Minutes of the Gettysburg Area DFA Meetup/February 4, 2009

Valentine Hall, Room 206, Gettysburg Theological Seminary  -  7 PM 

Elaine Jones, Chair

 

Welcome to Members and Guests.  Elaine welcomed everyone and asked new guests to introduce themselves.  Kristin Rice announced her candidacy for the new judgeship opening in Adams County.  She explained her current position as assistant public defender reflected her concern for the neediest residents of Adams County.  She welcomed anyone who wants to assist with circulating her petitions.  Another new guest was Denise Weldon-Siviy who is hosting an Obama organizing effort and recently held a “Sock Supper” to collect new socks and underwear for local service groups to distribute.

 

Reports.  Elaine gave an overview of the January 21 Steering Committee Meeting mentioning the new challenges for DFA, the need to support the Obama administration with calls to action and to do citizen lobbying when the need arises.  

 

Standing Committees Update.  The following committees are still in the process of being formed:

Candidate Development.  Maggie Abbott-Fowler, chair person, is looking for additional persons interested in joining the committee.  She can be contacted at vcrentals@hotmail.com. 

 

Communications.   Bob Knight is willing to continue with media relations, but does not want to chair the committee.  Those interested in chairing or joining this committee should contact Bob Knight at sbknight@innernet.net.  With the newsletter editor (Will Lane) stepping aside next month, DFA must decide on the importance of a regular newsletter and find someone to produce it.  Also, DFA is looking for creative ways to utilize the Internet and our web site to promote our agenda and publicize our programs.

 

Citizen Lobbying.   DFA is seeking a chair person and more members for this committee.  Those interested have agreed on the need for sharing protocols with all the members and task forces.  Linda Neylon has agreed to help us post lobbying tips and info on organizing trips to DC on our web site.  Please contact Elaine Jones at elainelynchjones@gmail.com if interested in helping this new standing committee get established.    

 

Task Forces. 

Health Care.  Lou Hammann mentioned his attendance at an all day meeting in Washington, DC devoted to universal health care.  He said the Health Care For All PA insurance program, if successful, can play a crucial role in an eventual universal program for the nation.  He mentioned the ACTV hour long program recently filmed which features Dr. Dwight Michael of Gettysburg and Chuck Pennacchio, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania program, noting that DFA will have a copy of the film and may show it at a future Meetup.  He also distributed the ACTV schedule for airing the film on Comcast Channel 10 during February.  Lou noted the next Task Force meeting would be on February 24th at 6:30 PM in Valentine Hall.  Elaine asked the committee for guidance on when DFA may want to lobby our state legislators on this topic.

 

 

Energy, Environment and Sustainability.  Chairman Peter Boving said there will be a meeting on February 11 at 6:30 PM at 227 West High Street (the Community Benefits Building). All are invited.

 

As a result of discussions with Pat Hammann, Wendy Mizenko distributed copies of a very informative leaflet (Individual Solutions “Green Living, One Step At A Time” by Randi Lorah) which lists ways we can make our lives “greener” and healthier.  Wendy suggested that those who are interested in improving the environment as well as our quality of life might try some of the ideas

recommended in the leaflet and come back a year from now to see what progress has been made. 

 

Iraq Task Force.  Alan Olson announced a meeting for Wednesday, February 25th at 7 PM (at a location to be announced on the DFA website) to discuss whether the Task Force should continue and/or whether it should redefine its role.  Elaine requested that the Task Force discuss the idea of whether DFA should hold a program on the Israeli invasion of Gaza, since it has not been one of our issue priorities, but did precipitate an action alert on the topic.

 

7:40 PM  -  PROGRAM

Roger Lund, Chairman of the Adams County Democratic Committee

“How Can We Encourage More Progressive Candidates to Run in Adams County?” 

Introduction by Elaine Jones

 

Despite the 2 to 3 ratio of Democrats to Republicans in Adams County, Roger made encouraging remarks affirming that Democrats can win elections in this county.  He recommended participation in the national DFA organization by signing on to their web site (www.democracyforamerica.com) to be able to benefit from the national support, citing the financial benefits gained by Phil Avillo in his first election bid.   He urged Adams Countians to run for local office, since candidates can learn about the political process by serving on a school board or a municipal board for example.  Roger said candidates can gain respect and positive attention from volunteering at their church, philanthropic organization, fire company, etc.  Furthermore, he said nowadays candidates have more tools to work with and improved levels of support.  For example, Vote Builder (VAN), a data base program which can produce specific lists of voters that candidates might want to target.  In the last election, ACDC formed four regional groups of precincts to work on literature distribution, making door to door contacts, fund raising, staffing polling places, etc.  He said this regional structure will remain in place to assist in future elections, including the upcoming drive to get petitions signed for local candidates. 

 

In addition to petition signatures, candidates need to raise money.  Support can be garnered from the State House Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressional Committee.  They will try to determine a candidate’s credibility and potential by using one or more of the following criteria:    

1.  Performance – when was the last Democrat elected in Adams County?

2.  Change – maybe the incumbent has done something unethical; polling data can have an effect. 

 

3.  Donations – how much money has the candidate raised locally?  This serves as a measure of their viability, especially if polling data is not availabe.

 

Roger said he has already interviewed two Democratic candidates for the House of Representatives races in 2010.  He advised them to begin fund raising early on in the process.  During this presentation, Roger introduced Attorney Kristin

Rice who is running for the newly established judicial seat in Adams County. 

She asked for assistance in circulating her petitions and provided her web site address: www.riceforjudge.com. 

 

Roger also mentioned that Democrat Jack Panella is running for State Supreme Court Judge (an open seat) noting the importance of this race because the State will be conducting a re-districting in the coming year. The ultimate arbiter of the re-districting process will be the Supreme Court.      

 

Maggie Abbott-Fowler, Chair, of the Candidate Development Committee passed out a sign-up sheet for those interested in receiving information on which Adams County offices are vacant.  She mentioned there have been two meetings of her committee so far; another meeting is scheduled for next week.  Everyone is invited to attend.  Her hope is that one of us will identify someone with potential and will try to recruit that person to run for office.

 

It was announced that petitions will be available at the February 16th meeting of the Adams County Democratic Committee to be held at the Gettysburg Library at 7 PM.  The petitions can be signed there and/or be taken along to circulate on behalf of the candidates.  Circulation of petitions can begin on Tuesday, February 17th and must be signed by March 10th.    

 

Local Issue.  Clodius Willis brought up the issue of the amendment of the Gettysburg Borough noise ordinance, which is under consideration.  He recommended that Gettysburg residents who are disturbed by noise and want it regulated should voice their opinion by writing to the Borough Council and attend the meeting at which the ordinance will be discussed (unknown date at this point). 

 

Future Meetups.  A showing of the Health Care For All PA film was suggested for the March 4th  Meetup program.  A suggestion was also made that a “meet the candidates” program be held at the April or May Meetup in time for the May 19th Primary. 

 

Steering Committee Meeting.  The next meeting will be at 7 pm on February 18, 2009 in the Valentine Hall Coffee Shop. 

 

Adjournment.   The meeting ended at 8:45 PM.

 

Virginia A. Ciliotta

 Recording Secretary