Our December meeting featured updates from our local legislators and WCDC’s very active subcommittees. Representatives Jan Dodge and Paige Zeigler and Senator Chip Curry made it clear that although the legislature is not in session, they are not just sitting at home! To the contrary, the legislature’s committees are meeting and dealing with carryover for the next session.
WCDC’s focus is on organizing the caucuses. We’re grateful to Cheryl Cassidy, who is taking an active role in that effort, recruiting conveners and other volunteers. Caucuses will take place on Saturday February 3rd or Sunday February 4th. Conveners are still needed in Belmont, Freedom, and Frankfort. The convenor has to be a registered Democrat but does not have to be a resident of the municipality (although a non-resident convenor would not be able to vote). Any suggestions may be sent to us at info@waldocountydemocrats.com. The Maine Democratic Convention will be held May 31st – June 1st at the Cross Center in Bangor. Delegates will be elected at the municipal caucuses, as will County Committee members.
Our valued number cruncher, Gail Chase, presented the monthly treasurer’s report as well as the proposed budget. For those of us who may be numerically challenged, Chase did a good job of explaining the categories and figures. Thank you, Chase. After much discussion, WCDC approved both.r
Josh Goldstein and Sue Conard reported on the Platform Committee. They are breaking out in subcommittees now to draft different sections of proposed platform changes. Goldstein also reported for the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging Committee. Members appeared at the Belfast City Council regarding the decision to move Belfast Wards 1-4 voting to the Tarratine Tribe Building. Talks will continue with city administrators about finding a different location.
Valerie Tate, chair of the Campaign Committee, reported that they had a good turnout at the November 28th meeting about recruiting potential candidates. Special guests were Dan Lord, Maine Democratic Party Organizing Director, Scott Cuddy, former State Representative from Winterport, and Sean Smith, Director at Maine House Democratic Campaign Committee. The committee meets again January 3rd at 5:30 PM.
Cheryl Cassidy reported for the Engagement Committee on a very successful Waldo County Democrats Day at the Waldo County Woodshed in Searsmont (see picture below). Approximately 18 of our Paul Bunyan volunteers reported for duty. Good show as they split, toted and loaded 8 cords of wood to fill 17 vehicles. Well done Dems! Representative Dodge submitted a press release about the event to local media, which was published in the PenBay Pilot (Waldo County Democrats Perform Holiday Community Service) – thank you Rep. Dodge.
The WCDC committee has two vacancies to fill – one for the Executive Committee and one as alternate for the Democratic State Committee. Valerie Tate was nominated to fill the Exec Committee post and was unanimously elected. Thank you, Valerie, we appreciate all you do for Waldo County Dems. The DSC Alternate position remains unfilled. If you’d like more information about the position, please contact us at info@waldocountydemocrats.com.
Our next meeting will be Sunday, January 21st at 1 PM. We are hoping for a hybrid meeting – stay tuned.
Thank you to Bernice Nadler for the picture!
