Columbia County Democratic Central Committee

CCDCC Meeting March 28, 2006

Hong Kong Restaurant - Vernonia

 

Attendees:, Ted Olson, Josette Hugo, Karen Fox Ladd, Donna Nyberg, Nancy Federici, Jolene Jonas, Bill Eagle, Claudia Eagle, Karen Greeney, Patrick Cunningham, Roger Wuollet, Gayle Lee, Gary Heide.

Excused: Betsy Johnson, Brad Witt, Rita Bernhard

Guests:  Andy Maggi, Julane Grant, Mark Karol-Chik, Shantu Shah, Alexa Lewis, Nate Moore, 

 

Meeting Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 7pm by Ted Olson, Chair.

 

Introductions of Guests:

Andy Maggi, Campaign Mgr for Brad Witt

Andy told us to expect the campaign to be ratcheting up in April. Brad is already on the walk, going door to door every weekend to meet and talk to the people.  Andy invited us all to join them on the walks. To find out when and where Brad and Andy will be in your community, email: andrewmaggi@yahoo.com

Columbia County Dems extend a hearty welcome to Andy and expect to see a lot of him in the coming months.

 

Shantu Shah and Alexa Lewis, Candidates for US Representative, Dist. 1

Ted introduced our two candidate guests and gave them the floor to tell us more about themselves. It was our privilege to hear each of their views and passions and thanked them for attending.  To find out more about them:

            For Shaw:                     http://Shah4USCongress.blogspot.com

            For Lewis:                     www.alexaforcongress.com

 

Mark Karol-Chik and Julane Grant were introduced to the committee.  They have filed with the elections committee to become Dem. PCP’s.  The committee expressed their appreciation in applause, noting that we have precinct’s still vacant. Recruit the hood!

Nate Moore came as a guest from Clatskanie. He has been assisting with our community television CH‑29 and is interested in learning what he can do to help Democrats. We are pleased to add his talents to our election year efforts.

With so many guests in attendance, Ted asked each PCP to introduce themselves.

 

Approval of Minutes: 

After correcting the typo on the agenda, January’s minutes were accepted as posted on CCD website.

 

Treasurer Report:  Karen Fox Ladd, Treas. 

     

Beg Bal.            $2291.61

Fair Booth (exp)      (125.00)

New Balance         $2166.61

 Read and accepted.    

 

Reports

 

DPO Meeting Feb 25, 26 in Astoria: Jolene Jonas

             

Every two years, representatives from the Democratic Party of Oregon gather to document what the Democratic Party stands for.  The outcome is a Platform comprised of 6 Planks that represent our core values, followed by Legislative Items that focus on what we would like to address in the next 2 years.  It becomes a document that can be used by all our candidates, elected officials and/or fellow Democrats when speaking for the Democratic Party.  June 2 – 4 we are meeting in Eugene to do this work.  Our county can have 16 people in attendance.  Join us if you can.  Help us ensure rural Oregon values are reflected in this document. For more info contact Jolene:  jolene.j.jonas@hotmail.com

 

The Articulation Workshop -Feb 25th  was held  9am – 3pm in co-ordination with the DPO meeting. Those in attendance in Astoria, mentioned the wonderful job Jolene did in her presentation at the DPO and high praise for the workshop in general. The 2nd part of the workshop will be held April 1.

Prior to the workshop, Pat Cunningham taped a one-on-one interview with David Domke and will make the DVD available to the committee. He also has two autographed copies of Domke’s book available for a minimum contribution of $50 to CCTV-29 Columbia Community Television.

 

 Website and Fundraising:  Bill Eagle, Karen Greeney

            Bill explained that to have an “auction” on our website, we would need special software that was probably cost prohibitive. He also discussed  adding a “guest book” that could utilize freeware—the only concern was maintaining security on the website. He will check them out before a decision is made.

Karen suggested that as an alternative fundraiser, we use the auction items for a raffle at the fair. In discussion, Josette said she had researched the need for permit and that it only kicked in for raffle items over $10,000.  Karen asked the committee if she should continue to contact nationally known figures for memorabilia to be used for fundraising.  She received loud voice approval with an enthusiastic “you go, girl” from the committee. A big thank you to both Karen and Bill for their good work!

 

 PCP’s, old and new:

Those current members who did not make the filing deadline of March 7th will be reinstated by committee vote when the new term takes affect.  The four new persons: Julane Grant, Mark Karol-Chik, David Willey, and Jill M. Raichel,  who filed to become Columbia County Democrat PCP’s were heartily welcomed and will officially take their place after the May election.

 

New Business:

 

Endorsement of Candidates:

            The only office challenged in the primary election is that of the US Representative. of the 1st Dist. Candidates being:  David Wu, incumbent; Shantu Shah, Alexa Lewis, and Pavel Goberman.  Our endorsement, as is standard, will await the outcome of that election. We were pleased to have Shantu and Alexa join us for an information sharing session.

            Regarding our other candidates:  Betsy Johnson, Oregon Senate Dist. 16, Brad Witt, Oregon Rep. Dist. 31, and Rita Bernhard, Columbia County Commissioner. having no Democratic challenge, were officially endorsed by unanimous voice vote.  Bill Eagle will be posting candidate info and pictures on the website.

 

Sheriff’s Levy-Reaffirming support;

            Having been discussed and approved for the previous election, a call for a motion to reaffirm was made. So moved and seconded, discussion was minimal.  The vote was in favor with one dissenting.

To find out how you can help get the message out contact Phil Derby at: derbyp@co.columbia.or.us

 

Set up a “Get out the vote”:

            Discussion followed whether it was worth the amount of work that it takes to do so for the primary; and, that it was too soon for the November elections. “Get out the Vote” is the process to go door to door to ensure everyone sends in their ballots.  What we can do is deliver a schedule of what we can all do now, which is called “Feet on the Street” and begin to look at a monthly plan of what we all can do, the first being get to know your precincts.  Start knocking. 

 

Maintaining a “Democratic” presence at county wide festivals and events:

            Ted asked for volunteers to head up the effort in each community.  Gayle Lee accepted the Vernonia area;  Roger Wuollet will the Rainier area; --Clatskanie, St. Helens, and Scappoose and the Columbia Co. Fair, still need a chairperson. If anyone would consider this important post for your community, contact a member of the executive committee.

Regarding the Kiwanis Parade in St. Helens in June, Pat Cunningham volunteered the use of his truck to carry the Dems this year.  A big thanks to Jeff Campbell for the years of abuse to his VW. 

 

County and State Fairs:

Jolene volunteered to head a committee with Karen Greeney to find innovative booth items for education and fund raising, i.e. set up a board “what makes you mad” for the people to write on; segueing to “how to fix it” with an invitation to “join us”.  Since we have a buttonmaker, we can use slogans and art and button makers.  It was forgotten, even by your secretary, that she had volunteered last meeting to head that group. T-shirts were also put on the “want” list.

 

Next Meeting in Scappoose, April 25th  - location t/b/a.

 

 

Minutes submitted by:

Donna Nyberg, Sec’y

503 397-3667

jdnyberg@ados.net   (New email - Please note that my email has changed from ados.com to ados.net)

 

Note:  If you have an item for next months agenda, please contact a member of the exec. com. at least 2 weeks prior to meeting.