Our May WCDC meeting was chock full of important information and elections to state and local committee positions.
In Legislative Updates, Rep. Jan Dodge let us know that June 8 is Broadband Day at the State House and the Belfast Pride Parade is June 12 at 11am. (Waldo County Dems will be lining up for the parade at 10:30 at Belfast Area High School.) Rep. Paige Zeigler has been attending committee hearings via Zoom following his car accident, but will be returning to the State House this week. We’re so glad you’re recovering well, Rep. Zeigler!
Local Dems should be aware that Rep. Paul (R-Winterport) and Rep. Hymes (R-Waldo) have voted against some critically important bills, including LD 564 with support for Pinetree Legal and Legal Services for the Elderly and LD 470 to support a lead abatement program. Want to write a letter to the editor to let your neighbors know these representatives are out of step with their district? Check out the Maine Dems’ LTE Kit.
We’re very happy to congratulate Owen Smith on being appointed by Governor Mills as Waldo County Treasurer. Owen received WCDC’s endorsement for the appointment earlier this year.
Waldo County Dems hosted a great legislative testimony writing workshop on May 20 with Rep. Jan Dodge and Megan Marquis. We had a very lively session with lots of good discussion and learning in a fun format. We hope to have similar workshops on a variety of topics, such as serving as a volunteer campaign staff (as treasurer or LTE coordinator, for example) and the lawmaking process. Let us know your ideas for a future workshop by emailing info@waldocountydemocrats.com.
The Maine Democratic Party has set the date and location for our 2024 State Democratic Convention! It will be May 31 – June 1, Friday and Saturday, at the Cross Civic Center in Bangor. Mark your calendars and plan on becoming a delegate so Waldo County has a strong convention contingent. Delegate elections will take place early next year.
Laura Baker reported that the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging Committee has drafted a letter to the Belfast City Council asking it to find a better polling location than the Tarantino Tribe building. Martha Proulx explained that the organization perpetuates stereotypes of indigenous people and appropriates Native culture. WCDC will vote on whether to send the letter at our June 11 meeting. The DEIB Committee’s next meeting is June 4 and new members are welcome; please let us know if you want to be part of this important work.
The Ad Hoc Bylaws Committee chaired by Philo Hutcheson has completed its work revamping our County Committee bylaws. This month we voted to update our procedures for hearing grievances against the committee and to establish a standing Campaign Committee and a standing Engagement Committee. We’re grateful to Philo, Sue Conard, Laura Baker, and Reeves Gilmore for all their hard work on the bylaws!
Congratulations and thanks are in order for those elected to represent the WCDC on two state party committees: Betty Johnson, Lincolnville, was elected to the Credentials Committee. On the Platform Committee, we will be represented by Mary Greenier, Stockton Springs; Sue Conard, Northport; and Josh Goldstein, Belfast. We appreciate your service.
We also elected Joe Isgro, Monroe, as an at-large member of the WCDC Executive Committee. Joe is chair of the Monroe Democratic Committee and a select board member. Congratulations, Joe! The DEIB Committee will be selecting an Ex Comm member and there is one more at-large position available – if you’re interested in serving please let us know.
With our next meeting on June 11 we return to our regular schedule, 2nd Sunday at 1pm. We’re meeting in person at the Belfast Free Library, but if you need Zoom access please email info@waldocountydemocrats.com. We will have a guest speaker (tba), elect an alternate to the DSC and talk about fairs, festivals, parades, and other summer events.
The WCDC Office will re-open on Friday, June 16, with a happy hour open house from 4pm to 7pm. Please plan on stopping by! Visit our website calendar for more information about the open house and the office schedule. If you can volunteer for an office shift, please email info@waldocountydemocrats.com.