Date: February 5, 1995 From: Kevyn Jacobs Subject: FLINT HILLS MAINSTREAM COALITION FORMS Calling itself the Flint Hills Mainstream Coalition, a bi-partisan grassroots group of citizens met on Sunday, Feb.5, 1995, to form a local organization to resist the encroachment of religious fanatics into local politics. The meeting drew 50 people, including State Senator Lana Oleen (R) and three of the ten candidates running for school board in Manhattan: Larry Weaver, Deb Nuss & Joleen Hill. The name "Flint Hills Mainstream Coalition" was decided on, tentative statements of principle and purpose were approved (see below) and arrangements were made to begin fundraising. The group decided that it's primary focus should be on the upcoming school board and city commission elections, with special emphasis on the school board. A questionnaire will be sent to each candidate, asking pointed questions in order to "out" candidates who are running under the Radical Religious Right's platform. A candidates forum will also be held February 19, 1995. Time & Place, TBA. The impetus for the formation of The Flint Hills Mainstream Coalition was a visit in January by former Johnson County State Representative Nancy Brown, who came and spoke about the Mainstream Coalition she heads there. For more information about the Flint Hills Mainstream Coalition, contact Jami Ramsey at +1.913.539.3828. Donations may be sent to: The Flint Hills Mainstream Coalition c/o Virgene Crane 3819 Emerald Cir Manhattan, Kansas 66502 Donations to The Flint Hills Mainstream Coalition are not tax-deductable. ============================================================================ DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES of The Flint Hills MAINstream Coalition We believe in fundamental civil and human rights. We believe public education is the cornerstone of freedom and democracy We support the Constitutional prohibition against having any religious test for public office or position of public trust. We believe in the right of individual conscience and religious belief and the individual's freedom to worship as he or she pleases. We believe public officials should not use their office or position to promote one sectarian religious position over others We believe candidates for public office should clearly state their goals and positions on issues relevant to the office they are seek. We believe candidates should disclose whether they are sponsored by or affiliated with any organizations assisting them in the pursuit of public office. We believe candidates for public office should not promote prejudice or hostilities based on race, religion, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. ========================================================================== PURPOSE STATEMENT of The Flint Hills MAINstream Coalition The MAlNstream Coalition is a non-partisan coalition of religious, business, political and community leaders and members who are uniting to counteract the threat to Constitutional freedoms by sectarian and political extremists. The purpose of the MAINstream Coalition is: To preserve the traditional American values of separation of church and state, freedom of religion and speech, pluralism, individual rights, the importance of family, public education, and tolerance and compassion for all, and To educate and inform citizens on the issues of the day, and to educate elected and appointed public officials and political candidates about attempts to impose religious ideologies on their community's government and public educational institutions.