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News and Events April-May 2012 News and Events December 2011 - January 2012 News and Events September - October 2011 News and Events March - April 2011 News and Events January-February 2011 News and Events - Special 2010 Election Edition News & Events September-October, 2010 January-February 2010 Newsletter November-December 2009 Newsletter News & Events September-October, 2009 News & Events - September, 2008 News and Events 1.) Please join us for the 13th Annual David W. Curtis Awards Dinner May 4, 2012
Silent Auction begins at 5:00pm Host Reception: 5:30 - 6:30pm
Dinner: 6:30 - 8:30pm The
Hilton Hotel 2.) The Women Making a Difference Brunch will be held Sunday, May 6 at 11 am at the Brandon Inn 20 Park St Brandon
Guest Speakers are: Anne Lezak (writer, community activist), Whitney Lamy (artist, entrepreneur), Lyz Tomsuden (graphic designer, I am Vermont Strong) Suggested donation $35 or $20 for women 29 and under. Please RSVP to Marcy at tanger@vermontel.net or 259-2344. Checks can be mailed to: RCDC PO Box 933 Rutland, VT 05702 3.) Rutland County Dems Meeting at the Rutland Library Fox Room May 21
4.) Vermont State Democratic Convention at Barre Civic Center May 26
5.) Please Become a Monthly Donor! Join The 1963 Club!
6.)Young Democrats
7.) Brandon Parade Saturday, July 7-Come join the fun!!!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ News and Events Edited by Bob Soule & Joanna Tanger Coming as it does, at the end of a busy fall of reorganization, this letter is mostly "news" of changes. The "events" part is comprised of two from the past and some that are after the holidays. First, let's look at the changes... 1.) Rutland County Democratic Committee had a very successful reorganization meeting at the Rutland Hospital on Thursday, October 27. A spirited crowd of Democrats braved the early snow and cold to help the party get organized for the coming two years. Those who were able to make it filled our meeting room at the Leahy Conference Center. Members of the Executive Committee related personal highlights of the past two years, and reviewed the great success we have had with gatherings and fund raising for our candidates. Three members of the Committee who have served for several years are now leaving their posts, including Anne Lezak (Chair), Bob Soule (Vice Chair), and David Hoeh (State Committeeman). All were thanked for their many and contributions of time and talents to the party. Election of the new officers and other members of the Executive Committee came next. After nominations closed, the entire slate, which had been assembled, was voted in together by unanimous consent. Our new Chair is Kathy Hall of Chittenden, who will be assisted by new Vice Chair Cindy Murray of Rutland. Also new to the Executive Committee are State Committeeman Bill Moore of Brandon, State Committeewoman Joanna Tanger of Mount Holly, and State Committee Alternate Max Thayer of Wallingford. We are thrilled to have such a talented group of new members to help us as we move into a critical campaign year! Remaining on the Executive Committee, with a wealth of experience to share with the new members, are several veterans: Secretary Marcy Tanger, Treasurer Al Wilkinson, Assistant Treasurer Kathy Milillo, and State Committee Alternates Mike Austin and Bill King. Non-voting members of the committee who will also continue to provide their expertise are Allen Gartner and Mary Mellow. But wait, there's more... In her departing speech, Anne Lezak introduced a new initiative that the Executive Committee has just begun. Inspired by the great work of our several young volunteers during last year's campaign, the committee has begun an informal program of ongoing involvement for young Democrats in our planning and recruitment. The first two members of this initiative are two of the stars of last year's campaign - Kate Lapp of Ira and Hannah Kretvix of Clarendon. Kate and Hannah will assist the committee in finding ways to reach out to younger citizens of Rutland County and get them to be involved in the important work we are doing to make our state a better place! 2.) Town Committee Reorganization Caucuses – September Every two years, political parties in Vermont are required by law to reorganize. This process begins at the most local level – the towns and cities. This year's reorganization was one of the most successful in several years, thanks to the outstanding efforts of our retiring County Chair Anne Lezak and new County Chair, Kathy Hall. All but six towns in Rutland County are organized. To see the list of current town chairs, check our website at rutland-democrats.org. 3.) Recent Events - Halloween Parade and Harvest Dinner Rutland Halloween Parade The
Halloween parade was postponed until the following Monday because of a
winter storm warning, so Anne's truck was re-decorated on Monday. The
Democrats’ theme was thanking the workers who cleaned up after Irene,
and we wore hearts and carried signs that thanked each of the various
groups. As it turned out, that became the theme of the parade.
Fortunately, the weather was good, and the parade had a wonderful crowd.
4.) State and National Conventions for 2012 Elections Are you interested in attending the Democratic Party conventions for next year's elections? If so, you could run for election as a delegate. The process is not too complicated, but it does take a number of required steps, especially if you want to be a delegate to the National Democratic Convention, which is to be held in early September 2012. In its briefest form, the process is outlined at the Vermont Democratic Party website: www.vtdemocrats.org. Just go to the home page, then click on the section (on the right side of the page) entitled "2012 Delegate Selection Plan;" once on that page, click on the second link, for the PDF outline of the plan. Getting elected as a delegate to the National Convention requires a good deal of effort, lots of support from friends and others who are active in the political process, and some luck! Consider just running for delegate to the State Convention, and check this out first: This is a very interesting gathering, and a chance to see the Democratic Party in action on the state level. 5.) Kate Lapp Elected President of “Young Democrats of Vermont” Rutland County Democrats’ own Kate Lapp was elected to be the President of Young Democrats of Vermont. Kate, age 17, is one of the youngest members of the group, which has over seventy members. The Young Democrats of Vermont will make sure that young voters’ perspectives are heard. To read more, visit http://blogs.burlingtonfreepress.com/politics/2011/11/28/young-vermont-democrats-convene/ 6.) All Town Chairs and County Officers should mark their calendars and recruit a couple of good workers to come with them to a training session at the Neshobe School in Brandon on January 7th from 10AM- 1PM. Rutland and Addison County leaders will be treated to a workshop on fundraising, communications and fieldwork for town and county committees. This is a great time for us to lay the groundwork for the big election year approaching. Hope to see a great turnout. 7.) The next State Committee meeting is January 14, in Randolph.
Rutland County Democrats News and Events Edited by Bob Soule
The Great Flood of 2011... what can we say? Those who were hit hard are still struggling to comprehend and begin to rebuild. Those of us lucky enough to have survived intact are thankful and trying to help those who were less fortunate in our own ways. As one woman said on the news, "In Vermont, we're all neighbors." If you want to volunteer, check out www.restoringrutland.org/ (helping out throughout Rutland County) or vtresponse.com (connecting volunteers to needs statewide).
In some ways, the enormity of the flood makes politics seem petty and unimportant. But in other ways, it points out how critical it is for us to do our best to keep our government healthy and responsive to the needs of its citizens. Without the organization and sharing of resources made possible by our governments - local, state, and federal - it would be impossible for individuals to rebuild the infrastructure on which our economy and society depend. If there were no safety net of emergency assistance provided by our government, the suffering of affected individuals would be even greater than it already is. So we all need to do what we can to make sure our government is the best it can be!
1) Vermont State Fair – Fri. 9/2 to Sun. 9/11, at the Fairgrounds. This is a good opportunity for us to show the public a friendly face associated with our party's message. Thanks to so many of you who have stepped up to staff the booth! We now have all shifts filed, but if you are willing to be a back-up in case someone can't come, please contact Marcy Tanger, at: tanger@vermontel.net, or 259-2344. Even if you cannot volunteer at the booth, we hope you will stop by to see us there! 2) Town Committee Reorganization Caucuses – September Every two years, political parties in Vermont are required by law to reorganize. This process begins at the most local level – the towns and cities. The chair of each town committee has been sent instructions about how and when this process needs to happen. Your local caucus will be a meeting in your town, set sometime in mid-September. It is very important for the success of our party that we have a strong committee in every town possible. Find out the date of your local caucus, plan to attend, and bring a couple of Democratic friends. Here is a link to towns that have scheduled their caucuses www.rutland-democrats.org (we'll be updating this on our website over the next week). You can also contact your town chair (find a list of town chairs on our website: www.rutland-democrats.org). If you live in one of the towns without a local committee, and you are willing to help organize one, please contact Kathy Hall, who is coordinating town reorganization this year. Kathy will make sure you get your own instruction packet and will help you with any questions. Kathy can be reached at: krhall297@aol.com, or 483-2979.
3) Rutland County Committee Reorganization Meeting - Monday, October 17 (place to be determined) Following town committee reorganization, we will be holding the county reorganization meeting. While an experienced corps of energetic Executive Committee members have agreed to stay on, several veteran committee members are stepping down. These include Anne Lezak, Chair, Bob Soule, Vice Chair, and David Hoeh, Alternate Committeeman. We have been recruiting a new generation of leaders for these positions. At the reorganization meeting, elections are held for the entire Executive Committee. If you are interested in running for a position and have any questions, please contact Anne Lezak, at: alezak@comcast.net, or 775-1695.
4) State and National Conventions for 2012 Elections Are you interested in attending the Democratic Party conventions for next year's elections? If so, you could run for election as a delegate. The process is not too complicated, but it does take a number of required steps, especially if you want to be a delegate to the National Democratic Convention, which is to be held in early September, 2012. In its briefest form, the process is outlined at the Vermont Democratic Party website: www.vtdemocrats.org. Just go to the home page, then click on the section (on the right side of the page) entitled "2012 Delegate Selection Plan"; then on that page, click on the second link, for the PDF outline of the plan.
Getting elected as a delegate to the National Convention requires a good deal of effort, lots of support from friends and others who are active in the political process, and some luck! Consider just running for delegate to the State Convention, and check this out first: this is a very interesting gathering, and a chance to see the Democratic Party in action, on the state level.
5) Farrow Gallery Fundraiser - a great success! On Monday, July 25, the Rutland County Democrats held a fundraiser at a very special place - the Farrow Gallery in Castleton. About 100 enthusiastic Democrats were treated to an evening of local artistic and culinary specialties, as well as stirring messages of hope for our local creative economy movement. Governor Peter Shumlin and Megan Smith, Commissioner of Tourism and Marketing, both spoke about the leadership shown by government officials and business people in our county. The donations made by all attending, and especially the very generous members of the Host Committee, will provide a sizeable campaign fund for our local candidates in next year's election. This event was not only a fundraising success, but also a demonstration of strong support and pride for our local economy.
The evening highlighted artistic features such as puppetry and drumming by several of our younger party members, an iron pour by Glen Campbell, and of course, the beautiful setting of the Farrow Gallery. Delicious food and drinks were provided by a number of our local producers, including: Baba-a-Louis Bakery; Blue Ledge Farm; Boardman Hill Farm; Breezy Meadows Farm; Castleton Crackers; Consider Bardwell Farm; Maplewood Mozzarella; Melody Squier, Caterer; Naga Bakehouse; and Radical Roots Farm. To all of these contributors, to our generous Host Committee, and - most of all - to our gracious hostess Susan Farrow, we offer our heartfelt thanks!
6) "Tea for Two" Raffle - a more civilized kind of tea party! On the afternoon of Sunday, August 14, ten lucky winners and their guests enjoyed a traditional British Afternoon Tea, served by Lilian Sheren in the perfect setting - Applewood Manor, an award-winning Bed and Breakfast in Castleton. Lilian, who was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, presented a lavish assortment of savory tea sandwiches, Scottish scones, and assorted British cakes and sweets, served with tea brewed in the traditional manner. According to those who attended, this event was a truly unique way to spend an afternoon, with beautiful weather allowing them to enjoy the porch and patio of the Manor for a very tasty, social, and memorable occasion. Our thanks go to those who purchased raffle tickets for this event, and to Lilian, for sharing her talents to help us raise funds for our local candidates. 7) Rutland Halloween Parade- Sat., 10/29- get ready! (to be continued...) Check out our website at www.rutland-democrats.org for several photos of our great summer events!
News and Events By Bob Soule
As we watch the turmoil of the popular uprisings throughout parts of the Arab world, we are once again reminded how fortunate we are to have our country's stable - if imperfect - form of democracy. For we know that throwing off a tyrant is just the beginning of a long and uncertain path. We have to hope and pray that the brave people in these countries are able to persevere in their struggles for a true and lasting freedom.
Meanwhile, back in the U.S. we are involved in our own political struggles, certainly less critical, but serious nonetheless. Emboldened by their victories in midterm elections, regressive right wing politicians are attempting to use labor organizations as scapegoats for people's fear and anger about the economy. Despite offers by labor to negotiate concessions to alleviate budget shortfalls, some of these politicians are making it clear that they intend to take advantage of the current problems to destroy the power of unions to fight for their members' rights.
One encouraging development in this situation has been the courage of many Democratic lawmakers in standing up to this demagoguery. Another has been the energizing of workers around the country to get involved in the struggle. As Democrats, we support the right of workers to organize and to negotiate the terms of their labor, and we hope that cooler heads on both sides of this dispute will find a reasonable solution.
Now, for some local news... 1) Rutland County Committee Meeting - Monday, March 7, 6:30 pm (refreshments at 6:15), at Rutland Free Library, Rutland.
This will be our first official gathering since the election, and we have invited all of our local representatives to come share their insights from the legislative session, which is well underway. All Democrats are welcome, and Town Chairs and Delegates are especially urged to attend this meeting. Plan to come hear about Vermont's democracy in action, and ask your own questions.
Two other items are on the agenda as well: we will have an opportunity to meet the Vermont Democratic Party's newest staff member, and we need to elect a new State Committeewoman. Any female Democrat who lives in Rutland County is eligible to run for the Committeewoman position. We are fortunate to have one interested candidate already - Kathy Hall of Chittenden - but nominations are still open until the election at the meeting. If you are interested in running, or have questions about the position, please contact Anne Lezak, at alezak@comcast.net, or 775-1695.
2) Rutland County Democrats Series - "A Feast of Films" ! In this non-election year, we are offering another way for Democrats to get out and have entertaining and thought-provoking times together. Snacks and drinks will be provided, and you may bring your own to share, if you like. Any questions, contact Marcy Tanger, at tanger@vermontel.net, or 259-2344.
The first film, The Wedding Banquet, will be shown Tuesday, March 15, 5:00 pm, at Rutland Free Library, Rutland (free admission). Nearly 12 years before his Oscar-winning Brokeback Mountain, director Ang Lee made this wonderful and very funny film. The story centers on a first generation Chinese-American businessman in New York City who is gay. To hide his relationship from his parents, he decides to marry a Chinese woman in need of a green card. Of course the parents insist on flying over from Taiwan for an elaborate wedding. The Bride and Groom enact the traditional rituals with the assistance of the Best Man, who is actually the Groom's love. As the boundaries become hilariously scrambled, all five of the major players find unexpected meaning in the new relationships that emerge from the confusion of the wedding banquet....
The second film, The Global Banquet: Politics of Food, will be shown Tuesday, April 12, 6:00 pm, at the Godnick Center, Deer St., Rutland (small admission fee). This showing will feature a discussion with one of the filmmakers, Anne Macksoud of Woodstock. This award-winning film uses interviews with farmers, policy analysts, and international activists to examine ethical questions raised by the corporate globalization of food production. Learn how "free" trade is leading to increased pressure on small farmers here and around the world, threatening their livelihood, and actually leading to more hunger. Finally, see how individuals and groups around the world are mobilizing to address this problem in a positive manner. Come join us for a unique look at an issue that affects us all.
3) "Women Making a Difference" Brunch - Sunday, May 1, 11:00 am, at the Brandon Inn, Brandon.
This is our fifth annual brunch, a non-partisan gathering to honor some outstanding women in Rutland County who are making things happen. We have three honorees from very different fields, who will share some of their stories with us. Plan to join us for an inspiring event that is always a lot of fun! To RSVP, or for questions, contact Marcy Tanger, at: tanger@vermontel.net, or 259-2344. See more details in our official announcement below:
4) "Tea for Two" Raffle - from the Women's Brunch committee: "This is your chance to enjoy a traditional British Afternoon Tea, served by Lilian Sheren in the perfect setting. Lilian, who was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, presents a lavish assortment of savory tea sandwiches, Scottish scones, and assorted British cakes and sweets, served with tea brewed in the traditional manner. Applewood Manor, an award-winning Bed and Breakfast in Castleton, has the perfect porch and patio for this elegant afternoon tea."
Click here> Ten lucky winners will bring one guest each for this memorable event on Sunday, August 14, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. The drawing will be held July 31, and winners will be notified by phone. Tickets are $5 each, or 5 for $20. For more information, contact Kathy Milillo, at azurevt@aol.com, or 459-3398. See more details on the link and the ticket below, which you can print, fill out, and send in with your check!
Click here>
Rutland
County Democrats - News & Events Edited by Bob Soule
After a long and intense year of elections, the results in
Vermont were occasion for both happiness and disappointment. It was
encouraging to see many of our local candidates win, but sad to see
others miss out, despite excellent campaigns. Although Vermont had
important Democratic victories at the statewide level, this midterm
election was definitely one that favored Republican candidates,
especially in their traditional strongholds like Rutland County. So, we
give our heartfelt thanks to all of our candidates, and hope that those
who did not win this time will try again.
News and Events - Special 2010 Election Edition This is it,
folks... we have only two weeks left until Election Day. The efforts
that we all put in now will make the difference in achieving the
victories we are hoping for. Please commit yourself to spending as much
time as you can helping out with our final election push. There are
many ways to contribute, and we will make some suggestions right here.
As someone once remarked - "Life is uncertain, so always eat dessert
first!" In that spirit, we are beginning with the fun part first, then
talking about things you can do to be sure that you really feel good
about yourself on election night....
Come
support Peter Shumlin's run for Governor at the Rutland dinner and
rally. Shifts: 11:00am-1:30pm; 1:00-3:30pm; and 3:00-5:30pm. JOIN US! To sign up with Ryan, call him at 773-1488 or email him at ryan.d.mclaren@gmail.com. FINALLY – a note of gratitude to the several dozen Dems who are already helping out; every day we’re making calls, canvassing, sending out postcards, entering data – and enjoying the treats that folks drop off. You know who you are – THANK YOU! We can use volunteers every day and evenings too – contact Ryan at 773-1488 or at ryan.d.mclaren@gmail.com or come down to 24 Center St from 10 AM – 8 PM.
News
& Events September-October, 2010
Edited by Bob Soule
Now that the fair has come and gone, we know that summer is really
coming to an end. It’s been a good summer for the Democratic Party
in Rutland County, with numerous events helping our candidates to
get their messages out, and raising much-needed funds! In fact, we
should all start by giving thanks to the many volunteers who have
made this possible by working at events such as Friday Night Live, the
Brandon Parade, Solarfest, our Democratic Headquarters Grand Opening,
the Ethnic Festival, the Proctor Marble Museum gathering, and other
campaign events. Not to mention all of the work that is going on in our
HQ at 24 Center St., with the assistance of Rutland County field
director Nancy Stalnaker, ably assisted by our crew of “super
volunteers”!
The major focus of our state party recently has been the recount of the
primary vote for our gubernatorial candidate. This incredibly close
campaign was sometimes confusing, and a challenge for voters to follow.
One thing that all of us can agree on is that the civility and unity of
our Democratic candidates demonstrated their commitment to doing what is
best for the people of Vermont, not just their own ambitions. Now that
the primary is finally over, we can unite behind Peter Shumlin, who
is more than ready to take on Brian Dubie in the “main event”.
In this primary race, we have seen once again how critical every
vote can be. We expect all of the elections this fall to be just
as close, and every one of us has to do his or her part for our
candidates to win.
All the work of the past two years will be culminating in less than two
months, on Tuesday, November 2 - Election Day... Let’s be ready!
1) Early Voting Begins Next Week - Monday, September 20 –
Volunteers Needed!
2) "We Believe in Steve" Rally - Tues. September 28, 6 - 7:30 pm, at
the Godnick Center, 1 Deer St., Rutland
This is your golden opportunity to show support for Rutland's own
candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Steve Howard!
After his many years of legislative service to the people of Rutland,
Steve is running hard to win the Lt. Gov. seat. With his understanding
of our needs in this part of the state, Steve's election would be
especially great for Rutland County. Let's get out a good crowd for
our "favorite son" candidate - plan to come yourself, and ask a friend
or two to join you. Donations are encouraged. To RSVP, or for
questions, contact Jamie-Lynn Weeks at 802-665-7932.
3) Rutland City Democrats Garden Party - Sunday, October 3, 4-6 pm, at
the home of Peter Miller, 46 Chestnut Ave., Rutland
Speaker of the House Shap Smith will join us to rally support for all of
our Rutland City house candidates. We will enjoy delicious hors
d'oeuvres and desserts with fellow Democrats in a beautiful garden
setting, all for a good cause. Cider and wine will also be provided.
Let's show Speaker Smith a warm Rutland welcome! Suggested
donation is $15 per person, or whatever you can afford, and all
candidates are welcome for free. For questions or to RSVP,
please contact Kathy Barrett at 775-3204.
4) Voter Registration continues until Wednesday, October 27
We continue to register voters at our HQ on Center St., or to
refer them to their Town Clerk if that works better for them. If you
know people who have not yet registered - young or old - urge them to do
so right away. We need every possible vote! For questions, contact
Ryan McLaren at Rutland Democratic HQ (773-1488).
5) Rutland Halloween Parade - Saturday, October 30, 6:30 - 8:00 pm, in
downtown Rutland
As usual, your Rutland County Democrats will be marching in
the famous Halloween parade. Our theme this year is "The Party of Yes",
and Kathy Milillo is coordinating the decorations. It is lots of fun to
march in this parade, and our "costumes" will be simple (red, white, and
blue clothing), so you can dig out things you have, and you don't have
to buy or sew anything! In this election year, we want a big
contingent, so plan to join us if you can. We will send more
details out to all who let us know you are interested. Please contact
Kathy Milillo at:
azurevt@aol.com, or 459-3398.
6) Election Weekend and Election Day - Saturday, October 30 - Tuesday,
November 2
This will be the final push to get our voters out to the
polls. If there is only one time that you can volunteer for this
election, this is when we will need you the most! We will be
organizing phone calling, canvassing, and other activities to remind and
encourage our supporters to get out and vote. If you prefer to support
the effort "behind the scenes", there are other important tasks such as
making food for the volunteers at HQ, driving candidates or canvassers
around, etc. To sign up as a volunteer for Election Weekend,
please contact Nancy Stalnaker at HQ, 773-1488.
7) Old
Fashioned Vermont Ice Cream Social and Soapbox Political Rally Sunday
September 26, 2-4 PM, sponsored by the Town of Killington – Sherburne
Library
Rutland
County Senate candidates and others will be at this event. Killington
describes it like this: This family-oriented Ice Cream Social and
Political Rally are at the Sherburne Library. Money raised through the
sale of ice cream treats will go to the National Audubon Society. In
addition to ice cream and soapbox speeches, there will be bobbing for
apples, music, hay sculptures, and lots of other fun for families and
residents. We hope you’ll join us to create a fun event of fun and
socializing with Vermonters from throughout the region. It promises to
be a very good time for a very good cause. Contact # 422-2185
8)
Welcome to Ryan McLaren,
who is our new Rutland County Campaign Field Director, coming to us from
Essex, VT. Ryan is replacing Nancy Stalnaker, who is not moving out,
but rather up. Nancy is the new VDP Data Director; she will continue
working out of our Rutland County Dems office, 24 Center Street.
9) Campaigns and Fundraisers
Last but not least, we encourage you to support all of our
Democratic candidates by contributing financially, and with your time.
Local candidates are listed on our county website,
rutland-democrats.org, where you will find information on their
upcoming events. For statewide candidates, we will also
be listing local events on our website.
10) Recent Events - Vermont State Fair
We all owe a big "thank you" to the many people who
volunteered their time and talents to make our Rutland Democrats booth
at the fair a success. Special thanks to Billy King for his design and
set-up work, and to Marcy Tanger and Sue La Porte for their organizing.
Last but not least, thanks to all of you who spent a few hours
staffing the booth. It is crucial for us to show that Democrats can be
committed to strong principles and be welcoming to all - both at
the same time!
Rutland County Democrats - News & Events Edited by Bob Soule
It is now officially summer, and your County Committee is shifting into
high gear! During this last week of June we kick off the season with
our first Friday Night Live. And July promises to be one of our busiest
months ever. This is all a nice way of saying, we need you! We will be needing volunteers for the events outlined below, for numerous different tasks: registering voters, marching in parades, cooking food, answering telephones, and putting together mailings, to name just a few. Many of you have helped us with your volunteer efforts in the past, and we hope that you will step up again. To those who have not yet participated, now is a great time to get involved! Please read over the information on our summer schedule and sign up for as many events as you can - there is lots of variety.... 1) Friday Night Live - Fridays: June 25 - August 20, 6-9 pm, on Center St., Rutland Rutland’s weekly downtown music/food/arts gathering. We’ll have a Rutland Democrats table at a prime location - right in front of our 2010 Democratic Election Headquarters! HQ is at 24 Center Street (formerly Essential Alternatives). Our tables will offer voter registration, campaign materials from our candidates, and delicious snacks for a nominal charge. Local and statewide candidates will be invited to join us to meet and greet the people of the Rutland area. We will need 2 or 3 people each week to staff the tables and greet people, from 6 to 9 pm. If you are interested in helping with this event, please contact Bob Soule at: mc_soule@vermontel.net, or 446-2331. 2) Brandon Independence Day Parade - Saturday, July 3, 12-3 pm, Brandon Keeping up our tradition of "showing the colors" for our most American holiday, the Rutland County Democrats will be marching in this great parade. We expect to be accompanied by most of our Democratic office holders and candidates, as well. As in years past, we will not have uniforms, but will dress in red, white, and blue as much as possible. The theme of the parade is "stars", and we will have some posters honoring stars of the Democratic Party. We encourage marchers to be as creative as you like, and feel free to bring balloons, streamers, hats, or other patriotic paraphernalia. The line up is scheduled at 12 noon, and the parade steps off at 1 pm. Marching time is an hour or so, covering about a mile and a half. If you can join us to march, please contact Bob Soule at: mc_soule@vermontel.net, or 446-2331. For those who would like to participate in the celebration without the walking, we’re planning to have a table on the Brandon Green, for registering voters and handing out campaign literature. The table will be setting up at 10 am; this part of the operation is being handled by the Brandon Democrats. If you are able to help with the table, please contact Katie Johnson at: katie@acswmd.org, or 247-5611.
3) SolarFest - Friday, July 16 - Sunday, July 18, at Forget-Me-Not Farm, Rt. 140, Tinmouth (Info at: http://www.solarfest.org/)This is a unique event combining the spirit of Earth Day and Woodstock with 21st century green technology. In addition to wonderful music, arts, and food, this event offers numerous workshops and vendors focussing on alternative energy and conservation issues. We will have a booth with a tent (for protection from sun and rain!) for registering voters, giving out literature, and visiting with festival-goers. Our space is L22 (not far from the main entrance and parking). This is a great place to meet interesting people, including many like-minded voters. We will need several people to take shifts during the three days of the festival, and discounted passes can be purchased for volunteers if we have you signed up in time to get the special rate. Anyone interested in helping with Solarfest, please contact Anne Lezak at: alezak@comcast.net, or 775-1695.
4)
Rutland County Democratic HQ Grand Opening - Friday, July 23, 5-6:30 pm,
at 24 Center St., Rutland We will have a ribbon-cutting and celebration of our 2010 campaign headquarters, with all of our Democratic candidates invited to participate. We generally get a good crowd for this event, where we’ll introduce the candidates, welcome volunteers, and have an informal reception, with great appetizers to celebrate our official opening. Following the opening, Friday Night Live will be in full swing (from 6 - 9 pm), right outside our office. For this event, we will need volunteers to cook refreshments, as well as a crew to set up, staff, and clean up the food and drink tables. Please contact Anne Lezak if you are able to help with the opening; she can be reached at: alezak@comcast.net, or 775-1695. 5) Rutland City Sidewalk Sales and Ethnic Festival - Friday, July 30 and Saturday, July 31 (Info at: http://www.rutlanddowntown.com/ethnic.html)
Rutland
City Democrats will have a booth at the Rutland Democratic Headquarters,
22 Center Street, where pastries and other ethnic foods will be sold.
This is a great place to “meet and greet” - most of Rutland County seems
to come through this event at some point! We will also be able to
welcome folks into our HQ, where candidate materials will be on
display.
To volunteer (making some food, staffing the table - or
both!) contact Mike Austin, at:
mikeaustinvt1@yahoo.com, or
773-6964.
There will be a pot luck and cross country bocce gathering at the Tanger
home on the 4th of July starting at 4 PM. We're going to have fun
and fundraise! Special guests will be Bob Baird who is running for
Vermont Senate from Rutland County, and Brigid Faenza who is running to
be our local representative from the Mt. Holly/Ludlow/Plymouth district
to the Vermont House. These people are giving their time and money to
run and represent us and we will be asking for donations for them. It
takes money to run - so if you are able, please bring your check book.
There will be short talks during the evening, but this is mostly a
social event.
Other invited guests include Senator Bill Carris, and Cheryl Hooker, who
is also a candidate for the Senate from Rutland. These are fantastic
candidates and we are so lucky to have them! Please let others know
about this and please let us know if you can attend - or not. Thanks so
much and hope to see you then! RSVP by contacting Marcy Tanger at:
tanger@vermontel.net,
or 259-2344.
7) Meet Representative Peter Welch - Saturday, July 24, 5-6:30 pm, at the home of Dottie Finnerty and Ron Unterman, 3101 Healdville Road, BelmontEveryone is invited to attend. This is a great opportunity to talk with Rep. Welch on critical issues facing Vermont and the nation. Campaign contributions are not required, but will be very much appreciated. Peter needs our support for his reelection to Congress this fall. Please RSVP to either: Dottie Finnerty, at 259-2491 or mailto:dottie@finnerty.us, or Janet Warren, at 259-2007 or janetwarren72@hotmail.com
8)
Calling all J.P. s !! (or those who want to be) If you are now a Justice of the Peace, or would like to run for that office in your town, it is time to contact the chair of your town Democratic Committee to let them know you are interested. You can find the name and contact information for your town chair at our website: www.rutland-democrats.org/. If you are interested, but your town does not have an organized Democratic committee, contact Anne Lezak for information, at alezak@comcast.net, or 775-1695. 9) Democrats Serving the Community - (1st Tuesday of each month), 5:30-7 pm, at the Open Door Mission, Park St., Rutland For about a year, local Democrats have taken turns serving dinner at the Mission one day a month. As many of you know, this was a project that was started and coordinated by Mark Skakel, who died suddenly this spring. With his loss, we are without a leader for this project, as other County Committee members are already stretched with other responsibilities. We have explained this situation to the Mission staff, and they understand that we need to put this project on hold for now unless we find a new leader for it. If you are interested in taking on the coordination of this project, or know someone who is, please contact Bob Soule at: mc_soule@vermontel.net, or 446-2331.
10)
Governor Madeline Kunin coming to Rutland County in August!
We are
working with the Vermont Democratic Party to bring Gov. Kunin to our
area for an election rally and fundraiser, in mid-August. Stay tuned
for more information!
11)
Vermont State Fair - September 3-12, at the fairground, Rutland We will have our usual booth in the President's Building, and of course we will need volunteers! If you want to request a certain day or time, get your bids in early.... Marcy Tanger is the organizer this year, and she can be reached at: tanger@vermontel.net, or 259-2344.
12) As usual - check out our website, http://www.rutland-democrats.org/, for information on Democratic happenings, including links to the websites of our candidates for statewide office.
Rutland County Democrats - Sad News
Many of you have known Mark in his professional roles as a forester and as a teacher, and many more have known him through his volunteer roles in local government, politics, charity, and the arts. Others have been fortunate enough to know Mark as a friend. Those of us who worked with Mark in his role as the Vice Chair of the Rutland County Democrats know what a tireless worker he was for the causes he believed in. As we try to come to terms with the shock of Mark's death, we want to share some of the things we have learned about his life through his obituary. We hope that you will feel as we do that the inspiration of Mark's example will outlive his too-short time with us.
Rutland County
Democrats - News & Events
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".
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.
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 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
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.
5)
County Reorganization Election Report
Rutland County Democratic officers for
2009-11:
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