Thursday, August 17th, 2006
Democratic HQ in Rice Lake

Chairman Cecil Kippenhan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Forty people attended.

Dan Kanninen of Senator Bob Jauch’s office, said that Jauch faces his stiffest challenge from the powerful Wisconsin Manufacturer’s Coalition, which is attacking Jauch because of his opposition to Republican shifting of tax burden onto homeowners and off corporations.

Beth Ager read the Secretary’s report. The minutes were passed as read.

Clarice Fall gave the Treasurer’s report showing a beginning balance from July of $5,666.94 and an ending balance of $4,312.34. Receipts of memberships and donations totaled $464.00. Expenses totaled $1,818.60. We paid $62.50 to the DPW for membership co-pay; $100.00 to Dar Ishmael for fair booth paint and supplies; $895.00 to Jerry Schlei for HQ rent, and $761.10 to Jerry Schlei for miscellaneous communications expenses. The report was approved as read.

Old business:
Headquarters: Jerry Schlei covered individual contributions to the headquarters’ furnishings, and the eventual need for volunteers to work there. He demonstrated software for internet telephony.

Communications Committee: Chair Jerry Schlei recapped the voter outreach project and thanked Elsie Krause, Kipp Kippenhan and Maureen Conboy for their work.

Chairman Kippenhan reported on the August 21st headquarters grand opening and fundraiser, with Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton. Members are encouraged to arrive with a potluck dish and a contribution to split between the county party and the Doyle-Lawton campaign. He hopes to attract 200 people.

Parades: Members are encouraged to be visible at the local summer festivities, including the Cumberland Rutabaga Festival and the Ridgeland Fair on Labor Day.

Fred Bannister expressed disappointment in Russ Feingold’s new health care reform plan, which defers the solution for five years and does not address special interest influence.

Willie Williams and Judy Ferber-Williams spoke about Camp Wellstone, which taught them the nuts and bolts of issue-based campaigns. In order to gain power, progressives need to cultivate involvement with progressive issues not just during elections, but all the time, building a farm team of progressive leaders. Williams cited Bannister’s HSA as a good example of how it was being done in Barron County. Additionally, Willie, Judy and Elsie Krause got enough signatures to put a referendum on the Iraq occupation on the Prairie Farm ballot. Mary Hubler added that there will be many referenda on health care this year.

Officeholders’ reports:
75th Assembly Rep. Mary Hubler reported working to get other Democrats elected this year, including Pat Kreitlow, Roberta Rasmus and Ann Hraczak (sp). Dave Zien’s internal polling numbers are far worse than public reports. And her own opponent has already spent more on this campaign than Hubler herself ever has.

Sheriff Tom Richie reported the best year in meth statistics in the last 3, with a 60–70% drop in cases. He credited the Methamphetamine Initiative and other community awareness projects. His campaign was going well, although he planned to address some negative attacks. He encouraged voters to look at his record.

Registrar of Deeds Joyce Kaseno reports that her office trainees have been doing well. She has begun her campaign but will wait until after the primary to go full speed.

Sunshine report: Edith Olson sent a card to Kipp Kippenhan after his accident.

Food pantry: July’s donation went to Cameron. Harold Lindemann reported that the Cumberland pantry could use tomato sauce, spaghetti, macaroni and cheese and hot and cold cereals the most.

Fred Bannister proposed having a float for next year’s parades. Toby Paone has the old one at home, and it can be fixed up and reused.

Chairman Kippenhan thanked several individuals for doing extra work for the party last month.

The Barron Democrats’ next meeting will be Thursday, September 21st, at 7:00 p.m. at the Democratic headquarters, 113 N. Main, Rice Lake.

Chairman Kippenhan read a brief update from Jason Rae, who has finished interning for consulting firms in Washington, D.C. and had been campaigning in Georgia.

The meeting adjourned at 8:35

Respectfully submitted,

Lizbeth Ager
Secretary