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:
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 44th
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
5th 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 1st 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 |