Columbia County Democratic Central Committee

http://www.columbiademocrats.org/

Minutes- Sep 25, 2007

Kozy Korner Restaurant, St. Helens

Attendees: Nancy Federici, ,Jolene Jonas, Donna Nyberg, Patrick Cunningham, Roger Wuollet, Julane Grant, Craig Frasier, Jamie L. Maygra, Tamara K. Maygra, Dale Chambers,  Bill Blank,  Pat Zimmerman, Karen Greeney, Mark Karol-Chik, Mike Sheehan, Josette Hugo, Ted Olson, Rosemary Lohrke, Chip Bubl, Nancy Bubl, Rep. Brad Witt,

**Excused –due to several conflicts with other city, county, organizational meetings and weddings, all, not in attendance, were excused.

 Guests –Guest Speaker Meredith Wood Smith

Meeting called to order by the Chair

Salute to the Flag/Pledge

Minutes – Approved as posted

             Regarding the process and selection of meeting venues, your secretary asked that the committee give more direction.  The Chair added that a Precinct Person Survey had been prepared (Thank you, Karen) addressing not only that subject but other questions as well. It was handed out to those present and was sent via email the following morning.  Jolene asked that it be returned to her by October 15^th

Jolene Jonas

28250 Hafferman Rd

Scappoose 97056

Treasurer's Report – Presented and Approved

Announcements:

            Jolene announced the resignation of PCP Nancy Federici who is moving to Seattle. She thanked Nancy for her many years of valued service to the Democratic Central Committee and to the community as well.

            She also announced that Pat Cunningham, author of the LNG resolution had graciously offered to delay the discussion/vote until the next meeting to allow more time for our guest speaker, a thorough discussion on Measures 49 & 50 and adding a discussion around Earl Fisher’s announcement to run for County Commissioner.

 Guest Speaker:  Meredith Wood Smith, DPO Chair

The Role of the PCPs:

Meredith explained that the primary role of a precinct person is to get Democrats elected and support/work with those who are elected.  With several key seats open in 2008 it is necessary that we start planning for the elections now.  She distributed an example of the state’s strategic plan for the election cycle and asked that we produce our own for Columbia County.  She will send a template to Jolene for distribution to our group.  Jolene asked that everyone think about what they would like to see in that plan.  Developing it will be a key agenda item for our Oct meeting.  

Meredith also stated when we have issues or disagreements with each other or our elected officials, the discussions must remain “off line”.  We should be scheduling meetings to resolve our conflicts rather than in a public forum such as email where it could be used to our disadvantage.   

Neighbor to Neighbor

Meredith is asking all counties to begin a neighbor to neighbor program.  Basically we need to become a key contact for our precincts for communicating concerns/issues back to our elected officials and/or to the state party.   Jesse Bontecou, our regional support person from the DPO, will come out and help train us on the process to give us a jump start as well as help us with our strategic plan.    

This ended Meredith’s discussion

Measure 50 Discussion –

Prior to taking a vote, several members asked why the measure had to be a constitutional Amendment was necessary?

            Rep. Witt explained that to pass any revenue necessary legislation i.e. health insurance for Oregon’s uninsured kids, the House needed a super majority (36 votes).  There are 31 Dems and 29 Reps in the House at this time.  Two things considered were a Corporate kicker and a new tax just for heath care.  Every attempt to pass health insurance failed 31 to 29.  Without a super majority, the only option available was sending the measure to the voters as a constitutional amendment which only required the 31 votes. 

 Several asked why a tobacco tax?  Josette mentioned that was the direction given by the governor.  Meredith acknowledged that it was not the best answer but it was the only viable answer available at this time.  Brad added that with a super majority delivered in 2008, the House will be able to deliver better solutions including insurance for all Oregonians. 

The question was called and the vote was taken to publicly support Measure 50. 

Support Measure 50 – 14 yes

Not Support Measure 50 – 6 no

The motion passed

.          

Measure 49 Discussion

Jolene asked if a discussion on Measure 49 was necessary?  Everyone said no.

Vote was taken to publicly support Measure 49.

The vote was unanimous to support the Measure. 

Earl Fisher announcement to run for County Commissioner

Jamie asked the Central Committee to respond to Earl Fisher’s announcement in the Sept 19^th edition of the Chronicle which stated “Mr. Fisher states that he decided to run for County Commissioner in the middle of August after conversations with members of the Democratic Committee and said that he had gotten the impression from their conversations that it would be a "Good Thing to do". 

A discussion followed regarding on whether the language implied an endorsement from our central committee and if we needed to release a statement saying we do not endorse candidates in the primary.  Nancy mentioned the interviewer may have mis-quoted Earl.  

After some discussion, the question was called and the vote was taken

Should the Committee release a statement stating no endorsement was made.

Yes, have a release – 6

No release – 14.   The motion failed

Jamie asked if individuals could release their own statement saying “as a committee member he or she did not endorse”.  Meredith and Jolene both reinforced that once voted on and passed, we as a body must “disagree and commit”.   Differences must be put aside for the good of the whole.     

Next Meeting will be in Clatskanie at Humps on Oct 30