September 2006 DemoChat

The DemoChat
The Official 33rd Legislative District Democrats Newsletter
Volume 2, Issue 9, September 2006
33rd LD DEMOCRATS
Executive Board
For 2005-06
Chair:
Tara Jo Heinecke
206-870-8819
Vice-Chair:
Tim Clark
253-854-1895
Secretary:
Tina Shamseldin
206-409-3038
Treasurer:
Cass Prindle
206-403-6869
WSDCC Reps:
Wendy Morgan
206-246-2165
Lionel Forde
206-850-3187
Elizabeth Brant
206-870-1759
Senator Karen Keiser
360-786-7664/ FAX 360-786-1999
Jack Arends
206-592-1302
Rep. Shay Schual-berke
360-786-7834/ FAX 360-786-7317
Iolanda DeRuiter
206-824-2492
Rep. Dave Upthegrove
360-786-7868/ FAX 360-786-7317
Bob Polwarth
206-824-0206
Legislative Hotline
1-800-562-6000
Kerry Wade
253-529-4297
Bob Loeliger
206-870-1939
KCDCC LAC Alt:
Lisa Plymate
206-824-4666
Parliamentarian:
Bob Stephens
206-824-2699
Registrar:
Jean Hueston
206-878-8706
Admin. Officer:
Diane Odegard
206-870-7090
Sgt.-at-Arms:
Jim Fossos
206-824-8537
KCYD Reps.
Kelly Anthony
206-352-3963
Bailey Stober
253-520-2469
Omaha Sternberg
206-388-4575
KCDCC Reps:
KCDCC Alts:
KCDCC LAC:
DemoChat Editor:
September General Meeting
Monday, September 18, 2006
Normandy Park Congregational Church
19247 First Avenue South
Normandy Park, Washington
AGENDA
(Endorsements may be made at this meeting.)
7 p.m.
Call to order, approval of agenda and minutes
7:15 p.m.
Speaker King County Commissioner Julia Patterson;
Ballots and Initiatives
8:15 p.m.
Officers’ and Committee Reports
rd
These Democrats represent the 33 Legislative District in
Olympia. Representative Shay Schual-berke, Senator Karen
Keiser, and Representative Dave Upthegrove are there to
serve you. Please contact them if you have an inquiry.
Check those Balances!
September 19th is an all important day. It may not seem as such to
some…it’s just a primary after all. No decision regarding our state
senate will be made then. No determination about congressional
direction will be made at that time. Republicans will run against
Republicans and Democrats will run against Democrats.
No, September 19th is a date that many will see as
superfluous…and it is not. Among the many positions up for grabs
this year are several judicial ones, including three supreme court
positions. Our state, like our country, has three levels of
government, but so many forget that the state judicial branch is
elected as well as the legislative and executive.
As the branch of our government responsible for, among other
things, keeping a check on the legislative and executive branches
by checking the laws passed with the constitution which is the
foundational law of our state, it is imperative that this branch of the
government remain above board and that officers holding these
judicial positions truly try to stay non-partisan in their efforts to
check those laws.
Because without those checks and balances, we can say goodbye to
a state, and country, that cares what the constitution
means…because it will become meaningless.
So, do your research before the vote, and remember to mail in your
ballot or vote on September 19th! And don’t forget that remaining
district meetings for the year will take place Oct. 16 and Nov. 20.
The December re-organization meeting will be scheduled at a later
date.
Omaha Sternberg, DemoChat Editor
33rd District Democrats
The Demo Chat 2006
Page 2
September 2006
General Membership Meeting
Minutes
August 21, 2006
Meeting Opening
Jack Arends called the meeting to order at 7:12. Bob Loeliger led the flag salute.
Representative Adam Smith
Representative Adam Smith received a warm welcome from our
membership.
Adam spoke about our country’s need to restore the balance of
power at the Federal level---and that “voting in” Democrats in order
to take the majority in the House is one key step. He spoke about
this administration’s attempts to impose “democracy” while eroding
our democratic values at home by conducting wiretaps without
warrants, stifling open debate and making decisions based on
ideology.
Adam also spoke on the need for us to actively move toward energy independence by investing in alternative energy,
such as wind and solar, to decrease our dependency on foreign oil. Adam also stated he was concerned about
electronic voting machines and would prefer if our election system was not using these devices. Members thanked
Adam for his resolution on Iraq to increase pressure on this administration to develop an exit strategy. Adam also
formally thanked his staff (Chelsea Waliser, Matt Perry) who were in attendance and encouraged members to contact
them if we need assistance.
Councilmember Julia Patterson
Julia briefly addressed the group. She noted that since the decrease
of the County Council to nine seats, her workload has grown--she
now represents an additional 70,000 constituents.
Julia gave an overview on “Transit Now” which the council may place on the ballot this November. Transit Now
would increase county wide bus services by 20%. Five rapid transit corridors would be established with dedicated
lanes for buses. Rob Johnson was introduced as staff on the Transit Now campaign. A motion was made by Bob
Loeliger, and seconded by Ted Schwarz, to recommend to the King County Council placing “Transit Now” on the
ballot in November; the motion passed unanimously. Julia will join us at the October general meeting with more
details.
Resolution to Oppose Elected Auditor
The King County Democrats passed a resolution at their last meeting opposing the KC Council proposed amendment
for the creation of an elected auditor. Jack presented on the resolution. The auditor position is currently appointed by
the Executive and then voted on by the council. There is concern that having the position elected would heighten the
The Demo-Chat 2006 is published by the 33rd Legislative District Democrats and mailed in advance of the next monthly meeting. The official
address of the organization is: in care of Chair Tara Jo Heinecke, 2035 S. 223rd Street, Des Moines 98198.
The Demo Chat 2006
Page 3
September 2006
political nature of this position. KCDCC also felt this was a strategy to undercut the Executive’s power as he prepares
to appoint an auditor to replace Dean Logan.
It was noted by Councilmember Julia Patterson that since the KCDCC meeting, Susan Sheary, the Chair of the King
County Democrats, and Dwight Peltz, the State Party Chair had worked with the King County Council to establish a
compromise. The compromise includes creating a commission to review the county’s charter, as per the current
charter, and to put the decision if the auditor should be elected for a vote in 2009. Jack noted that KCDCC still
encourages the passage of the resolution despite the compromise. Other members expressed an interest in waiting and
hearing more about the compromise.
Cass made a motion to accept the resolution presented by Jack to oppose an amendment for the creation of an elected
auditor. The motion was seconded and a friendly amendment was made and declined. A formal amendment was
made by Bob F. to remove some of the language that gave specific instructions to the council on next steps. After
much debate the amendment passed along with the full motion as amended (24 for motion; 20 against).
Dan Nolte Presented on Behalf of the Darcy Burner Campaign
Dan Nolte said the campaign continues to gain momentum
and thanked members from the 33rd that have worked on
Darcy’s campaign. Within the 33rd, there are only two more
precincts to walk.
Dan encouraged folks to come help the campaign on
Saturday, September 19th national GOTV event.
Mary Soderlin Presenting on Behalf of Representative Shay Schual-Berke
Mary expressed Shay’s regrets of not being able to attend the meeting. Shay is on the east coast celebrating her
mother’s 95th birthday. Mary gave updates on Shay’s work on a number of health related task force and her work to
place campaign limits on judicial races.
Chair’s Report and Other Business
Tara Jo encouraged members to attend the Normandy Park
fundraising event to support Senator Karen Keiser that will be
held on Saturday, September 9th from 2-4pm. The Governor
and Representative Adam Smith will be attending.
The Demo-Chat 2006 is published by the 33rd Legislative District Democrats and mailed in advance of the next monthly meeting. The official
address of the organization is: in care of Chair Tara Jo Heinecke, 2035 S. 223rd Street, Des Moines 98198.
The Demo Chat 2006
Page 4
September 2006
Registrar Report: Jean Hueston stated there were 55 voting members present. She also presented new guests for
membership: Jerome Pipitone, who is also on the ballot to become a PCO; Pauline Harry from Kent; Karen Moore
from Des Moines; and Dana Fosberg from Sea-Tac. Brian Kerry from Normandy Park was also seeking a PCO
appointment for precinct 0849. A motion was made to accept them into membership; the motion was seconded and
passed.
Treasurer Report: Cass Prindle reported that our current balance is $934.43. A motion was made and passed to
accept the report.
Young Democrat Report: Bailey Stober presented on behalf of the Young Democrats. The Young Democrats are
participating in a “campaign raid” where they flood a campaign office with volunteers. They will be going out to the
Darcy Burner campaign this weekend.
Other Business/Good of the order:
• Fire Commissioner Jim Fossos along with Vic Pendleton, the Director of Training from Des Moines Fire
Department spoke on behalf of the Fire Chief. They are seeking our support to lift the levy lid for six years to
cover critical services. Cass made a motion to support the levy lid measure; it was seconded and passed.
Florence made a motion to donate $150.00 toward the campaign; it was seconded and passed.
• Amy Zarrett presented on the “no on I-933” campaign. She will return next month with a resolution for
consideration.
• Florence reported that the auction brought in $107.00.
• A suggestion was made to phone 33rd LD members to remind them if their dues have not been paid to consider
making a contribution.
• Bob announced that the Southend Peace Movement group will be holding monthly movie nights. The first one
is scheduled for September 7th at 7pm in the Burien Library.
The meeting adjourned at 9:20.
The Demo-Chat 2006 is published by the 33rd Legislative District Democrats and mailed in advance of the next monthly meeting. The official
address of the organization is: in care of Chair Tara Jo Heinecke, 2035 S. 223rd Street, Des Moines 98198.
The DemoChat
33rd Legislative District Democrats
2035 S. 223rd Street
Des Moines, WA 98198
E-mail: [email protected]
Post calendar notices:
[email protected]
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
For more information, visit these web sites:
http://www.wa-democrats.org
http://www.kcdems.org
or call Tara Jo Heinecke, 206-870-8819
Upcoming Events …
Monday, September 18, 2006, 7 p.m.
33rd LD General Meeting
Normandy Park Congregational Church
19247 First Avenue South, Normandy Park
Information: Tara Jo Heinecke, 206-870-8819
Tuesday, September 12, 2006, 7 p.m.
33rd LD Executive Board Meeting
Carpenters Specialties Training Center
20424 72nd Avenue South, Kent
Information: Tara Jo Heinecke, 206-870-8819
Tuesday, September 26, 2006, 7 p.m.
King County Democrats General Meeting
Renton Carpenters Hall
231 Burnett Ave North, Renton
Information: Susan Sheary, 425-228-4729
Monday, October 16, 2006, 7 p.m.
33rd LD General Meeting
Normandy Park Congregational Church
19247 First Avenue South, Normandy Park
Information: Tara Jo Heinecke, 206-870-8819
Mike Lowry Shrimp Feed, Saturday, September 16, 2006, time 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Northgate Community Center, 10510 5th Ave NE, Seattle
Primary Election Day, Tuesday, September 19th, 2006; 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
Various polling locations across King County; see http://www.metrokc.gov/elections for more information
2006 Governor Albert D. Rosellini Dinner, Friday, September 29th, 2006; 6:30 pm
To RSVP or for more information, contact Shawna Ousse at (206) 583-0664 or [email protected]