Hancock County Democratic Committee

Chair Report: John Knutson reported he is involved with state party activities and appreciates support from other officers and HQ.State voter file project is taking more time than anticipated but results will be worth it. Towns will be able to update their voter lists more easily. Torvic Vardamis has been hired as the State Party’s CD1 field rep and Arden Manning as the 1^st CD rep. Roxanne Munksgaard is the Constituent Outreach Coordinator and has three counties around Bangor.

HQ Update: Heather Martin Zboray reported on her meeting with the Maine Mall manager and will have a letter for the elist soon with suggestions on how we can best proceed. The mall (where Hannaford and Mardens is located) is refusing to allow Dem to have a table even though the Republicans do. Action will be needed. As always, 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. 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 Hancock County Drug Enforcement Task Force has received funding from confiscated funds in area drug arrests. She expressed concern the most recent budget proposal in Augusta will affect the ability of the county to fund the jails and requested members to call their legislator. Jean Hay Bright announced she is indeed running as a Democrat to replace Sen. Snowe.

New Business: A resolution calling on Congress to appoint an independent investigation into the actions of the Bush Administration leading up to the war in Iraq. A copy of the resolution will be distributed to the newspapers and via the HCDC elist. The State Party Platform committee needs three members from our county. Par Kettis and Kent Price volunteered. A female member is needed. Please contact John Knutson at jaknutson@direcway.com for more info. Gunilla Kettis volunteered to be a member of the State Convention Credentials Committee. Sally Crowley volunteered to serve on the State Convention Committee on Permanent Organization. Thanks to all four for stepping forward.

Sally Crowley discussed the status of candidate recruitment and asked people to consider the post of Registrar of Deeds (need to be computer knowledgeable) and County Sheriff (have to have certain qualifications).

Abbie McMillen, Phil Bailey and members of the first canvassing effort spoke of their experiences. It was a great afternoon of conversation with our neighbors in Ellsworth. It was a warm and cordial reception and very instructive. The group encouraged others to step up and make a real difference in this person to person effort. The next canvassing will take place on July 13. Contact Abbie at downeastdance@acadia.net