Thurston County Democrats

www.thurstondemocrats.org

John Cusick,
Chair
459-4024

Debby Pattin,
1st Vice Chair
951-6056

Roger Erskine,
2nd Vice Chair
709-2445

Jeff Holcomb,
Secretary
943-7939

Jane Johnson,
Treasurer
236-0058

Linda Lombard,
State Committee Woman
352-1712

Joel Staloch,
State Committee
Man
480-9432

Jeanne Passarelli, Executive Committee Woman
At-Large
455-0422

Jerry Muchmore,
Exeutive Committee Man
At-Large
413-9729

Leigh McKinsey,
Editor
754-5889

P.O. Box 164
Olympia, WA
98507-0164

360-956-0235

Special Messages

Chair's Message

As summer approaches, the TCD continues to move full speed ahead in its party building activities.  Thanks to the efforts of Linda Lombard, Helen Carlstrom and all the other volunteers, auction donors and participants, our annual Jefferson-Jackson celebration was a tremendous success, helping us raise over $9,000 for our organizing and campaign coffers.  Governor Gregoire’s speech was inspirational and we're all glad to hear she intends to continue doing what’s right for the State’s citizens regardless of the political risks, Jim Smucker’s poem was a hit, and the evening was topped off by dancing to the driving democratic sounds of the Mud Bay Blues Band.  We’re planning now to make next year’s event even better!

A newly revitalized “burger booth” is almost ready for action this summer season beginning with “Super Saturday” June 11th.  More on this next month, but we again owe a hearty thanks to Jerry Muchmore, our 2004 Democrat of the Year, for coordinating all the maintenance activities with the very generous efforts of Mike and Paul Pelela of the Pipefitters' and Plumbers' Union.

And, perhaps most important of all, our members continue to build our community relationships, not only with our “walk the talk” efforts helping and contributing to the Thurston County Food Bank and annual Crop Walk, but also increasing our involvement with other local progressive groups, such as TCPro-Net, Veterans for Peace, etc. 

Some may ask “Why all this other activity?”  The reason is to elect Democrats and those non-partisans who support the party’s principles by building strong and credible relationships with others in the community.  The research indicates strangers do not positively influence voter behavior and “networks are better formed when they are not immediately necessary.”  (For more on this, I highly recommend reading Valdis Krebs in “It’s the Conversations, Stupid!” available at our website www.thurstondemocrats.org/newdocs/PoliticalConversations.pdf).

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A Message from Brian Baird

Fellow Democrats:

These days it’s hard to know where to begin to describe the excesses of the radical Republicans in Congress. You’ve probably heard of the ethical questions about Republican Majority Leader DeLay’s travels at lobbyist expense and possible misuses of campaign funds in Texas.  You know that in the Senate 200 years of tradition are being obliterated by the so called “Nuclear Option” on the filibuster.  And, of course, there is the President’s traveling medicine show selling a snake oil plan for Social Security.

Here are some things you may not have seen in the press, but are further evidence of the radical and dangerous agenda of the Republican leadership:

The 2.6 trillion dollar federal budget for 2006 was brought to a vote in the House with less than 3 hours for members to read.  Because the budget extends projections out for the next five years, the total budgetary impact was over 14 trillion dollars.  Again, with just 3 hours to read.

The same budget spends every single penny of the Social Security trust funds for the next 5 years, borrowing hundreds of billions of dollars every year from those funds to disguise the true size of the deficit and to fund the war in Iraq and Republican tax cuts for the wealthy.

While finding more than 80 billion dollars of “emergency spending” to send to Iraq, the White House and Republican congress refused to provide adequate funding to fully meet the needs of the returning soldiers and families who have served in that conflict.

The Capitol was again evacuated last month, fortunately without incident.  Most Americans are unaware that Republican’s passed a rule at the start of this Congress to effectively amend the Constitution and allow a mere handful of survivors of an attack on Congress to act as if they were a fully representative body.  Under Republican Rules, as few as 3 surviving members of Congress would be given full Congressional powers to declare war, impeach the President, ad even elect the President in the form of a new Speaker of the House.

The list could go on and on.  Whether it is an ill-conceived Central American Free Trade Agreement that actually weakens existing worker and environmental protections, repeated direct and indirect attacks on a woman’s right to choose, or dangerously flawed foreign policy, this administration and the radical Republicans in Congress are doing terrible and long lasting damage to our nation and the things we hold dear.

Now for the good news.  I believe the American people are finally waking up!! If Democrats work together and reach out to voters with reasoned, common sense solutions to our problems, and if we are not afraid to tell the truth and show true courage and vision, I believe we can turn things around in 2006. Our district is always on the target list, and I am grateful for all your support and the privilege of representing you in these struggles.

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News of Note

Precinct Boundary Changes

On May 2nd, the Thurston County Auditor presented a proposed plan to revise precinct boundaries in an effort to align them with fire/school, congressional and legislative districts. Any concerns raised by affected PCO’s and the TCD Executive Committee have been presented to the Auditor and her staff, who are reconsidering some of the proposed changes.

Final proposed changes will be presented to the County Commissioners at their June meeting.  All PCO’s whose precinct boundaries are changed will receive a letter and new maps from the Auditor.  All voters whose precinct boundaries are changed will receive new voter registration cards. Thanks to the Auditor and her staff for consulting with us on these matters.   

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New Precinct Committee Officers

New PCO for LD 22

Stephen Langer, Olympia #49

What is a ‘Caretaker’ Precinct Committee Officer?

A Caretaker PCO is someone who serves as the acting PCO for a precinct without a precinct committee officer. The primary duty of the Caretaker is to recruit a PCO who lives within the boundaries of that precinct. The Caretaker PCO will contact the identified “A” and “B” Democrats residing within the precinct and try to put together a Precinct Committee to help with canvassing the precinct. “Caretaker” PCOs do not have the voting privileges that elected and appointed PCOs have, so their work as non-voting volunteers is especially appreciated.

If you would be interested in serving as a Caretaker PCO for a nearby precinct, please contact Debby Pattin, 1st Vice Chair, at debbypattin@thurstondemocrats.org or 866-8664.

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Legislative District News

Legislative District 2  - Represents Pierce County, including McKenna, Rainier, Roy, Ft. Lewis, Spanaway, Orting, Graham, Yelm, and the City of Eatonville.

2ND LD Issues Conference with Governor Christine Gregoire

June 22nd 5:00-9:30pm

Information available at www.2ndlegislativewa.com/SpringIssuesConference.html

Legislative District 20 – Represents Mason and portions of Grays Harbor, Kitsap, and Thurston Counties.

1st Annual South Thurston County Democrats Clam Bake

Sunday June 19th 1-4 PM
Violet Prairie Grange (just off Old Hwy 99 @ Tilley Rd & 171st Ave SE

Adults - $15, Kids 8 to 12 - $7
7 and under – FREE

For more information call:  360-262-3484 or 360-736-5610

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TCD Community Connections

TCD Crop Walk nets $1000

The Thurston County Democrats team raised $1000 to fight hunger, both locally and nationally. Thanks to the Walk team:  Alan Corwin, John Cusick, Gail James, Kyle Lucas, Christi McGinley, Debby Pattin, Ken & Ardell Schwilk and Roberta Zens.

A heartfelt “Thank You” to all who made pledges.

Letter Carrier Food Bank Drive

Mail carriers in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Shelton collected 86,698 pounds of food on May14th in their annual Letter Carrier Food Drive to benefit area food banks.  TCD volunteers helped throughout the day to pick up donated food in Thurston County.

Thanks to all the dedicated TCD volunteers for “walking the talk!”

June 6th - Thurston County Food Bank

220 Thurston St. NE
Shifts: 8:30-noon or 12:30-3:00

There's a Change a Comin'...well, maybe.

Please read and respond to Elizabeth Shepard with your preference.

The procedure at the Thurston County Food Bank has recently changed. Commodity Monday has been changed to the first working day (they are open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) of the month. We can continue to work the first Monday of the month, or we can switch and have a changing schedule based on the first working day of the month at the Food Bank. Also the Food Bank is open on the 4th Wednesday of the month for evening hours from 4:30 until 7:00 p.m.

For those who have been working regularly please contact me and let me know whether you prefer to stay with the first Monday of the month, or if you want to switch to the first working day of the month and continue to help with commodities. Either shift is important, and will be greatly appreciated by the staff and patrons of the Food Bank. Majority will rule as far as the group, but don't forget anyone can work there any time they are open.

Thank you all so much for the time and effort you have put into the Food Bank and our community.

Elizabeth Shepard
jemn1@earthlink.net
943-9448

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Sunshine Committee News

Condolence

TCD wishes to express condolences to Jacqui Brown-Miller at the passing of her sister.

A Thank You from Andy Stephenson

Who writes, in part: 

Dear TDC:  Thank you for your donation of $40.00.  It came at a time when I was facing a life or death decision about the medical care I needed.  Your donation,…has allowed me to obtain the best medical care possible for my condition.  Thank you again for your support and your letters of encouragement.

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Volunteer for TCD

Picnics are Fun!

Want to help make the TCD Picnic in August "the best ever"?

After attending the Thurston Co. Progressive Network's Memorial Day Picnic, and from our own past TCD picnics, we know these can be fun events for the entire family -- AND, a chance to meet candidates and discuss the upcoming elections and issues.

Many Democrats are concentrating on Burger Booth improvements, ensuring coverage at Super Saturday & Lakefair, and handling all related details.    Here's YOUR opportunity to volunteer to help make our August Democratic Picnic "the best one ever"" If you want to serve on the Picnic Committee, contact Elizabeth Shepard at 943-9448 or jemn1@earthlink.net.

Committees

Help us be the the best county Democrat organization in the state!

Burger Booth Support - Help us get the Burger Booth repaired and in top condition for upcoming fundraising events. The Burger Booth is one of the largest sources of funding for the Thurston County Democrats.
Roger Erskine 709-2445 rogererskine35@hotmail.com

Campaign Services/Support - Have you ever been a candidate or worked on a campaign? This is the committee for you. Come help us develop and implement a plan that will support the needs of candidates, Democrats, and others involved in getting Democrats elected to local office.
Jerry Muchmore 413-9729 bigdogjerry@comcast.net
Joel Staloch 455-1973 joelws27@earthlink.net

Volunteers - Are you an organized person who likes to motivate and engage people? These are the committees for you!
Elizabeth Shepard 943-9448 jemn1@earthlink.net

PCO Support - Develop training, strategies, and other supports to make our PCOs the best trained and best prepared PCOs in the state.
Rhenda Strubb 943-1913 rhenda@irisassociates.net
Jeanne Passarelli 455-0422 j.passarelli@comcast.net

Education and Forums - Develop and manage events and forums that will help educate the Thurston County Democrats and our community on issues that are important to Democrats.
Roger Erskine 709-2445 rogererskine35@hotmail.com

Sunshine Fund - Donate a monthly door prize to be given away at each Thurston County Democrat Central Committee meeting. Funds collected will be used for condolence cards, flowers and other appropriate recognitions for Democrats in our community who have experienced a loss, illness or other event.
Chris Garst 491-4969 cbgarst@aol.com

Communications - Do you have experience writing for publication? Do you have experience producing a regular newsletter? Do you know how to do publicity for events? Are you interested in working on websites? This is the committee for you. We're looking for folks to help pull together the monthly newsletter, keep the website up-to-date and help us publicize Thurston County Democrat events and activities.
Christi McGinley 459-4024 christi@beaudesigns.com

Data & Information - This committee will be looking at what data is needed, where data is coming from, and how it should be used to further Thurston County Democrat goals and objectives.
Jeff Holcomb 943-7939 mapmaker98502@yahoo.com

Historical Records - This committee will begin the important task of documenting the "institutional knowledge" within the Thurston County Democrat organization. There are many who have been around the organization for years who have valuable information that should be collected for current and future reference so we don't unnecessarily reinvent the wheel.
Jeff Holcomb 943-7939 mapmaker98502@yahoo.com

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