February 2, 2007:
The meeting was called to order by Co-presidents Pat and Marilyn. The 2006 Board members were recognized for their service and presented with gifts.
A flip chart of suggested topics for subsequent meetings was presented. Members were asked to sign up if interested in volunteering to develop programs from these topics.
Mary Bradley withdrew her name as 2007 Treasurer during January, so the Board selected Bob Norris as her replacement. Members approved Bob as 2007 Treasurer.
Members were asked to approve an increase in yearly dues to $15 per person, or $25 per couple. Hardship dues remained at $10 per person. Members approved the increase.
Members were reminded that, per the Bylaws, only paid members would be able to vote on issues coming before the group during the year.
Program:
The 2007 State Legislators in our districts held an informal and lively conversation with the members, discussing their bills, other activities upcoming for the year, and answered member’s questions. Speakers were: Sen. Brandon Shaffer-Senate District 17, Rep. Paul Weissmann-House District 12, Rep. Jack Pommer-House District 11, and Rep. Dianne Primavera-House District 33.
Meeting adjourned.
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March 7, 2007:
The meeting was called to order by Co-presidents Pat and Marilyn.
Members were presented with, and approved a list of goals for 2007 which had been developed by the Board. Goals included: Increase membership, Set up events/fundraisers around a cause, Present more local issues, Increase Group Interaction/Participation, Help elect locally progressive candidates for city council, other city and county offices.
LAD’s Mission Statement was revised and approved to read: “Our mission is to be responsive to the needs of the Longmont area voting public by providing education, information and opportunities for citizen participation in our representative democracy”.
Webmaster, Doug Wray, gave a live demonstration on surfing the Longmont Area Democrats website, and answered questions from members.
Karen Benker, Longmont City Councilwoman for Ward 2, spoke about items that were being considered by City Council. She presented some history and addresses issues related to the Union annexation, a proposed development undergoing review that would require annexation by the City.
Richard Hansen, LAD’s Content Manager for the website, at the Board’s request, complied and presented a list of Resolutions for the membership to review and discuss. This idea came about because numerous members had asked what LAD stood for, and whether the group was willing to stake a stand on topical/controversial issues facing the state and country. The following resolutions were presented and discussed by the members:
(1) We support the immediate withdrawal of American troops from Iraq in a safe and measured way in conjunction with the pursuit of all diplomatic options both regional and international.
(2) We support legislation that reduces the cost of healthcare and makes it affordable. Including the consideration of a single payer universal healthcare system.
(3) We support legislation and programs that make higher education more available and affordable.
(4) We support the development of conservation programs and alternative energy sources to lessen our reliance on fossil fuels.
(5) We support efforts both governmental and private that promote the protection and improvement in our environment.
(6) We support the development of governmental policies that create living wage jobs that benefit the economy and increase the standard of living for all Americans.
(7) We support the establishment at the state level of a publicly financed election system that eliminates financial influence in politics.
(8) We support legislation and initiatives that protect and restore our civil liberties, and in the dignity and human rights of all people.
Michael Flanagan moderated the discussion. Members agreed that more time was needed to consider the resolutions, so they will be further reviewed at future meetings.
Meeting adjourned.
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April 4, 2007:
The meeting was called to order by Co-presidents Pat and Marilyn.
Resolution discussion: Only the Iraq resolution was discussed at this meeting. Members were given a week to email Pat/Marilyn their suggested changes. The Board would review and make adjustments as agreed on. The finalized wording for this resolution would be presented for an up or down vote at the May meeting. The remaining resolutions were left for discussion at future meetings.
Program:
The program was devoted to the environment and alternative energy, with an emphasis on local issues. Speakers were:
James Martin – Governor Ritter’s Executive Director of Public Health and Environment.
Stephanie Burris and Bob Norris – Green Building
Bob Ewers, City of Longmont – Wind Energy
Allie Marshall – Center for Resource Conservation Center
A question and answer session with the members followed.
Meeting adjourned.
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May 2, 2007:
The meeting was called to order by Co-vice presidents Jack and Ruth.
The Iraq resolution was reworded as follows, and members voted approval: “We support the prompt withdrawal of American troops from Iraq in a safe and measured way, in conjunction with the pursuit of all diplomatic options, both regional and international”.
Members were asked to volunteer for the LAD booth at the Cinco De Mayo Festival on May 5th from 9 to 5 at the Roosevelt Park Pavilion.
Program:
The program was a Roundtable Forum with Longmont City Council Members and local government officials, moderated by Jonathan singer. The following officials attended and spoke to the members:
Council members: Mary Blue, Doug Brown, Roger Lange, Karen Benker and, Marty Block.
City Public Works Operations Manager – Charlie Kamenides
Community Outreach Coordinator for Eco-Cycle – Jen Friedman
Planning and Development Services Director – Brad Schol
They answered questions submitted earlier by the Board, as well as questions from the membership.
Meeting adjourned.
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June 6, 2007:
The meeting was called to order by Co-presidents Pat and Marilyn.
Members approved a request by the Board to send $75 to Tom Griggs to help pay off debts remaining after his 2006 campaign for State Board of Education.
Members approved more of the Resolutions originally presented at the March 7th meeting. Those approved were as follows:
· We support legislation that reduces the cost of healthcare and makes it affordable, including the consideration of a single payer universal healthcare system.
· We support legislation and programs that make higher education more available and affordable.
· We support the development of conservation programs and alternative energy sources to lessen our reliance on fossil fuels.
Program:
The program was devoted to Longmont’s Open Space and Trails system. Daniel Wolford, the City’s Manager of Parks, Open Space & Forestry, spoke about the Open Space Initiative, a proposal by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, (PRAB), to extend the existing sales tax which is used for the acquisition and development of Open Space in and around Longmont. This Initiative would be added to the November ballot.
He presented a slide show of the current Open Space & Trails Master Plan, and described plans for future acquisitions and development of the trails, greenways and open space system. A follow up Q&A session was held with the members. Ginny Hayden, a member of the PRAB, provided additional comments, and encouraged members to apply for various board openings at the City.
Meeting adjouned.
Posted by content as Minutes at 11:15 AM UTC
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August 1, 2007:
The annual LAD picnic was held at Pat Davis’ house.
Program:
Featured speakers were State Democratic Party Chairwoman Pat Waak, State Senator Brandon Shaffer, and CD4 candidates Betsy Markey and Angie Paccione. Local city council and mayoral candidates in attendance were Karen Benker running for mayor, and Sean McCoy, Ariel Steele and Gabe Santos, all running for various council positions. They were introduced to the party attendees.
The picnic was a huge success, attended by 80+ people. Several Republicans picketed the party from across the street.
Posted by content as Minutes at 11:18 AM UTC
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September 5, 2007:
The meeting was called to order by Co-president Pat.
Pat spoke about the coming municipal election on November 7th. She explained that in support of LAD’s Mission Statement “to inform and educate” its members, the Board decided to develop a questionnaire regarding issues that may be important to Longmont’s citizens. It was submitted to all 11 candidates running for local offices, with the comment that their responses was optional. Seven candidates replied. They were:
Mayoral candidates: Karen Benker, Doug Brown and Roger Lange
Ward I candidates: Brian Hansen and James DeVore
Ward III candidate: Sean McCoy
At-Large candidate: Sarah Levison
The written responses were made available at the meeting and would be published on the LAD website. See www.longmontdems.org,.
Based on the candidates’ responses, the Board recommended that LAD make a $100 contribution to each of the campaigns of Karen Benker, Brian Hansen, Sean McCoy, and Sarah Levison. Members voted approval.
Program:
Public funding of elections. Speakers were Dan Gould, Jim Hoffmeister and Mark Kastler from Clean Campaigns Colorado. Their organization has been focusing its efforts on how to reform political campaign financing in Colorado in order to reduce the influence of special interest groups. They also described actions that other states are taking to change the involvement of money in campaigns. Q & A followed the presentation.
Meeting adjourned.
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November 7, 2007:
The meeting was called to order by Co-president Marilyn.
Program:
Health Care Options for Coloradoans. Speakers were Barry Keene and Jake Williams. Barry is a small business owner and vice-president of the organization “Health Care for all Coloradans”. Jake is affiliated with SEIU (Service Employees International Union.)
Barry gave some background on the Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform. It was created by the Colorado Legislature in 2006. It is now called the 208 Commission. The Commission is evaluating 4 proposals submitted by various groups, and has, itself, developed a 5th proposal. The Commission is required to make final recommendations for comprehensive health care reform to the General Assembly by January 31, 2008.
Both Barry’s organization and Jake’s organization have submitted proposals that are part of the Commission’s study.
They presented all of the proposals that the Commission is evaluating, and each went into greater depth on his particular proposal. They gave the following website where members could find information: http://www.colorado.gov/208commission.
Members participated in a Q&A session at the end.
Meeting adjourned.
Posted by content as Minutes at 11:23 AM UTC
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December 5, 2007:
The meeting took place at Front Range Community College. This was the annual Christmas Pot-Luck dinner.
The meeting was called to order by Co-president Marilyn.
Membership was reminded that the date for January 2008 meeting would be moved to January 16th, because the first Wednesday of the month was too close to the New Year’s Holiday. Deb Gardner gave a presentation about the 2008 Caucus. Members voted to table a review of the Bylaw changes until the January 2008 meeting. Richard Juday was introduced as a candidate for the At Large seat in the upcoming Municipal Special Election in January, 2008. A cookbook drawing was held.
The following officers were elected to serve in 2008:
Marilyn Hughes-President
Bob Roy- Vice President
Jack Wolfe-Secretary
Bob Norris-Treasurer
Pat Davis-Member at Large
Program:
Jim Martin, Governor Ritter’s Executive Director of Public Health and Environment, spoke about issues around global warming, renewable energy and other environmental concerns facing the state. He spoke at length on the Governor’s proposal, “Colorado Climate Action Plan, A Strategy to Address Global Warming” which was released in November.
He explained that the plan was developed over several months, in collaboration with business and community leaders, conservationists, scientists and concerned citizens. Its aim was to develop and support energy efficiency measures that would reduce demand for electrical energy and lower utility bills; continue to expand on the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, and find additional ways to develop the state’s renewable energy supplies. It included a goal for making cars and trucks run more cleanly and efficiently. It also provided a plan to help rural Colorado by creating economic incentives for major utilities and industries to pay farmers and ranchers to sequester more carbon in the soil. For more information, the complete plan could be found on Governor Ritter’s website. He also spoke about these issues in a worldwide context, giving information regarding organizations and research groups that are working on these problems throughout the world. Overall, his presentation was very upbeat, and he stated that he was optimistic about the future, adding that he believed it was still not too late to be able to solve the many environmental issues facing the world today. He answered lots of questions posed by the members.
Posted by content as Minutes at 11:25 AM UTC
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