David Weeda, speaking on LD1196
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Hancock County Democratic Committee Minutes 05/19/05
Highlights:
Minutes were summarized and accepted. Notice will be sent to the elist when minutes are available online.
Treasurer’s report: Julie Mattes gave a financial report and it was accepted.
HCDC Membership Report: Membership sign-up sheet is available.
Chair Report: John Knutson reported he is involved with state party activities and appreciates support from other officers and HQ. HCDC efforts are being recognized state wide and we need to live up to the well deserved reputation. It’s becoming clear there may be one or more referendums on the ballot this fall and we will need to be in full campaign mode. Party is hiring two field reps, one for each CD and state party is going in the right direction. John encouraged members to plug into our office and volunteer.
Vice-Chair Report: Dexter Bellows reported the HQ expansion is going well. Donations are still needed to offset material costs. He reported 13 people from Hancock County attended the Wellstone training and it was well worth it. A manual of the training is available at HQ. Charlene Sheridan, the volunteer coordinator, emphasized the need for participation and volunteers.
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 more. A sign-up sheet for volunteers was circulated. Town specific information booklets are available at HQ. Sub-committees are forming. Georgia Shenkel is chairing the Publicity Committee georgia@shankel.biz and John Steed, new selectman from Stonington is chairing the Writer’s Group, johns@antioch-college.edu. 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. Call 664-6012 or email: hq@hancockdems.org. Business cards with HCDC officer & HQ info are available.
Elected Officials Report: County Commissioner Fay Lawson reported the Bush Administration budget proposal will cut support for essential services at rural airports 50%. If the cut passes the airport could lose all its passenger flights. She recommended people volunteer for the tax abatement boards for their towns. The Hancock County Drug Enforcement Task Force has received another year of funding thanks to joint efforts of the State and County. Drug treatment, currently available in the jails and helpful is scheduled for zero funding under the proposed Bush budget.
New Business: Abbie McMillen said training for the issue survey will be held Tuesday, May 24 5pm-7pm at HQ and encouraged people to attend. She said if we’re going to be effective in advancing our issues we need to engage voters and this is the best vehicle. Person to person canvassing is the most effective education tool. Beth Reynolds encouraged members to visit the website, sign up for the e-list and/or the discussion list and make use of the online tools. The website is updated often so check in and use it.
Issues Forum: David Weeda from Bucksport gave an upbeat, humorous and informative presentation on LD 1196 the anti-discrimination bill. His remarks were posted on the website the same night as the meeting.
Next meeting will be June 16, Ellsworth City Hall Auditorium, 7PM. Bring a Friend.
