Linn County Democratic Central Committee

Minutes, 3/11/09 regular meeting

 

This was a special meeting, held in Sweet Home, as part of LCDCC’s goal of reaching out to Democrats throughout Linn County.  Chairman Loyd Henion has made it his goal to hold such meetings periodically during the year.

 

    1. Introductions. Loyd asked all present (see sign up list, attached) for brief introductions, and also encouraged more people to become precinct representatives to help build the party in Linn County. Loyd then showed a video of LCDCC Ambassador Matthew Hasek delivering opening remarks at the first day of this year’s state legislative session in Salem. Matthew received a standing ovation from the representatives.

 

    2. Overview of state and local Democratic Party and how to get involved. Sam Sappington, Benton County CC member and good friend of LCDCC, made the following suggestions/observations:

• Consider attending the quarterly meeting of the Democratic Party of Oregon to be held at Linn Benton Community College in late March;
• Dem’s are doing better in Oregon with super-majorities in both state houses, but not in rural counties like Linn;
• What should Dems do between elections? Consider the following:

-         food drives and other community-based projects

-         find new ways to put Democratic values into practice

-         become a Precinct Representative

-         join a caucus within the DPO

-         join a DPO standing committee to develop the party platform, budget, finances, etc.

• Get prepared for upcoming elections – we have to protect gains made and not become complacent. We also need to elect good candidates to rural districts.

 

Jim Gourley , Sweet Home City Councilor, spoke briefly about recent progress made in Sweet Home, including the building of a new police department and fire house, an improved water treatment plant, a new Boys and Girls club, a revitalizing downtown, and generally a “better, safer city.”  He also spoke about the difficulties Sweet Home faces, including a 12% unemployment rate, growing poverty and needs for basic shelter, an absence of effective drug control/addiction programs.  All of these problems make economic development very difficult in Sweet Home. Mr. Gourley suggested that one of the ways that Dems could help would be in finding/creating grants for local students to attend LBCC.  Loyd thank Mr. Gourley for helping to organize the Sweet Home meeting.

 

    3. Overview of Obama volunteer organizations:

1. Ed Ebbs, of Albany,  discussed how the Obama campaign brought different people together, even non-Democrats, and how the organization has worked to keep them organized since the election. The basic approach is get involved in more “community organizing” events and one thing he’s working on is a “Made in Linn County” campaign which would showcase local products.
2. Andrea ________, a Sweet Home Obama volunteer said that one of her region’s goals is to get more young people involved.
3. Larry Kitchen, a Lebanon area Obama volunteer, is working on food drives which have generated as much as 1100 lbs of food and $400 in donations. Among lessons learned in Lebanon is that volunteers with differing political views can come together over common goals and that successful efforts must include a diversity of voices. Plus, he said, there should be no “sacred cows.”
4. Miriam Riherd, the regional liaison to Obama’s “Organizing for America” campaign, said that OFA will provide support and networking for community volunteers and neighborhood leaders. OFA has also become a “special project” of the Democratic National Committee, making it a formal part of the party’s structure.

 

A discussion ensued as to how to integrate OFA with local DCC efforts. Jen Gilbreath, campaign aid for Congressman Peter DeFazio, said that DeFazio’s people are convinced that more effort has to be directed to community service and community-based projects. Ed Ebbs said that “feed back” to OFA volunteers gave people a rewarding feeling of purpose, also.  Larry Kitchen and his wife both stated that Obama was the first to persuade people that they mattered, and that “it’s about us.”

 

    4.  Update from Congressman DeFazio’s office:

Jen Gilbreath said that they are looking at encouraging and/or sponsoring events like “Days of Service” to help communities and to recreate something like the old “Neighbor-to-neighbor” program. Jen gave her contact information for people interested in getting involved in such programs:  Jen@defazioforcongress.org and phone number (541) 485 1622

 

    5. Electing good Democrats: Dan Thackaberry, discussed what is needed to win in a conservative district like rural Linn County. He also declared his interest in running a 3^rd time for the state house.

 

        Closing remarks:  Loyd Henion thanked all for coming and that LCDCC was looking forward to doing this more often in the future.

 

Submitted by Bud Laurent, Secretary

New Business (10-15 minutes)

1.      Introduction of guests

2.      Approval of minutes

3.      Re-nomination of Terence Fry for Treasurer

4.      Treasurer’s report

5.      Chair and Vice-Chairs’ reports

6.      Ambassador’s report

Inauguration Community Service Events-

            Local event coordinator – Ed Ebbs (10 mins)

Linn County Commissioner Pete Sorenson (40 mins w/Q+A)

Old Business (5 mins)

            Next meeting in Sweet Home on Wed., March 11^th

            Other

Hot Button Issues (10 mins)

 

New Business:

1. Chairman Loyd Henion opened the meeting at 6:30 by introducing two invited guests – Pete Sorenson, Lane County Commissioner, and Ed Ebbs, local organizer for the Obama network of volunteers.  Following this, he asked for all present to give a short introduction of themselves (attendance list attached).

 

2. Minutes of the January meeting were unanimously approved without amendment.

 

3. Due to the withdrawal of Carla Mundt as Treasurer, Terence Fry was nominated to fill in as Treasurer for the short term until some past problems can be rectified and the “Treasurer-in-waiting,” John Walley, is ready to assume the post. Motion to elect Terence as Treasurer for a brief period was unanimously approved.

 

4. Treasurer’s report: Terence reported a balance of $1743 in the LCDCC account, and thanked the several people utilizing Act Blue to make contributions to the central committee.

 

5. Chair and Vice-Chair reports:

            Loyd reported on the status of the Valley-PAC proposal and a meeting he held on January 24^th with three of the four companion counties of the proposed PAC and Representative Sarah Gelser to discuss it.  He reported Rep. Gelser being cautiously supportive of the proposal, but not optimistic about funding coming from Future PAC as Valley PAC proponents are hoping. One of the outcomes of the meeting was an offer from Bud Laurent, LCDCC secretary, to draft a work plan and budget for LCDCC’s involvement in the proposed Valley PAC.  Bud completed a first draft which is now being reviewed by the Chair and Vice-chair. Loyd also described how we, on behalf of LCDCC, cooperated with the Benton County Democratic CC in making available two tickets to President Obama’s Inauguration; that contribution helped BCDCC’s fund raising efforts at their successful Inaugural Ball.

            Vice-chair Louise Owens’ report included a reminder to LCDCC members that we all need to lobby the Democratic Party of Oregon for more support of grassroots efforts such as the Valley PAC we’re trying to establish. She also urged LCDCC to re-institute the core Democratic principles of service to people, our natural base of support, by working more closely with the Obama volunteers and other civic organizations.

 

6. Ambassador’s report:

      Ambassador Matthew Hasek reported on his efforts to increase voter accessibility to persons with physical handicaps. As part of his recent work, he encountered a new resident to Linn County with visual limitations, Suzanne Brewster.  Ms. Brewster was in attendance with her guide dog and spoke movingly about how recent technological advances have now allowed the blind and severely vision-impaired to vote without assistance. Now, she and others can be afforded the same level of privacy that every other citizen expects as a right. President Henion had spoken to Ms. Brewster prior to the meeting and learned that she was interested in serving as a Precinct Committee Person.  Acting on that information, Ms. Brewster’s name was put forward into nomination and will be voted on at the next business meeting.

 

 

Inauguration Community Service Events:  Local Obama Volunteers Coordinator Ed Ebbs  reported on what his group is doing, post-election. On a Martin Luther King Day food drive, about 35 of their volunteers assembled to gather four large truck loads of food. Following this, President Obama announced the launching of “Organizing for America” campaign. The first event of that campaign will be held on 2/11 in cooperation with LCDCC at our HQ and will be focused on the economic stimulus plan. Mr Ebbs invited LCDCC members to participate.

 

Mr. Ebbs observed that some of his group’s members may be interested in helping or joining LCDCC, but some won’t be, preferring  task-oriented work over process-based meetings. As a result of Mr. Ebbs report, Chairman Henion recommended adding Mr. Ebbs to the LCDCC Ex. Committee as an “Organizing for America” liaison. Motion made and passed unanimously. Laurent asked if we could include a link to the Organizing for America campaign to the LCDCC website and Mr. Ebbs said he would check.

 

Guest speaker for the evening – Pete Sorenson, Lane Co. Commissioner.  Prior to becoming a County Commissioner (he’s in his fourth term), Mr. Sorenson served two terms as an Oregon State Senator, and ran for governor in 2002 against the eventual winner, Ted Kulongowski.  Since being elected to the Lane County Commission, Mr. Sorenson has worked to get more progressive candidates elected and for counties to be more representative of their electorates, succeeding in both cases in his home county. Lane now has a majority of Democrats serving as Commissioners and established voting districts for Commissioners in a departure from the Oregon tradition of at-large districts. One of his current goals is to work on carbon sequestration through production forests.  Mr. Sorenson spent one month in 2008 working in Pennsylvania as a volunteer for Barack Obama and came back from that experience more convinced than ever that the Democratic Party needs to build a broad coalition of members across the social/political spectrum. 

 

In response to questions from LCDCC members, Mr. Sorenson made the following remarks: 

·        Like Linn County Dems appear to be doing, Lane County Dems are trying to find meaningful tasks that Obama Volunteers and Central Committee Democrats can do together; he believes that the Obama Volunteers have eclipsed the traditional Democratic Party and that it must adapt new strategies if it is to be successful;

·        He firmly believes that citizens are better off with county districts and 5-member boards rather than having at-large elections of three member boards. This would give more opportunity to Democratic candidates in getting elected in presently “Red” counties.  How Linn County could make the switch could take any of several paths, stemming from Commissioner action to voter initiative;

·        Lane and Linn counties are currently working together on a biomass project involving grass seed farms and waste water;

·        Drug programs need to be based on understanding of the problem as a disease;

·        Funding for programs aimed at basic human needs should be expanded in times like these, not simply reduced proportionally with other programs;

·        All counties need to become involved in carbon sequestration, and he intends Lane County to be the third county in Oregon to create workable programs;

·        To the question as to why candidates seem to become less interested in their constituents following their elections, he felt that the way campaigns are funded has changed who gets elected.

 

In concluding, Commissioner Sorenson offered his support and help on a variety of issues, ranging from districting to common projects. Laurent suggested that he might begin by supporting LCDCC’s proposal for a funding “jump-start” incorporated in the draft work plan just being circulated; he said he would be happy to review the proposal.

 

Other New Business:

Pete Boucot gave a report of the Labor Council meeting he attended earlier in the evening as a representative of LCDCC. He said that Labor Council members were extremely happy to have an LCDCC representative actually sent to their meeting and would like to see that continue. In fact, Pete reported that they would like to have a reciprocal arrangement by having a seat on LCDCC’s Ex.Committee, and a motion to create such a position was immediately moved, seconded and unanimously approved by LCDCC members in what may have been a record for action taken without prior announcement or subsequent discussion.  Pete also announced that the Labor Council will join in on a National Education Association rally in Salem on 2/16 to protest possible job cuts in public education and hoped that LCDCC members would join them.

 

Louise announced that a Health Care Forum will be held at the Corvallis Main Library on 2/5 at 3 PM. 

 

Hot Button Issues, due to the hour, were tabled until the April meeting.

 

Old Business:  Next meeting,  3/11/09, at the Sweet Home Police Department conference room.

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM

 

Submitted by Bud Laurent, Secretary

Linn County Democrats Central Committee

Minutes of January 7, 2009 meeting

 

 

The first meeting of 2009 began on a fresh note by convening at LCDCC’s new Albany headquarters, with great soup and bread provided by Gordon and Wendy Kerbey served during the 5:30-6:30 PM social hour. A modest donation was requested of diners to pay for the edibles and create a small profit for LCDCC.

 

Chairman Loyd Henion opened the business meeting at 6:30 PM, asking attendees for self-introductions.  Total attendance was 21 (list attached).

 

Agenda:

 

1. Approval of December minutes:  approved without further amendment.
2. Report from the Chair:
1. Loyd announced an Albany town hall meeting to be held on at 6:30 PM at the Venetian Theater.
2. Food drives. A number of groups, including some Obama volunteers, will be holding food drives. LCDCC is participating with a canned food receptacle at the new HQ. Loyd reminded everyone to bring food whenever they come to the HQ.
3. Valley PAC concept. Loyd confirmed that he has scheduled a 1/24/09 meeting with regional legislators and chairs of county central committees to gauge support for forming a new political action committee.
4. The Democratic Party of Oregon will be holding its March 14-15 meeting in Linn County for the first time. Site of the meeting will be Linn-Benton Community College.
5. Loyd thanked the volunteers who have been staffing the new HQ to date and asked for others to join them so that open hours could be expanded.
3. Election of Precinct Representatives nominated at December’s meeting:

The following nominees were elected through unanimous consent:

            Richard Olsen – Pct 3

            Alice Fitzpatrick and Michael Fitzpatrick – Pct 8

            Scott Lawley – Pct 16

            Paul Harcombe and Elnora (Nonie) Harcombe – Pct 19

            Bill Mundt and Carla Mundt – Pct 100

            James Just – Pct 104

4. Discussion of proposed local Inauguration events:

Loyd announced that the Executive Committee approved the idea of holding two Inauguration events to celebrate Barack Obama’s

installation as the 44^th President of the United States, and to maintain the momentum of November’s election results. The first event will be held at Ciddici’s restaurant from 8-10 AM to cover the actual Inauguration. Ciddici’s (located at 133 5^th Ave in Albany) will make available breakfast fare and their large screen TV so that attendees can celebrate the event. Local Democrat officials may be invited to speak before and after the Inauguration. The second event will be an evening gathering at the new HQ with live music (hopefully by Bob Waterhouse’s blue grass group).

5. Status of pledges for HQ rent.

Bud Laurent made telephone calls and sent emails to about 10 people who had pledged contributions to support keeping the new LCDCC headquarters open. Three responded by 1/7/09 that they had followed through on their pledges; the status of the others was unknown. Because the duties of Treasurer were still in transition from Terrence Fry to Carla Mundt, there was no tally on current contributions, but it seems likely that we need another $200/month.

6. Act Blue presentation.

Secretary Bud Laurent made a presentation to encourage LCDCC members to use Act Blue to make contributions is support of the organization’s work. An informal poll indicated about 40% of attendees had used Act Blue at some point in the past, and hopefully more will do the same, especially to support maintenance of a permanent office.

7. Proposal of a new meeting date.

Loyd led a discussion about changing the date for the regular monthly meeting of LCDCC in order to end a conflict of meeting times with the local Labor Council which has been an important supporter of Democratic causes. After substantial discussion where no clear alternative date was identified, Pete Boucot suggested that LCDCC could send a “delegation” to the Labor Council meetings until a new meeting date might be found. Louise Owens volunteered to join Pete at the next Labor Council meeting, and she and Pete were unanimously anointed as delegates for this purpose.

8.Ambassador’s report  (from Matthew Hasek)

As a result of a motion at the December meeting, I contacted 4 local grocery stores (Grocery Outlet, Safeway, Fred Meyer and Albertson’s) as well as Linn-Benton Food Share, for contributions to feed the hungry in Linn County.

It turned out that each grocery store had a different policy regarding food donations, which made it very difficult to fulfill this motion. Timing was of essence, and there weren’t enough volunteers to help with the food drive, so the executive committee decided rather than have an insufficient food drive, we would have a continuous food drive.

Linn-Benton Food Share donated a barrel which is now outside our office, the Linn County Democrat Headquarters, located at the Two Rivers Market, Suite 180, in downtown Albany.

I want to invite everyone to drop off non-perishable food items (canned or boxed) which will be distributed by Linn-Benton Food Share to those who need it.

 

 

                                9. Featured speaker for the evening:  newly elected Albany Mayor Sharon Kanopa

Sharon summarized her recent campaign, how she was outspent but still managed to prevail. Her swearing in will take place on 1/14/09 at City Hall. One of her campaign pledges is that she will not be controlled by “special interest” groups and she is already sending this message to those who didn’t support her candidacy but now want to try to influence her vote.  While she has a vision for Albany, she is being careful about making too much of it since any action requires four votes to succeed, and she knows she has to work with council members who may not see things as she does.

 

She also sees challenging times ahead for the City due to the economy, but hopes they might be eased somewhat by Pres. Obama’s revitalization projects that could find their way down to the city level. Sharon said that the City of Albany is already working on a list of projects should revitalization funds be available. One of Sharon’s goals is to have the city adopt 5-year budget projects and to also start think and acting more sustainably.

 

Sharon took a number of questions from the interested audience including this final one: How to turn Linn County blue?  Her answer:

·        Better education of voters to overcome the Republic myths about taxes and family values;

·        Better funding for progressive candidates;

·        Candidates developing the right message.

10.  Other Business:

Benton County DCC representative Pat Malone gave the following report:

·        Democrats are encouraged to attend the first legislative session on 1/12/09 in Salem to show support for our representatives;

·        The League of Women Voters in Corvallis will be holding Legislative Town Halls on the 1^st Saturday of each month where state representatives will be in attendance to answer questions.;

·        LCDCC needs to be aware of upcoming school board elections (during odd years) to encourage progressive candidates to run;

·        LCDCC also needs to be aware that state senator Frank Morris may not be running for re-election in 2010, and it’s not too early to begin looking at Democratic candidates to run.

11.  Hot Topics (led by Steve Henion):

·        Pete announced that there will be a fund raiser on 1/31/09 to benefit preservation of Scroggin’s Mill in Lebanon and encouraged all LCDCC members to attend.

·        Gordon wanted to know what the average age in the room was (his point: we need to attract younger people)

·        Richard Cundiff (from Eugene) stated that House District 11 needs Democratic involvement and better organization

·        Terence: wants to see multi-lingual campaign material

·        Matthew: wants to see campaign material in Braille

·        Loyd: wants to see LCDCC meeting held in other communities in Linn County [the group agreed, and after substantial discussion it was proposed to hold the March meeting in Sweet Home, with the following committee members to organize it: Loyd Henion, Bob Heald (who will host the first meeting), Louise Owens, Terrence Fry, Sam Sappington and Pat Malone. Further, Bud Laurent was proposed to serve as the facilitator of the meeting where the general theme will be “What’s on Your Mind?” as a basis of a discussion about how far-flung Linn County communities (and Democrats) can work better together. Wendy Kirby will organize food (probably pizza) for the event.]

·        Terence wants LCDCC to do another Grange Hall fund raiser

·        Pat Malone offered to lead a field trip to the state capitol and visit with regional legislators

·        Ray Weldon announced that some progress was being made in his suit against the City of Lebanon for destroying public documents

·        Dan Thackaberry reiterated an invitation to the Scroggin’s Mill event

·        Bud Laurent reinforced the previous call for Democrats to support the new HQ

 Meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM

 

Submitted by Bud Laurent, Secretary