MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MEMBERSA Regular Meeting of the Members of Longmont Area Democrats was held April 1, 2009 at Front Range Community College, 2190 Miller Drive, Longmont, Colorado, commencing at approximately 7:10 p.m.
OF LONGMONT AREA DEMOCRATS
HELD APRIL 1, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President Jonathan Singer who presided. Board Secretary Jack Wolfe, acted as Secretary of the meeting. Thirty eight members and guests were present.
Thirty-three adult members and guests were present.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jake Williams, a possible future candidate for HD-12, was introduced, and he explained why he felt he would be a good candidate for State Representative.
Ray Rodriguez spoke in support of SB170.
Marilyn Hughes encouraged people to submit their names for positions on the City of Longmont election oversight committee.
Shari Malloy announced an organizational meeting of the Peace Support Group.
2009 ELECTION STATISTICS
Joel Davidow, Chair of the Boulder Democratic Party reported on information gathered by the Party’s Data Team, and praised the impact that Boulder County voters had statewide on election results. 09.7 percent of registered voters in Longmont voted. The makeup of registered voters in Longmont is now 34% Democrats and 31% Republicans.
The percent of votes receive by Democratic candidates in Longmont was: Obama – 58%; Udall – 56%; Shaffer – 57%; Pommer – 54%; Weissmann – 64% and Markey – 63%!!
OTHER PROGRESSIVE ORGANIZATIONS
Jonathan then introduced a number of representatives from complimentary progressive organizations in the area, who then spoke about their organizations:
Progressive Democrats of America. Kathy Partridge and Ira Chernus: this groups was started in 2004 by Jucihich supporters. They are now focusing on health care for all, putting a stop to golbal warming and clean-transparent elections.
Longmont Citizens for Justice and Democracy. Strider Bentson: Have demonstrated against the Iraq war at 6th and Main every weekend for seven years. Focusing on scrutiny and the issues surrounding the City Council.
Boulder County Democratic Party. Joel Davidow: focuses on electing Democrats to office and enacting policies that support our beliefs.
Organizing for America. Nita Lynch – developing grass roots support on federal issues; presently holding house parties for economic recovery and pledging for support of the federal budget.
A question and answer period followed.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of members will be Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at Front Range Community College. Watch the web-site and e-mails for the agenda.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:40 p.m, and private discussions continued after the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Jack P. Wolfe
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MEMBERS
OF LONGMONT AREA DEMOCRATS
HELD May 6, 2009
A Regular Meeting of the Members of Longmont Area Democrats was held May 6, 2009 at Front Range Community College, 2190 Miller Drive, Longmont, Colorado, commencing at approximately 7:15 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President Jonathan Singer who presided. Board Secretary Jack Wolfe, acted as Secretary of the meeting. Twenty six members and guests were present.
Thirty-three adult members and guests were present.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Erin Eagan of Progress Now Colorado talked about the history and present purpose of this group. They got started doing on-liine organizing and communications. They are now working to maintain the energy and enthusiasm of various groups by providing them support. As part of this, they are sponsoring Camp Progress all day on May 16th. This is a kick-off training session on the model of “Camp Obama”, and will have a number of out-of town organizing experts leading the training session. For more information, or to register, go to www.progressnowcolorado.org.
Matt Jones, a possible future candidate for HD-12, was introduced, and he explained why he felt he would be a good candidate for State Representative.
EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT
Jonathan reported that LAD had been asked to formally support passage of this act in Congress. A large number of organizations had already signed on to support the act, including most of the unions, and the SEIU was heading up the campaign to gather support in Colorado. Jonathan read a proposed resolution that had been sent out by the organizers for LAD’s consideration, and discussion followed. It was noted that a vote for the resolution would be a vote for the principle behind the Act, since it will not be known for some time what actual language makes it through Congress. It was also noted that the radio and TV ads in opposition are misleading; for instance, the current proposal does not eliminate secret ballots, in simply would no longer require them. The group discussed whether to support the various statements in the “Whereas” clauses of the resolution, but concluded that a vote should be taken on the entire resolution as presented.
Jonathan noted that LAD bylaws required a 2/3 vote of those present to take a position. Following considerable discussion, and upon motion duly made and carried by more than two thirds of a show of hands, the following resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS
WHEREAS
WHEREAS
WHEREAS
WHEREAS
WHEREAS
WHEREAS
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT
: we, the undersigned organization, urge our Colorado decision makers to support the Employee Fee Choice Act as the most significant and necessary piece of legislation since the National Labor Relations Act of 1935. This is a historic opportunity to restore balance in the workplace and protect the right of Colorado workers to pursue the American Dream., under our broken labor laws, penalties against employers who engage in anti-union activity is minimal; and in 2005 the median time between the resolution of an unfair labor practice against an employer was 659 days; , in 2005 alone, over 30,000 workers received back pay from employers that illegally fired, coerced, bribed or otherwise discriminated against them for their union activities; and, every 23 minutes a worker in the U.S. is fired or otherwise discriminated against for trying to form a union; and during organizing drives, 91% of employers force their employees to attend mandatory closed-door anti-union meeting on paid company time; and, workers who belong to unions earn, on average, 30% more than nonunion workers and over half of all Americans say they would join a union today if they had a fair chance; and, according to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, unionization raises wages for minority women more than education, seniority and job training combined; and, unions have historically been one of the few legal and democratic vehicles for workers to advocate for better wages, benefits and working conditions; and, our economy is in shambles and working people are struggling to make ends meet while bankers and failed financial institutions are being bailed out at taxpayer expense; and
C.U. REGENT
Jonathan introduced the C.U. Regent for the 2nd Congressional District, Joe Negeaus, who spoke about issues, primarily financial, facing the higher education institutions in Colorado. Primarily because of TABOR, they face drastic budget cuts that could result in closure of smaller schools and community colleges. The federal ARAR Act contains grants that will keep things afloat for two years, but state legislation will be needed to fix the problem before that money runs out.
A question and answer period followed.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of members will be Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at Front Range Community College. Our local representatives to the state legislature will talks to us about what went on in the Capitol this year, and what their plans are for next year. Watch the web-site and e-mails for more details.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:25 p.m, and private discussions continued after the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Jack P. Wolfe
