|
In this Issue:
- New
State Committee Reps Elected
- Steve
Rowe on the Brain
- Iraq
Campaign Comes to Maine
- Summer
Events Planned
- Act
Blue will Keep KCDC in the Black
County
Reps Chosen
for State Democratic Convention
Elections
were held at the
June
meeting (June 21,
Waterville
) to elect several Kennebec County Democratic Committee (KCDC) representatives
to the Democratic State Committee and various state convention committees. Due
to a recent delegate resignation, KCDC members voted first for
Kathy
Lachowicz
to serve as representative to the state committee. Congratulations and thanks
to
Kathy
who also serves as the committee’s volunteer coordinator.
Committee
members also voted for seven state democratic convention committee positions.
Rita
Moran
, our chairperson, was nominated and elected to the Committee on Permanent
Organization, which runs and manages the annual state convention. Garry
Hinckley
, committee Secretary, was re-elected to serve on the Credentials Committee.
This group manages municipal delegate issues for presidential candidates. In
addition, five people were elected to serve on the Platform Committee. Carl
Pease,
Sam
Shapiro
,
Elery
Keene
,
Ed
Lahowicz
, and Kathy Pease, will represent KCDC’s positions on key democratic issues
and values, and decide on any necessary changes to the state party’s platform.
Gary
Dawbin
, who has served on this committee in the past offered to stand in as an
alternate, should any of those elected be unable to fulfill their duties.
KCDC
Chair Rita Moran highlighted the importance of these elected roles, noting that,
“The people in these positions will represent the views of our county at the
state level and play a critical role in shaping the direction the party takes
for the upcoming local and national elections.” Thanks to everyone who will
represent our county at the upcoming conventions.
A.
G.
Steve
Rowe
Urges Investment in the First 5 Years
Maine
’s
Attorney General
Steven
Rowe
spoke at the
June
meeting and highlighted the importance of making investments in early childhood
development. Using a plastic brain and fact charts as props, he noted that 90%
of brain development occurs within the first five years of a child’s life and
that helping to insure a stable, nurturing environment for
Maine
’s youth can prevent problems later in life, including substance and domestic
abuse, which often create generational cycles of abuse.
He
stressed that when resources are used to provide healthy environments for early
brain development, those resources are returned to the community many times over
by reducing the need to spend money on numerous remediation programs such as
special education, rehabilitation, and criminal justice.
He
advocated better pay and respect for those employed as early-childhood
caregivers and better pay for those who work as K-12 educators. He
also focused on how healthy family environments contribute to worker
productivity. 65,000 children in the state live in homes where both parents
work. When parents and guardians
know that their children are well-cared for while they are at work, they can
focus on their jobs and be better employees. He also commented on the “hidden
problem” of elder abuse on the other end of the generational spectrum.
These
comments followed
Rowe
’s introductory remarks which focused on Democratic values, where he talked
about what to means to be a Democrat. He
noted that, “putting people first is the business we democrats are involved
in,” and recognized that, “people are hungry for inspiration, ideas, and
leadership.”
Rowe
’s comments echoed remarks he had made previously at the State Convention. It
was the second time he had spoken at a KCDC meeting and those present enjoyed
his remarks and speaking with him following the meeting.
Iraq
Campaign Comes to
Maine
A
national, grassroots campaign designed to place pressure on 40 GOP Senators and
Representatives to end the war in
Iraq
has a presence in
Maine
.
Jaclyn
Bruntfield
, an organizer with Iraq Summer campaign spoke at the
June
meeting and urged everyone to flood
Senator
Collin
’s office with phone calls, letters and e-mails urging her to end her support
for the war. Bruntfield noted that
Sen.
Collin
’s vocal position on
Iraq
while home in
Maine
differs greatly from her voting record and support for the Bush
administration’s war policy when she is in
Washington
.
The
Iraq Summer campaign was organized by a coalition of numerous anti-war groups,
including MoveOn.org, Americans United for Change, and Americans Against
Escalation in
Iraq
, and is actively recruiting people to participate.
To get involved, please contact
Jaclyn
Bruntfield
at 202-423-9640, 845-283-4409, or via e-mail at
maine1@iraqsummer.org
KCDC Gears up for
Summer!
Don't forget to check the events calendar to
find what summer fun spot the KCDC will be at next. From 4th of July parades and
fairs, to Old Hallowell Days and other special events, summer is a time to get
out and enjoy the fabulous weather, connect with friends old and new, and show
your support for democratic values.
Volunteer or stop by our booths this summer
for the hottest political and campaign bumper stickers and cool, energy-saving
CFL lightbulbs. See you soon!
Join the
Kennebec
Kick-Down through Act Blue!
There are many causes, candidates and
campaigns that vie for your hard-earned dollars. By donating to the KCDC, you
can help support candidates and democratic initiatives from the very local to
national level. By “kicking down” a one-time or occasional contribution, or
even a monthly donation, you help us improve voter outreach, hold educational
and issue events, and, last but certainly not least, win elections.
Through Act Blue, a national online tool,
you can make a secure donation to the KCDC and add to the vital resources that
will enable us to campaign effectively for numerous candidates.
Rep.
Tom
Allen
has declared that he will run for
Senator
Collin's seats and this will be one of the most contentious battles in 2008.
Republicans will be sending money and people from across the nation to
defeat’s
Allen
and we need to counter the conservative machine. We can do this with your help.
We’ll be fighting for Allen’s House
seat, with several individuals on both sides of the aisle interested in running,
and will be actively working to win one of the most critical presidential races
in our history.
Effective campaigning takes solid resources:
talent, time, planning, people and money. Together we can make it happen. Be a
part of victory in 2008 by contributing via Act Blue. It’s easy and secure: http://www.actblue.com/page/kennebecdems.
|
