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Updated February 27, 2008
February 13 , 2008, Meeting
• Official Minutes
• Informal Notes and Photos
• Agenda
• Chair Ivan Weiss's Message for February
Note: View the history of February news articles and calendar events on the
February Archive News page.
Official Minutes
February 13, 2008 Meeting
Click here for the minutes in Adobe Acrobat format (PDF).
Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM
Chair, Ivan Weiss, made a motion to approve January's minutes, tonight's agenda and the treasures report as they were all posted in the news letter. Was moved, seconded and passed for all.
Chair Report:
Ivan asked to have those who were first time attendees to raise their hands. He asked for those who have been members to help the new member out and to introduce ourselves.
Once the pres camps are over we are here after that. We as the 34th LD are player in state scene; we are active in all levels of the State Dem party.
Ivan then introduced the e-board members, who are: Tim Nuse 1st Vice Chair, who ran the caucuses, Ann Martin 2nd Vice Chair, Mitch Feller Secretary, Greg Treasurer, Bruce Stotler State Committeeman, Leslie Harris State Committeewomen, Robin Hess King County Committeeman, Brian Earl Alt KCC, Marcee Stone King County Committeewoman, Laura Feinstein Alt KCC, Richard by-laws Chair, and our new Out Reach appointees Steve Karbowski, Sara Earl, and Less Treal and Jackie Dupra. Our web master Bill Schrier. Please visit our web as it is the most content rich web site. All officer info is on web site please contact when you need too.
Angela Henry 206-583-0664 call to help with data entry on the weekends. We lobby in Olympia for the 34th dist. Next one is 18 Feb, Pres Day. Please be there! Sign up for Monday. Crab feed is also that evening. All the elected officials will be there.
Dow Constantine, King County Rep., is with us this evening Sen. Joe McDermott, Rep Eileen Cody and Rep Sharon Nelson will be here after the session ends to report how things went.
Tim is busy totaling Caucus attendees, we are hoping to have over 10, 000. We raised over $30, 000 at this event. The 34th is fighting to make all Campaigns publicly funded Terry Sullivan founded publicly funded org. State Senator McDermott helped introduce the bill and worked to get it passed! The bill is now on its way to the Governors' office.
Membership at 487 most we have ever had. We have added 600 new members at Saturdays caucus.
We are taking steps to improve the leadership in this district. A Leadership Committee has been organized and Steve Karbowski is the Chair. We will be evaluating the following: encouraged everyone to attend the next meeting. Define roles of e-board, develop leadership strategies, identify 34th district values. Next meeting will be at Up-Town Espresso 28 Feb 08 7:00 pm.
Agenda
Tim Nuse 1st Vice Chair. Results of caucus later in the show. What are we looking at after the caucus? We want to Register 100% of all eligible voters. Need every ones help, we are looking to enroll the help of neighborhood leaders, they will help their PCOs knock on every door in precinct. Need all vol's to help. Out reach mode attend all community events. Deliver gov man to chris greg. Our hard work will give her a great victory this year.
Pres ticket will carry wa state. Gov re-election "Patty Murray numbers" 58% for gov this time. Losy with money!!!!!!!! Need more/better fund raisers. Dina Johnston designed our logo for t-shirts, banner, etc. make new t-shirts to attend public events.
Julie H. speaking for the Barrack Obama campaign thanked all for the turn out and support! 186 precincts of which () went to Sen. Obama. Sign up at table to help make sure to attend primary next week. 19 Feb. We have super delegates that still are deciding, the world is watching.
Robin Hess
Election of second vice chair Ann Martin was not conducted accordance with our by-laws. However since it was announced at our last meeting that Tim Nuse was elected into the First Vice Chair position that is consider notice, and we now need to elect our Second Vic Chair at this meeting. Tim Nuse nominated Ann Martin, it was seconded. With all the new faces we need to get this mentorship going and she is willing to help train whom ever wants to fill the position when the re-org occurs. Ann was elected by acclimation.
We now need to approve the appointment of out reach positions- co-chaired by Steve Karbowski, Less Treal, and Sarah Earl. Steve says, "We need to elect Democrats up and down the ticket". We need to be involved in events this summer. Less spoke about the importance of helping organize volunteers for these events.
Big events at the end of the summer are: the 34th dist picnic which will be in July at Lincoln Park. In Aug it will be our 13th or 14th annual Garden party/auction. It will be the second Friday in Aug at West Seattle .we are looking for chairs to organize these events. Bob Watt to be auctioneer again
Resolution: min wage for jury duty. 2 speakers for 2 against 2 min each!
Maker of res John Kennedy it should be self evident. If people know about it they would approve this resolution. Against Chris Arkels there is no pot of money to increase the pay of jury members. 91,000 days of court. At $61 a day it would have cost over 5 million. Over half turn money back as employer's pay for employee's to be on jury duty. This res needs to be well thought out, and done in a responsible way.
Motion to table. Robin is this out of order to end a speech with a motion? Was decided that it was ok 72 for motion, 15 against tabling. Motion to table res passed. Will discuss at March meeting.
Res: Maria Ramerz speaking for res. This resolution is asking for more community in-put. The merger of Sealth High School and Denny Middle schools will allow for more community input. No a true public forums have been held.
Chris Porter speaking against the resolution- Westwood meeting 3 options need to figure out which is the best option. Do something new and innovative.
We should table to find out more info. Was decided that it is out of order to make a speech then ask for the resolution to be tabled. This causes great debate since the same thing was just done during the prior resolution. The resolution is not tabled
Leslie Harris speaking for, the School's are doing amazing things. Seattle Public School Board does not know the meaning of transparency. Is this a well defined issue? NO. Do we know what will be done with the Denny property?
Alex Pie- against. Voters guide distributed 45,000 voter pamphlets in the city. Bonds to fund replace 4 high schools, 1 k-8, and 2 elem. Loose out on 29% of funds to scrap what is there and start again. Who is going to pay for this, we are all tax payer. Where will the funds come from?
Ann Martin now moves to table. Ruled out of order. Is there a procedure to table resolution? Answer no, the only way to have it table now is to vote on issue and it loose.
All in favor of this resolution42, those apposed 41. The Resolution passes by 1.
Precinct Caucus debrief: Tim Nuse BIG DAY!!!!!! Still tallying may be close to 9300, but we'll have total numbers very soon. Vashon had 1663 in attendance. We raised over $30,000. Of the 1045 delegates 736 went to Sen. Obama, 293 to Sen. Clinton, and 15 uncommitted. Over 130 PCO's were trained before the Caucuses on how things were going to be organized. Area Caucus Coordinators please stand to be recognized. 175 out of 206 Precincts covered. We were hoping for 20% more at this years caucus and we nearly doubled the 2004 amount.
The 34th Legislative District Caucus is April 5 at West Seattle High School. King County Convention is April 13th and will discuss resolutions to go to state convention. Please sign up to be neighborhood leaders we will need all the help we can get. If you sign up we will get that info to the PCO and you can contact them to organize what you want to do. Primary focus is to locate homes that are not on our voter list. They don't have to register to vote but we want to give them the opportunity to do so. Give sign in sheets back to PCOs so they can start organizing. Get the lists at the end of the meeting.
Joe Mitter, Shorewood PCO. Wants to take on neighboring precinct can dist pay postage for PCOs to contact attendees? Informing them of our next meeting, and seeing what they want to do to help.
Ivan announced that after each meeting we convene to the Elliott Bay Brewery, for those who want to continue discussing political issues. Also, please help clean up this evening.
7 new PCO's
Marcia Berenter Sea 34-1454
Dorsol Plants Sea 34-1249
Duane Hobbs Salmon Creek
Steven Dagadakis Sea 34-1461
Aaron McCartney Sea 34-1513
Chris Porter Sea 34-1520
Sabra Schneider Sea 34-1538
Barbara Miller Sea 34-3264
New business
Harry Arthur 34th dist membership cards bring up at e-board meeting.
Leslie Harris: thank you all for being here. Last state meeting asked for a continuation of the Latino vote project program. A resolution was introduced to get more funding for this program, however additional were given to this program. Email Dwight@wa-democrats.org to find out why.
Good of the order:
Tom () what is our org going to do to make sure our super delegates don't change the vote.
Robin Hess interviewer said one of McCains senior advisors would work with Sen. Obama if he gets the majority of delegates.
Fund raiser for Peter Goldmark at Kay bullets house.
King County Convention is 13 April 2:00 pm. King County Elections office sent out message saying if you participated in caucus you can not vote in primary. That is not correct!
Marcee Stone: thanks to the grass roots efforts that got the publicly funded campaign bill to the Governor.
Keith Ware his union has been working without a contract for the last 9 months. Tell school board and county to get off their buts to get this done!
Sandy Trip the caucuses were fabulous. She had 96 people from her precinct.
Adjourn at 8:53
Respectfully submitted,
Mitch Feller
Secretary
Informal Notes and Photos
February 2008 Meeting
Click any photo to enlarge it.
Agenda
Meeting of Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The Hall at Fauntleroy
9131 California Avenue S.W.,
West Seattle, Washington
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS
"All The Democracy You Can Handle"
Download the Agenda as a PDF File
Special Note: The meeting will be in the BACK ROOM of the Hall for this month only.
Introduction
• 6:30 PM - Social - drinks provided, please bring potluck food to share
• 7:00 - Call to order, flag salute,
Adoption of agenda, minutes of January meeting, treasurer's report
• 7:05 PM - Chairman's report
• Remarks by Steve Karbowski, Leadership Development Committee
• First Vice Chair's report
Program
• Brief remarks from Obama campaign
• Election of Second Vice Chair
• Approval of Outreach Committee co-chairs
Resolutions
• Resolution regarding compensation for Jury Duty
• Resolution regarding Denny-Sealth School Process - see below on this page or view as a PDF file (printable)
February 9th Caucus
We will discuss preliminary results of the caucus. View precinct-by-precinct results here (37kb PDF file)
Business Meeting
• Appointment of PCOs
• Old Business
• New Business
• Good of the Order
Next Meetings:
• March 12 - to be determined
Resolution Regarding Compensation for Jury Duty
Submitted by John Kennedy, PCO 34-1419, (206) 935-9884, kennedyalki@comcast.net
Whereas King County, Washington State, and the entire legal system in the state of Washington including the "Bar" are continuously operating contrary to the spirit of the will of the people, and in violation of the laws of the state of Washington, as well as federal laws, by operating a jury system in which the compensation for jury duty is $10 per day.
And whereas King County has a budget of some $4.8 Billion
And whereas a payment of $10 per day is insulting and hypocritical
Be it resolved the 34th District Democrats will instruct all elected officials from the 34th District to introduce legislation making it mandatory that the legal system operate in conformity with the minimum wage laws of the State of Washington.
Be it further resolved that the elected officials report back to the 34th district at a regularly called meeting.
Resolution that the 34th District Democratics Support the Westwood Neighborhood Council and School Staff in seeking to participate in a authentic public process for all stakeholders
Submitted to the membership of the 34th Legislative District Democrats for consideration on February 13 by Susan Harmon, Pablo Lambinicio, and Maria Ramirez.
WHEREAS, the voters approved a new Denny Middle School and renovation of Chief Sealth High School and instead are getting a project where there has been no vision or authentic planning that appears to have been conceived as a money saving move that leaves equity and involvement of the stakeholders out of the equation; and
WHEREAS, the staff of Chief Sealth High School, parents and Westwood neighbors have requested several times for the Seattle Public Schools (SPS) to address the academic benefits for our students in the decision to co-locate the campuses and received no adequate response, and;
WHEREAS, the plan that followed for combining the two schools on one campus has never included an authentic open process for all the stakeholders to become informed and to provide input, even though community involvement is mandated in any process of SPS; and
WHEREAS, The Westwood Neighborhood Council has been very cooperative with Seattle Schools on this issue. They have organized several public meetings and have offered time and again to assist Schools in having authentic public meetings to get the community input; and
WHEREAS, SPS Administratiive staff have admitted that there was not an adequate effort to notify all the stakeholders and involve them in the process; and
WHEREAS, Concerns of parents and staff regarding the safety of mixing the age groups have not been adequately addressed; and
WHEREAS, it is the paramount duty of the State is to provide for common education of all residents of the State and the Denny Sealth Capital Project represents a significant programmatic change with decades long consequences to one of the most needy educational communities in the State; and
WHEREAS, The plan would alter or destroy work already done at Sealth under Building Excellence (BEX) II and Buildings, Technology and Academics (BTA).
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 34th Legislative District Democrats call on the Seattle School Board and District Administration to direct Building Excellence (BEX) III/Facilities to provide an option for rebuilding Denny at the current Denny site and completing the required upgrades in order to meet code for Chief Sealth; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 34th Legislative District Democrats request that the SPS establish a genuine process, consistent with public engagement requirements for community, students and staff input for the construction and renovation project.; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 34th Legislative District Democrats call on the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) work with the Westwood Neighborhood Council, parents and School staff to ensure that all provisions ofWAC 392 341-346 ( State assistance in providing school plant facilities) and any other provisions requiring public comment are complied with; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 34th Legislative District Democrats will support the Westwood Neighborhood Council, the Seattle Education Association, parents and students by attending public meetings, contacting School Board members, and receiving updates from the supporters of this Resolution.
Attachments, summary sheets and references - see http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=392
Updated February 4, 2008
 Fbruary Message from Chair Ivan Weiss
All Hands on Deck
Precinct caucuses are upon us, Saturday, February 9, and we need YOU to make them successful - for more reasons that we already have heard.
We have heard about the state party challenge, and the reasons for it. We have our goals for turnout, voter registration, and voter ID. Our members should know by now what they can do to help at the caucuses themselves, if they have not been assigned tasks already (If not, please DO ask your PCO or your Area Caucus Coordinator).
So this message is about the caucuses themselves, and why we conduct them the way we do, so that if you encounter voters who just don't get it, or who don't want to get it, you might share some of these perspectives with them.
Have we all heard these questions and complaints by now:
"Why can't we pick delegates with a primary?"
"Caucuses are not democratic."
"I shouldn't have to say I'm a Democrat."
"I want my open primary back."
Certainly I have heard all of this - even at Democratic Party meetings. Here's what I tell people. Maybe it will be helpful.
The "open" primary isn't coming back. Court after court has ruled it unconstitutional. Parties can set their own rules for choosing the candidates who will represent them in a general election. In other words, general elections belong to all the people, but primaries belong to the parties.
There's a good reason for that. Remember Ellen Craswell? She thought we were all working for Satan. Yes, THAT Satan - the devil. In Ellen Craswell's world, if you didn't share her fundamentalist religion and her righter-than-right-wing politics, you might as well be an instrument of the devil. That meant me - and you - and all Democrats.
That sounded good to me, so I voted for her - for Governor - in the "open" primary. I wanted her to be the Republican nominee, and the law said I could, so I did what the law allowed, and so did a lot of other people.
And we got our wish. Our dear Ellen was the Republican nominee for governor in 1996, many voters looked upon her with horror, and Gary Locke duly trounced her.
Were the Republicans happy about that? They were not, so they joined with the Democrats in the successful challenge to the "open primary."
We don't have partisan registration here, like most other states have, so to vote in a primary or to participate in a party's caucus, voters are required, by law, to state a preference for one party or another. Some voters don't like that. But it's the law here.
If our "pick-a-party" primaries survive the final legal test, at the U.S. Supreme Court, look for the Grange and other enemies of partisan politics to submit an initiative that would make all statewide races nonpartisan. We hope that no one who reads this newsletter would sign that petition or vote for it, but we'll deal with that when it happens.
The Democratic Party decided, for several reasons, to select its delegates for the state and national nominating conventions with caucuses instead of primaries.
We want people to participate. We want them to engage their neighbors in political discussion and to organize for action with like-minded Democrats. That might sound trite, but experience tells us that it works, especially in the 34th District. If we can organize to select delegates for a national nominating convention, we can organize to accomplish many other things, from fixing potholes to electing presidents, and everything in between.
We understand that not everyone can attend a caucus, and that all voters can fill out ballots for a primary in their own homes. But there is a large positive tradeoff to holding caucuses that I like to emphasize, and usually it stops the critics right in their tracks.
We put our money where our mouth is. We fund our own caucuses, and we staff them with volunteer labor. Unlike primaries, our caucuses do not cost the taxpayers one thin dime. And all Democrats are welcome to attend, if they can. By contrast, the "beauty contest" primary February 19, which will not select a single Democratic delegate, will cost the taxpayers $9.7 million, according to the Seattle P-I.
Everyone is forced to pay for a primary, whether they participate or not. If we caucus, we pay our own way. We think that's fair. We think it's "all the democracy you can handle." I hope this is helpful. Have a great caucus, and see you February 13.
--
Ivan Weiss, Chairman, 34th District Democrats
PO Box 860
Vashon WA 98070 206-463-4647
"When they're working, we're working
When they're sleeping, we're working."
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