HCDC Minutes-February 16, 2006 January’s minutes were approved. Julie Mattes presented her last financial report. Dexter announced Julie was stepping down as Treasurer and thanked her for her organization and work in the office. She was presented with applause and flowers. Sally Crowley was elected to the position. Fay Lawson said a quality candidate is needed for District 3 for the county commission. This is an area that includes the peninsula and Bucksport. Contact HYPERLINK "mailto:faylawson@earthlink.net" faylawson@earthlink.net for more info. Fay also said that flying from the Trenton airport is almost as cheap as flying from Bangor and far more convenient. Several candidates or their surrogates gave presentations including Sally Crowley (Hancock County Treasurer) who said a candidate is needed for the Registrar position. Lance Weddell running mostly in Waldo (but with Orland and Verona Island in HC) spoke on his effort. Heather Martin-Zboray reported that the Mehnert campaign for US Senate is going well and picking up significant support. She stated that Snowe’s Alito vote was but one example of how she is not a moderate. Phil Bailey reported potential candidate Rob Eaton could not attend due to duties reporting at the high school basketball tourney but that he would be at many of the caucuses. He also announced the pending candidacy of Steve Savage for the Ellsworth, Trenton, & Otis seat. This was greeted by cheers and applause. John Knutson asked people to bring some cash for the low-income home heating fund and checkbooks for our candidates to the state legislature so they can qualify for clean elections. These $5.00 checks are critical. Fay Lawson suggested caucuses be held sooner so candidates had more time to collect checks and petitions. Someone later suggested perhaps the filing period for petitions, etc could be moved to April. The group expressed condolences for the Saxl family on the loss of former Rep. Jane Saxl and get well wishes for Bill Stone. Dexter Bellows said HQ is coming along with the kitchen area being finished and carpet laid. He hopes to get some help in March to finish the other room. New, sharp looking HCDC t-shirts are in and available at HQ. Members may also take any personal item to Taylor Graphics at 331 Water St and have the HCDC donkey embroidered on it for only $5.00. New HCDC brochures are also available. Conveners have been found for almost all the towns and the caucuses are looking in good shape. He encouraged everyone to attend and bring a neighbor. John Knutson said that as always, HQ is a busy place and needs volunteers. With Heather having taken leave to manage Eric Mehnert’s campaign, he would be spending more time on county business and would be calling people to volunteer. To avoid that call you can volunteer by calling him at 359-5056. Florence Reed with Sustainable Harvest gave a great presentation on sustainable agriculture taking hold in Central America and lifting people out of poverty. See HYPERLINK "http://www.sustainableharvest.org" www.sustainableharvest.org for more information. The meeting was adjourned at 8:52pm.