The next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 17th, at 7:30 p.m. at Democratic HQ, 12 ½ N. Sandusky Street, Delaware, Ohio. The reorganization meeting will be held on Thursday, June 7th, at 7:30 p.m. at the Willis Education Center, 74 W. William Street, Delaware, Ohio.
DELAWARE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY MEETING MINUTES
CENTRAL AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES
APRIL 19, 2018
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ed Helvey.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Rand Guebert.
Roll call was made with a sign-in sheet. Those present were: Spencer Dirrig, Greg Hankins, John Schmarr, Joyce Bourgault, Indu Rajan, Peg Watkins, Heather Karr, Roo Dirrig, Liz Bode, German Vargas, Rich Bradley, Jim Nugent, Anthony Saadey, Valerie Shafer, David Carpenter, Brian Jaffe, Roger Van Sickle, John Hartman, Jerry Rhoades, Corinne Lyman, Marianne Gabel, Ron Baer, Colleen Huckabee, David Simmons, Mary Alice Dillman, Barb Berry, Elizabeth Day, Abby Metheney, Amy White-Predieri, Marian Jacques, Rayna Patton, Norma Schmansky, Jan Schnegilsberger, Judith Carpenter, Kristen Suarez, Louise Valentine, Cathi Kulik, Linda Gaffey, Bruce Burnworth, Sam Murphy, Roger Johnson, Mark Predieri, Emma Mirles-Jones, Cory Hoffman, Donna Sinclair, Tanya Bruce, Julie Houston, Mary Pat Helvey, and Carol Young.
A motion was made to accept the Secretary’s report by Sam and seconded by Greg. Motion carried.
A motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s report by German and seconded by Spencer. Motion carried.
Chair’s Reports: A short discussion was held endorsements for unopposed candidates in the upcoming Primary election. A motion was made by Spencer and seconded by Dave to endorse all Democratic statewide candidates: Zach Space, Rob Richardson, Kathleen Clyde, and Steve Dettelbach. Motion carried. A motion was made by Lee and seconded by Donna to endorse Cory Hoffman (67th Ohio House), Kathleen Tate (68th Ohio House) and Louise Valentine (19th Ohio Senate). Motion carried. A motion was made by Coe and seconded by Roo to endorse Indu Rajan (County Auditor) and Aileen Wagner (County Commissioner). Motion carried. A motion was made by Greg and seconded by Heather to endorse judges Scot Gwin and Patricia Delaney (5th District Court of Appeals). A motion was made by Roger Johnson and seconded by Spencer to endorse Melody Stewart and Michael Donnelly for the Ohio Supreme Court. Motion carried.
An orientation breakfast will be held for all Central Committee members on Saturday May 19th beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Delaware Township Hall at 2590 Liberty Rd., Delaware, Ohio. Catering by Eric Johnson of Worldwide Catering. Each attendee will receive a booklet and will give both new and experienced Central Committee members a chance to get to know one another.
On June 2, 2018, a Main Street Initiative will be held at OWU for anyone who may be either a candidate or running a candidate’s campaign in 2019/2020. Start time will be approximately 10:00 a.m.
The Ohio Democratic Party Legacy Dinner was held April 13th and the speaker was Eric Holder, who spoke in complete sentences about gerrymandering. The local party had 2 tables.
Several candidates spoke. The first was Louise Valentine, who is running for the 19th Ohio Senate seat. Her platform includes funding for education, affordable and accessible healthcare, jobs and Ohio’s economy. This is the best chance we have had to pick up a Senate seat. Her website is www.ValentineForOhio.com.
The next speaker was Cory Hoffman, a tax attorney who is running for the 67th Ohio House. He spoke very briefly about wanting to connect to people.
Next was Indu Rajan, who is running for Delaware County Auditor.
Anthony Saadey, the Deputy Director at the Board of Elections, gave an overview of how to use the BOE website, including how to find your ballot and how to run voter reports at home.
Rand reported that he still needs pollworkers. Carol also spoke about the need for about 5 paid workers to help at the Board of Elections on Election night for about 3 hours.
Membership: Linda reported that we currently have 153 members.
Candidates: Peg encouraged everyone to vote the entire Democratic ticket, to get our numbers up. Indu still needs a treasurer. Peg also reported that Dave and Judy Carpenter are responsible for a $400 donation from the UAW.
Fundraising: Julie reported on the upcoming “Catch a Rising Star” fundraiser, which will be held on Thursday, July 24th, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Scioto Ridge Country Club in Powell. Tickets will be $50 and Julie is working on getting Zach Space to be featured speaker.
Jim Nugent inquired about setting up a tent in Sunbury on Memorial weekend. Jim said he would call the volunteers to work a 2-hour shift and he would set up the tent early in the morning.
Website: An updated website will be up and running by the beginning of May.
Young Dems: No report.