Saturday, February 20, 2010

2nd Legislative Briefings - Washington County


The 2nd of 3 Legislative Briefings, was held Saturday morning, February 20, 2010 at the Washington County Court House. The primary focus of this legislative session has been to balance the budget in these difficult fiscal times. With stark reductions in revenue due to our economic times, we get a bit of a feel of what the reality would be like during even the best of times during a Republican administration.

Senator Becky Schmitz and Representative Larry Marek indicated that attempts are being made to keep reductions to counties at a minimum. They indicated that there was a concerted effort to avoid reducing road use funds, as an example.

They expressed concern regarding the increase of Wellmark Blue Cross health premiums by 18% this next year. Wellmark Blue Cross carries 71% of the health coverage in the state of Iowa. Legislation is pending requiring transparency in what constitutes the reasoning behind the dramatic increase.

The cell phone texting bill is moving through the legislature this session. Texting/cell phone use while driving has become a major cause in traffic accidents in Iowa.

This legislative session is slated to end on March 31, 2010 if all goes as planned, creating a savings due to the shorter session.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Washington County Democratic Convention - 2010

Washington County Democratic Convention

When: Saturday, March 13, 2010

Where: The New Washington Public Library on the 2nd floor in the meeting rooms. The Library is located on the South side of the square in downtown Washington for those out of town guests.

Agenda: 8:30 a.m. a continental breakfast will be served. 9:00 a.m. the Convention will begin.

February 2010 Meeting Minutes

Monday, February 15th, 2010

February Minutes

Minutes of February Meeting

The Washington County Democrats met in the Day Lounge at Halcyon House on Monday, February 15th, 2010, with 13 individuals present. The Chair, Louise Frakes, called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm with the group reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Minutes of the last meeting held on January 12, 2010 were provided in written form for the group. Minutes were also posted on the blog and sent to all of those with e-mail addresses. A request for any changes or additions was made and hearing none, the minutes were approved as written.

Treasurer Kay Ciha presented the current Treasurer’s Report, and written copies were provided to the group, said report reflected a balance of $3,538.68, she further noted that several members had paid their dues for 2010 and handouts outlining 2010 dues notice were handed out at the meeting and also sent to those with e-mail addresses, the report was approved and will be filed for audit.

The Chairperson asked Barb Edmonson as the Washington County attorney and running for re-election to speak. Barb indicated that she now had a person running on the Republican ticket against her. She commented that this would be a more difficult campaign with an opponent, and outlined that she will be working harder to win in a Republican County like Washington, but that she had the experience and skills to beat her opponent.

Steve Maxon and Doris Park commented on the affairs of the 2nd District and indicated that the 2nd District Convention would be held in Fairfield this year.

Old Business:

The Chairperson reported on the Precinct Caucuses, as follows:

· New precinct captains were named, and a listing of those individuals, were provided to the group.

· Delegates to the County Convention were named, and a listing of those individuals, were provided to the group.

· Alternate Delegates to the County Convention were named, and a listing of those individuals, were provided to the group.

· The members elected to the Platform & Committee on Committees were announced and a listing of those individuals was provided to the group.

· Some suggestions for changes: How to get more people out? How to fill the number of delegate spots? Also, phoning and e-mail of those elected was suggested.

An update on the status of the web site was requested and Pete Morrison indicated that the home page was only lacking a few links and that the other 4 pages were being designed. He also noted that the site was contracted for 3 years and at a much lower cost than the budgeted amount.

The Chair indicated that plans needed to be made regarding the County Convention in March, as follows:

· It was decided that a continental breakfast would be served with coffee, tea and juice, noting that water is available.

· The starting time of the breakfast would be 8:30 a.m. and the convention would start at 9:00 a.m., at the new Washington Public Library in the 2nd floor meeting rooms.

· Any changes to the By-laws or Constitution needs to be out to members by 14 days before the Call to Convention.

· The question was asked about how we felt about a Saturday Convention/Caucus? Everyone seemed to agree that it was OK.

· The Platform committee, should meet before the convention, Matt Schaeffer is the Chair.

· The Committee on Committees should meet before the convention, and the Chairs are Diane Schaeffer & Tamara Schweitzer.

It was suggested that alternates be elected to attend 2nd District meetings. Pete Morrison and Kay Ciha volunteered to act as alternates. Steve Maxon made a motion to elect Pete Morrison and Kay Ciha as alternates, seconded by Pete Morrison, and all approved.

Rose Jaynes was not present, so the chair mentioned that a few prospective candidates were in the works to be proposed in the future.

The Chairperson called for other old business and finding none moved to new Business.

New Business:

The chair brought up the idea of having a retreat for the purpose of future planning. After a brief discussion, it was determined that we needed to solicit ideas via e-mail to members and tackle that issue at the March meeting.

A request was made to consider a fundraiser for Dave Loebsack. Carol Ray made the motion to schedule a fundraiser for Dave Loebsack, seconded by Steve Maxon and motion carried.

The Chair indicated that the following events are scheduled:

· Washington County Convention: March 13, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. to be held at the new Washington Public Library in the 2nd floor meeting rooms.

· The District Convention: April 24, 2010 in Fairfield, Iowa.

· The State Convention: June 12, 2010 in Des Moines.

Members were invited to stay for “refreshment and treats” and continue their discussions of the evening’s business after the meeting is adjourned. Louise Frakes provided treats for this evenings meeting.

The Chair called for any other business and finding none, the meeting was adjourned at 8:03 p.m.

Next meeting will be held March 9, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Peter G. Morrison, Secretary

Monday, February 15, 2010

Posting of the elections and appointments at Caucus

Individuals have been elected and appointed to the specific convention committees, as Precinct Captains, delegates and alternate delegates for the purpose to represent the Washington County Democrats at the 2010 Washington County Convention and provide other functions as provided in the Constitution and Bylaws of the Washington County Democrats.

Precinct Captains: (2010- 2012)

Precinct Captains: (2010- 2012): Central Committee (these are the precinct chair people)

Ainsworth – Mike Mitchel

Brighton – Harold Frakes and JoAnn Zager

English River - Kay Ciha and Terry Philips

Kalona - (none)

Riverside – Bob Spenner and Les Lamping

Washington Ward 1 - John Greener, Margaret Marie and Jim Gorham

Washington Ward 2 - Patrick Finney

Washington Ward 3 - Sandra Johnson

Washington Ward 4 - Carol Ray and John Anderson


Wellman –Steve Maxon and Doris Park

County Convention Committees

Platform Committee:

Matt Schaeffer, chairperson

Steve Maxon

Doris Park

Bonnie Bannister

Richard Gilmore

Margaret Marie

Jan Gallagher

Patrick Finney

Jo Anne Zager

Carol Ray

John Anderson

John Greener

George Schaefer

Bob Spenner

Lonnie Rencher

Committee on Committees

Diane Schaeffer, chairperson

Tami Schweitzer

Mary Smith

Sandra Johnson

Delegates to 2010 County Convention

Delegates to 2010 County Convention (42 nominated)

Ainsworth

Michael Mitchell


Brighton

Harold Frakes

Mary Smith

Ron Neff

Tamela Schultz

English River

Marlene Kay Ciha

David W. Ciha

Terry Philips

Geroge Schaefer

Kalona

Mike Pierson

Riverside

Les Lamping

Bob Spenner

Lonnie Rencher

Ward 1

John Greener

Margaret Marie

Jim Gorham


Ward 2

Patrick Finney

Monte Asbury

Christine Ballard

James Almelien

Brent Pfeiffer

Kathy Salazar


Ward 3

Sandra Johnson

Pete Morrison

Jan Gallagher

Scott Mellinger

Shirley Pfeiffer

Dennis Fox

Larry Bartlett

Ward 4

Carol Ray

Fred Stark

John Anderson

Linda Sturdevant

Donald Hahn

Everett Burham


Wellman

Steve Maxon

Doris Park

Tony Rios

Diane Schaeffer

Matt Schaeffer

Albion Young

Cynthia Charlton


Alternates to 2010 County Convention

Alternates to 2010 County Convention

These are the alternates to the Washington County Convention March 13, 2010, to be held at the Washington Public Library in Washington, Iowa.

Ainsworth

Susan Mitchell

Brighton

Chris Davies

Jo Anne Zager

Shirley Schooley

Jay Crone


English River

(none)

Kalona

(none)

Riverside

(none)


Ward 1

(none)

Ward 2

David Schweitzer

Ann Moore

Jacqueli Amigon-Delarosa

Kimberly Brock

Penny Cahill

Roberta Cicalo

Patricia Cody

Donald Estle

Joann Estle

Catherine Glinsmann

Wendy Heck

Keith Kozacik

Mary Levy

Jorge Salazar

Jolisa Weidner

Kenneth Weidner


Ward 3

Margaret Wolf

Judy Quinn

Ron Crawford

Jim Clegg

Shirley Clegg

Tim Coffey

Susan See

Sara Bartlett

Janet Caldwell

Michael Kulisky

Melody Potter

Doug McBride

Tina Thomas


Ward 4

Ione Burham

Jon Coon

Richard Gilmore

Lynnette Loula

Richard Loula

Heather Lujano

Robin Plattenberger

Michael Roe

Patti Roe

Margaret Roth

Barbara Shearer

Norma Turnipseed


Wellman

Katrina Schaeffer

Judy Goodrich

Bob Goodrich

Mary Lee Ehrenfelt

James Miller

Dawn Jones (not a registered Dem)

Joyce Belcher

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Lt. Governor Patty Judge visits Washington


Iowa Lt. Governor, Patty Judge, visited Washington, Iowa on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at around 2:00 p.m. and talked with a crowd of approximately 20 people. The presentation was part of the “Moving Iowa Forward” tour and hosted in Washington by PowerCom Motor Controls of Washington.

Lt. Governor Judge touched on subjects like jobs, education and Iowa business development. She outlined programs like i-Jobs, K-12 commitment and the Iowa legislatures role in helping Iowa move forward.

She pointed out that PowerCom is the type of job development Iowa needs.