Johnson County Dems Meet Saturday, August 16, 2008

Minutes for August 9, 2008

Democratic Women Meeting Minutes, Aug. 9, 2008

Welcome and Thank you to Flo and staff for set up of facility and for snacks Kathleen Gehr and Louise Hamm

MINUTES FROM JULY MEETING: Kitty Hegemann-motion for approval, seconded, approved

TREASURER’S REPORT: Carole Maulden-$1,126.33, motion for approval, seconded, approved

OLD BUSINESS

The Billboard Update–New Design: Move to pay the balance immediately
Events to participate in:

• Sunflower Festival–July 26 THANK YOU–Wanda, Kitty, Evelyn, Carole, & Jill; successful DWJC event
• Fiddler’s Convention–Aug. 23 and 24 Wanda, Karin, Kathleen-morning, Wanda, Karin Bell-afternoon–need another
• Cranberry Festival–Oct. 11^th– Morning: Evelyn, Louise, Romayne; Afternoon: Helen, Louise
• Pumpkin Festival–Oct. 17 and 18-$25 entry fee, Ralph Stout Park

Just one more Voter Registration; Aug. 30^th in front of Fred’s (our last) is taken care of–Wanda, Pat, Kitty & Kathleen
Nov. 4^th–National; registration deadline Oct. 6.

NEW BUSINESS

Aug. 16 Dem. Potluck Dinner, 6:00–8:00: Candidate support and announce party headquarters

Guest Speaker: Kim McMillian, is the first woman in Tennessee history to become majority leader of the Tennessee House of Representatives. McMillan was elected in 2002 by members of the House Democratic party caucus to the No. 2 leadership position after serving 12 years as Representative from Clarksville. She retired from the Legislature in 2006. McMillan then served in Governor Phil Bredesen’s cabinet as Senior Advisor for two years and is currently employed at Austin Peay University. She has formed a committee to explore a run for Governor in 2010.

Now that we have a candidate, we need to start publicly supporting him in any way we can. I hope all of you have ordered your bumper stickers. Please start calling your neighbors to post yard signs for national & local candidates.

Voter Outreach Training from Janet Meek

Phone Banks during last two weeks in Oct. at Headquarters

PROGRAM

Bobbie Smith: Comparing the candidates on war (see handout); criticism of Iraq War and Occupation by Obama; pro-war and pro-Bush support by McCain

Next Meeting-Sept. 13: Outreach training session led by Janet Meek; we need 15 members to be present

Snacks for next meeting: Wanda, Carole, Kitty

ADJOURN 11:03 AM

Submitted by: Katherine Hegemann on August 9, 2008

Minutes for July 12, 2008

Democratic Women Meeting Minutes, July12, 2008

Welcome and thank you to Flo Bellamy and her staff for set up of facility and to Romayne St. John, Karin Bell, and Evelyn Cook for the snacks.

Program: Message from Democratic Primary Candidate, who is running against David Davis for US House of Representatives, Rob Russell

• Rob Russell, a Democratic candidate for the US House of Representatives, 1st District, spoke to the Democratic Women of Johnson County, Tennessee on Saturday, July 12, 2008. Mr. Russell's passion for this district is evident when he spoke of the need for new representation for Johnson County. Mr. Russell is the Director of the Writing and Communication Center at ETSU, a lifelong resident of northeast Tennessee, and a husband and father of two children. He spoke of three strengths that he brings to this election. His pride in the people who live here and the need for pride in our member of the House. He said that representative should be working for all of us to bring jobs, to raise wages, and to ensure everyone has affordable and portable health insurance. He pledged to work for our security. Mr. Russell believes all families should have economic security, energy security, and national security that we can believe in and count on to ensure stability and a decent life. He also wants accountability for our Representative. Mr. Russell is not a career politician. He wants to serve the people of the first district and is motivated by the present plight of others and the challenges of families in today's USA. He sees the American Dream slipping away from the average person. One of his pledges is to remain accountable to us, the citizens of Johnson County. Mr. Russell believes citizen supported campaigns and continual contact with those he hopes to represent will help him be an accountable member of the US House of Representatives.
• Questions on Issues

1. The Environment: We need to be better stewards of the Earth
2. Mountain Top Removal: We need a federal ban on this practice
3. Wages: Wages for non high-tech jobs are important, and we need health care and a living wage for everyone.
4. Campaign Finance: We need campaign finance reform so election for federal office are publicly funded.
5. Iraq: It’s time for the US to leave
6. Taxes: We are living in a time of Reverse Robin Hood—take from the poor and middle class and give to the rich.

General Meeting

• Change billboard message to “Vote for Change: Vote Democratic.” Approved.
  
• All members need to find neighbors who will allow yard signs on their property.
• Darlene Atwood: The Democratic Executive Committee of the Johnson County Democratic Party will meet at 6:00 pm on Monday, July 21, 2008 at the Mountain City/Johnson County Community Center. In addition to the regular business meeting, the session will be for organizing for the general election in November and distributing campaign materials. All Democrats are invited to attend and participate in the discussion during the meeting.
• Next Meeting: August 9, 2008 and snacks will be provided by Kathleen Gehr and Louise Hamm.
• Minutes from June 14, 2008: Adopted
• Treasurer’s Report: Bank Balance of $767.48
• Adjourn: 11:30 am

Submitted by: Katherine Hegemann, Secretary on July 17, 2008

Minutes from June 14, 2008

Democratic Women Meeting Minutes: June 14, 2008

Welcome and Thank you to Flo and staff for set up of facility and for snacks

Guests: Bill Jones (Democratic Primary candidate for TN Senate), Joe Mike Akard (Democratic Party Leader), Larry Hall (Chair of Sullivan County Democrats)

• Hard worker, dedicated, financial expert-CPA, served in the Army and Air Force, auditor for DOD-contract oversight
• Offers a close look at Tennessee’s money and budget wisely
• Emphasize education and jobs-High tech and can’t be exported; small business (see VA, Boucher-high tech, broadband, infrastructure
• Why running? Change in TN leadership; Ramsey seems blind and deaf to NE TN—Lt. Governor, which gives prestige, but that doesn’t help us
• Taxes-get what is owed to the state and everyone pays their fair share
• Efficiency in state government
• Goal: positive leadership change and diverse economy

Questions:

If TN adopted a state income tax, can the tax be deducted from my federal income tax? Yes

Why, when we have a Democratic governor, is TN in an economic crunch? The governor came into a bad situation. TN must have a balanced budget and the governor has tried to get control of spending. There was a good business cycle when he came into office. When the US borrowed money for Iraq, the value of the dollar went down. We are in an economic downturn. Layoffs and cutbacks effect the whole economy. Since the state relies upon a sales tax for revenue and that is down, the state has to cut back too.

Do you have the nerve to tackle implementing an income tax? That’s a tough call. He would not start that move, but he would support a graduated income tax. Right now corporations often pay no taxes. The TN General Assembly can stop this making the corporations combine income and statements for a financial statements and pay excise taxes. Corporations avoid paying living wages by employing people part-time at low wages and no healthcare.

Minutes from April Meeting, Kitty Hegemann: Adopt with change in Sunflower Festival to July 26

Treasurer’s Report, Carole Mauldin (Absent)

Old Business

• The Billboard Update; $130 down: $725 due at end of August for billboard to be posted in Oct.
• Events to participate in: Sunflower Festival – July 26; Fiddler’s Convention – Aug. 24; & Cranberry Festival – Oct. 11th – Still need participants for all the festivals. Please consider helping out.
• The Pumpkin Festival-October 17-19 (Further discussion needed)
• Just two more Voter Registrations; June 21- needs one to help me for 9:00 – 12:00-FC; Aug. 30th in front of Fred’s (our last) is taken care of
• Sign up for LTE’s for July, August, September, and October (Ina Bellamy-July, Louise Hamm-?)
• Memorial Day Wreath-$60
• Two elections this fall: Aug. 7th – Local; registration deadline July 8; Nov. 4th – National; registration deadline Oct. 6.
• Letters to the Editor: Louise Shoen- Environment; Kitty H. – Healthcare- Need more participants
• See minutes on back for information regarding the August ballot

New Business

• Now that we have a candidate, we need to start publicly supporting him in any way we can. I hope all of you have ordered your bumper stickers. I am presently trying to get yard signs.
• Program – Message from Dem. Primary Candidate for State Senator – Bill Jones from Kingsport (see above)

Next Meeting : July 12

• Another Candidate presentation: Rob Russell, Democratic Primary candidate for US House of Representatives 1st District
• Snacks: July-Romayne St. John and Karin Bell, August-Kathleen Gehr and Louise Hamm, September-Ina Bellamy and Wanda Payne

Adjourn: 11:45 am

Submitted by: Katherine Hegemann, June 19, 2008

Minutes from May 10, 2008

Democratic Women Meeting Minutes, May 10, 2008

Welcome and Thank you to Flo and staff for set up of facility and for snacks

Minutes from April Meeting, Kitty Hegemann (Approved)

Treasurer’s Report, Carole Mauldin—Balance $810.58, Billboard $375.00 (Approved)

Old Business

• Two new women joined us: Louise Shoen and Margaret Westphal
• Memorial Day Wreath--$60.00
• The Billboard Update—Set up fee $130.00 is due
• Events to participate in: Sunflower Festival – July 26; Fiddler’s Convention – Aug. 24; Cranberry Festival – Oct. 11
• Sent around sign-up sheet today for both voter registration and event booths
• Event and Voter Registration Sign Up—The Voter Registration in April was a success. Registration for the August election closes July 8 until after the August 7 election. The July 26 voter registration drive is cancelled because it might confuse voters.
• Need Precinct/ District Chairs for each voting district – to be in charge of calling and going door to door – be thinking about who would be good
• Sign up for LTE’s for April, May, June, July, August, September, and October
• Enter names for Precinct Chair possibilities
• Republican Women want us to do Civics Education(Flag Etiquette) with young people through school system. I would rather do Constitution Week – September 17- 25 We the People – What are the basic beliefs contained in the Preamble to the Constitution?

New Business

• The August General Election ballot will be for Property Assessor countywide; for two school board members for the 2nd Educational District, which is Mountain City, Forge/Shouns, Trade and Neva; and for 5 or 6 vacancies on various statewide judicial offices (State Supreme Court, etc.) We don't yet have all those. There were three; now there are five, and it will be sometime in June before we know exactly who and how many. What is significant to Johnson County is Property Assessor and School Board.
• In addition, there will be a Democratic Primary and a Republican Primary for Congress, United States Senate, State Representative and State Senator. Incumbents are David Davis, Lamar Alexander, Jason Mumpower and Ron Ramsey. Winners of the Primaries, along with any Independent Candidates will be on the ballot November 4th, along with the Presidential Nominees and Independent Candidates.
• PROGRAM: In absence of Bobbie and Evelyn, Wanda provided a packet of information relative to the campaign. These information might be used to pen an LTE. Divided into six groups, looked over information, and shared talking points.

Next Month, June 14 :

• Bobbie Smith will present program on each candidate’s stand on the war.
• Membership will finalize Precinct Chair List
• Public Relations will finalize sign up sheets
• Who will do snacks in June?

Adjourned: 11:14 am

Minutes from April 12, 2008

Democratic Women Meeting Minutes, April 12, 2008

Welcome and Thank you–Bobbie and Carole for snacks

Minutes from February Meeting, Kitty Hegemann: Approved

Treasurer’s Report, Carole Mauldin: Approved

Old Business

• The Billboard will cost over $800 with a $130 production fee upfront. Have collected almost $300 and will probably get help from Democratic Executive Committee which will meet soon / DEC is elected by the JCDP every two years in convention – rules set up by DNC
• Must make request to DEC for money and for our VEEP to be on committee – VP cannot be added until next convention. Darlene: In case of death or resignation a new member can be appointed before the convention. The next convention will be April 2009; however, Judy Walsh will be contacted when the Executive Committee meets and invited to attend.
• Events to participate in: Sunflower Festival – June 28; Fiddler’s Convention – Aug. 24; & Cranberry Festival – Oct. 11th
• Will send around sign-up sheet today for both voter registration and event booths
  Need Precinct/ District Chairs for each voting district – to be in charge of calling and going door to door – be thinking about who would be good –Collect money for dues, wreath, and billboard
• Letters to the Editor: Get out vote; candidate support; encouraging support of Dem. Party or doing research before deciding and not just voting for your parents’ party

New Business

• Sign up for LTE’s for April, May, June, July, August, September, and October
• Enter names for Precinct Chair possibilities
• Event and Voter Registration Sign Up
• Wreath for Memorial Day - $50-75
• Republican Women want us to do Civics Education (Flag Etiquette) with young people through school system. The DWJC decided to do Constitution Week – September 17- 25 "We the People" – What are the basic beliefs contained in the Preamble to the Constitution? The Honor Guard already does flag etiquette.
• Program on Healthcare Proposals from Clinton, Obama, and McCain by Jill Bontrager: Please see her notes.

Next Month, May 10 :

• Bobbie Smith will present program on each candidate’s stand on the war.
• Membership will finalize Precinct Chair List
• Public Relations will finalize sign-up sheets
• Snacks in May: Judy Walsh and Wanda Payne

Adjourn: 11:14 am
Date: April 14, 2008
Submitted by: Katherine Hegemann

Minutes from March 8, 2008

Wanda Payne opened the meeting at 10 AM welcoming all. We had eight members present and one guest from Florida.

Wanda thanked E. Cook for the refreshments and Flo Belamy for all her work prior to our meetings.

Minutes were read and approved

Treasurer's report showed $425.58 on hand, Carole was collecting $100.00 plus during the meeting.

We will ask DEC to help pay for the billboard in October, we collected approx. $300.00 so far.

The DEC elects their board members every 2 years. For any officer of DWJC to be a member of the DEC, that officer will have to be elected and seated as a DEC member.

DEC will to rent a HQ; however, endorsement of a candidate will be after the Denver convention.

Keep the list of events handy and remember them; Wanda will send around a signup sheet at the next meeting.

E. Cook mentioned that Mayor Kevin Parsons is planning a grand Pumpkin Festival lasting 3-4 days in October, which is a good time for Dems to show up.

Wanda passed around copies of the voter registration form and a page from Newsweek magazine showing each candidate of both parties and their proposed spending goals.

We went over the registration form item by item to assist future voters with their registration, what to point out to them, questions to ask, etc.

October 5th is deadline for registration to be able to vote in the November election.

Wanda asked members to write letters to the editor but to make sure you arm yourself with good solid information.

Next meeting April 12th and sign up for a variety of events. Bobby Smith and Carole Mauldin will bring refreshments.

E. Cook mentioned that the Republican Women are doing worthwhile projects for the community to get publicity and suggested we come up with ideas to do likewise.

Meeting was adjourned at 11:05.

Minutes taken by: Karin Bell
Submitted by: Katherine Hegemann
Date: March 10, 2008