I Markey in Longmont

II Next LAD Meeting

III Volunteers Needed for Longmont Office

I Markey in Longmont

The Democratic Women of Boulder County asked me to send this update to everyone.

Dear Friend, 

We are receiving strong interest in our program with Betsy Markey scheduled for tomorrow.  We will also hear from Colorado Senator Rollie Heath and HD 11 candidate Deb Gardner.  Please plan to be a the Longmont Public Library around 11:30 to get settled and enjoy your lunch.  The program will begin promptly at 12:00!.

The DWBC is focused on reaching out to Democrats throughout Boulder County. Our first outreach program will feature Congresswoman Betsy Markey at the  Longmont Public library at 409 4th Ave on Tuesday, August 24^th 11:30 am – 1:00 pm. Betsy will discuss the challenges and opportunities of the coming year.  She will also discuss her congressional race and why it is receiving national attention.  Event is free, brown bag lunch is encouraged. Make the most of your Tuesday!
www.dw-bc.org

II Next LAD Meeting Sept. 1st

What: LAD Monthly Meeting 
Who: Paula Noonan from Capitol Watch
Where: Front Range Community College – Longmont (Community Room)
When: Sept 1 at 7pm

We all care about issues in our state.  But our legislative process often makes sausage out of sanity.  Paula Noonan from Capitol Watch http://www.coloradocapitolwatch.com/ is a state-wide expert on how to track the issues that are most important to you! Join LAD on Sept 1 to see how legislative tracking is done.

III Boulder County Democrats Need Your Help

In 2006 Marylin Musgrave beat Angie Pacccione by 2.5%
In 2008 Betsy Markey beat Marylin Musgrave by 120% (okay 12%)
THE DIFFERENCE?
In 2006 Longmont did not have a Boulder County Dems Campaign office.

In 2010 Longmont will have an office again. But an office without staff is like a Markey without a Victory.  

Please contact me at jonathan.singer@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out as an office manager.  We need some dedicated Democrats from September on forward to lend a hand.  

All the Best,
Jonathan Singer
Longmont Area Democrats President

I  Democratic Day of Unity Rally Aug. 14
II Boulder County Democrats Exec Meeting Aug. 12
III Exclusive DCCC Strategy Session for Markey Aug. 21 
IV Markey in Longmont Aug. 24
V   A Special Thank You

I. Democratic Unity

Boulder County Democrats Unite!

Sponsored by:

Boulder County Democratic Party,

Democratic Women of Boulder County,

and the Longmont Area Democrats

When: Saturday, August 14^th, 1:00-3:00

Where: Dawson Park, Longmont (map)

What: Refreshments and Speeches from

our national, state and local candidates

This has been a primary season in which

everyone has worked very hard for their

favorite candidate. Now it’s time to unite

behind our Democratic nominees.

Please join us for a unity event as Boulder

County Democrats organize for victory in

November.

II Boulder County Dems Executive Committee Meeting
Boulder County Democrats Executive Committee Meeting

Thursday, Aug 12 at 6:30 PM
Boulder County Democrats Headquarters
1725B Walnut St, Boulder, CO 80302
County Commissioner Cindy Domenico will discuss the two ballot measures referred by the County Commissioners

III Strategy and Canvassing Session with DCCC National Field Team

On Saturday, August 21^st at 10:00am the National Field Team from the DCCC (Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee) including their National Director and all Regional Directors will be in Fort Collins.  Please join them, the Colorado Coordinated Campaign and Betsy Markey’s Campaign for an overview of National Field Strategy and a canvassing training.

Please join us at 10:00am, Saturday August 21^st for strategy, training and canvassing.  We have just over 2 months left before the election and Betsy needs your help to knock doors and spread her message.

What: Canvassing with DCCC National Field Team and Betsy Markey
When: 10:00am, Saturday, August 21st
Where: Markey for Congress Office
419 Canyon, Suite 200
Fort Collins, CO 80521

For more information or to RSVP, please call our office at 970-221-1473

IV. Betsy Markey in Longmont with Democratic Women of Boulder County

Outreach Program with Congresswoman Betsy Markey

The DWBC is focused on reaching out to Democrats throughout Boulder County. Our first outreach program will feature Congresswoman Betsy Markey at the Longmont Public library on August 24th 11:45 am – 1:00 pm. Please join us in hearing Betsy discuss the challenges and opportunities of the coming year. She will also talk about her congressional race and why it is receiving national attention. Event is free!

V. A Special Thank You
“I’m not a member of any organized political party, I’m a Democrat!” 
-Will Rogers

Dear LAD’ers,

Politics is a zero-sum game most of the time.  Sometimes our candidates win, sometimes they don’t.  It’s hard when you lose.    Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t be angry, depressed, or even in just flat-out denial if you or your candidate lost.  On the flip side, if you feel the need to jump up and down in exuberation from a victory, that’s OK too.  No one is a “bad” or “disloyal” Democrat for showing human emotion .  But give the opposite side some space and understanding if you feel the need to show some of that emotion.  People will talk about the “what-ifs” of the campaign for years.  But as the high’s and low’s subside, we need to come together soon.

I want to extend a special thank you to all of the passionate, hard-working volunteers for this Primary Election Cycle.  Democrats saw one of the best turnouts ever for a Primary thanks to the candidates and volunteers.  

Andrew Romanoff accomplished quite an electoral achievement with relatively little money and little lead time for a statewide campaign.  All of the other candidates out there need to capture some of the most gung-ho staff and volunteers for November by sitting down with these great folks.  Thank you Andrew for bringing your energy and enthusiam to this Race.

Michael Bennet hit the ground running when he was appointed by our Governor to the US Senate.  He was gracious in his victory speech and his Longmont Volunteers are some of the most civic-minded members of our community.  My congratulations to the nominee on a hard-earned election.

Jake Williams showed that the future of the Democratic Party in Boulder County has something to look forward to.  I asked him to be my running mate in 2040 and he told me I’d have to contend with his daughter Riley.  Now there’s looking ahead!  Jake goes back to working to protect our environment, and that is a win for all of us.

Matt Jones will bring that often missing element of experience to the State House this January.  The General Assembly will draw new Congressional Districts in 2011.  I am very hopeful the Matt Jones will be at the helm making our elections in Colorado fair and competitive for the next decade.  Congratulations Matt on a winning a tough race.  We hope to see you at LAD real soon!

In Peace,

Jonathan Singer
President – Longmont Area Democrats
www.longmontdems.org

PS – If you are struggling with the post-primary situation, don’t hesitate to email me anytime.

Longmont Area Democrats Monthly Newsletter

I LAD Picnic

Who: Join the likes of Senate President Brandon Shaffer, HD 11 Candidate Deb Gardner, HD 12 Candidate Jake Williams, and a special guest from the Romanoff Campaign (confirmed as of 7/29/10).  The Bennet Campaign, Markey Campaign, Matt Jones for HD 12, and the County Surveyor Candidates have all been invited and are expected to be present or provide surrogates.  Go to www.longmontdems.org for updates.

UPDATE – House Majority Leader Paul Weissman and HD 12 Candidate Matt Jones, and CD4 CU Regent Candidate Robert Bishop, and Alan Greenberg for County Surveyor have confirmed as well.

What: It is the annual LAD Potluck Picnic.  Enjoy the company of your neighbors and Democratic Candidates.   Bring a dish to share.  Let’s make this ZERO WASTE by bringing your place setting.

Where: Bob Roy’s House 2100 Santa Fe Drive,  80504

Why: Have you made up your mind on your MAIL IN BALLOT?  I won’t until the picnic. Come watch me fill out my ballot (no peaking) and bring yours too.  Don’t forget to get them in by 8/10/10.

II Boulder County Parade  7/31/10

*** Boulder County Fair Parade, Saturday, July 31st! ***

*** Booth Staffing at the Boulder County Fair, Tuesday, August 3rd – Saturday, August 7th ***

IV El Comite Anniversary Celebration 8/28/10

Stay Cool,

Jonathan Singer

President – Longmont Area Democrats

What: Legislative Wrap-up
When: June 2nd, Weds at 7pm.
Where: Front Range Community College (Community Room)
Who: Senate President Brandon Shaffer (confirmed) and  Joint Budget Committee Chair Jack Pommer (invited)

Addition: Get a special update from El Comite Director Bob Norris regarding Immigration Legislation in Colorado

For those of you who can attend, services for Ivan will be Friday morning at 11:00 a.m. at the Louisville United Methodist Church on Jefferson and Spruce in downtown Louisville.

Click here to view the embedded video.

What:  Fort Collins Office Opening
When:  7:00pm, Friday, May 28th
Where:  419 Canyon Avenue, Suite 200
Fort Collins, CO 80521

On a more somber note, tonight I received note from Angelique Layton that her
longtime friend, Ivan Meek, passed away today.  Ivan and Angie are not only LAD members;
Ivan made a great presentation to LAD at my first meeting as President in
January of 2007.  The presentation still resonates in my head because it
exemplified the kind of person Ivan was to me.   It was a bi-partisan
presentation filled with facts, figures, and other nerdy statistics.  However,
what underpinned it all was the desire to make sure EVERYONE’S vote counted.

Ivan was a template for integrity (and not only because served as a board member
for Coloradoans for Voting Integrity).  His stoic exterior almost betrayed his
fiery fervor for Election Reform and justice of all kinds.  I remember him
patrolling the State Capital in Denver on Governor Ritter’s Inauguration bending
Sen. Brandon Shaffer’s ear on voting issues.  All the while, he was good-natured
and polite, listening to Sen. Shaffer as to when Ivan could make his pitch to
the Senator.    The pitch was made.  Trust me.  “No” was not an option.

At first glance, his grimacing exterior would lead you to believe that he was
unhappy.  It’s not that he was unhappy; it’s just that he was always
thinking.  Thinking of ways to make a more just world,
thinking about how to approach the next legislator, thinking about what YOU were
saying.  His slight frown always had a smile curling at the edges.  His
gravel-toned voice had warm tinge that showed he cared about his common man (and
woman).  Just this March, he wrote a letter to the Daily Camera about his 80
year old neighbor that missed out on her chance to vote because of mail-in
ballots.
http://camera-letterstotheeditor.pmpblogs.com/2010/03/18/ivan-c-meek-no-all-mail-elections/

Ivan’s presentation to LAD included a great speakers from Longmont. 
This presenter and Ivan worked as election judges in 2008.   They
were working on the ballots late one night, and on their way home they turned
around to go back to the County Clerk’s Office.  They knew there were voting
inconsistencies that needed the Clerk to address.   And the Clerk did address
them (remember that thing I told you about not taking “No”?).  We could be sure
2008’s results were more accurate because of these two men.  People asked me
why this Longmont presenter was not an LAD member.  I told people Ivan’s
friend and colleague was a Republican.  Ivan did not put politics before
principle.

Regardless of whether you knew him or not, the issues he fought for are still
omnipresent.  We still need to count votes correctly.  His passing means there
must be a passing of the torch.  There will never be another Ivan, so we must
stand together to bring his ideals to reality.  Go to Coloradoans for Voting
Integrity http://www.cfvi.us/?q=node/1 when you get a chance.

Lastly, I have a personal admission to make.  I knew about a month ago that Ivan
was not doing well.  I knew that might not have another opportunity to talk to
him and I missed it.  A lot of people talk about doing things if “time
allows” … as if time controlled our actions.  Allow some “time” this
week to email or call a friend you haven’t spoken to but keep meaning to.
Tonight I am emailing one of my old college buddies who I haven’t spoken to in
years.     Just to say “hi.”

Below is a youtube link to a Denver Post interview of Ivan Meek.  Keep him and
his family in your thoughts.   The services will be at the Louisville United
Methodist Church in the next few days.  I will keep people updated on
www.longmontdems.org as to the details.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbKXuQKQ2-I&feature=player_embedded

What: Boulder County Canvass Kickoff

When: 10:30, Saturday, May 15th

Where: Collyer Park, Longmont, CO 80501

When: EARLY START TIME! 6pm , May 5th, 2010
Where: Front Range Community College (Classroom Building – Community Room) 
Who: A movie from MoveOn.org, Jim Hoffmeister – Clean Campaigns Colorado, and YOU
What: Come early for a potluck to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.  Bring a dish to share and your own table settings (let’s make this zero waste).
At 7pm we will start our regular meeting.  MoveOn.org is holding Forums across the country about home to democratize our democracy.  We will learn about the problems of the coroporate influence on democracy, and work to come out with our own solutions.

MoveOn Organizers will also be there.  You can RSVP at http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=103225

I. VP in Weld County 4-30-10
II. Upcoming LAD Meeting 5-5-10
III.  Other Events
a. Cinco de Mayo / Immigration March
b. Help Betsy Markey 5-2-10
c. Romanoff Event

I.  Vice President Biden was in Weld County today

with Rep. Betsy Markey, Sen. Mark Udall, and Gov. Ritter.  I was pleased to see so many people come out to see them at UQM.  UQM is a local business that makes electric and hybrid engines.  They were able to expand their business and hire more workers in large part due to a government grant throught the ARRA (American Reinvestment and Recovery Act). 

The federal government helped to spur American ingenuity into American prosperity.  I am glad that our Longmont City Council was invited to this premier event, and even more excited that they came to support local business in addition to the Vice-President Biden’s ARRA. If companies like UQM and Abound Solar continue their great works (spurred in part by the federal government), they will have to change the name of the Carbon Valley to the Carbon-free Pinnacle!

-Jonathan Singer, President LAD

II Next LAD Meeting – How to Get Big Money Out of Politics

When: EARLY START TIME! 6pm , May 5th, 2010
Where: Front Range Community College (Classroom Building – Community Room)
Who: A movie from MoveOn.org, Jim Hoffmeister – Clean Campaigns Colorado, and YOU
What: Come early for a potluck to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.  Bring a dish to share and your own table settings (let’s make this zero waste).
At 7pm we will start our regular meeting.  MoveOn.org is holding Forums across the country about home to democratize our democracy.  We will learn about the problems of the coroporate influence on democracy, and work to come out with our own solutions.

MoveOn Organizers will also be there.  You can RSVP at http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=103225

III Other events

a.  March in Longmont for immigration reform

What: Join the May 1, 2010 in solidarity for our brothers and sisters in Arizona and for a better future for all of us and for this country!  Fair and humane immigration reform now!
When: 11:00 AM to noon
Where: Meet at 487 17th Street just east of Main (We will start to gather at 10:00 AM)  March will go down Main Street to Longs Peak.

What: Help Deb Gardner and the Longmont Area Dems at the Cinco de Mayo Celebration (or just stop by and say “hi.”)
When: May 1, 12p-7p
Where: Roosevelt Park, 700 Longs Peak Ave, Longmont
Contact: Deb Gardner if you would like to help her out at deb@debgardner.net

b.
Help Besty Markey in Longmont

Longmont Volunteer Meeting
Sunday,May 2nd at 4:00pm
Longmont Free University
Bring a snack come help lay the foundation for her Longmont Canvass kickoff to Saturday, May 15th at 10:30am

c.
Team Romanoff Steering Committee Meeting

When: Tuesday, May 4, 6-7 pm
Where: Longmont Public Library, 409 4th Ave, Longmont 80501
Meeting Room A

When: Saturday, May 1, 10-11 am
Where: Boulder Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder 80302
Boulder Creek Room
www.AndrewRomanoff.com

Note:  I have been receiving a lot of updates for Romanoff Events directly from organizers, but none for Michael Bennet.  The LAD will remain neutral in this race.  However, if you want to promote a local Michael Bennet event, please email us.

Note 2: The LAD is supported by local individual donations.  We are spending an extra $60.00 for the room next Wednesday.  If you are not a member, please bring $20.00 for the year.  If you are rich, please bring more
No one will ever be turned away for lack of funds.