This week, we were proud to receive the cross-endorsement of the Independence Party, often noted as the party of Jesse Ventura.

Although this endorsement will not show up on the ballot in November, we are pleased to officially say that our independent campaign to transform the corrupt state of politics now transcends party lines.

If we can't bring the dirty money out of politics, how can we expect to solve serious problems like skyrocketing health care costs, a looming energy crisis, and the downturn in the quality of primary education? Before you vote this November, remember which candidates are working hard for you and which work for the lobbyists.

I will be appearing on Saturday, September 6th, at 17422 Judicial Road in Lakeville, at a supporter's home on the shore of Orchard Lake to share BBQ food and solutions with Lakeville voters. Bring your kids, invite your friends, come for the FREE food, and share your concerns with me.

Here are some photos of our outstanding parade unit including a Smart car, a couple bicyclists, a unicyclist, and walking volunteers. I'd like to thank everyone who took part, contributed, or offered their support to bring our parade unit together.

It is now the third week of June. Our campaign has been off to an excellent start since I first declared my candidacy back in February. We earned the Green Party endorsement and have almost a dozen, active volunteers who show up for meetings. We have received well over two dozen individual campaign contributions in spite of rejecting all PAC and lobbyist money, have had two articles in local newspapers, and have been at every major Lakeville event.

The Neighbors for Colin Lee had a very productive meeting last Wednesday, including a lively discussion about what it means to run a "green" campaign. I don't mean merely to run for office as a supporter of Green ideals. We also want to run a campaign that itself shows respect for our earth and water by limiting landfill waste.

To that end, we discussed the Greenest ways to handle lawn signs and campaign literature. We have printed recycled, post-consumer campaign literature with soy ink. Our lawn signs will be locally-made by a union printer as poly bags, which are not only more economical than the standard corrugated plastic, but which will be collected after the campaign to be reused or recycled as waterproof decking material.

Many Lakeville citizens are already Green and don't know it. "Green" political philosophy is about so much more than simply the environment. It is about promoting sustainability so our budget, economy, and state programs will be at least as good for our children as they are now for us. It is about a democratic political system that stems from the grassroots, not the corporate roots. It is about creating a just society that takes personal responsibility for its actions.

I will be knocking on doors around Lakeville for the next few weeks to ask you what you believe this state needs and to listen to your answers. I'm looking forward to meeting with each and every one of you in my district to have this productive conversation.

We will be marching in Lakeville's Pan-O-Prog parade on July 12th and look forward to seeing you there.

Stay strong and beautiful, Lakeville!