Special Organizing for America Reception - March 25, 2010

Both Lt. Gov. Patty Judge and Governor Chet Culver spoke to a group of several hundred at the afternoon event held after the talk by President Barack Obama. The event was held to emphasize the efforts of the Organizing for America team and volunteers that devoted many hours to the Health Care Reform initiative over more than a year of effort.

Governor Culver noted that our work is cut out for us over the remainder of this year helping the democratic team in their re-election bid.

Bob Krause Candidate for the U.S. Senate seat, now held by Chuck Grassley, attended the event with his wife. He indicated to me that everything was going well, and looked forward to the months of campaigning leading up to the primaries and general election in November.

Final 2010 Listening Tour - Legislators

Legislators Iowa Senator Becky Schmitz and Iowa House Representative Larry Marek, [pictured at right] present the final summary of events of this legislative session. The event is the final of three scheduled meetings in Washington, Iowa, giving residents an opportunity to listen and ask questions about the action the Iowa legislators have taken on behalf of the state this session.

Washington County Democratic Chairperson, Louise Frakes, listens to the proceedings prior to her opportunity to speak. [pictured left]

Normal Republican participation was noticeably absent at this meeting.

Highlights of the discussion:

Texting while driving is very slowly making it through the legislative process. This observer asked if the substantial number of states that had previously enacted legislation in their states, would not aid Iowa legislatures in their efforts.

New provisions in gun legislation in the area of restraining orders was enacted. The legislation was 10 years in the making. Republicans in particular are resistant to any form of gun laws.

A number of topics were covered that are still considered work in progress.

We want to thank our excellent legislators for their effort this session, especially in these difficult economic times.

Washington County Democratic Convention - 2010

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Washington County Democratic Convention

Minutes of the Convention Proceedings

The Washington County Democrats met at the Washington Public Library on Saturday, March 13th, 2010. The meeting was preceded with a breakfast beginning at 8:30 a.m., furnished by volunteers. A free will offering was taken for the breakfast.

The Temporary Chairperson, Louise Frakes, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. All Washington County delegates, alternates, and registered Democrats were seated for a total of 36 participants. This fulfilled the number needed for a quorum as required by the state constitution. She called for election of both a permanent chair and a secretary.

Fred Stark made the motion, 2^nd by Dave Ciha that Louise Frakes, be elected to the position of permanent chair. The motion was approved.

Harold Frakes made the motion 2^nd by Terry Phillips that Peter Morrison, be appointed permanent secretary and that motion was approved.

Representative Larry Marek, Senator Becky Schmitz, Supervisor Candidate Linda Brown, State Vet Caucus chair Terry Philips, and County Attorney Barb Edmonson, spoke on their decision to run for office in the upcoming November 2010 election.

Following a discussion, the following individuals were elected, as the required 9 delegates, and 1 youth delegate, to both the District and State conventions:

Peter Morrison

Matt Schaeffer

Doris Park

Harold Frakes

Bob Spenner

Kay Ciha

Katrina Schaeffer

Sandra Johnson

Louise Frakes

Eliza Schaeffer, was elected to the position of youth delegate

As also required, the following individuals were elected as alternates:

Diane Schaeffer

Steve Maxon

Patrick Finney

John Greener

Tom Antosiak

Terry Philips

David Smithers

Mary Smith

Ron Neff

Linda Brown

Merle Davis

Carol Ray

Rodney Stogdill

Monte Asbury

As further required, the following individuals were elected to serve on the various committees, providing one delegate for each of the committees as follows:

Rules and Nominations: Harold Frakes

Credentials: Sandra Johnson

Arrangements: Diane Schaeffer

Platform: Matt Schaeffer

That following a lively discussion, the county Convention Platform for 2010, was adopted with some items modified, deleted and added as approved. Chairman Matt Schaeffer and the platform committee did a great job and were congratulated for a difficult task.

An ad hoc committee will be formed to plan a retreat and that they will report at the April meeting.

Patrick Finney was a great host/help and the library was a wonderful place to hold the convention.

The Convention concluded at 1:15 p.m., having completed all requirements.

Next regular meeting of the Washington County Democrats will be held April 13, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the regular location in the Halcyon House, Game Room.

Respectfully submitted,

Peter G. Morrison, Secretary