Columbia County Democratic Central Committee

Meeting minutes of March 23, 2004

Attendance:  Randy Martin, visitor; Nancy Roche, visitor; Craig Frasier; Jolene Jonas; Bill and Claudia Eagle; Sue Ziglinski; Darryl and Diana Boom; Pat Zimmerman; Nancy Federici; Paula Becks; Rita Bernhard; Gary Heide; Rosemary Lohrke; Ted and Norma Olson and Karen Ladd

Guests:  Wayne Kinney and Meredith Woods-Smith

     The pledge of allegiance was recited.  Those around the table introduced themselves.  The minutes were corrected to read that Nancy and Jolene attended the 1^st District meeting.  The minutes were accepted as corrected.

     The treasurer reported that our account balance was $1550.  We have paid for web hosting, our fair booth fee, and one month’s rent for our Democratic Central Headquarters in Scappoose.  Report was accepted as presented.

     Under old business, Ron Wyden’s visit was discussed.  He spoke some about campaign finance reform and then answered questions from the audience.

     The group discussed that the state Democrats will host a website.  It would be free.  Bill moved and Nancy seconded that we keep our website.  The motion passed.

     The next state meeting is May 1^st and 2^nd in Hood River.  It is the last meeting prior to the state convention.  The District 1 delegate convention is June 5^th.  There will be decisions on the platform as well as the delegates for the national convention.

    Jolene stated that she had made a lot of calls to Columbia County Democrats that have voted in recent elections.  She wanted to invite them to be precinct members.

     Craig gave a legislative update.  He said that the papers have been doing a good job of listing the state and local candidates.  It was mentioned that Joel Haugen was our representative for John Kerry.  There was a meeting at Nancy Monroe’s home to have the Democrats meet him.

     New business included that the Democratic headquarters in Columbia County will be in Scappoose in the ReMax building and open on April  1^st.  The phone number is 503 543-0215.  We need to define staffing and then post our hours.  Gary Heide stated he would donate an answering machine.  Jolene would like to meet monthly at the headquarters for planning.  We need to obtain signs for candidates from the Portland office.

     Our first guest speaker was Wayne Kinney.  Mr. Kinney is a Democratic representative to the national party.  He lives in LaGrande, Oregon.  He gave handouts on the 1. Democratic Party of Oregon’s Delegate Selection Plan for the Democratic National Convention, 2. A Quick Look at the Delegate Selection Process for the 2004 Democratic National Convention, and 3.The Democratic Party of Oregon Statement of Candidacy and Pledge of Support for Delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention, and 4. Statistics on registered voters in Oregon and Columbia County – party affiliation and percentage who voted in 2000 and trended to 2004.  Gore won by 962 votes in Columbia County in 2000.  Gore won by 6725 votes in the state of Oregon.  Mr. Kinney talked about the delegation process and how to be actively involved.

     Meredith Woods-Smith told us we could help choose our delegate by attending the district meeting.  She encouraged us to reach out and talk to the unaffiliated and even the Republicans.  Many Republicans are discouraged by the high deficit.

     We have many challenges for this election.  We should get to know our neighbors.  We should ask everyone to get involved by volunteering from now until November.  One on one is the best way to gain support.  Volunteering can take many forms.  People can staff the  headquarter’s office.   People can go door to door.  People can write editorials.  The state will be developing talking points.  Bush lost three million jobs for Americans.  One million of those jobs were outsourced.  Fifty percent higher health care costs under this administration. There has been a thirty-three percent unemployment rate increase in this administration.  The current death tax robs each child of $35,000.  We need to get our there are promote our causes and our candidates.   We need to correct the lies.  Democracy is not a spectator sport.

     The results of the drawing were that Jolene won the pot.  The meeting was adjourned.

                                                                                                 Respectfully submitted, Karen Ladd