Rutland County Democrats - News & Events
January-February, 2010

Edited by Bob Soule

How hard it is to believe that it was only a year ago we were eagerly anticipating the inauguration of President Obama.... 

After the misery of watching the Bush administration's destruction and depravation of our great country for eight years, this past year seems to have flown by!  This is not to say that it has been an easy or pleasant year for the United States or the rest of the world.  But with all of the critical problems we face, it is reassuring for our country to have leadership that is strong, intelligent, and honest.  Although most of us will disagree with the President on some of his decisions, all of us can be confident that he is doing his best to exercise the power of the government "for the people".

1)  Rutland County Inauguration Party - Wednesday, January 20, 5:30 - 7:00 pm., at Table 24 restaurant, 24 Wales St., Rutland 

To honor President Obama and his untiring efforts to bring positive changes to our country, we are hosting a celebration on the anniversary of his inauguration.  The cost is $5 per person, for delicious appetizers (with cash bar).  We also encourage everyone to consider adding another $5 (or any amount), for a donation to ShareHeat Vermont.  All are welcome - spread the word!  RSVP appreciated - contact Marcy Tanger at:  tanger@vermontel.net  or 259-2344.

To get a PDF of the poster click here

2)  Voter Data Entry Training - Thursday, January 14, 6:00 - 8:00  pm., at Stafford Technical Center, Stratton Rd., Rutland

We need you!  We are providing several trainings in the data entry system being used by the Vermont Democratic Party for voter information.  This is a program that allows us to update our lists with accurate information, which will be vital  to our candidates in their campaigns this year.  This system does not require computer expertise to learn!  We need a number of individuals to help out so that we will be able to update the lists for all of our towns.   Please contact Mary Mellow at:  mtmellow@comcast.net  or 773-4560 to volunteer.

3)  Rutland County Democratic Committee Meeting - Monday, February 8,  (6:15 pm. Refreshments) Meeting starts at 6:30, at Neighbor Works, 110  Marble St., West Rutland

Come one, come all to our mid-winter meeting.  The legislature will have been in session for a month, and this is your chance to hear directly from our representatives about what is happening in Montpelier.  We will also be bringing county Democrats up to date on projects and events that are "in the pipeline" for this year's campaign season.  As we have done at past meetings, we encourage everyone to bring canned food items for us to donate to the Rutland Community Cupboard.

4)  Democrats Serving the Community – 1st Tuesday of the month, 5:30-7:00 PM, Park Street Mission, Rutland

For several months now, a small band of local Democrats have served dinner at the Mission one day a month, and we plan to continue this through the year.  Next month, our day will be Tues., Feb. 2.   No special skill is needed, as the meals are already prepared, so we just serve, then clean up afterward.  Those who have participated have enjoyed the opportunity to help out some fellow Vermonters, while sharing some interesting conversation.  This does not require an ongoing commitment, and even if you can only do it once, it is a help!  Please contact Mark Skakel at:  msforester@msn.com  or 773-3733 if you have questions or would like to help.

5)  Recent Events and Coming Attractions -

Special thanks to all who have written letters to the editor expressing support for our party's values, our causes, and our representatives!  It is very heartening to us all to see people taking a stand for what they believe in.  This is especially important to our representatives when their positions are being distorted or attacked.  Recent letters have included those from Bob Drachman, Gus Nasmith, Phil Stephan, and Andy Tanger.  Please note that we realize we are missing the names of others, for which we apologize... we appreciate you all!

The Tinmouth Harvest Dinner was a great success, as we gathered from all parts of the county to enjoy good food and camaraderie with fellow Democrats.  We also raised a significant amount of money to help our candidates in this fall's election.  Thanks to all who attended!  Photos of the event will be posted soon on our county website, rutland-democrats.org.

Preparations are beginning for our 5th Annual Women's Brunch, which will be held in the spring.  This is our opportunity to honor some of the outstanding women who are "making a difference" in Rutland County.  If you are a Democrat of the female persuasion who would like to help out with this event, please contact Anne Lezak at:  alezak@comcast.net  or 775-1695.

Rutland County Democrats - News & Events
November- December, 2009

Edited by Bob Soule

In this political "off-year", we have begun the important process of rebuilding our party organization to prepare for next year's campaigns.  In September, Rutland County's one city and 19 of its towns had reorganization caucuses.  This included a couple of towns in which the party had not been active recently, so this is very good news! 

Since mid-term elections often swing back toward the party which lost the Presidency, we are anticipating very vigorous fights next year as the Republicans attempt to increase their ranks in Montpelier and Washington.  Now is the time for us to begin the groundwork that will provide the support our candidates need to win.  We need your help to identify even more individuals in your towns who believe in our party's ideals, and who will join us as voters, donors, and volunteers.  As you read about the upcoming events think about friends or family members who might be interested in coming along with you....

One last thought... as the three legislators representing us in Washington are wrestling with the twisting, turning health care debate, there is something we can do to help them without even leaving the comfort of our homes!  That important thing we can do is to call their offices and register our strong support for major health care reform, including a "public option".  Even though all three of our representatives are leaders in this debate, they can argue from a stronger position when they can cite actual numbers of calls, emails, and letters they are receiving in support of their positions.  So let's get behind them all, and help make this much needed reform happen!

Sen. Patrick Leahy:  202-224-4242

Sen. Bernie Sanders:  202-224-5141

Rep. Peter Welch:  202-225-4115

1)  Rutland Halloween Parade, Saturday, Oct. 31, line up 5:30 pm., in Section 2 (Madison St.) 

As in years past, we will be marching with a theme - this year it is "Want a Real Scare?  Try Living Without Health Care!"  We will have a small "float" on a trailer which is being decorated by volunteers.  Join our cast of characters:  patients, doctors, nurses,etc.  If you have scrubs, doctor or nurse outfits, face masks, crutches, a stethoscope, or other medical paraphenalia, please bring them.  If you don't have your own costume, just dress in all black, and we will have extra things for you to wear and/or carry....

This is a unique way to see the parade - from the inside!  Help us show that Democrats know how to celebrate Halloween!  To join us, email Kathy Milillo or Marcy Tanger, or call Kathy at 459-3398 – they’ll let you our exact location.

2)  Vermont Democratic Party Reorganization Meeting and Fall Harvest Fest - Sat., Nov. 14
From 3 – 5 pm. at the Barre Civic Center in Barre, the VDP delegates and officers will be meeting to elect new officers for our state Democratic Party, and to review some of the plans for the upcoming election year.  Any interested Democrats are welcome to attend.

Next, "the party" moves downstreet to the Old Labor Hall, 46 Granite Street, Barre for the Fall Harvest Fest from 6 - 8 pm, with Senators Leahy and Sanders, Congressman Welch, and all of our Democratic statewide elected officials.  This event is a reception to thank our elected officials for their efforts, and to raise much needed funds for the upcoming election campaigns.  This is a major fundraiser for the VDP, with tickets available from $25 per person.  "Heavy hors d'oeuvres" are provided with the price of admission, and a cash bar is available.
To reserve tickets, you can go to "Vermont Democratic Party" website and click on “Events”, or you can email events@vtdemocrats.org, or you can call Ben Eisenberg at (802) 229-1783. 

3)  Rutland County Democratic Harvest Dinner- Sun., Nov. 15, 5 pm., Tinmouth School
Route 140, Tinmouth  [link to invite on website]
Ask anyone who has attended this dinner in the past - it is a very warm and friendly gathering that brings together Democrats from all over Rutland County.  The committee in charge cooks up lots of Wallingford Locker ham, which is supplemented by all kinds of delicious potluck offerings (including many vegetables), and an apple pie contest.  After dinner, we have some light-hearted entertainment, including a sing-along and usually a contest or two. 

Since this is a potluck affair, we’re seeking donations of food and drink.  The suggested donation for this event is $20 per person for adults, and $10 per person for students/seniors.  If you wish to pay in advance, please send your check ("Rutland County Democrats") to:  Rutland County Democratic Party, P.O. Box 933, Rutland, VT 05702.  To RSVP, offer a food donation, or enter the pie contest by email or by phone, contact Marcy Tanger:  tanger@vermontel.net, or 259-2344.  To sign up for kitchen duty contact Jane Skakel:  jskakel@msn.com, or 773-3733. 

4)  Democrats Serving the Community – 1st Tuesday of the month, 5:30-7:00 PM, Park Street Mission  For several months now, a small band of local Democrats have served dinner at the Mission one day a month, and we plan to continue this through the year.  No special skill is needed, as the meals are already prepared, so we just serve, then clean up afterward.  Those who have participated have enjoyed the opportunity to help out some fellow Vermonters, while sharing some interesting conversation.  This does not require an ongoing commitment, and even if you can only do it once to try it out, it is a help!  This month, our day will be Tues., Nov. 3.  Please contact Mark Skakel at msforester@msn.com or 773-3733 if you have questions or would like to help.

5)  County Reorganization Election Report
Elections for the next two-year terms were held on Tues., Oct. 20, at the Rutland Free Library.

Rutland County Democratic officers for 2009-11:
Anne Lezak, Chair
Mark Skakel, Vice Chair
Marcy Tanger, Secretary
Al Wilkinson, Treasurer
Kathy Milillo, Assistant Treasurer

Delegates to the State Committee:
State Committeewoman – Mary Mellow 
State Committeeman – Bob Soule
Alternate #1, David Hoeh
Alternate #2, Billy King
Alternate #3, Mike Austin

Ex-Officio Committee member: Allen Gartner

As the current terms of office came to an end in October, we bade a fond farewell to State Committeewoman Pat Menduni, who is stepping down from her position.  Pat has been a valued and active member of the Rutland County Executive Committee who gave much of her time and talents. We will all miss her, but expect to see her at coming Democratic events.

6)  Town Reorganization Recap
Rutland County had an excellent reorganization record this year: 19 of our 23 towns held reorganization meetings where they elected officers and delegates to the Rutland County Democratic Committee. We urge towns that haven’t yet reorganized to do so; you can do this at any time.  Contact County Chair Anne Lezak at alezak@comcast.net, or 775-1695 with any questions. You must have a Town Committee in order to have Democratic Justice of the Peace candidates, or have voting members on the Rutland County Democratic Committee. Plus, we need every town to have an active committee to call on during election season!

NOTE: If you were unable to attend your town’s reorganization meeting but would like to be added to your town committee:  contact your town chair (see the Rutland County Democrats website for a list), or contact Anne Lezak.  You can be added to your town committee just by providing your contact information. (Town Chairs: Be sure to provide this information to Anne so it can be added to the Vermont Democratic Party’s list of town committee members.)

7)  The Candidates are Coming; the Candidates are Coming!
Several candidates for statewide office have joined us at our County Committee meetings recently, have held local receptions, or both. We expect and hope to see ever more of the candidates as we get closer to election season.  While we won’t send out notices for these events, please check the home page of our website, rutland-democrats.org. There we list all announced candidates and any Rutland County events that they notify us about.

8)  Last, but not least - be sure to check out our website, rutland-democrats.org, for the latest information on Democratic happenings.