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Churches Unite for Community Revitalization

By Richard Mathiasen

The faith-based advocacy group ARISE held its fifth annual public meeting Oct. 23 at the First United Methodist Church in Schenectady. Representatives from over 30 religious organizations as well as community-development groups came to help ARISE in its efforts to promote social and political reform. Also attending were several media outlets, including the Fourth Branch of America, publisher of The Informed Constituent, as well as several political figures.

ARISE President, Deb Baumes, rouses the crowd at their annual meeting. Photo by Sam Trumbore, Minister of First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany (FUUSA)

Among the agenda items was drug-law reform, support for which has brought ARISE some notoriety. ARISE President Deb Baumes criticized New York State Rockefeller drug laws for imposing harsh prison terms and mandatory sentences even for relatively minor, non-violent offenders. She also called for the reform of rehabilitation programs in order to better equip former non-violent offenders for re-entry into society. Baumes contends that former prisoners are often cast out as pariahs, unable to make their way in the world after completing a prison term. This often leads them to return to crime as a means of support, or to chemical dependence, often followed by another arrest and even stricter sentencing for a repeat offense.

Another issue receiving lots of attention is the fragmentation of State legislation. This discussion was spearheaded by Susan Bubb of the First Unitarian Universalist Society. According to Bubb, New York lawmakers have implemented an often needlessly complex system of governmental decision making. She cited a study by David Rusk on the legislative techniques of American states, which indicated that New York ranked 8th worst for governmental efficiency. For example, New York consists of 1,545 districts - towns, villages, cities, and so forth. Each district operates under what is known as “home rule,” which means it makes its own decisions involving economic development and land management. This often leads to reams of needless “red tape,” which simultaneously diverts funds and attention from important development issues, particularly in poverty-stricken areas, and costs taxpayers much more than what might otherwise be necessary, Bubb asserted.

NY Assemblyman Paul Tonko with TIC Reporter Richard Mathiasen

In addition to ARISE’s founding members and religious affiliates, several political figures attended, including State Assembly member Paul Tonko. In a one-on-one interview with The Informed Constituent, Tonko affirmed his commitment to ARISE, citing his own dedication to alternative energy research and education reform. These issues coincide with ARISE’s agenda of economic development in inner cities, where many living below the poverty line might be particularly hard hit this winter by exorbitant heating costs. Speaking on the issue of education reform, Tonko explained the importance of funding New York’s fragmented school system. He dismissed the rising popularity of charter schools, stating that such a system “bifurcates the education system and ignores the root of the problem by diverting funds away from our public schools.”

The Reverend Stan Skinner of Emmanuel Friedens Church in Schenectady stated that one goal of ARISE is to include members of “all faiths,” such as representatives from Jewish and Islamic organizations. He called this issue a “personal priority.” Citing ARISE’s “nonpartisan” agenda of economic and social development in underprivileged areas, Skinner emphasized the universality of ARISE and the hope to include members of all faiths in achieving its goals. ARISE already includes over 30 faith-based organizations and various community-development groups, and representatives came to the meeting from Christian, Roman Catholic, and Unitarian groups, as well as the Park South and Mansion neighborhood associations from Albany.

Questions about the decision-making process regarding how ARISE determines which issues to make their priorities have been raised by some members, who say that dissent is inherent to any democratic system, and that there will always be majority and minority voters. Skinner said the process is a democratic, non-biased system in which members vote on key issues every 4 to 5 months. He downplayed the fear that issues important to some members were being overlooked: “No issue is specifically voted down. People who bring issues to ARISE have been members for at least a year or two, and issues that go unrepresented are usually brought by outside advocacy groups.” Attendance at this year’s meeting dropped significantly from last year and the issue of dissent was raised as potentially relevant to ARISE’s continued recruiting efforts.

To solidify its official position as a nonpartisan or centrist organization, ARISE does not endorse political candidates for office. It does, however, seek support for its agenda within the political realm. According to Skinner, members of ARISE are also keen to shy away from what he calls “hot button issues.” Sticking to what it considers universal social concerns, ARISE hopes to expand its base of support amongst community members and religious leaders, he said. Despite a somewhat lackluster attendance, the First United Methodist Church was a lively place on the 23rd, and one could not help but notice the sense of community and hope among the members of ARISE.