COLUMBIA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC

CENTRAL COMMITTEE MINUTES

MARCH 11, 2003

(Preliminary, and subject to approval)

Members in attendance Gary Heide, Paula Becks, Diana Boom, Darryl Boom, Representative Betsy Johnson, Senator Joan Dukes, Commissioner Rita Bernhard, Josette Hugo, Craig Frasier, Jake Hutchison, Susan Easley, Paul Dinu, Pat Zimmerman, Norma Olsen, Karen Ladd. Members excused Nancy Federici, Sue Ziglinski, Jolene Jonas, Bill and Claudia Eagle, Pam Powell, and Lori Peterson.

1. The meeting was called to order at 705 p.m. There was a quorum present.

2. There is no flag in the meeting room at the Lucky Inn, so there was no pledge of allegiance.

3. The minutes were approved as written.

4. The treasurer reported. There was a consensus that we would have our 4 season passes or 20 individual passes for the fair and we would not purchase more than that. There was discussion that there should be a fair booth committee. Gary stated he would pass that message on to Jolene. Diana presented an income/expense report as well as a register report. She stated that the internet domain bills discussed at the last meeting and approved for payment at the last meeting have not been paid yet. The treasurer's report was accepted as presented.

5. The legislative report came from Rep. Betsy Johnson, Sen. Joan Dukes and Craig Frasier. The senator and representative brought brown cards for everyone, so we would know who the current legislators are, where they are, and their phone numbers. They also brought the depressing budget rebalance plan and the potential /agencies to be reduced/suspended sheets. Sen. Dukes stated there are several lists floating around with even more ideas for cuts should the next revenue forecast indicate a need. Both legislators had been asked what percent increase they would accept for the FY '03-'05 budget. The governor predicated his FY '03-'05 budget on a 13.6% increase, however neither the senator nor the representative believed they were willing to accept that high of an increase. They also suggested there might be yearly legislative sessions and yearly budgets instead of biennial budgets.

Rep. Johnson stated that the legislators had been receiving technical assistance from PSU experts. They told the legislators that Oregon's revenue projection model is broken. Pat Zimmerman asked if the Port Westward project would lose its funding. No one could give any reassurance that those dollars or any others are safe.

Rep. Johnson and Sen. Dukes both asked the democratic central committee members to give them a chance to respond to issues before "putting poor information on the street". Commissioner Corsiglia wrote a letter to DHS manager Jean Thorne stating some misinformation about the legislators.

Craig stated that the filing date for the May election is March 20,2003. School districts and special districts all have elections in May. Pat Zimmerman stated she thought that Mike Sheehan was a good candidate for a Port of St. Helen's position.

Commissioner Bernhard stated that the county budget for FY '04 is $700,000 - $900,000 out of balance yet. They are striving to hold the status quo in terms of services.

6. The publicity committee had no report.

7. The finance committee had no report.

8. The fundraising committee had no report.

9. Jake Hutchison a senior at St. Helen's High School was presented for membership to the Columbia County Democratic Central Committee. Paul Dinu moved and Craig Frasier seconded and it was unanimously approved to have Jake as a precinct member .

10. Craig gave a short update on measure 5-103. He said that Kathy Grimes and Jeston Black were down at the election's office waiting for results to start coming in.

11. There was discussion around the time and place of meetings. There was no decision made. Sen. Dukes stated she would like to see us continue to have meetings in Clatskanie.

12. ..The meeting was adjourned at 830 p.m.

Submitted by

Karen Fox Ladd