecting local farms and fields
• distributing affordable housing in every school district
• investing in the education of our children, not in a fleet of school buses
• making our streets safe enough to walk and bicycle

Jackie, Julius Johnson & Doug Simpson discuss dif-
ficulties brought on by recent TARC route cutbacks
• giving school assignment preferences to students who will walk and/or bicycle to school
• reducing public infrastructure subsidies for new fringe neighborhoods
• investing in our urban center
• creating a city center that is liveable, not just a place to work and then party til dawn
• investing in the liveability of our existing neighborhoods
• developing a world class public transit system that serves all of Louisville's citizens before building any new Ohio River bridge that serves those who want to avoid Louisville
  (Ohio River Bridges Project) (Tolls)
• reducing our local economy’s huge fuel dependency (Cheap, plentiful fuel)

Portland, Oregon Streetcar
• improving affordable housing within our neighborhoods
• reducing mobile source pollution of air and water. (See two day Air Quality Forecast below.)
• reducing impermeable surfaces
• increasing urban gardening/agriculture
• supporting and diversifying regional agriculture
• leading state government to change law and funding mechanisms supportive of this agenda
• backing up our unequivocal message to Frankfort with unwavering commitment within Metro government