Hancock County Democratic Committee Minutes 03/17/05 Highlights: Minutes were summarized and accepted. Treasurer's report: Julie Mattes gave a financial report and it was accepted. HCDC Membership Report: Duncan Holley, Chris Hourcle, and John & Jane Thomas were elected members. Vice-Chair Report: Dexter Bellows reported the HQ expansion is going well. Donations are needed to offset material costs and volunteers to help with carpentry, painting and manual labor are still needed in March. In particular, the services of a plumber for a few hours would be appreciated. He also announced an upcoming Camp Wellstone training weekend (April 29-May1). This is the training John & Margaret Knutson attended two years ago and they highly recommend it. See http://www.wellstone.org/camp/schedule.aspx. We are also still looking for a fundraising chair to help raise the funds we need to operate effectively. HQ Update: Heather Martin Zboray reported that HQ is currently open Tues & Thur 1pm-6pm and volunteers are needed for clerical tasks, mailing, clipping services, updating lists and the expansion project. Call 664-6012 or email: hq@hancockdems.org. Volunteers at HQ or working from home are welcome. Volunteers are needed in every town for a variety of activities including organizing a town potluck, updating voter lists, candidate recruitment and more. Upcoming Events can be emailed to HQ. Heather also noted a need for volunteers be part of a new group coordinating the Issues Forum. A newly forming group, Women Democrats will meet on Wednesday, March 30, 7PM at the Riverview Room, Ellsworth Library for discussion and fellowship. The email list has greatly expanded and an online email discussion list is also available. Bethany Reynolds has been instrumental in helping to provide additional services to HCDC members. Elected Officials Report: Fay Lawson reported that all levels of local government are being affected by the drastic cuts at the federal level. Teachers are struggling with requirements that lack funding. Rural airports are facing a 50% cut in essential services, road projects are impacted, housing assistance cuts are filling shelters and more. The Hancock Cty Drug Task Force which has been seeing some success is facing significant cuts as well. Sara Stevens, representing Rep. Michaud's office said they are looking to host a public Social Security Forum in Ellsworth on March 31. Jean Hay Bright introduced herself and her exploratory Senate campaign. Copies of her books were available at no charge. Former state rep Paul Volenik encouraged people to attend a public hearing this Thursday the 24th at Room 427 at the Capitol regarding the health security committee (which is related to the possibility of single payer health care). Sue Newlin announced that Rep Dennis Kucinich and author John Perkins, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, will be speaking in the Deer Isle area in May. Check the Events calendar at hancockdems.org. Canvassing: Phil Bailey reviewed the goal of the issue survey canvass we are hoping to start in a few towns this spring. With the assistance of our elected officials, a survey is being developed on both state and national issues. Person to person contact is the best and most influential contact we can make. 2-8 volunteers are needed in a town and training will be provided. NOTE: To date, there are only two volunteers for this project so please consider helping. The newsletter MoreCommonSense needs writers and distributors. Contact Phil at pbsustain@aol.com. Copies are available at HQ. Issues Forum: State Rep. Jim Schatz did a great job substituting for Rep. Pingree who was held over in Augusta as chair of the HHS committee. He reviewed the central budget issues and notes will be posted online ASAP. Next meeting will be April 21, Ellsworth City Hall Auditorium, 7PM. Shenna Bellows, the new Ex. Dir of the Maine Civil Liberties Union will speak on the infringement of liberties. Bring a friend.