Transparency in Government - Register of Members' Interests

[Diderot Mirabeau]

I am the sole owner of the 10,000L$ equity stake of Mirabeau Scribe in deposit with the Bank of Neufreistadt. The company is a sinister shop operating within the professional services and public affairs business.

I believe I also hold in the order of a 25% equity stake in The Neufreistadt School although I've been pretty much a sleeping partner in that venture for the last half year or so.

I am a founding member of The Waterfall Society, which campaigns SL-wide for the promotion and preservation of waterfalls as a significant source of natural beauty and (re)creative activities in Second Life. The Society currently has a preserve and a sandbox in Sutherland Bay but aims to expand its landholdings as members donate tier.

I'm not sure if this needs to go on record, but I hold a 50% interest in "The Mirabeau - Prevost Estate", which encompasses private resorts on Mount Pimushe and the northern coast of Malra.

I have some land in Neufreistadt too but that should be on file already.

[Patroklus Murakami]

This is an old thread that I started during the last term of office of the Representative Assembly. I had intended to start a discussion about the need for transparency in government and then draft a bill but instead, most people just decided to declare their business (and other) interests in the CDS and SL more widely and the need for a bill diminished.

Now that I'm a member of the Representative Assembly and Scientific Council and in the spirit of transparency, I'd like to list my current interests in the CDS and SL.

[list:32fui7eh]Land Holdings: I own 1120 m2 of land in Neufriestadt. That's my home in the valley (P-190), a shop on the Marketplatz (1460 Haney-Linden-Strasse) and a prim lot. The land is group-owned by 'Murakami Holdings Inc' and I'm the sole citizen holding citizenship in the CDS through this group. I also own land on the mainland in Gallinas and Orient sims.

Businesses: My shop 'Zabuton' on the NFS Marketplatz(occasionally) sells Japanese furniture. I also run a shop rentals business on the mainland in Orient sim, opposite 'The Shelter'.

Community: I founded the CDS Traders' Association as a Non-Governmental Organisation in November 2006 and the CDS Players. I helped to establish the Citizens' Social Democratic Faction in June 2006.[/list:u:32fui7eh]

Edit (11 April): I forgot to add that I loaned the CDS US$200 to pay for the purchase of Colonia Nova; an investment that has since been paid off with interest.

[Publius Crabgrass]

[quote="Patroklus Murakami":3khvagjs]This is an old thread that I started during the last term of office of the Representative Assembly. I had intended to start a discussion about the need for transparency in government and then draft a bill but instead, most people just decided to declare their business (and other) interests in the CDS and SL more widely and the need for a bill diminished.

Now that I'm a member of the Representative Assembly and Scientific Council and in the spirit of transparency, I'd like to list my current interests in the CDS and SL.
[/quote:3khvagjs]

I have a very modest plot on Gwynethstrasse which I have opened as the Constitution Store, where one can buy unlimited copies of the most recent version of the CDS constitution for L$0. Needless to say, this has been a non-profit activity.

[Publius Crabgrass]

[quote="Patroklus Murakami":um3ony90]This is an old thread that I started during the last term of office of the Representative Assembly. I had intended to start a discussion about the need for transparency in government and then draft a bill but instead, most people just decided to declare their business (and other) interests in the CDS and SL more widely and the need for a bill diminished.

Now that I'm a member of the Representative Assembly and Scientific Council and in the spirit of transparency, I'd like to list my current interests in the CDS and SL.
[/quote:um3ony90]

I have a very modest plot on Gwynethstrasse which I have opened as the Constitution Store, where one can buy unlimited copies of the most recent version of the CDS constitution for L$0. Needless to say, this has been a non-profit activity.

[michelmanen]

I am owner of the CRAEDO Group, owning land in Colonia Nova as noted on the CDS website, as well as in Caledon, as indicated on the group's land sheet, and in Roma Suburra;

I am am one of two co-owners in the CIH Group, owning land in Colonia Nova as noted on the CDS website, as well as in Caledon, as indicated on the group's land sheet;

I am one of 3 partners in the Hammurabi Chambers Group, owning land in Neufreistadt as noted on the CDS website.

All buildings owned outright or partly owned by me in CDS have public purposes and are at all times open to the public.

I am founder and President of the CRAEDO Group, founder and Co-Chairperson of the CARE GRoup and CARE CDS Faction, as well as owner of other groups as listed in my profile.

[Beathan]

Now that I am on the RA -- I am posting this notice.

I have purchased and am selling off (in whole or in part) several mainland sims. Depending on whether there is sufficient return to reinvest, my land speculation may continue. My current sims: Malfelonius, Sibernicus, Yeeowler, Scratchy, Dreyfus and Wildmutt.

I am retaining parts of (approximately 1/2 sim each) Sibernicus and Yeeowler, where I am building a boardwalk mall and houseboat community. I will sell and rent houseboats and mallspace.

I am also proceeding with my planned Justice Sim in Malfelonius. There will be a large statue of Lady Justice, which I have commissioned. I will then have a large building constructed, which will have office space, meeting rooms, a mediation center, and at least one courtroom.

Beathan Vale

[Sleazy_Writer]

Hi,

I've changed avatars (from TOPGenosse to Sleazy Writer),
and have been using a lot of alts lately, so although I'm not in government I thought it would be appropriate to post here.

The reason for the changes was that I considered leaving SL, so for this reason I closed my main account TOPGenosse Brouwer, transferring the objects to an alt. But since it was hard to leave I used temporary accounts in the mean time: TOPGenosse Lundquist and SchTOPler Lundquist, both are not used anymore. A bit later, I decided to stay involved in the CDS anyway, so using the account holding the objects would be the most convenient and that account is: [i:3nwhg6a4]Sleazy Writer, the avatar that I will be using from now on.[/i:3nwhg6a4] This forum ID still needs to be changed into Sleazy.

My interests in the CDS at this moment are:
- a house in the north of Colonia Nova and
- I'm also the secretary-general of the CSDF (since 4 weeks, comes down to chairing the meetings etc.), so feel free to contact me about this.

Regards,
-- Sleazy (formerly TOP)

[Patroklus Murakami]

Time for a *bump*!

(This thread is referenced here)

[cleopatraxigalia]

i think there is a bill in the works that covers this issue pat, but thanks for the thoughts...........

For the record:
MT and I own several business in sl..........two of which some could or might consider substantial at this time.............togas, we own shops in Colonia Nova and Featherman and rent several others.........we have a wedding business.........and several smaller retail ventures in sl......

FYI, I abstained from the vote of the next sim being Roman since my toga business in Colonia Nova would possibly benefit.

[cleopatraxigalia]

Jon,

Explain what Cedar Island is to us please...

Pat,
I believe there is a bill that addresses this already so ........

and FYI to whom it may concern

MT and I have one business in SL that is of any consequence and that is the toga business. We own shops in Colonia Nova as well as on mainland, we rent several shops as well. Other businesses we own do not produce any notable revenue. I abstained from voting for the Roman themed sim due to this potential appearance of a conflict of interest.

[Jon Seattle]

Jon, Explain what Cedar Island is to us please...

I am not a CDS government official, and not running, so the conflict of interest bill will not apply. But since I never mind talking about Cedar Island, I am glad to provide an update.

Cedar Island (http://cedar-island.org/ ) is a tiny, quiet, SL community that is aimed at supporting people in learning and research. It is modeled (loosely) on the Danish Folk Schools (Folkehøjskole). It provides a place for people, at any stage of life, to study things that interest them and join a community of people who are doing the same.

Residents are required to create a display in the community gallery, and hold two talks or events each calendar quarter to talk about some aspect of their project. We have 'teas' every Tuesday, but some residents organize events outside of teas. We have great discussions.

Each resident gets a small plot of land, a house, and use of public spaces (the library, Music Island, and the lodge). There is no cost for membership, but we do ask for donations from residents. Residents become long-term members by applying to the meeting after three months.

Cedar is a direct democracy, but it is not an experiment in governance per se. We hold community meetings once a month. The resident's meeting is the sole decision making body and uses consensus. In case of a disagreement a decision may be restricted to long-term members. (We have never had to use that provision.)

Cedar Island was started and built by myself with the aid of Moon Adamant who helped with planning and designed several important buildings. The community will be one year old in June. I consider it very successful in its main mission, which is providing support and opportunities for adult education.

These days I am working on a much larger SL project that will continue the theme of using Second Life to build communities for informal and continuing education.

[Beathan]

Wow Jon, great project! If there is anything I can do to help, just ask.

Beathan

[Desmond Shang]

I figured I should get around to doing this too. Registry of Interests:

Land.

1) West Trade Imports LTD, region Alice.
Made about $L 200k a month in its heyday, but not having designed anything new for it in over two years has not exactly helped growth. Left intact for legacy purposes, I now let friends sell there, who make better stuff than I do.

2) 16 square meters, region Alice.
I recovered an 'ad farmer' lot. Not that it will do much good, as there are plenty more and lots of rotating, ugly ads. It's set to sale for $L 0 to Prokofy, but I think Prok missed my IM. It remains ignored for over a month now.

3) Independent State of Caledon.
Presently 2.4 million square meters and 397,500 prims, and chock full of aristocratic mad scientists, steampunk sky pirates, Dukes and Duchesses, street urchins, clockwork doll dressmakers and Beatrix Pottery ferrets in waistcoats. And... not too many democrats.

4) Saint Kitt Islands.
Crown Colony of Caledon, an early claim possibly presaging what may come, once the home isle is done in the near few months. Highly volcanic and unstable, it may suddenly transform itself into a much larger area or sink under the sea.

Title.

1) Proprietor - West Trade Imports.
2) Guvnah - Independent State of Caledon.
3) FIC (unproven), a shadowy organisation with an unknown agenda

Goals.

1) Grid domination (never overtly stated but strongly suspected)
2) Colonisation, as per the April 2006 attempt to overthrow the then-nascent Confederation of Democratic Simulators.
3) Parody. Anyone taking themselves too seriously may find themselves in the crosshairs!
4) Tea and Civility. Whatever happens, it must happen with a little bit of class and style.

your favourite menace to the CDS,

Desmond

[Jamie Palisades]

I doubt this thread has any official effect, at present, nor do I view it as a substitute for appropriate legislation. All the same, the spirit of disclosure seems positive. Thanks to Patroklus for waking the thread up recently.

I live in CDS, and own land in NFS and AM. I am one of the rare (judging by the degree to which I see others around) people whose home actually is set to NFS. I have no business interests in CDS, or indeed, in SL. I am currently serving a term as head of the CDS' legislative branch. As such I am an RA member, and thus required by current CDS law to be the stooge of a 'faction', which in my case is the Simplicity Party.

In my attempt to be a relatively neutral and constructive facilitator, and find consensus actually to *do* things, I am blessed to be the stooge of a faction that presently (a) is content to work on constructive projects; (b) rarely works to thwart the contributions of others; and (c) is allergic to drama.

WhIle I can think of no pertinent interests, in the sense of getting or seeking remuneration or profit from CDS operations, I do have biases. They include wishes for (i) transparency in governance; (ii) creative disincentives for duplicity and for rare outbreaks of meanspirited or destructive behavior; and (iii) better stewardship of common resources, so that obvious known problems (Altstadt for example) do not sit dormant for years. As a democracy we are burdened with a need for consensus -- but this need not be stagnation.

And I agree with Des that his deep, longstanding desire to be a nemesis of CDS is an important asset of his ... thus meriting disclosure. How adorable that it persists after all these years. I was pleased to attend the 2d anniversary Caledon party recently; hundreds of happy citizens, ruled under his iron fist, stunned into unawareness of his highhanded despotry (by Earl Grey tea apparently); millions of square meters; more islands to come (and cleverly advertised in our Boards, I note) -- and yet still he keens for conquest of the little hamlet which was one sim when he had two. Tsk. Poor man. Too many late nights up watching "the Mouse That Roared". See, Des, we'd invade, but we don't have any suitable positions open for smoking-jacket-clad ferrets or fae aircraft gunners at present. Now, if you stock up on koalas, well, give us a call.

Whyever didn't Prokofy buy the ad farm?

[Desmond Shang]

I dunno! Maybe Prok missed my IM or doesn't want it. 16 square meters: not exactly in the top 10 priority list here!

Jamie, absolutely, you see my evil plan... 37 regions built upon brainwashed, weak-willed CDS members mindlessly streaming across the border! Were it not for this, I would be two regions and the CDS would be forty - and everyone knows it. I, singlehandedly, have quashed a nascent democracy with the sheer weight of... text!

Of course, it is preposterous lookintomyeyez that I would do any sort of subliminal advertising, blatant or otherwise yourmindisdrifting within the CDS forums. Many studies have shown that this sort of advertising doesn't work joinusnow and that it merely annoys the targeted people youarefallingdeeper that you are trying to convince.

So, yeah, sort of a silly thing to be doing as anyone focusonmyeyez @_@ with half a brain would not react to such ridiculous methods @_@!!! as subtle messages embedded in forum text. Come on!

Besides, I'm all full, and can't even get Alexicon his bloody CDS embassy, let alone have openings for the disaffected. Evil just isn't quite what it used to be, these days.

You will wake up, refreshed, with no further urge to go to law school... *snap*

Now where's that tank of sharks for Jamie, I can't exactly let him escape with this knowledge. Excuse me while I find some incompetent guards...