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