26th LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DEMOCRATS

MINUTES

Oct. 2, 2007

 

Call to Order 7:00 pm and Welcome:  Susan Cruver, Chairwoman

Flag Salute:  George Robison

Adoption of Minutes:  Susan Cruver, minutes adopted

Changes to the Agenda:  Susan Cruver; Calvin Goings will speak first

Auction:  George Robison raised $90

Bumper Sticker of Month:  With boobs like this, who needs brains? (Accompanied by photos of Bush and Cheney)

Article of the Month:  Katrina Vanden Heuvel, War for Profit, in The Nation.

Humor of the Month: Robot Bartender asks, “What is your IQ?”  Answer:  50.  Robot, “So, why did you vote for Bush?”

Attendance:  ~42

 

PRESENTATION:

·         Calvin Goings from the Pierce County Council spoke on open space initiative.  He cited 20,000 acres of farmland lost over the last 20 years and 4,000 of forest and open space lost yearly.  Urged starting dialog to reverse trend to keep high quality of living in Pierce county.  On the topic of his campaign he reported it going well and all labor groups endorse him.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

·         FISA resolution approved unanimously, no abstentions

 

NEW BUSINESS:

·         Derek Kilmer, state senator, reported the simple majority constitutional amendment (ballot measure 4204 dropping requirement for passing school levies to 50% instead of current 60%) barely passed out of the senate.  He urged us to work on this campaign.  Signup list was passed around.  Pierce county volunteers see Anita Latch.

·         R67 on agenda had no speakers.  Susan Cruver and Larry Seaquist urged a yes vote.

·         Derek Kilmer’s campaign fundraising “Pie-tacular” will be from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Inn at Gig Harbor.

·         Say no to Eyman.  Vote no on Initiative 960.

·         Precinct caucuses on Feb. 9 at 1 p.m.  Will probably be well attended similar to 2004.  First order of business for precincts without a PCO is to elect a caucus chair.  There will be training in January.  Gerry Baldwin is caucus coordinator.  Jerry Abbott is locating space in Pierce county, KCDCC will coordinate to find space in Kitsap county.  Precincts see www.26dems.org and click PCO to find precincts without PCO.

·         Todd Iverson of America in Solidarity announced a progressive convention, Sat. 11/10 from 9-4 in Tacoma at the First Congregational Church.

·         A Health Care forum will be held Sat. 11/3 starting at 11 a.m. at Olympic College.

 

Officer’s Reports

·         Steve Martin took George Robison’s proxy to the state meetings.  Karen Mast was elected DNC representative.  Rules committee is producing guidelines on endorsements.  Mason county’s anti-bullying and withdrawing war funding resolutions were passed.  Problems with Pierce county’s IRV was discussed.

·         Anita Latch discussed the DNC representative election, outreach model regarding caucuses adopted by Stonewall Democrats, 6th CD caucus at Hood Canal School.  See Anita regarding 6th CD caucus helpers.

·         Susan Cruver thanked dinner crew and especially Roy Runyon for leaving a low carbon footprint.  Reported Curtis Stanley’s election to E-board, Jim Stanley elected to Pierce e-board, and Jerry Abbott was appointed affirmative action officer and he was elected to Pierce e-board Sargeant-at-Arms.  Jerry Abbott left a vacancy for the 26th representative to the Pierce e-board that Kathleen Casper volunteered (in absence of opposition) to fill.

·         Gerry Baldwin reported that minutes and newsletters are on web site, put in plug for calendar, and subscription to walking maps.  Piercecountydems.org also has PCO list and calendar.

·         Renee Proctor-Brown reported $6187 in bank.  Fred Chang sponsored the meeting room this month, Bob Perez will be sponsoring next month.

·         Jim Sizemore was pro-tem secretary, Lois Knutson should be able to resume duties next month.

·         Larry Seaquist reported a ferry advisory committee community meeting in Kitsap county in November.

·         Ginger Anderson, PCDCC coordinator, discussed voter lists and party building.

 

Presentation

·         Ed Robison discussed his tour of duty in Iraq.  He reported Kurdistan is nearly independent and supplying insurgents in Turkey thus encouraging Turkish civil war.  He dismissed reports on Iranian shipment of weapons into Iraq and strong connections between current Iraq government and Iran.  He reported several mistakes by US officials.  And reported Iraq reconstruction is proceeding poorly.

 

Good of the Order

·         Pierce e-board at 7 p.m. 10/11

·         Christine Gregoire 6:30 at Stadium High on 10/25

·         Roy Runyon announced Oktoberfest on Bremerton waterfront 10-4 on 10/13.  Call (360) 377-3041 to staff booth.

·         Jill Water will be at Kitsap Unitarian church on 10/6.

·         Monty Mahan announced free produce.

·         Carl Olson announced KCDCC meeting on 10/15.

 

Next meeting Nov. 6 at 7 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m.

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:10